Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Dragon Tamer: Peria Alperatz (5)
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—Peria Alperatz.
After facing the magic demonstration in Celestia, she had spent a long time in tedious waiting.
The beautiful white dragon that would come to Peria.
She had endured day by day, waiting only for that.
Peria's maids had even started giving her suspicious looks at the sight of her searching for letters all day long.
“It’s finally here—the gift!”
In the end, after a fortnight, she was able to receive the gift she had so eagerly awaited today.
A luxurious jewelry box had arrived in Peria’s room.
As if worried it might get damaged, her maid had carefully placed the box on her desk.
Spotting the jewelry box, Peria slowly checked its contents with a face brimming with anticipation.
Click.
The moment the box’s clasp opened and revealed what was inside.
Peria’s hand carefully lifted the necklace that lay within.
“This must be the magic tool Master Johan mentioned. It looks so beautiful.”
The necklace, seemingly crafted from platinum filigree, sparkled in Peria’s grasp.
At the center of the pristine white chain gleamed a blue gem radiating a lustrous light.
Even Peria, who knew little of magic, could tell it was a magic stone.
A special magic tool inscribed with dragon-handling spells.
Gazing at the radiant necklace, Peria cautiously draped it around her neck.
Smooth, tie.
Looking in the mirror, Peria’s hands securely fastened the clasp.
“I wonder if it suits me in others’ eyes too? It’s something I’ll have to wear every day, so I hope it looks good.”
Her golden eyes gazed at her reflection.
Radiant blonde hair and sparkling eyes.
Below them, on her pale nape, the blue-glowing gem was visible.
The artisan who crafted the magic tool had clearly put some thought into it—the pendant didn’t look out of place compared to other jeweled necklaces.
Moreover, the necklace had one special feature.
Fwaaah—
The necklace around Peria’s neck emitted light, and a tiny white baby dragon materialized in midair.
“Hello! Long time no see!”
Peria smiled at the dragon perched on her palm.
The majestic battle-ready form was impressive, but this diminutive state had its own cute charm.
Smooth, stroke.
Each time Peria stroked the little dragon’s head, it nuzzled against her hand.
Is this the feeling people get from raising dogs or cats?
Peria watched the dragon with a pleased smile before gently placing it on her right shoulder.
Kyao!
Letting out a light cry, the little dragon settled onto Peria’s shoulder.
“Good girl, good.”
Kyao, kyao—
Balanced on Peria’s shoulder, the dragon closed its eyes.
“What an obedient little thing. I love how well-behaved she is.”
Delighted by the adorable dragon, Peria closed the jewelry box with a satisfied expression.
She pictured Philip’s shocked face upon seeing it.
Philip had always loved dragons.
Peria imagined how her brother would react and felt a surge of excitement.
“He’ll definitely be thrilled too. Yes! I need to go show Philip right away.”
That was the wish she’d made—expecting only her brother’s joy.
She didn’t yet know what price she’d have to pay for it—
But even so, Peria was blissfully happy in this moment.
Creak—
Peria flung open the door and stepped out with light, cheerful footsteps.
* * * * * *
The annex where Philip Alperatz was staying.
Arriving at its front, Peria pushed open the door with eager anticipation.
Creeeak—
As Peria swung the heavy door wide, sunlight streamed into the annex beyond.
The pristine Persian rugs on the floor.
Neatly arranged portraits of past family heads and sculptures.
And filling the empty spaces: dragon-shaped ornaments holding memories of Philip and Peria.
“……”
Yet amid this scene were people Peria hadn’t expected.
Her gaze fell on the servants standing on the rugs.
In their hands were large boxes.
Boxes prepared for packing belongings.
And the items inside were all too familiar to Peria.
Crude dragon dolls.
Travelogues filled with tales of sea dragons.
Paintings depicting dragon slayer legends.
All the countless gifts Peria had prepared for Philip over the years were being boxed up and moved.
“Why are you all… here?”
“……”
Behind the servants stood a man with a dark expression and complicated features.
“Please answer me, Father.”
“……Peria.”
Blake Alperatz.
The current head of House Alperatz and a great lord ruling the fertile western lands.
Peria’s father stood there.
The marquess looked at her from the shadows and spoke.
“You’ve come here again today, as expected.”
“That’s not the point right now! Why did you bring the servants? And why are they packing Philip’s things into boxes!”
Peria’s eyes glared at the marquess.
He was the man who had long tolerated her wandering the empire after leaving the territory.
The one who had shown kindness even to Philip, the illegitimate son.
That was why Peria couldn’t comprehend this sudden behavior.
“Explain yourself, Father.”
“Is it a problem for a father to visit his child?”
“You never once visited Philip in the past two years, so why are you clearing out the annex now!”
Peria fixed her steadfast gaze on the marquess, glaring.
Smooth—
In response, the marquess’s eyes shifted to her shoulder.
On Peria’s shoulder, shadowed by her golden hair.
There sat the form of a little white dragon.
“Another new toy, is it? Even as you grow into a proper lady, you haven’t changed since childhood.”
“This isn’t a toy… No, that’s not the point. That’s not what I want to hear from you.”
“……”
“Those things over there… they’re precious memories Philip and I collected over the years.”
Smooth—
The marquess’s eyes turned to the box in the servant’s hands.
“Things you two gathered since you were children. Some even date back to when Isabella was still alive.”
“You know what they mean to us, don’t you, Father?”
“Yes, I know.”
“Then why are you packing them up now?”
A bitter smile crept across the shadowed marquess’s face.
Peria’s eyes scanned his features.
In her childhood, the marquess had seemed so immense.
Eyes that pierced through everything in the world, shoulders firm enough to achieve any goal.
To Peria as a little girl, her father had been kinder and stronger than anyone.
But when had it started?
The marquess she knew began to change bit by bit.
“Peria Alperatz. Everyone grows up eventually.”
Was it after his beloved wife departed?
Or after his cherished son weakened and fell ill?
Blake Alperatz was gradually becoming a different man.
Now, even that gentle side had faded into a distant, discolored memory.
“A child grows into an adult, and from that moment, they must awaken from their dreams.”
“……”
“But… I realized that far too late.”
The shadowed marquess gazed at Peria with vacant eyes.
The kindly father she once knew was no longer in those eyes.
—Emptiness.
Eyes hollowed out, containing nothing but shell, fixed on Peria.
“Father, what you’re saying is…”
“Peria. Since taking this seat, I’ve lost so much. Isabella. Philip. And now… I fear I’ll lose you too.”
“……”
“I had to make a decision before it was too late. A fine father, faithful husband, just and honorable lord… All of it was nothing but an absurd dream.”
A torrent of emotions spilled from the marquess’s lips.
His lost wife.
His heir turned invalid.
His daughter chasing legends.
Every word from Blake Alperatz stirred unpleasant feelings in Peria.
Everything was going wrong.
So much had veered off course—
His voice, wrung from the depths of his soul, wedged like a stake into Peria’s heart.
And as Blake retraced all those memories, he soon looked at the girl before him and spoke.
“Peria. I plan to fully step down as family head soon.”
“…What?”
A shocking declaration from the marquess’s mouth.
Peria’s trembling eyes took in his form.
Faded golden hair.
Unkempt, bushy beard.
Eyes lost to darkness, devoid of will.
The crumbling Blake Alperatz offered a bitter smile and opened his mouth.
“It’s time for me to wake from this long dream too. Soon, your uncle will become the next Marquess Alperatz.”
Words like a nightmare echoed in Peria’s ears.