Dragon Savior A New Beginning ( Update Version)

A Glimpse of Enigmatic Puzzle (66)

The double doors thundered open. The room shifted instantly—conversation died mid-sentence, chairs strengthened, gazes sharpened. King Cesar entered. He walked with the controlled power of a man who owned the ground he stepped on. Firelight flickered across his armor, giving the illusion that flames licked at his silhouette. His eyes, sharp as molten steel, swept across the table...then landed on Starfania. Just a flicker. A silent reminder: Behave. But he gave her the faintest nod—a small, private signal. Approval...or warning. Hard to tell. Cesar took his place at the head of the table.

" Welcome, allies," he said, his tone rich and commanding. " Let us begin. "

As he sat, so did the room. Starfania felt dozens of eyes shifting toward her—subtle, pointed, assessing. Not openly hostile, not openly welcoming. No, this was something far more dangerous. They were measuring her. Her worth. Her weakness. And whether she was someone to follow...or eliminate. Felix steepled his fingers, watching her over the tops of them. His gaze held no malice—only calculation. Cold, razor-sharp interest.

" A question, " he said casually, as if discussing the weather. " Starfania...how do you interpret the recent attacks on our borders?"

Ren stiffened beside her. This was no casual question. It was a test. A trap. Starfania met Felix's gaze.

" I think," she said slowly, choosing each word with care, " they weren't attacked at all."

Felix raised a brow.

" They were distractions," she continued. " Someone wants us looking in the wrong direction."

Felix gave the smallest exhale—the closest he ever came to a nod. Cesar's eyes flickered with something like approval. Lucian's sharpened. Thanatos did not move. Lucian leaned forward, his voice smooth as midnight oil.

" And tell me, Princess," he said, the title pronounced with a faint edge, " if you could remove one threat to VulcanFire...what would it be?"

Starfania knew better than to answer directly. She smiled faintly. " I would remove the illusion that we're safe. "

Lucian's lip twitched.

" Interesting," he murmured. " Very interesting."

A few chairs shifted. This too they noted. Thanatos watched her without blinking, pale eyes fixed like frost on glass. He didn't speak. He didn't need to. His silence itself was its own examination. Seconds passed. Long, heavy. Then slowly—barely perceptible—he gave a single nod.

Approval. Or acknowledgement. With Thanatos, that was the same thing. Ichini leaned across the table, chin resting on her palm, studying Starfania with bright, excited eyes.

" You're funny," she said loudly, breaking the tension. " And brave. Not scared of them at all, are you?"

Starfania blinked. " Should I be?"

Ichini snorted.

" Yes," she said carefully, " but that's what makes it entertaining!"

Felix pinched the bridge of his nose. Lucian looked like he bit back a laugh. Thanatos might have exhaled. Ichini scooted her chair closer.

" Hey," she whispered, nudging Starfania with her elbow. " If they annoy you, throw your drink at Felix. I do it all the time."

Felix shot her a cold stare. Ichini winked. Starfania choked on a laugh she tried very hard to hide. Ichini brightened instantly. " There it is! I knew you'd loosen up."

For the first time that night, Starfania felt something shift inside her chest—something warm, despite the razor-edged room. She wasn't as alone as she thought. King Cesar watched the interaction from the head of the table. Not displeased. Not angry. Intrigued. He lifted his goblet slightly—an unspoken signal for the alliance to continue observing. Because tonight wasn't just a feast. It was an evaluation. A judgment. And a warning to the room: Starfania is stepping into the world of rulers—and she will either rise...or be devoured.