That night, thunder and lightning clashed as torrential rain poured down.

Rogue stood outside the warehouse with food, about to push the door open, when he spotted Lilitha inside fidgeting nervously.

She kept glancing at the door, then at the small window above. Her arms clutching her tail tightened. Rain pounded from all directions. Inside the nearly sealed warehouse, a chilling draft whistled through the vents, emitting eerie, ghost-like wails.

BOOM! A thunderclap roared. Lilitha’s body trembled violently. She let out a terrified scream, burying her head between her knees.

The darkness, mixed with rain and wind, amplified the warehouse’s oppressive gloom. With no light, her senses heightened naturally.

That’s when Rogue realized Lilitha feared thunder.

In the underground world, rain was rare—but an annual rainy season always preceded winter.

Rogue stroked his chin. If Lilitha feared thunder, he could use magic later to recreate this environment, accelerating her conditioning.

Time had come, yet he wasn’t in a hurry. Lilitha’s current fear was perfect—a stark contrast to days of silence.

He’d wait until she neared breaking point. Then he’d step in.

A hero’s entrance? Perhaps. It wasn’t kind, but it was the fastest way to restore Lilitha—and beneficial for her training.

Rogue’s magic surged. Crimson raindrops evaporated before touching his clothes. He watched Lilitha, waiting. Each lightning flash cast his shadow dramatically, like a dark antagonist from a biography.

Half an hour passed. Another thunderclap boomed. Inside, Lilitha’s lips quivered. Her dragon tail twitched restlessly. Her nerves frayed; she might faint soon.

Rogue pushed the door open.

BANG! The door swung wide. His magic blocked wind and rain outside. Lights flooded the warehouse. Rain silenced. Wind stilled. Under Rogue’s silhouette, the space glowed with light.

The effect was perfect.

Lilitha’s hopeful gaze met his. Rogue nodded satisfactorily. "Lilitha, time for a bath."

His words reminded her of past baths’ warmth. Compared to the recent cold and darkness, she sniffled softly. Tears streamed down.

Rogue placed a wooden tub aside. He knelt before her on one knee. His rough fingers gently wiped her tears. "Good girl~"

Just as he reached to lift her, with a "Wah!" Lilitha lunged into his arms. She trembled, sobbing uncontrollably.

Her small hands gripped his clothes tightly. Her soft, faintly fragrant body caught Rogue off guard.

This wasn’t expected. Rogue’s eyes widened. His hovering hand paused, then gently patted her smooth back. After clumsy Dragon language lessons, he only knew how to say "good girl" for comfort.

It felt less like raising a pet, more like caring for a child. Rogue’s lips curled into a smile. He liked this dependence.

After Lilitha cried herself out, Rogue led her to the tub. He filled it with warm water and gestured for her to climb in. But Lilitha only gave a puzzled look.

Unhurried, Rogue lifted her in. He bathed her carefully. Having cried in his arms earlier, her wariness had lessened. She didn’t resist.

Her cooperation pleased him. When Rogue lifted her arm to clean the Young Dragon Princess’s armpit, Lilitha obediently raised it. Before Gudexia’s death, she’d fiercely resisted such touches.

A complex emotion flickered in her eyes. Perhaps recalling the past.

Rogue didn’t mind. When they first met, he’d been rough—necessary to fulfill Lady Aria’s mission. Back then, freeing her from fear had been tricky.

This was better. Current tenderness mixed with past impressions would make her dependent while fearing his anger. Clarifying master and pet roles.

After bathing her, he dried her long silver hair with magic. Then he began feeding her. Presenting a cute, obedient demeanor, Rogue took out bread.

He opened a small bottle beside him—jam specially prepared by Number Two.

Dipping bread in jam, he offered it. Lilitha opened her mouth. The unfamiliar taste made her eyes light up.

Since becoming a slave, she hadn’t tasted sweetness in ages. She’d almost forgotten what "sweet" felt like.

Compared to bland bread, this jam was wonderful, wasn’t it?

Seeing Lilitha lift her head eagerly for more, Rogue initiated his second plan.

He pointed at her and spoke in Dragon tongue. "Lilitha."

Lilitha didn’t understand, tilting her head cutely.

Patiently, Rogue repeated the gesture and phrase four times. Finally, Lilitha stiffly pointed at herself. "Lilitha?"

Rogue nodded, rewarding her with jam-covered bread.

Establishing pet and master identities—that’s what he was doing.

Tearing off another bread piece, he pointed again. "Lilitha."

"Lilitha!" the Young Dragon Princess responded.

Next, Rogue pointed at himself in human tongue. "Master."

Lilitha blinked. "Mast-er?"

"Hiss..." That thick lisp. Pronouncing two syllables shouldn’t be hard.

Rogue repeated the gesture. "Master."

Lilitha: "Bamboo wheel?"

Not easy to teach. Did she think this was a game? After another failed attempt, Rogue resorted to punishment. Wrong pronunciation meant no jam bread—he’d eat it himself.

At first, Lilitha didn’t grasp the rule. But as jam and food dwindled, her craving sparked panic.

Rogue smirked, holding up jam-dipped bread. He pointed at Lilitha. "Lilitha."

"Lilitha!" She lifted her head, voice louder.

Rogue pointed at himself, enunciating slowly. "Mas-ter."

"Mas-er!"