Chapter 7: special guests

The crowd had gathered at the towering iron gates of the school, their eyes fixed on the figure emerging like a beacon of authority. The princess stepped out, regal and composed, her every movement commanding respect without a word. Students bowed, heads low, while whispers rippled through the crowd. She merely raised a hand in acknowledgment, calm and untouchable.

And then there were the “special guests” Alana and me. My arm was trapped in her firm grip across her chest, her pretended possessiveness making my chest tighten with annoyance. I can’t wait for this fake relationship to end, I thought, suppressing a groan.

We approached the princess, bowing deeply, forcing smiles onto our faces. The royal carriage waited, polished black with gold trim, ready to whisk us to the castle in the heart of the capital. Its wheels clicked rhythmically against the cobblestones, a sound that seemed to echo in the tense air.

“Umm… hello, Justin. I am Calamity, first princess to the demon throne. Nice to meet you,” the princess said, bowing gracefully, a warm smile curving her lips.

“Likewise, Princess,” I responded, giving what I hoped was an appropriately respectful bow.

“Awww, what was that for, you…” I began but a sharp pain shot through my foot as Alana stepped on my toes. I lifted my foot, glaring at her.

“Be more formal, you idiot! She’s the princess, for heaven’s sake,” Alana , her breath hot against my ear.

“It’s not like the guards can hear us or something. I’ll just be myself,” I muttered, shrugging.

The princess laughed, the sound like bells dancing in the wind, light and clear. “Now it’s believable that you two are a couple. I wouldn’t deny it one bit ,” she said, her blue eyes sparkling with amusement.

I froze. She actually told the princess? Alana must really hate dragons… or at least the political machinations surrounding them.

I shifted my stance sitting up right, realizing something odd my body felt different. Lighter, faster, stronger. My senses were sharper, my reflexes heightened. The ritual had worked. I flexed my fingers experimentally, and the slight movement sent a thrill up my spine. Time to explore what I can really do… but maybe not yet. Keep it subtle.

The carriage reached the castle gates, colossal and imposing, with towering spires of black stone and crimson banners fluttering in the wind.the guards were much welcoming as they loomed into the carriage and greeted the princess as she waved them off after a little ride through the front courtyard of the castle the carriage stopped as one of the maids opened the door for the princess and on the other side for me and Alana.We stepped down, boots clacking against the marble courtyard, and slowly advanced toward the main hall. A figure emerged, halting us mid-step.

I lifted my gaze, noting the striking appearance. Pale white skin, silken green hair slicked back perfectly, two glimmering earrings on the left ear, and a lip ring connected by a fine chain of pure gold. There was an aura of refinement, but also something dangerous predatory, like a wolf in royal attire.

“Hello, Darius,” Alana said sweetly, sliding my arm along her chest again in her usual show of pretend affection.

“Ah… nice to see you, Alana. And I see you’re holding tight onto your new boyfriend,” Darius said smoothly, a playful grin tugging at his lips as he ran a hand through his hair.

“Fiancé, you mean,” Alana corrected, loosening her grip to flash the ring I had made for her. “Justin gave me this.”

Darius froze mid-motion, then a spark of agitation flickered across his face. His hand raked faster through his hair, and his grin sharpened.

Wait… she said I proposed?! I thought, my stomach twisting. From “boyfriend” to “fiancé” in six days of our relationship!!. She was dragging me into deeper political waters than I had bargained for.

Then it hit me something primal, overwhelming. The air was thick with a metallic, coppery scent. Blood but not human blood. Demon blood. My nose twitched violently as the odor intensified, sharp and intoxicating. What is he? I thought, instincts screaming warning.

Before I could react further, another figure appeared beside the awful scent. A sweet, almost familiar scent brushed against me, and I caught my breath. My gaze shifted oh no.

The queen. My own blood parent or so I was told by Alicia and kiyomi. Pale, regal, terrifyingly composed, yet with a presence that made the blood run cold in my veins. I couldn’t meet her gaze. I turned slightly, eyes averted, heart pounding with a mix of fear, anger, and disgust. She noticed, and for a moment, her piercing gaze softened then quickly withdrew.

" Ahhh miss Valerius " a deep voice said as a man with blonde hair that shines brightly Golden eyes that made my soul twitch and a thick golden beard that matched his golden hair 

Ohhh I never knew that Alana's last name was Valerius all I knew up until now was president Alana

" My Lord" Alana said giving a low graceful bow 

On the dragon Lord's side there she stood Black long hair with dark blue eyes that glew violently dispise the choas that roared Inside of me.the never ending questions

The castle hall loomed around us, its marble floors cold beneath our feet, the banners swaying ominously above. We took the step to the nearest living room.Every step seemed heavy with expectation, judgment, and an unspoken test. My chest tightened as I glanced at Alana, still clinging to my arm, her smile flawless but full of tension.

This… this is just the beginning,I thought. The day I meet the queen would decide more than my fate it would define the power I now carried, the secrets I had yet to uncover, and the dangerous game I was about to play.