Chapter 70

In the moment Kinaine was taken aback by the sharp refusal, Asad snapped.

"You want me to find your lover? Asking for something like that, you've really got some guts."

Though he had clearly said it wasn't true. Asad hadn't believed a single word he had said then.

"I told you that wasn't true. Rahu and I aren't like that."

"I can't believe you. I don't trust you at all."

Kinaine was struck speechless, feeling the deep-rooted distrust directed at him.

"Lord Asad."

"I don't want to hear it. Don't say a single word. If that name comes out of your mouth one more time, I'll find and kill him."

Though Asad threatened him while turning his head away sharply, Kinaine didn't give up.

"If you can't believe my words, couldn't you find the guard and ask him directly?"

"That guy is already fou-"

He who had been about to say something closed his mouth and shifted his gaze back to Kinaine. Looking at the face quietly waiting for an answer, Asad declared as if grinding his teeth.

"Fine, I'll find him for you. But don't think about asking me for anything else with this."

***

"Lord Asad!"

Jet quickly ran toward Asad who had returned to the main palace.

"I wondered why you weren't returning. Did something hap-"

The urgent words stopped. As the distance closed, he could feel it clearly. Jet's eyes shook greatly.

"Lord Asad. You're covered in pheromones..."

Jet knew the owner of this scent. He had smelled it before.

There was only one reason why the dragon, who had been fine until yesterday, would return covered in omega pheromones overnight.

Looking at Jet who had grasped the situation and was shocked, Asad glared with a stiff face.

"Hey, don't smell. Why are you smelling pheromones on someone else's body? Are you a pervert?"

At these sudden words condemning him, Jet jumped up in disbelief.

"No, how can you say such things? Did I smell it because I wanted to? His pheromones are vibrating through the entire area right now!"

"You could just not breathe."

"How can I do that!"

"Want me to help?"

Ah, he was serious... Seeing Asad's eyes flashing brightly, Jet quickly lowered his tail.

"No, Lord Asad doesn't need to go to such trouble. But how did this... Didn't you say yesterday you were going to warn him?"

Jet recalled what had happened yesterday.

Originally, delivering the medicine and warning the human bride candidate not to act rashly was Jet's job. He had even finished preparing to go.

'Then I'll be going.'

'Wait a moment.'

But then, Asad had followed him as he was about to leave the palace and started giving advice.

'...Even so, he's a bride candidate, isn't it a bit problematic for you, an alpha, to visit? Though I don't care what happens to a mere human's reputation, they might think I lost a bride candidate to my subordinate. Though it's really troublesome, I guess I have no choice but to go myself. Don't you think so too?'

'No! I cannot trouble Lord Asad with such trivial matters! If I send a servant, rumors will spread throughout the dragon palace immediately, so I'll just go myself.'

'No! ...Jet, you have lots of work to do. Just go take care of those. I can handle something like this.'

'Lord Asad...'

At the time, he had been moved thinking how unusually considerate Asad was being, but thinking about it now, it was strange.

Since when had he cared about others' views and been so considerate of him? He even got his name wrong again!

'I'll go give him a stern warning and come back. I'll deliver the medicine too.'

Though he had definitely said that!

Perhaps feeling Jet's stare was piercing, Asad blurted out.

"I did it, so stop staring."

"You did? Really?"

"Yes, if that guy ignores the warning and does anything foolish, I'll be the first to punish him."

The answer, clearly showing his annoyance, wasn't very convincing. Above all, instead of saying he would kill him like usual, saying he would punish him... Though he might be overthinking it, something felt very unsettling.

Jet carefully probed.

"So, how did you end up covered in pheromones? Was he perhaps in heat cycle?"

If he had been in heat cycle, pheromones could transfer just by being in the same space. Then maybe what he had been worried about hadn't happened...

"Heat cycle... Since he's an omega, he must have them. When that comes, omegas go completely into heat, right?"

"Into heat... Lord Asad."

Though Jet hurriedly tried to stop him at the vulgar word, Asad shrugged as if asking what was wrong with it. A bright smile had already bloomed on his face that looked as if carefully crafted by the gods.

"Haha, that would be interesting. I really want to see how that impassive face crumbles when hit with heat cycle."

"..."

