A hasty luncheon was prepared in the dining room of the Hayworth mansion.

‘How did it end up like this?’

I looked at the two men and one hatchling before me.

‘…Well, it’s all because of Oscar.’

It happened to be lunchtime, and Oscar’s words were decisive.

“Oscar hungry. Want to eat.”

Of course, there was a condition.

“With friends.”

“Couldn’t you just eat quietly by yourself?”

“Oscar likes friends. If I can’t play together, I’ll be sad. If I get sad, I might collapse again.”

It was obvious emotional blackmail. I tried glaring at him, but…

“The Dragon is in an unstable state. Considering his condition, it would be best to do as he wishes.”

“…Great Mage, why are you joining in?”

Eventually, even Benedict took his side.

“Besides, I’m hungry too. I’ll keep everything strictly confidential.”

“Oscar will behave too. Okay?”

A Great Mage and a rampaging dragon? What an unusual combination is this?

‘They’re making ridiculous things sound so plausible.’

Still, I was going to refuse, but!

[System: Black Dragon Oscar is recovering.

-Status: Sickly spoiled hatchling

-Please try to accommodate the hatchling’s requests.

-If refused, your guilt index due to continued status abnormality will…]

Now even the system was joining in on the chaos.

‘This crazy system was quiet for a while…’

Not a single peaceful day. My head was throbbing.

Anyway, that’s how it ended up like this.

“Haah…”

I secretly let out a deep sigh.

Using me, seated in the center front, as reference.

“What brings Lord O’Neil here?”

On my right was Male Lead #1, the younger Prince Henry Grant.

My former fiancé and current strategic contract friend.

(Special note: Oscar’s friend who still doesn’t know he’s a dragon.)

“I came to meet a friend.”

On my left was Male Lead #2, Benedict O’Neil.

An assistant helping with raising a living ‘dragon’ and a debt relationship.

(Special note: Oscar’s friend who knows he’s a dragon.)

“Ari. I wanna eat candy.”

And their friend, ‘Social Butterfly Hatchling’ Oscar (Special note: Expert at sudden outbursts), sitting right next to me in a child’s chair.

‘Is this right…?’

Though gathered around me, none of them were exactly normal.

The two male leads were subtly at odds with each other.

And the hatchling… well, let’s skip the detailed explanation.

‘One is already overwhelming, but three of them…’

What an incredible combination. A combination that could turn into ‘The Last Supper’ if I’m not careful.

“How surprising. I thought Lord O’Neil had some sort of social anxiety since he rarely speaks. To think he has friends.”

Henry smiled while taking a dig at Benedict. The meaning was clearly ‘how could someone like you have friends?’

“Surprisingly, everyone here except Your Highness is my friend.”

Of course, Benedict didn’t back down. He was very politely saying ‘I have no intention of associating with you, so shut up.’

“Is that so.”

“How dare I presume to befriend Your Highness.”

“We’re in agreement there. But I haven’t heard about my friend having a Great Mage friend.”

“We’re secret friends. We have many confidential matters that we share closely among ourselves.”

When Henry sneered, Benedict responded with a smirk.

This was like saying ‘You don’t know, but we three are already close’…

If only they weren’t holding dinner knives instead of swords, it would be an all-out war.

“….”

Even Oscar was looking at them with contemptuous eyes.

Was that a strange smirk I saw on his lips? Or was that my imagination?

“The food will get cold. You can continue your conversation later, please eat everyone.”

I encouraged them to eat with empty eyes.

They gathered to eat, yet here they were, dying to tear each other apart instead of the excellent steak in front of them.

I deliberately cut my steak with exaggerated movements.

‘If Leon were here too, it would be quite a sight…’

“Your Highness, I pay my respects.”

As expected, my ominous premonition was right. Leon, who had been out on errands, somehow heard about the luncheon and barged in.

“Whew, I’m hungry.”

And very naturally joined the meal.

“Sister. Was today a gathering with your friends? You could have told me.”

There was a sting in his words. It was obvious he was about to unleash another tremendous barrage of nagging.

‘At least Father isn’t here, thankfully.’

Courtship, overprotection, and an attached hatchling. Thinking about it, I had it all. What a peculiar and tiring life I led.

“Then shall we chat among close friends?”

Henry asked about my well-being with a faint smile.

“Did you get home safely that day? Nuna?”

Cough cough cough cough.

The moment they heard ‘Nuna’, all three men choked simultaneously.

Well, for a prince of a nation to forget his dignity and say ‘Nuna’ – it was enough to make anyone faint.

