Curiosity got the better of me, so I asked Velzard,
"How do you feel right now? Do you hate me?"
My question seemed to confuse her a little. She paused to think before speaking.
"Are you asking what happens now that my love has truly blossomed?"
"It's actually quite simple. What you saw earlier was merely my alter ego acting in my place."
"Alter ego?" I echoed.
"Yes," Velzard nodded. "Since the day I awakened my bloodline, I've always felt that somewhere out there was a soulmate meant for me.
But another part of me — another personality — rejected the idea of falling in love because it was driven by bloodline attraction."
"So two personalities formed. And because we dragons are prideful by nature, the side of me that wanted to fall in love naturally took control. That's when I was locked away. Only when you awakened your bloodline did I gain the strength to fight back."
As I listened to her explanation, the puzzle pieces started to fall into place. While I was lost in thought, I noticed Velzard hesitating as if she wanted to ask something.
"If you want to ask me something, just do it," I said.
"Why are you still alive after breaking your oath?"
Velzard's tone was filled with genuine curiosity. No being could defy a vow sworn upon the name of Goddess Megicula and live — so how did I?
Instead of answering, I simply gave her a mysterious smile, placed a finger on my lips, and whispered:
"That's a secret."
Velzard pouted at my reply. The truth, however, was simple:
Everything in this world was created by Goddess Megicula. Swearing upon her name meant binding one's soul to her.
But I was different. My soul didn't belong to this world — nor to Megicula. Because I wasn't born of her creation, swearing upon her name didn't affect me as it would others.
While I was lost in thought, I suddenly felt a gentle bite on my ear. My body trembled from the sensation.
"Ha… ha… do you know how long I've waited to meet you? I want you so badly…"
As Velzard whispered those words, I felt her hands slip beneath my clothes while her lips trailed down to my neck. She began sucking gently, sending shivers of pleasure through my body.
"W-wait… control yourself," I stammered.
When I turned to face her, I saw her eyes glistening and her cheeks flushed. She pulled me into a kiss before I could react.
At first, it was soft and hesitant — but she quickly grew more aggressive. Our lips pressed tightly together as she sucked on mine, biting gently before trying to push her tongue into my mouth.
I didn't resist. I parted my lips and let her tongue in. Soon, our tongues were entwined in a heated battle, and saliva dripped from the corners of our mouths.
She sucked on my tongue as her hands roamed beneath my shirt, exploring my body.
Her hands began moving lower — but I caught them before they could go any further.
"No," I said firmly. "We can't go beyond this."
"Why not? What's the problem?" she asked, clearly frustrated. Her desire was peaking.
"Because… there are reasons. I can't lose my virginity until I'm seventeen."
My tone was serious.
'Damn… I really can't let my guard down around this woman.'
"Hey, Velzard," I asked, "even if I were to cancel the contract, the other you would still try to kill me, wouldn't she?"
My question made her pause. The lust that clouded her eyes faded as she hesitated — then, eventually, she nodded.
'Just as I thought.'
Dragons were prideful and arrogant by nature. How could they possibly tolerate someone capable of controlling them — especially their emotions? No matter what I did, the other Velzard would want me dead. That's why I took the risk in the first place.
As for asking that alter ego to swear an oath — I'd never even considered it. Too many unpredictable variables.
"Where are we right now, and what did you do?" I asked.
"Oh, nothing much," she replied casually. "I just created a false reality for the people watching over you, while I brought you here into this artificial dimension."
Her answer left me stunned. She had infiltrated the palace unnoticed and even fooled a Saint. No wonder people called dragons the gods of the land.
"Wait, we even forgot to introduce ourselves," I said suddenly, realizing something obvious.
Velzard smiled softly at that and spoke, "My name is Velzard Bahamut, the current Dragon Empress… and the former wife of the Dragon Emperor."
Her words shocked me for a moment. Seeing my reaction, she chuckled.
"Why do you look scared?"
I held her hand gently and spoke with quiet determination.
"Why should I be afraid? You chose me. That means you'll be mine — no matter what happens."
Velzard froze for a moment, stunned by my words, then leaned in and kissed me again.
"Wait… former husband?" I asked between breaths.
"Yes, former." She smirked. "From now on, you are my husband."
With that, she wrapped her arms around me tightly, and I rested my head against her chest.
"What are you planning to do from now on? What about your husband?" I asked.
"None of that matters. The one I love most is you, my husband~~~" she purred.
As she said this, she opened my shirt slightly and began nibbling at my shoulder, leaving a mark before pulling back with a satisfied look.
"I know what you're worried about," she whispered. "That man won't suspect a thing. I'll wait — until you're strong enough."
At the same time, she took out a small insignia and handed it to me.
"I can't always be by your side, so when you need me, pour your mana into this token — and I'll come to you. I'll be waiting, my husband~~"
She kissed me softly on the lips once more before disappearing. The space around me cracked, and when I opened my eyes again, I was back in my original room.
This time, my mother was sitting beside me, and I could see Aprilia — along with a woman I didn't recognize.
As soon as I moved, my mother's eyes widened. She rushed over, hugging me tightly as tears streamed down her face. I hugged her back, trying to comfort her.
"You must never do something like that again," she scolded, her voice trembling as more tears fell.
After that, I endured a long lecture from Aprilia. Then, I finally learned that the woman beside her was none other than Alevi, my cooking teacher — and I was quite surprised by her true appearance.
Once the lectures were over, I asked about my sisters. My mother assured me they were safe and resting.
Just then, the door opened, and a hooded woman with black hair entered.
The moment I saw her, I froze briefly before quickly regaining my composure and meeting her gaze.
Siska Fernandez.
In this life, she was my aunt. I remembered having conversations with her — but in the game, she was also one of the heroines I had to conquer.