Chapter 10: The Dragon’s Breath
NKoQB00A month since the promise.Zyine8N
jnKfThree days before the engagement ceremony with the Queen of Valdrova.lGPZsrP
VTfWith a face full of disgust, Ruri pointed at the paper and quill.5Em
ei2qd9“Write a vow letter for the engagement ceremony.”LNdYdK
HXj3ydu“Isn’t there some standard formula for these things?”eOuVq4
2VgUc“Of course there is, but…”YFW
WM2jrAt that moment, Ruri’s throat moved. Instead of a dragon’s breath, she forcefully swallowed a sigh that nearly escaped.MGRf
dddz“Since it will be an unofficial ceremony, she wishes to do it without unnecessary formalities.”pW4FMr
OCq“And?”6Hg
ktfgA“She wants to replace the recited vows from each with vows handwritten by both.”DmDuID
x8JPerda calmly nodded after hearing that.Ez4s
WEteVUZ“A bit romantic, I see.”431bX
H0xZ4“Calling it romantic makes it sound nice. In reality, it’s worse than getting married in a stable. What is this? Writing vows by hand… it’s like some silly child’s game.”sgBF
tlYRuri grumbled, and finally let out what she’d been holding in her small chest.IDtJ
YGr“Haaaah…”MgGv
My7N7That was the breath.Y8YG7Z7
qFxsQA sigh of pure frustration that seemed capable of cracking the ground.Vdnvh
m3A84‘It was already bad enough that this is an engagement with a human, and now it’ll be private and with handwritten vows…’OlI1nFQ
K0hAEven as a dragoness who served with devotion, it was inevitable for feelings to build up. So it was understandable that she sighed like that.SNVrM
aqeFQ‘Still, more than loyalty to a ruler, Ruri is devoted to Valdrova herself.’YpHGVV
k5uRyUJIf status had been her priority, Perda wouldn’t be here right now. Had she wanted, Ruri could have tried to assassinate him or set a trap to ruin him.bnfmd
lhxi3dFBut she never resorted to such underhanded methods.JpJ
1Iz1Qx‘She’s actually helped me.’fOw
GDo2Perda understood the complexity of her feelings. She wanted the engagement to fail, but at the same time longed for Valdrova’s happiness.O69nkf0
6ASd‘Caught in that contradiction—that’s where her anger comes from.’6Udr2vh
yM8oV0A truly unfortunate situation. Perda decided to offer her, even just for a moment, a look of compassion.QyIANBx
4KBA“What’s that face?”hdlck
l68Suj“I just thought you’re pitiful.”VKe
GfdrZBbAt that sincere compassion, Ruri frowned.Pfz
gkFn8q“I don’t want to hear that from a human like you.”5cmgyZv
v0v“I’m still a guest, but in three days I’ll be your queen’s consort. Then what will happen to our relationship?”6ZB
bHEQu“It won’t change at all. And don’t get any ideas about giving me orders.”Kzhl
lXmCU“Of course. That wasn’t my intent.”q1Rb
bAH9vID“Still, if you ask me to hit you, I’ll do it without hesitation.”BTVd
iJPU“I’ll pass on that.”PpcaBb
FtmIPp“Don’t worry. I’m confident in my strength. And I can control myself.”iKq
5ZCLj“No need.”g27
Hpvo0LKRuri raised her small fist. That fist, seemingly harmless, had shattered a bed and the floor beneath it.o6WKSD
1oaPzT3There was no way Perda would ever jokingly ask her for something like that.iqhmT
kyZ“In any case, once the engagement is held, you’ll need to begin hiring servants for the estate. You’ll also have to choose the ministers who’ll manage the territory.”JYGoANF
uAhaSd1“Servants and ministers? I’m in charge of that?”XlE
1TcS“Yes. As Queen Valdrova’s consort, you’ll handle the domain and its administrative matters.”c3u73b
Li81H7qPerda raised an eyebrow in confusion.Cr7
f4b“You seemed to hate people in power, and now you’re asking me to take it?”sv1uoa
ei9AzyC“I don’t hate those with power, only those who are blinded by it.”M6T3IK
Z0PMThe third prince of the Arken Empire had died precisely because of his obsession with power.9wgE
bor5“Power should go to those who aren’t obsessed with it. Only then will they look out for the people. And that’s what we need now.”b1uBrk
FDLPHPerda tilted his head.jvO
3eycAU1“Isn’t the people’s life good?”SaYb5ru
TO5X“As you probably noticed seeing the current lords, the situation is a disaster.”jHhB4UK
