Page 120 of The War God’s Favorite

“Wise as ever, my Daughter! Well, it is true we won’t spend too much this year; we’ve had a dry year, after all. Let’s learn to restrain ourselves a bit, shall we? Fireworks and wildcats are fine, but we’ll forget about chariot races. It’s only good for spreading dust all around anyway and I’m getting bored seeing the same people every year. Forget it!”

“Father, what about the dragons’ sacrifice?”

Everyone in the room immediately went silent and Cassandra frowned. Of course, Phetra had been the one to suggest that, while looking at Cassandra, too. She knew exactly what she was doing, bringing that back up. The Emperor frowned.

“Phetra, we don’t make human sacrifices on the New Year!”

“I want to see it, Father. I missed the last show.”

Phetra’s voice was full of confidence and she was smiling like a snake. Cassandra stood up and, not waiting for the Emperor’s answer, walked away. She couldn’t speak against an Imperial Princess, but she could show her disagreement. She left the Imperial Banquet without looking back, shivering and angry.

Cassandra walked a few more steps, wondering where to go. She was angry and had no other way to protest than to leave the Imperial Banquet, which upset her. For once, Cassandra felt she was truly too powerless, unable to stop Phetra or oppose the Imperial Princess. This place was really too harsh.

“Imperial Concubine?”

She turned around, realizing someone had followed her. It only took her a couple of seconds to remember the young woman. Weeks and weeks ago, she was the young servant that had given her the first red dress.

“You’re…Dahlia, right?”

The young woman smiled.

“I’m glad you remember me, my Lady.”

“Please don’t… Just call me Cassandra, please.”

Dahlia chuckled. She hadn’t changed much since Cassandra had seen her. She was still wearing a long green dress, with her dark hair in a braided bun. Bowing slightly, she walked up a bit closer to her.

“Are you alright?”

“I…I needed some fresh air,” said Cassandra.

It was partially the truth. She felt stuffed, confined in that room with so many people. Only because her Prince was there could she bear it. Dahlia seemed to understand and nodded slightly.

“Do you want to rest in the Ivy Garden?”

“The Ivy Garden?”

“It’s a smaller one, not many people use it,” explained Dahlia with a smile. “But it’s really pretty at night.”

Cassandra nodded and followed her. Dahlia seemed to know her way around the Palace perfectly, even as the sun was slowly setting outside, putting them in the dark before long. After a few minutes, they finally arrived.

As she had said, it was a much smaller one than the fancy garden the concubines usually used, but Cassandra instantly loved it. It only had one bench and a little pond with white fish. The walls around it were covered in ivy and little white flowers she had never seen before. The place seemed incredibly pure and pretty.

While Cassandra walked around, Dahlia lit up a few lanterns, bringing some more light into the space.

The concubine was still observing the place when a long growl was heard. Krai’s head popped from behind one of the walls, those big red eyes finding her immediately.

“Come,” called Cassandra.

It only took one word. Stepping over the wall, Krai hurried to her side, circling her with its body, head resting next to her. Of course, it was the perfect position for being scratched, and the dragon growled until Cassandra sat and started taking care of its favorite spot.

Dahlia’s mouth was open in awe and she didn’t dare to step closer. The concubine was sitting right next to the dragon, totally fine, and scratching those scales as if it was just a huge dog! Though she was a brave girl, and the dragon seemed harmless this way, Dahlia sat a few meters away, close to the pond, but remained fascinated by the scene.

“Thank you for bringing me here,” said Cassandra after a few minutes. “I needed to relax a bit.”

“It’s my pleasure, Lady Cassandra. Is it really fine not telling anyone where you are, though? I thought you would have a few servants with you.”

Cassandra shook her head.

---