Aeris woke up to the soft glow of morning light filtering through the grand windows.

For a moment, she didn’t move. The bed beneath her was too soft, the air too warm. It was nothing like the cold, hard ground she had slept on as an orphan.

Then, the memories hit her.

She was in Zephirion’s castle.

She sat up slowly, her fingers gripping the silk sheets. Her heart pounded.

That’s when she noticed it.

A deep red gown lay neatly on the bedside table, its fabric rich and smooth. Beside it, a small note was placed carefully on a silver tray.

Aeris hesitated before picking it up.

"Wear this and come downstairs."

The signature at the bottom was Zephirion’s.

Aeris felt a cold shiver run down her spine.

Why had he left this for her?

Her fingers curled around the note as she glared at the dress.

"What does he want from me?"

For a moment, she considered ignoring his command. But what choice did she have? She was trapped in this place. For now.

With a deep breath, she put on the dress.

The fabric was soft against her skin, almost too perfect. It made her feel like she belonged in this castle.

But she didn’t.

---

The Dining Hall

The castle hallways were silent as Aeris made her way downstairs.

She had expected guards at every corner, but strangely, no one stopped her.

She soon arrived at a grand dining hall, and the moment she stepped inside, her breath caught in her throat.

There, at the far end of the long table, sat a man.

Aeris froze. Her eyes widened in shock.

He was not a dragon.

He was human.

Or at least, he appeared to be.

Zephirion was magnificent.

His tan skin contrasted with the deep black of his luxurious robes, embroidered with silver patterns resembling dragon scales. His long black hair cascaded over his shoulders, some strands adorned with golden ornaments. Jewelry glimmered against his chest and wrists, but nothing shone brighter than his piercing red eyes—the same ones she had seen in his dragon form.

Aeris swallowed hard.

"Is this… Zephirion?"

For some reason, she had expected someone monstrous. Someone terrifying.

But instead…

He was terrifyingly beautiful.

Yet, that didn’t change the fact that he was her captor.

Zephirion lifted his gaze, meeting hers instantly.

His expression remained unreadable, but something in his eyes flickered—a glint of amusement?

Then, after a moment, his lips curled into a smirk.

"So, you followed my command."

Aeris clenched her fists at his words.

"What choice did I have?"

Zephirion let out a soft chuckle, his voice smooth but laced with amusement.

"Sit."

Aeris hesitated before taking the seat farthest from him.

Zephirion arched a brow.

"Do I frighten you?"

Aeris didn’t answer. She kept her expression blank.

A servant placed a plate of food in front of her. The meal looked luxurious—roasted meat, fresh fruit, warm bread—but she didn’t touch it.

Instead, she kept her eyes on Zephirion.

The Dragon King picked up his goblet and took a slow sip before speaking.

"Tell me, Aeris… what do you think of my castle?"

Aeris exhaled sharply.

"You expect me to admire the place where I’m being kept prisoner?"

Zephirion chuckled again, setting his goblet down.

"Prisoner? I have not locked you in chains."

Aeris narrowed her eyes.

"A cage is still a cage, even if it's golden."

For the first time, Zephirion’s smirk faded. His gaze darkened slightly, as if considering her words.

Then, he leaned forward.

"You are quite sharp, Aeris."

She tensed as he said her name.

"You speak as if you have no interest in luxury," he mused, tilting his head. "But what if I told you... that this castle could be yours?"

Aeris’s breath caught in her throat.

What was he saying?

Her fingers curled into her lap, her guard rising even higher.

"I don’t need anything from you," she said coldly.

Zephirion studied her, his red eyes gleaming with something unreadable.

"Interesting," he murmured. "We shall see how long that remains true."

Aeris felt a pit in her stomach.

She didn’t know what he was planning. But she needed to escape. And soon.

To be continued