Arcanum Institute rose up ahead like sothing plucked straight from a fairytale a fairytale that my family would gleefully set afla and rewrite at their convenience. Towering spires carved from smooth marble spiraled into the clouds, lined with gleaming silver runes shimring faintly in the morning sunlight. The enormous iron gates, intricately designed with swirling patterns and symbols of protective magic, slowly parted, revealing the path that would soon usher into a new chapter of life.
And, if the whispers echoing from behind were any indication, that chapter was already off to a disastrous start.
"It's her Elyzara Thorne! The Imperial Heir!" soone hissed excitedly, their voice trembling between awe and terror.
"Did you hear about the last training session? She obliterated the entire arena. They say it still hasn't recovered," soone else added, not even bothering to whisper this ti.
I gritted my teeth, keeping my expression as carefully neutral as possible, even though every muscle in my body begged to wince. Sohow, despite my parents' constant reminders that respect and fear were practically interchangeable, I had never quite gotten used to the secondhand terror that ca with my surna.
I stepped down from the carriage, boots clicking onto polished marble. Imdiately, the entire courtyard went silent, as if the students and staff had collectively forgotten how to breathe.
[You sure know how to make an entrance. I give it a solid ten out of ten.]
"Shut up," I muttered under my breath, not needing the reminder.
My siblings bounded down beside , their eyes wide and eager as they took in the scenery. The twins had insisted on coming along, and while I'd initially worried they might attract unwanted attention, I now realized that they might just be the distraction I needed.
Arion, who had spent the journey insisting that he would not embarrass , imdiately waved at the gawking crowd with exaggerated enthusiasm. "Greetings, peasants! Fear not, we co in peace!"
Elira and Mara shared identical looks of resignation, but I noticed the corners of their mouths twitching into amused smiles. I sighed, resigned. At least soone was enjoying this disaster.
As I moved toward the enormous, ornate doors of the Institute, two professors stepped forward, expressions schooled into rigid neutrality. They bowed stiffly, their posture radiating tension as if expecting to demand their execution at any second.
"Welco to Arcanum Institute, Your Highness," the older woman said, her voice strained yet polite. Her midnight-blue robes rustled softly around her ankles, embroidered silver sigils marking her as a high-ranking mage. Beside her, the younger man in similar robes had his eyes glued firmly to the floor, as if looking in the eyes might cause him physical harm.
"Thank you," I replied, trying to sound gracious but probably just managing mildly threatening instead. "I'm looking forward to—"
"Please don't kill us," the younger professor blurted, paling instantly as he realized he'd said that aloud.
His colleague elbowed him sharply. "Ignore him, Your Highness. First-day nerves."
"Right," I drawled, sohow more amused than insulted. "I'll do my best."
[I'd say that went well.]
I rolled my eyes ntally. "Glad one of us thinks so."
The two professors led toward the main hall, their steps careful and controlled. Around , students began hurriedly moving out of our path, parting like terrified waves. Behind , my entourage Arion, Elira, Mara, and of course Smaug, who was lazily stretched across Mara's shoulder followed in a slow procession, each step drawing more whispers from the onlookers.
"I heard she tad a dragon," a student murmured in awe.
Another snorted skeptically. "Impossible. Dragons are practically extinct."
At that mont, Smaug lifted his head, lazily fixing a crimson gaze upon the student who'd dared speak. The student squeaked, turning white as parchnt before hastily averting their eyes.
"Never mind," the skeptic corrected himself weakly.
Mara gave Smaug an appreciative pat. "Good dragon."
He humd smugly in response.
The professors led toward a massive hall crowned by stained-glass windows depicting scenes of magic, conquest, and unsurprisingly violent battles. It seed my parents weren't the only ones who favored dramatic storytelling.
Inside, an elevated stage awaited, and a silver-haired woman stood at its center, dressed in flowing black robes embroidered with crimson runes. The headmistress, I presud. She watched my approach with cool detachnt, not a hint of the panic evident in the others.
Interesting.
She stepped forward gracefully, dipping into a respectful bow. "Princess Elyzara, welco. I am Headmistress Valeria. It's an honor to finally have you join us."
Her words were diplomatic perfection, though the slight quiver in her hand suggested otherwise.
"I appreciate the welco," I replied, matching her polite tone. "I look forward to my studies."
[She just looked at you as if you're a living calamity.]
I suppressed a sigh. [Yes, thank you. I noticed.]
