69.3. Loyalties - Part 3

Ingri and Haldis show up just an hour later when I'm drinking my afternoon coffee. They're both nervous because they have no idea why I requested their presence all of a sudden. Ingri is a bit more chill because she's been with me from the beginning, but Haldis is on the verge of a panic attack.

"Nothing's wrong," I say quickly to calm them down. "I just missed you at today's artisan presentation, Haldis."

The Dragonkin can't really grow pale, but it's obvious Haldis is really uncomfortable about it by the way they are waggling their tail.

"Because those pricks didn't let them join, Your Majesty!" Ingri says angrily.

"Figured as much," I sigh. "Are they giving you a hard time, Haldis?"

Haldis lowers their head and doesn't dare to meet my eyes. I can feel they're deeply hurt and saddened. And I hate it. Haldis's situation is simply too close to home for me to ignore.

"They said they won't accept a no-female-nor-male into their guild," Haldis whispers. "They said I'm a waste of a good female."

"I admit that I don't know that much about Dragonkin social structure," I say slowly. "But I bet it has a lot to do with the fact that 80% of the Dragonkin population is male."

"That pretty much sums it up," Haldis nods, their tail twitching. "By the Dragonkin standards, I failed my people by refusing to be proper female since they are so rare."

"B-but... that's terrible!" Erik is outraged.

"I love being a Dragonkin, but I envy Celestials," Haldis finally looks up. "You're so equal and free when it comes to genders and sexual orientation. Your Majesty is a living example of that."

They make me think about it for a moment. It's true that Celestial society is absolutely egalitarian when it comes to gender. All Celestials have more or less the same fragile physique and the only thing that matters is a magic skill, especially when it comes to the Royal Guard, so distinguishing between men and women is meaningless to us.

As for sexual orientation, lore doesn't say much about it. Draconia Online as a game promised to protect the rights of all minorities, so any hateful actions or harassment were penalised severely. Still, it's lore that applies to us now, not some company policy. And where lore is rather hazy, there is space for our racial tendencies to unfold.

"True, Celestials consider these things to be up to an individual," I nod after a short consideration. "I'm sorry it's not the same for the Dragonkin, Haldis."

Haldis looks down and nervously waggles their tail.

"Just say it, Haldis," Ingri encourages her friend. "I'm sure His Majesty will give it a thought at least."

I smile because it's not hard for me to guess what Haldis is about to say. But I don't rush them. It's better if they come with it themselves.

"I... I would like...," Haldis is stuttering, their anxiety rising. "I... would like to... work directly for Your Majesty!" they blurt out the last part.

I feel Haldis expects I'll turn them down. After all, while Celestials are more than willing to cooperate and trade with other races, we never let strangers into our midst. Assiath was a good example of that, only Celestials were allowed to enter as opposed to other Draconian capitals that didn't have any racial restrictions.

But I'm the Celestial Emperor and my word is the law. If I say that I accept specific Draconians into my direct services, then nobody can object. Erik and Gotrid are right, I should start using the perks my position brings. I'll do that now.

"I was about to propose you the same thing," I say gently which makes Haldis look up again.

"You were...?" they are speechless.

"I met your kin today and they want to cooperate with our enchanters," I say. "But it was obvious they weren't keen on sharing their discoveries or work on purely Celestial projects. I'd really welcome someone who's eager to experiment with Celestial technology for the benefit of Celestials."

"Haldis is exactly that someone," Ingri grins. "They prefer light armour and jewellery anyway."

"I... I'd be honoured," Haldis mumbles in a daze. "I don't want to sound ungrateful or daring but... ehm... will I be given creative freedom?"

"Absolutely," I assure them. "There are some things we need to tackle as soon as possible, but we're not against any innovative solution if it gets the job done. My only worry is whether your people will be okay with it. I don't want them to hate you even more."

"I don't care what they think," Haldis clutches their hands into fists. "Besides, the Dragonkin don't have to necessarily swear allegiance to the Patriarch. While it's expected to craft for Dragonkin guilds, we can be adopted by a third party if we don't have a clan affiliation."

"Adopted?" I'm taken aback by Haldis's strange choice of words.

"Dragonkin clans are like extended families," Haldis explains. "But I was disowned by my original clan when they found out I'm non-binary in real life."

"I think that what Haldis is trying to say is that they are free for the taking," Ingri chuckles. "I really hope that clan will regret bitterly what a talent they lost."

"Your Majesty, I'll gladly swear my allegiance to you if you would have me," Haldis says with anxious anticipation and careful hope.

"And I'll gladly accept," I confirm with a smile.

I expect the matter to be over, but Haldis quickly stands up, almost turning over the chair they were sitting on. They kneel in front of me, this time not afraid to meet my eyes.

"I swear my allegiance to the Celestial Emperor," they say solemnly. "From this moment on, I have no responsibilities towards my race, not even the Patriarch. I promise not you bring you shame and, in return, all I ask is to be accepted for who I am."

