The journey to the castle had been nothing but silence.

Carried by the Dragon King's massive claws, the cold wind whipped against the protagonist's skin as they soared high above the clouds. The village had long disappeared from sight, swallowed by the darkness below.

She didn't struggle.

What was the point?

She had already died once. Whatever this was-rebirth, fate, or simply a cruel joke-it didn't change the fact that she had no reason to live.

When they finally descended, the sight before her was overwhelming.

The Dragon King's castle was a towering fortress of black stone, its spires piercing the sky. The air hummed with ancient magic, and flames flickered in eerie blue torches along the towering walls. At the entrance, armored knights and servants knelt in perfect rows, their heads bowed in reverence.

As the Dragon King landed, the ground trembled beneath his weight. He placed her on her feet, and her legs nearly gave out beneath her. But before she could collapse, the deep, commanding voice of the Dragon King echoed through the grand courtyard.

"Rise."

The knights and servants lifted their heads, their eyes filled with a mixture of awe and fear. Whispers rippled through the crowd as they took in the sight of their king's latest acquisition-the woman who had been offered as a sacrifice yet still lived.

She could feel their gazes piercing into her, but she remained motionless. Empty.

Then, his gaze turned to her.

Even in his dragon form, his red eyes burned into her with an intensity that sent chills down her spine. His dark scales shimmered under the torchlight, and his massive wings curled behind him like shadows waiting to consume everything.

"You stand before me, yet you do not tremble." His deep voice echoed through the hall. "Tell me-do you not fear death?"

She did not answer.

His piercing red eyes studied her before he finally spoke again.

"I am Zephirion Drakos, ruler of this empire and king of all dragons. I have lived for centuries, and my name alone strikes fear into the hearts of men."

The room fell deathly silent.

"Now," he continued, his gaze sharp, "state your name and age."

She hesitated for a moment, her throat dry, before finally speaking.

"My name is..." She swallowed hard. "Aeris. I am 23 years old."

Her voice was steady, but empty. As if the words meant nothing.

Then, without a hint of hesitation, she lifted her gaze to meet his and said:

"Kill me."

A hush fell over the court.

Some gasped, while others stared in horror at her audacity. But the Dragon King?

He simply smirked.

"You dare to request your own death?" he mused, his tone laced with amusement. "Most would beg for mercy. And yet, you beg for an end."

She didn't flinch. "I have no reason to live."

His eyes narrowed slightly, as if studying her.

Then, with a low chuckle, he leaned forward, his massive wings shifting behind him.

"How intriguing."

His amusement sent a chill down her spine. She had expected cruelty. She had expected rage.

But this?

"Very well," he continued. "I will not grant your death. Instead, I shall grant you a new purpose."

She frowned. "What...?"

His crimson eyes gleamed with something unreadable.

"You will be my wife."

The words struck her like a thunderclap.

The whispers around the room exploded into shocked murmurs. Even the knights exchanged stunned glances.

She felt the air leave her lungs. "W-What?"

"You heard me." His voice was as calm as if he were discussing the weather. "You shall be my queen. You will bear my heir and strengthen my kingdom."

Her mind reeled. This can't be real.

"No," she breathed. "No, you-there has to be a mistake."

But his smirk remained. Unbothered. Absolute.

"It is no mistake."

She took a step back, her body trembling.

"You can't force me-"

"I can." His voice was sharp, final. "You are mine now. Your fate is no longer your own."

Her hands clenched into fists. She had nothing-no family, no home, no one who cared. But even so, she could not accept this.

"I refuse!" she snapped, desperation creeping into her voice.

His gaze darkened. "You have no choice."

The weight of his words settled on her like chains.

No escape. No freedom. No way out.

The court watched in silence as the realization hit her.

She had traded one prison for another.

And this time, the warden was a dragon.

--- To be continued