The Divine Hunter

Chapter 423: Reunion With Ciri

[TL: Asuka]

[PR: Ash]

The door was opened, revealing a young witcher in a grey cloak and beautiful attire under the magical lamp. He was bowing at Ciri.

The girl stared at his face, but then she stopped walking, her surprise turning into confusion, and she sniffed the air. “Who are you?”

A resigned smile tugged at Roy’s lips. “Ciri, it’s only been a year, and already you can’t recognize me? I’m Roy of the Viper School.”

Ciri frowned. She stared closely at the young man standing before her. He looked familiar, and yet very different from the boy she had in mind. “No.” She said seriously, “Roy’s eyes are dark gold, and he’s much thinner than you. And he doesn’t have that viper medallion. You can’t fool me.”

Coria stood before the princess and spread her arms like a hen protecting her chick. “Don’t come closer. Leave. Or…” She puckered her lips and puffed her chest. The girl almost cried, but she said, “Or I’m yelling. And then the soldiers will take you off for execution.”

“Everyone grows and changes.” Unfazed, Roy produced his medallion out of thin air and showed it to the girls. “You grew taller, Your Highness. And I remember telling you The Professional, a revised Rapunzel, The Ugly Duckling, and The Little Red Riding Hood. You two cried a few times.”

He smiled. “We drew tortoises on Coria’s face and adventured in Brokilon. You hid in a tree hole because a giant centipede was hunting you down. And Eithne witnessed us as we drank the Waters of Brokilon. I don’t think you can call those experiences a lie.” Roy suggested, “And you should look closer at me.”

“Princess, I…” Coria suddenly turned around. Solemnly, she said, “I think he is Roy.”

A sob escaped Ciri’s lips. Like a cannon, she shot herself at Roy. Roy held her up and spun around, then he raised the girl high into the air. Amused, she finally smiled.

“I was busy, my friend. Pardon me for not coming, but I didn’t lie. I am just a bit late.”

“You liar!” Once Roy put her back down, she stopped smiling and bit his arm like an angry kitten, but she felt like she just bit into hard wood. The recoil from Quen made her teeth hurt. “You lied, and you’re resisting me?”

Roy pulled Quen back and smirked at Ciri. She was wearing a beautiful princess dress, a pair of stockings, and a pair of pointy shoes. A gorgeous pink ribbon was tied in her hair. She looked just like a doll, not the tomboy Roy had in mind. It was amusing to him. Her Elder Blood was still in its early stages of awakening, and Ciri couldn’t keep it under control just yet.

“Now try again.”

“Yes.”

Excitement turned Ciri’s face red. Now things just got a lot more exciting. This is like hide and seek. “I promise I won’t tell her. And you too, Coria! Keep this a secret, or I’ll cut your head off!”

Coria shivered and nodded as quickly as she could.

But then Ciri grinned, and a cunning look overtook her features. “But I must see Geralt by tonight, or all bets are off, and I’m telling Calanthe you snuck into the castle.”

“As you wish, princess. I shall be leaving now.”

“Come back soon.”

Roy held the door’s handle, but then he turned around. “Ciri, a question. Please answer honestly. Would you be willing to leave this palace and move to a witcher’s base?”

“By all means, yes. I’ve had enough of this prison.” Ciri’s eyes shone. “But is your base a fun place?”

“A ton of kids your age live there. You can learn swordplay, horseback riding, archery, reading, writing, alchemy, and poetry. You can play with the kids, sing and dance, and you can even ride a griffin.” Roy told her the truth.

“Oh my gods.” The princess held her hands before her chest, her mouth forming a comical ‘O’. “This is heaven! You must bring me there after tonight!”

Roy did not answer that request just yet. He asked another question. “Will you still come with me even if it means you will never return to Cintra?”

Roy posed the question calmly, but Ciri noticed the solemnity hiding under that question. She froze for a moment and twiddled her thumbs. Her face scrunched up, and she timidly asked, “Can’t I stay for six months or a year and come back when I want to see my grandparents? I’d cry if I didn’t see them for that long.”

Roy fell silent for a moment and shook his head. “No, I don’t think you can do that.”

Ciri paled, and anxiety filled her heart.

“Take your time, Ciri. We’re in no hurry for an answer.”

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