The Vain Princess and Her Dragon Knight

Chapter 12

Sure enough, within half an hour, Gloria came bouncing back. Her heels clicked a rapid, eager rhythm down the corridor—the sound so brisk one couldn't help but worry those layered skirts might trip the delicate princess.

"Your Highness, slow down, slow down..." Natasha hurried behind her, unfastening her cloak, removing her hat and gloves. "I've never seen you in such a rush."

Gloria was practically bursting. "Don't tell anyone—I've hidden a great treasure in my room!"

Natasha paused. A "great treasure" hidden in the bedroom? Had her little princess reached the age of hiding boys in her chambers? The old nursemaid smiled knowingly. "Rest assured, my little pearl. I won't breathe a word."

At the bedroom door, Gloria stopped her. "Thank you, Natasha. I'll change myself. Go attend to other matters."

Once the matron was gone, Gloria carefully opened the door she'd locked that morning, checked both ways, then sealed it shut again. She kicked off her heels and flew to the bed. "My darling Lolita! Mama's back—give me a kiss!"

Before the stiff knight could even react, the enthusiastic princess threw her arms around the egg in a great embrace. The honey-sweet scent of her flooded his senses. Her golden hair, flying through the air, brushed across every inch of his skin. It was like sinking into a vat of honey brewed from pure gold. The dizzy dragon never wanted to move again.

Then, a moment later, he was set back on the bed. The sweetness retreated. Wait. Set back on the bed? Elstar's eyes snapped open. It had all been a sensory delusion. Gloria hadn't even noticed the knight standing beside her bed. Her entire heart was fixed on her precious dragon egg. She had her back to him, her slender waist hugged by the fabric as she bent over, golden hair spilling down her back and tracing the lines of her form. All that fiery enthusiasm, that boundless affection—none of it was directed at him. It was all for that round, stupid egg. *Utterly intolerable.*

Elstar tried to reclaim her attention. "Your Highness..."

"Ah, Elstar!" Gloria looked up, her bright golden eyes beside the equally bright golden egg. "You're still here? When did you come in?"

"I never left."

"Oh, right. I told you to stay." She tapped her head. "Thank you for watching over the egg."

He'd guarded her every single day without a word of thanks. But guarding this useless egg—*that* earned him gratitude. His expression was complicated. He narrowed his eyes at the egg before answering slowly, "It is my duty."

"By the way, I have questions for you." Since Elstar had proven so knowledgeable about the impossibly rare dragon egg, Gloria had begun treating her knight as an all-knowing encyclopedia. "Father just asked if I'd like to visit Atlantis for a few days. It's on the way to Clavia Magic Academy—we'd pass through their teleportation array." She leaned in, curious. "Father mentioned strange seismic activity near Atlantis recently—said the Merfolk Lord, who's been dormant for years, woke from a nightmare and entered a premature Differentiation Phase. His emotions are unstable. Have you heard of this? What exactly is a Differentiation Phase?"

Elstar actually knew very little about the deep-sea Merfolk. But he had no intention of shattering his image before Gloria. "I know something of it," he said, his confidence unwavering. "Differentiation refers to the determination of biological s*x. Merfolk are born sexless. Only upon reaching adulthood do they select a gender."

Gloria was astonished. "So the Merfolk Lord has only just come of age?"

These were topics utterly foreign to the usual chatter among noble ladies—gowns, jewelry, opera. She gazed up at him, genuinely absorbed in his explanation. Her exquisite features were like the most precious golden doll in a collector's cabinet. Her full, curly golden hair only added to her unearthly beauty.

Elstar was making most of this up. But he narrowed his eyes in pleasure, his half-lidded dark-gold pupils curving with satisfaction. He loved it when Gloria looked at him like this. Focused. Radiant. Those clear golden eyes reflecting nothing but him. Occupying her entire field of vision. The only flaw—he glanced down ruefully at the heavy silver plate armor encasing him. Someday, he would shed this cumbersome barrier. He would bask in her gaze without obstruction. And she would look at no one else.

Regarding Merfolk, Elstar could list dozens of ways to cook them but knew nothing of their habits. As an apex predator, a dragon only needed to concern himself with the freshness and seasoning of his meals. But he wanted Gloria to trust him more, to keep looking at him just like this. So he broadened the topic as much as he could.

"Every race reaches adulthood at different times. Some short-lived species enter reproductive maturity within two months of birth, compelled by the need to propagate. Races with longer lifespans..." He paused, then added with deliberate, malicious intent, "Especially the immortal elves. They don't reach adulthood until they're two thousand years old."

"Two thousand?!" Gloria gasped. "Then how old is Cui?"

"If I'm not mistaken, that elf belongs to the Forest Elf royal family. Even after the Elf King unified the three elven tribes, each retained their royal titles. Among elves, royals possess stronger talents and higher status than common elves. But when they leave Pudasino, the humble Forest Elves typically conceal their identity."

Elstar found this false modesty contemptible—especially Cui, who dutifully hid his ears according to tradition, yet had pierced one and hung an ostentatious emerald from it. *Peacock.* Without hesitation, he continued smearing Cui. "The Forest Elf line hasn't produced a single newborn in an entire era. Clearly, this youthful, dewy Cui is, without question, an old monster."

