The Right to Condemn
The more I trained with Lacy, the more curious I became.
What kind of people were the protagonists in her novels to justify her putting me through such torment?
Unable to contain my curiosity, I began visiting the library every weekend to read her works one by one.
I was convinced the answer lay somewhere within the pages of her books.
As I made my way toward the shelf where Lacy's novels were kept, I noticed a familiar horn poking out between the books.
Lacy?
Eek...!
At the sound of her name, her horn quivered, and that familiar face popped into view.
W-what— Oh, 'tis just thee, child.
Thou nearly scared the scales off me!
And where have thy manners gone? Thou art to refer to me as Ms. Lacy!
What were you doing hiding over there?
H-hiding? W-who said anything about hiding?!
It's the first time I've ever seen Lacy look so flustered.
Curious to see what she had been peeking at, I leaned slightly past the bookshelf.
W-wait, stop...!
Two women stood before the shelf filled with Lacy's books, chatting quietly among themselves.
Were you trying to hear what your readers thought of your work?
O-of course not!
I am a noble Dragon!
Why would I give the slightest care... about the opinions of short-lived mortals who barely see a single century?
Oh, they're really getting into it.
W-what are they saying?!
Lacy quickly wedged herself between me and the shelf, poking her head out just enough to eavesdrop on the two women's conversation.
What did you think of Lacy's new book?
Honestly... it wasn't that good.
Oh, so you thought so too?
Lacy's body trembled slightly at their negative remarks.
I mean... It just felt a bit... generic and derivative, you know? Nothing really stood out to me.
Yeah. It wasn't bad, but it didn't have that brilliance her older works had.
Maybe she's in a slump?
If it were just that, shouldn't she have recovered by now? All of her latest works have been pretty underwhelming...
Maybe she's simply reached the end of her career as an author.
...That was harsh.
They had no idea, but the author herself was standing right there.
Even a Dragon would find such words painful to hear up close.
As I was about to step in and stop them when...
...Where art thou going? Stay.
They are readers. And my readers have every right to criticize my works.
...Are you all right?
I am... fine...
...I just remembered something urgent. I'll be going now.
Lacy's voice trembled slightly as she spoke, and then she hurried out of the library.
I quietly followed her out.
Outside, Lacy walked ahead while I trailed a few steps behind.
Neither of us spoke.
The heavy silence lingered until just before sunset.
...Child.
I know thou hast been reading my books lately.
From the earliest to the most recent, thou hast gone through quite a few.
Though I never intended to hide it, her words still made me flinch.
How could she have known? Was it another of her Dragon abilities?
'Twas written in the borrowing records, child. Hardly difficult to find.
So tell me. What didst thou think of them...? Were they worth reading?
They were good.
Even... the recent ones?
Her question brought back the words I'd heard from others.
I heard she's lost a bit of her spark lately, though...
Maybe she's simply reached the end of her career as an author.
Well, I...
Enough. You needn't answer.
I see... So they failed to capture even thine interest...
With that, Lacy turned away and began walking again.
I moved to follow her, but...
...Do not follow me.
I would like to be alone for a while.
Lacy walked off into the deepening dusk, her steps slow and heavy...
And her back, for the first time, looked small and frail.