Time passed quickly. Velteer and the Dragon Slayer, Randon, were living under the same roof in a small cabin. Velteer tried to break the bindings with all the strength she had, but it was always in vain. Although she had managed to recover from the damage inflicted by the Black Nemesis flower, one of her horns remained broken.
For dragons, their horns were a symbol of power, used to harness and gather all their abilities. Without it, she was incomplete, and Randon kept the broken horn close to him at all times, leaving her without any means of escape, resigned to the fate of living this way.
Velteer continued to be Randon's toy. They had sex every day, but only at night. She despised those moments, especially when she would regain her senses and recall all the ridiculous things she had said while he was pleasuring her.
When it was time to clean up, Randon would bring a large wooden basin, fill it with hot water, and use it to bathe her, taking his time to undress her piece by piece. Sometimes, it would escalate into them having sex again. She began to grow accustomed to it, even finding a twisted enjoyment in their intimacy. Surprisingly, Randon took good care of her—bringing her exquisite food and water without fail, providing a hanging hammock for her to sleep in. It was a comfortable life, almost too comfortable for someone who was still technically a prisoner.
"Randon," Velteer called out to the man who was leisurely lying in his hammock.
"Yeah?"
"It's been three months now. Why haven't you killed me yet?"
"Eh, I think you've got it wrong. It's not three months yet."
"Nonsense. I've been counting. It's definitely been over three months. Why haven't you killed me?"
"Nope, it hasn't been three months yet."
"Then tell me, how long has it been?" Velteer narrowed her eyes at him. Randon grinned and wagged his finger at her, teasingly.
"Not gonna tell you. If you want me to, call me 'darling.'"
"...." The dragoness puffed her cheeks, pretending to ignore his playful comment. The days passed by quickly, and yet nothing changed in their daily routine. It seemed Randon had no intention of giving up on convincing her to join him in dragon hunting.
Another month passed, and Velteer asked him the same question again.
"Randon, it's been another month now."
"Oh, has it?"
"When are you going to kill me?" Velteer narrowed her eyes, but Randon simply shrugged.
Two more months passed, and she kept asking the same question.
"Randon, I've asked you this question three times now, which means it's been three months. What are you thinking? Are you not going out to hunt dragons anymore?" Velteer asked, her tone agitated.
"Hmm? I don't think it's been three months yet."
"Liar!"
"Really, I'll wait. It's not yet three months."
"Your nonsense again! It's been six months already. Do something! I'm tired of this monotonous routine. I want to fly. I want to hunt. I want to do something else!" Velteer shouted, stomping her foot hard enough that, if she still had her full dragon power, the entire cabin—and probably the nearby mountains—would've been reduced to rubble.
"Then just accept my proposal. You'll not only get your freedom, but you'll also see new things, eat delicious human food, and experience all kinds of entertainment. You'll regret burning down those towns once you see what you missed."
"No! That's the one thing I won't agree to. And you, aren't you supposed to be a Dragon Slayer? You've wasted too much time on me already."
"Not at all. In truth, even if you don't accept my proposal, I'll keep waiting until you bear a child. Then I'll raise that child as a warrior to help me hunt dragons. Sound good?"
"Y-you intend to keep having sex with me until I bear your child?!" Velteer blushed deeply, feeling her body weaken at the mere thought. Dragons were known to have a hard time reproducing. To conceive, they had to mate frequently over months, sometimes even years, followed by long incubation periods.
If Randon was serious, it would mean Velteer would have to continue having sex with him daily until she became pregnant—however long that might take.
Just imagining it made her body feel a strange, indescribable sensation. Her tail swished nervously, and her thighs rubbed together in embarrassment, an honest reaction she couldn't quite control. Randon covered his mouth slightly, a grin forming as he looked at her.
"What's this? Just a little threat of continuous mating, and you get all flustered? You're quite the perverted little dragon."
"Sh-shut up."
"Oh?" Randon grinned even wider, approaching her with heated eyes. He slowly unbuttoned his shirt, and before long, the two were kissing again, leading to another passionate encounter.
Late at night, Velteer woke alone. Her exhausted body ached, her arms still tied up. Her silver eyes gazed at Randon, peacefully sleeping in his straw bed.
Though he often teased and tormented her, when calm, Randon seemed gentle, even harmless. He had a well-trained body and an aura of strength that was hard to ignore—traits that, if she was honest, had caught her interest as a potential mate. Despite her hatred, despite her pride, Velteer found herself oddly drawn to him.
It was shameful to admit, but when they were intimate, the fear and anxiety somehow coexisted with an unexpected sense of safety within his embrace. The mocking comments that insulted her dignity strangely made her heart flutter.
It was a feeling she couldn't quite understand or explain.
