(Hope all of you liked these quotes which can relate to this story. Thanks! Love, LilPeach)

"Hell sent us the most evil disease that ever existed, and we humans call it love..." \-Anonymous

"I don't hate you. I'm just disappointed you turned into everything you said you'd never be." \- Anonymous

"The longer you dance with the devil, the longer you stay in hell." \- Anonymous

"What happens when he's your prince charming, but you're not his Cinderella?" \-RandomAuthor

"Just because I let you go doesn't mean I wanted to." \- Anonymous

"Love doesn't hurt; loving the wrong person does." \- RandomLover

'The sight of the mountains peaceful standing worth every struggle I bear before making up here. I wonder if I can visit many mountains in the future?' a young lady sighed because of what she thinks. She knew herself that this may be the only and last peaceful place she can somewhat at least stare at.

*Black roses stands still--

Red leaves helplessly sigh...

Sounds of misery lingers around*...

Those words are the exact same thing she can describe about what is about to happen when she turns around and looked backwards.

A group of three people are standing in front of a cliff with a woman in lavender clothes. They have been out for about two days, in search of this young woman who is being hunted by all mages and warriors. And lady luck is in their side. They can't imagine the rewards of their master once they ended this fallen person's life.

And they were about to unsheathe their spiritual swords when an unknown man's voice boom behind them and powerful aura of a mage bursted from that voice.

"Lady Anastasia! Lady Anastasia Philip!" hearing a familiar voice, a young girl who wore a pure and simple lavender dress that reaches her knees, calmly scattered her eyes to find that familiar voice who called her. Seeing three people who are astounded when she looked at them with her doll eyes, she paid no attention from what they are about to do. Hence, she was about to give up when she locked her gaze to an amber colored eyes behind the three assassins.

In a second, she remembers the eyes of the person who can make her feel like her heart missed a beat. Too bad, she couldn't help but to feel disappointed because she won't be able to catch a glimpse into that pair of eyes in the future.

"What does the Archduke is doing out in the wilderness?" the lady's sweet voice could make everyone feel she is a fairy. Even the three assassins were dumbstruck at that point.

But sweet dreams can turn into worst nightmares.

When the lady in lavender moved her hand in the directions of the three, their heads were severed and are already rolling to the ground---making the three die before their body hit the cold land.

"Lady Anastasia of the South---" before the man finish, the lady already turned around and acted as she didn't hear any.

"**I think you are mistaken. I am no Lady of the South. Lord Archduke, you've got the wrong pers---"

"Milady, the Emperor of the North wants to see you**." the Archduke's words made the lady stop and look at him with indifference.

"I am sorry. I have no business concerning the Emperor of the North. I am just a wanderer." she said while she started to walk away when the Archduke stopped her trails. His look no longer holds arrogance and authority like earlier, rather it now holds pleading and helplessly eyes. And just like that, she surrendered and began to neat her dress as she speak slowly.

"I wonder, did you come here as an Archduke or as a big brother?" seeing she hopelessly asked, the Archduke can't help but to shook his head.

"No. I am here as a big brother. I somehow missed you, sister-in-law." when he said 'sister-in-law', Anastasia couldn't help but to twitch her thin lips.

"Brother Andre, who are you calling sister-in-law? I remembered I have no fiancé!" her words shocked the archduke. What does she....

"Are you saying...you broke your engagement with my younger brother---the Emperor?" he muttered silently the last two words, as if her words truly meant it, he would possibly run in his brother's palace and be a banquet destroyer! He then remembered that his brother said he invites him to a banquet to announce his fiancée to everyone. If this young Lady said she has no fiancé, who the hell is his brother's future empress?

"Anyway, big brother, what are you doing in a place like this?" her tone is casual---gleeful and full of life. Not the tone he is expecting though she didn't answered his question, he forced out a smile.

"Big brother...why do you look at me like that? Aha! Aren't you going to the midnight banquet today prepared by the Emperor? If you're going, do you mind help me extending my apologies to the emperor for not attending it?" she was smiling while telling this to him but he tried saying something but find no courage to say this in front of his junior. She is also invited? Why would....

"Oh? Did I got it wrong? Perhaps you are here to enjoy the scenery? Pardon me but can you accompany me in enjoying the scenery big bro?" after seeing her beautiful smile that could melt down the hardest stone, he nodded and walked towards her, not even glancing at the pile of bodies in front of him.

Once he reached her, they stand before the cliff's dangerous edge, not fearing what could happen next.

"Little Ana, aren't you...hurt?" the archduke gathered enough courage and spoke to her, awaiting for her answer. Yet he only got a low chuckle and a cheerful voice answered him.

"Big brother, if a falling flower yearns for love but the flowing water is heartless, why would the fallen flower stay with the raging water? Of course, the flower couldn't do anything but to let the rushing water send her to her destined fate. Furthermore, a swallow couldn't be paired with a phoenix, no matter how high the swallow can fly, it is impossible to fly in the same flock the phoenix is in." her words contained wisdom, but also contain sadness of the story. She again chuckled as she reminisce the past.

