Is this an illusion?

Or… was she teleported here?

Naya hovered midair, gazing down. The palace stood upon a solitary island, encircled by a vast sea.

"Elise… what’s going on?"

Naya was utterly stunned—the scene defied all expectation.

Perched on her back, Elise held gently onto Naya’s dragon neck.

"Do you think I’d ever leave you stranded in the wild? You’ve always been inside the palace… just sealed away from the outside world."

Naya scanned the densely packed buildings below but couldn’t find her castle—the home where she’d lived for six years.

"This… is incredible. How is it even possible?"

"This is the power of the Leyline Vein. It folded space to form a hidden realm. For six years, you’ve lived within it."

"I see."

Ah—just like instanced dungeons in games. A tiny dot on the map, yet stepping inside reveals an entire world.

"But why didn’t I exit directly from the realm’s entrance?"

"The hidden realm overlaps the main space. Step beyond its boundary, and you materialize instantly into reality. Its vertical span matches this height. Entry, however, requires passing through the designated opening."

"So… only you know of this place?"

"Only a few trusted confidants. That’s why I placed you there—to guarantee absolute safety. Now… care to tour my palace? Didn’t you say this morning you wanted to see it… to understand me better?"

"May I? Can we land now?"

"Of course."

Naya angled her wings, eyes fixed on a wide plaza within the palace grounds.

"May I land there?"

"That’s the designated landing zone for dragon forms. Go ahead."

"Mm."

She adjusted her descent, touched down lightly—but her massive wings still kicked up a swirling cloud of dust.

Flight felt innate, etched deep into Dragonkin blood.

Naya had never learned to fly. Yet the moment she transformed, her body simply… knew.

As the dust settled, Elise hopped off her back. Dragonkin guards stood watch nearby.

Naya shrank her form, shifting smoothly into her dragon maiden shape.

"Head home, or stroll through the Dragon Palace?"

"Show me around, please."

"Alright."

Elise extended her hand. Naya placed hers gently within.

"Let’s go, my Lady Consort."

Her beloved Queen Sovereign crinkled her eyes in a tender smile.

Hand in hand, they wandered the palace corridors. Soldiers dominated the halls; a few high officials bowed deeply to Elise—but none questioned Naya’s presence.

Until a golden-haired dragon maiden appeared in a hallway, draped in an elegant light-gold gown.

"Your Highness, good evening. Rare to see you out at night." She smiled, then glanced at their clasped hands. "And this guest…?"

"The Queen of the Dragonkin."

Elise’s tone carried a faint, deliberate chill.

"Oh… Your Highness has finally taken a consort. A pleasure, Your Majesty. Though… wait. Six years ago, you brought a silver-haired dragon maiden here—was that you?"

She studied Naya’s face closely.

Elise replied coolly, "Correct. It’s her."

"Then allow me to properly introduce myself. I am Kloris, Your Highness’s younger sister. You were unconscious then—we’ve never truly met."

Naya offered a polite smile. "Hello."

"To think we’d meet again after six years… I’d assumed you—"

"Kloris. Watch your words."

Elise cut in. Kloris chuckled softly.

"Hehe… My apologies, Your Highness. I’ll take my leave. Wishing you and Her Majesty a lovely evening."

Elise gave a slight nod. Kloris passed them with graceful steps.

Naya sensed the tension—not sisterly warmth, but cold distance, mostly from Elise.

Noticing her hesitation, Elise explained quietly:

"Royalty knows no true kinship. She prays I remain childless, hoping I fall in battle someday so she may claim the throne. Don’t trust her smile—she does not welcome you."

"Oh."

"That’s why I kept you in the hidden realm. Six years in that secluded paradise… safe from this."

"Even she doesn’t know of it?"

"Why should she? Every royal holds secrets. Concealing them is normal."

"Mm…"

Naya glanced up at the brilliantly lit palace.

Too many halls… it felt suffocating.

"Are your parents… still alive?"

The words slipped out. Naya instantly covered her mouth, cheeks flushing.

Elise merely smiled faintly.

"My father had to die for the throne to reach me. My mother passed long ago. Kloris and I share no mother. Royalty isn’t like ordinary families—nothing to mourn. Don’t worry."

"I see…"

"Save your questions for home. This place… isn’t safe for talk."

"Mm."

Elise kept holding her hand as they toured briefly. The palace sprawled like a maze—public zones, faction territories. Without Elise, Naya would’ve been lost.

"Let’s return. Too dark tonight. I’ll show you properly another time."

"Alright."

They entered Elise’s domain.

"The Dragon Sovereign’s residence is the Heavenly Dragon Hall," Elise explained. "There’s also Earth Dragon Hall, Sea Dragon Hall, Flame Dragon Hall… straightforward naming."

A simple, no-nonsense convention.

The hidden realm lay within the Heavenly Dragon Hall. Guards here doubled in number—armored Dragonkin stationed at every turn.

Inside one palace chamber, Elise opened a door. Beyond stretched a pitch-black passage, deep as a void. Crossing it would bring them home.

Elise never released Naya’s hand.

"Naya. Now you’ve seen the world beyond the castle. Tomorrow afternoon, a grand play unfolds. I’ll bring you and Eliya to watch."

"A play?"

Elise turned, a subtle smirk curling her lips.

"Yes. Its title: *Chosen Hero vs. Evil Dragon*."