(Yuuta POV)
"Yesterday was so much fun," I murmured, settling into the creaky old chair at my study table.
It wasn't a fancy setup, just a humble desk parked near the living room window, but it had become my personal corner of peace. I couldn't use the bedroom anymore. Not since Elena developed a peculiar habit of eating my diary pages like they were bedtime snacks.
Yes. Eating.
I still don't know if it was out of curiosity, rebellion, or because she genuinely believed my handwriting was made of chocolate.
Anyway, I cracked open my diary and stared out the window for a moment.
The morning was peaceful.
Sunlight filtered in like golden silk. Birds chirped somewhere in the distance, the world moving just slow enough to feel like a dream.
Erza was sprawled out on the living room couch, fast asleep, her chest rising and falling in the gentle rhythm of a morning nap. Even in sleep, she carried that regal aura, though her light snoring kind of ruined the effect.
Elena sat cross-legged on the floor, watching cartoons with the volume low, glancing every few seconds at her sleeping mother like she was guarding her from noisy commercials.
And me?
I had a memory to record.
Mr. Diary – Dragon Family Edition
Yesterday felt like something out of a fairy tale.
Elena… flew.
Really, actually flew.
It wasn't perfect. Her wings flapped like an excited duck and she wobbled like a balloon in a breeze, but she was airborne. For a brief, shining moment, my daughter flew across the sky.
And then… something I didn't expect.
Erza.
She showed me her wings for the first time.
They were huge. Crimson. Majestic. A living storm wrapped in beauty.
When they opened, the sun lit them up like fire and silk. For a moment, I forgot to breathe.
She looked like the dragon queen from my dreams.
The same woman who calls me "idiot" at least five times a day… was flying beside me.
We soared above the clouds, her hand in mine, the sun setting like a fireball on the horizon.
It was… magical.
She fulfilled a childhood dream of mine I didn't even know I still had.
And despite her cold attitude, sarcastic tone, and complete inability to admit when she's flustered, I love her.
I love her so much it hurts sometimes.
And I love this little family we've somehow created.
– Yuuta Konuari
I closed the diary with a soft thud, resting my fingers on the cover as if sealing a treasure chest.
"Phew," I exhaled, rubbing my temples with a tired but happy smile. "This one's definitely going in the archives."
Someday, I'll show it to them. When we're older. When Elena's grown. When Erza's finally learned to admit she enjoys my company. Maybe we'll sit by the fireplace, flipping through these old pages, laughing at how awkward and embarrassing I was.
Speaking of which…
I glanced at Elena, now laying flat on the floor, kicking her feet lazily.
I wonder what she'll look like as a grown-up. Probably the most beautiful girl in the world, with her mom's sharp features and that smile that melts hearts. I just hope, no, pray, she keeps her kind, gentle soul.
And then… the terrifying thought hit me.
Someday… she's going to introduce me to her boyfriend.
"Dad, this is my new boyfriend from Blue dragon clan! Isn't he cool?"
No.
Absolutely not.
I raised my hand to the sky like a wise sage casting away evil.
"No boyfriends until you're at least forty," I declared aloud. "No, make it fifty. And even then, only if he's a monk."
In my head, the scenario kept playing.
"Dad, I'm going to marry him."
"No. Stop. Delete. Rewind."
My eye twitched.
And just as I was waving away this mental nightmare, the doorbell rang.
Ding-dong!
I flinched. The timing was suspiciously perfect.
Then came a cheerful shout from the front door:
"Congratulations!!"
I stood up slowly.
Eyes narrowed.
A chill ran down my spine.
"Don't tell me… it's the wedding invitation already…"
Elena's tiny hand slipped into her husband's, yes, that abomination of a word, and she gave me a dazzling smile.
"Dad," she said, already halfway down the stairs. "We'll be going now. Bye-bye!"
"No!" I shouted, reaching out as if my heart had physically detached itself and started running away. "Don't call me Dad! You used to say Papa! What happened to 'Papa'?!"
They just kept walking.
Down the stairs.
Into the abyss of betrayal.
I chased them, stumbling like a tragic hero in slow motion.
"No! Come back!" I gasped, clutching my chest. "Elena… please… give me back my daughter!"
Tears welled up. One rolled dramatically down my cheek like a scene from a cheap soap opera.
"You said, you said you'd marry my choice, when you grow up!"
SLAP.
A meteor hit my face.
No, wait. That was Erza's hand.
My eyes flew open.
"OW!" I yelled, recoiling like I'd been hit by the goddess of war herself. "Why does it hurt so much?!"
