random idea popped into my head today:

A party of adventurers in a classic fantasy get tasked to take out a dragon that's terrorising the local villages, paid handsomely by a king.

Said party see no devastation, the villages seem perfectly fine and prosperous, the few people they bother to talk to just sort of shrug in confusion at the talk of a dragon like they've never heard of one being nearby, but they do mention sightings of kobolds. no destruction, just sightings of, and disappearances.

Party decides to investigate, after all the king of this land is paying real handsomely to take down a dragon, and hey, killing dragons is pretty lucrative, right? But this IS kinda weird.
One of the party remembers hearing that kobolds serve dragons usually too, and the disappearances of people ARE pretty suspect, and the kobolds might be involved!
They easily track down the kobold's lair, in a mountain nearby, like, so easily it's practically signposted.

Upon approaching, a kobold guard (assumedly) who is sleeping at their post, startles awake, then looks surprised, and... waves, enthusiastically??, then rushes inside for a short bit, before coming back out and beaming brightly at the adventurers, welcoming them in with an arm wave, resuming their post as if nothing is amiss.

...Despite what the villagers said about nasty kobolds, this one is positively pleasant and polite. This confusion stays their hand.

The kobold sees their confusion, and gives a short, but not unpleasant barking little laugh, and in stilted and somewhat broken, but still very understandable Common explains that they get "that look" a lot, but it's okay, and for them to come inside, no need for them to wait outside, and someone will see to them soon.

Confused, but not sensing danger they couldn't deal with, the party go inside, and find... a rather plush restaurant waiting area.

Confusion of course intensifies. This is... unexpected. Kobolds in waiter and maid uniforms are bustling about, happy as anything, and one who is clearly performing the role of [i]maître d'[/i] approaches with a bright, pleasant smile, and gives a little bow, offering a seat for the whole party, already being laid out with VERY fine tableware, comfy plush seats, and lit candles. Drinks are offered from a finely written menu on fine parchment too.

Baffled, and off-balance from the sheer strangeness, the party sit down and order some drinks before they realise what's happening. But it's too late. The waiter bows, scurries off with a list in chickenscratch of what they ordered, and a (admittedly very cute) kobold in a maid uniform comes over, curtseys, and brings the exact drinks they ordered, which are ... lovely, in fact. Nothing untoward, or magical, or poisoned about them. Perfectly mundane.

Presently, the (also cute now that they think about it) waiter comes back when they've had time to look over the menus to take their order. Confusion momentarily giving way to irritation and frustration, the paladin rather brusquely demands to know where the evil dragon is. The mage who was rather enjoying the fine customer service, winces at their fellow's rudeness, but the waiter is utterly unphased, and simply smiles, replying
"Ah, you wish see master?"

Raising a hand in a gentle gesture of "please wait", the waiter continues before the paladin can get more angry. "it is okay! Master said they expected you here, and to not worry about money. Comm-plee-menta-ree, for first time guests! They see you soon, but first, they ask you to please rest, is long journey, yes? Once eaten, master will see you, yes!"
With that, the waiter politely waits for their order.

Silence reigns for several moments. The party rogue breaks it with a slight cough, and the Paladin, blushing hotly from embarassment, slowly takes their seat again. Smiling, the rogue politely orders a dish that makes their companions blink in astonishment at their friend's previously unheard of cultural expertise and knowledge, but it breaks the ice, and orders are taken, with even the Paladin pushing out the boat a little.

As it turns out, all the food is perfectly edible. The paladin and Cleric are both suspicious at first, because there's no possible way such finely cooked dishes, exactly to their orders, are NOT an illusion, or cursed, or poisoned, or enchanted or drugged or SOMETHING, but no... no it's all above board, and absolutely mundane, and... absolutely beyond delicious! (they even order desserts!)

Finally, they call for the waiter, to make payment - the paladin insists; they cannot abide by having been so rude, and yet having been served so well and so professionally by the staff, and have eaten such wonderful food, without SOME recompense at least, and the others can't help but agree that it does warrant paying for, regardless.

The paladin even gives a sincere, heartfelt apology to the waiter personally for their conduct, feeling it right to do so.

The waiter is of course quite surprised, and a little embarrassed. Their tail flicks somewhat nervously - the Master's orders WERE pretty clear; anything the party wanted was utterly free of charge, but they are insisting so earnestly... The waiter bows, and politely declines, but after some gentle cajoling, is eventually convinced to take payment (still quite below what the normal rate would be), and dutifully places it in the lockbox for today's takings.

As agreed though, the waiter, directs them to follow with a warm smile, explaining that the Master will see them now they've had a chance to sample the "rest-taur-rant Draconis"'s delights. The party blink; they'd ACTUALLY managed to forget why they were even here, they were having such a good time! There's a momentary embarassed, awkward shuffling, before they get up and follow along, thanking the waiter again.

The kobold waiter leads them pleasantly down a series of long, well carved and surprisingly still lit caverns, (though it is still dimmer than the eating area. Kobolds don't need quite such bright lights to work and live in after all, and are happier with softer lighting anyway) passing several other staff members along the way, and then a rest area where several kobolds and families are peacefully playing, resting and living their lives happily.

Feeling like they might be walking into a trap again, the party are tense, but are shaken when the waiter leads them into a very large cavern that is rather more well lit than the previous tunnels, whereupon a great red dragon is coiled comfortably upon a surprisingly modest pile of coins, idly looking over some magically floating parchments and scrolls, and simultaneously listening intently to a kobold in a maid uniform. The dragon nods, then lets the maid go.

