Chapter 33. A Drunken Dragon's Old Story "Thank you for making time, Triae."
"Not at all, thank you for inviting us."
"Thank you!"
I said politely while Camellia expressed her gratitude with an innocent smile.
Rita-ssi smiled faintly as she lifted her wine glass, drinking its contents with restrained elegance.
Ah, I should first explain why we're with Rita-ssi and where we are.
Rewinding about an hour earlier, I had headed to Pesto's Adventurer Guild to gather information about those targeting me.
Camellia volunteered as my escort, traveling within my shadow as we entered the city together.
Just as I was about to request information about the organizations that had posted commissions at the reception desk, I coincidentally ran into Rita-ssi.
"Triae, we meet again."
"Ah...! Rita-ssi, hello!"
"You seem well. To think you're already walking around in perfect condition."
"Haha, my species is quite accustomed to such matters..."
"Hmm, would you care to join me for a meal if you have time? I was just about to eat myself - I'd like to finish our earlier conversation."
Though an unexpected invitation outside my plans, I had no reason to refuse and nodded.
"Of course. If it's alright with you, may my daughter join us?"
"Daughter... you mean?"
"Yes, the child born that day. Camellia, could you come out for a moment?"
At my call, Camellia emerged from the shadows as naturally as if she'd been hiding behind me all along, peeking out shyly.
Rather than mere shyness, her demeanor seemed wary - as if sensing potential danger from Rita-ssi.
Rita-ssi marveled at how the newborn from back then had already grown into a young girl appearing in her early teens, offering a kind smile as she addressed Camellia.
"Pleasure to meet you, Camellia. Right?"
"...Hello."
"No need to be so afraid. Your mother and I are friends. You've grown quite beautiful, taking after her."
"Thank you... what should I call you?"
"You can call me unnie if you like. Or just Rita if you prefer."
Rita-ssi proved remarkably skilled with children.
She precisely identified the reason for Camellia's wariness and softened her defenses through compliments.
As Rita-ssi maintained her kind smile while showering praise, Camellia's lips gradually curled upward until she began smiling.
"Truly a precocious and mature child. It won't be long before you become a fine lady like your mother."
"Hehe, of course! I'm Mama's daughter!"
"I love seeing such confidence. A proud mother's proud daughter - as it should be."
"You know your stuff! Uhuhuhu!"
Once Rita-ssi realized Camellia loved compliments tying back to me, she kept referencing me to inflate the girl's pride - to the point where I felt embarrassed just listening nearby.
When sufficient rapport formed between them, Rita-ssi smoothly concluded the conversation and changed topics.
"Shall we get going then? There's a restaurant I frequent near here - if you don't mind, I'd like to treat you there."
"Yes, let's do that."
"Okay!"
But contrary to my expectations of a casual eatery, Rita-ssi led us to an opulent restaurant fit for nobility.
As I stood bewildered - unaware such an establishment existed here - Rita-ssi familiarly checked us in, selecting the quietest and finest room before guiding us inside.
The dazzling restaurant left me lightheaded. When I opened the menu, my eyes nearly popped out.
Seeing dishes costing dozens to hundreds times my usual meal expenses, I began questioning whether such extravagant spending on food was justified.
Rita-ssi chuckled softly at my menu-struggles, offered to pay, and began ordering various dishes.
After handing the order sheet to the waiter, countless dishes soon arrived - enough to cover the entire table and threaten to break its legs.
"Now then, let's eat. Enjoy your meal."
"Thank you for the food."
"Thank you for the food!"
Perhaps due to her draconic blood, most dishes Rita-ssi selected were meat-based.
I stuck to lighter fare, fearing indigestion from unfamiliar gourmet food, while Camellia happily sliced into her steak.
Rita-ssi... maintained elegant decorum while eating, but the sheer quantity and speed of food entering her mouth defied refinement.
Despite her monstrous appetite, she showed consideration by cutting large portions of meat dishes and serving them to Camellia's plate.
"Is it to your taste? I hope I didn't order too much to my own preferences."
"It's delicious. Though I'm worried it might be a bit heavy on my stomach..."
"You need proper nourishment to stay strong. Eat as much as you can manage."
As she spoke, Rita-ssi emptied her eighth plate.
Camellia was just starting her second plate of new dishes, while I finished my meal after my third serving.
The liquid in what I thought was a water glass turned out to be champagne, leaving me feeling queasy.
* * *
After finishing our meal, we soothed our grease-filled stomachs with fruit dessert.
Camellia stared in amazement at Rita-ssi who had single-handedly consumed about 90% of the food.
Noticing this gaze, Rita-ssi cleared her throat (ahem ahem) with flushed cheeks, initiating conversation to change the subject.
"So, Triae. Aren't we still too unfamiliar with each other to call ourselves friends?"
