Chapter 17

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Chapter 17: Dragon-Taming Ten Slaps

Naya stared at Iris in disbelief.

She watched as Iris’s bright red lips slowly pulled back, leaving nothing on the chopsticks.

Iris, suppressing the bitterness of the cucumber, chewed it up and swallowed it.

Then, she gave Naya a strained smile.

“It’s good. But can you not make it again next time?”

“Um…”

Whether or not Iris was still suspicious of her, the fact that she was willing to eat the cucumber just for her was proof enough of Iris’s sincerity.

Would a proud Dragon King really endure vinegar for someone they didn’t love?

Thinking this, Naya felt a wave of relief wash over her.

She lowered her head, trying to hide the sweet smile that was uncontrollably spreading across her face.

She pulled the plate of cucumbers toward her and slowly began eating them.

This might be the last time she makes this dish. From now on, she would avoid making foods that Iris disliked.

Why did the cucumbers taste different now, just thinking about Iris biting the chopsticks so sensually?

Even though they had done far more intimate things, she still found herself blushing at this indirect kiss.

Illya quietly watched her two mothers.

She couldn’t understand them at all.

Could the dish really be that delicious?

Seeing her Mama and Mother smiling so happily, she gnawed on her chicken leg in confusion.

After dinner, Naya bathed Iris and found herself in a brief moment of alone time with her.

Both of them were soaking in the bathtub, silently listening to the sound of the water.

“Iris, did you really finish all the food at lunch?”

Naya, uncomfortable with the silence, racked her brain and finally asked the question that had been on her mind the most.

Instead of guessing, it was better to ask directly.

“Illya and Flanna both hate vinegar, so I have a hard time believing you managed to eat it.”

“I ate it all, not a bite left. Because you made it, I didn’t want to waste it. Even though it was bitter and sour, thinking about how you prepared it with care made it feel like I was swallowing your love, not just food. Naya, don’t you think it’s love?”

Iris turned her head, leaning in against Naya’s shoulder.

“I… I…”

Naya lowered her head in embarrassment.

Compared to Iris’s passionate confession, her doubts seemed so petty.

Even in the past, Iris was never this openly romantic.

The butterflies in Naya’s stomach were nearly breaking out of her chest.

“Or were you just trying to tease me?”

“I wasn’t. I didn’t know you didn’t like vinegar. When Illya and I had lunch, Bella had already delivered the dumplings. It wasn’t until I saw Illya’s reaction that I realized none of you could stand vinegar. I originally planned to check what you hadn’t eaten through the lunch box Bella brought back to figure out what you didn’t like, but I never got the chance. You ate it all, which felt unreal to me.”

“So, when you were making those dishes, what were you feeling?”

“I felt… love…”

Her voice was as soft as a mosquito’s, and Iris could hardly hear it clearly.

“What?”

Naya, like a shy schoolgirl experiencing her first crush, was too embarrassed by her direct confession.

But soon, a spark of courage flashed in her eyes.

What kind of hero gets shy like this? Naya took a deep breath.

“I’m sorry, Iris. I thought you were doing it on purpose, throwing away the food and pretending you loved me. I guess, deep down, I wanted my effort and affection to be fully accepted by you. I wanted my love to be felt by you. So, when I thought you had thrown the dumplings away, I felt hurt, like my love had been rejected. I just wanted to confirm it, so I made the cucumber dish. I wasn’t trying to mess with you.”

Having spilled out all her thoughts, Naya felt a lot lighter.

Iris embraced Naya, whispering into her ear.

“And now? Do you still think I was pretending?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Then how do you plan to compensate for my lost taste buds?”

“What do you want as compensation?”

“I want something different to cleanse my palate.”

“No, Iris, I still have to tell Illya her bedtime story later.”

Naya tried to fend off Iris’s wandering hands.

“Ugh, Illya is such a bother, always clinging to you, even after hogging you all day. Now, she wants you to tell her stories at night too.”

