The Grand Duke's Son Is A Heretic-Chapter 264

Kael looked equally stunned, as if he’d been told the moon would be relocated to his backyard.

Then, Ruth spoke clearly and firmly.

"Let’s call it... Zelfie."

The dragon blinked and tilted her head.

"Zeffie?"

Rami, who had been present, knew that he hadn’t even named Kael and Lyria and it was the Duchess who named them.

And now, this dragon had received his direct attention?

Rami’s head spun.

Coupled with this fact, Rami made a guess.

That day, Rami discovered something he never thought he’d learn: it wasn’t that the Duke didn’t want to name the children.

No, it was much worse. The truth? Ruth’s sense of naming was... catastrophically clumsy.

And soon a debate erupted and this time Kael fought back and even Ramos who hid shouted.

"What the hell is Zeffie?Does it sound like a toffee for kids?"

The moment he said this, Kael and Rami eyes widened.And soon the two looked at one another.

Sure enough, Kael remembered it. Few days ago, when he went to office room, Rami served him some chocolates whose name was Effie

Veins bulge on Kael’s forehead that he suppressed his anger.

The debate over the name had gone on for hours. Ruth had suggested "Zeffie," and to no one’s surprise, that suggestion had been met with intense backlash. A name more fitting for a puppy than a dragon. The hall was filled with discontented mutters, scathing remarks, and outright laughter.

"It sounds like a dog’s name!" someone shouted from behind. "Is this a dragon or a pet for a child?"

Ruth had stared impassively, his indifference only fueling the fire. And while Kael hadn’t been particularly fond of "Zeffie," he knew better than to press the issue further. One more word, and Ruth might draw his sword and start cutting down everyone who dared oppose him.

After a lengthy, exhausting back-and-forth, the group finally reached a compromise: "Elfie." It wasn’t perfect, but it was at least tolerable.

The dragon now officially named Elfie—was none the wiser. Kael sighed as he watched the tiny creature roll around, chasing rubber balls and trinkets around the room. The sight was heartwarming, but it also made him question whether this creature truly was a dragon or just an oversized, fluffy pet.

Lyria rolled a ball away, smiling playfully. "Go catch it, Elfie."

With a burst of speed, Elfie shot toward the ball, her tiny wings fluttering as she grabbed it mid-air.

Ramos, who had been standing nearby, blinked in disbelief. He turned to Kael, eyes narrowing.

"Brat."

"Yes?" Kael asked, slightly distracted by the adorable scene before him.

Ramos shook his head slowly, his voice dripping with incredulity. "Are you sure dragons grow like this? Are you playing with a dragon or a dog?"

Kael couldn’t help but chuckle awkwardly. Even he wasn’t sure anymore. The dragon’s behavior was so... innocent, so playful. It was hard to remember that this was a creature of legendary power.

"I should go and check the library," Kael said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Maybe I can find a book on how to raise dragons."

"Go," Ramos said, waving him off. "Go quickly, before it turns into a dog for real."

Kael nodded with a smile, then turned to leave. But just as he stepped toward the door, a commotion outside caught his attention. He heard a familiar voice, one he hadn’t heard in a while.

He walked softly to the door, his hand reaching for the handle. He opened it with a swift motion, the sound of the door creaking loudly.

"???"

Kael’s face was a mixture of confusion and amusement as a man, clearly leaning in too eagerly to grab the door, stumbled forward. He was followed by a few others, each just as startled.

"Hey, kid. Who are you?" Kael asked, his tone light.

"My Lord, it’s me—Chris," came the voice from the young man who had almost grown to Kael’s waist. Chris had shot up in height over the months. It was a drastic change that Kael hadn’t expected.

"Oh?" Kael raised an eyebrow. "You’ve gotten taller."

Then, his gaze shifted to Barret, who had also grown significantly, now a more muscular and burly figure than before. "Didn’t I tell you to stay leaner? What happened?"

Barret laughed sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Sorry, My Lord."

Kael gave him a teasing look, but his attention was quickly drawn to someone else. There was a dark presence standing behind Barret. A man with a deep scar and an eye patch covering his left eye.

Kael’s expression darkened as he noticed the injury.

"Gare... what happened?" His voice was low, a hint of concern lacing his words.

Gare’s face hardened, but he smiled faintly. "My mistake, My Lord. I was careless."

Kael’s gaze sharpened. He stepped forward, his hand coming down on Gare’s shoulder. "Careless? Who did this?"

The anger in Kael’s voice was palpable, but Gare raised a hand, calming him.

