Claimed By A Dragon Prince

They walked down the stairs waiting with the other nobles to be introduced. Lily wished that Trinee would be there, but she wasn’t one for these type of events. Looking around at the people present it was no surprise that the Eldest Prince was there and with, to her surprise, Alisa. Lily tapped Dimitri on the arm pointing them out. "What possessed him to chose her as a date?" Alisa gave Lily a haughty look staring her nose down at Lily. Turning to her prince she reminded herself that she now stood equal if not higher than Alisa. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Dimitri noticed her nervousness and held her closer leaning down to her ear. "Don’t worry. If any thing or anyone messes with you I am here, and father won’t let anything slide past him." Lily nodded as the announcer introduced them for their entrance. "Second Prince Dimitri and Princess Lily of the Dragon Clan." Several people gasped hearing his name and then another with him. They descended as everyone’s eyes was watching them while he greeted his father at the bottom of the stairs.

"Well met, son. Lily you look absolutely radiant! Did you pick this out or did the queen?" Lily was about to answer when the Eldest Prince came down the stairs with Alisa. Lily looked about the room trying to see if the Wolf king and queen were present. They were on the other side of the room watching Alisa in shock. Max looked disappointed then look her way as she turned her head avoiding eye contact.

Lily did see someone she had always avoided at all cost. Tylan was next to the Wolf king and queen as Alisa and the dragon prince approached them. Lily knew there could only be trouble with that pairing for the night. Dimitri was talking with his father and a couple other nobles as she excused herself to get them refreshments.

As soon as she left Dimitri’s side ladies from all over swarmed him and Lily. A group of noble woman approached her as she reached for two champagne glasses. "We haven’t seen you before. Are you knew to the Clan? Lady Micheals." The woman bowed slightly to Lily who knew they were assessing her so she answered carefully. "Yes, I am new. I’m a researcher for Prince Dimitri. He and Professor Magnus recruited me." Some of the woman gasped while others merely nodded or whispered behind their fans. One woman in particular looked to be the head of the group was much like Lady Scarlett in appearance.

She walked around Lily assessing her, lifting her hems and hair unimpressed with Lily’s looks. "I could have done so much better with all those jewels in my hair. You know, he was engaged to my family some years ago, but he focuses on his work so much they didn’t want me or my cousin to wait around for him." Lily could sense this woman trying to get a rise out of her.

"Yes, he was. Shame none of you could make real contributions to this Clan or he wouldn’t have been so busy. My Prince, has more important things to do then simply dote on a potential wife all the time. Some times I like to dote on him. All Day Long." A few of the woman had jealous looks on their faces while others look envious.

Lady Micheals had a very envious look on her face, but composed herself quickly before others noticed. "You said you are a researcher, what did you come to research? how to catch a prince?" The other ladies giggled at her comment that didn’t faze Lily.

"No more like how to save the Dragon Clan. Possibly others as well. I’m here to find a solution to the Dragon moss decline. Healers have been running short or trying to grow theirs independently with little to no luck. I was called in to help fix this."

A couple of the ladies listened while the others started trailing off for more exciting conversation. Lady Micheals knew she had been out maneuvered, but she didn’t want to walk away without leaving a sting in her night.

"He is still engaged to my family. The engagement was never fulfilled and still remains open even now." Lily had enough of these b*tches trying to tear her down. Lily stepped up and slapped the lady causing her to stumble back. "Ever speak about my mate as if he is yours and I’ll make you submit to formal punishment. Then I will go to the head of your family and explain to them that their young lady has gravely offended Prince Dimitri’s mate."

Some of the ladies scattered but Lady Micheals held her cheek and stood her ground crossing her arms as if she were of higher status then Lily. "Listen here little runt! Your are just some cast off from the Wolf Clan. He will use you for them then toss you aside when your no longer useful to him." At that moment Prince Dimitri walks up to his mate lacing her arm through his than looking to Lady Micheals.

"Lady Kat, I see you have met my mate, Lily. I was hoping she would get the chance to meet some of you court ladies. Though I didn’t count on the snide remarks and underhanded comments from such proper ladies of society." Lady Micheals blushed with embarrassment looking at the floor for lack of an answer to his accusation. She went to grab a wine glass, but ended up knocking the tray over spilling it all over Lily’s dress. The shocked look on her face said it all.

"Come Lily, I’m sure we can find more appropriate and kind ladies elsewhere." Prince Dimitri steered Lily away from them feeling the daggers they were staring at as they walked away. Dimitri introduced her to a few other ladies he knew were more to Lily’s personality. "Thank you, my prince. I really didn’t want to make a scene just to walk away from those vipers."

Dimitri kissed her on the head giving her reassurance. The Dragon king and queen stood at the center platform near the stairs, as the King taps his glass. "Welcome everyone to our annual Winter Solstice ball. We are delighted to have everyone here. Before we begin we wish to make an announcement. As of this coming year, I will be choosing the crown prince to ascend my throne. I have two sons in the lead and hope to see great things from them in the coming year. Now enjoy yourselves."