She, being one of the most powerful mage in their Forgotten Realms made many be envious to her. Many princes from other lands wanted her and asked her hand in marriage, but she all put their hopes down. Even other princes forced her to marry them or else they'll wage war against the Southern Kingdom - Hyboria, the kingdom she was born. But what kind of crazy bastard can kill a goddess like her?

However, she ignored everything everyone had said. She focused more on her training and cultivation. But a young man caught her attention. He has this eyes that are forever meant to be cold and indifferent. Once in a competition and she was invited to become a guest of honor and a judge, and coincidentally found him as a contestant.

She found out that he is second son of the Prime Minister of the Thedas - the Northern Kingdom of the Forgotten Realms. Though he is a young duke, everyone couldn't help but to throw mud at his name. Because he is the infamous good-for-nothing duke!

She, being Lady of the South, didn't think so. If he is a good-for-nothing, why would he join a dead or alive competition?!

Representatives from the other three kingdoms mock him. Not only them, everyone who sees him looking at him mockingly. Anastasia just kept silent. She knew that this young duke is no ordinary.

The competition went well and gnawed at least three weeks to complete all stages. But when the judges saw that there are three outstanding people are remaining and there are no more stages left. They turn their heads towards Lady Anastasia, who is just sitting there idly, drinking chrysanthemum tea.  They began asking her for help and was about to cause panic when the young maiden smiled and turned to the last three.

And she saw what she just need to see. Therefore, she smiled calmly and took a sip from her cup of tea.

"Actually milords, I just have found a little beast from my quest in Pandora Forest. Why not, let these young lads try taming it? And if one of them could tame it, only he then could be the champion and I, Anastasia Philip, personally give it to the champion as a reward, how about that milords?"

"Actually milords, I just have found a little beast from my quest in Pandora Forest. Why not, let these young lords try taming it? And if one of them could tame it, only he then could be the champion and I, Anastasia Philip, personally give it to the champion as a reward, how about that milords?"

Moments of silence until a ridiculing laughter was erupted from the crowd. The judges were astounded when the laughter continued; hence they searched for its origin.

"Pardon me for my rudeness, but, rewarding the champion of the Realmitic Competition with a little beast, isn't that hypocrisy Lady of the South?" just as the laughter subsided, an arrogant voice was heard. And part of the crowd made way for a man--rather an elder of one of those tiny sects.

The judges felt disgusting and they were very angry to the point wherein they wanted to strangle the elder to death, not mentioning they don't look to the elder's backing sect.

However, even though hearing the elderly's complaints and audacity to anger her, Anastasia calmly smiled as she put down her cup. The judges, presumably saw the calm facade the lady showed, they just heed a sigh and look at the annoying elder with pity.

For themselves know what it is to be on the position of a prey being targeted by a sweet but merciless predator, just like the lady who sits in the nearby table of them.

"Oho. What is the matter then, Elder Breton? Are you implying that a little beast residing in the Pandora Forest is easy to tame? Or perhaps are you looking down on every beast that forest hiding?" sure enough, the annoying elder cast a murderous glance at Anastasia but she chose to return a small smile and took another sip of her tea.

"Of course not Lady Anastasia. I do not mean to look down on them. It's just that, you are saying that the last stage of the competition is to tame that little beast you are proudly presenting us. Everyone may know some technique in taming a little beast. How can we be so sure that this may determine the winner fair and square? Besides, is that little beast of yours worthy of becoming the reward of this competition?" the elder's words caused a few doubts in the crowd's hearts.

'The elder is somehow right. How can this taming stage determine the champion?' the people kept murmuring to each other on how bias they were on each side....

"...what if I say that little beast is even more precious than yours own life, Elder Breton?" this question of her made the escorts behind her snicker and control their laughter. Meanwhile, this made the elder's face even more uglier.

"Lady Philip! How daring if you to look down on me? For your reference, I am an Elder in the Wind Clan! That kingdom of yours is still standing because we pity your people! But be cause of you looking down on me, then don't blame me for being cruel!"

"..." Anastasia looked at the elder with a cold smile, grazing her reddish lips. She honestly don't know whether she will laugh nor cry.

"**What? Regretting your actions Lady Philip? Why not show your little beast and let us see what he could d---"

"I am sorry but I have to disappoint you Elder Breton. For I am only deciding whether or not should I cry nor laugh because of your jokes. *One more thing, are you and your clan worthy enough to challenge my kingdom***?" with the last question being said, everyone's breath hitched and was shocked to hear the latter's rebuke.

Her dark purple eyes contains evilness, arrogance and unknown bloodlust. Her gaze sent shivers to the spine of everyone who look at her eyes. She is smiling, but one could see the coldness and mischievous traces in it.

Seeing these, Anastasia mumbled a name below her voice that not even the elders could possibly hear what she had said. Afterwards, she continued drinking her tea when she notice a look coming from the young lords who are within the center of the arena. And it came from the infamous good-for-nothing, Duke Xander Constantine!

And it was also because of this young man that she purposely set up one of her precious aces on the line just for the young duke! She simply saw in his potential that he have at least a chance in taming the beast, not because he survived in all stages, but simply because of his determination and willpower!

