It smelled like peaches and cherry blossoms.
In the gardens, other flowers blossomed but they were suffocated by the peaches and cherry blossoms.
The peaches hadn't grown yet and the sakura barely had since it was only early spring, but the peach blossoms had bloomed and foreshadowed what was to come in the summertime.
"It smells sweet," Rune chirped. He stood on his tippy-toes to get closer to the spring buds on the taller branches, eyes closed as he breathed in the smell. "I heard that Dragon King Jun loved peaches. Apparently, he planted this very tree hundreds of years ago and the palace was built around it," he said matter-of-factly.
Rune also liked peaches, so he felt a kinship with the Dragon King though he didn't tell his sister that since she'd tease him for grasping straws. He also liked the sakura that grew. Both plants were so delightfully pink and pretty that he felt warm and comfortable when he saw them.
His sister drew him out of his thoughts with her cynicism. "A palace myth. Peach trees don't live that long, little brother."
He blew the bangs out of his face, a little put-off by her rebuttal. "There's magic, y'know. Peach trees aren't called immortal trees for nothing, Lark. The peaches could have magical properties in them!" He'd eaten so many of the peaches from this tree that his sister used to tell him he'd turn into a giant peach if he ate anymore. Obviously, he didn't believe that anymore. Only up until he was eighteen or so.
His sister only amusedly arched an eyebrow and didn't hesitate before flatly saying, "Uh huh, is that why you're built wrong?"
"Jie jie!" he complained.
She didn't look up from her lap and continued to read the reports from this morning's meeting. She wasn't allowed to actually participate since she wasn't an official part of the Council which was complete dragonshite, but as long as Rune lent her his copies of the papers - he never read them anyways - she'd be fine.
The reports were standard. Some of the provinces were having cultural differences again which wasn't surprising considering there were very few things holding them together by now. Namely, the shared idolization of dragons and the Dragon Kings, but that had all but faded by now. Festivals usually brought the nation together as all the provinces celebrated and partied with one another, sharing food and clothes and stories. A few remained this year, but only time would tell if they'd be effective. Lark bit her lip as she thought, feeling uneasy as she continued reading.
"I'm not built wrong... I'm built very cutely, actually," Rune pouted, still lingering on the peaches. It's not as if he could talk back to her or anything though so he moved on and wandered away from the bench where she sat. He looked up at the tree in question and wished that Dragon King Jun was still alive so he could ask him about it.
The white chrysantheums and other flowers of mourning had been planted around the tree shortly after his death thirty-five years ago, but to Rune, they had always been there. He remembered jumping for hours in the summer as a child, trying to reach the plump fruit hanging from the lower branches. He would trample the flowers without meaning to, which caused some of the worst scoldings of his life. He'd cry from being yelled at and Lark would laugh, which would make him cry more.
Looking back, it's a miracle he doesn't hate her by now, he thought suddenly. His sister was quite sadistic, even now. Nonetheless, he still missed those days of summer without responsibility.
"I wonder if Dragon King Qin likes peaches," Rune thought aloud as circled the tree again. He turned to his sister again, "Have you ever even seen him eat?"
Lark shook her head but didn't look up from her papers. "He never takes off that mask. Strange, because I sometimes see him with sake in his hand at feasts."
Curious.
He was the only Dragon King that Rune had ever met. Well, that most people his age had ever even really knew about. The other three had disappeared years ago after the appointment of the Emperor and the death of Jun. Qin, being their leader, had remained behind, but he hasn't been addressed as anything else other than the Head Advisor since then. He never appeared on television and despite the refusal from the older generations who'd witnessed their presence, rumors had been spreading that Dragon Kings didn't even exist in the first place, or were no more than some formal title given to some snobbish human. Rune's eyebrows furrowed at the thought.
