Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

*tok* *tok* *tok*
"Come on in, Princess."
Similar to before, Vahn didn't rise from his seated position to answer the door. He did, however, rise to his feet as Sandora entered into the room, lowered her head, and asserted, "It is a great honor to stand in the presence of the Sage Dragon Emperor. I hope my belated arrival has not offended you. As important as this meeting is, I did not want to present myself in less than perfect form..."
"Hmmm..."
Looking at Sandora from the top of her fiery head to her pure and perfect feet, the first thought that crossed Vahn's mind was, ("She's even shorter than expected...")
"Considering I neither announced my arrival nor my intention to visit, I would argue that I'm rather fortunate to be given time out of your busy schedule. Though I understand your reasons, there is really no need for you to hold me in such...high esteem..."
Though his original intent was to ease tensions, Vahn's words seemed to have the opposite effect as Sandora raised her head and, very seriously, stated, "You're wrong. As the Leader of the Aldrnari Empire, the Community occupying the 1002nd Gate, your status far exceeds my own. On principle, it should have been my responsibility to venture to the East and pay my respects. The fact you are here at all honors my Community beyond all possible words of gratitude..."
Punctuating her words, Sandora attempted to bow in a manner similar to a servant. The moment she looked down, however, she found Vahn squatting down and staring up at her, a wry smile on his face as he said, "You're way too serious for an eleven-year-old..."
Not expecting Vahn to appear so close to her, Sandora's body became statuesque as she stared down at him with an unreadable expression on her face. It was only when Vahn waved his hand in front of her that she came back to her senses, stepping back as she said, "I can assure you, my age has nothing to do with it. As the Leader of Salamandra and Crown Princess of the Salamandra Royal Family, I have a duty to act in accordance with my status. Countless people rely on me to lead them through hardship and many more look to me as an example for them to follow. Please do not look down on me for my age...I am not a child..."
"So it would seem..."
Rising to his feet, Vahn compelled Sandora to take another step back to the rather drastic height difference between them. In truth, he was around the same height as her brother, but, due to the overwhelming difference in status and authority, Vahn gave off a larger-than-life impression. For a brief moment, Sandora was even gripped by the notion that the ceiling 5m above was too low for Vahn to walk around comfortably...
Liberated from her reverie the moment Vahn turned his back to her, Sandora was briefly at a loss. She didn't know if she should fall into step behind him or if he was wordlessly dismissing her from the room. As a result, she ended up standing stock still until Vahn turned around, a far more casual smile on his face as he asked, "Would you like to join me for tea? I believe there are a few important matters for us to discuss..."
As there was only a single matter of importance in Sandora's mind, a faint blush colored her cheeks as she instinctually folded her hands over her lap and replied, "It would be my ple-...it would be my greatest honor."
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While Vahn was in the midst of his 'marriage interview' with Sandora, a young boy garbed almost entirely in pure white had a rare expression of frustration on his face. At his side, an equally young girl garbed in predominately black garments asked, "What should we do, Highness? At this rate, it is only a matter of time before our plot is uncovered. Should we pull back and plan a new strategy...?"
Exhaling a contemptuous sigh, the young boy known as Highness remarked, "If that fool's words are to be believed, we only have a few years before the Sage Dragon Emperor's influence spans the entire Little Garden. If my theory is correct, his ability to ascertain information is directly associated with his territory. By the time he expands his influence through the North and South, it will already be too late to act."
Paling in response to Highness's words, the young girl, better known as Rin, asked, "Can you not use your Another Cosmology against him? What about the Void Star...?"
Squinting his brilliant golden eyes, Highness gave Rin one of the nastier looks he had ever shown on his face. This caused the young girl's body to tense until Highness's expression promptly eased into an apologetic look as he explained, "Things are no longer that simple...that man was unaffected by Indra's lightning and managed to return even after being forcibly expelled from a Game Board. If we try and face him without a better understanding of his powers, the only thing we will accomplish is exposing our hands and placing a target on our backs..."
Though he was about to say he didn't want to lose anyone, Highness allowed his words to trail off as a sudden influx of hot and cold air permeated the storage room where he and Rin were having their discussion. Shortly thereafter, a tall and lean man with an appearance reminiscent of a Count stepped out of the void, his right eye gleaming with a fiery red light while his left exuded a biting chill that threatened to freeze any and all who found themselves in his line of sight.
