The Dragon King Princess and Reunion

On the morning of the fourth day, when Higashino Makoto opened his eyes, Calca and Kelart were still asleep.

Her long hair was scattered on the pillow, her eyelashes trembled slightly in the morning light, and a faint smile hung on her lips, as if she were dreaming, a sweet dream.

He didn't wake them. He quietly got up, stepped barefoot on the carpet, walked to the clothes rack, took down his outer robe, and put it on.

Alice Kuonji stood at the door, already dressed and holding a teapot, her dark eyes looking at him.

"Higashino, are you leaving?"

"Um."

"Not going to say goodbye?"

"No need, I have a feeling she'll cry."

Alice Kuonji remained silent for a moment.

"... Are you afraid she'll cry?"

"It's not that I'm afraid, it's just that I don't want to see it."

Higashino Makoto got dressed, walked to the window, and opened it. The morning breeze rushed in, carrying the salty smell of the sea.

The sea shimmered in the distance, and seagulls circled in the sky.

"Alice Kuonji, what kind of place do you think the Dragon Kingdom is?"

Alice Kuonji thought for a moment.

"... Small, remote, but safe."

"Safety?"

"You gave them twelve angels, and no one dares to offend them, do you?"

Higashino Makoto's lips curled slightly upward as he turned around, his golden eyes looking at her.

Alice Kuonji was also looking at him, her dark pupils reflecting his image.

"Alice Kuonji, you've become more talkative lately."

"... Maybe it's just a habit."

"What are you used to?"

"I'm used to talking to you."

Higashino Makoto reached out and ruffled her hair.

Alice Kuonji didn't dodge; she simply lowered her head slightly.

Let's go.

Higashino Makoto walked towards the door.

Alice Kuonji lifted her skirt and followed him. The two of them walked out of the room, down the corridor, and past the still-sleeping palaces.

The guards saw them about to salute, Higashino Makoto shook his head, so the guards retreated without making a sound.

The morning light shone on the stone path at the palace gate. Higashino Makoto stopped in his tracks without turning back.

"Calca, be a good Holy Queen."

Behind the second-floor window, long golden hair swayed gently in the morning breeze.

Higashino Makoto stretched out his hand and made a light sweeping motion in the air.

A dark spatial rift appeared silently before him. Through the other end of the rift, he saw sunlight, trees, and the faintly visible royal palace tower in the distance. This was the Dragon Kingdom.

Let's go.

Stepping into the rift, Alice Kuonji followed. The rift quietly closed after the two passed through.

He strode forward, with Alice Kuonji following behind him.

The two entered the palace gates. The guards saw him, were initially wary, then froze, and then knelt down on one knee.

"Higashino Makoto Makoto--!"

"Get up, you don't need to kneel."

The guard stood up, his hands still trembling.

"Higashino Makoto, you've arrived!"

"Hmm, where is Her Dragon King Princess?"

"In the study."

Higashino Makoto nodded and continued walking forward, with Alice Kuonji following behind him.

Draudillon Auriclus sat behind his desk, a quill pen in his hand, a document spread out in front of him.

Her long black hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her golden eyes were fixed on the densely packed words.

She was wearing a white dress that reached her knees, and her bare feet had her toes slightly curled on the carpet.

In her child form, she was a little girl who looked to be in her early teens.

The door was pushed open.

"Who?"

She didn't look up.

"I told you, don't disturb me--"

"Haven't seen you for a long time."

Draudillon's fingers stopped. She looked up, her golden eyes meeting the silver-haired man leaning against the doorframe— Higashino Makoto.

She had long, silver-white hair, golden eyes, a dark robe, and a half-smile playing on her lips.

"Higashino Makoto...!"

Her voice rose slightly, the quill slipped from her hand, she stood up, took two steps barefoot on the carpet, and then stopped.

What brings you here?

"I've come to see you, to see the Dragon Kingdom."

"You didn't even tell me beforehand?"

"If I'd told you beforehand, it wouldn't be a surprise."

Draudillon looked at him, a complex light swirling in her golden eyes, before revealing a smile tinged with helplessness and relief.

"That's not how you give surprises."

I know, but you still smiled.

"... I wasn't laughing."

Draudillon reached up and touched the corner of her mouth; she was indeed smiling. She took a deep breath and said...

"Come in and sit down, don't stand at the door."

Higashino Makoto walked into the room and sat down opposite her. Alice Kuonji stood behind him, Draudillon looked at Alice Kuonji.

"This is --"

"Kuonji Alice, Secretary."

"A secretary? She looks like a rich young lady."

"It's not wrong."

Draudillon nodded.

"Hello, Ms. Kuonji."

Alice Kuonji bowed slightly.

"Hello, Your Highness the Dragon King Princess."

Draudillon sat down again, her fingers tapping lightly on the table.

"Did you see? Because of your angels and that strait, the Dragon Kingdom has changed. What do you think?"

Higashino Makoto looked out the window at the angels floating in the air.

"Very good."

Draudillon's lips curled up slightly.

I think so too.

After a moment of silence, Alice Kuonji poured a cup of tea for Higashino Makoto and another for Draudillon.

Higashino Makoto.

"Um."

"Did you know? Since that strait appeared, the Orc have never invaded on a large scale again. Occasionally, small groups of Orc try to cross the sea, but they are always turned back by the angels. The people no longer have to pay heavy taxes, no longer have to tighten their belts, and no longer have to worry about their children being conscripted to the battlefield."

"I know."

You know?

There was a hint of confusion in Draudillon's voice.

"I checked the intelligence before I came."

She lowered her head.

"Oh... so you've been paying attention all along."

"Um."

Draudillon looked at him, her golden eyes flashing with a complex light.

"You're a really strange person."

"That's really strange."

As evening fell, the setting sun streamed through the window, bathing the study in a golden-red hue.

Draudillon sat on the windowsill, her legs dangling outside and gently swinging.

She didn't change back to her original form; she still looked like a little girl.

Her long black hair shimmered with a golden light in the setting sun, and she held a large ceramic wine glass filled with cheap red wine.

"Higashino Makoto, do you know? I don't need to pretend anymore."

"Then why do you still maintain the form of a young girl?"

The prime minister said that the people are already used to it, and suddenly changing back would cause unnecessary speculation.

He took a big gulp of wine and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

"Moreover, this appearance is indeed quite endearing. People of all ages and genders tend to lower their guard when they see children."

Higashino Makoto looked at her.

Aren't you tired?

"It's tiring, but I'm used to it."

He put down his wine glass and turned to look at Higashino Makoto.

"And you? Are you tired?"

"I'm not tired, because I can be myself."

Draudillon remained silent for a long time.

"... very nice."

You can too.

"I?"

He chuckled softly.

"I am the Dragon King Princess, the queen of this country. I cannot simply be myself."

Higashino Makoto looked at her without replying. The sun sank below the horizon, and the sky turned deep purple.