TDAA Ch 50

Meanwhile, Siol was in a predicament.

“Lord Eorzen.”

“Yes.”

“Um… do we really have to sit like this?”

Sitting on Eorzen’s lap, Siol pleaded with a face that was almost begging.

The two were in the plaza where the festival was being held. Originally, Siol had been in the middle of researching how to create a tool to trap Nathaniel’s shadow. But Eorzen and Ryufen had suddenly visited, and before he knew it, he was dressed and heading out with them to see the festival. Ryufen had gotten angry, asking if he was just going to stay cooped up in his room, and Eorzen had suggested a short walk just outside, and that walk had led them all the way to the plaza….

No, actually, coming out together was fine. He even felt lucky to be able to watch the festival with Eorzen. Until Eorzen suggested they watch the performance in front of the stage on one side of the plaza, he had been excited, feeling as if it were a date. But when Eorzen said there wasn’t enough space and had him sit on his lap, he was so startled he nearly jumped up without realizing it.

Of course, it was true that there wasn’t enough space. The performance area was so crowded with people who had come out to enjoy the festival that there was no room to even stand.

But no matter how little space there was, wasn’t this a bit much?

“Is there anywhere else to sit?”

“I can sit on the ground….”

“Are you perhaps uncomfortable on my lap?”

“What? Well, of course….”

Eorzen’s expression fell, looking crestfallen. Seeing that look, Siol clamped his mouth shut and quickly glanced at Ryufen, who was lying sprawled out behind Eorzen’s back.

Ryufen, I think Lord Eorzen has gotten super weird again!

Even after seeing Siol’s urgent expression, Ryufen just let out a big yawn and didn’t respond.

“Siol?”

“Of course… it’s not uncomfortable, but….”

“Then there’s no problem, is there?”

Eorzen said, pressing a hand against the stomach of Siol, who was fidgeting as if he wanted to leap off his lap at any moment, to make him sit still. Thanks to their thick clothes, he couldn’t feel his skin, but because they were sitting so close, Eorzen’s breath was touching the area around his neck. That slow breath made Siol continuously shrink back.

Just endure it for a little while. This situation won’t last for a thousand years. Back when we were at the castle, it was like this for a bit and then it got better….

Thinking up to that point, Siol tilted his head.

Eorzen’s strangeness… did it get better?

When their eyes met, Eorzen gave a smile that seemed to melt.

Siol stared at that sunshine-like smile as if mesmerized and thought about the past.

A few months ago, Eorzen had gone on a rampage in the castle. Siol, who had fled with Ryufen, had returned to Eorzen, guided him, and then lost consciousness after they escaped the castle. He had only collapsed from the exhaustion of guiding for three days, but Eorzen thought it was the result of his own indiscriminate magical barrage during his rampage.

After that, Eorzen began to develop a strange obsession with Siol. Ryufen had said he seemed to have become temporarily strange due to the shock of losing the wolf cub in his arms. He said it would get better if they played along, so Siol did as Eorzen wished—coming when he was called, going when he was told… no, he was never told to go. Anyway, he humored him, doing things like quietly wrapping his arms around Eorzen’s neck when he was picked up.

But Eorzen remained strange even after that. Both at the castle and in Marsiga, he continuously tried to pick Siol up, and when it seemed like something dangerous was about to happen, he hid Siol in a closet.

He hadn’t thought of it at the time, but perhaps the instance at the Tower of Survival, where he tried to pick him up and run, might also have been related to the ‘strange Eorzen.’ The Eorzen without his memories wouldn’t have known that Siol was Sizool, but what if something like a dragon’s instinct had recognized it and whispered that he had to hide Siol in a closet, no matter what…?

And perhaps that whispering was still continuing for the Eorzen who had lost his memories of the past year.

“Siol.”

Eorzen called him in a whisper.

“You should watch the front.”

The performance, which had been in preparation just a moment ago, had already begun.

Siol arduously turned his gaze away from Eorzen, who was politely advising proper conduct, but whose eyes were intensely ensnaring him.

A violin and a few instruments he didn’t know the names of were playing an ensemble. It was a lively dance tune befitting a festival. People chugged beer and clapped or whistled, and children hopped around, dancing. It was a scene from a festival, just like a picture. The thumping of the drums echoed in Siol’s ears.

He couldn’t tell if that sound was really the drums or the beating of his own heart.

He wanted to make memories.

At least until Eorzen found his mate, he wanted to spend happy times together and engrave each and every one of those moments in his heart. The kind and gentle Eorzen would still be friendly to Siol after finding his mate, but from then on, Siol wouldn’t be able to get close to Eorzen.

