Zilant watched Hanara walk away, wanting to say something but holding back. Eliana chuckled.
"Young Prince, you can also head to your room," Eliana said. Zilant looked at her.
"Oh…" he murmured, glancing at Tait. Tait smiled and nodded.
"Go on. I still have much to say to them," Tait added. Zilant nodded and stood to bow before he walked out of the dining room. As soon as the doors closed behind him, Hanara stood there with her arms crossed. Zilant was intrigued to see her.
"Hi," he said softly. She pouted, clearly trying to look upset.
"Why did you say that? My mother knows," she asked. Zilant blinked, thrown off—he'd been sure he'd covered it well.
"She does?" he said, unsure.
"My mother knows that only my fire moves like water… You pointed that out," she replied, upset. Zilant frowned and scratched his neck.
"I'm sorry. I thought-"
"It's fine… She doesn't seem too upset about it. Promise me that you won't tell anyone, though," Hanara said, reaching her hand with a pinky only to him. Zilant stared at her pinky, then at her face. He hesitated for a second, but his smile beamed as he nodded.
"I promise!" he replied, swearing by attaching his pinky to hers. She turned away quickly. Zilant followed, still watching her with a curious gaze.
"How come you walk around without an escort? Are you like… being bullied?" Hanara asked curiously. Zilant froze, remaining as calm as possible. He looked away, avoiding her eyes when she turned around to look at him.
"I… I don't like having one…" he answered. She stopped, and then he bumped into her. "Ow! I'm… I'm sorry…"
"I've met some people like you. And it's always because they were getting bullied that they have the same answer as you," Hanara replied firmly. Zilant hesitated as he lowered his head. Hanara frowned.
"Is it hard living in the Dragon Empire?" she asked curiously. He bit his lip, trying to keep himself silent. Without waiting longer, she decided to act. She grabbed his hand and stormed out of the palace.
"Princess…" he mumbled as he followed. She dragged him out to the indoor garden. After walking inside, she turned to him.
"Shh… they're sleeping right now," she whispered. Zilant nodded and gulped. She crept forward. Zilant followed and slowly felt a huge aura wave coming from the center of the garden. There were two big phoenixes sleeping. One of the phoenixes suddenly peeked its purple eye at them.
"Princess Hanara," it called. Hanara smiled as she reached for its beak.
"Yelenis, this is a friend that I made today… Can we go on a ride?" she asked. The phoenix, Yelenis, smiled and bowed.
"Princess, your mother had told me to stop giving you late-night rides," Yelenis answered. Hanara pouted and frowned.
"But I want him to see the beautiful scenery at night," she responded. Yelenis nodded.
"If that's what the princess wants, then I shall obey," Yelenis answered, bowing her head. Grinning, Hanara climbed onto Yelenis's back. Zilant watched, momentarily stunned—not by the phoenix, but by her. She turned to him, her hand outstretched, her smile full of mischief and light.
"Come on! Before my mother finds out," she said. Zilant took her hand and climbed up behind her, settling into place.
"Hold on tight, Princess," Yelenis warned, then with a powerful flap of her wings, launched them through the circular window and into the open sky. As they neared the moon's glow, Yelenis spread her wings wide. Her feathers shimmered from red to violet, casting flickering light across the night like a ribbon of fire.
Zilant clung to Hanara, heart pounding with exhilaration. The wind rushed past him, and he couldn't stop smiling. Hanara let out a joyful scream, her laughter echoing in the night. She turned, grinning.
"Wasn't that amazing? Let's go past the meadow, Yelenis!"
Yelenis let out a cry of acknowledgment and glided down toward the fields. The meadow at night was breathtaking—fireflies swirled like drifting stars above the grass as Yelenis flew just inches above it. Zilant gasped, eyes wide.
"Whoa! This is awesome!"
Hanara laughed, raising her arms to feel the wind, eyes shut in bliss. She inhaled deeply, then exhaled slowly, releasing a soft trail of blue fire behind her. The tiny flames floated in the air, weightless and gentle. Zilant stared in awe. The fire didn't burn—it shimmered like scattered starlight, trailing behind them like a dream.
This is amazing… Her fire doesn't hurt. It feels ticklish and looks so beautiful… Especially at night. Zilant watched her closely.
Soon, the night sky ride was done. Yelenis returned to the indoor garden and bowed her head for Hanara and Zilant to get off. Hanara clapped her hands happily while twirling.
"Thank you, Yelenis! That was fun!" she cheered. Yelenis laughed.
"My pleasure, Princess," Yelenis replied. Suddenly, the lights turned on. Hanara froze anxiously.
"Hanara Solaris! Do you think I won't find out? Sneaking out like this is dangerous—especially with guests in the palace," Eliana's voice pierced through the garden. Hanara ducked, slowly turning to the door and grinning nervously.
"Hello, Mother. I was… bringing a friend for a ride," she answered as she pointed at Zilant, hoping Eliana would not rage in front of Zilant. Eliana looked at Zilant, then back at Hanara.
"Tsk. Get out of the garden and let them rest. Your uncle is looking for you, worriedly," Eliana said, then softly at Zilant. Zilant nodded and looked at Hanara. She nervously giggled.
"Bye. Goodnight," she whispered. Zilant smiled at her.
"Goodnight," he replied before leaving the garden. Hanara stared at Eliana, who frowned at her.
"Follow me, now!" Eliana demanded. Hanara straightened up immediately and followed to her mother's bedchamber. Eliana sat down, waiting for her evening tea to be served. Hanara stood by the fireplace, awkwardly bouncing her shoulders back and forth.
"Here you go, Your Majesty," a maid said. Hanara looked at the maid, an unfamiliar maid. She suddenly narrowed her eyes to turn to look at her carefully. The smell of smoke lingered in the room, but there was no fire. Time felt slow as Hanara tried to piece the room together.
"You could have endangered that prince…" Eliana said, startling Hanara to focus. Hanara knelt and raised her hands up.
"I'm sorry. I just thought I should have made him happy…" she replied. Eliana sighed and took a sip of her tea. Hanara felt the room was eerily different. The tea was bothering her. The maid was bothering her mind. She turned to look at the door once again. Eliana groaned.
"What do you mean 'happy'?"
"He sounded like he was being bullied… By the way, Mother. Have you hired new maids?" Hanara asked, changing the subject because it was bothering her so much. Eliana paused and looked at Hanara, trying to understand if her daughter was distracted or trying to distract her.
"What do you mean?" Eliana asked, sipping another of her tea. Hanara looked at the tea.
"Don't drink th-"
Suddenly, Eliana coughed. Hanara stood and ran to her.
"Mother!"
Eliana's body was internally and slowly overheating. Eliana's hands trembled as she dropped the cup, her skin beginning to flush with an unnatural warmth. It was not a simple poisoning. It was the same one her father had ingested, the sunfire nectar. She looked at Hanara frantically, wishing her daughter wouldn't see the last of her. She quickly grabbed onto Hanara tightly.
"Hana. Leave. Go get your brother and leave!"
Hanara stared at her mother, refusing to take a step away, crying, trembling. Tael suddenly opened the door. What was that sound when Tael walked in? Swords clashing? Tael closed the door frantically and stormed to Eliana and Hanara with an injury on her shoulder.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness. The Dragon Knights have infiltrated the entire palace!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 🪶 🔥 Princess, Don't Waver ❄️ 🐉 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~