"Ahhh—! A dragon!" The crowd erupted like a boiling pot, instantly thrown into chaos.
"The bride was taken by a dragon!"
"The dragon ate the bride!"
"Gods above, a dragon attack!"
"Run! The dragon is invading the city!"
"Mercy! Spare us, we don't want to be eaten!"
Shouts of panic filled the air.
King Elroi Latin stared blankly at the now-empty sky, unable to believe someone—no, some*thing*—had snatched away the daughter-in-law his family had waited so long for. Yet the truth was undeniable: the bride who had just been holding his hand had vanished.
Fury ignited in the usually mild-mannered king. For the first time in his reign, he bellowed in rage, "Guards! Shoot down that dragon!"
While others panicked, Charles and Agatha simply stood clutching the severed train of Sophie's wedding dress, gaping at the sky.
*Mom disappeared again.*
"Charles, if Mom comes back this time, will she bring *another* dad?" Agatha tilted her head curiously.
"Hard to say." Charles dropped the fabric scrap, stroking his chin thoughtfully. With his keen elven sight, he'd glimpsed the dragon's human form—an exceptionally handsome one. For their easily smitten mother, this would be a true test. He pondered whether they should move out of the palace preemptively.
Meanwhile, the groom had also vanished, chasing the distant speck in the sky with every ounce of his battle aura. Sir Ray's heart shattered at Sophie's despairing cry. He couldn't lose her—not again. Even if it meant facing a dragon.
---
"EVERYONE, CALM DOWN!" Prince Todd's magically amplified voice cut through the chaos.
After restoring order and evacuating the square, Todd exhaled in relief. Now, to deal with the missing bride...
---
Dangling midair in a dragon's claw, Sophie felt like a mouse snatched by an eagle. Cities and crowds had long disappeared beneath her, replaced by endless forests and tiny villages.
Resigning herself to not prying the talon open—she had no desire to free-fall without Sir Ray below—she craned her neck to see only scaly blue underbelly.
*I refuse to become dragon poop!*
Summoning courage, she clawed at the grip. Better to plummet than be eaten!
"Easy there, beauty! That tickles!" A thunderous voice rumbled as a massive dragon head lowered into view, its maw stretched in what might've been a grin.
"You—you *talk*?" Sophie squeaked.
"Of course! Dragons mastered human speech millennia ago!" The beast preened.
"Mr. Dragon! Grandpa Dragon! Please don't eat me! I'm all skin and bones—barely a snack! And I haven't bathed in months! Terrible flavor! Try rabbits instead!"
The dragon chuckled. "You're hilarious! I'm Bradley the Ice Dragon—your future husband!"
"*What?!* I'm *human*! And *married*! Let me go, or my husband will make you regret this!"
"No worries—I can take human form too!"
In a flash, a blue-haired Adonis appeared beside her, one arm snug around her waist.
Sophie erupted. "You—*abducting*—*pervert*—!" She kicked, scratched, and bit.
"Ow!" Bradley released her to clutch his bleeding cheek—
—and Sophie plummeted.
"Feisty! I like that!" He caught her again, grinning.
"Like *this*?!" She rained blows on him. "I'm marrying Sir Ray!"
"Nope! *I'm* your groom now!"
"I don't love you!"
"You will!"
"You arrogant *pig*!"
"Pig? Is that a compliment?" Bradley blinked.
"*Yes!* Your new name is *Pig*!" Sophie seethed.
"Whatever makes you happy!" His eyes gleamed as the distant silhouette of Dragon Valley came into view.
Her fury dissolved into tears. "Take me back... I want Sir Ray..."
Bradley caught a falling teardrop—now a glistening gem. "What's this?"
"I'm *dying*!" Sophie sniffled.
"*What?!*" Panic set in. His elders had pressured him to find a mate, and after years of searching, he'd finally chosen *her*—only for her to be poisoned?!
"What toxin? Our elders might cure it!"
"The *deadliest*." *The poison of love—without Sir Ray, I'll wither.*
"Don't worry! We'll save you!" Bradley sped up, determined to keep his bride.
Exhausted, Sophie slumped. Insults and struggles were useless.
"Sleep now. You'll love Dragon Valley." A glow enveloped her head as Bradley murmured a spell.
---
Sir Ray stumbled to a halt as the distant speck vanished. Despair choked him—had he lost Sophie forever?
Memories flooded back:
*"Sir Ray, I love you!"*
*"This doll is you, this one's me—keep it safe! I'll check!"*
*"Which bracelet should I wear? Yours, of course—my first gift from you!"*
Then—*the bracelet!*
His tracking bracelet!
Renewed hope flared. Gathering his last reserves of energy, Sir Ray raced toward Sophie's signal.
**Can Sir Ray reach Dragon Valley in time?**