Home/The Reincarnated Hero Is Melancholic/ch16

Chapter 16

I stared at Werner's shocked face for a moment, then nodded in understanding.

Come to think of it, mages held dragons in the highest regard.

All living beings looked up to dragons, but among them, mages were the most devoted. It was no exaggeration to say that dragons stood at the pinnacle of magic—so it was only natural that those obsessed with magic would be captivated by dragons.

In that sense, Werner's reaction was relatively mild.

If the mage in front of him had been from the Magic Tower…

'Hmm. Let's not imagine that.'

I quickly shook off the few grim scenes that flickered through my mind.

At any rate, since Father already knew Isid's identity, that was one less thing to explain.

Now the only thing left was how I'd come to know Isid.

'…Should I not have introduced him as a friend?'

No—I couldn't have treated Isid any other way.

As I rolled my eyes, pondering, Father once again fixed Isid with a sharp, honed gaze.

"Since you've revealed your identity of your own accord, I must ask—what is your relationship with Rowena?"

Should I be grateful that Father asked Isid instead of me, or not?

Isid had always been better with words than I was…

And Isid lived up to my expectations.

"For now, let's say something akin to a contractor."

"A contractor… you say."

"Yes. She's a child I favor—nothing out of the ordinary."

I saw Father hesitate for a moment, and Kizef and Werner swallow hard.

Being a dragon's contractor—in other words, receiving a dragon's favor—was that astonishing.

Even Kyle, who had likely formed some kind of contract with Isid, hadn't earned the title of Isid's contractor.

Of course, to me, it didn't mean much.

Instead of being surprised, I shot Isid a sidelong glance.

A contractor. I hadn't even thought of that excuse. Then again, I'd never imagined Father would know Isid's true identity in the first place.

'So that's why he was so calm…'

If I'd known he'd spin it like that, I wouldn't have been so tense.

As I sent him a reproachful look, Isid slowly met my gaze and gave a lazy smile. His gently curved eyes made me puff out my cheeks.

'…Does he think being pretty when he smiles is everything?'

Still, Isid had resolved the situation, so I quickly relaxed my expression.

Truth be told, I was a little weak to Isid's smile like that. And now that he was smaller, it was even cuter.

Just then, Father, who seemed to be mulling something over, spoke again.

"…Guardian Dragon. I have one more question."

"What is it?"

"I was under the impression that you had been asleep until now."

Isid nodded slightly, as if telling him to continue.

Father looked at me with a complicated expression, then continued.

"…Yet how is it that you know my daughter? It doesn't seem like you met for the first time today."

Understanding the gist of his question, I inwardly flinched.

In other words, Father was asking how Isid could have become friends with me while supposedly being asleep all this time.

'Father's sharp…'

I left this answer to Isid as well, doing my best to avoid Father's gaze.

Fortunately, Isid seemed to have an answer ready and remained unruffled.

"A foolish question."

"…Would you care to explain why?"

Just as I was growing anxious at Father's somewhat persistent questioning—

Isid's eyes took on a sly glint.

"I already knew you were tracking me with my scales. Did you really think I couldn't evade your pursuit?"

His question carried a hint of arrogance.

But what caught my ear first were the words "scales" and "tracking."

Apparently, during my absence, Isid had been quite busy with all sorts of things. Well, with five hundred years having passed, that was only natural.

So did that mean his earlier remark—that the imperial family and the temple probably knew he had awakened—was related to this?

"…Then why reveal yourself now?"

Father asked again after a silence, and Isid answered indifferently:

"Because it's a hassle."

"…"

"Those scales will be useless now anyway."

At that, Father paused. But his composure was only momentary.

"I see."

At his light reply, Isid smiled at Father for the first time.

---

With his identity confirmed, Isid was to stay at the Valentine ducal residence.

I'd intended for him to come with me in the first place, but honestly, I was surprised Father had allowed it so readily.

I'd been prepared to stage a hunger strike if necessary…

'Is it because Isid is the Guardian Dragon?'

But even knowing that, Father had been quite wary of him.

As I tried to guess the reason, I eventually shook my head and dismissed the thought.

Whatever the case, Father had permitted Isid to stay, and that was enough to fulfill my wish.

"Thank you!"

"…Yes."

After giving Father a joyful hug, I took Isid's hand and left the drawing room.

I turned to look at Isid, intending to give him a tour of the house—and saw him struggling to hold back a laugh.

"…What? Why are you laughing?"

I asked quietly, and Isid composed his expression. But he couldn't hide all the amusement.

Instinctively, I knew—he was laughing because of me. That intuition came from years of being teased.

At the same time, I gave up on asking. Whatever he said, it would probably be something pointless.

He barely laughs normally, but the moment I stumble, he always does.

"Anyway, let me show you around the house first."

It would be hard to tour the entire ducal estate, so I planned to start with the main building.

But my plan was thwarted by Isid.

"That can wait."

"Why?"

I blinked and asked, and Isid let out another airy laugh. Then he poked my cheek—gently enough not to hurt.

"Children need to sleep."

"Child—"

I started to repeat the word, then closed my mouth.

It was true that this body was young, and I'd accepted that years ago—so why did I suddenly feel like arguing? Was it because the other person was Isid?

Yet, aside from my odd mood, once I became aware of it, sleep rushed in. The limits of a young body.

"I wasn't sleepy until you mentioned it…"

"Even if I hadn't said it, you would have passed out suddenly."

"…Mm, you're right."

Judging by how my body was drooping, I would probably have fallen asleep mid-walk before I could even give a tour.

Unable to suppress a physiological yawn, Isid let out a low laugh. Then, without the slightest hesitation, he turned his back to me.

"Get on. I'll carry you."

Of course, I didn't refuse.

Showing weakness and being carried on his back were both perfectly natural between us.

"You're light."

"I'm a child…"

"…Right."

Isid murmured lowly, adjusted me securely on his back, and straightened up.

"Being like this reminds me of the old days…"

"…Me too."

"I'm glad we met again. …You feel the same, don't you?"

"Stating the obvious. Was what you saw earlier not enough?"

Earlier… I sluggishly turned my heavy mind and remembered Isid holding me, trembling.

Ugh, you fool. Why did I ask?

I pulled Isid's neck a little tighter.

At that gesture, Isid let out a low chuckle.

"I carry you, and you strangle me."

"…I'm hugging you."

"Ah, I thought I was suffocating."

At his playful tone, my regret gradually faded, and sleepiness washed over me. The comfort of a familiar situation also hastened my heavy eyelids.

"Do you know where my room is?"

"You told me earlier."

"That was from outside, yawn… from outside."

"I memorized the location."

"Ugh, mages… no, you're a… magic dragon?"

Half-asleep, I didn't even realize I was rambling nonsense. I just felt Isid laughing.

"Let's sleep together in my room… the bed's really big. Big enough for a little dragon like Isid…"

"…You might want to forget that last part."

"Hehe."

"And if I return to my true form, your house will collapse."

"Piggy."

"What?"

"Sorry… our little dragon is a bit big…"

"…What are you saying."

I heard Isid grumbling. In that ridiculously peaceful moment, even with half-asleep wits, laughter kept bubbling out.

I mumbled a little more, then at some point, I fell into a deep, serene sleep.

Perhaps it was the most peaceful sleep I'd had since gaining this new life.

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