Chapter 15: A rare separation

While Fratina was touched by the mysterious girl’s understanding, Lucia found herself in a bind.

“Miss, where’s your home? It’s late, but we can escort you back,” the outpost commander said politely.

When Lucia was brought in, the commander had noted her appearance and deduced she wasn’t from an ordinary family.

Though common girls could be beautiful, Lucia’s refined features and exceptional aura marked her as nobility.

The rough soldiers of the outpost didn’t dare entertain any improper thoughts.

Lucia, sensing their deference, spoke confidently, “What’s the nearest town? Just take me there.”

“Well…” The commander hesitated. “It’s late, miss. Even if we get you to town, you’d only be staying at an inn.”

Lucia rummaged in her skirt pocket and pulled out a gold coin. “I’m not short on money.”

Seeing the coin, the commander relaxed slightly.

He was glad he’d been courteous; offending her family could cost him his position.

“Very well, we’ll escort you,” he nodded.

Lucia placed a silver coin on the table. “Thank you for your trouble.”

“You can stay at this inn. We won’t linger,” the soldiers said, saluting as they left after escorting Lucia to a nearby town late at night.

Lucia nodded silently, acknowledging their service.

She entered the inn and requested a room.

Upstairs, she pushed open the door to her room and grimaced.

Though it was the inn’s best, it paled compared to even the worst guest room in her lair.

The wooden bed looked uncomfortably hard.

There wasn’t even a sofa—just a few crude wooden stools.

The bedding was cheap and rough.

Having grown accustomed to the opulence of her dragon’s lair, Lucia found it hard to adjust.

But with night so deep, returning now risked discovery by patrols, which would cause bigger problems.

Resigned, she decided to make do for the night.

She’d left a note on her door, and Fratina wouldn’t dare enter her room.

Sitting on the bed, Lucia patted the stiff board, sighed, and lay down.

Meanwhile, Fratina hurried back to the cave late at night.

Surprisingly, Lucia wasn’t waiting in the hall.

At Lucia’s door, Fratina saw the note.

Fratina, I’m out for a bit. Stay nearby and do as you please.

Relieved, Fratina exhaled.

Lucia’s absence meant her late return wouldn’t need explaining, as it might not have been understood.

She processed the hunted game, stored it in the kitchen’s ice cellar, and returned to her room.

Calm again, her thoughts drifted to the girl she’d met.

“Too bad I didn’t ask her name,” she murmured.

The girl knew Fratina’s identity, though. Would she, influenced by others, forget today’s kindness and grow to hate her?

But recalling the girl’s genuine smile, Fratina chose to believe she wouldn’t.

“If only everyone were like her.”

Sighing, she leaned back in her chair, reflecting on the day.

Before meeting the girl, her body had felt unusually enhanced, better than her peak condition.

It reminded her of the rapid recovery she’d experienced after signing the contract.

Her gaze fell on the dark red iris tattoo on her hand.

As if sensing her thoughts, it glowed faintly.

“…A master-servant contract,” she whispered.

“Forced on me without my consent… It must have cost Lucia greatly, too.”

Recalling how Lucia fell into a deep sleep soon after the contract, Fratina grew more suspicious of its nature.

Yet she still found no way to break it.

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through her hand, but it vanished quickly, replaced by a soothing comfort, like after a long rest.

“…So strange.”

Unable to decipher the contract’s other effects, Fratina returned to bed and drifted off.

At the inn, Lucia tossed and turned on the hard bed, unable to sleep.

Just as she began to doze, a strange sensation of weightlessness jolted her awake.

Morning arrived, the town stirring with rooster crows and sunrise.

Lucia rubbed her throbbing head and stretched.

Sunlight poured through the window.

She looked out at the bustling streets.

A whiff of food hit her nose, and her stomach growled loudly.

Exhausted and unfed since yesterday, the scent was irresistible.

After checking her appearance in the mirror, she headed downstairs.

*

At the cave’s entrance, Fratina hung her clothes to dry.

“Lord Lucia hasn’t returned yet…” she murmured, inexplicably worried about her absence.