Chapter 24
On Dealing with Dragons
“Even so,” Yoshi said, “people in this world really don’t seem all that surprised when they hear we’re from another world, huh?”
It was true — their clothes alone clearly marked them as outsiders.
The villagers all wore loose, pajama-like shirts and pants, topped with vests or jackets and rough shoes.
The women wore brightly colored cotton dresses with shawls.
No wonder Lilith had been so delighted to receive a proper dress.
“In fact,” Lilith explained, “this world has long had contact with yours.
Lately, all sorts of goods from your world have been flowing in.
A very small number of people — those who, for certain reasons, have learned about this world — are granted the king’s permission to engage in what you would call trade.”
“Tr-trade!? Wait, don’t tell me— that old man!”
The image of the dragon janitor popped into Yoshi’s mind.
“Yeah, that guy totally seems the type to do something like that,” he muttered.
Lilith only smiled softly, neither confirming nor denying it.
“By the way, Kian,” Yoshi said, “make sure you greet that Sir Shilune properly tomorrow, okay?”
“I already greeted him, didn’t I? What was wrong with it?”
He really didn’t get it.
“You call that a greeting? Come on! If someone you just met suddenly ordered you to follow their commands without even saying hello, wouldn’t you be pissed? You really messed up today.”
“What exactly did I do wrong?”
Kian leaned toward Yoshi, genuinely puzzled.
“What’s wrong? Look, this isn’t something people should have to explain,” Yoshi said. “But, basically—”
Ai leaned forward to join in.
“You’ve gotta put yourself in the other person’s shoes. Especially when you first meet them. First impressions are super important.”
“Yeah!” Yoshi nodded. “We even learned in class that the truly great ones are the ones who treat others with respect.
Think about it — when you first met Lilith, setting appearances aside, did she make you feel uncomfortable?”
“No,” Kian admitted.
“See? When someone speaks kindly and respectfully, it just feels good.
I mean, that’s probably impossible for the rest of us, but you’re a prince, aren’t you?
If someone at the top just struts around acting superior all the time, everyone’s gonna hate it.”
Ah, I see now, Kian thought.
Images of the palace attendants came to mind.
“I didn’t think I was being arrogant,” he murmured, “but I guess I was.”
“What!? You call that not being arrogant? Then what do you look like when you are? You’re hopelessly naive!”
Hmm.
Then those wise tutors of mine… did they teach me nothing but lies?
What was the point of all that ‘a king must behave this way’ nonsense?
It seems none of it was actually practical.
As Kian listened to the others talk, he began to realize that this journey to meet the dragons had another, far greater purpose than he had imagined.
That night, everyone lay down together in a small hut built for travelers.
The valley wind was strong, so they were grateful for the shelter.
There wasn’t even a single blanket, yet the cramped space, filled with so many people, felt warm — as though the temperature had risen several degrees.
When the candle was blown out, only the soft sound of running water outside could be heard.
If one listened closely, the steady rhythm of everyone’s breathing gave off a quiet sense of peace.
“Lilith. …Lilith.”
When everyone else had fallen asleep, Kian whispered softly.
“Lord Kian?”
“You’re awake? I’ve been wondering… why were you crying earlier?”
Lilith let out a small sigh.
Kian had debated for a long time whether it was even right to ask.
He’d never found it so hard to talk to someone before.
“I’m sorry for worrying you,” she said gently. “Please, think nothing of it.”
“But I do worry,” Kian insisted.
Lilith sighed again.
“You said earlier that you envied me, Lord Kian.
But I have grown up being hated because of this appearance.”
“Oh… so that’s what upset you? You were angry about that?”
He recalled how cruelly the villagers had treated her.
“No, no, that’s not it,” she said quietly. “I’ll tell you someday.
But please, allow me to keep it to myself for tonight.”
“…Alright. I understand,” Kian said, giving up and closing his eyes.
“Mother…” Ai murmured in her sleep.
Hmph. Still crying for her mother? Such a child.
But then—
Kian’s mind filled with the image of his own mother, the queen.
If none of the dragons acknowledged him, he could bear the shame himself…
but what about his father and mother? They would be humiliated because of him.
If that happened, he could no longer live in the castle.
Maybe he wouldn’t even be allowed to stay in Atralna at all.
Ah… how frightening.
“Mother…” he whispered, and tears welled in his eyes again.
Damn it.
Why can’t anything go the way I want?
Clutching his frustration tightly, Kian eventually drifted off into a deep sleep, unaware of the sleepless Lilith lying beside him, staring into the darkness.
