The two exchanged warm glances, but their eyes soon turned indifferent. Today, they had business to discuss… Business that could potentially alter the fate of the Celestial Peaks and its innumerable residents.
"Did Joseph brief you about the matter?" Bahamut inquired, his eyes containing a hint of solemnity. Eleanor didn't mind and trotted towards his throne without mind for traditions or usual acts of paying respect.
Bahamut didn't resist, allowing his sole daughter to plop on the armrest of his throne. The act would normally be considered "sullying the dignity of the King Of Dragons," but within her clan, Eleanor's existence surpassed all law.
"Yep," replied Eleanor, rubbing her cheek against her father's stubble. Bahamut couldn't help but smile, caressing Eleanor's soft head of hair, careful not to mess up the intricately placed curls. "I was thinking we could further reduce the exclusivity of the Celestial Peaks."
Bahamut raised an eyebrow. "Explain."
Eleanor straightened her spine, staring into Bahamut's crimson eyes. "The herbs and specific items that originate from the Celestial Peaks are being discovered on other planets, which will eventually decrease the overall value."
Bahamut nodded since that was the gist of the situation. Their revenue would soon dive due to that. Their sole source of revenue was exports. There were other forms of business, but none of them raked in enough tokens to maintain the current situation of the Celestial Peaks.
"What if we simply abandon that mode of income, and focus on what we do best?"
"And that is?"
"Tourism," Eleanor announced. "The attractions on the Celestial Peaks are already worthy of being explored by even the strongest of players. If we further refine them and provide them a sense of mystery, wouldn't our tourism rise drastically?"
Bahamut remained silent.
"Just imagine… The Peaks on which the Dragons reside. Who wouldn't want to visit such a location?"
Suddenly, soft laughter resounded across the Throne Room. Bahamut's head shot back, and he clutched his stomach. Tourism… It wasn't as if he hadn't thought about implementing such a source of revenue.
It had crossed his mind many times, but after receiving the Throne of the Kingdom, he couldn't help but wish to stray away from such an idea. It was because–as a Ruler–he had discovered something great… something mysterious.
And that was when he suddenly understood his mother's decision not to use tourism as a source of revenue.
The Celestial Peaks were beautiful.
But they were also ugly; not externally, but internally.
Nothing was perfect. Nothing was without issues. Those who seemed perfect externally were simply more adept at masking their issues instead of allowing the world to gaze upon them in mockery.
However, Bahamut did not wish to disappoint his daughter without a proper explanation. But he also couldn't explain the situation before her eventual succession to Queen. He couldn't offer a solid answer.
"I'll think about it," said the King Of Dragons, his gaze now distant. He seemed to be reminiscing about an incident that occurred long ago… his past… wasn't without traumas that seemed to affect him to this day.
Eleanor wasn't satisfied with the vague answer but simply nodded. She knew that her father would usually refrain from agreeing without considering the consequences. But instead of the calculative and thoughtful expression he usually donned, Bahamut seemed almost jaded… almost sad.
Unable to withstand, Eleanor slowly exited the Throne Room, uncertain of what to do.
As the massive door shut behind her, Bahamut fell into deep thought. He wondered how to appease his daughter while still adding to the Kingdom's wealth. It was his duty to do so, as both a King and a father.
*
Eleanor traversed across the halls of the palace, eventually entering the courtyard after a long, refreshing walk. She observed the verdant greenery of the courtyard, further praising the beauty of the Celestial Peaks.
The chirping of the birds seemed melodic, while the humming of the soft breeze that swept past her was pleasing.
As she wandered around the courtyard, she finally spotted the person whom she had wished to meet. Her mother–dressed in a long, dark dress–stood a few meters away, conversing with an unknown man.
The man's body was thin, while his stature was high. His face was not visible, but judging by the state of his body, he seemed human.
'A human on the Celestial Peaks?' Eleanor furrowed her brows, hiding behind a few bushes while observing the situation. Who was her mother talking to? A human… Was her father aware of this?
The situation seemed a bit unusual.
Usually, humans were welcomed to the Celestial Peaks, but only after their existence was acknowledged by the King himself. Usually, they would meet the Royal Family before being allowed to wander around the place.
'But neither I nor Father have met this guy…'
Doubt grew in the girl's heart. She continued to observe, using her above-average perception to eavesdrop.
"Is Bahamut aware of this?"
"No. He doesn't even have an inkling. He thinks it's due to the same herbs being discovered elsewhere."
"All right, good. Make sure he doesn't find out about this. After destroying the economy, we can limit the Dragons' defense. And, after that, it wouldn't be difficult to launch a full-scale attack to destroy the Peaks."
"Indeed."
"Why are you doing this, though?" The man inquired, fixing his glasses. "The Queen of Dragons… yet you wish to destroy your home."
Eleanor's mother let out a chuckle. "Home… that's a funny word."
*
Hearing those words, Eleanor's heart sank. She didn't want to believe her mother, but hearing the words that escaped her mouth, it was clear this was not an act. Moreover, the existence of a human on the Celestial Peaks was already concerning.
Her mind blanked out, while her world began to spin. An intense feeling of rage arose in her body, but it was entirely unintentional.
She collapsed on the ground, blood seeping from the new wound that opened on her forehead.
Her mother's shriek and the human's disappearance happened before Eleanor's eyes, but everything after that was a blur.
All she was the emergence of flames.
Silver flames.
*
As Eleanor's vision returned, what she witnessed caused let out a blood-curdling scream. A few feet away from her rested the burnt corpse of her mother. The traces of silver flames remained on her body, refusing to be extinguished.
Her mother was dead.
