When someone starts caring about something, they change instantly.
Just like now—
Once Artoria suspected that her dream had something to do with Ian, the idea of "getting some rest" became totally unrealistic.
There was no way she could sleep now!
She lay on her side, staring at him across the room.
It wasn't even dawn yet.
Should she take this chance to go check on him?
The moment the thought crossed her mind, her body had already moved.
Before she knew it, she was sitting on the edge of his bed.
Ian slept soundly. He didn't look at all like someone who would suddenly bite.
Artoria's curiosity grew.
If…
If he really was the dragon, why did he get so angry?
She didn't get it.
Not at all.
No matter how she thought about it, it made no sense.
Forget it.
I'll go back.
Sitting this close just feels weird…
She started to rise quietly, planning to head back to her bed for a little more sleep.
Rest time was precious, after all.
But then—
She realized she couldn't move.
Because Ian had grabbed her hand.
"Don't go—"
"Huh?"
She thought he'd woken up, but quickly realized it was sleep-talking.
And then came another familiar phrase:
"I'm so thirsty…"
"I'm really thirsty…"
Before she could register the danger, Ian pulled her into his chest with strength that no normal human should have.
"…"
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
Artoria could hear her heart pounding.
She tried to pull away, but couldn't move at all.
"Ian… wake up…"
She hoped her words would do something, but it was no use.
This was almost exactly like what happened in her dream.
This time—
She was on top. Ian was underneath.
Again?!
Artoria immediately regretted letting her curiosity get the better of her and going over to Ian's side.
But just as she was bracing herself for the worst, she heard something unexpected.
"I won't hurt you."
"I promise—"
"Because Artoria is a very important friend to me."
"Huh?"
If before Ian had only vaguely understood what "friend" meant, now he was earnestly expressing it.
Even if it was sleep talk—
He sounded 120% sincere.
He truly cared about her.
That's why he said he wouldn't hurt her.
Yeah…
He knew his behavior was wrong.
Once she understood his intentions, Artoria didn't feel as resistant to his actions.
After all—
If you think about it from another angle…
If you had an overwhelming urge toward someone, but at the same time, you wanted to protect them…
Wouldn't that be incredibly agonizing?
He kept everything bottled up, and now could only mutter things in his sleep.
He was probably afraid of being hated by her.
That must've been hard…
Artoria glanced at the door. Confirming no one would come in, she made a decision.
She unfastened the top two buttons of her shirt.
And in the early light of dawn, her fair shoulder was revealed.
Along with…
The thing he needed.
"Just for a little bit, okay…"
Altria leaned down.
She wasn't sure how to describe what she was doing.
But…
It wasn't as hard to accept as she imagined.
A bit of comfort in a dream… seemed reasonable.
Like a beast catching the scent of food, Ian soon latched onto the delicate curve before him.
"Mmph—"
Artoria quickly covered her mouth with both hands.
She had overestimated herself.
Being bitten and being… gently suckled were completely different.
That tingling sensation—who could endure that?
Still…
Artoria noticed something.
Even in his sleep, Ian kept his word.
He didn't attack her like a wild beast.
Instead—
He did something arguably worse.
But the awkwardness didn't end there.
As sunlight spilled into the room, Artoria realized—
Ian's eyes were open.
"Wha—?! You're awake?!"
"…Yeah."
Ian let go.
"Since the beginning."
"Whaaaat?!"
Artoria's face turned bright red.
"You…"
"Don't trust that guy."
In the middle of this intense embarrassment, Ian suddenly spoke.
"That guy smells off."
"Huh?"
Artoria blinked.
"Who?"
"The one who told you to become king!"
Ian's sudden seriousness confirmed Artoria's gut feeling.
"So—"
"That dragon… was really you?"
"…"
"You really hate it, don't you?"
Ian looked at her directly.
"I… wanted to tell you later."
"But this time was too urgent, so…"
"I'm not upset."
Artoria interrupted him.
"I can feel how much you want to protect me."
"That's why you're so 'thirsty,' right?"
"…Yeah."
"Knew it."
Artoria smiled.
"If you're a dragon, everything makes sense."
"Surviving that fall—totally normal for a dragon."
"But…"
She locked eyes with Ian.
"I still want to become king."
"Because people really are suffering."
"I want to put an end to it."
"But that guy's no good—"
"I know. I trust you."
Her eyes gleamed with resolve.
"So I won't be swayed by him."
"But… if becoming king is how I can save everyone, then that's the future I want."
"…"
Ian was silent for a moment before nodding.
"Got it."
"If that's your decision, I'll respect it."
"Huh?"
"You mean… you'll stay by my side?"
Artoria smiled as she asked.
And he returned her gaze, deadly serious.
"Yeah."
"I'll protect you."
"I'll always protect you."
Her cheeks flushed again.
If her earlier blush was from embarrassment…
This time, it was genuine emotion.
But the moment didn't last.
Because Ian's dragon instincts flared up again.
Suckle—
"Gently! Be gentle! If Kay hears this, we'll be in big trouble!"
Artoria never imagined she'd stop resisting this kind of thing.
"Ian… if that's how it is—"
"Then do something with me, okay?"
"…"
He lifted his head.
Waiting for her explanation.
Artoria didn't hesitate.
"Help me train my swordsmanship."