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I Raised a Dragon for Ten Years, but He Only Loved My Sister - Full - Full EP
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Short filmTranscript
00:00My sister and I found twin worms in the Northern Wastelands.
00:03She took the black worm Wesley, gentle and caring.
00:07I took the white worm Kalos, cold as ice.
00:11But I refused to give up.
00:12I spent ten years feeding him my own magic blood, but he never grew close to me.
00:18Just as I was about to quit, he suddenly changed his mind.
00:22Let's bond.
00:23I thought I'd finally melted his heart.
00:26But the night before our bonding, I learned the truth.
00:29He only wanted to bond with me to stay close to my sister.
00:32After he becomes a dragon, they'll kill me and marry Eliza.
00:37That's when I realized I was just a twee to him.
00:39The twin worms we found dying had both fallen for my sister.
00:43But that's fine.
00:45Now that I know the truth, I have my own plan.
00:48I dragged myself back home.
00:50Kalos came home late.
00:51We bumped into each other.
00:52He doesn't know I know everything.
00:54He stepped back.
00:55Don't touch me.
00:56Same reaction as when I first tried to touch his tail.
01:00I thought he was just born cold.
01:02But no.
01:03He was disgusted by me.
01:05I let out a bitter laugh.
01:06My eyes burned.
01:08Tears fell.
01:09Drop by drop.
01:11Kalos turned and walked away.
01:13Annoyed.
01:14Didn't look at me once.
01:15The only time he shows any warmth is when I give him my magic blood.
01:19I thought about the winter hunt our households every year.
01:23Every time, I brought double supplies.
01:26Hoping he'd come with me.
01:29Karis, will you come with me?
01:31No.
01:32Everyone brings their bonded beasts.
01:34They'll laugh at me if you don't come.
01:35Then bond a new one.
01:36I don't care.
01:38So for ten years, I went alone.
01:40The hunt beasts are clever.
01:42They attack anyone alone.
01:43I always came back covered in wounds.
01:46One time, I ran into Eliza and Wesley.
01:48Wesley has the same face as Kalos.
01:50But his smile was warm.
01:52He held my sister's hand gently.
01:54Eliza, your palms are raw.
01:56Let me do the hunting from now on.
01:57She smiled and nodded.
01:59She reached for his tail.
02:01He wrapped it around her waist.
02:03Letting her touch as much as she wanted.
02:05How wonderful.
02:05I envied my sister.
02:07She had Wesley's true heart.
02:09For three days, I didn't eat or drink.
02:11I just sat in my room.
02:13The only place I felt safe.
02:15Day turned to night.
02:16Then day again.
02:17I was empty but not hungry.
02:19My parents only saw Eliza.
02:21No one noticed I'd disappeared.
02:22Not even Kalos, who lived with me.
02:24Or maybe he just didn't care.
02:25On the third morning, Kalos left.
02:27I walked through every room.
02:29Every corner held our memories.
02:31Ten whole years.
02:32He was like an accident in my life.
02:34I thought I could melt ice.
02:35But he was a knot I couldn't undo.
02:38My stomach twisted in pain.
02:40I packed up everything I owned.
02:42I decided to leave.
02:43For ten years, my only goal was him.
02:45Bond with Kalos.
02:47Grow together.
02:48But that dream was dead now.
02:49I remembered bringing him home.
02:51He was so weak.
02:52Almost dead.
02:53His worm blood was special.
02:55Normal herbs and magic stones did nothing for him.
02:57I had no money.
02:58No status.
02:59So I fed him my own magic blood.
03:02What's stronger than a Karen's blood?
03:03It hurt every time.
03:05I don't know how I kept going.
03:07But seeing his face turn healthy again gave me courage.
03:10Again and again.
03:11I thought we'd grow old together.
03:12Even if he was cold.
03:13He was still my little dragon.
03:15I did so many things for him.
03:17I never told him the cost.
03:18I didn't want him to feel guilty.
03:20But even that wasn't enough.
03:22He still hated my kindness.
03:23I decided to let go.
03:25Free him.
03:26Free myself.
03:27I packed my bag and left.
03:29I wandered with no direction.
