After dressing, Elise and Naya stepped out of the castle.

Before the main gates stretched an open field.

Faint dawn light bathed the land. Dewdrops shimmered on emerald grass. Elise released Naya’s hand and stepped onto the lawn.

“Watch closely, Naya.”

“Mm.”

Under Naya’s eager gaze,

a dim crimson glow emanated from Elise.

The silhouette swelled rapidly. Within seconds, transformation complete.

A five-meter-tall crimson dragon stood proudly before Naya.

Scales gleamed like freshly forged steel—deep red, cold as congealed blood.

“What would you like me to do next, Naya?”

Elise’s voice, layered with resonance, echoed directly in Naya’s mind.

Naya raised her arms in a gentle embrace.

“Can you crouch? I want to touch you.”

Elise obediently lowered herself.

Naya pressed against her forelimb, cheek brushing the hard, smooth scales.

“Elise… you’re so cool.”

Setting morality aside—

to Earthlings, dragons have always been undeniably awesome.

Even when labeled “evil” in stories or films, that longing never fades.

But here? Humans genuinely despise the Dragonkin. Real hatred simmers between races.

*Wait—focus!*

This isn’t the time to gush. She had a task.

“Don’t move, Elise. I want to keep touching.”

Elise was baffled.

Most humans trembled at a Dragonkin’s true form.

Even amnesiac Naya once showed quiet awe.

Yet now, memories restored, Naya showed not a trace of fear.

*No wonder she’s the Chosen Hero.*

Facing the Dragonkin Queen who once nearly killed her—still so calm.

Naya slid down Elise’s side, plopped onto the tail, and beamed.

“Hahaha… I’m a dragon rider too!”

*Is she… a kid?* Elise mused inwardly.

Naya *was* acting playful.

Which chuunibyou teen on Earth hasn’t dreamed of taming a dragon?

Soaring through skies on its back—*so* cool!

Her hand trailed the tail… and landed squarely on Elise’s rear.

“???”

Elise froze, utterly confused.

*Pat.*

“Naya?”

“Elise… is this melon ripe?”

“What are you doing?”

“I’m asking—is this melon ripe?”

*Pat. Pat. Pat.*

Two. Three. Four.

“Are you scratching an itch?”

“Stay still! Mosquito!”

*Pat, pat, pat.*

Seven.

“Hey—where’d it go?”

*Pat, pat, pat.*

Phew…

Ten pats. Done.

“Got it!” Naya blew lightly on the scale.

【System, task complete?】

【Task complete. Reward: “Holy Lance Repair Blueprint” ×1.】

The System had long stopped questioning her methods.

【Yay!】

To a Dragonkin’s true form, those pats were barely a tickle—no real sting.

“Okay, Elise! Change back!”

Crimson light flared, then shrank. Elise stood before her again in dragon-girl form, eyes full of quiet confusion.

“Naya… why *did* you ask me to transform?”

“I… just wanted to see your true self.”

“Show me your hands.”

Elise turned Naya’s palms up.

No mosquito. No mark. Flawless skin.

Caught in the lie, Naya stammered, “D-Do I have to say it…?”

“Hm?”

“I… wanted to see your butt! Dragon-form Elise… your… your butt is… kinda sexy!”

She ducked her head. Cheeks flushed crimson, steaming hot.

Half-truth. Half-fluster. *Just brush it off.*

“So *that’s* the reason?”

“What’s wrong with it!”

Elise chuckled. “Then… can I see yours?”

“I can’t transform…”

“I’ll teach you. It’s simple.”

Elise’s arm wrapped gently around Naya’s waist.

She’d studied Naya’s biology thoroughly—Naya *was* a dragon, through and through.

Just one whose natural form was dragon-girl, never having shifted willingly.

She’d held back before, fearing Naya might run off.

“Really? Then I can deliver your lunch myself! No more bothering the maids!”

“Your first thought after learning is *lunch delivery*?”

“And what do *you* want?”

Elise kissed her lips softly.

“What do *you* think?”

Naya’s face burned.

“Rumors were right! You lewd Dragon Queen!”

“Let’s head back. Time to wake Eliya for breakfast. I should get to work—I took yesterday off.”

She took Naya’s hand, leading her inside.

Inspired, Elise quietly wondered about trying… *new positions*.

After breakfast,

Naya watched her leave again.

Task-joy faded. Only parting melancholy remained.

At the doorway, she caught Elise’s wrist.

“You haven’t taught me how to transform yet.”

Elise glanced back.

“I’ll teach you tonight.”

*Night…* Naya bit her lip.

*Is this lewd dragon actually planning…?*

“Can I bring your lunch at noon? Visit your palace? Do the Dragonkin there—inside and out—know you have a consort like me? Elise… I’m curious. I *need* to know.”

Words tumbled out in a rush.

That promise had stirred deep longing.

*Am I truly your consort?*

All she’d had was verbal acknowledgment. Timidity kept her silent before.

But now—memories restored—she had courage.