Youthful and dewy. Gloria nearly choked. "Elstar, when you decide to be talkative, you really don't hold back."

It sounded like a casual joke. The princess didn't dwell on it. But the dragon's instincts flared. He reined himself in and slowly closed his mouth. He still remembered the graduation report from the Knight Corps. Elstar was supposed to be a quiet, reserved knight.

---

Only a few days remained before their departure for the academy. During this time, Suka—fully recovered—showed up at Gloria's palace daily, brimming with inexplicable zeal. He even volunteered to help build her hot spring pool. The reason was simple: supervising the construction was the tall, silent Guardian Knight, Elstar.

"Sir Elstar, would you instruct me in swordsmanship?" Elstar ignored him, hoisting a massive stone tile and brushing past. "Sir Elstar! Sir Elstar—" The dragon's patience snapped. "Shut up," he growled. "The princess dislikes noise. If you cause more trouble, I'll throw you out."

"If I get thrown out, will you spar with me afterwards?"

Holy Swordsmen were rarer than miracles on this continent. Suka had traveled far and wide and encountered only one—the King of Sessel himself. But the King was old now; he could no longer swing the legendary sword of his youth. Now a Holy Swordsman in his prime stood before him. How could a battle-obsessed wolf not be thrilled? Knowing Elstar would never agree, Suka went to Gloria instead.

"Your Highness," he began, this time bowing with careful restraint. "Please permit your knight to spar with me once more."

Gloria couldn't fathom why anyone would willingly seek a beating. But Suka was usually aloof and indifferent to everyone. Now he'd found something he was genuinely passionate about. And his tone was earnest. Clearly, he desperately wanted this fight. Her knight was formidable. What harm was there in indulging him?

Just as she was about to agree, Elstar spoke from behind her. "Your Highness, I am your Guardian Knight. My sword is drawn only in your name, against your enemies."

Gloria caught herself. Right. She always forgot the endless, tedious protocols of courtly etiquette. A duel between noblemen—especially between a Guardian Knight and another noble—signified a rejected suitor being humiliated by a haughty princess. If such a scandalous rumor spread, Gloria would once again be branded arrogant and insolent. She shot Elstar a grateful look. She wasn't afraid of gossip, but the constant buzzing of flies wore down anyone's patience.

"Perhaps this," she suggested. "Elstar will be attending the academy with us soon. As fellow students, a friendly spar would hardly raise eyebrows."

Suka's eyes lit up. For the first time, he offered Gloria genuine praise. "You are a generous and kind princess. If ever you have need of me, simply speak."

Elstar, on the other hand, could only sigh inwardly. The princess's command had to be obeyed. But how delicately must he control his strength to avoid accidentally killing this weak dog with a single blow?

---

The day of departure arrived. The four were to travel to Clavia, where the Magic Academy stood at the city's heart. The King himself accompanied them to the palace's teleportation array. Just then, a servant rushed up.

"Your Majesty, a letter from Clavia Magic Academy."

The King opened it. It was from his old friend, the Warrior Tower Dean, Gordon. A few days earlier, caving to his daughter's coaxing, the King had written requesting Elstar be squeezed into this year's enrollment. This was the reply.

*My dear old friend, I'm shocked you haven't dropped dead yet.*

The blunt, acerbic tone hadn't changed in centuries. Gordon was a rough, wild tiger of a man. To protect his daughter's delicate sensibilities, the King quickly folded the letter and scanned it privately.

"Oh dear. This is troublesome." He looked up at the tallest knight among them. "This year's enrollment is completely full. The only extra slot has been given to another unexpected new student."

"Who could steal a slot from you, Daddy?" Gloria pouted.

The King soothed her. "Don't worry. Elstar can simply apply for next year's incoming class. Three years is nothing."

He glanced at Suka and Cui. Both young men had been carefully selected—each had received the King's favor at some point, and their character was beyond reproach. Even without her Guardian Knight, Gloria would be well looked after.

But Gloria had never intended to leave Elstar behind. His backpack still held her beloved dragon treasure, Lolita! "Then just find him a place to stay in Clavia. Daddy, can you arrange that for me?" She gazed up at him with wide, imploring golden eyes.

The King sighed. "Very well, my precious Rori. How could I bear to disappoint you?"

"Wonderful!" She looked around. "Where's my brother? I'm about to leave!"

"Ah, Gareth. An urgent matter required him elsewhere. He couldn't return in time to see you off."

"Oh. He could have at least left a note." The complaint was casual; she wasn't truly bothered. In her view, leaving for distant Clavia wasn't a grand affair. Teleportation arrays made travel simple now. She could visit her father and brother whenever she wished.

"I'm off, Daddy!" She waved cheerfully, dressed as if for a spring outing. "I'll come back to visit the very first holiday!"

"Yes, yes." The King beamed and waved back with playful mimicry. Gloria paused mid-step. Then, suddenly, she spun around and flew at him—utterly abandoning the poised princess image she maintained before others. She threw herself into his arms and planted a loud kiss on his plump cheek.

For sixteen years, this was the first time she'd left home without family beside her.

"Daddy, I'm really going now." She deliberately pouted. "Aren't you going to try and stop me?"

The King chuckled, stroking her hair. "My sweet Rori. Daddy will miss you every moment. You will always be my most precious treasure."