Chapter 19

The moment he met those eyes with their familiar color, Kinaine's mind instantly returned to his past when he was the Second Prince of Hairak.

The man Kinaine had picked up in the mountain village, whose body was half covered in black scales, had no name. Until then, he had lived a life where he hadn't needed one.

But Kinaine wanted to call this man often, so he wanted to give him a name.

'Look at this. It's the same color as your eyes, isn't it? It's called heliodor.'

Kinaine had shown the man a jewel. It was a golden jewel that shone brilliantly as if it had captured the sun.

In truth, Kinaine had little interest in jewels. However, the man's eyes that resembled the jewel made the prince's heart race, though he had never been interested in anything but swords.

'Taking this jewel's name, from today I'll call you Helio.'

"...Helio!"

The voice calling his dead lover's name was beyond desperate, it was heartrending.

He couldn't even think it might be a foolish mistake. His mind was completely filled with thoughts of his beloved.

You were alive. I knew you hadn't died!

'This is the one you asked me to find.'

Guild Master Gale had said he had been pulled from the river bottom and wasn't in good condition.

The corpse Gale had brought looked like a white, bloated leather bag. It was impossible to believe it was his lover. If not for the ring he had personally placed on that finger, he would never have believed it.

Kinaine had thought Hasan might have lied about his lover's death to drive him to despair. Though he had easily believed Hasan's words at the time because he had been mentally overwhelmed, his lover had been strong enough to easily defeat even Hairak's greatest knight. Kinaine thought such a lover couldn't have been defeated so easily.

However, the moment he saw the familiar ring on the corpse's finger, the small ember of hope that had remained was completely extinguished.

After that day, Kinaine's world was stained with darkness.

The only reason he stayed alive was his guilt over casting black magic on Jinaks. That's why he couldn't follow his lover. Because living was painful, breathing itself became punishment.

"Helio, Helio!"

Afraid the lover before his eyes might disappear like a mirage, Kinaine hastily reached out his hand.

"Are you crazy, this one."

With a scoffing sound as if dumbfounded, his head was pulled back further. The hand he had desperately reached out only helplessly stirred the air.

"...?"

Why?

Kinaine blinked in confusion. With each blink, his blurry vision gradually became clearer.

He saw golden eyes that were cold as blades in their indifference. So different from his lover's eyes that had always been warm and gentle.

"Hey, we've met before, haven't we?"

Helio had never used such a fierce tone. He had always been respectful to him. He had never looked at him with such cold, contemptuous eyes either.

Only then did Kinaine realize.

This man was not Helio.

"Are you trembling? You were so bold that day, but now you're scared?"

Kinaine realized this man was referring to what had happened at the Gold Pot. When he had injected suppressants into the man in rut.

Though the room had been so dark he couldn't see anything, how had he recognized him immediately?

"..."

With his head still pulled back, Kinaine looked up at the man.

The silver-haired man standing in the bright sunlight looked like a figure from an old religious painting. Though he had seen many spirits here, this man's appearance was exceptional even among them.

His head, which had slowed at seeing eyes identical to his dead lover's, finally began functioning properly again.

I see.

'This man was the dragon.'

The man he had met at the Gold Pot that day was the dragon, and now he was directing killing intent at him.

When he realized how terrible this situation was, chills ran down his spine.

Kinaine barely parted his dry lips.

"That day... I apologize for my rudeness."

"What rudeness."

The tone was gentle, as he remembered. But Kinaine knew well that this alpha was hiding a blade within his gentle tone. Indeed, as expected, harsh words poured out.

"Try lecturing me again like you did then. What was it? 'Even in rut, you shouldn't forcibly subdue an unwilling partner,' wasn't it?"

The dragon had sharp eyes and good memory, and held long grudges. Though his appearance was like a saint stepped out of a religious painting, he was incredibly petty.

"What happened that day wasn't intentional. I was also flustered..."

"Would you believe that if you were me?"

The dragon's eyes blazed like a beast that had found its prey. That day, he had thought it was because his aggression had increased due to the rut. But seeing him like this even after the rut had ended, it seemed it wasn't simply a matter of the rut.

He just had a nasty personality.

"I've been having nightmares lately and was in a really bad mood. But seeing you makes me forget all about them."

