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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.
00:25But 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, he'll kill me and marry Eliza.
00:37That's when I realized I was just a tool to him.
00:39The twin worms we found dying had both fallen for my sister.
00:43But that's fine.
00:44Now that I know the truth, I have my own plan.
00:47I 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.
00:59I thought he was just born cold.
01:02But no.
01:02He was disgusted by me.
01:04I let out a bitter laugh.
01:06My eyes burned.
01:08Tears fell.
01:09Drop by drop.
01:10Kalos turned and walked away.
01:13Annoyed.
01:13Didn't look at me once.
01:14The 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.
02:02Letting 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.
02:30Ten 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.
02:47But that dream was dead now.
02:49I remembered bringing him home.
02:50He was so weak.
02:52Almost dead.
02:53His worm blood was special.
02:54Normal 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.
03:01What's stronger than a Karen's blood?
03:03It hurt every time.
03:05I don't know how I kept going.
03:06But seeing his face turn healthy again gave me courage.
03:09Again and again.
03:11I thought we'd grow old together.
03:12Even if he was cold.
03:14He 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.
03:40That was the only time his cold face came alive.
03:44He couldn't even hide his true form.
03:46His tail trembled under his robe.
03:48I thought it was because they were twin worms.
03:51The signs were so obvious.
03:52But I was too blind to see.
03:54I took a deep breath.
03:55I blinked back the tears.
03:57Just as I turned to leave.
03:58What are you doing here?
03:59His 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.
04:14Like a different person.
04:15Let'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.
04:21But 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.
04:46Just 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.
04:55I ran out excited.
04:57Eliza and Wesley stood beneath the lights.
04:59Not for me.
05:00I'd done it again.
05:01Disappointment 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.
05:09He 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.
05:17Your family is so lucky.
05:20No true dragons since the Dragon Lord fell a thousand years ago.
05:23Works are the next best thing.
05:24The Karens have two works.
05:26Two of them.
05:27Other houses burned with envy.
05:28Dragon 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 air 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.
05:45She can let her failure sister share some of the glory.
05:48I've heard words like these my whole life.
05:50My sister is the moon in the sky.
05:52I'm mud in a well.
05:54Even my own parents play favourites.
05:56So how can I expect fairness from others?
05:58I don't care about any of that.
05:59The only one whose opinion matters to me is Kalos.
06:03Does he think bonding with me wastes his bloodline?
06:06The night before our bonding, I asked him,
06:08Will you regret this?
06:09No.
06:11On the night before the ritual,
06:13Kalos 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.
06:24I 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?
06:40My 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.
06:52Then 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 Kalos.
07:09I really hate that you have to stay with a failure like Lena.
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.
07:20She even reached for Kalos' tail and played with it in her hands.
07:24If I accidentally touched Kalos' tail, he'd say it disgusted him.
07:29But he let my sister touch it however she wanted.
07:31I have Lena's magic blood.
07:34Once we bond, the benefits will be even greater.
07:37Can a little bit of blood compare to my talent?
07:40Kalos' 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.
07:48What's a little blood to her?
07:50So Kalos 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 Kalos 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,
08:12Kalos never cared about me.
08:13Those twin worms we found dying in the northern wastelands.
08:17Their first love was always my sister.
08:20I stumbled back to my room, my 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.
08:28Kalos, 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.
08:36Soon, I wouldn't be able to see anything at all.
08:40My chest felt heavy.
08:41I finally let go of my white dragon.
08:44Let go of the me who threw myself into the fire.
08:46I didn't tell anyone where I was going.
08:48I couldn't breathe here.
08:49I 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.
08:57Simple people, simple life.
09:00Lots of small, untamed, magical beasts.
09:03Slowly, everyone learned I had healing powers for magical creatures.
09:07Word spread.
09:07The local Tamer's Guild found me.
09:10They convinced me to join.
09:11They promised not to reveal who I really was.
09:14At House Karen, I was a failure.
09:16But in this border town, I was just good enough.
09:20The people were kind, especially the children.
09:22They'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,
09:31Miss, you're so amazing.
09:33Why don't you have your own magical beast?
09:34I'm not amazing.
09:36I'm not pretty either.
09:37No 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.
09:44Kids get distracted fast.
09:46Soon, they ran off to play with their own beasts.
09:48I suddenly thought of Kalos.
09:50Had 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.
10:03My 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.
10:09I saw it too.
10:10With all those injuries, it must have escaped from the underground arena.
10:13Everyone 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.
10:23Beasts that won't obey.
10:25The arena doesn't treat them like living things.
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?
10:36Don't do it.
10:37If he really escaped from the arena, he's dangerous.
10:39He could go crazy and hurt you.
10:41You've seen him today, haven't you?
10:43The man hesitated, then nodded.
10:44I saw him in that abandoned shack by the mountain.
10:48Then he added,
10:48You're not thinking of taking him in, are you?
10:50Take in a new beast.
10:51The scar on my chest ached.
10:53I probably didn't have the courage to raise another beast.
10:56Ten years with Kalos had nearly drained all my magic.
10:59But I couldn't help feeling bitter.
