Chapter 12.

The wedding feast was arranged after the marriage ceremony and other rituals, Seraphina sat beside the young prince while Celia stood behind her. She was still in a haze after what happened.

She had a hunch of ridiculous rituals of a wedding but it exceeded her limits that it held an intimate moment as well. She recalled the moments when the young prince's lips touched hers and and head blew up as if a volcano eruption.

She snuck a peek at the prince beside her, he wasn't even paying heed to her. All he did was just sit beside Master Valentine while The Crown Prince engaged in a conversation with other entities of peer system. Zenith was with other female companions and their whispers continued. She could feel occasional gazes from every direction as if they had never seen a human bride which they hadn't because it was the first time this was happening and she could feel why Demian didn't want the wedding.

Compared to a wedding with a Dragonborn, marrying a human bride seemed far less appealing. Besides, with a Dragon you could get the extra benefits of praise as she found everyone had been giving more attention to the crown prince and his wife. Other than them, there were a few personas who emitted powerful auras, they were being showered with compliments as well. Seraphina could not ignore the sneers that a few females and royals were giving her and she simply gave them scowls.

Demian would nod occasionally when someone commented or congratulated them. The whole time he would not look at her, not even a glance. Nothing. Was she looking that ugly?

Seraphina didn't mind when even nobody was complimenting her or saying she was looking good on her big day but Demian not even taking a look at her somehow riled her up.

"Ah, my apologies, Your Highness I have arrived a little late." A new voice piped in and Seraphina turned her head to see a tall man with a few red strands in his dark hair bowing before Demian. He wore a black and red coat and once he'd greeted the prince his eyes shifted to Seraphina. The moment his silvery gaze fell on her she shivered feeling the power he held.

"It doesn't matter, Casian. I thought you'd not come." Demian said, distastefully.

"Oh, how can I not attend your wedding, dear cousin?" He spoke and Seraphina did all in her power to not let her jaw drop. This guy was Demian's cousin, that meant he was a royalty as well. No wonder his aura was so strong.

"May I have the honor of introducing myself to the new princess of Dragonsland?" He smiled showing off his gleaming teeth, he stretched his hand at Seraphina and she looked once at Demian who looked away. She slowly slipped her hand in Casian's and he clasped his fingers around her hand gently and brushed his cold lips on her knuckles.

"I am Duke Casian Versete Horatio Bon Vermence. I am the cousin of His Highness, brother of Princess Zenith." He said and Seraphina managed a smile. No wonder their auras were alike.

"I'm Seraphina." Seraphina said, he raised his eyebrows giving her an amused look.

"You sound quite humble, princess. Has the marriage taken an effect on you?" He asked and she frowned.

"Being a martyr for your nation." He clarified and Seraphina resisted the urge to give him a deadly glare.

"Regardless, it's such an honor to be in presence of such a beautiful bride." He said and Seraphina almost raised her eyebrows. Was he trying to hit on her?

"Yo-Your Lordship Casian? It's a pleasure to see you." Steward Alonzo quickly intercepted bowing deeply to Casian and Casian for a moment looked at the steward then at back at Seraphina.

"Hello, Alonzo." He said.

"Your Lordship Casian, let me get you refreshments." The steward seemed like he was trying to take Casian away from Seraphina.

"I am already refreshed, Alonzo." He smirked and Seraphina eyed her hand still in his grip, she slowly pulled it back.

"Say, princess," He said almost slyly and Seraphina looked at him, "Are you happy with this marriage?" He asked and Seraphina looked down at her hands.

"You're not?" He asked dramatically, "That's so sad. Well, it isn't a surprise since our Prince Demian isn't fond of relations and with a human bride now, I can imagine the situation you'd be going through." He said and Seraphina couldn't understand what he was trying to get at.

"My Princess, it hurts my heart to see you like this." He said and Seraphina noticed the pained expression on his face, "If only I could do something to help you." He said and Seraphina raised her eyebrows. He could help her? How? Get her out of here?

"To help me?" She asked and he nodded with a smile.

"Yes, I will do anything in my power." He said, "I'm a Duke so, anything that you desire could be fulfilled."

