Thea stirred awake, the warmth of the room unfamiliar. She sat up, rubbing her eyes as she took in her surroundings.
The walls were smooth, carved from stone, but unlike the cold dungeons of human castles, this place radiated a quiet warmth. Faint glows pulsed from crystal formations embedded in the walls, casting a soft, golden light throughout the chamber.
The air was thick with magic.
Where am I…?
Then she remembered—Vaelthia, Ryle's mother, had taken them here.
She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and carefully stepped onto the polished floor. No doors, only open archways.
As she followed the winding corridor, a heated voice reached her ears.
She peeked around a corner—
And froze.
Inside the room, Ryle stood with his arms crossed, completely unfazed as Vaelthia towered over him.
Her golden eyes burned.
"You always put yourself in danger!" Her voice was sharp, filled with frustration. "Do you even think before acting?!"
Ryle sighed, scratching his neck. "Come on, Vaelthia, it's not that bad."
Vaelthia's glare intensified.
"Call me 'Mom.'"
Thea had never seen Ryle flinch before—but for a split second, he hesitated.
Behind her, a deep chuckle made her jump.
She turned to see Dravenith, his arms folded as he watched the scene unfold.
"Yep," he whispered. "For my mom, Ryle is her first child. Raising a human baby as a dragon wasn't easy."
Thea stared at him. "She really raised him as her own?"
Dravenith grinned. "She nearly burned down a kingdom just to protect him. So yeah—he's her son."
Thea looked back at Ryle.
His expression softened for just a moment before he sighed in defeat.
"...Fine, Mom."
Vaelthia crossed her arms, satisfied.
Thea smiled to herself.
The dining hall was massive—a cavern filled with natural crystal chandeliers, an open ceiling revealing the starry night sky.
A massive stone table stretched across the room, and dragon-sized chairs surrounded it.
Vaelthia sat at the head, graceful yet intimidating, while Ryle sat next to her, lazily munching on his food.
Thea felt awkward.
But Vaelthia turned to her, her golden gaze curious.
"So, Thea," she said, slicing through her meal with sharp claws. "Tell me about your past."
Thea stiffened.
For a moment, she considered keeping it simple.
But Vaelthia's gaze held no malice.
So she told her.
She spoke of her lost home, the massacre of her people, and how she had woken up imprisoned.
How she thought she'd die a slave—until Ryle arrived.
Vaelthia listened, her eyes narrowing.
"...I see," she murmured. "Humans remain as cruel as ever."
A heavy silence fell over the table.
Then, Vaelthia suddenly smiled.
"You'll sleep in Ryle's room."
Thea choked.
"W-Wait, what?!"
Ryle didn't even react. He just yawned, got up, and walked off.
A few moments later, they heard the soft thud of him flopping onto the bed.
Thea turned bright red. "I—"
Vaelthia chuckled. "Good night, dear."
Thea, still flustered, stumbled into the room.
Ryle was already asleep, sprawled out lazily.
"...I hate him," Thea whispered under her breath.
After hesitating, she lay beside him.
Her heart pounded.
She was too aware of how close they were.
Ryle shifted slightly, one of his arms brushing against hers.
Thea clenched the blankets.
"Just go to sleep, idiot," she muttered to herself.
When Thea woke, Ryle was already gone.
She stretched and walked outside, only to be stunned by the view before her.
Massive dragons soared across the sky, their wings cutting through the clouds like celestial beings.
A vast lake stretched between towering mountains, its crystal-clear waters revealing massive Leviathans swimming beneath the surface.
Everything was bathed in morning light, golden rays filtering through the peaks.
It was breathtaking.
"...Why wouldn't you want to live in a place this beautiful?" Thea murmured.
Ryle's voice came from behind her.
"Because this place isn't as peaceful as it seems."
She turned.
Ryle's expression was unreadable, his gaze distant.
"Under Ignilth's rule," he explained, "all dragon races lived in peace. Even the Dragonoids."
"Dragonoids?"
"Half-human, half-dragon beings. They have horns, tails, and wings. They used to be considered equal to dragons."
His fists clenched.
"But when Ignilth died… everything changed."
Now, three dragon factions control the mountain:
Sky Dragons—the rulers, proud and untouchable.
Earth Dragons—the laborers, brutal yet disciplined.
Leviathans—the silent, underwater rulers.
And the Dragonoids?
"They lost everything," Ryle said quietly. "They're slaves now."
Thea felt a cold chill. "Slaves…?"
Ryle nodded.
"My childhood friend was a Dragonoid." His voice was quiet now. "He wanted equality for his people. He believed Ignilth's vision could be restored."
Thea swallowed hard. "What happened to him?"
Ryle's golden eyes darkened.
"He was executed."
Thea stiffened.
Ryle exhaled slowly. "I was forced to watch."
For a long moment, neither of them spoke.
Then, Thea whispered, "Where do the Dragonoids live now?"
Ryle's expression turned cold.
"At the bottom of the mountain."
He looked toward the distance, where the towering peaks cast dark shadows over the land below.
"They work as farmers, maids, and laborers."
He turned his back to her.
"They live in a massive cave… trapped in darkness."
Thea's fists clenched.
This place—this beautiful, serene paradise—was built on suffering.
She refused to look away.
She refused to pretend it wasn't happening.
And deep down, she knew—
Neither would Ryle.