The Countess Lady's Pet Dragon - C4

Chapter 4: Black Dragon, Schwartz (2)

[Well, everyone except that child died…]
[It’s such a pity… still so young.]
…
[Tsk. Don’t get too close. Bad luck might rub off on you too.]
[I feel sorry for her, but honestly, it’s unsettling.]
…
[Those who ride the black dragon meet a terrible end. You’ve heard that, haven’t you?]
[Why would the young lady choose such a sinister dragon?]
…

“Groooan…”

With a groan, Schwarz opened his eyes, squinting at the bright sunlight streaming in. His vision was blurry, as if out of focus.
Blinking a few times, his eyes gradually adjusted, and the scenery in front of him became clearer.

A spacious, wooden room.
Sunlight filtered in through large windows, and fresh straw was spread all over the floor, creating a soft, bed-like feeling.

‘Why am I here?’

Tilting his head in confusion, Schwarz tried to recall how he ended up in this place—his residence, a barn on the edge of the count’s estate.
In a way, it was like his personal lair.

“Grooon…?”

If his memory was correct, his last recollection was defeating the manticore with Milia’s help before collapsing beside her.
Considering how badly he had been injured, it wasn’t surprising he passed out immediately after.

“Groo…”

Letting out a low rumble, Schwarz tried to rise, thinking it best to head outside to assess the situation. But—

“Groaar!?”

A sharp pain shot through his side, forcing him back down with a pained groan. Wiping the tears from the corners of his eyes, he glanced at the bandages wrapped around his body.

“Ungh…”

“…”

Then, his gaze fell on Milia, fast asleep in his embrace, wearing a light nightgown.

[$(@)!*$@!($)(@!$(#@?%$!?!?]

Schwarz silently screamed in shock, leaping up.
‘…!!’
The sudden movement sent a searing pain through his bandaged waist, but he clenched his teeth, enduring it.

After the stabbing pain subsided, Schwarz let out a short sigh and looked at Milia, who was still sound asleep.
Why was she here? What had happened while he was unconscious?

He glanced around, but there were no servants or maids in sight.

“Grrr…”

Sleeping here could make her catch a cold…With that thought, Schwarz grabbed the blanket with his teeth and gently covered her shoulders.

“Schwarz…”

‘…!!’

At that moment, Milia murmured his name, and Schwarz froze, thinking she might have woken up. But it seemed to be sleep-talking, as she continued to breathe softly, eyes still closed.

Sighing silently, Schwarz carefully sat next to her and draped his wing over her sleeping form.

As the room grew quiet again, Schwarz gazed at Milia, recalling a memory from three years ago.

[Why did the young lady choose such a cursed dragon?]

It was something he had overheard the maids whispering.
—Those who ride black dragons always meet an unfortunate death.

It was a well-known superstition, and everyone who saw him said the same thing, regarding him with wary, fearful eyes.
Eyes that viewed him as something dangerous, untouchable—just as people had looked at him after he lost his family.

Since realizing that, Schwarz had been plagued by nightmares.
Waking up in panic attacks became a daily occurrence.
The loneliness of the night was unbearable.

Then, one day—

[What did you just say?]

Milia, having overheard the maids, fixed them with a fierce glare, unlike anything she had shown before.

[A-ah, well, young lady, we didn’t mean—]

[I don’t care to hear it. I’ll say this once, so remember it well.]

Her sharp gaze swept over the flustered maids, who froze as she crossed her arms.

[If I hear anyone saying that again, be prepared to leave. I don’t care about superstitions. My dragon is this one and no other!]

She declared it boldly, and from that day, Schwarz’s nightmares stopped.
He no longer woke up in terror.
He could sleep without fear.

“…”

She was the most precious person in the world to him.
The one who told him he was allowed to stay by her side.

For her, Schwarz was willing to give even his life.

“Mm…”

Just then, Milia stirred with a soft groan, her eyes fluttering open.

“Grrr…”

“Schwarz…?”

