Chapter 71

"What should we do about this?"

Asad scratched his chest and snapped at Targan. Used to the dragon's venting, Targan answered calmly without showing any sign of fear.

"I don't know who you're planning to show him to, but being honest should work. The winged tribe fears dragons more than other races do. They lost much to the dragon's wrath, after all."

"Hmm."

Asad looked down at Rahu with furrowed brows.

"You, what's your name?"

"R-Rahu, sir."

"You're Nine's guard?"

"What?"

"Are you close with that guy?"

Rahu's body flinched at the sudden question. Though he didn't know why he was asking this, he could feel the thorns in Asad's tone.

Since the dragon hated humans, he would surely punish him if he said they were close. Having reached this conclusion, Rahu quickly shook his head.

"N-no! That person and I only exchanged names, we have no friendship at all!"

"Hmm, is that so?"

"F-furthermore, I don't like him either, just like Lord Asad. That's why though I entered as his guard, I left because I didn't want to stay by his side. What spirit would like a human?"

Rahu answered trying his best to match Asad's mood. He didn't care if he was called servile. He had to survive. If he died, who would take care of his only twin sister?

"What, you really aren't close."

Indeed, it must have been the right answer as the consistently chilly, tense atmosphere eased slightly.

"I thought you were lying, but you weren't."

Asad smirked.

Well, even that fearless human probably wouldn't bring a lover as a guard.

'Unless he's hidden somewhere else.'

At the sudden thought, Asad furrowed his brow.

No, that human might make new lovers even if he doesn't have one now. People easily get entangled with him even when he does nothing.

His smile gone, Asad looked down at Rahu again with a fierce expression.

"Fine, I'll spare you. But there's one thing I want you to do. If you do it well, I'll grant you one wish."

"One wish?"

"Yes, for example, I could fix your wings."

Fix his wings. Rahu glanced at his wings hanging like baggage on his back. Due to the previous dragon's curse, the winged tribe could not fly, making their tribal name meaningless. But to fix their wings... Rahu gulped.

"I-I'll do anything you say! I'll definitely succeed!"

***

The wide and splendid palace contrasted with someone's abandoned palace that was about to collapse from age at any moment.

The face of the man sitting by the window and looking outside showed no expression. That emotionlessness combined with his striking beauty made him appear like a still life.

Just then, a woman in servant's attire approached and stood before him.

"They say the dragon went to see the human again."

The gaze that had remained fixed outside even as the woman approached finally moved. A clear voice like singing rang out.

"What do you think the dragon's intentions are?"

"Since the dragon hates humans, perhaps he keeps visiting to torment him?"

"Is that so?"

Thinking her master's response was unsatisfactory, the servant added more.

"Even in the first test, only the human was injured. I heard he barely escaped with his life. Though Lord Ilya was also injured, it was nothing compared to the human."

The first test, which had seemed impulsive and reckless, had actually been conducted under thorough control. Though the guards' injuries couldn't be called minor, the bride candidates had finished without getting hurt. Except for the human, that is.

Then surely that exception must have been the dragon's intention.

The master agreed with the servant's thoughts.

"The dragon definitely neglected him on purpose. That's what confuses me."

"What are you worried about?"

The man didn't answer and looked out the window again. The servant didn't wait for an answer either. But wanting to ease her master's concerns, she added a few more words.

"The dragon setting the first test that way was ultimately to torment the human while not breaking the restrictions, wasn't it? Though I don't like that he used the sacred selection for mere torment... it's clear that the dragon hates humans."

"Yes, the dragon hates humans."

From the first day of the selection, the dragon had strangled the human. Everyone here had seen it, so who could say otherwise? However...

"And he has no interest in anything else."

That was the problem.

Though anyone who saw his beauty would inevitably have their gaze stolen, the dragon had looked only at one person from beginning to end. As if others like himself didn't even exist.

"They say the opposite of love isn't hate, but indifference? I'm starting to think being strangled on sight might be better than not even being noticed."

"...That can't be. That human is just a target for torment, he could never become the dragon's mate."

The servant bowed her head.

"If you're worried, I can take care of it."

"No, don't."

