Chapter 99

‘…Imprinting?’

When was it?

A line I’d once read somewhere suddenly surfaced in my mind.

[Dragons and their descendants are beings of absolute devotion, who look to only a single partner for their entire lives.

Their choice of partner occurs through a phenomenon known as “imprinting.”

This “imprinting” is absolute—something that cannot be broken even by death.]

…Back when I first read that passage, I remember thinking it sounded beautiful. Like something out of a fairy tale.

I’d never once imagined such a thing could happen in my own life, so I’d simply found it fascinating.

But the man I happened to pick up in the contaminated zone turned out to be a dragon’s descendant.

And now he was saying he’d even imprinted on me….

I’d heard what Lycian said. Clearly. And yet I still couldn’t believe it.

So I asked, my voice trembling.

“On me…? You really did that imprinting thing—to me?”

“I’m sorry. The moment Muriel spoke my true name… I couldn’t control it.”

“…….”

Imprinting just because I said his name?

Then what about my will? Something that important—just decided unilaterally like that?

My head filled with questions.

I didn’t know the details of dragon imprinting.

But there was one thing I did know for certain.

‘The humans who become their partners… live for a very long time.’

For example, the founding emperor—the partner of the Founding Dragon.

And even the current empress and crown princess had already lived over a hundred years.

‘Is it because they’re bound by imprinting to dragons who live for eternity… and half-dragons with long lifespans?’

Unless they met with an accident or were killed, it was clear they could live for an incredibly long time.

‘Then… does that mean I… have to live that long too?’

It felt unreal.

I could hardly believe it. My lips parted and closed before I managed to ask again.

“Th-Then what happens now? Am I going to live as long as the other partners too? Even if I don’t want to?”

“…….”

Lycian looked as if his insides were burning to ash. The anxiety in his heart showed plainly on his face.

With a heavy sigh, he released my ankle. Then he rose to his feet and guided me to the sofa, helping me sit.

But when he was about to sit beside me, he hesitated.

In the end, what he chose was to kneel in front of me again.

Even in the midst of this serious atmosphere, part of me felt dumbfounded. Was it really okay for a Grand Duke of the Empire to kneel so easily like this?

Of course, the only person Lycian would ever show this side to… was me.

“I’m sorry, Muriel. There’s no way to break an imprint.”

“…I know that too.”

“Now that you’re my partner… Muriel, you’ll have to live a long life with me. Probably around five hundred years.”

The number slipped out so casually that my eyes flew wide open.

Five hundred years… I had never once imagined living that long.

I was too confused to know what answer to give him. Nothing came to mind.

I needed time to think. Time alone to accept this sudden reality.

Letting out a quiet sigh, I gently patted Lycian’s head.

“I’m sorry, Lycian. I don’t know how to take this right now. I’m just… really confused.”

“I understand. This isn’t something ordinary.”

“I need some time to think on my own. Can you wait until then?”

“…….”

Lycian clenched the hem of my dress tightly. With his head bowed low like that, I couldn’t see his expression.

When he spoke, his voice was so fragile it was hard to believe it belonged to the Lycian I knew.

“…All right. Do as you wish, Muriel. Whatever decision you make, I’ll follow it.”

There wasn’t even a hint that he meant to pressure me or force my hand. He withdrew without protest.

Before leaving the room, Lycian offered me a gentle smile—but his eyes looked unbearably bitter.

That expression lingered in my mind, weighing heavily on my chest.

After sunset, the chefs brought dinner, but I barely touched it.

Even though the dishes were exquisite, crafted by professionals, I couldn’t taste a thing.

In the end, I left half of it unfinished.

The maids offered me warm tea, but I declined. Then, together with Ninabel, I stepped through the “Secret Door” into the subspace.

“Master! What are we planting today?”

“This.”

I pulled the ‘Glasir Sapling’ out of my inventory.

“We need to grow this tree well and make it bear the ninth fruit. Ready, Nini?”

“Of course! If you need water, just call Nini anytime!”

We decided to plant the Glasir Sapling in the front yard. As a spirit, Ninabel chose the spot she deemed most suitable.

