I'm Not Your Husband, You Evil Dragon!-Chapter 37: "Two Rings, One Soul"

Erza stirred in her sleep, her fingers gently gripping the bedsheet. A faint smile touched her lips as she drifted deeper into a long-forgotten memory, a flicker of warmth in her dreams.

She was a little girl again, her tiny feet pattering across the grand halls of the Dragon Palace. The air was warm, the walls glowing with the light of enchanted torches. She ran to her mother, a towering figure with scales that shimmered like molten gold, sitting on a throne of obsidian.

"Mama," Erza said, her voice small and curious, "What is this ring?"

Her mother looked down, her fierce, yet gentle eyes softening. She held out her hand, revealing a delicate, intertwined ring—two bands twisted together like the roots of an ancient tree, set with a brilliant, eternal flower gemstone that pulsed with a gentle, ethereal light.

"This, my dear, is the Eternal Flower Ring," her mother replied, her voice deep and comforting. "It is a symbol of undying love, a bond that lasts beyond time itself."

Erza's eyes sparkled with fascination as she reached out, her tiny claws tracing the intricate designs on the ring. "But... it's just one ring, Mama."

Her mother chuckled, the sound echoing warmly through the grand hall. "Ah, but it's not, my little flame. It's actually two rings, bound together as one, waiting to be separated."

Erza tilted her head, confusion scrunching her small, delicate brow. "Two rings? But why, Mama?"

"Because, my dear, when you find the one you truly love, the one who makes your heart burn brighter, who fills your soul with warmth, you break it apart. You keep one half, and you give the other to your beloved, forever binding your souls together."

Erza's eyes widened, her small heart fluttering with the innocence of a child's dreams.

"Can I have it?"

Her mother's eyes softened, her massive hand gently brushing her daughter's cheek. "Of course, my precious daughter. One day, when you find someone worthy, someone who loves you not for your power, but for who you are-- you will break this ring and share it. It will become a symbol of your eternal bond."

Erza's tiny face lit up with a brilliant smile, her heart swelling with dreams of a future filled with warmth and love.

"But, Mama," she whispered, her voice tinged with a hint of worry, "do I have to marry a dragon? Like you did?"

Her mother's deep, rumbling laughter filled the hall. She leaned down, her golden eyes sparkling with affection. "Are you afraid of other dragons, my little flame?"

Erza nodded quickly, her small wings fluttering nervously.

"Yes, I saw how Father is. He's so fierce and strong. But... I want someone who loves me... really loves me."

Her mother's massive claws gently cupped her tiny face, her voice turning soft, almost like a whisper.

"Then do it, my dear. If you find someone—no matter what they are—who truly loves you, then follow your heart. Because, in the end, love is love."

Erza's eyes sparkled with tears, her heart swelling with childish hope and pure, innocent dreams. She wrapped her tiny arms around her mother's thick neck, her voice muffled as she whispered,

"Thank you, Mama. I'll protect this ring forever."

The memory faded, her mother's warm, golden scales dissolving into the darkness of the present. In her sleep,

Erza's lips trembled, her fingers tightening around the bedsheet. Tears slipped from the corners of her closed eyes, staining the pillow.

"Mama... I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice a fragile echo of the fierce Dragon Queen she had become. "I lost it. I lost the ring..."

Her body curled tighter, like a child clinging to a forgotten lullaby.

I saw Erza sleeping, her head nestled in the pillow, lips slightly parted. She was mumbling softly in her dream, her voice unexpectedly childlike.

"Sorry..." she whispered, her face scrunching like a kid caught sneaking cookies. She looked so innocent, so peaceful—it felt wrong to disturb her. But I had to.

I held the ring gently in my hand, the one I'd fought so hard to get back. Her mother's ring.

Carefully, I reached for her hand—warm, delicate, surprisingly small for someone who could bench press a dragon and just as I was about to slip it onto her finger...

BAM!

I found myself airborne. In one swift, terrifying motion, she had me by the throat, pinned against the wall, her eyes sharp and wild like a cornered lioness.

"Who are you? What are you doing?" she hissed, her grip tightening around my neck. I could practically feel my soul trying to escape my body.

Struggling to breathe, I croaked, "Erza... knock it off! It's me, Yuuta!"

Her fierce expression faltered, and she blinked twice, the fog of sleep slowly lifting. "Yuuta?"

She released me. I crumpled to the floor, gasping for the sweet, underrated luxury of oxygen.

"Are you insane?! Trying to kill me in my own home?!" I snapped, rubbing my throat. "I'm your husband, not a burglar!"

She crossed her arms, still half asleep but already regaining that trademark icy composure. "Then why were you touching me?"

"I wasn't trying to touch you! I was trying to give you something... something you lost."

She tilted her head, clearly not fully awake. "...What?"

I stood up, brushed the dust off my pants, and, taking a dramatic breath, dropped to one knee. The moonlight cut through the curtains, casting a soft glow over us, like the universe itself was setting the stage.

