When Mom said I had an arrangement with someone, I assumed it was either Dean or Amari. Not Kayda. I mean, I see her every few hours each day. Why the hell was there an arrangement made for us? Was it even necessary?
"I heard what is going to happen to you for the next eight months, so I decided to use my request on your last day," Kayda said, pulling me from my spiraling thoughts.
"Okay?" I blinked at her, genuinely confused.
When I gave her a free request, I figured she'd eventually use it for something important—maybe help with her research or a favor against her clan. Hell, even asking me to assassinate some old dragon elder seemed more in character than... this.
Shopping.
Freaking shopping. That was her request.
What a waste. In my opinion, at least. But on the other hand, if she hadn't used her request, I would've just declined her. No hesitation.
Still... shopping?
Regardless, some time had passed since she made the request, and now we were sitting in a cozy little restaurant tucked away in the Middle South district of the capital. Sunlight spilled in through large stained-glass windows, painting the wooden floor in colorful hues. The air was warm, and the smell of roasted meats made my nose twitch every now and then.
I sighed, pushing another empty plate aside.
"Tell me again—why did we come to the South District when we live in the North?"
Kayda sipped at her juice before answering, her lips curling into a sly smile. "I was keen to explore the capital a bit."
"Explore? I don't even know which way is back home, and you want me to wander around like a lost child?" I glared at her, jabbing a chopstick in her direction.
"Yes," she said, unfazed. "It will train your sense of direction." She winked at me as if she had just bestowed great wisdom.
"Tsk, what sense of direction?" I muttered, rolling my eyes and turning my face away.
"Haha, precisely," she chuckled, clearly enjoying herself.
"Whatever," I grumbled. "Where are we going after this?"
"I would love to say, 'More exploring,' but I need new clothes—and a dress for the banquet at the end of the month."
I blinked. "You're going to the banquet too?"
She nodded, setting down her glass. "Yes. I was invited as well. I may not be a noble of this kingdom, but I am a pure dragon."
"So you're like… an asset they want to butter up. Keep you close in case they need your claws," I said, watching her thoughtfully.
"That's pretty much the case," she said, leaning back in her chair. "Politics are such a drag."
I nodded. "Speaking of politics… How much do you know about the current king?"
"Hmm," she hummed, tapping a finger to her chin. "Well, if he's anything like his parents, I don't think you need to worry about him being two-faced. His parents were straightforward. Maybe too much so."
"I see. Oh, and another thing. Where the hell does he get his naming sense?"
She giggled. "That's from his mother."
I snorted. "Ha-ha. It really runs in the family, huh?"
"Do you want more?" Kayda asked, glancing at my now-empty plate.
I waved my hand. "No, I'm good." I leaned back in my seat, patting my belly. "I'm done."
"Hehe, I forgot you're a big eater just like me," Kayda said, scratching her cheek while eyeing the pile of empty plates on the table.
"I'm a fox. Eating is a hobby," I said sarcastically, flicking my tail under the table.
"Is that your only hobby?" Kayda asked, tilting her head slightly, her golden eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"No, I have more," I said with a mischievous grin.
"Oh, and what may they be?"
"I'm not telling a blabbermouth."
"I am not a blabbermouth!" Kayda said this while pouting and crossing her arms.
"You are, and you know it," I said, stretching my arms above my head.
"...Anyway," she mumbled, clearly not willing to admit defeat, "I guess we need to go pay for the food."
"I guess we're splitting?" I said, cocking an eyebrow.
Kayda's face flushed as she looked down, embarrassed. "...Yeah."
"Don't worry about it. I understand you save most of your money for your research." I pulled out a small stack of coins and slid them toward her.
"Thank you… and sorry," she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper.
"As I said, don't worry about it."
"I'll go give them the money. You can wait outside," she said, quickly standing up and escaping toward the counter.
"Will do," I said, grabbing my coat and stepping out.
The street outside was comfortably busy, the kind of flow you'd expect from a middle-tier capital district. Merchants called out to passersby, kids laughed while chasing each other through narrow alleyways, and the scent of baked bread mixed with the crisp smell of early afternoon sun.
It wasn't long before Kayda came out as well, a neutral look on her face that betrayed absolutely nothing.
Looking at her, I asked, "We got breakfast. Clothes or exploring?"
"Exploring, I guess." She shrugged and started walking in some random direction like she owned the street.
"You really did this on a whim, didn't you?" I said, catching up to walk beside her.
"Yeah. We can explore for a while, learn the layout, get my clothes, and then—" she grinned at me mischievously, "we can play one of my favorite games from childhood."
"What childhood? Aren't you still a dragon child?" I smirked at her.
"No, I am not anymore," she said, puffing her chest slightly and gesturing toward her wings.
"What? You've only had those wings for like five days. That doesn't mean you're an adult now."
"Yes, it does. And don't talk back to your elders, young missy," she said, narrowing her eyes in mock discipline.
