◆ An Invitation to a Banquet and a Double Date
PRINCE Faisal and Lambda returned from the Holy Palace well after I made a full recovery. Layla informed me and Mr. Julius of the prince’s return, and the two of us followed her to the grand hall.
It’d been a while since I saw Faisal, but he looked sterner and fiercer than before, as though something inside him had changed. When Layla ran up to him and he held her in a tight embrace, I hastily averted my gaze. Since they were having an intimate moment, I thought it was best to let them be for a while.
Unfortunately, curiosity won me over, and I couldn’t help but glance at them periodically. They were so close to me, and I started to grow embarrassed. I remembered what Ms. Natalia and Layla had said as they passed by Mr. Julius and me sharing a moment—I understood how they felt all too well now.
It’d been a while since Lambda reunited with his daughter, and he outstretched his arms to pull Lumine into a tight embrace, but she poked his head with all her might.
“Stop it, Dad!” she seemed to say.
“Good girl!” Lambda said happily, receiving Lumine’s attacks with his brawny physique. “You’re energetic today too, I see!”
I guessed that this was how these two communicated.
“And you’re so friendly with Helios!” Lambda’s voice boomed. “Your daddy here couldn’t be happier!”
Lumine fled from his embrace and hid behind Helios. The black dragon glanced between the two before he outstretched his neck and wings to hide her from her father. I placed both hands over my heart, unable to take this cuteness. Helios is protecting his lady! He’s so brave and valiant! He’s so cool! I thought.
“Julius, Chloe, if she ever gives birth to a child, you must inform me immediately,” Lambda insisted, whirling around to face us. “I’ll fly over there in a flash.”
“I heard you the first time,” Mr. Julius said, as unfriendly as ever.
Still, the fact that he responded at all implied that he didn’t dislike Lambda.
“And I’ll keep repeating myself!” Lambda cried. “Please show me Lumine’s child! She’s always been quite the fussbudget. It mattered not the number of male dragons who tried to mate with my adorable Lumine. She took no notice of them! And yet, she’s fallen in love at first sight with Helios! This is a miracle!”
“So, Lumine was popular with the men…” I replied in awe.
I wasn’t sure how romance worked between dragons, but Helios was very popular with the ladies as well. Many dragons were watching Helios and Lumine from a distance. While some seemed unable to give up on their love, others had seemingly thrown in the towel and gathered around Ares, Faisal’s dragon. Ares didn’t seem interested as he closed his eyes and folded his wings to sleep.
“Please be at ease, Lambda,” I assured him. “If we get an egg, I’ll be sure to tell you.”
“I’m counting on you, Chloe,” Lambda begged. “You have to tell me. Don’t you forget it.”
“I won’t! Don’t worry!” I replied with my chest puffed out. Since his dragon was marrying into my family, I planned on treating him like an important relative.
“When you return to Astria, Helios and Lumine will tag along, yeah?” Lambda asked. “I’m guessing that you will return to Astria once Prince Faisal settles on how to reward you.”
“Yes, that’s the plan,” I replied.
Did he just say, “reward”? I couldn’t help but smile at the term. Jahala had told me important information regarding the angels of Seraphim and my father. I made a request of Ruto to attempt to remove the seal on Mr. Julius, and I even received Lumine as Helios’s bride. I’d already received more than enough, but there was no need for me to decline a kind offer.
I didn’t mind gratefully accepting anything that came my way. As the saying goes, “there’s no such thing as a free lunch,” and if Prince Faisal insisted on giving us a reward, I found no reason to refuse. Money was important, and if Mr. Julius wanted another dragon, it was best to have my wallet prepared.
As the keeper of our family’s funds, it was best to have as much money as possible.
“I see,” Lambda said. “Then I suppose I must sadly part ways with her soon. Lumine, let’s get you all prepared so that you can go off to marry! Let’s give you a bath!”
“Rar!” Lumine cried. For the first time, she gave a happy response.
Does she like to take baths? I guess she’s just like any other lady and must love washing herself. I’m sure of it. If both Helios and Lumine like to take baths, would they like it if I make one big enough for the two of them? It’ll be impossibly huge, but it’s not impossible to make.
“A dragon hot spring… Dragon’s Bath… 50,000 gold a night…” I mumbled.
“What are you muttering about?” Mr. Julius asked.
“Mr. Julius, how do you feel about managing a hot spring inn? Should we do it?”