03:31I found myself at the valley where we used to watch the moon.
03:34I love the moon.
03:35So does Kalos.
03:36But he never watched it with me.
03:37Only when Eliza and Wesley came.
03:39Then he would join us.
03:41That was the only time his cold face came alive.
03:44He couldn't even hide his true form.
03:47His tail trembled under his robe.
03:49I thought it was because they were twin worms.
03:51The signs were so obvious.
03:53But I was too blind to see.
03:54I took a deep breath.
03:56I blinked back the tears.
03:57Just as I turned to leave.
03:58What are you doing here?
04:00His voice wasn't cold for once.
04:01I remembered how he flinched the last time I touched him.
04:04I stepped back quickly.
04:05Nothing.
04:05Just walking.
04:07His gaze is fixed on me.
04:08He smiled.
04:09A warm smile.
04:10I need to talk to you.
04:11I looked at him confused.
04:12He brushed the hair from my face.
04:14So gentle.
04:15Like a different person.
04:16Let's bond.
04:16He said softly.
04:17My mind went blank.
04:18I'd waited ten years for these words.
04:20I thought I'd given up on him.
04:22But my heart still leaped.
04:23I nodded before I could think.
04:25Forgetting the days I'd locked myself away.
04:27Maybe it was ten years of hope.
04:29Maybe I could still warm him.
04:30He took my hand and led me home.
04:32The first time we touched in ten years.
04:34I held on tight.
04:35Leaned into him.
04:36He held my hand loosely.
04:38Like it would slip away the moment I let go.
04:41Back at the Karen estate, Kalis smiled gently.
04:44His eyes sparkled like shattered stars.
04:47Just like when we first met.
04:48My heart soared from the depths.
04:50I told my parents about the bond.
04:51Then magic fireworks exploded outside.
04:54I thought Kalis had planned it.
04:56I ran out excited.
04:57Eliza and Wesley stood beneath the lights.
05:00Not for me.
05:00I'd done it again.
05:02Disappointment washed over me.
05:03I looked at Kalis beside me.
05:05He was still smiling.
05:06But I could see the sadness.
05:07Ten years together.
05:08I knew his face.
05:10He still loved my sister.
05:11The joy I'd felt faded.
05:13Kalis squeezed my hand.
05:14So hard it made me cry.
05:16News of the bond spread fast.
05:18Your family is so lucky.
05:20No true dragon since the dragon lord fell a thousand years ago.
05:23Works are the next best thing.
05:25The Karens have two works.
05:26Two of them.
05:27Other houses burned with envy.
05:29Dragon blood plus the Karens' natural healing magic.
05:31Boundless potential.
05:32But they only praised Eliza.
05:33The gifted one.
05:34The first daughter.
05:35I was an afterthought.
05:36Wesley will become a true dragon with the strongest heir of this generation.
05:40Too bad KS got stuck with the failure of the family.
05:42When Wesley is dragon lord, Eliza will be the most powerful woman on the continent.
05:46She can let her failure sister share some of the glory.
05:48I've heard words like these my whole life.
05:51My sister is the moon in the sky.
05:53I'm mud in a well.
05:54Even my own parents play favorites.
05:56So how can I expect fairness from others?
05:58I don't care about any of that.
06:00The only one whose opinion matters to me is Kalis.
06:03Does he think bonding with me wastes his bloodline?
06:06The night before our bonding, I asked him,
06:08Will you regret this?
06:10No.
06:12On the night before the ritual, Kalis and I weren't supposed to see each other.
06:16We each had to purify ourselves in the magic spring.
06:19But I remembered I hadn't given him his monthly magic blood yet.
06:22I went somewhere private and extracted it.
06:25I carefully put it in a bottle and held it close.
06:27Following his scent, I found him.
06:29Just as I was about to call his name, I heard him scoff.
06:32Eliza, you know I only agreed to bond with her so I could stay by your side.
06:36She has no talent.
06:37Her magic blood is pitifully weak.
06:39How could she compare to you?
06:41My feet were frozen to the ground.
06:42He was holding my sister's hand.
06:44His eyes were burning, like I'd never seen before.
06:47More words spilled from his mouth.
