Flanna was one of the three maids stationed within the castle.

As the former strongest warrior of the Dragonkin, she felt no shame in being appointed maid by Dragon Queen Elise.

Quite the opposite—serving Elise was the greatest blessing of her life.

Every time she stood beside Naya, watching her gently care for Eliya, Flanna’s heart swelled with honeyed sweetness.

Weary of bloodshed and strife, she had joined Elise’s service five years ago.

Only after the Queen suppressed the combative dragon blood within her could Flanna truly transform into a devoted maid—no longer a battle machine.

Ah, Miss Naya—carefully wiping bread crumbs from Eliya’s lips to avoid waste, then naturally placing them in her own mouth.

What a tender, heartwarming scene!

So why had Her Majesty specifically warned her to watch Miss Naya closely and report any oddity immediately?

Why stress that lunches prepared by Naya required extra inspection? To “protect Eliya”?

Miss Naya was unchanged—still gentle as ever.

What did “protect Eliya” even mean?

Had enemies infiltrated the castle? Or… was the threat *Miss Naya herself*?

After Eliya cleared the table, Flanna began tidying up, then stayed near Naya and Eliya—ready for orders, yet quietly observing.

Mornings: Naya would take Eliya to the study to teach reading and writing.

Flanna often recalled the days when Eliya was still a dragon egg—all for this very moment.

Even before hatching Eliya, Miss Naya had diligently studied books.

Thankfully, her amnesia hadn’t robbed her of literacy.

Flanna saw every effort Naya made. Her maternal love for Eliya shone like the sun.

At noon, Naya let Eliya study alone while she headed to the kitchen to prepare the Queen’s lunch. Flanna assisted.

Flipping through fragmented past-life memories, Naya sighed at the kitchen’s limited ingredients.

She’d wanted to impress Elise with forgotten recipes—but to hide her restored memories, she stuck to familiar dishes: braised pork ribs, stir-fried garlic sprouts with cured meat, roast duck.

Such delicately portioned meals were uniquely human; only Naya could craft them.

Packed into a thermal box, the meal awaited delivery.

Dragonkin could soar in dragon form and reach Elise in minutes—but the Queen forbade Naya from leaving alone. Maids always delivered.

Outside the castle, Flanna opened the box and inspected thoroughly.

No poison detected.

“Your Majesty… this is truly unreasonable,” she murmured, closing the lid.

How could gentle Miss Naya ever harm the Queen?

Flanna spread her black wings, transformed instantly into a massive obsidian dragon, and soared through the sea of clouds.

From the castle window, Naya watched her vanish. She pressed a palm to the glass, eyes heavy with longing.

Five years… What had become of the human world?

Did anyone still remember Monet, the legendary Chosen Hero?

*No, no, no!* She shook her head.

Just this morning, she’d opposed Eliya contacting humans—yet now *she* yearned for them?

For Eliya’s sake, she must stay.

After lunch and brief playtime, Eliya napped. Naya sat beside her, humming softly until the child slept.

Holding Eliya’s tiny hand, she gazed at her innocent face.

Idle moments bred restless thoughts.

Silence thickened around her—a strange, suffocating quiet like water flooding her nose and ears, stealing breath and sound.

She lifted the mute restriction on the System.

[System, are you there?]

[...]

[Could you… ask the Supreme Deity to change the main quest? I… I can’t bear to break this family.]

[Host. You call *this* a family?]

[Why not?]

[Elise used you. Your unique constitution let her create Eliya. But since Eliya’s birth was unnatural, Elise implanted her genes in you—without consent—to bear a “proper” Dragonkin. She never loved you.]

[System, are you trying to drive a wedge between us?]

[Host. You’re betrothed to Lina. Have you forgotten her?]

[Mute the System.]

Just hearing it made her chest tighten.

Even if Lina had waited five years since her death… how could she face her now?

In this form, she had no right to meet her old comrade.

She loved Elise. She’d *married* Elise. Past affections had no place here.

A strange, unfamiliar sorrow fermented deep inside.

*Do I still cling to Lina?*

*As a “dead” woman… should I even reappear before her?*

Damn that System. She shouldn’t have unmuted it.

Naya retreated to her room for a short rest, calming the turmoil the System reignited.

Dusk fell unnoticed.

After preparing dinner, she waited eagerly downstairs.

As Elise’s crimson figure stepped through the gates bathed in golden twilight, Naya rushed forward and embraced her. Their silhouettes melted into the sunset glow.

Elise’s faint fragrance, the warmth of her body—Naya’s agitated heart finally stilled.

The body never lies.

Through this touch, she found peace, happiness. She buried her face in Elise’s neck, voice softening with tender devotion.

“Welcome back, Elise.”

Elise’s hand settled gently on her back. A faint smile touched her lips.

“Mm. I’m home, Naya.”

*Glad to return… and glad the you I see is still you.*