- 9 hours ago
My Dragon Ex Kneels Too Late
Category
🎥
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 Lucien 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.
00:24Lucien 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, Selen is... he'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.
01:38Before I could speak, my sister's voice cut through the silence.
01:40Her voice is soft, but performative.
01:42Little sister, I know how much pain you're in.
01:47She looked down at me, eyes full of practiced sorrow.
01:50It's alright to cry.
01:51I lifted my gaze, not to her, but to the man at her side.
01:55My husband, wearing his dead brother's name.
01:57Kaylin's fingers interlaced with my sister's.
01:59He felt my stare, turned his head.
02:02Something flickered across his face that looked almost like shock.
02:04I 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.
02:25It'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.
03:00A 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.
03:12I 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.
03:42Lyra, by the laws of our house, when a spouse falls in battle, the surviving partner must remain in mourning
03:49for a hundred years.
03:50I won't force you, but I need to know.
03:53What will you do?
03:55I 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!
04:06His voice was tight.
04:08Lyra, 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 Queen's voice was poisoned.
04:45If Kaylin hadn't insisted on marrying you,
04:48I 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 Draconess.
05:19I turned to face the hall.
05:21Hundreds of faces stared back at me.
05:23Is there any man here willing to take me as his wife?
05:27Silence.
05:27One 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 or remarry?
05:43Was 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, I will marry Lyra.
06:21Draxian, this 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, voice 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.
06:53His voice dropped.
06:54Will 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.
07:04Something shifted in my chest.
07:05I looked into his eyes.
07:07There was nothing there but certainty.
07:09I nodded.
07:10Yes.
07:11There 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.
07:32Lucian was my brother-in-law.
07:33The 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.
07:50As 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 called 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.
08:17I 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.
08:34Lyra, give 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, swallowed every humiliation, and died screaming in front of a crowd.
08:48This life, Dracian gave me warm rooms, fine clothes, and 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, I heard him mutter under his breath,
09:03Reputation doesn't matter.
09:04As long as I have you, that'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, then 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.
09:36You were always the clever one.
09:38And yet, here I am, becoming Dragon Queen.
09:41She had been like this since we were children, always needing to be ahead of me.
09:46My eyes drifted to the cluttered table and landed on the water spirit stone Kaylin had given her.
09:52A thought clicked into place.
09:54When Sarah was young, she had been drowned in the water by a river spirit during a training exercise.
09:59She had barely survived.
10:01She hated water spirit stones.
10:03My real brother-in-law, the true Crown Prince, remembered that.
10:07He had kept it in mind for years.
10:09But Kaylin had given her one anyway.
10:11Because Kaylin wasn't him.
10:13I 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 and 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.
10:40Short and cold.
10:40What's Sister Hoop 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, I will not let you walk away.
11:05The cold move blew me and waved.
11:07Word for word, the 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, the 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.
11:38She 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.
11:46But 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.
11:59Then I smiled.
12:01Fine.
12:02The reckoning would come.
12:03Just not today.
12:04The next day, Dration and I were invited to Kaylin's coronation.
12:08Kaylin had assumed his brother's identity and been named the Dragon King's heir.
12:11He still needed the blessing of the blood pack to complete the coronation.
12:15But in everyone's eyes, including his own, it was already settled.
12:19He stood at the top of the steps in silver armor, Sarah on his arm, smiling like the crown was
12:24already 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 Dration.
12:55Something dark moved through his eyes.
12:57Then he turned to me with a smooth smile.
13:01Lyra, I know you still have feelings for Kaylin.
13:04But you choose to remarry.
13:06Try to focus on your new life.
13:07Before I could answer, Dration 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 so pleased with themselves.
13:21Crown Prince, I said mildly,
13:23Are you absolutely certain the coronation will go smoothly today?
13:27Sarah's brow snapped together.
13:28What does that mean?
13:30Lyra, are you putting a curse on us?
13:36Kaylin's gaze turned sharp with fury.
13:39But with the whole hall watching,
13:41all he did was take Sarah's arm and murmur,
13:43Don't bother with her.
13:44Let's go.
13:59Call upon the blood pact.
14:03Let the inheritance descend.
14:05Thunder rolled through the sky.
14:07Just as the Phoenix bloodline must burn and rise,
14:11Every dragon king must survive the thunder trial.
14:15If the ancient pact accepts the air,
14:17The lightning causes no harm.
14:19Kaylin gripped Sarah's hand and 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.
14:32Sarah choked and spat blood.
14:33Her knees hit the ground.
14:35Kaylin's face had gone white.
14:36The dragon king rose to his feet in shock.
14:39Murmurs rippled through the hall.
14:41When the previous dragon king received the crown,
14:43It was nothing like this.
14:45Does 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.
14:56By the tenth bolt,
14:57Kaylin was on his knees too.
14:58In desperation,
15:00The dragon king threw up a barrier with his own power,
15:03Barely 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.
15:16He looked at the dragon king with a face
15:17Full of forced calm.
15:20Father,
15:21There must have been an error in the ritual.
15:23I'm willing to try again.
15:25The dragon king hesitated.
15:26I exhaled slowly
15:27And spoke into silence.
15:30It won't work.
15:31Stop struggling.
15:33They're both impostors.
15:35Why would the blood pact ever accept them?
15:37The hall went utterly still.
15:39Only my voice hung in the air.
15:42Dracian 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 and 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 with a grave expression.
16:07Liar.
16:09I understand you have grievances.
16:12But this isn't the day for it.
16:14Your sister Sarah is the crown princess.
16:19Lucian is the heir I designated.