"Maxwell..."
Smiling in response to Highness's aggressive issuance of his name, Maxwell swept aside the pale-brown bangs covering his left eye as he mused, "Oh? Does my presence cause you some form of discomfort, my esteemed Leader...?"
"..."
"..."
Undaunted by the child-like duo's silence, Maxwell's smile grew as he explained, "Orders from the top. Regardless of the dangers involved, we are to press forward. As you so accurately pointed out, this may very well be the last chance we have to take action in the North. If we fail here, there is no way of knowing how many centuries it would take to try again."
Speaking up as the Strategist of their little terrorist cell, Rin's expression hardened as she said, "Even if our plans are setback a thousand years, it would still be better than opposing an existence like the Sage Dragon Emperor without a plan. Had you done your duty and gained information on the Sage Dragon's Hearth prior to their ascent as a 4-Digit Community, the Salamandra Community may not have reached out to him. What happened?"
Squinting his eyes, a clearly unamused expression marred Maxwell's otherwise handsome face as he answered, "I have submitted my reports without obfuscating even the most minute of details. I tried gaining access to the Sage Dragon's Hearth and their affiliate Communities hundreds of times over the past three months. With the exception of Communities that existed prior to the founding of the Sage Dragon's Hearth, each and every one of their properties is virtually impenetrable. If you don't believe me, just as the tens of thousands of Communities that failed to gather so much as a single thread of information that wasn't personally propagated by the Sage Dragon Emperor. Every single thing we know about that man is something he 'allowed' us to know."
Though she couldn't help adopting a pout in response to Maxwell's words, Rin didn't try to refute him. She had also attempted to infiltrate the Sage Dragon's Hearth, but, the moment she stepped into their reception room, she got the distinct feeling that someone or something had seen through every aspect of her being. Her intuition was derived from one of her most powerful Gifts, so, before she could further jeopardize their mission, she departed the Sage Dragon's Hearth without looking back.
Speaking in Rin's stead, Highness stated, "Telling us to act is meaningless without providing the means to achieve our objective. With our current forces, even stalling the Sage Dragon Emperor would be impossible. If death is the only outcome we can expect, I would rather pit my life against those old goats hiding away in their castles than a Pure Blooded Dragon whose power has already exceeded the standard of the Outer Gates."
"You..."
As the agent that had been tasked with watching over Highness and ensuring the latter's group didn't betray them, Maxwell was the furthest thing from amused when he heard the white-haired youth's treacherous words.&nbsp;
In an effort to prevent things from getting out of hand, Rin inserted herself between Highness and Maxwell, hands raised as she said, "Now, now, no need to get excited. It's not like we're refusing to do our job. Highness is just concerned we lack the means to complete it. For now, why don't you go back and petition for reinforcements? Fighting amongst ourselves when the Sage Dragon Emperor is barely a stone's throw away accomplishes neither of our goals."
Though he didn't tear his eyes away from Highness, Maxwell would be lying if he said he didn't see the logic in Rin's words. He also wasn't particularly enthused by the notion of fighting against Vahn, so, after a prolonged and tense period of silence, he begrudgingly nodded his head and answered, "Very well. I will pass on your words to the Elders. For now, you should focus on completing the first phase of the mission. Without the key, it won't matter how much support the Elders send."
Without waiting for the duo's response, Maxwell created a rift in the void using a simple wave of his hand. One half of the room was filled with extreme heat while the other was spontaneously covered in a layer of permafrost. In spite of this, neither Highness nor Rin showed any signs of discomfort as they watched Maxwell disappear between the boundaries of hot and cold...
"I really hate that guy..."
"..."
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Though she had been extremely nervous at first, hours ended up passing in the blink of an eye as Sandora gradually came to realize that Vahn wasn't some unapproachable Dragon God that existed far beyond her reach. His status and authority didn't seem to have any meaningful influence on his character. Rather, based on what Vahn had told her about his time in a place called the Nasuverse, it was pretty obvious he had absolutely no desire to rule. He merely shouldered the burden so that other, more tyrannical individuals couldn't seize power.
