LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 62 - Chapter 62: Three Old Men
Chapter 62: Three Old Men
“Well, even at your age, you haven’t changed since our academy days.”
“What are you talking about? Anton, didn’t you ask Cesar to bring you closer to the dragon because you thought it was cute? You’re the one who hasn’t changed.”
“That’s because Edwin hasn’t seen a dragon yet, so I thought it was pitiful and asked.”
“Oh? The Temple Master is so kind.”
“Hey now, both of you, cut it out. Vandière must be in trouble.”
The Commander scolded the former Commander and the temple master for their childish bickering, just like their subordinates used to do. Oh right, they were all classmates back in the academy. With the original members together, their feelings must have returned to those days.
Wait a minute, do I have to deal with these three now?! As I hesitated on what to do, the former Commander patted the spot next to him on the three-seater sofa.
“Come on, sit down already! You want to eat that dragon pastry, right!? Come on, there’s something delicious here!”
The former Commander waved a scone with chocolate chips up and down, but Jest turned her face away and pressed her body against me.
“My mom said not to take food from strangers!”
“Huh? But didn’t you eat magic stones from my hand the first time we met?”
“That was after I was already tamed by Justin, so it’s okay!”
“I see.”
I reluctantly sat down next to the former Commander, who immediately started ruffling my hair.
“It’s true that Vandière Knight Commander turns into a child-like expression in front of Edwin! It’s like you’re a different person in front of the Crown Prince. I thought the same thing at the evening party, but it seems the dragon is really fond of you, behaving like a spoiled child… So cute.”
The temple master often does good things for the children at the orphanage attached to the temple, but could it be that he likes small things? He was looking at Jest with delight, like a cat lover watching stray cats.
“Oh… sorry for the ambush. We couldn’t refuse when you both insisted… We want you to talk freely today, and we hope you can handle these two appropriately. We’ll be satisfied if you tell us about recent events and future plans.”
The Commander, feeling sorry for us due to the freely speaking pair, spoke to us apologetically.
“I understand your concern.”
“As I said! So, what’s with the recent change? Whenever I hear your stories, I start to doubt if you’re really talking about Justin?”
“Wait a minute, Edwin, where did you hear that story from?”
“Come on, you’re the commander now, right? Well… there’s always a bunch of knights around when you go drinking, so treat them to a drink, and their tongues loosen up. So I know that you made sweets and taught the cooks how to cook! And… ah, never mind.”
He seemed to be questioning me as if he regularly listened to my stories, so I stared at him and questioned him back.
“Knight Commander Edwin…?”
“I said, you’re the commander now… Stop looking at me with that blank expression, it’s scary. I might start crying.”
I dropped my shoulders in annoyance at his playful attitude. Although technically a noble, he holds the rank of baron, which is close to commoner, so he has a light-hearted demeanor. Since I could predict that he would just dodge further questioning, I gave up on trying to get any more information. It seems like it would be easier to ask my subordinates after the holidays.
“By the way, Knight Commander Vandière, can I pet the dragon?”
“I want to touch it too.”
The temple master and the Commander sent Jest eager looks like children with sparkling eyes. Jest is certainly cute, so I understand their feelings.
“Jest, can I touch it?”
“Sure, but I don’t want anyone except Justin to touch my wings and tail.”
“Got it, thanks. Please don’t touch the wings and tail.”
With permission granted, a hand reached out from beside me immediately. Hey, I didn’t say you could touch her.
“Wow~! So this is what a dragon feels like! It’s smooth and somehow silky, a mysterious sensation. So cute~! There, there.”
“Hey, that’s not fair! I asked first, why is Edwin touching her first?”
“Yeah, switch places!”
The Commander, with his strong build, easily lifted the former Commander and placed him on the sofa where he had been sitting. Come to think of it, the Commander can use body enhancement techniques.
In the end, I ended up sandwiched between the temple master and the Commander, still holding Jest, and became the one to calm him down while they petted him from both sides. Afterward, we talked about Jest’s search for his mother, so I suppose it was a worthwhile time.