The Dragon Queen Selection Chapter 47

CASSIAN

The knock on my chamber doors came just past noon, sharp enough to yank me out of the muddled haze of reports, ledgers, and sleeplessness.

“Your Highness,” a guard called from outside, voice taut with urgency. “Lady Lenora is awake.”

I didn’t bother responding, I was already on my feet.

My boots echoed down the corridor as I took the stairs two at a time. The stifling scent of herbs hit my nose the moment I neared the infirmary wing, clean linen, herbal poultices.

Two guards guarding her private room bowed and opened the doors for me.

Lady Lenora Hawthorne sat propped on a mound of pillows, swallowed in layers of blankets despite the warm afternoon air. Her face was pale, almost translucent, her dark curls limp around her shoulders. But her eyes, those soft, gentle eyes, lifted the moment she saw me.

“Your Highness,” she whispered, trying to rise.

“Don’t,” I said quickly, crossing the room. “You’re still very weak. Stay as you are.”

She sank back into the pillows, trembling slightly. A lingering effect of the poison. Or the fear.

“Thank you for coming,” she murmured. “I… I wasn’t sure you would.”

I took the chair beside her bed and forced calm into my voice. “You asked for me. Of course I came.”

Silence draped over us for a moment. She looked down at her hands, fingers twisting the embroidery on her blanket.

“I have something I must tell you,” she said quietly.

I braced myself. “Go on.”

Lenora swallowed hard. “I want to withdraw from the Queen’s Selection.”

My breath caught, not in surprise, but in the helpless frustration that had been brewing since the poisoning.

“Lenora,” I said slowly, “you don’t need to make that decision now. You were attacked, nearly killed. You’re frightened. That’s understandable. But you’re safe here. No one will harm you again, I promise.”

She shook her head, eyes shining. “It’s not just about the attack.”

I frowned. “Then what is it?”

“When I was unconscious,” she whispered, “everything felt… distant. Like I was floating outside myself. And all I could think about was how unhappy I’ve been here. Not because of you. Not because of the other girls. But because this isn’t the life I want.”

My chest tightened.

“I realised,” she continued, “that I have been doing everything my parents expect of me, never what I want. And lying there, feeling my body slipping away, I understood something terrifying: I do not want to die chasing a crown I never desired.”

She looked up at me then, tears trembling at the edges of her lashes.

“I just want to live quietly. Peacefully. Somewhere far from the court and its intrigues. Somewhere I can choose my own fate.”

I exhaled slowly, absorbing her words. “Lenora… are you absolutely sure?”

She nodded, resolute. “Yes. I know it’s cowardly...”

“It's not,” I cut in sharply. “It's the bravest thing you can ever do. And choosing your own path… that’s strength most people don’t have.”

A shaky smile trembled across her lips. “Thank you, Your Highness. I was afraid you’d think poorly of me.”

“Never.”

Another silence lapsed between us. She looked relieved, lighter than I had ever seen her.

“I’ll inform the Queen,” I said gently. “You’ll be released from the selection once you recover.”

She nodded. “And send word to my parents?" She asked and I nodded.

"I will do that right away."

"I’m grateful. Truly.”

I stood, offering her one final reassuring smile before I left the room.

Poor girl. I couldn't blame her.

.......................

Hours later, Lenora's family arrived. But they were not alone.

Even in a palace, the best kept secret wasn't safe. By evening, half the noble families seemed to know that Lenora Hawthorne had been poisoned, further confirmed by her sudden withdrawal from the Selection, and they descended on the palace like vultures.

The sun had barely dipped when the throne room doors burst open.

I stood beside my mother as Lord Hawthorne stormed in, red-faced and furious, his wife trailing behind him in tears. And behind them, because fate clearly despised me today, marched Lord Gareth, Calista’s father.

Just what I needed.

“Your Majesty!” Lord Hawthorne thundered, ignoring protocol entirely. “Is it true my daughter was poisoned under your roof?!”

The Queen’s jaw tightened, but her voice was calm. “Lord Hawthorne, please...”

“No!” he roared. “Do not ask me to calm down while my daughter lies bedridden, after you swore she would be safe here!”

His wife sobbed softly.

Lord Gareth stepped forward next, expression grave. “Your Majesty. l heard my daughter was the target. If Lenora had not mistakenly picked up Calista’s goblet..."

I cursed inwardly.

This was spiraling fast.

My mother lifted a hand. “Enough. We are handling the matter internally. Lady Lenora is stable. A full investigation is underway."

Lord Hawthorne jabbed a finger in my direction. “And what has he found? Nothing, I assume!”

“I..."

“Is the poisoner caught?”

“No.”

“Is my daughter safe?”

“Yes..."

“Is Calista safe?” Lord Gareth added sharply.

“We are taking every measure..."

“Measures,” Lord Hawthorne spat. “Meaning you have done nothing.”

I stepped forward, unable to stomach another blow to my mother.

“Lord Hawthorne,” I said firmly. “Your daughter is awake. She was able to recover well thanks to the healers we have. I spoke with her myself. She is recovering."

“And what of justice, Your Highness?” he demanded. “When will the culprit be caught! How can I sleep well at night knowing my daughter isn't safe!"

“She has chosen to withdraw from the Selection,” I said quietly.

The entire hall fell silent.

Both men stared at me.

Lady Hawthorne swayed, nearly collapsing. Her husband caught her with trembling hands.

“What?” he rasped.

“I assumed you already saw her. She made the decision herself,” I said gently. “She told me her heart is not in the competition. She wants to return home. We will honor that.”

Lord Hawthorne's anger shifted to grief. “My poor girl…”

But Lord Gareth was less sympathetic.

“Convenient,” he snapped. “One girl attacked and nearly killed, and your palace’s solution is to send her home? If anything happens to Calista, I swear..."

I stepped closer, voice dropping to ice. “Nothing will happen to your daughters. I can promise all of you that."

“You can’t guarantee that.”

“I can,” I said, steel threading through every word, “and I will.”

He studied my face, and whatever he saw there must have silenced him.

I drew in a slow breath.

“If anything happens to any of the girls,” I said loudly enough for every noble in the room to hear, “I will take whatever punishment you deem fit for it."

The hall went still.

My mother exhaled, tension bleeding from her posture.

“I will protect the girls with my own life,” I said, meeting each of their eyes in turn. “All of them. I swear it on my name and on the crown.”

They all looked relieved. One by one, they bowed and left the hall.

For now, at least, they were appeased.

But as the room cleared, my mother stepped close and murmured under her breath:

“You’ve made a promise that will cost you dearly, Cassian.”