Dragon and Princess - and Cook Pt 18
So I was stuck with food-duty once again. And her stories of her homeland were interesting – it definitely increased my interest in her kingdom's library – and she wanted to know how flowy, stuffy clothing could possibly be good against heat. Also our hierarchy and how everything is actually governed. She has a sharp mind for a sixteen year old.
But well... the longer I thought about the things that had happened here... the more I suspected he was a little bit more than a simple magically inclined knight. I mean... I was okay with the teleportation. And maybe also with the greenhouse. But the whole plant-growing... and the clean collapsed hallway and the mushrooms on the walls and the well-fitting clothing and the... not-eating, actually? Something was... wrong. And I would talk to him the next time he... was around. Whenever that was.
In the meantime? I sometimes tried to look at the dragon. From higher floors. It always noticed and growled at me.
Once there even was a tongue that almost touched me. I was glad for my reflexes, there. And then it just growled and stared at me for a few seconds before it returned to it's resting-position. At one point, it raised it's head and jumped up and flew away.
I stared after it. It landed a little place away, reached down with it's head, fire flared... and then flew to another place further up on the mountain... and then flew back, laying back down in the middle of the courtyard, looking self-satisfied.
… I... didn't want to know what just happened.
The fact that I had an idea what happened was... not reassuring.
It growled at me for good measure and I remembered that making bread would be a good idea. This dragon was really not on the diplomatic side. Alright. Alright.
Just not thinking about it. Not thinking.
Huuuh... I got a few moments to look at the dragon, sketching it. It was a magnificent creature. Just not very... communicative. Beautiful. And apparently a fire dragon. A blue one. Whenever it growled, I... retreated to continue cooking.
… I mean... I liked the greenhouse and definitely the bath... and the kitchen smelled like home. But the dragon and a lying knight? Ah... well.
Otherwise I was not... too bad off. My basic needs were met. And I had nice places. Just nothing... to do. The castle was full of dead ends.
But, sure enough... after three days, the knight showed up again, this time? He showed up... at some terribly early hour. I didn't exactly know, but it was dark. And he shook my shoulder.
“Mnnnngh?,” I did not want to be awake.
“Good morning, Azarang. Would you come with me?,” he touched my shoulder again.
“Mnnnnggggh,” I rolled to the side and slooowly moved one leg to the edge of the bed.
“Would you?,” he touched it again. He did like touching me. Lightly. Carefully.
“What time is it?,” I moved my leg over the edge of the bed. Slowly. Why would he...
He touched my shoulder again - he had soft hands - and he said: “Two hours before sunrise. But would you come with me?”
I grumbled: “Ugh... too... early... but... ugh... sure. Sure”
And then Sir Israfil took grabbed me and started carrying me bridal style.
What the hell.
And he did it with ease.
And I was just there and being carried. Through the whole castle. Up the stairs.
Until we reached a door. Then he put me down. On my naked feet. And... I expected the floor to be cold, but it... wasn't. In the first floor. It confused my brain for a second.
“This is for you. Found it finally!,” he smiled. Brightly.
And I was still silent. Had been the whole way upstairs, too.
It is rather unsettling to be carried bridal style when you are a full-grown man.
And now I was in front of a door. I stared at it and then at his smiling self... I should talk to him about... the... the thing. But... I pressed the door handle down.
And inside were... books.
I stared more, suddenly a lot more awake.
“They are somewhat dusty... and some might not be in your language, but... that's the library. It survived. And you might like it,” he nodded.
I stared a little more. I stared in both directions of the giant room. There are dozens of shelves. In both directions. I hugged him. There was not much reciprocation, but... I didn't care. I disappeared in the library.