At the palace, Alastair was sitting across from his father, the king, who was casually sipping his tea. Alastair's words caught the king so off guard that he almost spat the tea out in surprise.
"Father, I've decided to marry," Alastair announced with an air of finality.
The king paused, blinking in disbelief, before letting out a short laugh. "Wah?" he sputtered, wiping his mouth. "Did I just hear that right? The 'eternal bachelor' is suddenly interested in marriage? Are you sure it's not just a midlife crisis?"
Alastair rolled his eyes, his patience wearing thin. "Yes, yes, I know I said I was going to stay single forever, but... that was before. I have a dark past." He said the last part dramatically, as though he was some tortured soul.
The king raised an eyebrow. "Ah, I think my hearing's going. I must be getting old. Did you just say you want to get married, or was that a really bad joke?"
Alastair sighed, rubbing his temples in frustration. "Dad, I'm serious. I really want to marry this time."
The king, not missing a beat, mimicked his son's tone, speaking in a high-pitched voice. "Dad, I'm serious!" He paused and gave a wicked grin. "Does this mean you finally found someone to put up with your nonsense?"
Alastair groaned. "You're not helping."
The king chuckled. "You're right. I'm just saying, last time you mentioned marriage, you were all about 'staying single forever,' and 'commitment's for fools,' or was that just after a few too many cups of royal wine?"
"Yes, yes, I said that, but now I think I actually like someone," Alastair replied, trying to sound grown-up but still visibly embarrassed.
The king paused, as though waiting for the punchline. "Oh? Who's the lucky girl? Someone with, what, three heads? A dragon? Or perhaps a giant war machine?"
Alastair's face flushed. "She's... the beauty of the century," he said, puffing out his chest. "You'll see. You're going to love her."
The king raised an eyebrow and leaned back in his chair. "Ah, first love syndrome. Classic. So who is this paragon of virtue?"
Alastair scowled. "Stop making fun of me, Dad!"
The king leaned forward, rubbing his hands together. "Oh, I'm serious. You know I love a good love story, especially when it involves royal drama. Tell me, who's the girl?"
Alastair hesitated for a second before blurting out, "Her name is Akari. The refugee girl who came with two human boys."
The king looked surprised for a moment, then broke into a grin. "Nice choice," he said, nodding approvingly.
"Yeah, I know," Alastair said smugly. "I have excellent taste."
"But wait," the king continued, narrowing his eyes, "did she agree to this, or is this just another of your romantic fantasies?"
Alastair froze. "Well... that's still a question," he admitted sheepishly.
The king chuckled, shaking his head. "Ah, still one-sided, huh? I knew it. Classic Alastair move."
"Father!" Alastair groaned, feeling like he was about to sink into the floor.
The king smirked. "Alright, alright. Go ahead and woo your 'beauty of the century.' I'm sure she'll be swept off her feet by your charming personality and terribly modest attitude."
Alastair slumped in his chair. "I swear, I'm surrounded by sarcasm."
The king shrugged, grinning wider. "What else is new, son? What else is new?"
"Father, I need some advice. You're supposed to be an expert in this department," Alastair said, crossing his arms and leaning forward.
The king, amused, raised an eyebrow. "And why's that?"
"Well," Alastair began with a smirk, "seeing that you've had four wives—when one died, you married another, then another, and so on. Clearly, you know something about love."
The king nearly choked on his tea. "Son, it was all true love!" he retorted, trying to maintain his dignity.
"Yeah, yeah, 'true love,'" Alastair said, rolling his eyes. "But you also promised to tell me what happened to my mother if I ever fell in love. Now's the time. Spill it."
The king's playful demeanor shifted slightly, and he sighed deeply. "Son, that's a sad topic," he said, his voice tinged with melancholy.
"Come on, I have a right to know about my mother," Alastair pressed, his curiosity and determination unwavering.
