10 I Will Make Her Mine

Kaiden's POV

I can feel the heaviness of my heart as I left Dasos forest. I don't want to leave Ana, but my father ordered me to have dinner with him again together with the rest of the royalties. Ever since he opened the idea that he will be turning over the crown to me once I found the Dragon Witch. My father wants me to be active as possible, and he requested me to develop my social status. I know I have always been away because of my adventures, and right now, I have regrets about why I have only meet Ana. I wish I knew her a long time ago.

I used to pass by Dasos every time I visit the Thesirea Kingdom, but we didn't meet. Maybe because she was hiding beneath the leaves of the trees with heart leaves. And I realized it was her sanctuary. My heart melted when she told me she wanted to run away to the human world and have an ordinary life. If that is the only way I can spend more time with Ana, I can use my dragon power to manipulate a human. It would be easy, and I can buy a house for her in the human realm.

I wonder what she wants to accomplish first before she hides away in the human realm. When I saw her horrified look when we were in Magusari, I know right away that there was something wrong. I didn't get the chance to look around and see who she was afraid of because she dragged me along with her, and for a witch, with no magic, I can tell Ana is strong. Still, maybe it was because of her adrenaline rush, she was so afraid to be found, and I am just glad none of her family members found her, or else she could be in big trouble.

As I walk around the palace, I can't stop thinking about Ana. I am so worried about her, it is nighttime, and she is still in Dasos forest, and I want to be there for her so I can protect her. When she told me about her business proposal, I almost laugh, and I want to say to her I am the Crown Prince of Dracousia Kingdom, but I don't want her to be afraid of me. I can't risk it. I don't care if I have to continue lying that I am an ordinary human because I want to spend more time with her. She is the only woman who made me feel this way.

"Prince Kaiden!" I heard Keira's sweet voice behind me, and I stopped on my tracts and turned around to face her. She is wearing a red velvet gown that fits her body perfectly, and I would be a liar if I say she is not stunning, but I can't stop thinking of the witch in Dasos forest.

"Why are you wearing like that?" She asked, and I remember my outfit as I disguised as an ordinary hunter, and I am still wearing my cloak.

"Ah! I am sorry, Princess Keira if I am not dress appropriately; I just came home from my quest of finding the Dragon Witch." I said.

"Oh, I see, but even though you are wearing something like that, you are still handsome, my prince." She said with a seductive smile on her face.

"Excuse me, Princess, I need to go to my chamber first to get changed." I said, and she nodded.

The moment I get inside my spacious room, I want to lay on my King-sized bed and think about her, but I need to join dinner and socialize with the royalties. I changed into my formal clothes, and I know being the Crown Prince of this Kingdom allows me to leave in luxury, even though in my heart I feel guilty because I know I am not the real heir of the dragon throne. But I want to make my father proud, and it has been my greatest dream to be the king of this realm. That is why even though I don't know where to find the dragon witch, I am trying, but it became delayed because I am so busy spending time with the powerless Witch.

"Kaiden, son!" My father greeted me the moment I get inside the palace dining hall, and the long table is almost full of dignitaries all over the kingdom.

"Good evening, father!" I greeted the king and sat on his right.

"Tonight, I am going to announce important news, and I know my son is on his quest in finding the Dragon Witch, and I am confident in due time he will capture her." My father said proudly as the guests around the table nodded their heads in agreement.

"To prepare him as the incoming King of this realm, he needs a powerful Queen to support him in everything he does. Since Kaiden is still unmated, at this moment, I am proud to inform everyone in advance that I am going to pass a decree calling all unmatched female dragon shifters to come to the Dracousia Palace as we will hold a competition." My father declared, and I can't stop feeling uneasy because I can tell my love life will be affected by his announcement. And I can tell all his followers are looking at him with interest.

"Yes, a tournament, but this time, it would be a contest who can be the Crown Princess of Dracousia Kindom." He said as if I am not inside the room. He talked about my future wife, and it seems like I don't have a say about this because he is the king. Whatever he wants, he can have it by making a proclamation.

"Yes, but it would be something interesting." He continued, and I can tell this is not only for my sake but for his love for tournaments.

"I want all the participants to be intelligent and powerful female dragon shifters because she is going to be the mother of the future heir of this kingdom. So, the candidates will undergo preliminary screening before they can join the proper contest. It would be a battle of the brain, and I want the tournament to be risky, because being Queen, her life will always be in danger for assassination, so she should know how to protect herself." The Dragon King said, and I can't stop myself from feeling so affected. Maybe I should settle in the human world and take Ana with me, where we can live together as ordinary beings.

But I am my father's son, and I have a kingdom to defend, and I cannot turn away from my responsibilities being the Crown Prince of Dracousia. Just thinking about the incoming tournament, my heart feels sad because I can't imagine myself being with another woman. I love her innocence, and I want to protect her. I became so confused right now, and I want to argue with my father, but in our world, we must adhere to the king's order, and even though I am his son, I am not free from his commands.

"So, when would be this tournament will start, Your Grace?" Asked the green dragon prince, Prasinor, and I am sure he wants his daughter to participate because he also wants Princess Keira to be queen.

"I will release the decree and the rulings on how to enter the contest at the soonest possible time, Prasinor, maybe in one month, the official battle between female dragon shifters will start, and it will run within six months. It is obvious the first requirement she must be a dragon shifter, and she must have experienced shifting.

"The chosen candidates will stay in the Palace within this period, and we will test their power, stamina, and wits. In the end, I am going to give them the final test to the remaining lucky candidates, and I am sure the searching for the Crown Princess of Dracousia would be fantastic." My father said, and I can see the sinister smiles on his face, and I know this competition will be a bloody one because he loves cruelty, and for him suffering is fun.

"So, isn't it just for the royalties?" The blue dragon Prince asked.

"I am sorry, Kyaneos, this tournament is not only for royal blood. I want everyone all over the kingdom to participate because you can't deny it. Many powerful shifters are commoners." My father replied, and I can see the broad smile on Princess Keira's face, and I know this is her chance to showcase her abilities and intelligence because she is known as the most powerful female dragon shifter.

"Your idea is fantastic, Your Grace!" Princess Keira said to my father, and he grinned at her.

"Yes, Princess Keira, I know you are excited about all this." The Dragon King replied.

I can tell the council members are excited about this competition, and I am the only one who is not thrilled about this because of Ana, the witch that I can't stop thinking about since the day I first laid my eyes on her beautiful face. I still have one month to spend more time with her since the tournament will start in one month. Maybe for that span of thirty days, I can find ways how to keep Ana safe. If ever I need to marry a dragon shifter, I have to bring Ana to the human world and let her have what she wanted, a simple life, and I know I will become selfish because I can't leave my life without her. I will make her mine whatever it takes, and I realized I am falling for the powerless witch.