- 7 hours ago
My Dragon Ex Kneels Too Late
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Short filmTranscript
00:00After the war between Dragon Court and Green Faction, my sister's husband returned safely while mine fell in battle.
00:06Everyone pitied me, but I knew the truth.
00:09The man who came back was not my brother-in-law.
00:12It was my husband, Kaylin.
00:13He and Lucian were twin brothers, near equal in power.
00:17No one suspected a thing.
00:18Kaylin pulled me aside to explain.
00:21Lyra, I did this for the greater good.
00:24Lucian is the crown prince of the Dragon Court.
00:26If the clan hears the crown prince died in battle, chaos follows.
00:30Your sister is gentle.
00:32She cannot bear that loss.
00:34I am only keeping watch over her.
00:38Once things have settled, I will return to your side.
00:41I believed every word, until Kaylin had me executed, on charges of conspiring with the Demon Clan.
00:47Watching him hold my sister close, I finally understood.
00:50Every last thing had been his design.
00:53When I opened my eyes again, I was back.
00:55The day the Dragon Court celebrated their great victory.
00:58The day the news arrived that my husband had fallen in battle.
01:01Kaylin stood with my sister, holding her in silence, while the clan cast pitying glances my way.
01:07Without a moment's hesitation, I chose to remarry.
01:11Kaylin thought taking the crown prince's place meant power.
01:14He had no idea.
01:16Walking away from me meant losing his only path to the throne.
01:20Lyra.
01:21Saylin is...
01:22He's gone.
01:23It was the Dragon King who spoke.
01:26He had two sons.
01:27One had become crown prince and had taken my sister as his princess.
01:30The other was my husband, Kaylin.
01:32He sat on the throne, staring at his brother's coffin.
01:35Grief painted perfectly across his face.
01:37Before I could speak, my sister's voice cut through the silence.
01:40Her voice is soft, but performative.
01:43Little sister.
01:45I know how much pain you're in.
01:47She looked down at me, eyes full of practice sorrow.
01:50It's alright to cry.
01:51I lifted my gaze, not to her, but to the man at her side.
01:54My husband, wearing his dead brother's name.
01:57Kaylin's fingers interlaced with my sister's.
01:59He felt my stare, turned his head.
02:01Something flickered across his face that looked almost like shock.
02:05I nearly laughed.
02:06Kaylin's performance was as flawless as ever.
02:08Last life, it took me months to believe the man beside my sister was really him.
02:12This time I already knew.
02:14A whale split the air.
02:16The dragon queen threw herself across the coffin, tears streaking her face.
02:20My son!
02:22Then she spun and pointed at me.
02:24It's you!
02:25You cursed him!
02:27You killed my boy!
02:28She never wanted me for her son.
02:30I had once brought my doubts to Kaylin, and he had sworn to me with absolute certainty.
02:34No matter what, I will always take your side.
02:37His mother slapped me without warning.
02:39Her palm cracked across my cheek so hard the hall went still.
02:42She raised her hand again.
02:44The dragon king barked at his guards to intervene.
02:47Enough!
02:49The hall erupted into chaos.
02:52Through all of it, Kaylin stood quietly at my sister's side, holding her hand.
02:56He reached into his coat and produced a small, glimmering stone.
02:59A water spirit stone, pale blue, luminous.
03:02He held it out to my sister like an offering.
03:05He murmured, low and tender.
03:09Sarah, I brought this back for you.
03:11I smiled without warmth.
03:13I had always wanted a water spirit stone.
03:16In my last life, I had asked Kaylin for one, begged him.
03:19Every time he left for war, he always said yes, but I never received it.
03:24Now I understood.
03:25He had in short and forgotten to look.
03:27He had simply never intended to give it to me.
03:30My sister noticed me watching.
03:31Her expression cooled.
03:32She stepped slightly in front of Kaylin, shielding him.
03:35She said,
03:36Why do you keep staring at my husband?
03:38The dragon king exhaled slowly.