06:49Once I become a dragon, the first thing I'll do is break my bond with her.
06:53Then I'll make you the dragon lord's wife.
06:54Growing up, whenever people called me ugly or useless, Eliza was the one who spoke up for me.
07:00My parents always favored her, but I never envied her.
07:03She was the only one in the family who never looked down on me.
07:06Eliza frowned.
07:07I thought she was about to scold Kalis.
07:09I really hate that you have to stay with a failure like Lina.
07:12How is her weak magic supposed to help you train?
07:17I stepped back.
07:18I couldn't believe those words came from my sister.
07:21She even reached for Kalis' tail and played with it in her hands.
07:25If I accidentally touched Kalis' tail, he'd say it disgusted him.
07:29But he let my sister touch it however she wanted.
07:32I have Lina's magic blood.
07:34Once we bond, the benefits will be even greater.
07:37Can a little bit of blood compare to my talent?
07:41Kalis' eyes flashed with cruelty I'd never seen before.
07:44If it's not enough, I'll take more.
07:47She's obsessed with me anyway.
07:49What's a little blood to her?
07:50So Kalis always knew.
07:52He knew I'd been feeding him my blood.
07:55At that moment, I felt like my heart was being squeezed and stomped on.
07:59I thought having Kalis meant I'd never be alone again.
08:02I thought he wanted to bond with me because he didn't want me to leave.
08:05But it was all just a way for him to stay close to my sister.
08:09Only then did I finally admit to myself.
08:12Kalis never cared about me.
08:14Those twin worms we found dying in the northern wastelands.
08:17Their first love was always my sister.
08:20I stumbled back to my room.
08:21My hands trembling.
08:22I packed up everything I'd just put away.
08:25I was really leaving this time.
08:27Before I left, I wrote a note.
08:29Kalis, you're free.
08:30I raised my hand to my eyes.
08:32Day after day of draining my magic blood had taken my vision first.
08:37Soon, I wouldn't be able to see anything at all.
08:40My chest felt heavy.
08:42I finally let go of my white dragon.
08:44Let go of the me who threw myself into the fire.
08:47I didn't tell anyone where I was going.
08:48I couldn't breathe here.
08:50I just wanted to run.
08:51After leaving House Karen, I moved around a lot.
08:54Finally, I settled in a border town where no one knew me.
08:58Simple people, simple life.
09:00Lots of small, untamed, magical beasts.
09:03Slowly, everyone learned I had healing powers for magical creatures.
09:07Word spread.
09:08The local Tamer's Guild found me.
09:10They convinced me to join.
09:12They promised not to reveal who I really was.
09:14At House Karen, I was a failure.
09:17But in this border town, I was just good enough.
09:20The people were kind, especially the children.
09:23They'd pick colorful magic stones from the wild and leave them on my windowsill
09:27to thank me for calming their restless beasts.
09:30Some of the braver kids would ask,
09:32Miss, you're so amazing.
09:33Why don't you have your own magical beast?
09:35I'm not amazing.
09:36I'm not pretty either.
09:38No beast would want to bond with me.
09:39Who said that?
09:40You're the kindest, prettiest Tamer we've ever met.
09:42I forced a smile and shrugged it off.
09:45Kids get distracted fast.
09:46Soon, they ran off to play with their own beasts.
09:49I suddenly thought of Kalos.
09:51Had he noticed I was gone yet?
09:52Was he furious that his plan fell apart?
09:55Would he drop his cold mask?
09:57I shook my head, pushed those thoughts away.
10:00House, Karen, and Kalos had nothing to do with me anymore.
10:04My dad found a lame beast.
10:05Its face is covered in ugly scars.
10:07I've never seen such an ugly beast.
10:08No wonder its owner dumped it.
10:10I saw it too.
10:11With all those injuries, it must have escaped from the underground arena.
10:14Everyone went quiet.
10:15In this small town, people didn't talk about places like that.
10:19I'd heard my father say only savage beasts get sent to the arena.
10:24Beasts that won't obey.
10:25The arena doesn't treat them like living for us.
10:28They just make them fight each other endlessly.
10:32I couldn't help asking, where is he now?
