Chapter 34 : Jealousy

One day, after some time had passed, Fiora came to the duke’s mansion.

She let out a deep sigh, speaking as if she had taken care of everything regarding Flora.

“Now, as long as you keep your mouth shut, no one will know that you’re keeping that witch here.”

Fiora couldn’t hide her exhaustion as she said this.

I responded with a light smile.

“Thank you, sister.”

She let out a hollow laugh.

“Yeah… Never thought a little brat like you would end up as a war hero. I’ll even understand you liking that woman. But at least show up for the victory ceremony.”

As I hesitated for a moment, Flora pulled me into an embrace, hooking her fingers around my collar and giving it a little tug.

“No way. I don’t want to show Peridot to anyone else.”

I could only smile helplessly at her words.

“Looks like that’s not happening, sister.”

Fiora’s expression stiffened for a moment, but soon, she smiled.

“Well, what can I do? I guess this is the price I pay for skipping out on royal events and slacking off.”

Her shoulders drooped.

It was a very “her” kind of reaction.

“Alright, alright. Just get some rest, kid.”

Flora still wouldn’t let go of me, glaring at my sister.

I had no choice but to stay in her embrace.

Fiora glanced between the two of us before sighing and standing up.

“Fine. I’m leaving. Do whatever you two want.”

With that, she quickly left the room.

Flora watched her retreating figure for a moment before turning back to me.

“So, what do you want to do now, Peridot?”

I thought for a moment before grabbing Flora’s hand and heading somewhere.

I could have gone alone, but there was no way she’d let me.

After scouring the battlefield in search of Flora, I had become known as the “Lame Duke.” And the knights I led had been hailed as war heroes.

Of course, I had assumed none of them had survived.

But there was one surprise.

When I opened the door to one of the mansion’s rooms, I saw Lillian lying there, battered and broken.

She must have noticed us enter, as she murmured weakly,

“Oh, you’re here?”

A few days ago, my butler had reported that a woman bearing the knights’ insignia had collapsed at the gates in critical condition.

I was shocked.

“I never expected you to be alive.”

Lillian glanced at Flora for a moment, trembling slightly, before speaking in a feeble voice.

“I really thought I was going to die back then… But the war’s over now, so you’ll keep your promise, right? I just want to live without worrying about money.”

At that moment, Flora shot me a slightly jealous look and spoke.

“So, while I was gone, this woman was clinging to you, Peridot?”

There was a dangerous glint in her eyes.

Lillian shuddered and hastily protested.

“W-wait! It’s not like that! Peridot and I just had a deal!”

“Their relationship was nothing more than that!”

Flora’s jealousy sharpened like a blade, directed at Lillian, and I could feel the air around us ripple with magic.

Watching the scene unfold, I calmly addressed Lillian.

“Of course, I’ll give you the money. But more than that, you have a chance to stand under the duke’s banner. What will you do?”

Lillian’s expression hardened.

She hesitated in silence before speaking with difficulty.

“…You’re asking me to work more?”

I smiled and nodded.

In disbelief, she asked with a trembling voice,

“I don’t have the right to refuse, do I…?”

She took a deep breath, resignation flickering in her eyes.

“As it happens, the duke’s house is in need of people who know how to keep their mouths shut.”

I pulled a bell from my coat and rang it.

A butler quickly arrived, placing a quill in Lillian’s hand and setting down a thick stack of documents before her.

Lillian looked between Flora and me with teary eyes, her face twisted in despair and resignation.

She bit her lip as if trying to grasp at a final hope, but in the end, she signed the papers quietly.

The butler, satisfied, stepped back with a pleased smile.

Lillian stared blankly at the contract she had just signed and let out a deep sigh.

“Damn it… I have to work again.”

Leaving her behind, I walked with Flora to the garden.

The warmth of her fingers intertwined with mine felt unfamiliar but not unpleasant.

As we walked in step, the word happiness suddenly came to mind.

Back when I was alone, I had never felt this warmth or peace.

My heart, once hollow and empty, now held Flora like a single ray of light shining through the void.

“I tried to make it look like the garden of the mansion where you kidnapped me. Do you like it?”

I whispered softly in her ear.

This small garden was something I had prepared for her, an attempt to recreate our memories together.

Flora tilted her head slightly at my words, lost in thought.

