Sofia was wandering the rose gardens, trying to cool her head.

Why did he show up now?! I haven't seen his face since I was in an eleven-year-old body. I never confessed to him, or even met him. I just watched him from afar. Why did he stare at me like that?!

"Hello, my lady." A male voice startled.

She knew this voice. She turned around to meet the gaze of the dragon-slayer. "Yes, sir?" She smiled politely.

He stepped towards her. "It seems that I scared you in the ballroom. I am sorry, I was merely admiring your beauty from afar."

But you're married. "Excuse me, sir. But don't you have a lady of your own already?" She asked.

He sighed. "I had a wife, but she died of an illness last year."

Sofia's eyes widened. Here he was, the man she fell in love with all those years ago, but... "No offence sir, but I think I am rather young for you to be trying to woo me." She smirked for measure.

He laughed. "Age doesn't matter. You are the most stunning creature I have ever encountered. Mr Breech said you were a Lady Knight. Now what's a young girl doing in that profession I wonder?"

Sofia sat on the seat next to the dragon roses. "I was a rogue in the forest where I saved Sir Theodore from a group of bandits. He offered me the job as thanks."

He sat next to her. "I'm sure I've seen you before." He made eye contact. "I definitely remember those eyes."

She swallowed. "I'm told I have the eyes of an ancient dragon."

He clapped his hands together. "That's where I saw them! The great black dragon. Apparently, she fell for a human and died of a broken heart."

"She did fall... but she's not dead." Sofia whispered.

He looked at her. "What are you saying?"

"The great black dragon fell in love with a dragon-slayer and went to a sorcerer to ask to transform into a human. But he didn't tell her of the age she will turn into. It resulted in her transforming into an eleven-year-old." She explained. "The man she loved was a lot older than her human self and was due to be married. So, she sort-out to find the sorcerer to turn her back."

He stared at the beautiful young woman. "You... it's you!" He exclaimed. "You're... the great dragon queen..." He whispered.

She nodded. "What you gonna do now?"

He bowed his head. "I'm sorry..." He said. "I'm sorry you went through all of that for me." He lifted his head up. "But if you'll have me, I will be yours for the rest of my days to make it up to you." He took her hands.

She pulled away. "I'm sorry... but there's another person who has my heart now."

He stared at her. "Young Breech?" He hissed.

She frowned. "So?"

"You loved me, didn't you? You did all this for me, I am telling you that I want to make everything up to you, but no... You prefer scum like Breech." He stood up. "Clearly your standards have gone down with turning into human, my lady."

She jumped up too. "Don't you dare insult him in my presence." She growled.

He smirked. "You're forgetting that even though you're still part dragon, that I am a slayer."

"A slayer without a dragon sword is useless. I've been around destroying every one of them since. There is only one in existence, and it belongs to a dear dragon friend of mine." She stated.

"You... you snuck into my house... you destroyed my sword?"

She nodded. "I'm not just a pretty face, sir."

He liked the look on her face, fire in her eyes, determination in her face and magic radiating from her. "Like I could kill you with it anyway..." He cupped her face and leaned in to kiss her.

"Hey!" He was dragged from her and was met by a heavy fist. "Back off, I brought her. If anything, she's mine tonight."

Sofia grabbed this person around the arm. "Gunther..." She whispered. "You came."

The dragon-slayer stood up. "Damn, Breech..."

Sofia glared at him. "What did I say about insulting him?" She snarled. Flames licked her hands as she clenched them into fists.

"Lady Sofia?"

They all looked to see a guard standing there.

"My dear sir, could you escort this man out? He's been harassing me and insulting my squire." She said calmly.

"Yes, my Lady." He made his way around the maze-like garden to reach them.

The dragon-slayer glared at her. "I'll let the whole kingdom know what you are." He whispered.

"Ha! The whole king's court knows about her. Who do you think they'll believe when the king is her protection?" Gunther smirked. He went closer to the man. "You won't come near my pretty lady knight again, understand?"

The guard took the man by the arm and dragged him out of the castle gates.

Sofia sighed and dropped onto the bench again. "That went better than I thought it would."

He knelt in front of her and lifted her chin. "Are you alright?" He asked in a quiet voice.

She nodded. "I will be."

He stood and took a seat next to her. "You are too pretty for your own good... you attract too much dangerous attention."

She looked to him. "Good thing I don't fear danger."

He met her gaze. "Yes, I guess that is a good thing."

The moonlight made her eyes glitter like sapphires.

He cleared his throat. "Actually, I have something for you. I had meant to give it to you before, but you were so stunning that I couldn't find the words." He added, blushing.

Sofia frowned. "What is it?"

He smiled at her. "Turn your back to me and close your eyes." He instructed.

She did as she was told.

He took the necklace from the box and fastened it around her neck. "Okay, you may open your eyes now." He breathed into her ear.

She did so, staring down at the pendent. "I know this..." She breathed.

Gunther felt his heart race.

"I gave it to a dragon-slayer some time ago." She turned to look at him. "Where did you get this?"

He cleared his throat. "Someone gave it to me and said to give it to someone who I care dearly for. I decided to give it to you, you are the first person to break down my walls and make me smile uncontrollably." He took her hand. "Please accept it."

She nodded. "Thank you." She slipped into his embrace. Wrapping her arms around his neck.

He grinned like an idiot. "You're very welcome, pretty lady knight." He whispered, holding her close.

She pulled away and gazed at the sapphire and diamond pendent. "Whoever gave this to you must've really appreciated whatever you did for them." She muttered.

He smiled. It's more like what you did for them... "So, are you ready to go back inside?" He asked, standing up, holding out his hand.

She nodded and took his hand.

He held it tightly all the way into the ballroom and danced with her.

Gunther walked Sofia back to the tower.

"Well, I hoped you enjoyed yourself, despite the events that occurred." Gunther added.

She smiled and nodded. "Yes, thank you, dear Squire." She stepped up to him and placed a soft kiss onto his cheek, quite close to his lips.

He felt his face flame up. "It's been my pleasure pretty lady knight." He smiled down at her. "Good night."

"Good night." She bowed her head and went up the staircase of the tower.

Gunther turned around and touched the spot where she had kissed him. Pretty lady knight, why must you torture me so...?