No Matter How Hard I Think About It
Rune and Perdikion waited, chatting lightly.
A faint sound came from outside the door.
Knock knock.
A soft knock.
Rune, already guessing who it was, responded.
“Christina?”
A sweet chocolate scent seeped through the door crack, mingled with soft vanilla and orange.
The fragrance seemed to open the door itself, and it swung gently inward.
Click.
Christina entered and, seeing the two, let out a light exclamation.
“Oh my. You've changed to human form in the meantime.”
“Yeah. Someone might show up suddenly, after all.”
Christina gave a slight smile at Rune's reply.
“Hehe. Good boy.”
She placed the tray she carried on the small table.
Three steaming cups, and two small jars.
Her slender, jade-like hand picked up a tiny spoon.
“Here, let me mix in a little honey.”
“Okay.”
As Rune answered, Christina opened the small honey jar.
Clink.
She dipped the spoon in and scooped up a thick glob; sticky, golden honey overflowed onto the wooden spoon.
Drip drip.
Clink.
With the grace of a noblewoman, she stirred sweetness into the milk.
I didn't feel hungry or anything, but strangely, my mouth is watering.
While Rune thought that, the spoon lightly tapped the cup.
Tap.
The cup was neatly set before him.
The enticing aroma drew his eyes to it automatically.
As he stared at the lingering trails of honey swirling in the milk, Perdikion was the first to greet politely and sit.
“Thank you for the meal, Lady Christina.”
Rune sat too, expressing his gratitude.
“Looks delicious. I'll enjoy it, Christina.”
Christina gave a slight nod, and both boys grasped their cups.
Slurp.
“!”
Warm milk scent spread through the air.
Rich milky flavor, nutty taste.
And a gentle circulation of vital energy through his body.
Finished with sweet honey.
As expected.
The golden honey and creamy milk glided over his tongue.
It even relaxed his body.
Christina's honey milk fulfilled its role perfectly.
Perdikion, sipping thick hot chocolate, seemed to unwind as well.
Once the two hatchlings had drunk about half...
Christina, who had fetched her own tea and was sipping it, spoke up.
“The Water Lair... It was much purified when I visited not long ago.”
Rune nodded and replied.
“Yeah. You could see Amelia's efforts everywhere.”
This light exchange naturally set the mood for conversation.
Click.
Christina's teacup settled on its saucer.
Apple mint fragrance wafted as her lips parted.
“Can you tell me more about why you went to the Water Lair?”
Here it comes.
Rune thought so and set his cup on the table.
Christina probably had a rough idea of the big picture already.
Rune spoke first.
“I got word that Amelia woke from her sleep period. I had some business anyway, so I went right away.”
Perdikion followed up.
“I stopped by his room in the afternoon, but Rune wasn't there. I messaged him and learned he was still over there. I couldn't leave him alone, so I went along.”
Christina nodded at Perdikion's story, which ended with a soft sigh.
“Rune, what was this 'business' of yours?”
Her blue gaze naturally turned to him.
Rune answered.
“At first, I meant to give her the World Tree fruit I got here. Her parents are really ill, after all.”
“That's very thoughtful of you.”
Her voice softened with gentle praise.
Did I scold him too harshly without knowing his pure intentions? I feel a bit sorry now.
Christina saw Rune's concern for Amelia as purely kind-hearted.
Of course, Rune's true thoughts were a tad different.
Amelia's talent that can bolster my strength. I need to take good care of her.
Of course, he had no need to voice such cunning inner motives, so Rune just smiled innocently.
At the young hatchling's smile, Christina's tone softened even more, tinged with regret.
“Going without notice was a bit reckless. This isn't my lair—it's elven territory, after all.”
“Sorry... I did leave a note saying I was heading to the Water Lair.”
Christina tilted her head slightly at Rune's reply.
“A note?”
Her soft golden hair swayed in the moonlight, brushing her parted lips.
“I didn't see anything like that...”
At her words, the Red Dragon boy raised his head a bit more.
“My apologies. I have it here.”
Rustle.
Unconsciously pocketed, the note emerged from Perdikion's hand, badly crumpled.
“My oversight. I should have left it behind.”
“Let me see it.”
Christina unfolded the note and nodded slightly.
“I see. But if contact is late, she'd worry even after seeing this. Next time, if it's getting late, message midway, both of you.”
A firm tone, though not stern.
The Red Dragon boy lowered his gaze to the table at her words.
