Evil dragon has a warm heart
Chapter 432 - 432 431 Mels Love

Chapter 432: Chapter 431: Mel’s Love Chapter 432: Chapter 431: Mel’s Love “My great-grandfather had an Amber Worm, and now, it has been passed down to me.” Willem Ginnari spread open his left hand.

In his palm was a mark the size of a sesame seed, which flickered and transformed into a snail about the size of a coin.

Crading the tiny snail, Willem boldly showcased it: “Its name is Round Shield, and it has been with our family for many years now. Back then, it was with Round Shield’s defensive power that my great-grandfather survived a life-and-death crisis.”

Having said that,

He looked eagerly at Russell: “Lord Russell, do you think, now that I have Round Shield, that I have a solid enough foundation to become a Dragon Domain Lord?”

Looking at the expectant Willem,

Russell no longer knew whether to call this child naive or a bit foolish. Such a precious object as the Amber Worm was being displayed right before a stranger, and one with enough strength to snatch it away, at that.

Fortunately, Russell harbored no greed.

Instead, he examined the snail Amber Worm carefully.

Then he said, “If your great-grandfather could rely on its protection to break through life-and-death crises, then so might you. But I can only say that nothing is certain, and if you are contemplating an advancement that courts death, it is highly likely you will indeed die.”

“To rejuvenate my family, what is death to me!” Willem declared firmly, clenching his fist, and the snail Amber Worm reverted back into a sesame seed-sized mark.

“Are you sure?”

“Sure!”

“Hm,” Russell noted, obviously not obligated to make choices for others, “Well, if you are truly prepared to die, write a letter home. Then, I will teach you some experiences for ascending to Dragon Domain Lord.”

Upon hearing Russell’s agreement to instruct him, Willem immediately bowed with joy: “Willem greets his teacher!”

“Mhmm.”

“Teacher, in my haste to visit, I’ve left all my valuables at the Red Castle, with Chosen Son Mel. I’ll bring them to you as soon as I fetch them to pay the tuition.”

“No rush, no rush, settle down in the manor first,” Russell said unbothered by the tuition, but the necessary formalities couldn’t be overlooked. After all, the other party was a stranger to him, and there was no need to teach for free. Allowing him to study under him was entirely for the sake of Cousin Mel.

Mel wasn’t young anymore, and it was rare for him to find someone he fancied; Russell had to help in any way he could.

He then said to Willem, “Once you are settled, move into the officials’ quarters at the small marketplace and take up a post in the manor. I often travel and won’t stay long at the Cigar Courtyard, so when I’m not around, study on your own.”

“Yes, teacher,” Willem responded.

After dismissing the others, he led Willem and the Pseudo-Kinnaly Dragon Lily to the officials’ quarters at the small marketplace.

At that moment, Unicorn Polly spoke in his mind: “I have observed the Pseudo-Kinnaly Dragon, and there is a flesh crown on its head. It gives me the same feeling as my former horn and the silly hair on Hape’s head. It is indeed a Phantom Beast Pseudo-Dragon Successor.”

“After all, as a descendant of a Dragon Domain Lord, the Pseudodragon Ginnari would certainly leave a lineage of successors,” Russell nodded.

There were still many questions on Russell’s mind regarding the Dragon Domain Lord, that he planned to ask Willem Ginnari.

Such as how a Pseudodragon’s Warm Enclave deteriorated, the lifespan of a Pseudodragon, how Pseudodragons breed successors, if there were more combat techniques of the Dragon Domain Lords, and whether Wester Ginnari had explored the next realm of the Dragon Domain Lords, among other things.

But none of these were of immediate urgency.

“Let’s go, Polly. We’re off to the Red Castle. Cousin has actually found love; I must inquire properly about it.” Russell leapt gracefully, mounted the Unicorn, and sped off like the wind, racing all the way to the Red Castle.

When he stepped into Mel’s private small castle and learned from the butler that Count Merlin had also arrived and had an argument with Mel,

“Lord Russell, you’ve come at the right time to persuade the master and Young Master Sun,” said the butler.

“All right.”

Russell pushed the door into the study where grandfather and grandson were quarreling, only to see Count Merlin with a cigar in his mouth, glaring and bristling with anger.

Mel, on the other hand, stood before the table, his eyes red, refusing to back down.

“Grandfather, Mel, what has happened?” Russell casually closed the study’s door, then dragged a chair over and sat down.

