Monsters Wag Their Tails Only at Me

A human holding a dragon’s heart in their hands and swearing an oath while calling each other’s names.

That was the heart contract.

The two beings connected by the contract were said to share experiences and emotions. Even when apart, their souls were bound as if they were together.

In some ways, it might have been an even closer bond than being Varen’s mate. I didn’t want to hand that place over to another human either.

But....

“No, listen, my dear dragon. Think about it. How the hell am I supposed to do that to you?”

“What are you even....”

“You want me to put a knife to your body? To grab something beating like this with my bare hands? I can’t!”

Cut open the chest of a perfectly living person? It wasn’t as if this world had anesthetics either.

The more I spoke aloud, the more vivid that cruel image became.

I had found one single reason that crushed all the countless complicated ones at once.

“Just don’t do it. Don’t do that with anyone!”

“......”

“First, we’ll get rid of that bastard King Laskar, and if some other bastard comes after your heart... I’ll protect you! Trust your big brother, right?”

As I said that, grabbing the hand layered over mine, Varen stared at me with a dumbfounded expression.

Seeing that innocent face hardened my resolve. If it came down to it, I could just take this dragon and hide away somewhere no one could find us.

What was the place called again? There was apparently an island where the Dravergh spent their honeymoons, so that sounded perfect.

After finishing that brief vow, I nodded firmly. Then Varen let out a breathless laugh.

“Big brother? I told you last time too, I’m older than....”

“Enough with the lovers’ quarrel.”

The voice that cut off Varen belonged to Morpha.

I whipped my head around at once, and there stood Morpha, the bedroom door open. I had no idea when they had arrived.

“If we want to arrive before sunset, we need to leave now.”

Morpha spoke in a flat tone. I glared at them with all my might.

Until recently, they had been my precious problem-solver.

Not anymore.

Because the root cause of my argument with Varen had been a single sentence out of their mouth.

“Looking at me like that won’t change anything. We leave in five minutes, so come downstairs.”

Their attitude, acting like nothing had happened after dropping a nuclear bomb on me, was infuriating.

Grinding my teeth, I glared after Morpha as they walked briskly away.

“Now that I think about it, it’s not like I have to listen to everything Morpha says. Right?”

“Hm. You never did in the first place.”

“That goes for you too.”

I grumbled as I looked back at Varen.

Somehow, even after raising our voices and arguing, we had ended up holding each other’s hands tightly.

Feeling awkward for no reason, I let go of Varen’s hand. Then I glanced at him.

“This wasn’t a problem the two of us could solve by talking about it from the beginning.”

“Why? In the end, you’ll be the one taking my heart.”

“...Ugh. I’ll just accept the sentiment.”

I shuddered and picked up the bag filled with clothes. When I left the bedroom first, Varen followed.

As I strode down the second-floor corridor, I stopped abruptly and turned back toward him.

I realized I had lashed out at Varen too much because I was startled by the truth that had descended on me like a disaster.

This was the first time I had fought with Varen like this. Leaving it like this made me uncomfortable.

Even though Varen had stabbed me right in the heart too, I decided to show generosity like the elder between us.

“Hey, Varen. Sorry.”

“What are you sorry for?”

“I said too much.”

More than anything, pointless fights like this were better resolved quickly.

I considered offering him a handshake of apology, then quietly spread both arms. Varen tilted his head as he looked at me.

For the sake of the dragon who was weak at body language, I kindly added an explanation.

“Hug me.”

“...Ah.”

Only then did Varen understand. He strode over and pulled me into his arms. Then he stroked the back of my head and kissed my forehead.

Once I settled into that familiar embrace, my agitation and hurt melted away.

With my head resting against his broad chest, I apologized once more.

“Sorry for yelling. I shouldn’t have done that to you.”

“It’s fine. You’re cute even when you yell.”

“You find every damn thing cute. But honestly, I was scared because I thought you were pissed off.”

“What’s pissed off?”

“Really angry.”

“I see. I wasn’t pissed off, so don’t worry.”

At Varen’s quick learning, I let out a small laugh. Then I wrapped my arms tightly around his waist.

A mountain of problems blocked the road ahead, but for now, I decided to focus on the lovely dragon in front of me.

When I raised my head, Varen automatically brought his face down. Our lips fit together perfectly, as if we had been born as a pair.

Just as our kiss of reconciliation was about to deepen, a booming voice came from below the stairs.

“Lord Varen! Ceryl! Five minutes have passed!”

