I Married the Dragon I Killed — Chapter 3: What I Desire

Chapter 3: What I Desire

The‍⁠ empire leaves no‍ land unconquered.

That‌‍ was the motto of the Arken‌‍ Empire, which expanded‌‌ its influence from‍ the center of‌ the Serdes continent.‌

Within‌ the empire, that‌ motto intoxicated the people, but for‍⁠ the outer regions,⁠ it was little⁠ more than ridiculous⁠‍ arrogance.

When‌ Perda lived in⁠‍‌ the Rosnova house,‌ the first thing‍ he learned was‍‍‍ that that phrase⁠‍‍ was nothing but empty words.

In fact, in Serdes‍ there were many⁠ lands never conquered,⁠ and the East‍⁠ was the clearest⁠ example.

The‌ Cursed Land.

The‌ East, after the‌⁠ appearance of the‌⁠ demon king, became‌ a place saturated‌⁠ with magic.

Although‌‍‍ it was contained,‌⁠⁠ the impact persisted—plants‌‍ grew abnormally and animals became several⁠ times more ferocious.⁠

Thus⁠‌ the Cursed Land⁠ was born.

And⁠ on that front‍ stood the sovereign‌‍‌ who ruled—Queen Valdrova.⁠

‘That’s‌‌ why they also⁠⁠‍ called her the‌ demon dragon.’

Whatever⁠ the truth was,‌ the image people‌‌‍ had of her‌‌ was that of a brutal dragon.

It‌ was rumored that she had absorbed‍‌ the power of‌ the demon king,⁠⁠‌ that she was⁠‍ secretly forming an‌ army of monsters.‍‌

‘For‍ the little she‍ actually did, her‌‌ infamy is excessive.’‌⁠

There‍‍ were endless conspiracies‌‌ about her, but‍ no one ever‍ dared to accuse‌ her or point⁠‌ at her directly.

Even⁠ the most foolish knew that touching⁠⁠‌ a single hair‍ of a dragon‍⁠ was a suicidal‍⁠⁠ act.

Rustle,⁠‌ rustle—

As they walked down‌ the path, a noise in the⁠ bushes reached Perda’s⁠ ears.

When‌ he turned his‌ head, the maid‌⁠ walking ahead spoke⁠ first.

“Don’t‍‍ worry. As long‍⁠ as you’re by‌ my side, they won’t dare attack.”‌‍

They‍‌ had to be‌‌ monsters.

And‍‍‍ that girl seemed‍ to have eyes⁠ in the back of her head.⁠

‘Well,‍⁠ she’s a dragon’s⁠ servant. It’s not‍ strange that she’s‌⁠ different.’

Perda‍‍ calmly watched her‍‌ from behind.

She‍ looked like a doll.

The maid uniform fit‍⁠ her body, revealing‍‌ the shape of‌⁠‍ a young girl‍ in the midst‍ of growing.

Her⁠ silver hair, tied‌‌ in a side⁠ ponytail with soft‍ lines, gave her‍ a charming appearance.‍‌‌

Had‍‌ they not met⁠‍ in Valdrova’s domain,‍‍‍ anyone would have‍ taken her for‍‌ an attractive maid.‍

“What’s⁠‌ your name?”

“Luri.”⁠‍‌

She‍⁠ replied in a dry tone.

“Nice‌‌⁠ to meet you,‌ Luri. How much farther do we⁠⁠ have to walk?”⁠‌‍

“About⁠ two more hours.”⁠⁠‌

“That’s‍ quite a bit.‌⁠ It didn’t seem like it took‍⁠ you that long‍ to get here.”‌

“Of‌⁠ course. Alone, it‍‍ takes me ten⁠ seconds to arrive.”

Two‍ hours versus ten⁠ seconds.

The⁠ difference was absurd.

“Then why don’t you⁠ take me that⁠ way to the‍ lair?”

“Because I’d have to‍ carry you in‍‌ my arms.”