“How can you say that about your daughter?”

“Hmph, it’s time to think of a way to cancel her bedtime story routine.”

Iris pulled Naya onto her lap, her cute dragon tail rising up to press against her chest.

She buried her head in Naya’s neck.

This time, Iris was genuinely feeling jealous.

Perhaps out of guilt for misunderstanding Iris, Naya tilted her head, exposing her neck to let Iris nuzzle her.

Inwardly, she couldn’t help but grumble.

Iris, seriously, even jealous of your own daughter?

An hour later, Naya, exhausted, emerged from the bathroom, followed by a refreshed Iris.

As they reached the second floor, Naya headed to Illya’s room, while Iris went straight to their bedroom.

Opening her door, Iris licked her lips with satisfaction and gave Naya a teasing smile.

“I’ll be waiting for you in the bedroom.”

Naya bit her lip, shooting a resentful glare at Iris before walking firmly toward Illya’s room.

The night was still young. Iris, you just wait!

In the bathroom, it was all for you.

It was only to compensate you for your lost taste buds that I reluctantly acted as a pillow princess.

Once I finish telling Illya her story, I’ll show you who’s really in charge around here.

Opening the door to Illya’s room, Naya found Bella there with her. Regaining her composure, she spoke to Bella in her usual tone.

“Bella, you can go rest now.”

“Yes, Miss Naya.”

Bella nodded but couldn’t help stealing a glance at Naya’s neck as she passed by.

Her Majesty is really fierce.

Naya didn’t notice Bella’s look and went straight to sit beside Illya. Illya pointed curiously at Naya’s neck.

“Mama, what happened to your neck?”

“Huh?”

Naya touched her neck, suddenly remembering what Iris had done in the bathroom. Her ears began to steam.

Illya’s curiosity quickly turned to concern.

She had never seen red marks like that on her Mama’s neck before.

“Mama… What happened? It looks scary…”

“I just got stung by a bee. Your Mother already treated it, so it’ll be gone by tomorrow morning after a good night’s sleep. Now, let’s start the bedtime story.”

She needed to get Illya to sleep as soon as possible, so she could return and properly deal with Iris. Maybe she’d leave a hundred marks on Iris’s neck to make her think twice about going to the royal court tomorrow.

“Okay ~”

“Tonight, we’re going to talk about the little bee gathering honey.”

“What about the hero story from yesterday?”

“Um… I haven’t come up with the rest of it yet. Illya, how about I tell you the rest tomorrow after I think of the continuation? Tonight, let’s enjoy the little bee gathering honey story.”

“Okay…”

Although a bit reluctant, Iliya lay down obediently, listening to her mother’s gentle voice as she recounted the tale.

“Once upon a time, there was a little bee. In search of the sweetest nectar in the world, it flew over forests, soared past mountains, and crossed vast, endless plains. Finally, it arrived at a forest stream, where the bright moon shone through the pine trees, and clear water flowed over the stones.”

“Mmm…”

“In the middle of the stream was a small stone pond, where young lotus buds had just begun to peek out. A bee had already landed atop one of them, nibbling at the lotus seeds. However, the taste was a mix of sweetness and bitterness, which the little bee did not like. So, it continued to fly downstream along the river.”

This story is so boring.

Illya, growing sleepy, began to drift off.

“…Finally, downstream, the little bee found the sweetest nectar in the world. It ate its fill, drank its fill, and flew away happily. It was only then that the little bee understood that the most delicious flowers are those that hold the tender tears of the peony in spring and the delicate rose that lies on the branch at dawn.”

“Zzz… Zzz…”

By this point, Illya had already fallen asleep.

Naya smiled softly.

So, your dear Mother is that annoying little bee.

Alright.

Now, it’s time for the man-eating flower to strike!

With her system task in mind, Naya knew she had to take the offensive this time. She stood up, turned off the lights, and left Illya’s room.

Iris, get ready to lift your butt and receive my Dragon-Taming Ten Slaps!