Standing over me, looking less like my wife and more like an ancient executioner, was Erza.
Eyes glowing. Jaw clenched. Aura: murderous.
"Good morning, Erza!" I said quickly, forcing a grin that definitely looked more like a nervous twitch. "My lovely, elegant, terrifying wife!"
She leaned in, voice sharp enough to cut steel.
"What. Were. You. Dreaming. About?"
I gulped.
"Well, to be honest, it wasn't anything serious," I replied with a nervous laugh. "Just a little nightmare. You know how dreams are. Strange things happen, people say strange things, and sometimes your daughter suddenly gets married to a complete stranger—"
I stopped speaking.
Erza stared at me.
"...Married?"
I scratched my cheek, realizing a little too late that I'd said more than I intended.
"Ah. Did I say that out loud?"
"Explain, mortal."
Her voice was as cold as ever, but I could see a hint of curiosity behind those violet eyes. Apparently, even the great White Dragon Queen wasn't immune to the occasional piece of family gossip.
I sighed and leaned back against my chair. There was no point hiding it now, especially when my wife was looking at me as though I'd committed some terrible crime.
"I dreamed that Elena had grown up and brought home a dragon man she wanted to marry."
Erza blinked.
For a moment, she seemed genuinely surprised. Then her expression returned to its usual indifference.
"Is that all?"
"...Is that all?"
"Yes. Why are you making such a fuss over it? Shouldn't you be happy?"
I stared at her in disbelief. I'd expected at least a little concern, perhaps even some understanding from a fellow parent. Instead, my wife looked as though I'd interrupted her morning over something completely trivial.
"Erza, our daughter was getting married!" I exclaimed, hoping she'd finally understand the gravity of the situation.
"And?"
I froze.
"...What do you mean, and?"
Erza raised an eyebrow.
"She was holding another man's hand! Another man, Erza! Not mine, not yours, not Grandpa's, but some complete stranger's!"
Erza looked toward Elena, who was still happily watching her cartoon, completely unaware that her future love life had become the subject of a heated discussion.
Then she turned back to me.
"Mortal, our daughter is four years old."
"I KNOW THAT!"
"Then why are you troubling yourself over something that may not happen for centuries?"
I opened my mouth to argue, but unfortunately, she had a point.
A very annoying point.
Still, that didn't mean I was going to surrender.
"Listen, Erza. Someday, some strange man is going to appear at our doorstep, hold Elena's hand, and ask for our blessing. Doesn't that bother you even a little?"
"No."
Her answer came so quickly that I wondered whether she'd even considered the question.
"...Seriously?"
"Elena shall decide whom she wishes to love. It is not our place to dictate her future."
I stared at my wife.
Sometimes, I genuinely wondered whether this woman had a heart made of ice.
"So you're telling me that if some random man comes here tomorrow and asks to marry our daughter, you'll just agree?"
Erza slowly turned her head toward me.
"Mortal."
"Yes?"
"She's four."
"...Right."
"Try using that brain of yours before speaking."
I sighed and rubbed my forehead. Fine, perhaps I was being a little unreasonable. After all, Elena was still a child, and I was worrying about something that might not happen for hundreds of years.
Still, I couldn't help glancing toward her.
She was now singing along with the television, her tiny feet kicking happily against the carpet. Looking at that innocent little face, I found it difficult to imagine her growing up and leaving us someday.
"Still, I just don't want anyone to hurt her," I admitted quietly. "She's so little right now. She trusts everyone, smiles at everyone... What if someday she gives that same trust to someone who doesn't deserve it?"
Erza didn't answer immediately.
When I looked up, I found her watching our daughter. Her expression remained unreadable, but the irritation in her eyes had softened.
For several moments, she remained silent.
Then she spoke.
"Then she shall learn."
I frowned.
"Learn?"
"That is part of living, mortal. She will make mistakes, suffer disappointments, and encounter people unworthy of her kindness. Neither you nor I can shield her from every sorrow."
I lowered my gaze, considering her words.
As much as I hated admitting it, she was right. Elena couldn't remain a little girl forever. Someday, she'd grow up, make decisions without asking Papa, and discover a world beyond the safety of our home.
And when that day came, I'd have to learn to trust her.
I let out a long sigh.
"Being a father is harder than I thought."
"Hmph. You are only now realizing that?"
I chuckled.
"Thanks for the encouragement, Erza."
She ignored my sarcasm and turned toward the kitchen, apparently satisfied that our discussion had reached its conclusion.
Unfortunately for her, I still had one question.