“Don’t‌ worry about me.‌‌‍ I can handle‌⁠⁠ a flight.”

“No,‍⁠ I simply refuse⁠⁠ because I don’t‌ want to.”

“……”⁠‍

How‌ brazen.

If‌⁠ it had been‌‍‌ another maid wearing‌ that uniform, Perda‌ would have slapped‍‍ her without hesitation.⁠

“If⁠⁠ you don’t want‍ to, there’s nothing⁠ to be done.”

But‍ Perda didn’t do⁠⁠ it.

In‍‍‍ foreign land, a noble could lose‍‌‌ his life over‍ pride.

And‍ more importantly—she wasn’t‌⁠ an ordinary human.‍

A dragonspawn.

Dragonspawn‌ were humans chosen‌⁠ and blessed with⁠‍‍ the blood of‍ a dragon through‌ a “rite of‌⁠ ascension.”

Just⁠ by receiving that‌ blood, they naturally‍ awakened magic and gained tremendous strength.‍

Even‍‍ if her body⁠‌ seemed small, she‍‍ could easily defeat‍‌ a pair of⁠‍ knights.

And‌ besides, Luri could‍ hide her horns‌⁠‌ and tail—a sign‌‌⁠ of power far‌‌ superior to other‌⁠⁠ dragonspawn.

That’s‌ why Perda remained‍⁠‍ silent and followed⁠ her steps.

For‍‌ his weak body,‌ it was exhausting.‌

His‌ pace gradually slowed⁠‌ until he fell behind.

Then⁠ Luri turned her‌ head.

“Are‌ you tired?”

“Yes,‌ I am. Can‍ we rest for⁠‍ a moment?”

“There’s‍‍ no time for‍‌ that. Let’s keep‍‌ moving, my lady‍‍ is waiting.”

Her⁠ silver eyes gleamed⁠‌ coldly, demanding he‍‌ press on.

“All‌ right, all right.”⁠

Perda‍‍ took a deep‌⁠ breath and forced‌ himself to continue.‌

Getting⁠‌ married was no‌ easy task.

***⁠

The‍⁠ red dragon’s lair,⁠‍⁠ called the lair,‌‍ was beyond the‍‍ empire’s so-called front‍ line.

Beyond‌‍ a dense, unexplored‌‌ forest stood a solitary mountain. On‍ its slope rose‍‌‍ a castle so‍‌‍ large it could be seen from⁠‍‍ afar on a clear day.

‘Many‍ think that castle‍‌ is Valdrova’s lair.’‍

But‌‌ Valdrova didn’t live‌ in the castle.‍‌

The⁠ entire mountain was⁠‍⁠ her lair.

Upon‍⁠ arriving at the‍ entrance, Luri turned‍‍ and gave a few brief warnings.⁠‍

“It’s a bit dark.⁠⁠ Don’t make a scene—there’s nothing beneath⁠‌⁠ your feet.”

“Understood.”⁠

“Well,⁠ sometimes stalactites fall…‌ avoid them if‌ you can. If⁠ you’re capable, of⁠‍ course.”

She‍ explained lazily, almost‍ taunting him.

Perda⁠ didn’t react and⁠⁠ just nodded.

“Very⁠⁠ well.”

Luri‌⁠ led the way again.

Soon,‌‍‌ a massive iron‌‌‍ door appeared before⁠ them.

It‌ had no decorations—just⁠⁠ overwhelming thickness, like⁠ a seal made‍ to contain what‌⁠ lay beyond.

Luri⁠ gently knocked on‍⁠ the door.

“My lady, your fiancé‌‌‌ has arrived.”

There‍ was no reply.‍

Instead,⁠‍ a tremor ran‍‌‌ through the ground—the‌⁠ body of something‍⁠ enormous stirring.

Even‍ behind the heavy‌ door, the air‍ bristled.

It‌‌‍ was clear that‍ a terrifying dragon⁠ lived inside.

Thump—‌⁠

Something‌⁠‌ hard struck the⁠‌ metal door.

