Serena's gaze slid toward Ji Xiaofei, sprawled across the bed like a fragile doll abandoned after play.
"And what about you, Little Ji?" she purred, her voice laced with curiosity.
Ji Xiaofei pouted, stretching lazily. "Me? I was just taking a leisurely stroll when that beast Yarrow snatched me up. Almost devoured me whole! I had no choice but to stick with him."
Serena's brows shot up. "Devoured? You?"
Ji Xiaofei sighed dramatically, a teasing smirk playing on her lips. "Yeah. Back then, I was just a tender little chick. Yarrow lured me in, wrapped me up, and nearly had me for dinner."
Serena tilted her head, her mind spinning with scandalous implications. So they had all been beasts before—turned into alluring, tantalizing creatures under Yarrow's hand. And she? He had returned her to human form with the mere flick of his magic.
Such a depraved, delicious ability.
She shivered.
But who was she to complain? This wicked sorcery had saved her, after all.
Then, a sudden realization struck her like a lover's whispered confession.
"Could it be… that the Dragonborn named Zen is actually… a pure-blooded dragon? The Silver Moon Dragon King herself?"
The mere thought sent a sinful thrill down her spine.
First, she was now living under the same roof as a Dragon King—one who could incinerate cities with a breath, who could shatter empires with a single claw.
Second, Yarrow's magic was potent enough to twist the very fabric of reality, to mold even the most supreme creatures into his playthings.
A bead of sweat trailed down Serena's temple. If her suspicion was true, then Zen's casual indifference toward them wasn't just arrogance—it was mercy.
Mercy from a goddess who could reduce them all to ash.
"I need to ask Yarrow," she murmured, biting her lip.
As if conjured by her thoughts, the sound of the door creaking open echoed from downstairs.
Yarrow had returned.
He strolled in, arms laden with a large paper bag filled with everyday essentials.
"Got extra soap, shampoo, and toothbrushes. Take care of your own mess from now on," he commanded, his tone as lazy as a feline basking in the sun.
Then, his piercing gaze found Serena.
"Tomorrow, we're heading to the main city to get that alchemy equipment you wanted."
Serena crossed her arms. "How thoughtful of you."
Zen, lounging in all her regal splendor, plucked a bar of soap from the bag and sniffed it.
"What is this? It smells… delectable."
"Soap," Yarrow mused. "For bathing. For washing your hands after feasting."
Zen scoffed, tossing her silver locks over her shoulder. "Hmph. This king does not bathe."
"Suit yourself," Yarrow replied smoothly, utterly unfazed.
Ignoring her haughty attitude, he withdrew a half-ham, an apple pie, and a warm loaf of bread.
"Let's eat."
The table was soon surrounded by bodies, warmth, and the intoxicating aroma of fresh food. For the first time in a long while, Yarrow wasn't dining in a cold, desolate tavern, but in his own home—surrounded by an odd but undeniably alluring group.
Zen, ever the insatiable glutton, had already devoured most of the ham, her cheeks puffed like a greedy little rodent.
If one ignored the fact that she had a taste for human flesh, she was almost… adorable.
Yarrow watched as she stared down the untouched apple pie.
"Not a fan of pie?" he asked, feigning nonchalance.
Zen flicked him a glance, her delicate fingers tracing the crust's golden edges. "What is this?"
His lips curled. "Haven't had pie before?"
She huffed. "As if I'd waste my time on such trivial human sweets. The dragon race dines on far greater delicacies."
"This," he explained, cutting her a perfect slice, "is apple pie. A dessert. Try it."
Zen lifted her chin, the very picture of imperial arrogance. "Since it is a tribute from a servant, I shall partake."
"How generous of you."
She picked it up, took a tentative bite—and instantly, a faint blush dusted her porcelain cheeks.
"It's… tolerable," she admitted, before swiftly taking another, then another.
[Zen's affection increased by 5.]
Yarrow's brow arched. Well, well. So the mighty dragon queen had a weakness after all.
He smirked. "Lady Zen, is there anything else you like to eat?"
She flicked her violet gaze toward him, an impish glint lurking behind her lashes.
"Yes," she murmured, savoring her final bite. "Humans."
Silence.
Yarrow exhaled. "Forget I asked."
Zen merely smirked, licking the last crumbs from her fingertips.
Yarrow sat back, watching her with newfound intrigue.
If sweet treats were the key to softening this formidable dragon's heart, then he would see just how much sugar it took to tame her.
Because in three months, he needed her power to pass the Horolog Academy entrance exam.
And he would do whatever it took to claim it.
