The Reign of the Dragons: Chapter 8: The Dowry and the Dragon

'Master, he is a dragon ruler. I have confirmed it. I also believe he has the wind dragon.' Red's voice echoed in my mind, steady but laced with concern.

I hummed in response, though my mind raced.

"Your Highness, would you like to stay for the night?" Narda asked, her voice calm, a hint of warmth in her tone. "It is dark outside. We all know you are strong and able to defend yourself, but let us keep you safe nonetheless."

Daniel nodded, though the slightest tension in his jaw betrayed the weight of her suggestion.

Grandfather's personal guard led Daniel to his room, his steps quick but respectful.

"What about Madam Samantha?" I asked, my eyes following their movements.

"She will stay in the room next to the Crown Prince. Don't worry." Narda answered, her voice softening. "We must wake up early tomorrow. We need to determine what your own dowry will be. Go and sleep."

Her gentle push was enough to persuade me, though my mind lingered on the tension of the evening.

I changed into my nightwear, my body feeling weaker than usual, and sleep quickly claimed me, though the unease in my chest refused to fade.

The next day, as we gathered once more in the Allois family ancestral hall, the air was thick with expectation. Samantha walked to Grandfather, her steps measured. "Lord Allois, with your permission, I would like to read the dowry given to Miss Allois."

Grandfather gave a nod of approval, his expression unreadable. Samantha unfurled another scroll from her sleeve and began reading aloud.

"The betrothal gifts given to the House of Allois, the guardian family of the Crown Princess from the moment this scroll is opened, Jane Narda Allois, are as follows:

10 rolls of silk for both the Crown Princess and Lady Allois.

5 sets of ruby-studded necklaces paired with ruby-studded ear pieces for the Crown Princess.

5 sets of emerald-studded neck and ear pieces for Lady Allois.

5 diamond-studded bracelets for Lord Allois.

One royal chef for each member of the Allois house.

5 royal guards for each member of House Allois.

5 shadow guards for the Crown Princess.

10 trained maids for the Crown Princess for serving and protecting her when required.

5 royal-trained servants for Lady and Lord Allois.

A full set of weaponry for Lord and Lady Allois, crafted by swordsmaster Diaz.

2 sets of hidden weapons for the Crown Princess, crafted by swordsmaster Diaz.

A combat-ready hidden armor crafted by swordsmaster Diaz and the Shadow's Grace, a royal treasure once used by Amanda Allois, the longest reigning queen of the kingdom.

10 golden hairpins studded with rubies for the Crown Princess.

5 golden hairpins studded with emeralds for Lady Allois.

A newly constructed Manor for the Crown Princess.

The left garden palace in the Royal Palace for the stay of Lord, Lady, and Miss Allois when they visit the Royal Palace.

Mahogany garden for the Crown Princess at the city outskirts.

5 chariots for each member of House Allois with the symbols of House Allois and the royal family.

5 carriages for the Crown Princess."

When Samantha finished reading the scroll, she handed it over to my grandfather, who glanced over it with a smirk.

"I wish we had read this in front of House Blaze." Grandfather muttered, his voice laced with dark amusement.

"I did as well, Lord Allois." Samantha said, her tone carefully measured. "But we've already infuriated Lord Blaze enough yesterday. We'd best give it time. Let's take a week and then send a copy of the scroll in your hands to the House of Blaze."

Grandfather smirked again, the corners of his mouth lifting in a knowing, almost dangerous smile. "Thank you, Your Highness."

'Master, the dragon inside the Crown Prince is the Wind Dragon. Please be careful with that one. The former Wind Dragon Ruler killed the one I was serving.' Red's warning made my skin crawl.

I shuddered involuntarily, my heart pounding. If Daniel harbored the same darkness that consumed the former Wind Dragon Ruler...

Daniel saw my reaction, his expression shifting. Concern flashed across his face, and he stepped closer, his voice softer. "What's wrong?"

I shook my head, trying to push down the dread creeping in. I gestured that I was fine, though I knew my eyes betrayed me.

"Can I speak with my fiancée?" Daniel asked Narda, his tone gentle but firm.

Narda nodded, motioning for us to step outside.

We walked in silence until we reached the garden. The cool air of the morning seemed to settle my nerves, but the weight of the knowledge I had just learned still hung heavy in my chest.

"What happened?" Daniel asked once we were a few paces from the house, his voice laced with concern. "You look a little pale. Did you not sleep?"

I hesitated, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts. "I slept fine. It's... something I learned. Something about you."

Daniel's brow furrowed, and he took a step closer. "Ah. Is it disturbing? Do you plan on canceling the marriage?"

I shook my head quickly. "No, I don't want to do that. I feel at peace with the marriage. But..." I took a deep breath. "It's about you. The dragon inside of you. The Wind Dragon."

Daniel's eyes widened in realization, and he instinctively took a step back. "Dragon?"

I nodded, my throat tight. "Red."

Red appeared beside me, his presence calm but heavy. "Greetings, Wind Dragon Ruler."

Daniel exhaled slowly, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "So, White was right." he muttered to himself, his voice tinged with something I couldn't place.

Before I could ask what he meant, another figure appeared beside Daniel. He was similar to Red in stature and presence, but his icy blue eyes and glacial white hair stood in stark contrast to Red's fiery essence. His robes were black, embroidered with a white cloud-like design at the edges.

'He is the Wind Dragon. It seems he goes by the name White.' Red's voice echoed in my mind, confirming what I already suspected.

White regarded me coolly. "I wasn't the one who murdered the former Flame Dragon Ruler."

Daniel nodded solemnly, his voice darkening. "It wasn't him. The former Wind Dragon Ruler wanted the former Flame Dragon Ruler. She rejected his hand in marriage because she was already pregnant with the child of her lover. The moment she died... White was horrified. His former master had killed another dragon ruler and their unborn child."

I swallowed hard, my heart aching for White.

"What happened to him?" I asked softly, my eyes meeting White's.

"White rejected his master. Red, your dragon, was enraged." Daniel continued, his tone heavy. "He burned the man to cinders."

I turned to Red, whose eyes glinted with a quiet satisfaction.

"I'm so happy you did that." I said, my voice firm with a strange sense of vindication. "Such an obsessive and possessive person would have been a disaster for the world if he was left alive."

Red nodded, his fiery eyes meeting mine. "I did it because it was the right thing to do." He smiled, his flames flickering brightly.

A/N:
The sword Shadow's Grace is a flexible sword. It is long and quite flexible. You can hide it behind the belt or put it in its flexible scabbard and put it around the waist of the wielder.
If you have seen Word of Honor, it is like Zhou Zi Shu's White Cloth Sword, but it has a slight female touch to it and a tad bit longer.

Click 'Chapter 9' to read the next chapter.