The palace of Vailhar looked even more impressive at night.
The walls of metallic scales glimmered with reddish, golden, and violet tones, reflecting the blue flames burning in large pillars around the entrance. Through the corridors, the air seemed to vibrate at its own frequency—warm, but comfortable, as if the very environment were alive.
I was still thinking about the amulet Rai'kanna had placed around my neck.
It seemed to radiate heat, but a heat… gentle. Familiar even.
Maybe it was psychological.
Maybe I was starting to panic.
"Hey," Vespera said, poking my arm. "If you sweat too much, will the amulet melt?"
"I hope not. I don't want to explain to a draconic blacksmith that I destroyed a royal gift."
"You don't destroy things," Elara commented. "You accidentally destroy things."
"Comforting," I muttered.
Liriel adjusted her hair, clearly annoyed.
"Let's try to keep composure. This is a royal banquet, not a village festival."
"Relax," Vespera replied. "I'm not going to throw food at anyone… unless they deserve it."
I took a deep breath. "Perfect. Ideal atmosphere for diplomacy."
As we crossed the great arch of scales, the hall opened before us like the inside of a colossal dragon.
The arched ceiling shone in gold, the tables were long and carved from volcanic stone, and large red crystals illuminated every corner.
King Drathen sat at the center.
To his right, Princess Rai'kanna waited with her arms crossed… and her eyes fixed on me.
Great. She's already staring at me like I'm property.
---
We were led to a table close to the royal seat.
Scaled guardians circled the hall, and musicians played instruments that looked like they were made of dragon bone.
The king rose.
"Today we celebrate the alliance between our peoples," he announced. "May this be the beginning of an era of shared strength."
Everyone struck their hands against their chest—a gesture of respect.
I mimicked it, a bit late, and heard Vespera whisper:
"You look like a pigeon puffing out its chest."
"I'm trying," I replied.
Rai'kanna approached with a goblet.
"Drink," she ordered, extending it. "It's flaming-scale liqueur. Traditional."
I took the goblet.
The liquid was red and bright, as if it had fire inside.
"Does this… burn?" I asked.
"Only if you're weak."
Before I could refuse, Vespera reached out and took a sip.
She immediately made a face, coughed hard, and her eyes watered.
"This is… this is lava," she managed to say.
"Exaggeration," Rai'kanna commented. "For an ordinary human, maybe it's strong. But for renowned adventurers…"
She looked directly at me.
"You can handle it."
I knew I couldn't.
But I also knew that if I refused, the princess would never let it go.
I took a deep breath, raised the goblet, and drank.
It was like swallowing the core of the sun.
My eyes watered, my throat turned into a volcano, and for a moment I thought I was going to spit fire.
Liriel patted my back—harder than necessary.
"Calm down," she said. "You'll survive."
"Probably," Vespera added.
Rai'kanna smiled in satisfaction.
"See? Still alive."
Yes, but barely.
After the initial ritual, the banquet began.
They served exotic dishes: northern salamander meat, soup of incandescent petals, crystal-scale bread.
Everything extremely spicy.
Vespera was in tears.
"Elara… trade with me," she begged. "Take this plate and give me yours."
"Elara already ate three servings," Liriel informed.
"She's insane."
"I'm resistant," Elara corrected proudly.
Rai'kanna, seated beside me, observed my reactions with far too much attention.
"So, Takumi," she began, resting her chin on her hand. "I've heard you're a remarkable warrior."
"I just… do what I can."
"Humility again."
She smiled.
"One day that's going to kill me."
King Drathen approached the table.
"Takumi," he said, his voice firm, "your group will begin the mission tomorrow at dawn. The village of Rûmar is to the south, near the Akrad Mines."
"Understood."
"My daughter will go with you."
I almost choked on my water.
Liriel, Elara, and Vespera froze.
"Your Majesty…" I tried to argue.
"She insists she is capable," the king continued. "And refusing her is impossible. I've tried."
Rai'kanna smiled with a confidence that bordered on dangerous.
"I'm stronger than I look," she said. "I can be useful."
Vespera muttered, "Useful for causing jealousy."
Elara kicked her leg under the table.
Liriel forced a tense smile. "Your Majesty, we will ensure the princess's safety."
"I don't need safety," Rai'kanna retorted. "I'm a demi-dragon."
Vespera raised a finger. "And I'm an archer. And I still need safety every now and then."
"That's because you make questionable decisions," Liriel shot back.
"Me? Who was it that mistook a puddle for a magic portal last week?"
"I already asked you all to forget that," Elara muttered.
The king cleared his throat, ending the chaos.
"Routes and details will be delivered later. Enjoy the banquet. Tomorrow will be a difficult day."
Later, when the music grew softer and the conversations faded, Rai'kanna quietly pulled me toward a side balcony.
The air there was colder, and the sky shimmered with crimson auroras dancing on the horizon.
"Takumi," she said, leaning against the railing. "Have you ever been in love?"
I almost fell backward.
"Wait… what?"
"Simple question."
She turned her face toward me.
Her eyes glowed like living fire.
"Have you?"
"I… I don't know. Maybe. It's complicated."
"Hm."
She tilted her head.
"You think too much."
"I think as much as necessary."
"That's bad."
"Is thinking bad?"
"It's bad when it stops you from noticing the obvious."
"What obvious?"
She smiled.
"That I like you."
My brain shut down for three seconds.
Behind us, I heard soft footsteps.
Liriel, Elara, and Vespera were approaching — not running, but with an aura of storm that could make dragons tremble.
Rai'kanna continued:
"And I intend to win you over. Simple."
I looked at the three behind me.
Their eyes were shining.
But not with passion — with… something dangerous.
"I…" I began.
Rai'kanna lifted her hand, cutting off my sentence.
"You don't need to answer. Not today. But know that I won't give up."
She stopped just a few centimeters away.
And then, with a calm expression, said:
"Sleep well, Takumi. Tomorrow we begin our adventure."
The princess walked away with steady steps.
I stayed still, completely frozen, as Liriel, Elara, and Vespera stopped by my side.
Elara crossed her arms. "So… she likes you."
"I noticed," I replied, defeated.
Liriel took a deep breath. "This complicates a lot."
"Complicates?" Vespera muttered. "I'd say this turns into a romantic catastrophe."
"Guys… she's just a princess," I tried to argue.
"The words 'just' and 'princess' don't go together," Liriel countered.
Vespera huffed. "At least she's honest. Unlike some people."
Elara immediately looked away.
I sighed.
"Let's go sleep. Tomorrow we start the mission."
We walked through the corridors illuminated by blue flames.
As I walked, I felt the amulet on my neck pulse lightly.
Warm.
Alive.
And I had the feeling that Rai'kanna, even from afar, was still watching me through it.
But one thing was certain:
Tomorrow, everything would truly begin.