Page 137 of The War God’s Favorite

Once again, the importance of the siblings’ bonds was showing. Even if he remained silent all along, Phetra’s status was protected by her closeness to her brother, the Second Prince Vrehan. Cassandra felt it was very unfair for the poor Valeria.

“At least,” said Shareen, “now I will be able to interrogate that little swine.”

She had her feline eyes set on Valeria. Cassandra suddenly remembered the issue of the abortion potion was left hanging, too. Was Phetra really behind this? And more importantly, who was pregnant?

“Wouldn’t the Emperor know if one of them were pregnant?”

“The Princesses don’t have dragon children, only the Princes can transmit the dragon’s blood to their children.”

“Does the Emperor make it public if an egg appears?”

“Generally, no. Father doesn’t check the vault every day. Glahad sometimes guards it, but if another dragon goes in and comes out with an egg, we know something is up. However, not all eggs are taken out.”

“Why?”

Shareen sneered.

“Shouldn’t you know best? Remember how the dragons know their master’s feelings before they even realize them?”

Cassandra took a few minutes to think about that. If what Shareen said was right, then dragons didn’t systematically claim their offspring unless they…wanted them. She looked around at all the princes and concubines. Some of the princes probably didn’t care much once they had enough concubines and a few sons.

“Which of your brothers have children?” she whispered.

“Sephir, Vrehan, and Lephys,” said Kairen.

“Sephir has one son and two daughters,” added Shareen. “Vrehan has two sons and six daughters, another on the way. And Lephys…Lephys has four sons and eight or nine daughters. But three of his women are pregnant.”

Cassandra sighed. She had forgotten the Fifth Prince was notorious for his many, many concubines. Indeed, he was always surrounded by young and beautiful concubines to fool around with. If the rumor about him having over two hundred concubines was true, it was surprising that he hadn’t fathered more children. Despite his many heirs, he didn’t seem to have much interest in the golden throne, though.

“What of the Fourth and Sixth Prince?” Cassandra asked.

“Anour is too young; he only has one concubine for now. And Opheus…he has a wife, but she hasn’t given him a child yet. I don’t think he’s very interested, either. His mother is the one pressuring him.”

It seemed to be true. The Fifth Prince was happily chatting with one of his women, but the others looked bored and unwilling to be here. In comparison, Vrehan’s women seemed desperate for their Prince’s attention.

Cassandra felt grateful she wasn’t like those women. Kairen only had eyes for her, and Krai had cared for their egg as soon as it appeared, although he had let Kareen take it. She turned to her Prince, lovingly kissing him, and for once, surprising Kairen by doing so. Her boldness in front of so many people was unusual. Many eyes saw the scene, and some concubines were dying of jealousy. There were a few too many glares. Kairen glared right back at them and, as if responding to his master, Krai suddenly appeared a few seconds later, flying down from the open roof with a warning growl. The dragon was at least as persuasive as its master, and soon no one dared to look their way.

The only person to be overjoyed with the dragon’s presence was the Emperor, as if there weren’t already two of his other sons’ dragons there, resting in their cages behind their owners.

“Look at him! This beautiful beast!”

Krai didn’t seem to care much for flattery, and as usual, crouched down next to Cassandra, head next to Kairen’s knee, making sure to be where the young concubine’s fingers could find it.

Once again, they attracted much attention. Some women were sweating to see how many fingers she was going to lose, while the others were even more jealous of her confidence, glaring at the other dragons as if they were untamed wild beasts.

“Pretty White Lily, tell me, did you enjoy your present?” suddenly asked the Emperor.

“Your Highness, you know about it?”

“Of course I know! My son steals one of the Palace’s wings and destroys it to have a herbal garden made for his concubine, and I shouldn’t know about it?”

Cassandra was speechless. Kairen actually had that garden made from another room, after destroying it, too? In a few days? How did he even manage to have it done in such a short time?

“Anyway, just enjoy it, child! I’ll have more herbs or plants and what-not brought for you to play with. So stay a bit longer, hm?”

So that was the Emperor’s aim? To have Kairen and her stay longer after the festivities? As she didn’t want to refuse him, Cassandra only bowed slightly. After that, the Emperor went on to try and convince Kairen and Shareen to have their mother attend the festivities, but both pretty much ignored his plea, leaving their father to deal with his stubborn concubine.

As it appeared, Kareen was still sulking over him keeping Kairen, and wouldn’t even come over, making the Emperor actually visit her instead! Cassandra couldn’t help but admire that woman a bit more every day. Meanwhile, her gaze went back to Phetra. The Princess was leaning over to chat with the Fifth Prince, whispering something to him with a forced smile. Cassandra was surprised by the closeness between them, and more worryingly, the couple of glances she had sent her way. What was that snake preparing this time?

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