2025-12-08 13:22:29The grand dining hall of Astrelia Castle gleamed in the early morning sun, its polished floors reflecting the long tables stacked with food. Platters of roasted meats glistened beside baskets of bread, bowls of fresh fruit, and golden pastries that smelled of honey and cinnamon. Candles flickered despite the sunlight, their soft glow adding a warm ambiance to the already opulent room.
Jay sat at the center, his chair slightly too tall for him, and he barely reached the edge of the table. Six of his siblings hovered around him, each performing their usual duties of fussing, lecturing, or dramatically sighing. Aldrin, the crown prince, sat close with his posture impossibly straight, eyes sharp yet careful, observing Jay’s every movement.
Seraphine fussed over the placement of his plate, adjusting silverware as if the balance of the kingdom depended on it. Yven bounced on the balls of his feet, whispering to anyone who would listen about how Jay had always been his favorite. Lucien muttered critiques from across the table while Theo and Celeste quietly monitored the proceedings, exchanging glances that clearly said, here we go again.
Luther, Jay’s personal assistant, hovered near the side of his chair. Normally calm and efficient, his hands trembled slightly as he polished a teacup. His deep red eyes flicked between Jay and the feast, a mixture of anxiety and something more-something Jay suspected was jealousy-hidden behind the careful mask of servitude.
Jay himself slouched in his chair, trying to look calm, but only he could hear the system chattering in his head like a hyperactive cupid on caffeine.
System004:Host! Hearts detected! Emotional chaos imminent! Perfect environment for candidate detection!
Jay pinched the bridge of his nose. System, not now. He sipped his tea slowly, hoping to appear composed, though the sparkling glitter in his vision betrayed the system’s overzealous excitement.
Suddenly, the distant sound of hooves echoed through the courtyard. The entire hall went silent. Platters paused mid-air; even the servants stopped moving, eyes flicking toward the massive double doors.
System004:ALERT! Fourth and fifth candidates inbound! Dragons detected! Maximum love tension! Heartstrings primed!
Jay groaned quietly, keeping it to himself. No one else could hear this insanity-no one, that is, except him.
The doors swung open, revealing two massive figures descending from horses. Their scaled forms shimmered in black and white, catching sunlight in a way that made their movements look almost supernatural. They dismounted with graceful precision, the Black Dragon landing first, muscles rippling beneath the sleek scales. The White Dragon followed, its eyes calm and intelligent, yet piercing. Both radiated a power that made the siblings freeze mid-breath.
Aldrin’s hand rested on his sword, cautious but controlled. “Visitors… unusual,” he muttered.
“Do we fight?” Yven whispered dramatically, clutching a napkin as if it were a weapon.
“Observe first,” the Queen murmured, calm and composed, while the King’s gaze swept the hall with quiet authority.
Jay’s mind was in chaos, and only he could hear the system’s frantic commentary.
System004: Host! Candidates! Fourth and fifth detected! Hearts maxed! Panic! Adorable dragons! Activate maximum internal chaos!
Jay covered his face briefly with one hand. System, I hate you right now.
The dragons approached the table, unaware of their “candidate” status. To everyone else, they were simply visiting relatives; to Jay, they were emotional landmines sparkling with the system’s commentary.
“Cousins?” Jay muttered under his breath, eyes wide. “So… the dragons are my cousins?”
“Yes,” the King said, calm and deliberate. “Your mom was half-dragon. They are family. There is no threat.”
Jay pinched the bridge of his nose. System… why are they also candidates? This is getting ridiculous.
System004: Chosen by everyone’s soul, Host! Emotional compatibility! Maximum tension! Heartstrings pulled!
Jay groaned silently, letting the chaos of his siblings’ reactions and his own system alerts swirl in his head.
The Black Dragon’s eyes swept the room, landing on Jay with an intelligence that made him shiver. The White Dragon followed, calm but equally intense. They clearly had no idea that their mere presence made them potential mates-candidates-yet the system kept spamming him with sparkling notifications.
