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“Yes, we will take you to the teleportation gate for swift travel.”
With those words, the captain of the royal guard took Ayla and left the room.
Unable to contain his curiosity, the dean grabbed one of the royal guards who was about to leave and asked.
“What on earth is going on? What did student Ayla do this time!”
“Her Majesty has summoned Ayla to the Imperial Palace to confirm if she is the owner of the Dragon.”
The dean was shocked, his face aghast.
Ayla might be the owner of the Dragon?
‘Should I start sucking up to her now?’
Ayla had already proven her talent by taking the top spot in the recent exam.
Moreover, she was monopolizing the favor of the Second Princess, Peony.
If she even became the owner of the Dragon, it was clear that the other royals would be competing to have Ayla.
The problem, however, was that he had tried to put such Ayla in prison not long ago.
‘What should I do! What if that kid holds a grudge against me…….’
But how could he have known that what Ayla was raising was not a Monster egg but a Divine Beast egg, and that the Divine Beast would be a Black Dragon.
The dean watched Ayla’s departing figure with a dark face.
Ayla arrived at the Imperial Palace before long.
This was because a teleportation gate was installed between the Imperial Palace and the Academy.
It could not be used unless it was a very special case for security reasons, but it seemed that the Emperor had given special permission because the matter was urgent.
The Emperor's knights led Ayla to the palace where the Dragon was staying.
There stood the Emperor, Eliza, the First Prince, and Peony.
Adolf and Christina did not attend, saying what a fuss over a mere commoner.
Ayla looked at the royals with inner tension.
‘I had some idea when the knights came to find me.’
There was only one reason why they would be looking for her so urgently.
The owner of the Dragon had not yet been decided.
Ayla looked at the Emperor sitting on the platform and bowed gracefully.
“Greetings to the honorable Imperial Family.”
The Emperor was silent for a moment at her impeccable etiquette.
He felt sorry that she, who possessed outstanding abilities and was well-mannered, was now of insignificant commoner status.
But the Dragon's matter was more urgent, so he put aside his complicated thoughts and opened his mouth.
“Raise your head. Do you know why you have been summoned here?”
“I have an idea.”
“You had an idea?”
“Yes, the only reason the Imperial Family would be looking for me is the Black Dragon.”
Ayla lowered her gaze and continued politely.
“I thought that perhaps the owner of the Divine Beast had not yet been decided.”
An interesting look crossed the Emperor's eyes.
He had heard that she had recently taken the top spot at the Academy, and she certainly had a clever side.
It was understandable that his picky daughter had made her a friend.
“As you say, the Dragon is refusing to eat or drink without choosing an owner.”
Hearing those words, Ayla's face was filled with worry.
Although she had never met him directly after he hatched, she couldn't help but worry that a life she had once cared for was in pain.
“But the Dragon only reacts when we talk about you.”
“……”
“So we had no choice but to call you. We can't let a Divine Beast that was just born die.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
“All you have to do is feed and care for the Dragon. Would that be alright?”
Ayla nodded without hesitation.
“Yes, I will give it a try.”
The Emperor gestured to the knights standing far away.
“No need to drag it out. Take Miss Ayla there right away. The Empress, Darian, and Peony will go with you.”
Following the knights' guidance, everyone headed to the Dragon's chamber.
As soon as the members of the Imperial Family entered the room where the Dragon was staying, they realized that Peony's guess was correct.
This was because the Dragon started wailing excitedly when it saw Ayla.
“Piyo! Piyo!”
It was a completely different appearance from the sullen way it had greeted the royals until now.
It even seemed so full of energy that it was hard to believe that it had been refusing to eat or drink.
Darian murmured with a surprised face.
“As Peony said, the Dragon is greatly welcoming Ayla.”
Eliza chimed in, sounding amazed.
“Indeed, it’s quite astonishing.”
Ayla held a bowl of the Dragon's food and slowly approached.
Then, the Dragon hurriedly got out of bed and approached her.
As Ayla picked up the Dragon, which was waddling towards her, the Dragon's tail wagged.
“Piyo!”
Ayla fed the Dragon, whose eyes were sparkling with joy, little by little.
The Dragon ate all the food she gave him without leaving a single bite, and after a while, he closed his eyes as if satisfied.
“Piyoong.”
With a soft cry, the Dragon clung to Ayla's arm.
Then, he closed his eyes tightly without any intention of letting go.
As Ayla patted the Dragon's back, he made a purring sound and soon fell asleep.
Eliza, who saw the scene, exclaimed softly.
“The Princess was right. Ayla really was the owner of the Divine Beast.”
Her gaze was fixed on Ayla and did not leave easily.
“It’s truly amazing. Not only does she possess outstanding Magic skills as a commoner, but she has even been chosen by the Divine Beast.”
Eliza's eyes sparkled, but the excited Darian didn't notice it.
He said with a proud face.
“She’s already a talent I’m looking forward to, Mother. I want to bring her under me after graduation.”
Eliza raised one corner of her mouth.
“That sounds like a good idea. She will be of great help to you in many ways.”
Peony, who was listening to their conversation, felt uncomfortable for some reason.
‘Ayla is my friend.’
Of course, working under Darian was a huge opportunity for anyone.
Unless they were a noble, most Academy students wanted to work in the Imperial Palace.
‘I have no right to stop it.’
But even so, she couldn't help but feel anxious.
It was a childish feeling, but it felt as if she was being robbed of her precious friend by Darian.
At that moment, Eliza slowly approached Ayla.
“It’s truly amazing. To be chosen by the Divine Beast as a commoner.”
“……”
“If you graduate later, how about working under Darian? I will treat you generously.”
It was an unusual proposal by anyone's standards.
For the Empress to directly try to scout someone, saying that she would ‘treat them generously.’
If she accepted the offer, it was the same as being promised a great success.
Therefore, Eliza thought that Ayla would naturally accept her offer.
However, Ayla refused in a calm voice.
“No, my abilities are still humble and not suitable for working in the palace.”
“That doesn’t matter. Your potential is what’s important.”
“No, I don’t want to cause harm to the First Prince.”
“Your abilities are good enough. So there’s no need to think that way.”
“……It’s a position that’s still beyond my capabilities.”
Eliza nodded as if she couldn't help it, with a smile still on her face.
“If that’s the case, then there’s nothing I can do. You can contact me anytime if you change your mind.”
It was an extremely benevolent answer. Darian also smiled brightly and agreed.
“That’s right, Ayla. And there’s no need to be so humble. The owner of the Divine Beast is a talent who will be welcomed anywhere.”
Ayla nodded with a faint smile.
Then, Eliza patted Ayla's shoulder as if satisfied.
Ayla's lips trembled at her touch.
It was hard for her to suppress the surging emotions.
‘The Empress hasn’t changed at all from the original.’
Others may not know what the Empress is thinking right now, but Ayla could tell.
Look at those eyes, as if she had found something useful.
It was a face full of desire to use her, no matter who looked at it.
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