Morning arrived slowly—like a reluctant truth.
Riko woke with a sharp inhale.
He expected—
A hospital ceiling.
Harsh white lights.
The steady beep… beep… beep… of machines measuring a dying man's life.
His old world.
Instead—
A small, warm hand patted his head.
He blinked.
Soft fabric beneath him. A steady warmth behind his back.
He was lying on Leo's lap.
The boy looked down at him with sparkling eyes, fingers gently stroking between his tiny horns.
"Good boy, Shadow."
Riko's eye twitched.
Say that again. I dare you.
He wanted to bite that hand.
Badly.
But his body felt heavy. Fragile. Pathetically small.
Hatchling weak.
Even lifting his head took effort.
…Not worth it.
Leo carefully lowered him onto the bed and reattached the chain to his collar.
Click.
The sound echoed louder than it should have.
Riko stared at it.
"Stay here, okay?" Leo said brightly before skipping toward the bathroom.
Water began running.
Riko sat there in silence.
"…bruh."
He hopped down from the bed and padded toward a tall mirror attached to a wardrobe.
He stopped.
A small black dragon stared back.
Glossy midnight scales that shimmered faintly in the morning light.
Bright blue eyes.
Tiny curved horns.
Delicate cheek fins that fluttered when he breathed.
Slim, almost elegant frame.
He tilted his head.
The dragon tilted its head.
"…."
He raised a claw.
The reflection did the same.
"…."
This wasn't a dream.
The bathroom door opened.
Leo stepped out, drying his silver hair with a towel.
At the same time, the bedroom door opened.
Lord Vinson entered.
Calm. Composed. Gloved hands adjusting with quiet precision. His gaze was sharp—the kind that measured value in a single glance.
"So," Vinson said mildly, "how is the dragon? Is it behaving?"
Leo beamed. "Yes! He's the best dragon. Look at him!"
Riko stiffened.
Don't call me that.
Vinson approached without hesitation.
Riko instinctively hissed—
"HISSS—"
Low. Sharp. Defensive.
Vinson didn't flinch.
He crouched and firmly grasped Riko's chin, tilting his head left, then right. Inspecting teeth. Eyes. Scale alignment. Horn growth.
His grip was steady. Clinical.
Riko froze.
Those eyes—
Such strong gazes.
Predatory.
Assessing.
He hated how powerless he felt.
"Oh," Vinson said casually. "And by the way… it's a female."
Silence.
The words hit harder than the accident that killed him.
"So I'm not sure 'Shadow' is a fitting name."
Leo giggled. "Hehe… I think she looks pretty."
Riko slowly turned his face away.
Inside?
He was spiraling.
Why…
Why, gods…
You took my life… my body… and now my manhood too?!
"MIIII—!"
Leo clasped his hands together. "Aww! She looks shy!"
Riko's eye twitched violently.
(Shy my ass, kid.)
"mii…"
Vinson stood and brushed invisible dust from his sleeve.
"Breakfast. Keep the chain on her for a week or two. Let her get used to the estate."
Riko's heart sank.
(Just kill me.)
—
Breakfast was humiliation served warm.
Riko sat beside the long dining table, her chain clipped to a heavy wooden chair.
The air was torture.
Freshly baked bread.
Melted butter.
Roasted meat.
Spiced eggs.
Meanwhile—
She sat on the floor.
Leo swung his legs happily from his seat.
"Here you go, Mia!"
A piece of chicken dropped near her.
Then beef.
Riko stared at it.
Silence.
Leo looked up. "Dad, what do you think? Her name is Mia now."
Vinson took a sip of tea. "Short. Elegant. Acceptable."
Riko blinked slowly.
Inside?
I had a name.
It was Riko.
But survival > pride.
She lowered her head.
And ate.
—
After breakfast, Mia was led outside.
The chain tugged lightly as Leo walked ahead.
She followed.
Not obedient.
Just unwilling to be yanked again.