By the time Sandora started to feel as though she may be neglecting her duties, seven hours had passed. During those seven hours, she had somehow found herself sitting mere centimeters away from Vahn as he introduced her to a number of anime he thought she would enjoy. A few of them did seem pretty interesting, but, due to her shrinking proximity with Vahn, Sandora wasn't focused on the screen. Instead, her thoughts were plagued by concerns regarding her aroma and whether or not Vahn would be offended by the scent of her shampoo...
Noticing Sandora's gaze fixating on him for a prolonged period of time, Vahn ceased pretending he didn't notice, asking, "Is there something you would like to say?" as he paused the anime neither of them had been paying attention to.
"It may be imprudent of me...but I would like to hear your answer. There are those among us that view a union with the Aldrnari Empire as nothing more than a means to an end but I see it as an opportunity to strengthen the ties between the North and the East. While that may sound a little insincere, I just...I wanted you to know that I don't view our potential union as a means of restoring Salamandra's past glory. It is something I decided for myself. Something I yearn for from the very depths of my soul..."
Placing her hand on her chest, Sandora was startled by just how quickly her heart was beating. In spite of this, her expression remained a perfect mask of calm. She wanted Vahn to know just how serious she was, so, even though she wanted nothing more than to bury her face into a pillow and scream at the top of her lungs, she matched his gaze without so much as a single sign of hesitation in her own...
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(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'This loli is hella serious...','Vahn: Exists, His Enemies: How the hell are we supposed to accomplish anything with this literal cheat walking around!?','Time to exercise that grip strength xD...')

Though he had already made up his mind even before coming to the North, Vahn would be lying if he said Sandora's words weren't compelling. He still felt that she deserved a normal childhood, but, instead of looking down on her convictions and telling her she wasn't old enough to be doing the things she had already been doing for more than four years, he answered, "Sure thing. There are a few specifics we'll need to work out but I have absolutely no issues with accepting you as one of my wives."
Feeling the tensions drain from her body, a sigh beyond her years escaped Sandora's throat along with the words, "Thank the Gods..." in a profoundly relieved tone. Immediately afterward, however, a faint blush colored her cheeks as she looked up at Vahn and added, "Though I suppose it would be more befitting to thank you...?"
Shaking his head, a wry smile developed across Vahn's face as he extended his left hand, palm up, towards Sandora. She was a little confused by his actions, but, after a moment of silence, the color of her cheeks became noticeably ruddier as she tentatively overlapped her hand with his.
"This is entirely the result of your convictions. You have worked hard to reach this point in your life, Sandora. From the moment onward, allow me to help carry your burden..."
Using his free hand, Vahn traced the base of Sandora's ring finger. The moment he did so, a golden band that radiated a distinct red hue manifested into existence. The most eye-catching thing about it, however, was the brilliant red gemstone embedded in what appeared to be a coiling Salamander. Not only was it mesmerizing to look at, but, gazing deep into the gem's structure, you would find a slit-like pupil staring back at you, as, rather than a simple ring, the band wrapped around Sandora's finger was the prototype for an artificial Zanpakuto Spirit.
Though her body began trembling when she saw the ring manifest around her finger, it wasn't fear that Sandora was feeling. Instead, an exhilaration unlike anything she had ever experienced surged through her body as her Spirit Energy had increased by a factor of ten in an instant.
"Incredible..."
Guiding Sandora's chin so that she was staring at him rather than the ring on her finger, Vahn's expression softened as he teased, "A paltry trinket compared to the person wearing it..."
Blushing a luminous shade of crimson that extended all the way to the tips of her pointed ears, it was Sandora's turn to catch Vahn by surprise as she suddenly closed her eyes and puckered her lips. She had interpreted his act of touching her chin as an indication that he was about to plant a kiss on her lips. As a result, Vahn suddenly found himself in a rather precarious position as he was just about to broach the subject of letting Sandora spend a few years in one of his Actualized Worlds...
(*Just get it over with. It will be a lot easier to reason with her once she is convinced of your mutual affection. If you pull back now, needless doubts will permeate her mind. She may be a capable ruler but she is still a child. She is bound to read too much into things if you hesitate over something as trivial as a kiss.*)
Though he smiled wryly within his mind, Vahn didn't attempt to argue with Sis's words. Sandora may be able to conceal it from others but he could sense the loneliness she kept hidden within the deepest recesses of her heart and mind. The only person she truly trusted was herself, but, due to her age, she wasn't nearly as confident as she pretended to be.&nbsp;
People who presented themselves as 'perfect' were often the most afraid of making even minor mistakes...
