The Selection: Bride Of The Dark Dragon

MIRA

I turn, trying to look as careless as is only humanly possible, and ask, “What now?”

Isidore’s gaze is piercing through me, her hands are on her sides and I hear a light tapping of her feet, “I need to check if you have stolen anything before you go!”

“Pardon me, what again?” my jaw may have dropped to the floor. Is this really what she is thinking about now?

“You coming to different rooms and begging for jewellery but not taking anything is way too suspicious!” she smirks, “I bet there will be loads of lost jewels tomorrow! Freyn family is not that rich, right?”

“Right,” I smile and tilt my head slightly to my right, “It’s not the money we are famous for, simple merchants weren’t our ancestors. The best and most noble honourable warriors created our family line. Freyn’s honour is unsullied. You can search me if you like.”

She takes a step forward and I grin at her, “Of course, then you would have to forget about that introduction and dance…”

“You…” , Isidore turns pale and Alexandra comes closer to her, whispering in her ear something. I can swear I hear “Crown Prince” and “Favourite” among her words.

“Let’s not quarrel, ladies,” Alexandra giggles as if she hasn’t witnessed the ugliest scene right before her eyes just now, “I am sure we could all be friends. We have nothing to share and all of us are from noble families. Right, Icy?”

“Of course,” Isidore grits through her teeth, “I will count on you keeping your word, lady Freyn.”

“Of course, lady Vierne”, I smile, “Would you like to count your jewellery before I leave?”

“There is no need,” she snorts and turns away. And off I go.

I run out of her room straight into strong muscular hands, lift up my hands, and see familiar brown eyes with red tint and sparks of dark magic dancing in them.

“All is fine,” he squeezes me tight into his body, and flames of dark magic transport us away. I open my eyes and realize that it is not my room, though. It’s his!

I step away quickly, but he pulls me back by my hand and takes my chin into his hand, turning my face left and right as if he is looking for something.

“What happened there?” he asks after a while, “Your heart was beating like crazy. I thought…”

“I found one of the artifacts,” I say, trying to release myself from his grasp, “Isidore Vierne has the necklace that is paired to the tracking brooch.”

“Did she threaten you? Did she try to hurt you?”, magic starts a wild dance in his eyes.

“No,” I admit, “I don’t think she realized I saw that. It was in a hidden compartment at the very bottom of her very huge chest filled with all kinds of jewellery.”

“Was the hairpin also there? The one with rubies?”

“Definitely not,” I shake my head, “Unless there is another hidden compartment somewhere else…”

He lets go of me finally and I walk towards the window, feeling his gaze on me at all times.

“Mira, is something wrong?” he asks after a pause.

“I don’t know… Do you think she did it? She is the murderer?”

“We’ll know for sure later today, Mira” he says softly, coming closer and I feel his hands on my shoulders. But this time I don’t want to push him away. It’s comforting. And I need this little piece of comfort now. “I’ll search her room and then we’ll question her…”

I shrug at the words. I can only imagine how the gerdian question their prisoners… That’s something I would never want to know.

“Don’t worry,” he turns me to face him and brushes his palm over my cheek, “You did a great job, Mira. Chances were small, but we found the clue we needed so much. I’ll take care of the rest and let you know the results as soon as possible. And you should return to your room and rest.”

“Yes, I’d better go,” I agree before I relax too much in his presence again. I cannot let that happen. Nothing changed.

“I can take you,” he suggests stepping closer again.

“No need,” I wave for him to stop, “My room is literally a few steps away from yours. I can walk.”

“Mira..”All content © N/.ôvel/Dr/ama.Org.

“Just let me know if she confesses and if you discover anything else,” I say before quickly leaving his room.

I make just a few steps and realize that I am in trouble. His Highness the Crown Prince of Gerdian Empire is leaning on my door with his back, his hands crossed at his chest.

“How very… interesting,” he says, smirking, “My soon-to-be bride walks out of another man’s chambers late in the evening. Lady Miradora, I have to say I am disappointed.”

“Your Highness,” I curtsy quickly and stay in the very uncomfortable position asI need to wait for him to let me rise. And he does not. He walks closer and makes a circle around me.

“Tell me, Mira, is the Crown Prince not god enough for you?” he asks carelessly, but I feel that there is no right answer to this question.

“Your highness, I am honoured to even be considered for the position of…”

“Shut up,” he snaps and in the next moment, he raises me by my throat, lifting me way too high. So that I have to stand on the tips of my toes. “If you are so honoured, then what the f**k is this thing on your neck?!”, he grits through his teeth and the next moment tears Derrien’s locket off my neck and lets go of his grip.

I rub my neck, there would definitely be a bruise tomorrow.

“Your highness,” I cough, “It’s not what it looks like.”

“It’d better not be what it looks like!” he growls.

“I gave it to her for protection!” Derrien voice cuts through the air and we both turn to look at him.

“Protection? You are no one to her to protect her!” Dargen steps forward, fuming.

“I am the head of the Gerdian Guard here and it is my duty to make sure everyone is safe. Especially you and your favourite lady. Considering that the last one has been killed.”

“She doesn’t need protection from you, she has me now!” Ryden smirks, “She is mine to have and mine to protect!”

“And yet you can’t be here all the time because of your new duties, Ry”, Derrien talks to him, not even sparing me a glance, “You appear only at late evenings and at the events now. You physically cannot be here to protect her all the time. And I can. For you.”

His words are not surprising and yet it feels like he put a knife in my heart all over again. Gods, I hate him. I didn’t just a few moments ago. But I do now. And I want him to suffer for all the pain he caused.

I open the door of my room and go inside firmly.

“Where do you think you are going?!” Dargen storms after me and Derrien follows him, while I quickly run to my bedroom and open the first drawer of my bedside table.

“Your highness,” I show him the ring he gave me, and both men freeze, looking at me, “You gave me this and you also gave me the time to think. You gave me the freedom and respected me. And I appreciate it. I’ve made my decision.”

Not saying anything else, I put the ring onto my finger and see Derrien’s eyes shine with dark magic brighter than ever…