So this is what it feels like to speak freely after possessing a noble lady.
As expected, the system message remained silent without issuing even a single warning. It was probably the most “Shuen Felicita-like” line I had ever said so far.
At this level, I’d deserve a Nobel Prize in possession.
The method to secretly bake bread for the baby dragon without raising suspicion was simple: become independent and open a bakery.
The problem was that Shuen Felicita was absolutely not the type of character who would ever leave this comfortable mansion.
But she is the type who would shamelessly ask her father for a shop.
However, the Marquis’s expression after hearing me looked strange. The wrinkles around his eyes seemed somehow tired.
Even for a marquis family, is this too much?
He stared at me for a moment before speaking.
“That much isn’t difficult. Then let’s do this.”
He clasped his hands together.
“I’ve already arranged a new private tutor.”
The maids serving the meal visibly flinched. I didn’t even need to ask why.
The Felicita Marquis had long been trying to properly educate Shuen. However, every tutor who took the job ended up quitting within a week.
They all ran away, unable to endure Shuen’s tyranny. More than ten tutors had already been driven off like that.
I had thought he had given up, but it seemed the Marquis had decided this would be the last attempt and brought in another tutor.
“If you attend lessons diligently for one month and achieve proper grades, I’ll buy you a building.”
His tone was cold, like he was negotiating a contract.
I blinked.
“Really?”
I hadn’t expected to go back to studying at this age…
But it didn’t really matter. The Marquis likely didn’t expect much from me anyway.
Just attend classes properly and he’d buy me a building.
That’s basically free money.
At that moment, a bell chimed, and a message appeared.
<<Sudden Quest!>>
<<Quest: Educate Izhael>>
<<Time remaining: 1 month>>
Another quest?
I was about to complain that it only gave tasks and nothing else—but then I stopped.
My mind suddenly felt bright.
Last time, the reward had accidentally been a dragon summon. Because of that, I still hadn’t properly checked what “Wait is Paid” even meant.
If I completed this quest, I’d get coins as a reward.
Then I could finally figure out what the “latest update” in “Wait is Paid” was.
I looked at the Marquis, then spoke with a reluctant expression.
“Then I have one condition too.”
“And what is it?”
I pointed my fork at Izhael.
Izhael was staring at me with narrowed brows.
When our eyes met, I smiled meaningfully.
“I want Izhael to attend the lessons as well.”
Izhael’s eyes wavered.
It wasn’t obvious, but he seemed confused. Even the Marquis looked surprised.
“Study together with Izhael?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Still wearing a polished, fake smile, I replied.
“Why else? He’s my younger brother.”
It’s easier to act innocent in front of the Marquis.
Playing the villain every time was exhausting.
The Marquis, still watching me carefully, spoke slowly.
“…Very well. What do you think, Izhael?”
Izhael smiled politely toward the Marquis.
“I have no objections.”
“Then I’ll inform the tutor in advance.”
Neither the Marquis nor Izhael seemed to believe I had no ulterior motives.
But I really didn’t.
I just need to complete the quest.
If I had any ulterior motive, it was only this: I kind of wanted to make my favorite character better at studying.
For now, I could let them misunderstand.
Two days later.
As the Marquis had announced, the private tutor arrived.
The Marquis, Izhael, and I all went out to greet him.
“Shuen, Izhael. Greet him.”
The golden hair of the man stepping down from the carriage shimmered under the sunlight.
“From today onward, this is Viscount Hiser, who will be teaching you.”
But I didn’t hear a word of the introduction.
I just stared blankly at him, mouth slightly open.
Good thing I was in the middle of a quest—otherwise the system would’ve been blaring warnings like a fire alarm.
The gentle-looking man smiled brightly.
“Nice to meet you. Young lady of House Felicita, and young master.”
Our eyes met.
Ding!
<<The Dragon who counts the passing ages is watching you.>>
<<The Dragon who counts the passing ages smiles.>>
The Dragon who counts the passing ages—that was the epithet of the Dragon Lord who ruled all dragons.
Before I could even process the shock, a voice echoed directly in my mind.
[Found you.]
His lips didn’t move.
It was a direct transmission into my head.
His golden eyes, like swirling desert sand, locked onto me like I was prey.
A faint smile curved his lips beautifully.
[Contractor of the great dragon Atherian.]
Meanwhile
<<Quest conditions met!>>
<<Quest success reward: 100 coins.>>
<<Current coins: 100>>
It seemed that simply having the tutor arrive was enough to complete the quest.
I had hoped to exploit the “warning-free” state during lessons, but that expectation was crushed.
And then another message appeared—the same reward selection screen from before.
<<Wait is Paid Episode 1 OR Gacha>>
<<Selecting consumes 100 coins>>
I stared at the floating message but didn’t touch it.
I desperately wanted to check it immediately, but I had to wait until I was alone.
More importantly, something else mattered right now.
In a large room lined with bookshelves, Izhael, the tutor Viscount Hiser, and I were seated together.
Hiser said he would stay at the mansion and conduct lessons long-term.
Today was the first day, meant to assess our level.
A book lay open on the table, but I couldn’t focus on a single word.
My mind was full of question marks.
I glanced at Hiser while pretending to turn pages.
He was unpacking books from his luggage and organizing them.
His golden hair shone like melted gold. His face looked like it had been carefully sculpted. Every feature was flawless.
He wasn’t just a handsome man.
He was a dragon.
Hiser, the Dragon who counts the passing ages—the Dragon Lord who ruled all dragons.
One of the strongest beings in the original story.
So he even formed a contract with the protagonist.
In the original plot, he was the protagonist’s first companion.
And most importantly, baby dragon Atherian was his successor.
The next Dragon Lord.
In the original story, Hiser had chosen Atherian as his successor from the moment he was an egg, raising him carefully… until things went wrong and he became a mad dragon.
But this time, the baby dragon had formed a contract with me.
From Hiser’s perspective, I probably looked like a kidnapper who tricked the dragon into a contract.
He’s definitely here to kill me.
The one who was actually deceived was me.
While I was panicking, Hiser suddenly spoke.
“Is something on my face?”
I flinched and blinked.
“No.”
I shook my head and looked back at the book.
Hiser chuckled softly.
In contrast to his relaxed demeanor, cold sweat gathered on my forehead.
My mouth felt dry.
Hiser looked between me and Izhael.
“From today on, I will be teaching both of you together.”
That meant I’d be stuck with Izhael.
Not good news—but unavoidable.
I had already agreed with the Marquis.
Just as I was about to nod, a warning window flickered in front of me.
Be careful.
I forced a sulky expression and nodded.
But Izhael didn’t respond at all.
When I glanced at him, I froze.
His purple eyes were burning with a chilling light as he stared at Hiser.
“Is there something you want to say, Izhael?”
“……”
His jaw was clenched tightly.
What’s wrong with him?
In the original timeline, Izhael wouldn’t meet Hiser until much later—the Great Plains battle, where Hiser would wound him deeply.
After that, Izhael would swear revenge.
But that shouldn’t happen yet.
There was no reason for hostility at this point.
As I was confused, Hiser kept smiling calmly.
Ding.
Another message appeared.
<<The Dragon who counts the passing ages, Hiser, is extremely interested.>>
Hiser’s smile deepened.
The inhuman expression made a chill run down my spine.
If this continues… something bad is going to happen.