Jet felt chilled by Asad's appearance, looking excited like a child expecting a present. If it wasn't heat cycle, there was only one reason for the pheromones to transfer. He had gone saying he would warn him but had done that with the human again.

Come to think of it, wasn't his attire quite splendid today? Though dragons usually paid a lot of attention to their appearance, today he particularly sparkled as if he had dressed up with all his might.

Jet's eyes wavered anxiously. Was this really just simple interest? Or...

"...If Lord Asad continues to bed him, how can I stop you? But please refrain at least during heat cycle or rut."

"Why?"

"Because the chance of pregnancy increases. You don't want to have a child with him, do you?"

"No."

Having answered reflexively, Asad stared into space as if thinking about something, then shook his head.

"Right, of course not. A child with a human."

Jet felt relieved at that attitude. Though he clearly seemed physically attracted, fortunately he didn't seem to have any intention of accepting the human as his bride.

"Lord Asad, where are you going?"

"He asked me to find something."

"Who did? Find what?"

When had anyone ever seen Asad grant someone's request? As Jet wondered, Asad answered as if thoroughly annoyed.

"Nine, that guy lost his guard and asked me to find him. Why is he so desperately searching for someone who left on his own? How is he not his lover?"

The last words almost sounded like a growl.

"Nine? Who is..."

Jet, asking in confusion, realized a beat late that it was the human bride candidate's name.

"Lord Asad. Did you just say Nine?"

"What else should I call him?"

"Why didn't you get it wrong?"

"What?"

"No, it's nothing..."

"What a bland fellow."

Jet blankly stared at Asad's retreating back.

Did the dragon know? That this was the first time he had called someone's name without getting it wrong.

"Ah..."

Jet sighed softly. No matter how much he denied it, he had a bad feeling about this.

Going down the long spiral staircase led to the basement. Though basements were usually thought of as dark and dirty places, this place was as splendid as a king's palace because it was used by dragons to store their treasures.

"Lord Asad, you've come."

Targan, who had been standing in front of the locked door, approached Asad and bowed his head.

"Is he. Still alive?"

"Yes, I've been watching him as you ordered. Though he cries sometimes... he's healthy."

Asad stared at the door with obvious displeasure on his face.

"Ah, I didn't want to let him out."

But it couldn't be helped since he had already said he would find him. It would be troublesome if the human was disappointed about why he hadn't kept his promise.

'Hm? Why would that be troublesome?'

Asad paused as he was about to snap his fingers. Who cares if a mere human was disappointed.

However, contrary to his thoughts, imagining the human being disappointed in him made his mood rapidly worsen. It must be because it made him look incompetent, regardless of the human. That must be it. Asad came to this conclusion alone and snapped his fingers.

Magic sparked and the door opened by itself.

The space inside was at least five times larger than the abandoned palace where Kinaine stayed and was filled with all kinds of treasures. And someone who had been crouching in a corner of that space jumped up and ran over. As the figure that had appeared only black in the darkness emerged from the shadows, wings attached to his back were revealed.

It was Rahu, who had been missing.

Just as Targan moved to block Asad's front, Rahu fell to his knees and bowed deeply.

"P-please spare me! I was wrong! Please spare me!"

Though it was a sight that would evoke sympathy from anyone who saw it, Asad's eyes looking at Rahu were cold.

"Did you hit him?"

"Absolutely not."

Targan denied it immediately. In fact, he had treated Rahu well. This was because Asad had specifically ordered Targan to take care of Rahu without others knowing.

But Rahu, suddenly imprisoned in the dragon palace basement, was in a terrified state. Moreover, there was no way he could feel comfortable around a horned tribe member three times his size. Only Asad, who had no interest in others' emotions, and the tactless Targan failed to notice.

"I only warned him because he tried to escape several times."

Usually people become docile when scared, but Rahu hadn't. He had searched through the treasures for anything that could be used as a weapon and ambushed Targan when he came to bring food. Of course, Targan wasn't weak enough to be overcome by a skinny boy who had nothing but wickedness.

Targan explained that after he lightly subdued him and told him this was the dragon's residence and his life depended on the dragon, his spirit had been completely crushed.

Asad clicked his tongue.

"Ah shit, I can't show him in this state. He'll think I beat him."

'Lord Asad, how could you do this to my guard?'

Imagining the human saying that with sad eyes strangely made his chest sting.