Chapter 22
Will You Help Me?
It had already been a month since Shanelica started teaching Lidia the Garion language.
Over the past month, Lidia had grown increasingly fond of and attached to Shanelica. A big part of it was because they were the same age and both girls—but also because Shanelica was cute, pretty, and had a kind, easygoing personality that Lidia really liked.
Eventually, about a week ago, Lidia had even told Shanelica to drop formalities when they were alone.
“I’ve never had a friend my age before. Can’t we be real friends?”
Since Shanelica wouldn’t even be staying in the royal palace for a full year, she had initially declined Lidia’s request. But seeing how crestfallen Lidia looked afterwards, her heart softened.
“I don’t know when I’ll have to leave for a foreign country. Are you really okay with that?”
“Yeah! I just want to be close while you’re here!”
In the end, Shanelica gave in and agreed to treat Lidia casually when they were alone. It was awkward at first, but after a few tries, it wasn’t that hard.
“Shanel.”
Late in the afternoon, as usual, Shanelica was visiting the princess’s palace when Lidia, who had been staring at her, suddenly called her name.
“Hm?”
“Do you find it hard to talk to me?”
Shanelica, who had been thinking about which sentence to teach next, met Lidia’s eyes. It was a random question.
“What do you mean?”
“Because I’m a princess, most people find it hard to even look me in the eye. But you don’t seem that way. Come to think of it, you’ve been like that from the start.”
“Oh, that’s because I’m a dra—”
Shanelica almost blurted out, “Because I’m a dragon,” but stopped herself just in time. Her eyes instinctively flicked to the side—where Derwin was standing in a corner, holding a book and looking right at her. Cold sweat broke out on her back.
I almost said something reckless just because I felt too comfortable!
“You’re a what?” Lidia asked.
“Oh, I’ve just traveled to a lot of countries and met all kinds of people. That’s probably why.”
Shanelica barely managed to cover it up.
“Really? Have you met a lot of high-ranking people like me too?”
“Well… not exactly, but I’ve met a lot of people who act like they’re important.”
Even as she answered, she could feel sweat forming on her brow.
“People who act important? What were they like?”
But Lidia’s curiosity didn’t stop. Shanelica’s mind raced.
What should I say to get out of this?
“Your Highness.”
Just then, a low male voice called from behind.
“Hm? Sir Derwin, are you talking to me?”
“Yes. You seemed to be taking a break.”
“Alright, go ahead.”
Lidia turned fully toward Derwin. In an instant, her attention had shifted completely from Shanelica to him.
Shanelica watched her closely. The princess’s pale cheeks were now tinged with a faint blush, and she looked utterly delighted to hear anything he had to say.
“Prince Render of the Kingdom of Larta will be visiting this evening. It’s a sudden visit. His Majesty asked whether Your Highness will be attending the event.”
At Derwin’s formal tone, Lidia’s expression hardened.
“…Will you be coming with me if I go?”
This time, Shanelica looked at Derwin.
Wait, didn’t we agree to watch his training session tonight?
Perhaps sensing her gaze, Derwin replied stiffly.
“It’s an unscheduled event, and since His Majesty will be there, he said Your Highness will not need a personal escort.”
“Oh…”
In other words, he wouldn’t be going. Lidia maintained a calm expression, but disappointment filled her heart.
She knew. Her older brother, the king, probably thought Derwin would only get in the way of her meeting Prince Render, the third prince of Larta. The king had already chosen Render as a potential husband for his only sister.
“Then I won’t attend tonight.”
“I’ll let them know. May I be excused?”
“Yes, you may.”
Once Derwin left, only Shanelica and Lidia remained in the room. Shanelica watched her closely. Lidia tried to look unbothered, but her lips were slightly tense. She was clearly trying to act indifferent, but to Shanelica’s eyes, her intentions were obvious.
After a moment of silence, Shanelica asked, rather impulsively:
“Lidia… do you like your escort knight?”
At that, Lidia’s face turned deathly pale. Her poker face vanished without a trace.
“W-What are you saying?!”
Then, she flushed bright red. Shanelica simply found her reaction amusing.
“Oh? So you don’t?”
“I-It’s not like that!”
Even as she firmly denied it, Lidia couldn’t lift her head. Shanelica just watched her quietly. Eventually, Lidia started fanning her face with her hands, trying to cool herself down.
“So it’s not?”
When Shanelica nodded nonchalantly, Lidia felt a twinge of guilt. She had lied to her very first real friend.
“O-Okay, maybe it’s not totally untrue…”
“Oh?”
“I mean… ugh.” Lidia sighed and buried her face in her hands.
