The Guardian of The Dragon

Chapter 14

She was in such high spirits that she mused, 'If every dream is like this, I wouldn't mind.'

The weather proved ideal, neither too chilly nor overly warm, with a gentle breeze caressing her skin.

Reaching out to pluck a flower petal drifting on the breeze, she suddenly jerked her head in alarm as a force encircled her waist, pulling her closer.

The man and woman stood there for a moment, their eyes locked.

'It's him.'

The owner of the bedroom she'd seen in the last three dreams in a row.

Frea knew it as soon as she saw the man's red eyes.

Even though she could only hear his voice in the darkness, she didn't recognize him.

She'd definitely looked into those red eyes and found them beautiful.

'When was that? Oh, right, the day I had my first dream.'

She thought her first dream was a terrible nightmare, so she tried to forget about it.

The man's red eyes brought back memories of that day.

They glowed in the dark.

And the irises, constricted like the eyes of an animal.

Now that she thought about it, it was a strange human feature.

But the man she saw now had none of the features she saw then.

'I was so frightened that day, I must have been mistaken.'

Frea became aware of the man hugging her waist only afterward.

She pushed him away from her with her hand, as he was too close.

Despite her worries about being too forceful, he obediently released his arm.

Frea took a quick step back.

Aran tensed.

He felt like he had to say something before she disappeared.

"I forgive you."

Frea looked at him with questioning eyes.

"I will not hold you responsible for hiding in my bedroom."

'Do you expect me to thank you?'

She didn't know what he meant.

The man's brow creased and then straightened as Frea stared at him wordlessly.

"I won't hurt you, so stay here."

Frea realized vaguely.

He was seeking a favor.

And it was evident this man was unaccustomed to asking.

A man accustomed to giving orders struggles to plead and endure.

Such were the individuals she had encountered within the kingdom.

So she wondered if a little nudge would change this man's demeanor.

"You're not going to kill me?"

The man's brow twitched.

"...Yes."

"You said you thought I was an assassin. Don't you doubt it now?"

"A lousy assassin like you has nothing to say to me, even in death."

Frea let out a small laugh.

Aran looked at her smiling face and felt an urge.

To touch her.