“Agnes gifted that bracelet to Mr. Nes.”
“Yes.”
“That’s a bit disappointing.”
“……”
The truth is, he can’t exactly say, ‘Actually, I am Agnes.’
The absurd lie that had already begun seemed endless, and he was also concerned about someone’s sharp gaze from across the room.
Perhaps… he didn’t have the courage to face her immediate disappointment if she discovered he had been pretending to be a child.
“Well, anyway. You mustn’t reveal the dragon’s existence to others. And Christopher will be going with Nes.”
“It’s Cerberus.”
“Christopher.”
Goodness, they really are friends. Merrien narrowed her eyes.
I was trying to smooth over the situation based on what I understood, but the two clashed over the magical beast’s name.
‘They’re not children, why are they glaring at each other like this?’
The intensity of their stares was tremendous, as if neither would accept any other name.
Seren was wise.
Rather than fighting over something so trivial, it would have been better to name it something like ‘A’.
“Come, come. Whether Christopher or Cerberus. I understand that Mr. Nes will be taking him. Shall we all head back now?”
Merrien clapped her hands once to change the atmosphere.
The fiery gazes of the two immediately softened and fixed on her.
They were truly being swayed in the same manner. Merrien momentarily felt dizzy, experiencing what must be similar to training two young puppies.
“Ah, just a moment.”
At the sound of someone’s urgent knock, Seren opened the door slightly and received something.
It was a letter in his hand.
Judging by the large golden seal stamped in the center, it wasn’t difficult to guess who the sender was.
“Tower Master. A letter has arrived from the Emperor… His Majesty?”
He had almost called him just “Emperor” as usual, but belatedly added the honorific when he realized Merrien was present. Though Merrien didn’t mind at all.
Rather, it was Ariel who frowned deeply at the word ‘Emperor.’
He had gone out to subjugate magical beasts just last week—what favor could the Emperor be asking for now?
Ariel grumbled as he roughly opened the letter without even using a paper knife.
[Tower Master. I apologize for contacting you again so soon.
Strangely, the number of magical beasts within the Empire has increased exponentially.
My son is suddenly suffering from a high fever and cannot leave his bed….
I’m sorry to ask, but could you check on this today?]
His detailed complaints about his difficulties filled more than ten lines.
Given his repeated emphasis on “today,” it seemed to be no small matter.
“The number of magical beasts has increased, he says.”
Agnes, who had somehow approached Ariel’s side without notice, muttered.
“That’s very suspicious.”
“You peeking is more suspicious.”
Ariel responded indifferently, burning the letter with clear disinterest in seeing it any longer.
But Agnes didn’t give up.
His eyes gleamed as he pointed to his own face with a thick finger.
“If the prince can’t go for a while, couldn’t I go instead?”
“Move your face.”
Ariel’s hand pushed Agnes’s face away.
Undeterred, Agnes thrust his face forward again, only to back away when he saw flames appear at the tips of Ariel’s fingers.
Then, as if unable to break a habit from his child form, he pouted and grumbled.
“It would be good to study the magical beasts directly…”
“It’s your loss if they discover you’re a dragon.”
“I just won’t get caught.”
“We need to go right now.”
“That’s even better.”
Ariel seemed subtly concerned about Agnes, but Agnes absolutely refused to back down.
Not only was he persistent to the end, but it was clear he would continue to pester until he got his way.
Ariel waved his hand.
“Do as you please. If you’re discovered, just accept your death right there.”
“As you wish, Tower Master.”
Agnes revealed his fangs in a smile, having gotten what he wanted.
After reaching this hasty agreement, Ariel’s gaze fell on Merrien’s face, which was clearly worried.
It was the day Merrien had forgiven him—who cared about magical beasts?
Honestly, he had no interest at all, but he remembered his promise to the Emperor.
“Ah, I’d like Merri to be called the noble Saint.”
“…Then, you’ll grant my next request.”
And that happened to be today.
A sound of teeth grinding echoed through the drawing room.
“Merri. I’m sorry, but I need to go check on the magical beasts now.”
“Yes. Go ahead.”
Despite her expression, her immediate response suggested she didn’t mind at all, which made Ariel look disappointed.
Merrien quickly offered an explanation.
“You said the number of magical beasts has increased enormously. It would be strange to remain calm.”
She had to explain, or who knew what passionate words would come with that intense gaze.
“…I’ll take you to the Duke’s mansion.”
His mood seemed to have improved slightly as he took Merrien’s hand.
Agnes flinched slightly and averted his gaze at the sight of the two holding hands gently.
Noticing they were about to leave, Seren offered his farewell first.
“Then, I’ll see you again next time, Saint.”
“I had fun today, see you later. Seren, Mr. Nes.”
Before hearing any other farewells, Ariel snapped his fingers.
The place they arrived at was Merrien’s room.
“Merri, I’ll be back.”
“Okay.”
Despite his words, the hand around Merrien’s waist showed no intention of letting go.
He truly seemed reluctant to leave, repeatedly raising and lowering one hand to teleport.
While sighing deeply.
“They say magical beasts are overflowing. What if they come into our mansion?”
Our mansion.
Ariel, who had been looking dejected, came back to life.
Unable to hide his joy, he embraced Merrien.
“That will never happen.”
“Alright. Look at me.”
He was squeezing so hard that Merrien felt like she was being crushed.
She barely managed to detach him and held his cheeks.
Smooch-.
Merrien’s lips, on tiptoe, briefly touched his before pulling away.
“……”
Ariel blinked very slowly. He seemed to be contemplating what had just happened to him as he touched his lips.
Then he suddenly turned his head and gripped Merrien’s waist firmly.
“…Wait! That’s for when you come back.”
Of course, his lips were pushed away by Merrien’s hand before they could meet.
“…Alright.”
Though his lips protruded in disappointment, Ariel obediently backed away at her resolute response.
Then, with eyes dripping with lingering attachment, he snapped his fingers.
“I’ll be back.”
“Yes. See you soon.”
In the moment before he disappeared, he deeply imprinted the image of Merrien smiling and waving her hand.
***
Ariel teleported to the location the Emperor had mentioned.
In that brief instant, a mask had somehow been placed over his face.
Thanks to being told to go ahead to the coordinates sent, Agnes had already arrived. However….
He was surrounded by the Imperial Knights, his arms raised high.
Not only was he restrained from moving, but the swords pointed at him were so close they seemed ready to pierce his neck at any moment.
Agnes’s face brightened upon seeing Ariel.
Then he gestured while desperately calling out to Ariel.
“Tower Master, I’ve been waiting for you!”
Moving only his hand very carefully, lest he be stabbed by the swords.
But the swords pointed at him remained vigilant.
The Knight Commander approached Ariel and bowed his head.
“You’ve arrived, Tower Master. We restrained this suspicious person who suddenly appeared and began slaughtering magical beasts with his fists, but he insists he’s a mage from the Tower.”
His expression, glancing at Agnes, looked quite troubled.
The Knight Commander seriously put his hand beside his head and twirled his finger.
“It wasn’t just slaughtering. He was smashing magical beasts with his fists while laughing like a madman, and even said he needed to take the highest-grade magical beasts. He was completely unreasonable.”
As he spoke, he realized the man standing before him shared more than a few similarities with the behavior he was describing, and his voice grew progressively quieter.
The Knight Commander carefully lowered his raised hand.
“Is he… really a mage from the Tower?”
“Yes.”
“…Everyone, lower your swords!”
Agnes, immediately freed, stuck close to Ariel’s side.
The sight of him looking at the knights with proud, dignified eyes was completely at odds with his sturdy physique.
- lurelia
Known for turning pages faster than I move in real life.