The estate garden stretched wide and pristine. Trimmed hedges. Stone paths. Bright flowers blooming under golden sunlight.
"Hey, Leo! What you got?"
A boy popped out from behind a bush.
Leo grinned. "Oh, hi Xavier! My dad brought me a dragon. Look at her!"
Xavier's eyes widened. "Woah! That's awesome! Can I pet her?"
Mia slowly turned her head.
Her pupils narrowed.
"HISSSSSSSSS."
Both boys froze.
Leo laughed awkwardly. "I don't think so… she's grumpy. Bad girl, Mia. No hissing."
Riko's eye twitched.
(Bro… what the actual hell.)
"mii."
Leo grabbed Xavier's arm. "Let's go play. Dad said she shouldn't stay outside too long."
And just like that—
She was lifted.
Like a puppy.
Carried back inside.
Her dignity?
Gone.
Leo tied her to a wooden post in the yard.
Mia sat stiffly.
(What am I? A dog?)
"Miiii…"
Throughout the day, maids passed by.
Some squealed.
"Oh my, she's adorable!"
"Look at her scales—so glossy!"
One dared to step closer.
"Miss Mia~ don't be grumpy, hm?"
A hand reached.
"HISSS—!"
The maid jumped back.
"Ah! She's fierce!"
Another giggled. "Of course she is. She's a noble dragon."
They still placed down a bowl of meat.
And when Mia tried to turn away—
One gently tapped her head anyway.
"Eat well and grow strong, little lady."
Riko's internal screaming intensified.
Little lady??
Later, Lord Vinson passed through the yard.
He stopped in front of her.
"Oh hey, Mia. Missing my son already?"
Her blue eyes narrowed.
(Miss my ass, mf.)
"MIIIIIIIIII."
Vinson chuckled softly.
"Good girl."
(UGH…)
"Mi…"
She pulled at the chain again.
Twisting. Backing up. Leaning forward.
Nothing.
It didn't loosen.
Didn't weaken.
Didn't snap.
Time dragged.
Eventually—
Leo came running back.
"There you are!"
She was lifted again.
Then—
Leo paused.
He sniffed.
His face twisted.
"Eww… you dragons smell bad."
He turned.
"Miss Korbi! Can you wash her please?"
Mia's brain short-circuited.
WHAT???
A tall maid approached—brown hair tied neatly, sleeves already rolled.
"Yes, Young Master," Miss Korbi said warmly. "Leave little Miss Mia to us."
Little Miss.
Riko wanted to evaporate.
She was carried to a bathing area.
A large stone tub filled with warm water. She was tied to the side.
She snapped when a maid leaned too close
A maid yelped "Ahh.. Miss Korbi ?"
—
Click.
A muzzle fastened over her snout.
Her eyes widened in pure betrayal.
Miss Korbi crouched in front of her, smiling gently.
"Now now, don't glare at me like that. Clean dragons are happy dragons."
Riko thoughts "I WILL REMEMBER YOUR FACE."
Water poured over her scales.
Warm.
Soap followed.
Foamy bubbles formed along her wings.
Two maids scrubbed carefully.
"Her scales are softer than I expected."
"Brush between the fins—gently."
Mia thrashed uselessly.
"Mmmph! MMMMPH!!"
Miss Korbi chuckled. "Such a spirited little lady. You'll break hearts when you grow up."
(I'm going to break chains first!!!) Miiiiiii
"She really is grumpy"
They rinsed her thoroughly.
Dried her with soft towels.
And finally—
Miss Korbi tied a small black ribbon around one of her tiny horns.
"There. Perfect."
Mia sat there.
Silent.
Defeated.
Dripping pride.
Moments later—
Leo ran in again.
"Is she done?!"
Miss korbi scoops up Mia and gave to Leo "Yes young master,"
He scooped her up immediately.
And hugged her tightly—
" your smell good now,"
Riko, no, Mia littary just getting Ultimate pats..