Chapter 57: The Ring of Contract

In the end, Aslan still couldn't rid himself of the Spear of Destiny's pursuit. All he could do was add another charm beside the two existing tags—one that enhanced divine power, the other that bolstered healing. This new charm allowed the weapon to adjust its size. Thus, the mighty Spear of Destiny now hung from Aslan's chest like a pendant.

Ever since the spear decided to follow Aslan, Melusine had been so upset she barely ate for three days.

To this, Aslan could only offer a bitter smile. He truly hadn't expected that the Spear of Destiny would so aggressively insist on binding itself to him.

In order to avoid unknowingly capturing the hearts of more sentient weapons, Aslan chose to retreat into the forest. After all, a jealous dragon was extremely difficult to console. He nearly stripped off his clothes and declared to Melusine, "This body, down to the very soul, belongs to you!"

Besides, how could he possibly marry a sword or a spear? If it ever came to that, wouldn't he have to watch himself every night, just in case one of them decided to cut off his… you know.

Eventually, after the completion of the Contract Ring, the bond between him and Melusine grew so intertwined that the jealousy in her heart gradually faded. So what if it was Aslan's beloved sword? So what if it was his loyal spear? As long as she remained standing, nothing else mattered!

Meanwhile, Aslan was also planning to find the perfect time and place to formally give the Contract Ring to Melusine. So in his spare time, he asked the fairies to help him search the forest for the most beautiful location—a spot where he and Melusine would forge their final contract.

The fairies recommended a riverbank shaded by verdant trees, its shores lined with gems that shimmered with dazzling colors. Under moonlight, the entire scene would become even more dreamlike and magical. It was a place perfectly suited for Aslan and Melusine—and if they were lucky, they might even witness the aurora.

That last detail sealed Aslan's decision. After all, his beloved dragon adored the aurora, for it was a beauty and romance that had endured for over 4.6 billion years, never changing.

On that special day, Aslan even prepared a barbecue. The ingredients had been hunted together by him and Melusine earlier that day. And strangely enough, they encountered no fairies along the way—though this was likely due to Aslan's request. After all, who could refuse a request from such a beautiful young man?

Not even the fairies.

As the sun began to set, Aslan brought Melusine to the riverbank. The descending sun painted the sky in brilliant colors, transitioning from vibrant orange to deep, resplendent blue. The river reflected this palette, becoming a sea of orange, blue, and violet. The gems scattered along the riverbed sparkled with refracted light.

This beauty wasn't one born of golden opulence—it was the wonder and grandeur that only nature itself could bestow.

Melusine seemed to sense something. Gazing at the splendid river, inhaling the fresh scent of windblown grass, and beholding the magnificent sky filled with stars and aurora slowly emerging in the distance, her eyes lit up with a mix of awe and joy.

She turned back toward Aslan, her white hair lifted by the river breeze. Her golden eyes shimmered with unusual hues under the reflections of water and sky. Then, Melusine smiled softly at him.

The moment that smile bloomed, Aslan froze where he stood.

Not the stars above, not the mysterious and beautiful aurora, not the final golden glow of the sun, not the violet brilliance reflected in the river, not even the glimmering gems scattered through the water—none of them compared to the beauty of the silver-haired girl before him.

Perhaps he had already taken into his hands the most radiant gem in all of Britain. And perhaps from this day forward, no one else in the world would ever compare in his heart or his eyes.

Aslan looked at Melusine and placed a hand over his chest. The fae script etched onto his skin began to glow softly, and two rings materialized in his palm.

He put one of the rings onto his own finger. Then, looking at Melusine, he gently knelt on one knee—just like a knight.

Placing one hand over his heart, he extended the other to take Melusine's hand. By now, the sun had completely disappeared. The sky had become a realm of stars and dancing auroras.

"Melusine, from the moment I first forged our contract, I promised you: one day, I would let you soar freely in the sky. And if you had no harbor to return to, no place to rest your wings, then I would become the chain that binds you, the island that always follows you through your endless journey.

Today, I fulfill that promise. From now on, I shall forge an eternal contract with you. No matter this land or the heavens, no matter what lies beyond the horizon, I will remain by your side."

Lowering his head slightly, Aslan kissed the back of her hand. Then he raised the other ring with solemn eyes and said, "Melusine, my dragon… what is your answer?"

Melusine snatched the ring from him and, without hesitation, slipped it onto her ring finger. She raised her chin slightly, her expression proud and confident—but if one looked closely, her eyes shimmered with a faint mist.

"Do you even have to ask, Aslan? I awakened because of you. My wings move only for you. Whether it's land or sky, or even the ends of the world, I will fly only for you—and I will stop only for you! From now on, don't even think about shaking me off!"

With that, Melusine threw her arms around Aslan and spun him around twice before both of them toppled straight into the river. Water splashed high as their bodies became soaked, and droplets clung to their hair like jewels under the shimmering aurora.

Melusine sat atop Aslan, backed by the infinite stars and brilliant lights. Droplets slid down her face—it wasn't clear if they were river water or tears of joy. But one thing was undeniable: the matching smiles on both their faces were more radiant and sweet than the aurora itself.

Aslan gently patted her back. "Alright, alright—no more tears. Today's a happy day, isn't it? Let's get back to shore first."

He pressed both hands to the riverbed and prepared to stand up—only to freeze the next moment.

Because what his hand touched… wasn't stone.

It was metal.

Something… wasn't right.