The cheers had barely died down when the ground trembled.
At first, it was subtle—an uneasy vibration beneath the stone courtyard. Then the air itself seemed to recoil, rippling as though something massive was approaching. Conversations faltered. Smiles faded. Even the polar bear, calm moments ago, lifted its head and rumbled uneasily.
Lena felt it too.
Ashikai stiffened in her arms, fur bristling.
That's not just a beast, he murmured in her mind. That's calamity wrapped in scales.
The great gates at the far end of the courtyard groaned open.
Chains—thick as tree trunks and glowing faintly with runes—dragged across the ground, screeching like metal screaming in pain. Guards strained, demons grunted, and magic flared as something enormous was hauled into view.
The white dragon emerged.
Gasps tore through the crowd.
Its scales were not merely white—they shimmered like frozen moonlight, each one edged with silver. Jagged horns curled back from its skull, cracked and scarred from battle. Its wings were bound tightly, torn membranes still bearing the marks of recent struggle. Frost leaked from its nostrils with every breath, turning the air sharp and biting.
Its eyes—ancient, intelligent, furious—swept over the court.
Then they locked onto Lena.
Her breath caught.
The dragon roared.
The sound was deafening, layered with rage and pain, a cry that made even seasoned warriors flinch. Frost exploded outward, coating stone in ice. Nobles scrambled back, some screaming, others frozen in terror.
"This beast has killed three handlers," the chief noble announced sharply, voice trembling despite his effort. "It cannot be controlled. It should be executed."
Kairo rose slowly from his throne.
"Or tested," he said coolly.
His gaze slid to Lena.
"Lena Maren," he continued, "you have surprised us twice today. Once with Kion. Once with the polar bear. Now—prove it was not chance."
Esmeralda's smile returned, slow and venomous.
Lena swallowed.
The dragon slammed against its restraints, chains rattling violently. Frost crept closer, numbing her fingers. Ashikai pressed himself against her chest.
You don't have to do this, he whispered urgently. That thing remembers war.
Lena exhaled slowly.
"I know," she whispered back. Then, louder, "I'll try."
A hush fell over the courtyard.
The chains were loosened just enough for the dragon to move—but not enough to escape. The massive cage enclosing the arena shimmered into place, runes flaring bright blue.
Lena stepped forward.
The dragon snarled, lips curling back to reveal rows of glacial teeth. Ice gathered in its throat.
"Lena!" a maid cried. "Don't—"
She raised a hand, palm open—not in command, not in fear.
"Hey," she said softly.
The dragon paused.
Just for a heartbeat.
Lena stepped into the cage.
Cold slammed into her instantly, biting through fabric and skin. Her breath fogged in front of her face. The dragon lowered its head, towering over her, eyes narrowed.
"I'm not here to cage you," Lena said, voice steady despite her shaking hands. "I know what it feels like."
The dragon snorted, frost spilling onto the stone.
"You're angry," she continued. "And you're hurt."
The dragon lunged.
The crowd screamed.
Ashikai cried out her name—
—but the dragon stopped inches from her.
Its massive head hovered over her, breath washing over her face. It sniffed her once.
Then again.
Its pupils dilated.
Lena gasped as something shifted—not magic exactly, but recognition. The dragon's rage flickered, confusion rippling through its massive form.
"You smell like fate," the dragon growled, its voice echoing directly in her mind.
Lena froze.
"I don't know what that means," she whispered honestly. "But I swear—I won't hurt you."
Slowly, trembling with restrained power, the dragon lowered its head.
It pressed its forehead gently against her chest.
The chains shattered.
Ice cracked across the arena floor as frost surged outward—not in attack, but in release. The runes flickered wildly, then dimmed.
Silence.
Then—
The dragon roared again—but this time, the sound was not fury.
It was allegiance.
The court erupted.
"She did it!"
"She tamed the dragon!"
"Impossible—no one commands a white dragon!"
Kairo stood very still.
His eyes burned—not with anger, but something far more dangerous: interest.
Esmeralda staggered back, nails biting into her palms.
"That's not taming," she hissed under her breath. "That's corruption."
Lena stepped out of the cage as the dragon curled behind her protectively, massive wings folding despite their restraints. Frost receded. The air warmed.
Ashikai leapt down and stood beside her, tail high, eyes glowing faintly.
Kairo descended the steps of his throne.
"You are either the greatest anomaly this kingdom has ever seen," he said quietly, stopping in front of her, "or the most dangerous."
Lena met his gaze, unflinching.
"I'm just trying to survive," she replied.
He studied her for a long moment—then smirked.
"Then survive this," he said. "From this moment on, you are no longer a maid."
The nobles murmured.
"You are appointed Junior Beast Tamer of the Demon Court," Kairo declared. "Under my authority."
Esmeralda's face twisted in rage.
Lena's stomach dropped.
Ashikai looked up at her, worried. This puts you closer to him, he warned. And closer to the truth.
Behind her, the white dragon lowered its head protectively, icy breath curling around her shoulders like a vow.
And somewhere beyond the court—
fate laughed.
---