The dungeon stank of mildew, blood, and betrayal.

Katsuki sat slouched against the damp stone wall, chains biting into his wrists, his breath shallow. Bruises bloomed across his ribs where armored boots had landed. He hadn’t seen the sun in weeks. The only light came from the torches lining the corridor, flickering with every gust from above like they were laughing at him.

The Dragon Prince—brought to his knees in his own kingdom.

He’d overheard them. The invaders. They didn’t whisper. They spoke openly, confidently, like he was already dead. “We’ll execute the heir next week—his treasure’s already ours.”

Tch. Let them try.

But as the days passed, even fury couldn't mask fatigue. He drifted in and out of sleep, half-expecting each shadow to be his last.

Then— Boom.

A deafening crack of stone and steel. Dust exploded into the air as part of the dungeon wall caved in, bricks toppling like dominos. Katsuki’s eyes snapped open, already on his feet before his chains yanked him back down.

Through the smoke stepped a figure clad in invader guard armor, sword gleaming.

Katsuki snarled. “The hell do you want now—”

But they didn’t speak. Instead, they lunged—not at him, but at the chains. With a spark and a grunt, they shattered. His arms dropped free, aching but ready.

“Grab the reins and shut up,” the figure ordered, tossing him a cloak.

He didn’t argue.

They ran—through tunnels, smoke, and ash—until they reached a waiting horse outside the castle wall. The figure mounted first, then turned toward him.

“You coming or what, Your Highness?”

He climbed on behind with a growl. “You better not be planning to ransom me.”

It wasn’t until they were far beyond the outer cliffs, in the shadow of the treeline, that the armored figure finally yanked off their helmet.

Long hair tumbled free, wild and windswept. A girl. Younger than he expected. Sharp-eyed. Familiar. Fierce.

She looked over her shoulder at him.

“Next time you get captured, try not to look so pathetic.”

He blinked. And then—just barely—he smirked.

“…Knew I recognized that sarcasm.”