The Dragon Lord's Aide Wants to Quit [BL]-Chapter 287: Before Everyone

Chapter 287: Before Everyone
Thankfully, before the dawn of internet addiction, one nervous black dragon managed to convince his mate and fiancé that it would be best to inform everyone about what had just happened to them.
It wasn’t that Riley expected total chaos. He imagined a little teasing. Maybe a bit of scolding. Some dramatic gasps and possibly one or two sighs from his new familiar especially after they actually saw what was on his finger.
Then again, it wasn’t like they were eloping when they had actually been at this for centuries now.
But what he didn’t anticipate was immediate, concentrated outrage from a very specific source.
"DO IT AGAIN!"
Orien’s voice echoed through the room with the raw injustice of a betrayed golden baby dragon. His little claws clenched at his sides as his tail lashed behind him, eyes blazing like the world had personally wronged him.
"That’s not fair!" The dragonling continued, pointing accusingly at both Kael and Riley. "We didn’t see it! That’s cheating! How can you do that without showing it to us?!"
Kael, who had just rolled his eyes, opened his mouth, clearly prepared to say something probably too sensible.
Thankfully, the calmer being beat him to it for the sake of the children.
"Well, it wasn’t particularly intentional," Riley said gently. "It just... happened. Also, I didn’t think you’d want to witness a proposal when it’s mainly a human tradition."
Besides, Riley couldn’t have any witnesses because he hadn’t exactly been dressed for the occasion. Also, as someone who had a momentary meltdown, having an audience would have sent him digging for his own grave.
"Isn’t that WORSE," Orien snapped immediately. "If we didn’t see that then when else would we see it?!"
His wings puffed up indignantly, making him look twice his size.
"I should’ve been there," the baby dragon muttered darkly.
Unfortunately for the little one, his impassioned outburst only made the adults struggle to contain their laughter harder.
Lady Cirila smiled fondly and stepped in before the dragonling could work himself into a full spiral.
"Orien, when you grow up," she said calmly, "and if you decide to follow human engagement traditions in the future, then you should definitely invite everyone. That way, everyone can bear witness to how you would profess your affection."
The room went quiet.
Orien froze.
"Huh?"
"...Profess?" he repeated slowly.
His golden eyes widened in horror.
"Yes, profess. Because humans don’t have mating bonds like we do. So instead of having resonance, they have to talk about their feelings. That’s what an engagement proposal is all about. You’d ask if your partner wants to be with you, and if they say yes, then you can move on to the next step."
"Out loud?" he asked, wide-eyed.
"Of course. Humans aren’t mind readers. So they’d have to actually voice it out."
"In front of people?"
"Well, if others watch then it’d be in front of people."
His face scrunched up as if the very idea terrorized him. "W-why would I even want to propose?!"
Lady Cirila, who was trying not to smile said, "Because humans are a little different. And they won’t know how you feel unless you tell them."
"What! They have to be told?! How can’t they know?!"
"Shouldn’t they just know?" He added in shock.
"Unfortunately, they won’t. Of course, your actions could help show it, but it would be impolite not to say anything."
"And since you said it was something you should have witnessed, when you’re older you should invite us all."
"!!!"
He crossed his arms and puffed out his cheeks. "N-no thanks! Uncle didn’t do that!"
Kael blinked.
Riley finally burst out laughing.
Orien pointed at Kael triumphantly. "SEE? Uncle didn’t do it in front of us! So why would I have to?!"
His ears turned red. His wings drooped just a little. "Who even professes affection in front of everyone anyway?! That’s ridiculous!"
"What are you talking about when you do it every day?" Kael finally spoke.
"Huh?"
"Aren’t you the one who always insists on ’mine this, mine that’?" The golden dragon lord rolled his eyes much to the horror of the tiny dragonling.
"For someone who professes every day, you sure are one to talk."
Gasp!
The room erupted.
Laughter filled the space, warm and unrestrained. Riley wiped at the corner of his eyes, still chuckling.
But then came a sound that cut right through it all.
A sniffle.
