Marriage is must

"Done with your bathing ritual?" Agatha quirked her brows, peeking her head from the door.

"Yes." Ilene responded with a nod, returning her smile before she got out of the bathtub with Agatha helping her wear her bath robe.

Ilene sat in front of the dressing table, letting Agatha do her work on her hair. From the large silver mirror, she peered into their reflection. Agatha had started drying her hair, while Ilene stared at the magnificent art of creation.

Rare purple eyes that held kindness, courage and pride.

Silver locks that complimented the wraith-silver disc in the lonely sky.

She was indeed a beguiling beauty, transcending the beauty standards of this world.

And the Duke wasn't wrong when he had complimented her for her beauty. Except, Ilene never understood how she ended up bearing such features as average women on Valkyrie capital were gifted with emerald eyes, blonde hair and the indifferences goes on.

Nonetheless, beauty was something that had never been a concern for Ilene.

"I will miss combing these beautiful locks." Agatha's voice broke as she began stroking her hair gently.

"I will be back in few days." Ilene reassured, looking at Agatha through the mirror.

"I fear your stay is going to stretch for further days." She said hollowly.

"It's better if I attend extra etiquette classes from my governess than having to visit Aunt Dorathy's place." Ilene retorted.

"Just imagine how good it will be when you will excel etiquette lessons too." Inching near, Agatha placed her hand on her shoulder, giving it a squeeze. "I know you have mastered men-like pursuits, and being good in both aspects will only advantage you, my lady." Agatha informed, braiding her hair before tying it into a knot.

Her chin wobbled for a split second before Ilene pressed her lips together. "You have got a point."

"The King is here for the breakfast."

"Uncle?" Her eyes brightened. She stood up from her seat, her spine stiff, before marching towards the window. Her gaze wandered outside, among the lush greenery to find her mother and Uncle Mavis peacefully conversing while having their morning tea together.

~~~~~~~~~~~

"Zale had visited last night." Iris informed, slurring her breakfast tea.

"And what was the purpose of his visit this time?" The king queried; curiosity clearly scrawled over his face.

"Ilene. They want my daughter as the next monarch." Her fingers tightened around the teacup.

"And?" His brows scrunched together. "What have you decided?"

"Obviously, I am not going to give my daughter to them." Those blue eyes darted away before they settled on the King's face. "That's why, I am here, Mavis. I need your help." Something flickered across those eyes which disappeared as early as it had appeared.

"Elloitt has entrusted me with you and Ilene, Iris. With utmost sincerity, I am up for help." His smile reached his eyes.

Iris was silent for a long while before she broke her silence. "Ilene doesn't have her powers now, she still possesses the status of a mere mortal. And as per the tome of fate, before a dragon could unseal its power, if it consummates with a human, then that dragon will lose its powers."

"I see!" He drawled, tapping his fingers against the table. "That's why, you didn't lose your powers and blessings of Azure Lord."

Iris drew herself up to her full height, looking proud and elevated. "Yes. I am a pure-blooded Azure Dragon. I was a dragon since birth. But Ilene is an exception. She is born with the blood of both the Azures and Valkyries." She released a heavy sigh, turning away to walk. The way her shoulders shook with each deep exhale added to the churning sensation in her stomach.

"That means, she possesses the powers of both of these species." Mavis rose onto his feet so that he could follow her steps.

"Yes." Iris took a cleansing breath before continuing, "Being of such nature, Ilene couldn't become a dragon since birth rather she was born as a human with her dragon powers being sealed. And when her power will be unsealed, undoubtedly, she will become the most powerful of all, even defying the heavens and the earth."

Iris didn't wish this day to come. Being powerful is on one side, but the dangers that would come from having those powers, a mere thought of it was enough to scare her.

The truth was glaringly obvious as they took their walk. The manor loomed behind them, casting a massive shadow over the overgrown front lawn, making the estate look larger than its original form.

"Ilene has already reached the age of twenty-one, and one month from now, on the red full moon night, she will have her powers unsealed, fully transforming into an Azure monarch from a mortal. This is how Azure Lord has carved her fate."

Determination seeped into her voice, "And I, Iris will unturn this wheel of fate."

She steeled her spine, looking straight into his eyes before her steps halted. "Mavis, I want your son Rowan to marry my Ilene."

Iris hesitated for a brief second. "Before the night of red full moon arrives, they should marry and consummate their marriage. This way, Ilene will never have her powers unsealed and she can live her remaining life as a human." A sigh slipped out of her before she had a chance to squash it.

A pleased amusement look passed over his face, completely familiar. "It's my honor to have Ilene as my daughter-in-law and you as my son's mother-in-law." He lowered his gaze and bowed, paying respect to her.

"Mavis, you have been the father figure for Ilene after Elloitt's death. I believe under your shadow; she will be the safest." Iris reached for his shoulder, squeezing it with trust and faith.

Her lips curled into warmest of smiles. "Even in my absence, I know you will take good care of her. I took this decision after giving many thoughts and I can't entrust my daughter to anyone but you."

"Social season is approaching and we will have their marriage done right after this season ends." He held up his hands in submission. "However, convincing Ilene for marriage is your part of work."

Her thinly pressed lips parted, and the creases in her forehead softened until they disappeared. "Just leave her up to me."

"Ouch! You people are having breakfast without me?" Ilene's voice floated through the air surrounding them, followed by the wave of her hand.

She took a step around Mavis. "I wasn't even told that you were here, Uncle."

"We were conspiring against you, my dear." He pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Conspiracy? Regarding my marriage?" Her mouth dropped open.

"As if you will fall for our trap." Iris blurted out.

"Right!" The porcelain skin around her purple eyes crinkled as her grin widened. Her dad must have some strong genes because Ilene barely resembled Iris except for the fact that they looked alike.

"So how was the banquet?" Mavis continued with a bright smile as if his smile would fix up everything.

"How do you expect it to be? It was an utter crap. I was suffocating." Her skin itched, remembering about last night.

"Remember you need to visit your aunt. Have you prepared for it?" Iris interrupted, propping her hand on her hip the way Agatha did.

"Agatha is doing that for me." A wicked ghost of a smile tugged her lips. "I am going there only on one condition and that is you will allow to take Damien with me." Her grin didn't falter.

Iris's head snapped in her direction. Her jaw clenched, making the vein near her temple throb. "As a noble lady, you ought to ride a carriage for your long journey than a horse."

Ilene shook her head back and forth. "I don't understand this. I am taking Damien with me." She shrugged.

"You are just like your father. Stubborn." Iris mumbled under her breath which didn't escape anyone's ears from listening.

"But everyone in the capital says that I am like you." Ilene blinked.

"You look like me, but your behavior is just like that of your dad. You act just like him." Iris shot her daughter an indiscernible look. Her smile fell a fraction of an inch.

Ilene gave her head a good shake. "At least, he is alive inside me through my stubbornness. So, I am taking Damien." She plastered her usual grin, even though an uncomfortable feeling was swirling inside of her chest.

Iris's eyes narrowed as she gave her a quick once-over. And she recognized this sensation instantly.

"I better get going." Ilene threw her free hand in the air. Soon, she left, not daring to sneak one last peek at the two of them, although she sensed her mother's eyes burning a hole into her back as she entered inside the manor.

Her lungs deflated from her heavy exhale.

"It's fine Iris. Let her do what she likes." Mavis cleared his throat, his gaze traveling over the girl who made her way to the manor.

"After the Great Cosmic War, we thought it was happily ever after. But, who had foreseen the upheaval that brought storms into my life?" Iris's glare softened. Invisible claws sank into her chest, digging their way through years' worth of scar tissue to take a stab at her heart.