Crunch, crunch.
"You... don't think you can buy me off with just a few skewers of grilled meat."
The same words, just as muffled.
But the tone in which she said them was different.
The defiance had vanished from Valentina's voice, leaving only a little dignity that was almost pitiful.
This was her last shred of stubborn pride.
How could a mighty dragon be tempted by grilled meat and sink this low?
If word got out, she would be a laughingstock.
No, absolutely not!
As she thought this, she tearfully bit the meat off the skewer and chewed with exquisite manners.
Having learned her lesson last time, she finally knew to chew slowly now, intending to savor the pleasure on her tongue.
Herbert watched it all, but said nothing.
He neither teased nor mocked her, nor did he take advantage of her predicament to make any unreasonable demands.
It wasn't enough.
Just as Valentina had said, a little barbecue was nowhere near enough to make a proud dragon like her bow her head.
His bargaining chips were still far from enough.
But so what?
Herbert had never intended to use this to make her bow down and submit.
Was he after a false show of compliance?
No.
What he wanted was... habit.
Herbert wanted Valentina to grow accustomed to his presence, to get used to their arrangement of him bringing her food, and to feel that he was indispensable.
In fact... it would be ideal if she could even develop withdrawal symptoms!
Of course, that was still some way off. Their relationship needed continued nurturing.
How would he nurture it?
That required feeding her again and again, constantly building up her affection.
And to achieve that... he needed a reasonable excuse.
So, while Valentina chewed, Herbert made his request once more: stop swearing, and he would bring her food.
"(Chew, chew, chew.) Gulp. Why are you so determined to stop me from swearing?" Valentina was puzzled. She did not understand why he insisted on dwelling on this.
"First, I'm a paladin, and that sort of language makes me a little uncomfortable."
"Second, although you're a prisoner and I'm the warden, I hope we can become friends."
"And the foundation of friendship is treating each other peacefully, as equals, isn't it?"
"Miss Valentina, don't you want to be friends with me?"
Herbert looked earnestly at Valentina, his bright eyes brimming with sincerity, making her avert her gaze awkwardly.
"This is my only request. Is that too much?"
Friends?
Hearing that word left Valentina puzzled, even a little lost.
As a dragon, she had never had friends.
Her mother had driven her out of the nest when she was still a hatchling. She had wandered all her life, never building a nest of her own or keeping company with other dragons.
She would claim a territory, stay for a while, then leave when she grew bored and find another.
Valentina rarely interacted with others. Even when communication was unavoidable, she left those matters to the human sorceress she had "captured."
She had always firmly believed that the strong were alone.
Dragons didn't need companions.
They didn't.
Then why had she felt angry when that sorceress had been hunted down and killed while away? Why had she wanted to destroy those people and their families?
Was it because her dignity had been challenged?
"...Ah."
Through her long years of imprisonment, Valentina had thought about it a great deal without ever finding an answer.
Yet the moment this young mortal made his unprecedented request, she suddenly had a flash of understanding.
Friends... had she thought of that woman as a friend back then?
She fell silent for a moment.
After a stretch of silence, Valentina emerged from her memories and thoughts and gave Herbert a searching look.
Had he done that deliberately?
After meeting his eyes for a moment, she turned her head aside and murmured, sounding rather unsure, "...If it's just friendship, I suppose that's all right."
Even she did not understand why she had agreed.
Perhaps she simply wanted to use him to resolve some of the doubts in her heart.
Herbert smiled at her answer, then smoothly pulled a sheet of white paper from inside his clothes and said sincerely, "Then put it in writing."
"Mm... huh!?"
Valentina whipped her head around and glared wide-eyed at the ungrateful mortal, ready to teach him a proper lesson-
But before she could get angry, the words caught in her mouth, because she saw the faint smile playing at the boy's lips.
He'd tricked her!
"Heh, I was only joking."
Herbert put away the blank sheet of paper and winked at her mischievously.
Then he took a step back, gently pressed his right hand to his chest, and gave the prisoner a slight aristocratic bow.
"Although I introduced myself the day before yesterday, please allow me to introduce myself again."
"Herbert Albert, a duke's son, a paladin who has taken a vow of chastity, and the new warden of this prison."
"From now on, please feel free to call me Herbert. And I'll call you Valentina."
He stepped forward and actually knelt on one knee before the prisoner, extending his right hand into her cage.
Valentina said, "...Hmm?"
If Valentina wished, she could snap his arm in an instant, or even drag him against the bars and crush his skull.
Yet Herbert still reached out to her without hesitation.
Miss Dragon, what will you do?
Will you ruthlessly trample on my goodwill and remain the wicked dragon in your cage?
Or... try another possibility?
Looking into the wicked dragon's eyes, he said softly:
"Let's get along!"
"..."
After entering the second area, Herbert went no farther. Instead, he stood silently in place with his head lowered.
Only after a long while did he slowly raise his head and release a strained breath from his lungs.
"Phew... heh, hehe, haha!"
His gamble had paid off.
That final handshake had not been part of his original plan. The idea had come to him in a flash of inspiration at that moment.
It had been a very risky attempt.
But he had thought it was worth a try!
"Honestly, when did I become such a gambler?" Herbert mused, feeling that he really had changed somewhat.
In his previous life, he would never have acted on such a reckless impulse.
Was it the influence of his experiences in this life?
Although the Herbert of this life had been a sheltered young nobleman, he had no shortage of resolve when it came to making decisions at crucial moments.
Not everyone could abandon everything and enter a monastery. Such a decision took not only courage, but also a firm will.
Unfortunately, he had still fallen a little short.
"Not ruthless enough..."
As Herbert reflected on this, he turned toward the sphere of water ahead and met the beautiful eyes hidden within it.
He smiled and strode forward, waving cheerfully as he called out:
"Miss Freime, long time no see!"
Before you continue