Chapter 81 : Overseas Travel (2)

“Minho~ Wake up, it’s time to eat~”

A sweet voice rang in my ears.

Of course, it was the voice of my mom, the most beautiful woman in the country.

“Ucha~”

“…Huh?”

“Princess, how long are you planning to sleep?”

“…Dunno………….”

“Ahh, so cute.”

Still half-asleep, my soft nose was flicked twice by my mom.

Because of that, my nose wobbled with a boing sound.

It didn’t hurt, but it felt kind of weird—like I was being teased.

“…Ugh.”

“Should I stop?”

“…Yes.”

I nodded while burying myself in my mom’s embrace.

She giggled as if it tickled.

I hugged her tightly.

There was something cushiony in the middle, making it a little hard to breathe.

But I didn’t care because I could feel her warmth.

“…Oh my, Minho, Mommy’s having a little trouble breathing. Should we adjust a bit?”

“…Nyeh…………….”

I shifted slightly and rested my chin on her shoulder.

Breathing became easier.

“…I can breathe now………….”

“So can I?”

Mom gave a mischievous smile.

But since I was still half-asleep, I decided to ignore it.

“You should wake up quickly~”

…Og…….

When I shook my head lightly, she chuckled and stroked my hair.

“Tonight, we’re having your favorite, Wuha meat. But if you don’t come eat, Dad and I will finish it all.”

Oh my god, what a terrifying threat.

Using food as a weapon—how unfair.

For someone like me, who can’t resist delicious food, it was worse than torture.

My eyes instantly snapped open.

“Meat…!!”

“Yes, let’s eat meat, Minho.”

Seeing me drool, Mom chuckled, opened the door, and headed down the hallway.

‘…Wuha meat!’

Just thinking about that deliciously cooked Wuha meat waiting for me made my mouth water.

A little bit of drool even dripped onto Mom’s shoulder, but she didn’t mind and just smiled, leading me to the dining room.

“Do you really love Wuha meat that much?”

“…Yes!!”

Of course! It’s better than any meat I had in my past life.

The umami, the texture—everything was perfect.

A meat that combines the best qualities of beef, pork, and chicken—who wouldn’t fall in love with it?

Not me.

I fell for it like a first love.

As we got closer to the dining room, the mouthwatering aroma of Wuha meat filled my nose.

Flap, flap, flap

My tail started wagging rapidly.

So fast that it looked like it could hurt someone if it hit them.

That’s how much I loved Wuha meat.

“Mom! Hurry, open the door!”

“You love Wuha meat that much?”

“…Yes, it’s so good. Slurp.”

A bit of drool escaped, making my words sound slightly slurred.

Mom must have found it cute because she ruffled my hair wildly.

“Let’s hurry~”

She made a whoosh sound with her mouth as she opened the dining room door.

Inside, Dad was flipping through some papers, and on the table sat a beautifully grilled, massive chunk of meat.

“…Meat!”

‘Dad!’

The sight of that delicious meat made my speech bubble change unintentionally.

Hearing my voice, Dad burst into laughter.

“Minho, do you love meat more than Dad?”

“Ah, no, that’s not it…….!”

Realizing that I had called out for meat before Dad, I felt guilty and lowered my head.

I peeked at him.

He was still grinning.

“Albi, tell Minho it’s okay.”

“It’s fine, Minho. In fact, I found it funny.”

Mom nudged Dad’s side as she spoke, and he gave me a reassuring smile.

“…I’m sowwy…………….”

“Wipe your drool first before you talk.”

“…Slurp.”

I just couldn’t stop drooling.

But still, I couldn’t be the first to touch the food.

Dragon etiquette was surprisingly similar to Korean customs—

The adults eat first, and then the children follow.

“…Dad… I’m hungry………….”

“Yeah, I can see that.”

Dad chuckled and cut a piece of steak in front of him before putting it in his mouth.

“Thank you for the meal!”

“Enjoy it.”

“Aigoo, so cute.”

Finally! I could eat Wuha meat! My tail couldn’t stop wagging with excitement.

I grabbed my knife and fork, smiling with satisfaction as I cut into the meat.

I sliced a big chunk and placed it on my plate.

Though, compared to the giant piece of meat, it barely made a dent—

But for my small mouth and stomach, it was a huge portion.

‘…Having a small body is the best!!’

I could enjoy the same amount of delicious food for longer!

If that wasn’t a blessing, then what was?

“Haaap..!!”

I speared the Wuha meat with my fork, cut another large bite, and popped it into my mouth.

“Mmm!!!”

An involuntary exclamation escaped me.

“Is it good?”

Mom smiled as she asked, watching me.

I quickly gave her a double thumbs-up while nodding enthusiastically.

