X: The Dragon Delegation Part 2

Father scrutinized me with a curious gaze when I kneeled formally before his throne, instead of walking to his side, as I had always done.

With a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, he said, “you may speak freely, my daughter.”

“Thank you, father.” I couldn’t help but glance upwards before wetting my lips and beginning my explanation "during the past weeks I’ve worked in the forge you graciously ceded to me and brother Gang…and with the help of the people you assigned to aid us, we’ve finally made a breakthrough."

I saw my father lean forward on his throne. “What is this breakthrough you speak of?”

“If his majesty permits me, I will draw the blade we made.”

He frowned but nodded for me to continue, and from under my sleeve, I extracted the knife we’d finished making the previous night. The color appeared darker than my memory, yet the blade effortlessly cut through almost anything. I used both my hands and presented it to him ceremoniously.