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Hatred of the Black Scales Accomplice of the Sea Dragon New
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00:00Among the merfolk, golden and red scales are revered, yet I, the princess of the merfolk, am covered in pitch
00:05black scales.
00:06At my birth, my black scales detached from my body and spread uncontrollably.
00:11My weak mother queen was wrapped in them, her life essence drained away.
00:15Servants and sea beasts with low cultivation all perished without exception.
00:19Father King Merrick summoned the high priest.
00:21He lit a talisman and pressed it to my forehead, and all the scattered black scales instantly turned to ash.
00:26Everyone said I was an omen of misfortune.
00:28Even Father King wanted to run me through with a sword.
00:31My sister Alara threw herself in front of me without hesitation, gripping the sharp edge with her bare hand.
00:35Spare her, Father! She's just a newborn baby!
00:38She trembled in pain but refused to let go.
00:40My sister swore on her life that she would raise me to be a kind princess loved by all.
00:45Father King turned and left without a backward glance.
00:48Alara had once been the most celebrated golden-scale princess of the clan,
00:51but because she protected me, she endured cold scares and bullying from the servants.
00:56Yet she always bore it with a smile and said to me,
00:58As long as we sisters are together, that's all that matters.
01:02I was not as kind as my sister.
01:04Countless times I wanted to rip out the spines of those snobbish servants,
01:07fashion them into a bone whip, and chop those bitches into pieces to fertilize the corals my sister grew.
01:11But to stay with Alara forever, I forced myself to act docile.
01:15Fate, however, had other plans.
01:17Kaelin Dracon, the youngest prince of the Sea Dragon clan, murdered his father and brothers and ascended her throne as
01:23the new king.
01:24All weaker tribes rushed to swear allegiance to him.
01:27Father King issued a decree immediately.
01:29The most noble golden-scaled princess would be sent to marry the Sea Dragon King.
01:33On the day the decree was announced, my sister took my hand and told me over and over where things
01:37were kept in the palace,
01:38which physician to see if I fell ill, as if she were arranging my entire life.
01:42But I heard none of it.
01:44I flung to her and cried,
01:45Alara, I don't want you to marry into the dragon's house.
01:48Let's run away to a place where no one knows us and live our own lives, okay?
01:51Alara sighed softly and gently wiped away my tears.
01:54Be good, little Sierra.
01:56The Murphic are weak, and that's why we're bullied.
02:00If I can absorb the Dragon King's essence and transform into a dragon myself,
02:05I can protect all our people one day.
02:07I looked at the light shining in her eyes and gradually stopped crying.
02:10If this was what she wanted, I should not stand in her way.
02:13On the day of her wedding, her crimson wedding dress made her look noble and beautiful.
02:17To ease her mind, I said not a word and shed not a tear.
02:20It was only when the wedding palanquin vanished completely from sight
02:23that I realized my nails had dug deep into my palms,
02:26the metallic taste of blood spreading from my lips to my throat.
02:29After that, I prayed at the Sea Temple every day, hoping my sister would come back to see me.
02:34A year later, she'd finally return.
02:38But inside a small coffin, torn limb from limb,
02:41her body mangled beyond recognition.
02:46Lara, wake up.
02:47Sierra's here.
02:49Look at me.
02:50There was no response.
02:51I reached out frantically to grab her hand,
02:53wanting her to touch me and call me Little Sierra, like she used to.
02:56But all I felt was a cold, stiff, severed bone hand.
03:00Father King approached with a lantern.
03:01My sister's body was torn apart, covered in horrific bite marks.
03:05The golden scales she had been so proud of were gone, leaving only bloody craters as if they had been
03:09skinned alive.
03:11Father King gasped in shock, dropping the candlestick, and my sister's remains were swallowed by darkness once more.
03:16The white dragon envoy who had brought her back drawled lazily.
03:19The dragon king was attacked, and the princess sacrificed herself to shield him.
03:24Moved by her devotion, the king has ordered her body return.
