Night fell peacefully over the mansion, but the silence that settled over the place was no longer the same as before. The discussion about the dragons still lingered in the air, like an invisible presence that no one could completely ignore.
After spending some time in the main hall, everyone eventually went to their own spaces, but the subject had not ended.
It had only been paused.
I went out to the balcony of my room, resting my hands on the railing as I looked up at the dark sky. The stars were clear, as if the world were in perfect order. It was almost ironic.
"So you came out here too."
Lyannis's voice came from behind me. I didn't need to turn around to know it was her.
"I needed some time to think," I replied.
She approached and stopped beside me.
"You've already decided, haven't you?"
I remained silent for a few seconds before answering.
"Partially."
Lyannis crossed her arms and looked at the sky.
"Knowing you... that means you're going to accept."
"Not exactly," I replied. "I'll accept going there."
She turned her head slightly.
"And the challenge?"
"That one I don't want to accept."
Lyannis let out a quiet sigh.
"But you know it won't be that simple."
"I know."
The sound of soft footsteps approaching signaled someone else's arrival.
"You two always pick the best places to think."
It was Liriel. She leaned against a nearby wall with a curious expression.
"So... what's the decision?"
Before I could answer, Scarlett appeared as well, followed by Elara, Vespera, and Rai'kanna. Within seconds, they were all there.
"I guess this turned into a meeting," Scarlett commented with a faint smile.
"Since everyone came, it makes things easier," Liriel said.
I looked at all of them for a moment before speaking.
"I'm going to the Dragon Kingdom."
The silence was immediate.
Rai'kanna nodded slightly.
"That was expected."
Elara gave a small smile.
"It makes sense. Ignoring it would be worse."
Liriel raised an eyebrow.
"And what about the fight?"
I took a deep breath.
"I have no intention of fighting the Dragon King."
Lyannis responded almost immediately.
"But he intends to fight you."
"Yes," I said. "And that's where the problem lies."
Scarlett uncrossed her arms.
"You're thinking of resolving this through dialogue."
"Yes."
Liriel let out a soft laugh.
"You really think a dragon is just going to accept a 'no'?"
"I don't think it'll be that simple," I replied. "But I don't think it's impossible either."
Vespera spoke calmly.
"Dragons value honor. There may be a way to refuse without being disrespectful."
Rai'kanna agreed.
"If it's handled correctly... maybe."
Lyannis looked directly at me.
"And if it doesn't work?"
I remained silent for a moment.
"Then I'll fight."
The answer was direct, without hesitation.
The atmosphere grew more serious.
Elara took a deep breath.
"So you're already prepared for that."
"Yes."
Scarlett smiled faintly.
"That's the part I expected."
Liriel crossed her arms.
"Of course it is. It always ends in a fight."
"Not always," I replied.
"Almost always," she shot back.
Rai'kanna took a small step forward.
"Takumi... there's another issue."
I looked at her.
"The marriage proposal."
Liriel reacted immediately.
"Oh, of course. That couldn't be left out."
Lyannis closed her eyes for a second.
"This is becoming far too frequent."
Scarlett let out a light laugh.
"You have a strange talent for ending up in situations like this."
Ignoring the comment, I replied,
"I'm not interested in that."
Elara tilted her head slightly.
"Not even if it's an important alliance?"
"It's not about that," I replied. "There are already too many responsibilities involved."
Liriel pointed subtly.
"Finally, someone said it out loud."
Lyannis added,
"You already have three alliances of that kind in progress."
"I know," I replied.
Vespera observed in silence for a few seconds before speaking.
"But we also need to consider the political impact."
"Yes," Scarlett said. "Refusing could create tension."
Rai'kanna added,
"And accepting... creates a different kind of problem."
They all looked at one another for a moment.
Liriel was blunt.
"Basically, every choice creates a problem."
"Exactly," Scarlett confirmed.
I took a deep breath.
"Then I'll deal with one thing at a time."
Lyannis raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Starting with?"
"Going there. Understanding the situation firsthand."
Elara nodded.
"Makes sense."
Vespera lightly crossed her arms.
"Information before decisions."
Rai'kanna agreed.
"And only after that will you decide about everything else."
"Yes," I replied.
Liriel gave a small smile.
"Okay. At least you're not walking into this completely blind."
Scarlett looked at me carefully.
"And what about us?"
"You're coming with me," I replied without hesitation.
Lyannis tilted her head slightly.
"Even though it's dragon territory?"
"Yes."
Rai'kanna smiled faintly.
"That could lead to some interesting reactions."
Liriel crossed her arms.
"Great. More strange looks."
Elara laughed softly.
"We're used to that already."
Vespera spoke calmly.
"It will also be an opportunity to observe that race up close."
Scarlett nodded.
"And assess possible risks."
The atmosphere became stable again. The initial tension had already transformed into something more organized.
Lyannis stepped away from the balcony.
"Then we already have an initial plan."
"Yes," I replied.
Liriel stretched her arms.
"And when are we going?"
"Soon," I replied. "But not today."
Scarlett agreed.
"Better to rest and organize everything calmly."
Rai'kanna looked at me once more.
"Takumi... regardless of the final decision... this is going to change a lot of things."
"I know."
Elara smiled lightly.
"But you're already used to that."
"Maybe," I replied.
Vespera concluded in a low voice.
"Or maybe it's only just beginning."
The silence that followed was different from the previous ones.
It wasn't heavy.
It was firm.
Everyone there already knew what they needed to do.
Liriel was the first to turn away.
"Well, I'm going to sleep. If we're dealing with dragons, I'd rather be well-rested."
Lyannis left shortly after.
"I agree."
Scarlett gave me one last look before leaving.
"Don't overthink it. You already know how this works."
Elara and Vespera followed soon after, speaking quietly to each other.
Rai'kanna was the last to leave. Before going, she stopped for a second.
"They will recognize you."
I looked at her.
"As what?"
"As someone who changed the course of the world."
She said it simply, without exaggeration.
After that, she left.
I was alone on the balcony once again.
The night breeze was gentle.
The stars remained in the same place.
But now, everything felt different.
The decision had been made.
I would go to the Dragon Kingdom.
With no intention of fighting.
With no intention of accepting unnecessary alliances.
But prepared...
For either of those things.
I closed my eyes for a brief moment and took a deep breath.
"Let's see where this leads."
And with that thought, I stepped away from the balcony, ready to end the day.
The next stage had already begun.