She smiled a practiced gesture that held as much sincerity as a viper's greeting. "I must admit, we've been anticipating your arrival for quite so ti. Your abilities have already beco… legendary."
"My family does have a flair for exaggeration," I said smoothly, ignoring Smaug's amused snort from behind .
"Indeed," she murmured carefully. "We've taken precautions to ensure your experience here will be both fulfilling and… safe."
I raised an eyebrow. "For or the other students?"
She hesitated, her gaze flickering toward Smaug. "Both."
Smaug yawned widely, exposing gleaming teeth in a clear show of dominance. Valeria's eye twitched, just slightly, betraying her fear.
She cleared her throat, changing the subject swiftly. "You'll have a personal suite, of course, and servants at your disposal. Classes begin tomorrow at dawn. Do you have any questions, Your Highness?"
"None at the mont," I said calmly.
Smaug, naturally, took this as a personal challenge. He shifted on Mara's shoulder, making himself more visible. "I have one," he drawled lazily, startling Valeria enough to make her take a step back. "What's your dragon policy?"
Valeria paled further, mouth opening and closing wordlessly. The entire hall held its breath.
Arion, unhelpfully delighted, whispered loudly, "He talks! Did you hear that? He talks!"
Valeria, to her credit, recovered quickly. "Ah, your… dragon. Of course, he is most welco. We've made… arrangents."
Smaug preened smugly. "As you should."
I pressed a hand to my temple, trying not to sigh. The headmistress, clearly feeling she'd handled enough chaos for one morning, quickly excused herself, practically fleeing the stage.
As she left, whispers burst from the gathered students and staff once more, rising in volu until the hall buzzed with excitent and speculation.
"I heard she nearly killed her instructor in combat."
"Did you see her eyes? They say she's cursed."
"Apparently, she can bend reality itself. Terrifying, isn't it?"
I rolled my eyes at the murmurs, stepping off the stage with deliberate slowness. My reputation had clearly preceded , though the accuracy was questionable at best. The rumors ranged from mildly accurate to hilariously exaggerated.
As I returned to my entourage, Mara smiled warmly. "Your Highness, how was your welco?"
"Terrifyingly predictable," I replied dryly. "Apparently, I'm already infamous."
Elira chuckled softly. "Well, you are the daughter of two tyrants and granddaughter of four others. You can't exactly bla them."
"Maybe," I conceded, "but I was hoping for sothing less theatrical."
Smaug yawned dramatically. "You picked the wrong family for that."
He wasn't wrong, unfortunately.
As we left the hall, whispers trailing behind us, I considered the magnitude of the reputation that surrounded . Perhaps being a little feared was useful, but it had quickly escalated into a legendary terror that was becoming increasingly difficult to control.
[It could be worse. They could know about .]
"Good gods, I hope not," I muttered, imagining the chaos that revelation would bring.
My footsteps echoed in the empty corridor as I finally reached the chambers assigned to . The door swung open, revealing an excessively lavish room filled with silks, cushions, and more luxury than one person could reasonably need.
I sighed, feeling the weight of the day settle into my bones. Tomorrow would mark the beginning of a new stage of chaos, intrigue, and probably countless explosions.
But for tonight?
Tonight, I intended to sleep, ignore the whispers, and pretend for one brief, blissful mont that I wasn't already becoming exactly what my parents had always wanted:
A living, breathing legend.
Whether I liked it or not.
I stepped further into the suite, my boots barely making a sound against the polished marble floor. The sheer size of the space was absurd. A high-dod ceiling stretched overhead, carved with intricate runes that pulsed faintly with magic. Velvet drapes of midnight blue and silver frad towering windows, offering a panoramic view of the academy grounds. The furniture ornate yet practical was arranged with an almost reverent attention to detail.
A massive bed, far too luxurious for a school dormitory, sat against the far wall, the silk sheets practically glowing under the soft light of enchanted chandeliers. A personal study lined with shelves upon shelves of books stood to the side, next to a grand fireplace that crackled gently, filling the air with warmth.
There was even a seating area near the windows, complete with plush armchairs and a tea set already waiting.
[They really went all out. You could fit an entire war council in here.]
"Exactly what I'm thinking," I muttered.
What unsettled most, however, wasn't the extravagance. It was the silence.
No parents. No grandparents. No overwhelming presence hovering behind .
For the first ti in my life, I was truly alone.
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