Chapter 6. Dragon

"That… I... I am sorry," she was now feeling regretful for that slap. His red eyes were piercing her face and she couldn't stop trembling. "We… we should get down."

Emma didn't wait for him to say anything and turned around to open the door quickly. She could feel his fierce and dangerous eyes on her even with the veil on. Her only thought at that moment was to escape.

However, the second she stepped out from the carriage, with what it seemed, at first, a skillful jump, she tripped. The long dress prevented her from landing on her feet.

She was about to fall face down when a powerful arm wrapped her waist to stop her at the last second.

The Duke moved so fast when seeing her fall, that he was surprised. It was as if he was scared of watching her get hurt.

"Thank... hey!"

She wanted to say her thanks, but the brazen man took her waist as if touching some delicate porcelain and carried her into a princess-style hug.

"You should be careful, wife…" He smirked. "I know you are eager to find our bedroom, but you shouldn't hurt yourself in the hurry."

"Stop it!" She yelled and hit his chest. "You shameless man put me down this instant."

"No." He smirked, wanting to take off her veil and see her shy little face. "Don't move so much, or you will fall again."

She began moving and hitting his chest not minding his words, only making him laugh in amusement by her little antics.

"Brother Liam?"

They had been so immersed in their little world that they failed to notice the woman standing before them with astonished eyes.

If one could describe the women in Luriem as fragile and delicate but with powerful magic, the women in Avalor were completely different.

They were taught since infancy to strive hard to prove themselves. They trained with spears and swords, bows and axes, even martial arts. Their bodies were fitted and their looks were not as delicate but anyway beautiful.

They were proud women that can fight and can bring honor to Avalor, the same as the men.

However, the woman with red sparkly hair standing a few steps from the couple looked shocked not quite believing what was happening in front of her. The flirtatious look that the well-known arrogant and indifferent man, was giving to the woman in his arms was something out of the common. Out of any belief.

Gia had always dreamt of having that smile for her, but the insensitive man never understood her intentions. However, she didn't feel as bad as he had never shown that expression to anyone, even to his brother, the King.

He was always an unfeeling man. No woman was able to raise his interest. Yet, towards Gia, sister of his best friend, he had always kept a kind and gentle look.

She thought that maybe he will marry her in the future when his family pressured him to take a wife, and he didn't have any choice. So she turned down every proposal of marriage even going against her family's best opinion, only to wait patiently for him.

However, the expected moment never came, but the announcement of his wedding to a woman from another country, a defeated country of witches, took the Kingdom by surprise, and for her, into a swirl of sadness.

"Brother this…"

"Gia, what are you doing here?" He stared briefly at her. She could hear the annoyance in his voice and was left without words.

'No, this can't be, he didn't want that marriage... this must be a joke.'

Gia knew he was enraged by his brother's decision, the mighty King of Avalor, Ethan. The announcement came as a surprise and not a good one, but Liam had always been loyal to his older brother, and never questioned his judgment. After all, Ethan was known as the wise and powerful King of Avalor, even to other countries. His decisions always hid deep meanings and the people truly respected him, as no other king before him had elevated the mighty dragon's race to such heights before.

However, so many years of war and uncountable battles were taking a toll on the citizen. Anger and criticism were slowly growing in the heart of the population and different factions were starting to appear. Liam was able to suppress them and many times, extinguish them, but that would never be a long-term solution.

He prepared a final attack on the Luriem Kingdom, sending their last defenses to the ground. However, when he was about to give the ultimate punch and extinguish those bastards for real, Ethan offered a peace treaty. Liam felt betrayed but didn't question his King. His brother.

Nevertheless, everyone on the battlefield could attest to Liam's distaste for the people of Luriem even after the war. He was always ruthless towards them.

Ethan once asked him the reason, and he only smirked and didn't say anything but the hatred in his eyes could not be concealed, that's why Gia thought he would be distant with his forced wife, and maybe if she waited patiently, she could still have a chance. But the view in front of her cracked all her hopes in a second.

"I… I wanted to visit you and meet your new wife," she said in a kind and gentle voice. Her eyes were lowered to the ground not daring to look up at the loving couple. New feelings of jealousy were invading her heart and she was afraid they will be able to notice them.

"Can you put me down now?" Emma asked in a soft voice again. "I should greet your acquaintances, shouldn't I, darling?"