Dragon King's Harem Chapter 434. Special Wedding Gift I

Dragon King's Harem Chapter 434. Special Wedding Gift I

I exhaled slowly, my breath turning to mist in the freezing air. "Traditionally, yes. I can’t meet the bride before the ceremony."

Captain Vaelis gave a short nod, his posture relaxing slightly. "I’m glad you understand. Please, follow me."

"But—" I continued, my voice sharp enough to halt him mid-turn. "I bring a special wedding gift for her."

That got his attention.

I smiled, slow and deliberate. "Sadly, I cannot give it to her inside the palace. Nor inside the capital."

Vaelis stiffened. The other guards behind him exchanged wary glances.

His voice was firm. "What do you mean? Is it a threat?"

I tilted my head slightly, amused. "Not a threat."

His sharp gaze studied me for a moment before he spoke again. "Can I see the gift then? For safety reasons."

I smirked. "Yes. But only after I meet the Queen. And if I must, she can bring her groom as well. They both need to see it."

A tense silence followed. I could hear the wind whistling through the icy spires of the capital, feel the sharp magic woven into the air around us.

Vaelis hesitated.

I could see the conflict in his eyes—his duty to protect his Queen, his distrust of me, but also the weight of my presence. He knew he couldn’t just refuse me outright.

Finally, he exhaled. "Please wait."

I smirked. "Take your time, Captain," I said smoothly. "We’re not going anywhere."

He turned sharply, signaling to one of the guards before disappearing through the palace gates.

I glanced at Al, who had been watching the exchange with barely concealed amusement.

"A special wedding gift?" he murmured, smirking. "You’re getting better at this."

I smirked back. "Wait until they see it."

Jyne, stepping down from the sky carriage, stretched slightly before grinning. "You do know that if they see this as a threat, they’ll throw their entire army at us, right?"

I chuckled. "Then it’s a good thing we came prepared."

Sela adjusted her cloak, her sharp gaze flickering toward the palace gates. "Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that."

Al crossed his arms. "Hope? Sure. Expect? Never."

I glanced at the towering ice fortress before us, the Snow Elf warriors stationed along its walls, their bows at the ready.

I glanced at the towering ice fortress before us, the Snow Elf warriors stationed along its walls, their bows at the ready. The tension in the air was thick, but controlled. They weren’t aiming at us—yet. They were waiting. Watching. Calculating.

Typical Snow Elves.

I wasn’t waiting long before movement came from the palace gates. The guards stiffened as the heavy doors creaked open, and from the shadows of the towering ice walls, a figure stepped forward.

Not the Queen.

A man.

Tall, lean, and carrying himself like someone who had spent more time on the battlefield than in courtly halls. His silver armor gleamed under the pale sun, adorned with the insignia of the Snow Elf nobility. Despite the diplomatic setting, there was an unmistakable hardness to his expression—like a man who had seen blood, had waded through it, and came out the other side alive.

Duke Curtis.

The groom.

He was younger than I expected. Not much older than me, but there was a maturity in his gaze that spoke of experience. And unlike Captain Vaelis, who had been as stiff as the ice walls around us, Curtis was more relaxed. His movements were calculated, but his expression—one that settled into a smile as he approached—was smooth.

A politician’s smile.

He bowed slightly, his tone measured but warm. "Dragon King. Welcome to the Snow Elf Capital."

I nodded in response. "Duke Curtis."

He straightened, clasping his hands behind his back as he studied me. "I heard there was some discussion about a… wedding gift?"

I smirked slightly. "Discussion is a mild way to put it."

Curtis chuckled, his breath forming a mist in the cold air. "I appreciate the effort of bringing something valuable to celebrate our union. The Queen is currently preparing for the ceremony, but I would be more than honored to receive your gift on her behalf."

Smooth. Diplomatic.

I almost admired it.

Almost.

But I wasn’t here to play politics.

I tilted my head, letting the silence stretch just enough to make him slightly uncomfortable. Then, I spoke. "I still demand to see the Queen."

The warmth in his smile cooled just a fraction. "With all due respect, Your Majesty, the traditions of our people are strict. The bride is not to be seen before the ceremony. Surely, you understand the significance of this?"

I exhaled, my breath hot against the freezing air. "I do."

His smile returned, but before he could relax, I continued.

"But this gift is special—not because of its price, but because of its value."

Curtis's eyes flickered with something sharp, just for a second. Annoyance? Suspicion?

He masked it quickly.

"Then I will ensure it reaches her at the right time."

I smirked. "You misunderstand. She must see it personally."

His fingers twitched slightly before he forced himself to remain composed. "I’m sure the Queen will be pleased to receive it after the wedding—"

"No."

The air shifted. I wasn’t raising my voice, but my refusal dropped between us like a stone.

Curtis’s jaw tensed, but his diplomatic mask remained intact. "I see," he said smoothly. "Then allow me to ask—why the urgency? What makes this gift so important that it cannot wait?"

I smiled, slow and deliberate. "Because it is something that must be seen together—with you and your bride. You will both want to witness it with your own eyes."

There was silence.

A long, slow pause where I could practically hear the gears turning in his head.

He didn’t like this.

Not one bit.

But he was a politician. And a good one. He knew he couldn’t refuse outright—not without making this situation worse.

After a long breath, Curtis finally nodded. "Very well," he said, his tone still calm. "I will make arrangements. Please wait here."

I watched as he turned on his heel, walking back toward the palace, his movements still composed. But the stiffness in his shoulders told me everything I needed to know.

He wasn’t pleased.

Good.

Because neither was I.