“Shall I stay by your side?”
Luce looked up abruptly at Mikhail’s strange suggestion.
“…While I’m sleeping?”
“If that’s what you wish.”
Mikhail’s voice was calm, and its soft rhythm had a soothing effect on Luce, who had just awakened from a nightmare. However, as Luce’s mind cleared, he began to see the situation more objectively. How would having Mikhail by his side while he slept be of any help?
“There’s no way I would want that.”
Luce shook his head, frowning. But Mikhail was undeterred by Luce’s refusal.
“But…”
His red eyes fixed steadily on Luce. Luce tilted his head, his expression changing as he recalled the boy’s eyes from his dream, which matched Mikhail’s red gaze.
“But you called my name.”
“What?”
Luce muttered, puzzled, scratching his temple with his index finger. He had thought Mikhail was an intruder, but it seemed he had entered because Luce had called his name. As Luce pondered how this situation had come about, Mikhail spoke again.
“I heard you call my name, so I entered your room.”
“…”
Luce nodded reluctantly, his expression still uncertain.
“Fine. I understand.”
“…So, do you want me to stay by your side?”
“The way you say it makes it sound like I asked you to.”
Luce grumbled, having never actually said, “Stay with me.” Mikhail smiled slightly and glanced around Luce’s room. There was a small chair right next to the bed.
“Where should I sit? Is it okay if I sit right next to the bed?”
Without waiting for Luce’s answer, Mikhail pulled the chair over and sat down. Luce stared at Mikhail’s audacious face for a moment before letting out a short laugh. Whether in his dream or in reality, Mikhail’s boldness was consistent.
“By the way…”
Mikhail, now seated, looked intently at Luce, who was sitting on the bed.
“May I ask what the dream was about? What kind of dream made you call my name?”
“…”
Luce hesitated, considering whether to share the details of his nightmare. It would require too much explanation.
“Did I appear in it? Why?”
Mikhail seemed eager to know.
“…You’re quite curious. It was nothing important.”
“It didn’t sound like nothing. Your voice was very urgent.”
“Urgent? Hardly.”
Luce frowned and shook his head. The idea that his voice had sounded urgent was ridiculous to him.
“So?”
“What?”
“So, what was the dream about? The one that wasn’t urgent and wasn’t important.”
“…Are you going to keep talking like this while sitting next to my bed? Am I supposed to sleep or stay awake?”
“I’m here to help you calm your mind by listening to your story.”
“What does talking about a dream have to do with calming my mind?”
Mikhail ignored Luce’s grumbling and picked up a book from the bedside table. The title read, Reflections on the Flow and Influence of Destiny. Although it was likely a dry academic text, Mikhail was curious because Luce seemed so interested in it. He wanted to understand what this “Ordinas” was that had captivated both Adrian and Luce.
Without a word, Mikhail began to read the first page.
“…”
Luce watched Mikhail silently for a while, observing him as he brazenly read Luce’s book. Finally, Luce broke the silence.
“I must be having these dreams because I’m trapped in a human body.”
Mikhail looked up from the book he was reading and asked Luce, “Don’t dragons dream?”
“Dreams are about unfulfilled desires and longings for things you can’t have. So, specifically, only humans do.”
“…Only humans?”
Luce responded with a half-smile, “What other creature would desire something beyond its reach? Everything else in the world accepts and follows its destiny, but humans always struggle and try to break free from the set path.”
His voice was cold and distant, but Mikhail was unfazed by Luce’s sharp words. He shrugged lightly and said, “That’s interesting.”
“…How so?” Luce asked, uncooperative.
Mikhail slowly laid out his thoughts, “If Ordinas is that ‘destiny,’ then the fact that you are now human and having dreams means you didn’t accept your given fate.”
“Yes, that’s right. I refused to do what was expected of me as a dragon, and now I’m trapped in this human body,” Luce said sarcastically.
“But… why is that wrong?” Mikhail frowned, puzzled by Luce’s self-deprecating tone.
“What?”
Mikhail closed the book with a thud and tapped the thick cover with his index finger. “Isn’t it natural to want a better ending for yourself?”
“That’s called greed.”
“Even having high aspirations?”
“Yes, like your king, Carlo, who always wanted to become a Sword Master. But that impossible and far-fetched goal was only achieved because I, a dragon, granted it.”
Mikhail fell silent for a moment, considering Luce’s words. He didn’t want to respond harshly to Luce’s pointed remarks. Instead, he was curious about the deeper intentions behind the dragon’s words.
“Is that why you dislike humans?” Mikhail asked, his gaze steady and unyielding.
Luce turned away from Mikhail’s intense stare and said, “I told you before, I don’t dislike them. It’s more like I feel nothing towards them. Though the trouble they cause is a headache.”
“Then there was no need to speak so harshly earlier.”
“Harshly?”
Mikhail chose to remain silent rather than repeat Luce’s hurtful words. He remembered a conversation with Adrian about destiny and wondered what dragons truly thought.
“If you really believe that… why did you refuse to follow Ordinas’ will?”
“And I regret it. I don’t know what to do, but if I regain my dragon powers, I’m ready to follow Ordinas.”
Luce looked down at his hands, clenching them into fists, but felt no strength.
“…The fact that my powers haven’t returned means I’m still not worthy of Ordinas’ grace. Or maybe Ordinas sensed my insincerity.”
“Perhaps your anxiety is causing these nightmares.”
“Maybe.”
Mikhail nodded and patted the bed where Luce was lying. “Try to sleep again. I’ll stay by your side until you do.”
“Alright.” Luce pulled the thick blanket over himself and nodded slowly. The soft feel of the blanket was comforting, but the recent conversation kept him awake. Mikhail turned off the lamp, leaving only a small candle burning on the bedside table.
Luce lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, and murmured, “So, you don’t need to try to fix this situation.”
“…I thought we were done with this conversation.”
“Once I regain my strength, I’ll eliminate all the dark mana from the continent.”
Mikhail remained silent, thinking that Luce’s attitude might be the very reason his powers hadn’t returned. Luce tried to make a fist again but felt only the weakness of his human hand.
“…Even after saying it directly, you still don’t believe me.” Luce grumbled in frustration and pulled the blanket over his head.
Mikhail looked at Luce with a mixture of exasperation and amusement, thinking that Luce’s attitude might be the reason his powers hadn’t returned.
Ngl after reading the new eps of the manhwa, this convo heals me they DO have bonding chemistry your honor