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10. Sense Of Devotion.
Last Updated:
2025-04-03 02:15:26
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THE TRIBUTE QUEEN OF THE DRAGON KING 11. Farewell Celebration 1
~ DAHLIA ~By the time the dusk of the day turns into nightfall, the entire fortress has been transformed into a paradise of a feast celebration.Holding up my enormous blood red gown as I gracefully descend a staircase, leading to a wide corridor, I look outside through the windows by my right and see lanterns suspended in the air with their bright golden lights shining across the walls of the fortress and everywhere else.Also, before I reach the grand hall where I am being summoned to attend the celebration, my nose keeps picking up the sweet, mouthwatering scent of roasted meat and exotic spices as the smells snake through the windows and into the corridors, probably coming from the kitchens.Arriving at the hall, I meet a feast that has already been laid out across a massive long obsidian table right at the center of the hall. This isn’t a simple meal celebration. It is a grand farewell to Azraelyrs happening here in the fortress before he rides to Aepolis with me.Azraelyrs is
Last Updated : 2025-04-10THE TRIBUTE QUEEN OF THE DRAGON KING 12. Farewell Celebration 2
~DAHLIA~Thank the Creator.The woman general is tall with short gold hair in a pixie cut, and her eyes are dark brown and intimidating.“General Alkaia. Chief of our war strategists.” Azraelyrs introduces her to me.Alkaia has already turned to my direction, and she is boldly staring at me like she is measuring how fit I am to live. “Welcome, Princess Dahlia.” She calmly addresses me with respect, “I hope you will feel at home in Drakarith.”“I hope so too.” I say back with a faint smile.The last general introduced to me is a younger male with a boyish appearance, but there is a feral look of strength and stealth in his green eyes that immediately warns me that he is definitely dangerous and not one to be underestimated or trifled with.“And this one,” Azraelyrs says with a smirk at me, “he is General Rhyken. Head of our Royal Guard. He is also our youngest field commander and is wild. But effective.”Rhyken winks at me. “You shine so effortlessly, your highness. I hope you shine br
Last Updated : 2025-04-10THE TRIBUTE QUEEN OF THE DRAGON KING 13. Meeting Avizandria.
~ DAHLIA ~ I wake up the next morning to the light of a new dawn. A new day, and I quickly remember that I am going to Aepolis today. I slept late last night and had no nightmares. Grateful to the Creator for another new chance at life today, I blink against the warm morning sunlight pouring in through the high-arched windows of my room. I love my bed sheets, but I can only wonder how much more I will love the ones in Aepolis. Despite not knowing what to expect there, I feel a small peace within me, and I recall the memories of last night as they drift across my mind: the wine-soaked toasts, the fire-dancers, General Kyrian’s mocking tongue….. I shove it all aside. Today is a new day. New battleground. And Aepolis awaits. I hear a couple soft knocks on the door, and I sit up straight on the bed. “Come in,” I respond and rest my back on the headboard. Keshani and two very familiar maidens enter. “Good morning your highness,” they greet in unison. “Good morning,” I respond an
Last Updated : 2025-04-11THE TRIBUTE QUEEN OF THE DRAGON KING 14. Journey To Aepolis.
~DAHLIA~ Her? Looking closely at the dragon, I confirm his words. Slanty beautiful eyes. A snout that isn't too sturdy like that of the male dragons I have seen drawn in stories. Also, her massive body and daggertail aren't masculinely shaped. But staring at her claws…. wow. Those talons look very black, very long, and very deadly. Avizandria. Her twisted black horns rise like a war crown from her skull, spiraling backwards, and her slanty beautiful eyes are burning red. Her slick scales shine in deep ruby red, glinting like garnets dipped in fresh blood, and her large wings fold back slowly as heat radiates from her in thick waves. Steam rises from her snout. Her talons scratch and dig into the earth. She is beautiful. Terrifying. “Zandria is bonded to me,” Azraelyrs reveals, his voice trailing quietly into my thoughts. “She has been with me since I was a child.” My attention jerks from the dragon to him. Bonded? What does that mean? But Azraelyrs says nothing else, the
Last Updated : 2025-04-11THE TRIBUTE QUEEN OF THE DRAGON KING 15. Arrival.
