Hmm. Sera growled at the staff in her palm. Hmm. Her eyes narrowed as she poked and prodded it with the tip of her claw, leaving tiny marks on the staffs wooden surface. She sighed and tossed the staff over her shoulder. Another failure.
Vernons tail sneaked around to the fallen staff and hooked around it. He dragged it to his front claws and lifted it with one paw. Whats wrong with this one?
It looks weird, Sera said. Clanking sounds resounded through the cavern as logs of wood fell out of a cabinet. Sera dug around until she found a piece of wood that was a little longer than her palm was wide. She gave it a squeeze and nodded. This one will be the one.
You said that last ti, Aunt Sera.
And the ti before that.
And the ti before that ti.
And the ti before that ti that shes talking about.
And the
Sera slamd her tail against the ground. You know this is why Alora calls you three the annoying trio, right?
Yup.
Uh-huh.
Wait. Because why? I dont get it.
Sera sighed and lumbered away with her newfound log. Vernon turned towards the trio of dragons who was staring up at him with wide eyes. One of their heads was tilted. Vernon cleared his throat. How do I address you individually anyway?
The dragon in the back puffed his chest out and tilted his chin towards the ceiling. You can call Eldest.
The dragon closest to Vernon raised one paw. My na is Youngest.
Vernon nodded and looked at the last dragon, whose head was tilted. Oh, she said, righting her head. Im Bonnie.
Vernon blinked. Whats with those nas?
Alora nad us, Eldest said. Its why we tease her for being fat even though she isnt.
Well, Vernon said and scratched the back of his head, she can lose so weight. Just saying. The three dragons eyes widened at him, and he cleared his throat. I an, what do you expect when your grandmother feeds her so many snacks every day?
Eldest tapped on Bonnies and Youngests shoulders. The three dragons whirled in place and created a circular formation with their heads facing each other. Does, does that an were fat too? Eldest asked in a whisper.
I dont know, Youngest said, his brow furrowed. Do you think our whole family is fat and we just dont know it? Really, how many other dragons do we know? We could be obese when compared to normal-sized ones!
Bonnies eyes widened and glistened as a layer of tears pooled within her nictitating mbrane. She raised her head and stared at Vernon. Uncle Vernon, am I fat?
Vernon coughed and looked towards the wall before turning back towards Bonnie. You see, ah, size is a relative thing. Right, a relative concept. He nodded. To insects, humans are huge. To us, humans are small, see? When compared to Alora, youre not fat at all, Youngest.
Im Bonnie, Bonnie said and sniffled. What if you dont compare to Alora? What about compared to Aunt Sera? Whos fatter?
A chill crawled down Vernons back. His neck creaked to the side until he made eye contact with Sera, who was staring at him with a blank expression. She smiled, but it didnt reassure Vernon at all. Yes, dear, Sera said, drawing out her term of endearnt. Whos fatter?
Vernons gaze swiveled from Sera to the three waiting dragons, their eyes brimming with expectation. Should he tell the truth? Maybe if he wanted to die. Vernon cleared his throat. As you get older, one day, youll understand that your eyes simply dont work as well as they used to. Im really not the one you should be asking. How about you ask your father instead? Hes still pretty young, right?
Dads asleep, Eldest said. And Mom would say we arent fat no matter how fat we actually are because shes the one who encourages us to eat along with Grandma. Youngest and Bonnie nodded. Youre the only one who can tell us, Uncle Vernon.
Yes, Vernon, Sera said, poking Vernons ribs with her tail. Why dont you tell them? Just the other day, you were telling how pretty my scales were. If you cant make out my size with your eyes, then how could you tell my scales were pretty when theyre so much smaller? Dont tell you were just complinting without actually thinking.
The annoying trio bobbed their heads up and down. Vernon t Bonnies gaze and let out a sigh. Alright, Bonnie. Youre fat. Sorry.
Bonnie gasped and brought her front paw to her mouth.
Vernon nodded. You too, Eldest and Youngest.
Tears slid down Bonnies cheeks. Youre not my favorite uncle anymore.
Thats right. How could you be so an? Youngest asked. Couldnt you have told us a white lie?
Vernons expression darkened.
Sera nudged her mates side with her wing. Heartless, she said. Her tone was filled with disappointnt, but there was a smile plastered on her face that the annoying trio couldnt see. She humd as she whittled away at the piece of wood in her paw with the tip of her claw.
Vernon caught a glimpse of Seras smile, and his countenance lit up like sunrays breaking through a cloud.
Wow, Eldest said. Look at how happy he is after crushing our feelings.
Vernon snorted and lumbered over to Seras side, ignoring Youngests cold gaze and Bonnies devastated one. No wonder why Alora called them the annoying trio.
***
Vur humd as he munched on a piece of at. Underneath him, a woman wearing black armor was flailing her limbs to no avail. Vur looked down and smacked Marys lower back with his hand, causing her to cry out. The nobles in the surroundings had already been shocked to silence, and the smack caused them all to flinch. Sweat rolled down their faces, but none of them stood up to leave.
Get off of ! Mary shouted and kicked her legs against the ground. Vur slapped her lower back again and took another bite from his drumstick.
Tafel pursed her lips. Vur, youre embarrassing her.
Vur snorted. Maybe she deserves to be embarrassed, he said as he tossed the remaining bone over his shoulder. It bounced along the ground before rolling to a stop against a chairs leg. She attacked for no reason.
How did you get so strong? Mary asked as she splayed her limbs out. Even trying to push against the ground to raise herself up hadnt worked. And with her sword out of reach because Vur kicked it away, she couldnt cut herself to amplify her strength. Not too long ago, I was stronger than you.
Vur snorted again. When was that? Mary wriggled underneath his butt as he leaned over and picked up another plate, causing Alora to protest and grope the space that her food had been monts ago. I was always stronger than you.
No, Mary said and shook her head, her red hair brushing against the floor. Before, we were competing, and you only won because Tafel distracted .
Vur didnt respond as he munched on what he suspected to be so kind of seafood. He swallowed. Not true. I was always stronger.
But you couldnt sit on like this!
But I could, Vur said and smacked Marys lower back once again when she tried to climb to her knees. With a clank, her torso hit the ground, and her eyes grew wet with tears. I was just going easy on you back then.
Mary hit the ground with her gauntlets and pouted. Let up, she said, her voice shaky. This is no way to treat an empress.
Act like an empress and Ill treat you like one, Vur said. He put a grape into his mouth and chewed, loud munching sounds resounding through the dining hall.
You an youll dethrone her and conquer her empire? Stella asked, popping out of Vurs chest. Thats what you tend to do with rulers of any nation.
What? Vur raised an eyebrow. I only do that to rulers I dont like.
So youll do that to her, Stella said, looking down at Marys head. Tears were seeping out of the corners of the empresss eyes.
Vur rubbed his chin. Probably.
Let up, let up, let up! Mary wailed and kicked at the floor, creating giant fissures in the marble tile. The nobles turned their heads and t gazes with each other, but none of them dared to open their mouths. Tafel! Your husband is bullying !
Tafel sighed through her nose. She stood up and summoned a portal to catch the food that fell off of her dress. She shook her head as she made her way to the center of the dining hall where Vur was still eating as if nothing was wrong. It was strange. She was married to most likely the strongest person in the world, but sotis she felt more like a babysitter than a wife.
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