Chapter 120: Reading Stories of Adventurers and Dragons
The silence in the library had changed once again. Now it was warm and calm.
Max sat beside Elanor and Moonlight, the three of them leaning over a large, worn book. Its pages showed old illustrations, the ink faded by time.
"...and then the adventurer managed to subdue the giant dragon," Elanor read aloud.
Moon’s eyes sparkled.
"That’s amazing!"
She leaned further over the table.
"A human controlling a dragon!"
Max rested his chin on his hand, looking at the illustration.
A man... standing on the head of a massive winged creature.
’...yeah... right...’
His eyes narrowed slightly.
’...that’s not how the story really goes...’
He remembered it perfectly. A hidden event in the game. Hard to unlock. No one found it easily.
’He didn’t subdue it... it was a dragoness. And she fell in love with him.’
A druid. A rare bond. Forbidden.
’They left the kingdom... because no one accepted them.’
Max looked away from the book.
’They couldn’t even have children...’
He sighed softly.
Moon, on the other hand, was fascinated.
"I want to be like that!"
She raised her arms.
"Super awesome!"
Elanor smiled.
"You want to be remembered like that adventurer?"
Moon shook her head immediately.
"No!"
She pointed at herself.
"I want to be the giant dragon!"
Pause.
"A dragon who makes history!"
Max let out a laugh.
"That sounds more like you."
Moon puffed out her chest, proud.
They kept reading. Turning pages. The story moved forward. Feats with different adventurers, epic battles, exaggerated glory.
Until—
"Excuse the interruption."
A soft voice.
The three of them looked up.
Sophie was there. Hands together. Smiling.
"It’s time for dinner."
Pause.
"Abby has already prepared the royal hall."
Elanor blinked.
"...is it already dinner time?"
She looked at her hands. Her dress.
"The day flew by..."
She frowned.
"I didn’t even bathe after my magic lessons."
Max shrugged.
"Sophie has those cleaning seals."
He pointed at the cat.
"They save you all that trouble."
Moon’s eyes widened.
"Don’t even think about using that on me!"
She crossed her arms.
Max laughed.
Elanor did too.
Sophie stepped forward.
"If you wish, Princess..."
She took out a small seal.
"...I can help you."
Elanor nodded.
"Yes, please."
Sophie gently pressed the seal into the air.
A faint glow.
And in an instant, Elanor changed. Her hair fell perfectly, shining as if freshly washed. Her dress, flawless. Not a single wrinkle.
The princess looked at herself, surprised.
"...this is incredible, I should use this every day."
She smiled.
"Thank you, Sophie."
The cat inclined her head.
"It’s my job."
Elanor thought for a second.
"...excuse me, Sophie."
She looked at her.
"Could you also take care of my father’s new pet’s clothes later?"
Max raised his eyebrows slightly.
Sophie nodded.
"Of course."
She smiled.
"Your father asked me the same... but I didn’t have time."
Elanor nodded, satisfied.
Max glanced at her.
’...good...’
A small smile appeared on his face.
’She doesn’t dislike Chloe as much as it seems...’
Moon lightly tapped the table.
"I’m hungry!"
She jumped to her feet.
"Let’s go!"
Max laughed.
"Yeah, yeah."
He stood up.
Elanor carefully closed the book.
The three of them headed toward the exit.
Max paused for a second. He looked toward the shelves.
"Thanks, Arwen."
The elf raised her hand from afar.
"Anytime, I don’t get many visitors."
And just like that, between laughter and hurried steps, they left the library.
On their way to dinner.
***
The royal hall was lit by tall chandeliers, the light reflecting over the long table already set by Abby.
Steaming dishes. Filled glasses. Aromas that filled the room.
Max, Elanor, and Moonlight took their seats beside the king and Dorian.
The king rested his elbow on the table, watching Max with a curious smile.
"So..."
Pause.
"How was the first day of my new pet?"
Max shrugged.
"Exhausting, apparently."
He pointed at the empty seat.
"No sign of her at dinner."
The king let out a laugh.
"Ah, yes."
He adjusted himself in his chair.
"Don already went to call her."
Pause.
"But she was fast asleep... and snoring quite enthusiastically."
Dorian let out a muffled chuckle, his mouth full of food.
The king looked back at Max.
"What did you do to leave her like that?"
Max leaned back in his chair.
"Not much."
He counted on his fingers.
"I showed her the castle, the courtyards, the smithing wing, she met Frida..."
He brought a hand to his chin, thinking.
"And then we went to the library."
Don, standing to the side of the table, tensed slightly. His eyes locked onto Max.
Max noticed. And returned the look... with a small smile. Calm. Assured.
Don relaxed his shoulders slightly.
Max continued, as if nothing had happened.
"Nothing important happened."
He shrugged.
"We found the book so she can learn Elvish and communicate..."
The smile faded from his face.
"But it looks like it’s going to take time."
The king nodded thoughtfully.
"I see."
He picked up his glass.
"Well... thank you for taking care of her training."
He took a sip.
"It seems it will be more complicated than I thought."
Elanor spoke up gently.
"Father... Sophie will take care of making her more appropriate clothing. Like the ones she made for Max."
The king nodded, satisfied.
"Perfect. That will make things easier."
Meanwhile, Moon wasn’t paying attention to any of that. She had a potato in one hand... and a large chicken drumstick in the other. Her eyes gleamed.
"I’m the knight!" she whispered.
She raised the potato.
"And I’m going to defeat the dragon!"
She slammed it against the chicken.
"RAAAH!"
Dorian looked at her, confused.
"...what is she supposed to be doing?"
Max saw her and couldn’t help but laugh.
"Moon..."
He shook his head.
"We don’t play with food."
Moon froze. She looked at the potato. Looked at the chicken.
"...sorry."
And in the next second, she stuffed EVERYTHING into her mouth. The food disappeared in a single bite.
Dorian blinked.
Elanor covered her mouth.
The maids stifled their laughter.
And then, the table burst into laughter.
Max leaned back, laughing.
"Well... at least she doesn’t waste food."
Moon gave a thumbs-up, still chewing. Proud.
As if nothing had happened.