"That's true. Honestly, I only know you as a famous adventurer. This is my first time learning you're such a big eater too."
"Ahem. What if we share about ourselves to get better acquainted? We'll likely be seeing each other often during my stay here."
"Good idea, let's do that."
We awkwardly exchanged details about ourselves.
Through trivial chatter about favorite colors, hobbies, and weekend activities, we gradually learned about each other.
Rita-ssi seemed embarrassed by her own suggestion, taking frequent sips from her glass after each exchange.
As alcohol loosened her tongue, Rita-ssi suddenly began recounting her past.
"My mother... was the only daughter of a minor Northern Baron Family. With her blue hair and exceptional beauty, they called her the 'Blue Rose.'"
I glanced at Rita-ssi's hair while imagining her mother as I listened.
"One day while traveling to another territory, my mother's carriage was ambushed and she was kidnapped. The attacker was a Black Dragon with Golden Eyes - the one who would become my father."
"Huh? So your father... kidnapped your mother?"
"Yes. Father fell in love at first sight, attacked her carriage, and took her to his nest."
"That sounds... rather unpleasant."
"It might seem that way to outsiders. But for them, it was intensely romantic. Immediately after bringing her to his nest, Father transformed into human form and confessed his love. Mother fell for him at first sight too."
"...But the ending wasn't happy, I assume."
Seeing Rita-ssi's sorrowful eyes, I guessed correctly as she nodded.
"Right. Though they shared loving, happy times, news of his daughter's carriage being attacked enraged Grandfather. His only child's abduction made his fury sky-high. He gathered soldiers and hired adventurers and mercenaries for a dragon subjugation. Though a small territory, it wasn't weak."
"Many must have died or been injured. How could they..."
"Surprisingly, no. When Father and Mother saw the armed forces approaching, they finally understood the situation and sought peaceful resolution. Father revealed himself as a dragon with Mother riding him, moving slowly to negotiate. But events unfolded rapidly."
"What happened?"
"Some panicked at seeing a dragon, stabbing Father with spears, shooting arrows, and casting spells. Mother desperately screamed to stop the fighting, but they wouldn't listen."
The story seemed painful for Rita-ssi as she gulped down her drink.
After exhaling deeply, she continued.
"Father absorbed all attacks without resistance, slowly advancing forward. Some cooler heads ceased attacking, but those more terrified by the moving dragon intensified their assault."
"..."
"Astonishingly, Father succeeded in reaching Karyen Territory in that state. Hearing a dragon had brought his daughter home, Grandfather stormed out sword drawn. Father transformed before him and pleaded: 'Your daughter and I love each other. I would give my life for her. Please set aside your anger and bless our love.'"
"And Grandfather..."
"Grandfather ran his sword through Father's chest. Right before Mother's eyes."
I grimaced, glancing sideways at Camellia.
Perhaps due to her demonic nature, Camellia showed little shock at the death story.
Like listening to a fairy tale, she watched with sparkling eyes, chin propped on hands, utterly engrossed.
"Mother hugged Father's corpse and wailed. Until she collapsed from exhaustion. Afterwards, she secluded herself, refusing all visitors. Maids said whenever they brought meals, heartbreaking sobs echoed from her room."
"Wait. Something puzzles me. Then how were you..."
"Ten months after Mother's seclusion, a baby's cry echoed through the castle at midnight. There were no children or pregnant women in the castle."
"Don't tell me-"
"Yes. Mother had hidden her pregnancy and quietly given birth to me alone."
My jaw dropped in shock.
Having experienced childbirth myself, I knew how agonizing it was to deliver a baby unaided and silent - making the revelation doubly astonishing.
"When maids forced open Mother's door, she had already passed from exhaustion after childbirth. They said even in death, she never released her hold on crying me."
"...My condolences."
"Grandfather, believing his actions killed his daughter, mourned deeply. Finally acknowledging my parents' relationship, he accepted me as family."
"Might I ask what became of Grandfather?"
"He cared for me devotedly until I came of age, passing seven years ago. I refused the family inheritance and became an adventurer to help the weak."
Rita-ssi refilled her empty glass from the bottle and gulped it down.
"Perhaps my obsession with justice stems from not wanting to sadden Grandfather. Since Father's kidnapping caused everything, I became deeply convinced that wrongdoing must be avoided."
"Do you resent your father?"
"No. But I can't understand his actions. Sacrificing his life for love - isn't life necessary for love? You must live to protect loved ones. Giving up life... it's strange."
Her words about dying for love made me think of Cecilia and Camellia.
Hoping Rita-ssi would find resolution to her doubts, I offered words somewhere between comfort and advice:
"I'm certain you'll find it too, Rita-ssi. Someone worth dying for out of love."
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