Baka-Tsuki - User contributions [en]

User:Valthan

2014-10-26T07:42:48Z

Valthan:

Gender: Male

Occupation: College Student

Major: Computer Information Systems (w/ an emphasis in business management)

Native Language: American English

User Type: Casual Editor

User talk:Chronos5884

2014-09-04T05:00:44Z

Valthan:

== Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi ==

Hello there. I was wondering if you were willing to consider [https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B8ZYOUCQuEcKQUVISmtYMER3eFE&usp=sharing combining possible text changes] to Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi. I admit this is partially because I want someone to look over my changes. Ah, if you accept that offer, please use suggestions/comments and suggestion mode so changes will be kept?
:— [[User:Chronos5884|Chronos5884]] to [[User:Valthan|Valthan]] ([[User talk:Valthan|talk]])

:Hey, sorry I took so long to respond to your message about Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi. (I don't log in very often, only when I feel up to a bunch of editing) As you may have noticed from the bottom of the main page for that novel, I am not listed as one of the official editors so I cannot help you with regard to large scale changes. However, as long as the changes are limited to extremely obvious spelling and grammatical errors, anyone is allowed to fix them on the spot and are even encouraged to do so. Simply use the small [edit] link next to the section containing the error and it's pretty easy from there.
:
:http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Format_guideline <- Please direct your attention to the portion about anonymous editors.
:
:That said, I do ask that you be ''certain'' with such changes. After all, it's quite easy to find out who goofed on them with the change history. ;P
:
:[[User:Valthan|Valthan]] ([[User talk:Valthan|talk]]) 22:13, 28 August 2014 (CDT)

::Yes, I have read the [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Format_guideline General Format/Style Guideline] and the [http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Seikoku_no_Ryuu_Kishi:_Names_and_Terminology_Guidelines Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Names and Terminology Guidelines], so I am aware of the limits for anonymous editors. I also knew you were not an official editor. I was hoping you would be willing to help give me some feedback, and that you might be willing to combine your edits with mine if they were up to your standards.
:::— [[User:Chronos5884|Chronos5884]] 03:53, 2 September 2014 (CDT)

::::My standards? I feel like I'm being put on a pedestal, here. ^_^;

::::There still seems to be some sort of misunderstanding somewhere. I'm likely not the best person for you to get feedback from. If you were to take a look at my contributions, you'll notice that I have almost none. Because I just started. Aside from the ones you noticed on Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi, there's only a few spelling corrections I did on another project before I even registered as a user. Those don't have my name on them, just an IP address. As far as education goes, I'm not an English major; I'm in the IT department. All in all, I feel I am unqualified to give you the proper feedback you're looking for. I don't want to give you advice that turns out to be incorrect. What you need is someone who clearly knows what they're doing. You should get into contact with one of the official editors.
::::[[User:Valthan|Valthan]] ([[User talk:Valthan|talk]]) 02:17, 3 September 2014 (CDT)

:::::Perhaps, I do tend to assume that everyone is better than me at grammar. (Failed the Japtem PR test even with bonus points for being a friend)
:::::I'm also not an English major. In my mind, even if you aren't the best, you are someone, and even if it's spell-checking, that's useful for my edits, as I might miss even the most obvious of things. Something along the lines of two heads are better than one. I also have sent a message to an official editor. Currently waiting for a reply. As for the line about standards, well, I stated it in that way so that if you looked at my edits and thought they were atrocious, it wouldn't seem too out of place. :P Something like insurance?
:::::— [[User:Chronos5884|Chronos5884]] 08:16, 3 September 2014 (CDT)

::::::Well, if you're that adamant about it, the first thing that comes to mind is to simply run your version through Microsoft Word's spelling and grammar checker. Not the automated thing with the squiggly lines beneath the words, but actually clicking the spell check button. It will get the obvious stuff about 95% of the time. The rest is either "that's actually a word but not the one you meant" or "you formatted it weird, causing a false positive". You'd be surprised how many times the translators here don't even do that part themselves. Other than that, while I skimmed through them, nothing immediately popped out at me as incorrect. There were a few odd word choices, but when compared to the Baka-Tuski version I realized that it is the translator's fault and something that the official editors should be fixing, not us.
::::::[[User:Valthan|Valthan]] ([[User talk:Valthan|talk]]) 00:00, 4 September 2014 (CDT)

User talk:Chronos5884

2014-09-03T07:17:25Z

Valthan: /* Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi */

User talk:Chronos5884

2014-08-29T03:13:03Z

Valthan: Created page with "Hey, sorry I took so long to respond to your message about Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi. (I don't log in very often, only when I feel up to a bunch of editing) As you may have notice..."

Hey, sorry I took so long to respond to your message about Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi. (I don't log in very often, only when I feel up to a bunch of editing) As you may have noticed from the bottom of the main page for that novel, I am not listed as one of the official editors so I cannot help you with regard to large scale changes. However, as long as the changes are limited to extremely obvious spelling and grammatical errors, anyone is allowed to fix them on the spot and are even encouraged to do so. Simply use the small [edit] link next to the section containing the error and it's pretty easy from there.

http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Format_guideline <- Please direct your attention to the portion about anonymous editors.

That said, I do ask that you be ''certain'' with such changes. After all, it's quite easy to find out who goofed on them with the change history. ;P

[[User:Valthan|Valthan]] ([[User talk:Valthan|talk]]) 22:13, 28 August 2014 (CDT)

Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 2

2014-08-08T06:25:52Z

Valthan: /* Part 8 */

==Chapter 2 - Ash's and Silvia's study group==
===Part 1===
Under Silvia’s command, Ash was given an empty room.

It seemed that Cosette had cleaned the room some time before since it was clean and tidy.

Looking around the room, there was a small desk for studying and even a sofa and a single bed. A classy Dragon Crystal lamp was hanging on the ceiling.

When Ash sat on the sofa after he moved all his luggage into the room, he could smell the scent of lavender. It was from the incense burner on the shelf. He felt that the room had everything he needed. ''I might as well stay here for the rest of my school days…'' Ash even has such thoughts.

By the way, although Ash was alright with staying with Eco in the same room, Silvia who was a little stubborn could never allow it.

She thought that it was outrageous for Eco, who looked like a girl, to stay in the same room with him even though she was actually a dragon.

In the end, it was decided that Eco would be sleeping with Silvia.

“…Must we stay here for the coming two weeks?”

Ash suddenly thought that this was a weird summer.

The Fourth Princess, Silvia Lautreamont was just staying at a wall’s distance away.

It was easier to believe this if this is a dream.

Just when Ash let his thoughts wonder, there was a knock on his door.

He was greeted by Silvia when he opened the door. Somehow, she looked kind of sweet.

“What’s the matter, Princess-sama?”

“I-It is about time for dinner.”

“Aah… So it is about that time. I didn’t even notice.”

Ash just realised that it was already evening. Days like this particular busy day seemed to always pass so quickly.

“Erm… What are you going to do for dinner, Ash?”

“Since it is the summer holidays, the student’s restaurant La Tene would only provide lunch. How does Princess-sama deal with her usual meals?”

“I always ate Cosette’s handmade meals. There is a restaurant like kitchen in this royal room.”

“Wow. But, I don’t like the idea of bothering you for my meal… So, I think I will head out to the streets together with Eco.”

“No, wait… Cosette had some personal matters that she had to attend to. She probably won’t be able to return in such short notice.”

“Eh? Come join us then?”

Silvia did not reply. Somehow, she was gripping the sides of her skirts with her head down and started trembling. Just like when someone was having a heat stroke, her face was bright red.

“Princess-sama? Are you alright?”

Silvia shouted after being asked by Ash.

“D-Do you want to give my handmade meal a try!? How about it!?”

At the same time, a piece of paper flew out from her pocket.

It dropped right beside Ash’s foot. It seemed that Silvia had not noticed that her paper had fallen on to the ground.

“…?”

Ash picked up that paper.

''- ‘Shelley family’s secret. A recipe to make men dream’.''

“What is this?”

“Uwaaa! Give that back! Give that back to me right now!”

Silvia leaped towards Ash in a panic. She was only thinking about getting back the piece of paper.

“Hey! Calm down, Princess-sama! I will give it back to you! Waaaaaa!”

Silvia slipped and fall against Ash. Ash grabbed her immediately but instead he end up being able to feel her softness of her body and her body heat. But the next moment, Ash too felt on the ground together with her.

“Ooouch!”

Ash almost chocked from falling on his back. He slowly opened his eyes while moaning.

The first thing that came into his sight was her golden hair.

''-This is bad! I… am hugging Princess-sama!''

Ash was panicking but luckily Silvia finally sat up her body.

“S-Sorry Ash… Are you alright?”

Silvia’s face was bright red when she was looking at Ash. Her golden hair fell on her shoulders and touched Ash’s face. It smelled like honey.

“I am alright but… T-this position… Is a little bad for my heart.”

Ash was speaking as if he was out of breathe.

“Eh…?”

Silvia finally noticed that she was riding on Ash. And because her legs were spread open, her skirt had been rolled up and the white cloth came into his sight.

“Doooooooon’t stare!”

With tears in her eyes, Silvia started punching Ash.

“Ouch! Ouch! Please stop immediately and move aside!”

Silvia who felt too much embarrassment couldn't stop punching Ash, it seems that she did not heard him.

“Hey, I think it is about time for dinner- Hey! What are you doing!?”

Eco who should be still lying on Silvia’s bed suddenly appeared in the corridor.

“Eco…! This is a misunderstanding! It is an accident!”

“So… Want to be crushed by me!?”

Too bad for him, Eco was not in the mood to listen to his explanation. She was approaching with an angry look on her face.

===Part 2===
“Next… A small spoonful of salt and a piece of bay leaf… Also, a small amount of black pepper. But isn’t the word ‘small amount’ a little unclear…?”

Silvia was staring at the recipe for some time after she tied her hair into a bun and put on her apron.

Just moments before, she thought about boiling the soup first, however it seems that she was troubled by the amount of black pepper that she was going to use. As expected, Silvia who had not done any cooking since the day of her birth faced trouble from the word ‘small amount’.

“Err… I would also like to help you. May I?”

Silvia was surprised to see Eco walking into the kitchen.

“But, do you have any experience in cooking?”

“Impossible! But… Just before Cosette leave, she gave me this. I just want to try challenging this.”

Eco showed her a piece of paper.

Silvia had a bad feeling.

“Could it be that it is also ‘Shelley family’s secret recipe’?”

Eco turned red the moment she was told.

It seems that Cosette had handed both Silvia and Eco the recipe.

“Damn that Cosette… Even when she knew clearly what I was thinking, how dare she still support Eco from behind…! Even after she had been
working for me for ages…!”

Without noticing, Silvia clenched her fist.

“Err… What’s wrong with you?”

Silvia cooled down her temper the moment she was asked by Eco.

“No, nothing. Nothing at all.”

After she took a deep breath and calm herself down, she turned her head towards Eco.

Silvia who had calmed down suddenly noticed something new.

Although it was common that the dragon was always mistaken as a ferocious beast by foreign countries, but whenever a person saw the majestic Ark, they would have noticed that the dragons are a race that had their own unique beauty and also a race with strong creativity.

''- Could Eco be…. Even though she had no experience in cooking, who knows if she too has talent! Cooking can be even considered as an art creation…!''

Silvia was somehow feeling excited. If Eco shows her true skills, who knows if she might be able to create a delicious meal.

On the other hand, Silvia had no confidence in herself. Since the day she was born, it is a natural thing to her that meals were laid out properly to her. She never had the thought of cooking at all. She even though that riding on Lancelot for a thousand miles is far easier than this.

''-That’s it. Even though it will be a hindrance… If I can get Eco’s help… I will feel less embarrassed in front of Ash.''

Although it was not an honorable thing to do, but a little sacrifice was required. Right now, Eco is an important asset to her.

Silvia once again pulled herself together and placed her hand on Eco’s shoulder.

“Why don’t we try cooking together? There is even an extra apron and barrette over there.”

“Alright.”

Eco quietly put on the apron and handed Silvia the barrette as if she want Silvia to help her put it on.

Her actions were somehow cute and it made Silvia’s heart skipped a beat. Silvia somehow had a feeling that Eco is like a little sister to her.

It was kind of a new feeling to Silvia who was the youngest in her family.

“Alright then.”

Silvia smiled and stood behind Eco.

Since Eco had quite a lot of hair, Silvia tied two buns on the left and right side of her head.

“We are done. Hmm… Aren’t you looking cute?”

“R-Real…”

Eco seemed to be a little shy. She was probably not used to being praised.

“Alright, let’s begin!”

Silvia clenched her fist tightly and her action was followed by Eco.

“As you wish!”

===Part 3===
''-Is this even food!?''

After waiting for two whole hours, Ash felt shivers by seeing the food that was laid out in front of him. Whatever it may be, it gave the same feeling as the first time Ash met the Necromancia.

He couldn’t even believe that it was food after seeing and smelling it.

It somehow looked a little unbalanced that the tableware was of high quality while the food itself looked comical.

To begin with, why was the soup colour purple like poison?

Is that piece of coal actually bread or a piece of meat?

Ash couldn’t even be bothered to think about the thing that was all mashed up as if it was an animal being ran over by a horse carriage.

Even so, they were the hard works of both Eco and Silvia.

A few band aids could be seen on Silvia’s fingers and the sauce and ketchup mess on Eco’s apron looked like some drawings.

“Hmm, what’s wrong? Why aren’t you eating?”

Eco was speaking confidently, which in a way or another caused Ash to be confused.

“Ahem… You don’t have to eat it if it is not to your liking.”

As expected from Silvia, she seemed to notice that something was off. But the problem is much worse than whether he likes it or not.

At that moment, Silvia started grumbling beside Eco’s ear.

“Eco… Are you really a dragon!? This is not even up to my expectations!”

“W-What! I had placed all my efforts in this!”

“But… Who would know that you are clumsier than me…”

Ash took the spoon while ignoring what the two of them were saying.

“Then, let’s eat.”

He felt that judging the food on its appearance and smell that was specially made for him was somehow disrespectful and rude.

Who knows if it was actually a delicious meal.

Ash took a spoonful of the weird coloured soup. A smell so bad that was like a gas attack flowed into Ash’s nostrils. He kept on enduring it while he sent it into his mouth.

Due to the extreme fear, he closed his eyes. The gooey liquid first came into contact with his tongue.

At that instant, electricity flowed through his spine and he experienced a fierce sensation.

“~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~!!!”

Ash tried screaming but his voice was stuck at his throat. Then he fell from his chair.

===Part 4===
The Dragon Fang Restaurant in Ansarivan town center was full of customers.

It was a public restaurant that Rebecca had told Ash about. The shop offered a half price discount for the student council members. It was said that the relative of the shop owner was a breeder and was also a student council member during his schooling years. On a first glance, there were big burly men in the shop talking about politics with a beer mug in their hands.

Most of their talks were centering on the huge dragon that attacked Fontaine City. Who would even imagine that the huge dragon herself had walked into the shop? It seemed that no one had noticed the arrival of the trio. It also seemed that the student with the golden hair was Princess Silvia.

“Huu… I've just gone through hell.”

Just after the trio was led to a table for four, Ash started complaining. It seems that his tongue was still numb.

Silvia who was sitting facing Ash immediately turned mad.

“Tsk… You shouldn’t faint, no matter how bad the food is! What do you take a girl’s cooking as!?”

“No, I think fainting is a blessing for me. It is embarrassing if a Dragner dies from food poisoning.”

“Do you have to go that far!?”

Silvia was almost in tears.

“Hmph… You are lucky. He never even touched mine!”

Eco was grumbling beside Ash.

“I even thought of stuffing them into your mouth while you were unconscious.”

“Are you trying to kill me!?”

Ash felt a chill when he realized that he was inches away from death.

“Sorry for the wait. What would you like to order?”

At that moment their conversation was interrupted by a waitress with a smiling face.

===Part 5===
The Dragon Fang Restaurant’s special such as beef fillet steak and spare rib was placed on the table.

Somehow Eco, who was always the first to grab the food, was acting rather quiet today.

“Are you feeling all right?”

“Eh? No, nothing…”

Eco hurriedly sent the salad on the fork into her mouth.

Ash was worried since Eco took no notice of the meat on the middle of the table.

“Are you really all right? That is your favourite beef fillet? Are you not going to eat the spare rib?”

“You… can have it.”

Eco was looking on her knees when she sighed. This is the first time she did not react to the meat in front of her.

“Ash. Eco is a girl coming of age. It is normal that she sometimes doesn’t have any appetite. Today should be that day.”

“I-Is it…?”

Eco is a young dragon who was not even a year old. That may be the case but she definitely looks like a girl coming of age. ''Could the source of her trouble originate from this afternoon’s incident?'' But this is not the right time to ask.

''Maybe I should listen to Silvia and let her be''… Ash thought.

===Part 6===
When the dessert arrived, Ash asked Silvia.

“Now that I think about it, aren't you going home?”

Followed by that, Silvia showed him a sour look and placed her glass on the table. Judging from the way she place her glass, she was definitely pissed.

“I can’t believe it… Have you forgotten about the supplementary test!?”

“Aah!”

Supplementary test. The weight of these two words seemed to hit his head hard.

That’s right. Ash and Silvia couldn't take the final exam last month. However, since they had sufficient reasons, after requesting from the management department, they were given the chance to take a supplementary exam during summer. They will be given the same credit if they can pass.

However, due to him constantly worrying about Eco, he completely forgot about the exam.

If it is the practical test, Ash had confidence that he would ace since he was no other than ‘The boy who can ride any dragon”.

The problem was the written test.

Apart from the normal subjects like math, literature, science and history, there were also subjects like dragon history, ecology, breeding
studies… and many more special subjects that need to be learned in the dragon riding academy.

“Err… When will the exam be held?”

Silvia sighed upon hearing.

“The written test will be held a week from now. You won’t be allowed to take the practical test if you fail the written test.”

“What….!?”

Ash turned numb.

If he couldn't squeeze out a pass in the written exam, he won’t be able to bring up his result with his practical test which he was good
in.

“Let me put this bluntly. You are now a member of the student council. How can you face Rebecca, who scouted you, if your results are bad.”

Silvia’s words stabbed right at his heart.

“What should I do…? I don't even have the slightest confidence in my written exam. It is impossible! There is only a week left! I would need to retain a year if I fail…!”

Ash was crying in agony which made Silvia sympathize with him.

“-All right?”

“Eh? What did you just say?”

Silvia blushed when she was asked. She then announced loudly:

“I said I can help you with your test!”

“Really?”

Since the time she entered the academy, her results had always been the top of her year. If Silvia was to teach him, he can at least avoid
retaining a year.

“Thank you, Princess-sama!”

===Part 7===
On the next morning, both Ash and Silvia were up early in order to prepare for the exam.

Notes and text books were all over the dining table in the royal room. The table which was initially like a painting of hell since yesterday was tidied up by Ash.

“Let’s start.”

Silvia sat beside Ash. She was neatly dressed in a blouse and a tight skirt. By putting on her fashionable eyeglasses, she looked like a teacher. She was probably the type who needs a suitable atmosphere to be able to concentrate.
[[Image:SnRK v05 114.jpg|thumb]]

“Eco would probably cause a ruckus after she wakes up… So is it okay with you that we start with the most important subject first?”

“Aah… All right.”

Although it hurts Ash that she need to put Eco aside, but right now, his priority is studying for the exam.

“Then, let’s start from the Mother Dragon. This is the most important part for the first term. Please listen carefully.”

Silvia was totally like a teacher.

“Hmm… The Mother Dragon… Usually, she sometimes becomes the topic of our talk, but I am not actually sure what kind of a dragon is she.”

“She is basically different from the rest of the dragons. Though I tried investigating on my own, there are still too many questions remaining unanswered. Since what is not mentioned in the text book won’t be in the exam, we should start from memorizing the textbook. Can you please read page fifty eight?”

“Okay.”

Ash started reading the ecology textbook.

''-The mother dragon will only appear in front of humans during the Orphan Ceremony. Only when she found a child qualified to become Breeder she will appear and bestow an Orphan to the child.''

“By the way, Ash, is Lancelot a male or female?”

Ash was shocked by Silvia’s sudden question.

“About that, is Lancelot a male? I mean its name sound manly.”

“Are you an idiot! How can you call yourself a student of Ansarivan?”

“Eeh? So it is a female?”

“That’s also wrong! The correct answer is none of the above!”

“That my first time hearing it.”

“Do you even listen during classes!? In the ancient time, dragons do have difference in genders, but… I mean…. F-For them to mate to reproduce.”

Silvia was blushing and trying to avert her eyes.

Talking about that, Ash started noticing Silvia’s curves. The Silvia right now was very alluring.

“But, during the long history, the dragons who almost faced extinction invoked the wise dragon magic, Albion. That had totally changed their ecosystem and since then, the Mother Dragon was responsible for reproducing and the dragons had lost their genders.”

“Now I see… But no matter how I look at it, Eco is a girl isn’t she?”

Silvia turned speechless upon hearing Ash’s words.

“It seems so. Why did I not notice it?... Even so, Eco is a special dragon.”

''Could it be that apart from being the Avalon’s holy dragons' emperor family's descendent, there are still many more mysteries surrounding Eco that was yet to be found?'' Ash thought secretly.

The dragons should have lost their genders since a long time ago.

However, Eco was obviously born in the body of a girl.

''What is the actual reason behind it…?''

“Even so, since Mother Dragon is also a dragon, she should need astral in order to survive, however, it is a surprise that she never had any contract with anyone. Unfortunately, these facts were not written in any books…. Hey, Ash, are you even listening?”

“Eh? Aah… Sorry.”

Ash immediately straightened his body when he was glared by Silvia.

“Tsk…I bet you acted the same way during class. Anyway, please read the textbook starting from this part until this part for one more time and drill them into your head.”

Silvia leaned forward and underlined the important area.

“…!”

Ash held his breath when he saw Silvia’s breast through the gaps of her collars.

“Huh? Is everything all right, Ash?”

“No, nothing! Nothing!”

“What a weird person…”

===Part 8===
“Hmm, it is time for us to take a short break.”

After she briefed through the examination scope, Silvia place her pen on the table.

Silvia looked a little tired and Ash on the other hand was exhausted from being forced to memorize all the important subjects.

“Are you all right, Ash? Your dream to pass will remain a dream if you are troubled by just these.”

Actually, Silvia tried encouraging him but she only spoke strict words since the beginning.

“I will work harder…”

Ash had his head laid on the table when he answered weakly.

“Tsk. Cosette, make us some tea…”

Silvia remembered that Cosette was no longer with her the moment she turned around.

Unfortunately, Silvia herself had never made tea before. She doesn’t have the confidence to make a cup of tea that can match with Cosette’s standard.

At the same time, she doesn’t want Ash to take her as an idiot who doesn’t even know how to make tea.

Just as Silvia was troubled by this, Ash stood up and gave her a wry smile.

“I will make the tea in return for teaching me.”

“S-Sorry.”

“I may not look like it but I am actually good at doing housework. Since I don’t have a father at home, I was always doing some housework like cooking, taking care of my sister and many more when my mother was at work.”

After that, Ash left for the kitchen and he suddenly looked like a reliable person. Even though Silvia had been teaching him from the start, but their roles had changed with just a cup of tea.

After she heard noise coming from the kitchen, Silvia started mumbling to herself:

“If, Ash… If he is that boy… What should I do? No, but… The boy had given Lancelot to me. Thinking back carefully, it is impossible for him to become a Breeder in the first place.”

“-Why do you need to mention Ash?”

Silvia had a shock of her life when she heard another voice.

Eco’s face had suddenly appeared in front of Silvia.

Since her hair was still in a mess, it looked like she had just woken up. But her beauty still remains and it made it seems like her body was glittering.

Although Silvia had always hated to be seen by anyone except Cosette the moment she wake up, but Eco doesn’t seem to mind it.

Suddenly, Silvia felt guilty when she saw Eco. It was probably due to her spending time studying with Ash for the entire morning when Eco was sleeping.

Without knowing what Silvia was thinking, Eco asked innocently:

“Where is he?”

“Aah, he is making tea.”

Eco threw Silvia a sharp glance upon hearing.

“Are the two of you playing when I was sleeping?”

“I-Impossible! He may face retaining a year if I choose not to teach him. That’s the truth! It will really happen if I ‘choose not to teach’! At the same time, isn’t it bad for you as well as his Pal if he was to retain a year?”

Silvia was in a pinch by trying to explain to Eco.

“Hey, Eco. You are finally awake?”

At that moment, Ash appeared from the kitchen holding a tray with the tea set.

“…It is already noon. You better change your clothing.”

Eco immediately turned red as if she doesn’t want anyone to see her in her pyjamas. She hurriedly ran out from the room.

Silvia was anxious about Eco’s behaviour. The past Eco was always arrogant and never get embarrassed from things that a human would. ''Despite that, compared to her past self, Eco looks more feminine. Am I thinking too much?''

“Ash, about Eco… Don’t you think that she is starting to change?”

“Does she? I didn’t notice anything…”

Ash was lying and his face was red from embarrassment. It is impossible for him to not notice when he had been living with Eco under the same roof.

Of course the reason Eco became more feminine was Ash.

''After all the things that had happened, surely Eco was….'' Just when she thought about that, Silvia felt a pain in her chest.

===Part 9===
After eating lunch that was made from whatever there is in the larder, Ash was again studying.

This time, Eco was together with them. Since she was just quietly reading her picture books, she didn’t really cause any problem. However, whenever Silvia leaned forward and her distance with Ash become closer…

“Ahem!”

She would always purposely give a cough as a warning. She then continued with her book and did nothing apart from that.

Eco’s actions were completely different compared to her past self.

Just as what Silvia said, Eco was maturing. What she had just shown was jealousy.

Just yesterday, Ash and Eco were kissing in the room with the broken wall.

Although the location was bad, they both had the urge for each other and in the end, they kissed. It was totally like a dream. Ash’s heart started beating rapidly upon remembering the feeling when their lips touched.

On the other hand, Ash noticed that he was attracted to Silvia.

The Lautreamont Royal Knight Family’s fourth Princess, Silvia. Months before, she was just Ash’s classmate. During that time, she was like an unapproachable being to him. If the him a year ago knew about his situation right now, he would definitely have gotten a great shock.

However, the Aries Dragon Riding Festival had become the turning point where their relationship became closer…

“Ash! Hey, Ash! Are you listening…?”

“Uwaa! S-Sorry, Princess-sama…”

After being scolded, Ash came back to his sense.

“Are you all right? It doesn’t feel like your thought is here.”

Silvia was really worried about him. Turning his head around, Eco too was worried about Ash and took a peek at him.

“About that… Many things happen recently, no?”

“Speaking about that, you were involved in the battle during the Selective Training Camp and in Fontaine City.”

Silvia agreed with him. But her thoughts were in the wrong page compared to Ash’s. However, Ash was thankful that she misunderstood him.

He would never admit that he lost concentration because he was stuck in choosing between Silvia and Eco.

===Part 10===
After three o’clock, it was time for their second tea-time. Since it was boring to drink only red tea, they also took out the biscuits that
they found in the kitchen’s cupboard.

“Erm… Princess-sama, I would like to ask you about the stuffed toy.”

''“*splurt*”''

Suddenly, Silvia spluttered out her red tea.

“Sorry, Princess-sama.”

Ash immediately tried to wipe the table with a tea cloth.

“W-What about the stuffed toy?”

Silvia glared at Ash when she tried to wipe her mouth.

“I mean if it initially belongs to you, how in the world did it came into my possession?”

“How am I to know about that?”

“Then… Do you still remember how do you give it away?”

“That…!”

Suddenly without warning, Silvia was blushing.

“So you did remember. Do you mind me asking?”

“Of course I mind!”

“I see. Then I won’t question you any further.”

Ash understood the situation well and stopped asking but Silvia suddenly stood up.

“Stop! I will tell!”

“Now, which is it?”

“As I said, I will tell you!”

Thus, Silvia started telling the story of the seven year old her attending the Orphan Ceremony in Albion Forest.

===Part 11===
“I was lost in Albion Forest not long after the Orphan Ceremony started. At the same time, my leg was twisted and help was nowhere to be found… Then, I cried.”

“Princess-sama cried?”

Ash was surprised but it made Silvia blushed.

“It was not like I wanted to! I was seven during that time!”

“Haha… Sorry. So, what happened after that?”

“Erm… At that point, a boy who was attending the same ceremony appeared. He gave me a piggyback ride when we continued looking for the
Mother Dragon.”

“Eh…? This is interesting.”

“However, my memories beyond that were fuzzy. Even though I remembered that the Mother Dragon appeared in front of us, I still can’t
recall the specifics. But, I still somehow remembered that the boy rejected Lancelot and gave it to me. If I never met him, I will never be able to become a Dragner. Later, I gave him my toy as a token of thanks to him.”

“Did you not ask his name?”

“During that time, we were busy looking for Mother Dragon… And had forgotten to ask for his name. I bet he never noticed that I am actually a princess.”

Silvia sighed.

“Back to the topic…. Who would expect that a seven year old brat was such a kind person. Could he be Princess-sama’s first love?”

Ash asked casually.

“I-If you have time to ask any idiotic question, you might as well spend your time memorizing a few more words!”

Silvia shouted as if she is going to overturn the dining table. Ash turned quiet in afraid of her menacing look. On the other hand,
another person was giving both of them a sidelong glance-

“….Haa.”

Eco sighed as if she doesn’t have the spirit to care about the two.

"Silvia’s memory~A.S.B.1365.8~" is closed.

<noinclude>

==References and Translation Notes==
<references />

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|-
| Back to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]
| Return to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

User:Valthan

2014-08-08T06:23:29Z

Valthan: /* Basic Info */

Gender: Male

Occupation: College Student

Major: Computer Information Systems (w/ an emphasis in business management)

Native Language: American English

User:Valthan

2014-08-08T06:21:38Z

Valthan:

Gender: Male

Occupation: College Student

Major: Computer Information Systems (w/ an emphasis in business management)

Native language: American English

Secondary languages: none in which I have any confidence

Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 2

2014-08-08T06:16:27Z

Valthan: /* Part 8 */

==Chapter 2 - Ash's and Silvia's study group==
===Part 1===
Under Silvia’s command, Ash was given an empty room.

It seemed that Cosette had cleaned the room some time before since it was clean and tidy.

Looking around the room, there was a small desk for studying and even a sofa and a single bed. A classy Dragon Crystal lamp was hanging on the ceiling.

When Ash sat on the sofa after he moved all his luggage into the room, he could smell the scent of lavender. It was from the incense burner on the shelf. He felt that the room had everything he needed. ''I might as well stay here for the rest of my school days…'' Ash even has such thoughts.

By the way, although Ash was alright with staying with Eco in the same room, Silvia who was a little stubborn could never allow it.

She thought that it was outrageous for Eco, who looked like a girl, to stay in the same room with him even though she was actually a dragon.

In the end, it was decided that Eco would be sleeping with Silvia.

“…Must we stay here for the coming two weeks?”

Ash suddenly thought that this was a weird summer.

The Fourth Princess, Silvia Lautreamont was just staying at a wall’s distance away.

It was easier to believe this if this is a dream.

Just when Ash let his thoughts wonder, there was a knock on his door.

He was greeted by Silvia when he opened the door. Somehow, she looked kind of sweet.

“What’s the matter, Princess-sama?”

“I-It is about time for dinner.”

“Aah… So it is about that time. I didn’t even notice.”

Ash just realised that it was already evening. Days like this particular busy day seemed to always pass so quickly.

“Erm… What are you going to do for dinner, Ash?”

“Since it is the summer holidays, the student’s restaurant La Tene would only provide lunch. How does Princess-sama deal with her usual meals?”

“I always ate Cosette’s handmade meals. There is a restaurant like kitchen in this royal room.”

“Wow. But, I don’t like the idea of bothering you for my meal… So, I think I will head out to the streets together with Eco.”

“No, wait… Cosette had some personal matters that she had to attend to. She probably won’t be able to return in such short notice.”

“Eh? Come join us then?”

Silvia did not reply. Somehow, she was gripping the sides of her skirts with her head down and started trembling. Just like when someone was having a heat stroke, her face was bright red.

“Princess-sama? Are you alright?”

Silvia shouted after being asked by Ash.

“D-Do you want to give my handmade meal a try!? How about it!?”

At the same time, a piece of paper flew out from her pocket.

It dropped right beside Ash’s foot. It seemed that Silvia had not noticed that her paper had fallen on to the ground.

“…?”

Ash picked up that paper.

''- ‘Shelley family’s secret. A recipe to make men dream’.''

“What is this?”

“Uwaaa! Give that back! Give that back to me right now!”

Silvia leaped towards Ash in a panic. She was only thinking about getting back the piece of paper.

“Hey! Calm down, Princess-sama! I will give it back to you! Waaaaaa!”

Silvia slipped and fall against Ash. Ash grabbed her immediately but instead he end up being able to feel her softness of her body and her body heat. But the next moment, Ash too felt on the ground together with her.

“Ooouch!”

Ash almost chocked from falling on his back. He slowly opened his eyes while moaning.

The first thing that came into his sight was her golden hair.

''-This is bad! I… am hugging Princess-sama!''

Ash was panicking but luckily Silvia finally sat up her body.

“S-Sorry Ash… Are you alright?”

Silvia’s face was bright red when she was looking at Ash. Her golden hair fell on her shoulders and touched Ash’s face. It smelled like honey.

“I am alright but… T-this position… Is a little bad for my heart.”

Ash was speaking as if he was out of breathe.

“Eh…?”

Silvia finally noticed that she was riding on Ash. And because her legs were spread open, her skirt had been rolled up and the white cloth came into his sight.

“Doooooooon’t stare!”

With tears in her eyes, Silvia started punching Ash.

“Ouch! Ouch! Please stop immediately and move aside!”

Silvia who felt too much embarrassment couldn't stop punching Ash, it seems that she did not heard him.

“Hey, I think it is about time for dinner- Hey! What are you doing!?”

Eco who should be still lying on Silvia’s bed suddenly appeared in the corridor.

“Eco…! This is a misunderstanding! It is an accident!”

“So… Want to be crushed by me!?”

Too bad for him, Eco was not in the mood to listen to his explanation. She was approaching with an angry look on her face.

===Part 2===
“Next… A small spoonful of salt and a piece of bay leaf… Also, a small amount of black pepper. But isn’t the word ‘small amount’ a little unclear…?”

Silvia was staring at the recipe for some time after she tied her hair into a bun and put on her apron.

Just moments before, she thought about boiling the soup first, however it seems that she was troubled by the amount of black pepper that she was going to use. As expected, Silvia who had not done any cooking since the day of her birth faced trouble from the word ‘small amount’.

“Err… I would also like to help you. May I?”

Silvia was surprised to see Eco walking into the kitchen.

“But, do you have any experience in cooking?”

“Impossible! But… Just before Cosette leave, she gave me this. I just want to try challenging this.”

Eco showed her a piece of paper.

Silvia had a bad feeling.

“Could it be that it is also ‘Shelley family’s secret recipe’?”

Eco turned red the moment she was told.

It seems that Cosette had handed both Silvia and Eco the recipe.

“Damn that Cosette… Even when she knew clearly what I was thinking, how dare she still support Eco from behind…! Even after she had been
working for me for ages…!”

Without noticing, Silvia clenched her fist.

“Err… What’s wrong with you?”

Silvia cooled down her temper the moment she was asked by Eco.

“No, nothing. Nothing at all.”

After she took a deep breath and calm herself down, she turned her head towards Eco.

Silvia who had calmed down suddenly noticed something new.

Although it was common that the dragon was always mistaken as a ferocious beast by foreign countries, but whenever a person saw the majestic Ark, they would have noticed that the dragons are a race that had their own unique beauty and also a race with strong creativity.

''- Could Eco be…. Even though she had no experience in cooking, who knows if she too has talent! Cooking can be even considered as an art creation…!''

Silvia was somehow feeling excited. If Eco shows her true skills, who knows if she might be able to create a delicious meal.

On the other hand, Silvia had no confidence in herself. Since the day she was born, it is a natural thing to her that meals were laid out properly to her. She never had the thought of cooking at all. She even though that riding on Lancelot for a thousand miles is far easier than this.

''-That’s it. Even though it will be a hindrance… If I can get Eco’s help… I will feel less embarrassed in front of Ash.''

Although it was not an honorable thing to do, but a little sacrifice was required. Right now, Eco is an important asset to her.

Silvia once again pulled herself together and placed her hand on Eco’s shoulder.

“Why don’t we try cooking together? There is even an extra apron and barrette over there.”

“Alright.”

Eco quietly put on the apron and handed Silvia the barrette as if she want Silvia to help her put it on.

Her actions were somehow cute and it made Silvia’s heart skipped a beat. Silvia somehow had a feeling that Eco is like a little sister to her.

It was kind of a new feeling to Silvia who was the youngest in her family.

“Alright then.”

Silvia smiled and stood behind Eco.

Since Eco had quite a lot of hair, Silvia tied two buns on the left and right side of her head.

“We are done. Hmm… Aren’t you looking cute?”

“R-Real…”

Eco seemed to be a little shy. She was probably not used to being praised.

“Alright, let’s begin!”

Silvia clenched her fist tightly and her action was followed by Eco.

“As you wish!”

===Part 3===
''-Is this even food!?''

After waiting for two whole hours, Ash felt shivers by seeing the food that was laid out in front of him. Whatever it may be, it gave the same feeling as the first time Ash met the Necromancia.

He couldn’t even believe that it was food after seeing and smelling it.

It somehow looked a little unbalanced that the tableware was of high quality while the food itself looked comical.

To begin with, why was the soup colour purple like poison?

Is that piece of coal actually bread or a piece of meat?

Ash couldn’t even be bothered to think about the thing that was all mashed up as if it was an animal being ran over by a horse carriage.

Even so, they were the hard works of both Eco and Silvia.

A few band aids could be seen on Silvia’s fingers and the sauce and ketchup mess on Eco’s apron looked like some drawings.

“Hmm, what’s wrong? Why aren’t you eating?”

Eco was speaking confidently, which in a way or another caused Ash to be confused.

“Ahem… You don’t have to eat it if it is not to your liking.”

As expected from Silvia, she seemed to notice that something was off. But the problem is much worse than whether he likes it or not.

At that moment, Silvia started grumbling beside Eco’s ear.

“Eco… Are you really a dragon!? This is not even up to my expectations!”

“W-What! I had placed all my efforts in this!”

“But… Who would know that you are clumsier than me…”

Ash took the spoon while ignoring what the two of them were saying.

“Then, let’s eat.”

He felt that judging the food on its appearance and smell that was specially made for him was somehow disrespectful and rude.

Who knows if it was actually a delicious meal.

Ash took a spoonful of the weird coloured soup. A smell so bad that was like a gas attack flowed into Ash’s nostrils. He kept on enduring it while he sent it into his mouth.

Due to the extreme fear, he closed his eyes. The gooey liquid first came into contact with his tongue.

At that instant, electricity flowed through his spine and he experienced a fierce sensation.

“~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~!!!”

Ash tried screaming but his voice was stuck at his throat. Then he fell from his chair.

===Part 4===
The Dragon Fang Restaurant in Ansarivan town center was full of customers.

It was a public restaurant that Rebecca had told Ash about. The shop offered a half price discount for the student council members. It was said that the relative of the shop owner was a breeder and was also a student council member during his schooling years. On a first glance, there were big burly men in the shop talking about politics with a beer mug in their hands.

Most of their talks were centering on the huge dragon that attacked Fontaine City. Who would even imagine that the huge dragon herself had walked into the shop? It seemed that no one had noticed the arrival of the trio. It also seemed that the student with the golden hair was Princess Silvia.

“Huu… I've just gone through hell.”

Just after the trio was led to a table for four, Ash started complaining. It seems that his tongue was still numb.

Silvia who was sitting facing Ash immediately turned mad.

“Tsk… You shouldn’t faint, no matter how bad the food is! What do you take a girl’s cooking as!?”

“No, I think fainting is a blessing for me. It is embarrassing if a Dragner dies from food poisoning.”

“Do you have to go that far!?”

Silvia was almost in tears.

“Hmph… You are lucky. He never even touched mine!”

Eco was grumbling beside Ash.

“I even thought of stuffing them into your mouth while you were unconscious.”

“Are you trying to kill me!?”

Ash felt a chill when he realized that he was inches away from death.

“Sorry for the wait. What would you like to order?”

At that moment their conversation was interrupted by a waitress with a smiling face.

===Part 5===
The Dragon Fang Restaurant’s special such as beef fillet steak and spare rib was placed on the table.

Somehow Eco, who was always the first to grab the food, was acting rather quiet today.

“Are you feeling all right?”

“Eh? No, nothing…”

Eco hurriedly sent the salad on the fork into her mouth.

Ash was worried since Eco took no notice of the meat on the middle of the table.

“Are you really all right? That is your favourite beef fillet? Are you not going to eat the spare rib?”

“You… can have it.”

Eco was looking on her knees when she sighed. This is the first time she did not react to the meat in front of her.

“Ash. Eco is a girl coming of age. It is normal that she sometimes doesn’t have any appetite. Today should be that day.”

“I-Is it…?”

Eco is a young dragon who was not even a year old. That may be the case but she definitely looks like a girl coming of age. ''Could the source of her trouble originate from this afternoon’s incident?'' But this is not the right time to ask.

''Maybe I should listen to Silvia and let her be''… Ash thought.

===Part 6===
When the dessert arrived, Ash asked Silvia.

“Now that I think about it, aren't you going home?”

Followed by that, Silvia showed him a sour look and placed her glass on the table. Judging from the way she place her glass, she was definitely pissed.

“I can’t believe it… Have you forgotten about the supplementary test!?”

“Aah!”

Supplementary test. The weight of these two words seemed to hit his head hard.

That’s right. Ash and Silvia couldn't take the final exam last month. However, since they had sufficient reasons, after requesting from the management department, they were given the chance to take a supplementary exam during summer. They will be given the same credit if they can pass.

However, due to him constantly worrying about Eco, he completely forgot about the exam.

If it is the practical test, Ash had confidence that he would ace since he was no other than ‘The boy who can ride any dragon”.

The problem was the written test.

Apart from the normal subjects like math, literature, science and history, there were also subjects like dragon history, ecology, breeding
studies… and many more special subjects that need to be learned in the dragon riding academy.

“Err… When will the exam be held?”

Silvia sighed upon hearing.

“The written test will be held a week from now. You won’t be allowed to take the practical test if you fail the written test.”

“What….!?”

Ash turned numb.

If he couldn't squeeze out a pass in the written exam, he won’t be able to bring up his result with his practical test which he was good
in.

“Let me put this bluntly. You are now a member of the student council. How can you face Rebecca, who scouted you, if your results are bad.”

Silvia’s words stabbed right at his heart.

“What should I do…? I don't even have the slightest confidence in my written exam. It is impossible! There is only a week left! I would need to retain a year if I fail…!”

Ash was crying in agony which made Silvia sympathize with him.

“-All right?”

“Eh? What did you just say?”

Silvia blushed when she was asked. She then announced loudly:

“I said I can help you with your test!”

“Really?”

Since the time she entered the academy, her results had always been the top of her year. If Silvia was to teach him, he can at least avoid
retaining a year.

“Thank you, Princess-sama!”

===Part 7===
On the next morning, both Ash and Silvia were up early in order to prepare for the exam.

Notes and text books were all over the dining table in the royal room. The table which was initially like a painting of hell since yesterday was tidied up by Ash.

“Let’s start.”

Silvia sat beside Ash. She was neatly dressed in a blouse and a tight skirt. By putting on her fashionable eyeglasses, she looked like a teacher. She was probably the type who needs a suitable atmosphere to be able to concentrate.
[[Image:SnRK v05 114.jpg|thumb]]

“Eco would probably cause a ruckus after she wakes up… So is it okay with you that we start with the most important subject first?”

“Aah… All right.”

Although it hurts Ash that she need to put Eco aside, but right now, his priority is studying for the exam.

“Then, let’s start from the Mother Dragon. This is the most important part for the first term. Please listen carefully.”

Silvia was totally like a teacher.

“Hmm… The Mother Dragon… Usually, she sometimes becomes the topic of our talk, but I am not actually sure what kind of a dragon is she.”

“She is basically different from the rest of the dragons. Though I tried investigating on my own, there are still too many questions remaining unanswered. Since what is not mentioned in the text book won’t be in the exam, we should start from memorizing the textbook. Can you please read page fifty eight?”

“Okay.”

Ash started reading the ecology textbook.

''-The mother dragon will only appear in front of humans during the Orphan Ceremony. Only when she found a child qualified to become Breeder she will appear and bestow an Orphan to the child.''

“By the way, Ash, is Lancelot a male or female?”

Ash was shocked by Silvia’s sudden question.

“About that, is Lancelot a male? I mean its name sound manly.”

“Are you an idiot! How can you call yourself a student of Ansarivan?”

“Eeh? So it is a female?”

“That’s also wrong! The correct answer is none of the above!”

“That my first time hearing it.”

“Do you even listen during classes!? In the ancient time, dragons do have difference in genders, but… I mean…. F-For them to mate to reproduce.”

Silvia was blushing and trying to avert her eyes.

Talking about that, Ash started noticing Silvia’s curves. The Silvia right now was very alluring.

“But, during the long history, the dragons who almost faced extinction invoked the wise dragon magic, Albion. That had totally changed their ecosystem and since then, the Mother Dragon was responsible for reproducing and the dragons had lost their genders.”

“Now I see… But no matter how I look at it, Eco is a girl isn’t she?”

Silvia turned speechless upon hearing Ash’s words.

“It seems so. Why did I not notice it?... Even so, Eco is a special dragon.”

''Could it be that apart from being the Avalon’s holy dragons' emperor family's descendent, there are still many more mysteries surrounding Eco that was yet to be found?'' Ash thought secretly.

The dragons should have lost their genders since a long time ago.

However, Eco was obviously born in the body of a girl.

''What is the actual reason behind it…?''

“Even so, since Mother Dragon is also a dragon, she should need astral in order to survive, however, it is a surprise that she never had any contract with anyone. Unfortunately, these facts were not written in any books…. Hey, Ash, are you even listening?”

“Eh? Aah… Sorry.”

Ash immediately straightened his body when he was glared by Silvia.

“Tsk…I bet you acted the same way during class. Anyway, please read the textbook starting from this part until this part for one more time and drill them into your head.”

Silvia leaned forward and underlined the important area.

“…!”

Ash held his breath when he saw Silvia’s breast through the gaps of her collars.

“Huh? Is everything all right, Ash?”

“No, nothing! Nothing!”

“What a weird person…”

===Part 8===
“Hmm, it is time for us to take a short break.”

After she briefed through the examination scope, Silvia place her pen on the table.

Silvia looked a little tired and Ash on the other hand was exhausted from being forced to memorized all the important subjects.

“Are you all right, Ash? Your dream to pass will remain a dream if you are troubled by just these.”

Actually, Silvia tried encouraging him but she only spoke strict words since the beginning.

“I will work harder…”

Ash had his head laid on the table when he answered weakly.

“Tsk. Cosette, make us some tea…”

Silvia remembered that Cosette was no longer with her the moment she turned around.

Unfortunately, Silvia herself had never made tea before. She doesn’t have the confidence to make a cup of tea that can match with Cosette’s standard.

At the same time, she doesn’t want Ash to take her as an idiot who doesn’t even know how to make tea.

Just as Silvia was troubled by this, Ash stood up and gave her a wry smile.

“I will make the tea in return for teaching me.”

“S-Sorry.”

“I may not look like it but I am actually good at doing housework. Since I don’t have a father at home, I was always doing some housework like cooking, taking care of my sister and many more when my mother was at work.”

After that, Ash left for the kitchen and he suddenly looked like a reliable person. Even though Silvia had been teaching him from the start, but their roles had changed with just a cup of tea.

After she heard noise coming from the kitchen, Silvia started mumbling to herself:

“If, Ash… If he is that boy… What should I do? No, but… The boy had given Lancelot to me. Thinking back carefully, it is impossible for him to become a Breeder in the first place.”

“-Why do you need to mention Ash?”

Silvia had a shock of her life when she heard another voice.

Eco’s face had suddenly appeared in front of Silvia.

Since her hair was still in a mess, it looked like she had just woken up. But her beauty still remains and it made it seems like her body was glittering.

Although Silvia had always hated to be seen by anyone except Cosette the moment she wake up, but Eco doesn’t seem to mind it.

Suddenly, Silvia felt guilty when she saw Eco. It was probably due to her spending time studying with Ash for the entire morning when Eco was sleeping.

Without knowing what Silvia was thinking, Eco asked innocently:

“Where is he?”

“Aah, he is making tea.”

Eco threw Silvia a sharp glance upon hearing.

“Are the two of you playing when I was sleeping?”

“I-Impossible! He may face retaining a year if I choose not to teach him. That’s the truth! It will really happen if I ‘choose not to teach’! At the same time, isn’t it bad for you as well as his Pal if he was to retain a year?”

Silvia was in a pinch by trying to explain to Eco.

“Hey, Eco. You are finally awake?”

At that moment, Ash appeared from the kitchen holding a tray with the tea set.

“…It is already noon. You better change your clothing.”

Eco immediately turned red as if she doesn’t want anyone to see her in her pyjamas. She hurriedly ran out from the room.

Silvia was anxious about Eco’s behaviour. The past Eco was always arrogant and never get embarrassed from things that a human would. ''Despite that, compared to her past self, Eco looks more feminine. Am I thinking too much?''

“Ash, about Eco… Don’t you think that she is starting to change?”

“Does she? I didn’t notice anything…”

Ash was lying and his face was red from embarrassment. It is impossible for him to not notice when he had been living with Eco under the same roof.

Of course the reason Eco became more feminine was Ash.

''After all the things that had happened, surely Eco was….'' Just when she thought about that, Silvia felt a pain in her chest.

===Part 9===
After eating lunch that was made from whatever there is in the larder, Ash was again studying.

This time, Eco was together with them. Since she was just quietly reading her picture books, she didn’t really cause any problem. However, whenever Silvia leaned forward and her distance with Ash become closer…

“Ahem!”

She would always purposely give a cough as a warning. She then continued with her book and did nothing apart from that.

Eco’s actions were completely different compared to her past self.

Just as what Silvia said, Eco was maturing. What she had just shown was jealousy.

Just yesterday, Ash and Eco were kissing in the room with the broken wall.

Although the location was bad, they both had the urge for each other and in the end, they kissed. It was totally like a dream. Ash’s heart started beating rapidly upon remembering the feeling when their lips touched.

On the other hand, Ash noticed that he was attracted to Silvia.

The Lautreamont Royal Knight Family’s fourth Princess, Silvia. Months before, she was just Ash’s classmate. During that time, she was like an unapproachable being to him. If the him a year ago knew about his situation right now, he would definitely have gotten a great shock.

However, the Aries Dragon Riding Festival had become the turning point where their relationship became closer…

“Ash! Hey, Ash! Are you listening…?”

“Uwaa! S-Sorry, Princess-sama…”

After being scolded, Ash came back to his sense.

“Are you all right? It doesn’t feel like your thought is here.”

Silvia was really worried about him. Turning his head around, Eco too was worried about Ash and took a peek at him.

“About that… Many things happen recently, no?”

“Speaking about that, you were involved in the battle during the Selective Training Camp and in Fontaine City.”

Silvia agreed with him. But her thoughts were in the wrong page compared to Ash’s. However, Ash was thankful that she misunderstood him.

He would never admit that he lost concentration because he was stuck in choosing between Silvia and Eco.

===Part 10===
After three o’clock, it was time for their second tea-time. Since it was boring to drink only red tea, they also took out the biscuits that
they found in the kitchen’s cupboard.

“Erm… Princess-sama, I would like to ask you about the stuffed toy.”

''“*splurt*”''

Suddenly, Silvia spluttered out her red tea.

“Sorry, Princess-sama.”

Ash immediately tried to wipe the table with a tea cloth.

“W-What about the stuffed toy?”

Silvia glared at Ash when she tried to wipe her mouth.

“I mean if it initially belongs to you, how in the world did it came into my possession?”

“How am I to know about that?”

“Then… Do you still remember how do you give it away?”

“That…!”

Suddenly without warning, Silvia was blushing.

“So you did remember. Do you mind me asking?”

“Of course I mind!”

“I see. Then I won’t question you any further.”

Ash understood the situation well and stopped asking but Silvia suddenly stood up.

“Stop! I will tell!”

“Now, which is it?”

“As I said, I will tell you!”

Thus, Silvia started telling the story of the seven year old her attending the Orphan Ceremony in Albion Forest.

===Part 11===
“I was lost in Albion Forest not long after the Orphan Ceremony started. At the same time, my leg was twisted and help was nowhere to be found… Then, I cried.”

“Princess-sama cried?”

Ash was surprised but it made Silvia blushed.

“It was not like I wanted to! I was seven during that time!”

“Haha… Sorry. So, what happened after that?”

“Erm… At that point, a boy who was attending the same ceremony appeared. He gave me a piggyback ride when we continued looking for the
Mother Dragon.”

“Eh…? This is interesting.”

“However, my memories beyond that were fuzzy. Even though I remembered that the Mother Dragon appeared in front of us, I still can’t
recall the specifics. But, I still somehow remembered that the boy rejected Lancelot and gave it to me. If I never met him, I will never be able to become a Dragner. Later, I gave him my toy as a token of thanks to him.”

“Did you not ask his name?”

“During that time, we were busy looking for Mother Dragon… And had forgotten to ask for his name. I bet he never noticed that I am actually a princess.”

Silvia sighed.

“Back to the topic…. Who would expect that a seven year old brat was such a kind person. Could he be Princess-sama’s first love?”

Ash asked casually.

“I-If you have time to ask any idiotic question, you might as well spend your time memorizing a few more words!”

Silvia shouted as if she is going to overturn the dining table. Ash turned quiet in afraid of her menacing look. On the other hand,
another person was giving both of them a sidelong glance-

“….Haa.”

Eco sighed as if she doesn’t have the spirit to care about the two.

"Silvia’s memory~A.S.B.1365.8~" is closed.

<noinclude>

==References and Translation Notes==
<references />

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| Forward to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]
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</noinclude>

Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 2

2014-08-08T06:13:15Z

Valthan: /* Part 7 */

==Chapter 2 - Ash's and Silvia's study group==
===Part 1===
Under Silvia’s command, Ash was given an empty room.

It seemed that Cosette had cleaned the room some time before since it was clean and tidy.

Looking around the room, there was a small desk for studying and even a sofa and a single bed. A classy Dragon Crystal lamp was hanging on the ceiling.

When Ash sat on the sofa after he moved all his luggage into the room, he could smell the scent of lavender. It was from the incense burner on the shelf. He felt that the room had everything he needed. ''I might as well stay here for the rest of my school days…'' Ash even has such thoughts.

By the way, although Ash was alright with staying with Eco in the same room, Silvia who was a little stubborn could never allow it.

She thought that it was outrageous for Eco, who looked like a girl, to stay in the same room with him even though she was actually a dragon.

In the end, it was decided that Eco would be sleeping with Silvia.

“…Must we stay here for the coming two weeks?”

Ash suddenly thought that this was a weird summer.

The Fourth Princess, Silvia Lautreamont was just staying at a wall’s distance away.

It was easier to believe this if this is a dream.

Just when Ash let his thoughts wonder, there was a knock on his door.

He was greeted by Silvia when he opened the door. Somehow, she looked kind of sweet.

“What’s the matter, Princess-sama?”

“I-It is about time for dinner.”

“Aah… So it is about that time. I didn’t even notice.”

Ash just realised that it was already evening. Days like this particular busy day seemed to always pass so quickly.

“Erm… What are you going to do for dinner, Ash?”

“Since it is the summer holidays, the student’s restaurant La Tene would only provide lunch. How does Princess-sama deal with her usual meals?”

“I always ate Cosette’s handmade meals. There is a restaurant like kitchen in this royal room.”

“Wow. But, I don’t like the idea of bothering you for my meal… So, I think I will head out to the streets together with Eco.”

“No, wait… Cosette had some personal matters that she had to attend to. She probably won’t be able to return in such short notice.”

“Eh? Come join us then?”

Silvia did not reply. Somehow, she was gripping the sides of her skirts with her head down and started trembling. Just like when someone was having a heat stroke, her face was bright red.

“Princess-sama? Are you alright?”

Silvia shouted after being asked by Ash.

“D-Do you want to give my handmade meal a try!? How about it!?”

At the same time, a piece of paper flew out from her pocket.

It dropped right beside Ash’s foot. It seemed that Silvia had not noticed that her paper had fallen on to the ground.

“…?”

Ash picked up that paper.

''- ‘Shelley family’s secret. A recipe to make men dream’.''

“What is this?”

“Uwaaa! Give that back! Give that back to me right now!”

Silvia leaped towards Ash in a panic. She was only thinking about getting back the piece of paper.

“Hey! Calm down, Princess-sama! I will give it back to you! Waaaaaa!”

Silvia slipped and fall against Ash. Ash grabbed her immediately but instead he end up being able to feel her softness of her body and her body heat. But the next moment, Ash too felt on the ground together with her.

“Ooouch!”

Ash almost chocked from falling on his back. He slowly opened his eyes while moaning.

The first thing that came into his sight was her golden hair.

''-This is bad! I… am hugging Princess-sama!''

Ash was panicking but luckily Silvia finally sat up her body.

“S-Sorry Ash… Are you alright?”

Silvia’s face was bright red when she was looking at Ash. Her golden hair fell on her shoulders and touched Ash’s face. It smelled like honey.

“I am alright but… T-this position… Is a little bad for my heart.”

Ash was speaking as if he was out of breathe.

“Eh…?”

Silvia finally noticed that she was riding on Ash. And because her legs were spread open, her skirt had been rolled up and the white cloth came into his sight.

“Doooooooon’t stare!”

With tears in her eyes, Silvia started punching Ash.

“Ouch! Ouch! Please stop immediately and move aside!”

Silvia who felt too much embarrassment couldn't stop punching Ash, it seems that she did not heard him.

“Hey, I think it is about time for dinner- Hey! What are you doing!?”

Eco who should be still lying on Silvia’s bed suddenly appeared in the corridor.

“Eco…! This is a misunderstanding! It is an accident!”

“So… Want to be crushed by me!?”

Too bad for him, Eco was not in the mood to listen to his explanation. She was approaching with an angry look on her face.

===Part 2===
“Next… A small spoonful of salt and a piece of bay leaf… Also, a small amount of black pepper. But isn’t the word ‘small amount’ a little unclear…?”

Silvia was staring at the recipe for some time after she tied her hair into a bun and put on her apron.

Just moments before, she thought about boiling the soup first, however it seems that she was troubled by the amount of black pepper that she was going to use. As expected, Silvia who had not done any cooking since the day of her birth faced trouble from the word ‘small amount’.

“Err… I would also like to help you. May I?”

Silvia was surprised to see Eco walking into the kitchen.

“But, do you have any experience in cooking?”

“Impossible! But… Just before Cosette leave, she gave me this. I just want to try challenging this.”

Eco showed her a piece of paper.

Silvia had a bad feeling.

“Could it be that it is also ‘Shelley family’s secret recipe’?”

Eco turned red the moment she was told.

It seems that Cosette had handed both Silvia and Eco the recipe.

“Damn that Cosette… Even when she knew clearly what I was thinking, how dare she still support Eco from behind…! Even after she had been
working for me for ages…!”

Without noticing, Silvia clenched her fist.

“Err… What’s wrong with you?”

Silvia cooled down her temper the moment she was asked by Eco.

“No, nothing. Nothing at all.”

After she took a deep breath and calm herself down, she turned her head towards Eco.

Silvia who had calmed down suddenly noticed something new.

Although it was common that the dragon was always mistaken as a ferocious beast by foreign countries, but whenever a person saw the majestic Ark, they would have noticed that the dragons are a race that had their own unique beauty and also a race with strong creativity.

''- Could Eco be…. Even though she had no experience in cooking, who knows if she too has talent! Cooking can be even considered as an art creation…!''

Silvia was somehow feeling excited. If Eco shows her true skills, who knows if she might be able to create a delicious meal.

On the other hand, Silvia had no confidence in herself. Since the day she was born, it is a natural thing to her that meals were laid out properly to her. She never had the thought of cooking at all. She even though that riding on Lancelot for a thousand miles is far easier than this.

''-That’s it. Even though it will be a hindrance… If I can get Eco’s help… I will feel less embarrassed in front of Ash.''

Although it was not an honorable thing to do, but a little sacrifice was required. Right now, Eco is an important asset to her.

Silvia once again pulled herself together and placed her hand on Eco’s shoulder.

“Why don’t we try cooking together? There is even an extra apron and barrette over there.”

“Alright.”

Eco quietly put on the apron and handed Silvia the barrette as if she want Silvia to help her put it on.

Her actions were somehow cute and it made Silvia’s heart skipped a beat. Silvia somehow had a feeling that Eco is like a little sister to her.

It was kind of a new feeling to Silvia who was the youngest in her family.

“Alright then.”

Silvia smiled and stood behind Eco.

Since Eco had quite a lot of hair, Silvia tied two buns on the left and right side of her head.

“We are done. Hmm… Aren’t you looking cute?”

“R-Real…”

Eco seemed to be a little shy. She was probably not used to being praised.

“Alright, let’s begin!”

Silvia clenched her fist tightly and her action was followed by Eco.

“As you wish!”

===Part 3===
''-Is this even food!?''

After waiting for two whole hours, Ash felt shivers by seeing the food that was laid out in front of him. Whatever it may be, it gave the same feeling as the first time Ash met the Necromancia.

He couldn’t even believe that it was food after seeing and smelling it.

It somehow looked a little unbalanced that the tableware was of high quality while the food itself looked comical.

To begin with, why was the soup colour purple like poison?

Is that piece of coal actually bread or a piece of meat?

Ash couldn’t even be bothered to think about the thing that was all mashed up as if it was an animal being ran over by a horse carriage.

Even so, they were the hard works of both Eco and Silvia.

A few band aids could be seen on Silvia’s fingers and the sauce and ketchup mess on Eco’s apron looked like some drawings.

“Hmm, what’s wrong? Why aren’t you eating?”

Eco was speaking confidently, which in a way or another caused Ash to be confused.

“Ahem… You don’t have to eat it if it is not to your liking.”

As expected from Silvia, she seemed to notice that something was off. But the problem is much worse than whether he likes it or not.

At that moment, Silvia started grumbling beside Eco’s ear.

“Eco… Are you really a dragon!? This is not even up to my expectations!”

“W-What! I had placed all my efforts in this!”

“But… Who would know that you are clumsier than me…”

Ash took the spoon while ignoring what the two of them were saying.

“Then, let’s eat.”

He felt that judging the food on its appearance and smell that was specially made for him was somehow disrespectful and rude.

Who knows if it was actually a delicious meal.

Ash took a spoonful of the weird coloured soup. A smell so bad that was like a gas attack flowed into Ash’s nostrils. He kept on enduring it while he sent it into his mouth.

Due to the extreme fear, he closed his eyes. The gooey liquid first came into contact with his tongue.

At that instant, electricity flowed through his spine and he experienced a fierce sensation.

“~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~!!!”

Ash tried screaming but his voice was stuck at his throat. Then he fell from his chair.

===Part 4===
The Dragon Fang Restaurant in Ansarivan town center was full of customers.

It was a public restaurant that Rebecca had told Ash about. The shop offered a half price discount for the student council members. It was said that the relative of the shop owner was a breeder and was also a student council member during his schooling years. On a first glance, there were big burly men in the shop talking about politics with a beer mug in their hands.

Most of their talks were centering on the huge dragon that attacked Fontaine City. Who would even imagine that the huge dragon herself had walked into the shop? It seemed that no one had noticed the arrival of the trio. It also seemed that the student with the golden hair was Princess Silvia.

“Huu… I've just gone through hell.”

Just after the trio was led to a table for four, Ash started complaining. It seems that his tongue was still numb.

Silvia who was sitting facing Ash immediately turned mad.

“Tsk… You shouldn’t faint, no matter how bad the food is! What do you take a girl’s cooking as!?”

“No, I think fainting is a blessing for me. It is embarrassing if a Dragner dies from food poisoning.”

“Do you have to go that far!?”

Silvia was almost in tears.

“Hmph… You are lucky. He never even touched mine!”

Eco was grumbling beside Ash.

“I even thought of stuffing them into your mouth while you were unconscious.”

“Are you trying to kill me!?”

Ash felt a chill when he realized that he was inches away from death.

“Sorry for the wait. What would you like to order?”

At that moment their conversation was interrupted by a waitress with a smiling face.

===Part 5===
The Dragon Fang Restaurant’s special such as beef fillet steak and spare rib was placed on the table.

Somehow Eco, who was always the first to grab the food, was acting rather quiet today.

“Are you feeling all right?”

“Eh? No, nothing…”

Eco hurriedly sent the salad on the fork into her mouth.

Ash was worried since Eco took no notice of the meat on the middle of the table.

“Are you really all right? That is your favourite beef fillet? Are you not going to eat the spare rib?”

“You… can have it.”

Eco was looking on her knees when she sighed. This is the first time she did not react to the meat in front of her.

“Ash. Eco is a girl coming of age. It is normal that she sometimes doesn’t have any appetite. Today should be that day.”

“I-Is it…?”

Eco is a young dragon who was not even a year old. That may be the case but she definitely looks like a girl coming of age. ''Could the source of her trouble originate from this afternoon’s incident?'' But this is not the right time to ask.

''Maybe I should listen to Silvia and let her be''… Ash thought.

===Part 6===
When the dessert arrived, Ash asked Silvia.

“Now that I think about it, aren't you going home?”

Followed by that, Silvia showed him a sour look and placed her glass on the table. Judging from the way she place her glass, she was definitely pissed.

“I can’t believe it… Have you forgotten about the supplementary test!?”

“Aah!”

Supplementary test. The weight of these two words seemed to hit his head hard.

That’s right. Ash and Silvia couldn't take the final exam last month. However, since they had sufficient reasons, after requesting from the management department, they were given the chance to take a supplementary exam during summer. They will be given the same credit if they can pass.

However, due to him constantly worrying about Eco, he completely forgot about the exam.

If it is the practical test, Ash had confidence that he would ace since he was no other than ‘The boy who can ride any dragon”.

The problem was the written test.

Apart from the normal subjects like math, literature, science and history, there were also subjects like dragon history, ecology, breeding
studies… and many more special subjects that need to be learned in the dragon riding academy.

“Err… When will the exam be held?”

Silvia sighed upon hearing.

“The written test will be held a week from now. You won’t be allowed to take the practical test if you fail the written test.”

“What….!?”

Ash turned numb.

If he couldn't squeeze out a pass in the written exam, he won’t be able to bring up his result with his practical test which he was good
in.

“Let me put this bluntly. You are now a member of the student council. How can you face Rebecca, who scouted you, if your results are bad.”

Silvia’s words stabbed right at his heart.

“What should I do…? I don't even have the slightest confidence in my written exam. It is impossible! There is only a week left! I would need to retain a year if I fail…!”

Ash was crying in agony which made Silvia sympathize with him.

“-All right?”

“Eh? What did you just say?”

Silvia blushed when she was asked. She then announced loudly:

“I said I can help you with your test!”

“Really?”

Since the time she entered the academy, her results had always been the top of her year. If Silvia was to teach him, he can at least avoid
retaining a year.

“Thank you, Princess-sama!”

===Part 7===
On the next morning, both Ash and Silvia were up early in order to prepare for the exam.

Notes and text books were all over the dining table in the royal room. The table which was initially like a painting of hell since yesterday was tidied up by Ash.

“Let’s start.”

Silvia sat beside Ash. She was neatly dressed in a blouse and a tight skirt. By putting on her fashionable eyeglasses, she looked like a teacher. She was probably the type who needs a suitable atmosphere to be able to concentrate.
[[Image:SnRK v05 114.jpg|thumb]]

“Eco would probably cause a ruckus after she wakes up… So is it okay with you that we start with the most important subject first?”

“Aah… All right.”

Although it hurts Ash that she need to put Eco aside, but right now, his priority is studying for the exam.

“Then, let’s start from the Mother Dragon. This is the most important part for the first term. Please listen carefully.”

Silvia was totally like a teacher.

“Hmm… The Mother Dragon… Usually, she sometimes becomes the topic of our talk, but I am not actually sure what kind of a dragon is she.”

“She is basically different from the rest of the dragons. Though I tried investigating on my own, there are still too many questions remaining unanswered. Since what is not mentioned in the text book won’t be in the exam, we should start from memorizing the textbook. Can you please read page fifty eight?”

“Okay.”

Ash started reading the ecology textbook.

''-The mother dragon will only appear in front of humans during the Orphan Ceremony. Only when she found a child qualified to become Breeder she will appear and bestow an Orphan to the child.''

“By the way, Ash, is Lancelot a male or female?”

Ash was shocked by Silvia’s sudden question.

“About that, is Lancelot a male? I mean its name sound manly.”

“Are you an idiot! How can you call yourself a student of Ansarivan?”

“Eeh? So it is a female?”

“That’s also wrong! The correct answer is none of the above!”

“That my first time hearing it.”

“Do you even listen during classes!? In the ancient time, dragons do have difference in genders, but… I mean…. F-For them to mate to reproduce.”

Silvia was blushing and trying to avert her eyes.

Talking about that, Ash started noticing Silvia’s curves. The Silvia right now was very alluring.

“But, during the long history, the dragons who almost faced extinction invoked the wise dragon magic, Albion. That had totally changed their ecosystem and since then, the Mother Dragon was responsible for reproducing and the dragons had lost their genders.”

“Now I see… But no matter how I look at it, Eco is a girl isn’t she?”

Silvia turned speechless upon hearing Ash’s words.

“It seems so. Why did I not notice it?... Even so, Eco is a special dragon.”

''Could it be that apart from being the Avalon’s holy dragons' emperor family's descendent, there are still many more mysteries surrounding Eco that was yet to be found?'' Ash thought secretly.

The dragons should have lost their genders since a long time ago.

However, Eco was obviously born in the body of a girl.

''What is the actual reason behind it…?''

“Even so, since Mother Dragon is also a dragon, she should need astral in order to survive, however, it is a surprise that she never had any contract with anyone. Unfortunately, these facts were not written in any books…. Hey, Ash, are you even listening?”

“Eh? Aah… Sorry.”

Ash immediately straightened his body when he was glared by Silvia.

“Tsk…I bet you acted the same way during class. Anyway, please read the textbook starting from this part until this part for one more time and drill them into your head.”

Silvia leaned forward and underlined the important area.

“…!”

Ash held his breath when he saw Silvia’s breast through the gaps of her collars.

“Huh? Is everything all right, Ash?”

“No, nothing! Nothing!”

“What a weird person…”

===Part 8===
“Hmm, it is time for us to take a short break.”

After she briefed through the examination scope, Silvia place her pen on the table.

Silvia looked a little tired and Ash on the other hand was exhausted from being forced to memorized all the important subjects.

“Are you all right, Ash? Your dream to pass will remain a dream if you are trouble by just these.”

Actually, Silvia tried encouraging him but she only speak of strict words since the beginning.

“I will work harder…”

Ash had his head laid on the table when he answered weakly.

“Tsk. Cosette, make us some tea…”

Silvia remembered that Cosette was no longer with her the moment she turned around.

Unfortunately, Silvia herself had never made tea before. She doesn’t have the confidence to make a cup of tea that can match with Cosette’s standard.

At the same time, she doesn’t want Ash to take her as an idiot who doesn’t even know how to make tea.

Just as Silvia was troubled by this, Ash stood up and gave her a wry smile.

“I will make the tea in return for teaching me.”

“S-Sorry.”

“I may not look like it but I am actually good at doing housework. Since I don’t have a father at home, I was always doing some housework like cooking, taking care of my sister and many more when my mother was at work.”

After that, Ash left for the kitchen and he suddenly looked like a reliable person. Even though Silvia had been teaching him from the start, but their roles had changed with just a cup of tea.

After she heard noise coming from the kitchen, Silvia started mumbling to herself:

“If, Ash… If he is that boy… What should I do? No, but… The boy had given Lancelot to me. Thinking back carefully, it is impossible for him to become a Breeder in the first place.”

“-Why do you need to mention Ash?”

Silvia had a shock of her life when she heard another voice.

Eco’s face had suddenly appeared in front of Silvia.

Since her hair was still in a mess, it looked like she had just woken up. But her beauty still remains and it made it seems like her body was glittering.

Although Silvia had always hated to be seen by anyone except Cosette the moment she wake up, but Eco doesn’t seem to mind it.

Suddenly, Silvia felt guilty when she saw Eco. It was probably due to her spending time studying with Ash for the entire morning when Eco was sleeping.

Without knowing what Silvia was thinking, Eco asked innocently:

“Where is he?”

“Aah, he is making tea.”

Eco threw Silvia a sharp glance upon hearing.

“Are the two of you playing when I was sleeping?”

“I-Impossible! He may face retaining a year if I choose not to teach him. That’s the truth! It will really happen if I ‘choose not to teach’! At the same time, isn’t it bad for you as well as his Pal if he was to retain a year?”

Silvia was in a pinch by trying to explain to Eco.

“Hey, Eco. You are finally awake?”

At that moment, Ash appeared from the kitchen holding a tray with the tea set.

“…It is already noon. You better change your clothing.”

Eco immediately turned red as if she doesn’t want anyone to see her in her pyjamas. She hurriedly ran out from the room.

Silvia was anxious about Eco’s behaviour. The past Eco was always arrogant and never get embarrassed from things that a human would. ''Despite that, compared to her past self, Eco looks more feminine. Am I thinking too much?''

“Ash, about Eco… Don’t you think that she is starting to change?”

“Does she? I didn’t notice anything…”

Ash was lying and his face was red from embarrassment. It is impossible for him to not notice when he had been living with Eco under the same roof.

Of course the reason Eco became more feminine was Ash.

''After all the things that had happened, surely Eco was….'' Just when she thought about that, Silvia felt a pain in her chest.

===Part 9===
After eating lunch that was made from whatever there is in the larder, Ash was again studying.

This time, Eco was together with them. Since she was just quietly reading her picture books, she didn’t really cause any problem. However, whenever Silvia leaned forward and her distance with Ash become closer…

“Ahem!”

She would always purposely give a cough as a warning. She then continued with her book and did nothing apart from that.

Eco’s actions were completely different compared to her past self.

Just as what Silvia said, Eco was maturing. What she had just shown was jealousy.

Just yesterday, Ash and Eco were kissing in the room with the broken wall.

Although the location was bad, they both had the urge for each other and in the end, they kissed. It was totally like a dream. Ash’s heart started beating rapidly upon remembering the feeling when their lips touched.

On the other hand, Ash noticed that he was attracted to Silvia.

The Lautreamont Royal Knight Family’s fourth Princess, Silvia. Months before, she was just Ash’s classmate. During that time, she was like an unapproachable being to him. If the him a year ago knew about his situation right now, he would definitely have gotten a great shock.

However, the Aries Dragon Riding Festival had become the turning point where their relationship became closer…

“Ash! Hey, Ash! Are you listening…?”

“Uwaa! S-Sorry, Princess-sama…”

After being scolded, Ash came back to his sense.

“Are you all right? It doesn’t feel like your thought is here.”

Silvia was really worried about him. Turning his head around, Eco too was worried about Ash and took a peek at him.

“About that… Many things happen recently, no?”

“Speaking about that, you were involved in the battle during the Selective Training Camp and in Fontaine City.”

Silvia agreed with him. But her thoughts were in the wrong page compared to Ash’s. However, Ash was thankful that she misunderstood him.

He would never admit that he lost concentration because he was stuck in choosing between Silvia and Eco.

===Part 10===
After three o’clock, it was time for their second tea-time. Since it was boring to drink only red tea, they also took out the biscuits that
they found in the kitchen’s cupboard.

“Erm… Princess-sama, I would like to ask you about the stuffed toy.”

''“*splurt*”''

Suddenly, Silvia spluttered out her red tea.

“Sorry, Princess-sama.”

Ash immediately tried to wipe the table with a tea cloth.

“W-What about the stuffed toy?”

Silvia glared at Ash when she tried to wipe her mouth.

“I mean if it initially belongs to you, how in the world did it came into my possession?”

“How am I to know about that?”

“Then… Do you still remember how do you give it away?”

“That…!”

Suddenly without warning, Silvia was blushing.

“So you did remember. Do you mind me asking?”

“Of course I mind!”

“I see. Then I won’t question you any further.”

Ash understood the situation well and stopped asking but Silvia suddenly stood up.

“Stop! I will tell!”

“Now, which is it?”

“As I said, I will tell you!”

Thus, Silvia started telling the story of the seven year old her attending the Orphan Ceremony in Albion Forest.

===Part 11===
“I was lost in Albion Forest not long after the Orphan Ceremony started. At the same time, my leg was twisted and help was nowhere to be found… Then, I cried.”

“Princess-sama cried?”

Ash was surprised but it made Silvia blushed.

“It was not like I wanted to! I was seven during that time!”

“Haha… Sorry. So, what happened after that?”

“Erm… At that point, a boy who was attending the same ceremony appeared. He gave me a piggyback ride when we continued looking for the
Mother Dragon.”

“Eh…? This is interesting.”

“However, my memories beyond that were fuzzy. Even though I remembered that the Mother Dragon appeared in front of us, I still can’t
recall the specifics. But, I still somehow remembered that the boy rejected Lancelot and gave it to me. If I never met him, I will never be able to become a Dragner. Later, I gave him my toy as a token of thanks to him.”

“Did you not ask his name?”

“During that time, we were busy looking for Mother Dragon… And had forgotten to ask for his name. I bet he never noticed that I am actually a princess.”

Silvia sighed.

“Back to the topic…. Who would expect that a seven year old brat was such a kind person. Could he be Princess-sama’s first love?”

Ash asked casually.

“I-If you have time to ask any idiotic question, you might as well spend your time memorizing a few more words!”

Silvia shouted as if she is going to overturn the dining table. Ash turned quiet in afraid of her menacing look. On the other hand,
another person was giving both of them a sidelong glance-

“….Haa.”

Eco sighed as if she doesn’t have the spirit to care about the two.

"Silvia’s memory~A.S.B.1365.8~" is closed.

<noinclude>

==References and Translation Notes==
<references />

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</noinclude>

Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 2

2014-08-08T06:12:18Z

Valthan: /* Part 7 */

==Chapter 2 - Ash's and Silvia's study group==
===Part 1===
Under Silvia’s command, Ash was given an empty room.

It seemed that Cosette had cleaned the room some time before since it was clean and tidy.

Looking around the room, there was a small desk for studying and even a sofa and a single bed. A classy Dragon Crystal lamp was hanging on the ceiling.

When Ash sat on the sofa after he moved all his luggage into the room, he could smell the scent of lavender. It was from the incense burner on the shelf. He felt that the room had everything he needed. ''I might as well stay here for the rest of my school days…'' Ash even has such thoughts.

By the way, although Ash was alright with staying with Eco in the same room, Silvia who was a little stubborn could never allow it.

She thought that it was outrageous for Eco, who looked like a girl, to stay in the same room with him even though she was actually a dragon.

In the end, it was decided that Eco would be sleeping with Silvia.

“…Must we stay here for the coming two weeks?”

Ash suddenly thought that this was a weird summer.

The Fourth Princess, Silvia Lautreamont was just staying at a wall’s distance away.

It was easier to believe this if this is a dream.

Just when Ash let his thoughts wonder, there was a knock on his door.

He was greeted by Silvia when he opened the door. Somehow, she looked kind of sweet.

“What’s the matter, Princess-sama?”

“I-It is about time for dinner.”

“Aah… So it is about that time. I didn’t even notice.”

Ash just realised that it was already evening. Days like this particular busy day seemed to always pass so quickly.

“Erm… What are you going to do for dinner, Ash?”

“Since it is the summer holidays, the student’s restaurant La Tene would only provide lunch. How does Princess-sama deal with her usual meals?”

“I always ate Cosette’s handmade meals. There is a restaurant like kitchen in this royal room.”

“Wow. But, I don’t like the idea of bothering you for my meal… So, I think I will head out to the streets together with Eco.”

“No, wait… Cosette had some personal matters that she had to attend to. She probably won’t be able to return in such short notice.”

“Eh? Come join us then?”

Silvia did not reply. Somehow, she was gripping the sides of her skirts with her head down and started trembling. Just like when someone was having a heat stroke, her face was bright red.

“Princess-sama? Are you alright?”

Silvia shouted after being asked by Ash.

“D-Do you want to give my handmade meal a try!? How about it!?”

At the same time, a piece of paper flew out from her pocket.

It dropped right beside Ash’s foot. It seemed that Silvia had not noticed that her paper had fallen on to the ground.

“…?”

Ash picked up that paper.

''- ‘Shelley family’s secret. A recipe to make men dream’.''

“What is this?”

“Uwaaa! Give that back! Give that back to me right now!”

Silvia leaped towards Ash in a panic. She was only thinking about getting back the piece of paper.

“Hey! Calm down, Princess-sama! I will give it back to you! Waaaaaa!”

Silvia slipped and fall against Ash. Ash grabbed her immediately but instead he end up being able to feel her softness of her body and her body heat. But the next moment, Ash too felt on the ground together with her.

“Ooouch!”

Ash almost chocked from falling on his back. He slowly opened his eyes while moaning.

The first thing that came into his sight was her golden hair.

''-This is bad! I… am hugging Princess-sama!''

Ash was panicking but luckily Silvia finally sat up her body.

“S-Sorry Ash… Are you alright?”

Silvia’s face was bright red when she was looking at Ash. Her golden hair fell on her shoulders and touched Ash’s face. It smelled like honey.

“I am alright but… T-this position… Is a little bad for my heart.”

Ash was speaking as if he was out of breathe.

“Eh…?”

Silvia finally noticed that she was riding on Ash. And because her legs were spread open, her skirt had been rolled up and the white cloth came into his sight.

“Doooooooon’t stare!”

With tears in her eyes, Silvia started punching Ash.

“Ouch! Ouch! Please stop immediately and move aside!”

Silvia who felt too much embarrassment couldn't stop punching Ash, it seems that she did not heard him.

“Hey, I think it is about time for dinner- Hey! What are you doing!?”

Eco who should be still lying on Silvia’s bed suddenly appeared in the corridor.

“Eco…! This is a misunderstanding! It is an accident!”

“So… Want to be crushed by me!?”

Too bad for him, Eco was not in the mood to listen to his explanation. She was approaching with an angry look on her face.

===Part 2===
“Next… A small spoonful of salt and a piece of bay leaf… Also, a small amount of black pepper. But isn’t the word ‘small amount’ a little unclear…?”

Silvia was staring at the recipe for some time after she tied her hair into a bun and put on her apron.

Just moments before, she thought about boiling the soup first, however it seems that she was troubled by the amount of black pepper that she was going to use. As expected, Silvia who had not done any cooking since the day of her birth faced trouble from the word ‘small amount’.

“Err… I would also like to help you. May I?”

Silvia was surprised to see Eco walking into the kitchen.

“But, do you have any experience in cooking?”

“Impossible! But… Just before Cosette leave, she gave me this. I just want to try challenging this.”

Eco showed her a piece of paper.

Silvia had a bad feeling.

“Could it be that it is also ‘Shelley family’s secret recipe’?”

Eco turned red the moment she was told.

It seems that Cosette had handed both Silvia and Eco the recipe.

“Damn that Cosette… Even when she knew clearly what I was thinking, how dare she still support Eco from behind…! Even after she had been
working for me for ages…!”

Without noticing, Silvia clenched her fist.

“Err… What’s wrong with you?”

Silvia cooled down her temper the moment she was asked by Eco.

“No, nothing. Nothing at all.”

After she took a deep breath and calm herself down, she turned her head towards Eco.

Silvia who had calmed down suddenly noticed something new.

Although it was common that the dragon was always mistaken as a ferocious beast by foreign countries, but whenever a person saw the majestic Ark, they would have noticed that the dragons are a race that had their own unique beauty and also a race with strong creativity.

''- Could Eco be…. Even though she had no experience in cooking, who knows if she too has talent! Cooking can be even considered as an art creation…!''

Silvia was somehow feeling excited. If Eco shows her true skills, who knows if she might be able to create a delicious meal.

On the other hand, Silvia had no confidence in herself. Since the day she was born, it is a natural thing to her that meals were laid out properly to her. She never had the thought of cooking at all. She even though that riding on Lancelot for a thousand miles is far easier than this.

''-That’s it. Even though it will be a hindrance… If I can get Eco’s help… I will feel less embarrassed in front of Ash.''

Although it was not an honorable thing to do, but a little sacrifice was required. Right now, Eco is an important asset to her.

Silvia once again pulled herself together and placed her hand on Eco’s shoulder.

“Why don’t we try cooking together? There is even an extra apron and barrette over there.”

“Alright.”

Eco quietly put on the apron and handed Silvia the barrette as if she want Silvia to help her put it on.

Her actions were somehow cute and it made Silvia’s heart skipped a beat. Silvia somehow had a feeling that Eco is like a little sister to her.

It was kind of a new feeling to Silvia who was the youngest in her family.

“Alright then.”

Silvia smiled and stood behind Eco.

Since Eco had quite a lot of hair, Silvia tied two buns on the left and right side of her head.

“We are done. Hmm… Aren’t you looking cute?”

“R-Real…”

Eco seemed to be a little shy. She was probably not used to being praised.

“Alright, let’s begin!”

Silvia clenched her fist tightly and her action was followed by Eco.

“As you wish!”

===Part 3===
''-Is this even food!?''

After waiting for two whole hours, Ash felt shivers by seeing the food that was laid out in front of him. Whatever it may be, it gave the same feeling as the first time Ash met the Necromancia.

He couldn’t even believe that it was food after seeing and smelling it.

It somehow looked a little unbalanced that the tableware was of high quality while the food itself looked comical.

To begin with, why was the soup colour purple like poison?

Is that piece of coal actually bread or a piece of meat?

Ash couldn’t even be bothered to think about the thing that was all mashed up as if it was an animal being ran over by a horse carriage.

Even so, they were the hard works of both Eco and Silvia.

A few band aids could be seen on Silvia’s fingers and the sauce and ketchup mess on Eco’s apron looked like some drawings.

“Hmm, what’s wrong? Why aren’t you eating?”

Eco was speaking confidently, which in a way or another caused Ash to be confused.

“Ahem… You don’t have to eat it if it is not to your liking.”

As expected from Silvia, she seemed to notice that something was off. But the problem is much worse than whether he likes it or not.

At that moment, Silvia started grumbling beside Eco’s ear.

“Eco… Are you really a dragon!? This is not even up to my expectations!”

“W-What! I had placed all my efforts in this!”

“But… Who would know that you are clumsier than me…”

Ash took the spoon while ignoring what the two of them were saying.

“Then, let’s eat.”

He felt that judging the food on its appearance and smell that was specially made for him was somehow disrespectful and rude.

Who knows if it was actually a delicious meal.

Ash took a spoonful of the weird coloured soup. A smell so bad that was like a gas attack flowed into Ash’s nostrils. He kept on enduring it while he sent it into his mouth.

Due to the extreme fear, he closed his eyes. The gooey liquid first came into contact with his tongue.

At that instant, electricity flowed through his spine and he experienced a fierce sensation.

“~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~!!!”

Ash tried screaming but his voice was stuck at his throat. Then he fell from his chair.

===Part 4===
The Dragon Fang Restaurant in Ansarivan town center was full of customers.

It was a public restaurant that Rebecca had told Ash about. The shop offered a half price discount for the student council members. It was said that the relative of the shop owner was a breeder and was also a student council member during his schooling years. On a first glance, there were big burly men in the shop talking about politics with a beer mug in their hands.

Most of their talks were centering on the huge dragon that attacked Fontaine City. Who would even imagine that the huge dragon herself had walked into the shop? It seemed that no one had noticed the arrival of the trio. It also seemed that the student with the golden hair was Princess Silvia.

“Huu… I've just gone through hell.”

Just after the trio was led to a table for four, Ash started complaining. It seems that his tongue was still numb.

Silvia who was sitting facing Ash immediately turned mad.

“Tsk… You shouldn’t faint, no matter how bad the food is! What do you take a girl’s cooking as!?”

“No, I think fainting is a blessing for me. It is embarrassing if a Dragner dies from food poisoning.”

“Do you have to go that far!?”

Silvia was almost in tears.

“Hmph… You are lucky. He never even touched mine!”

Eco was grumbling beside Ash.

“I even thought of stuffing them into your mouth while you were unconscious.”

“Are you trying to kill me!?”

Ash felt a chill when he realized that he was inches away from death.

“Sorry for the wait. What would you like to order?”

At that moment their conversation was interrupted by a waitress with a smiling face.

===Part 5===
The Dragon Fang Restaurant’s special such as beef fillet steak and spare rib was placed on the table.

Somehow Eco, who was always the first to grab the food, was acting rather quiet today.

“Are you feeling all right?”

“Eh? No, nothing…”

Eco hurriedly sent the salad on the fork into her mouth.

Ash was worried since Eco took no notice of the meat on the middle of the table.

“Are you really all right? That is your favourite beef fillet? Are you not going to eat the spare rib?”

“You… can have it.”

Eco was looking on her knees when she sighed. This is the first time she did not react to the meat in front of her.

“Ash. Eco is a girl coming of age. It is normal that she sometimes doesn’t have any appetite. Today should be that day.”

“I-Is it…?”

Eco is a young dragon who was not even a year old. That may be the case but she definitely looks like a girl coming of age. ''Could the source of her trouble originate from this afternoon’s incident?'' But this is not the right time to ask.

''Maybe I should listen to Silvia and let her be''… Ash thought.

===Part 6===
When the dessert arrived, Ash asked Silvia.

“Now that I think about it, aren't you going home?”

Followed by that, Silvia showed him a sour look and placed her glass on the table. Judging from the way she place her glass, she was definitely pissed.

“I can’t believe it… Have you forgotten about the supplementary test!?”

“Aah!”

Supplementary test. The weight of these two words seemed to hit his head hard.

That’s right. Ash and Silvia couldn't take the final exam last month. However, since they had sufficient reasons, after requesting from the management department, they were given the chance to take a supplementary exam during summer. They will be given the same credit if they can pass.

However, due to him constantly worrying about Eco, he completely forgot about the exam.

If it is the practical test, Ash had confidence that he would ace since he was no other than ‘The boy who can ride any dragon”.

The problem was the written test.

Apart from the normal subjects like math, literature, science and history, there were also subjects like dragon history, ecology, breeding
studies… and many more special subjects that need to be learned in the dragon riding academy.

“Err… When will the exam be held?”

Silvia sighed upon hearing.

“The written test will be held a week from now. You won’t be allowed to take the practical test if you fail the written test.”

“What….!?”

Ash turned numb.

If he couldn't squeeze out a pass in the written exam, he won’t be able to bring up his result with his practical test which he was good
in.

“Let me put this bluntly. You are now a member of the student council. How can you face Rebecca, who scouted you, if your results are bad.”

Silvia’s words stabbed right at his heart.

“What should I do…? I don't even have the slightest confidence in my written exam. It is impossible! There is only a week left! I would need to retain a year if I fail…!”

Ash was crying in agony which made Silvia sympathize with him.

“-All right?”

“Eh? What did you just say?”

Silvia blushed when she was asked. She then announced loudly:

“I said I can help you with your test!”

“Really?”

Since the time she entered the academy, her results had always been the top of her year. If Silvia was to teach him, he can at least avoid
retaining a year.

“Thank you, Princess-sama!”

===Part 7===
On the next morning, both Ash and Silvia were up early in order to prepare for the exam.

Notes and text books were all over the dining table in the royal room. The table which was initially like a painting of hell since yesterday was tidied up by Ash.

“Let’s start.”

Silvia sat beside Ash. She was neatly dressed in a blouse and a tight skirt. By putting on her fashionable eyeglasses, she looked like a teacher. She was probably the type who needs a suitable atmosphere to be able to concentrate.
[[Image:SnRK v05 114.jpg|thumb]]

“Eco would probably cause a ruckus after she wakes up… So is it okay with you that we start with the most important subject first?”

“Aah… All right.”

Although it hurts Ash that she need to put Eco aside, but right now, his priority is studying for the exam.

“Then, let’s start from the Mother Dragon. This is the most important part for the first term. Please listen carefully.”

Silvia was totally like a teacher.

“Hmm… The Mother Dragon… Usually, she sometimes becomes the topic of our talk, but I am not actually sure what kind of a dragon is she.”

“She is basically different from the rest of the dragons. Though I tried investigating on my own, there are still too many question remain unanswered. Since what is not mentioned in the text book won’t be in the exam, we should start from memorizing the textbook. Can you please read page fifty eight?”

“Okay.”

Ash started reading the ecology textbook.

''-The mother dragon will only appear in front of humans during the Orphan Ceremony. Only when she found a child qualified to become Breeder she will appear and bestow an Orphan to the child.''

“By the way, Ash, is Lancelot a male or female?”

Ash was shocked by Silvia’s sudden question.

“About that, is Lancelot a male? I mean its name sound manly.”

“Are you an idiot! How can you call yourself a student of Ansarivan?”

“Eeh? So it is a female?”

“That’s also wrong! The correct answer is none of the above!”

“That my first time hearing it.”

“Do you even listen during classes!? In the ancient time, dragons do have difference in genders, but… I mean…. F-For them to mate to reproduce.”

Silvia was blushing and trying to avert her eyes.

Talking about that, Ash started noticing Silvia’s curves. The Silvia right now was very alluring.

“But, during the long history, the dragons who almost faced extinction invoked the wise dragon magic, Albion. That had totally changed their ecosystem and since then, the Mother Dragon was responsible for reproducing and the dragons had lost their genders.”

“Now I see… But no matter how I look at it, Eco is a girl isn’t she?”

Silvia turned speechless upon hearing Ash’s words.

“It seems so. Why did I not notice it?... Even so, Eco is a special dragon.”

''Could it be that apart from being the Avalon’s holy dragons' emperor family's descendent, there are still many more mysteries surrounding Eco that was yet to be found?'' Ash thought secretly.

The dragons should have lost their genders since a long time ago.

However, Eco was obviously born in the body of a girl.

''What is the actual reason behind it…?''

“Even so, since Mother Dragon is also a dragon, she should need astral in order to survive, however, it is a surprise that she never had any contract with anyone. Unfortunately, these facts were not written in any books…. Hey, Ash, are you even listening?”

“Eh? Aah… Sorry.”

Ash immediately straightened his body when he was glared by Silvia.

“Tsk…I bet you acted the same way during class. Anyway, please read the textbook starting from this part until this part for one more time and drill them into your head.”

Silvia leaned forward and underlined the important area.

“…!”

Ash held his breath when he saw Silvia’s breast through the gaps of her collars.

“Huh? Is everything all right, Ash?”

“No, nothing! Nothing!”

“What a weird person…”

===Part 8===
“Hmm, it is time for us to take a short break.”

After she briefed through the examination scope, Silvia place her pen on the table.

Silvia looked a little tired and Ash on the other hand was exhausted from being forced to memorized all the important subjects.

“Are you all right, Ash? Your dream to pass will remain a dream if you are trouble by just these.”

Actually, Silvia tried encouraging him but she only speak of strict words since the beginning.

“I will work harder…”

Ash had his head laid on the table when he answered weakly.

“Tsk. Cosette, make us some tea…”

Silvia remembered that Cosette was no longer with her the moment she turned around.

Unfortunately, Silvia herself had never made tea before. She doesn’t have the confidence to make a cup of tea that can match with Cosette’s standard.

At the same time, she doesn’t want Ash to take her as an idiot who doesn’t even know how to make tea.

Just as Silvia was troubled by this, Ash stood up and gave her a wry smile.

“I will make the tea in return for teaching me.”

“S-Sorry.”

“I may not look like it but I am actually good at doing housework. Since I don’t have a father at home, I was always doing some housework like cooking, taking care of my sister and many more when my mother was at work.”

After that, Ash left for the kitchen and he suddenly looked like a reliable person. Even though Silvia had been teaching him from the start, but their roles had changed with just a cup of tea.

After she heard noise coming from the kitchen, Silvia started mumbling to herself:

“If, Ash… If he is that boy… What should I do? No, but… The boy had given Lancelot to me. Thinking back carefully, it is impossible for him to become a Breeder in the first place.”

“-Why do you need to mention Ash?”

Silvia had a shock of her life when she heard another voice.

Eco’s face had suddenly appeared in front of Silvia.

Since her hair was still in a mess, it looked like she had just woken up. But her beauty still remains and it made it seems like her body was glittering.

Although Silvia had always hated to be seen by anyone except Cosette the moment she wake up, but Eco doesn’t seem to mind it.

Suddenly, Silvia felt guilty when she saw Eco. It was probably due to her spending time studying with Ash for the entire morning when Eco was sleeping.

Without knowing what Silvia was thinking, Eco asked innocently:

“Where is he?”

“Aah, he is making tea.”

Eco threw Silvia a sharp glance upon hearing.

“Are the two of you playing when I was sleeping?”

“I-Impossible! He may face retaining a year if I choose not to teach him. That’s the truth! It will really happen if I ‘choose not to teach’! At the same time, isn’t it bad for you as well as his Pal if he was to retain a year?”

Silvia was in a pinch by trying to explain to Eco.

“Hey, Eco. You are finally awake?”

At that moment, Ash appeared from the kitchen holding a tray with the tea set.

“…It is already noon. You better change your clothing.”

Eco immediately turned red as if she doesn’t want anyone to see her in her pyjamas. She hurriedly ran out from the room.

Silvia was anxious about Eco’s behaviour. The past Eco was always arrogant and never get embarrassed from things that a human would. ''Despite that, compared to her past self, Eco looks more feminine. Am I thinking too much?''

“Ash, about Eco… Don’t you think that she is starting to change?”

“Does she? I didn’t notice anything…”

Ash was lying and his face was red from embarrassment. It is impossible for him to not notice when he had been living with Eco under the same roof.

Of course the reason Eco became more feminine was Ash.

''After all the things that had happened, surely Eco was….'' Just when she thought about that, Silvia felt a pain in her chest.

===Part 9===
After eating lunch that was made from whatever there is in the larder, Ash was again studying.

This time, Eco was together with them. Since she was just quietly reading her picture books, she didn’t really cause any problem. However, whenever Silvia leaned forward and her distance with Ash become closer…

“Ahem!”

She would always purposely give a cough as a warning. She then continued with her book and did nothing apart from that.

Eco’s actions were completely different compared to her past self.

Just as what Silvia said, Eco was maturing. What she had just shown was jealousy.

Just yesterday, Ash and Eco were kissing in the room with the broken wall.

Although the location was bad, they both had the urge for each other and in the end, they kissed. It was totally like a dream. Ash’s heart started beating rapidly upon remembering the feeling when their lips touched.

On the other hand, Ash noticed that he was attracted to Silvia.

The Lautreamont Royal Knight Family’s fourth Princess, Silvia. Months before, she was just Ash’s classmate. During that time, she was like an unapproachable being to him. If the him a year ago knew about his situation right now, he would definitely have gotten a great shock.

However, the Aries Dragon Riding Festival had become the turning point where their relationship became closer…

“Ash! Hey, Ash! Are you listening…?”

“Uwaa! S-Sorry, Princess-sama…”

After being scolded, Ash came back to his sense.

“Are you all right? It doesn’t feel like your thought is here.”

Silvia was really worried about him. Turning his head around, Eco too was worried about Ash and took a peek at him.

“About that… Many things happen recently, no?”

“Speaking about that, you were involved in the battle during the Selective Training Camp and in Fontaine City.”

Silvia agreed with him. But her thoughts were in the wrong page compared to Ash’s. However, Ash was thankful that she misunderstood him.

He would never admit that he lost concentration because he was stuck in choosing between Silvia and Eco.

===Part 10===
After three o’clock, it was time for their second tea-time. Since it was boring to drink only red tea, they also took out the biscuits that
they found in the kitchen’s cupboard.

“Erm… Princess-sama, I would like to ask you about the stuffed toy.”

''“*splurt*”''

Suddenly, Silvia spluttered out her red tea.

“Sorry, Princess-sama.”

Ash immediately tried to wipe the table with a tea cloth.

“W-What about the stuffed toy?”

Silvia glared at Ash when she tried to wipe her mouth.

“I mean if it initially belongs to you, how in the world did it came into my possession?”

“How am I to know about that?”

“Then… Do you still remember how do you give it away?”

“That…!”

Suddenly without warning, Silvia was blushing.

“So you did remember. Do you mind me asking?”

“Of course I mind!”

“I see. Then I won’t question you any further.”

Ash understood the situation well and stopped asking but Silvia suddenly stood up.

“Stop! I will tell!”

“Now, which is it?”

“As I said, I will tell you!”

Thus, Silvia started telling the story of the seven year old her attending the Orphan Ceremony in Albion Forest.

===Part 11===
“I was lost in Albion Forest not long after the Orphan Ceremony started. At the same time, my leg was twisted and help was nowhere to be found… Then, I cried.”

“Princess-sama cried?”

Ash was surprised but it made Silvia blushed.

“It was not like I wanted to! I was seven during that time!”

“Haha… Sorry. So, what happened after that?”

“Erm… At that point, a boy who was attending the same ceremony appeared. He gave me a piggyback ride when we continued looking for the
Mother Dragon.”

“Eh…? This is interesting.”

“However, my memories beyond that were fuzzy. Even though I remembered that the Mother Dragon appeared in front of us, I still can’t
recall the specifics. But, I still somehow remembered that the boy rejected Lancelot and gave it to me. If I never met him, I will never be able to become a Dragner. Later, I gave him my toy as a token of thanks to him.”

“Did you not ask his name?”

“During that time, we were busy looking for Mother Dragon… And had forgotten to ask for his name. I bet he never noticed that I am actually a princess.”

Silvia sighed.

“Back to the topic…. Who would expect that a seven year old brat was such a kind person. Could he be Princess-sama’s first love?”

Ash asked casually.

“I-If you have time to ask any idiotic question, you might as well spend your time memorizing a few more words!”

Silvia shouted as if she is going to overturn the dining table. Ash turned quiet in afraid of her menacing look. On the other hand,
another person was giving both of them a sidelong glance-

“….Haa.”

Eco sighed as if she doesn’t have the spirit to care about the two.

"Silvia’s memory~A.S.B.1365.8~" is closed.

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==References and Translation Notes==
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| Back to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]
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| Forward to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]
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</noinclude>

Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 2

2014-08-08T06:09:30Z

Valthan: /* Part 5 */

==Chapter 2 - Ash's and Silvia's study group==
===Part 1===
Under Silvia’s command, Ash was given an empty room.

It seemed that Cosette had cleaned the room some time before since it was clean and tidy.

Looking around the room, there was a small desk for studying and even a sofa and a single bed. A classy Dragon Crystal lamp was hanging on the ceiling.

When Ash sat on the sofa after he moved all his luggage into the room, he could smell the scent of lavender. It was from the incense burner on the shelf. He felt that the room had everything he needed. ''I might as well stay here for the rest of my school days…'' Ash even has such thoughts.

By the way, although Ash was alright with staying with Eco in the same room, Silvia who was a little stubborn could never allow it.

She thought that it was outrageous for Eco, who looked like a girl, to stay in the same room with him even though she was actually a dragon.

In the end, it was decided that Eco would be sleeping with Silvia.

“…Must we stay here for the coming two weeks?”

Ash suddenly thought that this was a weird summer.

The Fourth Princess, Silvia Lautreamont was just staying at a wall’s distance away.

It was easier to believe this if this is a dream.

Just when Ash let his thoughts wonder, there was a knock on his door.

He was greeted by Silvia when he opened the door. Somehow, she looked kind of sweet.

“What’s the matter, Princess-sama?”

“I-It is about time for dinner.”

“Aah… So it is about that time. I didn’t even notice.”

Ash just realised that it was already evening. Days like this particular busy day seemed to always pass so quickly.

“Erm… What are you going to do for dinner, Ash?”

“Since it is the summer holidays, the student’s restaurant La Tene would only provide lunch. How does Princess-sama deal with her usual meals?”

“I always ate Cosette’s handmade meals. There is a restaurant like kitchen in this royal room.”

“Wow. But, I don’t like the idea of bothering you for my meal… So, I think I will head out to the streets together with Eco.”

“No, wait… Cosette had some personal matters that she had to attend to. She probably won’t be able to return in such short notice.”

“Eh? Come join us then?”

Silvia did not reply. Somehow, she was gripping the sides of her skirts with her head down and started trembling. Just like when someone was having a heat stroke, her face was bright red.

“Princess-sama? Are you alright?”

Silvia shouted after being asked by Ash.

“D-Do you want to give my handmade meal a try!? How about it!?”

At the same time, a piece of paper flew out from her pocket.

It dropped right beside Ash’s foot. It seemed that Silvia had not noticed that her paper had fallen on to the ground.

“…?”

Ash picked up that paper.

''- ‘Shelley family’s secret. A recipe to make men dream’.''

“What is this?”

“Uwaaa! Give that back! Give that back to me right now!”

Silvia leaped towards Ash in a panic. She was only thinking about getting back the piece of paper.

“Hey! Calm down, Princess-sama! I will give it back to you! Waaaaaa!”

Silvia slipped and fall against Ash. Ash grabbed her immediately but instead he end up being able to feel her softness of her body and her body heat. But the next moment, Ash too felt on the ground together with her.

“Ooouch!”

Ash almost chocked from falling on his back. He slowly opened his eyes while moaning.

The first thing that came into his sight was her golden hair.

''-This is bad! I… am hugging Princess-sama!''

Ash was panicking but luckily Silvia finally sat up her body.

“S-Sorry Ash… Are you alright?”

Silvia’s face was bright red when she was looking at Ash. Her golden hair fell on her shoulders and touched Ash’s face. It smelled like honey.

“I am alright but… T-this position… Is a little bad for my heart.”

Ash was speaking as if he was out of breathe.

“Eh…?”

Silvia finally noticed that she was riding on Ash. And because her legs were spread open, her skirt had been rolled up and the white cloth came into his sight.

“Doooooooon’t stare!”

With tears in her eyes, Silvia started punching Ash.

“Ouch! Ouch! Please stop immediately and move aside!”

Silvia who felt too much embarrassment couldn't stop punching Ash, it seems that she did not heard him.

“Hey, I think it is about time for dinner- Hey! What are you doing!?”

Eco who should be still lying on Silvia’s bed suddenly appeared in the corridor.

“Eco…! This is a misunderstanding! It is an accident!”

“So… Want to be crushed by me!?”

Too bad for him, Eco was not in the mood to listen to his explanation. She was approaching with an angry look on her face.

===Part 2===
“Next… A small spoonful of salt and a piece of bay leaf… Also, a small amount of black pepper. But isn’t the word ‘small amount’ a little unclear…?”

Silvia was staring at the recipe for some time after she tied her hair into a bun and put on her apron.

Just moments before, she thought about boiling the soup first, however it seems that she was troubled by the amount of black pepper that she was going to use. As expected, Silvia who had not done any cooking since the day of her birth faced trouble from the word ‘small amount’.

“Err… I would also like to help you. May I?”

Silvia was surprised to see Eco walking into the kitchen.

“But, do you have any experience in cooking?”

“Impossible! But… Just before Cosette leave, she gave me this. I just want to try challenging this.”

Eco showed her a piece of paper.

Silvia had a bad feeling.

“Could it be that it is also ‘Shelley family’s secret recipe’?”

Eco turned red the moment she was told.

It seems that Cosette had handed both Silvia and Eco the recipe.

“Damn that Cosette… Even when she knew clearly what I was thinking, how dare she still support Eco from behind…! Even after she had been
working for me for ages…!”

Without noticing, Silvia clenched her fist.

“Err… What’s wrong with you?”

Silvia cooled down her temper the moment she was asked by Eco.

“No, nothing. Nothing at all.”

After she took a deep breath and calm herself down, she turned her head towards Eco.

Silvia who had calmed down suddenly noticed something new.

Although it was common that the dragon was always mistaken as a ferocious beast by foreign countries, but whenever a person saw the majestic Ark, they would have noticed that the dragons are a race that had their own unique beauty and also a race with strong creativity.

''- Could Eco be…. Even though she had no experience in cooking, who knows if she too has talent! Cooking can be even considered as an art creation…!''

Silvia was somehow feeling excited. If Eco shows her true skills, who knows if she might be able to create a delicious meal.

On the other hand, Silvia had no confidence in herself. Since the day she was born, it is a natural thing to her that meals were laid out properly to her. She never had the thought of cooking at all. She even though that riding on Lancelot for a thousand miles is far easier than this.

''-That’s it. Even though it will be a hindrance… If I can get Eco’s help… I will feel less embarrassed in front of Ash.''

Although it was not an honorable thing to do, but a little sacrifice was required. Right now, Eco is an important asset to her.

Silvia once again pulled herself together and placed her hand on Eco’s shoulder.

“Why don’t we try cooking together? There is even an extra apron and barrette over there.”

“Alright.”

Eco quietly put on the apron and handed Silvia the barrette as if she want Silvia to help her put it on.

Her actions were somehow cute and it made Silvia’s heart skipped a beat. Silvia somehow had a feeling that Eco is like a little sister to her.

It was kind of a new feeling to Silvia who was the youngest in her family.

“Alright then.”

Silvia smiled and stood behind Eco.

Since Eco had quite a lot of hair, Silvia tied two buns on the left and right side of her head.

“We are done. Hmm… Aren’t you looking cute?”

“R-Real…”

Eco seemed to be a little shy. She was probably not used to being praised.

“Alright, let’s begin!”

Silvia clenched her fist tightly and her action was followed by Eco.

“As you wish!”

===Part 3===
''-Is this even food!?''

After waiting for two whole hours, Ash felt shivers by seeing the food that was laid out in front of him. Whatever it may be, it gave the same feeling as the first time Ash met the Necromancia.

He couldn’t even believe that it was food after seeing and smelling it.

It somehow looked a little unbalanced that the tableware was of high quality while the food itself looked comical.

To begin with, why was the soup colour purple like poison?

Is that piece of coal actually bread or a piece of meat?

Ash couldn’t even be bothered to think about the thing that was all mashed up as if it was an animal being ran over by a horse carriage.

Even so, they were the hard works of both Eco and Silvia.

A few band aids could be seen on Silvia’s fingers and the sauce and ketchup mess on Eco’s apron looked like some drawings.

“Hmm, what’s wrong? Why aren’t you eating?”

Eco was speaking confidently, which in a way or another caused Ash to be confused.

“Ahem… You don’t have to eat it if it is not to your liking.”

As expected from Silvia, she seemed to notice that something was off. But the problem is much worse than whether he likes it or not.

At that moment, Silvia started grumbling beside Eco’s ear.

“Eco… Are you really a dragon!? This is not even up to my expectations!”

“W-What! I had placed all my efforts in this!”

“But… Who would know that you are clumsier than me…”

Ash took the spoon while ignoring what the two of them were saying.

“Then, let’s eat.”

He felt that judging the food on its appearance and smell that was specially made for him was somehow disrespectful and rude.

Who knows if it was actually a delicious meal.

Ash took a spoonful of the weird coloured soup. A smell so bad that was like a gas attack flowed into Ash’s nostrils. He kept on enduring it while he sent it into his mouth.

Due to the extreme fear, he closed his eyes. The gooey liquid first came into contact with his tongue.

At that instant, electricity flowed through his spine and he experienced a fierce sensation.

“~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~!!!”

Ash tried screaming but his voice was stuck at his throat. Then he fell from his chair.

===Part 4===
The Dragon Fang Restaurant in Ansarivan town center was full of customers.

It was a public restaurant that Rebecca had told Ash about. The shop offered a half price discount for the student council members. It was said that the relative of the shop owner was a breeder and was also a student council member during his schooling years. On a first glance, there were big burly men in the shop talking about politics with a beer mug in their hands.

Most of their talks were centering on the huge dragon that attacked Fontaine City. Who would even imagine that the huge dragon herself had walked into the shop? It seemed that no one had noticed the arrival of the trio. It also seemed that the student with the golden hair was Princess Silvia.

“Huu… I've just gone through hell.”

Just after the trio was led to a table for four, Ash started complaining. It seems that his tongue was still numb.

Silvia who was sitting facing Ash immediately turned mad.

“Tsk… You shouldn’t faint, no matter how bad the food is! What do you take a girl’s cooking as!?”

“No, I think fainting is a blessing for me. It is embarrassing if a Dragner dies from food poisoning.”

“Do you have to go that far!?”

Silvia was almost in tears.

“Hmph… You are lucky. He never even touched mine!”

Eco was grumbling beside Ash.

“I even thought of stuffing them into your mouth while you were unconscious.”

“Are you trying to kill me!?”

Ash felt a chill when he realized that he was inches away from death.

“Sorry for the wait. What would you like to order?”

At that moment their conversation was interrupted by a waitress with a smiling face.

===Part 5===
The Dragon Fang Restaurant’s special such as beef fillet steak and spare rib was placed on the table.

Somehow Eco, who was always the first to grab the food, was acting rather quiet today.

“Are you feeling all right?”

“Eh? No, nothing…”

Eco hurriedly sent the salad on the fork into her mouth.

Ash was worried since Eco took no notice of the meat on the middle of the table.

“Are you really all right? That is your favourite beef fillet? Are you not going to eat the spare rib?”

“You… can have it.”

Eco was looking on her knees when she sighed. This is the first time she did not react to the meat in front of her.

“Ash. Eco is a girl coming of age. It is normal that she sometimes doesn’t have any appetite. Today should be that day.”

“I-Is it…?”

Eco is a young dragon who was not even a year old. That may be the case but she definitely looks like a girl coming of age. ''Could the source of her trouble originate from this afternoon’s incident?'' But this is not the right time to ask.

''Maybe I should listen to Silvia and let her be''… Ash thought.

===Part 6===
When the dessert arrived, Ash asked Silvia.

“Now that I think about it, aren't you going home?”

Followed by that, Silvia showed him a sour look and placed her glass on the table. Judging from the way she place her glass, she was definitely pissed.

“I can’t believe it… Have you forgotten about the supplementary test!?”