It was seriously delicious—heavenly!

Cooked to the perfect tenderness, soft enough to be chewed with my tongue.

A deep, rich meaty aroma, bursting with juicy goodness.

Perfectly seasoned with various spices that complemented the flavors.

Everything blended harmoniously, creating a sensational experience for my taste buds.

“Huaa…….”

Without realizing it, my body relaxed completely.

I was utterly satisfied.

Glancing to the side, I noticed the head maid standing tall, looking proud.

Her lips trembled slightly, as if she was holding back laughter.

‘…The head maid must have cooked this!’

It was clear—she had put her heart into this meal.

Feeling grateful, I eagerly picked up my knife and fork again.

I stuffed myself with Wuha meat until my belly was completely full.

The steak I had in between was good too—

But come on, how could mere cow meat even compare to Wuha?

It was no match for the meat that had completely stolen my heart.

Pat pat.

“Hihing.”

I tapped my full belly with my palm, making a funny thump thump sound.

“Huaa… I can’t move anymore…”

It was hard to keep my balance—

My stomach had puffed up so much.

“M-Minho, you should have eaten in moderation.”

“Pfft!”

Dad burst into laughter as he watched me struggling while lying down.

Mom tried to hold back her laughter, but in the end, she couldn’t and let it all out.

“Hiiing….”

I wished they would stop laughing.

But they didn’t seem like they were going to stop anytime soon.

“You’re like a total pig.”

“Ugh…!! I’m not a pig!”

“Minho, you look exactly like a Wuha right now.”

‘…Uuuh! Dad, you’re mean!’

I was so out of breath that my words came out weird.

My now perfectly round body rolled slightly to the side every time I breathed.

I couldn’t move.

I looked ridiculous.

But despite all that, I was happy.

Wuha meat, full!

I had eaten enough Wuha meat to last a lifetime!

“Still, you need to go back to your room, Minho~”

“Ehh, I can’t move…!!”

I stretched out my arms, trying my best—

But it was no use.

I was happy, but at the same time, I was in a bit of trouble.

If Mom or Dad picked me up right now, I might throw up.

Eating too much had backfired.

Then, the head maid suggested something from behind.

“…Why don’t you just lift her with magic?”

“What if she gets hurt?”

“Your Highness, she’s a dragon. Do you really think she’d get hurt that easily?”

True.

Stat-wise, I was actually stronger than Dad.

There was no need to worry about injuries.

“Mom, do it! It sounds fun!”

This sounded really fun!

When else would I get the chance to float through the air with telekinesis?

Seeing my eyes sparkle, Mom hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded.

And then—

I began floating off the ground.

“Wooooaaahhh!”

“Is it fun?”

“Yesss…!!”

This was seriously fun.

Just like when Dad used to give me airplane rides as a kid.

That’s how I was transported to my room, like a piece of cargo.

Chirrr— Chirrr—

The sound of insects buzzed softly outside.

By the time I arrived, my stomach had shrunk back down.

Though, the feeling of fullness still lingered.

After eating so much, sleepiness started creeping in.

Even though I had already napped so much during the day.

“…Sleepy.”

I nestled between Mom and Dad, pulling both of their arms in for a hug.

If I only hugged one of them, the other might get jealous—

So I had invented this special method of hugging both at once.

Originally, it had been five of us.

But since two people were missing right now, it was just the three of us.

“Minho, you didn’t get to try on the outfit I prepared today because your belly was too round.”

“…I’ll wear it later………..”

“That’s fine. You can wear it when you wake up at dawn.”

“…Huh? We’re leaving at dawn?”

So we were departing early in the morning.

That made sense.

Ramir had mentioned that it took quite a while to get here,

So it was logical to set out early.

“…What are we doing in the Empire?”

This time, Dad answered instead of Mom.

“First, we have to meet the Imperial Princess.”

“…Why?”

“Because we’re attending her coronation.”

Ah, right.

That made sense.

I’d have to go through a coronation myself one day.

I wondered if there were big differences between our kingdom’s ceremony and the Empire’s.

As my mind wandered through these thoughts, a yawn escaped my lips.

“Haaaahm…..”

“Sleepy?”

Mom smiled as she asked, and I gave a small nod.

“Then get some sleep. When you wake up, you can wear the outfit I picked out for you.”

“Okaaay… Mommy………”

That was the last thing I mumbled before I drifted off to sleep.

When I opened my eyes again—

“Huh?”

“You’re awake?”

“Did you sleep well, Minho?”

I was nestled in Mom’s arms, dressed in a very modern-looking outfit.

In front of me, the servants were busy loading our luggage onto the carriage.

Minho’s Travel Fashion: Republic Style.