"So, you are not going to be the new King?"
"No."
"Are you still going to marry the Princess?"
"…I might."
"Can I also marry you!?"
"What are you talking about? You are still young. The Great Dragon Warrior will not be interested in you. You will marry my sister, right!?"
"…"
Layland silently gazed at the mother Dragons who were silently watching his interaction with their children from afar. They noticed his gaze and, fortunately, had the decency to blush. He wondered what else they were filling their children's heads with. Well, he didn't want to know it, but he was hoping that they could get his cue to take their children.
They didn't get it.
With a sigh, Layland looked around the playground. Although it was called a playground, it was only a vast field with big rocks scattered around. The rocks were used as targets for the little Dragons to destroy, which was the sole reason the playground was called. He had never seen the playground for human children but still could say it was dull.
Tapping the ground with his foot, he caused a small castle made out of earth to emerge from the ground. The little Dragons' attention was immediately taken away by the castle, giving him a space to breathe. He was about to smile when they shot their fire breath at it, quickly reducing it to rubble. A sigh unintentionally escaped from his mouth.
"It was amazing Lord Great Dragon Warrior! Is it the test to be admitted as part of your entourage?" one of the little Dragons asked in excitement.
"I am not looking for an entourage," Layland reminded quite sternly. "You were supposed to explore the castle and admire the intricacy of the structure." He was spouting nonsense, but he didn't care. He would do anything to keep the eternally energetic bunch busy.
"Eh? Aren't we Dragons supposed to destroy castles?" a chubby little Dragon asked.
"No Dragon living in Ne Okozmo has done that in the last millennium. You should forget that old value," Layland chided while, again, thinking about what their parents filled their heads with. "Anyway, just don't destroy the castle."
"Okay!" the little Dragons answered in unison.
As soon as another castle emerged, their attention was immediately taken away. Layland expected them to lose control but was surprised when they held themselves back well. He could still see that they were itching to destroy it, though. Shaking his head lightly, he turned to Aurelia. At this point, she had recovered from whatever wild thought she had had.
"Should we move somewhere else?" Layland asked.
"Let's go," Aurelia responded.
Aurelia was the one who suggested they should have a date, but she didn't have anywhere to go in mind. She only wanted to spend her time in Layland's presence. She was quite irritated that she had spent months with Layland but still couldn't advance their relationship. Layland was quite busy and she didn't want to bother him. Therefore, this free time was the perfect time to hog Layland for herself.
Not long after, they found themselves before a tavern called Throat Burner. Aurelia was aware of the Dragon culture of drinking but didn't know a Dragon was running a tavern in Ne Okozmo. Dragons, after all, greatly treasured their mead recipes, so they would never open a tavern. At least, that was how they were in the past.
Time does change people.
Asking Layland if he wanted to taste Dragon's liquor, Aurelia led him inside after getting his affirmation. The bell rang upon their entrance, causing the customers' eyes to turn to them. Their gaze wouldn't have lingered if they weren't looking at Layland. He had become quite famous after his month-long fight against Quetzalcoatl, so the customers were curious. Of course, they were wise enough to turn away when Aurelia creased her eyebrows.
Sitting at the bar, the couple was immediately greeted by the barista who was a well-endowed bespectacled woman with blonde hair. Layland scrutinized the woman in slight fascination, noting how non-threatening she was compared to most Dragons. She was more powerful than most humans but quite unfitting for a Dragon.
"Is there something wrong, sir?" the barista asked timidly.
"I was just wondering what I should order. I am sorry that my gaze landed on you," Layland replied calmly.
"A- Ah, I see…. Then, what is your order, sir?"
At the question, Layland turned to Aurelia. "Give us Ambrosia," she answered in his stead.
"Please, wait for a moment." The barista bowed lightly before scrambling to the storage room.
Aurelia turned to Layland with an inquiring gaze. Layland quirked an eyebrow and stared at her silently before explaining himself.
"I didn't know there were civilians in the Dragon society."
"Civilians exist everywhere. Even though the Dragons who first inhabited this place were warriors, it changed over time. Not everyone wants to remain a fighter in a time of peace, you know? There is also the fact that not all Dragons are born gifted."
"Is she one of those Dragons?"
"She is a gifted brewer."
