Volume 1. Chapter 45

Lily sat in the clearing, holding Alarayn in her hands. The flower still shimmered with crimson light, as if a tiny heart pulsed within it. Her voice was soft and melodic as she began to tell the legend that had preserved this flower through the ages.

“They say this story happened many centuries ago,” Lily began, her gaze fixed on the flower. “It’s just a legend, and no one knows if it’s true or simply a beautiful tale. But people still believe in its power.”

Ken settled more comfortably, leaning against the trunk of a tree, listening with interest.

“In a distant kingdom ruled by a wise but stern king named Castellion, there lived a princess named Elianna,” Lily continued. “She was not only incredibly beautiful but kind-hearted. Since childhood, she had been close to Roland, a common boy, the son of a blacksmith. He often played with Elianna, and later, when he grew older, became her bodyguard.”

“A commoner and a princess,” Ken chuckled. “This already sounds like a romance.”

Lily smiled.

“Yes, Roland was more than just a bodyguard,” she said. “When Elianna was kidnapped by bandits, he risked his life to rescue her and brought her home. After that, the king appointed him as her personal guard. They became even closer, and soon their friendship turned into something more.”

Her voice grew softer, filled with a warm sadness.

“They fell in love. But the king, like many rulers, wanted Elianna to marry someone of noble birth, not a commoner.”

“A classic setup,” Ken remarked, resting his head on his hand. “What happened next?”

“Despite his humble origins, Roland gathered his courage and asked the king for Elianna’s hand in marriage,” Lily said. “But Castellion refused. Instead, he gave Roland an impossible challenge.”

She looked at Ken, her eyes glinting in the sunlight.

“The king said Roland could marry Elianna only if he brought him the Alarayn flower. This flower grew in a cave in the far north, guarded by a dragon named Faelard. No one had ever returned from that place.”

Ken leaned forward.

“And he agreed?”

Lily nodded.

“Yes. Roland couldn’t refuse. His love for Elianna was stronger than fear. He set out on a journey, knowing he might never return.”

Lily continued, describing how Roland traversed forests, mountains, and swamps, fighting monsters that crossed his path.

“Whenever he felt weary, he thought of Elianna — her smile, her voice. That gave him strength to keep going,” she said, smiling softly. “After many months, he finally reached the cave where Faelard lived.”

“And what did the dragon do?” Ken asked, clearly captivated by the story.

“Faelard wasn’t an ordinary dragon. He could speak the human tongue, but not with his mouth — with his mind,” Lily explained. “He listened to Roland but refused to give up the flower. Alarayn was the source of his life.”

“So Roland returned empty-handed?” Ken frowned.

Lily shook her head.

“No. Roland tried to persuade the dragon, but Faelard remained firm. Then, an earthquake struck. The cave walls began to collapse, and the dragon was buried under the rubble.”

She paused, letting the moment sink in.

“Roland could have taken the flower and left, but he didn’t. The dragon hadn’t harmed him, and Roland couldn’t let him die. He started clearing the debris, stone by stone,” Lily said, her voice softening. “After freeing Faelard, he treated his wounds and helped him recover.”

Ken nodded slowly, his eyes locked on Lily.

“And what did the dragon do?”

“Faelard was moved by Roland’s nobility,” Lily said. “He realized that this was no ordinary man, but a true hero. In gratitude, the dragon gave him the flower. But that wasn’t the end of the story.”

“Of course not,” Ken murmured with a smile. “What happened next?”

“The journey home would have taken several more months, but Faelard offered his help,” Lily continued. “‘I’ll carry you back to fully repay my debt,’ he said.”

She described how the dragon and knight flew home, only to discover the capital under siege by an enemy army.

“Faelard unleashed his flames, destroying most of the enemy forces. The rest fled, terrified of such a powerful ally. Roland returned a hero,” Lily went on. “He brought Alarayn to the king, and Castellion, overjoyed, consented to the marriage.”

Ken smiled.

“What happened to the dragon?”

“Faelard became a symbol of the kingdom,” Lily said. “It’s said he remained to guard the capital and became a friend to Roland and Elianna. The Alarayn flower became a symbol of love, associated with true feelings and the willingness to overcome any obstacle.”

Lily fell silent, her gaze once more fixed on the flower in her hands. Ken was quiet too, absorbing the tale. There was something special in the legend — something that made one think about real love and true heroism.