03:27Liar.
03:27The wounds on her severed limbs were not from a sword.
03:30They were the marks of sharp teeth tearing at flesh.
03:32Her scales had been scraped off one by one with a knife.
03:35I did not cry or scream.
03:37I picked up the candlestick and went to the sea temple.
03:39I had prayed day and night for my sister's happiness and safe return.
03:43But the gods had not helped me.
03:44She had died in such agony.
03:46I pulled the bone whip from its hiding place in the temple.
03:49It was made from the spines of 49 piranhas.
03:52I had hidden it away after promising my sister I would never kill again.
03:56Now, it was time for it to see the light of day.
03:59Before leaving, I knocked over the candlestick and set the temple ablaze.
04:02If the gods would not help me, I would take matters into my own hands.
04:05For every piece of my sister that was taken, I would take a hundred from them.
04:09I walked to the white dragon envoy's quarters, and their mocking laughter drifted out to me.
04:13But that merfish king is such a coward.
04:14He can see his daughter was tortured to death, but he doesn't dare say a word.
04:17They probably don't even know the dragon king's favorite card.
04:19You've said she wanted a necklace made of golden scales.
04:21So that princess was skinned, scaled, and thrown into the piranha pool to suffer for three whole days before she
04:25died.
04:26When I went to the water dungeon to collect her body, the entire pool was red with blood.
04:30Their words cut like knives through my heart.
04:32There were more people who deserved to die than I had thought.
04:34I turned and stormed into Father King's palace.
04:36He and his ministers were discussing how to stabilize the situation.
04:40I pushed open the door, ignoring all their strange looks.
04:42And said,
04:43Father, I will go to marry the dragon king in my sister's place.
04:48Even the smallest dragon is still a dragon.
04:50We are merely merfix.
04:51Everyone stared at me in disbelief.
04:53If we go to war, the best we can hope for is mutual destruction.
04:55I spoke calmly.
04:56Sending one princess to ensure the peace of thousands of our people.
05:00What is there to lose?
05:01Silence fell.
05:02They were clearly persuaded.
05:03Besides, they had all wanted me gone long ago.
05:06It was a win-win for me and for the merfolk clan.
05:08Sure enough, after weighing the pros and cons, Father King agreed,
05:12You are truly the princess your sister raised.
05:14You have her grace.
05:16I will make sure you are married in grand style.
05:18It was the first time Father King had looked at me with approval instead of hatred,
05:21as if I had truly become the kind princess my sister had wanted me to be.
05:25But he had no idea what murderous intent lay beneath my docile exterior.
05:28I put on the exact same wedding dress my sister had worn and set off for that dragon palace
05:33that devoured people whole.
05:34My whole body trembled, not with fear, but with the thrill of impending revenge.
05:39I was led to the Dragon King's bedchamber.
05:41Even with varied expressions stood on either side.
05:43The Black Dragon King, Kaelin, sat on the couch, his eyes as dark and bottomless as his scales.
05:48Beside him sat his most beloved consort, Lysandra Frost, known as Lyssa.
05:52She held a chain in her hand, and at the other end was a half-human, half-beast piranha monster.
05:57The necklace made from my sister's scales was wrapped around the dragon's neck.
06:00In that instant, the killing intent in my heart surged, almost overwhelming me.
06:05Lyssa looked me up and down insolently and sneered,
06:07The merfish dare send another princess?
06:09The last one they sent was the most noble golden scaled, and she was at least somewhat useful.
06:15Why send a cursed thing covered with black scales this time?
06:18She released the chain, and the piranha monster bared its fangs and blooded them.
06:22Finally, I no longer had to hold back my anger.
06:25I pulled the bone whip from my waist and struck the monster twice,
06:27once in the eye, once in the neck, ripping its flesh open.
06:31With a shrill scream, the monster fell to the ground, twitching.
06:34You cursed bitch! How dare you hurt my piranha that I've raised for 500 years!
