The Reign of the Dragons: Chapter 7: The Dowry and The Drama

Daniel held my hand until we reached the ancestral meeting hall in the Blaze Mansion. He gestured for me to sit beside him on the throne-like chair, which was large enough to fit three people. Mother and Grandpa were seated in the adjacent chair, close enough that I could reach out and hold Mom's hand if I wanted.

"My father, His Majesty, has approved the marriage between Miss Allois, formerly Miss Blaze, and me. I have come here to present the dowry to my fiancée's birth house. But listen carefully—I am giving this because Lord Blaze is the father of my fiancée. You disgraced her before the entire court, so you will not receive what you were originally supposed to." Daniel's gaze locked onto Astral, his voice firm and unwavering.

Astral clenched his jaw, his anger barely concealed. He couldn't argue, though—Daniel spoke the truth.

Karina Blaze looked like she wanted to scream. Her daughter, older than me, was glaring at me with a possessive hunger, as if she could take my place. What unfortunate timing. I had already taken over this body, and there was no way I would let anyone harm me.

Astral's mother was looking at me with an expression I couldn't quite decipher.

'She wants you back in the House of Blaze so she can regain the privileges she lost as the mother-in-law of the former royal family. If you return, your mother will have to come with you, my master.' Red's voice echoed in my mind.

I was grateful for his insight. But as Red spoke, I noticed Daniel shifting slightly beside me. Was he uncomfortable? Could he hear Red? Could he sense him? Was he a Dragon Ruler, too?

I needed to know. The prophecy said that one of the Dragon Rulers would be my mate. Could it be him?

'He does seem to be your mate, my master. I can feel the essence of a dragon in him. But which one, I cannot tell. If we keep talking like this, he might become distracted. I will remain silent and observe.' Red assured me.

Daniel straightened and addressed Samantha. "Please read out the list of items I have decided to give to the House of Blaze."

I smirked. He knew that if he said I had chosen what to give, Astral would object immediately.

Samantha nodded and unrolled the list. I knew it was nearly two feet long, but with almost everything struck off, there were only about ten items left.

Daniel leaned down, whispering, "What did she say when you finished crossing things off?"

"Just listen." I whispered back with a smirk. "It would be too boring if I told you."

Daniel grinned and turned back to Samantha, motioning for her to proceed.

She began reading:

"These are the following items that will be given as dowry to the House of Blaze:

Five rolls of silk fabric.

A chain with a ruby pendant for each woman in the House of Blaze.

A chef from the royal family.

A carriage bearing the royal family's emblem.

A sword crafted by Swordmaster Diaz.

A set of silver daggers for each male member of the House of Blaze.

A manservant for each male and a maid for each woman in the House of Blaze.

A royal guard for each member of the House of Blaze.

A golden hairpin for each female of the House of Blaze.

A plot of land measuring twenty square meters."

Astral's face darkened. "Your Highness, this is ridiculous. Are you trying to insult the House of Blaze?"

His mother tried to hold him back, silently urging him not to provoke the Crown Prince.

Daniel stood, facing Astral with an icy stare. "You forget who you are speaking to, Prime Minister. I am your future king. I suggest you reconsider your words."

Astral's mother quickly intervened. "My apologies, Your Highness. My son spoke in anger. Please do not take offense."

But Karina Blaze wasn't as tactful. "What do you mean, Mother? The Prince has clearly insulted House Blaze!"

Daniel's expression remained calm as he asked, "Then, tell me—what did you do to Lady Allois five years ago? Was that not an insult to the former royal family? To an ally of the current royal family? To my family? Can you justify abandoning Lady Allois and her young daughter—my fiancée—in the forest? What would you have done to compensate me and Lord Allois if they had perished in those five years?"

Astral opened his mouth but no words came out. He was trapped in his own guilt.

"No answer? I expected that." Daniel said, settling back into his seat. "Samantha, please read my father's decree."

Samantha unrolled another scroll and read aloud:

"Astral Blaze, Head of House Blaze, hear my words. You shall be barred from receiving any dowry meant for my future daughter-in-law, Miss Jane Allois, or any gifts my son wishes to bestow upon Lady Narda Allois for raising her daughter and keeping her safe.

Lady Karina Blaze shall be barred from entering the palace without direct permission from either myself or the Queen.

Lord Allois will have full guardianship over Miss Jane Allois. You have no authority to arrange her marriage without his and my son's consent.

If you defy my decree, Astral Blaze, you shall find yourself in the same forest where you abandoned your former wife and child."

The silence that followed was suffocating. Astral's hands trembled. Karina looked furious but wisely held her tongue.

Daniel turned to Astral with a cold smile. "Do you understand now, Prime Minister? Do you see the cost of your mistake? When you truly feel remorse, apologize. But it must be sincere. And remember, my fiancée and Lady Allois must accept it. Only then will I consider speaking to my father and Queen Mother about lifting the ban on your wife."

Grandfather was barely holding back his amusement. The man who called himself my father had finally been put in his place.

Not that it mattered. I would never forgive him. He deserved to rot for what he did—for a prophecy, no less. A prophecy that was fake.

Outside, the sky had begun to darken.

"Come." Daniel said, standing and extending his hand to me. "Let us go. The dowry that belongs to the Allois family shall be given at Allois Manor. It is getting dark, and it may be dangerous to travel late."

I took his hand, offering a small smile as we walked out of Blaze Manor.

Mother and Grandpa boarded the Allois carriage, but Daniel insisted I ride with him. He promised he would not do anything improper.

As we settled in the carriage, he smiled. "I am glad I still know what you would do and prefer."

I chuckled. "And I am glad I haven't changed much over time."

Jane Blaze and I were alike in many ways. We liked the same things, despised the same kind of people. But she lacked my cunning. If she had it, she might have still been Jane Blaze, and I wouldn't have possessed her body.

Daniel's voice pulled me from my thoughts. "What do you think your mother and grandfather would like from the list?"

"I don't know much about Grandfather—I only met him two days ago. But my mother will love what you have prepared for her. She was never allowed to make her own choices in the Blaze household. She regretted marrying Astral. She often said Grandfather was right and my birth father was a bastard. So don't worry—you will make a good impression."

Daniel sighed in relief. "I hope your new guardian accepts me."

I smiled. "Oh, he likes you, alright. He just won't admit it."

Daniel chuckled. "Good to know."

When we arrived at Allois Manor, he helped me down and escorted me to the ancestral hall, where my true family awaited.

A/N:
Swordsmaster Diaz is one of the best swordsmen and swordsmith in the kingdom of Carta.

Click 'Chapter 8' to read the next chapter.