The Dragon King and His Fallen Star novel Chapter 48

Chapter 48: Ballroom and Blushes

KIERYGAN’S POV

My gaze remained fixed ahead, but I didn’t miss a single movement Eirlys made beside me. I saw

the way she shifted her weight from one foot to the other, the subtle winces when she thought no

one was watching. She’d mentioned in passing that her dress was heavy. I could see now just how

heavy.

So when the food was served, I didn’t hesitate.

I reached out and caught her hand, tugging her toward me with a firm, silent command. She’s

endured enough torture to last a lifetime. I wasn’t about to add more tonight.

The moment her small frame settled onto my lap, her eyes flew wide with panic. Pink bloomed

across her cheeks and down her neck. The sight nearly drew a laugh from me, but I swallowed it

before it could escape.

“What are you doing?” she whispered, her voice trembling as her hands pressed against my chest,

as though to push herself upright.

I wrapped my arm securely around her waist, holding her there with ease.

“Stay still,” I murmured, my voice pitched low enough for only her to hear. “You’re tired. And you’re

starving. Don’t argue.”

But of course, she did argue.

“I can’t… I can’t sit here,” she whispered, her voice tight with mortification. “I’m not supposed to sit

on the throne.”

I raised a brow, leaning back slightly against the carved ironwood. “You’re not sitting on the throne.

She blinked up at me, confused.

“You’re sitting on my lap,” I said flatly.

A flush crept up her neck again, tinting her cheeks beautifully with a soft, rosy hue. “That’s… that’s

even worse.”

“Is it?” I asked softly, unable to keep the hint of amusement from my tone.

Her face was now the color of a ripe tomato. “It’s not proper,” she insisted, her words barely more

than a trembling breath.

I tilted my head, studying her. “Says who?”

Her lips parted, but no sound came out. I felt the faint tremor in her as she scrambled for an

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Chapter 48 Bhoom and Blushies

answer.

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I let my gaze linger on her flushed face, on the way her lashes lowered, and her hands curled into

the folds of my coat. “I am the king,” I reminded her quietly. “I decide what is proper… and what is

not.”

She stilled at that. For the briefest moment, her skin glowed-a faint, fleeting light that faded as quickly as it came. She was trying to control it, to hide it. That only deepened the amusement curling in my chest.

So stubborn, I thought, tightening my hold around her waist. And so utterly unaware of how her beauty disarms me.

I pulled the lid off a silver tray that had been wheeled to the dais. Steam curled upward, carrying the scents of roasted meats, honeyed roots, spiced grains, and something sweet that smelled of strawberries and vanilla.

Picking up a small fork, I speared a piece of roasted meat and held it out to her.

“You don’t have to do this,” she murmured, glancing around nervously. “I can feed myself.”

I sighed, feigning impatience to hide the quiet fascination building in my chest. “You’re becoming more and more stubborn each day, Eirlys,” I said, my voice low. “We only have a few moments before we’re back on our feet, mingling with guests Eat… and rest here while you can.”

I nudged the fork closer. She hesitated for a heartbeat, eyes flicking from the food to my face, before finally parting her lips and taking it in.

“Good girl,” I murmured, giving her a faint nod of approval.

The words barely left my mouth when sudden howls and jeers erupted from the crowd below. Her

head snapped toward the noise, her cheeks burning. I didn’t need to look to know who it was-but I

turned my gaze anyway.

Sure enough, there they were: Callum, Orryx, and Evander. All three were grinning like devils, raising their wine glasses toward us in a silent, drunken toast, their eyes gleaming with teasing delight.

I bit back a growl, narrowing my eyes at them before turning my attention back to Eirlys. She quickly looked away from their direction.

“Ignore them,” I said softly, my thumb brushing lightly against her wrist in reassurance.

We continued to eat in silence, the world around us fading into a muted blur. I placed a bite into my mouth, then one into hers, finding an unexpected peace in the quiet rhythm of feeding her.

When we had finished the savory dishes on our shared plate, I reached for the dessert tray and picked up a small fork. I hesitated only briefly before handing it to her.

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Chapter 48 Balboom and Blastes

“Here,” I said. “Finish the strawberry cream pie. I know you love sweets.”

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She blinked up at me, eyes wide and soft with wonder, before taking the fork from my hand. As she

dipped it into the dessert, her gaze shimmered with delight.

I watched in silence as she emptied the small plate. When she set the dish back onto the cart, she tried to rise from my lap-but I tightened my hold around her waist, keeping her there.

“Do your feet hurt?” I asked, cutting off the protest forming on her lips.

“I’m fine,” she said quickly.

I studied her, letting the silence stretch between us until she squirmed slightly under my gaze.

“The answer,” I said quietly, “should be either yes or no.”

She bit her lower lip, eyes dropping. “A little.”

Her shoes were new. They hadn’t been broken in yet. Of course, they hurt.

Without a word, I reached down and slipped them off her feet before she could even think to

protest. She drew in a sharp breath but didn’t pull away.

My chest tightened at the sight. Her feet were so small in my hands, delicate and flushed with

angry red marks where the shoes had bitten into her skin.

“If they hurt this much, you’re not wearing them again,” I murmured. “The floors are warmed up.

And no one can see your feet beneath your gown anyway.”

Her head snapped up, her eyes brightening with a smile so radiant it nearly stole my breath.

Really?”

”

I hummed softly as I reached up to the corner of her mouth, wiping away a trace of cream left by

the dessert.

“Come on,” I said. “We have guests who are dying to meet you.”

Only then did I loosen my grip, allowing her to climb down from my lap. I stood quickly, placing a steady hand at the small of her back to guide her down the dais and into the waiting crowd.

As we moved through the crowd, heads turned. Some bowed respectfully, while others merely watched with thinly veiled curiosity, their gazes flicking between us.

She stayed close to my side, her fingers twisting lightly in the folds of her gown. I could feel the

tension vibrating through her, but despite it, she held her chin high- a brave little snowdrop.

We approached a cluster of nobles from various kingdoms. I introduced Eirlys in turn, answered

their prying questions, subtly brokered alliances, and secured the quiet promises of future

negotiations.

4 Chapter 48 Ballroom and Blushes

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“Stunning entrance, King Kierygan,” King Lucius said, giving me a curt nod, his cold, ancient eyes shifting briefly to Eirlys.

“King Lucius,” I replied evenly, inclining my head in return.

Beside him, Prince Draven’s gaze swept over Eirlys with obvious interest. His lips curved into an amused, lingering smile as he said, “I was planning to ask you for a dance tonight,” his words directed at her, voice warm with teasing. “But it seems the Dragon King has no intention of letting

you go.”

Damn right, I wasn’t letting her dance with anyone else. But I bit back the words clawing at my throat and forced a calm shrug. “She’s still not used to large gatherings,” I said smoothly. “This ball is already overwhelming enough for her as it is.”

Draven’s smile twitched higher, mischief flickering in his eyes as he inclined his head. “A shame for the rest of us,” he said softly before turning away to greet another guest.

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