The elusive and enigmatic male protagonist (21)

“Your Highness!” Charles cried out in shock and delight, wanting to rush forward.

The black dragon turned its claws, gently cupping Si Jiu in its palm and swiftly lifting her to its side, its entire posture declaring, “No one is allowed to touch my treasure—not even to look.”

Charles halted in his tracks.

Clutching the dragon’s talon, Si Jiu glanced at Charles, realizing that the matter of the male lead’s identity remained unresolved. Was the big black dragon planning to take her back already?

She grew anxious.

“Big Black, stop messing around. He’s my friend—I still have business with him. Put me down.”

Another collective gasp swept through the onlookers.

She called the Dragon God “Big Black”? And so casually. Even giving it direct orders.

Everyone nervously watched the black dragon.

But the dragon only gazed intently at Si Jiu.

“I can’t go back with you right now. Can’t you wait a while?” she pleaded. “Look, everything here is in utter chaos. Everyone needs to rebuild their homes. The enemy has only retreated for now—I’m sure they’ll be back.

This is my homeland, and I am the princess personally appointed by His Majesty the King. I have a duty to protect my people.

I can’t leave with you.

Of course, it would be even better if you could stay.”

Most of what she said was nonsense made up to buy herself time to stay. The part about the king officially naming her a princess was true.

Back then, the king couldn’t bear to send his own daughter, so he chose her as a substitute. Fearing the Dragon God might investigate and expose their scheme, he granted her a princess title—just in case.

After all, no one had truly seen the Dragon God for countless years. But what if the Dragon God really did exist?

If the truth ever came out, at worst, she’d be revealed as an illegitimate daughter. With the title of princess, she would still be a legitimate royal.

Excuses and escape routes had all been carefully considered.

But no one had expected that this sacrificial offering would actually bring back a dragon, and not only save the kingdom from disaster but also sincerely wish to help rebuild and even persuade the Dragon God to remain as their protector.

For the first time, those who had never considered Si Jiu as a real person—especially the guards—felt a flush of shame on their faces.

Only Charles looked at Si Jiu with the same gentle gaze as ever, now tinged with pride.

To be a knight to such a princess was the greatest blessing of his life.

Si Jiu had no idea how deeply her self-serving words, spoken offhand for her own mission, had shaken everyone.

Even if she knew, she wouldn’t have cared.

She widened her eyes and gazed earnestly into the dragon’s gentle eyes, rubbing her cheek softly against its claw in a pampered gesture. “Please? Will you stay here with me?”

Under the hopeful gaze of the young woman, the black dragon wavered.

Seizing the opportunity, Si Jiu pressed a light kiss to where others couldn’t see, whispering in a voice only it could hear, “Stay. Don’t you love kisses? Stay here, and I’ll give you kisses every day.”

Though the black dragon seemed unable to speak, Si Jiu had noticed it enjoyed her affection—especially when she kissed it, its pupils would subtly change color.

Just as now, its golden eyes suddenly brightened, the gold visibly expanding.

This dragon was truly easy to please.

Si Jiu buried her face in its palm, stifling a laugh. When she looked up again, it was no surprise to see it nod.

A hush fell over the crowd, then erupted into an even greater cheer than before.

Amid the celebrations, someone started chanting, “Princess! Princess!”

Soon, voices joined one after another in perfect rhythm, echoing through the crowd, “Princess! Princess…”

Everyone who looked at Si Jiu now had gratitude and reverence in their eyes.

Yet among these jubilant faces, there were those with more complicated thoughts—calculating, conflicted.

None more so than Princess Daya, whose gaze was openly venomous.

She stared at Si Jiu, as if wishing she could tear her apart.

“She’s nothing but a lowborn wretch. I am the only true princess of Valenriel. All this glory should have been mine,” she seethed with jealous hatred, her eyes shifting from Si Jiu, cherished in the dragon’s palm, to the awe-inspiring black dragon.

“The Dragon God should be mine as well.

You’re nothing but an imposter.”

Disheveled, covered in dust and dirt, Daya had managed to escape the dragon knight’s grasp during the chaos, narrowly avoiding a fatal blow.

“Of course, Princess Daya, you are the kingdom’s only true princess,” someone whispered softly in her ear.

“Would you like to bring that imposter down? If you do, the Dragon God will be yours.

The Dragon God should belong to you.”

Daya turned to see a guard with sharp, triangular eyes grinning at her with obsequious cunning.