“My apologies.”
Even knowing better and not acting on it was a fault.
Perdikion apologized readily.
Rune, sneaking a glance, spoke up.
“I'm sorry too, Christina. I lost track of time chatting with Amelia about this and that.”
Perhaps due to their remorseful demeanor, Christina watched them a moment, then nodded twice instead of replying.
“So, inside, you only met Amelia?”
Her fair, delicate hand lifted her herbal tea for a sip.
Rune replied sheepishly.
“Yeah. I planned to come right back, but while talking, I thought it'd be good if she joined Brother's task.”
“Hmm...”
Christina exhaled, letting warm tea aroma diffuse softly.
Rune continued.
“Amelia's only lived in water, so she has little experience of other worlds or real conversations with others. So...”
He explained proposing companionship to Amelia.
And her brave request.
And meeting Perdikion to secure protection.
“After that, Brother talked with Amelia, and they decided she'd join the task.”
“I see. I understand the story now.”
Listening, she found their circumstances understandable, in their own childlike way.
And praiseworthy, too.
Christina smiled faintly to herself.
They're learning to lead, push, and live together.
Young hatchlings with little prior exchange now shared stories of each other.
Even joining Perdikion's adulthood task.
They stick together so cutely.
Imagining the three together nearly melted her earlier irritation.
It was adorable, and refreshingly novel.
We dragons are independent by nature; forcing unity seemed poison...
Her generation struggled to mesh.
Even in war, they responded differently.
Perhaps if dragons hadn't clumped by clans, they'd have seen this.
Could they have reduced sacrifices in war?
Christina snapped out of such thoughts.
No, this isn't the time for reverie.
She hid a wry inner smile and gazed warmly at the two hatchlings.
Times are changing.
These children would prove it, she sensed.
Meanwhile, Rune keenly felt her mood shift and his eyes sparkled secretly.
This could work?
He had to mention joining Perdikion's task someday anyway.
Rune's outing permission.
No matter how much I think about it, now's the time.
Gauging the moment slyly, Rune spoke.
“That's why, Christina... I have a request.”
Her calm blue gaze met his.
“What is it, Rune?”
An tone that already guessed, despite asking.
Rune voiced her expectation.
“Can you let me join Brother Perdikion's task too?”
Her fine brows furrowed slightly at his words.
Worry sparked instant refusal reasons.
“Rune, on this continent, only humans—out of foolish greed—covet dragons' bones, flesh, blood, and hearts.”
And more.
Elves, beastkin—other races—even fellow humans enslaved.
Yet also saints, heroes.
Those living for world and justice.
Humans: sometimes lovable, often brutally chaotic.
From some point, dragons first learned human polymorph magic.
Mainly for leisure.
Common form, convenient anywhere.
For hatchlings, uncertain protection too.
Christina shook her head.
“I can't permit it. You're strong for your age, true, but I can't let you face them yet.”
Not even 200 years old—a young hatchling.
Scales immature, hide soft compared to adults.
Rune felt inwardly disappointed.
As expected, but hearing it stung.
I knew Christina would say that.
Until now, Rune had mostly obeyed her.
Sometimes sly tricks or setups made stopping him hard, letting him proceed as planned.
But it's time to wrap that up.
Rune drew breath and spoke at once.
“But Christina, I want to see the wider world.”
Her eyes deepened at his words.
Perdikion, sensing her shift, watched Rune tensely.
But Rune pressed on undaunted.
“Gaining the Seal of Darkness, Seal of Fire, Seals of Water and Forest... I realize this world is vast, full of diversity.”
He clenched his fist.
His gaze—fierce will for a child—fixed on Christina.
“I'm curious about this power's flow and cycle. The lives that are part of that cycle.”
Christina gazed down inscrutably.
Her lids lowered gently; an enigmatic, transcendent voice flowed out.
“You don't fear the unknown.”
“It's not unknown.”
Christina's eyes opened slightly at Rune's retort.
Deep blue depths fixed on him.
Her pupils quivered faintly at his next words.
“The world is part of me, and I am part of the world. Why fear it?”
“...!”
Christina's pupils widened slightly.
His words carried profound realization.
Beyond the transmitted knowledge she gave, instinctively grasped.
Gazing at Rune, Christina inwardly marveled.
This child... is truly a genius.
Body like a fledgling flapping in the nest.
Yet his words evoked an eagle soaring on vast wings.