The Dragon Queen Selection Chapter 18

LIRA

The sun streamed through the towering windows of the palace ballroom, casting warm light over the gleaming floor. We were all gathered again, thirteen girls dressed in their finest, waiting for what we assumed would be another dull announcement. But something was different today. The air was heavy, thick with anticipation. A storm was coming, and it wore a crown.

Queen Seraphina stood at the front of the room, her gaze as sharp as a blade. Even without speaking, she commanded silence. I stood near the back, as always, watching everything unfold.

To the left, Lady Cassandra Evernight stood apart from the rest of us. She usually carried herself with an air of cold poise, but today… Today, she looked rattled. Her fingers twisted in the fabric of her gown, and her eyes darted like a cornered animal.

“Ladies,” the Queen began, her voice cool and clipped. “It has come to my attention that certain behaviours unbecoming of a future queen have taken place.”

Every breath in the room seemed to halt. My eyes flicked toward Cassandra.

“This is a process that demands respect, decorum, and adherence to the highest standards,” the Queen continued, her gaze sweeping over each of us like a hunting falcon. “Any failure to meet those standards will not be tolerated.”

Then her eyes locked on Cassandra.

“Lady Cassandra Evernight,” the Queen said, her voice suddenly louder. “Your actions have placed you in a position that is no longer compatible with this selection. As such, you are dismissed from this competition.”

A chorus of gasps and murmurs erupted around me.

I didn’t move.

Cassandra’s face collapsed, her lips parting in disbelief. “Your Majesty, I...” she tried, her voice cracking.

But the Queen raised a hand, silencing her. “This is not a decision I made lightly, Lady Cassandra. But you must understand, this process is about more than one individual. It is about the future of Aurelia.”

Cassandra looked around at us. Her expression flickered between shame and bitterness. Some of the girls avoided her eyes. Others watched like vultures.

“Good luck to the rest of you,” she muttered, jaw clenched as she turned and stormed out. I listened to her sobs echo down the hall, getting fainter with every step.

And then the Queen looked back at us, sharp, cold, unrelenting.

“Let this serve as a reminder. You are here to prove yourselves worthy of becoming the future dragon queen of Aurelia. There is no room for scandal, deceit, or impropriety. Anyone who cannot uphold these principles will find themselves following Lady Cassandra’s example. Is that understood?”

Murmured yeses followed. Soft, forced. Some voices trembled.

When the Queen swept out of the room, the tension broke like glass. And then the real chaos began.

“This is ridiculous!” Vivienne exploded, her voice ringing out in the corridor as we trickled into the hall. “Why is Cassandra being punished for something the prince was just as involved in? Where is his accountability?”

A few girls nodded, but no one dared agree too loudly.

Lenora gave a disapproving sniff, folding her hands. “It’s not our place to question the Crown Prince. He is above reproach.”

Vivienne rounded on her. “Above reproach? Did she bed herself? Why is he exempt from punishment? This whole thing is a charade! We’re expected to be perfect while he does whatever he pleases!”

Lady Amara rolled her eyes. “You could always leave, Vivienne, if it bothers you that much.”

Vivienne looked like she wanted to scream, but instead she just stormed off, her heels clacking furiously against the marble.

“As much as I hate to admit it, Vivienne’s right,” Selene said softly, looking down. “If word gets out about this, Cassandra’s life is over.”

Juliet, who’d always been closest to Cassandra, nodded, her face drawn with sadness. “No nobleman will marry her now. She should’ve been allowed to stay. It was the prince who… broke her.”

Then came the laughter.

Saphira.

She laughed so loud and so suddenly that it startled half of us.

“You’re all so pathetic and naive,” she said between giggles. “Assuming she was virtuous in the first place. Please. Why do you think it was so easy for her to sleep with the prince?”

Her laughter turned cruel. “She had no virtue to lose. Wake up, airheads.”

She stalked off with Amara close behind, still chuckling.

I stayed quiet.

Not because I didn’t have anything to say.

But because I had too much.

Cassandra was gone. Humiliated. Exiled from the competition like some soiled garment. And Prince Cassian? He was untouched. Unbothered. Still parading around like nothing had happened. No consequences. No shame. Just... power.

This was their justice.

One rule for them.

Another for us.

My jaw clenched. Inside me, something burned hotter than ever. Not just anger, just hatred. Hatred for the Crown. Hatred for the privilege they wore like armour. Hatred for him.

I needed space. Air. Solitude to push down the flames curling in my chest.

I turned into a quieter corridor, wanting to be anywhere but here.

And that’s when I saw him.

Prince Cassian.

I kept walking.

He saw me, of course he did. “Lady Lira,” he said, smooth and too casual.

I ignored him.

“Lady Lira,” he said again, louder, falling into step beside me. “I know you heard me.”

I stopped, slowly turning to face him. My face was calm. My tone even. But my words...

“What do you want, Your Highness?”

He tilted his head, amused. “You seem… offended. Is something wrong?”

“Not at all,” I said, forcing a smile. “Why would I be offended?”

He blinked, sensing the shift.

“I don’t know. It’s just that your tone seems a little unfriendly.”

“Of course it is,” I said, smiling tightly now. “I wouldn’t want to be punished for being overly friendly with you, Your Highness.”

I took a step closer. Just enough to look him in the eye.

“We all have to preserve our virtues, remember?” I said sweetly. “Except you. You don’t need to be virtuous. You’re above reproach. Unlike us, you’re not bound by the rules.”

His brow lifted.

But I didn’t wait for a reply.

I turned and walked away, each step loud and deliberate, leaving him behind in silence.

Let him stew in it.

Let him wonder what I meant.

Let him know, I see you. I see all of you.

And one day?

You’ll pay.