As Rumina sat up, still a bit flushed from the unexpected moment, she looked over at kaira, gathering her composure. "Didn't he… didn't he know who I am?" she asked, still embarrassed but trying to sound nonchalant.
Kaira shook her head with a smirk. "No, he doesn't know anything about you, my dear," she replied.
Rumina took a deep breath, fidgeting a bit as she spoke, her voice just above a whisper, "Well… he defeated me, which means… he qualifies to marry me."
Kaira's eyebrows lifted, entertained by this revelation. "Oh?" she said, feigning surprise as she played along. "And why would that be?"
Rumina's cheeks flushed deeper, and she struggled to explain without sounding too flustered. "There's… a condition my father placed on me. He said that if anyone managed to defeat me in combat, that person would have the right to marry me. And now that he has… well…"
But before she could continue, Ravihiro gave a small chuckle and said, "No thanks," before walking out, heading back to his peaceful life in the Beast Forest. This unexpected rejection left Rumina speechless, her face turning beet red with embarrassment. She quickly pulled the bedsheet over her head, hiding from the humiliation as kaira watched the scene unfold with pure amusement.
Trying to contain her laughter, kaira said with a grin, "Oh, you poor thing. He just… walked away." She chuckled again, savoring the drama. "But, my dear Rumina, this isn't going to be easy. Ravihiro doesn't care about titles, power, or even marriage."
Rumina peeked out from under the sheet, her expression a mixture of frustration and disbelief. "What's wrong with him? Who just… turns down a proposal like that?"
Kaira leaned in, her voice light and teasing. "That's Ravihiro for you. He's different. He doesn't live for the same things we do."
Rumina's eyes narrowed slightly, intrigued despite herself. "Then what does he live for?"
Kaira sat down beside her, smiling thoughtfully. "Ravihiro is a true mystery, even to himself. He lives alone in the Beast Forest, prefers his solitude, and only cares for simple things—his art, his training, and occasionally, a good challenge. But he never craves wealth or status."
Rumina sighed, still half-hidden beneath the sheet. "So, you're saying he's going to be impossible to win over?"
"Oh, not impossible,"kaira replied, her tone mischievous. "Just… challenging. You'll have to get creative. He's not one to be swayed by the usual charms."
Just then, a glint of knowing amusement shone in kaira's eyes. She gave a sly smile. "By the way… I haven't properly introduced myself to you, have I?"
Rumina blinked, momentarily taken off guard. "Introduce yourself? But you're Kaira, aren't you?"
Kaira's expression softened with a sense of regal pride, the air around her shimmering as her true aura was revealed. "Yes… but I'm also known by another name. Kaira, Queen of the Dragons."
Rumina's jaw dropped, stunned. "You… you're… the Dragon Queen?"
no, Kaira—laughed, thoroughly enjoying her friend's shock. "Surprise!" she teased, giving Rumina a playful wink."And here I am, enjoying watching you squirm."
Rumina groaned, trying to process this. "Of course. Only you would find a way to turn my misery into entertainment."
Kaira/Kaira laughed again. "Oh, Rumina, you're in for a wild ride. Ravihiro won't be won over easily. But if you're serious… then you're going to need patience. A lot of it."