Turning their burning gold gaze upon the party, the dragon shifts, rising up a little, then raises a mighty talon... their claw touches a crystal on a wall, and suddenly with a rush of magical energy, the dragon is gone, replaced by a red suited, majestically statured humanoid dragon, of seven foot tall, who steps forward with a smile, and proffers a finely manicured hand to each of the party, welcoming them to their establishment, and hoping they enjoyed it.

Once again, confusion reigns, and the party find themselves gently ushered into lovely comfortable seats, as the now humanoid-form dragon takes a seat behind a desk that SURELY wasn't there before. The kobolds assisting are dutiful, quiet, but clearly happy, well fed, and well looked after.

There's some preamble, and gentle polite smalltalk, that the dragon makes, giving the party time to get their thoughts together, but eventually the mage interrupts.

"I'm... I'm really sorry but I ... I don't quite understand... We... were told that a dragon was terrorising the villagers of this kingdom?..."

The dragon pauses, blinking a few times, before sighing gravely.
"Ah, yes, I believe I know of the 'king' you speak of. I suppose he paid quite handsomely for my demise too?" A scowl passes their face, "Detestable wretch that he is... No, don't bother giving excuses or explainations, I've heard it several times before."

"And no, no I'm not going to destroy you all while cackling about how you've fallen into my trap. This is a RESPECTABLE establishment after all." The dragon says that last sentence with a not insubstantial amount of personal pride, straightening their suit.

With a little huff, the dragon regains their composure and smiles. "That 'king', is but a jealous craven weakling who is beholden to the merchant princes that he owes many debts to." they explain.

"Merchant princes which themselves are 'terrorised' by my establishment it seems, and wish to see it destroyed..." There's a pause as the dragon savours the expressions of the party members, chuckling slightly. "Oh? Did he not tell you that?? Why, I haven't caused any harm to any of his villagers or lands whatsoever. I purchase the stock for my restaurant at fair prices from trustworthy third parties who source them from farmers and producers ethically."

"My staff are all kobolds of course, because they do so love to serve a true dragon after all, and far be it from me to mistreat such loyal subjects. Why, it would be like employing master blacksmiths to make the finest swords, only to feed them to rust monsters just to see the looks on their faces..." the dragon pauses, raising a scaled eyebrow, giving that thought. "...Hm... Though, fun as that might BE, it's not what I desire, no. Too messy, too... base. ugh"

"No, what I desired was a simple, easy life. Sure, I could go around burning villages, extorting wealth, all that-" the dragon rolls their eyes derisively "-Proper Draconic Activity, as they say. But then I'd have parties of adventurers battering down my cave entrance and slaughtering my minions and such, causing a mess, or thieves breaking in all the time..." the dragon groans at just the thought of that, slouching back slightly. "No, absolutely not for me."

"Rather instead, I decided 'why not have people give me their money WILLINGLY?'. I mulled over a few ideas on how to do this, and then I met a few individuals in the villages who were extremely informative on such matters. Why, several of them are regular customers now, and are quite wealthy in their own right, acting as my, ahah, shall we say, procurement specialists?" The dragon chuckles at that, enjoying the rapt attention of their audience rather a lot.

The rogue interrupts this time, though with FAR more deft timing (of course!). "Hold on, what about the disappearances of people?"

The dragon looks surprised at this one. "...I beg your pardon?? Disappearances?... Why, that can't be true, surely not..." Genuine concern appears to mar the dragon's features for a moment, hurredly looking over some papers, then they stop. "...waaait a moment, I... THINK i know what's happened here." The good humoured smile returns

A kobold in a maid uniform who was standing nearby, so politely silent and attentive that they went entirely unnoticed, steps forth from the shadows, curtseying to the dragon. The dragon murmurs something to them, giving their cheek a little fond pat - which the kobold blushes happily at - and the maid scurries off quickly and silently. Presently, a farmer who was known to have gone missing two weeks ago waddles in, rather more well fed than his description said.

The farmer is in excellent spirits, and is sharing a tale with the politely smiling and obediently attentive maid with him, before he notices the company, and laughs, waving to the dragon.
"Ah! Hello again! I do apologise if I've gotten a little rowdy, you've just got such a fantastic place here, I couldn't bear to leave you just yet!"

The rogue's jaw drops in amazement. Far from being a prisoner, the farmer is clearly a very happy customer!

The dragon chuckles. "it seems that your presence has been missed back home, fine sir. You do know you can come back any time you wish? Short of something awful happening, I don't forsee I'll be disappearing any time soon, after all."
"Oh goodness me, I can't have been gone THAT long surely?" the farmer laughs. The dragon smiles before responding plainly.
"Oh, about two weeks now." The farmer's laugh catches in his throat and his expression pales.
"...oh."

The paladin tenses, expecting a fight or some horrible punishment to be meted out, but no such thing happens. The dragon gives the farmer a sympathetic look "I don't wish to assume, but I imagine that sir's budget, that we discussed prior to this holiday of yours, does not cover such an extended stay, does it?"
The farmer coughs awkwardly. "Um.. N-no, it probably doesn't. S-sorry about that, rather lost track of time!" he grins, wretchedly.

The dragon just... laughs this off with good humour. "Ah well, I'm rich enough already, though if you can find it in your means to pay at least some of the balance off within your lifetime, do let me know won't you? Though I do think next time you come, it might be wise to let people know you're going here?" The dragon gives a playful wink, to which the farmer's complexion warms again in humour, and he winks back with a laugh
"Aaah, spreadin' the good word, eh?"

With some further smalltalk, shared jokes and a friendly pat on the back, the farmer is sent to his home, without having to pay on the spot, with the understanding that such payment will be in the form of free advertising for the Restaurant Draconis and perhaps some recompense when the farmer is wealthy enough, or perhaps some work at cost for the dragon if the farmer finds it agreeable.

The dragon turns back to the party and smiles "You see? Nothing sinister."