---
* Bloodlines and Betrayal*
The Grand Hall was colder than before—not from the mountain winds, but from the queen's presence.
Elara and her father stood side by side, flanked by royal guards, as *Queen Liora* descended the steps like a storm in human form. Her crown gleamed, but her eyes were sharper than any jewel.
"You lied to your queen," she said coldly, voice echoing in the now-empty chamber. "Both of you."
Her gaze landed on Elara's father. "You married a dragonblood. You fathered a child of ancient power. And you thought I wouldn't notice?"
Asen met her glare. "I protected my daughter. From you."
Gasps stirred from the shadows, but the queen didn't blink. "You forget who rules this kingdom. *You* don't decide what's hidden from the crown."
Elara stepped forward, fists clenched. "I didn't ask to be born like this! I never even knew—until today!"
The queen's eyes flicked to her, assessing. Cold. Calculating.
"And yet, the magic chose you," she murmured. "That makes you dangerous."
"I'm still your daughter," Elara shot back.
"No," Liora snapped. "You are a half-blood relic tied to a clan that once defile the crown."The room crackled with tension—until Nyra's calm voice sliced through it.
"She is more than that."
All heads turned.
The Seer stepped forward, her tone quiet but unwavering. "You fear her because you cannot control her. But the mountain chose her for a reason. Her bloodline may be part dragon, but she is also your heir, Liora."
"She is not fit to rule," the queen hissed.
"Perhaps not now," Nyra said. "But fate rarely asks permission. And the power she carries? It may be the only thing that saves this kingdom from what's coming."
Liora's jaw tightened, she then thought of something that would be a great idea for her and her kingdom, she looks at Elara and smirks.
The tension in the hall hung thick, but the queen raised a hand—calm, composed once more.
"Enough," she said, voice cold but controlled. "There will be no punishment today."
Elara and her father exchanged confused glances.
Queen Liora's smile returned—but it didn't reach her eyes. "This is a day of awakening, not division. Let the court remember it as such."
She turned to her guards. "Escort Lord Asen and Lady Elara back to their quarters. Gently."
With a flick of her cape, she dismissed the room. Nobles bowed. Guards obeyed. Within minutes, the Grand Hall emptied, leaving only Nyra.
The queen didn't look at her, not at first. She simply stared ahead, silent.
Then: "Take her."
Nyra arched a brow. "To the East?"
Liora nodded slowly. "To Mount Veshtar. The dragon power won't awaken in this palace. Not fully. She must be near the source."
Nyra crossed her arms. "So now you want her awakened?"
"She's mine," Liora said, voice sharp. "Let the mountain give her strength. Let her grow into it. When the time comes, I'll decide how to use her."
Nyra's gaze was unreadable. "You may not like what she becomes.""I'll make her useful," Liora replied simply. "One way or another."
Then, louder—turning back toward the court chamber:
"Let preparations begin!" she called to the stewards and aides returning to the hall. "Tomorrow night, we hold a celebration. All noble and royal-born men from across the four regions are to be summoned. A ball, to honor my daughters' awakening."
The room stirred with murmurs.
"And," the queen added with a coy smile, "to allow my daughters the chance to choose those worthy to stand beside them—husbands who will rule alongside power."
Cheers erupted. Music was ordered. Dresses were discussed.
But deep in the shadows, Nyra slipped away, her next destination already set .Elara sat alone in her room, the velvet curtains drawn shut against the moonlight. The palace was quiet now, too quiet—just like her thoughts.
She leaned against the window sill, staring out toward the distant mountains, barely visible in the night.
"This isn't how the story went," she muttered.
In the novel, Elara was a side character. Powerless. Forgotten. She had no scene like that… no awakening, no confrontation, no mysterious queen trying to use her as a hidden weapon.
It was all changing.
She frowned, pacing the room.
"First, I take over someone's body… then I unlock powers I didn't know existed… and now a ball to choose husbands? That was *definitely* not in the book."
She paused. Then a small laugh escaped her lips.
"Maybe…" she said aloud, "this story wants to be changed."
She flopped onto the bed, arms spread out.
"Fine then. I'll give it a better ending. A happy one. No tragic deaths, no betrayal arcs, no bitter queens." She grinned at the ceiling. "Maybe if I reach the end… I'll wake up. Go back to my world. Write this whole thing down and publish it and who knows I might make a lot of money from it."She rolled over, smirking. "Title: Trapped in a Novel With Ice Powers and a Royal Mess… Bestseller, obviously."
For a moment, the fear faded.
And in its place, a spark of purpose.
Whatever this world had planned—Elara was ready to rewrite it. She looks around her room smiling, staring at the curtains to the window, the bed, saying to herself :"Even as the queen doesn't treat Elara well,her room is even bigger than mine and it is not so bad." Then a thought came to her mind, she said :"My problem now is the queen,I know she is cold and mean and she only thinks of anything that gives her power. Or is that why she didn't punish me so she can use me?. That is her for sure,I never forget her behavior in that novel."
She raised her head as she continues to keep thinking and saying to herself smiling:" Ahnn-, I can use that to get what I want.
"Don't worry Elara ,I will take care of your body very well." She said smirking and nodding her head.