~DAHLIA~The wind sounds like a roar in my ears.We all are moving. Azraelyrs and I are up in the sky, while Vaeroth and his men are marching below us.The sky is wide open. Too wide. Too blue. Too endless. And I should be terrified of how high we are flying, but I feel something else that is burning inside me as it rushes through my veins. Something that is not fear.It’s adrenaline.I feel weightless and heavy all at once. My breath snags every now and then as I keep fighting down the nausea filling up my stomach. Thank goodness I listened to Keshani.The ground is so far down below Azraelyrs and I as the sky keeps swallowing us whole. The marching men look like marching black ants, and all of them are in solid formations, not breaking out of line one bit. The battalion ahead has the wind blowing their banners that are flapping in the air, bearing the emblem of Drakarith.And above, the clouds part like curtains for Avizandria’s large wingspan. Azraelyrs’s arm is still steadily wrap
Last Updated : 2025-04-19THE TRIBUTE QUEEN OF THE DRAGON KING 16. Observation.
~DAHLIA~Avizandria flaps her wings, and dust instantly whips around the poor nobles as they shield their faces and squint their eyes.I count at least twenty of them.One of them steps forward, her face looking as if someone fed her faeces before coming here.Azraelyrs dismounts easily, and before I can swing a leg over or even think about how to get off, his hands are at my waist again.“I can—” I start.“I know,” he says and lifts me anyway.His touch on me is brief, and yet, it burns against my ribs and is still tingling there even after my feet touch the ground. He does not look at me afterwards, and he pats Avizandria once on the snout, whispering again in Drakarithian.Avizandria huffs, swings her massive head with a final glance at me, and then she leaps into the sky but without gracing all of us once more with the power of her wings blowing dust on everyone.“Welcome, your Majesty,” the woman noble official who had stepped forward bows to Azraelyrs, but I don't miss the way h
Last Updated : 2025-04-19THE TRIBUTE QUEEN OF THE DRAGON KING 17. Meeting The Inner Court.
~DAHLIA~After Azraelyrs's announcement and other minor court proceedings, the meeting is ended.The many nobles situated much closer to the hall’s main entrance are the first to start leaving in neat clusters, then followed by more high ranking court officials exiting in small cliques, whispering noisily to one another while some steal backward glances at me.These lords and ladies of Drakarith, I have this feeling that even though they don't fully accept me now, I still pique their interests and attention. It’s like I can even hear the questions in their heads: Will this weakling survive? Or worse, will she be crushed?I will survive. I swear by the Creator that I will.It doesn't take quite long before the court hall is deserted, with just a few officials hanging around near the pillars guarded by soldiers.One of the soldiers approaches Azraelyrs.I haven't moved an inch off my standing spot, and Azraelyrs haven’t moved too. He also hasn’t let go of my hand, and I feel reassured t
Last Updated : 2025-04-19THE TRIBUTE QUEEN OF THE DRAGON KING 1. Death Of The King.
~DAHLIA~The scent of ‘Khóri’, the sacred burning incense, is so thick and everywhere in the air of the Velmirian Palace.So thick with myrrh and something else that smells like a bad mixture of ashes and wild herbs.It wraps around me like a funeral shroud. Like a stubborn hand gripping my throat.Outside these palace walls, the rest of the kingdom of Velmira sleeps beneath a blood red moon.But sleep is the last sensible thought on my mind right now.My name is Dahlia Rhadaya Balerion. The crown princess of Velmira.And tonight, standing alone outside at the threshold of my father’s chambers, fear is curling inside my stomach like a wicked viper biting into my guts with poisoned fangs.Something is wrong. Who am I kidding? Something is always wrong in this stupid palace.The fear twists harder as I approach the two hefty guards stationed at the giant doors leading into my father's chambers.On seeing me, the men shift uneasily on their posts.Snakes.These are men who once swore the
Last Updated : 2025-03-27
Latest chapter
THE TRIBUTE QUEEN OF THE DRAGON KING 17. Meeting The Inner Court.
