[ The look of total shock on his face is so undignified and so uncharacteristic of him that she can't help it - she laughs, and the sound is full and bright and delighted. She's so used to him being smugly and collectedly in control that being the one to catch him off guard for once is a rare treat and she's absolutely savoring it. ]

Heehee, what are you so shocked for? You were the one who told me to break them.

[ Really, by all means, there should've been no way for her to straightforwardly overpower them. Even as a fallen Saintess, she doesn't have anywhere near enough magical power to match a dragon, let alone outdo him. But it's like a lock - it doesn't matter how sturdy the thing is if you know how to pick it. And one of the things Fragaria likes its Saintess to be good at doing is unpicking hexes. ]

They were pretty tough. But I managed.

[ She strokes a lock of dark hair back behind his ear and gives him a beaming smile. ]

Is this the part where I claim my reward, then?