“…Yes.”

While hiding my awkward expression, I got water for Oscar who was choking.

“I was worried since there was no contact after that.”

“I’m sorry. The baby was a bit sick. I was completely preoccupied.”

“I see. That’s understandable then. It must have been difficult. Oh, and about that matter, I took care of it well. Don’t worry.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

I avoided his gaze while wiping Oscar’s mouth with a napkin.

“Lady Hayworth.”

“Yes? Great Mage?”

“I have something urgent to discuss with you.”

“Let’s talk later.”

“Then after your daily tasks, would you mind stopping by my research room ‘right above’ your room?”

It was just one simple question, but it contained an enormous amount of information.

‘That emphasis on ‘right above’ seems strange. Is it just my imagination?’

Benedict, whom I thought was only proper, unexpectedly showed his competitive side.

Well, he was the frightening person who could destroy the mana core of the disrespectful and pressure me about manuscripts.

“Sister. You should first visit Lord Hayworth’s room ‘right next to’ Lady Hayworth’s room.”

Leon couldn’t stay quiet. This meant if you’re going anywhere, you’ll have to go through me first.

“I have a favor to ask, Nuna.”

“Yes?”

“Lily’s condition seems particularly poor.”

“Lily?”

“Yes. My horse’s name.”

“……”

I couldn’t understand why he suddenly brought up his horse. As expected of the empire’s heartthrob, even his horse was female.

“Since Lily’s like that, I’m feeling a bit under the weather too. Could I stay over, Nuna?”

“My, we’ll lend you our most vigorous horse, Your Highness.”

It was fierce even from my perspective watching from the side. I signaled Leon to stop.

He probably acted this way because he had me as a strong backing, but it was a nerve-wracking sight every time.

“I’m sorry everyone. I’m tired today. I’d like to rest quietly without any disturbance.”

With these words, I made both male leads shut their mouths.

“As friends, you’ll understand, right?”

Oscar, who had finished his meal independently, quietly took out a lollipop and put it in his mouth.

***

That evening. In Oscar’s room, Benedict was checking on the sleeping Oscar’s condition.

“Um, Great Mage.”

“Yes, Lady Hayworth.”

“I believe you mentioned earlier that you had something urgent to discuss.”

I had deliberately poured cold water on the heated atmosphere then.

Benedict was Oscar’s healer and my helper, so I was curious about what he wanted to say.

“Ah, that.”

Benedict smirked and turned toward me.

“I just said that. Somehow, I didn’t want to lose to His Highness.”

“I see. I thought you had something to discuss with me about Oscar.”

“Discussion.”

His purple eyes became quite serious.

“Personally, there are a few things I’d like to confirm.”

“Personally?”

“Yes.”

What was he trying to say? As I opened my eyes wide in confusion, Benedict came in close.

“Are you perhaps seeing His Highness again?”

“You mean romantically?”

“Yes.”

“No, that’s not it. We both have various circumstances, so temporarily…”

There’s no need to explain everything in detail. I gave a vague answer.

“……”

Benedict was silent for a moment. He seemed deep in thought.

“Lady Hayworth. One who ‘controls’ a dragon is more precious than one who ‘serves’ them.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I’m telling you what it means that you can control Oscar.”

He seemed to be talking about the extent of my power.

In this world where dragons are revered and determine the legitimacy of the imperial family, it made sense.

“And?”

“Does His Highness know Oscar’s true identity?”

“He probably doesn’t. Of course, I’ve never told him myself. It would only cause trouble if he knew.”

“If possible, it would be better to keep hiding it. Especially from those connected to the imperial family.”

“Is it for political reasons?”

“Yes. Dragon-related abilities are easily exploited by the imperial family.”

Being an ‘O’Neil,’ he probably knew this better than anyone. In fact, Benedict’s family had produced numerous empresses solely because of their dragon-related bloodline.

“I don’t plan to reveal it either. Oscar will leave for the ravine once he becomes an adult anyway.”

“I heard His Majesty is already reorganizing the Rose Maze. The rumor seems to be spreading quietly among the nobles.”

So he already knew. He spoke in quite a serious tone.

“In my eyes, whether emperor or prince, they’re all the same to you, Lady Hayworth.”

Though I didn’t want to view Henry, who still didn’t know Oscar’s identity, with suspicion.

It seemed he was warning that if discovered, there was a high risk of being politically exploited.

“I understand what you’re saying.”

“…So.”

At that moment, his purple eyes pierced through me.

“If necessary, please use me.”