The smile had vanished from Lady Anna's face.
Her son, Arthur, had only just come of age, yet he had already successfully bonded with a Thunder Dragon cub of excellent potential.
This was her greatest source of pride. It was also Arthur's greatest bargaining chip in his struggle for the future, especially under the shadow of Raylo's dazzling achievements.
But now, that bargaining chip had been unceremoniously knocked to the ground by Astra's inexplicable actions.
Compared to the Guardian personally entrusting its own offspring, Arthur's achievement of winning the recognition of a Thunder Dragon cub paled in comparison.
Raylo's last remaining weakness had been shored up.
Arthur's only advantage had vanished completely.
She looked at her husband, beaming with pride in the distance, and then at the neighboring Monarchs, their forced smiles failing to conceal their wariness. An unprecedented sense of crisis seized her by the throat.
