The Dragon Queen

Prologue

"Push, your majesty, one last push!" The queen's nails dug into the bedpost, her body trembling with exertion. Her weary eyes remained tightly shut, while strands of damp, ebony hair clung to her glistening skin. Amidst the tension, a beautiful smile emerged upon her lips, as the room was consumed by sudden cries that pierced the air.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty, it's a beautiful baby girl." The royal midwife smiled gently, as she carefully carried the baby over to her mother. The queen smiled as she looked at her crying daughter. The baby's eyes started to open, her cries becoming weaker, as the mother gently swayed her, revealing wide, purple eyes staring back at her own.

The royal family was known for their purple eyes. It was the eye color that was passed down in generations to remind the people, of the blessings the royal family has received from their ancestors and the ancestral dragon. It was a sign of proof of the dragon blood running through their veins. Hence, on rare occasions, when families get married into the royal family, they go through a tradition of praying in front of the ancestral dragon's statue, so when a royal child is born, they can be born with purple eyes.

Sometimes, in order to ensure the purity of the blood, arranged marriages between cousins also occurred. It was the most common type of marriage that occurred amongst the royal family. So, if a child in the royal family was born with different eye colors, people consider them illegitimate, hence the marriage that occurs within the royal family, is the most common type of marriage that occurs to ensure the purity and the chance of a child being born with purple eyes.

"My beautiful daughter, Aria Dione Malka Evangeline. I'm giving you the names of our ancestors of the empire, in hopes of you growing to become a divine queen that's worthy of the crown." Her eyes glistened with pride, as she glanced at her daughter who was staring back, innocently.

However, her smile disappeared from her lips as the sound of footsteps was heard, heading closer to her door, making the midwife and the servants step aside and bow, as the door opened, revealing a blond man with sharp purple eyes. "Is it a boy or a girl?" he asked, as he marched closer to the bed.

Lilliana held the baby closer to her chest, as the midwife replied, "It's a beautiful baby girl, your majesty." The man grunted, his expression becoming darker. "Useless, then. Well, at least I know that she's not a threat to me in the slightest."

Lilliana's expression became colder as he spoke. "Alexander, she may be a girl, but she will become a warrior, who'll be more than capable of being a better ruler than you will ever be. Mark my words. One day, you pay for your greed."

Alexander scoffed, as he looked mockingly down at her. "A girl surpassing me as a ruler? Preposterous! I have spent years honing my skills and knowledge, leading this kingdom with unwavering authority."

Without another word, he marched off. A sudden bad feeling emerged within Lilliana, as she frowned slightly, as she looked at the closed door, making a silent promise. He had deceived her before. He had made her think he married her out of love, but didn't understand at the time, he was aiming for nothing but the throne, throwing her aside as soon he had a grasp on it. Although they were cousins, she was first born, so the throne was granted to be hers. Unfortunately, she never saw it coming...the deception and betrayal...

Soon enough, 3 days later, Lilliana was sitting on a chair in her study, playing with Aria, as she held a rattle in her other hand, when the door was barged open and one of her closest advisors, Melanie hurriedly, ran to her.

"Your majesty! His royal majesty, Alexander, had just set the order for the execution of the princess!" The rattle dropped from her hand and onto the ground. "What?! What's the meaning of this?!" She glared at her in shock and disbelief as her hold on Aria tightened slightly.

"He specifically told me to inform you, that if you believe that a girl could ascend and steal the throne from him, then that's unthinkable and insane. His purpose must be to ensure that she doesn't stand a chance in even growing up to have such thoughts! We need to do something, Your Majesty, she's our only hope!" Melanie urgingly looked at the queen for a solution.

"Call for Philabatan immediately, tell him it's urgent." Melanie didn't waste a single second, as she hurriedly ran out of the office to fulfill the queen's order. Lilliana looked at her baby, as she frowned, sighing tiredly.

Not a moment later, a huge man in silver armor stood before her as he knelt on one knee, in salute. "You're majesty. You called for me?" Lilliana looked at her trustworthy bodyguard and childhood friend, as she replied. "Yes, stand up, Philabatan, I have a mission for you. I need you to take a trip to the human realm."

"What for, your majesty?" He stood in attention, as he asked.

Stepping closer, Lilliana made him lean down slightly, as she whispered to his ears, before heading back to her desk and carefully grabbing the woven basket, with a fast-asleep Aria and a note tucked gently inside the silk that's wrapped around the baby. Leaning down she gave a soft kiss on Aria's cheek, before carrying the basket to Philabatan.

"Are you sure, my lady? We won't be able to ensure her safety." He replied in doubt, as he still grabbed the basket carefully from her.

"Follow my instructions precisely. It is crucial for my daughter's survival. Concealing her in this realm is not an option; she would be swiftly exposed. Time is of the essence, so proceed swiftly. Engage the teleportation spell." Philabatan reluctantly acknowledged the instructions with a subtle nod, his brow furrowing as he tightened his grip on the basket. With one hand supporting it, he lowered his other hand towards the ground, softly uttering incantations, his eyes shut in deep focus. Their presence became no longer seen.

Shortly after their departure, Lilliana moved swiftly, she unlocked a drawer in her desk, retrieving a petite crystal vial containing white pills. Carefully uncapping it, she selected one and dissolved it into her tea, returning the vial to its rightful place. Raising the cup to her lips, she took a sip without delay. Settling into her chair, a haze descended upon her vision, causing her head to spin. Lilliana's eyes gently shut as she succumbed to the overwhelming fatigue, collapsing into her seat.

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