Something caught my eye as I was fiddling with Hale’s much larger fingers while waiting for a colorful dessert after our meal.
One of his fingernails was particularly long. Then I noticed the back of his hand—it looked different from mine. If I hadn’t been staring closely, I wouldn’t have seen it: a faint diamond-shaped pattern stretched across the skin, like snake scales.
That was when I suddenly remembered—this was a dragon clan.
I’d completely forgotten.
So I asked the question I’d been holding onto since last week, when all I could do was babble.
“Daddy.”
“Yeah?”
I bent my head back and saw his face upside down. Even upside down, I could tell—he looked startled by my question.
“Daddy, are you really a dragon?”
“Huh?”
I didn’t stop there.
“What color are you?”
“……”
“Can you fly? Do you breathe fire?”
“……”
Hale didn’t answer. He just stared at me blankly then let out a breathy chuckle.
He turned my head forward again, but I twisted around to look at him once more—this time, he was covering his eyes with one hand.
His shoulders were shaking slightly.
“…Why are you laughing?”
“…Se… Senika.”
He was clearly trying to hold back laughter. What? It’s a valid question! I mean, it’s not like I meet dragons every day!
“Ahem. I suppose Rita hasn’t explained this yet. The Evienne family is the Baekryong clan.”
“Baekryong? Like, white color?”
“Right. We can fly only in dragon form and our clan mainly uses wind.”
This… was insane. I was actually living among dragons. I had been born as the daughter of one!
Thinking back, my past life really was kind of pitiful. I never imagined the universe would compensate me like this. Even though I’m not a dragon myself, I couldn’t help but feel excited.
“I wanna fly too!”
“No.”
“Why not?”
Suddenly, Hale’s expression darkened.
Wait. Did I just ask something I shouldn’t have? Yeah… I did.
I was born human in a dragon clan. Of course I wouldn’t be able to fly. I assumed I could, just because I was born here. That was naive.
Wait. Now that I think about it—how did a human even hatch from a dragon egg? Is that… physically possible?
That one question unraveled into dozens more in my head. Each one raising another. I quickly shook my head.
Forget it. I’ll think about all this later when I’m back in my room.
I’m just going to get locked in again anyway. Maybe Hale’s mind was even more tangled than mine from that question so I tried to lighten the mood.
“Then… you fly with me later, okay?”
“…What did you just say?”
“I can’t fly, but you can. So you can carry me!”
“Eep!”
Rita let out a tiny squeak and Hale’s expression… shifted subtly.
Was that bad? Did I just make an offensive request? Maybe dragons aren’t supposed to carry anyone on their backs? Maybe I’d crossed a line?
I glanced back and forth between Hale and Rita, starting to panic.
Then I dropped my eyes to the floor when a warm hand gently touched the top of my head.
I lifted my gaze.
Hale was smiling at me, his eyes curved into gentle crescents. If I wasn’t mistaken, that smile held… pride? I’d never seen a face like that before. So warm.
“Senika.”
“…Yeah?”
“There’s nothing you can’t do. So let’s think about it again once you’ve grown a little more, okay?”
“…Really?”
Hale nodded.
I couldn’t contain my joy. I bit down on my lips, trying to hold it in… But I couldn’t stop my cheeks from puffing with a smile that nearly reached the sky.
I felt lighter walking back to my room. Maybe because I’d gotten what I wanted? Well, it wasn’t a guarantee yet… But it might as well be!
“Ahem, ahem!”
We were halfway up the stairs when it happened.
I had sensed someone coming down from above but I didn’t expect to actually cross paths with him.
He was a middle-aged man I’d never seen before, but his curly silver hair made it obvious—he was from the Baekryong clan.
His gaze… it was cold.
I could tell immediately that he didn’t like me. That instinct had never been wrong—not in this life or the last.
“Long time no see, Elder.”
Rita greeted him naturally and stepped in front of me, shielding me from view. I grabbed her pants and peeked out with one eye. His piercing eyes were still on me.
I quickly hid again.
“So she’s still alive.”