After a long period of deliberation, at least from Vahn's extremely skewed perspective of time, he finally lowered his head to plant a very chaste kiss on Sandora's lips. Her aura practically exploded, but, before she could reciprocate, Vahn pulled away with an apologetic smile on his face as he said, "We still need to discuss a few of the specifics regarding our engagement..."
Opening her eyes, a mixture of confusion, doubt, and mild disappointment could be seen reflected in Sandora's dark-blue irises. The crimson hue that had spread through the entirety of her face took mere seconds to recede fully as the serious expression she had worn during their initial introduction promptly returned.
"..."
Understanding that he had actually made things worse, Vahn caught Sandora off guard by exhaling a clearly exasperated sigh. Before she could read further into it, however, he earned a surprisingly adorable yelp from the too-serious Princess as he snaked his hand around her back and placed it on her exposed side. This was already far beyond Sandora's expectations, but, instead of stopping there, Vahn pulled her onto his lap in a single, smooth, remarkably practiced motion.
Tensing to the point that she could humble a statue, Sandora dared not look directly into Vahn's face. The blush she had previously suppressed came back with a vengeance. Instead of stopping at the tips of her ears, however, it spread down into her neck before gradually permeating through the rest of her body like a potent flame.
Further exacerbating Sandora's condition, Vahn placed his hand on her exposed, surprisingly taut abdomen. Sandora may have the appearance of a young girl but she was still descended from a Pure Blooded Dragon. Her skin was remarkably soft but the muscles concealed beneath were as firm and flexible as augmented graphene fibers.&nbsp;
Internally shaking his head, Vahn channeled calming energy into Sandora's body as he said, "Don't misunderstand. I'm not trying to be contrary or deceitful. I just have a set of principles that prohibit me from engaging in salacious or inappropriate acts with those I perceive as minors. You are a very mature young lady, but, as much as I respect and admire what you've been able to accomplish over your eleven short years of existence, you are simply too young. Wait a couple of years, and, even if your features remain exactly the same, I will be more than willing to meet each and every single one of your expectations..."
Punctuating his words, Vahn lowered his hand ever so slightly to Sandora's lower abdomen. He was still channeling calming energy into her body, but, understanding the implication behind his words, Sandora swallowed so hard it produced an audible gulping sound.&nbsp;
"I...I understand what you're trying to say...but...but I..."
Though her expression appeared remarkably calm, Sandora's mental and emotional states were a complete mess. She had absolutely no words to describe what she was currently feeling, so, after failing to assemble something more profound, she just lowered her head and asked, "How long is a couple of years? As one of the last Salamanders, everyone is anxious to see me produce offspring. I would like to put their hearts and minds at ease...not just for them, but for my own sake..."
In response to Sandora's words, Vahn surprised her yet again by pulling her into his embrace and simply holding her for the better part of three minutes. It broke his heart that Sandora genuinely believed the things she was saying. Nearly everything she did was for the sake of others, yet, much like his past self, she had convinced herself that it was necessary for her own happiness. Unlike him, however, she had been shouldering everything on her own. She was completely miserable, but, for the sake of 'everyone else', she maintained a smile and kept telling herself that everything would be okay so long as she kept trying her hardest...
Confused by Vahn's actions, Sandora didn't immediately respond to his embrace. This was actually the first time she had ever received a hug. She may have received one when she was an infant, but, as great as her memory was, she couldn't recall events that had taken place before she was seven months old. Since her mother had died shortly after birthing her, Sandora's only memory of being held was when she was being breastfed by her Nursemaid.
Realizing that Vahn may be the first person that held her in such a caring and tender manner, a hint of moisture developed across Sandora's eyes before she closed them and snuggled a little closer to his warmth. Her crown and horns ended up poking into him more than a few times, but, instead of complaining or admonishing her, Vahn just wrapped his arms around her even more firmly until the only thought in Sandora's mind was how comfortable it was to be held. That and one other thing...
Noticing Sandora was beginning to nuzzle against his chest, a wry smile developed across Vahn's face as he slowly released her from his embrace. When she looked up and noticed this, a look of shame immediately marred Sandora's countenance until Vahn affirmed, "You have done absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. I just didn't want things to get out of hand before we had the chance to talk..."
