TYPHONE

  It's been 2 days and we haven't reached the kingdom yet. The lizard was a hassle to drag and I could not force Calagon to drag it. Not yet, at least.

  It was night. My knights and I set camp and kept warm. I sat in front of a fire, a stick of grilled fish on my hand. I played with it between my thumb and forefinger, not noticing Calagon eyeing it.

  "You can't have it. It's His Majesty's share." I heard Leonis said in a cold tone. I turned to my side and noticed Calagon and Leonis bickering.

  This is also one rare expression of Leonis. That is... only when he's arguing with Calagon.

  "Knock it off, you two. What are you even fighting about?" I chuckled, shaking my head.

  "This guy is eyeing your share and I'm not going to allow it after I fed him a huge ass boar." Leonis hissed, glaring at Calagon.

  Calagon breathed out of his nose in return, huffing at Leonis. I watched in amusement as the two glared down at each other. I decided to tease them.

  "Why don't you ride Calagon tomorrow, Leonis? I shall take your horse." I smirked. Both Calagon and Leonis turned to me in disbelief.

  Leonis sighed, "I'd rather walk than ride this spoiled dragon."

  Calagon growled, flapping his wings and hitting Leonis with the edges. Pissed, Leonis took out his wooden stick and ran after Calagon. I chucked, amused by how those two got along so well despite being in disagreement all time.

  I wonder if Calagon would warm up to Avery like this.

  I looked back at the fire and hoped that my letter reached the kingdom immediately. I made sure that the dragon I called over was one of my messanger ones. Unlike other kingdoms, I made sure that my dragons were able to carry out duties like regular messenger birds because to me, animals are fragile.

  "Seriously, Your Majesty. I suggest you stop spoiling your dragon too much." Leonis breathed heavily, sitting down beside me. Calagon huffed and settled on my other side. I glanced at my dragon and grinned.

  "Why? I care about him a lot and I would kill for Calagon." As I said those words, I took my fish out of the stick and fed it to Calagon. When I looked at Leonis, his eyes were narrowed at me, glaring.

  "Yeah. Alright. I'm not going to stop you anymore, Your Majesty." He sighed, giving up on lecturing me. I chuckled.

  There was silence after. The knights took turns guarding the lizard. I stared into the flames and sighed softly. My mind was filled with the illegal trade and Avery.

  Avery kept popping in my head ever since I got her letter. I want to go home and see her now.

  **********

  I looked at the horizon and relief washed over me. The castle was in plain sight. I laid onto Calagon's back in relief.

  "We're finally home, little ones. I'll make sure you're warm and comfortable." I mumbled to the eggs sitting in front of me.

  Once Calagon landed, I could hear Grimore yelling. He was practically barking orders that I could not comprehend. With a hazy gaze, I could barely see Avery's figure rushing towards me.

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  "Your... Majesty!"

  "Ave... ry..." I whispered softly, reaching out to cup her cheek, but I already passed out.

  What a pathetic way to greet my wife.

  I don't know how long I slept for, but I woke up to Grimore ordering the servants here and there. I heard Senha's voice as well. I slowly opened my eyes, blinking away the sleep. I turned to my side and was surprised to see Avery sitting beside my bed.

  "Your Majesty. You're awake." She sighed in relief.

  "His Majesty is awake! Quickly! Call for the royal physician!" Grimore screamed. Senha punched his shoulder.

  "Quiet! You're shouting too much. His Majesty just woke up!"

  "Both of you. Be quiet." Leonis entered the room looking more decent and clean.

  "Sorry." Both Senha and Grimore whispered.

  Avery shook her head and smiled at them. Then, she looked at me, still smiling.

  "How are you feeling?" She asked, leaning in slightly.

  "A little sore and my throat is dry." I said in a hoarse, deep voice. I coughed and Avery was quick to hand me a glass of water.

  "Have some water first." She said softly.

  I drank the water in one gulp. Once I finished the glass of water, Avery set it back down on my bedside table. Moments later, the royal physician came and checked up on me.

  "How is he?" Avery asked once the physician finished up.

  "He's already doing great, Your Majesty. His Majesty just passed out due to stress and fatigue. I recommend you to rest for a couple of days, Your Majesty." The physician stated, packing up his things.

  "Alright." I said, closing my eyes.

  "I mean it, Your Majesty. You need to rest." The physician said and I opened one eye, sighing.

  "Fine." I huffed.

  The physician left followed by Leonis, Senha, and Grimore which meant that Avery and I were alone in my room. It was silent and none of us were talking. I cleared my throat.

  "So... how have you been, princess?" I asked, slightly hesitant.

  "I'm... I'm good. I've been studying a lot with... Grimore so... yeah." She said in a soft voice. There was silence again.

  "So--"

  "So--"

  Avery and I looked at each other, surprised that we spoke at the same time. We looked away and I waited for her to speak again, but she didn't so I decided to try again.

  "About the--"

  "About the--"

  She blinked at me and then bursted into a fit of giggles. I chuckled and draped an arm on my eyes.

  "Alright, princess. You can go first." I said, grinning. She smiled and looked down at her lap, fidgeting with her fingers.

  "About the night before you left for your mission..." She paused, making me slightly nervous.

  "I... I'm sorry. I didn't know what I saying and... I was drunk and... I'm just... I'm so sorry." She whispered soflty. She looked up at me through her lashes as if she was embarrassed.

  "No. Princess, I should be the one apologizing. I didn't hear you out or stop you from drinking." I sighed softly.

  "No. It's not... It's not your fault, alright? You have nothing to apologize for."

  I took her hand and placed a soft gentle kiss on her knuckles. I grinned, watching her face turn red.

  Adorable. My wife is simply adorable.

  "I'm home, dear wife." I teased, smirking.

  Her eyes slowly widened and cheeks turned even redder. She smiled softly."Weclome home, dear husband."

  Fuck. I want to kiss her so bad.

  "So... what kind of monster did you catch this time?" She cleared her throat, snapping me out of my thoughts.

  "Well, it was a lizard. I would let you see it if I could, but it looked horrible." I slowly sat up, leaning back on the headboard of my bed.

  "Oh. How... bad was it?"

  "It... uhm... had a stab on the back and at the chest." I said, trying not sound pained or hurt. My body was throbbing and all my limbs were trembling.

  She did not talk and just nodded. She looked disappointed as if she really wanted to see the lizard. I thought of something else.

  "Calagon also... uhm... found some dragon eggs. They were placed in a crate." I said and this changed her whole mood. Her eyes lit up and her mouth slightly hung open.

  "Dragon eggs? But... why were they in a crate?"

  "I assumed that they were part of the illegal trade happening by the border when Calagon saw them and decided to save them." I hissed. I was still mad at the thought of people trying to sell monsters and dragon eggs.

  No. It's not just dragon eggs. They're selling dragons as well.

  "You're... going to keep them, right? The eggs... I mean." She pleaded. I chuckled, placing a gentle hand on top of her head.

  "Of course, princess. I'll save them." I smiled.

  If I could bring you to where I kept my dragons, I would've brought you already. The problem is... I want them to know you're mine before that happens.