**After the event ended, the palace slowly quieted as the grand celebration gave way to more private meetings.**
**Narrator:**
The crackle of the fire was the only sound for a moment, echoing in the grand, dimly lit room as all eyes fell on Sai. The weight of the King's words hung in the air, final and irrevocable. Outside, the palace buzzed with the remnants of the grand event, but inside this chamber, the focus was on the fate of Zarador—a land cursed and long abandoned.
**Duchess Celestia Norrin:** (her fingers tapping the edge of the table, her cold eyes fixed on Sai)
"Sairen Aelith, ruling a cursed land is no simple task. How do you intend to lead in a place where even dragons have left their mark of destruction?"
**Sai:** (his voice unwavering, his gaze steady)
"It won't be easy, but I'm not one to back down from challenges. Zarador has been cursed by dragons, and now... a dragon will reclaim it."
**Duchess Celestia Norrin:** (raising an eyebrow, her voice sharp with skepticism)
"Bold words from someone who just joined the noble ranks."
**Narrator:**
Duke Alaric Vayne, who had remained mostly silent, now leaned forward, his sharp gaze locked onto Sai. His lips curled in a faint smirk, but his words carried an edge.
**Duke Alaric Vayne:** (sardonically)
"And what makes you believe you're any different from the fools who tried before? What do you know of the curse that plagues Zarador?"
**Sai:** (his golden eyes flashing in the firelight, his tone taking on a dangerous edge)
"The curse… it was placed by dragons, wasn't it? If that's the case, then perhaps my bloodline holds the key. You see, I'm not just any noble. I have dragon blood running through my veins."
**Narrator:**
A flicker of surprise passed through the room, though quickly hidden behind the practiced masks of the Dukes. The mention of dragon blood was no trivial matter. Power flowed in the veins of the ancient creatures, and anyone who claimed such a connection was not to be taken lightly.
**Duke Mathias Drayton:** (stroking his beard thoughtfully, his voice calm but commanding)
"Dragon blood, you say? That is no small claim, boy. If what you say is true, perhaps... you might indeed be the one to lift the curse."
**Sai:** (with a faint, dangerous smile)
"It's not a claim, Duke Mathias. It's a fact."
**Narrator:**
Duke Mathias Drayton's eyes met King Henry's for a moment, a silent exchange passing between them. His nod was slow, thoughtful.
**Duke Mathias Drayton:** (glancing back at Sai)
"I think it's worth the risk. Your Majesty, we should give him a chance. If anyone can tame Zarador, perhaps it's someone with the blood of dragons."
**Duchess Celestia Norrin:** (sighing softly, her cold exterior cracking for just a moment)
"If Duke Mathias is willing to trust this… gamble, then I won't raise more objections. But know this, Sairen Aelith: failure will not be tolerated."
**Duke Alaric Vayne:** (nodding in reluctant agreement, his tone still laced with suspicion)
"Well, if the great Duke Mathias is backing you, who am I to oppose? But don't think for a moment this will be easy."
**Duke Rhys Aelfric:** (his voice dripping with disdain, arms crossed tightly)
"Hmph. This is all a mistake. If my son were in charge, Zarador would already be thriving. But if His Majesty approves, I won't stand in the way. Just remember this moment when everything goes wrong."
**Narrator:**
King Henry, who had remained silent, watching the discussion unfold with measured eyes, finally stood from his seat. His presence immediately commanded attention, his royal authority filling the room as he addressed the gathering.
**King Henry:** (his voice steady, authoritative)
"It seems the council has spoken. Sairen Aelith, from this moment forward, you will be known as the Duke of Zarador. The burden of that cursed land is now yours to bear."
**Narrator:**
The declaration resounded through the room, a decision made, the weight of Zarador's fate now resting on Sai's shoulders. The flickering candlelight cast long shadows, dancing across the faces of the gathered Dukes as they watched Sai, some with doubt, others with wary acceptance.
**Sai:** (leaning back in his chair, his tone casual, but his eyes gleaming with dangerous confidence)
"Zarador is mine, then. I'll take the curse… and turn it into my kingdom."
**Narrator:**
The tension in the room eased slightly, but an undercurrent of unease remained. The Dukes knew that Sai was no ordinary noble, but whether he would succeed where so many had failed remained to be seen.
**King Henry:** (with finality, signaling the end of the meeting)
"It's decided. Sairen Aelith, Duke of Zarador
**Narrator:**
With that, the meeting adjourned. The weight of the day's decisions pressed down on the room like a physical force. Sai had been given power—Zarador was now his, but the price of that power was yet to be revealed.
As the others began to leave, Sai remained for a moment, gazing into the fire, the flickering flames reflecting in his golden eyes. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
**Sai:** (to himself, quietly)
"A cursed land,. This will be fun."
**Narrator:**
Meanwhile, in the sunlit royal garden, the mood was starkly different from the heavy discussions inside the meeting room. The younger generation of nobility had gathered, enjoying the afternoon, yet the news of the engagement hadn't gone unnoticed among them. Princess Yumehime, adorned in her royal blue gown, stood near a grand fountain, exchanging polite words with the daughters of the dukes, unaware of the brewing tension behind her.
**Steven Vayne:** (leaning casually against a marble pillar, smirking)
"So, Alex, did you hear the big news? Princess Yumehime's engaged to that new Duke of Zarador—Sairen Aelith. Quite a shock, huh?"
**Alex Aelfric:** (his expression hardening, his fists clenching at his sides)
"What are you trying to say, Steven?"
**Steven Vayne:** (with a sly grin, his voice taunting)
"Just wondering what you're going to do about it, considering... you've always had your eyes on the princess. Are you going to let her marry some outsider?"
**Narrator:**
The words cut deep, and Alex's temper flared. His gaze flickered to Princess Yumehime, who was now laughing softly with Duke Mathias Drayton's daughter. The sight only fueled his anger. He had grown up beside her, always assuming that one day, they'd be together. And now, this newcomer—this so-called dragon-blooded duke—was stealing her away.
**Alex Aelfric:** (his voice low and filled with anger, eyes narrowing)
"Engaged? They may be engaged, but they're not married yet. There's still time."
**Steven Vayne:** (amused, raising an eyebrow)
"Oh? And what's your plan? You think you can just waltz in and impress her?"
**Alex Aelfric:** (with a determined look, voice brimming with confidence)
"We're in the same class at the Academy. I'll show her I'm more worthy than that arrogant duke. He may have the title, but I have history with her. I'll make sure she sees who the real future Duke should be."
**Narrator:**
Alex's eyes gleamed with ambition, and his mind was already whirling with ways to impress the princess. After all, he wasn't just any noble—he was the son of Duke Rhys Aelfric, one of the most powerful dukes in the kingdom. To him, the engagement was just a formality, a hurdle to overcome. In his heart, he believed the princess was his.
**Steven Vayne:** (laughing softly, shaking his head)
"Good luck with that, Alex. Something tells me the new Duke of Zarador won't go down so easily."
**Alex Aelfric:** (gritting his teeth, muttering to himself)
"We'll see about that."
**Narrator:**
As the sun set over the garden, casting long shadows over the group, Alex's resolve only grew stronger. The game of power and love had begun, and for him, this engagement was nothing more than an obstacle to be removed.
Unbeknownst to him, the wheels of fate were already turning. His rivalry with Sai would soon unfold, not just over the princess, but in the greater battle for the future of Zarador.