Camille (12)

Today, for the first time in a while, I had breakfast with Camille.

As if dividing the border between an Elf forest and an Orc settlement, Camille’s and my dining table was split down the middle, with bitter greens on one side and greasy meat dishes on the other.

“Camille, don’t you get hungry eating like that every time?”

“Helix, aren’t you going to get sick eating like that?”

“Do Dragons get sick from eating meat?”

“But you’re eating in a human body right now, aren’t you? There must be a limit to your digestive power.”

“It’ll be fine. Humans live by eating meat too, after all.”

Camille and I had terribly incompatible eating habits.

Camille, who strangely only liked greens despite not being an Elf, and I, who naturally enjoyed a meat-centric diet as a Dragon.

Thanks to this, a strange scene would unfold when we, a married couple, had dinner.

“Anyone watching would think I’m only feeding my wife greens while hogging all the delicious food myself.”

“Heh, I hadn’t thought of that.”

Camille speared a piece of the meat I was eating with her fork and popped it into her mouth.

Of course, she didn’t look particularly pleased eating it.

“But what Helix eats is too greasy for me.”

“Did you have an Elf among your ancestors, Camille?”

“No way.”

And so, some idle chatter passed between us for a while.

“Helix.”

“Hm?”

“I’m sorry to bring this up while we’re finally having a meal together after so long, but I think we need to have a serious talk.”

“Okay, tell me.”

For Camille to use the word ‘serious’ herself…

It must not be a trivial matter.

“You know that the Imperial succession war has started in the Empire, right?”

“Of course I know.”

“Actually, our Holy Dominion is supporting the First Prince. He holds Dragon faith and wishes to establish friendly relations with the Holy Dominion.”

The First Prince, I had heard of him before.

That he looked favorably upon the elders of the Holy Dominion.

“So, did something happen to the First Prince?”

“No, it’s just that the First Prince seems to be wary of Empress Vivian, your disciple.”

“I know. She already told me he sent assassins.”

“How did you know that?”

“Because Vivian told me herself.”

Camille’s eyes were tinged with suspicion.

“She told you so readily? That cautious Empress?”

“Camille, I think you’re being overly wary of Vivian. If there’s a misunderstanding, I want to clear it up. So, I’ll tell you what I know first.”

“Alright, tell me.”

Vivian was the leader of a nation.

I understood that she was in a position where she had to suspect everything.

Rather than unconditionally taking Vivian’s side, I should explain the situation from a neutral standpoint, so that Camille would be convinced.

“First of all, Vivian is isolated both within her own country and in this Holy Dominion.”

From her maids secretly stealing her valuables, to the fact that most of them were the First Prince’s pawns.

I told Camille everything, without omission.

“Hmm, is that all?”

“Yes, I’ve told you everything I know.”

Though I felt uneasy about speaking so freely without consulting Vivian…

If I wanted to live in this Holy Dominion, it was best not to go against Saint Camille.

It was better to honestly inform her of the situation and ask for her help.

“This is troublesome.”

“What is?”

“Our Holy Dominion has already decided on a foreign policy to empower the First Prince. But to do that, we have no choice but to abandon Empress Vivian.”

At her words, I tried my best to feign composure.

There was nothing good to come from showing my wavering.

“Camille, I’m not asking you to make Vivian an Emperor. It’s enough for her to simply live freely.”

“That’s precisely what’s difficult.”

“…”

As the conversation seemed likely to be long,

Camille briefly set down her utensils.

“Think about it, Helix. From the First Prince’s perspective, Vivian being alive is a thorn in his side. She’s of Dragon blood, you know? Even in the Empire, Dragon blood is a tremendous source of legitimacy. You know very well what’s depicted on the Imperial flag, don’t you?”

“I know, it’s a black Dragon.”

The Empire was a nation that originated from a knight order that worshipped the black Dragon.

Even though much had changed with the passage of time, that legitimacy remained.

“Yes, that’s right. Of course, it’s a different Dragon from you, but that fact isn’t very important now. What’s important is that Empress Vivian is the disciple of the black Dragon. Don’t you think, even to you, that these are perfect conditions for the next Emperor?”

At her words, I couldn’t dare to say anything.

Because, for a moment, the worst possibility flashed through my mind.

A bitter smile escaped my lips.

“Camille, it seems Vivian has fallen into danger because of me.”

“That’s not it, Helix. My naive Dragon. Even at this moment, you’re worrying about that Empress. Now, I’m even starting to feel jealous.”

“…”

Camille gazed at me with a wistful look, then sighed.

“Helix, I don’t understand why you only see that Empress as a naive and weak woman.”

“But that’s actually how the situation is.”

Vivian is someone who showed me kindness.

So, it’s only natural that I’m interested and worried about her.

