Chapter 20

The dragon's bride selection had begun since dragons first appeared in this world. Since the selection lasted from one month to half a year, there were palaces built throughout for bride candidates to stay.

Following tradition, this generation's dragon also assigned palaces to the bride candidates.

"Um, did the dragon really tell us to stay here?"

Though Ramu was more composed than her twin Rahu, this time she couldn't hide the tremor in her voice.

The other bride candidates had all been assigned magnificent palaces. However, Kinaine...

"This is an abandoned house!"

"This is the correct place. Then, I'll take my leave."

As if not seeing the twins' shocked faces, the servant left after saying only that.

"..."

The remaining three blankly stared at their assigned palace.

As Ramu had said, it was a building more suited to being called an abandoned house than a palace. Its scale couldn't even be compared to the palaces assigned to the other bride candidates.

The moss-covered roof looked like it might collapse at any moment, and the building's walls were covered in vines, creating an eerie atmosphere.

The completely unmaintained garden was overgrown with weeds. A mysterious hole dug on one side was probably the trace of a dried-up pond.

Though it was clearly bright daylight, this place alone was dark and gloomy as if in a different time.

But still...

"It doesn't seem too bad."

The twins gave Kinaine a look as if asking if he was serious.

Of course, the twins too had lived in difficult conditions after losing their homeland. Though they weren't particularly picky about sleeping arrangements, they still had certain expectations. Especially after seeing countless magnificent buildings on their way here.

"We're finished."

Rahu muttered.

"Putting forward a human as a bride candidate, it really was madness. The dragon is clearly angry."

"Rahu. Be quiet."

"Am I wrong? You think so too, Ramu."

"..."

"A human becoming the dragon's mate? If that happens, that would be the real magic."

While letting the twins' words wash over him, Kinaine opened the mansion's door.

Creeak. The wooden door made an unpleasant sound.

As expected, there were no surprises. The interior was a mess, just like the exterior. Fine dust had accumulated everywhere - on the floor, furniture, everything - as if it hadn't been maintained for a long time.

After looking around, Kinaine nodded.

"It'll be clean with a bit of tidying."

He opened windows for ventilation and searched around to find a broom. There was no awkwardness in any of his movements.

Watching Kinaine sweep skillfully, Rahu frowned.

"Is that a bride candidate or a cleaner?"

The elegant purple clothes had already turned black from being dragged through the dust. Rahu was displeased with the human who seemed unaware of this as he focused on cleaning.

It wasn't just because the master they had to serve was human. It was unbearable that this wretched figure was their tribe's only hope.

'This was an unwinnable game from the start.'

Until they entered the palace riding the expensive rented carriage, hope had raised its head with thoughts of 'maybe?' The carriage had been comfortable, and when dressed up, even the human had looked somewhat presentable.

However, that hope had turned to a sense of defeat the moment they saw the other bride candidates.

Bride candidates beautiful as if painted in a picture. Magnificent carriages flaunting wealth. The procession of servants and guards following behind.

After seeing that, their own appearance felt shabby and pathetic.

Rahu's lips twisted self-mockingly.

"Look at that state, Ramu. The leader's plan is nonsense. Don't harbor any useless hope either."

Rahu tilted his head sideways and whispered to his twin. Though it was quite loud for a whisper, it didn't matter if it was heard. What could that human do anyway?

"Let's just collect the money and leave."

"..."

Just then, Ramu, who had been silently watching Kinaine, moved.

"Ramu?"

Though Rahu called out in confusion, Ramu didn't look back.

"Lord Nine."

Kinaine, who had been busily sweeping, looked up. The girl who had been standing far away like a stranger was suddenly beside him.

"Yes?"

"Give it to me, I'll do it."

"Ah, I can do it myse-"

"No, you can't."

Ramu pulled the broom toward herself as if snatching it. Was it because she was a spirit? Unlike her appearance, she was surprisingly strong, and before he could say anything, she had taken the broom.

"Lord Nine, you're going to be the dragon's bride. These things should be done by servants."

"..."

Though Ramu wore her usual calm expression, strong determination could be felt in her eyes.

Looking at those eyes, he couldn't help but understand. That he wasn't the only desperate one.

