Chapter 7: Chains No One Desired
After they left the temple, they boarded a massive airship shaped like an ancient sailing vessel.
The giant ship floated silently in the sky, its dark wooden body reinforced with silver metal plates glowing faintly with magical runes.
On both sides of the ship were enormous wing-like structures made from an unknown crystal material, helping the airship remain afloat in the air.
At the back, several fin-shaped structures slowly adjusted themselves, controlling the direction of the ship as it moved through the clouds.
And at the very center of the vessel—
A gigantic blue crystal was embedded deep into the core of the ship.
The crystal pulsed rhythmically like a living heart, releasing waves of mana throughout the airship. It was the main power source.
Soon after boarding, the five women entered a large private room together while servants quietly moved outside preparing the ship.
RUMBLE—
The massive airship slowly rose into the sky before leaving the floating island behind.
If someone looked back now, they would see the holy temple standing on an enormous floating continent suspended high above the clouds.
The sight looked almost divine.
---
After entering the room, Rhaenyra casually dropped Luke onto the bed.
His condition looked miserable. Only the remains of his ripped pants covered him, while bruises and dried blood marks remained across his body.
The five women silently took their seats around the room.
For a few moments—
Silence.
Only the faint humming sound of the airship engine echoed in the background.
Then—
"So... what now?"
Rhaenyra asked while leaning lazily against her chair, crossing her long legs casually.
Her draconic golden eyes slowly swept across the room.
Selene immediately gave her a sharp look and spoke seriously. "We need to protect him," she said, before lightly touching her chest. "Our lives are also connected to him now."
The moment those words were spoken—
Everyone’s expressions darkened slightly.
Even Selene herself hated this situation.
Because none of them chose this.
Then—
"Why would the Goddess bind us like this?" Elaria Moonleaf suddenly asked, her expression faintly fuming.
Her long silver-blonde hair flowed down to her waist like strands of moonlight, while her emerald-green eyes carried visible frustration toward the Goddess herself.
"This never happened with previous Heroes."
The atmosphere inside the room grew heavier, and no one had an answer to that question.
Rhaenyra looked at Luke’s sleeping face for a moment, her draconic golden eyes fixed on him in silence before she slowly shook her head.
A faint sigh escaped her lips as she said, "I don’t have time for this." Her voice grew heavier than before as she added, "I still need to fight the demons that invaded my territory..."
She paused for a second before adding, "...and also find a way to break these chains."
The moment those final words left her mouth—
Everyone’s expressions changed instantly, because these chains were cast by the Goddess herself. Even speaking about breaking them felt almost blasphemous.
Rhaenyra noticed everyone’s reactions and suddenly laughed.
"Hahaha..."
But there was no joy in her laughter—only pride, cold and untamed pride.
"Do you really think someone can control me?" she asked as a faint draconic pressure leaked from her body. Her golden eyes narrowed slightly.
"I am a proud Dragon."
"I would rather die than stay bound to someone unworthy of me."
The room became quieter after those words, and even the air itself felt heavier. Then, without waiting for anyone’s reply, Rhaenyra turned around.
CREAK—
The door opened, and she left. Silence covered the room once more, broken only by the low humming of the airship in the background.
Then—
"I will also check the records of my ancestors..." Elaria suddenly spoke softly, "...if the World Tree can help."
Her voice slowed slightly before her emerald eyes shifted toward Luke, who was still groaning faintly in his sleep like he was trapped inside a nightmare.
"...then maybe I can break these chains too."A complicated emotion flickered inside her eyes.
Then she slowly stood up, her silver-blonde hair swaying gently behind her like flowing moonlight. Without saying another word, she also left the room.
Now only three people remained, and the atmosphere became even quieter than before.
Naivara Tidewhisper gently lifted the crystal glass in her hand before finally breaking the silence.
The soft blue liquid inside reflected against her silver-blue eyes.
Her long aqua-blue hair flowed over her shoulders like calm ocean waves, while the pearl chains around her waist gave faint clinking sounds whenever she moved.
"Even though the Goddess forced this marriage on me..." she spoke calmly, but a trace of helplessness was hidden beneath her graceful tone.
She slowly looked toward Luke, who was still groaning unconsciously in his sleep, his eyebrows twitching slightly as if he were suffering through painful dreams.
"Our traditions do not allow an unworthy man to become a princess’s partner," she said, before letting out a soft sigh.
"Even if I accept him..." a faint bitterness appeared in her eyes as she added, "...my father never will."
For a brief moment, silence filled the room again.
Then Naivara slowly stood up from her seat, the translucent layers of her ocean dress swaying gently as she walked toward the door.
Without turning back, she left as well.
Now only Selene and Aurielle remained.
Selene stared quietly toward the closed door for a few seconds.
Then, slowly, she stood up and walked toward Luke.
Luke was still groaning faintly in his sleep. "...nn..." His face looked restless, as if he were afraid of being abandoned again.
Selene’s expression softened slightly as she watched him. She slowly sat beside him on the bed and gently ran her fingers through his hair.
Her cold hand carefully brushed against his forehead as if trying to calm him down.
"...Even if I wanted to..." her voice grew quieter as she continued, "...I can’t stay with him," a trace of pain flashing through her crimson eyes.
Then she leaned slightly forward and placed a small kiss on Luke’s forehead, a faint warmth appearing on her usually pale expression.
After that, she finally spoke toward Aurielle without looking away from Luke.
"If I leave the Academy..." she paused softly, "...the promise will end." Her voice lowered as she continued, "...and my family..."
Her fingers tightened slightly as she added, "...they will definitely come for his life as well."
The room became silent for a moment, and then Selene slowly turned toward Aurielle.
For the first time since entering the room, there was genuine pleading in her eyes.
"So please..." "Protect him." After saying those final words, Selene slowly stood up and left the room.
CREAK—
The door closed once more, leaving only Aurielle in the room.
"...Sigh." A heavy, exhausted sigh escaped from her lips.
She slowly looked toward Luke, lying unconscious on the bed, and said softly, "I’m barely managing to survive myself..." "...and now I have to protect you too."
She muttered tiredly before slumping deeper into her chair.
Her purple eyes slowly lifted toward the ceiling as the proud royal composure she had maintained earlier gradually faded, leaving only exhaustion behind.
Then—
Her eyes slowly became moist as she whispered something so quietly that no one else could hear it.
"...I will definitely save you, Mother." A small tear slid down her cheek, dripping softly onto the floor.
Then slowly—
Exhaustion finally overtook her, and she quietly fell asleep in the chair beside Luke’s bed.
[Chapter End]
