I, Viretta, Am Going to Hunt a Dragon

"I'm not asking you to marry me. I'm not even asking you to like me. Iola is a good man, and you can live happily without ever catching a dragon."

Ranken squeezed out his emotions, as if confessing.

It would be troublesome if Viretta misunderstood his feelings. He didn’t want to take their relationship a step further.

He knew it wouldn’t work. It wasn’t about status or wealth, if it were a relationship that could work, it would have already worked by now.

He didn’t expect that much. Marriage or romance were things Ranken couldn’t even imagine for himself.

"If you don’t like Iola, I’ll help you find another man you like. Do whatever you want. I’m on your side."

Ranken knew exactly what he meant to Viretta.

They had seen each other at their lowest, both being friends, older siblings, and younger siblings, and also guardians who were, in turn, protected by each other like steadfast knights.

"No matter what you become, no matter how many times you fail, I’ll always be there. I’ll help you with whatever you want. There will never be a moment I’m disappointed in you."

Tears, clear as day, soaked the ground beneath Ranken's feet. He wiped them away with his palm.

"Is that not enough?"@@novelbin@@

He couldn’t worship her like Iola did, endlessly adoring her.

But could he still be there with her when she was at rock bottom?

Ranken didn’t ask for anything grand.

All he wished was for Viretta to stay alive, to keep boasting and throwing herself into reckless challenges, just as she always had.