“Aah!”

Supplementary test. The weight of these two words seemed to hit his head hard.

That’s right. Ash and Silvia couldn't take the final exam last month. However, since they had sufficient reasons, after requesting from the management department, they were given the chance to take a supplementary exam during summer. They will be given the same credit if they can pass.

However, due to him constantly worrying about Eco, he completely forgot about the exam.

If it is the practical test, Ash had confidence that he would ace since he was no other than ‘The boy who can ride any dragon”.

The problem was the written test.

Apart from the normal subjects like math, literature, science and history, there were also subjects like dragon history, ecology, breeding
studies… and many more special subjects that need to be learned in the dragon riding academy.

“Err… When will the exam be held?”

Silvia sighed upon hearing.

“The written test will be held a week from now. You won’t be allowed to take the practical test if you fail the written test.”

“What….!?”

Ash turned numb.

If he couldn't squeeze out a pass in the written exam, he won’t be able to bring up his result with his practical test which he was good
in.

“Let me put this bluntly. You are now a member of the student council. How can you face Rebecca, who scouted you, if your results are bad.”

Silvia’s words stabbed right at his heart.

“What should I do…? I don't even have the slightest confidence in my written exam. It is impossible! There is only a week left! I would need to retain a year if I fail…!”

Ash was crying in agony which made Silvia sympathize with him.

“-All right?”

“Eh? What did you just say?”

Silvia blushed when she was asked. She then announced loudly:

“I said I can help you with your test!”

“Really?”

Since the time she entered the academy, her results had always been the top of her year. If Silvia was to teach him, he can at least avoid
retaining a year.

“Thank you, Princess-sama!”

===Part 7===
On the next morning, both Ash and Silvia were up early in order to prepare for the exam.

Notes and text books were all over the dining table in the royal room. The table which was initially like a painting of hell since yesterday was tidied up by Ash.

“Let’s start.”

Silvia sat beside Ash. She was neatly dressed in a blouse and a tight skirt. By putting on her fashionable eyeglasses, she looked like a teacher. She was probably the type who needs a suitable atmosphere to be able to concentrate.
[[Image:SnRK v05 114.jpg|thumb]]

“Eco would probably cause a ruckus after she wake up… So is it okay with you that we start with the most important subject first?”

“Aah… All right.”

Although it hurts Ash that she need to put Eco aside, but right now, his priority is studying for the exam.

“Then, let’s start from the Mother Dragon. This is the most important part for the first term. Please listen carefully.”

Silvia was totally like a teacher.

“Hmm… The Mother Dragon… Usually, she sometimes becomes the topic of our talk, but I am not actually sure what kind of a dragon is she.”

“She is basically different from the rest of the dragons. Though I tried investigating on my own, there are still too many question remain unanswered. Since what is not mentioned in the text book won’t be in the exam, we should start from memorizing the textbook. Can you please read page fifty eight?”

“Okay.”

Ash started reading the ecology textbook.

''-The mother dragon will only appear in front of humans during the Orphan Ceremony. Only when she found a child qualified to become Breeder she will appear and bestow an Orphan to the child.''

“By the way, Ash, is Lancelot a male or female?”

Ash was shocked by Silvia’s sudden question.

“About that, is Lancelot a male? I mean its name sound manly.”

“Are you an idiot! How can you call yourself a student of Ansarivan?”

“Eeh? So it is a female?”

“That’s also wrong! The correct answer is none of the above!”

“That my first time hearing it.”

“Do you even listen during classes!? In the ancient time, dragons do have difference in genders, but… I mean…. F-For them to mate to reproduce.”

Silvia was blushing and trying to avert her eyes.

Talking about that, Ash started noticing Silvia’s curves. The Silvia right now was very alluring.

“But, during the long history, the dragons who almost faced extinction invoked the wise dragon magic, Albion. That had totally changed their ecosystem and since then, the Mother Dragon was responsible for reproducing and the dragons had lost their genders.”

“Now I see… But no matter how I look at it, Eco is a girl isn’t she?”

Silvia turned speechless upon hearing Ash’s words.

“It seems so. Why did I not notice it?... Even so, Eco is a special dragon.”

''Could it be that apart from being the Avalon’s holy dragons' emperor family's descendent, there are still many more mysteries surrounding Eco that was yet to be found?'' Ash thought secretly.

The dragons should have lost their genders since a long time ago.

However, Eco was obviously born in the body of a girl.

''What is the actual reason behind it…?''

“Even so, since Mother Dragon is also a dragon, she should need astral in order to survive, however, it is a surprise that she never had any contract with anyone. Unfortunately, these facts were not written in any books…. Hey, Ash, are you even listening?”

“Eh? Aah… Sorry.”

Ash immediately straightened his body when he was glared by Silvia.

“Tsk…I bet you acted the same way during class. Anyway, please read the textbook starting from this part until this part for one more time and drill them into your head.”

Silvia leaned forward and underlined the important area.

“…!”

Ash held his breath when he saw Silvia’s breast through the gaps of her collars.

“Huh? Is everything all right, Ash?”

“No, nothing! Nothing!”

“What a weird person…”

===Part 8===
“Hmm, it is time for us to take a short break.”

After she briefed through the examination scope, Silvia place her pen on the table.

Silvia looked a little tired and Ash on the other hand was exhausted from being forced to memorized all the important subjects.

“Are you all right, Ash? Your dream to pass will remain a dream if you are trouble by just these.”

Actually, Silvia tried encouraging him but she only speak of strict words since the beginning.

“I will work harder…”

Ash had his head laid on the table when he answered weakly.

“Tsk. Cosette, make us some tea…”

Silvia remembered that Cosette was no longer with her the moment she turned around.

Unfortunately, Silvia herself had never made tea before. She doesn’t have the confidence to make a cup of tea that can match with Cosette’s standard.

At the same time, she doesn’t want Ash to take her as an idiot who doesn’t even know how to make tea.

Just as Silvia was troubled by this, Ash stood up and gave her a wry smile.

“I will make the tea in return for teaching me.”

“S-Sorry.”

“I may not look like it but I am actually good at doing housework. Since I don’t have a father at home, I was always doing some housework like cooking, taking care of my sister and many more when my mother was at work.”

After that, Ash left for the kitchen and he suddenly looked like a reliable person. Even though Silvia had been teaching him from the start, but their roles had changed with just a cup of tea.

After she heard noise coming from the kitchen, Silvia started mumbling to herself:

“If, Ash… If he is that boy… What should I do? No, but… The boy had given Lancelot to me. Thinking back carefully, it is impossible for him to become a Breeder in the first place.”

“-Why do you need to mention Ash?”

Silvia had a shock of her life when she heard another voice.

Eco’s face had suddenly appeared in front of Silvia.

Since her hair was still in a mess, it looked like she had just woken up. But her beauty still remains and it made it seems like her body was glittering.

Although Silvia had always hated to be seen by anyone except Cosette the moment she wake up, but Eco doesn’t seem to mind it.

Suddenly, Silvia felt guilty when she saw Eco. It was probably due to her spending time studying with Ash for the entire morning when Eco was sleeping.

Without knowing what Silvia was thinking, Eco asked innocently:

“Where is he?”

“Aah, he is making tea.”

Eco threw Silvia a sharp glance upon hearing.

“Are the two of you playing when I was sleeping?”

“I-Impossible! He may face retaining a year if I choose not to teach him. That’s the truth! It will really happen if I ‘choose not to teach’! At the same time, isn’t it bad for you as well as his Pal if he was to retain a year?”

Silvia was in a pinch by trying to explain to Eco.

“Hey, Eco. You are finally awake?”

At that moment, Ash appeared from the kitchen holding a tray with the tea set.

“…It is already noon. You better change your clothing.”

Eco immediately turned red as if she doesn’t want anyone to see her in her pyjamas. She hurriedly ran out from the room.

Silvia was anxious about Eco’s behaviour. The past Eco was always arrogant and never get embarrassed from things that a human would. ''Despite that, compared to her past self, Eco looks more feminine. Am I thinking too much?''

“Ash, about Eco… Don’t you think that she is starting to change?”

“Does she? I didn’t notice anything…”

Ash was lying and his face was red from embarrassment. It is impossible for him to not notice when he had been living with Eco under the same roof.

Of course the reason Eco became more feminine was Ash.

''After all the things that had happened, surely Eco was….'' Just when she thought about that, Silvia felt a pain in her chest.

===Part 9===
After eating lunch that was made from whatever there is in the larder, Ash was again studying.

This time, Eco was together with them. Since she was just quietly reading her picture books, she didn’t really cause any problem. However, whenever Silvia leaned forward and her distance with Ash become closer…

“Ahem!”

She would always purposely give a cough as a warning. She then continued with her book and did nothing apart from that.

Eco’s actions were completely different compared to her past self.

Just as what Silvia said, Eco was maturing. What she had just shown was jealousy.

Just yesterday, Ash and Eco were kissing in the room with the broken wall.

Although the location was bad, they both had the urge for each other and in the end, they kissed. It was totally like a dream. Ash’s heart started beating rapidly upon remembering the feeling when their lips touched.

On the other hand, Ash noticed that he was attracted to Silvia.

The Lautreamont Royal Knight Family’s fourth Princess, Silvia. Months before, she was just Ash’s classmate. During that time, she was like an unapproachable being to him. If the him a year ago knew about his situation right now, he would definitely have gotten a great shock.

However, the Aries Dragon Riding Festival had become the turning point where their relationship became closer…

“Ash! Hey, Ash! Are you listening…?”

“Uwaa! S-Sorry, Princess-sama…”

After being scolded, Ash came back to his sense.

“Are you all right? It doesn’t feel like your thought is here.”

Silvia was really worried about him. Turning his head around, Eco too was worried about Ash and took a peek at him.

“About that… Many things happen recently, no?”

“Speaking about that, you were involved in the battle during the Selective Training Camp and in Fontaine City.”

Silvia agreed with him. But her thoughts were in the wrong page compared to Ash’s. However, Ash was thankful that she misunderstood him.

He would never admit that he lost concentration because he was stuck in choosing between Silvia and Eco.

===Part 10===
After three o’clock, it was time for their second tea-time. Since it was boring to drink only red tea, they also took out the biscuits that
they found in the kitchen’s cupboard.

“Erm… Princess-sama, I would like to ask you about the stuffed toy.”

''“*splurt*”''

Suddenly, Silvia spluttered out her red tea.

“Sorry, Princess-sama.”

Ash immediately tried to wipe the table with a tea cloth.

“W-What about the stuffed toy?”

Silvia glared at Ash when she tried to wipe her mouth.

“I mean if it initially belongs to you, how in the world did it came into my possession?”

“How am I to know about that?”

“Then… Do you still remember how do you give it away?”

“That…!”

Suddenly without warning, Silvia was blushing.

“So you did remember. Do you mind me asking?”

“Of course I mind!”

“I see. Then I won’t question you any further.”

Ash understood the situation well and stopped asking but Silvia suddenly stood up.

“Stop! I will tell!”

“Now, which is it?”

“As I said, I will tell you!”

Thus, Silvia started telling the story of the seven year old her attending the Orphan Ceremony in Albion Forest.

===Part 11===
“I was lost in Albion Forest not long after the Orphan Ceremony started. At the same time, my leg was twisted and help was nowhere to be found… Then, I cried.”

“Princess-sama cried?”

Ash was surprised but it made Silvia blushed.

“It was not like I wanted to! I was seven during that time!”

“Haha… Sorry. So, what happened after that?”

“Erm… At that point, a boy who was attending the same ceremony appeared. He gave me a piggyback ride when we continued looking for the
Mother Dragon.”

“Eh…? This is interesting.”

“However, my memories beyond that were fuzzy. Even though I remembered that the Mother Dragon appeared in front of us, I still can’t
recall the specifics. But, I still somehow remembered that the boy rejected Lancelot and gave it to me. If I never met him, I will never be able to become a Dragner. Later, I gave him my toy as a token of thanks to him.”

“Did you not ask his name?”

“During that time, we were busy looking for Mother Dragon… And had forgotten to ask for his name. I bet he never noticed that I am actually a princess.”

Silvia sighed.

“Back to the topic…. Who would expect that a seven year old brat was such a kind person. Could he be Princess-sama’s first love?”

Ash asked casually.

“I-If you have time to ask any idiotic question, you might as well spend your time memorizing a few more words!”

Silvia shouted as if she is going to overturn the dining table. Ash turned quiet in afraid of her menacing look. On the other hand,
another person was giving both of them a sidelong glance-

“….Haa.”

Eco sighed as if she doesn’t have the spirit to care about the two.

"Silvia’s memory~A.S.B.1365.8~" is closed.

<noinclude>

==References and Translation Notes==
<references />

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|-
| Back to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]
| Return to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 2

2014-08-08T06:08:06Z

Valthan: /* Part 4 */

==Chapter 2 - Ash's and Silvia's study group==
===Part 1===
Under Silvia’s command, Ash was given an empty room.

It seemed that Cosette had cleaned the room some time before since it was clean and tidy.

Looking around the room, there was a small desk for studying and even a sofa and a single bed. A classy Dragon Crystal lamp was hanging on the ceiling.

When Ash sat on the sofa after he moved all his luggage into the room, he could smell the scent of lavender. It was from the incense burner on the shelf. He felt that the room had everything he needed. ''I might as well stay here for the rest of my school days…'' Ash even has such thoughts.

By the way, although Ash was alright with staying with Eco in the same room, Silvia who was a little stubborn could never allow it.

She thought that it was outrageous for Eco, who looked like a girl, to stay in the same room with him even though she was actually a dragon.

In the end, it was decided that Eco would be sleeping with Silvia.

“…Must we stay here for the coming two weeks?”

Ash suddenly thought that this was a weird summer.

The Fourth Princess, Silvia Lautreamont was just staying at a wall’s distance away.

It was easier to believe this if this is a dream.

Just when Ash let his thoughts wonder, there was a knock on his door.

He was greeted by Silvia when he opened the door. Somehow, she looked kind of sweet.

“What’s the matter, Princess-sama?”

“I-It is about time for dinner.”

“Aah… So it is about that time. I didn’t even notice.”

Ash just realised that it was already evening. Days like this particular busy day seemed to always pass so quickly.

“Erm… What are you going to do for dinner, Ash?”

“Since it is the summer holidays, the student’s restaurant La Tene would only provide lunch. How does Princess-sama deal with her usual meals?”

“I always ate Cosette’s handmade meals. There is a restaurant like kitchen in this royal room.”

“Wow. But, I don’t like the idea of bothering you for my meal… So, I think I will head out to the streets together with Eco.”

“No, wait… Cosette had some personal matters that she had to attend to. She probably won’t be able to return in such short notice.”

“Eh? Come join us then?”

Silvia did not reply. Somehow, she was gripping the sides of her skirts with her head down and started trembling. Just like when someone was having a heat stroke, her face was bright red.

“Princess-sama? Are you alright?”

Silvia shouted after being asked by Ash.

“D-Do you want to give my handmade meal a try!? How about it!?”

At the same time, a piece of paper flew out from her pocket.

It dropped right beside Ash’s foot. It seemed that Silvia had not noticed that her paper had fallen on to the ground.

“…?”

Ash picked up that paper.

''- ‘Shelley family’s secret. A recipe to make men dream’.''

“What is this?”

“Uwaaa! Give that back! Give that back to me right now!”

Silvia leaped towards Ash in a panic. She was only thinking about getting back the piece of paper.

“Hey! Calm down, Princess-sama! I will give it back to you! Waaaaaa!”

Silvia slipped and fall against Ash. Ash grabbed her immediately but instead he end up being able to feel her softness of her body and her body heat. But the next moment, Ash too felt on the ground together with her.

“Ooouch!”

Ash almost chocked from falling on his back. He slowly opened his eyes while moaning.

The first thing that came into his sight was her golden hair.

''-This is bad! I… am hugging Princess-sama!''

Ash was panicking but luckily Silvia finally sat up her body.

“S-Sorry Ash… Are you alright?”

Silvia’s face was bright red when she was looking at Ash. Her golden hair fell on her shoulders and touched Ash’s face. It smelled like honey.

“I am alright but… T-this position… Is a little bad for my heart.”

Ash was speaking as if he was out of breathe.

“Eh…?”

Silvia finally noticed that she was riding on Ash. And because her legs were spread open, her skirt had been rolled up and the white cloth came into his sight.

“Doooooooon’t stare!”

With tears in her eyes, Silvia started punching Ash.

“Ouch! Ouch! Please stop immediately and move aside!”

Silvia who felt too much embarrassment couldn't stop punching Ash, it seems that she did not heard him.

“Hey, I think it is about time for dinner- Hey! What are you doing!?”

Eco who should be still lying on Silvia’s bed suddenly appeared in the corridor.

“Eco…! This is a misunderstanding! It is an accident!”

“So… Want to be crushed by me!?”

Too bad for him, Eco was not in the mood to listen to his explanation. She was approaching with an angry look on her face.

===Part 2===
“Next… A small spoonful of salt and a piece of bay leaf… Also, a small amount of black pepper. But isn’t the word ‘small amount’ a little unclear…?”

Silvia was staring at the recipe for some time after she tied her hair into a bun and put on her apron.

Just moments before, she thought about boiling the soup first, however it seems that she was troubled by the amount of black pepper that she was going to use. As expected, Silvia who had not done any cooking since the day of her birth faced trouble from the word ‘small amount’.

“Err… I would also like to help you. May I?”

Silvia was surprised to see Eco walking into the kitchen.

“But, do you have any experience in cooking?”

“Impossible! But… Just before Cosette leave, she gave me this. I just want to try challenging this.”

Eco showed her a piece of paper.

Silvia had a bad feeling.

“Could it be that it is also ‘Shelley family’s secret recipe’?”

Eco turned red the moment she was told.

It seems that Cosette had handed both Silvia and Eco the recipe.

“Damn that Cosette… Even when she knew clearly what I was thinking, how dare she still support Eco from behind…! Even after she had been
working for me for ages…!”

Without noticing, Silvia clenched her fist.

“Err… What’s wrong with you?”

Silvia cooled down her temper the moment she was asked by Eco.

“No, nothing. Nothing at all.”

After she took a deep breath and calm herself down, she turned her head towards Eco.

Silvia who had calmed down suddenly noticed something new.

Although it was common that the dragon was always mistaken as a ferocious beast by foreign countries, but whenever a person saw the majestic Ark, they would have noticed that the dragons are a race that had their own unique beauty and also a race with strong creativity.

''- Could Eco be…. Even though she had no experience in cooking, who knows if she too has talent! Cooking can be even considered as an art creation…!''

Silvia was somehow feeling excited. If Eco shows her true skills, who knows if she might be able to create a delicious meal.

On the other hand, Silvia had no confidence in herself. Since the day she was born, it is a natural thing to her that meals were laid out properly to her. She never had the thought of cooking at all. She even though that riding on Lancelot for a thousand miles is far easier than this.

''-That’s it. Even though it will be a hindrance… If I can get Eco’s help… I will feel less embarrassed in front of Ash.''

Although it was not an honorable thing to do, but a little sacrifice was required. Right now, Eco is an important asset to her.

Silvia once again pulled herself together and placed her hand on Eco’s shoulder.

“Why don’t we try cooking together? There is even an extra apron and barrette over there.”

“Alright.”

Eco quietly put on the apron and handed Silvia the barrette as if she want Silvia to help her put it on.

Her actions were somehow cute and it made Silvia’s heart skipped a beat. Silvia somehow had a feeling that Eco is like a little sister to her.

It was kind of a new feeling to Silvia who was the youngest in her family.

“Alright then.”

Silvia smiled and stood behind Eco.

Since Eco had quite a lot of hair, Silvia tied two buns on the left and right side of her head.

“We are done. Hmm… Aren’t you looking cute?”

“R-Real…”

Eco seemed to be a little shy. She was probably not used to being praised.

“Alright, let’s begin!”

Silvia clenched her fist tightly and her action was followed by Eco.

“As you wish!”

===Part 3===
''-Is this even food!?''

After waiting for two whole hours, Ash felt shivers by seeing the food that was laid out in front of him. Whatever it may be, it gave the same feeling as the first time Ash met the Necromancia.

He couldn’t even believe that it was food after seeing and smelling it.

It somehow looked a little unbalanced that the tableware was of high quality while the food itself looked comical.

To begin with, why was the soup colour purple like poison?

Is that piece of coal actually bread or a piece of meat?

Ash couldn’t even be bothered to think about the thing that was all mashed up as if it was an animal being ran over by a horse carriage.

Even so, they were the hard works of both Eco and Silvia.

A few band aids could be seen on Silvia’s fingers and the sauce and ketchup mess on Eco’s apron looked like some drawings.

“Hmm, what’s wrong? Why aren’t you eating?”

Eco was speaking confidently, which in a way or another caused Ash to be confused.

“Ahem… You don’t have to eat it if it is not to your liking.”

As expected from Silvia, she seemed to notice that something was off. But the problem is much worse than whether he likes it or not.

At that moment, Silvia started grumbling beside Eco’s ear.

“Eco… Are you really a dragon!? This is not even up to my expectations!”

“W-What! I had placed all my efforts in this!”

“But… Who would know that you are clumsier than me…”

Ash took the spoon while ignoring what the two of them were saying.

“Then, let’s eat.”

He felt that judging the food on its appearance and smell that was specially made for him was somehow disrespectful and rude.

Who knows if it was actually a delicious meal.

Ash took a spoonful of the weird coloured soup. A smell so bad that was like a gas attack flowed into Ash’s nostrils. He kept on enduring it while he sent it into his mouth.

Due to the extreme fear, he closed his eyes. The gooey liquid first came into contact with his tongue.

At that instant, electricity flowed through his spine and he experienced a fierce sensation.

“~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~!!!”

Ash tried screaming but his voice was stuck at his throat. Then he fell from his chair.

===Part 4===
The Dragon Fang Restaurant in Ansarivan town center was full of customers.

It was a public restaurant that Rebecca had told Ash about. The shop offered a half price discount for the student council members. It was said that the relative of the shop owner was a breeder and was also a student council member during his schooling years. On a first glance, there were big burly men in the shop talking about politics with a beer mug in their hands.

Most of their talks were centering on the huge dragon that attacked Fontaine City. Who would even imagine that the huge dragon herself had walked into the shop? It seemed that no one had noticed the arrival of the trio. It also seemed that the student with the golden hair was Princess Silvia.

“Huu… I've just gone through hell.”

Just after the trio was led to a table for four, Ash started complaining. It seems that his tongue was still numb.

Silvia who was sitting facing Ash immediately turned mad.

“Tsk… You shouldn’t faint, no matter how bad the food is! What do you take a girl’s cooking as!?”

“No, I think fainting is a blessing for me. It is embarrassing if a Dragner dies from food poisoning.”

“Do you have to go that far!?”

Silvia was almost in tears.

“Hmph… You are lucky. He never even touched mine!”

Eco was grumbling beside Ash.

“I even thought of stuffing them into your mouth while you were unconscious.”

“Are you trying to kill me!?”

Ash felt a chill when he realized that he was inches away from death.

“Sorry for the wait. What would you like to order?”

At that moment their conversation was interrupted by a waitress with a smiling face.

===Part 5===
The Dragon Fang Restaurant’s special such as beef fillet steak and spare rib was placed on the table.

Somehow Eco, who was always the first to grab the food, was acting rather quiet today.

“Are you feeling all right?”

“Eh? No, nothing…”

Eco hurriedly sent the salad on the fork into her mouth.

Ash was worried since Eco took no notice of the meat on the middle of the table.

“Are you really all right? That is your favourite beef fillet? Are you not going to eat the spare rib?”

“You… can have it.”

Eco was looking on her knees when she sighed. This is the first time she did not react to the meat in front of her.

“Ash. Eco is a girl coming of age. It is normal that she sometimes doesn’t have any appetite. Today should be that day.”

“I-Is it…?”

Eco is a young dragon who was not even a year old. That may be the case but she definitely look like a girl coming of age. ''Could the source of her trouble originate from this afternoon’s incident?'' But this is not the right time to ask.

''Maybe I should listen to Silvia and let her be''… Ash thought.

===Part 6===
When the dessert arrived, Ash asked Silvia.

“Now that I think about it, aren't you going home?”

Followed by that, Silvia showed him a sour look and placed her glass on the table. Judging from the way she place her glass, she was definitely pissed.

“I can’t believe it… Have you forgotten about the supplementary test!?”

“Aah!”

Supplementary test. The weight of these two words seemed to hit his head hard.

That’s right. Ash and Silvia couldn't take the final exam last month. However, since they had sufficient reasons, after requesting from the management department, they were given the chance to take a supplementary exam during summer. They will be given the same credit if they can pass.

However, due to him constantly worrying about Eco, he completely forgot about the exam.

If it is the practical test, Ash had confidence that he would ace since he was no other than ‘The boy who can ride any dragon”.

The problem was the written test.

Apart from the normal subjects like math, literature, science and history, there were also subjects like dragon history, ecology, breeding
studies… and many more special subjects that need to be learned in the dragon riding academy.

“Err… When will the exam be held?”

Silvia sighed upon hearing.

“The written test will be held a week from now. You won’t be allowed to take the practical test if you fail the written test.”

“What….!?”

Ash turned numb.

If he couldn't squeeze out a pass in the written exam, he won’t be able to bring up his result with his practical test which he was good
in.

“Let me put this bluntly. You are now a member of the student council. How can you face Rebecca, who scouted you, if your results are bad.”

Silvia’s words stabbed right at his heart.

“What should I do…? I don't even have the slightest confidence in my written exam. It is impossible! There is only a week left! I would need to retain a year if I fail…!”

Ash was crying in agony which made Silvia sympathize with him.

“-All right?”

“Eh? What did you just say?”

Silvia blushed when she was asked. She then announced loudly:

“I said I can help you with your test!”

“Really?”

Since the time she entered the academy, her results had always been the top of her year. If Silvia was to teach him, he can at least avoid
retaining a year.

“Thank you, Princess-sama!”

===Part 7===
On the next morning, both Ash and Silvia were up early in order to prepare for the exam.

Notes and text books were all over the dining table in the royal room. The table which was initially like a painting of hell since yesterday was tidied up by Ash.

“Let’s start.”

Silvia sat beside Ash. She was neatly dressed in a blouse and a tight skirt. By putting on her fashionable eyeglasses, she looked like a teacher. She was probably the type who needs a suitable atmosphere to be able to concentrate.
[[Image:SnRK v05 114.jpg|thumb]]

“Eco would probably cause a ruckus after she wake up… So is it okay with you that we start with the most important subject first?”

“Aah… All right.”

Although it hurts Ash that she need to put Eco aside, but right now, his priority is studying for the exam.

“Then, let’s start from the Mother Dragon. This is the most important part for the first term. Please listen carefully.”

Silvia was totally like a teacher.

“Hmm… The Mother Dragon… Usually, she sometimes becomes the topic of our talk, but I am not actually sure what kind of a dragon is she.”

“She is basically different from the rest of the dragons. Though I tried investigating on my own, there are still too many question remain unanswered. Since what is not mentioned in the text book won’t be in the exam, we should start from memorizing the textbook. Can you please read page fifty eight?”

“Okay.”

Ash started reading the ecology textbook.

''-The mother dragon will only appear in front of humans during the Orphan Ceremony. Only when she found a child qualified to become Breeder she will appear and bestow an Orphan to the child.''

“By the way, Ash, is Lancelot a male or female?”

Ash was shocked by Silvia’s sudden question.

“About that, is Lancelot a male? I mean its name sound manly.”

“Are you an idiot! How can you call yourself a student of Ansarivan?”

“Eeh? So it is a female?”

“That’s also wrong! The correct answer is none of the above!”

“That my first time hearing it.”

“Do you even listen during classes!? In the ancient time, dragons do have difference in genders, but… I mean…. F-For them to mate to reproduce.”

Silvia was blushing and trying to avert her eyes.

Talking about that, Ash started noticing Silvia’s curves. The Silvia right now was very alluring.

“But, during the long history, the dragons who almost faced extinction invoked the wise dragon magic, Albion. That had totally changed their ecosystem and since then, the Mother Dragon was responsible for reproducing and the dragons had lost their genders.”

“Now I see… But no matter how I look at it, Eco is a girl isn’t she?”

Silvia turned speechless upon hearing Ash’s words.

“It seems so. Why did I not notice it?... Even so, Eco is a special dragon.”

''Could it be that apart from being the Avalon’s holy dragons' emperor family's descendent, there are still many more mysteries surrounding Eco that was yet to be found?'' Ash thought secretly.

The dragons should have lost their genders since a long time ago.

However, Eco was obviously born in the body of a girl.

''What is the actual reason behind it…?''

“Even so, since Mother Dragon is also a dragon, she should need astral in order to survive, however, it is a surprise that she never had any contract with anyone. Unfortunately, these facts were not written in any books…. Hey, Ash, are you even listening?”

“Eh? Aah… Sorry.”

Ash immediately straightened his body when he was glared by Silvia.

“Tsk…I bet you acted the same way during class. Anyway, please read the textbook starting from this part until this part for one more time and drill them into your head.”

Silvia leaned forward and underlined the important area.

“…!”

Ash held his breath when he saw Silvia’s breast through the gaps of her collars.

“Huh? Is everything all right, Ash?”

“No, nothing! Nothing!”

“What a weird person…”

===Part 8===
“Hmm, it is time for us to take a short break.”

After she briefed through the examination scope, Silvia place her pen on the table.

Silvia looked a little tired and Ash on the other hand was exhausted from being forced to memorized all the important subjects.

“Are you all right, Ash? Your dream to pass will remain a dream if you are trouble by just these.”

Actually, Silvia tried encouraging him but she only speak of strict words since the beginning.

“I will work harder…”

Ash had his head laid on the table when he answered weakly.

“Tsk. Cosette, make us some tea…”

Silvia remembered that Cosette was no longer with her the moment she turned around.

Unfortunately, Silvia herself had never made tea before. She doesn’t have the confidence to make a cup of tea that can match with Cosette’s standard.

At the same time, she doesn’t want Ash to take her as an idiot who doesn’t even know how to make tea.

Just as Silvia was troubled by this, Ash stood up and gave her a wry smile.

“I will make the tea in return for teaching me.”

“S-Sorry.”

“I may not look like it but I am actually good at doing housework. Since I don’t have a father at home, I was always doing some housework like cooking, taking care of my sister and many more when my mother was at work.”

After that, Ash left for the kitchen and he suddenly looked like a reliable person. Even though Silvia had been teaching him from the start, but their roles had changed with just a cup of tea.

After she heard noise coming from the kitchen, Silvia started mumbling to herself:

“If, Ash… If he is that boy… What should I do? No, but… The boy had given Lancelot to me. Thinking back carefully, it is impossible for him to become a Breeder in the first place.”

“-Why do you need to mention Ash?”

Silvia had a shock of her life when she heard another voice.

Eco’s face had suddenly appeared in front of Silvia.

Since her hair was still in a mess, it looked like she had just woken up. But her beauty still remains and it made it seems like her body was glittering.

Although Silvia had always hated to be seen by anyone except Cosette the moment she wake up, but Eco doesn’t seem to mind it.

Suddenly, Silvia felt guilty when she saw Eco. It was probably due to her spending time studying with Ash for the entire morning when Eco was sleeping.

Without knowing what Silvia was thinking, Eco asked innocently:

“Where is he?”

“Aah, he is making tea.”

Eco threw Silvia a sharp glance upon hearing.

“Are the two of you playing when I was sleeping?”

“I-Impossible! He may face retaining a year if I choose not to teach him. That’s the truth! It will really happen if I ‘choose not to teach’! At the same time, isn’t it bad for you as well as his Pal if he was to retain a year?”

Silvia was in a pinch by trying to explain to Eco.

“Hey, Eco. You are finally awake?”

At that moment, Ash appeared from the kitchen holding a tray with the tea set.

“…It is already noon. You better change your clothing.”

Eco immediately turned red as if she doesn’t want anyone to see her in her pyjamas. She hurriedly ran out from the room.

Silvia was anxious about Eco’s behaviour. The past Eco was always arrogant and never get embarrassed from things that a human would. ''Despite that, compared to her past self, Eco looks more feminine. Am I thinking too much?''

“Ash, about Eco… Don’t you think that she is starting to change?”

“Does she? I didn’t notice anything…”

Ash was lying and his face was red from embarrassment. It is impossible for him to not notice when he had been living with Eco under the same roof.

Of course the reason Eco became more feminine was Ash.

''After all the things that had happened, surely Eco was….'' Just when she thought about that, Silvia felt a pain in her chest.

===Part 9===
After eating lunch that was made from whatever there is in the larder, Ash was again studying.

This time, Eco was together with them. Since she was just quietly reading her picture books, she didn’t really cause any problem. However, whenever Silvia leaned forward and her distance with Ash become closer…

“Ahem!”

She would always purposely give a cough as a warning. She then continued with her book and did nothing apart from that.

Eco’s actions were completely different compared to her past self.

Just as what Silvia said, Eco was maturing. What she had just shown was jealousy.

Just yesterday, Ash and Eco were kissing in the room with the broken wall.

Although the location was bad, they both had the urge for each other and in the end, they kissed. It was totally like a dream. Ash’s heart started beating rapidly upon remembering the feeling when their lips touched.

On the other hand, Ash noticed that he was attracted to Silvia.

The Lautreamont Royal Knight Family’s fourth Princess, Silvia. Months before, she was just Ash’s classmate. During that time, she was like an unapproachable being to him. If the him a year ago knew about his situation right now, he would definitely have gotten a great shock.

However, the Aries Dragon Riding Festival had become the turning point where their relationship became closer…

“Ash! Hey, Ash! Are you listening…?”

“Uwaa! S-Sorry, Princess-sama…”

After being scolded, Ash came back to his sense.

“Are you all right? It doesn’t feel like your thought is here.”

Silvia was really worried about him. Turning his head around, Eco too was worried about Ash and took a peek at him.

“About that… Many things happen recently, no?”

“Speaking about that, you were involved in the battle during the Selective Training Camp and in Fontaine City.”

Silvia agreed with him. But her thoughts were in the wrong page compared to Ash’s. However, Ash was thankful that she misunderstood him.

He would never admit that he lost concentration because he was stuck in choosing between Silvia and Eco.

===Part 10===
After three o’clock, it was time for their second tea-time. Since it was boring to drink only red tea, they also took out the biscuits that
they found in the kitchen’s cupboard.

“Erm… Princess-sama, I would like to ask you about the stuffed toy.”

''“*splurt*”''

Suddenly, Silvia spluttered out her red tea.

“Sorry, Princess-sama.”

Ash immediately tried to wipe the table with a tea cloth.

“W-What about the stuffed toy?”

Silvia glared at Ash when she tried to wipe her mouth.

“I mean if it initially belongs to you, how in the world did it came into my possession?”

“How am I to know about that?”

“Then… Do you still remember how do you give it away?”

“That…!”

Suddenly without warning, Silvia was blushing.

“So you did remember. Do you mind me asking?”

“Of course I mind!”

“I see. Then I won’t question you any further.”

Ash understood the situation well and stopped asking but Silvia suddenly stood up.

“Stop! I will tell!”

“Now, which is it?”

“As I said, I will tell you!”

Thus, Silvia started telling the story of the seven year old her attending the Orphan Ceremony in Albion Forest.

===Part 11===
“I was lost in Albion Forest not long after the Orphan Ceremony started. At the same time, my leg was twisted and help was nowhere to be found… Then, I cried.”

“Princess-sama cried?”

Ash was surprised but it made Silvia blushed.

“It was not like I wanted to! I was seven during that time!”

“Haha… Sorry. So, what happened after that?”

“Erm… At that point, a boy who was attending the same ceremony appeared. He gave me a piggyback ride when we continued looking for the
Mother Dragon.”

“Eh…? This is interesting.”

“However, my memories beyond that were fuzzy. Even though I remembered that the Mother Dragon appeared in front of us, I still can’t
recall the specifics. But, I still somehow remembered that the boy rejected Lancelot and gave it to me. If I never met him, I will never be able to become a Dragner. Later, I gave him my toy as a token of thanks to him.”

“Did you not ask his name?”

“During that time, we were busy looking for Mother Dragon… And had forgotten to ask for his name. I bet he never noticed that I am actually a princess.”

Silvia sighed.

“Back to the topic…. Who would expect that a seven year old brat was such a kind person. Could he be Princess-sama’s first love?”

Ash asked casually.

“I-If you have time to ask any idiotic question, you might as well spend your time memorizing a few more words!”

Silvia shouted as if she is going to overturn the dining table. Ash turned quiet in afraid of her menacing look. On the other hand,
another person was giving both of them a sidelong glance-

“….Haa.”

Eco sighed as if she doesn’t have the spirit to care about the two.

"Silvia’s memory~A.S.B.1365.8~" is closed.

<noinclude>

==References and Translation Notes==
<references />

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|-
| Back to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]
| Return to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 2

2014-08-08T06:04:52Z

Valthan: /* Part 3 */

==Chapter 2 - Ash's and Silvia's study group==
===Part 1===
Under Silvia’s command, Ash was given an empty room.

It seemed that Cosette had cleaned the room some time before since it was clean and tidy.

Looking around the room, there was a small desk for studying and even a sofa and a single bed. A classy Dragon Crystal lamp was hanging on the ceiling.

When Ash sat on the sofa after he moved all his luggage into the room, he could smell the scent of lavender. It was from the incense burner on the shelf. He felt that the room had everything he needed. ''I might as well stay here for the rest of my school days…'' Ash even has such thoughts.

By the way, although Ash was alright with staying with Eco in the same room, Silvia who was a little stubborn could never allow it.

She thought that it was outrageous for Eco, who looked like a girl, to stay in the same room with him even though she was actually a dragon.

In the end, it was decided that Eco would be sleeping with Silvia.

“…Must we stay here for the coming two weeks?”

Ash suddenly thought that this was a weird summer.

The Fourth Princess, Silvia Lautreamont was just staying at a wall’s distance away.

It was easier to believe this if this is a dream.

Just when Ash let his thoughts wonder, there was a knock on his door.

He was greeted by Silvia when he opened the door. Somehow, she looked kind of sweet.

“What’s the matter, Princess-sama?”

“I-It is about time for dinner.”

“Aah… So it is about that time. I didn’t even notice.”

Ash just realised that it was already evening. Days like this particular busy day seemed to always pass so quickly.

“Erm… What are you going to do for dinner, Ash?”

“Since it is the summer holidays, the student’s restaurant La Tene would only provide lunch. How does Princess-sama deal with her usual meals?”

“I always ate Cosette’s handmade meals. There is a restaurant like kitchen in this royal room.”

“Wow. But, I don’t like the idea of bothering you for my meal… So, I think I will head out to the streets together with Eco.”

“No, wait… Cosette had some personal matters that she had to attend to. She probably won’t be able to return in such short notice.”

“Eh? Come join us then?”

Silvia did not reply. Somehow, she was gripping the sides of her skirts with her head down and started trembling. Just like when someone was having a heat stroke, her face was bright red.

“Princess-sama? Are you alright?”

Silvia shouted after being asked by Ash.

“D-Do you want to give my handmade meal a try!? How about it!?”

At the same time, a piece of paper flew out from her pocket.

It dropped right beside Ash’s foot. It seemed that Silvia had not noticed that her paper had fallen on to the ground.

“…?”

Ash picked up that paper.

''- ‘Shelley family’s secret. A recipe to make men dream’.''

“What is this?”

“Uwaaa! Give that back! Give that back to me right now!”

Silvia leaped towards Ash in a panic. She was only thinking about getting back the piece of paper.

“Hey! Calm down, Princess-sama! I will give it back to you! Waaaaaa!”

Silvia slipped and fall against Ash. Ash grabbed her immediately but instead he end up being able to feel her softness of her body and her body heat. But the next moment, Ash too felt on the ground together with her.

“Ooouch!”

Ash almost chocked from falling on his back. He slowly opened his eyes while moaning.

The first thing that came into his sight was her golden hair.

''-This is bad! I… am hugging Princess-sama!''

Ash was panicking but luckily Silvia finally sat up her body.

“S-Sorry Ash… Are you alright?”

Silvia’s face was bright red when she was looking at Ash. Her golden hair fell on her shoulders and touched Ash’s face. It smelled like honey.

“I am alright but… T-this position… Is a little bad for my heart.”

Ash was speaking as if he was out of breathe.

“Eh…?”

Silvia finally noticed that she was riding on Ash. And because her legs were spread open, her skirt had been rolled up and the white cloth came into his sight.

“Doooooooon’t stare!”

With tears in her eyes, Silvia started punching Ash.

“Ouch! Ouch! Please stop immediately and move aside!”

Silvia who felt too much embarrassment couldn't stop punching Ash, it seems that she did not heard him.

“Hey, I think it is about time for dinner- Hey! What are you doing!?”

Eco who should be still lying on Silvia’s bed suddenly appeared in the corridor.

“Eco…! This is a misunderstanding! It is an accident!”

“So… Want to be crushed by me!?”

Too bad for him, Eco was not in the mood to listen to his explanation. She was approaching with an angry look on her face.

===Part 2===
“Next… A small spoonful of salt and a piece of bay leaf… Also, a small amount of black pepper. But isn’t the word ‘small amount’ a little unclear…?”

Silvia was staring at the recipe for some time after she tied her hair into a bun and put on her apron.

Just moments before, she thought about boiling the soup first, however it seems that she was troubled by the amount of black pepper that she was going to use. As expected, Silvia who had not done any cooking since the day of her birth faced trouble from the word ‘small amount’.

“Err… I would also like to help you. May I?”

Silvia was surprised to see Eco walking into the kitchen.

“But, do you have any experience in cooking?”

“Impossible! But… Just before Cosette leave, she gave me this. I just want to try challenging this.”

Eco showed her a piece of paper.

Silvia had a bad feeling.

“Could it be that it is also ‘Shelley family’s secret recipe’?”

Eco turned red the moment she was told.

It seems that Cosette had handed both Silvia and Eco the recipe.

“Damn that Cosette… Even when she knew clearly what I was thinking, how dare she still support Eco from behind…! Even after she had been
working for me for ages…!”

Without noticing, Silvia clenched her fist.

“Err… What’s wrong with you?”

Silvia cooled down her temper the moment she was asked by Eco.

“No, nothing. Nothing at all.”

After she took a deep breath and calm herself down, she turned her head towards Eco.

Silvia who had calmed down suddenly noticed something new.

Although it was common that the dragon was always mistaken as a ferocious beast by foreign countries, but whenever a person saw the majestic Ark, they would have noticed that the dragons are a race that had their own unique beauty and also a race with strong creativity.

''- Could Eco be…. Even though she had no experience in cooking, who knows if she too has talent! Cooking can be even considered as an art creation…!''

Silvia was somehow feeling excited. If Eco shows her true skills, who knows if she might be able to create a delicious meal.

On the other hand, Silvia had no confidence in herself. Since the day she was born, it is a natural thing to her that meals were laid out properly to her. She never had the thought of cooking at all. She even though that riding on Lancelot for a thousand miles is far easier than this.

''-That’s it. Even though it will be a hindrance… If I can get Eco’s help… I will feel less embarrassed in front of Ash.''

Although it was not an honorable thing to do, but a little sacrifice was required. Right now, Eco is an important asset to her.

Silvia once again pulled herself together and placed her hand on Eco’s shoulder.

“Why don’t we try cooking together? There is even an extra apron and barrette over there.”

“Alright.”

Eco quietly put on the apron and handed Silvia the barrette as if she want Silvia to help her put it on.

Her actions were somehow cute and it made Silvia’s heart skipped a beat. Silvia somehow had a feeling that Eco is like a little sister to her.

It was kind of a new feeling to Silvia who was the youngest in her family.

“Alright then.”

Silvia smiled and stood behind Eco.

Since Eco had quite a lot of hair, Silvia tied two buns on the left and right side of her head.

“We are done. Hmm… Aren’t you looking cute?”

“R-Real…”

Eco seemed to be a little shy. She was probably not used to being praised.

“Alright, let’s begin!”

Silvia clenched her fist tightly and her action was followed by Eco.

“As you wish!”

===Part 3===
''-Is this even food!?''

After waiting for two whole hours, Ash felt shivers by seeing the food that was laid out in front of him. Whatever it may be, it gave the same feeling as the first time Ash met the Necromancia.

He couldn’t even believe that it was food after seeing and smelling it.

It somehow looked a little unbalanced that the tableware was of high quality while the food itself looked comical.

To begin with, why was the soup colour purple like poison?

Is that piece of coal actually bread or a piece of meat?

Ash couldn’t even be bothered to think about the thing that was all mashed up as if it was an animal being ran over by a horse carriage.

Even so, they were the hard works of both Eco and Silvia.

A few band aids could be seen on Silvia’s fingers and the sauce and ketchup mess on Eco’s apron looked like some drawings.

“Hmm, what’s wrong? Why aren’t you eating?”

Eco was speaking confidently, which in a way or another caused Ash to be confused.

“Ahem… You don’t have to eat it if it is not to your liking.”

As expected from Silvia, she seemed to notice that something was off. But the problem is much worse than whether he likes it or not.

At that moment, Silvia started grumbling beside Eco’s ear.

“Eco… Are you really a dragon!? This is not even up to my expectations!”

“W-What! I had placed all my efforts in this!”

“But… Who would know that you are clumsier than me…”

Ash took the spoon while ignoring what the two of them were saying.

“Then, let’s eat.”

He felt that judging the food on its appearance and smell that was specially made for him was somehow disrespectful and rude.

Who knows if it was actually a delicious meal.

Ash took a spoonful of the weird coloured soup. A smell so bad that was like a gas attack flowed into Ash’s nostrils. He kept on enduring it while he sent it into his mouth.

Due to the extreme fear, he closed his eyes. The gooey liquid first came into contact with his tongue.

At that instant, electricity flowed through his spine and he experienced a fierce sensation.

“~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~!!!”

Ash tried screaming but his voice was stuck at his throat. Then he fell from his chair.

===Part 4===
The Dragon Fang Restaurant in Ansarivan town center was full of customers.

It was a public restaurant that Rebecca had told Ash. The shop offered a half price discount for the student council members. It was said that the relative of the shop owner was a breeder and was also a student council member during his schooling years. On a first glance, there were big burly men in the shop talking about politic with a bear mug in their hands.

Most of their talks were centering on the huge dragon that attacked Fontaine City. Who would even imagine that the huge dragon herself had walked into the shop? It seemed that no one had noticed the arrival of the trio. It also seemed that the student with the golden hair was Princess Silvia.

“Huu… I've just gone through hell.”

Just after the trio was led to a table for four, Ash started complaining. It seems that his tongue was still numb.

Silvia who was sitting facing Ash immediately turned mad.

“Tsk… You shouldn’t faint, no matter how bad the food is! What do you take a girl’s cooking as!”

“No, I think fainting is a blessing for me. It is embarrassing if a Dragner dies from food poisoning.”

“Do you have to go that far!”

Silvia was almost in tears.

“Hmph… You are lucky. He never even touch mine!”

Eco was grumbling beside Ash.

“I even thought of stuffing them into your mouth while you were unconscious.”

“Are you trying to kill me!?”

Ash felt a chill when he realized that he was inches away from death.

“Sorry for the wait. What would you like to order?”

At that moment their conversation was interrupted by a waitress with a smiling face.

===Part 5===
The Dragon Fang Restaurant’s special such as beef fillet steak and spare rib was placed on the table.

Somehow Eco, who was always the first to grab the food, was acting rather quiet today.

“Are you feeling all right?”

“Eh? No, nothing…”

Eco hurriedly sent the salad on the fork into her mouth.

Ash was worried since Eco took no notice of the meat on the middle of the table.

“Are you really all right? That is your favourite beef fillet? Are you not going to eat the spare rib?”

“You… can have it.”

Eco was looking on her knees when she sighed. This is the first time she did not react to the meat in front of her.

“Ash. Eco is a girl coming of age. It is normal that she sometimes doesn’t have any appetite. Today should be that day.”

“I-Is it…?”

Eco is a young dragon who was not even a year old. That may be the case but she definitely look like a girl coming of age. ''Could the source of her trouble originate from this afternoon’s incident?'' But this is not the right time to ask.

''Maybe I should listen to Silvia and let her be''… Ash thought.

===Part 6===
When the dessert arrived, Ash asked Silvia.

“Now that I think about it, aren't you going home?”

Followed by that, Silvia showed him a sour look and placed her glass on the table. Judging from the way she place her glass, she was definitely pissed.

“I can’t believe it… Have you forgotten about the supplementary test!?”

“Aah!”

Supplementary test. The weight of these two words seemed to hit his head hard.

That’s right. Ash and Silvia couldn't take the final exam last month. However, since they had sufficient reasons, after requesting from the management department, they were given the chance to take a supplementary exam during summer. They will be given the same credit if they can pass.

However, due to him constantly worrying about Eco, he completely forgot about the exam.

If it is the practical test, Ash had confidence that he would ace since he was no other than ‘The boy who can ride any dragon”.

The problem was the written test.

Apart from the normal subjects like math, literature, science and history, there were also subjects like dragon history, ecology, breeding
studies… and many more special subjects that need to be learned in the dragon riding academy.

“Err… When will the exam be held?”

Silvia sighed upon hearing.

“The written test will be held a week from now. You won’t be allowed to take the practical test if you fail the written test.”

“What….!?”

Ash turned numb.

If he couldn't squeeze out a pass in the written exam, he won’t be able to bring up his result with his practical test which he was good
in.

“Let me put this bluntly. You are now a member of the student council. How can you face Rebecca, who scouted you, if your results are bad.”

Silvia’s words stabbed right at his heart.

“What should I do…? I don't even have the slightest confidence in my written exam. It is impossible! There is only a week left! I would need to retain a year if I fail…!”

Ash was crying in agony which made Silvia sympathize with him.

“-All right?”

“Eh? What did you just say?”

Silvia blushed when she was asked. She then announced loudly:

“I said I can help you with your test!”

“Really?”

Since the time she entered the academy, her results had always been the top of her year. If Silvia was to teach him, he can at least avoid
retaining a year.

“Thank you, Princess-sama!”

===Part 7===
On the next morning, both Ash and Silvia were up early in order to prepare for the exam.

Notes and text books were all over the dining table in the royal room. The table which was initially like a painting of hell since yesterday was tidied up by Ash.

“Let’s start.”

Silvia sat beside Ash. She was neatly dressed in a blouse and a tight skirt. By putting on her fashionable eyeglasses, she looked like a teacher. She was probably the type who needs a suitable atmosphere to be able to concentrate.
[[Image:SnRK v05 114.jpg|thumb]]

“Eco would probably cause a ruckus after she wake up… So is it okay with you that we start with the most important subject first?”

“Aah… All right.”

Although it hurts Ash that she need to put Eco aside, but right now, his priority is studying for the exam.

“Then, let’s start from the Mother Dragon. This is the most important part for the first term. Please listen carefully.”

Silvia was totally like a teacher.

“Hmm… The Mother Dragon… Usually, she sometimes becomes the topic of our talk, but I am not actually sure what kind of a dragon is she.”

“She is basically different from the rest of the dragons. Though I tried investigating on my own, there are still too many question remain unanswered. Since what is not mentioned in the text book won’t be in the exam, we should start from memorizing the textbook. Can you please read page fifty eight?”

“Okay.”

Ash started reading the ecology textbook.

''-The mother dragon will only appear in front of humans during the Orphan Ceremony. Only when she found a child qualified to become Breeder she will appear and bestow an Orphan to the child.''

“By the way, Ash, is Lancelot a male or female?”

Ash was shocked by Silvia’s sudden question.

“About that, is Lancelot a male? I mean its name sound manly.”

“Are you an idiot! How can you call yourself a student of Ansarivan?”

“Eeh? So it is a female?”

“That’s also wrong! The correct answer is none of the above!”

“That my first time hearing it.”

“Do you even listen during classes!? In the ancient time, dragons do have difference in genders, but… I mean…. F-For them to mate to reproduce.”

Silvia was blushing and trying to avert her eyes.

Talking about that, Ash started noticing Silvia’s curves. The Silvia right now was very alluring.

“But, during the long history, the dragons who almost faced extinction invoked the wise dragon magic, Albion. That had totally changed their ecosystem and since then, the Mother Dragon was responsible for reproducing and the dragons had lost their genders.”

“Now I see… But no matter how I look at it, Eco is a girl isn’t she?”

Silvia turned speechless upon hearing Ash’s words.

“It seems so. Why did I not notice it?... Even so, Eco is a special dragon.”

''Could it be that apart from being the Avalon’s holy dragons' emperor family's descendent, there are still many more mysteries surrounding Eco that was yet to be found?'' Ash thought secretly.

The dragons should have lost their genders since a long time ago.

However, Eco was obviously born in the body of a girl.

''What is the actual reason behind it…?''

“Even so, since Mother Dragon is also a dragon, she should need astral in order to survive, however, it is a surprise that she never had any contract with anyone. Unfortunately, these facts were not written in any books…. Hey, Ash, are you even listening?”

“Eh? Aah… Sorry.”

Ash immediately straightened his body when he was glared by Silvia.

“Tsk…I bet you acted the same way during class. Anyway, please read the textbook starting from this part until this part for one more time and drill them into your head.”

Silvia leaned forward and underlined the important area.

“…!”

Ash held his breath when he saw Silvia’s breast through the gaps of her collars.

“Huh? Is everything all right, Ash?”

“No, nothing! Nothing!”

“What a weird person…”

===Part 8===
“Hmm, it is time for us to take a short break.”

After she briefed through the examination scope, Silvia place her pen on the table.

Silvia looked a little tired and Ash on the other hand was exhausted from being forced to memorized all the important subjects.

“Are you all right, Ash? Your dream to pass will remain a dream if you are trouble by just these.”

Actually, Silvia tried encouraging him but she only speak of strict words since the beginning.

“I will work harder…”

Ash had his head laid on the table when he answered weakly.

“Tsk. Cosette, make us some tea…”

Silvia remembered that Cosette was no longer with her the moment she turned around.

Unfortunately, Silvia herself had never made tea before. She doesn’t have the confidence to make a cup of tea that can match with Cosette’s standard.

At the same time, she doesn’t want Ash to take her as an idiot who doesn’t even know how to make tea.

Just as Silvia was troubled by this, Ash stood up and gave her a wry smile.

“I will make the tea in return for teaching me.”

“S-Sorry.”

“I may not look like it but I am actually good at doing housework. Since I don’t have a father at home, I was always doing some housework like cooking, taking care of my sister and many more when my mother was at work.”

After that, Ash left for the kitchen and he suddenly looked like a reliable person. Even though Silvia had been teaching him from the start, but their roles had changed with just a cup of tea.

After she heard noise coming from the kitchen, Silvia started mumbling to herself:

“If, Ash… If he is that boy… What should I do? No, but… The boy had given Lancelot to me. Thinking back carefully, it is impossible for him to become a Breeder in the first place.”

“-Why do you need to mention Ash?”

Silvia had a shock of her life when she heard another voice.

Eco’s face had suddenly appeared in front of Silvia.

Since her hair was still in a mess, it looked like she had just woken up. But her beauty still remains and it made it seems like her body was glittering.

Although Silvia had always hated to be seen by anyone except Cosette the moment she wake up, but Eco doesn’t seem to mind it.

Suddenly, Silvia felt guilty when she saw Eco. It was probably due to her spending time studying with Ash for the entire morning when Eco was sleeping.

Without knowing what Silvia was thinking, Eco asked innocently:

“Where is he?”

“Aah, he is making tea.”

Eco threw Silvia a sharp glance upon hearing.

“Are the two of you playing when I was sleeping?”

“I-Impossible! He may face retaining a year if I choose not to teach him. That’s the truth! It will really happen if I ‘choose not to teach’! At the same time, isn’t it bad for you as well as his Pal if he was to retain a year?”

Silvia was in a pinch by trying to explain to Eco.

“Hey, Eco. You are finally awake?”

At that moment, Ash appeared from the kitchen holding a tray with the tea set.

“…It is already noon. You better change your clothing.”

Eco immediately turned red as if she doesn’t want anyone to see her in her pyjamas. She hurriedly ran out from the room.

Silvia was anxious about Eco’s behaviour. The past Eco was always arrogant and never get embarrassed from things that a human would. ''Despite that, compared to her past self, Eco looks more feminine. Am I thinking too much?''

“Ash, about Eco… Don’t you think that she is starting to change?”

“Does she? I didn’t notice anything…”

Ash was lying and his face was red from embarrassment. It is impossible for him to not notice when he had been living with Eco under the same roof.

Of course the reason Eco became more feminine was Ash.

''After all the things that had happened, surely Eco was….'' Just when she thought about that, Silvia felt a pain in her chest.

===Part 9===
After eating lunch that was made from whatever there is in the larder, Ash was again studying.

This time, Eco was together with them. Since she was just quietly reading her picture books, she didn’t really cause any problem. However, whenever Silvia leaned forward and her distance with Ash become closer…

“Ahem!”

She would always purposely give a cough as a warning. She then continued with her book and did nothing apart from that.

Eco’s actions were completely different compared to her past self.

Just as what Silvia said, Eco was maturing. What she had just shown was jealousy.

Just yesterday, Ash and Eco were kissing in the room with the broken wall.

Although the location was bad, they both had the urge for each other and in the end, they kissed. It was totally like a dream. Ash’s heart started beating rapidly upon remembering the feeling when their lips touched.

On the other hand, Ash noticed that he was attracted to Silvia.

The Lautreamont Royal Knight Family’s fourth Princess, Silvia. Months before, she was just Ash’s classmate. During that time, she was like an unapproachable being to him. If the him a year ago knew about his situation right now, he would definitely have gotten a great shock.

However, the Aries Dragon Riding Festival had become the turning point where their relationship became closer…

“Ash! Hey, Ash! Are you listening…?”

“Uwaa! S-Sorry, Princess-sama…”

After being scolded, Ash came back to his sense.

“Are you all right? It doesn’t feel like your thought is here.”

Silvia was really worried about him. Turning his head around, Eco too was worried about Ash and took a peek at him.

“About that… Many things happen recently, no?”

“Speaking about that, you were involved in the battle during the Selective Training Camp and in Fontaine City.”

Silvia agreed with him. But her thoughts were in the wrong page compared to Ash’s. However, Ash was thankful that she misunderstood him.

He would never admit that he lost concentration because he was stuck in choosing between Silvia and Eco.

===Part 10===
After three o’clock, it was time for their second tea-time. Since it was boring to drink only red tea, they also took out the biscuits that
they found in the kitchen’s cupboard.

“Erm… Princess-sama, I would like to ask you about the stuffed toy.”

''“*splurt*”''

Suddenly, Silvia spluttered out her red tea.

“Sorry, Princess-sama.”

Ash immediately tried to wipe the table with a tea cloth.

“W-What about the stuffed toy?”

Silvia glared at Ash when she tried to wipe her mouth.

“I mean if it initially belongs to you, how in the world did it came into my possession?”

“How am I to know about that?”

“Then… Do you still remember how do you give it away?”

“That…!”

Suddenly without warning, Silvia was blushing.

“So you did remember. Do you mind me asking?”

“Of course I mind!”

“I see. Then I won’t question you any further.”

Ash understood the situation well and stopped asking but Silvia suddenly stood up.

“Stop! I will tell!”

“Now, which is it?”

“As I said, I will tell you!”

Thus, Silvia started telling the story of the seven year old her attending the Orphan Ceremony in Albion Forest.

===Part 11===
“I was lost in Albion Forest not long after the Orphan Ceremony started. At the same time, my leg was twisted and help was nowhere to be found… Then, I cried.”

“Princess-sama cried?”

Ash was surprised but it made Silvia blushed.

“It was not like I wanted to! I was seven during that time!”

“Haha… Sorry. So, what happened after that?”

“Erm… At that point, a boy who was attending the same ceremony appeared. He gave me a piggyback ride when we continued looking for the
Mother Dragon.”

“Eh…? This is interesting.”

“However, my memories beyond that were fuzzy. Even though I remembered that the Mother Dragon appeared in front of us, I still can’t
recall the specifics. But, I still somehow remembered that the boy rejected Lancelot and gave it to me. If I never met him, I will never be able to become a Dragner. Later, I gave him my toy as a token of thanks to him.”

“Did you not ask his name?”

“During that time, we were busy looking for Mother Dragon… And had forgotten to ask for his name. I bet he never noticed that I am actually a princess.”

Silvia sighed.

“Back to the topic…. Who would expect that a seven year old brat was such a kind person. Could he be Princess-sama’s first love?”

Ash asked casually.

“I-If you have time to ask any idiotic question, you might as well spend your time memorizing a few more words!”

Silvia shouted as if she is going to overturn the dining table. Ash turned quiet in afraid of her menacing look. On the other hand,
another person was giving both of them a sidelong glance-

“….Haa.”

Eco sighed as if she doesn’t have the spirit to care about the two.

"Silvia’s memory~A.S.B.1365.8~" is closed.

<noinclude>

==References and Translation Notes==
<references />

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|-
| Back to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]
| Return to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 2

2014-08-08T06:03:52Z

Valthan: /* Part 3 */

==Chapter 2 - Ash's and Silvia's study group==
===Part 1===
Under Silvia’s command, Ash was given an empty room.

It seemed that Cosette had cleaned the room some time before since it was clean and tidy.

Looking around the room, there was a small desk for studying and even a sofa and a single bed. A classy Dragon Crystal lamp was hanging on the ceiling.

When Ash sat on the sofa after he moved all his luggage into the room, he could smell the scent of lavender. It was from the incense burner on the shelf. He felt that the room had everything he needed. ''I might as well stay here for the rest of my school days…'' Ash even has such thoughts.

By the way, although Ash was alright with staying with Eco in the same room, Silvia who was a little stubborn could never allow it.

She thought that it was outrageous for Eco, who looked like a girl, to stay in the same room with him even though she was actually a dragon.

In the end, it was decided that Eco would be sleeping with Silvia.

“…Must we stay here for the coming two weeks?”

Ash suddenly thought that this was a weird summer.

The Fourth Princess, Silvia Lautreamont was just staying at a wall’s distance away.

It was easier to believe this if this is a dream.

Just when Ash let his thoughts wonder, there was a knock on his door.

He was greeted by Silvia when he opened the door. Somehow, she looked kind of sweet.

“What’s the matter, Princess-sama?”

“I-It is about time for dinner.”

“Aah… So it is about that time. I didn’t even notice.”

Ash just realised that it was already evening. Days like this particular busy day seemed to always pass so quickly.

“Erm… What are you going to do for dinner, Ash?”

“Since it is the summer holidays, the student’s restaurant La Tene would only provide lunch. How does Princess-sama deal with her usual meals?”

“I always ate Cosette’s handmade meals. There is a restaurant like kitchen in this royal room.”

“Wow. But, I don’t like the idea of bothering you for my meal… So, I think I will head out to the streets together with Eco.”

“No, wait… Cosette had some personal matters that she had to attend to. She probably won’t be able to return in such short notice.”

“Eh? Come join us then?”

Silvia did not reply. Somehow, she was gripping the sides of her skirts with her head down and started trembling. Just like when someone was having a heat stroke, her face was bright red.

“Princess-sama? Are you alright?”

Silvia shouted after being asked by Ash.

“D-Do you want to give my handmade meal a try!? How about it!?”

At the same time, a piece of paper flew out from her pocket.

It dropped right beside Ash’s foot. It seemed that Silvia had not noticed that her paper had fallen on to the ground.

“…?”

Ash picked up that paper.

''- ‘Shelley family’s secret. A recipe to make men dream’.''

“What is this?”

“Uwaaa! Give that back! Give that back to me right now!”

Silvia leaped towards Ash in a panic. She was only thinking about getting back the piece of paper.

“Hey! Calm down, Princess-sama! I will give it back to you! Waaaaaa!”

Silvia slipped and fall against Ash. Ash grabbed her immediately but instead he end up being able to feel her softness of her body and her body heat. But the next moment, Ash too felt on the ground together with her.

“Ooouch!”

Ash almost chocked from falling on his back. He slowly opened his eyes while moaning.

The first thing that came into his sight was her golden hair.

''-This is bad! I… am hugging Princess-sama!''

Ash was panicking but luckily Silvia finally sat up her body.

“S-Sorry Ash… Are you alright?”

Silvia’s face was bright red when she was looking at Ash. Her golden hair fell on her shoulders and touched Ash’s face. It smelled like honey.

“I am alright but… T-this position… Is a little bad for my heart.”

Ash was speaking as if he was out of breathe.

“Eh…?”

Silvia finally noticed that she was riding on Ash. And because her legs were spread open, her skirt had been rolled up and the white cloth came into his sight.

“Doooooooon’t stare!”

With tears in her eyes, Silvia started punching Ash.

“Ouch! Ouch! Please stop immediately and move aside!”

Silvia who felt too much embarrassment couldn't stop punching Ash, it seems that she did not heard him.

“Hey, I think it is about time for dinner- Hey! What are you doing!?”

Eco who should be still lying on Silvia’s bed suddenly appeared in the corridor.

“Eco…! This is a misunderstanding! It is an accident!”

“So… Want to be crushed by me!?”

Too bad for him, Eco was not in the mood to listen to his explanation. She was approaching with an angry look on her face.

===Part 2===
“Next… A small spoonful of salt and a piece of bay leaf… Also, a small amount of black pepper. But isn’t the word ‘small amount’ a little unclear…?”

Silvia was staring at the recipe for some time after she tied her hair into a bun and put on her apron.

Just moments before, she thought about boiling the soup first, however it seems that she was troubled by the amount of black pepper that she was going to use. As expected, Silvia who had not done any cooking since the day of her birth faced trouble from the word ‘small amount’.

“Err… I would also like to help you. May I?”

Silvia was surprised to see Eco walking into the kitchen.

“But, do you have any experience in cooking?”

“Impossible! But… Just before Cosette leave, she gave me this. I just want to try challenging this.”

Eco showed her a piece of paper.

Silvia had a bad feeling.

“Could it be that it is also ‘Shelley family’s secret recipe’?”

Eco turned red the moment she was told.

It seems that Cosette had handed both Silvia and Eco the recipe.

“Damn that Cosette… Even when she knew clearly what I was thinking, how dare she still support Eco from behind…! Even after she had been
working for me for ages…!”

Without noticing, Silvia clenched her fist.

“Err… What’s wrong with you?”

Silvia cooled down her temper the moment she was asked by Eco.

“No, nothing. Nothing at all.”

After she took a deep breath and calm herself down, she turned her head towards Eco.

Silvia who had calmed down suddenly noticed something new.

Although it was common that the dragon was always mistaken as a ferocious beast by foreign countries, but whenever a person saw the majestic Ark, they would have noticed that the dragons are a race that had their own unique beauty and also a race with strong creativity.

''- Could Eco be…. Even though she had no experience in cooking, who knows if she too has talent! Cooking can be even considered as an art creation…!''

Silvia was somehow feeling excited. If Eco shows her true skills, who knows if she might be able to create a delicious meal.

On the other hand, Silvia had no confidence in herself. Since the day she was born, it is a natural thing to her that meals were laid out properly to her. She never had the thought of cooking at all. She even though that riding on Lancelot for a thousand miles is far easier than this.

''-That’s it. Even though it will be a hindrance… If I can get Eco’s help… I will feel less embarrassed in front of Ash.''

Although it was not an honorable thing to do, but a little sacrifice was required. Right now, Eco is an important asset to her.

Silvia once again pulled herself together and placed her hand on Eco’s shoulder.

“Why don’t we try cooking together? There is even an extra apron and barrette over there.”

“Alright.”

Eco quietly put on the apron and handed Silvia the barrette as if she want Silvia to help her put it on.

Her actions were somehow cute and it made Silvia’s heart skipped a beat. Silvia somehow had a feeling that Eco is like a little sister to her.

It was kind of a new feeling to Silvia who was the youngest in her family.

“Alright then.”

Silvia smiled and stood behind Eco.

Since Eco had quite a lot of hair, Silvia tied two buns on the left and right side of her head.

“We are done. Hmm… Aren’t you looking cute?”

“R-Real…”

Eco seemed to be a little shy. She was probably not used to being praised.

“Alright, let’s begin!”

Silvia clenched her fist tightly and her action was followed by Eco.

“As you wish!”

===Part 3===
''-Is this even food!?''

After waiting for two whole hours, Ash felt shivers by seeing the food that was laid out in front of him. Whatever it may be, it gave the same feeling as the first time Ash met the Necromancia.

He couldn’t even believe that it was food after seeing and smelling it.

It somehow looked a little unbalanced that the tableware was of high quality while the food itself looked comical.

To begin with, why was the soup colour purple like poison?

Is that piece of coal actually bread or a piece of meat?

Ash couldn’t even be bothered to think about the thing that was all mashed up as if it was an animal being ran over by a horse carriage.

Even so, they were the hard works of both Eco and Silvia.

A few band aids could be seen on Silvia’s fingers and the sauce and ketchup mess on Eco’s apron looked like some drawings.

“Hmm, what’s wrong? Why aren’t you eating?”

Eco was speaking confidently, which in a way or another caused Ash to be confused.

“Ahem… You don’t have to eat it if it is not to your liking.”

As expected from Silvia, she seemed to notice that something was off. But the problem is much worse than whether he likes it or not.

At that moment, Silvia started grumbling beside Eco’s ear.

“Eco… Are you really a dragon!? This is not even up to my expectation!”

“W-What! I had placed all my efforts in this!”

“But… Who would know that you are clumsier than me…”

Ash took the spoon while ignoring what the two of them were saying.

“Then, let’s eat.”

He felt that judging the food on its appearance and smell that was specially made for him was somehow disrespectful and rude.

Who knows if it was actually a delicious meal.

Ash took a spoonful of the weird coloured soup. A smell so bad that was like a gas attack flowed into Ash’s nostrils. He kept on enduring it while he sent it into his mouth.

Due to the extreme fear, he closed his eyes. The gooey liquid first came into contact with his tongue.

At that instant, electricity flowed through his spine and he experienced a fierce sensation.

“~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~!!!”

Ash tried screaming but his voice was stuck at his throat. Then he fell from his chair.

===Part 4===
The Dragon Fang Restaurant in Ansarivan town center was full of customers.

It was a public restaurant that Rebecca had told Ash. The shop offered a half price discount for the student council members. It was said that the relative of the shop owner was a breeder and was also a student council member during his schooling years. On a first glance, there were big burly men in the shop talking about politic with a bear mug in their hands.

Most of their talks were centering on the huge dragon that attacked Fontaine City. Who would even imagine that the huge dragon herself had walked into the shop? It seemed that no one had noticed the arrival of the trio. It also seemed that the student with the golden hair was Princess Silvia.

“Huu… I've just gone through hell.”

Just after the trio was led to a table for four, Ash started complaining. It seems that his tongue was still numb.

Silvia who was sitting facing Ash immediately turned mad.

“Tsk… You shouldn’t faint, no matter how bad the food is! What do you take a girl’s cooking as!”

“No, I think fainting is a blessing for me. It is embarrassing if a Dragner dies from food poisoning.”

“Do you have to go that far!”

Silvia was almost in tears.

“Hmph… You are lucky. He never even touch mine!”

Eco was grumbling beside Ash.

“I even thought of stuffing them into your mouth while you were unconscious.”

“Are you trying to kill me!?”

Ash felt a chill when he realized that he was inches away from death.

“Sorry for the wait. What would you like to order?”

At that moment their conversation was interrupted by a waitress with a smiling face.

===Part 5===
The Dragon Fang Restaurant’s special such as beef fillet steak and spare rib was placed on the table.

Somehow Eco, who was always the first to grab the food, was acting rather quiet today.

“Are you feeling all right?”

“Eh? No, nothing…”

Eco hurriedly sent the salad on the fork into her mouth.

Ash was worried since Eco took no notice of the meat on the middle of the table.

“Are you really all right? That is your favourite beef fillet? Are you not going to eat the spare rib?”

“You… can have it.”

Eco was looking on her knees when she sighed. This is the first time she did not react to the meat in front of her.

“Ash. Eco is a girl coming of age. It is normal that she sometimes doesn’t have any appetite. Today should be that day.”

“I-Is it…?”

Eco is a young dragon who was not even a year old. That may be the case but she definitely look like a girl coming of age. ''Could the source of her trouble originate from this afternoon’s incident?'' But this is not the right time to ask.

''Maybe I should listen to Silvia and let her be''… Ash thought.

===Part 6===
When the dessert arrived, Ash asked Silvia.

“Now that I think about it, aren't you going home?”

Followed by that, Silvia showed him a sour look and placed her glass on the table. Judging from the way she place her glass, she was definitely pissed.

“I can’t believe it… Have you forgotten about the supplementary test!?”

“Aah!”

Supplementary test. The weight of these two words seemed to hit his head hard.

That’s right. Ash and Silvia couldn't take the final exam last month. However, since they had sufficient reasons, after requesting from the management department, they were given the chance to take a supplementary exam during summer. They will be given the same credit if they can pass.

However, due to him constantly worrying about Eco, he completely forgot about the exam.

If it is the practical test, Ash had confidence that he would ace since he was no other than ‘The boy who can ride any dragon”.

The problem was the written test.

Apart from the normal subjects like math, literature, science and history, there were also subjects like dragon history, ecology, breeding
studies… and many more special subjects that need to be learned in the dragon riding academy.

“Err… When will the exam be held?”

Silvia sighed upon hearing.

“The written test will be held a week from now. You won’t be allowed to take the practical test if you fail the written test.”

“What….!?”

Ash turned numb.

If he couldn't squeeze out a pass in the written exam, he won’t be able to bring up his result with his practical test which he was good
in.

“Let me put this bluntly. You are now a member of the student council. How can you face Rebecca, who scouted you, if your results are bad.”

Silvia’s words stabbed right at his heart.

“What should I do…? I don't even have the slightest confidence in my written exam. It is impossible! There is only a week left! I would need to retain a year if I fail…!”

Ash was crying in agony which made Silvia sympathize with him.

“-All right?”

“Eh? What did you just say?”

Silvia blushed when she was asked. She then announced loudly:

“I said I can help you with your test!”

“Really?”

Since the time she entered the academy, her results had always been the top of her year. If Silvia was to teach him, he can at least avoid
retaining a year.

“Thank you, Princess-sama!”

===Part 7===
On the next morning, both Ash and Silvia were up early in order to prepare for the exam.

Notes and text books were all over the dining table in the royal room. The table which was initially like a painting of hell since yesterday was tidied up by Ash.

“Let’s start.”

Silvia sat beside Ash. She was neatly dressed in a blouse and a tight skirt. By putting on her fashionable eyeglasses, she looked like a teacher. She was probably the type who needs a suitable atmosphere to be able to concentrate.
[[Image:SnRK v05 114.jpg|thumb]]

“Eco would probably cause a ruckus after she wake up… So is it okay with you that we start with the most important subject first?”

“Aah… All right.”

Although it hurts Ash that she need to put Eco aside, but right now, his priority is studying for the exam.

“Then, let’s start from the Mother Dragon. This is the most important part for the first term. Please listen carefully.”

Silvia was totally like a teacher.

“Hmm… The Mother Dragon… Usually, she sometimes becomes the topic of our talk, but I am not actually sure what kind of a dragon is she.”

“She is basically different from the rest of the dragons. Though I tried investigating on my own, there are still too many question remain unanswered. Since what is not mentioned in the text book won’t be in the exam, we should start from memorizing the textbook. Can you please read page fifty eight?”

“Okay.”

Ash started reading the ecology textbook.

''-The mother dragon will only appear in front of humans during the Orphan Ceremony. Only when she found a child qualified to become Breeder she will appear and bestow an Orphan to the child.''

“By the way, Ash, is Lancelot a male or female?”

Ash was shocked by Silvia’s sudden question.

“About that, is Lancelot a male? I mean its name sound manly.”

“Are you an idiot! How can you call yourself a student of Ansarivan?”

“Eeh? So it is a female?”

“That’s also wrong! The correct answer is none of the above!”

“That my first time hearing it.”

“Do you even listen during classes!? In the ancient time, dragons do have difference in genders, but… I mean…. F-For them to mate to reproduce.”

Silvia was blushing and trying to avert her eyes.

Talking about that, Ash started noticing Silvia’s curves. The Silvia right now was very alluring.

“But, during the long history, the dragons who almost faced extinction invoked the wise dragon magic, Albion. That had totally changed their ecosystem and since then, the Mother Dragon was responsible for reproducing and the dragons had lost their genders.”

“Now I see… But no matter how I look at it, Eco is a girl isn’t she?”

Silvia turned speechless upon hearing Ash’s words.

“It seems so. Why did I not notice it?... Even so, Eco is a special dragon.”

''Could it be that apart from being the Avalon’s holy dragons' emperor family's descendent, there are still many more mysteries surrounding Eco that was yet to be found?'' Ash thought secretly.

The dragons should have lost their genders since a long time ago.

However, Eco was obviously born in the body of a girl.

''What is the actual reason behind it…?''

“Even so, since Mother Dragon is also a dragon, she should need astral in order to survive, however, it is a surprise that she never had any contract with anyone. Unfortunately, these facts were not written in any books…. Hey, Ash, are you even listening?”

“Eh? Aah… Sorry.”

Ash immediately straightened his body when he was glared by Silvia.

“Tsk…I bet you acted the same way during class. Anyway, please read the textbook starting from this part until this part for one more time and drill them into your head.”

Silvia leaned forward and underlined the important area.

“…!”

Ash held his breath when he saw Silvia’s breast through the gaps of her collars.

“Huh? Is everything all right, Ash?”

“No, nothing! Nothing!”

“What a weird person…”

===Part 8===
“Hmm, it is time for us to take a short break.”

After she briefed through the examination scope, Silvia place her pen on the table.

Silvia looked a little tired and Ash on the other hand was exhausted from being forced to memorized all the important subjects.

“Are you all right, Ash? Your dream to pass will remain a dream if you are trouble by just these.”

Actually, Silvia tried encouraging him but she only speak of strict words since the beginning.

“I will work harder…”

Ash had his head laid on the table when he answered weakly.

“Tsk. Cosette, make us some tea…”

Silvia remembered that Cosette was no longer with her the moment she turned around.

Unfortunately, Silvia herself had never made tea before. She doesn’t have the confidence to make a cup of tea that can match with Cosette’s standard.

At the same time, she doesn’t want Ash to take her as an idiot who doesn’t even know how to make tea.

Just as Silvia was troubled by this, Ash stood up and gave her a wry smile.

“I will make the tea in return for teaching me.”

“S-Sorry.”

“I may not look like it but I am actually good at doing housework. Since I don’t have a father at home, I was always doing some housework like cooking, taking care of my sister and many more when my mother was at work.”

After that, Ash left for the kitchen and he suddenly looked like a reliable person. Even though Silvia had been teaching him from the start, but their roles had changed with just a cup of tea.

After she heard noise coming from the kitchen, Silvia started mumbling to herself:

“If, Ash… If he is that boy… What should I do? No, but… The boy had given Lancelot to me. Thinking back carefully, it is impossible for him to become a Breeder in the first place.”

“-Why do you need to mention Ash?”

Silvia had a shock of her life when she heard another voice.

Eco’s face had suddenly appeared in front of Silvia.

Since her hair was still in a mess, it looked like she had just woken up. But her beauty still remains and it made it seems like her body was glittering.

Although Silvia had always hated to be seen by anyone except Cosette the moment she wake up, but Eco doesn’t seem to mind it.

Suddenly, Silvia felt guilty when she saw Eco. It was probably due to her spending time studying with Ash for the entire morning when Eco was sleeping.

Without knowing what Silvia was thinking, Eco asked innocently:

“Where is he?”

“Aah, he is making tea.”

Eco threw Silvia a sharp glance upon hearing.

“Are the two of you playing when I was sleeping?”

“I-Impossible! He may face retaining a year if I choose not to teach him. That’s the truth! It will really happen if I ‘choose not to teach’! At the same time, isn’t it bad for you as well as his Pal if he was to retain a year?”

Silvia was in a pinch by trying to explain to Eco.

“Hey, Eco. You are finally awake?”

At that moment, Ash appeared from the kitchen holding a tray with the tea set.

“…It is already noon. You better change your clothing.”

Eco immediately turned red as if she doesn’t want anyone to see her in her pyjamas. She hurriedly ran out from the room.

Silvia was anxious about Eco’s behaviour. The past Eco was always arrogant and never get embarrassed from things that a human would. ''Despite that, compared to her past self, Eco looks more feminine. Am I thinking too much?''

“Ash, about Eco… Don’t you think that she is starting to change?”

“Does she? I didn’t notice anything…”

Ash was lying and his face was red from embarrassment. It is impossible for him to not notice when he had been living with Eco under the same roof.

Of course the reason Eco became more feminine was Ash.

''After all the things that had happened, surely Eco was….'' Just when she thought about that, Silvia felt a pain in her chest.

===Part 9===
After eating lunch that was made from whatever there is in the larder, Ash was again studying.

This time, Eco was together with them. Since she was just quietly reading her picture books, she didn’t really cause any problem. However, whenever Silvia leaned forward and her distance with Ash become closer…

“Ahem!”

She would always purposely give a cough as a warning. She then continued with her book and did nothing apart from that.

Eco’s actions were completely different compared to her past self.

Just as what Silvia said, Eco was maturing. What she had just shown was jealousy.

Just yesterday, Ash and Eco were kissing in the room with the broken wall.

Although the location was bad, they both had the urge for each other and in the end, they kissed. It was totally like a dream. Ash’s heart started beating rapidly upon remembering the feeling when their lips touched.

On the other hand, Ash noticed that he was attracted to Silvia.

The Lautreamont Royal Knight Family’s fourth Princess, Silvia. Months before, she was just Ash’s classmate. During that time, she was like an unapproachable being to him. If the him a year ago knew about his situation right now, he would definitely have gotten a great shock.

However, the Aries Dragon Riding Festival had become the turning point where their relationship became closer…

“Ash! Hey, Ash! Are you listening…?”

“Uwaa! S-Sorry, Princess-sama…”

After being scolded, Ash came back to his sense.

“Are you all right? It doesn’t feel like your thought is here.”

Silvia was really worried about him. Turning his head around, Eco too was worried about Ash and took a peek at him.

“About that… Many things happen recently, no?”

“Speaking about that, you were involved in the battle during the Selective Training Camp and in Fontaine City.”

Silvia agreed with him. But her thoughts were in the wrong page compared to Ash’s. However, Ash was thankful that she misunderstood him.

He would never admit that he lost concentration because he was stuck in choosing between Silvia and Eco.

===Part 10===
After three o’clock, it was time for their second tea-time. Since it was boring to drink only red tea, they also took out the biscuits that
they found in the kitchen’s cupboard.

“Erm… Princess-sama, I would like to ask you about the stuffed toy.”

''“*splurt*”''

Suddenly, Silvia spluttered out her red tea.

“Sorry, Princess-sama.”

Ash immediately tried to wipe the table with a tea cloth.

“W-What about the stuffed toy?”

Silvia glared at Ash when she tried to wipe her mouth.

“I mean if it initially belongs to you, how in the world did it came into my possession?”

“How am I to know about that?”

“Then… Do you still remember how do you give it away?”

“That…!”

Suddenly without warning, Silvia was blushing.

“So you did remember. Do you mind me asking?”

“Of course I mind!”

“I see. Then I won’t question you any further.”

Ash understood the situation well and stopped asking but Silvia suddenly stood up.

“Stop! I will tell!”

“Now, which is it?”

“As I said, I will tell you!”

Thus, Silvia started telling the story of the seven year old her attending the Orphan Ceremony in Albion Forest.

===Part 11===
“I was lost in Albion Forest not long after the Orphan Ceremony started. At the same time, my leg was twisted and help was nowhere to be found… Then, I cried.”

“Princess-sama cried?”

Ash was surprised but it made Silvia blushed.

“It was not like I wanted to! I was seven during that time!”

“Haha… Sorry. So, what happened after that?”

“Erm… At that point, a boy who was attending the same ceremony appeared. He gave me a piggyback ride when we continued looking for the
Mother Dragon.”

“Eh…? This is interesting.”

“However, my memories beyond that were fuzzy. Even though I remembered that the Mother Dragon appeared in front of us, I still can’t
recall the specifics. But, I still somehow remembered that the boy rejected Lancelot and gave it to me. If I never met him, I will never be able to become a Dragner. Later, I gave him my toy as a token of thanks to him.”

“Did you not ask his name?”

“During that time, we were busy looking for Mother Dragon… And had forgotten to ask for his name. I bet he never noticed that I am actually a princess.”

Silvia sighed.

“Back to the topic…. Who would expect that a seven year old brat was such a kind person. Could he be Princess-sama’s first love?”

Ash asked casually.

“I-If you have time to ask any idiotic question, you might as well spend your time memorizing a few more words!”

Silvia shouted as if she is going to overturn the dining table. Ash turned quiet in afraid of her menacing look. On the other hand,
another person was giving both of them a sidelong glance-

“….Haa.”

Eco sighed as if she doesn’t have the spirit to care about the two.

"Silvia’s memory~A.S.B.1365.8~" is closed.

<noinclude>

==References and Translation Notes==
<references />

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|-
| Back to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]
| Return to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 2

2014-08-08T05:58:44Z

Valthan: /* Part 1 */

==Chapter 2 - Ash's and Silvia's study group==
===Part 1===
Under Silvia’s command, Ash was given an empty room.

It seemed that Cosette had cleaned the room some time before since it was clean and tidy.

Looking around the room, there was a small desk for studying and even a sofa and a single bed. A classy Dragon Crystal lamp was hanging on the ceiling.

When Ash sat on the sofa after he moved all his luggage into the room, he could smell the scent of lavender. It was from the incense burner on the shelf. He felt that the room had everything he needed. ''I might as well stay here for the rest of my school days…'' Ash even has such thoughts.

By the way, although Ash was alright with staying with Eco in the same room, Silvia who was a little stubborn could never allow it.

She thought that it was outrageous for Eco, who looked like a girl, to stay in the same room with him even though she was actually a dragon.

In the end, it was decided that Eco would be sleeping with Silvia.

“…Must we stay here for the coming two weeks?”

Ash suddenly thought that this was a weird summer.

The Fourth Princess, Silvia Lautreamont was just staying at a wall’s distance away.

It was easier to believe this if this is a dream.

Just when Ash let his thoughts wonder, there was a knock on his door.

He was greeted by Silvia when he opened the door. Somehow, she looked kind of sweet.

“What’s the matter, Princess-sama?”

“I-It is about time for dinner.”

“Aah… So it is about that time. I didn’t even notice.”

Ash just realised that it was already evening. Days like this particular busy day seemed to always pass so quickly.

“Erm… What are you going to do for dinner, Ash?”

“Since it is the summer holidays, the student’s restaurant La Tene would only provide lunch. How does Princess-sama deal with her usual meals?”

“I always ate Cosette’s handmade meals. There is a restaurant like kitchen in this royal room.”

“Wow. But, I don’t like the idea of bothering you for my meal… So, I think I will head out to the streets together with Eco.”

“No, wait… Cosette had some personal matters that she had to attend to. She probably won’t be able to return in such short notice.”

“Eh? Come join us then?”

Silvia did not reply. Somehow, she was gripping the sides of her skirts with her head down and started trembling. Just like when someone was having a heat stroke, her face was bright red.

“Princess-sama? Are you alright?”

Silvia shouted after being asked by Ash.

“D-Do you want to give my handmade meal a try!? How about it!?”

At the same time, a piece of paper flew out from her pocket.

It dropped right beside Ash’s foot. It seemed that Silvia had not noticed that her paper had fallen on to the ground.

“…?”

Ash picked up that paper.

''- ‘Shelley family’s secret. A recipe to make men dream’.''

“What is this?”

“Uwaaa! Give that back! Give that back to me right now!”

Silvia leaped towards Ash in a panic. She was only thinking about getting back the piece of paper.

“Hey! Calm down, Princess-sama! I will give it back to you! Waaaaaa!”

Silvia slipped and fall against Ash. Ash grabbed her immediately but instead he end up being able to feel her softness of her body and her body heat. But the next moment, Ash too felt on the ground together with her.

“Ooouch!”

Ash almost chocked from falling on his back. He slowly opened his eyes while moaning.

The first thing that came into his sight was her golden hair.

''-This is bad! I… am hugging Princess-sama!''

Ash was panicking but luckily Silvia finally sat up her body.

“S-Sorry Ash… Are you alright?”

Silvia’s face was bright red when she was looking at Ash. Her golden hair fell on her shoulders and touched Ash’s face. It smelled like honey.

“I am alright but… T-this position… Is a little bad for my heart.”

Ash was speaking as if he was out of breathe.

“Eh…?”

Silvia finally noticed that she was riding on Ash. And because her legs were spread open, her skirt had been rolled up and the white cloth came into his sight.

“Doooooooon’t stare!”

With tears in her eyes, Silvia started punching Ash.

“Ouch! Ouch! Please stop immediately and move aside!”

Silvia who felt too much embarrassment couldn't stop punching Ash, it seems that she did not heard him.

“Hey, I think it is about time for dinner- Hey! What are you doing!?”

Eco who should be still lying on Silvia’s bed suddenly appeared in the corridor.

“Eco…! This is a misunderstanding! It is an accident!”

“So… Want to be crushed by me!?”

Too bad for him, Eco was not in the mood to listen to his explanation. She was approaching with an angry look on her face.

===Part 2===
“Next… A small spoonful of salt and a piece of bay leaf… Also, a small amount of black pepper. But isn’t the word ‘small amount’ a little unclear…?”

Silvia was staring at the recipe for some time after she tied her hair into a bun and put on her apron.

Just moments before, she thought about boiling the soup first, however it seems that she was troubled by the amount of black pepper that she was going to use. As expected, Silvia who had not done any cooking since the day of her birth faced trouble from the word ‘small amount’.

“Err… I would also like to help you. May I?”

Silvia was surprised to see Eco walking into the kitchen.

“But, do you have any experience in cooking?”

“Impossible! But… Just before Cosette leave, she gave me this. I just want to try challenging this.”

Eco showed her a piece of paper.

Silvia had a bad feeling.

“Could it be that it is also ‘Shelley family’s secret recipe’?”

Eco turned red the moment she was told.

It seems that Cosette had handed both Silvia and Eco the recipe.

“Damn that Cosette… Even when she knew clearly what I was thinking, how dare she still support Eco from behind…! Even after she had been
working for me for ages…!”

Without noticing, Silvia clenched her fist.

“Err… What’s wrong with you?”

Silvia cooled down her temper the moment she was asked by Eco.

“No, nothing. Nothing at all.”

After she took a deep breath and calm herself down, she turned her head towards Eco.

Silvia who had calmed down suddenly noticed something new.

Although it was common that the dragon was always mistaken as a ferocious beast by foreign countries, but whenever a person saw the majestic Ark, they would have noticed that the dragons are a race that had their own unique beauty and also a race with strong creativity.

''- Could Eco be…. Even though she had no experience in cooking, who knows if she too has talent! Cooking can be even considered as an art creation…!''

Silvia was somehow feeling excited. If Eco shows her true skills, who knows if she might be able to create a delicious meal.

On the other hand, Silvia had no confidence in herself. Since the day she was born, it is a natural thing to her that meals were laid out properly to her. She never had the thought of cooking at all. She even though that riding on Lancelot for a thousand miles is far easier than this.

''-That’s it. Even though it will be a hindrance… If I can get Eco’s help… I will feel less embarrassed in front of Ash.''

Although it was not an honorable thing to do, but a little sacrifice was required. Right now, Eco is an important asset to her.

Silvia once again pulled herself together and placed her hand on Eco’s shoulder.

“Why don’t we try cooking together? There is even an extra apron and barrette over there.”

“Alright.”

Eco quietly put on the apron and handed Silvia the barrette as if she want Silvia to help her put it on.

Her actions were somehow cute and it made Silvia’s heart skipped a beat. Silvia somehow had a feeling that Eco is like a little sister to her.

It was kind of a new feeling to Silvia who was the youngest in her family.

“Alright then.”

Silvia smiled and stood behind Eco.

Since Eco had quite a lot of hair, Silvia tied two buns on the left and right side of her head.

“We are done. Hmm… Aren’t you looking cute?”

“R-Real…”

Eco seemed to be a little shy. She was probably not used to being praised.

“Alright, let’s begin!”

Silvia clenched her fist tightly and her action was followed by Eco.

“As you wish!”

===Part 3===
''-Is this even food!?''

After waiting for two whole hours, Ash felt shivers by seeing the food that was laid out in front of him. Whatever it may be, it gave the same feeling as the first time Ash met the Necromancia.

He couldn’t even believe that it was food after seeing and smelling it.

It somehow looked a little unbalanced that the tableware was of high quality while the food itself looked comical.

To begin with, why was the soup colour purple like poison?

Is that piece of coal actually bread or a piece of meat?

Ash couldn’t even be bothered to think about the thing that was all mashed up as if it was an animal being ran over by a horse carriage.

Even so, they were the hard works of both Eco and Silvia.

A few band aids could be seen on Silvia’s fingers and the sauce and ketchup mess on Eco’s apron looked like some drawings.

“Hmm, what’s wrong? Why aren’t you eating?”

Eco was speaking confidently, which in a way or another caused Ash to be confused.

“Ahem… You don’t have to eat it if it is not to your liking.”

As expected from Silvia, she seemed to notice that something was off. But the problem is much worst than whether he like it or not.

At that moment, Silvia started grumbling beside Eco’s ear.

“Eco… Are you really a dragon!? This is not even up to my expectation!”

“W-What! I had placed all my efforts in this!”

“But… Who would know that you are clumsier than me…”

Ash took the spoon while ignoring what the two of them were saying.

“Then, let’s eat.”

He felt that judging the food on its appearance and smell that was specially made for him was somehow disrespectful and rude.

Who knows if it was actually a delicious meal.

Ash took a spoonful of the weird coloured soup. A smell so bad that was like a gas attack flowed into Ash’s nostrils. He kept on enduring it while he sent it into his mouth.

Due to the extreme fear, he closed his eyes. The gooey liquid first came into contact with his tongue.

At that instant, electricity flowed through his spine and he experienced a fierce sensation.

“~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~!!!”

Ash tried screaming but his voice was stuck at his throat. Then he fell from his chair.

===Part 4===
The Dragon Fang Restaurant in Ansarivan town center was full of customers.

It was a public restaurant that Rebecca had told Ash. The shop offered a half price discount for the student council members. It was said that the relative of the shop owner was a breeder and was also a student council member during his schooling years. On a first glance, there were big burly men in the shop talking about politic with a bear mug in their hands.

Most of their talks were centering on the huge dragon that attacked Fontaine City. Who would even imagine that the huge dragon herself had walked into the shop? It seemed that no one had noticed the arrival of the trio. It also seemed that the student with the golden hair was Princess Silvia.

“Huu… I've just gone through hell.”

Just after the trio was led to a table for four, Ash started complaining. It seems that his tongue was still numb.

Silvia who was sitting facing Ash immediately turned mad.

“Tsk… You shouldn’t faint, no matter how bad the food is! What do you take a girl’s cooking as!”

“No, I think fainting is a blessing for me. It is embarrassing if a Dragner dies from food poisoning.”

“Do you have to go that far!”

Silvia was almost in tears.

“Hmph… You are lucky. He never even touch mine!”

Eco was grumbling beside Ash.

“I even thought of stuffing them into your mouth while you were unconscious.”

“Are you trying to kill me!?”

Ash felt a chill when he realized that he was inches away from death.

“Sorry for the wait. What would you like to order?”

At that moment their conversation was interrupted by a waitress with a smiling face.

===Part 5===
The Dragon Fang Restaurant’s special such as beef fillet steak and spare rib was placed on the table.

Somehow Eco, who was always the first to grab the food, was acting rather quiet today.

“Are you feeling all right?”

“Eh? No, nothing…”

Eco hurriedly sent the salad on the fork into her mouth.

Ash was worried since Eco took no notice of the meat on the middle of the table.

“Are you really all right? That is your favourite beef fillet? Are you not going to eat the spare rib?”

“You… can have it.”

Eco was looking on her knees when she sighed. This is the first time she did not react to the meat in front of her.

“Ash. Eco is a girl coming of age. It is normal that she sometimes doesn’t have any appetite. Today should be that day.”

“I-Is it…?”

Eco is a young dragon who was not even a year old. That may be the case but she definitely look like a girl coming of age. ''Could the source of her trouble originate from this afternoon’s incident?'' But this is not the right time to ask.

''Maybe I should listen to Silvia and let her be''… Ash thought.

===Part 6===
When the dessert arrived, Ash asked Silvia.

“Now that I think about it, aren't you going home?”

Followed by that, Silvia showed him a sour look and placed her glass on the table. Judging from the way she place her glass, she was definitely pissed.

“I can’t believe it… Have you forgotten about the supplementary test!?”

“Aah!”

Supplementary test. The weight of these two words seemed to hit his head hard.

That’s right. Ash and Silvia couldn't take the final exam last month. However, since they had sufficient reasons, after requesting from the management department, they were given the chance to take a supplementary exam during summer. They will be given the same credit if they can pass.

However, due to him constantly worrying about Eco, he completely forgot about the exam.

If it is the practical test, Ash had confidence that he would ace since he was no other than ‘The boy who can ride any dragon”.

The problem was the written test.

Apart from the normal subjects like math, literature, science and history, there were also subjects like dragon history, ecology, breeding
studies… and many more special subjects that need to be learned in the dragon riding academy.

“Err… When will the exam be held?”

Silvia sighed upon hearing.

“The written test will be held a week from now. You won’t be allowed to take the practical test if you fail the written test.”

“What….!?”

Ash turned numb.

If he couldn't squeeze out a pass in the written exam, he won’t be able to bring up his result with his practical test which he was good
in.

“Let me put this bluntly. You are now a member of the student council. How can you face Rebecca, who scouted you, if your results are bad.”

Silvia’s words stabbed right at his heart.

“What should I do…? I don't even have the slightest confidence in my written exam. It is impossible! There is only a week left! I would need to retain a year if I fail…!”

Ash was crying in agony which made Silvia sympathize with him.

“-All right?”

“Eh? What did you just say?”

Silvia blushed when she was asked. She then announced loudly:

“I said I can help you with your test!”

“Really?”

Since the time she entered the academy, her results had always been the top of her year. If Silvia was to teach him, he can at least avoid
retaining a year.

“Thank you, Princess-sama!”

===Part 7===
On the next morning, both Ash and Silvia were up early in order to prepare for the exam.

Notes and text books were all over the dining table in the royal room. The table which was initially like a painting of hell since yesterday was tidied up by Ash.

“Let’s start.”

Silvia sat beside Ash. She was neatly dressed in a blouse and a tight skirt. By putting on her fashionable eyeglasses, she looked like a teacher. She was probably the type who needs a suitable atmosphere to be able to concentrate.
[[Image:SnRK v05 114.jpg|thumb]]

“Eco would probably cause a ruckus after she wake up… So is it okay with you that we start with the most important subject first?”

“Aah… All right.”

Although it hurts Ash that she need to put Eco aside, but right now, his priority is studying for the exam.

“Then, let’s start from the Mother Dragon. This is the most important part for the first term. Please listen carefully.”

Silvia was totally like a teacher.

“Hmm… The Mother Dragon… Usually, she sometimes becomes the topic of our talk, but I am not actually sure what kind of a dragon is she.”

“She is basically different from the rest of the dragons. Though I tried investigating on my own, there are still too many question remain unanswered. Since what is not mentioned in the text book won’t be in the exam, we should start from memorizing the textbook. Can you please read page fifty eight?”

“Okay.”

Ash started reading the ecology textbook.

''-The mother dragon will only appear in front of humans during the Orphan Ceremony. Only when she found a child qualified to become Breeder she will appear and bestow an Orphan to the child.''

“By the way, Ash, is Lancelot a male or female?”

Ash was shocked by Silvia’s sudden question.

“About that, is Lancelot a male? I mean its name sound manly.”

“Are you an idiot! How can you call yourself a student of Ansarivan?”

“Eeh? So it is a female?”

“That’s also wrong! The correct answer is none of the above!”

“That my first time hearing it.”

“Do you even listen during classes!? In the ancient time, dragons do have difference in genders, but… I mean…. F-For them to mate to reproduce.”

Silvia was blushing and trying to avert her eyes.

Talking about that, Ash started noticing Silvia’s curves. The Silvia right now was very alluring.

“But, during the long history, the dragons who almost faced extinction invoked the wise dragon magic, Albion. That had totally changed their ecosystem and since then, the Mother Dragon was responsible for reproducing and the dragons had lost their genders.”

“Now I see… But no matter how I look at it, Eco is a girl isn’t she?”

Silvia turned speechless upon hearing Ash’s words.

“It seems so. Why did I not notice it?... Even so, Eco is a special dragon.”

''Could it be that apart from being the Avalon’s holy dragons' emperor family's descendent, there are still many more mysteries surrounding Eco that was yet to be found?'' Ash thought secretly.

The dragons should have lost their genders since a long time ago.

However, Eco was obviously born in the body of a girl.

''What is the actual reason behind it…?''

“Even so, since Mother Dragon is also a dragon, she should need astral in order to survive, however, it is a surprise that she never had any contract with anyone. Unfortunately, these facts were not written in any books…. Hey, Ash, are you even listening?”

“Eh? Aah… Sorry.”

Ash immediately straightened his body when he was glared by Silvia.

“Tsk…I bet you acted the same way during class. Anyway, please read the textbook starting from this part until this part for one more time and drill them into your head.”

Silvia leaned forward and underlined the important area.

“…!”

Ash held his breath when he saw Silvia’s breast through the gaps of her collars.

“Huh? Is everything all right, Ash?”

“No, nothing! Nothing!”

“What a weird person…”

===Part 8===
“Hmm, it is time for us to take a short break.”

After she briefed through the examination scope, Silvia place her pen on the table.

Silvia looked a little tired and Ash on the other hand was exhausted from being forced to memorized all the important subjects.

“Are you all right, Ash? Your dream to pass will remain a dream if you are trouble by just these.”

Actually, Silvia tried encouraging him but she only speak of strict words since the beginning.

“I will work harder…”

Ash had his head laid on the table when he answered weakly.

“Tsk. Cosette, make us some tea…”

Silvia remembered that Cosette was no longer with her the moment she turned around.

Unfortunately, Silvia herself had never made tea before. She doesn’t have the confidence to make a cup of tea that can match with Cosette’s standard.

At the same time, she doesn’t want Ash to take her as an idiot who doesn’t even know how to make tea.

Just as Silvia was troubled by this, Ash stood up and gave her a wry smile.

“I will make the tea in return for teaching me.”

“S-Sorry.”

“I may not look like it but I am actually good at doing housework. Since I don’t have a father at home, I was always doing some housework like cooking, taking care of my sister and many more when my mother was at work.”

After that, Ash left for the kitchen and he suddenly looked like a reliable person. Even though Silvia had been teaching him from the start, but their roles had changed with just a cup of tea.

After she heard noise coming from the kitchen, Silvia started mumbling to herself:

“If, Ash… If he is that boy… What should I do? No, but… The boy had given Lancelot to me. Thinking back carefully, it is impossible for him to become a Breeder in the first place.”

“-Why do you need to mention Ash?”

Silvia had a shock of her life when she heard another voice.

Eco’s face had suddenly appeared in front of Silvia.

Since her hair was still in a mess, it looked like she had just woken up. But her beauty still remains and it made it seems like her body was glittering.

Although Silvia had always hated to be seen by anyone except Cosette the moment she wake up, but Eco doesn’t seem to mind it.

Suddenly, Silvia felt guilty when she saw Eco. It was probably due to her spending time studying with Ash for the entire morning when Eco was sleeping.

Without knowing what Silvia was thinking, Eco asked innocently:

“Where is he?”

“Aah, he is making tea.”

Eco threw Silvia a sharp glance upon hearing.

“Are the two of you playing when I was sleeping?”

“I-Impossible! He may face retaining a year if I choose not to teach him. That’s the truth! It will really happen if I ‘choose not to teach’! At the same time, isn’t it bad for you as well as his Pal if he was to retain a year?”

Silvia was in a pinch by trying to explain to Eco.

“Hey, Eco. You are finally awake?”

At that moment, Ash appeared from the kitchen holding a tray with the tea set.

“…It is already noon. You better change your clothing.”

Eco immediately turned red as if she doesn’t want anyone to see her in her pyjamas. She hurriedly ran out from the room.

Silvia was anxious about Eco’s behaviour. The past Eco was always arrogant and never get embarrassed from things that a human would. ''Despite that, compared to her past self, Eco looks more feminine. Am I thinking too much?''

“Ash, about Eco… Don’t you think that she is starting to change?”

“Does she? I didn’t notice anything…”

Ash was lying and his face was red from embarrassment. It is impossible for him to not notice when he had been living with Eco under the same roof.

Of course the reason Eco became more feminine was Ash.

''After all the things that had happened, surely Eco was….'' Just when she thought about that, Silvia felt a pain in her chest.

===Part 9===
After eating lunch that was made from whatever there is in the larder, Ash was again studying.

This time, Eco was together with them. Since she was just quietly reading her picture books, she didn’t really cause any problem. However, whenever Silvia leaned forward and her distance with Ash become closer…

“Ahem!”

She would always purposely give a cough as a warning. She then continued with her book and did nothing apart from that.

Eco’s actions were completely different compared to her past self.

Just as what Silvia said, Eco was maturing. What she had just shown was jealousy.

Just yesterday, Ash and Eco were kissing in the room with the broken wall.

Although the location was bad, they both had the urge for each other and in the end, they kissed. It was totally like a dream. Ash’s heart started beating rapidly upon remembering the feeling when their lips touched.

On the other hand, Ash noticed that he was attracted to Silvia.

The Lautreamont Royal Knight Family’s fourth Princess, Silvia. Months before, she was just Ash’s classmate. During that time, she was like an unapproachable being to him. If the him a year ago knew about his situation right now, he would definitely have gotten a great shock.

However, the Aries Dragon Riding Festival had become the turning point where their relationship became closer…

“Ash! Hey, Ash! Are you listening…?”

“Uwaa! S-Sorry, Princess-sama…”

After being scolded, Ash came back to his sense.

“Are you all right? It doesn’t feel like your thought is here.”

Silvia was really worried about him. Turning his head around, Eco too was worried about Ash and took a peek at him.

“About that… Many things happen recently, no?”

“Speaking about that, you were involved in the battle during the Selective Training Camp and in Fontaine City.”

Silvia agreed with him. But her thoughts were in the wrong page compared to Ash’s. However, Ash was thankful that she misunderstood him.

He would never admit that he lost concentration because he was stuck in choosing between Silvia and Eco.

===Part 10===
After three o’clock, it was time for their second tea-time. Since it was boring to drink only red tea, they also took out the biscuits that
they found in the kitchen’s cupboard.

“Erm… Princess-sama, I would like to ask you about the stuffed toy.”

''“*splurt*”''

Suddenly, Silvia spluttered out her red tea.

“Sorry, Princess-sama.”

Ash immediately tried to wipe the table with a tea cloth.

“W-What about the stuffed toy?”

Silvia glared at Ash when she tried to wipe her mouth.

“I mean if it initially belongs to you, how in the world did it came into my possession?”

“How am I to know about that?”

“Then… Do you still remember how do you give it away?”

“That…!”

Suddenly without warning, Silvia was blushing.

“So you did remember. Do you mind me asking?”

“Of course I mind!”

“I see. Then I won’t question you any further.”

Ash understood the situation well and stopped asking but Silvia suddenly stood up.

“Stop! I will tell!”

“Now, which is it?”

“As I said, I will tell you!”

Thus, Silvia started telling the story of the seven year old her attending the Orphan Ceremony in Albion Forest.

===Part 11===
“I was lost in Albion Forest not long after the Orphan Ceremony started. At the same time, my leg was twisted and help was nowhere to be found… Then, I cried.”

“Princess-sama cried?”

Ash was surprised but it made Silvia blushed.

“It was not like I wanted to! I was seven during that time!”

“Haha… Sorry. So, what happened after that?”

“Erm… At that point, a boy who was attending the same ceremony appeared. He gave me a piggyback ride when we continued looking for the
Mother Dragon.”

“Eh…? This is interesting.”

“However, my memories beyond that were fuzzy. Even though I remembered that the Mother Dragon appeared in front of us, I still can’t
recall the specifics. But, I still somehow remembered that the boy rejected Lancelot and gave it to me. If I never met him, I will never be able to become a Dragner. Later, I gave him my toy as a token of thanks to him.”

“Did you not ask his name?”

“During that time, we were busy looking for Mother Dragon… And had forgotten to ask for his name. I bet he never noticed that I am actually a princess.”

Silvia sighed.

“Back to the topic…. Who would expect that a seven year old brat was such a kind person. Could he be Princess-sama’s first love?”

Ash asked casually.

“I-If you have time to ask any idiotic question, you might as well spend your time memorizing a few more words!”

Silvia shouted as if she is going to overturn the dining table. Ash turned quiet in afraid of her menacing look. On the other hand,
another person was giving both of them a sidelong glance-

“….Haa.”

Eco sighed as if she doesn’t have the spirit to care about the two.

"Silvia’s memory~A.S.B.1365.8~" is closed.

<noinclude>

==References and Translation Notes==
<references />

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|-
| Back to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]
| Return to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 1

2014-08-08T05:54:00Z

Valthan: /* Part 11 */

==Chapter 1 - Tragedy of Apollo house and Mirabel's decision==
===Part 1===
''-Don! Don…! Don!''

The sun had just risen but Ash who spent a sleepless night was woken up by a loud knocking sound.

“What in the world…?”

He took that silver watch by his pillow side and noticed that it was just half past six.

After he angrily took a look at the window, he became wide awake.

“Uwaa…!”

There was a huge eye looking through the gaps of the curtain.

It was actually a dragon who was banging its nose against the window.

''-Don! Don… Dododododo!”''

He was worried that it may break the glass.

“Why is a dragon coming to my room!? Could it be another Necromancia attack!?”

So the Empire had finally shown their true colours and started attacking? Ash tried to leave the bed but he was stopped.

“Zzz…”

Eco rolled over and hugged Ash.

Her hair was all over his shoulders and her arms were around his back.

And also her soft face that was on his chest…

''-Mmm…''

Ash was shocked by her sudden nibble.

“Hey, Eco… Please don’t bite that spot.”

Recently, her habit of nibbling had gotten less but she still had not gotten rid of her habit of a young dragon. Moreover, she was nibbling on Ash’s sensitive spot which troubled him.

At that moment, there was a crack on the window.

“This is bad… It is not the right moment to let her continue nibbling.”

Ash carried Eco and they left the bed together. The next thing he knew, the glass was smashed into pieces.

He managed to avoid the glass fragments at the last moment.

At the same time, there were two dragons that were trying to squeeze their heads through the window. Their hard scales protect them from the sharp glass.

By taking a closer look, Ash noticed that one of them was a Maestro while the other was a Hydra. After knowing that he was not attacked by a Necromancia, Ash breathe a sigh of relieve.

“Morning, Ash!”

“Good morning, Ash-sama!”

Finally, he could see the faces of the two riders.

They were the student council secretary Lucca and Jessica of the general affairs. Right beside them were Maestro Gawain and Rhiannon the Hydra.

Ash started to protest after he placed Eco who was still sleeping on the bed.

“Lucca! Jessica! What in the world are both of you doing!?”

Since the time Ash saved Gawain who was in danger of dying, Lucca had become emotionally attached to Ash. In the dragon riding academy, most of the girls are the more aggressive type, it was kind of rare to see someone as quiet as Lucca. The beauty that only an Eckbald possessed was out of this world.

Ash was a little surprised to see Lucca acting rashly. Perhaps she was influenced by Jessica.

“Ash… I hoped that you would come with me to the Eckbald village. I want to introduce you to the village chief, my otou-sama.” <ref>In the raw version, Lucca called her father otou-sama, but the kanji written was foster father.</ref>

Her usual emotionless face had always given Ash a heck lot of trouble.

“Hold on! W-Why must you mention about the chief!?”

“P-Please don’t ask anymore than this.”

Lucca was suddenly blushing.

This time, it was Jessica who pushed Lucca to aside.

Jessica who was usually eyeing at Ash’s sperm, though her actions had always been eccentric, she was still undoubtably one of the few beauties of the academy.

“Ash-sama, I have a request!”

“Hey, wait a minute! This is the third floor! How did a hydra get here…?”

“Well. Climbing wall is not a problem for my Rhiannon.”

“Can’t you sympathize your Pal a little!”

Ash pitied her Pal. Although a Hydra may still be able to move on land, but only when they are in the water they are able to show their true skills. It shouldn’t be its own intention to walk on land. Let alone climbing the walls of the student’s dormitory, which doesn’t seem to fit the actions of a proud dragon.

“Putting that aside, Ash-sama! I am about to leave Ansarivan. What about you? Do you have any plans of returning?”

“Now I remember… today is the start of the holiday.”

-The first day of the month of Leo.

It was the first day of the holidays for Ansarivan Dragon Riding Academy. Since it was a boarding school, most of the student will return to their hometown.

Of course, not all of the students were going back home. There were also a small amount of students that were forced to stay in for the holidays for certain reasons.

Ash was one of them.

“Nope, I am not going home.”

After hearing, Jessica’s facial expression changes.

“What! If that’s the case, I too will stay back here!”

“Uuh… If I don’t return soon… I will be scolded by my otou-sama.”

Compare to Jessica who was in high spirit, Lucca looks sad. Lucca who carry the hopes of all Eckbald with her probably doesn’t have as much freedom as Jessica has.

“Sorry to disappoint you Jessica, but you must return with me.”
[[Image:SnRK v05 044.jpg|thumb]]

Suddenly, there was another voice.

“Rebecca-san!”

Ash shouted.

There was a sweet smell from her red hair being blown by the winds. She looks like a war maiden in the legends when she was riding on Cú Chulainn.

“Sorry for the trouble that this stupid girl from my house had given you. The Randall family will cover the fees for mending the window. The servants fault is also the master’s fault.”

“Now that you mention it… I remember that Jessica was a servant in the Randall family.”

“Just that since she became a Breeder, she had forgotten about her place.”

