TO MAKE A SOVEREIGN KNEEL

The hidden garden awakened before the dragon ever touched the earth. A deafening roar split the afternoon sky as a colossal dragon descended through the clouds, its scales gleaming like molten gold beneath the dying sunlight. Every beat of its enormous wings sent crimson and ivory rose petals spiraling into a violent storm, sweeping across the ancient garden like snow caught in a hurricane.

The beast landed with earth-shaking grace behind a weathered brick cottage hidden beneath centuries-old climbing roses. Steam curled from its nostrils.

Its golden eyes scanned the quiet garden before lowering in silent obedience.

Prince Durak Matzo slid effortlessly from the dragon's saddle. The moment his boots touched the ground, a familiar voice shattered the silence.

"Durak!" Arya ran toward him without hesitation.

She threw herself into his arms as though she feared he might disappear if she let go for even a second.

Durak caught her instinctively.

The weight of the kingdom vanished.

There were no crowns. No ancient laws. No Seven Dakons. Only her. He rested his forehead against hers before brushing a gentle kiss across her lips.

A smile found his face—a smile so genuine that few within the palace had ever witnessed it.

"I was beginning to think you weren't coming," Arya whispered.

"I would cross every kingdom in the world if it meant seeing you." Her cheeks flushed crimson.

"So..." she teased, folding her arms. "To what do I owe the honor of a royal visit, Your Highness?"

Durak suddenly straightened, replacing his smile with exaggerated authority. "Arya..."

His voice became cold. "You are under arrest." She blinked.

"...I am?" He nodded gravely.

"For stealing something that belongs to the Crown."

Her eyes widened.

"And what exactly did I steal?" He leaned closer until only inches separated them.

"My heart." For a heartbeat...

Silence. Then laughter exploded from her lips, bright enough to chase away every shadow in the garden.

It was the kind of laughter kingdoms could never buy.

Durak silently wished he could imprison that sound forever.

Together they wandered between endless rows of blooming roses. The dragon followed several paces behind, its enormous body moving with surprising gentleness so it wouldn't crush a single flower.

Finally, Durak stopped walking. His expression softened.

"I came because tomorrow changes everything." Arya looked at him. "Tomorrow..." "...I become king."

Even saying the words aloud filled him with quiet disbelief.

"I've trained for this day since I could hold a sword. Every lesson... every battle... every sacrifice..."

He smiled. "It all leads to tomorrow."

Slowly, he reached into his cloak and produced an elegant invitation sealed with the royal crest. "I want you there."

Arya didn't reach for it. "I want the woman I love..." His voice grew quieter.

"...to witness the moment I become king."

The joy disappeared from Arya's face. She lowered her eyes.

"You already know I can't." Durak's smile faded.

"My master will never allow me to leave these grounds."

She swallowed. "I'm only a slave." "A slave from the enemy kingdom."

The words seemed to wound her more each time she spoke them. "I don't belong in your world." Durak's expression hardened.

He stepped forward and gently took her hands."No."

His voice carried the certainty of a man who had never doubted himself. "You belong wherever I stand."

She looked up. "When I become king..."

"...no chain will ever touch you again." "I'll free you." "I'll marry you."

"And anyone who dares challenge that decision..."

His eyes burned with quiet determination.

"...will answer to their king."

Tears shimmered in Arya's eyes. For one impossible moment... The future seemed real.

Then "ARYA!"

A shrill voice tore through the garden.

"Where is my tea?"

The warmth vanished instantly.

Arya flinched. Fear flooded her expression.

"I'm sorry." She stepped backward.

"You have to go." "Arya" "If he finds you here..."

She couldn't even finish the sentence.

She hurried toward the cottage without looking back.

Durak remained standing among the roses.

Watching. Waiting. Until the wooden door closed behind her.

Only then did he climb back onto his dragon.

The beast spread its immense golden wings.

With a thunderous roar... It disappeared into the evening sky.

Far beneath the Royal Palace... Silence ruled.

Hidden below layers of marble, steel, and ancient stone lay a chamber untouched by time. Seven obsidian thrones stood in a perfect circle. Upon them sat the Seven Dakons. Immortal. Unmoving. Watching. Their faces betrayed neither age nor mercy.

"The decision has been made."

The eldest elder's voice echoed through the darkness like stone grinding against stone.

"Tomorrow..."

"...the Silver Empire shall receive its new sovereign."

One by one... The remaining six inclined their heads.

Not in celebration. In judgment. Then

BOOM!

The iron doors exploded open.

A palace guard stumbled into the chamber, gasping for breath before collapsing onto one knee. "My Lords..."

He struggled to steady himself.

"We've found him." The eldest Dakon slowly lifted his gaze.

"Which prince?" The guard hesitated.

As though speaking the answer aloud was itself a crime.

"...Prince Durak Matzo."

A silence heavier than death settled over the chamber.

The guard lowered his head.

"He crossed the western border..."

"...into enemy territory."

Several elders closed their eyes.

Not in surprise. In confirmation.

The eldest Dakon's voice became almost a whisper.

"So..." "It is true." The guard swallowed. "My lord..."

"He was seen embracing a slave girl."

Another silence. Longer. Colder. More terrifying than the first.

Finally... The eldest Dakon rose from his throne.

His ancient eyes held neither anger nor disappointment.

Only certainty.

"The prince..." "...has committed the greatest abomination."

He turned toward the remaining elders.

"There will be no coronation." Outside...

The palace bells began ringing for dawn. Inside...

The fate of an empire had already changed.