Hanara stormed into her bedchamber. Moments later, her maidservant, Tael, entered with a soft smile. She bowed gracefully and laid a dress over the sofa.
"Your Highness, Her Majesty wishes to see you for dinner. We will be dining with the Dragon's First Prince and his nephew," Tael said gently. Hanara glanced at her, cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
"Can I just eat here?" she asked quietly. Tael raised a curious brow but suppressed a giggle.
"Did something happen at the river?" she asked. Hanara swallowed hard and met Tael's gaze.
"Yes… I almost hurt someone who snuck up on me. I felt bad," she admitted, frowning. Tael froze, allowing the words to sink in slowly. Tael knelt before Hanara and hugged her gently.
"Your Highness… Princess, you didn't mean it. You just had a reaction," Tael reassured her softly. Hanara pouted as she leaned on Tael's shoulder.
"Will Mother be upset at me for accidentally hurting our guests?" she asked. Tael chuckled.
"My sweet Princess. Her Majesty would never blame you. We all know how hard you're trying to learn and stay in control. Don't punish yourself for something you didn't mean to do," Tael said gently. Hanara nodded, slowly absorbing her words. Yet the air in the room grew heavier, thick with the unspoken weight of the coming dinner.
Night fell, and stars began to bloom in the darkness, one by one, until the sky glittered with a million. Hanara wore the dress Tael had laid out and stepped out of her bedchamber, heart still uneasy.
In the dining room, Hansel sat in his booster seat beside Eliana. Eliana looked up and smiled warmly at Hanara's arrival.
"My sweet birdie, come sit," Eliana said softly. Hanara returned the smile and made her way to the seat beside Hansel. The little boy turned toward her, clapping his hands in delight.
"Ha-ba!" he called. Hanara giggled, leaning forward to tease him
"My little Hansel is being such a good boy," she said softly. Hansel giggled. The doors opened wide. Tait and Zilant entered the dining room in silence. Tait took the seat across from Hanara, with Zilant settling beside him. Zilant's gaze fixed on Hanara, immediately recognizing her hair.
That hair… It's her. She's the one from before.
Zilant's focus narrowed into a smile. Hanara looked up, returning it—until their eyes met. Her smile faltered.
That's the boy! She looked down immediately. Hanara swallowed hard, the memory of her wild swing flashing through her mind. Was he hurt? Did he hate her now? She started trembling.
"I hope your stay at the palace is well, Commander Tait," Eliana said gracefully. Tait bowed his head with a polite smile.
"It is. I thank you, Your Majesty, for the best hospitality in the Phoenix Clan," he replied. Just then, Felix entered the room and took his seat at the head of the dining table. He groaned as he stared at Tait.
"What does the Dragon Emperor want now?" Felix asked upfront, pausing. "An alliance or war?"
He narrowed his eyes, sipping his wine. Tait looked up and then at Felix.
"The Emperor has asked for your aid against the Tiger. They've rebelled and seized territory," Tait answered. Felix smirked before settling his cup down.
"And why should I help? It's not my problem as the Phoenix Clan ruler. Why should I aid the Dragon Empire when we have never done so in many years?" Felix asked seriously. Their eyes were glaring at each other.
"Although that may be true, the land that they're planning to have a battlefield on will be near here. Near the Phoenix Clan," Tait answered. Felix scoffed.
"Then protect your borders, and I'll guard mine. Don't drag us into your war," he responded. Their eyes locked, silently battling, before the servants walked into the dining room, serving meals for everyone. Hanara reached over the dish she wanted, while Zilant watched her. He smiled and noticed how she removed some of the ingredients. She fed the ones she didn't like to Hansel, who ate it without a fight. He giggled. Meanwhile, Tait was simmering with embarrassment.
"I only came here with the order. No offense to the Phoenix King in any way," Tait finally said. Eliana scoffed as she glared at Tait, but her expression softened when she glanced at Zilant, still smiling at Hanara.
"So, dear Prince. What brings you here to the Phoenix Clan at such a young age?" she asked curiously. Zilant turned quickly with a surprised face.
"I've come because I was curious about how the Phoenix Clan lives." Zilant kept his posture polite but risked a glance toward Hanara. Eliana smiled.
"And what did you find out?" she asked. Zilant froze as he looked at Hanara. She looked at him and looked away, afraid to say anything. Then Zilant looked at Eliana.