The king leaned back in his chair, his expression solemn. "Your mother… she was my first wife. The one I loved the most," he said quietly.
Alastair nodded slowly. "Oh," he murmured, feeling the weight of his father's words.
"But she was killed," the king continued, his jaw tightening. "By those damned angels. She was roaming near their territory, and they ambushed her. Cowards."
Alastair's fists clenched. "And the others? My other mothers?"
The king's gaze hardened, his voice laced with bitterness. "They killed my other wives too, one after another. Except for the one still alive."
Alastair frowned. "Why? Why target them?"
"So they could hurt me," the king said, his tone grim. "They thought by breaking my heart, they could weaken me. But they underestimated me."
Alastair leaned forward, his voice low. "And did you get your revenge?"
The king's lips curled into a smirk, his eyes darkening. "Oh, I made them regret it. Every last one of them. Their screams still echo in my mind."
Alastair shifted in his seat, unsure whether to feel pride or unease. "Well… that's intense. But now I see where I get my dramatic flair."
The king chuckled, some of the tension easing. "Son, if you're going to win Akari's heart, remember one thing: never let her doubt how much she means to you. Even if you have to fight the world for her."
Alastair grinned. "Don't worry, Father. I'll make her mine. She just doesn't know it yet."
The king laughed heartily. "Ah, first love. Let me know how that goes."
Alastair huffed. "You're not exactly filling me with confidence here, Dad."
"Son," the king said with a smirk, "confidence is for the second wife. The first one, you earn."
"Any advice?" Alastair asked, leaning forward eagerly.
"Yeah, she's a shapeshifter, right?" the king said, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "But I didn't see any tamed beast with her."
"True," Alastair replied, nodding. "We shapeshifters can only transform into the beast we tame and form a contract with, but she doesn't seem to have one. It's strange."
The king smirked. "Well, there you go. Take her to the taming grounds. Help her pick a good beast. That'll win her over."
Alastair raised an eyebrow. "You think helping her tame a beast will make her like me?"
"Of course," the king said, leaning back with a smug grin. "It's practically romantic! You guide her to a majestic creature, she bonds with it, and then she looks at you and thinks, 'Wow, what a guy!' Instant connection. Trust me, it works."
"Dad, this isn't a fairytale," Alastair said, rolling his eyes. "And dragons don't exist, so she's not going to swoon over a mythical creature."
"True," the king agreed with a shrug. "But a rare phoenix or a thunder wolf? Those are still impressive. And if she doesn't fall for you, at least you'll know she has good taste in beasts."
Alastair frowned. "What if she tames something ridiculous, like a puffcat or a chittermouse?"
The king chuckled. "Then you'll know she's quirky and still out of your league."
"Dad, you're impossible," Alastair groaned.
"Relax, son," the king said with a wink. "Just don't pick the beast for her. Let her choose—it'll show her independence. But make sure you dramatically save her if the beast gets a little aggressive. That's how I got your stepmom. Well, not the dragon—those are just myths—but I saved her from a grumpy boarhound once. Very romantic."
"Why do I even bother asking you for advice?" Alastair muttered.
"Because I've had four wives," the king replied smugly, "and you've had zero."
The sun was setting over the academy garden, casting a golden glow over the flowers and trees. Akari sat on a stone bench, her notebook in her lap as she scribbled down notes from class, completely focused.
Alastair spotted her from a distance and straightened his posture, brushing nonexistent dust off his pristine shirt. Alright, Alastair, time to shine, he thought, walking toward her with practiced ease.
"Hard at work, are we?" he asked, his voice casual but confident.
Akari glanced up briefly before returning to her notes. "If I don't keep up, someone else might top the class. Can't let that happen."
"Well, you certainly have the determination of a scholar," Alastair said with a smirk. He leaned against a nearby tree, his dark blue hair glinting faintly in the sunlight. "But surely even the top student needs a break?"
Akari hummed distractedly. "Maybe later."