"So leave these tasks to me and do what you need to do, Lord Nine."

After saying that, Ramu began sweeping. Though her voice was calm, her hands holding the broom were trembling slightly.

'She must be anxious about this situation.'

Kinaine had heard what Rahu was saying too. It wasn't strange for Rahu to think that way after seeing this state.

To think that alpha from the Gold Pot had been the dragon. It was something he couldn't have imagined.

'And that killing intent...'

More memorable than when he had suddenly thrust his large hand toward his face saying he would rip out his tongue was the dragon's reaction after learning Kinaine was human.

Kinaine had seen very deep hatred in the dragon's eyes.

Though it was fortunate he hadn't died on the spot... it was clear as day that the road ahead would be difficult.

The state of this assigned palace could be seen as directly representing his situation.

Kinaine swallowed a sigh and approached Ramu.

"Alright. I understand."

"..."

"But it's too big to clean alone, so let's do it together just for today. Okay?"

"..."

"Hmm?"

Kinaine smiled gently.

"...Yes."

After hesitating, Ramu nodded slightly.

"Good. Then Ramu, you sweep. I'll wipe with a cloth."

"Yes."

As he headed to the bathroom to wash the cleaning cloth, Kinaine suddenly looked back. The door was wide open, and Rahu who had been standing there was nowhere to be seen.

"Hmm."

Kinaine scratched his chin and started walking again.

Indeed, he had a feeling things wouldn't go smoothly in many ways.

"Whew, is this good enough?"

Wiping the sweat that had rolled down his forehead, Kinaine looked around with satisfaction.

After several hours of sweeping and wiping, it had become a space somewhat suitable for three people to live in. Though the shabby and gloomy atmosphere still remained, it was so different from before that it could have been called a different place.

"Ramu, good work."

"You worked hard too, Lord Nine."

Ramu answered with an exhausted face.

Though small compared to the other bride candidates' mansions, it was still quite spacious with two floors. Not just Kinaine but Ramu too was completely soaked in sweat.

"Shall we rest a bit?"

Kinaine plopped down and caught his breath. Unlike him, Ramu didn't rest but scurried off somewhere and came back with new clothes.

"You'll get sick if you stay in sweaty clothes. Please wash with warm water in the bathroom and change into these clothes."

"Thank you."

"And please don't sit on the floor. Cold isn't good for omegas."

To receive such concern just for sitting on a cold floor. It was awkward for someone who had been rolling around in all sorts of rough places until now.

"This mansion has many other problems, but first it's too cold. Must be because it's old."

Ramu said as she looked over the mansion.

"I noticed several windows are broken. They'll need repairs."

"This much is nothing... don't worry too much. I've stayed in worse places and was fine."

Though he said it to ease her worry, it didn't seem to work particularly well on Ramu.

"I don't know how Lord Nine lived before..."

Ramu's gaze briefly fell on Kinaine's hands, full of scars and calluses.

"But now you should take care of your body above all else. Please remember that much depends on you."

"I understand."

Come to think of it, he had heard similar words quite often before.

Even when he was a prince, he often heard 'you're a noble person, so take care of your health.' Though it hadn't been very effective then, now that he no longer had the sturdy body of a dominant alpha, he was thinking he should be careful.

Even after washing, Rahu hadn't returned.

"Rahu still isn't back? It's dark outside."

"He'll return when it's time. You don't need to worry about it, Lord Nine."

Though she said that, Ramu seemed concerned as she glanced at the window. Seeing this, Kinaine smiled slightly, and Ramu cleared her throat, seemingly embarrassed.

"Never mind Rahu, let's talk about more important things. You heard that the selection consists of three tests, right?"

"Yes."

"The contents of the selection tests are top secret, so nothing is known. However, they say it confirms the three virtues that the dragon's mate must possess."

Ramu held up three fingers.

"Beauty, wisdom, and righteousness. Though they say the test contents vary slightly depending on the dragon's personality."

As she said, since the tests were confidential, there wasn't more to say about them.

"The person with the highest total score from the three tests becomes the dragon's bride."

Most omegas who had become dragon brides were winners of these tests.

Of course, there were rare exceptions. That was...