Chapter Text
He looked over the balcony, overseeing the humans coming for knight recruitment showing their skills. ‘Humans can’t use breath weapons like us,’ Lady Maia explained to him. ‘Instead, they use weapons to defend themselves.’
‘Ange uses a sword,’ he remembered pointing out.
‘I use one in the honor of my human father,’ Ange replied with a grin. ‘I’m a willing exception.’
He doesn’t remember much of how he arrived in Altea. Just the vagueness of humans finding him, the voices of Lady Maia and Ange, and the calm welcome from the Prince, Marth. Aware of the strange appearance he had in human form, he often stayed in the shadows, trying not to alarm the humans around him.
He heard footsteps walking towards him.
“There you are,” came the voice of Princess Elice. “It’s that time of the year again, where all the new recruits take the test to see if they have what it takes. It’s Marth’s first time overseeing it, just like Father used to.”
“...This is a test,” he repeated. Princess Elice wasn’t afraid of his appearance; she was a comforting person. “Those who succeed help protect the country, Ange told me.”
“Yes, and those who don’t are still offered places within Altea’s household if they want them. There’s always help needed in the library and the stables, and some of our best stable hands were people who weren’t cut out for weaponry and battle,” Elice explained. “Our parents always wanted to make those who so much as attempted the test feel worthwhile, even if they failed.”
“There is a place for everyone, then.” He turned to face her “…Am I… included?”
“Yes,” Elice said, “You are. Aunt Maia and Cousin Ange brought you here because they believe you can be more than what you were created to be.”
It felt warm inside his chest. He felt that sensation before, when someone called his name with a tone that felt… kind? Comfortable? He couldn’t describe it, but it was welcoming.
Elice smiled. She hadn’t known what to make of Grima at first, especially after learning of his origins and just how…unhinged his creator was. But it wasn’t his fault, just like a child who came from swindlers and thieves didn’t deserve to be judged as wicked due to their parents.
Grima turned to her. “Where… is your brother?” He couldn’t spot the kind prince.
“Probably speaking with his fianceé,” Elice said, “now that he’s given his opening speech to the recruits. Good thing, too, sometimes I worry he might forget to take breaks in between all the work he’s doing.”
“He’s probably with Princess Caeda… understood.” Princess Caeda was also someone who was comfortable with his appearance. “He… he would enjoy the break, I assume.”
“Yes.” Elice smiled more. “Speaking of which, the recruits are about to start their training. Were you going to watch, or would you like to take a break? I imagine you must be hungry by now.”
“Oh…” He adjusted his hair. “I would like a meal, yes. Thank you for your offer.”
After that day’s training, Kris had intended to find the barracks, but unfortunately the castle was huge and her sense of direction wasn’t the best to begin with. She found herself lost before she could even blink.
“...Yes, Sir Jagen. Thank you for your advice. I’ll take my leave, then,” a masculine voice rang out from an open door.
“Oh!” Kris blinked at the unfamiliar sound. “Wow, this really is a big place…I knew there were people I hadn’t met yet, but…”
Then she caught sight of who she presumed was the voice’s owner, and her eyes widened not from fear, but from fascination. She knew Altea was home to two dragons, very important ones, but she’d never seen this one before.
“Um…hi.”
The newcomer’s shoulders jumped. “Ah-” He looked at the closed door, then back to her. “M-My apologies, I must be in your way…”
“No, it’s okay! I’m the one who doesn’t know where I am.” Kris tossed her ponytail over her shoulder. “I’m still getting used to this place.”
“I-I see.” His purple eyes darted to the closed door again. “...You… wouldn’t be… one of the new recruits, perhaps?”
“I am. My name’s Kris,” she said. “And you are…?”
“I am known as Grima. Lady Maia and Ange saved me not long ago, and took me into their family,” he explained. “My existence is… not widespread at the moment.”
“Ah…” Kris nodded. “Got it, my lips are sealed. That was awfully kind of them.” There was something intimidating about Grima, but Kris wasn’t as scared as she thought she’d be. His manner of speaking, his guarded stance, his nervous glances.
