Dragon System: Red Dragon Legacy-Chapter 37: Messy Encounter at the Restaurant

Orion and Lilian were so immersed in talking and spending time together that they didn’t notice that night had already arrived.

"It’s already nighttime. Time really flies when you’re having fun, doesn’t it?" Orion said.

"Did you really have fun? I must admit, I have little to no experience hanging out with friends like this," she said, looking down.

"Don’t be ridiculous. It was a privilege to hang out with you. I really enjoyed myself," Orion replied with a gentle smile.

"Thanks. Should we grab something to eat before we go back?" Lilian said.

"Yeah, why not?"

They walked into the marketplace of the nobles’ district.

They entered a lavish restaurant in the middle of the market. The moment Lilian stepped inside, everyone noticed her. Murmurs spread through the room, and judging by their attire, they were all nobles.

The women couldn’t help stealing glances at Orion—he really was that handsome.

Their husbands and other noblemen, however, looked at him with jealousy.

Orion and Lilian spotted an empty table and sat down.

A waiter approached them, and Lilian ordered their food.

As they waited, they continued chatting.

"This is quite the place," Orion said.

"I know... It’s the best restaurant in the capital. But I don’t come here often," she replied. "I feel sick seeing all these pretentious faces—their fake laughs and heavy makeup."

Orion was shocked. He couldn’t imagine Lilian speaking like this about others.

He chuckled. "I can imagine." He could sympathize, having had similar experiences—when his parents had company gatherings, they would sometimes drag him along. "But I hope the food is good, right?" Orion added.

"I guess." She clearly didn’t want to talk about it anymore.

Then a voice interrupted them.

"Well, well, well... look who’s here."

Lilian and Orion turned toward the voice.

It was the last person they wanted to run into.

Ryan.

He was accompanied by four others—two boys and two girls, all around the same age.

Orion recognized one of them: the boy with glasses who had encouraged Ryan during their earlier confrontation.

"Ryan," Lilian said, clearly displeased. "Don’t you have anything better to do than bother me?" Lilian already had a poor impression of Ryan, but after the assassination attempt on Orion—which she suspected was Ryan’s doing—she didnt even bother to sugarcoat her rejection anymore.

Ryan was already furious that Blud had failed to kill Orion, but Lilian’s outright rejection snapped something inside him. His eyes darkened.

"Lilian," Ryan said. "You know better than anyone how much I like—no, love—you." His voice was intense.

"And I don’t understand—what did you see in him?" Ryan looked toward Orion. "What can he offer that I don’t? I can give you everything you desire. Can he?"

"Last time I checked, he’s just some broke commoner. He doesn’t even have a house to call his own," Ryan continued, his tone growing darker. He was starting to cling to Lilian; the possessiveness he felt for her was now blazing.

Lilian didn’t like how Ryan was insulting Orion. She snapped.

"Shut up! Do you think I’m some kind of gold digger that you can sway with your family’s power? Is that it?"

Ryan was now cornered. "No, Lilian, you misunderstood. I meant I would do anything for you—that’s how much I love you," he defended himself.

Orion, on the other hand, felt a flicker of possessiveness toward Lilian. He didn’t like how Ryan was clinging to her—but quickly pushed it aside.

"Ryan, I’ve already told you I’m not interested in you in any way. Why don’t you understand?" Lilian said loudly, enough for everyone to hear.

Ryan’s lackeys began sweating, imagining how he might react.

The entire restaurant had gone silent.

Ryan’s face darkened, a frightening aura radiating from him. Orion subtly prepared his weapons and skills, ready to counter him if he did something foolish.

But to everyone’s surprise, Ryan restrained himself.

He nodded. "I understand, Lilian," he said. "But know this—you will be mine, and mine alone." His voice was hoarse.

He was about to say something more when a butler called out to him from behind.

"Young Master Ryan, it’s time for your meeting," a butler called out.

Only then did Ryan notice his surroundings—every eye in the room was on him.

He felt a great deal of humiliation getting rejected like this in front of everyone. He wanted to kill everyone in the restaurant, but he controlled himself.

’My time will come,’ as he left with the butler.

The boy with glasses followed him.

The rest of his group stayed behind.

