Dragon King's Harem Chapter 362. Real Friendship Is Rare
I pulled out a low scoff.
"You naughty fox. Trying to read my mind, huh?" I said in a teasing tone.
Jyne smiled, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
"I'm just trying to guess," she said in a light, playful tone.
I let out a long huff, the tension in my chest easing slightly, and started walking again, this time towards my resting tent. My pace was relaxed, each step helping to calm my racing thoughts.
"Al is like a friend to me. Maybe he's the only one of my servants who can act casually in front of me. Sometimes he acts stupid even though I know he is a smart and sharp person," I admitted, my voice softer.
Jyne tilted her head at me, her curiosity evident. "So you mean... he is someone who can treat you like his own fellow?" she asked.
I nodded, a small smile playing on my lips. "You could say that," I stated.
The words felt right. He wasn't just a servant or a subject, but someone who saw me not just as a king but as a person.
For a royal dragon, having friends when they were little was normal. As long as the memories of the past had not been revealed, a young royal dragon would act according to how a child should act.
They played, laughed, and some even had a naive and slightly mischievous side. Once they grew up, and entered their teenage phase, they behaved like real teenagers, much like human teenagers. They experienced the same curiosity, rebellion, and the search for their own identity.
But everything changed once their fathers died and they inherited the memories of their ancestors. This inheritance was not just a ceremonial passing of wisdom—it was a profound transformation. Those who were once idealistic became more realistic. Their childish attitudes diminished, as did their naivety. They became more serious, burdened by the realization of the immense responsibilities.
The event itself was not pleasant. The influx of countless memories, often all at once, usually brought disorientation and intense headaches. It was like trying to pour an ocean into a small cup; overwhelming and painful.
But once the initial shock subsided, the young royal dragon would usually emerge with a new understanding. They gained insight into the hidden affairs of the kingdom, secrets that were previously beyond their grasp. They understood the intricate web of politics, the balance of power, and the delicate dance required to maintain stability and peace.
This drastic shift in personality and perception was why a dragon prince was not allowed to marry before becoming king. It ensured that when the time came to choose a partner, the decision would be made with full awareness of all the political implications, not just based on love or personal desire. Marriage was as much a strategic alliance as it was a personal union. Love, while important, was not the sole consideration.
The real Argod had gone through this transformation himself. I remembered the carefree days of his youth, playing with friends, oblivious to the weight of the crown he would one day wear.
But the memories of his ancestors had brought a harsh clarity, reshaping his world and his role within it. I understood why his father had been so stern, why he had made the decisions he did. The burden of the throne demanded it.
Jyne held my hand tighter, her grip conveying a silent support that I hadn't realized I needed. Her eyes, filled with melancholy, searched mine.
"Is being a dragon king that lonely?" she asked, her voice tinged with sadness.
Her question left me speechless. Loneliness wasn't something I often allowed myself to acknowledge, surrounded as I was by many servants and aides. Whenever I needed something, all I had to do was snap my fingers or give an order, and countless people would rush to serve me. Some of my most trusted servants even bore my servant mark, a magical bond that ensured their loyalty and prevented betrayal. But Jyne's question cut through all of that.
The reality was that a friend without any attachments or ulterior motives was a luxury for a dragon king.
My position meant that every interaction, every relationship, was colored by the power dynamics at play.
Many people sought to take advantage of my kindness or my closeness, seeing an opportunity to elevate their own status or achieve their personal goals. It was a harsh truth, one that had been demonstrated time and again throughout the history of the dragon kings.
I remembered how the previous dragon kings, and the betrayals he faced. Trusted advisors who turned against him, supposed friends who used his generosity to further their own ambitions.
Those stories didn't end well. They served as cautionary tales, reminders of the dangers of trusting too freely. The bonds that formed under such circumstances were often tenuous and fraught with hidden agendas.
"Jyne," I began, my voice softer than usual. "It's complicated. I can't say I'm lonely in the way you might think. I have many people around me, always ready to serve and assist. But real friendship... is rare."
She nodded, her eyes still filled with that deep, empathetic sadness. "I guess I never really thought about it like that," she said quietly. "You always seem so strong, so in control."
I sighed. "Strength and control are necessary for a king. Showing vulnerability can be dangerous. But it doesn't mean those feelings aren't there, buried beneath the surface."
We reached my resting tent, and I motioned for Jyne to join me inside. I sat down on a wooden chair, gesturing for her to take the one opposite me.
>Check out my new novel (in different account). You can also send me a gift for this novel there.
Genre: System, R18, harem
https://m.webnovel.com/book/supreme-warlock-system-from-zero-to-ultimate-with-my-wives_30978612000603805
Genre: Villain, MMORPG, R18, harem
https://m.webnovel.com/book/villain-mmorpg-the-devil-emperor-and-his-seven-demonic-wives_25760862505799905
>Read the original on https://m.webnovel.com/book/the-dragon-king's-harem-system_18670536106687905
>Read more than 106 chapter ahead of DKH + 2 weekly update
My Pat*reo*n-page: pat*reon.*com/nanakawaichan
(erase the *)
My ko-fi page: ko-fi.*com/nanakawaichan
My Discord: discord.gg/mSRHyMVhnG