* * *
Then Eridian grumbled.
“Why are you hiding it?”
“…Well, because it’s my notebook?”
“You’re so petty.”
Apparently, hiding his notes made Seo Woohyun a petty person.
Not wanting to seem stingy, Seo Woohyun resigned himself and confidently showed the notebook.
Eridian smiled in satisfaction and complimented his neat handwriting and diligence.
“You write so neatly, and you study hard. That’s admirable.”
“I have to learn if I want to make a living. I can’t just play around forever.”
He felt like a new employee trying to prove his dedication to his boss. The tone might have been light, but that was the gist of it.
“Why bother? Even if you don’t know or do much, I’ll make sure you’re well-fed and well-rested.”
Who in this world gets well-fed and taken care of without knowing anything or doing any work?
This place didn’t even have labor laws, and with slavery still existing here, being a freeloader was a sure way to get stoned to death one day.
“Still, it bothers me.”
“If that’s the reason, I won’t stop you. But don’t rush. You’re going to live here for a long time, so you can take your time learning.”
“……”
“You understand what I mean, right?”
Suspiciously, the gentle god asked warmly. Seo Woohyun nodded.
In truth, he only half understood.
He figured Eridian meant to relax and take things slowly, but it was hard not to feel uneasy about the god’s persistent kindness.
Where did this fondness come from?
‘Still, it’s better than being tormented. Just wait—I’ll find out what he’s up to.’
Seo Woohyun made a silent vow and subtly distanced himself from Eridian.
That evening, they ate a meal of hearty stew made with potatoes, carrots, onions, and meat, along with grilled chicken cooked over charcoal—a dish the innkeeper proudly recommended.
After dinner, Seo Woohyun took a shower in the small bathroom attached to his room and lay down on the bed.
At the edge of the bed, a soft creature wrapped in a blanket was fast asleep.
“When do you go to bed, El?”
“In a little while.”
“Is it okay if I sleep first?”
“Of course. Sleep well.”
That gentle goodnight made his heart flutter for no reason.
He only tossed and turned a few times before sleep washed over him.
Thinking about it, he realized that since arriving here, he hadn’t needed alcohol to fall asleep.
‘My skin even looks better… I wonder what will be for breakfast tomorrow. The chef’s pretty skilled.’
With those thoughts, Seo Woohyun drifted off.
When Seo Woohyun woke up, he was surrounded by a soft scent.
It came from the blanket covering him. He sniffed the air, and the small creature next to him stirred, looking around.
‘Where am I?’
It was an unfamiliar room.
Ever since storming out of the house in a fit of anger, the small creature—Marlang—had slept in treetops in the forest.
There were wild beasts roaming the woods, but they weren’t a threat to him.
He was a member of the dragon clan, after all, and no predator, no matter how large, would dare challenge a young dragon capable of killing much bigger animals with ease.
‘What happened yesterday?’
His memories were still hazy from sleep.
“Oh, you’re awake? Did you sleep well?”
A man in a bright yellow priest’s robe greeted him kindly.
The sight of the robe jogged Marlang’s memory.
He had gotten caught stealing the wallet of a human favored by a temperamental god.
Without realizing who it was, he had thrown a tantrum, been scolded, and eventually ended up sobbing in that human’s arms before falling asleep.
“Did you bring me here?”
The familiar nickname slipped out naturally.
This wasn’t just any human; this was Eridian’s cherished one.
He couldn’t treat him carelessly, especially after the god had shown just how much he cared by threatening him for yelling.
“Yeah. You fell asleep after crying in your true form. You slept soundly.”
A warm hand patted his head, and despite the obvious affection in the gesture, Marlang didn’t mind. He rubbed his head slightly against the hand.
‘So this guy is Eridian’s saint.’
Even though they weren’t of the same species, the term “brother” seemed fitting.
He’d called him that several times already, and the human hadn’t objected.
“I usually sleep anywhere.”
“Is that so?”
Marlang buried half of his face in the blanket. It still smelled good. Usually, when he ran away, he woke up to the chilly scent of the morning forest, feeling as if the whole world was his home.
But waking up wrapped in a blanket dried in the warm sun, with a faint scent of soap, wasn’t bad either.
To be honest, it was a bit better.
“I thought you’d just leave me behind.”
“How could I? It’s almost time for breakfast. Want to join me?”
“No, I don’t really eat breakfast. It makes me feel queasy.”
Marlang was a dragon with strong opinions. He knew what he liked and disliked, which often caused conflicts with his family.
Being the youngest son of a powerful dragon clan with mastery over water, he hated being called by the nickname “Marlang.”
It hurt his pride, and he had run away from home several times over fights about his name.
At first, his parents panicked and brought him back, but over time, his older siblings took over that task. Eventually, even they gave up.
‘I’m sure they’ve given up on me by now.’
The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became that his family had abandoned him.
If they cared, they would have come looking for him.
Although he could always return, he had no desire to.
“Ah, so the cheeky one is awake.”
The clear, cold voice snapped him to attention. Marlang glanced up and saw a tall, beautiful woman standing there.