From across the hall, Prince Kael Evander, the Alpha prince from Aurelius, leaned forward, whispering to his stoic knight, Malrik. “Dragons approaching… stay alert, but do not provoke.”
Malrik’s eyes, cold and precise, didn’t leave the dragons for a second. “Understood.”
Jay glanced at Luther, who trembled beside him, cheeks flushing bright red. “Your Highness… are you… okay?”
Seraphine clasped Jay’s hand. “Stay calm, Jay!”
Aldrin pinched the bridge of his nose. “Dinner has never been this dramatic.”
Lucien muttered something about needing more coffee, while Theo and Celeste shared an unimpressed look.
The King’s voice rang out above the murmurs. “You see them clearly. They are your cousins, powerful and ancient in their lineages. There is no need to fear them.”
Jay looked around the room, his mind trying to balance everything: his overdramatic siblings, his jealous assistant, the elegant but commanding Kael, the stoic Malrik, and now his two dragon cousins who were unknowingly candidates.
System004: Host! Hearts! Candidates! Emotional chaos! Targeted for maximum internal panic! Love tension off the charts!
Jay pinched his bridge again. System… I hate you.
The dragons stopped near the table, their massive forms dwarfing the servants who scurried to accommodate them. Jay could see the system flashing alerts: fourth candidate, fifth candidate, unknown mate potential-he alone knew.
Kael approached Jay, bowing slightly. “Your Highness, I will protect you don't worry.”
Malrik stayed a step behind, his presence cold, precise, yet strangely protective.
Luther’s hand twitched as he edged closer, murmuring, “Your Highness, I… I am here if you need me.”
Jay smiled faintly, though inside his mind was a battlefield of sparkling alerts, hearts, and system commentary. This is my life now. Chaos, choices… and apparently dragons.
He let out a long breath and leaned back into his chair, taking in the scene: the system only he could see, his hot prince and stoic knight, his trembling assistant, the overdramatic chaos of his siblings, and the two massive dragon cousins who had no idea of their own candidate status.
“This life,” he muttered quietly, “is a mess… but it’s mine. And I get to make choices.”
The system sparkled gleefully in his vision, bouncing with caffeine-fueled energy.
System004: Target practice complete! Heartstrings pulled! Host is officially overwhelmed! Hearts: 100%! Chaos: 100%! Fun: 100%!
Jay groaned, hiding his face in his hands. At least no one else could see just how chaotic his internal world had become.
From the windows, the sunlight spilled over the hall, illuminating everyone’s faces-the curious dragons, the attentive siblings, the noble princes, and the tense knight. And somewhere deep inside, Jay realized that for the first time, life felt unpredictable, overwhelming, and… genuinely fun.
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A King Does Not Walk Alone
The throne hall doors shut behind them, and instantly Jay felt the weight of every crown in the world settle squarely on his shoulders. The air still tasted like the proclamation. High King. A title carved into the bones of history. The kind of title that could rewrite the world.Which was very inconvenient for someone who preferred books over political warmongering.Jay exhaled shakily. Luther remained exactly one step behind him… habit, respect, survival instinct… who knew. Jay turned and raised an eyebrow.“You walk beside me now,” he said, quiet but firm. “Not behind.”Luther froze. “Jay, I’m still of lower rank. It’s disrespectful to-”“Luther.” Jay stepped forward and took his wrist, gently pulling him to his side. “You were marked by me. You carry my future. You are one of my mate. And my mates should not walk behind anyone.”Luther swallowe
Day 7 With Luther: An Empire Kneels To One Heart
The throne hall always felt too large, too grand, too carved out of legend for Jay to fit comfortably inside. Today, it felt worse. The crimson banners of Astrelia hung like watching eyes, and golden sunlight poured through the mosaic windows as if the sun itself wanted to judge him.Jay entered with the stiff posture of a prince who had not expected to become important overnight. Luther walked just behind him, the picture of composed elegance… and also wearing an outfit designed to make Jay’s brain short-circuit. A white off-shoulder crop top, sheer sleeves flowing like moonlight, and those white genie pants that fit his waist in a way that should honestly be illegal.Jay tried very hard not to look. He failed instantly.They stopped before the dais. Both bowed. The King and Queen stood tall, regality woven into their bones.The King spoke first, his voice carrying authority that shook the chandeliers.“Jay Varel Astrelia. The G
