Phillip didn't know what to do. He was confused and amazed and regretful. This entire situation was very unusual. A princess was not meant to befriend a dragon, much less give it one of her names.

As he walked through the empty castle, he noticed it was rather untouched. Normally, wherever a dragon lives becomes a pile of rubble and broken wood. He didn't even see any kind of hoard; no gold, no jewels, no silk, not even a collection.

"Princess Annelisa Romero Mariana Mary Isabella III?" He called out through the barren castle.

"It's just Anne!" Anne yelled back. Phillip stopped for a second. Not only had she given up the name is Isabella, but almost her entire name. This is not what a princess was supposed to do, and made the entire situation more unusual.
"Okay, then. Princess Anne? Please would you come here" He asked her knowing she was close enough to hear him, even when he wasn't shouting.

"My name is just Anne." She said as she appeared from a hallway . "I gave up being a princess when I was forced out of my home."

"Well, Anne, I must take you back to my kingdom. I will need a wife and-"

"You want me to be your wife? After what you did? No way. I'm not marrying you." She interrupted, angry at the mere suggestion of her marrying him. After what he had some, he would be lucky if she kicked him.

No. She had to keep her cool. She had to get close to him in order to truly hurt him. She had to get close to him to avenge Isabella. That was her mission.

"Not right away. First well need to inform your kingdom you're safe and get your parents' blessing and the Pope's blessing, and... All of this could take years." He said as sympathetically as he could. "At least let me take you back with me, just to keep you safe." He pleaded.

"Okay." She said. She wasn't excited about going with him, but being a maiden alone in this part of the country at night was dangerous. It would also be a great opportunity to get close to him, before he could become suspicious.

All he could do was smile. He felt sorry that he killed her friend, so sorry that he had an urge to stab himself, but Anne seemed like an amazing person and friend. Not to mention that he had dreamed of saving her since he was 7.

"It would be my please to escort you to my kingdom." He said as he bowed and held out his hand for Anne to take. Reluctantly, she placed her hand in his. He stood up and lead her out of the castle, and to his horse.