NOVEL NEXT The Dragon King’s Harem System
Chapter 230. After The War II
Dragon King's Harem Chapter 230. After The War II
In the middle of the fortress's bustle, amidst the sounds of rebuilding and the hustle and bustle of dragons going about their tasks, Evelina and I decided to enjoy our lunch. It wasn't a grand feast or even close to a celebratory party, but after the grueling battle that had taken place, I was eager to fill my stomach with a hearty meal. As for my injuries, Evelina had done an excellent job of healing me, and most of them were only minor ones.
Meanwhile, I had handed over the fortress’ temporary recovery management to Eir and the fortress’ security to General Guillotine's trusted assistants. While the other dragons were busy cleaning the fortress courtyard from the corpses of fallen enemies, to prevent monsters from coming to that place. The rest were feeding the Wyverns as their victory prize.
The lunch that was laid out before us was filled with meats of all kinds. Roasted meats, grilled meats, and even some that were still sizzling on the spit. The servant who had prepared the meal had deliberately made it to replace my energy, knowing that as a king, I required a lot of sustenance to keep my body and mind strong.
As we ate, Evelina, who accompanied me at the table, remained quiet, her expression unreadable. I couldn't quite catch the dissatisfaction on her face after I had rejected her suggestion to hold a celebratory feast, but it seemed the war had taken its toll on her, and she had lost her appetite for food and celebration.
"Is the food not to your liking?" I asked concern etched upon my face as I watched Evelina hold her eating utensil without touching her food. Today's meal was indeed a bit more barbaric than usual, especially since some of the steaks were served medium rare. The blood was still visible on the huge piece of meat, and the sauce itself reminded me of the thick blood of orcs. But all of the meat was not from orcs, it was the usual food, the usual monsters that we dragons used to eat.
Evelina shook her head from side to side, a small frown creasing her forehead. "No, Your Majesty. Everything is delicious," she said, her voice soft and strained. "It's just...I'm not feeling well." She stared at the food in front of her for a moment before turning her face to the other side and covering her mouth with her hand. Her face was slightly pale, and I could see the exhaustion etched in her features.
"Are you sick?" I asked, reaching out to touch her forehead with the back of my hand to check for fever. The dining table was only the size of a modern-era table of four.
Again, she shook her head from side to side, her expression pained and troubled.
"Then it must be because of the war," I guessed, understanding the trauma that Evelina must have been going through. For her, the sight and smell of all this blood and meat was a reminder of the violence and destruction we’d just been through.
I cut my steak and brought a piece into my mouth again, savoring the rich taste of the meat and the tangy flavor of the sauce. "I shouldn't have brought you to this place," I said after I swallowed my food, my gaze focused on my plate as I cut another piece. "Your warm heart is not suitable for the cold of the war," I added, my tone heavy with regret. It was the truth, and I didn't mean to make fun of her, even though my words might have sounded harsh.
Evelina had grown up in the healer tribe, a peaceful tribe that had always taught kindness and helped others. The tribe avoided war at all costs, and of course, following me to fight on the front lines would not have been a beautiful experience for her.
That made her turn her eyes on me, her gaze filled with a mixture of uncertainty and disappointment. I could see the turmoil in her eyes, and I knew that she was struggling to come to terms with the violence and destruction that we had witnessed. The war had taken its toll on her.
“Are you going to send me back to Dragon Cross City after this?” she asked, her voice tinged with sadness.
I glanced at her, and I could see the bitterness etched on her face. “That depends on you, Evelina," I replied, my voice soft but firm. "If your condition worsens, yes, I will do it. Not everyone can handle this kind of bloody scene, especially since the dragons are involved in this furious war," I reminded her.
In my original world, humans called it PTSD, but here in our world, there was no term like that. There were no psychological therapists, only healers who could heal wounds and illnesses. If Evelina's condition were to worsen, the best thing I could do was to ask her to rest and help her recover faster.
Evelina looked down at her hands, her fingers twisting nervously in her lap. "I understand, Your Majesty," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"You are not angry with me?" A hint of surprise was clear in my tone as I couldn't help but think that Evelina would be mad at me.
But to my surprise, she shook her head from side to side, her expression one of understanding and forgiveness.
"You've done a lot for me and granted my wish even though you didn't like it," she admitted, her voice filled with regret. "I don't want to push my luck."
"Just give me one day," she continued, her eyes meeting mine with a determined gleam. "If I don't feel better tomorrow, I will return to the capital. I don't want to be your hindrance.”
I nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of my lips. "Take all the time you need, Evelina," I said, my voice filled with genuine warmth. "I will support you in whatever decision you make."
Evelina smiled at me, her expression one of gratitude and appreciation. "Thank you, Your Majesty," she said, her voice filled with genuine emotion.
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