Chapter 55: A Favor For A Favor
"Ahspid has mentioned something about me having the same eyes as the founding dragon... But why does he need my eyes?"
Ever since Aideen arrived at the Duke’s castle, the peculiar importance of her eyes had been brought up multiple times. However, she couldn’t fathom why. Blind from birth, she had been repeatedly told that her eyes possessed an unsettlingly unusual color.
She had grown up believing that the peculiar appearance of her eyes stemmed from her disability, even feeling a sense of shame about it. Now, though, she found herself grappling with the realization that her eyes, far from being a source of shame, held a unique and possibly significant quality.
Tillian took a deep breath and ran his free hand through his blond hair, a whirlwind of thoughts tangling inside his restless mind.
’It’s either telling a complete lie or not telling everything. Which one is better?’
Initially, he contemplated dismissing the matter, suggesting that she inquire about it from the mage directly. However, her charmingly curious expression prevailed, and the man had no choice but to yield to the lesser of evils.
"Well... I was looking for a mage to assist me in my quest for revenge, Your Highness. I sought Ahspid specifically for two reasons: first, he served my family for many years before; and second – he fled when Ruans seized the throne, leading me to believe that he, too, did not hold much appreciation for their lineage."
Resuming their walk through the castle’s hallway, Duke Valentine continued his explanation,
"As I mentioned earlier, when I found Ahspid here, in The North, he initially wanted nothing to do with me. He told me I didn’t need him. However, just as I was about to leave, he suddenly changed his mind and informed me that he would help me if I brought him the heart of the snow dragon."
"A heart?"
Tillian confirmed with a short "Mhm" and continued,