Even as Cici grew uncomfortable with the reality before them, Cici knew something about themselves. Cici wasn’t someone who would go against the King’s wishes, as long as it didn’t hurt the child on their chest.

This? This soft, very comfy-looking chair wouldn’t hurt the child. Sitting here listening to the sounds of others talking wouldn’t hurt the child either. If Cici waited, they could potentially find out what was their purpose here.

That was when an idea came to Cici. Sudden and surprising, while also feeling…right. Maybe the King just wanted to put his child on display. Maybe the King wanted to show his people, the dragons, that his child was back, safe and sound, and this was the first step to doing so.

Let the common folk see the child, see the softness, the open displays of affection before making a loud announcement that would surely shake the whole Kingdom.

To do that, he needed Cici’s co-operation, because he knew that Cici was connected to the child and that while his father and Lord Ellandra were very busy dragons, Cici was not. They weren’t even a dragon, and from the reports that he had received, he knew that Cici would protect the child. No matter what.

Suddenly it made sense to Cici. Everything that had just happened, Cici didn’t need to get worked up and worried about. It was a show, a display to show the dragon people that their King was strong, powerful, and a good father. A lenient ruler, even to those who crossed him and hurt his loved ones. To an extent.

Cici let out a small breath, relief flooding their system, their body fully relaxing as they realised that they had been foolish. There was no way that a King of all people would look at Cici the way that they had been worrying. It was an act, and he just hadn’t had the time to explain it to Cici yet. Cici could be understanding and big-hearted now that they had come to this conclusion.

The King would clearly explain this to Cici once they had the time. Cici probably would have already learned of this plan if they hadn’t slept in this morning. It was all coming together for Cici. The egg couldn’t be alone, and Cici was a perfect distraction. They were pretty plain in nature, so they would be able to blend in somewhat with the others, while also protecting the egg.

Cici, delusional in their own right, gave a small head nod as if everything made sense.

If that was the case, Cici would just have to suck it up and figure out what they could do in the moment.

Now that Cici had this understanding of what the King was asking of them, Cici just needed to put up with everyone watching them and the scholars working. Cici needed to let everyone know that the child was well taken care of and loved, and that was an easy task to do. Especially if the scholars and the others around them were so quiet and kind.

These people weren’t like the humans that Cici had been traveling with for years. They had been kind to Cici from the get go, and even the way that the scholars were ignoring Cici was quite kind. There was no animosity in the air at all.

At the very least, they wouldn’t attempt to harm Cici openly, or look at Cici like they were a snack to be eaten and then discarded in the woods after. They wouldn’t mock Cici for their skinny arms or legs, while also trying to catch a glimpse of them while they bathed. They wouldn’t harass Cici, ruin the herbs that they gathered, mock them for being unable to read.

Okay, they might do that part, but that almost came with the territory of them being scholars. Cici felt that they could take that kind of bullying. It was true, after all. All the books and papers and documents in front of Cici looked like gibberish to them.

“Have a seat here, Celestine.” The blonde female dragon who had been helping Cici said, gesturing to the free armchair. Cici hesitated for a moment, glancing back at the trio who were helping them, unaware of the fact that the King was watching them with a piercing gaze.

“Is it alright to sit here? I feel like I might get in the way,” Cici whispered to the helper. Cici knew that this was what the King had suggested, even what Lord Tayner had suggested, but they did need some confirmation that this was okay. The blonde looked surprised, as did the brunette. Both of their eyes widened slightly, surprised at Cici’s words before the blonde smoothed out her expression and she smiled.

“No, Celestine. The King specifically said that you were allowed to be here and in fact, you have every right to be here. Please, take a seat. Is there anything I can get you to help you relax?” they asked, and Cici hummed for a moment. Cici didn’t think it was proper to ask for any of the things that they normally did to relax.

Going outside with the little one attached to them here didn’t seem like a good idea right now and would go against the plan that the King had. Cici didn’t see Lord Ellandra around yet, or even the former King, and Cici didn’t feel safe going outside without either one of them.

Cici knew that they were busy dragons, that it had only been the seriousness of the situation that had allowed Lord Ellandra to be with Cici as much as he had, but for the King’s plan to go smoothly, Cici would need someone of their rank to do anything safely. At least, in Cici’s mind.

Was it bad that Cici didn’t really trust anyone else? After all, Cici had been attacked by people that Cici was supposed to trust, but it was only Lord Ellandra and the former King who Cici had a feeling truly cared about the little one, outside of the King of course.

