The young Dragon had claimed his treasure. His word was absolute, his eyes burned with an unshakable resolve, and the strange, sudden love he had developed for a girl he had only just met shimmered like wildfire in his heart. His determination was clear—he would stand against the world itself for her. She was no longer just a girl. She was his world, his heart, and his chosen fate. None could yet predict what such love—so fierce and so sudden—would bring.
The meeting between House Hale and the Valcrens ended, and the Hale family was escorted to their guest chamber.
Clank.
A deep sigh echoed across the lavishly decorated room.
"Ahhh…" Azakael collapsed onto the velvet bed, its sheen alone worth enough to feed a poor family for months. His hands trembled against his knees. "What should we do now? We are doomed…" His voice cracked, his gaze falling helplessly on Jane.
Jane forced calm into her tone as she tried to soothe him. "It's alright. Don't be this afraid." But her eyes betrayed her, flickering with the same fear she tried to hide.
On the bed, Seraphina sat quietly, watching the scene unfold. All night she had buried her emotions under layers of restraint, but now—alone with her parents—the fragile dam broke.
Tears fell silently from her surreal black eyes, sliding down her pale cheeks. For long moments no sound came, only the weight of sorrow and unspoken guilt. At last, her lips trembled, and a broken voice escaped her throat.
"Mom… I'm sorry…"
The words carried the weight of sorrow and helplessness, enough to pierce Jane's heart. Without hesitation, Jane rushed forward, gathering her daughter in her arms and clutching her as though afraid she might vanish. She held her tightly—like a mother reunited with her child after a long separation.
Azakael, watching this, felt his own heart twist with guilt. His cowardice… his weakness… had brought his precious daughter to tears. He cursed himself silently, then rose and walked toward them, wrapping his arms around both wife and daughter. For the first time in years, the family held one another, drawing strength from their bond against the storm raging around them.
"My precious one," Jane whispered, wiping tears from Seraphina's cheeks. "Don't worry. We'll talk to the Dragon Duke. If you don't like the young master, we'll put an end to this."
"Yes," Azakael said, summoning all his courage. "I will personally speak with the Duke."
But Seraphina shook her head, her lips trembling with a shy smile, her cheeks warm with a blush. "No, Father. It's alright. I… I don't dislike him."
Her parents blinked, surprised.
"My little doe, you had to fall for a dragon…" Jane exhaled, half exasperated, half fond, and stroked her daughter's hair.
"It can benefit our house too," Seraphina added softly.
Jane tightened her embrace. "Why would you think we'd sacrifice our precious doe for the house? Never."
Azakael placed a reassuring arm around Seraphina's shoulders. "If you like him, there's no reason to stop you."
The three remained like that—bound together by affection and unspoken fear—until Jane asked gently, "Tell us, Sera. Why do you like him? The hot-blooded dragon?"
Seraphina's cheeks grew crimson. Her fingers twisted nervously in her lap, her head bowed as she whispered, "Because… he was ready to fight for me. He was angry for my sake—for a lowly noble girl everyone else ignored, treated as if I were air…"
Jane's lips curved into a tender smile. "Awww… my little doe. How innocent you are."
"And you are cute," Azakael added with a chuckle. "I bet he fell for that too."
The family laughed softly, easing the heaviness of the night. For the first time, Seraphina felt calmer.
Knock. Knock.
A familiar voice filtered through the door. "May I enter?"
"Yes, please," Jane answered.
Asher stepped inside, his smile polite and faintly shy. "I hope you're settling in well, Lord Azakael, Lady Jane."
"Everything is perfect," Jane replied with a forced smile. "What brings the young lord here?"
"I came to introduce Nina," Asher said, gesturing toward a maid behind him. "She will be your personal attendant. Ask her for anything, and she will provide it." His gaze then softened. "Also… may I speak with Seraphina alone?"
The parents exchanged a glance, then nodded. "Of course." Smiling faintly, they left the room.
Asher approached Seraphina, his movements careful, almost nervous. Sitting beside her, he spoke quietly. "I'm sorry for everything that happened today."
