Embarrassment of Golden Dragon Tails

The June evening is still cool. In the kitchen of Tailan’s residence, Vera is wearing an apron, skillfully blanching the beef, cutting it into small cubes, mixing it with cabbage and orange beans, and making pies the size of palms. .When the pie was baked and the moon was high, Vera fanned the pie, spread the sauce, and sprinkled it with pepper.Finally, he walked to his room with a whole tray of fragrant pies, intending to let Tails try something new.

The room was empty, and Tails was not there.

Vera opened the curtains and looked into the garden, but still couldn't find him.So he put down the tray and began to cast the spell.Then he frowned, a little puzzled.

Tails is not in Tai Lan's mansion at all now, he is now in the northwest, at least three miles away from here.After receiving the expulsion order, Vera and Tails pretended to leave the capital with their luggage on their backs, played around outside the city, and had a sumptuous picnic.When night fell, they returned to Tailan's mansion.

It is impossible for the Security Management Office to enter an earl's mansion rashly. As long as they act cautiously, they can avoid the immediate trouble.Since the Security Administration never lacked spellcasters, Vera and Tails stayed in the mansion for three days and never went out.But now, Tails went out without saying hello to him, and even ran so far away.

Vera was leaning against the window sill, looking northwest, her hands folded in her wide sleeves, her slender fingers waving habitually and flexibly.

After a while, he tidied up his appearance a bit, changed into casual clothes, and left Tailan's mansion with the necessary spell-casting materials. He hid himself, avoided the spies and mages around him, and rushed to the direction of Tails.

Along the way, he stopped at the hidden place from time to time to re-locate Tails, but to his surprise: Tails never moved.

Soon, Vera found where Tails was.

This is the backyard of a family. The fence is not high, and a small cobblestone path leads to the depths of the bush under the shade of dense branches and leaves.The spell clearly told him: Tails is here, only a few dozen feet away from him, but there is not only Tails here, but also a human being.

What is Tails doing here?Is there a big golden statue here?Or are there lanterns shrouded in sparkling stained glass?Imagining Tails' eyes when he saw the baby, the corners of Vera's mouth couldn't help but curl up.He is not worried about Tails, a dragon is not so easy to be in danger, not to mention that he has already come, if there are ignorant humans who plan to do something to Tails, then... that guy had better tell everyone he can think of. God sincerely pray!

The night breeze was cool, and quickly dried the thin sweat that oozed from the mage's forehead.After kneeling on the hard stones of the dungeon for ten days, the mage's body has not been as good as before, and his knees will ache after walking too much.Vera used spells to make herself light and agile for a short time, jumped over the fence with ease, landed soundlessly, and walked inside along the cobblestone path.

Soon, he saw the figure of Tais, who was sitting at a stone table with his arms folded, staring at the wine glass on the table.The wind lamp above his head gave off a soft orange light, outlining Tails's tall face and deep eye sockets.Vera stood in the dark shadows, staring at him, almost unable to look away, even forgetting to observe the human opposite Tails.

The human opposite seemed to say something, Tails smiled, picked up the wine glass on the table and put it in his pocket.

Vera couldn't help but laugh.The human had his back to him, a woman from whom Vera felt no power.Vera was completely relieved. Maybe Tails just came out for a walk in a panic because of boredom, met a lady from someone else's house in the yard of someone else's house, confused her with her handsome appearance, and got a wine glass by the way?

Vera did not step forward, staying in the shadows and watching the situation.But Tails found him.

Tails waved in his direction, beckoning him to come over.

It was obviously inappropriate to show up in someone's backyard uninvited, but Vera didn't care. He deliberately walked over with a heavy step.

Vera went straight to the stone table, greeted the woman opposite and sat beside Tails.The woman kept her head down, and the flowers on the table almost covered the woman's entire face. Vera couldn't see her face clearly, but she could only conclude that she should be a nobleman from her delicate bun and elegant manner .So he put on his usual smile and politely reported his pseudonym.To his surprise, the other party did not respond at all, and kept silent.Vera couldn't tell the lie she had made up, and choked in her throat, very unhappy.He poked Tails under the table and whispered to him what happened.

