Chapter 81
Have you ever heard that ice can catch fire?
Right now, the Duke’s gaze… I could only think of it as fire blazing atop ice.
“Father…”
“…Do you wish to leave behind just some ashes?”
“Ah, no!”
“Understood. I’ll see to it that you’re buried in an empty coffin.”
“That’s not what I meant! Please calm down!”
Even knowing he’s the Cardinal Dragon, that expression looks like he’s about to grab me by the scruff of my neck—or, well, by my scales!
“Let me explain step by step. Specifically!”
“Yes. You must speak specifically so I can think specifically about how to crush it.”
That’s not it. Calm down, human.
“There’s a man who feels at ease when I’m around. Maybe it’s because of my Mana Pearl ability.”
“Are you talking about Alkaios? According to Elber, he met you that day.”
“Ah, no.”
I wasn’t lying. The Duke’s brow furrowed.
“So it’s someone I don’t even know….”
“Oh, don’t worry too much. I refused his request to join me, and he understood and left.”
“He left?”
“Yes? Yes.”
“Why didn’t you break his legs?”
“Just listen first!”
I shouted sharply, and finally, he relented a little. Ah, I’m glad I didn’t speak too honestly.
“He won’t come back to propose again after we parted ways. But I’m the one who feels uneasy.”
“….”
“I think Domado might also be influenced by that anxiety.”
Does he recognize his name? Domado poked his head through my hair and stretched his neck to look down at me. Our large eyes met.
Ah, so cute.
I scratched his head. Domado seemed happy. He squinted and pressed his head against my fingers. He really feels alive.
And this is only a part of the Silver Dragon’s energy…
The Duke, watching me, said,
“You seem quite attached to him already. Even gave him a strange name.”
“Yes, he’s cute.”
I even felt like a Disney princess.
“I’m glad you like him. Then, when I prepare a space for you to stay for a while, that child can stay with you—”
“Are you thinking of locking me up under the pretext of protecting me from danger?”
“…Even if I call it confinement, the townhouse will be your domain. It’s bigger than Gruner Vant Academy.”
“If you lock me up, I’ll run away. I even learned how to run away from Ignatz oppa.”
A lie, but there’s no better way to threaten the Duke. After all, Ignatz was the only human to escape the Duke’s mansion at just fifteen years old.
As expected, the Duke’s gaze faltered.
“Ugh, that kid…!”
“Ha, it was good to communicate well, even though he’s not my real brother after abandoning Schlager Castle.”
“…I understand. I can’t let you leave the house either. Then, let’s resolve this simply.”
“How?”
“Find that man… and put him to sleep for about 150 years.”
“…Wake him up after 150 years?”
I wonder if such a thing is even possible in a fantasy world? But the Duke spoke gently:
“You won’t be in the world in 150 years. No need to worry, my daughter.”
Ah, that’s like an eternal slumber. That won’t do!
“No. Don’t put him to sleep.”
“Why? Hmm, then maybe just deprive him of sleep? Half a year?”
“No! The end result is the same!”
“Sol, why do you oppose the simplest solutions?”
Because he might die!
“Nothing’s happened yet. He proposed and was rejected, then left cleanly.”
“If something happens, it’ll be too late.”
“I agree, but I have Domado by my side, and Ignatz oppa from Gruner Vant. Nothing will truly be dangerous.”
“….”
“Let me handle it. I don’t want to leave problem-solving to you forever.”
I held the Duke’s hand tightly. Beneath it, I felt a slight chill gather, like fish in a bowl swimming toward someone holding food. Yes, yes. The Silver Dragon wants me to rub him, I suppose.
I massaged his arm while continuing:
“I want to become a stronger adult.”
“Sol…”
“You came to the capital to learn, right? Not just school studies, but also how to solve human relationship problems.”
“…If you’re going to solve it alone, why tell me at all?”
I could hear a grumble like ‘not even joking around’. Oh dear, grumpy, are we?
I restrained the urge to poke his cheek. I can’t treat the final boss like he’s cute.
“My secret weapon is Father.”
“….”
“If I can’t solve it alone, I’ll tell you first. You’ll solve it immediately, right?”
I smiled at the Duke. To an outsider, it might sound like childish whining.
“Ridiculous words.”
Though he said that, the way his hand roughly stroked my hair betrayed a genuinely excited feeling.