At Morpha’s thunderous shout, I startled and pulled away. Varen smacked his lips regretfully.

“There, there. We’ll continue tonight.”

“The sun is still far from setting.”

Ridiculously enough, the fight that had felt like slicing water with a knife came to an end.

With my bag in one hand and Varen’s hand in the other, I descended the stairs.

But the smiles lasted only a moment. As soon as I saw the people waiting on the first floor, my brows furrowed.

Margon was waiting there, though I didn’t know when he had returned, and Morpha and Theo looked the same as ever.

My gaze turned toward the strange sight before me.

“What did you do to Milo and Days?”

The two of them hung limp as though unconscious, blindfolds over their eyes. Worse, they were floating in midair.

When I asked sharply at the absurd sight, Morpha answered in a tone that suggested it was obvious.

“They were under Phiren. There’s no need to let them know the rebels’ location.”

“Hey, still. It’s not like they’re hostages.”

“You seem to have forgotten, but those two humans are connected. Just in case, it’s better to make sure they can neither issue orders nor hear them.”

Morpha’s words were fairly reasonable.

That didn’t mean I felt better about it.

Days was one thing, but this was harsh for Milo, who was still young.

When I looked at Milo with pity, Morpha gave a resigned look and pulled something out of their pack.

They spread out a silver cloth and draped it over the two of them, and the figures floating in the air disappeared.

“If the sight bothers you, I’ll cover them.”

“...That’s just covering your eyes and pretending nothing’s there.”

Since it didn’t seem like words would get through, I decided to back down this time.

After checking one last time to make sure we weren’t leaving anything behind, we left the building.

Just then, Isabel came running over, calling me in her clear voice.

“Lord Ceryl! Lord Ceryl, wait a moment!”

I stopped and turned around. Isabel quickly caught up and held out a tray with a bright smile.

“I baked a meat pie. Please eat it on your way. You like it, don’t you?”

A large paper bag sat on the tray. Steam rose from its open mouth, making my mouth water at once.

The moment I smelled something delicious, hunger struck hard enough to pull at my stomach. My empty belly, unfed for two days, let out a rumble.

As expected, humans needed to eat food to live. Being sustained by dragon saliva alone wasn’t enough.

I quickly accepted the meat pie and smiled at Isabel.

“Thank you, Isabel. I’ll enjoy it.”

“Oh, it’s such a shame that you’re leaving already after coming back for the first time in so long. Lord Phiren and Lord Days aren’t here either. The house will be so quiet.”

As she chattered on, the smile gradually faded from my face.

We had not told the servants of the Aylos family about Phiren’s death. We had only said he would be away for a long time.

Once the curse placed on them was fully resolved, we planned to send each of them wherever they wanted to go, along with a generous severance payment.

I felt sorry for making them leave a workplace they had grown attached to, but by then, there would be no master left for them to serve anyway.

“I’ll be going now. Take care, Isabel.”

“Yes, Lord Ceryl. You as well. Come back anytime.”

I finished saying goodbye and was about to walk away when Isabel stopped me again.

“You’ve made so many friends. You always looked so lonely before. I’m truly happy for you, Lord Ceryl.”

Everyone who heard her words widened their eyes.

Theo in particular made a bizarre expression and stuck his tongue out, as if saying, Me? Friends with him?

And Varen immediately turned around to correct Isabel.

“I am not his friend. I am Ceryl’s mate....”

“Let’s go, let’s go. We’re late. The sun will set at this rate.”

I hurriedly grabbed Varen’s arm and pulled him along. Varen grumbled that he hadn’t finished speaking yet, but he soon quieted down under my urging.

We passed through the garden that still hadn’t recovered its proper appearance and went through the main gate.

Only after all watching eyes had disappeared did Varen and Morpha prepare to fly.

Varen wrapped an arm around my shoulders as if it were the most natural thing in the world, then lowered his head and asked,

“Ceryl, are you going to invite that woman to the marriage ceremony too?”

“I don’t know. I think Isabel might faint from shock if she found out.”

Wouldn’t she be shocked if the master she served said he was going to marry a dragon, and a man at that?

Well... humans in this world didn’t seem to have that kind of prejudice, so maybe inviting her would be fine.

“Lord Ceryl, shouldn’t you eat that before it gets cold?”

“Give me one too.”

Margon and Theo held out their hands to me in turn.

I took out a slice of meat pie from the paper bag and handed one to each of them.

The fragrant smell quickly chased away my useless stray thoughts.

When I took a huge bite, warm heat spread through my mouth.

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