#837 The Emperor Dragon Couple Visits - Dragon Second Half

My father returns out of the blue and declares he’s getting married.

The one shaking at this earth-shattering news is none other than me, the Emperor Dragon, Ardheg.

The very idea of my father marrying seemed as unnatural as the world turning upside down!!!

“Father? And Seidour? How did this conversation even come about...?!”

“Oh, come now, brother. Didn’t you hear what we said in the Mermaid Kingdom?”

My sister, Seidour, takes the stage to explain.

“I’m going to become the mother-in-law to all dragons! To do that, I need to marry our father, who’ll become the father-in-law to all dragons!”

Really now?

Seidour, armed with her bizarre logic.

She seemed overly enthusiastic, having spoken to the legendary strongest mother-in-law in the Mermaid Kingdom.

“Are you really okay with this, Father? Marrying one of your own children, no less...!” 

“Ah, such things are taboo in human customs or something, right? But we dragons, having thrived through cloning before switching to reproduction, might overlook it. After all, it’s not too different from what you’re doing.”

“Urk...!”

I mean, internally, I did have reservations about calling my wife “Sis”...

“I’ve come to terms with a lot since being defeated by you kids. I survived, so why not enjoy life? Embrace a new way of living.”

Father’s enigmatic smile was as inscrutable as ever.

This eerie unease was new, something he developed after losing his power. 

Before, he had been a brute force of nature as a Geyser Dragon, terrifying but straightforward.

As the father of all dragons, his longevity and wisdom were expected.

But this newfound creepiness, overwhelming even us younger dragons, ironically blossomed only after he lost his power.

“...Are you sure about this, Seidour?”

This father of mine had once intended to ensnare his own sons and daughters in a trap to steal their powers. 

He has always been cunning, and Seidour, too, was meant to be one of his victims.

Because of this resentment, forming a harmonious relationship seemed a tall order.

Throughout our travels across the various nations of mankind, observing numerous couples along the way, I’ve noticed one common thread: regardless of the circumstances that brought them together, every couple shares a mutual care and affection for each other, a sentiment that transcends all differences.

But could a relationship founded on mutual dislike and estrangement really work in marriage?

“It’s fine! I’ve had a lot of fun playing with Father recently!”

Ah.

She’s not thinking this through.

Sometimes, thoughtlessness can outdo the most cunning plans.

Come to think of it, Seidour often hung out with Father for some reason. I recall they spent time together, playing and passing the time leisurely.

To think that their recent interaction would escalate to the point of considering marriage... 

Compared to the origins of the couples I’ve encountered, this seems to be taken rather lightly.

Or is it just a dragon’s way to be so carefree?

“Still, the idea of ‘marriage’ wouldn’t have occurred to us if you youngsters hadn’t introduced the concept. Perhaps accepting this situation as it is is what you should do.”

Father smirks mischievously.

“Exactly! You, Lord Ardheg, have shown us dragons a new way of life! Let us acknowledge you as the Geyser Dragon and pledge our loyalty!”

Even Crowley Seema jumps on the bandwagon.

Father was once subject to widespread criticism, but his reputation had changed dramatically...!

This shift was thanks, in no small part, to a certain woman who had supported me since I became the Geyser Dragon...

“Nghhh...! I can’t believe others would start imitating me as soon as I got married...! Dragons really do get caught up in trends easily...!”

“Sis... I mean, Bloody Mary.”

“Huh?! Yes?!”

I address my wife by her name. 

This seems to catch her off guard, causing my sister... I mean, Mary, to become visibly flustered.

“We’ve traveled far and wide, observing various couples of mankind. Some were openly happy, others complex and harder to understand.”

The forms of human connections are indeed strange and mysterious.

This was something I was reminded of yet again during my recent patrol.

“And reflecting on these observations... I’ve realized that I still have much to learn about the ways of mankind. I had been under the misconception that marriage was complete once the ceremony was conducted.”

“Ardheg...”

“I think I finally understand what you were upset about. I’ll strive to be a better husband from now on, drawing lessons from the couples we met. Can you forgive me, Mary?”

No more would I call her “Sister.”

After all, in what world would one refer to their partner as a sibling?

It might seem late, considering how long it had been since our wedding, but a sense of responsibility as a husband took root in me.

Moved by my words, Mary’s eyes well up as she leans in.

“I’ve been waiting for you to say those words!!!”

As we embraced, the surrounding dragons burst into thunderous applause.

“Way to go, you twoooo.”

“Your love is the bright future of our dragonkind!”

Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap...!

Thank you!

Thank you all for your blessings!

Perfect.

Everything has been resolved perfectly!

***

Just as I was thinking everything had settled down...!

“Think again! I won’t let it end so neatly!” 

A massive shadow descends from the sky!

Could that be... Sis Veil?!

Sis Veil has arrived in her dragon form?!

“How dare you dragons gather and have fun without me! It’s utterly outrageous! I shall overturn every last bit of this order you’ve established!”

Eeeeeeeeek!

Sis?!

What an unexpected turn of events!

But considering only mated dragons were selected for this gathering, surely there’s no place for you, a singleton?

No place for you!

“That’s where you’re wrong! I have a partner too!”

Huh? Really?! 

I had no idea! Who might that be?

“Junior.”

...

That would be the young son of Lord Saint, wouldn’t it?

What hopes could you possibly pin on a mere three-year-old child?

“Shut upppppp! It’s only a matter of a decade or so before Junior grows up! To a dragon, that’s but a fleeting moment! I’ll marry him when he’s a fine adultttt!”

What an ambitious plan!

Typical of Sis Viel, the dragon from the farm - her approach to marriage is anything but ordinary!

But isn’t that hope a bit... twisted?

Has Lord Saint given his consent for this? Parental permission is a must!

“Shushhhhhh! Anyone who dares to criticize my plan will be incinerated with my dragon breathhhhh!”

“Wait, Sis! Here’s an idea! Let’s settle this with a Dragon Four-Wheel Drive race! Face me and my newly developed Shining Scomb!”

Cleverly, Lord Crowley Seema calms Sis Viel down, and in the end, everyone gets caught up in the Dragon Four-Wheel Drive race, effectively blurring the issue.

This taught me the importance of having capable subordinates.

Just as the Demon King has Lord Lucife Focale and Lord Arowana has Zoth Syra.

But before that, the real issue is that other dragons still dare to defy me, the Geyser Dragon.

“Hey, Veillllllllllll! As a fellow dragon, you should learn to obey the Emperor Dragon! I won’t tolerate any disrespect towards my husbandddd!”

“Huuuuuuuuuuuh?! The one grumbling the most at the inauguration is now flipping the script! Getting a bit too big for your boots now that you’ve secured the wife’s title, are youuuu?!”

“What’s wrong with a wife exercising her rightssssssssss?!”

And with that concludes the Dragon Couple’s Chronicles...

...The end!!!