Dragon Kings all wore masks as humans apparently, to hide their faces. Qin's red mask didn't show one sliver of flesh on his face. He only had two gapes in his mask for him to see. Rune got chills visualizing that mask. Looking into the eyes of it, all he could see was black. He blinked, not sure why he was losing himself in those thoughts again.
"He's probably either really handsome, or all deformed. Don't you think?" he theorized before clarifying, "Not that it'd matter. He'd still be cool."
Lark glanced up and smiled slightly. He wasn't really talking to her so much as to himself, but she didn't mind.
He was coming of age in three months and yet he still acted young and bright-faced. He was liked far more around the palace than her for this reason. Well, among other things. His innocence was charming and refreshing but it also concerned her, especially with the announcement made this morning. Her smile slowly slipped away as she watched her younger brother gush at the bees pollinating the nearby flowers.
"Rune," she stated and he perked up almost immediately, dark eyes open and expressive. "How are you feeling? Qin declaring you the Heir Apparent and Father announcing your Selection happening once you come of age… it's a lot." It wasn't surprising, but it was still a lot. Without the other Dragon Kings, Qin wouldn't be able to choose another candidate to become the new reigning ruler after their father's reign. The people of New Asia have been waiting for the official next-in-line to be declared for years. Rune was the only acceptable option at this point. The Selection also wasn't surprising, considering it was tradition to have someone to ascend the throne with.
He ran a hand through his hair absentmindedly. "Mmm, I guess… okay? I was hoping that the other Dragon Kings would come back and decide to choose someone else, but Qin said that that'd be unlikely. I can't do anything to change that and I'm not going to complain or be ungrateful either… I just have to accept it and try my best to fulfill the responsibility given to me. I hope the people will be gentle with me since I'm still learning though…" he said carefully, making sure to articulate each thought. He looked up as if to gauge her reaction but Lark maintained a neutral expression. He was a good speaker even with his informal way of talking and while he acted childish sometimes, he accepted his duty as everyone had hoped.
"It's the Spring Equinox today," she simply stated. He didn't bother deciphering her reply since she wouldn't provide an explanation.
"Mmm, it's why all the flowers are blooming. It's… nice outside. More than usual."
Lark had noticed Qin and the others on the Council had been watching him ever since he was old enough to attend meetings. She knew his strengths and weaknesses and by now, they most likely knew them too. Rune wasn't as skilled in the ways of royal court or politics as much as others, but he had the potential. His parents had groomed him since he was young. He always put thought and reason into his decisions. He was thoughtful and good and loved by the citizens. Hopefully, with the help of the Council, it'd be enough.
His birthday was in three months. The announcement that he's the Heir Apparent and that a traditional Selection will be held was in one month's time. He could no longer play around in the gardens or daydream in council meetings. He'd most likely have already realized that. He never quite frowned, by his eyes drooped sadly like in cartoons. As his elder sister, she felt the responsibility of trying to cheer him up. Lark was terrible at cheering people up, unlike Rune.
She wasn't cheery at all. On the contrary, she was quite bitter.
Still, she felt moved by his disheartened face. Rune was endearing in that way. Almost like a puppy, it was hard to not want to take care of him. Disregarding the fact that she used to make fun of his crying face when they were younger, of course.
…
Yogurt or milk.
Yogurt or milk.
Rune's eyebrows were furrowed in thought again as he considered his options.
On one hand, the yogurt drink was far more sweeter and tastier than the milk one. However, the milk one was probably healthier and his mother was always telling him he needed it to grow taller. Both were in clear glass bottles with sealed papers covers - the palace didn't allow plastics - and both looked refreshing.
"Quick! Yogurt or milk, Caihong!" Rune turned to the large creature beside him for advice.
She made an affectionate though incredulous grunting sound from the back of her throat, which would sound more like a growl to most, but Rune had spent enough time with the dragon to differentiate.
Eastern Dragons could understand humans, but not the other way around unless they were bonded. Bonds were a rare occurrence nowadays. Most dragons wanted to avoid humans after the Fall. Oh, he'd lost his train of thought.