In a tiny voice, she asked, “Is it… that obvious?”
It was.
“Yeah. Super obvious.”
“Really?!”
“You’re always staring at him. Your expression changes constantly when he talks to you.”
“Ughhh, seriously?!”
Now Lidia buried her whole face on the desk. Shanelica found the sight incredibly cute.
“D-Do you think other people know too?”
“No clue.”
“They probably do. You figured it out even though you’ve barely been around me. Of course others would notice…”
“You think so?”
“Then… what about Sir Derwin? Do you think he knows?”
Suddenly, Lidia lifted her head and grabbed Shanelica’s hands.
“He doesn’t know, right? Please tell me he doesn’t. Please?”
Ignoring the plea for comforting words, Shanelica thought seriously.
Does he know how Lidia feels?
And she answered honestly.
“I don’t think that’s something I can know.”
“Aah… what if he does?”
Isn’t he acting like he does?
Shanelica wondered, but didn’t say it. Watching Lidia flush and fidget like crazy was just too entertaining.
“But still… I’m glad, Shanel.”
“About what?”
“That I could tell you. I used to carry these feelings all alone, but now I feel a little lighter.”
A woman in her early twenties, experiencing her first unrequited love. Without realizing it, Shanelica recalled the first time she met the dragon Lord. The fluttering feeling that had struck her in an instant.
No, that was love at first sight. It’s different from unrequited love.
As a divine being, could she ever feel something as pure and innocent as Lidia’s puppy love? Could she ever blush like that and get flustered?
Dershevionerf. The Dragon Lord. My mate.
Just the memory of that first meeting still made her heart flutter. But that was it. It hadn’t been so overwhelming that she couldn’t control herself.
Shanelica felt a pang of pity. That cute, innocent love was directed at a dragon—her mate, no less.
At the same time, a strange unease stirred within her. Honestly, with looks like his, it made sense that human women would be attracted to him. But why did acknowledging that make her feel so… down?
Come on. Of course he’d be popular. Don’t let it bother you.
Shanelica was deep in thought. Noticing her silence, Lidia asked hesitantly.
“By the way, Shanel… can I ask you a favor?”
“Hm?”
“I want to give Sir Derwin a small gift. But I’m not sure what to choose… Can you help me?”
“What kind of gift?”
“It’s not for a special occasion or anything… I just saw something that made me think of him and want to give him a present.”
Maybe because she’d opened up her heart, Lidia now seemed to see Shanelica as a full-on accomplice.
“I’m totally clueless about this kind of thing… And I know you probably are too, but still, it’d be better than choosing alone. Will you help me?”
Caught off guard, Shanelica nodded. She couldn’t ignore those pleading eyes.
“Great! Then let’s go pick one out tomorrow!”
The blush had completely vanished from Lidia’s face now, and she looked excited.
What kind of gift is she planning to give? And… is it really okay for me to help her choose it?
Shanelica blinked. That strange feeling she’d had earlier—she still couldn’t quite put her finger on it.
After work, Shanelica arrived at the Cartel estate and headed straight to the back garden. Since she’d left work early today, she figured she could wait there—Derwin would arrive soon for training.
“If you follow this path, you’ll reach the training ground. Master is there now.”
In the garden, Kuddles, who had been waiting for her, led her down a different path.
As she followed the shaded trail through the trees, Shanelica’s eyes widened. Hidden by the woods was a vast, open training ground. From her room in the mansion, the trees had blocked the view, but now she could see everything.
And there, at the far end of the field, stood the master of the estate—her mate.
“Wow…”
Shanelica’s jaw dropped. Derwin was swiftly slicing through solid logs with a long sword. Her eyes struggled to keep up with his movements.
One log, then two… twenty in total were cut down. Then he struck each of the stumps again, twenty more times, before finally stopping.
Clap, clap, clap!
Shanelica clapped enthusiastically, not realizing it. So hard it felt like her palms would wear out.
“You’ve come.”
Only then did Derwin turn to look at her. Shanelica quickly walked over. The closer she got, the more clearly she could see his body.
Wow, is this really a human man’s body?
Unlike usual, Derwin wasn’t wearing armor. Just a light, thin shirt. But he’d sweated so much that it clung to him, showing every muscle contour. Even though he wasn’t shirtless, it was already a feast for the eyes.
“You came to relax, but it’s you who looks flushed, my lady,” Derwin said, as if he could read her thoughts.
“I-It’s just… the heat!”
Just as she spoke, a cool evening breeze blew past. Derwin chuckled softly and turned his head. Shanelica’s face turned even redder.
