Saved By The Mad Duke
Chapter 199: Blood Is Thicker Than Water

Chapter 199: Blood Is Thicker Than Water

The next morning turned out to be quite gloomy and dark. The sky was covered with a thick veil of gray clouds that were ready to release a heavy snowfall upon the quiet northern lands.

The castle’s reading room was filled with awkward silence; only the light crackling of the fireplace distilled the heavy atmosphere with its snappy melody. It almost sounded like there was an invisible presence that kept stepping on the dry branches, breaking them with the power of its weight.

Aideen and Ahspid were sitting in the plush armchairs one next to another; their sharp eyes were firmly fixed on the Utarian man sitting in front of them.

The princess’ arms were crossed in front of her chest, her face was marred with a somewhat menacing look.

Taru found his place on Aideen’s lap, his tiny arms crossed in the same manner as his master’s, his eyes narrowed as he tried to mimic the woman’s stern expression. Despite that cute attempt to look just as serious, Leif found the dragon’s behavior rather hilarious and was fighting back the urge to burst into laughter.

Aideen, noticing her uncle’s relaxed and even slightly excited expression, pulled her eyebrows into a deep frown, anger evident on her beautiful face,

"I am only here because my husband asked me to listen to what you have left to say. Once you’re done, I don’t want to talk to you anymore."

The source of her annoyance lay not only in the arrogance she found in the man sitting before her; she truly did not want to see him anymore. Especially after that grand exit that she made a day before. Now, she couldn’t help but feel slightly embarrassed.

Tillian, however, sounded quite persuasive when he urged his wife to meet the Utarian prince again, and Aideen agreed only because she appreciated the duke’s sincere efforts.

Leif sighed at his niece’s sharp words and looked down at Taru, who ceased mimicking his master and was now busy burying his little white beard into the soft fabric of his red scarf.

"I want to offer my help in raising the dragon."

The princess cut him off with an intense glare, "Shspid here can help me with that, he is a very knowledgeable man."

Lif shook his head trying to remain as calm and detached as possible; he understood that winning Aideen over would not be an easy task.

"I am not here to doubt this man’s knowledge or abilities, Your Highness, however, only those born with dragon’s blood in them know everything about their nature. Books and journals are not the only sources of knowledge. There is such thing as inherent legacy, and only we can teach what it has to offer."

The princess put her hand on Taru’s head and offered him a gentle stroke. Then, she moved her eyes to Ahspid whose eyes, on the other hand, were slowly wandering over her uncle’s face.

Ahspid had nothing to say to Leif’s remark. The prince was more than right.

Even if the mage were to read every single book or journal about the snow dragons that this world had to offer, he would never get as close to knowing so much about the dragons as the real descendants of Utar did.

And now that he no longer could use his magic, Ahspid was nothing more than a mere storyteller.

Having realized what he friend was thinking, Aideen turned back to Leif and continued,

"Taru thinks of me as his master so our connection has been established once and for all. If what you say is true, I must possess the same amount of knowledge that you do, while also having combined powers of both Navia and Utar, Your Highness. With that being said, why should I bother seeking help from you in the first place?"

Her uncle couldn’t help but smile, "Indeed... But do you know how snow dragons grow?"

The princess arched her eyebrows. The question was simple and yet, she found herself unable to find an answer. She turned to Ahspid, hoping to get his help and the mage cleared his throat before he replied,

"Dragons grow in their sleep, Your Highness."

Leif nodded, "Yes, it’s true, however... Snow dragons, just like humans, have dreams when they sleep. And having dreams is crucial to their growth."

"Dreams? What does it mean?"

The man continued, "Yes, dreams. The same mysterious vision we all see when we sleep. And it is important for the dragon’s parent, or in your case, his master, to be able to connect to these dreams and channel your powers into the dragon’s body in your sleep. I bet no book in the entire world can teach you that, princess."

Aideen’s face grew slightly colder while Ahspid silently agreed that it was the first time he heard about dragons’ dreams.

Leif, satisfied with their defeated reaction, decided to go on, "Some things the dragon learn just like other creatures do––walking, flying, eating, spitting fire... These things are simply a part of their nature, they need no one to teach them that. However, such abilities as The Eye Of The Storm, or the ability to communicate with the rest of Utarian descendants... These things have to be taught by you. And only you."

"And I can only do that through sharing my dreams?"

Her uncle nodded once more, "Precisely. You are the one who has to share your powers with Taru. And you are the one who has to "create" his dreams through which you will then teach him everything he needs to know."

Aideen looked down at the baby dragon who was now looking back at her with his eyes full of childish curiosity as he understood everything that was going on. With a brief sigh, the princess shifted her gaze back to Leif and asked,

"Then how is it supposed to work? How do I connect to the dragon’s dreams in my sleep?"

Leif stretched his lips into a wide grin.

’Blood is surely thicker than water.’

Then, he got up from his seat and said in a serious tone,

"Let me explain."