Little Pink Starfish

“Alright, everyone. These two are our newest citizens of the domain—Raga and Peril.”

Eira introduced them with a cheerful expression. The two stood up with bashful faces and introduced themselves.

“Hello, I’m Raga. I’ll be working as a diplomat.”

“I’m Peril. I’ll be joining the research tower. I look forward to working with you.”

As they bowed deeply, the others broke into warm applause. They were currently in the banquet hall of the lord’s castle, enjoying a feast that Eira had arranged to reward all those who had worked themselves to exhaustion during the winter festival preparations. Vassals, officials, and the magic scholars and researchers who had practically ground their bodies into dust were all gathered, enjoying a splendid dinner.

“Welcome, Raga. We’ve really been short-handed lately, so I’m glad to have you.”

Gretel, who was overwhelmed with the sudden spike in work due to the increase in subordinate territories, greeted them with a wide smile. The researchers at the tower also warmly welcomed Peril.

“Where on earth does the lord keep finding talents like that?”

Hera asked with a relaxed tone as she sat with Ulf. Ulf, a hardworking citizen who lived an honest life, always looked tense whenever attending banquets at the lord’s castle. Today, though, he seemed a little more at ease, keeping his eyes on the kids he’d brought with him.

“Seriously, where do people like that come from?”

Eira chuckled and sipped his drink. Then, once more, he opened their stat windows.

<Raga>
HP: 2709
MP: 335
Physical Attack: 205
Magic Attack: 0
Affinity: 72♡
[View Details]
Title: Elsis’ Adopted Child
Job: New Diplomat
Strength: 76
Intelligence: 132
Skills: Eloquence, Understanding & Persuasion

<Peril>
HP: 2046
MP: 1832
Physical Attack: 134
Magic Attack: 12
Affinity: 88♡
[View Details]
Title: Elsis’ Adopted Child
Job: New Researcher
Strength: 51
Intelligence: 180
Skills: Comprehension, Physical Magic I

It wasn’t surprising that Elsis had tried using a beauty trap on him. Eira could tell what he was up to even before reading his mind—it showed plainly in his actions. After every chat with his adopted children, Elsis would smile ear to ear…

What was surprising were Raga and Peril’s stats. Eira didn’t know what kind of past they’d lived through, but their stats were quite decent. As someone who constantly scanned status windows in search of talent, Eira was delighted.

Using the pebble, he read their deeper thoughts and got a brief glimpse of their past. The two had grown up in the same village. After a calamity struck, they became drifters and suffered greatly. They ended up begging in Elsis’ territory and eventually caught the lord’s attention.

At the time, Elsis was gathering orphaned children from the village, feeding, clothing, and educating them. The training was so harsh it was practically abuse for children. If any failed to meet his standards, he cast them out, and those who were rejected returned to begging.

Raga and Peril survived only because they gritted their teeth and endured. Peril even had the talent to awaken magic on her own, but she chose not to enter the Labyrinth because she didn’t want to be separated from Raga. She never revealed her ability to anyone but him.

Naturally, their affinity toward Elsis wasn’t high. In fact, it was negative. That was great news for Eira.

From that moment, he began working to recruit them. Elsis thought Eira was drawn to their appearance, but in truth, it was the opposite. Eira offered them safe protection, careers suited to their abilities, and the benefits of being vassals. After some hesitation, they accepted. Elsis, having assumed they’d won the lord’s favour, returned home none the wiser—with nothing to show for it except having lost two valuable talents.

As Eira smiled contentedly, the little pebble tapped his cheek. He turned his head and saw Bloom staring absentmindedly at the new recruits. Just in case, Eira called out.

“Sir Bloom?”

“I apologise. I was briefly lost in thought, my lord. Is something the matter?”

Bloom snapped back to himself, his usual stoic face returning—but his eyes remained fixed on the two. Curious, Eira glanced at the pebble. It quickly raised both hands to its head and flashed: [Loading…]

“Since it’s off-duty hours, take it easy.”

“Thank you for your concern. I’m resting well enough.”

Though his manner was unchanged, simply being out of his armour seemed to be rest enough for Bloom. As Eira poured him a drink, the pebble finished loading and displayed the information window.