10:34Lena, you're not thinking of going to find him, are you?
10:37Don't do it.
10:37If he really escaped from the arena, he's dangerous.
10:40He could go crazy and hurt you.
10:41You've seen him today, haven't you?
10:43The man hesitated, then nodded.
10:45I saw him in that abandoned shack by the mountain.
10:48Then he added,
10:49You're not thinking of taking him in, are you?
10:50Take in a new beast.
10:52The scar on my chest ached.
10:53I probably didn't have the courage to raise another beast.
10:57Ten years with Kalos had nearly drained all my magic, but I couldn't help feeling bitter.
11:02Why do only the pretty ones, the talented ones, get seen, get treated well, get loved?
11:07We who long to be noticed and loved, don't we count too?
11:12Looking at the worried faces around me, I said,
11:14Even arena beasts can tell right from wrong, just like people.
11:17As long as he means no harm, I don't think he will attack anyone.
11:19Please don't judge him too harshly.
11:21Maybe he's just an ordinary beast who's suffered a lot.
11:23I followed the man's directions to the abandoned shack by the mountain.
11:27It was dark inside.
11:28Two black stone-like things glowed in the darkness.
11:31The beast's eyes.
11:32I placed the food I'd brought in front of the shack.
11:37This is for you to eat.
11:39Don't be afraid.
11:40They're just ordinary things.
11:43After a moment, a voice came from inside.
11:46Who are you?
11:47The voice was rough, like gravel grinding together.
11:51I smiled and answered softly,
11:52I'm like you.
11:54Someone with no home.
11:56Maybe he could tell I meant no harm.
11:57There was a rustling sound from inside.
12:00The beast moved to the doorway.
12:02He carefully picked up the food.
12:04Only then could I see him clearly.
12:06His true form was a wyvern.
12:08Nothing like the man had said.
12:09He didn't seem fierce at all.
12:11Just lifeless, like ash.
12:13The scars on his face were deep.
12:15His hair was matted into knots.
12:17He ate while watching me nervously.
12:20Like he was afraid I'd take the food away.
12:22I hid my hands behind my back to make him feel safer.
12:25What's your name?
12:26I asked.
12:27He swallowed the food with difficulty.
12:29His eyes glowed brighter.
12:32Caspian.
12:33My name is Caspian.
12:34I repeated.
12:36Caspian.
12:37That's a lovely name.
12:38Caspian's face turned a little red.
12:40Even through the scars he was beautiful.
12:43When he finished eating I got ready to leave.
12:46I told him.
12:48Caspian.
12:48The people here are kind.
12:50No one will hurt you.
12:52Caspian nodded hesitantly.
12:54Such a gentle beast.
12:56Why would anyone send him to the arena?
12:58Why treat him so cruelly?
13:00I sighed and turned to leave.
13:02But Caspian grabbed my sleeve.
13:03I looked back into his eyes.
13:05Wet.
13:06Begging.
13:07He spoke with difficulty.
13:08Could you...
13:09Could you take me in?
13:10I'm not a bad person.
13:12I was stunned.
13:13Afraid I'd say no,
13:14he rushed out words.
13:15I know my leg is hurt.
13:16But I can still work.
13:18Build fires.
13:19Cook soup.
13:19Clean the house.
13:20Mend clothes.
13:21I can do all of it.
13:22Anything you need.
13:23Just tell me.
13:26Looking at Caspian I saw my younger self.
13:29I did everything to get my parents to notice me.
13:32Copied spells for them.
13:33Cleaned their magic circles.
13:35Organized my sister's spell books.
13:37Polished her magic tools.
13:39Just to seem useful.
13:41Like if I did less I didn't deserve their love.
13:43But my sister did nothing.
13:45She just stood there.
13:47And she was always their favorite.
13:49I carried that feeling of not being good enough my whole life.
13:52I always wished someone would tell me,
13:54You don't have to earn our love.
13:55My heart ached.
13:56I looked into Caspian's eyes.
13:58I'm not pretty.
13:59My magic is weak.
14:01Are you sure you want someone like me?
14:03Caspian let go of my sleeve.
14:05My heart sank.
14:07Of course, looks and power were all that mattered.
