CHAPTER 287: I HAD US TESTED

Raegar stepped out of the bathroom only to see Dahlia dressed in a beautiful green dress that clung to her curves. His jaw dropped, making the older woman laugh as she cast a spell on herself and transformed into her younger version. He met back in Drakenwood, and a smile crossed his face.

’’I love both sides of you, empress,’’ he admitted.

’’Stop calling me that, Rae!’’

Raegar chuckled at this as he questioned. ’’Are you ready for our date?’’

Dahlia nodded. ’’Yes! I’ve been looking forward to getting out of the palace; sometimes it gets stuffy in here,’’ she revealed.

Following that, the duo made their way to the entrance. While walking, the maids bowed to the older woman; they knew all her forms thanks to working for the Dawnfire Family for many years. This amused him to know end as he teased. ’’You must’ve snuck out a lot for everyone to know your secret?’’

’’I came to see you at Drakenwood,’’ she answered, giggling. ’’Then I explored Blackwood County for a while. I wanted to see what my future husband’s family was like, and I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised by what I witnessed.’’

’’And that is?’’

’’A Count who cares for their people,’’ Dahlia revealed, grinning ear to ear. ’’Never met so many citizens who say good things about Alaric Blackwood and his famous son.’’

Raegar chuckled at this but nodded. ’’Yes, mother and father go out of their way to help our people; in turn, they help us. I remember the bread riots when I was six, the Blackwood citizens flocked to the mansion, surrounding it to protect us from the rampaging mobs.’’

When Dahlia heard this, a frown appeared on her face. ’’I’m sorry about that. The government messed up and caused a famine to happen in the south. We’re still paying out for the deaths, even though it was a minister’s idea and not mine.’’

Following that, the couple stepped out of the entrance only to see a carriage nearby, waiting to take them to the capital, which wasn’t far from the place, but the weather was horrible. By the time they reached their transports, he helped the older woman in, making her smile. ’’Thank you, handsome.’’

They got comfortable as Dahlia hit the roof, causing the carriage to start moving out of the palace. While doing that, Raegar turned to the window and started watching the mud-covered road thanks to the rain. He turned to the empress, asking. ’’Are you sure you don’t want to wait until it’s dry?’’

’’No, the cleaners will keep the city streets clean and the guards won’t let monsters pass the walls thanks to the mess they cause,’’ she revealed.

Raeagr’s eyes widen in surprise as Dahlia continued her explanation. ’’I hated traveling there thanks to the mess, so I ordered my government to come up with a way to keep the streets clean, and this is it.’’

’’Interesting,’’ he muttered. ’’It would cost too much Aether to clean them using mages; those can be used to protect the city from Monster Hordes or bandits.’’

’’You’ve taken out many outlaws, haven’t you?’’ the older woman asked, curious.

Raegar nodded. ’’Yes, when I was wiping out the Devils, I came across many scumbags who were quickly killed without even knowing how they died,’’ he responded.

Following that, the couple continued chatting about all kinds of things, but the older woman was curious about his childhood. He went into detail about how his mother, Victoria, made sure he knew how to interact with nobles. Though that hadn’t worked out apart from Caspian and Rune back at Drakenwood.

When Dahlia heard this, she questioned. ’’Don’t you get on with the noble groups in school?’’

’’Apart from Alice, no. Most are stuck up and think I’m some kind of monster, the scars made it worse, but now they’re gone.’’

’’Yes they’re,’’ she purred. ’’And now you are even more handsome, it’s hard to keep my eyes off you.’’

Raeagr felt his cheeks go red as Dahlia continued with her teasing. ’’I had to warn my maids about chasing you around the palace; most have to control themselves around you.’’

’’You’re making it sound like I’m some sort of thief who will steal all your help,’’ he said, laughing.

’’Well, aren’t you interested in beautiful women?’’ the older woman probed.

Raeagr shrugged. ’’Yes, I like you, Valentina and Elara, but they’re mothers childhood friends,’’ he answered. ’’It would feel wrong making them my women.’’

Dahlia began laughing as she disclosed, amber eyes glowing with mischief. ’’You want to know what she said to me?’’

