Abandoned by Him, I Became the Dragon King's Bride

Rosalind's POV

"Rosalind! You USELESS girl!"

The silver spoon slipped from my trembling hands.

Lady Isabelle de Monnier—the Duke's daughter I served—stood before the dining table, furiously pointing at the honey cake I'd just finished making.

I'm dead. The thought raced through my mind as my palms began to sweat.

"Look at this GARBAGE you've made!" she shrieked. "The frosting is all lumpy! Are you trying to poison me?"

"My lady, I'll make a new one right away—" I rushed forward, trying to salvage the situation.

God, here comes another tantrum. I knew that expression all too well—the same look she got right before she hit me.

"Make a new one?" Isabelle slowly raised her hand, and I instinctively stepped back. "You should get on your knees and eat every bit of this trash! Then get out of my—"

"Isabelle."

That deep voice made my heart skip a beat instantly.

Sir Gareth Blackwood—Captain of the Royal Knights, every girl's dream—stood in the doorway, golden sunlight outlining his tall frame.

"Gareth!" Isabelle immediately transformed, her voice turning sickeningly sweet. "You're here... I was just disciplining this clumsy servant."

"The royal messenger is waiting in the great hall," Gareth said. His gaze lingered on me for a moment before turning to Isabelle. "There's important business to announce. His Grace requires everyone's immediate presence."

I breathed a sigh of relief. Once again, he'd saved me. Just like countless times before.

But a royal messenger? Unease crept into my chest. What were they doing here at this hour?

"Fine, fine, I'm coming." Isabelle hastily smoothed her skirts, but not before shooting me one last venomous glare. "You—clean this mess up!"

Only Gareth and I remained in the room. As I started to clean up, he suddenly spoke.

"Rosie, wait." He pulled a thick book from inside his coat, its cover etched with various herb patterns. "I found this during my mission in the Northern Territories. Remembered you liked studying these things."

My heart nearly burst from my chest. He remembered? He actually remembered my interests?

Ten years ago, when I was eight and orphaned, I lived on the streets. Gareth saved me—that homeless golden-haired boy who had nothing himself.

Two orphans had depended on each other ever since, until the Duke's manor recruited servants and I took the job to survive. Meanwhile, he'd climbed from foot soldier to Knight Captain through his exceptional swordsmanship.

Now, sunlight streamed through the window lattice, illuminating his golden hair. He wore the noble knight's uniform, looking so distinguished and majestic. And I... I was still just a lowly servant.

"Thank you..." I whispered, reaching out to accept the book.

"I knew you'd love it." He chuckled softly, making my face burn.

This might be the happiest moment of my entire life.

But the next second, reality slapped me hard across the face.

"Isabelle doesn't mean to get angry, you know." Gareth sighed gently, guilt flickering in his eyes. "She's just under so much pressure. Coming of age soon, all that etiquette and responsibility weighing on her. She's a good person at heart. If she hadn't saved my life back then..."

No. NO! I saved you!

I wanted to scream, wanted to grab his collar and tell him the truth.

But the words stuck in my throat. Who would believe a servant's word anyway?

"Ahh—NO—!"

Isabelle's piercing scream suddenly rang out, filled with terror.

Gareth's face darkened, and he immediately rushed toward the sound. Clutching the book, I followed.

In the great hall, a messenger wearing royal insignia stood holding a gold-edged parchment, his expression grave.

Isabelle sat collapsed in a chair, her face deathly pale.

"What happened?" Gareth rushed to her side, dropping to one knee.

The messenger cleared his throat. "By order of His Majesty the King, the Year of Sacrifice has come again. According to the ancient treaty, one pure-blooded royal maiden must be offered to the dragon race to quell their cursed flames."

He paused, his gaze falling on the trembling Isabelle. "Through divine divination and bloodline testing, Miss Isabelle de Monnier, you have been chosen by the gods. In three days, you will journey to Dragon Valley to fulfill this sacred duty."

Dear God! Isabelle chosen for sacrifice? My mind went blank.

While royal bloodline children were selected every year, it was always unloved bastards or distant relatives. Isabelle had always been cherished by the King and Queen. How could this possibly...

"I WON'T GO!" Isabelle screamed hysterically. "I won't die! I won't go to that hell!"

She grabbed Gareth's arm desperately, her nails digging deep into his skin. Blood seeped out, but she didn't seem to notice.

"Please save me!" she sobbed. "I don't want those monsters to tear me apart!"

Gareth's face went pale, but he held her tightly.

"They won't," he said firmly. "I won't let anyone hurt you."

Three days later, we sat in the carriage heading to Dragon Valley.

I huddled in the corner, watching Isabelle cling to Gareth like a frightened animal. She'd been crying for three straight days—her eyes were completely swollen.

The moon hung large and full, shining through the carriage window onto her pale face. Even in this state, she still looked beautiful.

Why can I never compare to her? The bitter thought twisted in my chest.

"I'm so scared..." Isabelle trembled. "Those dragons will claw me apart, burn me with their fire..."

"Don't think about that." Gareth stroked her hair gently. "Focus on my voice, okay? You're safe."

Safe? We were heading toward a place of death—how could she possibly be safe?

But there was something strangely certain in his voice that made me uneasy.

"Gareth..." Isabelle looked up at him, hope flickering in her eyes. "You said you'd protect me, right?"

"Of course." Not a moment's hesitation.

"Then you'd do anything for me?"

Do they have some plan I don't know about? My heart began to race.

"Anything," Gareth said firmly.

Outside the carriage came the sounds of soldiers talking and horse hooves clattering.

Dragon Valley—we'd arrived.