03:42Lya, by the laws of our house, when a spouse falls in battle, the surviving partner must remain in mourning
03:48for a hundred years.
03:50I won't force you, but I need to know.
03:53What will you do?
03:54I shook my head.
03:56I choose the second path.
03:57I'll remarry.
03:59Silence.
04:00The entire hall went motionless.
04:04Kaylin spoke first.
04:06Absurd!
04:07His voice was tight.
04:07Lyra, you can't marry someone else.
04:11The dragon king and my sister exchanged a glance, both suddenly alert.
04:16The king, confused but measured, turned to Kaylin.
04:20Lucian, this is your brother's widow's private matter.
04:23It isn't your place.
04:25Kaylin went silent.
04:27His jaw worked.
04:28His eyes stayed fixed on me.
04:30My sister stepped forward, her voice sharp with accusation.
04:34Lyra, your husband just died.
04:37His body is barely cold.
04:39And you're already talking about remarrying?
04:42The dragon king's voice was poisoned.
04:45If Kaylin hadn't insisted on marrying you, I never would have let a woman like you through our doors.
04:52I kept my voice level.
04:54Kaylin loved me deeply.
04:56I know he wouldn't want me to waste a hundred years grieving.
05:02I'm remarrying.
05:03Lyra!
05:04The dragon king raised his hand, cutting him off.
05:07Enough.
05:08If Lyra has decided, we honor it.
05:12One condition.
05:14By ancient law, your new husband must be a man of House Draconis.
05:19I turned to face the hall.
05:21Hundreds of faces stared back at me.
05:22Is there any man here willing to take me as his wife?
05:27Silence.
05:28One man shifted forward, then was yanked back by his family.
05:32Another met my eyes and looked away as if I were something dangerous.
05:35I felt the weight of it settle over me.
05:38Two paths.
05:39That was all fate had ever given me.
05:41Mourn?
05:42Or remarry?
05:42Was there truly no third option?
05:46Kaylin watched from across the hall and a smile touched his mouth.
05:49Lyra.
05:49He said.
05:50No man here will take you.
05:52Mourn properly.
05:54He said it like it was already decided.
05:57My stomach turned.
05:59Then a shadow fell from above.
06:00A figure dropped down, landing clean at the center of the hall.
06:03I will.
06:04I looked up.
06:05It was Dracian.
06:06The dragon warlord.
06:08The man they called the God of Slaughter.
06:14He dropped to one knee before the dragon king, his voice unwavering.
06:18My king.
06:19I will marry Lyra.
06:21Draxian.
06:22This has nothing to do with you.
06:24Let me give you some advice.
06:25My brother just died.
06:26Lyra is already running to remarry.
06:28Aren't you afraid she'll be the death of you too?
06:30Dracian stood.
06:31He stepped between us.
06:33His back to Kaylin.
06:34His eyes on me alone.
06:37Your highness.
06:38He said.
06:38Voice quiet and cold.
06:40Lyra is your brother's widow.
06:42You should be protecting her.
06:44Instead you're building a case against her.
06:46Kaylin's jaw tightened.
06:47I'm only speaking the truth.
06:49Dracian ignored him.
06:51He turned to me fully.
06:52Lyra.
06:52His voice dropped.
06:53Will you marry me?
06:55I will be faithful to you.
06:56I will never leave your side.
06:58Let the heavens witness this.
07:00If I break this oath, may my soul be destroyed.
07:03Something shifted in my chest.
07:05I looked into his eyes.
07:07There was nothing there but certainty.
07:08I nodded.
07:10Yes.
07:10There was nothing left for Kaylin to say.
07:13Dracian and I sealed the bond right there in the hall.
07:15The dragon king watched us, then waved a tired hand.
07:18Go.
07:19He turned to address the gathered court.
07:21I am old.
07:21I have lost a son.
07:23I no longer have the heart to rule.
07:27In three days I will pass the crown to Lucian.
07:31Lucian was my brother-in-law's name.
07:34The real crown prince.
07:35Now, worn by Kaylin like a stolen coat.
07:38I turned it over in my mind.
