I Couldn't Become a Knight, But for Some Reason, I'm Beloved by Dragons - Chapter 16: Licking is a Sign of Possessiveness

Chapter 16: Licking is a Sign of Possessiveness

“Ahh, whaaat?! Why!? Why is the queen here!?”

“I don’t know! But that winged one clearly had a lot of power!”

“It’s because you keep licking him, you idiot Kia!”

“Lena was doing it too, you hypocrite!”

The dragon girls, who were dedicated to their work, were terrified after being wing-slapped by the queen, who was more than just their boss.

However their conversation was unknown to Xeno.

▼▽

The event to educate the students about dragon handlers and dragons ended without incident.

Although Lena and Kia seemed to have changed, or rather the dragons seemed to have calmed down, the students seemed to think that I had completely tamed the dragons, and towards the end, almost all of them looked at me with admiration, which was somewhat embarrassing.

“Dragon handler Xeno! Please let me hear more from you personally next time! I’ll be looking forward to it!”

Michael said as he shook my hand before parting.

Although I was slightly taken aback by his fervor, it was not necessarily a bad thing for Lena and Kia to see someone showing such pure love for the dragons.

…But they also seemed to feel a bit uneasy about his high energy level.

“Well then, Xeno, thank you for today.”

“No, thank you, Leader.”

“Hmm… Huh?”

Although we were already back at the castle, the Leader looked in a certain direction, so I followed his gaze.

There were several unfamiliar men and women there, each walking down the hallway with a stiff expression.

“Ah, I see. It’s today.”

“Who are they?”

“Isastria’s diplomats.”

“… No way?”

Upon hearing this, the Leader nodded.

“They’re probably here to ask about the incident where you and Rito, the dragon handler, were attacked a few days ago and why the dragons were targeted.”

“…”

“I told you the day after the incident that it was really lucky that you were both okay. After this, it would be best to leave everything to Lichter-sama and the others —they have incurred the anger of the dragons, so they should not settle for a half-hearted conclusion.”

To tell the truth, I personally was not too concerned about that incident. Aside from me, although Rito had a slight bruise, it wasn’t a serious injury, so he was not concerned about it either.

However, from the perspective of the country, they were intruders from another country, and if their aim was to target the dragons and the reason for our coexistence, as the leader said, they wouldn’t take it lightly.

“Dragon handler Xeno, it’s not something you need to worry about… but since you’re involved, I can’t say that. I won’t tell you directly how it was resolved, but if you’re curious, you can ask me later.”

“Understood.”

“Hmm. Are you going to see Luna-sama now?”

“Yes. I’m alone, so it’s just lonely to go home.”

“Haha, I see.”

After that, I parted with the leader and headed to the world of dragons.

“…”

By the way, Runa had been using invisible magic and staying by my side since then.

Even though she waved her hand and disappeared when I had to return to the castle, I wonder if she got home safely.

I’m also scheduled to meet her at that spring in a few days… I’ll try to step in and ask her a few things.

“I’m back.”

When I headed to the temple area where Luna was always present, she was curled up and sleeping. It’s possible that she was in that state since morning because I wasn’t there, but if that’s the case, she won’t be satisfied unless I keep her company.

~You’re finally back, Xeno.~

“Ah, did I wake you up?”

I thought I approached her quietly, but she woke up and stared at me without saying anything.

She slapped the ground with her tail, which was her way of impatiently showing her appeal.

“There, there. Were you waiting for me all this time?”

~Of course. The only reason I’m here is to wait for you… well, I wasn’t particularly lonely, though.~

“I’d be happy if you said you were lonely.”

~There’s no point in lying. Besides… hmm, anyway, I didn’t feel lonely because my feelings are always by Xeno’s side —so I wasn’t lonely.~

“…jeez, Luna is such a cute girl.”

When I approached Luna and stroked her face, she wrapped me in her strong arms as usual.

Then she licked my cheek repeatedly… but for some reason, today she licked my left cheek and then my right cheek, repeating it endlessly.

“Is it just me, or are you licking me more than usual today?”

~You’re mine, Xeno… so I have to remove any smell.~

“…Ah, are you jealous?”

When I asked, Luna turned away easily.

Now that I think about it, I was often licked by Lena and Kia when I interacted with them at the academy, and Luna must have sensed that and was now licking me with single-minded determination.

“Well, they were anxious in a place they don’t often go to. I’d be happy if you could cut them some slack.”

~I understand. I don’t think I’m that narrow-minded… or am I? What do you think, Xeno?~

“…”

She may not be narrow-minded, but she gets jealous for sure, as I said earlier.

Without saying anything, I stroked Luna with a gentle smile, but it seemed that she wasn’t entirely pleased, and I was licked for several minutes afterwards.

And when she calmed down, I murmured casually while we were relaxing.

“I kind of want to travel somewhere with Luna… I just thought that now.”

~A trip, huh? I can’t be away from here for too many days, but maybe for a day or two…~

“Um, you don’t have to take it seriously.”

~What are you saying? I’m the Queen of the Dragons, you know? I can make such a request happen by just nodding to Lichter.~

“H-hey?”

~If we’re refused, we’ll just say that all the dragons are leaving from here… Alright, that’s settled then!~

It seems I might have made an insane request.