The Dark Dragon Prince

Chapter 20

DIANA

The competition started.

The targets were placed at distances that would have been impossible for an ordinary human archer. But these were dragons.

The stadium was soon filled with sounds of arrows shattering the bullseyes.

The crowd roared with every perfect strike. It was actually quite entertaining.

I watched attentively, realizing why the dragon kingdom has remained the supreme kingdom of the realm for centuries.

This wasn't just a game, it was a demonstration of their strength.

"They are trying quite hard to impress today, aren't they?"

The voice came from my left.

I glanced over and saw Prince Roderick leaning back in his chair, swirling the wine in his hand. He wasn't looking at me, but his arrogant smirk made it perfectly clear who the comment was directed at.

"Though I suppose to a human, even the most basic military drill must look like a miracle." He added.

Lyra chuckled beside him as she tilted her head to watch my reaction.

I kept my gaze fixed on the field, refusing to let the irritation I felt show on my face.

"The skill of these guards is undeniable, Prince Roderick," I replied smoothly. "Though in the North, I noticed the warriors spend far less time waiting for applause after a strike."

Prince Cassian let out a rough sound that was close to a laugh.

Roderick’s smirk vanished instantly. His fingers tightened around the cup in his hand until the metal bent.

Before he could retort, a sudden shift in the wind made the banners snap.

The temperature in the stadium dropped so quickly, a cloud of mist formed from my lips as I breathed.

My heart skipped.

This cold. I knew this cold.

Beside me, Sarah and Mina both gasped, clutching their shawls. The Second Prince froze with his cup halfway to his lips. Even King Xerxes leaned forward in his throne as his expression became alert.

Walkways that had been crowded only moments ago started clearing. Nobles stepped back. Servants lowered their heads and moved aside quickly. Even guards repositioned themselves, creating open pathways.

Women were the first to withdraw entirely, clutching their children to their chests as they fled to the side.

"He's here," a trembling noble lady screamed from beneath our pavilion. "The Dark Prince is here."

Then the ground began to vibrate.

The sounds of hooves echoed through the soles of my shoes.

Draven rode in first.

He sat on a majestic white stallion that looked more like a mythical beast than a horse. Behind him rode some of his Skyblade Warriors, Vladimir was one them.

The stadium fell into a suffocating silence.

Roderick’s arrogant smirk was wiped from his face. Beside him, Lyra’s eyes widened in terror.

Draven halted in front of the royal pavilion.

He didn't look at his father on the throne. He didn't even glance at the Queen, whose face had hardened with hatred. Instead, his piercing white eyes swept through the rows of terrified nobles, then they landed on me.

The moment our eyes met, I saw a trace of red flash through his eyes. A sign that Karl was present, but it was gone so quickly I almost convinced myself I imagined it.

He then retracted his eyes and looked at the King. He offered his father a curt nod.

There was no single shred of submission that every other soul in this empire was forced to give the supreme ruler. He didn't even acknowledge the Queen or his brothers.

"Proceed," Draven commanded.

Then he pulled the reins and turned his horse away.

His men followed as they moved to a vacant pavilion. They settled there and mounted their black banners

I exhaled, realizing I had been holding my breath far longer than I thought. Only then did life begin to return to the stadium.

"What in the world is he doing here?" Roderick muttered behind me.

He was gripping the railing by his side so hard his knuckles had gone white.

Beside him, Lyra looked unnerved as she stared at Draven's pavilion.

"He never attends events like these." She whispered, her voice laced with fear and confusion. "Not for anything. Why now?"

That drew my attention again. Never attends?

My gaze drifted back to where he was seated.

Draven sat apart from everyone else, his eyes fixed on the archery targets below.

Why now? Lyra’s question echoed in my mind.

My throat tightened because the timing didn’t feel random.

Before now, nobody knew he was back. He had been hiding his return from his family. Yet the moment I was out in public eye, surrounded by the vipers who wanted me dead, the Dark Prince had marched his army into the palace.

A dizzying realization settled in my chest.

I didn’t like it. I didn’t even want to finish it because it would only give me false hope.

He couldn't possibly be here because of me, right?

The officials below raised their voices again, announcing the next phase of the competition. “Ladies of the court are hereby invited to the field.”

I blinked. Ladies of the court?

Before I could fully process it, Lyra rose from her seat, adjusting her sleeves.

Kira followed immediately after, her expression calm and unbothered, as though this was perfectly normal.

They walked with confidence down the steps towards the field.

I stared after them. The royal women actively participated in the archery match?

“They’re competing?” I murmured under my breath.

“It appears so, Your Highness.” Sarah answered.

I was still watching them descend when a voice spoke right beside me. “You look very surprised.”

I jolted so hard I nearly knocked my chair. I turned and there he was.