Chapter 249
Poppy quietly gazed at her. The great dragon had helped the worthless princess simply out of curiosity. It had been bored, and giving a helping hand hadn’t been a difficult task.
But aside from saving Courtney’s nephew, it felt no real attachment to life. It also pitied her, someone who could feel no attachment to anything except saving her nephew.
The years spent with Courtney had been enjoyable enough to make it briefly forget its suffocating ennui. The dragon was actually rather fond of the name she had arbitrarily given it.
But now, it was time to let her go. The human mind simply could not endure such long years.
Poppy let out a huge yawn and replied,
[I’m going to take a nap now. I haven’t slept at all since I’ve been busy playing with you.]
“Poppy…”
Tears welled up in Courtney’s eyes. No matter what anyone said, she and the dragon were friends. It had never even once gotten angry, even when she called it that silly name whenever she pleased.
Courtney threw her arms around the dragon’s snout. Poppy wore a sullen face but did not push her away. Instead, it opened its mouth toward Richard.
[Prince.]
At the dragon’s call, Richard gave a nod. Poppy snorted and spoke again.
[Treat Courtney preciously. Unless you want your kingdom to be destroyed.]
It was an unmistakable threat. Richard didn’t really care what happened to the kingdom, but he could at least guarantee that he would treat Courtney as more precious than his own life. He answered in a voice full of conviction.
“I will.”
The three of them were all in agreement. Now that their minds were made up, it was time to pack.
They couldn’t take everything with them, since a long journey lay ahead. Courtney packed clothes for traveling and her most treasured books into a bag.
The tentacle plant that had thoroughly ravaged Richard’s body reverted back into a seed. Courtney carefully placed the seed into a cloth pouch as well. If the prince’s homeland had a mild climate, the plant might soon blossom there too… Though she’d have to be careful not to let it propagate too much.
Richard, as he put on the clothes he’d gotten back, glanced at her actions. When he saw her putting away the seeds, the corners of his mouth naturally turned up. Courtney would be the best bride even without such a thing, but having it was certainly no downside.
Courtney closed her travel bag. Richard quickly stepped up and took it from her to carry himself.
“Let’s go now.”
“Yes.”
Courtney’s cheeks flushed as if she were rather shy. At some point, even her way of speaking had changed completely. Richard felt himself growing hard again. A demure princess by day, a terrifying Master by night. Could anything be more perfect?
The two of them descended the crumbling stairs together. Poppy opened the castle gate for them, as if to send off departing lovers. Just as they were about to leave the castle, Richard suddenly stopped in his tracks.
“Oh, that’s right.”
“Yes?”
Richard looked around. Courtney and Poppy also glanced about. Richard scratched the back of his neck, embarrassed, and asked,
“Anton. Where is the attendant who traveled with me?”
“Oh.”
[Oh.]
Courtney and Poppy let out exclamations at the same time, a reaction that said they’d both completely forgotten. If Anton had seen it, he would have cried tears of blood.
Anton had been locked up in the castle’s basement the entire time. When the prince—whom he thought had surely been devoured by the witch—appeared safe and sound, the loyal attendant greeted him with joy.
“Your Highness! You’re safe… hiieeek!”
When he saw Courtney accompanying him, Anton fell to the ground and covered his head with both arms. Richard, looking displeased, kicked him in the butt.
“Stop that nonsense and just get the luggage. Don’t worry, Courtney, he’s always been a bit slow.”
Courtney simply gave a gentle smile in reply. She would have liked to give him a smack as well, but since they’d be seeing each other from now on, she had to hold back.
At last, the group was all together. Poppy had melted the snow in the meantime, clearing a path for them. The dragon pointed with a sharp claw over the mountain.
[Go straight ahead, and don’t look back.]
It was hard to say goodbye to an old friend. Courtney gave Poppy’s front paw one last, tight hug.
“Poppy… we’re friends, right?”
[Of course. Now go.]
The dragon gave her a little push on the back. The anxious Anton hurried to take the lead.
“Come, let’s get going!”
Afraid Courtney might change her mind, Richard tightly held her hand and picked up his pace. Courtney walked quickly, staring at the ground. Just as the dragon had advised, she didn’t look back. She felt that if she turned even once—if she made eye contact with Poppy—she really wouldn’t be able to leave.
They passed the ruined castle walls and climbed up a gentle hill. Just then, there was a rumbling crash of falling stones behind them. At the sudden loud noise, Courtney turned around before she realized it. The crumbling gray castle. Even the tall spire, which had towered high, lost its support and crashed down onto the pile of rubble.
The castle where she had been born and raised for over twenty years, and then lived for over a hundred years with time stopped, was becoming a ruin. Courtney muttered in a hollow voice,
“The castle…”
“Don’t look back, Courtney.”
Richard gripped her hand more firmly. Courtney quietly gazed at his side profile. She had thought he was just some pervert with strange tastes, but seeing him like this, he was actually reliable.
“Yes.”
The dragon’s message was clear. Don’t cling to the past anymore, move forward to the future. The life of a cursed witch was over. Now she had a prince, one who suited her tastes perfectly, waiting to share their life together.
Anton clicked his tongue as he watched the pair dripping with sweetness. Now that the number of crazy masters had increased from one to two, it was clear that hardship lay ahead. But the thought that he could finally return to his warm homeland filled him with happiness.
In the end, it had been a satisfying adventure for everyone in the party.
