Transmigrated Into a Cannon Fodder Phoenix, Stuck With the Ice Dragon-Chapter 136: Too Kind To Hide

"Good morning, princess..."

I blinked, my eyes opened and saw Lucian was crouching beside the bed looking at me.

"Good morning draggy..." I still felt sleepy.

"Draggy?"

I could hear him chuckling from the side.

"Hmm, like the endearment name for you..." I mumbled with my eyes closed.

"That didn’t sound endearment at all, I am not draggy..."

I opened my eyes and looked at him, "Draggy is like a cute way to call a dragon... no?"

"No," He pinched my nose lightly, "Now wake up, we need to head home..."

I pushed myself to sit up and looked at him, "This question has been bugging me since we’ve met... Did you sleep at all? I mean..." I furrowed, "I don’t think I saw you ever sleep..."

"Really?" he echoed, feigning surprise. "You’ve never once seen me sleeping—"

"Yes! Never," I cut in, glaring at him. "Not even a nap."

Lucian laughed softly and straightened, resting his hand on the edge of the bed. "That’s because you always fall asleep first," he said calmly.

I frowned. "That’s suspicious."

"It’s efficient," he corrected. "Dragons don’t sleep the same way phoenixes do."

I tilted my head. "So you don’t sleep?"

"I do," he said. "Just... lightly. And not often."

My brows knit together. "That sounds unhealthy."

He shrugged. "I’ve lived this long."

"That’s not reassuring," I muttered.

Lucian leaned closer, his expression softening.

"When I do sleep," he added quietly, "it’s usually because I know you’re safe."

That made me pause.

"Wait..." I dragged the word out. "Are you saying you didn’t sleep well because of me?" I frowned. "So do dragons sleep like others or not?" I added it quickly. "Serious answer, please. I need to update my knowledge. I don’t want to sound dumb."

Lucian huffed a small laugh and sat down properly on the edge of the bed.

"You’re not dumb," he said first. "And no—dragons don’t sleep like other creatures."

I listened carefully.

"We don’t need long, deep sleep," he explained. "Our bodies can rest while our senses stay alert. Most of the time, it’s closer to meditation than actual sleep."

I blinked. "So you’re... half-awake?"

"Yes," he replied. "Especially when there’s danger. Or when someone important is nearby."

I narrowed my eyes. "Someone important?"

He met my gaze calmly. "Someone like you."

My face heated instantly.

"So," I said, trying and failing to sound casual, "you’ve been on guard this whole time?"

Lucian nodded. "Habit."

I reached out and grabbed his sleeve. "That’s not fair," I muttered. "You should rest too."

He smiled, soft and faint.

"No, don’t worry," he said. "That’s just how dragons sleep. It’s not only because of you..." He paused, clearly struggling to phrase it. "I mean—you are part of it, but we don’t lose rest because of someone."

He exhaled quietly, then added more clearly, "It’s instinct. Protection comes naturally. Rest just... adjust around it."

I stared at him for a moment.

"So you’re saying," I said slowly, "your body decided I’m worth adjusting for."

He didn’t look away. "Yes," he said simply.

And somehow, that answer made my chest feel unbearably warm.

"And all the other dragons are the same?" I asked. "They don’t sleep either?"

Lucian shook his head. "No. Not exactly."

I perked up.

"Dragons can sleep," he explained. "Some do it often. Some barely at all. It depends on temperament, age, and what they’re guarding."

I frowned slightly. "So you’re saying this is a you thing."

He smiled faintly.

"Partly."

"Partly?" I repeated.

"Most dragons rest lightly," he said. "But those who’ve lived through a lot... or losses someone... tend to stay alert longer."

My fingers tightened around his sleeve.

"And those who have someone to protect," he added quietly, "rarely let themselves go completely."

I looked at him for a long moment. "That sounds exhausting."

Lucian shrugged, but his eyes softened. "It’s familiar."

I leaned closer, resting my forehead against his shoulder. "Then," I murmured, "from now on, I’ll make sure you get proper sleep."

He let out a low chuckle. "I look forward to seeing you try."

I scrunched my nose and smiled. "I’ll do my best..."

"Okay," he said, leaning closer. He pressed a quick peck to my forehead. "Now go take a bath. We need to head home early. I’ve got something to take care of."

