Chapter 6 Part 1

“It should be fine now.”

Alexander spoke, not letting go of Melissa’s hand.

He couldn’t easily release this hand, for he believed it held the key to fulfilling his desires.

Truly, he thought the only reason he couldn’t let go of this long and soft hand was because of that.

“I’d like to continue what I was saying earlier.”

Melissa’s ears flushed as she fidgeted with her hand.

Even so, he did not let go.

“Go ahead.”

In the end, seeing him fixated only on her hand, Melissa cautiously withdrew it.

She wanted him to focus on the conversation, and holding out the hand that had once borne Bright’s curse only made her feel increasingly guilty. She couldn’t keep it there any longer.

For a moment, it seemed he might tighten his grip, but it wasn’t enough to stop her from pulling it free.

“War was bound to happen anyway.”

He nodded, staring at his now-empty hand, then finally met her gaze.

Indeed, war was inevitable.

Let’s assume Melissa had actually killed the dragon.

In that case, Bright would use it as a pretext for war.

He would rally the Bergritz branches and vassals who had long resented the idea of an illegitimate son like Alexander becoming head of the family, claiming, “Alexander, who has lost the power of Bergritz, is unfit to be our lord.”

That had been Bright’s plan from the beginning.

Melissa intended to use this.

“Let’s spread the news that all the dragons are dead.”

That way, Bright would initiate the war just as he had originally intended.

When they reached Tavalon, they would then unleash the four intact dragons to demonstrate Tavalon’s and Alexander’s might, stripping Bright and his followers of their resources and forcing them to surrender.

They could achieve victory without bloodshed. Or at least with minimal bloodshed.

Melissa’s desire to minimize bloodshed stemmed from her grandfather.

Baron Gallandia was a vassal of Bergritz, but he was also one of Bright’s men.

Gallandia’s domain was close to the capital where Bright resided, and in the past, he had sworn loyalty to Franz’s father, the former family head, Lutelros.

To protect her grandfather, the war had to end with minimal casualties.

The Gallandia territory would not escape conscription, and it was highly likely that the young heir would be spared while the baron himself would directly participate in the war.

Though he might not be on the front lines, being Alexander’s enemy made him just as dangerous.

“Melissa, I understand your intention.”

Alexander nodded.

But he wanted to hear how far she had thought and prepared before ending the discussion so easily.

“However, if news spreads that the dragons are dead, the half-dragons will be unusable for a while. When dragons die, half-dragons naturally vanish as well.

It’s fine to leave the half-dragons in the otherworld without much hunting, but the barbarian Hurchelan are a problem.”

“Do you mean the Hurchelan will attack if they learn the dragons are dead?”

“Yes. Trying to deal with them without half-dragons would cause resistance from riders and soldiers. The casualties would be higher than usual.”

“…If I were the Hurchelan leader, I wouldn’t waste this perfect opportunity on a reckless attack. They wouldn’t fight alone.”

Melissa said confidently.

“Where do you think Bright learned the curse?”

The curse was a secret of Bergritz, but it was also part of the culture of the barbarian Hurchelan, who lived near Bergritz.

Despite their hostility, they inevitably influenced each other.

Isn’t the enemy of my enemy my friend?

“They’re already cooperating.”

Melissa’s eyes darkened as she continued, and Alexander silently agreed.

“They will surely coordinate a joint attack over time.”

“Why wait and coordinate a joint attack?”

“Though Bright might not know, the Hurchelan who fought you directly know how strong you are even without dragons.”

She said it as if it were obvious.

Alexander studied Melissa closely for a long time.

Did she even realize it herself?

She looked like a fool in love, yet at times cold and stern like a frozen lake.

If she knew how to use her expressions well, she could become an excellent negotiator or advisor.

But what he needed wasn’t a great negotiator or advisor, but a fool in love.

To him, that fool had eyes that sparkled as she said,

“But we don’t need to loudly announce that the dragons are dead.”

“Is there a way?”

She took something from her bosom and placed it firmly in his hand.

It was jasmine, blooming profusely beneath the fortress.

“A bit of a performance is necessary.”

Melissa spoke cautiously, holding his hand tightly.

But despite her timid actions, her eyes shone with determination.

“…Understood. Please tell me.”

He watched Melissa speak slowly, explaining the plan she had devised.

Though it felt awkward to say it now, Alexander felt she was already like a bird that had spread its wings—

A bird that, if left free, could soar in any sky.

“I will follow your words.”

Alexander’s jaw tilted.

“But—”

His smooth forehead brushed against her tousled hair.

“Call me Alex.”

Melissa’s face flushed as if she had never been calm before.

For Melissa, this moment felt like a dream.

No sense of reality at all.

The man she had longed for every day held her hand, desired her, and promised his heart…

On the other hand, having seen him for so long, it was hard to fully accept every side of his actions as they were.

But love scattered her vision and thoughts.

She parted her lips and cautiously whispered,

“Alex…”

His lips bit softly as if to swallow hers in one bite.

His hand gently tightened on her chin.

Alexander quietly commanded above her lips,

“One more time.”

“Alex.”

His slightly parted lips welcomed her tongue, which swept across his teeth before pulling back with a gentle kiss.

His lips parted again, about to silently demand the same command.

But Melissa was faster.

“You too…”

Still held by the chin, Melissa whispered,

“You too, call my name, just like before.”

