Ella's POV:
Sleep slipped away from me in the early hours, leaving behind only a hollow stillness that settled deep in my chest. My thoughts refused to quiet, churning in a relentless cycle of questions that offered no easy answers. Why now? What could they possibly be after?
It doesn’t make sense—they know how vulnerable we are. How raw and fragile my children’s bonds remain. Their powers are only just beginning to stir, to take shape, and we are all still fumbling in the dark, feeling our way through this strange new world.
And my children, least of all, understand what’s happening to them.
But what could they want… what could they possibly be planning to take from us now, when we’re at our weakest?
Wrapping a large stole around myself, I step quietly to the door, casting a glance at my sleeping husband. His face is calm in sleep, untroubled—for now. I gently close the door behind me.
The morning air is cold. The breeze bites at my skin as I move down the hallway, the silence pressing in on all sides. I stop in front of my boys' room and ease the door open, slipping inside.
The soft lamp beside Namjoon's bed is still glowing. He must have fallen asleep reading. I carefully remove the book from his chest and set it on the table, brushing his bangs aside with a tenderness that aches in my chest. He looks so peaceful.
If only I could keep him this way. If only I could shield them all from the world’s cruelty. But I can’t. I know I can’t protect them from everything.
My gaze shifts to Tae. He’s curled up, clutching something close to his chest. It's not his pillow.
As I approach, my breath catches. It’s Y/N.
He’s hugging her tightly in his sleep, their faces close, innocent and unaware.
If Harry sees this... he’ll be furious.
But looking at them now, so peaceful, so sweet—how could I wake them?
"Mother, you didn't sleep?" Hobi's sleepy voice pulls me from my thoughts.
"I couldn't," I reply, settling down beside him.
"Do you want to sleep here, Mother?" he asks gently, patting the space next to him.
I lie down beside him, and after a quiet moment, he murmurs softly, almost to himself, "So... Y/N was sleeping here..."
"Oh, hm, no. I mean, don’t be mad—she wasn’t sleeping with us. But she came in crying. Please don’t be mad, Mother," Hobi says quickly, his words tumbling out.
"I'm not mad. She must be scared. It's a new place, and she needs time to adjust," I reply gently, brushing a hand over his hair.
"Mother, did something bother you?" Hobi asks, concern soft in his sleepy voice.
"It’s because they’re coming," I admit quietly, the weight in my chest pressing harder.
"Don’t worry, Mother. Everything will be fine. We’ll behave properly," he says, trying to comfort me, his small hand patting mine.
"I know. But I’m scared for Y/N. They mustn’t find out that you're mates," I whisper before I can stop myself. The words leave a chill in the air, and I instantly regret them—he's still too young for this.
"Mother, don’t worry—they won’t find out," Hobi whispers, his eyes steady and sure in a way that breaks my heart.
I try to sleep, but rest won't come. The suddenness of their arrival feels wrong. Too fast. Too timed. Something isn't right.
______________
The castle buzzes with preparation. Maids decorate and clean with swift hands, guards are posted at every corridor, and warriors move with tense precision. Dragons soar through the sky in slow circles, watchful and alert. The kitchens are alive with the clatter of pans and the rich scent of food, every detail tended to with meticulous care.
"My queen, you need to get ready for their arrival. We don’t have much time," Soomin says, pulling me from my thoughts.
"How many times must I tell you to stop calling me that, Soomin?"
"You are my queen. Did I say something wrong?" she asks with a small smile, already tugging me toward the wardrobe.
"No, but—" I begin.
She cuts me off, firm and focused. "We don’t have much time, Ella. Let’s move fast."
She dresses me in an ornate green gown, the fabric elegant and unfamiliar. It contrasts beautifully with my pale skin, and she arranges my hair into a graceful bun before placing the crown delicately atop my head. I pause in front of the mirror longer than usual, staring at the reflection.
"You look beautiful, Ella," Soomin says softly behind me.
"It’s too fancy for me," I murmur, turning away and heading downstairs.
The view from the castle is breathtaking, yet my thoughts are elsewhere.
_____________
Two dragons descend from the sky as we stand at the gates. Harry stands tall beside me, regal and unreadable. Our sons are at his right, and I stand at his left. We are all dressed in our finest.
The former king steps forward with open arms. "My son," he says, embracing Harry warmly. Every guard and warrior bows—except for Harry, our boys, and me.
"My grandsons have grown so much," he says, his tone proud as he pulls them in for a hug.
Then he turns to me. I bow my head slightly—just enough. But Kasumi is already watching me. The former queen of the most powerful kingdom, draped in elegance and false grace. She always knows how to wear innocence like a mask. But I know better.
Our eyes meet. I refuse to bow. I promised myself long ago that I never would.
Her smile is razor-thin as her gaze flicks briefly to my boys. They greet her with practiced politeness. In the distance, I see Y/N standing with Soomin, partially hidden behind the pillars.
---
Dinner is served at the grand table. Harry sits at the head, I sit to his left, and Jin beside me. Across from us sit the king and queen.
"When is the Choosing Ceremony?" King Minho asks Harry, his voice light but interested.
"Crystal hasn’t shown any indication yet. Hopefully soon," Harry replies, glancing at me. He can sense it too—my unease.
"I hope my grandsons choose the most powerful dragons and make me proud," Minho says, raising his goblet slightly.
"It would be wonderful if they did," Kasumi chimes in, her tone deceptively sweet. "I just hope they take after their father’s side in that regard… and not their mother’s."
Her smile doesn’t reach her eyes.
"Mother, don’t—" Harry starts, his jaw tightening.
"Why are you getting angry, my son? I’m just stating the truth," she says smoothly, slicing through the atmosphere with one elegant, poisoned phrase.
She’s here for something. She always is
__________________________________
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The Enchanted Warriors (Dragon Riders AU)
FantasyThey meet each other when they are kids they don't realize what is coming for them. They will meet the legendary creatures that everyone believed were a myth, and the demon will wake up. Everything will come to the point that nobody knows what is go...
