The Crown's Fire

Asura paced back and forth inside her tent, contemplating Kasper’s offer. He had confirmed that he had a trick up his sleeve and could help her become a dragonrider, but things wouldn’t be simple. "I think he just said that so I’ll spend time with him during this Global Summit. Does he like me?" she murmured, blushing across her cheeks. Despite her reservations, she couldn’t ignore the feeling that he was trying to get closer to her. However, her face darkened as she recalled how he had once brazenly told her that she wasn’t his type.

"Am I assuming again?" she scolded herself, pouting. She reminded herself not to assume anything. In her experience, men were all the same. Most just wanted to sleep with her, and once they were done with her body, they would leave. No one was taking her seriously, and it truly hurt. Her only consolation was Levi’s vision of seeing her getting married. She was eager to see how she could reach that point.

Stepping out of the tent, Asura noticed others getting ready to join the activities.

"Lady Asura, aren’t you participating in the light games the Sorel Guild has prepared today?" Minister Janus asked her.

"I’ll pass today. Maybe tomorrow I’ll participate, Milord," she answered with a curt nod. From the corner of her eye, she saw Kasper not far away, talking with some soldiers.

’Was he waiting for my answer?’ she mused. He had offered to give her a few lessons today, and she had said she wasn’t sure and needed to think about it. She looked at him and saw him staring, but he quickly looked away.

With a sigh, she decided to walk over to him. "Lord Kasper," she called, catching his attention. "About your offer..."

He raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing on his lips. "Yes?"