Chapter 40

Hrm…

Let’s stop drinking for now, and instead…

‘Is it really happening? Are we truly lovers now?’

Even after the humans left, my heart kept fluttering for quite a while.

Though it was a confession made in drunkenness, Master had said, “I love you, Riko”!

The flower petals quivered with excitement.

Flap flap!

Miel was circling around me, dancing in celebration.

The transparent wings were shimmering with a blue light, and the little antennae wiggled in joy, creating a cute scene.

Cecilia too flew about with her flame-like wings spread wide.

It was magnificent, just like a celebratory fireworks display.

“Hehe, thank you!”

Master still stood beside me.

Instead of the usual cold expression, a gentle smile lingered on their face. Seeing this made my heart flutter again.

《Master…》

The slightly trembling roots carved letters into the ground.

This time, I added plenty of hearts!

“Hmm? What is it, Riko?”

Master tenderly stroked my petals.

“Keke.”

As the cold touch traveled down my petals to the flower’s stigma, a shiver ran through my whole body. A bit of pollen fluttered down.

《Now… are we… lovers?》

I gathered the courage to ask.

The roots trembled with tension.

“Lovers?”

Master asked back, looking puzzled.

“Yes, you’re my most cherished subordinate.”

《Huh…? That’s not…》

“You’re my only subordinate, so you’re as precious as a lover.”

Master carefully smoothed each of my petals one by one, as if tending to a precious plant.

‘Hmm…? ‘

Something felt strange…

That wasn’t what I wanted…

《What I mean is… that… we love each other…》

“That’s right, I really love you too. Hehe.”

Master smiled gently and stroked my petals.

For some reason, that touch felt a little sad.

Flap flap…

Miel’s wingbeat slowed down.

Cecilia’s flame-like wings seemed to grow dimmer too. The antennae drooped as it returned to my petals.

《Master… Do you know what lovers are?》

A sudden doubt arose and I cautiously asked.

“Lovers? Oh, something humans do, right? When two people like each other.”

Master explained like they were describing something curious.

《No! Lovers… they… love each other and… get married…》

“Marriage? Yes, that’s an interesting human custom. A ceremony where two people promise to spend their lives together. Isn’t that fascinating?”

‘Huh!’

This was how Master viewed humans?

Dragons of this world don’t even do romance!

“Do you want to have a human-style wedding?”

Master asked with a chuckle, finding my reaction amusing.

《No… well…》

It was true…

In my flustered state, the roots clumsily scratched the ground. Something felt off.

It seemed like Master truly didn’t understand what real love was.

《Master… How old are you exactly?》

Curiosity got the better of me and I carefully inquired.

“Umm… not sure exactly… around 6000? 7000?”

‘Gulp!’

The petals nearly collapsed from shock.

Could this be the average age for dragons!?

And all this time Master has been…

《Have you… been alone all this time…?》

I asked tentatively with trembling roots.

“Well… Nis visited occasionally, but mostly I’ve been alone.”

Master replied nonchalantly.

There was no hint of loneliness in their voice.

‘A 7000-year-old virgin unicorn!’

So that’s why…

Having lived well alone for 7000 years, it’s only natural that Master doesn’t understand love!

Then…

《It’s okay! I’ll teach you what love is!》

Suddenly feeling brave, I wrote large letters with my roots.

I also drew a flower fully in bloom.

“Hmm? So cute!”

Though Master still seemed to think I was playing around…

It’s fine!

I’ll teach you step by step from now on!

‘Let’s get started right away!’

What do human lovers do first?

Hmm…

Ah! Of course!

A date!And a romantic dinner at a great restaurant!

‘But… I drink bl**d and…’

The petals slightly wilted with worry.

When it comes to dinner, there are candles, fine tableware…

Yet all I do is s*ck bl**d through my roots…

Flap flap!

Miel approached, wiggling its antennae as if sensing my dilemma.

The shimmering transparent wings seemed to express its thoughts.

It appeared ready to handle things once we catch a monster.

‘Oh! Good idea!’

Right!

Romance expert Miel!

I’m counting on you!

“Verlez! Bring fresh monsters!”

Flap flap!

At Miel’s signal, the Verlez scattered in all directions.

The Iceflies soared high to scout, while the Frost Centipedes quickly crawled along the walls looking for tracks.

The Frost Hoppers hopped around the ice walls.

Cecilia stayed perched on my petals.

‘Fine! Stay with Mommy, my girl!’

And Glecia…

Slept in a corner.

Geez…

Though… we should probably keep our strongest Verlez in reserve…

Hmm, but are there even any monsters left in the dungeon?

They’ll probably find something eventually.

…

“Rooooaaar!”

In the distance, a monster’s roar sounded.

The Verlez moved more busily.

‘They must have found something!’

Not long after, Glecia arrived…

Huh? Glecia?

