Vaelrith lowered his massive body slowly. The black-and-silver scales on his form shimmered under the afternoon sunlight. The dragon's warm breath escaped slowly from his snout, creating thin wisps of vapor in the cold mountain air.
Elowen stepped forward first, approaching Vaelrith without a hint of fear. Her hand touched the dragon's hard scales like someone who had known the creature for a long time.
Ashveil remained frozen a few steps behind. Even though he had just spoken with Vaelrith, the fact that he was so close to a dragon still felt surreal.
"Elowen..." he whispered softly. "Am I really going to ride this dragon?"
Elowen turned, raising a small eyebrow. "Are you afraid?"
"A little."
"Don't worry. Vaelrith won't let you fall."
Vaelrith gave a small snort, as if supporting Elowen's words.
Elowen hopped onto the dragon's back with ease. It was clear she was used to doing this. Ashveil, on the other hand, took a few seconds before finally gathering the courage to climb Vaelrith's large scales. He sat behind Elowen, his body still tense.
"Ashveil," Elowen called out while looking forward, "a dragon isn't like a horse. There are no reins for you to hold."
"Then what?"
"Hold onto me."
Ashveil fell silent. His cheeks felt a little warm. "Elowen..."
"Otherwise, you might fall."
"...Of course."
Slowly, Ashveil wrapped his arms around Elowen's waist. He tried to control his own heartbeat, but it was difficult when their bodies were so close.
Vaelrith began to lift his body. His enormous wings spread wide, nearly covering half the mountain area. The first flap created a powerful wind that sent Ashveil's hair flying. The second flap... the dragon's body began to lift off the ground.
Ashveil instinctively hugged Elowen tighter.
"Don't hold too tight," Elowen said with a small laugh. "I still want to be able to breathe."
"Sorry!"
Vaelrith flew slowly at first, giving both his riders time to adjust. But as they went on, the dragon climbed higher into the air. Ashveil's eyes widened. Below them lay the entire region of Wonderveil—vast forests, rivers winding like silver ribbons, and mountains that looked tiny from the sky.
The cold wind brushed against his face.
"Wow..." Ashveil's voice was full of awe. "It's beautiful..." His eyes didn't stop looking down. "Elowen... have you ridden Vaelrith before?"
"Of course," Elowen answered calmly. "I've known him for a long time."
Ashveil looked at the dragon again. "I thought the rumors about your dragon were fake," he said with a small chuckle. "Turns out he really exists."
Elowen shook her head slowly. "Vaelrith doesn't belong to me," she said. "He is the Guardian of Wonderveil."
Ashveil listened in silence.
"I met him a few years ago," Elowen continued. "At first, I also thought dragons were just mythical creatures." Elowen looked far ahead, as if remembering something. "Celestia and I once found an old history book about Wonderveil. In that book, it mentioned strange places in this country..."
"The purple forest?" Ashveil guessed.
"Yes. A forest filled with creatures and animals that can talk." Elowen gave a small nod. "And one more... a dragon that serves as the Guardian of Wonderveil."
Ashveil listened with full attention.
"I came to this mountain area to see if the story was true or not," Elowen continued. "And this is where I found Vaelrith."
"In an injured state," Vaelrith interrupted softly.
Ashveil was slightly startled to hear the dragon speak while flying.
"One of his wings was nearly torn," Elowen explained. "He refused my help at first."
"I did not trust humans," Vaelrith said.
"But he was too stubborn to die," Elowen replied nonchalantly.
Vaelrith let out a small snorting sound, like a laugh. Ashveil smiled seeing the interaction between the two.
"I treated him for a few weeks," Elowen continued. "I slept in this mountain area to make sure his condition was stable."
Ashveil looked at Elowen for a few moments. "Why didn't you invite me?"
"You were busy at the time," Elowen answered honestly. "And my parents were still alive. I needed you at the palace to help them."
Ashveil was quiet for a while before asking softly, "So... am I important to you?"
Elowen turned her head slightly. "Of course." Her answer was brief and sincere. "You are my assistant. The person I trust most with palace affairs."
That answer made Ashveil smile a little... though there was a hint of hidden disappointment. An assistant. Just that.
Suddenly, Elowen pointed forward. "Ashveil, look."
Ashveil looked up. Vaelrith was now above a very high mountain peak. From there, the entire expanse of the purple forest could be seen clearly. Dark purple trees covered the land like a mysterious ocean. Thin mist moved slowly between the trees, making the area look like another world.
