Chapter 12

"Thud"

Jack suddenly heard the sound of an arrow piercing a body.

"Aaaaaooooo", The dragon suddenly screamed from pain. Jack jumped from the deafening voice of the dragon and as he turned around, he saw that an arrow had pierced the right wing of the Dragon. Who would be so stupid to shoot a dragon? Doesn't he want to live?

...

Meanwhile, Prince Harry panicked. He had aimed for Jack and the dragon brought his wing to protect Jack? Why is this dragon so loyal to Jack? He must run away before Jack sees him and the Dragon gets angry. After all, he didn't wanted to die by battling a dragon. Harry immediately pulled the reins of his horse, as he strode away.

....

As he turned around, Jack realised that the arrow was not meant for the Dragon but for him!!

The Dragon had seen Prince Harry stretching his bowstring and aiming for Jack, and as quick as lightening, intercepted the arrow with his wing to protect Jack. Dragons were very loyal creatures after all. Jack immediately panicked. He had decided to keep this dragon as a pet. How can anyone shoot him? Jack will not spare the person. He was a royal soldier after all. However, as he looked in the direction where the arrow came from, all he could see was the back of a soldier with a red robe and golden helmet, running away on his horse. This was the dress code for Annville Army! Someone from the castle was trying to assassinate him! Who was it? He must find out! If he hurries he might catch the assassin before he reaches the castle!

However, Jack noticed that his horse had ran away while he was battling the dragon. Although the Annville Army horses were especially trained for combat, they had never seen a dragon! Thus they fled immediately.

Jack was more worried about the Dragon at the moment. He was a loyal creature. He saved him after all! Jack must heal him. Jack slowly pulled the arrow out from the Dragon's wing as he howled in pain and quickly applied some medical aid which he had brought with him for the hunt in case someone got injured. "Easy Dragon", said Jack as he applied the medicine.

...

Meanwhile at the King's room in Anastasia Palace.

"You are getting married to Prince Harry. This is my last decision!", said King Richard. He was pissed off. The argument had already lasted several hours now.

Princess Julie rolled her eyes. She was red from anger. "Father, I told you. I am not ready for marriage and I will not marry Prince Harry. I will tell you when I have found a suitable man for me", cried Julie angrily. She hated Prince Harry. Why was her father forcing her to marry someone she does not wish? She was the heir of Annville Empire! How can the King marry her without her consent?

"Who else will you marry if not Prince Harry? You cannot marry a commoner! You are the future queen of Annville Empire! Grow up. Prince Harry is the only castle official who is of your age. He is the best suited for kingship in the future.", said King Richard. Why was his daughter being so stubborn? Harry and Julie had been engaged for 2 years now. It's high time they should get married!

King Richard's words had some effect on Julie. He was right. Julie had not interacted with any boys other than Prince Harry. Who would she marry other than Prince Harry? She cannot marry a commoner. Julie suddenly remembered Jack as she thought of marrying a commoner. "Jack is also a castle official now", thought Julie as she tried to convince herself. From the first moment, Julie had been attracted to Jack. She still remembered how he saved her from those bandits. He didn't even know she was a princess back then. He saved her purely out of good deed. He was brave, handsome and kind." He is truly a gentleman", Julie thought. She somehow felt happy after remembering about Jack.

However she suddenly came back to her senses. King Richard will never agree to this marriage. How can she marry a commoner! She has a high status in Annville Empire!

Suddenly a guard knocked on the door. It was a usual way of asking permission from the king to enter.

"Come in", ordered the King. Immediately, a guard entered the room and knelt as he announced:"Prince Harry has arrived with his troops "

King Richard suddenly stood up and barged out of the room. He had been waiting anxiously for Harry to report to him about the dragon. He walked hurriedly to the castle courtyard.

....

In the castle courtyard.

"Report", ordered the King in a majestic voice.

Prince Harry immediately got off his horse and knelt. After few seconds he stood up and said," Annville was in great danger. A dragon was indeed at the outskirts of the city. It was about to kill Jack but I managed to injure the dragon with my arrow. The dragon managed to run away." Said Prince Harry as he laughed. Yes, he will now be known as the dragon slayer! The King will be greatly impressed by him and his reputation will increase among the soldiers!

Immediately the crowd gasped in shock. Was Prince Harry really so powerful?