Seraphina for a moment thought about it and wondered if this guy could help her and Celia escape the castle and safely escort them to their respective nations. His offer seemed quite tempting yet, she knew it was quite a difficult feat to perform even for a Duke. Helping a bride of a dragon prince escape would be more or less a treason and that could bring him in great trouble but then again, he was Princess Zenith's brother. Seraphina kept thinking until she heard Casian's smooth voice again.

"I can be of your service any time, my princess. All you have to do is just call for me." He said with a seductive smile and then he straightened up and walked away.

***

Finally, the marriage reception came to an end and Seraphina was exhausted and she didn't want anything but to tear down the dress and her accessories.

Demian stood up and Seraphina followed his suit then, he announced with a smile that never reached his eyes, "Pardon ladies and gentlemen, my bride and I would like to return to our quarter since the day had exhausted both of us."

With that, Demian turned gesturing Seraphina to follow him and led her out of the ground. Before exiting he motioned the Steward and Celia to come along.

All the way to the carriage, Demian dragged Seraphina and Seraphina in her long robes tried not to trip and tear it.

"Will you slow down?" She asked.

"No."

"It's hard to walk in this heavy dress!"

"Just tear it down then." He hissed as he entered the carriage.

"Oh! I'd love to but what if someone see me tearing off the dress and complain to your bro-His Highness?"

Demian's sharp gaze shifted on her and she wondered if Master Valentine had told him anything about their deal or not. She was expecting to hear something but he simply turned his head away. Or wait, did he hear the conversation between Duke Casian and her? That would really mess up the matters.

What the hell?

They reached the castle, a great number of dragon soldiers following behind them. Demian got out and departed. He didn't even help her to get down from their ride. Not that she needed anyone's help but, never mind, she had known he was rude. She was given a task and she would only follow it. It wasn't like she wanted any of Demian's attention or anything.

Did she?

"Straight!" Celia hissed as she joined her.

"But I am tired." Seraphina complained which earned a glare from Celia.

"You are at the castle. Don't make any mistakes." Celia said as she led her taking on a different wing of the castle.

"Where are we going?" She asked.

"To your new quarter." Celia answered.

She was led to her new chamber where she would stay with the prince. Celia came and helped her with taking off the dresses and made her wear a silk night gown. She braided her curls and instructed to wait for him.

As she waited for her husband, she didn't realise when she fell asleep.

It was almost midnight when Seraphina felt her stomach growling. She opened her eyes and found the young Prince had never arrived. She felt a little hurt.

She could not find Celia as she was in another chamber. She found it annoying. He hadn't even talked to her in the whole day at the wedding just gave her cold shoulder for the rest of the time.

It somehow irked her.

Now that they were married he didn't even come to see if she was settled in or not. On the other hand, even if he did come what would they do? Other than fighting or throwing their minds of each other? They were two sides of a coin. Just like night and day. Ice and fire. Both got on each other's nerves. It was impossible for them to get along with each other and she wondered if she could do her task properly.

Another growl came from her stomach indicating her stomach had had enough of being patient. She got out of the bed and went to look for Celia.

But the castle was very confusing and after two turns she could not find herself to go back to her room. But a door caught her attention. Not to mention the two guards. The Dragon's carving confirmed that it was the young Prince's chamber. So she was in the wing of Young Prince. Well, now that she was here, she thought she'd just check on what her husband was up to.

As she appeared in front of the door, the guards crossed their spears, startling her in the process.

"You are not allowed to enter His Highness's room." The guards told.

"Why? I am his wife!"

"Even so, nobody other than Master Valentine and the Crown Prince are allowed."

She fumed with anger as they were restricting her from meeting her husband. Was Demian this much against of marrying her? If so, then, he should have told her when they were in the Lotus Garden. She felt hurt but she would not waver back as she had all the rights to enter her husband's room. Besides, Master Valentine said to protect him until he reached the age of maturity. How would she protect him when she couldn't even see him?

"Ask for his permission then." She crossed her hands over his chest while her foot tapped on the floor making the guards eying her with frowns.

"We can not do that."

"And why not?"