Day Six With Luther: People Should learn how To Knock
Morning had the audacity to show up.Not that Jay was properly asleep. He had spent the last hour staring at Luther and trying not to panic about the glowing Sun Mark declaring a royal baby was now officially baking inside him. A child. An heir. Political dynamite with tiny socks.Luther, meanwhile, was sleeping peacefully in Jay’s arms like he hadn’t just upended empires and destinies overnight.Jay brushed a hand through his assistant’s silver hair, still trying to digest reality.A baby.His baby.The universe must really enjoy pranking princes.Before he could sink into deeper spiraling, the door slammed open without warning.“JAY! BREAKFAST!” Seraphine yelled… then froze.Behind her came all his siblings like a stampede of nosy royals: Theo, Celeste, Yven, Lucien… and of course, Crown Prince Aldrin .Jay and Luther jerked upright.Sheets slid just enough to s
Day Five With Luther: Falling Asleep Together
The palace was unusually quiet that night. Jay lay awake, thoughts swirling like a storm, unable to forget Luther’s intensity from earlier. Every glance, every brush of his hand, lingered in Jay’s mind, making his chest ache in ways he didn’t quite understand.A soft knock interrupted his thoughts. “Jay? Are you awake?” Luther’s voice was low, almost hesitant.Jay sat up, rubbing his eyes. “Couldn’t sleep again?”Luther nodded, hesitating at the door. “Should I… stay?”Jay lifted a corner of the blanket, smirking slightly. “Only if you're not here to guard me. Obviously.”Luther’s lips twitched into a small smile as he stepped inside, closing the door softly behind him. He climbed onto the bed carefully, sitting at the edge before letting himself fall back, his shoulders relaxing only slightly. Jay’s heart thudded at the sight of him so close, the warmt
Day Four With Luther: The Ball and the Unspoken Steps
The grand ballroom glittered with candlelight and crystal chandeliers. A soft sea of gowns and uniforms shimmered across polished marble floors, and the faint scent of roses and lavender mingled with the warm, golden glow. Tonight, the palace celebrated not just Jay’s upcoming coronation but his coming of age-a ceremonial acknowledgment of his eighteen years and the divine blessing that had set the world abuzz.Jay adjusted the cuff of his uniform nervously, catching sight of his reflection in a gilded mirror. Everything was perfect-the embroidery, the sash, the polished boots-but nothing felt as perfect as the heat pooling in his chest whenever he thought of Luther.A gentle tap on the shoulder pulled him from his thoughts.“Your Highness,” Luther murmured, bowing slightly before straightening. His uniform was tailored impeccably, black with silver trim, and his hair was neatly arranged-but a few strands rebelliously curled over his forehead,
Day 3 With Luther: Nightfall, and the Unspoken Invitation
The evening sun spilled warm gold across the palace gardens. Jay and Luther had spent the day in a quiet rhythm training, reading, and teasing but as night crept in, an unspoken tension settled like a soft, heavy blanket between them.Jay stretched lazily on a chaise in his chambers, watching the shadows deepen. The library and training yard had been exhausting, but in the best way. His hair stuck to his forehead from exertion, and his heart still thudded from laughter, arguments, and those lingering touches from earlier.A soft knock came at the door.“Your Highness?” Luther’s voice drifted in, gentle, cautious. “May I… come in?”Jay smiled faintly. “I was hoping you would.”Luther entered, careful as ever, though his presence seemed to take up the entire room. He carried nothing but a small tray of tea and a soft, earnest expression. The silver in his eyes reflected the dim candlelight, and Jay fel
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