Draco felt a knot of uwist in his stomach as he guided the carriage forward, the whispers and curious gnces from passersby creating an uling atmosphere around him.
Although the attention was mostly positive, a sense of vulnerability washed over him like an ued tide.
It wasn't the first time he faced scrutiny, but this occasio distinbsp;
For the first time since arriving in Orario, he had decided to brave the outside world without his familiar cloak, a staple that had long shielded him fr eyes and unwanted questions.
He was no longer hiding his identity, having decided it was time to reveal who he was, but shedding the cloak had left him feeling exposed in a way he couldn't quite articute—a mix of liberation and ay.
Determio ighe attention, Draco soon arrived at the t structure of Babel.
The area was alive with the energy of adventurers bustling about, some returning from the dungeoh the tower while others prepared to embark on new quests.
Amidst the throng of adventurers, a colle of gods and goddesses made their way toward the tower, their divine presence adding an air of importao the evening.
Draaneuvered the carriage, searg for a suitable spot to park.
He turo his goddess, Bahamut, who seemed lost in thought throughout the ride.
“We’ve arrived,” Dranounced, his voice breaking the silehat had enveloped them.
“Oh, that was quicker than I expected,” Bahamut murmured, shaking herself from her reverie.
After seg the carriage, Draco stepped down, moving to open the door for Bahamut.
Her attire was intricately designed, leaving little room for missteps, and he knew she would appreciate a steady hand.
“My dy,” he said, extending his hand to assist her down.
Bahamut accepted his hand, a puzzled smile lingering on her lips.
Draco’s demeanour felt uncharacteristically refined, and though she found it slightly embarrassing, she chose to py along.
As she stepped down from the carriage, Draco guided her toward the entrance of the Babel tower, their preseg the eye of many who had gathered.
Bahamut, the petite dragon goddess, was indeed a sight to behold, her charm enhanced by the delicate outfit she wore.
Beside her, Draco stood like a statue carved from stone—a handsome dragon kin with a wild yet elegant appearanbsp;
His muscur build, striking red reptilian eyes, and golden accessories only added to the allure he exuded, making them quite the captivating pair.
Murmurs swept through the crowd as they walked together, but her seemed to notice the attention.
Their focus remained oh ahead until a familiar voice called out to them.
“Bahamut, wait!” It was Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, her voice soft yet filled with urgenbsp;
Both Bahamut and Draco halted, turning to watch as Demeter approached, her expression a blend of surprise and delight at the sight of her friend.
“Good evening, Demeter. It’s been a while,” Bahamut greeted warmly.
“Good evening to you as well, Bahamut,” Demeter replied, her eyes flig to Draco with curiosity.
“And who might this handsome young man be?” she asked.
Demeter already knew who he was, there dids any Dragon kin in the world besides Draco after-all.
However she couldn’t her head the fact that, he grew so mu such a short time.
The st time she had see him was a few months ago, he looked like acute boy, but now stood before her a young handsome man, so she couldn’t help but be curious about what happened.
Drache pyful glint ier’s eyes, but he also sehe underlying seriousness of her question.
“It is I, Draco, Captain of the Bahamut Familia. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance again.” he introduced.
“Oh my, I had thought we were more than mere acquaintances after our st meeting,” Demeter teased, a mischievous smile dang on her lips.
Unsure how to respond, Draco felt a flush of warmth creep up his nebsp;
They had indeed shared moments durier’s previous visit, but it had not crossed his mind that it could be interpreted as something more.
Before he could formute an answer, Demeter tinued, “But truly, you have grown a bit too much since I st saw you. What happened?” she questioned.
“Not here, Demeter,” Bahamut interjected, her voice firm yet gentle.
She sehe eyes of several deities upon them, each filled with a mixture of intrigue and wariness.
Draco, after all, was a being who shouldn’t exist.
“Hmm, you’re right,” Demeter ceded, her gaze sing the area.
“But I must admit, I’m eager to see how Hephaestus will react. She missed the ‘cute’ version of Draco, it would be devastating not to see his handsome version too” Demeter said.
“Just what have you been telling her about Draco?” Bahamut muttered.
“Nothing too crazy, he just came up sometimes iings” Demeter replied.
‘Ugh, does this mean that the goddess Hephaestus knows of me. I ’t believe that I might meet her so soon. Wait, ’t I use the opportunity to pce the one eyed bck dragon scales in her hand. I feel like it would be much safer in her hands than mine right now’ Draco thought.
“That’s aside, what will you do, Draco? Will you wait here for me, or will you find something else to occupy your time until the meeting cludes?” Bahamut asked, pulling Draco from his musings.
Draced around, weighing his options.
Initially, he had po stay by the entraending to the horses while waiting for Bahamut.
However, given the mounting attention from various deities, he felt it prudent to take his leave.
“How long do you think the meeting will take?” he inquired.
“Hmm, about three to four hive or take,” Bahamut replied.
“Then I will return in three hours. Staying here might only irouble,” Draco decided.
“Good choice,” Bahamut aowledged with a nod.
With their p, Bahamut turo leave, aer followed closely behind.
“See you ter, Draco,” Demeter called back, her voice warm as she walked away.
Draco offered a slight nod in response before retrag his steps to the carriage. The air outside felt charged with energy, the anticipation of the gathering palpable imosphere.
……………………………
Meanwhile, as Bahamut aer ehe meeting room, the energy shifted.
The space buzzed with the chatter of gods and goddesses, their voices a cacophony of divine discourse.
As soon as they entered, attention pivoted toward them—especially Bahamut, whose beauty and grace made her a focal point amidst the crowd.
Some of the male deities began to approach her, eager to engage, but a single, fierce gre from the dragon goddess sent most of them retreating.
“You’re looking quite eye-catg today,” Hermes remarked, sidling up to them with his usual charm.
“Hermes, you’re not hiding from me today,” Bahamut replied, a teasing lilt to her voice.
“Ugh, when have I ever hidden from you? I was merely trying to keep my distance,” he replied, feigning innoce while avoiding her gaze.
“Not stig your nose in my business, huh? Then why has one of your children been my children for so long?” Bahamut asked, her tone suddenly serious.
Hermes stiffened, his mind rag.
‘Did that Draco boy notice Asfi monit him?’ he wondered.
“What might you be talking about? I wouldn’t try anything sneaky around you,” he tered, maintaining a facade of ignorance.
“Well, it doesn’t matter. Draco determihat your child meant no harm, so he ignored her. I will trust his judgment,” Bahamut decred, her voice firm.
Hermes gulped, though he mao keep a ral expression.
“Then I will have to thank him in person for being so siderate,” he replied, relieved.
“Hmm, that aside, I trust you will be on my side today?” Bahamut asked, her eyes narrowing slightly as she assessed him.
“Of course, the boy has dohing wrong or broken any ws, so I see no issues there. The real question will be whether you hold onto him,” Hermes remarked with a sly grin.
Bahamut’s lips curled into a knowing smirk, her sharp es fshing in the dim light.
“I would like to see ary to take him from me,” she whispered, a predatory edge to her tone.
A chill crept up Hermes’ spine, a sense of forebodiling in.
‘She won’t go that far, right?’ he thought, a lingering unease clouding his mind as Bahamut aer walked away.
