Yet the answer caught Naya completely off guard. To confirm she hadn’t misheard, she repeated slowly,
“Time reveals true feelings?”
“Mm.”
“I… I don’t quite get it.”
What did that mean?
Was it *that* meaning? Or something else entirely?
“Exactly as the words say. Your voice is lovely, Naya. Having seen the boundless ocean, no other waters satisfy; having beheld Wu Mountain’s clouds, no other skies compare. After witnessing your dragon-like grace and hearing your mermaid-like song… no other Dragonkin in this world holds my heart.”
“You… seriously! Are you really that shallow?”
“What else would it be?”
“…”
Naya lowered her head, dissatisfaction flickering in her eyes.
If love stemmed only from physical closeness… could it be replaced just as easily?
After all, Yuan Zhen—the poet behind *“Having seen the boundless ocean…”*—was famously a scoundrel.
Naya trusted another verse more: *“Beyond green hills rise higher peaks; beyond towers, grander halls. When will West Lake’s songs and dances ever cease?”*
Sensing Naya’s quiet unease, Elise softened her tone.
“Alright, truth time. Remember four years ago?”
“Four years ago…”
“Yeah. You asked me—could I give Eliya a complete family? Let her grow up healthy? I looked into your eyes… that humble, pleading gaze… and stayed silent. Later, watching you with Eliya—how you loved her—I was deeply moved.”
Elise had never seen maternal love before. It existed only in books.
Eliya.
Such a tiny dragon hatchling, freshly transformed.
In this lonely castle, Naya held Eliya as her sole ray of light.
She poured every ounce of love into the little one.
Elise watched Eliya slowly learn to say “Mama.”
To her then, that love felt painfully bright.
After a year of quiet observation and turmoil, Elise finally answered Naya’s plea:
*“Fine. I’ll take you as my queen consort. Let’s play house.”*
She’d said it lightly.
But pretend slowly became real.
“I recall bits and pieces. Back then, you were the aloof Dragon Sovereign who wouldn’t even glance my way.”
Naya had been terrified of Elise.
She rarely spoke first—just to avoid mistakes.
“Looking back… do you hate who I was?”
“No.”
“Good. I’m glad I was moved. Or how many more years would I have lost?”
“Love needs time to grow.”
This explanation felt right.
A bond sparked by Eliya—Naya’s most cherished answer.
No more lingering.
Bathe, return, tuck Eliya in.
Slipping from Elise’s embrace, Naya gathered clothes and hurried to the bathhouse.
Warm waters cradled her.
Elise sat close beside her.
Naya leaned her head on Elise’s shoulder, eyes closed. Milky-white water enveloped her; fragrant steam curled gently around them—like sinking into a dream.
Fatigue and soreness melted away, warmth seeping deep.
Her thoughts drifted five years back.
Newly amnesiac, utterly lost.
In her mind, Elise had given her shelter, food, clothes, even a name. She obeyed every order, lying patiently on examination tables for experiments.
One day, Elise handed her a pink dragon egg, voice cold:
*“A dragon egg needs its birth mother to hatch. I’ve no time. You do it.”*
Those words revealed everything.
Naya carried the egg daily, terrified failure would anger Elise.
She still remembered the joy when the tiny pink dragon broke free.
In that moment, something shifted deep within—she *felt* like a mother.
Of course…
Back then, she was just a nanny to Elise. Her role barely differed from the maids’.
That’s why they still called her “Miss Naya,” not “Your Majesty.”
True partnership came much, much later.
“Elise…”
“Mm?”
“Thank you.”
“Thank *me*?”
“For showing me what happiness is. After regaining my memories, I wondered: was happiness roaming with a sword? Farming? Trading? I once thought marriage meant surrender. But… thank you. For giving me a chance to rediscover love.”
So that engagement with Lina—the Chosen Hero—was always a distant dream.
A reluctant plan after retirement.
“Naya…”
“I love you, Elise.”
The words slipped out, raw and true.
Too late, Naya bit her lip, flushed crimson, burying her face in Elise’s neck—like a chili pepper about to burst.
Elise drew her close, deep crimson eyes shimmering with tender light.
In love’s quiet glow, silence spoke louder than words.
…
After tucking Eliya soundly to sleep,
Naya sprang into action: today’s pineapple pie!
“Watch closely, Elise! Time to witness my culinary genius!”
Maids dismissed.
Only the two of them remained in the kitchen.
Elise, on rare leave, devoted every second to Naya.
Five years—she’d never seen Naya cook.
Truthfully? Centuries since *she’d* stepped near a kitchen, except childhood snack raids.
“Dice the pineapple.”
“Mix flour for the crust. Stir starch with water.”
Pineapple pie was common here. Naya rarely made it—maids probably did better.
But she *wanted* to show off.
Simple? Yes. But to Elise, who’d never touched a stove, Naya looked brilliantly capable.
“Melt butter. Add pineapple. Stir in starch until smooth.”
Half an hour later—done.
Naya pulled the pie from the magical oven, squinting with pride.
“Ta-da! Fresh-baked, fragrant pineapple pie~”
Elise, seated at the counter, glanced up. Saw Naya’s silver dragon tail wagging wildly—*praise me!*—and laughed softly.
“My wife is so capable.”
The thick tail wagged faster. A tiny wish fulfilled. Naya glowed with joy.
[System: Host, don’t forget your main mission again.]
The System cut in abruptly from her mind.
[Do I seem *that* unreliable?!]
[Last time, you melted after three sweet words. Remember? “System, be quiet. Let her love me.”]
Naya’s tail shot straight up. Mortifying memories flooded back; heat bloomed on her cheeks.
[This time’s different! I’ve zero credibility left—maxed it out last night! No more “giving away for free”!]
[System: You’d better mean it.]
[You’re the one slacking off! Go cool down. Don’t ruin me feeding Elise pie!]
The System watched, bewildered, as Naya spoon-fed Elise bite after bite—sharing one spoon, shamelessly sweet.
…But wait.
If the main quest *never* ends…
Does that mean endless doses of Naya and Elise’s sugar?
