Saved By The Mad Duke
Chapter 101: Undress For Us, Will You?

Chapter 101: Undress For Us, Will You?

Aideen slowly moved her eyes away from the last word of that bizarre tale and focused her empty gaze on the desk before her. The story indeed seemed like nothing more than a mere legend to her but it still left a strange and somewhat heavy residue inside her mind.

Perhaps she would have dismissed that lingering uneasiness altogether if it were not for Ahspid’s words that returned to her consciousness, echoing the memory of the conversation they had several days ago.

’Ahspid suspects that King Yuraon was cursed by a witch too... Could it be just a coincidence?’

The princess was brought back to reality when the mage’s slim and long fingers tapped rather loudly on the surface of the desk, asking for her immediate attention.

"Did something catch your attention, My Lady? That serious frown on your face will not do you any good in the future, trust me."

Deepening the wrinkle etched between her eyebrows, the woman shifted her eyes to Ahspid for a moment, secretly wishing that she, too, had the power to control the fire. Then, she handed Elindine’s journal to the man and said in a serious voice,

"Could you read this tale and tell me if it reminds you of anything?"

"Reminds me of anything? Do you have something specific in mind, Your Highness?" Ahspid received the journal and fixed his purple eyes on the opened pages while Aideen added,

"Just read it and tell me what you think."

As the magus began to scan the sentences with his sharp gaze, the princess patiently awaited his reaction and once he was finally done, he placed the journal back on the desk, and fixed his eyes on the lady, his voice laden with curiosity as he asked,

"I think it is you who has to tell me what you think, Your Highness. Do you suspect it has something to do with the young King’s curse?"

Aideen nodded.

"At the beginning, Queen Elindine mentioned that the witch that stayed in the castle knew something about Davoorian gods. Could it mean that she, too, was from Davoor? Doesn’t it look strange to you?"

Ahspid slowly scratched his chin, his mind drifting away into a state of deep contemplation.

If the curse on King Yuraon was indeed the one placed by a fire witch, then the runic tattoos on his body would be of a fire nature too. Unfortunately, the nature of the witch’s curse was as complicated as their reputation. After all, there was a reason why the witch’s curse could only be lifted by the very same witch who placed it.

’I cannot read these runes nor can I see their origin. Perhaps the princess is right and this little story confirms my previous suspicions.’

Aideen, unable to endure the mage’s quiet state any longer, leaned over the table and said, recalling her experience,

"Ahspid... When I touched the King’s body, my mana acted very strangely. It was as if... It was conflicted or, perhaps, alerted by something entirely different. The color of the runic writings changed and they felt very hot to the touch. It has been on my mind ever since but only now am I getting concerned... This looks like the reason for King Yuraon’s suffering. My heart keeps telling me that he is afflicted by the fire curse placed on his family by Ylva."

Ahspid, however, was still reluctant to speak. The princess’s words made his thoughts flow in a different direction.

’Is what she has seen really the King’s curse? Does it mean that the dragon’s eyes allow her to see the residue of the witchcraft as well? if so, then it is another fascinating ability added to the collection of her innate powers. The more she uses her mana, the more her real strength awakens. Hmm... I believe there are still a lot more limits to push.’

Finally, although still looking rather lost in his own world, Ahspid began,

"If the curse was placed by the witch who is no longer in this world, there is nothing we can do. However..."

Losing himself back in the deep sea of thoughts, he mused,

’If Ylva is dead then there is a chance that woman can bring her back and let us talk to her. Ugh, I really hate the idea of contacting her again... If I must bring her here, then I have to be completely sure that the curse belongs to the fire witch. I have to see the runes myself.’

Shifting his purple gaze back to the princess, the mage finally continued,

"I need to see the runes myself in order to confirm that they are indeed of fire origin."

The woman arched her eyebrows, unable to comprehend the meaning behind his declaration,

"I beg your pardon? Did not you say that you cannot do that?"

With a wide grin stretching his reddish lips, Ahspid concluded,

"I cannot but you can, My Lady. And you will help me see them too."

"Me? But how?!"

"Come on, let us visit the Young King first."

Not willing to wait for her response, the man grabbed Aideen’s hand and led her out of the Queen’s room, marching confidently through the dark hallway of the second floor. Although used to his behavior, the princess could not help but worry that simply barging into Yuraon’s room would be considered incredibly offensive and rude and she tried to warn the mage about the consequences,

"Ahspid, wait! We cannot go to His Majesty without prior notice! What if he is resting? As the lady of the castle, I cannot allow it! What if he complains to His Grace about this?!"

But Ahspid paid little attention to Aideen’s lament. Tightening his grip around her thin wrist, he continued to practically drag the lady behind him until they both finally stood in front of the young King’s room.

Still showing absolutely no manners whatsoever, the mage barged right into the bedroom, pulling the princess in as well, and declared in a loud and commanding tone,

"Your Majesty, undress for us, will you?"