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Chapter 8: Explanation. Azuraelle's Mother?
Present Time
Drake Valiant's Point of View:
This place...is ridiculously massive!
I'm trying my hardest to not watch the happy woman walking before me with her fingers intertwined with mine.
Why?
Because I'm trying to look everywhere and imprint every place we pass by or walk inside in my mind.
Everything is simply too huge! Even the rooms!
If these rooms, with the strangely glowing floors that could be considered a hall's floor, are normal for... uh... Azuraelle and her dragon kind, then I have nothing in particular to talk about.
...To think I'm speechless is an understatement to how I felt about that.
We walk our way to wherever Azuraelle is bringing me to.
However I pay more attention to everything she says as she explains how she turned out to be like this and how she took revenge on my behalf.
She also explained what I am right now, and what is my "blood relation" to her.
Apparently, I'm her younger brother now, as well as her husband...
This dragon ritual thing is illegally complicated...
But I somehow managed to understand everything, especially that part about instincts and how they are always true and never false.
It was as if a part of me— a big piece of me yearned for knowledge.
Proof? My instincts are telling me I must be with her, so is my heart because I actually fell hard for her, and so is my mind too, she really is a KEEPER.
But I do admit, it is very difficult to adapt to this new environment.
Like, damn, the supernatural world is real?!
Damn.
—If I was speechless a moment ago, now I'm completely gobsmacked, touched, and grateful for her.
Mainly because she confessed that she felt too regretful for not helping me avoid that traumatic incident, and only "lessened" her guilt by avenging me.
However I ignore all my feelings and assume a serious expression; my eyebrows arch, and my eyes squint; "You shouldn't feel guilty or regretful."
I gravely tell her, my voice is low, and also much deeper, and squeeze her hand a bit to reassure her.
"You didn't know me, nor did I know you when we met; you shouldn't feel regret for not doing something for the stranger and the useless boy that day."
Azuraelle's happy smile falters as she looks at me with her brows furrowing in worry. I can tell she's confused.
"Drake... What do you mean...? You aren't useless!"
Her voice is low. I can sense the confusion in her tone, but my heart flutters at her last words — which are so convincing that she almost makes me reconsider what I said.
This woman... She is the first who can make me feel so overwhelmed with just a few words from her.
—I really like her; she's my type after all. But now, I'm sure of it... Sure of...
My eyebrows remain furrowed, and with my eyes still narrowed, a small, soft smile curls up my lips — something I thought I can't show and appear genuine like now.
This small smile soon turns into a big, happy one, and I bring her hand to my bare chest.
"I did want to avenge myself and parents after I had the memory of that day back, but, honestly?
I barely feel anything now other than the happiness you brought me."
"I'm not annoyed or irritated by you; maybe because I just remembered the memory a moment ago,
so the desire for revenge was just rekindled and then gone after hearing what you did for me."
I let out a sigh through my nostrils, then tilt my head at her as my expression softens.
"It is what it is. What I should care about now is you, and how I need to repay you."
—I truly changed the moment I met her. Even if for a little bit. To the point I'm so opened up to her like a book without a cover, and I don't feel like this is a burden at all after what I heard from her.
"So... please, don't be regretful, and let go of these useless thoughts. I'm truly grateful."
"Drake..." I hear her say, her voice too low like a mosquito, and I notice she's blushing.
Her uncertainty also reduced, but it was still there.
What do I do...? Ah!
"Drake?"
I lean in close to her until my lips are inches away from hers.
She stiffens, though her hand squeezes mine more, and the tinge of red on her cheeks also deepens as she watches me in silence.
However, I can easily tell she's anticipating something.
She closes her eyes and, just as she moves her lips to mine—
I press my lips to her forehead and gently pat her head.
"Huh...?" She says a bit loud, as her eyes open wide in surprise and embarrassment.
"Hmmm? You expected something else~?" I can't help but tease her, and it works as her face reddens more.
But she still looks at me with that scary yet lovely gaze despite her embarrassment.
She's really cute.
"Hahaha." I can't help but chuckle at her. "I am truly grateful."
I continue to pat her head, without knowing my feelings of happiness, gratefulness, and completeness are being sent to her.
