Dragonlord

Ep 41. Confessions of the Historian: Unfated

Serenis. Ivaratus. Kelador. Nodhyle. Lucid. Ruda. Eden. The seven eldest and most powerful of demons that led their respective tribes as demonlords, forming the beginnings of demonkind.

But it wasn’t always seven – no, that wasn’t how it began. This premise is flawed, for among the seven was one that was far younger. Among the seven was one that was not truly a demon.

Among the seven was an error that was never supposed to exist.

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“…”

“Come now, there’s no need to look so grim. Was it not just yesterday when you spoke of always wishing to be at my side?”

“Please don’t say that out loud…”

The young man buried his flushed face between his palms, the blue skies blackening into darkness. Everything about this moment felt surreal; the giant bed of wool and feathers behind his back, the warmth of the dragonlord’s arm on his chest. And the naked body of which said arm belonged to.

“…Lord Serenis?”

“Yes?”

“Is this a dream?”

“No.”

“…”

He lifted his hands and turned his gaze to face her again, only to look away after a few seconds. His flushed face changed its expression every single moment, unsure of what to display.

“Is something the matter? It seems like yesterday when I heard you say you couldn’t keep your eyes off of my human form.”

“…That’s because it was yesterday. And I didn’t say your human form, I just said you.”

“I see. And has that changed now?”

“No, of course not!”

“Perhaps I should’ve done away with the horns and tail after all, then?”

“…You know that’s not what I truly think.”

“I do, but I’ve come to learn that it’s customary to tease one’s lover. From you, in fact.”

“…”

He abruptly turned back around, forcing himself to face the dragonlord laying only at an arm’s length from himself. His lips struggled to decide on what shape to take, and his embarrassment was only flustering his face further. Her faint smile made it all the more difficult for him to keep a straight face.

“One would think a man loved by the lord of dragons would have a bigger ego.”

“…I might if I deserved it.”

“You don’t think yourself deserving of my affection?”

“I’m…only human. In your long life, I’m just passing soul. You know better than I how long I’ll live.”

Serenis withdrew her smile. She even seemed slightly annoyed by the remark, making him unable to meet the dragon’s gaze once more; he shut his eyes, regretting how he’d phrased his words.

But it wasn’t a lie.

A demonlord’s life, as far as he knew, was unending. Compared to that, his life really was but a tiny fraction.

And Serenis, too, knew of what would come. His remark wouldn’t have annoyed her so much if he were wrong. He would age and pass away, never to return to her side again. She might even come to forget him eventually, never to remember his name or face.

“…”

After a long sigh, Serenis wrapped both her arms around his head, pulling him in as close as she could. Once he was buried in her embrace, the dragonlord softly whispered into his ears.

“The name. I’ll leave it to you.”

“…The name?”

“The child’s name. Would that not do away your worries of being forgotten? Our child will live far, far longer than you ever will. And every time I call their name, I’ll remember who named them so.”

“T…truly? Are you sure?”

“Of course.”

The man’s worries melted away at the news as he opened his eyes to see the smiling dragonlord again. His mind busily ran through what knowledge he had about names to find something suitable.

“Name, name…then…how’s Adam Junior?”

“…You’d pass your own name to your child?”

“Hahaha. I wish to always remain at your side, if only in name!”

“Then what of a daughter? I believe Adam is a name only given to male children.”

“If it’s a daughter…then…”

Serenis grinned as her lover began to seriously ponder on the matter. With how they were right now, she could wait an eternity for him to answer.

If only.

“…How about…Eden?”

“Eden?”

“Yes, Eden. It’s quite similar to Adam, isn’t it?”

“Eden…”

Serenis softly muttered the name under her breath. She closed her eyes and smiled, hugging him tighter.

“Very well.”

“…Since we’re speaking of the matter, could you promise me one more thing?”

“Hm?”

“Our child won’t be…human, will they.”

“No. That they won’t.”

“Then, even after I pass away…could you promise me that you’ll take care of them? As fellow kin?”

The dragonlord quietly closed her eyes. They wouldn’t be the first child she’s had, and they likely wouldn’t be the last. It might even be foolish to give them any special meaning.

However, Serenis has only ever had children out of necessity, never out of her own desire. Although she wouldn’t admit it if her life depended on it, Adam’s child would be the first to be born between the lord of dragons and an individual she’d call her lover.

That’s all there was to it. That’s all there needed to be.

“…They’ll be a part of the kin, just as you are. They’ll be the most cherished of all my children. As long as I live, no harm will come to pass this child. I swear it on my name as the lord of dragons.”

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Halflord Eden. Though you were an error, every minute and second you spent under the guidance of our galaxy’s brightest star, is proof of your existence. The reason you were born unto this world, the reason you walked your fate’s course, is because the star wished it so.

And the same star yet grieves your death, even after a millennium’s passing.

She yet calls your name in silence, louder than any other brethren,

Begging for forgiveness from her beloved daughter.