Despite his eyes looking like he might bite at any moment, his tone was casual as if chatting with a friend. Even while still not releasing his grip on Kinaine's hair.

Should he say it was fortunate the nightmares were forgotten? Unable to tell what kind of answer was wanted, Kinaine could only stare at him blankly.

Fortunately, it seemed he hadn't been waiting for an answer as the dragon continued speaking.

"Because seeing you makes my mood even worse."

The dragon's gaze swept over Kinaine. That form without horns, scales, tail, or wings.

"It's thanks to you, human."

Kinaine's shoulders suddenly jerked as if stabbed by a spear. He wasn't surprised at having his identity discovered. Since it would be revealed anyway, he hadn't tried to hide that he was human from the start.

What startled him was the hatred permeating the dragon's voice.

Was it because of black magic's influence? At some point, Kinaine had become sensitive to others' negative emotions. Usually he pretended not to notice even when he did, but this time he couldn't.

Because the hatred he felt in that instant was as deep as a swamp.

A dark and deep swamp that seemed like you would sink and never emerge again if you stepped in.

Kinaine realized that this time, the dragon would surely kill him.

His muscles tensed reflexively. However, his opponent was a dragon, and Kinaine didn't even have a weapon. Rather than making an attempt with no chance of success, wouldn't there be more chance of survival if he got on his knees and begged?

He didn't care if it looked pathetic. If only he could survive. He still had things he needed to do.

Just then, the dragon muttered.

"Ah, I remember. First I was going to rip out your tongue."

The white, unblemished hand suddenly approached Kinaine's face.

Fortunately, a savior appeared just in time.

"Lord Asad! You must not harm a bride candidate!"

At the booming voice, the hand stopped precariously in front of Kinaine's lips.

The owner of the voice was a gray-haired man smaller in build than others. He had round ears on his head and a long, thin tail behind him.

After confirming the man running over with quick steps, Asad returned his gaze to its original position.

Once the selection began, bride candidates were protected by 'restrictions.' Though he could kill him now before the selection started... wouldn't that be too peaceful a death?

Asad had no intention of giving an easy death to the human who had appeared before him.

"How unlucky you are, human."

This would have been your chance to die with the least pain.

His long fingers lightly flicked Kinaine's eyelashes. Like idly touching a dandelion growing by the roadside.

...Why did I do that? Asad furrowed his brow, not understanding his own action.

'Should I just kill him now after all?'

"Lord Asad. It's the first day of the selection. You should greet the bride candidates now."

Jet quickly intervened, reading the dragon's capricious mood.

Only then did Asad become conscious of the gazes around him. Though he didn't particularly care what they thought of him, it would be troublesome if they got scared and ran away.

After all, he too needed to take a mate and become an adult. Wasn't that why he had agreed to bring omegas into his castle?

"Please release the bride candidate now as well."

"Hmm."

Asad flung away the hair he had been gripping as if discarding trash. Though the human fell, unable to withstand the force, he didn't even spare him a glance.

Climbing onto the dais and sitting in the chair, the dragon looked down arrogantly.

"You may all raise your heads."

Due to the recent events, everyone had been secretly glancing at the situation in a manner unbefitting custom. When the proper order finally came, they raised their heads and looked at the dragon.

The introductions of the bride candidates followed.

"It is an honor to meet the exalted dragon. I am Prim of the horned tribe!"

"Ilya of the tailed tribe."

"Biche of the scaled tribe."

The dragon's gaze turned to the final remaining bride candidate.

The human had already gotten up from where he had fallen and was standing straight. That sight irritated him strangely.

"...Nine of the winged tribe."

"The winged tribe."

Asad tapped the armrest of his chair.

"You're human, so why do you represent the winged tribe?"

"I was honored to be chosen as a candidate by Lord Kor, leader of the winged tribe."

"Has that old man gone senile?"

Someone muttered. It was the gray-haired member of the tailed tribe who had stopped Asad earlier.

Though Kinaine worried about being driven out like this, that didn't happen.

After staring intently at Kinaine for a moment, as if nothing had happened, Asad took his gaze away and spoke in a neutral tone.

"Welcome to the dragon's palace. You must all be tired, so rest well today."

Asad's eyes narrowed. Like a child planning a nasty prank.

"Now, I'll assign your quarters."