14:10But then Caspian wiped his hands on his clothes and gently touched my face.
14:14Lena, you are beautiful.
14:16More beautiful than anyone I've ever seen.
14:19I want to be with you.
14:22No one had ever said that to me before.
14:25Caspian's eyes were clean.
14:26No disgust.
14:28No judgment.
14:29Looking into his honest eyes,
14:31I reached out my hand without thinking.
14:33Afraid I'd change my mind,
14:34he grabbed it quickly.
14:35And just like that,
14:36I took Caspian in.
14:39Caspian was nothing like Calus.
14:40With Caspian around,
14:42I didn't have to lift a finger.
14:43He kept the house perfectly.
14:45Always found ways to cook things that made me smile.
14:48He knew what I liked.
14:49There was always hot soup waiting on the stove.
14:52I told him he didn't have to do all this to stay with me.
14:54I said I didn't want to trap him with gratitude.
14:56But really,
14:57I was scared.
14:59Scared that one day,
15:00he'd turn cold like Calus,
15:02and I wouldn't know how to handle it.
15:04Even the old man who warned me about him
15:06had changed his tune.
15:08Good things come to good people,
15:10he said.
15:10Caspian is so capable.
15:13You're lucky.
15:14The neighbors were jealous too.
15:15They compared Caspian to their own beasts.
15:18I just smiled and said nothing.
15:20I thought Caspian would be gentle,
15:22but I never expected him to be this good.
15:24Being with him taught me something.
15:26It's not about being human or beast.
15:29It's about whether someone wants to care.
15:31Time passed quickly.
15:32With Caspian by my side,
15:34I thought about the past less often,
15:36but sometimes I still had nightmares.
15:38I dreamed about the fourth year with Calus.
15:40My sister and I took our beasts out.
15:42We were ambushed by our family's rivals.
15:45Fireballs exploded.
15:46Swords clashed.
15:48Wesley protected Eliza.
15:49I pulled Calus, trying to escape.
15:51They chased us to the edge of a cliff.
15:53I was so focused on protecting Calus,
15:56I didn't watch my step.
15:57I fell.
15:58As I fell,
15:59I hated myself for being useless.
16:02I was still worried about Calus.
16:04But in the dream,
16:05I saw things more clearly.
16:07Right before I fell,
16:08someone tried to attack my sister.
16:10Calus pushed me aside.
16:12He and Wesley both shielded Eliza.
16:14It wasn't an accident.
16:15I was just in the way.
16:16The cliff wasn't that high.
16:18I survived,
16:18but all my limbs were broken.
16:20I was bedridden for six months.
16:22My parents visited once.
16:24They were too busy.
16:25Eliza had scratches.
16:26They couldn't let her have scars.
16:28They searched everywhere for healing potions.
16:30Calus came once too.
16:31When Eliza came to check on me,
16:33her voice screamed in my head.
16:34Lena Karen,
16:36you're a waste of air.
16:38No one will ever love you.
16:40I shook my head,
16:41trying to push it out.
16:42Even the beast you raised abandoned you.
16:45You're worthless.
16:46Always have been.
16:47The voice grew sharper.
16:48Sometimes my father's voice.
16:50Sometimes my mother's.
16:51Sometimes my sister's.
16:52Then it became Calus's voice.
16:54Don't touch me.
16:54You make me sick.
16:56I backed away,
16:57begging.
16:58I'm sorry.
16:59I'm sorry.
17:00The new walls I'd built crumbled.
17:01I almost drowned in self-pity again.
17:04Then I felt warmth on my forehead.
17:06The voices disappeared,
17:07like someone tore open the darkness.
17:09I ran toward the light.
17:11It grew brighter and brighter.
17:13When I opened my eyes,
17:14Caspian was kneeling by my bed.
17:16His hand was on my forehead.
17:18When he saw I was awake,
17:19he let out a breath of relief.
17:21Lena, did you have a nightmare?
17:22His voice was soft and gentle.
17:24It made me feel safe.
17:25I don't know why,
17:26but I wanted to cry.
17:27Tears flooded my eyes.
17:29For the first time,
17:30I cried in front of Caspian.
