The father-daughter pair of Fire Dragons, Constantine and Hefei, found themselves inexplicably standing on the stage of the academy's ceremonial hall. They had been called up as the first-place winners in the parent-child competition, a situation Constantine found utterly surreal.
Below them, hundreds of dragon families were gathered, their countless eyes fixed expectantly on the two figures.
Although Constantine's reputation had waned somewhat over the years, the legendary Crimson Flame Dragon King remained a revered hero to many dragons. His name, etched in textbooks and popular tales, still carried weight. For many in the audience, this was a rare chance to see their childhood or teenage idol up close.
Despite having faced countless battles as a Dragon King, Constantine felt a strange sense of awkwardness under this spotlight. It was a different kind of pressure altogether.
"No, this isn't right," he thought.
The sensation was far more intense than mere stage fright—it was as if he were being roasted alive, every pore on his body burning from the scrutiny. His gaze wandered aimlessly, his breathing unsteady, and he didn't know where to place his hands or how to stand.
Amidst this turmoil, Constantine glanced down at Leon, who sat in the audience, holding Muse.
"Daddy, what does 'social death' mean?" Muse asked, blinking innocently.
Leon smirked and pointed to the stage. "It means what your Uncle Constantine is experiencing right now. After he's done, we'll ask him how it felt, okay?"
Muse clapped her hands joyfully. "Okay~!"
Constantine's eye twitched. He shot Leon a sharp look that seemed to say, You planned for your daughter to come in second on purpose, didn't you, you bastard?!
Leon responded with his signature "faker smile," a look the Crimson Flame Dragon King had come to know all too well.
"Everything happens for the best, Constantine. Just go with the flow."
Constantine: ...
He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath to steady himself. Fine. Let's just get this humiliating "acceptance speech" over with.
"Why don't you start by sharing how you've raised Princess Hefei, Mr. Constantine?" a staff member prompted gently.
It was worth noting that at St. Heath's Academy, all Dragon Kings and titled individuals were addressed as "Mr." or "Ms." regardless of their rank. This standardization avoided confusion and kept the atmosphere professional.
However, for young dragons, the academy permitted more affectionate terms like "Little Princess" or "Little Prince," reflecting both their family status and their adorableness.
"How I raised Hefei..." Constantine repeated the question to himself, stealing a glance at his daughter.
Hefei, shy under so many watchful eyes, clung to the hem of her father's robe. She gripped it lightly, fearing that holding too tightly might make him think she was nervous.
Constantine thought back to Leon's advice, given to him not long ago:
Spend more time with your daughters if you want them to have a happy childhood.
He wasn't sure if this unexpected moment on stage was the right opportunity, but... perhaps he could give it a try.
After a brief silence, Constantine reached out and gently held Hefei's trembling hand.
The moment his large, warm hand enveloped hers, Hefei's anxiety melted away. A warm sense of security surged within her, as if even if the world ended in the next second, her father would stand in front of her to protect her.
"I don't have any special parenting methods," Constantine began, his voice calm and carrying further than he expected. "Like many dragon families, I've been quite strict with Hefei."
His tone carried no blame or regret, leaving Hefei unsure of what he would say next.
Leon, watching from the audience, shook his head slightly. What a wasted opportunity, old friend...
But then, Constantine's tone shifted, surprising even Leon.
"But a... friend of mine once told me that while strict discipline satisfies our dragon instincts to pursue strength, it doesn't..."
He released Hefei's hand and gently placed his palm on her head.
"...bring happiness."
"I want my daughter to have a joyful childhood, so her life can't be just about studying and training."
"I don't know if it's too late to realize this, but from now on, I will do my best to give her a wonderful and unforgettable childhood."
Constantine's voice grew more earnest with each word, resonating deeply with the audience. He was not just speaking; he was making a vow.
"An oath is a sacred bond," he declared, his voice firm and clear. "And breaking it would bring nothing but shame and condemnation."
Hefei's eyes welled with tears, her small face lifted toward her father. She had never heard him speak like this before.
"Father..." she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.
Constantine managed a faint, reassuring smile, a rare sight that softened his normally fierce features.
"I will keep my promise, Hefei. Trust me."
This time, Hefei gripped his robe tightly, her little hand clenching with newfound determination and faith.
"Yes, Father."
The audience erupted into applause, their cheers carrying an air of genuine respect and warmth. Many parents nodded in understanding, while others looked on with touched expressions.
Leon let out a sigh of relief, leaning back slightly in his chair. The old fire lizard had finally gotten it.
"Looks like your 'Fire Dragon friend' learned a lot from you," Rossweise remarked with a teasing smile as she clapped softly.
Leon raised an eyebrow, playing along. "Friend? Who's his friend?"
Rossweise stifled a laugh, her voice dropping to a whisper as she mimicked Constantine's formal tone.
"'A friend of mine once told me...' Sound familiar?"
Leon rolled his eyes, though a smile tugged at his lips. "You're insufferable."
Rossweise chuckled, her queenly demeanor unshaken even in her amusement.
After answering a few more questions from the academy staff, Constantine finally heard the word he had been waiting for:
"Thank you, Mr. Constantine, and Princess Hefei, for sharing your experiences with us."
Hearing "thank you" felt like a lifeline thrown to a drowning man. The nightmare of public speaking was finally over.
Or so he thought.
"Mr. Constantine! Mr. Constantine!"
A sharp, familiar voice called out from the audience, and Constantine immediately recognized it.
It was Leon.
And if Leon was using the overly formal "Mr. Constantine," it could only mean trouble.
"Why not use this opportunity to let Princess Hefei give you a kiss?" Leon suggested with a wicked grin, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
Constantine froze, his mind going blank. Of all the ridiculous, humiliating...
"You have the most absurd ideas, you idiot!" he wanted to shout across the hall.
But to his horror, Leon's proposal was met with a wave of cheers and enthusiastic applause from the audience. The crowd loved the idea.
The enthusiastic response made Constantine's social death even more profound, sealing his fate on the stage.
Just as he was about to awkwardly retreat from the stage, desperate to escape, Hefei tugged lightly on his sleeve.
"Father."
"Yes?" he replied, his voice softer than intended.
Hefei didn't say anything further, simply opening her arms in a clear gesture for a hug.
Constantine hesitated for a moment, his pride warring with his love for his daughter. Finally, he surrendered. If this is social death, so be it—for my daughter's happiness, nothing else matters.
He bent down and lifted Hefei into his arms.
Without hesitation, the little dragoness leaned in and kissed him softly on the cheek.
A warm, gentle feeling spread from where her lips touched his skin, so unfamiliar yet so comforting. Constantine stood still, absorbing the moment.
Fun Fact:
This was the first time Constantine and his daughter had ever expressed their affection in such an intimate, public way.
With that single step, that one simple kiss, Hefei had grown closer to her father than ever before.