Chapter 85

'Goodness, if I hadn't come here this time, what would I have done?'

I couldn't imagine what the Dragon Duke would look like when I met him at the age of ten.

No matter which way I looked at it, I couldn't picture a positive future.

The guests staying at the castle were preparing to leave. Those who lived close to the City of Dragons had already gone.

We, the Aquasidell, also decided to leave as soon as our preparations were complete. We planned to move out in the early morning or just as the sky began to brighten.

The Dragon Duke's castle didn't find it strange and readily accepted our decision.

In fact, from the butler to the servants, they seemed to welcome our departure.

'This is all because they want us to leave as soon as we bring the Dragon Duke. It's a setup. A setup.'

Until nightfall, I tried to help pack with the maids and Misa.

But what do you know? The maids said, 'How dare you, our precious princess, receive help from such tiny hands!' and chased me away.

'I'm stronger than you guys...'

It was a bit absurd, but I didn't feel bad.

With nothing to do, I sat in the parlor like a jobless person, when Belus approached and asked me out of the blue.

What's your plan?

"Plan?"

That guy isn't even preparing to leave? No, he must be taking care of it himself.

I calmly looked at him and replied.

'You have a good intuition for nothing.'

Even if you ask, nothing will come out.

"What are you suddenly saying?"

"..."

"Sit down. I had something to tell you anyway."

"Something to tell me?"

Sit down, I said, but he just stared at me, so I shrugged and continued.

"Yes. I can't keep one of the things I promised you. I clearly told you I wouldn't be there on the way back, right?"

"So?"

"I can't keep it."

Then Belus's eyes changed.

They were so sharp that I flinched involuntarily.

"What do you mean?"

"I just changed my mind and decided to go back."

"Together?"

"…Yes? Why, if you're worried about riding in the carriage together—"

"That's not what I asked."

Sure enough, the power of water rippled around Belus.

The strange thing was that the water didn't take an aggressive form at all.

The water, like soap bubbles, formed a gentle, round shape and moved softly.

'I heard that people with strong empathy can have the power of water affected by the caster's emotions.'

For example, if the caster is angry, the water can explosively increase or form a sharp shape. In severe cases, it can even explode on its own.

'But this doesn't feel like a reaction to anger...'

The water droplets, shaped like soap bubbles, shimmered in the sunset, taking on a mysterious color.

Standing there was a handsome young boy.

Honestly, it was a breathtaking scene, regardless of whether he was an ally or an enemy.

'...What the hell, why is he so happy?'

Could it be that he wants to destroy me when I return to the mansion? What is this?

Belus, who didn't seem to notice what I was staring at, soon realized his power.

Then the water power disappeared instantly.

I thought he would be flustered, but he had a completely nonchalant, even brazen expression.

'Does this guy's poker face come from his father?'

In a way, it seems like he understands what his father meant when he said he was just like him.

"Then what about the head of the house? You said you'd go back together. You're not staying in this place."

"This place... I don't like it."

I really don't like it here.

"That's the same as what I told you. I won't be the head of the house."

So, don't worry, you can be it, okay? I really won't.

If we safely bring the Dragon Duke home, I might even settle down with him.

If Belus wants, I don't mind living in a more remote area.

Wherever, as long as the Dragon Duke grows up safely and brings me back home.

"…Alright, we'll see."

For some reason, instead of saying more, Belus turned his back.

Then, as if he just remembered, he turned his head and said,

"I don't know what you're hiding, but if you tell me during the journey, I might overlook it once."

"…Huh?"

"You have some strange habits."

Habits? What habits?

I had a bewildered look, but Belus, who finished speaking without worrying about being caught, turned and left without looking back.

'If you just tell me, I'll overlook it?'

What is this, a surprise?

Whatever it is, I'll take it.

I didn't think it was that strange.

From the previous chapters, this guy has occasionally shown such whims.

Night fell.

It was the same that I waited without sleeping, but the difference was that I wasn't alone in my room.

"Is it time to go?"

"Yeah! It's now."

At almost the same time as when I took Tuse, my father picked me up.

"Hmm, I can jump down by myself, you know?"

"Why suffer when there's a good tool right next to you?"

"That's true."

I don't know why he considers himself a tool, but if he's a tool, he's probably the most expensive one in the world.

I've never lain on it, but it felt as comfortable as a bed that doesn't shake.

While I was having these thoughts, we had already landed on the ground.

'Every time, the application of water power is really amazing.'

Even with the same water power, each whale can have different specialties.

For example, when I awakened, I had an enormous total amount of power... that is, the size of the power I could handle, while Belus had an excellent empathy ability.

And it seems that my father has an excellent application ability.

No, I haven't seen my father's true power or the total amount of his power yet.

The distance that took me over 20 minutes to run, with my father carrying me, took less than 10 minutes.

'This taxi... it's really useful!'

Because he called himself a tool, I couldn't help but think of a bullet taxi.

Anyway, when we arrived at the place where Tuse and I had been, my father suppressed his presence.

"Indeed, a top predator among the land creatures is nearby."

"Who is it? Or, can we even talk like this? You must have blocked the sound, right?"

My father looked at me as if to say, 'Would I not have done that?' so I brazenly smiled and gave a thumbs up.

"Our master is amazing. He's tearing through the night air."

"I don't know what you mean, but they're coming."

Turning my head, sure enough, a figure appeared silently.

And next to it, I saw another figure grumbling and stomping.

Oh, it's the same sentry?

'Is the same person on duty for two days, then switch?'

It was actually fortunate. While I trust my father, if a black panther or something appeared, the fight could get too big.

The more attention we draw, the more disadvantageous it is for us to bring the Dragon Duke.

So, it's better that it's a hyena, which is a top predator but not extremely strong.

"Master, we can't fight. We need to get in and out as quietly as possible."

"I know."

If a fight breaks out, those using the Dragon Duke will surely check on the Dragon Duke first.

If that happens, our efforts to bring him secretly will be in vain.

They need to realize as late as possible.

The best way to do that is to bring him in without being noticed.

We waited quietly, and just like yesterday, the hyena and chameleon sentries moved to another location.

'Good, then through the dog hole...'

Approaching the same spot as yesterday, I soon felt a sense of defeat.

Oh no, the hole is blocked!

'Why, how? In just one day?'

Cold sweat trickled down my back. Fortunately, I wasn't alone today.

As my father approached and stood behind me, I quickly explained the situation.

We didn't know when the hyena or chameleon sentry would return, so my explanation was urgent.

"Do you remember the Dragon Duke's room?"

"I remember!"

Even if we get lost, as long as we get inside, we can call Tuse!

"As long as we get inside, right? Then that place will do."

Following my father, I looked up and saw a broken window on the second floor.

Judging by the size, it was big enough for someone my build to fit through.

My father took off his robe and wrapped me in it.

"I don't like it, but..."

"Hmm?"

"You don't want to get hurt on something sharp, do you?"

"I don't really mind, but... it's not good, but... it's okay..."

"I don't like it."

My father, despite his reluctance, lifted me up, wrapped tightly in his robe.