The six red dragons escorting Tama pushed the giant gates open and led the procession into the palace. The main hall was so huge it could fit thirty dragons of Ronna's size along with a thousand or more humans. Its walls were crimson, plated with gold. Scarlet beams held the mahogany ceiling in four corners. The floor was golden, shimmering upon the lights intruding from the windows. On the right and the left, stood rows of men and women dressed in red or blue ceremonial robes. Tama assumed they were statespeople and councillors. Behind them sat several colourful dragons, all Ronna's size. They belonged to some statespeople presenting in the hall.
Before Tama's feet, in between the rows of people, unfolded a long red carpet leading up to the opposite end of the hall, where, elevated by a couple of stairs, was a giant throne crafted of pure gold, its seat covered with a long fluffy scarlet pillow. Near the throne, stood thirteen people, seven and six on each side. Among them, five were women and eight were men. They were the highest statesmen of Drahvelt – the Dragon Council. They wore orange robes of pure silk, save for one young man, who wore purple. He stood closest to the throne, leaning on its upper corner with his elbow. He'd crossed his feet in a carefree pose as though he stood near his friend rather than his king. He couldn't be older than twenty-five and was of medium height. His long purple hair dropped to his shoulders in messy curls. His yellow eyes flared with cruelty, more so now that he eyed Tama from top to bottom as though measuring her worth. It made Tama's blood boil.
How can all these Drahs be so arrogant, thinking they're better than the world?! She thought. She yearned to smack the purple-haired man but took deep breaths to calm herself. Now's not the time to dwell on emotions! She thought. I have to flawlessly follow the rules Theresa Dienschein mentioned, so I don't become a laughing stock for these goons!
Clutching her hands before herself, she stepped towards the throne with her head held high. Her eyes set on the king, and she sensed her heart flutter. It was a familiar feeling, as though from a dream, or a dream within a dream… a strange sense of longing for the man, which she couldn't explain.
Why do I feel this way? She thought, angry with herself. He's an enemy who threatened my kingdom and Princess Amida! He's the reason I parted with my family and my home!
The man looked strangely familiar. Of imposing height and built like a giant, he sat on the throne with his elbow laid on the armrest and the back of the same hand supporting his cheek. His hair was pale yellow, thick and bushy, spreading down to his knees like a lion's mane. His orange silken kimono robe, red belt plated with gold, and rich scarlet hakama trousers contrasted with his choice to leave his feet bare. He wore a golden satin coat over these garments, and over that, a crimson cotton cloak, tied on the front with a golden chain. He'd pulled the crimson hood of his cloak over his head. His skin was milky white and his eye colour was a mix of red and yellow, almost like two blazing flames. The closer Tama came to him, the stronger the attraction became, as though she were in a trance. He narrowed his eyes too, watching her intently as she approached. He seemed to feel the same – that he knew her from somewhere but couldn't tell where exactly.
Tama arrived before the throne. Confused by her feelings and exchanging intense looks with the king to find answers, she forgot all about Theresa's instructions – that she shouldn't look at him but bow and pronounce in Drahian that she was honoured to meet him. She stared at him with her mouth slightly open, but, thankfully, the latter detail was concealed beneath her veil.
The fourteen men serving as the bridal escort eyed Tama puzzled, wondering how she dared gawk at the king, especially when he was looking straight back at her. The statesmen standing on the two sides of the hall, and even some dragons began to grow annoyed. The Dragon Councillors glared at Tama with furrowed brows, but she didn't grasp the hint.
Where have I seen him? She kept asking herself, staring into the king's eyes and feeling his stare back into hers.
"I heard the princess of Hasurei was sick, but I didn't think her brains were damaged too!" A low-pitched scoff echoed throughout the hall. This husky voice belonged to the purple-haired young man next to the throne.
The people – statesmen and Dragon Councillors alike – burst into laughter. The dragons grunted like Ronna did when chuckling. Even the men in the bridal escort couldn't help smiling behind their sleeves.
The roaring laughter awoke Tama from her daze. She flinched and looked around. Her mind began to register what had just happened. The meaning of the purple-haired man's remark dawned on her. Her face went scarlet. She clutched her hands so hard she felt her polished nails pricking her skin.
"I-I'm sorry!" she exclaimed in Drahian, stumbling on every word as though she'd never spoken the language before. It increased the people's laughter. Tama gulped, her face burning from shame, and dropped to her knees, placing her forehead on the floor. "I… I'm glad to_ I mean honoured, to meet Your Highn_ I mean Your Majesty!"
The people squealed with laughter. Even the dragons began roaring and flapping their wings. Amidst the noise, the purple-haired man's mocking howl rang the loudest. Tama couldn't believe she fumbled on her very first meeting with the king! Her worst fear came true – she became a laughing stock, and they ridiculed her right into her face! The tears she'd been holding in for the entire journey overflowed from her eyes like a cascade.
I can't show them my weakness! She told herself, ashamed of her tears now. Stop crying, Tama! For heaven's sake, stop crying! Not now…
She couldn't stop. Tears kept pouring down her cheeks, wetting her veil. She sniffled, finding it hard to breathe through her nose. She opened her mouth to take deep breaths, but it didn't help. Her tears and sniffles kept coming.
A shuffle sounded from the throne, which made the laughter cease. The hall went dead silent. Tama thought her sniffles had become more audible and tried to suppress them, ashamed. But her shoulders continued twitching in a spasm, betraying her tears.
Giant bare feet came up to her. Tama flinched and raised her head from the floor. A big clawed hand was stretched out to her, a familiar jade ring shimmering on its finger.
"Please, Princess Amida, stand up!" sounded a deep, mild voice, ringing in Tama's ears like a soft melody.
Transfixed, Tama took the hand and stood up, undergoing the familiar sensation of ethereal bliss. Beholding the jade ring on the clawed fingers, she remembered where she'd seen it and where she'd heard this voice. Now, she realised who the man was. She looked up at his face, which was no longer distorted as it had been in Dreamscape but was as clear as day: the red eyes like burning flames and the lips forming an awkward smile, betraying the same amount of shame she felt. But, he likely felt it because of his people's rudeness.
"Draki?" Tama mumbled, her tears drying in her eyes from surprise.
The king widened his eyes in shock, clutching Tama's familiar petite hand in his clawed one. He too, recognised her voice and the touch of her palm from their shared meeting in Dreamscape. He understood why he'd felt attracted to her the minute she entered.
"Tama?!" he whispered, barely managing not to exclaim.
The Dragon King, whom Tama dreaded so much, was none other than her acquaintance from Dreamscape – Draki, the young man from the enemy kingdom. Her "soulmate", according to her dragon Ronna.