Page 49 of Courting the Dragon Prince (A Royal Arrangement #1)
Chapter Forty-Nine
“A letter arrived, Your Highness.” The servant bowed and handed Onyx the letter.
“Thank you.” Onyx took the thick envelope.
From the thickness, Onyx could tell it contained quite a few sheets of paper. In his uncle’s familiar handwriting, “Warden Onyx Obsidian” had been scrawled across the front.
The servant bowed and swiftly left the room. Onyx glanced at the two other servants attending them in the small dining room where Onyx and Luther sat at a table eating their breakfast.
One servant stood by the door, awaiting any orders. The other stood by a table, ready to serve food or drink to Onyx or Luther should they require it.
The table held a plethora of foods—sausages, fried fish, tomatoes, roasted potatoes, eggs, fruit, and toasted bread—as well as a pot of tea, a pitcher of water, and a small carafe of herbed schnapps that apparently assisted with digestion.
All the food was much more heavily spiced than Onyx was used to. Sometimes, the food burned his mouth. He’d learnt to ask how spicy a dish was before tucking in.
Onyx had been at the Castle of the Dragons for five days. The servants constantly hovering around had taken some getting used to. In Limestone Castle, whilst they had servants to cook, clean, serve, and fulfil most requests, they generally did not linger around.
For example, except for at formal meals, the servants presented the food and left. They returned only after the meal had been finished to clear away the serving dishes, plates, and whatnot. His mother usually had a servant close by with the lysithea tea. But that was an exception.
Here in Draconia, the servants were everywhere. In fact, one servant always remained outside Luther’s room during the day, at least whilst he was in residence. Luther clearly was used to it. Onyx was not.
Everything about the Castle of the Dragons just seemed grander and more opulent than Onyx was used to. Thankfully, Luther seemed to understand that Onyx did not feel comfortable around too much splendour and so many lingering servants. So Luther had made a point of using more intimate and simple rooms, such as this cosy dining room. And fewer servants.
Onyx broke the wax seal of the envelope.
“Is that from your uncle?” Luther speared a roasted tomato with his fork and cut into it.
“It is. He told me he’d keep me updated with information on the meetings.”
The first page had been written in his uncle’s handwriting. Some of the pages had been written in the script of Warden Flint’s assistant. No doubt, his uncle had dictated to him. The rest had been written by Jade. Onyx read quickly through the first page.
“Huh. Seems my uncle will be at the Grey Mountains in five days’ time.” Onyx paused. “Well, three days from now. The letter was dated two days ago. He says that some issues have arisen in the Grey Mountains that need to be dealt with.”
Onyx read aloud, “I’d hoped to be able to address the issues from the White Monastery, but now I believe I must do so in person. I would like you to be there to assist me. I could use your help, and I believe it will provide you with valuable experience in dealing with Grey Mountains nobles.”
A sense of pride filled Onyx’s chest. This was the first time his uncle had asked for his help with something like this. It seemed Onyx’s words to his uncle had actually worked. Warden Flint was including him in running the kingdom and helping Onyx prepare to be grand warden one day.
“Does your uncle say what he needs help dealing with?” Luther popped a forkful of eggs into his mouth.
Onyx shook his head. “No. He just mentions issues. And Grey Mountains nobles. So I assume it must have something to do with them.”
“Hmmm.” Luther chewed thoughtfully before swallowing. “Do you think it is regarding the peace treaty? Do you think some of the nobles might be opposing it?”
“I’m not sure.” Onyx frowned. “Perhaps. Last time we spoke, he did mention some of the nobles still had reservations about it.” Unease settled in his belly. “But he seemed to think he had that under control and that they would support the wishes of the sovereign.”
“Hmmm.” Luther chewed. “Well, whatever it is, at least he is aware of it and is dealing with it.”
Onyx nodded. He stared at his uncle’s words as if somehow doing so might provide more insight. “I guess we won’t know until I see him in three days’ time. Although, it must be important if my uncle is taking time out from the assembly.”
Onyx turned to the next page and read. “It seems like they have been having trouble deciding on a name for the peace treaty.”
Luther popped a raspberry into his mouth. “Really, how hard could that be?”
“Apparently very,” Onyx said. “Seems your father and his advisers wanted it to be called the Peace Treaty Between Draconia and the Five Allied Kingdoms.”
“That’s not clunky at all,” Luther said. “It just rolls off your tongue.”
Onyx chuckled. “Your father said that since the allied kingdoms often referred to the war as the dragon war, it makes sense to focus on Draconia in the title of the peace treaty.”
Luther smiled. “I’m assuming the others are not in agreement?”
Onyx shook his head. “My uncle, and others, think the treaty should not put too much focus on a single kingdom. Apparently, the Queen of Botanial suggested the Lavender Treaty, since lavender represents peace.”
“Ahh, nature mages. Always bringing it back to flowers.” Luther laughed.
