DSMBL Chapter 59

Chapter 59

It felt like hearing the male lead in a drama call the female lead “baby.”

But this was happening to me.

“Bunny?” Oh, no.

No one had ever called me something so cute before.

I cringed, feeling my hands and feet curl up in embarrassment.

“I-I…”

Theo and Stephanie were looking at me with eyes full of expectation. Meanwhile, Cassius looked completely unfazed. In fact, he seemed serious as he thought for a moment before speaking.

“Actually, puppy might be better.”

“…P-Puppy?”

“I’ve always liked dogs.”

Cassius was the definition of a cold, sharp-looking man. His jawline and gaze were piercing, and his jet-black hair only made him seem even more distant.

He was the perfect image of a northern duke.

And yet… he liked puppies?

“Charlotte…!”

Theo’s teary eyes stared at me desperately.

I gulped.

If I didn’t go along with this, I’d basically be a traitor.

…Fine. I just had to close my eyes and do it.

Did I really want to disappoint Theo?

He was already a hurt soul.

I took a deep breath and braced myself.

“M-My puppy.”

I sounded robotic, but I did it.

Theo beamed.

“That was the first step! Now, you two can be a happy couple! No divorce! Great job!”

…There’s a next step?

Unbelievable.

But if Theo’s happy, that’s all that matters.

Seriously, where is he learning this stuff?!

I sighed, silently vowing to never let this happen again.

***

I should have known there was a second step.

Oddly enough, Theo and Stephanie—who usually loved to sleep in—had both joined us for breakfast.

“M-My puppy.”

The words slipped out of my mouth on reflex.

Cassius smirked.

Then, without hesitation, he responded.

“Bunny.”

“Ha…”

Why was I the only one suffering?!

I covered my face in embarrassment.

Cassius, meanwhile, looked completely fine.

Theo… was very satisfied.

“Spaghetti! Cassius and Charlotte are getting closer!”

Stephanie frowned.

“Humans are so strange. Just saying those words makes them a happy couple?”

“It’s like how I call you Spaghetti! We’re best friends!”

“I don’t think so. A dragon and a human can’t be friends.”

Theo looked devastated.

His eyes widened, and his lips parted in shock.

For a second, it felt like the ground beneath him cracked.

“H-How could you say that?! Spaghetti, you read books to me! And I even gave you my chocolate! I shared my favorite cookies with you! I never do that unless it’s a real friend!”

Theo’s voice wobbled as he yelled.

Tears welled up in his eyes.

Breakfast was turning into a dramatic mess.

Cassius chuckled and continued eating.

Stephanie hesitated.

“…Doing those things makes us friends? Humans are interesting.”

“We are friends!”

“…If Theo says so, then we’re friends. We’ll keep sharing chocolate and cookies.”

Stephanie said it like it was a serious decision.

“Of course! I’d give Spaghetti anything! Wouldn’t you do the same for me?”

Stephanie pondered for a moment, deep in thought.

Then she nodded.

“…I think I could.”

Theo sighed in relief as if his whole world had been saved.

I couldn’t believe how serious they were about all of this.

“Are you two done talking? Can we eat now? The food’s getting cold.”

“Yes!”

Theo perked up and started eating again.

The meal was almost over when—

Clatter!

Theo dropped his fork.

“Oh no! Step two!!”

“…Huh?”

“We forgot step two!!”

Theo looked back and forth between me, Cassius, and our empty plates.

Then, his face fell.

What was the problem?

Did we eat too well?

I stared at him, confused.

Then Theo offered his fork to Cassius.

“Eat it?” Cassius raised an eyebrow. “That’s your favorite pork sausage. Are you sure?”

“No! That’s not it!”

Theo pouted, looking serious.

“You have to feed each other!”

“…What?”

“I read in a book that happy couples feed each other! It’s an important step!”

…So that’s why he was offering his food so dramatically.

I almost laughed.

Cassius looked between me and the sausage.

Then, as if it was no big deal, he handed me a tiny fork with a piece of sausage on it.

“…Are you serious?”

“Theo said so.”

Theo and Stephanie stared at us with huge eyes.

Ha…

I will find out what book you’re reading.

Squeezing my eyes shut, I let Cassius feed me.

The pork sausage was juicy and rich—the exact kind Theo loved.

When I opened my eyes, Cassius was smiling.

Cassius seemed to smile more often now.

As he watched me slowly chewing the sausage, he suddenly asked,

“Does it taste better when I feed you?”

“Cough! Cough, cough!”

I nearly choked.

What kind of ridiculous question was that?!

I was about to deny it outright, but then I saw Theo’s expectant gaze.

I swallowed my words—along with the sausage—and forced an awkward smile.

…I was not built for this kind of cringeworthy romance.

“Yes. It tastes better. Sure.”

“See, Stephanie! Cassius and Charlotte are really getting closer!”

Theo beamed with pure excitement.

I had no idea how he reached that conclusion, but I couldn’t help but laugh.

At that moment, I made a decision.

I would never argue with Cassius in front of Theo again.

***

Even though things seemed peaceful on the surface, the alliance with the Snow Beasts was still in progress.

Outside the castle, knights from Istheria, wearing gray hoods, slipped away.

The Snow beasts—who had been forced to flee south after being attacked by werewolves—were finally returning to their homeland.

Not only had we won the battle, but the scattered monsters had mysteriously disappeared.

Giverny, the leader of the delegation, swallowed hard, feeling the weight of the situation.

Up ahead, the Snow beasts’ home came into view.

Dismounting his horse, Giverny called out loudly,

“I have come to see Lord Krinini!”

This was a sign of respect toward the chief’s son.

“Take me to Lord Krinini!”

From inside, the Snow beasts’ voices echoed back.

“Grrrrr! Grrrrr!”

The knights instinctively gripped their swords, but Giverny raised a hand to stop them.

“…Leave your weapons behind.”

“But Sir Giverny—!”

Giverny turned and shot them a sharp look.

“If this alliance fails, the North could fall! Am I the only one who understands that we won’t get any outside help?!”

The knights fell silent, their faces tense with unease.

“Even the lords who once relied on our swords have turned their backs on us!”

None of the surrounding nobles had offered support.

We had been completely abandoned.

“This alliance is the only hand reaching out to us. Do you really want to lose it and watch the North collapse?!”

“N-No, Sir Giverny.”

Hesitantly, the knights unbuckled their swords and hung them on their horses.

Truthfully, Giverny was just as nervous as they were.

But this was an important gesture—one that signaled peace.

Moments later, Krinini and his translator emerged.

“We knew. That you would come.”

“Sorry for the delay.”

“It’s fine. Humans. Always slow.”

Giverny paused, then introduced himself.

“My name is Giverny. What’s yours?”

“Tete. My name.”

“Alright, Tete. Can you tell Prince Krinini something for me? Tell him that we humans want this alliance. That we hope for a strong bond between the North and your people.”

“Oooooooh!”

Tete nodded enthusiastically.

As he turned to speak with Krinini, Giverny waited patiently.

Then, after a short exchange, Tete grinned and declared,

“Prince Krinini! Says good! Likes it!”