The Vain Princess and Her Dragon Knight

Chapter 3

*Dong—dong—dong—*

The clock tower struck six in the evening. In half an hour, the Royal Palace's grandest banquet of the year would begin. The ballroom was already thronged with lavishly dressed nobles, the air filled with the mellow strains of string music.

Gloria waited in the second-floor lounge reserved for the princess. She wore a pearl-white lace gown, her golden hair pinned with a gem-studded tiara, a few soft curls framing her face. At the sound of approaching footsteps, she stood eagerly, smoothing her skirt—but her bright expression dimmed when she saw who it was.

Elstar. He had changed into lighter dark-silver armor that hugged his powerful frame, every line of muscle cleanly defined. His helmet still covered his face entirely. Gloria had no interest in his looks; a knight wasn't chosen for his face, but for his ability to protect her when it mattered.

She slumped back into her chair. "Why is it you? Hasn't my brother arrived?"

"The Crown Prince remains in the council chamber. Duke Greenland and his daughter are also there."

Gloria's attention shifted. "Oh? Elstar, you're improving! You've learned to be observant overnight. I didn't waste my efforts teaching you." Compared to yesterday—when he'd stood as motionless as a wooden post—he was now proactively gathering information for her.

Elstar bowed. "It is my duty to ease Your Highness's concerns."

"Keep this up, and there will be rewards!"

Those were exactly the words he'd been waiting for. Suppressing his eagerness, he offered more: "On my way back from the council chamber, I overheard part of the discussion inside."

Gloria's smile faltered. She had no desire to pry into political affairs. Even though her father left his study open to her, she never touched the confidential scrolls. Countless novels had taught her a simple truth: the more you know, the sooner you die. She just wanted to be an idle princess.

"Elstar, don't do that again. Eavesdropping on my brother's politics isn't proper."

Having delivered that righteous rebuke, she climbed off her chair, went to close the door, then tiptoed back like a kitten, her golden eyes sparkling. "But—tell me quietly what they said. I promise I won't repeat it."

Elstar's throat tightened. Trouble. She was adorable. And he was hungrier than ever.

He shifted his gaze away from the strand of golden hair swaying beside her ear. "Duke Greenland hopes the Crown Prince will invite his daughter for tonight's first dance. And… the Crown Prince has agreed."

Gloria's face went pale. Then it flushed with fury. "How could he?!" She flung down her fan and paced the room. "They must have coerced him! My brother would never agree to such an outrageous demand!"

The New Year's ball was the most prestigious event in Sessel. Occasionally, even royalty from other races attended. The first dance carried enormous significance. And every year before this, Gareth had danced it with her.

"Ridiculous! Absolutely ridiculous!" She stamped her feet in frustration. She knew Gareth must have his political reasons—the Greenland family held considerable power. But she couldn't swallow this. He had *promised* he would never be with Lucia.

---

Elstar was debating whether to console the distraught princess when she pulled herself together on her own. She kicked off her high heels—chosen to match her brother's height—and put on a more comfortable pair. Standing before the mirror, she wiped the angry tears from her eyes and patted her cheeks.

She muttered a mantra from her past life: "Don't get angry over others. Ruining your own health helps no one." She added a personal twist: "If I anger myself to death, Lucia will snatch up all my jewels. I absolutely won't allow it!"

Elstar was impressed by her pragmatism. This princess truly loved her possessions. Perhaps he could win her favor with jewels? The thought barely formed before he remembered—the contract barred him from his lair. His vast hoard of treasure was completely inaccessible.

His hunger sharpened. He *had* to earn her promised reward. He needed to touch that golden hair. Ideally, sleep wrapped in it.

"Your Highness," he said, "after tonight, may I request three days' leave?"

Gloria glanced at him, puzzled. Wasn't he an orphan? But she didn't pry. "Of course. There's a half-month holiday after the New Year. If it's urgent, you can even leave early. The ball lasts until three in the morning, and I'll be dancing—you wouldn't be needed anyway."

She walked to the balcony, gazing down through the one-way crystal glass at the dance floor below. Guests were already mingling, engaged couples swaying to the music.

Elstar hesitated. "But you don't have a partner yet?"

Gloria touched her hair, her golden eyes shifting to him. "Not yet. But I will soon. I'm going to find the most dazzling man in the ballroom for tonight's first dance." She was determined not to let Lucia outshine her.