Vaelrith landed gently on the mountain peak. Small pebbles flew as the dragon's feet touched the ground. Elowen got down first, followed by Ashveil. They walked a few steps to the edge of the peak. Ashveil was truly mesmerized by the view before him.
"It's so beautiful..."
"I think so too," Elowen replied softly.
The mountain wind blew through both their hair. Ashveil looked at Elowen beside him before giving a mischievous smile. "I thought you brought me here because you wanted to go on a date."
Elowen looked at him strangely. "You never invited me yourself."
Ashveil was stunned for a few seconds. "If I invited you... could I?"
"Of course you could," Elowen answered casually. "We are friends. There's nothing wrong with going out together."
Ashveil took a long breath while holding his forehead. Sometimes... Elowen was far too insensitive.
"Elowen," he called softly.
"Hm?"
"What would you do if someone loved you?"
Elowen knit her eyebrows slightly. "I don't understand the question." She thought for a moment before continuing, "The only person who loves me is Celestia."
Ashveil almost let out a small laugh hearing that answer. "That's not what I meant..." But in the end, he just shook his head. "Never mind. One day you will understand."
Elowen looked at him for a few moments before nodding slowly, even though she still didn't understand the true meaning of those words.
Not long after, they climbed back onto Vaelrith. The sky began to turn a dark orange, signaling that dusk was approaching. Vaelrith carried them down from the mountain before landing again near the waiting carriage.
After saying goodbye to the Guardian of Wonderveil, Elowen and Ashveil boarded the carriage to return to the palace.
The forest surrounding Wonderveil that night was shrouded in a thin mist. The chirping of crickets and the rustle of the wind were the only sounds accompanying Alice's journey. Her red dress fluttered softly as she walked through the gaps of the dark trees. Her eyes gazed toward the sky, following a large shadow flying far above the mountain.
A dragon.
A smile slowly etched across Alice's lips. "So… the rumors are true," she whispered softly. She stopped behind a tall tree, observing from a distance. From her vantage point, she could clearly see Vaelrith's massive body soaring across the evening sky with two figures on the dragon's back—Elowen and Ashveil. The powerful wind from Vaelrith's wingbeats shook the leaves around her.
Alice's eyes sparkled with interest. "Intriguing…" She had thought Wonderveil only hid political power and royal secrets. But the existence of a guardian dragon was entirely beyond her expectations. She continued to watch from below, her eyes evaluating every movement Vaelrith made—the speed, the wing strength, and the way the dragon obeyed Elowen without hesitation.
"That is no ordinary bond…" she whispered again. The dragon was too obedient. Too trusting of Elowen. And that made Alice even more curious.
After some time, Vaelrith finally carried Elowen and Ashveil away from the mountain area. The dragon's massive form disappeared behind the dark clouds. Alice stood silently for a few moments before stepping out from her hiding place. She headed toward the foot of the mountain, looking up at the high peak.
"I was just about to introduce myself to that dragon," she said with a small smile. "But no matter… one day, we shall surely meet."
Alice turned and walked away from the mountain. Her steps were calm, but her mind was already beginning to arrange a plan.
Not long after, Alice returned to the abandoned mansion that served as her hideout. The mansion was dark and overgrown with wild vines. Parts of the walls were cracked, while old curtains fluttered slowly in the night wind. But for Alice… this place was more than enough. She opened the old wooden door and stepped inside.
Several pairs of eyes immediately turned toward her. The animals gathered there fell silent at once. A wolf sat in the corner of the room. A few birds perched on an old wardrobe. A hedgehog was sleeping under a table. And in the center of the space stood the animal who had been her primary supporter all along.
Alice carved a small smile. "Sometimes I wonder," she said softly as she approached them, "why are you so willing to cooperate with me?"
The animal replied calmly, "Princess Elowen is not fit to be a leader. We need someone who can be controlled. Princess Celestia is more suitable. With her… animals can live freely without being controlled by humans."
Alice chuckled at the answer. "Interesting." She crossed her arms. "I hope no one suspects you."
"No one will suspect me." The animal's tone was brimming with confidence. "Humans trust animals more than they trust other humans," it added. "To them… animals do not know how to lie."
