Dragon King's Harem Chapter 516. Plea
Dragon King's Harem Chapter 516. Plea
She flushed slightly, brushing a bit of imaginary dust from her silk sleeve like it might distract her from the way my voice dipped on purpose. I knew what I was doing. So did she. But we both pretended we were being proper in front of an entire hall full of important people who were very obviously watching every twitch of my lips and the crown on my damn head.
Her gaze flicked up to it again.
The crooked paper horns. The hand-drawn letters that said “DRAGON KING” in bold Kaelen script. Still proudly perched between my actual horns like a stubborn little crown that refused to fall.
Maria sighed, low and amused.
Then straightened her back and raised her voice.
“Let’s begin breakfast, shall we?”
She clapped her hands once. Sharp. Graceful.
And like magic, no, really, the food began arriving in waves.
The scent hit the room like a soft, delicious spell. Warm herbs. Melted cheese. Crisp meats, delicate fruits glazed in frost sugar. Soups that steamed in porcelain bowls, crusted bread baked golden and split open for stuffing. Even a few curious dishes flatbreads, spiced lamb cuts, and what looked like some kind of honey-simmered grain.
Kaelen gasped, eyes wide.
“I like being king,” he whispered. “They never brought this much when I was just prince.”
Jyne leaned in. “Perks of the job.”
Sela nodded. “Also, I think they’re bribing you.”
He blinked. “Why?”
Sela took a bite of something flaky and rich, then spoke through it. “Because people always bribe the cute new monarch.”
Kaelen puffed out his cheeks. “I’m not cute.”
“You are,” Jyne and Sela said in unison.
Maria smiled.
And I just leaned back and let the warmth settle in.
It was good.
Quietly, truly good.
Of course, it couldn’t last forever.
Because once the nobles were fed, the politics resumed.
Several stood at the end of their meals, pushing back chairs and offering practiced, ceremonial bows. One by one, they began making their excuses.
Travel time. Borders. Upcoming feasts in their own lands. Trade season.
All of it predictable.
Respectful.
Some even thanked Maria directly, offering her subtle nods of gratitude for stabilizing the region after the civil unrest.
Maria, of course, accepted them all with calm poise. But I didn’t miss the small glances she gave toward Kaelen, little checks to see if he noticed how they addressed her instead of him.
He did.
But he didn’t flinch.
The boy was trying to sit taller now. To square his shoulders. Like he was practicing. Becoming.
He wasn’t just a child anymore.
That part… made my chest ache in a good way.
Then came him.
Callum.
He stood slowly.
He looked around the table. Then directly at me.
His voice came deep. Quiet. But clear.
“I will return to the moors today. Preparations await.”
Of course they did.
His gaze slid to Thiphania, who had been unusually silent. Still seated. Still not touching her food. Just sitting, spine straight, hands folded. Looking… not sulky. Not sharp.
Just off.
And yeah. Her eyes were on me again.
Not subtle about it either.
It was that same stare she gave me last night after her little illusion act failed.
Except now it was softer. Less heat. More… something else.
Not romantic. Not seductive.
More like… help me.
Or maybe choose me.
Or maybe that was just what she wanted me to think.
Hard to tell. That girl was a walking paradox. All sharp magic and desperate longing sewn into a body trained to manipulate people into thinking she was something other than dangerous.
I didn’t look away.
Not immediately.
But I didn’t invite her either.
Callum turned back toward me, clearly aware of her stare.
“You surprised me,” he said simply.
I arched an eyebrow. “I do that a lot.”
“You’ve done well as his stepfather.”
I blinked.
Wait.
Was that… a compliment?
From Callum?
“I expected the Dragon King to be more… ceremonial,” he added. “A paper crown is a rare choice for a ruler.”
I tapped it with two fingers. “Best crown I’ve ever worn.”
Kaelen nodded from across the table. “I made it.”
Callum gave a very slow nod. “It shows.”
I still couldn’t tell if he was insulting or approving.
Maybe both.
His gaze lingered a moment longer, then he looked to Maria. “Queen Regent.”
She inclined her head. “Lord Callum.”
Then he turned and walked away, his cloak somehow managing to move like it had its own ominous mood.
Thiphania rose next.
But slower.
Her movements were elegant. Measured.
But not quite composed.
She paused. Looked at her father’s back.
Then looked at me again.
I met her gaze.
And I didn’t blink.
Not out of cruelty.
Just because I didn’t know what to do with that look.
It wasn’t a goodbye.
It wasn’t even a threat.
It felt like… a question.
Maybe even a plea.
Like she wanted me to say something.
Like she needed me to say something.
But I didn’t.
Not because I didn’t care.
But because I didn’t know which version of her was real.
The girl who nearly seduced me in my room?
Or the one who stood there now, silent and guarded?
I wanted to believe it was both.
And maybe that was the problem.
She hesitated.
Then bowed slightly.
Not deep. But enough.
“Thank you for not hating me,” she said quietly.
Then she followed her father out.
The doors closed behind them with a soft thud.
Kaelen exhaled like he’d been holding his breath.
Jyne stretched in her chair and murmured, “I give it three weeks before she finds a reason to come back.”
Sela raised an eyebrow. “Three? You’re being generous.”
“She’s persistent,” I muttered, sipping my tea.
Maria glanced sideways at me. “Should I be concerned?”
I looked at her over the rim of my cup.
“You just said that with your son beside you and a paper crown on my head.”
She smirked. “So?”
I grinned. “So no. You already won.”
She bumped her knee against mine under the table. “Good answer.”