The garden still echoed with laughter as Roy dashed between the flowerbeds, with Bela White hot on his heels.
"Get back here, you little brat!" she shouted, half furious, half flustered.
"You'll have to catch me first!" Roy laughed, dodging behind a rose arch.
But fate — and the uneven garden stones — had other plans.
Bela's foot caught on a root, and with a startled yelp, she stumbled forward. Roy turned just in time — too late to stop himself from colliding into her.
Thud!
The two tumbled onto the soft grass, ending up in a heap — Bela on the ground, and Roy right above her.
For a heartbeat, neither spoke. The only sound was the fluttering of leaves and Dvalin's curious chirp nearby.
Bela's face was bright red. "R-Roy… y-you—"
Roy blinked at her, tilting his head innocently. Then, with his usual teasing grin, he raised his hand and gently brushed her cheek.
"Your face is all red again," he said softly. "You look even prettier when you're flustered, Miss Bela."
Her breath caught — she didn't know what to say.
Roy smiled — not teasing this time, but calm and warm — and leaned forward just a little, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.
"Don't be mad," he whispered. "That's for smiling again."
Bela froze for a second, then quickly turned her head away, covering her face.
"Y-you really are impossible…" she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Roy chuckled, stood up, and offered her a hand.
"Come on, let's go find Dvalin before he burns down the roses."
Still blushing, Bela took his hand — her heart fluttering in a way she hadn't felt in years.
Later That Day
Roy introduced baby Dvalin to Darius and Alex Valvas, who immediately took a liking to the dragonling. Dvalin cooed happily as Roy carefully held a bottle of milk to its mouth, feeding it like a newborn.
The sight melted everyone's hearts.
Jessica smiled fondly. "Roy, you'll make a wonderful father one day."
Roy blinked, confused. "Huh? But I'm still small."
Everyone laughed.Across the table, Grayfia, Rem, Ram, Bela, Venelana, and Albedo all turned slightly red, exchanging glances but saying nothing.
Meanwhile, Clara Valvas and Jessica Valvas shared a quiet, knowing look — the kind mothers and grandmothers have.
Clara (to herself): "Our little Roy… I can't wait to see the next generation."Jessica (smiling faintly): "Neither can I, Mother."