won't be alone there. Ari and Cassius will be with you the whole time, and I suspect James will keep you company as well. - He smiled encouragingly. - I can't promise that I'll be with you the whole evening, because I know exactly what these parties are like. Anyway, Gizel has probably planned everything so that you won't feel uncomfortable.
- I... I don't know... - Draco stammered, shaken.
-Relax,- Bleist repeated. -You're a well-mannered young man. Your aunt taught you all the rules of etiquette, and I know you can behave in social situations,- he said with conviction.
The dragon looked into his master's eyes and tried to calm down. My master believes in me. My aunt taught me everything. I won't be alone. He repeated to himself, trying to breathe evenly.
-I... I'll try to stay calm,- he said when he was able to form a coherent sentence.
-Remember that no matter what happens at the party, I will always be on your side.- Darius squeezed his shoulder a little harder. - Don’t worry about anything and just be yourself.
Draco just nodded and tried to smile. After a moment, Darius let go of him and leaned back in his seat. However, he kept glancing at his pupil. Meanwhile, the dragon turned to the window, wanting to occupy his mind with something. He did so at the right moment, because they had just left the walls of Rithien, a villa district. The carriage began to slowly climb a road that had an almost vertical stone wall on one side and a steep slope with well-kept vineyards on the other. Draco had not noticed before that the wealthy neighbourhood where he now lived was located on a hill. Only now, from this higher vantage point, did he see the intricate layout of the city of magicians. Below the vineyard were smaller estates surrounded by hedges or low fences. Further on, the buildings became denser. Instead of manors, there were single-family houses, and parks were replaced by small gardens. Further on, tall tenement houses rose, separated by wide streets.
