Chapter 116
Draco's eyes fluttered open as the warm morning light filtered through the curtains of his room.
Glancing out the window, Draco noted that it was a little past 7 AM, he could roughly guess the time of the day based on the position of the sun.
Sighing softly, he pushed himself up, the soft sheets pooling around his waist as he swung his legs over the side of the bed.
Rubbing the last vestiges of sleep from his eyes, Draco made his way to the bathroom, his mind already racing through the day's packed schedule.
He needed to be sharp and focused, leaving no room for distractions.
The cool water on his face and scales was a welcome relief, helping to fully awaken his senses.
Draco meticulously groomed himself, taking care to ensure his appearance was impeccable, even though no one would see his face through his thick cloak.
Once satisfied, he exited the bathroom and approached his wardrobe, selecting a fresh set of clothes with practiced ease.
As he dressed, Draco's thoughts drifted to the events of the previous night.
A faint blush dusted his cheeks as he recalled Bahamut's unexpected kiss.
He couldn't deny the flutter of his heart or the warmth that had spread through his body at her affectionate gesture.
‘Ah, what do I say when we meet’ Draco wondered.
Now fully dressed, be made his way to the kitchen for some breakfast.
The Bahamut household was uncharacteristically quiet, as the rest of the familia had the day off and were allowed to sleep in after the previous day's hectic activities.
Upon arriving in the kitchen, Draco's gaze immediately fell on a large container placed on the kitchen table, accompanied by a note.
Intrigued, he approached the table.
Picking up the note, Draco couldn't help but chuckle at Bahamut's blunt yet endearing message.
"Draco, if you are the one reading this note, don't think too much about what happened last night. The box on the table is some leftovers from dinner, so warm it up for breakfast," the first half of the note read.
Draco's brow furrowed as he continued to the second part of the message, which held a distinct warning.
"Oh, I forgot to mention. If you dare come back home the same way as you did, during your previous level up, I will twist and break every bone in your body, but fear not, this beautiful, charming, and merciful goddess will obviously nurse you back to health over the course of a few months. Anyway, stay safe and come back in one piece, love Bahamut." the second half stated.
A shiver ran down Draco's spine as he finished reading the note.
Bahamut's threat didn't seem to be a joke, yet it had a hint of playfulness that was characteristic of her.
The goddess had a way of cutting through the niceties and getting straight to the point, a trait that both amused and exasperated him at times.
'Sigh, why are the females around me so...complicated?' Draco thought to himself.
Lifting the lid of the container, Draco's mouth watered at the sight of the well-seasoned leftovers.
He wasted no time in reheating the meal, the delicious aroma filling the air and whetting his appetite.
As he savoured the first few bites, a sense of contentment washed over him.
Draco knew that the events of the previous night would continue to weigh on his mind, but for now, he allowed himself to simply enjoy the moment.
The food, the quiet morning, and the knowledge that his family was safe and sound – it was a welcome respite from the constant challenges they faced.
However, Draco's peaceful breakfast was soon interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps.
He tensed momentarily, unsure of who might be joining him, but his worries were quickly alleviated as Bahamut herself emerged from the corridor, a bold warm smile gracing her beautiful features.
The last person he wanted to meet at the moment was Clair.
"Good morning, Draco," she said, her voice soft and melodic.
"I see you've discovered my little gift."
Draco swallowed the last bite of his breakfast, mustering a slightly nervous smile.
"Yes, thank you, Bahamut. It was delicious." he replied.
The goddess approached him, her reptilian eyes meeting his own with an intensity that made his heart flutter.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it. I must admit, I was a little concerned after last night's... incident." she admitted.
Draco felt his cheeks grow warm, and he averted his gaze, suddenly finding the kitchen tiles to be the most fascinating thing in the room.
"About that, I……" he wanted to say, but Bahamut raised a slender hand, silencing him.
"There's no need to explain yourself, Draco. I understand that you are young and still trying to come to terms with your own feelings, and I respect that." She moved closer, gently placing her hand on his, their scales lightly brushing against each other, and Draco had to resist the urge to lean into her touch.
"I care for you deeply, Draco, but I will not force you into a relationship you are not ready for. My feelings may be strong, but I want you to know that I will wait for you, no matter how long it takes." she stated.
Draco's eyes widened, and he searched Bahamut's face, trying to find any hint of deception.
But all he saw was sincerity and warmth.
"Bahamut, I... I don't know what to say." The goddess chuckled softly, her hand moving to cup his cheek.
"Then don't say anything. Just know that I will be here, supporting you, whenever you're ready to take that next step." she said.
Draco felt a wave of emotions wash over him, a mixture of relief, gratitude, and a growing affection for the woman before him.
He opened his mouth to speak, but the sound of footsteps at the house entrance interrupted him.
Bahamut stepped back, a mischievous glint in her eyes, her tail gently brushing against his own.
"Now, I believe some of the others might be joining us soon. Best you finish your breakfast and get going, hmm?" she said.
Draco nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
"Yes, Bahamut. Thank you, for everything." he replied.
The goddess winked at him before turning and making her way back to her room, leaving Draco to ponder the depth of her feelings and his own growing attachment to her.
Draco let out a deep sigh as be watched her depart.
Bahamut was quite confusing at times, sometimes she was bold and direct, and at other times she was shy and timid.
………………………………………………………………………
Over the time he had known Bahamut, Draco had found himself drawn to her, both physically and mentally.
She had a likeable personality, and he felt a natural connection when they were together.
Bahamut was also well within his "strike zone," as he often joked to himself.
Draco couldn't deny the growing attraction he felt towards the goddess.
She listened to his worries and offered her insight, providing him with a sense of peace and comfort.
With all these positive traits, it was no wonder he was drawn to her.
However, his own mortal worries and moral compass held him back from taking the next step.
This was his first time experiencing love that wasn't just familial in nature, and he wasn't sure how to navigate these unfamiliar waters.
The only references he had were from the media he had consumed in his previous life, and he often found himself overthinking and worrying about how things should play out.
Additionally, there were many pressing issues that demanded his full attention, and he was concerned that a romantic relationship would be a distraction he couldn't afford.
Lastly, Draco's physical age was a significant factor in his hesitation.
Although he was an adult in mind, his body was that of a 12-year-old, and he was worried about how others would perceive their relationship.
Whenever he thought about the situation being reversed, with Bahamut being the one in a younger body, a shiver ran down his spine.
He feared that people might brand her as a predator, regardless of the true nature of their relationship.
Draco was also flexible in mind and often pondered, if he should disregard the limitations of his physical age, Ignoring what the people around may think.
However, he was keenly aware of the presence of his family, filled with young children aged between 11 and 12 who looked up to him.
Engaging in a romantic relationship at this time would set a concerning example for these impressionable youths, especially when they were about to hit their rebellious phase.
The thought of the 11-year-old Michalis, Nikolaos, and Vasileios taking an interest in the local red-light district was a deeply worrying prospect.
The age of maturity was typically around 14 to 16 years of age, so Draco resolved to wait patiently until then, knowing that it was not too far in the future.
Gathering utensils and meal containers on the table, Draco quickly washed them in the sink, his mind already moving on to the next task at hand.
Afterward, he quickly wrote out some instructions on a note for his familia members, ensuring they were prepared for the day's activities.
Gathering his dungeon gear, Draco made his may to exit the house.