"This isn’t good," said one of the women who had come with Ryan. She had dark hair, hazel eyes, and striking beauty. "He was always hot-headed, but this version of him is even more dangerous."

"You’re right. I’ve never seen him like this," said the other woman, with tanned skin, blonde hair, and blue eyes. She was also beautiful, but unlike the brunette, she was more like an exotic beauty.

Orion and Lilian listened silently as Lilian began forming plans on how to deal with Ryan.

Meanwhile, Orion’s mind was in turmoil. Ryan’s declaration that Lilian would be his kept echoing in his head. He wanted to kill Ryan on the spot when he said that.

He didn’t understand why. It wasn’t like Lilian was his girlfriend or anything. He didn’t even know if he liked her more than a friend yet.

’What’s happening to me? I wasn’t like this on Earth’, he thought. ’Or was I always like this, and this world just brought out my true nature?’

"Orion," Lilian called.

"Huh?"

"What’s wrong?"

"Nothing," he waved it off.

"If you’re worried about Ryan, don’t be. I’ll handle it. Being a hero candidate isn’t just for show—I do have some real authority in this kingdom," Lilian reassured him.

Just then, the blonde woman noticed them and walked over.

"Hey, Lilian. Long time no see," she said with a smile.

"Hi, Sofia. You know how it is—I’ve been busy," Lilian replied.

Sofia’s gaze then shifted to Orion.

"And you—you must be the famous commoner who caught our innocent hero candidate’s eye," she said, flashing a sultry smile.

Lilian didn’t like the way Sofia was looking at Orion.

Sofia pulled up a chair and sat beside Lilian.

"Well?" she asked. "What’s going on between you two? Come on, spill the beans."

"Nothing!" Lilian shouted, her face turning as red as a tomato.

"Aha—like I can believe that when you’re acting like this," Sofia teased.

The other two friends approached as well.

The brunette sat nearby. "If you’re not dating anyone, why not give Ryan a chance? He’s the heir of the Armstrong family, good-looking, and has great potential."

"First of all, Dalia, if you like him so much, why don’t you go after him? That would make my life much easier. And second—I find him repulsive."

’Damn... she has no mercy, Orion thought.

"I get that he’s a lot to handle," Sofia said, sympathizing with Lilian, "but you should be careful. You know how emotional he gets when it comes to you."

"I know," Lilian sighed.

As they talked, Sofia kept staring at Orion nonstop, making him increasingly uncomfortable.

After a while, Dalia and the boy left, leaving Sofia behind.

"Sofia, aren’t you going with them?" Lilian asked. She didn’t like Sofia hanging around Orion for some reason.

"Oww, that’s hurtful. I just wanted to spend some time with my friend who’s always busy and never around," Sofia whined.

Lilian sighed and gave up. Sofia continued chatting endlessly.

Soon, a waiter finally arrived with their food. The staff had waited until things calmed down.

"Lady Lilian, the priestess, is here and requests an audience with you. She also said it’s urgent," the waiter said. "What should I tell her?"

Lilian’s eyes narrowed. "The priestess doesn’t summon me unless it’s important. I’d better go."

She turned to Orion. "You guys start eating; it will take some time before I come back."

Then she glared at Sofia. "You—don’t you try anything funny while I’m gone." And with that, she left hurriedly.

Orion nodded.

In a private room within the restaurant, a man sat holding a staff shaped like a serpent.

"Welcome, Young Master Ryan."

"Mikael," Ryan acknowledged, sitting down. "How is the plan progressing?"

"Everything is perfect. However, Madam wants even more nobles involved."

"I thought Father had already brought enough nobles," Ryan said.

"So did I. But Madam wants more—and who are we to question her?" Mikael replied.

Then his eyes became serious.

"You’ll be able to handle your tasks at the academy, yes?"

"Are you doubting me?" Ryan snapped.

"Of course not," Mikael said quickly. He didn’t want to anger Ryan; he knew how hot-headed he was.

He pulled out a box-shaped artifact from his robes.

Ryan’s eyes widened.

"Is—is that what I think it is?"

Mikael smiled crookedly.

"Yes. Just something to make your life a little easier."

Then he laughed.