Chapter 8 : Early Morning

The first light of dawn slanted through the window. 

It painted the room in soft gold.

Richard woke early.

He slipped out of his sleeping bag. 

He cast a glance toward the bed.

Little Aurina lay sprawled across it. 

Her delicate white-silk legs had kicked off the thin blanket in her restless sleep.

She was a picture of disarray. 

Her small form tilted at an odd angle. 

The bedsheet tangled beneath her. 

Bits of straw from the mattress spilled onto the floor.

Whatever dream held her was lively. 

Her twitching limbs gave it away. 

Yet, no matter how much she thrashed, her tiny body clung fiercely to the copper and silver coins pressed beneath her. 

It was as if she guarded a dragon’s hoard. 

She slept so deeply, so trustingly. 

The sunlight brushing her cheeks didn’t stir her in the slightest. 

Her small mouth opened and closed with each breath. 

It revealed flashes of sharp, pearly teeth—shark-like, glinting faintly in the morning glow.

Richard watched her. 

A warmth bloomed in his chest. 

It was the kind that comes from being trusted so completely. 

They’d known each other for barely a day. 

Yet here she was, sleeping soundly on his bed, defenseless and unafraid. 

He’d heard that fledgling birds, fresh from their shells, placed absolute faith in the first face they saw. 

Was Aurina the same? 

Despite her red dragon heritage, with all its whispers of inherent malice, she looked to him as family. 

And if she saw him that way, why couldn’t he guide her toward a path of righteousness?

A smile tugged at his lips. 

He gazed at her sleeping form, utterly endearing in her peace. 

Awake, she had a headache. 

But asleep? 

She was almost too charming to bear.

“Guh… gahaha…”

Aurina mumbled in her sleep. 

Her voice was a soft, imperious drawl.

“Richard, Richard… hurry up and lick my toes, you filthy little bug!” 

Her face broke into a gleeful grin as she spoke. 

She was lost in her dream.

Richard froze. 

His expression went blank. 

His eyes flicked to her small, bare feet. 

Then they darted away as if scorched by hot coals.

Turning sharply, he abandoned his usual morning routine of washing up. 

Instead, he reached into his inner pocket.

His fingers closed around the silver holy emblem adorned with thorns of iron. 

It was etched with the symbols of a warhammer and scales. 

Clutching it tightly to his chest, he sank to one knee. 

He murmured a prayer. 

His voice was low and fervent.

The prayer didn’t calm the flush creeping up his neck. 

It didn’t stop the sweat beading on his brow. 

Frowning, he wound the iron thorns around his forearm. 

He gripped them until they bit into his skin. 

Blood welled, dripping in thin rivulets. 

Only then did he exhale. 

The tension eased. 

He tucked the emblem away. 

He rose and moved to the desk. 

He pulled out a sheet of parchment and a pen. 

The ring on his right ring finger glinted as he began to write:

Dearest Sophia,

I’m seated at the desk in this inn. 

The morning sun spills over the ring you gave me. 

It’s a constant reminder of the beautiful moments we’ve shared. 

Though challenges lie before us, I want you to know that my faith in our future remains unshaken. 

It’s anchored by the love we hold for each other.

The egg has hatched into a young dragon.

This means the auction’s profits are out of reach for now. 

I know this strains my finances. 

But I promise you, I’ll find a way to clear my debts swiftly. 

So we can step into that church together, hand in hand, blessed by all that is holy.

I must confess something else. 

Just now, my affliction flared again.

I know it casts a shadow over our future. 

But with your support, your understanding, I’m certain I can overcome it. 

Your love is my greatest strength.

Yours, forever,

Richard Bruce

As he wrote, memories of his childhood with Sophia flooded back. 

His secrets were uncovered. 

Her initial fear gave way to unwavering support the very next day.

Together, they’d faced trials: bandits, goblins, trolls, orcs, necromancers. 

Until they’d vanquished an ancient dragon. 

Their names rang across the land. 

His lips curved into a soft smile.

Suddenly, a head crowned with red hair and tiny dragon horns popped up from below the desk. 

“What’re you writing, little bug?” 

Aurina’s golden eyes darted to the letter. 

They were sharp with curiosity.

Richard’s hand shot out. 

He pressed her head down. 

“Don’t look. It’s private.”

But that only fueled her mischief. 

Gripping the desk’s edge, she bent her knees. 

She pushed upward with surprising strength. 

She shoved his hand aside to steal a glance. 

“‘Dearest… illness’?” she read aloud. 

Her voice was teasing.

Richard’s face flushed with panic. 

His fist swung before he could think. 

It connected with her head in a light thump. 

Regret hit him instantly.

He’d struck a girl barely two days old with far too much force. 

Yet her skull was harder than he’d expected. 

It jarred his hand until it tingled.

Aurina stumbled back. 

She clutched her head. 

Her golden eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

“Does it hurt?”

Richard asked. 

His voice was tight with concern.

“Not one bit! Not at all!” she declared. 

She blinked rapidly to clear her eyes. 

She planted her hands on her hips. 

“I’m a true dragon! How could a little bug like you make me cry?”

“I’m sorry.”

“Hmph.Good to know you understand your place.”

Richard’s tone grew firm. 

“I’m your guardian. Tasked with guiding you to the right path.” 

But Aurina barely seemed to hear. 

Her attention was already wandering.

“You’ve got a fiancée, huh? Who is she?” she asked.

A sly glint sparkled in her eyes. 