11:01Why do only the pretty ones, the talented ones,
11:04get seen, get treated well, get loved?
11:07We who long to be noticed and loved,
11:10don't we count too?
11:11Looking at the worried faces around me, I said,
11:13Even arena beasts can tell right from wrong, just like people.
11:16As 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.
11:26It was dark inside.
11:27Two black stone-like things glowed in the darkness.
11:30The beast's eyes.
11:32I placed the food I'd brought in front of the shack.
11:36This is for you to eat.
11:38Don'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.
11:50I smiled and answered softly,
11:52I'm like you.
11:54Someone with no home.
11:55Maybe he could tell I meant no harm.
11:57There was a rustling sound from inside.
11:59The beast moved to the doorway.
12:01He carefully picked up the food.
12:03Only then could I see him clearly.
12:05His true form was a wyvern.
12:07Nothing 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.
12:19Like he was afraid I'd take the food away.
12:21I hid my hands behind my back to make him feel safer.
12:24What's your name?
12:25I asked.
12:26He swallowed the food with difficulty.
12:29His eyes glowed brighter.
12:31Caspian.
12:32My name is Caspian.
12:34I repeated.
12:35Caspian.
12:36That's a lovely name.
12:38Caspian's face turned a little red.
12:40Even through the scars, he was beautiful.
12:42When he finished eating, I got ready to leave.
12:45I told him.
12:47Caspian.
12:48The people here are kind.
12:50No one will hurt you.
12:51Caspian nodded hesitantly.
12:53Such a gentle beast.
12:55Why would anyone send him to the arena?
12:57Why treat him so cruelly?
12:59I sighed and turned to leave.
13:01But Caspian grabbed my sleeve.
13:03I looked back into his eyes.
13:04Wet.
13:05Begging.
13:06He spoke with difficulty.
13:08Could you...
13:08Could you take me in?
13:10I'm not a bad person.
13:11I was stunned.
13:12Afraid I'd say no, he rushed out words.
13:14I know my leg is hurt.
13:16But I can still work.
13:17Build fires, cook soup, clean the house, mend clothes.
13:20I can do all of it.
13:21Anything you need.
13:22Just tell me.
13:25Looking at Caspian, I saw my younger self.
13:28I did everything to get my parents to notice me.
13:31Copied 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.
13:40Like if I did less, I didn't deserve their love.
13:43But my sister did nothing.
13:45She just stood there.
13:46And she was always their favorite.
13:48I carried that feeling of not being good enough my whole life.
13:51I always wished someone would tell me,
13:53You don't have to earn our love.
13:55My heart ached.
13:56I looked into Caspian's eyes.
13:57I'm not pretty.
13:58My magic is weak.
14:01Are you sure you want someone like me?
14:03Caspian let go of my sleeve.
14:05My heart sank.
14:06Of course, looks and power were all that mattered.
14:09But 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.
14:20I like the way you laugh.
14:22No one had ever said that to me before.
14:24Caspian's eyes were clean.
14:26No disgust.
14:27No judgment.
14:28Looking into his honest eyes,
14:30I reached out my hand without thinking.
14:32Afraid I'd change my mind,
14:34he grabbed it quickly.
14:35And just like that,
14:36I took Caspian in.
14:38Caspian was nothing like Calus.
14:40With Caspian around,
14:41I didn't have to lift a finger.
14:42He kept the house perfectly.
14:45Always found ways to cook things that made me smile.
14:47He knew what I liked.
14:49There was always hot soup waiting on the stove.
14:51I 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.
14:58Scared that one day,
15:00he'd turn cold like Calus,
15:02and I wouldn't know how to handle it.
15:03Even the old man who warned me about him
15:06had changed his tune.
15:07Good things come to good people,
15:09he said.
15:10Caspian is so capable.
15:12You're lucky.
15:13The neighbors were jealous too.
15:15They compared Caspian to their own beasts.
15:17I just smiled and said nothing.
15:19I thought Caspian would be gentle,
15:21but I never expected him to be this good.
15:24Being with him taught me something.
15:26It's not about being human or beast.
15:28It's about whether someone wants to care.
15:30Time passed quickly.
15:32With Caspian by my side,
15:33I thought about the past less often,
15:35but sometimes I still had nightmares.
15:37I 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.
15:44Fireballs exploded.
15:46Swords clashed.
15:47Wesley protected Eliza.
15:49I pulled Calus,
15:50trying to escape.
15:51They chased us to the edge of a cliff.
15:53I was so focused on protecting Calus,
15:55I didn't watch my step.
15:57I fell.
15:58As I fell,
15:59I hated myself for being useless.
16:01I was still worried about Calus.
16:04But in the dream,
16:05I saw things more clearly.
16:06Right before I fell,
16:07someone tried to attack my sister.
16:09Calus pushed me aside.
16:11He and Wesley both shielded Eliza.
16:13It wasn't an accident.
16:14I was just in the way.
16:16The cliff wasn't that high.
16:17I survived,
16:18but all my limbs were broken.
16:20I was bedridden for six months.
16:22My parents visited once.
16:23They were too busy.
16:24Eliza had scratches.