06:39Lyssa screamed and drew a dagger, charging at me.
06:42I'll make you pay for this!
06:44Bitch!
06:45If you call me cursed just because I have black scales,
06:48then the dragon king also has black scales.
06:50Does that make him cursed too?
06:51Bitch! How dare you so discord between me and his highness!
06:55She swung the dagger again, but clearly cut her off.
06:58Enough, Lyssa. It's just a piranha.
07:00I'll get you another one.
07:02Lyssa turned back unwillingly, met his gaze, and fell silent.
07:06Kaylin stared at me with his pitch black eyes and walked slowly toward me.
07:09He was a notorious tyrant who had killed his own father and eight brothers.
07:12But I was not afraid. I met his gaze calmly.
07:16What is your name?
07:19Sierra Black.
07:21Interesting.
07:22He waved his hand.
07:23Lyssa shot me a vicious glare and had the piranha's body dragged away.
07:26Wait.
07:28My whip is missing something.
07:30I stopped the guards, removed the necklace that still carried my sister's scent,
07:34and cut off a piece of the piranha's spine with my dagger.
07:36I wanted Lyssa to understand that this was only the beginning.
07:39Everything she had done to my sister, I would repay a thousandfold.
07:42The nearby maids covered their mouths, about to retch in horror.
07:45But Kaylin watched me carve the bone from the fish with admiration in his eyes.
07:49After the servants left, I saw the interest and desire burning in his gaze.
07:53I obediently dropped the bone whip, straddled him, and wrapped my arms around his neck.
07:58He pulled me tight by the waist and flipped me onto my back.
08:01His rough breath brushed against my lips,
08:03but he never noticed the sharp piranha's spine was aimed directly at his heart.
08:06Before I could drive it home, Kaylin suddenly twisted my arm behind my back and snatched the bone.
08:12Why are you still holding this filthy thing?
08:15Before I could speak, his eyes fell on the golden bracelet on my wrist.
08:18Since you like bones so much, I'll have the craftsman make you a proper ornament tomorrow.
08:22I don't want an ornament.
08:23If your highness truly wishes to give me something, make it a weapon.
08:29Interesting.
08:30He tossed the spine aside and kissed me.
08:31I kissed him back without hesitation.
08:34His scales were cold, but his chest burned like fire.
08:37All night long, the bedchamber echoed with animalistic gasps.
08:40The next morning, Kaylin had me dressed in a silk gown inlaid with black pearls,
08:44which made my black scales shine even more brightly.
08:47He tilted my chin up with his finger.
08:49Today, I will take you somewhere wonderful.
08:51He took me to the secret armory beneath the Coral Garden,
08:54though it was less an armory than a water dungeon where he tortured people for amusement.
08:58Along the dim corridor, the clank of chains and horse screams echoed from the cells.
09:02Old and new blood stained the floor black.
09:05The stench of blood and rust filled my nostrils.
09:07A group of craftsmen had just skinned an entire red dragon,
09:10still dripping with blood, to make lanterns.
09:12That scaled hide had belonged to Kaylin's eldest brother,
09:15the son Old King Oberon had favored most.
09:17The whole realm knew the new dragon came as cold and cruel,
09:20and had thrown everyone who stood in his way to the throne into the water dungeon
09:24to be tortured at his leisure.
09:25The sound of blacksmiths forging weapons mixed with screams,
09:28and I trembled with excitement.
09:30Another queen-scale dragon's bones were snapped clean by the craftsmen.
09:33The sound of tearing flesh made my blood race.
09:35Kaylin took the dragon bone from the craftsmen and lifted my chin gently.
09:38I will make you a dagger from my third brother's spine.
09:42Do you like it?
09:43But my sister was not a monster like me.
09:45She had felt sorry.
09:46The shark came to the wounded fish.
09:48When his third brother's blood had splattered across her face,
09:51she had collapsed in terror, tears mixing with blood on her dress.
