The Dragon King's Hated Bride
Chapter 57: Jealousy

Chapter 57: Jealousy

>>Draegon

The moment I saw her—my wife—throw her arms around Ariston, everything around me blurred. Aelin clinging to Ariston, her delicate hands gripping his arm, and the way she buried her face in his chest—it was a scene so wrong, so infuriating, I could hardly breathe.

My blood roared in my ears, and I clenched my fists tightly, feeling my nails dig into my palms as I watched him awkwardly place his hands on her shoulders, asking if she was alright.

She seems to rely on him a lot. Even when I was under Ruoxy’s spell and all I could do was watch them, she would get scared and cling to him. And the most I could do then was glare at them.

She raised her face to look at him, her wide, timid eyes filled with something I couldn’t quite place—fear? Embarrassment? Whatever it was, it didn’t matter. Because in that moment, the only thing I could think of was how much I wanted to rip him apart.

Mine.

The word pounded in my head, each beat of my heart fueling the fire inside me. She’s mine.

My wife

The duke’s daughter, Selene, was saying something, her voice a soft hum of pleasantries that barely registered in my mind. I didn’t care. My attention was locked entirely on Aelin and Ariston. My teeth clenched, and I forced myself to speak, though my voice came out colder and sharper than I intended.

"Selene," I said, my tone measured but brimming with suppressed anger. "Remove your arms."

Selene’s laughter faltered, and she looked at me with wide eyes, clearly startled by my tone. Around us, the other guests shifted uncomfortably, stepping back as if sensing the storm brewing inside me. Even Selene, who had been so bold moments ago, dropped her arm from mine, her smile faltering as she took a step back.

Without another word, I started moving, my eyes fixed on the pair across the room. The crowd seemed to part instinctively as I passed, their whispers fading into the background. My focus was singular, my vision narrowing on Ariston, who finally noticed my approach.

His head turned slightly, and the moment his eyes met mine, his expression shifted. He stiffened, his lips parting as if to say something, but no words came out. He knew. He could see it in my eyes—the barely restrained rage, the promise of violence if he dared take a step too far.

Aelin, oblivious to my presence, still clung to him, her fragile form trembling slightly. She looked vulnerable, and yet, the sight of her in his arms only made my anger burn hotter.

>>Aelin

Ariston stiffened immediately, his entire body going rigid as he whipped his head around to stare at me. "What are you—what in the abyss are you doing?" he hissed, his tone laced with panic.

"I-I don’t know," I stammered, my voice shaky and meek. My hands trembled as I realized what I had just done, and I quickly loosened my grip, looking down at the floor. "I’m sorry. I don’t... I don’t know why I did that."

Ariston blinked at me, his panic fading into something softer—an understanding, perhaps. He glanced over at Draegon, and his lips parted slightly in realization. "Oh..." he said under his breath, "It’s alright," he added quickly, his tone gentler now. "It’s alright. Just—"

Before he could finish, his gaze flicked back toward Draegon, and his face paled. "Oh no. No, no, no," he muttered, his voice growing frantic.

"What?" I asked, confused and growing more nervous by the second.

Ariston let out a low curse. "He’s coming this way. And he looks furious."

I froze, my heart leaping into my throat. Slowly, I turned my head to see Draegon striding toward us, his expression dark and his purple eyes blazing with something that sent a chill down my spine.

"Oh no," I whispered, my grip on Ariston’s arm tightening reflexively.

Ariston glanced at me, his lips tightening into a grim line. "Princess, let go of my arm. Please."

"I-I’m sorry!" I squeaked, releasing him instantly and clutching my hands together to keep them from shaking.

"Too late now," Ariston muttered, stepping back just as Draegon reached us.

Draegon stopped in front of me, his towering frame casting a shadow over both of us. His gaze flicked to Ariston for the briefest moment, then back to me, and I felt like a butterfly pinned under his scrutiny.

"Ariston," Draegon said, his voice calm but laced with a dangerous edge. "Leave."

Ariston didn’t argue. "Right away," he muttered and immediately fled into the crowd.