16:25They couldn't let her have scars.
16:27They searched everywhere for healing potions.
16:29Calus came once too.
16:31When Eliza came to check on me,
16:32her voice screamed in my head.
16:34Lena, Karen,
16:35you're a waste of air.
16:37No one will ever love you.
16:39I shook my head,
16:40trying to push it out.
16:42Even the beast you raised abandoned you.
16:44You're worthless.
16:45Always have been.
16:46The voice grew sharper.
16:48Sometimes my father's voice.
16:49Sometimes my mother's.
16:50Sometimes my sister's.
16:52Then it became Calus's voice.
16:53Don't touch me.
16:54You make me sick.
16:55I backed away,
16:57begging.
16:57I'm sorry.
16:58I'm sorry.
16:59The new walls I'd built crumbled.
17:01I almost drowned in self-pity again.
17:03Then I felt warmth on my forehead.
17:05The voices disappeared,
17:06like someone tore open the darkness.
17:09I ran toward the light.
17:10It grew brighter and brighter.
17:12When I opened my eyes,
17:14Caspian was kneeling by my bed.
17:15His hand was on my forehead.
17:17When he saw I was awake,
17:18he let out a breath of relief.
17:20Lena, did you have a nightmare?
17:22His voice was soft and gentle.
17:23It made me feel safe.
17:25I don't know why,
17:25but I wanted to cry.
17:27Tears flooded my eyes.
17:28For the first time,
17:29I cried in front of Caspian.
17:31The tears wouldn't stop.
17:32Caspian 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.
17:39Caspian is here.
17:40If I cried in front of Calus,
17:41he'd just tell me coldly to leave.
17:43But with Caspian,
17:44I didn't have to pretend to be strong.
17:46My lips trembled.
17:47I said something without thinking.
17:49Can I touch your tail?
17:50Caspian's breath caught.
17:51He let his tail appear
17:53and placed it in my hand.
17:54I touched it gently.
17:55The green scales shimmered with dark light.
17:58Beneath the scales,
17:59golden veins glowed.
18:01Were all wyvern tails this beautiful?
18:03I'd seen my sister touch Wesley's tail.
18:05Worms are the closest things to dragons,
18:07but even Wesley's tail wasn't as beautiful as Caspian's.
18:10My hand trembled as I touched it,
18:12something I'd wanted since I was young.
18:14My fingers moved along his snake tail.
18:16I didn't notice his breathing getting faster.
18:19Suddenly, he grabbed my hand.
18:20His voice was rough, leaner.
18:22Do you know what it means to touch a tail?
18:24I looked at him, confused.
18:25What does it mean to touch a tail?
18:27Ever since I could remember,
18:28I'd seen my sister touch beasts' tails,
18:31griffins, winter wolves,
18:32countless birds and beasts.
18:34My sister said beasts only let powerful tamers
18:36touch 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,
18:43Caspian blushed.
18:44He turned his head away and whispered,
18:46A tail is the most sensitive part of a beast.
18:49Touching it means you want to mate.
18:51My face burned,
18:52so that's what it meant.
18:53My sister lied to me.
18:55No one had ever taught me this.
18:56I'd thought it was just a casual sign of affection.
18:59I'd been a tamer all these years for nothing.
19:01Did that mean I'd been perverted
19:03when I watched my sister touch Wesley's tail,
19:05and my sister touched so many beasts' tails.
19:08Did her magic get stronger every time?
19:10I thought it was just talent.
19:11I quickly let go of Caspian's tail.
19:13My face was hot.
19:14Caspian turned back and looked at me seriously.
19:16Don't misunderstand, Lena.
19:18I want you to.
19:18It just feels intense.
19:21I looked away.
19:22He took my hand again,
19:23guiding my fingers along his tail.
19:25Everywhere I touched,
19:26golden light glowed.
19:27I 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 barely escaped.
19:34I thought I'd live in the shadows forever.
19:36I didn't see the point.
19:37Then I met you, Lena.
19:39My heart ached.
19:40Caspian had suffered so much.
19:41If I'd met him instead of Calus back then,
19:43would everything be different?
19:44He kept talking.
19:45I want to bond with you,
19:46be with you forever,
19:47if you don't mind that I'm ugly.
19:49Of course not,
19:50I blurted out.
19:51I meant I didn't mind.
19:53Lena, is that a yes?
19:54His heart pounded wildly.
19:56It stirred something in my heart too.
19:58I thought about saying no,
19:59but when I opened my mouth I said,
20:01yes.
20:02Looking ahead,
20:03a life with Caspian didn't seem so bad.
20:05Caspian took care of me.
20:07I took care of his leg.
20:08Slowly, we both got better.
20:09Every evening we walk through the hills,
20:12the breeze in our faces.
20:13Neither of us had happy memories to look back on,
20:15but walking hand in hand,
20:17we always had things to talk about.
20:19The wind is strong today.
20:20Lots of berries fell from the mountain.
20:22We were about to gather some for dinner.
20:24Then I heard someone call my name from behind.
20:26Lena,
20:27my heart stopped.
20:28Why was he here?
20:29I froze.
