The World Dragon's Heir

The two of them led Dominic back out into the party, where nobles were sipping wine and snacking on appetizers being passed around by the staff.

Dominic was the centre of everyone’s curiosity, walking between Princess Alexis, who he had arrived with, and Princess Eleanor, who was known among the nobles to be a bit eccentric in her choice of friends.

If both of them liked this strange man, then it didn’t bode well for their sons’ chances to land a Princess as a wife. Everyone knew that the line of succession was already secured, so the few remaining bachelors and bachelorettes could afford to be picky with their choices.

But asking the Nobles’ eligible sons to be polite to some random Sorcerer whose lineage they didn’t even know, just to get close to the Princess, was a big request.

And the Princesses knew it.

"Is the boy a commoner or a lower noble? Does anyone know where he comes from? I heard that he’s a Sorcerer, but that can’t be right. We would know if there was an Elder Sorcerer in town with a son his age." The guests were whispering to each other as the trio entered the garden.

An older woman came up with a very young boy to introduce to the Princess, and Elanor pulled Dominic back a step, forcing Alexis to let go of his arm and leaving her to face the noble alone.

Dominic didn’t miss the look that Princess Alexis shot her sister as her human shield was removed, but she greeted the woman with grace.

"Duchess, how pleasant to see you again today. Might his be your Eldest daughter, Molly?" Alexis asked, not so subtly insulting the masculinity of the boy brought before her.

The woman giggled and covered her mouth. "Such a sweet talker you are. This is my youngest, Maserati. He desperately wanted to meet you today, and thank you for your valour on the battlefield."

The effeminately dressed little boy couldn’t have been more than about eight years old, and looked completely star struck at his chance to speak with the Princess. He gave an elegant bow and smiled up at Alexis.

"Thank you for saving our city again, Your Highness. Mother let me watch your heroics from the inner wall with her monocular, and it was so exhilarating." The boy gushed.

The Princess smirked at Dominic, then patted the boy on the head. "Our entire guard has been working very hard today to keep the city safe, but I appreciate your consideration. Tell me, what was your favourite part?"

That seemed like a strange thing to ask a child about combat, but if he was watching it from Kilometres away, atop a hill using a telescope, then it was more like watching a movie, and he wouldn’t see the blood and gore in the same way.

"Oh, that is easy, when that returning scout group charged the back of the goblin lines, and they had the lances, and BOOM just ran right through the Goblins. I don’t know what happened after that, I looked away, just in case, but the horses were alright, so I think they won." The boy replied.

The Princess nodded, not knowing the incident that he was referring to, but it sounded a lot like when Dominic and his group had arrived. There weren’t many other times when someone attacked the back of the Goblin lines today, as the invaders were all around the city.

The Duchess led her young son away before he got too excited and annoyed the Princess, but he was immediately replaced by more well-wishers who knew that the Princess had been in combat today.

"Is this the Sorcerer that you returned to the city with? He’s exquisite, isn’t he? I heard that he doesn’t even go to combat with the Clinic Witches potions on him." One of the young Noblemen commented.

"There are plenty of clerics around during the battle, but he was returning from Aramos Village today after a long journey. Might I introduce you to Young Master Dominic, the Apprentice to our new Royal Weaponsmith, and a leading candidate for this year’s Apprentice intake." Princess Alexis replied.

The noble laughed, then paused and looked at the Princess. "Oh, that wasn’t a joke? I just can’t picture him inside a forge. What are the Commoners thinking, sending such a beauty to the forge instead of to a noble’s bed to elevate their status. Surely, it wouldn’t be an issue to have gotten him an engagement."

Dominic wasn’t sure if he should be offended or impressed by this man’s boldness. Clearly, he had a very distorted idea of the Common people’s view of the Nobles, but he said it with such confidence that Dominic actually felt that the Noble believed he was paying Dominic a compliment.

Plus, who would want to marry a Noble just for a bit of status? People in the big cities smelled funny, and the forge was warm even without anyone in your bed.

"Don’t let the small arms fool you. Magic users have their own ways of working the forge. Just look at the weapon on his hip." Princess Alexis suggested.

Dominic reluctantly unclipped the sheathed dagger from his belt and held it flat on his hands for the curious Noble to inspect.

"An Uncommon magical dagger, now where is the makers’ mark. Ah, here. Dominic Wavemates. My word, perhaps he does belong in the forge." The Noble gasped, then moved back from his close inspection of the workmanship.

"To think that an apprentice has skills and craftsmanship like that. No wonder your master was tagged for the position of Royal Weaponsmith."

The young noble was pulled away by another conversation, and Dominic gave the Princess a harsh look for exposing his skills before the trials. It wasn’t unheard of for outsiders to simply go missing in the days before the selection.

"Don’t worry about it. You are under the Palace’s protection as an intake candidate and Pops’ apprentice now, so nobody will try to steal you away.

Even an apprentice Royal Tradesman demands a level of respect from the children of the Noble Houses. It will most likely be you and Pops making their next set of equipment, after all." The Princess chuckled.

"Ah, the greatest of leverage, the ability to control who gets properly armoured." Dominic joked, causing Alexis to nearly choke on her drink.

"It’s best not to joke about sabotage." She whispered.

"Who would do such a thing. I’m just saying that schedules are limited, and certain projects are given priority." Dominic shrugged.

Alexis laughed. "That’s the same thing that your Master threatened the first time that we tried to call him up from the forge at the staging area."

"What can I say? I learned from the best."

Princess Alexis smiled back at him. "It’s a good thing that with the emergency, they have moved up the intake trials for the craftsmen. We can’t have the two top Weaponsmiths finding ways to sneak out of the Palace to work at a private toolmaker’s forge again."

Dominic shrugged. "I make no guarantees for Pops. He’s quite fond of his regular customers, after all."