#Side Story 71. Lost dream, sleeping dragon (1)
* * *
Distant past.
There was one race.
Long lifespan and strong body.
Above all, have a great spirit.
A race that even held the hegemony of the world in its hands.
Of course, everything in this world is a mess, and no one can avoid the ups and downs.
Because they were so great, they became arrogant, so they fought with each other repeatedly and fell to the brink of destruction.
But no matter how much it has fallen.
They were a great race.
Although they may have declined significantly compared to their heyday, they eventually achieved revival after much thought and effort.
And…
a long time passed.
…The years are so distant that even the preciousness of the peace we gained has been lost.
* * *
Tradition.
An idea, habit, culture, or spirit formed in a group over a long period of time and passed down from generation to generation.
It may seem useless at first glance.
However, in reality, tradition was meaningful in that it united many people of different origins, status, race, and age.
Actually, family, country, and religion.
That’s why the bigger any organization, the more trivial traditions it has and the more difficult it is.
Kung cooung.
‘It’s boring…’
Nevertheless.
She thought sincerely.
I wish we could just get rid of traditions.
If something, even if somewhat unreasonable, could have been improved, there would have been no need to move on a slow bridge dragon.
She yawned in the palanquin mounted on the back of the needlessly large and ornate dragon.
What would you do if it was wide enough to roll around and the ride comfort was good?
I have nothing to do.
Of course, at other times, I would have asked for a brush or instrument and spent my time leisurely painting or playing.
But just today it was impossible.
Because….
“The bride will pay!”
“Old Man Wolha is watching!”
“Waryong obtained Yeouiju and ascended to heaven, and this is truly the red fortune of all ages. “Everyone rejoice!”
“Long live, long live, long live!”
…Because today was her wedding day.
She frowned at the loud voices of the crowd on the street shouting that it was such a great spectacle.
Well, it was a sight to behold.
No matter how wide the world is.
There are countless people.
Among them, there are only seven kings.
Even this wedding itself was the first event in hundreds of years.
It was understandable that there were a lot of spectators from all over the world who came from a long way to see this wedding ceremony.
This is especially true since they have a long lifespan and can easily waste a few years on their travels.
So…
leading a long procession.
Passing through countless pedestrians.
The bridge dragon she was riding finally stopped in a city.
To be exact, it was a huge palace with an area as vast as most cities.
Cheonryong Palace (天龍宮).
During the political war that took place in the past.
A shrine for all families created by surviving families after a bloody battle, pledging eternal peace.
…Even so, in the end, the resentment from that time remained and they were constantly fighting over territory.
That may be why this useless tradition was created.
If we do not maintain this covenant, even in a formal way, it will only be a matter of time before another war breaks out.
It was something that could not be helped.
They are the Dragon clan.
Although there may be differences between families, they were all without exception in that they were fanatically obsessed with their own treasures and territories.
Jabak Jabak.
‘This is why I didn’t want to become a king or something…’
That’s why.
Following tradition, he left other attendants and headed to the center of the Tianlong Palace with only his entourage.
The reason why I felt uncomfortable in this situation.
No matter how many circumstances there were, there was no way I would like the idea of having to marry someone I had never met just because of tradition.
…Even more so in the fact that she is not the only bride at today’s wedding ceremony.
“oh! “Hyeongun also came.”
“It’s been a while.”
“…Hello everyone.”
Leading with heavy feet.
The moment we arrived at Daejeon of Cheonryong Palace.
Of course, there was the muscular, red-haired female soldier who greeted her with a bright smile, and the blue-haired female noblewoman who closed the book she was reading and adjusted her glasses.
The blonde queen, who was sleeping with her chin resting lazily, and the black-haired treacherous man, who only slightly lowered his head and looked timid.
From the green-haired doctor who smiles gently to the silver-haired girl who ignores him with a cold face as always.
Seven great kings.
Also called the Seven Dragons.
She opened her mouth softly as she looked at her arch-enemies and rivals, who had been fighting with each other in all kinds of ways until now.
“It’s been a while, but I’m not very happy…”
“It’s always been that way, but I agree that it’s especially so this time.”
“I didn’t know that we would all be having a wedding ceremony together.”
Calm Jeongdeok-gun.
A fierce fighting force.
A docile poison army.
An insidious prestige army.
Arrogant emperor.
And even the cold-hearted Jaeseong-gun.
Other kings also showed signs of blatant discomfort.
To be exact.
It had to be that way.
Just holding a wedding ceremony, which should have been the happiest day of the year, with your archenemies on the same day is enough to turn your stomach.
Even if it was only a joke that there was only one groom, it was a situation where you wanted to beat the other person to death.
No matter how precious a male is to the dragon race.
Even if polygamy is common.
Because they had the ability and authority to ignore such norms and choose the partner they wanted so that they could only focus on themselves for the rest of their lives.
But it’s so uncomfortable.
Even when it’s unpleasant.
None of them protested against the injustice. No, to be precise, it had to be that way.
Because….
“Why did the Yellow Son hatch at this time?”