Though she was still incredibly embarrassed after being caught burying her face into Vahn's chest and inhaling his aroma, Sandora managed to adopt her characteristically serious expression as she said, "I understand. Though I may need to discuss it with my brother and the Elders of Salamandra, know I will do everything in my power to abide by your conditions. Tell me what I must do."
Resisting the urge to sigh and comment on Sandora's sudden change in demeanor, Vahn planted a kiss atop the too-serious redhead's crown before proceeding to explain her options. He advised her that the 'correct' choice was to continue living as she had been. He explained his ability to change a person's race and even revealed that he had removed the tumors from her brother's lungs. In other words, there was no need for her to bear the burden of her entire species. Even if she waited tens of thousands of years to have children, there was absolutely no chance that her species and bloodline would be wiped out.
As surprised as she was by the revelations about her brother and Vahn's abilities, Sandora insisted that he explain the rest of her options. She actually knew about Sarina and Nono, so, even if Vahn failed to broach the subject himself, Sandora was prepared to mention it. If he refused, she would simply enter a different Game Board. Her age had always been a point of controversy so now was as good a time as any to do something about it.
Fortunately, the very next option Vahn brought up was using his personal Game Board to both accumulate experience and increase her strength. The third option was entering into one of his Actualized Worlds but that was easier said than done. It was also the least expedient method to achieve her goal, so, while Sandora could appreciate Vahn's desire to let her experience a normal childhood, she ultimately chose the second option. The only caveat was that she wanted to enter alongside him so they could get to know each other better. She didn't particularly care about the Dungeon or joining any Guilds. Even if they spent the entire time isolating themselves somewhere in the mountains, she wouldn't mind.
Though Vahn agreed to allow Sandora to make use of the Game Board, the notion of spending five-to-six years in complete isolation with a promiscuous Dragon girl didn't exactly bring him peace of mind. He knew exactly how persistent a girl like Sandora could be, so, while he was willing to enter alongside her, he insisted they either join separate Familia or invite a few others to enter the Game Board with them. This caused a rather adorable pout to develop across Sandora's face, but, after a long period of deliberation, she eventually accepted. So long as she didn't have to enter the Game Board alone, she was satisfied with any arrangement Vahn could think of. She just didn't want to be alone...not again...
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(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Vahn be like, "Well, well, well...if it isn't the consequences of my own actions. It's been a long time..."','You better keep giving that girl hugs...','Lots and lots of hugs...')

After being escorted to the VIP suite he would presumably be staying in during his sojourner in the North, Vahn waited for around an hour before a firm knocking could be heard from the door.
Without rising from the rather comfortable lounge he had purchased from the System Shop, Vahn called out, "It's open." in a calm and relaxed tone.
Though there was a noticeable pause, the exceptionally thick door opened to reveal a tall man with bronzed skin, bright red hair, and rugged features that consisted of a squarish face, thick brows that flowed into a pair of dulled black horns, pointed ears, and black studs protruding from his chin. His outfit consisted of a dark grey tunic that flowed past his ankles, a red sash, open-toed sandals, and a set of dark robes emblazed with the fiery emblem of Salamandra on the back.
Seeing Vahn reclining against the lounge, the man's brows wrinkled almost imperceptibly before he quickly caught himself and bowed, stating, "It is an honor to be in the presence of the Sage Dragon Emperor. My name is Mandra Doltrake, Strategist of the Salamandra Community, First Prince of the Salamandra Royal Family, and Chief Inspector of the Military Police. I hope my men have not caused you any offense..."
Leaning forward, Vahn surprised Mandra by appearing right in front of him as he answered, "While it was a mild inconvenience to be stopped in the midst of my exploration of the Capital, your men were nothing but professional and courteous during our brief exchange."
Further throwing Mandra off, Vahn extended his right hand with the obvious intention of initiating a handshake. The man initially hesitated, but, after regaining his composure and nodding his head, he extended his own right hand and said, "I am relieved to hear that. The situation outside has become rather tense as of late. The impending festival has led to a drastic increase in the number of...guests visiting from abroad. If an incident does occur, please demonstrate the magnanimity you are known for. My men are under a lot of stress and even the Gods are not without their faults..."
