i'll save you when you're weak

Part 21

"It's been a long time, Eruhaben-nim."

It always struck Eruhaben just how polite this child was, far more polite than a certain impulsive dragon lord, but more so than that he was always amazed to watch the child's evolution and growth.

The first few times Eruhaben met this tiny child, he could hardly speak a word. His manners always gave the impression of fear rather than respect. A small and pitiful existence.

Yet, each time he met with this small child, the light in his eyes was brighter and brighter. The fear that once pinned him down was replaced by a kind soul that was allowed to shine.

Eruhaben smiled gently at the child and returned the greeting, allowing Kim Rok Soo to guide him to the dining room where dinner would be prepared.

If someone asked Eruhaben a few centuries ago if he'd be having regular dinners with a dragon lord and his adopted human family, Eruhaben would have likely punched them in the throat. He was a lot rougher in his youth and so much more likely to resort to violence.

Now, he was just amused.

And grateful.

Raon didn't talk about it very much but he was clearly lonely whenever his mother returned to a hypernation-like state. He filled up his time with wandering and bothering other dragons, being a proudly self-proclaimed social dragon, but it was obvious how sunken his shoulders became with time.

Eruhaben never thought he would see Raon smiling so brightly during a time he would normally be crushed by loneliness.

And in such a short period of time.

Eruhaben rarely bothered with humans. Their lifespans were a blip in his life and they never seemed worth the time. In some ways, his old age had caused him to forget how much could happen in a few short months, how much the world could change in just a year.

Like the time he spent watching over Raon during his growth period. How precious every moment was in the company of a loved one, even if that time was merely a blip in a lifetime.

Kim Rok Soo's small smile as he led Eruhaben to his spot before rushing off to get his friend. The human chef that calmly set the table without regarding Eruhaben at all. The laugh bursting out of Raon as he described his weak human's latest antics.

The black castle was warm. Warm and comforting to all those who were welcomed.

Although, Eruhaben had some concerns over the progressively growing number of chairs around the table. These days, it felt like every time he visited Raon had picked up a new stray. How long would it be before Raon just had this castle bursting with guests? It was meant as a jest but the moment Eruhaben thought it, the more concerned he was about the potential reality.

Raon really was quite a social dragon.

"...are you listening, goldy gramps?"

Eruhaben smiled indulgently at his foolish dragon lord. "Of course, you were telling me how proficient Kim Rok Soo is in making traps."

Raon puffed out his chest with pride just as the door opened to welcome back Kim Rok Soo and his little friend. Eruhaben recognized him as the boy from the Dark Forest incident and was privately relieved that none of his injuries from that time hampered his quality of life. He looked boisterous and happy as he sat at the table alongside Kim Rok Soo.

Then the swordmaster arrived in the dining room, significantly more sedate but still appearing quite happy as he took his own seat. A servant from the Henituse household followed after and finally the chef joined them when he'd finished preparing the table to be bursting with food.

Raon met Eruhaben's eyes, grinning broadly and proudly as if to say look! Look at the family I've collected! and Eruhaben couldn't help but smile in return.

Every minute, every hour, every day, every small bit of a lifetime was important. Perhaps he'd invite Olienne to the next family dinner. That child could certainly learn to be a bit more social from their precocious dragon lord. Besides, Raon was quite fond of him as well.

The meal was loud and boisterous, just like the owner of the castle. Passing around food, offering dishes to share, talking animatedly about anything and everything under the sun. Eruhaben enjoyed the youthful excitement around him. It almost made him feel a hundred years younger to be surrounded by such sincere and passionate joy.

Maybe it wouldn't be too bad if Raon fills up this castle with strays.

It certainly wasn't his own way of doing things. Eruhaben could be a bit stuck in his ways, but it was nice to have the company and when he compared it to a quiet evening in his den with only the candlelight as his company, this was better.

Perhaps Raon has infected me with his social disease.

Eruhaben accepted a dish passed over by the swordmaster and sent it along toward the children, who accepted it with their enthusiastic thanks before whispering amongst themselves about some diabolical scheme or another. According to Raon, the pair of them were incurably mischievous.

Truly, when he compared the injured and terrified child Raon first brought to his door with this vibrant brat, there was a part of him that couldn't help but smile.

Kim Rok Soo looked happy. Truly happy. A rare state for anyone to achieve even in their youth but especially after enduring so much. He was really a resilient soul. Eruhaben had a lot of respect for Kim Rok Soo's ability to endure his wretched past and look toward the future.

With a happy dinner table full of food and joy, it looked like a happy future was all that could possibly await him.

After dinner was over, pie was consumed, and the dining room was cleared, Eruhaben rested on the balcony leading out into the Dark Forest, staring out at it thoughtfully.

"You're in your head a lot today, goldy gramps." Raon criticized playfully while taking a spot beside Eruhaben. "What's going on?"

Eruhaben thought about the answer for a long time. The concerns that weighed him down were still ever present and there was a possibility for the bright future to be short, if great care wasn't taken.

But he supposed it was his responsibility as an old and wise dragon to help guide these foolish kids.

"I was just thinking about what an irrationally social dragon you are." Eruhaben teased.

Raon took it as a compliment though, puffing his chest out with pride. "Of course!"

Yes. Eruhaben would certainly need to do a bit more to balance the world, if only to ensure that this silly dragon lord never lost his smile.

In that light and warm evening, Eruhaben resolved himself to get involved where he would normally remain apathetic.

It was hard not to when he had grandchildren to care for.