lM01Perda recalled the nobles at the assembly—fat, clumsy, trembling with fear over losing their heads, like pigs trapped in a slaughterhouse.g1ZzBgl
sP1gix3“Those who should be pillars only care about filling their bellies. They spend time in brothels and banquets using the excuse that, being on the frontier, they could die any day. They silence complaints with military power, but sooner or later, it will erupt into a revolt.”3RgPs
80pf“I didn’t know. I didn’t think the situation was that bad.”3Q9sd
dmFAXHearing the word “people” sparked a bit of curiosity in Perda.A3w
dw6Ld“Doesn’t Queen Valdrova wish for the happiness of humans?”4XejCwT
3wgpEF“Yes, she does.”FZofdt
Plf“Then wouldn’t it be enough for her to say a single word and everything would be resolved?”T8v
1JnjOW“It would.”cSWk
8iTNd“Then why doesn’t she do it?”hQk
J1zSOH5“……”PQb8
VUg1FRuri fell silent. Her face hardened, and a dragon’s aura burst from her with violence, as if he had touched her most sensitive nerve.v3myzk
EY6“I prefer not to speak of it now. You’ll have a chance to find out later.”WSwO
lfAGOPerda decided to back off.XaWk
OrAt“Alright. So I just have to write the vows, right?”eHTs2u
EJMXdw“Yes. With your permission, I’ll take my leave.”IKVD
ptg0OVRuri bowed and left the room.cL9zzr1
2k15wgsHaaaaah…HVCly
tVN0bA long sigh echoed in Perda’s ears.QD0
XHLTHe took the quill, remembering Ruri’s words.a24N3
v1b“The vows, huh…?”wpYyF
tvIThey say the first part is always the hardest, and Perda got stuck on the very first line.Hhmz
pvbUZShould he have asked how to write it beforehand? That would’ve made everything easier.QoD
2vRC“Maybe I’ll leave it for later…”itenAZ
5Y7NInstead of the vows, Perda decided to write some letters to the nobles.2Xo9n
KdeLrnGAt the assembly, he had told them.Yw90m2
cllPs— I don’t care in the slightest what you do.WbZ
vP2DqBut now he had to care, at least a little. That was the problem.8f3
Dg5B“If I get involved after saying I didn’t care, they’ll resist.”GJYJBsF
TWGLFHe knew himself that his first impression had been bad. And now, if he lied, it would only make it worse.f7U
21RHe had no choice but to send each of them a letter.4uc
0GpIn them, he made it clear that he might have to get involved in administration.8VLvf
udCQtAt the end, he wrote.s4P
LqiXnV— If you don’t like it, don’t reply. I respect each one of you.DgZw2
jwV1wfAnd all the nobles’ replies arrived that same day.vhQo
SImm***7CL5A6
BQAyJ7LPerda proved his abilities and, at the same time, showed that there wasn’t a shred of falsehood in his words.th3R0t
TJj8Ruri, with nothing left to object, silently accepted the engagement ceremony.wuG3U
nR4dL“Your epaulet is crooked. And there’s no point in ironing your trousers if you’re just going to wrinkle them like that.”LgZ
kvVGP1Instead of talking about the ceremony, she started the day by pointing out every flaw she could find.c2aOHr
CG8JqV“If I had your hands and your eyes in my position, this would be much easier.”1lD
bVQUQlQ“Then why don’t you get an assistant?”AVS
SaBG“I think you could do it.”IWn48R
gJEXXRuri stepped back and hid both hands behind her back.Qkm
QC8f“I’m not going to touch you. I’m merely a loyal servant to my lady, so don’t expect too much from me.”LhcN
9Ro13n“Hmm, you really do seem like a dog.”YH0sEf
54s6“Do you want to fight me? Just say the word. I’m ready for a serious match anytime.”GTofzVt
JAeLb“No, I just meant that you’re very loyal.”uUzq6l
CoDEyRIRuri growled, but Perda accepted each of her critiques one by one, fixing everything she pointed out.FfPor
pg5zQRW‘Engagement ceremony, huh…?’pkcsT6
fuOqgWHe still couldn’t wrap his head around it.mHU1wdt
Wl1zWhVWhen a man gets married, he’s supposed to feel one of two things — joy for getting married or sadness for being sold off.lGZ7
jsoBut Perda felt neither.gvPutTV
fW4‘Ever since I returned to this day, it’s always been this way.’47Vosp
FrwyA heart far too calm for someone who bears the Red Circle.FOUGg
Ofyz0Il‘Am I getting engaged just because I think it’s what I should do?’XHVx
