I Will Always Protect You

Mai was full of worry, again, having a prolonged bad feeling about the army's movements, that had been spotted nearby and seemed to track their way, ever so slowly.

Did the King give the order he said he would... he did seem quite trustworthy, and yet they still draw near...

Mai stared out the front window, only partly taking in the better view overlooking the village, having not had a bundle of images invade her head for a little while, she started to second guess her own thoughts.

They could be passing by, but from this forest, the only thing past Yarra in that direction was... the high mountains - and that's Dragon territory...

Ryoniya crept by, as she'd been lurking all about this morning, exploring every nook and cranny of the new place, but was at least not pestering Mai again, for now.

Lygawa and Nullawhy had yet to emerge from their beds, not unusual for the silver one, but it had been their first morning with the tallest dragon now settled in the new house, so Mai didn't know her routine yet.

But Lygawa had surprised her on their first night, as she followed Mai to what she thought was her new private room, only to find that the silver dragon-girl had already moved her own bed in with Mai's. Saying she was still shy about staying alone in a darkened and now new room, she'd be-latently asked her about the move, but Mai didn't have any problem with the arrangement, which lifted the reptile's spirits, as they went to sleep like usual.

Ryoniya had finally finished slinking about, and obviously wanted something, clearing her throat to get Mai's attention.

"What?"

Mai asked cautiously.

The smaller silver dragon sat on the nearby couch, arms crossed - with cross eyes upon Mai again.

"Shall I need to make my own breakfast; as you have yet to ready us a single scrap of food!?"

"Feel free to start, this is your house too..."

Her angry light-blue eyes turned away.

"I would not sink myself to the effort..."

In other-words; you wouldn't know how...

"Fine..."

"Get to it then..."

She demanded.

Am I her servant now...?

Food lured the other two out soon enough, and while Nullawhy went out for some more boar in the forest, Ryoniya, after having her fill, went off to her biggest bedroom to brood or whatever, while Lygawa also slipped off to return to her bed again.

I feel like I have turned into their maid now...

Mai finished cleaning up, before she set out some washing and then wasting some time, she wandered the new garden, while catching an occasional glimmer of bright-blue eyes, watching her from one or another window, out of the multiple on the two-story home.

Cutely enough, Mai found something familiar already growing in the front garden, on the more sheltered side beside the house and a small tree, a cluster of seven small stemmed plants with big white flowers waved in the breeze at her.

Gittelsfoot... so they do grow all over...

After checking out a few small shrubs near the front door, that had small blue buds forming all over, Mai returned indoors, to find Lygawa awaiting her.

"I think Ryoniya still hates me..."

"I'm not sure she dose. She is... uh... overbearing when covering her other emotions, I think..."

The dragon-girl looked up toward her sister's door, before looking about the spacious room.

"It still feels strange to live in such a... large house right?"

"No, and you deserve this kind of place, if not bigger."

Mai picked up a handful of books from their new short lounge table.

"Bigger? - No way! This is already more than large enough thank-you."

Mai walked for the bedroom, needing to put the last remaining books on the shelf up there.

"I'm not that special..."

"How many around here could say they've had a conversation with a King?"

Lygawa followed her up.

"Don't tell anyone about that either, please."

Mai still wanted to stay as humble as she could, content to have a nice and quiet life in the far edge of the world, as much as she could anyway.

"You have saved others, and me, from doom - without want, yes, so you are most deserving."

Mai stacked the last books on the still only quarter full shelves.

Curiously; Lygawa eyed her now too, with her hands together and tail twisted behind her legs.

She must want something...

"What's on your mind?"

Mai sat on the edge of her bed, bracing herself for whatever it could be.

"While things are calm... and we are together, I must tell you something... important."

The silvery girl approached Mai, looking quite serious, while sounding lightly nervous.

"Sure, what is it?"

Lygawa sat right beside her, and took a hold of Mai's nearest hand, as she looked upon her fondly.

"I must let you know that I have decided to entrust myself to you Mai."

"Entrust?"

Lygawa smiled brightly and nodded.

"I promise I will always be there for you... no matter what happens to or between us, yes, I swear to put you first in everything to come..."

That was almost like a confession of love...

"You are so kind, selfless and generous... so it would be a pleasure to... stay near to you, so you have someone you can depend on, yes."

"Are you really sure..."

Mai felt a little embarrassed, receiving such honest words.

"Yes, I cannot see my world without you in it, Mai..."

The dragon smiled sincerely.

"Then... I look forward to spending my time with you..."

Her tail slithered around Mai's waist, gently holding her near.

"You will not regret it, yes!"

Lygawa nestled her head onto Mai's shoulder, lightly jabbing her neck with her small horn.

They sat together in silence for a while, until a noise came from behind them.

"Urgh..."

They both flinched after hearing Ryoniya voice her displeasure.

"...geez, get a room..."

"We are in a room - what brings you here Ryoniya!"

Lygawa spun about with a mix of her own embarrassment and annoyance.

"I believe Nullawhy wants to speak with you both..."

The smaller silver dragon stared at them flatly from the open door.

"How much did you... overhear?"

Lygawa clenched her hands before her, as her face grew brighter.

"Every single word..."

Lygawa dashed up and went for her slightly startled sister.

"Common courtesy demands you knock, or announce your presence as you arrive! Did you not learn from Grettla...?"

"But with our ears I could have heard you from outside this building!"

The elder defended herself, and also from the barrage of little hits that flew her way, though none had any power to them.

"I still cannot see why you lower yourself to be with this person... but you have said what you needed, right?"

"Ah! Mai is absolutely precious to me... do not say she is beneath anyone!"

Her continued hits started to require the other to properly brace for them.

"Alright, alright, I get it!"

Lygawa stopped with surprise.

"I see you are true... even if she's a human, you have made your decision."

The angry glare returned Mai's direction, peering past Lygawa.

"You had better not take advantage of my sister - or you will wish for your demise!"

"I would have to be dead first if I were to allow that!"

Their two silver tails swished in the air, before Lygawa made a quick lunge again, this time catching Ryoniya off guard.

"Thank-you sister..."

Lygawa hugged her tenderly.

"Uh? Wait - that was not my consent! Stop this ...not in front... of her..."

Ryoniya used everything, including her tail, to push Lygawa off her as the younger continued to smile.

As soon as she escaped, she dashed off out the door, so Lygawa returned her sight back to Mai.

"See, my sister dose have a heart..."

"I do not... shut it!"

The other dragon called back from a distance.

A new dragon then suddenly appeared at the door, looking slightly confused, but also flustered about something herself.

"I have grave news, as I believe they are starting to make their move... this way."

The red one reported.

Mai sighed.

I almost forgot all about them...