07:40In my last life, the dragon king never passed the throne to Kaylin.
07:44Not even after I was dead.
07:46So why was it happening earlier this time?
07:49I didn't get to think long.
07:51As the crowd dispersed, Kaylin drifted past me.
07:53I heard him clearly.
07:55Pathetic girl.
07:56You'll regret this.
07:58That night, I moved out of Kaylin's quarters and into Dracian's territory.
08:02The servants whispered the moment we were out of earshot.
08:05The warlord has everything going for him.
08:08Shame about his judgment.
08:09The prince isn't even cold yet, and she's already jumping into someone else's bed.
08:13The dragon queen said she's cursed, didn't she?
08:15I really hope she doesn't get the warlord killed too.
08:18I listened through the window with a faint smile.
08:24I glanced at Dracian and said dryly,
08:27One marriage in and I've already ruined your reputation.
08:31Dracian frowned.
08:32Don't say that.
08:33Lyra.
08:34Give me half a day.
08:36They won't say another word about you behind your back.
08:39I sighed.
08:41I don't actually care.
08:43Last life, I mourned a living man,
08:45swallowed every humiliation,
08:46and died screaming in front of a crowd.
08:48This life, Dracian gave me warm rooms,
08:51fine clothes,
08:52and the best the dragon court had to offer.
08:55He had made sure of it without being asked.
08:57I was more than satisfied.
08:59Before he blew out the lamp,
09:01I heard him mutter under his breath,
09:03Reputation doesn't matter.
09:04As long as I have you,
09:06that's enough.
09:08I lay awake for a long time.
09:09Not long after, Sarah summoned me to the palace.
09:12She was to be the next dragon queen.
09:14The maids were bringing in heavy, ornate ceremonial robes.
09:17She held the crown up to her head and turned it this way and that,
09:20then looked at me.
09:22Lyra, honestly, who do you think looks better in this?
09:25Me or the current dragon queen?
09:27I said nothing.
09:28She kept going, pleasant and self-satisfied.
09:32Sometimes in life, you just have to accept the way things are.
09:35You were always the clever one.
09:38And yet here I am, becoming dragon queen.
09:41She had been like this since we were children,
09:44always needing to be ahead of me.
09:46My eyes drifted to the cluttered table
09:47and landed on the water spirit stone Kaylin had given her.
09:52A thought clicked into place.
09:54When Sarah was young,
09:55she had been drowned in the water by a river spirit during a training exercise.
09:59She had barely survived.
10:00She hated water spirit stones.
10:03My real brother-in-law, the true crown prince, remembered that.
10:06He had kept it in mind for years,
10:08but Kaylin had given her one anyway,
10:11because Kaylin wasn't him.
10:12I spoke quietly.
10:14Do you really not know that the man beside you isn't your husband?
10:18Sarah's hand went still.
10:22She had known all along.
10:24She had watched Kaylin steal her own husband's identity
10:27and watched me walk toward my death without a word,
10:29all for a crown.
10:31Tears filled my eyes before I could stop them.
10:33You knew the whole time.
10:35I said.
10:36Did any part of you see me as your sister?
10:39She laughed, short and cold.
10:40What's sisterhood actually worth?
10:43I'll be honest with you.
10:44As long as he carries the title and I become dragon queen.
10:48She met my eyes without flinching.
10:50I don't care which brother he is.
10:52Her eyes narrowed.
10:53As for you, stay quiet.
10:55Mourn properly.
10:57If you behave, I'll take care of you once I'm queen.
11:01But if you open your mouth about any of this,
11:03I will not let you walk away.
11:05The cold move blew me and waved.
11:07Word for word,
11:08the same thing Kaylin had said to me in my last life.
11:11And in the end, neither of them had let me walk away.
11:13Before I could respond,
11:15the door opened.
11:16Kaylin entered with his mother and the dragon king by his side.
11:19When he saw me, he stopped.
11:21His eyes sharpened.
11:22Guilty.
11:23Laia.
11:24What are you doing here?
