The girl's eyes brimmed with tears. Her body trembled violently. Her red, scaly tail coiled tightly between her legs, trying to hide itself.
"I-I-I-I only..."
Her voice choked in her throat.
"I was just peeking because I smelled food!" she screamed hysterically.
"H-ha?" Zalvarich tilted his head, his eyes narrowed in doubt. "Don't bullshit me."
"Yes yes yes yes yes yes!" The woman nodded so fast that her horns shook. Tears began to drip down her pale cheeks. "I'm serious, I'm serious!"
"I-I was just looking for fruit or food to eat today and and and I smelled something delicious so I approached it and and and I saw humans!!"
The dragon girl drew ragged breaths, her chest rising and falling irregularly. "And and I was mesmerized seeing humans for the first time and and also I was tempted by that Food!!"
Zalvarich furrowed his brows. He observed that frightened face. He then touched the dragon girl's cheek with his index finger. His fingertip glowed with a faint purple light, detecting lies with his magic.
The girl flinched slightly at the touch, her face turning red from fear and shame. "Sorry, don't, don't kill me Sir, please, please!!"
"I swear by the ancestors... I'm just a 'wild dragon'... no one will care about my death, so please let me go..." she whimpered pleadingly.
After a long silence, Zalvarich released his grip on the girl's wrist. He took a step back and sighed deeply. "Good grief, if that's all it is, just come and ask directly, no need to sneak around, dragon girl.."
"Eh?" The dragon girl looked up in confusion, her tears still pooling in her eyes.
"Hahaha, sorry, sorry, sorry." Zalvarich's face returned to a relaxed expression. His friendly smile resurfaced. He patted the dragon girl's shoulder familiarly. "I thought you had bad intentions toward us so yeah.. it was a reflex."
"It's only natural, right? You know the rumors circulating about us?"
The girl let out a long sigh of relief. Her body went limp instantly, and she slumped onto the ground. Her tail lay sprawled passively on the grass. "Thank goodness, thank goodness, thank goodness."
Zalvarich squatted in front of her and smiled sincerely. "Yeah, yeah, sorry, okay?"
"Now, how about we eat together? You're hungry, right? Yes, definitely hungry since you were peeking because of the food."
The girl's pupils dilated instantly. A glint of hope appeared in her red eyes. She stared at Zalvarich with a look of disbelief. "Really?!"
"I can eat with you?!"
Zalvarich nodded. "Yeah, I guess it's okay since it's just food."
"By the way, your name?"
The dragon girl hurriedly stood up, dusting off her dirty knees, then bowed respectfully, albeit awkwardly. Her tail lifted slightly.
"My name is Sa Hu, Sir!"
Zalvarich extended his hand. "00."
Sa Hu stared at the hand for a moment, then took it. Zalvarich pulled Sa Hu's hand gently, helping her stand upright.
They then walked back to the red carpet.
Sa Hu gaped at the spread of the luxurious carpet and the dishes served there. Her eyes were glued to the leftover grilled meat on the hot stone. Her stomach growled loudly.
*Grrruuull.*
Her face went beet red. Out of shame, she stammered, "S-sorry!"
Salksha, who was relaxing and drinking wine, raised one eyebrow as she saw them approach. "Haa? What's that, what's that? Oi, you haven't even been here a day and you already got a subordinate? Damn!"
"Hahah. No, no." Zalvarich shook his head while chuckling. He pointed at Sa Hu and said.
"This is Sa Hu. This girl said she peeked at us because she was hungry looking for food and, well, that's about it."
"She has no bad intentions... for now, maybe."
Zalvarich sat back down on his soft cushion.
"And hmm, judging from her name, she doesn't have a clan.."
He then looked at Sa Hu who was still standing stiffly. "Am I right?"
"Yes, yes, Sir 00!" answered Sa Hu quickly, her head bowing.
Zalvarich nodded again, his finger tapping his chin. "Hmm, if so, this must be the area..."
"Ring 3?!"
Sa Hu flinched slightly upon hearing that term. Her eyes widened in shock for a moment before she nodded slowly again. "Yes, Sir 00 is right!"
"Ring 3? What is that?" asked Salksha. She put down her glass, interested in the conversation.
"Well, hmm." Zalvarich waved his hand casually. "It's like an outcast area. In this kingdom, there are 3 areas: Ring 1, Ring 2, and Ring 3. In short, Ring 3 is for outcasts who don't have a clan."
"You know what I mean."
"And 1 and 2 are the higher ranks."
Salksha nodded understandingly. "Ah, I get it, I get it."
She then patted the empty cushion beside her. "Sit down, Sa Hu!"
Sa Hu walked slowly and sat shyly on the edge of the cushion, her body still tense.
Click.
Zalvarich snapped his fingers.
Instantly, a crystal glass filled with cold fruit juice appeared in Sa Hu's hand. Condensation dripped down the side of the glass.
"Try it, Sa Hu!"
Sa Hu stared at the glass as if she were looking at a treasure. She lifted it with trembling hands then drank the liquid slowly. The cold and refreshing sensation washed over her throat. Her tears dripped again without her realizing it.
"S-so delicious.." she whispered hoarsely.
"Oi, oi, oi, are you okay, dragon girl?" asked Salksha worriedly, leaning her face forward a bit.
Sa Hu shook her head vigorously, wiping her eyes roughly. "No, no, no, I'm just... just thirsty."
She then placed the glass carefully on the carpet and bowed slightly and politely to Salksha.
"Let me introduce myself, my name is Sa Hu, Ma'am!"
"Salksha." Salksha smiled kindly and extended her hand. Sa Hu shook it hesitantly but politely.
Zalvarich picked up a knife and fork. He cut a large piece of steak that was still warm, then placed it on a clean plate. He offered the plate to Sa Hu.
Sa Hu stared at the meat with sparkling eyes. She took the fork awkwardly, then stabbed the meat and put it in her mouth.
When the taste of the tender, seasoned meat touched her tongue, Sa Hu's defenses crumbled. She chewed voraciously, her cheeks bulging. Her tears flowed heavily out of happiness.
"So delicious.. this.. this is so delicious, haaaa," she mumbled between chews.
Zalvarich smiled watching her. He leaned his body back casually.
"After eating, you answer my questions, okay?" Zalvarich winked.