Erza's eyes narrowed. "What are you doing? Kneeling like some knight?"

"You don't recognize this position? Haven't you seen a proposal before?" I shot back, trying to catch my breath and my dignity at the same time.

Her eyes flicked to the ring in my hand. She froze. I saw her lips part, her breath hitch. "That... that's my mom's ring. How\... how did you...?"

I tried to muster a cool smile, despite my throbbing neck. "You asked me for it when you were drunk. So how could I not fulfill my wife's wish?"

For a moment, she just stared, her fierce voliet eyes shimmering under the soft light. Then she sniffled, her face quickly turning away. "Good... at least you're somewhat useful."

I sighed, shaking my head. "That's it? No thank you? No hug? You nearly choked the life out of me!" So cold!.

"What do you mean by cold? I'm always like this. You should know that."

"Yeah, I know, but I kinda liked the weak Erza. The one who said, 'Yuuta,...Yuuta.. I love you... please help me... I lost my ring...' crying baby..That one."

Her aura flared, her eyes narrowing dangerously. I swore I heard boss battle music cue up in the background.

WHAM! She punched me square in the head, sending me stumbling back.

"I never said that! Why would I?! That old thing? I only gave it to him 'cause I didn't want it!"

"Ouch. Harsh..." I winced, rubbing my hear. "...Well, I'm glad you're happy now. That's enough for me."

I forced a grin, trying to play it off, but for a second, just a second, I saw her eyes soften. She looked down at the ring, her fingers trembling slightly.

She remembered her mother's words:

"My little dragon, when you find the one who would sacrifice everything to protect you and bring you true happiness, break this ring and give it to him, for he will be the one who holds your heart for all eternity."

Erza smiled softly, her fingers brushing the empty space where the ring had once been. She whispered to herself, "Looks like I really did fall for this fool."

Without a word, she snapped the ring into two perfect halves, each piece glinting in the moonlight like a fragment of a shattered promise.

"Yuuta, show me your hand," she commanded, her tone sharp but her eyes wavering.

"Eh? Why?"

"Don't ask questions!" she barked, her cheeks flushing slightly.

I hesitated but offered my hand. She slipped one half of the ring onto my finger, the metal cool against my skin.

"Take good care of it, okay?" she said quietly, her voice softening just a fraction. For once, her guard slipped, and I caught a glimpse of the girl beneath the warrior, the one who still clung to the memories of her mother.

Then—bam—she wrapped herself in the blanket, turning her back to me. "Don't get the wrong idea! I just... don't want to lose it. So I'm giving you half in case I lose mine. That's all!"

I stared at the ring on my finger. It shimmered under the moonlight, a small, cold reminder of the woman beside me.

"Beautiful... Just like being married—wait, I am married already."

I flopped onto the bed beside her, staring at the ceiling, my heart still racing.

"Man... what a crazy day."

Wait a sec—

Oh shit.

It's been three days.

I haven't gone to college in three damn days.

Sir's gonna kill me.

What the hell am I even gonna say?

I panicked. Full-blown meltdown mode.

Then—

A soft voice broke through the chaos.

"I love you, Papa... I love you, Mama..."

Elena, murmuring in her sleep, curled up beside Erza.

My heart slowed.

Like magic, everything just... softened.

Erza peeked out from the blanket, eyes half-open.

"Sleep already, mortal," she whispered.

I couldn't help but laugh.

Yeah... I'm in this.

To be continued....

[Credit Scene]

Yuuta (appearing on screen, a little out of breath):

"Hey, Yuuta here! So, as promised, we're shaking things up. Starting today, we'll be posting two Bonus Chapters every Sunday! Because who doesn't need twice the chaos in their life, right?"

Elena (raising her tiny hand, beaming):

"Yah! It's good, right, Papa?"

Yuuta (giving her a thumbs up):

"Yeah, kiddo, it's great! But I have to admit... you two are a handful."

Erza (eyes rolling dramatically, looking unimpressed):

"Tch... immature kids."

Yuuta (pointing at her accusingly):

"Oi, says the one who literally begged me to get back my ring..Yuuta while crying! Remember that? Huh?"

Erza (straightening up, raising a hand like she's about to cast a spell):

"Hmph. It's been a while since I've tried my Snow Javelin Throw..."

Yuuta (eyes wide with panic, backing away):

"Wait, wait—I'm outta here! Bye! Gotta go!"

[Suddenly, Erza hurls a massive snow javelin in his direction.]

Yuuta (dodging clumsily, but still gets nicked):

"OUCH!

Elena (laughing, waving at the camera):

"Okay, byeee, reader! See you in the next Chapter!"

Yuuta (picking himself off the floor, rubbing his sore head):

"Man... they're gonna be the death of me. Anyway, stay tuned for more chaos. Just don't tell Erza about the alcohol thing, okay? See ya!"

[Screen fades to black with the sound of Yuuta running off-screen as Erza glares after him.]