There was no need to move hastily and raise suspicions. If the dragon truly only hated the human, it would just be making trouble where there was none.

But if that wasn't the case...

"If it becomes a problem, we can deal with it then."

***

Finally, the day of the second test approached.

All the bride candidates were busy preparing for the second test.

The dragon palace's atmosphere, more bustling than usual, reached even the abandoned palace in the corner.

"There, preparations complete!"

"Hmm..."

Kinaine examined his face reflected in the small mirror Ramu had brought. Soon his lips parted and admiration flowed out.

"Ramu, you're really skilled. I don't look like myself."

"Oh no, I didn't do much. You're naturally good-looking."

Ramu also seemed pleased with her work as she offered flattery. Of course, she was sincere. In Ramu's eyes, Kinaine's appearance wasn't bad except for his unusually pale skin color.

'Isn't that why the dragon keeps visiting?'

At first, she had thought he was coming to the palace just to torment him, but seeing the dragon's attitude over the past few days, that clearly wasn't the case.

"...Ahem."

Feeling the servant's gaze directed at his neck mottled with congestion and bite marks, Kinaine smiled awkwardly and hurriedly buttoned his collar.

The clothes he wore this time had a high neck that covered almost everything. Though Kinaine had deliberately chosen it to hide the marks, even after they were hidden, Ramu's gaze didn't leave him for a while.

"But Lord Nine, you seem to have lost too much weight."

So that was why she had been staring. Kinaine tilted his head and asked, "Really?" Ramu nodded without hesitation.

"Everything was custom-made to fit your body perfectly before entering the dragon palace, but now they're so loose you need a belt."

Ramu was right. The clothes had been tailored to his measurements, but they had all become loose in just a few days.

If this was going to happen, he shouldn't have spent so much on custom clothes.... Most of the money he had won at the Gold Pot had gone into clothes and accessories. Custom clothes in particular were three times more expensive than ready-made ones, and quality clothes were worth what you paid for them. Still, thinking he needed to win the dragon's favor through his appearance, he hadn't spared any expense... But as it turned out, the dragon had no interest in others' appearances at all, and the carefully fitted clothes no longer fit his body.

"It is a bit of a waste of money, isn't it?"

"That's not the point!"

Ramu raised her voice, seemingly frustrated by Kinaine's completely off-topic response.

"It's strange that you've lost so much weight so suddenly. Are you really alright?"

"Ah, this is just because I've been lying down so much, I've lost muscle. It'll come back quickly if I exercise."

"What?"

"I'm joking."

When Ramu looked dumbfounded, Kinaine quickly excused it as a joke and laughed it off.

Hmm, that didn't work. These excuses won't do............. Receiving Ramu's dubious look, Kinaine continued smoothly.

"It's natural to lose weight. We've had a hard time since coming here, but haven't eaten properly. Even you've lost weight in your cheeks compared to before, Ramu. And look at Rahu."

Kinaine and Ramu's gazes turned to the same spot simultaneously.

"What are you looking at, I mean, what are you looking at, sir?"

Rahu, who had been sitting on the bare floor grooming his wing feathers, shot them a sullen look.

Though Rahu had certainly become thinner than before entering the dragon palace, it wasn't a major change.

Ramu shook her head and whispered in Kinaine's ear.

"That guy Rahu doesn't look like he hasn't eaten enough, but like he's eaten something wrong."

Two days ago, when Rahu had returned, he had immediately knelt before Kinaine and apologized.

'I'm sorry for acting carelessly. Please forgive me.'

Knowing her twin's personality, Ramu had made a fuss for a while, saying Rahu must be controlled by a magical beast. To be honest, Kinaine had also thought there was a good chance of that, but...

'Well, I found him, so that's that, right?'

Only after facing Asad who had come again could he be certain that Rahu wasn't being mentally controlled by a magical beast.

'I found him for you, so don't say anything else.'

'But the boy's condition seems a bit strange... did you do something?'

'Boy? He's fully grown! And I didn't do anything!'

'Y-yes! That's right! Lord Asad didn't do anything to me!'

Seeing Rahu answer with such intense discipline, Kinaine was certain.

He definitely did something.