Dragon King's Harem Chapter 440. Do You Sleep on Lava?

Dragon King's Harem Chapter 440. Do You Sleep on Lava?

Jyne leaned in slightly from the other side. “We might need a distraction.”

“Already planning one,” I muttered.

The guards led us into the inner sanctum—a sprawling atrium adorned with frozen roses suspended mid-bloom, glowing icicles overhead like chandeliers. The throne sat at the far end, flanked by two crystal guardians—massive golems carved from enchanted ice, their hollow cores pulsing with cold mana.

Curtis gestured toward the throne as if we were tourists. “You’ll have a place here during the ceremony. We’ve arranged private quarters for your companions. We assume you’ll want to rest after your journey.”

I didn’t answer right away. Instead, I scanned the space, memorizing exit points, the positions of the guards, and the ones pretending to be attendants but were clearly packing heat under their robes.

Eventually, I gave Curtis a short nod. “Generous of you.”

He smiled tightly. “We do our best.”

Sela slipped her arm into mine and gave that subtle squeeze.

A reminder.

We needed to move fast. I turned slightly toward Sela, ready to signal her to start phase one, but before I could say anything—

"Uncle Curtis!"

A high-pitched, cheerful voice echoed down the marble corridor.

Everyone turned.

A small snow elf boy sprinted toward us. He couldn’t have been more than six or seven, bundled up in a blue coat lined with white fur. His silver hair bounced with every step, and his cheeks were pink from the cold.

But instead of running to Maria—his mother—he charged straight at Curtis.

Curtis’s whole face lit up in a way I hadn’t seen before. "Kaelen," he said warmly, crouching down and catching the boy mid-run.

The little prince laughed and threw his arms around Curtis’s neck. "You said you’d be at the training yard!"

“I got pulled into boring grown-up stuff,” Curtis said, lifting him effortlessly and settling him on his hip. “But I didn’t forget.”

Maria tensed at the sight, her hands folding in front of her gown. I didn’t miss the quick look she gave me. I could read it. ‘This isn’t what it looks like.’

But damn… it kinda looked like a wholesome family moment.

Curtis turned to us and gave a polite bow—still holding Kaelen. “My apologies. It seems Prince Kaelen has decided to make an early appearance.”

"It’s fine," I replied, adjusting my tone, trying not to sound too stiff.

“This is Kaelen Elenion,” Curtis said, turning the boy gently toward us. “Her Majesty’s son… and my nephew.”

Kaelen blinked at me, eyes wide. "You’re too hot," he said.

That made me pause. “What?”

“You’re hot,” he repeated seriously, fanning his little hand. “Like, standing-next-to-the-fire-too-long hot.”

I blinked—then laughed, unable to stop myself. “That’s fair. I’m a dragon. Fire bearer, remember?”

Kaelen tilted his head, processing that. “Do you sleep on lava?”

“Only when the beds are all taken,” I joked.

He giggled.

Curtis smiled, one of those rare, natural ones that actually reached his eyes. “He’s always had a sharp tongue. Takes after his mother.”

Maria stayed quiet. Her gaze lingered on Kaelen, and her fingers tightened slightly at her side.

Al, standing just behind me, leaned in and muttered, “Damn. They’re close. That gonna be a problem?”

“Maybe,” I muttered back.

Because yeah—it was a little unexpected. Curtis was holding that kid like he meant it. Like he genuinely cared.

And Kaelen? That boy lit up when he saw him.

Even Sela seemed to pause for a second, caught off guard. Her posture relaxed slightly, her eyes flicking to me for instruction.

I hesitated.

Maybe Maria had misunderstood Curtis. Maybe the guy wasn’t a total bastard. Maybe he really did love the kid, despite all the political games.

But instincts didn’t lie.

And neither did my Observation skill.

I quietly activated it, locking my eyes on Kaelen as the child now clung to Curtis’s shoulder, animatedly explaining how he saw a bird that could stand on one leg for hours.

[Observation Active]

[Target: Kaelen Elenion]

[Race: Snow Elf]

[Age: 6]

[Status: Healthy]

[Condition: Advanced Explosive Rune Embedded. ]

[Warning: Rune is inactive but stable. Magical trace linked to Curtis. Estimated detonation radius: 50 meters.]

My jaw clenched.

Yup. Just like Maria said.

I stared at the innocent smile on Kaelen’s face, then at Curtis—who was pretending like everything was perfectly normal.

‘I was starting to feel sorry for this bastard.’

That sympathy evaporated faster than water on dragonfire.

He was using the boy as a hostage. No matter how good his act was, that rune wasn’t forged by love—it was forged by manipulation. Insurance.

I forced myself to breathe slowly.

“I see the prince is quite fond of you,” I said, keeping my voice smooth.

Curtis nodded. “We’ve spent a lot of time together since his father passed.”

Maria glanced away at that, her lips tightening.

Kaelen wiggled down from Curtis’s arms. “Can I go see the Ice Drake?”

Curtis ruffled his hair. “Later. You have to rest before the ceremony, remember?”

Kaelen pouted. “But the dragon king is here! He brought a real drake! That means it’s a holiday!”

Maria finally stepped forward, crouching to his level. “Kaelen, darling, go with your nanny for now. You’ll see the Ice Drake later.”

Kaelen’s smile dimmed a little, but he nodded. “Okay.” He gave Curtis another quick hug and turned to leave when a small voice chimed in.

“Sela can go with the young prince,” Sela said, stepping forward, her boots making the softest sound against the icy marble. She offered a small, polite nod. “Sela has not seen the drake up close either.”

Kaelen paused, looking up at her. She wasn’t much taller than him, and maybe that helped—he tilted his head and gave a curious smile. “Really?”

Sela crouched just a little, keeping her voice light. “Yes. Sela thinks Frosty is very cool.” She paused. “Literally.”

That earned a small giggle from the boy.

Curtis’s pleasant expression faltered for half a second. “I appreciate the offer, Lady Sela, but the prince has a designated—”

“I think it’s a good idea,” I cut in, keeping my tone firm but casual. “They seem to get along. Besides, a visiting royal escorting the prince makes for a good image, don’t you think?”