Chapter 59

"Didn't I tell you not to ride on my back, Elliot?"

The twins' voice was terrifying.

'Why do we always fight, yet our movements match so well at times like this?'

Balzac and Joshua glared at me with wide eyes, putting pressure on me.

I've always loved heights since I was little. Of course, I was looking forward to riding on Ragon's back even before he hatched.

But!

How many times have I ridden on Ragon's back because of the twins' complaints about the danger?

Just once!

Just one time!

'I feel so wronged!'

Even then, Balzac was yelling for me to get down, looking like he was about to have a heart attack, so I had to come down quickly.

When I got down, Joshua hugged me tightly, trembling, so I couldn't even try again.

'Not just the twins, but Father too...'

He dismantled Ragon's nest and tried to shake the log to send him flying far away.

'But that was when I was seven.'

I'm ten now, right?

I should be able to ride, shouldn't I?

Balzac now rides the incredibly fierce King Gat Ultra... no, Jen every day.

Just as I was thinking that,

"Can you... ride on my back...?"

Avino muttered in a dazed manner, as if he didn't hear the twins' words.

His eyes were sparkling with hearts.

"Throw more grapes first. Ragon is waiting."

"Right! I think I'm getting the hang of it now!"

Avino, who nodded vigorously, grabbed a bunch of grapes and threw them to Ragon.

Thud!

Thud!

It seemed he wasn't lying when he said he was getting the hang of it; Avino was now throwing the grapes quite well.

While picking the grapes, he also spoke to me.

"Actually, I used to raise an eagle in the castle, but it disappeared."

When the other 3-year-olds tried to talk to him, he wouldn't even respond, but he chattered away to me.

"Wow, an eagle? That must have been cool."

"Yeah, it was really cool. So I was very sad when it disappeared."

"Why did it disappear?"

I was genuinely curious.

However, Avino's reaction was a bit strange.

His eyes, which were looking into the distance, lost focus and became hazy.

"When was it? When was it...?"

Avino muttered, then distorted his face and grabbed his head.

"Ugh..."

"Your Highness!"

A servant who had been watching us from a close distance rushed over.

"Ugh. My head hurts..."

Avino clutched his head with both hands, looking distressed.

"Your Highness, please bear with it a little longer. There are medicines in your room."

I tilted my head as I watched the servant lead Avino away.

'Taking medicine?'

Is he unwell?

* * *

After taking a break, we had a banquet.

The 3-year-olds, who were afraid of Ragon and couldn't get close to us earlier, were now trying to talk to Avino.

Joffrey, with a very friendly expression, tried to start a conversation.

"Prince, does the food suit your taste? Our chef is very skilled. Try a variety of dishes."

Joffrey was wagging his tail wildly in front of me.

However...

"This is delicious, Elliot."

Avino was focused only on me.

It seems the headache he had earlier had improved after resting.

"Elliot."

Avino leaned in, almost sticking to me, and chattered away.

"Does Ragon only like grapes? Does he not like other fruits? Meat?"

"Ragon doesn't have any preferences. He eats all kinds of meat and can't eat fruits because there are none."

Loreina, who was watching us with envy, tried hard to join our conversation.

"Do you like birds, Your Highness? I also raise a beautiful nightingale—"

"Elliot, can I ride on Ragon's back when I grow taller?"

Avino didn't even bother to make a bored face and ignored Loreina completely.

Loreina's face turned red and then blue.

For Loreina, who had ignored me because my blessing didn't work on offensive blessings, it must have been very frustrating to be outdone by me.

I chatted with Avino with a nonchalant expression.

"I'm not sure. Riding on his back... Even if you grow taller, you'll need the prince's permission."

From the reactions of the twins and Father, it seems even if I grow taller, riding on Ragon's back will still be a long way off.

"That bird-brain."

"Turn him into a skewer..."

"Find out how long a steel crow lives. What? 100 years?! Make it live for just one year!"

As I recalled the family's reactions, Avino said,

"Father will allow it, right?"

Really?

When I glanced at the first prince Belain, our eyes met.

Belain, who had been watching us closely, burst into laughter.

"Haha. Avino, does the young lady suit you so much?"

As if he had been waiting for this, Avino answered quickly.

"Yes! I want to take Elliot to the kingdom! And Ragon too!"

Swish! Swish! Swish!

'What's that sound of necks turning...'

I was surprised and looked at the twins and Father.

Whoosh! They turned their heads so sharply that it made a sound, glaring at Avino with fierce eyes.

I widened my eyes.

This is a reception for a distinguished guest, right?

Can't you control your expressions?

"Cough."

