After the King sent out the wedding invitations a second time (since the first copies had an embarrassing misspelling on them), all the lords and ladies of both realms came to the kingdom to see the wedding. It was an elaborate affair, with hundreds of servants just to prepare the wedding reception....
Over in private, Princess Sara confronted her husband, the Prince Harold.
"I know who you are," she said. "You're the dragon prince Darak."
"Don't be ridiculous," said Harold.
"I'm not," she said. "I'm not stupid. You talk in your sleep, and I know enough dragon language to figure it out. Besides, there are stories that Darak hasn't been seen lately. That's because you've been spending all this time with me."
"Oh, you're a smart human, but not smart enough, because I can eat you right here, and then you won't tell anyone," said Darak.
"No you won't," said Sara.
"What hold have you over one such as I?" said the disguised dragon.
"Well, for one thing, if you eat a cow, or even some peasant, and someone finds out about it, a few people get a little angry. But if you eat a *prince*... There will be armies chasing you. Powerful magicians from other realms will be called in. The entire kingdom will be after you. You won't be able to escape! A prince is about the most dangerous thing to eat! And if you eat *me*... well, if you just eat the prince, at least you can pretend to be him. But you can't pretend to be both of us. They'll discover you!"
"Think not that I am so helpless. I could have another of my kind take your place."
"I know you're attracted to me. Why would you have someone take my place when I could help you?"
"What an interesting offer from a human. You would be with me willingly?" asked Darak.
"Of course I would. I couldn't stand Harold, and we both know it. Do you want to hear my offer?"
"What spunk for a human. Do tell me thy plans."
"First, I want you to gradually change your Harold shape in the next few months to be thinner. You can tell people that I forced you to go on a diet. Second, you don't hurt my family and you do what's good for both kingdoms. Third, no half-dragon babies unless it's safe for me and it's not obvious they're not human. If anything else comes up, I'll tell you. Now, me helping you... I'll help you learn how to act like a real prince, teach you about high society... I know dragons don't worry about those things too much, but you'll need to if you want people to think you're a prince."
The disguised dragon replied, "Interesting. Very well, human. Very well, my wife, I accept... So now we are to consummate our marriage. Shall I change into some form more pleasing for you?"
"Sure, 'Harold'. How about..."