The Dragon Queen Selection Chapter 57

LIRA

The table went quiet in the wake of Amara’s words.

For half a heartbeat, there was only the crackle of candles and the distant scrape of cutlery from another table farther down the hall.

Then...

“Settle?” I repeated mildly.

Amara smiled, sharp and triumphant. “If the slipper fits.”

Calista recovered first, smoothing her skirts. “Well.. that's serious stuff. Imagine if the Queen hears about this."

Saphira tilted her head, eyes alight. “Is it untrue?”

I set my fork down carefully. “Prince Evander merely escorted me from the questioning room. My name was cleared long before that.”

It was a lie, but a necessary one. I couldn't put Evander in the spotlight for saving me.

“Did he?” Amara pressed. “I heard something different. Didn't he take the fall for you?”

Elora shifted beside me. “This is unnecessary!"

Vivienne snorted. “The whole Selection is unecessary."

Calista’s gaze remained fixed on me. “You would do well to remember, Lady Lira, that perception matters more than truth in this palace. If the Queen thinks there is something between you and Prince Evander, you could lose your place in this Selection."

I met her eyes evenly. “I suppose I should be flattered if you think I caught the attention of another Prince."

That earned a few startled laughs, though Amara’s smile thinned.

“Careful,” she said. “Arrogance rarely wins crowns.”

“Coming from you, that's rich."

The bell rang before she could respond, signaling the end of dinner. Chairs scraped back, and the tension dissolved into movement and whispers as the girls rose.

As we filed out, Elora squeezed my hand.

“I don't know Amara finds out these things,” she murmured.

“Her powers, I suspect she never stopped using them. They give her an advantage,” I sighed.

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

The next morning, the palace was already changing.

Silken banners unfurled from balconies in hues of gold and amber, catching the light like captured dawn. Garlands of sunblossoms appeared along corridors, their warm scent threading through the stone halls. Courtiers hurried past with armfuls of fabric and crates. They were already preparing for the festival. At least a few days too early in my opinion.

“They’ve gone mad,” Vivienne said as we watched servants string lanterns across the eastern courtyard. “It’s still days away.”

“Eliminations paused,” Saphira replied. “They need distraction I guess."

“And spectacle,” Calista added.

The contests were announced before midday: a sequence of trials meant to display grace, wit, and composure. Dancing. A game of wits. A paired performance of choosing.

Elora read the list twice, brow furrowed.

“You’re good at this,” I said.

She looked at me, startled. “You think?”

“You can dance, you're graceful enough,” I insisted. “And you've done very well in the lessons. This should be easy for you."

She laughed weakly. “Not when I'm up against Calista. Or Saphira. Or even Amara."

“Then we’ll make sure you beat all of them. Vivienne has bad balance. Evadne's not very smart. Isla's timid. Juliette will find some way to mess up. Your real competition are only those three you mentioned."

Her eyes narrowed. “We?”

I smiled. “You’re not doing this alone. I'll help you."

We claimed a quiet practice hall that afternoon, sunlight slanting in through high windows. Elora paced while I leaned against the mirrored wall.

“I don’t know why you’re helping me,” she said finally.

“Because I want you to win.”

She stopped. “Why?”

I considered the question. “Because you deserve a moment with the Prince.”

Elora’s shoulders slumped. “I don’t even know if I want the prize.”

“Really?”

She nodded. “I’ve given up thinking about the Crown Prince.”

That surprised me. “Just like that?”

She smiled sadly. “I realized I was in love with the idea of him. Not the man.” She hesitated, then added, “I don’t need a prince. I just… want someone who looks at me like I matter. As much as I look at them.”

Something warm tightened in my chest.

“You’ll find that,” I said quietly.

She searched my face. “You really believe that?”

“I do.”

Elora exhaled. “There will be other eligible bachelors at the ball. Lords. Envoys. Maybe someone kind.”

“There will,” I agreed. “But you still need to get there first.”

She laughed softly. “You’re relentless.”

“I’m practical.”

Reluctantly, she took her position. “Fine. Help me.”

We worked through steps, posture, pacing. I corrected her stance, teased her when she overthought, made her repeat turns until her movements flowed instead of fractured.

“You’re doing that thing again,” I said.

“What thing?”

“Apologizing with your body.”

She frowned. “That’s not a thing.”

“It is when you keep shrinking.”

I stepped closer, straightening her shoulders. “Take up space.”

She swallowed. “Like this?”

“Exactly like that.”

By the time we stopped, she was flushed and breathless, and smiling.

“I forgot this could be fun,” she admitted.

“Winning often is,” I said.

She laughed, then grew serious. “You’ll help me win?”

“I promise.”

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

I went to the library that evening to see if I could find clues as to what Cassian's power was. That was the only way I could understand what Evander meant by him being bonded to the vault.

I didn’t expect company.

“Lady Lira.”

I turned, and nearly collided with Prince Cassian.

He steadied me by the elbow. “Careful.”

“Your Highness,” I said, stepping back. “I didn’t realize...”

“That you’d find me here?” His mouth curved faintly. “Nor did I.”

He gestured to the book in my hands. “History of the Sunwake?”

“I wanted to understand the traditions.” I lied easily. Thankfully that was the only title he could see.

“Most don’t bother,” he said.

“And you?”

“I don't care much for festivals."

I studied him. He looked… different. Less angry. His eyes lingered on me openly, not with calculation, but curiosity.

“I apologise for my behavior yesterday ,” he said.

"Oh.”

“I wasn't in the best of moods.”

The silence stretched, heavy but not unpleasant.

“I heard what was said at dinner,” he continued.

“Just rumours.”

“Yes.” His gaze sharpened. “But is there any truth to them?”

“No.”

Something unreadable crossed his face, relief? Disappointment?

“Good,” he said quietly.

That unsettled me more than anger would have.

“Why?” I asked.

He hesitated. “Because I’d like to know you without shadows cast by my brother.”

I blinked. “Since when?”

“Since you looked me in the eye during questioning and didn’t beg.”

“That hardly seems..."

“I know."

We stood too close now. I was acutely aware of him, of the power he carried, and the way he was, inexplicably, offering a fraction of it to me.

“Will you compete?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“For the dance?”

I thought of Elora. Of promises. “For participation.”

His lips quirked. “So you don't want to win then?"

I didn't answer.

His gaze lingered a moment longer, then he stepped back. “I’ll see you at the festival.”

When he left, the library felt colder.

I sat down slowly, heart racing.

What has gotten into you? I wondered, not just him, but myself.

Interest from the Crown Prince wasn't something I was expecting.

Perhaps, I mused, I could use this to my advantage after all.