"Rune, please just choose one," Lark sighed, holding both drinks in her hands. She met eyes with the dragon, who only blinked amusedly at the two.
"If I didn't know you, I'd think you were Russian. Since you're rushin' everything," he grinned before carefully plucking the yogurt drink from her delicate hands. He half-bowed, half-dodged her incoming slap. Upon failing to hit him, Lark scowled and stabbed the red straw through the top of the milk cover.
"I will choke slam you to the ground," she warned.
He stuck out his tongue and then happily sipped his yogurt.
The dragon chortled as she watched this exchange. Lark and Rune had made their way to the upper balconies of the palace, the elevated courtyard where the Spiritual Dragons dwelled. Here, they were able to take flight as easily as they pleased. Sometimes the Celestial Dragons visited, but they mostly remained by the towers. It was open, with no ceiling above its walls and only slight cover should anyone want shade. Wind chimes rang gently with the wind, making songs with their movements.
Caihong, who blended into the sky above her, had coiled herself around the base of the Dragon King Statue in the middle of the courtyard. Her sky blue scales rippled like water on her body, marked only by the darker gradience near her stomach. When she moved, she moved like the breeze; quick and smoothly. Her body was slight in comparison to other dragons, but she was just as stunning.
She enjoyed the company of humans, though it was frustrating they could not hear the songs she sung or the words she uttered.
Just a moment ago, she had answered 'milk' in response to his question, since he needed the nutrients for his bones. He was smaller than most of his kind, like her, but she was a strong dragon and he was only a mere human. If she poked him with her claws too swiftly, she could puncture one of his organs. If she blew on him too hard, his bones might break. He needed strong bones. Milk was the obvious answer.
But, humans were humans. Puny and very, very silly. She supposed his bones would still break even if he drank three bathtubs of milk, so it was simply inevitable. Nonetheless, she was content with watching him enjoy the yogurt drink. She would just have to take care to not recklessly kill him.
"Can you believe that this will be our next Emperor, Caihong?" Lark shook her head at Rune and his abominable collection of puns.
Yes. She'd heard that earlier in the day from the Yellow Dragons that the Vermillion Dragon King had chosen him as next-in-line. Yellow Dragons were gossips, grumpy though they were.
Emperors were chosen based on many things that determined their worth but ultimately, Caihong was pleased. She believed that young Rune would do a fine job. Despite this, she missed the other Dragon Kings and wished they were here to make the decision along with Qin. Years ago, they'd chat with her and spend time in the courtyard, making sure she and the others got along and were treated well. Qin still did this, but he no longer had as much time to do so and Caihong believed that it saddened him now. It too, saddened her. She wound herself tighter around the statue and quieted, not able to speak her thoughts to the humans and not wanting to either.
"Are you excited for all the pretty girls that are going to be strolling the halls soon, Rune?"
He made a duck face with his mouth and confidently said, "We already have gorgeous women walking our halls. The noble girls and the servant girls are all beautiful and lovely."
Rune wasn't particularly shy around girls, but he didn't go out of his way to flirt with them other than maybe pay some compliments if it felt right. He'd noticed some of the girls would blush when he spoke to them, but he usually brushed it off. Courting thirty-five at the same time didn't particularly feel right either, since it was very possible he wouldn't be able to love them properly.
"Oh? Then, are you excited? By this time next year, you'll have a wife and maybe a few girlfriends by your side," Lark said nonchalantly, straightening out her slacks. By girlfriends, she meant mistresses. Mistresses weren't abnormal or taboo in New Asia. Her own mother was one, though she was never fully given the title by the Emperor, due to the Empress' clear disapproval. That being said, it was usually accepted as long as it was consensual.
Rune shook his head. "Polyamorous relationships are nice and all, but I only want to devote myself to one woman," he clarified, puffing his cheeks out a little. He decided to ignore the fact that his father had mostly likely said the same thing when he was younger before he met Lark's mother.