"Actually, Erza..."
She stopped.
"What now, mortal?"
"Suppose Elena really does bring someone home someday."
"Enough, mortal. We have other matters to attend to."
"Just hypothetically! Think about it for a moment."
Erza closed her eyes briefly, as though gathering the patience required to tolerate another one of my questions.
"..."
"And suppose he's a good man. Kind, responsible, respectful, all that."
"Get to the point."
I smiled.
"Would you really let him marry her?"
Erza remained silent for a moment before turning toward me.
"Of course."
I blinked.
"...Really?"
"Naturally."
Wow.
I hadn't expected that.
Perhaps my wife was more open-minded than I'd given her credit for. Here I was imagining terrible possibilities, while Erza seemed perfectly willing to accept that our daughter would eventually have a life of her own.
I smiled, feeling somewhat relieved.
"Well, that's reassuring."
Erza continued walking toward the kitchen.
Then she added casually:
"Provided he survives."
My smile disappeared.
"...What?"
She stopped near the doorway.
"I said, provided he survives."
I stared at her.
"Survives what?"
Erza looked over her shoulder, her expression perfectly composed.
"The examination."
I slowly stood up.
"...Examination?"
"Naturally. A man seeking the hand of a princess of Atlantis must demonstrate that he is worthy."
I swallowed.
"What kind of examination are we talking about?"
Erza considered the question for a moment.
"His character, loyalty, strength, intelligence, and ability to protect her."
I nodded thoughtfully.
"Well, that sounds reasonable."
"Then there shall be the trials."
"...Trials?"
"Combat, endurance, resistance to magical attacks, and several other assessments."
I stared at her.
"Erza."
"What?"
"You're describing military recruitment."
"Am I?"
"YES!"
Erza folded her arms, and the temperature in the room seemed to drop. A faint pressure spread from her body as her violet eyes narrowed, reminding me that the woman standing before me was not merely my wife.
She was the White Dragon Queen.
"Would you prefer I entrust our daughter to some weakling incapable of defending himself?"
"Well, no, but—"
The rest of my argument died in my throat. The cold authority in her voice made it rather difficult to continue disagreeing, especially when I could practically feel the threat hidden beneath her calm expression.
"Then I see no issue."
I rubbed my forehead.
Good grief.
And here I thought I was the overprotective parent.
Erza was operating on an entirely different level. I was worried about some fellow breaking Elena's heart, while my wife was apparently preparing to test whether the poor man deserved to remain alive.
I almost felt sorry for him.
Almost.
"Fine," I sighed. "At least tell me what the final trial is."
Erza looked at me.
Then, without the slightest change in her expression, she replied:
"He must withstand one strike from me."
Silence.
I stared at her.
"...One strike?"
"Yes."
"From you?"
"Obviously."
I slowly sat back down.
Well.
That settled it.
Our daughter was never getting married.
Forget the Blue Dragon Clan. Forget the Black Dragon Clan. At this rate, even the strongest warriors of Atlantis would think twice before approaching our doorstep.
And honestly?
I was beginning to feel a little grateful.
Then another thought occurred to me.
"Wait. Erza, how many people have actually survived one of your serious attacks?"
She looked at me.
I looked at her.
A few seconds passed.
"...Erza?"
She turned away.
"That is irrelevant."
"ERZA!"
But my wife had already disappeared into the kitchen, leaving me alone with a rather disturbing question.
I sat there for several moments, unable to decide whether I should laugh or cry.
Then I glanced toward Elena.
She was still watching Dragon Boy, completely unaware that her future husband would apparently have to survive an encounter with the White Dragon Queen.
I sighed.
"Poor guy."
Just then, Elena turned toward me.
"Papa!"
"Yes, sweetheart?"
She smiled brightly.
"When Elena big, Elena marry Papa!"
I froze.
From the kitchen, something shattered.
CRASH!
I slowly turned my head.
"...Erza?"
Silence.
Then my wife's voice came from the kitchen.
"MORTAL."
Oh, dear.
"Sweetheart, I can explain—"
"WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN TEACHING OUR DAUGHTER?!"
"NOTHING! I SWEAR!"
Elena giggled, apparently delighted by the sudden commotion.
And just like that, my peaceful morning came to an end.
Later that afternoon, I opened my diary again.
Beneath yesterday's beautiful memories, I added one final entry.
Dear Diary,
Today, I learned two things.
First, my daughter is growing up far too quickly.
Second, whoever marries her will need more than my blessing.
He'll need a miracle.
— Yuuta Kounari
To be continued...