The Dragon King and His Fallen Star novel Chapter 143

Chapter 143: A Gift Fit for My Queen

KIERYGAN’S POV

Eirlys blinked, as though unsure she had heard me correctly. “This… this is your gift for me?”

I only hummed, drawing her closer until her warmth pressed against me.

Her brows knit, lips parting. “But this is too much,” she whispered. “You must have spent a fortune for this.”

A low laugh rumbled in my chest, unbothered. “When it comes to you, nothing is too much.”

I tilted her chin, guiding her gaze to mine. “And I didn’t spend a single coin. This manor… it was my mother’s. My father gave it to her when they completed their bond.” I let the weight of the words linger, my thumb brushing her cheek. “Now, I give it to you.”

Her breath hitched, eyes glistening as she clutched the rabbit tighter.

“My mother would have wanted you to have it,” I went on, my voice gentler now. The ache of memory pulled at me, but I steadied it with truth. “She would have loved you, too. Like the daughter she never had.”

Eirlys’ voice wavered, thick with emotion. “I don’t even know what to say. I’m… grateful. And honored. Truly.”

Her glow unfurled softly across the snow, and for a fleeting moment I allowed myself to bask in it.

Then a scent drifted to me-savory and spiced, the unmistakable pull of a hearth-fed meal. Before I could remark on it, Nibbles twitched his nose, wriggled free of her arms, and bounded straight toward the manor doors.

I shook my head, glancing down at her. “We should get inside before he claims the feast for himself.”

Eirlys giggled a bright, fragile sound, softened as she brushed the tears from her cheeks.” You’re probably right.”

I caught her hand and led her along the snow-cleared path. The doors gave a soft creak as they opened, and the instant she crossed the threshold, her eyes widened.

The manor was grand without being gaudy-arched ceilings braced with dark oak beams, tapestries of crimson and gold draped along the stone walls. Chandeliers hung above, their crystals scattering faint sparks of light like captured stars. A wide hearth blazed in the great

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< Chapter 143: A Gift Fit for My Queen

hall, its fire crackling and filling the air with warmth and the rich scent of woodsmoke.

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My chest tightened. It looked exactly as it had the last time I walked these halls-my mother’s laughter drifting from the music room, my father’s heavy steps echoing down the corridor, my younger self racing outside. For an instant, I almost expected to hear them still.

Eirlys followed as I guided her toward the dining chamber. The long oak table was laden with platters of roasted meats, fresh bread, sugared desserts, and silver goblets gleaming in the firelight.

She blinked, brow knitting. “I thought… we were alone here?”

“Not entirely,” I admitted, lips curving faintly. “There are staff who maintain the manor. They live in the outhouse, far enough you’ll barely notice their presence. They’ll make sure we have food, whatever we need. But beyond that, this place is ours.”

We sat across from each other at the long oak table, the firelight catching in her hair, turning it into threads of molten silver and gold. Nibbles hopped onto the empty chair beside her, twitching his nose as though he belonged there.

Eirlys glanced at me, waiting for a reprimand. “I’ll allow it,” I said. “Just this once.”

She giggled softly, cutting small portions of roasted vegetables and sugared fruit and placing them on a plate she’d set aside for him. With careful hands, she lowered it onto the chair as though serving another guest. The rabbit wasted no time devouring his prize.

We ate in companionable silence. Neither of us had touched much food at the earlier feast, and the quiet felt strangely easy here.

By the time we pushed our plates away, her cheeks glowed with firelight, her eyes heavy yet bright. I leaned back slightly. “Come. I’ll show you the rest of the manor.”

Before she could rise, Nibbles hopped down with a determined thump and darted straight for the door.

“Nibbles, where are you going?” I muttered, already on my feet. “Come back.”

Eirlys, still in her wedding dress, dashed after him, skirts gathered in her hands. I followed, long strides eating up the distance. We trailed the rabbit across the snow-salted path, past the outer gardens, until the trees closed around us.

At last, Nibbles halted at the edge of the woods. Beyond, water rushed-faint at first, then growing louder with each step. I knew exactly where he was leading us.

I slowed, letting my breath ease from my chest. “He’s found my favorite spot.”

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Eirlys stepped forward, eyes wide and lips parted in awe. “Kierygan,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “This… is breathtaking.”

I barely had time to register it before Nibbles twitched his nose and bounded a few steps ahead. Eirlys followed, eyes wide with curiosity and a flicker of worry.

Nibbles skidded to a halt before two massive dogs. Hunting dogs by their build, yet far larger than any I’d seen. Their eyes caught the last glints of the setting sun, gleaming with an almost unnatural sharpness, muscles coiled, low growls rumbling from deep throats. Nibbles crouched, fur bristling, ready to defend.

Eirlys froze-just a heartbeat too long. Then, without a hint of fear, she scooped Nibbles into

her arms. “Go,” she shooed at the hounds.

The dogs lunged, growls sharp and commanding. My claws extended, talons gleaming as I advanced.

But then… her eyes ignited with golden light. And something else froze me in place-her teeth. Fangs elongated and sharp, gleaming as she bared them.

The dogs growled for a heartbeat more, then faltered. Slowly, they lowered their bodies, brushing against her skirts as if in awe-or submission.

“Eirlys?” I called, closing the distance. “Are you alright?”

Her eyes flickered back to purple, as if waking from a trance, yet the fangs lingered. She offered a sheepish smile. “I’m fine,” she murmured, still clutching Nibbles.

I stepped closer, eyes narrowing. “Your teeth…”

She touched them with delicate fingers, then widened her eyes. “I… I didn’t know I could do

that. I only wanted to scare them.”

In an instant, she retracted them. I exhaled, the tension in my chest easing.

Eirlys sank into the snow, laughter light and bright. The dogs leapt around her playfully, tumbling as if she were one of their own. “Kierygan, look,” she said, brushing a strand of snow from her hair. “Aren’t they big sweethearts?”

Her gaze held a glimmer of hope, and I recognized it all too well. “No, Eirlys,” I said, half-irritated, half-amused. “I’m not taking any more pets.”

Her smile dimmed slightly. “But look at them,” she said, a hint of pleading in her tone.

I stood my ground, letting my gaze sweep the area. “Those dogs are collared,” I said. “They belong to someone. The owner must be looking for them by now.”

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< Chapter 143: A Gift Fit for My Queen

Eirlys shrugged, her smile fading slightly before she relented. “Fine,” she murmured.

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I allowed her a few more moments, watching her toss a snowball gently toward the animals, who pranced and rolled in return, tails wagging.

Then, as if responding to some signal beyond my perception, both dogs perked their ears, snapped their heads in the same direction, and without hesitation, bounded away. Their absence left an unexpected stillness.

I extended a hand toward Eirlys. “Come on,” I said softly. She took it, letting me pull her upright. My nose twitched. “You smell like the dogs,” I remarked, my voice rough with

amusement.

Her nose crinkled, and a low chuckle escaped me. My gaze drifted to the pool beside the waterfall, its surface glittering like scattered diamonds in the winter sun. “Maybe we should go for a swim,” I suggested, glancing at her.

“Yes, I’d like that,” she squealed.

Nibbles, however, seemed to voice his objection. The little rabbit leapt from Eirlys’ arms, more interested in the snow than the water. He dug furiously, uncovering a few acorns before sinking his teeth into them. I couldn’t help but grin at the silly creature.

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