Crown of Ashes

Dragon princess Claire is betrayed and killed by her lover Oliver for a low-born dragon Stella. Reborn before her spouse selection, she rejects the greedy pair. She chooses loyal guard Vince instead. At the deadly Lightning Trial, Oliver’s greed ruins him and Stella. Vince passes the trial with her support, becomes Dragon Emperor, and gifts Claire a phoenix tree to heal her grief, gaining a happy ending.