The Dragon Queen Selection Chapter 52

LIRA

They came for me again, shortly before dinner, hours after I had been released.

Elora and I were preparing for dinner when we heard a loud banging on my door, loud enough to wake every girl in the wing. Elora shot up in my bed, eyes wide, already sensing trouble.

“Lira?” she whispered.

Before I could answer, the door flew open and two royal guards stepped inside.

“Lady Lira Vale,” the taller one announced. “By order of Her Majesty, you are required for further questioning.”

My stomach plummeted. “But I already answered everything last night. Prince Cassian...”

“Yes,” the guard cut in. “The Crown Prince released you. But the Queen disagreed with his assessment.”

Of course she did.

Elora scrambled to her feet. “We're on our way to dinner, surely this can wait...”

“It cannot,” the guard said coldly. “Dress. Now.”

I dressed without a word, ignoring the way my hands shook. Elora tried to step toward me, but one of the guards held out a hand, blocking her path.

“It will be fine,” I told her, even though I wasn’t sure I believed it.

They marched me through the palace corridors, past servants whispering behind their hands, past guards who suddenly found the floors and ceilings very interesting. Everyone knew what it meant to be summoned twice.

It meant they thought I was guilty.

The questioning chamber smelled of old parchment and cold stone. A single lantern flickered above the table, casting long shadows. I sat stiffly as they began again.

“Lady Lira,” one of the guards said, pacing slowly, “why were you near the West Wing last night? Your instructors gave you all the directive that it was forbidden to the girls of the Dragon Queen Selection? Were you meeting someone?”

“No,” I replied, fighting to keep my voice steady. “I told the captain everything. I was restless. I walked. That is all.”

The captain exchanged a look with another guard. “And you were alone?”

“Yes.”

The door creaked open.

Every head in the room snapped toward it, mine included.

Prince Evander stepped inside, his expression was unreadable, but the tension clinging to him was impossible to miss.

The guards straightened immediately.

“Your Highness,” the captain said, bowing.

Evander’s gaze swept over the room like frost. and landed on me.

“What is the meaning of this?” he demanded, voice low but razor-sharp. “I thought the interrogations were done."

The captain cleared his throat. “Her Majesty requested a more… thorough inquiry. Several reports from servants have seen Lady Lira in the West Wing."

Evander raised one hand, silencing him. “A thorough enquiry won't be necessary."

The room froze. Even the lantern seemed to hold its breath.

The captain blinked. “Your Highness?”

Evander walked toward me with calm, deliberate steps. “I know why Lady Lira is anxious. But I, I can explain everything,” he said.

My pulse hammered. What is he doing?

“Lady Lira is innocent,” Evander said firmly. “If she was seen near the West Wing, it is because I told her she could walk there. You see I mentioned the secret tunnels and passageways and I think Lady Lira must have been very curious to see them.”

The guards looked as if he’d told them he liked to eat his meals with his bare hands.

“You… mentioned them?” the captain repeated weakly.

“Yes,” Evander said without a hint of hesitation. “You see, Lady Lira suffers from chronic sleeplessness. Walking around helps her sleep. Her attendants can confirm she wanders the palace gardens and halls at night. I have even procured sleeping draughts for her in the past.”

I almost choked.

Evander didn’t glance my way, didn’t even twitch, just continued smoothly, confidently, as if he’d rehearsed the lie.

“During one of our several conversations,” he said, “I spoke of the tunnels. I imagine her wandering mind led her there out of simple curiosity. Nothing more.”

I stared at him. He didn’t look at me. Not once.

The captain looked shaken. “If that is the case, Your Highness, then...”

“It is,” Evander said. “Inform my mother that her suspicions were misplaced. I assure you Lady Lira cannot hurt a fly."

“Yes, Your Highness,” the captain murmured, bowing again.

Evander finally turned toward me. “Lady Lira,” he said softly, “come.”

The guards stepped aside as he guided me out of the chamber.

The moment the door shut behind us, the mask of royal calm he wore cracked.

He didn’t yell.

He didn’t pace.

He simply turned, crossed his arms, and stared at me like I was a puzzle he intended to break apart piece by piece.

“Care to explain what that was?” he asked, voice low.

I swallowed. “Your Highness, I don’t..."

“Don’t lie to me.” His eyes hardened. “I just risked my reputation, my standing with my mother, and quite possibly my command over the guard to get you out of there. So do not insult me by pretending you just wandered there by pure coincidence."

Heat prickled down my spine. “I never asked you to lie for me.”

“I know,” he said quietly. “Which makes it even worse.”

He leaned closer. “Now tell me the truth. Why were you really there?"

I forced myself to meet his gaze. “I couldn’t sleep. I walked. I got lost.”

His jaw tightened. He didn’t believe a word I was saying.

“That’s the story you’re sticking with,” he said.

“Yes.”

Evander exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand down his face. “Lira… I know you’re hiding something.”

I said nothing.

“And whatever it is,” he continued, “it’s big enough that you’d rather risk being arrested than confide in me.”

His voice wasn’t angry anymore.

It was something worse.

It sounded hurt.

He stared at me for a long moment, then he stepped back, gathering himself.

“For your sake, Lira,” he murmured, “I hope the version of you I defended today is the truth. Because if it isn’t…”

His voice dropped to a cold whisper.

“…you’ll have more than the guards to answer to.”

He turned and walked away.