The two were close despite their precarious parental situations, but they were clearly thinking the same thing.
Lark put down her drink and then grabbed his cheeks with her hands, rolling them like dough. "My little brother is so cute and innocent! You're like a little shrimp dumpling! Ay, these girls are going to eat you up!" she teased. He squirmed away from her, but she had the powerful grip of their late grandmother, who was known for squishing others' cheeks just like this.
"You're the unbearable one, jie jie! I'm not twelve anymore," he complained. Finally, he tore himself from her death grip. He had nearly tumbled onto the ground, but he'd manage to stay on the small bench. Hiss face was red from being pinched. Ironically, he looked very similar to a freshly steamed shrimp dumpling.
"…"
The two stared at each other for a minute before bursting into a fit of giggles on both ends.
After their giggles had died down, Lark observed, "Caihong fell asleep." The dragon's tight grip on the statue had loosened and her serpentine body was relaxed and unguarded. Rune tugged his sister away from the sleeping creature, remembering the age-old proverb.
They seated themselves underneath some shade while Lark looked particularly satisfied. "Feel better?"
Rune did feel a little better. He'd never particularly wanted the crown or for women to be thrown at him, but he didn't have the luxury to spend the rest of his lazy days out in some temple with his sweetheart like he had hoped. He'd simply have to make do with what he was dealt.
"Yeah," he said shortly. He curled his hair behind his hair before properly thanking his older sister, "Thanks, jie jie."
She patted his head affectionately. She didn't really do physical affection, so even this small action was something he appreciated. He gave a lopsided, puppy-like smile.
The two sat in silence for a while, sipping their cold drinks as the dragon behind them snored peacefully and the wind chimes gently rang against each other.
…
Though only four other people in the world sensed it, the earth beneath the palace gently spoke. The wind blew ever so slightly and the leaves rustled and the earth trembled as if whispering to anyone who would listen.
They all heard it, wherever they were but only one of those four people remained in New Asia's palace..
Behind his red mask, he smiled.
…
Author's Note: Peter Jackson was editing The Lord of The Rings five hours before it premiered and I relate to him on a spiritual level now.
Thank you for reading! This is my new story. This chapter was short, but I've tried my best with it. Uh, dragons are hard to write but guess what, there's going to be more of them.
It's a little out there, but I hope that doesn't scare anyone away. I didn't want to spoon feed you the exposition and force it down your throat, so don't worry about it! Just enjoy and read and it'll all come naturally.
I hope you all submit. I've been working on this for a while now. I have many things in store.
Chapters will be around 2.5k-4k because that's what I'm comfortable with. Usually, it'll be 3k-4k. Update times will be within the range of one week or so, give or take some days if I'm behind.
THE REST OF THIS IS JUST ME BEING ALL EMOTIONAL. YOU CAN LEAVE NOW. HEAD TO MY PROFILE PLEASE OR LEAVE A REVIEW, WINK.
I'd like to give a shout out to the Discord for inspiring me to write again. We're a community of Selection writers and if you haven't joined, you should! I'll put the link on my profile eventually.
A huge, fat, juicy shoutout to Doctor Kay Sorceress Supreme. My rock, my right-hand sorceress, thank you! This story wouldn't have happened without you. She's been here through the early stages up to the publication date. She's seen my epiphanies and my breakdowns and I thank her so very much for helping me. I love you, Kay! *heart emoji*
I'd also like to specifically shout out OctaviaWithStarsForEyes for also helping me. What a doll, thank you for putting up with my craziness and being so supportive. You're amazing.
And finally, rysaspirit. Rysa, this story literally wouldn't have happened without you. On an average Discord day, you, you brilliant human, wandered in and birthed this idea. You handed it to me. And suddenly, I had a brainchild. Thank you for encouraging me to write about freaking dragons.
Thank you. I hope you liked it.
- Sincerely, Sev.