Became a Hatchling of the Grand Duke of the North

45 – Imperial Maiden (4)

[It’s almost time to go to the academy.]

[Kiii.]

At that sound, Guardian Dragon Han let out a low breath.

I don’t want to fall.

Han felt that he did not want to be far from Lucrezia who held him in his arms.

For that reason, he rather rubbed his head on the lap of the Grand Duke of Lucrezia.

However, the saintess, the guardian dragon’s contractor, felt the same way.

As much as the aftermath of the vivid emotions that the guardian dragon feels for its contractors, Lucrezia also feels a deep affinity with the guardian dragon to the extent that it is proportionate.

It is felt while keeping intact the strings as partners connected to each other.

However, Lucrezia was the owner of the only grand duchy in this vast northern land.

There was no way that she, who inherited the only feat in her empire, would spurn her place and escape.

[Kiii.]

‘If I leave for the academy now, I’ll break up with Lucrezia.’

Thought so, the figure of Han, the guardian dragon, holding Lucrezia’s thighs tightly in his arms, as if he would not let go even for a second.

Lucrecia gently stroked the nape of his neck and whispered softly.

[Please don’t be too sad. Even if I am like this, I will make at least the ability to visit at least a couple of times during the academic semester.]

[Key?]

Han, who had buried his head in the sound, raised his head.

Unlike usual, his eyes were wide open, as if he was calling for an answer.

To that gaze, as if asking if that was true, Lucrezia replied with a faint smile.

[Of course, Guardian Dragon. Really.]

She always has little time to relax.

If it was for the sake of the guardian dragon, wouldn’t it be possible to delay that much longer?

It wasn’t a lie. It was quite possible.

Of course, there were many elements of unrest in the north.

The mother of Han, who lies sick every day, the guardian dragon of the previous generation, Calliope, and the absolute barrier that is getting out of balance little by little in proportion to it.

She was there, and she was the one who was checking the incidents and accidents of each of the numerous small territories scattered throughout the northern part.

It was never a lie to be busy without leaks.

In fact, since she reached the superhuman level of Master, she rarely went to sleep on time.

It was always because I was busy with work.

But.

Nevertheless.

If it’s for the Guardian Dragon, can’t you just delay those things a little bit longer?

Things are overdue every day, but what will be different if you postpone them a little more?

[…]

Her hand stopped somewhere on the chest of the Guardian Dragon Han.

It was the only spot where the shiny, silver-white scales he was proud of were empty.

That is the point where the scales are pulled.

The eyes of Archduke Lucrecia, who looked there, hardened a little.

She still stroked Han’s head, whispering in a soft voice no one else had dared to hear before.

[I know better than anyone that the Guardian Dragon worked hard to save me in danger at the time.]

Guardian Dragon Han’s Dragon Lin.

A spot in the very center of his chest was still barely visible.

The body grew with one turn of shedding, and each scale also grew in proportion to it.

Even with that kind of person, this vacant seat in the middle was not new.

[But… You’re losing this precious body because of that. Even now, I’m sorry that this fact bothers me.]

‘I don’t regret it at all.’

Lucrecia seemed to feel sorry for that fact.

Han did not.

It’s just a single scale.

It was just one of the many scales that tightly wrapped around his body.

Although the situation at the time was so critical that the one that had the largest growth on the chest was pulled out and used, so it stood out in particular.

If it wasn’t for this, he wouldn’t have been able to save Lucrezia at the time.

‘Yes. If it wasn’t for this, she really would have been beaten. Rather, this is what I did better.’

At the time, Han used the Rift Gate that connects space and the Dragon’s Breath in succession.

If only he hadn’t summoned Garcion, the butler.

At the moment when the demon rushes in, he emits a white breath, and if he hadn’t bounced it away.

And if Lucia hadn’t brought a sword just in case.

If any one of these three elements had not coexisted together, Archduke Lucrezia might not have been here.

Han thought as he rubbed his head against her thigh again.