16:21How could they possibly be impostors?
16:24The dragon queen stepped forward, already 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!
16:36She's nothing but a curse.
16:37Remove her.
16:38She ordered the guards forward.
16:40Dracian moved in front of me
16:41before they took a step.
16:43His eyes were eyed.
16:47Draxian, touch her and find out what happens.
16:52I took his hand
16:53and looked past him to the dragon king.
16:55Your majesty,
16:56do you remember the two conditions
16:58for the coronation contract?
16:59The dragon king, bewildered,
17:01but still listening, answered slowly.
17:03The heir must hold
17:04a legitimate claim to the throne
17:07or their bonded partner
17:09must carry royal blood.
17:13One condition is 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 I never told you?
17:30When I named you Crown 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.
17:44I... I...
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 surged 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 slowly
18:15and 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
18:38the man who once nearly died for me
18:39would one day sentence me to death?
18:41I reached for the front of his armor.
18:43He kept backing up.
18:44He wouldn't even let Sarah come closer.
18:46He shouted at me,
18:46voice cracking.
18:47Liar, have you lost your mind?
18:50I 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.
19:03A scar like a tear
19:04burned into pale skin.
19:05White and permanent
19:06and impossible to fake.
19:09Unmistakable,
19:10undeniable,
19:11the dragon queen
19:11pointed at Kaylin,
19:13couldn't find words,
19:14and collapsed.
19:15The dragon king
19:16coughed 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.
19:35I 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.
19:50The dragon king's grief
19:51curdled into rage.
19:53Kaylin.
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.
20:29That's a lie.
20:29If he was stronger
20:31why couldn't I feel it?
20:32The high cleric sighed helplessly.
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
20:41we couldn't tell the difference.
20:44I 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 Lucian arrived.
20:53One strike.
20:54The sea spirit was dead.
20:55Kaylin had fought
20:57that same spirit
20:58for over an hour
20:58and never landed a blow.
21:01Afterward
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
21:12murmuring to himself
21:14I had you wrong
21:15all this time.
21:17The high cleric frown.
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
21:35I glanced at Sarah
21:37who had been quietly shrinking
21:39toward the back of the crowd.
21:40I smiled.
21:42Unless the crown princess
21:43was never legitimate
21:44phoenix blood
21:45to begin with.
21:46Sarah was shaking.
21:48Liar!
21:48You 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
22:07I
22:08was already
22:09dying.
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 every 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.
22:24The 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
22:39after I was born.
22:41By 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
22:47so I did.
22:48Until my last life
22:49when I caught
22:49Sarah alone
22:50at a memorial altar.
22:52Father hid you
22:53under another woman's name
22:54your whole life.
22:55When I become
22:56dragon queen
22:57you were my
22:58real mother.
22:59I never got to tell
23:00anyone what I heard.
23:01Kaylin had me
23:02executed first.
23:03I look at Sarah.
23:04Your mother and my father
23:06were lovers for years
23:07but he thought
23:08her bloodline
23:09was too low
23:09so he buried it.
23:11After my mother died
23:12he claimed
23:13she 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
23:24shouted for 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
23:40and threw her away.
23:41You're the fool here.
23:43Not me.
23:45That landed.
23:46Kaylin released her.
23:47Let her crumble
23:48to 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
24:17meant 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
24:34came flooding back.
24:35I 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
24:42every second of it.
24:43Kaylin's face
24:44twisted into a snarl.
24:46You ungrateful little...
24:48Lyra,
24:50let's go.
24:53The dragon court fractured.
24:55The 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 Kaylin's
25:04immediate execution.
25:05Others argued
25:06he was the last
25:07of the royal bloodline
25:08and had to be kept alive.
25:10But none of that
25:10concerned me anymore.
25:11I lay flat on my back,
25:14both feet pressed against
25:16Dracian's chest,
25:18pushing with everything I 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 to my ear.
25:28Lyra,
25:29who's better?
25:30Me or Kaylin?
25:32I blinked.
25:33Then it hit me.
25:34Since the coronation,
25:35Dracian hadn't asked me
25:35a single question.
25:37Not about the truth,
25:38not about the chaos outside.
25:40He just pulled me to bed
25:41and stayed there.
25:42Was he jealous?
25:43When I didn't answer,
25:44his hand tightened at 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 immediately.
25:58The fearsome dragon warlord,
25:59the god of slaughter.
26:00Is it because I haven't been good to you?
26:02I couldn't hold it in.
26:03I laughed.
26:04Dracian looked at me,
26:05confused.
26:06I reached up and pinched his cheeks.
26:08Who forgets their enemy?
26:10I had feelings for Kaylin once,
26:12past tense.
26:14Right now I'd be happy
26:15to watch him die.
26:16The light came back
26:17into Dracian's eyes,
26:19but 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
26:33and no one thought much 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.
26:42Every defensive line
26:44had been pulled back.
26:44His 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
26:51above the edge of the pit.
26:53Wait.
26:54Your dragon plan?
26:55How did you end up down 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.
27:08But when we got back,
27:09I found out you were
27:09already promised to Caelan.
27:10I told myself to let it go.
27:12I couldn't.
27:13So I fought.
27:14Until 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 and pain
27:33and it was settling now.
27:39Caelan 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.
28:01Word traveled fast back
28:02to Phoenix territory.
28:04Our father had been dead 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
28:11and issued one sentence.
28:12The Phoenix clan
28:13has 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,
28:22her face lit up.
28:24Lyra.
28:26I don't want it!
28:26Well,
28:26I have the still
28:26don't move.
Comments