Dragon King's Harem Chapter 538. Flowers

Dragon King's Harem Chapter 538. Flowers

He returned after a minute.

“They are prepared to assist,” he said lightly. “Also, the innkeeper is already sending someone to polish his best table.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“I did not request royal treatment. Also… we are here for a couple of hours, not spending the night.”

“You did not need to,” Al replied.

I sighed internally.

We guided the carriage and wyverns toward the riverbank clearing. The soldiers remained disciplined, moving without drawing weapons. Armor gleamed under sunlight but did not intimidate further than necessary.

The river shimmered bright and clear, fairy magic faintly sparkling along its surface like scattered glitter. Trees with pale green leaves swayed gently in the breeze.

Wyverns were unhooked and given water. Soldiers took watch positions subtly but without overt aggression.

I stepped toward the town gate again, this time at a slower pace.

The fairy guard straightened.

“W-We welcome you, Your Majesty.”

“Relax,” I said casually. “I am here for lunch.”

That earned a confused blink.

And then, unexpectedly, a small laugh from a dwarven trader nearby.

Lunch.

Not war.

Al fell into step beside me.

“You see?” he murmured quietly. “We can do subtle.”

“Barely,” I replied.

He grinned faintly.

Subtle for us meant not arriving in full battle formation and not roaring at the gates. Standards were flexible.

I turned back toward the clearing where the carriage rested. The river glinted beside it, sunlight dancing across the surface in small sparkles that felt distinctly fairy-made. The air here smelled different from Draconis. Less ash and stone. More pollen. Sweet and faintly citrus, like the world had been dusted in sugar and morning dew.

The carriage door opened.

Evelina stepped down first.

Sela hopped down next, boots hitting dirt. She scanned the surroundings immediately, fingers brushing the crystal pendant at her throat like it might run away if she didn’t check it every three seconds.

Marissa followed more slowly.

The sunlight caught her hair and for a brief second she looked almost… untouchable. Nymph lineage did that. Even exile could not strip it completely.

They walked toward me together.

And I watched them.

Not because I doubted them.

But because part of me still felt guilty.

Dragging them closer to territory that once cast them aside.

Evelina caught my gaze.

She didn’t say anything.

Just smiled gently, as if to say, ‘we’re fine.’

And maybe they were.

Maybe I was the only one carrying yesterday’s shadows forward.

“Let’s check the town,” I said casually, forcing my tone lighter than my thoughts. “Maybe bring some food back for the soldiers too. If we find something decent.”

Al tilted his head slightly.

“What I know,” he said thoughtfully, “the fairy tribe is known for cuisine made from flowers.”

I blinked.

“…Flowers.”

“Yes. Culinary art shaped like blossoms. Infused with nectar essence and light mana. Colorful. Delicate.” He paused. “Probably more suitable for the ladies than for dragons.”

I glanced at him.

“That is not how digestion works.”

He shrugged.

“Presentation matters.”

Behind me, Sela’s eyes lit up.

“Really?” she asked, leaning forward slightly. “Sela want to see it.”

Marissa’s expression shifted too. Less guarded. Curious.

“Maybe we can bring some back to the palace later,” she said softly. “For the others.”

Evelina nodded. “And some for the soldiers. Just so they can try.”

Marissa’s lips curved into a mischievous grin. “Let’s go. I want to eat flowers.”

I stared at her for a second.

“You are a nymph,” I said. “You already smell like a garden.”

“I know~,” she sang.

Al laughed quietly.

I shook my head, but the corner of my mouth twitched despite myself.

As we entered the town, I felt eyes on me from every direction.

Fairy shopkeepers peeking through carved wooden windows framed with vines. Dwarven blacksmith apprentices freezing mid-hammer, sparks suspended midair as if time itself hesitated. Children whispering and tugging at sleeves.

But the most excited ones?

My women.

They were practically glowing.

Sela was pointing discreetly at a stall shaped like an enormous lotus, its petals carved from pale wood and painted with pastel hues. Small glass domes displayed flower-shaped pastries in pink, violet, and soft gold.

Marissa slowed near another stall where crystalline nectar jars shimmered faintly in different colors. She leaned closer to inspect one labeled Sunblossom Honey Drip.

Evelina watched both of them with fond amusement, occasionally glancing back at me as if checking that I wasn’t about to declare martial law over pastry distribution.

I walked slightly behind them, hands clasped behind my back.

Trying not to look like a warlord on inspection.

It was harder than expected.

My uniform today was draconis formal travel attire. Black coat tailored sharply along the shoulders, gold embroidery tracing subtle flame patterns along the cuffs. No heavy armor. No cape.

But horns were horns.

And blue eyes were unmistakable.

People still parted instinctively as we walked.

Part of me wanted to shrink my presence.

Another part of me liked the way the air shifted when I entered it.

I did not say that out loud.

Sela stopped abruptly in front of the lotus stall.

The fairy vendor behind it blinked up at her, then at me, then at Al, then back to her.

“Sela wants to try that one,” she declared, pointing at a blossom pastry that shimmered faintly lavender.

The vendor swallowed. “O-Of course, honored guest.”

Marissa leaned over the display case. “What is that one?”

“Moonpetal cream,” the vendor replied. “Made from night-blooming star lilies and frost sugar.”

Marissa’s eyes widened slightly.

“I’ll take three.”

Al leaned closer to me. “I think this is the first time I’ve seen her genuinely excited about something not explosive,” he murmured.

“Let them,” I said quietly.

Evelina selected a small golden blossom and handed it to me.

“For you.”

I stared at it.

It looked like an edible ornament.

“This is not meat.”

“It is food.”

“Yes, but not meat.”

She smiled patiently.

I took a bite.

The pastry melted instantly on my tongue. Sweet but not overwhelming. Cool, like it had been kissed by morning dew. There was a faint sparkle of mana that fizzed lightly at the edges of my senses.

I blinked.

“…That is surprisingly good.”

Al smirked. “Told you.”

Sela had already taken a bite of hers. Her eyes widened. “Sela approves.”

Marissa laughed softly, licking a bit of nectar from her thumb.