Chapter 10 - Behind the curtains

Meanwhile, rumors and gossip swirled among the noble families as they left in groups of twos and threes after the royal dinner.

"Did you hear? Lady Vivienne Travenne has been quite vocal about her disdain for the Queen's selection," one lord whispered to another.

"That girl is playing a dangerous game," the second lord replied. "But then again, the Crown Prince might find her boldness intriguing."

"Or she will be sent home within the week. No one wants a queen that bold," the first lord countered with a chuckle.

In another corner, a group of noblewomen speculated about the budding rivalries among the girls.

"I hear Lady Saphira is already trying to intimidate the others. My daughter told me of how she attacked Lady Elora from the Dorne family. The timid little thing couldn't even defend herself," one woman said.

"Typical Caelum arrogance," another replied. "But then again, maybe the Dorne girl should grow thicker skin. What about Lady Calista? She is the one to watch. I hear she has fire magic. When last have we seen a fire mage?"

"Well, we all know the Harthwells. When they want something, they go after it with everything they have. But I can't deny Lady Calista might be the one. With the right push from her father, she could be the next dragon queen. I also heard Lord Gareth Harthwell has paid off all the instructors in the selection!"

The other women gasped.

"Is that allowed?" One of the women cried out loud.

"It is not, but who would say anything against him? He is one of the most influential men in the kingdom. Nobody will dare to go up against him."

"Ladies, while Lord Gareth might be involved in bribery, let us not forget that his daughter Calista herself is more than prepared for this selection. She has been getting ready for this moment ever since she was born."

The other ladies nodded in agreement; it was true. It was no news that Lord Gareth Hartwell had prepared his daughter to be the Dragon Queen all her life. She had received history and knowledge of dragons from countless dragon keepers who were her tutors; she had trained her fire magic all her life; she had received etiquette and education fit for a queen, even refusing and rejecting countless betrothals and marriage offers as she came of age.

"I daresay out of the rest, Lady Calista might just be the next dragon queen of Aurelia."

...

Even after Amara had found her, Lira didn't stop searching for what she was looking for. Finally, her persistence paid off when she found what she was looking for: a faint seam in the stone wall, hidden behind a tattered tapestry. With a careful push, the wall gave way, revealing a narrow passage.

She stepped inside, her breath catching at the sight. The passage was dark and damp, but it stretched far beyond what she had anticipated. This could be the key to her plan.

As she moved cautiously through the passage, her mind raced with possibilities. She would need to map the route carefully, ensuring she could navigate it without getting lost. If used correctly, this hidden network could allow her to overhear conversations, evade detection, and strike when the time was right.

The faint sound of footsteps echoed behind her, and she quickly extinguished the lantern she carried, pressing herself against the wall. Her heart pounded as the footsteps grew louder, then stopped.

"Interesting," a familiar voice murmured.

Lira's blood ran cold. It was Crown Prince Cassian.

"Whoever you are," he said, his voice dripping with curiosity, "you'd better hope I don't find you."

Lira's heart hammered in her chest as Crown Prince Cassian's voice echoed through the narrow passage. She held her breath, pressing herself tighter against the cold, damp stone wall. The faint glow of his lantern flickered in the distance, but he didn't advance further. After what felt like an eternity, the footsteps retreated, and the passage fell silent once more.

Relief washed over her, but she knew she couldn't linger. She relit her lantern with trembling hands and moved deeper into the tunnel, her steps quick but cautious. The air grew colder, and the walls seemed to close in around her. She soon found a side passage, barely wide enough for her to squeeze through. A rusted torch lay on the ground, its handle wrapped in frayed cloth. She grabbed it, lighting it with her lantern before extinguishing the latter to conserve its fuel.

The new tunnel was even darker and narrower, but Lira pressed on, her determination outweighing her fear. She could hear faint echoes behind her—Cassian or someone else, she wasn't sure—but she didn't dare look back. The tunnel twisted and turned, descending steeply into the earth. Her torch cast flickering shadows on the walls, making the passage feel alive with movement.

After what felt like hours, the tunnel opened into a vast, cavernous space. Lira stepped inside, her torchlight barely piercing the oppressive darkness. The cave was enormous, its ceiling lost in shadow, and the air was thick with the scent of damp earth and something else—something ancient and primal. She walked cautiously, her footsteps echoing eerily, and wondered where this path would lead her.

There was a cave right under the palace, she wondered just how many people were aware of this. 

Unbeknownst to her, two glowing golden eyes watched her from the shadows. The dragon's massive form was nearly invisible in the darkness, its scales blending seamlessly with the cave's walls. It observed her silently, its breath a low, rumbling sound that Lira mistook for the wind.

As she ventured further into the cave, she began to hear a deep, rhythmic sound—like the steady beat of a colossal heart. Her torch flickered, and she froze as the ground beneath her trembled slightly. She turned, her eyes widening as the shadows shifted, revealing the dragon's massive form.

The creature was unlike anything she had ever seen. Its scales were as black as midnight, shimmering faintly in the torchlight, and its golden eyes burned with an otherworldly intelligence. Lira screamed, stumbling backwards and dropping her torch. The dragon lunged forward, its movements surprisingly swift for its size, but it stopped just short of her, its massive head looming inches from her face.

For a moment, Lira thought her life was over. Dragons weren't exactly nice and friendly creatures. They would hurt anyone they perceived a threat.

Lira silently regretted entering the passageway. She should have just left and now she was face to face with a dragon.

She had never seen one up close, but they were even more terrifying than she imagined.

But instead of attacking, the dragon exhaled a warm, smoky breath and spoke—not aloud but directly into her mind. Its voice was deep and resonant, filled with a power that made her bones tremble.

"You do not belong here, little one," it said. "Leave this place and tell no one of what you have seen. If you value your life, you will forget this encounter."

Lira's mind raced. She wanted to ask questions—why was the dragon here? Why was it beneath the palace? 

The dragons lived miles away from Aurelia in the Dragon's Keep, where they could roam freely. Why was there a dragon underneath the palace? What was it protecting?—but the intensity of its gaze silenced her. She nodded shakily, scrambling to her feet and grabbing the fallen torch. The dragon watched her as she backed away, its golden eyes never leaving her.

When she reached the tunnel, she turned and ran, her heart pounding. The dragon's voice echoed in her mind, a warning she couldn't ignore.

As she emerged from the passage and slipped back into the castle, she glanced over her shoulder one last time. The hidden entrance loomed behind her, a secret now shared between her and the dragon. She would keep it secret—for now. But she couldn't shake the feeling that their paths would cross again. And when they did, she would be ready.