Siol had always detested relationships with people who already had a partner. So, the time when he could not refuse to sit on Eorzen’s lap, the time when he could meekly wrap his arms around his neck when picked up, would only last until Eorzen met his mate.

Siol reached out with a trembling hand and covered the back of Eorzen’s hand.

He was afraid to suggest they meet up first, afraid to ask him for a meal. Eorzen was a busy dragon with many things to do, and he didn’t want to be a nuisance. And above all, he was afraid of being rejected.

But if Eorzen was in a strange state right now… then, these actions weren’t a nuisance, but rather an act to soothe Eorzen’s anxious heart.

I’m just staying by his side until he feels at ease and gets better…. Until then, maybe it’s okay to be a little, just a little, greedy?

“Ah…!”

Startled by the feeling of warmth leaving his hand, Siol lowered his gaze.

His chest ached, and his heart pounded as if a drum were striking his eardrums. Just as he decided to be greedy, he was rejected. As Siol’s hand, steeped in shame, flinched back, a hot warmth burrowed into it again. It wasn’t the back of the hand Siol had tried to hold, but a palm that met Siol’s own. Eorzen didn’t stop there; he entwined his fingers between Siol’s, lacing their hands together. It was a heat incomparably hotter than when his hand had just been resting on top.

No, it wasn’t Eorzen who was hot, but his own hand.

Siol stared down at their joined hands, dazed.

His captured hand was flushed red. With his other hand, Siol rubbed his cheek, which he was sure had blushed just as red. Now, if only to keep this state from being seen, he couldn’t turn around.

He was happy with the warmth that drew near, as if it knew of his anxiety, but at the same time, he couldn’t be completely happy, and yet the feeling of their connected warmth was so good…. So, amid the confusion and anxiety, his heart throbbed.

He himself didn’t know whether he wanted this situation to continue or to stop.

It just felt as if Eorzen’s meaningless action, a result of his strange state, was giving him permission to be greedy.

Perhaps he was fated to be swept away by this strange Eorzen, only to be shattered to pieces when the end came. The thought of such a bleak future was terrifying, but even so, the fact that Eorzen had been the one to interlace their fingers first brought him such joy that there was no chance his rational mind would step in and end this relationship.

Unaware that the Eorzen behind him was delightfully watching his ears, which were flushed as red as his face, Siol pretended to watch the performance with all his might.

Thanks to this, by the time the performance was completely over, Siol was utterly exhausted despite having done nothing. Siol looked around at the surroundings, which had started to grow dark, and secretly let out a sigh.

Eorzen whispered into Siol’s ear.

“What should we do next? Is there anything you’d like to do?”

Siol’s shoulders flinched at the vibration that traveled through his ear. A vibration tinged with laughter followed. Siol covered his ear with his hand and glared as he turned to look back at Eorzen. Eorzen’s playful blue eyes were waiting for Siol’s answer.

“Um…. Shall we go look at the stalls first?”

“Yes, let’s.”

The street, which would have been empty on a normal day, was filled with people. Merchants at food stalls were boiling or frying food, someone was eating it, children were engrossed in a game of tag, people were gulping down alcohol, dancing unsteadily, sharing hugs, saying they had missed each other after a long time, and people who were just walking the streets without anything special to do.

Siol was also one of them. A resident of this domain, simply walking the crowded street, completely lost in the atmosphere.

As darkness began to deepen, merchants lit lanterns from the bonfires they had lit to warm themselves and hung them on the stall posts. When the orange light of the lanterns colored the surroundings, the street transformed as if it were a completely different place. Amidst the flickering of dramatic light and shadow, everything illuminated by the orange glow felt a bit more special. As if even items that weren’t very remarkable were imbued with some kind of magic.

Led by Eorzen’s hand, Siol walked through that fantastical space in a daze.

The sound of someone’s laughter, the cold air brushing his cheek, and the warmth of a hand.

A strange sensation, as if standing in a completely unfamiliar place. As the sun set, the light from the bonfires and lanterns illuminated the surroundings even more passionately. The sight of light and shadow fiercely intermingling captivated Siol’s eyes like a fantasy.

It wasn’t the first time he had seen a scene surrounded by bonfires, but he had never felt like this before.

What was different from back then?

“Ugh…!”

Siol, who had been completely absorbed in looking around, was suddenly pulled by his shoulder and ended up buried in Eorzen’s chest. When he looked up, Eorzen was holding him, sending a sharp glare behind them. From that direction, a voice could be heard apologizing, “Sorry.” The person was already out of sight, but seeing something like a tall stack of boxes hastily disappearing, it seemed someone had been carrying luggage and had almost bumped into Siol.

“Siol, it’s dangerous because there are a lot of people, so please stick close to me.”

“Okay. I’m sorry for not paying attention.”

