"Good morning, Coldness Divine."
She stops her movements and turns her gaze toward him.
"Good morning."
Lawrence has no idea why she has allowed him to embrace her these days, but enough time has passed, it's time to take the next step!
As usual, he sits in front of the fish pond to feed them, and moments later, Coldness Divine jumps from the roof and sits beside him. He has fervently memorized the words of Celestial Firmament, so his babbling makes more sense than ever.
"Don't move, keep talking."
Coldness Divine rests her head on Lawrence's shoulder, seeming to want to keep listening about the mysteries of the world, yet at the same time it has other meanings.
'She's not always so direct, did something good happen to her?'
First things first, Lawrence extends his hand to her waist and hugs her. The temptation to lower his hand and touch her perfect behind has always been there, if not for that scaly tail protecting her, he would have tried already.
His words continue, Coldness Divine shows no signs of opposing his advances.
If it were Serene Will, then he would be trying to shake her heart, but with this woman, it's impossible. True to her name, her heart is as cold as ice, words are useless on a woman like her.
So, in simple, easy-to-evade movements, he lifts her chin and kisses her.
'I'm so worried about reacting to her possible attacks, I can't even feel this damn kiss! What face is she making?'
It's tough to pretend to be in love while internally preparing for the worst. Especially against a woman like her, who doesn't hesitate to kill when something bothers her.
'Eh? Two seconds? She didn't reject me?'
But time passes, and there are no signs of an imminent attack. As soon as their lips part, she is the first to react.
"That's your reward, be grateful, human."
Lawrence knows that Coldness Divine is using his discourse on the mysteries of the world as an excuse, someone like her wouldn't accept advances unless she felt something for the other. In her eyes, Lawrence must be someone worthy of her! That's the only explanation!
Shameless as he is, he approaches with a smile and kisses her again.
There was a slight rejection, but still, he kissed her. Perhaps, doing it directly evoked a feeling in Coldness Divine because of all the men who have been in her reverse harem, this is the first time she has allowed a man to take the initiative.
+++
"What did you just do, human?!"
Her scream reveals the hatred and contempt inside her, the human has committed a serious offense against her.
"Filthy, how dare you touch me!"
'Really? You got mad just for that?' Lawrence looks at her expressionlessly.
"I apologize if I offended you, but don't you think it's enough? This relationship won't progress if there are no advances."
"Human, you are mistaken if you think there is something between us."
'Wipe the saliva off your face before you speak, Coldness Divine.'
While she shows disgust on her face, Lawrence pleasantly recalls the touch of that soft behind he just touched. It simply has no comparison, it's the most outstanding and perfect one he has touched in his entire life.
Time has passed since that first kiss, without knowing why her affection increases every day. It's now customary for this dragon girl to hide it with her insults and scoldings.
"Isn't there?"
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"No."
Their distance progressively decreases until he is close to her again and he kisses her. As soon as they part, Coldness Divine clenches her teeth upon seeing the victorious smile of that simian-looking human.
Lawrence reaches out his hands toward her hips, initially seeming to want to embrace her, but when his fingers touch her buttocks, Coldness Divine immediately reacts.
As soft as the movement of the clouds, she kicks Lawrence's balls.
"Oogh!"
The attack is super effective! Lawrence falls to the ground with a pained scream.
"No matter the time, trash remains trash."
He must be glad that none of his disgusting balls got hurt in the process, he can feel proud.
'That dragon girl! The day will come when I spank that butt and put you in your place!'
Until then, Lawrence will walk the tightrope, not knowing which of his advances will be welcomed and which will not.
+++
Inferior Plane.
"What's his name?"
Initially, he only did it to check her loyalty. Complex feelings arise today seeing the deed accomplished.
"Ryan"
The baby in his arms is Ryan, the son between him and Sky Petal.
He wasn't present at the birth, but had previously asked Serene Will to stay in the Inferior Plane to accompany her. Today, returning from work, he finds the pleasant news that the birth was carried out without complications. Strange, isn’t it? The birth between two different species is extremely risky, but with Sky Petal, there were no signs of trouble.
Contrary to expectations, the baby is a human boy just like any other, with emerald hair and average weight, apparently nothing special at a glance.
