I hate this world. This wretched place where humans have no purpose to live. Everyone striving to be better than another.

“Please hurry up princess, or you’ll be late!” Sophie, my personal maid or best friend, yelled at me. 

Sighing, I quickened my pace towards the carrige in this disgusting black gown that made it hard to walk. 

After saying my final goodbyes, the ride to Regal Academy had began. I did not look forward to school. 

Damien and Lilian were the only happiness I found in school. Luckily, we were all going to the same school this year.

I remember back when we were kids...

“Haha, Lily! Your it!” 

Damien and I scrambled far away from our confused friend. She glared at us and gave chase.

“Nanananana! You can’t catch me!” I puffed out my cheeks and stuck out my tongue, creating a ridiculous expression.

It wasn’t long before the incident that changed everything came along...

Suddenly, the road became smoother and the giant castle started to come into view. Beside it was an emormous lake that practically glowed in the bright sunlight.

Finally coming to a stop in front of the stone-built castle, I payed the driver a bronze coin and left to go find my friends.

“Hey Juno, over here!” A familar voice called my name from within the castle perimeters. I instantly knew it was Lilian, or Lily. 

She smiled brightly at me. I noticed that her braces and glasses were gone.

“What happened?”

“Oh this,” She guestured towards her face. “Is my new plan to become popular!”

I rolled my eyes. Typical Lily. I was a bit annoyed about her obsession with becoming popular but also felt pity since it was probably because she was bullied in the past.

“I wonder where Damien is...” Lily trailed off. A light pink dusted her tan cheeks. 

I followed her gaze and saw a brown haired boy getting out of his carrige, paying the driver and walking towards us.

“I’m pretty sure that’s him. Wonder when he got glasses,” I said. 

“Hey Lily. ‘Sup, Juno.” Damien greeted us with an eyebrow waggle, which caused me to smile and cringe at the same time.

“Hi.” “Oh hey, Damien!” Lily and I replied at the same time.

“Wow, Lily! You’ve sure changed. Juno’s still the same, not that it’s a bad thing.” He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly when I raised an eyebrow to his latter statement.

I will never change. I watch everyone else around me move on but I just stay here, making no progress. Hopeless. Forever. But I don’t want to change. 

After few minutes of catching up, a man with a scruffy beard came to bring us to the lake. 

“What’s going on?” Was whispered frequently as the man performed some strange ritual dance.

“Attention!” The man bellowed. “We are here today for the annual dragon summoning ceremony.”

This caused many of us to shut up.

“Every year, a select, lucky person is chosen to be honored with a dragon. This person will be fated to marry it,” The man continued to explain. “To increase your chances in recieving this legendary beast and partner, take off as many articles of clothing as you can. I wish you all the best of luck.”