As Arthur sat by the fire inside the cave that had been his home for the st four years, he gnced toward Yamikage and Yuki, who were pying quietly. The flickering light illuminated the cave walls, a space that had once seemed so vast and imposing but now felt like a second home. He sighed, gathering his resolve.

  "Yamikage," he began hesitantly, "we need to leave this cave tomorrow."

  Yamikage looked up, her gaze curious but slightly concerned. "Why?"

  Arthur took a deep breath and expined the events of his duel with his brother, the reward he had requested, and the promise he had made to build a home outside the city.

  Yamikage ughed softly, her expression brimming with pride. "See? Didn't I tell you that I would make you stronger? You’re finally on your path to greatness."

  Arthur smiled at her words but pressed on. "Yamikage, I want you to come with me. Live with me."

  Her cheerful demeanor faded, repced by a shadow of sadness. Yuki, who had been watching silently, toddled over and clutched Yamikage's arm. "Mommy, why are you sad? Did Daddy hurt you?"

  Arthur’s face turned red as he waved his hands defensively. "I didn’t do anything to her!"

  Yamikage chuckled softly and pulled Yuki into her p. "Don’t worry, my little one. Your Daddy didn’t hurt me." She gently patted Yuki’s head, soothing her until she drifted off to sleep.

  Arthur, feeling a pang of guilt for bringing up a topic that had caused Yamikage’s mood to sour, approached her hesitantly. "Yamikage… why were you sad earlier? You can tell me."

  Yamikage’s expression grew distant, her eyes clouded with memories. "It’s nothing," she said softly, though her trembling voice betrayed her.

  Arthur didn’t back down. "Please, tell me. If it’s something that burdens you, I want to help carry it."

  After a long silence, Yamikage finally spoke, her voice filled with pain. "Before you, I didn’t have anyone to share this with. But if you truly wish to know, then listen closely."

  She began her story, her tone heavy with sorrow.

  "One thousand years ago, the Dark Dragon species was a peaceful race. We despised war and sought harmony. I was the princess of our kind, born of royal blood. Our ancestors told us that the royals had been chosen by the founder of our species. The other dragon species—The Holy Dragon, Time Dragon, Fire Dragon and Ice Dragon—were also created by a group of humans with godlike powers.

  However, we Dark Dragons were different. Unlike the others, we possessed a dangerous ability. If we were ever awakened in berserk mode, we became unstoppable, stronger than any other dragon species.

  Our peaceful lives came to an end when the other dragon species decred war on us. They cimed we were a threat to their existence. My people… my parents… they were sughtered before my eyes."

  Her voice broke, and she paused to collect herself. Arthur listened intently, his heart heavy with the weight of her words.

  "I was filled with so much grief and rage that I awakened in berserk mode. I lost all self-awareness, and I… I sughtered every dragon that stood in my way. Forests burned, kingdoms crumbled… my wrath spared no one. The people began to call me the 'Dark Dragon of Destruction and Terror.'

  The dragon species' leaders came together, aided by their founder, a human of unimaginable power. They sealed me in this cave, cursing me. If I leave this pce, ninety-nine percent of my power will be sealed, and I will be hunted like prey."

  Tears streamed down her face as she finished her tale. Arthur moved closer and embraced her tightly.

  "Arthur… what are you doing?" she whispered, her voice shaky.

  "I’m sorry for everything you’ve endured," he said softly, stroking her hair as she wept into his shoulder. "You’ve suffered so much… but you’re not alone anymore."

  Her cries gradually subsided, and she leaned against him. Eventually, she drifted off to sleep, her expression peaceful for the first time in ages.

  ---

  The following morning, Yamikage agreed to leave the cave. As soon as she stepped outside, her draconic horns and tail disappeared, and her aura changed entirely. She looked like a human, her curse stripping her of her dragonic features.

  Arthur stared at her in shock, his face flushing. Yamikage, now in her human form, was breathtakingly beautiful.

  "Arthur?" she asked, tilting her head. "Why are you staring at me like that?"

  "N-Nothing!" Arthur stammered, quickly turning away, his cheeks burning.

  Their journey to the Duke's mansion was filled with Arthur’s nervous gnces and Yamikage’s knowing smiles. When they arrived, Arthur instructed Yuki to return to her Fenrir cub form to avoid drawing attention.

  At the mansion, Arthur bowed before his father. "Greetings, Duke. This is my master, the one I spoke of."

  Gasps echoed through the room as the nobles and servants beheld Yamikage. Her beauty was unmatched, and murmurs spread like wildfire.

  "She must be from a noble house…"

  "Could she be a foreign princess?"

  Arthur’s elder brother stepped forward, his gaze fixed on Yamikage. He bowed deeply. "Young dy, I am the first successor of the Bckthrone family. I humbly offer you a marriage proposal."

  Yamikage froze, her expression unreadable. Arthur, meanwhile, clenched his fists, his patience wearing thin.

  To be continued…..