“I, uh, I’m not sure.” Cici said quietly, trying not to bother the dragons who were pouring over books. Cici hadn’t even been glanced at by them yet, and so Cici knew they were busy at work.

“The King suggested that you drink something warm. How about I bring you some tea, Celestine. Is there any type that you like?” she asked, her voice kind. Cici flushed.

“I, uh, normally don’t really drink tea so I’m not sure.” Cici felt embarrassed even admitting that. “I don’t think I’ve had tea outside of a few times.” Cici knew that it was important for them to know that, and from the shocked look from the two female helpers, they were beyond shocked. Cici gave a soft smile in response.

“Uh, understood. I’ll go…get something prepared that is more approachable,” they said, then glanced at their friend? Coworker? Cici wasn’t quite sure what to call them. Cici just nodded as they bowed and moved away, while the brunette nudged Cici towards the chair. Cici slowly took the hint and sat down.

It wasn’t as easy as it looked for Cici to sit down in the chair.

Cici hadn’t really realised it before this moment because Lord Ellandra had been carrying them everywhere, but the furniture that the dragons used was a little bigger than Cici’s current body. Not too much, not anything that inhibited them from using the furniture, but enough that it took Cici a few seconds to get up onto the seat. Their feet didn’t touch the ground either, swinging in the wind.

Cici wasn’t aware of it, but the brunette’s eye twitched, the guard watching them coughed. Even the King was staring at Cici while they gripped onto the edges of the chair, feeling out the softness and the cushions underneath them.

Cici had no idea the impact that they had on those around them, and how, with a small swing of their feet, they had won several hearts over. Including the scholars who were nearby, quiet, focused, and doing their best not to scare the small, but mighty beast sitting across from them.

Anyone who could get that kind of reaction from their King was powerful, outside of the way that power oozed off of them like a protective shield. A blend of their own, and that of the King and the Lord Ellandra.

Two powerful people that rarely gave out a hint of protection to those undeserving. Cici wasn’t aware of the power they held, and it seemed that those who had given that protection didn’t want them to know. Not yet, at least.

Cici instead was wondering about the differences between dragons and other races, and how they hadn’t noticed that the chairs were bigger and taller until now. How had Cici not even noticed that the beds had probably been taller then Cici was used to until now?

It was a ridiculous situation, that had Cici smiling as they patted the armrests, shaking their head. Of course the furniture would be bigger. Cici could tell that most of the dragons were taller than Cici. It was just a natural circumstance of their bigger builds. It also made sense for beings who hadn’t starved themselves, and were naturally bigger due to their beasts contained inside of them.

They also had wings sometimes, and horns, and were more muscular in nature then Cici because of said wings and horns. They weren’t known for being war starters for the most part, but they were war enders.

Cici laughed at themselves, and for the fact that they hadn’t noticed it until now. The dinner last night hadn’t helped either, since everyone had sat on the ground and the table had been at a reasonable height for everyone. Probably because there had been dignitaries at the meal as well.

Cici placed a hand over the egg, smiling as they swung their feet that didn’t quite touch the ground. It was a sweet image to those who saw it, the flushed cheeks of the one protecting the royal heir making them look rather endearing.

While Cici thought it was no big deal that they had to adjust to living around dragons, someone clearly didn’t agree. The King turned to Lord Tayner, who was also watching, and whispered that he needed to get the royal furniture makers working right away. He would not have Cici, for one second, find a reason why they couldn’t remain in the palace.

It might just be a small hop up into a seat now, but if they used that as a reason why they didn’t fit in, he wouldn’t let it stand for even a second. Lord Tayner, who was semi-used to the odd requests from his King, nodded, and set about planning how much that was going to cost.

Maybe they could get away with just cutting off the legs? Trimming them down?

Lord Tayner looked at his King, watched how he kept stealing glances at the now relaxed Cici, and realised with a sinking feeling that the King would not accept that as a solution even if Lord Tayner had a feeling that the person they were speaking about would.

Cici only changed their opinion when the blonde helper came back with a tray. On it was a teapot, a teacup, and a few bowls. Cici had no idea what any of it was for, and patiently, they explained that one was sugar, one was milk and they were both there for Cici to experiment and figure out how they liked to take their tea.

Cici, careful but excited, took their time experimenting with the tea that they had been given. It was a nice moment, and Cici learned that they liked tea, but only when it was sweet. The helpers made note of it.

As did the King.