17:31The tears wouldn't stop.
17:33Caspian didn't know how to comfort me,
17:34so he just held me awkwardly.
17:36His arms were gentle.
17:37He patted my back.
17:38Don't be sad, Lena.
17:40Caspian is here.
17:40If I cried in front of Calus,
17:42he'd just tell me coldly to leave.
17:44But with Caspian,
17:45I didn't have to pretend to be strong.
17:47My lips trembled.
17:48I said something without thinking.
17:49Can I touch your tail?
17:50Caspian's breath caught.
17:52He let his tail appear
17:53and placed it in my hand.
17:55I touched it gently.
17:56The green scales shimmered with dark light.
17:58Beneath the scales,
18:00golden veins glowed.
18:01Were all wyvern tails this beautiful?
18:04I'd seen my sister touch Wesley's tail.
18:06Worms are the closest things to dragons,
18:08but even Wesley's tail
18:09wasn't as beautiful as Caspian's.
18:11My hand trembled as I touched it.
18:13Something I'd wanted since I was young.
18:15My fingers moved along his snake tail.
18:17I didn't notice his breathing getting faster.
18:19Suddenly, he grabbed my hand.
18:21His voice was rough.
18:22Lena, do you know what it means to touch a tail?
18:24I looked at him, confused.
18:26What does it mean to touch a tail?
18:28Ever since I could remember,
18:29I'd seen my sister touch beasts' tails.
18:31Griffins, winter wolves,
18:33countless birds and beasts.
18:34My sister said beasts only let powerful tamers
18:37touch their tails,
18:38so I never dared to try.
18:39I only touched Calus because I loved him so much.
18:42Seeing that I didn't understand,
18:44Caspian blushed.
18:45He turned his head away and whispered,
18:47A tail is the most sensitive part of a beast.
18:49Touching it means you want to mate.
18:51My face burned.
18:53So that's what it meant.
18:54My sister lied to me.
18:55No one had ever taught me this.
18:57I'd thought it was just a casual sign of affection.
18:59I'd been a tamer all these years for nothing.
19:02Did that mean I'd been perverted
19:03when I watched my sister touch Wesley's tail?
19:06And my sister touched so many beasts' tails.
19:08Did her magic get stronger every time?
19:10I thought it was just talent.
19:12I quickly let go of Caspian's tail.
19:13My face was hot.
19:15Caspian turned back and looked at me seriously.
19:17Don't misunderstand, Lena.
19:18I want you to.
19:19It just feels intense.
19:21I looked away.
19:22He took my hand again,
19:23guiding my fingers along his tail.
19:25Everywhere I touched, golden light glowed.
19:28I was born in the wastelands.
19:29I was taken to the arena when I was small.
19:31They wanted me to fight.
19:32I refused.
19:33I'd barely escaped.
19:34I thought I'd live in the shadows forever.
19:36I didn't see the point.
19:38Then I met you, Lena.
19:39My heart ached.
19:40Caspian had suffered so much.
19:42If I'd met him instead of Calus back then,
19:44would everything be different?
19:45He kept talking.
19:46I want to bond with you.
19:47Be with you forever,
19:48if you don't mind that I'm ugly.
19:50Of course not, I blurted out.
19:52I meant I didn't mind.
19:53Lena, is that a yes?
19:55His heart pounded wildly.
19:57It stirred something in my heart too.
19:58I thought about saying no,
20:00but when I opened my mouth, I said,
20:02yes.
20:02Looking ahead,
20:03a life with Caspian didn't seem so bad.
20:06Caspian took care of me.
20:07I took care of his leg.
20:08Slowly, we both got better.
20:10Every evening, we walk through the hills.
20:12The breeze in our faces.
20:14Neither of us had happy memories to look back on.
20:16But walking hand in hand,
20:17we always had things to talk about.
20:19The wind is strong today.
20:21Lots of berries fell from the mountain.
20:23We were about to gather some for dinner.
20:24Then I heard someone call my name from behind.
20:27Lena!
20:27My heart stopped.
20:29Why was he here?
20:30I froze.
20:31I used to have hope for this man.
20:33My father.