Raising his brows, Vahn searched Mandra's dark blue eyes to ascertain if the man was attempting to threaten him. Instead, he noticed genuine concern in the man's gaze while traces of moisture had started to develop above his brows and the sides of his face. If not for the threads of grey and dark purple in his aura, Vahn wouldn't have suspected him of any wrongdoing.
Adopting what he intended to be a penetrating smile, Vahn retracted his hand from Mandra's and stated, "You had several small tumors in your lungs. To commemorate our first encounter, I took the liberty of removing them for you. I hope you don't mind."
Extending his left hand, Vahn held out a small glass container filled with granule-sized masses of grey, black, and dark red flesh. When Mandra laid eyes on the container, his expression became as white as a sheet as he placed his hand on his chest and took several, unobstructed breaths. Instead of appearing relieved, however, a hint of panic flashed across his face as she said, "Thank you..." in a low, clearly anxious tone of voice.
Patting the man's shoulder, the corners of Vahn's smile curled upward as he said, "Don't mention it. Even if you're targetting me for purely political purposes, we're practically family from this moment onward. Your troubles are my troubles. Just don't go making too many messes for me to cleanup, okay...?"
Swallowing the knot in his throat, Mandra attempted a response but found himself unable to find the words to speak. Vahn was far more competent than any of them could have anticipated, and, based on that smile from before, it was clear he had already seen through their schemes.
After finally recovering enough wherewithal to speak, Mandra had to fight hard against the urge to wipe the sweat from his brow as he muttered, "It would appear the rumors regarding your ability to intuit information were not exaggerated. Worry not. Though we anticipate numerous casualties, the agreement we made prohibits the killing of non-Players..."
Though he had absolutely no idea what Mandra was referring to, Vahn just nodded his head before retracting his hand from the man's shoulder and warning, "So long as your actions do not impress upon my bottom line, you have no need to fear the consequences of my wrath. Just pray that I do not discover you have a connection to the recent disappearances..."
Having already confirmed with Loi-chan that Mandra had nothing to do with the children going missing within his territory, Vahn eased up the pressure he had been exuding subconsciously. This resulted in Mandra nearly losing his footing, as, even when he suppressed it as much as possible, Vahn's Authority had a habit of leaking out when he felt anger or was trying to intimidate someone.
Feeling equal parts relief and fear wash over him, Mandra was about to thank Vahn for his clemency but the latter had already turned his back to him. This signified that Vahn was finished speaking, so, while there were actually quite a number of things that Mandra wished to discuss, he ultimately just bowed before backing out of the room and easing the door shut...
The power and supremacy exuded by a Pure Blooded Dragon were far more potent than Mandra could have prepared himself for...
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With the help of several handmaidens, Sandora thoroughly cleansed her body and washed her hair before donning her most recently tailored outfit. She had yet to receive Vahn's response regarding her proposal, but, understanding the importance of first impression, Sandora was psyching herself up to make the best impression possible.
Had this been a few weeks prior, Sandora wouldn't have been looking forward to her meeting with Vahn. She had known ever since she was a mere eighteen months old that she would be forced to marry with the intent of preserving her bloodline. With the exception of her sister, she was the last person that could pass on the legacy of Salamandra, so, while there had been a period in her youth where she wanted to run away with a boy she liked, Sandora had long since accepted her fate.
Fortunately, Vahn was the best possible candidate Sandora could imagine. He was a Pure Blooded Dragon, but, instead of being arrogant and cruel, he showed genuine concern for the people in his Community. More importantly, he treated those who came seeking his help in a fair and impartial manner. So long as they hadn't done anything to touch his bottom line, he would even provide aid to Demons without asking for anything substantial in return.
Even if Vahn had only possessed these traits, Sandora would have accepted their arranged marriage without hesitation. The thing that pushed her over the edge, deeply imprinting itself onto her heart, was the moment when Vahn had transformed into what many were referring to as the Dragon God of Infinity. Since then, Sandora had viewed the recording of Vahn's showdown with Amaterasu more than three hundred times.
