Chapter 7: The Socially Awkward Cold Dragon King

As Leon and Fiora walked through the bustling streets, many people turned to greet Leon with familiarity.

But Leon, ever the cool type, only nodded back with a calm, expressionless face.

Fiora, of course, found this ridiculous. What a show-off. Still, she didn’t have the energy to mock him. Not now. She was dealing with a much greater crisis—

Social anxiety.

Fiora was practically drowning in it. For some reason, people just wouldn’t stop staring at her.

I’m dying. I’m really dying…

She kept her eyes glued to the ground. Every glance, every whisper around her felt like a direct hit. Breathing was getting hard.

This sucks! Why would anyone want to be admired or noticed this much?! I’d rather rot alone in a cave!

She didn’t get it. Wasn’t it better to be a carefree otaku, eating and napping all day, supported by a cute older lady or rich sponsor? That was the dream!

Being watched like this was pure torture.

“What’s wrong?” Leon finally asked.

“Why is everyone staring at me…?”

Leon blinked. “Wait. Are you serious? You really don’t get it?”

“Huh? What’s wrong with me?”

Leon stared at her for a long moment and then said flatly, “It’s your looks. You’re pretty.”

“…Eh?”

Fiora paused. What did that mean? Was he saying she looked weird? Or flashy?

She didn’t even know what this world considered “beautiful.” Personally, she thought she looked okay. But Mellen had always told her she was ugly and would never get married if she didn’t “try harder.” So honestly, she wasn’t confident.

Then she caught a conversation from some passing townsfolk.

“Look at the Sword Master. He’s walking around with a little s*ave girl. Didn’t know he was into that…”

“Well, he’s always surrounded by women anyway. Maybe this is just his new thing—loli control.”

…What the hell did I just hear.

Fiora’s expression cracked. So Leon wasn’t just walking her around. He was showing her off. Like some sort of trophy or pet on a leash.

He was totally getting his kicks from this. Walking around town with a cute s*ave girl by his side? Ugh!

She could picture him basking in their admiration. “Oh yes, I caught this one myself. Very rare. Ice-breathing. Extremely moody.”

What a creep!

“Fiora, you need to try getting used to this,” Leon said calmly. “You’ll have to face even bigger crowds eventually.”

“WHY would I want that?!”

Leon’s words felt like a slap. Or worse, like tossing her into a frozen lake.

What next? Parade me through the streets in shackles? Naked? Let everyone see what kind of toy you’ve trained?

That’s how perverts worked! They pushed and pushed until your boundaries disappeared. Manipulate, gaslight, praise, punish—until they molded you into their perfect pet!

This guy’s dangerous…! Just thinking about it made her skin crawl.

Fiora panicked. She leapt into the air, trying to transform back into her dragon form so she could fly away.

But—

“Hey! Didn’t I say you can’t transform without my permission?” Leon barked.

“Wah!”

A sharp jolt ran through her body. The s*ave collar activated, cutting off the transformation midway. Fiora crashed to the ground, landing flat on her chest.

“Scumbag…” she muttered, wincing as she held her aching chest.

…

By the time she came to, they were already at the hotel.

The proprietress was dozing behind the counter, but the moment she saw Leon, her sleep vanished, replaced by sparkly eyes.

“Master Sword Saint~! Welcome~!”

Fiora watched the change and was deeply disturbed.

Is Leon some kind of walking seduction spell? Why do women get weird around him?

She didn’t want to admit it, but… yeah, the guy was really good-looking. Even Fiora, who still thought like a guy most of the time, was a little jealous of his face.

“We’ll take… two rooms,” Leon started. Then paused. “No, actually. One room.”

The innkeeper leaned in with a wink. “Oh? So you’re playing that kind of game~? If Lord Leon ever wants to play with me too, I don’t mind…”

WHAT DID SHE JUST SAY?!

Fiora’s brain short-circuited. She was sweating bullets.

Did I just hear something illegal? Something banned in the name of moral decency?!

Leon sighed. “No thanks.”

“Aw, that’s too bad~ Well then, may I see the high-grade s*ave certificate for this young lady?”

Fiora blinked. High-grade what?

Leon awkwardly rubbed his neck. “Uh… about that. I haven’t made one yet.”

Apparently, a high-grade s*ave certificate was like an official ID for slaves. With it, they could move freely in cities. Without it? No access. And if someone killed you because you entered without permission… well, too bad.

Since it was late, the registry office was closed. Leon figured the inn wouldn’t check, but the landlady had other ideas.

“I’m really sorry,” she said. “They’ve been checking lately. I’d lose my license if I let someone in without the proper papers.”

Leon asked, “Does she have anywhere else she can stay?”

“There’s the stable.”

“I see. Then… we’ll sleep in the stable.”

Fiora’s heart sank. She didn’t expect him to go out of his way for her, but still… that answer hurt a little.

In both her past life and this one, she had learned to never expect kindness from others. It only ended in disappointment.

Guess I’m bunking with a horse tonight. Hope it doesn’t hate me for being a lazy freeloader.

The innkeeper started writing Leon’s room number, but Leon stopped her.

“Wait. Who said I was booking a superior room?”

“Huh? But I thought—”

“I’m staying in the stable too.”

Both the landlady and Fiora froze.

“What? But… why?” the woman asked.

Leon shrugged. “She might be my s*ave, but she’s not just anyone. I’m not leaving her to sleep alone in a barn.”

“If it’s such a problem, we’ll just sleep outside on the street.”

He tossed a silver coin on the counter. “For tonight’s fee.”

With that, he turned and gestured for Fiora to follow him.

The stable smelled like old hay and horse poop. The walls were cracked, and the roof creaked in the wind.

Still, Fiora sat quietly on a pile of straw and hugged her knees.

“…Thanks,” she muttered under her breath.

“Huh?” Leon asked. “You say something?”

“Nope!”