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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Xrecker
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Ozma’s unexpected declaration of our engagement, likely a spur-of-the-moment reaction to Gav’s proposal, left me utterly bewildered.
Camilla, sitting beside me, looked at me with suspicion. I could only feel wronged.
Of all people, she should have known that there was nothing between Ozma and me.
Anyway, Ozma’s lie seemed to have worked on Gav.
“Oh? You and Patrasche are engaged?”
“Y-Yes!”
“But I haven’t heard anything about an engagement ceremony.”
“Because it was decided just before we came here!”
Ozma then launched into a detailed account of my recent achievements.
“Patrasche was recently deployed to the Eastern Front, where he not only captured the impregnable Hamburg fortress but also single-handedly assassinated the Margrave of Hamburg!”
A wide grin spread across Gav’s face as he listened to Ozma’s account of my exploits.
“That’s even better. A man chosen as the Demon Lord’s son-in-law is the perfect candidate to produce a strong heir, don’t you think?”
“Ugh!”
Ozma, realizing she had shot herself in the foot, stumbled back, her face pale.
“An engagement is just an engagement. We’re not married yet. And I don’t mind being the second wife. Dragons aren’t concerned with such trivial titles as first wife or concubine.”
“Grrrr!”
Ozma gritted her teeth, her frustration growing.
Seriously, we weren’t engaged.
If I let this go on any longer, the situation would only get worse. I decided to intervene.
“Um, Lady Gabriel?”
Gav, who had been arguing with Ozma, turned to me and smiled.
“From now on, call me Gavril. Gabriel is too formal for friends.”
“Ah, yes. Lady Gavril.”
So, we were friends now. That was a relief.
“I’m a bit confused by the current situation. Could you explain what’s going on?”
“Of course.”
Gav, now in his female form, crossed her arms beneath her ample breasts.
“Dragonkin are a rare species. Our numbers are few, and mating with each other has a high chance of producing deformed offspring due to our close genetic proximity. So, we usually polymorph and mate with other races to produce children.”
“Then why me?”
Gav shook her head, a playful look in her eyes.
“Just because we can’t have children with our own kind doesn’t mean we’ll mate with just anyone. We only choose strong partners to ensure a strong bloodline.”
I hadn’t known about this aspect of dragon culture.
“Will you give up if I say no?”
“Hmm. I hadn’t considered that.”
Gav rubbed her chin, a thoughtful expression on her face.
“Is my appearance not to your liking? I can make myself look younger.”
“No, that’s not the problem.”
“Then what is it?”
“…Anyone would be shocked to be proposed to by someone they had believed to be a man just a few days ago.”
Gav tilted her head.
“You’re surprisingly conservative.”
I had a lot to say, but I decided to hold my tongue.
Every race had its own customs.
My earnest plea seemed to have worked. Gav nodded and said,
“Then I suppose I have no choice. Let’s start as friends. Is that alright?”
“Um… I suppose so.”
As I finally agreed, Gav smiled in satisfaction and extended her hand.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Patrasche. Let me know if you change your mind. I’m always available.”
“…So you’re not giving up?”
“Huh? Why would I? Of all the strong individuals I’ve met, you’re the one I like the most.”
Gav was unafraid to express her feelings directly. I had never met anyone like her.
Even in her female form, her bold nature remained.
I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me and turned to Ozma, who had been listening to our conversation.
She quickly averted her gaze, as if she had been caught doing something wrong.
Ugh, forget it.
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After a lavish multi-course dinner, we all retired to our rooms to rest.
So much had happened in one day, and my experiences at Gav’s residence would be etched in my memory forever.
Was this what it felt like to live like an emperor?
After a delicious dinner, I took a bubble bath in the private bathroom attached to my room. I felt like an emperor.
I sipped the wine provided in the room and looked up at the ceiling.
The ornate crystal chandelier sparkled, reflecting the light.
“Phew…”
I scooped up some hot water and splashed it on my face, then sank deeper into the massive bathtub, which was large enough for ten people.
It reminded me of the public bathhouses I used to visit in my previous life. If you went early in the morning on a weekday, you would have the whole place to yourself. That’s how I felt now.
I placed a towel on my head and soaked up to my chin, enjoying the warm water.
Slide
“Patrasche, is the water alright?”
Gav suddenly entered the bathroom, completely naked.
“Pfft!”
I choked on the water, surprised by the unexpected intrusion.
“W-Wait a minute. What are you doing?”
“I thought we could wash each other’s backs. Like friends.”
Gav approached with a confident stride, her muscular, perfectly proportioned body a distracting sight.
I hadn’t expected her to resort to such a direct physical approach after I had rejected her.
What a brilliant strategy.
Even if I had no romantic feelings for her, I couldn’t help but react to her naked form.
As Gav stepped into the tub, I scooted away, and she, grinning, sat down at a respectable distance.
“Why so tense? I won’t force myself on you.”
“Then why did you just barge into my bathroom?”
“We’ve seen each other naked before.”
She had a point. We had seen each other naked at the hot springs a few days ago. Of course, we were both men then.
Realizing it was pointless to try and cover myself, I relaxed.
“So, why are you really here?”
“I really did just come to wash your back. They say the best way for friends to get to know each other is through a naked conversation.”
“…That’s not really a thing these days.”
“Sorry, I’m a bit old-fashioned.”
Gav waved her hand dismissively and rested her arm on the edge of the tub.
“So, how did a human end up in the Demon Lord’s army?”
Her question, so direct and to the point, surprised me.
“You knew?”
“We fought. Of course I knew. You tried so hard to avoid my attacks.”
I had no rebuttal. He was right.
Since she had already figured it out, I decided to be honest.
“Well… you’re right, I’m human. But my loyalty to the Demon Lord is second to none. I even signed a Geass Scroll.”
“Oh? A Geass Scroll?”
“Yes.”
It wasn’t a lie. I had decided to be upfront, as it would be easier to avoid suspicion. And a contract was a good way to build trust. The terms of the contract were such that I would only be rewarded if the Demon Lord conquered the world, essentially making me a loyal servant.
Well, I was glad I had joined the Demon Lord’s army now.
“If the Demon Lord approves, then it’s not my place to judge. But more importantly, let’s talk about making a baby.”
“…You still haven’t given up?”
“You can just lie there. I’ll take care of the rest. You can enjoy the pleasure without any responsibility.”
This woman was persistent.
I felt like my brain would melt if I stayed in the hot water any longer. I decided to make my escape.
“Leaving already?”
“It may seem early to you, but I’ve been in here for an hour.”
I wrapped a towel around my waist and left the bathroom. The bed had been made up for two.
…Just how far had she planned this?
I was about to remove the extra pillow when the door suddenly opened.
“Kaldrash, are you asleep? I wanted to talk to you about what happened earlier.”
Ozma, her hair still damp from a shower, entered the room, holding a bottle of wine. She wasn’t wearing her usual chest binder, and her breasts, no longer flattened, were surprisingly shapely.
I stared at her, flustered.
“Uh, Princess Ozma? Can you wait a moment?”
Just then, Gav poked her head out of the bathroom.
“Patrasche, do you have an extra towel… oh.”
“Gav! What are you doing here?!”
Seriously, why did my life keep turning into a cliché romantic comedy?
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