Chapter 16: Jin
110 years ago, Northern Lands
ancient grove hidden deep within the Spirit Woods
Deep in the forest lay a huge green dragon, although he wasn't as large as other dragons. He was resting and blowing gentle puffs of air at some flowers in front of him. While he felt bored, he was also enjoying the tranquility. As his emerald scales shimmered in the dappled sunlight, he flicked his tail slightly, stirring the leaves around him. The rustling sound caught his attention, revealing a small figure peeking from behind a tree, curiosity sparkling in its eyes.
Everyone nervously scanned their surroundings. Shard and Yuki searched the castle rooms, while Kaorun joined them to assist. In contrast, Kai and Sirius remained calm, sitting outside and sighing. They realized that not only had the princess vanished, but Ryan was also missing.
Sirius looked up from the grass, his expression a mix of concern and uncertainty, and asked, “Should we tell Rain?” as his ears drooped sadly, reflecting his apprehension about the situation. He was clearly weighing the importance of the information they had against the potential impact it might have on Rain. The drooping of his ears signified not just a physical response, but also a deeper emotional turmoil, hinting that he felt the gravity of their dilemma. It was a moment filled with tension as they considered the consequences of their decision.
Kai shook his head, signaling his disapproval, and returned his focus to the book in front of him. “No, I trust Ryan with the princess,” he insisted, emphasizing his confidence in Ryan’s a
bilities and judgment. “Besides, the others would only panic even more," he added with a slight sigh, reflecting on how the group's anxiety could exacerbate an already tense situation.
His words underscored a sense of calmness that he felt was necessary amidst the chaos surrounding them.
Lyra had pulled Ryan along while she raced through the forest. She needed a break from studying and was looking for some fun among the trees. She only brought Ryan with her just in case there was any trouble in the Spirit Woods.
Ryan sighed as he followed the princess. He was accustomed to Lyra's wild outings, but venturing this far from the castle was new for her. He wondered how his mother would react when they returned. Would she be worried, or would she scold him for letting Lyra out of sight? Pushing those thoughts aside, he focused on keeping up with her as she darted between the towering trees, her laughter echoing through the woods.
She joyfully chased butterflies, her laughter and excitement echoing through the trees, until she reached a sunlit clearing and came to an abrupt halt, blinking in surprise at the unexpected sight before her. "Is that a dragon?" she wondered in awe, her heart racing as she gazed at the massive green-scaled creature that appeared almost mythical in nature. The creature's shimmering scales caught the sunlight, creating a mesmerizing display that left her spellbound. In that moment, the world around her seemed to fade away, and all she could focus on was the enchanting being before her.
The half-breed paused behind her and blinked in surprise and confusion. Although he was aware that a dragon resided in the area, he had no idea that it was in fact Jin, the one with whom he had only a distant connection. Ryan's knowledge of Jin was limited to discussions he had heard from his father, Max, and he never imagined that the dragon's presence would directly impact him.
The dragon, nestled comfortably in his secluded resting spot, lifted his majestic head and blinked slowly. 'How long has it been since anyone visited this area?' he pondered with a hint of curiosity. As he surveyed the two figures standing before him, he couldn't help but feel a sense of intrigue about their intentions and what had brought them to this forgotten part of the woods. The stillness of his surroundings added to the weight of time, making him acutely aware of the long solitude he had endured.
After a brief moment of silence that hung in the air, Lyra, who had a more relaxed and easygoing demeanor compared to her more serious sister, decided to take a step closer and greet the dragon with a bright smile. "Hello, I'm Lyra," she said cheerfully, her voice filled with warmth and friendliness. Before the dragon had a chance to reply, she playfully began to circle around him, making lighthearted and whimsical remarks about his striking appearance, which surprisingly did not seem to bother him at all. Instead, the dragon appeared to find amusement in her lively chatter, enjoying the unexpected attention.
“Is she always like this?” the dragon inquired of the boy, his curiosity piqued by the peculiar behavior of the girl they had encountered. The dragon's eyes gleamed with a mix of confusion and interest, as he struggled to understand the nuances of human emotions. He hoped the boy could provide some insight into what he perceived as an unusual yet fascinating situation. The question hung in the air, reflecting both the dragon's bewilderment and his desire to comprehend this strange aspect of the girl's character.
Ryan let out a soft sigh, indicating his resignation to the situation. “Yeah… Lyra is always like this,” he explained, as if recalling a familiar pattern of behavior that is both endearing and exasperating. “Compared to her little sister, she is known as the hyper one,” he continued, highlighting how Lyra's lively and energetic disposition often sets her apart from her more subdued sibling. This distinction between the sisters often leads to amusing contrasts in their interactions, further showcasing their unique personalities.
