Side Story:
Fia Brazenly Takes Zavilia for a Walk
POPULARITY POLL: 4TH - FIA RUUD
I BURIED MY FACE in my bed as I reflected on my cowardice. “Aaah, why am I so gutless?! Zavilia left his birthplace to be with me, but I’m too chicken to openly walk around with him!”
I slammed my fists into my pillow as Zavilia spoke calmly from above.
“What’s come over you all of a sudden, Fia? Did somebody say something? Or maybe that popular book you read influenced you in some way?”
I bolted upright and said, “Well, Captain Desmond did recently tell me ‘A true friend is someone who stays with you no matter what!’”
“That knight on my hit list? Hmph. I guess even a pest like him can say something sensible every now and then.”
“That book also mentioned doing everything you want while you still can so you don’t have any regrets!”
“Don’t you already do whatever you please, Fia? You’d only cause trouble for everyone if you acted even more freely.”
I ignored him, caught up in my own thoughts. “I was thinking—I should openly hang out with you without caring what other people might think! I mean, you left your home to be with me, so it’s not fair that I’m chickening out and not spending time with you!” I balled my hands into fists, steeling myself. “I’ve probably been worried for nothing this whole time! I mean, you haven’t worn your Blue Dove disguise once since you returned from Blackpeak Mountain, but you still fly freely around the castle grounds, and not a single person has said anything about it! I thought it would cause a commotion, but I guess knights are more carefree than I expected. And it’s not like that’s suddenly going to change at this point, right?”
He cocked his head and grimaced. “That kind of leap in logic is really like you, Fia. The kingdom’s knights are all highly paid elites; do you really expect them to see a black, winged creature and not connect the dots? I think you’re a bit optimistic. Still, I don’t mind playing along. I’d rather not wear that humiliating Blue Dove disguise ever again, and I doubt anybody would dare make a fuss if they noticed me. Even supposing they did, they wouldn’t get to complain for long…”
“My, my, Mr. Dragon King. That’s a very scary thing you’re implying there. Wouldn’t you rather go for a stroll around the castle with me instead of tormenting the weak? We’ll be able to see if knights are really carefree enough to let the world’s strongest dragon pass by unnoticed.” With a grin, I lifted Zavilia onto my shoulder and walked out of the room.
What have I been so worried about this whole time, anyway? Knights were all kinds of rough around the edges. They probably couldn’t tell a cat from a rabbit, so they’d likely mistake Zavilia for a bird or something! I’d prove Zavilia could stay by my side.
“You’re really something to genuinely believe this will work. All right. I’ll spend the entirety of today riding on your shoulder. Let’s see if you’re right.” Smirking, he slapped my shoulder with his tail.