I'm Not Your Husband, You Evil Dragon!-Chapter 33: Interview

I watched family after family step into Class C and come out looking like they just walked through a battlefield.

Some kids were crying, parents were muttering angrily, and I swear one dad was trying to bribe the assistant on his way out.

I tried to catch a hint of what kind of questions they were asking, but the parents kept their whispers tight, like they were hiding national secrets.

I couldn't pick up a single clue. I glanced at Elena, who was still happily playing on my phone, completely unaware of the nerve-wracking atmosphere around her.

I leaned down to Elena and whispered, "Hey, remember what I told you? They're not just testing what you say, but where you are. Keep that in mind, alright?"

She gave me a quick, sharp nod, her eyes brightening as if I'd just whispered the answer to the final boss.

A few minutes later, the assistant stepped out again, her shoes clicking sharply against the old stone floor.

"Konuari family, please come in."

I took a deep breath, exchanged a quick, reassuring glance with Erza, who just gave a slight, confident nod, and we stepped into the classroom.

The room was old—like, really old majestic. Stone walls, high, narrow windows with iron bars, and wooden desks that looked like they'd been used by knights-in-training centuries ago. A single, thick beam ran across the ceiling, splitting the dim light like the backbone of a great beast.

At the center of the room sat the headmaster, an older gentleman with sharp eyes, a neatly groomed beard, and the air of someone who had seen far too many parent-teacher conferences.

Beside him was a stern, gray-haired man with the permanent frown of a medieval judge—probably the vice headmaster. And to the side, a young woman, likely the classroom in-charge, with a clipboard and an expression of polite neutrality.

The headmaster gestured to the chairs in front of them. "Please, have a seat, Kounari family."

We sat down as gracefully as we'd practiced. Erza crossed her legs elegantly, her white dress catching the morning light from the high window.

I adjusted my slightly wrinkled blazer, trying to look like I belonged in a place like this. Elena swung her legs excitedly, almost slipping off the chair, but caught herself at the last second with a tiny, determined grunt.

The assistant looked down at her notes and began the interview, her voice warm but with a hint of formality.

"What's your name, sweetheart?"

Elena beamed. "Elena! My papa says it means something super special."

"Do you know how old you are?"

Elena tilted her head. "I think... three and a half? Almost four! That's big, right?"

"Who do you live with at home?"

"With my papa! He makes funny noises when he cooks. And Mama sometimes visits, but shhh, it's a secret!"

I felt Erza stiffen slightly beside me. Yeah, that one slipped out, but I hoped no one noticed.

"What do you like to do at home?"

"Drawing! And jumping on the bed. Papa says it's 'dangerously energetic.'"

"Do you have any favorite toys?"

"I have a tiny plush lizard named Blazy. He's not a dragon! Just a lizard. A very warm lizard."

I almost choked. Erza shot me a glance that said, Not a dragon? Really?

"What's your favorite food?"

"Spicy noodles! Papa says most kids don't like spicy, but I love it! It makes my tummy go fwoosh—uh, warm!"

The assistant chuckled. She seemed genuinely charmed, unlike the stone-faced vice headmaster, who hadn't even blinked.

"What do you do when you're feeling angry or sad?"

"I puff my cheeks like this—puffs up—and I count to five. Sometimes ten. Sometimes... I go hide under the table."

The headmaster's beard twitched. Was that a smile?

"If someone takes your toy, what would you do?"

"Tell the teacher. Or stare at them until they give it back. Papa says I have 'that' look."

I gulped. Yep, she definitely inherited Erza's death glare.

"Can you keep secrets?"

"Yes! I'm very good at it. I have... sooo many secrets. Hehe."

Erza and I both held our breath at that one.

"Why do you want to come to our school?"

"To make friends! And learn stuff! And so Papa can have quiet time. He really needs it."

The assistant leaned back, clearly impressed. "Thank you, Elena. That was... refreshing."

She glanced at the headmaster, who had been quietly observing, fingers steepled. He didn't even bother with a question. Just gave a slow, approving nod.

"I have no further questions. I'm satisfied," he said, waving his hand.

Wait, what? Just like that? I blinked. Erza shot me a look of mild surprise. Even the assistant raised an eyebrow.

Then the vice headmaster leaned forward, his sharp, cold eyes settling on me. The air around us seemed to grow colder, like the windows had just been thrown open to a winter storm.

"I have a question for the parents," he said, his voice low and gravelly, like the crackling of an old record.

I straightened up, meeting his gaze. "Of course, Vice Headmaster. Please, go ahead."

He smirked, leaning back in his chair. "Parents are a child's first teachers. If a parent lacks morals and values, how can you expect the child to inherit any better?"

I felt my blood pressure spike. I gripped the edge of my chair. This guy... he had the tone of someone who enjoyed stepping on people's pride.

I took a deep breath, preparing my response.