Rebecca sighed.

“Hmph! Could you stop calling me that? I don’t have the intention of serving the Randall family for my whole life!”

“I never thought of that. You are my important childhood friend. Also, your parents had asked me to take good care of you. That is why I have my duty to bring you back to meet your parents.”

Although her lips were smiling, there was not even a hint of smile in Rebecca’s eyes. After Jessica saw Rebecca’s determination, her elbows dropped in disappointment.

“Haa… I understand. However… I want Ash-sama to see me off!”

Ash gave a wry smile.

“I think that should be alright.”

The moment he answered, Jessica was once again with a big smile. But, she was then blushing and started to mumble.

“T-Then… According to my hometown’s custom…. There should be a parting k-kiss….”

“Hey! Jessica! When does our hometown have such a custom?”

Rebecca exposed Jessica’s lie with a wry smile.

“Hmph! Rebecca! Don’t you know how to look at the atmosphere?”

“I-I too would like you to see me off…”

While Jessica was in rage, Lucca shyly told Ash her wish.

“Of course.”

“T-Then… According to the Eckbald custom…. I want you to give me a princess carry.”

Ash’s heart skipped a beat when he first saw Lucca’s blushing face.

“A-A princess carry!”

Ash was in a fix but Jessica shouted at Lucca:

“Hey! What are you trying to do in this mess! That must be a lie!?”

“Uuh…”

While Lucca turned speechless, the noise that Jessica made had spread throughout the school.

“Hey, can you believe it! The president and Jessica were making a night visit! And the other person… Could she be Lucca Sarlinen the genius girl from the basic class!?”

Suddenly, a huge number of students were gathering outside of the Apollo House. It was something for three girls to be standing on their dragons beside a window of a boy’s dormitory.

To say nothing of Rebecca Randall who was the most popular person in the entire academy, Jessica was also one of the centers of attentions and let alone Lucca with her Yōsei like looks and her skills as a Dragner.

“I-I am just here to have Ash-sama see me off! Nothing else!”

Jessica tried to settle the misunderstanding by shouting towards the direction of the school.

“Hmm! By saying Ash-kun you mean… The Ash-kun who was knighted yesterday!?”

“The knighting ceremony was awesome!”

“I also want him to see me off!”

Right now all the girls were speaking with s shrill voice.

Rebecca gave him a bitter smile while she was enjoying all of this.

“Seems like your popularity had sky rocketed after you became a Dragner.”

“The situation outside… Somehow, it looks frightening.”

“Yeah. I just saw around thirty dragons flying towards this window.”

Rebecca told him the unthinkable news with a calm face.

“Huh!?”

“Sorry, Ash. Though I have many reasons to help you… But if I show my true skills, the girls would suffer some grave injuries.”

“Hol-! Don’t leave me!”

“You should try to solve your own problem if you are a Dragner. Also… If it is alright, I would also want you to see me off.”

“…Eh?”

Unfortunately, Ash was not able to catch everything Rebecca said. Her voice disappeared behind the loud noise from Cú Chulainn flapping its wings.

“Good luck, Ash.”

Lucca too had reluctantly flew off with Gawain.

Right after that, the Apollo House faced a terrible attack.

“Ash-kun! Please see me off!”

“Ash-kun, you might as well come to my home town with me…!”

“Hey! Don’t cut the queue!”

Most of the girls returning were riders of stradas. They were like bats gathering together for food at the window.

But of course it was impossible for thirty riders of stradas to squeeze into the window at the same time.

Soon, they started pushing around.

“P-Please be patient! Calm down! Please calm down!”

Ash was panicking.

Every single roar from the Strada was enough to shake up this entire old building.

“Hey!...How dare you! Ash-sama is my important- Nooooooo!”

Unlike Rebecca or Lucca, Jessica who stayed until the end was finally pushed off the wall together with Rhiannon.

“W-What should I do?”

Ash retreated until his back was facing the wall while he was watching the girls fighting for a spot.

At that moment, Eco who had rolled herself into a ball while she was sleeping had woken up and was rubbing her eyes.

“Hmmm…. What’s all the noise about?”

“You ! How can you still think of sleeping!”

Eco was looking around in confusion. It seems that she wasn’t fully awake yet and wasn’t able to think properly.

Ash shouted with all his might towards the window.

“I beg you! Could you please not make a mess in front of someone else’s window! I promise to see off every single one of you!”

Too bad for him, his voice was not received by them.

Suddenly, Ash had a bad feeling.

“I couldn’t be…”

His entire body was shivering in fear. Since some time ago, the wall facing the outside was creaking. It appears that the Stradas were putting pressure on it.

“It is dangerous to stay here! Lets run Eco!”

“Huh…! Could you care to explain!”

“Later!”

Ash was running with Eco on his hands.

He ran out through the door and out to the corridor.

Just when he was sliding along the floor…

''-Creak…! Eeeeekkkk……. !Do--------------n!''

The next moment, there was a loud explosion.

Ash cautiously took a peek through the cracks on the door while trembling. All he sees was dust flying around and even the corridor was affected.

''“*Cough *!*Cough *!”''

While covering up Eco who was coughing, Ash waited until the dust had settled down.

Just moments later-

After the dust had cleared up, what Ash saw was a clear sky.

The morning rays were shining at the disastrous room.

The wreckage of the wall was all over his room. It was a painful sight.

Right now, with the wall that was facing the academy and the window destroyed, his room looked like a doll house that can be seen from the outside.

“Err… Eco, am I dreaming?”

“I think so?”

Ash and Eco were looking at the room with their mouths wide open.

===Part 2===
Ash was brought to the director’s office on the first day of the holiday.

As for those girls who were the culprit, it seems that they had ran back home as soon as possible. That is why Ash who was the victim was summoned.

“I see… Now I understand what had happened.”

Mirabel who was acting as the director replied coldly and drank from her cup of tea.

The room was full of the smells of bergamot and the tea.

Just like a robot, Mirabel’s face was emotionless the entire time. ''Does this princess even have the thing known as feelings…?'' Ash thought.

“The academy will take responsibility for mending the wall. Just some time before, I had asked the builders of this city and they estimated that they will be able to complete it in around two weeks time.”

“Really…! Thank you very much!”

Ash was grateful that she was able to deal with this situation without delay.

“The problem is… During the renovation, where am I to place you and Eco.”

“I see…”

“Can you borrow a room from any of your friends?”

“I don’t think that would be possible…”

Unfortunately, Max and Raymond had gone home. For Ash who doesn’t have many friends, these were the’ only two friends that he could rely on. Although there was an option of using it without asking for their permissions, but Ash couldn’t bring himself to do it.

''-Bang!''

The door behind him was opened with a slam.

The next time he knew, Silvia and Eco was right beside him.

“How much longer are the two of you going to keep on talking!? Can’t you just give us a new room!”

Eco was pointing at Mirabel in anger.

“Anee-ue! Why do you call for Ash! That incident was caused by a few girls! It had nothing to do with Ash! Aren’t you treating him like the culprit!?”

Silvia on the other hand was trying to speak up for Ash.

“Where are your manners? Don’t you know that it is rude to walk into a room without knocking? You won’t be given special treatment even if you are the descendant of the Avalon Holy Dragons Emperor’s family or my sister. “

Mirabel glared at both of them coldly.

“I am sorry… Anee-ue.”

Silvia stood still on her ground as if she had turned into a stone.

On the other hand, Eco was trying to intimidate Mirabel by showing her sharp teeth.

“Hey you!... How dare you act like that even when you know that I am Avalon’s holy dragons' emperor family's Imperial Princess! Why don’t I try crushing the castle the next time? If I show you my true self, one or two Fontaine Place won’t…”

“Idiot! Stop spurting nonsense!”

Ash’s face was pale white when he was scolding Eco.

Since that incident, the Knight’s government took Eco as a threat. As long as there is the possibility that Mirabel was here to keep an eye on Eco, they have to be careful with their own words.

But to his surprise, Eco calm down with just a single shout.

She turned her head around with her face blushing.

“I-I will listen to you… Just this time.”

Ash was taken aback from seeing Eco making such an expression for the first time. Just as he had expected, it was that transformation that had made a change of her heart. Although the gentle Eco looked a lot cuter, at the same time, it was also a little confusing.

“Ahem!”

Mirabel tried clearing her throat, returning everyone’s attention back to her.

“Silvia, you came at the right moment. Right now you are staying in the royal room in the Epona House right?”

“…What about it?”

Silvia was surprised.

“Until the renovation in the boy’s dormitory had been completed, Ash Blake and young dragon Eco will stay in your room for the time being.”

“What!”

“I won’t repeat for a second time. This is an order from your sister. You are not allowed to have any objections.”

Naturally, Silva was enraged.

“What do you mean by this! This is against our family motto where ‘A knight shouldn’t carelessly touch another of the opposite sex’!”

“Hmm… Funny but I remember that I said to let Ash Blake and young dragon Eco stay in your room. When did I ever mention about touching Ash?”

“T-That…!”

Right at this moment, even Silvia’s earlobes were red.

“Right now, if I were to mention the family motto that you love so much, ‘A knight should help those who are in need’. Am I wrong?”

After she replied coldly, Mirabel looked like she had lost interest in the case regarding Ash. She kept on looking at the tea cup on her hand.

“I am done with you- What a pain, now a good cup of tea had turned cold.”

===Part 3===
Rebecca and Jessica had returned to the land ruled by the Randalls.

Lucca on the other hand had returned to her village.

After seeing them off, Ash and Eco once again returned to his room on the third floor of the Apollo House.

They once again looked at the disastrous room.

A bed full of glass fragments.

A floor full with the remains of the wall.

And the disorganized furniture.

With the wall gone, the room became bright and windy. Looking down from above was a few curious onlookers. When their eyes came into contact with Ash’s, everyone scattered.

“Haa… First of all, I think we should try cleaning up a little. It is better to make it look a little more cheerful before the renovation starts.”

Turning around, Ash noticed that Eco was sulking.

“What’s wrong, Eco?”

“Hey. Do you really want to stay in Silvia’s room?”

“It is not like I have a choice. It was an order from Princess Mirabel. It seems that even Princess-sama did not dare to go against her.”

“I… I hate it.”

“What’s the matter? You don’t look like your usual self. Well, if we stay at Princess-sama’s room, we may be able to eat Cosette’s delicious homemade cooking.”

“That’s not the point! And also, I am not someone who thinks about food for an entire day!”

Eco's face was red with anger and embarrassment.

“Is it… Sorry then.”

“It is fine if you understand. Anyway, just if you try to do something weird to Silvia… I will be sure to crush you!”

Eco was glaring at Ash.

“What do you mean by something weird!?”

With her ears fully red, Eco told Ash embarrassedly:

“T-To make it simple…. It is those perverted stuffs.”

“W-What are you even thinking!”

Ash stood still on his ground. He never expected Eco to speak of such a word. It kind of surprised him.

“Even I knew about those stuffs… Don’t look down on me just because I am a young dragon.”

“Could the source of information be…. The Dragweiss?”

“…Some of them were from there, but most of them were from the picture books that Cosette lent me.”

“Hold on! Are they really… Just picture books!?”

In order to teach her the importance of aesthetic sensibility, Cosette had lent her picture books and books for children. For that, Ash was grateful for Cosette.

However, there was a possibility that she mixed some books with adult content in them into the pile of picture books she had given to Eco.

“Anyhow, she is still this country’s princess. What you are worrying about will never happen, rest assured.”

''In the worst possible case, I will be beheaded…'' Ash thought secretly.

“A-Alright… I understand.”

Once again, Eco was smiling and she looked at the room around her.

“Then… What can I do to help you?”

“You are trying to help?”

“What? Is it weird for me to help?”

“Definitely not weird, but rare. Ain’t it always me who complete the house work?”

“A-About that… It doesn’t seem like I have a choice. I am a dragon. I don’t really understand how a human acts. But… I just feel like helping for today… Can’t I!?”

Eco puffed up her rosy coloured cheeks and stared at Ash.

“Why not? I even want to thank you.”

Ash gave a wry smile and tried to pat her head.

But, Eco immediately dodge to a side.

“No! You mustn’t touch!”

“Sorry… I didn't know that you dislike it this much.”

“N-No! It is okay it you are just patting, but you mustn’t touch my horns. If they were just slightly touched, I… will turn weird. I felt like floating in the air when they were touched...”

Ash could calm down after seeing Eco’s face when she tried to explain her feelings.

“I understand. I promise I won’t touch your horns.”

Ash carefully patted Eco’s head.

Her pink hair was fluffy and it gave his palm a nice feeling.

“Nn…”

Even when she was a dragon, Eco was smiling and shrugging her neck like what a cat would do.

Her innocent smile had grabbed Ash’s attention.

To be precise, it was her flower bud like lips.

His heart was beating rapidly.

This was actually the second time he had such a feeling.

The first time was when Eco said that she won’t be satisfied with just being a Pal in the guest room in Fontaine Palace.

“…”

Eco probably felt the change in the atmosphere too and her body suddenly tense up. Perhaps she too was also thinking about the scenario in the Fontaine Palace.

In a short while, just like that time, Eco closes her eyes.

She also tried to purse her lips.

Ash also noticed that her long eyelashes were also trembling.

''-Eco…!''
[[Image:SnRK v05 060.jpg|thumb]]

He suddenly remembered the word ‘beloved Pal’ in the knighting ceremony.

During that time, Ash was only saying the standard pledge.

But this was totally different.

His feeling of love to Eco was born from deep in his heart. A feeling that could be explained using something as simple as the relation of a Breeder and its Pal had grown.

Right now, they don’t need any words.

Ash placed both his hands on Eco’s shoulders and he closes their distance slowly.

A sweet smell was surrounding them which made him dizzy.

Right now, he felt as if his heart was going to explode.

They were now at a distance where their nose could easily touch each other.

Eco felt like being pierced through by the sunlight while she was waiting for Ash.

Ash made up his mind and closed his eyes.

And then- he kissed Eco on her lips.

===Part 4===
“~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~!”

Since their kiss, Eco had been working silently with her back facing Ash the entire time.

It seemed that she was too embarrassed to even look at Ash in the face.

And of course, it was the same for Ash.

Ash felt as if his face was a ball of fire.

Although the two of them at a first glance seemed to be dusting the room, there was actually zero progress. What they were doing was only messing up the already messed up room.

''-What should I do? What should I say at times like this?''

Just when Ash was anxious in trying to find the right words…

“Uwaaa…! Cute!”

Eco turned around and showed Ash a round object.

“Isn’t this cute? Where did you find this stuffed toy?”

At that moment, Ash felt something was pricking at the back of his neck. It made him wonder what it was.

The stuffed toy that Eco was holding seems to be a dragon. Strictly speaking, its face was clumsily done.

Furthermore, it's round body made it looks nothing like a majestic dragon.

However, Eco seemed to take it as cute, and it made her forget about what had just happened previously.

“Err… Actually I don’t remember much about that when it came into my possession. No matter how I look at it, looked just like a girl’s toy. It is probably not me who bought it.”

It was thanks to the toy that Ash was once again able to speak to Eco normally.

“Hmm… Strange.”

Eco was carrying the stuffed toy while she whipped off the dust on it.

“Hmm… When I move to Ansarivan, I just took it with me without any reason. Perhaps there is a great meaning behind it was what I thought. Actually… There is a blank in my childhood memory.”

“… A blank in your memories?”

Eco was surprised.

“Aah. It was right about when I had my seventh birthday when I visited Albion Forest for the Orphan Ceremony. I just can’t recall my memories during that time.”

“Isn’t that… The time when Mother Dragon bestowed me to you?”

“It seems so.”

“How come you can’t remember such an important event?”

Ash shrunk when he saw Eco start to get mad. Just like how they were finally able to speak normally, Eco’s temper had also returned.

“To be frank, I know nothing of it myself. It was just that I had a hunch that this toy had something to do with my lost memories and that’s the reason why I was reluctant to throw it away. However, because of the recent events, I totally forgot about it.”

“Then, can I keep it?”

Ash was taken by surprised.

“What do you mean by keeping it?”

“It is just like what I had said. Don’t you think it is sad for such a cute being to be left forgotten? I will take the trouble to take care of this kid.”

“How can you take care of it when it isn’t even a living being? Argh, whatever suits you then.”

“Really!?”

Eco was full of excitement.

“Well, I don’t really mind.”

“That's great!”

Eco was so happy that she felt that she could even fly. She then rubbed the stuffed toy with her cheeks.

Followed by that, she cuddled it like what a mother would do to her baby.

Suddenly, she spoke of something that surprised Ash.

“This somehow looked like our baby…”

Eco suddenly stopped speaking before she could even finish her sentence. She the glared at Ash with eyes looking as if they were on fire.

“You heard anything?”

“No, nothing at all.”

Ash spoke with a serious look on his face.

“T-That’s right! N-Nothing happened! Nothing happened at all!”

As if her head was exploding in flames, Eco carried the toy and dashed out from the room.

“Actually, I heard every single word…”

Just as Ash was murmuring with his body also feeling as it was engulfed by fire…

“Sorry to interrupt, Ash-sama.”

Suddenly, there was a woman’s voice coming from behind.

“Uwaa!”

He noticed that it was Cosette after he turned around. She seemed to be wearing the same palace design maid attire today. She then gave a polite bow.

“Cosette-san! How did you get in?”

“To enter such an airy room is like a child’s play to me.”

Cosette smiled before she turned around to look at the blue sky.

“That couldn’t be… This is the third floor! Putting that aside, why are you here?”

“I am here to meet you and Eco-chan. Had you forgotten about Princess Mirabel, Her Highness’s decision?”

Of course, it was impossible for him to forget about it to begin with. However, he still felt a little reluctant.

“Actually, can’t we reconsider about this? Putting Eco aside, don’t you think that it is wrong for a guy like me to enter Epona House where guys are not allowed?”

“For your own sake, I would advise you to follow her decision. Do you know what Princes Mirabel was also known as?”

“No… Nothing comes to mind at all.”

“Her nick name is actually Argento Magus. If we can describe Princess Veronica as a fighter, then Princess Mirabel is a thinker. Compare to Veronica, there were certain things that would made Mirabel a tougher opponent. Please be sure to be prepared mentally, Ash-sama.”

Ash sighed after he heard everything.

“…I understand. Please let me take some belongings like my pillow and clothes with me…”

“Alright then, meanwhile, I will try searching for Eco.”

Eco had not yet return since the moment she ran out from the room.

“Thank you. I think she should be somewhere around the dorm.”

“Huhu. That will be a simple task.”

Cosette ran towards the door nimbly while avoiding the disorganized furniture, but then she suddenly stopped and turned around to face Ash.

“By the way, Ash-sama.”

“What’s the matter?”

When Ash lifted his face, he saw Cosette’s face full of red. Ash was staring at her since it was rare to see her who was always calm to be blushing.

Although she always stayed hidden behind Silvia’s shadow, she actually looked quite beautiful.

With her right hand on her cheeks, she sighed.

Then she said something outrageous.

“Ash-sama and Eco-chan’s kiss looked very innocent indeed.”

“Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

This time, it was Ash’s turn to be blushing.

“D-Don’t, Don’t tell me that you saw everything!?”

“It totally felt like an opera show. You looked so cute when you kiss without even needing any words to understand each other. My god, isn’t that wonderful? Didn't Eco-chan also look cute when she was waiting to receive your kiss?”

“I beg you, please stop saying anymore than this! It is embarrassing!”

Right now, Ash felt like he was sitting on a mountain of needles.

Cosette, too, had also seemed to realize that she over did it, and replied with a playful smile.

“Rest assured, I won’t tell Princess-sama any of this.”

“How is Princeass-sama related to this!?”

“Hmm… I wonder… Huhu…”

Cosette left the room with her sentence ending with her laughter.

===Part 5===
The moment Ash finished gathering all his basic daily needs, Cosette was back with Eco. Together, the three of them marched towards Epona House.

Although it was around evening, the sun was still high up in the sky.

After passing through a grove of mixed trees, they were welcomed by a stern looking gate.

Even the cicada had stopped making noise.

Although they were just walking, they were all full of sweat.

By taking a peek beside, Eco looked as if she was suffering from the heat of the high summer temperature. She looked like a Hydra who was looking for water on dry land.

Compared to Ash, Eco was only carrying her stuffed toy.

On the other hand, Cosette didn’t even break a sweat.

“We have arrived.”

She turned around and smiled at both Ash and Eco.

Through the gate, they could see a garden that was separated into two halves by the walkway. It must have been well tended by a good gardener. Even Ash who doesn’t have any interest in gardening was amazed by it.

At the back of the garden stood an elegant looking building.

That was Epona House, the dormitory for advance class girls.

“We have finally arrived…”

Ash placed his baggage which was full of daily needs and clothing on the ground.

''How long does it actually take to walk here from Apollo House…'' Ash couldn’t be bothered to even think about it.

This dragon riding academy where human and dragons coexist had a very large land area.

In it, there were numerous classes, a church, a lecture hall, a library, a canteen, seven dragon houses, four dormitories, a sports ground… It even included an arena that was used during events.

Although there was the shopping district and the housing are beyond the school walls, compared to the size of the academy, they just looked like extras. That's the reason why Ansarivan was called an academic city.

Putting that aside, the distance between the boys dormitory and the girls dormitory must had been arranged on purpose by the academy.

“Please enter.”

Cosette pushed open the heavy looking gate and welcomed both of them in.

===Part 6===
On the top most floor of Epona House was the room of royal use.

It looked like a high class hotel suite and it even had a large space.

Apart from a heater in the living room, there was also a dining room, a study room, bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, etc. In a room that has everything, it looked as if it was another world compared to the normal student’s room.

Silvia was walking up and down around her room alone, worrying endlessly.

“Argh! What’s wrong with me! Why couldn’t I calm down! Even my family motto stated that ‘Always stay calm, especially in a pinch’!”

Even though she wasn’t even in a pinch, Silvia couldn’t stop worrying. It was about time for Cosette to arrive with Ash and Eco.

“That’s it!”

Silvia stopped in her tracks for a moment and then she dashed into the makeup room and stood in front of a mirror.

She applied a thin layer of makeup on her face.

She tried combing her hair many times.

Her clothing and accessories were chosen by Cosette.

She put on her camisole, a skirt with two layers of frills, her panty socks and a necklace made from bright dragon crystals that acted as jewels.

In front of the mirror, she was just like her usual…. No, she was at least twice as more beautiful than she usually was.

Silvia turned red when she realized how beautiful she was.

“Why would I dress myself up! It is alright by just sticking to what I usually do!”

Ash was about to arrive.

Until the boy’s dormitory was done with its renovation, Ash was going to stay here for two weeks.

Her hearts started to beat rapidly from thinking about it.

“This feeling… It is that same feeling as ''that time…''”

Silvia recalled her memories.

Around the time of her seventh birthday, she met a boy in Albion Forest.

''“Why? Why would I have this feeling of returning to the time when I was seven years old whenever I think about Ash…?”''

Silvia suddenly regained her senses.

“Stop! Stop! Stop! Doesn’t this mean that I am looking forward for him to arrive!? Right… I should change back into my normal clothing…”
[[Image:SnRK v05 006.jpg|thumb|'' ''…!'' Silvia immediately snapped out from the confusion. She just remembered that right now, she was only wearing her undergarments. '']]

Silvia left the makeup room and entered the living room. She swiftly removed all her clothing except for her undergarments. She then walked along the corridor towards the changing room.

Suddenly, the door opened right in front of her eyes.

“Princess-sama, we had returned.”

Cosette walked in with a smile.

“Princess-sama!?”

Ash was standing right behind Cosette with his eyes wide opened. ''Why is his face red? Is it because of the heat?''

“…!”

Silvia immediately snapped out from the confusion. She just remembered that right now, she was only wearing her undergarments.

“Kyaaaaaaaaaaa!”

Silvia ran and hid behind the door while screaming at the top of her voice.

===Part 7===
“Hey you! Just until when are you going to keep on staring!”

“Ouch!”

Ash came back to his sense after he was stomped on the leg by Eco.

Just when he had stepped in through the grand entrance, he was greeted by Silvia in only her undergarments. The white coloured lace will forever be imprinted in his mind.

''By the way, why was Silvia wearing only those?'' No matter how hot the weather can be, it doesn’t suit her image.

“I am going to check on Princess-sama. Could the both of you wait here for a moment, please?”

With a happy smile on her face, Cosette disappeared into the corridor. In just a moment-

“No. This definitely doesn’t look natural.”

“No no. It definitely fits you well.”

“But… Won’t this make me look like I am looking forward to their arrival?”

“Huh? Aren’t you?”

Their entire conversation was heard by Ash.

“Come on! This is a disgrace! How dare they make a dragon wait by the entrance!”

Eco who was standing right beside Ash was enraged. The toy that she had with her which had a carelessly made face was further squashed by Eco’s abnormal strength.

Ash pitied the toy. If this continued to keep on, Ash would probably be the next victim.

“Sorry for the wait.”

Just when Ash was about to be surrounded by his fear, Cosette had returned to the entrance with Silvia who was hiding right behind her.

Ash’s heart skipped a beat when he saw Silvia’s clothing. It gave a completely different feel compare to the school uniform that she usually wears. A lot of her skin was exposed from wearing the camisole. It had totally grabbed his attention.

“Please come in.”

Ash regained his sense after he heard Cosette’s voice.

“S-Sorry for the intrusion.”

In opposite to Ash, Eco was looking around the room with a hint of worry.

“Even so… You are just a Princess of the Royal Knight’s Family and you get to have such a great room?”

Perhaps she was mad from being asked to wait at the entrance, Eco was saying anything that would sooth her anger.

In truth, even Ash was amazed by the room itself. Just the entrance itself is wider than Ash’s room. There were even expensive looking pictures along the wall and carvings of dragons.

“Please don’t be mad. This room was specially made for the royals, it would be natural if Princess-sama is staying here.”

Ash tried to calm her down.

“But, I am also a Princess of the dragons! Why would there be such a large difference in our treatment!?”

“It is not like I want to stay in this room either!”

Silvia tried to speak up for herself even when she was being threatened by Eco.

“I even tried telling the academy to let me have the same treatment as the rest of the students, but they never listen…”

Suddenly, Silvia stood still on her ground. There was not even a slightest movement.

“Princess-sama… What’s wrong? You don’t look good.”

Ash was worried about her but she didn’t reply.

She kept on staring at the stuffed toy that Eco was carrying with her with her ice blue eyes.

Silvia then suddenly leaped towards Eco and grabbed her shoulders.

“Eco! Can you tell me how did that toy fall into your possession?”

Eco became confused.

“I-It has nothing to do with you.”

“Please tell me! This is very important!”

Silvia shouted loudly.

“… I picked it up.”

Eco mumbled when she turned her head to aside. It seemed that she did not want to tell Silvia that it was a gift from Ash. Ash was wondering on why she would be insisting on it.

“You picked it up? When? Where?”

Silvia was being persistent.

“Come on! Why do I need to tell you?”

Eco lost her patience and roared.

“…Why can’t you tell me?”

“T-That’s because… I don’t have the obligation to tell you.”

“Now I see, you are playing dumb… It seems I must resolve to this.”

Suddenly, Silvia leaped towards Eco with both of her hands stretched out.

“Hey!... Don’t joke with me!”

Eco dodged with the toy in her arms.

With the royal room as the stage, the two of them started running around like a bunch of kids. In just a blink of an eye, both of them
disappeared behind a door.

“Err… What is this all about?”

Ash who was left behind turned around and questioned Cosette.

“Cosette-san?”

To his surprised, Cosette too was transfixed on her own spot. It was rare to see her making a face like that.

Cosette then regained her sense after being called out to by Ash and started explaining.

“I just remember about it… I fear that that stuffed toy…. Is an important treasure to Princess-sama during her childhood.”

Ash was surprised by her answer.

“Wait a moment! That shouldn’t be possible! There should be many more stuffed toys with the same design, no?”

Cosette answered calmly.

“No. There isn’t. That toy is the one and only in this world. It was a limited edition item. It was actually made from a famous artist from Chevron Kingdom called Leonard De Mirabeau and was given to the five year old Princess-sama.”

“Really? That clumsily made toy is…”

“That’s not it… Its weird look was actually Mirabeau-sama’s style. Didn’t people usually say that there was only a silver line that separates a genius and a madman? If that stuffed toy was bought to an antique auction… It should be priced at five million Eccles at minimum.”

Cosette told him the shocking truth with a straight face.

“Five million…!”

Ash turned speechless.

His face had turned pale.

''-Five million Eccles!''

Ash couldn’t even imagine that amount of money. He just knew that he won’t be able to finish it by living the rest of his days enjoying life. He never knew that such a treasure was hidden in his closet.

“W-We should try stopping them first!”

Ash started searching for them in the huge room.

===Part 8===
“Finally! You won’t be able to escape!”

Eco who ran into Silvia’s room was now like a rat in the bag. There was only one exit and the windows were too high to jump from since this was the top most floor.

“Tsk… You are being persistent!”

Eco backed off to the wall and like a mother protecting her child, she tried to intimidate Silvia.

For one moment, Silvia was awed by her beauty, but the next instant, she roared:

“You haven’t told me anything yet! I just want to know how this toy came into your possession!”

“Why would you even want to know!?”

“T-That… I had my own reasons! Please, Eco!”

“Hmph… I had mine too. I will never tell you, only you!”

Both of them were glaring at each other without any intention of backing off.

Silvia realized that whatever she said was useless.

“Now you have done it. Although it is not to my liking… I must resolve this by force.”

“What! Who do you think I am! See that if you can do it!”

“Fine with me!”

Silvia leaped forward without mercy.

Although she must avoid Eco’s abnormal strength, Eco’s actions had always been straight forward and were always easy to read.

On the other hand, apart from the Drag Arts, Silvia had mastered many more fighting styles. It is a normal thing to do for someone who was born in the Lautreamont Royal Knight’s Family.

After struggling on the ground like brats, Silvia came out as the winner.

“Now you have been captured!”

Silvia was pressing Eco’s tiny body on the floor and without giving her a chance to fight back, she rode on Eco.

“Tsk… Let me go!”

“Is there any idiot in this world that would move off once they are being asked to?”

The winner had been decided. Even when Eco had her abnormal strength, she could never be able to beat Silvia.

But, there was a reason why Silvia could beat her easily.

Eco had never let go of the stuffed toy even after she was pressed down against the floor. If Eco would just let go of that toy, the fight could still drag on. No, it could even be Silvia who was pressed down against the floor.

“Please, Eco! This is not an order. Although it was not a long time since the day I met you, I always think you as a friend. That is why… Could you please tell me?”

Just when Silvia was begging Eco with a trembling voice…

“Eco! Princess-sama!”

The door opened with a bang and Ash came running in.

Silvia turned around to look at Ash while she was pressing Eco down against the floor.

“Hold on, Ash! I never have the intention to harm Eco! I just want to ask Eco about it… no matter what!”

“But, Princess-sama doesn’t act like the usual you. Even so, Eco is my Pal, I won’t forgive anyone who try to harm her, even if it is Princess-sama.”

After Ash murmured sadly, he showed her his left arm.

Silvia knew that he had his abnormally large Seikoku covered in a bandage.

“Your Seikoku…?”

Silvia was in lost of words.

The Seikoku under the bandage was obviously blinking with glowing lights. That was a signal given when the Pal was in danger.

For example, even though Silvia did not have any intentions of harming Eco, but Eco felt that she was in danger and sent the signal to her owner Ash for help…

“Sorry, Eco… I am really sorry. I am in the wrong for scaring you…. But, I have my own reasons. Please, Eco! Please tell me for the sake of our friendship!”

Silvia was forcing out an answer from Eco.

“…Eco?”

Eco did not reply. Just as Silvia became confused, Eco was surrounded by a glowing light.

“Hey, Eco! What’s wrong?”

Eco still did not reply. Right now, Eco was like a doll, showing no expression.

Even her eyes seemed to be reflecting nothing.

“Urgh…!”

The next instant, Silvia was being blasted of by a strong wind.

“Princess-sama!”

Followed by Ash’s shout, Silvia’s back bang against the wall. She almost couldn’t breathe because of it.

===Part 9===
“Princess-sama!”

Just when Ash was trying to help Silvia out, Cosette arrived.

“I will take care of Princess-sama. Ash-sama, go help Eco-chan! This is no laughing matter!”

Cosette’s voice seemed to be more serious and nervous than usual.

“Understood!”

Ash ran straight towards Eco.

His Seikoku started to hurt.

He remembered that feeling.

He had the similar feeling when Eco was awaken in the capital, Fontaine.

Although the pain was not as strong as that time, Ash knew that this was the sign before her transformation into a dragon.

Eco stood up slowly with the cute stuffed toy dropping on the floor.

Strictly speaking, she was not standing.

There was a gap in between her feet and the floor.

She was actually floating…!

Her limbs were now surrounded by the mysterious light that was so bright that they could not look at it directly.

However, Ash continued to move forward.

“Stop, Eco! If you are to be awaken here…”

In the worst possible case, this Epona House will be destroyed. No, it could even be related to the city’s survivability…

Eco had long been labeled as an element of danger by many countries’s government. The reason why Mirabel was sent to become the academy’s director was to keep an eye on Eco.

''If she is to transform into a dragon right now…!''

Ash moved forward without giving any thought and hugged Eco.

A huge amount of magic was flowing out from her tiny body. If he had been careless, he would even be swallowed by the magic and lost consciousnesss.

Ash shouted with all his might into Eco’s ears.

“Get a grip of yourself! I…I like the way you are now! It is okay if you just stay as you are! You don’t have to force yourself to change into your true self!”

It seems that Ash’s words had gotten through and the magic that was surrounding Eco had disappeared. Even the lights were no longer there. Ash’s Seikoku too had stopped responding.

“We are saved…”

Ash breathe a sigh of relieves.

“…Huh?”

Eco blinked her eyes in surprise and murmured.

“What had I done…? Why are you…?”

Realizing that she was in Ash’s arms, Eco leaped off from Ash’s arms with her face red in embarrassment.

===Part 10===
“I am sorry for what had happened just now. I-I never thought that you were so much against it…. No I shouldn’t make any excuses. A knight must admit his own faults. I deeply apologize!”

After the group had sat on a dining table in the living room, Silvia apologized to Eco sincerely.

“Hmph… I guess this should be sufficient.”

Silvia’s eagerness to apologize by bowing her head had started to confuse Eco. Even though she still continued to puff up her checks in protest, but at least she had accepted Silvia’s apology. Ash who noticed it breathe a sigh of relieves.

“…Since everything had been settled, please allow me to ask. How did that stuffed toy came into your possession?”

Silvia’s words had cause Eco to be enraged again.

“Ha!? You….. Just apologize and yet you still want to ask!?”

“I apologize for resolving this matter by force. I promise that this time, I won’t try questioning you by force. But in return, I will keep on asking until you answer me. Remember, I will keep on asking.”

Silvia was quite stubborn. She even smiled towards Eco with her face full of confidence.

“I can’t believe it…”

Eco sighed.

“Sorry, Eco-chan.”

At that moment, Cosette returned from the kitchen with a silver tray full of snacks and tea.

“That toy that Eco-chan was holding right now… It probably belongs to Princess-sama a long time ago.”

“How can it be…?”

Whilst she was surprised, Eco took a bite on the vanilla flavoured crepe that Cosette handed to her. If it was the usual Eco, she would definitely shout out ‘Delicious!’ on the first bite, but right now, she was with a serious looks. As expected, even Eco couldn’t enjoy her favorite food properly.

“What Cosette said is true. That toy is definitely an important thing to me during my childhood.”

Silvia spoke calmly as if she was trying to teach a child who knew nothing.

“Ha!? That’s impossible! I understand none of these!”

Eco placed her half eaten crepe back on her plate. Ash was surprised that she prioritized the argument before her crepe.

“I knew it the moment I saw it. There is only one of this stuffed toy in the whole world. It is a very important toy.”

“How can you have such confidence!?”

“You don’t even know the worth of that toy. Anyone who knows its worth would recognize it on their first sight.”

“Arrrrrggh! That explanation is totally unacceptable!”

''Eco was once again enraged, but at least Silvia knew her limit. Thanks to that, the atmosphere did not turn out to be any worse than this…'' Ash secretly thought.

“Come on you two…”

Cosette was obviously not at all troubled. She seems to be enjoying this.

“Haa… It seems like I don’t have a choice.”

Ash sighed.

“Please listen carefully, Princess-sama. That stuffed toy was in my closet. I gave it to Eco since she seems to like it.”

“Hey! Why did you tell that to her!?”

Eco was scolding Ash with her face red.

“What else can I do? If I leave it to both of you, the same thing will continue onwards again and again.”

“I… want this to be a secret between the both of us.”

Eco’s mumbling caught Ash’s attention.

“What did you say?”

“N-Nothing! I don’t even know you!”

Eco averted her face in anger. ''Why must she get angry...?'' Ash wondered.

On the other hand, Silvia was staring at Ash.

“Ash… you said that this toy was in your closet?”

“That seems to be the case.”

Ash shrugged his shoulders.

“Actually, I am not really clear about it. Believe me or not, there was a blank in my memories… I don’t even know how it came into my possession. I don’t even know about its worth if not because of Cosette.”

Silvia was staring at Ash so intently almost as if she was going to pierce a hole in his forehead. She then asked a weird question.

“When is your birthday?”

“Huh? The third on the month of Aries… What about that?”

After Ash answered honestly, Cosette spoke in surprise:

“Oh, what a coincidence. It seems that Princess-sama was also born in the month of Aries. By the way, hers is in the seventh.”

“Hmm… That’s the first time I had heard of it.”

“Huhu… So Ash-sama is the bigger brother by four days.”

“T-That… isn’t it…”

“Ash!”

Silvia suddenly leaned against him. Ash could see her breast that was covered by the thin cloth of the summer clothes.

“Princess-sama?”

“Even though this may seems abrupt, but do you still remember the date you went for the Orphan Ceremony?”

“Err… I don’t really remember about the details, but it shouldn’t be far away from my seventh birthday. Since my hometown was at a far away village, I started my journey when I was still six. I remembered that I had my seventh birthday in a horse carriage.”

Once they reach the age of seven, every citizen of the Knight Country must visit Albion Forest.

For Ash, if he had departed after his seventh birthday, he would never be able to arrive at Albion Forest in a month time.

“By the way, does the date I went for the Orphan Ceremony matter?”

“…No, Nothing. I have something that I want to discuss with Cosette. Please stay here for the moment.”

Silvia suddenly stood up and dragged Cosette by the hand with her.

“What a weird Princess.”

Ash took a drink from the cup of red tea.

===Part 11===
After Silvia entered the makeup room, with an ‘Ahem’, she cleared her throat.

“What do you want to talk about, Princess-sama?”

“About that…”

“It doesn’t seem like something easy.”

Since she had been with Silvia for quite some time, Cosette immediately knew what she was thinking.

“Aah… That’s right.”

“I will do everything you tell me to if it is in my ability to do so. If the situation required, I could even be Princess-sama’s limbs or even your shield… That’s my duty.”

Silvia made up her mind and told her wish.

“Actually, I want you to return to the palace and investigate the name list of the children who went to the orphan ceremony at the same day as me. This should be an easy one for you, no?”

However, Cosette told Silvia something out of her imagination.

“The records of the Orphan Ceremony is the country’s top secret. Even if you are a Princess, you will be breaching the law by trying to investigate it.”

“Then, your duty would be to avoid it. Please, I could only put my hopes on you. With your ability, reading top secret documents should not be a problem, right?”

“That doesn’t sound nice, Princess-sama. The ability that I only knew of was an ancient technique that was passed down in the Shelly’s family and some spying technique. All of them were used to protect the Lautreamont family.”

“I understand that, but…!”

Silvia grabbed her shoulders and looked at Cosette with her puppy eyes.

“Of course I will do it if this is your order. But, what will you do if Ash-sama is really that boy?”

Silvia’s face almost burst out in flames.

“I-I just want to know about it! That’s right, I only want to know about the truth!”

Cosette gave a wry smile.

“Hmm… Putting that aside, during the time when I am not in, when the night comes and Eco had slept, aren’t '''the two of you''' alone together?”

“When the night comes…. The two of us…!?”

This time, steam emerged from her ears. Her heart was beating none stop.

“W-W-What are you talking about! Don’t you have any shame! How shameless! I…I believe that Ash is not someone insolent! That is why there is no point behind your question!”

Silvia snapped and Cosette nodded.

“I too had the same feeling.”

“Then why bother asking!”

Cosette smiled and took out something. It was a stack of paper held together by a paper clip.

“What’s that?”

“Huhu… A copy of ‘Shelley family’s secret. A recipe to make men dream’. Although I want to use it during this summer to teach Princess-sama some cooking… But this is a good chance to try it. Although Princess-sama don’t have any actual experience, but isn't this a good chance to show your cooking skills to Ash-sama?”

Silvia felt as if her body was on fire.

“Hold on! W-W-Why must I show Ash my cooking skills?”

“If I am not mistaken, The Lautreamont Family Motto did mention that ‘to shoot a general you must first shoot his horse’, am I right?”

“What does it had to do with this?”

“In the Shelley’s Family Motto, there is something like this: ‘To get the man you like, you must first fill his stomach’.”

“What kind of family motto is that!?”

“Huhu… When Ash-sama’s stomach is empty, and Princess-sama gave him your homemade cooking, he would surely fall for you.”

“…Fall for me!?”

Cosette was like a devil whispering into Silvia’s ears.

“When a Princess who doesn’t look like she knew any cooking made a meal, which man wouldn’t be moved by it?”

“Cut the crap! I never want Ash to take notice of me! Never! I-It's just that I had some interest in cooking since a long time ago. I will accept your offer because of this.”

Cosette handed her the recipe while smiling.
[[Image:SnRK v05 096.jpg|thumb]]

“Now, I have received my orders from Princess-sama and I will depart from Ansarivan immediately.”

“Huh? Immediately?”

“It is better if we act quickly, Princess-sama.”

Cosette lifted the both sides of her skirt slightly and bowed gracefully.

Suddenly, like mist, Cosette disappeared from Silvia’s sight like a magician.

“H-Hey! Cosette? … Do you really want to depart at this moment?”

Silvia became worried when she heard no reply.

“Please hold on, Cosette! You should allow me to have some mental preparation before…!”

Silvia looked around the room with tears in her eyes. It looks like Cosette had really departed.

“Tsk… She never takes me seriously!”

After Silvia mumbled in regrets, she took a long hard look at the recipe given to her.

"The Stuffed Toy Dragon~A.S.B.1365.8~" is closed.

<noinclude>

==References and Translation Notes==
<references />

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| Back to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Prologue|Prologue]]
| Return to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]
|-
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</noinclude>

Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 1

2014-08-08T05:51:58Z

Valthan: /* Part 11 */

==Chapter 1 - Tragedy of Apollo house and Mirabel's decision==
===Part 1===
''-Don! Don…! Don!''

The sun had just risen but Ash who spent a sleepless night was woken up by a loud knocking sound.

“What in the world…?”

He took that silver watch by his pillow side and noticed that it was just half past six.

After he angrily took a look at the window, he became wide awake.

“Uwaa…!”

There was a huge eye looking through the gaps of the curtain.

It was actually a dragon who was banging its nose against the window.

''-Don! Don… Dododododo!”''

He was worried that it may break the glass.

“Why is a dragon coming to my room!? Could it be another Necromancia attack!?”

So the Empire had finally shown their true colours and started attacking? Ash tried to leave the bed but he was stopped.

“Zzz…”

Eco rolled over and hugged Ash.

Her hair was all over his shoulders and her arms were around his back.

And also her soft face that was on his chest…

''-Mmm…''

Ash was shocked by her sudden nibble.

“Hey, Eco… Please don’t bite that spot.”

Recently, her habit of nibbling had gotten less but she still had not gotten rid of her habit of a young dragon. Moreover, she was nibbling on Ash’s sensitive spot which troubled him.

At that moment, there was a crack on the window.

“This is bad… It is not the right moment to let her continue nibbling.”

Ash carried Eco and they left the bed together. The next thing he knew, the glass was smashed into pieces.

He managed to avoid the glass fragments at the last moment.

At the same time, there were two dragons that were trying to squeeze their heads through the window. Their hard scales protect them from the sharp glass.

By taking a closer look, Ash noticed that one of them was a Maestro while the other was a Hydra. After knowing that he was not attacked by a Necromancia, Ash breathe a sigh of relieve.

“Morning, Ash!”

“Good morning, Ash-sama!”

Finally, he could see the faces of the two riders.

They were the student council secretary Lucca and Jessica of the general affairs. Right beside them were Maestro Gawain and Rhiannon the Hydra.

Ash started to protest after he placed Eco who was still sleeping on the bed.

“Lucca! Jessica! What in the world are both of you doing!?”

Since the time Ash saved Gawain who was in danger of dying, Lucca had become emotionally attached to Ash. In the dragon riding academy, most of the girls are the more aggressive type, it was kind of rare to see someone as quiet as Lucca. The beauty that only an Eckbald possessed was out of this world.

Ash was a little surprised to see Lucca acting rashly. Perhaps she was influenced by Jessica.

“Ash… I hoped that you would come with me to the Eckbald village. I want to introduce you to the village chief, my otou-sama.” <ref>In the raw version, Lucca called her father otou-sama, but the kanji written was foster father.</ref>

Her usual emotionless face had always given Ash a heck lot of trouble.

“Hold on! W-Why must you mention about the chief!?”

“P-Please don’t ask anymore than this.”

Lucca was suddenly blushing.

This time, it was Jessica who pushed Lucca to aside.

Jessica who was usually eyeing at Ash’s sperm, though her actions had always been eccentric, she was still undoubtably one of the few beauties of the academy.

“Ash-sama, I have a request!”

“Hey, wait a minute! This is the third floor! How did a hydra get here…?”

“Well. Climbing wall is not a problem for my Rhiannon.”

“Can’t you sympathize your Pal a little!”

Ash pitied her Pal. Although a Hydra may still be able to move on land, but only when they are in the water they are able to show their true skills. It shouldn’t be its own intention to walk on land. Let alone climbing the walls of the student’s dormitory, which doesn’t seem to fit the actions of a proud dragon.

“Putting that aside, Ash-sama! I am about to leave Ansarivan. What about you? Do you have any plans of returning?”

“Now I remember… today is the start of the holiday.”

-The first day of the month of Leo.

It was the first day of the holidays for Ansarivan Dragon Riding Academy. Since it was a boarding school, most of the student will return to their hometown.

Of course, not all of the students were going back home. There were also a small amount of students that were forced to stay in for the holidays for certain reasons.

Ash was one of them.

“Nope, I am not going home.”

After hearing, Jessica’s facial expression changes.

“What! If that’s the case, I too will stay back here!”

“Uuh… If I don’t return soon… I will be scolded by my otou-sama.”

Compare to Jessica who was in high spirit, Lucca looks sad. Lucca who carry the hopes of all Eckbald with her probably doesn’t have as much freedom as Jessica has.

“Sorry to disappoint you Jessica, but you must return with me.”
[[Image:SnRK v05 044.jpg|thumb]]

Suddenly, there was another voice.

“Rebecca-san!”

Ash shouted.

There was a sweet smell from her red hair being blown by the winds. She looks like a war maiden in the legends when she was riding on Cú Chulainn.

“Sorry for the trouble that this stupid girl from my house had given you. The Randall family will cover the fees for mending the window. The servants fault is also the master’s fault.”

“Now that you mention it… I remember that Jessica was a servant in the Randall family.”

“Just that since she became a Breeder, she had forgotten about her place.”

Rebecca sighed.

“Hmph! Could you stop calling me that? I don’t have the intention of serving the Randall family for my whole life!”

“I never thought of that. You are my important childhood friend. Also, your parents had asked me to take good care of you. That is why I have my duty to bring you back to meet your parents.”

Although her lips were smiling, there was not even a hint of smile in Rebecca’s eyes. After Jessica saw Rebecca’s determination, her elbows dropped in disappointment.

“Haa… I understand. However… I want Ash-sama to see me off!”

Ash gave a wry smile.

“I think that should be alright.”

The moment he answered, Jessica was once again with a big smile. But, she was then blushing and started to mumble.

“T-Then… According to my hometown’s custom…. There should be a parting k-kiss….”

“Hey! Jessica! When does our hometown have such a custom?”

Rebecca exposed Jessica’s lie with a wry smile.

“Hmph! Rebecca! Don’t you know how to look at the atmosphere?”

“I-I too would like you to see me off…”

While Jessica was in rage, Lucca shyly told Ash her wish.

“Of course.”

“T-Then… According to the Eckbald custom…. I want you to give me a princess carry.”

Ash’s heart skipped a beat when he first saw Lucca’s blushing face.

“A-A princess carry!”

Ash was in a fix but Jessica shouted at Lucca:

“Hey! What are you trying to do in this mess! That must be a lie!?”

“Uuh…”

While Lucca turned speechless, the noise that Jessica made had spread throughout the school.

“Hey, can you believe it! The president and Jessica were making a night visit! And the other person… Could she be Lucca Sarlinen the genius girl from the basic class!?”

Suddenly, a huge number of students were gathering outside of the Apollo House. It was something for three girls to be standing on their dragons beside a window of a boy’s dormitory.

To say nothing of Rebecca Randall who was the most popular person in the entire academy, Jessica was also one of the centers of attentions and let alone Lucca with her Yōsei like looks and her skills as a Dragner.

“I-I am just here to have Ash-sama see me off! Nothing else!”

Jessica tried to settle the misunderstanding by shouting towards the direction of the school.

“Hmm! By saying Ash-kun you mean… The Ash-kun who was knighted yesterday!?”

“The knighting ceremony was awesome!”

“I also want him to see me off!”

Right now all the girls were speaking with s shrill voice.

Rebecca gave him a bitter smile while she was enjoying all of this.

“Seems like your popularity had sky rocketed after you became a Dragner.”

“The situation outside… Somehow, it looks frightening.”

“Yeah. I just saw around thirty dragons flying towards this window.”

Rebecca told him the unthinkable news with a calm face.

“Huh!?”

“Sorry, Ash. Though I have many reasons to help you… But if I show my true skills, the girls would suffer some grave injuries.”

“Hol-! Don’t leave me!”

“You should try to solve your own problem if you are a Dragner. Also… If it is alright, I would also want you to see me off.”

“…Eh?”

Unfortunately, Ash was not able to catch everything Rebecca said. Her voice disappeared behind the loud noise from Cú Chulainn flapping its wings.

“Good luck, Ash.”

Lucca too had reluctantly flew off with Gawain.

Right after that, the Apollo House faced a terrible attack.

“Ash-kun! Please see me off!”

“Ash-kun, you might as well come to my home town with me…!”

“Hey! Don’t cut the queue!”

Most of the girls returning were riders of stradas. They were like bats gathering together for food at the window.

But of course it was impossible for thirty riders of stradas to squeeze into the window at the same time.

Soon, they started pushing around.

“P-Please be patient! Calm down! Please calm down!”

Ash was panicking.

Every single roar from the Strada was enough to shake up this entire old building.

“Hey!...How dare you! Ash-sama is my important- Nooooooo!”

Unlike Rebecca or Lucca, Jessica who stayed until the end was finally pushed off the wall together with Rhiannon.

“W-What should I do?”

Ash retreated until his back was facing the wall while he was watching the girls fighting for a spot.

At that moment, Eco who had rolled herself into a ball while she was sleeping had woken up and was rubbing her eyes.

“Hmmm…. What’s all the noise about?”

“You ! How can you still think of sleeping!”

Eco was looking around in confusion. It seems that she wasn’t fully awake yet and wasn’t able to think properly.

Ash shouted with all his might towards the window.

“I beg you! Could you please not make a mess in front of someone else’s window! I promise to see off every single one of you!”

Too bad for him, his voice was not received by them.

Suddenly, Ash had a bad feeling.

“I couldn’t be…”

His entire body was shivering in fear. Since some time ago, the wall facing the outside was creaking. It appears that the Stradas were putting pressure on it.

“It is dangerous to stay here! Lets run Eco!”

“Huh…! Could you care to explain!”

“Later!”

Ash was running with Eco on his hands.

He ran out through the door and out to the corridor.

Just when he was sliding along the floor…

''-Creak…! Eeeeekkkk……. !Do--------------n!''

The next moment, there was a loud explosion.

Ash cautiously took a peek through the cracks on the door while trembling. All he sees was dust flying around and even the corridor was affected.

''“*Cough *!*Cough *!”''

While covering up Eco who was coughing, Ash waited until the dust had settled down.

Just moments later-

After the dust had cleared up, what Ash saw was a clear sky.

The morning rays were shining at the disastrous room.

The wreckage of the wall was all over his room. It was a painful sight.

Right now, with the wall that was facing the academy and the window destroyed, his room looked like a doll house that can be seen from the outside.

“Err… Eco, am I dreaming?”

“I think so?”

Ash and Eco were looking at the room with their mouths wide open.

===Part 2===
Ash was brought to the director’s office on the first day of the holiday.

As for those girls who were the culprit, it seems that they had ran back home as soon as possible. That is why Ash who was the victim was summoned.

“I see… Now I understand what had happened.”

Mirabel who was acting as the director replied coldly and drank from her cup of tea.

The room was full of the smells of bergamot and the tea.

Just like a robot, Mirabel’s face was emotionless the entire time. ''Does this princess even have the thing known as feelings…?'' Ash thought.

“The academy will take responsibility for mending the wall. Just some time before, I had asked the builders of this city and they estimated that they will be able to complete it in around two weeks time.”

“Really…! Thank you very much!”

Ash was grateful that she was able to deal with this situation without delay.

“The problem is… During the renovation, where am I to place you and Eco.”

“I see…”

“Can you borrow a room from any of your friends?”

“I don’t think that would be possible…”

Unfortunately, Max and Raymond had gone home. For Ash who doesn’t have many friends, these were the’ only two friends that he could rely on. Although there was an option of using it without asking for their permissions, but Ash couldn’t bring himself to do it.

''-Bang!''

The door behind him was opened with a slam.

The next time he knew, Silvia and Eco was right beside him.

“How much longer are the two of you going to keep on talking!? Can’t you just give us a new room!”

Eco was pointing at Mirabel in anger.

“Anee-ue! Why do you call for Ash! That incident was caused by a few girls! It had nothing to do with Ash! Aren’t you treating him like the culprit!?”

Silvia on the other hand was trying to speak up for Ash.

“Where are your manners? Don’t you know that it is rude to walk into a room without knocking? You won’t be given special treatment even if you are the descendant of the Avalon Holy Dragons Emperor’s family or my sister. “

Mirabel glared at both of them coldly.

“I am sorry… Anee-ue.”

Silvia stood still on her ground as if she had turned into a stone.

On the other hand, Eco was trying to intimidate Mirabel by showing her sharp teeth.

“Hey you!... How dare you act like that even when you know that I am Avalon’s holy dragons' emperor family's Imperial Princess! Why don’t I try crushing the castle the next time? If I show you my true self, one or two Fontaine Place won’t…”

“Idiot! Stop spurting nonsense!”

Ash’s face was pale white when he was scolding Eco.

Since that incident, the Knight’s government took Eco as a threat. As long as there is the possibility that Mirabel was here to keep an eye on Eco, they have to be careful with their own words.

But to his surprise, Eco calm down with just a single shout.

She turned her head around with her face blushing.

“I-I will listen to you… Just this time.”

Ash was taken aback from seeing Eco making such an expression for the first time. Just as he had expected, it was that transformation that had made a change of her heart. Although the gentle Eco looked a lot cuter, at the same time, it was also a little confusing.

“Ahem!”

Mirabel tried clearing her throat, returning everyone’s attention back to her.

“Silvia, you came at the right moment. Right now you are staying in the royal room in the Epona House right?”

“…What about it?”

Silvia was surprised.

“Until the renovation in the boy’s dormitory had been completed, Ash Blake and young dragon Eco will stay in your room for the time being.”

“What!”

“I won’t repeat for a second time. This is an order from your sister. You are not allowed to have any objections.”

Naturally, Silva was enraged.

“What do you mean by this! This is against our family motto where ‘A knight shouldn’t carelessly touch another of the opposite sex’!”

“Hmm… Funny but I remember that I said to let Ash Blake and young dragon Eco stay in your room. When did I ever mention about touching Ash?”

“T-That…!”

Right at this moment, even Silvia’s earlobes were red.

“Right now, if I were to mention the family motto that you love so much, ‘A knight should help those who are in need’. Am I wrong?”

After she replied coldly, Mirabel looked like she had lost interest in the case regarding Ash. She kept on looking at the tea cup on her hand.

“I am done with you- What a pain, now a good cup of tea had turned cold.”

===Part 3===
Rebecca and Jessica had returned to the land ruled by the Randalls.

Lucca on the other hand had returned to her village.

After seeing them off, Ash and Eco once again returned to his room on the third floor of the Apollo House.

They once again looked at the disastrous room.

A bed full of glass fragments.

A floor full with the remains of the wall.

And the disorganized furniture.

With the wall gone, the room became bright and windy. Looking down from above was a few curious onlookers. When their eyes came into contact with Ash’s, everyone scattered.

“Haa… First of all, I think we should try cleaning up a little. It is better to make it look a little more cheerful before the renovation starts.”

Turning around, Ash noticed that Eco was sulking.

“What’s wrong, Eco?”

“Hey. Do you really want to stay in Silvia’s room?”

“It is not like I have a choice. It was an order from Princess Mirabel. It seems that even Princess-sama did not dare to go against her.”

“I… I hate it.”

“What’s the matter? You don’t look like your usual self. Well, if we stay at Princess-sama’s room, we may be able to eat Cosette’s delicious homemade cooking.”

“That’s not the point! And also, I am not someone who thinks about food for an entire day!”

Eco's face was red with anger and embarrassment.

“Is it… Sorry then.”

“It is fine if you understand. Anyway, just if you try to do something weird to Silvia… I will be sure to crush you!”

Eco was glaring at Ash.

“What do you mean by something weird!?”

With her ears fully red, Eco told Ash embarrassedly:

“T-To make it simple…. It is those perverted stuffs.”

“W-What are you even thinking!”

Ash stood still on his ground. He never expected Eco to speak of such a word. It kind of surprised him.

“Even I knew about those stuffs… Don’t look down on me just because I am a young dragon.”

“Could the source of information be…. The Dragweiss?”

“…Some of them were from there, but most of them were from the picture books that Cosette lent me.”

“Hold on! Are they really… Just picture books!?”

In order to teach her the importance of aesthetic sensibility, Cosette had lent her picture books and books for children. For that, Ash was grateful for Cosette.

However, there was a possibility that she mixed some books with adult content in them into the pile of picture books she had given to Eco.

“Anyhow, she is still this country’s princess. What you are worrying about will never happen, rest assured.”

''In the worst possible case, I will be beheaded…'' Ash thought secretly.

“A-Alright… I understand.”

Once again, Eco was smiling and she looked at the room around her.

“Then… What can I do to help you?”

“You are trying to help?”

“What? Is it weird for me to help?”

“Definitely not weird, but rare. Ain’t it always me who complete the house work?”

“A-About that… It doesn’t seem like I have a choice. I am a dragon. I don’t really understand how a human acts. But… I just feel like helping for today… Can’t I!?”

Eco puffed up her rosy coloured cheeks and stared at Ash.

“Why not? I even want to thank you.”

Ash gave a wry smile and tried to pat her head.

But, Eco immediately dodge to a side.

“No! You mustn’t touch!”

“Sorry… I didn't know that you dislike it this much.”

“N-No! It is okay it you are just patting, but you mustn’t touch my horns. If they were just slightly touched, I… will turn weird. I felt like floating in the air when they were touched...”

Ash could calm down after seeing Eco’s face when she tried to explain her feelings.

“I understand. I promise I won’t touch your horns.”

Ash carefully patted Eco’s head.

Her pink hair was fluffy and it gave his palm a nice feeling.

“Nn…”

Even when she was a dragon, Eco was smiling and shrugging her neck like what a cat would do.

Her innocent smile had grabbed Ash’s attention.

To be precise, it was her flower bud like lips.

His heart was beating rapidly.

This was actually the second time he had such a feeling.

The first time was when Eco said that she won’t be satisfied with just being a Pal in the guest room in Fontaine Palace.

“…”

Eco probably felt the change in the atmosphere too and her body suddenly tense up. Perhaps she too was also thinking about the scenario in the Fontaine Palace.

In a short while, just like that time, Eco closes her eyes.

She also tried to purse her lips.

Ash also noticed that her long eyelashes were also trembling.

''-Eco…!''
[[Image:SnRK v05 060.jpg|thumb]]

He suddenly remembered the word ‘beloved Pal’ in the knighting ceremony.

During that time, Ash was only saying the standard pledge.

But this was totally different.

His feeling of love to Eco was born from deep in his heart. A feeling that could be explained using something as simple as the relation of a Breeder and its Pal had grown.

Right now, they don’t need any words.

Ash placed both his hands on Eco’s shoulders and he closes their distance slowly.

A sweet smell was surrounding them which made him dizzy.

Right now, he felt as if his heart was going to explode.

They were now at a distance where their nose could easily touch each other.

Eco felt like being pierced through by the sunlight while she was waiting for Ash.

Ash made up his mind and closed his eyes.

And then- he kissed Eco on her lips.

===Part 4===
“~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~!”

Since their kiss, Eco had been working silently with her back facing Ash the entire time.

It seemed that she was too embarrassed to even look at Ash in the face.

And of course, it was the same for Ash.

Ash felt as if his face was a ball of fire.

Although the two of them at a first glance seemed to be dusting the room, there was actually zero progress. What they were doing was only messing up the already messed up room.

''-What should I do? What should I say at times like this?''

Just when Ash was anxious in trying to find the right words…

“Uwaaa…! Cute!”

Eco turned around and showed Ash a round object.

“Isn’t this cute? Where did you find this stuffed toy?”

At that moment, Ash felt something was pricking at the back of his neck. It made him wonder what it was.

The stuffed toy that Eco was holding seems to be a dragon. Strictly speaking, its face was clumsily done.

Furthermore, it's round body made it looks nothing like a majestic dragon.

However, Eco seemed to take it as cute, and it made her forget about what had just happened previously.

“Err… Actually I don’t remember much about that when it came into my possession. No matter how I look at it, looked just like a girl’s toy. It is probably not me who bought it.”

It was thanks to the toy that Ash was once again able to speak to Eco normally.

“Hmm… Strange.”

Eco was carrying the stuffed toy while she whipped off the dust on it.

“Hmm… When I move to Ansarivan, I just took it with me without any reason. Perhaps there is a great meaning behind it was what I thought. Actually… There is a blank in my childhood memory.”

“… A blank in your memories?”

Eco was surprised.

“Aah. It was right about when I had my seventh birthday when I visited Albion Forest for the Orphan Ceremony. I just can’t recall my memories during that time.”

“Isn’t that… The time when Mother Dragon bestowed me to you?”

“It seems so.”

“How come you can’t remember such an important event?”

Ash shrunk when he saw Eco start to get mad. Just like how they were finally able to speak normally, Eco’s temper had also returned.

“To be frank, I know nothing of it myself. It was just that I had a hunch that this toy had something to do with my lost memories and that’s the reason why I was reluctant to throw it away. However, because of the recent events, I totally forgot about it.”

“Then, can I keep it?”

Ash was taken by surprised.

“What do you mean by keeping it?”

“It is just like what I had said. Don’t you think it is sad for such a cute being to be left forgotten? I will take the trouble to take care of this kid.”

“How can you take care of it when it isn’t even a living being? Argh, whatever suits you then.”

“Really!?”

Eco was full of excitement.

“Well, I don’t really mind.”

“That's great!”

Eco was so happy that she felt that she could even fly. She then rubbed the stuffed toy with her cheeks.

Followed by that, she cuddled it like what a mother would do to her baby.

Suddenly, she spoke of something that surprised Ash.

“This somehow looked like our baby…”

Eco suddenly stopped speaking before she could even finish her sentence. She the glared at Ash with eyes looking as if they were on fire.

“You heard anything?”

“No, nothing at all.”

Ash spoke with a serious look on his face.

“T-That’s right! N-Nothing happened! Nothing happened at all!”

As if her head was exploding in flames, Eco carried the toy and dashed out from the room.

“Actually, I heard every single word…”

Just as Ash was murmuring with his body also feeling as it was engulfed by fire…

“Sorry to interrupt, Ash-sama.”

Suddenly, there was a woman’s voice coming from behind.

“Uwaa!”

He noticed that it was Cosette after he turned around. She seemed to be wearing the same palace design maid attire today. She then gave a polite bow.

“Cosette-san! How did you get in?”

“To enter such an airy room is like a child’s play to me.”

Cosette smiled before she turned around to look at the blue sky.

“That couldn’t be… This is the third floor! Putting that aside, why are you here?”

“I am here to meet you and Eco-chan. Had you forgotten about Princess Mirabel, Her Highness’s decision?”

Of course, it was impossible for him to forget about it to begin with. However, he still felt a little reluctant.

“Actually, can’t we reconsider about this? Putting Eco aside, don’t you think that it is wrong for a guy like me to enter Epona House where guys are not allowed?”

“For your own sake, I would advise you to follow her decision. Do you know what Princes Mirabel was also known as?”

“No… Nothing comes to mind at all.”

“Her nick name is actually Argento Magus. If we can describe Princess Veronica as a fighter, then Princess Mirabel is a thinker. Compare to Veronica, there were certain things that would made Mirabel a tougher opponent. Please be sure to be prepared mentally, Ash-sama.”

Ash sighed after he heard everything.

“…I understand. Please let me take some belongings like my pillow and clothes with me…”

“Alright then, meanwhile, I will try searching for Eco.”

Eco had not yet return since the moment she ran out from the room.

“Thank you. I think she should be somewhere around the dorm.”

“Huhu. That will be a simple task.”

Cosette ran towards the door nimbly while avoiding the disorganized furniture, but then she suddenly stopped and turned around to face Ash.

“By the way, Ash-sama.”

“What’s the matter?”

When Ash lifted his face, he saw Cosette’s face full of red. Ash was staring at her since it was rare to see her who was always calm to be blushing.

Although she always stayed hidden behind Silvia’s shadow, she actually looked quite beautiful.

With her right hand on her cheeks, she sighed.

Then she said something outrageous.

“Ash-sama and Eco-chan’s kiss looked very innocent indeed.”

“Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

This time, it was Ash’s turn to be blushing.

“D-Don’t, Don’t tell me that you saw everything!?”

“It totally felt like an opera show. You looked so cute when you kiss without even needing any words to understand each other. My god, isn’t that wonderful? Didn't Eco-chan also look cute when she was waiting to receive your kiss?”

“I beg you, please stop saying anymore than this! It is embarrassing!”

Right now, Ash felt like he was sitting on a mountain of needles.

Cosette, too, had also seemed to realize that she over did it, and replied with a playful smile.

“Rest assured, I won’t tell Princess-sama any of this.”

“How is Princeass-sama related to this!?”

“Hmm… I wonder… Huhu…”

Cosette left the room with her sentence ending with her laughter.

===Part 5===
The moment Ash finished gathering all his basic daily needs, Cosette was back with Eco. Together, the three of them marched towards Epona House.

Although it was around evening, the sun was still high up in the sky.

After passing through a grove of mixed trees, they were welcomed by a stern looking gate.

Even the cicada had stopped making noise.

Although they were just walking, they were all full of sweat.

By taking a peek beside, Eco looked as if she was suffering from the heat of the high summer temperature. She looked like a Hydra who was looking for water on dry land.

Compared to Ash, Eco was only carrying her stuffed toy.

On the other hand, Cosette didn’t even break a sweat.

“We have arrived.”

She turned around and smiled at both Ash and Eco.

Through the gate, they could see a garden that was separated into two halves by the walkway. It must have been well tended by a good gardener. Even Ash who doesn’t have any interest in gardening was amazed by it.

At the back of the garden stood an elegant looking building.

That was Epona House, the dormitory for advance class girls.

“We have finally arrived…”

Ash placed his baggage which was full of daily needs and clothing on the ground.

''How long does it actually take to walk here from Apollo House…'' Ash couldn’t be bothered to even think about it.

This dragon riding academy where human and dragons coexist had a very large land area.

In it, there were numerous classes, a church, a lecture hall, a library, a canteen, seven dragon houses, four dormitories, a sports ground… It even included an arena that was used during events.

Although there was the shopping district and the housing are beyond the school walls, compared to the size of the academy, they just looked like extras. That's the reason why Ansarivan was called an academic city.

Putting that aside, the distance between the boys dormitory and the girls dormitory must had been arranged on purpose by the academy.

“Please enter.”

Cosette pushed open the heavy looking gate and welcomed both of them in.

===Part 6===
On the top most floor of Epona House was the room of royal use.

It looked like a high class hotel suite and it even had a large space.

Apart from a heater in the living room, there was also a dining room, a study room, bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, etc. In a room that has everything, it looked as if it was another world compared to the normal student’s room.

Silvia was walking up and down around her room alone, worrying endlessly.

“Argh! What’s wrong with me! Why couldn’t I calm down! Even my family motto stated that ‘Always stay calm, especially in a pinch’!”

Even though she wasn’t even in a pinch, Silvia couldn’t stop worrying. It was about time for Cosette to arrive with Ash and Eco.

“That’s it!”

Silvia stopped in her tracks for a moment and then she dashed into the makeup room and stood in front of a mirror.

She applied a thin layer of makeup on her face.

She tried combing her hair many times.

Her clothing and accessories were chosen by Cosette.

She put on her camisole, a skirt with two layers of frills, her panty socks and a necklace made from bright dragon crystals that acted as jewels.

In front of the mirror, she was just like her usual…. No, she was at least twice as more beautiful than she usually was.

Silvia turned red when she realized how beautiful she was.

“Why would I dress myself up! It is alright by just sticking to what I usually do!”

Ash was about to arrive.

Until the boy’s dormitory was done with its renovation, Ash was going to stay here for two weeks.

Her hearts started to beat rapidly from thinking about it.

“This feeling… It is that same feeling as ''that time…''”

Silvia recalled her memories.

Around the time of her seventh birthday, she met a boy in Albion Forest.

''“Why? Why would I have this feeling of returning to the time when I was seven years old whenever I think about Ash…?”''

Silvia suddenly regained her senses.

“Stop! Stop! Stop! Doesn’t this mean that I am looking forward for him to arrive!? Right… I should change back into my normal clothing…”
[[Image:SnRK v05 006.jpg|thumb|'' ''…!'' Silvia immediately snapped out from the confusion. She just remembered that right now, she was only wearing her undergarments. '']]

Silvia left the makeup room and entered the living room. She swiftly removed all her clothing except for her undergarments. She then walked along the corridor towards the changing room.

Suddenly, the door opened right in front of her eyes.

“Princess-sama, we had returned.”

Cosette walked in with a smile.

“Princess-sama!?”

Ash was standing right behind Cosette with his eyes wide opened. ''Why is his face red? Is it because of the heat?''

“…!”

Silvia immediately snapped out from the confusion. She just remembered that right now, she was only wearing her undergarments.

“Kyaaaaaaaaaaa!”

Silvia ran and hid behind the door while screaming at the top of her voice.

===Part 7===
“Hey you! Just until when are you going to keep on staring!”

“Ouch!”

Ash came back to his sense after he was stomped on the leg by Eco.

Just when he had stepped in through the grand entrance, he was greeted by Silvia in only her undergarments. The white coloured lace will forever be imprinted in his mind.

''By the way, why was Silvia wearing only those?'' No matter how hot the weather can be, it doesn’t suit her image.

“I am going to check on Princess-sama. Could the both of you wait here for a moment, please?”

With a happy smile on her face, Cosette disappeared into the corridor. In just a moment-

“No. This definitely doesn’t look natural.”

“No no. It definitely fits you well.”

“But… Won’t this make me look like I am looking forward to their arrival?”

“Huh? Aren’t you?”

Their entire conversation was heard by Ash.

“Come on! This is a disgrace! How dare they make a dragon wait by the entrance!”

Eco who was standing right beside Ash was enraged. The toy that she had with her which had a carelessly made face was further squashed by Eco’s abnormal strength.

Ash pitied the toy. If this continued to keep on, Ash would probably be the next victim.

“Sorry for the wait.”

Just when Ash was about to be surrounded by his fear, Cosette had returned to the entrance with Silvia who was hiding right behind her.

Ash’s heart skipped a beat when he saw Silvia’s clothing. It gave a completely different feel compare to the school uniform that she usually wears. A lot of her skin was exposed from wearing the camisole. It had totally grabbed his attention.

“Please come in.”

Ash regained his sense after he heard Cosette’s voice.

“S-Sorry for the intrusion.”

In opposite to Ash, Eco was looking around the room with a hint of worry.

“Even so… You are just a Princess of the Royal Knight’s Family and you get to have such a great room?”

Perhaps she was mad from being asked to wait at the entrance, Eco was saying anything that would sooth her anger.

In truth, even Ash was amazed by the room itself. Just the entrance itself is wider than Ash’s room. There were even expensive looking pictures along the wall and carvings of dragons.

“Please don’t be mad. This room was specially made for the royals, it would be natural if Princess-sama is staying here.”

Ash tried to calm her down.

“But, I am also a Princess of the dragons! Why would there be such a large difference in our treatment!?”

“It is not like I want to stay in this room either!”

Silvia tried to speak up for herself even when she was being threatened by Eco.

“I even tried telling the academy to let me have the same treatment as the rest of the students, but they never listen…”

Suddenly, Silvia stood still on her ground. There was not even a slightest movement.

“Princess-sama… What’s wrong? You don’t look good.”

Ash was worried about her but she didn’t reply.

She kept on staring at the stuffed toy that Eco was carrying with her with her ice blue eyes.

Silvia then suddenly leaped towards Eco and grabbed her shoulders.

“Eco! Can you tell me how did that toy fall into your possession?”

Eco became confused.

“I-It has nothing to do with you.”

“Please tell me! This is very important!”

Silvia shouted loudly.

“… I picked it up.”

Eco mumbled when she turned her head to aside. It seemed that she did not want to tell Silvia that it was a gift from Ash. Ash was wondering on why she would be insisting on it.

“You picked it up? When? Where?”

Silvia was being persistent.

“Come on! Why do I need to tell you?”

Eco lost her patience and roared.

“…Why can’t you tell me?”

“T-That’s because… I don’t have the obligation to tell you.”

“Now I see, you are playing dumb… It seems I must resolve to this.”

Suddenly, Silvia leaped towards Eco with both of her hands stretched out.

“Hey!... Don’t joke with me!”

Eco dodged with the toy in her arms.

With the royal room as the stage, the two of them started running around like a bunch of kids. In just a blink of an eye, both of them
disappeared behind a door.

“Err… What is this all about?”

Ash who was left behind turned around and questioned Cosette.

“Cosette-san?”

To his surprised, Cosette too was transfixed on her own spot. It was rare to see her making a face like that.

Cosette then regained her sense after being called out to by Ash and started explaining.

“I just remember about it… I fear that that stuffed toy…. Is an important treasure to Princess-sama during her childhood.”

Ash was surprised by her answer.

“Wait a moment! That shouldn’t be possible! There should be many more stuffed toys with the same design, no?”

Cosette answered calmly.

“No. There isn’t. That toy is the one and only in this world. It was a limited edition item. It was actually made from a famous artist from Chevron Kingdom called Leonard De Mirabeau and was given to the five year old Princess-sama.”

“Really? That clumsily made toy is…”

“That’s not it… Its weird look was actually Mirabeau-sama’s style. Didn’t people usually say that there was only a silver line that separates a genius and a madman? If that stuffed toy was bought to an antique auction… It should be priced at five million Eccles at minimum.”

Cosette told him the shocking truth with a straight face.

“Five million…!”

Ash turned speechless.

His face had turned pale.

''-Five million Eccles!''

Ash couldn’t even imagine that amount of money. He just knew that he won’t be able to finish it by living the rest of his days enjoying life. He never knew that such a treasure was hidden in his closet.

“W-We should try stopping them first!”

Ash started searching for them in the huge room.

===Part 8===
“Finally! You won’t be able to escape!”

Eco who ran into Silvia’s room was now like a rat in the bag. There was only one exit and the windows were too high to jump from since this was the top most floor.

“Tsk… You are being persistent!”

Eco backed off to the wall and like a mother protecting her child, she tried to intimidate Silvia.

For one moment, Silvia was awed by her beauty, but the next instant, she roared:

“You haven’t told me anything yet! I just want to know how this toy came into your possession!”

“Why would you even want to know!?”

“T-That… I had my own reasons! Please, Eco!”

“Hmph… I had mine too. I will never tell you, only you!”

Both of them were glaring at each other without any intention of backing off.

Silvia realized that whatever she said was useless.

“Now you have done it. Although it is not to my liking… I must resolve this by force.”

“What! Who do you think I am! See that if you can do it!”

“Fine with me!”

Silvia leaped forward without mercy.

Although she must avoid Eco’s abnormal strength, Eco’s actions had always been straight forward and were always easy to read.

On the other hand, apart from the Drag Arts, Silvia had mastered many more fighting styles. It is a normal thing to do for someone who was born in the Lautreamont Royal Knight’s Family.

After struggling on the ground like brats, Silvia came out as the winner.

“Now you have been captured!”

Silvia was pressing Eco’s tiny body on the floor and without giving her a chance to fight back, she rode on Eco.

“Tsk… Let me go!”

“Is there any idiot in this world that would move off once they are being asked to?”

The winner had been decided. Even when Eco had her abnormal strength, she could never be able to beat Silvia.

But, there was a reason why Silvia could beat her easily.

Eco had never let go of the stuffed toy even after she was pressed down against the floor. If Eco would just let go of that toy, the fight could still drag on. No, it could even be Silvia who was pressed down against the floor.

“Please, Eco! This is not an order. Although it was not a long time since the day I met you, I always think you as a friend. That is why… Could you please tell me?”

Just when Silvia was begging Eco with a trembling voice…

“Eco! Princess-sama!”

The door opened with a bang and Ash came running in.

Silvia turned around to look at Ash while she was pressing Eco down against the floor.

“Hold on, Ash! I never have the intention to harm Eco! I just want to ask Eco about it… no matter what!”

“But, Princess-sama doesn’t act like the usual you. Even so, Eco is my Pal, I won’t forgive anyone who try to harm her, even if it is Princess-sama.”

After Ash murmured sadly, he showed her his left arm.

Silvia knew that he had his abnormally large Seikoku covered in a bandage.

“Your Seikoku…?”

Silvia was in lost of words.

The Seikoku under the bandage was obviously blinking with glowing lights. That was a signal given when the Pal was in danger.

For example, even though Silvia did not have any intentions of harming Eco, but Eco felt that she was in danger and sent the signal to her owner Ash for help…

“Sorry, Eco… I am really sorry. I am in the wrong for scaring you…. But, I have my own reasons. Please, Eco! Please tell me for the sake of our friendship!”

Silvia was forcing out an answer from Eco.

“…Eco?”

Eco did not reply. Just as Silvia became confused, Eco was surrounded by a glowing light.

“Hey, Eco! What’s wrong?”

Eco still did not reply. Right now, Eco was like a doll, showing no expression.

Even her eyes seemed to be reflecting nothing.

“Urgh…!”

The next instant, Silvia was being blasted of by a strong wind.

“Princess-sama!”

Followed by Ash’s shout, Silvia’s back bang against the wall. She almost couldn’t breathe because of it.

===Part 9===
“Princess-sama!”

Just when Ash was trying to help Silvia out, Cosette arrived.

“I will take care of Princess-sama. Ash-sama, go help Eco-chan! This is no laughing matter!”

Cosette’s voice seemed to be more serious and nervous than usual.

“Understood!”

Ash ran straight towards Eco.

His Seikoku started to hurt.

He remembered that feeling.

He had the similar feeling when Eco was awaken in the capital, Fontaine.

Although the pain was not as strong as that time, Ash knew that this was the sign before her transformation into a dragon.

Eco stood up slowly with the cute stuffed toy dropping on the floor.

Strictly speaking, she was not standing.

There was a gap in between her feet and the floor.

She was actually floating…!

Her limbs were now surrounded by the mysterious light that was so bright that they could not look at it directly.

However, Ash continued to move forward.

“Stop, Eco! If you are to be awaken here…”

In the worst possible case, this Epona House will be destroyed. No, it could even be related to the city’s survivability…

Eco had long been labeled as an element of danger by many countries’s government. The reason why Mirabel was sent to become the academy’s director was to keep an eye on Eco.

''If she is to transform into a dragon right now…!''

Ash moved forward without giving any thought and hugged Eco.

A huge amount of magic was flowing out from her tiny body. If he had been careless, he would even be swallowed by the magic and lost consciousnesss.

Ash shouted with all his might into Eco’s ears.

“Get a grip of yourself! I…I like the way you are now! It is okay if you just stay as you are! You don’t have to force yourself to change into your true self!”

It seems that Ash’s words had gotten through and the magic that was surrounding Eco had disappeared. Even the lights were no longer there. Ash’s Seikoku too had stopped responding.

“We are saved…”

Ash breathe a sigh of relieves.

“…Huh?”

Eco blinked her eyes in surprise and murmured.

“What had I done…? Why are you…?”

Realizing that she was in Ash’s arms, Eco leaped off from Ash’s arms with her face red in embarrassment.

===Part 10===
“I am sorry for what had happened just now. I-I never thought that you were so much against it…. No I shouldn’t make any excuses. A knight must admit his own faults. I deeply apologize!”

After the group had sat on a dining table in the living room, Silvia apologized to Eco sincerely.

“Hmph… I guess this should be sufficient.”

Silvia’s eagerness to apologize by bowing her head had started to confuse Eco. Even though she still continued to puff up her checks in protest, but at least she had accepted Silvia’s apology. Ash who noticed it breathe a sigh of relieves.

“…Since everything had been settled, please allow me to ask. How did that stuffed toy came into your possession?”

Silvia’s words had cause Eco to be enraged again.

“Ha!? You….. Just apologize and yet you still want to ask!?”

“I apologize for resolving this matter by force. I promise that this time, I won’t try questioning you by force. But in return, I will keep on asking until you answer me. Remember, I will keep on asking.”

Silvia was quite stubborn. She even smiled towards Eco with her face full of confidence.

“I can’t believe it…”

Eco sighed.

“Sorry, Eco-chan.”

At that moment, Cosette returned from the kitchen with a silver tray full of snacks and tea.

“That toy that Eco-chan was holding right now… It probably belongs to Princess-sama a long time ago.”

“How can it be…?”

Whilst she was surprised, Eco took a bite on the vanilla flavoured crepe that Cosette handed to her. If it was the usual Eco, she would definitely shout out ‘Delicious!’ on the first bite, but right now, she was with a serious looks. As expected, even Eco couldn’t enjoy her favorite food properly.

“What Cosette said is true. That toy is definitely an important thing to me during my childhood.”

Silvia spoke calmly as if she was trying to teach a child who knew nothing.

“Ha!? That’s impossible! I understand none of these!”

Eco placed her half eaten crepe back on her plate. Ash was surprised that she prioritized the argument before her crepe.

“I knew it the moment I saw it. There is only one of this stuffed toy in the whole world. It is a very important toy.”

“How can you have such confidence!?”

“You don’t even know the worth of that toy. Anyone who knows its worth would recognize it on their first sight.”

“Arrrrrggh! That explanation is totally unacceptable!”

''Eco was once again enraged, but at least Silvia knew her limit. Thanks to that, the atmosphere did not turn out to be any worse than this…'' Ash secretly thought.

“Come on you two…”

Cosette was obviously not at all troubled. She seems to be enjoying this.

“Haa… It seems like I don’t have a choice.”

Ash sighed.

“Please listen carefully, Princess-sama. That stuffed toy was in my closet. I gave it to Eco since she seems to like it.”

“Hey! Why did you tell that to her!?”

Eco was scolding Ash with her face red.

“What else can I do? If I leave it to both of you, the same thing will continue onwards again and again.”

“I… want this to be a secret between the both of us.”

Eco’s mumbling caught Ash’s attention.

“What did you say?”

“N-Nothing! I don’t even know you!”

Eco averted her face in anger. ''Why must she get angry...?'' Ash wondered.

On the other hand, Silvia was staring at Ash.

“Ash… you said that this toy was in your closet?”

“That seems to be the case.”

Ash shrugged his shoulders.

“Actually, I am not really clear about it. Believe me or not, there was a blank in my memories… I don’t even know how it came into my possession. I don’t even know about its worth if not because of Cosette.”

Silvia was staring at Ash so intently almost as if she was going to pierce a hole in his forehead. She then asked a weird question.

“When is your birthday?”

“Huh? The third on the month of Aries… What about that?”

After Ash answered honestly, Cosette spoke in surprise:

“Oh, what a coincidence. It seems that Princess-sama was also born in the month of Aries. By the way, hers is in the seventh.”

“Hmm… That’s the first time I had heard of it.”

“Huhu… So Ash-sama is the bigger brother by four days.”

“T-That… isn’t it…”

“Ash!”

Silvia suddenly leaned against him. Ash could see her breast that was covered by the thin cloth of the summer clothes.

“Princess-sama?”

“Even though this may seems abrupt, but do you still remember the date you went for the Orphan Ceremony?”

“Err… I don’t really remember about the details, but it shouldn’t be far away from my seventh birthday. Since my hometown was at a far away village, I started my journey when I was still six. I remembered that I had my seventh birthday in a horse carriage.”

Once they reach the age of seven, every citizen of the Knight Country must visit Albion Forest.

For Ash, if he had departed after his seventh birthday, he would never be able to arrive at Albion Forest in a month time.

“By the way, does the date I went for the Orphan Ceremony matter?”

“…No, Nothing. I have something that I want to discuss with Cosette. Please stay here for the moment.”

Silvia suddenly stood up and dragged Cosette by the hand with her.

“What a weird Princess.”

Ash took a drink from the cup of red tea.

===Part 11===
After Silvia entered the makeup room, with an ‘Ahem’, she cleared her throat.

“What do you want to talk about, Princess-sama?”

“About that…”

“It doesn’t seem like something easy.”

Since she had been with Silvia for quite some time, Cosette immediately knew what she was thinking.

“Aah… That’s right.”

“I will do everything you tell me to if it is in my ability to do so. If the situation required, I could even be Princess-sama’s limbs or even your shield… That’s my duty.”

Silvia made up her mind and told her wish.

“Actually, I want you to return to the palace and investigate the name list of the children who went to the orphan ceremony at the same day as me. This should be an easy one for you, no?”

However, Cosette told Silvia something out of her imagination.

“The records of the Orphan Ceremony is the country’s top secret. Even if you are a Princess, you will be breaching the law by trying to investigate it.”

“Then, your duty would be to avoid it. Please, I could only put my hopes on you. With your ability, reading top secret documents should not be a problem, right?”

“That doesn’t sound nice, Princess-sama. The ability that I only knew of was an ancient technique that was passed down in the Shelly’s family and some spying technique. All of them were used to protect the Lautreamont family.”

“I understand that, but…!”

Silvia grabbed her shoulders and looked at Cosette with her puppy eyes.

“Of course I will do it if this is your order. But, what will you do if Ash-sama is really that boy?”

Silvia’s face almost burst out in flames.

“I-I just want to know about it! That’s right, I only want to know about the truth!”

Cosette gave a wry smile.

“Hmm… Putting that aside, during the time when I am not in, when the night comes and Eco had slept, aren’t '''the two of you''' alone together?”

“When the night comes…. The two of us…!?”

This time, steam emerged from her ears. Her heart was beating none stop.

“W-W-What are you talking about! Don’t you have any shame! How shameless! I…I believe that Ash is not someone insolent! That is why there is no point behind your question!”

Silvia snapped and Cosette nodded.

“I too had the same feeling.”

“Then why bother asking!”

Cosette smiled and took out something. It was a stack of paper held together by a paper clip.

“What’s that?”

“Huhu… A copy of ‘Shelley family’s secret. A recipe to make men dream’. Although I want to use it during this summer to teach Princess-sama some cooking… But this is a good chance to try it. Although Princess-sama don’t have any actual experience, but isn't this a good chance to show your cooking skills to Ash-sama?”

Silvia felt as if her body was on fire.

“Hold on! W-W-Why must I show Ash my cooking skills?”

“If I am not mistaken, The Lautreamont Family Motto did mention that ‘to shoot a general you must first shoot his horse’, am I right?”

“What does it had to do with this?”

“In the Shelley’s Family Motto, there is something like this: ‘To get the man you like, you must first fill his stomach’.”

“What kind of family motto is that!?”

“Huhu… When Ash-sama’s stomach is empty, and Princess-sama gave him your homemade cooking, he would surely fall for you.”

“…Fall for me!?”

Cosette was like a devil whispering into Silvia’s ears.

“When a Princess who doesn’t look like she knew any cooking made a meal, which man wouldn’t be moved by it?”

“Cut the crap! I never want Ash to take notice of me! Never! I-It's just that I had some interest in cooking since a long time ago. I will accept your offer because of this.”

Cosette handed her the recipe while smiling.
[[Image:SnRK v05 096.jpg|thumb]]

“Now, I had received my orders from Princess-sama and I will depart from Ansarivan immediately.”

“Huh? Immediately?”

“It is better if we act quickly, Princess-sama.”

Cosette lifted the both sides of her skirt slightly and bowed gracefully.

Suddenly, like a mist, Cosette disappeared from Silvia’s sight like a magician.

“H-Hey! Cosette? … Do you really want to depart at this moment?”

Silvia became worried when she heard no reply.

“Please hold on, Cosette! You should allow me to have some mental preparation before…!”

Silvia looked around the room with tears in her eyes. It looks like Cosette had really departed.

“Tsk… She never takes me seriously!”

After Silvia mumbled in regrets, she took a long hard look at the recipe given to her.

"The Stuffed Toy Dragon~A.S.B.1365.8~" is closed.

<noinclude>

==References and Translation Notes==
<references />

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| Back to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Prologue|Prologue]]
| Return to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]
|-
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</noinclude>

Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 1

2014-08-08T05:49:02Z

Valthan: /* Part 10 */

==Chapter 1 - Tragedy of Apollo house and Mirabel's decision==
===Part 1===
''-Don! Don…! Don!''

The sun had just risen but Ash who spent a sleepless night was woken up by a loud knocking sound.

“What in the world…?”

He took that silver watch by his pillow side and noticed that it was just half past six.

After he angrily took a look at the window, he became wide awake.

“Uwaa…!”

There was a huge eye looking through the gaps of the curtain.

It was actually a dragon who was banging its nose against the window.

''-Don! Don… Dododododo!”''

He was worried that it may break the glass.

“Why is a dragon coming to my room!? Could it be another Necromancia attack!?”

So the Empire had finally shown their true colours and started attacking? Ash tried to leave the bed but he was stopped.

“Zzz…”

Eco rolled over and hugged Ash.

Her hair was all over his shoulders and her arms were around his back.

And also her soft face that was on his chest…

''-Mmm…''

Ash was shocked by her sudden nibble.

“Hey, Eco… Please don’t bite that spot.”

Recently, her habit of nibbling had gotten less but she still had not gotten rid of her habit of a young dragon. Moreover, she was nibbling on Ash’s sensitive spot which troubled him.

At that moment, there was a crack on the window.

“This is bad… It is not the right moment to let her continue nibbling.”

Ash carried Eco and they left the bed together. The next thing he knew, the glass was smashed into pieces.

He managed to avoid the glass fragments at the last moment.

At the same time, there were two dragons that were trying to squeeze their heads through the window. Their hard scales protect them from the sharp glass.

By taking a closer look, Ash noticed that one of them was a Maestro while the other was a Hydra. After knowing that he was not attacked by a Necromancia, Ash breathe a sigh of relieve.

“Morning, Ash!”

“Good morning, Ash-sama!”

Finally, he could see the faces of the two riders.

They were the student council secretary Lucca and Jessica of the general affairs. Right beside them were Maestro Gawain and Rhiannon the Hydra.

Ash started to protest after he placed Eco who was still sleeping on the bed.

“Lucca! Jessica! What in the world are both of you doing!?”

Since the time Ash saved Gawain who was in danger of dying, Lucca had become emotionally attached to Ash. In the dragon riding academy, most of the girls are the more aggressive type, it was kind of rare to see someone as quiet as Lucca. The beauty that only an Eckbald possessed was out of this world.

Ash was a little surprised to see Lucca acting rashly. Perhaps she was influenced by Jessica.

“Ash… I hoped that you would come with me to the Eckbald village. I want to introduce you to the village chief, my otou-sama.” <ref>In the raw version, Lucca called her father otou-sama, but the kanji written was foster father.</ref>

Her usual emotionless face had always given Ash a heck lot of trouble.

“Hold on! W-Why must you mention about the chief!?”

“P-Please don’t ask anymore than this.”

Lucca was suddenly blushing.

This time, it was Jessica who pushed Lucca to aside.

Jessica who was usually eyeing at Ash’s sperm, though her actions had always been eccentric, she was still undoubtably one of the few beauties of the academy.

“Ash-sama, I have a request!”

“Hey, wait a minute! This is the third floor! How did a hydra get here…?”

“Well. Climbing wall is not a problem for my Rhiannon.”

“Can’t you sympathize your Pal a little!”

Ash pitied her Pal. Although a Hydra may still be able to move on land, but only when they are in the water they are able to show their true skills. It shouldn’t be its own intention to walk on land. Let alone climbing the walls of the student’s dormitory, which doesn’t seem to fit the actions of a proud dragon.

“Putting that aside, Ash-sama! I am about to leave Ansarivan. What about you? Do you have any plans of returning?”

“Now I remember… today is the start of the holiday.”

-The first day of the month of Leo.

It was the first day of the holidays for Ansarivan Dragon Riding Academy. Since it was a boarding school, most of the student will return to their hometown.

Of course, not all of the students were going back home. There were also a small amount of students that were forced to stay in for the holidays for certain reasons.

Ash was one of them.

“Nope, I am not going home.”

After hearing, Jessica’s facial expression changes.

“What! If that’s the case, I too will stay back here!”

“Uuh… If I don’t return soon… I will be scolded by my otou-sama.”

Compare to Jessica who was in high spirit, Lucca looks sad. Lucca who carry the hopes of all Eckbald with her probably doesn’t have as much freedom as Jessica has.

“Sorry to disappoint you Jessica, but you must return with me.”
[[Image:SnRK v05 044.jpg|thumb]]

Suddenly, there was another voice.

“Rebecca-san!”

Ash shouted.

There was a sweet smell from her red hair being blown by the winds. She looks like a war maiden in the legends when she was riding on Cú Chulainn.

“Sorry for the trouble that this stupid girl from my house had given you. The Randall family will cover the fees for mending the window. The servants fault is also the master’s fault.”

“Now that you mention it… I remember that Jessica was a servant in the Randall family.”

“Just that since she became a Breeder, she had forgotten about her place.”

Rebecca sighed.

“Hmph! Could you stop calling me that? I don’t have the intention of serving the Randall family for my whole life!”

“I never thought of that. You are my important childhood friend. Also, your parents had asked me to take good care of you. That is why I have my duty to bring you back to meet your parents.”

Although her lips were smiling, there was not even a hint of smile in Rebecca’s eyes. After Jessica saw Rebecca’s determination, her elbows dropped in disappointment.

“Haa… I understand. However… I want Ash-sama to see me off!”

Ash gave a wry smile.

“I think that should be alright.”

The moment he answered, Jessica was once again with a big smile. But, she was then blushing and started to mumble.

“T-Then… According to my hometown’s custom…. There should be a parting k-kiss….”

“Hey! Jessica! When does our hometown have such a custom?”

Rebecca exposed Jessica’s lie with a wry smile.

“Hmph! Rebecca! Don’t you know how to look at the atmosphere?”

“I-I too would like you to see me off…”

While Jessica was in rage, Lucca shyly told Ash her wish.

“Of course.”

“T-Then… According to the Eckbald custom…. I want you to give me a princess carry.”

Ash’s heart skipped a beat when he first saw Lucca’s blushing face.

“A-A princess carry!”

Ash was in a fix but Jessica shouted at Lucca:

“Hey! What are you trying to do in this mess! That must be a lie!?”

“Uuh…”

While Lucca turned speechless, the noise that Jessica made had spread throughout the school.

“Hey, can you believe it! The president and Jessica were making a night visit! And the other person… Could she be Lucca Sarlinen the genius girl from the basic class!?”

Suddenly, a huge number of students were gathering outside of the Apollo House. It was something for three girls to be standing on their dragons beside a window of a boy’s dormitory.

To say nothing of Rebecca Randall who was the most popular person in the entire academy, Jessica was also one of the centers of attentions and let alone Lucca with her Yōsei like looks and her skills as a Dragner.

“I-I am just here to have Ash-sama see me off! Nothing else!”

Jessica tried to settle the misunderstanding by shouting towards the direction of the school.

“Hmm! By saying Ash-kun you mean… The Ash-kun who was knighted yesterday!?”

“The knighting ceremony was awesome!”

“I also want him to see me off!”

Right now all the girls were speaking with s shrill voice.

Rebecca gave him a bitter smile while she was enjoying all of this.

“Seems like your popularity had sky rocketed after you became a Dragner.”

“The situation outside… Somehow, it looks frightening.”

“Yeah. I just saw around thirty dragons flying towards this window.”

Rebecca told him the unthinkable news with a calm face.

“Huh!?”

“Sorry, Ash. Though I have many reasons to help you… But if I show my true skills, the girls would suffer some grave injuries.”

“Hol-! Don’t leave me!”

“You should try to solve your own problem if you are a Dragner. Also… If it is alright, I would also want you to see me off.”

“…Eh?”

Unfortunately, Ash was not able to catch everything Rebecca said. Her voice disappeared behind the loud noise from Cú Chulainn flapping its wings.

“Good luck, Ash.”

Lucca too had reluctantly flew off with Gawain.

Right after that, the Apollo House faced a terrible attack.

“Ash-kun! Please see me off!”

“Ash-kun, you might as well come to my home town with me…!”

“Hey! Don’t cut the queue!”

Most of the girls returning were riders of stradas. They were like bats gathering together for food at the window.

But of course it was impossible for thirty riders of stradas to squeeze into the window at the same time.

Soon, they started pushing around.

“P-Please be patient! Calm down! Please calm down!”

Ash was panicking.

Every single roar from the Strada was enough to shake up this entire old building.

“Hey!...How dare you! Ash-sama is my important- Nooooooo!”

Unlike Rebecca or Lucca, Jessica who stayed until the end was finally pushed off the wall together with Rhiannon.

“W-What should I do?”

Ash retreated until his back was facing the wall while he was watching the girls fighting for a spot.

At that moment, Eco who had rolled herself into a ball while she was sleeping had woken up and was rubbing her eyes.

“Hmmm…. What’s all the noise about?”

“You ! How can you still think of sleeping!”

Eco was looking around in confusion. It seems that she wasn’t fully awake yet and wasn’t able to think properly.

Ash shouted with all his might towards the window.

“I beg you! Could you please not make a mess in front of someone else’s window! I promise to see off every single one of you!”

Too bad for him, his voice was not received by them.

Suddenly, Ash had a bad feeling.

“I couldn’t be…”

His entire body was shivering in fear. Since some time ago, the wall facing the outside was creaking. It appears that the Stradas were putting pressure on it.

“It is dangerous to stay here! Lets run Eco!”

“Huh…! Could you care to explain!”

“Later!”

Ash was running with Eco on his hands.

He ran out through the door and out to the corridor.

Just when he was sliding along the floor…

''-Creak…! Eeeeekkkk……. !Do--------------n!''

The next moment, there was a loud explosion.

Ash cautiously took a peek through the cracks on the door while trembling. All he sees was dust flying around and even the corridor was affected.

''“*Cough *!*Cough *!”''

While covering up Eco who was coughing, Ash waited until the dust had settled down.

Just moments later-

After the dust had cleared up, what Ash saw was a clear sky.

The morning rays were shining at the disastrous room.

The wreckage of the wall was all over his room. It was a painful sight.

Right now, with the wall that was facing the academy and the window destroyed, his room looked like a doll house that can be seen from the outside.

“Err… Eco, am I dreaming?”

“I think so?”

Ash and Eco were looking at the room with their mouths wide open.

===Part 2===
Ash was brought to the director’s office on the first day of the holiday.

As for those girls who were the culprit, it seems that they had ran back home as soon as possible. That is why Ash who was the victim was summoned.

“I see… Now I understand what had happened.”

Mirabel who was acting as the director replied coldly and drank from her cup of tea.

The room was full of the smells of bergamot and the tea.

Just like a robot, Mirabel’s face was emotionless the entire time. ''Does this princess even have the thing known as feelings…?'' Ash thought.

“The academy will take responsibility for mending the wall. Just some time before, I had asked the builders of this city and they estimated that they will be able to complete it in around two weeks time.”

“Really…! Thank you very much!”

Ash was grateful that she was able to deal with this situation without delay.

“The problem is… During the renovation, where am I to place you and Eco.”

“I see…”

“Can you borrow a room from any of your friends?”

“I don’t think that would be possible…”

Unfortunately, Max and Raymond had gone home. For Ash who doesn’t have many friends, these were the’ only two friends that he could rely on. Although there was an option of using it without asking for their permissions, but Ash couldn’t bring himself to do it.

''-Bang!''

The door behind him was opened with a slam.

The next time he knew, Silvia and Eco was right beside him.

“How much longer are the two of you going to keep on talking!? Can’t you just give us a new room!”

Eco was pointing at Mirabel in anger.

“Anee-ue! Why do you call for Ash! That incident was caused by a few girls! It had nothing to do with Ash! Aren’t you treating him like the culprit!?”

Silvia on the other hand was trying to speak up for Ash.

“Where are your manners? Don’t you know that it is rude to walk into a room without knocking? You won’t be given special treatment even if you are the descendant of the Avalon Holy Dragons Emperor’s family or my sister. “

Mirabel glared at both of them coldly.

“I am sorry… Anee-ue.”

Silvia stood still on her ground as if she had turned into a stone.

On the other hand, Eco was trying to intimidate Mirabel by showing her sharp teeth.

“Hey you!... How dare you act like that even when you know that I am Avalon’s holy dragons' emperor family's Imperial Princess! Why don’t I try crushing the castle the next time? If I show you my true self, one or two Fontaine Place won’t…”

“Idiot! Stop spurting nonsense!”

Ash’s face was pale white when he was scolding Eco.

Since that incident, the Knight’s government took Eco as a threat. As long as there is the possibility that Mirabel was here to keep an eye on Eco, they have to be careful with their own words.

But to his surprise, Eco calm down with just a single shout.

She turned her head around with her face blushing.

“I-I will listen to you… Just this time.”

Ash was taken aback from seeing Eco making such an expression for the first time. Just as he had expected, it was that transformation that had made a change of her heart. Although the gentle Eco looked a lot cuter, at the same time, it was also a little confusing.

“Ahem!”

Mirabel tried clearing her throat, returning everyone’s attention back to her.

“Silvia, you came at the right moment. Right now you are staying in the royal room in the Epona House right?”

“…What about it?”

Silvia was surprised.

“Until the renovation in the boy’s dormitory had been completed, Ash Blake and young dragon Eco will stay in your room for the time being.”

“What!”

“I won’t repeat for a second time. This is an order from your sister. You are not allowed to have any objections.”

Naturally, Silva was enraged.

“What do you mean by this! This is against our family motto where ‘A knight shouldn’t carelessly touch another of the opposite sex’!”

“Hmm… Funny but I remember that I said to let Ash Blake and young dragon Eco stay in your room. When did I ever mention about touching Ash?”

“T-That…!”

Right at this moment, even Silvia’s earlobes were red.

“Right now, if I were to mention the family motto that you love so much, ‘A knight should help those who are in need’. Am I wrong?”

After she replied coldly, Mirabel looked like she had lost interest in the case regarding Ash. She kept on looking at the tea cup on her hand.

“I am done with you- What a pain, now a good cup of tea had turned cold.”

===Part 3===
Rebecca and Jessica had returned to the land ruled by the Randalls.

Lucca on the other hand had returned to her village.

After seeing them off, Ash and Eco once again returned to his room on the third floor of the Apollo House.

They once again looked at the disastrous room.

A bed full of glass fragments.

A floor full with the remains of the wall.

And the disorganized furniture.

With the wall gone, the room became bright and windy. Looking down from above was a few curious onlookers. When their eyes came into contact with Ash’s, everyone scattered.

“Haa… First of all, I think we should try cleaning up a little. It is better to make it look a little more cheerful before the renovation starts.”

Turning around, Ash noticed that Eco was sulking.

“What’s wrong, Eco?”

“Hey. Do you really want to stay in Silvia’s room?”

“It is not like I have a choice. It was an order from Princess Mirabel. It seems that even Princess-sama did not dare to go against her.”

“I… I hate it.”

“What’s the matter? You don’t look like your usual self. Well, if we stay at Princess-sama’s room, we may be able to eat Cosette’s delicious homemade cooking.”

“That’s not the point! And also, I am not someone who thinks about food for an entire day!”

Eco's face was red with anger and embarrassment.

“Is it… Sorry then.”

“It is fine if you understand. Anyway, just if you try to do something weird to Silvia… I will be sure to crush you!”

Eco was glaring at Ash.

“What do you mean by something weird!?”

With her ears fully red, Eco told Ash embarrassedly:

“T-To make it simple…. It is those perverted stuffs.”

“W-What are you even thinking!”

Ash stood still on his ground. He never expected Eco to speak of such a word. It kind of surprised him.

“Even I knew about those stuffs… Don’t look down on me just because I am a young dragon.”

“Could the source of information be…. The Dragweiss?”

“…Some of them were from there, but most of them were from the picture books that Cosette lent me.”

“Hold on! Are they really… Just picture books!?”

In order to teach her the importance of aesthetic sensibility, Cosette had lent her picture books and books for children. For that, Ash was grateful for Cosette.

However, there was a possibility that she mixed some books with adult content in them into the pile of picture books she had given to Eco.

“Anyhow, she is still this country’s princess. What you are worrying about will never happen, rest assured.”

''In the worst possible case, I will be beheaded…'' Ash thought secretly.

“A-Alright… I understand.”

Once again, Eco was smiling and she looked at the room around her.

“Then… What can I do to help you?”

“You are trying to help?”

“What? Is it weird for me to help?”

“Definitely not weird, but rare. Ain’t it always me who complete the house work?”

“A-About that… It doesn’t seem like I have a choice. I am a dragon. I don’t really understand how a human acts. But… I just feel like helping for today… Can’t I!?”

Eco puffed up her rosy coloured cheeks and stared at Ash.

“Why not? I even want to thank you.”

Ash gave a wry smile and tried to pat her head.

But, Eco immediately dodge to a side.

“No! You mustn’t touch!”

“Sorry… I didn't know that you dislike it this much.”

“N-No! It is okay it you are just patting, but you mustn’t touch my horns. If they were just slightly touched, I… will turn weird. I felt like floating in the air when they were touched...”

Ash could calm down after seeing Eco’s face when she tried to explain her feelings.

“I understand. I promise I won’t touch your horns.”

Ash carefully patted Eco’s head.

Her pink hair was fluffy and it gave his palm a nice feeling.

“Nn…”

Even when she was a dragon, Eco was smiling and shrugging her neck like what a cat would do.

Her innocent smile had grabbed Ash’s attention.

To be precise, it was her flower bud like lips.

His heart was beating rapidly.

This was actually the second time he had such a feeling.

The first time was when Eco said that she won’t be satisfied with just being a Pal in the guest room in Fontaine Palace.

“…”

Eco probably felt the change in the atmosphere too and her body suddenly tense up. Perhaps she too was also thinking about the scenario in the Fontaine Palace.

In a short while, just like that time, Eco closes her eyes.

She also tried to purse her lips.

Ash also noticed that her long eyelashes were also trembling.

''-Eco…!''
[[Image:SnRK v05 060.jpg|thumb]]

He suddenly remembered the word ‘beloved Pal’ in the knighting ceremony.

During that time, Ash was only saying the standard pledge.

But this was totally different.

His feeling of love to Eco was born from deep in his heart. A feeling that could be explained using something as simple as the relation of a Breeder and its Pal had grown.

Right now, they don’t need any words.

Ash placed both his hands on Eco’s shoulders and he closes their distance slowly.

A sweet smell was surrounding them which made him dizzy.

Right now, he felt as if his heart was going to explode.

They were now at a distance where their nose could easily touch each other.

Eco felt like being pierced through by the sunlight while she was waiting for Ash.

Ash made up his mind and closed his eyes.

And then- he kissed Eco on her lips.

===Part 4===
“~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~!”

Since their kiss, Eco had been working silently with her back facing Ash the entire time.

It seemed that she was too embarrassed to even look at Ash in the face.

And of course, it was the same for Ash.

Ash felt as if his face was a ball of fire.

Although the two of them at a first glance seemed to be dusting the room, there was actually zero progress. What they were doing was only messing up the already messed up room.

''-What should I do? What should I say at times like this?''

Just when Ash was anxious in trying to find the right words…

“Uwaaa…! Cute!”

Eco turned around and showed Ash a round object.

“Isn’t this cute? Where did you find this stuffed toy?”

At that moment, Ash felt something was pricking at the back of his neck. It made him wonder what it was.

The stuffed toy that Eco was holding seems to be a dragon. Strictly speaking, its face was clumsily done.

Furthermore, it's round body made it looks nothing like a majestic dragon.

However, Eco seemed to take it as cute, and it made her forget about what had just happened previously.

“Err… Actually I don’t remember much about that when it came into my possession. No matter how I look at it, looked just like a girl’s toy. It is probably not me who bought it.”

It was thanks to the toy that Ash was once again able to speak to Eco normally.

“Hmm… Strange.”

Eco was carrying the stuffed toy while she whipped off the dust on it.

“Hmm… When I move to Ansarivan, I just took it with me without any reason. Perhaps there is a great meaning behind it was what I thought. Actually… There is a blank in my childhood memory.”

“… A blank in your memories?”

Eco was surprised.

“Aah. It was right about when I had my seventh birthday when I visited Albion Forest for the Orphan Ceremony. I just can’t recall my memories during that time.”

“Isn’t that… The time when Mother Dragon bestowed me to you?”

“It seems so.”

“How come you can’t remember such an important event?”

Ash shrunk when he saw Eco start to get mad. Just like how they were finally able to speak normally, Eco’s temper had also returned.

“To be frank, I know nothing of it myself. It was just that I had a hunch that this toy had something to do with my lost memories and that’s the reason why I was reluctant to throw it away. However, because of the recent events, I totally forgot about it.”

“Then, can I keep it?”

Ash was taken by surprised.

“What do you mean by keeping it?”

“It is just like what I had said. Don’t you think it is sad for such a cute being to be left forgotten? I will take the trouble to take care of this kid.”

“How can you take care of it when it isn’t even a living being? Argh, whatever suits you then.”

“Really!?”

Eco was full of excitement.

“Well, I don’t really mind.”

“That's great!”

Eco was so happy that she felt that she could even fly. She then rubbed the stuffed toy with her cheeks.

Followed by that, she cuddled it like what a mother would do to her baby.

Suddenly, she spoke of something that surprised Ash.

“This somehow looked like our baby…”

Eco suddenly stopped speaking before she could even finish her sentence. She the glared at Ash with eyes looking as if they were on fire.

“You heard anything?”

“No, nothing at all.”

Ash spoke with a serious look on his face.

“T-That’s right! N-Nothing happened! Nothing happened at all!”

As if her head was exploding in flames, Eco carried the toy and dashed out from the room.

“Actually, I heard every single word…”

Just as Ash was murmuring with his body also feeling as it was engulfed by fire…

“Sorry to interrupt, Ash-sama.”

Suddenly, there was a woman’s voice coming from behind.

“Uwaa!”

He noticed that it was Cosette after he turned around. She seemed to be wearing the same palace design maid attire today. She then gave a polite bow.

“Cosette-san! How did you get in?”

“To enter such an airy room is like a child’s play to me.”

Cosette smiled before she turned around to look at the blue sky.

“That couldn’t be… This is the third floor! Putting that aside, why are you here?”

“I am here to meet you and Eco-chan. Had you forgotten about Princess Mirabel, Her Highness’s decision?”

Of course, it was impossible for him to forget about it to begin with. However, he still felt a little reluctant.

“Actually, can’t we reconsider about this? Putting Eco aside, don’t you think that it is wrong for a guy like me to enter Epona House where guys are not allowed?”

“For your own sake, I would advise you to follow her decision. Do you know what Princes Mirabel was also known as?”

“No… Nothing comes to mind at all.”

“Her nick name is actually Argento Magus. If we can describe Princess Veronica as a fighter, then Princess Mirabel is a thinker. Compare to Veronica, there were certain things that would made Mirabel a tougher opponent. Please be sure to be prepared mentally, Ash-sama.”

Ash sighed after he heard everything.

“…I understand. Please let me take some belongings like my pillow and clothes with me…”

“Alright then, meanwhile, I will try searching for Eco.”

Eco had not yet return since the moment she ran out from the room.

“Thank you. I think she should be somewhere around the dorm.”

“Huhu. That will be a simple task.”

Cosette ran towards the door nimbly while avoiding the disorganized furniture, but then she suddenly stopped and turned around to face Ash.

“By the way, Ash-sama.”

“What’s the matter?”

When Ash lifted his face, he saw Cosette’s face full of red. Ash was staring at her since it was rare to see her who was always calm to be blushing.

Although she always stayed hidden behind Silvia’s shadow, she actually looked quite beautiful.

With her right hand on her cheeks, she sighed.

Then she said something outrageous.

“Ash-sama and Eco-chan’s kiss looked very innocent indeed.”

“Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

This time, it was Ash’s turn to be blushing.

“D-Don’t, Don’t tell me that you saw everything!?”

“It totally felt like an opera show. You looked so cute when you kiss without even needing any words to understand each other. My god, isn’t that wonderful? Didn't Eco-chan also look cute when she was waiting to receive your kiss?”

“I beg you, please stop saying anymore than this! It is embarrassing!”

Right now, Ash felt like he was sitting on a mountain of needles.

Cosette, too, had also seemed to realize that she over did it, and replied with a playful smile.

