The Dragon's Sacrificial Bride

The candlelight flickered in the council chamber, just like my pounding heartbeat at this moment. Even through the thick stone walls, I could still hear the cries of the starving people outside the city. Those voices pierced my heart like needles, making it almost impossible to breathe.

"Your Majesty, the treasury... is truly empty." The Finance Minister's voice trembled. "The grain can last at most three more days."

I bit my lip hard, standing beside Father. At eighteen, I should have been carefree, but now... watching those ministers' desperate expressions, I felt like the whole world was collapsing.

Father cleared his throat, and that serious tone made my heart tighten. "Gentlemen, I have a solution."

Everyone looked at him. So did I.

"The old king Edmund of the eastern realm is willing to provide grain aid..."

My heart skipped a beat. No way...

"On the condition that Isabella marries him."

My blood froze instantly. Edmund? That seventy-year-old creep? That pervert who'd already married six wives?

"No!" The word burst out of me, my voice echoing harshly through the great hall. "I absolutely refuse!"

Father shot up from his throne, his authoritative fury making me instinctively step back. "Isabella! Do you want to watch the entire kingdom's people starve to death?!"

"I'm not a commodity!" I met his eyes unflinchingly. "Trading your daughter's body for grain—this is your solution?"

"How dare you!" Father's hand flew across my face.

My cheek burned with pain, but I didn't bow my head. "I'd rather die than marry that disgusting old man!"

"You think being a princess is about enjoying life? This is your destiny! Your duty!"

Duty? Was trading my virtue for grain really duty?

"I'll find another way!" Tears blurred my vision, but my voice remained firm. "There must be another way!"

I spun around and stormed out of the council chamber, Father's curses echoing behind me.

Midnight.

I was alone in the palace library. Moonlight spilled through the stained-glass windows in mottled patterns as I frantically searched through ancient texts.

There has to be a way! There has to be!

When I saw that damaged copy of The Stellar Codex, my heart nearly stopped.

[When a kingdom faces extinction, should a member of royal blood willingly offer their life as sacrifice and forge a Stellar Pact with the Starmark Dragon, they may receive stellar blessing to restore vitality to the land...]

Offering life as sacrifice...

My fingers trembled on the yellowed pages. According to the book, the Starmark Dragon dwelt at the altar on Starfall Plateau, capable of changing weather patterns and summoning wind and rain.

Death in exchange for salvation... was this my fate?

In my mind rose images of children starved to skin and bones, desperate mothers, and a kingdom on the brink of destruction.

"This is what I must do." I whispered to the empty library.

I tore out that page, carefully tucking it against my chest, then quietly left.

Back in my room, I changed into simple riding gear and gathered some provisions and water. My hands shook, but my resolve was firm. Under cover of darkness, I snuck to the stables and led out my beloved white horse.

"Sorry, Snowmane, you'll have to join me in something very dangerous." I stroked her mane gently before mounting.

The midnight wind was cold, cutting across my face like blades. I rode hard across the desolate road, my heart both terrified and determined.

Starfall Plateau appeared before me. The legendary forbidden land looked both mysterious and terrifying under the starlight. At the center of that massive crater stood an ancient altar, emanating silver light as if waiting for me.

I dismounted and walked step by step toward the altar. Each step felt heavy, because I knew this might be my final journey.

Standing at the altar's center, I looked up at the star-filled sky.

"Great Starmark Dragon!" I shouted, my voice carrying far across the empty plateau. "I am Princess Isabella of the Seraphina Kingdom! I seek the Stellar Pact!"

Silence.

Only the wind answered.

My heart sank. Was it merely legend?

"Starmark Dragon! Please respond to me!" My voice grew louder, almost a scream.

Still silence.

Despair washed over me. Would my people truly have to...

No! I couldn't give up!

"Great Starmark Dragon!" I roared with every ounce of strength, "I swear by my royal blood! I offer my life to save my people! Please hear my call!"

Suddenly, the world fell deathly quiet.

Even the wind stopped.

Then, a massive shadow appeared in the sky.

My breath caught. A dragon dove down from the clouds, its scales gleaming in the starlight, golden eyes burning like twin stars.

It landed before me, its presence so overwhelming my knees nearly gave out. But strangely, when those golden eyes looked at me, I actually saw... shock? And some inexplicable joy?

"Little princess..." The dragon spoke, its voice deep as thunder yet unexpectedly gentle. "Do you know what you're doing?"

I was trembling, but I forced my voice to sound steady. "I know. Please accept my sacrifice, use the Stellar Pact to save my country! I'm willing to pay any price!"

It remained silent for a long time, those golden eyes seeming to hold a thousand years of stories.

"Aren't you afraid to die?"

"I am." I answered honestly, tears flowing again. "But I'm more afraid of watching my people die. This is my choice."

Another long silence.

The wind began to blow again, carrying the coolness of night and the light of stars.

"...Deal."

The dragon extended its massive claw. I expected brutality, but when it touched me, I was shocked—

That touch was incredibly gentle, as if cradling something precious and fragile.

As we soared toward the stars, a strange feeling washed over me. I should have been afraid, should have been desperate, but... why did I feel so safe? So... familiar?

As if... as if I was coming home.