The golden axe of the giant goblin chief gleamed under the sun as it swung toward Flare's frozen body.
She couldn't move. The paralysis from the last attack crawled through her veins like ice, locking her in place.
So this is it… I'm done for.
The axe tore through the air—
"Are you okay?!"
A sudden burst of black aura flashed in front of her.
Ryu Drakheart caught her bridal-style, landing with the elegance of a hero from a fairy tale.
The battlefield paused for a heartbeat.
Flare's crimson eyes met Ryu's. Her hair brushed against his cheek. His heart fluttered.
"Perfect… moment…" he muttered, puckering his lips.
WHACK!
Flare punched him across the face.
"You idiot! Focus on the fight!"
"Ow! So ungrateful!" Ryu grumbled, spitting dirt as he drew the Dragon Fang Katana.
---
The goblin chief roared, swinging its golden axe in a deadly arc. Ryu dodged, his small body moving like a shadow, while Flare leapt back, conjuring a blazing fireball that lit the battlefield.
"On my mark!" she shouted.
Ryu smirked. "Try to keep up, princess!"
The boy prince dashed forward, his black aura flaring. Sparks danced as his blade met the goblin's metal armor. Flare's fireballs exploded on its back, forcing it to stagger.
But the goblin didn't fall easily. It smashed the ground, sending a shockwave that launched Ryu into the air. He twisted midair and landed on its shoulder, slashing the Dragon Fang across its neck in one fluid motion.
With a deafening roar, the goblin chief collapsed. Dust rose as the battlefield finally fell silent.
---
Hours later, Ryu lay sprawled on his royal bed, wrapped in bandages like a human mummy.
"This… is my punishment for being too handsome," he groaned dramatically.
The door creaked open.
Flare walked in, her fiery red hair loose over her shoulders, arms crossed.
"Oh? You don't feel pain anymore?" she asked, pressing a sharp nail into one of his bruises.
"AAAH! Stop, you witch!" he howled.
Her lips curled into a smug smile.
"How dare you call me that?"
"You are! I saved your life and this is how you repay me?!"
"I came here to thank you, idiot! But you're lying here like some tragic hero, fishing for attention."
"Fishing?! I can defeat you even like this!" Ryu puffed his chest.
"In your dreams, brat."
---
Within seconds, they were wrestling like children, pulling hair and rolling across the bed.
SLAM!
The door burst open.
Two queens—Qurika and Satani—stood in the doorway, exuding a murderous aura only mothers could.
"You two… fighting again?" Qurika's voice was ice.
"What will you do after marriage if this is how you behave?"
Both froze.
"…Marriage?" Ryu and Flare said in unison.
"Yes," Qurika said. "You two will marry for the sake of our kingdoms' alliance."
"WHAT?!"
"I won't marry this brat!" Flare yelled, fists clenched.
"I'd rather marry a goat than her!" Ryu barked.
The queens ignored them with the elegance of women used to chaos.
---
Over the next day, both tried to convince their fathers to stop the marriage.
Both failed miserably.
"I guess… we have no choice," Ryu sulked, staring at the ceiling.
"Like hell I'll marry you!" Flare snapped. "I have dreams!"
"Dreams? Jewelry? Dresses? Makeup?"
Her eyes flared hotter than fire magic.
"That's exactly why I hate you! You think women are toys. We have dreams and desires too!"
She stormed out, leaving Ryu speechless.
Women are so dramatic, he thought. But her words echoed.
They reminded him of Daisy—his fiancée from his past life—who had said the exact same thing before he betrayed her.
---
That night, Ryu strolled to the balcony, breathing in the cold air.
Moonlight washed over the palace.
Then he saw her—Flare—in a black cloak, riding a horse into the night.
"Oh-ho… where is my tsundere bride sneaking off to?" he smirked.
He summoned his black aura wings and followed her.
---
In the forest, Ryu hid behind trees and watched.
Flare trained under the moonlight, her fire magic dancing like living flames. Sweat dripped down her face, soaking her clothes. She fell. She got up. She screamed in frustration, blasting another tree to ash.
She… really is chasing something, Ryu realized.
Not just a princess playing dress-up.
He watched for hours. Eventually, his eyelids grew heavy, and he fell asleep against a tree.
When he woke up, morning sunlight cut through the forest. Flare was gone.
"Crap!" He raced back to the castle.
---
"RYU DRAKHEART!" Queen Qurika's voice thundered through the hall.
"Today is your wedding and you disappeared all night?!"
Ryu lowered his head like a scolded puppy, nodding silently while thinking:
Is she training to kill me on our wedding night?
---
By noon, the palace transformed into a sea of banners, silk, and flowers. Nobles filled the halls. Music echoed through the grand chamber.
Ryu stood at the altar, dressed in a golden groom's robe, fidgeting with his collar.
Then Flare entered.
She was breathtaking. Her white gown shimmered in the sunlight, her hair braided with tiny rubies. But her eyes were clouded with doubt and sadness.
She sat beside him, tense and silent.
Ryu leaned closer and whispered:
"By the way… your fire moves last night were amazing."
She stiffened.
"I may be an idiot, but I get it now. Or at least… I want to. Our marriage will never stop you from chasing your dreams. I'll support you."
Her lips parted slightly, surprised.
"And if you really don't want this… I'll talk to my father and take the blame. I'll cancel everything.
So…" Ryu smiled, offering his small hand.
"Miss Flare Flamewarth… what's your decision?
Will you marry me?"