LPSB 19

‘I wonder how he knew?’

I was secretly startled by the physician’s sharp insight. The butler had been fooled, but it seemed the eyes of a professional weren’t so easily deceived.

I quietly looked at him. Surprisingly, he was genuinely worried about me.

I remembered the saying that truly kind people never change, no matter who they face. Maybe that’s why such a saying existed—because people like him did.

It was the same in the original story. When everyone else criticized Izhael, only this physician defended him.

• I knew I could trust you, doctor!!
• Thank you… thank you so much for standing up for our Izhael…
• Doctor, I hope you win the lottery.

Even though he was just a minor side character in a bonus episode, he had left a strong impression on readers.

There was kindness, and then there was this. He was even worrying about Shuen.

I was grateful, but knowing the future, I couldn’t simply feel relieved.

‘Sir, if you take my side, you’re going to get burned to death…’

Just how kind could this man be? While I stared blankly at him, he continued speaking.

“I know you’ve changed from before, young lady. In a good way.”

“……”

“But recently, your health seems to be declining. I’m worried.”

His words were gentle, with no hidden intent—just pure concern.

Something deep inside my chest, something small and curled up, began to tremble.

After staring at him for a moment, I suddenly asked—

“What’s your name?”

I didn’t even know why I asked that. I expected a warning window to pop up, but instead, no bell sounded.

He looked slightly startled, then answered belatedly.

“Denhekrans.”

“That’s unnecessarily long. It’s annoying to say.”

I said it on purpose in a blunt tone. Denhekrans smiled faintly.

Still, no warning appeared.

I sent him away, saying I needed rest, then locked the door.

Now alone in the room, I rubbed the back of my hand. The contract mark slowly surfaced.

Hiser had once told me it was how a contractor summons their partner. When I traced the mark again, a golden magic circle appeared in the room.

What emerged in the light was a baby dragon and Hiser. The baby dragon, held by the scruff of its neck, looked extremely annoyed.

The moment it saw me, its eyes filled with tears as it struggled.

“Shushuuuu!”

“Aka.”

Hiser clicked his tongue and let go. The baby dragon flapped its wings and rushed straight into my arms.

I hugged it tightly. Anyone would think we had been separated for ten years.

Even that wasn’t enough for it—it burrowed deeper into my embrace, pressing its head between my arm and body, whining pitifully.

“Did something happen while I was gone?”

“I cried because I missed Shushu…”

My heart softened. I gently stroked the baby dragon.

Then Hiser, who had been standing quietly, spoke in a tired voice.

“You’re conveniently leaving out the part where you destroyed my nest while crying.”

Only then did I notice one of Hiser’s sleeves was slightly scorched.

Of course, it immediately returned to normal after he brushed it off. It seemed Aka had caused quite a mess.

“Aka… you shouldn’t do that.”

“I didn’t do anything?”

Aka tilted its head innocently.

Hiser let out an incredulous laugh.

But suddenly, the baby dragon stiffened in my arms.

Its previously soft pink eyes darkened in an instant, its pupils narrowing sharply.

“Aka? What’s wrong?”

Ding!

<<The Great Dragon Acherian has detected the scent of blood.>>

Blood scent? Don’t tell me…

I touched the bandage around my neck. It wasn’t even a serious wound.

Had it really smelled that?

Aka stared directly at me.

“Who?”

“Eh…?”

“Who did it?”

This was completely different from the cute baby dragon that had been clinging to me moments ago.

Its voice was clear and firm.

I blinked in confusion.

“It’s nothing. I just got hit by a teacup shard.”

“Don’t lie, Shuen.”

The baby dragon spread its wings and leaned right in front of my face.

“Shuen is mine.”

The words it usually said playfully now sounded eerie.

Its voice dropped lower.

“Anyone who harms what belongs to me… I’ll kill them all.”

Ding, ding!

<<The Great Dragon Acherian issues a warning to everyone.>>
<<The Great Dragon Acherian is searching for a target of revenge.>>

Goosebumps rose on my skin.

Just as I was about to protest—

SMACK!

A sharp sound echoed through the room.

Hiser had flicked Aka on the forehead.

The baby dragon immediately growled in protest. Hiser remained completely unfazed.

“Stop indulging its tantrums so much.”

His calm voice steadied my nerves.

He scolded Acherian.

“Scaring your contractor like this—you’re unfit to be a contract dragon.”

Instantly, Acherian returned to its original form. Its round eyes blinked adorably again.

It clung to me and asked,

“Shushu. Were you scared? Was Aka scary?”

“No, I’m fine.”

“R-really?”

“Yes. And this injury is nothing. It was my mistake.”

I pinched its cheeks gently to reassure it. The baby dragon melted with happiness.

“Okay! Then I’ll protect Shushu from now on!”

It was a reassuring promise, but I sighed inwardly.

‘Even baby dragons are still dragons.’

If I had told it the truth—that Izhael was responsible—it would have been a disaster.

Hiser, looking down at Aka with mild annoyance, suddenly spoke.

“By the way, this is a problem.”

“What is?”

“The dragons have been going wild lately. Their patience is already thin. We should prepare.”

I narrowed my brows.

“What kind of preparation?”

Hiser smiled faintly.

“Your debut.”

For a moment, I thought I misheard.

“Debut…? What, am I an idol or something?”

Hiser’s eyes sparkled.

“You’ll be showing your abilities in front of the dragons.”

Seeing my confused expression, he explained the plan.

And as I listened, I couldn’t even close my mouth.

‘Is this dragon insane…?’

I blinked and asked in a strange voice.

“You want to open a bakery for dragons?”

“Yes.”

It was true that opening my own bakery had always been my dream.

The marquis had promised to gift me a shop if I completed a month of lessons safely for my birthday.

I had planned to open a small, cozy bakery exactly the way I liked it.

But I had imagined human customers—not dragons.

I asked anxiously,

“Do dragons even want to eat my bread?”

Aka and Hiser always devoured everything I baked without leaving a single crumb.

I was proud when they enjoyed my food, but that didn’t guarantee others would too.

I had seen plenty of bakeries fail due to pride and lack of customers.

But Hiser suddenly burst out laughing.

“That’s the most useless worry I’ve ever heard.”

“Excuse me?”

“Of course they’ll line up just to take a bite. And beyond that…”

He narrowed his eyes lazily and reached out, lifting my chin slightly.

“They’ll want to eat you too.”

“…Excuse me?!”

That’s a huge problem!

My face went completely pale as I imagined enormous dragons opening their jaws and swallowing me whole.

At that moment, Aka smacked Hiser with its wing.

“No one can eat Shushu!”

I felt warmth bloom in my chest.

‘You’re the only one on my side…’

As I patted the baby dragon emotionally, Aka crossed its tiny arms and added,

“Shushu is mine! I won’t share!”

“……”

The warmth in my chest immediately turned cold.

So much for my touching moment…