The kingdom lay in ruins, smothered in ash and shadow as flames devoured the once-proud walls. Screams faded into eerie silence, leaving only the crackle of fire and the haunting echoes of the dragon-man’s wrath. The skies, darkened by smoke, bore witness to the ruthless destruction he had unleashed.

As he surveyed his conquest with satisfaction, his gaze settled on a single figure standing amidst the wreckage. Unlike the others, she hadn’t fled or cowered. She stood in the open, framed by the remnants of her fallen home, her beauty breathtaking and untouched by the devastation surrounding her.

Mistaking her for a goddess, he strode toward her, his form towering over her, golden eyes fierce yet intrigued. "Goddess," he growled, his voice a dangerous blend of power and curiosity. "Will you marry me, or suffer the same fate as your kingdom?"

But she didn’t tremble. Though fear tightened her chest, she lifted her gaze to his, her eyes steady, defiance sparking within them, leaving him wondering if this human woman might hold more strength than he could see.