[Affection: -95] [Current state: satisfied, yet dangerously unpredictable]
"Minus ninety-five."
"Hah…" Yarrow exhaled, rubbing his temples. "The road ahead is long, indeed."
If Zen remained a lost cause, then he had no choice but to pivot to his backup plan—Serena. He would have to push her, coax her, and entice her into helping him raise his magic to entrance level within these three months. He needed results. Fast.
After the meal, the house slowly fell into a quiet lull. One by one, everyone retreated to their rooms, seeking the comfort of warm baths and soft beds.
Serena was the last to finish showering. As she stepped out, steam curled around her, the lingering heat caressing her skin. Dressed in a borrowed pair of Yarrow's pajamas, she tugged at the oversized fabric, her fingers ghosting over the faint traces of his scent embedded within the cloth.
The rich, masculine fragrance wrapped around her like an invisible embrace, seeping into her senses. A wave of embarrassment rushed through her, painting her cheeks a delicate shade of pink.
She swallowed. Hard.
There was no helping it. She had no other clothes to change into, aside from the inexplicable student uniform that had materialized on her the moment she had regained human form. She still had no idea how Yarrow had managed that little trick.
With a flick of her fingers, she summoned a soft breeze, weaving wind magic through her damp hair until it dried completely. She sank into the mattress, staring at the unfamiliar ceiling, her mind swimming in a strange haze.
"It still feels like a dream."
Just days ago, she had been nothing but a forsaken bear, curled up in a damp cave, desperately clinging to the hope of reclaiming her humanity. Now, she was in the home of a man she barely knew, clad in his clothes, surrounded by his presence.
"What kind of person is he? So weak, yet wielding magic unlike anything I've ever seen…"
As her thoughts drifted, her fingers absentmindedly curled around the collar of his shirt. Before she realized what she was doing, she had lifted it, inhaling the lingering scent embedded within the fabric.
The moment awareness struck, heat flooded her face. She jerked her hand away as though burned, her heart hammering against her ribs.
What the hell am I doing?!
Just then—a knock.
Her stomach twisted.
"Serena," Yarrow's voice rumbled from the other side of the door. "I need to talk to you."
Her breath hitched.
"H-Huh? Now?!"
She scrambled upright, frantically smoothing the fabric of her borrowed clothes as if she could erase any evidence of her previous indiscretion.
Yarrow stepped inside, his gaze scanning her with an unreadable expression. He hesitated for a moment, then frowned.
"...Am I interrupting something?"
Serena's face ignited like a wildfire. "Y-you! What nonsense are you spewing?! W-what could I possibly be doing that I don't want anyone to see?!"
Yarrow arched an eyebrow, his gaze lingering. "You tell me."
Serena nearly choked.
He let the silence hang for a beat longer than necessary before finally shaking his head. "Never mind. I came to discuss something important."
"D-Discuss what?!" she shot back, pouting to mask her flustered state.
"Horolog Magic Academy is expanding its enrollment soon. I plan to take the entrance exam."
Serena's heart skipped a beat.
"Horolog Magic Academy?" she echoed, her voice an octave higher. "As in… the Horolog Magic Academy?!"
"...Yes?" Yarrow blinked. "Is there another one I don't know about?"
Serena's eyes gleamed with excitement. "That's the dream academy for every aspiring mage! My original plan was to apply there after getting my Silver-level mage qualification!"
Then, realization dawned. She slowly turned back to Yarrow, her expression shifting into one of deep skepticism.
"Wait. You want to pass the entrance exam?"
Yarrow met her gaze without flinching. "That's right. And if you agree to tutor me in magic, I'll cover your tuition."
Serena opened her mouth, then closed it. "Wait, wait, wait. You… want me to tutor you?"
"Yes."
She let out a small, strangled laugh. "This… might be a bit of a blow to your confidence, but I've seen your magic firsthand, and—" she winced, offering him a helpless smile "—with that level, getting into Horolog is… a bit of a reach."
Yarrow narrowed his eyes. "That was then. This is now."
"Uh-huh. Sure."
"Just focus on the next three months. If you seriously tutor me, we'll take the entrance exam together."
Serena exhaled, rubbing her temples. "You really are hopelessly stubborn."
Yarrow smirked. "I prefer 'relentless.'"
Serena crossed her arms, but despite herself, a small, amused smile tugged at her lips. "Fine. I'll do what I can. But if we crash and burn, don't say I didn't warn you."
As she spoke, a single, ridiculous thought flitted through her mind—an absurd memory from earlier in the day.
The reason Zen had looked so stunned before… wasn't because of anything profound.
It was because she had been wearing a toilet plunger on her head like a crown.
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