"It's alright," she murmured, lowering her gaze. "By the way… you can call me Sera." Her cheeks flushed.
"Sera," he repeated softly, testing the sound. His eyes flickered with worry. "Were you… crying?" He reached out, brushing a hand against her cheek.
She shook her head quickly. "It's nothing."
"Won't it be a problem if someone sees you here?" she whispered.
"No. No one will see me." He smirked, a flicker of dragon pride in his expression.
Sera hesitated, then asked, "Can I ask you something?"
"Go ahead."
"Why did you do this for me? Why go against everyone?" Her eyes shone with unspoken wonder.
Asher's ears reddened, and he looked away. "I… I don't know. It's just… something about you draws me in. I can't explain it."
Her heart skipped a beat. The air between them thickened with shy tension. Neither spoke. They simply sat together, gazing through the window at the moon—brilliant, luminous, a queen of the sky.
"Even the moon's beauty…" Asher whispered, his voice tender, "is nothing compared to yours."
Sera covered her face with her hands, overwhelmed. "Thank you…"
He rose, bowing slightly with a hand on his chest. "Sleep well, my lady."
"You too," she answered, her smile soft and glowing.
When Asher left the room, his composure shattered. His heart pounded wildly, his face burned red, and his hands trembled as though gripped by fever. Damn it… this feeling… worse than poison.
Snapping his fingers, two shadows materialized behind him—silent, featureless, their presence nearly indistinguishable from the dark itself.
"Protect her at all cost," Asher commanded.
"As you command, young lord." The shadows vanished without trace.
His eyes flickered toward Nina. A deadly aura seeped from him, sharp as a blade. "Make sure you don't make mistakes. If I find out you mistreat them, your head will roll before you can speak."
Nina trembled. "Y-yes, young lord."
Only then did Asher turn toward his chamber.
But before he could rest, a familiar voice stopped him.
"Young master." Emily approached swiftly.
"What is it?"
"Young lord Michael is looking for you in his chamber."
"Big brother?" Asher blinked in surprise, then made his way down the glowing corridor, magical lamps casting pale light across the stone floor.
Knock. Knock. "Brother, may I enter?"
"Yes," Michael's sharp, steady voice replied.
Asher opened the door—and froze. William and Lilith sat on the bed, both smiling. William polished his sword, while Lilith hid her mischievous grin with little success. Michael sat in his chair, arms crossed, watching intently.
"Why are you all here?" Asher asked, confused.
"To congratulate you, little dragon," Lilith teased.
"We didn't get a chance earlier," William said warmly.
"You made a record greater than anyone before," Michael added, pride flickering in his voice.
Asher smiled and sat between William and Lilith. Their gazes softened, as though they were watching their younger brother grow before their eyes.
"Here." Michael handed him a long box.
"What is it?"
"A gift from me."
Asher opened it, revealing a pitch-black sword, darker than night. Its spiral handle looked as though the wind itself had been caught mid-motion. The straight blade tapered into a subtle curve near its end, unique and deadly.
Lilith scoffed. "That's trash. You gave him this for breaking a record?"
"Do you even know swords, you pig?" Michael shot back in frustration.
Asher lifted the blade, awe in his eyes. "It's beautiful. Thank you, big brother."
Pride softened Michael's stern features.
"I'll call it… Noir," Asher declared.
The moment his mana flowed into it, the sword glowed, then dissolved into black light, wrapping itself around his wrist as a bracelet.
Everyone—including Asher—stared in shock.
"It's an ancient dwarven artifact," Michael explained calmly. "It bends to its chosen master's will. It didn't accept me, but… it seems it's accepted you."
William nodded. "That explains it."
The night turned warmer as William and Lilith offered their own gifts—William, a spatial ring of rare magic; Lilith, several magic stone mines and a mansion in the capital.
Asher accepted them with gratitude.
Finally, Lilith leaned in, her voice playful. "So, little dragon… what are you going to do about your doe?"
Asher didn't hesitate. "Make her mine."
The room fell silent. Shock rippled across their faces—but quickly gave way to smiles. For the first time, Asher—the prideful, cold dragon—had revealed his heart. And it was beating fiercely for someone.