“Helix, you must know this too. Humans who inherit Dragon blood are usually treated in two ways in this world: worshipped as heroes, or treated as dangerous elements who might incite rebellion.”

“I understand what you’re trying to say.”

The former is how Dragon descendants are mainly treated in the Holy Dominion.

In the past, the Holy Dominion actively sought out the descendants left by Dragons, raised them as talents for the Holy Dominion, and as a result, was able to maintain its powerful national strength.

However, it was a little different in the Empire.

The Empire was a powerful, centralized nation revolving around the Emperor.

In such a country, Dragon descendants naturally became objects of caution.

Outwardly, they worshipped Dragons, but in reality, they were nothing more or less than a threat to power.

“To the Empire, that Empress is a variable that could overturn the existing order. A variable no one wants.”

“…”

“Moreover, that Empress has achieved remarkable magical accomplishments, hasn’t she?”

“That’s right, she’s already close to Magician-level.”

“Ha, a Magician in just two years. Even I, a Saint, know how difficult that is.”

Camille’s doubts were steadily turning into conviction.

That’s not it.

I wanted to tell her she was thinking wrong.

“Do you think a woman who can achieve so much in such a short time couldn’t do other things?”

“…”

I wanted to deny it.

However, a baseless denial would only sow distrust in Camille towards me.

“See, even you can’t answer, Helix.”

“Alright, I won’t deny it. Instead, I have another proposal.”

“Another proposal?”

Camille crossed her arms, looking somewhat reluctant, with a sharp gaze…

“Well, I’ll hear you out.”

“How about we make Vivian our ally instead?”

“Our ally…?”

“Yes, I actually asked Vivian if she had any intention of defecting to the Holy Dominion. Though she did refuse once.”

Had she not expected this?

Lost in thought, Camille briefly tapped her lips with her index finger.

“Alright, what was her reason for refusing?”

“She said that as a defector in the Holy Dominion, she wouldn’t be able to have what she wanted. But I think that’s just an excuse.”

At that moment, Camille let out a small laugh.

“Her true intention must be that she doesn’t want to cause you any more trouble. It’s obvious at a glance.”

“…”

“You both truly care for each other. It’s quite beautiful to see. Just like a married couple.”

“Camille, that’s not it. You are always my first priority. I can say this for sure. You are my partner. And Vivian is my friend and disciple. ”

I firmly clarified my position.

I didn’t want to hesitate unnecessarily and cause Camille to misunderstand.

“I know, I do. But you see…”

“…”

“Ah, it’s strange. Why don’t I feel any jealousy towards our children, but I feel so much jealousy towards that Empress…?”

Camille met my gaze with a sorrowful look.

Her two eyes held anguish.

The anguish of being unable to change this situation, no matter what efforts were made.

“Don’t you think I’m a truly ridiculous woman? To let my husband embrace so many other women… yet be jealous of a woman whose lips he hasn’t even brushed once.”

Once, I wanted to make her jealous.

I wanted her to look only at me.

But at the sight of her truly suffering…

Now, all that remained for me was guilt.

*******

The clock ticked away.

Approximately 4350 seconds until class began.

Vivian endlessly watched the second hand of the clock move in her red eyes.

“It’s too long.”

From the intense boredom, Vivian’s eyes darkened.

As if covered by gloomy storm clouds, they held nothing but endless haziness.

Approximately 700 seconds until class began.

“Empress, Your Highness.”

“What is it?”

The shadow whispered to her.

At that, Vivian’s lips parted.

But still, only storm clouds filled her eyes.

“All preparations are complete. If you give the command, we will execute it immediately.”

“No, not yet.”

“Do you believe the time is not yet ripe?”

“No, I want to attend all of his lessons.”

At her words, the shadow’s eyes were tinged with doubt.

“However, Your Highness. Your Highness no longer has anything more to learn from the Dragon…”

“Didn’t you hear me say I want to attend all of them?”

“My apologies.”

With those words, the shadow vanished.

Still, what filled her red eyes was a gloomy, long-lasting rain.

Approximately 200 seconds until class began.

Emotional agitation slowly began to show.

Why isn’t he coming today?

Before, her Dragon would arrive a few minutes early around this time.

Perhaps he won’t come anymore?

Did the Saint do something?

Approximately 20 seconds until class began.

A knock was heard.

Ah, it’s the Dragon.

He’s here.

Today, too, he kept his promise.

“Vivian, I’m here.”

“Yes, Helix-nim. Welcome!”

Vivian’s eyes, which had been fixed on the clock’s second hand, regained their light.

A rosy vitality bloomed on her expressionless face.

The Empress, with hurried steps, threw open the door and welcomed the Dragon.

For this moment, with the Dragon present…

The doll becomes human.