You understood that no one but you could rule the kingdom of Ioni. Your mother died in childbirth, and your father after the last uprising. Back then, power barely held on.

A big position means big responsibility. Sleep became a sacred reward, and serene walks were only a dream. (Although you haven't dreamed for a long time due to fatigue.)

Everything was going horribly wrong. You trusted no one but yourself—who would do the job properly?

No one.

And so you toiled. Today, a reception, tomorrow, another case: here someone was robbed to raise taxes, there someone was killed for a promotion, or maybe even a rebellion would break out due to famine in the faithful lands.

Advisor Noah, who was at your father's right hand, became more of a servant: he brought documents, a detailed plan for the day, and checked the smallest letters. You ignored his advice, but only the man ensured you didn't collapse prematurely: they brought food and potions for fatigue. After all, you are your father's sole heir; to whom else should the throne be handed over?

You became a recluse. Always tired, now wearing round glasses because your eyesight was terrible. You knew all the signed documents by heart, but the paranoia persisted. You would jump up at night and fly around the office, double-checking the papers. Once you even woke up as prescribed: the advisor decided to play it safe, just so he wouldn't find you unpacked in the hallway in the morning. A little more—and no ropes would hold you back.

But just as you were beginning to get used to this rhythm, which was already surprising, new news arrived.

A dragon is building a nest not far from the village.

The villagers are not happy with this neighborhood, although the new "neighbor" was quiet and had no intention of burning or eating anyone. But in any case, the problem is serious and urgent. Fighting the dragon is stupid and expensive. So, we must speak up. The lizard will understand you, right?

For two nights, you pored over ink and paper, crafting the perfect speech. What if you fail? What if he attacks? Doubts lingered until sleep fell upon your notes. In the morning, you woke up with ink smeared across your face, but ignored the advisor's words. No time to preen. The safety of the village, and possibly the kingdom, was at stake if this dragon turned out to be unfriendly! Hastily, you put on your glasses and rushed out of the palace—and on the way, you realized: the papers had been left in the office.

"Oh, damn..." you cursed.*

But there was nowhere to retreat.

The dragon didn't seem to care. Tyr was fine: they would come for him. But he had no intention of leaving. Three hundred years ago, he'd marked the earth with a stone with a paw print, and people had turned it over in the cemetery. From his point of view, they only lived here because he was gone. And now some king thought he'd talk to him? Ridiculous. Boredom overtook Tyr, who awoke to find you standing before him.

And that was it. Love at first sight. Beautiful, slightly worn, with huge eyes (and it didn't matter if it was because of the glasses), strange spots on their face (he decided they were a very cute new breed of human). You tried to say something, stumbling over your words, but the dragon was already nodding along with all the conditions of this charm. Yes, you turned out to be the "charm." Unfortunately. The dragon not only didn't listen to you, but he also didn't want to leave. From then on, you had a clingy lizard who was determined to win your heart in strange ways. And you had already returned to the castle, thinking the conflict was resolved, unaware that the dragon hadn't listened to you.

Now Tyr was resolutely expanding the nest: hauling branches, skins, and precious jewels—preparing it for a shared life. But there was no romance there. Flowers? Nonsense. But he brought you a fur coat made from a rare beast, and even the carcass of a huge buffalo, "so that his 'beloved' wouldn't starve," and you could only find these on the castle balcony. In his thoughts, he had already married you, without even asking your opinion. He understood that you needed time, so he was content with a long-distance relationship. He suffered for a long time to nobly give you time, but within five days, he was already in your bed.

For you, this morning unfolded as usual. You stretched, opened your eyes, and saw a half-naked guy with horns and a tail. He didn't look like a cat. More like an insolent male.

"Good morning, my dear," Tyr said without a shred of shame, wrapping his tail around you. "When are we going to move into the nest and start raising a family?"

Yes, the dragon was clearly in a hurry... too much.

All hell broke loose. You cursed worse than the stable hand Ben, throwing yourself at the dragon and trying to drive it out of your bedroom like a demon. Advisor Noah came running at your screams. He froze in utter bewilderment. But you'd already noticed Tyr glaring at Noah. Was the lizard really that jealous? You don't need the advisor's corpse! No! Not this morning! You haven't had your coffee yet for this!

*You lost your whiskey "If you continue... I..." Your eyes darted around, trying to think of a reason. You'd heard that dragons were more stubborn than donkeys, which meant something more substantial was needed. "Then I... would be very upset!" You exhale, trying to look like you were dying "Actually, I have a weak heart and I can't worry unnecessarily!"

Noah is at first confused by the scene, but then he supports this “mini-theater” and nods "Yes, yes... the lady has it on her father’s side"

It was clear that Tyr had visibly tensed up. Smoke stopped pouring from his mouth, his eyes, or rather his pupils, had gone from vertical to more human-like, and he seemed to shrink.

You continued this theater, placing your hand on your chest "But there it is again, stabbing in your chest!" You muttered, and Noah helped her sit down on a chair "Please, leave me. I need rest." You turned to Noah "Bring a doctor..."

Tyr froze, genuinely afraid for the first time that evening. "No! I mean..." He took a sharp step back, nearly jumping. His draconic self-confidence instantly evaporated. "I'm leaving. Right now. No need for a healer! You... get well soon, my precious!" With these words, he quickly headed for the window (because doors were too boring for such decorum) and quickly disappeared, transforming into a huge dark green dragon.

When Tyr flew away, you and Noah simultaneously exhaled in relief. "It seems to have worked..." You stood up from your chair and quickly closed the balcony door "I swear, I'll never sleep with the window open again..."

You spent the whole day trying to figure out how to get the dragon off your back. This clingy lizard wasn't part of your plan for rule! You read and looked for ways to "save" yourself from such attention. But in the end, you fell asleep at the table again, buried in a book about dragons

The morning began with an unexpected warm draft caressing her cheek. Kyumi barely had time to open her eyes when she felt someone's hand on her shoulder... "Wake up, my precious."

Tir sat on the edge of the table (how did he even manage not to crush him?!), holding... a bouquet? No—it was bundles of medicinal herbs, neatly tied with ribbons of dragon scales.

"I was thinking... if you don't accept meat and skin, I could have something healthy!" He proudly held out the "gift," clearly pleased with himself. "Everything for your health. And I'm quiet! I didn't scare anyone today."

The book about dragons still lay open in front of you, with a page marked “Vulnerabilities: silver and… one’s own overprotectiveness”