Queen Of Cruelty 

No warrior in the Heavenly Realm had ever faced a dragon in battle—no one except King Edric of Valeria. Ariel's father. The man who had once shielded all three kingdoms from falling to Hell's siege.

Not to mention Golvons.

Golvons were ancient, mystical beasts—older than dragons, older than legends. Towering creatures of iron-scaled flesh and molten eyes, they were said to be forged in the deepest pits of the Infernal Realm, where even demons feared to tread. Golvons and other infernal creatures could never cross the Forbidden Wall.

One of which now stood before Ariel, massive and unyielding. 

It's molten gaze locked onto her. Its massive wings tucked in, its breath thick with heat. Ariel's fingers tensed on the bowstring.

But the creature didn't attack.

Instead, it exhaled.

A dense plume of dark smoke spilled from its nostrils, curling around her. It wasn't suffocating, but it clouded her vision, seeping into her lungs with a strange, spicy heat.

She coughed, stepping back. What… is it doing?

Then, in a single motion, the Golvon reared back. Its wings snapped open, and with a powerful gust, it shot into the sky.

Wind blasted through her hair as she stumbled, watching the beast vanish beyond the horizon.

It had her. It could've killed her.

So why did it leave?

A voice shattered her thoughts.

"Ariel!"

She turned. A palace guard on horseback. Urgency in his eyes.

'Didn't he see that?'

"You've been summoned."

— — —

Ariel stood before the Queen, stiff, bracing. Naomi sat on the throne, composed. Her royal attire, crimson and black velvet gown shimmered with golden dragon scales.

"The royal engagement has been arranged," Naomi announced.

Ariel's gut twisted.

"Bianca will wed the Celestial Prince," Naomi continued, "and you, Ariel, will be married off to a commoner."

Silence.

Ariel's nails dug into her palms. A commoner. Not a noble. Not a warrior. Just… someone.

Her voice came sharp. "You're throwing me away."

Naomi didn't blink. "You should be grateful I arranged a match at all."

She snickered, and something inside Ariel snapped.

"You dare do this to me?" she hissed. "I am the rightful heir! I am the true firstborn daughter! And you—"

Naomi rose, slow. "And you," she said, "have been nothing but an inconvenience."

The words hit like a slap.

Naomi stepped forward. "You are not your mother. You are not your father. You are a girl grasping at power that is not meant for you."

Ariel let out a bitter laugh. "You think I will accept this?"

"You will," Naomi said, voice like ice. "Because you have no choice."

"You're making Bianca marry the Celestial Crown Prince. What happens to Valeria after you die?"

She leaned back on her throne, watching Ariel as if she were some amusing little creature struggling to understand the world. Then, with a slow smirk, she said, "That's what you're worried about?"

"When I die?" she let out a cynical laugh.

Ariel stiffened. "You can't sit on the throne forever. Who will rule Valeria?"

The Queen sighed, shaking her head. "Oh, Ariel, you think so small. So painfully small."

Ariel's nails dug into her palms. She knew this tone. The Queen was toying with her.

"Bianca will sit by the future Celestial king as Queen. And Valeria?..." Ariel cared about her kingdom dearly it was her father's legacy.

The Queen gave her a long, lazy smile. "I have that covered."

Something cold curled in Ariel's stomach. There was something she wasn't saying. Something worse.

Then the Queen leaned forward, her hand dropping to her belly,

"Your father happened to plant a great seed in me before he died."

She didn't even seem sorry for his death.

Ariel froze.

The words hit like ice down her spine.

The Queen tilted her head, watching her, drinking in the silence before she added, almost sweetly, "When my son is born, he will do a great job in ruling Valeria."

Ariel's breath came sharp and fast. "That's a lie."

The Queen only chuckled. "Now, why would I lie about something like that?"

Ariel shook her head. No. Her father would never—he couldn't—He despised the Queen. He loved her mother.

"You're making that up," she said, her voice colder now. "To keep me in line."

The Queen laughed softly. "Oh, darling, I don't need to 'keep you in line.'" She leaned forward, her gaze piercing. "I already won."

Ariel's heart slammed against her ribs.

This wasn't just about Bianca wedding the Celestial prince. The Queen had stolen everything. Their happiness, Valeria, even her father's legacy.

A cruel, taunting smirk spread across the Queen's lips. "You should be grateful, Ariel. I'm saving you from a burden you could never handle."

Ariel couldn't breathe. She couldn't think.

Heat surged through her veins. Without another word, she turned sharply and stormed out.

At the doors, she glanced back at the throne that should be hers.

Naomi was already looking away, dismissing her like she was no more than a speck of dust in her throneroom.