"Listen." I press my forehead against hers. "I'm still confused about all that's happening, as it is so sudden and quick..."
I trail off and look down at the glowing floor of this massive hallway for just a brief moment, then let a small smile show on my face.
"But I'm sure of one thing." I smirk as I speak these vague words and give her the time to find the answer she wants.
Abruptly, I find myself sending my own feelings to her, and intentionally at that!
How the... How can... I legit just learned how to "transport" my own feelings via our "connection." Just how?!
I didn't do anything, so how did I learn how to do that?
Azuraelle's face brightens— "Drake!" And she pulls me to a bear hug.
CRACK
"Oof..." My eyes roll back in my skull as the loud sound of bones cracking fill the room.
AHHHHH! MY BACK! MY SPINE!
That's what I want to scream, but the pain is so excruciating I couldn't open my mouth!
How strong is this woman...? Wrong... This Dragon.
"D-Drake!?!!" I hear Azuraelle shouts before my world blacks out.
Am I...gone?
...I at least died between a woman's breasts...
...
..
.
Slowly, my eyes flutter open, and the first thing I notice is the warmth. Her warmth.
I'm sitting on the floor, with Azuraelle cradling me like a broken doll.
My spine, which had been shattered just moments ago, is already healed.
I blink in confusion, my mind slowly catching up to the fact that the pain is… gone?
I reach behind me, letting my fingers trace the spot along my spine where the bones had cracked moments ago — Just in case...
No pain...?
"WAAAH! DRAKE! I'M SO SORRY!"
Her voice rings in my ears, but all I can think about is how absurd this entire situation is.
I mean, really...what kind of man dies from a hug? And comes back to life just as quickly?
"I didn't...mean to hurt you..." I look down at the woman sitting on my thighs with her face buried in my chest.
She's trembling. I can also feel something wet on my chest, and apparently it's her tears.
I smile wryly. "H- Hey... It's alright, really." I gently place both my hands on her shoulders.
"I'm fine. I guess? Look." I grasp her hand and bring it to my back.
"I don't feel anything actually. What happened?"
Azuraelle suddenly stops sobbing and lift her head to look back at me in confusion.
Her eyebrows furrow and she wipes her tears with the side of her fingers.
"...You actually regenerated...?"
"What do you mean?" I ask, but then it hits me, and my eyes widen. "Wait."
"Yes. Drake." Her tone softens and she brings both her hands to my face and cups my cheeks. "You actually regenerated your spinal injury."
My eyes become wide-open in shock; "Does that mean I'm immortal?!" I ask in disbelief.
"Pffft— Wha- No... Drake... You silly hahahaha." Azuraelle laughs at me, and this makes me more confused.
And as if noticing that, she shakes her head and presses our foreheads together.
"Silly. Of course you are Immortal. And a True Immortal at that. After all, you are like my sibling now after I reincarnated you.
And since I'm the daughter of Tiamat, who is the Primeval Goddess and the 'Mother of Humanity', both you and I are greater dragon gods."
Azuraelle takes a deep breath, turns her face away from mine, then sighs and turns back to face me again.
"But, what I'm surprised about is that you were just reincarnated few hours ago, which means you had a rebirth."
"So, you are like a baby dragon now, and baby dragons need to awaken their 'true' self first, their power, innate abilities like dragon breath, and unlock your true form."
...To say I'm shocked beyond any matter is an understatement to how I feel now.
If I actually understood what she's saying... then how come I have regeneration...?
Suddenly, this feeling of being incredulous is gone.
I'm still a little surprised by what I just heard, but I'm too overwhelmed with all this information, and my brain is actually digesting everything!
I just... From this moment onward, I will simply get used to what I'm going to hear in the near and far future.
For my own mentality and health, and because I'm actually adapting quite quickly!
Honestly? I'm starting to like being a Dragon.
There's something hot, screaming within me, telling me that I must learn and never be overwhelmed forever.
I continue to watch Azuraelle in silence, as she seems to be in her own thoughts even though she's staring at me.
After what feels like a minute passed, she finally opens her mouth:
"...My mother needs to see this." She gravely speaks.
I raise my brows.
—Wait... Did she just say her mother?! She wants me to meet Tiamat?!
