Evil dragon has a warm heart

Chapter 53 - 53 53 Malena

?Chapter 53: Chapter 53 Malena Chapter 53: Chapter 53 Malena “Your dance steps are a bit rusty,” Melly said to Russell, who had already accidentally stepped on her foot twice, as they moved together with the flow of an elegant waltz, his hand in hers and an arm around her waist.

“I’m sorry, I’m still trying to remember the steps from the last time I danced,” Russell said, his face showing not the slightest bit of embarrassment.

Melly asked with a light chuckle, “Do you rarely dance with ladies? It seems that I seldom see you at the balls held by Fluorescent Castle.”

“Dancing only disrupts my training,” Russell replied. “As you know, I don’t have much talent when it comes to cultivating my skills.”

“But you’ve successfully unleashed your Battle Qi, haven’t you? You’re destined to become a Phantom Beast Knight in the future.”

“Who knows what the future holds? I only care to make the best of the present.”

“Indeed, making the best of the present matters, and the Great Dragon watches over the rest, especially over a hardworking knight like yourself,” Melly said with a smile, her eyes shining brightly.

There was no denying that Melly had a way with words, and just a few sentences were enough to coax a smile from Russell’s lips.

But at that moment, Russell was thinking about the Golden Black sow back home that was due to give birth—it was uncertain whether it would produce a litter of piglets that could be bred into a new Primordial Beast species. If successful, the Golden Black would become the specialty of his estate.

“Golden Black pork is commonplace; this is Primordial Meat, not the same at all… Maybe the new breed should be called ‘Dark Black Pig’?”

The Golden Black pig is the Blackwaist Serpent Manor’s pork specialty.

“Has anyone ever told you that it’s very ungentlemanly to be distracted while dancing with a lady?” Melly’s voice pulled Russell, who was still concerned about his sow at home, back to the ballroom.

With an awkward and perfunctory laugh, Russell replied, “I just thought of something interesting. Would you like to hear about it?”

“Why not?”

“I bought a Golden Black sow in town the day before yesterday. Did you know, under the watch of the Great Dragon, there’s a wisp of Magic Power coursing through this Golden Black sow’s belly?”

“Ah, you mean it’s carrying a Fantasy Beast baby?” Melly’s eyes lit up with intense curiosity as she looked at Russell.

“Indeed, but the aura is too weak, and it’s highly likely to miscarry.”

“Oh, that’s such a shame. Is there anything that can be done to help?”

“There is, unless Mr. Ross could assist, but we’ve had a disagreement, so obviously that’s not an option. Moreover, it would consume too much of Mr. Ross’s essence, and my father would never agree—they believe in solving the estate’s problems within the estate.”

Melly frowned, “So we just let the Fantasy Beast baby miscarry? And that doesn’t sound very fun to me.”

“It’s not about the fun of the situation, it’s about my idea,” Russell said. “I was thinking, even if the Fantasy Beast baby miscarries, this piglet is extraordinary. Perhaps I can try to raise it into a new breed of Primordial Beast.”

“Right!” Melly’s eyes sparkled again, “If it works, Wuyao Snake Manor will have a new specialty!”

“Exactly, it’s worth a try.”

“Definitely.”

“That’s why it’s interesting,” said Russell, pleased that his plan was well received.

A bit absent-minded yet filled with anticipation, Melly asked, “I’ve never been to Wuyao Snake Manor. Russell, could I come to see the piglet?”

“Sure,” he replied.

“Maybe I could take a tour around Wuyao Snake Manor.”

“If you really come, I’ll have Mr. Charles show you around the manor.”

“What about you?”

“Me?” Russell thought about it, “There are too many things to take care of in the territory, and I need to practice, I can’t spare the time.”

“Don’t you need to relax occasionally?”

“This is me relaxing.”

Before the words had died away, a dance had ended, and the men and women fluttering about the dance floor drifted apart, each making their way to the rest area to sip some tea.

Russell and Malena separated as well.

When the next dance began, Malena looked at him, but Russell, head lowered, was too busy with his tea and pastries to consider taking to the dance floor again.

“Only one dance and then you’re done?” Lady Meryl, his mother, approached from somewhere with a glass of red wine in her hand.

“I don’t like dancing.”

“Then how will you take on the responsibilities of your Uncle Roson in the future?” Lady Meryl looked gently at her son and could see the shadow of his father and brother in his face; the Rainflower Family was known for its attractive men and women, a trait that had carried on in Russell.

“Uncle Roson could carry on for decades, by then I doubt anyone would want to dance with me if I wanted to enter the dance floor.”

“That will not happen to my son. Your maternal grandfather is over seventy and still tremendously popular in the dance hall, and your handsomeness is no less than that of your grandfather and your uncle.”

“But Grandfather is an Earl, Sir, and your handsome, dashing son is but a smalltime Lord.”

“Although I know you’re making a joke, it sounds like my son is complaining about his fate,” Lady Meryl said with a smile.

Russell smiled apologetically, “Sorry, Mother, I didn’t mean to complain… Maybe I used to, but now I feel good, especially after going to the manor. I feel I’m on the right, optimistic path.”

In memory, his predecessor indeed resented the heavens and others, complaining about his lack of talent, lamenting that he was just a second son in the family.

But he wouldn’t.

Because he had a Great Dragon, what need was there for a bicycle?

“I’m proud of you, Russell,” Lady Meryl said, reaching out to smooth a strand of his pale golden hair from his forehead.

Russell smiled; he rather liked the atmosphere of the Fluorescent Fungi Family, especially his parents’ attitude: loving but not interfering.

The next moment, Lady Meryl inquired, “Malena is a nice girl, albeit two years your senior, and it’s clear that she’s interested in you.”

Russell’s smile froze on his face, just as he was thinking how comfortable it was for the parents not to interfere in their children’s lives, he suddenly found himself being urged to marry.

“Mother, I’ve just come of age.”

“Exactly, you’re of age now, it’s time to think about the next stage of your life,” Lady Meryl said matter-of-factly, “When you go and live independently on the manor, you’ll need a lady to take care of your daily needs, won’t you.”

All Russell could do was to give a noncommittal response, “Let’s wait a bit longer.”

“You can wait, but Malena can’t. She’s already eighteen. Wait a bit longer and she’ll become an old maid.”

“Why does she have to wait for me?”

“Oh, my silly son, you won’t find many girls better than Malena in Glowing Valley. If you don’t want her, she’ll soon be snatched up by someone else. Your father and I have hinted at Marcus several times to steady him down and keep him from letting Malena socialize too early.”

Marcus was a vassal of Baron Roman, but even as Lord, he couldn’t arbitrarily interfere with the marriages of his vassals’ children.

Russell shook his head and laughed, “Mother, you and Father don’t need to worry too much about me. I have a clear understanding and plan for my future, trust me.”

What he wanted now was to properly manage the manor and to earnestly cultivate his Battle Qi.

Looking into Russell’s eyes, Lady Meryl chuckled after a moment, “Then go and ask Malena for another dance.”