On a calm morning, Dalerina stood in the royal kitchen with the Head of the Royal Court. Her dragon, Elinor, wasn't there this time—yet the conversation was entirely about her.
The Head spoke sternly:"I told you from the very beginning—stay away from those dragons. You'll only bring chaos upon yourself."
Dalerina stared at her sharply and replied:"Now you suddenly care about my safety? Why haven't you ever told me the real reason? About my mother? My father? You've lived for over a thousand years... you know everything, yet you pretend to forget."
A heavy silence followed. Then the Head said coldly:"Your mother was a farm girl. The king saw her and brought her to serve in the palace. Your father died while you were still in her womb. And I… I was your grandmother's friend. That's all. Are you satisfied now?"
Dalerina stared at her for a long moment, then asked in a low voice:"And the dragons? Why have you always warned me about them?"
The woman answered, clearly exasperated:"Because they're dangerous! A whole kingdom was destroyed by them! I've told you that countless times."
But Dalerina, composed and calm, replied coolly:"Your words are dull… You're just making excuses."
She turned and walked away.
In the long hallway leading to the princesses' quarters, Dalerina passed by Nazar.She bowed politely and said with a warm smile:"Why don't you hang out with us anymore, like we used to?"
Nazar looked down on her with arrogance and said:"I'm not some simple maid who has time to wander. I'm a princess. I have priorities... I'm preparing to become queen of this kingdom, as you well know."
Dalerina was stunned. Her eyes flared with anger, but she bowed again and walked away silently… though her heart boiled within her.
Once she left the palace, she headed straight to the garden. There, she began kicking rocks furiously, muttering to herself:"I'm not a princess... but I live free! No chains, no fake smiles. And I'm not a fool like her."
Mocking Nazar in a sarcastic voice, she said:"I'm preparing to become queen..."
Then she laughed bitterly and whispered to the air:"Ha! As if Fayro would ever marry you."
Suddenly, a voice behind her said:"Maybe I will."
Dalerina froze. She turned slowly and saw Fayro standing in the garden. He had heard everything.
Flustered, she quickly said:"I don't care! Whatever—marry her, don't marry her, that's your business!"
She approached him with a warning glare and added:"Hey... don't you dare tell her what you heard. I'll kill you."
The prince laughed."Who's killing who now? I could chop your head off for that threat."
She looked him in the eyes and replied:"You wouldn't. You know you can't."
He smiled, clearly amused."You really are strange."Then he added with mock fear:"Don't worry, I won't tell her. I'm terrified right now."
Dalerina narrowed her eyes at him."You're always joking."
She turned her gaze toward the sky and said quietly:"If Elinor were here, I'd tell her to toss you far away, like she always does."
Fayro noticed the sadness in her eyes."You miss her?"
Tears welled up but didn't fall as Dalerina whispered:"Yes. A lot."
Fayro gently patted her shoulder and said softly:"I miss her too." — then added with a grin — "Kind of."
She looked at him, smiled faintly, and playfully punched his shoulder."You're the worst. I wasn't joking."
All of it happened under Nazar's gaze.She watched from afar, every moment feeding the fire of envy in her heart.
But this time… Dalerina noticed her watching.
And instead of backing down, she smiled and continued to joke with Fayro—just to spite her.
Nazar clenched her fists.That smile would soon be wiped away.
🔥 Things are heating up for Dalerina…📚 Make sure you're following the journey.