Chapter 478: Witnessing the Establishment of the New City
After, Anna rested her head in the hollow of Roland’s shoulder, curled against him.
“Your Highness,” she murmured, “it’s so good… to have met you.” Her breathing was still returning from the heights of the night.
“Call me Roland.” He stroked her hair. “There’s no one else here, and I’ve never once heard you say my name.”
“Ro… land.”
“Good.” He reached up and tickled her ear until she laughed, and then said quietly, “Actually—it’s me who should have said that. Before I came here, I never imagined I would find someone like you.”
“Not even in the palace?”
“No.” He shook his head slightly. “Sometimes I think I’m still dreaming.”
Anna was quiet for a moment. Then she pressed closer.
“I’m right here,” she said. “I’m not going anywhere.”
The words caught something in him. She’d said that before. He could not place the exact moment, but the shape of it was familiar — some earlier version of the same declaration, in a harder time.
Living like a normal person, but I do not care about that. I just want to stay at Your Highness’ side, nothing more.
She was the small, frightened girl rolled up in the corner of a prison cell. The diligent girl who practiced her ability in maid’s clothes. The daring young woman who conjured a wall of fire and sealed the city gate. The diffident girl who had raised her head and kissed him; the one who had asked him to stay with her on the Day of Awakening.
These scenes came to him one after another, like cards laid down on a table.
Without either of them meaning to, they had built so many memories together.
“You’re right,” he said. He ran his hand down the length of her hair and along her back. “You are right here.”
Feelings are a strange thing, he thought. Nothing but meaningless, foolish words, and yet they undo me every time.
A long silence. He assumed she had fallen asleep.
“I’m a witch,” she said.
“I know.”
“Sister Wendy told me that witches can’t have children.” Her voice was barely above the level of breath. “That will be a problem for you.”
“I’m not afraid,” Roland said, firmly. “Compared to the third Battle of Divine Will, it’s nothing.” He had spent some time, once, thinking through the question of succession. He had stopped after Agatha’s report. The battle that would decide humanity’s fate was approaching. If they lost, every kingdom fell; every dynasty ended. Succession, measured against that, was a problem so small it barely deserved the word. He paused. “Actually—I was a bit worried, earlier.”
“About what?”
“I was worried you’d use that as a reason to refuse me.”
Anna looked up at him, genuinely puzzled. “Why would I? I want to be with you. I’m a witch either way.”
Roland laughed—helplessly, completely. Of course. Since the beginning, this had been her way: direct, unencumbered, saying the thing precisely as she meant it. No drama of noble self-sacrifice, no Korean drama case of I mean well but cannot tell you. He had been overthinking again.
As they lay talking, he felt his body come back to life. Anna sensed it too. She kissed his neck and shifted above him—
The night was still very young.
…
Roland woke much later than usual. When he opened his eyes, the sun was already directly overhead, light flooding the castle.
He reached to the side and found nothing.
Could it be that last night was—
He bent down and exhaled with relief. Strands of flaxen hair lay across the pillow, and on his collar, the faint trace of her fragrance.
“What are you doing?”
Her voice came from above him. Roland looked up and felt awkward in the sudden way of a man caught doing something he cannot explain: he was lying with his face buried in the pillow, sniffing. “Ah—I was counting the strands of hair you left. When did you get up?”
“I went to bring you breakfast.” Anna placed a plate on the bedside table. Her movements were a little different from usual—careful, as though something had shifted in how she inhabited her own body. “You were sleeping soundly when I woke. I didn’t want to disturb you.”
“I’m sorry,” Roland said. “I should have helped.” After so many hours of strenuous activity, he was genuinely concerned she was uncomfortable, whatever her recovery capabilities.
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Anna laughed softly. “You’re a prince.”
He shook his head and said nothing. Instead, he pulled her into his arms. After a moment, she patted him on the back. “Enough. You’re awake, eat your breakfast—I have work to do.”
“Shouldn’t you rest a few more days?”
“I can’t.” Her voice was earnest. “We face the demons soon. Miss Soraya and Miss Agatha are working hard, and I won’t fall behind.” She smiled, and it was the kind of smile that could light a room. “You too—Roland.”
