Lindyss’ brow furrowed as she looked around the cave. It was empty, devoid of life. Even moss didn’t grow along the ground near the puddles of water which had accumulated due to the snow. She hated the cold. It was so … lifeless. But she had to be here since Grimmy and Leila had decided to stop on the outskirts of the frostlands for the night before visiting Leila’s parents.

“What’s wrong?” Grimmy asked, nudging Lindyss with his claw, nearly knocking her over.

“Nothing,” Lindyss said as she fixed her hair. “I miss my skeletons. I feel so lost without them providing me information.”

“We can make more here,” Grimmy said with a grin. Leila smacked his snout. “What? It’s not like we have to kill people. We can just resurrect the already dead.”

“My parents already have … preconceived notions about you due to certain circumstances,” Leila said. “And I have to admit, most of them are probably true. But my parents don’t need to know that.”

“What?” Grimmy asked, blinking his eyes. “What have you been telling them about me? I’m practically an angel.”

“Wait a minute. You told me you saw Leila’s family before,” Lindyss said.

“Yeah, I roughly saw what they looked like through a miniature projection she created,” Grimmy said with a nod. “That counts, right?”

Lindyss rolled her eyes while Leila snorted. The silver dragon sat on her haunches and straightened her back. “You’ve bullied the dwarves before, haven’t you?”

“Bullied the what?” Grimmy asked, tilting his head to the side.

Leila tilted her head to match Grimmy’s. “You really didn’t?”

“I’ve never bullied anyone in my life; why would I bully these dwarves?” Grimmy asked. “What the heck is a dwarves anyways?”

Leila fell silent. Her brow furrowed. “How many dragons have been named Grimmoldesser in the central continent?”

“Just me,” Grimmy said, puffing his chest out. “You’re being cryptic, dear. Just say what’s on your mind instead of interrogating me like this.”

“Alright,” Leila said and sighed. “There’s a certain race on this continent that really hates a dragon named Grimmoldesser because he chased them away a few millennia ago. My mother tried talking to them when they arrived, but they declared all dragons as evil, citing your name.”

Grimmy scratched his head and furrowed his brow. “You know … I destroyed the whole southern continent when I was younger,” he said and raised an eyebrow while speaking slowly. “It’s possible one race survived?”

“Wait,” Lindyss said, holding up her hand before Leila could say anything. “What was that about destroying a continent?”

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Grimmy averted his gaze while Leila cleared her throat. “Anyways, my parents are holy dragons. We’re all about peace and tranquility and vegetarianism—in other words, everything you’re not. Try to behave, alright?”

“Wait, wait, wait,” Lindyss said, holding up both her hands this time. She frowned at Grimmy. “You didn’t answer my question.” She glanced at Leila. “And you. What the heck were you thinking when you decided to have Grimmy as your mate if you knew your parents wouldn’t approve?”

“Grimmy pursued me and won my heart,” Leila said with a nod. Her eyes twinkled as she met Grimmy’s gaze. “Besides, it’s not up to my parents to decide who my mate is. Dragons don’t work that way.”

“…Then why are you bringing him to see your parents?” Lindyss asked as her expression fell. If a family of dragons had a problem with Grimmy, she didn’t want to be in the middle of that conflict.

Leila blinked. “To make them stop nagging me about having grandchildren.”

“…”

“It’s a legitimate concern,” Leila said and snorted.

“And you think this will go well with them?” Lindyss asked, expression blank.

“Hey,” Grimmy said and flicked Lindyss’ forehead. “You make it sound like there’s something wrong with me. I’m all about peace, tranquility, and … what was the last one? Some kind of farming religion?”

“Vegetarianism,” Leila said and nuzzled Grimmy’s neck with her snout. “We don’t hunt to eat. We absorb mana from the moonlight instead.”

“That sounds terrible,” Grimmy said, eyes widening. “Why would you ever do that to yourself?” His brow furrowed. “Didn’t you like eating meat though?”

Leila shrugged. “I’m pretty sure my parents will be disappointed enough. One more infraction can’t hurt.” She glanced at Lindyss. “I don’t see why you’re so concerned though. You’re just Grimmy’s plus-one.”

“You and Grimmy both don’t know what that means!” Lindyss sighed and hung her head. “Why am I friends with you? I don’t understand.”

“Because you love me,” Grimmy said with a laugh. “Besides, who doesn’t want to be my friend? And you really worry too much. Does it sound like I’m worried about meeting Leila’s parents?”

“You’re a dragon,” Lindyss said. “I’m squishy. What am I supposed to do if you brawl with her family?”

Grimmy snorted. “What do you take me for? I can be the perfect gentleman when I have to,” he said and stuck his chest out while raising his chin. “I conquered Leila’s heart, didn’t I?”

“Yes, yes. You’re amazing,” Lindyss said in a flat voice. She pursed her lips and asked Leila, “By any chance, is there a way I can skip the meeting tomorrow? I don’t think it’d be very appropriate for a simple elf to attend a meeting between dragons, right? Especially holy ones since I’m, you know, as far from holy as one can be.”

“Nonsense,” Leila said. “You’re our friend. I was always a bit of a shut-in while growing up, so my parents were worried I would be lonely. But you’re here, so I can show them I’m not.”

Lindyss hung her head. “I never expected dragons to have such … mundane problems. But I suppose that’s all you can have if you’re on the top of the food chain.”

“Oh?” Grimmy asked, raising an eyebrow. “And just what non-mundane problems do you have to deal with, Ms. Important?”

“Currently, I’m trying to figure out how to not die while confronting a group of dragons who object to my existence,” Lindyss said, rolling her eyes.

“Didn’t I already solve that for you?” Grimmy asked and poked Lindyss’ stomach, causing her to twitch. “I gave you that soul from the blessed warrior of light, didn’t I? You think I did that for fun?”

“Well … yes,” Lindyss said with a nod. “Isn’t that why you always do things when it’s not because you’re angry?” She rubbed her chin and hummed. “I guess I can masquerade as a blessed warrior. I don’t suppose you can pretend to be a holy dragon?”

“Grimmy doesn’t have to change who he is,” Leila said, draping a wing over her mate and nuzzling her cheek against his. “Love triumphs all. My parents will be against it at first, but they’ll come around.” Her eyes glinted. “I have a trump card after all.”

Lindyss made a face. “You sound like Prika when you say that,” she said and sighed. “Alright then.” She patted Grimmy’s leg. “If I die, I’m counting on you to revive me.”