09:55Kaylin believed in the cruel law of the deep eat or be eaten,
09:58and despised all weakness and tears.
10:00My sister's compassion had disgusted him,
10:02and that was why she had been tortured to death by the equally cruel Lissa.
10:05I smiled and reached out to stroke the blood-stained bone,
10:07still warm to the touch.
10:09Sierra loves it, of course.
10:11I stepped directly through the fuel of blood,
10:13picked up the still-dripping red dragon hide,
10:15and said happily,
10:17Sierra also wants this hide for the handle.
10:20This will be the sharpest, most beautiful dragon bone dagger ever made.
10:24Seeing how excited I was,
10:26Kaylin actually grinned.
10:27Are you not afraid of this dungeon, Sierra?
10:29Why would I be afraid?
10:31I looked confused.
10:32Sierra loves it here.
10:33This place is more fun than anywhere else.
10:36Sierra has always dreamed of having a playground like this.
10:39I meant every word.
10:40I had only suppressed my desire to kill to please my sister.
10:43Otherwise, Father King's palace would also have a corner piled high with corpses.
10:47Perhaps the blood and hearts of those with black scales are also black.
10:51Kaylin laughed loudly and pointed to one of the cells.
10:54Everyone thinks I killed my father and all my brothers when I seized power,
10:57but I didn't.
10:57I locked them up here.
10:59When I need them, I skin them and break their bones.
11:02Death is too merciful.
11:04A fate worse than death is the best punishment.
11:06I said flatly.
11:07I understood that Kaylin wanted them to watch with their own eyes
11:10how this once reviled, black-scaled dragon
11:12had become the king who held their lives in his hands.
11:14Seeing how well I understood him,
11:16he laughed even more wildly and put me into a tight embrace.
11:19Exactly.
11:20Everyone who opposes me must live in an endless hell.
11:23But he did not know that I understood him so well,
11:25not because I was empathetic,
11:26but because I was just like him.
11:28We were both kings of hell who built purgatories for others.
11:31Two monsters with black scales and black hearts.
11:34Two outcasts shunned by their own clans.
11:36We were the most perfect match in the world.
11:38Why had it not been me who was sent to marry him first?
11:41Unfortunately, he had met my sister who had come to Kaylin's side first.
11:44And by killing her, he had made himself my enemy.
11:47Your Highness is wise.
11:49It is their honor for their bones and blood to serve you.
11:53Kaylin held me happily.
11:54I stared coldly at the dragon bone and dragon hide being polished by the craftsmen,
11:58and in my mind, I saw my sister being skinned.
12:01Her scales turned into a necklace.
12:03Kaylin was overjoyed.
12:05He took me through the palace, the city walls,
12:07the sea trenches, the dark abysses.
12:09He told me about his past,
12:10how he had been locked in the frozen abyss by the old king
12:13as an omen of misfortune,
12:14and how he had clawed his way to power through sheer brutality.
12:17Listening to his story, which mirrored my own so closely,
12:20I felt a flicker of empathy,
12:22but the thought vanished in an instant.
12:23In its place was only the desire to tear them all to pieces.
12:27After that, Kaylin spent every night in my bedchamber.
12:30Lissa, who had never been ignored like this,
12:32rushed to send a letter home complaining.
12:34She was the most beloved daughter of her family,
12:36and when her mother heard she was being wronged,
12:38she rushed to the palace overnight.
12:40The Frost clan had been Kaylin's greatest allies in seizing the throne,
12:43especially Lady Morgana Frost,
12:45the most valiant female general on the battlefield.
12:48Kaylin naturally dared not neglect her,
12:49and immediately took gifts to Lissa's quarters.
12:51When the news reached me,
12:52I was so angry that my throat tightened and my chest heaved violently.
12:56So Lysa so has someone who loves her so much,
12:59who won't let her suffer even a little.
13:00But why, why does she get to have her mother's protection
13:04when she took my sister from me?