“It’s alright. You looked so happy that I also failed to pay attention to our surroundings for a moment. Is this… your first time in a place like this?”

“Uh…. Probably…? No…. Yes. I think this is the first time I’ve been in a place so full of such a joyful atmosphere.”

Siol said, letting Eorzen lead him as they walked.

“Festivals are really fun…. Why do I feel so happy just walking around?”

The words were less a question seeking an answer and more an exclamation of wonder. Eorzen held Siol’s shoulder firmly as he looked around, unable to get his bearings, and smiled affectionately.

“It is an honor to be with you at your first festival. Seeing you so happy makes it worthwhile to have dragged you out here.”

“Yes, I’m glad I came out. I really am.”

The two of them—no, the three of them, including the wolf following behind them looking bored—enjoyed the festival to the fullest.

First, they tasted one of everything from the food stalls. The belly of the large wolf ambling along behind them seemed to be a bottomless black hole. At a stall selling boiled meat with spicy sauce, Ryufen got scolded by Eorzen for trying to eat all the leftovers. He deserved to be scolded, as he was only trying to fill his own stomach without a thought for the people lined up behind him.

After that, they browsed the stalls selling crafts, which were filled with things like animal figurines made from wooden blocks, embroidered curtains, and warm coats made with fluffed cotton. When they asked while looking around a shop, they were told these were items made as a hobby by people who had no choice but to be cooped up at home while outdoor activities were prohibited due to the firewood shortage.

There were quite a few items that seemed too large-scale to be called a hobby, and they were apparently the result of people whose profession was such work taking on the challenge, thinking, “Since I have the time now, why not try making something big that I usually can’t?” Siol could understand them from the bottom of his heart. When people are confined somewhere with time on their hands, they end up trying all sorts of things. He too, when he first came to this world, had lived alone in the forest and gotten so bored that he became engrossed in making pickles and jam.

A delicious water buffalo meat skewer, Avalet juice that Eorzen handed him saying he thought he’d like it, a scone topped with cream, a scarf that was instantly wrapped around his neck when he sneezed “Achoo!”, cookies he bought for Luber, a cup of warm soup, a weird headband Ryufen put on his head while chuckling, sugar cookies…. Even when he was full, if he walked a bit more, he could eat again. Ryufen, noticing this, would subtly buy something to eat every so often and hand it to Siol.

Holding the ugly cat-shaped wooden doll Eorzen had bought for him, Siol thought blankly.

Maybe, right now, he was happy.

⋆୨🔮୧⋆

Siol walked around for a long time without even realizing he was tired. It became difficult to carry the small souvenirs in his hands, so he bought a backpack too. Now that he had a place to put things, he found himself buying gift cookies and an ugly dog wooden doll that he hadn’t bought earlier because they were hard to carry.

“Siol. Shouldn’t you be getting some rest now?”

“I’m fine. I’m not tired at all.”

Siol’s eyes, as he answered energetically, were blinking slowly.

It was heartwarming to see him so excited without even realizing how tired he was, but Eorzen couldn’t let him overdo it. Eorzen smiled and said firmly.

“You’ll have to choose between resting or letting me carry you while we look around more.”

“…Huh?”

Siol asked back with a dumbfounded expression, but Eorzen just spread his arms. He was clearly serious. It might have been one thing when he was in his child form, but now he was an adult; he couldn’t be carried around. Moreover, the current Siol had a certain social reputation to maintain.

Pouting for a moment, Siol turned his eyes to Ryufen. He thought that maybe, just maybe, Ryufen would take his side.

“That’s right! You should play according to your own stamina. You’ll get sick tomorrow if you keep this up. If you want to play more, ask the Commander to carry you.”

This wolf was truly no help in life.

Siol swallowed a grumble and pointed toward a less crowded alley.

“Then let’s just look over there and then rest.”

“Siol.”

“Just there. Please? It’s not crowded over there, so it won’t be that tiring.”

As Siol pleaded with a rare, pitiful look, Eorzen’s heart instantly melted.

“…Then just that way.”

Dragons, creatures who are terribly weak to their mates, were already inept at refusing their mate’s requests. When Siol, who rarely asked for anything, pulled on his hand and begged, even a dragon who had steeled his heart couldn’t resist.

Pleased by the change in his mate, who couldn’t even bring himself to ask for a single dagger, Eorzen let himself be dragged along by Siol’s hand as if he couldn’t help it.

Ryufen, watching the scene from behind, clicked his tongue and followed. As the dragon’s guardian, he had heard time and again that a dragon next to its mate was this kind of creature, but seeing it with his own eyes was an eyesore.

