Dark Dragon: The Summoned Hero Is A Villain

Noah leaned his head back against the velvet cushion, arms crossed as he watched Juniper through narrowed eyes.

She was back to smiling at him again, dreamy and smug like she knew a secret he didn't.

He frowned slightly. "Why do you like me, anyway?"

Juniper blinked at the sudden question. Then she tilted her head with a thoughtful hum. "You want the honest answer?"

"That'd be nice."

She grinned. "Gladiators."

He stared. "What?"

"I love gladiators," she said, eyes gleaming with excitement. "The blood, the sweat, the roar of the crowd. I want to be one when I grow up."

"You're already grown."

"Then now," she said simply. "I want to be a gladiator now."

He blinked again, clearly trying to process the statement. "Aren't you a noble?"

"Exactly. That's what makes it so exciting." She kicked her legs a little like a child with a secret. "My parents hate the idea. They want me to be a healer or an enchanter. Something delicate." She scoffed. "Boring."

Noah shook his head in disbelief. "So... you want to fight in the arena?"

"Every weekend if I could," she said brightly. "I go with my friends to the capital's colosseum. I watch the matches, the duels, the death matches... Oh, it's glorious."

"I'm starting to understand why Arlo said you were crazy."

She giggled. "He says that with love."

"And what does that have to do with me?" Noah asked, his voice soft, genuinely curious.

Juniper rested her chin on her fist, her smile turning fond. "When I saw your fight with Ben Stanley... the way you dragged him down from his high horse, punched him until he begged," she sighed dramatically, "I knew. I liked you. It was beautiful. So brutal. So real."

Noah stared at her for a long moment. "You're not normal."

"Neither are you," she replied sweetly.

The carriage began to slow, the hum of the enchantments lowering as it rolled to a stop. Outside the windows, the tall stone walls of the capital stood, bustling streets just beyond the gates.

Juniper sat up with excitement, hands pressed to the windows. "We're here!"

As the carriage door swung open on its own and she prepared to step out, a sudden yawn came from above them.

Both of them froze.

Then, slowly, they looked up.

Arlo was sprawled on the roof of the carriage, arms behind his head, legs crossed. He yawned again, stretched like a cat, and peered down at them with a lazy grin.

"Ah," he said casually. "We've arrived. Thanks for the ride, Junie."

Juniper looked like she'd just swallowed a cactus.

"You... You rodent!" she shouted, hands clenching into fists. "You've been up there the whole time?!"

Arlo hopped down with a graceful thud, dusting himself off. "Of course. You didn't think I'd miss this, did you?"

"You're a parasite!"

"Such love from family," he said with mock sadness, turning to Noah. "Enjoy your date, Reaper. Try not to die."

With that, he strolled off into the city without a care in the world, waving lazily behind him.

Juniper hissed through her teeth. "I'm going to bury him."

Noah chuckled softly as he stepped out of the carriage beside her. "Now that I'm looking closely, I can see the familial resemblance. You're both crazy."

"We're not alike in any way." She said, brushing imaginary dirt off her sleeves. "He's an annoyance. And he's going to ruin everything one day."

They started walking, Noah sliding his hands into his pockets. "So... where to first, gladiator?" he asked, a slight smirk on his lips.

Juniper's eyes lit up. "Clothes. And then maybe a weapon shop. You need something sharp if you're going to survive dating me."

Noah chuckled at that, and they entered the capital proper.

The streets of the city were filled with the noise and fanfare that came with it being the weekend.

Hawkers shouting about their wares, enchanted lanterns floating above alleys, and nobles in flowing robes weaving through the crowds with elegance.

Noah followed Juniper as she practically skipped ahead of him, the hem of her cloak flaring behind her like she belonged in every shop window they passed.

They stopped at a boutique with enchanted mannequins that posed and adjusted their clothes every few minutes.

The name 'Silken Fang' was etched into the obsidian stone plaque above the door in cursive gold.

Noah stared at the sign. "You brought me to a place called Silken Fang?"

"It's perfect," Juniper said, already dragging him inside.

The shop was even worse than he expected.

Silken cloaks almost shimmered in the air as the light touched them. Boots that gleamed with polish lined the shelves. Coats and vests hung on racks enchanted to rotate every few seconds, showing off their designs.

The prices on the tags were horrifying.

"Juniper," he whispered under his breath, "we are going to get robbed in here."

"We're not," she said, eyes gleaming with excitement. "We're going to leave with you looking divine."

A young attendant walked over with a dazzling smile. "Welcome to Silken Fang. Looking for something refined or enchanted?"

Juniper stepped forward like a queen. "Something practical, but stylish. Fitted cuts, dark tones. He's new to the capital and I won't have him looking like a lost duckling."

Noah sighed and muttered, "I'm standing right here."

Within minutes, he was shoved into a changing room with an armful of clothes.

"You're making me try too many," he called out through the curtain.

"You'll thank me later!" Juniper replied, far too cheerful.

He tried on the first outfit, dark trousers with crimson lining and a coat that hugged his shoulders snugly.

He stepped out, and Juniper immediately beamed.

"Okay, that's hot. Next."

Three outfits later, Noah stood before her in a high-collared black shirt and storm-gray vest, with fingerless gloves and boots that fit perfectly.

"I don't need more than two," Noah said flatly. "Maybe three if I push it."

Juniper blinked. "What?"

"I'm not spending all my money on clothes," he said. "I don't know if you've forgotten, but I'm not exactly swimming in money. I can't blow it all here."

She crossed her arms. "Then let me pay."