Dragon King's Harem Chapter 310. Jealousy II

Dragon King's Harem Chapter 310. Jealousy II

I descended from the elevated position with deliberate slowness, mindful not to startle or cause any further unease among the guards present in the hall. My gaze, however, remained fixed on Prince Naganthor, observing his swift departure and his commitment to addressing the situation.

While my descent was intentional and cautious, I couldn’t help but feel a lingering concern and curiosity about the events that had just unfolded. Naganthor's abrupt retreat was a clear indication of his discomfort and his urgency to rectify his misstep. It was evident that the situation had put him in an unfavorable light.

"So? What's your answer?" I pressed, my feet landing firmly on the ground as I faced Prince Naganthor.

He inclined his head in a respectful bow, a hint of urgency in his request. "I know I don't have much leeway here, but could we have a bit of privacy?" he requested, his tone a blend of formality and desperation.

"Fine," I agreed, turning my attention to the guards. "Give us some space," I ordered, wanting to afford Naganthor a moment away from their watchful presence.

In compliance with my command, the guards shifted, not entirely leaving the area, but maintaining a respectful distance. They moved back several meters, ensuring our voices weren’t overheard, but their eyes remained fixed on us. They seemed particularly attentive to Naganthor, their vigilance a clear indication of the sensitivity and potential offense in sneaking around in another tribe's palace.

"I'm waiting for your answer," I interjected, cutting straight to the point. My gaze bore into the prince, urging him to explain the reason for his unexpected presence. The air was charged with an undercurrent of tension, a result of the breach of protocol and the weight of his unspoken intentions.

"I just want to talk to Princess Evelina, Your Majesty," Naganthor admitted with a touch of regret, offering a slight bow as he spoke.

"Talk about what?" I inquired, raising an eyebrow in a blend of curiosity and skepticism. His request seemed too straightforward given the circumstances.

"About Evelyn. We're going to marry, but I know very little about her," he confessed with an air of genuine concern, his words tinged with a hint of frustration.

I couldn't help but feel a surge of skepticism at his explanation. "Why not speak to her father? Or directly to Evelyn herself?" I questioned, the doubt evident in my tone. The prince's excuse sounded flimsy, especially considering his earlier clandestine actions. If his intent had been merely to seek information about his betrothed, the act of spying seemed an excessive measure. It was fortunate that Eir had been accompanying Evelina; he was always on point and knew his responsibilities.

“Evelyn isn’t close to the king, Your Majesty. And she hasn’t been forthcoming with me either. Hence, I thought to inquire with Princess Evelina,” Naganthor reasoned again, his tone earnest as he defended his decision.

His reasoning did little to quell my skepticism. It seemed suspicious that Naganthor would resort to such clandestine measures just to gather information about his future bride. His explanation was filled with gaps, and his attempt to seek information by secretly observing without direct communication raised more questions than answers.

"But what I see is like you're spying on her," I confronted, narrowing my gaze at Prince Naganthor, my tone firm and probing.

"I know and I won't deny that. I just don't know how I can start this conversation. Moreover, I know this is inappropriate," he admitted with a tinge of regret, his words reflecting a sense of unease and remorse.

"If you know that, then you shouldn't do it," I advised, my voice carrying a weight of warning. "A royal scandal between tribes could create war, and I'm sure none of us would want that," I emphasized, highlighting the gravity of his actions and the potential consequences.

“I understand, Your Majesty,” Naganthor responded with a respectful bow, acknowledging the severity of his mistake and the gravity of the situation.

Frustration and concern swirled within me as I contemplated the implications of Naganthor's actions. A situation of this nature, should it escalate, could bring about severe repercussions, impacting not only our kingdoms but also the lives of many. Despite my displeasure, my heart was set on preventing any potential discord between our tribes.

"I will end our conversation here. Congratulations on your future wedding," I declared, concluding our discussion and turning to leave. I chose to distance myself from the situation, hoping that Naganthor would understand the weight of his actions and take the necessary steps to rectify the situation without further complicating matters.

Walking away, I left the prince behind, my mind preoccupied with the need for caution and diplomacy in handling such sensitive matters. It was essential to safeguard the stability between our tribes and avert any possible conflicts that might arise from impulsive or thoughtless actions.

After that uneasy conversation with Naganthor, I had a nagging feeling that it was best to wrap up my visit to the healer tribe. Lingering longer in such a delicate situation had the potential to escalate into an unnecessary issue. So, the decision was made to bid an early farewell to Elixar and his tribe. The following morning, our departure from the healer tribe marked our return journey to Draconis.

As our sky carriage cruised through the skies, the view of Dragon Cross City gradually appeared on the horizon. The vast kingdom sprawled beneath us, displaying its picturesque landscapes and the grandeur of the palace. By noon, our arrival was marked by the gentle descent of the sky carriage, met by a welcoming committee of guards, officials, and my wives – with the notable absence of Glasha, as expected. However, the atmosphere surrounding the welcome was notably different this time around.

As I disembarked from the carriage, the customary warm reception felt somewhat altered. Al’s presence, alongside the other attendants, caught my attention. His gaze was fixed upon me, a subtle hint of annoyance evident in his expression.

I led the way into the grand hall, my entourage trailing behind me, the air heavy with an unspoken tension that lingered like a storm on the horizon. I let out a heavy sigh. "Alright, Al. Spill the beans. What's the bad news?" I prodded, my steps purposeful and brisk, not even needing to glance at him to feel the weight of whatever message he bore. There was something in the atmosphere, a sense that the news wasn't going to be pleasant.

Al took a deep breath, preparing to share the troubling update. "I just received a letter from the Lizard tribe," he began.

I stopped abruptly in my tracks, my attention fully on Al. "From their king?" I inquired, ensuring the gravity of the situation.

"Yes," Al responded, a heavy exhale accentuating the urgency of the message. "It's urgent. The king is requesting an immediate meeting at the border," he elaborated, his voice weighted with the seriousness of the situation. "The letter also mentioned an incident involving a commoner who allegedly harmed a noble from the lizard tribe's convoy.”