“……I can’t”
Adrian’s tightly sealed lips stirred ever so slightly.
What was that? Mikhail murmured internally. Without even thinking, he leaned down, his upper body bending deep until his ear was right next to Adrian’s mouth—it was a seamless, instinctive motion.
“…!”
Because of that, Adrian’s soft, barely-there breath brushing directly against his ear was something completely outside of Mikhail’s plan. A chill rushed up the back of his neck as goosebumps flared across his entire body. His heart plummeted like it had dropped to the floor—only to slowly climb its way back to a steady rhythm. Gasping sharply, Mikhail abruptly lifted himself upright again.
‘……That startled me.‘
Adrian remained sound asleep, undisturbed by Mikhail’s sudden movement. Each breath he exhaled carried a faint, distinctive scent that teased Mikhail’s senses. Unlike last time—when the room reeked of cheap inn perfume—this was the same scent that always disoriented him. The one that made him falter every time.
And then—
“I can’t……do it.”
It was Adrian’s voice.
This time, it was clear. Clear enough that Mikhail didn’t need to lean in to catch it. The words cut through the silence and reached him effortlessly.
At the same time, Adrian’s brow furrowed deeply, twisted with distress.
Mikhail silently stared down at him lying on the bed.
It wasn’t something the usual Adrian would ever say. And that’s exactly why Mikhail had to ask— Even knowing that Adrian was speaking in his sleep.
“……What?”
In the dim room, Mikhail spoke to the sleeping Adrian, quietly exhaling.
The moonlight cast a pale glow across Adrian’s white forehead, and his bright blond hair lay neatly fanned across the white pillow.
“…….What can’t you do?”
He was curious. What exactly was it that this dragon claimed he couldn’t do? As far as Mikhail knew, Adrian was capable of anything—so how could he not wonder? What could possibly cause Adrian to frown like that in distress?
Adrian still had his eyes closed, his lips now pressed firmly shut again. He was clenching his jaw so tightly that the tendons along his neck and chin stood out in stark relief.
The moment Mikhail noticed that, he had no choice but to wake him. He did want to keep watching, his curiosity piqued—but he wasn’t the kind of person who’d let someone he cared about be trapped in a nightmare just to satisfy his own need to know.
Rustle. He gently brushed aside Adrian’s bright blond hair that had fallen across his white forehead, then softly stroked his cheek.
“Adrian.”
Even that tender touch didn’t stir him, so Mikhail called his name aloud.
“Adrian, wake up.”
At the sound of his name, Adrian’s eyelids twitched slightly. And then, he opened his eyes. They parted slowly, cutting through the darkness—his lashes blinking once, and then his gaze locked onto Mikhail with a vivid golden glow. The moment he saw Mikhail looking down at him with clear concern, Adrian abruptly pushed himself upright.
“What is it?”
His voice was crisp—far too sharp and lucid for someone who’d just woken from a deep sleep.
“Did something happen?”
Still seated on the bed, Adrian’s eyes swept swiftly across the dim inn room, taking everything in. If there was anything even remotely bothersome, he looked ready to eliminate it on the spot.
” …….”
There was no trace left of the man who’d been groaning through a nightmare moments ago. When Mikhail didn’t answer right away, Adrian asked again with a hint of irritation.
“I asked if something happened. Mikhail.”
“There’s nothing wrong with me.”
“Then why did you wake me up?”
Adrian scowled as he raked a hand roughly through his tousled hair.
“What were you dreaming about?”
Mikhail asked, completely unfazed by Adrian’s annoyance.
“Dream?”
Adrian echoed, the hand raking through his hair coming to a sudden halt.
“That dream you were just having. You looked like you were in pain, so I woke you.”
“I looked like I was in pain?”
Adrian blinked slightly, as if the comment had caught him off guard—then let out a short, dry chuckle. He smoothed his forehead and gave a small nod.
I looked like I was in pain? Me?
Only then did Mikhail’s words pull the earlier nightmare back into focus. Mikhail, smiling so brightly… and then—
And then…
“I see.”
Adrian had to admit it— That helplessness, that feeling of being forced to say, I can’t. Even if acknowledging it didn’t change a thing.
“What was the dream about?”
Mikhail asked again, needing an answer. Adrian’s golden eyes slid over to him, sharp and gleaming, like a wild predator just before it pounced on its prey.