Unfazed, Alastair pressed on. "You know, I've been thinking about something."
"That's dangerous," Akari muttered under her breath, her pen still moving.
"What was that?" he asked, pretending he didn't hear.
"Nothing," she said innocently, finally pausing to look at him. "So, what's this brilliant thought of yours?"
Alastair grinned, his black eyes glinting mischievously. "You don't have a tamed beast yet, do you?"
Akari blinked, surprised by the sudden question. "No... Why?"
"Well, I couldn't help but notice," Alastair said, stepping closer, "and as a fellow shapeshifter, I thought I'd help you out. You know, guide you to the taming grounds. Help you find the perfect beast to bond with."
Akari tilted her head, a faint smirk playing on her lips. "And this has nothing to do with you wanting to show off, does it?"
"Of course not!" Alastair said, feigning indignation. "This is purely altruistic. A good prince looks out for others."
"Right," Akari said, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
"Besides," he added, crossing his arms, "how can you call yourself a shapeshifter without a beast? It's practically a crime in our culture."
"Maybe I like breaking the rules," Akari shot back, closing her notebook.
Alastair chuckled. "Rebellious. I like that. But seriously, think about it. You could have a phoenix, a thunder wolf, or even a shadow hawk. Imagine how impressive you'd look."
"And imagine how impressed you'd look," Akari said pointedly, raising an eyebrow.
Alastair laughed, clearly caught but not embarrassed. "Well, you can't blame a guy for appreciating greatness."
Akari shook her head, amused. "Fine. I'll think about it. But don't get your hopes up—I'm not taming some puffcat or anything."
"Deal," Alastair said, flashing a victorious grin. "I'll be your guide when you're ready. Just say the word."
"Alright," Akari said, standing and gathering her things. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have more important things to do than feed your ego."
As she walked away, Alastair watched her go, smirking to himself. Step one, complete, he thought.
The next morning, Akari and Alastair set out for the taming grounds, leaving behind a very annoyed Kuro and Arnold.
"Can you believe this?" Kuro muttered, pacing their dorm room.
"Of course not," Arnold grumbled, crossing his arms. "How does he get to take her out to the taming grounds while we're stuck here?"
"Because it's part of the plan," Kuro mimicked sarcastically, throwing his hands in the air. "Great plan, by the way."
"Brilliant," Arnold agreed dryly.
Meanwhile, Akari and Alastair rode on his massive panthavenator, a sleek and majestic beast that resembled a cross between a panther and a velociraptor. Its black fur shimmered faintly in the sunlight, and its razor-sharp claws left marks on the ground as it strode gracefully.
"Wow," Akari said, wide-eyed as she took in the creature. "This guy is awesome!"
"I know, right?" Alastair said, patting the creature's side proudly. "He's a good boy. His name is Sun."
"Sun? Like the giant ball of fire in the sky?" Akari asked with a grin.
"Exactly. He's my light in the dark," Alastair said dramatically, helping her climb onto the panthavenator's back.
"You're so full of it," Akari said, rolling her eyes but smiling.
They reached the taming grounds after a scenic ride. It was a vast, dense forest with trees so tall they seemed to touch the sky. The air was thick with the sounds of distant roars, chirps, and growls, and the ground was covered in lush greenery.
"This is incredible," Akari said, spinning around to take in the sights.
"This is where it happens," Alastair said, dismounting gracefully. "You'll feel a connection toward the beast willing to be tamed by you. Just follow your instincts."
"Got it," Akari said, closing her eyes for a moment. Almost immediately, a strange sensation tugged at her, like a soft whisper calling her name.
"I... I feel something," she said, her eyes snapping open. "Like someone is calling me."
"What? Already?" Alastair asked, surprised. "That's quick! Let's follow it!"
He gestured for Sun to stay put as they ventured deeper into the forest, following Akari's lead. The pull grew stronger with every step, guiding Akari like an invisible thread.
