Miss Black Dragon Doesn't Want to Be a Mount

What did her tears contain?

There was emotion, happiness, and reluctance at the Little Black Dragon's impending departure.

But the sadness only lasted a short while before Likaro returned to normal. She felt that the time was about right, and she was already very satisfied.

So Ailolin landed on the ground, and when Guoguo saw her, she ran over to help Likaro untie the ropes.

"Phew, I'm so happy~~" After getting off Ailolin's back, Likaro walked in front of her and said, "The Little Black Dragon was amazing. Let me reward you with another kiss~"

"No, no more!"

Ailolin shyly turned her head away. To her, being kissed by Likaro felt like she was taking advantage of Likaro.

After all, she might look like a dragon on the outside, but she still had memories from her previous life as a human.

No matter what, she was truly embarrassed.

PS: Has anyone ever ridden a dragon? Tell me what it feels like.

That Winter, Birthday

Wilfen had begun preparing his daughter's birthday banquet very early, but he did not really know what his daughter liked. It would be awkward to ask her directly, and she was rarely home, so he could not learn anything from the people around her either.

If Wilfen had spent more time with his daughter when she was young, there would not be this invisible barrier between them now. Wilfen understood that better than anyone, but he carried the responsibilities of a duke on his shoulders.

Compared to other families' daughters, Likaro had always been a little rebellious. Wilfen often thought of his own childhood. He had been rebellious too, and in that regard, his daughter truly resembled him.

He was already past fifty. As for his younger days, he could wait until he was too old to walk before reminiscing about them.

Likaro had already put on an elegant and gorgeous dress. Although such clothing hindered her movements, this was a birthday banquet, and a banquet held to noble standards had to observe etiquette.

So while Likaro was somewhat unwilling, she did not think it was unreasonable.

Many of her father's friends had come to the birthday banquet today, and those friends had brought children from their families as well. In Likaro's eyes, she had no desire to speak to those little brats who constantly put on aristocratic airs.

Her mother had always attended her past birthday banquets, and Likaro had been able to enjoy herself because of that. But her mother had not returned this time, and Likaro felt that this might be the most boring birthday banquet she had ever experienced.

Watching her father bustle around entertaining guests, Likaro wanted to stay by his side too. But unless her father came and asked her, she would never take the initiative.

Likaro had once told her father about things she found interesting, but after hearing them, his expression had barely changed. That had made Likaro feel bored, and she had never shared anything interesting with him again.

Much later, when Likaro wanted to share a new discovery again, it was when she saw the Little Black Dragon being born in the forest.

Yet her father's reaction had still been disbelief. He had not even pretended to believe her just to coax her.

Many times, Likaro felt that if her father could laugh heartily like her mother did, she would definitely share more fun things with him.

But her father truly had no sense of humor.

Likaro did not go speak with her father, nor did she want to interact with those noble children, so she went alone to the quiet courtyard and waited for the banquet to begin.

The birthday banquet began in the afternoon and continued until night. Today was also the day the Little Black Dragon would bid Likaro farewell, so she decided that after her father and the others got drunk that night, she would sneak out and wear this beautiful outfit to see the Little Black Dragon off.

Likaro had placed two red Recording Crystals in the backpack in her bedroom beforehand. She had used this kind of crystal on the Little Black Dragon before. They were Recording Crystals capable of recording images, and these red ones were the advanced version. They could even glow while recording or playing images, making them suitable for nighttime use.

Likaro decided to use the two crystals to record images, then keep one each with the Little Black Dragon as mementos. Considering that the Little Black Dragon had nowhere to store a Recording Crystal, Likaro had even used string to make it into a pendant-like accessory. She could tie it onto one of the Little Black Dragon's horns later.

The Recording Crystal could be played using water. As long as the Little Black Dragon submerged the horn wearing the Recording Crystal in water, the magic within the crystal would display the images on the water's surface.

Likaro had been preparing these things in her room since this morning. When the time was right tonight, she would return to her room, put on her backpack, and head for the forest.

"Daughter, the banquet is about to begin."

Wilfen was also dressed in noble attire. He knew that his daughter would be in the courtyard, so he came straight there.

Before heading to the banquet hall, Wilfen decided to have a proper talk with his daughter in this quiet courtyard.

