Grace stood frozen, confusion and worry clouding her mind. The room suddenly felt unfamiliar, heavy with a tension she could not understand.
"Father… what are you talking about?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly. "Is crossing the border really that bad? I promise Azrion is a good person. Maybe there's just some kind of misunderstanding."
The king's expression hardened, yet sorrow lingered in his eyes.
"Crystal!" he said firmly. "The main reason we created those strict laws about the border was because of the heirs of both kingdoms."
Grace's eyes widened in shock.
"Father… Mother… what are you talking about?"
The queen looked away, her eyes filling with tears.
"It's a long story, Crystal," she said softly. "A curse we have tried for generations to avoid. But now… it has been awakened, and we didn't even realize it."
"I don't understand," Grace whispered.
"Come with me," the king said.
He led her through a hidden passageway deep inside the palace until they reached a secret chamber. At the center of the room stood a small pedestal, and above it floated an ancient book glowing faintly with magic.
The king carefully took the enchanted book and opened its worn pages. As he turned them, the faint light illuminated his solemn face.
"This book holds the true history of both dragons," he began.
"In the beginning, there was no Zerathion or Aetherion. There was only one kingdom—Nyxaria."
Grace listened silently.
"The Red Dragon and the Blue Dragon ruled that kingdom together. They lived in harmony… and they were more than rulers. They were lovers."
Grace's breath caught.
"They governed their people with wisdom and strength, alongside a young sorcerer and a man they believed to be their loyal friend… a man named Rhaegor."
The king's voice darkened.
"It was a time of peace. But one day, a forbidden dark magic was discovered. That magic poisoned the heart of the Blue Dragon, slowly twisting his mind until he desired to destroy the kingdom they had built together."
Grace felt a chill run down her spine.
"What no one knew," the king continued, "was that Rhaegor had secretly harnessed that dark magic. He manipulated the Blue Dragon from the shadows, controlling him and pushing him toward destruction."
"He nearly destroyed Nyxaria… and almost killed the Red Dragon."
Grace held her breath as the story unfolded.
"With the help of her people, the Red Dragon managed to seal both the Blue Dragon's power and Rhaegor himself momentarily. But the effort drained her life force."
The king turned another page slowly.
"She realized too late that the Blue Dragon had never betrayed her by choice… he had only been manipulated."
Grace lowered her eyes.
"The two dragons were never meant to go to war," the king said quietly. "And because of that tragedy, a curse was placed."
Grace looked up anxiously.
"A curse?" she asked.
"Yes," the king replied.
"No descendants of the Red Dragon and the Blue Dragon were ever meant to fall in love or be acquainted with each other. If such feelings ever awakened… then on the night of the Bloody Eclipse, one of them would die."
Grace's heart pounded.
"Either the Red Dragon… or the Blue Dragon."
Silence filled the chamber.
"And that," the king continued, "is why the kingdom of Nyxaria was divided into two—Zerathion and Aetherion. The separation was meant to protect the heirs."
Grace struggled to process everything.
"But a few years ago…" the king added quietly, "I made the same mistake that you and Azrion have made now."
Grace slowly raised her head.
"And I lost my best friend… King Ignivar."
Those words sent a wave of shock through her.
"King Ignivar was your friend?" she asked. "But… how did he die?"
The king closed the book gently.
"Rhaegor returned," he said grimly. "Just as before, he attempted to destroy both kingdoms."
"I fought beside Ignivar. We stood against him with everything we had."
The king's voice trembled slightly.
"He died saving me."
Grace felt tears fill her eyes.
"With his last strength," the king continued, "we managed to seal Rhaegor once again."
He looked directly at her.
"After that day, your mother and the Queen of Zerathion decided to enforce strict laws about the border. If necessary, we even acted like enemies… all to protect the heirs."
"But unfortunately," he said softly, "we failed."
Grace felt the weight of his words crash down on her.
No wonder…
Grace, you're so stupid…
Are you cursed to die in every life? she thought bitterly.
She took a deep breath and wiped her tears.
"It's not your fault, Father," she said gently. "Please don't blame yourself."
"You don't understand, my dear," the king replied quietly. "Last time it was Ignivar."
"This time… it could be you."
"And I don't think your brother, mother or even I could bear that."
Grace clenched her fists.
"I'm scared too," she admitted. "But what's done is done. I can't just sit back and watch the curse destroy both me and Azrion."
She looked at him with determination.
"There must be a way to break it."
The king studied her for a moment before a faint smile appeared.
"You truly are a princess of Aetherion."
"There might be a way."
Grace's eyes lit with hope.
"You may find the answers on a distant mountain," he said. "But the journey must be taken by both you and Azrion."
"No one has ever attempted it before. The path is dangerous."
He paused.
"Do you trust him enough?"
Grace didn't hesitate.
"Sometimes we must take risks, Father."
"This isn't just for me. It's for our kingdoms… and for the generations that will come after us."
The king chuckled softly.
"So stubborn and determined… you take after me."
They both shared a faint laugh.
"Where is this mountain?" Grace asked. "What is it called?"
"It is known as Mount Solemn," the king replied.
"The curse of the two dragons was first placed there. It is believed that the answers to breaking it may still remain."
Grace stepped forward and gently took her father's hand.
"I know this may seem hopeless," she said quietly, "but I have to try."
"I'm sorry for disappointing you… but I'll do everything I can to make things right."
The king pulled her into a tight embrace.
"My dear," he whispered, "you have never disappointed me."
"I'm the one who should apologize for hiding the truth from you. I underestimated your strength."
He held her shoulders firmly.
"This time… I stand with you completely, my treasure."
Meanwhile, in the kingdom of Zerathion, Leah stood before the queen in the throne room.
She had reported everything—Azrion crossing the border, and his secret meetings with the princess of Aetherion.
As the truth settled in, the queen's heart sank.
With a commanding yet painfully strained voice, she dismissed Leah from the throne room.
"Leave."
Once Leah was gone, the queen called for Azrion.
Moments later, Azrion entered.
Seeing the dark expression on his mother's face made his chest tighten. He hadn't seen her look like this in a very long time.
"Mother… you called for me?"
Without warning, she stepped forward and slapped him across the face.
The sound echoed through the hall.
Azrion stood frozen in shock.
The queen's eyes were red and filled with tears.
"Tell me, Azrion," she said bitterly, "have I been such a terrible mother that you would cause me this much pain?"
"Mother… I don't understand—"
"Why did you cross the border?" she demanded. "And why have you been seeing the princess of Aetherion?"
Azrion lowered his gaze.
"Mother… I'm sorry. But we're not doing anything serious. We're just—"
"Be quiet!"
Her voice rang through the throne room.
"That doesn't matter," she continued. "The fact remains—you crossed the border and you've been seeing her."
Azrion remained silent.
"The rule about the border was never because we were enemies, Azrion," she said quietly.
"It was to protect you."
Azrion slowly lifted his head.
"Mother… what do you mean?"