"Yes, Commander!" shouted the knights.
"Alright, keep up the good work."
She turned around afterward.
"Come on, let's go!"
said Celea to the unhappy-looking Claus.
"You are going to pay for this."
"Actually, I think I'm the one who should be paid here for all the hard work I'm doing while all you do is complain. We are going to talk about my salary when we come back."
"Salary? You are my queen now, so obviously everything I have belongs to you."
Celea put a mischievous smile on her face and soon after lost it.
"I'm not going to lie, the property part sounds good, but being your queen is too much of a sacrifice. Sigh. Too bad, but I'll take the money as a commander and an ally to the war." Smile.
"This little— How can you call so many people's dream a sacrifice? Do you have any idea how many would want the position you have?"
"Dream? Not all dreams are happy dreams. The ones that aren't happy are called nightmares, King," Celea explained as if talking to a child.
"Are you calling being with me a nightmare?"
"Well, I wouldn't really call it a fairytale."
"And you think it's easy being with you?"
"To answer your question, first of all, we are not in a relationship, so you have no right to complain about me. Second, I am a very precious person to have around. Do you want to know what makes me so precious?"
Eye contact.
"It's my loyalty to the ones I love. I won't start looking for others just because they are no longer around. I don't give love to many people because I'm picky. My love is immortal, and I must be careful about who I give it to. I hope my words made you understand something, Lycan."
At this point, they were no longer walking but staring at each other. Celea was trying to make a point—making him realize his mistake: killing her for another woman and now wanting her only because that woman was gone.
"Celea…"
"Commander, we are ready to go," Andrea interrupted.
"Alright, let's go."
They were now all standing next to each other so Andrea could teleport them to the dragon palace.
"That's a surprise. The Lycan King is here."
"There's a witch too, and… what are you?"
The dragon at the gate was staring at Celea.
"Me? I'm a unicorn, of course!" said Celea, amused.
The dragon frowned.
"I'm here to speak with your king. Tell him I'm here," Claus said seriously.
The dragon began speaking to another dragon—clearly mind-linking the king.
"The king is waiting for you," said the gatekeeper.
"You may follow me."
Wow, this place is pretty nice. That painting—it was her…
"The king is inside. You may enter."
He opened the door to what looked like a study. This place too was filled with paintings of her. They stood behind him as the king faced the window.
Moments later, the king slowly turned his chair toward them.
No… it can't be.
Celea started trembling. She couldn't believe her eyes.
"You…"
The Dragon King and Celea stared at each other.
Claus at that point placed his hand on her hip and pulled her closer while locking eyes with the dragon.
"It's been a while, Dereus, hasn't it?"
Dereus shifted his gaze from Celea and focused on Claus.
"It certainly has. Sit down. What brings you here so suddenly?"
"My mate and I need to discuss something regarding what happened recently in our lands."
Claus emphasized mate.
"King Dereus, I'm sure you're aware of the coming war," Celea spoke up.
"I am, but I don't see what that has to do with you being here, Luna."
"My name is Celea, not Luna. And us being here has everything to do with it."
"How so?"
Celea proceeded to explain what she had told the council.
"The devil is afraid of lycans and dragons joining forces."
"I see… so that's how it is. You're here for an alliance. I must admit, it wouldn't be a bad idea—if not for one thing."
The king frowned at Claus.
"I absolutely despise lycans."
"You—" Claus frowned and was about to retort, but Celea raised her hand to stop him before the conversation turned into a fight.
"I see you'll need some time to think about it. We'll talk again tomorrow."
Before he could protest, Celea pulled out the necklace hidden under her sweater. With it now in view, Dereus said nothing—only stared at her. Celea stared back.
Claus noticed the tension and protectively wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer for the second time that day. The action broke whatever moment existed between Celea and Dereus.
"See you tomorrow, Dereus," Claus said, irritation clear in his voice.