The Frog Prince and the Witch Chapter 29
Translated by MissQ (ko-fi)
Chapter 29 The Prince and the Witch’s Final Chapter
When they were both ready and set to head to the dinning hall, a waiter knocked on their door to inform them, announcing that there were guests to visit.
This was entirely expected, and Joanna wasn't surprised. However, she noticed that Ian seemed unfazed as well—this man was truly perceptive, likely anticipating her intentions.
The waiters escorted them to the inn manager’s reception room. Upon their arrival, the manager was absent, but three people occupied the lavish sofa. One was a middle-aged man with gray hair and a beard, exuding an air of authority. Leaning against him was an elderly woman with a kind and gentle demeanor. Alongside them sat a younger man whose features closely resembled Ian's, though he appeared slightly older. It was clear that Ian took after his mother, while his elder brother bore a stronger resemblance to their father. Joanna immediately recognized the familial connection among them.
Joanna curtsied, her skirt flowing as she spoke, "Witch of the Wilderness—Joanna Black Velvet, greets His Excellency the king, Her Royal Majesty the Queen, and His Royal Highness the Prince."
"I’ve heard much about you, the Witch of the Wilderness, from the Witch of the Snow. Thank you very much for saving my child and providing him with such good care," the king said, rising to take her hand. "And once you learned of his identity, you ensured his swift and safe return. I cannot express my gratitude enough, especially knowing you dealt with that deranged witch!"
This praise was well-deserved, so Joanna made no attempt to decline it. However, excessive flattery was not what she sought, so she remained silent, simply standing there and waiting for the king's fervor to subside.
The empress, finally reunited with her second son, exclaimed, "Oh, Ian! I’ve missed you so! When we heard the news of your disappearance, your father and I were frantic with worry. Your elder brother even led soldiers to search for you! It’s wonderful to know you’re doing fine! You look a bit weary, but now that you’re back safe, I’ll have the imperial kitchen prepare a nourishing feast to restore your strength!"
The crown prince embraced Ian first, then turned to shake Joanna's hand. "Thank you, thank you so much! My brother is incredibly brave, and his disappearance was unsettling. I can’t imagine anyone else who could vanish so quietly… I can not thank you enough!"
In response to the enthusiastic gratitude, the witch merely offered a polite smile, choosing not to elaborate further.
The king then addressed her, "I am unsure what kind of reward the Witch of the Wilderness might desire. You are a benefactor to our royal family, and we would like to fulfill any request you may have. As long as it is within our means, we shall accommodate you."
However, as soon as the words left his lips, he realized the potential implications. What if the witch seized this opportunity to make unreasonable demands that could harm the kingdom, especially if they fell within his capacity to fulfill? As a king, one must always exercise prudent judgment to avoid potential complications… He had simply gotten carried away in his excitement and momentarily forgotten.
To his surprise, she merely smiled and replied, "There is no need for any reward."
"No need? But you saved my son…"
"This is not a transaction, so you don’t need to compensate me." The witch shook her head and smiled at Ian, who stood nearby. "Moreover, saving him brings me joy and relief; that in itself is a sufficient reward."
The king, taken aback by encountering someone who offered kindness without expecting anything in return, fumbled for words. "Then, at the very least, allow us to host you as a guest in the palace for a few days. There are rare treasures within that you might find intriguing."
The witch shook her head gently. "No. After returning him, I plan to leave immediately."
"So soon?"
She smiled and nodded, affirming her decision.
She approached the man who no longer wore a smile, scrutinizing the individual he had become from his small frog-like form. In a soft voice, she said, "Take good care of yourself and don't overexert. I've warned you many times before; this is the last time I’ll remind you. With proper care, your strength can still improve beyond what it is now. Although you still can’t lift a sword, I regret that this is due to my limited medical skills." You will fare better here than by my side. After all, you are an exceptional prince; how can you continue to associate with a witch?
As for Ian, he believed he could truly let go, that he could watch Joanna walk away without feeling a pang in his heart. Yet, when the moment came, he found himself unable to do so.
"You promised you wouldn't abandon me...you promised! You vowed to keep my world from falling apart!" Ian clutched her tightly, his voice choked with emotion. "If you leave, my world will shatter! You know all too well that you are my world!"