11:25The dragon queen curled her lip.
11:27Why aren't you with your new husband?
11:29What brings you to the palace?
11:31Sarah manufactured two tears and leaned into Kaylin's side.
11:35She's just in pain from losing Kaylin.
11:37She didn't know what she was doing.
11:39Kaylin put an arm around her and then he looked at me,
11:42voice full of cold contempt.
11:44Nobody wanted my brother dead,
11:45but you wouldn't mourn him.
11:47You ran straight to another man.
11:49His voice dropped.
11:50And now you're taking your frustration out on your own sister.
11:53Get out!
11:57I looked at him for a long moment,
11:58then I smiled.
12:01Fine.
12:02The reckoning would come.
12:03Just not today.
12:04The next day,
12:05Drayshan and I were invited to Kaylin's coronation.
12:08Kaylin had assumed his brother's identity
12:10and been named the dragon king's heir.
12:12He still needed the blessing of the blood pack
12:14to complete the coronation.
12:15But in everyone's eyes,
12:17including his own,
12:18it was already settled.
12:19He stood at the top of the steps in silver armor,
12:22Sarah on his arm,
12:23smiling like the crown was already his.
12:25I watched him and thought about his last life.
12:28The dragon king had once asked Kaylin directly,
12:31Your twin brother has been named crown princeant.
12:34Does that make you resentful?
12:36And Kaylin answered without hesitation,
12:38My brother is stronger and more capable than I am.
12:41He deserves to be crown princeant.
12:43I have nothing but respect for him.
12:45And then he stole everything.
12:47I shook my head.
12:48I had spent a whole lifetime failing to see through him.
12:51Kaylin brought Sarah over to where we were standing.
12:53He glanced at Drayshan.
12:55Something dark moved through his eyes.
12:57Then he turned to me with a smooth smile.
13:00Lyra,
13:01I know you still have feelings for Kaylin,
13:04but you choose to remarry.
13:05Try to focus on your new life.
13:07Before I could answer,
13:09Drayshan said easily,
13:10No need for the crown prince's concern.
13:14Lyra treats me very well.
13:16Warmth moved through me.
13:17I looked at the two of them standing there
13:19so pleased with themselves.
13:21Crown prince,
13:21I said mildly.
13:23Are you absolutely certain
13:24the coronation will go smoothly today?
13:27Sarah's brows snapped together.
13:29What does that mean?
13:30Lyra,
13:31are you putting a curse on us?
13:36Kaylin's gaze turned sharp with fury,
13:38but with the whole hall watching it,
13:41all he did was take Sarah's arm and murmur,
13:43Don't bother with me.
13:44Let's go.
13:50The coronation began.
13:52Kaylin climbed the steps
13:53and fixed his eyes on the crown
13:55in his father's hands.
13:56Pure hunger.
13:58Nothing else.
13:59The high cleric raised his staff.
14:01Call upon the blood pact.
14:03Let the inheritance descend.
14:05Thunder rolled through the sky.
14:07Just as the phoenix bloodline
14:09must burn and rise,
14:11every dragon king
14:12must survive the thunder trial.
14:15If the ancient pact accepts the air,
14:17the lightning causes no harm.
14:19Kaylin gripped Sarah's hand
14:20and stood at the center of the altar.
14:23The first bolt of lightning fell.
14:25I watched from the crowd.
14:27The color drained from both their faces.
14:30The second bolt,
14:31the third.
14:31Sarah choked and spat blood.
14:33Her knees hit the ground.
14:34Kaylin's face had gone white.
14:36The dragon king rose to his feet in shock.
14:38Murmurs rippled through the hall.
14:41When the previous dragon king
14:42received the crown,
14:43it was nothing like this.
14:44Does this mean the crown prince and princess
14:46aren't accepted by the pact?
14:5081 strikes in total.
14:52He once a blessing for the true heir.
14:54Now nothing but torture.
14:55By the tenth bolt,
14:57Kaylin was on his knees too.
14:58In desperation,
15:00the dragon king threw up a barrier
15:01with his own power,
15:02barely holding the bolts at bay.
