Chapter 75: His undoing

  The thought of wasting time and effort faking his own death to appease the foolish human prince never crossed Admetus’ mind. He easily overpowered the four guards on their way to prison. If it were his prior self, he would have just left them there to face the wrath of their tyrannical ruler but thinking of sweet Meti and how she would feel sad for their senseless death, he left stacks of precious stones on each of their chests. If they are smart, they’ll take the stones and trade them for money, probably start a new life somewhere else. It’s clear to him now that a simple reunion is no longer possible if her fate is tied to that royal family of hypocritical butchers.

 He immediately walks into the most famous clothing store in the capital. The front attendant is ready to throw him out as soon as she sees his outdated attire, but one look from his ice-cold glare chills her down to the bone. He didn’t waste words with the shallow woman, simply dumping a pouch full of uncut gold on the counter. Her eyes instantly light up, the reluctance from before is wiped off the faces of all her assistants. Their frowns suddenly turning into smiles as they fall over themselves trying to coax him into their clothes, endless compliments and flattery dripping from their lips like a broken faucet. He’s not surprised by the swift change in demeanor, this is simply the fickle nature of humans, tied down by their value for money above all else, their affection can easily be bought.

“We look forward to seeing you again sir!”

He left the clothing store with an entire wardrobe of new suits and formal attire to last him for the year. His newly fitted suit caused a stir on the road, the inhospitable crowd from before were now giving him curious looks, sneaking glances at him. Some of the bolder humans tried to strike up conversations, seeking to pull him into their inner circles because of his obvious wealth. It’s like they can’t believe the peasant from before, wearing those outdated clothes could be the same person, being willfully blind to the truth. Admetus doesn’t care to socialize yet, his next stop is located on a seedier side of town.

 “Welcome to the Seerer’s pub, what can I get you today?” A middle-aged man with strong broad shoulders and a face littered with scars greets him at the bar.

‘This sort of human is more interesting.’ Admetus thought, favoring humans who embrace their vices rather than those who pretentiously deny them.

“Tell me all you know of the crown princess.” He tosses two full bags of gold onto the countertop.

The barman seems startled by both his request and the money, sweating with discomfort now that he realizes this will not be an easy mark. On one hand he fears for his life, divulging information about the royal family can easily lead to a hanging, but on the other, the guest before him doesn’t seem to be the sort to take ‘no’ for an answer. In the end the glittering gold pieces on the counter are enough to loosen his tongue.

“Word on the street is that princess Meti arrived in the capital ten years ago with her father. A pair of nobodies at the time, it’s said that she helped treat the King who was on his deathbed. The King made her crown princess to repay her kindness. She’s been married into the royal family for seven years now.”

Admetus’ brow twitches at the news, vexed to know he’s too late by several years. What manner of beast deflowers a child so young.

“And?”

The barkeep looks confused, eager to collect his payment, but Admetus pulls back one of the pouches. He realizes the client isn’t satisfied with such easily verifiable information. He gulps, knowing he’s now treading on light ice. He lowers his voice, eyeing the patrons in the bar carefully. The crown has ears everywhere, it wouldn’t do for an information merchant like him to get swept up in something dangerous.

“They say all the nobles are displeased with princess Meti. Everyone has been waiting for news of a new little addition to the royal line for the past five years without much luck. Some say the kind crown princess is cursed, unfit for the position she holds. They’ve been secretly trying to introduce high born ladies to the crown prince behind her back. Since she started out as a commoner the crown princess’ influence among the nobles is almost nonexistent. Her only support comes from the church as the saintess and the lowborn who see her story as a triumph over her station in life.”

Both Rei and Admetus frown in displeasure at this information. It’s not enough that they stole her right from under his wing. Now they are criticizing her for something beyond her control. What a bunch of useless humans. When he met her in the clearing as a child, he could detect nothing was wrong with her body then. The fault must lie with the impotent royal oaf she married, for that limp excuse of a man to throw all responsibility on her small shoulders while his reputation remains unsullied is unforgivable. If Meti were with him, they would already be welcoming their second child by now.

“Eck!”

The barman jumps in fright when Admetus grips the counter too hard in anger, leaving deep puncture marks in the wood. He quickly retrieves his payment and takes a step back, hoping this unusual client wouldn’t ask for anything else and just leave. He releases a sigh of relief when the dark-haired man departs the pub in silence.

 Admetus doesn’t pay the startled man a second thought. He takes a rental coach to the residential area closest to the palace and buys a villa with a clear view of the east wing of the castle, where he feels the crystal whistle’s call is the strongest. The realtor is confused by his odd request but doesn’t complain the moment a hefty bag of gold drops onto his lap. He easily hands the dragon lord the keys and flees the scene to brag to his friends about his sudden change of fortune.

The Villa is mostly unfurnished, but Admetus doesn’t care, all he needs to keep up appearances were brought out of his storage ring. In no time the barely furnished villa is filled with top quality items befitting of a noble household. With his temporary nest established, he lies in bed brooding over everything he’s learned today until nightfall. Once the moon is up, he changes into jet black clothes and disappears in a pillar of dark flames. The next place he appears is within the palace, standing before an ornate dresser, facing a familiar crystal whistle nestled in an expensive bedazzled jewelry box.    

“I feared you’d forgotten me Lord dragon.”

He closes his eyes, feeling his frozen heart beat for the first time in years at the pleasant sound of her voice.

‘I’ve missed you A’lieto’

 He sighs, slowly turning to see the beautiful woman settled by the window seal. Her loose dark hair highlighted by the moon’s soft glow, yet her vibrant green eyes are overshadowed by countless worries, like all the wonder of before had been sucked out of them. Her features no longer bear any childish fat, now mature and finely sculpted into an exquisite face similar to that of a painted doll. She wears a simple flowing white nightgown, yet she has a regal barring more noble than any highborn lady he’s ever met.

“A dragon’s oath is eternal.”

 Her lonely gaze strays from the moon, finally turning to meet his eyes for the first time in ten eyes.

“Then I hope you can fulfill my request, Lord Dragon.”

“Anything, I am willing to give you anything you wish Meti.” He reaches out but stops short, knowing it’s inappropriate to carelessly approach her within the palace walls.

“I wish to bear a child for my lord, the crown prince.”

 A dragon slayer’s blade to the heart would have hurt far less than her innocent request. These words would be the beginning of his undoing.