Her violet eyes deepened like a vast lake, filled with something that seemed like an endless hunger—a love and desire so intense it threatened to consume me whole.

A moment later, she smiled gently and asked,

“Of course, Peridot. But do you know what I truly want?”

I met her gaze calmly and replied,

“Well, I can’t claim to know everything you want. But whatever it is you desire from me… I’ll give it to you.”

Hearing my words, Flora smiled in satisfaction and nodded.

Her violet eyes shimmered—like a star glowing in the darkness.

“What I want… is you.”

With that, she kissed me.

The kiss was sweet and lingered for a long time.

Closing my eyes, I pulled Flora even closer, fully immersing myself in her scent and the soft sensation filling my mouth.

Our tongues intertwined, emotions melding together in a moment that words could never truly capture.

It felt as if time had come to a standstill.

When the kiss finally ended, I opened my eyes and was met with the sight of the sunset sky.

The crimson-stained heavens were beautiful—but within that beauty, I noticed something strange.

A small dot hovered near the sun, steadily growing larger.

As it drew closer, I realized what it was.

A massive dragon, shining gold, was flying toward us at incredible speed, as if charging straight in our direction.

Flora immediately stepped in front of me, gathering surrounding magic.

Her violet eyes gleamed sharply, and energy swirled violently around her.

I, too, mentally prepared myself, ready to wield the power of the Dragon Heart at any moment.

With a heavy impact, the dragon landed in the garden, flattening the grass beneath it.

The next moment, the golden beast shifted, transforming into an elderly man clad in resplendent armor.

It was the Dragon Lord—someone I had encountered once in the past.

Flora remained tense, still shielding me as she watched him warily.

The Dragon Lord scanned his surroundings before his gaze landed on me, and then, he burst into hearty laughter.

“It has been a long time, child.”

Unlike the oppressive aura he had exuded during our last meeting, he now carried the warmth of a friendly old grandfather.

“I have decided to welcome you as one of our kin.”

His words were so absurd that my mind went blank.

The sage had once told me that my body had become closer to that of a dragon, but to actually be accepted as one—it didn’t feel real.

The Dragon Lord continued, ignoring my bewilderment.

“There was much discussion among the elders, but in the end, we chose to respect the will of the one who originally owned the heart within your chest.”

His words only deepened my confusion.

A memory of the white-scaled hatchling from my visions surfaced in my mind, but I still couldn’t fully comprehend what was happening.

Flora, too, seemed thrown off by the unexpected situation, furrowing her brow slightly as she glanced between me and the Dragon Lord.

Unbothered by my confusion, he pressed on.

“You are now one of the dragons.”

I was at a loss for words, unable to process what reaction I should have.

Everything felt like a dream.

The Dragon Lord, noticing my stiff expression, chuckled and reassured me.

“Nothing will change, so there is no need for deep contemplation. It simply means that you are now acknowledged as part of our bloodline.”

With that, he stepped forward and ruffled my hair.

Flora, unable to contain her alarm, immediately shouted in a voice filled with hostility.

“Do not touch my Peridot!”

Her sharp voice echoed through the garden, her violet eyes blazing with magic like flames.

The Dragon Lord looked at her and let out a gentle chuckle, as if amused.

“My, my, your mate is quite possessive. My apologies.”

Withdrawing his hand, he turned away.

“Well then, I shall take my leave.”

As he spoke, his form morphed once more into a colossal golden dragon.

With a powerful beat of his wings, he soared into the sky.

Flora glared at his retreating figure for a while before finally turning to me.

Her eyes were still laced with caution, but soon, they softened with concern.

“Are you alright, Peridot?”

Though I was still unsettled by everything, I put on a gentle smile to reassure her.

“I’m fine, Flora. There’s no need to worry.”

Hand in hand, we strolled through the rose garden bathed in the hues of sunset.

The Dragon Lord had suddenly appeared, spouting nonsense about bloodlines, but in the end, none of that mattered.

Because Flora was here with me, all my worries fade away.

Together, we returned to the duke’s mansion as night fell.

Under the moonlight, the garden shimmered with an ethereal beauty.

And beneath that enchanting sky, we spent the night together.

Holding Flora in my arms, I inhaled her scent deeply, resting my cheek against her shoulder and basking in her warmth.

Heroes, dragons—none of it mattered right now.

The only thing that did was the fact that Flora was by my side.