15:04But that made the coronation meaningless.
15:07The hall fell into silence.
15:10Everyone stared at Kaylin and Sarah
15:12and waited for an explanation.
15:14Kaylin dragged himself upright.
15:15He looked at the dragon king
15:17with a face full of forced calm.
15:20Father,
15:20there must have been an error in the ritual.
15:23I'm willing to try again.
15:24The dragon king hesitated.
15:26I exhaled slowly
15:27and spoke into silence.
15:30It won't work.
15:31Stop struggling.
15:33They're both imposters.
15:35Why would the blood pact ever accept them?
15:37The hall went utterly still.
15:39Only my voice hung in the air.
15:42Dration looked down at me, startled.
15:43But there was no doubt in his expression.
15:45Only confusion.
15:47Kaylin stared at me,
15:48fury and guilt fighting in his eyes.
15:50Sarah wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth.
15:52She started crying
15:53and pointed at me.
15:55It's Lila.
15:56She's jealous that I'm becoming dragon queen.
15:58She's lying to destroy us.
16:02The dragon king turned to me
16:04with a grave expression.
16:07Liar.
16:08I understand you have grievances.
16:11But this isn't the day for it.
16:14Your sister Sarah
16:16is the crown princess.
16:18Lucian is the heir I designated.
16:21How could they possibly be imposters?
16:24The dragon queen stepped forward
16:25already furious.
16:26Enough talking!
16:27What's the point?
16:28Kaylin married her and died.
16:31Now Lucian steps up for the crown
16:33and she's here ruining everything.
16:35She's nothing but a curse.
16:37Remove her.
16:38She ordered the guards forward.
16:40Dration moved in front of me
16:41before they took a step.
16:43His eyes were eyed.
16:46Draxian.
16:47Touch her and find out what happens.
16:52I took his hand
16:53and looked past him
16:54to the dragon king.
16:55Your majesty.
16:56Do you remember the two conditions
16:58for the coronation contract?
16:59The dragon king,
17:00bewildered but still listening,
17:02answered slowly.
17:03The heir must hold
17:04a legitimate claim to the throne.
17:06Or,
17:08their bonded partner
17:09must carry royal blood.
17:13One condition
17:14is enough
17:15for the blood pact to accept.
17:16Two faces in the crowd
17:17went rigid at the same moment.
17:19Kaylin stared at the dragon king
17:20in disbelief.
17:22Father,
17:24why did you never tell me that?
17:26The dragon king's expression hardened.
17:28What do you mean
17:29I never told you?
17:30When I named you
17:31crown prince,
17:32I passed on every secret
17:34of the dragon bloodline.
17:36Lucian,
17:37you were always careful.
17:39How could you forget
17:40something this important?
17:41Kaylin opened
17:42and closed his mouth.
17:43I,
17:44I,
17:47I answered for him.
17:49Your majesty.
17:51Can't you see it yet?
17:53This isn't crown prince Lucian.
17:55This is his twin brother Kaylin.
17:58Your second son.
17:59The hall exploded.
18:01The dragon king's eyes went wide.
18:03The dragon queen
18:03surged to her feet.
18:05How dare you?
18:06You took one son from me.
18:09Now you want to destroy
18:10the other's name too?
18:11I walked onto the altar.
18:13I moved toward Kaylin
18:14slowly and steadily.
18:16He backed away
18:17like he'd seen a ghost.
18:18What do you think you're doing?
18:20Ten years ago,
18:21Kaylin saved my life.
18:22A sea spirit's venom
18:24burned through his chest.
18:25He almost died.
18:28That scar is fused to the soul.
18:31No magic can erase it.
18:33That was why I believed him
18:35for so long in my last life.
18:36Who would have thought
18:37the man who once
18:38nearly died for me
18:39would one day
18:40sentence me to death?
18:41I reached for the front
18:42of his armor.
18:43He kept backing up.
18:44He wouldn't even let
18:45Sarah come closer.