“I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
“I thought it’d be nice to have a large bath for the Dragon Knights. All the dragons could take a dip in a hot spring and stay the night or something.”
“Can you make one?”
“The amazing thing about alchemy is that you can make anything if you put your mind to it,” I declared.
“I see… A bath for Helios…”
He gazed at the ground pensively, rubbing his chin. Is he taking this idea pretty seriously? I was just spitballing here, and I hoped that he didn’t ask me to dig for a hot spring vein or anything. Well, there’s no need for that. My alchemy hot spring stone could easily take care of it. All I needed was land large enough where I wouldn’t get in trouble for making a massive hot spring.
While Mr. Julius and I were discussing specifics, Layla and Prince Faisal approached us, having finished their intimate reunion.
“It’s been a while, you two,” Faisal said to us. “It’s only been several days, but it feels like so long ago. I heard from Layla that you’ve recovered quite a bit, Chloe. How do you feel? Are you all right?”
I gave a quick bow and answered, “I’m good as new, thank you!”
“How was the state of the research facility, Faisal?” Mr. Julius asked without offering a greeting first. He crossed his arms and stood next to me.
“We closed the facility,” Faisal replied. “The buildings that conducted dragon enhancements—no, rather modifications—were torn down. They’re all under the sand now. We’ll no longer treat dragons as tools. You have my word on that.”
“Are you referring to Fores Research Facility?” I asked, looking up at Mr. Julius for confirmation.
He gave a small nod. “Yeah. Internal strife within the nation may have been suppressed, but Rasheed has been modifying dragons for many years in addition to their Otherworld research. There are no guarantees that they won’t repeat their mistakes.”
I nodded back. While I hoped that Rasheed wouldn’t do stuff like this again, there were no guarantees.
“I’ll consult with Jahala on how to treat the employees that were involved with Fores Research Facility,” Faisal said. “Unfortunately, many were simply involved in Otherworld research. No one knows where their headquarters are located, and even the royal family isn’t aware.”
“I see,” I replied. “But then how was the facility shut down?”
“We’ve got Ruto. We asked her for the location, and when we went to check, someone had already destroyed the underground facility. The researchers were all safe and had been gathered in the building above ground, but that place is more décor than anything. Even if it remains, if the underground structure is destroyed, the research facility is practically closed down.”
“Someone shut it down?” Mr. Julius asked.
“Yeah. I’m guessing it was— No, never mind. There are many who bear a grudge against Fores Research Facility. We don’t know who was behind it for certain, but once we rescued the researchers, we destroyed the building above ground too, and buried it under the sand. I’d like to think that we’re all right now. As long as I’m king, I don’t plan on repeating this mistake.”
“I see.” Mr. Julius’s response was curt, but he seemed to be satisfied. Since he didn’t say anything more, he no longer felt the need to press the issue. In other words, he trusted Faisal. I felt my chest grow warm at this realization.
This was a man who didn’t seem interested in or concerned about other people. I was happy to learn that Mr. Julius could still put his faith in others. Faisal gave a deep bow towards me.
“I’m truly grateful to both of you,” he said. “Rasheed was able to reclaim its peace thanks to you guys.”
“Huh? We didn’t do much,” I replied, embarrassed to receive words of gratitude.
I didn’t deny that we worked hard, but we also lost quite a bit as well. In fact, there were many things and people that I’d failed to protect. Layla told me to hold my head up high, but I found it difficult to do.
“That’s not true,” Faisal replied. “Had it not been for you two, I doubt we would’ve been able to chase away the demon. Chloe, Julius, I cannot thank you both enough.”
“You can’t attain peace so easily,” Mr. Julius said upon receiving Faisal’s deep appreciation.
The prince raised his head and gave a forced laugh. “You’re exactly right. We have a mountain of issues to tackle from here. In lieu of my brother, I believe that I must protect my nation and my family.”
“Then is King Shesif…” I started.
“My brother isn’t unscathed, but he’s still alive.”
“I see. I’m glad to hear that.”
I didn’t like King Shesif one bit, but that didn’t mean that I wished unhappiness upon him. He was also desperate to save Princess Minne. I was sure of it. All he wanted to do was protect his sister, but because Samael came from the Otherworld, the king’s values grew twisted. Mr. Julius gave a weary sigh. I know, I know. I’m a good-natured idiot. You’re right.