“The Lord has made his decision.”
“Tsk. You just gave in…”
“Elder Richt, if you say one more word, I’ll report this to the Lord directly.”
At Rita’s firm tone, Richt exhaled sharply.
“Rita, you’re clever, but unfortunately, you’ve inherited only the worst traits from our Lord. What a pity.”
“You do realize you’re insulting the head of this house, don’t you?”
“Feel free to report me. Being expelled from this family doesn’t sound so bad right now.”
He clearly didn’t care. Then he passed by me without another word. Even as he walked by, he shot me a look full of disdain.
My body trembled instinctively.
That elder was unquestionably cold-blooded.
“Young lady, are you all right?”
“Uuung…”
No. I wasn’t. It felt horrible. To be hated so openly for no reason. If he had a reason, at least then I’d understand. But I didn’t let it show to Rita.
My anger wasn’t aimed at her, after all.
We walked back in silence.
Even after entering the room, neither of us spoke. I didn’t know how to bring it up, and Rita looked lost in thought. Now I kind of understood why she never let me leave the room.
Judging by the elder’s reaction… It wasn’t just him.
The people in this mansion—no, the Baekryong’s— They didn’t want me here.
And I understood.
They expected a noble Baekryong heir to hatch… and instead, they got a human.
Sigh… Understanding it didn’t make it any less unfair. It’s not like I chose to be born here. Isn’t it childish for grown adults, especially elders, to take it out on a kid?
Ugh, forget it.
No matter how I think about it, those stares won’t soften.
The sky outside had already turned dark.
It was bedtime.
I snacked a bit, something I got through extra charm and brushed my teeth before crawling under a warm blanket.
“Rita, bye-bye.”
“Sweet dreams, young lady.”
If it weren’t for that elder, today would’ve been perfect…
Knock knock—
Someone came to my room just as Rita was about to turn off the lights. When she opened the door, I saw a familiar face and sat up in bed.
“Daddy!”
It hadn’t even been that long, but I was already so happy to see him.
“You’re still awake.”
Behind him, Rita quietly closed the door—leaving just the two of us. Hale sat down at the edge of my bed and poked my cheek with his index finger.
“You look even paler than before.”
“Rita scrubbed me real good!”
I replied, puffing my cheeks. Hale chuckled gently. I hoped he’d always smile at me like this.
If he ever got angry with me… I think I’d be really hurt.
I pushed the thought away and snuggled up to his side.
“Hmmm~ Why are you here?”
“I came to see your sleeping face.”
Oh, I see. He wanted to catch me sleeping, but I was still up. Oops. Not exactly a perfect little kid, huh?
Still, we live in the same house. He’ll see it someday. Don’t be too disappointed, Dad.
“Well, I didn’t get to see you sleeping, but… how about making one more promise?”
“Promise? What?”
“Once we find a suitable teacher, you’ll start pheromone lessons. If you do well and grow a little more… how about we go explore outside the estate together?”
“Whoa! Yes!!”
I accepted immediately without even asking what a pheromone lesson was. I really wanted to go outside. I’d love to explore the mansion, but the world beyond?
That would be amazing.
In my past life, I could count the times I left the palace on one hand. The only time was when I snuck out with my nanny to help plan new social policies. I was dying to see what this world was like.
A world where dragons exist—something I never even imagined. Since I’m human, and everyone else looks human too… Humans must exist in this world.
I want to see how they live.
Even now, reborn, I still want to live for others. I don’t hate that part of me. In fact, I love it.
“Daddy, can you tell me a little about the outside world?”
“It’s late. You should sleep.”
“But I’m curious…”
“There’ll be plenty of chances to hear about it. So let’s sleep for tonight, Senika.”
“…Okay…”
His gentle voice was soothing, and the way he patted the blanket over my belly was so warm. When was the last time someone tucked me in like this? I couldn’t even remember. Maybe it never happened at all.
As the moonlight streamed through the window and lit up Hale’s silver hair, I closed my eyes. It wasn’t a big wish, but I hoped this peaceful feeling would last just a little longer.