The thought of being separated filled her with unease. Had she really grown attached to this human she once deemed inferior? Velteer found herself contemplating it with a confused heart.
Maybe she really did belong to him now.
---
Several mornings later.
"Alright."
"Hmm?" Randon blinked rapidly at the dragoness.
"I'll go with you. But you have to return my horn to me."
"Oh! Why the sudden change of heart? You've been so stubborn for all these months."
"Bearing a child takes years for a dragon, and even if I did bear one, it would end up hunting its own kind without knowing anything. If that's the case, I'd rather be the one to kill them myself. I have plenty of grudges against them anyway."
"Good," Randon smiled, pulling out a bag, taking out several items, including a pen dipped in white ink. He began writing on a black parchment covered in magical symbols. It was their contract.
The contract read as follows:
From this day forward, White Dragon Velteer shall work to repay the debts and damages inflicted upon the kingdom. Dragon Slayer Randon Viteriat shall be her rightful guardian. White Dragon Velteer will have no freedom and shall strictly follow Randon Viteriat's orders until the debt is paid in full.
Upon signing the contract, Dragon Slayer Randon Viteriat shall return the broken horn to White Dragon Velteer. From then on, all expenses, including food, clothing, and daily stipends, shall be borne by Dragon Slayer Randon Viteriat, who will treat her as family.
No one shall violate this contract.
Signed,
Dragon Slayer Randon Viteriat
White Dragon Velteer
"Does this contract work for you?" Randon asked, holding it up for Velteer to read. She scanned it quickly, nodded, and both of them cut their palms, using their blood to sign with a feather quill.
The contract glowed brightly before splitting into two halves—one for Randon and one for Velteer. With the contract in effect, Randon untied Velteer and handed her the horn.
The black horn was an essential part of her body, missing for half a year. Velteer ran her fingers over it before placing it back where it belonged. Her body recognized it as its own, and energy flowed into the broken area, fusing it seamlessly as if it had never been gone.
A faint white glow emanated from Velteer. Her strength returned—her magic, her senses, her power. She extended her wings from her back, and her large white tail appeared at her hips, wagging slightly in a cute manner.
"Your tail's quite adorable," Randon commented.
"Hmph, flattering human."
"Want to see just how flattering I can be?"
"No thanks! I want to fly outside now. I'm going." Velteer turned to leave, but Randon caught her in an embrace.
"Not so fast. We did plenty last night. Don't tell me you want more already."
"No, it's not that. I need to tell you something important. You can't fly anymore."
"What?!"
"The people would be furious if they found out we let a dragon—one with a bounty—live. Even if you're working off a debt, there would still be hatred. So, we'll have to spread a false report that you're dead."
"I see." Velteer sighed, her excitement fading.
"Aside from hunting dragons, my life has no purpose now, huh?"
"Why would you think that?" Randon asked.
"All I ever did was fly and hoard treasure. If I can't fly or collect treasure anymore, what's left?"
"There's a lot more. You've never really seen what humanity has to offer. Delicious food, countless forms of entertainment—you'll enjoy it for decades, I promise."
"Hmph. You'd better be right."
"Alright, I need to send a message first."
"A message?"
"Yep," Randon said, pulling out a green letter. He channeled magic into it, transforming the paper into a small bird, which flapped its wings and flew out the window, gaining speed as it left.
Velteer watched it leave, then turned to Randon.
"Actually, I lied to you. I needed to report back within seven months, but it's only been six months and fourteen days."
"...I see," Velteer responded, pulling away from his grasp and lying down in her hammock, looking tired.
"In four days, an airship will arrive at the nearby town. It'll take three days to reach the capital. I'm taking you to the court to formalize everything."
"The capital... I've heard it was attacked many times by us dragons, left in ruins countless times."
"Yeah, but no more. Not in my era," Randon declared, swinging his dragon-slaying sword skillfully, showing off to Velteer once again.
"I will annihilate evil dragons. Those who prove themselves good will be spared and judged fairly. But if the system fails, then I'll be the judge."
"You seem to be obsessed with my kind, aren't you?"
"Yes. My parents were burned alive. My sister was kidnapped, raped, and left to die in the wilderness by an evil dragon. My hometown was reduced to ashes. Friends, teachers, neighbors—no one survived except for me."
"..."
"But dragons also gave me opportunities. I won't blindly declare all of them evil. You were on the edge. You hadn't caused trouble in over twenty years, so I kept my eye on you. But if you ever harm humans again, I won't hesitate to behead you." Randon's voice was cold as he swung his blade to her neck. Velteer looked at him blankly, a small smile forming on her lips.
"I won't misbehave. I value my life, after all," Velteer replied, causing Randon to smirk. Those words signified a clear change in her.
The once proud, dignified dragon had begun to change, her spirit slowly melted down over the six months they'd spent together.