The sun streams through the window and into her eyes. Gianna startles awake, disoriented by her surroundings. Then, the memories hit her like a tidal wave, her heart aching as the previous day's events come flooding back.
Gianna tries to reach out to her wolf, but it's no use. There's no response. She's still in the wedding dress, a garment she loathes and can't bear to look at. The door opens and Dayana enters, carrying a tray of food.
"Hello, how are you? You might remember me, I'm Dayana, the young woman you saved." Gianna is a bit confused but manages a nod.
"I'm Gianna. Thank you. I jumped off a cliff, and a dragon brought me here, I think. I don't really know," she stammers, and Dayana smiles.
"If it was one of our dragons, he's grateful you saved Zarco, the red dragon. Look, I left some clothes for you. I'll bring you more later," Dayana says with a warm smile.
"No, I couldn't. I can't impose. I need to leave. But thank you." Dayana shakes her head.
"And where will you go? Back to that pack that rejected you? I know about these things. You're a wolf, a lone wolf now, without a pack," Dayana points out.
"But what else can I do? I have to leave. I can't stay here. What would the king say?" Gianna protests, but Dayana just laughs.
"My father would be happy to have you here. What's more, you're already part of the Dragon Kingdom. We just need to figure out what you'll do here," Dayana replies.
"Really? And what could I do? Clean? Be a servant? I'm fine with that," Gianna offers, and Dayana smiles.
"No, we have plenty of those. Look, in this kingdom, we're not barbarians. We have a university," the princess explains.
"You can study there. There are many careers to choose from. You could be a doctor, a nurse, a teacher, you name it," she adds, placing the breakfast tray in front of Gianna.
"We also have a warrior academy. They study and train to be warriors. Usually, women choose the regular university," Dayana explains, and Gianna nods, signaling she understands.
"I would like to be a warrior." Dayana's eyes widen.
"Are you sure? Battles are fierce, especially now that we're at war. There are many creatures out there, and vampires are incredibly strong," Dayana warns.
"I don't care. I'd rather be a warrior. I just need to know where I'd stay," Gianna replies, and Dayana laughs.
"Where? Here, of course! My parents already adore you. You'll stay in the kingdom. Though the warrior academy has dorms too," Dayana clarifies. Gianna nods in agreement.
"Listen, you can't just give up on life. And never do what you did again. Nobody deserves that. You have a friend here now. Now, get changed and eat. I'll wait for you downstairs so I can show you around the kingdom."
"Alright. Thank you for everything. And for being so kind to me, bringing me breakfast when you're a princess." Dayana laughs and shakes her head.
"Let's just say my parents are far from stuck-up, and I wasn't raised like that. Come on, I'll wait for you," Dayana says and leaves. Gianna is left alone, overwhelmed but determined. She would become a warrior and defend this kingdom, her new home. She knew she had to toughen up so that no one could ever hurt her like that again.
Dayana leaves, and Gianna heads to the bathroom. After showering, she puts on the clothes Dayana left out. It's a lilac sleeveless dress that falls just above her knees. It's loose-fitting but still accentuates her curves. She slips on some flat shoes and brushes her hair, leaving it loose. She looks like a princess. In fact, the dress and the shoes were Dayana's; they were the same size.
She eats and then leaves the tray outside her door. A servant collects it, whisking it away to be washed. Since it's late, her food will be brought to her room, but from tomorrow she'll eat in the grand dining hall.
The young woman is shrouded in sadness. The events of the previous day weigh heavily on her mind. She thinks of her grandparents and her younger brother but knows they are no longer a part of her life.
Gianna reaches the living room, where several people are gathered. A well-built man who looks to be in his forties stands beside a beautiful woman of similar age who bears a striking resemblance to Dayana. There are also two young men present, one around eighteen years old, the other slightly older.
"Good morning, my dear. How are you feeling today?" the king asks.
"I am well, Your Majesty. Thank you for your hospitality," Gianna replies.
"There's no need for formalities, dear. You saved our beloved daughter. You are now a part of this kingdom, and we won't hear any arguments about you leaving," the queen says with genuine warmth. Gianna nods slightly, still a little overwhelmed by their kindness.
"I am King Marcus Wellington, and this is my wife, Queen Dayra Wellington. These are our sons, Darius and Marlon, and of course, you've already met our daughter, Dayana," the king introduces everyone.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all. I'm Gianna," she replies politely.
"The pleasure is all ours. Please try to relax and move forward with your life. We are your family now," the queen reassures her with a gentle smile.
"Thank you so much. I promise I won't cause any trouble. Princess Dayana mentioned that I could live here, but I'm happy to stay in a cabin if that's more convenient," Gianna offers, wanting to be as little burden as possible.
"Nonsense, my dear! My wife is right; you are family now, another daughter to us," the king interjects, leaving no room for argument. "My other two sons are currently in training, but you'll meet them soon."
"Dayana told us you are interested in joining the academy. You seem much too sweet for that, but we fully support your decision," the king says with an encouraging smile.
"Thank you so much. I won't let you down. I want to train hard and defend this kingdom." Dayana approaches Gianna and gives her a warm hug.
"Firstly, please, call me Dayana, no need for titles. And secondly, good luck with the training. Those instructors are tough as nails!" Dayana says, her tone laced with amusement.
"Welcome, Gianna. And yes, she's right about the instructors, they're like ogres, both of them. I'm the gentler brother," Marlon adds playfully.
"And I'm the coolest one here, obviously. Don't worry, Gianna, I'll help you fit in," Darius says with a mischievous grin, making everyone laugh.
"Thank you, Prince Darius."
"Darius is just fine." They all share a laugh, and after a while, everyone disperses, leaving Dayana and Gianna alone.
"Come on, Gianna. Let me show you around the kingdom," Dayana says, leading her away to explore their surroundings.
They walk for what feels like hours, passing schools, universities, bustling markets, serene parks, and impressive buildings. Dayana explains the purpose and history of each place with infectious enthusiasm, captivating Gianna's attention. Though she misses her grandparents dearly, she knows she's not ready to face her past. This is a chance for her to heal and become strong, emotionally and physically.
As they reach the vast green training grounds, Gianna spots several majestic dragons, some soaring through the air with riders on their backs, others practicing their fire-breathing skills.
"They're magnificent creatures. Do you know which one you helped the other day?" Gianna asks, her gaze lingering on the awe-inspiring dragons.
Dayana laughs softly. "That knucklehead is grounded for his little stunt. He knows he shouldn't have done that, and neither should I for getting on his back."
"I hope I get to ride one someday. I was on one yesterday, but I can't remember anything about the flight," Gianna admits, a hint of longing in her voice.
"Well, for that, you'll need to prove yourself in training. It will be up to the 'ogres,' aka my brothers, to decide if you're ready. But hey, at least you have Marlon and Darius on your side," Dayana says optimistically.
"Come on, let's go to the academy and talk to them about when you can start your training." And with that, Dayana leads Gianna towards the academy, where her journey as a warrior will begin.
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