The Frog Prince and the Witch Chapter 28
Translated by MissQ (ko-fi)
Chapter 28: The Prince and the Witch’s Prelude to Parting
Exhausted, Joanna quickly succumbed to sleep as soon as she lay on the bed. Ian, however, found himself wide awake beside her, struggling to find rest.
Tonight would be his last night with his goddess. His heart ached as he gazed at her serene face, so peaceful in slumber. He understood that his goddess believed his affection was merely a fleeting affliction, yet he thought, if loving such a remarkable woman were indeed a malady, then he would gladly suffer for a lifetime, choosing never to be healed.
As Joanna slept soundly, oblivious to the world, Ian summoned his courage and inched closer. He rested his nose against her neck, inhaling the lingering scent of her bath. He vowed to etch her fragrance into his memory, knowing he could never forget it. For she was his life’s singular love; no other woman could ever occupy his heart so completely, her every smile and frown ensnaring his thoughts like a spell.
He reached out to pull her into his embrace, memorizing the sensation that belonged to her through the warmth of his body. He had never dared to be so audacious, save for that one night at the bonfire gathering, when he jokingly hugged her in front of the villagers. It was a single fleeting moment, for he believed that among so many, she wouldn't find it too disheartening. After that, he lacked the courage to reach out again, fearing he might catch a glimpse of her disdain.
As he held her body, he marveled at her slender waist. No wonder the neighbors looked on with concern; it was delicate, almost as if it might snap.
He longed to keep her warm like this forever... but did she even need it? After all, how could such a formidable witch fail to devise a way to keep herself warm? It was clear that she didn't feel the cold, which was why she made no effort to shield herself from it.
The faint scent of ancient paper and dried herbs wafted from her, stirring memories of Ian’s days as a little frog, watching her in her study as she measured herbs and flipped through tomes. In those moments, she had exuded a charm unlike any other.
Being able to lie next to her was the greatest joy he could imagine, yet the weight of this being their final night cast a shadow over his happiness. As exhaustion tugged at him, Ian remained resolute, committing every detail of her face to memory and inhaling the scent that was uniquely hers. But even this felt inadequate; no matter how deeply he focused, it wasn’t enough.
Why wasn’t he her familiar? Why hadn’t she chosen him during his time as a frog? If he had been her familiar, would they be bound by an invisible contract, inseparable by any force? She had promised him—hadn't she?—that she would never abandon him.
The more he pondered, the deeper Ian’s grievances grew, stirring emotions he struggled to contain his tears. Yet, he still dared not make any sudden movements that might awaken her. He stifled his emotions until dawn, tucking his hands and feet neatly as if he were soundly asleep, ensuring that from the outside, he appeared to be resting peacefully before Joanna stirred.
As soon as Joanna opened her eyes, she was greeted by his smile. Still slightly dazed, she failed to notice the reluctance in his gaze, only expressing mild surprise at the dark circles under his eyes. This bed was the finest she had ever slept in, yet it seemed so uncomfortable that it had caused him to wake up looking weary. Was it truly that unpleasant? Or perhaps, being a prince, he simply couldn't acclimate to sleeping on any bed outside the palace?
"Good morning, Mistress," Ian said, gently helping her sit up. "Would you like me to fetch a basin for you to freshen up?"
"Okay." While a simple pull of the service bell could summon anything she needed, Joanna appreciated his desire to step outside. He likely wanted to relieve himself, after all.
In truth, Ian longed to escape Joanna's gaze that morning as soon as possible, eager to wash away the telltale signs of his fatigue. Today was his last chance to leave a lasting impression, and he couldn’t let her see him looking so haggard.
Once he had freshened up, he returned as a dashing gentleman, holding the basin in front of Joanna and gently assisting her with her morning routine. This sudden shift in his demeanor felt strange to her, considering how they hadn't been so closely bonded before.
As for the small pang of reluctance in her heart, it was completely overlooked by her.