But alas, you’re here. Quiet and shy. Keeping to yourself. He can often hear the soft pitter patter of your feet roaming the vast, empty halls of the castle during the day. The soft sighs that leave your mouth as you eat your meals by yourself. And the muffled sobs from your chambers upon the tall tower. You're nothing but a miserable human in his eyes. But deep down, he knows the both of you are the same.

Regardless, things stay silent for the next couple of years. The both of you are older, the chain around his neck grows tighter and the loneliness of this castle weighs heavier on your shoulders. Though the both of you stay to your sides of the castle, rarely interacting. Occasionally, the castle will get a visitor. A knight coming to rescue the princess, dressed in some over the top, gaudy, amour that's really more for show then for anything else. They’re always loud and rude, coming in dirty and swinging around their weapon of choice across the well-kept walls of the castle. Oftentimes damaging something in their whirl of self-righteousness.

And Malleus would be fine with them coming and taking you away. Afterall, if he’s cursed to solitude then he would very much enjoy being in complete solitude then to feel the curious gaze of his unwelcome roommate every few days. But for some odd reason, these wannabe savior knights come swinging and yelling at him. He couldn’t believe it at first, this human coming full force at him? He’s done nothing to warrant such actions.

It wasn’t until the fifth unwanted pest came did Lilia show up out of the blue and relay the rumors that had spread across the land. A terrifying monster has taken the princess from her kingdom and refuses to let her go. Malleus listens with interest, growing increasingly frustrated at the tale that the princess’s own father seems to let grow. Foolish humans believing anything that is fed to them. His distaste for you grows.

Time goes on with more and more unruly brutes coming into his territory and attacking him. And it’s not like he hasn’t tried to let them just go get you after a few minutes of trying to satiate their desire for battle. (despite the blow to his pride that he’ll face) But no, they seem fully intent on killing him. The pile of amour and bones grows as the years drag by.

The sobs that seem to echo throughout the now burnt and scarred walls ceased a long time ago. Instead sits a chilling silence. Before he could at least hear the soft hums of your voice, but now he couldn’t even hear your footsteps. The weather and environment seem to reflect this shift. The sun hidden away by the thick, grey clouds and cold winds replace any warmth. Once a magnificent, mighty castle now a ruin. The feeling settles deep in his bones.

Then one day, years after the first arrival came a knight dressed in iron. A knight that stood mightier than the rest. Head held higher than one of royalty. He seemed noble, but Malleus could smell the greed, feel the wrath in gaze. He fought like a warrior, one with years of experience on the battlefield. For once Malleus felt something other than annoyance. Was this fear?

Usually, battles were quick and to the point. And yet, Malleus found himself leaving the confines of his area. His body moves him farther and farther into your space. Well kept and unharmed from the countless battles that have been fought throughout the years.

And yet, this knight left him no choice but to retreat further in. This knight was not like the others. There were countless times that this knight should have fallen, but everytime the knight rose and drew his blade. Magic, Malleus growled, he should have seen it earlier. The pungent smell of dark magic now assaulted his nose.

Despite his efforts, Malleus fell after a sword pierced his thick, indestructible scales. A searing pain raced through his body. It felt like the sword was burning him from the inside in. His head fell limply on the garden of flowers you had been taking care of for years at this point. The sweet scent of the flowers wafted up his nose, he couldn't help but wonder if you smelt this sweet as well.

Through his deep breaths, he could hear the knight run up the steps of your tower. Ready to claim his prize. Malleus waited to hear your voice, excited and full of warmth towards your savior, waited to hear your laughter as the knight swept you off your feet. But that never came.

Instead, came a shout. Things crashed and broke inside your tower. Something ripped and your shouts became whimpers. Soft and desperate pleas reached his ears instead. And for once, your sobs weren’t of sadness but fear.

A surge of energy exploded across him like never before. Rising from the rubble, Malleus roared. Lightening clashing in the distance. With one swift swipe of his claws, the wall of your tower came tumbling down. Leaving him to gaze down at a sight enraged him to his core.

The Knight drew his sword, shouts of disbelief leaving his pathetic mouth. But Malleus’ couldn’t be bothered, his gaze soon rested on you, who cowered and shielded your form with the ripped cloth of your dress. Without thinking Malleus lowered his head towards you and gently brushed against your side with his nose. Your shivering stopped.

Pulling away, Malleus did quick work in getting rid of the monster that found its way into his home. Dragging the knight away from your tower with a singular claw, Malleus showed him no mercy. The knight's cries only fueled Malleus’ delight. Blood spilled across his scales, staining your garden of flowers and finally the knight's cries turned whimpers ceased.

The thunderstorm that had raged followed in a similar manner. A breeze blew across Malleus’s scale and suddenly it became a lot harder to ignore the burning of his neck. Exhausted, Malleus fell back with a huff. Licking the wound that only burned him in turn. Until he could get that wretched sword out, he wouldn’t heal. But the pain was turning out to be too much for him to bear.

Then he heard the familiar pitter patter of your feet. Peering up, Malleus watches you approach. The cloak you wore was too large on your frame, practically swallowing you whole. You looked up at him with wide eyes, brimmed with red. He expected fear, but your eyes sparkled with gratitude.

Hesitantly, you reach out your hand and stop inches away from his nose. Malleus looked down at the princess that once avoided him like a plague and something soft and warm bloomed across his chest. Your eyes were closed, not in fear but trust, and despite his better judgement, he leaned his great and mighty head against the soft expanse of your hand. And that warm feeling exploded across his body, as if a thousand suns bloomed in his lonely heart.

“Thank you.”

And just like that, Malleus decided that maybe this wasn’t a curse afterall.