~DAHLIA~After Azraelyrs's announcement and other minor court proceedings, the meeting is ended.The many nobles situated much closer to the hall’s main entrance are the first to start leaving in neat clusters, then followed by more high ranking court officials exiting in small cliques, whispering noisily to one another while some steal backward glances at me.These lords and ladies of Drakarith, I have this feeling that even though they don't fully accept me now, I still pique their interests and attention. It’s like I can even hear the questions in their heads: Will this weakling survive? Or worse, will she be crushed?I will survive. I swear by the Creator that I will.It doesn't take quite long before the court hall is deserted, with just a few officials hanging around near the pillars guarded by soldiers.One of the soldiers approaches Azraelyrs.I haven't moved an inch off my standing spot, and Azraelyrs haven’t moved too. He also hasn’t let go of my hand, and I feel reassured t
THE TRIBUTE QUEEN OF THE DRAGON KING 16. Observation.
~DAHLIA~Avizandria flaps her wings, and dust instantly whips around the poor nobles as they shield their faces and squint their eyes.I count at least twenty of them.One of them steps forward, her face looking as if someone fed her faeces before coming here.Azraelyrs dismounts easily, and before I can swing a leg over or even think about how to get off, his hands are at my waist again.“I can—” I start.“I know,” he says and lifts me anyway.His touch on me is brief, and yet, it burns against my ribs and is still tingling there even after my feet touch the ground. He does not look at me afterwards, and he pats Avizandria once on the snout, whispering again in Drakarithian.Avizandria huffs, swings her massive head with a final glance at me, and then she leaps into the sky but without gracing all of us once more with the power of her wings blowing dust on everyone.“Welcome, your Majesty,” the woman noble official who had stepped forward bows to Azraelyrs, but I don't miss the way h
THE TRIBUTE QUEEN OF THE DRAGON KING 15. Arrival.
~DAHLIA~The wind sounds like a roar in my ears.We all are moving. Azraelyrs and I are up in the sky, while Vaeroth and his men are marching below us.The sky is wide open. Too wide. Too blue. Too endless. And I should be terrified of how high we are flying, but I feel something else that is burning inside me as it rushes through my veins. Something that is not fear.It’s adrenaline.I feel weightless and heavy all at once. My breath snags every now and then as I keep fighting down the nausea filling up my stomach. Thank goodness I listened to Keshani.The ground is so far down below Azraelyrs and I as the sky keeps swallowing us whole. The marching men look like marching black ants, and all of them are in solid formations, not breaking out of line one bit. The battalion ahead has the wind blowing their banners that are flapping in the air, bearing the emblem of Drakarith.And above, the clouds part like curtains for Avizandria’s large wingspan. Azraelyrs’s arm is still steadily wrap
THE TRIBUTE QUEEN OF THE DRAGON KING 14. Journey To Aepolis.
~DAHLIA~ Her? Looking closely at the dragon, I confirm his words. Slanty beautiful eyes. A snout that isn't too sturdy like that of the male dragons I have seen drawn in stories. Also, her massive body and daggertail aren't masculinely shaped. But staring at her claws…. wow. Those talons look very black, very long, and very deadly. Avizandria. Her twisted black horns rise like a war crown from her skull, spiraling backwards, and her slanty beautiful eyes are burning red. Her slick scales shine in deep ruby red, glinting like garnets dipped in fresh blood, and her large wings fold back slowly as heat radiates from her in thick waves. Steam rises from her snout. Her talons scratch and dig into the earth. She is beautiful. Terrifying. “Zandria is bonded to me,” Azraelyrs reveals, his voice trailing quietly into my thoughts. “She has been with me since I was a child.” My attention jerks from the dragon to him. Bonded? What does that mean? But Azraelyrs says nothing else, the
THE TRIBUTE QUEEN OF THE DRAGON KING 13. Meeting Avizandria.