"He won't have a second form like me, he'll appear human for the rest of his life. Nonetheless, he has inherited some of my traits, he can communicate with plants."
With a maternal smile, Sky Petal says: "It will take him a while to speak his first words, but I can already converse with him. He's as innocent as a sprout..."
Ryan lies motionless in Lawrence's arms, gazing at his father with his small black eyes. It's still too early for him to express curiosity through his body, he can only use his sight to appreciate his surroundings.
Serene Will watches him without feeling any animosity towards him, places her finger on his tiny hands, and Ryan squeezes it then looks into her eyes.
"He didn’t inherit Lawrence’s affinity, but he's not far off from it."
She smiles subtly, feeling the baby's grip, then says: "His greatest affinity is for light magic, followed by a lesser degree of plant control. He will be very talented if he receives training from an early age."
Both women chat happily about the new family member, weeks earlier, Lawrence was emphatic in saying that any child of his would be the child of both of them. Serene Will receives this news with mixed feelings, because he won’t be hers, but someday that baby will call her
Unfortunately, Ryan will grow up without the most important love, because his father has no interest in him.
Lawrence will simply satisfy his son's needs, expecting more from him is a vain effort. Worst of all, both women know this, which is why Serene Will postponed it for 10 years.
If after erasing her past she remains alive, she will be the one to raise her child.
In the following days, a need arises, sooner or later, Sky Petal must return to the Divine Plane to level up, and while she's away, someone must take care of Ryan. Due to his work schedule, Lawrence couldn’t even if he wanted to, it's impossible to count on him.
That's why Lawrence heads down the road toward Flourishing River City, where the guards of the Sky Blue Mountain Kingdom are stationed.
To them, he leaves a message.
His words fly faster than a declaration of war. The Inferior Plane might not have the technology of the Divine Plane, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have their ways.
A day later, his words reach the ears of the princess.
"A woman, but not for him... Does the ranker live there with his family?"
Reminiscent Euphony listens to the message in astonishment. Did the ranker find a partner in just one year and already has a child? How did this information not reach her sooner?
Years ago, when she last saw him, the ranker lived alone and there was no indication he had a partner. Now not only does it turn out he has one, but he also has a child, has he chosen the Sky Blue Mountain Kingdom to establish his family?
These are good tidings. If the kingdom were ever in danger, a few of her words would be enough to spur him to action!
"Princess, don’t you find his words too arrogant?"
Behind her, a man approaches, stroking his mustache disdainfully. This is none other than the current advisor to the king.
"Demanding a woman from the kingdom... If we obey him without conditions, I fear our kingdom would be harmed. His next demands would become more aggressive, until he sees the kingdom as nothing more than his loyal servant."
She narrows her eyes, "And what do you expect in return?"
"You misunderstand, princess, I expect nothing. My only duty is to give advice and it is you, the future queen, who will decide if my words are useful."
Skillfully the advisor steps back, knowing when to be haughty and when to be respectful.
Princess Reminiscent Euphony sighs inwardly. 'I can never understand my father's tastes in choosing his subjects.'
For Reminiscent Euphony, her servants must be wise and tolerant, in contrast, the current king insists on assigning subjects with extremist thoughts and polar opposites. She understands that he wants to generate discussion, to know both sides of the scale, but in current times, firmness is needed.
Especially considering their current relations with neighboring kingdoms.
"If you wish to hear my humble opinion, first we need to know his preferences. That way we know when to give and when to retreat."
"Thank you, counselor, I'll take it into account."
"Until next time, princess, have a good day."
The counselor retreats respectfully, but after a few steps changes his expression. Tough times are coming, this valiant princess will not be able to sacrifice what is needed. He who holds his loyalty is one alone, he will make sure to tell the king everything that happened.
"Princess, did you call me?"
A beautiful woman with blonde hair tied in a ponytail bows before Reminiscent Euphony, her armor making slight metallic sounds.
"Initial Spark... You took care of your sisters alone from a young age, didn’t you?"
"Y- Yes."
Seeing that smile on the princess always brings her a bad feeling.
"Would you like to be a nanny?"
Initial Spark: "..."
This time was no exception.