My Crybaby Father is the Kingdom's Worst Villain
Chapter 60: Not a pet but a companion.

Chapter 60: Not a pet but a companion.

The morning sun barely peeked through the curtains when a soft pop echoed in Luzia’s bedroom.

In a swirl of silver light, Roldan appeared, still in his sleek baby dragon form, blinking sleepily as he landed with a soft thud on the carpet.

He shook himself off, tiny wings fluttering.

Perfect, he thought. Quiet landing. No fuss. Luzia won’t even notice.

He crept closer to the bed where Luzia slept soundly, her hair a brown halo across the pillow. His chest swelled with fierce loyalty.

I’ll stay by her side. Always.

Before he could even hop onto the bed, the door creaked open.

"Luzia, wake up—!" Catalina’s voice rang out as she barged into the room, ready to yank her out of bed by force if needed.

Her eyes landed immediately on the small dragon near Luzia’s bedside.

Instant panic.

Catalina shrieked, grabbed the nearest object — a pillow — and hurled it at Roldan without hesitation.

"Monster!"

The pillow smacked him square in the snout, knocking him onto his back with a startled squeak.

What in the name of the skies—?! Roldan flailed, tiny claws scrabbling against the carpet.

A slipper came flying next, and he barely dodged it by diving under the bed.

He let out a pitiful whimper, more embarrassed than hurt.

Under the covers, Luzia groaned.

"...what’s going on...?"

Catalina was already preparing for another throw, eyes blazing with righteous fury.

"I’m saving you, that’s what’s going on!" she shouted.

Saving her? Roldan thought bitterly, poking his head out. I’m the one who should be saving her from you, crazy human!

Still half-asleep, Luzia cracked open an eye.

Catalina stood at the ready with a second slipper.

A small silver dragon crouched near the bed, wings trembling, looking thoroughly offended.

"What the hell..." Luzia muttered flatly.

Spotting her awake, Roldan let out a pitiful, desperate chirp and launched himself at the bed, clinging to the blanket with tiny claws.

Catalina raised her slipper higher.

"Get away from her, you demon beast!"

"Wait, wait, WAIT!" Luzia barked, sitting up so fast she tangled herself in the sheets and nearly sent Roldan flying.

"That’s not a demon! That’s—!"

Catalina froze mid-swing.

"That’s Roldan," Luzia finished, exasperated.

An awkward silence followed.

Catalina blinked down at the small dragon, who was now plastered to Luzia’s side like an anxious kitten.

Roldan’s luminous crimson eyes shimmered with hurt and betrayal.

First thing in the morning and I’m getting assassinated by her best friend. Unbelievable.

The slipper slipped from Catalina’s hand with a thud.

"...You’re telling me... that is an actual dragon?"

Roldan puffed up indignantly, releasing a tiny puff of smoke — which made him look even more ridiculous.

Catalina burst into hysterical laughter, doubling over.

"I can’t—he’s like... like an angry loaf of bread!"

Luzia shot her a withering glare sharp enough to peel paint off the walls.

"Mock him again and I’ll shove that slipper down your throat," she snapped.

Catalina squeaked and took a step back, still giggling.

Luzia pulled Roldan into her arms protectively.

He grumbled low in his throat, still offended, but snuggled against her chest with a soft sigh.

She believes me. She always will.

Catalina wiped her eyes, breathless.

"Well... if he’s gonna hang around looking like that, I’m calling him Breadroll."

Roldan growled, smoke curling from his snout.

Luzia didn’t bother hiding her smirk this time.

"Call him that again and you’ll be eating porridge for a month. Through a straw."

Catalina wisely shut up, though she still struggled to contain a few giggles.

Roldan closed his eyes, purring under Luzia’s hand.

He might’ve been small and ridiculous now — but none of it mattered.

As long as he was by Luzia’s side, he was exactly where he belonged.

---

Catalina stood frozen, a sheepish look creeping onto her face as she glanced between Luzia and Roldan, who was still curled up in Luzia’s arms, glaring at her with his fiery crimson eyes. The tension in the room hung heavy for a few moments before Catalina cleared her throat, nervously rubbing the back of her neck.

"Okay, okay... I get it," she mumbled, stepping forward awkwardly. "I... might have overreacted."

Luzia raised an eyebrow. "You think?"

"Hey, in my defense, I’ve never seen an actual dragon before," Catalina said, holding up both hands in mock surrender. "You can’t blame me for reacting."

Roldan’s wings fluttered slightly, as if to say I can, actually. He looked like he might still snap at her, but the soft purring under Luzia’s hand was enough to keep him grounded.

Catalina took a deep breath, then knelt down beside the bed, her expression transforming into one of forced sincerity. "Look, I’m sorry, little guy. I didn’t mean to throw things at you. I was just—" She faltered for a moment, clearly uncomfortable. "I didn’t know you were... uh... Luzia’s... pet?"