“…Hello?”
“I’m not in the mood for pleasantries.”
Marlang gasped at the icy response, his mouth falling open.
“…Huh?”
“Because of you clinging to him all night, Seo Woohyun couldn’t sleep comfortably.”
So his saint’s name is Seo Woohyun. Marlang glanced up at the person patting his head.
“His real name is Seo Woohyun, but when he’s with others, they call him Ciel. Somehow, he ended up with two names. Just like you’re Marlang and also Francis.”
“……!”
Marlang’s blue eyes lit up.
He had always hated the name Marlang and insisted on being called Francis, meaning “Master of Water,” but no one ever took him seriously.
Yet here was this human, not only acknowledging but using the name.
‘He called me Francis. And he didn’t make fun of me like Eridian did.’
It was the first time anyone had called him Francis, and it filled him with excitement.
He was so thrilled that he let out a puff of air, and Seo Woohyun, noticing, asked cautiously.
“Uh, Lord Erdian, is it dangerous to call dragons by a different name before they come of age? I just want to make sure I’m not putting him in danger…”
“It’s an old custom. Back in the day, it was hard for dragons to survive, but now, the worst that happens is a bit of runaway drama like this one.”
“A runaway…”
The gentle hand stroking his head slowed down. As Marlang rubbed his head against it, Eridian squinted and asked.
“Are your parents by any chance named Cecil and Tartalos?”
“Gasp.”
“Judging by your reaction, I was right.”
“How do you know that?”
Malrang suddenly sprang up from Seo Woohyun’s hand.
“The only sky-blue dragon who’d name their kid Malrang is them. Still the same, I see.”
“…Do you know my parents?”
Malrang’s posture stiffened. Sitting up straight with feet together, their eyes sparkled as they looked up at Erdian.
“Of course. I remember Cecily often complaining to me that his youngest son was causing trouble. Turns out that was you, you little rascal.”
“…My mom?”
“Yes, indeed. She’d cry every time she had to bring back his runaway son, worried sick. But lately, she’s proud of your improved hunting skills. She’s been watching over you from afar.”
The young hatchling’s mouth gradually dropped open.
They thought they had been abandoned, but now they learned that they were being watched from a distance.
Yesterday’s tears felt embarrassing.
‘She was watching me?’
If that was the case, why didn’t they tell me sooner?
Feeling a little ashamed, Malrang scratched at the blanket with their claws.
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
“El-nim, Ciel-nim, shall we bring your breakfast to the room?”
“Hold on.”
At the mention of food, Malrang’s nose twitched. The thought that he hadn’t been abandoned by his family made him strangely hungry.
His regretted declining earlier, saying he didn’t feel well.
Maybe they should change their mind now, but he held back. Going back on one’s word wasn’t something a great dragon would do.
A great dragon kept their word, honored their promises, and being great wasn’t just about being good at hunting.
“Should we go eat in the dining room, like yesterday?” Erdian asked.
As soon as Seo Woohyun nodded in agreement, a rumbling sound came from the small, slender hatchling’s belly.
Startled, Malrang’s small body trembled, and their blue eyes fixed on Woohyun.
“Hyung, do you remember when you asked me to eat breakfast together earlier?”
“Of course I remember. But didn’t you say breakfast makes you feel bloated?”
“…Usually, yeah, but today’s a special day.”
“Then, should we go eat breakfast together?”
“Yes!”
“Alright. Let’s get dressed and go. Today’s breakfast is potato dishes and noodles.”
“That’s my favorite! I eat vegetables too and I’m not a picky eater.”
Seo Woohyun watched Malrang, who had now transformed into human form and was skillfully putting on clothes from the bed.
Every time their sky-blue hair fluttered, it made his chest feel strangely warm.
‘I’m glad they weren’t abandoned.’
Relieved, Woohyun glanced down at the child, who had now taken hold of his hand.
The face of the child, who had introduced themselves as ten years old, looked young and innocent.
Despite their earlier wariness, they opened their heart easily when treated kindly.
“Hyung, I have a secret….”
The child glanced cautiously at Erdian, who seemed disapproving, before covering their mouth with their hand. It seemed like they wanted to share a secret.
Woohyun leaned down, offering his ear, and Malrang immediately whispered into it.
“I don’t have money to buy breakfast right now. But if you treat me today, I’ll pay you back later. I’m a dragon who keeps my promises. You can trust me.”
At the soft, whispered words, Woohyun couldn’t help but laugh.
Smiling brightly, he turned to Erdian with a somewhat awkward expression.
“Lord Erdian, you’ll count the cost of the food as part of the room expenses, right? Malrang isn’t part of the listed guests, so we’ll have to pay separately for the meal, right?”
“…Ha.”
Erdian let out a short laugh.
Malrang clung tightly to Woohyun’s leg, the picture of an adorably cheeky hatchling.
* * *
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Oh my, he’s cute!! 🥰
so cute
I have a feeling the siblings names are bad to hahahaha
Cute
Thanks