20:30I used to have hope for this man,
20:32my father.
20:33I hoped he'd remember his younger daughter.
20:35Even if he didn't love me,
20:36at least don't act like I don't exist.
20:38He bought magic candy and dolls for my sister,
20:40but he never did anything for me.
20:42He'd barely even smiled at me my whole life.
20:44But blood is strange.
20:45He treated me like a stranger.
20:47Still, hearing he was dying made me sad.
20:49As a daughter,
20:50I should be there at the end,
20:51even if he didn't care whether I came or not.
20:53Caspian looked at me with worry.
20:54I said to him,
20:55Caspian, let me heal your face.
20:57Caspian looked down.
20:58Lena, are you going back to that house?
21:00I squeezed his hand.
21:01Don't overthink it.
21:02I just don't want anyone to look down on you.
21:04If we went back to house Karen,
21:05I'd have to hear all those insults again.
21:07I couldn't let him hear them too.
21:09Caspian nodded gently.
21:10I trust you.
21:11It's in a beast's nature to be cautious.
21:13But after everything Caspian had been through,
21:15he could still trust someone.
21:16That made his trust precious.
21:18I couldn't help touching his face.
21:19The skin without scars was smoother than any woman's.
21:22Suddenly, Caspian revealed his true form.
21:25His tail wrapped around my waist.
21:27It felt hard against my stomach.
21:28And warm.
21:29I touched his golden scales gently,
21:31all the way to the tip of his tail.
21:33Caspian's body trembled.
21:34His voice was rough.
21:36Lena, did you touch his tail too?
21:37I knew who he meant.
21:38He hated when I touched him.
21:40Because I wasn't the one he wanted.
21:42Caspian's eyes lit up.
21:43Don't touch him anymore.
21:44I don't like the way he looks at you.
21:46That night, Caspian didn't sleep in his room.
21:48He climbed into my bed.
21:49He 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.
21:57I hadn't paid attention before.
21:59But now I noticed a horn on his forehead.
22:01Wyverns don't have horns.
22:02I stopped Caspian from moving against me.
22:04What are you?
22:05I asked.
22:06Caspian's eyes were red.
22:08He could barely stay conscious.
22:09Whatever you say, I am, he said.
22:11I'm that.
22:12He didn't know what he really was.
22:14The golden light on his tail.
22:15The 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?
22:23I didn't dare finish the thought.
22:24Caspian didn't give me time to think.
22:26His true form was incredibly strong.
22:28He wrapped around me.
22:29Nothing like the gentle Caspian I knew.
22:31I held him back.
22:32Wrapped in layers of his body, I felt completely safe.
22:35I forgot about House Karen.
22:37Forgot about Kalos.
22:39Forgot 20 years of pain and struggle.
22:41The next day, I found an excuse to send Caspian away.
22:44I held a blade to my eye.
22:46The skin under the blade throbbed.
22:48You never learn, do you?
22:50I laughed bitterly.
22:51But 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.
22:58Then a clink.
22:58The blade fell to the ground.
23:00Didn't I send Caspian away?
23:01How was he back?
23:02His eyes were wide.
23:03Are you hurting yourself?
23:05Seeing his panic, I explained quickly.
23:06No, no.
23:07I was just getting some magic blood.
23:09I know I have weak magic, but my blood is good for you.
23:12Drink it.
23:12The scars on your face and your leg will heal.
23:14Caspian stepped forward.
23:16He backed me into the corner.
23:17It was the first time I'd seen him so angry.
23:19No one is worth hurting yourself like this.
23:22Not even me.
23:22His words exploded in my ears.
23:24But in my memory, Kalos' voice echoed too.
23:27If it's not enough, take more.
23:28She's obsessed with me anyway.
23:30Fake love and real love.
23:31There's no comparison.
23:33Looking at Caspian's angry face, my heart felt soft instead.
23:36I weakly tugged his sleeve.
23:37Just once.
23:38One extraction.
23:39It'll heal most of your injuries.
23:41But Caspian ignored me.
23:42He touched the scar on my chest instead.
23:44You got this wound for him, didn't you?
23:46Caspian is almost jealous of him.
23:47Then he let go of me.
23:48He reached into his own chest and pulled.
23:51Sweat poured down his fore...
23:52Veins bulged.
23:53I grabbed him, trying to steady him.
23:55His body heat burned my palm.
23:57Then a flash of gold.
23:58A dark green scale appeared in his palm.
24:00He pressed it over my eye.
24:02I stared at Caspian in shock.
24:03What are you doing?
24:04Are you trying to get yourself killed?
24:06My heart scale.
24:08Nothing can pierce it.
24:09Now you can't hurt yourself anymore.
24:11He'd torn out his own heart scale.
24:12I touched my chest.
24:13The scale had already merged with me.
24:15A pure, powerful magic gathered there.
24:18And the scar I'd had for years was gone.
24:20I finally understood why Caspian had been sent to the arena.
24:23His power was terrifying.
24:25So much stronger than my clumsy magic.
24:27He had this incredible healing power.
24:29But he never used it on himself.
24:30He let me fumble and make things worse.
