The Dragon King's Hated Bride
Chapter 21: Speculations

Chapter 21: Speculations

>>Aelin

"What...?" The word just escaped from my mouth. The room seemed to tilt. I gripped the edge of the chair, my pulse thundering in my ears. "That’s... impossible," I stammered. "Why would anyone do that? How could they even do that?"

"That," he said grimly, "is what I’ve been trying to find out."

His words left me reeling. Everything I thought I knew about the war—about the horrors Draegon had faced, the monsters that had nearly destroyed us all—felt like it was crumbling beneath me. "You’re saying someone... chose to bring those monsters here?" I whispered, disbelief lacing my voice.

The people who witnessed the terrifying eye appearing in the sky and then saw it was actually a gate that opened from where dark abnormally terrifying creatures came pouring in, most of them died. Only a handful of people lived to tell what happened.

"Yes," he said simply. "And not just anyone. It had to be people with knowledge of things far beyond our understanding. Magic—ancient, forbidden magic."

My mind raced back to Draegon’s cold, empty eyes, his cryptic words, the way he had said, "That isn’t me."

Was this connected?

"Who?" I asked, my voice barely audible. "Who would do something like that?"

Ariston shook his head.

"How are you so sure about this?" I asked, my voice trembling. "That someone opened the gate? That it wasn’t some... accident?"

Ariston’s gaze flickered, but he leaned back, crossing his arms. "It’s speculation," he said, his tone firm but guarded, his voice had a very neutral tone. "I’m investigating. There are pieces that don’t add up, whispers of things I heard during the war that no one ever talks about. That’s why I’m here in Dravos—to find answers."

I frowned, his answer leaving me dissatisfied. "That’s fine, but why did you want to meet me?"

His expression softened, but not in a comforting way. There was something probing in his gaze, like he was searching for something he wasn’t sure I had. "I wanted to see if you’d noticed anything strange... in Draegon. Or in Ruoxy."

The question caught me off guard. My thoughts immediately flashed to Draegon’s cold, detached eyes, his cryptic words in the dead of night, and the eerie tension between him and Ruoxy. But I couldn’t give him a proper answer—not because I didn’t want to, but because I didn’t fully understand it myself. It wasn’t just my lack of clarity, though; it felt deeply personal, like exposing it would make me more vulnerable than I already was.

"I’m not sure what to say to that," I admitted, folding my hands in my lap. "It’s... private."

Ariston’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly, an odd glint flashing in them. It wasn’t suspicion exactly, but it was far from casual curiosity. He nodded after a moment, a small, unreadable smile on his lips. "That’s all I needed to know," he said quietly.

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

But he didn’t elaborate. Instead, he stood, adjusting the cloak slung over his shoulders. "I should go," he said, his tone brisk. "Draegon and I have unfinished matters to discuss."

I stared at him, confused and unsettled. "Why did you ask about Draegon and Ruoxy?" I asked, standing as well. "Are you suspicious of something?"

He paused in the doorway, glancing back at me. For a moment, it looked like he might answer, but then he shook his head. "Just trying to put the pieces together," he said simply. "That’s all."

And then he was gone, leaving me alone with more questions than I had before.

I sank back into my chair, my thoughts swirling. Why would he ask me that? Why now? His words replayed in my mind like a haunting melody, stirring up feelings I’d tried to bury.

Draegon... Ruoxy... the gate... the war...

Was there something going on that I hadn’t seen? Something deeper?

A strange unease settled over me. What did Ariston know? And why had he come to me about it? Whatever it was, it was clear he suspected something, and it involved Draegon and Ruoxy.

***

>>Ariston

The grand halls of the palace were as opulent as I’d imagined, adorned with gold accents and towering arches that made a person feel small, even one who’d fought the kind of battles I had. But it wasn’t the grandeur that caught my attention—it was the quiet hostility. The way the demons watched me, their glowing eyes narrowed as I passed. They didn’t need to say anything; their disdain was palpable.

Hmmmm. The princess has been living here for a while now though.

I was led to Draegon’s study by a servant who barely acknowledged me, his head bowed low. When the doors opened, I stepped inside to see Draegon seated by the window, his back to me. Ruoxy stood at his side, leaning against the edge of his desk.

"Ariston," Draegon greeted me, his voice calm, steady. He turned, and for a moment, I searched his face for something—anything—that would explain the unease gnawing at my gut. But his expression was perfectly composed. "It’s been a long time."

"It has," I replied, stepping forward. "I’m surprised you remembered me." I tested him

He chuckled softly, a sound that felt oddly hollow. "How could I forget? We fought a war together. Few bonds are stronger than those forged on the battlefield."

Ruoxy shifted, her smile sharp. "A war I imagine you’ve told many stories about," she said

I ignored her, focusing on Draegon. "I wanted to see how you’ve been. The last time we parted, you were... different."

Draegon’s lips quirked upward, but it didn’t reach his eyes. "War changes a man," he said simply.

"It does," I agreed. "But some things never change. Like the way you’d charge into battle without a second thought. Do you remember that skirmish by the river? The one where you nearly got yourself killed?"

He laughed, the sound warmer this time. "How could I forget? You’re the one who dragged me out of the mud and nearly got killed yourself in the process."

Ruoxy interrupted, her hand brushing Draegon’s arm. "He’s always been reckless," she said, her voice sweet but insincere. "It’s a miracle he’s still here."

I forced a smile, though her presence grated on me. "Reckless, yes. But also decisive. You were a good leader, Draegon. One the men trusted."

Draegon inclined his head. "And you were a loyal comrade. One I was lucky to have by my side." There was an odd look in his eyes, but didn’t look like anything was out of the ordinary.

The words were sincere, but something about his tone felt off—like he was reciting lines from a play. I wanted to push further, to ask him about the coldness in his eyes or the rumors I’d heard, but Ruoxy was watching me too closely, her gaze sharp and unyielding.

"Say," I started, "I heard something amusing," I kept my eyes on the fox spirit, "I heard about this thing, about you fighting in the war, miss Ruoxy, I-"

Before I could continue, Draegon stood,. "Unfortunately, I have other matters to attend to," he said, his voice as composed as ever. "Ruoxy and I must take our leave. I’ll have the butler show you around the palace."

Ruoxy smiled, a flash of teeth. "Enjoy your tour," she said

"...Sure..."

I watched as they left, their footsteps echoing down the hall. Draegon didn’t look back, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was walking away from more than just our conversation.

The butler arrived shortly after, he had small navy blue horns and a thin tail but I couldn’t quite tell what he was. He gestured for me to follow him andI allowed myself to be led through the palace, noting the way the demons’ eyes followed me, their expressions unreadable but undoubtedly hostile. It was nothing I hadn’t experienced before; humans and demons had always looked at each other this way.

But then, as we turned a corner, I saw her.

Princess Aelin.

She was walking down the corridor alone, her head slightly bowed, her steps slow. She wore a simple dress, and though she carried herself with a regal air, there was an undeniable loneliness in her posture.

"..."

I slowed my steps, watching as the demons around her ignored her completely. She was a princess, yet no one treated her as such. They acted as though she didn’t exist, their gazes sliding past her like she was invisible.

I frowned, a strange sense of unease settling in my chest. She wasn’t just alone—she was isolated. Cast aside in a place where she should have been respected, if not cherished.

Why?

I thought of Draegon’s cold eyes, Ruoxy’s presence like a shadow at his side, and the strange tension I’d felt in the room with them.

As far as I know Draegon was not the type of man who would let his wife be treated this way, much less bring a mistress back.

I glanced at my sword, buckled by my side.

What the hell happened when we parted ways?