"It was by the attack of a monster."

"I’ll be fine, My Lord. It’s nothing I can’t handle." He smiled reassuringly, but Kael wasn’t entirely convinced. Gare had become sharper, more battle-hardened, but Kael still hated seeing any of his men injured.

Kael sighed, pulling Gare into a brief but strong embrace. "Haa... Life’s been tough, hasn’t it?"

"Not as much as you," Gare replied, his smile finally easing Kael’s tense expression.

A loud and exaggerated tsk interrupted the moment.

"What a touching reunion," came a voice, dripping with sarcasm. "I’m tearing up."

Kael’s eyes shifted, narrowing in amusement.

"Well, well... isn’t it Vic?" Kael grinned, his gaze sharpening with a mischievous glint. "You still look the same."

Vic, his expression unreadable, stepped forward. "And you’ve changed much more than I ever thought, My Lord."

Kael’s sharp gaze intensified, but before he could reply, Vic cut him off.

"I’ve started to respect you, My Lord. I will follow you." He paused, then added with a slight edge, "But the moment I find you incompetent, I won’t hesitate to walk away."

The tension in the air thickened, but Kael’s smile never wavered.

"Fair enough, Vic," he said, his voice calm and confident, as if he knew no matter the challenge, he’d find a way to overcome it.

"Once you follow me you can’t help but see me in a new light.’

"Tsk... Tsk... Tsk... I’m crying," Vic mocked, folding his arms smugly.

Kael chuckled, about to retort, when a sharp voice cut through the air like a whip.

"ARE YOU DONE?!"

The voice boomed with such force that everyone flinched instinctively. Heads turned in unison to the entrance where Ramos stood, arms crossed, a thunderous expression on his face.

Even the floor seemed to quiver under the weight of his fury.

"Did you all come here to have a reunion or start a circus?" Ramos growled, eyes sweeping across the group.

The tension snapped like a bowstring. Chris stumbled back. Barret straightened up like a soldier being inspected. Vic clicked his tongue but didn’t speak. Even Gare instinctively stepped aside.

Kael raised an eyebrow. "What now?"

Instead of answering, Ramos jabbed a thumb toward the interior room, his expression somewhere between disbelief and dread.

"Don’t you think you forgot something... important?" he hissed through clenched teeth.

The group looked toward the room he pointed at. The door was still ajar, the warm light from inside flickering softly.

And then they saw it.

A large shadow moved.

Then the sound of a heavy thud.

Their eyes widened.

From the far side of the room emerged a creature that, until now, had only lived in legends and nightmares. Smooth obsidian scales shimmered under the lamplight. Two golden horns curved back over its sleek head. Slitted eyes like molten amber stared curiously at the group, while a pair of wings—small, but unmistakably draconic—rustled behind it.

Efie.

But not the tiny playful thing Kael had known.

Now she stood taller than a horse, her youthful scales already gleaming with terrifying power.

"D-D-Dragon...?" Barret whispered, his voice cracking.

Vic took two shaky steps back, nearly tripping over his own feet. Chris’s jaw dropped. Gare’s hand instinctively moved toward his blade.

Then they all screamed.

"A DRAGON?!"

Chris practically leapt behind Barret. Vic swore loudly. Gare’s eye narrowed, his instincts screaming danger.

The room erupted in chaos.

Kael stood still, blinking as if nothing was wrong.

"What’s with the noise?" he asked flatly.

"THAT! That thing!" Barret pointed with a trembling hand. "It’s—it’s a damn dragon!"

"Oh," Kael said, turning his head slowly. "Yeah, that’s Efie."

"Efie? You gave it a name?!" Vic barked in disbelief.

"I mean, she’s technically a baby," Kael said, shrugging.

"That’s a baby?!" Chris screeched.

Efie yawned, showing a row of sharp, glinting teeth, then padded lazily toward Kael and curled up beside him like a docile cat. Her tail swept the floor, narrowly missing Barret’s foot.

Kael patted her head casually. "She’s growing fast."

"No shit she is," Ramos muttered. He turned to the group, his voice deadpan. "Now do you get why I called you a madman?"

Everyone was too stunned to reply.

Vic leaned toward Gare and whispered, "We might’ve joined a madman."

After all, which sane person in the world would pet a dragon.

If the Dragon living around heard this, wouldn’t they come here to beat Kael to death?

Gare nodded slowly. "Definitely."

Kael ignored them all and scratched under Efie’s jaw. She purred like a mountain rumble, her eyes half-closed in bliss.

"She’s cute, right?"

Chris fainted.