As the ceremony was over, Kareen ordered for them to move to another room to sit comfortably and rest a bit, while the servants brought large trays of food, once again.
It was something like brunch, probably, as it wasnt really early enough or late enough for a proper meal.
To help everyone warm-up, some tea was brought, and Missandra insisted on being the one to prepare it and serve it to everyone.
Cassandra sat on a couch, with Kairens arm around her shoulders, as she snuggled under a large fur blanket.
She hadnt really realized how cold she was until then.
However, she also didnt want to change into normal clothes yet.
She was happy to wear the traditional green of her tribe, even if all of the fake Borean silk had already been washed away by the rain.
If it had been a real one, it would have lasted several hours at least, but it couldnt be helped.
Cassandra kept caressing the little silver thread around her wrist, feeling a bit numbed by happiness.
2 Meanwhile, Shareen was gazing at Missandra, frowning a bit.
The young girls tears had dried, but her eyes were still red and she would sniffle from time to time.
What were you crying for? Marrying your sister away? She asked.
(3) Missandra answered with a glare, though she quickly stopped to go back to preparing the tea.
Kareen slapped her daughters thigh, frowning.
You insensitive daughter! When did I raise you to be so heartless? …Do I have to answer that? Shareen got another slap and shut up after that, only making annoyed faces and sulking on the side.
Aside from Shareen, most people in the room actually understood the real reasons behind Missandras tears, though they wouldnt have been so blunt about it.
The prayer they had recited taught about love, being true and selfless.
Missandra had lost all of that at a young age and grown into someone far from those ideals.
For the first time in a while, she felt sullied by her past as a prostitute, and the thefts she had committed.
That ceremony had been too much of a brutal reminder for them.
Did your parents held that ceremony too? Asked Lady Kareen, trying to pull the topic away from Missandra, as she distributed the tea.
No… Our father died when our mother was pregnant with Missandra, confessed Cassandra.
May I ask how? He was in an accident, replied Missandra.
Our mother said he died when they were building houses.
There was an accident, and our father got badly injured.
One of the houses they were building got unstable because of a storm… Our father wanted to go and help secure his friends house, but it collapsed on them, said Cassandra.
Our uncle too was there, and he saw three men die with him, the house collapsed in the river and just… washed them all away.
Our mother got the news once it was all over.
Only our uncle returned, but he was severely injured.
He passed a few hours later.
By the great Dragon, whispered Kareen.
I cant believe how sad your mother must have been… Cassandra was about to say something, but a loud growl interrupted her.
They all heard Krai land loudly next door, and a few seconds later, Roun too, his growl higher-pitched than the black dragons.

The little Srai showed up in the room, as the only one small enough to sneak in, and went to curl up at Kareens feet, his eyes watching the wall behind which they could hear his siblings bickering again.
I dont remember him, said Cassandra.
Our mother told us about him many times, though.
He was one of our tribes best architects, and he had built our house too.
I wish I could see our house again.
Maybe you could go there again? Asked Shareen.
Cassandra shook her head.
It would be very dangerous.
The swamps we lived in are now under the Eastern Republics territory.
I dont even think theres anything left of it, they probably destroyed it… Missandra nodded sadly.
Even Lady Kareen didnt dare to ask about their old tribe again.
She was aware that, despite the fact that their rival had taken over the former tribes parcel, it was the war between the Dragon Empire and the Eastern Republic that had destroyed those girls homeland.
Somehow, it was only luck that the Dragon Empire hadnt been the one to destroy the Rain Tribe.
If they had, it would have made this conversation even more awkward and added another gap between Kairen and Cassandra.
This conversation had gone a bit sour after such an intense ceremony.
Somehow, the Rain Ceremony had been so solemn, it had brought up so deep-buried memories to the surface.
The nostalgic feeling that hovered Cassandras heart made her feel a bit bittersweet.
For a while, everyone focused on eating, and an awkward silence filled the room until Shareen spoke.
So… After that ceremony, what is changing, exactly? You mentioned something about giving up your mind, body, and all.
Is it for real? That sounded a lot like you two were going to commit suicide.
Cassandra chuckled.
No, not at all.
It had a deeper meaning than that.
The Water God teaches us to not hold on to material things, not even our body.
But your mind? It means we have to elevate ourselves from earthly things.
We only see through the eyes of those we love.
It means we must care about others before ourselves.
Well, I like to care about myself more, said Shareen.
Others can come after.
Your people had a very selfless way, but I still think this is a bit odd.
I agree, replied Cassandra with a chuckle.
Since I grew up in the Dragon Empire after that, I do see our differences, but Ive also grown to love both.
I like the dedication of the Rain Tribe to others, but I also like how living in the Dragon Empire is teaching us to care about ourselves.
Its a very different environment, after all.