Elstar watched her, a helpless thought crossing his mind: *What a troublesome little girl.*

---

Gloria touched up her appearance and picked out a fresh feathered fan. Seeing her knight still standing there, she said, "Why haven't you left?"

He hesitated. Earlier, outside the Crown Prince's door, he'd overheard a great deal about human customs—particularly regarding the first dance at the New Year's ball. Apart from family members, any unmarried man and woman who danced the opening dance were expressing mutual affection and romantic interest.

That wouldn't do at all. Every strand of this golden princess's hair belonged to Elstar. No other male could be allowed near her. A dragon didn't negotiate—he simply took what he wanted.

---

Meanwhile, at the edge of the ballroom, Viscount Kayden had been searching for any glimpse of Princess Gloria. He'd been thinking of nothing else since their garden encounter, still holding her handkerchief in his sleeve.

A young knight approached him. "Viscount Kayden! What an honor to meet you again in the Royal City. Are you planning to settle here?"

Kayden recognized the man from the border barracks. "Major General Bruce, a pleasure."

They chatted about recent military matters—the sudden withdrawal of the Third Fleet back to Atlantis due to the stirring of the deep-sea Merfolk Lord. The waters had been stormy for weeks.

"Poor souls," Kayden murmured. "May the gods protect them."

Suddenly, the ambient chatter died. All eyes turned toward the grand spiral staircase. At the second-floor landing, a slender figure descended, accompanied by her Guardian Knight. Her golden hair caught the crystal chandeliers' light like captured starlight. Her simple white gown, adorned with only a touch of lace, stood out among the ornate gowns like a pure angel descending into the mortal world.

Princess Gloria. The Empire's brightest pearl.

The nobles fell into formal bows and curtsies. Yet many exchanged furtive glances: why wasn't Crown Prince Gareth at her side? Did this mean his first dance would be with someone else? And was the princess herself about to choose a partner?

Gloria surveyed the crowd, her expression smooth. "I apologize for interrupting. Please, let the festivities continue."

The music resumed. As she stepped into the crowd, nobles parted for her. One bold young man called out, "May the God of Light bless you with health and joy, Your Highness!"

Gloria looked at him, her golden eyes curving. "Thank you, Sir Hel."

The red-haired young man nearly choked with excitement. "You remember my name! The princess remembers my name!"

Like a dam breaking, other young men surged forward, showering her with praise until she was entirely surrounded.

---

At the corner, Major General Bruce held Kayden back. "Viscount, are you planning to join that crowd?"

When Kayden tried to step forward, Bruce blocked him. He knew this young viscount was fresh from the border, unfamiliar with the capital's politics. Out of goodwill—and self-interest—he offered a warning. "The princess has a congenital illness. I heard she was so frail this past autumn the King began preparing for the worst."

Kayden stiffened. "Yet she recovered, praise the Light. Isn't that what matters?"

Bruce backed off, then sighed. "You and I can't aspire to someone like her. The capital's nobles are as numerous as hairs. Even a random stone thrown from the castle walls would hit some duke's cousin. The princess is beyond even them—the King and Crown Prince spoil her rotten. One misstep, and your entire career could vanish overnight."

"Princess Gloria is not that kind of person," Kayden said coldly. "You've never even met her." He stepped away. "Enjoy your evening, Major General. I have other matters to attend to."

---

Inside the crowd, Gloria was beginning to regret her bravado. The press of people made it hard to breathe, and the clashing perfumes stung her eyes. She raised her fan. Finding a partner more dazzling than her brother here was proving impossible. Every young man she scanned seemed lacking somehow—especially the general's son currently flexing his arm muscles at her.

She lifted her fan higher to block the sight. None of these men could even compare to her knight, honestly. Her gaze drifted to Elstar, standing silent as always in the background.

This was the first time she'd really looked at him. Taller and more powerfully built than nearly every noble present, his lines were clean and solid without being brutish. He radiated a quiet, steady vitality. Reassuring.

But the ball would begin in less than ten minutes. Gloria studied his ever-present helmet, wrestling with indecision. Even if he'd changed dramatically from the scrawny boy he'd been, he surely hadn't transformed into someone *more* handsome than her brother… right? If he was ugly, dancing with him would be mortifying.

Still. His build really was impressive.