The princess started to fidget her fingers while looking down with her sleepy eyes that in any moment may close.
Nash and Axis was also sleepy. The Duke was wearing a formal suit, Axis wearing his normal clothes. It was midnight, and they were called inside the emperor's office.
"I am very sorry that I called you this late. I already contacted your step mother Nash, and the High Priest that you would probably stay inside the Imperial Palace for a few days–"
For the trio was shocked from what they heard, all of them quickly opened their eyes widely. Nash quickly came back to reality and cleared his throat.
"Your Majesty, may I ask you why are we going to stay inside the imperial palace for a few days? I do not want to look like I am saying no, but I just want to know the reason why." Nash replied while rubbing his closed eyelids, as he tried to sit up straight looking like he wasn't sleepy at all.
"The dragon went crazy yesterday night because she escaped from the person who was torturing her." He said as he sighed. Ashleah gritted her teeth as she slowly gulped.
"Prescott told you that?" She said while her eyes were holding t he flames of fire as she started to tap the floor using her feet. Surprisingly, she felt annoyed. "Who.. tortured the poor dragon Father? Please do tell me."
"Well then, Duke Deoncan and Axis, hold her if she tries to run after hearing who did it okay?" Even though they were both confused, they still nodded their heads. "It was the old Marquess. Marquess Cad Barlowe."
Her brows furrowed, a small scoff escaped her lips as she looked down and Axis gasped when she suddenly stood up and was about to walk away, Nash quickly held her wrist without even moving his head or looking at her. Nash used his left hand to scratch his nape lazily.
He finally looked back and shook his head "Ashleah, stop it. You got to think rationally, you are being emotional." He whispered, slowly she sat down and looked down. "Your Majesty I know for a fact that you called us because you have a plan in mind."
A small yet satisfied smirk slowly merged onto emperor Adler's lips when Nash quickly caught up with the topic. "For now, we have the biggest proof since when the dragon hears his name, she quickly goes bonkers. The wounds on her body are also proof that she was tortured."
"How inhumane of him. Your Majesty, how do we arrest the Marquess?" Axis said while he gave Ashleah a glass of water, trying to calm the ticked princess down. "Plus, is the holy priest okay with this?"
"Do not worry about it. I already gave him my message. The Holy Priest will help us with our plan in capturing the marquess Barlowe." Axis' mouth was left hanging open. He knew that the high priest never wants to go outside because he always prays.
"Father, how about the dragon? Is she okay?" Ashleah said after she took a couple of sip from the glass of water that Axis gave her. The princess wanted to strangle the Marquess but she knew that it would just ruin her reputation and that won't be good because she is just thinking irrationally again.
"The dragon only trusts Prescott and me for now. Ashleah just wait for her to open up to us okay? We will prepare for today and gather more information about this. After that, we will quickly arrest the marquess. I should create a new rule about this."
Ashleah was about to stand up and walk her way to her Father but the door suddenly opened revealing her Nanny.
"I am terribly sorry for the intrusion, but the dragon..."
-----
Nash quickly walked his way with them, he ruffled his hair out of frustration. "What did Prescott tell you Nanny Riley?"
The old woman sighed and slowly tapped both of her cheeks while everyone was walking to Prescott's room where the dragon was staying.
"Why was the dragon crying? Oh god." Ashleah was fixing her hair while they were walking, emperor Adler shook his head.
"This may be because of the trauma that she experienced. My, what kind of—"
Prescott's room door opened, revealing Gab and Kian who looked so sad as tears slowly rolled down their soft cheeks. Ashleah's eyes widened and she quickly walked to her personal knights.
"W-What happened!? Are you guys okay?" She said as her eyes wandered around, her mind was blank. She was about to move them away but both sniffled at the same time.
"We are very sorry for crying right in front of his Majesty, her highness, the duke, and the future high priest. We just had a talk with the dragon, and it made us cry." Gab said while he took out a small handkerchief to wipe his tears away.
"You talked to her? She allowed you too?" The emperor quickly asked, both nodded their heads. His eyes widened and he quickly opened the door a little wider and was welcomed by a cute dragon.
"Oh my!" Prescott quickly flew to his Master with glowing eyes, the majestic bird was obviously happy. Ashleah was sure of that. "Greetings, come on. Do your greetings." Prescott looked back at the dragon.
It slowly walked to them, she was so small that they had to look down. A small chuckle escaped Axis' lips for he found it too cute.
"G-Greetings, I am Giulia a-and I am a 5 year old dragon from Illarial Tribe.." she shyly said while looking down, Ashleah quickly giggled and kneeled down so the dragon can see her face.
"Please do not be shy with us, we won't hurt you. I am Princess Ashleah Izel Reece of Genry." She said, smiling widely with her eyes beaming and a tint of pinkish blush on her cheeks were seen.
"Thank you for introducing yourself, I am Emperor Adler Zay Reece of Genry. It's really nice to meet you Giulia." He smiled as he also kneeled down to face the dragon.
"Oh my, what a cutie. I am Axis Gien Luela the future high priest of Genry." Axis gave her his signature smile, a small chuckle escaped Nash's lips.
"I am Duke Kayn Nash Deoncan of Genry, and also the right hand of his Majesty. We are very thankful that you are now introducing yourself to us." He said while showing Giulia a warm smile.
"But are you sure that.. I really am welcomed here? I did those things to your festival because I felt so angry..." She looked down.
"Giulia, if it's alright can you please enlighten me with what happened to you?" Ashleah said as she slowly scooped the baby dragon and carried it like a small child.
"Riley please do prepare some snacks for us." Ashleah's father said, the nanny quickly nodded her head and excused herself.
Everyone sat and waited fof Giulia to talk. Whenever she was ready to talk about it. The small dragon took a deep breath as she closed her eyes and memories flashed inside her mind.
Meanwhile, as Giulia was closing her eyes she didn't notice how a single tear escaped her eyes making Ashleah tremble, the princess was now pissed at the Marquess.
"I didn't know where I was, I didn't know how many days, weeks or even months I was inside that room. But he always visited me, torturing me. Waiting for me to show my powers as a dragon."
"They always told me that it was the Empire's fault why I was getting beaten up like that. It was the emperor's fault why I am being locked up in some sort of cage. That I should create a huge massacre and get my revenge."
Giulia chuckled lightly as she shook her head. "Good thing I wasn't that stupid to believe them. I won't go further into details. But do you have plans on capturing him?"
Emperor Adler smiled and nodded his head. "Oh my Giulia, I have a perfect plan."