I Only Tame Dragons

Von smirked to himself as he edged around the clearing, keeping to the shadows.

He had always been able to sneak in and out of the castle undetected when he lived here. The secret passage was hidden deep within the forest, a place known only to him—a narrow crack in the outer wall that had been long forgotten by the current inhabitants and couldn't be repaired with magic.

It was how he used to escape his duties and venture into the world beyond.

He moved quickly now, his pulse steady, his instincts guiding him.

The passage was close, and if he remembered correctly, it should still be there, untouched and unguarded.

Von slipped between two massive oaks and into a narrow pathway, hidden from view by thick, overgrown vines.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

The air was cooler here, almost damp, and the sound of the forest grew muffled as he descended deeper into the shadows.

There it was—just as he had left it.

The crack in the stone wall was barely noticeable, hidden beneath a curtain of ivy and moss.

Von brushed the greenery aside, revealing a narrow opening just large enough for him to squeeze through.

He ran his fingers along the stone, a wave of nostalgia washing over him as he remembered the countless times he had snuck out this way as a young elf.

With a quick glance over his shoulder to ensure no one was watching, Von slipped through the crack, his body moving with practiced ease.

The passage was dark and tight, but it eventually opened up into a dimly lit corridor within the castle walls. The faint glow of enchanted crystals embedded in the stone provided just enough light to navigate by.

Von allowed himself a brief moment to relax. He was inside.

The corridor was old, forgotten, and most importantly, unguarded. It led straight into the heart of the castle, bypassing the magical defenses and the ever-vigilant sentinels.

Von couldn't help but grin to himself. Despite the years that had passed, despite the changes in the kingdom, this one secret had remained his.

But he couldn't linger. He had an errand to complete.

The castle stretched out before him, its hallways familiar yet distant, like a dream from a past life.

Von moved quickly but cautiously, his senses on high alert. He knew the layout by heart—the twists and turns, the hidden doors, the rooms where he could remain unseen.

His destination was the royal chamber.

As he approached the entrance to the chambers, Von felt the familiar rush of adrenaline. He was close now. Just one more step, and he would be closer to what he came for.

Von moved swiftly and silently through the royal chambers, timing his steps with the patrol rounds of the guards. His keen senses allowed him to track their every movement, slipping past them with the skill of a shadow.

The grandeur of the palace was apparent in every hallway, but Von had no time to admire the tapestries and gleaming floors. His target was just ahead.

He approached a large, ornate door framed with intricate carvings of elven lore and history. The golden handles shimmered under the bright light that sipped through the hall, signifying that the room was of royal family.

Von was undeterred. With a practiced flick of his wrist, the door silently swung open.

Inside, the sight that met him was breathtaking. A woman stood by the window, bathed in the bright glow of the sun. Her flowing, curly golden hair cascaded down to her heels, catching the light and shimmering like liquid gold.

Her face was ethereal, flawless, with soft, delicate features that seemed crafted by the gods themselves. Big, mesmerizing emerald eyes turned toward him, gleaming with a gentle innocence that would surely melt the heart of any who gazed upon her.

She wore a pristine white dress that clung to her form with grace, accentuating a figure that was as alluring as it was elegant.

Von felt a pull toward her, an almost overwhelming charm that tugged at his very soul. She radiated beauty in a way that transcended the physical, a subtle, enchanting magic woven into her very presence.

Any ordinary man would have been instantly captivated, lost to her enchantment if they lacked the skills or mental fortitude to resist.

This was no ordinary woman. She was the crown jewel of Crownjade Woods—the princess herself, the most beautiful elf in all the lands. Her majesty, Princess Lyralithra Sylvaran-Velorian.

"Von . . ." Lyra's voice cracked as her eyes filled with tears. In a rush of emotion, she ran toward him, throwing her arms around his neck, clinging to him as though she never wanted to let go. Her body trembled against him. "I thought .

. . I thought I would never see you again." She sobbed into his chest, her voice raw with disbelief. "This . . .

this isn't a dream, right?"

Von pulled her even tighter, holding her close as if the world outside them didn't exist. He buried his face in her golden hair, savoring the moment he had longed for all these years. "No," he whispered, his voice soft and filled with warmth. "This isn't a dream. I've really come back."

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Lyra stepped back slightly, looking up at Von, her tear-filled emerald eyes studying every line of his face as if trying to commit it to memory, afraid he might disappear if she blinked.

But then, suddenly, her gaze shifted, panic setting in as her eyes darted around the room. She gently pushed herself out of his embrace, trembling.

"Y-you can't be here," she stammered, her voice shaking. "If Eryn finds out you've returned, he'll . . . he'll . .

."

Von's expression softened as he reached up, wiping away her tears with his thumb. He offered her a calm, reassuring smile. "Relax, Lyra. Eryn can't touch me," he said confidently, pulling out a bronze badge from beneath his cloak, the insignia gleaming in the low light. "I'm protected by this."

Lyra's eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat. "That's . . . a Bronze Player's Badge?" Her voice quivered with disbelief. "You're entering the competition?

Is that why you've come?"