(Zephirion's POV)

I should have been at peace.

The castle was safe. The throne was mine. Keiran was gone, and with him, the last threat that dared to challenge me.

But instead of enjoying my well-earned rest, I found myself suffering.

Because of her.

Aeris.

And those two damn traitors-Valerian and Caelum.

It started small.

A harmless little prank.

A misplaced item. A rearranged room.

But soon, it escalated into an all-out war.

---

The Morning from Hell

I should have known the day would be ruined the moment I woke up.

The bed felt warmer than usual. A little too warm.

When I opened my eyes, a large, drooling baby dragon stared directly into my soul.

Before I could react, it screeched and pounced on me.

I shoved it off, only to realize there were more.

Four-no, five-baby dragons were now jumping on me, licking, cuddling, and crushing me under their weight.

Through the open door, a familiar voice greeted me.

"Good morning, Zephy~"

Aeris.

I knew it.

I pushed a dragon off my face and glared at her. "Aeris."

"Yes?"

"Get. Them. Out."

She blinked innocently. "Out? Oh no, Zephy. They love you. You wouldn't want to break their little hearts, would you?"

Before I could throw her out the window, Valerian entered the room, smirking. "Oh, look at that. The great and mighty Black Dragon... a father to baby dragons. How touching."

I glared at him. "This is your fault too, isn't it?"

Caelum leaned against the doorframe, sipping tea. "I don't know. I think they suit you."

One of the baby dragons curled up in my lap, refusing to move.

I closed my eyes and exhaled slowly.

This was only the beginning.

---

The Wardrobe Disaster

The next day, I went to my wardrobe, expecting my usual set of dark robes.

Instead, I was met with pure horror.

Bright colors.

Pink flowers.

Cartoon dragons.

And the worst of them all-a robe covered in pink embroidery that read:

"Zephy's Cozy Sleepwear."

I stared at it.

My entire soul left my body.

I turned around slowly.

Aeris, Valerian, and Caelum stood behind me, barely holding in their laughter.

I held up the pink robe. "...Who?"

Valerian burst into laughter. "I gotta admit, the pink one suits you."

Aeris wiped fake tears from her eyes. "This is truly a moment to cherish."

I wanted to burn everything.

---

The Tea Incident

The torture continued.

One evening, as I sat in my throne room, I took a sip of my favorite tea.

And immediately spat it out.

It was sweet.

Sickeningly sweet.

Aeris sat across from me, stirring her own tea as if nothing was wrong.

"Something wrong, Zephirion?"

I looked at the cup as if it had personally betrayed me. "This isn't my tea."

Caelum grinned. "Oh, we just added twenty spoons of sugar."

I set the cup down carefully.

Valerian nudged Aeris. "I think he's broken."

Aeris sipped her tea. "Not yet. But soon."

I prayed for patience.

---

The Feather Catastrophe

Then came the worst of them all.

I returned to my chambers late at night, exhausted.

I pulled back the blankets, ready to collapse-

And was immediately buried under hundreds of feathers.

I lay there, motionless.

Outside the door, laughter echoed.

Slowly, I sat up, feathers falling around me.

I inhaled deeply.

And then-

"AERIS!!!"

---

The Chase

Aeris ran.

I chased her through the halls, murder in my eyes.

Valerian and Caelum ran beside her, laughing.

"I think we've finally pushed him too far," Caelum smirked.

"Hmm, probably," Aeris giggled.

I growled. "I'LL BURN THIS ENTIRE CASTLE DOWN!!!"

Aeris turned mid-run and smiled sweetly. "You wouldn't."

I stopped in my tracks.

I wouldn't.

I wanted to.

But I wouldn't.

And she knew it.

---

Enough Is Enough

As I stood there, seething, I made a decision.

This would not continue.

Aeris thought she had won?

No.

She had no idea who she was dealing with.

I was the Black Dragon.

And I would have my revenge.

Aeris would pay for this.

Soon.

A smirk spread across my lips.

She had no idea what was coming.

I had tolerated enough.

Days of humiliation. Countless pranks. Endless laughter at my expense.

It was time for revenge.

Aeris thought she could make my life hell?

She had no idea who she was dealing with.

As she and the other two idiots-Valerian and Caelum-gloated over their latest prank, I made my move.

I grabbed her waist and yanked her towards me.

She barely had time to react before I lifted her into my arms, carrying her bridal style.

Her smug smile vanished.

"W-Wait, what are you doing?!" she yelped, struggling in my hold.

I looked down at her with a smirk. "You love playing with children, don't you? So why not... make them?"

Her entire face turned red.

"W-WHAT?!"

I turned toward Valerian and Caelum, who were already dying of laughter.

"Do not disturb us," I announced, walking away with Aeris still in my arms. "I will be busy... making children."

Aeris screamed.

"PUT ME DOWN, YOU BLACK LIZARD!!!"

But before I could take another step, I suddenly froze.

A wicked grin spread across both Valerian and Caelum's faces.

And then-they attacked.

"UNCLE! ZEPIIIII!" they yelled in unison, tickling my sides without mercy.

I jerked, nearly dropping Aeris in the process.

"STOP THAT, YOU FOOLS!" I growled, trying to dodge their hands.

But they only laughed harder.

"WE'RE GONNA BE UNCLES SOON!" Valerian announced dramatically.

"I CAN'T WAIT TO SPOIL THE LITTLE HATCHLING!" Caelum added, grinning ear to ear.

Aeris stared at them in horror.

"W-WHAT?! STOP SAYING THAT, YOU IDIOTS!!!" she shrieked, kicking her legs.

This was a disaster.

My plan to fluster her was backfiring on me instead.

Valerian and Caelum didn't stop.

They kept tickling me, yelling about being uncles, and laughing like lunatics.

Aeris, somehow, managed to wiggle out of my arms in the chaos.

And the moment she landed on her feet-she bolted.

"RUN FOR YOUR LIFE, AERIS!" Valerian cackled.

"ESCAPE THE EVIL CLUTCHES OF BLACK LIZARD!" Caelum added.

Aeris didn't need to be told twice.

She raced down the hall, her laughter mixing with their chaos.

I stood there, fuming.

I was going to kill them.

And as for Aeris?

She wasn't getting away that easily.