Chapter 38: I hope you like this gift

“Fratina? What are you thinking about?”

Noticing Fratina pause while packing, Lucia asked curiously.

“Oh… sorry, Lord Lucia.”

Realizing her lapse, Fratina resumed her work.

Lucia didn’t dwell on it, continuing her reminiscence.

“Lord Lucia, do you… have any children?”

“Hm?”

Lucia glanced at Fratina, puzzled.

“Why bring that up?”

“Well, you’ve lived so long. Even among dragons, you’re surely in your prime, right?”

“Hm… maybe age-wise, yeah.”

Lucia pondered. She couldn’t recall having offspring.

She didn’t even have memories of parents—just a life alone, as a dragon.

“But children… I don’t think I have any.”

Think…

Fratina sweated.

Are dragons so casual about this? Doing that and not even sure if they have kids?

Or do female dragons lay eggs in their own territory, so Lucia wouldn’t know?

“What about your friend? No children either?”

“Her? Probably not…”

From what Lucia knew, her friend was single and uninterested in romance.

If she’d traveled the continent so long, why hadn’t she found someone?

But to Fratina, it meant something else.

Is dragon society matriarchal, with children not recognizing fathers?

In moments, Fratina’s mind spun with theories about dragon society.

Even after packing, she was still pondering their social structure.

Seeing Fratina ready, Lucia stood. “Shall we head out?”

“Yeah.”

They hadn’t brought much from the cave. Fratina packed daily clothes and weapons; Lucia, wary of running short, brought “a little” gold.

A nun approached, smiling at Fratina’s pack. “Lady Fratina, Lady Lucia, are you leaving?”

“Yes.”

Fratina nodded. “Thanks for your care these past days.”

“No trouble at all. What you two are doing is far grander than us staying in the church.”

The nun handed Fratina a small cloth bag. “A token from us.”

Fratina weighed it—money.

“This… isn’t right. Doesn’t the church need funds?”

“Of course, but this is our staff’s gratitude for your help.”

“No need.”

Lucia stepped forward, took the bag, and returned it. “I’m a dragon—money’s the last thing I lack. You’ve housed and fed us; we’re already grateful.”

The nun smiled wryly. “Our oversight. Sorry.”

“It’s fine,” Fratina reassured.

They left the church under the clergy’s farewells.

At the entrance stood a carriage, pulled by two strong horses.

It was large for a two-horse carriage, converted from a cargo cart into a passenger compartment.

The church had selected their finest horses from their pasture.

Compared to the money, this was the true gift.

Seeing their surprise, the nun explained, “The Saintess instructed us to prepare this. She sent a letter before arriving.”

“This… isn’t it too much?” Fratina tried to stay calm but couldn’t hide her astonishment.

Lucia was even more shocked, though her cloak concealed it, making her seem composed.

“It’s nothing,” the nun said. “The Saintess will reimburse us.”

As Fratina started to speak, the nun cut in, “Alright, get going. The continent’s not peaceful, and the Hero has much to do.”

The words cornered Fratina, leaving no room for pleasantries.

She mentally noted the favor and, after final goodbyes, approached the carriage with Lucia.

Though hastily made, the carriage was practical: a side door with a detachable step for easy boarding, a sliding front door for the driver, and cushioned seats inside.

Lucia, peering in, was stunned.

A single bed, big enough for both to lie comfortably if turned sideways, sat at the back.

Her cheeks reddened at the thought.

Would they share it, or would Fratina sleep on the floor?

But Lucia knew fitting a bed was already generous. Another would bloat the carriage, requiring four horses.

Most nations regulated carriages—four-horse ones were commercial, needing taxes and permits to cross borders.

*

Londe Kingdom

“By now, even if Lucia overslept, she should be up,” Dorothy mused, riding at the head of the Church’s forces, in high spirits.

“I hope she likes my gift.”

“And Sister Fratina, too. You two better get along~”