“Don’t complain unnecessarily. “This is a duty we have decided to undertake since we received the title of king.”
“ha ha ha! That is true, but if we had known that we would have to shoulder that duty in our generation, no one would have become king.”
-To become pillars of sister-in-law together.
Because that was almost the only duty they had in exchange for gaining the enormous wealth and power that came with the glorious title of monarch.
In fact, there has been no king who has performed that duty for thousands of years.
And it was absurd, beyond unfair, that they had become parties to that glorious duty.
“I don’t know why ‘he’ hatched at this time.”
“Well… what happened can’t be helped, right? I have no choice but to accept it as a thousand people…”
“That’s right.”
No matter how unfair it is.
I had no choice but to accept it.
Of course, the position of king itself was created for times like this in the first place.
Even for those who ignore traditions as old-fashioned, there is a reason why they are so important that they have no choice but to understand and accept them.
That’s how we share the same illness.
Or in the spirit of May Day.
When they remain silent in an uncomfortable atmosphere.
“The groom enters!”
“…!”
Squeak.
With a loud shout.
A tightly closed door opens.
It was disturbing to them.
The moment the culprit appeared in Daejeon.
“…!”
Excited.
As per tradition, the seven kings who were in Daejeon in advance became frozen without realizing it.
No, it had to be that way.
Although he is mature for a boy.
He is too immature to be a young man.
Even his face was covered with cotton thread.
Nevertheless, just encountering it makes you dizzy with determination.
A million times sweeter than concentrated apple jam, and 10 million times more addictive and fragrant than a drug derived from opium…
Looking at the ‘male’ who was radiating dragon psionics that was several times more intense than their own.
Without realizing it.
She thought.
-I want it.
It is greed.
No matter how excellent it is….
or rather, because it is too excellent.
It was an innate instinct as a dragon that could not help but be swayed by even the equipment that proved to be a talent that only appears once in a thousand years.
That’s why I take a gulp.
With her hot body in heat, she… no, they made their pupils vertical and curled their toes.
Like a wild beast about to pounce on its prey.
So, the moment they were about to act according to their instincts….
“I thought how amazing it would be to be said to be a descendant of the founder…. “The old ones are truly traditional and worthy of offering us as brides.”
“…!”
“But no matter how much I am the imperial grandson, my king has no intention of becoming your wife and concubine.”
Drowsily.
A voice echoing through the air.
When did you wake up?
The Emperor said, looking at him with brilliantly shining golden eyes.
“So, be yours.”
“…?!”
“If you do this, no matter how trivial things are, traditions and all, the king will protect you.”
That would be better than being squeezed by seven brides just because he was of noble lineage.
At the Emperor’s ambiguous words.
They made a living.
Even if the Imperial Army is considered the strongest among the Seven Great Lords, that statement goes too far.
The moment when they unknowingly brought out dragon psionics at those words, which were too arrogant or reckless to say in front of dragons who had discovered a treasure that was unrivaled in the world.
“I heard that Jim’s brides were ready, so I came and saw them, but they turned out to be common females.”
“…!”
“Come back when you’re ready.”
Round and round.
I can’t even see my face.
Just turn your body around.
He said indifferently.
“Because luggage is not your toy.”
Squeak thud.
“….”
“….”
Just like that….
after he left.
Looking at the closed door that was heavier than when it was opened.
The seven princes, who had never experienced anything other than a male, no matter how good he was, show affection and confess to them, could only blink blankly.
That was his first meeting with them.
* * *
It was from that day.
A strange cold war began.
No, the Cold War may be their one-sided perspective.
Because he just didn’t look for them.
Like a flower on a proud cliff that blooms alone and never breaks on its own.
Nevertheless, they thought of it as a cold war.
No matter how old you are.
He is a weak and insignificant male.
Compared to a wise and strong woman, it is impossible for a male, whose only purpose is to leave behind seeds, to reject them.
Because it was clear that it was a truly trivial and meaningless antics that only somewhat well-off males often do.
That’s why, with their pride hurt, they never looked for him, even if it was on purpose.
…or meet while taking a walk.
We face each other reluctantly during meals.
Entering the bathroom he was in, etc.
I just became entangled with him through the mistakes of his close associates, by chance, or out of necessity.
The dragon’s psionics shook every time, but she never approached him first.
She is a descendant of the invisible dragon.
Excluding the royal family, it was impossible for the heir of a family that ruled even during its greatest times to be fawned over by a male.
Especially since I got to get married with my half-sibling, Jaeseonggun.
It was the same for other kings.
by chance.
Reluctantly.
I have no choice.
Even though I got entangled with him a few times a day, did various things with him, saw his perfect naked body, or touched his skin, I never allowed myself to. He also didn’t
approach them first,
as if he had nothing to regret… or rather, as if he was insignificant.
Even though they were already officially engaged, they spent a long time together as strangers.
But of course.
Both him and them.
I didn’t regret that time.
Because they were a great dragon race that even hundreds of years could be considered a part of life.
And one day, without knowing the circumstances, everyone was anxiously waiting to find out when they would give birth to their royal grandson…
Byul.
-fell.