The place Siol had pointed to was also filled with festival stalls. However, unlike the places that sold cheap food or trinkets close to junk, this area sold more high-end goods. Siol was tilting his head, seeing a high-quality carpet that would have been quite expensive in a shop displayed at a stall.

“These were originally items to be sold to noble families.”

The stall owner approached and spoke to them. He was smiling with an unusual cheerfulness, and his gaze was fixed on Siol’s hand. To be precise, on the ugly cat he was holding.

“It seems you bought that cat, customer. Thanks to you, my grandson will come home without crying today.”

“Ah. Is this a doll your grandson made?”

Siol recalled the boy, who looked to be about thirteen, sitting nervously at the wooden doll stall. The mischievous boy had looked incredulous when he first bought the cat, and then broke into a huge grin when he went back to buy a dog after buying the bag. Come to think of it, he did seem to resemble the stall owner.

“Our family is a family of carpet-making artisans, but I don’t know why he’s taken an interest in woodworking. Well, he’s not neglecting the family business, so I’m just watching for now. And his woodworking skills don’t seem half bad.”

At a glance, it sounded like complaining or blaming, but it was the roundabout boasting unique to the elderly. My grandson helps with the family business well, and his hobby of making wooden dolls is also excellent! I am a good grandfather who warmly watches over him as long as he doesn’t neglect the family business! That was roughly the meaning. Siol was used to that kind of speech because his master would sometimes have him stand by his side and boast to others in a similar way, so he chuckled and took the dog out of his bag to show him.

“I bought the dog, too. Your grandson is really talented.”

“To buy two of such ugly dolls…. Ahem. By any chance, do you have any plans to buy a carpet? I’ll give you a special discount. They are all high-quality items made to order for noble families in other domains, but we were unable to sell them because we couldn’t complete the delivery due to the trade routes being cut off.”

To say they’re ugly out loud. Even that subtly cool point was just like his master.

Siol obediently looked around at the carpets hanging inside as the stall owner led him, and he found one he really liked. Dark blue waves churned on the fabric. Water droplets, splashed from the passionate waves that looked like they would crash against the sand with a roar at any moment, sparkled in the moonlight. When he touched the surface, the thick and soft texture tickled his fingers.

But if it was a custom order meant for a noble family, the price….

“I’ll buy it. Keep the change.”

Eorzen, who had been watching from behind the whole time, said as he tossed a ruby the size of a fingertip to the stall owner. The stall owner, who deftly caught the jewel, beamed and bowed his head, saying, “Thank you.”

Siol was about to say something in surprise, but the stall owner asked first.

“Thank you. Shall I have it delivered to the mansion?”

It seemed the stall owner already knew who Siol and his party were.

Well, considering Titi, the house-sized wolf and a celebrity of the Meric domain, was walking with them, it was only natural.

“No. We’ll take it. Ryufen, you carry it.”

“What? No, you’re telling me to carry that big thing around?”

“It’s getting late, so take the carpet and head back to the mansion first.”

“…What?”

Ryufen asked back, sounding dumbfounded. Eorzen glanced at Siol and gestured with his eyes toward Ryufen.

Only then did Ryufen realize what the blue dragon’s scheme was. It meant, I want to be on a date with him alone from now on, so get lost.If you were going to do this, why didn’t you two just meet up from the start? The indignant Ryufen was about to argue but stopped when he saw Siol. Seeing the strange atmosphere between the two, Siol was anxiously checking their expressions.

“Um…. I don’t have to buy that carpet….”

“But you were looking at it as if you wanted it so badly.”

“It caught my eye, but I didn’t want it that much.”

At Eorzen’s point, Siol shook his head and denied it.

Siol had a habit of backing down whenever a problem arose. That statement about not wanting it wasn’t a lie. But to be precise, it meant something along the lines of, I don’t want it if it’s going to cause a fight. If he had thrown a tantrum, insisting he must have it, they could have stepped in to correct the child’s bad habit, but since he was saying it was okay and hiding his desire, it was incredibly irritating.

Why is he still like that even though he’s grown up? Ryufen shot Siol a displeased look.

“You don’t have to go, Ryufen. If you don’t want to, don’t go.”

Eorzen gestured again with his eyes, avoiding Siol’s gaze, and Ryufen had no choice but to let out a grand sigh and nod.

“Ah, whatever. Why are you pretending you didn’t want it when you were staring at it like you were mesmerized?”

“I wasn’t staring like I was mesmerized!”

“Ugh. Whatever, whatever.”

Ryufen waved his forepaw as if annoyed.

Having been shooed away like a fly, Siol felt deeply wronged. He had even told him not to go if he didn’t want to, so what was the problem?

“No, I’m telling you not to go.”

“Hey, you…. Ha. If you’re going to say that, then don’t make a face like you want it. Huh?”

