59.3. I'm the Emperor - Part 3

And it's out. I've just done a huge coming out in front of thousands. But I don't feel any dread, only relief. I did it on my terms, I wasn't forced into it. I'll no longer need to watch for myself, at least not in front of my own people.

"B-but... how?!" Soren is lost for words.

Since I was born. This has nothing to do with me being a Celestial, I add to make it perfectly clear. As for why, we're not sure but we're trying to investigate that. So far, all we know is that there's a high chance my family is somehow involved in developing Draconia Online.

There's shocked silence for a long minute or so. Then everyone starts talking excitedly. To be honest, I don't know why I was so afraid because not a single person gathered here thinks I'm a monster who will pry into their privacy. It makes me even more magical in their eyes.

"We don't want humans to know for obvious reasons," Gotrid tells Soren desperately.

"We understand, Royal Consort," Soren nods, his expression serious. "It won't get out. Not from our mouths."

"Li, do you feel better now?" I check up on my Viceroy, gently lifting her chin because she was snuggling into my wings the whole time. "You're still my deputy, nothing has changed. And you have three thousand five hundred seventy-two new people to manage. I'll gladly save my energy by leaving them to you."

"How do you know the exact number?" Liana dries her eyes and looks much calmer now. She even leaves the refuge of my wings, her confidence quickly returning.

"Because I'm not blocking my telepathy and mana capacity any longer," I explain. "And because they're my people so I should know."

"Your Majesty, I'd like to join the Royal Guard," Soren begs. "I submitted my application months ago and was just waiting for the ban on Draconians travelling to be lifted. The Viceroy knows I'm more than capable. And there're others who would like to join as well."

"Granted," I permit. "Report to Vermiel. Li, can you manage the rest?"

"Of course," she says, enthusiastically now. She's at her best when she has specific tasks to do. Sulking doesn't suit her.

"Will you manage to fly back, love?" Gotrid is concerned and clutches my hand again since I'm not preoccupied with Liana anymore. "Oh, hon, how did you get so dirty?" he tries to dust off my wings and robe.

"I took a stroll, it was my first time in a real forest," I shrug, trying to make light of the situation because everyone is still very tense. "I guess there's no chance anyone else is just casually carrying a snack? I'm still hungry."

It was a rather rhetorical question; I don't expect I'd actually get one. But Celestials who are at the hearing distance pass my question further and, in a short moment, a young woman with brown wings is approaching me timidly. I notice her robe has a handy chest pouch that looks custom-made.

"A Celestial bag," I smile. "Did you make it yourself?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I like sewing," she bows and is looking at me with awe. It's obvious she didn't think it even possible to talk to me personally like that. I sigh, saddened. I don't want to be seen as distant ruler somewhere in a palace but is there any other way? I can't become a close friend with everyone, it's just physically impossible.

The woman looks a few years older than Ingri, is she a student of design perhaps? We certainly need more people like that, I don't feel comfortable giving contracts to humans if we can help it. I make a mental note to introduce her to Ingri when we return to Prague.

"H-here," she takes a sandwich out of her pouch. "I made it this morning. It's nothing fancy but I'd be honoured if His Majesty eats it."

"Oh, but aren't you hungry yourself? I made you chase after me for hours," I suddenly feel guilty about it.

"I had breakfast and I'm not so...," she stops herself in the middle of the sentence, horrified. But I know what she wanted to say—that I'm way too skinny. I was hoping rich robes would give me a few illusionary kilos but no such luck.

"I'll take it then," I appreciate and stretch my hand to her. Our fingers touch for a fleeting moment which is enough for me to see a glimpse of her mind.

And I very much like what I see. She's Celestial through and through but she's not particularly eager to go fighting. That's actually more than good, we need Celestials who would occupy other jobs than becoming battle mages. We need enchanters and all sorts of artisans.

"Thanks, Harut," I mutter gratefully, unwrap the plastic foil and bite into the sandwich.