20:33I hoped he'd remember his younger daughter.
20:35Even if he didn't love me,
20:37at least don't act like I don't exist.
20:39He bought magic candy and dolls for my sister,
20:41but he never did anything for me.
20:43He'd barely even smiled at me my whole life.
20:45But blood is strange.
20:46He treated me like a stranger.
20:48Still, hearing he was dying made me sad.
20:50As a daughter, I should be there at the end.
20:52Even if he didn't care whether I came or not.
20:54Caspian looked at me with worry.
20:55I said to him,
20:56Caspian, let me heal your face.
20:58Caspian looked down.
20:59Lena, are you going back to that house?
21:00I squeezed his hand.
21:02Don't overthink it.
21:03I just don't want anyone to look down on you.
21:05If we went back to House Karen,
21:06I'd have to hear all those insults again.
21:08I couldn't let him hear them too.
21:10Caspian nodded gently.
21:11I trust you.
21:12It's in a beast's nature to be cautious.
21:14But after everything Caspian had been through,
21:16he could still trust someone.
21:17That made his trust precious.
21:18I couldn't help touching his face.
21:20The skin without scars was smoother than any woman's.
21:23Suddenly, Caspian revealed his true form.
21:25His tail wrapped around my waist.
21:27It felt hard against my stomach.
21:29And warm.
21:30I touched his golden scales gently.
21:32All the way to the tip of his tail.
21:34Caspian's body trembled.
21:35His voice was rough.
21:36Lena, did you touch his tail too?
21:38I knew who he meant.
21:39He hated when I touched him.
21:40Because I wasn't the one he wanted.
21:42Caspian's eyes lit up.
21:44Don't touch him anymore.
21:45I don't like the way he looks at you.
21:46That night, Caspian didn't sleep in his room.
21:49He climbed into my bed.
21:50He said he wanted to stay warm with me.
21:51I knew Calus's sudden appearance had made him anxious.
21:54So I let him.
21:55When he got emotional, he'd shift into his true form.
21:58I hadn't paid attention before.
22:00But now I noticed a horn on his forehead.
22:02Wyverns don't have horns.
22:03I stopped Caspian from moving against me.
22:05What are you?
22:06I asked.
22:07Caspian's eyes were red.
22:08He could barely stay conscious.
22:10Whatever you say I am, he said.
22:12I'm that.
22:13He didn't know what he really was.
22:15The golden light on his tail.
22:16The horn on his head.
22:17Hard as a blade.
22:18They looked like the symbols on the dragon carvings my sister and I saw in the ruins.
22:22Could Caspian be?
22:24I didn't dare finish the thought.
22:25Caspian didn't give me time to think.
22:27His true form was incredibly strong.
22:29He wrapped around me.
22:30Nothing like the gentle Caspian I knew.
22:32I held him back.
22:33Wrapped in layers of his body, I felt completely safe.
22:36I forgot about House Karen.
22:38Forgot about Calus.
22:39Forgot 20 years of pain and struggle.
22:42The next day, I found an excuse to send Caspian away.
22:45I held a blade to my eye.
22:47The skin under the blade throbbed.
22:49You never learn, do you?
22:50I laughed bitterly.
22:52But going back to House Karen, this was the fastest way to heal Caspian.
22:55I bit down and pressed the blade in.
22:57The familiar pain hit me.
22:59Then a clink.
22:59The blade fell to the ground.
23:01Didn't I send Caspian away?
23:02How was he back?
23:03His eyes were wide.
23:04Are you hurting yourself?
23:05Seeing his panic, I explained quickly.
23:07No, no.
23:08I was just getting some magic blood.
23:10I know I have weak magic, but my blood is good for you.
23:13Drink it.
23:13The scars on your face and your leg will heal.
23:15Caspian stepped forward.
23:17He backed me into the corner.
23:18It was the first time I'd seen him so angry.
23:20No one is worth hurting yourself like this.
23:22Not even me.
23:23His words exploded in my ears.
23:25But in my memory, Calus' voice echoed too.
23:28If it's not enough, take more.
23:29She's obsessed with me anyway.
23:31Fake love and real love.
23:32There's no comparison.
