The Dragon Lord's Aide Wants to Quit [BL]-Chapter 341: By Popular Demand

Definitely coming.

Both for the allegedly interesting leyline and the dolphins. Although, if anyone asked certain children, the dolphins were clearly winning by a landslide.

Right on cue, one sleek gray body shot out of the water in a glittering arc.

"KYAAAA!"

Water exploded outward as the dolphin twisted midair before diving cleanly back into the pool. The splash soaked the front rows, which only made the children squeal louder, rather than cower.

Another dolphin followed, flipping in perfect synchronization with its partner. Their sleek forms cut through the surface like living silver, whistles echoing faintly through the amphitheater.

The emcee’s cheerful voice boomed through the speakers.

"Let’s hear it one more time for our amazing stars!"

The crowd erupted into applause and delighted shrieks.

"Thank you so much for watching our main dolphin show here at the Dolphin Pavilion!" the emcee continued. "But don’t go anywhere just yet, because it’s now time for our Swim With the Dolphins experience!"

The cheering somehow got louder.

"We’ll be selecting volunteers per section, so keep those hands up and those smiles bright!"

The microphone crackled slightly as the staff began moving toward the aisles.

"Swim with the dolphins?" Orien repeated, eyes widening as if someone had just handed him the meaning of life.

He clearly liked the sound of that.

"Yes!" Liam answered immediately, bouncing on his toes. "That would be so nice, but we have to volunteer and get picked. And there are so many people who want to participate!"

Orien’s brows knitted together.

They had to get picked?

They couldn’t just... go?

He looked around at the dozens of children already waving both hands in the air, some even hopping up and down to attract attention.

The young dragon looked genuinely scandalized by the concept.

Just as he was about to voice what was very likely going to be a bold complaint about the inefficiency of such a system, Riley leaned down slightly and spoke in a low voice.

"Remember the plan we talked about earlier?" he said calmly. "Well, it’s time. So do your best, okay?"

Both boys froze.

The plan?

Which one?

They had talked about several things. Slides. Circles. Leylines. Snacks.

For a brief second, Liam and Orien exchanged looks, clearly trying to sort through their mental archives while the crowd’s excitement swelled around them.

Then, before either of them could fully process what Riley meant, the world tilted.

"???"

One moment, they were standing on the bleachers, hoping for a shot.

Next, they were being lifted clean off their feet.

Kael had moved without warning.

The golden dragon lord reluctantly hauled one child under each arm as if they weighed nothing at all.

Orien blinked upside down for a second before realizing he was being held securely against his uncle’s side.

He remembered what his auntie had said earlier.

Do your best.

But he couldn’t help wondering, as he stared at the emcee from an elevated angle, just how exactly being carried like a prize display was supposed to get them picked.

__

Easy.

Riley’s plan was simple. He was going to utilize the highest grade pretty privilege he could possibly pull.

His husband’s face card.

One with an extremely high success rate, considering how many times the camera had zoomed in on Kael’s face and displayed it on the giant screens overhead. If the thing didn’t have to pan around for fairness, it probably would’ve just stayed right there.

So when the emcee began scanning the audience for volunteers, it didn’t even come as a surprise when the people around their small group started pointing.

"At him!"

"That one!"

"The tall guy!"

Yep.

Riley didn’t even have to raise a finger. The audience closest to them was practically screaming for Kael to be picked, even though the dragon lord very clearly looked like he wanted absolutely no part in any of this nonsense.

Kael’s expression was controlled, but Riley knew that look. It was the same look he wore when tolerating every other living being.

And yet.

Despite the reluctance, distaste, and annoyance written all over his face, the same golden dragon who had been told, "Honey, please do me a favor," still made his way down toward the massive pool with one child tucked under each arm.

It took a moment, but the boys eventually caught on.

Orien widened his eyes to maximum sparkle mode.

Liam followed suit, blinking up at everyone with what could only be described as weaponized innocence.

Neither of them loosened their grip. They were going to be a three-for-one bundle.

The crowd’s whispers grew louder as Kael descended the steps toward the pool deck.

"Oh my god, he’s so hot."

"Is he a model?"

"Look at him up close. That’s unreal."

"Does he come with cute kids, too?"

"And we’re really breathing the same air?"

Someone near the aisle breathed out, almost reverently, "I feel like my eyes would be renewed every day if I could look at him all the time."

"Shhh!" her friend hissed immediately. "He’s taken. Are you blind?"

Riley, unfortunately blessed with enhanced hearing, heard all of it.

He resisted the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose.

It wasn’t Kael’s usual look. But with long black hair pulled back loosely, damp from earlier rides, and broad shoulders catching the sunlight, his mate looked nothing short of illegal. He wore nothing but dark boardshorts that hung low on his hips, the fabric clinging slightly from the humidity. Muscles shifted under sun-warmed skin as he strode forward with slow, predatory confidence, two excited children practically clinging to him like determined accessories.

Truly a work of art, that man.

And to think he couldn’t even be bothered to try.

Riley shook his head slightly.

Of course, they were staring.

Of course, they were volunteering him.

Things were going just as expected, but it was hard not to feel a twinge of jealousy even when he was already smushing the feeling down.

Then again, no one else would be able to see that guy the same way Riley was allowed to see him. Moreover, unknown to the ex-mortal, no one else would have been able to convince the dragon lord to even go down those stands.

If only Riley could watch the remainder of the show!

Unfortunately, that wasn’t on the cards for one busy black dragon. Because as much as he wanted to witness the whole thing unfold, he had to prioritize getting as close to the suspected center as possible.

If his assumptions were even remotely correct, the amphitheater pool wasn’t just a dolphin attraction.

It was very close to the heart of the loop.

So while his devastatingly handsome husband prepared to charm the audience against his will, Riley subtly shifted his position in the stands.

He really needed to get closer.