The Crown's Fire - Chapter 183

Chapter 183: To Return You
Since that bad dream, Katelina developed a phobia of sleeping. She feared having that kind of dream again. She didn’t tell Asura about this fear because she didn’t want to worry her friend, and so days passed with her being sleep deprived.

Right now, she had a schedule to check the northern territory. She wanted to personally deliver relief goods to the people affected by famine due to the monsters in the area. Her soldiers, with the assistance of Commander Cora and her team, managed to clear the area of monsters, but there was still much left to do—rebuilding, providing medical assistance to the wounded, and delivering relief goods to address the famine.

She and Cora were still on the journey, traveling in a special carriage designed to let passengers sleep comfortably throughout the trip. Asura had already fallen asleep, but Katelina remained awake. Asura was surprised to see Katelina still awake when she herself woke up.

“You’re still awake?” Asura asked, rubbing her eyes.

Katellina managed a tired smile. “I couldn’t sleep. My mind won’t let me rest.” It was another lie. She was too sleepy and yet she refused to fall asleep. She even used a spell to keep herself awake.

Asura sighed, “You need to rest, Your Majesty. This isn’t sustainable.”

Katelina bit her lower lip and murmured, “I know, but every time I close my eyes, I fear the nightmares will return.”

Asura released a heavy sigh as she watched Katelina resist her sleepiness. ‘This won’t do,’ she thought. She knew why their Queen Regent was fighting the need to sleep, but if she continued like this, her body would fall sick.

After some time, their carriage arrived at their destination, and the Queen Regent started her work, checking the sick and distributing food to the people.

Commander Cora, who was still in the area, greeted Katelina and Asura warmly. However, the Queen Regent quickly excused herself to speak with the Count and Countess, who had generously lent their manor to be used as a campsite for the injured.

Asura who was left with Cora smiled at the latter and whispered, “How are you doing with Aurum?” She was curious to know if the little golden dragon was getting along well with Cora.

The golden dragon, being the most powerful of all, had intrigued her. It surprised her why it had chosen someone from Ebodia. Was it because its kind was also in Ebodia?

Cora chuckled softly. “Aurum is a handful, but we’re getting along fine. He’s a bit stubborn, but I guess he took my threat seriously this time. I told him that if he sneaks out again, I’ll return him and not accept being his dragonrider.”

Asura laughed. “Those dragons don’t even see my effort. None of them wanted me to be their dragonrider.”

Cora’s expression suddenly grew serious. “Is the Queen Regent alright?” She asked, her gaze shifting to Katelina.

Asura quickly followed Cora’s gaze and immediately walked toward Katelina, who seemed to be losing her balance.

“I am good,” Katelina answered as she got back on her feet on her own.

“Your Majesty!” Asura complained but quickly pursed her lips when Katelina gave her a meaningful glance. “Go and ask Cora if her men have other needs,” Katelina told her with a smile.

Asura turned around with a crumpled face and walked back to where Cora was standing.

“What happened?” Cora inquired.

“Ah, I feel like my head is aching,” Asura mumbled as she looked at Cora. There was no point in hiding her sentiments from Lady Cora since Lady Cora was already aware of the truth about who Lady Katelina was.

“Her Majesty had a bad dream two days ago. It’s about Devon and her horrendous experience with him. Since then, she hasn’t been sleeping properly. Whenever she falls asleep, she tries her best to wake up. She even uses a spell to keep herself awake,” Asura confided.

She heaved a long, deep sigh and added, “I really don’t know what to do. To be honest, I’m already thinking of giving her a tonic to sleep without her knowing, but… she’ll surely get mad, especially if her nightmares come back.”

“Oh, this is not good. But I can understand your sentiments,” Cora commented.

“Ah, tonight she must sleep,” Asura grumbled. “It must be hard for her to see those horrendous times with Devon. Of all the glimpses of her lost memories, why does it have to be Devon? It’s like she’s slowly being dragged back to hell!”

Cora could only sigh as Asura expressed her concern for the Queen Regent.

“I will excuse myself now, Lady Cora,” Asura suddenly said. “I need to prepare something to help Her Majesty sleep later. I’ll face her anger, but I can’t stand by and watch her body fall into despair, especially now that she’s physically exhausted and emotionally tormented. Damn that Devon,” she added with a dark expression.

Cora nodded and then she also walked back to her tent. Inside, she didn’t waste any time reporting this matter to their king. After all, her primary mission, aside from assisting with the clearing of monsters, was to look after the Queen Regent and keep the king informed about her well-being, especially regarding her current struggles.

She released the pigeon and went back inside her tent to check on Aurum, who was sleeping on her bed. This dragon loved to sleep and sneak out, but she was glad it hadn’t done so since she threatened it two days ago.

Looking at the sleeping dragon, Cora released a deep sigh. She felt unprepared to care for such an important and powerful creature like Aurum. The dragon stirred, slowly opened its eyes, and purred at her.

Cora chuckled. She gently caressed Aurum’s head and murmured, “Hmm, Aurum… Can you choose another dragonrider? I am not ready for this kind of responsibility. I fear I’m not the proper dragonrider to raise and take care of you. I’m sorry, but I think I will need to return you to Her Majesty.”