CHAPTER 40: THE BREAKFAST TREATY

Good question.

One that even the annoyed ancient dragon wouldn’t be able to answer had it been asked out loud.

And maybe now wasn’t the best time to start analyzing the source of one’s irritation. Not when freedom was so, so close.

Riley had a list. A glorious, itemized to-do list. If he could just tick off everything on it today, he might actually get through the rest of the week without screaming into his pillow.

And if he finished it all quickly enough, then he could move on towards the critical things he really needed to focus on. Then, just like that, he wouldn’t need to think about what that look on Kael’s face meant. The one that felt like an emotional cold front was brewing in the room. Nope. He could ignore that. Completely.

So he chose the safe route. A different card.

"My lord, about that. It’s really because I’m trying not to change routines or make unusual movements."

Kael’s gaze did not budge. "Explain."

Riley took a small breath and went into professional auto-pilot.

"Just as you said, I’ll need to lend Orien some clothes. The new ones I just bought. They’re not exactly tailored to his preferences, but it would be suspicious if any of us went out to buy clothing in his size."

Kael didn’t blink.

"We can’t go to the designers responsible for your wardrobe unless we want rumors flying around about you keeping someone. Or something."

Still no response.

"And, well, my brother’s only seven. So his clothes aren’t an option either. He’d drown in Orien’s size."

Finally, Riley offered his closer.

"And I don’t want any spies thinking I’m going out of my way for anything unusual."

The logic was clean. Polished. Reasonable.

But logic meant nothing to a dragon who didn’t even understand why he was irritated in the first place.

Kael’s reply was clipped. "No. Use the enchanted clothes instead."

Riley paused.

What?

Was that a polite way of saying his clothes were too awful?

They were new. Newly bought. Folded. Still smelling like the department store.

What did this man want?

But alright. Fine. If His Royal Fire-Breath wanted Orien to wear high-grade enchanted robes instead of perfectly acceptable human casuals, so be it. Maybe he liked burning money before breakfast.

Riley gave a tiny nod. "Alright, my lord. But regarding the power bank, I believe I’ll need to lend this one to him until I have time to purchase a new one."

He almost smirked. Just a little.

There. Try matching that.

He wasn’t proud of the childish one-upmanship, but there was something deeply entertaining about Kael’s strange obsession with keeping his things, his work, and even his shadow from touching Orien—so much so that Riley couldn’t resist the urge to keep poking the dragon.

Okay, maybe he should stop.

He could feel himself getting infected. What if he ended up acting like Kael, too? That would be a disaster.

Kael gave him a slow side glance. The kind that said the conversation was over. That should have been the end of it.

Should have.

But Riley, clearly cursed by the gods of poor timing, decided now was the best moment to move on to his next task.

He stepped into the kitchen and started prepping burgers again. A fresh batch. One to be sent over to the still-likely-distraught dragonling.

Unfortunately, this was where the real problem began.

Apparently, even that was an issue.

The dragon lord’s back straightened the moment the meat hit the pan and began to sizzle.

"What are you doing?"

"I’m making breakfast burgers, sir."

Riley could tell from Kael’s expression that something inside the man had short-circuited. He looked mildly constipated. But Riley was hungry. And after everything he’d gone through just this morning, he figured he had earned the right to a hot meal—even if it meant risking death by fireball.

"I was hoping to eat something before work," Riley added, flipping a patty with care. "And I figured I’d bring a few of these to help appease Lord Orien."

Did... did that lizard just snort?

He did. Riley was sure of it.

But he was a man of peace. Of strategy. Of money. And he had no plans of losing his paycheck today.

So, with all the grace of someone trying to milk their job while making their breakfast, he tried, "My lord, I know this isn’t your usual fare and might be beneath you, but this is what I have to offer at home. Would you like to try one?"

Kael looked like he was about to grunt something dismissive and glance away, but then Riley added something new. Something Kael hadn’t smelled yesterday. The dragon lord’s nose twitched.

And it was the power of bacon.

"I see," Riley continued, poker-faced. "I’ll just serve you a different meal from your usual later."

"Did I say no?"

Riley blinked.

"No, sir. I must’ve misunderstood. I’ll prepare one for you as well."

"Four."

"...Sorry?"

"I said four."

"Four what, my lord?"

"Four of that, obviously." Kael gestured at the sizzling burgers with a single finger, as if pointing out the obvious had become physically painful.

Riley stared. Four? Four burgers?

"Sir—"

Before he could say another word, Kael sighed, rolled his eyes, and reached into the void of his coat. He pulled out a hefty bag and dropped it on the counter.

The poor table creaked like it was whispering its final goodbyes.

The bag opened.

Gold coins spilled out in a glorious cascade, sparkling like they had just been waiting their entire lives for this dramatic entrance.

Riley stared at the pile.

For one terrifying moment, Kael looked exactly like one of those smug, untouchable bosses from a drama. The kind who leaned back and said, "I could buy you, your friends, and this club."

And Riley?

Well, he was willing to be bought. Proudly. Happily. Thoroughly. Heck, he’d even count the money himself.

What even was pride in the face of early retirement?

He smiled brightly. "No problem, my lord. I’ll have them ready in a moment."

Heck, with that kind of compensation, he’d even give this glorious, and rich-ass lizard his share. Who needed breakfast anyway?

Apparently, a certain young dragon who currently believed his entire life had lost meaning.

Riley sighed.

There was no winning against dragon drama, but at least there were burgers. Now with eggs and bacon. That ought to count for something.