Going Shopping

"Master…please…up…"

The soft voice gradually grew louder, clearer, yet strangely fragmented. Orion's expression changed to confusion, then panic, as suddenly the vast treasury shuddered violently.

"No, wait—what's happening?!" he shouted, turning around frantically.

The entire space around him began trembling, cracking, crumbling away. Orion desperately reached out for the nearest treasure, but his hands simply passed through like smoke, helplessly grasping empty air.

"No! NO! WAIT!" he shouted in desperation, his eyes wide in horror.

One by one, the priceless treasures vanished into thin air before his very eyes, fading into nothingness.

The floor beneath him crumbled, dropping him into endless darkness. "NOOO!" Orion shouted in helpless despair, watching the magnificent treasury dissolve completely, leaving nothing behind but a void.

"Young Master Orion! Please wake up!" Rina's voice finally pierced through the darkness, fully clear and real this time.

Orion's eyes shot open, breathing heavily as his vision refocused, realizing he was lying safely in his bed. Rina and Liora stood anxiously at his bedside, concern visible in their eyes.

"Master Orion…are you alright?" Rina asked softly, visibly worried.

Orion slowly sat up, eyes wide, his heart pounding with lingering regret and sadness. He let out a deep sigh, calming himself before nodding lightly. "I'm fine…it was just…a dream."

He exhaled another long breath, the vividness of the treasury still haunting him. "Just…a very cruel dream," he muttered, shaking his head softly in regret.

"You guys go wait outside, I will be up in a bit." He softly said to them.

Rina and Liora looked at each other with concern but still walked out.

"…a dream…A FUCKING DREAM!" He nearly shouted as his lips twitched. "Was it Echo's doing? Was he playing a prank on me?" He took a few deep breaths to calm down.

The dream felt so real to him that he was still confused whether it was a dream or not. He dropped back on the bed, hand on his forehead, "Looks like I need to go out more, my heart won't be able to handle such despair-inducing dreams."

He wasn't at fault for his overreaction as well. Cherishing and pursuing treasures was the nature of True Dragons. If there was any other normal True Dragon instead of him, then he might have been crying already.

True Dragons treat their treasures as more important than their kids, and if they are given such top-tier treasures all of a sudden and then taken away from them, they will probably start destroying everything around them in extreme rage.

After resting for a few minutes, Orion stood up and headed for the washroom before coming out and going for a bath. He didn't call for Rina and Fiora today since he wanted to spend a little longer inside the bath.

Rina and Fiora knocked on the door, wondering what was taking him so long before entering. They looked at each other before nodding. Rina pushed open the door and entered.

"Hmm, Master Orion, where are you?" Rina softly called after entering the room.

"Master Orion, where…are you?" Fiora asked in a quiet voice as well.

"Call out a little more quietly, Fiora, I nearly heard you." Orion's sarcastic voice came from the bathroom side as he stepped out of it wearing a towel.

"Eh, Master Orion, you took a bath alone today?" Rina asked with slight disappointment.

"What else? You wanted to take a bath together?" He chuckled and asked back.

"Umu umu, that wouldn't be so bad." Rina seriously nodded her head, as if considering his request.

While Fiora's face had turned beet-red at their shameless flirting.

"Anyways, bring my clothes, I'm already late for breakfast." He looked outside at the morning sun before quickly dressing himself. Rina and Fiora quickly dressed him before following after him.

…

A few days quietly passed after the vivid and despairing dream. Orion steadily fell back into his comfortable routine of studying books in the library and enjoying warm family meals with Eldric and Selene.

Gradually, the lingering disappointment from the dream faded away, but the spark of desire for precious treasures from looking at the dream remained in his heart.

One bright morning, just after breakfast, Selene excitedly approached Orion with a cheerful expression, gently taking hold of his hand.

"Orion dear, you've been cooped up in the mansion for far too long! Today, Grandma will take you shopping to explore the city. How does that sound?" she asked warmly, eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

Orion glanced at her gently smiling face, and after a moment of hesitation, he softly nodded. "Alright, Grandma. It'll be good to see the city as well again."

Selene's smile widened happily as she quickly prepared to depart. Eldric chuckled lightly, shaking his head as he watched them leave. "Haha, don't spoil him too much, Selene."

"Bah! How could I ever spoil him enough?" Selene replied with playful disdain, guiding Orion towards the waiting carriage.

…

Greythorn City bustled vibrantly under the gentle morning sun. The streets were lined with bustling stalls and shops, merchants energetically calling out their wares.

Orion observed everything curiously from the carriage window as they approached the market district.

"Look, Orion! Isn't it lively?" Selene exclaimed cheerfully, pointing at the colorful stalls and smiling faces of passersby. "It's the largest marketplace in Greythorn City. You'll find everything here—from delicious foods to treasures!"

Orion's eyes brightened subtly at the mention of "treasures," his dragon instincts filling him with anticipation. Still, he calmly nodded, hiding his enthusiasm, "It looks interesting indeed, Grandma."

They stepped out of the carriage, strolling leisurely among the bustling crowd. Selene happily introduced Orion to numerous vendors, occasionally stopping to buy various treats for him to try.

Orion eagerly tasted the various local snacks, from savory pastries filled with mana-enhanced meat, to sweet fruits infused with natural elemental energies.

"Mmm… everything is so delicious," Orion genuinely praised, savoring a pastry.

Selene's expression filled with affection as she softly patted his head, clearly enjoying seeing him so happy.

They soon reached a row of jewelry and artifact stores, brightly decorated to attract noble customers. Orion's heart stirred instantly as his gaze landed on a sparkling gem display.

He unconsciously paused, drawn toward the shining array of gems and treasures. A vibrant ruby necklace in particular caught his eye, gleaming softly with a fiery brilliance.

"Interested in something?" Selene curiously asked, noticing his brief distraction.