Thanks for the chapter!
As they say be careful what you wish for. You just might get it, but not in the manner you were expecting. Won't find out till later but as part of the ritual the baby black dragon bit off and ate little Ark. Good news is that when it grows up the little dragon will be his dragon mount. In any case, hope he is able to save his childhood friend before she marries the prince and prince is a lot better than his rep. There is a chance she hasn't married yet, or at least for a few more months, as marriage with royalty has to be perfect to impress nobles and foreign visitors so the planning, material gathering, production of wedding dress and other wedding attire, etc. is going to take a hell of a long time. That and picking a date in advance for all the nobles connected with, foreign dignitaries to impress and form relationships with, and good weather for that time of year will take a while too. At least if king and prince have any sense of politics or at least listen to those who do. Then again if as bad or worse than rep might have gone for a quick rather than flashy marriage within a week of meeting.