As My Husband Said, I Brought in a Lover Chapter 235

[Side Story 3: The Dragon’s Adolescence- Part 5]

 

“First of all, as long as I’m alive, the white dragon won’t be born.”

 

“…Ppi?” […What?]

 

“You’ve probably noticed, but I possess an unusually large amount of mana for a human.”

 

Sniff, sniff.

 

“Ppi. Ppiii?” [That’s true. But what about it?]

 

When Edward released the mana he had been concealing, Ren’s eyes widened.

 

“Ppik?!” [What is all this?!] Ren’s voice was filled with shock. “…Ppiiii?” […Are you actually a dragon, not a human?]

 

“I possess the power of the white dragon. So, until I die, a new dragon won’t be born.”

 

“Ppiii ppi.” [How did this happen?]

 

This situation arose due to the mistakes of the previous dragons. Normally, an older dragon would guide the younger dragon that was born after them. However, not only did he fail to keep his boundaries and fall in love with Run, but after his death, the black dragon, who fell into despair, chose death, leaving Ren to fend for itself without knowing anything. Ren knew part of the story, but didn’t need to know that Edward’s past life was Ron.

 

“It seems an error occurred when the black dragon died too early. The mana of a wandering dragon settled in my body, which was somewhat familiar. Along with the mana, I inherited some of the white dragon’s memories, so I’ll be responsible for teaching you.”

 

“Pppippi. Pi. Ppiii.” “Human… No, Edward, you’re too busy.]

 

“I have enough time to teach what you need.”

 

“…Ppi?” […Really?]

 

When Ren cautiously glanced at Edward, he sighed softly and patted Ren’s head.

 

“I’m not such an incompetent emperor that I can’t make time for you.”

 

“Ppi ppiippi ppippi ppippippippi.” [Well, I am the symbol of the empire, so you have no choice but to make time for me.] Ren pouted.

 

“I don’t see spending time with you as a duty. It’s more like time spent with family.”

 

Ren’s eyes grew round, its big, dark pupils sparkling with excitement at his words.

 

“Ppi pipi ppippippi ppiii?” [Does that mean I’m family with you and Luize?]

 

“If that’s how you see it.”

 

“Ppi ppii!” [I want to be family!]

 

“Alright.”

 

“Mipi ppii?” [Then Maxion is family too, right?]

 

“I suppose so.”

 

“Ppi!” [Great!]

 

Ppippi!

 

Ren joyfully spun around the room before stopping suddenly. “Ppi ppii ppi?” [Then the imperial child is family too?]

 

“I’d appreciate it if you thought of it that way.”

 

“Keum, ppippippi ppi!” [Ahem, this great one will allow it!] Ren stood up on its two hind legs and patted its chest with its right front paw.

 

“So, there’s no need for you to feel left out.”

 

“Ppi.” [Got it.] Ren nodded vigorously.

 

Dragons were usually socialized by interacting with other creatures in the forest or learning from older dragons. However, Ren had been with humans from birth, and as a result, had grown very close to them. While this was something humans welcomed, it wasn’t necessarily a good thing for a dragon like Ren, who would outlive many generations of humans. Regardless of how long Ren would choose to live among humans, it was clear that Ren deeply cared about the people around it now.

 

“I plan to enchant the group portrait we’re making so that it will last forever. That way, when we’re no longer here, you can look at the portrait and remember this time.”

 

Ren, sitting properly, looked at Edward with its large eyes, then slowly nodded. “Ppiippi. Ppippi ppii.” [I’ll keep that for later, when humans start to forget.]

 

“That sounds like a good idea.”

 

“Ppippipppi ppii ppi.” [I’m going to have lots of fun with all of you.]

 

“Of course.”

 

Edward spent a long time with Ren in the side palace, listening to Ren’s hopes and plans.

 

* * *

As Luize’s belly grew, her sleep time gradually decreased. Finally, she was able to resume her daily routine, and Ren visited her almost every day. Sometimes, Maxion or Edward accompanied Ren to help translate.