Roldan’s nostrils flared, and he made a small noise of protest, but Luzia quickly added, "He’s not a pet. He’s a companion. And don’t ever call him that again."

Catalina gave an exaggerated gulp, nodding rapidly. "Right. Companion. Got it. Not a pet. The angry loaf of bread... has feelings. Totally understood."

Luzia stifled a laugh at the ridiculousness of it all. "See? It’s not so hard."

Catalina reached a hand out, tentatively, but stopped just short of touching Roldan, clearly unsure. "So, um... can I... can I pet him? Or does he, you know, eat people who insult him?"

Roldan puffed out his chest, a tiny puff of smoke escaping from his nostrils, but after a few seconds, he turned to face Catalina, slowly inching closer to her hand. He rubbed his little snout against her palm, as if to say, I accept your apology, for now.

Catalina gasped softly, her face lighting up in astonishment. "Oh my gods, he’s actually... cute when he’s not throwing pillows at me."

Luzia gave her a smirk. "Told you so."

Catalina, now with the small dragon nestled in her hand, looked up at Luzia. "Okay, fine. I guess I owe Roldan... Breadroll, an apology after all. He’s... kinda adorable in his own dragon way."

Luzia gave an exaggerated sigh, rolling her eyes but smiling. "That’s more like it."

Roldan made a sound of approval, snuggling into Catalina’s hand as if he had won the ultimate battle. Luzia could only shake her head in amusement as Catalina continued to fawn over the baby dragon, her earlier panic forgotten.

"Well," Catalina grinned, "I’m definitely not calling him Breadroll anymore. I’ve learned my lesson."

Roldan let out a soft huff, looking thoroughly pleased with himself. He then let his eyes flicker over to Luzia, waiting for her approval.

"That’s better," Luzia said, scratching his head gently. "Good boy."

Catalina watched the exchange with a wistful smile. "You two really do make a cute pair."

Roldan puffed his chest out once more, the smallest of smiles playing at his snout. He had what he wanted: Luzia’s loyalty, and now a newfound understanding from Catalina.

And for now, that was enough.

Luzia raised an eyebrow as she looked over at Catalina, who was fidgeting nervously at the edge of the bed. "Why are you here anyway?" Luzia asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

"Oh, I was asked to bring you down for breakfast," Catalina replied, attempting to sound casual.

Luzia sighed, her fingers finding the bell next to her bedside. She tugged on the rope, sending a soft chime echoing through the room. Standing up from her bed, she stretched lazily and said, "I’ll be back."

With that, Luzia made her way to her closet, leaving Catalina and Roldan alone on the bed. The moment Luzia disappeared from sight, Catalina’s demeanor shifted.

A dark, threatening energy seeped from her, and she tightened her grip on Roldan, pulling him closer. "Really? Companionship from a dragon? What kind of bullshit is that?" she hissed, her voice cold and menacing. "I won’t accept it. You dragons aren’t meant to exist, so why are you still here? I should kill you..."

Roldan, who had been quietly observing her change, flinched for a second but quickly regained his composure. With a flick of his tail, he freed himself from her grip and transformed in an instant. His tiny dragon form expanded into a human boy, long silver hair cascading down his back, and his crimson eyes gleaming with a sharp intensity. He stood tall and unbothered, though his gaze remained wary.

He wasn’t scared—just surprised at how quickly Catalina’s demeanor had shifted from playful to dangerous.

"Whoa," he muttered, sizing her up. "That’s a drastic change in attitude. One minute you’re throwing pillows, and the next you’re threatening to kill me. You need to work on your anger management, lady."

Catalina’s grip on the slipper she had thrown earlier tightened as she glared at him, but Roldan wasn’t fazed.

"I will be the one doing the protecting here, not you," Catalina spat. "Just disappear already. She doesn’t need you—she has me now."

Roldan raised an eyebrow, his tone playful yet sharp. "Since when were you friends? You guys just met yesterday. Why the sudden urge to protect her?"

Catalina’s eyes flickered with uncertainty for a moment. She shrugged, as though the explanation didn’t matter much. "I don’t know... I just feel it in my guts that I need to, okay?"

Roldan stared at her for a moment, his crimson eyes narrowing with a quiet amusement. "Gut feelings, huh? Maybe your gut’s just a little too full of something else."

Catalina snorted, her fierce demeanor cracking for a second before she scowled again, though there was a flicker of something more human in her gaze now. "Whatever, dragon-boy. I’ll protect her, and if you don’t like it, too bad."

Roldan smirked, leaning back slightly. "Well, I wouldn’t mind seeing how that goes. But I’m not going anywhere. Luzia’s mine to protect, too."