In her mind, she was already plotting. 

Once she regained her true form, she’d swagger up to Richard’s betrothed. 

She’d charm her effortlessly. 

She’d leave her smitten. 

Oh, how she’d revel in outshining Richard’s beloved.

Her dragon tail gave a delighted twitch.

“Sophia. My heart’s treasure,” Richard said simply.

The thought of winning over Sophia sent Aurina into a fit of giggles. 

Her hand flew to her mouth to stifle them.

“Why’re you covering your mouth?”

Richard asked. 

He raised an eyebrow.

Aurina dropped her hand. 

She feigned innocence.

“Cover my mouth? Me? The great dragon king laughs boldly. Not like some dainty maiden. 

By the way, how’s her figure?”

“Why do you care?”

“If she’s all skin and bones like me, that’d be such a pity,” Aurina said. 

Her tone dripped with mock concern. 

In truth, she was weighing the challenge.

If Sophia was some frail, goblin-like princess, exacting her revenge might require more resolve.

Revenge could twist even the noblest of hearts.

But for the sake of vengeance, she’d endure.

Richard’s voice cut through her scheming. 

“It’s impolite to discuss a woman’s figure.Especially in front of another.”

“Well, what’s she like, then?”

Richard’s eyes softened. 

They glowed with warmth. 

“She’s kind, generous. A beacon for the downtrodden. Her heart is vast enough to embrace even the darkest secrets. Her compassion is a balm for any wound.”

“So, she’s got a full chest, then,” Aurina quipped. 

She smirked.

“How’d you guess?”

Her smile widened. 

A well-endowed mate meant no worries for her future offspring. 

And no need to compromise her own tastes. 

Her grin stretched ear to ear. 

She instinctively covered her mouth again.

“You’re doing it again,” Richard pointed out.

“What?” 

Aurina froze. 

She realized her slip. 

Drat, it must be this wretched female form! 

The empty space beneath her skirt. 

The stockings clinging to her legs.

It was all so foreign, so feminizing. 

It was warping her very nature.

“Aurina… Aurina, are you listening? Stop taking off your clothes!” 

Richard’s voice rose in alarm.

It took all his effort to stop her. 

He grabbed her hands. 

He reasoned with her until she nodded reluctantly. 

But the moment he let go, she tugged at her clothes again. 

Only when he threatened another thump to her head did she finally relent.

Richard sighed in relief. 

He was grateful no one had walked in to witness the scene. 

He’d never have explained it away.

Releasing her, he watched as Aurina huffed. 

Her cheeks puffed out. 

She glared at her dusty skirt. 

Then she spat a small burst of flame.

The fire washed over the fabric.

It left it pristine and white as snow.

“You washed it with fire?”

Richard asked. 

He was astonished.

“Gahaha, impressed, little bug?” 

Aurina crowed. 

“A true dragon’s clothes, like a true dragon, fear no flame.”

“Listen, we can’t stay at the inn anymore,” Richard said.

He shifted gears.

“What, moving to a big cave? This place is too cramped. Look at me, I can’t even grow properly!”

“Not quite.”

“One of your shoddy human palaces, then?”

“No.” 

Richard shook his head. 

“We’ll be roughing it from now on. Living in the wild.”

“Why?”

“I’m in debt,” he explained. 

“I need to earn gold to pay it off. I’d planned to auction the egg. But it hatched into you. 

Fortunately, I’ve got a lead on a magic contract

smuggling ring. Whoever’s behind it is bound to be both evil and wealthy.”

“So, we’re going after gold!” 

Aurina’s eyes gleamed. 

“I know how to handle it. But you’ve gotta give me all the coins.”

“No chance.”

“Ninety-ten, then. I get ninety.”

“Still no.” 

Richard’s voice was firm. 

“Unless you know where dragons hide their treasure?”

“Nope!” she said cheerfully. 

Her tail flicked smugly. 

Another little lie to keep him guessing.

“But I can appraise anything with a glance,” she added.

“An appraiser, huh?” 

Richard nodded thoughtfully. 

“That’s a fine idea. If you take up work, you can keep the earnings.”

“Work? What’s that?”

“Laboring for others in exchange for payment. 

Usually weekly.”

“How degrading,” Aurina scoffed. 

She sauntered to the window.

She pointed at a stone building in the town square. 

“That place is worth five thousand gold coins.”

“So?”

“But it’s just a pile of stones!” she said. 

“Which means there’s gotta be shiny gold and gems inside. I’m a little girl. I want coins and jewels. Let’s go get them!”

Richard patted her head gently.

“That’s robbery.It’s wrong.”

Aurina glared. 

Her scalp still tingled from his earlier thump.

Reluctantly, she held up eight fingers. 

“Fine, eighty percent for me. The rest for you.”

“It’s not about the split,” Richard said.

“It’s about principle.”

She gritted her teeth. 

She raised six fingers. 

“Sixty for me. Forty for you. Deal?”

Richard laughed.

He was half-exasperated. 

“It’s about principle, Aurina. Principles don’t bend.If you try to rob anyone, I’ll stop you. And punish you.”

“Ughhh!” 

Aurina groaned. 

She deflated. 

Richard was dumber than she’d thought. 

The strongest of bugs, yet too stubborn to snatch a little treasure. 

But then, if he weren’t so dense, she wouldn’t have him wrapped around her claw. 

If only her trusty steed could be clever when it suited her. 

And dim when it didn’t.