Seeing the look of conviction on Aurelia's face, Layland chuckled slightly. She tilted her head in confusion. Layland didn't bother to explain himself and merely patted her head. Not long after, the barista returned with a vial the size of a baby. It hosted a shiny purple liquid inside, which Layland assumed to be Ambrosia.
Thud.
After putting the vial on the bar, the barista took two glasses and put them before Layland and Aurelia. Opening the vial, she gracefully poured the liquid into each glass. Layland stared at his glass in slight fascination. Given the amount of Mana it was leaking, he wondered if the mead was liquified Mana.
Aurelia urged him to have a taste and he immediately lifted the glass to his mouth. The mead's smell was enough to make him drunk. Of course, he soon got over the sensation as his immune system prevented him from ever getting drunk unless he wanted to. When the mead entered his mouth, his tongue was assaulted with a burning sensation. It was adequately sweet; enough to satisfy your sweet tooth but not making you sick.
What came next was the burning sensation that assaulted his very being. The Mana that the mead contained invaded his veins, causing his blood cells to expand. His pale skin reddened. He even developed a blush after a long time. Soon, his immune system dispelled the intoxication, leaving him invigorated because of the Mana running in his veins.
"It's strong," he remarked.
"I suppose it is up to your expectation, sir?" the barista asked politely.
"Indeed, it is. I wonder if humans can survive drinking this."
"Some strong humans can, but it will still leave them drunk for a week."
"That must be hell." The barista chuckled lightly at his response. As if reminded about something, Layland asked, "What is your name, by the way?"
"Xanthe."
"Nice to meet you, Xanthe. My name is—"
"Layland Kleinhaus. Everyone knows about you, sir," Xanthe finished. Realizing her mistake, she immediately bowed while saying, "I am sorry for being presumptuous, sir!"
"Be at ease. I am here to enjoy myself and not terrify people."
Xanthe straightened up and then smiled at Layland awkwardly. She excused herself as she had to tend to another customer. Aurelia who had been watching their interaction silently snorted in displeasure, earning a quirked eyebrow from Layland. She huffed before turning her head away. The alcohol had brought forth her petulant side.
Layland knew what was happening as the blush on her cheeks was prominent. He merely shook his head in amusement. That amusement didn't last long. The moment she grumbled under her breath; he knew he had to take action. Summoning Xanthe, he asked her how much for everything.
"You don't have to pay, Sir Layland. In Ne Okozmo, our currency is favour," Xanthe explained. "Ah, however, you don't have to worry about the payment. It's on the house."
"Thank you."
Layland didn't have the time to refuse the courtesy, so he immediately accepted. Storing the vial of Ambrosia that they hadn't finished; he took Aurelia with him. The drunk Dragon became timid at the contact, but Layland still worried that she might explode. He could still feel her killing intent linger in the air.
"You know, Layland… I was very pissed when you licked that wench's feet. I know it was a dream, but still…!" she slurred as she grabbed his collar. "You never show me your meek side—why did you show it to that wench!?"
Putting his hands over Aurelia's, he calmly said, "Meek and I don't get along, Aurelia. Not anymore. That should be enough clue that what you saw was not me. If it is any consolation, I have never shown anyone my meek side ever since I came here—not even Valeria."
Aurelia pouted before sighing in defeat. "I am aware of the situation, but hearing her name sobered me up." Layland was about to sigh in relief until she said, "Most men would die for the chance of having a swarm of gorgeous women falling for them. Why are you not like them? I know you are old-fashioned, but Valeria is not, is she? She is willing to share, you know!"
Polygamy was something mainstream in this world. Marriage regulation didn't even exist in this world. Anyone could marry anyone as many times as they wanted. Power was the absolute rule in this world. You might be disliked, but no one would stop you as long as you possessed adequate power to defend your stance. It was not so different from Earth if you think about it.
"Are you afraid of hurting us?" Aurelia asked softly, clinging onto Layland's neck.
"As long as you live, you will hurt people," Layland said after some time. "I am reigning over my lust, so it won't affect my emotions. As you say, I am old-fashioned, so I don't see any point in having a relationship based on lust."
"I don't understand." Aurelia creased her eyebrow. "Are you rejecting my feelings or what?"
Layland laughed softly. "I can't accept them until I am sure I love you."
Aurelia's cheeks reddened, but it was not because of the alcohol. She buried her face in his neck, too embarrassed to meet the endearing gaze that Layland often showed to Valeria.
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