The night market was much livelier than Lu Xia had expected. It was mostly made up of local fishermen, and the stalls sold not only fresh seafood but also jewelry made from shells and pearls, along with a wide variety of snacks.

The air was abuzz with activity and the din of the crowd.

To Lu Xia, it all felt so full of life, as if she had suddenly broken free from her cold, sterile work.

The scene reminded Lu Xia of the market she had visited with Graces in the Underground City. It had been just as lively, but this place felt more vibrant, and the people’s faces held more smiles.

Graces held Little Pu Tao in his arms. The little one’s eyes darted everywhere, almost overwhelmed as he took in the sights, his gaze filled with curiosity.

After all, it was the first time Little Pu Tao had ever been out since he was born.

The market was a bit crowded. Graces held Lu Xia’s hand while carrying Little Pu Tao in his other arm. A family of three like them was a rare sight.

Especially since few females were willing to come here. The fishy smell was quite strong, and for the more delicate females, such an ordeal was unbearable.

So, naturally, they drew attention wherever they went.

When people got a clearer look and saw that Graces was holding a young male, the surprise in their eyes grew even more.

Usually, only female cubs were brought out by both parents; after all, what parent didn’t want to show off their female child to the world?

A young male being brought out by his parents like this was a rare sight, and he was so well-cared-for. One look was enough to tell he was a doted-on cub.

"Ah!" The usually quiet Little Pu Tao suddenly let out a cry, his attention fixed on a large pearl at one of the stalls. This immediately drew the attention of Lu Xia and Graces.

Graces stopped. Seeing Little Pu Tao babbling at the large pearl, he asked the stall owner, "How much for this one?"

"Honorable guest, this one is 50 credits. It’s a top-quality sea clam pearl. You see? The color and shape are exceptional. You should buy it for the young master." The stall owner had clearly noticed that the little male being held was the one who wanted it, which was why his parents had stopped to ask for the price.

"Wrap it up." Graces didn’t hesitate, paying immediately. He could tell the stall owner was being honest and hadn’t inflated the price just because they looked well-off.

The pearl was indeed very large. It was a beautiful, full-bodied pink pearl.

After paying, Graces handed the pearl to Little Pu Tao.

The little one cradled the large pearl in both hands, absolutely delighted. It was clear he adored it.

After that, it was as if a new world had opened up for Little Pu Tao. Whenever he saw something shiny, he would start babbling excitedly.

Watching him pick things out, Lu Xia couldn’t help but think, ’He really has the genes of the Dragon Clan. Liking to collect shiny things at such a young age...’

’So, that brings up a question. As a great dragon himself, does Graces like these things too?’

With that thought, Lu Xia couldn’t resist glancing at the tall, handsome man beside her. ’I’ll have to ask him tonight.’

Of everyone on this trip to the market, Little Pu Tao was definitely the happiest. He was returning with a huge haul.

Not only did Graces have to carry him, but he also had to hold a bag full of his shiny treasures.

Once they were back in the car, Little Pu Tao clutched his shiny things preciously, grinning from ear to ear.

He even tried to gnaw on one, but Lu Xia stopped him. "We’ll wash them when we get home. Then you can chew on them."

Little Pu Tao seemed to understand. He babbled twice, then hugged the treasures to his chubby little face, his adoration plain to see. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Watching his gleeful expression, Lu Xia couldn’t help but laugh. "Graces, do you like shiny things, too?"

Graces paused for a moment, then turned to look at Lu Xia, his expression seeming to ask why she would bring that up.

Lu Xia smiled. "Because Little Pu Tao loves them so much. I was wondering if he takes after you. I’ve heard the Dragon Clan loves to collect shiny things."

Graces hadn’t expected that was the reason for her curiosity. "I don’t like shiny things," he said. "I like you, Xiaxia."

’Only dragons who haven’t yet found their true treasure like useless shiny things. He had already found his own priceless treasure; those other objects held no meaning for him.’

’The only one he wanted to treasure was Lu Xia.’

He glanced disdainfully at the little cub treating those shiny things like treasure. ’He wasn’t just any dragon; he was a dragon who had already found his beloved.’

’Graces is getting way too good at saying these sweet things,’ Lu Xia thought.

When the three of them got home, they handed Little Pu Tao’s shiny things over to the Breeding Master for safekeeping, reminding him to wash them thoroughly before giving them to the little cub.

Afterward, Lu Xia and Graces went back to their room to rest.

Meanwhile, in the next room, after his bath, the little cub saw all his clean, shiny things on his little bed. He happily gathered them up with his small hands and hugged them with glee.

He looked just like a little dragon guarding its hoard. Only by sleeping on his treasure could he rest peacefully.

*

「In the early hours of the morning.」

Graces awoke from a deep sleep. The female beside him slept soundly.

He quietly slipped out from under the covers, grabbed a nearby coat, and draped it over his shoulders before heading out.

In the dead of night, the sea was an inky, lightless black. On a stretch of beach, someone was already waiting for him.

Graces walked over. The man tossed him a cigarette. Just as the man was about to light his own, Graces snatched it and crushed it. "Don’t smoke. The smell lingers."

"Hah. You’re really something else. Wouldn’t want to upset your precious Female Master, would you?" The man’s tone was mocking, but Graces didn’t argue.

"If you need a Female Master, just wait until you’ve taken the Empire. Won’t countless females be lining up for you to choose from? Why are you so hung up on—"

"One more word of this nonsense and you can get lost," Graces warned coldly, having no desire to waste his breath on the matter.

"Fine. I just came to tell you that everything is ready. When are you coming over?"

"I’m looking for an opportunity. It will be soon. I won’t keep you waiting long."

"That’s good. From the way you were with her today, I was starting to think you’d had a change of heart, that you couldn’t bear to leave this comfortable life."

"You’re someone who’s never had anything, you wouldn’t understand." Graces couldn’t be bothered to explain Lu Xia’s virtues to him.

"Alright, then. Tell me your plan for coming over. Do you need us to run interference? And how are you going to explain it to your Female Master?"

"None of that is your concern. Just do your job. And I don’t want a repeat of today, coming to find me on your own authority. I’m not Lustan, and I don’t have his patience, Kading."

"Alright, alright, I’ll stay out of it, okay? But you don’t have to be so cold. At least we got along when we were kids, didn’t we?"

"You mean *you* enjoyed getting beaten up by *me*, right?"

"Hah! I was just letting you win, wasn’t I?"

"You know damn well whether you were letting me win or not. Now, if there’s nothing else, get out of here." Graces finished speaking and was about to turn away when Kading spoke again. "Your male is cute. Ever considered bringing him back to be raised by us?"

"Did you mention this to Lustan?" Graces’s voice instantly dropped several degrees.