Married To The Dragon Prince Against My Will

Lumina sat under the archways at the top of the hill, overlooking the Celestial Realm's palace. The sky was calm and pale, and the wind whispered softly through the area, rustling her dress. Despite her serene appearance, Lumina was anxious and upset inside.

Today was supposed to be her sister's special day, her younger sister was chosen to marry the Crown Prince of the Drakonis realm to strengthen the bond between their realms. But suddenly, everything changed, and Lumina was told she would be the one getting married instead.

Lumina had always stayed out of the spotlight due to her blindness, but now she was being forced into a marriage with a stranger. She wasn't allowed to refuse, as it would bring shame to both realms. Her aunt's words kept haunting her, adding to her distress.

She so badly wants to see her aunt but the security around the territory of the realm is tight, especially for the marriage arrangement.

Lost in those thoughts, she didn't notice the heavy footsteps behind her until they stopped a few feet away.

"My lady, your father is around " Stella whispered from beside her before stepping aside.

There King Ryker walked into the room. His presence was as sharp as ever. But for the first time, she didn't turn to greet him. He took one look at her and sighed, loud and tired.

"You refused to show your courtesy today?" he asked flatly.

Stella immediately rushed toward Lumina, trying to guide her into the proper position, but Lumina only moved slightly. Her voice was barely above a whisper as she murmured, 

"Welcome, my king." The words held no warmth.

Ryker noticed, of course, he did. A crooked smile tugged at the corner of his mouth between pity and amusement.

He had once wanted nothing to do with her. After her mother died, he left her in the shadows of the palace, pretending she didn't exist.

Truthfully, most of the realm had followed his lead. People called her cursed and unlucky because of her mother. 

But ever since the death of her mother and he took her back into the palace, after a long season of drought, the rains returned. 

The crops grew and then everyone called it a blessing. They said Ryker's house was favored again because of her.

He didn't believe in blessings. Not then. But he took her in any way.

Though he would never admit it out loud… she began to soften something inside him.

Now, he looked down at this girl who once kept her head low, who now sat tall and unafraid.

He stepped forward and gently touched her hair, running his fingers through it with a strange kind of affection.

But Lumina didn't move and then, just as softly, his hand curled into a fist.

Without warning, he swung it toward her face. But she wasn't caught off guard.

Her body shifted slightly to the left just enough to let the blow pass by her ear.

A small, almost invisible smirk touched her lips. "I told you the next time we met, we would fight," Ryker said, straightening.

"I was waiting," she replied.

Then he let out a cackle. "You think you are ready for me?"

"I don't need to see you," she said. "I know where you are."

Ryker moved first very fast for someone his age. His steps thundered across the floor, and his arm swept wide with a powerful strike aimed at her side.

She heard it coming, she could feel the pressure of the air shift, the heat of his body changing direction.

She ducked beneath the swing and spun away, her feet light but steady. She had trained for years in silence, listening to the way the world moved, learning how to fight in a way no one else could.

Ryker came again, faster this time. A flurry of attacks, punches, kicks, feints.

She blocked one and dodged another. Rolled across the ground as his boot nearly struck her shoulder.

He was stronger, more experienced, and also at the same time armed but he had patience.

She waited for his rhythm to break, and when it did, she struck low and quick. Her fist landed against his ribs. He grunted, stumbling back.

"You have learned more than I expected," he said, wiping blood from his lip. "Who taught you that move?"

"No one," she said. "I taught myself."

He charged again, but this time she didn't run. She stood her ground. At the last second, she stepped into the attack and twisted, and then she pushed him back and bowed.

"That's so nice… at least now I can believe no one would dare mess with you in the Drakonis world," Ryker said with a small smile.

She was a silent attacker, never loud, never obvious but anyone who crossed her would eventually feel it. 

The only reason she was holding back now was because the Drakonia Realm was still unfamiliar. She didn't know its rules, its dangers… or how she would ever escape it if it came.

Just then, King Ryker gently took her hand, his expression unusually soft. From the folds of his robe, he revealed a necklace delicate and glimmering, like it held a piece of the stars themselves.

"Oh my goodness," Stella cooed nearby. "My lady… it's beautiful. The King has blessed you with a wondrous gift."

"I know you never liked celebrating your birthday," Ryker said, offering her a faint, knowing smile. 

"So I waited until it passed… and gave you this instead." Lumina's fingers curled tightly around the necklace, as if afraid it might vanish.

"Thank you… Father," she said, her voice quiet.

Ryker reached forward and gently patted her hair. "We will be waiting for you in the territory," he said, then turned and walked away, his footsteps fading into the silence.

Lumina stood there, unmoving. Her lip trembled before she bit it hard, forcing back the sting in her chest as her fist tightened around the necklace he had just given to her.

"I wanted to believe you cared about me," she whispered. "But maybe I was wrong."

Stella was confused as she moved closer to her, "My lady what does that…" before her words could be completed, she smashed the necklace on Stella.

"When we get to the Drakonis world, this should be the first thing you keep so far away from me." Stella collected it staring weirdly at her lady.

"Wh.."

"This has a curse and poison on it, and the moment I wear it it will seal along with my blood." Stella's eyes widened.

"Wh.. But I thought he was different," she smirked at this.

"If I am going to leave, it better be killed off… don't you think," Lumina whispered as she moved closer to the doorway, her hands wrapped around her necklace.

"I will make sure to find my way in Drakonia, mum… it's a promise… I won't let you down."