"This is your personal room. If you need anything, just call for me. For now, I’ll allow you to rest."

I dropped onto the bed before Aria could even complete her sentence, burying my head in the soft sheets.

The bedsheet, its calm scent was just perfect.

The door then clicked shut as Aria left me alone to my new room.

Immediately she left, I jumped off the bed to explore the room properly, especially the wardrobe.

As a peasant. My clothes weren’t the best. I mean, being dressed in ugly shorts with a worn-out shirt, didn’t scream ’Lord’.

Just needed to look the look.

The wardrobe was stacked with some of the best outfits I have ever set my eyes on, the rich material, the tailoring.

My own jewelry box with rings and hand bands. It was a really good idea I didn’t resist.

This was way better. Only the queen knew what kind of terrible cage I would have been locked in, and now they don’t seem to rush me, letting me settle first.

Which felt better than expected.

After testing some clothes, I pulled off my peasant clothes to take a bath.

There was a spacious bathroom located in my room, so I walked into the shower, scrubbing off the sweaty peasant smell from my body.

Dried myself and got dressed in fresh clothes, not something flashy but casual night robes.

As the night’s curtains were already drawing out over the city, I sat by myself in the room, smelling all nice, all clean.

But sitting alone was beyond boring. My mind kept reminding me of my fate.

"I need some air."

So I got out of the room, meeting two guards standing at my door. They stood still like inanimate objects, with spears in their hands.

I paused, to step back inside, but no — I walked to the hallway. They didn’t stop me or ask questions.

But I caught a small gesture as one of the guards hid his free hand behind his back.

Her eyes glanced at me before looking straight ahead. I don’t know what that meant, but my instinct pricked me — she was surely reporting to Aria that I’d left my room.

Not that I cared. For now I wasn’t trying to escape, so there was no need for that at all.

Staying in a single place might make my legs stiff.

I strode down the hallways with new confidence, looking like the statue of a lord. Not a peasant anymore.

The footsteps of my footwear echoed sharply in the hallway.

Then I paused at a turn, remembering the exact spot — just down ahead was where the wine cellar was located.

I checked if anyone had followed me. No one trailing me.

Temptation to get some wine, but... no, I had to hold myself.

So I didn’t take the turn to the wine cellar, looking instead for a balcony to enjoy the moonrise.

But after just a few steps away, I paused. My mouth began to salivate.

’Stop it, control yourself, this is a bait, fool.’

I controlled my breath. My hunger. Or so I thought.

Maybe I’d just take a bottle — there’s no harm, right?

I looked at the direction of the wine cellar. I’ll take it, there’s so little they won’t know.

So I convinced myself, changed direction, and went to get a bottle.

The corner was barely lit by just a few glowing stones — obviously magic did the work to keep the room illuminated.

The door creaked, which made me freeze.

The cellar was eerily silent, no one present.

I crept into the wine cellar, tiptoeing to avoid noise.

If I was to get caught by that woman Aria this minute, it would be disgraceful — sneaking to steal wine.

I opened a crate, slipped a bottle away.

’Three Sisters.’ I smiled. I’ve never tasted you but I heard you taste amazing.

I popped it open, needing no cup. Poured a mouthful and gulped.

"Oh, this tastes so good. No wonder you’re voted one of the best wines.

This is more amazing than just cheap red water I called wine, and I’m surrounded by this many. I’m in heaven.

Wait... you’re doing exactly what they want you to do."

"I still hate dragons," I said while gulping the wine the dragons had prepared for me.

I wiped my mouth just after gorging on a bottle of wine in just seconds.

You think okay — I stopped at one bottle. No.

After walking up to the door just to check if anyone was coming, I looked left then right, no one.

So I went back. I picked a second bottle, popped it, and began drinking. Then a third.

The alcohol was already beginning to kick in. I became drowsy, the world felt like it was spinning, and my logic crumbled.

’You know, what’s so bad in being a breeding bull?’ Burp.

I didn’t get this when I was in the village — I worked my ass off and couldn’t even afford what I wanted.

I slumped against the wall, staring at nothing while still downing the bottle.

"I mean, I get to f’’k, get money, look nice, smell nice — that’s more than a win, that’s like cheating..."

"A lot of guys would fight for this..." I stayed put for a moment, just letting the alcohol speak.

Then — "right, Aria". I then raised my head at a figure which had walked into my line of sight.

At first I didn’t realize — too drunk. I was seated, butt to the ground, holding a half-empty bottle of wine, with two totally dry bottles on the ground.

After putting up a tough facade earlier, yet my rambling brain saw nothing wrong with my lost dignity.

However, something was different about Aria. Or was this even Aria? I couldn’t see well.

The person’s face wasn’t clear. But her dragon features were different. They glowed white, no sign of horns, but instead a halo.

I blinked once. Maybe the alcohol was playing tricks on my mind.

It was still visually present to not be a dream. Her presence alone filled the room.

"You look very sexy, Aria." I couldn’t see her face but I could swear she held a disgusted look.

"Such a shame they chose you to tarnish the bloodline. That’s how desperate they are."

My eyes widened just as she spoke. It was so comforting despite her words, so heavenly.

"I love your voice... I would like to hear you moan. It will be music to my ears."

I put the bottle down, mumbling some words.

"Are you sure that’s what you want your last words to be?"

...

Before I could even realize the threat, the lady pointed two fingers towards me and clicked them together.

A splash of blood burst from my hand. I watched half of my hand drop to the ground with pure horror.

The bottle broke, wine spilled, my luxurious robe stained crimson by my own blood.

Instantly the drunkenness vanished from the intense pain I was feeling. My eyes were clearer.

"Argh!" I howled, clutching my hand, desperately trying to stop the bleeding.

"Someone help!" I called out, crawling away from this woman.

She walked me down, slow and taunting, a bright smile placed on her lips.

I could see her face now — round, with scales like freckles at the bridge of her nose, short copper hair, like a dragon version of a ginger.

She pointed her fingers at me once more, her deadly smile on display as she enjoyed the fear in my eyes like mere entertainment.

I gritted my teeth, pushed myself to my feet.

"I never planned to die at the hands of a damn dragon. If you’re going to — argh — I won’t die crawling away from you. I’d rather die head on."

"You’re just all talk. A big fool with a big mouth. I’m not surprised — you humans are all the same. Weaklings."

While she addressed me, I watched her like a tiger waiting for the right time to act.

Whatever her magic was, it required a condition — when she clicked her fingers like scissors.

When she lowered her fingers, I lunged without giving a second thought, grabbed a wine bottle, aimed at her head.

I thought the bottle got her.

Until —

’Too slow.’ A sudden force split my unharmed arm from the wrist.

The wine bottle dropped, broke to pieces like the other. Blood gushed out.

I abandoned my attack. My whole body trembled. I stared at the stump where my hand had been.

A scream locked in my throat. I staggered back.

"The next one — I’ll take your head."

Her words sounded distant. The pain — I just couldn’t fathom it.

Every cell was screaming, but the pain was too much to leave my mouth. My voice cracked. Eyes bloodshot.

Why was I being tortured? I didn’t know. Why.

My life flashed before my eyes. Mom. Sis. The village.

Anger. Pain. All boiled together, igniting a supernatural energy flowing through my veins.

It didn’t quell the pain, but it became neutral. Dull.

Then the way I saw things began to shift. An aura was seen around my whole body. ’What’s this.’

Before I could even process everything —

She launched her last attack to finish me off, but this time I could see it. Two sickles formed from thin energy, cleaving toward my head.

"Goodbye."

No. I’m not dying today.

[Dragon Potent Triggered]

[Perfect Knowledge Sync]