“Rest assured, I won’t tell Princess-sama any of this.”

“How is Princeass-sama related to this!?”

“Hmm… I wonder… Huhu…”

Cosette left the room with her sentence ending with her laughter.

===Part 5===
The moment Ash finished gathering all his basic daily needs, Cosette was back with Eco. Together, the three of them marched towards Epona House.

Although it was around evening, the sun was still high up in the sky.

After passing through a grove of mixed trees, they were welcomed by a stern looking gate.

Even the cicada had stopped making noise.

Although they were just walking, they were all full of sweat.

By taking a peek beside, Eco looked as if she was suffering from the heat of the high summer temperature. She looked like a Hydra who was looking for water on dry land.

Compared to Ash, Eco was only carrying her stuffed toy.

On the other hand, Cosette didn’t even break a sweat.

“We have arrived.”

She turned around and smiled at both Ash and Eco.

Through the gate, they could see a garden that was separated into two halves by the walkway. It must have been well tended by a good gardener. Even Ash who doesn’t have any interest in gardening was amazed by it.

At the back of the garden stood an elegant looking building.

That was Epona House, the dormitory for advance class girls.

“We have finally arrived…”

Ash placed his baggage which was full of daily needs and clothing on the ground.

''How long does it actually take to walk here from Apollo House…'' Ash couldn’t be bothered to even think about it.

This dragon riding academy where human and dragons coexist had a very large land area.

In it, there were numerous classes, a church, a lecture hall, a library, a canteen, seven dragon houses, four dormitories, a sports ground… It even included an arena that was used during events.

Although there was the shopping district and the housing are beyond the school walls, compared to the size of the academy, they just looked like extras. That's the reason why Ansarivan was called an academic city.

Putting that aside, the distance between the boys dormitory and the girls dormitory must had been arranged on purpose by the academy.

“Please enter.”

Cosette pushed open the heavy looking gate and welcomed both of them in.

===Part 6===
On the top most floor of Epona House was the room of royal use.

It looked like a high class hotel suite and it even had a large space.

Apart from a heater in the living room, there was also a dining room, a study room, bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, etc. In a room that has everything, it looked as if it was another world compared to the normal student’s room.

Silvia was walking up and down around her room alone, worrying endlessly.

“Argh! What’s wrong with me! Why couldn’t I calm down! Even my family motto stated that ‘Always stay calm, especially in a pinch’!”

Even though she wasn’t even in a pinch, Silvia couldn’t stop worrying. It was about time for Cosette to arrive with Ash and Eco.

“That’s it!”

Silvia stopped in her tracks for a moment and then she dashed into the makeup room and stood in front of a mirror.

She applied a thin layer of makeup on her face.

She tried combing her hair many times.

Her clothing and accessories were chosen by Cosette.

She put on her camisole, a skirt with two layers of frills, her panty socks and a necklace made from bright dragon crystals that acted as jewels.

In front of the mirror, she was just like her usual…. No, she was at least twice as more beautiful than she usually was.

Silvia turned red when she realized how beautiful she was.

“Why would I dress myself up! It is alright by just sticking to what I usually do!”

Ash was about to arrive.

Until the boy’s dormitory was done with its renovation, Ash was going to stay here for two weeks.

Her hearts started to beat rapidly from thinking about it.

“This feeling… It is that same feeling as ''that time…''”

Silvia recalled her memories.

Around the time of her seventh birthday, she met a boy in Albion Forest.

''“Why? Why would I have this feeling of returning to the time when I was seven years old whenever I think about Ash…?”''

Silvia suddenly regained her senses.

“Stop! Stop! Stop! Doesn’t this mean that I am looking forward for him to arrive!? Right… I should change back into my normal clothing…”
[[Image:SnRK v05 006.jpg|thumb|'' ''…!'' Silvia immediately snapped out from the confusion. She just remembered that right now, she was only wearing her undergarments. '']]

Silvia left the makeup room and entered the living room. She swiftly removed all her clothing except for her undergarments. She then walked along the corridor towards the changing room.

Suddenly, the door opened right in front of her eyes.

“Princess-sama, we had returned.”

Cosette walked in with a smile.

“Princess-sama!?”

Ash was standing right behind Cosette with his eyes wide opened. ''Why is his face red? Is it because of the heat?''

“…!”

Silvia immediately snapped out from the confusion. She just remembered that right now, she was only wearing her undergarments.

“Kyaaaaaaaaaaa!”

Silvia ran and hid behind the door while screaming at the top of her voice.

===Part 7===
“Hey you! Just until when are you going to keep on staring!”

“Ouch!”

Ash came back to his sense after he was stomped on the leg by Eco.

Just when he had stepped in through the grand entrance, he was greeted by Silvia in only her undergarments. The white coloured lace will forever be imprinted in his mind.

''By the way, why was Silvia wearing only those?'' No matter how hot the weather can be, it doesn’t suit her image.

“I am going to check on Princess-sama. Could the both of you wait here for a moment, please?”

With a happy smile on her face, Cosette disappeared into the corridor. In just a moment-

“No. This definitely doesn’t look natural.”

“No no. It definitely fits you well.”

“But… Won’t this make me look like I am looking forward to their arrival?”

“Huh? Aren’t you?”

Their entire conversation was heard by Ash.

“Come on! This is a disgrace! How dare they make a dragon wait by the entrance!”

Eco who was standing right beside Ash was enraged. The toy that she had with her which had a carelessly made face was further squashed by Eco’s abnormal strength.

Ash pitied the toy. If this continued to keep on, Ash would probably be the next victim.

“Sorry for the wait.”

Just when Ash was about to be surrounded by his fear, Cosette had returned to the entrance with Silvia who was hiding right behind her.

Ash’s heart skipped a beat when he saw Silvia’s clothing. It gave a completely different feel compare to the school uniform that she usually wears. A lot of her skin was exposed from wearing the camisole. It had totally grabbed his attention.

“Please come in.”

Ash regained his sense after he heard Cosette’s voice.

“S-Sorry for the intrusion.”

In opposite to Ash, Eco was looking around the room with a hint of worry.

“Even so… You are just a Princess of the Royal Knight’s Family and you get to have such a great room?”

Perhaps she was mad from being asked to wait at the entrance, Eco was saying anything that would sooth her anger.

In truth, even Ash was amazed by the room itself. Just the entrance itself is wider than Ash’s room. There were even expensive looking pictures along the wall and carvings of dragons.

“Please don’t be mad. This room was specially made for the royals, it would be natural if Princess-sama is staying here.”

Ash tried to calm her down.

“But, I am also a Princess of the dragons! Why would there be such a large difference in our treatment!?”

“It is not like I want to stay in this room either!”

Silvia tried to speak up for herself even when she was being threatened by Eco.

“I even tried telling the academy to let me have the same treatment as the rest of the students, but they never listen…”

Suddenly, Silvia stood still on her ground. There was not even a slightest movement.

“Princess-sama… What’s wrong? You don’t look good.”

Ash was worried about her but she didn’t reply.

She kept on staring at the stuffed toy that Eco was carrying with her with her ice blue eyes.

Silvia then suddenly leaped towards Eco and grabbed her shoulders.

“Eco! Can you tell me how did that toy fall into your possession?”

Eco became confused.

“I-It has nothing to do with you.”

“Please tell me! This is very important!”

Silvia shouted loudly.

“… I picked it up.”

Eco mumbled when she turned her head to aside. It seemed that she did not want to tell Silvia that it was a gift from Ash. Ash was wondering on why she would be insisting on it.

“You picked it up? When? Where?”

Silvia was being persistent.

“Come on! Why do I need to tell you?”

Eco lost her patience and roared.

“…Why can’t you tell me?”

“T-That’s because… I don’t have the obligation to tell you.”

“Now I see, you are playing dumb… It seems I must resolve to this.”

Suddenly, Silvia leaped towards Eco with both of her hands stretched out.

“Hey!... Don’t joke with me!”

Eco dodged with the toy in her arms.

With the royal room as the stage, the two of them started running around like a bunch of kids. In just a blink of an eye, both of them
disappeared behind a door.

“Err… What is this all about?”

Ash who was left behind turned around and questioned Cosette.

“Cosette-san?”

To his surprised, Cosette too was transfixed on her own spot. It was rare to see her making a face like that.

Cosette then regained her sense after being called out to by Ash and started explaining.

“I just remember about it… I fear that that stuffed toy…. Is an important treasure to Princess-sama during her childhood.”

Ash was surprised by her answer.

“Wait a moment! That shouldn’t be possible! There should be many more stuffed toys with the same design, no?”

Cosette answered calmly.

“No. There isn’t. That toy is the one and only in this world. It was a limited edition item. It was actually made from a famous artist from Chevron Kingdom called Leonard De Mirabeau and was given to the five year old Princess-sama.”

“Really? That clumsily made toy is…”

“That’s not it… Its weird look was actually Mirabeau-sama’s style. Didn’t people usually say that there was only a silver line that separates a genius and a madman? If that stuffed toy was bought to an antique auction… It should be priced at five million Eccles at minimum.”

Cosette told him the shocking truth with a straight face.

“Five million…!”

Ash turned speechless.

His face had turned pale.

''-Five million Eccles!''

Ash couldn’t even imagine that amount of money. He just knew that he won’t be able to finish it by living the rest of his days enjoying life. He never knew that such a treasure was hidden in his closet.

“W-We should try stopping them first!”

Ash started searching for them in the huge room.

===Part 8===
“Finally! You won’t be able to escape!”

Eco who ran into Silvia’s room was now like a rat in the bag. There was only one exit and the windows were too high to jump from since this was the top most floor.

“Tsk… You are being persistent!”

Eco backed off to the wall and like a mother protecting her child, she tried to intimidate Silvia.

For one moment, Silvia was awed by her beauty, but the next instant, she roared:

“You haven’t told me anything yet! I just want to know how this toy came into your possession!”

“Why would you even want to know!?”

“T-That… I had my own reasons! Please, Eco!”

“Hmph… I had mine too. I will never tell you, only you!”

Both of them were glaring at each other without any intention of backing off.

Silvia realized that whatever she said was useless.

“Now you have done it. Although it is not to my liking… I must resolve this by force.”

“What! Who do you think I am! See that if you can do it!”

“Fine with me!”

Silvia leaped forward without mercy.

Although she must avoid Eco’s abnormal strength, Eco’s actions had always been straight forward and were always easy to read.

On the other hand, apart from the Drag Arts, Silvia had mastered many more fighting styles. It is a normal thing to do for someone who was born in the Lautreamont Royal Knight’s Family.

After struggling on the ground like brats, Silvia came out as the winner.

“Now you have been captured!”

Silvia was pressing Eco’s tiny body on the floor and without giving her a chance to fight back, she rode on Eco.

“Tsk… Let me go!”

“Is there any idiot in this world that would move off once they are being asked to?”

The winner had been decided. Even when Eco had her abnormal strength, she could never be able to beat Silvia.

But, there was a reason why Silvia could beat her easily.

Eco had never let go of the stuffed toy even after she was pressed down against the floor. If Eco would just let go of that toy, the fight could still drag on. No, it could even be Silvia who was pressed down against the floor.

“Please, Eco! This is not an order. Although it was not a long time since the day I met you, I always think you as a friend. That is why… Could you please tell me?”

Just when Silvia was begging Eco with a trembling voice…

“Eco! Princess-sama!”

The door opened with a bang and Ash came running in.

Silvia turned around to look at Ash while she was pressing Eco down against the floor.

“Hold on, Ash! I never have the intention to harm Eco! I just want to ask Eco about it… no matter what!”

“But, Princess-sama doesn’t act like the usual you. Even so, Eco is my Pal, I won’t forgive anyone who try to harm her, even if it is Princess-sama.”

After Ash murmured sadly, he showed her his left arm.

Silvia knew that he had his abnormally large Seikoku covered in a bandage.

“Your Seikoku…?”

Silvia was in lost of words.

The Seikoku under the bandage was obviously blinking with glowing lights. That was a signal given when the Pal was in danger.

For example, even though Silvia did not have any intentions of harming Eco, but Eco felt that she was in danger and sent the signal to her owner Ash for help…

“Sorry, Eco… I am really sorry. I am in the wrong for scaring you…. But, I have my own reasons. Please, Eco! Please tell me for the sake of our friendship!”

Silvia was forcing out an answer from Eco.

“…Eco?”

Eco did not reply. Just as Silvia became confused, Eco was surrounded by a glowing light.

“Hey, Eco! What’s wrong?”

Eco still did not reply. Right now, Eco was like a doll, showing no expression.

Even her eyes seemed to be reflecting nothing.

“Urgh…!”

The next instant, Silvia was being blasted of by a strong wind.

“Princess-sama!”

Followed by Ash’s shout, Silvia’s back bang against the wall. She almost couldn’t breathe because of it.

===Part 9===
“Princess-sama!”

Just when Ash was trying to help Silvia out, Cosette arrived.

“I will take care of Princess-sama. Ash-sama, go help Eco-chan! This is no laughing matter!”

Cosette’s voice seemed to be more serious and nervous than usual.

“Understood!”

Ash ran straight towards Eco.

His Seikoku started to hurt.

He remembered that feeling.

He had the similar feeling when Eco was awaken in the capital, Fontaine.

Although the pain was not as strong as that time, Ash knew that this was the sign before her transformation into a dragon.

Eco stood up slowly with the cute stuffed toy dropping on the floor.

Strictly speaking, she was not standing.

There was a gap in between her feet and the floor.

She was actually floating…!

Her limbs were now surrounded by the mysterious light that was so bright that they could not look at it directly.

However, Ash continued to move forward.

“Stop, Eco! If you are to be awaken here…”

In the worst possible case, this Epona House will be destroyed. No, it could even be related to the city’s survivability…

Eco had long been labeled as an element of danger by many countries’s government. The reason why Mirabel was sent to become the academy’s director was to keep an eye on Eco.

''If she is to transform into a dragon right now…!''

Ash moved forward without giving any thought and hugged Eco.

A huge amount of magic was flowing out from her tiny body. If he had been careless, he would even be swallowed by the magic and lost consciousnesss.

Ash shouted with all his might into Eco’s ears.

“Get a grip of yourself! I…I like the way you are now! It is okay if you just stay as you are! You don’t have to force yourself to change into your true self!”

It seems that Ash’s words had gotten through and the magic that was surrounding Eco had disappeared. Even the lights were no longer there. Ash’s Seikoku too had stopped responding.

“We are saved…”

Ash breathe a sigh of relieves.

“…Huh?”

Eco blinked her eyes in surprise and murmured.

“What had I done…? Why are you…?”

Realizing that she was in Ash’s arms, Eco leaped off from Ash’s arms with her face red in embarrassment.

===Part 10===
“I am sorry for what had happened just now. I-I never thought that you were so much against it…. No I shouldn’t make any excuses. A knight must admit his own faults. I deeply apologize!”

After the group had sat on a dining table in the living room, Silvia apologized to Eco sincerely.

“Hmph… I guess this should be sufficient.”

Silvia’s eagerness to apologize by bowing her head had started to confuse Eco. Even though she still continued to puff up her checks in protest, but at least she had accepted Silvia’s apology. Ash who noticed it breathe a sigh of relieves.

“…Since everything had been settled, please allow me to ask. How did that stuffed toy came into your possession?”

Silvia’s words had cause Eco to be enraged again.

“Ha!? You….. Just apologize and yet you still want to ask!?”

“I apologize for resolving this matter by force. I promise that this time, I won’t try questioning you by force. But in return, I will keep on asking until you answer me. Remember, I will keep on asking.”

Silvia was quite stubborn. She even smiled towards Eco with her face full of confidence.

“I can’t believe it…”

Eco sighed.

“Sorry, Eco-chan.”

At that moment, Cosette returned from the kitchen with a silver tray full of snacks and tea.

“That toy that Eco-chan was holding right now… It probably belongs to Princess-sama a long time ago.”

“How can it be…?”

Whilst she was surprised, Eco took a bite on the vanilla flavoured crepe that Cosette handed to her. If it was the usual Eco, she would definitely shout out ‘Delicious!’ on the first bite, but right now, she was with a serious looks. As expected, even Eco couldn’t enjoy her favorite food properly.

“What Cosette said is true. That toy is definitely an important thing to me during my childhood.”

Silvia spoke calmly as if she was trying to teach a child who knew nothing.

“Ha!? That’s impossible! I understand none of these!”

Eco placed her half eaten crepe back on her plate. Ash was surprised that she prioritized the argument before her crepe.

“I knew it the moment I saw it. There is only one of this stuffed toy in the whole world. It is a very important toy.”

“How can you have such confidence!?”

“You don’t even know the worth of that toy. Anyone who knows its worth would recognize it on their first sight.”

“Arrrrrggh! That explanation is totally unacceptable!”

''Eco was once again enraged, but at least Silvia knew her limit. Thanks to that, the atmosphere did not turn out to be any worse than this…'' Ash secretly thought.

“Come on you two…”

Cosette was obviously not at all troubled. She seems to be enjoying this.

“Haa… It seems like I don’t have a choice.”

Ash sighed.

“Please listen carefully, Princess-sama. That stuffed toy was in my closet. I gave it to Eco since she seems to like it.”

“Hey! Why did you tell that to her!?”

Eco was scolding Ash with her face red.

“What else can I do? If I leave it to both of you, the same thing will continue onwards again and again.”

“I… want this to be a secret between the both of us.”

Eco’s mumbling caught Ash’s attention.

“What did you say?”

“N-Nothing! I don’t even know you!”

Eco averted her face in anger. ''Why must she get angry...?'' Ash wondered.

On the other hand, Silvia was staring at Ash.

“Ash… you said that this toy was in your closet?”

“That seems to be the case.”

Ash shrugged his shoulders.

“Actually, I am not really clear about it. Believe me or not, there was a blank in my memories… I don’t even know how it came into my possession. I don’t even know about its worth if not because of Cosette.”

Silvia was staring at Ash so intently almost as if she was going to pierce a hole in his forehead. She then asked a weird question.

“When is your birthday?”

“Huh? The third on the month of Aries… What about that?”

After Ash answered honestly, Cosette spoke in surprise:

“Oh, what a coincidence. It seems that Princess-sama was also born in the month of Aries. By the way, hers is in the seventh.”

“Hmm… That’s the first time I had heard of it.”

“Huhu… So Ash-sama is the bigger brother by four days.”

“T-That… isn’t it…”

“Ash!”

Silvia suddenly leaned against him. Ash could see her breast that was covered by the thin cloth of the summer clothes.

“Princess-sama?”

“Even though this may seems abrupt, but do you still remember the date you went for the Orphan Ceremony?”

“Err… I don’t really remember about the details, but it shouldn’t be far away from my seventh birthday. Since my hometown was at a far away village, I started my journey when I was still six. I remembered that I had my seventh birthday in a horse carriage.”

Once they reach the age of seven, every citizen of the Knight Country must visit Albion Forest.

For Ash, if he had departed after his seventh birthday, he would never be able to arrive at Albion Forest in a month time.

“By the way, does the date I went for the Orphan Ceremony matter?”

“…No, Nothing. I have something that I want to discuss with Cosette. Please stay here for the moment.”

Silvia suddenly stood up and dragged Cosette by the hand with her.

“What a weird Princess.”

Ash took a drink from the cup of red tea.

===Part 11===
After Silvia entered the makeup room, with an ‘Ahem’, she cleared her throat.

“What do you want to talk about, Princess-sama?”

“About that…”

“It doesn’t seem like something easy.”

Since she had been with Silvia for quite some time, Cosette immediately knew what she was thinking.

“Aah… That’s right.”

“I will do everything you tell me to if it is in my ability to do so. If the situation required, I could even be Princess-sama’s limbs or even your shield… That’s my duty.”

Silvia made up her mind and told her wish.

“Actually, I want you to return to the palace and investigate the name list of the children who went to the orphan ceremony at the same day as me. This should be an easy one for you, no?”

However, Cosette told Silvia something out of her imagination.

“The records of the Orphan Ceremony is the country’s top secret. Even if you are a Princess, you will be breaching the law by trying to investigate it.”

“Then, your duty would be to avoid it. Please, I could only put my hopes on you. With your ability, reading top secret documents should not be a problem, right?”

“That doesn’t sound nice, Princess-sama. The ability that I only knew of was an ancient technique that was passed down in the Shelly’s family and some spying technique. All of them were used to protect the Lautreamont family.”

“I understand that, but…!”

Silvia grabbed her shoulders and looked at Cosette with her puppy eyes.

“Of course I will do it if this is your order. But, what will you do if Ash-sama is really that boy?”

Silvia’s face almost burst out in flames.

“I-I just want to know about it! That’s right, I only want to know about the truth!”

Cosette gave a wry smile.

“Hmm… Putting that aside, during the time when I am not in, when the night comes and Eco had slept, aren’t '''the two of you''' alone together?”

“When the night comes…. The two of us…!?”

This time, steam emerged from her ears. Her heart was beating none stop.

“W-W-What are you talking about! Don’t you have any shame! How shameless! I…I believe that Ash was not someone insolence! That is why there is no point behind your question!”

Silvia snapped and Cosette nodded.

“I too had the same feeling.”

“Then why bother asking!”

Cosette smiled and took out something. It was a stack of paper held together by a paper clip.

“What’s that?”

“Huhu… A copy of ‘Shelley family’s secret. A recipe to make men dream’. Although I want to use it during this summer to teach Princess-sama some cooking… But this is a good chance to try it. Although Princess-sama don’t have any actual experience, but isn't this a good chance to show your cooking skills to Ash-sama?”

Silvia felt as if her body was on fire.

“Hold on! W-W-Why must I show Ash my cooking skills?”

“If I am not mistaken, The Lautreamont Family Motto did mention that ‘to shoot a general you must first shoot his horse’, am I right?”

“What does it had to do with this?”

“In the Shelley’s Family Motto, there is something like this: ‘To get the man you like, you must first fill his stomach’.”

“What kind of family motto is that!?”

“Huhu… When Ash-sama’s stomach is empty, and Princess-sama gave him your homemade cooking, he would surely fall for you.”

“…Fall for me!?”

Cosette was like a devil whispering into Silvia’s ears.

“When a Princess who doesn’t look like she knew any cooking made a meal, which man wouldn’t be moved by it?”

“Cut the crap! I never want Ash to take notice of me! Never! I-It's just that I had some interest in cooking since a long time ago. I will accept your offer because of this.”

Cosette handed her the recipe while smiling.
[[Image:SnRK v05 096.jpg|thumb]]

“Now, I had received my orders from Princess-sama and I will depart from Ansarivan immediately.”

“Huh? Immediately?”

“It is better if we act quickly, Princess-sama.”

Cosette lifted the both sides of her skirt slightly and bowed gracefully.

Suddenly, like a mist, Cosette disappeared from Silvia’s sight like a magician.

“H-Hey! Cosette? … Do you really want to depart at this moment?”

Silvia became worried when she heard no reply.

“Please hold on, Cosette! You should allow me to have some mental preparation before…!”

Silvia looked around the room with tears in her eyes. It looks like Cosette had really departed.

“Tsk… She never takes me seriously!”

After Silvia mumbled in regrets, she took a long hard look at the recipe given to her.

"The Stuffed Toy Dragon~A.S.B.1365.8~" is closed.

<noinclude>

==References and Translation Notes==
<references />

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| Back to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Prologue|Prologue]]
| Return to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]
|-
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</noinclude>

Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 1

2014-08-08T05:47:22Z

Valthan: /* Part 10 */

==Chapter 1 - Tragedy of Apollo house and Mirabel's decision==
===Part 1===
''-Don! Don…! Don!''

The sun had just risen but Ash who spent a sleepless night was woken up by a loud knocking sound.

“What in the world…?”

He took that silver watch by his pillow side and noticed that it was just half past six.

After he angrily took a look at the window, he became wide awake.

“Uwaa…!”

There was a huge eye looking through the gaps of the curtain.

It was actually a dragon who was banging its nose against the window.

''-Don! Don… Dododododo!”''

He was worried that it may break the glass.

“Why is a dragon coming to my room!? Could it be another Necromancia attack!?”

So the Empire had finally shown their true colours and started attacking? Ash tried to leave the bed but he was stopped.

“Zzz…”

Eco rolled over and hugged Ash.

Her hair was all over his shoulders and her arms were around his back.

And also her soft face that was on his chest…

''-Mmm…''

Ash was shocked by her sudden nibble.

“Hey, Eco… Please don’t bite that spot.”

Recently, her habit of nibbling had gotten less but she still had not gotten rid of her habit of a young dragon. Moreover, she was nibbling on Ash’s sensitive spot which troubled him.

At that moment, there was a crack on the window.

“This is bad… It is not the right moment to let her continue nibbling.”

Ash carried Eco and they left the bed together. The next thing he knew, the glass was smashed into pieces.

He managed to avoid the glass fragments at the last moment.

At the same time, there were two dragons that were trying to squeeze their heads through the window. Their hard scales protect them from the sharp glass.

By taking a closer look, Ash noticed that one of them was a Maestro while the other was a Hydra. After knowing that he was not attacked by a Necromancia, Ash breathe a sigh of relieve.

“Morning, Ash!”

“Good morning, Ash-sama!”

Finally, he could see the faces of the two riders.

They were the student council secretary Lucca and Jessica of the general affairs. Right beside them were Maestro Gawain and Rhiannon the Hydra.

Ash started to protest after he placed Eco who was still sleeping on the bed.

“Lucca! Jessica! What in the world are both of you doing!?”

Since the time Ash saved Gawain who was in danger of dying, Lucca had become emotionally attached to Ash. In the dragon riding academy, most of the girls are the more aggressive type, it was kind of rare to see someone as quiet as Lucca. The beauty that only an Eckbald possessed was out of this world.

Ash was a little surprised to see Lucca acting rashly. Perhaps she was influenced by Jessica.

“Ash… I hoped that you would come with me to the Eckbald village. I want to introduce you to the village chief, my otou-sama.” <ref>In the raw version, Lucca called her father otou-sama, but the kanji written was foster father.</ref>

Her usual emotionless face had always given Ash a heck lot of trouble.

“Hold on! W-Why must you mention about the chief!?”

“P-Please don’t ask anymore than this.”

Lucca was suddenly blushing.

This time, it was Jessica who pushed Lucca to aside.

Jessica who was usually eyeing at Ash’s sperm, though her actions had always been eccentric, she was still undoubtably one of the few beauties of the academy.

“Ash-sama, I have a request!”

“Hey, wait a minute! This is the third floor! How did a hydra get here…?”

“Well. Climbing wall is not a problem for my Rhiannon.”

“Can’t you sympathize your Pal a little!”

Ash pitied her Pal. Although a Hydra may still be able to move on land, but only when they are in the water they are able to show their true skills. It shouldn’t be its own intention to walk on land. Let alone climbing the walls of the student’s dormitory, which doesn’t seem to fit the actions of a proud dragon.

“Putting that aside, Ash-sama! I am about to leave Ansarivan. What about you? Do you have any plans of returning?”

“Now I remember… today is the start of the holiday.”

-The first day of the month of Leo.

It was the first day of the holidays for Ansarivan Dragon Riding Academy. Since it was a boarding school, most of the student will return to their hometown.

Of course, not all of the students were going back home. There were also a small amount of students that were forced to stay in for the holidays for certain reasons.

Ash was one of them.

“Nope, I am not going home.”

After hearing, Jessica’s facial expression changes.

“What! If that’s the case, I too will stay back here!”

“Uuh… If I don’t return soon… I will be scolded by my otou-sama.”

Compare to Jessica who was in high spirit, Lucca looks sad. Lucca who carry the hopes of all Eckbald with her probably doesn’t have as much freedom as Jessica has.

“Sorry to disappoint you Jessica, but you must return with me.”
[[Image:SnRK v05 044.jpg|thumb]]

Suddenly, there was another voice.

“Rebecca-san!”

Ash shouted.

There was a sweet smell from her red hair being blown by the winds. She looks like a war maiden in the legends when she was riding on Cú Chulainn.

“Sorry for the trouble that this stupid girl from my house had given you. The Randall family will cover the fees for mending the window. The servants fault is also the master’s fault.”

“Now that you mention it… I remember that Jessica was a servant in the Randall family.”

“Just that since she became a Breeder, she had forgotten about her place.”

Rebecca sighed.

“Hmph! Could you stop calling me that? I don’t have the intention of serving the Randall family for my whole life!”

“I never thought of that. You are my important childhood friend. Also, your parents had asked me to take good care of you. That is why I have my duty to bring you back to meet your parents.”

Although her lips were smiling, there was not even a hint of smile in Rebecca’s eyes. After Jessica saw Rebecca’s determination, her elbows dropped in disappointment.

“Haa… I understand. However… I want Ash-sama to see me off!”

Ash gave a wry smile.

“I think that should be alright.”

The moment he answered, Jessica was once again with a big smile. But, she was then blushing and started to mumble.

“T-Then… According to my hometown’s custom…. There should be a parting k-kiss….”

“Hey! Jessica! When does our hometown have such a custom?”

Rebecca exposed Jessica’s lie with a wry smile.

“Hmph! Rebecca! Don’t you know how to look at the atmosphere?”

“I-I too would like you to see me off…”

While Jessica was in rage, Lucca shyly told Ash her wish.

“Of course.”

“T-Then… According to the Eckbald custom…. I want you to give me a princess carry.”

Ash’s heart skipped a beat when he first saw Lucca’s blushing face.

“A-A princess carry!”

Ash was in a fix but Jessica shouted at Lucca:

“Hey! What are you trying to do in this mess! That must be a lie!?”

“Uuh…”

While Lucca turned speechless, the noise that Jessica made had spread throughout the school.

“Hey, can you believe it! The president and Jessica were making a night visit! And the other person… Could she be Lucca Sarlinen the genius girl from the basic class!?”

Suddenly, a huge number of students were gathering outside of the Apollo House. It was something for three girls to be standing on their dragons beside a window of a boy’s dormitory.

To say nothing of Rebecca Randall who was the most popular person in the entire academy, Jessica was also one of the centers of attentions and let alone Lucca with her Yōsei like looks and her skills as a Dragner.

“I-I am just here to have Ash-sama see me off! Nothing else!”

Jessica tried to settle the misunderstanding by shouting towards the direction of the school.

“Hmm! By saying Ash-kun you mean… The Ash-kun who was knighted yesterday!?”

“The knighting ceremony was awesome!”

“I also want him to see me off!”

Right now all the girls were speaking with s shrill voice.

Rebecca gave him a bitter smile while she was enjoying all of this.

“Seems like your popularity had sky rocketed after you became a Dragner.”

“The situation outside… Somehow, it looks frightening.”

“Yeah. I just saw around thirty dragons flying towards this window.”

Rebecca told him the unthinkable news with a calm face.

“Huh!?”

“Sorry, Ash. Though I have many reasons to help you… But if I show my true skills, the girls would suffer some grave injuries.”

“Hol-! Don’t leave me!”

“You should try to solve your own problem if you are a Dragner. Also… If it is alright, I would also want you to see me off.”

“…Eh?”

Unfortunately, Ash was not able to catch everything Rebecca said. Her voice disappeared behind the loud noise from Cú Chulainn flapping its wings.

“Good luck, Ash.”

Lucca too had reluctantly flew off with Gawain.

Right after that, the Apollo House faced a terrible attack.

“Ash-kun! Please see me off!”

“Ash-kun, you might as well come to my home town with me…!”

“Hey! Don’t cut the queue!”

Most of the girls returning were riders of stradas. They were like bats gathering together for food at the window.

But of course it was impossible for thirty riders of stradas to squeeze into the window at the same time.

Soon, they started pushing around.

“P-Please be patient! Calm down! Please calm down!”

Ash was panicking.

Every single roar from the Strada was enough to shake up this entire old building.

“Hey!...How dare you! Ash-sama is my important- Nooooooo!”

Unlike Rebecca or Lucca, Jessica who stayed until the end was finally pushed off the wall together with Rhiannon.

“W-What should I do?”

Ash retreated until his back was facing the wall while he was watching the girls fighting for a spot.

At that moment, Eco who had rolled herself into a ball while she was sleeping had woken up and was rubbing her eyes.

“Hmmm…. What’s all the noise about?”

“You ! How can you still think of sleeping!”

Eco was looking around in confusion. It seems that she wasn’t fully awake yet and wasn’t able to think properly.

Ash shouted with all his might towards the window.

“I beg you! Could you please not make a mess in front of someone else’s window! I promise to see off every single one of you!”

Too bad for him, his voice was not received by them.

Suddenly, Ash had a bad feeling.

“I couldn’t be…”

His entire body was shivering in fear. Since some time ago, the wall facing the outside was creaking. It appears that the Stradas were putting pressure on it.

“It is dangerous to stay here! Lets run Eco!”

“Huh…! Could you care to explain!”

“Later!”

Ash was running with Eco on his hands.

He ran out through the door and out to the corridor.

Just when he was sliding along the floor…

''-Creak…! Eeeeekkkk……. !Do--------------n!''

The next moment, there was a loud explosion.

Ash cautiously took a peek through the cracks on the door while trembling. All he sees was dust flying around and even the corridor was affected.

''“*Cough *!*Cough *!”''

While covering up Eco who was coughing, Ash waited until the dust had settled down.

Just moments later-

After the dust had cleared up, what Ash saw was a clear sky.

The morning rays were shining at the disastrous room.

The wreckage of the wall was all over his room. It was a painful sight.

Right now, with the wall that was facing the academy and the window destroyed, his room looked like a doll house that can be seen from the outside.

“Err… Eco, am I dreaming?”

“I think so?”

Ash and Eco were looking at the room with their mouths wide open.

===Part 2===
Ash was brought to the director’s office on the first day of the holiday.

As for those girls who were the culprit, it seems that they had ran back home as soon as possible. That is why Ash who was the victim was summoned.

“I see… Now I understand what had happened.”

Mirabel who was acting as the director replied coldly and drank from her cup of tea.

The room was full of the smells of bergamot and the tea.

Just like a robot, Mirabel’s face was emotionless the entire time. ''Does this princess even have the thing known as feelings…?'' Ash thought.

“The academy will take responsibility for mending the wall. Just some time before, I had asked the builders of this city and they estimated that they will be able to complete it in around two weeks time.”

“Really…! Thank you very much!”

Ash was grateful that she was able to deal with this situation without delay.

“The problem is… During the renovation, where am I to place you and Eco.”

“I see…”

“Can you borrow a room from any of your friends?”

“I don’t think that would be possible…”

Unfortunately, Max and Raymond had gone home. For Ash who doesn’t have many friends, these were the’ only two friends that he could rely on. Although there was an option of using it without asking for their permissions, but Ash couldn’t bring himself to do it.

''-Bang!''

The door behind him was opened with a slam.

The next time he knew, Silvia and Eco was right beside him.

“How much longer are the two of you going to keep on talking!? Can’t you just give us a new room!”

Eco was pointing at Mirabel in anger.

“Anee-ue! Why do you call for Ash! That incident was caused by a few girls! It had nothing to do with Ash! Aren’t you treating him like the culprit!?”

Silvia on the other hand was trying to speak up for Ash.

“Where are your manners? Don’t you know that it is rude to walk into a room without knocking? You won’t be given special treatment even if you are the descendant of the Avalon Holy Dragons Emperor’s family or my sister. “

Mirabel glared at both of them coldly.

“I am sorry… Anee-ue.”

Silvia stood still on her ground as if she had turned into a stone.

On the other hand, Eco was trying to intimidate Mirabel by showing her sharp teeth.

“Hey you!... How dare you act like that even when you know that I am Avalon’s holy dragons' emperor family's Imperial Princess! Why don’t I try crushing the castle the next time? If I show you my true self, one or two Fontaine Place won’t…”

“Idiot! Stop spurting nonsense!”

Ash’s face was pale white when he was scolding Eco.

Since that incident, the Knight’s government took Eco as a threat. As long as there is the possibility that Mirabel was here to keep an eye on Eco, they have to be careful with their own words.

But to his surprise, Eco calm down with just a single shout.

She turned her head around with her face blushing.

“I-I will listen to you… Just this time.”

Ash was taken aback from seeing Eco making such an expression for the first time. Just as he had expected, it was that transformation that had made a change of her heart. Although the gentle Eco looked a lot cuter, at the same time, it was also a little confusing.

“Ahem!”

Mirabel tried clearing her throat, returning everyone’s attention back to her.

“Silvia, you came at the right moment. Right now you are staying in the royal room in the Epona House right?”

“…What about it?”

Silvia was surprised.

“Until the renovation in the boy’s dormitory had been completed, Ash Blake and young dragon Eco will stay in your room for the time being.”

“What!”

“I won’t repeat for a second time. This is an order from your sister. You are not allowed to have any objections.”

Naturally, Silva was enraged.

“What do you mean by this! This is against our family motto where ‘A knight shouldn’t carelessly touch another of the opposite sex’!”

“Hmm… Funny but I remember that I said to let Ash Blake and young dragon Eco stay in your room. When did I ever mention about touching Ash?”

“T-That…!”

Right at this moment, even Silvia’s earlobes were red.

“Right now, if I were to mention the family motto that you love so much, ‘A knight should help those who are in need’. Am I wrong?”

After she replied coldly, Mirabel looked like she had lost interest in the case regarding Ash. She kept on looking at the tea cup on her hand.

“I am done with you- What a pain, now a good cup of tea had turned cold.”

===Part 3===
Rebecca and Jessica had returned to the land ruled by the Randalls.

Lucca on the other hand had returned to her village.

After seeing them off, Ash and Eco once again returned to his room on the third floor of the Apollo House.

They once again looked at the disastrous room.

A bed full of glass fragments.

A floor full with the remains of the wall.

And the disorganized furniture.

With the wall gone, the room became bright and windy. Looking down from above was a few curious onlookers. When their eyes came into contact with Ash’s, everyone scattered.

“Haa… First of all, I think we should try cleaning up a little. It is better to make it look a little more cheerful before the renovation starts.”

Turning around, Ash noticed that Eco was sulking.

“What’s wrong, Eco?”

“Hey. Do you really want to stay in Silvia’s room?”

“It is not like I have a choice. It was an order from Princess Mirabel. It seems that even Princess-sama did not dare to go against her.”

“I… I hate it.”

“What’s the matter? You don’t look like your usual self. Well, if we stay at Princess-sama’s room, we may be able to eat Cosette’s delicious homemade cooking.”

“That’s not the point! And also, I am not someone who thinks about food for an entire day!”

Eco's face was red with anger and embarrassment.

“Is it… Sorry then.”

“It is fine if you understand. Anyway, just if you try to do something weird to Silvia… I will be sure to crush you!”

Eco was glaring at Ash.

“What do you mean by something weird!?”

With her ears fully red, Eco told Ash embarrassedly:

“T-To make it simple…. It is those perverted stuffs.”

“W-What are you even thinking!”

Ash stood still on his ground. He never expected Eco to speak of such a word. It kind of surprised him.

“Even I knew about those stuffs… Don’t look down on me just because I am a young dragon.”

“Could the source of information be…. The Dragweiss?”

“…Some of them were from there, but most of them were from the picture books that Cosette lent me.”

“Hold on! Are they really… Just picture books!?”

In order to teach her the importance of aesthetic sensibility, Cosette had lent her picture books and books for children. For that, Ash was grateful for Cosette.

However, there was a possibility that she mixed some books with adult content in them into the pile of picture books she had given to Eco.

“Anyhow, she is still this country’s princess. What you are worrying about will never happen, rest assured.”

''In the worst possible case, I will be beheaded…'' Ash thought secretly.

“A-Alright… I understand.”

Once again, Eco was smiling and she looked at the room around her.

“Then… What can I do to help you?”

“You are trying to help?”

“What? Is it weird for me to help?”

“Definitely not weird, but rare. Ain’t it always me who complete the house work?”

“A-About that… It doesn’t seem like I have a choice. I am a dragon. I don’t really understand how a human acts. But… I just feel like helping for today… Can’t I!?”

Eco puffed up her rosy coloured cheeks and stared at Ash.

“Why not? I even want to thank you.”

Ash gave a wry smile and tried to pat her head.

But, Eco immediately dodge to a side.

“No! You mustn’t touch!”

“Sorry… I didn't know that you dislike it this much.”

“N-No! It is okay it you are just patting, but you mustn’t touch my horns. If they were just slightly touched, I… will turn weird. I felt like floating in the air when they were touched...”

Ash could calm down after seeing Eco’s face when she tried to explain her feelings.

“I understand. I promise I won’t touch your horns.”

Ash carefully patted Eco’s head.

Her pink hair was fluffy and it gave his palm a nice feeling.

“Nn…”

Even when she was a dragon, Eco was smiling and shrugging her neck like what a cat would do.

Her innocent smile had grabbed Ash’s attention.

To be precise, it was her flower bud like lips.

His heart was beating rapidly.

This was actually the second time he had such a feeling.

The first time was when Eco said that she won’t be satisfied with just being a Pal in the guest room in Fontaine Palace.

“…”

Eco probably felt the change in the atmosphere too and her body suddenly tense up. Perhaps she too was also thinking about the scenario in the Fontaine Palace.

In a short while, just like that time, Eco closes her eyes.

She also tried to purse her lips.

Ash also noticed that her long eyelashes were also trembling.

''-Eco…!''
[[Image:SnRK v05 060.jpg|thumb]]

He suddenly remembered the word ‘beloved Pal’ in the knighting ceremony.

During that time, Ash was only saying the standard pledge.

But this was totally different.

His feeling of love to Eco was born from deep in his heart. A feeling that could be explained using something as simple as the relation of a Breeder and its Pal had grown.

Right now, they don’t need any words.

Ash placed both his hands on Eco’s shoulders and he closes their distance slowly.

A sweet smell was surrounding them which made him dizzy.

Right now, he felt as if his heart was going to explode.

They were now at a distance where their nose could easily touch each other.

Eco felt like being pierced through by the sunlight while she was waiting for Ash.

Ash made up his mind and closed his eyes.

And then- he kissed Eco on her lips.

===Part 4===
“~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~!”

Since their kiss, Eco had been working silently with her back facing Ash the entire time.

It seemed that she was too embarrassed to even look at Ash in the face.

And of course, it was the same for Ash.

Ash felt as if his face was a ball of fire.

Although the two of them at a first glance seemed to be dusting the room, there was actually zero progress. What they were doing was only messing up the already messed up room.

''-What should I do? What should I say at times like this?''

Just when Ash was anxious in trying to find the right words…

“Uwaaa…! Cute!”

Eco turned around and showed Ash a round object.

“Isn’t this cute? Where did you find this stuffed toy?”

At that moment, Ash felt something was pricking at the back of his neck. It made him wonder what it was.

The stuffed toy that Eco was holding seems to be a dragon. Strictly speaking, its face was clumsily done.

Furthermore, it's round body made it looks nothing like a majestic dragon.

However, Eco seemed to take it as cute, and it made her forget about what had just happened previously.

“Err… Actually I don’t remember much about that when it came into my possession. No matter how I look at it, looked just like a girl’s toy. It is probably not me who bought it.”

It was thanks to the toy that Ash was once again able to speak to Eco normally.

“Hmm… Strange.”

Eco was carrying the stuffed toy while she whipped off the dust on it.

“Hmm… When I move to Ansarivan, I just took it with me without any reason. Perhaps there is a great meaning behind it was what I thought. Actually… There is a blank in my childhood memory.”

“… A blank in your memories?”

Eco was surprised.

“Aah. It was right about when I had my seventh birthday when I visited Albion Forest for the Orphan Ceremony. I just can’t recall my memories during that time.”

“Isn’t that… The time when Mother Dragon bestowed me to you?”

“It seems so.”

“How come you can’t remember such an important event?”

Ash shrunk when he saw Eco start to get mad. Just like how they were finally able to speak normally, Eco’s temper had also returned.

“To be frank, I know nothing of it myself. It was just that I had a hunch that this toy had something to do with my lost memories and that’s the reason why I was reluctant to throw it away. However, because of the recent events, I totally forgot about it.”

“Then, can I keep it?”

Ash was taken by surprised.

“What do you mean by keeping it?”

“It is just like what I had said. Don’t you think it is sad for such a cute being to be left forgotten? I will take the trouble to take care of this kid.”

“How can you take care of it when it isn’t even a living being? Argh, whatever suits you then.”

“Really!?”

Eco was full of excitement.

“Well, I don’t really mind.”

“That's great!”

Eco was so happy that she felt that she could even fly. She then rubbed the stuffed toy with her cheeks.

Followed by that, she cuddled it like what a mother would do to her baby.

Suddenly, she spoke of something that surprised Ash.

“This somehow looked like our baby…”

Eco suddenly stopped speaking before she could even finish her sentence. She the glared at Ash with eyes looking as if they were on fire.

“You heard anything?”

“No, nothing at all.”

Ash spoke with a serious look on his face.

“T-That’s right! N-Nothing happened! Nothing happened at all!”

As if her head was exploding in flames, Eco carried the toy and dashed out from the room.

“Actually, I heard every single word…”

Just as Ash was murmuring with his body also feeling as it was engulfed by fire…

“Sorry to interrupt, Ash-sama.”

Suddenly, there was a woman’s voice coming from behind.

“Uwaa!”

He noticed that it was Cosette after he turned around. She seemed to be wearing the same palace design maid attire today. She then gave a polite bow.

“Cosette-san! How did you get in?”

“To enter such an airy room is like a child’s play to me.”

Cosette smiled before she turned around to look at the blue sky.

“That couldn’t be… This is the third floor! Putting that aside, why are you here?”

“I am here to meet you and Eco-chan. Had you forgotten about Princess Mirabel, Her Highness’s decision?”

Of course, it was impossible for him to forget about it to begin with. However, he still felt a little reluctant.

“Actually, can’t we reconsider about this? Putting Eco aside, don’t you think that it is wrong for a guy like me to enter Epona House where guys are not allowed?”

“For your own sake, I would advise you to follow her decision. Do you know what Princes Mirabel was also known as?”

“No… Nothing comes to mind at all.”

“Her nick name is actually Argento Magus. If we can describe Princess Veronica as a fighter, then Princess Mirabel is a thinker. Compare to Veronica, there were certain things that would made Mirabel a tougher opponent. Please be sure to be prepared mentally, Ash-sama.”

Ash sighed after he heard everything.

“…I understand. Please let me take some belongings like my pillow and clothes with me…”

“Alright then, meanwhile, I will try searching for Eco.”

Eco had not yet return since the moment she ran out from the room.

“Thank you. I think she should be somewhere around the dorm.”

“Huhu. That will be a simple task.”

Cosette ran towards the door nimbly while avoiding the disorganized furniture, but then she suddenly stopped and turned around to face Ash.

“By the way, Ash-sama.”

“What’s the matter?”

When Ash lifted his face, he saw Cosette’s face full of red. Ash was staring at her since it was rare to see her who was always calm to be blushing.

Although she always stayed hidden behind Silvia’s shadow, she actually looked quite beautiful.

With her right hand on her cheeks, she sighed.

Then she said something outrageous.

“Ash-sama and Eco-chan’s kiss looked very innocent indeed.”

“Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

This time, it was Ash’s turn to be blushing.

“D-Don’t, Don’t tell me that you saw everything!?”

“It totally felt like an opera show. You looked so cute when you kiss without even needing any words to understand each other. My god, isn’t that wonderful? Didn't Eco-chan also look cute when she was waiting to receive your kiss?”

“I beg you, please stop saying anymore than this! It is embarrassing!”

Right now, Ash felt like he was sitting on a mountain of needles.

Cosette, too, had also seemed to realize that she over did it, and replied with a playful smile.

“Rest assured, I won’t tell Princess-sama any of this.”

“How is Princeass-sama related to this!?”

“Hmm… I wonder… Huhu…”

Cosette left the room with her sentence ending with her laughter.

===Part 5===
The moment Ash finished gathering all his basic daily needs, Cosette was back with Eco. Together, the three of them marched towards Epona House.

Although it was around evening, the sun was still high up in the sky.

After passing through a grove of mixed trees, they were welcomed by a stern looking gate.

Even the cicada had stopped making noise.

Although they were just walking, they were all full of sweat.

By taking a peek beside, Eco looked as if she was suffering from the heat of the high summer temperature. She looked like a Hydra who was looking for water on dry land.

Compared to Ash, Eco was only carrying her stuffed toy.

On the other hand, Cosette didn’t even break a sweat.

“We have arrived.”

She turned around and smiled at both Ash and Eco.

Through the gate, they could see a garden that was separated into two halves by the walkway. It must have been well tended by a good gardener. Even Ash who doesn’t have any interest in gardening was amazed by it.

At the back of the garden stood an elegant looking building.

That was Epona House, the dormitory for advance class girls.

“We have finally arrived…”

Ash placed his baggage which was full of daily needs and clothing on the ground.

''How long does it actually take to walk here from Apollo House…'' Ash couldn’t be bothered to even think about it.

This dragon riding academy where human and dragons coexist had a very large land area.

In it, there were numerous classes, a church, a lecture hall, a library, a canteen, seven dragon houses, four dormitories, a sports ground… It even included an arena that was used during events.

Although there was the shopping district and the housing are beyond the school walls, compared to the size of the academy, they just looked like extras. That's the reason why Ansarivan was called an academic city.

Putting that aside, the distance between the boys dormitory and the girls dormitory must had been arranged on purpose by the academy.

“Please enter.”

Cosette pushed open the heavy looking gate and welcomed both of them in.

===Part 6===
On the top most floor of Epona House was the room of royal use.

It looked like a high class hotel suite and it even had a large space.

Apart from a heater in the living room, there was also a dining room, a study room, bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, etc. In a room that has everything, it looked as if it was another world compared to the normal student’s room.

Silvia was walking up and down around her room alone, worrying endlessly.

“Argh! What’s wrong with me! Why couldn’t I calm down! Even my family motto stated that ‘Always stay calm, especially in a pinch’!”

Even though she wasn’t even in a pinch, Silvia couldn’t stop worrying. It was about time for Cosette to arrive with Ash and Eco.

“That’s it!”

Silvia stopped in her tracks for a moment and then she dashed into the makeup room and stood in front of a mirror.

She applied a thin layer of makeup on her face.

She tried combing her hair many times.

Her clothing and accessories were chosen by Cosette.

She put on her camisole, a skirt with two layers of frills, her panty socks and a necklace made from bright dragon crystals that acted as jewels.

In front of the mirror, she was just like her usual…. No, she was at least twice as more beautiful than she usually was.

Silvia turned red when she realized how beautiful she was.

“Why would I dress myself up! It is alright by just sticking to what I usually do!”

Ash was about to arrive.

Until the boy’s dormitory was done with its renovation, Ash was going to stay here for two weeks.

Her hearts started to beat rapidly from thinking about it.

“This feeling… It is that same feeling as ''that time…''”

Silvia recalled her memories.

Around the time of her seventh birthday, she met a boy in Albion Forest.

''“Why? Why would I have this feeling of returning to the time when I was seven years old whenever I think about Ash…?”''

Silvia suddenly regained her senses.

“Stop! Stop! Stop! Doesn’t this mean that I am looking forward for him to arrive!? Right… I should change back into my normal clothing…”
[[Image:SnRK v05 006.jpg|thumb|'' ''…!'' Silvia immediately snapped out from the confusion. She just remembered that right now, she was only wearing her undergarments. '']]

Silvia left the makeup room and entered the living room. She swiftly removed all her clothing except for her undergarments. She then walked along the corridor towards the changing room.

Suddenly, the door opened right in front of her eyes.

“Princess-sama, we had returned.”

Cosette walked in with a smile.

“Princess-sama!?”

Ash was standing right behind Cosette with his eyes wide opened. ''Why is his face red? Is it because of the heat?''

“…!”

Silvia immediately snapped out from the confusion. She just remembered that right now, she was only wearing her undergarments.

“Kyaaaaaaaaaaa!”

Silvia ran and hid behind the door while screaming at the top of her voice.

===Part 7===
“Hey you! Just until when are you going to keep on staring!”

“Ouch!”

Ash came back to his sense after he was stomped on the leg by Eco.

Just when he had stepped in through the grand entrance, he was greeted by Silvia in only her undergarments. The white coloured lace will forever be imprinted in his mind.

''By the way, why was Silvia wearing only those?'' No matter how hot the weather can be, it doesn’t suit her image.

“I am going to check on Princess-sama. Could the both of you wait here for a moment, please?”

With a happy smile on her face, Cosette disappeared into the corridor. In just a moment-

“No. This definitely doesn’t look natural.”

“No no. It definitely fits you well.”

“But… Won’t this make me look like I am looking forward to their arrival?”

“Huh? Aren’t you?”

Their entire conversation was heard by Ash.

“Come on! This is a disgrace! How dare they make a dragon wait by the entrance!”

Eco who was standing right beside Ash was enraged. The toy that she had with her which had a carelessly made face was further squashed by Eco’s abnormal strength.

Ash pitied the toy. If this continued to keep on, Ash would probably be the next victim.

“Sorry for the wait.”

Just when Ash was about to be surrounded by his fear, Cosette had returned to the entrance with Silvia who was hiding right behind her.

Ash’s heart skipped a beat when he saw Silvia’s clothing. It gave a completely different feel compare to the school uniform that she usually wears. A lot of her skin was exposed from wearing the camisole. It had totally grabbed his attention.

“Please come in.”

Ash regained his sense after he heard Cosette’s voice.

“S-Sorry for the intrusion.”

In opposite to Ash, Eco was looking around the room with a hint of worry.

“Even so… You are just a Princess of the Royal Knight’s Family and you get to have such a great room?”

Perhaps she was mad from being asked to wait at the entrance, Eco was saying anything that would sooth her anger.

In truth, even Ash was amazed by the room itself. Just the entrance itself is wider than Ash’s room. There were even expensive looking pictures along the wall and carvings of dragons.

“Please don’t be mad. This room was specially made for the royals, it would be natural if Princess-sama is staying here.”

Ash tried to calm her down.

“But, I am also a Princess of the dragons! Why would there be such a large difference in our treatment!?”

“It is not like I want to stay in this room either!”

Silvia tried to speak up for herself even when she was being threatened by Eco.

“I even tried telling the academy to let me have the same treatment as the rest of the students, but they never listen…”

Suddenly, Silvia stood still on her ground. There was not even a slightest movement.

“Princess-sama… What’s wrong? You don’t look good.”

Ash was worried about her but she didn’t reply.

She kept on staring at the stuffed toy that Eco was carrying with her with her ice blue eyes.

Silvia then suddenly leaped towards Eco and grabbed her shoulders.

“Eco! Can you tell me how did that toy fall into your possession?”

Eco became confused.

“I-It has nothing to do with you.”

“Please tell me! This is very important!”

Silvia shouted loudly.

“… I picked it up.”

Eco mumbled when she turned her head to aside. It seemed that she did not want to tell Silvia that it was a gift from Ash. Ash was wondering on why she would be insisting on it.

“You picked it up? When? Where?”

Silvia was being persistent.

“Come on! Why do I need to tell you?”

Eco lost her patience and roared.

“…Why can’t you tell me?”

“T-That’s because… I don’t have the obligation to tell you.”

“Now I see, you are playing dumb… It seems I must resolve to this.”

Suddenly, Silvia leaped towards Eco with both of her hands stretched out.

“Hey!... Don’t joke with me!”

Eco dodged with the toy in her arms.

With the royal room as the stage, the two of them started running around like a bunch of kids. In just a blink of an eye, both of them
disappeared behind a door.

“Err… What is this all about?”

Ash who was left behind turned around and questioned Cosette.

“Cosette-san?”

To his surprised, Cosette too was transfixed on her own spot. It was rare to see her making a face like that.

Cosette then regained her sense after being called out to by Ash and started explaining.

“I just remember about it… I fear that that stuffed toy…. Is an important treasure to Princess-sama during her childhood.”

Ash was surprised by her answer.

“Wait a moment! That shouldn’t be possible! There should be many more stuffed toys with the same design, no?”

Cosette answered calmly.

“No. There isn’t. That toy is the one and only in this world. It was a limited edition item. It was actually made from a famous artist from Chevron Kingdom called Leonard De Mirabeau and was given to the five year old Princess-sama.”

“Really? That clumsily made toy is…”

“That’s not it… Its weird look was actually Mirabeau-sama’s style. Didn’t people usually say that there was only a silver line that separates a genius and a madman? If that stuffed toy was bought to an antique auction… It should be priced at five million Eccles at minimum.”

Cosette told him the shocking truth with a straight face.

“Five million…!”

Ash turned speechless.

His face had turned pale.

''-Five million Eccles!''

Ash couldn’t even imagine that amount of money. He just knew that he won’t be able to finish it by living the rest of his days enjoying life. He never knew that such a treasure was hidden in his closet.

“W-We should try stopping them first!”

Ash started searching for them in the huge room.

===Part 8===
“Finally! You won’t be able to escape!”

Eco who ran into Silvia’s room was now like a rat in the bag. There was only one exit and the windows were too high to jump from since this was the top most floor.

“Tsk… You are being persistent!”

Eco backed off to the wall and like a mother protecting her child, she tried to intimidate Silvia.

For one moment, Silvia was awed by her beauty, but the next instant, she roared:

“You haven’t told me anything yet! I just want to know how this toy came into your possession!”

“Why would you even want to know!?”

“T-That… I had my own reasons! Please, Eco!”

“Hmph… I had mine too. I will never tell you, only you!”

Both of them were glaring at each other without any intention of backing off.

Silvia realized that whatever she said was useless.

“Now you have done it. Although it is not to my liking… I must resolve this by force.”

“What! Who do you think I am! See that if you can do it!”

“Fine with me!”

Silvia leaped forward without mercy.

Although she must avoid Eco’s abnormal strength, Eco’s actions had always been straight forward and were always easy to read.

On the other hand, apart from the Drag Arts, Silvia had mastered many more fighting styles. It is a normal thing to do for someone who was born in the Lautreamont Royal Knight’s Family.

After struggling on the ground like brats, Silvia came out as the winner.

“Now you have been captured!”

Silvia was pressing Eco’s tiny body on the floor and without giving her a chance to fight back, she rode on Eco.

“Tsk… Let me go!”

“Is there any idiot in this world that would move off once they are being asked to?”

The winner had been decided. Even when Eco had her abnormal strength, she could never be able to beat Silvia.

But, there was a reason why Silvia could beat her easily.

Eco had never let go of the stuffed toy even after she was pressed down against the floor. If Eco would just let go of that toy, the fight could still drag on. No, it could even be Silvia who was pressed down against the floor.

“Please, Eco! This is not an order. Although it was not a long time since the day I met you, I always think you as a friend. That is why… Could you please tell me?”

Just when Silvia was begging Eco with a trembling voice…

“Eco! Princess-sama!”

The door opened with a bang and Ash came running in.

Silvia turned around to look at Ash while she was pressing Eco down against the floor.

“Hold on, Ash! I never have the intention to harm Eco! I just want to ask Eco about it… no matter what!”

“But, Princess-sama doesn’t act like the usual you. Even so, Eco is my Pal, I won’t forgive anyone who try to harm her, even if it is Princess-sama.”

After Ash murmured sadly, he showed her his left arm.

Silvia knew that he had his abnormally large Seikoku covered in a bandage.

“Your Seikoku…?”

Silvia was in lost of words.

The Seikoku under the bandage was obviously blinking with glowing lights. That was a signal given when the Pal was in danger.

For example, even though Silvia did not have any intentions of harming Eco, but Eco felt that she was in danger and sent the signal to her owner Ash for help…

“Sorry, Eco… I am really sorry. I am in the wrong for scaring you…. But, I have my own reasons. Please, Eco! Please tell me for the sake of our friendship!”

Silvia was forcing out an answer from Eco.

“…Eco?”

Eco did not reply. Just as Silvia became confused, Eco was surrounded by a glowing light.

“Hey, Eco! What’s wrong?”

Eco still did not reply. Right now, Eco was like a doll, showing no expression.

Even her eyes seemed to be reflecting nothing.

“Urgh…!”

The next instant, Silvia was being blasted of by a strong wind.

“Princess-sama!”

Followed by Ash’s shout, Silvia’s back bang against the wall. She almost couldn’t breathe because of it.

===Part 9===
“Princess-sama!”

Just when Ash was trying to help Silvia out, Cosette arrived.

“I will take care of Princess-sama. Ash-sama, go help Eco-chan! This is no laughing matter!”

Cosette’s voice seemed to be more serious and nervous than usual.

“Understood!”

Ash ran straight towards Eco.

His Seikoku started to hurt.

He remembered that feeling.

He had the similar feeling when Eco was awaken in the capital, Fontaine.

Although the pain was not as strong as that time, Ash knew that this was the sign before her transformation into a dragon.

Eco stood up slowly with the cute stuffed toy dropping on the floor.

Strictly speaking, she was not standing.

There was a gap in between her feet and the floor.

She was actually floating…!

Her limbs were now surrounded by the mysterious light that was so bright that they could not look at it directly.

However, Ash continued to move forward.

“Stop, Eco! If you are to be awaken here…”

In the worst possible case, this Epona House will be destroyed. No, it could even be related to the city’s survivability…

Eco had long been labeled as an element of danger by many countries’s government. The reason why Mirabel was sent to become the academy’s director was to keep an eye on Eco.

''If she is to transform into a dragon right now…!''

Ash moved forward without giving any thought and hugged Eco.

A huge amount of magic was flowing out from her tiny body. If he had been careless, he would even be swallowed by the magic and lost consciousnesss.

Ash shouted with all his might into Eco’s ears.

“Get a grip of yourself! I…I like the way you are now! It is okay if you just stay as you are! You don’t have to force yourself to change into your true self!”

It seems that Ash’s words had gotten through and the magic that was surrounding Eco had disappeared. Even the lights were no longer there. Ash’s Seikoku too had stopped responding.

“We are saved…”

Ash breathe a sigh of relieves.

“…Huh?”

Eco blinked her eyes in surprise and murmured.

“What had I done…? Why are you…?”

Realizing that she was in Ash’s arms, Eco leaped off from Ash’s arms with her face red in embarrassment.

===Part 10===
“I am sorry for what had happened just now. I-I never thought that you were so much against it…. No I shouldn’t make any excuses. A knight must admit his own faults. I deeply apologize!”

After the group had sat on a dining table in the living room, Silvia apologized to Eco sincerely.

“Hmph… I guess this should be sufficient.”

Silvia’s eagerness to apologize by bowing her head had started to confuse Eco. Even though she still continued to puff up her checks in protest, but at least she had accepted Silvia’s apology. Ash who noticed it breathe a sigh of relieves.

“…Since everything had been settled, please allow me to ask. How did that stuffed toy came into your possession?”

Silvia’s words had cause Eco to be enraged again.

“Ha!? You….. Just apologize and yet you still want to ask!?”

“I apologize for resolving this matter by force. I promise that this time, I won’t try questioning you by force. But in return, I will keep on asking until you answer me. Remember, I will keep on asking.”

Silvia was quite stubborn. She even smiled towards Eco with her face full of confidence.

“I can’t believe it…”

Eco sighed.

“Sorry, Eco-chan.”

At that moment, Cosette returned from the kitchen with a silver tray full of snacks and tea.

“That toy that Eco-chan was holding right now… It probably belongs to Princess-sama a long time ago.”

“How can it be…?”

Whilst she was surprised, Eco took a bite on the vanilla flavoured crepe that Cosette handed to her. If it was the usual Eco, she would definitely shout out ‘Delicious!’ on the first bite, but right now, she was with a serious looks. As expected, even Eco couldn’t enjoy her favorite food properly.

“What Cosette said is true. That toy is definitely an important thing to me during my childhood.”

Silvia spoke calmly as if she was trying to teach a child who knew nothing.

“Ha!? That’s impossible! I understand none of these!”

Eco placed her half eaten crepe back on her plate. Ash was surprised that she prioritized the argument before her crepe.

“I knew it the moment I saw it. There is only one of this stuffed toy in the whole world. It is a very important toy.”

“How can you have such confidence!?”

“You don’t even know the worth of that toy. Anyone who knows its worth would recognize it on their first sight.”

“Arrrrrggh! That explanation is totally unacceptable!”

''Eco was once again enraged, but at least Silvia knew her limit. Thanks to that, the atmosphere did not turn out to be any worse than this…'' Ash secretly thought.

“Come on you two…”

Cosette was obviously not at all troubled. She seems to be enjoying this.

“Haa… It seems like I don’t have a choice.”

Ash sighed.

“Please listen carefully, Princess-sama. That stuffed toy was in my closet. I gave it to Eco since she seems to like it.”

“Hey! Why did you tell that to her!?”

Eco was scolding Ash with her face red.

“What else can I do? If I leave it to both of you, the same thing will continue onwards again and again.”

“I… want this to be a secret between the both of us.”

Eco’s mumbling caught Ash’s attention.

“What did you say?”

“N-Nothing! I don’t even know you!”

Eco averted her face in anger. ''Why must she get angry...?'' Ash wondered.

On the other hand, Silvia was staring at Ash.

“Ash… you said that this toy was in your closet?”

“That seems to be the case.”

Ash shrugged his shoulders.

“Actually, I am not really clear about it. Believe me or not, there was a blank in my memories… I don’t even know how it came into my possession. I don’t even know about its worth if not because of Cosette.”

Silvia was staring at Ash so intently almost as if she was going to pierce a hole in his forehead. She then asked a weird question.

“When is your birthday?”

“Huh? The third on the month of Aries… What about that?”

After Ash answered honestly, Cosette spoke in surprise:

“Oh, what a coincidence. It seems that Princess-sama was also born in the month of Aries. By the way, hers is in the seventh.”

“Hmm… That’s the first time I had heard of it.”

“Huhu… So Ash-sama is the bigger brother by four days.”

“T-That… isn’t it…”

“Ash!”

Silvia suddenly leaned against him. Ash could see her breast that was covered by the thin cloth of the summer clothes.

“Princess-sama?”

“Even though this may seems abrupt, but do you still remember the date you went for the Orphan Ceremony?”

“Err… I don’t really remember about the details, but it shouldn’t be far away from my seventh birthday. Since my hometown was at a far away village, I started my journey when I was still six. I remembered that I had my seventh birthday in a horse carriage.”

Once they reach the age of seven, every citizen of the Knight Country must visit Albion Forest.

For Ash, if he had departed after his seventh birthday, he would never be able to arrive at Albion Forest in a month time.

“By the way, does the date I went for the Orphan Ceremony matters?”

“…No, Nothing. I have something that I want to discuss with Cosette. Please stay here for the moment.”

Silvia suddenly stood up and dragged Cosette by the hand with her.

“What a weird Princess.”

Ash took a drink from the cup of red tea.

===Part 11===
After Silvia entered the makeup room, with an ‘Ahem’, she cleared her throat.

“What do you want to talk about, Princess-sama?”

“About that…”

“It doesn’t seem like something easy.”

Since she had been with Silvia for quite some time, Cosette immediately knew what she was thinking.

“Aah… That’s right.”

“I will do everything you tell me to if it is in my ability to do so. If the situation required, I could even be Princess-sama’s limbs or even your shield… That’s my duty.”

Silvia made up her mind and told her wish.

“Actually, I want you to return to the palace and investigate the name list of the children who went to the orphan ceremony at the same day as me. This should be an easy one for you, no?”

However, Cosette told Silvia something out of her imagination.

“The records of the Orphan Ceremony is the country’s top secret. Even if you are a Princess, you will be breaching the law by trying to investigate it.”

“Then, your duty would be to avoid it. Please, I could only put my hopes on you. With your ability, reading top secret documents should not be a problem, right?”

“That doesn’t sound nice, Princess-sama. The ability that I only knew of was an ancient technique that was passed down in the Shelly’s family and some spying technique. All of them were used to protect the Lautreamont family.”

“I understand that, but…!”

Silvia grabbed her shoulders and looked at Cosette with her puppy eyes.

“Of course I will do it if this is your order. But, what will you do if Ash-sama is really that boy?”

Silvia’s face almost burst out in flames.

“I-I just want to know about it! That’s right, I only want to know about the truth!”

Cosette gave a wry smile.

“Hmm… Putting that aside, during the time when I am not in, when the night comes and Eco had slept, aren’t '''the two of you''' alone together?”

“When the night comes…. The two of us…!?”

This time, steam emerged from her ears. Her heart was beating none stop.

“W-W-What are you talking about! Don’t you have any shame! How shameless! I…I believe that Ash was not someone insolence! That is why there is no point behind your question!”

Silvia snapped and Cosette nodded.

“I too had the same feeling.”

“Then why bother asking!”

Cosette smiled and took out something. It was a stack of paper held together by a paper clip.

“What’s that?”

“Huhu… A copy of ‘Shelley family’s secret. A recipe to make men dream’. Although I want to use it during this summer to teach Princess-sama some cooking… But this is a good chance to try it. Although Princess-sama don’t have any actual experience, but isn't this a good chance to show your cooking skills to Ash-sama?”

Silvia felt as if her body was on fire.

“Hold on! W-W-Why must I show Ash my cooking skills?”

“If I am not mistaken, The Lautreamont Family Motto did mention that ‘to shoot a general you must first shoot his horse’, am I right?”

“What does it had to do with this?”

“In the Shelley’s Family Motto, there is something like this: ‘To get the man you like, you must first fill his stomach’.”

“What kind of family motto is that!?”

“Huhu… When Ash-sama’s stomach is empty, and Princess-sama gave him your homemade cooking, he would surely fall for you.”

“…Fall for me!?”

Cosette was like a devil whispering into Silvia’s ears.

“When a Princess who doesn’t look like she knew any cooking made a meal, which man wouldn’t be moved by it?”

“Cut the crap! I never want Ash to take notice of me! Never! I-It's just that I had some interest in cooking since a long time ago. I will accept your offer because of this.”

Cosette handed her the recipe while smiling.
[[Image:SnRK v05 096.jpg|thumb]]

“Now, I had received my orders from Princess-sama and I will depart from Ansarivan immediately.”

“Huh? Immediately?”

“It is better if we act quickly, Princess-sama.”

Cosette lifted the both sides of her skirt slightly and bowed gracefully.

Suddenly, like a mist, Cosette disappeared from Silvia’s sight like a magician.

“H-Hey! Cosette? … Do you really want to depart at this moment?”

Silvia became worried when she heard no reply.

“Please hold on, Cosette! You should allow me to have some mental preparation before…!”

Silvia looked around the room with tears in her eyes. It looks like Cosette had really departed.

“Tsk… She never takes me seriously!”

After Silvia mumbled in regrets, she took a long hard look at the recipe given to her.

"The Stuffed Toy Dragon~A.S.B.1365.8~" is closed.

<noinclude>

==References and Translation Notes==
<references />

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|-
| Back to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Prologue|Prologue]]
| Return to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 1

2014-08-08T05:43:28Z

Valthan: /* Part 7 */

==Chapter 1 - Tragedy of Apollo house and Mirabel's decision==
===Part 1===
''-Don! Don…! Don!''

The sun had just risen but Ash who spent a sleepless night was woken up by a loud knocking sound.

“What in the world…?”

He took that silver watch by his pillow side and noticed that it was just half past six.

After he angrily took a look at the window, he became wide awake.

“Uwaa…!”

There was a huge eye looking through the gaps of the curtain.

It was actually a dragon who was banging its nose against the window.

''-Don! Don… Dododododo!”''

He was worried that it may break the glass.

“Why is a dragon coming to my room!? Could it be another Necromancia attack!?”

So the Empire had finally shown their true colours and started attacking? Ash tried to leave the bed but he was stopped.

“Zzz…”

Eco rolled over and hugged Ash.

Her hair was all over his shoulders and her arms were around his back.

And also her soft face that was on his chest…

''-Mmm…''

Ash was shocked by her sudden nibble.

“Hey, Eco… Please don’t bite that spot.”

Recently, her habit of nibbling had gotten less but she still had not gotten rid of her habit of a young dragon. Moreover, she was nibbling on Ash’s sensitive spot which troubled him.

At that moment, there was a crack on the window.

“This is bad… It is not the right moment to let her continue nibbling.”

Ash carried Eco and they left the bed together. The next thing he knew, the glass was smashed into pieces.

He managed to avoid the glass fragments at the last moment.

At the same time, there were two dragons that were trying to squeeze their heads through the window. Their hard scales protect them from the sharp glass.

By taking a closer look, Ash noticed that one of them was a Maestro while the other was a Hydra. After knowing that he was not attacked by a Necromancia, Ash breathe a sigh of relieve.

“Morning, Ash!”

“Good morning, Ash-sama!”

Finally, he could see the faces of the two riders.

They were the student council secretary Lucca and Jessica of the general affairs. Right beside them were Maestro Gawain and Rhiannon the Hydra.

Ash started to protest after he placed Eco who was still sleeping on the bed.

“Lucca! Jessica! What in the world are both of you doing!?”

Since the time Ash saved Gawain who was in danger of dying, Lucca had become emotionally attached to Ash. In the dragon riding academy, most of the girls are the more aggressive type, it was kind of rare to see someone as quiet as Lucca. The beauty that only an Eckbald possessed was out of this world.

Ash was a little surprised to see Lucca acting rashly. Perhaps she was influenced by Jessica.

“Ash… I hoped that you would come with me to the Eckbald village. I want to introduce you to the village chief, my otou-sama.” <ref>In the raw version, Lucca called her father otou-sama, but the kanji written was foster father.</ref>

Her usual emotionless face had always given Ash a heck lot of trouble.

“Hold on! W-Why must you mention about the chief!?”

“P-Please don’t ask anymore than this.”

Lucca was suddenly blushing.

This time, it was Jessica who pushed Lucca to aside.

Jessica who was usually eyeing at Ash’s sperm, though her actions had always been eccentric, she was still undoubtably one of the few beauties of the academy.

“Ash-sama, I have a request!”

“Hey, wait a minute! This is the third floor! How did a hydra get here…?”

“Well. Climbing wall is not a problem for my Rhiannon.”

“Can’t you sympathize your Pal a little!”

Ash pitied her Pal. Although a Hydra may still be able to move on land, but only when they are in the water they are able to show their true skills. It shouldn’t be its own intention to walk on land. Let alone climbing the walls of the student’s dormitory, which doesn’t seem to fit the actions of a proud dragon.

“Putting that aside, Ash-sama! I am about to leave Ansarivan. What about you? Do you have any plans of returning?”

“Now I remember… today is the start of the holiday.”

-The first day of the month of Leo.

It was the first day of the holidays for Ansarivan Dragon Riding Academy. Since it was a boarding school, most of the student will return to their hometown.

Of course, not all of the students were going back home. There were also a small amount of students that were forced to stay in for the holidays for certain reasons.

Ash was one of them.

“Nope, I am not going home.”

After hearing, Jessica’s facial expression changes.

“What! If that’s the case, I too will stay back here!”

“Uuh… If I don’t return soon… I will be scolded by my otou-sama.”

Compare to Jessica who was in high spirit, Lucca looks sad. Lucca who carry the hopes of all Eckbald with her probably doesn’t have as much freedom as Jessica has.

“Sorry to disappoint you Jessica, but you must return with me.”
[[Image:SnRK v05 044.jpg|thumb]]

Suddenly, there was another voice.

“Rebecca-san!”

Ash shouted.

There was a sweet smell from her red hair being blown by the winds. She looks like a war maiden in the legends when she was riding on Cú Chulainn.

“Sorry for the trouble that this stupid girl from my house had given you. The Randall family will cover the fees for mending the window. The servants fault is also the master’s fault.”

“Now that you mention it… I remember that Jessica was a servant in the Randall family.”

“Just that since she became a Breeder, she had forgotten about her place.”

Rebecca sighed.

“Hmph! Could you stop calling me that? I don’t have the intention of serving the Randall family for my whole life!”

“I never thought of that. You are my important childhood friend. Also, your parents had asked me to take good care of you. That is why I have my duty to bring you back to meet your parents.”

Although her lips were smiling, there was not even a hint of smile in Rebecca’s eyes. After Jessica saw Rebecca’s determination, her elbows dropped in disappointment.

“Haa… I understand. However… I want Ash-sama to see me off!”

Ash gave a wry smile.

“I think that should be alright.”

The moment he answered, Jessica was once again with a big smile. But, she was then blushing and started to mumble.

“T-Then… According to my hometown’s custom…. There should be a parting k-kiss….”

“Hey! Jessica! When does our hometown have such a custom?”

Rebecca exposed Jessica’s lie with a wry smile.

“Hmph! Rebecca! Don’t you know how to look at the atmosphere?”

“I-I too would like you to see me off…”

While Jessica was in rage, Lucca shyly told Ash her wish.

“Of course.”

“T-Then… According to the Eckbald custom…. I want you to give me a princess carry.”

Ash’s heart skipped a beat when he first saw Lucca’s blushing face.

“A-A princess carry!”

Ash was in a fix but Jessica shouted at Lucca:

“Hey! What are you trying to do in this mess! That must be a lie!?”

“Uuh…”

While Lucca turned speechless, the noise that Jessica made had spread throughout the school.

“Hey, can you believe it! The president and Jessica were making a night visit! And the other person… Could she be Lucca Sarlinen the genius girl from the basic class!?”

Suddenly, a huge number of students were gathering outside of the Apollo House. It was something for three girls to be standing on their dragons beside a window of a boy’s dormitory.

To say nothing of Rebecca Randall who was the most popular person in the entire academy, Jessica was also one of the centers of attentions and let alone Lucca with her Yōsei like looks and her skills as a Dragner.

“I-I am just here to have Ash-sama see me off! Nothing else!”

Jessica tried to settle the misunderstanding by shouting towards the direction of the school.

“Hmm! By saying Ash-kun you mean… The Ash-kun who was knighted yesterday!?”

“The knighting ceremony was awesome!”

“I also want him to see me off!”

Right now all the girls were speaking with s shrill voice.

Rebecca gave him a bitter smile while she was enjoying all of this.

“Seems like your popularity had sky rocketed after you became a Dragner.”

“The situation outside… Somehow, it looks frightening.”

“Yeah. I just saw around thirty dragons flying towards this window.”

Rebecca told him the unthinkable news with a calm face.

“Huh!?”

“Sorry, Ash. Though I have many reasons to help you… But if I show my true skills, the girls would suffer some grave injuries.”

“Hol-! Don’t leave me!”

“You should try to solve your own problem if you are a Dragner. Also… If it is alright, I would also want you to see me off.”

“…Eh?”

Unfortunately, Ash was not able to catch everything Rebecca said. Her voice disappeared behind the loud noise from Cú Chulainn flapping its wings.

“Good luck, Ash.”

Lucca too had reluctantly flew off with Gawain.

Right after that, the Apollo House faced a terrible attack.

“Ash-kun! Please see me off!”

“Ash-kun, you might as well come to my home town with me…!”

“Hey! Don’t cut the queue!”

Most of the girls returning were riders of stradas. They were like bats gathering together for food at the window.

But of course it was impossible for thirty riders of stradas to squeeze into the window at the same time.

Soon, they started pushing around.

“P-Please be patient! Calm down! Please calm down!”

Ash was panicking.

Every single roar from the Strada was enough to shake up this entire old building.

“Hey!...How dare you! Ash-sama is my important- Nooooooo!”

Unlike Rebecca or Lucca, Jessica who stayed until the end was finally pushed off the wall together with Rhiannon.

“W-What should I do?”

Ash retreated until his back was facing the wall while he was watching the girls fighting for a spot.

At that moment, Eco who had rolled herself into a ball while she was sleeping had woken up and was rubbing her eyes.

“Hmmm…. What’s all the noise about?”

“You ! How can you still think of sleeping!”

Eco was looking around in confusion. It seems that she wasn’t fully awake yet and wasn’t able to think properly.

Ash shouted with all his might towards the window.

“I beg you! Could you please not make a mess in front of someone else’s window! I promise to see off every single one of you!”

Too bad for him, his voice was not received by them.

Suddenly, Ash had a bad feeling.

“I couldn’t be…”

His entire body was shivering in fear. Since some time ago, the wall facing the outside was creaking. It appears that the Stradas were putting pressure on it.

“It is dangerous to stay here! Lets run Eco!”

“Huh…! Could you care to explain!”

“Later!”

Ash was running with Eco on his hands.

He ran out through the door and out to the corridor.

Just when he was sliding along the floor…

''-Creak…! Eeeeekkkk……. !Do--------------n!''

The next moment, there was a loud explosion.

Ash cautiously took a peek through the cracks on the door while trembling. All he sees was dust flying around and even the corridor was affected.

''“*Cough *!*Cough *!”''

While covering up Eco who was coughing, Ash waited until the dust had settled down.

Just moments later-

After the dust had cleared up, what Ash saw was a clear sky.

The morning rays were shining at the disastrous room.

The wreckage of the wall was all over his room. It was a painful sight.

Right now, with the wall that was facing the academy and the window destroyed, his room looked like a doll house that can be seen from the outside.

“Err… Eco, am I dreaming?”

“I think so?”

Ash and Eco were looking at the room with their mouths wide open.

===Part 2===
Ash was brought to the director’s office on the first day of the holiday.

As for those girls who were the culprit, it seems that they had ran back home as soon as possible. That is why Ash who was the victim was summoned.

“I see… Now I understand what had happened.”

Mirabel who was acting as the director replied coldly and drank from her cup of tea.

The room was full of the smells of bergamot and the tea.

Just like a robot, Mirabel’s face was emotionless the entire time. ''Does this princess even have the thing known as feelings…?'' Ash thought.

“The academy will take responsibility for mending the wall. Just some time before, I had asked the builders of this city and they estimated that they will be able to complete it in around two weeks time.”

“Really…! Thank you very much!”

Ash was grateful that she was able to deal with this situation without delay.

“The problem is… During the renovation, where am I to place you and Eco.”

“I see…”

“Can you borrow a room from any of your friends?”

“I don’t think that would be possible…”

Unfortunately, Max and Raymond had gone home. For Ash who doesn’t have many friends, these were the’ only two friends that he could rely on. Although there was an option of using it without asking for their permissions, but Ash couldn’t bring himself to do it.

''-Bang!''

The door behind him was opened with a slam.

The next time he knew, Silvia and Eco was right beside him.

“How much longer are the two of you going to keep on talking!? Can’t you just give us a new room!”

Eco was pointing at Mirabel in anger.

“Anee-ue! Why do you call for Ash! That incident was caused by a few girls! It had nothing to do with Ash! Aren’t you treating him like the culprit!?”

Silvia on the other hand was trying to speak up for Ash.

“Where are your manners? Don’t you know that it is rude to walk into a room without knocking? You won’t be given special treatment even if you are the descendant of the Avalon Holy Dragons Emperor’s family or my sister. “

Mirabel glared at both of them coldly.

“I am sorry… Anee-ue.”

Silvia stood still on her ground as if she had turned into a stone.

On the other hand, Eco was trying to intimidate Mirabel by showing her sharp teeth.

“Hey you!... How dare you act like that even when you know that I am Avalon’s holy dragons' emperor family's Imperial Princess! Why don’t I try crushing the castle the next time? If I show you my true self, one or two Fontaine Place won’t…”

“Idiot! Stop spurting nonsense!”

Ash’s face was pale white when he was scolding Eco.

Since that incident, the Knight’s government took Eco as a threat. As long as there is the possibility that Mirabel was here to keep an eye on Eco, they have to be careful with their own words.

But to his surprise, Eco calm down with just a single shout.

She turned her head around with her face blushing.

“I-I will listen to you… Just this time.”

Ash was taken aback from seeing Eco making such an expression for the first time. Just as he had expected, it was that transformation that had made a change of her heart. Although the gentle Eco looked a lot cuter, at the same time, it was also a little confusing.

“Ahem!”

Mirabel tried clearing her throat, returning everyone’s attention back to her.

“Silvia, you came at the right moment. Right now you are staying in the royal room in the Epona House right?”

“…What about it?”

Silvia was surprised.

“Until the renovation in the boy’s dormitory had been completed, Ash Blake and young dragon Eco will stay in your room for the time being.”

“What!”

“I won’t repeat for a second time. This is an order from your sister. You are not allowed to have any objections.”

Naturally, Silva was enraged.

“What do you mean by this! This is against our family motto where ‘A knight shouldn’t carelessly touch another of the opposite sex’!”

“Hmm… Funny but I remember that I said to let Ash Blake and young dragon Eco stay in your room. When did I ever mention about touching Ash?”

“T-That…!”

Right at this moment, even Silvia’s earlobes were red.

“Right now, if I were to mention the family motto that you love so much, ‘A knight should help those who are in need’. Am I wrong?”

After she replied coldly, Mirabel looked like she had lost interest in the case regarding Ash. She kept on looking at the tea cup on her hand.

“I am done with you- What a pain, now a good cup of tea had turned cold.”

===Part 3===
Rebecca and Jessica had returned to the land ruled by the Randalls.

Lucca on the other hand had returned to her village.

After seeing them off, Ash and Eco once again returned to his room on the third floor of the Apollo House.

They once again looked at the disastrous room.

A bed full of glass fragments.

A floor full with the remains of the wall.

And the disorganized furniture.

With the wall gone, the room became bright and windy. Looking down from above was a few curious onlookers. When their eyes came into contact with Ash’s, everyone scattered.

“Haa… First of all, I think we should try cleaning up a little. It is better to make it look a little more cheerful before the renovation starts.”

Turning around, Ash noticed that Eco was sulking.

“What’s wrong, Eco?”

“Hey. Do you really want to stay in Silvia’s room?”

“It is not like I have a choice. It was an order from Princess Mirabel. It seems that even Princess-sama did not dare to go against her.”

“I… I hate it.”

“What’s the matter? You don’t look like your usual self. Well, if we stay at Princess-sama’s room, we may be able to eat Cosette’s delicious homemade cooking.”

“That’s not the point! And also, I am not someone who thinks about food for an entire day!”

Eco's face was red with anger and embarrassment.

“Is it… Sorry then.”

“It is fine if you understand. Anyway, just if you try to do something weird to Silvia… I will be sure to crush you!”

Eco was glaring at Ash.

“What do you mean by something weird!?”

With her ears fully red, Eco told Ash embarrassedly:

“T-To make it simple…. It is those perverted stuffs.”

“W-What are you even thinking!”

Ash stood still on his ground. He never expected Eco to speak of such a word. It kind of surprised him.

“Even I knew about those stuffs… Don’t look down on me just because I am a young dragon.”

“Could the source of information be…. The Dragweiss?”

“…Some of them were from there, but most of them were from the picture books that Cosette lent me.”

“Hold on! Are they really… Just picture books!?”

In order to teach her the importance of aesthetic sensibility, Cosette had lent her picture books and books for children. For that, Ash was grateful for Cosette.

However, there was a possibility that she mixed some books with adult content in them into the pile of picture books she had given to Eco.

“Anyhow, she is still this country’s princess. What you are worrying about will never happen, rest assured.”

''In the worst possible case, I will be beheaded…'' Ash thought secretly.

“A-Alright… I understand.”

Once again, Eco was smiling and she looked at the room around her.

“Then… What can I do to help you?”

“You are trying to help?”

“What? Is it weird for me to help?”

“Definitely not weird, but rare. Ain’t it always me who complete the house work?”

“A-About that… It doesn’t seem like I have a choice. I am a dragon. I don’t really understand how a human acts. But… I just feel like helping for today… Can’t I!?”

Eco puffed up her rosy coloured cheeks and stared at Ash.

“Why not? I even want to thank you.”

Ash gave a wry smile and tried to pat her head.

But, Eco immediately dodge to a side.

“No! You mustn’t touch!”

“Sorry… I didn't know that you dislike it this much.”

“N-No! It is okay it you are just patting, but you mustn’t touch my horns. If they were just slightly touched, I… will turn weird. I felt like floating in the air when they were touched...”

Ash could calm down after seeing Eco’s face when she tried to explain her feelings.

“I understand. I promise I won’t touch your horns.”

Ash carefully patted Eco’s head.

Her pink hair was fluffy and it gave his palm a nice feeling.

“Nn…”

Even when she was a dragon, Eco was smiling and shrugging her neck like what a cat would do.

Her innocent smile had grabbed Ash’s attention.

To be precise, it was her flower bud like lips.

His heart was beating rapidly.

This was actually the second time he had such a feeling.

The first time was when Eco said that she won’t be satisfied with just being a Pal in the guest room in Fontaine Palace.

“…”

Eco probably felt the change in the atmosphere too and her body suddenly tense up. Perhaps she too was also thinking about the scenario in the Fontaine Palace.

In a short while, just like that time, Eco closes her eyes.

She also tried to purse her lips.

Ash also noticed that her long eyelashes were also trembling.

''-Eco…!''
[[Image:SnRK v05 060.jpg|thumb]]

He suddenly remembered the word ‘beloved Pal’ in the knighting ceremony.

During that time, Ash was only saying the standard pledge.

But this was totally different.

His feeling of love to Eco was born from deep in his heart. A feeling that could be explained using something as simple as the relation of a Breeder and its Pal had grown.

Right now, they don’t need any words.

Ash placed both his hands on Eco’s shoulders and he closes their distance slowly.

A sweet smell was surrounding them which made him dizzy.

Right now, he felt as if his heart was going to explode.

They were now at a distance where their nose could easily touch each other.

Eco felt like being pierced through by the sunlight while she was waiting for Ash.

Ash made up his mind and closed his eyes.

And then- he kissed Eco on her lips.

===Part 4===
“~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~!”

Since their kiss, Eco had been working silently with her back facing Ash the entire time.

It seemed that she was too embarrassed to even look at Ash in the face.

And of course, it was the same for Ash.

Ash felt as if his face was a ball of fire.

Although the two of them at a first glance seemed to be dusting the room, there was actually zero progress. What they were doing was only messing up the already messed up room.

''-What should I do? What should I say at times like this?''

Just when Ash was anxious in trying to find the right words…

“Uwaaa…! Cute!”

Eco turned around and showed Ash a round object.

“Isn’t this cute? Where did you find this stuffed toy?”

At that moment, Ash felt something was pricking at the back of his neck. It made him wonder what it was.

The stuffed toy that Eco was holding seems to be a dragon. Strictly speaking, its face was clumsily done.

Furthermore, it's round body made it looks nothing like a majestic dragon.

However, Eco seemed to take it as cute, and it made her forget about what had just happened previously.

“Err… Actually I don’t remember much about that when it came into my possession. No matter how I look at it, looked just like a girl’s toy. It is probably not me who bought it.”

It was thanks to the toy that Ash was once again able to speak to Eco normally.

“Hmm… Strange.”

Eco was carrying the stuffed toy while she whipped off the dust on it.

“Hmm… When I move to Ansarivan, I just took it with me without any reason. Perhaps there is a great meaning behind it was what I thought. Actually… There is a blank in my childhood memory.”

“… A blank in your memories?”

Eco was surprised.

“Aah. It was right about when I had my seventh birthday when I visited Albion Forest for the Orphan Ceremony. I just can’t recall my memories during that time.”

“Isn’t that… The time when Mother Dragon bestowed me to you?”

“It seems so.”

“How come you can’t remember such an important event?”

Ash shrunk when he saw Eco start to get mad. Just like how they were finally able to speak normally, Eco’s temper had also returned.

“To be frank, I know nothing of it myself. It was just that I had a hunch that this toy had something to do with my lost memories and that’s the reason why I was reluctant to throw it away. However, because of the recent events, I totally forgot about it.”

“Then, can I keep it?”

Ash was taken by surprised.

“What do you mean by keeping it?”

“It is just like what I had said. Don’t you think it is sad for such a cute being to be left forgotten? I will take the trouble to take care of this kid.”

“How can you take care of it when it isn’t even a living being? Argh, whatever suits you then.”

“Really!?”

Eco was full of excitement.

“Well, I don’t really mind.”

“That's great!”

Eco was so happy that she felt that she could even fly. She then rubbed the stuffed toy with her cheeks.

Followed by that, she cuddled it like what a mother would do to her baby.

Suddenly, she spoke of something that surprised Ash.

“This somehow looked like our baby…”

Eco suddenly stopped speaking before she could even finish her sentence. She the glared at Ash with eyes looking as if they were on fire.

“You heard anything?”

“No, nothing at all.”

Ash spoke with a serious look on his face.

“T-That’s right! N-Nothing happened! Nothing happened at all!”

As if her head was exploding in flames, Eco carried the toy and dashed out from the room.

“Actually, I heard every single word…”

Just as Ash was murmuring with his body also feeling as it was engulfed by fire…

“Sorry to interrupt, Ash-sama.”

Suddenly, there was a woman’s voice coming from behind.

“Uwaa!”

He noticed that it was Cosette after he turned around. She seemed to be wearing the same palace design maid attire today. She then gave a polite bow.

“Cosette-san! How did you get in?”

“To enter such an airy room is like a child’s play to me.”

Cosette smiled before she turned around to look at the blue sky.

“That couldn’t be… This is the third floor! Putting that aside, why are you here?”

“I am here to meet you and Eco-chan. Had you forgotten about Princess Mirabel, Her Highness’s decision?”

Of course, it was impossible for him to forget about it to begin with. However, he still felt a little reluctant.

“Actually, can’t we reconsider about this? Putting Eco aside, don’t you think that it is wrong for a guy like me to enter Epona House where guys are not allowed?”

“For your own sake, I would advise you to follow her decision. Do you know what Princes Mirabel was also known as?”

“No… Nothing comes to mind at all.”

“Her nick name is actually Argento Magus. If we can describe Princess Veronica as a fighter, then Princess Mirabel is a thinker. Compare to Veronica, there were certain things that would made Mirabel a tougher opponent. Please be sure to be prepared mentally, Ash-sama.”

Ash sighed after he heard everything.

“…I understand. Please let me take some belongings like my pillow and clothes with me…”

“Alright then, meanwhile, I will try searching for Eco.”

Eco had not yet return since the moment she ran out from the room.

“Thank you. I think she should be somewhere around the dorm.”

“Huhu. That will be a simple task.”

Cosette ran towards the door nimbly while avoiding the disorganized furniture, but then she suddenly stopped and turned around to face Ash.

“By the way, Ash-sama.”

“What’s the matter?”

When Ash lifted his face, he saw Cosette’s face full of red. Ash was staring at her since it was rare to see her who was always calm to be blushing.

Although she always stayed hidden behind Silvia’s shadow, she actually looked quite beautiful.

With her right hand on her cheeks, she sighed.

Then she said something outrageous.

“Ash-sama and Eco-chan’s kiss looked very innocent indeed.”

“Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

This time, it was Ash’s turn to be blushing.

“D-Don’t, Don’t tell me that you saw everything!?”

“It totally felt like an opera show. You looked so cute when you kiss without even needing any words to understand each other. My god, isn’t that wonderful? Didn't Eco-chan also look cute when she was waiting to receive your kiss?”

“I beg you, please stop saying anymore than this! It is embarrassing!”

Right now, Ash felt like he was sitting on a mountain of needles.

Cosette, too, had also seemed to realize that she over did it, and replied with a playful smile.

“Rest assured, I won’t tell Princess-sama any of this.”

“How is Princeass-sama related to this!?”

“Hmm… I wonder… Huhu…”

Cosette left the room with her sentence ending with her laughter.

===Part 5===
The moment Ash finished gathering all his basic daily needs, Cosette was back with Eco. Together, the three of them marched towards Epona House.

Although it was around evening, the sun was still high up in the sky.

After passing through a grove of mixed trees, they were welcomed by a stern looking gate.

Even the cicada had stopped making noise.

Although they were just walking, they were all full of sweat.

By taking a peek beside, Eco looked as if she was suffering from the heat of the high summer temperature. She looked like a Hydra who was looking for water on dry land.

Compared to Ash, Eco was only carrying her stuffed toy.

On the other hand, Cosette didn’t even break a sweat.

“We have arrived.”

She turned around and smiled at both Ash and Eco.

Through the gate, they could see a garden that was separated into two halves by the walkway. It must have been well tended by a good gardener. Even Ash who doesn’t have any interest in gardening was amazed by it.

At the back of the garden stood an elegant looking building.

That was Epona House, the dormitory for advance class girls.

“We have finally arrived…”

Ash placed his baggage which was full of daily needs and clothing on the ground.

''How long does it actually take to walk here from Apollo House…'' Ash couldn’t be bothered to even think about it.

This dragon riding academy where human and dragons coexist had a very large land area.

In it, there were numerous classes, a church, a lecture hall, a library, a canteen, seven dragon houses, four dormitories, a sports ground… It even included an arena that was used during events.

Although there was the shopping district and the housing are beyond the school walls, compared to the size of the academy, they just looked like extras. That's the reason why Ansarivan was called an academic city.

Putting that aside, the distance between the boys dormitory and the girls dormitory must had been arranged on purpose by the academy.

“Please enter.”

Cosette pushed open the heavy looking gate and welcomed both of them in.

===Part 6===
On the top most floor of Epona House was the room of royal use.

It looked like a high class hotel suite and it even had a large space.

Apart from a heater in the living room, there was also a dining room, a study room, bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, etc. In a room that has everything, it looked as if it was another world compared to the normal student’s room.

Silvia was walking up and down around her room alone, worrying endlessly.

“Argh! What’s wrong with me! Why couldn’t I calm down! Even my family motto stated that ‘Always stay calm, especially in a pinch’!”

Even though she wasn’t even in a pinch, Silvia couldn’t stop worrying. It was about time for Cosette to arrive with Ash and Eco.

“That’s it!”

Silvia stopped in her tracks for a moment and then she dashed into the makeup room and stood in front of a mirror.

She applied a thin layer of makeup on her face.

She tried combing her hair many times.

Her clothing and accessories were chosen by Cosette.

She put on her camisole, a skirt with two layers of frills, her panty socks and a necklace made from bright dragon crystals that acted as jewels.

In front of the mirror, she was just like her usual…. No, she was at least twice as more beautiful than she usually was.

Silvia turned red when she realized how beautiful she was.

“Why would I dress myself up! It is alright by just sticking to what I usually do!”

Ash was about to arrive.

Until the boy’s dormitory was done with its renovation, Ash was going to stay here for two weeks.

Her hearts started to beat rapidly from thinking about it.

“This feeling… It is that same feeling as ''that time…''”

Silvia recalled her memories.

Around the time of her seventh birthday, she met a boy in Albion Forest.

''“Why? Why would I have this feeling of returning to the time when I was seven years old whenever I think about Ash…?”''

Silvia suddenly regained her senses.

“Stop! Stop! Stop! Doesn’t this mean that I am looking forward for him to arrive!? Right… I should change back into my normal clothing…”
[[Image:SnRK v05 006.jpg|thumb|'' ''…!'' Silvia immediately snapped out from the confusion. She just remembered that right now, she was only wearing her undergarments. '']]

Silvia left the makeup room and entered the living room. She swiftly removed all her clothing except for her undergarments. She then walked along the corridor towards the changing room.

Suddenly, the door opened right in front of her eyes.

“Princess-sama, we had returned.”

Cosette walked in with a smile.

“Princess-sama!?”

Ash was standing right behind Cosette with his eyes wide opened. ''Why is his face red? Is it because of the heat?''

“…!”

Silvia immediately snapped out from the confusion. She just remembered that right now, she was only wearing her undergarments.

“Kyaaaaaaaaaaa!”

Silvia ran and hid behind the door while screaming at the top of her voice.

===Part 7===
“Hey you! Just until when are you going to keep on staring!”

“Ouch!”

Ash came back to his sense after he was stomped on the leg by Eco.

Just when he had stepped in through the grand entrance, he was greeted by Silvia in only her undergarments. The white coloured lace will forever be imprinted in his mind.

''By the way, why was Silvia wearing only those?'' No matter how hot the weather can be, it doesn’t suit her image.

“I am going to check on Princess-sama. Could the both of you wait here for a moment, please?”

With a happy smile on her face, Cosette disappeared into the corridor. In just a moment-

“No. This definitely doesn’t look natural.”

“No no. It definitely fits you well.”

“But… Won’t this make me look like I am looking forward to their arrival?”

“Huh? Aren’t you?”

Their entire conversation was heard by Ash.

“Come on! This is a disgrace! How dare they make a dragon wait by the entrance!”

Eco who was standing right beside Ash was enraged. The toy that she had with her which had a carelessly made face was further squashed by Eco’s abnormal strength.

Ash pitied the toy. If this continued to keep on, Ash would probably be the next victim.

“Sorry for the wait.”

Just when Ash was about to be surrounded by his fear, Cosette had returned to the entrance with Silvia who was hiding right behind her.

Ash’s heart skipped a beat when he saw Silvia’s clothing. It gave a completely different feel compare to the school uniform that she usually wears. A lot of her skin was exposed from wearing the camisole. It had totally grabbed his attention.

“Please come in.”

Ash regained his sense after he heard Cosette’s voice.

“S-Sorry for the intrusion.”

In opposite to Ash, Eco was looking around the room with a hint of worry.

“Even so… You are just a Princess of the Royal Knight’s Family and you get to have such a great room?”

Perhaps she was mad from being asked to wait at the entrance, Eco was saying anything that would sooth her anger.

In truth, even Ash was amazed by the room itself. Just the entrance itself is wider than Ash’s room. There were even expensive looking pictures along the wall and carvings of dragons.

“Please don’t be mad. This room was specially made for the royals, it would be natural if Princess-sama is staying here.”

Ash tried to calm her down.

“But, I am also a Princess of the dragons! Why would there be such a large difference in our treatment!?”

“It is not like I want to stay in this room either!”

Silvia tried to speak up for herself even when she was being threatened by Eco.

“I even tried telling the academy to let me have the same treatment as the rest of the students, but they never listen…”

Suddenly, Silvia stood still on her ground. There was not even a slightest movement.

“Princess-sama… What’s wrong? You don’t look good.”

Ash was worried about her but she didn’t reply.

She kept on staring at the stuffed toy that Eco was carrying with her with her ice blue eyes.

Silvia then suddenly leaped towards Eco and grabbed her shoulders.

“Eco! Can you tell me how did that toy fall into your possession?”

Eco became confused.

“I-It has nothing to do with you.”

“Please tell me! This is very important!”

Silvia shouted loudly.

“… I picked it up.”

Eco mumbled when she turned her head to aside. It seemed that she did not want to tell Silvia that it was a gift from Ash. Ash was wondering on why she would be insisting on it.

“You picked it up? When? Where?”

Silvia was being persistent.

“Come on! Why do I need to tell you?”

Eco lost her patience and roared.

“…Why can’t you tell me?”

“T-That’s because… I don’t have the obligation to tell you.”

“Now I see, you are playing dumb… It seems I must resolve to this.”

Suddenly, Silvia leaped towards Eco with both of her hands stretched out.

“Hey!... Don’t joke with me!”

Eco dodged with the toy in her arms.

With the royal room as the stage, the two of them started running around like a bunch of kids. In just a blink of an eye, both of them
disappeared behind a door.

“Err… What is this all about?”

Ash who was left behind turned around and questioned Cosette.

“Cosette-san?”

To his surprised, Cosette too was transfixed on her own spot. It was rare to see her making a face like that.

Cosette then regained her sense after being called out to by Ash and started explaining.

“I just remember about it… I fear that that stuffed toy…. Is an important treasure to Princess-sama during her childhood.”

Ash was surprised by her answer.

“Wait a moment! That shouldn’t be possible! There should be many more stuffed toys with the same design, no?”

Cosette answered calmly.

“No. There isn’t. That toy is the one and only in this world. It was a limited edition item. It was actually made from a famous artist from Chevron Kingdom called Leonard De Mirabeau and was given to the five year old Princess-sama.”

“Really? That clumsily made toy is…”

“That’s not it… Its weird look was actually Mirabeau-sama’s style. Didn’t people usually say that there was only a silver line that separates a genius and a madman? If that stuffed toy was bought to an antique auction… It should be priced at five million Eccles at minimum.”

Cosette told him the shocking truth with a straight face.

“Five million…!”

Ash turned speechless.

His face had turned pale.

''-Five million Eccles!''

Ash couldn’t even imagine that amount of money. He just knew that he won’t be able to finish it by living the rest of his days enjoying life. He never knew that such a treasure was hidden in his closet.

“W-We should try stopping them first!”

Ash started searching for them in the huge room.

===Part 8===
“Finally! You won’t be able to escape!”

Eco who ran into Silvia’s room was now like a rat in the bag. There was only one exit and the windows were too high to jump from since this was the top most floor.

“Tsk… You are being persistent!”

Eco backed off to the wall and like a mother protecting her child, she tried to intimidate Silvia.

For one moment, Silvia was awed by her beauty, but the next instant, she roared:

“You haven’t told me anything yet! I just want to know how this toy came into your possession!”

“Why would you even want to know!?”

“T-That… I had my own reasons! Please, Eco!”

“Hmph… I had mine too. I will never tell you, only you!”

Both of them were glaring at each other without any intention of backing off.

Silvia realized that whatever she said was useless.

“Now you have done it. Although it is not to my liking… I must resolve this by force.”

“What! Who do you think I am! See that if you can do it!”

“Fine with me!”

Silvia leaped forward without mercy.

Although she must avoid Eco’s abnormal strength, Eco’s actions had always been straight forward and were always easy to read.

On the other hand, apart from the Drag Arts, Silvia had mastered many more fighting styles. It is a normal thing to do for someone who was born in the Lautreamont Royal Knight’s Family.

After struggling on the ground like brats, Silvia came out as the winner.

“Now you have been captured!”

Silvia was pressing Eco’s tiny body on the floor and without giving her a chance to fight back, she rode on Eco.

“Tsk… Let me go!”

“Is there any idiot in this world that would move off once they are being asked to?”

The winner had been decided. Even when Eco had her abnormal strength, she could never be able to beat Silvia.

But, there was a reason why Silvia could beat her easily.

Eco had never let go of the stuffed toy even after she was pressed down against the floor. If Eco would just let go of that toy, the fight could still drag on. No, it could even be Silvia who was pressed down against the floor.

“Please, Eco! This is not an order. Although it was not a long time since the day I met you, I always think you as a friend. That is why… Could you please tell me?”

Just when Silvia was begging Eco with a trembling voice…

“Eco! Princess-sama!”

The door opened with a bang and Ash came running in.

Silvia turned around to look at Ash while she was pressing Eco down against the floor.

“Hold on, Ash! I never have the intention to harm Eco! I just want to ask Eco about it… no matter what!”

“But, Princess-sama doesn’t act like the usual you. Even so, Eco is my Pal, I won’t forgive anyone who try to harm her, even if it is Princess-sama.”

After Ash murmured sadly, he showed her his left arm.

Silvia knew that he had his abnormally large Seikoku covered in a bandage.

“Your Seikoku…?”

Silvia was in lost of words.

The Seikoku under the bandage was obviously blinking with glowing lights. That was a signal given when the Pal was in danger.

For example, even though Silvia did not have any intentions of harming Eco, but Eco felt that she was in danger and sent the signal to her owner Ash for help…

“Sorry, Eco… I am really sorry. I am in the wrong for scaring you…. But, I have my own reasons. Please, Eco! Please tell me for the sake of our friendship!”

Silvia was forcing out an answer from Eco.

“…Eco?”

Eco did not reply. Just as Silvia became confused, Eco was surrounded by a glowing light.

“Hey, Eco! What’s wrong?”

Eco still did not reply. Right now, Eco was like a doll, showing no expression.

Even her eyes seemed to be reflecting nothing.

“Urgh…!”

The next instant, Silvia was being blasted of by a strong wind.

“Princess-sama!”

Followed by Ash’s shout, Silvia’s back bang against the wall. She almost couldn’t breathe because of it.

===Part 9===
“Princess-sama!”

Just when Ash was trying to help Silvia out, Cosette arrived.

“I will take care of Princess-sama. Ash-sama, go help Eco-chan! This is no laughing matter!”

Cosette’s voice seemed to be more serious and nervous than usual.

“Understood!”

Ash ran straight towards Eco.

His Seikoku started to hurt.

He remembered that feeling.

He had the similar feeling when Eco was awaken in the capital, Fontaine.

Although the pain was not as strong as that time, Ash knew that this was the sign before her transformation into a dragon.

Eco stood up slowly with the cute stuffed toy dropping on the floor.

Strictly speaking, she was not standing.

There was a gap in between her feet and the floor.

She was actually floating…!

Her limbs were now surrounded by the mysterious light that was so bright that they could not look at it directly.

However, Ash continued to move forward.

“Stop, Eco! If you are to be awaken here…”

In the worst possible case, this Epona House will be destroyed. No, it could even be related to the city’s survivability…

Eco had long been labeled as an element of danger by many countries’s government. The reason why Mirabel was sent to become the academy’s director was to keep an eye on Eco.

''If she is to transform into a dragon right now…!''

Ash moved forward without giving any thought and hugged Eco.

A huge amount of magic was flowing out from her tiny body. If he had been careless, he would even be swallowed by the magic and lost consciousnesss.

Ash shouted with all his might into Eco’s ears.

“Get a grip of yourself! I…I like the way you are now! It is okay if you just stay as you are! You don’t have to force yourself to change into your true self!”

It seems that Ash’s words had gotten through and the magic that was surrounding Eco had disappeared. Even the lights were no longer there. Ash’s Seikoku too had stopped responding.

“We are saved…”

Ash breathe a sigh of relieves.

“…Huh?”

Eco blinked her eyes in surprise and murmured.

“What had I done…? Why are you…?”

Realizing that she was in Ash’s arms, Eco leaped off from Ash’s arms with her face red in embarrassment.

===Part 10===
“I am sorry for what had happened just now. I-I never thought that you were so much against it…. No I shouldn’t make any excuses. A knight must admit his own faults. I deeply apologize!”

After the group had sat on a dining table in the living room, Silvia apologized to Eco sincerely.

“Hmph… I guess this should be sufficient.”

Silvia’s eagerness to apologize by bowing her head had started to confuse Eco. Even though she still continued to puff up her checks in protest, but at least she had accepted Silvia’s apology. Ash who noticed it breathe a sigh of relieves.

“…Since everything had been settled, please allow me to ask. How did that stuffed toy came into your possession?”

Silvia’s words had cause Eco to be enraged again.

“Ha!? You….. Just apologize and yet you still want to ask!?”

“I apologize for resolving this matter by force. I promise that this time, I won’t try questioning you by force. But in return, I will keep on asking until you answer me. Remember, I will keep on asking.”

Silvia was quite stubborn. She even smiled towards Eco with her face full of confidence.

“I can’t believe it…”

Eco sighed.

“Sorry, Eco-chan.”

At that moment, Cosette returned from the kitchen with a silver tray full of snacks and tea.

“That toy that Eco-chan was holding right now… It probably belongs to Princess-sama a long time ago.”

“How can it be…?”

Whilst she was surprised, Eco took a bite on the vanilla flavoured crepe that Cosette handed to her. If it was the usual Eco, she would definitely shout out ‘Delicious!’ on the first bite, but right now, she was with a serious looks. As expected, even Eco couldn’t enjoy her favorite food properly.

“What Cosette said is true. That toy is definitely an important thing to me during my childhood.”

Silvia spoke calmly as if she was trying to teach a child who knew nothing.

“Ha!? That’s impossible! I understand none of these!”

Eco placed her half eaten crepe back on her plate. Ash was surprised that she prioritized the argument before her crepe.

“I knew it the moment I saw it. There is only one of this stuffed toy in the whole world. It is a very important toy.”

“How can you have such confidence!?”

“You don’t even know the worth of that toy. Anyone who knows its worth would recognize it on their first sight.”

“Arrrrrggh! That explanation is totally unacceptable!”

''Eco was once again enraged, but at least Silvia knew her limit. Thanks to that, the atmosphere did not turn out to be any worst than this…'' Ash secretly thought.

“Come on you two…”

Cosette was obviously not at all troubled. She seems to be enjoying this.

“Haa… It seems like I don’t have a choice.”

Ash sighed.

“Please listen carefully, Princess-sama. That stuffed toy was in my closet. I gave it to Eco since she seems to like it.”

“Hey! Why did you tell that to her!?”

Eco was scolding Ash with her face red.

“What else can I do? If I leave it to both of you, the same thing will continue onwards again and again.”

“I… want this to be a secret between the both of us.”

Eco’s mumbling caught Ash’s attention.

“What did you say?”

“N-Nothing! I don’t even know you!”

Eco averted her face in anger. ''Why must she get angry...?'' Ash wondered.

On the other hand, Silvia was staring at Ash.

“Ash… you said that this toy was in your closet?”

“That seems to be the case.”

Ash shrugged his shoulders.

“Actually, I am not really clear about it. Believe me or not, there was a blank in my memories… I don’t even know how it came into my possession. I don’t even know about its worth if not because of Cosette.”

Silvia was staring at Ash so intently almost as if she was going to pierce a hole in his forehead. She then asked a weird question.

“When is your birthday?”

“Huh? The third on the month of Aries… What about that?”

After Ash answered honestly, Cosette spoke in surprise:

“Oh, what a coincidence. It seems that Princess-sama was also born in the month of Aries. By the way, hers is in the seventh.”

“Hmm… That’s the first time I had heard of it.”

“Huhu… So Ash-sama is the bigger brother by four days.”

“T-That… isn’t it…”

“Ash!”

Silvia suddenly leaned against him. Ash could see her breast that was covered by the thin cloth of the summer clothes.

“Princess-sama?”

“Even though this may seems abrupt, but do you still remember the date you went for the Orphan Ceremony?”

“Err… I don’t really remember about the details, but it shouldn’t be far away from my seventh birthday. Since my hometown was at a far away village, I started my journey when I was still six. I remembered that I had my seventh birthday in a horse carriage.”

Once they reach the age of seven, every citizen of the Knight Country must visit Albion Forest.

For Ash, if he had departed after his seventh birthday, he would never be able to arrive at Albion Forest in a month time.

“By the way, does the date I went for the Orphan Ceremony matters?”

“…No, Nothing. I have something that I want to discuss with Cosette. Please stay here for the moment.”

Silvia suddenly stood up and dragged Cosette by the hand with her.

“What a weird Princess.”

Ash took a drink from the cup of red tea.

===Part 11===
After Silvia entered the makeup room, with an ‘Ahem’, she cleared her throat.

“What do you want to talk about, Princess-sama?”

“About that…”

“It doesn’t seem like something easy.”

Since she had been with Silvia for quite some time, Cosette immediately knew what she was thinking.

“Aah… That’s right.”

