CHAPTER 66: A KISS AND A DRAGON

Chapter 65: A Kiss and a Dragon

A faint rustle broke the quiet of the morning as Lirael stirred. The warmth radiating from Ethan’s body wrapped around her like a cocoon, and the silky softness of the maid outfit against her skin only deepened her comfort. For the first time in years, perhaps in her whole life, she felt utterly at ease.

Her lashes fluttered, and ocean-blue eyes peeked upward. Ethan was awake, his gaze fixed on her with a softness that made her breath hitch. He wasn’t just looking—he was drinking her in, as if she were something precious. That gaze stirred something deep in her chest, and a faint blush rose across her fair cheeks.

Their faces were only inches apart, breaths mingling, warm and teasing. Her heart thundered in her ears, her entire body tense with the dangerous closeness. And then, before her courage faltered, Lirael leaned up and pressed the lightest peck to his cheek.

Her lips barely brushed his skin, soft and fleeting, but it was enough to send a shiver through her entire being. Almost immediately, she retreated, scurrying back under the blanket, burying her face against the broad expanse of his chest, her arms wrapping tighter around him as though she could hide inside him. Her cheeks burned crimson, heat flooding her from head to toe.

Ethan froze. For a moment, he simply blinked, dazed, as if his mind needed a second to process what had just happened. That tiny kiss—unexpected, pure, and entirely hers—had stolen the breath from his lungs. Slowly, a grin spread across his lips.

"So..." he said, voice low and tinged with amusement. "You’ve decided, right?"

From the safety of his chest came a muffled, flustered voice: "T-that’s a given, idiot...! Why would I allow anyone to hold me and use me as a body pillow if I didn’t... like him? Idiot!!" Her hold around him tightened with every word, as if to prove her point, her body pressing closer against his.

Ethan chuckled softly, the sound rumbling in his chest beneath her ear. He tightened his own embrace, resting his chin atop her head. "Fair enough," he whispered. "Then I’ll take that as my answer."

No Mary, no Amelia, no interruptions disturbed them that morning. The world outside their little sanctuary went on as always, but inside these four walls, time seemed to pause. They lingered in each other’s warmth, trading soft words, playful barbs, and silences heavy with unspoken feelings. For once, there was no urgency, no mask to wear—only the quiet intimacy of two hearts that had, finally, chosen each other.

---

Time slipped by in a haze of warmth until eventually, Ethan stirred fully awake. With a lazy stretch, he rose from the bed, his gaze flicking mischievously toward the blanket mound beside him. His lips curved into a sly grin.

"Hm..." he said aloud, as though speaking to the walls. "I think my maid is late to report to her duties today." His tone was smooth, playful, dripping with feigned seriousness. "Looks like I’ll have to think of a punishment..."

Beneath the thick bundle of blankets, Lirael jolted. The covers rustled violently as she curled deeper, hiding her crimson face. Her long ears twitched, betraying her, and she shook her head beneath the folds like a child refusing to come out.

"I-I... it’s still morning!" came her muffled protest, her voice adorably small and flustered. "No one works this early, idiot!"

Ethan smirked, folding his arms and tilting his head, savoring her embarrassment. "Ah, so my maid is also lazy, is that it? And she even calls her master a idiot. That only makes the punishment harsher."

"Uuugh, y-you’re insufferable!" Lirael squeaked. Her cheeks were burning so hot she thought steam might come off her skin.

Then, as if her only salvation was escape, she suddenly bolted upright, the blanket still wrapped tightly around her slender frame like a cocoon. With a flurry of azure hair and fabric, she darted across the room, little bare feet pattering softly against the wooden floor.

Her voice, high and nervous, trailed behind her as she practically dove into the washroom. "M-maids need to be clean before they report to their duties! S-so don’t you dare peek!"

The door shut with a quick clack, leaving Ethan standing in the quiet room, amused beyond measure. He chuckled, shaking his head, his grin wide and utterly unrepentant.

"She really is too easy to tease..." he muttered under his breath, already anticipating the flustered storm she would emerge as once she returned.

---

When Ethan finally stepped into the washroom down floor, he shook his head with a wry smile. His body still carried the faint fragrance of flowers and soap Lirael had left behind. "Hmph," he muttered as he splashed cool water onto his face, "my maid hogging the whole washroom for herself. I must be the first master saddled with such a rebellious maid." He chuckled at the thought, the sound echoing softly off the tiled walls.

