Chapter 7: The War Maiden and his Brother

The stone halls of the castle echoed as Lysandra made her way through them, her mind still weighed down by the frosty exchange in the king's hall. Seeking solace, she found herself in the kingdom's royal garden, where vibrant blooms offered a peaceful feeling away from the sight of bloody scene in the battlefield

Amidst the blossoms, she discovered her younger brother, playing with a small wooden sword. His eyes, a reflection of innocence untouched by the politics of royal duty, lit up as he noticed Lysandra's arrival.

"Big sister!" he exclaimed, rushing to her side.

Lysandra knelt beside him, a smile softening the edges of her stern demeanor. "Aslan, what are you doing here?"

He grinned, twirling his wooden sword with youthful exuberance. "I'm practicing to be a knight, just like you!"

Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by the arrival of their mother, the Queen Crysanthe, whose voice held a regal command. "Aslan, it's time to come inside."

In the moment of their mother's arrival, Lysandra observed the interaction between the queen and brother, a fleeting moment of Mother warmth that seemed a distant memory.

As the Aslan leaving away, Lysandra found herself lost in her thoughts, a voice echoing in her mind — a haunting connection to the dark dragon. It whispered of power, of conquest, and a desire for the chaos of war.

"Lysandra," it murmured, its words a chilling under her skin.

Shaking off the disconcerting presence, Lysandra's attention was diverted by a knight who approached, calling her name. "Princess Lysandra, the king awaits. He has a mission for you."

In the King's chamber, the air was heavy with anticipation. The king spoke with powerful voice, "Lysandra, you are to subdue a wyvern that plagues our borders. Use this taming collar; it will bind the creature to your will."

Lysandra, looking with her fiery eye , met the king's gaze with unwavering determination. "I shall not falter, Your Majesty."

As she departed for her mission, the specter of war clung to her like a shadow. The dark dragon's voice whispered once more, its sinister promises intertwining with the weight of her duty. The journey to subdue the wyvern begin.