The Red Dragon Just Wants To Do As It Pleases
Chapter 80 - 78: Magnanimity

Chapter 80: Chapter 78: Magnanimity

Although this Silver Dragon Priest had already received David’s thumbs-up and acknowledgment for his impressive appearance yesterday, he is, after all, a man!

David’s scales stood on end as he was suddenly grabbed by the wrist by this creature whose appearance made it difficult to distinguish its gender and whose eyes were tinged with red.

It felt as if the Silver Dragon Priest before him had just been heartlessly abandoned by David himself.

Especially now, as the Duke of Silver and her daughter looked on with eyes that seemed to shatter all norms and carried a hint of deeper meaning, David really wanted to kick the Silver Dragon Priest beside him away but found himself stuck due to their equally matched strength.

What truly frustrated him was another, ’calm’ voice in his mind advising him. This was an excellent opportunity to break free from the surveillance and restraint of the Silver Castle’s guards. He must seize it! Otherwise, the plan he had been muttering about for half a year—to accumulate his first pot of gold by secretly producing and selling potions—could be declared bankrupt ahead of time. Then, he would have to obediently play house with Princess Elizabeth as her Silver Dragon companion.

The thought of such a monotonous dragon life made David wonder. Would he one day suddenly roar and revert to the Red Evil Dragon? Would he then enact a drama where the Evil Dragon abducts the princess for a ransom from the Duke of Silver?

No, such ridiculous acts would have to wait until he was of age and capable of pulling them off. Otherwise, he would either raze this fiefdom to the ground with divine fury in an instant or be chopped into sludge by those High Elves within minutes.

And perhaps it was due to the Power of Jealousy allowing him to temporarily transform into a Silver Dragon like Tania, but his mind, which should have been raging, was also inclined to be somewhat calmer.

Suppressing the goosebump-inducing repulsion, David immediately patted the Silver Dragon Priest on the back as if he were an old friend and spoke to the Duke of Silver.

"Indeed, it just so happens that I felt an immediate connection with Priest Attilicia upon our first meeting, and I’ve been looking for an opportunity to deepen our acquaintance. Moreover, in these critical times, with Princess Elizabeth by my side, I really don’t have the confidence to ensure her safety."

The implied meaning was: I’ve only just met this flamboyant fellow; it’s not as scandalous as you imagine. Secondly, I’m still young and lack strength, and I’m afraid of being dragged into potential assassination risks because of her security.

For other races, like the Barbarian tribes of Rosinde, this would be considered a convoluted and indirect statement. However, to the High Elves, who usually speak as if they’re about to break into song, it was practically like pointing at their noses and saying, ’I’m not interested in your daughter. Tell her to leave. Don’t bother me.’

These words instantly brought tears to Princess Elizabeth’s eyes.

"Saphistouin! How could you be so cruel! I... I’ve been looking forward to this date since last month."

She immediately turned and curtsied to the Duke of Silver, who looked somewhat embarrassed and sympathetic.

"Mother, I... I’m feeling a bit unwell. Please excuse my departure."

Without waiting for the Duke of Silver’s response, she lifted her long skirt and ran off in tears...

It felt as if she, on the day of a blind date with her long-admired interest, had been suddenly confronted by his ex... no, that wasn’t quite right. It was more like his ’current girlfriend’—one he’d just argued with—had shown up, grabbed his wrist, and declared her claim.

And that ’current girlfriend’ was a well-known gentleman, more beautiful than both her and her dating candidate.

"..." With Princess Elizabeth’s departure, the scene became extremely awkward.

Watching the bemused Dragon Lord, the two Drow, who had been enjoying the drama the whole time, almost burst out laughing several times.

But they feared being fed to the fishes by their Red Dragon Master later, or worse, receiving an intense fire treatment on the spot, complete with a thoughtful little urn. So, their faces almost cramping, they could only step on each other’s feet to hold it in.

The Winter Wolf, witnessing such diversity in creature emotions for the first time, lay on the floor, paws pressed tightly over its snout, its stomach spasming uncontrollably. As smart as it was, it too feared being turned into wolf-meat hotpot by its master’s master afterward!

Finally, it was the Duke of Silver, who seemed to have ’seen through everything’ long ago, who coughed lightly twice and began to smooth things over.

"COUGH, COUGH. I apologize. As you can see, my fragile daughter is feeling somewhat unwell, so I must trouble Priest Attilicia to entertain my esteemed guest, young Saphistouin, in her stead."

"Mirillian, thank you. I’m sorry," the Silver Dragon Priest said, bowing deeply to express his gratitude.

Seeing that Attilicia was not cooperating with the act, the Duke of Silver couldn’t be bothered to continue pretending. In front of an audience including David—all of whom were shocked and incredulous—she embraced the somewhat absent-minded Priest Attilicia and said,

"There’s no need to apologize. I understand the hardship and anxiety in your heart at this moment. So, I understand and respect all of your choices. Go on, take care of our ’little guest’."

Upon hearing this, the Silver Dragon Priest was shaken. He understood now that she had already seen through the underlying truth, yet still understood and respected his desire to make amends.

Attilicia was so moved on the spot that he became teary-eyed.

"Mirillian... you..."

"It’s all right. Go ahead. Just don’t go too far; remember there’s a luncheon welcoming you all later," the Duke of Silver said as she gently patted his wan, pitiable cheek, offering encouragement.

This scene once again completely bewildered the onlooking crowd, who were merely there for the drama.

An affair! These two definitely have an affair! This was what David thought as he watched.

He didn’t realize, however, that the crowd had already metaphorically devoured him, this Silver Dragon, as part of the juicy gossip.

This scene, this drama, seamlessly continued the previous matchmaking script. It had morphed into a scenario where the prospective bride’s mother (the Duke) apparently had an unspeakable past with the prospective groom’s (David’s) ’current boyfriend’ (Attilicia). Yet, the Duke was now generously understanding Attilicia’s supposed anguish over this new ’romance’ with David, even encouraging and respecting his ’choice in love.’

The two Drow, with their rich inner lives, remarkably found themselves on the same wavelength for once. Wow! This Duke of Silver is truly magnanimous. Worthy of such a generous and open-hearted lord with an HCUP!

Turning back to look at Priest Attilicia, their gazes filled with the contempt one might reserve for a homewrecker. Pah, scum... Wait, that’s not right...

Apart from the Duke of Silver, who knew Attilicia’s true identity as a Silver Dragon and the secrets of his past, no one else there—not even David himself—could have possibly fathomed two things at that moment: the truth of a father-son relationship involving Attilicia, and Attilicia’s own desperate desire to make amends for that emotional connection.

With the Duke of Silver’s consent and support, the Silver Dragon Priest immediately turned, and as if no one else were present, gracefully extended an invitation to David.

"The lands of the Duke of Silver are renowned as scenic treasures across the entire Granyel Continent. To fully appreciate their beauty, I fear even one or two months would hardly suffice..."

David, somewhat unable to tolerate the priest’s ’enthusiasm,’ interrupted directly,

"Let’s just go to the Century Aroma flower fields."

Seeing the astonishment on everyone’s faces, he added,

"I like the view there."

"Very well," Attilicia said with a radiant smile.

In that moment, it seemed as if even the vast, vibrant sea of flowers outside the window lost all its color.

Greed

Lust

David forcefully rubbed his nearly mesmerized eyes and once again frantically reminded himself: This is a freaking male!!!