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Chapter 20…………………………………….
Gawen’s eyes widened. It was clear he hadn’t expected me to say something like that.
Well, of course. How could he have known? These were people already overwhelmed just trying to pay attention and reflect on their own actions—there was no way they had the spare capacity to think about what Erina might be worrying over.
Since I’d already done him a favor just by answering, I turned my gaze out the carriage window. An awkward silence lingered, but I didn’t mind.
Gawen’s the only one who’d be on edge right now.
Do your best, Gawen. Honestly, this doesn’t even count as “struggling.”
Beyond the carriage window, a grand building came into view. As the enormous, dazzling imperial palace drew closer, I suppressed the nervous excitement pounding in my chest.
Just the fact that I was visiting the imperial palace often described in novels—and that there were two male lead candidates inside—made my mouth feel dry.
I only need to meet one person.
Well, not even a person—a dragon. If I could just meet Duke Shurandis and leave quickly, that would be it. Stay focused.
Depending on what I did now, whether this thorny path would be cleared or not might be decided quickly.
The imperial palace was the very embodiment of the word “splendor.” Even the duke’s mansion, which had dazzled me after my possession of this body, paled in comparison.
How much could I make if I peeled the gold leaf off these pillars?
…While thinking useless thoughts like that, I followed Gawen.
As expected from the captain of the royal guard, he seemed familiar with the palace layout. Without hesitation, he moved through the repetitive, maze-like corridors that were easy to get lost in.
“This way, Erina.”
We stopped in front of an even larger, more ornate door than the ones we had passed so far. Gawen turned to face me.
“I’ll be waiting outside until you’re done, so take your time.”
“You’re… waiting?”
“The palace is easy to get lost in.”
No, that’s not the problem. Aren’t you the captain of the royal guard? Is it really okay for you to just wait outside for me?
When I looked at him skeptically, a faint smile appeared on his lips.
“Don’t worry, Erina. I’m currently acting under Duke Shurandis’s orders. His Majesty the Emperor has also granted permission, so just focus on your task.”
…I was a little surprised. When had he gotten such permission?
I bowed lightly in gratitude, then turned to the attendant. The quick-witted servant knocked.
“Your Grace the Duke. Lady Erina Marbas has arrived.”
Instead of a reply from inside, the door opened. It moved as if someone inside had opened it naturally.
“Welcome, Lady Erina Marbas.”
Beyond the dragon attendant who had opened the door stood Duke Shurandis in the center of the room, smiling.
I stepped inside and greeted him with a bow.
“Hello, Your Grace.”
“I said I would look forward to our next meeting, but you’ve arrived sooner than expected.”
“I apologize for being hasty.”
As I lowered my head in apology, I heard Shurandis let out a low chuckle.
“You are very quick to bow your head.”
“…?”
“Lady, there is no reason for you to apologize. Which means there is also no reason for you to bow.”
I looked at him. His softly glowing gray eyes, filled with kindness, were watching me. With a natural gesture, he invited me to sit opposite him.
“Lady Marbas. I assume you came to see me for a reason. I would like to hear it.”
As if on cue, the dragon attendant approached. With practiced elegance, like a maid, it placed cups of warm tea before both of us.
I found myself staring. Sensing my gaze, the dragon attendant slowly blinked its bright yellow eyes.
“Does it disturb you?”
Only then did I realize what I was doing. I quickly shook my head.
“No, not at all. It’s just… fascinating. I’ve heard dragons have attendants, but I didn’t expect this.”
I had seen it before, but only from a distance as it followed behind Shurandis like a guard. I had never seen it up close like this.
Its appearance blended human and reptilian traits. Slender yellow slit pupils like a snake’s eyes, a long tail, sharp claws at its fingertips. Another long tail-like appendage extended near its lower body, and large membranous wings folded neatly against its back. Scales covered parts of its skin.
And yet…
“…It’s beautiful. I’ve seen you before, but you’re truly beautiful.”
Yes, it was beautiful. It felt like a crazy thing to say, but it was the truth.
“I’m honored you think so,” Shurandis said with a smile. He gestured lightly, and the dragon attendant bowed and stepped back.
“I didn’t expect someone to describe a retainer others usually avoid as beautiful…”
He tilted his head, observing me with curiosity. Realizing he was waiting for me to speak, I hurried on.
“Ah, the reason I sought an audience with Your Grace is related to awakening.”
“Awakening… you say?”
Shurandis narrowed his eyes slightly, as if puzzled.
“Yes. Actually… both my older brothers Gawen and Russell awakened their powers at fifteen, not during the formal awakening ceremony at nineteen. But I…”
“Are you worried because you have not awakened yet, Lady?”
I quietly nodded.
Shurandis tilted his head.
“That is not something you need to worry about. It is simply because the two young lords of House Marbas are exceptionally talented.”
At his words, I clenched my fist tightly.
Yes. In normal circumstances, everyone would say that.
But I know the future. No, I know the original story that is now far gone. I know Erina Marbas’s minuscule talent. I know the ridicule and scorn that will follow after the awakening ceremony.
“Your Grace… great dragon… can you see my talent?”
It could be considered a rude question. My opponent was a dragon—one of the male lead candidates.
And since he himself had said he was capricious, there was a chance he might withdraw all his favor at a whim.
Still… wasn’t it worth taking a gamble?
Those gray eyes—neither fully human nor anything else—studied me.
Is Shurandis… examining me?
No, that couldn’t be it. There was no reason for him to. Still, he was acting far more kindly than expected.
“Lady. Do you know this? Potential is something granted at birth.”
I already knew that. I had read the original story.
That was why the saintess had become a dragon, and Erina had fallen into ruin.
But Shurandis wasn’t finished.
“However, there are times when, due to certain circumstances, one awakens without fully realizing the power they were given.”
“…Pardon?”
What? That wasn’t in the story… Wait—was that hidden lore?!
Why do these hidden settings keep popping up?!
“Lady, there is no need to rush.”
His gentle voice brushed my ears as if calming me.
“Early awakening does not necessarily mean great talent, nor does a timely awakening mean poor talent.”
As if he understood exactly what I was worried about, Shurandis spoke words of hope.
It sounded so sweet that I almost wanted to cling to it.
“…Great dragon, may I ask a favor?”
So I steadied myself. Rather than thirsting for uncertain hope, I wanted something definite.
“What do you wish for, Erina Marbas?”
His voice changed. It felt as if the transcendent being who had been mimicking humanity was revealing his true nature.
Feeling overwhelmed, I clenched my fist again.
“Please help me with my awakening.”
His gray eyes changed. The slit pupils of a reptile shimmered with a mysterious light.
I unconsciously followed that transformation with my gaze. Then the light faded, and his eyes returned to normal human ones.
“I refuse.”
And with that surprisingly cheerful answer, strength left my body and I swayed.
“Oh my, are you alright?”
Shurandis quickly supported me, but that wasn’t the important issue.
“R-refuse? W-why?!”
Hey!! You were acting like you’d grant anything—what do you mean, refuse?! Are you messing with me?! You winged lizard bastard?!
If I had even a little more strength, I might have grabbed him by the collar and shaken him violently.
Fortunately—or unfortunately—the tension completely drained from my body, saving me from committing that suicidal act.
“Isn’t it obvious?” Shurandis said calmly, seating me on the sofa and patting my shoulder as if to soothe me.
“The moment an external being interferes with one who may become a dragon, they can no longer become one.”
His smiling face, as he casually spoke those unbelievable words, was breathtakingly beautiful—so much so that I wondered if I was hallucinating what I had just heard.