Silence continued and literally no one spoke as the Lady of the South made her escort pour a tea unto her cup while she felt a familiar presence. She couldn't help but to sneer. 'This man always likes to hide. I wonder if he could continue on spying if the real show was going to start!' she mentally laughed and sat watching and interesting show.

Meanwhile, inside the arena, one can see that there are three person stands still, not falting to remain calm. Ignoring on how the looks and odds the people were giving them, they keep observing how the expressions of each judges change before they intently stare at them. Anastasia couldn't help but to secretly laugh at the three. They don't know what kind of problem she herself, especially made for them.

She was about to drink another cup when a loud roar from the wilderness sent chills to every person. And another roar came and a huge dragon flew in front of the five judges' eyes. The fiery red dragon whose wings were extravagant and in beautiful shade of the dawn sky, that made everyone's line of sight get blurry because of the sudden winds.

And when the red dragon's eyes looked at the people, the bloodlust in it were seen. He assumes he has been summoned by his master maybe because she wants him to please himself with humans as his food!

Just before he make another move a sweet yet cold voice made him shiver in fright.

"Gragolor! Didn't I told you to wait for my orders before attempting to make a move, didn't I?" the young lady whose eyes were earlier cold now hold disappointment and dominance! The crowd can't help but to feel like swallows to a phoenix like her. Even the three competitors! Seeing people ordering and subduing a dragon is a rare scene! Dragons were known for being proud and arrogant, yet she made this dragon follow her?

*But the question that everyone has in their mind is?

What dragon clan this dragon comes from*?

Their thoughts were halted when a man's cheerful voice just came in.

"I heard a divine dragon's howling and immediately went haste to go here only to find out that the Lady of the South is the real master of the Legendary Fire Dragon!" a young emperor walked towards the seat next to the young lady while everyone stared dumbfounded, not because of the appearance of Emperor Chadwell of the Eastern Kingdom, but simply because of what he had just said!

Did he mean that this dragon is a divine beast?! They continued to stare at the young lady of the South's  smiling face. Just now they were praising her because of subduing a dragon, and after hearing the emperor of the Eastern Kingdom's words, in their hearts, they were already lucky to witness this young lady's abilities!

"Brother Chadwell, you flatter me. Am no master of this dragon." the lady's sweet and harmonic voice calmed down the tremors of the crowds imagination. But the emperor chuckled at what she said.

"Hmm? Then are you telling me that you are sure that one of these three can tame your dragon?" Anastasia just smiled and poured tea on her cup. While the judges just nodded in satisfaction. Indeed, they aren't wrong on inviting the Lady of the South. Though the three men, including the young duke, looked at the young lady's smiling face. Anastasia, felt the gaze from the duke, also stared at him, completely ignoring that the person next to her was smiling like a dog while staring at her features.

When an unknown feeling went trough the exchange of gazes, only then Anastasia took the initiative to look away and casually took a sip at her tea, also paid no attention to the man next to her who was also staring at her

"Brother Chadwell, if you look to much maybe my face will be completely be painted in your mind! Don't worry. After this competition, I will ask my subordinates to gift you a painting of a beautiful flower." she said not even look away from her cup of tea.

"Pardon me but may I ask if that flower is you?" the emperor teased her, forgetting that they were not the only two person in the world . In the eyes of the subordinates of her, the emperor, who is their master's long time friend, once again shamelessly flirts or sometimes tease her Ladyship.

The elders whoever took a blind eye about this and just blindly eyeing the dragon before them.

"Of course not. A flower is good enough so that it can possibly wityer just because of your stare, mind as well saving my face from withering." irritatingly, she grabbed the cup from her table and sipped a little for her to calm herself from tearing this man alive.

"Ouch! Little Ana, you broke my heart!" he acted like he was stabbed in his heart snd as well as his fake painful voice. But one could praise this demon for changing his emotion in just a split second.

"However...Lord Gragolor, what do you think about these three? Do you think they can tame you just like what your master had said? And also, I heard a little beast was invited here? " he changed from an acting person to a serious yet cunning person. Still, the dragon plainly looked at the young emperor. He was about to rebuke when he saw his master's calculative gaze. This lady....

But before he answer the challenging tone in the emperor's question, black mist surrounded the dragon, which was slowly getting smaller and descending in to the arena.

"A liitle beast? Where is it? How come I sense none?" the baritone voice of the dragon caused everyone's heart panic risen up! Myths and Legends only foretold that Legendary Dragons can speak and shapeshift into human form.

Red robes flutter as the wind gracefully neaten the man's robes. Young maidens who are the daughters of the highest officials of the four kingdoms were impressed and were clearly infatuated with the man's handsome face! But the fact that this man was a dragon made them disappointed. All their attention was on the red robed man and didn't notice the mischievous smile growing in that man's young master. But seeing the emperor slightly glanced at her, she can't help but to cover her mouth and gently laughed.

"How come you don't know who you are, little beast? Or should I say, Lord Gragolor of the Fire Dragon Clan?"