Spirits, being practically part of nature itself, were quite helpful at times like this.

First, I pulled out the weeds sprouting from the ground, then dug into the soil and cleared away stones, big and small.

After that, I carefully covered the roots and planted the sapling.

Since it was a precious tree destined to become Elixir material, I put more care into it than usual.

“Phew, that’s done. Nini? Could you sprinkle some water?”

“Yesss~!”

The dewdrop rice cake spun in the air and sprayed a bright splash of clear water.

Good.

Next, I used the ‘Sacred Touch’ skill to speed up the sapling’s growth.

‘Hmm, that’s quite a while….’

After it fully matured, the question was when the ‘Ninth Golden Apple’ would appear.

If only I could accelerate that with my skill too.

After idly brushing my fingers over the Glasir Sapling’s golden leaves, I dusted the dirt off my clothes and stood up.

“Master! What are you doing next?”

“Let’s do some farming.”

“Okay~!”

There was nothing like physical labor to soothe a restless mind.

And I needed more fruits and vegetables with the ‘Stamina Increase’ option anyway.

‘I need to eat a lot and build up my stamina…!’

I planted new crops in the garden and asked Ninabel to water them….

Sprouts popped up pop-pop, carrots and leafy greens shot up, raspberry bushes grew lush—and I tried to heal my heart watching them.

‘Aaah~! I’m too unsettled!’

My mind simply wouldn’t calm down.

‘This won’t do. Let’s go fishing at the lake.’

I grabbed the ‘Big Catch Fishing Rod’ I’d gotten from a random pull and headed toward the lake, Ninabel trailing along behind me.

Normally she would’ve chattered nonstop, but today the spirit kept glancing at me, carefully reading my mood. She’d immediately noticed I wasn’t in good spirits.

“Master, are you going fishing?”

“Yeah. I also want to check if the lake’s been purified.”

“It probably has!”

After about forty minutes of leisurely walking, we reached the lakeside.

Thanks to stuffing myself with strawberries that had the ‘Stamina Increase’ option, I had a fair bit more endurance—but long walks were still tiring.

It would be so convenient if I had Lycian Taxi service… I thought, then quickly shook my head.

I wanted to clear my mind, and yet in every situation, I kept thinking about Lycian.

At this point, I was a hopeless case too.

“Wow, Master…! Look over here!”

The dewdrop rice cake flew in circles above the lake, exclaiming in awe.

“Wow….”

My own eyes widened as I let out a breath of wonder.

The lake, purified by the influence of the subspace, looked like something out of a painting.

‘Was it Lake Baikal in Russia? It reminds me of that.’

I’d never seen it in person, but I’d watched plenty of ×Tube videos.

“I can’t believe this lake was always this deep blue….”

Who would’ve imagined?

It had been contaminated for a thousand years. No one could have known.

‘…I wish Lycian had come to see this too.’

I was gazing at the water, sparkling brilliantly under the descending light, when I heard a sniffling sound from somewhere.

“…?”

The source was none other than Ninabel.

Our little fool was crying again, sniffling like the fool she was.

“Nini, why are you crying all of a sudden? You were just excited a second ago.”

Startled, I asked—and she began sniffling even harder, words tumbling out between hiccups.

“I-It’s just, sniff, it reminds me of the old days….”

“The old days….”

A thousand years ago?

“Yes, back then… in this lake and forest, there were many spirits besides Nini… and we were all kind and close… But, sob, bad humans killed them all and stole their power… and only Nini was left….”

“…….”

“Nini tried to protect the spring, but I was too weak… I couldn’t stop it from being tainted… I thought I was going to die too….”

Tears welled up in the spirit’s tiny bead-like eyes.

The next moment, she flew straight into my arms and clung to me tightly.

“Masteeer~! Sob! Thank you so much for saving Nini!”

“Y-Yeah.”

It seemed Ninabel had been far lonelier than I’d guessed. No wonder she clung to me so much.

‘A thousand years ago….’

As I listened, something I’d grown curious about surfaced in my mind, and I casually asked the spirit,

“Nini, what was the Purifier born a thousand years ago like? Did you ever meet them?”