The banquet had finally drawn to a close. Laughter and music ebbed, fading into the cool night air as guests filtered out of the grand hall, their fine robes brushing against the stone floors. The rich aroma of spiced meats and sweet wines still lingered, though the vast room now felt hollow in its silence. Ellie lingered by the table, her body stiff, shoulders tight, trying to disappear into the shadows as the royal servants cleared away the last of the silverware.

Her heart raced, desperate to slip away unnoticed, retreat to her chambers, and pretend none of this had happened. The fireworks. The king. The whole evening. It felt like a dream turned nightmare. She turned to leave, but before she could take a single step, a voice—calm yet commanding—rooted her in place.

“Lady Ellie, a moment of your time.”

She froze, her stomach sinking as the king’s voice cut through the silence. Forcing herself to turn, Ellie plastered on a shaky smile and bowed as the king approached. His regal robes whispered against the stone, the gold embroidery catching the dim candlelight. He had the look of a man still warm from wine and festivity, but there was something sharp in his eyes now, something unnerving.

“I wished to speak with you in private.” He gestured for her to follow. His tone was polite, but there was no room for refusal.

Ellie swallowed and fell into step beside him, her heart pounding louder with each step. The alcove he led her to was small and dim, tucked away from the main hall. An air of intimacy hung over it, and Ellie felt trapped.

When they stopped, the king turned to her, his expression growing serious. Yet that faint edge of admiration in his eyes remained.

“The fireworks were quite extraordinary. A display of such precision, such mastery.” He paused, the intensity in his gaze making her stomach twist. “I admit, I had underestimated the depth of your talents, Lady Ellie.”

Ellie’s mouth went dry. She opened her lips to speak, to correct him, to explain that the fireworks were anything but deliberate—an accident, a mistake—but her voice betrayed her. She was too deep in this lie, and now it was tightening around her like a noose.

Silence seemed safer. So she nodded, forcing another thin smile. If she could just keep quiet, maybe, just maybe, she could escape this conversation unscathed.

The king, however, had other plans.

“Your skills are exactly what the kingdom needs now. There is a matter of grave importance I must discuss with you—one of national security.” His words were deliberate, weighted. Ellie could feel the noose tightening.

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She stayed silent, dread pooling in her stomach. Every instinct screamed at her to run. To leave the palace, the kingdom, everything. But the king’s gaze was fixed on her, his presence demanding her attention.

He leaned in, his voice dropping lower. “An ancient dragon has begun to stir along our northern borders.”

Ellie’s heart skipped a beat. A dragon?

“Its presence has already caused devastation in the surrounding villages,” he continued, his face darkening. “Our soldiers, our mages—they are powerful, yes, but this creature is beyond the scope of ordinary defense. We need someone of… extraordinary ability.”

Her blood ran cold. She could hardly keep a candle flame steady. And now he expected her to fight a dragon?

The king paused, allowing his words to sink in, as if he knew the impact they would have. Ellie felt faint. A dragon? Her knees felt weak. There was no way—no possible way—she could take on something like that.

“I cannot ask this of anyone else,” the king said gravely. “But after what I witnessed tonight, I believe you are the only one who possesses the necessary power to stop this beast.” He met her eyes, his expression sincere. “For the safety of the kingdom—and all its people—I ask you to take on this task.”

Ellie’s mind raced, her breath quickening. This was a nightmare. She had never meant for things to spiral this far out of control. She had barely managed the fireworks display by accident. Now, he expected her to battle a dragon?

“I… I…” Her thoughts scrambled, reaching for some excuse, something that could get her out of this without raising suspicion.

“If it’s too much,” the king said, his tone softening, “I understand. It is no small task. But I trust your judgment, Lady Ellie. You have proven yourself more than capable. The kingdom will provide you with whatever resources you need, of course. I simply ask that you consider it.”

Ellie nodded, barely aware of the movement. She couldn’t say no—not outright, at least. But the thought of accepting made her stomach churn. The walls of the alcove seemed to close in on her as panic bubbled up. There had to be a way out.

“I will… consider it, Your Majesty,” she whispered at last, her voice trembling.

The king smiled, relief washing over his features. “Of course. Take the time you need. But know this—” he placed a hand on her shoulder, and the weight of it felt like an iron chain—“the kingdom will be forever in your debt for your service.”

Ellie could only nod, her mind blank, her heart thudding painfully in her chest. As the king bowed his head and walked away, she was left standing there, alone in the shadows of the alcove.

As soon as he was gone, Ellie let out a shaky breath, her body trembling. She leaned against the cold stone wall, her mind racing. A dragon. A real, live dragon. She had gotten herself into an impossible situation, and now the weight of her lies was crushing her.

Running wasn’t an option. The king would hunt her down. And faking her way through this? How could she even begin to fake something like fighting a dragon?

Her breath came in short, panicked gasps. There was no escape. Every lie, every misunderstanding had built a cage around her. Now, she was trapped, with no way out.

She was running out of time.