Dragon Bride

Chapter Five

Kendria stayed quiet for the entire explanation from Princess Aveline, managing to memorize every detail. She was just a baby when King Holger had made an appearance before King Maximilian and her mother, Queen Lahana, and offered them an arranged marriage to unite Rathke and Hythe.

She babbled on about how she met Prince N'Jal when she was six years old and had been in love ever since. Based on how she looked at him with sheer attraction and devotion, the Dragon Warrior believed her. There wasn't a doubt in her mind that the young princess was in love with him and couldn't wait to be married to him... but Prince N'Jal was a different story.

He made no effort to hide his displeasure. Every time Princess Aveline spoke, he averted his gaze and bitterly bit into his food. Her words seemed to torture him even more than it tortured her. Which made Kendria even angrier at him.

'How dare he look that way? I should be the only angry one here. The only one embarrassed!'

For the life of her, Kendria didn't understand why he tried to pursue her when he knew that he was already engaged. Why did his father offer marriage to her four years ago when he'd given his son's hand to another woman? Another nation? It was way too confusing and hurtful for her to try and decipher.

But then again, she wasn't even sure if she wanted a marriage with him. At least not everything that came with marrying the heir to the Rathkian Throne. Judging by how light, beautiful, and overjoyed Princess Aveline was, Kendria figured that she would make a better queen than her. It was maddening; the clash between envy and relief.

"So... when will the wedding be?" She finally managed to ask.

Prince N'Jal looked at her with that same wide-eyed expression, as if she shouldn't ask such a thing. "I—"

"There are many things that need to be discussed, Lady Glacies." said King Holger. He glanced at King Maximilian as he arched his brows with confusion. It seemed as though they didn't have anything else to discuss. At least not that he knew about. The King of Rathke didn't crumble under his scrutiny. In fact, he didn't even pay the King of Hythe any mind. "I think it's about time we retired from the dining table. Thank you all for joining us."

Kendria practically leaped out of her chair and ran out of that room with her sisters and dragons close behind. Prince N'Jal didn't even get a chance to say anything, and it felt like a punch to his center of his heart.

"Sweetheart, what is the matter?" Princess Aveline asked.

Prince N'Jal looked at his father with pure frustration. This wasn't supposed to happen. King Holger assured him that he would take care of the Royals of Hythe. The last thing he wanted to do was face Princess Aveline when he had a different wife in mind. He didn't want to be the one to hurt her feelings.

"Uhm, forgive me, your Highness. I must retire. I'm quite exhausted."

The young princess pouted. "Alright. But you must come visit me tomorrow! There's so much I'd like to tell you! We can take a stroll through the garden! Oh, and have a private breakfast! Right, father?"

King Maximilian glared in the prince's direction. He didn't miss how annoyed Prince N'Jal suddenly was with his child, and he didn't like it. Not one bit. "Of course, my darling. Off to bed with you now. Your guard is waiting for you," he said, beckoning her to leave the dining room.

The moment she huffed and walked out; his hazel gaze blazed with rage as he stormed toward the younger royal. He grabbed a fistful of his shirt and hoisted him into the air with little to no effort. It didn't matter that the Rathkian knights pulled out their swords and shouted at him to stop.