24:33So many times.
24:34I choked out.
24:35Why?
24:35Why didn't you heal yourself?
24:37Caspian smiled weakly.
24:39Because if I healed my wounds, you would have sent me away.
24:41So he kept his wounds on purpose.
24:43Tears filled my eyes again.
24:45Caspian panicked and tried to wipe them away.
24:47But the more he wiped, the more they fell.
24:50He used his magic desperately.
24:51Your wounds are healed now.
24:53Don't cry.
24:53Through the blur of tears, I looked at Caspian.
24:56The scars on his face were gone.
24:57His skin was pale underneath.
24:59But beneath the scars, he was breathtakingly beautiful.
25:02Eyes like black gems set in long, narrow sockets.
25:05A straight, perfect nose.
25:07Lips as red as cherry blossoms.
25:09Skin as smooth as jade.
25:11Every angle perfect.
25:13This beautiful man was Caspian.
25:15The better he was, the more worthless I felt.
25:18The old self-doubt came rushing back.
25:20Caspian saw my face change.
25:21Lainer, do you not like how I look?
25:23I can change back.
25:24He reached for scissors.
25:25I stopped him.
25:26I pushed down my rising self-hatred and forced a smile.
25:29Caspian, you're beautiful.
25:31Everyone in town came to stare at Caspian.
25:33The neighbors all praised him.
25:35Lainer, you really found a treasure.
25:36Caspian is so capable and so handsome.
25:39I've never seen such a handsome beast in my whole life.
25:42Caspian blushed at all the attention.
25:44I looked up at him.
25:45The sun gilded him in gold.
25:47Yes, Caspian was wonderful.
25:49I didn't deserve someone so wonderful.
25:50When I brought Caspian back to House Karen, everyone praised his looks too.
25:55Even Eliza Karen came up to him.
25:56You're too beautiful to be stuck with Lainer.
25:59Did she force you?
26:00Word had spread that I'd abandoned Calus.
26:02So of course they assumed the worst.
26:04Caspian frowned.
26:05I chose her.
26:06She wants nothing from me.
26:07Eliza wouldn't give up.
26:08Come with me instead.
26:09I already have a bonded beast, but I'm the strongest in House Karen.
26:13I can help you train.
26:14She didn't care at all about Wesley behind her or Calus hiding in the shadows.
26:18Caspian stepped behind me.
26:19He pointed at me.
26:20She is my Tamer.
26:21Only her.
26:22I don't care how strong you are.
26:24And besides, who's the strongest is still up for debate.
26:26I liked the first half.
26:27The second half confused me.
26:29For the first time in 20 years, Eliza had been rejected by a beast.
26:33Eliza was furious.
26:34And there were consequences.
26:36The entire House Karen stopped praising Caspian's looks and started gossiping about his past instead.
26:42Sure, Caspian's good looking.
26:44But he's just a low level sky serpent.
26:46He'll never be a real dragon.
26:48Honestly, he and Lena, that failure, deserve each other.
26:53Our family's got Issa.
26:55That's all we need.
26:55Now that the twin Hue dragons have chosen her as their master, Lena's always going to be trampled under Issa's
27:00feet.
27:00Caspian covered my ears.
27:02I shook my head and pulled his hands down.
27:04I said,
27:04Caspian, I grew up hearing this kind of talk.
27:06I'm used to it.
27:07Caspian gently touched my face, his eyes full of pity.
27:11I took him to the valley to look at the moon.
27:13That's where we ran into Caius.
27:15Caius snapped.
27:16This is our place.
27:18How could you bring him here?
27:20I said,
27:21Caius, the moon in the sky doesn't belong to anyone.
27:25And by the way, we doesn't really work for you and me anymore.
27:29He stormed over to grab my shoulder.
27:30But Caspian threw his hand up and blasted him back with pure force.
27:35Caius stared at his own hand in disbelief, then looked at Caspian.
27:42No way.
27:44Aren't you just a sky serpent?
27:46If you lay a hand on her again, I'll make you disappear from this world.
27:50I looked at Caspian.
27:51It felt so good to be defended like that.
27:54Caius pulled himself together.
27:57The head of the family wants to see you before she passes.
28:00Tonight might be your last chance.
28:01Huey dragons have an incredibly accurate sense of life and death.
28:06Their premonitions are almost never wrong.
28:09Still, I was confused.
28:11If she's dying and wants to see someone, shouldn't it be Issa?
28:16Don't worry.
28:17I'll be back soon.
28:19But the second I turned away, I missed the dark, hateful look in Caius' eyes.
28:24The moment I stepped into the main courtyard, I knew something was wrong.
28:29It was filled with restrictions.
28:31My magic was almost completely suppressed.
28:34I looked back at Caius.
28:36He wasn't affected at all.
28:37Was this my intuition warning me?
28:40I tried to leave.
28:41But then Issa and Wesley stepped out from the shadows.
28:44Lina, my dear little sister.
28:48It's been a few years.
28:50You've gotten sharper.
28:54Caius, come here.
28:57His body went stiff.
28:58He couldn't look me in the eye.
29:00Head down, he walked over to Issa.