“…W-was my expression that obvious?”

“Yes, you idiot!”

“…I wasn’t trying to beg.”

“Whatever, just be good to me from now on.”

“Okay….”

While Ryufen grumbled with all his might, slinging the carpet the stall owner placed on his back and wrapping a rope around his body, Siol watched him cautiously and smiled bashfully. He wasn’t happy because he got the carpet, but because even though Ryufen was complaining, he was ultimately acting out of consideration for him.

“I’m going this far for you, if you pretend you don’t know me again later….”

“Ah, I told you I won’t do that again!”

“I’ll be watching.”

“Okay, I get it. Just you watch.”

Ryufen disappeared beyond the alley, narrowing his eyes and glaring at Siol until the very end with the carpet on his back. Siol felt grateful to Ryufen for a moment, then annoyed again. He was truly a petty, narrow-minded wolf who never forgot even the smallest slight.

“…Lord Eorzen, you’re bad too.”

As soon as Ryufen was out of sight, Siol suddenly blamed Eorzen. Even as Eorzen’s eyes widened, Siol continued his accusation without stopping.

“I didn’t ask you to buy me a carpet, and I didn’t ask you to send Ryufen on an errand!”

“Um… but somehow, I couldn’t resist wanting to buy it for you.”

“No, what do you mean ‘somehow’ here? Do you think ‘somehow’ is some kind of master key?”

“Is it not?”

“Of course not!”

Siol sighed as if in disbelief.

Even if they usually let things slide with a “somehow,” there had to be a limit.

“But I really did want to buy it for you somehow.”

Eorzen smiled brightly, bent down, and whispered into Siol’s ear. His face, so close, was dazzling.

“Is that not allowed?”

“…It’s… not not allowed, but…! It’s not that it’s not allowed, but…!”

“Then please, accept it. It’s a commemorative gift for enjoying the festival for the first time.”

“Th… then I’ll get you a gift too. I can’t be the only one receiving.”

“I will gladly accept it.”

Eorzen readily nodded at the words Siol blurted out, frantically thinking he had to repay the favor somehow.

Siol tilted his head with a “Huh?” He felt as if he had been tricked somehow. It felt like he had been swayed by Eorzen’s face and moved just as he had been led. But thinking it over, there wasn’t really a problem. He was going to buy the carpet anyway, and since Eorzen had bought it for him, it was only natural to give something in return.

Surely Eorzen wouldn’t try to extort a box of jewels from him in exchange for a single carpet….

After looking at Eorzen suspiciously for a moment, Siol shook off the strange thought upon seeing his gentle smile.

“…Is there anything you want?”

At Siol’s question, Eorzen nodded as if he had been waiting this time as well.

“I would like a ring.”

“A r… ring?”

It was an unexpected answer. Eorzen was not originally someone who particularly enjoyed accessories. When he was at the castle, he was always in simple attire without a single jewel on his body. But upon coming to the human lands, Eorzen had started to adorn his appearance, and now he wore not only fine clothes but also rings, earrings, and a necklace without fail.

Today was no different. Eorzen’s hands were adorned with beautifully and intricately cut rings.

“I… I can’t buy you something that expensive.”

Siol explained, his cheeks flushing.

“I, I don’t have much money right now…. I do get a salary from Ladie, but something that expensive….”

“I am not asking you to buy an expensive ring, Siol.”

Seeing where Siol’s gaze was directed, Eorzen hastily took off his rings and roughly shoved them into his pocket. The nearby shopkeeper was so startled that he unconsciously reached out a hand before quickly turning his body away completely. He probably couldn’t bear to continue watching the expensive jeweled rings being handled so carelessly.

“As a memento of enjoying the festival together for the first time, please give me a ring sold at the festival. Even a wooden ring would be fine.”

Hearing that answer, Siol’s cheeks flushed even more. He felt ashamed for having gone on about not being able to afford expensive things to the blue dragon who purely wanted a souvenir. What a foolish thing to say!

“S-still, I don’t want to get a wooden ring. I’m not that poor.”

“Then what kind of ring will you buy me?”

“Well…”

After pondering for a moment, Siol suggested they go to a shop first and asked the stall owner for the location of a jewelry store. The stall owner informed them that since this street itself was one that sold high-end goods, they would find three or four jewelry stores after a short walk.

Siol began walking down the street, his hand once again intertwined with the one Eorzen offered. The festive fervor was less intense here than where they had been browsing before, but the sound of a slow violin performance coming from somewhere gave the quiet street a different kind of charm.

“By the way, why did you suddenly want a ring? You have a lot of them already.”

“Well. Somehow-.”

“Please stop saying ‘somehow’.”

When Siol said this with a glare, Eorzen just smiled faintly.

