The cool air of the evening wrapped gently around Kyle as he stepped out for a walk, the crisp scent of the forest drifting in on the wind.
The long day behind him had left knots in his shoulders and an ache in his mind, but the quiet helped.
With each step, the tension seemed to fade, until all that was left was the sound of his boots on the dirt path and the hum of distant crickets.
He hadn't gone far when he felt a pulse—bright and warm—through the bond he shared with Queen.
It was rare for the beast to radiate such raw joy, and Kyle, curious, shifted directions and made his way toward the nest chamber.
As soon as he entered, a sharp crack echoed in the room. Kyle froze for a moment, then dashed toward the center.
Queen chirped in excitement, its tail swaying as it hovered protectively over the cracked egg.
There it was—his egg. The one he had guarded and entrusted to Queen.
A thin fracture glowed faintly across its shell, and with another little crack, a snout poked through. Then a claw. Then a little head, golden-eyed and glistening with hatchling slime.
Kyle blinked and then let out a rare, amused chuckle.
"So you've finally decided to join the world."
The baby dragon, still unsteady and blind from birth, lifted its snout and turned its head slightly. Kyle extended a hand, palm open.
The dragon sniffed once and, as instinct took over, crawled into his palm. A soft warmth spread from the contact—recognition. The bond was immediate.
"It's me, huh? Fine. Guess I'll be your first."
Queen trilled lowly, proud and content as it watched its little companion nestle into Kyle's hand.
The small dragon, barely the size of a rabbit, let out a weak sound, its stomach already rumbling with hunger.
"You're a greedy one already."
Kyle muttered fondly. He closed his eyes and began channeling his mana, funneling it gently into the little one.
The dragon latched on to the flow greedily, drinking it in as if it were water in the desert.
It took several minutes before Kyle felt the dragon's consumption slow. Its small chest rose and fell with steady rhythm, now sated and comforted.
Its eyes were heavy with exhaustion but shimmered with calm.
"You'll need a name. But that can wait. You've earned your rest."
Careful not to wake the tiny creature, he wrapped it lightly in a cloth and placed it in the crook of his arm. Queen followed close behind, content to be his shadow once again.
Back in his chambers, Kyle settled Queen near the hearth and laid the hatchling gently onto a soft cushion. It chirped once in protest before curling into itself and dozing off again.
Kyle sat back, exhaling long and deep.
His mind drifted—not to battle, not to curses or gods or traitors—but to this fragile new life. A tiny dragon, tied to him now. A being that trusted him with its first breath.
The fire flickered beside him, casting a soft glow across the room. Queen lowered its head beside the sleeping hatchling and closed its own eyes, guarding the little one in shared kinship.
For the first time in a while, Kyle felt a sense of peace.
Even if it was only for tonight.
Kyle placed the newborn dragon gently onto his bed.
The little creature chirped, its golden eyes scanning its surroundings with curiosity. It took one wobbly step forward, then another, before its tiny legs gave out and it tumbled onto its side.
Unbothered by the fall, it let out a proud squeak and tried again, stumbling across the mattress like an overconfident toddler.
Kyle watched the display in silence, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"You don't even know how to walk properly, do you?"
The hatchling flapped its still-soft wings as if in defiance, managing to crawl in a circle before toppling again.
Kyle sighed and looked over at Queen, who was comfortably curled by the fireplace, lazily observing.
"Keep an eye on it. Until it's bigger than you. It's got no situational awareness."
Kyle instructed, voice low.
Queen chirped in reply, its tone full of reluctant agreement as it dragged itself onto the edge of the bed and lay down beside the dragon, tail curled protectively around it.
Satisfied, Kyle leaned back against the pillows. The baby dragon nestled beside his leg, curling up into a tight ball of warmth and sleepiness.
Kyle shut his eyes, letting the weight of the day melt away. For the first time in a long while, his last waking thought was not of war or politics—but of the small, purring heartbeat at his side.
But peace was fleeting.
Sometime deep into the night, Kyle stirred.
A sudden tug at his core roused him, and he woke up with a start, senses flaring. His mana—his lifeblood—was being drained rapidly, almost forcefully.
His hand instinctively went to his sword, but he paused when he felt something soft pressed against his chest.
There, burrowed into the folds of his robe, was the dragon.
It was latched onto him, half-asleep, blissfully unaware that it was drinking too deeply from its source.
Kyle narrowed his eyes at the creature as it nuzzled further, still draining his mana at a worrying rate.
"You little parasite."
The dragon didn't even flinch. It let out a soft purr, completely satisfied.
Kyle groaned, pressing his fingers to his temple.
"Fine. Just don't kill me while you're at it."
He loosened his robe slightly to give the dragon better access and lay back down, too exhausted to fight it.
"You better grow up strong, you hear me? At this rate, I'll die before you reach the size of a housecat."
Sleep claimed him again, shallow and broken.
When morning came, it did so violently.
A bloodcurdling scream echoed through the manor, jolting Kyle from his half-conscious state.
"Oh gods, please—please forgive me! I was wrong! I didn't know!"
Kyle forced his eyes open, wincing at the harsh sunlight streaming through the window. His limbs felt like lead.
His body was sore, and his mana reserves dangerously low. He groaned as he sat up, rubbing his eyes, and finally looked around.
A maid had collapsed to her knees not far from the foot of his bed, shaking like a leaf and sobbing hysterically. Her eyes were wide with horror, locked on something in the room.
Kyle followed her gaze—down to the end of the bed.
There, perched with pride and authority, was the hatchling dragon.
It had grown slightly overnight, now about the size of a cat. Its wings were partially unfurled, its eyes glowing faintly as it let out a deep growl far too menacing for its size.
"...What did you do?"
The dragon glanced at him, tail twitching, then returned its gaze to the terrified maid, hissing softly.
Kyle ordered, his voice groggy but firm.
The dragon hesitated, then obediently stepped down from its aggressive stance, retreating to Kyle's side with a snort.
The maid was still on the floor, trembling and pale.