Planning the Trip!

Under the cover of night, amidst a foreboding exchange between the menacing dragon, Lance, and the hellish deity of death, their conversation pierced the silence through a ghostly projection. Hidden in the shadows, she overheard their plotting.

At that moment, the butler named Brandon proposed an unusual request to Lance. He sought to enlist the dragon as a temporary butler to serve a young lady named Joanna in the human world. Such a mission would likely prevent Lance from returning to his realm for an extended duration.

For the young imperial princess, disguised and exiled to this secluded island, the idea of returning to her native world was irresistible. Though she had been marooned here for nearly a fortnight, enjoying ample provisions and shelter, nothing could quell her longing for the vibrant life and bustling energy of her homeland.

At just fifteen, the princess naturally yearned for the colorful tapestry of human experiences.

"I shall not venture into the human realm merely as a butler," Lance declared with a firmness that belied his serpentine form. "Instead, I will serve as a spiritual mentor to the child, aiding in mending her fractured spirit while providing you a gateway to the human world."

As he spoke, Lance gently rested a massive dragon claw upon the head of a younger dragon, a being who lately seemed lost in solitude. This young creature often sought solace atop a vast turtle, gazing wistfully at the endless ocean, visibly weary of island life.

Though the young dragon rarely voiced her discontent, Lance sensed her stifled spirit. Youthful dragons, brimming with curiosity and a thirst for discovery, find confinement unbearable.

Lance had contemplated keeping her isolated until she could fend for herself in the world beyond. Yet, he realized that what felt safe to him might not suit her adventurous heart.

In his youth, Lance endured decades of solitude, hidden away from human eyes for fear of being captured and exploited. But this young dragon was not bound by such a fate. Born to a formidable black dragon, she faced no such threats.

Realizing that she craved diversion and new experiences, Lance softened his stance. "Why not indulge her desires to explore? With her powerful lineage, no human poses a threat. As she revels in the human realm, she might also absorb its lessons."

Admitting one's mistakes, particularly as a guardian encountering such responsibilities for the first time, was part of the learning process. Lance knew he must be ready to correct and adapt swiftly, shaping his guardianship to better nurture the young dragon's budding potential.

Mastering the role of a black dragon father is no minor feat.

"Little dragon," he began, his voice carrying a gentle firmness, "we've shared this island for nearly half a month now. I hope you see that I'm not the fearsome beast you might have pictured. In the future, feel free to share your thoughts with me. Say you're tired of our little sanctuary here and crave adventure; just let me know. Perhaps we could visit the human world, or explore other mystical lands.

"Generally, I'm likely to agree to your wishes. Moreover, if you excel in the studies and tasks I set for you, I might even offer you some special rewards."

His eyes twinkled with a hint of excitement as he continued, "You could earn a variety of accolades, like the 'Good Young Dragon' certificate, crafted from pure silver, or the even more prestigious 'gold star Good Young Dragon' certificate, made from the finest gold. There are also titles such as the 'Hardworking Study Award' or the 'Brave Young Dragon Award.'"

With a soft chuckle, he added, "Imagine looking back on these treasures as a grown dragon, marveling at how remarkable you were even as a youngster."

The silence that followed seemed to carry a weight of its own.

It felt as if the elder dragon was employing a method akin to how humans coax their young with sweets and coins to encourage good behavior. And yet, considering her youth, it seemed perfectly natural for him to treat her as a child.

But something still seemed off.

The eyes.

Yes, that was it! There was something in his gaze that unsettled her, a look of deep affection, reminiscent of how the noble families in the imperial capital doted on their cherished ones. As their time together increased, did he find her growing more endearing?

But no, she was still too young for such affections. The notion that he might harbor romantic feelings was absurd. She should seize the first opportunity to flee, for who knew what confessions might slip from him in a moment of weakness?

As these thoughts swirled in her head, it became apparent that the elder dragon had raised her not merely as a young dragon under his tutelage but perhaps saw in her something more significant for the distant future.

His perception was indeed sharp; perhaps his sudden openness and the decision to possibly venture to the human world were influenced by her presence.

She knew she couldn't stay isolated on the island forever.

Meanwhile, the black dragon seemed perfectly content with his routine: basking in the morning sun, enjoying leisurely swims in the infinity pool by noon, brewing tea in the afternoon, and unwinding in the hot springs at night. His life was a portrait of hedonistic pleasure, seemingly more so than hers, even though she was of imperial lineage.

And yet, she had to admit, the hot springs were undeniably delightful.

Lucia had accompanied the imposing black dragon, Lance, to the hot springs several times.

"I'll study diligently; please don't treat me like a child. Also, thank you for looking after me. I promise to repay your kindness in the future," she asserted, her voice filled with earnestness, yet in her heart, she silently added, *Except that I can't be your wife, everything else is fine.*

"You don't need to repay me," Lance replied softly. "If you truly wish to repay me, then promise to take care of me until the end of my life."

Lucia murmured, "If I happen to outlive you, it wouldn't be impossible for me to fulfill that promise."

She pondered quietly. The likelihood that Lance would end up taking care of her until her demise was uncomfortably high. If she didn't manage to escape in the coming decades, she was sure it would be him by her side in her final moments, rather than her ascending any throne or ruling any realm.

"By the way, Lance, if you go to the human world, will that squid girl be accompanying us?" Lucia changed the subject, her curiosity piqued.

"Squid girl? My dear, I'm 3455 years old this year. At my age, memories don't stick as they used to," Lance feigned forgetfulness.

Lucia knew better. She was glad, though; the squid girl was far too curious about the world, likely to gobble up anything, or anyone, she found interesting.

"When do we leave for the human world?" Lucia asked, eager to shift away from the unsettling thoughts.

"July 1st," Lance announced.

Today was June 29th. So, in just a couple of days, they would embark on their adventure. Lucia could hardly contain her excitement.

"Are you taking Marly and Turtle with us?" she inquired about their other companions.

"No, if you miss them, we can return anytime," Lance explained.

"Wait, how quickly can we come back?" she asked, surprised.

"For me, it's a day's journey by flight, but for you, it might take up to a month. However, I've prepared a portal. With it set, we can spend our days in the human world and return here to sleep each night."

Lucia was stunned. "You mean to say we can just pop back nightly? And I'll still run into Guigui every evening?"

Lance chuckled at her reaction. "Yes, that's the convenience of having a portal."

Lucia was baffled. If such a portal existed, why had Lance ever bothered with the long flight before? Was there some other enchantment at play that complicated their travel? Her mind spun with possibilities and the looming adventure in the human world.