Since he was in a position to be grateful for that “somehow,” it felt a bit much to keep questioning it, but when it was used this often, strange suspicions kept bubbling up. It was a nasty suspicion that perhaps Eorzen’s memory loss was all a lie and “somehow” was just a ploy to conveniently deceive him.

There’s no way Eorzen would use such a devious trick. Siol shook his head to clear the ridiculous thought.

“You also dress very lavishly, and you wear rings, earrings, and a necklace.”

“Did it not suit me?”

“What? Of course not. It’s incredibly handso….”

Siol, who almost blurted out a string of praises, quickly came to his senses and cleared his throat with a “Hmph.”

“You looked incredibly handsome.”

In the end, the words that followed were the same, but since he hadn’t shouted them in excitement, clearing his throat had been worthwhile.

Siol pursed his lips and comforted himself with that thought.

“The management department took care of it, saying I shouldn’t look ridiculous since I was going to the human lands. I was worried it might be too much, but I am glad it looked good to you.”

“Really? You dressed up like that as a representative of the beastmen lands?”

“Yes. Is there any other reason I would dress up like that?”

Siol couldn’t bring himself to confess the thoughts he’d had. How could he confess that he had been gloomy, imagining all by himself that it must have been to look good for his mate, that his mate was surely at the mansion?

A wave of embarrassment washed over him. But the joy was greater than the shame.

He knew this was a fool’s paradise. Eventually, this man would leave to find his mate, and Siol would be left alone. But until then, just a few more memories….

Siol nodded his head, calculating in his mind how much his entire fortune was.

For now, let’s gift him a wonderful ring today.

Siol looked down at Eorzen’s hand, intertwined with his. A pretty ring that would suit those slender, straight fingers.

“Siol?”

“Ah. It’s the jewelry shop. Let’s go.”

Siol quickly changed the subject and ran into the jewelry shop.

Perhaps because it was a festival day, the shop was in the middle of closing. It seemed they had planned to close early as it wasn’t a day when valuables were likely to sell well, but upon seeing Siol and Eorzen, they greeted them warmly.

“I’m sorry, you looked like you were about to close.”

“Oh my, what are you saying. It is an honor for us that Master Siol and the blue dragon lord have graced us with your visit.”

The jewelry shop owner smiled elegantly and guided the two to a sofa. Candles were lit one by one in the dark interior, and soon, warm herbal tea was served in the cozy atmosphere.

“What are you looking for? Of course, I can show you all the jewels in the store, but please let me know if you have something specific in mind.”

“We’ve come to look at rings.”

Siol replied, glancing at Eorzen, who was sitting quietly beside him, looking at him with expectant eyes.

“Is it a gift? Unfortunately, our store does not have any magic-enhancing rings of a quality that a dragon would use….”

“Ah. A regular, plain ring will be fine.”

“Then do you have a preference for any particular gemstone?”

“Um…. For now, please show me everything that’s blue.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the clerks who had been waiting by the display cases brought over jewel boxes containing gemstone rings that matched the condition. The shop owner took the boxes from them and showed them to Siol.

From dark blue to transparent blue gemstones. Rings of various designs, from finely cut to rather roughly hewn gems, shone vividly against the white silk.

Siol marveled at the beautiful rings. As an alchemist, he handled numerous gemstones on a daily basis. But seeing them cut and made into rings like this felt completely different.

“What do you think?”

“Um…. What do you think, Lord Eorzen?”

Knowing only that they were all beautiful, Siol couldn’t guess at all which ring might be to Eorzen’s taste, so he asked, passing the decision on. Eorzen leaned in toward the jewel box to examine it.

“Well…. I wonder which one would be good.”

Siol found himself staring blankly at Eorzen’s face, which was right in front of his nose. Eorzen’s gaze, which had been on the jewel box, shifted to Siol. Startled by the eye contact, Siol tried to pull back but stopped. At some point, Eorzen’s arm had come to hold him, wrapping from his waist to his back. No, Siol was already in a state no different from being almost held.

Eorzen ignored Siol’s bewilderment and asked.

“Would you choose one for me?”

“M-me?”

“Yes. I would be happy if you chose one.”

“Uh…. But I don’t know anything about jewelry….”

“It is the same for me, Siol. But we came to buy a souvenir today, didn’t we? Siol, I would like it if you would choose.”

As he pleaded again, Siol couldn’t bring himself to refuse any further.

Steeling his resolve, Siol asked the jewelry shop owner.

“May I try them on his hand?”

“Of course.”

“Lord Eorzen, your hand, please.”

Siol took the hand Eorzen offered and carefully selected and put on a ring.

It’s beautiful. The ring, with its highly transparent blue gemstone on a platinum band, suited Eorzen’s fair skin perfectly. He even thought that this ring was the one that was just right for Eorzen.

