The Grand Hall of Tides had never been so full. Kings, queens, dukes, generals, and nobles from every realm filled the marble chamber, all gathered for one reason. Princess Luna's future. According to ancient law, the King of the Sirens would choose the prince worthy of marrying his daughter and inheriting the Siren Kingdom beside her. Only two candidates remained. Prince Axel. The heir to the Werewolf Kingdom. And Prince Lucien. The prince of vampire kingdom. Luna stood silently beside her father's throne, dressed in shimmering silver, her expression impossible to read. The room buzzed with anticipation. "The king will surely choose Lucien." "No, the werewolves make the stronger alliance." "I heard Princess Luna favors the vampire prince." None of them knew the truth. Neither prince had ever held Luna's heart. Because it had belonged to someone else for a very long time. Someone no one would ever suspect. The Dragon King. King Zarek. The most feared ruler alive. A man who never attended royal ceremonies. A man who had no interest in diplomacy. A man every kingdom prayed would never notice them. The Siren King slowly rose from his throne. "The time has come." The hall fell silent. "My daughter shall marry..." The massive palace doors exploded inward. The deafening crash echoed through the hall. Gasps erupted. Several guards instinctively reached for their swords before immediately stepping back in fear. Heavy footsteps rang across the marble floor. One. Two. Three. Every step felt like a countdown to disaster. King Zarek walked into the throne room wearing black dragon-forged armor, a crimson cloak flowing behind him. His golden eyes burned with restrained fury. No escort. No announcement. Just the Dragon King himself. Panic spread instantly. "What is he doing here?" "Did we break a treaty?" "Has the Dragon Empire declared war?" Even Prince Lucien's confident smile vanished. Prince Axel instinctively placed himself between Luna and the approaching king, expecting the worst. Zarek stopped only a few feet from the throne. His gaze never left the Siren King. "You intend," he said, his voice dangerously calm, "to give my woman to another man?"