Chapter 28: Is the Dangerous One Dangerous?

"Come here! Let me have a sniff!"

"No!"

"Be good! Let me have a look!"

"No! Jie-ge, no!"

"Tch, what Jie-ge again… what on earth are you talking about?"

The vexed Miss Hungry Dragon bared her teeth, rolled her eyes repeatedly at this incomprehensible fellow, and was so annoyed her gums itched.

What are you doing!

Am I going to eat you?

You make it sound like I'm some kind of villain.

Hmph!

Feeling disgruntled, Valentina pouted, whipped her head around, and once again turned her tall back to face the world.

(｀へ)

Valentina declared that she was very angry — the kind that couldn't be coaxed out of her in a short while.

But at this moment, Herbert, on the contrary, grew interested, teasing and provoking her emotions line by line.

"Are you angry? Are you really angry?"

"No."

"Eh, are you crying?"

"No!"

"Then what's that shine on the corner of your mouth? Oh, it's oil! Well then, never mind…"

"Hmph!"

After clowning around for a while, Herbert, without Valentina needing to urge him again, simply walked up to the cage with a smile in his eyes and gave the bars a light tap.

Clang, clang.

"Here I am."

After Valentina turned her head back with a hint of awareness, he openly spread his arms toward her and smiled: "Of course, if you want it, you'll have to do it yourself."

Ifyouwantit

Valentina turned her head back, her pouting lips twitched, wanting to take a stand and refuse food handed out in pity, but in the end she still lost to the curiosity in her heart.

"…Hmph."

She pressed her lips together and gave a soft hum, planning to treat the awkwardness just now as if nothing had happened, and reached out to grab Herbert's arm — only to be grabbed back halfway.

Valentina:?

What do you mean, didn't you tell me to do it myself?

How come you're going back on your word again!

"…What are you doing?"

Miss Hungry Dragon narrowed her eyes, staring at the white-haired youth with a somewhat dangerous expression — only to be glared back.

"No, why don't you wipe your hands after eating? Don't move, let me wipe them for you."

Herbert grumbled helplessly, also a bit resigned, and took the prepared wet towel to wipe her hands for her.

With those greasy paws of yours, if you touch yourself won't you attract mold?

"Oh…"

Herbert held her hand and gently wiped it; his fingers inevitably brushed against Valentina's jade-like fingers.

The slender fingers were warm and soft, yet one could clearly feel the terrifying power contained within them.

He understood — these were fearsome claws that could tear metal apart on the spot, capable of crushing his skull directly.

But visually, they were indeed a pair of boneless, delicate hands beautiful enough to be a hand model's.

Very unreal.

Just like her appearance.

Once you ignored her dragon's majesty, Valentina looked completely no different from a mortal.

Having transformed into human form, she had not retained any demonic features like those on Fu Leimei — not a single scale — she was entirely the appearance of a human.

But that didn't mean she was without flaws.

Her way of thinking, her mannerisms and movements, all betrayed a strong non-human quality.

For instance, when sleeping she preferred to lie on the ground and curl her body up; and when eating, she would instinctively stretch her neck out to bite first, only remembering to use her hands to grab after realizing it.

And also, even at this moment of becoming friends, Valentina still regarded Herbert as a weak existence like a bug — though, to be fair, there wasn't much difference anyway.

Oh, and her appetite.

What decent person eats half a roast pig in one sitting and still isn't full?

"The other hand."

"Oh."

Although Valentina was unexpectedly obedient, showing no aggression toward him beyond words.

But it was precisely these tiny details that made Herbert strongly aware that Valentina was not just a slightly dim-witted prisoner, but a non-human being with tremendous power.

She was very dangerous.

She needed to be handled carefully…

Just as Herbert was thinking this, he noticed Valentina silently leaning her face over as well, puffing her cheeks at him.

"Mm↑ mm↓, mm?"

"…Wipe your face too?"

"Mm."

Looking at Valentina's greasy mouth corners, Herbert took a deep breath, constantly reminding himself.

Herbert, you absolutely must not be fooled by the way they look.

They are powerful magical creatures, monsters who eat people without spitting out the bones.

They are…

In the end, Herbert set aside his thoughts, silently wiped her hands and face clean, and gave a smug little hum.

Heh.

She's nothing, just a blockhead!

Just as Valentina was carefully sniffing the scent on Herbert's fingers, he asked curiously, "Come to think of it, are you hungry again? Didn't you just finish eating?"

Valentina awkwardly patted her flat little belly, which showed no sign of having stuffed half a pig inside, and protested:

"Of course I'm hungry, that little bit was way too little, how could it possibly fill me up… but that's not the issue!"

"You've always smelled really good, makes one want to take a bite, but today there's also a somewhat familiar scent…"

"Your scent? Because I cut your hair yesterday?" Herbert blinked, having a rough guess where the problem lay.

He had only swallowed her hair—surely his body wouldn't have taken on her scent from that?

"No, it's… a more ancient scent?"

Valentina wasn't quite sure what the problem was either, carefully sniffing Herbert's fingers, even wanting to stick out her tongue and lick to taste…

But before she could act, Herbert had already pulled his arm back and said with a smile:

"Well, if you beg me, you can call me Father too! I don't mind taking a bit of a loss."

Valentina:?

"What did you say!?" Herbert had stepped back the moment he pulled his hand away, just barely dodging the furious swipe of dragon claws.

Hey, can't touch~

He tilted his head with a smile, waved at the impotent, raging Hungry Dragon Young Lady, and walked toward the Deepwater Prison with a grin.

"Bye-bye, see you later."

"Hey! Don't run! Come back, I swear I won't hit you—"

"Not listening~"

Herbert passed through the barrier, and the hungry dragon's roar behind him vanished on the spot; his ears were restored to quiet.

His expression also turned calm, and he murmured to himself: "That should count as having fudged my way through for now, right?"

After Valentina mentioned the ancient bloodline, Herbert understood it was the lingering effect from strengthening his body, so he immediately changed the subject to keep her from overthinking.

"Well, even if I don't fudge it, she'd probably never figure out the truth."

Thinking about it, that was true.

How could Valentina possibly imagine that he had obtained the Dragon King's inheritance through her hair?

That would be far too illogical.

……

"Hm? Herbert, come a little closer, let me have a look…" Fu Leimei's expression was a little odd as she beckoned to him.

?

Wait, how come you too?

(End of chapter)