The Crown's Fire - Chapter 196

Chapter 196: Physical Appearances
Surprisingly, the days passed slowly for Katelina. Their journey was smooth, and they encountered no problems along the way. The potions she took worked wonders, giving her peaceful sleep for two nights now.

“Why do I even feel sad?” she mumbled, staring at the night sky. She hadn’t drunk her potion yet and wasn’t in the mood to rest. Sitting outside the carriage on a makeshift chair, she tried to find solace in the stars.

“Your Majesty, aren’t you going to sleep already?” Asura asked, bringing her some tea.

“Not yet,” Katelina replied with a sigh.

“Would it be alright if Lady Cora joined us? She has some questions regarding Aurum,” Asura asked.

“Of course, please let her come,” Katelina quickly answered.

It would be nice to have some company while she was still not in the mood to sleep. It wasn’t that late anyway. Soon, Cora arrived, and the three of them gathered around the makeshift table.

“Are you having problems with Aurum?” Katelina asked.

“Oh no, Aurum has been very well-behaved lately. He hasn’t sneaked out in his invisible form at all. It’s just that…” Cora trailed off.

“You’re still unsure about the bond?” Katelina inquired.

“Yes, I know time is running out. It will be dangerous for Aurum to remain unbonded at his age, but I’m really not ready for this,” Cora confessed.

Katelina took a deep breath and nodded, understanding Cora’s hesitation. “I understand, Cora. Bonding with a dragon is a significant responsibility, and it’s not something to be taken lightly. But it’s also a unique and powerful relationship that can bring a lot of joy and strength to your life.”

Cora sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. “I know, Your Majesty. I do want to bond with Aurum, but the idea of it is daunting. I keep worrying about whether I’m capable enough to handle it.”

Asura poured tea for everyone and added, “It’s natural to feel that way. Bonding with a dragon is a life-changing event, and it’s normal to have doubts. But you should also trust in Aurum. Dragons choose their partners with great care and wisdom. If Aurum has chosen you, it means he believes in you. However…”

Asura halted, giving Cora a meaningful grin as she added, “Try convincing Aurum to choose me instead, and your problem will be solved!”

Katelina chuckled. Asura had always been vocal about her desire to become a dragonrider, but she hadn’t been fortunate enough to be chosen.

“I’ll try my best, Lady Asura,” Cora answered with a playful smile.

“Don’t tease her too much,” Katelina said, still smiling. “Aurum chose you for a reason, Cora. But Asura, who knows? Maybe there’s another dragon out there waiting for you.”

Asura sighed dramatically. “One can only hope. Until then, I’ll live vicariously through you, Cora.”

They all laughed, the tension easing as they shared this light-hearted moment.

Katelina sipped her tea, savoring the warmth and comfort it brought. The night was peaceful, and the stars twinkled above them, casting a gentle light over their camp.

“Tomorrow night, we’ll be arriving at Haven Forest,” Cora commented, her tone filled with anticipation.

“Right, Ebodia arrived first, didn’t they?” Asura inquired, curiosity piqued.

“Yes,” Cora confirmed. “Our King wanted to make sure that everything is properly in place. He wants this Global Summit to be perfect. The security must be double-checked, especially since the hunt is still ongoing for Devon’s followers who escaped. They could still crash the event, after all.”

“That’s true,” Katelina agreed. “The new king of Helion should be more careful since there’s a high chance that they will target him first.”

Asura nodded thoughtfully. “The stakes are high, especially with so many leaders gathered in one place. Security will be crucial.”

Cora sighed. “It’s a daunting task, but if anyone can ensure the summit’s success, it’s King Ezekiel. He’s thorough and leaves nothing to chance.”

Asura exchanged a knowing glance with Katelina, who subtly signaled her friend not to tease her further, or else she’d be in trouble. But there was no denying the blush that crept up behind Katelina’s veil. Thankfully, Asura picked up on her friend’s silent warning and quickly changed the topic.

“I’m curious!” Asura couldn’t contain her excitement. “I’ve heard so many good things about the new King of Helion. I wonder how he looks!”

Cora chimed in confidently, “Well, one thing is for sure, no one will outshine our King Ezekiel at that gathering.”

Asura scoffed playfully, her expression contorted. “What a bias… But soon enough, we’ll see who stands out among those leaders. I guess the King of Cordon and the King of Valcrez are already off the list, being taken and all…”

The trio shared a moment of amusement, their light-hearted banter focusing on the physical appearance of each of the kings. Asura turned to Katelina and said, “How about you also choose your top five among the male leaders of each kingdom, Your Majesty?”

She chuckled and said, “Alright, I guess there’s no harm in it. I’ll pick my top five based on physical appearances once I’ve met them all at the global summit.”

“I can’t wait to see if my king makes the top of your list!” Cora boldly interjected. Asura laughed and teased, “Ah, you’re so confident, just like your king! Are you his saleswoman? Will there be a reward for this?”

“Of course, our King Ezekiel is the best among the rest!” Cora firmly declared.

Asura turned to her and said, “Fine, fine… We’ll see. Let’s wait for our Queen Regent to give us her honest list then.”

Katelina just chuckled before her eyes darted to the bottle of potion on the table. Asura followed her gaze and asked, “Have you tried sleeping without drinking the potion?”

“I haven’t,” she answered with a sigh.

“I am concerned, Your Majesty because you can’t solely rely on those potions,” Asura pointed out.

“I know… I must face and overcome this no matter what, but it’s just that…” Another sigh escaped her lips.

“Take your time, Your Majesty. I’m sure you’ll be able to overcome this like how you did before you lost those memories,” Cora encouraged, and Katelina nodded.

In her thoughts, she decided she would not drink the potion tonight and see how things go… She must overcome her horrendous past with Devon no matter what.