Every time he called her name, she felt the blood in her body rush deep into her heart.

That sensation spread through her mind, creating an ecstatic feeling.

More than the kiss itself, she loved the way he sweetly said her name.

Her fingertips tingled, and her strength drained.

Alexander smiled broadly, just as he always did.

“Melissa.”

No sooner had he spoken her name than a rough kiss followed.

He laid her down amidst the bushes and tangled their breaths recklessly.

He sucked on her tongue, passed saliva into her airways, and reveled in her clinging to him.

For a long time.

***

The atmosphere inside Tavalon Castle turned strange.

The half-dragons, who should have been soaring high in the sky, suddenly disappeared, leaving the riders bewildered.

The security officers imposed a curfew within the castle and began scouring the streets at night like hunting rats.

Rumor had it they were hunting down fugitives.

The castle gates were tightly shut, and the messengers were trapped like birds in cages.

But rats always find places to move.

At midnight, a man cautiously approached the fortress.

Since Melissa Gallandia had vanished without a trace, he had visited the jasmine fields beneath the fortress daily.

The jasmine, once in full bloom, had begun to wilt, but the leaves remained green.

“Another dead end today.”

Melissa Gallandia did not appear.

She must have received orders from Bright.

Had she failed? Had she died in the otherworld, as the rumors said?

The man didn’t care much about his own fate, but recent changes in his feelings made him restless.

As he was about to leave, he sensed someone nearby in a corner of the garden.

The figure stepping out of the shadows was…

“Melissa?”

The man called out, his face brightening.

Melissa couldn’t hide her surprise and removed the hood covering her head.

Her expression looked complicated.

“Philip…”

“…You seem quite startled.”

Philip smiled bitterly and approached Melissa.

She did not step back but watched as he took both her hands and spoke.

“I didn’t know you were one of Bright’s people.”

“Strictly speaking, I’m one of the king’s men. Unfortunately, my superior is Bright.”

“But you’re so young.”

He squeezed her hand tightly.

“It’s a long-standing royal tradition to take in children of unknown origin and raise them as secret agents.”

“…What mission were you given?”

“To safely bring Melissa back, though it’s become difficult. What happened to the dragons?”

“They’re dead. All of them.”

“…I see.”

Philip sighed, running a hand through his brown hair and frowning.

“Are the security officers searching for Melissa as well?”

Melissa nodded.

He grew anxious.

“Melissa, I truly hope you stay safe. At first, it was just a mission, but being born a dog, I can’t easily betray someone who saved my life.”

Conflict flickered across Melissa’s face.

He couldn’t tell what she was thinking, but the conflict vanished in an instant, leaving only a determined gaze.

“Have you secured a way out?”

“Yes. But…”

Philip joked about wanting her to be his government, but he meant it sincerely.

Despite his unfortunate life, Melissa’s actions had made a strong impression on him.

She was only sixteen but seemed willing to give everything up.

One of his comrades once said he preferred older women.

“You don’t have to return to the capital. If you’re suffering, you can run away with me. I’m not great in full-scale battles, but I’m excellent at escaping, male or female.”

Her unwavering gaze made his cheeks flush.

“I was sincere about you, Melissa.”

“…I…”

“Catch her!”

Before Melissa could respond, security officers emerged from the darkness.

Her arms were grabbed, and she was pressed to the ground.

Philip quickly drew a dagger and lunged.

But before his blade could trace a graceful arc, it was deflected.

The owner of the sword that knocked his blade aside was Alexander.

Closing the distance at terrifying speed, he moved to strike Philip, but Melissa shouted,

“My lord!!!”

Melissa spoke somewhat desperately.

“I’m not—really not. It’s a misunderstanding. How could I possibly have killed the dragons…?”

Alexander tilted his head toward her.

He sighed, then stood tall right before her.

“Melissa Gallandia.”

His voice carried boredom and displeasure.

Meanwhile, Philip grew anxious.

From his side, Melissa was partly obscured by Alexander’s legs.

“For the crime of murdering dragons, I hereby order immediate execution.”

But Alexander raised his sword without hesitation and plunged it into the ground with a sharp sound.

Blood flowed and stained the jasmine beneath.

“No…”

With a sigh, Philip immediately fled.

Good heavens, the blood-soaked jasmine would never be forgotten.

***

“Chase her only until she leaves the castle gates.”

Hearing Alexander’s dry order, Melissa opened her tightly shut eyes.

Before her was a sword stabbed into a sack filled with pig’s blood.

The blood had stained her cheek and clothes as it dripped onto the ground.

“You may stand now.”

Alexander said indifferently.

She forced her tense body to rise.

Though expressionless, he gently wiped her cheek and tried to remove her bloodstained robe.

Melissa blushed, watching the reactions of others.

“I’ll do it.”

“Just leave it to me.”

There was no way to resist his stubborn hands.

He removed her robe and draped another over her, handed by an attendant.

After checking the robe that covered her head, he sighed deeply.

“Did I make a mistake?”

“No, you acted well.”

Seeming displeased, he pulled her close by the shoulders, attempting to move her.

Melissa cautiously grabbed the back of his hand.

“Did you… try to kill Philip?”

“Is that a problem?”

 He arrogantly retorted, staring straight ahead.

Feeling sorry for Alexander, Melissa was dumbfounded.