Dragon's Veil

Chapter 9: The Council’s Trap

I sat at the head of the long council table, my eyes narrowing as I scanned the room. The ancient stone walls of the council chamber felt like they were closing in on me, and the voices of the advisors droning on were more irritating than usual. The grand hall, adorned with tapestries depicting the royal lineage and the wars fought by my ancestors, felt more like a cage today. My patience was wearing thin.

"We must consider the importance of the royal bloodline," Lord Ryker began, his tone condescending as if speaking to a child. "Without a bride, Your Highness, there can be no heir. The continuation of the royal legacy is paramount."

I clenched my jaw, fighting the urge to let out a frustrated growl. We’d been through this discussion more times than I could count. Every time, it was the same—imperial suitors, royal weddings, the need for an heir. The kingdom could be on the brink of war, yet all these fools could think about was securing the royal line.

Lady Althea leaned forward, her steely gaze meeting mine. "Your coronation is of utmost importance, but the people need assurance that the royal family will endure. A prince without a bride is... unsettling. Perhaps it would be wise to postpone the coronation until a suitable match is made."

Heat rose in my chest, my anger simmering just below the surface. They were trying to corner me, to force me into a decision I wasn’t ready to make. Worse, they were using the council’s democratic vote as a weapon against me. I could already see where this was heading.

Before I could respond, Lord Varian chimed in, his tone oily and insistent. “It is with the greatest respect, Your Highness, that we propose this delay. The realm needs stability, and what greater stability than the promise of a future king? We’ve seen what happens when power is left unchecked. The people deserve a guarantee.”

The murmurs of agreement from around the table felt like a thousand needles pricking my skin. I slammed my fist down on the table, the sharp c***k of my knuckles against the wood silencing the room instantly.

“Enough!” I snapped, my voice echoing off the stone walls. “You sit here prattling on about marriages and heirs as if the kingdom is not facing a real and immediate threat! We have rogue lycans breaching our borders, and instead of addressing this, you concern yourselves with who I should marry?”

The room fell into a tense silence. The advisors shifted uncomfortably in their seats. I took a deep breath, trying to rein in my temper. I had to keep my composure, even if every word they said made my blood boil.

Lord Ryker, undeterred, leaned forward again. “Your Highness, we only seek to ensure the future of the realm. The threat of the lycans is real, yes, but it is the duty of the crown to provide not only protection but also continuity. Without an heir”

I cut him off, my voice low and dangerous. “I will not be cornered into a loveless marriage to satisfy your fears. My coronation will proceed as planned. The security of this realm is my priority, not your petty concerns about who will wear the crown after me.”

I pushed back from the table, standing tall, my gaze sweeping over the council members with barely concealed disdain. “And as for your suggestion of postponing the coronation, let me remind you all that I am not a king who will be ruled by the whims of his advisors. This meeting is over.”

I turned to leave, but Lord Varian’s voice stopped me in my tracks.

“Your Highness,” he began again, carefully choosing his words, “with all due respect, the council has voted. The coronation will be postponed until you have chosen a bride. This is not just our decision—it is the will of the people.”

I froze, my hands curling into fists at my sides. How dare they use democracy as a weapon against me? They were trying to manipulate me into a position where I had no choice but to comply. The council had always been filled with vipers, but this was a new low, even for them.

I was about to unleash my wrath when something else crossed my mind—something that tempered my anger with curiosity. The she-dragon. Her fierce, determined eyes flashed through my mind. A she-dragon—something I thought no longer existed—had slipped through my grasp. And here I was, being forced to marry some imperial pawn.

A slow, calculating smile curled my lips. “Very well,” I said, my voice cold and measured. “You want a bride? I will choose my bride.”

With that, I stormed out of the chamber, leaving the council members in stunned silence behind me. My mind was already working, piecing together a plan. If they wanted me to marry, I would, but it would be on my terms. And I had just the person in mind.

As I made my way through the palace corridors, my thoughts kept returning to the she-dragon. I couldn’t shake the feeling that fate had brought her into my life for a reason. She had slipped through my fingers once, but I wasn’t going to let that happen again.

No, I thought, my determination hardening into resolve. I would find her. And when I did, I would have my answers.

For now, I’d let the council think they had won. Let them believe they had forced my hand. Because when I found the she-dragon, everything would change—and not just for me, but for the entire kingdom.