Chapter 143: Sophia

Sophia gazed at the relatives before her, feeling a deep bitterness in her heart.

She hadn’t discussed with them the matter of Aurina having piles of gold coins beneath her. 

Richard had told Sophia that he treated Aurina as a teammate, and spoils were divided as evenly as possible. 

If that was the case, then logically, Richard should possess wealth similar to Aurina’s.

But…

They were chattering away, discussing why.

“Why would there be a why?” 

Sophia’s aunt raised her hand and said. “Men are just like that. Once they’ve been with you for a long time and think they’ve got you hooked, there’s a saying—have you ever seen someone who caught a fish still feeding it bait?”

Sophia blurted out, “Richard isn’t like that.”

“Every girl in love says that,” her aunt said. “Even if he doesn’t think that way consciously, he does subconsciously. Has he been generous to you lately?”

Sophia didn’t speak.

Her aunt said in a tone of exasperation, “He has nothing, and you’re marrying down.”

“That’s right. Why is he still raising such a pretty and cute dragon at a time like this?”

Sophia said, “To guide the evil dragon toward goodness, and… in the future, it can educate our descendants.”

“Do you believe that?” her aunt said. “The hardest time to raise children is right after they’re born. Of course, you can hire wet nurses. I can introduce you to a few experienced ones.”

Sophia hemmed and hawed.

Since the ancient dragon-vein sorceress Frostsilver, who understood dragons better than anyone in the world, wanted to raise Aurina…

Then why did Richard…

Sophia shook her head and said, “Tyr’s followers are certainly the best at honoring contracts.”

Her cousin said, “We don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“We’re not like you. Cousin can bring people back from the dead.”

They began comforting Sophia, saying perhaps they had spoken too harshly about Richard from the start.

“No need to make it sound so serious,” her aunt said. 

“It’s not like we’re saying your fiancé will commit adultery. We’re just feeling it’s unfair for you.”

“Old auntie, you’ve scared Cousin half to death.”

“Hahahaha.”

The female relatives laughed, and the atmosphere lightened a bit.

Someone joked, “Maybe Cousin’s fiancé wants to become a dragon knight.”

“Hey, that’s actually possible.”

Sophia was stunned. 

This offhand remark was like an elf’s arrow shot from a tricky angle, striking straight under her arm and piercing her soft heart.

Richard was born a hero, born to do heroic deeds. 

Even in marriage… No, he wouldn’t stay quietly in Haisha City, accompanying a soft bed.

Once the dragon grew up and could carry him into flying battles. 

Once some disaster occurred far away, and someone rode a horse from miles away to beg him to fight for justice. 

He would once again take up his greatsword, mount the giant dragon, and charge toward the battlefield.

And what about her? 

If she didn’t go…

Sophia imagined Richard fighting alongside Aurina and Frostsilver, leaving an important mark on the empire’s history, while she slept through the night.

If she went with them…

Sophia only felt a headache coming on, her whole body complaining. 

Just going to the imperial capital once had left her feeling mentally and physically exhausted, barely able to continue.

Sophia sighed and said, “It should be true. You say… if, I mean suppose—never mind.”

“Knock knock knock.” 

From outside the door came Sophia’s father’s voice. 

“Daughter? Are you there?”

Sophia said, “I need to have a good talk with Father.”

“Good, we’ll leave first then. Don’t pester your cousin anymore. Wishing you a happy marriage.”

Was there a cat outside the window?

“Close the window, in case a cat comes in.”

“Cousin Sophia, your house has so many cats.”

Sophia said, “There have been more these past few days.”

The female relatives left one after another. 

Sophia’s father, leaning on his wooden leg, walked in. He closed the door and said, “Child, we need to have a good talk. You know, I’ve never really liked Richard.”

Aurina outside the window couldn’t hear clearly. For some reason, this window had particularly good soundproofing. 

She looked at the glass window—not an expensive single pane, but small pieces of different-colored glass pieced together.

She wanted to poke her head in, press her ear against the window to eavesdrop, but on second thought, wouldn’t that expose her?

Aurina saw a cat dozing nearby and had an idea. She placed the cat on her head. 

The orange cat obediently leaned its head against the window edge, swishing its tail in front of Aurina.

Inside the room, Sophia’s father said:

“…According to custom, he should provide a bride price.”

Sophia said, “Usually it’s fifty gold coins.”

“My daughter, do you value yourself so little?” 

Sophia’s father said. “At least ten thousand gold coins.”

“Father!”

“Although I look down on Richard as my son-in-law, I won’t joke with your happiness.” 

Sophia’s father said, “Look, you went with him to slay the dragon, he became a hero, and what about you? You developed dragon phobia. Daughter, I know how you feel. Your father was the same after surviving the pirate attack.”

“You’ve accompanied him for so long. As soon as something happens, he thinks of dragging you along—for justice, to go to war, to kill. When you came back a few days ago, I saw your tower shield had even more scars. Isn’t your youth worth something? My daughter, what are you afraid of?”

“But… but ten thousand gold coins.”

“I’ve thought it through.” 

Sophia’s father said, “Let him pay in installments. Find him a position in the city. I’ll get a few old fellows to jointly recommend him as city defense commander, giving him three hundred and thirty-three gold coins a year—of course, invoiced to him. He can use that to repay the bride price.”

“Father.”

“Daughter, unlike those female relatives, I’m not afraid he’ll commit adultery or anything. I know paladins honor contracts very well.” 

Sophia’s father gripped his daughter’s hand. 

“As long as he’s willing to sign a contract, he’ll be with you forever after, in our hometown.”

“If you’re not willing to tell him,” Sophia’s father added, “I’ll talk to him.”

“Father.”

“Don’t be afraid.” 

Sophia’s father said, “He’s a Tyr paladin; he’ll definitely marry you… Oh, and have him send that dragon away. Count Champagne’s people have contacted me. I don’t know why Richard has any reason to keep that dragon.”

Aurina watched the trajectory of the cat’s tail in front of her, interpreting the words the cat heard.

“Bride price—ten thousand gold coins?” 

Aurina was shocked. 

She didn’t know much of the rest, but guessed it must be money Sophia’s family was paying to Richard. 

“So much money for a mount? No wonder this marriage ceremony is so terrifying.”

The thought of having to outdo the marriage spell would cost at least ten thousand gold coins made Aurina’s flesh ache.

Aurina felt there was no need to listen further. 

She rubbed her sore tail, wearing the orange cat on her head, and continued crawling quietly back on the ground.

By the time she found Richard’s room, the moon had already risen. 

The window to Richard’s assigned room was wooden. 

Aurina stood on tiptoe, climbed onto the windowsill, and pushed open the window. 

She hugged the sill, landing one foot first, then smoothly closed the window with her tail.

She walked to the corner, opened her mouth, and spat out all her treasures. 

The clattering gold coins piled up in the corner. 

Aurina then coiled onto the gold pile and sank into slumber.

After seeing the dragon return, Richard closed his eyes and fell asleep.