Dragon King's Harem Chapter 428. Don't Fall, Don't Fail

Dragon King's Harem Chapter 428. Don't Fall, Don't Fail

And I was right.

For the first time since we’d been bound together by political necessity, there was something different in the air between Glasha and me. It wasn’t a complete understanding, not yet. But it wasn’t pure hostility anymore either. A shift—small but noticeable. Our past, our circumstances, and our forced connection had never allowed for real conversations before. Today was different.

She turned around just as she reached the door, her hand resting on the knob. She flicked her sharp gaze back to me. “Then don’t fall,” she said simply. “And don’t fail.”

I gave her a small smile. “Wish me luck, Glasha.”

She let out a short exhale, something between a sigh and a scoff, but she didn’t say anything else. She was about to leave, fingers curling around the doorknob. But before she could step out, I called her name again.

“Glasha.”

She stopped, glancing over her shoulder. “What?”

I tilted my head slightly, watching her carefully. “If you’re ever in a good mood, come and talk to me. As long as I’m not on duty, .”

She arched a brow. “You don’t mind?”

I smirked. “No. Shocking, I know.”

Glasha studied me for a second longer, then nodded. “I will.”

Then she left, the door clicking shut behind her.

I let out another long exhale, my head tilting back as I stared at the ceiling.

“I guess… this is a good development for both of us, huh?” I muttered to myself.

A few months ago, I wouldn’t have even considered talking to her like this. She was my wife in name only, an orc princess forced into this arrangement after the war, a woman who made it very clear that she despised me. And I couldn’t blame her since I was the one who forced her. But things were changing. Slowly, but surely.

I leaned back in my chair, rubbing my temple as I let out a long exhale. The responsibility never truly left, but tonight, it felt a little lighter. For once, there wasn’t a lingering argument hanging over my head after a conversation with Glasha. It wasn’t peace, but it wasn’t outright war either. That was something.

Then another knock came.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “Come in.”

The door opened, and this time, it wasn’t another advisor or general ready to dump more problems on my desk. Instead, Evelina stepped inside. Behind her, a few servants carried trays covered with cloth.

She smiled as she approached. “You should take a rest.”

I gave her a tired smirk. “I just finished the documents. You know how fast they breed when I’m away.”

Evelina chuckled, a soft, knowing sound. “True.” She turned slightly, gesturing to the servants behind her. “Do you want to have light snacks with me? I’ve already brought them.”

I glanced at the trays, the rich aroma of fresh pastries and warm tea filling the air. It was tempting. My stomach, which I’d been ignoring for hours, made a low protest. With a sigh, I nodded toward the small table and chairs near the bookshelf. “I’ll take it.”

At my signal, the servants swiftly set up everything, placing the trays carefully before bowing and exiting the room, leaving just the two of us. I stood, stretching slightly before making my way over to the table, sinking into one of the chairs as Evelina gracefully took the seat across from me.

She poured the tea first, the soft clink of porcelain against porcelain breaking the quiet. Then, she slid a small plate of pastries toward me, her eyes watching me with amusement.

“I saw Glasha come out of this room,” she said casually.

I raised a brow, picking up one of the pastries and taking a bite before answering. “You’re observant.”

She smirked. “You’re not denying it.”

I chewed, letting the warm, flaky texture of the pastry melt on my tongue before swallowing. “Why would I? She was here.”

Evelina tilted her head slightly, studying me. “That’s… new.”

I took a sip of tea, the warmth settling in my chest. “Yeah. It is.”

She leaned forward slightly, propping her chin on one hand. “So, what did you two talk about?”

I snorted. “You’re acting like we were plotting something.”

“Were you?” she asked, a teasing glint in her eye.

I chuckled. “No. She just wanted to understand how I think.”

Evelina blinked, clearly surprised. “Glasha? Wanted to understand you?”

“That was my reaction too,” I admitted with a smirk.

She hummed, tapping a finger against the table. “And? What did you tell her?”

I leaned back, crossing my arms. “The truth. That I do what I do because I have no choice. Because if I don’t, everything falls apart.”

Evelina studied me for a moment before nodding slowly. “You’re not wrong.”

I sighed, rubbing my temple. “It’s exhausting, though. If I had the luxury to sit back, rule my kingdom, spend my days with my wives, I’d take it in a heartbeat.” I glanced at her. “But I can’t. You know that.”

She gave me a soft smile. “I know.”

I gestured vaguely. “The alliances, the politics, the wars—if I don’t handle them before they reach me, it’s my people who suffer first. And then my family. That’s not something I’m willing to risk.”

Evelina reached out, placing her hand lightly over mine. “That’s why we’re here, Argod. To support you. You don’t have to do this alone.”

I looked at her, her steady gaze grounding me.

“I know,” I murmured.

She squeezed my hand lightly before pulling away, her fingers trailing over mine. “Still, I never expected you and Glasha to have a normal conversation. Let alone one where she wasn’t looking for a fight.”

I huffed. “Neither did I.”

Evelina smirked. “Do you think she’ll ever stop hating you?”

I gave her a lazy grin. “Maybe she already has.”

She tilted her head. “You think?”

I shrugged, grabbing another pastry. “She didn’t storm out, and she actually listened to what I had to say. That’s a start.”

Evelina tapped her fingers against the table, thoughtful. “She’s difficult to read.”

“She’s stubborn,” I corrected. “And proud. But she’s not unreasonable.”

Evelina chuckled. “Sounds familiar.”

I narrowed my eyes at her. “Are you implying something?”