CHAPTER #1.
1180 Words
THE birthday celebration of my sister Loren was grand.I honestly didn’t want to attend, but they’d get angry if I didn’t show up.
Everyone was drinking and dancing. Many guests greeted my sister and admired her beauty.
“Ugh!” I blinked and turned toward the person who shouted.
“Oh my, Lady Arlyn, are you okay?” I walked over to check what was happening. A beautiful lady was drenched in wine such a waste, especially since her gown looked expensive.
“The smell of wine suits you,” I looked at the woman who spoke. Oh… it was Lady Rosalie, the duke’s daughter known for her terrible personality.
That was how people saw her, but the truth was she wasn’t actually a bad person. She was simply sharp tongued and prideful. Of course, she came from a family where everything was a competition.
The commotion didn’t last long, since Sister Loren stepped in. Soon after, Rosalie left the party.
I decided to follow…
I exhaled and stepped outside. No one would notice me anyway all eyes were on Lady Arlyn.
It was already late. The stars and moon were out. I spotted Lady Rosalie sitting by the fountain.
I approached her and sat down by the fountain’s edge.
“There are so many people inside. Their clothes are extravagant, but their attitudes are ugly.” Rosalie stood and faced me.
“I’m the one destined to marry the prince. I did everything to be worthy. But ever since that woman arrived, even Dave’s attention was stolen!” Rosalie said angrily.
She was engaged to my brother. And since Rosalie had been my classmate back in the academy, I already knew her personality. And honestly, if you asked me, I preferred her company even with her attitude.
“So Brother likes Lady Arlyn?” I asked. I really had no idea I preferred reading books rather than keeping up with the kingdom’s drama.
“Imagine that… other men dream of having me. Your brother is lucky I chose him, but now all of that is gone.” Rosalie’s voice softened sadly.
I wasn’t good at comforting people, but I didn’t like seeing my only friend upset.
People saw her as rude and ill-mannered, but to me, Lady Rosalie was my friend. She had never done anything wrong aside from being snappy and most importantly, she was true to herself. That alone made me like her more than most people.
“Okay, so you won’t be sad anymore I’ll talk to my brother for you.” Her eyes instantly sparkled.
“Really?”
“But I can’t promise anything good will happen. I’ll just talk to him.”
“Ahem. Fine. I won’t expect anything.”
I laughed at her answer, though I could clearly see she was secretly hoping for a good outcome.
I went back inside once Rosalie left. My parents were no longer at their seats, so I went looking for them.
And I was sure the celebration would be ending soon anyway.
While walking through the hallway, I saw Sister Loren outside a door. I approached her, and she faced me immediately when she noticed me.
“Why are you here?” I asked, but she didn’t answer.
“If that’s what they want, I’ll give it,” I heard Father’s angry voice from inside. The door was slightly open, so I saw my brother, my parents, and a messenger.
“But my lord, this will lead to a great war,” the messenger said. My eyes widened at what I heard.
A war?
“I can win this rather than agree to what they’re asking,” Father said firmly. I looked at Sister Loren she shook her head.
“But Father, agreeing will bring peace. No more lives will be lost,” my brother said.
“You’ve lost your mind, Dave! You’re willing to give your youngest sister to him just for peace?!” Mother shouted angrily. My eyes widened again. I pushed the door open, and they all turned to me in shock.
“What’s happening?” I asked.
My parents had no choice but to tell me everything.
The western kingdom, the Loan Kingdom, wanted me as the king’s wife. But he already had ten wives, so my family refused.
The king was persistent. Because I was the youngest, he wanted me not my older sister.
“If you agree, Laven, the war will not happen,” my brother said.
“Are you even thinking, Dave!? That old man is a pervert! When Laven gets older, she’ll end up imprisoned in that kingdom!” Sister Loren burst out.
The king of Loan was known for collecting young women princesses or noble ladies. And when they refused him, war followed.
“You’re the one not thinking, Loren! If the war breaks out, many more will die!” Dave argued.
“So you’re saying it’s better for our sister to become a prisoner there rather than fight for her?” Loren shot back.
“Father and I will find a way to get her out of there right away.”
“No, Dave!” Loren shouted. Everything was a mess. My mind was spinning.
All of this was happening because of me. I stood up and left. I ran to my room and cried as soon as I arrived.
I was already of age to marry. Many had proposed, but I declined. Finding the truth about dragons mattered more to me.
The next day, everyone was busy. My brother grew cold to me, and the soldiers began intense training.
“Are you joining the war, Noah?” I asked.
“I must for the good and safety of everyone,” he answered.
I hugged the book I was holding tightly and walked away.
I climbed the tower and read the book I had bought yesterday.
The map the merchant dropped fell out, so I picked it up and examined it. Just like he said, it was impossible to understand too many twists and turns.
And at the end of the map was…
“Evander,” I read.
My brows furrowed. I opened my book again.
On the first page, something was written something I never expected.
“For a hundred years, dragons lived alongside humans.”
“Dragons are real.”
“And to this day, they remain real.”
I turned to the next page. The book was about a legend of dragons, with handwritten notes saying:
“Dragons are real.”
I rushed downstairs to tell my parents, but everyone was busy. The sound of soldiers preparing echoed everywhere.
The clanging of weapons being forged filled the air. I went to Father’s office he was busy, as was Mother.
“Do you need something?” I jumped, startled Sister Loren was there carrying stacks of papers. I swallowed the words I was about to say.
“It’s nothing,” I smiled.
“Don’t worry. We won’t hand you over to him. Just trust us we will win this war.”
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- Writer
