In DreadHaven, Scarlett stood quietly by the tall window of her palace, Behind the blindfold, her mismatched eyes—one glowing red and the other deep blue, both with dragon-like pupils—gazing up at the cloudy sky. A soft breeze slipped in, brushing against her long, flowing purple hair. She let out a deep sigh and whispered to herself, "I wonder what he's doing right now…"
For a moment, she felt a strange emptiness in her chest. But then she shook her head and tried to push the feeling away. "Let's go meet Reiza, Seirra, Lunatic, and the others," she thought, trying to cheer herself up.
She hadn't seen Seirra since she transformed into a white jade goblin, and she missed her. She was also curious about what kind of crazy things Lunatic had been up to this time, and what Reiza was working on. It had been a while since she had spoken with any of them.
Scarlett stepped out of the palace and walked slowly through the outer courtyard. As she wandered under the grey sky, her fingers lightly touched the soft purple blindfold covering her eyes. "Hmm... I wonder if what Avion said is true. It really does feel like this blindfold is draining my energy but I thought it was because it is made to control power while my power rises every second," she thought to herself with a frown.
She walked farther out, near the open field on the palace grounds. Her eyes fell on a group of children playing and laughing loudly. In the middle of them was a large, wolf-like creature with glowing blue fur. He was playfully rolling on the ground and letting the kids climb on him like he was a giant fluffy toy.
Scarlett narrowed her eyes when she noticed a small boy in the group—Evadne. The huge beast seemed especially attached to him. He was wagging his tail and following his every move like a loyal pet.
It was Doomthunder, the powerful twin brother of Sulfurion. Not long ago, both of them were feared monsters, known for destroying villages and hunting other beasts. Scarlett had killed Sulfurion in battle, and instead of killing Doomthunder, she took him in as a subordinate.
Watching him now, Scarlett felt a strange mix of feelings—mostly disappointment. She clenched her fist and muttered, "I really thought he'd become like a loyal pet who followed me around saying 'Master, Master!'... always excited to be near me… a proper loyal beast."
She sighed deeply, her shoulders sinking a little. "But no, he ended up becoming **Evadne's** pet instead," she said with a tired smile.
Still, Scarlett calmed herself and shook her head. "I guess this is my own fault. I was the one who told him, 'You don't need to swear loyalty to me. Just don't betray me.' If I can't stand by my own words, then what kind of man would I be—"
She stopped mid-thought and blinked.
"…Opps, I'm a woman now," she joked to herself with a smirk, laughing a little under her breath.
Feeling a little better now, Scarlett continued walking through the quiet streets of DreadHaven. Even though it looked like she was just wandering without purpose, she actually had a clear destination in mind.
As she passed by, many people greeted her with respect. Some even invited her to sit down for tea or rest a while, but Scarlett politely smiled and declined them all. She kept walking until she reached a simple but well-kept two-story house.
This was Seirra's house.
A while ago, Scarlett had offered Seirra a place to live in her palace, but Seirra had refused. She said she didn't want to live in the royal palace unless she truly earned it—like Xao, Reiza, Li Feng, Baron Nova, and others who had big impact on DreadHaven.
"If I live there without earning it, people might think you're being unfair. It could damage your name, my lady," Seirra had said back then.
But now… Scarlett thought differently.
"She already deserves it. She helped fight off invaders, she gave up her life to protect others, and she even managed to kill two enemies during the battle. Not to mention, she evolved into a White Jade Goblin…" Scarlett thought as she reached the door.
She knocked three times.
A few seconds later, the door opened.
Scarlett looked down and saw a girl standing there. She had smooth white skin, short silver hair, and a single curved horn growing from one side of her forehead.
It was Seirra.
She used to have green skin and short brown hair, but after being brought back to life by Scarlett, she changed completely. Her new form as a White Jade Goblin looked elegant and pure.
"My lady?" Seirra said with surprise in her voice. She quickly opened the door wider and stepped aside. "Please come in!"
Scarlett walked inside as Seirra followed her. The house was warm and clean, filled with a gentle, homey feeling.
Once they reached the center of the room, Scarlett turned around and looked at her.
"I was just thinking… I haven't seen you in a while. Did you miss me?" she asked with a teasing smile.
Seirra looked away, puffing her cheeks in a pout. Her cute expression made Scarlett almost laugh.
"I'm angry!" Seirra said with a little stomp. "You didn't visit me even once after I came back to life. And turned into a White Jade Goblin too!"
She crossed her arms and looked away like a child who had been ignored for too long.
Scarlett let out a small laugh and walked over to Seirra, gently hugging her. "Forgive me, okay? I had so much to do after everything happened. I had to make sure nothing like that ever happens again," she said softly, running her fingers through Seirra's short hair. "You have no idea how scared I was when I saw you and the others lying there... I did everything I could to bring you all back. And I don't regret it, not even for a second."
Seirra's cheeks turned pink. "Really…?"
"Of course! So how about a kiss as a reward?" Scarlett teased, holding Seirra's waist a little tighter.
"A kiss?" Seirra's whole face turned red like a tomato. She stared at Scarlett in shock, and steam almost seemed to come out of her head. "I mean... if my lady really wants my body, I wouldn't mind," she thought to herself, but kept quiet.
"If it's you, my lady… I don't mind," Seirra whispered shyly, her eyes closing. She stood on her toes to reach Scarlett's face, her lips curling into a small "O" shape, waiting for the kiss.
