Chapter 5
Rosalind's POV
Since my last private conversation with Drakon, my days in Dragon Valley had indeed improved considerably.
At least no dragons deliberately breathed fire at me anymore, and no one forced me to eat poisonous plants. I knew this was all because of him. Though he never said so explicitly, the other dragons looked at me differently now—no longer with pure disgust, but with some wariness.
I wanted to do more for them. Maybe that would make my life here more meaningful.
"I want to go to the edge of Dragon Valley to gather more herbs," I told Drakon. "There should be some precious medicines there."
His golden eyes looked at me for a moment, he was silent briefly, then nodded in agreement.
"Aren't you afraid I'll run away?" I couldn't help asking.
"You can't escape," he said calmly.
True, he was the Dragon King after all. If he wanted to find me, where could I possibly run?
Now I walked alone on the path to Dragon Valley's edge, carrying a crude herb basket. Morning mist drifted through the mountains, and the air still carried a hint of coolness.
I never imagined this trip would completely change my fate.
The smell of blood.
Before I saw anything, I smelled the heavy stench of blood.
The forest was in chaos—thick oak trees cut in half, broken armor pieces and bloody weapons scattered on the ground. Scorched earth told me an intense battle had just taken place here.
Dragon Slayer Knights? My heart raced. They actually dared attack Dragon Valley?
"Look there! A woman!"
A rough voice rang out. Before I could hide, several fully armored knights spotted me.
They looked battered—their silver armor dented and bloodstained, clearly having just retreated in defeat.
"Dragon slave!" The captain glared at me viciously. "Grab her! Make her pay for our dead brothers!"
"No!" I backed away desperately. "I'm human! I'm not—"
"Cut the crap!" A bearded knight roughly grabbed my arm. "You REEK of dragons! Must be their lackey!"
They dragged me roughly to a clearing. I could tell these men were on the edge of rage—losing to dragons had humiliated them, and now they desperately needed a target for their fury.
"A dozen brothers died because of those DAMN dragons!" the captain said through gritted teeth, his eyes turning dangerous and lustful. "Since we caught their slave, let's make her taste our revenge!"
NO! I instantly understood their intention, terror flooding through me like ice water.
"Please!" I struggled desperately. "I really am human! My name is Rosalind, I'm a servant at the Duke's manor!"
"Servant?" The bearded knight sneered, starting to roughly tear my clothes. "How would a servant be in Dragon Valley? You think we're idiots?"
The sound of ripping fabric made me scream in despair. I fought back frantically, my nails clawing bloody scratches across several faces, but this only made them angrier.
"This BITCH dares fight back!"
A heavy punch hit my stomach hard, pain nearly suffocating me. But survival instinct gave me strength—I seized the moment when they relaxed their guard, bit down hard on someone's wrist, then ran desperately toward the deep forest.
"SHIT! Chase her! Don't let her get away!"
I didn't know how long I'd been running, only that my lungs felt ready to explode.
The sounds of pursuit grew fainter behind me, and I finally stopped against a large tree, gasping for air. My whole body was covered in wounds and dirt, my clothes torn to rags, but at least I'd escaped.
Ahead came sounds of laughter and celebration, a stark contrast to my miserable state.
I carefully crept forward and through the gaps in the bushes saw the town's tall stone walls.
A grand celebration was taking place outside the walls—bright flowers and fluttering banners everywhere, crowds gathered, voices cheering. The air was filled with the scents of roasted meat and fresh flowers.
Then I saw the magnificent flower carriage.
Its body was decorated with gold thread, surrounded by white roses and lilies. On the carriage sat a pair of newlyweds—a handsome golden-haired knight and a beautiful bride in white.
Gareth. Isabelle.
They were married.
My heart felt like someone was squeezing it tightly, the pain making it impossible to breathe. The world spun before my eyes, and I had to grip the tree trunk to stay standing.
"Look, what a handsome groom!" a woman called out excitedly.
"I heard he heroically rescued the princess from dragon claws!"
"What a perfect tale of heroic rescue!"
"The strangest thing is, the dragons didn't retaliate in anger! Maybe even they were moved by Sir Gareth's courage and love!"
"They're a match made in heaven!"
The crowd discussed excitedly, constantly throwing flower petals at the carriage. Gareth and Isabelle waved acknowledgments, their faces glowing with sweet, blissful smiles.
All because I took her place...
Tears blurred my vision, my chest aching like it was being torn apart. So this was his "coming back for me"? This was his "compensation"?
He saved her, married her, became a hero, basking in the glory of public adoration.
And me? I was enslaved, tortured, humiliated, and now nearly assaulted by those beasts.
Rage and despair churned in my heart. I wanted to rush forward and confront him.
Just as I was about to step out from the bushes—
"Found you, little BITCH!"
Rough hands grabbed my hair, yanking me backward violently. The sharp pain made me scream.
"Gareth!" I cried desperately. "Save me! GARETH!"
I thought he must be able to hear me, must turn around and see me!
But another hand immediately covered my mouth.
And Gareth in the distance remained immersed in happiness, completely oblivious to the commotion here.
"Still trying to call for help? Dream on!"
I bit down hard on the hand covering my mouth.
"FUCK! You bitch!"
A heavy blow struck the back of my head, the intense pain plunging my consciousness into darkness.