“I will do everything you tell me to if it is in my ability to do so. If the situation required, I could even be Princess-sama’s limbs or even your shield… That’s my duty.”

Silvia made up her mind and told her wish.

“Actually, I want you to return to the palace and investigate the name list of the children who went to the orphan ceremony at the same day as me. This should be an easy one for you, no?”

However, Cosette told Silvia something out of her imagination.

“The records of the Orphan Ceremony is the country’s top secret. Even if you are a Princess, you will be breaching the law by trying to investigate it.”

“Then, your duty would be to avoid it. Please, I could only put my hopes on you. With your ability, reading top secret documents should not be a problem, right?”

“That doesn’t sound nice, Princess-sama. The ability that I only knew of was an ancient technique that was passed down in the Shelly’s family and some spying technique. All of them were used to protect the Lautreamont family.”

“I understand that, but…!”

Silvia grabbed her shoulders and looked at Cosette with her puppy eyes.

“Of course I will do it if this is your order. But, what will you do if Ash-sama is really that boy?”

Silvia’s face almost burst out in flames.

“I-I just want to know about it! That’s right, I only want to know about the truth!”

Cosette gave a wry smile.

“Hmm… Putting that aside, during the time when I am not in, when the night comes and Eco had slept, aren’t '''the two of you''' alone together?”

“When the night comes…. The two of us…!?”

This time, steam emerged from her ears. Her heart was beating none stop.

“W-W-What are you talking about! Don’t you have any shame! How shameless! I…I believe that Ash was not someone insolence! That is why there is no point behind your question!”

Silvia snapped and Cosette nodded.

“I too had the same feeling.”

“Then why bother asking!”

Cosette smiled and took out something. It was a stack of paper held together by a paper clip.

“What’s that?”

“Huhu… A copy of ‘Shelley family’s secret. A recipe to make men dream’. Although I want to use it during this summer to teach Princess-sama some cooking… But this is a good chance to try it. Although Princess-sama don’t have any actual experience, but isn't this a good chance to show your cooking skills to Ash-sama?”

Silvia felt as if her body was on fire.

“Hold on! W-W-Why must I show Ash my cooking skills?”

“If I am not mistaken, The Lautreamont Family Motto did mention that ‘to shoot a general you must first shoot his horse’, am I right?”

“What does it had to do with this?”

“In the Shelley’s Family Motto, there is something like this: ‘To get the man you like, you must first fill his stomach’.”

“What kind of family motto is that!?”

“Huhu… When Ash-sama’s stomach is empty, and Princess-sama gave him your homemade cooking, he would surely fall for you.”

“…Fall for me!?”

Cosette was like a devil whispering into Silvia’s ears.

“When a Princess who doesn’t look like she knew any cooking made a meal, which man wouldn’t be moved by it?”

“Cut the crap! I never want Ash to take notice of me! Never! I-It's just that I had some interest in cooking since a long time ago. I will accept your offer because of this.”

Cosette handed her the recipe while smiling.
[[Image:SnRK v05 096.jpg|thumb]]

“Now, I had received my orders from Princess-sama and I will depart from Ansarivan immediately.”

“Huh? Immediately?”

“It is better if we act quickly, Princess-sama.”

Cosette lifted the both sides of her skirt slightly and bowed gracefully.

Suddenly, like a mist, Cosette disappeared from Silvia’s sight like a magician.

“H-Hey! Cosette? … Do you really want to depart at this moment?”

Silvia became worried when she heard no reply.

“Please hold on, Cosette! You should allow me to have some mental preparation before…!”

Silvia looked around the room with tears in her eyes. It looks like Cosette had really departed.

“Tsk… She never takes me seriously!”

After Silvia mumbled in regrets, she took a long hard look at the recipe given to her.

"The Stuffed Toy Dragon~A.S.B.1365.8~" is closed.

<noinclude>

==References and Translation Notes==
<references />

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| Back to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Prologue|Prologue]]
| Return to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]
|-
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</noinclude>

Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 1

2014-08-08T05:27:34Z

Valthan: /* Part 10 */

==Chapter 1 - Tragedy of Apollo house and Mirabel's decision==
===Part 1===
''-Don! Don…! Don!''

The sun had just risen but Ash who spent a sleepless night was woken up by a loud knocking sound.

“What in the world…?”

He took that silver watch by his pillow side and noticed that it was just half past six.

After he angrily took a look at the window, he became wide awake.

“Uwaa…!”

There was a huge eye looking through the gaps of the curtain.

It was actually a dragon who was banging its nose against the window.

''-Don! Don… Dododododo!”''

He was worried that it may break the glass.

“Why is a dragon coming to my room!? Could it be another Necromancia attack!?”

So the Empire had finally shown their true colours and started attacking? Ash tried to leave the bed but he was stopped.

“Zzz…”

Eco rolled over and hugged Ash.

Her hair was all over his shoulders and her arms were around his back.

And also her soft face that was on his chest…

''-Mmm…''

Ash was shocked by her sudden nibble.

“Hey, Eco… Please don’t bite that spot.”

Recently, her habit of nibbling had gotten less but she still had not gotten rid of her habit of a young dragon. Moreover, she was nibbling on Ash’s sensitive spot which troubled him.

At that moment, there was a crack on the window.

“This is bad… It is not the right moment to let her continue nibbling.”

Ash carried Eco and they left the bed together. The next thing he knew, the glass was smashed into pieces.

He managed to avoid the glass fragments at the last moment.

At the same time, there were two dragons that were trying to squeeze their heads through the window. Their hard scales protect them from the sharp glass.

By taking a closer look, Ash noticed that one of them was a Maestro while the other was a Hydra. After knowing that he was not attacked by a Necromancia, Ash breathe a sigh of relieve.

“Morning, Ash!”

“Good morning, Ash-sama!”

Finally, he could see the faces of the two riders.

They were the student council secretary Lucca and Jessica of the general affairs. Right beside them were Maestro Gawain and Rhiannon the Hydra.

Ash started to protest after he placed Eco who was still sleeping on the bed.

“Lucca! Jessica! What in the world are both of you doing!?”

Since the time Ash saved Gawain who was in danger of dying, Lucca had become emotionally attached to Ash. In the dragon riding academy, most of the girls are the more aggressive type, it was kind of rare to see someone as quiet as Lucca. The beauty that only an Eckbald possessed was out of this world.

Ash was a little surprised to see Lucca acting rashly. Perhaps she was influenced by Jessica.

“Ash… I hoped that you would come with me to the Eckbald village. I want to introduce you to the village chief, my otou-sama.” <ref>In the raw version, Lucca called her father otou-sama, but the kanji written was foster father.</ref>

Her usual emotionless face had always given Ash a heck lot of trouble.

“Hold on! W-Why must you mention about the chief!?”

“P-Please don’t ask anymore than this.”

Lucca was suddenly blushing.

This time, it was Jessica who pushed Lucca to aside.

Jessica who was usually eyeing at Ash’s sperm, though her actions had always been eccentric, she was still undoubtably one of the few beauties of the academy.

“Ash-sama, I have a request!”

“Hey, wait a minute! This is the third floor! How did a hydra get here…?”

“Well. Climbing wall is not a problem for my Rhiannon.”

“Can’t you sympathize your Pal a little!”

Ash pitied her Pal. Although a Hydra may still be able to move on land, but only when they are in the water they are able to show their true skills. It shouldn’t be its own intention to walk on land. Let alone climbing the walls of the student’s dormitory, which doesn’t seem to fit the actions of a proud dragon.

“Putting that aside, Ash-sama! I am about to leave Ansarivan. What about you? Do you have any plans of returning?”

“Now I remember… today is the start of the holiday.”

-The first day of the month of Leo.

It was the first day of the holidays for Ansarivan Dragon Riding Academy. Since it was a boarding school, most of the student will return to their hometown.

Of course, not all of the students were going back home. There were also a small amount of students that were forced to stay in for the holidays for certain reasons.

Ash was one of them.

“Nope, I am not going home.”

After hearing, Jessica’s facial expression changes.

“What! If that’s the case, I too will stay back here!”

“Uuh… If I don’t return soon… I will be scolded by my otou-sama.”

Compare to Jessica who was in high spirit, Lucca looks sad. Lucca who carry the hopes of all Eckbald with her probably doesn’t have as much freedom as Jessica has.

“Sorry to disappoint you Jessica, but you must return with me.”
[[Image:SnRK v05 044.jpg|thumb]]

Suddenly, there was another voice.

“Rebecca-san!”

Ash shouted.

There was a sweet smell from her red hair being blown by the winds. She looks like a war maiden in the legends when she was riding on Cú Chulainn.

“Sorry for the trouble that this stupid girl from my house had given you. The Randall family will cover the fees for mending the window. The servants fault is also the master’s fault.”

“Now that you mention it… I remember that Jessica was a servant in the Randall family.”

“Just that since she became a Breeder, she had forgotten about her place.”

Rebecca sighed.

“Hmph! Could you stop calling me that? I don’t have the intention of serving the Randall family for my whole life!”

“I never thought of that. You are my important childhood friend. Also, your parents had asked me to take good care of you. That is why I have my duty to bring you back to meet your parents.”

Although her lips were smiling, there was not even a hint of smile in Rebecca’s eyes. After Jessica saw Rebecca’s determination, her elbows dropped in disappointment.

“Haa… I understand. However… I want Ash-sama to see me off!”

Ash gave a wry smile.

“I think that should be alright.”

The moment he answered, Jessica was once again with a big smile. But, she was then blushing and started to mumble.

“T-Then… According to my hometown’s custom…. There should be a parting k-kiss….”

“Hey! Jessica! When does our hometown have such a custom?”

Rebecca exposed Jessica’s lie with a wry smile.

“Hmph! Rebecca! Don’t you know how to look at the atmosphere?”

“I-I too would like you to see me off…”

While Jessica was in rage, Lucca shyly told Ash her wish.

“Of course.”

“T-Then… According to the Eckbald custom…. I want you to give me a princess carry.”

Ash’s heart skipped a beat when he first saw Lucca’s blushing face.

“A-A princess carry!”

Ash was in a fix but Jessica shouted at Lucca:

“Hey! What are you trying to do in this mess! That must be a lie!?”

“Uuh…”

While Lucca turned speechless, the noise that Jessica made had spread throughout the school.

“Hey, can you believe it! The president and Jessica were making a night visit! And the other person… Could she be Lucca Sarlinen the genius girl from the basic class!?”

Suddenly, a huge number of students were gathering outside of the Apollo House. It was something for three girls to be standing on their dragons beside a window of a boy’s dormitory.

To say nothing of Rebecca Randall who was the most popular person in the entire academy, Jessica was also one of the centers of attentions and let alone Lucca with her Yōsei like looks and her skills as a Dragner.

“I-I am just here to have Ash-sama see me off! Nothing else!”

Jessica tried to settle the misunderstanding by shouting towards the direction of the school.

“Hmm! By saying Ash-kun you mean… The Ash-kun who was knighted yesterday!?”

“The knighting ceremony was awesome!”

“I also want him to see me off!”

Right now all the girls were speaking with s shrill voice.

Rebecca gave him a bitter smile while she was enjoying all of this.

“Seems like your popularity had sky rocketed after you became a Dragner.”

“The situation outside… Somehow, it looks frightening.”

“Yeah. I just saw around thirty dragons flying towards this window.”

Rebecca told him the unthinkable news with a calm face.

“Huh!?”

“Sorry, Ash. Though I have many reasons to help you… But if I show my true skills, the girls would suffer some grave injuries.”

“Hol-! Don’t leave me!”

“You should try to solve your own problem if you are a Dragner. Also… If it is alright, I would also want you to see me off.”

“…Eh?”

Unfortunately, Ash was not able to catch everything Rebecca said. Her voice disappeared behind the loud noise from Cú Chulainn flapping its wings.

“Good luck, Ash.”

Lucca too had reluctantly flew off with Gawain.

Right after that, the Apollo House faced a terrible attack.

“Ash-kun! Please see me off!”

“Ash-kun, you might as well come to my home town with me…!”

“Hey! Don’t cut the queue!”

Most of the girls returning were riders of stradas. They were like bats gathering together for food at the window.

But of course it was impossible for thirty riders of stradas to squeeze into the window at the same time.

Soon, they started pushing around.

“P-Please be patient! Calm down! Please calm down!”

Ash was panicking.

Every single roar from the Strada was enough to shake up this entire old building.

“Hey!...How dare you! Ash-sama is my important- Nooooooo!”

Unlike Rebecca or Lucca, Jessica who stayed until the end was finally pushed off the wall together with Rhiannon.

“W-What should I do?”

Ash retreated until his back was facing the wall while he was watching the girls fighting for a spot.

At that moment, Eco who had rolled herself into a ball while she was sleeping had woken up and was rubbing her eyes.

“Hmmm…. What’s all the noise about?”

“You ! How can you still think of sleeping!”

Eco was looking around in confusion. It seems that she wasn’t fully awake yet and wasn’t able to think properly.

Ash shouted with all his might towards the window.

“I beg you! Could you please not make a mess in front of someone else’s window! I promise to see off every single one of you!”

Too bad for him, his voice was not received by them.

Suddenly, Ash had a bad feeling.

“I couldn’t be…”

His entire body was shivering in fear. Since some time ago, the wall facing the outside was creaking. It appears that the Stradas were putting pressure on it.

“It is dangerous to stay here! Lets run Eco!”

“Huh…! Could you care to explain!”

“Later!”

Ash was running with Eco on his hands.

He ran out through the door and out to the corridor.

Just when he was sliding along the floor…

''-Creak…! Eeeeekkkk……. !Do--------------n!''

The next moment, there was a loud explosion.

Ash cautiously took a peek through the cracks on the door while trembling. All he sees was dust flying around and even the corridor was affected.

''“*Cough *!*Cough *!”''

While covering up Eco who was coughing, Ash waited until the dust had settled down.

Just moments later-

After the dust had cleared up, what Ash saw was a clear sky.

The morning rays were shining at the disastrous room.

The wreckage of the wall was all over his room. It was a painful sight.

Right now, with the wall that was facing the academy and the window destroyed, his room looked like a doll house that can be seen from the outside.

“Err… Eco, am I dreaming?”

“I think so?”

Ash and Eco were looking at the room with their mouths wide open.

===Part 2===
Ash was brought to the director’s office on the first day of the holiday.

As for those girls who were the culprit, it seems that they had ran back home as soon as possible. That is why Ash who was the victim was summoned.

“I see… Now I understand what had happened.”

Mirabel who was acting as the director replied coldly and drank from her cup of tea.

The room was full of the smells of bergamot and the tea.

Just like a robot, Mirabel’s face was emotionless the entire time. ''Does this princess even have the thing known as feelings…?'' Ash thought.

“The academy will take responsibility for mending the wall. Just some time before, I had asked the builders of this city and they estimated that they will be able to complete it in around two weeks time.”

“Really…! Thank you very much!”

Ash was grateful that she was able to deal with this situation without delay.

“The problem is… During the renovation, where am I to place you and Eco.”

“I see…”

“Can you borrow a room from any of your friends?”

“I don’t think that would be possible…”

Unfortunately, Max and Raymond had gone home. For Ash who doesn’t have many friends, these were the’ only two friends that he could rely on. Although there was an option of using it without asking for their permissions, but Ash couldn’t bring himself to do it.

''-Bang!''

The door behind him was opened with a slam.

The next time he knew, Silvia and Eco was right beside him.

“How much longer are the two of you going to keep on talking!? Can’t you just give us a new room!”

Eco was pointing at Mirabel in anger.

“Anee-ue! Why do you call for Ash! That incident was caused by a few girls! It had nothing to do with Ash! Aren’t you treating him like the culprit!?”

Silvia on the other hand was trying to speak up for Ash.

“Where are your manners? Don’t you know that it is rude to walk into a room without knocking? You won’t be given special treatment even if you are the descendant of the Avalon Holy Dragons Emperor’s family or my sister. “

Mirabel glared at both of them coldly.

“I am sorry… Anee-ue.”

Silvia stood still on her ground as if she had turned into a stone.

On the other hand, Eco was trying to intimidate Mirabel by showing her sharp teeth.

“Hey you!... How dare you act like that even when you know that I am Avalon’s holy dragons' emperor family's Imperial Princess! Why don’t I try crushing the castle the next time? If I show you my true self, one or two Fontaine Place won’t…”

“Idiot! Stop spurting nonsense!”

Ash’s face was pale white when he was scolding Eco.

Since that incident, the Knight’s government took Eco as a threat. As long as there is the possibility that Mirabel was here to keep an eye on Eco, they have to be careful with their own words.

But to his surprise, Eco calm down with just a single shout.

She turned her head around with her face blushing.

“I-I will listen to you… Just this time.”

Ash was taken aback from seeing Eco making such an expression for the first time. Just as he had expected, it was that transformation that had made a change of her heart. Although the gentle Eco looked a lot cuter, at the same time, it was also a little confusing.

“Ahem!”

Mirabel tried clearing her throat, returning everyone’s attention back to her.

“Silvia, you came at the right moment. Right now you are staying in the royal room in the Epona House right?”

“…What about it?”

Silvia was surprised.

“Until the renovation in the boy’s dormitory had been completed, Ash Blake and young dragon Eco will stay in your room for the time being.”

“What!”

“I won’t repeat for a second time. This is an order from your sister. You are not allowed to have any objections.”

Naturally, Silva was enraged.

“What do you mean by this! This is against our family motto where ‘A knight shouldn’t carelessly touch another of the opposite sex’!”

“Hmm… Funny but I remember that I said to let Ash Blake and young dragon Eco stay in your room. When did I ever mention about touching Ash?”

“T-That…!”

Right at this moment, even Silvia’s earlobes were red.

“Right now, if I were to mention the family motto that you love so much, ‘A knight should help those who are in need’. Am I wrong?”

After she replied coldly, Mirabel looked like she had lost interest in the case regarding Ash. She kept on looking at the tea cup on her hand.

“I am done with you- What a pain, now a good cup of tea had turned cold.”

===Part 3===
Rebecca and Jessica had returned to the land ruled by the Randalls.

Lucca on the other hand had returned to her village.

After seeing them off, Ash and Eco once again returned to his room on the third floor of the Apollo House.

They once again looked at the disastrous room.

A bed full of glass fragments.

A floor full with the remains of the wall.

And the disorganized furniture.

With the wall gone, the room became bright and windy. Looking down from above was a few curious onlookers. When their eyes came into contact with Ash’s, everyone scattered.

“Haa… First of all, I think we should try cleaning up a little. It is better to make it look a little more cheerful before the renovation starts.”

Turning around, Ash noticed that Eco was sulking.

“What’s wrong, Eco?”

“Hey. Do you really want to stay in Silvia’s room?”

“It is not like I have a choice. It was an order from Princess Mirabel. It seems that even Princess-sama did not dare to go against her.”

“I… I hate it.”

“What’s the matter? You don’t look like your usual self. Well, if we stay at Princess-sama’s room, we may be able to eat Cosette’s delicious homemade cooking.”

“That’s not the point! And also, I am not someone who thinks about food for an entire day!”

Eco's face was red with anger and embarrassment.

“Is it… Sorry then.”

“It is fine if you understand. Anyway, just if you try to do something weird to Silvia… I will be sure to crush you!”

Eco was glaring at Ash.

“What do you mean by something weird!?”

With her ears fully red, Eco told Ash embarrassedly:

“T-To make it simple…. It is those perverted stuffs.”

“W-What are you even thinking!”

Ash stood still on his ground. He never expected Eco to speak of such a word. It kind of surprised him.

“Even I knew about those stuffs… Don’t look down on me just because I am a young dragon.”

“Could the source of information be…. The Dragweiss?”

“…Some of them were from there, but most of them were from the picture books that Cosette lent me.”

“Hold on! Are they really… Just picture books!?”

In order to teach her the importance of aesthetic sensibility, Cosette had lent her picture books and books for children. For that, Ash was grateful for Cosette.

However, there was a possibility that she mixed some books with adult content in them into the pile of picture books she had given to Eco.

“Anyhow, she is still this country’s princess. What you are worrying about will never happen, rest assured.”

''In the worst possible case, I will be beheaded…'' Ash thought secretly.

“A-Alright… I understand.”

Once again, Eco was smiling and she looked at the room around her.

“Then… What can I do to help you?”

“You are trying to help?”

“What? Is it weird for me to help?”

“Definitely not weird, but rare. Ain’t it always me who complete the house work?”

“A-About that… It doesn’t seem like I have a choice. I am a dragon. I don’t really understand how a human acts. But… I just feel like helping for today… Can’t I!?”

Eco puffed up her rosy coloured cheeks and stared at Ash.

“Why not? I even want to thank you.”

Ash gave a wry smile and tried to pat her head.

But, Eco immediately dodge to a side.

“No! You mustn’t touch!”

“Sorry… I didn't know that you dislike it this much.”

“N-No! It is okay it you are just patting, but you mustn’t touch my horns. If they were just slightly touched, I… will turn weird. I felt like floating in the air when they were touched...”

Ash could calm down after seeing Eco’s face when she tried to explain her feelings.

“I understand. I promise I won’t touch your horns.”

Ash carefully patted Eco’s head.

Her pink hair was fluffy and it gave his palm a nice feeling.

“Nn…”

Even when she was a dragon, Eco was smiling and shrugging her neck like what a cat would do.

Her innocent smile had grabbed Ash’s attention.

To be precise, it was her flower bud like lips.

His heart was beating rapidly.

This was actually the second time he had such a feeling.

The first time was when Eco said that she won’t be satisfied with just being a Pal in the guest room in Fontaine Palace.

“…”

Eco probably felt the change in the atmosphere too and her body suddenly tense up. Perhaps she too was also thinking about the scenario in the Fontaine Palace.

In a short while, just like that time, Eco closes her eyes.

She also tried to purse her lips.

Ash also noticed that her long eyelashes were also trembling.

''-Eco…!''
[[Image:SnRK v05 060.jpg|thumb]]

He suddenly remembered the word ‘beloved Pal’ in the knighting ceremony.

During that time, Ash was only saying the standard pledge.

But this was totally different.

His feeling of love to Eco was born from deep in his heart. A feeling that could be explained using something as simple as the relation of a Breeder and its Pal had grown.

Right now, they don’t need any words.

Ash placed both his hands on Eco’s shoulders and he closes their distance slowly.

A sweet smell was surrounding them which made him dizzy.

Right now, he felt as if his heart was going to explode.

They were now at a distance where their nose could easily touch each other.

Eco felt like being pierced through by the sunlight while she was waiting for Ash.

Ash made up his mind and closed his eyes.

And then- he kissed Eco on her lips.

===Part 4===
“~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~!”

Since their kiss, Eco had been working silently with her back facing Ash the entire time.

It seemed that she was too embarrassed to even look at Ash in the face.

And of course, it was the same for Ash.

Ash felt as if his face was a ball of fire.

Although the two of them at a first glance seemed to be dusting the room, there was actually zero progress. What they were doing was only messing up the already messed up room.

''-What should I do? What should I say at times like this?''

Just when Ash was anxious in trying to find the right words…

“Uwaaa…! Cute!”

Eco turned around and showed Ash a round object.

“Isn’t this cute? Where did you find this stuffed toy?”

At that moment, Ash felt something was pricking at the back of his neck. It made him wonder what it was.

The stuffed toy that Eco was holding seems to be a dragon. Strictly speaking, its face was clumsily done.

Furthermore, it's round body made it looks nothing like a majestic dragon.

However, Eco seemed to take it as cute, and it made her forget about what had just happened previously.

“Err… Actually I don’t remember much about that when it came into my possession. No matter how I look at it, looked just like a girl’s toy. It is probably not me who bought it.”

It was thanks to the toy that Ash was once again able to speak to Eco normally.

“Hmm… Strange.”

Eco was carrying the stuffed toy while she whipped off the dust on it.

“Hmm… When I move to Ansarivan, I just took it with me without any reason. Perhaps there is a great meaning behind it was what I thought. Actually… There is a blank in my childhood memory.”

“… A blank in your memories?”

Eco was surprised.

“Aah. It was right about when I had my seventh birthday when I visited Albion Forest for the Orphan Ceremony. I just can’t recall my memories during that time.”

“Isn’t that… The time when Mother Dragon bestowed me to you?”

“It seems so.”

“How come you can’t remember such an important event?”

Ash shrunk when he saw Eco start to get mad. Just like how they were finally able to speak normally, Eco’s temper had also returned.

“To be frank, I know nothing of it myself. It was just that I had a hunch that this toy had something to do with my lost memories and that’s the reason why I was reluctant to throw it away. However, because of the recent events, I totally forgot about it.”

“Then, can I keep it?”

Ash was taken by surprised.

“What do you mean by keeping it?”

“It is just like what I had said. Don’t you think it is sad for such a cute being to be left forgotten? I will take the trouble to take care of this kid.”

“How can you take care of it when it isn’t even a living being? Argh, whatever suits you then.”

“Really!?”

Eco was full of excitement.

“Well, I don’t really mind.”

“That's great!”

Eco was so happy that she felt that she could even fly. She then rubbed the stuffed toy with her cheeks.

Followed by that, she cuddled it like what a mother would do to her baby.

Suddenly, she spoke of something that surprised Ash.

“This somehow looked like our baby…”

Eco suddenly stopped speaking before she could even finish her sentence. She the glared at Ash with eyes looking as if they were on fire.

“You heard anything?”

“No, nothing at all.”

Ash spoke with a serious look on his face.

“T-That’s right! N-Nothing happened! Nothing happened at all!”

As if her head was exploding in flames, Eco carried the toy and dashed out from the room.

“Actually, I heard every single word…”

Just as Ash was murmuring with his body also feeling as it was engulfed by fire…

“Sorry to interrupt, Ash-sama.”

Suddenly, there was a woman’s voice coming from behind.

“Uwaa!”

He noticed that it was Cosette after he turned around. She seemed to be wearing the same palace design maid attire today. She then gave a polite bow.

“Cosette-san! How did you get in?”

“To enter such an airy room is like a child’s play to me.”

Cosette smiled before she turned around to look at the blue sky.

“That couldn’t be… This is the third floor! Putting that aside, why are you here?”

“I am here to meet you and Eco-chan. Had you forgotten about Princess Mirabel, Her Highness’s decision?”

Of course, it was impossible for him to forget about it to begin with. However, he still felt a little reluctant.

“Actually, can’t we reconsider about this? Putting Eco aside, don’t you think that it is wrong for a guy like me to enter Epona House where guys are not allowed?”

“For your own sake, I would advise you to follow her decision. Do you know what Princes Mirabel was also known as?”

“No… Nothing comes to mind at all.”

“Her nick name is actually Argento Magus. If we can describe Princess Veronica as a fighter, then Princess Mirabel is a thinker. Compare to Veronica, there were certain things that would made Mirabel a tougher opponent. Please be sure to be prepared mentally, Ash-sama.”

Ash sighed after he heard everything.

“…I understand. Please let me take some belongings like my pillow and clothes with me…”

“Alright then, meanwhile, I will try searching for Eco.”

Eco had not yet return since the moment she ran out from the room.

“Thank you. I think she should be somewhere around the dorm.”

“Huhu. That will be a simple task.”

Cosette ran towards the door nimbly while avoiding the disorganized furniture, but then she suddenly stopped and turned around to face Ash.

“By the way, Ash-sama.”

“What’s the matter?”

When Ash lifted his face, he saw Cosette’s face full of red. Ash was staring at her since it was rare to see her who was always calm to be blushing.

Although she always stayed hidden behind Silvia’s shadow, she actually looked quite beautiful.

With her right hand on her cheeks, she sighed.

Then she said something outrageous.

“Ash-sama and Eco-chan’s kiss looked very innocent indeed.”

“Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

This time, it was Ash’s turn to be blushing.

“D-Don’t, Don’t tell me that you saw everything!?”

“It totally felt like an opera show. You looked so cute when you kiss without even needing any words to understand each other. My god, isn’t that wonderful? Didn't Eco-chan also look cute when she was waiting to receive your kiss?”

“I beg you, please stop saying anymore than this! It is embarrassing!”

Right now, Ash felt like he was sitting on a mountain of needles.

Cosette, too, had also seemed to realize that she over did it, and replied with a playful smile.

“Rest assured, I won’t tell Princess-sama any of this.”

“How is Princeass-sama related to this!?”

“Hmm… I wonder… Huhu…”

Cosette left the room with her sentence ending with her laughter.

===Part 5===
The moment Ash finished gathering all his basic daily needs, Cosette was back with Eco. Together, the three of them marched towards Epona House.

Although it was around evening, the sun was still high up in the sky.

After passing through a grove of mixed trees, they were welcomed by a stern looking gate.

Even the cicada had stopped making noise.

Although they were just walking, they were all full of sweat.

By taking a peek beside, Eco looked as if she was suffering from the heat of the high summer temperature. She looked like a Hydra who was looking for water on dry land.

Compared to Ash, Eco was only carrying her stuffed toy.

On the other hand, Cosette didn’t even break a sweat.

“We have arrived.”

She turned around and smiled at both Ash and Eco.

Through the gate, they could see a garden that was separated into two halves by the walkway. It must have been well tended by a good gardener. Even Ash who doesn’t have any interest in gardening was amazed by it.

At the back of the garden stood an elegant looking building.

That was Epona House, the dormitory for advance class girls.

“We have finally arrived…”

Ash placed his baggage which was full of daily needs and clothing on the ground.

''How long does it actually take to walk here from Apollo House…'' Ash couldn’t be bothered to even think about it.

This dragon riding academy where human and dragons coexist had a very large land area.

In it, there were numerous classes, a church, a lecture hall, a library, a canteen, seven dragon houses, four dormitories, a sports ground… It even included an arena that was used during events.

Although there was the shopping district and the housing are beyond the school walls, compared to the size of the academy, they just looked like extras. That's the reason why Ansarivan was called an academic city.

Putting that aside, the distance between the boys dormitory and the girls dormitory must had been arranged on purpose by the academy.

“Please enter.”

Cosette pushed open the heavy looking gate and welcomed both of them in.

===Part 6===
On the top most floor of Epona House was the room of royal use.

It looked like a high class hotel suite and it even had a large space.

Apart from a heater in the living room, there was also a dining room, a study room, bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, etc. In a room that has everything, it looked as if it was another world compared to the normal student’s room.

Silvia was walking up and down around her room alone, worrying endlessly.

“Argh! What’s wrong with me! Why couldn’t I calm down! Even my family motto stated that ‘Always stay calm, especially in a pinch’!”

Even though she wasn’t even in a pinch, Silvia couldn’t stop worrying. It was about time for Cosette to arrive with Ash and Eco.

“That’s it!”

Silvia stopped in her tracks for a moment and then she dashed into the makeup room and stood in front of a mirror.

She applied a thin layer of makeup on her face.

She tried combing her hair many times.

Her clothing and accessories were chosen by Cosette.

She put on her camisole, a skirt with two layers of frills, her panty socks and a necklace made from bright dragon crystals that acted as jewels.

In front of the mirror, she was just like her usual…. No, she was at least twice as more beautiful than she usually was.

Silvia turned red when she realized how beautiful she was.

“Why would I dress myself up! It is alright by just sticking to what I usually do!”

Ash was about to arrive.

Until the boy’s dormitory was done with its renovation, Ash was going to stay here for two weeks.

Her hearts started to beat rapidly from thinking about it.

“This feeling… It is that same feeling as ''that time…''”

Silvia recalled her memories.

Around the time of her seventh birthday, she met a boy in Albion Forest.

''“Why? Why would I have this feeling of returning to the time when I was seven years old whenever I think about Ash…?”''

Silvia suddenly regained her senses.

“Stop! Stop! Stop! Doesn’t this mean that I am looking forward for him to arrive!? Right… I should change back into my normal clothing…”
[[Image:SnRK v05 006.jpg|thumb|'' ''…!'' Silvia immediately snapped out from the confusion. She just remembered that right now, she was only wearing her undergarments. '']]

Silvia left the makeup room and entered the living room. She swiftly removed all her clothing except for her undergarments. She then walked along the corridor towards the changing room.

Suddenly, the door opened right in front of her eyes.

“Princess-sama, we had returned.”

Cosette walked in with a smile.

“Princess-sama!?”

Ash was standing right behind Cosette with his eyes wide opened. ''Why is his face red? Is it because of the heat?''

“…!”

Silvia immediately snapped out from the confusion. She just remembered that right now, she was only wearing her undergarments.

“Kyaaaaaaaaaaa!”

Silvia ran and hid behind the door while screaming at the top of her voice.

===Part 7===
“Hey you! Just until when are you going to keep on staring!”

“Ouch!”

Ash came back to his sense after he was stomped on the leg by Eco.

Just when he had stepped in through the grand entrance, he was greeted by Silvia in only her undergarments. The white coloured lace will forever be imprinted in his mind.

''By the way, why was Silvia wearing only those?'' No matter how hot the weather can be, it doesn’t suit her image.

“I am going to check on Princess-sama. Could the both of you wait here for a moment, please?”

With a happy smile on her face, Cosette disappeared into the corridor. In just a moment-

“No. This definitely doesn’t look natural.”

“No no. It definitely fits you well.”

“But… Won’t this make me look like I am looking forward to their arrival?”

“Huh? Aren’t you?”

Their entire conversation was heard by Ash.

“Come on! This is a disgrace! How dare they make a dragon wait by the entrance!”

Eco who was standing right beside Ash was enraged. The toy that she had with her which had a carelessly made face was further squashed by Eco’s abnormal strength.

Ash pitied the toy. If this continued to keep on, Ash would probably be the next victim.

“Sorry for the wait.”

Just when Ash was about to be surrounded by his fear, Cosette had returned to the entrance with Silvia who was hiding right behind her.

Ash’s heart skipped a beat when he saw Silvia’s clothing. It gave a completely different feel compare to the school uniform that she usually wears. A lot of her skin was exposed from wearing the camisole. It had totally grabbed his attention.

“Please come in.”

Ash regained his sense after he heard Cosette’s voice.

“S-Sorry for the intrusion.”

In opposite to Ash, Eco was looking around the room with a hint of worry.

“Even so… You are just a Princess of the Royal Knight’s Family and you get to have such a great room?”

Perhaps she was mad from being asked to wait at the entrance, Eco was saying anything that would sooth her anger.

In truth, even Ash was amazed by the room itself. Just the entrance itself is wider than Ash’s room. There were even expensive looking pictures along the wall and carvings of dragons.

“Please don’t be mad. This room was specially made for the royals, it would be natural if Princess-sama is staying here.”

Ash tried to calm her down.

“But, I am also a Princess of the dragons! Why would there be such a large difference in our treatment!?”

“It is not like I want to stay in this room either!”

Silvia tried to speak up for herself even when she was being threatened by Eco.

“I even tried telling the academy to let me have the same treatment as the rest of the students, but they never listen…”

Suddenly, Silvia stood still on her ground. There was not even a slightest movement.

“Princess-sama… What’s wrong? You don’t look good.”

Ash was worried about her but she didn’t reply.

She kept on staring at the stuffed toy that Eco was carrying with her with her ice blue eyes.

Silvia then suddenly leaped towards Eco and grabbed her shoulders.

“Eco! Can you tell me how did that toy fall into your possession?”

Eco became confused.

“I-It has nothing to do with you.”

“Please tell me! This is very important!”

Silvia shouted loudly.

“… I picked it up.”

Eco mumbled when she turned her head to aside. It seemed that she did not want to tell Silvia that it was a gift from Ash. Ash was wondering on why she would be insisting on it.

“You picked it up? When? Where?”

Silvia was being persistent.

“Come on! Why do I need to tell you?”

Eco lost her patience and roared.

“…Why can’t you tell me?”

“T-That’s because… I don’t have the obligation to tell you.”

“Now I see, you are playing dumb… It seems I must resolve to this.”

Suddenly, Silvia leaped towards Eco with both of her hands stretched out.

“Hey!... Don’t joke with me!”

Eco dodge with the toy in her arms.

With the royal room as the stage, the two of them started running around like a bunch of kids. In just a blink of an eye, both of them
disappeared behind a door.

“Err… What is this all about?”

Ash who was left behind turned around and questioned Cosette.

“Cosette-san?”

To his surprised, Cosette too was transfixed on her own spot. It was rare to see her making a face like that.

Cosette then regained her sense after being called out to by Ash and started explaining.

“I just remember about it… I fear that that stuffed toy…. Is an important treasure to Princess-sama during her childhood.”

Ash was surprised by her answer.

“Wait a moment! That shouldn’t be possible! There should be many more stuffed toys with the same design, no?”

Cosette answered calmly.

“No. There isn’t. That toy is the one and only in this world. It was a limited edition item. It was actually made from a famous artist from Chevron Kingdom called Leonard De Mirabeau and was given to the five year old Princess-sama.”

“Really? That clumsily made toy is…”

“That’s not it… Its weird look was actually Mirabeau-sama’s style. Didn’t people usually say that there was only a silver line that separates a genius and a madman? If that stuffed toy was bought to an antique auction… It should be priced at five million Eccles at minimum.”

Cosette told him the shocking truth with a straight face.

“Five million…!”

Ash turned speechless.

His face had turned pale.

''-Five million Eccles!''

Ash couldn’t even imagine that amount of money. He just knew that he won’t be able to finish it by living the rest of his days enjoying life. He never knew that such a treasure was hidden in his closet.

“W-We should try stopping them first!”

Ash started searching for them in the huge room.

===Part 8===
“Finally! You won’t be able to escape!”

Eco who ran into Silvia’s room was now like a rat in the bag. There was only one exit and the windows were too high to jump from since this was the top most floor.

“Tsk… You are being persistent!”

Eco backed off to the wall and like a mother protecting her child, she tried to intimidate Silvia.

For one moment, Silvia was awed by her beauty, but the next instant, she roared:

“You haven’t told me anything yet! I just want to know how this toy came into your possession!”

“Why would you even want to know!?”

“T-That… I had my own reasons! Please, Eco!”

“Hmph… I had mine too. I will never tell you, only you!”

Both of them were glaring at each other without any intention of backing off.

Silvia realized that whatever she said was useless.

“Now you have done it. Although it is not to my liking… I must resolve this by force.”

“What! Who do you think I am! See that if you can do it!”

“Fine with me!”

Silvia leaped forward without mercy.

Although she must avoid Eco’s abnormal strength, Eco’s actions had always been straight forward and were always easy to read.

On the other hand, apart from the Drag Arts, Silvia had mastered many more fighting styles. It is a normal thing to do for someone who was born in the Lautreamont Royal Knight’s Family.

After struggling on the ground like brats, Silvia came out as the winner.

“Now you have been captured!”

Silvia was pressing Eco’s tiny body on the floor and without giving her a chance to fight back, she rode on Eco.

“Tsk… Let me go!”

“Is there any idiot in this world that would move off once they are being asked to?”

The winner had been decided. Even when Eco had her abnormal strength, she could never be able to beat Silvia.

But, there was a reason why Silvia could beat her easily.

Eco had never let go of the stuffed toy even after she was pressed down against the floor. If Eco would just let go of that toy, the fight could still drag on. No, it could even be Silvia who was pressed down against the floor.

“Please, Eco! This is not an order. Although it was not a long time since the day I met you, I always think you as a friend. That is why… Could you please tell me?”

Just when Silvia was begging Eco with a trembling voice…

“Eco! Princess-sama!”

The door opened with a bang and Ash came running in.

Silvia turned around to look at Ash while she was pressing Eco down against the floor.

“Hold on, Ash! I never have the intention to harm Eco! I just want to ask Eco about it… no matter what!”

“But, Princess-sama doesn’t act like the usual you. Even so, Eco is my Pal, I won’t forgive anyone who try to harm her, even if it is Princess-sama.”

After Ash murmured sadly, he showed her his left arm.

Silvia knew that he had his abnormally large Seikoku covered in a bandage.

“Your Seikoku…?”

Silvia was in lost of words.

The Seikoku under the bandage was obviously blinking with glowing lights. That was a signal given when the Pal was in danger.

For example, even though Silvia did not have any intentions of harming Eco, but Eco felt that she was in danger and sent the signal to her owner Ash for help…

“Sorry, Eco… I am really sorry. I am in the wrong for scaring you…. But, I have my own reasons. Please, Eco! Please tell me for the sake of our friendship!”

Silvia was forcing out an answer from Eco.

“…Eco?”

Eco did not reply. Just as Silvia became confused, Eco was surrounded by a glowing light.

“Hey, Eco! What’s wrong?”

Eco still did not reply. Right now, Eco was like a doll, showing no expression.

Even her eyes seemed to be reflecting nothing.

“Urgh…!”

The next instant, Silvia was being blasted of by a strong wind.

“Princess-sama!”

Followed by Ash’s shout, Silvia’s back bang against the wall. She almost couldn’t breathe because of it.

===Part 9===
“Princess-sama!”

Just when Ash was trying to help Silvia out, Cosette arrived.

“I will take care of Princess-sama. Ash-sama, go help Eco-chan! This is no laughing matter!”

Cosette’s voice seemed to be more serious and nervous than usual.

“Understood!”

Ash ran straight towards Eco.

His Seikoku started to hurt.

He remembered that feeling.

He had the similar feeling when Eco was awaken in the capital, Fontaine.

Although the pain was not as strong as that time, Ash knew that this was the sign before her transformation into a dragon.

Eco stood up slowly with the cute stuffed toy dropping on the floor.

Strictly speaking, she was not standing.

There was a gap in between her feet and the floor.

She was actually floating…!

Her limbs were now surrounded by the mysterious light that was so bright that they could not look at it directly.

However, Ash continued to move forward.

“Stop, Eco! If you are to be awaken here…”

In the worst possible case, this Epona House will be destroyed. No, it could even be related to the city’s survivability…

Eco had long been labeled as an element of danger by many countries’s government. The reason why Mirabel was sent to become the academy’s director was to keep an eye on Eco.

''If she is to transform into a dragon right now…!''

Ash moved forward without giving any thought and hugged Eco.

A huge amount of magic was flowing out from her tiny body. If he had been careless, he would even be swallowed by the magic and lost consciousnesss.

Ash shouted with all his might into Eco’s ears.

“Get a grip of yourself! I…I like the way you are now! It is okay if you just stay as you are! You don’t have to force yourself to change into your true self!”

It seems that Ash’s words had gotten through and the magic that was surrounding Eco had disappeared. Even the lights were no longer there. Ash’s Seikoku too had stopped responding.

“We are saved…”

Ash breathe a sigh of relieves.

“…Huh?”

Eco blinked her eyes in surprise and murmured.

“What had I done…? Why are you…?”

Realizing that she was in Ash’s arms, Eco leaped off from Ash’s arms with her face red in embarrassment.

===Part 10===
“I am sorry for what had happened just now. I-I never thought that you were so much against it…. No I shouldn’t make any excuses. A knight must admit his own faults. I deeply apologize!”

After the group had sat on a dining table in the living room, Silvia apologized to Eco sincerely.

“Hmph… I guess this should be sufficient.”

Silvia’s eagerness to apologize by bowing her head had started to confuse Eco. Even though she still continued to puff up her checks in protest, but at least she had accepted Silvia’s apology. Ash who noticed it breathe a sigh of relieves.

“…Since everything had been settled, please allow me to ask. How did that stuffed toy came into your possession?”

Silvia’s words had cause Eco to be enraged again.

“Ha!? You….. Just apologize and yet you still want to ask!?”

“I apologize for resolving this matter by force. I promise that this time, I won’t try questioning you by force. But in return, I will keep on asking until you answer me. Remember, I will keep on asking.”

Silvia was quite stubborn. She even smiled towards Eco with her face full of confidence.

“I can’t believe it…”

Eco sighed.

“Sorry, Eco-chan.”

At that moment, Cosette returned from the kitchen with a silver tray full of snacks and tea.

“That toy that Eco-chan was holding right now… It probably belongs to Princess-sama a long time ago.”

“How can it be…?”

Whilst she was surprised, Eco took a bite on the vanilla flavoured crepe that Cosette handed to her. If it was the usual Eco, she would definitely shout out ‘Delicious!’ on the first bite, but right now, she was with a serious looks. As expected, even Eco couldn’t enjoy her favorite food properly.

“What Cosette said is true. That toy is definitely an important thing to me during my childhood.”

Silvia spoke calmly as if she was trying to teach a child who knew nothing.

“Ha!? That’s impossible! I understand none of these!”

Eco placed her half eaten crepe back on her plate. Ash was surprised that she prioritized the argument before her crepe.

“I knew it the moment I saw it. There is only one of this stuffed toy in the whole world. It is a very important toy.”

“How can you have such confidence!?”

“You don’t even know the worth of that toy. Anyone who knows its worth would recognize it on their first sight.”

“Arrrrrggh! That explanation is totally unacceptable!”

''Eco was once again enraged, but at least Silvia knew her limit. Thanks to that, the atmosphere did not turn out to be any worst than this…'' Ash secretly thought.

“Come on you two…”

Cosette was obviously not at all troubled. She seems to be enjoying this.

“Haa… It seems like I don’t have a choice.”

Ash sighed.

“Please listen carefully, Princess-sama. That stuffed toy was in my closet. I gave it to Eco since she seems to like it.”

“Hey! Why did you tell that to her!?”

Eco was scolding Ash with her face red.

“What else can I do? If I leave it to both of you, the same thing will continue onwards again and again.”

“I… want this to be a secret between the both of us.”

Eco’s mumbling caught Ash’s attention.

“What did you say?”

“N-Nothing! I don’t even know you!”

Eco averted her face in anger. ''Why must she get angry...?'' Ash wondered.

On the other hand, Silvia was staring at Ash.

“Ash… you said that this toy was in your closet?”

“That seems to be the case.”

Ash shrugged his shoulders.

“Actually, I am not really clear about it. Believe me or not, there was a blank in my memories… I don’t even know how it came into my possession. I don’t even know about its worth if not because of Cosette.”

Silvia was staring at Ash so intently almost as if she was going to pierce a hole in his forehead. She then asked a weird question.

“When is your birthday?”

“Huh? The third on the month of Aries… What about that?”

After Ash answered honestly, Cosette spoke in surprise:

“Oh, what a coincidence. It seems that Princess-sama was also born in the month of Aries. By the way, hers is in the seventh.”

“Hmm… That’s the first time I had heard of it.”

“Huhu… So Ash-sama is the bigger brother by four days.”

“T-That… isn’t it…”

“Ash!”

Silvia suddenly leaned against him. Ash could see her breast that was covered by the thin cloth of the summer clothes.

“Princess-sama?”

“Even though this may seems abrupt, but do you still remember the date you went for the Orphan Ceremony?”

“Err… I don’t really remember about the details, but it shouldn’t be far away from my seventh birthday. Since my hometown was at a far away village, I started my journey when I was still six. I remembered that I had my seventh birthday in a horse carriage.”

Once they reach the age of seven, every citizen of the Knight Country must visit Albion Forest.

For Ash, if he had departed after his seventh birthday, he would never be able to arrive at Albion Forest in a month time.

“By the way, does the date I went for the Orphan Ceremony matters?”

“…No, Nothing. I have something that I want to discuss with Cosette. Please stay here for the moment.”

Silvia suddenly stood up and dragged Cosette by the hand with her.

“What a weird Princess.”

Ash took a drink from the cup of red tea.

===Part 11===
After Silvia entered the makeup room, with an ‘Ahem’, she cleared her throat.

“What do you want to talk about, Princess-sama?”

“About that…”

“It doesn’t seem like something easy.”

Since she had been with Silvia for quite some time, Cosette immediately knew what she was thinking.

“Aah… That’s right.”

“I will do everything you tell me to if it is in my ability to do so. If the situation required, I could even be Princess-sama’s limbs or even your shield… That’s my duty.”

Silvia made up her mind and told her wish.

“Actually, I want you to return to the palace and investigate the name list of the children who went to the orphan ceremony at the same day as me. This should be an easy one for you, no?”

However, Cosette told Silvia something out of her imagination.

“The records of the Orphan Ceremony is the country’s top secret. Even if you are a Princess, you will be breaching the law by trying to investigate it.”

“Then, your duty would be to avoid it. Please, I could only put my hopes on you. With your ability, reading top secret documents should not be a problem, right?”

“That doesn’t sound nice, Princess-sama. The ability that I only knew of was an ancient technique that was passed down in the Shelly’s family and some spying technique. All of them were used to protect the Lautreamont family.”

“I understand that, but…!”

Silvia grabbed her shoulders and looked at Cosette with her puppy eyes.

“Of course I will do it if this is your order. But, what will you do if Ash-sama is really that boy?”

Silvia’s face almost burst out in flames.

“I-I just want to know about it! That’s right, I only want to know about the truth!”

Cosette gave a wry smile.

“Hmm… Putting that aside, during the time when I am not in, when the night comes and Eco had slept, aren’t '''the two of you''' alone together?”

“When the night comes…. The two of us…!?”

This time, steam emerged from her ears. Her heart was beating none stop.

“W-W-What are you talking about! Don’t you have any shame! How shameless! I…I believe that Ash was not someone insolence! That is why there is no point behind your question!”

Silvia snapped and Cosette nodded.

“I too had the same feeling.”

“Then why bother asking!”

Cosette smiled and took out something. It was a stack of paper held together by a paper clip.

“What’s that?”

“Huhu… A copy of ‘Shelley family’s secret. A recipe to make men dream’. Although I want to use it during this summer to teach Princess-sama some cooking… But this is a good chance to try it. Although Princess-sama don’t have any actual experience, but isn't this a good chance to show your cooking skills to Ash-sama?”

Silvia felt as if her body was on fire.

“Hold on! W-W-Why must I show Ash my cooking skills?”

“If I am not mistaken, The Lautreamont Family Motto did mention that ‘to shoot a general you must first shoot his horse’, am I right?”

“What does it had to do with this?”

“In the Shelley’s Family Motto, there is something like this: ‘To get the man you like, you must first fill his stomach’.”

“What kind of family motto is that!?”

“Huhu… When Ash-sama’s stomach is empty, and Princess-sama gave him your homemade cooking, he would surely fall for you.”

“…Fall for me!?”

Cosette was like a devil whispering into Silvia’s ears.

“When a Princess who doesn’t look like she knew any cooking made a meal, which man wouldn’t be moved by it?”

“Cut the crap! I never want Ash to take notice of me! Never! I-It's just that I had some interest in cooking since a long time ago. I will accept your offer because of this.”

Cosette handed her the recipe while smiling.
[[Image:SnRK v05 096.jpg|thumb]]

“Now, I had received my orders from Princess-sama and I will depart from Ansarivan immediately.”

“Huh? Immediately?”

“It is better if we act quickly, Princess-sama.”

Cosette lifted the both sides of her skirt slightly and bowed gracefully.

Suddenly, like a mist, Cosette disappeared from Silvia’s sight like a magician.

“H-Hey! Cosette? … Do you really want to depart at this moment?”

Silvia became worried when she heard no reply.

“Please hold on, Cosette! You should allow me to have some mental preparation before…!”

Silvia looked around the room with tears in her eyes. It looks like Cosette had really departed.

“Tsk… She never takes me seriously!”

After Silvia mumbled in regrets, she took a long hard look at the recipe given to her.

"The Stuffed Toy Dragon~A.S.B.1365.8~" is closed.

<noinclude>

==References and Translation Notes==
<references />

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| Back to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Prologue|Prologue]]
| Return to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]
|-
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</noinclude>

Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 1

2014-08-08T05:22:23Z

Valthan: /* Part 7 */

==Chapter 1 - Tragedy of Apollo house and Mirabel's decision==
===Part 1===
''-Don! Don…! Don!''

The sun had just risen but Ash who spent a sleepless night was woken up by a loud knocking sound.

“What in the world…?”

He took that silver watch by his pillow side and noticed that it was just half past six.

After he angrily took a look at the window, he became wide awake.

“Uwaa…!”

There was a huge eye looking through the gaps of the curtain.

It was actually a dragon who was banging its nose against the window.

''-Don! Don… Dododododo!”''

He was worried that it may break the glass.

“Why is a dragon coming to my room!? Could it be another Necromancia attack!?”

So the Empire had finally shown their true colours and started attacking? Ash tried to leave the bed but he was stopped.

“Zzz…”

Eco rolled over and hugged Ash.

Her hair was all over his shoulders and her arms were around his back.

And also her soft face that was on his chest…

''-Mmm…''

Ash was shocked by her sudden nibble.

“Hey, Eco… Please don’t bite that spot.”

Recently, her habit of nibbling had gotten less but she still had not gotten rid of her habit of a young dragon. Moreover, she was nibbling on Ash’s sensitive spot which troubled him.

At that moment, there was a crack on the window.

“This is bad… It is not the right moment to let her continue nibbling.”

Ash carried Eco and they left the bed together. The next thing he knew, the glass was smashed into pieces.

He managed to avoid the glass fragments at the last moment.

At the same time, there were two dragons that were trying to squeeze their heads through the window. Their hard scales protect them from the sharp glass.

By taking a closer look, Ash noticed that one of them was a Maestro while the other was a Hydra. After knowing that he was not attacked by a Necromancia, Ash breathe a sigh of relieve.

“Morning, Ash!”

“Good morning, Ash-sama!”

Finally, he could see the faces of the two riders.

They were the student council secretary Lucca and Jessica of the general affairs. Right beside them were Maestro Gawain and Rhiannon the Hydra.

Ash started to protest after he placed Eco who was still sleeping on the bed.

“Lucca! Jessica! What in the world are both of you doing!?”

Since the time Ash saved Gawain who was in danger of dying, Lucca had become emotionally attached to Ash. In the dragon riding academy, most of the girls are the more aggressive type, it was kind of rare to see someone as quiet as Lucca. The beauty that only an Eckbald possessed was out of this world.

Ash was a little surprised to see Lucca acting rashly. Perhaps she was influenced by Jessica.

“Ash… I hoped that you would come with me to the Eckbald village. I want to introduce you to the village chief, my otou-sama.” <ref>In the raw version, Lucca called her father otou-sama, but the kanji written was foster father.</ref>

Her usual emotionless face had always given Ash a heck lot of trouble.

“Hold on! W-Why must you mention about the chief!?”

“P-Please don’t ask anymore than this.”

Lucca was suddenly blushing.

This time, it was Jessica who pushed Lucca to aside.

Jessica who was usually eyeing at Ash’s sperm, though her actions had always been eccentric, she was still undoubtably one of the few beauties of the academy.

“Ash-sama, I have a request!”

“Hey, wait a minute! This is the third floor! How did a hydra get here…?”

“Well. Climbing wall is not a problem for my Rhiannon.”

“Can’t you sympathize your Pal a little!”

Ash pitied her Pal. Although a Hydra may still be able to move on land, but only when they are in the water they are able to show their true skills. It shouldn’t be its own intention to walk on land. Let alone climbing the walls of the student’s dormitory, which doesn’t seem to fit the actions of a proud dragon.

“Putting that aside, Ash-sama! I am about to leave Ansarivan. What about you? Do you have any plans of returning?”

“Now I remember… today is the start of the holiday.”

-The first day of the month of Leo.

It was the first day of the holidays for Ansarivan Dragon Riding Academy. Since it was a boarding school, most of the student will return to their hometown.

Of course, not all of the students were going back home. There were also a small amount of students that were forced to stay in for the holidays for certain reasons.

Ash was one of them.

“Nope, I am not going home.”

After hearing, Jessica’s facial expression changes.

“What! If that’s the case, I too will stay back here!”

“Uuh… If I don’t return soon… I will be scolded by my otou-sama.”

Compare to Jessica who was in high spirit, Lucca looks sad. Lucca who carry the hopes of all Eckbald with her probably doesn’t have as much freedom as Jessica has.

“Sorry to disappoint you Jessica, but you must return with me.”
[[Image:SnRK v05 044.jpg|thumb]]

Suddenly, there was another voice.

“Rebecca-san!”

Ash shouted.

There was a sweet smell from her red hair being blown by the winds. She looks like a war maiden in the legends when she was riding on Cú Chulainn.

“Sorry for the trouble that this stupid girl from my house had given you. The Randall family will cover the fees for mending the window. The servants fault is also the master’s fault.”

“Now that you mention it… I remember that Jessica was a servant in the Randall family.”

“Just that since she became a Breeder, she had forgotten about her place.”

Rebecca sighed.

“Hmph! Could you stop calling me that? I don’t have the intention of serving the Randall family for my whole life!”

“I never thought of that. You are my important childhood friend. Also, your parents had asked me to take good care of you. That is why I have my duty to bring you back to meet your parents.”

Although her lips were smiling, there was not even a hint of smile in Rebecca’s eyes. After Jessica saw Rebecca’s determination, her elbows dropped in disappointment.

“Haa… I understand. However… I want Ash-sama to see me off!”

Ash gave a wry smile.

“I think that should be alright.”

The moment he answered, Jessica was once again with a big smile. But, she was then blushing and started to mumble.

“T-Then… According to my hometown’s custom…. There should be a parting k-kiss….”

“Hey! Jessica! When does our hometown have such a custom?”

Rebecca exposed Jessica’s lie with a wry smile.

“Hmph! Rebecca! Don’t you know how to look at the atmosphere?”

“I-I too would like you to see me off…”

While Jessica was in rage, Lucca shyly told Ash her wish.

“Of course.”

“T-Then… According to the Eckbald custom…. I want you to give me a princess carry.”

Ash’s heart skipped a beat when he first saw Lucca’s blushing face.

“A-A princess carry!”

Ash was in a fix but Jessica shouted at Lucca:

“Hey! What are you trying to do in this mess! That must be a lie!?”

“Uuh…”

While Lucca turned speechless, the noise that Jessica made had spread throughout the school.

“Hey, can you believe it! The president and Jessica were making a night visit! And the other person… Could she be Lucca Sarlinen the genius girl from the basic class!?”

Suddenly, a huge number of students were gathering outside of the Apollo House. It was something for three girls to be standing on their dragons beside a window of a boy’s dormitory.

To say nothing of Rebecca Randall who was the most popular person in the entire academy, Jessica was also one of the centers of attentions and let alone Lucca with her Yōsei like looks and her skills as a Dragner.

“I-I am just here to have Ash-sama see me off! Nothing else!”

Jessica tried to settle the misunderstanding by shouting towards the direction of the school.

“Hmm! By saying Ash-kun you mean… The Ash-kun who was knighted yesterday!?”

“The knighting ceremony was awesome!”

“I also want him to see me off!”

Right now all the girls were speaking with s shrill voice.

Rebecca gave him a bitter smile while she was enjoying all of this.

“Seems like your popularity had sky rocketed after you became a Dragner.”

“The situation outside… Somehow, it looks frightening.”

“Yeah. I just saw around thirty dragons flying towards this window.”

Rebecca told him the unthinkable news with a calm face.

“Huh!?”

“Sorry, Ash. Though I have many reasons to help you… But if I show my true skills, the girls would suffer some grave injuries.”

“Hol-! Don’t leave me!”

“You should try to solve your own problem if you are a Dragner. Also… If it is alright, I would also want you to see me off.”

“…Eh?”

Unfortunately, Ash was not able to catch everything Rebecca said. Her voice disappeared behind the loud noise from Cú Chulainn flapping its wings.

“Good luck, Ash.”

Lucca too had reluctantly flew off with Gawain.

Right after that, the Apollo House faced a terrible attack.

“Ash-kun! Please see me off!”

“Ash-kun, you might as well come to my home town with me…!”

“Hey! Don’t cut the queue!”

Most of the girls returning were riders of stradas. They were like bats gathering together for food at the window.

But of course it was impossible for thirty riders of stradas to squeeze into the window at the same time.

Soon, they started pushing around.

“P-Please be patient! Calm down! Please calm down!”

Ash was panicking.

Every single roar from the Strada was enough to shake up this entire old building.

“Hey!...How dare you! Ash-sama is my important- Nooooooo!”

Unlike Rebecca or Lucca, Jessica who stayed until the end was finally pushed off the wall together with Rhiannon.

“W-What should I do?”

Ash retreated until his back was facing the wall while he was watching the girls fighting for a spot.

At that moment, Eco who had rolled herself into a ball while she was sleeping had woken up and was rubbing her eyes.

“Hmmm…. What’s all the noise about?”

“You ! How can you still think of sleeping!”

Eco was looking around in confusion. It seems that she wasn’t fully awake yet and wasn’t able to think properly.

Ash shouted with all his might towards the window.

“I beg you! Could you please not make a mess in front of someone else’s window! I promise to see off every single one of you!”

Too bad for him, his voice was not received by them.

Suddenly, Ash had a bad feeling.

“I couldn’t be…”

His entire body was shivering in fear. Since some time ago, the wall facing the outside was creaking. It appears that the Stradas were putting pressure on it.

“It is dangerous to stay here! Lets run Eco!”

“Huh…! Could you care to explain!”

“Later!”

Ash was running with Eco on his hands.

He ran out through the door and out to the corridor.

Just when he was sliding along the floor…

''-Creak…! Eeeeekkkk……. !Do--------------n!''

The next moment, there was a loud explosion.

Ash cautiously took a peek through the cracks on the door while trembling. All he sees was dust flying around and even the corridor was affected.

''“*Cough *!*Cough *!”''

While covering up Eco who was coughing, Ash waited until the dust had settled down.

Just moments later-

After the dust had cleared up, what Ash saw was a clear sky.

The morning rays were shining at the disastrous room.

The wreckage of the wall was all over his room. It was a painful sight.

Right now, with the wall that was facing the academy and the window destroyed, his room looked like a doll house that can be seen from the outside.

“Err… Eco, am I dreaming?”

“I think so?”

Ash and Eco were looking at the room with their mouths wide open.

===Part 2===
Ash was brought to the director’s office on the first day of the holiday.

As for those girls who were the culprit, it seems that they had ran back home as soon as possible. That is why Ash who was the victim was summoned.

“I see… Now I understand what had happened.”

Mirabel who was acting as the director replied coldly and drank from her cup of tea.

The room was full of the smells of bergamot and the tea.

Just like a robot, Mirabel’s face was emotionless the entire time. ''Does this princess even have the thing known as feelings…?'' Ash thought.

“The academy will take responsibility for mending the wall. Just some time before, I had asked the builders of this city and they estimated that they will be able to complete it in around two weeks time.”

“Really…! Thank you very much!”

Ash was grateful that she was able to deal with this situation without delay.

“The problem is… During the renovation, where am I to place you and Eco.”

“I see…”

“Can you borrow a room from any of your friends?”

“I don’t think that would be possible…”

Unfortunately, Max and Raymond had gone home. For Ash who doesn’t have many friends, these were the’ only two friends that he could rely on. Although there was an option of using it without asking for their permissions, but Ash couldn’t bring himself to do it.

''-Bang!''

The door behind him was opened with a slam.

The next time he knew, Silvia and Eco was right beside him.

“How much longer are the two of you going to keep on talking!? Can’t you just give us a new room!”

Eco was pointing at Mirabel in anger.

“Anee-ue! Why do you call for Ash! That incident was caused by a few girls! It had nothing to do with Ash! Aren’t you treating him like the culprit!?”

Silvia on the other hand was trying to speak up for Ash.

“Where are your manners? Don’t you know that it is rude to walk into a room without knocking? You won’t be given special treatment even if you are the descendant of the Avalon Holy Dragons Emperor’s family or my sister. “

Mirabel glared at both of them coldly.

“I am sorry… Anee-ue.”

Silvia stood still on her ground as if she had turned into a stone.

On the other hand, Eco was trying to intimidate Mirabel by showing her sharp teeth.

“Hey you!... How dare you act like that even when you know that I am Avalon’s holy dragons' emperor family's Imperial Princess! Why don’t I try crushing the castle the next time? If I show you my true self, one or two Fontaine Place won’t…”

“Idiot! Stop spurting nonsense!”

Ash’s face was pale white when he was scolding Eco.

Since that incident, the Knight’s government took Eco as a threat. As long as there is the possibility that Mirabel was here to keep an eye on Eco, they have to be careful with their own words.

But to his surprise, Eco calm down with just a single shout.

She turned her head around with her face blushing.

“I-I will listen to you… Just this time.”

Ash was taken aback from seeing Eco making such an expression for the first time. Just as he had expected, it was that transformation that had made a change of her heart. Although the gentle Eco looked a lot cuter, at the same time, it was also a little confusing.

“Ahem!”

Mirabel tried clearing her throat, returning everyone’s attention back to her.

“Silvia, you came at the right moment. Right now you are staying in the royal room in the Epona House right?”

“…What about it?”

Silvia was surprised.

“Until the renovation in the boy’s dormitory had been completed, Ash Blake and young dragon Eco will stay in your room for the time being.”

“What!”

“I won’t repeat for a second time. This is an order from your sister. You are not allowed to have any objections.”

Naturally, Silva was enraged.

“What do you mean by this! This is against our family motto where ‘A knight shouldn’t carelessly touch another of the opposite sex’!”

“Hmm… Funny but I remember that I said to let Ash Blake and young dragon Eco stay in your room. When did I ever mention about touching Ash?”

“T-That…!”

Right at this moment, even Silvia’s earlobes were red.

“Right now, if I were to mention the family motto that you love so much, ‘A knight should help those who are in need’. Am I wrong?”

After she replied coldly, Mirabel looked like she had lost interest in the case regarding Ash. She kept on looking at the tea cup on her hand.

“I am done with you- What a pain, now a good cup of tea had turned cold.”

===Part 3===
Rebecca and Jessica had returned to the land ruled by the Randalls.

Lucca on the other hand had returned to her village.

After seeing them off, Ash and Eco once again returned to his room on the third floor of the Apollo House.

They once again looked at the disastrous room.

A bed full of glass fragments.

A floor full with the remains of the wall.

And the disorganized furniture.

With the wall gone, the room became bright and windy. Looking down from above was a few curious onlookers. When their eyes came into contact with Ash’s, everyone scattered.

“Haa… First of all, I think we should try cleaning up a little. It is better to make it look a little more cheerful before the renovation starts.”

Turning around, Ash noticed that Eco was sulking.

“What’s wrong, Eco?”

“Hey. Do you really want to stay in Silvia’s room?”

“It is not like I have a choice. It was an order from Princess Mirabel. It seems that even Princess-sama did not dare to go against her.”

“I… I hate it.”

“What’s the matter? You don’t look like your usual self. Well, if we stay at Princess-sama’s room, we may be able to eat Cosette’s delicious homemade cooking.”

“That’s not the point! And also, I am not someone who thinks about food for an entire day!”

Eco's face was red with anger and embarrassment.

“Is it… Sorry then.”

“It is fine if you understand. Anyway, just if you try to do something weird to Silvia… I will be sure to crush you!”

Eco was glaring at Ash.

“What do you mean by something weird!?”

With her ears fully red, Eco told Ash embarrassedly:

“T-To make it simple…. It is those perverted stuffs.”

“W-What are you even thinking!”

Ash stood still on his ground. He never expected Eco to speak of such a word. It kind of surprised him.

“Even I knew about those stuffs… Don’t look down on me just because I am a young dragon.”

“Could the source of information be…. The Dragweiss?”

“…Some of them were from there, but most of them were from the picture books that Cosette lent me.”

“Hold on! Are they really… Just picture books!?”

In order to teach her the importance of aesthetic sensibility, Cosette had lent her picture books and books for children. For that, Ash was grateful for Cosette.

However, there was a possibility that she mixed some books with adult content in them into the pile of picture books she had given to Eco.

“Anyhow, she is still this country’s princess. What you are worrying about will never happen, rest assured.”

''In the worst possible case, I will be beheaded…'' Ash thought secretly.

“A-Alright… I understand.”

Once again, Eco was smiling and she looked at the room around her.

“Then… What can I do to help you?”

“You are trying to help?”

“What? Is it weird for me to help?”

“Definitely not weird, but rare. Ain’t it always me who complete the house work?”

“A-About that… It doesn’t seem like I have a choice. I am a dragon. I don’t really understand how a human acts. But… I just feel like helping for today… Can’t I!?”

Eco puffed up her rosy coloured cheeks and stared at Ash.

“Why not? I even want to thank you.”

Ash gave a wry smile and tried to pat her head.

But, Eco immediately dodge to a side.

“No! You mustn’t touch!”

“Sorry… I didn't know that you dislike it this much.”

“N-No! It is okay it you are just patting, but you mustn’t touch my horns. If they were just slightly touched, I… will turn weird. I felt like floating in the air when they were touched...”

Ash could calm down after seeing Eco’s face when she tried to explain her feelings.

“I understand. I promise I won’t touch your horns.”

Ash carefully patted Eco’s head.

Her pink hair was fluffy and it gave his palm a nice feeling.

“Nn…”

Even when she was a dragon, Eco was smiling and shrugging her neck like what a cat would do.

Her innocent smile had grabbed Ash’s attention.

To be precise, it was her flower bud like lips.

His heart was beating rapidly.

This was actually the second time he had such a feeling.

The first time was when Eco said that she won’t be satisfied with just being a Pal in the guest room in Fontaine Palace.

“…”

Eco probably felt the change in the atmosphere too and her body suddenly tense up. Perhaps she too was also thinking about the scenario in the Fontaine Palace.

In a short while, just like that time, Eco closes her eyes.

She also tried to purse her lips.

Ash also noticed that her long eyelashes were also trembling.

''-Eco…!''
[[Image:SnRK v05 060.jpg|thumb]]

He suddenly remembered the word ‘beloved Pal’ in the knighting ceremony.

During that time, Ash was only saying the standard pledge.

But this was totally different.

His feeling of love to Eco was born from deep in his heart. A feeling that could be explained using something as simple as the relation of a Breeder and its Pal had grown.

Right now, they don’t need any words.

Ash placed both his hands on Eco’s shoulders and he closes their distance slowly.

A sweet smell was surrounding them which made him dizzy.

Right now, he felt as if his heart was going to explode.

They were now at a distance where their nose could easily touch each other.

Eco felt like being pierced through by the sunlight while she was waiting for Ash.

Ash made up his mind and closed his eyes.

And then- he kissed Eco on her lips.

===Part 4===
“~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~!”

Since their kiss, Eco had been working silently with her back facing Ash the entire time.

It seemed that she was too embarrassed to even look at Ash in the face.

And of course, it was the same for Ash.

Ash felt as if his face was a ball of fire.

Although the two of them at a first glance seemed to be dusting the room, there was actually zero progress. What they were doing was only messing up the already messed up room.

''-What should I do? What should I say at times like this?''

Just when Ash was anxious in trying to find the right words…

“Uwaaa…! Cute!”

Eco turned around and showed Ash a round object.

“Isn’t this cute? Where did you find this stuffed toy?”

At that moment, Ash felt something was pricking at the back of his neck. It made him wonder what it was.

The stuffed toy that Eco was holding seems to be a dragon. Strictly speaking, its face was clumsily done.

Furthermore, it's round body made it looks nothing like a majestic dragon.

However, Eco seemed to take it as cute, and it made her forget about what had just happened previously.

“Err… Actually I don’t remember much about that when it came into my possession. No matter how I look at it, looked just like a girl’s toy. It is probably not me who bought it.”

It was thanks to the toy that Ash was once again able to speak to Eco normally.

“Hmm… Strange.”

Eco was carrying the stuffed toy while she whipped off the dust on it.

“Hmm… When I move to Ansarivan, I just took it with me without any reason. Perhaps there is a great meaning behind it was what I thought. Actually… There is a blank in my childhood memory.”

“… A blank in your memories?”

Eco was surprised.

“Aah. It was right about when I had my seventh birthday when I visited Albion Forest for the Orphan Ceremony. I just can’t recall my memories during that time.”

“Isn’t that… The time when Mother Dragon bestowed me to you?”

“It seems so.”

“How come you can’t remember such an important event?”

Ash shrunk when he saw Eco start to get mad. Just like how they were finally able to speak normally, Eco’s temper had also returned.

“To be frank, I know nothing of it myself. It was just that I had a hunch that this toy had something to do with my lost memories and that’s the reason why I was reluctant to throw it away. However, because of the recent events, I totally forgot about it.”

“Then, can I keep it?”

Ash was taken by surprised.

“What do you mean by keeping it?”

“It is just like what I had said. Don’t you think it is sad for such a cute being to be left forgotten? I will take the trouble to take care of this kid.”

“How can you take care of it when it isn’t even a living being? Argh, whatever suits you then.”

“Really!?”

Eco was full of excitement.

“Well, I don’t really mind.”

“That's great!”

Eco was so happy that she felt that she could even fly. She then rubbed the stuffed toy with her cheeks.

Followed by that, she cuddled it like what a mother would do to her baby.

Suddenly, she spoke of something that surprised Ash.

“This somehow looked like our baby…”

Eco suddenly stopped speaking before she could even finish her sentence. She the glared at Ash with eyes looking as if they were on fire.

“You heard anything?”

“No, nothing at all.”

Ash spoke with a serious look on his face.

“T-That’s right! N-Nothing happened! Nothing happened at all!”

As if her head was exploding in flames, Eco carried the toy and dashed out from the room.

“Actually, I heard every single word…”

Just as Ash was murmuring with his body also feeling as it was engulfed by fire…

“Sorry to interrupt, Ash-sama.”

Suddenly, there was a woman’s voice coming from behind.

“Uwaa!”

He noticed that it was Cosette after he turned around. She seemed to be wearing the same palace design maid attire today. She then gave a polite bow.

“Cosette-san! How did you get in?”

“To enter such an airy room is like a child’s play to me.”

Cosette smiled before she turned around to look at the blue sky.

“That couldn’t be… This is the third floor! Putting that aside, why are you here?”

“I am here to meet you and Eco-chan. Had you forgotten about Princess Mirabel, Her Highness’s decision?”

Of course, it was impossible for him to forget about it to begin with. However, he still felt a little reluctant.

“Actually, can’t we reconsider about this? Putting Eco aside, don’t you think that it is wrong for a guy like me to enter Epona House where guys are not allowed?”

“For your own sake, I would advise you to follow her decision. Do you know what Princes Mirabel was also known as?”

“No… Nothing comes to mind at all.”

“Her nick name is actually Argento Magus. If we can describe Princess Veronica as a fighter, then Princess Mirabel is a thinker. Compare to Veronica, there were certain things that would made Mirabel a tougher opponent. Please be sure to be prepared mentally, Ash-sama.”

Ash sighed after he heard everything.

“…I understand. Please let me take some belongings like my pillow and clothes with me…”

“Alright then, meanwhile, I will try searching for Eco.”

Eco had not yet return since the moment she ran out from the room.

“Thank you. I think she should be somewhere around the dorm.”

“Huhu. That will be a simple task.”

Cosette ran towards the door nimbly while avoiding the disorganized furniture, but then she suddenly stopped and turned around to face Ash.

“By the way, Ash-sama.”

“What’s the matter?”

When Ash lifted his face, he saw Cosette’s face full of red. Ash was staring at her since it was rare to see her who was always calm to be blushing.

Although she always stayed hidden behind Silvia’s shadow, she actually looked quite beautiful.

With her right hand on her cheeks, she sighed.

Then she said something outrageous.

“Ash-sama and Eco-chan’s kiss looked very innocent indeed.”

“Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

This time, it was Ash’s turn to be blushing.

“D-Don’t, Don’t tell me that you saw everything!?”

“It totally felt like an opera show. You looked so cute when you kiss without even needing any words to understand each other. My god, isn’t that wonderful? Didn't Eco-chan also look cute when she was waiting to receive your kiss?”

“I beg you, please stop saying anymore than this! It is embarrassing!”

Right now, Ash felt like he was sitting on a mountain of needles.

Cosette, too, had also seemed to realize that she over did it, and replied with a playful smile.

“Rest assured, I won’t tell Princess-sama any of this.”

“How is Princeass-sama related to this!?”

“Hmm… I wonder… Huhu…”

Cosette left the room with her sentence ending with her laughter.

===Part 5===
The moment Ash finished gathering all his basic daily needs, Cosette was back with Eco. Together, the three of them marched towards Epona House.

Although it was around evening, the sun was still high up in the sky.

After passing through a grove of mixed trees, they were welcomed by a stern looking gate.

Even the cicada had stopped making noise.

Although they were just walking, they were all full of sweat.

By taking a peek beside, Eco looked as if she was suffering from the heat of the high summer temperature. She looked like a Hydra who was looking for water on dry land.

Compared to Ash, Eco was only carrying her stuffed toy.

On the other hand, Cosette didn’t even break a sweat.

“We have arrived.”

She turned around and smiled at both Ash and Eco.

Through the gate, they could see a garden that was separated into two halves by the walkway. It must have been well tended by a good gardener. Even Ash who doesn’t have any interest in gardening was amazed by it.

At the back of the garden stood an elegant looking building.

That was Epona House, the dormitory for advance class girls.

“We have finally arrived…”

Ash placed his baggage which was full of daily needs and clothing on the ground.

''How long does it actually take to walk here from Apollo House…'' Ash couldn’t be bothered to even think about it.

This dragon riding academy where human and dragons coexist had a very large land area.

In it, there were numerous classes, a church, a lecture hall, a library, a canteen, seven dragon houses, four dormitories, a sports ground… It even included an arena that was used during events.

Although there was the shopping district and the housing are beyond the school walls, compared to the size of the academy, they just looked like extras. That's the reason why Ansarivan was called an academic city.

Putting that aside, the distance between the boys dormitory and the girls dormitory must had been arranged on purpose by the academy.

“Please enter.”

Cosette pushed open the heavy looking gate and welcomed both of them in.

===Part 6===
On the top most floor of Epona House was the room of royal use.

It looked like a high class hotel suite and it even had a large space.

Apart from a heater in the living room, there was also a dining room, a study room, bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, etc. In a room that has everything, it looked as if it was another world compared to the normal student’s room.

Silvia was walking up and down around her room alone, worrying endlessly.

“Argh! What’s wrong with me! Why couldn’t I calm down! Even my family motto stated that ‘Always stay calm, especially in a pinch’!”

Even though she wasn’t even in a pinch, Silvia couldn’t stop worrying. It was about time for Cosette to arrive with Ash and Eco.

“That’s it!”

Silvia stopped in her tracks for a moment and then she dashed into the makeup room and stood in front of a mirror.

She applied a thin layer of makeup on her face.

She tried combing her hair many times.

Her clothing and accessories were chosen by Cosette.

She put on her camisole, a skirt with two layers of frills, her panty socks and a necklace made from bright dragon crystals that acted as jewels.

In front of the mirror, she was just like her usual…. No, she was at least twice as more beautiful than she usually was.

Silvia turned red when she realized how beautiful she was.

“Why would I dress myself up! It is alright by just sticking to what I usually do!”

Ash was about to arrive.

Until the boy’s dormitory was done with its renovation, Ash was going to stay here for two weeks.

Her hearts started to beat rapidly from thinking about it.

“This feeling… It is that same feeling as ''that time…''”

Silvia recalled her memories.

Around the time of her seventh birthday, she met a boy in Albion Forest.

''“Why? Why would I have this feeling of returning to the time when I was seven years old whenever I think about Ash…?”''

Silvia suddenly regained her senses.

“Stop! Stop! Stop! Doesn’t this mean that I am looking forward for him to arrive!? Right… I should change back into my normal clothing…”
[[Image:SnRK v05 006.jpg|thumb|'' ''…!'' Silvia immediately snapped out from the confusion. She just remembered that right now, she was only wearing her undergarments. '']]

Silvia left the makeup room and entered the living room. She swiftly removed all her clothing except for her undergarments. She then walked along the corridor towards the changing room.

Suddenly, the door opened right in front of her eyes.

“Princess-sama, we had returned.”

Cosette walked in with a smile.

“Princess-sama!?”

Ash was standing right behind Cosette with his eyes wide opened. ''Why is his face red? Is it because of the heat?''

“…!”

Silvia immediately snapped out from the confusion. She just remembered that right now, she was only wearing her undergarments.

“Kyaaaaaaaaaaa!”

Silvia ran and hid behind the door while screaming at the top of her voice.

===Part 7===
“Hey you! Just until when are you going to keep on staring!”

“Ouch!”

Ash came back to his sense after he was stomped on the leg by Eco.

Just when he had stepped in through the grand entrance, he was greeted by Silvia in only her undergarments. The white coloured lace will forever be imprinted in his mind.

''By the way, why was Silvia wearing only those?'' No matter how hot the weather can be, it doesn’t suit her image.

“I am going to check on Princess-sama. Could the both of you wait here for a moment, please?”

With a happy smile on her face, Cosette disappeared into the corridor. In just a moment-

“No. This definitely doesn’t look natural.”

“No no. It definitely fits you well.”

“But… Won’t this make me look like I am looking forward to their arrival?”

“Huh? Aren’t you?”

Their entire conversation was heard by Ash.

“Come on! This is a disgrace! How dare they make a dragon wait by the entrance!”

Eco who was standing right beside Ash was enraged. The toy that she had with her which had a carelessly made face was further squashed by Eco’s abnormal strength.

Ash pitied the toy. If this continued to keep on, Ash would probably be the next victim.

“Sorry for the wait.”

Just when Ash was about to be surrounded by his fear, Cosette had returned to the entrance with Silvia who was hiding right behind her.

Ash’s heart skipped a beat when he saw Silvia’s clothing. It gave a completely different feel compare to the school uniform that she usually wears. A lot of her skin was exposed from wearing the camisole. It had totally grabbed his attention.

“Please come in.”

Ash regained his sense after he heard Cosette’s voice.

“S-Sorry for the intrusion.”

In opposite to Ash, Eco was looking around the room with a hint of worry.

“Even so… You are just a Princess of the Royal Knight’s Family and you get to have such a great room?”

Perhaps she was mad from being asked to wait at the entrance, Eco was saying anything that would sooth her anger.

In truth, even Ash was amazed by the room itself. Just the entrance itself is wider than Ash’s room. There were even expensive looking pictures along the wall and carvings of dragons.

“Please don’t be mad. This room was specially made for the royals, it would be natural if Princess-sama is staying here.”

Ash tried to calm her down.

“But, I am also a Princess of the dragons! Why would there be such a large difference in our treatment!?”

“It is not like I want to stay in this room either!”

Silvia tried to speak up for herself even when she was being threatened by Eco.

“I even tried telling the academy to let me have the same treatment as the rest of the students, but they never listen…”

Suddenly, Silvia stood still on her ground. There was not even a slightest movement.

“Princess-sama… What’s wrong? You don’t look good.”

Ash was worried about her but she didn’t reply.

She kept on staring at the stuffed toy that Eco was carrying with her with her ice blue eyes.

Silvia then suddenly leaped towards Eco and grabbed her shoulders.

“Eco! Can you tell me how did that toy fall into your possession?”

Eco became confused.

“I-It has nothing to do with you.”

“Please tell me! This is very important!”

Silvia shouted loudly.

“… I picked it up.”

Eco mumbled when she turned her head to aside. It seemed that she did not want to tell Silvia that it was a gift from Ash. Ash was wondering on why she would be insisting on it.

“You picked it up? When? Where?”

Silvia was being persistent.

“Come on! Why do I need to tell you?”

Eco lost her patience and roared.

“…Why can’t you tell me?”

“T-That’s because… I don’t have the obligation to tell you.”

“Now I see, you are playing dumb… It seems I must resolve to this.”

Suddenly, Silvia leaped towards Eco with both of her hands stretched out.

“Hey!... Don’t joke with me!”

Eco dodge with the toy in her arms.

With the royal room as the stage, the two of them started running around like a bunch of kids. In just a blink of an eye, both of them
disappeared behind a door.

“Err… What is this all about?”

Ash who was left behind turned around and questioned Cosette.

“Cosette-san?”

To his surprised, Cosette too was transfixed on her own spot. It was rare to see her making a face like that.

Cosette then regained her sense after being called out to by Ash and started explaining.

“I just remember about it… I fear that that stuffed toy…. Is an important treasure to Princess-sama during her childhood.”

Ash was surprised by her answer.

“Wait a moment! That shouldn’t be possible! There should be many more stuffed toys with the same design, no?”

Cosette answered calmly.

“No. There isn’t. That toy is the one and only in this world. It was a limited edition item. It was actually made from a famous artist from Chevron Kingdom called Leonard De Mirabeau and was given to the five year old Princess-sama.”

“Really? That clumsily made toy is…”

“That’s not it… Its weird look was actually Mirabeau-sama’s style. Didn’t people usually say that there was only a silver line that separates a genius and a madman? If that stuffed toy was bought to an antique auction… It should be priced at five million Eccles at minimum.”

Cosette told him the shocking truth with a straight face.

“Five million…!”

Ash turned speechless.

His face had turned pale.

''-Five million Eccles!''

Ash couldn’t even imagine that amount of money. He just knew that he won’t be able to finish it by living the rest of his days enjoying life. He never knew that such a treasure was hidden in his closet.

“W-We should try stopping them first!”

Ash started searching for them in the huge room.

===Part 8===
“Finally! You won’t be able to escape!”

Eco who ran into Silvia’s room was now like a rat in the bag. There was only one exit and the windows were too high to jump from since this was the top most floor.

“Tsk… You are being persistent!”

Eco backed off to the wall and like a mother protecting her child, she tried to intimidate Silvia.

For one moment, Silvia was awed by her beauty, but the next instant, she roared:

“You haven’t told me anything yet! I just want to know how this toy came into your possession!”

“Why would you even want to know!?”

“T-That… I had my own reasons! Please, Eco!”

“Hmph… I had mine too. I will never tell you, only you!”

Both of them were glaring at each other without any intention of backing off.

Silvia realized that whatever she said was useless.

“Now you have done it. Although it is not to my liking… I must resolve this by force.”

“What! Who do you think I am! See that if you can do it!”

“Fine with me!”

Silvia leaped forward without mercy.

Although she must avoid Eco’s abnormal strength, Eco’s actions had always been straight forward and were always easy to read.

On the other hand, apart from the Drag Arts, Silvia had mastered many more fighting styles. It is a normal thing to do for someone who was born in the Lautreamont Royal Knight’s Family.

After struggling on the ground like brats, Silvia came out as the winner.

“Now you have been captured!”

Silvia was pressing Eco’s tiny body on the floor and without giving her a chance to fight back, she rode on Eco.

“Tsk… Let me go!”

“Is there any idiot in this world that would move off once they are being asked to?”

The winner had been decided. Even when Eco had her abnormal strength, she could never be able to beat Silvia.

But, there was a reason why Silvia could beat her easily.

Eco had never let go of the stuffed toy even after she was pressed down against the floor. If Eco would just let go of that toy, the fight could still drag on. No, it could even be Silvia who was pressed down against the floor.

“Please, Eco! This is not an order. Although it was not a long time since the day I met you, I always think you as a friend. That is why… Could you please tell me?”

Just when Silvia was begging Eco with a trembling voice…

“Eco! Princess-sama!”

The door opened with a bang and Ash came running in.

Silvia turned around to look at Ash while she was pressing Eco down against the floor.

“Hold on, Ash! I never have the intention to harm Eco! I just want to ask Eco about it… no matter what!”

“But, Princess-sama doesn’t act like the usual you. Even so, Eco is my Pal, I won’t forgive anyone who try to harm her, even if it is Princess-sama.”

After Ash murmured sadly, he showed her his left arm.

Silvia knew that he had his abnormally large Seikoku covered in a bandage.

“Your Seikoku…?”

Silvia was in lost of words.

The Seikoku under the bandage was obviously blinking with glowing lights. That was a signal given when the Pal was in danger.

For example, even though Silvia did not have any intentions of harming Eco, but Eco felt that she was in danger and sent the signal to her owner Ash for help…

“Sorry, Eco… I am really sorry. I am in the wrong for scaring you…. But, I have my own reasons. Please, Eco! Please tell me for the sake of our friendship!”

Silvia was forcing out an answer from Eco.

“…Eco?”

Eco did not reply. Just as Silvia became confused, Eco was surrounded by a glowing light.

“Hey, Eco! What’s wrong?”

Eco still did not reply. Right now, Eco was like a doll, showing no expression.

Even her eyes seemed to be reflecting nothing.

“Urgh…!”

The next instant, Silvia was being blasted of by a strong wind.

“Princess-sama!”

Followed by Ash’s shout, Silvia’s back bang against the wall. She almost couldn’t breathe because of it.

===Part 9===
“Princess-sama!”

Just when Ash was trying to help Silvia out, Cosette arrived.

“I will take care of Princess-sama. Ash-sama, go help Eco-chan! This is no laughing matter!”

Cosette’s voice seemed to be more serious and nervous than usual.

“Understood!”

Ash ran straight towards Eco.

His Seikoku started to hurt.

He remembered that feeling.

He had the similar feeling when Eco was awaken in the capital, Fontaine.

Although the pain was not as strong as that time, Ash knew that this was the sign before her transformation into a dragon.

Eco stood up slowly with the cute stuffed toy dropping on the floor.

Strictly speaking, she was not standing.

There was a gap in between her feet and the floor.

She was actually floating…!

Her limbs were now surrounded by the mysterious light that was so bright that they could not look at it directly.

However, Ash continued to move forward.

“Stop, Eco! If you are to be awaken here…”

In the worst possible case, this Epona House will be destroyed. No, it could even be related to the city’s survivability…

Eco had long been labeled as an element of danger by many countries’s government. The reason why Mirabel was sent to become the academy’s director was to keep an eye on Eco.

''If she is to transform into a dragon right now…!''

Ash moved forward without giving any thought and hugged Eco.

A huge amount of magic was flowing out from her tiny body. If he had been careless, he would even be swallowed by the magic and lost consciousnesss.

Ash shouted with all his might into Eco’s ears.

“Get a grip of yourself! I…I like the way you are now! It is okay if you just stay as you are! You don’t have to force yourself to change into your true self!”

It seems that Ash’s words had gotten through and the magic that was surrounding Eco had disappeared. Even the lights were no longer there. Ash’s Seikoku too had stopped responding.

“We are saved…”

Ash breathe a sigh of relieves.

“…Huh?”

Eco blinked her eyes in surprise and murmured.

“What had I done…? Why are you…?”

Realizing that she was in Ash’s arms, Eco leaped off from Ash’s arms with her face red in embarrassment.

===Part 10===
“I am sorry for what had happened just now. I-I never thought that you were so much against it…. No I shouldn’t make any excuses. A knight must admit his own faults. I deeply apologize!”

After the group had sat on a dining table in the living room, Silvia apologized to Eco sincerely.

“Hmph… I guess this should be sufficient.”

Silvia’s eagerness to apologize by bowing her head had started to confuse Eco. Even though she still continued to puff up her checks in protest, but at least she had accepted Silvia’s apology. Ash who noticed it breathe a sigh of relieves.

“…Since everything had been settled, please allow me to ask. How did that stuffed toy came into your possession?”

Silvia’s words had cause Eco to be enraged again.

“Ha!? You….. Just apologize and yet you still want to ask!?”

“I apologize for resolving this matter by force. I promise that this time, I won’t try questioning you by force. But in return, I will keep on asking until you answer me. Remember, I will keep on asking.”

Silvia was quite stubborn. She even smiled towards Eco with her face full of confidence.

“I can’t believe it…”

Eco sighed.

“Sorry, Eco-chan.”

At that moment, Cosette returned from the kitchen with a silver tray full of snacks and tea.

“That toy that Eco-chan was holding right now… It probably belongs to Princess-sama a long time ago.”

“How can it be…?”

Whilst she was surprised, Eco took a bite on the vanilla flavoured crepe that Cosette handed to her. If it was the usual Eco, she would definitely shout out ‘Delicious!’ on the first bite, but right now, she was with a serious looks. As expected, even Eco couldn’t enjoy her favorite food properly.

“What Cosette said is true. That toy is definitely an important thing to me during my childhood.”

Silvia spoke calmly as if she was trying to teach a child who knew nothing.

“Ha!? That’s impossible! I understand none of these!”

Eco placed her half eaten crepe back on her plate. Ash was surprised that she prioritized the argument before her crepe.

“I knew it the moment I saw it. There is only one of this stuffed toy in the whole world. It is a very important toy.”

“How can you have such confidence!?”

“You don’t even know the worth of that toy. Anyone who knows its worth would recognize it on their first sight.”

“Arrrrrggh! That explanation is totally unacceptable!”

''Eco was once again in rage, but at least Silvia knew her limit. Thanks to that, the atmosphere did not turn out to be any worst than this…'' Ash secretly thought.

“Come on you two…”

Cosette was obviously not at all troubled. She seems to be enjoying this.

“Haa… It seems like I don’t have a choice.”

Ash sighed.

“Please listen carefully, Princess-sama. That stuffed toy was in my closet. I gave it to Eco since she seems to like it.”

“Hey! Why did you tell that to her!?”

Eco was scolding Ash with her face red.

“What else can I do? If I leave it to both of you, the same thing will continue onwards again and again.”

“I… want this to be a secret between the both of us.”

Eco’s mumbling caught Ash’s attention.

“What did you say?”

“N-Nothing! I don’t even know you!”

Eco averted her face in anger. ''Why must she get angry...?'' Ash wondered.

On the other hand, Silvia was staring at Ash.

“Ash… you said that this toy was in your closet?”

“That seems to be the case.”

Ash shrugged his shoulders.

“Actually, I am not really clear about it. Believe me or not, there was a blank in my memories… I don’t even know how it came into my possession. I don’t even know about its worth if not because of Cosette.”

Silvia was staring at Ash so intently almost as if she was going to pierce a hole in his forehead. She then asked a weird question.

“When is your birthday?”

“Huh? The third on the month of Aries… What about that?”

After Ash answered honestly, Cosette spoke in surprise:

“Oh, what a coincidence. It seems that Princess-sama was also born in the month of Aries. By the way, hers is in the seventh.”

“Hmm… That’s the first time I had heard of it.”

“Huhu… So Ash-sama is the bigger brother by four days.”

“T-That… isn’t it…”

“Ash!”

Silvia suddenly leaned against him. Ash could see her breast that was covered by the thin cloth of the summer clothes.

“Princess-sama?”

“Even though this may seems abrupt, but do you still remember the date you went for the Orphan Ceremony?”

“Err… I don’t really remember about the details, but it shouldn’t be far away from my seventh birthday. Since my hometown was at a far away village, I started my journey when I was still six. I remembered that I had my seventh birthday in a horse carriage.”

Once they reach the age of seven, every citizen of the Knight Country must visit Albion Forest.

For Ash, if he had departed after his seventh birthday, he would never be able to arrive at Albion Forest in a month time.

“By the way, does the date I went for the Orphan Ceremony matters?”

“…No, Nothing. I have something that I want to discuss with Cosette. Please stay here for the moment.”

Silvia suddenly stood up and dragged Cosette by the hand with her.

“What a weird Princess.”

Ash took a drink from the cup of red tea.

===Part 11===
After Silvia entered the makeup room, with an ‘Ahem’, she cleared her throat.

“What do you want to talk about, Princess-sama?”

“About that…”

“It doesn’t seem like something easy.”

Since she had been with Silvia for quite some time, Cosette immediately knew what she was thinking.

“Aah… That’s right.”

“I will do everything you tell me to if it is in my ability to do so. If the situation required, I could even be Princess-sama’s limbs or even your shield… That’s my duty.”

Silvia made up her mind and told her wish.

“Actually, I want you to return to the palace and investigate the name list of the children who went to the orphan ceremony at the same day as me. This should be an easy one for you, no?”

However, Cosette told Silvia something out of her imagination.

“The records of the Orphan Ceremony is the country’s top secret. Even if you are a Princess, you will be breaching the law by trying to investigate it.”

“Then, your duty would be to avoid it. Please, I could only put my hopes on you. With your ability, reading top secret documents should not be a problem, right?”

“That doesn’t sound nice, Princess-sama. The ability that I only knew of was an ancient technique that was passed down in the Shelly’s family and some spying technique. All of them were used to protect the Lautreamont family.”

“I understand that, but…!”

Silvia grabbed her shoulders and looked at Cosette with her puppy eyes.

“Of course I will do it if this is your order. But, what will you do if Ash-sama is really that boy?”

Silvia’s face almost burst out in flames.

“I-I just want to know about it! That’s right, I only want to know about the truth!”

Cosette gave a wry smile.

“Hmm… Putting that aside, during the time when I am not in, when the night comes and Eco had slept, aren’t '''the two of you''' alone together?”

“When the night comes…. The two of us…!?”

This time, steam emerged from her ears. Her heart was beating none stop.

“W-W-What are you talking about! Don’t you have any shame! How shameless! I…I believe that Ash was not someone insolence! That is why there is no point behind your question!”

Silvia snapped and Cosette nodded.

“I too had the same feeling.”

“Then why bother asking!”

Cosette smiled and took out something. It was a stack of paper held together by a paper clip.

“What’s that?”

“Huhu… A copy of ‘Shelley family’s secret. A recipe to make men dream’. Although I want to use it during this summer to teach Princess-sama some cooking… But this is a good chance to try it. Although Princess-sama don’t have any actual experience, but isn't this a good chance to show your cooking skills to Ash-sama?”

Silvia felt as if her body was on fire.

“Hold on! W-W-Why must I show Ash my cooking skills?”

“If I am not mistaken, The Lautreamont Family Motto did mention that ‘to shoot a general you must first shoot his horse’, am I right?”

“What does it had to do with this?”

“In the Shelley’s Family Motto, there is something like this: ‘To get the man you like, you must first fill his stomach’.”

“What kind of family motto is that!?”

“Huhu… When Ash-sama’s stomach is empty, and Princess-sama gave him your homemade cooking, he would surely fall for you.”

“…Fall for me!?”

Cosette was like a devil whispering into Silvia’s ears.

“When a Princess who doesn’t look like she knew any cooking made a meal, which man wouldn’t be moved by it?”

“Cut the crap! I never want Ash to take notice of me! Never! I-It's just that I had some interest in cooking since a long time ago. I will accept your offer because of this.”

Cosette handed her the recipe while smiling.
[[Image:SnRK v05 096.jpg|thumb]]

“Now, I had received my orders from Princess-sama and I will depart from Ansarivan immediately.”

“Huh? Immediately?”

“It is better if we act quickly, Princess-sama.”

Cosette lifted the both sides of her skirt slightly and bowed gracefully.

Suddenly, like a mist, Cosette disappeared from Silvia’s sight like a magician.

“H-Hey! Cosette? … Do you really want to depart at this moment?”

Silvia became worried when she heard no reply.

“Please hold on, Cosette! You should allow me to have some mental preparation before…!”

Silvia looked around the room with tears in her eyes. It looks like Cosette had really departed.

“Tsk… She never takes me seriously!”

After Silvia mumbled in regrets, she took a long hard look at the recipe given to her.

"The Stuffed Toy Dragon~A.S.B.1365.8~" is closed.

<noinclude>

==References and Translation Notes==
<references />

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| Back to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Prologue|Prologue]]
| Return to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]
|-
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</noinclude>

Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 1

2014-08-08T05:18:54Z

Valthan: /* Part 7 */

==Chapter 1 - Tragedy of Apollo house and Mirabel's decision==
===Part 1===
''-Don! Don…! Don!''

The sun had just risen but Ash who spent a sleepless night was woken up by a loud knocking sound.

“What in the world…?”

He took that silver watch by his pillow side and noticed that it was just half past six.

After he angrily took a look at the window, he became wide awake.

“Uwaa…!”

There was a huge eye looking through the gaps of the curtain.

It was actually a dragon who was banging its nose against the window.

''-Don! Don… Dododododo!”''

He was worried that it may break the glass.

“Why is a dragon coming to my room!? Could it be another Necromancia attack!?”

So the Empire had finally shown their true colours and started attacking? Ash tried to leave the bed but he was stopped.

“Zzz…”

Eco rolled over and hugged Ash.

Her hair was all over his shoulders and her arms were around his back.

And also her soft face that was on his chest…

''-Mmm…''

Ash was shocked by her sudden nibble.

“Hey, Eco… Please don’t bite that spot.”

Recently, her habit of nibbling had gotten less but she still had not gotten rid of her habit of a young dragon. Moreover, she was nibbling on Ash’s sensitive spot which troubled him.

At that moment, there was a crack on the window.

“This is bad… It is not the right moment to let her continue nibbling.”

Ash carried Eco and they left the bed together. The next thing he knew, the glass was smashed into pieces.

He managed to avoid the glass fragments at the last moment.

At the same time, there were two dragons that were trying to squeeze their heads through the window. Their hard scales protect them from the sharp glass.

By taking a closer look, Ash noticed that one of them was a Maestro while the other was a Hydra. After knowing that he was not attacked by a Necromancia, Ash breathe a sigh of relieve.

“Morning, Ash!”

“Good morning, Ash-sama!”

Finally, he could see the faces of the two riders.

They were the student council secretary Lucca and Jessica of the general affairs. Right beside them were Maestro Gawain and Rhiannon the Hydra.

Ash started to protest after he placed Eco who was still sleeping on the bed.

“Lucca! Jessica! What in the world are both of you doing!?”

Since the time Ash saved Gawain who was in danger of dying, Lucca had become emotionally attached to Ash. In the dragon riding academy, most of the girls are the more aggressive type, it was kind of rare to see someone as quiet as Lucca. The beauty that only an Eckbald possessed was out of this world.

Ash was a little surprised to see Lucca acting rashly. Perhaps she was influenced by Jessica.

“Ash… I hoped that you would come with me to the Eckbald village. I want to introduce you to the village chief, my otou-sama.” <ref>In the raw version, Lucca called her father otou-sama, but the kanji written was foster father.</ref>

Her usual emotionless face had always given Ash a heck lot of trouble.

“Hold on! W-Why must you mention about the chief!?”

“P-Please don’t ask anymore than this.”

Lucca was suddenly blushing.

This time, it was Jessica who pushed Lucca to aside.

Jessica who was usually eyeing at Ash’s sperm, though her actions had always been eccentric, she was still undoubtably one of the few beauties of the academy.

“Ash-sama, I have a request!”

“Hey, wait a minute! This is the third floor! How did a hydra get here…?”

“Well. Climbing wall is not a problem for my Rhiannon.”

“Can’t you sympathize your Pal a little!”

Ash pitied her Pal. Although a Hydra may still be able to move on land, but only when they are in the water they are able to show their true skills. It shouldn’t be its own intention to walk on land. Let alone climbing the walls of the student’s dormitory, which doesn’t seem to fit the actions of a proud dragon.

“Putting that aside, Ash-sama! I am about to leave Ansarivan. What about you? Do you have any plans of returning?”

“Now I remember… today is the start of the holiday.”

-The first day of the month of Leo.

It was the first day of the holidays for Ansarivan Dragon Riding Academy. Since it was a boarding school, most of the student will return to their hometown.

Of course, not all of the students were going back home. There were also a small amount of students that were forced to stay in for the holidays for certain reasons.

Ash was one of them.

“Nope, I am not going home.”

After hearing, Jessica’s facial expression changes.

“What! If that’s the case, I too will stay back here!”

“Uuh… If I don’t return soon… I will be scolded by my otou-sama.”

Compare to Jessica who was in high spirit, Lucca looks sad. Lucca who carry the hopes of all Eckbald with her probably doesn’t have as much freedom as Jessica has.

“Sorry to disappoint you Jessica, but you must return with me.”
[[Image:SnRK v05 044.jpg|thumb]]

Suddenly, there was another voice.

“Rebecca-san!”

Ash shouted.

There was a sweet smell from her red hair being blown by the winds. She looks like a war maiden in the legends when she was riding on Cú Chulainn.

“Sorry for the trouble that this stupid girl from my house had given you. The Randall family will cover the fees for mending the window. The servants fault is also the master’s fault.”

“Now that you mention it… I remember that Jessica was a servant in the Randall family.”

“Just that since she became a Breeder, she had forgotten about her place.”

Rebecca sighed.

“Hmph! Could you stop calling me that? I don’t have the intention of serving the Randall family for my whole life!”

“I never thought of that. You are my important childhood friend. Also, your parents had asked me to take good care of you. That is why I have my duty to bring you back to meet your parents.”

Although her lips were smiling, there was not even a hint of smile in Rebecca’s eyes. After Jessica saw Rebecca’s determination, her elbows dropped in disappointment.

“Haa… I understand. However… I want Ash-sama to see me off!”

Ash gave a wry smile.

“I think that should be alright.”

The moment he answered, Jessica was once again with a big smile. But, she was then blushing and started to mumble.

“T-Then… According to my hometown’s custom…. There should be a parting k-kiss….”

“Hey! Jessica! When does our hometown have such a custom?”

Rebecca exposed Jessica’s lie with a wry smile.

“Hmph! Rebecca! Don’t you know how to look at the atmosphere?”

“I-I too would like you to see me off…”

While Jessica was in rage, Lucca shyly told Ash her wish.

“Of course.”

“T-Then… According to the Eckbald custom…. I want you to give me a princess carry.”

Ash’s heart skipped a beat when he first saw Lucca’s blushing face.

“A-A princess carry!”

Ash was in a fix but Jessica shouted at Lucca:

“Hey! What are you trying to do in this mess! That must be a lie!?”

“Uuh…”

While Lucca turned speechless, the noise that Jessica made had spread throughout the school.

“Hey, can you believe it! The president and Jessica were making a night visit! And the other person… Could she be Lucca Sarlinen the genius girl from the basic class!?”

Suddenly, a huge number of students were gathering outside of the Apollo House. It was something for three girls to be standing on their dragons beside a window of a boy’s dormitory.

To say nothing of Rebecca Randall who was the most popular person in the entire academy, Jessica was also one of the centers of attentions and let alone Lucca with her Yōsei like looks and her skills as a Dragner.

“I-I am just here to have Ash-sama see me off! Nothing else!”

Jessica tried to settle the misunderstanding by shouting towards the direction of the school.

“Hmm! By saying Ash-kun you mean… The Ash-kun who was knighted yesterday!?”

“The knighting ceremony was awesome!”

“I also want him to see me off!”

Right now all the girls were speaking with s shrill voice.

Rebecca gave him a bitter smile while she was enjoying all of this.

“Seems like your popularity had sky rocketed after you became a Dragner.”

“The situation outside… Somehow, it looks frightening.”

“Yeah. I just saw around thirty dragons flying towards this window.”

Rebecca told him the unthinkable news with a calm face.

“Huh!?”

“Sorry, Ash. Though I have many reasons to help you… But if I show my true skills, the girls would suffer some grave injuries.”

“Hol-! Don’t leave me!”

“You should try to solve your own problem if you are a Dragner. Also… If it is alright, I would also want you to see me off.”

“…Eh?”

Unfortunately, Ash was not able to catch everything Rebecca said. Her voice disappeared behind the loud noise from Cú Chulainn flapping its wings.

“Good luck, Ash.”

Lucca too had reluctantly flew off with Gawain.

Right after that, the Apollo House faced a terrible attack.

“Ash-kun! Please see me off!”

“Ash-kun, you might as well come to my home town with me…!”

“Hey! Don’t cut the queue!”

Most of the girls returning were riders of stradas. They were like bats gathering together for food at the window.

But of course it was impossible for thirty riders of stradas to squeeze into the window at the same time.

Soon, they started pushing around.

“P-Please be patient! Calm down! Please calm down!”

Ash was panicking.

Every single roar from the Strada was enough to shake up this entire old building.

“Hey!...How dare you! Ash-sama is my important- Nooooooo!”

Unlike Rebecca or Lucca, Jessica who stayed until the end was finally pushed off the wall together with Rhiannon.

“W-What should I do?”

Ash retreated until his back was facing the wall while he was watching the girls fighting for a spot.

At that moment, Eco who had rolled herself into a ball while she was sleeping had woken up and was rubbing her eyes.

“Hmmm…. What’s all the noise about?”

“You ! How can you still think of sleeping!”

Eco was looking around in confusion. It seems that she wasn’t fully awake yet and wasn’t able to think properly.

Ash shouted with all his might towards the window.

“I beg you! Could you please not make a mess in front of someone else’s window! I promise to see off every single one of you!”

Too bad for him, his voice was not received by them.

Suddenly, Ash had a bad feeling.

“I couldn’t be…”

His entire body was shivering in fear. Since some time ago, the wall facing the outside was creaking. It appears that the Stradas were putting pressure on it.

“It is dangerous to stay here! Lets run Eco!”

“Huh…! Could you care to explain!”

“Later!”

Ash was running with Eco on his hands.

He ran out through the door and out to the corridor.

Just when he was sliding along the floor…

''-Creak…! Eeeeekkkk……. !Do--------------n!''

The next moment, there was a loud explosion.

Ash cautiously took a peek through the cracks on the door while trembling. All he sees was dust flying around and even the corridor was affected.

''“*Cough *!*Cough *!”''

While covering up Eco who was coughing, Ash waited until the dust had settled down.

Just moments later-

After the dust had cleared up, what Ash saw was a clear sky.

The morning rays were shining at the disastrous room.

The wreckage of the wall was all over his room. It was a painful sight.

Right now, with the wall that was facing the academy and the window destroyed, his room looked like a doll house that can be seen from the outside.

“Err… Eco, am I dreaming?”

“I think so?”

Ash and Eco were looking at the room with their mouths wide open.

===Part 2===
Ash was brought to the director’s office on the first day of the holiday.

As for those girls who were the culprit, it seems that they had ran back home as soon as possible. That is why Ash who was the victim was summoned.

“I see… Now I understand what had happened.”

Mirabel who was acting as the director replied coldly and drank from her cup of tea.

The room was full of the smells of bergamot and the tea.

Just like a robot, Mirabel’s face was emotionless the entire time. ''Does this princess even have the thing known as feelings…?'' Ash thought.

“The academy will take responsibility for mending the wall. Just some time before, I had asked the builders of this city and they estimated that they will be able to complete it in around two weeks time.”

“Really…! Thank you very much!”

Ash was grateful that she was able to deal with this situation without delay.

“The problem is… During the renovation, where am I to place you and Eco.”

“I see…”

“Can you borrow a room from any of your friends?”

“I don’t think that would be possible…”

Unfortunately, Max and Raymond had gone home. For Ash who doesn’t have many friends, these were the’ only two friends that he could rely on. Although there was an option of using it without asking for their permissions, but Ash couldn’t bring himself to do it.

''-Bang!''

The door behind him was opened with a slam.

The next time he knew, Silvia and Eco was right beside him.

“How much longer are the two of you going to keep on talking!? Can’t you just give us a new room!”

Eco was pointing at Mirabel in anger.

“Anee-ue! Why do you call for Ash! That incident was caused by a few girls! It had nothing to do with Ash! Aren’t you treating him like the culprit!?”

Silvia on the other hand was trying to speak up for Ash.

“Where are your manners? Don’t you know that it is rude to walk into a room without knocking? You won’t be given special treatment even if you are the descendant of the Avalon Holy Dragons Emperor’s family or my sister. “

Mirabel glared at both of them coldly.

“I am sorry… Anee-ue.”

Silvia stood still on her ground as if she had turned into a stone.

On the other hand, Eco was trying to intimidate Mirabel by showing her sharp teeth.

“Hey you!... How dare you act like that even when you know that I am Avalon’s holy dragons' emperor family's Imperial Princess! Why don’t I try crushing the castle the next time? If I show you my true self, one or two Fontaine Place won’t…”

“Idiot! Stop spurting nonsense!”

Ash’s face was pale white when he was scolding Eco.

Since that incident, the Knight’s government took Eco as a threat. As long as there is the possibility that Mirabel was here to keep an eye on Eco, they have to be careful with their own words.

But to his surprise, Eco calm down with just a single shout.

She turned her head around with her face blushing.

“I-I will listen to you… Just this time.”

Ash was taken aback from seeing Eco making such an expression for the first time. Just as he had expected, it was that transformation that had made a change of her heart. Although the gentle Eco looked a lot cuter, at the same time, it was also a little confusing.

“Ahem!”

Mirabel tried clearing her throat, returning everyone’s attention back to her.

“Silvia, you came at the right moment. Right now you are staying in the royal room in the Epona House right?”

“…What about it?”

Silvia was surprised.

“Until the renovation in the boy’s dormitory had been completed, Ash Blake and young dragon Eco will stay in your room for the time being.”

“What!”

“I won’t repeat for a second time. This is an order from your sister. You are not allowed to have any objections.”

Naturally, Silva was enraged.

“What do you mean by this! This is against our family motto where ‘A knight shouldn’t carelessly touch another of the opposite sex’!”

“Hmm… Funny but I remember that I said to let Ash Blake and young dragon Eco stay in your room. When did I ever mention about touching Ash?”

“T-That…!”

Right at this moment, even Silvia’s earlobes were red.

“Right now, if I were to mention the family motto that you love so much, ‘A knight should help those who are in need’. Am I wrong?”

After she replied coldly, Mirabel looked like she had lost interest in the case regarding Ash. She kept on looking at the tea cup on her hand.

“I am done with you- What a pain, now a good cup of tea had turned cold.”

===Part 3===
Rebecca and Jessica had returned to the land ruled by the Randalls.

Lucca on the other hand had returned to her village.

After seeing them off, Ash and Eco once again returned to his room on the third floor of the Apollo House.

They once again looked at the disastrous room.

A bed full of glass fragments.

A floor full with the remains of the wall.

And the disorganized furniture.

With the wall gone, the room became bright and windy. Looking down from above was a few curious onlookers. When their eyes came into contact with Ash’s, everyone scattered.

“Haa… First of all, I think we should try cleaning up a little. It is better to make it look a little more cheerful before the renovation starts.”

Turning around, Ash noticed that Eco was sulking.

“What’s wrong, Eco?”

“Hey. Do you really want to stay in Silvia’s room?”

“It is not like I have a choice. It was an order from Princess Mirabel. It seems that even Princess-sama did not dare to go against her.”

“I… I hate it.”

“What’s the matter? You don’t look like your usual self. Well, if we stay at Princess-sama’s room, we may be able to eat Cosette’s delicious homemade cooking.”

“That’s not the point! And also, I am not someone who thinks about food for an entire day!”

Eco's face was red with anger and embarrassment.

“Is it… Sorry then.”

“It is fine if you understand. Anyway, just if you try to do something weird to Silvia… I will be sure to crush you!”

Eco was glaring at Ash.

“What do you mean by something weird!?”

With her ears fully red, Eco told Ash embarrassedly:

“T-To make it simple…. It is those perverted stuffs.”

“W-What are you even thinking!”

Ash stood still on his ground. He never expected Eco to speak of such a word. It kind of surprised him.

“Even I knew about those stuffs… Don’t look down on me just because I am a young dragon.”