Both of them were acting strange as they both exchanged a look then said, "We apologise, Princess, but we have strict orders from the prince."

They showed a face that told her they were scared. So, they had no power even to go ask for a permission. What the hell was so important in his chamber anyway?

Various thoughts accumulated in her mind. He had a pet Dragon who could kill anyone or maybe, he had some secret weapons that he will use against her. Perhaps, he had concubines or, he simply had interest in men.

Last two tugged in her head like a throne in a flesh. She gulped and looked at them with a gap in her mouth.

"Let her go." A voice bloomed behind her and she turned in its direction. It was Master Valentine in his white robe.

The guards obeyed instantly and shifted away from the door.

Master Valentine motioned her to go inside and he followed her. She slowly opened the door and entered hoping the Prince would lash out on her again however, all she saw was darkness with the faint gasps resounding from somewhere.

Seraphina walked in tentatively and noticed the particular section of the room illuminated by the silvery moonlight pouring in from the window. The bed where the prince lied breathing heavily as if he was having difficulty to breath, the veins on his neck were pulsing and the strange blue patterns were etched on his milky skin. Seraphina couldn't tear her eyes off of Demian's bare chest where the moonlight glinted off from over the black scales growing on his skin. She slowly reached out and lifted the velvet sheets and gasped in horror as she saw the scales and the blue patterns stretching from his chest down till the side of his left torso and covering half of his left arm. She was scared but somehow the fascination of being so close to such a spectacle was too enthralling for her. She hesitantly placed her fingertips over the scales and patterns on his chest feeling the scalding heat. The heat didn't bother her as she was the Fireborn but somehow his groan did, she looked up at his face expecting to see his cold blue eyes glaring at her but all she saw was an exhausted and pain filled expression that wrenched her heart.

"W-What is this?" She whispered as she looked at Master Valentine.

"Prince Demian is suffering from a curse." He said and her eyes widened.

"What curse?"

"Nobody knows what this curse is for but, one of the dragon oracles had said that when he reaches his maturity this curse will be lifted." He said and she blinked, her eyes traced the scales and the blue crack-like patterns on his body.

"So, these scales will be vanished?"

"We believe so."

"You placed a condition of only asking the princess for marriage from the human nation and refused for their mines and other things why was that?" She asked suddenly finding that question popping in her mind.

"There is an old prophecy which talks about the maiden who wouldn't be a dragonborn and she would purge the dragon lands with her holy warmth. When the human king sent us the message of alliance, we thought maybe this was the answer, and we decided to ask the human princess as the bride for Prince Demian." He said and Seraphina frowned.

She didn't understand but what she could do at the moment for Demian but she just looked at his weak body. She found he never left his quarter because of this curse and because it made him weak.

"The prince was born with this curse and only a few people know about this. He was adamant in keeping it a secret." He said, "That is the reason why, His Highness rarely leaves his chamber and nobody else is allowed to enter here."

"But he was supposed to be at the other chamber." Seraphina said and Master Valentine smiled sadly.

"I believe it'll take time for His Highness to accept you fully and let you see his weakness. You are only a powerless human in his eyes after all." He said and Seraphina frowned.

"You haven't told him about our last night's discussion?"

"Not everything. But I know he will figure it out sooner or later." He said and she bit her lower lip.

She didn't say anything but kept her gaze on his face that displayed a painful expression. She felt so stupid. He was young and suffering from the curse alone. Of course, he needed someone to take care of him.

Master Valentine eyed the grim expression on her face and thought for a moment if it would be good to leave her with the prince in his weakened state. However, he had sent a few of his people to gather information on the Flame Queen to justify her story.

"C-Can I stay here for a while?" She asked him and he found her lips tightened. Even though it was dark, he could see her redness on her cheeks.

"Alright! Stay, but try not to bother the prince too much. He prefers not to talk about his personal matters."

The princess or rather the wizard sat beside Demian and watched his face and eyed the scales growing on his skin. Master Valentine watched her from behind as he found it amusing that the heat had no effect on the new bride. Perhaps, she wasn't lying. After all, she was the Flame Queen but still he needed to have a solid proof from his sources.