The Reign of the Dragons: Chapter 9: The Third Prince

Narda called us back inside for lunch.

She wasn't even surprised to see two extra people around me. She simply smiled and walked away after informing us that the food was ready.

"Your mother seems to have taken this news quite nicely." Daniel said.

"That's correct, Your Highness. She knew I was a dragon ruler even before I did." I replied with a smile, remembering how shocked I was when she told me to call Red if Astral ever attacked us at the forest borders.

"Daniel. You can call me Daniel when we're alone." he said.

I nodded. All this formal speech was taking a toll on my mental state. I was never this polite—not even to my old boss.

"Master Jane, I sense another presence approaching. If you feel the need to leave, do it. I don't like the aura they're exuding." Red said before vanishing.

"My thoughts exactly." White added. "I know it's your third brother. Be careful around him." Then he disappeared as well.

The third prince walked into the garden. He looked good, sure—but next to Daniel, he was like a weed in a rose garden.

"Greetings, Third Prince Jonathan Breeze." I said, bowing.

"Greetings, brother." Daniel greeted stiffly, glaring at him as the Third Prince glared at me.

"Please rise, Miss Blaze." Jonathan said.

"Allois." Daniel corrected. "She is Miss Allois. Father has already approved it. Please be careful how you address my fiancée, dear brother." His smile was sharp, but I could tell he was clenching his teeth to keep from throwing hands.

"My apologies, Miss Allois. I came here to ask for your hand in marriage." Jonathan said bluntly.

"I'm sorry you wasted your time coming all the way here, brother." Daniel replied, his tone like a blade. "It was Father who gave me permission to court her. Shall I report this back to our father, the Emperor, that you're trying to pursue my fiancée?"

"If it is Father's will, I won't go against it. Thank you for hosting me, Miss Allois. Kindly inform Lord Allois that I'm taking my leave." Jonathan said, walking off without waiting for my reply.

That bastard. Who does he think he is?

"I apologize for his actions. He's always been like this." Daniel said, looking furious and apologetic all at once.

"I don't blame you for his behavior. If he wants forgiveness, he'll have to apologize himself." I said firmly.

Daniel nodded in understanding.

"Shall we go back?" he asked. "Lady Allois did say lunch was ready."

I smiled and nodded.

We made our way to the hall and then to the dining area.

After lunch, Daniel said he'd take me to see the market, which I had never properly explored before.

Narda looked a bit hesitant, but Daniel assured her that he had three covert guards accompanying us and that he would stay by my side the entire time.

Satisfied, Narda sent a guard from House Allois with us at my grandfather's request, and Daniel accepted without offense.

As the day slowly turned into night, the temperature began to drop. It wasn't that cold, but my body—still recovering from years of malnourishment and forest-inflicted wounds—started to shiver.

Daniel noticed immediately. He asked for a thick cloak and draped it over me.

"I apologize. I should have been more mindful of your condition." Daniel said, trying to decide whether we should turn back or keep going.

"We'll go to the market." I insisted. "I haven't really seen it. Or maybe I did, but I can't remember. I'll be fine now that I have the cloak. Red also helped increase my body temperature. If it gets worse, we'll head back. Please?"

I really wanted to see the market. What I saw with Narda was only the elite section. I hadn't seen the night market, the one meant for everyone.

Daniel nodded. "Alright. But if I feel you're unwell, we're going back to the Allois Mansion immediately."

I smiled and nodded in agreement.

When we arrived, Daniel helped me down from the carriage and stayed close to me as we walked.

The market was stunning—just like the ones shown in the Chinese costume dramas. It was lively and colorful, with stalls selling everything imaginable.

All was going well... until I saw the third prince again.

"Not him again." I groaned.

"Who?" Daniel asked, hearing me.

"Your brother. The third prince." I whispered as Jonathan walked toward us.

Such an annoying brat.

Yes, I did call him a brat. Considering my soul's age, I was probably older than him anyway.

"Brother, Miss Allois, what a coincidence!" Jonathan said, smiling.

I wanted to wipe that smile off his face and replace it with one full of pain.

"Greetings, Third Prince." I said politely, unable to reveal my true feelings towards him.

Daniel merely nodded in response.

I wanted to smirk. Technically, Daniel should have greeted him, but as the Crown Prince, his status was higher—and he chose to make that clear. Jonathan's face turned red.

"What are you shopping for, Miss Allois? Allow me to purchase it for you." Jonathan offered, clearly trying to ignore Daniel's presence.

Shameless. Trying to woo his brother's fiancée in front of said brother? Really?

"I'm just looking around, Your Highness. If I wanted to buy something, I would ask my fiancé. It would be disrespectful not to, don't you think?" I replied, tilting my head slightly for dramatic effect.

Jonathan, having no comeback, stomped off toward his carriage.

Daniel, who had been holding back his laughter, finally burst out laughing. "That was perfect! Did you see his face? It was absolutely priceless."

"I know. The audacity to flirt with me right in front of you." I said, scowling.

"I get the feeling that my life will never be boring with you around." Daniel said with a grin.

I felt my cheeks and ears heat up. The Crown Prince was such a natural flirt.

Then I saw it—a white fox-fur cloak. It was beautiful, and I immediately liked it. But when I asked for the price, the shopkeeper said it was 500 silver. That was enough to buy fifty wool cloaks.

"It's too much." I told Daniel, trying to walk away. "I could get fifty wool cloaks for that price."

But Daniel held onto my hand gently but firmly.

"Do you like it?" Daniel asked.

I nodded.

"I'll take it." Daniel said to the shopkeeper.

When the shopkeeper quickly gave the cloak to Daniel as he had asked not to wrap it. Daniel took it and draped it over me, replacing the earlier one.

We continued strolling through the market a while longer, enjoying the sights.

Eventually, I started feeling tired. Daniel noticed right away and took me back to the Allois Mansion, promising to take me back to the market once I was fully recovered.