Night covered the Veyris Empire in silver and gold light.
The capital glowed peacefully beneath drifting stars while crystal lanterns floated through the skies like tiny moons.
After the strange creature from earlier had been erased by Marigold's golden dragon flames, the palace slowly returned to normal.
Well.
as normal as the Empire could ever be.
High above the capital.
Kael Veyris stood alone on one of the palace balconies.
The wind moved softly through his hair while distant city lights reflected in his eyes.
Then.
soft footsteps approached behind him.
Marigold walked onto the balcony.
Her long platinum-blonde hair shimmered beneath moonlight while the gold fabric of her dress reflected soft light across the marble floor.
She stood beside Kael quietly.
For a moment.
neither spoke.
Marigold looked down toward the city.
Your Empire is strange.
Kael glanced toward her.
You said that earlier.
She nodded slightly.
Most empires rule through fear.
But your people smile when they see you.
Far below.
citizens still walked through the nighttime streets laughing peacefully.
Children chased floating lights through the plazas.
Musicians played near glowing fountains.
Marigold's crimson eyes softened slightly.
I traveled through kingdoms destroyed by war.
Worlds consumed by rulers obsessed with power.
Dragons who burned civilizations simply because they could.
She looked directly at Kael.
But this place feels warm.
Kael stayed silent for a few seconds.
Then answered calmly.
If people fear their ruler more than their enemies...
the Empire already failed.
Marigold stared at him quietly.
Then smiled faintly.
Dangerously wise.
Before Kael could respond.
another presence suddenly appeared.
Heat filled the balcony.
Red-orange flames flickered softly through the air.
Ignisia stepped forward with crossed arms.
Her brown dragon horns glowed faintly beneath the moonlight while her red eyes immediately moved toward Marigold.
...So this is where you disappeared to.
Kael blinked once.
I was standing here.
Ignisia ignored that completely.
Marigold smiled slightly.
You must be Ignisia.
Ignisia narrowed her eyes slightly.
And you're the golden dragon everyone suddenly likes.
Wukong's voice echoed from somewhere below:
SHE'S SCARY BUT COOL.
Silence.
Then everyone ignored him.
Marigold looked toward Ignisia calmly.
You care about him deeply.
Ignisia immediately answered without hesitation.
Obviously.
Kael looked slightly surprised.
Ignisia noticed immediately.
...What was that expression?
Kael calmly answered:
Nothing.
Ignisia's face turned slightly red.
Marigold quietly laughed.
Interesting.
Ignisia crossed her arms harder.
What's interesting?
Marigold leaned slightly against the balcony railing.
You radiate enough heat to melt worlds.
But around him.
you become soft.
Ignisia froze completely.
...I don't know what you're talking about.
From below.
Lilith's voice echoed upward:
YES YOU DO.
The balcony immediately became chaotic.
Ignisia yelled toward the gardens below:
LILITH.
Laughter echoed from beneath the palace.
Even Kael quietly smiled.
Marigold noticed.
Her eyes widened slightly.
...You smile more than the stories said.
Kael looked toward the city lights again.
Stories exaggerate things.
Marigold watched him silently for a moment.
Then.
very softly.
she spoke.
I think the stories underestimated you instead.
The night wind moved gently across the balcony.
And far above the Empire.
the stars continued watching silently.
As if even the heavens themselves had become curious about Kael Veyris.