Grandfather cleared his throat, cutting off the conversation.

Then he changed the topic and asked Prince Belain.

"So, how long do you plan to stay?"

"You'll be sad if I leave quickly, won't you?"

Prince Belain smiled kindly and answered.

"I plan to stay for about five days. There's a lot to discuss between the Duke and me."

The eyes of the 2nd and 3rd year students moved rapidly, watching the meaningful conversation between Grandfather and Prince Belain.

"Of course. You should rest and relax before you leave."

"Of course."

Grandfather and Prince Belain exchanged suspicious glances.

'Oh, something big must be happening?'

There must be something very significant and attractive happening between the two.

'Tell me too!'

I'm dying of curiosity.

It's probably about the White Crystal, but I'm curious about what specific discussions will take place.

How much White Crystal we need and how much they can supply.

'Especially who will be responsible for the supply of White Crystal.'

I scanned the 2nd year students with a sharp eye.

Uncle Decon and Uncle Balderic already looked worn out.

Of course, Uncle Gustav, Uncle Hernan, and Uncle Parmang also had eyes that sparkled with desire.

'You think I'll just let you?'

The credit for the White Crystal supply will go to our Father.

'I'll make sure of it.'

While I was thinking this, Avino asked from the side.

"So, how much taller do I need to be?"

Avino, who didn't seem to care about his father's movements, was focused only on me.

"Hmm... I'm not sure..."

'I don't know either! I've only ridden Ragon once!'

I said that generally, the taller you are, the better.

Well, it's true that being taller is better.

After the banquet ended,

Avino followed me as I slipped out first.

It seems he wasn't lying when he said he liked me.

"By the way, do you have any other tamed monsters besides Ragon?"

"Yes."

At my answer, Avino's face lit up.

"Can you show them to me? Please?"

Avino asked, blinking his big eyes.

'Ugh. He looks like a puppy.'

Once I thought of Avino as a black poodle, I couldn't help but remember the puppy I wanted to raise when I was little, which made it hard to refuse.

"Maybe, if the opportunity arises..."

As I was being vague, I felt someone approaching from the opposite side.

The person walking briskly was a servant from the Aligio royal family.

The servant approached Avino and informed him.

"Prince, it's time to take your medicine."

"Aww..."

Avino's face, which had been bright like a blooming flower, instantly turned gloomy.

His shoulders drooped weakly.

Avino sighed deeply and nodded to the servant.

"Alright. I'll go up."

"Yes, I'll prepare it."

As the servant went up the stairs, Avino muttered.

"I don't like medicine."

Is he taking some kind of tonic?

Well, after I fainted and recovered, my father brought a lot of things that were good for my body, and I often found it a chore to take them.

Feeling a sense of shared suffering, I asked,

"What kind of medicine are you taking?"

"I have severe headaches, so I always have to take medicine. If I don't, I'll definitely be in pain the next day."

"Oh, I see."

Well,

I saw him clutching his head and collapsing earlier, which did look serious.

'But... wasn't it because he was recalling something from the past?'

"Taking medicine isn't great either. It makes me feel drowsy and numb."

I became even more curious at Avino's grumbling.

Drowsy and numb?

'Is there such a medicine? Not a tonic or painkiller?'

Not wanting to continue the depressing conversation, Avino changed the topic.

"Where does Elliot live?"

"When distinguished guests are here, we all stay in the castle."

Of course, this isn't always the case when distinguished guests visit.

This time, it's because of the annual evaluation test.

Avino was delighted.

"Then I can see you again?"

"Yes."

"Ragon too!"

"Yes."

"Other monsters too!"

"..."

I can't give a definite answer to that.

Get permission from the Aligio adults.

"Then I'll go now. Bye."

Unable to prolong the time any further, Avino trudged up to his room.

It seemed he wanted to go as late as possible.

I could see him zigzagging down the corridor.

'I don't like taking medicine either.'

I went up to my room.

Since I no longer receive dormitory education and commute from the Daemond territory, I don't have my own room.

When I sleep, I stay in the guest room.

Back in my room, I stretched and patted my shoulders.

"Oh, my shoulders. Oh, my back."

This body, which was only manufactured 10 years ago, why does it feel so old?

It's all because I work too hard.

'I don't mind working, though.'

After stretching and loosening my stiff body with the New Millennium Exercise,

'Shall I check if there are any variables for today?'

I activated my blessing.

The novel where the protagonist changed from Dalia to Balzac and then to Father, "Father is the Most Handsome in the World," already had comments up to Chapter 19!

Hahaha, Avino was so focused that he couldn't even eat properly. Hahaha.