43 – Molting

[Physis's POV]

Adilun’s cold did not go away easily.

Perhaps it was because she had been exerting herself too much lately, now she was unable to get out of bed even after regaining consciousness.

And I…

“Okay, Let's do it.”

“… …ah.”

For the past few days, I had been taking care of Adilun.

Originally, it was Mina's job to do so, but I wondered if it was because of me that Adilun suffered so much, so I was taking care of her myself.

She started eating the soup I offered her like a baby bird.

“Is it good?”

“… …Yes.”

After finishing the soup, she lay down on the bed again.

“Are you okay now?”

“Yes. Maybe… … I think I would be normal by tomorrow.”

“That's good. Well, excuse me for a moment.”

Reaching out my hand and placing it on her forehead, I could definitely feel that the fever had gone down considerably from day one.

But Adilun's face turned red again, perhaps because she was a bit ashamed of me touching her forehead.

Throughout my care, whenever I made physical contact with her, she blushed as if she was ashamed.

'Are you that shy?'

“Fortunately, the fever has gone down a lot.”

“… …Thank you. For continuing to take care of me.”

“Well, actually, if you look at the cause, I think it was because of me, so I just did what I should to do.”

“That’s not it…”

“Yes?”

“No, nothing.”

“Anyway, let me know when you get better. I will have to listen to the explanation about the social gathering then.”

“Well, you can just do it right here. Can I just explain it now?”

“Nope. Not when you are resting. It is definitely better to rest for now.”

“Huh, I see... Anyway, if you say that, I’ll just rest.”

When I resolutely refused, Adilun said in a calm voice, perhaps a little sulking.

“You made a good choice.”

She was so cute. I reached out and stroked her hair.

“Ah. Please don’t do this.”

“Hahaha. Sorry. But if you don't want that just stop being too cute.”

“Hmmm. Ah, okay, I’ll rest now.”

“Yes. Rest well, Adilun.”

Adilun was face dyed red again and she wiggled back into the futon. It was not good to tease too much either. So I got out of the room.

* * *

[Adilun's POV]

Ever since I was suffering from a bad cold, Physis had been showing me a very friendly attitude.

Whether it was feeding me soup directly, stroking my hair, or measuring my forehead frequently... It wasn’t that I hated all of those actions. No, it couldn't have been better. It had been a long time since I had received such comfort and friendliness from others.

The problem was on my side. Every time he touched me, the heat kept rushing to my face. Even I didn't know why I was being like this, I was still confused.

Especially whenever I listened to what he had to say to me.

He always said; I’m cute when he sees me with a red face. 

'Where the hell am I cute?! Doesn't he see this monstrous appearance?'

To be honest, when I faced him, I couldn’t help myself consider shabby looking.

Jet-black hair, a well-built body with the power to charm the opposite sex, and even a handsome face that nine out of ten women will fall in love with at first sight...

On the other hand, what about me?

It was true that I had some human features, but all parts of my skin were covered with scales like those of a dragon, giving me a monstrous appearance.

The sharp golden eyes numb the hamstrings of those who looked directly at them and make me feel rejected.

No matter how much I thought about not hating myself, I couldn’t help it. Because it was right that I was not like a normal person.

But Physis told me that I’m cute. I felt good, but… … I honestly couldn’t understand, why?

Was it simply a lie or was it the truth?

I couldn’t figure it out. whether it was true or false. 

Sometimes I wished I could read his mind.

But that would be a futile wish. Even in the magic books handed down from the previous dragons, such magic did not exist.

In the end, what I could know was the attitude he showed to me and the attitude he showed to others where I couldn't see.

Trust was not something that could be easily given away.

It was a wish I had already made many times, but I hoped the image he showed me was sincere, not just a lie.

I hoped so.

Before I knew it, the sun was setting outside the window as I was lost in thought. I felt completely better now. There was no problem, it even felt a little refreshing... that was how I felt.

Was it because I’d been lying in bed for so long? My body itched a little. Well, I couldn’t even wash properly. So it was natural.

I pulled the thread and called Mina. Fortunately, Mina quickly opened the door and found me, as if she was nearby.

