Four times.
It was barely past noon, and he had already faced four life-threatening incidents. If anyone were to judge, this was a serious matter, yet a certain aide managed to keep smiling throughout the ordeal. Why, you ask? Because nothing could possibly ruffle Riley’s feathers today. Not the boss’s biting remarks, not battling clans, nor the sudden appearance of escaped beasts or unexpected sinkholes from who knows where. Because today was his special day. Riley Hale even took the time to groom his hair and select a sharp suit and tie. Because today, as he turned 25, he was poised to attempt something no sensible aide before him had ever dared. Armed with nothing but a tray bearing his usual coffee and biscuits, Riley stood resolutely, shoulders back, as he strode into the Dragon Lord’s office. He was met with the most dazzling smile he could manage: "Your afternoon refreshment, my Lord," Riley declared, his voice carrying an unnatural cheerfulness for someone employed at this establishment. He placed the tray down with a flourish, then beamed. It wasn’t his typical weary, polite smile. This was one showing all his teeth, sparkling and perhaps a little unnerving. Kael narrowed a single eye, his golden gaze shifting between the snacks and the grinning mortal before him. "I observe teeth," Kael remarked, referencing the peculiar smile Riley had worn since he walked in. "I do that sometimes," Riley responded, smoothing his sleeves. He was practically humming with delight. "Spit it out." It was a direct order, but Riley remained unfazed. Not today. "Well, my Lord, that is because today is a fortunate day." He straightened his posture and beamed brightly. "Today is the day I officially submit my resignation." Yes, resign. Riley placed his formal notice document down gently. Resign from employment under this unhinged, petty, yet wealthy taskmaster who had tormented him for five long years right after his graduation! The poor aide shuddered at the recollection. Even now, nightmares of that time still haunted him. But perhaps, just perhaps, if he scheduled more therapy sessions, he could overcome this. After all, he had managed to save a respectable sum of money over the years. Though, to be entirely truthful, it was more a consequence of having no opportunity to spend any of it while working around the clock at the beck and call of the land’s most powerful yet micromanaging reptilian: Dragon Lord Kael Dravaryn. No more unexpected errands in the dead of night. No more in search of exotic delicacies or obligated to attend tedious events. Riley could now dedicate his time and modest fortune to himself and his loved ones. And that was precisely why the spring in his step was undeniable, and the usually sleep-deprived, coffee-fueled aide appeared far more serene than on any prior occasion. Up until he registered his boss’s reaction. "No." "?" "!!!" Profound shock washed over him. And just like that, the inner spark within him flickered and extinguished. In that moment, Riley became as rigid as the monument standing across the street. He longed to yell and flee, perhaps to break a few things, but found his body utterly immobile. In his mind’s eye, he envisioned it: Lord Kael Dravaryn, standing tall with arms crossed, eyes blazing with fury, hair standing on end atop his infuriatingly smooth forehead, his very soul being pulverized. But it felt that way. It truly did, because the sound he heard seemed so much like a definitive "No." Surely... surely he had misheard? After all, he had been warned that hallucinations could occur in individuals who received minimal rest. Right. He was likely just exhausted. Because surely his boss hadn’t just denied his request as if Riley had casually asked for an extended lunch break, and not, as it were, his freedom back? But alas, it was all undeniably real. Because that was precisely the expression Lord Kael directed at anyone he found irritating, whether it was a clan failing to meet its quota or an insignificant insect. "Sir, I beg your pardon?" Riley attempted once more, his voice escalating several octaves into a tone of polite desperation. "Today signifies the conclusion of my five-year tenure. As per the terms I was informed of—" "No." Again. Sharp. Unyielding. As if the universe itself had personally vetoed his departure plan. "My Lord, is it perhaps because I still need to complete today’s tasks? If so, I—" "You’re quitting? Who says?" Riley’s mouth opened, then closed. "My Lord," he tried patiently, attempting to suppress a bout of hyperventilation, "My employment. Wasn’t the duration of my service stipulated to be... five years?" A brief silence followed. Then, the Dragon Lord tilted his head slightly, his expression contorted in mild revulsion, as if Riley had just asserted that two plus two equaled seventeen. "Five?" The word emerged like a curse, as if the very concept of such a number offended him. Riley, meanwhile, blinked. Once. Twice. Because a stirring sensation began in the recesses of his mind. "My father—" he started, his voice nearly a shriek, then abruptly stopped. His breath hitched. His eyes widened. The memory of his 'assignment' returned with vivid, albeit traumatizing, clarity. He had been pushed into a car, handed a lunch bag and a pen, and told: "Don't worry, son." "It’s only five years. You’ll be home before you realize it."
The door swiftly swung shut behind him, the sound echoing with finality.
He let out a silent, internal scoff.
Riley’s smile wavered; the memory had remained vivid since that particular day.
Yet, how could he possibly overlook something so crucial?!
"Sir," Riley managed, a smile plastered on his face despite the sudden clench in his chest, as frustration began to chip away at his initial confidence. "Just as a formality… may I take a brief look at my employment contract?"
Lord Kael didn't respond immediately. Each passing second stretched into an eternity for Riley, who had never anticipated finding himself in this predicament.
Meanwhile, the imposing figure before him blinked once, a slow, languid motion, much like a lizard basking lazily on the ruins of someone else's poor choices.
Only then did he finally utter, "Sure."
"!!!"
Riley spun around, his foot already halfway out the door.
"But where," Kael's voice sliced through Riley's last vestiges of defense, "do you imagine you're going?"
Riley froze. He turned back, slowly. "I… was going to HR?"
Kael regarded him with those ancient, golden eyes that always seemed to hold the knowledge of how one would meet their end.
"It's not with HR," he stated calmly.
Riley blinked. "Huh?"
Kael's gaze intensified. He leaned forward, just a fraction.
"You are not employed by the company," he declared.
"???"
"My Lord?" Riley inquired, a cold sweat breaking out in unexpected places.
"You were never employed by this company," Kael repeated.
A brief silence descended.
Then, with utter casualness, Kael added, "Your life contract has perpetually been with me."
Suddenly, a brilliant light illuminated the entire room.
