RODERAN
She's captivating, in a way that I can't quite put into words. This past week, with her wild and unpredictable behavior, has stirred the royal estate into a frenzy of gossip and curiosity. The once-quiet halls are now filled with whispers and lingering glances, all because of her. But there's something more than just the chaos she brings. Her presence, her essence, seems to be weaving itself into the very fabric of my life, and his as well. It's as though the lines between us are blurring, and I can't help but feel drawn deeper into her world. It's almost as if he's urging me, silently, not to let her slip away.
Today, I let a sliver of my dragon aura seep out, just enough to sense her emotions. What I felt was striking—pure, unadulterated joy, as if she were tasting happiness for the very first time. It was intoxicating, and I have to admit, she's starting to get under my skin, twisting my thoughts in ways I didn't expect.
I find myself wondering—did Art feel this way? Is this why… never mind. Just thinking about him brings back memories of the last Jade Festival. The three of us were here, together. But her star has disappered since then. I take a deep, steadying breath as I watch her now, chasing after a butterfly with the innocence of a child who's just discovered the world. Her laughter rings out, light and carefree, and she dances around as if nothing else matters.
She's even made me do something I hadn't done in ages—transform into my dragon form. It's a form I've avoided since our last battle, the one that left me wounded and drained of so much of my innate spirit. Yet, for her, I found myself tapping into that power once more, despite the toll it takes on me.
But she's worth it, I think. Perhaps I'm finally beginning to understand what he felt when he was with her. I never wanted to admit that his love for her was genuine, that it went beyond mere attraction. But now, as I watch her, I can't shake the feeling that if anything were to happen to Rowan, I might end up just like him—lost in the echo of what could have been.
Tch…
If the old me from a hundred years ago could see this, he would laugh at the sight—a mighty warrior, swayed by a woman he met just a week ago. And not just any woman, but a mortal who hasn't even begun to cultivate. The thought alone would have been ridiculous to him. But one day, he'll understand what I'm going through now.
She's…intriguing.
She suddenly halts in front of me, her breath coming in soft, heavy pants as she adjusts the hairpins in her hair. With a deliberate grace, she removes them and carefully places them between my legs. I watch her, captivated by the way she seems to glow, her beauty so radiant it's almost blinding. Her blonde hair cascades around her face, and those dazzling blue eyes—eyes that could sway the most hardened of hearts—stare back at me. In this moment, I realize that despite my immortality, I am just a man, vulnerable and exposed. She's making my heart race in a way it hasn't in centuries.
"Is it really that interesting? You do know you resemble a child," I remark, trying to keep my voice calm as she shakes out her hair, pulling it up and tying it into a ponytail. The soft light catches the curve of her neck, illuminating her skin like the glow of the Milky Way, and my heart skips a beat. Everything she does seems to slow down, as if time itself is suspended, amplifying each of my emotions to an unbearable intensity.
"Of course I'll act like one," she replies with a playful grin, holding a thin hairband between her lips.
"Excuse me?"
She removes the band and deftly secures it around her hair, then tilts her head back, shaking her hair out once more. When she turns back to me, she's smiling, a smile so pure and beautiful that it leaves me breathless. Her white teeth gleam in the dim light, and I find myself utterly captivated.
"Back home, I was always locked away by my father," she begins, her voice taking on a softer, more vulnerable tone. "Whenever I tried to run or sneak out, they'd find me and lock me in seclusion. My stepmothers would scold me, telling me what a disgrace I was to our bloodline, and I rarely even saw my father." She pauses, a shadow of sadness flickering across her face. "But my uncle… he tried to help. He brought me gifts, tried to make me feel better, but I never truly felt free—until now. So no, I don't care if I look like a child because…" She turns away, a small sniffle escaping her, as if she's trying to hold back tears. "I'm starting to learn what happiness feels like." Then, with a brighter smile, she looks back at me. "I'm actually glad I was bound to you. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me."
Something inside me erupts, and my heart starts pounding so hard I can barely breathe. For a moment, the world around us fades away, leaving only her bright smile and those mesmerizing eyes. She's doing something to me, something that terrifies me and yet, I can't resist. When she takes a step back, her attention caught by a passing butterfly, my hand instinctively reaches out and grabs hers, pulling her closer—so close that I can feel her warmth against me. She looks up at me, her eyes wide with surprise, and in that instant, I do something I've never done before—something that a warrior like me should never have allowed himself to do.
Rowan's eyes widened in awe as she gazed at the realm before her, a breathtaking sight unlike anything she had ever seen. Her astonishment was evident, her expression frozen in a mix of wonder and disbelief.