But he couldn’t just try one and decide half-heartedly, so he put another ring on the finger next to it. Shockingly, the second ring also suited him very well. It was a design with a deep blue, sea-colored gem in the center, surrounded by an array of clear gems, and it looked even more brilliant in contrast to Eorzen’s skin.

The third, fourth, and fifth rings were the same. After placing a different ring on each of Eorzen’s five fingers, Siol fell into deep agony. He just couldn’t choose. Having no other choice, he decided to keep the five he had just put on as candidates and began trying on the remaining rings.

Eorzen watched Siol, who was approaching the task of choosing a single ring with the seriousness of someone deciding the fate of a nation, with a look of adoration. When he subtly wiggled his fingers, Siol slapped the tips of his fingers and then held his hand firmly in place. He was so engrossed in choosing a ring that he was clearly unaware of what he was doing.

How can my mate be this cute? Happiness seeped into Eorzen’s gaze as he watched Siol. Even though he had to use the strange excuse of amnesia, it was a good thing he had revealed himself like this. A harvest mouse’s small hands couldn’t touch Siol enough. Eorzen tucked a strand of hair that had fallen loose and was covering Siol’s face behind his ear.

Even with these subtle touches, Siol showed no sign of noticing. Was it because he had gotten used to it from being constantly touched back at the castle?

But it wasn’t as if he let just anyone touch him. He was usually on high alert to people who approached him. Eorzen was immensely pleased by that aspect of Siol. The way he let down his guard only for the few who were inside his line.

Of course, the fact that Ryufen was also inside that line was a bit displeasing.

Eorzen waved his free hand slightly to get the attention of the shop owner and the clerks. He took out a small pouch from his bosom and held it out behind his back so Siol couldn’t see, and a clerk came quietly and took it. Inside the pouch were large jewels and gold. When the clerk opened the pouch and showed the contents to the shop owner, her eyes widened in surprise. However, when Eorzen placed a finger on his own lips to signal for silence, she calmly nodded.

The quick-witted shop owner seemed to have instantly grasped the reason why Eorzen was secretly handing over valuables. And surely, even who the blue dragon’s mate was. Eorzen shot a glare at the woman, who was clenching her fists to hide her surprise and excitement. Exposed to the dragon’s aura, the shop owner now clenched her fists to endure the heart-stopping fear.

Eorzen shook his head at the shop owner, who was breaking out in a cold sweat. Then he continued his warning, his gaze moving from one clerk to another.

“Aah. I can’t choose….”

The tension, which had been stretched taut enough to cut, melted away in an instant.

Siol, who had been trying on and taking off rings and had managed to select the best three, groaned and declared.

“There is no ring more handsome than the others among these three. They all suit you equally well. I’d rather just buy you all three.”

“Hmm…. Didn’t you say just a moment ago that you don’t have much money?”

“Don’t worry, I can just get an advance on my salary.”

“An advance…”

Seeing Eorzen at a loss for words at the unexpected term, Siol continued in a soothing tone. His voice was filled with confidence.

“It’s fine. Next, I’ll make something I can sell and ask Ladie to share the profits.”

“The profits…”

“I may be a little poor now, but I’ll be able to earn money soon! If I make something that will sell….”

Eorzen noticed that Siol’s eyes had gone a little wild as he spoke.

He couldn’t understand how Siol, who maintained a cool rationality even when facing life-threatening situations, had fallen into a state of confusion while choosing a ring, but in any case, he couldn’t just leave him be. If their roles were reversed, he could buy dozens, even hundreds of rings like these, but to readily accept when Siol was offering to buy them even by going into debt was out of the question. Eorzen had not the slightest intention of making Siol go through such trouble.

Besides, he had another purpose in asking for a ring today.

“I’m good at it. It’s not my specialty, but I can make potions, too. I just need to research what kind of item would sell well right now….”

“Siol.”

Siol, who had been chattering incoherently, flinched when Eorzen took both his hands in his, then he began to quietly shrink down. Seeing his face gradually turn red, it seemed his reason was finally returning. Siol, who sometimes went on a rampage in a strange direction like this, would curl up into a ball, unable to bear the shame, once he came back to his senses.

Out of embarrassment, Siol tried to bend over, bury his face in his knees, and cover it with his hands. But Eorzen wouldn’t let go of his hands. The hands with the rings on them. Eorzen’s hands, wearing the rings about which he had just shouted that not one of the three was more handsome than the others, were holding Siol’s hands tightly. They didn’t even budge when he tugged, trying to get them released.

Siol looked up at Eorzen with a woeful expression. Contrary to his worry that he might be looked upon as pathetic, Eorzen was smiling very gently.

