Dragon Reincarnated (Working title)

Goodbye Kempfer

The next morning, as we stood before the Duke's grand mansion once more, I found myself bombarded with the tears of little children.

Serenity and her cousins had been fascinated to see my humanoid form, but that fascination had not lasted long when we informed everyone that the next day we would be making our way to the capital. Little James was doing his level best to not sob, but his forced sniffles were driving me a little bonkers, even if I was touched to see how fond he was of me in such a short time. His fist was balled up in the skits of one of my new dresses, specially made by the Shrew.

As for Millenia, she had no reservation on her tears at all, freely bawling her eyes out. Luckily, the Duchess had taken pity on me and took the young princess up into her own arms a few moments ago, otherwise she would still be bawling into my skirts right next to her brother.

"It is a shame to see you leave so soon." Duke Orelious stated somberly over the wails of his distraught daughter. He and Leon clasped forearms and the duke pulled him into a brief hug before they both took a step back. Why did males have to make farewells so awkward?

Not that I had all that much room to talk as I stood to the side, silently weeping prince on one side of my and a baby wailing into my overly sensitive ears on the other, her mother making calming, shushing noises all the while. I guess we were all awkward in one way or another.

"I've had Serenity away from home for too long." Leon said, placing a hand on the back of his adorable sister. She walked forward and hugged her uncle, her eyes just faintly pink from when, she too, had cried while saying her farewells to her aunt and cousins a moment prior. "And Allura has urgent business with my father as well."

"Ah, yes. It is never wise to keep a dragon waiting is it?" He chuckled.

"WAAAAAAAH" Hollered Millenia, as several maids hurried forward, also trying to calm the child.

"Er, right." Said Leon, watching his baby cousin worriedly. Then he caught my eye and I saw that he was trying not to laugh. Bastard.

"I will come back to visit." I told the little girl while patting the head of her brother in what I hoped was a comforting manner. I didn't have much contact with children after I had stopped being one myself back in my old life. I am sure, had I not died, I would have had ample practice with my own nieces and nephews over the years.

"P-Promise!" Millenia wailed, ignoring everyone's efforts to settle her down.

"I promise." I said. It wasn't like it should be a hard one to keep. I was a dragon who could fly far and wide. Especially once I built up my wing strength and stamina, I was sure the trip would not be a hassle to make. "We can go swimming again."

"Al-alright..." The child hiccoughed, allowing a maid to use a handkerchief to wipe the snot off her face. 

I reached out a faintly scaled hand and patted her on the head, while also using the other arm to give the little duke a side hug. "I will see you both soon. So behave and grow up strong. Who knows, maybe if you get big and brave enough, I might even be able to take you on a short flight. very low to the ground."

"Really?!" Asked an astonished James, eyes wide at my side.

I nodded and the boy beamed, releasing my dress to hurry over to his mother's side. 

"I swear I will train hard!" He said, platinum blonde hair flashing as the sun broke free from the cover of a cloud.

I didn't know one needed to train in order to do what amounted to the dragon version of a pony ride, but if it kept the kids in line and motivated, then I supposed that was fine.