The Dragon's Shield

After Prince Sun's departure, Queen Tyra approached Lynaria with a gaze colder than the night air.

"I know you harbor feelings for Prince Sun, but you also possess the Dragon King's jewel. As a woman, can you not be greedy for all the men?" Her voice was low, but the weight of her words hung in the air like a threat.

Lynaria remained silent, her heart thumping. She pretended not to understand. But Tyra wasn't easily fooled—she saw through the act. 

"Your Majesty, what do you mean?" Lynaria's voice was soft, unsure, but her hands were trembling.

"You know exactly what I mean," Tyra said, stepping closer. "I'll say this only once: if you still carry feelings for Prince Sun, leave the Dragon King. The jewel will kill you otherwise."

Lynaria froze. Her breath hitched. Tyra's words were like ice. She could feel the weight of the jewel at her chest, its warmth contrasting with the dread creeping up her spine. She thought back to Oero's warnings, but her mind was racing too fast to hold on to them.

Before she could respond, a familiar voice shattered her thoughts.

"Why are you standing out here all alone, beautiful? Has the king abandoned you to mingle with the other girls inside?"

Lynaria spun around, her eyes locking with Ares. His smirk was ever-present, but there was an unfamiliar edge to it today.

"Why are you here, Ares?" Lynaria asked, her voice low, wary. 

Ares's grin widened. "I was looking for you," he said, taking a few steps closer, his voice teasing but his eyes scanning her intently.

Lynaria narrowed her eyes, irritation bubbling beneath the surface. "Why should I believe that?"

"Because," Ares shrugged nonchalantly, "I'm here to find the Dragon King. He has an important guest at the palace."

Lynaria stiffened. "An important guest?" 

Ares nodded, his expression unreadable. "He won't be the only one important tonight."

Without waiting for her response, Ares turned, his voice carrying over his shoulder. "Come on, let's go inside."

Lynaria hesitated, but her curiosity and the urgency of the moment pushed her to follow. She didn't have time to think about Tyra's warning—she needed to find Kaelron.

As she walked toward the grand hall, Ares's words echoed in her mind. *An important guest*. Who could it be? The thought gnawed at her. The air inside the hall was thick with laughter and the clinking of glasses. It was an opulent affair—one filled with distraction. But Lynaria didn't allow herself to be distracted. She scanned the room, her eyes searching for Kaelron.

Her gaze landed on him. He was lounging, surrounded by several beautiful women, their laughter echoing through the room. A knot formed in Lynaria's stomach, a cold pang of discomfort gnawing at her. She didn't want to see him like this, didn't want to feel the strange mixture of jealousy and helplessness welling up inside her.

It was too much. She couldn't stand there and watch.

With a sharp breath, she stepped forward, walking directly toward the group. "Out," she said, her voice cold, dismissive. "All of you, leave."

The women exchanged surprised glances, but none of them argued. They slowly backed away, leaving the Dragon King alone. Lynaria turned to face him, her heart pounding in her chest.

Kaelron looked up at her, his brow furrowed. For a moment, he seemed ready to snap, to lash out at her for her boldness. But then his expression softened when he saw the message in her eyes. 

"What is it?" His voice was calm, almost indifferent.

"Ares sent me. There's a guest—he's waiting."

Kaelron sighed, his irritation clear. "Very well. Let's go."

The two of them quickly exited the hall, but the tension didn't leave the air. Lynaria could feel it, hanging between them, heavier than ever.

As they walked down the hallway, Kaelron spoke, his voice low but filled with urgency. "You're sure this guest is important?"

Lynaria nodded, though her mind was still tangled with Tyra's words. *The jewel will kill you if you stay with him*. The thought echoed over and over in her mind, distracting her. 

"Yes," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "Ares said it was urgent."

"Good." Kaelron's tone was clipped, but there was something in his eyes that Lynaria couldn't read. It was a look of disappointment, or maybe something more.

When they arrived at the palace's inner chambers, Kaelron stepped forward, ready to meet his guest. But as he laid eyes on the figure waiting inside, his face fell. Disappointment flashed across his features, quickly masked by a forced politeness.

The Fairy King, his guest, stood there with an air of confidence that was almost too much to bear. 

"It's been a long time, Dragon King," the Fairy King said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "I trust you've been well?"

Kaelron nodded stiffly, his gaze never leaving the Fairy King. "As well as can be expected."

The tension between them was palpable. Lynaria felt the weight of it, the sense that something was about to unfold—something that could change everything. 

The Fairy King wasted no time getting to the point. "I've come to make a request. I need your help."

Kaelron's eyes narrowed. "What kind of help?"

"Loan me your general, along with the Dragon Sword. There are rebels in my kingdom who are growing bold. I need your strength to crush them."

Kaelron's expression hardened, and a surge of anger flared within him. "You want me to lend you my people, to use them as tools? I don't think so."

The Fairy King's smile faltered for just a second, but he quickly recovered. "I am offering you anything in return. Anything you want."

The room grew still. The weight of the request settled on Kaelron's shoulders, the gravity of the situation sinking in. He could feel the pressure building—the need to decide, to act, to protect what was his. 

"I don't lend my people," Kaelron said, his voice low and dangerous. "And I don't give up my sword."

The Fairy King's smile faded entirely. "Then you've made a powerful enemy, Dragon King. We will no longer supply life light to your kingdom. And the coal? That's finished too."

With that, the Fairy King turned and left, his words like a curse hanging in the air.

Kaelron stood motionless for a long moment, his mind racing. Lynaria stepped closer, her voice soft but insistent. "My lord, we can pretend to help them. The palace can't afford to lose these supplies."

Kaelron's gaze hardened as he turned to face her. "No. I will not bow to threats."

The tension that had been building between them was now unbearable. Lynaria could feel the weight of the moment, the unspoken question that hung between them: What would Kaelron do next?