Tails replied calmly in a voice that everyone could hear: "The scenery here is nice, and the tea made by this lady is also delicious. Why don't you have a cup? Vera."

Vera was caught off guard, and her thick face turned red. Fortunately, the lights were dim and no one noticed.

"Miss, do you mind if I taste your handiwork?" Vera asked.

The other party gave a vague "hmm".Her voice was very low and sounded very strange, as if she was enduring something.Vera stood up and took the opportunity to pour tea to observe the other party nonchalantly.Vera was stunned when he saw the other party clearly.The lady covered her mouth with her right hand, and tightly clutched her long skirt with her left hand. She stared at her with a pair of beautiful black eyes, which were burning and full of suppressed emotions.Two strands of long black hair hung down from her temples, trembling slightly along with her whole body.

The teapot fell to the table with a "bang", and the warm tea flowed everywhere.Vera took a step back, nearly tripping over her own chair.He asked incredulously, "Mother... Mother?"

The other party covered his mouth with both hands, let out a low cry similar to a moan, and collapsed in the chair.At the same time, two lines of tears that had been suppressed for a long time rolled down her cheeks and slipped into her fingers.Vera froze, her mind blank, barely knowing what to do—until Tails poked him impatiently.

Vera woke up like a dream, walked around the stone table in two steps, came to her mother, carefully helped her up, knelt down on one knee, looked into her eyes, and asked softly: "Are you... are you really... ?”

The other party sighed, wiped away the tears, and returned to the usual elegance.She supported Vera's arm and stood up slowly, pulled him up, nodded deeply and slowly to him, and said in a trembling voice: "Vera, you have grown up."

The mage's eyes were hot.He tilted his head, took a deep breath, and nodded, "Yes, mother."

His mother, Miria Semerel, smiled at him, looking at her son, whom she hadn't seen in 18 years, from behind her remaining tears.Compared with Vera's memory, she seemed much shorter and thinner than before, with wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, and her face was pale, tired from a long illness.But she is still as elegant and beautiful as in memory.

Milia still did not let go of his arm, she looked at him greedily, as if fearing that he would disappear the next moment.And the mage seemed to have overturned all the potions in his heart, with mixed feelings, and was speechless for a while.He has been away from home for 18 years, and he rarely thinks of his parents when he grows up, let alone miss them.Vera always thought that one day when she met her, she would be able to face her parents calmly.But at this time, different from what he imagined, the guilt came overwhelming and almost swallowed him.

Tailan's words amplified in his ears, echoing: "Vera, my aunt is not in good health recently, you'd better find a chance to visit her." "She is indeed in poor health, as long as she is not blind, she can tell ’” Vera thought bitterly.

Silence lasted for a long time, only the tick-tock of tea dripping on the ground.

When the ticking sound disappeared, Miria let go of him and motioned him to sit down where he had just been.Tails had already removed the flowers, raised the teapot, and dried the water on the table with spells.

"Vera, how are you doing? Your friend, this Mr. Tails said that you have fulfilled your wish and become an excellent mage." Milia glanced at Tails and added with a smile , "He said, you are the best mage he has ever seen."

Vera glanced at Tails in surprise, he adjusted his breathing, and said softly to Miria, "Mother, I'm...sorry."

"There is no need to say this. You... don't need to apologize. I figured it out a long time ago, you have your pursuit, and it happens to be inconsistent with your original goal. If Mr. Tails is not exaggerating, Then you have now indeed achieved your quest."

Vera nodded, avoiding Miria's sight.He didn't expect Miria to say this, which made him feel even more guilty.While pondering over his words, he said hesitantly: "As you can see, I am now a mage, a...qualified mage. I...are you in good health?"

"very good."

"Your... oh no, I mean, my sister, is she... all right?"