After freshening up, he stepped back into the room, where she was waiting—standing by the window, sunlight spilling over her azure hair, making it shimmer like liquid sapphire. She turned to meet his gaze, her expression a touch shy but steady.

He raised a brow, feigning casual curiosity. "Hmm? No illusion today?" His lips curved into a half-smile. "Not that I’m complaining."

Lirael tucked a strand of blue behind her long ear, golden earrings catching the light as she spoke. "That illusion was for hiding my identity as an elf. Blue hair like mine... it’s unmistakable. Anyone familiar with my lineage would have recognized me instantly." She paused, her ocean-blue eyes softening as they lifted to his. "But now... I don’t think there’s any need to keep it up anymore."

Her fingers brushed unconsciously at the golden choker resting against her fair skin, the embedded gem glinting faintly. A faint blush touched her cheeks as she added quietly, "Besides... you seem to prefer this too."

Ethan stepped closer, his grin widening, voice low but warm. "Prefer? It’s perfect." His gaze lingered for a long moment, as though savoring her unveiled self, no mask between them.

The silence that followed wasn’t awkward—rather, it was filled with a quiet comfort, the kind that said more than words could.

Finally, Lirael cleared her throat softly, breaking the moment. "Shall we... go down for breakfast?"

"Yeah," he said, his tone light again, though the smile still tugging at his lips betrayed his mood. "Wouldn’t want the others to think my maid’s gotten so rebellious she doesn’t even join meals."

She gave him a playful glare, but her blush betrayed her, and together they left the room, descending the stairs side by side. The scent of baked bread and roasted meat drifted up from the inn’s hall, welcoming them into a new day.

The food arrived steaming hot, the aroma of roasted meat and herbs filling the small inn chamber. Ethan tore off a chunk of bread and leaned back casually, his tone light yet edged with impatience.

"Honestly, we should probably leave today," he said, chewing. "I’m starting to get bored here."

Lirael dabbed her lips with the corner of a cloth napkin, eyes narrowing. "You’re right. Staying any longer is pointless. But instead of wandering aimlessly, we should pick up an escort mission to Iridale. That way, we earn while we travel." Her gaze sharpened, cutting across the table. "And before you suggest anything—this time I’m keeping the money. I can’t entrust you with it... not at all."

Ethan raised his hands in surrender, grinning. "Alright, alright. You hold the purse strings. Just remember to buy me the necessities." His eyes swept down her form slowly, stopping on the crisp black-and-white fabric of her maid outfit. His grin widened. "Though the most necessary thing has already been bought."

Lirael’s cheeks flushed as she realized what he meant. Four sets. He really bought four sets of these... She sipped her drink to hide her expression, muttering under her breath.

"You’re hopeless..."

While they ate, a few men at a nearby table kept sneaking glances at her, their interest less than subtle. Ethan noticed immediately. His gaze sharpened, a predator’s glare, and the men paled, quickly lowering their heads as if their food had suddenly become the most interesting thing in the world.

"Haah..." he exhaled, shaking his head. "Keeping all the eyes away from you is going to be a full-time chore."

Lirael chuckled, her voice lilting. "Hehe... you’re the one who insisted on getting yourself such a beautiful maid. Isn’t this your fault?"

Ethan’s brows lifted, and a slow, triumphant smile spread across his face. "Oh? So you admit you look stunning in that uniform?"

Her face turned pink. "B-bastard..."

He leaned back, laughing heartily. "Say it or not—I can tell you like it."

She clicked her tongue, choosing to ignore him, and changed the subject. "When we reach Iridale, there will be no shortage of missions. Subjugations, scouting, dungeons, the city borders the largest stretch of woodland in the region. There are even rumors of a dragon living in the mountains."

At the word dragon, Ethan froze mid-bite. His eyes gleamed with childlike excitement, the corner of his mouth twitching upward.

"...A dragon, huh?"

"Don’t get any ideas," she warned, immediately recognizing the spark in his expression. "That’s nothing we need to concern ourselves with."

But Ethan wasn’t listening. A dragon—one of his fantasies come to life. He had already decided. At the very least, he had to see it for himself. He then recalled the Black dragon egg...but it won’t be soon.

After finishing their meal, the two left the inn and made their way through the lively streets. The guildhall loomed ahead, its banners fluttering in the breeze, the heavy scent of parchment, steel, and ink awaiting them inside.

Together, they stepped through the doors, ready to search for their next mission.