Dragon King's Harem Chapter 441. I Just Hate Bad Endings

Dragon King's Harem Chapter 441. I Just Hate Bad Endings

Curtis narrowed his eyes ever so slightly. “Of course. But for protocol’s sake, I’ll have a few soldiers accompany them. Discreetly.”

“Discreet’s fine,” I said with a smile that didn’t reach my eyes. “As long as they don’t bother the drake.”

Kaelen looked between us. “Yay! Let’s go, Lady Sela!”

“Prince Kaelen may call Sela just Sela,” she said simply, falling into step beside him as he turned down the hallway. “Sela will make sure you don’t slip.”

They walked off together, and sure enough, two armored snow elf soldiers tailed them from a polite distance. The robed nanny gave us a stiff bow before following the group as well.

As soon as they turned the corner, the room went quiet.

Curtis cleared his throat. “Again, I apologize for the prince’s… forwardness.”

“It’s fine,” I said with a practiced smile. “He’s a good kid.”

“And curious,” Curtis added.

“He’s also strong,” Maria said quietly. “Stronger than most realize.”

Curtis looked at her, expression unreadable for a beat—something between admiration and unease flickering in his pale blue eyes. “Yes. He’ll make a fine king one day.”

I didn’t answer.

Not immediately.

Because the only thing I could think about was that rune still pulsing under Kaelen’s skin, quietly sleeping, just waiting for Curtis to decide it was time to wake it up.

And for all the smiles and laughter Curtis had just shown—for all the warmth he poured into that kid’s life—there was still that trigger.

And I was going to make damn sure it never got pulled.

I turned slowly toward Curtis and offered a thoughtful hum. “You know,” I said, my tone light but deliberate, “assuming this marriage goes as planned, you’ll be next in line to rule the Snow Elf territories.”

Curtis blinked, just once, but I saw the gears turn behind his eyes.

“Technically,” he said, “Maria will remain queen.”

“Technically,” I repeated with a half-smile. “But we both know how these things work. The people may bow to her crown, but they’ll look to you for command. Especially the military. The court. The guildmasters. The elves' clans. They already do, don’t they?”

Curtis straightened slightly, his posture adjusting like someone suddenly called out during a game. “I have… influence, yes.”

“And influence,” I said, walking slowly toward the large frost-glass window overlooking the city, “is just a polite way of saying you’re already king in all but title.”

He followed me—cautiously. “Was that your observation, or part of your plan?”

“Neither.” I tapped the icy window frame with my knuckle. “Just an interest. You and I—whether we like it or not—will be working together if this alliance holds.”

He tilted his head. “And here I thought you came here just to test my patience.”

“Only a little,” I admitted. “But look—Snow Elves and Dragons haven’t had bad blood in decades. You think I’d risk that just for theatrics?”

He didn’t answer right away. I took that as permission to keep going.

“I believe in balance,” I said, tone more serious now. “Power’s like magic. If it tips too far in one direction, things break. Tribes get consumed. Kingdoms collapse. That’s why I keep things in check. That’s why people turn to me—even ones who don’t like me.”

Curtis crossed his arms, the gauntlet I gave him glinting under the crystal light. “You think I might unbalance things?”

“I think anyone can,” I said. “But you? You’re already playing at a scale most don’t even understand.”

He gave a tight chuckle. “Coming from the Dragon King, that’s rich.”

I smirked. “You’re right. But you don’t need to breathe fire to be dangerous.”

He was quiet for a moment. Then, “You seem very interested in what I’ll do next.”

“I am,” I said without hesitation. “Because your next moves shape more than just your wedding. They shape what kind of world Kaelen grows up in. What kind of ruler will he become? What kind of queen Maria remains?”

His jaw tightened slightly. “You think I’ll hurt them?”

I didn’t blink. “Of course not. I saw how close you are with Kaelen, and your love for the queen is real. A man will become possessive when he loves someone, and you showed it to me.”

Curtis let out a slow breath, eyes narrowing just a little. “But you speak like someone who already assumes the worst.”

“No,” I said. “I speak like someone who’s seen the worst. And who’s still hoping you won’t be it.”

He didn’t reply, but the tension between us had shifted. Just slightly. The silence that followed wasn’t angry—it was thoughtful.

I stepped back from the window. “If you're going to be king, then you better start thinking like one. That means protecting the people who matter. All of them.”

He studied me for a long moment. “You talk like you're already part of this kingdom.”

I smiled faintly. “Maybe. Or maybe I just hate bad endings.”

Curtis didn’t smile, but the stiffness in his shoulders dropped. “Then let’s hope this story has a better one.”

“Let’s,” I said simply.

At that moment, a distant rumble echoed faintly through the corridors. Not danger—just the sound of the Ice Drake shifting outside the palace, stretching in the cold.

Curtis turned toward the noise. “That creature… it really followed you?”

I nodded. “It wasn’t following me. It was following the queen’s invitation.”

That got a twitch of something in his face. Surprise. Or jealousy. Maybe both.

“Well,” Curtis muttered. “Let’s hope it doesn’t get bored.”

“Oh, don’t worry,” I said, smiling again. “Frosty’s a good drake. I know a good dragon when I see one.” I clapped him lightly on the shoulder, the gauntlet clinking against my palm.

He didn’t look convinced. But he didn’t argue either.

I turned to leave. “Send word when the preparations are done. I’ll be ready.”

Curtis didn’t answer. But I heard his footsteps behind me as I walked away—measured, controlled, trying to stay three steps ahead.

Too bad I was already at five.