I straightened, then deliberately knelt and bowed slightly, putting on my most exaggerated serious face. "Understood, my dear handsome lord."

Lucian stared at me for half a second. "You’re enjoying this too much," he said flatly.

I grinned and stood up.

"Of course. When else do I get to tease a dragon lord without consequences?"

He shook his head, clearly amused despite himself. "Go," he said, waving me toward the bathroom. "Before I change my mind."

I laughed and hurried away, my steps light when suddenly remembered something.

"Lucian..." I turned back to him. "Can... um..." I bit my lip, hesitating.

"What is it?" He slid off the bed and walked straight toward me.

"You know... Vivian..." I reached for the edge of his sleeve and tugged it lightly. "She doesn’t really have anywhere to stay."

I lifted two fingers quickly. "Can she live with us for a bit? Just temporarily. I promise I’ll find her a better place, and she’ll move out as soon as possible."

Lucian looked at me for a moment. He took his time before finally speaking, "Okay."

I blinked. "I didn’t hear it wrong, right? You just said ’okay,’ didn’t you?"

Before he could answer, I jumped toward him and wrapped my arms around his neck. "Thanks!"

I left a quick peck on his lips.

But when I pulled back, his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes.

It wasn’t anger. It was... hesitation.

"You don’t want her near the house?" I asked quietly.

He shook his head. "No. It’s not that," he said. "It’s just..."

He paused, then continued more honestly.

"My experiences with fairies haven’t been good," he admitted. "So there’s still some doubt in my heart. Not about you. Just... about them."

I relaxed slightly.

"But I trust your judgment," he added. "If she matters to you, then I’ll accept it."

I rested my forehead against his chest. "Then I swear on myself—"

"Stop." He cut me off softly, exhaling in frustration. "I don’t like things like that."

He cupped the back of my head, steady and warm.

"It’s okay," he said. "Just let her live with us. You don’t need to swear, promise, or burden yourself for it."

I lifted my head slightly. "Really?"

"Yes," he replied. "That’s enough."

I smiled faintly and leaned back into him.

Sometimes, trust didn’t need vows. It just needed space to breathe.

A knock on the door made both of us turn our heads. A few seconds later, a voice followed.

"Lord Lucian, Lady Seraphina," a maid said from behind the door. "Lord Blaze has invited both of you to breakfast."

Lucian answered at once. "We’ll be there in a few moments."

The footsteps faded.

Both of us fell quiet. Then I spoke, hesitating.

"I don’t know if you’ve noticed this," I said slowly, "but have you ever wondered..." I paused, lifting my eyes to meet him, "Where Lady Blaze is?"

Lucian’s expression shifted, not because he was surprised by the question, but as if he had wondered the same thing himself.

"I mean..." I continued quietly. "The last time I met her was on the day of our engagement. Since Lord Blaze later said the story he told me before was fake, I thought I would meet her again soon."

I frowned slightly. "But it doesn’t seem like that’s going to happen." I hesitated, then asked the question that had been sitting in my chest. "So... Do you think she’s really sick?"

The room felt heavier after I said it.

"I’ll try to look into it," Lucian said quietly. "For now, let’s not say anything about our curiosity... hmm?"

He slipped a strand of hair behind my ear before continuing.

"But your guess might be right," he added. "There’s a room at the end of the hall that’s heavily guarded."

"Really?" My eyes widened slightly. "If that’s the case, they should ask for help. I might be able to—"

My words stopped there.

Lucian’s brows knit together in irritation the moment he realized what I was about to say.

I bit my tongue, instantly aware of my slip.

"Help in another way," I finished weakly.

"Seraphina, listen..." He took my hands gently in his. "I know your intentions are good. But believe me—the fewer people who know about your power, the less anxious I’ll be about your safety."

He looked down, shaking his head lightly. "Your mother sacrificed her life for you," he said quietly. "Just to protect you from people who would drain your power without hesitation."

His grip tightened just a little. "I don’t want her sacrifice to be wasted," he added. "And I don’t want to lose you because you were too kind to hide."

I swallowed, my chest tightening.

"Okay," I said softly.

Only then did he relax, pulling my hands closer to his chest, as if that alone could keep the world from reaching me.