~ DAHLIA ~ I wake up the next morning to the light of a new dawn. A new day, and I quickly remember that I am going to Aepolis today. I slept late last night and had no nightmares. Grateful to the Creator for another new chance at life today, I blink against the warm morning sunlight pouring in through the high-arched windows of my room. I love my bed sheets, but I can only wonder how much more I will love the ones in Aepolis. Despite not knowing what to expect there, I feel a small peace within me, and I recall the memories of last night as they drift across my mind: the wine-soaked toasts, the fire-dancers, General Kyrian’s mocking tongue….. I shove it all aside. Today is a new day. New battleground. And Aepolis awaits. I hear a couple soft knocks on the door, and I sit up straight on the bed. “Come in,” I respond and rest my back on the headboard. Keshani and two very familiar maidens enter. “Good morning your highness,” they greet in unison. “Good morning,” I respond an
THE TRIBUTE QUEEN OF THE DRAGON KING 12. Farewell Celebration 2
~DAHLIA~Thank the Creator.The woman general is tall with short gold hair in a pixie cut, and her eyes are dark brown and intimidating.“General Alkaia. Chief of our war strategists.” Azraelyrs introduces her to me.Alkaia has already turned to my direction, and she is boldly staring at me like she is measuring how fit I am to live. “Welcome, Princess Dahlia.” She calmly addresses me with respect, “I hope you will feel at home in Drakarith.”“I hope so too.” I say back with a faint smile.The last general introduced to me is a younger male with a boyish appearance, but there is a feral look of strength and stealth in his green eyes that immediately warns me that he is definitely dangerous and not one to be underestimated or trifled with.“And this one,” Azraelyrs says with a smirk at me, “he is General Rhyken. Head of our Royal Guard. He is also our youngest field commander and is wild. But effective.”Rhyken winks at me. “You shine so effortlessly, your highness. I hope you shine br
THE TRIBUTE QUEEN OF THE DRAGON KING 11. Farewell Celebration 1
~ DAHLIA ~By the time the dusk of the day turns into nightfall, the entire fortress has been transformed into a paradise of a feast celebration.Holding up my enormous blood red gown as I gracefully descend a staircase, leading to a wide corridor, I look outside through the windows by my right and see lanterns suspended in the air with their bright golden lights shining across the walls of the fortress and everywhere else.Also, before I reach the grand hall where I am being summoned to attend the celebration, my nose keeps picking up the sweet, mouthwatering scent of roasted meat and exotic spices as the smells snake through the windows and into the corridors, probably coming from the kitchens.Arriving at the hall, I meet a feast that has already been laid out across a massive long obsidian table right at the center of the hall. This isn’t a simple meal celebration. It is a grand farewell to Azraelyrs happening here in the fortress before he rides to Aepolis with me.Azraelyrs is
THE TRIBUTE QUEEN OF THE DRAGON KING 10. Sense Of Devotion.
~DAHLIA~Our eyes are trapped into each other, but my senses are so alert and aware of his delicious scent of spicy bergamot, intense patchouli, cinnamon, and subtle hints of dark chocolate and sea salt that makes me feel like I am mentally drowning in an endless sea.My breathing trembles, and I fight desperately to keep my eyes locked onto his golden gems, not daring to look down past his sculpted waist.But I am itching to.No, focus….“Oh Dahlia,” Azraelyrs draws close enough for his lips to brush my ear. I force myself to remain like a statue, even though my traitorous body is tempting my hands to touch him.“You dream too much, Princess.”I stiffen.The title makes my fingers tighten at my sides. Princess. That is what I was. What I should have replaced with a queenly Velmiran crown upon my head.But I am not here as a ruler.I am here as a tribute.A queen offering, sent against my will. A pawn in a game I did not choose.But that does not mean I will remain a pawn.Azraelyrs i
THE TRIBUTE QUEEN OF THE DRAGON KING 9. I Am Royalty.
~DAHLIA~The doors boom shut behind me, causing me to flinch a bit.Keep it together, Dahlia.My heartbeat rises with the uneasiness settled deep in my bones, but I force my hands not to tremble.Looking around, I instantly feel swallowed up by the large room adorned with bronze patterned stone walls and a massive bed dressed in the richest blood red fabrics I have ever seen. There are golden fire candelabras with their flames casting dancing shadows across the walls behind them in soft glows. A king’s domain. Fitting for the ruler of a kingdom as dominating as Drakarith.It's a little hot in here, and I rub my arms slightly, also inhaling the sweet scent of oils mixed with warmed water and steam that is filling the atmosphere and mingling in a way that prickles my skin. At the far end of the room, there is a corner covered with long flowing curtains hanging down a shiny rail pole. The curtains are white and very light, and I can clearly see the silhouette of someone getting up fro
