Chapter Sixteen: You Smell So Delightful

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Stonefish Town, situated on the northern bank at the mouth of the Torrent River, is a commercial town that flourished through maritime trade. With the rainy season approaching, the Torrent River would swell and flood both shores, prompting the lizardfolk townsfolk to pack up their belongings and, following an age-old tradition, migrate to nearby islands to escape the deluge.

Numerous imperial merchant ships were docked at Stonefish Town’s harbor, making last-minute purchases of the Rainforest Peninsula’s specialties before the rains arrived—primarily various types of timber, followed by rare flowers and medicinal seeds.

The sails bore the insignia of trading guilds or noble family crests. Those versed in heraldry could discern the financiers behind each fleet merely by the emblems on the sails.

Reyn, accompanied by Elrina and Daya, approached one of the fleets moored at the dock, its sails emblazoned with a black raven with outstretched wings.

This was the Fahrel family fleet.

“Reyn?” The caravan leader, who had been discussing tax matters with the town’s official, turned around and widened his eyes in shock upon seeing Reyn swaggering toward him. “You… you’re Reyn Fahrel?”

“Who else?” Reyn retorted. “Is there really a con artist out there who would go to the trouble of plastic surgery just to impersonate me and freeload off the Fahrel family?”

“Oh, I didn’t mean it like that,” the caravan leader said with a wry smile. “Only you could speak with such biting sarcasm, Reyn.”

“It’s been a long time, hasn’t it? Nearly seven or eight years?”

“Eight years and three months.” Reyn turned back and introduced the two women. “This is my uncle, Deryan Fahrel.”

“Your uncle?” Daya looked at them in astonishment.

Reyn Fahrel, though somewhat lacking in masculine ruggedness due to his pale complexion, possessed remarkably fine features that could easily be described as handsome and charming.

Deryan Fahrel, by comparison, was far less attractive. A bulbous nose, small green eyes, a faint mustache over his lips—he bore almost no resemblance to Reyn, save perhaps for his limp black hair.

“Though we don’t look alike, I am indeed his uncle,” Deryan shrugged. “Reyn, who are these two ladies?”

“Lady Elrina hails from an ancient noble elven family; her exact status I must keep confidential,” Reyn introduced. “Daya Scarlet is my personal maid.”

Following his introduction, Deryan quietly examined the two young women.

Elrina’s pointed ears alone drew attention, and even standing silently, her elegant presence marked her as no commoner.

High Elven nobility was known for its elaborate etiquette, with ladies trained meticulously in posture and gait. Deryan had no doubt of her noble standing.

As for Daya Scarlet, her earlier impertinence had left Deryan somewhat displeased.

However, as a personal maid, her status and influence depended entirely on the favor of her master. Deryan was not inclined to quarrel with a mere maid lacking manners, so he ignored Daya, nodded in greeting to Elrina, then turned to Reyn and asked:

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“Since you came to find me, I assume you intend to return to the family? That’s good—your father has missed you these past years.”

“Nonsense,” Reyn sneered. “He has so many sons; do you think he’d miss the one least like him?”

“Your brothers aren’t as handsome as you,” Deryan sighed. “Three years ago, the Malorne family’s favored youngest daughter came of age for an arranged marriage. The duke allowed her to choose her own husband. Apparently, the suitor valued male appearance highly, but your brothers… well, your father searched for you for six months until the engagement was publicly announced, then gave up.”

“Such a pity—we lost a precious chance to marry into the Malorne family,” Reyn mocked. “Do they still need a pet dog? I suggest sending one of my ugliest brothers.”

“That won’t do. Her hunting dogs are also picky about pedigree and looks,” Deryan said with a sigh. “If your brothers went, they’d be attacked like wild boars by her hounds.”

Listening to the uncle and nephew’s exchange, Daya’s curiosity stirred.

Putting character aside, if Reyn was so handsome, how ugly could his brothers be?

Then looking at his uncle Deryan… well...

“Enough talk, let’s board quickly,” Deryan urged. “The sea breeze is strong; if I stand here any longer, my robe will get moldy.”

The three boarded the Fahrel family merchant ship, gazing out at the lush tropical forest in the distance, reflecting silently on the recent events on the Rainforest Peninsula.

At dusk, the Fahrel fleet set sail, charting a course along the coastline toward the Empire’s Rivermouth Province.

It was summer, and under the influence of southerly winds and the Black Current, the coastal currents shifted dramatically northward, allowing the sails to stay full and the ship to make excellent speed on the return journey.

They dined in the ship’s cabin, with Deryan personally hosting the banquet.

Elrina seemed to have little appetite, eating only a salt-dipped bread roll and sipping half a bowl of thick pea soup.

Daya cut bread and ham for Reyn, filled his wine glass with red wine, and only after he finished did she begin eating in small bites.

After the feast, everyone retired to their cabins to rest.

Soon, Daya’s embarrassed and angry voice rang out:

“Why on earth do I have to share a cabin with you?!”

“Huh?” Reyn asked in bewilderment. “Isn’t it natural for a personal maid to keep her master warm at night?”

“Not at all!” Daya tried to push him out of the cabin. “I don’t want to sleep with you!”

“Bold!” Reyn scooped her up and tossed her onto the bed. “Fulfill your duties as a maid!”

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Daya let out a frightened scream, instinctively wanting to transform into her dragon form and scorch Reyn with searing flame.

However, the merchant ship was constructed entirely of wood and would not withstand dragonfire.

Recalling the houses she had burned down in Dragon Valley City and the innocent sailors aboard the ship, Daya could not bring herself to do it.

After changing into his nightclothes, Reyn lay down beside her.

The wooden bed was hard and lacked any mattress, making it rather uncomfortable.

Fortunately, the True Dragon’s daughter beside him was soft and fragrant, a pleasant pillow to hold.

As for anything further, given her slender and delicate figure, Reyn thought it better to wait until she matured more—perhaps to seek out the long-legged Elrina for such pleasures.

The advantage of the True Dragon’s daughter was her youth; she could be nurtured and developed over time.

In the game, as expansions updated, her true dragon form matured rapidly... Reyn was happy to wait until she was ready.

Ignoring Daya’s muttered protests—“Let go of me,” “This is embarrassing,” and “Move away”—Reyn stubbornly nestled into her arms and soon fell asleep.

Little Dragon Girl, you smell so sweet.

Daya pushed him a few times but found she couldn’t budge him without transforming. Reluctantly, she resigned herself.

Ah, she shouldn’t have agreed to be his maid in the first place.

Lost in despair, her thoughts ran wild, and sleep eluded her entirely.

The next morning, Elrina on deck noticed the dark circles under Daya’s eyes.

Had she been tormented all night by that wicked necromancer, unable to sleep?

Elrina quietly suppressed the suspicion deep within her heart, her gaze toward Reyn growing cold and sharp.

That inherently evil necromancer—one day, I will make you pay...