’’Yes, go on.’’

’’As long as he’s happy and their happy, she doesn’t care because she knows the duo are wonderful women,’’ she informed. ’’They’re on the way to the palace now, thanks to me inviting them once I got your mother’s letter.’’

’’She wrote you?’’

’’Yes, ever since we met, we’ve been exchanging letters most days,’’ Dahlia revealed.

Raegar was shocked at this revelation but laughed. ’’At least she isn’t nervous around you, that would’ve been a nightmare.’’

The older woman joined him. ’’True, imagine how nervous she could’ve been, finding out the empress wants your son?’’

’’Must of been a shock to the family,’’ he said, calming down. ’’Grandfather was amazed and celebrated.’’

’’How did the Witch of the West take it?’’ Dahlia asked. ’’We’re not on the best of terms; she never liked my mother, and we disliked her for her haughty behaviour.’’

’’Yes, she protects the family viciously,’’ Dante added. ’’But I can’t blame her with the other noble houses always plotting to take the Vaelthorne’s down.’’

’’Not any more,’’ she beamed. ’’Looks like both the Blackwoods and Vaelthornes will be connected to the Dawnfire name, after hundreds of years being apart.’’

When Raegar heard this, it caught his attention. ’’What does that mean?’’

’’My ancestor, many generations ago, was married to the head of the Vaelthorne Family,’’ she expressed. A look of happiness appeared on her gorgeous face. ’’They lived for many years together, but after them, our families split.’’

’’So we’re related?’’ he asked, suddenly feeling nervous.

Dahlia began laughing before shaking her head. ’’No. It’s been too long for us to share any blood. I had us tested and we’re not a match.’’

’’Huh?’’

’’My Imperial Mage insisted on it if I wanted his help,’’ Dahlia said, sighing. ’’That old man only wants the best for me. He served my father for many years and has been an important friend to the empire.’’

’’Makes sense, he was probably worried about birth defects,’’ Raegar said. ’’I remember grandfather mentioning the imperial family does this.’’

Without realizing it, he made the older woman’s face go bright red as she muttered. ’’Children?’’

He glanced at the brunette and chuckled when he saw her reaction. He explained, holding back his amusement. ’’It’s bound to happen, Dahlia, all of you ladies will have my children.’’

The Empress got even more embarrassed, but soon enough, the carriage driver’s voice echoed out. ’’We are a mile away from the capital, empress. Should I leave you here?’’

Dahlia got up and shook her head to compose herself before stepping outside. ’’Yes. Leave us here. Guards are watching us from the shadows.’’

Afterward, Raegar followed the older woman out as she grabbed his arm with a big smile. ’’Let’s walk the rest of the way, this road i beautiful after the bad weather.’’

They set off on foot as the ornate carriage pivoted, its wheels crunching against the gravel before it sped back toward the distant palace, shrouded in the haze of late afternoon. The road stretched quietly and deserted, the only sound the soft rustle of leaves stirred by a breeze.

No curious eyes lingered nearby to witness their discreet departure from the imperial carriage, its gilded crest glinting briefly before vanishing around a bend. Dahlia took the lead, her steps confident yet unhurried, guiding them along the empty path. The silence between them was comfortable, filled with the subtle hum of the countryside.

Distant birdsong and the faint trickle of a stream weaving through the nearby fields. As they approached a crossroads, the scene shifted; the stillness gave way to the lively murmur of voices. A cluster of merchants, their carts full of colorful fabrics and trinkets, came into view not far from them.

Their weathered faces broke into warm, welcoming smiles as they spotted Raegar alongside Dahlia. With cheerful waves and hearty greetings, they called out, offering samples of their wares, freshly baked bread, jars of honey, and woven scarves. As the duo continued from the crossroads, the narrow path gradually broadened.

Its dusty surface turned to polished cobblestones that signaled their nearing of the capital. The air grew rich with the mingled aromas of roasted chestnuts, blooming jasmine, and the faint tang of forge smoke drifting from the city’s heart. In the distance, the capital’s towering spires and golden domes shimmered against the fading light of dusk.