Chapter 11
I looked at my father’s serious face and pouted.
“Why not?”
“Reri, didn’t you notice how unfortunate the young master’s life has been? I can’t just send him back there again.”
“But…”
“I will try to hide the fact that the dragon was found and also look for a way to transfer it. Just wait.”
I realized from my father’s expression that my request wouldn’t be fully accepted.
Just like my father values me, my mother, and our household, he also values the future master, Kashiar.
Even a mere servant could bring him to the duke’s house, and my father wouldn’t send him back just because I protested.
‘I can’t even tell him about this strange, unbelievable thing that only I know.’
It’s uncomfortable not being able to reveal something unbelievable that only I know.
So instead of throwing a tantrum, I said something else.
“You have to really look into it. Please.”
“Alright, don’t worry.”
I pouted and stood up. Somehow, even though I only became younger physically, maybe because of all the love I received, I naturally acted like a small child.
“Try giving a command just in case.”
“A command?”
Just as I was about to leave, I heard my father’s voice and turned back.
“As long as you don’t die, the dragon will remain yours. So you can try giving a command for Kashiar to follow your orders until you wish otherwise.”
“…Okay. I’ll try.”
Since I wasn’t fully giving up the dragon, I would still be connected to Kashiar, so my father’s words weren’t a complete solution.
I answered sulkily and left his study with the dragon in my arms. As soon as I stepped outside, I sighed at what I saw.
“Reri.”
Kashiar was sitting on the floor near the door, hugging his knees.
“Reri!”
He jumped up as soon as I came out and ran toward me.
“Did you finish talking?”
His big, round, jewel-like eyes were only on me.
Looking into those eyes, I couldn’t believe this child could be someone who would kill me.
‘Here, here, here, here, here. If I poke here, I die.’
“Reri?”
I blinked several times at Kashiar, who was calling me impatiently.
‘If I help you knock down that stone tower you were building, will you kill me?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘Why?’
‘You’re kind to me and play with me.’
Kashiar didn’t show it, but he was starved for affection. That’s probably why he became my clingy shadow after just a month of obligatory attention from me.
At first, he didn’t even notice or care about affection, but now, having tasted it, he tries to get more.
So how could I survive with such a Kashiar?
I couldn’t fully give the dragon, nor could I let him go.
The reason he hesitated to kill me held the answer.
“Okay, Kar. I’m here.”
I smiled brightly with all my strength, folding my eyes into half-moons.
It was the first time I smiled at Kashiar like this. Honestly, I usually found him annoying.
Kashiar, who had his round eyes wide open, froze at my smile.
But only for a moment. Then his round eyes softened beautifully.
“Okay, Reri. I waited.”
From that day, I became the kindest, most affectionate, most loving person to Kashiar, who craved attention.
So he wouldn’t kill me casually. So I would be someone he couldn’t kill.
That was definitely the reason.
Chapter 2 – To You Who Would Kill Me
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
As I recalled past memories, the dining hall door opened. Kashiar appeared, now dressed neatly.
“It’s fine, not that long…”
“Master?”
Through the slightly open door, a purple shape suddenly appeared.
“Master!!!”
“Sha?”
“Yes! It’s me! Sha!”
The purple mass pushed past Kashiar and rushed toward the chair where I was sitting.
The small boy, about twelve or thirteen, with purple hair and pink eyes, hugged me like I was leaning into the chair.
I looked down at Sha, kneeling and holding my waist, and gave a bitter smile.
This dragon, Shailent, was chosen to be my master only so that Kashiar would end up killing Reriana in the story. That was its sad fate.
During the time we were apart, I lived without thinking about the story world, my possession of Sha, or even Kashiar’s existence.
My hand, which reflexively wanted to pat the child in my arms, stopped in midair.
Do I even deserve your sincere longing?
“When are you taking me? Take me with you.”
I laughed bitterly and withdrew my hand. A faint sound came from Sha in my arms.
“Huh?”
“I don’t like him!”
Sha lifted his head, stretching his arms to point at Kashiar.
Kashiar looked very displeased, crossing his arms, watching us struggle.
“You two never got along in eleven years.”
“Eleven years? I was with him that long? So long away from my master?”
