Elinor's breath still lingered in her palms…
Its warmth. Its scent.
And the look of absolute joy that hadn't left her eyes all that day.
Since Dalirina had returned to the palace, the nights had grown harsher. Her heart now knew its true path… but it was locked behind heavy doors.
It was only a matter of days before she found herself heading out almost every morning.
In disguise.
Carrying Elinor's absolute favorite food: Brazilian fish.
In every single visit, she noticed the strange behavior of the other dragons toward her…
Bows. Reverent looks.
Even faint, low sounds as if they were actively greeting her.
Back to her mind came the ancient story the head maid used to tell. The myth of the Freyz lineage — those rare, legendary fairies who could command all dragonkind.
Something in her heart began to believe…
But she quickly hurried to deny the thought, dodging it as if terrified to face her own truth.
Still, she couldn't ignore the reality of what was happening…
It had come to the point where she would strictly order the colossal dragons to be silent when their voices grew too loud.
And they would fall silent. Instantly.
As if obeying their absolute queen.
Day by day, her burning desire to free the dragons grew… especially Elinor. Her sorrow within that cramped cell weighed heavier on Dalirina's heart than she could bear.
On the morning of the following week, she finally made her ultimate decision.
She would go to the mountain…
She would break the chains…
And she would bear whatever consequences followed.
She was completely unaware that Nazar, on a previous occasion, had noticed her repeated absence on the exact same day each week.
That repetition had stirred a deep, toxic curiosity.
Nazar decided to follow her in secret, determined to confirm whether the maid was truly leaving the palace bounds…
And the surprise was far greater than she ever expected.
She had seen Dalirina's shadow slip right into the dragon guards' carriage.
At that moment, Nazar showed no reaction…
But she followed the heavy carriage quietly, through the shadows, until she was absolutely certain of its destination.
That very morning, while Dalirina was on her way to the mountain, Nazar had already preceded her by a single, lethal step.
She told the king everything.
Fairo tried desperately to cover for her, but this time… he failed.
Upon reaching Elinor's dark cell, Dalirina shattered the old iron collar that had bound the beast for years.
The white dragon flapped her massive wings in a wild rush of freedom, flying out of the mountain to finally taste the open sky.
But the beautiful moment didn't last…
For a chillingly familiar voice suddenly rang through the stone corridor:
"Such a beautiful sight, seeing you rejoice… before it all comes to an end."
Dalirina turned around. Slowly.
Only to find Nazar standing there, a cruel smirk on her face, with a row of heavily armed royal guards right behind her.
"The kingdom will know tomorrow that what once lurked in the shadows has finally awakened…"
Nazar hissed, her eyes gleaming with malice.
"And the fire that will ignite… will spare no one."