“Could the source of information be…. The Dragweiss?”

“…Some of them were from there, but most of them were from the picture books that Cosette lent me.”

“Hold on! Are they really… Just picture books!?”

In order to teach her the importance of aesthetic sensibility, Cosette had lent her picture books and books for children. For that, Ash was grateful for Cosette.

However, there was a possibility that she mixed some books with adult content in them into the pile of picture books she had given to Eco.

“Anyhow, she is still this country’s princess. What you are worrying about will never happen, rest assured.”

''In the worst possible case, I will be beheaded…'' Ash thought secretly.

“A-Alright… I understand.”

Once again, Eco was smiling and she looked at the room around her.

“Then… What can I do to help you?”

“You are trying to help?”

“What? Is it weird for me to help?”

“Definitely not weird, but rare. Ain’t it always me who complete the house work?”

“A-About that… It doesn’t seem like I have a choice. I am a dragon. I don’t really understand how a human acts. But… I just feel like helping for today… Can’t I!?”

Eco puffed up her rosy coloured cheeks and stared at Ash.

“Why not? I even want to thank you.”

Ash gave a wry smile and tried to pat her head.

But, Eco immediately dodge to a side.

“No! You mustn’t touch!”

“Sorry… I didn't know that you dislike it this much.”

“N-No! It is okay it you are just patting, but you mustn’t touch my horns. If they were just slightly touched, I… will turn weird. I felt like floating in the air when they were touched...”

Ash could calm down after seeing Eco’s face when she tried to explain her feelings.

“I understand. I promise I won’t touch your horns.”

Ash carefully patted Eco’s head.

Her pink hair was fluffy and it gave his palm a nice feeling.

“Nn…”

Even when she was a dragon, Eco was smiling and shrugging her neck like what a cat would do.

Her innocent smile had grabbed Ash’s attention.

To be precise, it was her flower bud like lips.

His heart was beating rapidly.

This was actually the second time he had such a feeling.

The first time was when Eco said that she won’t be satisfied with just being a Pal in the guest room in Fontaine Palace.

“…”

Eco probably felt the change in the atmosphere too and her body suddenly tense up. Perhaps she too was also thinking about the scenario in the Fontaine Palace.

In a short while, just like that time, Eco closes her eyes.

She also tried to purse her lips.

Ash also noticed that her long eyelashes were also trembling.

''-Eco…!''
[[Image:SnRK v05 060.jpg|thumb]]

He suddenly remembered the word ‘beloved Pal’ in the knighting ceremony.

During that time, Ash was only saying the standard pledge.

But this was totally different.

His feeling of love to Eco was born from deep in his heart. A feeling that could be explained using something as simple as the relation of a Breeder and its Pal had grown.

Right now, they don’t need any words.

Ash placed both his hands on Eco’s shoulders and he closes their distance slowly.

A sweet smell was surrounding them which made him dizzy.

Right now, he felt as if his heart was going to explode.

They were now at a distance where their nose could easily touch each other.

Eco felt like being pierced through by the sunlight while she was waiting for Ash.

Ash made up his mind and closed his eyes.

And then- he kissed Eco on her lips.

===Part 4===
“~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~!”

Since their kiss, Eco had been working silently with her back facing Ash the entire time.

It seemed that she was too embarrassed to even look at Ash in the face.

And of course, it was the same for Ash.

Ash felt as if his face was a ball of fire.

Although the two of them at a first glance seemed to be dusting the room, there was actually zero progress. What they were doing was only messing up the already messed up room.

''-What should I do? What should I say at times like this?''

Just when Ash was anxious in trying to find the right words…

“Uwaaa…! Cute!”

Eco turned around and showed Ash a round object.

“Isn’t this cute? Where did you find this stuffed toy?”

At that moment, Ash felt something was pricking at the back of his neck. It made him wonder what it was.

The stuffed toy that Eco was holding seems to be a dragon. Strictly speaking, its face was clumsily done.

Furthermore, it's round body made it looks nothing like a majestic dragon.

However, Eco seemed to take it as cute, and it made her forget about what had just happened previously.

“Err… Actually I don’t remember much about that when it came into my possession. No matter how I look at it, looked just like a girl’s toy. It is probably not me who bought it.”

It was thanks to the toy that Ash was once again able to speak to Eco normally.

“Hmm… Strange.”

Eco was carrying the stuffed toy while she whipped off the dust on it.

“Hmm… When I move to Ansarivan, I just took it with me without any reason. Perhaps there is a great meaning behind it was what I thought. Actually… There is a blank in my childhood memory.”

“… A blank in your memories?”

Eco was surprised.

“Aah. It was right about when I had my seventh birthday when I visited Albion Forest for the Orphan Ceremony. I just can’t recall my memories during that time.”

“Isn’t that… The time when Mother Dragon bestowed me to you?”

“It seems so.”

“How come you can’t remember such an important event?”

Ash shrunk when he saw Eco start to get mad. Just like how they were finally able to speak normally, Eco’s temper had also returned.

“To be frank, I know nothing of it myself. It was just that I had a hunch that this toy had something to do with my lost memories and that’s the reason why I was reluctant to throw it away. However, because of the recent events, I totally forgot about it.”

“Then, can I keep it?”

Ash was taken by surprised.

“What do you mean by keeping it?”

“It is just like what I had said. Don’t you think it is sad for such a cute being to be left forgotten? I will take the trouble to take care of this kid.”

“How can you take care of it when it isn’t even a living being? Argh, whatever suits you then.”

“Really!?”

Eco was full of excitement.

“Well, I don’t really mind.”

“That's great!”

Eco was so happy that she felt that she could even fly. She then rubbed the stuffed toy with her cheeks.

Followed by that, she cuddled it like what a mother would do to her baby.

Suddenly, she spoke of something that surprised Ash.

“This somehow looked like our baby…”

Eco suddenly stopped speaking before she could even finish her sentence. She the glared at Ash with eyes looking as if they were on fire.

“You heard anything?”

“No, nothing at all.”

Ash spoke with a serious look on his face.

“T-That’s right! N-Nothing happened! Nothing happened at all!”

As if her head was exploding in flames, Eco carried the toy and dashed out from the room.

“Actually, I heard every single word…”

Just as Ash was murmuring with his body also feeling as it was engulfed by fire…

“Sorry to interrupt, Ash-sama.”

Suddenly, there was a woman’s voice coming from behind.

“Uwaa!”

He noticed that it was Cosette after he turned around. She seemed to be wearing the same palace design maid attire today. She then gave a polite bow.

“Cosette-san! How did you get in?”

“To enter such an airy room is like a child’s play to me.”

Cosette smiled before she turned around to look at the blue sky.

“That couldn’t be… This is the third floor! Putting that aside, why are you here?”

“I am here to meet you and Eco-chan. Had you forgotten about Princess Mirabel, Her Highness’s decision?”

Of course, it was impossible for him to forget about it to begin with. However, he still felt a little reluctant.

“Actually, can’t we reconsider about this? Putting Eco aside, don’t you think that it is wrong for a guy like me to enter Epona House where guys are not allowed?”

“For your own sake, I would advise you to follow her decision. Do you know what Princes Mirabel was also known as?”

“No… Nothing comes to mind at all.”

“Her nick name is actually Argento Magus. If we can describe Princess Veronica as a fighter, then Princess Mirabel is a thinker. Compare to Veronica, there were certain things that would made Mirabel a tougher opponent. Please be sure to be prepared mentally, Ash-sama.”

Ash sighed after he heard everything.

“…I understand. Please let me take some belongings like my pillow and clothes with me…”

“Alright then, meanwhile, I will try searching for Eco.”

Eco had not yet return since the moment she ran out from the room.

“Thank you. I think she should be somewhere around the dorm.”

“Huhu. That will be a simple task.”

Cosette ran towards the door nimbly while avoiding the disorganized furniture, but then she suddenly stopped and turned around to face Ash.

“By the way, Ash-sama.”

“What’s the matter?”

When Ash lifted his face, he saw Cosette’s face full of red. Ash was staring at her since it was rare to see her who was always calm to be blushing.

Although she always stayed hidden behind Silvia’s shadow, she actually looked quite beautiful.

With her right hand on her cheeks, she sighed.

Then she said something outrageous.

“Ash-sama and Eco-chan’s kiss looked very innocent indeed.”

“Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

This time, it was Ash’s turn to be blushing.

“D-Don’t, Don’t tell me that you saw everything!?”

“It totally felt like an opera show. You looked so cute when you kiss without even needing any words to understand each other. My god, isn’t that wonderful? Didn't Eco-chan also look cute when she was waiting to receive your kiss?”

“I beg you, please stop saying anymore than this! It is embarrassing!”

Right now, Ash felt like he was sitting on a mountain of needles.

Cosette, too, had also seemed to realize that she over did it, and replied with a playful smile.

“Rest assured, I won’t tell Princess-sama any of this.”

“How is Princeass-sama related to this!?”

“Hmm… I wonder… Huhu…”

Cosette left the room with her sentence ending with her laughter.

===Part 5===
The moment Ash finished gathering all his basic daily needs, Cosette was back with Eco. Together, the three of them marched towards Epona House.

Although it was around evening, the sun was still high up in the sky.

After passing through a grove of mixed trees, they were welcomed by a stern looking gate.

Even the cicada had stopped making noise.

Although they were just walking, they were all full of sweat.

By taking a peek beside, Eco looked as if she was suffering from the heat of the high summer temperature. She looked like a Hydra who was looking for water on dry land.

Compared to Ash, Eco was only carrying her stuffed toy.

On the other hand, Cosette didn’t even break a sweat.

“We have arrived.”

She turned around and smiled at both Ash and Eco.

Through the gate, they could see a garden that was separated into two halves by the walkway. It must have been well tended by a good gardener. Even Ash who doesn’t have any interest in gardening was amazed by it.

At the back of the garden stood an elegant looking building.

That was Epona House, the dormitory for advance class girls.

“We have finally arrived…”

Ash placed his baggage which was full of daily needs and clothing on the ground.

''How long does it actually take to walk here from Apollo House…'' Ash couldn’t be bothered to even think about it.

This dragon riding academy where human and dragons coexist had a very large land area.

In it, there were numerous classes, a church, a lecture hall, a library, a canteen, seven dragon houses, four dormitories, a sports ground… It even included an arena that was used during events.

Although there was the shopping district and the housing are beyond the school walls, compared to the size of the academy, they just looked like extras. That's the reason why Ansarivan was called an academic city.

Putting that aside, the distance between the boys dormitory and the girls dormitory must had been arranged on purpose by the academy.

“Please enter.”

Cosette pushed open the heavy looking gate and welcomed both of them in.

===Part 6===
On the top most floor of Epona House was the room of royal use.

It looked like a high class hotel suite and it even had a large space.

Apart from a heater in the living room, there was also a dining room, a study room, bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, etc. In a room that has everything, it looked as if it was another world compared to the normal student’s room.

Silvia was walking up and down around her room alone, worrying endlessly.

“Argh! What’s wrong with me! Why couldn’t I calm down! Even my family motto stated that ‘Always stay calm, especially in a pinch’!”

Even though she wasn’t even in a pinch, Silvia couldn’t stop worrying. It was about time for Cosette to arrive with Ash and Eco.

“That’s it!”

Silvia stopped in her tracks for a moment and then she dashed into the makeup room and stood in front of a mirror.

She applied a thin layer of makeup on her face.

She tried combing her hair many times.

Her clothing and accessories were chosen by Cosette.

She put on her camisole, a skirt with two layers of frills, her panty socks and a necklace made from bright dragon crystals that acted as jewels.

In front of the mirror, she was just like her usual…. No, she was at least twice as more beautiful than she usually was.

Silvia turned red when she realized how beautiful she was.

“Why would I dress myself up! It is alright by just sticking to what I usually do!”

Ash was about to arrive.

Until the boy’s dormitory was done with its renovation, Ash was going to stay here for two weeks.

Her hearts started to beat rapidly from thinking about it.

“This feeling… It is that same feeling as ''that time…''”

Silvia recalled her memories.

Around the time of her seventh birthday, she met a boy in Albion Forest.

''“Why? Why would I have this feeling of returning to the time when I was seven years old whenever I think about Ash…?”''

Silvia suddenly regained her senses.

“Stop! Stop! Stop! Doesn’t this mean that I am looking forward for him to arrive!? Right… I should change back into my normal clothing…”
[[Image:SnRK v05 006.jpg|thumb|'' ''…!'' Silvia immediately snapped out from the confusion. She just remembered that right now, she was only wearing her undergarments. '']]

Silvia left the makeup room and entered the living room. She swiftly removed all her clothing except for her undergarments. She then walked along the corridor towards the changing room.

Suddenly, the door opened right in front of her eyes.

“Princess-sama, we had returned.”

Cosette walked in with a smile.

“Princess-sama!?”

Ash was standing right behind Cosette with his eyes wide opened. ''Why is his face red? Is it because of the heat?''

“…!”

Silvia immediately snapped out from the confusion. She just remembered that right now, she was only wearing her undergarments.

“Kyaaaaaaaaaaa!”

Silvia ran and hid behind the door while screaming at the top of her voice.

===Part 7===
“Hey you! Just until when are you going to keep on staring!”

“Ouch!”

Ash came back to his sense after he was stomped on the leg by Eco.

Just when he had stepped in through the grand entrance, he was greeted by Silvia in only her undergarments. The white coloured lace will forever be imprinted in his mind.

''By the way, why was Silvia wearing only those?'' No matter how hot the weather can be, it doesn’t suit her image.

“I am going to check on Princess-sama. Could the both of you wait here for a moment, please?”

With a happy smile on her face, Cosette disappeared into the corridor. In just a moment-

“No. This definitely doesn’t look natural.”

“No no. It definitely fits you well.”

“But… Won’t this make me look like I am looking forward to their arrival?”

“Huh? Aren’t you?”

Their entire conversation was heard by Ash.

“Come on! This is a disgrace! How dare they make a dragon wait by the entrance!”

Eco who was standing right beside Ash was enraged. The toy that she had with her which had a carelessly made face was further squashed by Eco’s abnormal strength.

Ash pitied the toy. If this continued to keep on, Ash would probably be the next victim.

“Sorry for the wait.”

Just when Ash was about to be surrounded by his fear, Cosette had returned to the entrance with Silvia who was hiding right behind her.

Ash’s heart skipped a beat when he saw Silvia’s clothing. It gave a completely different feel compare to the school uniform that she usually wears. A lot of her skin was exposed from wearing the camisole. It had totally grabbed his attention.

“Please come in.”

Ash regained his sense after he heard Cosette’s voice.

“S-Sorry for the intrusion.”

In opposite to Ash, Eco was looking around the room with a hint of worry.

“Even so… You are just a Princess of the Royal Knight’s Family and you get to have such a great room?”

Perhaps she was mad from being asked to wait at the entrance, Eco was saying anything that would sooth her anger.

In truth, even Ash was amazed by the room itself. Just the entrance itself is wider than Ash’s room. There were even expensive looking pictures along the wall and carvings of dragons.

“Please don’t be mad. This room was specially made for the royals, it would be natural if Princess-sama is staying here.”

Ash tried to calm her down.

“But, I am also a Princess of the dragons! Why would there be such a large difference in our treatment!?”

“It is not like I want to stay in this room either!”

Silvia tried to speak up for herself even when she was being threatened by Eco.

“I even tried telling the academy to let me have the same treatment as the rest of the students, but they never listen…”

Suddenly, Silvia stood still on her ground. There was not even a slightest movement.

“Princess-sama… What’s wrong? You don’t look good.”

Ash was worried about her but she didn’t reply.

She kept on staring at the stuffed toy that Eco was carrying with her with her ice blue eyes.

Silvia then suddenly leaped towards Eco and grabbed her shoulders.

“Eco! Can you tell me how did that toy fall into your possession?”

Eco became confused.

“I-It has nothing to do with you.”

“Please tell me! This is very important!”

Silvia shouted loudly.

“… I picked it up.”

Eco mumbled when she turned her head to aside. It seemed that she did not want to tell Silvia that it was a gift from Ash. Ash was wondering on why she would be insisting on it.

“You picked it up? When? Where?”

Silvia was being persistent.

“Come on! Why do I need to tell you?”

Eco lost her patience and roared.

“…Why can’t you tell me?”

“T-That’s because… I don’t have the obligation to tell you.”

“Now I see, you are playing dumb… It seems I must resolve to this.”

Suddenly, Silvia leaped towards Eco with both of her hands stretched out.

“Hey!... Don’t joke with me!”

Eco dodge with the toy in her arms.

With the royal room as the stage, the two of them started running around like a bunch of kids. In just a blink of an eye, both of them
disappeared behind a door.

“Err… What is this all about?”

Ash who was left behind turned around and questioned Cosette.

“Cosette-san?”

To his surprised, Cosette too was transfixed on her own spot. It was rare to see her making a face like that.

Cosette then regained her sense after being called out to by Ash and started explaining.

“I just remember about it… I fear that that stuffed toy…. Is an important treasure to Princess-sama during her childhood.”

Ash was surprised by her answer.

“Wait a moment! That shouldn’t be possible! There should be many more stuffed toys with the same design, no?”

Cosette answered calmly.

“No. There ain’t. That toy is the one and only in this world. It was a limited edition item. It was actually made from a famous artist from Chevron Kingdom called Leonard De Mirabeau and was given to the five year old Princess-sama.”

“Really? That clumsily made toy is…”

“That’s not it… Its weird look was actually Mirabeau-sama’s style. Didn’t people usually say that there was only a silver line that separates a genius and a madman? If that stuffed toy was bought to an antique auction… It should be priced at five million Eccles at minimum.”

Cosette told him the shocking truth with s straight face.

“Five million…!”

Ash turned speechless.

His face had turned pale.

''-Five million Eccles!''

Ash couldn’t even imagine that amount of money. He just knew that he won’t be able to finish it by living the rest of his days enjoying life. He never knew that such a treasure was hidden in his closet.

“W-We should try stopping them first!”

Ash started searching for them in the huge room.

===Part 8===
“Finally! You won’t be able to escape!”

Eco who ran into Silvia’s room was now like a rat in the bag. There was only one exit and the windows were too high to jump from since this was the top most floor.

“Tsk… You are being persistent!”

Eco backed off to the wall and like a mother protecting her child, she tried to intimidate Silvia.

For one moment, Silvia was awed by her beauty, but the next instant, she roared:

“You haven’t told me anything yet! I just want to know how this toy came into your possession!”

“Why would you even want to know!?”

“T-That… I had my own reasons! Please, Eco!”

“Hmph… I had mine too. I will never tell you, only you!”

Both of them were glaring at each other without any intention of backing off.

Silvia realized that whatever she said was useless.

“Now you have done it. Although it is not to my liking… I must resolve this by force.”

“What! Who do you think I am! See that if you can do it!”

“Fine with me!”

Silvia leaped forward without mercy.

Although she must avoid Eco’s abnormal strength, Eco’s actions had always been straight forward and were always easy to read.

On the other hand, apart from the Drag Arts, Silvia had mastered many more fighting styles. It is a normal thing to do for someone who was born in the Lautreamont Royal Knight’s Family.

After struggling on the ground like brats, Silvia came out as the winner.

“Now you have been captured!”

Silvia was pressing Eco’s tiny body on the floor and without giving her a chance to fight back, she rode on Eco.

“Tsk… Let me go!”

“Is there any idiot in this world that would move off once they are being asked to?”

The winner had been decided. Even when Eco had her abnormal strength, she could never be able to beat Silvia.

But, there was a reason why Silvia could beat her easily.

Eco had never let go of the stuffed toy even after she was pressed down against the floor. If Eco would just let go of that toy, the fight could still drag on. No, it could even be Silvia who was pressed down against the floor.

“Please, Eco! This is not an order. Although it was not a long time since the day I met you, I always think you as a friend. That is why… Could you please tell me?”

Just when Silvia was begging Eco with a trembling voice…

“Eco! Princess-sama!”

The door opened with a bang and Ash came running in.

Silvia turned around to look at Ash while she was pressing Eco down against the floor.

“Hold on, Ash! I never have the intention to harm Eco! I just want to ask Eco about it… no matter what!”

“But, Princess-sama doesn’t act like the usual you. Even so, Eco is my Pal, I won’t forgive anyone who try to harm her, even if it is Princess-sama.”

After Ash murmured sadly, he showed her his left arm.

Silvia knew that he had his abnormally large Seikoku covered in a bandage.

“Your Seikoku…?”

Silvia was in lost of words.

The Seikoku under the bandage was obviously blinking with glowing lights. That was a signal given when the Pal was in danger.

For example, even though Silvia did not have any intentions of harming Eco, but Eco felt that she was in danger and sent the signal to her owner Ash for help…

“Sorry, Eco… I am really sorry. I am in the wrong for scaring you…. But, I have my own reasons. Please, Eco! Please tell me for the sake of our friendship!”

Silvia was forcing out an answer from Eco.

“…Eco?”

Eco did not reply. Just as Silvia became confused, Eco was surrounded by a glowing light.

“Hey, Eco! What’s wrong?”

Eco still did not reply. Right now, Eco was like a doll, showing no expression.

Even her eyes seemed to be reflecting nothing.

“Urgh…!”

The next instant, Silvia was being blasted of by a strong wind.

“Princess-sama!”

Followed by Ash’s shout, Silvia’s back bang against the wall. She almost couldn’t breathe because of it.

===Part 9===
“Princess-sama!”

Just when Ash was trying to help Silvia out, Cosette arrived.

“I will take care of Princess-sama. Ash-sama, go help Eco-chan! This is no laughing matter!”

Cosette’s voice seemed to be more serious and nervous than usual.

“Understood!”

Ash ran straight towards Eco.

His Seikoku started to hurt.

He remembered that feeling.

He had the similar feeling when Eco was awaken in the capital, Fontaine.

Although the pain was not as strong as that time, Ash knew that this was the sign before her transformation into a dragon.

Eco stood up slowly with the cute stuffed toy dropping on the floor.

Strictly speaking, she was not standing.

There was a gap in between her feet and the floor.

She was actually floating…!

Her limbs were now surrounded by the mysterious light that was so bright that they could not look at it directly.

However, Ash continued to move forward.

“Stop, Eco! If you are to be awaken here…”

In the worst possible case, this Epona House will be destroyed. No, it could even be related to the city’s survivability…

Eco had long been labeled as an element of danger by many countries’s government. The reason why Mirabel was sent to become the academy’s director was to keep an eye on Eco.

''If she is to transform into a dragon right now…!''

Ash moved forward without giving any thought and hugged Eco.

A huge amount of magic was flowing out from her tiny body. If he had been careless, he would even be swallowed by the magic and lost consciousnesss.

Ash shouted with all his might into Eco’s ears.

“Get a grip of yourself! I…I like the way you are now! It is okay if you just stay as you are! You don’t have to force yourself to change into your true self!”

It seems that Ash’s words had gotten through and the magic that was surrounding Eco had disappeared. Even the lights were no longer there. Ash’s Seikoku too had stopped responding.

“We are saved…”

Ash breathe a sigh of relieves.

“…Huh?”

Eco blinked her eyes in surprise and murmured.

“What had I done…? Why are you…?”

Realizing that she was in Ash’s arms, Eco leaped off from Ash’s arms with her face red in embarrassment.

===Part 10===
“I am sorry for what had happened just now. I-I never thought that you were so much against it…. No I shouldn’t make any excuses. A knight must admit his own faults. I deeply apologize!”

After the group had sat on a dining table in the living room, Silvia apologized to Eco sincerely.

“Hmph… I guess this should be sufficient.”

Silvia’s eagerness to apologize by bowing her head had started to confuse Eco. Even though she still continued to puff up her checks in protest, but at least she had accepted Silvia’s apology. Ash who noticed it breathe a sigh of relieves.

“…Since everything had been settled, please allow me to ask. How did that stuffed toy came into your possession?”

Silvia’s words had cause Eco to be enraged again.

“Ha!? You….. Just apologize and yet you still want to ask!?”

“I apologize for resolving this matter by force. I promise that this time, I won’t try questioning you by force. But in return, I will keep on asking until you answer me. Remember, I will keep on asking.”

Silvia was quite stubborn. She even smiled towards Eco with her face full of confidence.

“I can’t believe it…”

Eco sighed.

“Sorry, Eco-chan.”

At that moment, Cosette returned from the kitchen with a silver tray full of snacks and tea.

“That toy that Eco-chan was holding right now… It probably belongs to Princess-sama a long time ago.”

“How can it be…?”

Whilst she was surprised, Eco took a bite on the vanilla flavoured crepe that Cosette handed to her. If it was the usual Eco, she would definitely shout out ‘Delicious!’ on the first bite, but right now, she was with a serious looks. As expected, even Eco couldn’t enjoy her favorite food properly.

“What Cosette said is true. That toy is definitely an important thing to me during my childhood.”

Silvia spoke calmly as if she was trying to teach a child who knew nothing.

“Ha!? That’s impossible! I understand none of these!”

Eco placed her half eaten crepe back on her plate. Ash was surprised that she prioritized the argument before her crepe.

“I knew it the moment I saw it. There is only one of this stuffed toy in the whole world. It is a very important toy.”

“How can you have such confidence!?”

“You don’t even know the worth of that toy. Anyone who knows its worth would recognize it on their first sight.”

“Arrrrrggh! That explanation is totally unacceptable!”

''Eco was once again in rage, but at least Silvia knew her limit. Thanks to that, the atmosphere did not turn out to be any worst than this…'' Ash secretly thought.

“Come on you two…”

Cosette was obviously not at all troubled. She seems to be enjoying this.

“Haa… It seems like I don’t have a choice.”

Ash sighed.

“Please listen carefully, Princess-sama. That stuffed toy was in my closet. I gave it to Eco since she seems to like it.”

“Hey! Why did you tell that to her!?”

Eco was scolding Ash with her face red.

“What else can I do? If I leave it to both of you, the same thing will continue onwards again and again.”

“I… want this to be a secret between the both of us.”

Eco’s mumbling caught Ash’s attention.

“What did you say?”

“N-Nothing! I don’t even know you!”

Eco averted her face in anger. ''Why must she get angry...?'' Ash wondered.

On the other hand, Silvia was staring at Ash.

“Ash… you said that this toy was in your closet?”

“That seems to be the case.”

Ash shrugged his shoulders.

“Actually, I am not really clear about it. Believe me or not, there was a blank in my memories… I don’t even know how it came into my possession. I don’t even know about its worth if not because of Cosette.”

Silvia was staring at Ash so intently almost as if she was going to pierce a hole in his forehead. She then asked a weird question.

“When is your birthday?”

“Huh? The third on the month of Aries… What about that?”

After Ash answered honestly, Cosette spoke in surprise:

“Oh, what a coincidence. It seems that Princess-sama was also born in the month of Aries. By the way, hers is in the seventh.”

“Hmm… That’s the first time I had heard of it.”

“Huhu… So Ash-sama is the bigger brother by four days.”

“T-That… isn’t it…”

“Ash!”

Silvia suddenly leaned against him. Ash could see her breast that was covered by the thin cloth of the summer clothes.

“Princess-sama?”

“Even though this may seems abrupt, but do you still remember the date you went for the Orphan Ceremony?”

“Err… I don’t really remember about the details, but it shouldn’t be far away from my seventh birthday. Since my hometown was at a far away village, I started my journey when I was still six. I remembered that I had my seventh birthday in a horse carriage.”

Once they reach the age of seven, every citizen of the Knight Country must visit Albion Forest.

For Ash, if he had departed after his seventh birthday, he would never be able to arrive at Albion Forest in a month time.

“By the way, does the date I went for the Orphan Ceremony matters?”

“…No, Nothing. I have something that I want to discuss with Cosette. Please stay here for the moment.”

Silvia suddenly stood up and dragged Cosette by the hand with her.

“What a weird Princess.”

Ash took a drink from the cup of red tea.

===Part 11===
After Silvia entered the makeup room, with an ‘Ahem’, she cleared her throat.

“What do you want to talk about, Princess-sama?”

“About that…”

“It doesn’t seem like something easy.”

Since she had been with Silvia for quite some time, Cosette immediately knew what she was thinking.

“Aah… That’s right.”

“I will do everything you tell me to if it is in my ability to do so. If the situation required, I could even be Princess-sama’s limbs or even your shield… That’s my duty.”

Silvia made up her mind and told her wish.

“Actually, I want you to return to the palace and investigate the name list of the children who went to the orphan ceremony at the same day as me. This should be an easy one for you, no?”

However, Cosette told Silvia something out of her imagination.

“The records of the Orphan Ceremony is the country’s top secret. Even if you are a Princess, you will be breaching the law by trying to investigate it.”

“Then, your duty would be to avoid it. Please, I could only put my hopes on you. With your ability, reading top secret documents should not be a problem, right?”

“That doesn’t sound nice, Princess-sama. The ability that I only knew of was an ancient technique that was passed down in the Shelly’s family and some spying technique. All of them were used to protect the Lautreamont family.”

“I understand that, but…!”

Silvia grabbed her shoulders and looked at Cosette with her puppy eyes.

“Of course I will do it if this is your order. But, what will you do if Ash-sama is really that boy?”

Silvia’s face almost burst out in flames.

“I-I just want to know about it! That’s right, I only want to know about the truth!”

Cosette gave a wry smile.

“Hmm… Putting that aside, during the time when I am not in, when the night comes and Eco had slept, aren’t '''the two of you''' alone together?”

“When the night comes…. The two of us…!?”

This time, steam emerged from her ears. Her heart was beating none stop.

“W-W-What are you talking about! Don’t you have any shame! How shameless! I…I believe that Ash was not someone insolence! That is why there is no point behind your question!”

Silvia snapped and Cosette nodded.

“I too had the same feeling.”

“Then why bother asking!”

Cosette smiled and took out something. It was a stack of paper held together by a paper clip.

“What’s that?”

“Huhu… A copy of ‘Shelley family’s secret. A recipe to make men dream’. Although I want to use it during this summer to teach Princess-sama some cooking… But this is a good chance to try it. Although Princess-sama don’t have any actual experience, but isn't this a good chance to show your cooking skills to Ash-sama?”

Silvia felt as if her body was on fire.

“Hold on! W-W-Why must I show Ash my cooking skills?”

“If I am not mistaken, The Lautreamont Family Motto did mention that ‘to shoot a general you must first shoot his horse’, am I right?”

“What does it had to do with this?”

“In the Shelley’s Family Motto, there is something like this: ‘To get the man you like, you must first fill his stomach’.”

“What kind of family motto is that!?”

“Huhu… When Ash-sama’s stomach is empty, and Princess-sama gave him your homemade cooking, he would surely fall for you.”

“…Fall for me!?”

Cosette was like a devil whispering into Silvia’s ears.

“When a Princess who doesn’t look like she knew any cooking made a meal, which man wouldn’t be moved by it?”

“Cut the crap! I never want Ash to take notice of me! Never! I-It's just that I had some interest in cooking since a long time ago. I will accept your offer because of this.”

Cosette handed her the recipe while smiling.
[[Image:SnRK v05 096.jpg|thumb]]

“Now, I had received my orders from Princess-sama and I will depart from Ansarivan immediately.”

“Huh? Immediately?”

“It is better if we act quickly, Princess-sama.”

Cosette lifted the both sides of her skirt slightly and bowed gracefully.

Suddenly, like a mist, Cosette disappeared from Silvia’s sight like a magician.

“H-Hey! Cosette? … Do you really want to depart at this moment?”

Silvia became worried when she heard no reply.

“Please hold on, Cosette! You should allow me to have some mental preparation before…!”

Silvia looked around the room with tears in her eyes. It looks like Cosette had really departed.

“Tsk… She never takes me seriously!”

After Silvia mumbled in regrets, she took a long hard look at the recipe given to her.

"The Stuffed Toy Dragon~A.S.B.1365.8~" is closed.

<noinclude>

==References and Translation Notes==
<references />

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| Back to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Prologue|Prologue]]
| Return to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 1

2014-08-08T05:16:54Z

Valthan: /* Part 6 */

==Chapter 1 - Tragedy of Apollo house and Mirabel's decision==
===Part 1===
''-Don! Don…! Don!''

The sun had just risen but Ash who spent a sleepless night was woken up by a loud knocking sound.

“What in the world…?”

He took that silver watch by his pillow side and noticed that it was just half past six.

After he angrily took a look at the window, he became wide awake.

“Uwaa…!”

There was a huge eye looking through the gaps of the curtain.

It was actually a dragon who was banging its nose against the window.

''-Don! Don… Dododododo!”''

He was worried that it may break the glass.

“Why is a dragon coming to my room!? Could it be another Necromancia attack!?”

So the Empire had finally shown their true colours and started attacking? Ash tried to leave the bed but he was stopped.

“Zzz…”

Eco rolled over and hugged Ash.

Her hair was all over his shoulders and her arms were around his back.

And also her soft face that was on his chest…

''-Mmm…''

Ash was shocked by her sudden nibble.

“Hey, Eco… Please don’t bite that spot.”

Recently, her habit of nibbling had gotten less but she still had not gotten rid of her habit of a young dragon. Moreover, she was nibbling on Ash’s sensitive spot which troubled him.

At that moment, there was a crack on the window.

“This is bad… It is not the right moment to let her continue nibbling.”

Ash carried Eco and they left the bed together. The next thing he knew, the glass was smashed into pieces.

He managed to avoid the glass fragments at the last moment.

At the same time, there were two dragons that were trying to squeeze their heads through the window. Their hard scales protect them from the sharp glass.

By taking a closer look, Ash noticed that one of them was a Maestro while the other was a Hydra. After knowing that he was not attacked by a Necromancia, Ash breathe a sigh of relieve.

“Morning, Ash!”

“Good morning, Ash-sama!”

Finally, he could see the faces of the two riders.

They were the student council secretary Lucca and Jessica of the general affairs. Right beside them were Maestro Gawain and Rhiannon the Hydra.

Ash started to protest after he placed Eco who was still sleeping on the bed.

“Lucca! Jessica! What in the world are both of you doing!?”

Since the time Ash saved Gawain who was in danger of dying, Lucca had become emotionally attached to Ash. In the dragon riding academy, most of the girls are the more aggressive type, it was kind of rare to see someone as quiet as Lucca. The beauty that only an Eckbald possessed was out of this world.

Ash was a little surprised to see Lucca acting rashly. Perhaps she was influenced by Jessica.

“Ash… I hoped that you would come with me to the Eckbald village. I want to introduce you to the village chief, my otou-sama.” <ref>In the raw version, Lucca called her father otou-sama, but the kanji written was foster father.</ref>

Her usual emotionless face had always given Ash a heck lot of trouble.

“Hold on! W-Why must you mention about the chief!?”

“P-Please don’t ask anymore than this.”

Lucca was suddenly blushing.

This time, it was Jessica who pushed Lucca to aside.

Jessica who was usually eyeing at Ash’s sperm, though her actions had always been eccentric, she was still undoubtably one of the few beauties of the academy.

“Ash-sama, I have a request!”

“Hey, wait a minute! This is the third floor! How did a hydra get here…?”

“Well. Climbing wall is not a problem for my Rhiannon.”

“Can’t you sympathize your Pal a little!”

Ash pitied her Pal. Although a Hydra may still be able to move on land, but only when they are in the water they are able to show their true skills. It shouldn’t be its own intention to walk on land. Let alone climbing the walls of the student’s dormitory, which doesn’t seem to fit the actions of a proud dragon.

“Putting that aside, Ash-sama! I am about to leave Ansarivan. What about you? Do you have any plans of returning?”

“Now I remember… today is the start of the holiday.”

-The first day of the month of Leo.

It was the first day of the holidays for Ansarivan Dragon Riding Academy. Since it was a boarding school, most of the student will return to their hometown.

Of course, not all of the students were going back home. There were also a small amount of students that were forced to stay in for the holidays for certain reasons.

Ash was one of them.

“Nope, I am not going home.”

After hearing, Jessica’s facial expression changes.

“What! If that’s the case, I too will stay back here!”

“Uuh… If I don’t return soon… I will be scolded by my otou-sama.”

Compare to Jessica who was in high spirit, Lucca looks sad. Lucca who carry the hopes of all Eckbald with her probably doesn’t have as much freedom as Jessica has.

“Sorry to disappoint you Jessica, but you must return with me.”
[[Image:SnRK v05 044.jpg|thumb]]

Suddenly, there was another voice.

“Rebecca-san!”

Ash shouted.

There was a sweet smell from her red hair being blown by the winds. She looks like a war maiden in the legends when she was riding on Cú Chulainn.

“Sorry for the trouble that this stupid girl from my house had given you. The Randall family will cover the fees for mending the window. The servants fault is also the master’s fault.”

“Now that you mention it… I remember that Jessica was a servant in the Randall family.”

“Just that since she became a Breeder, she had forgotten about her place.”

Rebecca sighed.

“Hmph! Could you stop calling me that? I don’t have the intention of serving the Randall family for my whole life!”

“I never thought of that. You are my important childhood friend. Also, your parents had asked me to take good care of you. That is why I have my duty to bring you back to meet your parents.”

Although her lips were smiling, there was not even a hint of smile in Rebecca’s eyes. After Jessica saw Rebecca’s determination, her elbows dropped in disappointment.

“Haa… I understand. However… I want Ash-sama to see me off!”

Ash gave a wry smile.

“I think that should be alright.”

The moment he answered, Jessica was once again with a big smile. But, she was then blushing and started to mumble.

“T-Then… According to my hometown’s custom…. There should be a parting k-kiss….”

“Hey! Jessica! When does our hometown have such a custom?”

Rebecca exposed Jessica’s lie with a wry smile.

“Hmph! Rebecca! Don’t you know how to look at the atmosphere?”

“I-I too would like you to see me off…”

While Jessica was in rage, Lucca shyly told Ash her wish.

“Of course.”

“T-Then… According to the Eckbald custom…. I want you to give me a princess carry.”

Ash’s heart skipped a beat when he first saw Lucca’s blushing face.

“A-A princess carry!”

Ash was in a fix but Jessica shouted at Lucca:

“Hey! What are you trying to do in this mess! That must be a lie!?”

“Uuh…”

While Lucca turned speechless, the noise that Jessica made had spread throughout the school.

“Hey, can you believe it! The president and Jessica were making a night visit! And the other person… Could she be Lucca Sarlinen the genius girl from the basic class!?”

Suddenly, a huge number of students were gathering outside of the Apollo House. It was something for three girls to be standing on their dragons beside a window of a boy’s dormitory.

To say nothing of Rebecca Randall who was the most popular person in the entire academy, Jessica was also one of the centers of attentions and let alone Lucca with her Yōsei like looks and her skills as a Dragner.

“I-I am just here to have Ash-sama see me off! Nothing else!”

Jessica tried to settle the misunderstanding by shouting towards the direction of the school.

“Hmm! By saying Ash-kun you mean… The Ash-kun who was knighted yesterday!?”

“The knighting ceremony was awesome!”

“I also want him to see me off!”

Right now all the girls were speaking with s shrill voice.

Rebecca gave him a bitter smile while she was enjoying all of this.

“Seems like your popularity had sky rocketed after you became a Dragner.”

“The situation outside… Somehow, it looks frightening.”

“Yeah. I just saw around thirty dragons flying towards this window.”

Rebecca told him the unthinkable news with a calm face.

“Huh!?”

“Sorry, Ash. Though I have many reasons to help you… But if I show my true skills, the girls would suffer some grave injuries.”

“Hol-! Don’t leave me!”

“You should try to solve your own problem if you are a Dragner. Also… If it is alright, I would also want you to see me off.”

“…Eh?”

Unfortunately, Ash was not able to catch everything Rebecca said. Her voice disappeared behind the loud noise from Cú Chulainn flapping its wings.

“Good luck, Ash.”

Lucca too had reluctantly flew off with Gawain.

Right after that, the Apollo House faced a terrible attack.

“Ash-kun! Please see me off!”

“Ash-kun, you might as well come to my home town with me…!”

“Hey! Don’t cut the queue!”

Most of the girls returning were riders of stradas. They were like bats gathering together for food at the window.

But of course it was impossible for thirty riders of stradas to squeeze into the window at the same time.

Soon, they started pushing around.

“P-Please be patient! Calm down! Please calm down!”

Ash was panicking.

Every single roar from the Strada was enough to shake up this entire old building.

“Hey!...How dare you! Ash-sama is my important- Nooooooo!”

Unlike Rebecca or Lucca, Jessica who stayed until the end was finally pushed off the wall together with Rhiannon.

“W-What should I do?”

Ash retreated until his back was facing the wall while he was watching the girls fighting for a spot.

At that moment, Eco who had rolled herself into a ball while she was sleeping had woken up and was rubbing her eyes.

“Hmmm…. What’s all the noise about?”

“You ! How can you still think of sleeping!”

Eco was looking around in confusion. It seems that she wasn’t fully awake yet and wasn’t able to think properly.

Ash shouted with all his might towards the window.

“I beg you! Could you please not make a mess in front of someone else’s window! I promise to see off every single one of you!”

Too bad for him, his voice was not received by them.

Suddenly, Ash had a bad feeling.

“I couldn’t be…”

His entire body was shivering in fear. Since some time ago, the wall facing the outside was creaking. It appears that the Stradas were putting pressure on it.

“It is dangerous to stay here! Lets run Eco!”

“Huh…! Could you care to explain!”

“Later!”

Ash was running with Eco on his hands.

He ran out through the door and out to the corridor.

Just when he was sliding along the floor…

''-Creak…! Eeeeekkkk……. !Do--------------n!''

The next moment, there was a loud explosion.

Ash cautiously took a peek through the cracks on the door while trembling. All he sees was dust flying around and even the corridor was affected.

''“*Cough *!*Cough *!”''

While covering up Eco who was coughing, Ash waited until the dust had settled down.

Just moments later-

After the dust had cleared up, what Ash saw was a clear sky.

The morning rays were shining at the disastrous room.

The wreckage of the wall was all over his room. It was a painful sight.

Right now, with the wall that was facing the academy and the window destroyed, his room looked like a doll house that can be seen from the outside.

“Err… Eco, am I dreaming?”

“I think so?”

Ash and Eco were looking at the room with their mouths wide open.

===Part 2===
Ash was brought to the director’s office on the first day of the holiday.

As for those girls who were the culprit, it seems that they had ran back home as soon as possible. That is why Ash who was the victim was summoned.

“I see… Now I understand what had happened.”

Mirabel who was acting as the director replied coldly and drank from her cup of tea.

The room was full of the smells of bergamot and the tea.

Just like a robot, Mirabel’s face was emotionless the entire time. ''Does this princess even have the thing known as feelings…?'' Ash thought.

“The academy will take responsibility for mending the wall. Just some time before, I had asked the builders of this city and they estimated that they will be able to complete it in around two weeks time.”

“Really…! Thank you very much!”

Ash was grateful that she was able to deal with this situation without delay.

“The problem is… During the renovation, where am I to place you and Eco.”

“I see…”

“Can you borrow a room from any of your friends?”

“I don’t think that would be possible…”

Unfortunately, Max and Raymond had gone home. For Ash who doesn’t have many friends, these were the’ only two friends that he could rely on. Although there was an option of using it without asking for their permissions, but Ash couldn’t bring himself to do it.

''-Bang!''

The door behind him was opened with a slam.

The next time he knew, Silvia and Eco was right beside him.

“How much longer are the two of you going to keep on talking!? Can’t you just give us a new room!”

Eco was pointing at Mirabel in anger.

“Anee-ue! Why do you call for Ash! That incident was caused by a few girls! It had nothing to do with Ash! Aren’t you treating him like the culprit!?”

Silvia on the other hand was trying to speak up for Ash.

“Where are your manners? Don’t you know that it is rude to walk into a room without knocking? You won’t be given special treatment even if you are the descendant of the Avalon Holy Dragons Emperor’s family or my sister. “

Mirabel glared at both of them coldly.

“I am sorry… Anee-ue.”

Silvia stood still on her ground as if she had turned into a stone.

On the other hand, Eco was trying to intimidate Mirabel by showing her sharp teeth.

“Hey you!... How dare you act like that even when you know that I am Avalon’s holy dragons' emperor family's Imperial Princess! Why don’t I try crushing the castle the next time? If I show you my true self, one or two Fontaine Place won’t…”

“Idiot! Stop spurting nonsense!”

Ash’s face was pale white when he was scolding Eco.

Since that incident, the Knight’s government took Eco as a threat. As long as there is the possibility that Mirabel was here to keep an eye on Eco, they have to be careful with their own words.

But to his surprise, Eco calm down with just a single shout.

She turned her head around with her face blushing.

“I-I will listen to you… Just this time.”

Ash was taken aback from seeing Eco making such an expression for the first time. Just as he had expected, it was that transformation that had made a change of her heart. Although the gentle Eco looked a lot cuter, at the same time, it was also a little confusing.

“Ahem!”

Mirabel tried clearing her throat, returning everyone’s attention back to her.

“Silvia, you came at the right moment. Right now you are staying in the royal room in the Epona House right?”

“…What about it?”

Silvia was surprised.

“Until the renovation in the boy’s dormitory had been completed, Ash Blake and young dragon Eco will stay in your room for the time being.”

“What!”

“I won’t repeat for a second time. This is an order from your sister. You are not allowed to have any objections.”

Naturally, Silva was enraged.

“What do you mean by this! This is against our family motto where ‘A knight shouldn’t carelessly touch another of the opposite sex’!”

“Hmm… Funny but I remember that I said to let Ash Blake and young dragon Eco stay in your room. When did I ever mention about touching Ash?”

“T-That…!”

Right at this moment, even Silvia’s earlobes were red.

“Right now, if I were to mention the family motto that you love so much, ‘A knight should help those who are in need’. Am I wrong?”

After she replied coldly, Mirabel looked like she had lost interest in the case regarding Ash. She kept on looking at the tea cup on her hand.

“I am done with you- What a pain, now a good cup of tea had turned cold.”

===Part 3===
Rebecca and Jessica had returned to the land ruled by the Randalls.

Lucca on the other hand had returned to her village.

After seeing them off, Ash and Eco once again returned to his room on the third floor of the Apollo House.

They once again looked at the disastrous room.

A bed full of glass fragments.

A floor full with the remains of the wall.

And the disorganized furniture.

With the wall gone, the room became bright and windy. Looking down from above was a few curious onlookers. When their eyes came into contact with Ash’s, everyone scattered.

“Haa… First of all, I think we should try cleaning up a little. It is better to make it look a little more cheerful before the renovation starts.”

Turning around, Ash noticed that Eco was sulking.

“What’s wrong, Eco?”

“Hey. Do you really want to stay in Silvia’s room?”

“It is not like I have a choice. It was an order from Princess Mirabel. It seems that even Princess-sama did not dare to go against her.”

“I… I hate it.”

“What’s the matter? You don’t look like your usual self. Well, if we stay at Princess-sama’s room, we may be able to eat Cosette’s delicious homemade cooking.”

“That’s not the point! And also, I am not someone who thinks about food for an entire day!”

Eco's face was red with anger and embarrassment.

“Is it… Sorry then.”

“It is fine if you understand. Anyway, just if you try to do something weird to Silvia… I will be sure to crush you!”

Eco was glaring at Ash.

“What do you mean by something weird!?”

With her ears fully red, Eco told Ash embarrassedly:

“T-To make it simple…. It is those perverted stuffs.”

“W-What are you even thinking!”

Ash stood still on his ground. He never expected Eco to speak of such a word. It kind of surprised him.

“Even I knew about those stuffs… Don’t look down on me just because I am a young dragon.”

“Could the source of information be…. The Dragweiss?”

“…Some of them were from there, but most of them were from the picture books that Cosette lent me.”

“Hold on! Are they really… Just picture books!?”

In order to teach her the importance of aesthetic sensibility, Cosette had lent her picture books and books for children. For that, Ash was grateful for Cosette.

However, there was a possibility that she mixed some books with adult content in them into the pile of picture books she had given to Eco.

“Anyhow, she is still this country’s princess. What you are worrying about will never happen, rest assured.”

''In the worst possible case, I will be beheaded…'' Ash thought secretly.

“A-Alright… I understand.”

Once again, Eco was smiling and she looked at the room around her.

“Then… What can I do to help you?”

“You are trying to help?”

“What? Is it weird for me to help?”

“Definitely not weird, but rare. Ain’t it always me who complete the house work?”

“A-About that… It doesn’t seem like I have a choice. I am a dragon. I don’t really understand how a human acts. But… I just feel like helping for today… Can’t I!?”

Eco puffed up her rosy coloured cheeks and stared at Ash.

“Why not? I even want to thank you.”

Ash gave a wry smile and tried to pat her head.

But, Eco immediately dodge to a side.

“No! You mustn’t touch!”

“Sorry… I didn't know that you dislike it this much.”

“N-No! It is okay it you are just patting, but you mustn’t touch my horns. If they were just slightly touched, I… will turn weird. I felt like floating in the air when they were touched...”

Ash could calm down after seeing Eco’s face when she tried to explain her feelings.

“I understand. I promise I won’t touch your horns.”

Ash carefully patted Eco’s head.

Her pink hair was fluffy and it gave his palm a nice feeling.

“Nn…”

Even when she was a dragon, Eco was smiling and shrugging her neck like what a cat would do.

Her innocent smile had grabbed Ash’s attention.

To be precise, it was her flower bud like lips.

His heart was beating rapidly.

This was actually the second time he had such a feeling.

The first time was when Eco said that she won’t be satisfied with just being a Pal in the guest room in Fontaine Palace.

“…”

Eco probably felt the change in the atmosphere too and her body suddenly tense up. Perhaps she too was also thinking about the scenario in the Fontaine Palace.

In a short while, just like that time, Eco closes her eyes.

She also tried to purse her lips.

Ash also noticed that her long eyelashes were also trembling.

''-Eco…!''
[[Image:SnRK v05 060.jpg|thumb]]

He suddenly remembered the word ‘beloved Pal’ in the knighting ceremony.

During that time, Ash was only saying the standard pledge.

But this was totally different.

His feeling of love to Eco was born from deep in his heart. A feeling that could be explained using something as simple as the relation of a Breeder and its Pal had grown.

Right now, they don’t need any words.

Ash placed both his hands on Eco’s shoulders and he closes their distance slowly.

A sweet smell was surrounding them which made him dizzy.

Right now, he felt as if his heart was going to explode.

They were now at a distance where their nose could easily touch each other.

Eco felt like being pierced through by the sunlight while she was waiting for Ash.

Ash made up his mind and closed his eyes.

And then- he kissed Eco on her lips.

===Part 4===
“~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~!”

Since their kiss, Eco had been working silently with her back facing Ash the entire time.

It seemed that she was too embarrassed to even look at Ash in the face.

And of course, it was the same for Ash.

Ash felt as if his face was a ball of fire.

Although the two of them at a first glance seemed to be dusting the room, there was actually zero progress. What they were doing was only messing up the already messed up room.

''-What should I do? What should I say at times like this?''

Just when Ash was anxious in trying to find the right words…

“Uwaaa…! Cute!”

Eco turned around and showed Ash a round object.

“Isn’t this cute? Where did you find this stuffed toy?”

At that moment, Ash felt something was pricking at the back of his neck. It made him wonder what it was.

The stuffed toy that Eco was holding seems to be a dragon. Strictly speaking, its face was clumsily done.

Furthermore, it's round body made it looks nothing like a majestic dragon.

However, Eco seemed to take it as cute, and it made her forget about what had just happened previously.

“Err… Actually I don’t remember much about that when it came into my possession. No matter how I look at it, looked just like a girl’s toy. It is probably not me who bought it.”

It was thanks to the toy that Ash was once again able to speak to Eco normally.

“Hmm… Strange.”

Eco was carrying the stuffed toy while she whipped off the dust on it.

“Hmm… When I move to Ansarivan, I just took it with me without any reason. Perhaps there is a great meaning behind it was what I thought. Actually… There is a blank in my childhood memory.”

“… A blank in your memories?”

Eco was surprised.

“Aah. It was right about when I had my seventh birthday when I visited Albion Forest for the Orphan Ceremony. I just can’t recall my memories during that time.”

“Isn’t that… The time when Mother Dragon bestowed me to you?”

“It seems so.”

“How come you can’t remember such an important event?”

Ash shrunk when he saw Eco start to get mad. Just like how they were finally able to speak normally, Eco’s temper had also returned.

“To be frank, I know nothing of it myself. It was just that I had a hunch that this toy had something to do with my lost memories and that’s the reason why I was reluctant to throw it away. However, because of the recent events, I totally forgot about it.”

“Then, can I keep it?”

Ash was taken by surprised.

“What do you mean by keeping it?”

“It is just like what I had said. Don’t you think it is sad for such a cute being to be left forgotten? I will take the trouble to take care of this kid.”

“How can you take care of it when it isn’t even a living being? Argh, whatever suits you then.”

“Really!?”

Eco was full of excitement.

“Well, I don’t really mind.”

“That's great!”

Eco was so happy that she felt that she could even fly. She then rubbed the stuffed toy with her cheeks.

Followed by that, she cuddled it like what a mother would do to her baby.

Suddenly, she spoke of something that surprised Ash.

“This somehow looked like our baby…”

Eco suddenly stopped speaking before she could even finish her sentence. She the glared at Ash with eyes looking as if they were on fire.

“You heard anything?”

“No, nothing at all.”

Ash spoke with a serious look on his face.

“T-That’s right! N-Nothing happened! Nothing happened at all!”

As if her head was exploding in flames, Eco carried the toy and dashed out from the room.

“Actually, I heard every single word…”

Just as Ash was murmuring with his body also feeling as it was engulfed by fire…

“Sorry to interrupt, Ash-sama.”

Suddenly, there was a woman’s voice coming from behind.

“Uwaa!”

He noticed that it was Cosette after he turned around. She seemed to be wearing the same palace design maid attire today. She then gave a polite bow.

“Cosette-san! How did you get in?”

“To enter such an airy room is like a child’s play to me.”

Cosette smiled before she turned around to look at the blue sky.

“That couldn’t be… This is the third floor! Putting that aside, why are you here?”

“I am here to meet you and Eco-chan. Had you forgotten about Princess Mirabel, Her Highness’s decision?”

Of course, it was impossible for him to forget about it to begin with. However, he still felt a little reluctant.

“Actually, can’t we reconsider about this? Putting Eco aside, don’t you think that it is wrong for a guy like me to enter Epona House where guys are not allowed?”

“For your own sake, I would advise you to follow her decision. Do you know what Princes Mirabel was also known as?”

“No… Nothing comes to mind at all.”

“Her nick name is actually Argento Magus. If we can describe Princess Veronica as a fighter, then Princess Mirabel is a thinker. Compare to Veronica, there were certain things that would made Mirabel a tougher opponent. Please be sure to be prepared mentally, Ash-sama.”

Ash sighed after he heard everything.

“…I understand. Please let me take some belongings like my pillow and clothes with me…”

“Alright then, meanwhile, I will try searching for Eco.”

Eco had not yet return since the moment she ran out from the room.

“Thank you. I think she should be somewhere around the dorm.”

“Huhu. That will be a simple task.”

Cosette ran towards the door nimbly while avoiding the disorganized furniture, but then she suddenly stopped and turned around to face Ash.

“By the way, Ash-sama.”

“What’s the matter?”

When Ash lifted his face, he saw Cosette’s face full of red. Ash was staring at her since it was rare to see her who was always calm to be blushing.

Although she always stayed hidden behind Silvia’s shadow, she actually looked quite beautiful.

With her right hand on her cheeks, she sighed.

Then she said something outrageous.

“Ash-sama and Eco-chan’s kiss looked very innocent indeed.”

“Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

This time, it was Ash’s turn to be blushing.

“D-Don’t, Don’t tell me that you saw everything!?”

“It totally felt like an opera show. You looked so cute when you kiss without even needing any words to understand each other. My god, isn’t that wonderful? Didn't Eco-chan also look cute when she was waiting to receive your kiss?”

“I beg you, please stop saying anymore than this! It is embarrassing!”

Right now, Ash felt like he was sitting on a mountain of needles.

Cosette, too, had also seemed to realize that she over did it, and replied with a playful smile.

“Rest assured, I won’t tell Princess-sama any of this.”

“How is Princeass-sama related to this!?”

“Hmm… I wonder… Huhu…”

Cosette left the room with her sentence ending with her laughter.

===Part 5===
The moment Ash finished gathering all his basic daily needs, Cosette was back with Eco. Together, the three of them marched towards Epona House.

Although it was around evening, the sun was still high up in the sky.

After passing through a grove of mixed trees, they were welcomed by a stern looking gate.

Even the cicada had stopped making noise.

Although they were just walking, they were all full of sweat.

By taking a peek beside, Eco looked as if she was suffering from the heat of the high summer temperature. She looked like a Hydra who was looking for water on dry land.

Compared to Ash, Eco was only carrying her stuffed toy.

On the other hand, Cosette didn’t even break a sweat.

“We have arrived.”

She turned around and smiled at both Ash and Eco.

Through the gate, they could see a garden that was separated into two halves by the walkway. It must have been well tended by a good gardener. Even Ash who doesn’t have any interest in gardening was amazed by it.

At the back of the garden stood an elegant looking building.

That was Epona House, the dormitory for advance class girls.

“We have finally arrived…”

Ash placed his baggage which was full of daily needs and clothing on the ground.

''How long does it actually take to walk here from Apollo House…'' Ash couldn’t be bothered to even think about it.

This dragon riding academy where human and dragons coexist had a very large land area.

In it, there were numerous classes, a church, a lecture hall, a library, a canteen, seven dragon houses, four dormitories, a sports ground… It even included an arena that was used during events.

Although there was the shopping district and the housing are beyond the school walls, compared to the size of the academy, they just looked like extras. That's the reason why Ansarivan was called an academic city.

Putting that aside, the distance between the boys dormitory and the girls dormitory must had been arranged on purpose by the academy.

“Please enter.”

Cosette pushed open the heavy looking gate and welcomed both of them in.

===Part 6===
On the top most floor of Epona House was the room of royal use.

It looked like a high class hotel suite and it even had a large space.

Apart from a heater in the living room, there was also a dining room, a study room, bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, etc. In a room that has everything, it looked as if it was another world compared to the normal student’s room.

Silvia was walking up and down around her room alone, worrying endlessly.

“Argh! What’s wrong with me! Why couldn’t I calm down! Even my family motto stated that ‘Always stay calm, especially in a pinch’!”

Even though she wasn’t even in a pinch, Silvia couldn’t stop worrying. It was about time for Cosette to arrive with Ash and Eco.

“That’s it!”

Silvia stopped in her tracks for a moment and then she dashed into the makeup room and stood in front of a mirror.

She applied a thin layer of makeup on her face.

She tried combing her hair many times.

Her clothing and accessories were chosen by Cosette.

She put on her camisole, a skirt with two layers of frills, her panty socks and a necklace made from bright dragon crystals that acted as jewels.

In front of the mirror, she was just like her usual…. No, she was at least twice as more beautiful than she usually was.

Silvia turned red when she realized how beautiful she was.

“Why would I dress myself up! It is alright by just sticking to what I usually do!”

Ash was about to arrive.

Until the boy’s dormitory was done with its renovation, Ash was going to stay here for two weeks.

Her hearts started to beat rapidly from thinking about it.

“This feeling… It is that same feeling as ''that time…''”

Silvia recalled her memories.

Around the time of her seventh birthday, she met a boy in Albion Forest.

''“Why? Why would I have this feeling of returning to the time when I was seven years old whenever I think about Ash…?”''

Silvia suddenly regained her senses.

“Stop! Stop! Stop! Doesn’t this mean that I am looking forward for him to arrive!? Right… I should change back into my normal clothing…”
[[Image:SnRK v05 006.jpg|thumb|'' ''…!'' Silvia immediately snapped out from the confusion. She just remembered that right now, she was only wearing her undergarments. '']]

Silvia left the makeup room and entered the living room. She swiftly removed all her clothing except for her undergarments. She then walked along the corridor towards the changing room.

Suddenly, the door opened right in front of her eyes.

“Princess-sama, we had returned.”

Cosette walked in with a smile.

“Princess-sama!?”

Ash was standing right behind Cosette with his eyes wide opened. ''Why is his face red? Is it because of the heat?''

“…!”

Silvia immediately snapped out from the confusion. She just remembered that right now, she was only wearing her undergarments.

“Kyaaaaaaaaaaa!”

Silvia ran and hid behind the door while screaming at the top of her voice.

===Part 7===
“Hey you! Just until when are you going to keep on staring!”

“Ouch!”

Ash came back to his sense after he was stomped on the leg by Eco.

Just when he had stepped in through the grand entrance, he was greeted by Silvia in only her undergarments. The white coloured lace will forever be imprinted in his mind.

''By the way, why was Silvia wearing only those?'' No matter how hot the weather can be, it doesn’t suit her image.

“I am going to check on Princess-sama. Could the both of you wait here for a moment, please?”

With a happy smile on her face, Cosette disappeared into the corridor. In just a moment-

“No. This definitely doesn’t look natural.”

“No no. It definitely fits you well.”

“But… Won’t this make me look like I am looking forward to their arrival?”

“Huh? Aren’t you?”

Their entire conversation was heard by Ash.

“Come on! This is a disgrace! How dare they make a dragon wait by the entrance!”

Eco who was standing right beside Ash was in rage. The toy that she had with her which had a carelessly made face was further squashed by Eco’s abnormal strength.

Ash pitied the toy. If this continued to keep on, Ash would probably be the next victim.

“Sorry for the wait.”

Just when Ash was about to be surrounded by his fear, Cosette had returned to the entrance with Silvia who was hiding right behind her.

Ash’s heart skipped a beat when he saw Silvia’s clothing. It gave a completely different feel compare to the school uniform that she usually wears. A lot of her skin was exposed from wearing the camisole. It had totally grabbed his attention.

“Please come in.”

Ash regained his sense after he heard Cosette’s voice.

“S-Sorry for the intrusion.”

In opposite to Ash, Eco was looking around the room with a hint of worry.

“Even so… You are just a Princess of the Royal Knight’s Family and you get to have such a great room?”

Perhaps she was mad from being asked to wait at the entrance, Eco was saying anything that would sooth her anger.

In truth, even Ash was amazed by the room itself. Just the entrance itself is wider than Ash’s room. There were even expensive looking pictures along the wall and carvings of dragons.

“Please don’t be mad. This room was specially made for the royals, it would be natural if Princess-sama is staying here.”

Ash tried to calm her down.

“But, I am also a Princess of the dragons! Why would there be such a large difference in our treatment!?”

“It is not like I want to stay in this room either!”

Silvia tried to speak up for herself even when she was being threatened by Eco.

“I even tried telling the academy to let me have the same treatment as the rest of the students, but they never listen…”

Suddenly, Silvia stood still on her ground. There was not even a slightest movement.

“Princess-sama… What’s wrong? You don’t look good.”

Ash was worried about her but she didn’t reply.

She kept on staring at the stuffed toy that Eco was carrying with her with her ice blue eyes.

Silvia then suddenly leaped towards Eco and grabbed her shoulders.

“Eco! Can you tell me how did that toy fall into your possession?”

Eco became confused.

“I-It has nothing to do with you.”

“Please tell me! This is very important!”

Silvia shouted loudly.

“… I picked it up.”

Eco mumbled when she turned her head to aside. It seemed that she did not want to tell Silvia that it was a gift from Ash. Ash was wondering on why she would be insisting on it.

“You picked it up? When? Where?”

Silvia was being persistent.

“Come on! Why do I need to tell you?”

Eco lost her patience and roared.

“…Why can’t you tell me?”

“T-That’s because… I don’t have the obligation to tell you.”

“Now I see, you are playing dumb… It seems I must resolve to this.”

Suddenly, Silvia leaped towards Eco with both of her hands stretched out.

“Hey!... Don’t joke with me!”

Eco dodge with the toy in her arms.

With the royal room as the stage, the two of them started running around like a bunch of kids. In just a blink of an eye, both of them
disappeared behind a door.

“Err… What is this all about?”

Ash who was left behind turned around and questioned Cosette.

“Cosette-san?”

To his surprised, Cosette too was transfixed on her own spot. It was rare to see her making a face like that.

Cosette then regained her sense after being called out to by Ash and started explaining.

“I just remember about it… I fear that that stuffed toy…. Is an important treasure to Princess-sama during her childhood.”

Ash was surprised by her answer.

“Wait a moment! That shouldn’t be possible! There should be many more stuffed toys with the same design, no?”

Cosette answered calmly.

“No. There ain’t. That toy is the one and only in this world. It was a limited edition item. It was actually made from a famous artist from Chevron Kingdom called Leonard De Mirabeau and was given to the five year old Princess-sama.”

“Really? That clumsily made toy is…”

“That’s not it… Its weird look was actually Mirabeau-sama’s style. Didn’t people usually say that there was only a silver line that separates a genius and a madman? If that stuffed toy was bought to an antique auction… It should be priced at five million Eccles at minimum.”

Cosette told him the shocking truth with s straight face.

“Five million…!”

Ash turned speechless.

His face had turned pale.

''-Five million Eccles!''

Ash couldn’t even imagine that amount of money. He just knew that he won’t be able to finish it by living the rest of his days enjoying life. He never knew that such a treasure was hidden in his closet.

“W-We should try stopping them first!”

Ash started searching for them in the huge room.

===Part 8===
“Finally! You won’t be able to escape!”

Eco who ran into Silvia’s room was now like a rat in the bag. There was only one exit and the windows were too high to jump from since this was the top most floor.

“Tsk… You are being persistent!”

Eco backed off to the wall and like a mother protecting her child, she tried to intimidate Silvia.

For one moment, Silvia was awed by her beauty, but the next instant, she roared:

“You haven’t told me anything yet! I just want to know how this toy came into your possession!”

“Why would you even want to know!?”

“T-That… I had my own reasons! Please, Eco!”

“Hmph… I had mine too. I will never tell you, only you!”

Both of them were glaring at each other without any intention of backing off.

Silvia realized that whatever she said was useless.

“Now you have done it. Although it is not to my liking… I must resolve this by force.”

“What! Who do you think I am! See that if you can do it!”

“Fine with me!”

Silvia leaped forward without mercy.

Although she must avoid Eco’s abnormal strength, Eco’s actions had always been straight forward and were always easy to read.

On the other hand, apart from the Drag Arts, Silvia had mastered many more fighting styles. It is a normal thing to do for someone who was born in the Lautreamont Royal Knight’s Family.

After struggling on the ground like brats, Silvia came out as the winner.

“Now you have been captured!”

Silvia was pressing Eco’s tiny body on the floor and without giving her a chance to fight back, she rode on Eco.

“Tsk… Let me go!”

“Is there any idiot in this world that would move off once they are being asked to?”

The winner had been decided. Even when Eco had her abnormal strength, she could never be able to beat Silvia.

But, there was a reason why Silvia could beat her easily.

Eco had never let go of the stuffed toy even after she was pressed down against the floor. If Eco would just let go of that toy, the fight could still drag on. No, it could even be Silvia who was pressed down against the floor.

“Please, Eco! This is not an order. Although it was not a long time since the day I met you, I always think you as a friend. That is why… Could you please tell me?”

Just when Silvia was begging Eco with a trembling voice…

“Eco! Princess-sama!”

The door opened with a bang and Ash came running in.

Silvia turned around to look at Ash while she was pressing Eco down against the floor.

“Hold on, Ash! I never have the intention to harm Eco! I just want to ask Eco about it… no matter what!”

“But, Princess-sama doesn’t act like the usual you. Even so, Eco is my Pal, I won’t forgive anyone who try to harm her, even if it is Princess-sama.”

After Ash murmured sadly, he showed her his left arm.

Silvia knew that he had his abnormally large Seikoku covered in a bandage.

“Your Seikoku…?”

Silvia was in lost of words.

The Seikoku under the bandage was obviously blinking with glowing lights. That was a signal given when the Pal was in danger.

For example, even though Silvia did not have any intentions of harming Eco, but Eco felt that she was in danger and sent the signal to her owner Ash for help…

“Sorry, Eco… I am really sorry. I am in the wrong for scaring you…. But, I have my own reasons. Please, Eco! Please tell me for the sake of our friendship!”

Silvia was forcing out an answer from Eco.

“…Eco?”

Eco did not reply. Just as Silvia became confused, Eco was surrounded by a glowing light.

“Hey, Eco! What’s wrong?”

Eco still did not reply. Right now, Eco was like a doll, showing no expression.

Even her eyes seemed to be reflecting nothing.

“Urgh…!”

The next instant, Silvia was being blasted of by a strong wind.

“Princess-sama!”

Followed by Ash’s shout, Silvia’s back bang against the wall. She almost couldn’t breathe because of it.

===Part 9===
“Princess-sama!”

Just when Ash was trying to help Silvia out, Cosette arrived.

“I will take care of Princess-sama. Ash-sama, go help Eco-chan! This is no laughing matter!”

Cosette’s voice seemed to be more serious and nervous than usual.

“Understood!”

Ash ran straight towards Eco.

His Seikoku started to hurt.

He remembered that feeling.

He had the similar feeling when Eco was awaken in the capital, Fontaine.

Although the pain was not as strong as that time, Ash knew that this was the sign before her transformation into a dragon.

Eco stood up slowly with the cute stuffed toy dropping on the floor.

Strictly speaking, she was not standing.

There was a gap in between her feet and the floor.

She was actually floating…!

Her limbs were now surrounded by the mysterious light that was so bright that they could not look at it directly.

However, Ash continued to move forward.

“Stop, Eco! If you are to be awaken here…”

In the worst possible case, this Epona House will be destroyed. No, it could even be related to the city’s survivability…

Eco had long been labeled as an element of danger by many countries’s government. The reason why Mirabel was sent to become the academy’s director was to keep an eye on Eco.

''If she is to transform into a dragon right now…!''

Ash moved forward without giving any thought and hugged Eco.

A huge amount of magic was flowing out from her tiny body. If he had been careless, he would even be swallowed by the magic and lost consciousnesss.

Ash shouted with all his might into Eco’s ears.

“Get a grip of yourself! I…I like the way you are now! It is okay if you just stay as you are! You don’t have to force yourself to change into your true self!”

It seems that Ash’s words had gotten through and the magic that was surrounding Eco had disappeared. Even the lights were no longer there. Ash’s Seikoku too had stopped responding.

“We are saved…”

Ash breathe a sigh of relieves.

“…Huh?”

Eco blinked her eyes in surprise and murmured.

“What had I done…? Why are you…?”

Realizing that she was in Ash’s arms, Eco leaped off from Ash’s arms with her face red in embarrassment.

===Part 10===
“I am sorry for what had happened just now. I-I never thought that you were so much against it…. No I shouldn’t make any excuses. A knight must admit his own faults. I deeply apologize!”

After the group had sat on a dining table in the living room, Silvia apologized to Eco sincerely.

“Hmph… I guess this should be sufficient.”

Silvia’s eagerness to apologize by bowing her head had started to confuse Eco. Even though she still continued to puff up her checks in protest, but at least she had accepted Silvia’s apology. Ash who noticed it breathe a sigh of relieves.

“…Since everything had been settled, please allow me to ask. How did that stuffed toy came into your possession?”

Silvia’s words had cause Eco to be enraged again.

“Ha!? You….. Just apologize and yet you still want to ask!?”

“I apologize for resolving this matter by force. I promise that this time, I won’t try questioning you by force. But in return, I will keep on asking until you answer me. Remember, I will keep on asking.”

Silvia was quite stubborn. She even smiled towards Eco with her face full of confidence.

“I can’t believe it…”

Eco sighed.

“Sorry, Eco-chan.”

At that moment, Cosette returned from the kitchen with a silver tray full of snacks and tea.

“That toy that Eco-chan was holding right now… It probably belongs to Princess-sama a long time ago.”

“How can it be…?”

Whilst she was surprised, Eco took a bite on the vanilla flavoured crepe that Cosette handed to her. If it was the usual Eco, she would definitely shout out ‘Delicious!’ on the first bite, but right now, she was with a serious looks. As expected, even Eco couldn’t enjoy her favorite food properly.

“What Cosette said is true. That toy is definitely an important thing to me during my childhood.”

Silvia spoke calmly as if she was trying to teach a child who knew nothing.

“Ha!? That’s impossible! I understand none of these!”

Eco placed her half eaten crepe back on her plate. Ash was surprised that she prioritized the argument before her crepe.

“I knew it the moment I saw it. There is only one of this stuffed toy in the whole world. It is a very important toy.”

“How can you have such confidence!?”

“You don’t even know the worth of that toy. Anyone who knows its worth would recognize it on their first sight.”

“Arrrrrggh! That explanation is totally unacceptable!”

''Eco was once again in rage, but at least Silvia knew her limit. Thanks to that, the atmosphere did not turn out to be any worst than this…'' Ash secretly thought.

“Come on you two…”

Cosette was obviously not at all troubled. She seems to be enjoying this.

“Haa… It seems like I don’t have a choice.”

Ash sighed.

“Please listen carefully, Princess-sama. That stuffed toy was in my closet. I gave it to Eco since she seems to like it.”

“Hey! Why did you tell that to her!?”

Eco was scolding Ash with her face red.

“What else can I do? If I leave it to both of you, the same thing will continue onwards again and again.”

“I… want this to be a secret between the both of us.”

Eco’s mumbling caught Ash’s attention.

“What did you say?”

“N-Nothing! I don’t even know you!”

Eco averted her face in anger. ''Why must she get angry...?'' Ash wondered.

On the other hand, Silvia was staring at Ash.

“Ash… you said that this toy was in your closet?”

“That seems to be the case.”

Ash shrugged his shoulders.

“Actually, I am not really clear about it. Believe me or not, there was a blank in my memories… I don’t even know how it came into my possession. I don’t even know about its worth if not because of Cosette.”

Silvia was staring at Ash so intently almost as if she was going to pierce a hole in his forehead. She then asked a weird question.

“When is your birthday?”

“Huh? The third on the month of Aries… What about that?”

After Ash answered honestly, Cosette spoke in surprise:

“Oh, what a coincidence. It seems that Princess-sama was also born in the month of Aries. By the way, hers is in the seventh.”

“Hmm… That’s the first time I had heard of it.”

“Huhu… So Ash-sama is the bigger brother by four days.”

“T-That… isn’t it…”

“Ash!”

Silvia suddenly leaned against him. Ash could see her breast that was covered by the thin cloth of the summer clothes.

“Princess-sama?”

“Even though this may seems abrupt, but do you still remember the date you went for the Orphan Ceremony?”

“Err… I don’t really remember about the details, but it shouldn’t be far away from my seventh birthday. Since my hometown was at a far away village, I started my journey when I was still six. I remembered that I had my seventh birthday in a horse carriage.”

Once they reach the age of seven, every citizen of the Knight Country must visit Albion Forest.

For Ash, if he had departed after his seventh birthday, he would never be able to arrive at Albion Forest in a month time.

“By the way, does the date I went for the Orphan Ceremony matters?”

“…No, Nothing. I have something that I want to discuss with Cosette. Please stay here for the moment.”

Silvia suddenly stood up and dragged Cosette by the hand with her.

“What a weird Princess.”

Ash took a drink from the cup of red tea.

===Part 11===
After Silvia entered the makeup room, with an ‘Ahem’, she cleared her throat.

“What do you want to talk about, Princess-sama?”

“About that…”

“It doesn’t seem like something easy.”

Since she had been with Silvia for quite some time, Cosette immediately knew what she was thinking.

“Aah… That’s right.”

“I will do everything you tell me to if it is in my ability to do so. If the situation required, I could even be Princess-sama’s limbs or even your shield… That’s my duty.”

Silvia made up her mind and told her wish.

“Actually, I want you to return to the palace and investigate the name list of the children who went to the orphan ceremony at the same day as me. This should be an easy one for you, no?”

However, Cosette told Silvia something out of her imagination.

“The records of the Orphan Ceremony is the country’s top secret. Even if you are a Princess, you will be breaching the law by trying to investigate it.”

“Then, your duty would be to avoid it. Please, I could only put my hopes on you. With your ability, reading top secret documents should not be a problem, right?”

“That doesn’t sound nice, Princess-sama. The ability that I only knew of was an ancient technique that was passed down in the Shelly’s family and some spying technique. All of them were used to protect the Lautreamont family.”

“I understand that, but…!”

Silvia grabbed her shoulders and looked at Cosette with her puppy eyes.

“Of course I will do it if this is your order. But, what will you do if Ash-sama is really that boy?”

Silvia’s face almost burst out in flames.

“I-I just want to know about it! That’s right, I only want to know about the truth!”

Cosette gave a wry smile.

“Hmm… Putting that aside, during the time when I am not in, when the night comes and Eco had slept, aren’t '''the two of you''' alone together?”

“When the night comes…. The two of us…!?”

This time, steam emerged from her ears. Her heart was beating none stop.

“W-W-What are you talking about! Don’t you have any shame! How shameless! I…I believe that Ash was not someone insolence! That is why there is no point behind your question!”

Silvia snapped and Cosette nodded.

“I too had the same feeling.”

“Then why bother asking!”

Cosette smiled and took out something. It was a stack of paper held together by a paper clip.

“What’s that?”

“Huhu… A copy of ‘Shelley family’s secret. A recipe to make men dream’. Although I want to use it during this summer to teach Princess-sama some cooking… But this is a good chance to try it. Although Princess-sama don’t have any actual experience, but isn't this a good chance to show your cooking skills to Ash-sama?”

Silvia felt as if her body was on fire.

“Hold on! W-W-Why must I show Ash my cooking skills?”

“If I am not mistaken, The Lautreamont Family Motto did mention that ‘to shoot a general you must first shoot his horse’, am I right?”

“What does it had to do with this?”

“In the Shelley’s Family Motto, there is something like this: ‘To get the man you like, you must first fill his stomach’.”

“What kind of family motto is that!?”

“Huhu… When Ash-sama’s stomach is empty, and Princess-sama gave him your homemade cooking, he would surely fall for you.”

“…Fall for me!?”

Cosette was like a devil whispering into Silvia’s ears.

“When a Princess who doesn’t look like she knew any cooking made a meal, which man wouldn’t be moved by it?”

“Cut the crap! I never want Ash to take notice of me! Never! I-It's just that I had some interest in cooking since a long time ago. I will accept your offer because of this.”

Cosette handed her the recipe while smiling.
[[Image:SnRK v05 096.jpg|thumb]]

“Now, I had received my orders from Princess-sama and I will depart from Ansarivan immediately.”

“Huh? Immediately?”

“It is better if we act quickly, Princess-sama.”

Cosette lifted the both sides of her skirt slightly and bowed gracefully.

Suddenly, like a mist, Cosette disappeared from Silvia’s sight like a magician.

“H-Hey! Cosette? … Do you really want to depart at this moment?”

Silvia became worried when she heard no reply.

“Please hold on, Cosette! You should allow me to have some mental preparation before…!”

Silvia looked around the room with tears in her eyes. It looks like Cosette had really departed.

“Tsk… She never takes me seriously!”

After Silvia mumbled in regrets, she took a long hard look at the recipe given to her.

"The Stuffed Toy Dragon~A.S.B.1365.8~" is closed.

<noinclude>

==References and Translation Notes==
<references />

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|-
| Back to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Prologue|Prologue]]
| Return to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 1

2014-08-08T05:13:29Z

Valthan: /* Part 6 */

==Chapter 1 - Tragedy of Apollo house and Mirabel's decision==
===Part 1===
''-Don! Don…! Don!''

The sun had just risen but Ash who spent a sleepless night was woken up by a loud knocking sound.

“What in the world…?”

He took that silver watch by his pillow side and noticed that it was just half past six.

After he angrily took a look at the window, he became wide awake.

“Uwaa…!”

There was a huge eye looking through the gaps of the curtain.

It was actually a dragon who was banging its nose against the window.

''-Don! Don… Dododododo!”''

He was worried that it may break the glass.

“Why is a dragon coming to my room!? Could it be another Necromancia attack!?”

So the Empire had finally shown their true colours and started attacking? Ash tried to leave the bed but he was stopped.

“Zzz…”

Eco rolled over and hugged Ash.

Her hair was all over his shoulders and her arms were around his back.

And also her soft face that was on his chest…

''-Mmm…''

Ash was shocked by her sudden nibble.

“Hey, Eco… Please don’t bite that spot.”

Recently, her habit of nibbling had gotten less but she still had not gotten rid of her habit of a young dragon. Moreover, she was nibbling on Ash’s sensitive spot which troubled him.

At that moment, there was a crack on the window.

“This is bad… It is not the right moment to let her continue nibbling.”

Ash carried Eco and they left the bed together. The next thing he knew, the glass was smashed into pieces.

He managed to avoid the glass fragments at the last moment.

At the same time, there were two dragons that were trying to squeeze their heads through the window. Their hard scales protect them from the sharp glass.

By taking a closer look, Ash noticed that one of them was a Maestro while the other was a Hydra. After knowing that he was not attacked by a Necromancia, Ash breathe a sigh of relieve.

“Morning, Ash!”

“Good morning, Ash-sama!”

Finally, he could see the faces of the two riders.

They were the student council secretary Lucca and Jessica of the general affairs. Right beside them were Maestro Gawain and Rhiannon the Hydra.

Ash started to protest after he placed Eco who was still sleeping on the bed.

“Lucca! Jessica! What in the world are both of you doing!?”

Since the time Ash saved Gawain who was in danger of dying, Lucca had become emotionally attached to Ash. In the dragon riding academy, most of the girls are the more aggressive type, it was kind of rare to see someone as quiet as Lucca. The beauty that only an Eckbald possessed was out of this world.

Ash was a little surprised to see Lucca acting rashly. Perhaps she was influenced by Jessica.

“Ash… I hoped that you would come with me to the Eckbald village. I want to introduce you to the village chief, my otou-sama.” <ref>In the raw version, Lucca called her father otou-sama, but the kanji written was foster father.</ref>

Her usual emotionless face had always given Ash a heck lot of trouble.

“Hold on! W-Why must you mention about the chief!?”

“P-Please don’t ask anymore than this.”

Lucca was suddenly blushing.

This time, it was Jessica who pushed Lucca to aside.

Jessica who was usually eyeing at Ash’s sperm, though her actions had always been eccentric, she was still undoubtably one of the few beauties of the academy.

“Ash-sama, I have a request!”

“Hey, wait a minute! This is the third floor! How did a hydra get here…?”

“Well. Climbing wall is not a problem for my Rhiannon.”

“Can’t you sympathize your Pal a little!”

Ash pitied her Pal. Although a Hydra may still be able to move on land, but only when they are in the water they are able to show their true skills. It shouldn’t be its own intention to walk on land. Let alone climbing the walls of the student’s dormitory, which doesn’t seem to fit the actions of a proud dragon.

“Putting that aside, Ash-sama! I am about to leave Ansarivan. What about you? Do you have any plans of returning?”

“Now I remember… today is the start of the holiday.”

-The first day of the month of Leo.

It was the first day of the holidays for Ansarivan Dragon Riding Academy. Since it was a boarding school, most of the student will return to their hometown.

Of course, not all of the students were going back home. There were also a small amount of students that were forced to stay in for the holidays for certain reasons.

Ash was one of them.

“Nope, I am not going home.”

After hearing, Jessica’s facial expression changes.

“What! If that’s the case, I too will stay back here!”

“Uuh… If I don’t return soon… I will be scolded by my otou-sama.”

Compare to Jessica who was in high spirit, Lucca looks sad. Lucca who carry the hopes of all Eckbald with her probably doesn’t have as much freedom as Jessica has.

“Sorry to disappoint you Jessica, but you must return with me.”
[[Image:SnRK v05 044.jpg|thumb]]

Suddenly, there was another voice.

“Rebecca-san!”

Ash shouted.

There was a sweet smell from her red hair being blown by the winds. She looks like a war maiden in the legends when she was riding on Cú Chulainn.

“Sorry for the trouble that this stupid girl from my house had given you. The Randall family will cover the fees for mending the window. The servants fault is also the master’s fault.”

“Now that you mention it… I remember that Jessica was a servant in the Randall family.”

“Just that since she became a Breeder, she had forgotten about her place.”

Rebecca sighed.

“Hmph! Could you stop calling me that? I don’t have the intention of serving the Randall family for my whole life!”

“I never thought of that. You are my important childhood friend. Also, your parents had asked me to take good care of you. That is why I have my duty to bring you back to meet your parents.”

Although her lips were smiling, there was not even a hint of smile in Rebecca’s eyes. After Jessica saw Rebecca’s determination, her elbows dropped in disappointment.

“Haa… I understand. However… I want Ash-sama to see me off!”

Ash gave a wry smile.

“I think that should be alright.”

The moment he answered, Jessica was once again with a big smile. But, she was then blushing and started to mumble.

“T-Then… According to my hometown’s custom…. There should be a parting k-kiss….”

“Hey! Jessica! When does our hometown have such a custom?”

Rebecca exposed Jessica’s lie with a wry smile.

“Hmph! Rebecca! Don’t you know how to look at the atmosphere?”

“I-I too would like you to see me off…”

While Jessica was in rage, Lucca shyly told Ash her wish.

“Of course.”

“T-Then… According to the Eckbald custom…. I want you to give me a princess carry.”

Ash’s heart skipped a beat when he first saw Lucca’s blushing face.

“A-A princess carry!”

Ash was in a fix but Jessica shouted at Lucca:

“Hey! What are you trying to do in this mess! That must be a lie!?”

“Uuh…”

While Lucca turned speechless, the noise that Jessica made had spread throughout the school.

“Hey, can you believe it! The president and Jessica were making a night visit! And the other person… Could she be Lucca Sarlinen the genius girl from the basic class!?”

Suddenly, a huge number of students were gathering outside of the Apollo House. It was something for three girls to be standing on their dragons beside a window of a boy’s dormitory.

To say nothing of Rebecca Randall who was the most popular person in the entire academy, Jessica was also one of the centers of attentions and let alone Lucca with her Yōsei like looks and her skills as a Dragner.

“I-I am just here to have Ash-sama see me off! Nothing else!”

Jessica tried to settle the misunderstanding by shouting towards the direction of the school.

“Hmm! By saying Ash-kun you mean… The Ash-kun who was knighted yesterday!?”

“The knighting ceremony was awesome!”

“I also want him to see me off!”

Right now all the girls were speaking with s shrill voice.

Rebecca gave him a bitter smile while she was enjoying all of this.

“Seems like your popularity had sky rocketed after you became a Dragner.”

“The situation outside… Somehow, it looks frightening.”

“Yeah. I just saw around thirty dragons flying towards this window.”

Rebecca told him the unthinkable news with a calm face.

“Huh!?”

“Sorry, Ash. Though I have many reasons to help you… But if I show my true skills, the girls would suffer some grave injuries.”

“Hol-! Don’t leave me!”

“You should try to solve your own problem if you are a Dragner. Also… If it is alright, I would also want you to see me off.”

“…Eh?”

Unfortunately, Ash was not able to catch everything Rebecca said. Her voice disappeared behind the loud noise from Cú Chulainn flapping its wings.

“Good luck, Ash.”

Lucca too had reluctantly flew off with Gawain.

Right after that, the Apollo House faced a terrible attack.

“Ash-kun! Please see me off!”

“Ash-kun, you might as well come to my home town with me…!”

“Hey! Don’t cut the queue!”

Most of the girls returning were riders of stradas. They were like bats gathering together for food at the window.

But of course it was impossible for thirty riders of stradas to squeeze into the window at the same time.

Soon, they started pushing around.

“P-Please be patient! Calm down! Please calm down!”

Ash was panicking.

Every single roar from the Strada was enough to shake up this entire old building.

“Hey!...How dare you! Ash-sama is my important- Nooooooo!”

Unlike Rebecca or Lucca, Jessica who stayed until the end was finally pushed off the wall together with Rhiannon.

“W-What should I do?”

Ash retreated until his back was facing the wall while he was watching the girls fighting for a spot.

At that moment, Eco who had rolled herself into a ball while she was sleeping had woken up and was rubbing her eyes.

“Hmmm…. What’s all the noise about?”

“You ! How can you still think of sleeping!”

Eco was looking around in confusion. It seems that she wasn’t fully awake yet and wasn’t able to think properly.

Ash shouted with all his might towards the window.

“I beg you! Could you please not make a mess in front of someone else’s window! I promise to see off every single one of you!”

Too bad for him, his voice was not received by them.

Suddenly, Ash had a bad feeling.

“I couldn’t be…”

His entire body was shivering in fear. Since some time ago, the wall facing the outside was creaking. It appears that the Stradas were putting pressure on it.

“It is dangerous to stay here! Lets run Eco!”

“Huh…! Could you care to explain!”

“Later!”

Ash was running with Eco on his hands.

He ran out through the door and out to the corridor.

Just when he was sliding along the floor…

''-Creak…! Eeeeekkkk……. !Do--------------n!''

The next moment, there was a loud explosion.

Ash cautiously took a peek through the cracks on the door while trembling. All he sees was dust flying around and even the corridor was affected.

''“*Cough *!*Cough *!”''

While covering up Eco who was coughing, Ash waited until the dust had settled down.

Just moments later-

After the dust had cleared up, what Ash saw was a clear sky.

The morning rays were shining at the disastrous room.

The wreckage of the wall was all over his room. It was a painful sight.

Right now, with the wall that was facing the academy and the window destroyed, his room looked like a doll house that can be seen from the outside.

“Err… Eco, am I dreaming?”

“I think so?”

Ash and Eco were looking at the room with their mouths wide open.

===Part 2===
Ash was brought to the director’s office on the first day of the holiday.

As for those girls who were the culprit, it seems that they had ran back home as soon as possible. That is why Ash who was the victim was summoned.

“I see… Now I understand what had happened.”

Mirabel who was acting as the director replied coldly and drank from her cup of tea.

The room was full of the smells of bergamot and the tea.

Just like a robot, Mirabel’s face was emotionless the entire time. ''Does this princess even have the thing known as feelings…?'' Ash thought.

“The academy will take responsibility for mending the wall. Just some time before, I had asked the builders of this city and they estimated that they will be able to complete it in around two weeks time.”

“Really…! Thank you very much!”

Ash was grateful that she was able to deal with this situation without delay.

“The problem is… During the renovation, where am I to place you and Eco.”

“I see…”

“Can you borrow a room from any of your friends?”

“I don’t think that would be possible…”

Unfortunately, Max and Raymond had gone home. For Ash who doesn’t have many friends, these were the’ only two friends that he could rely on. Although there was an option of using it without asking for their permissions, but Ash couldn’t bring himself to do it.

''-Bang!''

The door behind him was opened with a slam.

The next time he knew, Silvia and Eco was right beside him.

“How much longer are the two of you going to keep on talking!? Can’t you just give us a new room!”

Eco was pointing at Mirabel in anger.

“Anee-ue! Why do you call for Ash! That incident was caused by a few girls! It had nothing to do with Ash! Aren’t you treating him like the culprit!?”

Silvia on the other hand was trying to speak up for Ash.

“Where are your manners? Don’t you know that it is rude to walk into a room without knocking? You won’t be given special treatment even if you are the descendant of the Avalon Holy Dragons Emperor’s family or my sister. “

Mirabel glared at both of them coldly.

“I am sorry… Anee-ue.”

Silvia stood still on her ground as if she had turned into a stone.

On the other hand, Eco was trying to intimidate Mirabel by showing her sharp teeth.

“Hey you!... How dare you act like that even when you know that I am Avalon’s holy dragons' emperor family's Imperial Princess! Why don’t I try crushing the castle the next time? If I show you my true self, one or two Fontaine Place won’t…”

“Idiot! Stop spurting nonsense!”

Ash’s face was pale white when he was scolding Eco.

Since that incident, the Knight’s government took Eco as a threat. As long as there is the possibility that Mirabel was here to keep an eye on Eco, they have to be careful with their own words.

But to his surprise, Eco calm down with just a single shout.

She turned her head around with her face blushing.

“I-I will listen to you… Just this time.”

Ash was taken aback from seeing Eco making such an expression for the first time. Just as he had expected, it was that transformation that had made a change of her heart. Although the gentle Eco looked a lot cuter, at the same time, it was also a little confusing.

“Ahem!”

Mirabel tried clearing her throat, returning everyone’s attention back to her.

“Silvia, you came at the right moment. Right now you are staying in the royal room in the Epona House right?”

“…What about it?”

Silvia was surprised.

“Until the renovation in the boy’s dormitory had been completed, Ash Blake and young dragon Eco will stay in your room for the time being.”

“What!”

“I won’t repeat for a second time. This is an order from your sister. You are not allowed to have any objections.”

Naturally, Silva was enraged.

“What do you mean by this! This is against our family motto where ‘A knight shouldn’t carelessly touch another of the opposite sex’!”

“Hmm… Funny but I remember that I said to let Ash Blake and young dragon Eco stay in your room. When did I ever mention about touching Ash?”

“T-That…!”

Right at this moment, even Silvia’s earlobes were red.

“Right now, if I were to mention the family motto that you love so much, ‘A knight should help those who are in need’. Am I wrong?”

After she replied coldly, Mirabel looked like she had lost interest in the case regarding Ash. She kept on looking at the tea cup on her hand.

“I am done with you- What a pain, now a good cup of tea had turned cold.”

===Part 3===
Rebecca and Jessica had returned to the land ruled by the Randalls.

Lucca on the other hand had returned to her village.

After seeing them off, Ash and Eco once again returned to his room on the third floor of the Apollo House.

They once again looked at the disastrous room.

A bed full of glass fragments.

A floor full with the remains of the wall.

And the disorganized furniture.

With the wall gone, the room became bright and windy. Looking down from above was a few curious onlookers. When their eyes came into contact with Ash’s, everyone scattered.

“Haa… First of all, I think we should try cleaning up a little. It is better to make it look a little more cheerful before the renovation starts.”

Turning around, Ash noticed that Eco was sulking.

“What’s wrong, Eco?”

“Hey. Do you really want to stay in Silvia’s room?”

“It is not like I have a choice. It was an order from Princess Mirabel. It seems that even Princess-sama did not dare to go against her.”

“I… I hate it.”

“What’s the matter? You don’t look like your usual self. Well, if we stay at Princess-sama’s room, we may be able to eat Cosette’s delicious homemade cooking.”

“That’s not the point! And also, I am not someone who thinks about food for an entire day!”

Eco's face was red with anger and embarrassment.

“Is it… Sorry then.”

“It is fine if you understand. Anyway, just if you try to do something weird to Silvia… I will be sure to crush you!”

Eco was glaring at Ash.

“What do you mean by something weird!?”

With her ears fully red, Eco told Ash embarrassedly:

“T-To make it simple…. It is those perverted stuffs.”

“W-What are you even thinking!”

Ash stood still on his ground. He never expected Eco to speak of such a word. It kind of surprised him.

“Even I knew about those stuffs… Don’t look down on me just because I am a young dragon.”

“Could the source of information be…. The Dragweiss?”

“…Some of them were from there, but most of them were from the picture books that Cosette lent me.”

“Hold on! Are they really… Just picture books!?”

In order to teach her the importance of aesthetic sensibility, Cosette had lent her picture books and books for children. For that, Ash was grateful for Cosette.

However, there was a possibility that she mixed some books with adult content in them into the pile of picture books she had given to Eco.

“Anyhow, she is still this country’s princess. What you are worrying about will never happen, rest assured.”

''In the worst possible case, I will be beheaded…'' Ash thought secretly.

“A-Alright… I understand.”

Once again, Eco was smiling and she looked at the room around her.

“Then… What can I do to help you?”

“You are trying to help?”

“What? Is it weird for me to help?”

“Definitely not weird, but rare. Ain’t it always me who complete the house work?”

“A-About that… It doesn’t seem like I have a choice. I am a dragon. I don’t really understand how a human acts. But… I just feel like helping for today… Can’t I!?”

Eco puffed up her rosy coloured cheeks and stared at Ash.

“Why not? I even want to thank you.”

Ash gave a wry smile and tried to pat her head.

But, Eco immediately dodge to a side.

“No! You mustn’t touch!”

“Sorry… I didn't know that you dislike it this much.”

“N-No! It is okay it you are just patting, but you mustn’t touch my horns. If they were just slightly touched, I… will turn weird. I felt like floating in the air when they were touched...”

Ash could calm down after seeing Eco’s face when she tried to explain her feelings.

“I understand. I promise I won’t touch your horns.”

Ash carefully patted Eco’s head.

Her pink hair was fluffy and it gave his palm a nice feeling.

“Nn…”

Even when she was a dragon, Eco was smiling and shrugging her neck like what a cat would do.

Her innocent smile had grabbed Ash’s attention.

To be precise, it was her flower bud like lips.

His heart was beating rapidly.

This was actually the second time he had such a feeling.

The first time was when Eco said that she won’t be satisfied with just being a Pal in the guest room in Fontaine Palace.

“…”

Eco probably felt the change in the atmosphere too and her body suddenly tense up. Perhaps she too was also thinking about the scenario in the Fontaine Palace.

In a short while, just like that time, Eco closes her eyes.

She also tried to purse her lips.

Ash also noticed that her long eyelashes were also trembling.

''-Eco…!''
[[Image:SnRK v05 060.jpg|thumb]]

He suddenly remembered the word ‘beloved Pal’ in the knighting ceremony.

During that time, Ash was only saying the standard pledge.

But this was totally different.

His feeling of love to Eco was born from deep in his heart. A feeling that could be explained using something as simple as the relation of a Breeder and its Pal had grown.

Right now, they don’t need any words.

Ash placed both his hands on Eco’s shoulders and he closes their distance slowly.

A sweet smell was surrounding them which made him dizzy.

Right now, he felt as if his heart was going to explode.

They were now at a distance where their nose could easily touch each other.

Eco felt like being pierced through by the sunlight while she was waiting for Ash.

Ash made up his mind and closed his eyes.

And then- he kissed Eco on her lips.

===Part 4===
“~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~!”

Since their kiss, Eco had been working silently with her back facing Ash the entire time.

It seemed that she was too embarrassed to even look at Ash in the face.

And of course, it was the same for Ash.

Ash felt as if his face was a ball of fire.

Although the two of them at a first glance seemed to be dusting the room, there was actually zero progress. What they were doing was only messing up the already messed up room.

''-What should I do? What should I say at times like this?''

Just when Ash was anxious in trying to find the right words…

“Uwaaa…! Cute!”

Eco turned around and showed Ash a round object.

“Isn’t this cute? Where did you find this stuffed toy?”

At that moment, Ash felt something was pricking at the back of his neck. It made him wonder what it was.

The stuffed toy that Eco was holding seems to be a dragon. Strictly speaking, its face was clumsily done.

Furthermore, it's round body made it looks nothing like a majestic dragon.

However, Eco seemed to take it as cute, and it made her forget about what had just happened previously.

“Err… Actually I don’t remember much about that when it came into my possession. No matter how I look at it, looked just like a girl’s toy. It is probably not me who bought it.”

It was thanks to the toy that Ash was once again able to speak to Eco normally.

“Hmm… Strange.”

Eco was carrying the stuffed toy while she whipped off the dust on it.

“Hmm… When I move to Ansarivan, I just took it with me without any reason. Perhaps there is a great meaning behind it was what I thought. Actually… There is a blank in my childhood memory.”

“… A blank in your memories?”

Eco was surprised.

“Aah. It was right about when I had my seventh birthday when I visited Albion Forest for the Orphan Ceremony. I just can’t recall my memories during that time.”

“Isn’t that… The time when Mother Dragon bestowed me to you?”

“It seems so.”

“How come you can’t remember such an important event?”

Ash shrunk when he saw Eco start to get mad. Just like how they were finally able to speak normally, Eco’s temper had also returned.

“To be frank, I know nothing of it myself. It was just that I had a hunch that this toy had something to do with my lost memories and that’s the reason why I was reluctant to throw it away. However, because of the recent events, I totally forgot about it.”

“Then, can I keep it?”

Ash was taken by surprised.

“What do you mean by keeping it?”

“It is just like what I had said. Don’t you think it is sad for such a cute being to be left forgotten? I will take the trouble to take care of this kid.”

“How can you take care of it when it isn’t even a living being? Argh, whatever suits you then.”

“Really!?”

Eco was full of excitement.

“Well, I don’t really mind.”

“That's great!”

Eco was so happy that she felt that she could even fly. She then rubbed the stuffed toy with her cheeks.

Followed by that, she cuddled it like what a mother would do to her baby.

Suddenly, she spoke of something that surprised Ash.

“This somehow looked like our baby…”

Eco suddenly stopped speaking before she could even finish her sentence. She the glared at Ash with eyes looking as if they were on fire.

“You heard anything?”

“No, nothing at all.”

Ash spoke with a serious look on his face.

“T-That’s right! N-Nothing happened! Nothing happened at all!”

As if her head was exploding in flames, Eco carried the toy and dashed out from the room.

“Actually, I heard every single word…”

Just as Ash was murmuring with his body also feeling as it was engulfed by fire…

“Sorry to interrupt, Ash-sama.”

Suddenly, there was a woman’s voice coming from behind.

“Uwaa!”

He noticed that it was Cosette after he turned around. She seemed to be wearing the same palace design maid attire today. She then gave a polite bow.

“Cosette-san! How did you get in?”

“To enter such an airy room is like a child’s play to me.”

Cosette smiled before she turned around to look at the blue sky.

“That couldn’t be… This is the third floor! Putting that aside, why are you here?”

“I am here to meet you and Eco-chan. Had you forgotten about Princess Mirabel, Her Highness’s decision?”

Of course, it was impossible for him to forget about it to begin with. However, he still felt a little reluctant.

“Actually, can’t we reconsider about this? Putting Eco aside, don’t you think that it is wrong for a guy like me to enter Epona House where guys are not allowed?”

“For your own sake, I would advise you to follow her decision. Do you know what Princes Mirabel was also known as?”

“No… Nothing comes to mind at all.”

“Her nick name is actually Argento Magus. If we can describe Princess Veronica as a fighter, then Princess Mirabel is a thinker. Compare to Veronica, there were certain things that would made Mirabel a tougher opponent. Please be sure to be prepared mentally, Ash-sama.”

Ash sighed after he heard everything.

“…I understand. Please let me take some belongings like my pillow and clothes with me…”

“Alright then, meanwhile, I will try searching for Eco.”

Eco had not yet return since the moment she ran out from the room.

“Thank you. I think she should be somewhere around the dorm.”

“Huhu. That will be a simple task.”

Cosette ran towards the door nimbly while avoiding the disorganized furniture, but then she suddenly stopped and turned around to face Ash.

“By the way, Ash-sama.”

“What’s the matter?”

When Ash lifted his face, he saw Cosette’s face full of red. Ash was staring at her since it was rare to see her who was always calm to be blushing.

Although she always stayed hidden behind Silvia’s shadow, she actually looked quite beautiful.

With her right hand on her cheeks, she sighed.

Then she said something outrageous.

“Ash-sama and Eco-chan’s kiss looked very innocent indeed.”

“Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

This time, it was Ash’s turn to be blushing.

“D-Don’t, Don’t tell me that you saw everything!?”

“It totally felt like an opera show. You looked so cute when you kiss without even needing any words to understand each other. My god, isn’t that wonderful? Didn't Eco-chan also look cute when she was waiting to receive your kiss?”

“I beg you, please stop saying anymore than this! It is embarrassing!”

Right now, Ash felt like he was sitting on a mountain of needles.

Cosette, too, had also seemed to realize that she over did it, and replied with a playful smile.

“Rest assured, I won’t tell Princess-sama any of this.”

“How is Princeass-sama related to this!?”

“Hmm… I wonder… Huhu…”

Cosette left the room with her sentence ending with her laughter.

===Part 5===
The moment Ash finished gathering all his basic daily needs, Cosette was back with Eco. Together, the three of them marched towards Epona House.

Although it was around evening, the sun was still high up in the sky.

After passing through a grove of mixed trees, they were welcomed by a stern looking gate.

Even the cicada had stopped making noise.

Although they were just walking, they were all full of sweat.

By taking a peek beside, Eco looked as if she was suffering from the heat of the high summer temperature. She looked like a Hydra who was looking for water on dry land.

Compared to Ash, Eco was only carrying her stuffed toy.

On the other hand, Cosette didn’t even break a sweat.

“We have arrived.”

She turned around and smiled at both Ash and Eco.

Through the gate, they could see a garden that was separated into two halves by the walkway. It must have been well tended by a good gardener. Even Ash who doesn’t have any interest in gardening was amazed by it.

At the back of the garden stood an elegant looking building.

That was Epona House, the dormitory for advance class girls.

“We have finally arrived…”

Ash placed his baggage which was full of daily needs and clothing on the ground.

''How long does it actually take to walk here from Apollo House…'' Ash couldn’t be bothered to even think about it.

This dragon riding academy where human and dragons coexist had a very large land area.

In it, there were numerous classes, a church, a lecture hall, a library, a canteen, seven dragon houses, four dormitories, a sports ground… It even included an arena that was used during events.

Although there was the shopping district and the housing are beyond the school walls, compared to the size of the academy, they just looked like extras. That's the reason why Ansarivan was called an academic city.

Putting that aside, the distance between the boys dormitory and the girls dormitory must had been arranged on purpose by the academy.

“Please enter.”

Cosette pushed open the heavy looking gate and welcomed both of them in.

===Part 6===
On the top most floor of Epona House was the room of royal use.

It looked like a high class hotel suite and it even had a large space.

Apart from a heater in the living room, there was also a dining room, a study room, bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, etc. In a room that has everything, it looked as if it was another world compared to the normal student’s room.

Silvia was walking up and down around her room alone, worrying endlessly.

“Argh! What’s wrong with me! Why couldn’t I calm down! Even my family motto stated that ‘Always stay calm, especially in a pinch’!”

Even though she wasn’t even in a pinch, Silvia couldn’t stop worrying. It was about time for Cosette to arrive with Ash and Eco.

“That’s it!”

Silvia stopped in her tracks for a moment and then she dashed into the makeup room and stood in front of a mirror.

She applied a thin layer of makeup on her face.

She tried combing her hair many times.

Her clothings and accessories were chosen by Cosette.

She put on her camisole, a skirt with two layers of frills, her panty socks and a necklace made from bright dragon crystals that acted as jewels.

In front of the mirror, she was just like her usual…. No, she was at least twice as more beautiful than she usually was.

Silvia turned red when she realized how beautiful she was.

“Why would I dress myself up! It is alright by just sticking to what I usually do!”

Ash was about to arrive.

Until the boy’s dormitory was done with its renovation, Ash was going to stay here for two weeks.

Her hearts started to beat rapidly from thinking about it.

“This feeling… It is that same feeling as ''that time…''”

Silvia recalled her memories.

Around the time of her seventh birthday, she met a boy in Albion Forest.

''“Why? Why would I have this feeling of returning to the time when I was seven years old whenever I think about Ash…?”''

Silvia suddenly regained her sense.

“Stop! Stop! Stop! Doesn’t this mean that I am looking forward for him to arrive!? Right… I should change back into my normal clothing…”
[[Image:SnRK v05 006.jpg|thumb|'' ''…!'' Silvia immediately snapped out from the confusion. She just remembered that right now, she was only wearing her undergarments. '']]

Silvia left the makeup room and entered the living room. She swiftly removed all her clothings except for her undergarments. She then walked along the corridor towards the changing room.

Suddenly, the door opened right in front of her eyes.

“Princess-sama, we had returned.”

Cosette walked in with a smile.

“Princess-sama!?”

Ash was standing right behind Cosette with his eyes wide opened. ''Why is his face red? Is it because of the heat?''

“…!”

Silvia immediately snapped out from the confusion. She just remembered that right now, she was only wearing her undergarments.

“Kyaaaaaaaaaaa!”

Silvia ran and hid behind the door while screaming at the top of her voice.

===Part 7===
“Hey you! Just until when are you going to keep on staring!”

“Ouch!”

Ash came back to his sense after he was stomped on the leg by Eco.

Just when he had stepped in through the grand entrance, he was greeted by Silvia in only her undergarments. The white coloured lace will forever be imprinted in his mind.

''By the way, why was Silvia wearing only those?'' No matter how hot the weather can be, it doesn’t suit her image.

“I am going to check on Princess-sama. Could the both of you wait here for a moment, please?”

With a happy smile on her face, Cosette disappeared into the corridor. In just a moment-

“No. This definitely doesn’t look natural.”

“No no. It definitely fits you well.”

“But… Won’t this make me look like I am looking forward to their arrival?”

“Huh? Aren’t you?”

Their entire conversation was heard by Ash.

“Come on! This is a disgrace! How dare they make a dragon wait by the entrance!”

Eco who was standing right beside Ash was in rage. The toy that she had with her which had a carelessly made face was further squashed by Eco’s abnormal strength.

Ash pitied the toy. If this continued to keep on, Ash would probably be the next victim.

“Sorry for the wait.”

Just when Ash was about to be surrounded by his fear, Cosette had returned to the entrance with Silvia who was hiding right behind her.

Ash’s heart skipped a beat when he saw Silvia’s clothing. It gave a completely different feel compare to the school uniform that she usually wears. A lot of her skin was exposed from wearing the camisole. It had totally grabbed his attention.

“Please come in.”

Ash regained his sense after he heard Cosette’s voice.

“S-Sorry for the intrusion.”

In opposite to Ash, Eco was looking around the room with a hint of worry.

“Even so… You are just a Princess of the Royal Knight’s Family and you get to have such a great room?”

Perhaps she was mad from being asked to wait at the entrance, Eco was saying anything that would sooth her anger.

In truth, even Ash was amazed by the room itself. Just the entrance itself is wider than Ash’s room. There were even expensive looking pictures along the wall and carvings of dragons.

“Please don’t be mad. This room was specially made for the royals, it would be natural if Princess-sama is staying here.”

Ash tried to calm her down.

“But, I am also a Princess of the dragons! Why would there be such a large difference in our treatment!?”

“It is not like I want to stay in this room either!”

Silvia tried to speak up for herself even when she was being threatened by Eco.

“I even tried telling the academy to let me have the same treatment as the rest of the students, but they never listen…”

Suddenly, Silvia stood still on her ground. There was not even a slightest movement.

“Princess-sama… What’s wrong? You don’t look good.”

Ash was worried about her but she didn’t reply.

She kept on staring at the stuffed toy that Eco was carrying with her with her ice blue eyes.

Silvia then suddenly leaped towards Eco and grabbed her shoulders.

“Eco! Can you tell me how did that toy fall into your possession?”

Eco became confused.

“I-It has nothing to do with you.”

“Please tell me! This is very important!”

Silvia shouted loudly.

“… I picked it up.”

Eco mumbled when she turned her head to aside. It seemed that she did not want to tell Silvia that it was a gift from Ash. Ash was wondering on why she would be insisting on it.

“You picked it up? When? Where?”

Silvia was being persistent.

“Come on! Why do I need to tell you?”

Eco lost her patience and roared.

“…Why can’t you tell me?”

“T-That’s because… I don’t have the obligation to tell you.”

“Now I see, you are playing dumb… It seems I must resolve to this.”

Suddenly, Silvia leaped towards Eco with both of her hands stretched out.

“Hey!... Don’t joke with me!”

Eco dodge with the toy in her arms.

With the royal room as the stage, the two of them started running around like a bunch of kids. In just a blink of an eye, both of them
disappeared behind a door.

“Err… What is this all about?”

Ash who was left behind turned around and questioned Cosette.

“Cosette-san?”

To his surprised, Cosette too was transfixed on her own spot. It was rare to see her making a face like that.

Cosette then regained her sense after being called out to by Ash and started explaining.

“I just remember about it… I fear that that stuffed toy…. Is an important treasure to Princess-sama during her childhood.”

Ash was surprised by her answer.

“Wait a moment! That shouldn’t be possible! There should be many more stuffed toys with the same design, no?”

Cosette answered calmly.

“No. There ain’t. That toy is the one and only in this world. It was a limited edition item. It was actually made from a famous artist from Chevron Kingdom called Leonard De Mirabeau and was given to the five year old Princess-sama.”

“Really? That clumsily made toy is…”

“That’s not it… Its weird look was actually Mirabeau-sama’s style. Didn’t people usually say that there was only a silver line that separates a genius and a madman? If that stuffed toy was bought to an antique auction… It should be priced at five million Eccles at minimum.”

Cosette told him the shocking truth with s straight face.

“Five million…!”

Ash turned speechless.

His face had turned pale.

''-Five million Eccles!''

Ash couldn’t even imagine that amount of money. He just knew that he won’t be able to finish it by living the rest of his days enjoying life. He never knew that such a treasure was hidden in his closet.

“W-We should try stopping them first!”

Ash started searching for them in the huge room.

===Part 8===
“Finally! You won’t be able to escape!”

Eco who ran into Silvia’s room was now like a rat in the bag. There was only one exit and the windows were too high to jump from since this was the top most floor.

“Tsk… You are being persistent!”

Eco backed off to the wall and like a mother protecting her child, she tried to intimidate Silvia.

For one moment, Silvia was awed by her beauty, but the next instant, she roared:

“You haven’t told me anything yet! I just want to know how this toy came into your possession!”

“Why would you even want to know!?”

“T-That… I had my own reasons! Please, Eco!”

“Hmph… I had mine too. I will never tell you, only you!”

Both of them were glaring at each other without any intention of backing off.

Silvia realized that whatever she said was useless.

“Now you have done it. Although it is not to my liking… I must resolve this by force.”

“What! Who do you think I am! See that if you can do it!”

“Fine with me!”

Silvia leaped forward without mercy.

Although she must avoid Eco’s abnormal strength, Eco’s actions had always been straight forward and were always easy to read.

On the other hand, apart from the Drag Arts, Silvia had mastered many more fighting styles. It is a normal thing to do for someone who was born in the Lautreamont Royal Knight’s Family.

After struggling on the ground like brats, Silvia came out as the winner.

“Now you have been captured!”

Silvia was pressing Eco’s tiny body on the floor and without giving her a chance to fight back, she rode on Eco.

“Tsk… Let me go!”

“Is there any idiot in this world that would move off once they are being asked to?”

The winner had been decided. Even when Eco had her abnormal strength, she could never be able to beat Silvia.

But, there was a reason why Silvia could beat her easily.