“Russell, you’ve arrived just in time!” Mel clutched at straws like a drowning man, “You come and explain to Grandfather what free love is; his thinking has become so rigid, forever confined to the nobility’s strictures!”

“Impudence, you little rascal, how dare you speak to your Grandfather like this!” Count Merlin raged.

Mel shrank his neck but did not apologize.

Seeing this, Russell gave a light cough, “Grandfather, Mel, please calm down. Mel, sit down; do not talk while standing.”

“Russell, there’s nothing more to be said.” Count Merlin took a puff of his cigar, not wanting to lose his composure in front of his grandson, so he softened his tone and said, “I can agree to Mel forming an alliance through marriage with the Scorching Torrent Kingdom, but I will not allow any ties with the Lieyang Clan.”

“Annie’s surname is Helichrysum, not Lieyang!” Mel argued, sitting in the chair.

“Her father is Ade Lieyang, she too carries Lieyang Royal Family blood, Mel, if you want to compete for the title of Chosen Son, don’t even think about marrying a woman of Lieyang Royal Family lineage!” Count Merlin stated.

After a pause, he continued, “Kunlaya lost her right to succession precisely because she carried Lieyang Royal Family blood! Augustus married Davin, Kunsley married Veraley, none of them wished to unite with the Lieyang Royal Family through marriage, do you still not understand?”

“Times change, now the two countries have formed an alliance…” Mel began.

But was interrupted by Count Merlin before he could finish, “An alliance does not mean reconciliation, the animosity between dragons is far more intense and enduring than you imagine!”

Mel turned his head, “Russell, you talk to Grandfather; I can’t get through to him!”

Russell glanced at Mel, then at Count Merlin, and suddenly thought of a question, one that many nobles in Shadowflame Grand Duchy muttered about in their hearts—whether Grand Duke Kunstan was destined to meet his end, or had been deliberately indulged by someone.

This question was destined to remain unanswered.

Unless someone could read minds, it was impossible to guess Count Merlin’s thoughts, even for the Shadowflame Dragon.

Russell’s thought was fleeting and was quickly suppressed; he then leisurely said, “Grandfather, I’ve become quite familiar with His Highness Shadowflame, and I believe His Highness holds no grudge over such a trivial matter.”

“Right, that’s what I’ve been saying, the Shadow… Dragons aren’t that petty!” Mel immediately echoed Russell’s sentiment.

Count Merlin countered, “Russell, details dictate success or failure; never presume to know the heart of a dragon. What you think the dragon doesn’t care about might be exactly what the dragon cares about the most; hence, Mel cannot afford to make a mistake.”

“This isn’t a mistake, this is free love, I’ve chosen Annie Helichrysum!” Mel retorted angrily.

Count Merlin said with a stern face, “This concerns the future of Shadowflame Grand Duchy and is no longer just a matter for the Rainflower Family. I absolutely cannot tolerate your antics.”

Mel argued, “Just getting married, marrying the girl I love, how does that affect the future of Shadowflame Grand Duchy?”

“Because I want you to become the Grand Duke of Shadowflame Grand Duchy, to lead Red Castle, to lead Shadowflame Grand Duchy out of its predicament. If Kunsley takes over, Shadowflame Grand Duchy will sooner or later be annexed by Scorching Torrent Kingdom; if Augustus takes over, there wouldn’t even need to be an annexation, the Grand Duchy would collapse on its own!”

Having said this.

Count Merlin glanced at Russell, then suddenly sighed, “If only… I truly hope the dragon would choose Russell, with him, this country might still have hope… otherwise, I have no confidence in any of the three Chosen Sons.”

Mel nodded, agreeing for once, “If Russell becomes the Grand Duke, I’d be willing to accept that; at least then no one would oppose my marrying Annie!”

“Left and right, can’t you get away from that Annie!” Count Merlin said, suppressing his anger, “It seems I have lacked in disciplining you over the years, Mel. You are now naive and impulsive, and you’ve disappointed me greatly.”

Mel bowed his head slightly, but was unwilling to concede defeat, “Grandfather, your favorite tune is ‘Snowflake Rhapsody’; you have your regrets, don’t you? Must you insist I also live with lifelong regrets like you, spending my latter years in remorse?”

Upon hearing this, Count Merlin’s hand trembled slightly.

But it quickly returned to coldness.

Taking a puff from his cigar, the smoke spread out in front of him, “It’s better for one person to live with regret, rather than a whole nation. I am first and foremost the Chief Executive of Shadowflame Grand Duchy, and only secondly your grandfather. Mel, put away your womanly sentiments!”