“No need to ask. Tell me anytime. I’ll fix it immediately.”
“Hehe, thank you, Father. And also…”
“And?”
“If I solve it myself, I’ll come straight to show you. Will you praise me then?”
“….”
The Duke’s hands stopped stroking my hair. He seemed at a loss for words, yet no sound came from his slightly open mouth.
“Father?”
Instead of answering, he simply grabbed my head with both hands and ruffled it.
Even the excitement could be felt in his rough strokes. Just like a boy making his first snowman.
Finally, the Duke spoke:
“Of course. Always tell me first. I’ll give praise no other father—or even king—can match.”
“Ahaha, what’s that?”
“Trust me. I’m the greatest person in your world.”
“…What a boast.”
“It’s true.”
There’s no lie in the Duke’s voice. After all, in the original story, he was always the strongest.
…Until the dragon appeared.
Even if the Ancient Dragon hadn’t revived, the main couple wouldn’t have defeated the Duke.
I pulled a chair closer and leaned against the Duke. Suddenly closing the distance seemed to fluster him.
“Sol? Why suddenly?”
“Seeing you after so long, you’ve become even more handsome.”
“….”
The Duke turned his head, blushing at the ear tips.
I leaned slightly against him. Maybe because the cold I’d been massaging pooled there. His side was warm.
“I’ll trust you. You’re the strongest, Father.”
“Yes.”
“When I’m by your side, I don’t need to fear anything.”
There was a time I feared him the most in the world.
I thought he would let me die in a jousting arena attack. Or use me until killing me.
That fear hasn’t completely disappeared. But…
Gradually, another fear—losing Father—was creeping in, replacing the old one.
Please, Cardinal Dragon or Silver Dragon, don’t devour this strong, commanding man…
While I leaned on him to calm my heart, the Duke emptied a bottle of whiskey. He didn’t seem drunk.
“By the way, how’s Venen oppa?”
“Too busy to write letters. He barely sent the Q1 management report from Flogel territory.”
“That’s commendable. Can’t even tell him to come to the capital.”
“We’ll have to give him a vacation in summer.”
Wow, the Duke went from tyrannical parent and boss to a normal human! Almost clapped.
“Why are you praising me, Sol?”
“No. Is Elber oppa still late? Lunchtime’s soon.”
“He often has meals at the Fine general family.”
“Right, young people need connections. That’s understandable.”
“…Though I’m not sure that counts as networking.”
Hmm? The Duke’s frown deepened. Something wrong? Wasn’t the Fine family famous?
Soon, I realized the source of the problem. From the far end of the hallway, Elber’s shouting echoed:
“Lady, how are you already here first?”
I couldn’t hear the Lady’s reply, but Elber seemed to be arguing in disbelief…
The Duke pressed his hand to his forehead.
“That useless networking has arrived.”
“Pardon, Father? What’s wrong?”
“Probably the Fine general’s daughter. Elber’s master’s daughter, you could say.”
Ah, I remembered. When I first came to the capital, Elber and Venen told me about her:
‘I’m learning under General Fine.’
‘And General Fine’s daughter spoils Elber in particular…oops, shouldn’t say that.’
I recalled Elber’s particular disdain.
“So, basically…”
“She’s being used to forge ties with our family. Transparent motives.”
“….”
Well, that’s possible, but we’re in a romance-fantasy world. Surely she’s chasing the male lead instead.
“If curious, go see for yourself. I don’t even want to hear her voice.”
“You dislike the Lady?”
“Who would welcome strangers into their house? Familiar people are enough.”
“….”
“Why are you smiling?”
“Huh? I was smiling?”
“You just did.”
Ah, why did I smile? Hearing the Duke being cranky is so amusing! I have to marry Seraphina off in this house!
I quickly wiped the smile and grabbed the office door handle. But then, a voice from behind said:
“…It doesn’t matter why. Smile anytime.”
Once again, I found myself smiling.
As I walked down the corridor, the voices from the first floor grew louder.
One was Elber’s:
“You said you wouldn’t chase me anymore!”
The other was the Lady’s, a cute, chirping voice:
“Yes, you said not to follow me. That’s why I came first and waited…”
“Excuses.”
“But otherwise, you wouldn’t meet me!”
Almost like a stalker.
Duke, before dealing with the guy clinging to me, shouldn’t we handle this Lady first?