Scarlett also leaned in close. "Stop calling me 'my lady.' Just say Scarlett, or Nova... Nova is fine," she said in a soft voice, their faces now just inches apart.
"Nova\~" Seirra repeated the name in her heart, feeling it echo in her chest.
But just as their lips were about to meet—
BAM!
The door flew open with a loud noise as someone walked in quickly. "My lady! I came to report that—"
"Aaaaaaah! I was so close, dammit!" Scarlett yelled in frustration, stomping her foot. "Why does something always ruin the best moment?!"
Meanwhile, Seirra panicked and ran around in her house before throwing herself face-first into a pillow, trying to hide her embarrassment.
Scarlett turned to see who had come in. It was a handsome young man with short silver hair and a horn growing from one side of his forehead—just like Seirra. It was Semiath, the leader of the hobgoblins, who had also evolved into a White Jade Goblin.
Scarlett sighed and calmed down. "What is it, Elder Semiath?"
"Ah, nothing serious," he said casually. "Miss Yumi wants to talk about something related to finance or economy or... something like that. I didn't really get it, but she said it's important."
"Alright, I'll meet her later," Scarlett replied, then looked back at Seirra, who was still hiding her face in the pillow. "Seirra, come out! I need to talk to you about something important."
Seirra peeked out from the pillow, still blushing, and slowly walked over.
Scarlett looked at both of them seriously. "Avion's subordinate, Lilith, is coming here to teach us how to grow stronger. So go tell the strongest people in DreadHaven to finish their work early and get ready for training. Especially Li Feng and you, Semiath. You two will also be helping train others later, so pay attention and learn well."
"Yes, my lady," Semiath nodded quickly. Then he asked, "Do we know what kind of training it'll be?"
Scarlett scratched her head and made a tired face. "Honestly... even I don't know."
Then she changed the topic and turned to Seirra. "You're joining the training too."
"Me? But I'm not good at fighting," Seirra said, trying to refuse.
Scarlett shook her head. "It's not just for fighting. It's for self-defense. What if something happens and you're alone? You need to be strong enough to protect yourself."
Seirra suddenly remembered how powerless she felt when the invaders attacked. She had tried her best but still ended up dying. Her hands clenched into fists, and she nodded. "Alright… I'll do it."
Scarlett smiled and turned to Semiath. "And take Seirra's things to the palace. She's done enough for DreadHaven. She deserves a room there now."
"Yes, my lady," Semiath nodded.
"But—" Seirra started to say something, but Scarlett quickly cut her off.
"I'm not listening to any excuses!" Scarlett shouted as she ran out of the house, laughing a little. Then she opened her six, angel-like wings and flew up into the sky, leaving a sparkling trail of light behind her.
As Scarlett flew high above the skies of DreadHaven, the wind brushed softly against her face and her six wings flapped gently behind her, casting shadow over the land below. Her sharp dragon-like eyes scanned the view with calm curiosity.
That's when her gaze landed on a giant red dragon in the distance, letting out a stream of fire.
That dragon was Morgass — the same proud and stubborn red dragon who once took control of the mana-rich cave that belonged to the Martial Village.
Back then, he was dangerous, even fearless. But Scarlett had outsmarted him. She set up a clever honey trap, used her charm, and seduced him into signing a slave contract that made him obey Evadne's every command. He was meant to be Evadne's pet, someone the boy could ride and play with.
But in the end, Evadne grew closer to Doomthunder instead. Morgass, with his pride shattered, was left behind. Now, he worked in the hot factories, using his fire breath to melt ores and heat furnaces.
Scarlett let out a sigh and thought, "Yeah, I guess I did go a little far back then. That's why I promised to edit his contract and set him free in a few years. He's already learned his lesson. He won't ever try anything stupid again."
As she continued flying, her eyes wandered to the royal palace garden. There, under the soft sunlight, Xao Feng was watering the flowers. Her long dark hair flowed with the breeze as she leaned close to smell the blossoms with a peaceful smile on her face.
"That's the life I've always dreamed of," Xao thought quietly. "A simple, pressure-free life… so much better than being the princess of some powerful village."
Scarlett slowly descended, landing with grace like a feather. Her feet touched the ground lightly as her wings folded behind her.
Xao felt her presence and turned around quickly. "My lady!" she said, bowing with respect and placing her hand over her heart.
"I was looking for Reiza and Lunatic," Scarlett said as she stepped closer. "Do you know where they are?"
Xao hesitated for a second. A little drop of sweat rolled down her temple. "Um… They're in the kitchen house… inside the palace. But maybe it's better if you meet them tonight?"
Scarlett raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"No reason! Haha! You're free to meet them anytime! Who am I to say anything!" Xao said with an awkward smile and nervous laugh.
Scarlett noticed something off about her tone, but didn't push it. She just nodded, turning to leave.
But just before she could take off, Xao called out, "Umm… one more thing!"
Scarlett paused and turned back.
Xao took a deep breath, then spoke all in one breath, "I know you overheard our conversation... and how Li Feng got excited when Lord Avion said something about you… I wanted to say sorry on his behalf. He didn't mean anything bad. He's just childish sometimes… even if he's grown up now."
Scarlett looked at her for a second and then suddenly let out a soft chuckle. "Of course I know that. There's no need to apologize. He's not a bad person. But if he annoys me too much… I'll make sure give him a tight slap!",
"You have every right, my lady!" Xao replied quickly, her eyes wide with relief. It was as if a heavy burden had just been lifted off her shoulders.