"Well… That some people here are quite… Unique and pretty," Zilant answered. Everyone was shocked, except Hansel and Hanara. Hanara blushed at the word.
Is he going to mention that I accidentally swung at him? Hanara closed her eyes. Eliana let out a laugh at Zilant's comment.
"Pretty? Did you see something beautiful here that you couldn't see at the Empire?" Eliana wondered. Zilant nodded.
"Yes. Something that moved as fluid as water," he complimented as he stared at Hanara.
No! He said that word! Hanara panted silently, her anger simmering inside of her.
Eliana paused and slowly turned to Hanara, who was praying that no one looked at her. Eliana giggled as she nodded. Eliana's eyes lingered on Zilant. He saw Hanara's fire… and didn't flinch.
"I see. You should eat. I will ask no more from you," she said. Zilant bowed and reached over the dishes.
The political conversation subsided. As the last of the dishes were cleared, an uneasy silence lingered. Hanara kept her gaze on the table, feeling the weight of Zilant's eyes. Zilant wondered when she would finally look at him—perhaps even acknowledge how well he'd covered their little encounter. Eliana caught Zilant's glance, then Hanara's silence. A smile tugged at her lips as she nodded to her personal maidservant, Elise. Elise walked forward and grabbed Hansel out of his chair then took him to his nursery room. Eliana looked at Hanara once again.
"You may head to your room, Hana," she whispered. Hanara looked at her and nodded. She stood and left immediately. Zilant watched her walk away, wanting to say something but holding back. Eliana chuckled.
"Young Prince, you can also head to your room," Eliana said. Zilant looked at her.
"Oh…" he murmured, glancing at Tait. Tait smiled and nodded.
"Go on. I still have much to say to them," Tait added. Zilant nodded and stood to bow before he walked out of the dining room. As soon as the doors closed behind him, Hanara stood there with her arms crossed. Zilant was intrigued to see her.
"Hi," he said softly. She pouted, clearly trying to look upset.
"Why did you say that? My mother knows," she asked. Zilant blinked, thrown off—he'd been sure he'd covered it well.
"She does?" he said, unsure.
"My mother knows that only my fire moves like water… You pointed that out," she replied, upset. Zilant frowned and scratched his neck.
"I'm sorry. I thought-"
"It's fine… She doesn't seem too upset about it. Promise me that you won't tell anyone, though," Hanara said, reaching her hand with a pinky only to him. Zilant stared at her pinky, then at her face. He hesitated for a second, but his smile beamed as he nodded.
"I promise!" he replied, swearing by attaching his pinky to hers. She turned away quickly. Zilant followed, still watching her with a curious gaze.
"How come you walk around without an escort? Are you like… being bullied?" Hanara asked curiously. Zilant froze, remaining as calm as possible. He looked away, avoiding her eyes when she turned around to look at him.
"I… I don't like having one…" he answered. She stopped, and then he bumped into her. "Ow! I'm… I'm sorry…"
"I've met some people like you. And it's always because they were getting bullied that they have the same answer as you," Hanara replied firmly. Zilant hesitated as he lowered his head. Hanara frowned.
"Is it hard living in the Dragon Empire?" she asked curiously. He bit his lip, trying to keep himself silent. Without waiting longer, she decided to act. She grabbed his hand and stormed out of the palace.
"Princess…" he mumbled as he followed. She dragged him out to the indoor garden. After walking inside, she turned to him.
"Shh… they're sleeping right now," she whispered. Zilant nodded and gulped. She crept forward. Zilant followed and slowly felt a huge aura wave coming from the center of the garden. There were two big phoenixes sleeping. One of the phoenixes suddenly peeked its purple eye at them.
"Princess Hanara," it called. Hanara smiled as she reached for its beak.
"Yelenis, this is a friend that I made today… Can we go on a ride?" she asked. The phoenix, Yelenis, smiled and bowed.
"Princess, your mother had told me to stop giving you late-night rides," Yelenis answered. Hanara pouted and frowned.
"But I want him to see the beautiful scenery at night," she responded. Yelenis nodded.
"If that's what the princess wants, then I shall obey," Yelenis answered, bowing her head. Grinning, Hanara climbed onto Yelenis's back. Zilant watched, momentarily stunned—not by the phoenix, but by her. She turned to him, her hand outstretched, her smile full of mischief and light.
"Come on! Before my mother finds out," she said. Zilant took her hand and climbed up behind her, settling into place.