29:03I asked,
29:04What are you planning to do?
29:05Issa chuckled softly.
29:07Lina, don't be scared.
29:09I just need a little favor from you.
29:11I almost laughed.
29:12She's never wanted my help with anything.
29:14Because heaven forbid anyone say she had to turn to a failure like me.
29:18When I didn't answer,
29:20Issa stepped closer and traced little circles over my heart with her fingertip.
29:24Caius told me your magical essence is perfect for cultivation.
29:28So I thought I'd borrow some from you.
29:31I turned to Caius in shock.
29:33So the news about my father dying,
29:36luring me here.
29:37It was all to help Issa and Wesley take my essence.
29:40The boy I'd treasured for ten years.
29:43He felt like a complete stranger now.
29:45Caius looked away.
29:47I closed my eyes and let out a long, heavy breath.
29:51Issa and I are sisters.
29:52We share the same blood.
29:54So why does it have to be mine?
29:57Issa leaned softly against Wesley's chest.
29:59But her fingers kept playing with Caius' dark hair.
30:04Because I hate pain.
30:06And Caius can't stand seeing me hurt.
30:10Isn't that right?
30:11Under her gaze, Caius nodded.
30:15Seeing that, I finally burst out laughing.
30:18Then I looked him dead in the eye and said,
30:20Caius.
30:20Word for word.
30:22You make me sick.
30:23I threw his own words right back at him.
30:26His lips pressed into a tight line.
30:28He finally lifted his head to look at me.
30:31Whatever was in his eyes.
30:32Struggle.
30:33Guilt.
30:34Hesitation.
30:35It didn't matter to me anymore.
30:37Lena, my dear little sister.
30:40Wesley and Caius are about to awaken and become true dragons.
30:44Just give them your magical elements and we'll make it up to you later.
30:47Issa put on a fake sweet voice.
30:50She still thought I was that little girl she used to mess with.
30:53Two huey dragons awakening at once.
30:56Draining every last drop of my magical essence wouldn't even be enough.
31:00The whole continent can't have two dragon lords.
31:04Between Caius and Wesley, one of them is doomed to fall.
31:08And for that maybe, that one in a million chance,
31:11the boy I once cared about most and the sister I grovelled to please
31:16were ready to sacrifice me.
31:18My hands and feet trembled.
31:20My whole body went cold.
31:21The only warmth I felt came from the scales over my heart.
31:25I touched them and thought,
31:27Caspian is a true dragon.
31:29Caius and Wesley wanting to become dragons?
31:32It's laughable.
31:33They've been flattered for so long they've forgotten their own blood and place.
31:37Not that that's surprising.
31:38Issa saw the sneer on my face and I lost it.
31:41She ordered Caius to tie me up.
31:43He hesitated for just a second.
31:45Then he walked toward me.
31:46Every step crushed whatever little feeling I had left for him.
31:51Caius said,
31:52Lina, don't fight it.
31:54It won't hurt as much.
31:56How thoughtful.
31:58How gentle.
31:59Then I said, ice cold.
32:01Caius, you're going to regret this.
32:03While pretending to tighten the ropes,
32:05Lina, once I awaken and become a dragon,
32:06He leaned in and whispered,
32:06I'll let you go.
32:08Just help me one more time.
32:09I won't let anything happen to you.
32:12Trust me.
32:15Back then, even saying my name annoyed him.
32:18Now he kept saying it over and over.
32:21And it just made me sick.
32:23Caius, the boy I used to treasure.
32:26He'd become someone I didn't recognize anymore.
32:29Caius dragged him over to Issa.
32:31She took a sword and stabbed me right in the chest.
32:34But there wasn't a single mark on me.
32:36Her eyes went wide in disbelief.
32:39She tried again and again.
32:42Stab after stab.
32:43Nothing worked.
32:45Issa hissed.
32:46No way.
32:47No way, Lina.
32:48What kind of dark magic did you use?
32:50I gave a cold laugh.
32:51Issa, you can't hurt me.
32:53She handed the sword to Caius.
32:55Here, you try.
32:57Caius tested it with one stab.
32:59Same result.
33:01Issa snapped.
33:02Try somewhere else, Caius.
33:03There's no way we're not getting any essence out of her.
33:06His hand trembled slightly as he stabbed my left arm.
33:10This time, magical essence began to seep out.
33:14Seeing that, Issa's mood lifted.
33:16She was so desperate for the position of family head
33:19and the power of being Dragon Lord's wife, that she'd completely lost herself.
33:25Caius kept stabbing me.
33:26Over and over.
33:28The essence pouring out of me made both Caius and Wesley lose control and shift into their true forms.
33:35I thought to myself,
33:37It hurts so much.
33:38I wish I could hug Caspian right now.
33:41His arms are so warm.
33:43He gently pat my back.
33:45The way my mother used to when she put Issa to sleep.
33:47I knew Caspian would keep waiting for me in that little town.
33:51He'd always been so gentle.
33:53I just hoped that after I died, he'd find a good master.
33:58Someone who wouldn't put him through more pain.
34:00As more and more of my essence was drained, my body grew weaker and weaker.
