The Dragon Queen Selection Chapter 94

CASSIAN

Three days.

Three gods-damned days.

That was how long it had been since Lira had slipped out of my bed before dawn like a ghost.

And in those three days, I had not been able to get her alone once.

Not once.

Which was impressive, really, considering I had spent most of those seventy-two hours actively trying.

I leaned back in my chair, rubbing my temples as yet another stack of documents slid across my desk.

The council chamber was quiet except for the scratching of quills and the low murmur of advisors discussing trade routes.

I wasn’t listening.

I hadn’t been listening for the past twenty minutes.

Because all I could think about was her.

Why was she avoiding me?

“Your Highness?”

I blinked.

The advisor across the table looked mildly uncomfortable.

"Yes?"

“The shipping tariffs from the western ports.”

“Approved.”

He hesitated.

“You haven’t read them.”

“Then they must be very boring,” I replied dryly.

A few of the men around the table chuckled nervously.

The meeting finally ended moments later, and the advisors filtered out one by one.

As soon as the last of them left, I pushed back my chair and stood.

Another day wasted.

Another day without seeing her.

I stepped into the corridor just as a servant hurried past.

“Your Highness,” she said quickly, bowing.

“Is Lady Lira still in the west wing?”

She blinked in surprise.

“I believe she just left her lessons, Your Highness.”

Good.

Finally.

I turned immediately and headed down the hall.

But by the time I reached the courtyard...

She was gone.

Again.

I stopped walking, scanning the garden paths.

Nothing.

“Unbelievable,” I muttered.

Three days. Three days of this ridiculous game.

Every time I came close to finding her, she vanished. She had avoided me library, she started walking in groups; she even started sleeping in Lady Elora's room.

Every corridor empty.

Every room already vacated or heavily occupied.

It was as if she could sense me coming.

Or worse....

As if she was deliberately avoiding me.

The thought made my jaw tighten.

I turned sharply and headed back toward the palace.

“Prince Cassian.”

I stopped walking.

Calista stood at the entrance to the dining hall, her arms crossed and her expression already irritated.

Ah.

Right.

Dinner.

Again.

“You’re late again,” she said.

I glanced toward the hall behind her. The private dining hall had been arranged for a dinner for two. But I was too tired to even eat.

Servants carried trays to the table.

I sighed.

“Lady Calista...”

“You promised, your highness,” she cut in sharply.

“Yes.”

“That you would have dinner with me.”

“Yes.”

“And yet here you are, late. Again.”

I rubbed the back of my neck.

“My apologies.”

Her eyes narrowed.

“That’s the third night this week.”

“I’ve been very busy.”

“With what?”

I gestured vaguely toward the palace.

“Royal duties.”

She scoffed.

“The first night might have been a mistake, but three nights in a row?!”

“My apologies.”

“There is still time, your highness; why don't you join me?”

“I need to rest. I've been in council meetings for the better part of my day.”

She glared.

“Great.”

“I'm sorry.”

Calista stepped closer.

“You said you would make it up to me, but all you have done is disappoint me further.”

“I will make it up to you.”

“You said that three days ago.”

“And I still intend to.”

She crossed her arms tighter.

“When?”

“Soon.”

Her gaze hardened.

“You’re lying.”

“Possibly.”

She stared at me for several seconds before finally sighing in frustration.

“Unbelievable.”

“Yes.”

“You are the most infuriating man I have ever met.”

“I’ve been told.”

She shook her head and turned toward the dining hall.

“Don’t bother joining me tonight.”

I watched her disappear into the hall.

Then I turned and walked in the opposite direction.

Because I had absolutely no intention of sitting through another dinner pretending to care about whatever she had to say.

Not when I had something far more interesting occupying my mind.

Lira.

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

Later that night, I finally received the message I had been waiting for.

An advisor knocked on my chamber door.

“Your Highness?”

“Enter.”

He stepped inside and bowed.

“The escorts you sent to Vale have returned."

My attention sharpened instantly.

“Good.”

I gestured for him to continue.

“What did they find?”

The man hesitated.

“The estate is… in poor condition, Your Highness.”

“How poor?”

“Extremely.”

I leaned forward slightly.

“Explain.”

“The manor itself is falling into disrepair. Several sections appear abandoned.”

My brows drew together.

“And the staff?”

“Very few.”

“How few?”

“Perhaps half a dozen.”

That was impossible.

The Vale estate was one of the largest noble holdings in the western region.

“There should be at least a hundred servants.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“And Lord Eaton Vale?”

“They were not permitted to see him.”

I frowned.

“Why not?”

“The staff claimed he is extremely ill.”

My fingers tapped against the desk.

“Did they seem truthful?”

He hesitated again.

“They seemed… nervous.”

“Nervous?”

“Yes.”

“Of what?”

“I cannot say.”

I leaned back in my chair, thinking.

“And Lady Lira?”

“What about her, Your Highness?”

“She grew up there.”

“Yes.”

“So why,” I said slowly, “did she never mention any of this?”

The advisor remained silent.

The truth was...

Lira had never once spoken about her home.

Not during the Selection.

Not during court gatherings.

Nothing.

Which was… strange.

“Did the escorts see anything else?” I asked.

“No, Your Highness.”

I dismissed him with a nod.

Once the door closed, I remained seated for a long moment. The pieces didn’t fit. Her family estate was practically collapsing.

Her grandfather was supposedly ill and hidden from visitors.

And she had said nothing about any of it.

“Interesting,” I murmured.

I pushed back my chair and stood.

Perhaps it was finally time to have a proper conversation with Lady Lira Vale.

If she would stop running from me long enough to allow it.

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

The following evening was the mandatory royal family dinner.

Which meant I had no choice but to attend.

The dining hall was already filled with my family when I arrived.

Evander sat at the side of the table beside our mother, my father at the head. Even my sister Aveline had attended.

I was ready to get the dinner over with.

The dinner conversation droned on around me. Trade discussions. Political alliances. The usual nonsense.

I barely heard any of it.

Until Evander cleared his throat.

“I have an announcement to make. It is partly also why I pushed for all of us to be present at this dinner.”

The room fell silent.

I looked up.

Evander stood slowly, his expression calm but determined.

“What kind of announcement?” our mother asked.

He glanced down the table.

At me.

My stomach twisted slightly.

“I have made a decision regarding my life.”

“And?” the Queen prompted.

Evander smiled faintly.

“I intend to marry Lady Lira Vale."

The words hit the room like a thunderclap.

Forks clattered against plates.

Evander continued calmly.

“I will be withdrawing her from the Dragon Queen’s Selection.”

My mind went completely blank.

Because all I could think was...

Over my dead body.