The girl, Harut, widens her eyes when she realises I've just said her name. I bet she felt that I connected to her for a second because I wasn't particularly careful.

Do you really think it was a good idea? Gotrid caresses my feather while I'm munching happily. The sandwich is really tasty with very good spread, fresh salad and mozzarella.

I want to base the relationships between me and my subjects on trust, I answer. I should have done it from the beginning but I was too afraid.

And if it gets out? he frowns.

Then I have no doubt you'll protect me from humans anyway, I shrug.

In the meanwhile, Liana and Soren organise our new reinforcements. I notice they work together quite well despite the initial antipathy. It seems Liana warmed up to him since he defended her when no one else did.

"Can you fly now, love? No dizziness anymore?" Gotrid asks when I finish eating.

"I should be okay," I assure him.

Liana calls for a take-off and it's a magnificent spectacle seeing so many Celestials stretching their wings. We slowly get into the air and as soon as it becomes possible, I'm automatically positioned into the middle of the flock.

I see Soren talking to Vermiel but I can't hear them, they're too far and it's windy. But they look at me from time to time so their topic must be me. I bet they're discussing how to make sure I won't escape them ever again. I don't think it'll happen again, though. I came to terms with everything and I'm quite positive my panic attacks are gone now entirely.

Gotrid, how far did I fly away? I ask curiously.

Four hundred fifty-three kilometres, he says. You gave us hell of a chase, hon. We'll be dead exhausted after we return, my wing muscles are sore already.

Sorry!

And I am sorry but I'm excited more. Over four hundred kilometres, that's a Celestial record! I bet nobody here thought they can fly for so long until they tried. A lot of good things came out of my escape in the end. The rest of the flight is really relaxing but I can feel my wing muscles becoming sore as well. We definitely need to train our bodies as well as our magic.

I presumed we're going straight to the UN conference building but it turns out Liana led as back to the hotel. Am I that dirty? But Celestials aren't the Dragonkin. They would never let me show up to official business unless I'm perfectly clean and presentable.

I notice a huge crowd standing in front of the building—the media but also agents from the government. I guess our disappearance must have caused an uproar. I just hope there wasn't another attack. Will we be blamed for ditching that meeting? And does it look threatening that I'm bringing so many Celestials with me?

No matter, we have to go for landing. People are shouting, cameras are flashing but I'm safely shielded from curious eyes by countless wings.

"WHERE THE HELL WERE YOU?! AND WHO ARE ALL THESE CELESTIALS?!"

Erik is waiting in the lobby, anxious, red with anger and his eyes teary. I imagine he must have been worried-sick about me. My guards let him get to me and he gives me a suffocating hug.

"I'm so sorry," I try to kiss him but he evades me.

"You have some serious explaining to do," Erik purses his lips. "We didn't know where you were for six bloody hours! Do you have any idea how scared I was?!"

Since there's no way humans can see me, I touch his forehead with mine and establish a full telepathic connection. I explain everything and also make it clear that I won't be kept in the dark anymore. I'm not as harsh with him as I was with Liana so he takes is well.

We wanted to protect you from overwhelming..., he tries to justify their actions but I shake my head. No, you're right, he admits. We wanted to protect you so desperately that we didn't consider your feelings.

"Let's bath you and change your clothes, hon," Gotrid interrupts us, having decided that we had enough private time.

"Did something happen while we were gone?" I ask. "There are hundreds of people from the media outside and even a few dozen federal agents."

"Oh, right," Erik gasps and his emotions flutter wildly as he just remembered something super important. "Except for global panic caused by your disappearance, there was one more... thing."

He looks at me with great sorrow in his eyes. He almost can't make himself say it.

"Ryuu... I know you haven't been on the greatest terms with her but you're so kind that you will p-p-probably still...," he stutters.

"Erik, what is it?" I'm seriously alarmed at this point.

"Your grandmother," Erik gulps. "She was found dead in her apartment. Murdered."