I cleared my throat, leaning forward slightly. "With all due respect, Vice Headmaster, I believe values are not just taught—they're lived. And I can promise you, our daughter lives in a home full of love, respect, and strength."

Erza's lips curled into a tiny, confident smirk. "Indeed. And children learn from the examples set by their parents. If one's character is strong, so will be their child's."

The vice headmaster's smirk twitched. He glanced away, suddenly finding his clipboard extremely interesting.

He didn't speak or ask anything after my response.

Just when I thought we were done, the vice headmaster leaned forward, his small, beady eyes glinting with a strange curiosity. I noticed his gaze had shifted from Erza's face to her hand, where a thin, intricate ring shimmered faintly.

"Pardon me, Mrs. Kounari," he said in that greasy, too-sweet tone,

"but I couldn't help but notice your ring. It's quite exquisite—something one wouldn't expect from the wife of a humble orphan background working part-time in a café."

Erza's eyes sharpened, her gaze like a blade, but she replied with icy calm. "That is none of your business."

I felt my own pulse spike, a tight knot forming in my gut. I took a slow breath and leaned forward, my voice steady but firm.

"With all due respect, Vice Headmaster, this is an interview for our daughter. Personal questions about my wife's jewelry are irrelevant."

For a second, the room went silent. I felt Erza's eyes on me, a hint of approval in her glance. The headmaster's lips curved into a small, approving smile. He even gave a light clap.

"Well said, young man," the headmaster rumbled, his eyes twinkling. "A true father's protective spirit. Admirable."

The vice headmaster's chubby face twitched, his fingers tightening around his clipboard. His ego had clearly taken a hit, but he wasn't done yet.

He cleared his throat, leaning back with an exaggerated sigh. "Very well," he said, forcing a thin, fake smile.

"But tell me, do you even understand the fee structure of this academy? Given your... financial situation, I doubt you can afford it."

I took a slow breath, resisting the urge to grind my teeth. This guy really knew how to hit below the belt.

"With all due respect, Vice Headmaster," I replied, keeping my tone calm, "I'm quite aware of the academy's scholarship program. If Elena is selected, her tuition will be covered."

The headmaster's eyes sparkled with amusement, clearly enjoying this little verbal sparring. He gave another approving nod, his beard shifting as he grinned.

"Impressive," he said, clapping his hands once.

"You've done your homework, young man. I like that."

The vice headmaster's face darkened. He forced a stiff, professional nod, his fingers still twitching with barely contained frustration.

"Very well," he muttered, clearly biting back harsher words. "You may go."

I stood, giving the headmaster a respectful nod. "Thank you for the opportunity."

As we turned to leave, I felt Erza's hand slip around my arm, her touch cool but reassuring.

I couldn't help but feel a small burst of pride. We had faced down the creepy vice headmaster, and for once, I felt like I actually belonged in that room, even if just for a moment.

We stepped out of the classroom, the door creaking shut behind us. I took a deep breath, feeling the tension slowly melt away.

Elena, who had been swinging her legs the entire time, suddenly took off like a little rocket, running toward the exit. "Papa, let's go! I'm hungry!"

I chuckled, following her at a more reasonable pace. But then I paused.

Erza.

I turned just in time to see the vice headmaster step closer to her, his greasy, sausage-like fingers twitching again. I felt a flash of heat in my chest, my fists clenching instinctively.

They exchanged a few quiet words, too low for me to hear, and then Erza reached into her pocket, pulling out something small. She hesitated for a split second, glanced my way, then quickly handed it to the vice headmaster.

He took it, his pudgy face stretching into a twisted grin, and gave a slight bow.

Erza's face darkened as she turned, her expression locked in a cold, unreadable mask. She walked down the steps toward me, her white dress fluttering in the breeze like the wings of a restless dragon.

She climbed into the back seat of our car without a word, staring out the window, her jaw tight, her fingers clenching her skirt.

I climbed into the driver's seat, my mind racing. I glanced at her in the rearview mirror. "Erza, what happened?"

No response. Just the quiet hum of the engine as I started the car.

Elena bounced happily in the back seat, completely oblivious to the sudden, heavy silence. "Papa! We're going to eat steaks, right?"

I forced a smile. "Yes, Elena. Let's go get those steaks."

As we pulled out of the academy parking lot, I couldn't help but glance at Erza again. Her eyes were shadowed, her lips pressed into a thin line. Whatever had happened with that creepy vice headmaster, it had shaken her.

I just hoped it wasn't something that would come back to haunt us.

To be continued...

[End of Chapter]

Author's Note

Hey there, amazing readers—both new and returning!

Just wanted to let you all know that Chapter 0 is finally up!

For the newer readers, it's the perfect starting point to understand the world better.

And for my loyal readers who've been here since the beginning—yes, you legends—you might've missed out on some juicy world-building and plot details that are finally revealed there.

Trust me, it's worth the read.

Thanks for sticking around and giving this story your love and time. You make this journey incredible!