23:33Looking at Caspian's angry face, my heart felt soft instead.
23:37I weakly tugged his sleeve.
23:38Just once.
23:39One extraction.
23:40It'll heal most of your injuries.
23:42But Caspian ignored me.
23:43He touched the scar on my chest instead.
23:45You got this wound for him, didn't you?
23:46Caspian is almost jealous of him.
23:48Then he let go of me.
23:49He reached into his own chest and pulled.
23:52Sweat poured down his fore...
23:53Veins bulged.
23:54I grabbed him, trying to steady him.
23:56His body heat burned my palm.
23:58Then a flash of gold.
23:59A dark green scale appeared in his palm.
24:01He pressed it over my eye.
24:03I stared at Caspian in shock.
24:04What are you doing?
24:05Are you trying to get yourself killed?
24:07My heart scale.
24:08Nothing can pierce it.
24:10Now you can't hurt yourself anymore.
24:11He'd torn out his own heart scale.
24:13I touched my chest.
24:14The scale had already merged with me.
24:16A pure, powerful magic gathered there.
24:19And the scar I'd had for years was gone.
24:21I finally understood why Caspian had been sent to the arena.
24:24His power was terrifying.
24:26So much stronger than my clumsy magic.
24:28He had this incredible healing power.
24:30But he never used it on himself.
24:32He let me fumble and make things worse.
24:34So many times.
24:35I choked out.
24:36Why?
24:36Why didn't you heal yourself?
24:38Caspian smiled weakly.
24:39Because if I healed my wounds, you would have sent me away.
24:42So he kept his wounds on purpose.
24:44Tears filled my eyes again.
24:46Caspian panicked and tried to wipe them away.
24:48But the more he wiped, the more they fell.
24:50He used his magic desperately.
24:52Your wounds are healed now.
24:53Don't cry.
24:54Through the blur of tears, I looked at Caspian.
24:56The scars on his face were gone.
24:58His skin was pale underneath.
25:00But beneath the scars, he was breathtakingly beautiful.
25:03Eyes like black gems set in long, narrow sockets.
25:06A straight, perfect nose.
25:08Lips as red as cherry blossoms.
25:10Skin as smooth as jade.
25:12Every angle perfect.
25:14This beautiful man was Caspian.
25:16The better he was, the more worthless I felt.
25:18The old self-doubt came rushing back.
25:21Caspian saw my face change.
25:22Lena, do you not like how I look?
25:24I can change back.
25:25He reached for scissors.
25:26I stopped him.
25:27I pushed down my rising self-hatred and forced a smile.
25:30Caspian, you're beautiful.
25:32Everyone in town came to stare at Caspian.
25:34The neighbors all praised him.
25:35Lena, you really found a treasure.
25:37Caspian is so capable and so handsome.
25:40I've never seen such a handsome beast in my whole life.
25:43Caspian blushed at all the attention.
25:45I looked up at him.
25:46The sun gilded him in gold.
25:48Yes, Caspian was wonderful.
25:50I didn't deserve someone so wonderful.
25:51When I brought Caspian back to House Karen, everyone praised his looks too.
25:55Even Eliza Karen came up to him.
25:57You're too beautiful to be stuck with Lena.
26:00Did she force you?
26:00Word had spread that I'd abandoned Calus.
26:03So of course they assumed the worst.
26:05Caspian frowned.
26:06I chose her.
26:07She wants nothing from me.
26:08Eliza wouldn't give up.
26:09Come with me instead.
26:10I already have a bonded beast.
26:12But I'm the strongest in House Karen.
26:14I can help you train.
26:15She didn't care at all about Wesley behind her.
26:17Or Calus, hiding in the shadows.
26:19Caspian stepped behind me.
26:20He pointed at me.
26:21She is my Temer.
26:22Only her.
26:23I don't care how strong you are.
26:25And besides, who's the strongest is still up for debate.
26:27I liked the first half.
26:28The second half confused me.
26:30For the first time in 20 years, Eliza had been rejected by a beast.
26:34Eliza was furious.
26:36And there were consequences.
26:37The entire House Karen stopped praising Caspian's looks.
26:40And started gossiping about his past instead.
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