za4DHADHe was beginning to suspect it was just mechanical — an obligation to fulfill.HGm
YjrmUThe overwhelming anger and hatred were gone, and even his other emotions had faded.r5Q4
AhZEmT‘Can I really face Valdrova with this kind of mindset?’ZQfVl
9UT2oA vague anxiety pulsed in his chest.exkK0V
hiJpvN‘A formless anxiety…’IQxn
P2esdPerda smiled faintly.KpErJ
oE7XkqQVagueness is a human weakness.0qY
VBUI‘In the end, I’m still human.’iMSNj3Q
AgL4AeZFor now, that was all that mattered.ErdubUx
e2cKtPerda decided to hold onto just that thought.oSyyEf
aXNr***gRU7TA
DCFJYThe ceremony was held in front of Queen Valdrova’s den.zzPf
FupqwInside, lit by hundreds of candles, the enormous iron gate stood barely twenty steps away.KuiMAw
2gP9Ruri, already prepared, softly knocked on the door.SYYND
eSPL4hA“My lady, we are about to begin the ceremony.”69at
m6mThe giant iron gate opened slowly.vuEAa
v6wOVSYFrom between its cracks, air escaped from within, mixing with the outside air and entering Perda’s nose and mouth.6Qw
cZ6“Ugh.”VwSUyuL
1l29QEHis chest tightened.WIXexr
PR2pxVqThough he didn’t sense a murderous aura from a demonic creature, the air itself radiated overwhelming fear.812VO
s71If Perda had been even a bit weaker, he would’ve fainted on the spot.gRT1
rjR3lRuri looked him up and down and said.K0G
dtjBWD6“You must endure.”j3U
Guix“I… know.”pKxN
ph0qi“Then I will begin the ceremony.”Ysf30yq
fKlSD8LIgnoring his condition, Ruri started the ritual.FAU
1jucIt had already been agreed that things would go this way, so Perda focused solely on breathing deeply and maintaining composure.qsIS
0dHdy9g“Today, the mortal and the immortal will be joined by a golden thread, one that neither the authority of the heavens nor the passage of time may sever.”ZHW5TV
puUZQsShe placed a ceremonial cup in front of him. Ruri filled it with a clear liquor as she recited.7ZUwkV7
3yeQWh“The mortal will surpass the unknown and cleanse their fear, becoming one.”4Ksrf
rtwFAs they had rehearsed, Perda took the cup and drank.GFHC
CNBX281The taste was pure and crystalline, but it was still alcohol.NAWl9
OpP‘Alcohol definitely isn’t for me.’PLzYO
DEbWnaHe had never enjoyed alcohol in his life; even now, this was his first real time drinking it.eRmWK
HknGt50After drinking, he poured what was left into another cup and placed it in front of the iron gate.5q26qOJ
EitSCe“The immortal will erase the vanity of infinite currents and become one.”822diFw
c7pOPlIt was Valdrova’s turn.LtccgzL
j5UuHuge claws, larger than Perda’s entire body, slipped through the cracks in the gate.u3dY
1laThe same claws that had torn through countless monsters.c7YHr9m
1AsxnThey lowered carefully toward the ceremonial cup and—CQW9CkN
om3rhClatter—!GpvaMN6
Mw57They knocked it over.QahOp
mt99H1k“……”6RSroe
ACta4ZU“……”2ntWs24
f5vFkQfAn awkward silence took over the place.4Zc
VVX1zdcThe claws slowly withdrew into the gate.xd9
nWYL‘Is that… how it’s supposed to go?’h790
uAPFkfcPerda looked at Ruri uncertainly.WGFSM
GeIb6TQ“…We’ll repeat the ceremony.”eIjn0
rrmaPHAnd so, they did it again.Do23Ked
fvLOath reading, Perda drinking, and Valdrova’s turn.6F9Z
mK476nClatter—!7KMoFDJ
WmusS1cThe claw knocked over the cup again.nOliiTv
dwkThe same thing happened a third time.Q2l
UpNXxGMPerda started to feel it.8Prx6q
WvMIST‘After a few cups… I’m getting dizzy…’cC3wwAd
QrioUXHis head throbbed, and his senses dulled. He knew he couldn’t handle another round.9em9HLm
tWODWiyCrack—!yOueqov
gYaQvwKA loud snap suddenly echoed.aOB
WPHFor a moment he feared the cave was collapsing, but realized the sound came from Ruri.fpb7MBs
pPWMAn“With your permission, I’ll enter for a moment.”UGog
rWMhTaking advantage of a gap in the gate, she slipped inside.z8j91
aPsG4kaPerda thought she’d prepare something special, but instead he heard a shout.HMfP
N6Md“My lady, what are you doing!”q3NL
u6wPWThe shock sobered him up immediately.2kc4o8