His arms, however, could not hold back a powerful witch. Joanna gently pulled away, meeting his gaze with an expression that was difficult to decipher.
"Ian Galen, wake up! You are no longer a frog; you are a man! You are not my pet anymore! You are a prince, a man of stature! Your perspective should be broader—why limit yourself to me? Besides... if someone else had saved you, wouldn't you hold the same feelings for them?"
Yes, saving him from the fire and water was the primary reason for his infatuation, wasn’t it? After all, who would find this peculiar woman appealing otherwise? If it had been another beautiful princess who saved him that day, would he feel the same way? Perhaps it didn’t even need to be a princess—anyone who had rescued him might have captured his heart.
"No… it isn’t like that!" Ian protested, reaching for her hand, only for her to pull away immediately, stepping back to maintain her distance. She clearly didn’t want to get close. "It was only you… only you! No one else had ever thought to save me; you are the only one who had ever regarded me! When I was just an insignificant little frog, you were the only one who didn’t disdain me, who took me back and cared for me… No one else can make my heart flutter like you do!"
"Your feelings are merely an illusion, a product of my saving you that created this delusion… You are sick, Ian—heart-sick!"
Realizing he couldn't reach her, Ian stood there helplessly, his gaze not only fervent but also pleading. "If loving a kind woman is an illness, if being drawn to a gentle soul is a disease, if I’m sick for cherishing a woman with a soft heart… then I would rather endure this affliction for a lifetime!"
The witch was taken aback by his fervent declaration.
"Madness… sheer madness! Don’t forget, you are a prince! How can you be so willful?"
"Then does that mean as long as I’m no longer a prince, I can act willfully?" Ian blurted out, not waiting for her response. He turned urgently to the three elders who stood stunned nearby. "Imperial Father, Imperial mother, big brother, I can no longer lift a sword. I am no longer the formidable Second Prince! My hands and feet have been broken, and they cannot endure the strain. As for my duties… Big brother, you know that if I were capable in politics, I wouldn't have to lead the army, would I? Returning home would only make me a burden. Besides, I was once cursed; a prince like this would only bring shame to the royal family. So let’s pretend I died out here, shall we? At least dying in a duel with a witch is far better than living as a useless prince, isn’t it? Imperial father, I…"
"What nonsense are you saying!?" Joanna exclaimed, the sound of her slap reverberating through the room. "Those are your parents, your family! How can you say something that wounds their hearts?"
Ian finally fell silent. He understood how shocked his family must be, likely rendered speechless at that moment. Yet, this was his truth; he had no intention of glossing over or hiding these thoughts. After all, if he were to return, the situation would inevitably spiral into the scandal of "the Royal Family of Galenus produced a useless prince," tarnishing their reputation and perhaps giving those with ill intentions a chance to exploit it. He had merely spoken the truth before it could be twisted against them.
But she was indeed angered, and so he lowered his gaze, whispering a heartfelt, "I’m sorry." He truly did not wish to provoke her ire… Even as the situation had unfolded in such a tumultuous manner, he still yearned to keep her from becoming even more upset.
"Regardless, what you feel is just an illusion. Once I leave, that illusion will fade, and your heart sickness will naturally heal," Joanna said, taking a deep breath. But Ian knew better; those feelings wouldn’t vanish just because she was gone. After all, why had he remained at the pond for two months after she had left him there?
An uncomfortable silence settled over them. Joanna sensed she should take her leave, yet she found herself rooted in place.
Ian, too, felt the weight of impending separation yet he dared not utter another word for fear of inciting her fury. Knowing full well that this was their final encounter, he couldn’t help but make the situation even more awkward. Truly, he was the type who succeeded at nothing yet managed to ruin everything, deserving of his brother’s teasing about being a fool who failed to employ gentler methods, always so brash.
Amidst this tension, the king, who had been silently observing, finally cleared his throat. "Actually... if a king cannot afford to be a little willful, then perhaps it’s better not to be one at all. Wouldn’t you agree, Ms Witch?"
What? Joanna looked up in confusion and caught the king’s meaningful smile.
