The Selection: Bride Of The Dark Dragon

MIRA

Tristan is not a newcomer when it comes to newspaper covers. The Sapphire Knight of the Akyrian Kingdom appeared on a lot of them. It was always either his victories or achievements though. Even when we got engaged I was never there! Just my name was briefly mentioned and then there were loads of words about what a loss it is to the girls of the kingdom and how incredible he is, and how lucky I am.

But right now I am looking at a huge portrait of myself in his arms. It was clearly created by a master. And a glossier paper was used for today’s issue.

I am wearing a pale blue dress and he is in his festive sapphire armour, giving me a proper princess carry while my red hair is flowing with the wind. We are looking at each other and tears are rolling down my eyes…

What the chaos is this?! Who did this and why?!

“The Sapphire Knight and His Rescued Beloved Announce Wedding Date”, I read the title and my jaw drops to the floor… I open the article about us and I am lost for words. It tells a story that I have never heard of but, apparently, been a part of without even knowing. Tristan and I were madly in love since our childhood and were supposed to get married. But this year the evil gerdians chose me as one of the brides for the Dark Selection and we had no choice but to separate as our country comes first before everything. The King had to send Tristan as a supervisor as he had his doubts about the treaty and the reasons for the Selection. And while supervising Tristan uncovered a conspiracy against the Akyrian Kingdom! Gerdians were preparing to attack us and meanwhile were having fun killing off the girls at the Selection. I was chosen by the evil Crown Prince, who was going to make me his bride and lead the war the day after our wedding. But Tristan to the rescue! After the gerdians had a killing spree at the latest ball, Tristan kidnapped me and sent me home. He himself, however, returned to the castle and blew it up together with the Crown Prince and other gerdians. Prior to that, of course, he saved ta a couple of other girls that managed to survive. And they all gave statements about what a hero he is. While doing all that, Tristan managed to take a gerdians prisoner and deliver him to the King. And the King’s Archmage found out that we can be as powerful as the gerdians themselves. King Bendor was so happy that he awarded Tristan with a new title – and here I choke – he made him the Crown Prince of the Kingdom! As the king himself wasn’t blessed with a son. Moreover, he restored our engagement because – and I quote – “true love always wins”! And now Tristan and I are going to lead the country to the war as symbols of everything worth fighting for. And the whole country is cheering for us.

I put the paper down and for about half an hour just staring in front of me. What the chaos is all this?! Who wrote that? There is not a word of truth and… Gods, what is it with my luck and crown princes… I just got rid of one and here we go again!

“Morning!” Tristan strolls in with a huge bouquet of flowers and both maids start whispering and giggling, looking at the two of us. The flowers land in my hands and the knight gets the newspaper out. I give him a questioning look and he shrugs his shoulders.

“Did my fiancée take her medicine already?” he asks one of the maids and she blushes.

“No, your Highness,” she curtsies, “It’s on the lady’s tray.”

He finds a tiny glass with some kind of potion in it and hands it to me.

“No need,” I protest but he only brings it closer to my lips.

“This will help you to gather strength and recover quickly, Mira. Open your mouth,” he smiles and the maids sigh in adoration. While I roll my eyes and yet drink it.

“Good,” he brushes his fingers over my lips, wiping a few drops of the liquid and not taking his eyes off me, “Leave us!”

“Of course, your Highness!” both maids curtsy and hurry to leave the room.

I look at my newly found fiancé and exhale heavily, “Congratulations, Your Highness!”

“Have you read all of it?” he nods at the newspaper.

“Yes,” I say simply.Têxt © NôvelDrama.Org.

“And?” he raises his brow.

“Very entertaining piece of news!” I look at him, “Shame there’s not a word of truth!”

He throws the paper out and sits right next to me on the bed, “You know how news is made… Mira, but not all of it is a lie.”

“Enlighten me, Tristan,” I force a smile.

“You already know everything”, he sighs, “We are at war whether we want it or not. And we can be free of gerdians. And also… our people need you!”

“Oh, don’t go there, please!” I snap.

“We are already there, Mira! You are a battlemage of the Akyrian Kingdom! It’s your duty to fight wars for the Kingdom – no matter who the enemy is! You know it and I know it!”

I say nothing. Because this is where he is right. It IS my duty to fight if there is a war. Battlemages give an owe when they join the Battle Magic Department at the Academy. We have to fight if there is a need even if we haven’t graduated yet.

“Mira,” Tristan takes my face into his hands, “The Selection is gone. And so is everything that happened there. You and I are back home and we have a second chance! And this is the moment where I need you the most. Our people need you! You are not only a battlemage now! You are also a symbol for all our people! A symbol of freedom, a symbol of the bright future! They want to believe in you and me! It helps them!”

“It does, doesn’t it?” I sigh. He is right. People need me and I have to help them!

“And that gerdian,” my fiancé continues, “He is in the past. You and I are the future!”

For a second there I feel that he might be right. But then I remember Derrien’s eyes with sparks of dark magic dancing in them… And I am not so sure of anything anymore…

“I don’t know,” I turn to look at the window and Tristan takes my hand into his and k****s it.

“Mira, how about we go and visit your father?” he asks, “I think you are ready now. You will enjoy a little family reunion. Your brother Colton is also here.”

“Is he?”

“Yes, he is preparing for the war too,” the Sapphire Knight informs me, “He needs you now more than ever. We all need you. The whole Kingdom. And me..”

He is right. They all need me…