"I accept and promise to honour your wish," I reply. I'm not sure how the Dragonkin ceremonial allegiance works, but Haldis seems content with my response.

"Ehm... Your Majesty?" Ingri speaks up, uncertain. "I'd actually like to do the same. I love my people so I won't be leaving them because they don't want me, but I want to be affiliated with you. While I deeply respect our King and Queen, my place is here."

"Don't the Earthborn need permission when they want to change their root?" Liana recalls. "Haldis was disowned, so there was nothing in the way, but it's not that straightforward for your people, right?"

"We do need permission and I asked for it shortly before this meeting actually," Ingri reveals. "The Queen herself called me to say that she's sad to see me leave, but she agreed that I'll be most useful working for the Celestial Emperor."

"She let you go rather easily, not very Earthborn-like," Liana gets a bit suspicious.

"Easily? Not really," Ingri laughs. "The Earthborn monarchs feel guilty about leaving all politics to His Majesty, so I'm to be their gift, a gesture of goodwill. Yeah, and I have to undergo my official Earthborn training under their tutoring at some point, forgot about this tiny little catch. Sorry, we don't have any fancy oath and I'm pretty sure the Earthborn ceremony isn't Celestial-friendly."

"We'll be overjoyed to have you, Ingri," Liana is relieved it turned this way. She learnt to depend on her capable assistant. "But training with the Earthborn monarchs themselves? When do you want to go?"

"Not anytime soon," Ingri shakes her head. "Definitely not until you return from Japan because I need to hold the fort for you."

"It doesn't work the other way around, does it?" Erik nudges me. "Can a Celestial swear allegiance to someone else?"

"Of course not, don't be ridiculous," Liana raises her eyebrows at him. "Celestials are totally devoted to the Emperor."

"Of course," Erik retorts a little. I can feel he's annoyed that it's another thing that eludes him.

"Don't let it bother you, Erik, Celestials were always peculiar even to other Draconians," Ingri waves her hand.

"When can I start? And where?" Haldis speaks up, excitement building inside of them. Liana rolls her eyes, but not always catching social cues is actually something I really like about Haldis—breaking conventions is refreshing.

"I'll tell Tara-... oh, wait, I can't, he's cleaning toilets," I realise. "Luvi, could you assign someone else to show Haldis around the Celestial floors? Also, make it perfectly clear to everyone that Haldis is one of us now and they are to be respected."

"Who is cleaning toilets and why?" Haldis whispers to Ingri.

"I will," Luviael nods and escorts Ingri and confused Haldis out of the room.

A few minutes after Ingri and Haldis leave, Noage suddenly appears. At first, I'm afraid that he came to check up on my health and bring me a protein drink, but he kneels in front of me.

"I'd like to serve as your personal physician, Your Majesty," Noage asks without any fuss.

"Don't you already?" I tilt my head. "I mean, you're helping Julia and she is my personal physician."

"I heard Queen Twyla allowed Ingri to swear allegiance to you and I asked for the same," he explains.

"I'd be overjoyed to have you, but aren't the Earthborn monarchs bothered that they're losing subjects?" I point out.

"Not when they are in your service," Noage assures me. "On the contrary, King Werden thought it's a brilliant idea, especially considering... ehm... Your Majesty's frail condition. The Earthborn monarchs want a dedicated Earthborn healer to be taking care of your health so that they can sleep soundly."

"Are you really okay with it?" I bite my lip. "I don't want you to be forced into it just because Twyla and Werden feel guilty about leaving all politics to me."

"Your Majesty," Noage almost laughs, "you really have no idea what an honour it is working directly for the Celestial Emperor, do you? You're too modest."

"Told you," Erik pokes me. "Just accept, love."

"If that's what you really wish to do, I'll gladly accept your services," I nod. "You and Julia certainly make a great team."

"Dr Julia is a delight to work with and I appreciate her unique human perspective since that's something we lost," Noage says honestly.

"As do I," I clutch Erik's hand.

When we finish for the day and depart home, I meet Taranah in the hall. He's wearing a simple work robe instead of his usual rich attire and is holding a mop and a bucket. He's scared to cross my path, but I feel he desperately wants to talk to me, so I nod at my guards to let him approach him.

"I'm so sorry, Your Majesty," he lands on his knees, sobbing. "I don't know what got into me. The moment I saw you, all I could think of was receiving your blessing. Your telepathic message snapped me out of it, but I realise it's been entirely my fault."

"Stand up," I say softly. "I'm not angry. I forgive you."

"Disappointing Your Majesty is even worse than your wrath," Taranah shudders.

I don't like Taranah feeling this way, but I know I had to let my subjects know that even their Emperor who loves them unconditionally has boundaries. Celestials have to realise that their embodiment of magic is a living feeling person, not some idol they can put on a pedestal and touch whenever they feel like it.

"But we can, right, love?" Gotrid gets a bit startled because he's holding my hand, so he knows what goes through my head right now.

"Yes, you and Erik can touch me whenever, do I have to spell that?" I roll my eyes and let them both kiss me. And I feel hopeful again.