34:06Then suddenly, a deafening roar echoed from above.
34:10Everyone stopped.
34:11They all looked up and rushed toward the sound.
34:14They saw what Issa was doing to me.
34:17Every single one of them.
34:18But no one stopped her.
34:20They were more focused on that cry in the sky than on the fact that I was dying.
34:25Even the elders, who barely ever showed their faces, came running.
34:30Tears streamed down their wrinkled, bark-like faces.
34:34That's a dragon's roar.
34:36The dragon lord has come.
34:39Hearing this, everyone in the Cairn family turned to look at Caius and Wesley,
34:43who were standing beside Issa.
34:45The Cairns were the only family on the entire continent that had huey dragons.
34:51The creatures closest to true dragons.
34:54But neither Caius nor Wesley had awakened yet.
34:57So where did that roar come from?
35:00Elder, are you sure?
35:01Our family's huey dragons haven't awakened.
35:04How can there be a real long on to know?
35:05The elder sighed deeply.
35:07Sadly, it seems our family was never worthy of that honor.
35:10A true dragon has appeared.
35:12The huey dragons have lost their chance to awaken.
35:15No!
35:15No way!
35:16My beast has to become dragon lord!
35:18All we need is enough magical essence!
35:19That's it!
35:20Magical essence!
35:21Her face twisted with rage.
35:23She snatched the sword from Caius and raised it to stab me.
35:26I knew I'd reached my limit.
35:27I probably couldn't survive another hit from her, so I just closed my eyes.
35:31Issa's sword came flying at me and then hit the ground with a heavy thud.
35:35I opened my eyes.
35:37I could feel my magic coming back.
35:39My wounds began to heal, slowly.
35:41The restraints that had been suppressing me disappeared.
35:44Roar after roar echoed from above.
35:47A crushing pressure descended from the sky, forcing every beast companion in the family
35:52to bow to the ground.
35:54Caius and Wesley struggled a little longer than the others, but eventually they dropped to
35:58their knees too.
35:59I looked up.
36:00A massive dragon was weaving through the clouds.
36:02The red scales on its tail shimmered with dark light, and beneath them, faint gold flickered.
36:08It was Caspian.
36:12Caius, Wesley, do you know your mistake?
36:16You know exactly what you've done.
36:18The two of them knelt low, their eyes bleeding crimson tears from the sheer pressure of the
36:23true dragon.
36:24I looked over and saw the fierce unwillingness in their eyes.
36:27But in the face of absolute power, all they could do was bow their heads in respect.
36:32Great dragon lord, we know we were wrong.
36:36The rest of the Karen family had no idea why the true dragon had appeared just to punish
36:41their beasts.
36:42But Isa had a guess.
36:43She glared at me with pure hatred.
36:46Lena, I know this is you.
36:49What kind of deal did you make with that evil dragon?
36:52The family's faces went pale.
36:54Magic household or not, there was nothing they could do against the dragon.
36:57A dragon lord, Isa's disrespect terrified them.
37:01She grabbed the sword off the ground and lunged at me again.
37:04Caspian shifted into human form and landed in front of me.
37:07He crushed the sword between two fingers.
37:10Then, with a flick of his energy, pinned Isa to a pillar not far away.
37:14Ice pierced through her hands and feet, tearing the tendons wide open.
37:19Broken ribs jutted out from her side.
37:21The pain she felt was a hundred times worse than what I had just endured.
37:25Caspian lowed his gaze to the wounds on my body.
37:28His eyes were filled with pain.
37:30I'm sorry.
37:31I came too late.
37:33I shook my head.
37:34No.
37:35You came right on time.
37:37Seeing the family's prodigy tortured like that, one of the Karen elders stepped forward.
37:43Great dragon lord, you may be the ruler of this continent, but you can't just attack a beast taker like
37:48that.
37:49Isa is our family's most gifted member and the next head of the household.
37:53Please, spare her.
37:55Caspian pulled me protectively into his arms.
37:57Anger burned in his eyes.
37:59He swept his gaze across the Karen family and let out a cold laugh.
38:04I don't kill beast hampers, but I do kill those who refuse to see the truth, who can't tell right
38:10from wrong.
38:10The elder looked confused.
38:12Great dragon lord, what do you mean?
38:14The elder stepped forward and examined my energy.
38:17Then his face went pale with shock.
38:20How is this possible?
38:21When Lena was born, her magic was barely there.
38:23She grew up average at best.
38:25But now, her power is so rich she rivals me?
38:28I was just as shocked.
38:30I looked up at Caspian.
38:31He lowered his gaze to me and explained patiently.
38:35Lena, there was a seal placed inside you.
38:37It could only be broken by bonding with a magical beast.
38:40Your sister Isa knew this secret all along.
38:42That's why she broke through the seal before you did.
38:45Isa had known from the very beginning.
38:47No wonder she'd always told me never to touch a beast's tail when we were kids.
38:52She said a low-level tamer like me would get killed by them.
38:55All those years, she stood by and watched me get mocked, ignored.
39:00Left to struggle and scrape by in the Karen family.