Eco had never let go of the stuffed toy even after she was pressed down against the floor. If Eco would just let go of that toy, the fight could still drag on. No, it could even be Silvia who was pressed down against the floor.

“Please, Eco! This is not an order. Although it was not a long time since the day I met you, I always think you as a friend. That is why… Could you please tell me?”

Just when Silvia was begging Eco with a trembling voice…

“Eco! Princess-sama!”

The door opened with a bang and Ash came running in.

Silvia turned around to look at Ash while she was pressing Eco down against the floor.

“Hold on, Ash! I never have the intention to harm Eco! I just want to ask Eco about it… no matter what!”

“But, Princess-sama doesn’t act like the usual you. Even so, Eco is my Pal, I won’t forgive anyone who try to harm her, even if it is Princess-sama.”

After Ash murmured sadly, he showed her his left arm.

Silvia knew that he had his abnormally large Seikoku covered in a bandage.

“Your Seikoku…?”

Silvia was in lost of words.

The Seikoku under the bandage was obviously blinking with glowing lights. That was a signal given when the Pal was in danger.

For example, even though Silvia did not have any intentions of harming Eco, but Eco felt that she was in danger and sent the signal to her owner Ash for help…

“Sorry, Eco… I am really sorry. I am in the wrong for scaring you…. But, I have my own reasons. Please, Eco! Please tell me for the sake of our friendship!”

Silvia was forcing out an answer from Eco.

“…Eco?”

Eco did not reply. Just as Silvia became confused, Eco was surrounded by a glowing light.

“Hey, Eco! What’s wrong?”

Eco still did not reply. Right now, Eco was like a doll, showing no expression.

Even her eyes seemed to be reflecting nothing.

“Urgh…!”

The next instant, Silvia was being blasted of by a strong wind.

“Princess-sama!”

Followed by Ash’s shout, Silvia’s back bang against the wall. She almost couldn’t breathe because of it.

===Part 9===
“Princess-sama!”

Just when Ash was trying to help Silvia out, Cosette arrived.

“I will take care of Princess-sama. Ash-sama, go help Eco-chan! This is no laughing matter!”

Cosette’s voice seemed to be more serious and nervous than usual.

“Understood!”

Ash ran straight towards Eco.

His Seikoku started to hurt.

He remembered that feeling.

He had the similar feeling when Eco was awaken in the capital, Fontaine.

Although the pain was not as strong as that time, Ash knew that this was the sign before her transformation into a dragon.

Eco stood up slowly with the cute stuffed toy dropping on the floor.

Strictly speaking, she was not standing.

There was a gap in between her feet and the floor.

She was actually floating…!

Her limbs were now surrounded by the mysterious light that was so bright that they could not look at it directly.

However, Ash continued to move forward.

“Stop, Eco! If you are to be awaken here…”

In the worst possible case, this Epona House will be destroyed. No, it could even be related to the city’s survivability…

Eco had long been labeled as an element of danger by many countries’s government. The reason why Mirabel was sent to become the academy’s director was to keep an eye on Eco.

''If she is to transform into a dragon right now…!''

Ash moved forward without giving any thought and hugged Eco.

A huge amount of magic was flowing out from her tiny body. If he had been careless, he would even be swallowed by the magic and lost consciousnesss.

Ash shouted with all his might into Eco’s ears.

“Get a grip of yourself! I…I like the way you are now! It is okay if you just stay as you are! You don’t have to force yourself to change into your true self!”

It seems that Ash’s words had gotten through and the magic that was surrounding Eco had disappeared. Even the lights were no longer there. Ash’s Seikoku too had stopped responding.

“We are saved…”

Ash breathe a sigh of relieves.

“…Huh?”

Eco blinked her eyes in surprise and murmured.

“What had I done…? Why are you…?”

Realizing that she was in Ash’s arms, Eco leaped off from Ash’s arms with her face red in embarrassment.

===Part 10===
“I am sorry for what had happened just now. I-I never thought that you were so much against it…. No I shouldn’t make any excuses. A knight must admit his own faults. I deeply apologize!”

After the group had sat on a dining table in the living room, Silvia apologized to Eco sincerely.

“Hmph… I guess this should be sufficient.”

Silvia’s eagerness to apologize by bowing her head had started to confuse Eco. Even though she still continued to puff up her checks in protest, but at least she had accepted Silvia’s apology. Ash who noticed it breathe a sigh of relieves.

“…Since everything had been settled, please allow me to ask. How did that stuffed toy came into your possession?”

Silvia’s words had cause Eco to be enraged again.

“Ha!? You….. Just apologize and yet you still want to ask!?”

“I apologize for resolving this matter by force. I promise that this time, I won’t try questioning you by force. But in return, I will keep on asking until you answer me. Remember, I will keep on asking.”

Silvia was quite stubborn. She even smiled towards Eco with her face full of confidence.

“I can’t believe it…”

Eco sighed.

“Sorry, Eco-chan.”

At that moment, Cosette returned from the kitchen with a silver tray full of snacks and tea.

“That toy that Eco-chan was holding right now… It probably belongs to Princess-sama a long time ago.”

“How can it be…?”

Whilst she was surprised, Eco took a bite on the vanilla flavoured crepe that Cosette handed to her. If it was the usual Eco, she would definitely shout out ‘Delicious!’ on the first bite, but right now, she was with a serious looks. As expected, even Eco couldn’t enjoy her favorite food properly.

“What Cosette said is true. That toy is definitely an important thing to me during my childhood.”

Silvia spoke calmly as if she was trying to teach a child who knew nothing.

“Ha!? That’s impossible! I understand none of these!”

Eco placed her half eaten crepe back on her plate. Ash was surprised that she prioritized the argument before her crepe.

“I knew it the moment I saw it. There is only one of this stuffed toy in the whole world. It is a very important toy.”

“How can you have such confidence!?”

“You don’t even know the worth of that toy. Anyone who knows its worth would recognize it on their first sight.”

“Arrrrrggh! That explanation is totally unacceptable!”

''Eco was once again in rage, but at least Silvia knew her limit. Thanks to that, the atmosphere did not turn out to be any worst than this…'' Ash secretly thought.

“Come on you two…”

Cosette was obviously not at all troubled. She seems to be enjoying this.

“Haa… It seems like I don’t have a choice.”

Ash sighed.

“Please listen carefully, Princess-sama. That stuffed toy was in my closet. I gave it to Eco since she seems to like it.”

“Hey! Why did you tell that to her!?”

Eco was scolding Ash with her face red.

“What else can I do? If I leave it to both of you, the same thing will continue onwards again and again.”

“I… want this to be a secret between the both of us.”

Eco’s mumbling caught Ash’s attention.

“What did you say?”

“N-Nothing! I don’t even know you!”

Eco averted her face in anger. ''Why must she get angry...?'' Ash wondered.

On the other hand, Silvia was staring at Ash.

“Ash… you said that this toy was in your closet?”

“That seems to be the case.”

Ash shrugged his shoulders.

“Actually, I am not really clear about it. Believe me or not, there was a blank in my memories… I don’t even know how it came into my possession. I don’t even know about its worth if not because of Cosette.”

Silvia was staring at Ash so intently almost as if she was going to pierce a hole in his forehead. She then asked a weird question.

“When is your birthday?”

“Huh? The third on the month of Aries… What about that?”

After Ash answered honestly, Cosette spoke in surprise:

“Oh, what a coincidence. It seems that Princess-sama was also born in the month of Aries. By the way, hers is in the seventh.”

“Hmm… That’s the first time I had heard of it.”

“Huhu… So Ash-sama is the bigger brother by four days.”

“T-That… isn’t it…”

“Ash!”

Silvia suddenly leaned against him. Ash could see her breast that was covered by the thin cloth of the summer clothes.

“Princess-sama?”

“Even though this may seems abrupt, but do you still remember the date you went for the Orphan Ceremony?”

“Err… I don’t really remember about the details, but it shouldn’t be far away from my seventh birthday. Since my hometown was at a far away village, I started my journey when I was still six. I remembered that I had my seventh birthday in a horse carriage.”

Once they reach the age of seven, every citizen of the Knight Country must visit Albion Forest.

For Ash, if he had departed after his seventh birthday, he would never be able to arrive at Albion Forest in a month time.

“By the way, does the date I went for the Orphan Ceremony matters?”

“…No, Nothing. I have something that I want to discuss with Cosette. Please stay here for the moment.”

Silvia suddenly stood up and dragged Cosette by the hand with her.

“What a weird Princess.”

Ash took a drink from the cup of red tea.

===Part 11===
After Silvia entered the makeup room, with an ‘Ahem’, she cleared her throat.

“What do you want to talk about, Princess-sama?”

“About that…”

“It doesn’t seem like something easy.”

Since she had been with Silvia for quite some time, Cosette immediately knew what she was thinking.

“Aah… That’s right.”

“I will do everything you tell me to if it is in my ability to do so. If the situation required, I could even be Princess-sama’s limbs or even your shield… That’s my duty.”

Silvia made up her mind and told her wish.

“Actually, I want you to return to the palace and investigate the name list of the children who went to the orphan ceremony at the same day as me. This should be an easy one for you, no?”

However, Cosette told Silvia something out of her imagination.

“The records of the Orphan Ceremony is the country’s top secret. Even if you are a Princess, you will be breaching the law by trying to investigate it.”

“Then, your duty would be to avoid it. Please, I could only put my hopes on you. With your ability, reading top secret documents should not be a problem, right?”

“That doesn’t sound nice, Princess-sama. The ability that I only knew of was an ancient technique that was passed down in the Shelly’s family and some spying technique. All of them were used to protect the Lautreamont family.”

“I understand that, but…!”

Silvia grabbed her shoulders and looked at Cosette with her puppy eyes.

“Of course I will do it if this is your order. But, what will you do if Ash-sama is really that boy?”

Silvia’s face almost burst out in flames.

“I-I just want to know about it! That’s right, I only want to know about the truth!”

Cosette gave a wry smile.

“Hmm… Putting that aside, during the time when I am not in, when the night comes and Eco had slept, aren’t '''the two of you''' alone together?”

“When the night comes…. The two of us…!?”

This time, steam emerged from her ears. Her heart was beating none stop.

“W-W-What are you talking about! Don’t you have any shame! How shameless! I…I believe that Ash was not someone insolence! That is why there is no point behind your question!”

Silvia snapped and Cosette nodded.

“I too had the same feeling.”

“Then why bother asking!”

Cosette smiled and took out something. It was a stack of paper held together by a paper clip.

“What’s that?”

“Huhu… A copy of ‘Shelley family’s secret. A recipe to make men dream’. Although I want to use it during this summer to teach Princess-sama some cooking… But this is a good chance to try it. Although Princess-sama don’t have any actual experience, but isn't this a good chance to show your cooking skills to Ash-sama?”

Silvia felt as if her body was on fire.

“Hold on! W-W-Why must I show Ash my cooking skills?”

“If I am not mistaken, The Lautreamont Family Motto did mention that ‘to shoot a general you must first shoot his horse’, am I right?”

“What does it had to do with this?”

“In the Shelley’s Family Motto, there is something like this: ‘To get the man you like, you must first fill his stomach’.”

“What kind of family motto is that!?”

“Huhu… When Ash-sama’s stomach is empty, and Princess-sama gave him your homemade cooking, he would surely fall for you.”

“…Fall for me!?”

Cosette was like a devil whispering into Silvia’s ears.

“When a Princess who doesn’t look like she knew any cooking made a meal, which man wouldn’t be moved by it?”

“Cut the crap! I never want Ash to take notice of me! Never! I-It's just that I had some interest in cooking since a long time ago. I will accept your offer because of this.”

Cosette handed her the recipe while smiling.
[[Image:SnRK v05 096.jpg|thumb]]

“Now, I had received my orders from Princess-sama and I will depart from Ansarivan immediately.”

“Huh? Immediately?”

“It is better if we act quickly, Princess-sama.”

Cosette lifted the both sides of her skirt slightly and bowed gracefully.

Suddenly, like a mist, Cosette disappeared from Silvia’s sight like a magician.

“H-Hey! Cosette? … Do you really want to depart at this moment?”

Silvia became worried when she heard no reply.

“Please hold on, Cosette! You should allow me to have some mental preparation before…!”

Silvia looked around the room with tears in her eyes. It looks like Cosette had really departed.

“Tsk… She never takes me seriously!”

After Silvia mumbled in regrets, she took a long hard look at the recipe given to her.

"The Stuffed Toy Dragon~A.S.B.1365.8~" is closed.

<noinclude>

==References and Translation Notes==
<references />

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|-
| Back to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Prologue|Prologue]]
| Return to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 1

2014-08-08T05:11:34Z

Valthan: /* Part 5 */

==Chapter 1 - Tragedy of Apollo house and Mirabel's decision==
===Part 1===
''-Don! Don…! Don!''

The sun had just risen but Ash who spent a sleepless night was woken up by a loud knocking sound.

“What in the world…?”

He took that silver watch by his pillow side and noticed that it was just half past six.

After he angrily took a look at the window, he became wide awake.

“Uwaa…!”

There was a huge eye looking through the gaps of the curtain.

It was actually a dragon who was banging its nose against the window.

''-Don! Don… Dododododo!”''

He was worried that it may break the glass.

“Why is a dragon coming to my room!? Could it be another Necromancia attack!?”

So the Empire had finally shown their true colours and started attacking? Ash tried to leave the bed but he was stopped.

“Zzz…”

Eco rolled over and hugged Ash.

Her hair was all over his shoulders and her arms were around his back.

And also her soft face that was on his chest…

''-Mmm…''

Ash was shocked by her sudden nibble.

“Hey, Eco… Please don’t bite that spot.”

Recently, her habit of nibbling had gotten less but she still had not gotten rid of her habit of a young dragon. Moreover, she was nibbling on Ash’s sensitive spot which troubled him.

At that moment, there was a crack on the window.

“This is bad… It is not the right moment to let her continue nibbling.”

Ash carried Eco and they left the bed together. The next thing he knew, the glass was smashed into pieces.

He managed to avoid the glass fragments at the last moment.

At the same time, there were two dragons that were trying to squeeze their heads through the window. Their hard scales protect them from the sharp glass.

By taking a closer look, Ash noticed that one of them was a Maestro while the other was a Hydra. After knowing that he was not attacked by a Necromancia, Ash breathe a sigh of relieve.

“Morning, Ash!”

“Good morning, Ash-sama!”

Finally, he could see the faces of the two riders.

They were the student council secretary Lucca and Jessica of the general affairs. Right beside them were Maestro Gawain and Rhiannon the Hydra.

Ash started to protest after he placed Eco who was still sleeping on the bed.

“Lucca! Jessica! What in the world are both of you doing!?”

Since the time Ash saved Gawain who was in danger of dying, Lucca had become emotionally attached to Ash. In the dragon riding academy, most of the girls are the more aggressive type, it was kind of rare to see someone as quiet as Lucca. The beauty that only an Eckbald possessed was out of this world.

Ash was a little surprised to see Lucca acting rashly. Perhaps she was influenced by Jessica.

“Ash… I hoped that you would come with me to the Eckbald village. I want to introduce you to the village chief, my otou-sama.” <ref>In the raw version, Lucca called her father otou-sama, but the kanji written was foster father.</ref>

Her usual emotionless face had always given Ash a heck lot of trouble.

“Hold on! W-Why must you mention about the chief!?”

“P-Please don’t ask anymore than this.”

Lucca was suddenly blushing.

This time, it was Jessica who pushed Lucca to aside.

Jessica who was usually eyeing at Ash’s sperm, though her actions had always been eccentric, she was still undoubtably one of the few beauties of the academy.

“Ash-sama, I have a request!”

“Hey, wait a minute! This is the third floor! How did a hydra get here…?”

“Well. Climbing wall is not a problem for my Rhiannon.”

“Can’t you sympathize your Pal a little!”

Ash pitied her Pal. Although a Hydra may still be able to move on land, but only when they are in the water they are able to show their true skills. It shouldn’t be its own intention to walk on land. Let alone climbing the walls of the student’s dormitory, which doesn’t seem to fit the actions of a proud dragon.

“Putting that aside, Ash-sama! I am about to leave Ansarivan. What about you? Do you have any plans of returning?”

“Now I remember… today is the start of the holiday.”

-The first day of the month of Leo.

It was the first day of the holidays for Ansarivan Dragon Riding Academy. Since it was a boarding school, most of the student will return to their hometown.

Of course, not all of the students were going back home. There were also a small amount of students that were forced to stay in for the holidays for certain reasons.

Ash was one of them.

“Nope, I am not going home.”

After hearing, Jessica’s facial expression changes.

“What! If that’s the case, I too will stay back here!”

“Uuh… If I don’t return soon… I will be scolded by my otou-sama.”

Compare to Jessica who was in high spirit, Lucca looks sad. Lucca who carry the hopes of all Eckbald with her probably doesn’t have as much freedom as Jessica has.

“Sorry to disappoint you Jessica, but you must return with me.”
[[Image:SnRK v05 044.jpg|thumb]]

Suddenly, there was another voice.

“Rebecca-san!”

Ash shouted.

There was a sweet smell from her red hair being blown by the winds. She looks like a war maiden in the legends when she was riding on Cú Chulainn.

“Sorry for the trouble that this stupid girl from my house had given you. The Randall family will cover the fees for mending the window. The servants fault is also the master’s fault.”

“Now that you mention it… I remember that Jessica was a servant in the Randall family.”

“Just that since she became a Breeder, she had forgotten about her place.”

Rebecca sighed.

“Hmph! Could you stop calling me that? I don’t have the intention of serving the Randall family for my whole life!”

“I never thought of that. You are my important childhood friend. Also, your parents had asked me to take good care of you. That is why I have my duty to bring you back to meet your parents.”

Although her lips were smiling, there was not even a hint of smile in Rebecca’s eyes. After Jessica saw Rebecca’s determination, her elbows dropped in disappointment.

“Haa… I understand. However… I want Ash-sama to see me off!”

Ash gave a wry smile.

“I think that should be alright.”

The moment he answered, Jessica was once again with a big smile. But, she was then blushing and started to mumble.

“T-Then… According to my hometown’s custom…. There should be a parting k-kiss….”

“Hey! Jessica! When does our hometown have such a custom?”

Rebecca exposed Jessica’s lie with a wry smile.

“Hmph! Rebecca! Don’t you know how to look at the atmosphere?”

“I-I too would like you to see me off…”

While Jessica was in rage, Lucca shyly told Ash her wish.

“Of course.”

“T-Then… According to the Eckbald custom…. I want you to give me a princess carry.”

Ash’s heart skipped a beat when he first saw Lucca’s blushing face.

“A-A princess carry!”

Ash was in a fix but Jessica shouted at Lucca:

“Hey! What are you trying to do in this mess! That must be a lie!?”

“Uuh…”

While Lucca turned speechless, the noise that Jessica made had spread throughout the school.

“Hey, can you believe it! The president and Jessica were making a night visit! And the other person… Could she be Lucca Sarlinen the genius girl from the basic class!?”

Suddenly, a huge number of students were gathering outside of the Apollo House. It was something for three girls to be standing on their dragons beside a window of a boy’s dormitory.

To say nothing of Rebecca Randall who was the most popular person in the entire academy, Jessica was also one of the centers of attentions and let alone Lucca with her Yōsei like looks and her skills as a Dragner.

“I-I am just here to have Ash-sama see me off! Nothing else!”

Jessica tried to settle the misunderstanding by shouting towards the direction of the school.

“Hmm! By saying Ash-kun you mean… The Ash-kun who was knighted yesterday!?”

“The knighting ceremony was awesome!”

“I also want him to see me off!”

Right now all the girls were speaking with s shrill voice.

Rebecca gave him a bitter smile while she was enjoying all of this.

“Seems like your popularity had sky rocketed after you became a Dragner.”

“The situation outside… Somehow, it looks frightening.”

“Yeah. I just saw around thirty dragons flying towards this window.”

Rebecca told him the unthinkable news with a calm face.

“Huh!?”

“Sorry, Ash. Though I have many reasons to help you… But if I show my true skills, the girls would suffer some grave injuries.”

“Hol-! Don’t leave me!”

“You should try to solve your own problem if you are a Dragner. Also… If it is alright, I would also want you to see me off.”

“…Eh?”

Unfortunately, Ash was not able to catch everything Rebecca said. Her voice disappeared behind the loud noise from Cú Chulainn flapping its wings.

“Good luck, Ash.”

Lucca too had reluctantly flew off with Gawain.

Right after that, the Apollo House faced a terrible attack.

“Ash-kun! Please see me off!”

“Ash-kun, you might as well come to my home town with me…!”

“Hey! Don’t cut the queue!”

Most of the girls returning were riders of stradas. They were like bats gathering together for food at the window.

But of course it was impossible for thirty riders of stradas to squeeze into the window at the same time.

Soon, they started pushing around.

“P-Please be patient! Calm down! Please calm down!”

Ash was panicking.

Every single roar from the Strada was enough to shake up this entire old building.

“Hey!...How dare you! Ash-sama is my important- Nooooooo!”

Unlike Rebecca or Lucca, Jessica who stayed until the end was finally pushed off the wall together with Rhiannon.

“W-What should I do?”

Ash retreated until his back was facing the wall while he was watching the girls fighting for a spot.

At that moment, Eco who had rolled herself into a ball while she was sleeping had woken up and was rubbing her eyes.

“Hmmm…. What’s all the noise about?”

“You ! How can you still think of sleeping!”

Eco was looking around in confusion. It seems that she wasn’t fully awake yet and wasn’t able to think properly.

Ash shouted with all his might towards the window.

“I beg you! Could you please not make a mess in front of someone else’s window! I promise to see off every single one of you!”

Too bad for him, his voice was not received by them.

Suddenly, Ash had a bad feeling.

“I couldn’t be…”

His entire body was shivering in fear. Since some time ago, the wall facing the outside was creaking. It appears that the Stradas were putting pressure on it.

“It is dangerous to stay here! Lets run Eco!”

“Huh…! Could you care to explain!”

“Later!”

Ash was running with Eco on his hands.

He ran out through the door and out to the corridor.

Just when he was sliding along the floor…

''-Creak…! Eeeeekkkk……. !Do--------------n!''

The next moment, there was a loud explosion.

Ash cautiously took a peek through the cracks on the door while trembling. All he sees was dust flying around and even the corridor was affected.

''“*Cough *!*Cough *!”''

While covering up Eco who was coughing, Ash waited until the dust had settled down.

Just moments later-

After the dust had cleared up, what Ash saw was a clear sky.

The morning rays were shining at the disastrous room.

The wreckage of the wall was all over his room. It was a painful sight.

Right now, with the wall that was facing the academy and the window destroyed, his room looked like a doll house that can be seen from the outside.

“Err… Eco, am I dreaming?”

“I think so?”

Ash and Eco were looking at the room with their mouths wide open.

===Part 2===
Ash was brought to the director’s office on the first day of the holiday.

As for those girls who were the culprit, it seems that they had ran back home as soon as possible. That is why Ash who was the victim was summoned.

“I see… Now I understand what had happened.”

Mirabel who was acting as the director replied coldly and drank from her cup of tea.

The room was full of the smells of bergamot and the tea.

Just like a robot, Mirabel’s face was emotionless the entire time. ''Does this princess even have the thing known as feelings…?'' Ash thought.

“The academy will take responsibility for mending the wall. Just some time before, I had asked the builders of this city and they estimated that they will be able to complete it in around two weeks time.”

“Really…! Thank you very much!”

Ash was grateful that she was able to deal with this situation without delay.

“The problem is… During the renovation, where am I to place you and Eco.”

“I see…”

“Can you borrow a room from any of your friends?”

“I don’t think that would be possible…”

Unfortunately, Max and Raymond had gone home. For Ash who doesn’t have many friends, these were the’ only two friends that he could rely on. Although there was an option of using it without asking for their permissions, but Ash couldn’t bring himself to do it.

''-Bang!''

The door behind him was opened with a slam.

The next time he knew, Silvia and Eco was right beside him.

“How much longer are the two of you going to keep on talking!? Can’t you just give us a new room!”

Eco was pointing at Mirabel in anger.

“Anee-ue! Why do you call for Ash! That incident was caused by a few girls! It had nothing to do with Ash! Aren’t you treating him like the culprit!?”

Silvia on the other hand was trying to speak up for Ash.

“Where are your manners? Don’t you know that it is rude to walk into a room without knocking? You won’t be given special treatment even if you are the descendant of the Avalon Holy Dragons Emperor’s family or my sister. “

Mirabel glared at both of them coldly.

“I am sorry… Anee-ue.”

Silvia stood still on her ground as if she had turned into a stone.

On the other hand, Eco was trying to intimidate Mirabel by showing her sharp teeth.

“Hey you!... How dare you act like that even when you know that I am Avalon’s holy dragons' emperor family's Imperial Princess! Why don’t I try crushing the castle the next time? If I show you my true self, one or two Fontaine Place won’t…”

“Idiot! Stop spurting nonsense!”

Ash’s face was pale white when he was scolding Eco.

Since that incident, the Knight’s government took Eco as a threat. As long as there is the possibility that Mirabel was here to keep an eye on Eco, they have to be careful with their own words.

But to his surprise, Eco calm down with just a single shout.

She turned her head around with her face blushing.

“I-I will listen to you… Just this time.”

Ash was taken aback from seeing Eco making such an expression for the first time. Just as he had expected, it was that transformation that had made a change of her heart. Although the gentle Eco looked a lot cuter, at the same time, it was also a little confusing.

“Ahem!”

Mirabel tried clearing her throat, returning everyone’s attention back to her.

“Silvia, you came at the right moment. Right now you are staying in the royal room in the Epona House right?”

“…What about it?”

Silvia was surprised.

“Until the renovation in the boy’s dormitory had been completed, Ash Blake and young dragon Eco will stay in your room for the time being.”

“What!”

“I won’t repeat for a second time. This is an order from your sister. You are not allowed to have any objections.”

Naturally, Silva was enraged.

“What do you mean by this! This is against our family motto where ‘A knight shouldn’t carelessly touch another of the opposite sex’!”

“Hmm… Funny but I remember that I said to let Ash Blake and young dragon Eco stay in your room. When did I ever mention about touching Ash?”

“T-That…!”

Right at this moment, even Silvia’s earlobes were red.

“Right now, if I were to mention the family motto that you love so much, ‘A knight should help those who are in need’. Am I wrong?”

After she replied coldly, Mirabel looked like she had lost interest in the case regarding Ash. She kept on looking at the tea cup on her hand.

“I am done with you- What a pain, now a good cup of tea had turned cold.”

===Part 3===
Rebecca and Jessica had returned to the land ruled by the Randalls.

Lucca on the other hand had returned to her village.

After seeing them off, Ash and Eco once again returned to his room on the third floor of the Apollo House.

They once again looked at the disastrous room.

A bed full of glass fragments.

A floor full with the remains of the wall.

And the disorganized furniture.

With the wall gone, the room became bright and windy. Looking down from above was a few curious onlookers. When their eyes came into contact with Ash’s, everyone scattered.

“Haa… First of all, I think we should try cleaning up a little. It is better to make it look a little more cheerful before the renovation starts.”

Turning around, Ash noticed that Eco was sulking.

“What’s wrong, Eco?”

“Hey. Do you really want to stay in Silvia’s room?”

“It is not like I have a choice. It was an order from Princess Mirabel. It seems that even Princess-sama did not dare to go against her.”

“I… I hate it.”

“What’s the matter? You don’t look like your usual self. Well, if we stay at Princess-sama’s room, we may be able to eat Cosette’s delicious homemade cooking.”

“That’s not the point! And also, I am not someone who thinks about food for an entire day!”

Eco's face was red with anger and embarrassment.

“Is it… Sorry then.”

“It is fine if you understand. Anyway, just if you try to do something weird to Silvia… I will be sure to crush you!”

Eco was glaring at Ash.

“What do you mean by something weird!?”

With her ears fully red, Eco told Ash embarrassedly:

“T-To make it simple…. It is those perverted stuffs.”

“W-What are you even thinking!”

Ash stood still on his ground. He never expected Eco to speak of such a word. It kind of surprised him.

“Even I knew about those stuffs… Don’t look down on me just because I am a young dragon.”

“Could the source of information be…. The Dragweiss?”

“…Some of them were from there, but most of them were from the picture books that Cosette lent me.”

“Hold on! Are they really… Just picture books!?”

In order to teach her the importance of aesthetic sensibility, Cosette had lent her picture books and books for children. For that, Ash was grateful for Cosette.

However, there was a possibility that she mixed some books with adult content in them into the pile of picture books she had given to Eco.

“Anyhow, she is still this country’s princess. What you are worrying about will never happen, rest assured.”

''In the worst possible case, I will be beheaded…'' Ash thought secretly.

“A-Alright… I understand.”

Once again, Eco was smiling and she looked at the room around her.

“Then… What can I do to help you?”

“You are trying to help?”

“What? Is it weird for me to help?”

“Definitely not weird, but rare. Ain’t it always me who complete the house work?”

“A-About that… It doesn’t seem like I have a choice. I am a dragon. I don’t really understand how a human acts. But… I just feel like helping for today… Can’t I!?”

Eco puffed up her rosy coloured cheeks and stared at Ash.

“Why not? I even want to thank you.”

Ash gave a wry smile and tried to pat her head.

But, Eco immediately dodge to a side.

“No! You mustn’t touch!”

“Sorry… I didn't know that you dislike it this much.”

“N-No! It is okay it you are just patting, but you mustn’t touch my horns. If they were just slightly touched, I… will turn weird. I felt like floating in the air when they were touched...”

Ash could calm down after seeing Eco’s face when she tried to explain her feelings.

“I understand. I promise I won’t touch your horns.”

Ash carefully patted Eco’s head.

Her pink hair was fluffy and it gave his palm a nice feeling.

“Nn…”

Even when she was a dragon, Eco was smiling and shrugging her neck like what a cat would do.

Her innocent smile had grabbed Ash’s attention.

To be precise, it was her flower bud like lips.

His heart was beating rapidly.

This was actually the second time he had such a feeling.

The first time was when Eco said that she won’t be satisfied with just being a Pal in the guest room in Fontaine Palace.

“…”

Eco probably felt the change in the atmosphere too and her body suddenly tense up. Perhaps she too was also thinking about the scenario in the Fontaine Palace.

In a short while, just like that time, Eco closes her eyes.

She also tried to purse her lips.

Ash also noticed that her long eyelashes were also trembling.

''-Eco…!''
[[Image:SnRK v05 060.jpg|thumb]]

He suddenly remembered the word ‘beloved Pal’ in the knighting ceremony.

During that time, Ash was only saying the standard pledge.

But this was totally different.

His feeling of love to Eco was born from deep in his heart. A feeling that could be explained using something as simple as the relation of a Breeder and its Pal had grown.

Right now, they don’t need any words.

Ash placed both his hands on Eco’s shoulders and he closes their distance slowly.

A sweet smell was surrounding them which made him dizzy.

Right now, he felt as if his heart was going to explode.

They were now at a distance where their nose could easily touch each other.

Eco felt like being pierced through by the sunlight while she was waiting for Ash.

Ash made up his mind and closed his eyes.

And then- he kissed Eco on her lips.

===Part 4===
“~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~!”

Since their kiss, Eco had been working silently with her back facing Ash the entire time.

It seemed that she was too embarrassed to even look at Ash in the face.

And of course, it was the same for Ash.

Ash felt as if his face was a ball of fire.

Although the two of them at a first glance seemed to be dusting the room, there was actually zero progress. What they were doing was only messing up the already messed up room.

''-What should I do? What should I say at times like this?''

Just when Ash was anxious in trying to find the right words…

“Uwaaa…! Cute!”

Eco turned around and showed Ash a round object.

“Isn’t this cute? Where did you find this stuffed toy?”

At that moment, Ash felt something was pricking at the back of his neck. It made him wonder what it was.

The stuffed toy that Eco was holding seems to be a dragon. Strictly speaking, its face was clumsily done.

Furthermore, it's round body made it looks nothing like a majestic dragon.

However, Eco seemed to take it as cute, and it made her forget about what had just happened previously.

“Err… Actually I don’t remember much about that when it came into my possession. No matter how I look at it, looked just like a girl’s toy. It is probably not me who bought it.”

It was thanks to the toy that Ash was once again able to speak to Eco normally.

“Hmm… Strange.”

Eco was carrying the stuffed toy while she whipped off the dust on it.

“Hmm… When I move to Ansarivan, I just took it with me without any reason. Perhaps there is a great meaning behind it was what I thought. Actually… There is a blank in my childhood memory.”

“… A blank in your memories?”

Eco was surprised.

“Aah. It was right about when I had my seventh birthday when I visited Albion Forest for the Orphan Ceremony. I just can’t recall my memories during that time.”

“Isn’t that… The time when Mother Dragon bestowed me to you?”

“It seems so.”

“How come you can’t remember such an important event?”

Ash shrunk when he saw Eco start to get mad. Just like how they were finally able to speak normally, Eco’s temper had also returned.

“To be frank, I know nothing of it myself. It was just that I had a hunch that this toy had something to do with my lost memories and that’s the reason why I was reluctant to throw it away. However, because of the recent events, I totally forgot about it.”

“Then, can I keep it?”

Ash was taken by surprised.

“What do you mean by keeping it?”

“It is just like what I had said. Don’t you think it is sad for such a cute being to be left forgotten? I will take the trouble to take care of this kid.”

“How can you take care of it when it isn’t even a living being? Argh, whatever suits you then.”

“Really!?”

Eco was full of excitement.

“Well, I don’t really mind.”

“That's great!”

Eco was so happy that she felt that she could even fly. She then rubbed the stuffed toy with her cheeks.

Followed by that, she cuddled it like what a mother would do to her baby.

Suddenly, she spoke of something that surprised Ash.

“This somehow looked like our baby…”

Eco suddenly stopped speaking before she could even finish her sentence. She the glared at Ash with eyes looking as if they were on fire.

“You heard anything?”

“No, nothing at all.”

Ash spoke with a serious look on his face.

“T-That’s right! N-Nothing happened! Nothing happened at all!”

As if her head was exploding in flames, Eco carried the toy and dashed out from the room.

“Actually, I heard every single word…”

Just as Ash was murmuring with his body also feeling as it was engulfed by fire…

“Sorry to interrupt, Ash-sama.”

Suddenly, there was a woman’s voice coming from behind.

“Uwaa!”

He noticed that it was Cosette after he turned around. She seemed to be wearing the same palace design maid attire today. She then gave a polite bow.

“Cosette-san! How did you get in?”

“To enter such an airy room is like a child’s play to me.”

Cosette smiled before she turned around to look at the blue sky.

“That couldn’t be… This is the third floor! Putting that aside, why are you here?”

“I am here to meet you and Eco-chan. Had you forgotten about Princess Mirabel, Her Highness’s decision?”

Of course, it was impossible for him to forget about it to begin with. However, he still felt a little reluctant.

“Actually, can’t we reconsider about this? Putting Eco aside, don’t you think that it is wrong for a guy like me to enter Epona House where guys are not allowed?”

“For your own sake, I would advise you to follow her decision. Do you know what Princes Mirabel was also known as?”

“No… Nothing comes to mind at all.”

“Her nick name is actually Argento Magus. If we can describe Princess Veronica as a fighter, then Princess Mirabel is a thinker. Compare to Veronica, there were certain things that would made Mirabel a tougher opponent. Please be sure to be prepared mentally, Ash-sama.”

Ash sighed after he heard everything.

“…I understand. Please let me take some belongings like my pillow and clothes with me…”

“Alright then, meanwhile, I will try searching for Eco.”

Eco had not yet return since the moment she ran out from the room.

“Thank you. I think she should be somewhere around the dorm.”

“Huhu. That will be a simple task.”

Cosette ran towards the door nimbly while avoiding the disorganized furniture, but then she suddenly stopped and turned around to face Ash.

“By the way, Ash-sama.”

“What’s the matter?”

When Ash lifted his face, he saw Cosette’s face full of red. Ash was staring at her since it was rare to see her who was always calm to be blushing.

Although she always stayed hidden behind Silvia’s shadow, she actually looked quite beautiful.

With her right hand on her cheeks, she sighed.

Then she said something outrageous.

“Ash-sama and Eco-chan’s kiss looked very innocent indeed.”

“Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

This time, it was Ash’s turn to be blushing.

“D-Don’t, Don’t tell me that you saw everything!?”

“It totally felt like an opera show. You looked so cute when you kiss without even needing any words to understand each other. My god, isn’t that wonderful? Didn't Eco-chan also look cute when she was waiting to receive your kiss?”

“I beg you, please stop saying anymore than this! It is embarrassing!”

Right now, Ash felt like he was sitting on a mountain of needles.

Cosette, too, had also seemed to realize that she over did it, and replied with a playful smile.

“Rest assured, I won’t tell Princess-sama any of this.”

“How is Princeass-sama related to this!?”

“Hmm… I wonder… Huhu…”

Cosette left the room with her sentence ending with her laughter.

===Part 5===
The moment Ash finished gathering all his basic daily needs, Cosette was back with Eco. Together, the three of them marched towards Epona House.

Although it was around evening, the sun was still high up in the sky.

After passing through a grove of mixed trees, they were welcomed by a stern looking gate.

Even the cicada had stopped making noise.

Although they were just walking, they were all full of sweat.

By taking a peek beside, Eco looked as if she was suffering from the heat of the high summer temperature. She looked like a Hydra who was looking for water on dry land.

Compared to Ash, Eco was only carrying her stuffed toy.

On the other hand, Cosette didn’t even break a sweat.

“We have arrived.”

She turned around and smiled at both Ash and Eco.

Through the gate, they could see a garden that was separated into two halves by the walkway. It must have been well tended by a good gardener. Even Ash who doesn’t have any interest in gardening was amazed by it.

At the back of the garden stood an elegant looking building.

That was Epona House, the dormitory for advance class girls.

“We have finally arrived…”

Ash placed his baggage which was full of daily needs and clothing on the ground.

''How long does it actually take to walk here from Apollo House…'' Ash couldn’t be bothered to even think about it.

This dragon riding academy where human and dragons coexist had a very large land area.

In it, there were numerous classes, a church, a lecture hall, a library, a canteen, seven dragon houses, four dormitories, a sports ground… It even included an arena that was used during events.

Although there was the shopping district and the housing are beyond the school walls, compared to the size of the academy, they just looked like extras. That's the reason why Ansarivan was called an academic city.

Putting that aside, the distance between the boys dormitory and the girls dormitory must had been arranged on purpose by the academy.

“Please enter.”

Cosette pushed open the heavy looking gate and welcomed both of them in.

===Part 6===
On the top most floor of Epona House was the room of royal use.

It looked like a high class hotel suit and it even had a large space.

Apart from a heater in the living room, there was also a dining room, a study room, bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, etc. In a room that has everything, it looked as if it was another world compared to the normal student’s room.

Silvia was walking up and down around her room alone, worrying endlessly.

“Argh! What’s wrong with me! Why couldn’t I calm down! Even my family motto stated that ‘Always stay calm, especially in a pinch’!”

Even though she wasn’t even in a pinch, Silvia couldn’t stop worrying. It was about time for Cosette to arrive with Ash and Eco.

“That’s it!”

Silvia stopped in her tracks for a moment and then she dashed into the makeup room and stood in front of a mirror.

She applied a thin layer of makeup on her face.

She tried combing her hair many times.

Her clothings and accessories were chosen by Cosette.

She put on her camisole, a skirt with two layers of frills, her panty socks and a necklace made from bright dragon crystals that acted as jewels.

In front of the mirror, she was just like her usual…. No, she was at least twice as more beautiful than she usually was.

Silvia turned red when she realized how beautiful she was.

“Why would I dress myself up! It is alright by just sticking to what I usually do!”

Ash was about to arrive.

Until the boy’s dormitory was done with its renovation, Ash was going to stay here for two weeks.

Her hearts started to beat rapidly from thinking about it.

“This feeling… It is that same feeling as ''that time…''”

Silvia recalled her memories.

Around the time of her seventh birthday, she met a boy in Albion Forest.

''“Why? Why would I have this feeling of returning to the time when I was seven years old whenever I think about Ash…?”''

Silvia suddenly regained her sense.

“Stop! Stop! Stop! Doesn’t this mean that I am looking forward for him to arrive!? Right… I should change back into my normal clothing…”
[[Image:SnRK v05 006.jpg|thumb|'' ''…!'' Silvia immediately snapped out from the confusion. She just remembered that right now, she was only wearing her undergarments. '']]

Silvia left the makeup room and entered the living room. She swiftly removed all her clothings except for her undergarments. She then walked along the corridor towards the changing room.

Suddenly, the door opened right in front of her eyes.

“Princess-sama, we had returned.”

Cosette walked in with a smile.

“Princess-sama!?”

Ash was standing right behind Cosette with his eyes wide opened. ''Why is his face red? Is it because of the heat?''

“…!”

Silvia immediately snapped out from the confusion. She just remembered that right now, she was only wearing her undergarments.

“Kyaaaaaaaaaaa!”

Silvia ran and hid behind the door while screaming at the top of her voice.

===Part 7===
“Hey you! Just until when are you going to keep on staring!”

“Ouch!”

Ash came back to his sense after he was stomped on the leg by Eco.

Just when he had stepped in through the grand entrance, he was greeted by Silvia in only her undergarments. The white coloured lace will forever be imprinted in his mind.

''By the way, why was Silvia wearing only those?'' No matter how hot the weather can be, it doesn’t suit her image.

“I am going to check on Princess-sama. Could the both of you wait here for a moment, please?”

With a happy smile on her face, Cosette disappeared into the corridor. In just a moment-

“No. This definitely doesn’t look natural.”

“No no. It definitely fits you well.”

“But… Won’t this make me look like I am looking forward to their arrival?”

“Huh? Aren’t you?”

Their entire conversation was heard by Ash.

“Come on! This is a disgrace! How dare they make a dragon wait by the entrance!”

Eco who was standing right beside Ash was in rage. The toy that she had with her which had a carelessly made face was further squashed by Eco’s abnormal strength.

Ash pitied the toy. If this continued to keep on, Ash would probably be the next victim.

“Sorry for the wait.”

Just when Ash was about to be surrounded by his fear, Cosette had returned to the entrance with Silvia who was hiding right behind her.

Ash’s heart skipped a beat when he saw Silvia’s clothing. It gave a completely different feel compare to the school uniform that she usually wears. A lot of her skin was exposed from wearing the camisole. It had totally grabbed his attention.

“Please come in.”

Ash regained his sense after he heard Cosette’s voice.

“S-Sorry for the intrusion.”

In opposite to Ash, Eco was looking around the room with a hint of worry.

“Even so… You are just a Princess of the Royal Knight’s Family and you get to have such a great room?”

Perhaps she was mad from being asked to wait at the entrance, Eco was saying anything that would sooth her anger.

In truth, even Ash was amazed by the room itself. Just the entrance itself is wider than Ash’s room. There were even expensive looking pictures along the wall and carvings of dragons.

“Please don’t be mad. This room was specially made for the royals, it would be natural if Princess-sama is staying here.”

Ash tried to calm her down.

“But, I am also a Princess of the dragons! Why would there be such a large difference in our treatment!?”

“It is not like I want to stay in this room either!”

Silvia tried to speak up for herself even when she was being threatened by Eco.

“I even tried telling the academy to let me have the same treatment as the rest of the students, but they never listen…”

Suddenly, Silvia stood still on her ground. There was not even a slightest movement.

“Princess-sama… What’s wrong? You don’t look good.”

Ash was worried about her but she didn’t reply.

She kept on staring at the stuffed toy that Eco was carrying with her with her ice blue eyes.

Silvia then suddenly leaped towards Eco and grabbed her shoulders.

“Eco! Can you tell me how did that toy fall into your possession?”

Eco became confused.

“I-It has nothing to do with you.”

“Please tell me! This is very important!”

Silvia shouted loudly.

“… I picked it up.”

Eco mumbled when she turned her head to aside. It seemed that she did not want to tell Silvia that it was a gift from Ash. Ash was wondering on why she would be insisting on it.

“You picked it up? When? Where?”

Silvia was being persistent.

“Come on! Why do I need to tell you?”

Eco lost her patience and roared.

“…Why can’t you tell me?”

“T-That’s because… I don’t have the obligation to tell you.”

“Now I see, you are playing dumb… It seems I must resolve to this.”

Suddenly, Silvia leaped towards Eco with both of her hands stretched out.

“Hey!... Don’t joke with me!”

Eco dodge with the toy in her arms.

With the royal room as the stage, the two of them started running around like a bunch of kids. In just a blink of an eye, both of them
disappeared behind a door.

“Err… What is this all about?”

Ash who was left behind turned around and questioned Cosette.

“Cosette-san?”

To his surprised, Cosette too was transfixed on her own spot. It was rare to see her making a face like that.

Cosette then regained her sense after being called out to by Ash and started explaining.

“I just remember about it… I fear that that stuffed toy…. Is an important treasure to Princess-sama during her childhood.”

Ash was surprised by her answer.

“Wait a moment! That shouldn’t be possible! There should be many more stuffed toys with the same design, no?”

Cosette answered calmly.

“No. There ain’t. That toy is the one and only in this world. It was a limited edition item. It was actually made from a famous artist from Chevron Kingdom called Leonard De Mirabeau and was given to the five year old Princess-sama.”

“Really? That clumsily made toy is…”

“That’s not it… Its weird look was actually Mirabeau-sama’s style. Didn’t people usually say that there was only a silver line that separates a genius and a madman? If that stuffed toy was bought to an antique auction… It should be priced at five million Eccles at minimum.”

Cosette told him the shocking truth with s straight face.

“Five million…!”

Ash turned speechless.

His face had turned pale.

''-Five million Eccles!''

Ash couldn’t even imagine that amount of money. He just knew that he won’t be able to finish it by living the rest of his days enjoying life. He never knew that such a treasure was hidden in his closet.

“W-We should try stopping them first!”

Ash started searching for them in the huge room.

===Part 8===
“Finally! You won’t be able to escape!”

Eco who ran into Silvia’s room was now like a rat in the bag. There was only one exit and the windows were too high to jump from since this was the top most floor.

“Tsk… You are being persistent!”

Eco backed off to the wall and like a mother protecting her child, she tried to intimidate Silvia.

For one moment, Silvia was awed by her beauty, but the next instant, she roared:

“You haven’t told me anything yet! I just want to know how this toy came into your possession!”

“Why would you even want to know!?”

“T-That… I had my own reasons! Please, Eco!”

“Hmph… I had mine too. I will never tell you, only you!”

Both of them were glaring at each other without any intention of backing off.

Silvia realized that whatever she said was useless.

“Now you have done it. Although it is not to my liking… I must resolve this by force.”

“What! Who do you think I am! See that if you can do it!”

“Fine with me!”

Silvia leaped forward without mercy.

Although she must avoid Eco’s abnormal strength, Eco’s actions had always been straight forward and were always easy to read.

On the other hand, apart from the Drag Arts, Silvia had mastered many more fighting styles. It is a normal thing to do for someone who was born in the Lautreamont Royal Knight’s Family.

After struggling on the ground like brats, Silvia came out as the winner.

“Now you have been captured!”

Silvia was pressing Eco’s tiny body on the floor and without giving her a chance to fight back, she rode on Eco.

“Tsk… Let me go!”

“Is there any idiot in this world that would move off once they are being asked to?”

The winner had been decided. Even when Eco had her abnormal strength, she could never be able to beat Silvia.

But, there was a reason why Silvia could beat her easily.

Eco had never let go of the stuffed toy even after she was pressed down against the floor. If Eco would just let go of that toy, the fight could still drag on. No, it could even be Silvia who was pressed down against the floor.

“Please, Eco! This is not an order. Although it was not a long time since the day I met you, I always think you as a friend. That is why… Could you please tell me?”

Just when Silvia was begging Eco with a trembling voice…

“Eco! Princess-sama!”

The door opened with a bang and Ash came running in.

Silvia turned around to look at Ash while she was pressing Eco down against the floor.

“Hold on, Ash! I never have the intention to harm Eco! I just want to ask Eco about it… no matter what!”

“But, Princess-sama doesn’t act like the usual you. Even so, Eco is my Pal, I won’t forgive anyone who try to harm her, even if it is Princess-sama.”

After Ash murmured sadly, he showed her his left arm.

Silvia knew that he had his abnormally large Seikoku covered in a bandage.

“Your Seikoku…?”

Silvia was in lost of words.

The Seikoku under the bandage was obviously blinking with glowing lights. That was a signal given when the Pal was in danger.

For example, even though Silvia did not have any intentions of harming Eco, but Eco felt that she was in danger and sent the signal to her owner Ash for help…

“Sorry, Eco… I am really sorry. I am in the wrong for scaring you…. But, I have my own reasons. Please, Eco! Please tell me for the sake of our friendship!”

Silvia was forcing out an answer from Eco.

“…Eco?”

Eco did not reply. Just as Silvia became confused, Eco was surrounded by a glowing light.

“Hey, Eco! What’s wrong?”

Eco still did not reply. Right now, Eco was like a doll, showing no expression.

Even her eyes seemed to be reflecting nothing.

“Urgh…!”

The next instant, Silvia was being blasted of by a strong wind.

“Princess-sama!”

Followed by Ash’s shout, Silvia’s back bang against the wall. She almost couldn’t breathe because of it.

===Part 9===
“Princess-sama!”

Just when Ash was trying to help Silvia out, Cosette arrived.

“I will take care of Princess-sama. Ash-sama, go help Eco-chan! This is no laughing matter!”

Cosette’s voice seemed to be more serious and nervous than usual.

“Understood!”

Ash ran straight towards Eco.

His Seikoku started to hurt.

He remembered that feeling.

He had the similar feeling when Eco was awaken in the capital, Fontaine.

Although the pain was not as strong as that time, Ash knew that this was the sign before her transformation into a dragon.

Eco stood up slowly with the cute stuffed toy dropping on the floor.

Strictly speaking, she was not standing.

There was a gap in between her feet and the floor.

She was actually floating…!

Her limbs were now surrounded by the mysterious light that was so bright that they could not look at it directly.

However, Ash continued to move forward.

“Stop, Eco! If you are to be awaken here…”

In the worst possible case, this Epona House will be destroyed. No, it could even be related to the city’s survivability…

Eco had long been labeled as an element of danger by many countries’s government. The reason why Mirabel was sent to become the academy’s director was to keep an eye on Eco.

''If she is to transform into a dragon right now…!''

Ash moved forward without giving any thought and hugged Eco.

A huge amount of magic was flowing out from her tiny body. If he had been careless, he would even be swallowed by the magic and lost consciousnesss.

Ash shouted with all his might into Eco’s ears.

“Get a grip of yourself! I…I like the way you are now! It is okay if you just stay as you are! You don’t have to force yourself to change into your true self!”

It seems that Ash’s words had gotten through and the magic that was surrounding Eco had disappeared. Even the lights were no longer there. Ash’s Seikoku too had stopped responding.

“We are saved…”

Ash breathe a sigh of relieves.

“…Huh?”

Eco blinked her eyes in surprise and murmured.

“What had I done…? Why are you…?”

Realizing that she was in Ash’s arms, Eco leaped off from Ash’s arms with her face red in embarrassment.

===Part 10===
“I am sorry for what had happened just now. I-I never thought that you were so much against it…. No I shouldn’t make any excuses. A knight must admit his own faults. I deeply apologize!”

After the group had sat on a dining table in the living room, Silvia apologized to Eco sincerely.

“Hmph… I guess this should be sufficient.”

Silvia’s eagerness to apologize by bowing her head had started to confuse Eco. Even though she still continued to puff up her checks in protest, but at least she had accepted Silvia’s apology. Ash who noticed it breathe a sigh of relieves.

“…Since everything had been settled, please allow me to ask. How did that stuffed toy came into your possession?”

Silvia’s words had cause Eco to be enraged again.

“Ha!? You….. Just apologize and yet you still want to ask!?”

“I apologize for resolving this matter by force. I promise that this time, I won’t try questioning you by force. But in return, I will keep on asking until you answer me. Remember, I will keep on asking.”

Silvia was quite stubborn. She even smiled towards Eco with her face full of confidence.

“I can’t believe it…”

Eco sighed.

“Sorry, Eco-chan.”

At that moment, Cosette returned from the kitchen with a silver tray full of snacks and tea.

“That toy that Eco-chan was holding right now… It probably belongs to Princess-sama a long time ago.”

“How can it be…?”

Whilst she was surprised, Eco took a bite on the vanilla flavoured crepe that Cosette handed to her. If it was the usual Eco, she would definitely shout out ‘Delicious!’ on the first bite, but right now, she was with a serious looks. As expected, even Eco couldn’t enjoy her favorite food properly.

“What Cosette said is true. That toy is definitely an important thing to me during my childhood.”

Silvia spoke calmly as if she was trying to teach a child who knew nothing.

“Ha!? That’s impossible! I understand none of these!”

Eco placed her half eaten crepe back on her plate. Ash was surprised that she prioritized the argument before her crepe.

“I knew it the moment I saw it. There is only one of this stuffed toy in the whole world. It is a very important toy.”

“How can you have such confidence!?”

“You don’t even know the worth of that toy. Anyone who knows its worth would recognize it on their first sight.”

“Arrrrrggh! That explanation is totally unacceptable!”

''Eco was once again in rage, but at least Silvia knew her limit. Thanks to that, the atmosphere did not turn out to be any worst than this…'' Ash secretly thought.

“Come on you two…”

Cosette was obviously not at all troubled. She seems to be enjoying this.

“Haa… It seems like I don’t have a choice.”

Ash sighed.

“Please listen carefully, Princess-sama. That stuffed toy was in my closet. I gave it to Eco since she seems to like it.”

“Hey! Why did you tell that to her!?”

Eco was scolding Ash with her face red.

“What else can I do? If I leave it to both of you, the same thing will continue onwards again and again.”

“I… want this to be a secret between the both of us.”

Eco’s mumbling caught Ash’s attention.

“What did you say?”

“N-Nothing! I don’t even know you!”

Eco averted her face in anger. ''Why must she get angry...?'' Ash wondered.

On the other hand, Silvia was staring at Ash.

“Ash… you said that this toy was in your closet?”

“That seems to be the case.”

Ash shrugged his shoulders.

“Actually, I am not really clear about it. Believe me or not, there was a blank in my memories… I don’t even know how it came into my possession. I don’t even know about its worth if not because of Cosette.”

Silvia was staring at Ash so intently almost as if she was going to pierce a hole in his forehead. She then asked a weird question.

“When is your birthday?”

“Huh? The third on the month of Aries… What about that?”

After Ash answered honestly, Cosette spoke in surprise:

“Oh, what a coincidence. It seems that Princess-sama was also born in the month of Aries. By the way, hers is in the seventh.”

“Hmm… That’s the first time I had heard of it.”

“Huhu… So Ash-sama is the bigger brother by four days.”

“T-That… isn’t it…”

“Ash!”

Silvia suddenly leaned against him. Ash could see her breast that was covered by the thin cloth of the summer clothes.

“Princess-sama?”

“Even though this may seems abrupt, but do you still remember the date you went for the Orphan Ceremony?”

“Err… I don’t really remember about the details, but it shouldn’t be far away from my seventh birthday. Since my hometown was at a far away village, I started my journey when I was still six. I remembered that I had my seventh birthday in a horse carriage.”

Once they reach the age of seven, every citizen of the Knight Country must visit Albion Forest.

For Ash, if he had departed after his seventh birthday, he would never be able to arrive at Albion Forest in a month time.

“By the way, does the date I went for the Orphan Ceremony matters?”

“…No, Nothing. I have something that I want to discuss with Cosette. Please stay here for the moment.”

Silvia suddenly stood up and dragged Cosette by the hand with her.

“What a weird Princess.”

Ash took a drink from the cup of red tea.

===Part 11===
After Silvia entered the makeup room, with an ‘Ahem’, she cleared her throat.

“What do you want to talk about, Princess-sama?”

“About that…”

“It doesn’t seem like something easy.”

Since she had been with Silvia for quite some time, Cosette immediately knew what she was thinking.

“Aah… That’s right.”

“I will do everything you tell me to if it is in my ability to do so. If the situation required, I could even be Princess-sama’s limbs or even your shield… That’s my duty.”

Silvia made up her mind and told her wish.

“Actually, I want you to return to the palace and investigate the name list of the children who went to the orphan ceremony at the same day as me. This should be an easy one for you, no?”

However, Cosette told Silvia something out of her imagination.

“The records of the Orphan Ceremony is the country’s top secret. Even if you are a Princess, you will be breaching the law by trying to investigate it.”

“Then, your duty would be to avoid it. Please, I could only put my hopes on you. With your ability, reading top secret documents should not be a problem, right?”

“That doesn’t sound nice, Princess-sama. The ability that I only knew of was an ancient technique that was passed down in the Shelly’s family and some spying technique. All of them were used to protect the Lautreamont family.”

“I understand that, but…!”

Silvia grabbed her shoulders and looked at Cosette with her puppy eyes.

“Of course I will do it if this is your order. But, what will you do if Ash-sama is really that boy?”

Silvia’s face almost burst out in flames.

“I-I just want to know about it! That’s right, I only want to know about the truth!”

Cosette gave a wry smile.

“Hmm… Putting that aside, during the time when I am not in, when the night comes and Eco had slept, aren’t '''the two of you''' alone together?”

“When the night comes…. The two of us…!?”

This time, steam emerged from her ears. Her heart was beating none stop.

“W-W-What are you talking about! Don’t you have any shame! How shameless! I…I believe that Ash was not someone insolence! That is why there is no point behind your question!”

Silvia snapped and Cosette nodded.

“I too had the same feeling.”

“Then why bother asking!”

Cosette smiled and took out something. It was a stack of paper held together by a paper clip.

“What’s that?”

“Huhu… A copy of ‘Shelley family’s secret. A recipe to make men dream’. Although I want to use it during this summer to teach Princess-sama some cooking… But this is a good chance to try it. Although Princess-sama don’t have any actual experience, but isn't this a good chance to show your cooking skills to Ash-sama?”

Silvia felt as if her body was on fire.

“Hold on! W-W-Why must I show Ash my cooking skills?”

“If I am not mistaken, The Lautreamont Family Motto did mention that ‘to shoot a general you must first shoot his horse’, am I right?”

“What does it had to do with this?”

“In the Shelley’s Family Motto, there is something like this: ‘To get the man you like, you must first fill his stomach’.”

“What kind of family motto is that!?”

“Huhu… When Ash-sama’s stomach is empty, and Princess-sama gave him your homemade cooking, he would surely fall for you.”

“…Fall for me!?”

Cosette was like a devil whispering into Silvia’s ears.

“When a Princess who doesn’t look like she knew any cooking made a meal, which man wouldn’t be moved by it?”

“Cut the crap! I never want Ash to take notice of me! Never! I-It's just that I had some interest in cooking since a long time ago. I will accept your offer because of this.”

Cosette handed her the recipe while smiling.
[[Image:SnRK v05 096.jpg|thumb]]

“Now, I had received my orders from Princess-sama and I will depart from Ansarivan immediately.”

“Huh? Immediately?”

“It is better if we act quickly, Princess-sama.”

Cosette lifted the both sides of her skirt slightly and bowed gracefully.

Suddenly, like a mist, Cosette disappeared from Silvia’s sight like a magician.

“H-Hey! Cosette? … Do you really want to depart at this moment?”

Silvia became worried when she heard no reply.

“Please hold on, Cosette! You should allow me to have some mental preparation before…!”

Silvia looked around the room with tears in her eyes. It looks like Cosette had really departed.

“Tsk… She never takes me seriously!”

After Silvia mumbled in regrets, she took a long hard look at the recipe given to her.

"The Stuffed Toy Dragon~A.S.B.1365.8~" is closed.

<noinclude>

==References and Translation Notes==
<references />

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| Back to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Prologue|Prologue]]
| Return to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]
|-
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</noinclude>

Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 1

2014-08-08T05:10:59Z

Valthan: /* Part 5 */

==Chapter 1 - Tragedy of Apollo house and Mirabel's decision==
===Part 1===
''-Don! Don…! Don!''

The sun had just risen but Ash who spent a sleepless night was woken up by a loud knocking sound.

“What in the world…?”

He took that silver watch by his pillow side and noticed that it was just half past six.

After he angrily took a look at the window, he became wide awake.

“Uwaa…!”

There was a huge eye looking through the gaps of the curtain.

It was actually a dragon who was banging its nose against the window.

''-Don! Don… Dododododo!”''

He was worried that it may break the glass.

“Why is a dragon coming to my room!? Could it be another Necromancia attack!?”

So the Empire had finally shown their true colours and started attacking? Ash tried to leave the bed but he was stopped.

“Zzz…”

Eco rolled over and hugged Ash.

Her hair was all over his shoulders and her arms were around his back.

And also her soft face that was on his chest…

''-Mmm…''

Ash was shocked by her sudden nibble.

“Hey, Eco… Please don’t bite that spot.”

Recently, her habit of nibbling had gotten less but she still had not gotten rid of her habit of a young dragon. Moreover, she was nibbling on Ash’s sensitive spot which troubled him.

At that moment, there was a crack on the window.

“This is bad… It is not the right moment to let her continue nibbling.”

Ash carried Eco and they left the bed together. The next thing he knew, the glass was smashed into pieces.

He managed to avoid the glass fragments at the last moment.

At the same time, there were two dragons that were trying to squeeze their heads through the window. Their hard scales protect them from the sharp glass.

By taking a closer look, Ash noticed that one of them was a Maestro while the other was a Hydra. After knowing that he was not attacked by a Necromancia, Ash breathe a sigh of relieve.

“Morning, Ash!”

“Good morning, Ash-sama!”

Finally, he could see the faces of the two riders.

They were the student council secretary Lucca and Jessica of the general affairs. Right beside them were Maestro Gawain and Rhiannon the Hydra.

Ash started to protest after he placed Eco who was still sleeping on the bed.

“Lucca! Jessica! What in the world are both of you doing!?”

Since the time Ash saved Gawain who was in danger of dying, Lucca had become emotionally attached to Ash. In the dragon riding academy, most of the girls are the more aggressive type, it was kind of rare to see someone as quiet as Lucca. The beauty that only an Eckbald possessed was out of this world.

Ash was a little surprised to see Lucca acting rashly. Perhaps she was influenced by Jessica.

“Ash… I hoped that you would come with me to the Eckbald village. I want to introduce you to the village chief, my otou-sama.” <ref>In the raw version, Lucca called her father otou-sama, but the kanji written was foster father.</ref>

Her usual emotionless face had always given Ash a heck lot of trouble.

“Hold on! W-Why must you mention about the chief!?”

“P-Please don’t ask anymore than this.”

Lucca was suddenly blushing.

This time, it was Jessica who pushed Lucca to aside.

Jessica who was usually eyeing at Ash’s sperm, though her actions had always been eccentric, she was still undoubtably one of the few beauties of the academy.

“Ash-sama, I have a request!”

“Hey, wait a minute! This is the third floor! How did a hydra get here…?”

“Well. Climbing wall is not a problem for my Rhiannon.”

“Can’t you sympathize your Pal a little!”

Ash pitied her Pal. Although a Hydra may still be able to move on land, but only when they are in the water they are able to show their true skills. It shouldn’t be its own intention to walk on land. Let alone climbing the walls of the student’s dormitory, which doesn’t seem to fit the actions of a proud dragon.

“Putting that aside, Ash-sama! I am about to leave Ansarivan. What about you? Do you have any plans of returning?”

“Now I remember… today is the start of the holiday.”

-The first day of the month of Leo.

It was the first day of the holidays for Ansarivan Dragon Riding Academy. Since it was a boarding school, most of the student will return to their hometown.

Of course, not all of the students were going back home. There were also a small amount of students that were forced to stay in for the holidays for certain reasons.

Ash was one of them.

“Nope, I am not going home.”

After hearing, Jessica’s facial expression changes.

“What! If that’s the case, I too will stay back here!”

“Uuh… If I don’t return soon… I will be scolded by my otou-sama.”

Compare to Jessica who was in high spirit, Lucca looks sad. Lucca who carry the hopes of all Eckbald with her probably doesn’t have as much freedom as Jessica has.

“Sorry to disappoint you Jessica, but you must return with me.”
[[Image:SnRK v05 044.jpg|thumb]]

Suddenly, there was another voice.

“Rebecca-san!”

Ash shouted.

There was a sweet smell from her red hair being blown by the winds. She looks like a war maiden in the legends when she was riding on Cú Chulainn.

“Sorry for the trouble that this stupid girl from my house had given you. The Randall family will cover the fees for mending the window. The servants fault is also the master’s fault.”

“Now that you mention it… I remember that Jessica was a servant in the Randall family.”

“Just that since she became a Breeder, she had forgotten about her place.”

Rebecca sighed.

“Hmph! Could you stop calling me that? I don’t have the intention of serving the Randall family for my whole life!”

“I never thought of that. You are my important childhood friend. Also, your parents had asked me to take good care of you. That is why I have my duty to bring you back to meet your parents.”

Although her lips were smiling, there was not even a hint of smile in Rebecca’s eyes. After Jessica saw Rebecca’s determination, her elbows dropped in disappointment.

“Haa… I understand. However… I want Ash-sama to see me off!”

Ash gave a wry smile.

“I think that should be alright.”

The moment he answered, Jessica was once again with a big smile. But, she was then blushing and started to mumble.

“T-Then… According to my hometown’s custom…. There should be a parting k-kiss….”

“Hey! Jessica! When does our hometown have such a custom?”

Rebecca exposed Jessica’s lie with a wry smile.

“Hmph! Rebecca! Don’t you know how to look at the atmosphere?”

“I-I too would like you to see me off…”

While Jessica was in rage, Lucca shyly told Ash her wish.

“Of course.”

“T-Then… According to the Eckbald custom…. I want you to give me a princess carry.”

Ash’s heart skipped a beat when he first saw Lucca’s blushing face.

“A-A princess carry!”

Ash was in a fix but Jessica shouted at Lucca:

“Hey! What are you trying to do in this mess! That must be a lie!?”

“Uuh…”

While Lucca turned speechless, the noise that Jessica made had spread throughout the school.

“Hey, can you believe it! The president and Jessica were making a night visit! And the other person… Could she be Lucca Sarlinen the genius girl from the basic class!?”

Suddenly, a huge number of students were gathering outside of the Apollo House. It was something for three girls to be standing on their dragons beside a window of a boy’s dormitory.

To say nothing of Rebecca Randall who was the most popular person in the entire academy, Jessica was also one of the centers of attentions and let alone Lucca with her Yōsei like looks and her skills as a Dragner.

“I-I am just here to have Ash-sama see me off! Nothing else!”

Jessica tried to settle the misunderstanding by shouting towards the direction of the school.

“Hmm! By saying Ash-kun you mean… The Ash-kun who was knighted yesterday!?”

“The knighting ceremony was awesome!”

“I also want him to see me off!”

Right now all the girls were speaking with s shrill voice.

Rebecca gave him a bitter smile while she was enjoying all of this.

“Seems like your popularity had sky rocketed after you became a Dragner.”

“The situation outside… Somehow, it looks frightening.”

“Yeah. I just saw around thirty dragons flying towards this window.”

Rebecca told him the unthinkable news with a calm face.

“Huh!?”

“Sorry, Ash. Though I have many reasons to help you… But if I show my true skills, the girls would suffer some grave injuries.”

“Hol-! Don’t leave me!”

“You should try to solve your own problem if you are a Dragner. Also… If it is alright, I would also want you to see me off.”

“…Eh?”

Unfortunately, Ash was not able to catch everything Rebecca said. Her voice disappeared behind the loud noise from Cú Chulainn flapping its wings.

“Good luck, Ash.”

Lucca too had reluctantly flew off with Gawain.

Right after that, the Apollo House faced a terrible attack.

“Ash-kun! Please see me off!”

“Ash-kun, you might as well come to my home town with me…!”

“Hey! Don’t cut the queue!”

Most of the girls returning were riders of stradas. They were like bats gathering together for food at the window.

But of course it was impossible for thirty riders of stradas to squeeze into the window at the same time.

Soon, they started pushing around.

“P-Please be patient! Calm down! Please calm down!”

Ash was panicking.

Every single roar from the Strada was enough to shake up this entire old building.

“Hey!...How dare you! Ash-sama is my important- Nooooooo!”

Unlike Rebecca or Lucca, Jessica who stayed until the end was finally pushed off the wall together with Rhiannon.

“W-What should I do?”

Ash retreated until his back was facing the wall while he was watching the girls fighting for a spot.

At that moment, Eco who had rolled herself into a ball while she was sleeping had woken up and was rubbing her eyes.

“Hmmm…. What’s all the noise about?”

“You ! How can you still think of sleeping!”

Eco was looking around in confusion. It seems that she wasn’t fully awake yet and wasn’t able to think properly.

Ash shouted with all his might towards the window.

“I beg you! Could you please not make a mess in front of someone else’s window! I promise to see off every single one of you!”

Too bad for him, his voice was not received by them.

Suddenly, Ash had a bad feeling.

“I couldn’t be…”

His entire body was shivering in fear. Since some time ago, the wall facing the outside was creaking. It appears that the Stradas were putting pressure on it.

“It is dangerous to stay here! Lets run Eco!”

“Huh…! Could you care to explain!”

“Later!”

Ash was running with Eco on his hands.

He ran out through the door and out to the corridor.

Just when he was sliding along the floor…

''-Creak…! Eeeeekkkk……. !Do--------------n!''

The next moment, there was a loud explosion.

Ash cautiously took a peek through the cracks on the door while trembling. All he sees was dust flying around and even the corridor was affected.

''“*Cough *!*Cough *!”''

While covering up Eco who was coughing, Ash waited until the dust had settled down.

Just moments later-

After the dust had cleared up, what Ash saw was a clear sky.

The morning rays were shining at the disastrous room.

The wreckage of the wall was all over his room. It was a painful sight.

Right now, with the wall that was facing the academy and the window destroyed, his room looked like a doll house that can be seen from the outside.

“Err… Eco, am I dreaming?”

“I think so?”

Ash and Eco were looking at the room with their mouths wide open.

===Part 2===
Ash was brought to the director’s office on the first day of the holiday.

As for those girls who were the culprit, it seems that they had ran back home as soon as possible. That is why Ash who was the victim was summoned.

“I see… Now I understand what had happened.”

Mirabel who was acting as the director replied coldly and drank from her cup of tea.

The room was full of the smells of bergamot and the tea.

Just like a robot, Mirabel’s face was emotionless the entire time. ''Does this princess even have the thing known as feelings…?'' Ash thought.

“The academy will take responsibility for mending the wall. Just some time before, I had asked the builders of this city and they estimated that they will be able to complete it in around two weeks time.”

“Really…! Thank you very much!”

Ash was grateful that she was able to deal with this situation without delay.

“The problem is… During the renovation, where am I to place you and Eco.”

“I see…”

“Can you borrow a room from any of your friends?”

“I don’t think that would be possible…”

Unfortunately, Max and Raymond had gone home. For Ash who doesn’t have many friends, these were the’ only two friends that he could rely on. Although there was an option of using it without asking for their permissions, but Ash couldn’t bring himself to do it.

''-Bang!''

The door behind him was opened with a slam.

The next time he knew, Silvia and Eco was right beside him.

“How much longer are the two of you going to keep on talking!? Can’t you just give us a new room!”

Eco was pointing at Mirabel in anger.

“Anee-ue! Why do you call for Ash! That incident was caused by a few girls! It had nothing to do with Ash! Aren’t you treating him like the culprit!?”

Silvia on the other hand was trying to speak up for Ash.

“Where are your manners? Don’t you know that it is rude to walk into a room without knocking? You won’t be given special treatment even if you are the descendant of the Avalon Holy Dragons Emperor’s family or my sister. “

Mirabel glared at both of them coldly.

“I am sorry… Anee-ue.”

Silvia stood still on her ground as if she had turned into a stone.

On the other hand, Eco was trying to intimidate Mirabel by showing her sharp teeth.

“Hey you!... How dare you act like that even when you know that I am Avalon’s holy dragons' emperor family's Imperial Princess! Why don’t I try crushing the castle the next time? If I show you my true self, one or two Fontaine Place won’t…”

“Idiot! Stop spurting nonsense!”

Ash’s face was pale white when he was scolding Eco.

Since that incident, the Knight’s government took Eco as a threat. As long as there is the possibility that Mirabel was here to keep an eye on Eco, they have to be careful with their own words.

But to his surprise, Eco calm down with just a single shout.

She turned her head around with her face blushing.

“I-I will listen to you… Just this time.”

Ash was taken aback from seeing Eco making such an expression for the first time. Just as he had expected, it was that transformation that had made a change of her heart. Although the gentle Eco looked a lot cuter, at the same time, it was also a little confusing.

“Ahem!”

Mirabel tried clearing her throat, returning everyone’s attention back to her.

“Silvia, you came at the right moment. Right now you are staying in the royal room in the Epona House right?”

“…What about it?”

Silvia was surprised.

“Until the renovation in the boy’s dormitory had been completed, Ash Blake and young dragon Eco will stay in your room for the time being.”

“What!”

“I won’t repeat for a second time. This is an order from your sister. You are not allowed to have any objections.”

Naturally, Silva was enraged.

“What do you mean by this! This is against our family motto where ‘A knight shouldn’t carelessly touch another of the opposite sex’!”

“Hmm… Funny but I remember that I said to let Ash Blake and young dragon Eco stay in your room. When did I ever mention about touching Ash?”

“T-That…!”

Right at this moment, even Silvia’s earlobes were red.

“Right now, if I were to mention the family motto that you love so much, ‘A knight should help those who are in need’. Am I wrong?”

After she replied coldly, Mirabel looked like she had lost interest in the case regarding Ash. She kept on looking at the tea cup on her hand.

“I am done with you- What a pain, now a good cup of tea had turned cold.”

===Part 3===
Rebecca and Jessica had returned to the land ruled by the Randalls.

Lucca on the other hand had returned to her village.

After seeing them off, Ash and Eco once again returned to his room on the third floor of the Apollo House.

They once again looked at the disastrous room.

A bed full of glass fragments.

A floor full with the remains of the wall.

And the disorganized furniture.

With the wall gone, the room became bright and windy. Looking down from above was a few curious onlookers. When their eyes came into contact with Ash’s, everyone scattered.

“Haa… First of all, I think we should try cleaning up a little. It is better to make it look a little more cheerful before the renovation starts.”

Turning around, Ash noticed that Eco was sulking.

“What’s wrong, Eco?”

“Hey. Do you really want to stay in Silvia’s room?”

“It is not like I have a choice. It was an order from Princess Mirabel. It seems that even Princess-sama did not dare to go against her.”

“I… I hate it.”

“What’s the matter? You don’t look like your usual self. Well, if we stay at Princess-sama’s room, we may be able to eat Cosette’s delicious homemade cooking.”

“That’s not the point! And also, I am not someone who thinks about food for an entire day!”

Eco's face was red with anger and embarrassment.

“Is it… Sorry then.”

“It is fine if you understand. Anyway, just if you try to do something weird to Silvia… I will be sure to crush you!”

Eco was glaring at Ash.

“What do you mean by something weird!?”

With her ears fully red, Eco told Ash embarrassedly:

“T-To make it simple…. It is those perverted stuffs.”

“W-What are you even thinking!”

Ash stood still on his ground. He never expected Eco to speak of such a word. It kind of surprised him.

“Even I knew about those stuffs… Don’t look down on me just because I am a young dragon.”

“Could the source of information be…. The Dragweiss?”

“…Some of them were from there, but most of them were from the picture books that Cosette lent me.”

“Hold on! Are they really… Just picture books!?”

In order to teach her the importance of aesthetic sensibility, Cosette had lent her picture books and books for children. For that, Ash was grateful for Cosette.

However, there was a possibility that she mixed some books with adult content in them into the pile of picture books she had given to Eco.

“Anyhow, she is still this country’s princess. What you are worrying about will never happen, rest assured.”

''In the worst possible case, I will be beheaded…'' Ash thought secretly.

“A-Alright… I understand.”

Once again, Eco was smiling and she looked at the room around her.

“Then… What can I do to help you?”

“You are trying to help?”

“What? Is it weird for me to help?”

“Definitely not weird, but rare. Ain’t it always me who complete the house work?”

“A-About that… It doesn’t seem like I have a choice. I am a dragon. I don’t really understand how a human acts. But… I just feel like helping for today… Can’t I!?”

Eco puffed up her rosy coloured cheeks and stared at Ash.

“Why not? I even want to thank you.”

Ash gave a wry smile and tried to pat her head.

But, Eco immediately dodge to a side.

“No! You mustn’t touch!”

“Sorry… I didn't know that you dislike it this much.”

“N-No! It is okay it you are just patting, but you mustn’t touch my horns. If they were just slightly touched, I… will turn weird. I felt like floating in the air when they were touched...”

Ash could calm down after seeing Eco’s face when she tried to explain her feelings.

“I understand. I promise I won’t touch your horns.”

Ash carefully patted Eco’s head.

Her pink hair was fluffy and it gave his palm a nice feeling.

“Nn…”

Even when she was a dragon, Eco was smiling and shrugging her neck like what a cat would do.

Her innocent smile had grabbed Ash’s attention.

To be precise, it was her flower bud like lips.

His heart was beating rapidly.

This was actually the second time he had such a feeling.

The first time was when Eco said that she won’t be satisfied with just being a Pal in the guest room in Fontaine Palace.

“…”

Eco probably felt the change in the atmosphere too and her body suddenly tense up. Perhaps she too was also thinking about the scenario in the Fontaine Palace.

In a short while, just like that time, Eco closes her eyes.

She also tried to purse her lips.

Ash also noticed that her long eyelashes were also trembling.

''-Eco…!''
[[Image:SnRK v05 060.jpg|thumb]]

He suddenly remembered the word ‘beloved Pal’ in the knighting ceremony.

During that time, Ash was only saying the standard pledge.

But this was totally different.

His feeling of love to Eco was born from deep in his heart. A feeling that could be explained using something as simple as the relation of a Breeder and its Pal had grown.

Right now, they don’t need any words.

Ash placed both his hands on Eco’s shoulders and he closes their distance slowly.

A sweet smell was surrounding them which made him dizzy.

Right now, he felt as if his heart was going to explode.

They were now at a distance where their nose could easily touch each other.

Eco felt like being pierced through by the sunlight while she was waiting for Ash.

Ash made up his mind and closed his eyes.

And then- he kissed Eco on her lips.

===Part 4===
“~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~!”

Since their kiss, Eco had been working silently with her back facing Ash the entire time.

It seemed that she was too embarrassed to even look at Ash in the face.

And of course, it was the same for Ash.

Ash felt as if his face was a ball of fire.

Although the two of them at a first glance seemed to be dusting the room, there was actually zero progress. What they were doing was only messing up the already messed up room.

''-What should I do? What should I say at times like this?''

Just when Ash was anxious in trying to find the right words…

“Uwaaa…! Cute!”

Eco turned around and showed Ash a round object.

“Isn’t this cute? Where did you find this stuffed toy?”

At that moment, Ash felt something was pricking at the back of his neck. It made him wonder what it was.

The stuffed toy that Eco was holding seems to be a dragon. Strictly speaking, its face was clumsily done.

Furthermore, it's round body made it looks nothing like a majestic dragon.

However, Eco seemed to take it as cute, and it made her forget about what had just happened previously.

“Err… Actually I don’t remember much about that when it came into my possession. No matter how I look at it, looked just like a girl’s toy. It is probably not me who bought it.”

It was thanks to the toy that Ash was once again able to speak to Eco normally.

“Hmm… Strange.”

Eco was carrying the stuffed toy while she whipped off the dust on it.

“Hmm… When I move to Ansarivan, I just took it with me without any reason. Perhaps there is a great meaning behind it was what I thought. Actually… There is a blank in my childhood memory.”

“… A blank in your memories?”

Eco was surprised.

“Aah. It was right about when I had my seventh birthday when I visited Albion Forest for the Orphan Ceremony. I just can’t recall my memories during that time.”

“Isn’t that… The time when Mother Dragon bestowed me to you?”

“It seems so.”

“How come you can’t remember such an important event?”

Ash shrunk when he saw Eco start to get mad. Just like how they were finally able to speak normally, Eco’s temper had also returned.

“To be frank, I know nothing of it myself. It was just that I had a hunch that this toy had something to do with my lost memories and that’s the reason why I was reluctant to throw it away. However, because of the recent events, I totally forgot about it.”

“Then, can I keep it?”

Ash was taken by surprised.

“What do you mean by keeping it?”

“It is just like what I had said. Don’t you think it is sad for such a cute being to be left forgotten? I will take the trouble to take care of this kid.”

“How can you take care of it when it isn’t even a living being? Argh, whatever suits you then.”

“Really!?”

Eco was full of excitement.

“Well, I don’t really mind.”

“That's great!”

Eco was so happy that she felt that she could even fly. She then rubbed the stuffed toy with her cheeks.

Followed by that, she cuddled it like what a mother would do to her baby.

Suddenly, she spoke of something that surprised Ash.

“This somehow looked like our baby…”

Eco suddenly stopped speaking before she could even finish her sentence. She the glared at Ash with eyes looking as if they were on fire.

“You heard anything?”

“No, nothing at all.”

Ash spoke with a serious look on his face.

“T-That’s right! N-Nothing happened! Nothing happened at all!”

As if her head was exploding in flames, Eco carried the toy and dashed out from the room.

“Actually, I heard every single word…”

Just as Ash was murmuring with his body also feeling as it was engulfed by fire…

“Sorry to interrupt, Ash-sama.”

Suddenly, there was a woman’s voice coming from behind.

“Uwaa!”

He noticed that it was Cosette after he turned around. She seemed to be wearing the same palace design maid attire today. She then gave a polite bow.

“Cosette-san! How did you get in?”

“To enter such an airy room is like a child’s play to me.”

Cosette smiled before she turned around to look at the blue sky.

“That couldn’t be… This is the third floor! Putting that aside, why are you here?”

“I am here to meet you and Eco-chan. Had you forgotten about Princess Mirabel, Her Highness’s decision?”

Of course, it was impossible for him to forget about it to begin with. However, he still felt a little reluctant.

“Actually, can’t we reconsider about this? Putting Eco aside, don’t you think that it is wrong for a guy like me to enter Epona House where guys are not allowed?”

“For your own sake, I would advise you to follow her decision. Do you know what Princes Mirabel was also known as?”

“No… Nothing comes to mind at all.”

“Her nick name is actually Argento Magus. If we can describe Princess Veronica as a fighter, then Princess Mirabel is a thinker. Compare to Veronica, there were certain things that would made Mirabel a tougher opponent. Please be sure to be prepared mentally, Ash-sama.”

Ash sighed after he heard everything.

“…I understand. Please let me take some belongings like my pillow and clothes with me…”

“Alright then, meanwhile, I will try searching for Eco.”

Eco had not yet return since the moment she ran out from the room.

“Thank you. I think she should be somewhere around the dorm.”

“Huhu. That will be a simple task.”

Cosette ran towards the door nimbly while avoiding the disorganized furniture, but then she suddenly stopped and turned around to face Ash.

“By the way, Ash-sama.”

“What’s the matter?”

When Ash lifted his face, he saw Cosette’s face full of red. Ash was staring at her since it was rare to see her who was always calm to be blushing.

Although she always stayed hidden behind Silvia’s shadow, she actually looked quite beautiful.

With her right hand on her cheeks, she sighed.

Then she said something outrageous.

“Ash-sama and Eco-chan’s kiss looked very innocent indeed.”

“Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

This time, it was Ash’s turn to be blushing.

“D-Don’t, Don’t tell me that you saw everything!?”

“It totally felt like an opera show. You looked so cute when you kiss without even needing any words to understand each other. My god, isn’t that wonderful? Didn't Eco-chan also look cute when she was waiting to receive your kiss?”

“I beg you, please stop saying anymore than this! It is embarrassing!”

Right now, Ash felt like he was sitting on a mountain of needles.

Cosette, too, had also seemed to realize that she over did it, and replied with a playful smile.

“Rest assured, I won’t tell Princess-sama any of this.”

“How is Princeass-sama related to this!?”

“Hmm… I wonder… Huhu…”

Cosette left the room with her sentence ending with her laughter.

===Part 5===
The moment Ash finished gathering all his basic daily needs, Cosette was back with Eco. Together, the three of them marched towards Epona House.

Although it was around evening, the sun was still high up in the sky.

After passing through a grove of mixed trees, they were welcomed by a stern looking gate.

Even the cicada had stopped making noise.

Although they were just walking, they were all full of sweat.

By taking a peek beside, Eco looked as if she was suffering from the heat of the high summer temperature. She looked like a Hydra who was looking for water on dry land.

Compared to Ash, Eco was only carrying her stuffed toy.

On the other hand, Cosette didn’t even break a sweat.

“We have arrived.”

She turned around and smiled at both Ash and Eco.

Through the gate, they could see a garden that was separated into two halves by the walkway. It must have been well tended by a good gardener. Even Ash who doesn’t have any interest in gardening was amazed by it.

At the back of the garden stood an elegant looking building.

That was Epona House, the dormitory for advance class girls.

“We had finally arrived…”

Ash placed his baggage which was full of daily needs and clothing on the ground.

''How long does it actually take to walk here from Apollo House…'' Ash couldn’t be bothered to even think about it.

This dragon riding academy where human and dragons coexist had a very large land area.

In it, there were numerous classes, a church, a lecture hall, a library, a canteen, seven dragon houses, four dormitories, a sports ground… It even included an arena that was used during events.

Although there was the shopping district and the housing are beyond the school walls, compared to the size of the academy, they just looked like extras. That's the reason why Ansarivan was called an academic city.

Putting that aside, the distance between the boys dormitory and the girls dormitory must had been arranged on purpose by the academy.

“Please enter.”

Cosette pushed open the heavy looking gate and welcomed both of them in.

===Part 6===
On the top most floor of Epona House was the room of royal use.

It looked like a high class hotel suit and it even had a large space.

Apart from a heater in the living room, there was also a dining room, a study room, bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, etc. In a room that has everything, it looked as if it was another world compared to the normal student’s room.

Silvia was walking up and down around her room alone, worrying endlessly.

“Argh! What’s wrong with me! Why couldn’t I calm down! Even my family motto stated that ‘Always stay calm, especially in a pinch’!”

Even though she wasn’t even in a pinch, Silvia couldn’t stop worrying. It was about time for Cosette to arrive with Ash and Eco.

“That’s it!”

Silvia stopped in her tracks for a moment and then she dashed into the makeup room and stood in front of a mirror.

She applied a thin layer of makeup on her face.

She tried combing her hair many times.

Her clothings and accessories were chosen by Cosette.

She put on her camisole, a skirt with two layers of frills, her panty socks and a necklace made from bright dragon crystals that acted as jewels.

In front of the mirror, she was just like her usual…. No, she was at least twice as more beautiful than she usually was.

Silvia turned red when she realized how beautiful she was.

“Why would I dress myself up! It is alright by just sticking to what I usually do!”

Ash was about to arrive.

Until the boy’s dormitory was done with its renovation, Ash was going to stay here for two weeks.

Her hearts started to beat rapidly from thinking about it.

“This feeling… It is that same feeling as ''that time…''”

Silvia recalled her memories.

Around the time of her seventh birthday, she met a boy in Albion Forest.

''“Why? Why would I have this feeling of returning to the time when I was seven years old whenever I think about Ash…?”''

Silvia suddenly regained her sense.

“Stop! Stop! Stop! Doesn’t this mean that I am looking forward for him to arrive!? Right… I should change back into my normal clothing…”
[[Image:SnRK v05 006.jpg|thumb|'' ''…!'' Silvia immediately snapped out from the confusion. She just remembered that right now, she was only wearing her undergarments. '']]

Silvia left the makeup room and entered the living room. She swiftly removed all her clothings except for her undergarments. She then walked along the corridor towards the changing room.

Suddenly, the door opened right in front of her eyes.

“Princess-sama, we had returned.”

Cosette walked in with a smile.

“Princess-sama!?”

Ash was standing right behind Cosette with his eyes wide opened. ''Why is his face red? Is it because of the heat?''

“…!”

Silvia immediately snapped out from the confusion. She just remembered that right now, she was only wearing her undergarments.

“Kyaaaaaaaaaaa!”

Silvia ran and hid behind the door while screaming at the top of her voice.

===Part 7===
“Hey you! Just until when are you going to keep on staring!”

“Ouch!”

Ash came back to his sense after he was stomped on the leg by Eco.

Just when he had stepped in through the grand entrance, he was greeted by Silvia in only her undergarments. The white coloured lace will forever be imprinted in his mind.

''By the way, why was Silvia wearing only those?'' No matter how hot the weather can be, it doesn’t suit her image.

“I am going to check on Princess-sama. Could the both of you wait here for a moment, please?”

With a happy smile on her face, Cosette disappeared into the corridor. In just a moment-

“No. This definitely doesn’t look natural.”

“No no. It definitely fits you well.”

“But… Won’t this make me look like I am looking forward to their arrival?”

“Huh? Aren’t you?”

Their entire conversation was heard by Ash.

“Come on! This is a disgrace! How dare they make a dragon wait by the entrance!”

Eco who was standing right beside Ash was in rage. The toy that she had with her which had a carelessly made face was further squashed by Eco’s abnormal strength.

Ash pitied the toy. If this continued to keep on, Ash would probably be the next victim.

“Sorry for the wait.”

Just when Ash was about to be surrounded by his fear, Cosette had returned to the entrance with Silvia who was hiding right behind her.

Ash’s heart skipped a beat when he saw Silvia’s clothing. It gave a completely different feel compare to the school uniform that she usually wears. A lot of her skin was exposed from wearing the camisole. It had totally grabbed his attention.

“Please come in.”

Ash regained his sense after he heard Cosette’s voice.

“S-Sorry for the intrusion.”

In opposite to Ash, Eco was looking around the room with a hint of worry.

“Even so… You are just a Princess of the Royal Knight’s Family and you get to have such a great room?”

Perhaps she was mad from being asked to wait at the entrance, Eco was saying anything that would sooth her anger.

In truth, even Ash was amazed by the room itself. Just the entrance itself is wider than Ash’s room. There were even expensive looking pictures along the wall and carvings of dragons.

“Please don’t be mad. This room was specially made for the royals, it would be natural if Princess-sama is staying here.”

Ash tried to calm her down.

“But, I am also a Princess of the dragons! Why would there be such a large difference in our treatment!?”

“It is not like I want to stay in this room either!”

Silvia tried to speak up for herself even when she was being threatened by Eco.

“I even tried telling the academy to let me have the same treatment as the rest of the students, but they never listen…”

Suddenly, Silvia stood still on her ground. There was not even a slightest movement.

“Princess-sama… What’s wrong? You don’t look good.”

Ash was worried about her but she didn’t reply.

She kept on staring at the stuffed toy that Eco was carrying with her with her ice blue eyes.

Silvia then suddenly leaped towards Eco and grabbed her shoulders.

“Eco! Can you tell me how did that toy fall into your possession?”

Eco became confused.

“I-It has nothing to do with you.”

“Please tell me! This is very important!”

Silvia shouted loudly.

“… I picked it up.”

Eco mumbled when she turned her head to aside. It seemed that she did not want to tell Silvia that it was a gift from Ash. Ash was wondering on why she would be insisting on it.

“You picked it up? When? Where?”

Silvia was being persistent.

“Come on! Why do I need to tell you?”

Eco lost her patience and roared.

“…Why can’t you tell me?”

“T-That’s because… I don’t have the obligation to tell you.”

“Now I see, you are playing dumb… It seems I must resolve to this.”

Suddenly, Silvia leaped towards Eco with both of her hands stretched out.

“Hey!... Don’t joke with me!”

Eco dodge with the toy in her arms.

With the royal room as the stage, the two of them started running around like a bunch of kids. In just a blink of an eye, both of them
disappeared behind a door.

“Err… What is this all about?”

Ash who was left behind turned around and questioned Cosette.

“Cosette-san?”

To his surprised, Cosette too was transfixed on her own spot. It was rare to see her making a face like that.

Cosette then regained her sense after being called out to by Ash and started explaining.

“I just remember about it… I fear that that stuffed toy…. Is an important treasure to Princess-sama during her childhood.”

Ash was surprised by her answer.

“Wait a moment! That shouldn’t be possible! There should be many more stuffed toys with the same design, no?”

Cosette answered calmly.

“No. There ain’t. That toy is the one and only in this world. It was a limited edition item. It was actually made from a famous artist from Chevron Kingdom called Leonard De Mirabeau and was given to the five year old Princess-sama.”

“Really? That clumsily made toy is…”

“That’s not it… Its weird look was actually Mirabeau-sama’s style. Didn’t people usually say that there was only a silver line that separates a genius and a madman? If that stuffed toy was bought to an antique auction… It should be priced at five million Eccles at minimum.”

Cosette told him the shocking truth with s straight face.

“Five million…!”

Ash turned speechless.

His face had turned pale.

''-Five million Eccles!''

Ash couldn’t even imagine that amount of money. He just knew that he won’t be able to finish it by living the rest of his days enjoying life. He never knew that such a treasure was hidden in his closet.

“W-We should try stopping them first!”

Ash started searching for them in the huge room.

===Part 8===
“Finally! You won’t be able to escape!”

Eco who ran into Silvia’s room was now like a rat in the bag. There was only one exit and the windows were too high to jump from since this was the top most floor.

“Tsk… You are being persistent!”

Eco backed off to the wall and like a mother protecting her child, she tried to intimidate Silvia.

For one moment, Silvia was awed by her beauty, but the next instant, she roared:

“You haven’t told me anything yet! I just want to know how this toy came into your possession!”

“Why would you even want to know!?”

“T-That… I had my own reasons! Please, Eco!”

“Hmph… I had mine too. I will never tell you, only you!”

Both of them were glaring at each other without any intention of backing off.

Silvia realized that whatever she said was useless.

“Now you have done it. Although it is not to my liking… I must resolve this by force.”

“What! Who do you think I am! See that if you can do it!”

“Fine with me!”

Silvia leaped forward without mercy.

Although she must avoid Eco’s abnormal strength, Eco’s actions had always been straight forward and were always easy to read.

On the other hand, apart from the Drag Arts, Silvia had mastered many more fighting styles. It is a normal thing to do for someone who was born in the Lautreamont Royal Knight’s Family.

After struggling on the ground like brats, Silvia came out as the winner.

“Now you have been captured!”

Silvia was pressing Eco’s tiny body on the floor and without giving her a chance to fight back, she rode on Eco.

“Tsk… Let me go!”

“Is there any idiot in this world that would move off once they are being asked to?”

The winner had been decided. Even when Eco had her abnormal strength, she could never be able to beat Silvia.

But, there was a reason why Silvia could beat her easily.

Eco had never let go of the stuffed toy even after she was pressed down against the floor. If Eco would just let go of that toy, the fight could still drag on. No, it could even be Silvia who was pressed down against the floor.

“Please, Eco! This is not an order. Although it was not a long time since the day I met you, I always think you as a friend. That is why… Could you please tell me?”

Just when Silvia was begging Eco with a trembling voice…

“Eco! Princess-sama!”

The door opened with a bang and Ash came running in.

Silvia turned around to look at Ash while she was pressing Eco down against the floor.

“Hold on, Ash! I never have the intention to harm Eco! I just want to ask Eco about it… no matter what!”

“But, Princess-sama doesn’t act like the usual you. Even so, Eco is my Pal, I won’t forgive anyone who try to harm her, even if it is Princess-sama.”

After Ash murmured sadly, he showed her his left arm.

Silvia knew that he had his abnormally large Seikoku covered in a bandage.

“Your Seikoku…?”

Silvia was in lost of words.

The Seikoku under the bandage was obviously blinking with glowing lights. That was a signal given when the Pal was in danger.

For example, even though Silvia did not have any intentions of harming Eco, but Eco felt that she was in danger and sent the signal to her owner Ash for help…

“Sorry, Eco… I am really sorry. I am in the wrong for scaring you…. But, I have my own reasons. Please, Eco! Please tell me for the sake of our friendship!”

Silvia was forcing out an answer from Eco.

“…Eco?”

Eco did not reply. Just as Silvia became confused, Eco was surrounded by a glowing light.

“Hey, Eco! What’s wrong?”

Eco still did not reply. Right now, Eco was like a doll, showing no expression.

Even her eyes seemed to be reflecting nothing.

“Urgh…!”

The next instant, Silvia was being blasted of by a strong wind.

“Princess-sama!”

Followed by Ash’s shout, Silvia’s back bang against the wall. She almost couldn’t breathe because of it.

===Part 9===
“Princess-sama!”

Just when Ash was trying to help Silvia out, Cosette arrived.

“I will take care of Princess-sama. Ash-sama, go help Eco-chan! This is no laughing matter!”

Cosette’s voice seemed to be more serious and nervous than usual.

“Understood!”

Ash ran straight towards Eco.

His Seikoku started to hurt.

He remembered that feeling.

He had the similar feeling when Eco was awaken in the capital, Fontaine.

Although the pain was not as strong as that time, Ash knew that this was the sign before her transformation into a dragon.

Eco stood up slowly with the cute stuffed toy dropping on the floor.

Strictly speaking, she was not standing.

There was a gap in between her feet and the floor.

She was actually floating…!

Her limbs were now surrounded by the mysterious light that was so bright that they could not look at it directly.

However, Ash continued to move forward.

“Stop, Eco! If you are to be awaken here…”

In the worst possible case, this Epona House will be destroyed. No, it could even be related to the city’s survivability…

Eco had long been labeled as an element of danger by many countries’s government. The reason why Mirabel was sent to become the academy’s director was to keep an eye on Eco.

''If she is to transform into a dragon right now…!''

Ash moved forward without giving any thought and hugged Eco.

A huge amount of magic was flowing out from her tiny body. If he had been careless, he would even be swallowed by the magic and lost consciousnesss.

Ash shouted with all his might into Eco’s ears.

“Get a grip of yourself! I…I like the way you are now! It is okay if you just stay as you are! You don’t have to force yourself to change into your true self!”

It seems that Ash’s words had gotten through and the magic that was surrounding Eco had disappeared. Even the lights were no longer there. Ash’s Seikoku too had stopped responding.

“We are saved…”

Ash breathe a sigh of relieves.

“…Huh?”

Eco blinked her eyes in surprise and murmured.

“What had I done…? Why are you…?”

Realizing that she was in Ash’s arms, Eco leaped off from Ash’s arms with her face red in embarrassment.

===Part 10===
“I am sorry for what had happened just now. I-I never thought that you were so much against it…. No I shouldn’t make any excuses. A knight must admit his own faults. I deeply apologize!”

After the group had sat on a dining table in the living room, Silvia apologized to Eco sincerely.

“Hmph… I guess this should be sufficient.”

Silvia’s eagerness to apologize by bowing her head had started to confuse Eco. Even though she still continued to puff up her checks in protest, but at least she had accepted Silvia’s apology. Ash who noticed it breathe a sigh of relieves.

“…Since everything had been settled, please allow me to ask. How did that stuffed toy came into your possession?”

Silvia’s words had cause Eco to be enraged again.

“Ha!? You….. Just apologize and yet you still want to ask!?”

“I apologize for resolving this matter by force. I promise that this time, I won’t try questioning you by force. But in return, I will keep on asking until you answer me. Remember, I will keep on asking.”

Silvia was quite stubborn. She even smiled towards Eco with her face full of confidence.

“I can’t believe it…”

Eco sighed.

“Sorry, Eco-chan.”

At that moment, Cosette returned from the kitchen with a silver tray full of snacks and tea.

“That toy that Eco-chan was holding right now… It probably belongs to Princess-sama a long time ago.”

“How can it be…?”

Whilst she was surprised, Eco took a bite on the vanilla flavoured crepe that Cosette handed to her. If it was the usual Eco, she would definitely shout out ‘Delicious!’ on the first bite, but right now, she was with a serious looks. As expected, even Eco couldn’t enjoy her favorite food properly.

“What Cosette said is true. That toy is definitely an important thing to me during my childhood.”

Silvia spoke calmly as if she was trying to teach a child who knew nothing.

“Ha!? That’s impossible! I understand none of these!”

Eco placed her half eaten crepe back on her plate. Ash was surprised that she prioritized the argument before her crepe.

“I knew it the moment I saw it. There is only one of this stuffed toy in the whole world. It is a very important toy.”

“How can you have such confidence!?”

“You don’t even know the worth of that toy. Anyone who knows its worth would recognize it on their first sight.”

“Arrrrrggh! That explanation is totally unacceptable!”

''Eco was once again in rage, but at least Silvia knew her limit. Thanks to that, the atmosphere did not turn out to be any worst than this…'' Ash secretly thought.

“Come on you two…”

Cosette was obviously not at all troubled. She seems to be enjoying this.

“Haa… It seems like I don’t have a choice.”

Ash sighed.

“Please listen carefully, Princess-sama. That stuffed toy was in my closet. I gave it to Eco since she seems to like it.”

“Hey! Why did you tell that to her!?”

Eco was scolding Ash with her face red.

“What else can I do? If I leave it to both of you, the same thing will continue onwards again and again.”

“I… want this to be a secret between the both of us.”

Eco’s mumbling caught Ash’s attention.

“What did you say?”

“N-Nothing! I don’t even know you!”

Eco averted her face in anger. ''Why must she get angry...?'' Ash wondered.

On the other hand, Silvia was staring at Ash.

“Ash… you said that this toy was in your closet?”

“That seems to be the case.”

Ash shrugged his shoulders.

“Actually, I am not really clear about it. Believe me or not, there was a blank in my memories… I don’t even know how it came into my possession. I don’t even know about its worth if not because of Cosette.”

Silvia was staring at Ash so intently almost as if she was going to pierce a hole in his forehead. She then asked a weird question.

“When is your birthday?”

“Huh? The third on the month of Aries… What about that?”

After Ash answered honestly, Cosette spoke in surprise:

“Oh, what a coincidence. It seems that Princess-sama was also born in the month of Aries. By the way, hers is in the seventh.”

“Hmm… That’s the first time I had heard of it.”

“Huhu… So Ash-sama is the bigger brother by four days.”

“T-That… isn’t it…”

“Ash!”

Silvia suddenly leaned against him. Ash could see her breast that was covered by the thin cloth of the summer clothes.

“Princess-sama?”

“Even though this may seems abrupt, but do you still remember the date you went for the Orphan Ceremony?”

“Err… I don’t really remember about the details, but it shouldn’t be far away from my seventh birthday. Since my hometown was at a far away village, I started my journey when I was still six. I remembered that I had my seventh birthday in a horse carriage.”

Once they reach the age of seven, every citizen of the Knight Country must visit Albion Forest.

For Ash, if he had departed after his seventh birthday, he would never be able to arrive at Albion Forest in a month time.

“By the way, does the date I went for the Orphan Ceremony matters?”

“…No, Nothing. I have something that I want to discuss with Cosette. Please stay here for the moment.”

Silvia suddenly stood up and dragged Cosette by the hand with her.

“What a weird Princess.”

Ash took a drink from the cup of red tea.

===Part 11===
After Silvia entered the makeup room, with an ‘Ahem’, she cleared her throat.

“What do you want to talk about, Princess-sama?”

“About that…”

“It doesn’t seem like something easy.”

Since she had been with Silvia for quite some time, Cosette immediately knew what she was thinking.

“Aah… That’s right.”

“I will do everything you tell me to if it is in my ability to do so. If the situation required, I could even be Princess-sama’s limbs or even your shield… That’s my duty.”

Silvia made up her mind and told her wish.

“Actually, I want you to return to the palace and investigate the name list of the children who went to the orphan ceremony at the same day as me. This should be an easy one for you, no?”

However, Cosette told Silvia something out of her imagination.

“The records of the Orphan Ceremony is the country’s top secret. Even if you are a Princess, you will be breaching the law by trying to investigate it.”

“Then, your duty would be to avoid it. Please, I could only put my hopes on you. With your ability, reading top secret documents should not be a problem, right?”

“That doesn’t sound nice, Princess-sama. The ability that I only knew of was an ancient technique that was passed down in the Shelly’s family and some spying technique. All of them were used to protect the Lautreamont family.”

“I understand that, but…!”

Silvia grabbed her shoulders and looked at Cosette with her puppy eyes.

“Of course I will do it if this is your order. But, what will you do if Ash-sama is really that boy?”

Silvia’s face almost burst out in flames.

“I-I just want to know about it! That’s right, I only want to know about the truth!”

Cosette gave a wry smile.

“Hmm… Putting that aside, during the time when I am not in, when the night comes and Eco had slept, aren’t '''the two of you''' alone together?”

“When the night comes…. The two of us…!?”

This time, steam emerged from her ears. Her heart was beating none stop.

“W-W-What are you talking about! Don’t you have any shame! How shameless! I…I believe that Ash was not someone insolence! That is why there is no point behind your question!”

Silvia snapped and Cosette nodded.

“I too had the same feeling.”

“Then why bother asking!”

Cosette smiled and took out something. It was a stack of paper held together by a paper clip.

“What’s that?”

“Huhu… A copy of ‘Shelley family’s secret. A recipe to make men dream’. Although I want to use it during this summer to teach Princess-sama some cooking… But this is a good chance to try it. Although Princess-sama don’t have any actual experience, but isn't this a good chance to show your cooking skills to Ash-sama?”

Silvia felt as if her body was on fire.

“Hold on! W-W-Why must I show Ash my cooking skills?”

“If I am not mistaken, The Lautreamont Family Motto did mention that ‘to shoot a general you must first shoot his horse’, am I right?”

“What does it had to do with this?”

“In the Shelley’s Family Motto, there is something like this: ‘To get the man you like, you must first fill his stomach’.”

“What kind of family motto is that!?”

“Huhu… When Ash-sama’s stomach is empty, and Princess-sama gave him your homemade cooking, he would surely fall for you.”

“…Fall for me!?”

Cosette was like a devil whispering into Silvia’s ears.

“When a Princess who doesn’t look like she knew any cooking made a meal, which man wouldn’t be moved by it?”

“Cut the crap! I never want Ash to take notice of me! Never! I-It's just that I had some interest in cooking since a long time ago. I will accept your offer because of this.”

Cosette handed her the recipe while smiling.
[[Image:SnRK v05 096.jpg|thumb]]

“Now, I had received my orders from Princess-sama and I will depart from Ansarivan immediately.”

“Huh? Immediately?”

“It is better if we act quickly, Princess-sama.”

Cosette lifted the both sides of her skirt slightly and bowed gracefully.

Suddenly, like a mist, Cosette disappeared from Silvia’s sight like a magician.

“H-Hey! Cosette? … Do you really want to depart at this moment?”

Silvia became worried when she heard no reply.

“Please hold on, Cosette! You should allow me to have some mental preparation before…!”

Silvia looked around the room with tears in her eyes. It looks like Cosette had really departed.

“Tsk… She never takes me seriously!”

After Silvia mumbled in regrets, she took a long hard look at the recipe given to her.

"The Stuffed Toy Dragon~A.S.B.1365.8~" is closed.

<noinclude>

==References and Translation Notes==
<references />

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| Back to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Prologue|Prologue]]
| Return to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 1

2014-08-08T05:09:51Z

Valthan: /* Part 5 */

==Chapter 1 - Tragedy of Apollo house and Mirabel's decision==
===Part 1===
''-Don! Don…! Don!''

The sun had just risen but Ash who spent a sleepless night was woken up by a loud knocking sound.

“What in the world…?”

He took that silver watch by his pillow side and noticed that it was just half past six.

After he angrily took a look at the window, he became wide awake.

“Uwaa…!”

There was a huge eye looking through the gaps of the curtain.

It was actually a dragon who was banging its nose against the window.

''-Don! Don… Dododododo!”''

He was worried that it may break the glass.

“Why is a dragon coming to my room!? Could it be another Necromancia attack!?”

So the Empire had finally shown their true colours and started attacking? Ash tried to leave the bed but he was stopped.

“Zzz…”

Eco rolled over and hugged Ash.

Her hair was all over his shoulders and her arms were around his back.

And also her soft face that was on his chest…

''-Mmm…''

Ash was shocked by her sudden nibble.

“Hey, Eco… Please don’t bite that spot.”

Recently, her habit of nibbling had gotten less but she still had not gotten rid of her habit of a young dragon. Moreover, she was nibbling on Ash’s sensitive spot which troubled him.

At that moment, there was a crack on the window.

“This is bad… It is not the right moment to let her continue nibbling.”

Ash carried Eco and they left the bed together. The next thing he knew, the glass was smashed into pieces.

He managed to avoid the glass fragments at the last moment.

At the same time, there were two dragons that were trying to squeeze their heads through the window. Their hard scales protect them from the sharp glass.

By taking a closer look, Ash noticed that one of them was a Maestro while the other was a Hydra. After knowing that he was not attacked by a Necromancia, Ash breathe a sigh of relieve.

“Morning, Ash!”

“Good morning, Ash-sama!”

Finally, he could see the faces of the two riders.

They were the student council secretary Lucca and Jessica of the general affairs. Right beside them were Maestro Gawain and Rhiannon the Hydra.

Ash started to protest after he placed Eco who was still sleeping on the bed.

“Lucca! Jessica! What in the world are both of you doing!?”

Since the time Ash saved Gawain who was in danger of dying, Lucca had become emotionally attached to Ash. In the dragon riding academy, most of the girls are the more aggressive type, it was kind of rare to see someone as quiet as Lucca. The beauty that only an Eckbald possessed was out of this world.

Ash was a little surprised to see Lucca acting rashly. Perhaps she was influenced by Jessica.

“Ash… I hoped that you would come with me to the Eckbald village. I want to introduce you to the village chief, my otou-sama.” <ref>In the raw version, Lucca called her father otou-sama, but the kanji written was foster father.</ref>

Her usual emotionless face had always given Ash a heck lot of trouble.

“Hold on! W-Why must you mention about the chief!?”

“P-Please don’t ask anymore than this.”

Lucca was suddenly blushing.

This time, it was Jessica who pushed Lucca to aside.

Jessica who was usually eyeing at Ash’s sperm, though her actions had always been eccentric, she was still undoubtably one of the few beauties of the academy.

“Ash-sama, I have a request!”

“Hey, wait a minute! This is the third floor! How did a hydra get here…?”

“Well. Climbing wall is not a problem for my Rhiannon.”

“Can’t you sympathize your Pal a little!”

Ash pitied her Pal. Although a Hydra may still be able to move on land, but only when they are in the water they are able to show their true skills. It shouldn’t be its own intention to walk on land. Let alone climbing the walls of the student’s dormitory, which doesn’t seem to fit the actions of a proud dragon.

“Putting that aside, Ash-sama! I am about to leave Ansarivan. What about you? Do you have any plans of returning?”

“Now I remember… today is the start of the holiday.”

-The first day of the month of Leo.

It was the first day of the holidays for Ansarivan Dragon Riding Academy. Since it was a boarding school, most of the student will return to their hometown.

Of course, not all of the students were going back home. There were also a small amount of students that were forced to stay in for the holidays for certain reasons.

Ash was one of them.

“Nope, I am not going home.”

After hearing, Jessica’s facial expression changes.

“What! If that’s the case, I too will stay back here!”

“Uuh… If I don’t return soon… I will be scolded by my otou-sama.”

Compare to Jessica who was in high spirit, Lucca looks sad. Lucca who carry the hopes of all Eckbald with her probably doesn’t have as much freedom as Jessica has.

“Sorry to disappoint you Jessica, but you must return with me.”
[[Image:SnRK v05 044.jpg|thumb]]

Suddenly, there was another voice.

“Rebecca-san!”

Ash shouted.

There was a sweet smell from her red hair being blown by the winds. She looks like a war maiden in the legends when she was riding on Cú Chulainn.

“Sorry for the trouble that this stupid girl from my house had given you. The Randall family will cover the fees for mending the window. The servants fault is also the master’s fault.”

“Now that you mention it… I remember that Jessica was a servant in the Randall family.”

“Just that since she became a Breeder, she had forgotten about her place.”

Rebecca sighed.

“Hmph! Could you stop calling me that? I don’t have the intention of serving the Randall family for my whole life!”

“I never thought of that. You are my important childhood friend. Also, your parents had asked me to take good care of you. That is why I have my duty to bring you back to meet your parents.”

Although her lips were smiling, there was not even a hint of smile in Rebecca’s eyes. After Jessica saw Rebecca’s determination, her elbows dropped in disappointment.

“Haa… I understand. However… I want Ash-sama to see me off!”

Ash gave a wry smile.

“I think that should be alright.”

The moment he answered, Jessica was once again with a big smile. But, she was then blushing and started to mumble.

“T-Then… According to my hometown’s custom…. There should be a parting k-kiss….”

“Hey! Jessica! When does our hometown have such a custom?”

Rebecca exposed Jessica’s lie with a wry smile.

“Hmph! Rebecca! Don’t you know how to look at the atmosphere?”

“I-I too would like you to see me off…”

While Jessica was in rage, Lucca shyly told Ash her wish.

“Of course.”

“T-Then… According to the Eckbald custom…. I want you to give me a princess carry.”

Ash’s heart skipped a beat when he first saw Lucca’s blushing face.

“A-A princess carry!”

Ash was in a fix but Jessica shouted at Lucca:

“Hey! What are you trying to do in this mess! That must be a lie!?”

“Uuh…”

While Lucca turned speechless, the noise that Jessica made had spread throughout the school.

“Hey, can you believe it! The president and Jessica were making a night visit! And the other person… Could she be Lucca Sarlinen the genius girl from the basic class!?”

Suddenly, a huge number of students were gathering outside of the Apollo House. It was something for three girls to be standing on their dragons beside a window of a boy’s dormitory.

To say nothing of Rebecca Randall who was the most popular person in the entire academy, Jessica was also one of the centers of attentions and let alone Lucca with her Yōsei like looks and her skills as a Dragner.

“I-I am just here to have Ash-sama see me off! Nothing else!”

Jessica tried to settle the misunderstanding by shouting towards the direction of the school.

“Hmm! By saying Ash-kun you mean… The Ash-kun who was knighted yesterday!?”

“The knighting ceremony was awesome!”

“I also want him to see me off!”

Right now all the girls were speaking with s shrill voice.