18:46He shouted at me,
18:46voice cracking.
18:47Liar.
18:48Have you lost your mind?
18:49I am your brother-in-law.
18:53The dragon king had heard enough.
18:55He signaled two guards.
18:56Kaylin fought them.
18:57It didn't matter.
18:58When they pulled back his armor,
19:00the hall went silent.
19:01Right there on his chest.
19:02A scar like a tear
19:04burned into pale skin.
19:05White and permanent
19:06and impossible to fake.
19:08Unmistakable.
19:10Undeniable.
19:10The dragon queen pointed at Kaylin,
19:13couldn't find words,
19:14and collapsed.
19:15The dragon king coughed up black blood
19:17and dropped to one knee.
19:18Your majesty!
19:19The high cleric
19:21and the elders
19:21rushed to catch him.
19:23Kaylin didn't look
19:24at his father once.
19:25His eyes were already on me.
19:27Liar.
19:29How did you know?
19:30Then he caught himself.
19:31No, it's impossible.
19:31I was careful.
19:33Everyone who knew
19:33the truth is gone.
19:34I bit down hard
19:35and held back the tears.
19:38How could I not recognize you?
19:40He was my husband
19:41and we have known each other
19:42since childhood.
19:43The dragon king himself
19:44had once joked
19:45that no one knew Kaylin
19:47better than I did.
19:48I had loved him completely.
19:49The dragon king's grief
19:50curdled into rage.
19:52Kaylin.
19:54He was your brother.
19:56Your own blood.
19:57Kaylin exploded.
19:58So what?
20:01My whole life,
20:02all anyone ever talked about
20:04was how brilliant he was.
20:05When my brother died,
20:06I took his place
20:07and none of you
20:09even noticed.
20:10Our power was identical.
20:12Why was it always him
20:13and never me?
20:14The high cleric
20:15stepped forward.
20:16Your power was never identical.
20:19Karian's far exalted yours.
20:21I ran the bloodline trial myself.
20:23He was the most gifted heir
20:25I had seen in a thousand years.
20:28Kaylin went still.
20:28That's a lie.
20:30If he was stronger,
20:31why couldn't I feel it?
20:32The high cleric sighed
20:33helplessly.
20:34Because he hid it
20:35every single day.
20:37He didn't want you
20:38to feel lesser,
20:39which is also why
20:40when you took his place,
20:42we couldn't tell the difference.
20:43I already knew this.
20:45Years ago,
20:45a sea spirit ambushed us.
20:47Kaylin went down fast.
20:49I held the creature off alone,
20:51wounded,
20:51then Lucien arrived.
20:53One strike.
20:54The sea spirit was dead.
20:56Kaylin had fought
20:57that same spirit
20:57for over an hour
20:58and never landed a blow.
21:00Afterward,
21:01Kaylin complained to me about it.
21:03If I hadn't been caught off guard,
21:05that thing never would have touched me.
21:07I never told Kaylin the truth.
21:08He had believed that lie for years.
21:10Now he sank to the ground,
21:12hollow-eyed,
21:13murmuring to himself,
21:14I had you wrong
21:14all this time.
21:17The high cleric frowned.
21:19There's still something
21:20that doesn't add up.
21:23Even with an imposter
21:24on the throne,
21:25the crown prince
21:26carries legitimate
21:27dragon royal blood.
21:28The crown princess
21:29is Phoenix clan by birth.
21:31The blood pack
21:32shouldn't have punished them
21:33this severely.
21:35Unless...
21:36I glanced at Sarah
21:37who had been quietly shrinking
21:38toward the back of the crowd.
21:40I smiled.
21:42Unless the crown princess
21:43was never legitimate
21:44Phoenix blood to begin with.
21:46Sarah was shaking.
21:48Liar, you liar!
21:49I'm your sister!
21:50If I'm not legitimate,
21:51what does that make you?
21:54She crawled to the dragon king.
21:56Your majesty,
21:57I knew nothing
21:58of Kaylin's impersonation.
22:00The punishment is his alone.
