Chapter 31:Carry Me Down

Neither Dorothy nor Alexius found Fratina’s suggestion improper. Alexius even selected a sturdy horse for them.

Facing the horse, taller than herself, Lucia sighed, stepped onto the stirrup, and, gripping the saddle, struggled to climb up.

The others, especially Fratina, saw nothing odd.

Seeing Lucia avoid using dragon powers to stay discreet, Fratina felt touched.

As Lucia settled, Fratina leaped onto the horse with a single bound.

Lucia felt a soft figure press against her back, her face flushing.

Fratina’s arms reached around her sides, grasping the reins.

Lucia was enveloped by Fratina’s body and limbs.

She could almost feel Fratina’s steady breathing.

Flustered, she heard Fratina say, “Sorry, Lord Lucia, the saddle’s small. Please bear with it…”

Thus, Lucia rode half-embraced by Fratina all the way to Elan City.

Some physical contact occurred, but to Lucia’s relief, Fratina noticed nothing unusual.

The magic cloak not only distorted sight but also masked touch.

‘Worthy of a dragon’s treasure, even a small tool is so effective.’

Now, Freeman’s heart raced as he saw Fratina enter Elan City with an unknown cloaked figure.

He nearly warned Duncan but was interrupted by Alexius approaching.

“You must be Minister Freeman of Londe? You didn’t attend last night’s banquet?”

Freeman forced a smile. “I was unwell and couldn’t join His Majesty.”

“Pity. But, Minister Freeman, you hold high status to decline a king’s invitation.”

“Haha, His Majesty just gives me face.”

Freeman laughed, seeking an excuse to slip away and speak to Duncan alone.

But Alexius kept engaging him, giving no chance to leave.

Meanwhile, Duncan led the Papal forces to the palace.

Fratina dismounted first, then knelt on one knee before the crowd, raising her hands as if to help Lucia down.

Lucia froze, as did everyone else.

‘Fratina, you’re the Hero. Kneeling so humbly before a mysterious figure in public—really?’

Over the past days, the Church group knew Fratina dismounted first, and Lucia climbed down alone.

What was with Fratina today?

Her reasoning was simple.

Before, it wasn’t formal. Now, in a diplomatic setting, she aimed to elevate Lucia’s dignity with humility.

But Lucia, after a pause, didn’t seem to accept it.

“Um… Fratina.”

Her voice reached Fratina’s ears.

Fratina looked up, confused.

“You’re too low like that… If you’re helping, just… hold me down.”

Lucia wasn’t rejecting the gesture, but the horse was too tall. Even with Fratina’s arms raised, Lucia’s feet couldn’t reach.

Dorothy, hearing this, felt a spark ignite.

Recalling Lucia’s petite human form and her “fondness for women’s clothes,” she wondered if the dragon was secretly childish.

An image formed: a gallant female knight and a boy who liked women’s clothing.

Suddenly, Dorothy found this pairing oddly appealing.

Though she didn’t know Lucia’s face, as a dragon, she wouldn’t shapeshift into someone unattractive, right?

Nearby Church soldiers stared at Dorothy, stunned.

‘Eyes sparkling, looking infatuated—is this our Saintess?’

Fratina, hearing Lucia’s order, hesitated. “Really… no problem?”

“…Yes.”

Lucia nodded weakly.

After days of riding together without Fratina noticing her figure, a simple lift should be fine.

With Lucia’s confirmation, Fratina stood, tiptoed, and caught Lucia as she dismounted.

Holding Lucia’s waist, Fratina paused.

Lucia’s body was soft, her frame remarkably slender.

The waist she grasped felt delicate, almost boneless, with a pleasant touch.

In that moment, Lucia’s image in Fratina’s mind shifted.

She’d assumed Lucia, if not muscular, was at least balanced, not nearly as slim as herself—or even slimmer.

‘Is Lucia’s body… underdeveloped?’

As Fratina pondered, Dorothy, having savored their “chemistry,” approached the stunned Duncan.

Despite last night’s drinking, Duncan sensed something from Fratina and Lucia’s interaction.

Before he could dwell, Dorothy reached him, smiling.

“King Duncan, I hear you’ve arranged a feast for us?”

Duncan’s focus snapped to her, nodding with a smile.

He didn’t dare defy Alexius, let alone Saintess Dorothy.

“Yes, a grand banquet awaits in the palace, and fine food for the soldiers outside.”

“Then please lead the way, Your Majesty.”

“Of course, follow me.”

Before Dorothy, Duncan became little more than a guide, their statuses subtly reversed.