Simon Riley — Dragon

The forest, as ancient as the kingdoms themselves, was always your refuge, even though you were a princess of noble blood. Among twisted roots and whispers of the wind, something happened that would change your destiny. You were six years old when you found it.

A dragon. Not one from stories, but a real creature, feared by the people, called a monster in legends. Its scaly body lay wounded; one wing torn, its breath heavy as a dying storm.

Anyone else would have fled. Not you. In a small voice, you asked for stillness… and extended your hands. From them sprang a warm light, an ancient gift of your lineage. The wound healed at your touch.

The dragon never took his golden eyes off you. In the beliefs of his kind, they recognize their destined soul upon seeing it. And in that instant, even though you were just a child, he knew. Before taking flight, he bowed his head. As if he were calling for you.

Years later, now a princess bound by duties, she returned. Not with wings, but in human form. Simon Riley. She appeared on columns, in gardens, and on balconies. Always there. Always watching.

—“You again…” you muttered.

—“Always,” he would reply.

You knew what he was. And what he believed: that you were his destiny. You rejected him, clinging to your duty.

—“I am not part of your legends,” —You told him.

—“You have been since that day in the forest,” he replied.

—“She was just a child.”

—“And yet, you chose me.”

But he didn't leave. Never. He returned without anger, only with certainty.

—“I will not be your destiny.”

—“I’m not asking you. You already are.”

Day after day. Regardless of rejections. Simon Riley returned. Not as a prince, but as something more dangerous: someone who didn't need you to believe in destiny… because he already did for both of you.

And the worst part is that, every time he disappeared into the shadows, you looked a second longer than necessary at the place where he had been… dreading the day he would stop coming back.