"Come." Before I can react, Azuraelle helps me to my feet, then with my hand in hers, she "gently" walks me forward.
She's running at a really ridiculous speed, and I can't keep up with her as I'm literally hovering in the air!
I can swear she's running faster than the players in the Olympics!
Whim
"Waaaaaaah! S- Slow down!"
"Oh!" She stops and holds me still to help me steady myself.
"Hehehe... Sorry, Darling, was a bit excited." She cutely apologizes with her eyes close, one hand behind her head, and tongue sticking out.
Unfortunately, I can't enjoy that, as I'm having difficulty with catching my breath.
...
As we continued to walk, Azuraelle began to explain something very important.
She admitted how she kept 'watching' over me the past years; that's how she learned everything about my entire life.
—Isn't that stalking...?
But! She still protected me! Yeah!
Uh... Protection from what?
That's what I really wanted to ask, but I just skipped that part for my and her sake.
I really felt weird thinking about all that...
Eventually she actually answered all the questions in my mind because she can read my thoughts. I forgot about that.
"Fufufu~ D~" She giggles in a sultry tone of voice, and squeezes my hand gently.
"I watched over you from other supernatural races and people who wanted to hurt you, like your previous job's ex-boss at the corporations investment branch you worked at."
I blink. Did she just say ex-boss?
"Azuraelle—" Just as I'm about to speak about this matter, she interrupts me with her stern look and firmness.
"No, Drake. You don't need to work there anymore — if anything you should at the very least become a corporations boss."
"Huh?" I say, pointing at myself in surprise.
"Oh Darling, don't tell me you doubt your capabilities?" She asks, worried, and I can only stare at her in silence with my lips pursed.
She sighs, almost exasperated, "Haaah..." and her mood suddenly takes a 180 degrees change!
She assumes a solemn look, and holds out her fist to her chest as if she's going to make some kind of vow:
"Well! Guess that's one more thing to help you with! My husband will be the best! And I will ensure that!"
"Now! Enough chitchatting, Darling! I will need to make sure you learn everything along our way before you get to meet my mother!"
She takes me by the hand again and takes a turn to the left and walks down the corridor.
This woman... Heh. She knows me well... As expected of the... "Soul Marriage"? I guess?
I look down with my eyes closed and a small smile on my face.
"Alright. I won't doubt you, Honey, but always ask me when you want to deal with something related and too important to me so I'm not too surprised—"
"Oh, Darling." She halts in her steps, grips my wrist a bit tighter and pull me to her.
Our lips meet in a searing kiss for a moment before she pulls with her cheeks flushed.
"It's not like you are annoyed by this, are you? You already wished for a better place to work at anyway."
She gives my lips another peck, and smiles seductively as she looks up in my eyes.
"But no worries, D~ I agree and promise you what you wish for. Just as long as you are with me~"
...She really knows me too well...
I see her gaze darkening, and she looks at me with pure desire, affection, and possessiveness, with her cheeks flushed red.
Gulp
Yeah... I don't see myself getting bored of this anytime in the far future...
A delicious shiver runs down my spine at her words and the tempting look on her face, but I ignore it—
I hastily lean in and capture her lips with mine!
"Mmmphh!!!—" Her words are muffled, and she soon relents, and clings onto me with her legs and arms wrapped around me.
...
..
.
Third Person Point of View:
After Thirty Minutes 'Short' of Explanation and Introduction
Drake really learned everything smoothly and seamlessly.
He legit absorbed everything like a sponge — a 'big' sponge.
From the hierarchy of the dragons, species, types, powers and abilities, to what it means by being called a Greater or Primordial God, especially a dragon one.
He listened intently to Azuraelle, like a student watching his teacher as she explained to him with her warm smile and motherly, loving tone.
Soon later, they both arrived inside a bigger room than all the others they saw or passed by.
Around a table made of a dark green wood, sat a gorgeous woman on a majestic, lighten blue chair that looked like a throne.
She has a very long saturated blue hair that reached down to the floor, and wearing an elegant blue gown with a single opening by her left leg.
"Ah... Son-in-law..." A soft, beautiful, and ethereal voice rang out Drake's ears as it brought his attention to the woman there.
...
..
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