"Are you sure it's not just nerves?" Alastair asked, slightly skeptical but curious.
"No," Akari said firmly. "This is real. I know it."
The anticipation built as they moved through the forest, the calls of the wild around them growing quieter, as if the entire forest held its breath for what was to come.
As they stepped past the "Restricted" sign, the dense forest seemed to close in around them, the air becoming heavier.
"Are you sure you feel it here?" Alastair asked, hesitating at the edge of the path.
"Yeah, it's more intense now, like a... call," Akari said, her eyes fixated on the area ahead, completely unfazed by the ominous vibes.
"I see," Alastair said, taking a deep breath. "Well, we can go. Royalty is allowed everywhere. But—hold my hand. There's a big chance of getting lost because of illusion-causing beasts."
Akari blinked and then extended her hand without hesitation. "Oh, okay."
The moment her hand met his, Alastair's face turned red as a ripe tomato. Her hand was soft, warm, and completely distracting.
"Let's go," he said, trying to sound confident, though his voice cracked slightly.
They walked deeper into the restricted area, the trees growing thicker and the sounds of the forest fading into eerie silence. The path led them to a cavern hidden behind a cluster of vines.
"You sure it's here?" Alastair asked again, staring into the dark entrance of the cave like it might swallow them whole.
"Are you scared? I can go alone," Akari said, raising an eyebrow.
"Not at all," Alastair retorted, puffing up his chest.
They entered the cave cautiously, their footsteps echoing against the cold, stone walls. The deeper they went, the more the air seemed to hum with energy. Finally, they reached a glowing chamber where a massive egg rested on a pedestal.
"...What in the Noor is that?" Alastair asked, eyes wide.
Akari gasped, her heart racing. "Kuri... it was the same when Kuri was born."
Without hesitation, she approached the egg, her hands trembling as she reached out to it. Pouring her Noor into the egg, the cave was suddenly filled with a radiant light. The egg began to crack, pieces falling away as the light intensified.
Alastair shielded his eyes, muttering, "I don't get paid enough for this..."
When the light faded, a tiny black dragon sat in the remnants of the shell, blinking at Akari with curious golden eyes.
"How... is this possible?" Alastair stammered, his jaw nearly hitting the floor. "A dragon? I thought they were a myth!"
But Akari was too overcome with emotion. Tears streamed down her face as she gently scooped the dragon into her arms.
"My Kuri was just like you," she whispered, her voice breaking. "What should I name you, darling?"
The little dragon let out a soft chirp and curled itself around her like a hug, its tail wrapping protectively around her waist.
Alastair stood frozen, still processing the scene. "So... dragons are real... and you just casually found one. Sure. Totally normal day."
"How do I sign a contract with a beast?" Akari asked, looking up at him.
"Uh... um..." Alastair stumbled over his words, still staring at the dragon. "You just... uh, kiss it. On the forehead."
Without a second thought, Akari leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on the dragon's forehead. The cave lit up once more, and when the glow subsided, a faint tattoo resembling the dragon's silhouette appeared on her shoulder.
Alastair blinked at her. "So you're telling me... in less than 24 hours, you managed to do something that's considered impossible and is probably going to rewrite our history books? No big deal, huh?"
Akari just smiled at the little dragon in her arms. "I guess I'm just built different."
Alastair groaned, running a hand through his hair. "This was supposed to impress you. Now I'm the guy who brought a girl to tame a beast, and she ends up taming a freaking dragon."
"Don't feel bad," Akari teased. "You've got Sun, remember?"
"Yeah, great. My panthavenator suddenly feels like a housecat."
Akari gently lifted the tiny, sleeping dragon in her hands, its scales gleaming faintly in the dim cave light. "What should we name him?" she asked, her voice soft and filled with awe.
Alastair tilted his head, still trying to process everything. "What about... Sio?"
Akari nodded. "Good. Sio it is."
