Regret Me Not, Dragon Prince

I had just stepped out of the King’s study when I bumped into Aaron and his dragon-lord frat bros in the corridor. The second they saw me, they started jeering.

“Hey, look, Aaron! Your little human shadow is back. Man, she really throws herself at you, doesn't she?”

Aaron looked me up and down with pure, aristocratic disgust in his golden eyes. “Listen, Quinn, what are you even doing here? Trying to beg my father to force this marriage? Thinking your 'rare bloodline' and our ancient treaty can pressure me? Save your breath. I’m still weighing my options, and begging won't work. You’re just a fragile human, so stop acting like you're a big deal.”

His arrogance was exactly the same as in my past life. My years of devotion had never made his cold dragon heart skip a single beat.

I took a deep breath, shrugged, and said, “Does this look like it's about you? The King summoned me himself. He's throwing my coming-of-age ball tomorrow.”

The words hit them like a brick. “The King is personally throwing you a ball?!”

I knew exactly why they looked like they'd seen a ghost.

The Dragon King had been reclusive for years. He wouldn't break his isolation for something minor.

The only reason was his ancient decree—on my twentieth birthday, whichever husband I chose would take the throne.

Once the shock wore off, the guys instantly pivoted to kissing Aaron’s ass, showering him with congratulations.

“Congrats, man! Don't forget about us when you're the Dragon King!”

“Looks like after tomorrow, the kingdom is officially yours!”

Aaron shot me a smug, patronizing smirk. “And congrats to you too, Quinn. You've chased me like a stray dog for years, and it looks like you finally got your wish. You must be losing your mind with joy right now.”

He stepped closer, dropping his voice into a cold sneer. “But let’s get one thing straight so we don't have a disaster later. Once we're married, we have an open relationship. You don't touch my private life, and I don't touch yours. That's the only way I'll tolerate putting a ring on your finger.”

My heart sank. This ridiculous condition... Did this bastard reincarnate too?

Just then, a sweet, sickeningly delicate voice echoed from the end of the hall. “Lady Quinn.”

Rose, our family maid, sauntered over wearing a scandalously short silk dress, letting out a couple of fragile, practiced coughs.

Aaron’s icy demeanor vanished instantly, replaced by sheer panic and worry as he rushed to her side. “Babe, you're still weak. What are you doing out of bed?”

Rose looked down, playing the victim. “The Celtic family sent me to serve Lady Quinn. Of course I have to be by her side at all times.”

Aaron gripped her hand tightly, spinning around to glare at me. “Why are you so damn high-maintenance? You can't even walk down a hallway without a chaperone? Can't you see Rose is sick?”

He didn't wait for an answer, guiding Rose away without looking back. Before rounding the corner, he threw one last warning over his shoulder. “If you keep being this selfish and spoiled, Quinn, I'm calling off the wedding!”

Watching them leave, I couldn't help but laugh out loud. Aaron really thought he was the one holding all the cards. He had no idea that in this lifetime, I wouldn't marry him if he were the last dragon on earth.