When a person has something weighing on their mind, they can change in an instant.
For example, right now— The moment Artoria began to suspect her dream was connected to Ian, she found that the idea of getting a good night's rest was simply impossible. How could she possibly sleep for long?!
Artoria lay on her side, her eyes wide open, staring at him on the other bed. The sky had not yet fully brightened. Should she use this opportunity to check on him? The moment the thought popped into her head, Artoria found that her body had already acted on its own. By the time she came to her senses, she was already sitting on the edge of his bed.
Ian was sleeping peacefully, looking so serene that it was impossible to imagine him ever biting anyone. Artoria couldn't help but feel curious. If— If that dragon really was him, why was he so angry about her becoming king? She didn't get it. She really didn't get it. Artoria felt that no matter how much she thought about it, she couldn't figure it out.
Forget it.I should just go back to my own bed. Sitting this close... it feels weird... Artoria rose quietly, preparing to return to her bed and see if she could get a little more sleep. After all, rest was precious. But just at that moment— She found that she couldn't leave. Ian had grabbed her hand.
"Don't go—" "Hm?" Artoria initially thought he had woken up, but she quickly realized he was talking in his sleep. In the next moment, she heard those familiar words again. "So thirsty..." "I'm so thirsty..."
Before Artoria could register the danger, she was pulled forward by a strength that was completely inhuman, right up against his chest. "..."
Thump.Thump.Thump.
The girl could hear her own heart pounding in her ears. She wanted to struggle free, but found she was completely unable to move. "Ian, wake up..." Artoria pinned her hopes on her words, only to quickly find it was useless. It was almost the exact same scene as before. Only this time— She was the one on top, and Ian was the one on the bottom.
Again?! Artoria began to regret her earlier bout of curiosity that had led her over to Ian's side. But just as the girl felt her doom was imminent, she heard the most unexpected words.
"I won't bite you." "I promise—" "Because Artoria is my very important friend."
"Eh?" If before he was merely learning the concept of a "friend," then the Ian now was earnestly expressing his own feelings. Even if it was just sleep-talking—it was delivered with one-hundred-and-twenty percent sincerity. He cherished her. That's why he said he "wouldn't bite" her. Mmm... so he knows what he's doing is wrong.
Once she understood his motive, Artoria found that she wasn't so resistant to Ian's actions anymore. After all—if she thought about it from another perspective... if she had an incredibly strong impulse towards only one person, but at the same time had to protect that person... wouldn't that be a constant, agonizing struggle? He had never said anything before, and now he only dared to mumble a few words in his sleep. He was probably afraid she would be repulsed by him, right? He must feel so constrained...
"..." Artoria glanced at the door to the room. After confirming it was highly unlikely anyone would enter at this hour, she made a decision. The girl undid the top two buttons of her nightshirt. And so, in the faint light of dawn, her fair shoulder was exposed. And... The thing he needed.
"Just for a little while, okay..." Artoria leaned down.
She didn't know what to call this act she was committing. But... it didn't seem as hard to accept as she had imagined. A small bit of satisfaction for him while he was dreaming... that was reasonable, wasn't it?
As if smelling the scent of food, Ian quickly latched onto the small, cute curve. "Ngh—" Artoria clamped her hands over her mouth. I overestimated myself.
Being suckled and not being suckled were two completely different things. This tingly, numbing feeling, who could stand it— But even so... Artoria also noticed something. Even in his sleep, Ian was honoring his "promise." He wasn't hurting her like a wild beast anymore. Of course... what replaced it was an even more mortifying act.
But the embarrassment didn't end there. As the first ray of sunlight entered the room, Artoria realized that Ian's eyes had opened at some point.
"EH!" "When did you wake up?!" "..." Ian released her. "From the beginning." "EHH—!"
Artoria's face flushed crimson. "You..." "Don't go with that guy," Ian said suddenly, in the midst of this incredibly awkward moment. "That guy's scent... is wrong." "Hm?" Artoria blinked. "That guy?"
"Yes! The one who told you to become the King!" Ian's rare show of agitation instantly confirmed one thing for Artoria. Her intuition had been correct. "So—" she said. "That dragon really was you?" "..." "Do you... hate it?" Ian asked, looking at her. "I... I was planning to tell you later. But this time, it was just too urgent, so..."
"I'm not upset," Artoria interrupted him. "I could feel that you wanted to protect me. That's also why you get thirsty, isn't it?" "Yes."
"I knew it." Artoria smiled. "If you're a dragon, then everything makes sense—surviving a fall from the sky is a normal thing for a dragon. But..." Artoria looked directly at Ian. "I still want to become that King. Because the people are truly suffering. I... want to put an end to all of it."
"But that guy is a bad person—" "I know, and I believe you," Artoria said, her eyes shining with light. "So, I won't be fooled by him. But, if becoming King can save everyone, then that is truly the future I hope for." "..." Ian was silent for a moment, then finally nodded. "I understand. In that case, I will respect your choice." "Eh? Does this mean... you'll stay with me while I become King?" Artoria asked with a smile, only to be met with his incredibly serious gaze. "Yes." "I will protect you. I will always protect you."
"..." The girl's cheeks turned red once again. If the first time was from shame, then this time... it was from genuine, heartfelt emotion. But that feeling didn't last long, because Ian soon found himself unable to resist his draconic nature.
Suckle—
"Gently! A little softer! If Brother Kay hears, we'll definitely be in trouble!" Artoria couldn't believe she was no longer repulsed by this. "Well then, Ian, since it's come to this—" "Will you do something with me?" "..." The boy lifted his head, his eyes asking what she meant. Artoria didn't beat around the bush. She said quickly: "Come train with me in swordsmanship. If you're a dragon, you'll be especially effective!"