<Info: Hidden Story!>
Maybe because they suffered so much as children, Raga and Peril’s early memories are hazy.
But they do remember one thing clearly: a horrific human sacrifice took place in their village, and someone—a kind soul—risked their life to save them.
And what do you know?
The world’s smaller than you think. Who would’ve imagined they’d meet that saviour again here, in this beautiful city they followed a tyrant lord to?
Will Raga and Peril recognise their saviour?

Eira’s eyes widened at the word human sacrifice. That was a direct reference to Bloom’s past. So these two were the ones Bloom had once risked his life to save. Judging by his expression, it was true—he looked at them with a mix of joy, nostalgia, and sorrow.

Most of all, his eyes lingered on Peril with deep affection.

“Wait a minute. Given the age difference… this could actually work? Bloom ages slowly, after all…”

After some thought, Eira decided to watch quietly and support things from the sidelines without interfering. Judging by the looks on their faces, Raga and Peril were beginning to recognise Bloom, too. It was only a matter of time.

Eira hoped that Bloom—whose social circle was practically nonexistent—could build a good relationship with them. He looked around the banquet hall.

Jinas was chatting with other officials, looking tired but content. Hera was drinking with Ulf, like a loving couple. Gretel had brought his family, all with pink hair, making them very easy to spot. And Acte was quietly enjoying the banquet with his mother and younger sister.

All the vassals who had worked so hard over the past ten years were enjoying themselves in peace and harmony. The sight filled Eira with warmth and pride.

He turned toward the one beside him—Yanu. The dragon was leisurely enjoying his food and drink. His plates were already piled high.

“How was the temple unveiling earlier?”

Eira placed a piece of meat on Yanu’s plate as he asked. He had made sure to hide Yanu’s appearance during the unveiling with illusion magic. Partly to avoid riling up the crowd, but also for Yanu’s sake.

He refrained from revealing Yanu’s human form at official events. Yanu sometimes wandered the city for fun, and Eira didn’t want to ruin that by making his face too well-known. Just being who he was, Yanu helped Eira enough.

“It was nice. You did a good job.”

Even if it was just a polite remark, Eira appreciated it. But Yanu surprised him by gulping down his wine and adding,

“I thought the temple… felt a lot like you.”

Eira knew why Yanu had no artistic sense—tone-deaf, couldn’t draw to save his life—it was because he was a dragon. So for someone like him to say that, Eira was genuinely touched. He’d already forgotten all the flattery from the banquet, but Yanu’s words stayed with him.

Together, they basked in the joy and peace. They shared fragrant wine and delicious food with everyone. As time passed, the vassals gradually grew drunk. Eira, now pleasantly tipsy himself, slipped out of the banquet hall with Yanu to let them enjoy without worrying about their lord.

“Ugh… today really wore me out.”

Back in the bedroom, Eira sighed and began undressing. Layer after layer of clothes slid off him. Yanu snuck up behind and wrapped his arms around Eira, nuzzling at his nape. It tickled, and the alcohol made it worse—Eira chuckled.

“Yanu… kiss me.”

His eyes sparkling, Eira made the request. Yanu, who’d been nibbling his collarbone, gladly obliged. From his neck to jaw, cheek to lips. His kiss felt burning hot in the cold air—like a brand.

Eira exhaled a laugh-like sigh.

He still hadn’t adapted to the cold. His work piled endlessly. The Labyrinth had better research facilities. The growing population brought more incidents and accidents. Compared to Elsis, there were plenty of more troublesome types.

But even so… Eira had come to love this city deeply.

And in this all-white world, the only one dyed red, the only one not human—a beautiful, different being. His partner, his dragon, his entirely, utterly his…

“Ah.”

Eira gasped softly. Yanu looked up from where he’d been devouring his lips.

“It’s all gone now. The side effects are finally gone.”

Eira smiled, having fully dispelled the illusion magic. That kiss had cleared away the last remnants of the potion. Giddy with relief, he kissed Yanu again and shared his warmth.

And he thought:

May his days continue forever—together with his mate, in this beautiful city of snow and ice.

– End –

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Pinky says: Calm your tits, there’s 14 more extras.