The last thing I saw before waking was the cheerful smiles of the two tiny dragons.
"Goodbye, Haruwiko-dono!"
"We'll meet again!"
Their voices echoed throughout the Soul Paradise as my body slowly became transparent.
I smiled and raised my hand.
"See you later."
The endless white world gradually dissolved into countless particles of light.
Everything became dark.
...
...
THUD!
"Owww!"
A sharp pain shot through my nose.
I immediately covered it with both hands.
"My nose..."
I slowly opened my eyes.
"...Where am I?"
Darkness surrounded me.
There wasn't a single ray of light.
Yet strangely...
It was warm.
Comfortable.
Very comfortable.
"Huh?"
I reached around with my hands.
"...Futons?"
Soft blankets surrounded me from every direction.
"No wonder it feels so comfortable..."
Just as I was about to fall asleep again—
BUMP!
The entire box shook violently.
"Oww!"
"My poor nose..."
I rubbed it while pouting.
Why does this box keep attacking my face?
A familiar voice echoed from outside.
"I'm terribly sorry, everyone!" the coachman shouted. "This mountain road is quite rocky, so please bear with us!"
Ah...
So that's why.
We're already traveling.
A cheerful woman's voice soon followed.
"It's alright! As long as we have such a handsome gentleman accompanying us, I don't mind a few bumps."
"...Handsome gentleman?"
Wait...
Papa?
Another woman giggled.
"Excuse me, Mister. Who's inside that little travel box?"
Cecelion answered calmly.
"My son."
"So I really am inside a box..."
I noticed several tiny holes in the wooden lid.
Curiosity immediately got the better of me.
"...Just one little peek."
Carefully, I placed one eye against the hole.
Outside sat Papa.
Across from him were six incredibly beautiful women.
"...Whoa."
Since I couldn't sleep anymore anyway...
I might as well secretly listen.
One of the women leaned closer to Papa.
"It's such a shame."
"Hm?"
"You're already married."
Papa smiled politely.
"I am."
"You know, this carriage will stop at one of the most famous inns nearby."
"..."
"You could leave your son in your room..."
She winked playfully.
"...and spend some time with the six of us."
Another woman laughed.
"We're very good at playing."
Papa chuckled awkwardly.
"My wife would be very angry."
"So..."
"I'll have to decline."
The women pouted.
"Come on!"
"Just once!"
"You're wasting your youth!"
Papa gently shook his head.
"I'm serious."
"So please stop."
One of Women cross her arms
"Hmph."
"You're no fun."
Inside the box, I blinked several times.
"...Girls in this world are surprisingly bold."
A few moments later, I felt the box being lifted.
"Hm?"
One of the women called after.
"Hey, Mister! Where are you going?"
Papa answered without turning around.
"That's none of your business."
The sliding door opened.
Fresh air entered the room.
"We're here, Haruwiko-chan."
---
A few minutes later...
Father carefully placed the travel box on the floor before opening the lid.
Bright sunlight poured inside.
"Finally..."
He stretched his shoulders.
"A quiet place."
Then he whispered so softly that I almost missed it.
"Don't worry, Honey."
"You and our daughters are the only ones in my heart."
The gentle smile on his face made me smile too.
"Papa."
"It seems you're already awake."
He reached inside the box and gently patted my head.
"Come here."
I happily climbed into his arms.
"How are you feeling?"
"You suddenly collapsed back at home."
I smiled reassuringly.
"I'm okay, Papa."
Then I touched the dragon-shaped ring on my finger and the scarlet dragon earring on my ear.
"But..."
"What are these treasures?"
Father looked at them fondly.
"Those two are heirlooms passed down through our family for generations."
He pointed at my left hand.
"The Dark Dragon Ring belonged to my family's ancestors."
Then he pointed to my ear.
"And the Scarlet Dragon Earring has been passed down through your mother's family."
I gently touched both treasures.
"They're beautiful."
"Thank you for giving them to me, Papa."
Father smiled and shook his head.
"No."
"You shouldn't thank me."
"...Eh?"
"They chose you."
"They possess spirits of their own."
"They decide who is worthy of inheriting them."
I blinked.
"So..."
"They chose me?"
Father nodded.
(There truly is something special about this child...)
Most magical treasures prefer female heirs.
Even among noble families, everyone knows that.
The only reason I inherited the Dark Dragon Ring was because I had no sisters.
Yet...
Both treasures accepted Haruwiko immediately.
Perhaps...
This child is destined for something greater than I imagined.
---
Several hours later...
The carriage continued its journey.
The gentle rocking eventually lulled Father to sleep.
"...Zzz..."
I looked at him.
"...Papa?"
No response.
I gently poked his cheek.
"...Papa."
Still asleep.
I shook his shoulder.
"Papa!"
"Hm?"
He slowly opened one eye.
"Ah..."
"I'm sorry."
"I accidentally fell asleep."
I smiled.
"Papa..."
"I want something."
"What is it?"
"What would you like to eat?"
"Beef?"
I shook my head.
"Chicken?"
Another shake.
"Fish?"
"No..."
"Bread?"
"No..."
Father scratched his head.
"Then what are you craving?"
"I don't know..."
"I just..."
Suddenly...
A strange scent drifted into my nose.
Sweet.
Warm.
Irresistible.
"...Huh?"
My eyes widened.
Everything around me slowly turned crimson.
The sound of Father's heartbeat echoed loudly inside my ears.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
My breathing became heavier.
"...Papa?"
My voice trembled.
"...Run."
Father frowned.
"Haru?"
"Please..."
I clutched my head.
"Run..."
The scent grew stronger.
It was coming from him.
His blood.
Every instinct inside me screamed the same thing.
Drink.
"No..."
I bit my lip until it bled.
My fangs slowly emerged.
"W-What's happening to me...?"
I staggered backward.
"Papa..."
"...Leave me."
"...Now."
Father's expression suddenly changed.
He understood.
"So..."
"It's finally happening."
I covered my mouth with both hands.
"...Papa..."
My entire body trembled.
"Please..."
"...Run!"
The hunger swallowed my reason.
My vision turned completely red.
I looked directly at Father.
"...I'm..."
My voice cracked.
"...going to suck your blood!"