Karltin's smile was an evil smirk and did not bode anything good. Jasper was sure of it. The witch's sheer arrogance at naming him without even thinking about consulting him or asking him anything was proof enough of that... And indeed, in that regard the witch did not disappoint, much to his mortification.
"I will turn you back into an egg so I can hatch and raise you. You will be much more docile and malleable then."
"As if I'll obey you even as a newborn, you self-important idiot!" snapped back Jasper.
He wanted to snap something else, mainly the witch's bones, tendons, neck or his own jaws upon Karltin's body. Or burn him to a crisp. That seemed a good idea, if he could manage to actually do it. Was he even a fire-breathing dragon? And how was it achieved? Was there a particular way of breathing to get it going? Did even all dragons breathe fire?
"Once turned back into an egg, I'll put a spell on you to regress your mind as well. You'll grow up again and be again an innocent hatchling. And once an egg you'll be easier to enchant and to transport back to my place," he smiled.
"Don't! I'm not even a dragon! I'm a guy! A prince! Prince Jasper!" eructed Jasper, desperate enough to blurt out the truth.
Jasper hoped Karltin would change him back for a reward or take him back. Or offer him a solution to return to his original appearance. He should know as much, right?
"Change me back to what I was before! My father will reward you! I will too! I swear!"
But Karltin had other ideas:
"Your story seems sincere. But royalty is fickle. Once turned back, you might decide to never pay me or refuse to give me my prize as soon as the task is done and over with."
Jasper naturally started to protest but Karltin argued that he knew how the rich and powerful were and that he could get a lot more from Pearl as an egg and later baby dragon. And before the dragonness could react further and in front of her astonished eyes, he cast his spell. Jasper felt himself shrink, the world becoming larger, impossibly so. Then dark as a solid encasing inexorably yet rapidly enveloped him. He was already too weak to resist it. The last image he glimpsed was the smiling face of the witch, much to his chagrin before the shell encased him in a dark and warm environment, which was strangely soothing. Jasper felt himself relax and succumb to a deep peaceful slumber in spite of the terror he was feeling. He hoped he wouldn't lose too much of himself because of that awful witch. What would become of him, of his personality once he was again with the mind of a newborn? Would he still think like a male? How would he grow up? Would he keep some memories? Would he retain some personality traits? How would he be after growing up in such different circumstances? How could he grow up without being a prince? Without luxuries?
Karltin smiled widely as he picked the large egg with its dazzling white shell. He was so lucky! And talented, considering the spell he had just performed. He wondered if he should cast another few spells before it hatched. He might sell it, or sell the hatchling. Or not and raise it. Yes, it would be a lot more profitable for him.