Luri‌⁠ turned to Perda.‍

“I will deliver the message.”

She‍‌ opened a small side door and⁠‌ went in.

On‌ the other side,‌‍ there was absolute‌‍ silence.

Perda‌ waited patiently.

Three minutes later, Luri‍ returned.

“There is a message‌⁠⁠ from Queen Valdrova.”‍‍

She‍‍ cleared her throat‍ and spoke.

“I know well that⁠ you have come‍ here by order of the Arken⁠‌ Empire to be‍‌ engaged to me.‍ Even knowing of⁠‌ my atrocities, you⁠ have set foot⁠‍ in my domain.‌ That is worthy of praise.”

Perda‌⁠‍ didn’t like the‌‌⁠ tone.

He‍ knew what would‌‍‌ come next was‍ a rejection.

“But‍ I don’t intend‌⁠‌ to drag you‌ into this engagement‍‍ by force. So‌ go back to⁠⁠⁠ where you came‍ from.”

For‍‌‍ anyone, that would‍⁠ be salvation—freedom.

The⁠ Perda of his‌ childhood would have⁠ fallen to his‌‌ knees with joy.‌

But‍ the Perda of‌ now was no⁠‍‍ longer the same.‌

“Oh, really? Then go⁠ and tell her‍‌ this.”

Luri’s⁠⁠ eyebrow arched.

“It’s true that it⁠ was the empire’s‍ order, but coming‌ here was my‍ own decision. I won’t return. I want to continue‍ with the engagement.”‍⁠

“……”‌

Luri‌ stared at him.⁠

Her‌ expressionless face was‍ cold and unsettling,⁠ but Perda didn’t‌‍ flinch.

“Not‍⁠ going to pass⁠‌ it along?”

“…Fine.”

She‌‌ went back inside.‌

Ten⁠‍‍ minutes later, she‍ came out carrying‍ a bundle in‌ her arms.

“New‍‌ message. You’ve been⁠⁠⁠ brave to come⁠‌ here on your‍‍ own. I’ll value your determination and give you a royal treasure with which you can‍‍ lay your foundation.‌⁠‌ Take this gold‍ and build a new life elsewhere.”⁠

Clatter—‍

It‍⁠ was a bag‌ full of gold and jewels.

She‍‌ also tossed a document—a certificate bearing the royal seal.⁠⁠⁠

Perda‌‌ looked at it.⁠

To‌ him, that gold⁠ was nothing but‌ stones.

“Go‌ and tell her‍⁠‌ this—I’m not interested‍ in power or‍‍ riches. I came only for the‌‌ engagement with Queen‌ Valdrova.”

“……”

“You’re‍‌ still hesitating. It doesn’t suit the⁠ queen’s maid to⁠‍ appear so clumsy.”⁠‍

Luri didn’t respond and‌⁠‍ simply went back⁠ through the massive iron door.

“…Hah.”‌‌

She‌⁠ let out a sigh and slammed⁠‌ the door shut‍ with a bang!

Her face, as impassive‍ as always, revealed‌ nothing.

But‍ Perda, who had‌‍‍ lived burning with‌‌ hatred and vengeance,⁠‍ knew how to‍‍‌ recognize what was‍ hidden in her⁠⁠⁠ eyes.

It⁠‍ was disgust.

“I⁠ won’t drag this‌ out. Leave here‌ immediately.”

An‍⁠⁠ order charged with⁠‍ emotion.

But‍ Perda didn’t waver.‍

“Quite⁠‍ a short message‍ to come from‍‍ Queen Valdrova.”

“No.‍ This is from‍ me, my lady’s⁠ servant, of my‌ own accord.”

She‌‍⁠ stepped slowly toward‍ Perda.

With‌ every step, her‍ appearance changed.