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Cassandra had already thought about this before.
Somehow, she felt that having met Kairen had allowed her to grow as a person.
She was afraid of her own shadow anymore, but she cherished her own life more.
She was miles away from the slave girl who had lost all her will to live in that arena.
She had grown a lot more in those few months, more than in the previous few years… 2 After her words, Missandra and Shareen started an argument about the different ways of life between the Dragon Empires people and the Rain Tribe, but Cassandra was too tired to take part.
Somehow, all this rain had gotten her a bit sleepy, and she just enjoyed this long brunch, her head onto Kairens shoulder.
She just kept snacking on those cheese cubes and green grapes, but also some slices of dried and smoked meat, which Missandra quickly took notice of.
Hinue, youre eating meat again? She said with a frown.
Sorry, its… the baby… Cassandra couldnt see it, but Kairen glared at Missandra, warning her.
The War God put a hand around his concubines belly.
Kareen, too, clicked her tongue.
Let her eat.
Your sister is pregnant, she can eat and drink whatever she wants as long as she stays healthy! Is that why you sent that bottle of wine to our room, mother? Growled Kairen, annoyed.
It wasnt that often that the third Prince would get mad at his own mother.
All the servants in the room froze up, their eyes going to the Imperial Concubine with a bit of worry.
He wouldnt do something to his own mother, would he? However, Kareen was not impressed at all.
The War God was her own son, after all, his obsidian eyes had no effect on her.
Why cant I? I know Cassandra is reasonable.
You would drink most of it by yourself anyway! She wasnt wrong, but Kairen still glared at his mother, a bit annoyed.
Cassandra chuckled.
Truth was, she really didnt mind that little taste of mulled wine before sleeping.
It may have helped her sleep better, even.
However, she wouldnt dare to say that in front of the War God… Moreover, she had noticed, throughout the lunch, Kairen didnt take his hand off of her belly.
Even while he was eating, the War God would only use his right hand.
It wasnt that surprising that he would easily hold her and cuddle, but Cassandra was starting to wonder if there hadnt been a bit of change since the previous night.
Maybe it was only her imagination, but they had slept in a spooning position, and at that time, he also had his hand covering her little baby bump.
Was it because he had felt the baby kicking? Cassandra silently hoped that the father of her unborn child would slowly grow more attached to this child… Until then, Kairen had shown care for her more than usual since the beginning of the pregnancy, but not much care about the baby at all.
Maybe he hadnt realized much before? She was the one carrying their son, so maybe, to Kairen, she still came before a baby that had yet to come to this world… She secretly wished this large hand spread in a protective way around her tummy was a good sign for their future as a family.
As they finished their lunch, the rain kept falling continuously.
It probably wouldnt stop for a while, either.
Cassandra secretly hoped all this rain and the storm would slow the Imperial army as much as possible before they arrived there.
Shareen, however, was sulking.
As soon as that damn rain is stopping Anour, were leaving, she announced.

Already? Asked the teenage boy, sulking a bit.
We are not going on a Holiday trip, remember? Moreover, I want to hurry and go to the Camp to whip those damn idiots asses.
Arent you just going there to play! Said Anour.
Kareen chuckled, but Shareen didnt answer that.
Of course, the War Gods Army was probably doing just fine without her or even their Commander in Chief.
The real threat would be the East, and Cassandra was in no hurry to have Kairen go there.
Once their lunch was finished, Kairen and his sister had to talk over military matters, so Cassandra went back first to finally change into warmer clothes.
She carefully hung her green ceremony clothes, however, to where she could see them as if that could make the dream last a bit longer.
She took a bath to clean and warm herself up first, and put on a new pink dress, with a light fur cloak, as the rain was keeping the temperature low.
Between the hot and dry weather of the Capital, the humidity of the Diamond Palace, and the cold of the Onyx Castle, Cassandra felt like she could get sick very easily.
Hence, she made sure to cover herself, and drank some more warm tea.
She had another intention while going back to her room, and that was writing her letters.
She asked for some ink and parchment.
She wrote a long note to Evin first, wondering if the Imperial Servant would be happy to hear any news from her.
He was the most severe man she had ever met, but she kinda liked him.
He had been of great help back when she lived at the Camp with Kairen.
Moreover, she was hoping to get some news from the Red Room as well, see if her medical teaching had done some good there.
What she had heard from the Emperor in the Capital wasnt enough.
Cassandra was hoping to hear more from Evin directly.
She also added some more recommendations, about some herbs she remembered seeing there but hadnt taught them the use yet.
She ended her letter wishing him well.
After that, her next letters were for Orwen, the Blacksmith apprentice, and the servants of the Onyx Castle.
She was curious to know how they were all doing.
She missed Nebora most, as her first friend there.
They had a rocky start, but she truly appreciated her honest nature.
Cassandra took her time to let her friend know most of what had happened to her and realized that, once it was put on the paper, it was indeed quite a lot.
Finally, Cassandra wrote some shorter letters to the younger servants, and Patrina, the Head Maid there.
You look busy… She smiled, feeling sturdy arms around her waist as she was writing the last couple of sentences.
Kairen put his face into her neck, letting her finish.
Once she was done, Cassandra put her letters to the side for the servants to collect and turned to him.
(3) What about you, my Prince? Did you finish discussing it with your sister? Kairen suddenly put on a grumpy front, surprising her a little.
Dont you have something else to call me now? You mean Almien? said Cassandra with a chuckle.
Kairen nodded and leaned in to kiss her, satisfied.
Thats right Your man… I man