"Ha-ha! Elder, my tail. We're practically the same age, Miss Sage." I laughed, elbowing her playfully.
"How can we be almost the same age? You're only thirteen," Kayda said, blinking in confusion.
"Reincarnated. I was seventeen in my previous life. Add that to eight—since I only woke up when I was five—and that makes me twenty-five. See? Only ten years apart. Not enough to make you my elder."
"Twenty-five, huh?" Kayda raised a brow. "Still younger than me."
"Yeah, of course… Oh, that smells so good," I suddenly blurted out, sniffing the air like a hound.
"What now?"
"That kebab stand," I said, eyes locked on a vendor not far from us.
"We just ate," she said flatly.
"Yeah, but that kebab smells so juicy," I said, already walking over, ignoring her groan.
"Sigh… whatever," Kayda muttered, trailing behind.
"Mm! These things are as delicious as they smell," I said happily, holding five kababs in one hand like a greedy beast.
"I can't believe you're still eating," Kayda muttered, watching me with half-lidded eyes.
"Ha-ha! Kayda, let me tell you something," I said between bites, "I am always hungry."
"Like… really? Never full?"
"In a way, yeah. But I think it has something to do with my race."
"Probably because of your immortality."
"Maybe. I might be immortal, but that doesn't mean I'm unkillable. Then again, my race literally screams power. Getting strong enough to protect myself shouldn't be a problem. However, I am uncertain whether that is a good or bad thing.
"Hmm, that's true. If you become strong enough, reaching a god-like level, you will achieve immortality in both body and soul.
"And get bored over time," I added with a shrug.
"That's also true."
I looked at the sky as I finished the last bite of my fifth kebab. "Guess I'll need to find a wife who can live long enough to match me," I joked.
"Hehe. That's true, isn't it?" Kayda said with an awkward laugh, looking anywhere but at me.
"You too. You're a dragon. You should find someone long-lived. Actually..." I smiled wide, a lightbulb going off in my mind. "Let's be each other's wing woman. I'll help you find a good guy to marry, and you help me find a lovely girl. I think we'll be wonderful friends into the future, Kayda."
"Is that so..." Kayda said, her tone darkening as she released a shadowy aura around her.
"Are you okay there?" I asked, backing up a little.
"You know what? Let's go get me some clothes," she said abruptly, grabbing me by the collar and dragging me away.
"What?! No, wait, wait. I want to explore!" I protested, flailing.
Clothing Store One.
Those weren't bad. The clothes Kayda wore looked excellent on her.'
Clothing Store Two.
'That one outfit? Sexy as hell. Then again, most things are when she wears them.'
Clothing Store Three.
How many sets is she even buying? Isn't this a bit much? What about her research budget?'
Clothing Store Four.
'Is she even thinking about the future at this point?'
Clothing Store Five.
"What do you think?" Kayda asked, stepping out of the changing room.
I blinked.
She was wearing a long, white dress—sleeveless, with crisscrossing straps over her shoulders. From beneath her right hip, a slit ran all the way down, exposing her long, pale leg. The dress hugged her body in all the right places, showing off her surprisingly toned figure and modest—but clearly present—chest.
"Umm… I actually don't have any words to describe you right now," I said, pinching my nose.
"You think I can wear this to the banquet?"
"Probably. But do you even have enough money to pay for that?" I asked, side-eyeing her already overstuffed bags.
"I think I do," she said, reaching for her bag near me. She rummaged inside for a while, then froze.
Kayda dropped to her knees.
"Kayda, are you okay?" I asked, crouching beside her.
"I... I spent all my money," she said in a tiny, broken voice.
"I thought so. Get out of the dress. I'll pay for it so you can wear it to the banquet," I said, standing up.
"Huh? You're going to buy me this dress?"
"Yeah. You look lovely in it, and I'd like to see you wear it that night."
"..."
She stood silently and walked into the changing room.
'What a weird dragon,' I thought.
"KYAAA!?" Kayda screamed just as I turned away.
"Kayda, are you okay?!" I said, opening the door without thinking.
"Eh?" she gasped, eyes wide.
"Why did you scream—like… that?" I trailed off, staring at her half-naked body. "Wait... I thought you were a B cup like me… but those are definitely C-cups."
"GET OUT, YOU PERVERT!" she shouted, kicking me in the stomach and sending me flying.
"Ugh… that actually hurt," I groaned, sitting up from a pile of mannequins.
"Are you okay?" the store clerk asked nervously.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I apologize for destroying the mannequins," I said, rubbing my back.
"It's okay," she said, blushing.
Noticing the blush, something clicked. I frowned and glanced back at the changing room.
"Wait… no way. Don't tell me... My far-fetched idea… No. Mom wasn't serious back then, right?" I shook my head. "Only one way to know."
Not long after, Kayda and I left the store.
I glanced at her flushed face.
'I wonder how she'll react.'
"Hey, Kayda..."