22:01Kaylin looked up
22:02at her in disbelief.
22:03I laughed to myself.
22:04Last life,
22:05I hadn't found out
22:07until I was already dying.
22:10Kaylin had been in love
22:11with Sarah long
22:12before any of this.
22:13Two glimpses of her
22:14at a clan banquet
22:14and he was gone.
22:16After he took the crown,
22:17he had poured
22:17every rare treasure
22:18he could find
22:19into her hands,
22:20desperate to please her.
22:21And she had discarded him
22:22the moment things went wrong.
22:23The dragon king
22:24forced himself upright
22:25and looked at me.
22:26Lila,
22:27Sarah is your sister.
22:29Same father.
22:30How can you call her
22:31an imposter?
22:32Same father,
22:34different mother.
22:37My mother died
22:39not long after I was born.
22:40By the time I could
22:41remember anything,
22:42Sarah was already there.
22:44Already my older sister.
22:45My father told me
22:46to respect her,
22:46so I did.
22:47Until my last life
22:49when I caught Sarah
22:50alone at a memorial altar.
22:52Father hid you
22:53under another woman's name
22:54your whole life.
22:55When I become dragon queen,
22:57you were my real mother.
22:59I never got to tell anyone
23:00what I heard.
23:01Kaylin had me executed first.
23:03I look at Sarah.
23:05Your mother and my father
23:06were lovers for years,
23:07but he thought her bloodline
23:09was too low,
23:09so he buried it.
23:10After my mother died,
23:12he claimed she'd delivered twins
23:14and brought you in.
23:15Yours was a pheasant spirit.
23:17You were never legitimate.
23:19Before Sarah could speak,
23:20Kaylin lunged
23:21and locked both hands
23:22around her throat.
23:23The dragon king shouted
23:24for the guards.
23:25Kaylin broke.
23:26He locked both hands
23:27around Sarah's throat.
23:29Everything!
23:30I planned everything!
23:31And it was all for nothing!
23:32You lied to me.
23:34You let me believe
23:34you were worth all of it.
23:36And you're better?
23:37Lyra is the real heir.
23:39You had her
23:39and threw her away.
23:41You're the fool here.
23:43Not me.
23:45That landed.
23:46Kaylin released her,
23:47let her crumble to the ground.
23:49Then he turned
23:49and dropped to his knees
23:50at my feet.
23:51His face was wrecked.
23:52Lyra, I had reasons.
23:54I swear I did.
23:57I was going to take the throne,
23:59fix everything,
24:00then come back to you.
24:01I never knew Sarah
24:02wasn't legitimate.
24:03Lyra, I was wrong.
24:05Come back to me.
24:06Anything you want,
24:07I'll do it.
24:08I tilted my head
24:08and looked down at him.
24:10Anything?
24:11He nodded frantically.
24:12I knew exactly
24:13what he was thinking.
24:14Under Dragon Clan law,
24:15impersonating the Crown Prince
24:16meant losing everything.
24:18But the Clan needed
24:19a Dragon King
24:19and my bloodline
24:20could still satisfy
24:22the blood pact.
24:23If I went back to him,
24:24he could still
24:25take the throne.
24:26Why would I ever
24:27give him that?
24:27I looked him in the eye.
24:29I want you dead.
24:30His face went white.
24:32Every humiliation
24:32he had put me through
24:33came flooding back.
24:34I hated him to the bone.
24:36I met his eyes.
24:38Every word is cold
24:39and deliberate.
24:40Honestly,
24:41I want you to suffer
24:41every second of it.
24:43Kaelin's face
24:43twisted into a snarl.
24:46You ungrateful little...
24:48Lyra,
24:49let's go.
24:53The Dragon Court fractured.
24:54The Crown Prince dead.
24:56The Second Prince exposed.
24:58The Clan's faith in the throne
25:00had never been more fragile.
25:02Some called for Kaelin's
25:04immediate execution.
25:05Others argued
25:06he was the last
25:07of the royal bloodline
25:08and had to be kept alive.
