Dragon King's Harem Chapter 437. Slippery

Dragon King's Harem Chapter 437. Slippery

Jyne quickly straightened herself, brushing off the nonexistent embarrassment with a sheepish smile. "Oops—sorry. The ice is slippery."

Maria hesitated for a fraction of a second before nodding, slipping the ring into the folds of her gown with practiced ease. "Be careful," she said simply, her tone unreadable.

Jyne flashed another grin. "Oh, I always am."

I watched the exchange with quiet amusement.

Slick.

Effortless.

Jyne wasn’t just a fox by blood—she was a fox in every damn sense.

Curtis, however, wasn’t buying it.

His eyes narrowed slightly, shifting between Jyne and Maria. His instincts were sharp, and though he might not have caught the full extent of what just happened, he knew something was off.

"Your Majesty," Curtis said, his voice carefully measured. "Perhaps we should return to the palace. We wouldn’t want you to catch a chill out here."

It mean “We need to get you away from them.”

I held my laughter. ‘What a bad excuse,’ I thought. A snow elf queen couldn’t catch a cold.   

Maria turned slightly, her expression still composed. "Not yet."

Curtis blinked, clearly not expecting that answer. "My Queen—"

"I haven’t finished speaking with them," Maria continued, her tone cool, final.

Curtis hesitated, then exhaled through his nose. He didn’t argue. Not openly. But I could feel his frustration.

Maria turned her gaze back to me. "You went through great lengths to return this drake to me," she said, her voice carrying something softer now, something almost genuine. "And though your methods are… unorthodox, I do appreciate it."

I smirked. "I figured it was only fair. A wedding gift should be something valuable, after all."

Maria’s lips parted slightly, but whatever she was about to say, she hesitated. Instead, she glanced at the drake once more before speaking. "You have my thanks, King Argod."

I tilted my head. "Then show it."

Curtis stiffened. "What are you implying?"

I let my gaze drift lazily toward him. "Simple. You have an entire city waiting to see their Queen’s grand wedding. If you truly appreciate this gift, show them."

Curtis’s expression darkened.

Maria, however, studied me. "What are you suggesting?"

I smirked. "Let them see the Ice Drake return to his rightful home. Let them witness the Queen standing before the beast that once belonged to her late husband. It would be a powerful statement, wouldn’t it?"

A moment of silence.

Maria’s fingers curled slightly at her sides.

Curtis was quick to recover. "That’s unnecessary. The people have no need for such theatrics—"

"Don’t they?" I cut him off, my voice dropping just slightly. "Snow Elf traditions are built on honor, on legacy. Your people revere their history. And this drake—" I gestured toward the massive, sleeping beast. "This is a piece of their history."

Curtis clenched his jaw.

Maria hesitated.

And then— "Let it be done."

Curtis’s head snapped toward her, his eyes widening slightly. "Maria—"

Maria turned to him, her expression unreadable. "They deserve to see it."

Curtis’s fingers twitched, and for the first time, his composure slipped. His control over this entire situation slipped.

Because he couldn’t deny her.

Not here. Not in front of everyone.

And just like that— The game shifted.

Curtis was clearly struggling to keep his composure. The moment Maria asserted her authority, it was clear to everyone present: she wasn't a passive bride, no matter how things appeared.

The elves watching from behind the walls whispered quietly amongst themselves, eyes flicking nervously between their queen and Curtis.

I smiled inwardly. This was exactly what I'd intended. A small push, just enough to shake Curtis’s grip without sparking a fight. I didn’t want open conflict—not yet, anyway—but it was satisfying to watch the carefully arranged facade falter, if only a little.

The queen took a steady breath. "If you insist, Dragon King," Maria said calmly, her voice as smooth and cool as freshly fallen snow, "we will honor your request. My people shall witness the return of this drake."

Curtis clenched his jaw, frustration briefly surfacing before he masked it again with practiced ease. "As you wish, my queen," he said, voice tight. I caught the sharpness in his tone, the slight edge of irritation. He didn't like being cornered. Not one bit.

I smirked openly this time. "Before we go," I said smoothly, turning my gaze toward him, "I also have another gift. Specifically for you, Duke Curtis."

His expression twisted slightly, wary suspicion flickering in his eyes. "Another gift? You’re quite generous, Dragon King."

I shrugged casually. "It’s tradition, isn’t it? Both bride and groom deserve gifts. Or am I mistaken?"

Curtis forced a smile. "No, you’re correct. It is tradition."

"Good," I replied lightly, raising my hand to signal behind me. "Sela?"

On cue, Sela stepped forward from among the soldiers, her movements fluid despite the heavy furs wrapped around her frame. In her hands was an ornately carved wooden box, glittering faintly with subtle enchantment.

She approached Curtis carefully, her eyes calm, composed, though I noticed the small smile playing at her lips as she stopped a respectful distance away and bowed slightly. "Please accept this gift."

Curtis glanced warily at the box, hesitating only a moment before reaching out to accept it. "Thank you," he said politely, examining it briefly before flicking his gaze toward me. "May I ask what it is?"

I smirked slightly, folding my arms. "A little something special for a warrior of your caliber."

Curtis carefully opened the box, revealing a sleek, silver gauntlet resting inside. It was beautifully crafted, etched with runes that shimmered faintly blue, pulsing rhythmically with mana. A potent enchantment thrummed steadily from it, subtle but unmistakably powerful.

Curtis frowned slightly, intrigued but cautious. "What exactly is it?"

"A magic-enchanted gauntlet," I explained easily, letting my tone remain casual. "I’ve heard you're a seasoned warrior. Often in the front lines, aren’t you?"

His gaze sharpened, suspicious but intrigued. "You’ve heard correctly."

"Then this gauntlet is perfect for you," I continued smoothly. "It enhances your physical strength and speed, increases your endurance, and fortifies your magical resistance. Consider it both a practical tool and a symbolic gift—worthy of a warrior."

Curtis hesitated, clearly suspicious, but also curious. His fingers brushed lightly across the runes, and his eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Quite the enchantment," he murmured.

"Don’t be shy, try it," I urged, nodding toward him. "You’ll see the difference immediately."