"Father, shall we go?"

After Likaro stood up, she realized that her father had not moved. Then he suddenly took her hand and had her sit back down.

"My good daughter, I know you feel down because your mother is not by your side."

Wilfen's tone was so gentle that it was as though he had been possessed. Likaro looked at him in surprise, only to discover that this grand duke of the Empire, a famous man who had fought countless battles, was actually crying.

"Father, what is wrong?"

Likaro swore that this was the first time she had ever seen her father cry. Though he made no sound, those silent tears still worried her.

"Today is your ninth birthday. My daughter has grown another year older." Wilfen stroked Likaro's head. She did not resist, only looked at him in confusion.

Wilfen truly wanted to break through the barrier between himself and his daughter. He loved her deeply and wanted to share her worries, but he had entered the military camp in his youth and spent his whole life in battle. He truly was not good at expressing himself.

On the surface, the father-daughter relationship was harmonious, but Wilfen had never entered his daughter's heart. He had never known what she truly needed.

Recently, he had noticed that his daughter had been in a bad mood. He guessed that she might miss her mother. He blamed himself for being unable to comfort her, and he did not want to see her mood keep worsening.

So today, taking advantage of the banquet, Wilfen decided to tell his daughter what he truly felt as a father.

Wilfen explained awkwardly. Though his words were muddled, Likaro eventually smiled.

She was happy, truly happy. She had always been able to feel her father's love for her, and she knew that he was simply not good at expressing it. She just did not like taking the initiative to accommodate his personality.

And now, for her sake, her father could even say that he would change in the future. How could Likaro not be moved?

She admitted that when she was younger, she had indeed been mischievous and caused her father plenty of trouble. But she was already nine now, and with her mature mind, she understood many things.

"Father, I can feel your love, but you do not need to change for me." Likaro spoke very seriously to her father. Then she stood on tiptoe and wiped away his tears with her small hand before smiling and saying in a lively tone, "Father~ Let's go to the banquet! It's my birthday today, so we should be happy!"

Likaro's incredibly lively attitude was different from before. She had completely shed her restraints, and the subtle sense of distance she once had around her father was gone.

Seeing Likaro's reaction, Wilfen felt immensely relieved.

It seemed his daughter had truly grown up...

PS: Tomorrow is Friday!

That Winter, Snowfall

Likaro became the focus of the banquet. Countless gazes examined her, but she was already used to it. In order not to embarrass her father, she worked hard to maintain the image of an elegant noble young lady.

Many of Wilfen's friends had already come to discuss betrothal arrangements with him. Although Likaro would only be nine after this year, children of noble families were sometimes betrothed as soon as they could walk, so nine was not early.

Do not expect engagements between two families to be based on the "love" of their children. In the end, they were all for their own interests. Wilfen was different from them. He politely refused every proposal and explained that his daughter was still too young. When she grew up, she could decide for herself.

Wilfen knew that his daughter would never take a liking to those spoiled young men from noble families. Besides, he hoped that his daughter could control her own fate.

Yet when the nobles began discussing marriage arrangements for their two sons, Wilfen suddenly became enthusiastic. Although both of his sons were serving in the military and had not returned for the banquet, that did not stop Wilfen from finding suitable wives for them.

Though his two sons were already adults, neither had the slightest interest in romance. At this rate, they would probably spend the rest of their lives in military camps.

Had Wilfen not once been the same? If the Emperor had not granted him a title, he would probably still be a general of the Empire now.

According to Imperial law, military commanders were forbidden from holding noble titles and fiefs. Or rather, their status as generals was itself a special kind of title.

Wilfen had once changed from a great general of the Empire into Duke Aidefalong. Fortunately, his two sons were both promising. At such young ages, they had already become Imperial generals commanding their own legions.

Imperial law also stipulated that children of nobles could serve as military generals, but unless they voluntarily gave up their positions as generals, they would not have the right to inherit the family title.

Therefore, if neither of Wilfen's sons wanted to inherit the title, Likaro, his daughter, would become the next head of the family.

Years of warfare had given Wilfen a habit of heavy drinking. Now that he was a duke of the Empire, and the Empire was not currently at war, he no longer needed alcohol to relieve stress.

