"I am back. You all waited so well."

Qiong Xing gently patted and held the children who clung to him while crying, then carried them into the room.

"These kids started crying less than an hour after you left."

"They cried and cried until they passed out at night."

Seeing Joa and Elias looking exhausted made him feel a bit apologetic, but at the same time, he was happy they cared that much.

"I brought souvenirs for everyone. Let’s eat together."

"We will eat!"

As he smiled at the children who refused to let go of him, he noticed Raon glancing at him restlessly.

"Is Nura in his room?"

"Y, yeah. Sorry, but could you go check on him?"

Raon seemed worried about his younger brother as well.

With children clinging all over him, Qiong Xing headed toward Iseul’s room.

Along the way, the weight became too much, so he convinced them to settle for holding hands instead.

"Nura? I am coming in, okay—!"

He knocked, intending to check on him, but the moment the door opened, a hand shot out, grabbed his arm, and pulled him inside.

The children who are left outside began to banging on the door, but he reassured them that it was fine and asked them to go call Raon who likely understood the situation.

"Qiong Xing, Qiong Xing, Qiong Xing, Qiong Xing!"

He was hugged so tightly it hurt, and his face twisted from the pain.

"Nura? What is wrong? Sorry, but it hurts, so please let go—"

"No! No no no no no!"

He did not understand what was happening, but sensing that something was clearly off, he decided it would be better not to force him away.

"Alright. But it hurts like this, so loosen your grip a little—"

"No no no! Qiong Xing is mine! I am, I am his mate... he is mine..."

It did not feel like simple loneliness or childish whining.

There was a sense of desperation in him, and Qiong Xing spoke gently. "I am not going anywhere. I will stay, so loosen your grip, alright? If you hold me like this, I cannot hug you back. I want to hold you too."

"..."

When Qiong Xing gently asked him, Iseul finally loosened his grip.

Qiong Xing hugged him back and softly stroked his back, letting him know he was there as he waited for him to calm down.

"...Hey, are you alright?"

It seemed the children had gone to call him.

At Raon’s voice from the hallway, Iseul’s arms tightened for a moment, but not enough to hurt.

"What happened?"

"It is not so much what happened... this is something that happens to dragonkind from time to time. It is part of becoming an adult. In other words, he is trying to grow. That is why he is unstable right now."

Dragons lived long lives, but before being recognized as adults, they went through several periods where both body and mind became unstable like this.

Normally, their parents would stay by their side, sometimes even restraining them when they lashed out, but Iseul and the others did not have that.

"I tried my best, but it was no use. He already has you as his mate. You are the only one who can calm him."

When he looked around, it was clear he had struggled violently.

The room was in disarray, silently telling the story of his suffering.

His breathing was rough, and the sound of him clenching his teeth as he endured it could be heard.

"I have already gone through it, but this is his first time. I know how painful it is, but I cannot take his place. If he cannot endure it, he will not be able to become an adult."

Some could not endure it and lost their lives, while others ended up losing their sanity.

More than anything, what was needed was enough love and bonds to endure it.

For the sake of someone precious, and for oneself, one had to endure.

Iseul no longer had his parents, but fortunately, he had Qiong Xing.

His mate.

When Raon asked him to stay by Iseul’s side, Qiong Xing nodded and promised to call him immediately if anything happened.

"Nura? Nura, I am sorry. I am sorry I cannot take your place. I am sorry I was not by your side while you were suffering."

While Qiong Xing had been carefree in the dungeon, Iseul had been going through this pain, and that filled him with guilt.

"Qiong Xing, Qiong Xing, Qiong Xing..."

"I am here. I will stay right here with you. So... so do your best."

If he needed an outlet for his pain, he could take it out on Qiong Xing as much as he wanted.

If it hurt, then he did not mind being hurt in return.

Qiong Xing silently prayed that Iseul would not die.

"You promised, did you not? You said you would let me ride on your back again. You said we would go out together. We promised to do our best together, remember?"

So it would be alright.

He would not leave.

He would stay by his side.

Qiong Xing repeated it again and again.

"I am your mate. I will always stay by your side."

So please endure.

He continued to pray as he spoke.

...

It happened so suddenly. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

A sharp pain spread through his entire body, and he collapsed, unable to remain standing.

Joa and the others rushed over in concern.

"Iseul!? What is wrong?"

He wanted to answer, but the overwhelming pain made it difficult even to speak.

"Sorry, but can you help carry him to his room? At this rate, even the children will be in danger."

He felt irritation at his older brother Raon’s unusually calm voice, but when told the children could be in danger, he could not resist and allowed himself to be carried as gently as possible.

"For a while, do not let anyone near the room. Especially Cari and Lian. His magic power might go out of control."