Onyx smiled. “My uncle suggested the Peace Accord of the Grey Mountains, Voltaria and Zephyrias, Botanial, Necros, and Draconia. But it seems there was a lot of controversy regarding the ordering of the kingdoms.”
Amusement danced in Luther’s bright-green eyes. “How long do you think they spent discussing that?”
Onyx glanced at Luther. “According to my uncle, they spent an entire afternoon debating the ordering. But thankfully it seems they eventually just settled on the Peace Accord of the Six Kingdoms. And it seems like it only took them two days in total to come up with the name.”
Luther huffed as he picked up a small glass that contained the herbed schnapps. “Well, it’s good to know that the meetings are covering the important topics that will influence the future of our kingdoms and their subjects.”
Onyx placed the papers to the side. “I’ll read the rest after breakfast.”
Luther eyed the pile. “Is it really so important for you to read through all of those papers? A lot of it sounds a little frivolous.”
“I know. But I think it is important that I keep on top of the issues, since I’ll be the grand warden one day.” Onyx bit into one of the small fried fish, crunching through the charred skin and bone.
“That makes sense. Although, I don’t envy you.”
Onyx swallowed. “I have to admit I feel a bit guilty for not being at the meetings in person. But I’m also relieved, as it sounds a little boring.”
“A little boring?” Luther laughed. “Look, I don’t know much about governing a kingdom, but I’ve heard my father tell Konrad and Liesel that as a ruler, you shouldn’t get lost in the monotonous, mundane work.”
Luther pointed his fork at Onyx. “That work is for trusted advisers. Instead, a ruler should focus on the important things that can’t be delegated to others.”
Onyx studied him. “Huh. That’s actually good advice.”
Luther waggled his eyebrows. “I overhear things now and then.”
But Onyx thought Luther did more than that. Since Luther had shown him his hoard, Onyx had been thinking a lot about Luther’s story regarding stealing the keys, about sneaking into lessons, about wanting a role in the family and his desire to be important.
Onyx knew now that he had misjudged Luther from the start. Sure, Luther had not always made the best impression. But Onyx wondered, if given the opportunity and responsibility, Luther might actually rise to the challenge and thrive. Perhaps he would make a good consort, someone to help Onyx rule, a trusted adviser, someone to give Onyx advice and support.
“Why don’t you ask your uncle to send you a summary of the meetings, just the important details? You don’t need to know all the dull conversations taking place,” Luther suggested.
“That’s not a bad idea. I’ll give it some thought,” Onyx said, taken aback to realise Luther was already giving him advice and support.
Onyx himself still had a long way to go to being a competent ruler. He had so many doubts and fears about not being able to fulfil his role as grand warden. But perhaps he and Luther could learn about their future roles together. Maybe if he built this relationship with Luther, he’d find a good partner for the challenges and responsibilities ahead.
A little of the guilt he felt for leaving the White Monastery and the assembly dissolved. For now, Onyx thought he was where he was meant to be, with Luther, working on building a strong marriage.
Meanwhile, he could trust his uncle and cousin to take care of the negotiations. And in three days’ time, he’d be helping his uncle deal with whatever issue had occurred in the Grey Mountains.
Until then, he just had to keep working on his relationship with Luther.
And that was no chore at all. Now that they’d stopped fighting, Onyx struggled to remember why he had hated Luther so much to begin with.
Now Onyx felt himself wanting to be around Luther constantly. He enjoyed talking to him, flying with him, laughing with him. Even just sitting and eating together felt surprisingly comfortable.
Could this be the stirrings of love?
Onyx stared down at his food. It seemed shocking that his feelings towards Luther could shift so drastically so quickly. But the very idea of being away from Luther tore at him.
“So when should we head off to the Grey Mountains?” Luther wiped his mouth and placed the napkin on the table. “I’ve got plans for after breakfast. But after that we are free.”
“We could go tonight, tomorrow, or the day after,” Onyx said. “There is no particular rush as long as we are there in three days’ time. I have already sent a message ahead to Limestone Castle, informing them we are coming and you will be in your dragon form.”
“What, you didn’t want them to think a dragon was attacking the castle?” Luther grinned.
Onyx laughed. “I thought it best to avoid that.” He placed his cutlery down and pushed his empty plate aside. “So what are our plans for today?”
Luther slid his hands across the table, reaching for Onyx. He pushed up the cuff of Onyx’s shirt, sliding his fingers beneath and touching skin. “I’d planned for us to go back to bed, where you can spend the rest of the day fucking me.”
Heat pooled low in Onyx’s gut. He made a point of not looking to the servants, who no doubt hadn’t even batted an eye at Luther’s words. After all, apparently, they’d been trained to ignore amorous discussions. And behaviour.
Onyx turned his palm up and threaded their fingers together. “Sounds perfect to me.” Onyx lifted Luther’s hands to his lips and kissed the backs of them.
Luther’s grin widened.