Rebecca gave him a bitter smile while she was enjoying all of this.

“Seems like your popularity had sky rocketed after you became a Dragner.”

“The situation outside… Somehow, it looks frightening.”

“Yeah. I just saw around thirty dragons flying towards this window.”

Rebecca told him the unthinkable news with a calm face.

“Huh!?”

“Sorry, Ash. Though I have many reasons to help you… But if I show my true skills, the girls would suffer some grave injuries.”

“Hol-! Don’t leave me!”

“You should try to solve your own problem if you are a Dragner. Also… If it is alright, I would also want you to see me off.”

“…Eh?”

Unfortunately, Ash was not able to catch everything Rebecca said. Her voice disappeared behind the loud noise from Cú Chulainn flapping its wings.

“Good luck, Ash.”

Lucca too had reluctantly flew off with Gawain.

Right after that, the Apollo House faced a terrible attack.

“Ash-kun! Please see me off!”

“Ash-kun, you might as well come to my home town with me…!”

“Hey! Don’t cut the queue!”

Most of the girls returning were riders of stradas. They were like bats gathering together for food at the window.

But of course it was impossible for thirty riders of stradas to squeeze into the window at the same time.

Soon, they started pushing around.

“P-Please be patient! Calm down! Please calm down!”

Ash was panicking.

Every single roar from the Strada was enough to shake up this entire old building.

“Hey!...How dare you! Ash-sama is my important- Nooooooo!”

Unlike Rebecca or Lucca, Jessica who stayed until the end was finally pushed off the wall together with Rhiannon.

“W-What should I do?”

Ash retreated until his back was facing the wall while he was watching the girls fighting for a spot.

At that moment, Eco who had rolled herself into a ball while she was sleeping had woken up and was rubbing her eyes.

“Hmmm…. What’s all the noise about?”

“You ! How can you still think of sleeping!”

Eco was looking around in confusion. It seems that she wasn’t fully awake yet and wasn’t able to think properly.

Ash shouted with all his might towards the window.

“I beg you! Could you please not make a mess in front of someone else’s window! I promise to see off every single one of you!”

Too bad for him, his voice was not received by them.

Suddenly, Ash had a bad feeling.

“I couldn’t be…”

His entire body was shivering in fear. Since some time ago, the wall facing the outside was creaking. It appears that the Stradas were putting pressure on it.

“It is dangerous to stay here! Lets run Eco!”

“Huh…! Could you care to explain!”

“Later!”

Ash was running with Eco on his hands.

He ran out through the door and out to the corridor.

Just when he was sliding along the floor…

''-Creak…! Eeeeekkkk……. !Do--------------n!''

The next moment, there was a loud explosion.

Ash cautiously took a peek through the cracks on the door while trembling. All he sees was dust flying around and even the corridor was affected.

''“*Cough *!*Cough *!”''

While covering up Eco who was coughing, Ash waited until the dust had settled down.

Just moments later-

After the dust had cleared up, what Ash saw was a clear sky.

The morning rays were shining at the disastrous room.

The wreckage of the wall was all over his room. It was a painful sight.

Right now, with the wall that was facing the academy and the window destroyed, his room looked like a doll house that can be seen from the outside.

“Err… Eco, am I dreaming?”

“I think so?”

Ash and Eco were looking at the room with their mouths wide open.

===Part 2===
Ash was brought to the director’s office on the first day of the holiday.

As for those girls who were the culprit, it seems that they had ran back home as soon as possible. That is why Ash who was the victim was summoned.

“I see… Now I understand what had happened.”

Mirabel who was acting as the director replied coldly and drank from her cup of tea.

The room was full of the smells of bergamot and the tea.

Just like a robot, Mirabel’s face was emotionless the entire time. ''Does this princess even have the thing known as feelings…?'' Ash thought.

“The academy will take responsibility for mending the wall. Just some time before, I had asked the builders of this city and they estimated that they will be able to complete it in around two weeks time.”

“Really…! Thank you very much!”

Ash was grateful that she was able to deal with this situation without delay.

“The problem is… During the renovation, where am I to place you and Eco.”

“I see…”

“Can you borrow a room from any of your friends?”

“I don’t think that would be possible…”

Unfortunately, Max and Raymond had gone home. For Ash who doesn’t have many friends, these were the’ only two friends that he could rely on. Although there was an option of using it without asking for their permissions, but Ash couldn’t bring himself to do it.

''-Bang!''

The door behind him was opened with a slam.

The next time he knew, Silvia and Eco was right beside him.

“How much longer are the two of you going to keep on talking!? Can’t you just give us a new room!”

Eco was pointing at Mirabel in anger.

“Anee-ue! Why do you call for Ash! That incident was caused by a few girls! It had nothing to do with Ash! Aren’t you treating him like the culprit!?”

Silvia on the other hand was trying to speak up for Ash.

“Where are your manners? Don’t you know that it is rude to walk into a room without knocking? You won’t be given special treatment even if you are the descendant of the Avalon Holy Dragons Emperor’s family or my sister. “

Mirabel glared at both of them coldly.

“I am sorry… Anee-ue.”

Silvia stood still on her ground as if she had turned into a stone.

On the other hand, Eco was trying to intimidate Mirabel by showing her sharp teeth.

“Hey you!... How dare you act like that even when you know that I am Avalon’s holy dragons' emperor family's Imperial Princess! Why don’t I try crushing the castle the next time? If I show you my true self, one or two Fontaine Place won’t…”

“Idiot! Stop spurting nonsense!”

Ash’s face was pale white when he was scolding Eco.

Since that incident, the Knight’s government took Eco as a threat. As long as there is the possibility that Mirabel was here to keep an eye on Eco, they have to be careful with their own words.

But to his surprise, Eco calm down with just a single shout.

She turned her head around with her face blushing.

“I-I will listen to you… Just this time.”

Ash was taken aback from seeing Eco making such an expression for the first time. Just as he had expected, it was that transformation that had made a change of her heart. Although the gentle Eco looked a lot cuter, at the same time, it was also a little confusing.

“Ahem!”

Mirabel tried clearing her throat, returning everyone’s attention back to her.

“Silvia, you came at the right moment. Right now you are staying in the royal room in the Epona House right?”

“…What about it?”

Silvia was surprised.

“Until the renovation in the boy’s dormitory had been completed, Ash Blake and young dragon Eco will stay in your room for the time being.”

“What!”

“I won’t repeat for a second time. This is an order from your sister. You are not allowed to have any objections.”

Naturally, Silva was enraged.

“What do you mean by this! This is against our family motto where ‘A knight shouldn’t carelessly touch another of the opposite sex’!”

“Hmm… Funny but I remember that I said to let Ash Blake and young dragon Eco stay in your room. When did I ever mention about touching Ash?”

“T-That…!”

Right at this moment, even Silvia’s earlobes were red.

“Right now, if I were to mention the family motto that you love so much, ‘A knight should help those who are in need’. Am I wrong?”

After she replied coldly, Mirabel looked like she had lost interest in the case regarding Ash. She kept on looking at the tea cup on her hand.

“I am done with you- What a pain, now a good cup of tea had turned cold.”

===Part 3===
Rebecca and Jessica had returned to the land ruled by the Randalls.

Lucca on the other hand had returned to her village.

After seeing them off, Ash and Eco once again returned to his room on the third floor of the Apollo House.

They once again looked at the disastrous room.

A bed full of glass fragments.

A floor full with the remains of the wall.

And the disorganized furniture.

With the wall gone, the room became bright and windy. Looking down from above was a few curious onlookers. When their eyes came into contact with Ash’s, everyone scattered.

“Haa… First of all, I think we should try cleaning up a little. It is better to make it look a little more cheerful before the renovation starts.”

Turning around, Ash noticed that Eco was sulking.

“What’s wrong, Eco?”

“Hey. Do you really want to stay in Silvia’s room?”

“It is not like I have a choice. It was an order from Princess Mirabel. It seems that even Princess-sama did not dare to go against her.”

“I… I hate it.”

“What’s the matter? You don’t look like your usual self. Well, if we stay at Princess-sama’s room, we may be able to eat Cosette’s delicious homemade cooking.”

“That’s not the point! And also, I am not someone who thinks about food for an entire day!”

Eco's face was red with anger and embarrassment.

“Is it… Sorry then.”

“It is fine if you understand. Anyway, just if you try to do something weird to Silvia… I will be sure to crush you!”

Eco was glaring at Ash.

“What do you mean by something weird!?”

With her ears fully red, Eco told Ash embarrassedly:

“T-To make it simple…. It is those perverted stuffs.”

“W-What are you even thinking!”

Ash stood still on his ground. He never expected Eco to speak of such a word. It kind of surprised him.

“Even I knew about those stuffs… Don’t look down on me just because I am a young dragon.”

“Could the source of information be…. The Dragweiss?”

“…Some of them were from there, but most of them were from the picture books that Cosette lent me.”

“Hold on! Are they really… Just picture books!?”

In order to teach her the importance of aesthetic sensibility, Cosette had lent her picture books and books for children. For that, Ash was grateful for Cosette.

However, there was a possibility that she mixed some books with adult content in them into the pile of picture books she had given to Eco.

“Anyhow, she is still this country’s princess. What you are worrying about will never happen, rest assured.”

''In the worst possible case, I will be beheaded…'' Ash thought secretly.

“A-Alright… I understand.”

Once again, Eco was smiling and she looked at the room around her.

“Then… What can I do to help you?”

“You are trying to help?”

“What? Is it weird for me to help?”

“Definitely not weird, but rare. Ain’t it always me who complete the house work?”

“A-About that… It doesn’t seem like I have a choice. I am a dragon. I don’t really understand how a human acts. But… I just feel like helping for today… Can’t I!?”

Eco puffed up her rosy coloured cheeks and stared at Ash.

“Why not? I even want to thank you.”

Ash gave a wry smile and tried to pat her head.

But, Eco immediately dodge to a side.

“No! You mustn’t touch!”

“Sorry… I didn't know that you dislike it this much.”

“N-No! It is okay it you are just patting, but you mustn’t touch my horns. If they were just slightly touched, I… will turn weird. I felt like floating in the air when they were touched...”

Ash could calm down after seeing Eco’s face when she tried to explain her feelings.

“I understand. I promise I won’t touch your horns.”

Ash carefully patted Eco’s head.

Her pink hair was fluffy and it gave his palm a nice feeling.

“Nn…”

Even when she was a dragon, Eco was smiling and shrugging her neck like what a cat would do.

Her innocent smile had grabbed Ash’s attention.

To be precise, it was her flower bud like lips.

His heart was beating rapidly.

This was actually the second time he had such a feeling.

The first time was when Eco said that she won’t be satisfied with just being a Pal in the guest room in Fontaine Palace.

“…”

Eco probably felt the change in the atmosphere too and her body suddenly tense up. Perhaps she too was also thinking about the scenario in the Fontaine Palace.

In a short while, just like that time, Eco closes her eyes.

She also tried to purse her lips.

Ash also noticed that her long eyelashes were also trembling.

''-Eco…!''
[[Image:SnRK v05 060.jpg|thumb]]

He suddenly remembered the word ‘beloved Pal’ in the knighting ceremony.

During that time, Ash was only saying the standard pledge.

But this was totally different.

His feeling of love to Eco was born from deep in his heart. A feeling that could be explained using something as simple as the relation of a Breeder and its Pal had grown.

Right now, they don’t need any words.

Ash placed both his hands on Eco’s shoulders and he closes their distance slowly.

A sweet smell was surrounding them which made him dizzy.

Right now, he felt as if his heart was going to explode.

They were now at a distance where their nose could easily touch each other.

Eco felt like being pierced through by the sunlight while she was waiting for Ash.

Ash made up his mind and closed his eyes.

And then- he kissed Eco on her lips.

===Part 4===
“~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~!”

Since their kiss, Eco had been working silently with her back facing Ash the entire time.

It seemed that she was too embarrassed to even look at Ash in the face.

And of course, it was the same for Ash.

Ash felt as if his face was a ball of fire.

Although the two of them at a first glance seemed to be dusting the room, there was actually zero progress. What they were doing was only messing up the already messed up room.

''-What should I do? What should I say at times like this?''

Just when Ash was anxious in trying to find the right words…

“Uwaaa…! Cute!”

Eco turned around and showed Ash a round object.

“Isn’t this cute? Where did you find this stuffed toy?”

At that moment, Ash felt something was pricking at the back of his neck. It made him wonder what it was.

The stuffed toy that Eco was holding seems to be a dragon. Strictly speaking, its face was clumsily done.

Furthermore, it's round body made it looks nothing like a majestic dragon.

However, Eco seemed to take it as cute, and it made her forget about what had just happened previously.

“Err… Actually I don’t remember much about that when it came into my possession. No matter how I look at it, looked just like a girl’s toy. It is probably not me who bought it.”

It was thanks to the toy that Ash was once again able to speak to Eco normally.

“Hmm… Strange.”

Eco was carrying the stuffed toy while she whipped off the dust on it.

“Hmm… When I move to Ansarivan, I just took it with me without any reason. Perhaps there is a great meaning behind it was what I thought. Actually… There is a blank in my childhood memory.”

“… A blank in your memories?”

Eco was surprised.

“Aah. It was right about when I had my seventh birthday when I visited Albion Forest for the Orphan Ceremony. I just can’t recall my memories during that time.”

“Isn’t that… The time when Mother Dragon bestowed me to you?”

“It seems so.”

“How come you can’t remember such an important event?”

Ash shrunk when he saw Eco start to get mad. Just like how they were finally able to speak normally, Eco’s temper had also returned.

“To be frank, I know nothing of it myself. It was just that I had a hunch that this toy had something to do with my lost memories and that’s the reason why I was reluctant to throw it away. However, because of the recent events, I totally forgot about it.”

“Then, can I keep it?”

Ash was taken by surprised.

“What do you mean by keeping it?”

“It is just like what I had said. Don’t you think it is sad for such a cute being to be left forgotten? I will take the trouble to take care of this kid.”

“How can you take care of it when it isn’t even a living being? Argh, whatever suits you then.”

“Really!?”

Eco was full of excitement.

“Well, I don’t really mind.”

“That's great!”

Eco was so happy that she felt that she could even fly. She then rubbed the stuffed toy with her cheeks.

Followed by that, she cuddled it like what a mother would do to her baby.

Suddenly, she spoke of something that surprised Ash.

“This somehow looked like our baby…”

Eco suddenly stopped speaking before she could even finish her sentence. She the glared at Ash with eyes looking as if they were on fire.

“You heard anything?”

“No, nothing at all.”

Ash spoke with a serious look on his face.

“T-That’s right! N-Nothing happened! Nothing happened at all!”

As if her head was exploding in flames, Eco carried the toy and dashed out from the room.

“Actually, I heard every single word…”

Just as Ash was murmuring with his body also feeling as it was engulfed by fire…

“Sorry to interrupt, Ash-sama.”

Suddenly, there was a woman’s voice coming from behind.

“Uwaa!”

He noticed that it was Cosette after he turned around. She seemed to be wearing the same palace design maid attire today. She then gave a polite bow.

“Cosette-san! How did you get in?”

“To enter such an airy room is like a child’s play to me.”

Cosette smiled before she turned around to look at the blue sky.

“That couldn’t be… This is the third floor! Putting that aside, why are you here?”

“I am here to meet you and Eco-chan. Had you forgotten about Princess Mirabel, Her Highness’s decision?”

Of course, it was impossible for him to forget about it to begin with. However, he still felt a little reluctant.

“Actually, can’t we reconsider about this? Putting Eco aside, don’t you think that it is wrong for a guy like me to enter Epona House where guys are not allowed?”

“For your own sake, I would advise you to follow her decision. Do you know what Princes Mirabel was also known as?”

“No… Nothing comes to mind at all.”

“Her nick name is actually Argento Magus. If we can describe Princess Veronica as a fighter, then Princess Mirabel is a thinker. Compare to Veronica, there were certain things that would made Mirabel a tougher opponent. Please be sure to be prepared mentally, Ash-sama.”

Ash sighed after he heard everything.

“…I understand. Please let me take some belongings like my pillow and clothes with me…”

“Alright then, meanwhile, I will try searching for Eco.”

Eco had not yet return since the moment she ran out from the room.

“Thank you. I think she should be somewhere around the dorm.”

“Huhu. That will be a simple task.”

Cosette ran towards the door nimbly while avoiding the disorganized furniture, but then she suddenly stopped and turned around to face Ash.

“By the way, Ash-sama.”

“What’s the matter?”

When Ash lifted his face, he saw Cosette’s face full of red. Ash was staring at her since it was rare to see her who was always calm to be blushing.

Although she always stayed hidden behind Silvia’s shadow, she actually looked quite beautiful.

With her right hand on her cheeks, she sighed.

Then she said something outrageous.

“Ash-sama and Eco-chan’s kiss looked very innocent indeed.”

“Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

This time, it was Ash’s turn to be blushing.

“D-Don’t, Don’t tell me that you saw everything!?”

“It totally felt like an opera show. You looked so cute when you kiss without even needing any words to understand each other. My god, isn’t that wonderful? Didn't Eco-chan also look cute when she was waiting to receive your kiss?”

“I beg you, please stop saying anymore than this! It is embarrassing!”

Right now, Ash felt like he was sitting on a mountain of needles.

Cosette, too, had also seemed to realize that she over did it, and replied with a playful smile.

“Rest assured, I won’t tell Princess-sama any of this.”

“How is Princeass-sama related to this!?”

“Hmm… I wonder… Huhu…”

Cosette left the room with her sentence ending with her laughter.

===Part 5===
The moment Ash finished gathering all his basic daily needs, Cosette was back with Eco. Together, the three of them marched towards Epona House.

Although it was around evening, the sun was still high up in the sky.

After passing through a grove of mixed trees, they were welcomed by a stern looking gate.

Even the cicada had stopped making noise.

Although they were just walking, they were all full of sweat.

By taking a peek beside, Eco looked as if she was suffering from the heat of the high summer temperature. She looked like a Hydra who was looking for water on dry land.

Compared to Ash, Eco was only carrying her stuffed toy.

On the other hand, Cosette didn’t even break a sweat.

“We had arrived.”

She turned around and smiled at both Ash and Eco.

Through the gate, they could see a garden that was separated into two halves by the walkway. It must have been well tended by a good gardener. Even Ash who doesn’t have any interest in gardening was amazed by it.

At the back of the garden stood an elegant looking building.

That was Epona House, the dormitory for advance class girls.

“We had finally arrived…”

Ash placed his baggage which was full of daily needs and clothing on the ground.

''How long does it actually take to walk here from Apollo House…'' Ash couldn’t be bothered to even think about it.

This dragon riding academy where human and dragons coexist had a very large land area.

In it, there were numerous classes, a church, a lecture hall, a library, a canteen, seven dragon houses, four dormitories, a sports ground… It even included an arena that was used during events.

Although there was the shopping district and the housing are beyond the school walls, compared to the size of the academy, they just looked like extras. That's the reason why Ansarivan was called an academic city.

Putting that aside, the distance between the boys dormitory and the girls dormitory must had been arranged on purpose by the academy.

“Please enter.”

Cosette pushed open the heavy looking gate and welcomed both of them in.

===Part 6===
On the top most floor of Epona House was the room of royal use.

It looked like a high class hotel suit and it even had a large space.

Apart from a heater in the living room, there was also a dining room, a study room, bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, etc. In a room that has everything, it looked as if it was another world compared to the normal student’s room.

Silvia was walking up and down around her room alone, worrying endlessly.

“Argh! What’s wrong with me! Why couldn’t I calm down! Even my family motto stated that ‘Always stay calm, especially in a pinch’!”

Even though she wasn’t even in a pinch, Silvia couldn’t stop worrying. It was about time for Cosette to arrive with Ash and Eco.

“That’s it!”

Silvia stopped in her tracks for a moment and then she dashed into the makeup room and stood in front of a mirror.

She applied a thin layer of makeup on her face.

She tried combing her hair many times.

Her clothings and accessories were chosen by Cosette.

She put on her camisole, a skirt with two layers of frills, her panty socks and a necklace made from bright dragon crystals that acted as jewels.

In front of the mirror, she was just like her usual…. No, she was at least twice as more beautiful than she usually was.

Silvia turned red when she realized how beautiful she was.

“Why would I dress myself up! It is alright by just sticking to what I usually do!”

Ash was about to arrive.

Until the boy’s dormitory was done with its renovation, Ash was going to stay here for two weeks.

Her hearts started to beat rapidly from thinking about it.

“This feeling… It is that same feeling as ''that time…''”

Silvia recalled her memories.

Around the time of her seventh birthday, she met a boy in Albion Forest.

''“Why? Why would I have this feeling of returning to the time when I was seven years old whenever I think about Ash…?”''

Silvia suddenly regained her sense.

“Stop! Stop! Stop! Doesn’t this mean that I am looking forward for him to arrive!? Right… I should change back into my normal clothing…”
[[Image:SnRK v05 006.jpg|thumb|'' ''…!'' Silvia immediately snapped out from the confusion. She just remembered that right now, she was only wearing her undergarments. '']]

Silvia left the makeup room and entered the living room. She swiftly removed all her clothings except for her undergarments. She then walked along the corridor towards the changing room.

Suddenly, the door opened right in front of her eyes.

“Princess-sama, we had returned.”

Cosette walked in with a smile.

“Princess-sama!?”

Ash was standing right behind Cosette with his eyes wide opened. ''Why is his face red? Is it because of the heat?''

“…!”

Silvia immediately snapped out from the confusion. She just remembered that right now, she was only wearing her undergarments.

“Kyaaaaaaaaaaa!”

Silvia ran and hid behind the door while screaming at the top of her voice.

===Part 7===
“Hey you! Just until when are you going to keep on staring!”

“Ouch!”

Ash came back to his sense after he was stomped on the leg by Eco.

Just when he had stepped in through the grand entrance, he was greeted by Silvia in only her undergarments. The white coloured lace will forever be imprinted in his mind.

''By the way, why was Silvia wearing only those?'' No matter how hot the weather can be, it doesn’t suit her image.

“I am going to check on Princess-sama. Could the both of you wait here for a moment, please?”

With a happy smile on her face, Cosette disappeared into the corridor. In just a moment-

“No. This definitely doesn’t look natural.”

“No no. It definitely fits you well.”

“But… Won’t this make me look like I am looking forward to their arrival?”

“Huh? Aren’t you?”

Their entire conversation was heard by Ash.

“Come on! This is a disgrace! How dare they make a dragon wait by the entrance!”

Eco who was standing right beside Ash was in rage. The toy that she had with her which had a carelessly made face was further squashed by Eco’s abnormal strength.

Ash pitied the toy. If this continued to keep on, Ash would probably be the next victim.

“Sorry for the wait.”

Just when Ash was about to be surrounded by his fear, Cosette had returned to the entrance with Silvia who was hiding right behind her.

Ash’s heart skipped a beat when he saw Silvia’s clothing. It gave a completely different feel compare to the school uniform that she usually wears. A lot of her skin was exposed from wearing the camisole. It had totally grabbed his attention.

“Please come in.”

Ash regained his sense after he heard Cosette’s voice.

“S-Sorry for the intrusion.”

In opposite to Ash, Eco was looking around the room with a hint of worry.

“Even so… You are just a Princess of the Royal Knight’s Family and you get to have such a great room?”

Perhaps she was mad from being asked to wait at the entrance, Eco was saying anything that would sooth her anger.

In truth, even Ash was amazed by the room itself. Just the entrance itself is wider than Ash’s room. There were even expensive looking pictures along the wall and carvings of dragons.

“Please don’t be mad. This room was specially made for the royals, it would be natural if Princess-sama is staying here.”

Ash tried to calm her down.

“But, I am also a Princess of the dragons! Why would there be such a large difference in our treatment!?”

“It is not like I want to stay in this room either!”

Silvia tried to speak up for herself even when she was being threatened by Eco.

“I even tried telling the academy to let me have the same treatment as the rest of the students, but they never listen…”

Suddenly, Silvia stood still on her ground. There was not even a slightest movement.

“Princess-sama… What’s wrong? You don’t look good.”

Ash was worried about her but she didn’t reply.

She kept on staring at the stuffed toy that Eco was carrying with her with her ice blue eyes.

Silvia then suddenly leaped towards Eco and grabbed her shoulders.

“Eco! Can you tell me how did that toy fall into your possession?”

Eco became confused.

“I-It has nothing to do with you.”

“Please tell me! This is very important!”

Silvia shouted loudly.

“… I picked it up.”

Eco mumbled when she turned her head to aside. It seemed that she did not want to tell Silvia that it was a gift from Ash. Ash was wondering on why she would be insisting on it.

“You picked it up? When? Where?”

Silvia was being persistent.

“Come on! Why do I need to tell you?”

Eco lost her patience and roared.

“…Why can’t you tell me?”

“T-That’s because… I don’t have the obligation to tell you.”

“Now I see, you are playing dumb… It seems I must resolve to this.”

Suddenly, Silvia leaped towards Eco with both of her hands stretched out.

“Hey!... Don’t joke with me!”

Eco dodge with the toy in her arms.

With the royal room as the stage, the two of them started running around like a bunch of kids. In just a blink of an eye, both of them
disappeared behind a door.

“Err… What is this all about?”

Ash who was left behind turned around and questioned Cosette.

“Cosette-san?”

To his surprised, Cosette too was transfixed on her own spot. It was rare to see her making a face like that.

Cosette then regained her sense after being called out to by Ash and started explaining.

“I just remember about it… I fear that that stuffed toy…. Is an important treasure to Princess-sama during her childhood.”

Ash was surprised by her answer.

“Wait a moment! That shouldn’t be possible! There should be many more stuffed toys with the same design, no?”

Cosette answered calmly.

“No. There ain’t. That toy is the one and only in this world. It was a limited edition item. It was actually made from a famous artist from Chevron Kingdom called Leonard De Mirabeau and was given to the five year old Princess-sama.”

“Really? That clumsily made toy is…”

“That’s not it… Its weird look was actually Mirabeau-sama’s style. Didn’t people usually say that there was only a silver line that separates a genius and a madman? If that stuffed toy was bought to an antique auction… It should be priced at five million Eccles at minimum.”

Cosette told him the shocking truth with s straight face.

“Five million…!”

Ash turned speechless.

His face had turned pale.

''-Five million Eccles!''

Ash couldn’t even imagine that amount of money. He just knew that he won’t be able to finish it by living the rest of his days enjoying life. He never knew that such a treasure was hidden in his closet.

“W-We should try stopping them first!”

Ash started searching for them in the huge room.

===Part 8===
“Finally! You won’t be able to escape!”

Eco who ran into Silvia’s room was now like a rat in the bag. There was only one exit and the windows were too high to jump from since this was the top most floor.

“Tsk… You are being persistent!”

Eco backed off to the wall and like a mother protecting her child, she tried to intimidate Silvia.

For one moment, Silvia was awed by her beauty, but the next instant, she roared:

“You haven’t told me anything yet! I just want to know how this toy came into your possession!”

“Why would you even want to know!?”

“T-That… I had my own reasons! Please, Eco!”

“Hmph… I had mine too. I will never tell you, only you!”

Both of them were glaring at each other without any intention of backing off.

Silvia realized that whatever she said was useless.

“Now you have done it. Although it is not to my liking… I must resolve this by force.”

“What! Who do you think I am! See that if you can do it!”

“Fine with me!”

Silvia leaped forward without mercy.

Although she must avoid Eco’s abnormal strength, Eco’s actions had always been straight forward and were always easy to read.

On the other hand, apart from the Drag Arts, Silvia had mastered many more fighting styles. It is a normal thing to do for someone who was born in the Lautreamont Royal Knight’s Family.

After struggling on the ground like brats, Silvia came out as the winner.

“Now you have been captured!”

Silvia was pressing Eco’s tiny body on the floor and without giving her a chance to fight back, she rode on Eco.

“Tsk… Let me go!”

“Is there any idiot in this world that would move off once they are being asked to?”

The winner had been decided. Even when Eco had her abnormal strength, she could never be able to beat Silvia.

But, there was a reason why Silvia could beat her easily.

Eco had never let go of the stuffed toy even after she was pressed down against the floor. If Eco would just let go of that toy, the fight could still drag on. No, it could even be Silvia who was pressed down against the floor.

“Please, Eco! This is not an order. Although it was not a long time since the day I met you, I always think you as a friend. That is why… Could you please tell me?”

Just when Silvia was begging Eco with a trembling voice…

“Eco! Princess-sama!”

The door opened with a bang and Ash came running in.

Silvia turned around to look at Ash while she was pressing Eco down against the floor.

“Hold on, Ash! I never have the intention to harm Eco! I just want to ask Eco about it… no matter what!”

“But, Princess-sama doesn’t act like the usual you. Even so, Eco is my Pal, I won’t forgive anyone who try to harm her, even if it is Princess-sama.”

After Ash murmured sadly, he showed her his left arm.

Silvia knew that he had his abnormally large Seikoku covered in a bandage.

“Your Seikoku…?”

Silvia was in lost of words.

The Seikoku under the bandage was obviously blinking with glowing lights. That was a signal given when the Pal was in danger.

For example, even though Silvia did not have any intentions of harming Eco, but Eco felt that she was in danger and sent the signal to her owner Ash for help…

“Sorry, Eco… I am really sorry. I am in the wrong for scaring you…. But, I have my own reasons. Please, Eco! Please tell me for the sake of our friendship!”

Silvia was forcing out an answer from Eco.

“…Eco?”

Eco did not reply. Just as Silvia became confused, Eco was surrounded by a glowing light.

“Hey, Eco! What’s wrong?”

Eco still did not reply. Right now, Eco was like a doll, showing no expression.

Even her eyes seemed to be reflecting nothing.

“Urgh…!”

The next instant, Silvia was being blasted of by a strong wind.

“Princess-sama!”

Followed by Ash’s shout, Silvia’s back bang against the wall. She almost couldn’t breathe because of it.

===Part 9===
“Princess-sama!”

Just when Ash was trying to help Silvia out, Cosette arrived.

“I will take care of Princess-sama. Ash-sama, go help Eco-chan! This is no laughing matter!”

Cosette’s voice seemed to be more serious and nervous than usual.

“Understood!”

Ash ran straight towards Eco.

His Seikoku started to hurt.

He remembered that feeling.

He had the similar feeling when Eco was awaken in the capital, Fontaine.

Although the pain was not as strong as that time, Ash knew that this was the sign before her transformation into a dragon.

Eco stood up slowly with the cute stuffed toy dropping on the floor.

Strictly speaking, she was not standing.

There was a gap in between her feet and the floor.

She was actually floating…!

Her limbs were now surrounded by the mysterious light that was so bright that they could not look at it directly.

However, Ash continued to move forward.

“Stop, Eco! If you are to be awaken here…”

In the worst possible case, this Epona House will be destroyed. No, it could even be related to the city’s survivability…

Eco had long been labeled as an element of danger by many countries’s government. The reason why Mirabel was sent to become the academy’s director was to keep an eye on Eco.

''If she is to transform into a dragon right now…!''

Ash moved forward without giving any thought and hugged Eco.

A huge amount of magic was flowing out from her tiny body. If he had been careless, he would even be swallowed by the magic and lost consciousnesss.

Ash shouted with all his might into Eco’s ears.

“Get a grip of yourself! I…I like the way you are now! It is okay if you just stay as you are! You don’t have to force yourself to change into your true self!”

It seems that Ash’s words had gotten through and the magic that was surrounding Eco had disappeared. Even the lights were no longer there. Ash’s Seikoku too had stopped responding.

“We are saved…”

Ash breathe a sigh of relieves.

“…Huh?”

Eco blinked her eyes in surprise and murmured.

“What had I done…? Why are you…?”

Realizing that she was in Ash’s arms, Eco leaped off from Ash’s arms with her face red in embarrassment.

===Part 10===
“I am sorry for what had happened just now. I-I never thought that you were so much against it…. No I shouldn’t make any excuses. A knight must admit his own faults. I deeply apologize!”

After the group had sat on a dining table in the living room, Silvia apologized to Eco sincerely.

“Hmph… I guess this should be sufficient.”

Silvia’s eagerness to apologize by bowing her head had started to confuse Eco. Even though she still continued to puff up her checks in protest, but at least she had accepted Silvia’s apology. Ash who noticed it breathe a sigh of relieves.

“…Since everything had been settled, please allow me to ask. How did that stuffed toy came into your possession?”

Silvia’s words had cause Eco to be enraged again.

“Ha!? You….. Just apologize and yet you still want to ask!?”

“I apologize for resolving this matter by force. I promise that this time, I won’t try questioning you by force. But in return, I will keep on asking until you answer me. Remember, I will keep on asking.”

Silvia was quite stubborn. She even smiled towards Eco with her face full of confidence.

“I can’t believe it…”

Eco sighed.

“Sorry, Eco-chan.”

At that moment, Cosette returned from the kitchen with a silver tray full of snacks and tea.

“That toy that Eco-chan was holding right now… It probably belongs to Princess-sama a long time ago.”

“How can it be…?”

Whilst she was surprised, Eco took a bite on the vanilla flavoured crepe that Cosette handed to her. If it was the usual Eco, she would definitely shout out ‘Delicious!’ on the first bite, but right now, she was with a serious looks. As expected, even Eco couldn’t enjoy her favorite food properly.

“What Cosette said is true. That toy is definitely an important thing to me during my childhood.”

Silvia spoke calmly as if she was trying to teach a child who knew nothing.

“Ha!? That’s impossible! I understand none of these!”

Eco placed her half eaten crepe back on her plate. Ash was surprised that she prioritized the argument before her crepe.

“I knew it the moment I saw it. There is only one of this stuffed toy in the whole world. It is a very important toy.”

“How can you have such confidence!?”

“You don’t even know the worth of that toy. Anyone who knows its worth would recognize it on their first sight.”

“Arrrrrggh! That explanation is totally unacceptable!”

''Eco was once again in rage, but at least Silvia knew her limit. Thanks to that, the atmosphere did not turn out to be any worst than this…'' Ash secretly thought.

“Come on you two…”

Cosette was obviously not at all troubled. She seems to be enjoying this.

“Haa… It seems like I don’t have a choice.”

Ash sighed.

“Please listen carefully, Princess-sama. That stuffed toy was in my closet. I gave it to Eco since she seems to like it.”

“Hey! Why did you tell that to her!?”

Eco was scolding Ash with her face red.

“What else can I do? If I leave it to both of you, the same thing will continue onwards again and again.”

“I… want this to be a secret between the both of us.”

Eco’s mumbling caught Ash’s attention.

“What did you say?”

“N-Nothing! I don’t even know you!”

Eco averted her face in anger. ''Why must she get angry...?'' Ash wondered.

On the other hand, Silvia was staring at Ash.

“Ash… you said that this toy was in your closet?”

“That seems to be the case.”

Ash shrugged his shoulders.

“Actually, I am not really clear about it. Believe me or not, there was a blank in my memories… I don’t even know how it came into my possession. I don’t even know about its worth if not because of Cosette.”

Silvia was staring at Ash so intently almost as if she was going to pierce a hole in his forehead. She then asked a weird question.

“When is your birthday?”

“Huh? The third on the month of Aries… What about that?”

After Ash answered honestly, Cosette spoke in surprise:

“Oh, what a coincidence. It seems that Princess-sama was also born in the month of Aries. By the way, hers is in the seventh.”

“Hmm… That’s the first time I had heard of it.”

“Huhu… So Ash-sama is the bigger brother by four days.”

“T-That… isn’t it…”

“Ash!”

Silvia suddenly leaned against him. Ash could see her breast that was covered by the thin cloth of the summer clothes.

“Princess-sama?”

“Even though this may seems abrupt, but do you still remember the date you went for the Orphan Ceremony?”

“Err… I don’t really remember about the details, but it shouldn’t be far away from my seventh birthday. Since my hometown was at a far away village, I started my journey when I was still six. I remembered that I had my seventh birthday in a horse carriage.”

Once they reach the age of seven, every citizen of the Knight Country must visit Albion Forest.

For Ash, if he had departed after his seventh birthday, he would never be able to arrive at Albion Forest in a month time.

“By the way, does the date I went for the Orphan Ceremony matters?”

“…No, Nothing. I have something that I want to discuss with Cosette. Please stay here for the moment.”

Silvia suddenly stood up and dragged Cosette by the hand with her.

“What a weird Princess.”

Ash took a drink from the cup of red tea.

===Part 11===
After Silvia entered the makeup room, with an ‘Ahem’, she cleared her throat.

“What do you want to talk about, Princess-sama?”

“About that…”

“It doesn’t seem like something easy.”

Since she had been with Silvia for quite some time, Cosette immediately knew what she was thinking.

“Aah… That’s right.”

“I will do everything you tell me to if it is in my ability to do so. If the situation required, I could even be Princess-sama’s limbs or even your shield… That’s my duty.”

Silvia made up her mind and told her wish.

“Actually, I want you to return to the palace and investigate the name list of the children who went to the orphan ceremony at the same day as me. This should be an easy one for you, no?”

However, Cosette told Silvia something out of her imagination.

“The records of the Orphan Ceremony is the country’s top secret. Even if you are a Princess, you will be breaching the law by trying to investigate it.”

“Then, your duty would be to avoid it. Please, I could only put my hopes on you. With your ability, reading top secret documents should not be a problem, right?”

“That doesn’t sound nice, Princess-sama. The ability that I only knew of was an ancient technique that was passed down in the Shelly’s family and some spying technique. All of them were used to protect the Lautreamont family.”

“I understand that, but…!”

Silvia grabbed her shoulders and looked at Cosette with her puppy eyes.

“Of course I will do it if this is your order. But, what will you do if Ash-sama is really that boy?”

Silvia’s face almost burst out in flames.

“I-I just want to know about it! That’s right, I only want to know about the truth!”

Cosette gave a wry smile.

“Hmm… Putting that aside, during the time when I am not in, when the night comes and Eco had slept, aren’t '''the two of you''' alone together?”

“When the night comes…. The two of us…!?”

This time, steam emerged from her ears. Her heart was beating none stop.

“W-W-What are you talking about! Don’t you have any shame! How shameless! I…I believe that Ash was not someone insolence! That is why there is no point behind your question!”

Silvia snapped and Cosette nodded.

“I too had the same feeling.”

“Then why bother asking!”

Cosette smiled and took out something. It was a stack of paper held together by a paper clip.

“What’s that?”

“Huhu… A copy of ‘Shelley family’s secret. A recipe to make men dream’. Although I want to use it during this summer to teach Princess-sama some cooking… But this is a good chance to try it. Although Princess-sama don’t have any actual experience, but isn't this a good chance to show your cooking skills to Ash-sama?”

Silvia felt as if her body was on fire.

“Hold on! W-W-Why must I show Ash my cooking skills?”

“If I am not mistaken, The Lautreamont Family Motto did mention that ‘to shoot a general you must first shoot his horse’, am I right?”

“What does it had to do with this?”

“In the Shelley’s Family Motto, there is something like this: ‘To get the man you like, you must first fill his stomach’.”

“What kind of family motto is that!?”

“Huhu… When Ash-sama’s stomach is empty, and Princess-sama gave him your homemade cooking, he would surely fall for you.”

“…Fall for me!?”

Cosette was like a devil whispering into Silvia’s ears.

“When a Princess who doesn’t look like she knew any cooking made a meal, which man wouldn’t be moved by it?”

“Cut the crap! I never want Ash to take notice of me! Never! I-It's just that I had some interest in cooking since a long time ago. I will accept your offer because of this.”

Cosette handed her the recipe while smiling.
[[Image:SnRK v05 096.jpg|thumb]]

“Now, I had received my orders from Princess-sama and I will depart from Ansarivan immediately.”

“Huh? Immediately?”

“It is better if we act quickly, Princess-sama.”

Cosette lifted the both sides of her skirt slightly and bowed gracefully.

Suddenly, like a mist, Cosette disappeared from Silvia’s sight like a magician.

“H-Hey! Cosette? … Do you really want to depart at this moment?”

Silvia became worried when she heard no reply.

“Please hold on, Cosette! You should allow me to have some mental preparation before…!”

Silvia looked around the room with tears in her eyes. It looks like Cosette had really departed.

“Tsk… She never takes me seriously!”

After Silvia mumbled in regrets, she took a long hard look at the recipe given to her.

"The Stuffed Toy Dragon~A.S.B.1365.8~" is closed.

<noinclude>

==References and Translation Notes==
<references />

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|-
| Back to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Prologue|Prologue]]
| Return to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 1

2014-08-08T04:52:30Z

Valthan: /* Part 1 */

==Chapter 1 - Tragedy of Apollo house and Mirabel's decision==
===Part 1===
''-Don! Don…! Don!''

The sun had just risen but Ash who spent a sleepless night was woken up by a loud knocking sound.

“What in the world…?”

He took that silver watch by his pillow side and noticed that it was just half past six.

After he angrily took a look at the window, he became wide awake.

“Uwaa…!”

There was a huge eye looking through the gaps of the curtain.

It was actually a dragon who was banging its nose against the window.

''-Don! Don… Dododododo!”''

He was worried that it may break the glass.

“Why is a dragon coming to my room!? Could it be another Necromancia attack!?”

So the Empire had finally shown their true colours and started attacking? Ash tried to leave the bed but he was stopped.

“Zzz…”

Eco rolled over and hugged Ash.

Her hair was all over his shoulders and her arms were around his back.

And also her soft face that was on his chest…

''-Mmm…''

Ash was shocked by her sudden nibble.

“Hey, Eco… Please don’t bite that spot.”

Recently, her habit of nibbling had gotten less but she still had not gotten rid of her habit of a young dragon. Moreover, she was nibbling on Ash’s sensitive spot which troubled him.

At that moment, there was a crack on the window.

“This is bad… It is not the right moment to let her continue nibbling.”

Ash carried Eco and they left the bed together. The next thing he knew, the glass was smashed into pieces.

He managed to avoid the glass fragments at the last moment.

At the same time, there were two dragons that were trying to squeeze their heads through the window. Their hard scales protect them from the sharp glass.

By taking a closer look, Ash noticed that one of them was a Maestro while the other was a Hydra. After knowing that he was not attacked by a Necromancia, Ash breathe a sigh of relieve.

“Morning, Ash!”

“Good morning, Ash-sama!”

Finally, he could see the faces of the two riders.

They were the student council secretary Lucca and Jessica of the general affairs. Right beside them were Maestro Gawain and Rhiannon the Hydra.

Ash started to protest after he placed Eco who was still sleeping on the bed.

“Lucca! Jessica! What in the world are both of you doing!?”

Since the time Ash saved Gawain who was in danger of dying, Lucca had become emotionally attached to Ash. In the dragon riding academy, most of the girls are the more aggressive type, it was kind of rare to see someone as quiet as Lucca. The beauty that only an Eckbald possessed was out of this world.

Ash was a little surprised to see Lucca acting rashly. Perhaps she was influenced by Jessica.

“Ash… I hoped that you would come with me to the Eckbald village. I want to introduce you to the village chief, my otou-sama.” <ref>In the raw version, Lucca called her father otou-sama, but the kanji written was foster father.</ref>

Her usual emotionless face had always given Ash a heck lot of trouble.

“Hold on! W-Why must you mention about the chief!?”

“P-Please don’t ask anymore than this.”

Lucca was suddenly blushing.

This time, it was Jessica who pushed Lucca to aside.

Jessica who was usually eyeing at Ash’s sperm, though her actions had always been eccentric, she was still undoubtably one of the few beauties of the academy.

“Ash-sama, I have a request!”

“Hey, wait a minute! This is the third floor! How did a hydra get here…?”

“Well. Climbing wall is not a problem for my Rhiannon.”

“Can’t you sympathize your Pal a little!”

Ash pitied her Pal. Although a Hydra may still be able to move on land, but only when they are in the water they are able to show their true skills. It shouldn’t be its own intention to walk on land. Let alone climbing the walls of the student’s dormitory, which doesn’t seem to fit the actions of a proud dragon.

“Putting that aside, Ash-sama! I am about to leave Ansarivan. What about you? Do you have any plans of returning?”

“Now I remember… today is the start of the holiday.”

-The first day of the month of Leo.

It was the first day of the holidays for Ansarivan Dragon Riding Academy. Since it was a boarding school, most of the student will return to their hometown.

Of course, not all of the students were going back home. There were also a small amount of students that were forced to stay in for the holidays for certain reasons.

Ash was one of them.

“Nope, I am not going home.”

After hearing, Jessica’s facial expression changes.

“What! If that’s the case, I too will stay back here!”

“Uuh… If I don’t return soon… I will be scolded by my otou-sama.”

Compare to Jessica who was in high spirit, Lucca looks sad. Lucca who carry the hopes of all Eckbald with her probably doesn’t have as much freedom as Jessica has.

“Sorry to disappoint you Jessica, but you must return with me.”
[[Image:SnRK v05 044.jpg|thumb]]

Suddenly, there was another voice.

“Rebecca-san!”

Ash shouted.

There was a sweet smell from her red hair being blown by the winds. She looks like a war maiden in the legends when she was riding on Cú Chulainn.

“Sorry for the trouble that this stupid girl from my house had given you. The Randall family will cover the fees for mending the window. The servants fault is also the master’s fault.”

“Now that you mention it… I remember that Jessica was a servant in the Randall family.”

“Just that since she became a Breeder, she had forgotten about her place.”

Rebecca sighed.

“Hmph! Could you stop calling me that? I don’t have the intention of serving the Randall family for my whole life!”

“I never thought of that. You are my important childhood friend. Also, your parents had asked me to take good care of you. That is why I have my duty to bring you back to meet your parents.”

Although her lips were smiling, there was not even a hint of smile in Rebecca’s eyes. After Jessica saw Rebecca’s determination, her elbows dropped in disappointment.

“Haa… I understand. However… I want Ash-sama to see me off!”

Ash gave a wry smile.

“I think that should be alright.”

The moment he answered, Jessica was once again with a big smile. But, she was then blushing and started to mumble.

“T-Then… According to my hometown’s custom…. There should be a parting k-kiss….”

“Hey! Jessica! When does our hometown have such a custom?”

Rebecca exposed Jessica’s lie with a wry smile.

“Hmph! Rebecca! Don’t you know how to look at the atmosphere?”

“I-I too would like you to see me off…”

While Jessica was in rage, Lucca shyly told Ash her wish.

“Of course.”

“T-Then… According to the Eckbald custom…. I want you to give me a princess carry.”

Ash’s heart skipped a beat when he first saw Lucca’s blushing face.

“A-A princess carry!”

Ash was in a fix but Jessica shouted at Lucca:

“Hey! What are you trying to do in this mess! That must be a lie!?”

“Uuh…”

While Lucca turned speechless, the noise that Jessica made had spread throughout the school.

“Hey, can you believe it! The president and Jessica were making a night visit! And the other person… Could she be Lucca Sarlinen the genius girl from the basic class!?”

Suddenly, a huge number of students were gathering outside of the Apollo House. It was something for three girls to be standing on their dragons beside a window of a boy’s dormitory.

To say nothing of Rebecca Randall who was the most popular person in the entire academy, Jessica was also one of the centers of attentions and let alone Lucca with her Yōsei like looks and her skills as a Dragner.

“I-I am just here to have Ash-sama see me off! Nothing else!”

Jessica tried to settle the misunderstanding by shouting towards the direction of the school.

“Hmm! By saying Ash-kun you mean… The Ash-kun who was knighted yesterday!?”

“The knighting ceremony was awesome!”

“I also want him to see me off!”

Right now all the girls were speaking with s shrill voice.

Rebecca gave him a bitter smile while she was enjoying all of this.

“Seems like your popularity had sky rocketed after you became a Dragner.”

“The situation outside… Somehow, it looks frightening.”

“Yeah. I just saw around thirty dragons flying towards this window.”

Rebecca told him the unthinkable news with a calm face.

“Huh!?”

“Sorry, Ash. Though I have many reasons to help you… But if I show my true skills, the girls would suffer some grave injuries.”

“Hol-! Don’t leave me!”

“You should try to solve your own problem if you are a Dragner. Also… If it is alright, I would also want you to see me off.”

“…Eh?”

Unfortunately, Ash was not able to catch everything Rebecca said. Her voice disappeared behind the loud noise from Cú Chulainn flapping its wings.

“Good luck, Ash.”

Lucca too had reluctantly flew off with Gawain.

Right after that, the Apollo House faced a terrible attack.

“Ash-kun! Please see me off!”

“Ash-kun, you might as well come to my home town with me…!”

“Hey! Don’t cut the queue!”

Most of the girls returning were riders of stradas. They were like bats gathering together for food at the window.

But of course it was impossible for thirty riders of stradas to squeeze into the window at the same time.

Soon, they started pushing around.

“P-Please be patient! Calm down! Please calm down!”

Ash was panicking.

Every single roar from the Strada was enough to shake up this entire old building.

“Hey!...How dare you! Ash-sama is my important- Nooooooo!”

Unlike Rebecca or Lucca, Jessica who stayed until the end was finally pushed off the wall together with Rhiannon.

“W-What should I do?”

Ash retreated until his back was facing the wall while he was watching the girls fighting for a spot.

At that moment, Eco who had rolled herself into a ball while she was sleeping had woken up and was rubbing her eyes.

“Hmmm…. What’s all the noise about?”

“You ! How can you still think of sleeping!”

Eco was looking around in confusion. It seems that she wasn’t fully awake yet and wasn’t able to think properly.

Ash shouted with all his might towards the window.

“I beg you! Could you please not make a mess in front of someone else’s window! I promise to see off every single one of you!”

Too bad for him, his voice was not received by them.

Suddenly, Ash had a bad feeling.

“I couldn’t be…”

His entire body was shivering in fear. Since some time ago, the wall facing the outside was creaking. It appears that the Stradas were putting pressure on it.

“It is dangerous to stay here! Lets run Eco!”

“Huh…! Could you care to explain!”

“Later!”

Ash was running with Eco on his hands.

He ran out through the door and out to the corridor.

Just when he was sliding along the floor…

''-Creak…! Eeeeekkkk……. !Do--------------n!''

The next moment, there was a loud explosion.

Ash cautiously took a peek through the cracks on the door while trembling. All he sees was dust flying around and even the corridor was affected.

''“*Cough *!*Cough *!”''

While covering up Eco who was coughing, Ash waited until the dust had settled down.

Just moments later-

After the dust had cleared up, what Ash saw was a clear sky.

The morning rays were shining at the disastrous room.

The wreckage of the wall was all over his room. It was a painful sight.

Right now, with the wall that was facing the academy and the window destroyed, his room looked like a doll house that can be seen from the outside.

“Err… Eco, am I dreaming?”

“I think so?”

Ash and Eco were looking at the room with their mouths wide open.

===Part 2===
Ash was brought to the director’s office on the first day of the holiday.

As for those girls who were the culprit, it seems that they had ran back home as soon as possible. That is why Ash who was the victim was summoned.

“I see… Now I understand what had happened.”

Mirabel who was acting as the director replied coldly and drank from her cup of tea.

The room was full of the smells of bergamot and the tea.

Just like a robot, Mirabel’s face was emotionless the entire time. ''Does this princess even have the thing known as feelings…?'' Ash thought.

“The academy will take responsibility for mending the wall. Just some time before, I had asked the builders of this city and they estimated that they will be able to complete it in around two weeks time.”

“Really…! Thank you very much!”

Ash was grateful that she was able to deal with this situation without delay.

“The problem is… During the renovation, where am I to place you and Eco.”

“I see…”

“Can you borrow a room from any of your friends?”

“I don’t think that would be possible…”

Unfortunately, Max and Raymond had gone home. For Ash who doesn’t have many friends, these were the’ only two friends that he could rely on. Although there was an option of using it without asking for their permissions, but Ash couldn’t bring himself to do it.

''-Bang!''

The door behind him was opened with a slam.

The next time he knew, Silvia and Eco was right beside him.

“How much longer are the two of you going to keep on talking!? Can’t you just give us a new room!”

Eco was pointing at Mirabel in anger.

“Anee-ue! Why do you call for Ash! That incident was caused by a few girls! It had nothing to do with Ash! Aren’t you treating him like the culprit!?”

Silvia on the other hand was trying to speak up for Ash.

“Where are your manners? Don’t you know that it is rude to walk into a room without knocking? You won’t be given special treatment even if you are the descendant of the Avalon Holy Dragons Emperor’s family or my sister. “

Mirabel glared at both of them coldly.

“I am sorry… Anee-ue.”

Silvia stood still on her ground as if she had turned into a stone.

On the other hand, Eco was trying to intimidate Mirabel by showing her sharp teeth.

“Hey you!... How dare you act like that even when you know that I am Avalon’s holy dragons' emperor family's Imperial Princess! Why don’t I try crushing the castle the next time? If I show you my true self, one or two Fontaine Place won’t…”

“Idiot! Stop spurting nonsense!”

Ash’s face was pale white when he was scolding Eco.

Since that incident, the Knight’s government took Eco as a threat. As long as there is the possibility that Mirabel was here to keep an eye on Eco, they have to be careful with their own words.

But to his surprise, Eco calm down with just a single shout.

She turned her head around with her face blushing.

“I-I will listen to you… Just this time.”

Ash was taken aback from seeing Eco making such an expression for the first time. Just as he had expected, it was that transformation that had made a change of her heart. Although the gentle Eco looked a lot cuter, at the same time, it was also a little confusing.

“Ahem!”

Mirabel tried clearing her throat, returning everyone’s attention back to her.

“Silvia, you came at the right moment. Right now you are staying in the royal room in the Epona House right?”

“…What about it?”

Silvia was surprised.

“Until the renovation in the boy’s dormitory had been completed, Ash Blake and young dragon Eco will stay in your room for the time being.”

“What!”

“I won’t repeat for a second time. This is an order from your sister. You are not allowed to have any objections.”

Naturally, Silva was enraged.

“What do you mean by this! This is against our family motto where ‘A knight shouldn’t carelessly touch another of the opposite sex’!”

“Hmm… Funny but I remember that I said to let Ash Blake and young dragon Eco stay in your room. When did I ever mention about touching Ash?”

“T-That…!”

Right at this moment, even Silvia’s earlobes were red.

“Right now, if I were to mention the family motto that you love so much, ‘A knight should help those who are in need’. Am I wrong?”

After she replied coldly, Mirabel looked like she had lost interest in the case regarding Ash. She kept on looking at the tea cup on her hand.

“I am done with you- What a pain, now a good cup of tea had turned cold.”

===Part 3===
Rebecca and Jessica had returned to the land ruled by the Randalls.

Lucca on the other hand had returned to her village.

After seeing them off, Ash and Eco once again returned to his room on the third floor of the Apollo House.

They once again looked at the disastrous room.

A bed full of glass fragments.

A floor full with the remains of the wall.

And the disorganized furniture.

With the wall gone, the room became bright and windy. Looking down from above was a few curious onlookers. When their eyes came into contact with Ash’s, everyone scattered.

“Haa… First of all, I think we should try cleaning up a little. It is better to make it look a little more cheerful before the renovation starts.”

Turning around, Ash noticed that Eco was sulking.

“What’s wrong, Eco?”

“Hey. Do you really want to stay in Silvia’s room?”

“It is not like I have a choice. It was an order from Princess Mirabel. It seems that even Princess-sama did not dare to go against her.”

“I… I hate it.”

“What’s the matter? You don’t look like your usual self. Well, if we stay at Princess-sama’s room, we may be able to eat Cosette’s delicious homemade cooking.”

“That’s not the point! And also, I am not someone who thinks about food for an entire day!”

Eco's face was red with anger and embarrassment.

“Is it… Sorry then.”

“It is fine if you understand. Anyway, just if you try to do something weird to Silvia… I will be sure to crush you!”

Eco was glaring at Ash.

“What do you mean by something weird!?”

With her ears fully red, Eco told Ash embarrassedly:

“T-To make it simple…. It is those perverted stuffs.”

“W-What are you even thinking!”

Ash stood still on his ground. He never expected Eco to speak of such a word. It kind of surprised him.

“Even I knew about those stuffs… Don’t look down on me just because I am a young dragon.”

“Could the source of information be…. The Dragweiss?”

“…Some of them were from there, but most of them were from the picture books that Cosette lent me.”

“Hold on! Are they really… Just picture books!?”

In order to teach her the importance of aesthetic sensibility, Cosette had lent her picture books and books for children. For that, Ash was grateful for Cosette.

However, there was a possibility that she mixed some books with adult content in them into the pile of picture books she had given to Eco.

“Anyhow, she is still this country’s princess. What you are worrying about will never happen, rest assured.”

''In the worst possible case, I will be beheaded…'' Ash thought secretly.

“A-Alright… I understand.”

Once again, Eco was smiling and she looked at the room around her.

“Then… What can I do to help you?”

“You are trying to help?”

“What? Is it weird for me to help?”

“Definitely not weird, but rare. Ain’t it always me who complete the house work?”

“A-About that… It doesn’t seem like I have a choice. I am a dragon. I don’t really understand how a human acts. But… I just feel like helping for today… Can’t I!?”

Eco puffed up her rosy coloured cheeks and stared at Ash.

“Why not? I even want to thank you.”

Ash gave a wry smile and tried to pat her head.

But, Eco immediately dodge to a side.

“No! You mustn’t touch!”

“Sorry… I didn't know that you dislike it this much.”

“N-No! It is okay it you are just patting, but you mustn’t touch my horns. If they were just slightly touched, I… will turn weird. I felt like floating in the air when they were touched...”

Ash could calm down after seeing Eco’s face when she tried to explain her feelings.

“I understand. I promise I won’t touch your horns.”

Ash carefully patted Eco’s head.

Her pink hair was fluffy and it gave his palm a nice feeling.

“Nn…”

Even when she was a dragon, Eco was smiling and shrugging her neck like what a cat would do.

Her innocent smile had grabbed Ash’s attention.

To be precise, it was her flower bud like lips.

His heart was beating rapidly.

This was actually the second time he had such a feeling.

The first time was when Eco said that she won’t be satisfied with just being a Pal in the guest room in Fontaine Palace.

“…”

Eco probably felt the change in the atmosphere too and her body suddenly tense up. Perhaps she too was also thinking about the scenario in the Fontaine Palace.

In a short while, just like that time, Eco closes her eyes.

She also tried to purse her lips.

Ash also noticed that her long eyelashes were also trembling.

''-Eco…!''
[[Image:SnRK v05 060.jpg|thumb]]

He suddenly remembered the word ‘beloved Pal’ in the knighting ceremony.

During that time, Ash was only saying the standard pledge.

But this was totally different.

His feeling of love to Eco was born from deep in his heart. A feeling that could be explained using something as simple as the relation of a Breeder and its Pal had grown.

Right now, they don’t need any words.

Ash placed both his hands on Eco’s shoulders and he closes their distance slowly.

A sweet smell was surrounding them which made him dizzy.

Right now, he felt as if his heart was going to explode.

They were now at a distance where their nose could easily touch each other.

Eco felt like being pierced through by the sunlight while she was waiting for Ash.

Ash made up his mind and closed his eyes.

And then- he kissed Eco on her lips.

===Part 4===
“~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~!”

Since their kiss, Eco had been working silently with her back facing Ash the entire time.

It seemed that she was too embarrassed to even look at Ash in the face.

And of course, it was the same for Ash.

Ash felt as if his face was a ball of fire.

Although the two of them at a first glance seemed to be dusting the room, there was actually zero progress. What they were doing was only messing up the already messed up room.

''-What should I do? What should I say at times like this?''

Just when Ash was anxious in trying to find the right words…

“Uwaaa…! Cute!”

Eco turned around and showed Ash a round object.

“Isn’t this cute? Where did you find this stuffed toy?”

At that moment, Ash felt something was pricking at the back of his neck. It made him wonder what it was.

The stuffed toy that Eco was holding seems to be a dragon. Strictly speaking, its face was clumsily done.

Furthermore, it's round body made it looks nothing like a majestic dragon.

However, Eco seemed to take it as cute, and it made her forget about what had just happened previously.

“Err… Actually I don’t remember much about that when it came into my possession. No matter how I look at it, looked just like a girl’s toy. It is probably not me who bought it.”

It was thanks to the toy that Ash was once again able to speak to Eco normally.

“Hmm… Strange.”

Eco was carrying the stuffed toy while she whipped off the dust on it.

“Hmm… When I move to Ansarivan, I just took it with me without any reason. Perhaps there is a great meaning behind it was what I thought. Actually… There is a blank in my childhood memory.”

“… A blank in your memories?”

Eco was surprised.

“Aah. It was right about when I had my seventh birthday when I visited Albion Forest for the Orphan Ceremony. I just can’t recall my memories during that time.”

“Isn’t that… The time when Mother Dragon bestowed me to you?”

“It seems so.”

“How come you can’t remember such an important event?”

Ash shrunk when he saw Eco start to get mad. Just like how they were finally able to speak normally, Eco’s temper had also returned.

“To be frank, I know nothing of it myself. It was just that I had a hunch that this toy had something to do with my lost memories and that’s the reason why I was reluctant to throw it away. However, because of the recent events, I totally forgot about it.”

“Then, can I keep it?”

Ash was taken by surprised.

“What do you mean by keeping it?”

“It is just like what I had said. Don’t you think it is sad for such a cute being to be left forgotten? I will take the trouble to take care of this kid.”

“How can you take care of it when it isn’t even a living being? Argh, whatever suits you then.”

“Really!?”

Eco was full of excitement.

“Well, I don’t really mind.”

“That's great!”

Eco was so happy that she felt that she could even fly. She then rubbed the stuffed toy with her cheeks.

Followed by that, she cuddled it like what a mother would do to her baby.

Suddenly, she spoke of something that surprised Ash.

“This somehow looked like our baby…”

Eco suddenly stopped speaking before she could even finish her sentence. She the glared at Ash with eyes looking as if they were on fire.

“You heard anything?”

“No, nothing at all.”

Ash spoke with a serious look on his face.

“T-That’s right! N-Nothing happened! Nothing happened at all!”

As if her head was exploding in flames, Eco carried the toy and dashed out from the room.

“Actually, I heard every single word…”

Just as Ash was murmuring with his body also feeling as it was engulfed by fire…

“Sorry to interrupt, Ash-sama.”

Suddenly, there was a woman’s voice coming from behind.

“Uwaa!”

He noticed that it was Cosette after he turned around. She seemed to be wearing the same palace design maid attire today. She then gave a polite bow.

“Cosette-san! How did you get in?”

“To enter such an airy room is like a child’s play to me.”

Cosette smiled before she turned around to look at the blue sky.

“That couldn’t be… This is the third floor! Putting that aside, why are you here?”

“I am here to meet you and Eco-chan. Had you forgotten about Princess Mirabel, Her Highness’s decision?”

Of course, it was impossible for him to forget about it to begin with. However, he still felt a little reluctant.

“Actually, can’t we reconsider about this? Putting Eco aside, don’t you think that it is wrong for a guy like me to enter Epona House where guys are not allowed?”

“For your own sake, I would advise you to follow her decision. Do you know what Princes Mirabel was also known as?”

“No… Nothing comes to mind at all.”

“Her nick name is actually Argento Magus. If we can describe Princess Veronica as a fighter, then Princess Mirabel is a thinker. Compare to Veronica, there were certain things that would made Mirabel a tougher opponent. Please be sure to be prepared mentally, Ash-sama.”

Ash sighed after he heard everything.

“…I understand. Please let me take some belongings like my pillow and clothes with me…”

“Alright then, meanwhile, I will try searching for Eco.”

Eco had not yet return since the moment she ran out from the room.

“Thank you. I think she should be somewhere around the dorm.”

“Huhu. That will be a simple task.”

Cosette ran towards the door nimbly while avoiding the disorganized furniture, but then she suddenly stopped and turned around to face Ash.

“By the way, Ash-sama.”

“What’s the matter?”

When Ash lifted his face, he saw Cosette’s face full of red. Ash was staring at her since it was rare to see her who was always calm to be blushing.

Although she always stayed hidden behind Silvia’s shadow, she actually looked quite beautiful.

With her right hand on her cheeks, she sighed.

Then she said something outrageous.

“Ash-sama and Eco-chan’s kiss looked very innocent indeed.”

“Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

This time, it was Ash’s turn to be blushing.

“D-Don’t, Don’t tell me that you saw everything!?”

“It totally felt like an opera show. You looked so cute when you kiss without even needing any words to understand each other. My god, isn’t that wonderful? Didn't Eco-chan also look cute when she was waiting to receive your kiss?”

“I beg you, please stop saying anymore than this! It is embarrassing!”

Right now, Ash felt like he was sitting on a mountain of needles.

Cosette, too, had also seemed to realize that she over did it, and replied with a playful smile.

“Rest assured, I won’t tell Princess-sama any of this.”

“How is Princeass-sama related to this!?”

“Hmm… I wonder… Huhu…”

Cosette left the room with her sentence ending with her laughter.

===Part 5===
The moment Ash finished gathering all his basic daily needs, Cosette was back with Eco. Together, the three of them marched towards Epona House.

Although it was around evening, the sun was still high up in the sky.

After passing through a grove of mixed trees, they were welcomed by a stern looking gate.

Even the cicada had stopped making noise.

Although they were just walking, they were all full of sweat.

By taking a peak beside, Eco looked as if she was suffering from the heat of the high summer temperature. She looked like a Hydra who was looking for water on dry land.

Compared to Ash, Eco was only carrying her stuffed toy.

On the other hand, Cosette didn’t even break a sweat.

“We had arrived.”

She turned around and smiled at both Ash and Eco.

Through the gate, they could see a garden that was separated into two halves by the walkway. It must have been well tended by a good gardener. Even Ash who doesn’t have any interest in gardening was amazed by it.

At the back of the garden stood an elegant looking building.

That was Epona House, the dormitory for advance class girls.

“We had finally arrived…”

Ash placed his baggage which was full of daily needs and clothing on the ground.

''How long does it actually take to walk here from Apollo House…'' Ash couldn’t be bothered to even think about it.

This dragon riding academy where human and dragons coexist had a very large land area.

In it, there were numerous classes, a church, a lecture hall, a library, a canteen, seven dragon houses, four dormitories, a sports ground… It even included an arena that was used during events.

Although there was the shopping district and the housing are beyond the school walls, compared to the size of the academy, they just looked like extras. That's the reason why Ansarivan was called an academic city.

Putting that aside, the distance between the boys dormitory and the girls dormitory must had been arranged on purpose by the academy.

“Please enter.”

Cosette pushed open the heavy looking gate and welcomed both of them in.

===Part 6===
On the top most floor of Epona House was the room of royal use.

It looked like a high class hotel suit and it even had a large space.

Apart from a heater in the living room, there was also a dining room, a study room, bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, etc. In a room that has everything, it looked as if it was another world compared to the normal student’s room.

Silvia was walking up and down around her room alone, worrying endlessly.

“Argh! What’s wrong with me! Why couldn’t I calm down! Even my family motto stated that ‘Always stay calm, especially in a pinch’!”

Even though she wasn’t even in a pinch, Silvia couldn’t stop worrying. It was about time for Cosette to arrive with Ash and Eco.

“That’s it!”

Silvia stopped in her tracks for a moment and then she dashed into the makeup room and stood in front of a mirror.

She applied a thin layer of makeup on her face.

She tried combing her hair many times.

Her clothings and accessories were chosen by Cosette.

She put on her camisole, a skirt with two layers of frills, her panty socks and a necklace made from bright dragon crystals that acted as jewels.

In front of the mirror, she was just like her usual…. No, she was at least twice as more beautiful than she usually was.

Silvia turned red when she realized how beautiful she was.

“Why would I dress myself up! It is alright by just sticking to what I usually do!”

Ash was about to arrive.

Until the boy’s dormitory was done with its renovation, Ash was going to stay here for two weeks.

Her hearts started to beat rapidly from thinking about it.

“This feeling… It is that same feeling as ''that time…''”

Silvia recalled her memories.

Around the time of her seventh birthday, she met a boy in Albion Forest.

''“Why? Why would I have this feeling of returning to the time when I was seven years old whenever I think about Ash…?”''

Silvia suddenly regained her sense.

“Stop! Stop! Stop! Doesn’t this mean that I am looking forward for him to arrive!? Right… I should change back into my normal clothing…”
[[Image:SnRK v05 006.jpg|thumb|'' ''…!'' Silvia immediately snapped out from the confusion. She just remembered that right now, she was only wearing her undergarments. '']]

Silvia left the makeup room and entered the living room. She swiftly removed all her clothings except for her undergarments. She then walked along the corridor towards the changing room.

Suddenly, the door opened right in front of her eyes.

“Princess-sama, we had returned.”

Cosette walked in with a smile.

“Princess-sama!?”

Ash was standing right behind Cosette with his eyes wide opened. ''Why is his face red? Is it because of the heat?''

“…!”

Silvia immediately snapped out from the confusion. She just remembered that right now, she was only wearing her undergarments.

“Kyaaaaaaaaaaa!”

Silvia ran and hid behind the door while screaming at the top of her voice.

===Part 7===
“Hey you! Just until when are you going to keep on staring!”

“Ouch!”

Ash came back to his sense after he was stomped on the leg by Eco.

Just when he had stepped in through the grand entrance, he was greeted by Silvia in only her undergarments. The white coloured lace will forever be imprinted in his mind.

''By the way, why was Silvia wearing only those?'' No matter how hot the weather can be, it doesn’t suit her image.

“I am going to check on Princess-sama. Could the both of you wait here for a moment, please?”

With a happy smile on her face, Cosette disappeared into the corridor. In just a moment-

“No. This definitely doesn’t look natural.”

“No no. It definitely fits you well.”

“But… Won’t this make me look like I am looking forward to their arrival?”

“Huh? Aren’t you?”

Their entire conversation was heard by Ash.

“Come on! This is a disgrace! How dare they make a dragon wait by the entrance!”

Eco who was standing right beside Ash was in rage. The toy that she had with her which had a carelessly made face was further squashed by Eco’s abnormal strength.

Ash pitied the toy. If this continued to keep on, Ash would probably be the next victim.

“Sorry for the wait.”

Just when Ash was about to be surrounded by his fear, Cosette had returned to the entrance with Silvia who was hiding right behind her.

Ash’s heart skipped a beat when he saw Silvia’s clothing. It gave a completely different feel compare to the school uniform that she usually wears. A lot of her skin was exposed from wearing the camisole. It had totally grabbed his attention.

“Please come in.”

Ash regained his sense after he heard Cosette’s voice.

“S-Sorry for the intrusion.”

In opposite to Ash, Eco was looking around the room with a hint of worry.

“Even so… You are just a Princess of the Royal Knight’s Family and you get to have such a great room?”

Perhaps she was mad from being asked to wait at the entrance, Eco was saying anything that would sooth her anger.

In truth, even Ash was amazed by the room itself. Just the entrance itself is wider than Ash’s room. There were even expensive looking pictures along the wall and carvings of dragons.

“Please don’t be mad. This room was specially made for the royals, it would be natural if Princess-sama is staying here.”

Ash tried to calm her down.

“But, I am also a Princess of the dragons! Why would there be such a large difference in our treatment!?”

“It is not like I want to stay in this room either!”

Silvia tried to speak up for herself even when she was being threatened by Eco.

“I even tried telling the academy to let me have the same treatment as the rest of the students, but they never listen…”

Suddenly, Silvia stood still on her ground. There was not even a slightest movement.

“Princess-sama… What’s wrong? You don’t look good.”

Ash was worried about her but she didn’t reply.

She kept on staring at the stuffed toy that Eco was carrying with her with her ice blue eyes.

Silvia then suddenly leaped towards Eco and grabbed her shoulders.

“Eco! Can you tell me how did that toy fall into your possession?”

Eco became confused.

“I-It has nothing to do with you.”

“Please tell me! This is very important!”

Silvia shouted loudly.

“… I picked it up.”

Eco mumbled when she turned her head to aside. It seemed that she did not want to tell Silvia that it was a gift from Ash. Ash was wondering on why she would be insisting on it.

“You picked it up? When? Where?”

Silvia was being persistent.

“Come on! Why do I need to tell you?”

Eco lost her patience and roared.

“…Why can’t you tell me?”

“T-That’s because… I don’t have the obligation to tell you.”

“Now I see, you are playing dumb… It seems I must resolve to this.”

Suddenly, Silvia leaped towards Eco with both of her hands stretched out.

“Hey!... Don’t joke with me!”

Eco dodge with the toy in her arms.

With the royal room as the stage, the two of them started running around like a bunch of kids. In just a blink of an eye, both of them
disappeared behind a door.

“Err… What is this all about?”

Ash who was left behind turned around and questioned Cosette.

“Cosette-san?”

To his surprised, Cosette too was transfixed on her own spot. It was rare to see her making a face like that.

Cosette then regained her sense after being called out to by Ash and started explaining.

“I just remember about it… I fear that that stuffed toy…. Is an important treasure to Princess-sama during her childhood.”

Ash was surprised by her answer.

“Wait a moment! That shouldn’t be possible! There should be many more stuffed toys with the same design, no?”

Cosette answered calmly.

“No. There ain’t. That toy is the one and only in this world. It was a limited edition item. It was actually made from a famous artist from Chevron Kingdom called Leonard De Mirabeau and was given to the five year old Princess-sama.”

“Really? That clumsily made toy is…”

“That’s not it… Its weird look was actually Mirabeau-sama’s style. Didn’t people usually say that there was only a silver line that separates a genius and a madman? If that stuffed toy was bought to an antique auction… It should be priced at five million Eccles at minimum.”

Cosette told him the shocking truth with s straight face.

“Five million…!”

Ash turned speechless.

His face had turned pale.

''-Five million Eccles!''

Ash couldn’t even imagine that amount of money. He just knew that he won’t be able to finish it by living the rest of his days enjoying life. He never knew that such a treasure was hidden in his closet.

“W-We should try stopping them first!”

Ash started searching for them in the huge room.

===Part 8===
“Finally! You won’t be able to escape!”

Eco who ran into Silvia’s room was now like a rat in the bag. There was only one exit and the windows were too high to jump from since this was the top most floor.

“Tsk… You are being persistent!”

Eco backed off to the wall and like a mother protecting her child, she tried to intimidate Silvia.

For one moment, Silvia was awed by her beauty, but the next instant, she roared:

“You haven’t told me anything yet! I just want to know how this toy came into your possession!”

“Why would you even want to know!?”

“T-That… I had my own reasons! Please, Eco!”

“Hmph… I had mine too. I will never tell you, only you!”

Both of them were glaring at each other without any intention of backing off.

Silvia realized that whatever she said was useless.

“Now you have done it. Although it is not to my liking… I must resolve this by force.”

“What! Who do you think I am! See that if you can do it!”

“Fine with me!”

Silvia leaped forward without mercy.

Although she must avoid Eco’s abnormal strength, Eco’s actions had always been straight forward and were always easy to read.

On the other hand, apart from the Drag Arts, Silvia had mastered many more fighting styles. It is a normal thing to do for someone who was born in the Lautreamont Royal Knight’s Family.

After struggling on the ground like brats, Silvia came out as the winner.

“Now you have been captured!”

Silvia was pressing Eco’s tiny body on the floor and without giving her a chance to fight back, she rode on Eco.

“Tsk… Let me go!”

“Is there any idiot in this world that would move off once they are being asked to?”

The winner had been decided. Even when Eco had her abnormal strength, she could never be able to beat Silvia.

But, there was a reason why Silvia could beat her easily.

Eco had never let go of the stuffed toy even after she was pressed down against the floor. If Eco would just let go of that toy, the fight could still drag on. No, it could even be Silvia who was pressed down against the floor.

“Please, Eco! This is not an order. Although it was not a long time since the day I met you, I always think you as a friend. That is why… Could you please tell me?”

Just when Silvia was begging Eco with a trembling voice…

“Eco! Princess-sama!”

The door opened with a bang and Ash came running in.

Silvia turned around to look at Ash while she was pressing Eco down against the floor.

“Hold on, Ash! I never have the intention to harm Eco! I just want to ask Eco about it… no matter what!”

“But, Princess-sama doesn’t act like the usual you. Even so, Eco is my Pal, I won’t forgive anyone who try to harm her, even if it is Princess-sama.”

After Ash murmured sadly, he showed her his left arm.

Silvia knew that he had his abnormally large Seikoku covered in a bandage.

“Your Seikoku…?”

Silvia was in lost of words.

The Seikoku under the bandage was obviously blinking with glowing lights. That was a signal given when the Pal was in danger.

For example, even though Silvia did not have any intentions of harming Eco, but Eco felt that she was in danger and sent the signal to her owner Ash for help…

“Sorry, Eco… I am really sorry. I am in the wrong for scaring you…. But, I have my own reasons. Please, Eco! Please tell me for the sake of our friendship!”

Silvia was forcing out an answer from Eco.

“…Eco?”

Eco did not reply. Just as Silvia became confused, Eco was surrounded by a glowing light.

“Hey, Eco! What’s wrong?”

Eco still did not reply. Right now, Eco was like a doll, showing no expression.

Even her eyes seemed to be reflecting nothing.

“Urgh…!”

The next instant, Silvia was being blasted of by a strong wind.

“Princess-sama!”

Followed by Ash’s shout, Silvia’s back bang against the wall. She almost couldn’t breathe because of it.

===Part 9===
“Princess-sama!”

Just when Ash was trying to help Silvia out, Cosette arrived.

“I will take care of Princess-sama. Ash-sama, go help Eco-chan! This is no laughing matter!”

Cosette’s voice seemed to be more serious and nervous than usual.

“Understood!”

Ash ran straight towards Eco.

His Seikoku started to hurt.

He remembered that feeling.

He had the similar feeling when Eco was awaken in the capital, Fontaine.

Although the pain was not as strong as that time, Ash knew that this was the sign before her transformation into a dragon.

Eco stood up slowly with the cute stuffed toy dropping on the floor.

Strictly speaking, she was not standing.

There was a gap in between her feet and the floor.

She was actually floating…!

Her limbs were now surrounded by the mysterious light that was so bright that they could not look at it directly.

However, Ash continued to move forward.

“Stop, Eco! If you are to be awaken here…”

In the worst possible case, this Epona House will be destroyed. No, it could even be related to the city’s survivability…

Eco had long been labeled as an element of danger by many countries’s government. The reason why Mirabel was sent to become the academy’s director was to keep an eye on Eco.

''If she is to transform into a dragon right now…!''

Ash moved forward without giving any thought and hugged Eco.

A huge amount of magic was flowing out from her tiny body. If he had been careless, he would even be swallowed by the magic and lost consciousnesss.

Ash shouted with all his might into Eco’s ears.

“Get a grip of yourself! I…I like the way you are now! It is okay if you just stay as you are! You don’t have to force yourself to change into your true self!”

It seems that Ash’s words had gotten through and the magic that was surrounding Eco had disappeared. Even the lights were no longer there. Ash’s Seikoku too had stopped responding.

“We are saved…”

Ash breathe a sigh of relieves.

“…Huh?”

Eco blinked her eyes in surprise and murmured.

“What had I done…? Why are you…?”

Realizing that she was in Ash’s arms, Eco leaped off from Ash’s arms with her face red in embarrassment.

===Part 10===
“I am sorry for what had happened just now. I-I never thought that you were so much against it…. No I shouldn’t make any excuses. A knight must admit his own faults. I deeply apologize!”

After the group had sat on a dining table in the living room, Silvia apologized to Eco sincerely.

“Hmph… I guess this should be sufficient.”

Silvia’s eagerness to apologize by bowing her head had started to confuse Eco. Even though she still continued to puff up her checks in protest, but at least she had accepted Silvia’s apology. Ash who noticed it breathe a sigh of relieves.

“…Since everything had been settled, please allow me to ask. How did that stuffed toy came into your possession?”

Silvia’s words had cause Eco to be enraged again.

“Ha!? You….. Just apologize and yet you still want to ask!?”

“I apologize for resolving this matter by force. I promise that this time, I won’t try questioning you by force. But in return, I will keep on asking until you answer me. Remember, I will keep on asking.”

Silvia was quite stubborn. She even smiled towards Eco with her face full of confidence.

“I can’t believe it…”

Eco sighed.

“Sorry, Eco-chan.”

At that moment, Cosette returned from the kitchen with a silver tray full of snacks and tea.

“That toy that Eco-chan was holding right now… It probably belongs to Princess-sama a long time ago.”

“How can it be…?”

Whilst she was surprised, Eco took a bite on the vanilla flavoured crepe that Cosette handed to her. If it was the usual Eco, she would definitely shout out ‘Delicious!’ on the first bite, but right now, she was with a serious looks. As expected, even Eco couldn’t enjoy her favorite food properly.

“What Cosette said is true. That toy is definitely an important thing to me during my childhood.”

Silvia spoke calmly as if she was trying to teach a child who knew nothing.

“Ha!? That’s impossible! I understand none of these!”

Eco placed her half eaten crepe back on her plate. Ash was surprised that she prioritized the argument before her crepe.

“I knew it the moment I saw it. There is only one of this stuffed toy in the whole world. It is a very important toy.”

“How can you have such confidence!?”

“You don’t even know the worth of that toy. Anyone who knows its worth would recognize it on their first sight.”

“Arrrrrggh! That explanation is totally unacceptable!”

''Eco was once again in rage, but at least Silvia knew her limit. Thanks to that, the atmosphere did not turn out to be any worst than this…'' Ash secretly thought.

“Come on you two…”

Cosette was obviously not at all troubled. She seems to be enjoying this.

“Haa… It seems like I don’t have a choice.”

Ash sighed.

“Please listen carefully, Princess-sama. That stuffed toy was in my closet. I gave it to Eco since she seems to like it.”

“Hey! Why did you tell that to her!?”

Eco was scolding Ash with her face red.

“What else can I do? If I leave it to both of you, the same thing will continue onwards again and again.”

“I… want this to be a secret between the both of us.”

Eco’s mumbling caught Ash’s attention.

“What did you say?”

“N-Nothing! I don’t even know you!”

Eco averted her face in anger. ''Why must she get angry...?'' Ash wondered.

On the other hand, Silvia was staring at Ash.

“Ash… you said that this toy was in your closet?”

“That seems to be the case.”

Ash shrugged his shoulders.

“Actually, I am not really clear about it. Believe me or not, there was a blank in my memories… I don’t even know how it came into my possession. I don’t even know about its worth if not because of Cosette.”

Silvia was staring at Ash so intently almost as if she was going to pierce a hole in his forehead. She then asked a weird question.

“When is your birthday?”

“Huh? The third on the month of Aries… What about that?”

After Ash answered honestly, Cosette spoke in surprise:

“Oh, what a coincidence. It seems that Princess-sama was also born in the month of Aries. By the way, hers is in the seventh.”

“Hmm… That’s the first time I had heard of it.”

“Huhu… So Ash-sama is the bigger brother by four days.”

“T-That… isn’t it…”

“Ash!”

Silvia suddenly leaned against him. Ash could see her breast that was covered by the thin cloth of the summer clothes.

“Princess-sama?”

“Even though this may seems abrupt, but do you still remember the date you went for the Orphan Ceremony?”

“Err… I don’t really remember about the details, but it shouldn’t be far away from my seventh birthday. Since my hometown was at a far away village, I started my journey when I was still six. I remembered that I had my seventh birthday in a horse carriage.”

Once they reach the age of seven, every citizen of the Knight Country must visit Albion Forest.

For Ash, if he had departed after his seventh birthday, he would never be able to arrive at Albion Forest in a month time.

“By the way, does the date I went for the Orphan Ceremony matters?”

“…No, Nothing. I have something that I want to discuss with Cosette. Please stay here for the moment.”

Silvia suddenly stood up and dragged Cosette by the hand with her.

“What a weird Princess.”

Ash took a drink from the cup of red tea.

===Part 11===
After Silvia entered the makeup room, with an ‘Ahem’, she cleared her throat.

“What do you want to talk about, Princess-sama?”

“About that…”

“It doesn’t seem like something easy.”

Since she had been with Silvia for quite some time, Cosette immediately knew what she was thinking.

“Aah… That’s right.”

“I will do everything you tell me to if it is in my ability to do so. If the situation required, I could even be Princess-sama’s limbs or even your shield… That’s my duty.”

Silvia made up her mind and told her wish.

“Actually, I want you to return to the palace and investigate the name list of the children who went to the orphan ceremony at the same day as me. This should be an easy one for you, no?”

However, Cosette told Silvia something out of her imagination.

“The records of the Orphan Ceremony is the country’s top secret. Even if you are a Princess, you will be breaching the law by trying to investigate it.”

“Then, your duty would be to avoid it. Please, I could only put my hopes on you. With your ability, reading top secret documents should not be a problem, right?”

“That doesn’t sound nice, Princess-sama. The ability that I only knew of was an ancient technique that was passed down in the Shelly’s family and some spying technique. All of them were used to protect the Lautreamont family.”

“I understand that, but…!”

Silvia grabbed her shoulders and looked at Cosette with her puppy eyes.

“Of course I will do it if this is your order. But, what will you do if Ash-sama is really that boy?”

Silvia’s face almost burst out in flames.

“I-I just want to know about it! That’s right, I only want to know about the truth!”

Cosette gave a wry smile.

“Hmm… Putting that aside, during the time when I am not in, when the night comes and Eco had slept, aren’t '''the two of you''' alone together?”

“When the night comes…. The two of us…!?”

This time, steam emerged from her ears. Her heart was beating none stop.

“W-W-What are you talking about! Don’t you have any shame! How shameless! I…I believe that Ash was not someone insolence! That is why there is no point behind your question!”

Silvia snapped and Cosette nodded.

“I too had the same feeling.”

“Then why bother asking!”

Cosette smiled and took out something. It was a stack of paper held together by a paper clip.

“What’s that?”

“Huhu… A copy of ‘Shelley family’s secret. A recipe to make men dream’. Although I want to use it during this summer to teach Princess-sama some cooking… But this is a good chance to try it. Although Princess-sama don’t have any actual experience, but isn't this a good chance to show your cooking skills to Ash-sama?”

Silvia felt as if her body was on fire.

“Hold on! W-W-Why must I show Ash my cooking skills?”

“If I am not mistaken, The Lautreamont Family Motto did mention that ‘to shoot a general you must first shoot his horse’, am I right?”

“What does it had to do with this?”

“In the Shelley’s Family Motto, there is something like this: ‘To get the man you like, you must first fill his stomach’.”

“What kind of family motto is that!?”

“Huhu… When Ash-sama’s stomach is empty, and Princess-sama gave him your homemade cooking, he would surely fall for you.”

“…Fall for me!?”

Cosette was like a devil whispering into Silvia’s ears.

“When a Princess who doesn’t look like she knew any cooking made a meal, which man wouldn’t be moved by it?”

“Cut the crap! I never want Ash to take notice of me! Never! I-It's just that I had some interest in cooking since a long time ago. I will accept your offer because of this.”

Cosette handed her the recipe while smiling.
[[Image:SnRK v05 096.jpg|thumb]]

“Now, I had received my orders from Princess-sama and I will depart from Ansarivan immediately.”

“Huh? Immediately?”

“It is better if we act quickly, Princess-sama.”

Cosette lifted the both sides of her skirt slightly and bowed gracefully.

Suddenly, like a mist, Cosette disappeared from Silvia’s sight like a magician.

“H-Hey! Cosette? … Do you really want to depart at this moment?”

Silvia became worried when she heard no reply.

“Please hold on, Cosette! You should allow me to have some mental preparation before…!”

Silvia looked around the room with tears in her eyes. It looks like Cosette had really departed.

“Tsk… She never takes me seriously!”

After Silvia mumbled in regrets, she took a long hard look at the recipe given to her.

"The Stuffed Toy Dragon~A.S.B.1365.8~" is closed.

<noinclude>

==References and Translation Notes==
<references />

{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"
|-
| Back to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Prologue|Prologue]]
| Return to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Talk:Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi

2014-08-08T04:42:41Z

Valthan: /* Editing for Volume 5 Prologue */ new section

===Translation===

Can someone start Vol. 1 pls? I cant start the series if the first one is missing. Not to pressure or anything. It's just a request. :p --[[User:Iamtaicho|Iamtaicho]] ([[User talk:Iamtaicho|talk]]) 03:39, 17 October 2013 (CDT)

Seconded --[[User:Godoffire|Godoffire]] ([[User talk:Godoffire|talk]]) 14:16, 30 December 2013 (CST)

Thirded.

fourtheded

== Tenses ==
Just a note: “Translators are allowed to use whichever tenses they need, so editors have to fix any errors for tenses when you find one. Narrative tense should be in past tense. Narrative does not mean the character dialogues.”
I’ve noticed that most of the novel is being translated to the present tense … so I was hoping that the editors could lend a hand … :? [[User:Kenji|Kenji]] ([[User talk:Kenji|talk]]) 05:17, 14 September 2013 (CDT)

== Editor ==

I was wondering if I could help with this project by becoming an editor. I have been reading the series and noticed many grammatical errors and awkward sentences. I'm a native English speaker and quite proficient with the written language. Please let me know if I can lend a hand and I will gladly spend my free time reading and editing! -- [[User:JesseAlexander|JesseAlexander]] ([[User talk:JesseAlexander|talk]]) 23:42, 7 September 2013 (CDT)

I was also wondering if I could help edit this project? In particular, there are a lot of places in Volume 3, Chapter 2 that are bugging me... I would like to make a diff in my user namespace to show my proposed changes since some of them might might be non-minor changes, but I think would help fix a number of grammatically incorrect or extremely awkward sentences. [[User:Madoka2029|Madoka2029]] ([[User talk:Madoka2029|talk]]) 01:23, 16 May 2014 (CDT)

== Edit Full Text page ==

I have a problem with chapter 8 and Epilogue in the 'Full Text page' I'll be glad for some help and I'll be happy if the one who help me, will tell me what he done --[[User:Yoyoyo5678|Yoyoyo5678]] ([[User talk:Yoyoyo5678|talk]])

: Fixed the missing opening <nowiki><noinclude></nowiki> in the references sections in each individual chapter. --[[User:Drowzycow|Drowzycow]] ([[User talk:Drowzycow|talk]]) 06:32, 27 October 2013 (CDT)

thank you --[[User:Yoyoyo5678|Yoyoyo5678]] ([[User talk:Yoyoyo5678|talk]])

In volume 4 Full text, only a part of chapter 7 is present , the rest is not there.
the full translation is present in the indivdual chapter link! Can you please correct this?- http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=User_talk:Ashwathdragon
:Fixed it. I seems that the translator didn't notice that the noinclude open tag shows at the end of the chapter section (ond not inside the tl notes section) and pasted the translations from part 3 onwards after it. The noinclude tag has the function of excluding the text inbetween when that page is called upon (like when making a full text page). It's main function here is omitting the individual chapter's "translator notes and references" and navigation bar sections (it has been used also on individually translated short stories turned into novel chapters when there's some differences between both versions, usually illustrations).--[[User:Kemm|Kemm]] ([[User talk:Kemm|talk]]) 11:17, 21 April 2014 (CDT)

Just for your information, I admit that I don't know how to use the noninclude tag, and it is becuase of that, i never use any of it... Except copying a new page.... That's all... ==lll....--[[User:TJYYEO|TJYYEO]] ([[User talk:TJYYEO|talk]]) 00:42, 23 April 2014 (CDT)

Note on the new "Story Arcs" format: now that I know how it works I actually like it, but it's not immediately obvious that you can click "show" to show individual chapters. Could that maybe be moved to BELOW the cover images, so that it's more apparent that something is hidden at the bottom (the chapters) instead of already shown at the top (the images)? It's a "design language" sort of thing. (Anon)

== Duplicated page ==

Apart from the http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Seikoku_no_Ryuu_Kishi:Volume_2_Illustrations page linked to the Full Text page, there exist a http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Seikoku_no_Ryuu_Kishi:_Volume_2_Illustrations page that's identical, but older (the difference is a "_" after the colon).--[[User:Kemm|Kemm]] ([[User talk:Kemm|talk]]) 11:50, 19 April 2014 (CDT)
:Just add redirect and it's done. Whatever, I've done it. -- [[User:Simon|<span style="color:darkred;font:bold 10pt kristen itc">Sim</span>]][[User talk:Simon|<span style="color:darkblack;font:bold 10pt kristen itc">on</span>]] 12:08, 19 April 2014 (CDT)

== A lot of references in Volume 1 Chapter 1 ==

I was reading volume 1 chapter 1 and I was wondering about the huge number of references, a number of which, felt extraneous. For example, with reference 15, I was wondering if it is really necessary to explain what a precept is in that context as it seems unambiguous that a family's precepts would be teachings that they are expected to live by without the extra explanation? I recall there also being a few other references which left similar impressions. Sorry if this question seems pedantic, it was bothering me while I was reading the chapter. [[User:Madoka2029|Madoka2029]] ([[User talk:Madoka2029|talk]]) 23:07, 15 May 2014 (CDT)

== Editing for Volume 5 Prologue ==

In part 3, the words [Right at the moment, a thought flash-passed.], while technically not wrong, is rather awkward. I recommend changing it. My attempt: [Right then, a sudden thought occurred to him.][[User:Valthan|Valthan]] ([[User talk:Valthan|talk]]) 23:18, 7 August 2014 (CDT)

Also in part 3, some words during the knighting ceremony didn't look right. The part that goes [...surpassed thee expatiation...]. Shouldn't it be [...surpassed all expectations... ]? expatiation is a word, but I don't think it's the one your looking for. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/expatiation?s=t [[User:Valthan|Valthan]] ([[User talk:Valthan|talk]]) 23:38, 7 August 2014 (CDT)

Talk:Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Prologue

2014-08-08T04:40:22Z

Valthan: Blanked the page

Talk:Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Prologue

2014-08-08T04:38:46Z

Valthan:

===Editing===
In part 3, the words [Right at the moment, a thought flash-passed.], while technically not wrong, is rather awkward. I recommend changing it. My attempt: [Right then, a sudden thought occurred to him.][[User:Valthan|Valthan]] ([[User talk:Valthan|talk]]) 23:18, 7 August 2014 (CDT)

Also in part 3, some words during the knighting ceremony didn't look right. The part that goes [...surpassed thee expatiation...]. Shouldn't it be [...surpassed all expectations... ]? expatiation is a word, but I don't think it's the one your looking for. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/expatiation?s=t [[User:Valthan|Valthan]] ([[User talk:Valthan|talk]]) 23:38, 7 August 2014 (CDT)

Talk:Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Prologue

2014-08-08T04:18:41Z

Valthan:

In part 3, the words [Right at the moment, a thought flash-passed.], while technically not wrong, is rather awkward. I recommend changing it. My attempt: [Right then, a sudden thought occurred to him.][[User:Valthan|Valthan]] ([[User talk:Valthan|talk]]) 23:18, 7 August 2014 (CDT)

Talk:Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Prologue

2014-08-08T04:16:51Z

Valthan: Created page with "In part 3, the words [Right at the moment, a thought flash-passed.], while technically not wrong, is rather awkward. I recommend changing it. My attempt: [Right then, a sudden..."

Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 5 Prologue

2014-08-08T04:09:11Z

Valthan: /* Part 2 */

==Prologue==
Lautreamont Knight Country, people called it the country of Dragon Breeders.

To its north was the Zepharos Empire, while to its south was the Chevron Kingdom.

Sandwiched between the two major powers, a small country with a population of no more than five million, had a special academy.

Ansarivan Dragon Riding Academy.

Educating and guiding teenage boys and girls who formed contracts with dragons -- an academy for Dragon Breeders.

===Part 1===
The last day of the month of Cancer.

Ansarivan Dragon Riding Academy had scheduled to hold the closing ceremony in the morning.

Every student had gathered in the hall and was getting restless since it would be a holiday starting the next day. Every one of them was hoping for the bothersome ceremony to end.

To make it worse, the ceremony had not begun according to schedule. It seemed that the director was late. Before he even noticed, the students were chatting around among their groups. With the long long summer holidays right before their eyes, the students didn’t stop talking once they had started.

“Huwaa….”

In the midst of everything, Ash, who was lining up together with the first year advance class, gave a loud yawn. He was about to fall asleep.

“Are you alright? You look like you didn't have enough sleep.”

Raymond was looking at Ash.

“That was your third time for today. You must have been slacking.”

On the other hand, Max firmly point out to Ash. He could never tolerate with Ash’s lazy attitude.

“It is not like I have a choice… I just returned from Fountain City last night.”

“By the way, doesn’t Eco also look sleepy?”

Raymond gave Eco who was standing right beside Ash a glance and gave a bitter smile. But the next moment, his eyes widened.

“Could it be that…! Last night…. The two of you have advanced to become adults…!”

“Idiot! You speak too loud! That’s impossible!”

Ash was red in the cheeks. If it was the Ash from months ago, he wouldn’t have been bothered if Raymond made fun of him and Eco.

But for today, he was obviously shaken.

Ash took a peek at Eco. Although she was still sleepy, the morning rays that shone into the hall had further emphasized Eco’s beauty, even though they were in the midst of people. It gave her a feeling of a noble.

Her hair was pink and was reflecting silvery rays of lights. Her skin was white and the chip on her left horn that Ash had smashed off had recovered.

Recently, Ash was confused about his feelings.

With just a glance at Eco, he could clearly feel his chest tightening.

Seeing that Ash suddenly turned silent, Raymond asked in a demanding tone:

“Hold on! Isn’t your reply a little weird! Could it be you really…!”

“Raymond! Shut up…!”

Max pushed Raymond aside and had his mouth covered.

“Is it true that many things happened in Fontaine City? Even the Continental Congress- Elysium was postponed. It probably had something to do with Eco and you right?”

Ash was surprised at how sharp Max was.

“Actually, for the both of you to stay at the capital for nearly two weeks didn’t sound natural to me. After the incident, the government should be busy dealing with the aftereffect. If I were the Paladin, the first thing that I would do was to send you back home. Unless…”

Max adjusted his glasses with his fingers, and threw a glance at Ash.

“Both of you were not staying there but were held in custody.”

Ash was shocked by Max’s deduction ability. In just a moment, he was no longer sleepy.

===Part 2===
It was two weeks ago-

A mysterious dragon had attacked the capital and the Continental Congress- Elysium was put on hold. It had always been the topic of everybody’s talk since that day.

As for the true identity behind the huge dragon, it is Eco who had awakened as the descendant of the Avalon Holy Dragons Emperor’s family.

At the end of the battle, Ash managed to change Eco back to her human form and all ended peacefully. Until what awaited them were the days of the interrogation.

Just like what Max had pointed out, it was not that Ash and Eco were staying at Fontaine City, it was just that they were forbidden from leaving it.

They were only released by yesterday afternoon. It had already been midnight when Silvia gave them a ride back on Lancelot. It seems that Silvia was worried about both of them and thus chose to stay back at Fontaine City. If they were to return to Ansarivan on land, he would have never been able to attend this closing ceremony.

This was the reason why Ash and Eco were sleepy.

On the other hand, Silvia who should be sleepy was at the front of the queue for the first year advance class with her back straightened up. It was as expected from the Knight’s princess, everyone could feel her regal dignity.

“What do you think of it, Ash?”

While Max threw him a sharp glance, Raymond was eagerly waiting for him to answer.

“That…”

To Ash, Raymond and Max were his important friends. Just when he thought of telling them the truth, something weird happened.

''-Bang!''

The door of the hall was suddenly opened with a loud bang.

All the students turned around in shocked.

“Huh? What happened?”

Eco who had dozed off while standing took a great shock. She immediately looked at the situation around her.

Ash also took a look at the door.

At that instant, the attention had been robbed from him.

In the middle of the doorway stood a modest girl who radiated an elegant feeling. Her neatly worn clothing was a white blouse and a bluish purple coloured skirt that matched with her black boots. The feeling she gave was obviously a daughter of someone with high social status.

Apart from that, there was a maid following her from behind. She was pushing a trolley with tea sets on it.

Under the eyes of every student, the girl walked straight to the stage as if it was a natural thing to do.

“Greetings to everyone from Ansarivan Dragon Riding Academy.”

When she was greeting, the purple reflections from her silver coloured hair made it seemed like she was wearing a halo.

Ash gulped down his saliva when he saw her beauty. She was totally like a saint…

But unlike all the other statues of the Saints that he had seen before, she didn't possess the kind and caring smile on her face. Her appearance made her look like the ice carving made from the Glacier of Doruaama in the far north.

After a short glance at the entire student body, she spoke:

“I am Mirabel Lautreamont, the third princess. Under the orders of my elder sister Veronica, I was asked to work as the Director in this academy. Please take good care of me."

The entire hall turned silent.

Ash was also staring at Mirabel. He expected her to be from some high class family but for her to be a princess…

Suddenly Silvia who was at the front row shouted:

“Anee-ue! What is the meaning of this? I heard that you went to Espada St. Law University to further your studies…”

After hearing that, Ash realized that Mirabel was Silvia’s sister.

Everyone’s attention was on Mirabel. Even the teaching instructors who were standing along the walls were also trying to find out.

Right at that moment, as if to break apart the deep silence, the eleven o'clock bell rang.

The moment she heard the sound of the bell, Mirabel gave the maid a sharp glare.

“Eunice. It’s time for my tea.”

“Absolutely, Princess.”

The maid who was following Mirabel like a shadow was making tea at a fast speed.

“Please.”

“Thank you.”

Mirabel took the boiling cup of tea and sat on a folding chair that Eunice took out. She then relaxed herself and drank the tea.

“…”

Everyone was watching her movements in surprise. Even Silvia was waiting for Mirabel to finish her tea before she tried speaking.

After a short moment, she passed the tea cup back to Eunice and once again, looked back at Silvia.

“So Silvia? What were you asking?”

“I am saying that how come you became the Director? Please explain! By the way, where is the ex-Director who had been working here until yesterday?”

“Aa…You are talking about the old man who had a foot in a coffin? He should be having his vacation in a popular tourist spot in Chevron Kingdom. Given that he had a raise in his pension, he shouldn't have any complaints.”

“Wha-!”

Silvia turned speechless.

===Part 3===
“Hey… What is happening? What is going to happen to the closing ceremony?”

Eco who was standing beside Ash asked. With so many things happening around, she was no longer sleepy.

“Err… I don’t know?”

Right at the moment, a thought flash-passed.

For the third princess to be ordered to become the director of Ansarivan Dragon Riding Academy in such a weird time, it should have some connections with the incident in the capital.

The true identity behind the huge dragon was Eco and there were very few people who knew about this.

First Princess Veronica was one of them.

In the beginning, the Knight’s government took her as an element of danger and wanted her to be under strict surveillance. But Veronica was the first person to disagree with this idea and afraid that Eco would transform into a dragon if she was pushed to her limit.

How good will that be if that was true. However, Veronica mustn't be looked down upon. She would never have released them easily. Ash knew her way of thinking from his past experience.

That being said, Mirabel did mention that ''‘Under the orders of my elder sister Veronica’''. So, in another words, Mirabel becoming the academy’s Director was all in Veronica’s plan.

''-Does it mean that Mirabel is here to keep an eye on us…?''

Just moments before, Ash was under the impression that he had just been released and the holidays were starting. But now, he felt like being thrown a bucket full of cold water.

Suddenly, Mirabel looked as if she remembered something and stopped talking to Silvia. She then looked around the hall.

“How careless of me to forget something important. Is Ash Blake and young dragon Eco present?”

Everyone’s attention was on them.

They felt as if they were being pierced by their sight.

“Hol-!... What is…!?”

Eco was starting to feel uncomfortable and couldn’t calm down. She immediately hid behind Ash.

Anyway, it was disrespect to not to answer Mirabel’s call.

“We are here.”

Ash took a deep breath and dragged Eco onto the stage together with him. Eco was now like a different person. She was looking graceful and held on to his hand tightly. Ash's heart was beating non-stop from being able to feel her body heat.

While he was walking towards the stage, the rest of the students made way for him. However, Ash wasn’t able to enjoy it right now.

In a short moment, Ash arrived at the stage.

“I am Ash Blake and she is my Pal Eco.”

After a glance, she gave a short answer:

“Come.”

It seemed that she wanted them to step up on the stage.

Ash walked onto the stage with many pairs of eyes looking at him.

He felt embarrassed with Eco holding his hand the entire time, but Eco kept on holding his hand firmly without any intention of letting go.

After they were on the stage, Mirabel kept on looking at them. Her eyes seem to be transparent with difference from Silvia’s and Veronica’s blue eyes.

Suddenly Mirabel stretched her hand towards Eunice.

“Hand me the sword.”

“Absolutely.”

Ash was in a shock.

Eunice took out a rapier from the trolley. ''T-There is actually something like this in the trolley…''

Once Mirabel took her rapier, she removed it from its sheath. The clear white sword reflected the sunrays.

Mirabel then approached Ash with her right hand holding the rapier and her left hand holding the sheath.

As for the students who were starting to become restless from being confused, Mirabel told them in a cold voice:

“Silence!”

Her voice was obviously not loud but it was also definitely without a hint of anger.

But it was enough to do its job.

The students felt pressure from her voice alone.

After all the students were silent, Mirabel turned her sight back to Ash.

“I have a message for you from my father Oswald.”

“From the Paladin…?”

Ash was confused.

“Didn’t my father bestow you a silver watch which is the proof of a Dragner?”

“He certainly did…”

“Except that the knighting ceremony was never done, right?”

“That seems to be the case. It seems that the castle wasn’t a suitable place during that time.”

“With that reason alone, I, Mirabel Lautreamont in place of my father will take over your Knighting ceremony. Please kneel down.”

“W-With pleasure!”

Ash kneeled down immediately and told Eco who was standing to do the same in a low voice.

However, Eco usually saw people as ‘dumb, stupid and dense’. ''Will she kneel down quietly without a fight if the person she was facing is a royal?''

Ash was sweating tremendously.

“Alright…”

To his surprise, she did what she was told. She kneeled down right beside Ash.

“What I did is for you.”

Her murmurs and her rosy cheeks were unexpected.

While Ash’s heart skipped a beat, Mirabel started to recite:

“Ash Blake from Ansarivan Dragon Riding Academy advance class first year. At the age of seven, thou took part in the Orphan Ceremony in Albion Forest. Thou had been consecrated by the great mother dragon and received an Orphan. By that, thou had officially become a Breeder.
And now, thy Pal, Eco surpass thee expatiation and had a remarkable growth. Now, representing Paladin Oswald, in my name Mirabel Lautreamont shall I place my rapier on thy shoulders.” <ref>This was spoken in a poetic from. </ref>
[[Image:SnRK v05 029.jpg|thumb]]

Mirabel placed her rapier on Ash’s shoulders smoothly.

It was a part of the Knighting ceremony. Though the rapier itself looked fine, it actually felt heavy on his shoulders.

“Do you as a proud knight swear your loyalty to the Lautreamont royal family?”

"I swear in the name of my Seikoku and my beloved Pal.”

Ash deliberately stated the standard pledge. Eco’s shoulder trembled a little as Ash said the words ‘beloved Pal’. However, Ash did not have the luxury to take a peek at her.

After that Mirabel remained still. Her actions confused Ash, but then he remembered something important.

He held the silver watch bestowed to him by Oswald and placed it next to his heart. This was also a part of the knighting ceremony.

After Mirabel sheathed her sword, the ceremony ended. Suddenly, the entire hall was full of cheers. It was because the knighting ceremony was usually held in the St Rosa. Maria Cathedral in the capital, but now they had the chance to experience it here.

The entire hall was full of the claps and sounds of students cheering as if everyone had forgotten about the closing ceremony.

===Part 4===
"Tsk, what a day…”

Ash was leaving the public bath in the Apollo house with a towel on his shoulder. Since the lights-out hour was approaching, the corridor was empty. Ash tried recalling all the events that happened in the morning while he was running up the stairs.

After returning to his classroom after the ceremony, he was flooded with questions. As expected, most of the questions asked were about Eco.

The difference between a Dragner and a Breeder could only be judged from their Pals.

Although dragons were born in the form of either a Strada, Hydra or Asia, after being taken care of, they had a possibility to evolve into the mysterious Maestro. They had white fur and a huge amount of magic. To the Knights, they were the country’s treasure.

Basically, when a Pal evolved into a Maestro, a Breeder was qualified to become a Dragner. However, Eco was in the form of a girl. To state it clearly, she was an exception that could not suit any class. In spite of that, Paladin Oswald had bestowed Ash the title Dragner.

That was the reason why the rest of the students were full of questions.

Except that if they knew that Eco was the huge dragon that had attacked the capital, they would have to acknowledge him. Her overwhelming presence and the destructive power she possessed that can crush an airship, plus being the surviving bloodline of the Avalon Holy Dragons Emperor. Even the proud Maestros prostrated themselves in front of her.

Of course Ash didn’t publicize this. Well, he was forbidden from doing so.

Right after Eco was awakened, she crushed the huge Zepharos Empire’s Airship Beowolf. It was clear that the Empire deserved it. However, the Empire did not admit their wrong doing and furthermore pushed the blame on the Knights.

On the other hand, the Chevron Kingdom which suffered no losses were unhappy that the Knights did not reveal any information regarding Eco to them. Ash had just only known this from the recent news.

In short, Eco herself was an international threat.

“What am I going to do from here on…?”

Ash suddenly thought of Princess Mirabel. Although she didn’t seems to be someone like Veronica, however she also didn’t look like an easy nut to crack.

With all such troubles in his head Ash returned to his room.

Eco was rolling on her bed waiting for time to pass but she immediately jumped up the moment she saw Ash.

“…Huh?”

Ash felt that something was off and he immediately realized what it was.

That’s right, Eco who always slept stark naked was wearing a cute negligee that day.

The pure white cloth should be made out of silk. Under the lights of the Bright Dragon Crystal, her outline could be clearly seen. Even her breasts and the tips could almost be seen.

It was obvious that Eco was not wearing any undergarments. Ash had a hard time looking as she looked more alluring than when she was naked.

“W-Where did you get that from?”

Eco suddenly became uneasy when she was asked.

“…It was one of Silvia’s old clothing that Cosette gave me.”

“But didn’t you say you hate wearing anything when you sleep? You even said that you can't sleep without being naked.”

Eco crossed her arms and glared at Ash.

“…Aren’t you acting suspicious when I am naked?”

“Well, I am a guy. I couldn’t possibly calm down when there is a naked girl in front of me.”

“I don’t quite actually know what kind of feeling that was…. Anyway, I just have to put on some clothes.”

Suddenly Eco was looking embarrassed and she slowly took a peek at Ash.

“T-That’s why…. You… can come… here….”

“Huh?”

“Argh…. You idiot! I am saying that we can sleep together! Why do you have to make me tell you everything!”

Ash doubted what he had just heard.

Eco who ordered Ash to sleep on the floor and monopolized the entire bed was right now asking Ash to sleep together.

''What is happening to her?''

“Never mind. I am used to sleeping on the floor and that bed is yours.”

In short, Eco was getting mad at him for being too worrisome.

“I said I am allowing it! You always pretend that it is nothing…. But your body must be hurting. The injuries are not yet healed right?”

Ash was speechless.

In truth, the injuries he suffered from during his battle with Gawain and Mordred had not recovered yet. Sometimes, he could still feel pain from his body. But he never expected Eco to see through him.

“Even the injury that could had been healed can never be healed if you sleep on the floor.”

Eco turned around with her back facing Ash and covered herself with the blanket. She even remembered to leave some space for Ash.

While keeping that position, she took a peek at Ash.

Their sights connected.

“…!”

Eco was suddenly blushing and she turned her head back. It seems that she was not going to take back her words. Ash made up his mind and tuned the lamp to its dimmest. With the help from his hands, he walked towards the bed.

“S-Sorry for the intrusion.”

Ash was all tense. Not only that he was speaking politely, he even nearly bit his tongue.

“You are acting weird.”

It was probably caused by Ash’s actions that Eco was smiling. But thanks to that, the tension lessened.

Ash lied down beside Eco. Thinking back, Eco had squeezed into Ash’s bed for many times in her sleep. And she was naked during those times. This situation should be nothing to him.

However, Ash regretted what he had just thought of just moments later. There was a sweet smell coming from Eco’s body and hair.

That was obviously the smell of a girl.

“…!”

His heart was beating at a very fast pace. Eco squeezing into his bed and them sleeping together from the start were two totally different things.

When he took a look at Eco, it seemed that she was still wide awake from being nervous. There was a mysterious feeling of nervousness coming from her petite body. That being said, if it was the usual Eco, she would have definitely fallen asleep that moment she laid on the bed.

Suddenly, Ash remembered his conversation he had with Eco.

In the guest room in Fontaine City, she did mention something like this:

''I am happy that… I am your Pal… And. You are my knight…B-But… I hate this. I cannot be satisfied with just this! Even though I am not sure why, I know that I just can’t accept this!''

That was the first time Eco had freely expressed her own feelings. During that time, Ash too felt like kissing Eco.

Also, during that time, Eco didn’t seem to resist. To his disappointment, before they could kiss, they were interrupted. After that, there never seemed to be a right atmosphere to try it again…

===Part 5===
…In the end, Eco was finally asleep after turning off the lights for an hour. Ash breathed a sigh of relief when he heard her snoring. But then he was faced with another challenge.

Sometimes, when Eco turned around, their shoulders came into contact. Since their pyjamas were made of thin material, Ash had a wrong impression that their skins were touching each other. Or else, it was Eco’s face that was getting too near that caused his heart to skip a beat.

At the same time he was aware of Eco’s charm, Ash was staring at her lips. He once again remembered their unfinished kiss.

''What if I give her a kiss right now…'' Ash struggled to keep away his wild thought.

“Oh god. Now I will never be able to sleep…”

"Mirabel Lautreamont ~A.S.B.1365.7~" is closed.

<noinclude>

==References and Translation Notes==
<references />

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</noinclude>

User:Valthan

2014-08-06T10:14:47Z

Valthan:

Gender: Male

Occupation: College Student

Major: Computer Information Systems (w/ an emphasis in business management)

User:Valthan

2014-08-06T10:11:33Z

Valthan: Created page with "Gender: Male Occupation: College student Major: Computer Information Systems (w/ emphasis in business management) Hobbies: Writing short stories, illustration, creating ind..."

Gender: Male

Occupation: College student

Major: Computer Information Systems (w/ emphasis in business management)

Hobbies: Writing short stories, illustration, creating indie video games