The Powerful Dragon Witch

Winona's POV

"Winona, I like your new family. It seems they are good dragon shifters." Tac said as she snuggled on my lap, and I am caressing her furs. She is a beautiful cat, and I always love trimming her furs.

"Of course, I understand." She replied.

"Don't worry, once I can pass during the preliminary round, I will take you with me. Mom said we should stick together whatever happens. Besides, Lizardo said each candidate must have her quarter at the palace, and I am sure I can hide you there." I declared.

"Yes, you are correct, but there are moments when we need to be a part." She responded, and I realized Tac has a point, and I know during the six months tournament I need to be away from her from time to time because, as per Lizardo, it includes outdoor activities. I have to be strong, and I need Tac on my side because I can't bring Lizardo with me.

"Good luck, Winona; I hope you can save Slyvia." She muttered.

"Me too, I am so excited to see her Tac, and I can't wait to rescue mom." I replied.

"Don't worry, you are almost there, you have been preparing for this chance for seven years, don't make poor decisions, you have to be keen at all times. Don't be afraid because you can always defend yourself because you are not only a witch, but you are also a dragon. King Alexandrix and King Julius wanted your heart because they believed you could offer them immortality. If you have that kind of ability, it means you have underlying power deep inside you, Winona, and all you need to do is to discover it. All I can tell you is beware of the Dracousia Kingdom politics. I heard from Lizardo many from the royal family participated in the tournament, which means treachery would be present during the competition." She said, and I agree with Tac.

"I am sure the royal family from each color will support their candidate, and you have to be careful because any aspirant will pull you down to eliminate you. I know you will be the subject of their deception because you can be their most strong contender. That is why you have to follow Lizardo's advice, don't show too much power. As long as you will not become the weakest link, you will be fine." She said.

"I know, but I can tell that is my weakness, Tac. Do you remember the last time I participated in a tournament? I lost my parents because I wasn't able to control myself back then." I replied.

"You were only twelve years old that time, Winona; you are now nineteen. There is a big difference between your maturity compared to the last time, trust your guts, and you will be on the right path." She said, and I know this is why my mom gave me Tac as my familiar because I need her wisdom. And I know she will make me grounded and will not allow me to lose my focus in everything that I will do.

"Ana? Are you awake?" I heard Agnes voice outside my door.

"Yes, come in, mother." I replied, and I am proud of myself that I remember calling her mother, and seconds later, I saw her beautiful face emerged into my room. She is wearing a beautiful long green gown, and she crowned braided her beautiful long hair.

"Lunch is ready." She declared.

"Thank you, Ma." I said, and I got up from the bed, and I carried Tac with me.

"I think I should stay here, Winona. Just bring me some food." She communicated with me through her mind.

"Why?" I asked.

"I want your new family to be safe, I don't want your new parents to be in trouble, we do not know anyone will drop by, and I am sure they will immediately assume I am a cat from the Thesirea Kingdom." She declared.

"Okay, I understand." I responded, and I put her down on the bed, and I follow Agnes through the stairs. And as we reached the living room, I can smell the aroma of the food she prepared that wafted on the entire place. I am not familiar with dragon food, but by the time I sat down in front of the wooden dining table, I felt my mouth salivate as I can see the mashed potatoes and grilled steak in front of me.

"I will go to the palace after lunch, Ana; I need to gather information about the development of the tournament, and you don't need to worry because Cornelio will come with me." Lizardo said, and I nodded my head.

"Okay, I hope the king didn't change the procedure at the last minute because I still need to undergo the screening." I replied.

"Well, I am sure many will come to the palace today for the screening. Still, I am sure tomorrow the entire court will be crowded, you know, it is typical knowledge individuals will always come on the last day, unless the Dragon King will give golden coins to the early birds." He responded, and as I take my first bite on my food, I close my eyes to savor the goodness of the flavor of the steak.

"Wow, you are an excellent cook, mother." I said.

"Thank you, Ana, I used to serve the royal family, but when our daughter got sick, I quit my job, but right now I received an order from the kingdom to be one of the chefs during the entire tournament, and this could be a good chance for me to help you. It would be best if you had someone in the palace; I already told the knight who came that my daughter will join in the tournament, and I am still waiting for a response from the council, and I hope they will allow me to work even if you will you participate in the contest.

After lunch, I studied the books given to me by Lizardo, but because of the freshness that I feel around my surroundings, I fall asleep. When I wake up, it is already dark, I can see a lump on my side table, and I realized Agnes must come when I was sleeping, and I smiled when I found Tac sleeping beside me on the bed. I got up and go to the kitchen to help, but I found Agnes preparing food on the table.

"I am sorry, mother, I should have helped you, but I fall asleep." I declared.

"It is okay, dear, and I know you were studying; I wish you came ahead of time so that I can teach you some of my stock knowledge." She said, and then after she finished setting the table, Lizardo and Cornelio arrived.

"Good evening, dear, " Agnes greeted her husband with a kiss on the lips, and I can tell they are a sweet couple

"Good evening, Lizardo; I think we should eat dinner now so that Ana can have extended hours of sleep because she needs to depart with us early in the morning tomorrow." She declared.

"Of course, and there is another development about the screening tomorrow, and I think the Crown Prince temporarily stopped his quest of finding the Dragon Witch." Lizardo said, and he looked at me, and I don't know if it is a good sign that the Crown Prince lost his interest in searching for me.

"He will judge the screening tomorrow," Cornelio added, and my mouth hangs open, and I can't stop the trembling of my entire body, I should never commit an error, or he will capture me if I create one mistake.

"But why?" I asked.

"We don't know the reason and most of the female dragon shifters who come today back out since they want to see the Crown Prince because they seldom see him around the palace because he was always away on his adventures, and lately he was busy looking for you, Ana." Cornelio declared.

"Why? Is he that handsome that they want to meet him?" I asked.

"Trust me, Ana, he is the most handsome dragon shifter in the entire dragon Kingdom, and you should be careful with your heart." Agnes replied.

"Indeed, but to be fair to the Crown Prince of Dracousia, I can feel he is different from his father. That is why he doesn't want to be around in the palace." Cornelio said.

"Yes, you are right, Cornelio. I can see goodness in him when I served King Alexandrix; he always talks with me, and he was a good lad; I don't know if his father influenced him with his evil deeds. He left during the tournament seven years ago because he didn't like it to witness death just for fun, and the Crown Prince wants to argue with his father, but he can never deny his king." Lizardo said, and we eat our dinner in silence. And after dinner, I helped Agnes clean the table and wash the dishes.

I retire to my bed early, but I found it hard to sleep because I was thinking about the Crown Prince of Dracousia Kingdom, and I can't wait to see him, and I am also thinking about Kai. I need to marry the crown prince to save my mother, but if I can find a way to keep my mom before the tournament is over, the better, but it would be tricky since they will monitor our magic activities. I need to make sure I will never use my witch magic all the time to avoid detection, and I only need it to hide the original color of my dragon scales. I need to keep my dragon form red whatever it takes, unless I am ready to battle the dragon armies and the wicked Dragon King.

For now, I need to capture the heart of the Crown Prince of Dracousia, so I will have the chance to enter into the preliminary round. I am sure Kai will understand that I am only doing all this to save my mother, and I will tell him I only love him. It will never happen that I will fall with my enemy, the Dragon King killed my father mercilessly in front of his citizens, and it makes the Crown Prince my enemy too. Once I save my mom, I will live with Kai in the human world, and we can live in peace, and I will forget that I am the Dragon Witch.