As she cradled the dragon, Alastair finally found his voice. "Okay, hold up. Who is this 'Kuri' you mentioned? And why are you acting like this is just another Tuesday? I mean, come on, Akari, it's a dragon. According to every myth, kingdoms see one dragon per century, and here you are, treating this like it's finding a stray cat!"
Akari gave him a small, knowing smile. "That's because I've seen one before."
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!" Alastair's shout echoed through the cave, causing Sio to stir slightly before settling back into sleep.
Akari shrugged, nonchalant as ever. "Sorry, I can't tell you more. It's better that way."
"'Better that way'?!" Alastair exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air. "Lady, you just casually dropped the bomb that you've seen a dragon before and then expect me to move on like you told me the weather forecast!"
Ignoring his dramatic outburst, Akari carefully climbed back onto Sun, holding Sio close. Then, without warning, she leaned forward and hugged Alastair tightly.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I'm very, very thankful for bringing me here. I can't even begin to tell you how much this means to me. Sio... he fills an emptiness I didn't even realize I was carrying."
For a moment, Alastair froze, his brain short-circuiting as Akari's words sank in. The warmth of her hug combined with her genuine gratitude was too much for him to handle.
"Uhh... uh... y-you're welcome," he stammered, his face turning a shade of red that could rival the sun.
Akari pulled back slightly, smiling softly at him. Meanwhile, Alastair tried to regain his composure, muttering under his breath, "Yeah, sure, no big deal... Just brought her to tame a beast and ended up indirectly solving her existential crisis. Totally normal prince stuff..."
He glanced at Sio, who was snuggled comfortably in Akari's arms. "You know, I thought I was supposed to impress you today. Instead, you've got a dragon, and I'm standing here feeling like Sun is just a glorified oversized cat."
Akari laughed, patting Sun's head. "Oh, don't be like that. Sun is awesome! But Sio... he's something else."
Alastair sighed dramatically. "Fine. You're welcome for my genius suggestion of 'Sio,' by the way. I guess that's my contribution to this legendary moment."
"Exactly," Akari teased, grinning at him. "But seriously, thank you, Alastair. You've made me happier than I've been in a long time."
Alastair tried to hold back his flustered smile, but it was no use. "Well, uh, I guess that's what princes are for... or something."
As Sun soared through the skies, Akari held Sio protectively in her arms, the little dragon curled up and purring softly like a contented kitten. Meanwhile, Alastair was doing his best to keep everything under control—or at least look like he was.
With one hand on Sun's reins and the other resting lightly on Akari's waist for balance, his face was a spectacular shade of crimson. His brain, however, was in full meltdown mode.
"Focus, Alastair! You're a prince! You've flown Sun a thousand times! This is nothing! Just a routine flight... with a ridiculously pretty girl... who smells amazing... okay, stop thinking about that! Oh no, what if she notices my hand? Does she think this is normal? Should I move it? But if I move it, she'll notice I was thinking about it, and then it'll get weird!"
Akari, on the other hand, seemed entirely unbothered, her attention fully on Sio. She occasionally whispered to the little dragon, who chirped back in what could only be described as baby dragon talk.
"Your little Sio is already so attached to you," Alastair said, trying to sound casual but failing miserably as his voice cracked slightly.
Akari turned her head slightly, her smile radiant. "Yeah, he is! Isn't he adorable?"
Alastair's grip on the reins tightened. "Adorable. Sure. Just like how I'm acting right now." He cleared his throat. "Y-yeah, definitely. Dragons are, uh, cool. Super cool."
As they flew, a gust of wind caused Akari to wobble slightly. Instinctively, Alastair tightened his grip on her waist to steady her.
"Oh, thanks!" Akari said, flashing him a grateful smile.
"Y-yep! Totally fine!" Alastair stammered, his heart threatening to beat right out of his chest. "Calm down! You're just helping her not fall to her death. Nothing romantic about that at all!"