‘To others, Lucrecia may just play the role of a watchman protecting the north. To me, she’s just a precious figure that shouldn’t be lost.’

Of the people Han faced in this world, the most precious ones were Lucrezia and her daughter, Lucia.

Of course, Yone, the head maid, and Garcion, the butler, were also important.

But only these two contractors, the former figures.

Even if they were to exchange Han for anything, they were precious ties that they would never want to lose.

So Han and Grand Duke Lucrecia.

We quietly spent time facing each other in one place for a long time.

* * * *

A day has passed since then.

The night passed, and the snow-covered northern morning dawned again.

[Kiiiii.]

To Han, who stretched out her own long body like a bowstring and straightened her body.

Lucia, dressed in all her clothes, approached me before I knew it.

She opened her mouth as she always smiled.

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[It’s finally today.]

[Kyik.]

As if agreeing with that, Han gave her little nod and seemed to agree.

That’s right. It was as it was said.

Today was the day Lucia and Han set out for the capital, the heart of the Empire.

[Lady. Here it is!]

[Thank you, Yoneya.]

Yone brought a rather large storage box.

What was stored there was none other than a large golden ribbon sent by the Baroness, who had recently visited the grand duchy as a tailor.

[Ego. Stay still.]

Lucia handily tied the golden ribbon around the nape of Han’s neck and nodded as she stood.

[Yeah, good. Be very dignified. To the extent that everyone is very surprised when they see the Guardian Dragon.]

‘…To be dignified. You say everything you don’t have, Lucia.’

How dignified a young dragon would be if he had to tie a ribbon around his neck.

In fact, Han’s mouth twitched at the sight of the maids making somewhat vague expressions in the back.

That was by no means an expression of admiration for his majesty.

It was quite the opposite.

However, it was given by Lucia himself, and he had no intention of expressing dissatisfaction.

Rather, if I had to question it, it was closer to feeling good.

It’s not that it’s not true, it’s because her body odor was faintly smeared on this ribbon due to her actions just now.

It doesn’t feel too bad.

The subtle scent of raw meat and Lucia’s body odor added on top of it.

It was as if good things and good things were combined to make something better.

[Now. Come this way.]

[Kiik!]

She naturally spreads her arms toward such Han, and at the sight of Lucia, he jumped into her arms. It was an incredibly nimble move.

Kik-.

As we went out to visit together, what was waiting in front of us was none other than the owner of this grand duchy, Grand Duke Lucrezia.

[Are you all ready, Lucia?]

[Yes. Lord.]

Today, Lucia and Han, the guardian dragon, are leaving.

She was still as strong as before, unmoving in her appearance.

But only.

Somehow, unlike usual, he paid attention to every detail, as if hoping that nothing was wrong.

She has always been a quiet woman, so even today, she was particularly noticeable.

[Wherever you go, always be with Yone. Never forget that she serves as an escort for you and the Guardian Dragon, and only step on her safe territory. Of course, if she thinks that’s not going to happen, then she will have to keep an eye on the Guardian Dragon all the time so that it doesn’t get out of your sight.]

[Of course. We will always watch.]

Despite her archduke Lucrezia’s appearance, her poisonous horsetail is as long as it hangs down.

Still, as always, Lucia, as the faithful heir to the grand duke’s family, firmly answered.

[Even though the academy is the heart of the capital protected by a strong barrier, always keep in mind that no matter what happens, it’s not strange.]

[I understand, the head of the household.]

But despite such strong replies, there was still no sign of Lucrecia’s words stopping.

The owner of the house, Garcion, who was watching, quietly whispered in her ear.

[Patriarch. The promised gate is about to expire. Her will slowly let go of her […]

[Ah, has that happened already?]

Only then did Lucrezia raise her head and urged her Lucia with a slightly flustered look.

[Now. Come on, get in the carriage. You should be ready to open the gate soon.]

But what was so worrying about?

Lucrezia looked up at her Lucia in her carriage and finally added her one word.

[Keep in mind. You should always make sure not to take your eyes off the Guardian Dragon.]