Page 72 of Dragon King’s Duty Bride

Celeste didn’t move at first. Sia watched the exact moment realization dawned. Celeste’s hands flew to her mouth as her eyes scanned the room as if she couldn’t quite trust it.

Sia stepped out from behind the column at last, unable to resist any longer.

Celeste grabbed her around the waist. “You’re all in on this?” she asked, voice wobbly in the most endearing way.

“Obviously,” Sia said, feigning offense. “Do you think I’d let your birthday pass with nothing but polite conversation and one sad little cake in the formal dining room?”

Celeste stood and shook her head as if she couldn’t believe it. “You turned the ballroom into a festival.”

“Correction,” Sia replied. “The town turned the ballroom into a festival. I just… supervised aggressively.”

The band shifted into another lively tune, and the children in the room didn’t need an invitation. Someone grabbed Celeste’s hand and pulled her into the center of the floor. Her laughter rang clear and unrestrained, as they all spun around in uneven circles. Some attempted something that might be called dancing while others simply hopped in place with reckless joy.

Celeste caught Sia’s eye across the floor and held out her hand, but there was one more surprise. When the music died down, she motioned to Lucas who gestured to the band. They cleared the dance floor, and Luna guided Celeste to a chair and made her sit.

The Sia, Lucas, Luna and Stella moved to the center of the floor and waited

Celeste stared. “What is this?”

The music shifted and they began.

The four of them moved into a choreographed routine which turned out to be slightly uneven, occasionally off-beat, but enthusiastic. Lucas, a dignified king, attempted a spin that nearly sent him into Luna. Stella missed a cue and burst into laughter mid-step. Luna executed her turns with sharp precision.

Sia committed fully. Every ridiculous hip sway. Every dramatic arm flourish. Hips popped. Fingers snapped. Lucas tried to shake his booty.

They finished with a dramatic pose.

At first there was silence. Then Celeste’s delighted scream echoed through the ballroom. “You learned that for me?”

Lucas bowed slightly. “Hours of covert practice.”

Celeste ran forward and flung her arms around them.

Then she pulled back. “Can I show you something?”

Sia’s eyes shone. “Please.”

The music began again, but this time, Celeste led.

She moved with confidence now and spun across the marble floor like she belonged there. Not because she was a princess, but because she loved it.

Sia watched her with an overflowing heart. The walls were gone. The secrets were gone. And here, in the glow of music and laughter and family, Sia realized something simple and profound.

Being queen didn’t mean being perfect and didn’t just mean duty. It meant making space for dragons, for daughters, for dancing in the street.

And for joy.

Chapter 25

Lucas

A week after the surprise party, the castle didn’t feel as festive. The council chamber of Crystafalls, with its marble pillars and vaulted ceiling usually filled Lucas with pride. Currently, it felt like a cage made of glass.

He sat with his hands braced on the arms of his throne. The carvings that curled along the wood seemed almost alive in silent warning. He kept his expression composed but felt anything but royal.

Inside, he was already bracing for impact. The visiting noble refused to kneel for the crown.

Self-proclaimed Lord Voilear of some northern province, tall, broad-shouldered, and wrapped in muted copper and tan, stood in the center of the chamber like he owned it. His signet ring bore the coiled dragon of his created kingdom, which flashed as he spread his hands in a mockery of diplomacy. The elders appeared agitated and uneasy.