Ezekiel, the 2nd Princess of the Empire, Hedera.
She was originally a noble being found only in the Celestial Realm, but nowadays she’s fulfilling her role as the Tower Master. Thanks to that, encountering her on the continent has become possible!
Who would have thought such a precious princess would be seeking out a mere man?
Wowza!
Ezekiel himself knew it was an honor.
It was impressive whether he thought of her as simply human or as a man. Spending time with Hedera, who possesses Dragon’s Blood, was quite a big deal.
But then…
“Your Highness, what is it you need?”
Um…
Hedera hesitated for a moment.
“More importantly, the Inspector’s wishes are what truly matters. You’ve accomplished so much this time. Don’t you have anything you want?”
“Are you saying you didn’t call me for a specific reason?”
It didn’t look like she had a clear purpose in summoning Ezekiel. It seemed she was just in a hurry.
Hedera subtly avoided Ezekiel’s gaze.
“Well… I want to commend the Inspector. I’ve never had anyone to praise or take care of before. I don’t know what to do…”
“So you mean there’s no set plan.”
“Not exactly, but if I want to set something, I can! If the Inspector has something he wants—”
Hedera continued speaking busily, but Ezekiel let out a quiet sigh.
He had paused his steps toward the 1st Princess’s domain, convinced she had something important. Turns out, not really.
Of course, he was grateful for Hedera’s feelings.
Ezekiel didn’t lack for gratitude. It was only natural to be thankful if someone brought staff to evaluate his achievements or opened the royal reports. It was truly an overwhelming matter.
However…
…
When it came time to voice his wants, he found he had nothing to say. If he had to, it would be Sun Elixir, but that was beyond Hedera’s capabilities.
Instead, Hedera pressed on.
“Hey, haven’t you been working flat out lately? You must have had all sorts of suppressed desires! Isn’t it also the fault of the Inspector who can’t express those?”
“I took on the Inspector’s work voluntarily.”
Ezekiel simply replied nonchalantly.
“It was quite rewarding; I received plenty of compensation. Plus, it was beneficial for Your Highness.”
Uh, huh? Ah… that…
Hedera’s face turned slightly red and wobbly.
Ugh, it’s hard to manage my expression… to say such things…
Hedera moved ahead, passing by Ezekiel.
“Anyway, come on! I won’t let you work busily today. I’ll take care of you!”
Ezekiel cocked his head and followed behind.
Thus, they arrived at the 2nd Princess’s Domain.
Ezekiel was preoccupied with thoughts of the 1st Princess the entire way, naturally—since he was lured by Sun Elixir after all.
“Uh, 2nd Princess?”
“Uh-huh.”
“There’s something urgent I need to handle. If you don’t have anything pressing, let’s meet again later.”
…What? With me spending time with you?
“It’s genuinely urgent!”
“Um, just, just for an hour. Okay?”
Ultimately, he couldn’t hold his ground against Hedera and followed her deep inside, where a surgical room-like environment welcomed Ezekiel, along with a whole flock of maids.
“We present ourselves to the 2nd Princess—”
The maids bowed in unison like dolls.
“Your Highness, what is this place?”
As he lightly asked, an unexpected answer came back.
“It’s a place for engraving. Have you heard of it?”
“Engraving…”
Ezekiel, of course, had heard of it.
Engraving magical circles on horns, the body’s exterior, or even within… a method to elevate one’s realm, but naturally, not everyone could do it.
“It’s something only possible among the dragon race.”
Could it be that today was the day Hedera was getting engraved? Would he have the chance to witness her grow great?
But soon, Ezekiel’s expectations were shattered.
“I thought it might be possible for the Inspector too.”
Hedera took out a brilliantly glowing stone, clearly an extraordinary treasure.
“If the quality of the engraving stone used as a medium is ridiculously high, it might be possible to use it on an exceptionally adept human. No, it should be.”
The expressions of the maids nearby showed horror.
“Your Highness, a treasure received from the Celestial Realm…!”
“It’s a treasure I received as a reward after interpreting the Ancient Dragon Language this time! You must use it yourself…!”
“Stop.”
Hedera briefly dismissed their concerns.
…If it weren’t for the Inspector, this achievement wouldn’t have happened. If you wish to argue, go ahead.
…
Then there was silence.
Hedera scoffed and approached Ezekiel.
“Don’t question anything. Just accept it.”
Eventually, Ezekiel lay on the broad stone tablet.
Soon, engraving began, and an immense pain surged through him.
…Success!
One of the maids muttered blankly.
“Though it’s partly thanks to the engraving stone’s excellence, it’s also due to the Inspector’s extraordinary aptitude. It’s a success!”
He could feel the success without her needing to say it. He felt it all over his body.
The changes in his body and the internal flow were evident.
Hedera scrutinized him closely.