zx46“You were the one who insisted on marrying a mortal! You were the one who asked for this ceremony! And what did your loyal servant Ruri do? I endured!”gv7FGRV
gyhqajhShe had held in the dragon’s breath burning in her chest for days, and now she let it out.Pg2PYNb
vhuPv6z“I agreed to hold the engagement in secret, when your status demanded it be public! I accepted that it be done without direct contact! But if you’re too scared to face your fiancé, if you keep hiding and ruin everything… what do you think will become of him out there?”eLCiKY
jz6pRuri’s breathing was furious, and from the other side of the gate, only a heavy sigh could be heard.lSA9Xc
7afoThen, Ruri’s voice thundered.zoGl
7pi0U0q“Come out with dignity and face your betrothed! And if you spill that cup again, I will not allow it!”qyft3
Xh8CTAfter shouting like that, Ruri stepped back out.zaICs
uwHXHer face, however, was cold and expressionless.JhrjZ
CsRPerda stared at her in surprise, and she noticed what he was thinking.AF1su8x
Z8rU2“…You heard all that?”BEzyX
iCL6“Even the lords far away probably heard it.”wnymd
aJFOU7“…Haa. Well, what can you do.”r85cW
0MmqhKqShe sighed deeply and explained.EeULFEy
Ao3fs5“As you’ve probably figured out, my lady suffers from social anxiety.”Ft4E
cgpkhz“Social anxiety?”3z85
znI1JZA“It means she’s terrified of interacting with humans.”znOl8
PiSBHB“……”4Ix1
LDf9KR“To anyone else, it’d sound ridiculous. That someone of such prestige fears mortals… but that’s how it is.”ozrmLRA
7IW4a“That’s a pretty important detail.”7kLLL
tR3OM“In any case, you’d have found out eventually. It’s not something that can be hidden forever.”24C
4xPgHer silver eyes lowered as she added.smKA4gc
lufnCz“Now you’ll be her husband. Which means her weakness is now yours too.”orjF3
G4gg“A shared responsibility?”5KRk7i
UJNJ4“Isn’t that what marriage means?”XcvyS2Y
7i4rC1Perda nodded silently.wCCP1
a79eJtMarriage is, in the end, shared responsibility.NNN
XMmoiFor some reason, it didn’t feel entirely pleasant.wgsqEw
QN9ZZtyThe phrase shared responsibility had never carried good meaning for him.9FN2rgi
XmzkkdA moment later, the closed door opened again.3c7dly
DNmHe expected those huge claws to appear again, but what emerged was the silhouette of a person.Ioy5M
QUpXZwmPerda turned his eyes to the one who would be his wife.VzR
T6YpfOf“…Huh?”N9wWc5
WrjcJ6He couldn’t help but voice his surprise aloud.uGlGBKF
dDbJ7zc‘…Armor?’ACzBu8N
Ja4A person wearing full plate armor.byMMxF
2hcThe helmet was shaped like a dragon’s head.mnN6u
s2zThough it was made of metal, it was so detailed and imposing that, for a moment, it could be mistaken for a real dragon.BOOPA
vl8b9QIt was like imagining a dragon walking upright on two legs.RGzsbyO
XELuWhat was most surprising wasn’t just the detail of the armor, but also—HQtum
eS916‘It’s huge.’N2FO
371qQEspecially the height.WMq
ozUGw4aPerda, who stood at 1.80 meters and was considered tall, had to crane his neck to look up at the figure.iAm6A
wVCOWwEHe estimated it to be about 2.40 meters in armor; without it, perhaps around 2.20.dALDnP
rT5EdBN‘I had heard that dragon polymorphs were astonishingly beautiful.’5MhDG
okJ8AjhIf this was what was meant by beauty, then a 2.20-meter-tall human “beauty” must exist.69z
jOcXfDx‘Don’t tell me it’s actually a man inside…?’9OC
nUdZ1T0“Let us proceed with the final part of the engagement ceremony.”rcdhtMr
oZCBefore he could dwell further on those unsettling suspicions, Ruri resumed the ritual.KMs
5VfDdDnPerda drank the ceremonial wine again, though he’d already had three cups.QoeWWN3
2mnoThe alcohol made his eyelids feel heavy as lead.NAE8
yhtHe feared it might spill again. But it didn’t.v1E23EO
KM3BgRuri held the helmet directly so it wouldn’t tip over.0YbE
5RPpAnd then, through that cold, hard armor, Perda saw what it had been hiding.sYVRRxT
ccVWUWFor the first time, he looked upon the face of the Red Dragon, Valdrova, and—WDWHSh
Zxoe“Ah.”ObFma
tO4XWithout meaning to, a murmur of awe escaped his lips.8Cy
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