The Dragon Lord's Aide Wants to Quit [BL] Chapter 7: Fly on the Wall

Maybe Kael’s reaction was a reflection of his thoughts on the protection level of that flimsy little ring.

Sure, it was sothing. A Guardian’s Heartstone wasn’t nothing. It was even considered multifunctional by most standards.

But Riley could already tell, just from the way Kael’s golden eyes narrowed, that it wasn’t enough. Not for soone in his position.

The problem was obvious. Consumables like spell scrolls, talismans, and potions weren’t really suitable for continued use by mortals.

So an amulet like this was a better choice. And yet it probably won’t be enough. Sure, it could block a low-level curse or deflect a stray claw swipe. But against anything serious, like an actual blow from one of the continent’s stronger beings, it would shatter like glass.

And that was a problem. Because his job at the Ministry almost guaranteed that kind of situation every single day.

His job description was simple enough on paper. Keep the Dragon comfortable and make sure the continent doesn’t implode.

Unfortunately, those two things tended to overlap in the worst ways possible.

The work usually ant standing in front of creatures no human in their right mind would ever dream of confronting.

And yet here he was.

It still didn’t make sense sotis. Everyone knew humans were fragile. Weak. Pathetically short-lived. So why was soone like him allowed to work here in the first place?

He rembered asking that once. Right after nearly getting blown off the Ministry roof by a single angry breath from one of the visiting dragons.

"Why humans?" he had asked, clutching the railing with white knuckles. "Why hire soone who could literally die if soone sneezes too hard?"

Kael’s reply still echoed in his head.

"Because humans are weak enough not to appear as threats."

At the ti, Riley thought it was a joke. Or maybe even an insult.

Who wouldn’t?

Especially when most probably never heard the actual reason from the very mouth of a dragon, after all, humans didn’t think that way, and used to present different theories as to their current status.

Maybe they were just new players, or that these beings had generations-old rivalries, or theories about territorial disputes.

But apparently, it was just because they were too weak to count.

Now, who would be willing to go back to inform the professors that, well, that was the real reason?

Certainly not him.

But sure enough, after observing for a while, he started noticing things, finally convincing him that Kael wasn’t just being an asshole when he answered.

Because by then, he started noticing how so of the more dangerous creatures would bristle when faced with a dragon. Or hiss at an elf. Or glare at a mage.

But when it was just him standing there, fragile and very obviously human, they didn’t even react.

They didn’t even bother to take him seriously.

And it worked.

Because by the ti they realized Kael was standing behind him, it was already too late for them to do anything about it.

In a way, it made sense. Humans hadn’t really made enemies of anyone outside their own kind. Too busy fighting each other to pick fights with older races.

The joke was that humans were so caught up in their own petty squabbles that nobody else even thought about taking them seriously.

And really, what could humans even do to soone who would outlive them by so much they’d have to ask their great-great-grandchildren about the outco of the war when they’re reunited in the afterlife.

Nothing much, really.

So that’s what made him "suitable". But at the sa ti, it was also the sa thing that made him vulnerable.

And it was great that Kael was finally realizing this problem.

Well, just five years later.

But then again, for immortals like them, five years probably felt like a day, or even less. And that was what made it difficult for him to inform his boss about the missing benefits.

That and receiving insider information on how to survive a dragon’s temper, which had been effective.

So he’d been content with imitating his Father’s thods.

But it’s different now.

Now that he’s learned of the true nature of this "job."

There was no way he’d survive for more years without proper protection. He’d only been winging it before and taking it in stride because he thought he was going to be done in five years. But with the knowledge that he’s been living a lie, he’d have to make adjustnts.

He just didn’t think it’d be to this level.

A sigil?

It caught him completely off guard. He’d thought the flimsy ring was all there was. Turns out, Kael had another layer of protection in mind.

A blood sigil, specifically.

The mont Kael said the word "blood," Riley nearly tripped.

Even he, a forr history nut, knew enough about dragons to understand what that ant.

Dragons were secretive. Always had been. Their records were practically impossible to access, and no matter how much you studied, there were things you just wouldn’t find in any book, especially when it ca to their blood.

But everyone knew dragon blood was precious. Coveted, even. Especially golden dragon blood. So said just a drop could power an entire ward for decades.

So if Kael was about to use his own blood for this sigil...that was sothing else entirely.

Riley’s mind was still reeling when Kael spoke again, voice calm, almost bored.

"Sit."

Riley sat. Hesitantly.

Then the dragon lord added, "Take off your top."

Riley choked.

"What?"

"Your top. Off."

He almost fell off the seat.

Kael raised an eyebrow. "You can refuse if you don’t want the sigil."

Riley froze. "Wait, My Lord. What does it even do?!"

Kael leaned back, as though they hadn’t been having this bizarre conversation in the middle of the day.

"A sigil for better protection," Kael explained evenly. "It’s essentially a claim. It forms a ward against entities more powerful than you. Shields you from ntal domination, magical curses, and soul-rending attacks. Weakens incoming blows enough for you to endure. Escape, even."

Riley stared at him. That already sounded ridiculous enough.

Kael went on, as if he hadn’t just casually offered sothing life-saving.

"With my permission, the sigil lets you draw on a very small fraction of my own power. Strength. Stamina. A faint echo of my presence, if needed. Temporary. Minor. Only when I allow it."

Riley’s jaw practically hit the floor.

Kael added, "If you try to invoke it without my permission, it burns hot enough to make you regret trying. And then it shuts you out completely."

Riley blinked, still too shocked to fully process.

Then Kael fixed him with that familiar golden stare.

"So," Kael said smoothly, "do you want it or not?"

Riley’s mouth opened. Then closed.

Then opened again.

This wasn’t just so scroll. Or a trinket. Or so charm to keep him alive a few seconds longer.

Who would’ve thought Kael would actually offer him sothing like this?

And would he be stupid enough to say no?

Definitely not.

But still...

He glanced nervously at his shoulder.

"Um. My Lord. I’d be honored. Truly. But..." He hesitated. "Why does it have to be on my shoulder? Couldn’t it go, you know, sowhere else? Like... my arm? Like an IV or sothing?"

Kael’s lips curved in the faintest smirk.

"It could," he said. "If you want to announce to the world that I’ve claid you. Like a mark. Like you’re mine."

Riley’s face went red.

Kael tilted his head, a little too amused.

"Now," Kael added lazily, "if you have that kink and want to attract another kind of attention, then so be it."

Riley froze, heat flooding his ears.

Ah, shit.

Hell no.