Now it was just me and Draegon. I stood there, feeling small and foolish, unable to meet his piercing gaze. My heart began to pound when I saw the fury in his eyes

Anyone could tell he was mad

I could no longer look at him and shot my face down as I knew it was my fault. I hugged another man right in front of my husband. That must have been humiliating for him

Lord!

What have I done!?!

>>Draegon

I stopped.

The fury boiling in my veins, the sheer force of my steps, all came to a sudden halt when I saw her eyes—wide, trembling, filled with fear.

Her small hands twisted nervously in front of her, her gaze flitting from my face to the floor as if searching for an escape. She looked fragile, almost breakable, and I realized with a painful clarity that it wasn’t Ariston, or Selene, or anyone else in this cursed room who had put that fear in her.

It was me.

The weight of it hit me like a blow to the chest. My anger, my possessiveness, my inability to control the storm inside me—it had terrified her.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to loosen the tension in my shoulders and unclench my fists. Slowly, I let my gaze soften, taking a step back as if to give her space.

"Aelin," I said, my voice quieter this time, lacking the harsh edge it had carried before. "I didn’t mean to..." I trailed off, unsure how to finish the sentence.

Her head tilted slightly at my tone, but she still wouldn’t meet my eyes.

"I wasn’t angry with you," I tried again, softer now, more measured. "I just... I thought—" I broke off, shaking my head. No excuses.

Her hands stilled for a moment, and I caught a glimpse of her lips parting as if she wanted to speak. But she didn’t. She just stood there, small and silent, and I couldn’t take it anymore. I took another step back, putting more distance between us. "I’m sorry," I said finally, "I didn’t mean to scare you."

Her shoulders relaxed slightly at that, though she still didn’t look at me. I swallowed the lump in my throat, resisting the urge to reach for her. Slightly afraid that she would avoid my touch/

Turning to the side, I glanced at Ariston, who was standing a few paces away, his brows furrowed in concern. Without a word, I gave him a subtle nod—a silent request to stay with her, to make sure she was alright.

He looked at me, but refused to move, then shook his head. Telling me he wasn’t going to come and I should deal with it myself.

Before I could say anything, he turned around and disappeared into the crowd.

!!!

It was unexpected, I had to deal with her myself now.

"I’m sorry," Hearing her meek voice made me look at her. And I found her looking at me with her clear blue eyes, "I don’t know what got into me when I clung onto Ariston..." Her small frame looked so delicate. I wanted to touch her, but at the same time was afraid of breaking her, "I didn’t mean to do it."

"..." Her words made the urge I had to kill Ariston subside. I can’t be angry at her. Not when she already said she didn’t mean it. Maybe she just got overwhelmed. "Let’s just say you tripped and as your bodyguard, he held you, so you wouldn’t fall." As soon as I said those words, she responded with something I didn’t imagine would happen

!!!

It caught me off guard when she smiled at me

A soft, relaxed smile, "Okay," Her gaze softened, making both of my hearts skip a beat.

I shifted my stance, softening my tone as I looked down at her. Her nervous hands had finally stilled, though she still refused to meet my eyes. I took a calming breath and asked, "Would you like something to drink?"

She hesitated for a moment, her lashes fluttering as though the question had startled her. Then, in that same soft voice she always used when unsure, she nodded as her eyes finally met mine. "I’d like that...thank you."

Her words were gentle, and so was the smile that followed. It wasn’t wide or bright, but it was enough to ease the knot in my chest. Seeing her relax, even just a little, made something shift inside me.

"I’ll get it for you," I said, keeping my voice steady, though the faint curve of her lips had already lit something warm in me. She nodded again, and her quiet smile stayed, small but comforting.

I turned on my heel and made my way to the long drinks table near the far end of the room. The polished crystal goblets caught the light, glittering like stars, and the faint hum of conversation filled the space around me. I scanned the options and reached for a goblet of spiced wine—mild, warm, and something I thought she’d like.

With the glass in hand, I turned back toward where she had been standing.

Then froze. The subtle smile on my face vanished as my eyes darted around.

She wasn’t there.

My steps faltered, my eyes narrowing as I swept the room. I turned to look in all directions.

But she was gone. Nowhere in sight.

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