Hate me, Miss Witch!

Chapter 428 - 218: Become My Dragon Knight (Double-Length)

The snowstorm ceased abruptly.

Outside the window, the originally silver-white snowfield was now blanketed by the twilight glow and the silently spreading night.

Through that thin layer of shadow, one could see a tranquil forest and the secluded little lake at its center.

Shiayar recognized the scenery before him.

The Silent Forest.

Not long ago, when he had just entered the First Era, it was in the depths of the Silent Forest at the Ancient Dragon Royal Court where he collected clues about his Master and the Lost Island.

Likewise, this was also the place where he first encountered Augutina, and it was her hometown.

Before she emerged from the Egg of Night and met Shiayar, Augutina had been nurtured in this forest for a millennium.

The ice field, shrouded forever in blizzards, was merely an illusory scene woven by Augutina using the technique of Dreamscape Genesis.

This silent forest truly reflected her inner mind landscape.

Augutina lowered her gaze.

"I want to know, Shiayar..."

"No, what you really think of me, Master."

Shadows wove themselves into an elegant chair beneath her, and the girl in the black dress leaned lightly against it, awaiting Shiayar’s response.

Shiayar pondered for a moment and nodded.

"Since I was a child, I’ve always dreamed of becoming a Dragon Knight."

"Now that I know your true identity, I wish for it even more."

His answer was calm, revealing little emotional fluctuation.

Hearing Shiayar’s response, Augutina let out a gentle sigh.

In her dark golden eyes, there was joy, yet a hint of melancholy was faintly mixed in.

"Is that all?"

She spoke softly.

"When you’re with Ennie, Miss Silvia, Empress Isadella, you can speak those enchanting words of love anytime, anywhere."

So why is it that when facing me, it’s only such a plain description?

As the master of the Dark Shadow Council and the queen of the Dark World of the Western Continent...

Augutina noticed Shiayar’s existence far earlier than Silvia and Isadella, beginning her secret observation of him.

Long before he broke through to the 4-Ring, before reuniting with Silvia, when he was still weak.

As she watched, as a bystander, Shiayar reunite with Silvia and the others, pouring out their hearts, exposing their true feelings—

Only heaven knows how much Augutina envied them at that time.

The bitterness in her heart let Augutina first understand the true meaning of the term "underdog."

It was even more heart-wrenching than the famous scene of three in the White Album because at that time, Augutina had not yet formed a bond with Shiayar, not even having a standpoint to appear by his side jealously.

She also wanted to be the one to whom this black-haired youth confessed his feelings, to hear the sweet nothings from his lips.

Even knowing those confessions and sweet words were false, spoken merely to placate her, it mattered not.

"Because I can’t say them."

Shiayar gently stroked Augutina’s head.

Beneath the jet-black hair, her smooth forehead bore majestic horns.

It wasn’t until he touched those horns did Shiayar’s memory trigger a sense of familiarity.

Connecting the authoritative and mysterious, powerful Queen of the Night with the lazy, dozy young dragon atop his head, occasionally flapping its wings as it listened to his tales.

When Shiayar touched her horns, Augutina’s body stiffened as if electrified, instinctively wanting to retreat.

But in the end, she suppressed that racial instinct and let Shiayar stroke her head.

Much like the countless days of the past in that Star Realm Drifting Cabin a long time ago.

"If you really wish to hear those sweet words, I can churn them out in batches anytime."

"To me, it’s just an actor’s routine, something I’ve done countless times in the past."

Shiayar spoke deliberately, fondling Augutina’s horns.

Once that long-sealed equal contract reopened, Shiayar finally understood the true heart of this Queen of the Night, hidden beneath layers of night and shadow.

Though this queen of the Night World held far more titles and fame in the transcendent circle of the Western Continent than Sylvia of the White Tower, in reality, regardless of the power and authority she possessed, her experience in matters of the heart was pitifully lacking.

Becoming insecure and self-doubting from the long wait, yet not relinquishing hope.

Even if Augutina did not voice it, Shiayar understood clearly what she wanted, as reflected in those dark golden dragon eyes.

A few seemingly deep, tender sweet words from Shiayar would easily content this Queen of the Night.

The obsession sustained across multiple eras fulfilled at last, body and soul submerged in the flood of happiness, making her heed Shiayar’s every word henceforth.

"But then, there would be no meaning to it."

"Wouldn’t it?"

Shiayar stroked her hair again, and in the candlelight, Augutina’s face was bathed in a warm glow, the lines soft.