…
He kissed her goodbye at the door and walked to his office feeling lighter than he could account for. When he pushed it open, Tilly was already inside, seated at the table.
“Good morning,” he said.
“It’s already noon.” She smiled. “And you’re all smiles—good dream?”
“Do I— is it that obvious?”
“Entirely.” The smile faded. “I came to say goodbye.”
Roland stopped. “Goodbye? Are you returning to Sleeping Island?”
“I’ve stayed too long.” Tilly stood and moved to the French window. “I’ve kept in touch by letter, but I have to go back eventually. The Months of Demons are over—my purpose here is done.” She looked out at the river. “Don’t worry. Even from across the sea, I’ll give you my full support against the church and the demons.”
“Can’t you settle here instead?” Roland tried. “There’s vast empty land along the south bank of the Redwater River. It could hold all your witches.”
“We’ve had this conversation.” She sighed. “It’s not a question of space.”
She’s made up her mind. He understood why—it was the right choice, the responsible one, the sign of a leader who had not confused her own comfort with her people’s welfare. That did not make him any happier about it. “At least stay another week. I’ll prepare things you can take back—things that will be useful.”
“What things?”
“Books. Courseware. Exercises—ready to copy and distribute, so you won’t have to start from nothing. A few revolvers for self-defense against anyone carrying a God’s Stone of Retaliation. And two steam engines—they can pump water for irrigation and salt extraction.”
Tilly turned from the window. ”…Thank you.”
“And the Groundbreaking Day,” Roland said, putting weight on each word. “I want you there. I want you to witness with me the establishment of the City of Neverwinter.”
Chapter 478: Witnessing the Establishment of the New City
Translator: TransN Editor: TransN
After m*king love, Anna rested her head in Roland’s arms and nuzzled up against him like a cat.
“Your Highness, it’s so good… to have met you,” she whispered to him. Her breathing had just returned to normal from all the excitement.
“Call me Roland.” He stroked her long hair and smiled. “There isn’t anyone else around anyway, and I’ve never heard you call my name.”
“Ro… land.”
“Good girl.” He tickled her ears until she laughed, and then he exclaimed, “Actually… it’s me who should have said that. In the past, I never imagined that I would meet such a brilliant girl like you.”
“Not even in the palace?”
“No.” Roland shook his head faintly. “Sometimes, I even think I’m dreaming.”
Anna remained silent for a while, and then cuddled closer to Roland before saying, “I’m right here and I’m not going anywhere.”
These words aroused his thoughts. He recalled that she had said the same thing to him before.
“…living like a normal person, but I do not care about that. I just want to stay at Your Highness’ side, nothing more.”
“What are you talking about? I’m not going anywhere.”
She’s the petite and frail lass who was rolled up in a corner of a prison cell, the diligent girl who practiced her ability in maids clothes, the daring young lady who conjured a huge fire and sealed up the city wall, the diffident maid who raised her head and kissed me, and the lovely young woman who asked me to accompany her on the Day of Awakening…
Such scenes flashed in front of Roland one after another.
Without realizing it, the two of them had built up so many memories together.
“… it’s true.” He slid his hand down Anna’s silky hair and caressed her slender back. “You’re right here with me.”
“Feelings are really intriguing,” he thought to himself. “Though these are nothing but meaningless and silly words, they warm and melt my heart like nothing else can.”
An even longer period of silence followed. Then, just as he thought she had fallen asleep, she spoke,
“I’m a witch.”
“I know.”
“Sister Wendy told me that witches are infertile,” Anna muttered. “This will be troublesome for you.”
“I’m not afraid,” Roland replied assertively. “Compared to the impending third Battle of Divine Will, this is nothing.” He once spent time considering how to arrange his succession, but discontinued it after hearing Agatha’s report. The battle that would decide Man’s fate was around the corner. All kingdoms would be completely decimated if they were unable to defeat the demons. Compared to this, the succession issue was not important.
He paused momentarily when he thought of this. After a while, he continued, “Actually, I was a bit worried earlier on.”
“About what?”
“I was worried that you would use this reason to reject me.”
