"Is this what I think it is?"
"That depends on what you're thinking."
"Do you possess a Dimensional Storage item?"
"I guess she's talking about the inventory. Yes, but that is not what's important right now. Do you have any idea what kind of egg this is?"
"Now that you mention it, I sense a peculiar mana radiating from it."
Layra's expression of astonishment grew increasingly pronounced. As she stared intently at the egg right in front of her, she felt as if a part of herself resided within it. Finally, unable to resist, she began to gently extend her hand toward the egg. Just as she was about to touch the egg, Kael suddenly spoke in a loud and serious voice:
"STOPPP! If you touch it, the egg will accept you as its mother."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Wait, I will explain why I am here and what this egg is. First of all, as you've noticed, this is no ordinary egg; it is a dragon's egg."
Layra immediately interjected:
"I thought dragons only existed in legends."
"Stop interrupting, and I will explain."
"My apologies. I became a little over-excited."
"Now, let me continue: this is a dragon's egg. As for how I found it, I noticed a bright light coming from the depths of a cavern I entered to spend the night. I started going deeper to reach the source of the light. The deeper I went, the stronger the light became, and the mana radiating from it intensified. When I finally reached the source of the light, I saw that the cavern walls were covered with mana crystals. Furthermore, in the middle of the cavern, there was a gigantic crystal, and inside that crystal was this egg. The egg seemed to be drawing me toward it. I involuntarily started approaching the egg. Just as I was about to touch the mana crystal containing the egg, the gigantic crystal and all the crystals on the walls began to shatter. After that, when I opened my eyes, I was inside a completely different cavern within this immense forest composed of giant trees. I then climbed the cliff right after that and met you."
Layra's expression of curiosity instantly gave way to one of shame.
"That must have been truly difficult."
"It was. Especially when the person you wanted to ask for directions attacked you."
"I am truly sorry. I genuinely mistook you for one of his men."
"You say that, but you still haven't told me about yourself, or your relationship with those guards."
Layra's face instantly fell, and she involuntarily became angry. Kael tried to calm Layra down.
"If you don't want to talk about it, why don't we just forget that topic?"
"No, there is no need. Let me properly introduce myself. I am Layra Serayn, Princess of the Elven Royal Family and sister of the High Elf King. As for why I am here, why I treated you like that, and those guards—I was forced into a marriage with Fenris Aegis of the Aegis family, and I decided to run away."
"So, your family forced you to marry. That really is awful."
"Actually, they were forced into it as well."
"How could the Royal Family be put in such a predicament?"
"The Aegis family descends from the elf hero, one of the five heroes from a thousand years ago, and they are an extremely powerful family. Their power and authority rival the Royal Family's. In fact, in the eyes of the populace, the Aegis family is superior to the Serayn Royal Family. That is why I was forced to marry."
"That is truly a regrettable situation. But don't worry, as long as I am with you, no one will be able to harm you."
These words escaped Kael's mouth involuntarily and caused both of them to blush, fall silent, and begin looking in different directions.