The morning arrived peacefully in the Dragon Kingdom. When I opened the window of the mansion, the cold mountain air entered the room, carrying with it a pleasant smell of damp earth. I looked at the crops we had started a month earlier. Even though they were still developing, they had already completely changed the appearance of those lands. Where there had previously been only dry soil and stones, it was now possible to see green rows slowly growing.
I spent a few minutes silently observing that landscape.
That month had passed faster than I had imagined.
Soon, I heard a knock on the door.
"Takumi, are you already awake?" Elara asked.
"Come in."
She entered accompanied by Liriel, Lyannis, Vespera, Scarlett, Rai'kanna, and Liriel's assistant. They were all already prepared for the return journey.
Scarlett smiled.
"The carriage is already ready."
Lyannis added.
"The servants have organized all the luggage."
I looked at all of them.
"Then the time has come."
We left the mansion shortly afterward.
The servants who had worked with us during that month were gathered at the entrance of the property. The adviser sent by the Dragon King was also present.
I approached him.
"I leave these lands in your care."
He placed his hand over his chest as a sign of respect.
"Rest assured, Lord Takumi."
"I will take care of everything exactly as you instructed."
I nodded in satisfaction.
I trusted him.
During that month, he had proven to be a competent and very dedicated administrator.
I also said goodbye to the other workers.
They all thanked me for the opportunity to learn new cultivation techniques and said that they would continue expanding the plantations.
We then headed to the castle.
As soon as we arrived, we were greeted by the Dragon King.
He opened a big smile when he saw us.
"I see you're already ready to leave."
"Yes."
"It's time for us to return."
The king walked toward one of the windows in the hall.
He observed the distant mountains for a few moments before speaking again.
"I confess that I will miss the activity you brought to this kingdom."
I smiled.
"We will return in a month to check on the lands."
"That is also my intention."
At that moment, the princess entered the hall.
She wore simple but elegant clothes, and her long red hair swayed gently as she walked.
As soon as she approached, she smiled at everyone.
"I'm glad to see you before your departure."
Elara replied kindly.
"So are we."
During those days, the women had developed a good relationship with the princess.
They spoke naturally, and there was no longer any atmosphere of distrust between them.
Liriel's assistant also approached.
"When you have the opportunity, come visit the Human Kingdom."
The princess smiled.
"I would love to."
After a few minutes of conversation, the king turned his attention back to me.
"I had almost forgotten."
He crossed his arms.
"I need to ask the same question again."
I looked at him, already imagining the subject.
"Do you intend to marry my daughter?"
The women immediately turned their eyes toward me.
Scarlett sighed discreetly.
Rai'kanna simply smiled, as if she had already expected that question.
The princess lowered her gaze slightly, clearly embarrassed.
I took a deep breath before answering.
"Your Majesty."
"My answer remains the same."
The king remained silent.
"I have great respect for the princess."
"She is kind."
"Intelligent."
"And she has a good heart."
The princess slowly raised her gaze.
"But at this moment, there is something much more important."
I continued.
"As long as the Demon King remains alive, I cannot think about marriage."
"My duty comes before my desires."
The hall remained completely silent.
After a few seconds, the Dragon King began to laugh.
It was a calm laugh.
Full of pride.
"That was exactly the answer I expected."
He approached me.
He placed one hand on my shoulder.
"You truly are worthy of carrying the title of hero."
He quickly looked at his daughter.
"Then we will wait."
"When this war is over..."
"We will talk about it again."
I smiled.
"I promise we will return to this subject."
The princess looked visibly relieved.
She smiled shyly.
"I will wait."
Those words were sincere.
There was no pressure.
Nor any rush.
Only hope.
After that, we walked together toward the main entrance of the castle.
Several soldiers and residents had gathered to say goodbye.
Some waved.
Others thanked us once again for everything that had been done.
Liriel also received many thanks.
The farmers made a point of acknowledging that the transformation of the lands had only been possible because of her magic.
She always responded with humility.
"Continue taking good care of the land."
"It will respond to your efforts."
Before getting into the carriage, I looked at the mountains one last time.
That kingdom had changed considerably since my first visit.
Now I had responsibilities there.
Lands.
Servants.
Friends.
And a promise to return.
We got into the carriage.
The horses began moving slowly along the road.
I looked through the window as the castle grew farther and farther away.
The princess remained standing in front of the gates, waving until we disappeared from view.
Scarlett noticed my gaze.
"Do you feel like you're going to miss this place?"
I smiled.
"A little."
"But we still have a lot of work ahead of us."
Rai'kanna agreed.
"The Human Kingdom needs us too."
Liriel looked toward the horizon.
"And the war continues to draw closer."
No one answered.
We all knew those words were true.
Even so, for much of the journey we talked about the fun moments we had experienced during that month. We remembered the beginning of the plantations, the difficulties, the transformations of the lands, and everything we had learned from the dragons.
By nightfall, we finally spotted the first roads in the distance that led back to the Human Kingdom.
After an entire month in the mountains, we were returning home.
And although that chapter had come to an end, I was certain that I would soon return to the Dragon Kingdom to follow the future of the lands that were now also part of my own story.