Chapter 229: I want a child too
Rory looked at Paros—at the raw grievance and quiet sorrow written so clearly across his face—and found herself at a loss for words.
"Paros... you don’t need to be upset. Terry was never your child. He really is Yuel’s. You only remembered wrong because your mental state was unstable. Once you recover... you’ll understand."
"...Not mine?" Paros turned to look at the small fruit resting in Yuel’s palm.
He believed her. And yet, the ache in his chest refused to ease.
"...Big sister." His voice dropped, almost hesitant. "I want a child too."
His own child. A dragon hatchling.
"You want a child? Then go have one yourself. Why are you telling my Female Master? Who do you think you are?" Xarion’s mocking voice cut in sharply.
In the next instant, he was already at Rory’s side.
Paros ignored him, instead reaching out to clutch the edge of Rory’s sleeve, grievance returning to his eyes.
"Big sister... he’s bullying me."
"’Big sister’?" Xarion let out a scoff, leaning lazily against Rory as he looked Paros up and down with open disdain.
"Did I hear that right? A dragon well past thirty calling my Female Master—who’s barely in her twenties—big sister? Paros, have you no shame?"
"A grown dragon, acting like some half-weaned cub, playing pitiful just to gain sympathy? Is your brain made of dragon scales? Thick and tough—so tough even common sense can’t pierce it?"
Seeing Paros’s eyes redden, Xarion showed no sign of stopping.
"Playing weak isn’t enough—you even dare ask my Female Master for a child? She’s already broken her match with you. On what grounds should she bear your offspring? Because of that tearful face of yours?"
He looked him over again, voice dripping with contempt. "Take a good look at yourself. Do you think you’re worthy?"
...That was ruthless.
Standing off to the side, Nix rubbed his arms unconsciously, goosebumps rising.
He felt a sudden, deep relief.
Good thing he’d never really offended Xarion before.
That mouth of his was more terrifying than any ability.
If he were ever on the receiving end of that kind of verbal assault, he’d probably want to disappear on the spot and never show his face again.
Jasper, meanwhile, looked conflicted.
He glanced at Xarion—absurdly powerful, overwhelmingly dominant—and then listened to that merciless tongue.
A deep sense of helplessness crept in.
Was this even fair?
Ridiculous strength, overwhelming abilities—and now even unmatched skill in arguments.
A complete, all-around suppression.
Who could possibly compete?
Vincent, standing nearby, raised a brow.
Xarion wasn’t just a formidable fighter—he was also an excellent mouthpiece.
If those old veterans in the army ever started lecturing him again, maybe he should just bring Xarion along and let them have a taste of it.
Yuel, as though he heard nothing at all, simply wrapped Terry in a layer of mental energy, shielding him from the noise.
Wen, who had just arrived, heard Xarion’s tirade and instinctively turned as if to leave.
What had Paros done this time to provoke that demon? Were they about to fight again?
He cautiously glanced over.
Paros stood there, taking every word without resistance. His tall frame trembled faintly. His dark eyes brimmed with unshed tears.
He said nothing.
Didn’t defend himself.
Just looked straight at Rory—silent, wounded, pleading.
As if saying: Big sister... he’s scolding me... he’s bullying me... won’t you help me?
That gaze—wet, fragile, unbearably pitiful—could soften even the hardest heart.
Would Rory scold Xarion for him?
Of course not.
Instead, a headache began to build.
Xarion’s words were harsh, but every sentence was a declaration of his claim, a defense of her.
How could she possibly reprimand her own partner for the sake of someone whose mind was still unstable?
Rory averted her gaze, refusing to meet Paros’s pleading eyes, and shifted the topic decisively.
"Enough. Terry’s situation is settled now. It’s getting late. Let’s call the dragon elders and discuss what to do next."
She had promised Elder Ethan she would continue helping Paros stabilize.
She couldn’t just leave.
But staying in the Water Domain indefinitely wasn’t an option either.
She still needed to return—and complete her bond with Vincent. She didn’t want him to wait too long.
Hearing her decision, Vincent turned to Wen.
"Wen, you’re more familiar with the Dragon Palace. Please go and invite the elders."
"Understood." Wen nodded and left at once.
Vincent then looked to Jasper and Nix.
"Rory hasn’t had breakfast yet. Go prepare something for her."
Neither of them objected. They left immediately.
Finally, Vincent turned to Yuel, his gaze falling on the small fruit now asleep in his palm.
"Will Terry remain like this... attached to you?"
Yuel shook his head slightly. "I need to guide his vine back onto me."
Rory’s attention sharpened at once. "How do we do that?"
Yuel smiled faintly. "I’ll need a quiet room," he said calmly. "For the next half hour, no one can disturb me."
After speaking, he turned his gaze to Xarion.
"Xarion, I’ll have to trouble you to stand guard at the door. Until I come out, don’t let anyone interrupt Terry or me."
Rory and Vincent both looked toward Xarion.
Xarion straightened, giving a short nod.
"Fine."
"Thank you." Yuel knew he wouldn’t refuse.
***
Soon, Wen arrived with several dragon elders.
At Rory’s request, Ethan Gabriel arranged a chamber—secluded, secure, and utterly quiet—for Yuel.
Once Yuel entered with Terry, Rory instructed Xarion to guard the door. Then she and Vincent followed the elders to a pavilion nearby.
It wasn’t far from the chamber.
With a single glance, she could still see Xarion standing watch outside. Paros remained at Rory’s side the entire time. The sting from earlier hadn’t faded.
He was still hurt—still dwelling on how she had sided with Xarion. But he understood something, too.
He could only endure it quietly. He couldn’t make a scene.
Because she didn’t like him.
And if he caused trouble, she might truly ignore him altogether.
Xarion’s earlier words echoed in his mind.
She’s already broken her match with you.
Was that true?
Why couldn’t he remember any of it?
Elder Ethan cast a glance at his visibly aggrieved Dragon Lord, then turned to Rory with a careful, almost placating tone.
"Rory... may I ask why you summoned us so early?"
Rory answered directly, "I asked you all to come because my partners have arrived. Terry’s situation has been resolved. My partners and I... will be leaving the Water Domain."
"...Leaving?" The elders were stunned.
Then, almost instinctively, their gazes shifted toward Paros.
Worry crept into their expressions.
They couldn’t ask Rory to stay—not for Paros.
After all, the Water Domain was not her home. And she had long since severed her match with their Dragon Lord.
She owed them nothing.
But if she truly left... what would become of Paros?