Saved him, huh. Was he a runaway from the Shadow Dragon’s army two years ago or something?
Grima began to fiddle with a tassel on his tunic. “...What weapon do you wield for the knights?”
“I use a sword. My grandpa taught me to wield one as soon as I was big enough to walk,” Kris said. “He used to be a knight of Altea before he retired, and I wanna follow in his footsteps!”
“A legacy… I hope your wishes are granted, Kris.” A small smile formed on his lips.
“I’ll do my best to make it so!” Kris said cheerfully. “Thanks, Grima!”
He bowed. “If you’d like some help orienting, Sir Jagen is right in this door.” He gestured to the door near him. “He knows where everything is.”
“Great, thanks! I’ll need all the help I can get,” Kris said. “See you later, Grima!” She bounded through the door to speak with Jagen.
“See me… later?” Grima’s smile got a bit wider. Yes… they could see each other later. Kris… felt comfortable, and he very much liked that.
Marth was feeling good and refreshed after his visit with Caeda, just like always. Even with the full support of his sister and Altea’s knights, ruling over Altea was quite a job and even more so when he wanted to live up to the example his father had set. Especially with the recruits, whom Father and Mother had always been incredibly kind to even when Father had to get tough with the ones who didn’t take it seriously enough or caused problems.
Hopefully there wouldn’t be a lot of that this year, though.
There was still a little time before dinner, so he decided to check in on Grima. Their rescued charge seemed to be adjusting well to life in the castle, but naturally they kept his existence secret. Maia and Ange were one thing, they were of Altean blood, but Grima…even if he wasn’t a dark person like his creator, not many would understand that.
Marth found Grima in his bedchambers, reading a book on magic theory. Grima had expressed interest in magic ever since he was explained that the White Sage, Gotoh, developed the system. Wanting to understand how a fellow dragon figured it out, Grima had been studying theory for the last few days.
“You seem to be making good use of our library,” Marth said. “How are you doing?”
“...I met one of the recruits, accidentally. But she wasn’t scared of me.” Grima looked over his book. “That is… a good thing, correct?”
“That’s definitely good! Which one was it?” Marth asked, it had to be either Kris or Maureen since both of them were pretty cheerful and outgoing.
“...Kris, she told me.”
“Ah, that one. She’s really nice, seems to want to befriend everyone here…too bad she can’t find her way around so easily,” Marth chuckled. “I assume you met her when she lost her way around the halls?”
“Yes, near Sir Jagen’s room,” Grima explained.
“Thought so.” Marth smiled. “She’s talented, though, a hard worker just like her grandpa when he was a knight of Altea. I was so young when MacLear retired, but Father spoke highly of him, so I know Kris will live up to him.” He paused. “Oops, that might sound like I expect too much of her so soon.”
“We don’t… want that, do we, Prince Marth?”
“Nope. She wants to live up to his example, sure, but…” He sighed. “It’s hard when the one before you was so great. I know my father would be proud of me for just doing my best, but he was so beloved I can’t help wanting to be just like him. I wonder if Kris feels like that about MacLear.”
Grima paused. “...I… I know I want to be more than Forneus’ experiment.” It was one of the few things he remembered of his past. “I want to see if I can help humans like Lady Maia and Ange…”
“They wouldn’t have rescued you if they didn’t see that potential in you. He created you to satisfy his own ego and need for perfection, but you will be more,” Marth said. “Even if it takes time. You study so hard, and I see you observing people around the castle.”
“There is something about humanity… that unleashes my curiosity. The differences and similarities… I wish to explore.”
“There are a lot of both,” Marth said, “just like I learned that there are differences and similarities among dragons two years ago. Even ones from the same tribe, comparing Maia and Medeus.”
Grima’s face darkened.
“Oh…sorry.” Marth bit his lip. “I forgot, you don’t like to think about that.”
“‘Tis alright, my Prince… I am… happy to be here.” Grima gripped his book. “All I need is time.”
“All right.” Marth smiled. “If you want, I can find you more magic theory books. You really seem interested in those.”
“I… I would love that, yes.” Grima smiled. “These studies… are enjoyable.”
“Good.”