But Wilfen had long grown accustomed to the taste of alcohol. Whenever official business was not too busy, he often drank a few cups with his former comrades and subordinates.

Today was his daughter's important birthday banquet. His wife was not home, and many friends had been invited, so he could drink to his heart's content.

His daughter had always urged him to drink less in the past, but today was somewhat different. Wilfen felt that his daughter even seemed to be looking forward to him getting drunk.

Today was a very happy day. The barrier between him and his daughter had lessened, and that was worth celebrating. So he began competing in drinking with the invited nobles, who were also his old friends from the past.

Likaro, meanwhile, sat calmly in her seat, absentmindedly eating the food on her plate. Some noble children around her age did not dare come talk to her, because some of them had already learned their lesson at last year's birthday banquet.

The banquet had begun in the afternoon. By the time Likaro slowly finished eating, the sun was nearly setting.

Just then, snow began to fall from the sky.

The banquet was being held in Wilfen's estate, and it was outdoors, but snowfall of this degree did not matter. The banquet continued as usual.

Likaro could not help looking up at the sky. She liked snow. Snowfall was a beautiful thing, but the noisy sounds from the banquet made her ears hurt.

She still liked quiet places, like the forest where she had spent time with the Little Black Dragon. It was peaceful and tranquil.

A snowflake landed in Likaro's eye, making her blink.

Once these people were all drunk, she would take the chance to slip away.

"Are you leaving tonight?"

Xiya sat on a flat stone, holding Guoguo—Sulana—in her arms.

"Yes." Ailolin looked in the direction from which Likaro usually came. "Today is the day we agreed to say goodbye."

"It's also Likaro's birthday, right?"

"How do you know that..."

Ailolin had always had a question. Xiya seemed to know Likaro very well, but Likaro seemed not to know Xiya at all.

"Don't you know that witches are all very mysterious?"

"If you don't want to say it, forget it."

"Hehe~"

Xiya smiled as she stroked Guoguo's head. Ailolin studied her seriously again. Xiya looked only sixteen or seventeen from her appearance, but since Xiya herself had admitted to being a witch, her age probably could not be judged by looks.

To be honest, Ailolin was somewhat surprised. She had not expected this witch to come see her off in advance.

However, Xiya was unwilling to meet Likaro, and Ailolin did not know why.

"Then this is really goodbye. If fate allows, we'll meet again." Xiya bid farewell to Ailolin while holding Guoguo, then said to Guoguo, "Sulana, say goodbye to your Little Black Dragon friend."

"Awoo~~"

Guoguo's eyes were also reluctant. By now, Ailolin understood that Guoguo truly possessed intelligence. In other words, Guoguo was like her, with higher emotions and the ability to think.

"Thank you."

Ailolin sincerely thanked Guoguo for her companionship during this time. In this remote forest, a person, a wolf, and a dragon had created beautiful memories together.

"Then, goodbye~"

"Wait." Ailolin suddenly called out to Xiya, then asked somewhat embarrassedly, "Can you do me a small favor?"

"Hmm? What favor?"

"Can you teach me how to say a word in Human language?"

Hearing Ailolin's words, Xiya suddenly smiled. "I understand. You want to learn how to say 'happy birthday,' right?"

"Yes..."

Ailolin had not expected Xiya to guess it immediately, and she felt a little embarrassed.

"You two have such a good relationship. I'll definitely help with this. Remember to tell her in person~"

Xiya taught Ailolin how to pronounce "happy birthday" in Human language.

"That's all, right? Then this really is goodbye?"

"Yes, thank you."

"It's nothing, it's nothing~"

As Xiya's final words fell, Ailolin merely blinked, and Xiya had vanished from before her eyes.

This witch was truly mysterious.

The forest fell silent again. The sun was also about to set, and snow still drifted from the sky. Ailolin could not help feeling worried.

She came to an open area and looked into the distance, waiting for the golden-haired little girl to appear in her sight.

It had been dark for a long time when a bright white light suddenly shone in the distance. Ailolin stood up. Then she knew that the person she had been waiting for had arrived.

Farewell

The banquet had reached its end. Although many people at the banquet were drunk, the Duke's Mansion still had many loyal servants standing guard.

Likaro came before her already tipsy father and said that she was tired and wanted to return to her room to rest.