The Dragon Queen Selection Chapter 96

LIRA

I nodded slowly.

“I’ll be ready.”

I left the Veyraxis shortly after she gave me a few instructions and I said goodbye to Luna. I didn't know how they planned to leave yet, but I knew they would be gone soon.

When I finally returned to my room, I pushed the door open quietly.

And froze.

Prince Evander stood inside.

He turned the moment he saw meU

“There you are!"

His expression was a mixture of relief and frustration.

“Where have you been? I haven't had a proper chance to talk to you ever since that night you ran away from the guards.”

I closed the door slowly.

“Did anybody see you?" I asked him cautiously.

He shook his head.

"No, I was very careful. Where have you been?"

"Oh... just out and about.”

“Out where?”

“I wanted to take a walk.”

“At this hour?”

“Yes.”

He stepped closer.

“And why did you run from the guards that night?”

I said nothing.

“Lira.”

“Yes?”

“You gave us all a fright. We looked everywhere for you and we had to do so quietly so the rest of the palace wouldn't notice.”

“I know. I apologise for causing so much trouble.”

“Then answer me.”

“Why must I tell you anything at all?”

His brows drew together.

“Because I care about you.”

Silence stretched between us.

Finally, he asked,

“Have you thought about what I said?”

I met his gaze.

“Yes, I have."

“And?”

I took a slow breath.

Then I said the one word that silenced him completely.

“Yes.”

Evander blinked.

“…Yes?”

“Yes.”

My voice was steady.

“I accept your proposal.”

His eyes widened.

“You’ll let me pull you out of the Dragon Queen's selection and let me court you?"

“Yes.”

I held his gaze calmly.

“I like you, Prince Evander. I really do."

Evander stared at me as though he hadn’t heard correctly.

“…You like me?” he repeated.

I nodded slowly, keeping my voice steady.

“Yes.”

For a moment he simply stood there, stunned. Then his face broke into a grin so wide it looked almost boyish.

“Gods,” he breathed. “I was beginning to think you’d refuse me.”

“I wouldn’t do that.”

“You made me wait long enough.”

I folded my arms lightly across my stomach, careful not to press against the bandage hidden beneath my dress.

“I needed time to think.”

“And now you’ve decided.”

“Yes.”

He began pacing the room like an excited wolf.

“This is perfect,” he said. “Absolutely perfect.”

I watched him quietly.

“We’ll speak to my parents soon,” he continued. “Once they approve, we can announce our engagement to the court.”

I stiffened slightly.

“Engagement?! So soon?”

“Why wait?”

“Because,” I said gently, “we’ve barely begun courting.”

He stopped pacing and looked at me like that was the most ridiculous thing he’d ever heard.

“We’ve been courting since the moment you arrived at the palace.”

“That’s not how courtship works.”

“It does for princes.”

I sighed softly.

“Evander…”

He stepped closer, his expression softening.

“You’re worried.”

“I’m being practical.”

“You think my parents will object?”

“I don’t know. They're the King and Queen.”

“My father really won’t care. As long as I'm not Cassian he doesn't care much.”

“And the Queen?”

His mouth tightened slightly.

“She’ll come around.”

The words lingered unpleasantly in the air.

“I would prefer to take things slowly,” I said carefully.

“How slow?”

“Perhaps… a few weeks.”

“A few weeks?”

“Yes.”

He shook his head.

“I can’t promise that. It's why I want to pull you out of the Queen's selection. So everyone can know where you true affections lie.”

My brows knit together.

“Why can't we just wait a bit?”

“Because once I’ve decided something, I don’t like waiting.”

“That’s not how life works.”

“It does for me.”

I studied his face.

“You’re serious.”

“Very.”

“And you plan to tell your parents soon?”

“Yes.”

“How soon?”

He smiled.

“Tomorrow. Perhaps the day after.”

My stomach twisted.

“That’s incredibly fast.”

Evander stepped closer until only a small space separated us.

“You said yes,” he reminded me.

“I did.”

“Then trust me."

I hesitated.

“I do.”

That seemed to satisfy him.

“Good.”

He reached for my hand, lifting it to his lips.

I resisted the urge to pull away.

“We’re going to be very happy, Lira.”

I forced a small smile.

He chuckled.

"You look tired. I’ll let you rest.”

Relief flickered briefly in my chest.

But before I could step back, he tilted his head slightly.

“Although…”

My stomach sank.

“You still owe me something.”

“What?”

“A kiss.”

I froze.

“I don’t.”

“You absolutely do.”

“I never agreed to that.”

“You accepted my proposal.”

“That doesn’t mean...”

“It does.”

His tone softened, almost teasing.

“It’s just a kiss.”

My heart pounded painfully.

I thought of Cassian. Of the night three days ago.

Of the way things had already become far too complicated.

“This is part of courtship,” Evander added.

I hesitated.

Then finally stepped forward.

“Fine.”

His smile returned instantly.

I leaned up and pressed a quick kiss against his lips.

It was brief.

Polite.

Nothing like the storm that had existed between me and his brother.

Evander seemed perfectly satisfied.

“Good night, my future wife,” he said.

And then he left.

The door closed behind him.

I let out a slow breath.

“Gods help me,” I whispered.

**********************

The next morning I woke right after dawn.

Sleep had been restless, full of tangled dreams and uneasy thoughts.

The palace was quiet as I slipped out of my room.

The library seemed like the safest place to hide.

Few people visited it this early.

The large room smelled of old parchment and dust. Morning light filtered through tall windows, illuminating rows upon rows of ancient books.

I moved toward one of the tables near the back.

“Lady Lira?”

I turned.

Calista stood near the entrance.

My stomach tightened immediately.

“Lady Calista.”

She walked toward me slowly, holding a small tray.

“I didn’t expect to see anyone here this early.”

“Neither did I.”

She smiled faintly.

“I came here to have tea, but I've realised I don't really feel like drinking it. Woukd you like some? Let me pour you a cup.”

I said nothing.

Her eyes softened.

“May I sit?”

I hesitated.

“…Of course.”

She placed the tray on the table and poured a cup.

“I owe you an apology,” she said.

That caught my attention.

“An apology?”

“Yes.”

“For what?”

“For… how I have always treated you.”

I studied her carefully.

“You were never particularly kind to me.”

“I know.”

She pushed one of the cup towards me.

“And I’m sorry for that.”

“Why?”

She sighed.

“Because I was jealous.”

“Jealous?”

“Yes.”

“Of me?”

She nodded.

“You were always so carefree and effortless. You tried so little, yet you've made more impact with Crown Prince Cassian and even Prince Evander than I've ever made.”

I forced a neutral expression.

“That’s hardly possible...”

“It's the truth ,” she admitted.

She slid the tea closer.

“Please.”

I looked down at the cup.

“Why the sudden kindness?”

“Because I need your help.”