A dream…
They say dreams are the realm of the unconscious. In dreams, one can possess anything, become anything. Sometimes they reveal what the world desires of you… or show you a glimpse of fate.
But in the end, dreams also teach you— That it was all an illusion.
Adrian took a long pause before finally replying.
“They say you can see the sum of someone’s desires in a dream.”
That’s why dragons don’t dream. Because dragons don’t desire anything strongly enough to shape it within a dream.
His calm, subdued voice filled the dimly lit room.
At that, one of Mikhail’s eyebrows rose. He couldn’t tell where this was going—what Adrian was leading up to.
“…So maybe it was a little hard on me. But it’s not something you need to worry about.”
It’s nothing serious.
Adrian muttered, rubbing his forehead roughly with his palm.
It wasn’t surprising Mikhail had thought he was having a nightmare. After all, everything Adrian had seen and felt just moments ago had felt far too real.
He was also relieved—relieved that it was only a dream.
Just as Adrian finished answering, he slowly leaned back against the bed again.
“I never used to dream that often either… but lately, I keep having these weird dreams.”
Adrian’s gaze darted quickly toward Mikhail. The momentary stillness in his body broke as the corners of his lips lifted into a slight smile.
“Weird dreams? Like the one you mentioned before—with the lion?”
Mikhail shook his head slowly from side to side.
“Not a lion this time. Just… a small boy with blond hair.”
“Hm. Still sounds like a weird dream, though.”
“Why do I keep having dreams like that, seriously…”
It was already the second time just during their journey to Delbaran. Come to think of it, that was when it started.
Mikhail undid a few buttons on his shirt and looked down at his chest. Ever since this mark appeared, he’d been having these strange dreams over and over again.
“Did you find out anything about this mark?”
Mikhail asked while looking down at the golden symbol etched into his skin. Adrian’s voice replied almost immediately.
“…Not really. But it doesn’t seem like a curse or anything. And it definitely isn’t some instantly-triggered spell. We’ll have to keep watching it for now.”
Adrian squinted slightly as he lied with practiced ease. He had pieced together a vague idea of what it might be—But he had no intention of telling Mikhail. Not yet.
Luckily, Mikhail didn’t seem to notice and accepted the answer without suspicion. That was a relief. But at the same time… Adrian couldn’t help but worry. Wasn’t he being a little too trusting?
***
“Where are you going?”
The next day, Adrian—sitting by the window with a book in hand—gave Mikhail a small nod of acknowledgment.
“Morning training.”
Adrian waved lazily through the air, deliberately ignoring Mikhail’s not-so-subtle invitation.
Tch. Mikhail caught on and decided to try the direct approach this time.
“Wanna come with me?”
“No.”
At Adrian’s immediate and unhesitating refusal, Mikhail furrowed his brows.
“If you’re bored, why not go with him?”
Adrian tilted his chin toward the Darphung, who was gazing up at them with round, gleaming eyes full of anticipation.
“The Darphung goes on walks?”
“A small pup would be too risky, but a Darphung that size already has a strong homing instinct. He can easily find his way back alone. He’s probably been getting restless, cooped up in carriages and inn rooms all this time.”
Woof!
As if understanding perfectly, Darphung let out a short, loud bark.
Mikhail looked at the creature’s expression—surprisingly expressive, even if he still wasn’t completely convinced. But in the end, he gave a reluctant nod. It just meant one more thing to manage during his morning training.
“Come here.”
At Mikhail’s call, the Darphung leapt to all fours and darted over, proudly settling by his feet with a poised and dignified stance.
The little guy puffed out his chest, standing at attention as if awaiting orders—it was unexpectedly endearing. Mikhail stared down at him for a moment, then slowly lifted one foot.
He was testing him—curious to see if the Darphung would follow. Throwing the door wide open with a flourish, Mikhail stepped outside first. The Darphung trotted right after him, his little steps pattering along until he came to a perfect stop right at Mikhail’s heel.
Mikhail walked forward a few more paces. The Darphung followed—precisely matching his pace.
Smarter than I thought… he really understands me?
“Alright, let’s go.”
Mikhail gave a slight nod and spoke to him.
Woof!
The rhythmic sound of the Darphung’s tail wagging and excited footsteps behind him was oddly satisfying.
Click. The door shut behind them.
And the moment it did, Adrian’s eyes—until now calmly fixed on his book—gleamed with a flicker of light.
Finally, he had time. Just a short moment.
There was somewhere he needed to go.