Alice smiled slowly. That was the main reason she chose to collaborate with them. Humans were always weak toward things that appeared cute… or harmless. Her eyes then shifted to a small brown squirrel standing near the table. The squirrel looked at her with total obedience.
"You," Alice called out. The squirrel immediately approached. "I want you to be my eyes in the palace."
Alice's hand rose slowly. Thin black smoke began to emanate from her fingertips before enveloping the squirrel's tiny body. The squirrel's eyes glowed dark for a moment before returning to normal.
"Tell me everything that happens within the palace," Alice commanded softly yet coldly. The squirrel nodded. "As you wish."
Another animal spoke from behind. "Alice… I will do whatever it takes so that everyone continues to trust me."
Alice looked toward it with a thin smile. "I know you are cunning," she said quietly. "But do not be overconfident. No matter how great someone is at lying… they will still make mistakes if they become too complacent."
The animal went quiet for a few seconds before nodding slowly. "I understand." But then a small smile appeared on its face. "I will make sure Princess Elowen falls," it said under its breath. "Or… better yet, be beheaded in front of her own people."
Those words made Alice's smile widen. It was terrifying. Yet Alice did not show a hint of fear. In fact, she relished it.
"Very well," she said, turning toward the squirrel. "Go and carry out your task."
Without wasting time, the squirrel scurried out of the mansion. Its tiny body climbed a nearby tree with lightning speed before disappearing into the darkness of the night. And without anyone realizing it… the game Alice had started was now slowly closing in on the palace of Wonderveil.
A small brown squirrel leaped swiftly from one branch to another, its tiny body moving with agile grace across the dark forest behind Wonderveil. The night wind ruffled its fur gently. From a distance, the lights of the palace began to flicker through the gaps in the trees.
The squirrel slowed its pace before jumping onto a tree near the palace walls. Its eyes scanned the surroundings with careful precision. Silence. There were no knights guarding the back windows. With a quick movement, the squirrel leaped toward a wide-open window and slipped into the palace unnoticed.
Its feet landed softly on the marble floor.
"Oh?"
A voice made the squirrel turn. A young maid was standing not far away, carrying several pieces of clean linen.
"A squirrel?" the maid's eyes widened. To an ordinary human, a squirrel was just a cute, harmless little animal.
The squirrel deliberately tilted its head slightly, pretending to be tame before slowly approaching the maid. The maid's eyes immediately lit up with joy.
"Oh my goodness... you are so cute."
The squirrel hopped onto her shoulder without a hint of fear. The maid was stunned for a few seconds before letting out a soft giggle.
"Wow, I didn't expect you to be so friendly." She gently stroked the squirrel's head. "Usually, squirrels run away if a human gets close."
The squirrel allowed itself to be touched. Behind its small, innocent-looking eyes, it was observing every corner of the palace.
The maid carried the squirrel toward the palace kitchen. The aroma of warm bread and soup filled the busy space. Several chefs were preparing dinner while chatting amongst themselves. The maid headed straight for a food shelf.
"I'm going to grab some nuts for a moment," she said with a smile. She took a few nuts and placed them on a table near the squirrel. Without wasting any time, the little creature began to eat them slowly.
"So adorable..." the maid held her cheeks, overwhelmed by excitement.
"What are you doing there?" A male chef approached them, carrying a large tray.
"Look at this," the maid said cheerfully, pointing at the squirrel. "This squirrel is tame."
The chef's eyes widened. "Eh, you're right." He leaned in closer. "Wow... how cute."
The squirrel continued to pretend to eat like a normal animal.
"I've wanted to pet a squirrel for the longest time," the maid continued. "I never thought my dream would come true today."
The chef chuckled softly. "It is strange, though. Usually, wild squirrels are terrified of humans."
"Maybe it's used to people," the maid replied. "Maybe someone has been feeding it before this."
"Hmm... maybe." The chef then lowered his voice slightly. "But you should still be careful."
"Why?"
He looked around before whispering, "You know how Princess Elowen is these days."
The maid went silent for a moment. Her cheerful expression shifted slightly. "I know..." she replied softly. "You don't have to worry."
That bit of conversation made the squirrel's tiny ears twitch. Its eyes glinted subtly. Every word, every whisper, was being stored in its memory.
But the two humans remained completely oblivious to the truth. The little squirrel that looked so cute in front of them hadn't come for food. It had come as Alice's eyes and ears inside the Palace of Wonderveil.