On‌ her head, a pair of horns⁠ rose as if‍ piercing the sky,‍‍ and the skirt⁠⁠ that reached her ankles suddenly billowed.‍‌

She‌‌ revealed without shame‍‌ her form as‌‍ a dragonspawn—threatening him.‍‌‍

‘Is‍‌⁠ that… Dragon Fear?’‍‌

He‌ expected her to‍‍ be powerful, but‌ she exceeded expectations.‍⁠

That‌ a mere servant‌ could wield dragon‍‍⁠ fear was extraordinary.‌

“That’s‌‌ why I tell‍‌ you—take the gold⁠ and leave while‍ you still have⁠⁠ the chance. If‌‍ you wish, I’ll⁠‍⁠ escort you back‍ to the empire‌ myself.”

A hatred with reasons,⁠ but still unjustified‍‍⁠ toward him.

Even⁠ so, Perda wasn’t⁠‍ shaken.

He⁠ had learned too‌ much to be⁠‌ swayed by something so trivial.

“I,‌‍‌ Perda Rosnova, will‍ speak here with‍⁠‍ complete honesty.”

He‍⁠ looked at her seriously and continued.⁠⁠

“I didn’t come to‍ this place forced‍‌ by anyone.”

He‍‌ remembered what he⁠ had felt through⁠ Valdrova’s heart.

A life of dreams⁠ that always shattered.⁠

The‍ weight of slander,‍⁠ the eyes full⁠⁠ of disdain, the‍ fight against her‍‌ own murderous instincts.

Not‌ even she herself‌⁠ had been on⁠ her side, and‌ yet she kept‍ fighting.

“I,‍ Perda Rosnova, desire‌ neither power nor‍ treasures.”

Even‌ if the queen⁠ didn’t know it,⁠ he remembered it‌ well.

When‍ Valdrova sacrificed her‌ life, the only⁠‌‍ thing she wished⁠ for was someone’s‌⁠⁠ happiness.

Even⁠‌ to Perda, selfish⁠ to the extreme,‌ she gave her‍ heart.

That’s‍‌ why, even if she didn’t recognize⁠ him now—

“I,‍ Perda Rosnova, have‍‍ come only to⁠ be her fiancé.”‍⁠

As⁠⁠ long as he remembered, he would⁠‍ be her ally.‍

“Tell⁠‌⁠ her that, as future spouses, we‌⁠ should speak directly⁠ to clear up‌ any misunderstandings—not through‌ a maid’s mouth.”⁠

Luri’s‌ patience finally reached⁠ its limit.

“How⁠ dare you! Do‍‍ you even know‍‍‍ who you’re talking⁠⁠ to, to spout⁠ such insolence…?”

Her⁠ small hand shot⁠ straight for Perda’s‍ neck.

If⁠ she grabbed him, she’d snap him‌ like a dry twig.

Thump—⁠

The‍⁠ sound of something⁠‌⁠ hitting the metal⁠‍ door stopped her.‍‌

In‍‌ an instant, Luri‌⁠ regained her composure,‍ and the Dragon‌ Fear vanished.

The‌ girl who had‍‌‌ just shown killing‌ intent bowed to‍ him.

“Forgive‌⁠ me.”

“Good. Go.”

Perda remained unshaken.

A while later, Luri‍‌ returned with the‍ queen’s message.

Her⁠ doll-like face looked‌ displeased.

Perda⁠ knew instantly that‌⁠ she brought good news.

“Queen⁠ Valdrova has said‍‌ that she understands⁠ your words well⁠‌ and agrees to‍ proceed with the engagement.”

Just‌ as he expected.‍

No‍ matter how haughty‌‍‌ the maid, she‍ couldn’t go against‍‍ her lady’s will.⁠⁠‌

“Perfect.⁠⁠‍ I understand.”

“Then,‍‌ this way…”

As‌‌ if nothing had happened, the conversation‌‌‍ returned to its‌ formal tone.

Perda‌⁠ followed her silently.⁠‍‌

***‌

That same night, beneath‌ Valdrova’s castle.

Luri,‌ the queen’s servant, returned to the‍‌ dragon’s lair.