I took my eyes off Sha, who was rubbing his face against me and sobbing, and gave Kashiar an awkward smile.
I couldn’t help but smile at his displeased expression.
“Are we going home together today? Huh?”
“Stop talking nonsense and move away.”
Kashiar, arms crossed and standing stiffly, spoke with a stern look.
“Don’t give me orders.”
Sha in my arms made a small noise and lifted his head. His mouth showed aggressive words.
“If it weren’t for Reriana’s request, I would have killed you already.”
“I know.”
Their relationship, never good before, had clearly worsened while I was gone.
They looked at each other as if they truly wanted to kill the other.
“Ha, hahaha.”
I laughed awkwardly and openly, and their gaze turned to me. Thankfully, the murderous expressions disappeared.
“Ah! I’m hungry! Let’s eat.”
“Master, you’re hungry? Why did you let your master starve?”
At a single gesture from Kashiar, the servants outside hurried inside to prepare the meal.
I put Sha down from my arms. Sha pouted, clearly unhappy, but I couldn’t let him act against Kashiar’s orders.
“Tsk. It’s been a while, and you’re so harsh.”
“We can’t eat like this, Sha.”
“I know, I know.”
Sha walked to the chair opposite me, long legs moving gracefully.
“Sorry.”
Kashiar, who had just taken a seat, suddenly said sorry.
I tilted my head. What could he possibly be sorry for? Appearing in front of me? That would be nice, but probably not the reason.
“Hmm? For what?”
“The original owner of that is you, ma’am. I’m sorry for borrowing it and not returning it.”
“….”
I studied Kashiar’s expression. Nothing could be read from his blank face.
But his eyes were lowered toward the table, not looking at me.
Was he testing me? To see if I wanted Sha back? If I demanded it, would he turn violent and try to take Sha, learning greed?
I swallowed my dry saliva and spoke slowly.
“Sha and I are good friends, but strictly speaking, I don’t really need him.”
“Master! What do you mean?”
“It’s true. I live peacefully in the capital. In my peaceful world, your power is too much of a luxury.”
I shrugged lightly toward Sha, who stomped toward the chair, hitting the table with both hands.
“Understand, Sha. The one who truly needs you is Kashiar. He’s in danger on the battlefield.”
“I don’t like it! I don’t want to help him, I don’t want to be near him!”
Sha frowned and stomped his foot, grumbling.
“You’re the only one who can help Kashiar. So I’m asking you.”
Sha didn’t answer. He looked at me without any expression. I didn’t look away.
“I’m asking, Sha.”
I emphasized it again. Sha scowled and sat down, arms crossed, puffing his cheeks like saying, “I’m angry, got it?”
I looked away from Sha and at Kashiar. By now, he had lifted his lowered eyes to look at me.
“Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“….”
“I don’t want you in danger. If Sha can help you even a little, that’s enough. So don’t feel sorry for me.”
Kashiar’s brow twitched slightly.
I wondered what he was thinking. What judgment had he made about me?
“You are of no help at all. You just make noise all the time.”
“Oh? I heard so much about the great Duke of Dragon Knights, Reshion?”
I smiled, recalling the rumors I had heard.
“….”
“I thought you were amazing. Like a legendary knight.”
The back of Kashiar’s neck turned slightly red.
Blushing, maybe from embarrassment, he rubbed it with his hand.
He glanced at me, so I gave the prettiest eye-smile I could manage.
It twitched a little, but if it saved my life, so be it.
“Hmph. Legendary knight, my foot.”
I turned my head, and Sha lifted a chair the size of his body, waddling over to sit next to me.
“Why are you carrying the chair?”
“I want to eat close to my master.”
“Even with plenty of space?”
“This table is unnecessarily big! I like small, cozy ones like in my old master’s house.”
Sha placed his chair next to me.
“Our dining table is usually just a normal family table…”
Well, our house was noble, so it was big, but not as huge as in a Beauty-and-the-Beast-like story.
“I’ve never understood this. Humans follow formalities for strange reasons.”
Sha sat next
to me, resting his chin on his hands, smiling. His earlier displeased expression was completely gone.
“Eating close and seeing your face is much better.”
Even after eleven years, Sha’s unaging face looked very lovable.