“Inspector, are you conscious? How are you?”
…It’s excellent.
It was a truly honest response.
He felt as if the mana flowing through his meridians was slightly widened. Everything became smooth, and soft.
“Probably, it’ll be an engraving that enhances the meridians. Since I engraved it on an internal organ rather than the surface to avoid it being visually obvious… Was it very painful? Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
The pain was bearable enough given the remarkable effect. It didn’t seem like this engraving stone could be called a treasure from the Celestial Realm for no reason.
This will surely help in absorbing Sun Elixir.
He had unintentionally gained a massive benefit.
However, did his words of “I’m fine” set off a chain reaction?
Hedera’s expression immediately brightened.
“Really? You’re okay? Then let’s move right away!”
…
This time, where to?
Their next destination was the dining hall.
What kind of place would an indulged 2nd Princess visit if she truly intended to indulge? The answer unfolded before them—a luxuriously extravagant dining hall.
“Should I get you cold water? Or the opposite?”
“I’ll serve myself.”
“You must be starving, right? I’ve already informed the chef.”
Hedera’s overly attentive demeanor felt rather awkward.
It was true that Ezekiel had achieved such feats, but the current Hedera seemed almost frantic to do something for him. It wasn’t like her.
I wonder how shocked the citizens would be.
The once so cold princess taking care of someone was simultaneously a stroke of luck and amazing.
…I’ll set aside tonight’s time. Your Highness, please don’t be so hasty.
Ezekiel decided and said. Given that he received the engraving as a gift, it was only polite to spend some time.
But Hedera disagreed.
“Who’s being hasty? I’m not like that. It’s just that I was worried you might really be starving.”
…Is that so.
How much time had passed?
Dishes that could be called delicacies began to fill the table, and surprisingly, a quiet meal ensued.
It’s completely opposite from dining with Solana.
Every time he moved his fork, Solana would speak a word, while Hedera quietly and elegantly continued the meal.
Whenever he occasionally shot a glance at the 2nd Princess…
“What’s wrong? Did something get on my face?”
Nope. You look the same as usual.
The two ladies had such differing priorities.
Solana cared about “what conversations to have,” while Hedera cared about “how she is perceived.” It was palpable.
Their pasts made their attractions different.
Just as it seemed they would continue their quiet meal…
“Inspector, I have something to say.”
Hedera broke the silence, wiping her mouth with a napkin.
“There’s a banquet at the Purple Magic Tower, and I thought it would be nice for just the two of us to attend and explore. We’re the Tower Master and the Inspector, so we’d fit in pretty well.”
Ezekiel simply chewed his food quietly.
It was unexpected.
He thought he might be given an extremely demanding task, but it was essentially an invitation for a leisurely outing.
Yet, perhaps her unease over Ezekiel’s silence prompted her response.
“…What’s wrong? Is there an issue? Well, even if there is a problem, it’s a matter we have to agree to. Let’s go together.”
“No, I was just curious.”
“Curious?”
Ezekiel nodded quietly.
“I never thought someone who only knows work would think of going on an outing like this. It seems you’ve changed a bit from the previous princess.”
…
Hedera mulled over that remark absentmindedly.
…!
Suddenly, her face turned bright red.
“T-That’s work too! Attending a banquet to cultivate aesthetic sensibility is necessary to acquire refinement!”
“Yes.”
“It’s not like I’m asking you out on a date. It’s just a matter of going to a banquet together. Of course, we’re a man and a woman, so things might happen, but…”
“Yes….”
During a moment when Hedera’s words lingered for too long.
“Uh, Inspector.”
The 2nd Princess quietly pulled something out.
Inside a small container was clothing. Well, to call it clothing was a stretch; it was very little fabric. It looked like…
…Underwear?
“Right.”
To Ezekiel’s astonishment, it was indeed male underwear.
“In the Celestial Realm, when a dragon reaches adulthood, there’s a specific ceremonial garment. So… you might have a use for it later. Keep it safe.”
“Why would I need this…”
“This isn’t some far-fetched idea. You’ll be using a check soon.”
…
Maybe she worried he’d ask something back; Hedera was the first to stand and make a preemptive strike.
“Just to clarify, you won’t abandon this and go become an adult with another woman, right?”
Hmm…
Hedera’s pupils suddenly widened like that of a dragon.
“…Dragons absolutely do not forgive traitors.”
…
With that warning, she swiftly left.
Finally, only Ezekiel remained in his seat.
…What do I do with this?
While he received a vitality-enhancing elixir from Solana, he got underwear from Hedera. What should he do with this check…
“I’m going crazy. Absolutely crazy…”
Ezekiel could only puff on his Sunweed.
And time passed; now…
In the 1st Princess’s domain.
“Hello, teacher.”
Ezekiel, once he regained his senses, found himself captured.
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