"This is what my innate manifestation looks like," I explain, watching as she darted around, chasing the tiny cosmic particles that flitted away like fireflies. My innate was unique—blessed by the Dragon Star, only a select few possessed such a gift, and even fewer could manifest it in such a tangible way. It was a rarity, a privilege granted only to those favored by the dragon.
"I've never seen an innate before. How is this possible?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity and excitement. I reach out, gently pointing to her forehead.
"I only brought our souls here. Only souls can physically manifest inside an innate," I tell her, and she beams, her smile radiant with newfound knowledge.
"Wow, I've never read about anything like this," she breathes, her amazement still palpable.
"What did you expect? You've never attended school before," I tease, a smirk playing at the corners of my lips as she playfully glares at me. I turn my attention to the primordial bone that stands before us, a massive structure resembling a dragon in its dormant form.
"If I manage to cultivate, will I have one too?" she asks, her voice tinged with hope.
"Of course," I reply. "All those who reach the Core Formation stage will eventually manifest an innate realm."
"Wow!" she exclaims, her gaze fixed on the primordial bone as she tries to reach up and touch it, but she's too short, even when she jumps with all her might.
"When you reach the Immortal Bone Formation, your own primordial bone will be formed, elevating you to an immortal," I explain, watching as she continues her futile attempts to touch the towering structure.
"Are you showing me this just to convince me to go to that academy?" she asks, turning to face me with a determined expression.
I let out a sigh. "Whether I showed you this or not, you'll still have to attend the academy. Unless, of course, you want to be known as the mortal princess forever?" I add with a smirk, watching as she grimaces at the title. "Besides, didn't you want answers about your condition?"
Her face lights up with realization. "Of course, I almost forgot about that!"
"The Academy has four masters," I continue, "if you are accepted by one, they will guide you and reveal your true path." I step forward, spreading my hands as I draw energy from deep within my innate realm. A tiny blue dragon materializes, descending gracefully and landing on my outstretched hand. I carry it over to her, and she gazes at it with pure delight, her smile widening as the dragon nuzzles against her palm.
""Is this my new pet?" she asks, reaching out eagerly to take the small blue dragon.
I flick her forehead gently, causing her to flinch.
"Ouch, what was that for?" she complains, rubbing the spot as she looks up at me with a pout.
"In the Dragneel clan, we have a ritual for when we are bound to a woman," I say, my tone growing more serious. She lowers her hand, sensing the weight of my words. "We pledge ourselves to her alone and give her something we cherish most." I push the dragon closer to her, watching as it dissolves into her intermediary eye. "That was a part of my primordial bone. Once you begin your cultivation, it will help build your foundation, and eventually, it will grow, allowing you to form your immortal bone faster than usual."
Her eyes widen in surprise, but then a radiant smile breaks across her face. "Are you saying I'm the only one for you?"
"I guess I am," I reply with a soft smile, feeling my face heat up under her gaze.
She touches her forehead where the dragon enters, her expression a mix of awe and confusion. "A gift like that… it's like a promise that I'm meant to marry you, but it still doesn't—" Before she can finish her sentence, I pull her closer, my hands gently guiding her to stand on her tiptoes.
Her tiny, soft hands rest against my bare chest, and I can feel the warmth of her touch seeping into my skin. My arm wraps around her waist, drawing her body against mine, while my other hand cups her face, lifting her chin slightly. Her eyes flutter closed as I lean in, our breaths mingling in the space between us.
I press my lips against hers, the contact sending a jolt through me. Her lips are soft, warm, and slightly parted as if she was expecting this moment. I can't resist the urge to deepen the kiss, my teeth grazing her lower lip before I gently bite it, savoring the sensation before releasing it. The taste of her lingers on my tongue, sweet and intoxicating.
I do it again, this time pulling her even closer as I nibble on her lip once more before finally releasing her. When I pull back, she stares up at me, her eyes wide with a mix of surprise and something deeper, something that makes my heart race.
Before I can say anything, she suddenly wraps her arms around my neck, pulling me back toward her. Her lips find mine again, this time with more urgency. She kisses me, not too rough but not gentle either—just enough to steal my breath away. The kiss is intense, full of unspoken emotions that surge between us, making time seem to stand still.
Our lips move together in perfect harmony, exploring each other with a hunger that neither of us had anticipated. My hands move from her waist to her back, holding her tightly as if afraid she might slip away. She tilts her head slightly, deepening the kiss as her fingers thread through my hair, tugging gently.
The world around us fades, leaving only the warmth of her body pressed against mine, the taste of her lips, and the steady thrum of our heartbeats. When we finally pull apart, we're both breathless, our foreheads resting against each other as we struggle to catch our breath. Her eyes remain closed for a moment longer as if savoring the aftertaste of our kiss.