Riley barely had time to register it before a small body crashed into his waist.
"Ooof!"
Liam buried his face into Riley’s side, arms wrapping around him tightly as tears soaked through his shirt. "Huhuhu... Brother," he sobbed.
"Aww... What’s wrong, baby?" Green eyes softened after the initial shock.
Hic!
"I-i’m happy but also s-sad but also really happy and i-it’s too much!"
Riley’s laughter faded into a heartfelt smile.
"Oh," he murmured, one hand coming up to gently pet Liam’s hair. "Hey. It’s okay."
Liam clung tighter.
Riley said softly. "We just have a bigger family now. You’re even going to be related to one more dragon!"
"!"
The words seemed to jolt Liam a little, though the sniffles continued. For a child who lived for dragons that didn’t sound bad at all.
Riley smiled and looked around, instinctively searching for someone who might help reassure the little baby further.
That was when he noticed.
Apparently, Liam wasn’t the only one crying.
__
The newly engaged ex-human was stunned when he noticed his mother.
She stood a little off to the side, one hand covering her mouth, shoulders trembling as happy tears streamed freely down her face. She was smiling so wide it almost hurt to look at, eyes shining with joy, relief, and excitement.
That alone already had his chest tightening.
But then his gaze shifted.
And Riley froze.
Because his father had moved.
Lawrence Hale had always been a quiet presence. Sure there was a time when he seemed withdrawn and rather hesitant, but it wouldn’t have been easy to see when he was the type of person who never demanded attention.
He spoke when it mattered, listened more than he talked, and carried himself with the calm assurance of someone who had long since accepted responsibility as a fact of life. Only now did his illness show in the thinner lines of his frame and the slower cadence of his steps.
So when Riley saw him take a step forward, then another, his breath caught.
Now on top of everything else, this wasn’t something he had expected.
Especially not from his father.
Their relationship had changed for the better after the truth came out. There was truly a lot more understanding and certainly a lot more appreciation for the man who could have simply walked away.
And yet despite things altering the course of his entire life, his father had chosen to stay. He had endured. And had done the best he could in his capacity.
Thankfully, it hadn’t been too late for them. That Riley still had the time to realize the kind of integrity his father really had, and just how strong he really was to be able to hold everything in with such composure.
And yet here he was.
Lawrence stopped in front of Kael.
Slowly, carefully, he lowered himself.
"Dad?" Riley whispered, startled.
But his father continued.
Despite his frailty, despite the visible strain in his movements, Lawrence knelt on the ground before the golden dragon lord with a dignity that left the room utterly silent.
Riley’s heart lurched.
Lawrence bowed his head slightly, then lifted his gaze, eyes wet but steady.
"Dragon Lord Kael Dravaryn," he said, his voice quiet yet firm. "I greet you with respect."
Kael stiffened immediately.
The kneeling man took a slow breath.
"As you know, I am human," he continued, fingers curling slightly against his knee. "Compared to what is at stake, there is little I can offer and little I can demand."
His gaze flicked briefly to Riley, softening.
"But Riley is my son."
Riley’s vision blurred.
"I ask you," Lawrence said, voice trembling just a little now, "please take care of him."
The words were simple.
But they carried everything.
"Treasure him," Lawrence went on, swallowing thickly, "as we have treasured him. Protect him. Stand by him. Even when it is difficult."
He bowed his head again.
Riley felt tears spill over before he could stop them.
In that moment, he saw it all. The father who used to lift him onto his shoulders. The man who would take him to turn over every rock just to find one he really liked. The man who stayed when he could have fled. The quiet strength. The love that had never wavered, even when words failed.
Lawrence looked back at him then.
And smiled.
It was the same smile Riley remembered.
The golden dragon moved.
He stepped forward and dropped to one knee as well, mirroring Lawrence without hesitation.
The room gasped softly.
"I swear it," Kael said, his voice deep and unwavering. "I will treasure him more than my own life."
His slitted golden eyes were solemn.
"Always."
There was no flourish.
No dramatics.
Just the truth.