The Countess Lady’s Pet Dragon

Chapter 1: The Lady of Count Valentine (1)

Dragon, a fictional creature frequently appearing in fantasy novels, always occupying the position of the apex predator wherever it appears.

With exceptional magical abilities and overwhelming physical strength, dragons consider all other beings insignificant and love to lounge around in caves filled with treasure.

However, the dragons of this world seemed to be a little different from the ones he knew.

If someone were to ask whether he missed his life as a human, his answer would be no.

His family had all died in accidents when he was young and he hadn’t formed any friendships in the orphanage.

It was the same when he entered society, and aside from professional relationships, his personal connections were virtually nonexistent.

A life like a puppet—living without purpose or meaning.

That was the life he lived before being reborn as the pet dragon of the Valentine Count family.

“Haaaahm…”

Lying in the sun-drenched courtyard of the mansion, he opened his massive mouth with a yawn, feeling stiff.

Though he had been the size of a palm when he first hatched, his body had grown to rival that of an adult bear.

His once tiny teeth and claws were now sharp, and the soft scales covering him had hardened to the point where even a sword would struggle to scratch them.

“Grrr…”

With a low growl, he raised his head to check the position of the sun.

No one knew he could tell time, so there were no clocks around him.

Thus, the only way he could gauge time was by observing the sun’s position.

Although it was sufficient for knowing the time, not having precise information was rather frustrating.

At any rate, based on the sun’s position, it was a little past ten in the morning.

‘It’s about time…’

Thinking that, Schwarz turned his head toward the entrance of the mansion.

Just then…

“Schwarz!”

With a loud bang, the mansion’s door burst open, and a girl dashed into the courtyard.

Her hair shimmered silver, and her eyes sparkled like gold.

With a smile as bright as the spring sun, she approached him.

Seeing her, Schwarz lifted one wing, creating a shade to shield her from the scorching sunlight.

As he did so, the girl let out a playful giggle, “Hehe,” and nestled into his embrace.

Her name was Milia Valentine.

The only daughter of the Valentine Count family, and the future heir to the Valentine lineage.

And she was also his master.

“Grrrr…”

Schwarz emitted a soft growl, lowering his head so the young lady could rest against it.

“Thank you, Schwarz!”

Milia giggled mischievously and leaned her body gently against his snout.

It had been five years since he became the pet dragon of the Valentine family.

During that time, Milia had become like a younger sister to him.

“Schwarz, did you know?”

At that moment, Milia lifted her head and started speaking to him.

“Grrr?”

What is she up to now…?

Feeling a strange sense of unease creeping up his spine, he narrowed his eyes.

“There’s a mountain north of the estate with lots of wild strawberries!”

“Grrr…”

Her favorite thing was none other than wild strawberries.

Since it was early summer, it was precisely the season when the mountains would be abundant with them.

“So I was thinking…maybe we could sneak out at night…”

“Grr.”

The next moment, Schwarz exhaled through his nostrils and turned his head away from the cautiously speaking Milia.

She was undoubtedly planning to sneak out and pick strawberries in the dead of night.

“Why?! If we sneak out and pick them quickly, it’ll be fine! Don’t turn away!”

Milia, evidently frustrated by his reaction, puffed her cheeks and tugged at his horn.

But how much strength could a ten-year-old girl muster?

Eventually, exhausted from pouting and struggling, she sat down, gasping for breath.

“Hmph! I don’t care! Schwarz, you big dummy!”

“Grrr…”

Watching her sulk and turn away with puffed cheeks, Schwarz let out a soft, helpless growl.

Picking strawberries wasn’t difficult.

Even in his current form, carrying a ten-year-old child while flying was no issue.

But there was a bigger problem.

‘The mountain is dangerous at this time of year…’

In this fantasy world where dragons weren’t so unusual, dangerous monsters were plentiful.

Even the Valentine territory had orcs, goblins, hound wolves, white bears, and king spiders.

Moreover, nighttime was when the monsters became most active.

For Milia’s safety, Schwarz had no choice but to refuse her request.

“Chii…”

Of course, expecting patience from a ten-year-old like Milia was too much.

“Milia, don’t trouble Schwarz too much.”

Just then, a gentle voice sounded as the mansion’s door opened and a woman approached them.

Schwarz turned his head toward the voice and saw a beautiful woman with silver hair and green eyes, resembling Milia.

If Milia were to grow up safely, she might look just like this.

Her name was Melissa Valentine.

Milia’s mother and the mistress of the Valentine family.

“Mom!”

“Grrrr…”

Milia quickly rose and ran to her mother, embracing her. Schwarz also stood up and bowed his head with a low growl.

“Thank you for the greeting, Schwarz. You can lift your head now.”

“Grr.”

At Melissa’s words, Schwarz raised his head.

“You really do seem like a person sometimes.”

“Grrr!?”

Melissa smiled softly, and Schwarz felt a chill run down his spine, letting out a startled cry.

Technically, he had the body of a dragon in body but was still a human inside.

The chances of being discovered were slim, but nothing in life is certain.

If the truth that he was originally human were exposed, who knew what would happen next?

He trembled lightly at the thought.

“Milia, what were you just saying?”

“Hic!?”

Ignoring Schwarz’s panic, Melissa looked down at Milia, who was still nestled against her.

Milia flinched and glanced up at her mother.

“I told you, the mountains are dangerous at night.”

“I-I didn’t say anything!”

Feigning innocence, Milia avoided her mother’s gaze.

But a parent knows their child best.

Melissa stared at her for a moment, then smiled kindly, stroking her hair.

“Milia, you can’t have everything you want. Sometimes, you need to be patient.”

“Ugh…”

Milia groaned at those words.

It wasn’t an easy lesson for a ten-year-old to accept.

However…

“Instead, I’ll ask Heine to bake some cookies today. Would that cheer you up?”

“Really?!”

Her eyes sparkled as she asked.

The cookies baked by Heine, the head maid, were one of Milia’s favorite treats.

“Of course.”

“Yay! Mom, you’re the best!”

Milia cheered and hugged her mother tightly. Melissa smiled warmly, stroking her hair again.

“Grrr…”

Mothers really are amazing.

Watching them, Schwarz thought so, letting out a low growl.

“Milia, it’ll take some time for the cookies to bake, so why not go for a walk with Schwarz in the meantime?”

At that moment, Melissa gently detached Milia from her embrace and turned to Schwarz.

A walk!

Schwarz immediately rose, looking at Melissa with excited eyes.

She smiled faintly at him.

Having calmed Milia’s mood, she entrusted the rest to him with an unspoken request.

Of course, Schwarz had no reason to refuse.

“Okay! Got it!”
Milia nodded her head and approached him in quick, excited steps, while Schwarz couldn’t hide his own anticipation as he looked at her.

“Schwarz, ready?”
“Kyauuuu-!!”

In response to her question, Schwarz let out a cry filled with excitement.
In the next moment—
With a playful giggle, Milia deftly climbed onto his back.
Then, she pulled out a leather strap from her pocket and hooked it onto the ring of the collar around his neck.

“Alright, shall we fly?”
“Kyau!”

Nodding at her words, Schwarz rose to his feet and spread his wings wide.
His black, scale-covered wings shimmered as they caught the sunlight…

“We’re off!”
“Schwarz, please take good care of Milia,” Melissa said with a trusting smile, as Milia beamed brightly at her.

“Kyau-!!”

Letting out a reassuring cry, Schwarz unfolded his large wings with a powerful motion.
And with that, the two soared into the blue sky.