The dragon let out a light hum as he thought, reflecting on the recent events that had unfolded in the kingdom. “So it’s true.. that Lira stepped down for her niece, demonstrating a sense of sacrifice for the future leadership of their lineage… but I haven’t heard of any little sister, which leaves me puzzled about the succession and the family dynamics at play.”
Ryan paused briefly to gather his thoughts, then he elaborated on his knowledge regarding the southern princess, presenting the information in a favorable light. His positive portrayal was particularly noteworthy since he felt a sense of intimidation in Mira's presence, which added a layer of complexity to his response. By choosing to emphasize the princess's admirable qualities, he aimed to convey respect and admiration, balancing his own unease. This approach not only reflected his thoughts but also showcased his desire to impress Mira despite his nervousness.
The dragon listened to the boy as he contemplated. However, before he could say anything, Lyra interjected while inspecting one of Jin's wings. "Mira, my little sister, is also afraid of dragons, probably because of our father or her mage's partner. I suspect it's Kue who instilled that fear in her, but I'm not certain. She won't tell me. It's amusing, though, that she keeps a dragon close and doesn't even regard him as one."
Jin extended his wing so the princess could examine it more closely. "Oh? Do you happen to know which dragon she keeps nearby?"
The princess pondered deeply as she extended her hand to gently caress the delicate wing, feeling its intricate texture beneath her fingertips. "I believe his name was Nall or something similar," she mused aloud, trying to recall what she heard.
Ryan let out a soft sigh. "It's Nall, Lyra. Father told me that Nall is the leader of the Snow Dragons."
"So, Nall is located in the south. I've heard about him, but I didn’t think he would be associated with a princess." The dragon hummed softly as he observed how Lyra gazed at his wing.
After a moment of thought, he added, "Tell me, princess, what are your thoughts on dragons?"
Lyra blinked in surprise as a thought crossed her mind. "I don't fear dragons; in fact, I love dragons," she declared with enthusiasm.
The dragon was initially taken aback but soon found the conversation interesting. He leaned his snout closer to her. "Oh? What is it about dragons that you love?" he asked lightly,
finding an unexpected enjoyment in the exchange.
The princess blinked and pondered, "Everything—their stories, the various kinds of dragons, and so much more."
The dragon let out a soft laugh as Ryan blinked in surprise. The boy had no idea that his princess was so fascinated by dragons. Meanwhile, Jin found it intriguing, as he had never
met anyone quite like the princess before. "
After chatting for a while, it began to get late, so Ryan needed to take Lyra back to the castle before it became too dark. However, for the next few days, Lyra would sneak out with
Ryan to visit Jin. During their visits to the dragon, they would share stories about what was happening, while Lyra would gently touch Jin's wings or sit on his back.
It was just another day when Lyra and Ryan snuck out to visit Jin. However, instead of finding a dragon in the grove, they discovered a male lying in the grass. He had tousled
dark-green hair and vivid emerald eyes, and he wore a black choker, silver necklaces, and multiple ear piercings, giving him a fashionable, slightly rebellious appearance.
His expression was calm and detached, bordering on bored or unimpressed, while his arms were casually raised behind his head, exuding an air of effortless confidence.
The open white collar beneath his dark jacket, accented with leaf-like decorations, added a touch of elegance and a fantasy-inspired design.
Lyra blinked, wearing a confused expression, as Ryan shook his head. It was evident that Ryan knew who it was, but Lyra did not. "Who are you, and where's the pretty dragon?"
Lyra asked, causing Ryan to blink in surprise.
The guy sat up and chuckled softly. "So I'm a pretty dragon now? It's Jin, Princess," he said playfully.
Lyra blinked, then walked over and poked his cheek. "So, this is your humanoid form? Why do you look like a bad boy?"
Jin chuckled softly, then pulled the princess onto his lap, wrapping his arms around her. "I don't know. I like this look, but do you?"
She contemplated as she gazed up at him. She didn’t flinch when he pulled her onto his lap. “Hmm, I like that look too. Say, Jin, if you remain in your humanoid form,
would you like to come to the castle and become one of my paladins?”
Jin blinked in confusion. He glanced at Ryan, who sighed and explained to the dragon about the guards and what the two princesses were doing. Afterward, Jin let out a soft hum and nuzzled his face into Lyra's neck.
"If I get to do this, then sure. I don't mind being one of your paladins."