"My son's past and his choice of companions are our family matters. As for outsiders... why should we concern ourselves with their opinions? Let them speak, and I shall cast them from our kingdom! If they are so dissatisfied, they need not reside on land governed by me, wouldn't you agree, Ms Witch?" The king stroked his chin with a grin, his laughter warm. "Besides, I have plenty of ways to silence those naysayers. This is not something worth worrying about."
"Yes, indeed," The queen laughed more exuberantly than the king, enveloping Joanna in a warm embrace. "Oh my, it seems my son has returned from his journey with not just unforgettable adventures, but also a most remarkable romance! And now, he has brought home his daughter-in-law!" She stepped back, observing Joanna closely. "Goodness, you look so thin! Has Ian not been taking care to see you well-fed? I knew this son of mine could be foolish! I often worry about his future, fearing he might remain a solitary blockhead for life. Yet here we are, and his taste is indeed splendid—he’s chosen a witch! How wonderful, how delightful!"
She was a witch, always seen as a figure of evil—was this reaction truly normal?
The crown prince pondered as he observed Joanna beside him. "If my sister-in-law is a witch, then naturally she must have a circle of witch friends, right? In the event of a disaster, rescue efforts could be launched much more swiftly… Perhaps we could even establish a witch training program to cultivate talented girls into witches! Imagine having one or two witches stationed in each city; if anything were to happen, they could immediately contact the capital, ensuring that all governance could be executed without delay... It sounds simply splendid! Clearly, we need to find ways to improve communication! Sister-in-law, you wouldn't refuse such a modest request, would you? After all, a prince consort has her responsibilities… But don’t worry, it won’t be burdensome, and it certainly won’t intrude upon the little world shared between you and my brother!"
What is happening? She hadn’t agreed to anything!
As she stood frozen, Ian hugged her once more, holding her tightly, as if fearing she might try to escape his embrace. "I truly love you; this isn’t an illusion or a mere heart disease. Or would you prefer to make me your familiar through a contract? That way, I would belong to you for all eternity, and no one could take me away from you. Please, I beg of you, let me stay by your side, okay?"
This man is a prince… so could his tone sound so desperate? Is he truly that affected by her? Was it because of her? The fact that she possessed the ability to make a strong man plead so humbly for her attention was astonishing.
"Since you’ve sworn it like so—don’t regret it afterward!" she muttered softly, but Ian’s ears caught every word, filling his heart with ecstasy.
"No regrets! I will never regret it!" Ian exclaimed, fervently kissing her cheek. "I love you, love you, love you! It’s wonderful that you’re willing to marry me!"
Did she say she wanted to marry him?? No, surely not! Isn’t this all happening too fast? Thoughts swirled in her mind, yet, the blush on her face lingered, and she didn’t outright refuse him.
…
The Witch of the Snow received a wedding invitation, her fingers dancing over the exquisite stationery. "Ha! I knew I was deceived. She claimed my magic wasn’t sufficient to escort him back. I was right to be skeptical! If I had successfully brought him back, would this great event have happened? She probably hasn’t realized that I am in possession of several magical support items, right? Otherwise, she’d certainly hold a grudge, and the invitation wouldn’t be so unassuming… Hmm, best not to mention it; her pride is quite delicate, and I wouldn’t want to provoke her anger. Ah—what a day worth celebrating! Yes, yes, let’s go soak in the hot springs!"
The end
…
Author's Note:
Yes, this is where it ends.
Some might find it strange that the royal family is so nonchalant, but from what I remember, Western royalty doesn't seem to have as many rigid rules as the dynasties in China. Although royal marriages do occur, marrying a commoner doesn't seem to be forbidden, so… well, that's just how the world is set up here. It’s not based on any specific royal customs; I just wanted to clarify that this isn’t a plot hole. [laughs]
This story was drafted in just a week… a burst of creativity, I suppose. By the time I neared the conclusion, I was eager to finish, which might explain why this part may feel a bit rushed. I think if I were a different writer, they could easily spin this into hundreds of thousands of words with countless side plots, but I'm quite lazy. Sticking to a single main plot from start to finish already takes up a lot of my time; side plots would just drain my energy even more, so I’ll pass on that. [shrugs]
So, generally, my works are of this length unless I specify otherwise as a longer piece (though the long one I’m working on is only around five hundred thousand words and still unfinished). If you’re interested, feel free to keep following me! [Ow<]
Alright, see you next time!