Wise shifted back a little, watching the girl warringly. It was the first time he was getting such a strange response from a princess.
The world had a way it worked and in the natural make up of the world, princesses feared dragons.
Granted, she did not seem completely free of fear, Wise could see the hesitation in her eyes, but there was something else hiding in those gleaming grey eyes…
Curiosity.
"How old are you?"
"What do you dragons eat?"
"Can I ride on your back?"
The princess unleashed a barrage of questions, then she paused, her next one barely making it past her lips.
"Do you… eat princess?"
'This one… is not very bright is she?'
Wise gave her an odd look before standing up. He had no time to dally around, not when he had just abducted the princess of Frenum.
He walked over a tree he had marked previously, behind it, hidden from view was a perfectly good cart and horse.
One he had stolen…
He let out a brief laugh when he remembered how it had gone.
Mistaking his laughter to be directed at her, the princess blushed deeply, realising that her over enthusiasm might have gotten the better of her.
From a young age she had always been fascinated by dragons, but this was the first time she was actually seeing one that wasn't in her dreams.
She ran her hand through her white hair and stared at the ground to hide her blush. But after a short moment, she saw the dragon walk up to her and offer his hand.
"Let's go."
She nodded curtly and took his hand, soon they were on a road leading to somewhere.
Wise held the reins of the horse, enjoying the swaying movement of the cart.
"Now that we are moving, I can finally answer your questions."
The princess almost let out an excited squeal but hid it well or at least she thought she did.
Wise could notice the way her heartbeat sped up but ignored it.
"Where should I begin… Oh." A smile crept up to his face. "Let's start with the most interesting one shall we?"
"Do dragons eat princesses?" Wise repeated the question before facing her.
"That is a rather unfair question don't you think?"
The princess looked a bit confused. "I'm sorry if I have caused offence."
Wise waved his hands dismissively. "No, no not that. Look at it like this, let's say you want to set a trap to catch a chicken. Would you show it your knife?"
"By the way, this is purely… umm… hypothetical…"
The princess gave it a little thought before shaking her head slightly.
"No, I guess not."
The cart's wheel bumped into a stone, rattling the entire cart and sending the princess into Wise's arms.
Wise stared down at her and said:
"Well that is very similar to us don't you think? Why would I tell you if I truly wanted to eat you?"
He briefly glanced at the road to make sure he was going in the right direction before returning his gaze to the princess.
Wise smiled, revealing canines sharper than most.
"Princesses are not my favourite snack." His eyes took a dangerous glint. "But for you… maybe I'll make an exception."
The princess paled and a single sweat ran from her forehead down her beautiful face.
"Hahahahahahaaha." Wise burst out in laughter when he saw her expression.
The princess on the other hand pouted, realising she had been played.
She returned to her seat, resolute to not speak another word throughout the journey.
But Wise's question got her talking even if it was for a brief moment.
"Princess, I fear I do not know your name."
She continued staring away from him before she spoke.
"Esme Riversdale, third daughter of the Frenum noble family.
Wise gave his most polite smile, not that the offended princess was watching though.
"I am Wise, Wise SkyFire."
Wise noticed her twitch at the mention of his surname but she remained unresponsive, choosing to nurse her injured pride.
Ding!
A clandestine sound rang in his head.
[Princess binding complete!]
[Awakening the Princess Binding System]
[Success!]
~[Name: Esme Riversdale]~
Sounds familiar…
[Race: Half Elf]
Herein the secret lies, ehehe
[Level: 2]
Would have little luck lifting a large stick.
[Exp: 15/50]
Pffft, really?
[Affinity: Earth and Wind]
Would be helpful in sweeping the estate.
[Ability: Barrier Seals.
The host can manipulate barriers, affect the barriers of others as well as set up barriers of her own.]
Er… it's actually good?
[Skills: —]
What did you expect?
Wise rolled his eyes at the system's commentary. She was just as he had expected her to be, she had been sheltered all through her life after all.
But still… he had a lot to work on.
Wise's eyes then went back to a particular detail which caused him to raise a brow.
'Half elf?' He wondered, stealing a glance at the girl.
As far as he knew, both the lord and lady of Farmult were human. Had he wandered upon a well hidden secret?
It was not his business so although curious, Wise chose not to ask her.
Instead, he smiled in anticipation for the next string of text.
Ding!
[You have received new affinities! Earth and wind]
Ding!
[You have received a new ability! Barrier Seals!]
Wise could not hold the laughter that erupted from his throat.
lLosing himself in the mirth, he mistakenly let his dragonic voice loose, causing the princess to immediately look in his direction, her expression nervous.
'Now all I have to do is train her!'
The stronger she grew, the stronger he would get. If she learned a new skill, he would get 10x the benefits! If she gained exp he would get 10x the exp!
Such was the power of the princess kidnapping system!
[It is called the Princess Binding System! Don't reduce me to some perv—]
Wise blurred out the system's words from his head and turned to Esme.
"Want to ride me?"
She looked confused at first, but then her face suddenly turned beet red. "W-w-what?!"
Wise laughed while the horse yelped as his body unfurled, transforming into a colossal dragon.
"My sweet little princess, what a dirty mind you have."
"Hop on."