🗡🗡🗡
“NOW then, let us meet again,” the emperor said.
That was all it took to finally end the afternoon tea party. The sunny sky, which had appeared after a long period of rain, was the perfect time for an afternoon nap. The noisy ladies had made Hadis alert, but another wave of drowsiness washed over him. He stifled a yawn while Millay stood behind him.
“Why don’t you take a rest, Your Majesty?” she asked worriedly. “You must be tired.”
“I’m fine,” Hadis replied. “It must be tough for you to receive all those glares.”
Millay had received special treatment amongst her peers and was rumored to be the favorite to become an empress. But she was a commoner and had no one to back her; the ladies invited to today’s tea party boasted high status and powerful backing. While there wasn’t any sort of fuss, it was clear that many ladies had blatantly directed their gauche animosities at Millay.
“I’m fine. This is my job,” Millay replied. “Frankly, it makes my job easier when they’re so open with their hostility. Did any of the ladies catch your eye, Your Majesty?”
“Unfortunately, no one is as good as you,” Hadis said.
“I-I see.”
It was unusual for Millay to fumble over her words, but before their conversation could continue, a screech rang out from beyond the entrance to the rose garden. The ladies, who had just eased their nerves, had broken out into some sort of quarrel.
“Can you go take a look?” Hadis asked.
Imperial soldiers escorted the ladies, but it was better to be safe than sorry. A red-faced Millay rushed out. I guess I can’t catch them so easily… Hadis thought. As the light trickled through the foliage and onto the now-empty table and chairs prepared for people to enjoy tea while they gazed upon the roses, it looked as though a storm had just passed through. Hadis fell upon a table, certain he wouldn’t get into too much trouble for his lack of etiquette.
“Ugh, what a pain,” Hadis groaned. “I don’t wanna do anything. I don’t have enough of Jill.”
“You said you were gonna work hard while Missy’s away, right? Keep it together,” Rave said as he languidly popped out. Since no one was around, the Dragon God began to polish off the leftover cakes, cookies, and fruits on the table.
“But I’m so tired,” Hadis whined. “I hate this. I’m bored. I just want to efficiently go through this.”
“Don’t try to take the easy way out,” Rave scolded. “You gotta diligently do each one, and with great care. There’re a lot of suspicious factors. Especially in that place where dragons refuse to fly. What are you gonna do? Will you dispatch that kid, Millay, and have her investigate?”
“Argh, it’s such a pain! The dragons should take care of their own crap! What use is the Dragon King for?!”
“You do know it’ll all come back to you, right?” Rave sassed.
“Brother? Are you tired?” Hadis’s adorable younger sister showed up.
Hadis swept the noisy Dragon God off the table and swiftly prepared a chair beside him. “I’m fine,” Hadis assured. “How about you, Frida? Are you okay? There’s some cake left. Want a bite?”
“Thank you,” Frida said. “Brother Lutiya, over here.”
The princess gestured for the young boy to join them, and Hadis’s not-so-adorable youngest brother came over with a look of resignation. Hadis narrowed his eyes as he grabbed another plate and cut Lutiya’s share.
“Today will be an exception,” Hadis said. “I’ll give you your share, too. Here.”
“I can’t believe you can act so high and mighty by just slicing up some cake,” Lutiya replied.
“I’m feeling very benevolent right now. Jill’s going to invite me to a tea party, I’ll have you know!”
“Whoa, that’s what goes on in your head? You’re so lame.”
Hadis closed his eyes for a moment before he smiled, his knife still in his hand. “You shitty brat!” he rumbled.
“Fighting is bad,” Frida butt in.
“But…” Hadis started.
When his younger sister glared at him, he found himself powerless and reluctantly fell silent. Frida reached for a teapot that kept drinks warm, and Lutiya laid out three cups.
“So?” Lutiya asked as he reached for his slice of cake with his bare hands. “Seems like you came up with zilch, but what now?”
Hadis frowned. “That’s bad manners. Use your fork.”
“If you can’t catch them soon, our info’s gonna keep leaking. Even if you hold another tea party, I doubt they’d get caught. You should change your strategy.”
“Ah, then, why don’t we announce that you’re searching for a fiancée, Lutiya?”
“Huh?!”
“Brother Hadis, don’t be mean,” Frida said.
“I know,” Hadis replied. “I’m just j—”
Just then, a voice filled the Dragon Emperor’s mind, and he scrunched his nose. Rave, who was devouring all the leftovers on the table, looked up.
“Huh? You’re lost? Why should I care?” Hadis grumbled.
Frida stared back blankly.
“He’s probably talking to Raw,” Lutiya remarked.
The young boy was right, but Hadis was miffed that Lutiya called the name of the Dragon King—the important soul of an older brother who should be respected—so casually.
“‘Where am I?’ How should I know?” Hadis mumbled. “Huh?! You’re under attack? Have that bird take care of you. Oh, do you want me to contact your wife? If you don’t want that, solve it yourself. It’s got nothing to do with— Wait, where’s Jill? What?! You got separated from her?! Why are you… A detour? She tried to search for Prince Gerald?”
Frida quietly placed the plate of cake and the cup of tea away from Hadis’s hands.
“Wh-Why? Why’s Jill trying to find Prince Gerald?” Hadis stammered. “A-And what’re you planning on doing? You’d better return to Jill’s side. What?! She might not return?! How can you say that?! Explain yourself! Where is— Hey! Hey!”
“How should I know, you idiot!” the Dragon King snapped before he cut off communication. Hadis was in a state of shock.
“R-Rave! What kind of upbringing has he had?!” Hadis cried.
“I’m sad to say that he reflects your soul,” Rave replied.
The Dragon Emperor ignored those words as he placed a hand over his forehead to calm himself and think of a plan.
“Did something happen to Miss Jill?” Lutiya asked.
“Sh-She went searching for Prince Gerald and got wrapped up in some kind of problem…” Hadis replied. “She got separated from Raw, and he doesn’t know where she went. Wh-Why was she searching for him anyway? Could it be? Could she be with him right now instead of me?!”
Hadis clutched his chest. Rave flew off his shoulder.