Reincarnated as a Sickly Princess, She was Kidnapped by the Evil Dragon Lady - Chapter 17

Aria, already in flight, had to divert her attention and magic to rescue Illycia, which irritated her slightly.

“Are you an idiot? Doing something so dangerous at this height?”

Aria genuinely believed Illycia was spoiled. The Little Princess seemed completely oblivious to the danger, acting like a naive child who had never seen the world.

Using magic, Aria lifted Illycia back onto her back. This time, she conjured a solid magical shield around Illycia for extra protection.

Aria glanced back at Illycia behind her and shook her head in exasperation.

If she weren’t the Anti-Magic Physique I need, I’d never associate with such a pampered Human Race princess.

“I’m sorry… I just wanted to see the view below…”

Illycia recognized the reproach in Aria’s tone and realized her actions had been foolish.

Who knew those Dragon Scales were so slippery? Just a slight tilt and I slid right off!

“Aren’t these just common sights? Haven’t you seen them before?” Aria asked, genuinely curious.

Illycia felt a pang of embarrassment. She had never actually seen these landscapes. Since her rebirth, she had been confined to the Palace, venturing no further than its grounds. She had never had the opportunity to explore the world, let alone admire its scenery.

Moreover, these landscapes hadn’t existed in her previous life, making Aria’s question all the more awkward.

“Indeed… I haven’t…” Illycia replied, scratching the back of her head awkwardly.

Illycia was at a loss for words, and an awkward silence settled between them.

But this was for the best. Illycia didn’t consider herself a skilled conversationalist, and she feared that any attempt at small talk might inadvertently anger the dragon.

So, Illycia simply lay down on Aria’s back.

She had to admit, Aria’s back was surprisingly spacious—wide enough to pitch a tent with room to spare. She had only climbed to the edge earlier; if she lay in the center, she could roll around freely without any danger of falling off.

Illycia clearly lacked the energy to roll around, so she lay flat on Aria’s back, gazing quietly at the sky.

To be honest, this was the first time Illycia had ever seen the sky from such close proximity. Earlier, when she looked down, the clouds had been below her, not above.

The thought stirred a restless urge within her to take another good look.

But remembering Aria’s fierce and scolding tone, Illycia suppressed her restlessness.

“Never mind… I don’t want to get yelled at again…”

And so, Aria carried Illycia from dawn until dusk, when the sun began to touch the horizon.

By this time, Illycia hadn’t eaten since morning. Combined with the constant flight and the discomfort of sitting on Aria’s hard scales, she was utterly exhausted.

“Um… can we land and rest for the night?” Illycia asked softly, feeling too uncomfortable to endure any longer.

There was no choice. Illycia was just a mortal, and a particularly frail one at that. She feared she would faint from low blood sugar if she didn’t speak up soon.

Aria naturally overheard Illycia’s words, reinforcing her belief that humans were both fragile and melodramatic creatures.

Despite her thoughts, Aria reconsidered and swooped down toward the ground.

“The Dwarf Race’s territory is just ahead. Let’s rest there for the night.”

Aria reasoned that the human she was carrying was too fragile to endure a full night of travel.

More importantly, she couldn’t use the same method as when she’d captured Illycia—drugging her with special herbs to make her sleep and then carrying her in her hand.

After a moment’s thought, Aria decided that since the Dragon Race’s internal affairs were relatively quiet lately and she had some free time, a slight delay wouldn’t matter.

But the main reason was that Aria remembered Illycia’s earlier condition for taking her on a world tour. Although Illycia had since abandoned the idea, Aria wanted to have this journey as leverage in case the human ever changed her mind and tried to hold her to that promise.

And so, Aria landed with Illycia at the border of the Dwarf Kingdom.

After flying for so long, the feeling of solid ground beneath their feet was truly reassuring.

Illycia stood on the earth, finally taking in the surrounding forest.

It was then that she suddenly noticed a large tree nearby, its branches laden with ripe, red fruits.

This immediately caught her attention.

“That! That! What’s that?!” Illycia exclaimed, eagerly asking Aria beside her, her expression as excited as a child curious about everything.

“It’s just a normal Lotus Fruit Tree. You don’t even know that?” Aria replied, her confusion growing at Illycia’s ignorance.

Even the most pampered noble should at least recognize such a basic fruit tree.

What Aria didn’t realize was that Illycia genuinely had no idea, having never even seen one before.

“Then… then… can we eat them?!” Illycia asked, her eyes fixed on the plump, crimson fruits.

After hearing Illycia’s words, Aria focused her gaze and confirmed that the fruit was indeed nearly ripe.

“You may.”

“Can I try one?”

“As you wish.”

Aria couldn’t help but find Illycia’s question absurd. If you want to eat it, just eat it. Why ask me?

But when Aria saw Illycia’s face, now brimming with anticipation as she looked up at her, Aria remembered just how ridiculously weak humans were. They gasped for breath after just a few steps, let alone climbing a tree.

“I’m not your parents. Even if I were, I wouldn’t be obligated to pick fruit for you. I’ve already gone above and beyond by agreeing to your terms.”

Aria spoke coldly, then turned and strode toward the Dwarf Kingdom, leaving Illycia behind, utterly dejected.

“Tch… you stinky dragon. If I were as strong as you, I wouldn’t have needed to ask you in the first place…”

Illycia grumbled inwardly, resentful. You’re so powerful, yet you can’t even pick a single fruit for me? What’s with the high and mighty act? So what if you’re the Dragon Queen?

Well, okay, she is pretty impressive…

Illycia could only follow Aria, her head bowed in silent disappointment.

Aria sensed the oppressive atmosphere behind her and glanced back at Illycia.

What she saw was Illycia, so crestfallen she looked ready to shatter.

This sight irritated Aria.

Who do you think you are? Just a weakling Human! Why should I do whatever you say? The Dragon Queen, picking fruit for you?

Aria found Illycia utterly unreasonable. Humans are all the same—greedy creatures who only know how to take.

“Hmph… Humans…” Aria muttered disdainfully.

But moments later…

“Wow!”

Illycia stared at the large, plump, crimson fruit in her hand, her heart swelling with joy.

“Thank you, Aria!”

She beamed like a child, her gratitude overflowing as she thanked Aria.