Dragon King's Harem Chapter 443. Lonely Prince I

Dragon King's Harem Chapter 443. Lonely Prince I

Sela’s PoV

The palace yard was like a very expensive snow globe. Smooth marble tiles etched with ancient snow elf patterns stretched beneath Sela’s boots as she and Prince Kaelen walked along the designated path. Frost bloomed across the surface in delicate swirls that didn’t melt underfoot. The cold air was sharp and clean, carrying a faint scent of pine and ancient magic.

And lying smack in the middle of the courtyard, nearly curled up into himself like a mountain disguised in scales and ice—was the Ice Drake.

Sela’s mouth gaped slightly.

“He’s huge,” she whispered in awe, even though she didn’t mean to speak aloud. Her breath puffed visibly in front of her, vanishing fast in the frigid air. She only saw it from afar before, when it was in Dragon Cross city.

The drake’s pale-blue hide shimmered faintly under the sun. Glowing white patterns ran down its massive back, pulsing with slow, measured breath like veins of frost carved into steel.

What surprised Sela more than the size, though, was that the creature fit. Barely. But somehow, this massive, terrifying, beautiful monster had been allowed to rest in a space clearly never meant to house something this grand. Its snout barely brushing the decorative arch near the edge of the courtyard wall. But it didn’t move. Didn’t stir. Not even when Kaelen tugged her sleeve and skipped forward.

“Frosty!” Kaelen chirped, voice carrying far too loud for a royal yard.

The two snow elf guards nearby stiffened. One placed a hand on his sword’s hilt. The other stepped slightly forward, as if ready to grab the prince if needed.

Sela raised a hand toward them with a calm smile. “It’s alright. Prince Kaelen wants to greet his friend.”

That didn’t exactly reassure them, but at least they didn’t lunge to stop him.

Kaelen trotted forward and stopped only inches from the drake’s nostrils. Sela hurried to keep up, her shorter legs moving twice as fast.

The drake’s nostrils flared.

Steam blew out in a low, lazy puff, sending Kaelen’s hair flying back for a second.

And then it rumbled.

A soft, groaning sound deep in its chest that could’ve meant anything—annoyance, recognition, a draconic good afternoon—but Sela’s instincts told her this was no threat. The creature was calm. Settled. Watching.

“You remember me, huh?” Kaelen said proudly, puffing his chest like he was talking to a house cat. “You’re not so scary anymore!”

He reached out with a tiny gloved hand and patted the drake’s cheek.

Sela's breath caught. The drake didn’t react. Not a twitch.

Sela blinked and tilted her head. “Sela doesn’t get it…”

Kaelen turned, his cheeks pink from the cold, but his eyes sparkled. “Get what?”

“This creature…” she mumbled, hands on her hips as she studied the beast. “Sela thought Drake needed a big field. Lots of space. But this one… this one stays here. Why?”

Kaelen shrugged and patted the drake again. “Maybe because he loves Mama?”

That made Sela pause. Her big golden eyes softened slightly. “Maybe…”

The thought was… sad. And sweet. And strange. Because this place—while gorgeous—didn’t look like somewhere a creature of flight and fury would choose to stay. Sela tilted her head again and gave herself a quick mental slap.

No. No time to get lost in big ideas.

Sela had a mission.

And her mission was to protect that small boy currently trying to climb the drake’s elbow like it was a jungle gym.

She ran up beside him and grabbed his waist gently. “Careful, little prince! Sela’s bones are stronger than yours.”

Kaelen giggled and leaned against her instead. “But I’m strong too! Watch!”

He picked up a small chunk of ice, probably fallen from the nearby fountain, and hurled it at a snow-covered statue with a big grin.

It bounced harmlessly off.

Sela gasped dramatically. “Oh no! A mighty warrior! Is Sela safe? Will Sela be protected by the fierce Prince Kaelen?”

He turned to her with a wide smile. “Always! You’re my friend now.”

Sela blinked.

Friend?

Her chest fluttered a little.

Sela didn’t expect that. Sure, she knew how to talk to kids—her size helped with that. And sure, her voice was soft and she had a round face and always smelled faintly like earth and crystal polish—but friend? That was new.

Sela grinned. “Then Sela swears loyalty to the brave warrior prince.”

Kaelen clapped. “You talk funny!”

“Sela is funny,” she said, sticking out her tongue.

Kaelen giggled again and leaned against her side as they both sat down on the frosty stone. The drake watched them, unmoving, tail slowly curling around the edge of the yard like it was giving them space.

“Why did you bring him back?” Kaelen asked suddenly, his voice dropping to a quieter tone.

Sela blinked again, caught off guard. “The drake?”

Kaelen nodded. “You and Dragon King. Mama cried when he left. She used to cry a lot. And now she’s quiet.”

Sela turned to him, her expression softening even more. She reached into her little pouch and pulled out a tiny glowing crystal—a crystal, enchanted to shimmer softly when she squeezed it.

She handed it to him. “Sela and the king… brought him because Mama needed a friend too. Like you needed one.”

Kaelen stared at the crystal in his hands. He squeezed it. It glowed. His face lit up.

“I’m gonna show this to Mama later!”

Sela smiled. “Do it. But for now, don’t tell anyone where it came from. It’s a secret spell.” Yes, that crystal was meant to be for him. It was a protective crystal. She and Evelina were the ones who made it. Hopefully, it could protect Kaelen from Cedric’s spells.

Kaelen nodded seriously, stuffing the crystal into his coat pocket like it was a sacred treasure.

They stayed there for a little while longer. The drake didn’t move, just let them sit near him like they were part of the snow itself. The guards watched, tense but motionless. The robed nanny stayed near the edge of the yard, eyes fixed on Sela but not interfering.

Kaelen turned and tugged her sleeve. “Will you stay my friend even when you go home?”

Sela nodded immediately. “Sela will always be your friend.”

“Even if I’m king?”

“Especially if you’re king,” she grinned. “That way, Sela can ask for royal cookies.”