The Dragon King and His Fallen Star novel Chapter 60

Chapter 60: Forgiven But Not Friends

EIRLYS‘ POV

+25 Points

I sat cross–legged on a cushioned bench, trying to focus on the book balanced on my knees. Today, Solara and Evander had decided to combine their lessons since the topics were somewhat

related.

Across from me, Solara spoke in her quiet, clipped voice, reading aloud passages about court etiquette and expectations for royal banquets.

Evander interjected every now and then, correcting terms or adding details about posture, greeting protocols, and names I needed to remember. He gestured dramatically as he spoke, his golden hair catching the light.

“Remember,” Evander said, tapping the table for emphasis, “never lower your gaze unless you want to look subservient. A lowered head invites conquest.”

Solara shot him a glare. “That’s not entirely true.”

Evander winked. “Let me remind you, darling, I was royalty once.”

Solara rolled her eyes, though a faint grin tugged at her lips. “If you say so… Your Royal Highness.”

I smiled at their bickering, scratching behind Nibbles‘ ears as he sat curled on the rug beside me, happily gnawing an apple down to its core.

The soft hush of turning pages and quiet voices calmed me. For a brief moment, the library felt like its own little world, sheltered from nightmares and shadows.

Suddenly, the door creaked open.

I turned, startled, as Kierygan stepped inside. His gaze swept over Solara and Evander before settling on me. For a fleeting second, his eyes softened–then hardened again, unreadable.

“Eirlys,” he said, his deep voice cutting through the peaceful stillness. “Come with me.”

My chest tightened. He never interrupted my lessons unless it was important. “Is something

wrong?”

“No,” he replied curtly. “But someone wishes to speak with you.”

He didn’t wait for an answer. I closed my book hurriedly, scooping up Nibbles in my arms as I rose

to follow him.

Evander and Solara exchanged looks, then stood as well. Neither seemed willing to let me out of their sight today.

We walked down the hall in silence, Nibbles‘ little nose twitching against my wrist. When Kierygan

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Chapter 60: Forgiven But Not Friends

stopped in front of his study doors, he glanced back at me once.

+25 Points?

Inside, Mirael sat across from the large desk, waiting. She rose to her feet as we entered, turning toward us with a bright smile. Her lips curved gracefully, her eyes glimmering in the soft light streaming through the study windows.

“Eirlys,” she breathed, her voice warm and sweet. “Thank you for seeing me.”

I hesitated in the doorway, clutching Nibbles tighter against my chest. He squirmed and let out a soft chattering noise, his tiny claws pressing into my arm. His unease mirrored my own.

Mirael’s smile only widened, but something about it made my skin crawl. She was beautiful— painfully so–with features carved in effortless elegance. But despite the glow of her expression, there was something in her eyes.

Coldness, perhaps. Or something far darker, lurking just beneath her gentle facade.

I can still remember all the times she smiled at me like that. None of those memories were kind.

Kierygan stepped aside, gesturing for me to enter. Evander and Solara followed close behind, standing silently near the bookshelves as I moved forward.

“Tell Eirlys what you want to say,” Kierygan said sharply.

“Eirlys,” Mirael repeated, clasping her hands delicately in front of her. “I…I wanted to apologize.”

I blinked, tightening my hold on Nibbles as he let out another unhappy grunt.

She lowered her gaze, her lashes fluttering against her cheeks in a practiced show of humility. “I know I’ve wronged you. I’ve done…unspeakable things. Things I deeply regret. I want to ask for your forgiveness today. I’ve had time to reflect. I want us to start over. Perhaps even become… friends.”

Her voice trembled slightly on that last word, but I couldn’t tell if it was genuine emotion or just another performance.

The room fell silent, save for the faint tapping of Nibbles‘ claws against my arm. I stared at her, searching her face for any sign of truth beneath that flawless mask.

Kierygan, who had been silently observing this whole time, finally spoke. “It’s up to you, Eirlys,” he said, his eyes fixed on mine. “Only you can decide if she’s freed….or stays locked away.”

At his words, Mirael sobbed harder. Without warning, she threw herself forward, falling to her knees before me. Her hands clasped together as if in prayer, tears dripping onto the rug beneath her.

“Please,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “Please, Eirlys. I beg you. I can’t… I can’t stay locked away any longer. I’ve learned my lesson.”

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+25 Points

My heart pounded in my chest. I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t know what the right thing was. Mirael had been so cruel to me. But seeing her crying–seeing anyone crying because of me–felt

unbearable.

“I…” My voice trembled as I spoke. “I forgive you, Mirael.”

For a moment, silence filled the room, as if even the air had frozen. Then Mirael lifted her head, eyes wide with tearful relief.

“Really,” she breathed, a shaky laugh escaping her lips as she scrambled to her feet. “Does this

mean I’m free now?”

She lunged forward, arms outstretched to embrace me. But before she could touch me, Nibbles launched himself forward with lightning speed. His small teeth sank into her wrist, making her yelp and jerk her hand back.

“Ow!” she cried out, glaring down at the rabbit dangling from her arm.

I stared, stunned. Nibbles was usually nonchalant, never minding people being close to me. I didn’t

know what had gotten into him.

For the briefest flicker of a moment, her eyes burned with fury–dark, unmasked rage that made my blood run cold. But just as quickly, she swallowed it down, forcing a trembling smile onto her

lips as she shook Nibbles off her arm.

Evander let out a soft chuckle from behind me. “You know what they say about animals,” he

drawled, leaning lazily against the bookshelf. “They always seem to know who’s kind–hearted… and

who isn’t.”

Mirael shot him a glare so cold it could cut steel before turning back to me, rubbing her wrist with

feigned composure.

Her smile returned as she stepped closer, though this time her movements were cautious. “Thank you, Eirlys,” she blurted, her voice trembling. “I promise I’ll be a better friend.”

I stepped back, clutching Nibbles protectively against my chest. “I forgive you,” I said softly. “But I

don’t think I want you to be my friend.”

Mirael’s smile didn’t falter. “That’s fine,” she said lightly, “I can’t blame you. I’ve been…really mean to you before.”

I glanced around the room. Kierygan maintained a neutral expression, his face unreadable. Evander wore a smirk, while Solara’s eyes glinted with quiet pride..

Kierygan cleared his throat. “You’re free to go, Mirael,” he said coolly. “But remember, if you do this again, you’ll face a harsher punishment.”

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