“Why?” Anna looked puzzled. “I want to be with you, no matter I’m a witch or not.”
Roland guffawed when he heard her reply. “Indeed, since I met Anna, she’s always been like that… straightforward, never beating around the bush, and expressive of whatever idea she had. With her, there would never be a Korean drama case of ‘I mean well for you, but I can’t tell you’ misunderstanding. I’ve thought too much.”
As they chatted, Roland began to feel his body revitalize. Sensing the changes, Anna kissed him on the neck and climbed on top of him…
The night was still very young.
…
The next day, Roland woke up much later than usual. When he opened his eyes, the sun was already directly above the castle.
He looked beside himself and was slightly shocked. Anna was nowhere to be found. “Could it be that… what happened last night was merely a dream?” He bent his body down and breathed a sigh of relief. Strands of flaxen hair were left on the pillow, and he could smell a faint fragrance on one side of his clothes.
“What’re you doing?” Anna’s voice suddenly came from overhead.
Roland raised his head and felt awkward—he must have looked unglamorous sniffing all around while lying on the pillow. “Ahem, I was just counting the strands of hair you left. Hey, when did you get up?”
“I went to bring breakfast to you.” She placed the plate she was holding on the bedside table. Her actions and movements seemed a little unlike her usual self. “I saw you sleeping soundly when I woke up and didn’t want to disturb you.”
“Sorry,” Roland said apologetically, “I should have helped.” After so many physical activities during the night, Roland feared that she was feeling uncomfortable despite her exceptional recovery capabilities.
“What nonsense.” Anna laughed meekly. “You’re a prince.”
He shook her head and did not say one more word. Instead, he pulled her into his arms. After embracing for a while, she patted him on the back. “Alright, that’s enough. Since you’re awake, hurry up and eat your breakfast. I still have work to do today.”
“Shouldn’t you rest for a few more days?”
“That won’t do,” Anna replied earnestly. “We have to face the demons soon. Miss Soraya and Miss Agatha are working really hard, and thus it won’t be right for me to slack off.” She smiled sweetly. “You too… Roland.”
…
After kissing goodbye to Anna, the prince strode to his office in buoyant mood. When he pushed open the door, he was surprised to see Tilly waiting for him and sitting by the table.
“Good morning.” he greeted. “Is there an issue?”
“Look, it’s already noon.” Tilly smiled back at him. “And you look like you had a good dream.”
“Do, do I?” Roland placed a hand around his mouth.
“Of course, you’re all smiles today.” She shrugged her shoulders and the smile on her face disappeared. “This time I came to say goodbye to you.”
Roland was stunned. “Goodbye? Are you returning to Sleeping Island?”
“I’ve stayed here for too long. Even though I’ve kept in touch with the Fjords by letter, but… I’ve to go back sooner or later. Now that the Months of Demons are over, the objective of my trip can be considered done.” She stood up and walked over to the French window. “Don’t worry. Even though
I’ll be across the sea, I’ll give you my full support in fighting the church and the demons.”
“Can’t you settle here in the Western Region?” Roland made a last-ditch attempt to persuade her to stay. There’s a huge amount of vacant land on the south bank of the Redwater River. It can accommodate all of the witches.”
“We’ve discussed this before.” Tilly sighed lightly. “This is not a problem of finding residence.”
“It seems like she has made up her mind,” Roland reckoned. Though he understood that the decision was a sign of her political maturity and responsibility as a leader, he was very unhappy about it. “At least stay for another week. I’ll prepare a few useful things for the witches in the Fjords.”
“Oh?” Tilly turned and faced him. “What are they?”
“Books, courseware, and a few exercises.” He said while flicking his fingernails. “This will not only save you the trouble of making copies but also enhance their learning effectiveness. Also, I’ll pack a few revolvers. These can be used for self-protection in case you encounter enemies equipped with the God’s Stone of Retaliation. There’ll also be two steam engines which can be used to pump water for irrigation and salt extraction.”
“I see…” Tilly turned away and said. “Thank you very much.”
“And there’s the Groundbreaking Day.” Roland said, emphasizing every word. “I hope that on that day, you can join me in witnessing the establishment of City of Neverwinter.”