 

“Hung! Ppippit!” [Just leave it to me!]

 

Ren snorted and stood on its two hind legs, tapping its chest with its front paws.

 

“Ppiii ppippi ppii!” [When the child is born, I’ll take special care of them since they’ll be your child!]

 

Edward translated for Luize. “Ren says it’ll take special care of the child once it’s born.”

 

“Thank you, Ren.” Luize patted Ren’s head affectionately before asking, “Ren, I’ve been curious about something. There’s a gender decision ceremony coming up. Can you tell me what gender you’re going to choose beforehand? I’m really curious.”

 

“Hmm…. Pipi ppii ipi ppi ppippi.” [Hmm… I want to tell Luize first, but Edward will hear it too.]

 

“Ren wants to tell just you, but since I’m here, I’ll hear it too.”

 

Ren glanced at Edward, then leaned closer to Luize and made a gesture as if whispering in her ear. “Ppi!” [I’m going to be a female!]

 

“… That’s surprising.” Edward looked slightly taken aback.

 

“Why?”

 

“Ren says it’ll be a female.”

 

“Really? I thought Ren’d choose to be a male.”

 

It made sense since Ren often threatened Edward by saying, ‘If you make Luize cry, I’ll turn into a handsome man and steal her away!’ Ren also frequently trained with the knights, wielding a wooden stick in the practice yard and hanging out with the Red Dawn Knights. In fact, most people betting on Ren’s gender had expected it to choose to be a male.

 

Ren gazed at Luize before speaking. “Pipi ppippi ppippi.” [I want to be Luize’s female friend.]

 

“Does it have to be a female?”

 

“Ppiippippi. Pipi ppippi ppii. Ppiippi ppippippi. Puhithit.” [Well, since I can change every hundred years, I’ll try it. There’s a world only women can understand, and I’ll be Luize’s closest friend. Hehe.]

 

Ren chuckled mischievously, and Edward gave it a wary look.

 

Unable to contain her curiosity, Luize asked, “What did Ren say? Why does Ren want to be a female?”

 

“Ren wants to be Luize’s best friend. Apparently, there’s a world of women that men can’t understand. It seems Ren learned something from hanging out with the maids.”

 

“Really? Ren, I’m so happy! When you polymorph, let’s train together and then enjoy a bath afterward.”

 

“Ppi!” [Sounds great!]

 

Most people might assume that imperial women’s pastimes would involve shopping or crafts, but Luize and Ren’s interests lay elsewhere. Still, with the same gender, they would have more activities they could enjoy together.

 

“…I suppose it doesn’t matter.”

 

Edward smiled faintly, watching Ren and Luize playfully clapping their hands like childhood friends.

 

“Pipi, ppiippi ppippi ppi.” [Luize, I’ll teach you the secrets of the women’s world.]

 

“…”

 

“Ppippi ppiippippi ppippippi.” [A woman needs at least three or four lovers besides her husband.]

 

“Ppippippi ppii ppippi.” [And the trend these days is cute younger men.]

 

“…Ren.” Edward grabbed the back of Ren’s neck, lifting it slightly, and whispered in a low voice. “If you keep telling my wife strange things, I’ll seal your ability to polymorph for the next hundred years.”

 

“Ppieuk?!” [What?!]

 

“Remember, Luize only has one lover and husband.”

 

“Ppii…” [But that’s not fair…]

 

“Did you understand?”

 

Feeling the tense atmosphere, Ren quickly nodded, sweating. “Ppu… ppik.” [I… I understand.]

 

Luize, observing them, asked curiously, “Edward, what’s going on?”

 

“Nothing at all.”

 

“Pipi, ppi ppiiiiiik!” [Luize, Edward is scary!]

 

When Edward released Ren, it tearfully rushed into Luize’s arms for comfort.

 

“You’ve become clingier lately,” Luize laughed, patting Ren gently.

 

The room was filled with peaceful laughter. It was another warm, happy day.

 

The End of Side Story 3: The Dragon’s Adolescence