I stepped into the reception room after changing my attire.
Their eyes landed on me like someone had just unleashed wildfire in the boutique. Fenris looked flustered — a rare and beautiful sight. I'd pay to see that expression again.
Eliza hid behind Fenris. Excuse me, madam? I know Yurio was an ass, but I'm not that terrifying.
And Zinac? That flying rat lunged forward, arms spread like he could shield her from me.
The hell is wrong with them!?
I let my expression twist into pure, unfiltered disgust.
"What a pleasant surprise."
Fenris twitched his eyebrow. Oh, right — I should greet him first. I bowed lightly.
"Greetings to the empire's little wolf."
As for the rest? Please. Camazotz and Darava stand equal — and Eliza should be the one greeting me and my mother. But she didn't. Someone's clearly forgotten her place.
Mother didn't notice. She was too busy glowing with pride.
"Greetings to you too, young master of Darava," Fenris replied, voice deep.
Zinac cut him off. Of course. No respect, as usual. It's one of the reasons I like him — and also why I can't stand him.
"What are you doing here now? Not afraid to stalk anymore? Appearing in broad daylight, huh?"
"I never stalked her," I said evenly. "I pursued my lady. She rejected me, and I accepted it. Why would I stalk her?…"
I paused deliberately.
"…Are my standards that low?"
That line. Perfect.
Eliza still hiding behind Fenris like a scared rabbit? For fuck's sake. It's actually insulting.
Fenris snapped.
"What!? Did!? You!? Say!? Are you calling my Eliza low!? You—!"
"Pardon my intrusive, little wolf."
Mother.
Fenris and Zinac immediately bowed. "It's a pleasure to have you, Lady Darava."
Yes. That's how you behave. My mother — the second most powerful woman in the empire, just after the Empress.
Finally, Eliza emerged from behind Fenris, though still not offering a proper greeting. She looked timid, pink hair fluttering as she stepped forward in her pastel gown.
"I… I'm sorry. I was afraid to see Lord Yurio."
Zinac spoke smoothly, "I hope Lady Darava won't mind Eliza's unawareness of royal etiquette."
Fenris added, "It is Lord Yurio's fault, I must say, for frightening my Eliza so much that she hides behind me."
My jaw clenched. Those fucking bastards.
But lady Geisel shot back.
"If it's unawareness of royal classes," she said calmly, "I certainly won't mind."
Zinac and Fenris smirked — too soon.
"As she's not from our class, after all."
The silence was delicious. Eliza's face went pale. Zinac's lips twitched — was that a laugh? No way. Zinac? Laughing at Eliza?
Impossible.
Fenris glared. "Pardon, my lady?"
Eliza's expression crumpled, embarrassment and confusion flashing together.
Mother's voice sliced through like a blade.
"If she's unaware of royal customs, then you, little wolf, should teach her — since you've chosen her."
Her gaze shifted to Eliza, sweet as poison.
"But I must ask one thing of this young lady here, if you permit, Prince Fenris?"
Zinac and I both gulped. Uh oh.
Fenris glanced at Eliza, then nodded. Eliza's face twisted.
"S-sure, you can, My lady."
"It's Lady Darava," I corrected, smiling sharply.
For a second, Eliza's violet eyes looked different — sharper, less fragile. Not so innocent after all, huh?
Mother smiled back.
"Thank you, Lady Moonheart. Now tell me — has my son ever harassed you?"
Excuse me, what?!
Zinac's smirk deepened — the little shit.
Eliza stammered, "He… he…"
Mother raised a brow. "By harass, I hope you know what that means?"
"Yes, my lady. And no, young master Yurio has never harassed me… but he did follow me and sent me strange letters!"
She nearly shouted that last part. Fenris patted her shoulder like she'd just fought off a monster.
Mother's voice turned smooth as silk.
"When he followed you, my lady, he was courting you."
Eliza protested, "But I rejected him! And he still followed me around!"
"I followed you because…..!" I snapped.
Of course, like every delicate female lead in every story ever, she started crying. Loudly.
Fenris barked, "That's enough!!Lady Darava. Eliza's already frightened — don't scare her further."
"My mother is scaring her?" I scoffed. "She should be grateful my mother hasn't punished her for ignoring every formality since she stepped in!"
"Yurio!" Fenris growled, thunder rumbling faintly. "Be careful with your tongue!"
My red eyes flashed — my dragon blood flared, nearly breaking free — but Mother's hand caught mine.
"I suppose I pushed Lady Moonheart a little too far. The royal tutors should pay more attention to her lessons," she said softly.
Zinac bowed. "I apologise on behalf of everything, my lady."
"No need," Mother replied with a smile. "Give my greetings to Lord and Lady Camazotz. Farewell, little wolf. Lady Moonheart."
She took my hand and dragged me out of the boutique. Zinac's gaze lingered on me — like he wanted to say something — but I ignored it.
Once outside, I couldn't hold it in anymore.
My mother is the baddie. I see now why their love story caused a storm — my parents are the blizzard itself.
She gripped my hand tighter — the hand of her sixteen-year-old son — and smiled proudly.
"See? That's how you deal with them. Show them who Darava is."
I hugged her. "Thank you, Ma."
Her eyes softened.
"But really, you didn't have to go that far. What if—"
"No one has the guts to challenge Darava, my son. And I know."
"Know what?"
"That you want that pendant back."
My shock made her chuckle.
"You want to tame all the Dragons," she said. "Your father told me. And to do that, you need the pendant."
"How do you know that?"
"I'm a forest nymph, son. I can sense what sleeps within my forest — a being that's been dormant for centuries. I can't tame it, and neither could your father. But you…" she pointed a sharp nail to my chest, "you have the ability."
"The power of foresight?" I whispered.
"No. Not the future — but potential. And I believe in you, my son. You'll gather the dragons and restore the Darava name to its ancient glory.
And just like that, she gave me the one reason worth defying the empire itself.
But for now, I'll behave. I can't drag my family into my storm.
Pendent! I'll get it!