THHAAWMF

Chapter 161

"I don't hate you."

The answer came without the slightest pause, and he fell silent.

Squatting down on the floor, I brought my lips to the back of his hand and said.

"I like you, and I would have liked you even if I hadn't been the princess in my previous life."

"..."

"I'll be here until you wake up, so get some sleep for now."

"...Yeah. I'm sorry..."

Reynos closed his eyes. Soon a regular and steady breath filled the room.

***

Dragons, an enigmatic creation borne from God' unintended error, had existed in a state of perfection that negated the need for camaraderie.

Interaction, even within their own kind, was rare, and in moments of ennui, they would assume human form, briefly mingling among mortals before ending their lives through self-inflicted demise.

Absulekti, the solitary survivor among dragons, enjoyed a life that unfolded with increasing liberty.

This was before Eldorado's ascension as a realm of magic.

The kings of Eldorado held Absulekti in reverence, venerating him as a sacred guardian of the kingdom, offering tribute year after year.

"..."

His offerings were lavish, consisting of exotic spices, silks from distant lands, and jewelry that would grace only the most privileged of nobles.

However, Absulekti remained unmoved.

Mere ants, scurrying about-such was the extent of his consideration, until a human figure approached his lair.

"..."

A diminutive girl emerged into his sight.

Her attire was tattered, as if she had gathered discarded garments, while her body bore testament to a history of falls, etching scars reminiscent of a tumble from a precipice.

In her hand, she clutched a branch laden with crimson berries, suggesting an attempt at collection gone awry.

Many might have been stirred by a pang of empathy, but Absulekti remained apathetic.

Retracing his steps to his lair, he remained unperturbed by the prospect of abandoning her to be devoured by the surrounding beasts.

Shifting back into his draconian form, he closed his eyes, deeply contemplating the concept of mortality, when the gentle melody of rain met his ears.

Typically, he would find solace in such a sound, yet today, it grated on his nerves with uncommon annoyance.

He balked at the idea of meeting his end in such weather.

Absently, he directed his gaze downward, eyelids shut, only to be jolted by a sudden exclamation.

"Ugh...."

He observed the girl's feeble attempt to approach his lair, her crawling form a desperate bid to escape the rain. Her determination waned as she neared the entrance, her body giving way, slumping in a heap.

Absulekti's gaze bore into her. The notion of simply expelling her crossed his mind, yet he was perturbed by the spectacle of a being with a life span barely exceeding a century, struggling for existence, while he himself teetered on the precipice of death.

Ungraciously, he administered healing.

When the rain finally ceased, he nudged her gently with his tail, ushering her out of his lair.