She‌⁠ crossed the massive‌‍ iron door and‍‍‌ went inside.

There,‌‌ curled with elegance, lay a dragoness‌‌⁠ with red scales.‌

— You’ve returned?

Her‍ golden eyes glowed‍ in the darkness.⁠

Luri⁠‍ bowed with grace‍⁠ and solemnity.

“In‌ front of me lies one of‌ the twelve great⁠‌ sovereigns, the embodiment‍ of absolute power.‍‌‌ I see you⁠‌‌ reclining with the⁠ majesty only one‍ who rules the‌‍ world can possess.”‍‍

— You think so? I’m just lying‍ down, that’s all.‍

“True⁠ elegance is like‍ that. When you‍ try to imitate it, it looks‌ grotesque. Real elegance is the kind⁠ one wears in the skin, unaware‌ of it.”

— Really…?

Luri’s‌‍ eyes sparkled with‍ sincerity.

Valdrova‌ reacted with confusion.‌

“Do⁠⁠‍ you really plan‌ to marry a mortal?”

— Isn’t that what⁠ I’ve always wished‍⁠ for? You yourself⁠⁠ respected that decision.‌‌

“I said it back‌ then without conviction.‌ You can still⁠ change your mind.‍ Revoking a decision‍ is also a royal virtue.”

She‍‍ insisted again and‍‍‍ again, but Valdrova‌⁠ shook her head.‍‍

— I won’t take‌‍ it back. That⁠‌⁠ remains my will.

“Tsk…”‌‌

Luri‍⁠‍ clicked her tongue‍‍ in frustration.

The queen didn’t mind‌⁠ and asked,

— Tell me, what‍ is that man‍‌ like—the one who⁠⁠‍ will be my consort?

Luri⁠ shook her head.‍

“Don’t⁠‍ even mention him.‌⁠⁠ He’s a weak⁠ human.”

— That weak?

“I‌‌ thought that being‍ from a knightly‌ family he’d be‍‌⁠ strong, but he‍‌‍ almost collapsed on‍⁠ the way. A sickly body.”

— And?

“Also,‌‌‌ an absolute eyesore.⁠ They said he‍‍ was eighteen, but‍⁠ his face looked⁠ like a neglected‌⁠ old man’s.”

— Luri.

“Sorry.‌ The truth is… he has a rather delicate face.⁠‍‍ The type that‍ makes a lot⁠‌‌ of women cry.”‌

— That’s not what‌ I meant.

Luri‌⁠⁠ knew exactly what⁠ answer her lady‍‍⁠ sought.

She‌⁠ didn’t want to‌ say it, but‌‍ had no choice.⁠⁠

“He’s not ordinary.”

— Not ordinary?

“I’m‍‌ a dragonspawn. I have the blood‌ of dragons. For⁠ me, instilling fear⁠‍ in mortals is easy. And yet…”‍‌

She recalled Perda’s figure.⁠‍

“That man never feared me. That’s why‌‍ I believe he’ll‌‍ be able to‌⁠⁠ look you straight‍ in the eye.”⁠‍‍

— Really?

Luri⁠‍ frowned.

A human should not⁠‌ be able to‌‌ look a dragon⁠‌ in the face.‍

— Excellent.

But⁠‌ a smile appeared‍ on Valdrova’s face.‍

— Someone who can‌⁠‌ look me in‍ the eyes like‌ an equal.

“Equal,⁠⁠ you say?”

— Yes. As something‌‍‍ normal.

But⁠ to Luri, that‍‍ was anything but‌‌ normal.

Two‌‍ humans looking each other in the‌ eye—that was normal.‌

But‌‍⁠ a human and‌ a dragon—never.

The‍ dragon commands, the‌‍ human obeys—that was‌ the ordinary relationship.⁠⁠‍

She⁠ had much to‌ say, but couldn’t⁠⁠ open her mouth.

If⁠‍⁠ her lady was‍ satisfied, nothing else mattered.

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Chapter 3: What I Desire

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