Though the content was a little disconcerting, Sandora knew that the only reason Vahn had ripped Amaterasu to pieces was the latter's apparent disregard for the lives of his children. Amaterasu had actually made a public statement clarifying the situation, so, like many maidens of Dragon descent, Sandora had been dreaming about Vahn with increasing frequency. When her brother broached the subject of entreating him for a political marriage, Sandora had actually spent three days and nights penning the letter.&nbsp;
While most girls wouldn't be particularly enthused by the notion of being pressured into a 'Stag Wedding', Sandora had gotten over such aversions years ago. If anything, she was relieved things had turned out this way as not only was Vahn from a different district, his Community, the Aldrnari Empire had much greater standing than the Salamandra Community. They may be the Community affiliated with the position of Floor Master, but, ever since the war against the Demon God and his endless hordes, they had stagnated to a 5-Digit Community.
Near the beginning of the war, the Salamandra Royal Family flourished with well over a hundred members. In its wake, a mere seven had survived. By the time of Sandora's birth, the lineage of the Salamander had diminished to four surviving members. One was nearing the end of his life, another was plagued by a congenital birth defect attributed to inbreeding, and another had fled after nearly being forced into an incestuous relationship after the death of their mother during childbirth. For all intents and purposes, this left Sandora as the sole 'viable' member of the Salamander race.
Thanks to her brother and a parting gift from their sister, Sandora managed to escape the fate of becoming her mother's replacement. If Vahn agreed to bed her, she would also be able to silence many of the people pushing to have her marry her brother. Thus, while most girls in her situation would be nervous and afraid, Sandora's emotional state could best be characterized as giddy with a hint of excitement.
Staring at herself in the mirror, Sandora's demeanor changed the moment her handmaidens placed a golden, diadem-like crown atop her head. The crown was the processed remains of the Stellar Sea Dragon King, and, under normal circumstances, it safeguarded the wearer's mind against all forms of mental influence. Sandora didn't believe that someone of Vahn's level would peek into her mind or try and manipulate her, but, whenever she left her personal chambers, she was obligated to wear the crown at all times. It was the symbol of her status as the Leader of the Salamandra Community, and, though she had yet to be declared Queen, it simultaneously represented her Authority as Floor Master.
Feeling a lot more confident with the crown on, a smile graced Sandora's face as she stared into her own eyes and affirmed, "Don't worry, Sandora. You can do this. Vahn is a nice guy. What's the worst that could happen...?"
Imagining various scenes within her mind, a hint of a blush developed across Sandora's face as she promptly dismissed the twin sisters that had quickly risen to become two of her most trusted aides. In response, the two raven-haired beauties exchanged knowing looks before staring into Sandora's eyes through her reflection and chorusing, "Just be truthful and everything will go smoothly."
Without elaborating further, the two girls offered courteous bows before mirroring each other's movements as they departed the room. This was observed by Sandora, who, for the first time in a while, felt the urge to chuckle as she remarked, "How envious...if I could be half as confident and relaxed as those two, maybe there wouldn't be so many people opposing my ascent to the throne?"
Shaking her head, Sandora did her best to rid her mind of needless thoughts. She knew the sisters, Ebony and Raven, were just looking out for her. Ever since the duo had arrived, they had been two of the only people to treat her as something 'more' than just the Leader of Salamandra. Sandora appreciated them greatly, but, believing they had no idea what it was like to stand face to face with a man like Vahn, she disregarded their advice and continued to psyche herself up in preparation for her fated encounter with the Sage Dragon Emperor...
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While Sandora was busy mustering her courage, Ebony and Raven migrated towards Vahn's room as if guided by some unseen force. When they reached it, they didn't even need to knock before an indescribably handsome man opened the door, an affectionate smile on his face as he asked, "How is she...?"
Understanding that the man, their father, was referring to Sandora, Ebony mused, "She is behaving even more adorably than usual." before Raven followed up by asking, "Are you really going to have sex with such a small girl? I fear you may break her..."
Laughing dryly in response to his daughter's rather brazen question, Vahn extended his hands to caress both girls' heads as he stated, "The two of you are becoming more mischievous with each passing day. I hope you haven't planted any strange ideas in her head..."
Exchanging glances with each other, smiles developed across the faces of Ebony and Raven as they cheekily chorused, "We didn't need to." in the same sultry tone often employed by their mother...
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..
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(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Vahn the type of guy that shows up to pick up someone's daughter and the father is too afraid to come outside...','I would say that Royal Families and the notion of blood purity don't mix, but...','Semiramis would be proud...')

Chapter 2253: Conviction