Hearing Schwarz’s low growl, she blinked sleepily and pinched her cheek, thinking she was dreaming.

“Ouch!”

Letting out a small cry, tears welled up in her eyes as she realized the situation was real. Her eyes widened in surprise.

“Schwarz!!”

“Groar!”

With a joyful cry, Milia threw her arms around Schwarz’s neck, holding him tightly as if they had been apart for years.

“Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?”

“Grr…”

Schwarz nodded, brushing his head gently against her face to reassure her.

“I’m so glad… I was so worried something might happen to you…”

Tears formed in Milia’s eyes as her voice trailed off, and she buried her face in his neck, sobbing.

Schwarz knew he wasn’t blameless either.
If he hadn’t listened to Milia and left earlier, this wouldn’t have happened.

“Grooo…”

Understanding her feelings, Schwarz nudged her head with his own, gently comforting her.

“Are you… comforting me?”

“Grooon.”

Milia let out a soft laugh, wiping her tears.

“Thank you. You really are the best.”

“Groaaar!”

Schwarz spread his wings proudly, responding to her smile.

At that moment…

“You’ve woken up, I see.”

“Hmm…”

Two familiar shadows appeared at the entrance of the barn.

“Father! Mother!!”

Milia jumped up, rushing toward them, while Schwarz tried to stand, only for the man beside Melissa to raise a hand, stopping him.

A tall, muscular figure with pale blond hair and golden eyes. His stern expression and tightly closed lips gave off the impression of an unyielding stone.

The lord of the Valentine territory, the current head of the Valentine family, and Milia’s father—Vernus Valentine, the “Iron Warden.”

“How is your body?”

“Groo…”

“It’s unlikely to be fine. A pointless question, I suppose.”

Looking at the bandages wrapped around him, Schwarz let out a soft groan, prompting Vernus to sigh briefly and speak.

“I heard everything from Milia. Truly, thank you for saving her. Just thinking about what could have happened without you is terrifying.”

“Groo…”

‘It was only natural.’

That was the intention behind his response, but Schwarz couldn’t tell if Vernus truly understood.

“I must apologize to you first.”

“Kyung?”

Vernus’ unexpected words puzzled Schwarz, who tilted his head. Apologize? For what?

No matter how hard he thought, Schwarz couldn’t recall anything Vernus needed to apologize for.

“I’ve always viewed you with a sense of dread.”

“Kyung…”

‘So it’s about that…’

Realizing what Vernus meant, Schwarz let out a melancholy groan.

Those who ride a black dragon meet a terrible end.
It was a story known to anyone familiar with dragons.

“But you risked your own life to save Milia. In the end, those superstitions were just that—superstitions.”

Vernus approached Schwarz, knelt on one knee, and looked directly into his eyes.

“I’m sorry, Schwarz. And truly, thank you.”

“Kyung…”

Unable to find the right words, Schwarz responded with a bewildered expression. Vernus smiled faintly at him before rising to his feet.

“I won’t keep an injured child here any longer. Rest well.”

“And continue looking after Milia, Schwarz.”

With those parting words, Vernus and Melissa turned and walked away.
The barn grew silent once more. Watching the scene, Milia stared at Schwarz, her expression dazed.

“I never thought Dad felt that way about you.”

“Groo…”

“Well, now that he’s realized your worth, isn’t that a good thing?”

“Kyaw.”

At her light laugh, Schwarz nodded in agreement.

Then suddenly:

“Hey, Schwarz…”

“Kyung?”

Milia approached, voice soft, and sat beside him with a quiet sigh, leaning her back against him.

“I’m going to become stronger. Strong enough that no one will ever be able to hurt you again.”

“…”

Schwarz said nothing in response.

Her sincerity was palpable in her voice.
No more words were needed.

“Groo…”

That’s what I want to say to you.

With that thought, he let out a soft groan, and, emitting a quiet snort of amusement, he wrapped himself around Milia protectively and closed his eyes.