"Hold on tight, Princess," Yelenis warned, then with a powerful flap of her wings, launched them through the circular window and into the open sky. As they neared the moon's glow, Yelenis spread her wings wide. Her feathers shimmered from red to violet, casting flickering light across the night like a ribbon of fire.
Zilant clung to Hanara, heart pounding with exhilaration. The wind rushed past him, and he couldn't stop smiling. Hanara let out a joyful scream, her laughter echoing in the night. She turned, grinning.
"Wasn't that amazing? Let's go past the meadow, Yelenis!"
Yelenis let out a cry of acknowledgment and glided down toward the fields. The meadow at night was breathtaking—fireflies swirled like drifting stars above the grass as Yelenis flew just inches above it. Zilant gasped, eyes wide.
"Whoa! This is awesome!"
Hanara laughed, raising her arms to feel the wind, eyes shut in bliss. She inhaled deeply, then exhaled slowly, releasing a soft trail of blue fire behind her. The tiny flames floated in the air, weightless and gentle. Zilant stared in awe. The fire didn't burn—it shimmered like scattered starlight, trailing behind them like a dream.
This is amazing… Her fire doesn't hurt. It feels ticklish and looks so beautiful… Especially at night. Zilant watched her closely.
Soon, the night sky ride was done. Yelenis returned to the indoor garden and bowed her head for Hanara and Zilant to get off. Hanara clapped her hands happily while twirling.
"Thank you, Yelenis! That was fun!" she cheered. Yelenis laughed.
"My pleasure, Princess," Yelenis replied. Suddenly, the lights turned on. Hanara froze anxiously.
"Hanara Solaris! Do you think I won't find out? Sneaking out like this is dangerous—especially with guests in the palace," Eliana's voice pierced through the garden. Hanara ducked, slowly turning to the door and grinning nervously.
"Hello, Mother. I was… bringing a friend for a ride," she answered as she pointed at Zilant, hoping Eliana would not rage in front of Zilant. Eliana looked at Zilant, then back at Hanara.
"Tsk. Get out of the garden and let them rest. Your uncle is looking for you, worriedly," Eliana said, then softly at Zilant. Zilant nodded and looked at Hanara. She nervously giggled.
"Bye. Goodnight," she whispered. Zilant smiled at her.
"Goodnight," he replied before leaving the garden. Hanara stared at Eliana, who frowned at her.
"Follow me, now!" Eliana demanded. Hanara straightened up immediately and followed to her mother's bedchamber. Eliana sat down, waiting for her evening tea to be served. Hanara stood by the fireplace, awkwardly bouncing her shoulders back and forth.
"Here you go, Your Majesty," a maid said. Hanara looked at the maid, an unfamiliar maid. She suddenly narrowed her eyes to turn to look at her carefully. The smell of smoke lingered in the room, but there was no fire. Time felt slow as Hanara tried to piece the room together.
"You could have endangered that prince…" Eliana said, startling Hanara to focus. Hanara knelt and raised her hands up.
"I'm sorry. I just thought I should have made him happy…" she replied. Eliana sighed and took a sip of her tea. Hanara felt the room was eerily different. The tea was bothering her. The maid was bothering her mind. She turned to look at the door once again. Eliana groaned.
"What do you mean 'happy'?"
"He sounded like he was being bullied… By the way, Mother. Have you hired new maids?" Hanara asked, changing the subject because it was bothering her so much. Eliana paused and looked at Hanara, trying to understand if her daughter was distracted or trying to distract her.
"What do you mean?" Eliana asked, sipping another of her tea. Hanara looked at the tea.
"Don't drink th-"
Suddenly, Eliana coughed. Hanara stood and ran to her.
"Mother!"
Eliana's body was internally and slowly overheating. Eliana's hands trembled as she dropped the cup, her skin beginning to flush with an unnatural warmth. It was not a simple poisoning. It was the same one her father had ingested, the sunfire nectar. She looked at Hanara frantically, wishing her daughter wouldn't see the last of her. She quickly grabbed onto Hanara tightly.
"Hana. Leave. Go get your brother and leave!"
Hanara stared at her mother, refusing to take a step away, crying, trembling. Tael suddenly opened the door. What was that sound when Tael walked in? Swords clashing? Tael closed the door frantically and stormed to Eliana and Hanara with an injury on her shoulder.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness. The Dragon Knights have infiltrated the entire palace!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 🪶 🔥 Princess, Don't Waver ❄️ 🐉 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~