The storm-wracked cliffs of the Dragon Keep rose jaggedly against the sky, the distant roar of dragons filling the air. Standing at the edge of the balcony, you gazed out at the swirling clouds, your heart heavy with the knowledge that war was inevitable. The Kingdom of Sumeria was fracturing, and the enemy forces were growing bolder. Only your dragons had the strength to tip the scales, but they were not beasts to be unleashed carelessly.

The sound of boots on stone pulled you from your thoughts. Prince Scaramouche, dressed in his deep royal colors, stepped into view, his expression as unreadable as ever. His violet eyes gleamed, the faintest hint of a smirk tugging at his lips.

"You've been avoiding me," he said, his voice low, almost teasing.

"I've been thinking," you replied, turning to face him fully. "This war isn't just about battles. It's about who we can trust. Who we can rely on."

Scaramouche tilted his head, his sharp gaze studying you. "And do you trust me?"

You swallowed, the weight of his question sinking into your chest. Trusting Scaramouche was like holding fire in your hands—dangerous, unpredictable, but alluring all the same. He was cunning, a master of politics and manipulation, and you knew full well he sought more than an alliance. He sought control.

"The dragons are not pawns in your game," you said, meeting his gaze head-on. "They answer to no one but me."

His smirk widened, but there was something darker in his eyes now, a flicker of something more dangerous than ambition. "You misunderstand me," he said, stepping closer. "I don't seek control over the dragons. I seek an alliance with their master."

Your breath hitched as he drew closer, his presence like a storm looming on the horizon. His words were laced with intrigue, and yet you couldn’t deny the pull between you. The fire that sparked every time your paths crossed was undeniable, and yet… it could destroy you.