By the time they landed back at the academy, Alastair was sweating bullets despite the cool breeze. As Akari climbed off Sun, she turned to him with a cheerful, "That was amazing! Thanks for taking me, Alastair."
He mumbled something incoherent, his brain still trying to reboot.
"Are you okay?" Akari asked, tilting her head.
"Y-yeah! Just, uh, Sun... he's... tired! Long flight, you know?" he blurted out, avoiding her gaze.
Akari gave him a curious look before shrugging and walking away with Sio in her arms. Alastair let out a long, shaky breath.
"Prince of the West, slayer of beasts, heir to the throne... and now, a blushing idiot who can't handle a girl's smile. Perfect."
The news of Akari taming the first dragon in shapeshifter history spread faster than wildfire across the kingdom. Everywhere, people whispered about the girl who had achieved the impossible. Markets were abuzz, the academy was in uproar, and even the nobles couldn't stop talking about her.
The king, on hearing the news, was so ecstatic that he nearly spilled his morning tea for the second time in a week.
"She tamed a dragon?! My future daughter-in-law is extraordinary!" he exclaimed, practically bouncing in his throne. His advisors exchanged knowing glances, some chuckling quietly at his enthusiasm.
"Your Majesty, should we prepare a public celebration or a formal announcement?" one advisor asked.
The king paused mid-bounce, stroking his beard with an air of wisdom—though the twinkle in his eye betrayed his giddiness. "No, no! Let my son have his moment. Alastair needs to earn her affection himself. But mark my words, she's already family material!"
Another advisor raised an eyebrow. "But, Your Majesty, they're not even engaged yet—"
"They will be," the king interrupted, smirking. "My son may be hopeless, but even he can't mess this up with a dragon in the mix. And if he does..." His smile turned slightly mischievous. "Well, I'll just nudge things along."
Back at the academy, Akari had no idea of the chaos she'd unintentionally caused. She was too busy trying to keep Sio from chewing on her books. Meanwhile, Alastair was simultaneously proud and nervous.
"My dad's going to think I'm useless if I don't step up," Alastair muttered to himself, pacing in his quarters. "She tamed a dragon—an actual dragon—and I'm here trying to figure out how to compliment her without sounding dumb!"
The king, secretly eavesdropping from his private chambers, suppressed a laugh. "Oh, son... You've got your work cut out for you, but don't worry. You've got the royal charm. Somewhere."
Despite his overwhelming excitement, the king decided to keep his composure, giving Alastair the space to pursue Akari on his own terms. But deep down, he was already planning the grandest wedding the kingdom had ever seen.
Later that day, while sitting in their shared hideout within the academy grounds, Kuro and Arnold cornered Akari, their expressions a mix of curiosity and suspicion.
"You accidentally let it slip earlier," Kuro began, folding his arms, "that you've seen a dragon before. Care to elaborate?"
Akari hesitated, trying to think of a way to brush it off, but their expectant faces made her sigh in defeat. "Fine. But you have to promise not to freak out."
"Not promising anything," Arnold said, raising an eyebrow.
"Same," Kuro added, leaning forward.
"Okay, okay," Akari relented. "I've lived through this timeline with you guys before... not once, but... um, four times."
"Four times?" Kuro and Arnold said in unison, their voices echoing with disbelief.
"You mean you've been with us before?" Kuro asked, his tone incredulous.
"Not just once," Arnold chimed in, narrowing his eyes.
"Twice?" Kuro guessed.
"No," Akari said, shaking her head.
"Then... three times?" Arnold tried again.
"It's fourth time, actually," Akari admitted, cringing slightly.
Kuro threw his hands up in exasperation. "Wow! And you thought it might be a good idea to just not mention something so massive?"
Akari shrugged sheepishly. "Well... it didn't seem relevant at the time."
"Rele—Are you serious right now?" Kuro said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"And what about Kuri?" Arnold interjected, his tone carrying a hint of jealousy. "She was your and his dragon by bond in one of those timelines, wasn't she?"