"She has just celebrated her 11th birthday and has become a beautiful and dazzling little lady, although she has nothing to do with the word lady most of the time." Mentioning her daughter, Milia's expression softened, her eyes filled with affection and love. Proud, "Her name is Claire, a name that fits her perfectly. God, Vera, you can't imagine how cute she is, you're going to love her."

Vera smiled longingly, "I think so too. But mother, why are you here?"

"Camilla invited me to taste her newly made desserts and tea. I understood it as soon as I entered her garden." Miria gestured to Tails, "Tylan and Mr. Tails are waiting here, They told me you were back and told me to be patient."

Vera glanced at Tails secretly—he even conspired with Tai Lan, and he didn't know it at all.Tails pretended not to see it, picked up the teapot and bid farewell to Miria and Vera, saying that he was going to change a pot of tea now, and proudly left the mage's dissatisfied sight.

When only Vera and Miria were left, Vera stared at her mother's pale face and sighed secretly.Mother's health is indeed not good, but don't worry too much, there is always a way.

After a while of silence, the atmosphere gradually became harmonious.Vera asked with concern about the situation of her sister whom she had never met, but Miria answered eagerly and proudly, almost wishing that Vera could see Claire immediately.And every time she tried to ask about Vera's experiences over the years, Vera would avoid the most important thing and bring the topic to her and Claire indiscriminately.

Finally, Miria interrupted Vera and said seriously: "Vera, don't play those little tricks."

"Tricks? Mother, you misunderstood..."

"Tell me, why did you go back to Black Front City? Don't say that you are just visiting with Tailan or homesick, that's impossible. I know, you must be in trouble."

"Why do you think so?" Vera showed her usual sincere smile, "Maybe I have accepted a commission, besides, isn't it normal to take a look at the city I lived in when I was a child?"

"If you still think of me as your mother, don't use this tone to perfuse me. Vera, you have been like this since you were a child, as proud as a peacock. Since you know that your father announced that Black Front City does not welcome you, then With your character, if you hadn't really encountered serious trouble, you would never have set foot in Black Front City."

"Mother..." Vera crossed her fingers, "You still know me the same. Well, I did encounter a little trouble, but it has nothing to do with you."

"I am your mother."

"It has nothing to do with you."

Miria stared at him, and Vera met her gaze.The similar black eyes meet with each other, and no one is willing to back down.After a while, Miria sighed, "Okay, I won't ask any more questions. So, what are you going to do? Should... go home and have a look?"

"You mean the mansion of the Duke. I'm sorry, mother, that's not my home." Vera shook her head, "I've been expelled from the family, I just keep my surname."

"You are still my son and your father's."

"You're right. But I'm afraid the Duke doesn't welcome me." Vera said lightly and firmly.

"Why do you say that?" Miria frowned.

"Do you think he doesn't know I'm here? Then you underestimate him. Three days ago, I received an expulsion order from the Black Front City Public Security Management Office. Obviously, my father didn't want me to appear in the on his territory."

Milia was silent.

"Mother, I have a request." Vera said softly, "I hope you will not mention to the Duke or anyone that you have seen me. Otherwise, I will be in endless trouble."

Miria looked at him and nodded slowly.

Vera showed a real smile, "Time is limited, mother, tell me about Claire, she is so cute, I can't wait to know everything about her."

On the eve of parting, Milia told Vera solemnly: "Vera, no one knows Born better than me. He is your father. You are truly worthy of father and son. You are as proud and stubborn as you are. If you sincerely apologize to him, then , he will definitely withdraw his original decision. Even if you don’t want to, you must remember: I am your mother, and I never want you to encounter any trouble. If you still recognize me as your mother, don’t put yourself in danger. "

Milia's tone softened, "Vera, when you need it, just ask Tylan to send me a letter."

Vera smiled, did not speak, nodded, or shook her head.

Milia sighed and left the garden along the cobblestone path.Along the way, she turned her head several times, but finally did not turn back.