25:09But none of that
25:10concerned me anymore.
25:11I lay flat on my back,
25:14both feet pressed
25:15against Dracian's chest,
25:18pushing with everything
25:19I had.
25:20No more.
25:21I mean it.
25:23He hadn't stopped
25:24for an entire day.
25:25He didn't budge,
25:26just leaned close
25:27to my ear.
25:28Lyra,
25:29who's better?
25:30Me or Kaelin?
25:32I blinked.
25:33Then it hit me.
25:34Since the coronation,
25:35Dracian hadn't asked me
25:35a single question.
25:36Not about the truth,
25:38not about the chaos outside.
25:39He just pulled me to bed
25:41and stayed there.
25:42Was he jealous?
25:43When I didn't answer,
25:44his hand tightened
25:45at my waist.
25:46He went quiet for a moment,
25:47then sulking.
25:49So you still can't forget him?
25:54You're right.
25:55I can't forget him.
25:56Dracian's eyes went wounded
25:57immediately.
25:58The fearsome dragon warlord,
25:59the god of slaughter.
26:00Is it because I haven't
26:01been good to you?
26:02I couldn't hold it in.
26:03I laughed.
26:04Dracian looked at me,
26:05confused.
26:06I reached up
26:07and pinched his cheeks.
26:08Who forgets their enemy?
26:10I had feelings for Kaelin once,
26:12past tense.
26:14Right now,
26:15I'd be happy to watch him die.
26:16The light came back
26:17into Dracian's eyes,
26:18but I kept going.
26:20But I never understood.
26:22That day,
26:23when I asked if anyone
26:24would have of me,
26:25why did you step forward?
26:27Then he told me,
26:28Dracian had not always
26:29been the warlord.
26:30He carried royal blood,
26:31but his parents died early
26:32and no one thought
26:33much of him.
26:34He started at the bottom,
26:36a common foot soldier,
26:37proving himself
26:38one battle at a time.
26:39300 years ago,
26:40he walked into an ambush
26:41on the border.
26:43Every defensive line
26:43had been pulled back.
26:45His unit was cut off.
26:46He thought he was going to die.
26:48He sat there
26:48and waited for it.
26:50Then a girl appeared
26:50above the edge of the pit.
26:53Wait,
26:54your dragon plan.
26:55How did you end up
26:56down here?
26:58Don't be scared.
26:59I'll get you home.
27:01Dracian's voice was soft
27:02when he said it.
27:05Liar,
27:06I fell for you right then.
27:07But when we got back,
27:09I found out
27:09you were already promised
27:10to Kaelin.
27:10I told myself to let it go.
27:12I couldn't.
27:13So I fought
27:13until they called me warlord.
27:16I just wanted you
27:16to know my name.
27:18That's all.
27:19Then you lost your husband.
27:21You stood up in that hall
27:22and asked if anyone
27:23would have you.
27:23I was so stunned
27:24I almost missed my moment.
27:26The rest you know.
27:27I stared at him.
27:29I brought my hand up
27:30and held his face.
27:31Two lifetimes of chaos
27:32and pain,
27:33and it was settling now.
27:38Kaelin had thrown me away
27:40without looking back.
27:42Dracian had spent 300 years
27:44working his way toward me.
27:46You idiot.
27:48Then a servant knocked,
27:49looked deeply uncomfortable.
27:51The visitor is
27:52the crown princess.
27:54Sarah was waiting at the door.
27:56When her identity was exposed,
27:58the dragon queen
27:59had thrown her out of the palace.
28:00Word traveled fast back
28:02to Phoenix territory.
28:03Our father had been
28:04dead for years.
28:05His cousin led the clan now.
28:06A man Sarah had bullied
28:08relentlessly when they were children.
28:10He heard the news
28:10and issued one sentence.
28:12The Phoenix clan
28:12has only one princess
28:14and her name is Lyra.
28:17Sarah had nowhere to go.
28:18She had been camping
28:19outside my door ever since.
28:21When she saw me,
28:21her face lit up.
28:24Lyra.
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