39:04I'd bowed and scraped before her like a servant, pouring out all the warmth I never got from our parents
39:10and throwing it at her feet instead.
39:12And she'd been planning to keep me down from the very start.
39:17Isa screamed at the top of her lungs.
39:18Lena, you worthless failure!
39:21You'll never be better than me!
39:23Our parents' love, the Karen family's honor, the beast's loyalty, it's all mine!
39:28Caspian flicked his hand and Isa's teeth scattered all over the ground.
39:32Then he pulled out a mirror from somewhere and held it up in front of me.
39:35I stared at the stunning beauty in the reflection.
39:38For a moment, I couldn't believe my own eyes.
39:41Caspian said softly,
39:42Lena, I told you before, you're beautiful.
39:45The most beautiful person I've ever seen.
39:47The sudden change.
39:48My looks, my overwhelming magic caught me completely off guard.
39:52No wonder he'd insisted on sleeping beside me every single night before we came back to the Karen family.
39:58While he was forming his dragon body, my magic had been growing fast too.
40:02This wasn't the innocent, gentle little sky serpent I'd found back then.
40:06This dragon had been playing the long game all along.
40:09With Isa's magic shattered and my own natural talent now undeniable, the elder finally shut his mouth.
40:16Then my mother came running out of the house sobbing and told us my father was gone.
40:20Without missing a beat, the elder raised my hand and announced to the entire Karen family,
40:25Lena is the next head of the Karen family.
40:28All those who'd once mocked me now had sour looks on their faces.
40:32My mother rushed to the pillar where Isa was pinned, crying out her name in anguish.
40:36Then she turned to glare at me with pure hatred.
40:39She wanted to strike me, but Caspian's presence scared her off.
40:43I should have felt satisfied, but all I felt was a hollow sadness.
40:47I pulled my hand back from the elder.
40:49I don't care about being the head of the Karen family.
40:52I want to be the dragon lord's wife.
40:54Caspian looked at me with nothing but pure affection in his eyes.
40:57Everyone else was shocked speechless.
40:59Caspian nodded.
41:00Sweetheart, he said.
41:01I was thinking the exact same thing.
41:03Out of nowhere, he pulled out a magic ring and slipped it onto my finger.
41:07It was one I'd loved a long time ago.
41:10The one I could never bring myself to buy.
41:12The moment the ring settled at the base of my finger, a voice came from the ground.
41:16It was Caius.
41:17Lina loves me, he said.
41:20I have a ring too.
41:21See?
41:22The one you begged me to make you back then.
41:24In his hand, Caius held up a silver ring.
41:27All those years ago, I'd fallen in love with those magic silver rings.
41:31I begged Caius for so long to make one for me.
41:35He finally agreed.
41:36Every day I waited, hoping he'd finish it and give it to me.
41:40But when it was done, it just disappeared.
41:43Days later, I saw the exact same ring on Isa's finger.
41:47I told myself it was a coincidence.
41:49Those magic silver rings all looked alike.
41:52Unless Caius actually said he'd given it to her, it wasn't true.
41:56That's what I told myself.
41:58And just like that, I fooled myself one more time.
42:01I stepped out of Caspian's arms and walked over to Caius.
42:04He held up the silver ring, pushing it toward me, desperate for me to see it.
42:09The way I'd spent ten years being desperate for him to see me.
42:12Caius, some things, once they're missed, they can't be fixed.
42:17People too.
42:19No, Lena.
42:20Give me a chance to make it right.
42:21I really want to bond with you.
42:23It wasn't until after you left that I realized I never loved Isa.
42:26It was always you.
42:28The way I felt about her, that was just instinct.
42:31I just didn't want to be weaker than Wesley.
42:34I said flatly,
42:36Caius, do you remember that time I actually touched your tail and you said it was disgusting?
42:40Do you remember when I was covered in wounds from a beast attack and you kicked me out of
42:43the house because you didn't want to smell the blood?
42:45And do you remember pushing me off a cliff just to protect Isa?
42:49He had no answer to any of it.
42:51Then he shifted, letting his tail form and placing it in front of me.
42:55Lena, I was wrong.
42:56Do whatever you want to me.
42:57I only tricked you into coming here because I wanted to become a dragon as fast as I could
43:00so I could protect you.
43:01I want to be with you forever.
43:03I love you.
43:03Back then, I used to think Caius' tail was beautiful.
43:07Now I felt nothing.
43:08I said quietly,
43:09It's too late for all that, Caius.
43:11But I do have to thank you.
43:13Because of you, I met Caspian.
43:15Caius stayed kneeling where he was.
43:17His fingernails dug deep into the ground, carving long grooves.
43:20He looked up at me, the corners of his eyes burning red.
43:23But Lena, you already knew, didn't you?
43:27I knew what he was asking.
43:29About Caspian's true identity?
43:31Or about his own ugly intentions?
43:33Maybe both.
43:34I didn't answer.
43:36I just turned my gaze into the distance.
43:38Caspian's arm tightened around my waist.
43:41His voice rang out loud and clear for everyone to hear.
43:44Do you all really not remember why the true dragons vanished from this continent?
43:48And why they've returned?
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