"Hero Kael, about me being married,
I doubt it is that big of a deal."
Her hands were literally twitching, wanting to hold Cirri in her arms, and the Dragon didn't make it any simpler to resist her.
Watching the 'thing' standing in front of her, she tilted her head, with a baby-like confusion on her face.
Of course, the privilege to see her this up close was extremely limited, and Veylara had run out of time.
"A-As long as I get to hold this majestic creature just once, I-I wouldn't mind..."
Before the woman could even complete her sentence, Cirri quickly turned into a cloud and rematerialized herself right above Kael's head, knowing perfectly well that her father would catch her.
Kael, who gently grabbed his daughter, turned back to Veylara and nodded in satisfaction.
"Exactly. This was exactly what I was talking about. With how adorable my daughter is, one should be prepared to give up everything in order to get close to her. Why is your Inkar intimidated by her?"
Kael couldn't understand.
"It is the Bloodline suppression."
"But they are not of the same Bloodline."
Igni's presence intimidating Inkar would make sense, but Cirri was a Cloud Dragon before—she had no bloodline connection with Inkar whatsoever.
"It doesn't matter. They are still a Dragon and a Wyvern. A Wyvern will always feel intimidated in a Dragon's presence, regardless of their blood or strength."
"Wouldn't that be disadvantageous in battle?"
Kael couldn't help but frown, and Veylara just laughed at those words.
"If it is a battle against a Dragon, I would have a lot more things to worry about than my Bond being intimidated.
And no, my Inkar may be intimidated, but when it comes to fighting and protecting me, he will suppress his fear and fight with me. That is just how pure a Bond's love is."
Veylara smiled gently as she stared at her Inkar, who had already gotten closer to her, wanting her to pet him.
Even an 81-year-old Wyvern known for his fierceness wanted his Tamer's attention—it was a sight that made Kael smile.
Veylara patted her friend, then turned back towards Kael and,
"We have had a long talk, and I am sure you have a lot on your mind. It would do you well if you return and get some rest."
"I... I still have a lot of questions."
"But now that I am your mentor, my words carry more weight. You will listen to what I say."
"You should have taken me as a subordinate when I offered you to."
Kael chuckled at those words.
"I will do what my Mentor wants."
Veylara then climbed onto Inkar. Kael did the same and sat in front of her. The Firefang Wyvern jumped into the air and started flying.
She just continued to stare at Cirri, who had made herself comfortable in Kael's arms and went to sleep while holding Kael's palm with her undeveloped paws.
"You can touch her if you want, you know?"
"I-If it wasn't clear, I was joking before. I love my husband."
Kael laughed as he got close to Veylara with Cirri in his arms.
He gestured for Veylara to hold Cirri.
"You will not tempt me!"
Veylara spoke, her eyes still on Cirri.
"It will feel very good, trust me."
"Try it once. If you don't like it, we will stop."
"Oh come on. I know you do not wish to marry me—as heartbroken as I am, I will live with that."
Kael chuckled and then,
"Now, do you want to carry her or not?"
"Will that be alright?"
Veylara questioned, hesitating.
"Hmm? Of course, why not?"
In the end, instead of answering, Veylara tried to take a chance and hold Cirri, but before she could,
Cirri turned into a cloud and materialized a meter away, still within Kael's reach but not Veylara's.
The little Dragon then opened her eyes and stared at Veylara.
"You will not touch me, Human."
She spoke, her voice filled with so much coldness that Kael couldn't even recognize her. Then, Cirri looked into Kael's eyes with the same coldness, something that made Kael tremble. He was both taken aback and horrified at the same time, not because he was scared of Cirri...
He was scared of that... cold look on his daughter's face.
He gulped and then tried to talk to Cirri, but before he could say anything,
Cirri returned to the Sanctuary.
Kael despaired, almost as if his world had collapsed.
"This is how Dragons are, Hero Kael."
"They are extremely proud beings who will not allow any being to get near them, let alone touch them. Even the Dragonborns—the descendants of people the Dragons have bonded with—cannot approach them just because they feel like it.
I highly doubt this generation of the Dragonborns even got to see the Drakthar Dragons. Even the food is sent to them via artifacts, without any human nearing their home."
"Do Dragons... hate humans?"
Kael couldn't help but question.
"Can you blame them? We humans wage wars, we kill, we plunder, we destroy our surroundings—all for the sake of power.
We aren't exactly lovable."
Veylara chuckled, and Kael turned silent.
"Dragons consider us to be incomplete creatures. Creatures who cannot live in peace. Creatures wh-"
Suddenly, Veylara was interrupted by a shout.
Yes, Cirri had reappeared.
A-And to prove that, I-I will allow you to touch me for fiv—one second."
Cirri spoke as she closed her eyes, preparing herself to be sullied for her father's sake.
Kael, who saw that, quickly grabbed his little one and placed her on his chest.
"You don't have to do that."
He closed his eyes and hugged his daughter even more tightly.
"B-But she was telling you—"
"That doesn't matter. My daughter loves me, and I know it.
And even if you hate other humans, it is okay—I will hate them together with you."
Kael smiled, then momentarily glanced at Veylara and,
"But I assure you, all humans aren't the same. We will find humans you will come to love when you spend time with them, I promise."
Cirri then lowered her head and,
"And I am sorry for suddenly going into the Sanctuary. I was... I..."
Cirri turned silent, not knowing what to say.
And Kael just hugged her.
"You can do whatever you want."
Yes, he was spoiling her.
But that is what fathers do.