Akari blinked, realizing Arnold had caught onto the deeper bond from the first life. She nodded slowly. "Yeah... that's why Sio is so special to me. She reminds me of Kuri."
Arnold crossed his arms and looked away, muttering, "Figures..."
Kuro, on the other hand, was less subtle. "So let me get this straight—you've been living alternate lives with us, and in one of them, you were basically a dragon mom?"
"Pretty much," Akari admitted, trying not to laugh.
"And you didn't think that was important to bring up either?" Kuro asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Well, I didn't want to overwhelm you guys," Akari said innocently.
"Overwhelm us?" Kuro repeated, laughing incredulously. "Lady, you just dropped the biggest plot twist of the century, and you're acting like it's a footnote!"
Arnold, still sulking, muttered, "At least my dragon wouldn't have been stolen by some prince."
Akari sighed, shaking her head. "You two are impossible."
"And you're suspicious," Kuro quipped.
"Fourth timeline, huh?" Arnold added. "Let me guess, next you're going to tell us you also tamed a unicorn in one of them."
Akari smirked. "Actually, now that you mention it..."
Both boys groaned in unison, making Akari burst into laughter.
One afternoon, Akari, Kuro, Arnold, and Sio were lounging in their room. Sio was perched on Akari's lap, happily munching on a small piece of fruit, while Kuro and Arnold sat nearby, plotting their next strategy.
"You know," Kuro said, pointing at Sio, "I still can't get over the fact that that tiny thing is a dragon."
Sio puffed out his little chest and glared at Kuro with the fiercest look a two-year-old dragon could muster. "I not tiny! I big boy! Roar!" He tried to roar, but it came out more like a squeaky growl.
Kuro burst out laughing. "Oh no, so scary. Somebody save me from the terrifying squeaky dragon!"
Sio huffed and crossed his tiny arms. "Mean bird-man! I no like you!"
Arnold smirked, leaning back. "He's not wrong, Kuro. You are a bit bird-brained sometimes."
"Excuse me?" Kuro shot back. "At least I don't sulk like someone over there every time Akari so much as breathes near another guy."
Arnold's smirk disappeared. "I do not sulk."
"Do too," Sio piped up, pointing a tiny claw at Arnold. "You pout like baby. Like this!" He puffed out his cheeks and mimicked Arnold's sulking face perfectly.
Akari couldn't hold back her laughter. "Oh my gosh, Sio, stop! That's too accurate!"
Arnold glared at the little dragon. "Traitor. I thought we were on the same team, Sio."
Sio tilted his head innocently. "We on same team. But you still pout."
Kuro leaned closer to Sio, grinning mischievously. "You know what, kid? You're alright. How about we team up and make fun of Arnold together?"
Sio nodded enthusiastically. "Okay! Arnold big baby!"
"Alright, that's it!" Arnold said, lunging forward to grab Sio, but Akari held him protectively.
"Hey! No bullying the baby dragon!" Akari scolded.
"Baby dragon?!" Sio gasped, looking up at Akari in shock. "I big boy! Not baby!"
"Of course you are," Akari said, patting his head soothingly.
"Biggest boy," Kuro teased, earning a glare from both Sio and Akari.
Arnold shook his head, muttering under his breath. "I can't believe I'm arguing with a talking lizard and losing."
Sio gasped dramatically. "Lizard?! I no lizard! You lizard!"
Akari laughed so hard she almost fell off her chair. "Guys, please, you're going to give me a stomachache!"
Kuro smirked. "She's right. Let's call a truce before we give her a headache dealing with us."
Sio pouted but nodded. "Okay. But he still big baby," he added quietly, pointing at Arnold.
Arnold groaned, throwing his hands in the air. "Why me?"
"Because," Akari said with a playful grin, "you're just too fun to mess with."
Kuro and Sio nodded in agreement, leaving Arnold to sulk yet again.