“Siol. I just want to receive one special ring today.”

“…But I really can’t choose. Those three rings, they all really suit you so well, Lord Eorzen.”

“Don’t worry. There is a way.”

With that, Eorzen began to take the rings off one by one and place them on Siol’s fingers. More heat spread across Siol’s cheeks, which were already flushed with embarrassment.

“W-w-what are you, doing….”

“I wanted to know how they look when worn on someone else’s hand.”

“E-e-even so, isn’t! This! A bit, you know?”

At Siol’s vehement protest, Eorzen tilted his head.

“Is there some sort of problem?”

“This is-.”

It’s like we’re choosing an engagement ring.

The words only tumbled around in his mouth. Earth was the only place with such a culture. Before, in Marsiga, when he had said he would make rings for Eorzen and his mate, neither Eorzen nor Ryufen had understood what he meant at all. At that time, Siol had explained the custom of exchanging rings, but the current Eorzen would have no memory of that, and judging by the looks of the shop owner and clerks, it seemed humans didn’t have such a culture either.

“…It’s nothing…. Here, look.”

Siol squeezed his eyes shut and held out his hand. Eorzen gently caressed the hand with the rings on it as he examined them. For some reason, his gaze felt sticky. He wasn’t looking, but he felt it. With his fingertips, and with his eyes, Eorzen was scrutinizing the rings—no, the fingers, no, the rings.

Eorzen’s finger, which had slid up his middle finger, gripped a ring and pulled it off.

“This one is a bit too flashy. It looks heavy.”

As soon as he said it, he knew which ring he was talking about. It was flashy, but it had seemed fine because its brilliance paled in comparison to Eorzen’s beautiful face.

“The remaining two both suit you well.”

“R-right? I can buy you both of them.”

“I cannot allow that. It must be one. But… it is certainly difficult to choose. I finally understand why you offered to buy all of them.”

“I told you so.”

Siol let out a huff through his nose as if to say, “See?” When he peeked his eyes open, Eorzen was stroking the tip of his chin with one hand, lost in thought. His downcast eyelashes were so long. Siol found himself staring, completely captivated.

Soon, a smile touched Eorzen’s lips as he removed a ring from Siol’s finger, looked up with a broad smile. Siol, who had been staring at Eorzen in a daze the whole time, was struck squarely by that smile without any warning.

“This ring suits you the best, Siol.”

“Y-yes?”

Coincidentally, the last ring was on his ring finger. The ring with a highly transparent blue gemstone, a gem that shone like Eorzen’s eyes, on a platinum band, gleamed on Siol’s left ring finger.

Even knowing that this situation was just a coincidence, Siol threw himself into the delusion welling up in his chest. He had no intention of forcing this feeling or delusion onto Eorzen. But wasn’t it okay to enjoy it by himself?

It’s just, it might seem a little sly. He was an alchemist, and for an alchemist, being called sly wasn’t such an insult.

Siol cleared his throat, “Hmph, hmph,” and pulled Eorzen’s hand to take it. Not knowing what was going on, Eorzen meekly let him take his hand. So naive, not even knowing what I’m thinking! Siol laughed slyly to himself.

“I’ll put it on for you.”

“Yes.”

Siol took the ring from his own hand and placed it on Eorzen’s left ring finger. His hand trembled slightly from nervousness. When he glanced at Eorzen, he was just smiling gently. Of course. Eorzen wouldn’t have the faintest idea that I’m playing a lover’s game all by myself right now.

“It really…. It really suits you, Lord Eorzen.”

Eorzen chuckled at the admiration, which was bordering on ecstasy.

“I am truly happy to hear you say that, Siol.”

Siol quickly paid the shop owner. She smiled with what seemed like an unnatural brightness and quoted a very low price. No matter how he thought about it, the price was a bit strange, and when he pressed her, it seemed a considerable discount had been applied. The shop owner smiled sweetly, recounting the deeds Siol had accomplished in this city and saying that this price was the result of adding her gratitude for such achievements.

Having been flattered to his face, Siol froze, not knowing what to do.

Something similar had happened before, but it hadn’t been such an expensive item back then. Recalling Mrs. Oshu, who had given him lots of delicious bread and cookies, Siol was in a state of confusion, gauging the price difference between bread and jewels, when Eorzen gave the shop owner an order.

“Bring another ring of the same design.”

“Are you buying another one?”

“Yes.”

“You must like it a lot. Well, I did choose very well.”

When he boasted a little, Eorzen let out a low laugh. But wasn’t it true? Seeing Eorzen go so far as to buy another ring for safekeeping made him feel very proud.

“That’s not it.”

Eorzen paused for a moment as he took the new ring from the clerk.