“Yes, Miss. Did you call?”

“Mina. I want to take a bath… … Please prepare the bath.”

“Yes. Miss.”

It didn’t take long for her to prepare for the bath. Mina must have predicted that I would wash up soon, so everything was already ready.

Surely, it was because she supported me for a long time. Perhaps the one who knows me best in Rodenov is Mina.

Common princesses take a bath with the help of maids, but I was different. I didn’t want to show my body to anyone else.

I was afraid they will look strangely at my body covered with blue-white scales. Of course, I didn't think Mina would do that, but I just didn’t like it.

The large bathroom adjacent to my room was big enough for me alone.

In order not to make the cold worse, I quickly took off everything I was wearing and put myself in the warm bath.

When the warm water touched my body, my mind began to feel more comfortable.

How long was I soaking? Something felt itchy.

I couldn’t stand this itching that started from my fingertips, so I started scratching the skin on my fingertips without realizing it.

'Why am I doing this?'

I knew that scratching would hurt would my skin, but I couldn’t stop scratching.

'How much did I scratch?' Usually, if I scratch that much, there should be a pain, but today there was no pain.

It was a strange thing. When I looked at my fingertips, wondering why, I couldn’t help but be surprised.

“uh… …?”

The scales on my fingertips were peeling off. The scales began to peel off along the fingertips, like a snake shedding its skin. What was revealed at the spot where the scales were peeled off was white… … Beautiful white skin.

When I felt embarrassed by the sense of difference in the skin that I did not think was mine, Itching began to spread all over my body.

“OMG.”

- itchy itchy itchy

The scales naturally began to peel off. Starting from the fingertips, the scales all over the body began to fall off… … Finally.

Even the scales on the side of my face fell off.

Without even having time to feel the slight pain of the scales coming off, I turned my gaze to the bathroom mirror, which I had put away because I didn’t want to look at it.

“ah,”

My vision blurred, and I saw myself reflected in the mirror.

What was reflected in the mirror… …

Wasn’t dragon skin, it was me with white, intact human skin. Although I still had horns.

The tears didn’t stop. The first time I saw myself after 19 years… …

I looked dazzlingly beautiful. Even more so than Princess Lobelia, famous for her beauty.

Seeing my whole face for the first time, I just sat down and wiped away tears.

.

.

.

.

'How long has it been?' 

Realizing that too much time had passed while crying I hurriedly finished the bath and collected the lumps of scales that had fallen from my body... To prove that I am me.

This was in case other people didn’t recognize me. Or wouldn’t know even with the horns on top of my head.

'What will the people of the castle say when they see me? Especially, what would Physis say while looking at me? Will he be delighted, or will he be surprised?'

I couldn’t have predicted all the reactions, but a smile began to form on my lips. I was just happy.

It wasn’t just an appearance, but… … Somehow, I felt like I had regained my whole self.

I also had doubts. Why did the scales come off all of a sudden?

There must have been a reason, which I didn't know.

It was said that the family inherited the dragon lineage, but many records about the dragon have been lost.

It was just that I had no choice but to live and know.

The gait that was a little shriveled became confident little by little. Finally, I opened the bathroom door.

Fortunately, no one was in the room. The clothes were just lying there, neatly arranged. Apparently, Mina had gone to work separately.

I changed my clothes and looked at myself in the mirror.

I wondered if what I saw in the bathroom earlier was an illusion. More beautiful than anyone I had ever seen… … I saw myself again.

When I was staring at the mirror endlessly like that. I heard a knock on the door outside…

“Adilun, are you finished with your bath? I think you will have to eat dinner soon, so I’ve prepared it.”

It was Physis.

“Yes. Come in.”

It was a tense moment. As soon as I finished my answer, there was a squeaking sound and the door opened… …He entered the room.

“How are you feeling now...?”

His eyes were wide open as he looked at me.

“… … Are you?”

He was able to complete his words only after one breath. His surprised face came into my view… …His eyes met my golden eyes.

“Yes.”

Smiling wider than ever, I answered him happily.

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