Chapter CLXXVI: The people’s princess
Inside the dimly lit tavern, the air buzzed with laughter and the clink of mugs. Rya pulled off her hood, letting her dark hair tumble free. Heads turned briefly before nodding in acknowledgment and everyone smiled at her. She walked to the bar with the confidence of someone who belonged there and ordered two beers.
The waitress smiled warmly. “Right away, Princess.”
Ian’s brow furrowed as he joined her at the bar. “Does the Dragon King know his daughter is here, having a beer with a bunch of drunk soldiers?”
Rya smirked. “The Dragon King doesn’t need to know everything, Sir Ian.”
Ian leaned closer, lowering his voice. “Aren’t you worried someone might snitch on you?”
“Why would they do that?” Rya asked, tilting her head curiously.
“Maybe someone thinks the Dragon King would compensate them for the message,” Ian suggested, his tone serious.
Rya laughed, a carefree sound that drew a few glances. “No, no one here would snitch on me.”
“You seem awfully confident,” Ian said, studying her.
Rya gave him a pointed look. “You’ve been away in Allendor too long. Let me educate you.” She leaned back against the bar, gesturing broadly. “Years ago, I negotiated with the Duke of Belton to reopen the southern roads for eastern merchants. It was excellent for the capital but terrible for the local merchants here. So, I opened a second trade route from this village to Dragonspire, exclusive to local merchants. Eastern merchants aren’t allowed to use it.” She smiled slyly. “Do you see why no one here would snitch on me? They gain nothing from betraying the person who controls the trade routes all the way from the south.”
As if to emphasize her point, the waitress arrived with their beers, placing them on the bar with a friendly smile.
“Thank you, Deva,” Rya said warmly, raising her mug.
Ian stared at her, his expression caught somewhere between admiration and disbelief. “I’m impressed. I would never have guessed.”
Rya took a sip of her beer, her lips quirking upward. “It buys me a little freedom. I could never have this if I immersed myself in court life like I’m supposed to.” She paused, then added, “My parents sort of know I go out and deal with some merchants, but I don’t think they realize the full extent of it.”
“Why not tell them?” Ian asked.
Rya set her mug down, a thoughtful look crossing her face. “For most of my life, all I wanted was my parents’ approval. But then… I realized I wanted a life of my own even more. For a long time, I felt bad that they hadn’t given me a mission, a purpose like they did to some of my siblings. But now I see it was a blessing. I’m free to paint my own fate.” She sighed, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. “Of course, until they decide to marry me off to some random guy. Then I might have a problem… He could be ugly, you know.”
Ian chuckled softly, swirling his beer. “Is everything alright back at the palace? No one seemed to know anything, only that the Dragon King had the royal dragons locked up for some reason.”
Rya waved a hand dismissively. “Everything’s fine. Trust me… Just family stuff, nothing serious.”
She took another sip, her confidence radiating like a quiet flame. Ian leaned back, watching her with growing respect. Princess Rya was unlike anyone he had ever met… She was clever, challenging… One of the most beautiful women he ever laid eyes on. And there she was, a princess of pure dragon blood, laughing and drinking in a tavern with soldiers and merchants, talking and being kind to everyone, from beggars and whores to him, a condecorated knight from her father’s army.
Rya and Sir Ian drank together for hours, the tavern filling with laughter and stories as the night deepened. They shared moments of levity, their usual guarded selves slipping away under the influence of ale and the warmth of each other's company. The air between them grew lighter, yet beneath it, a charged undercurrent of unspoken attraction simmered.
It was late, nearly silent save for the murmurs of other patrons, when Rya suddenly leaned closer to Ian. Her dark eyes sparkled in the low light as she whispered near his ear, her breath warm against his skin.
“Come with me,” she said, her voice soft but laced with mischief.
Ian felt a shiver course through him, her proximity awakening feelings he’d tried hard to bury. He nodded wordlessly, his pulse quickening as he followed her up the wooden staircase to the second floor of the tavern.
At the top was a quieter, more secluded area. Unlike the bustling pleasure house at the village’s heart, this space was discreet, almost secretive. Rya guided him through, past muted conversations and soft laughter, to a section hidden by heavy curtains. She swept them aside, revealing a cozy corner.
A plush carpet and scattered pillows made up the space, while candles and lanterns cast a warm glow over everything. Beyond the curtains, a small balcony opened to the night sky, where moonlight spilled across the room, lending it an ethereal quality.
Ian hesitated, taking in the intimate setting. “Why are we here?” he asked, his voice low.
Rya turned to him, her expression unreadable but her eyes smoldering. “I wanted to be alone with you again,” she said. “I was hoping you’d changed your mind about secrets.”
The air between them thickened, the tension palpable. Ian tried to steady himself, but he couldn’t ignore the pull he felt toward her. Every fiber of his being screamed to walk away, but she was intoxicating. He was a knight bound by honor—and yet, with her, all of it felt fragile.
“You don’t have to be afraid of me,” Rya said, stepping closer. Her voice was teasing but gentle. “I don’t bite... mostly.”
She leaned in, her lips brushing so close to his that he could feel her breath. At the last moment, he turned his head, dodging the kiss.
Rya froze, stepping back with a soft laugh that didn’t quite mask her frustration—or her embarrassment. “It’s alright,” she said, her voice faltering just slightly. “You don’t have to...”
She turned away, walking to the balcony, her silhouette illuminated by the moonlight. She gazed at the stars, as though seeking comfort in their light.
Ian’s resolve cracked. Without thinking, he moved. His hands found her waist, pulling her back toward him. Before she could protest, he turned her around and captured her lips in a kiss.
It wasn’t soft. It was ardent, filled with all the longing he had tried to suppress. Rya gasped against his mouth, her fingers clutching at his tunic as he kissed her like a man starved.
Ian lifted her effortlessly, his strength a reminder of his training, his dedication. Rya laughed softly into the kiss, breathless and exhilarated as he carried her to the carpet and gently pinned her beneath him.
For a moment, he paused, hovering above her. His gaze roamed over her flushed cheeks, her swollen lips, and the way her eyes gleamed with desire. She was stunning, a creature of fire and moonlight, and he was utterly lost.
“I’m going to hell for this,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.
Rya smiled, reaching up to touch his cheek, her fingers tracing his jawline. “Let me take you to heaven first,” she whispered.
Ian’s control broke completely, and he kissed her again, this time with no hesitation. The rest of the world faded as they surrendered to the moment, lost in each other under the moonlit sky.
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