Carrying a huge wolf, apparently caught with surprising enthusiasm, not earning the “unemployed” nickname this time.

『☆☆ Frost Warwolf Level 102』

Frost Warwolf?

I only knew regular Frost Wolves – is this an evolution?

I gently stroked Glecia’s antennae with my roots.

Glecia seemed to puff up proudly…

And…

Nom!

‘Swish!’

Took a bite of honey and returned to her corner!

Hmm…

Still, good job…

‘Alright, let’s start!’

Flap flap!

Under Miel’s leadership, the Verlez set to work decorating the area.

The Ice Spiders hung sparkling icicles like chandeliers.

The Frost Mosses sprinkled shimmering blue powder with their wingbeats, creating soft lighting.

Miel and Cecilia danced gracefully in the air, setting the mood.

‘Perfect! Miel, as always!’

《Master! Would you like to have dinner with me?》

I carved this with hearts while Master curiously observed the scene.

How about that?

This rivals any high-class restaurant, doesn’t it?

“Hmm? I don’t need to eat anything…”

‘Eh!’

The petals drooped suddenly.

Now that I think about it, I’ve never seen Master eat…

They don’t eat at all…

Still, I can’t give up!

《At least the atmosphere…!》

“That’s nice. I like being with you.”

Master sat in front of me.

The silver hair shimmered with the reflected light from the icicles.

Master’s usually cold expression changed to one of slightly curious interest.

“Ho… This is the guardian of the Snowstorm Ridge.”

“Ah! Our Glecia did great as always!”

I was worried about finding proper monsters in the dungeon, but this wolf must have been caught near Master’s residence.

Glecia, excellent job!

‘Despite everything…’

However…

Slurp…

Slurp…

The sound of me sucking the wolf’s bl**d echoed through the cavern.

And the sight of my sharp roots piercing…

Hmm…

Pat pat.

“Hee hee…”

Though it feels good to have Master tenderly pet me…

Sadly, Master just enjoyed the nectar as usual.

Ah… No matter how beautiful the surroundings…

This isn’t romantic at all…

‘This isn’t it…’

First plan failed…

The petals slightly drooped.

I didn’t expect our first date to turn out like this…

In novels, the first dates were always wonderful…

No, I can’t give up yet!

We’re just getting started!

‘Then, let’s go for a walk!’

Isn’t it true that lovers always stroll together, talking?

We can take a walk through the dungeon…

《Master, let’s go see the dungeon!》

“Okay? Can I pull you out?”

“Yes!”

Though the roots involuntarily gripped the ground, Master grabbed my stem and gently pulled me out.

This time there was no uncomfortable feeling as I smoothly emerged.

Has Master gotten better at this?

Or have I grown stronger?

Though it’s embarrassing to have my whole body exposed like last time…

More importantly…

‘This… isn’t romantic at all!’

Hanging limply in Master’s hand while walking through the dungeon is just…

It’s like carrying around a weed!

And worst of all, dirt keeps falling from my root tips…

This is absolutely not romantic!

“Here, isn’t this ice crystal beautiful?”

Master held out their hand to show me the beautiful crystal.

It’s true that it’s beautiful…

Sigh…

Second plan failed…

…

As a last resort…

‘Dancing!’

The standard trope of romantic fantasies!

The protagonist and the Northern Duke always get closer by dancing at balls!

Swishy swashy petals, floating stem!

I tried my best to appear elegant in front of Master.

Slowly turning my body…

Fluttering petals…

Swaying stigma…

This must be romantic…

“Pfft!”

Master burst out laughing.

“What are you doing? You’re so cute~”

‘Ugh…’

Looking at it now, it resembles the dancing cactus toy I saw in my human life!

There’s nothing romantic about it!

Sigh…

All three attempts failed.

Romantic dinner ended with bl**d sucking,Leisurely stroll became weed carrying,And this romantic dance…Just became a laughing matter.

Is this what I thought a date with a lover would be?

This isn’t the romance I knew…

The petals slowly closed.

Was I being foolish?Trying to show human love to a dragon…Ah… and I’m not even human anymore…

Miel seemed to understand my feelings, drooping its wings and antennae.Cecilia folded her flaming wings and perched on my petals as if saying “It’s okay.”

Maybe… I was moving too fast?It might be too much to try teaching love in this short time to Master who’s been alone for 7000 years.And I’ve only been a flower for a short while too…

Still…

Being able to be here with Master like this,Is a happiness I couldn’t imagine in my past life.

Let’s take it slow.

In sync with Master’s rhythm…Thinking this way made my heart feel much lighter.A sweet fragrance spread between the petals.This time it carried not awkwardness or disappointment,But warm anticipation.

“Everyone! Ta-da!!”

At that moment, the cheerful voice of Nis rang out through the cavern.