13:06By the time I came to my senses,
13:07my lips were bitten through.
13:09Blood mixed with tears in my mouth,
13:10I had never known that the bitter taste of tears
13:12could not be washed away by the sweetness of blood.
13:15When my sister was alive,
13:16I had never tasted this bitterness.
13:18Every time I wanted to cry,
13:19she would comfort me with sweet cakes.
13:21That was the only sweetness I had ever known in this world.
13:23I cried for a long time,
13:25as if pouring out all my longing for my sister.
13:27When I calmed down,
13:29I wiped my tears roughly,
13:30called a maid over,
13:31and whispered a few instructions.
13:33Then, I took a set of purple-scaled daggers
13:35of various sizes from my jewelry box
13:37and examined them.
13:38These purple scales had belonged to Lissa's cousin,
13:40who had supported the crown prince
13:41and been thrown into the water dungeon
13:43after Kaylin ascended the throne.
13:45Lissa's mother had come not only to comfort her daughter,
13:47but also to beg Kaylin to spare her nephew's life.
13:50But I would never let them have their way.
13:52When the news reached me,
13:53I was so angry that my throat tightened
13:55and my chest heaved violently.
13:57So Lissa's who has someone who loves her so much,
14:00who won't let her suffer even a little.
14:01But why?
14:02Why does she get to have her mother's protection
14:04when she took my sister from me?
14:06By the time I came to my senses,
14:08my lips were bitten through.
14:10Blood mixed with tears in my mouth,
14:11I had never known that the bitter taste of tears
14:13could not be washed away by the sweetness of blood.
14:15When my sister was alive,
14:17I had never tasted this bitterness.
14:18Every time I wanted to cry,
14:20she would comfort me with sweet cakes.
14:22That was the only sweetness
14:23I had ever known in this world.
14:24I cried for a long time,
14:26as if pouring out all my longing for my sister.
14:28When I calmed down,
14:29I wiped my tears roughly,
14:31called a maid over,
14:32and whispered a few instructions.
14:33Then, I took a set of purple-scaled daggers
14:36of various sizes from my jewelry box
14:37and examined them.
14:39These purple scales had belonged to Lissa's cousin,
14:41who had supported the crown prince
14:42and been thrown into the water dungeon
14:44after Kaylin ascended the throne.
14:46Lissa's mother had come not only to comfort her daughter,
14:48but also to beg Kaylin to spare her nephew's life.
14:51But I would never let them have their way.
14:52This was the gift I had prepared for Lissa,
14:54and now was the perfect time to give it.
14:56The maid led a piranha monster to me.
14:59I put the purple-scale necklace around its neck,
15:01placed the rest of the weapons on a silk tray,
15:03and walked toward Lissa's quarters.
15:05Proud dragons like her valued face above all else,
15:07so I would do to her
15:08exactly what she had done to my sister,
15:10wrap the symbol of her identity
15:12around a piranha's neck,
15:13and make her taste the humiliation.
15:15I had made these purple-scale daggers myself
15:17in Kaylin's water dungeon,
15:18skinning,
15:18scaling,
15:19grinding the bones to preserve their most brilliant purple,
15:22the exact same purple as Lissa's scales.
15:24I led the piranha to the door of her quarters.
15:28Salah Black.
15:29My voice was polite,
15:30but cold as ice.
15:31The maid saw the flash of purple in my hand
15:33and turned pale into terror,
15:35rushing inside to announce.
15:36The guards opened the door,
15:38looking at me with fear in their eyes.
15:39When I entered,
15:40they were eating.
15:44Bitch,
15:45Lissa did not even look up
15:45and snapped impatiently.
15:47He won't be coming to your place for days.
15:50Get out.
15:52I did not get angry.
15:54I smiled and tugged on the chain
15:56around the piranha's neck.
15:57The clink of metal finally made her look up.
15:59I held up the silk tray warmly.
16:01Lisa,
16:02I heard Lady Morgana was coming,
16:03so I made you gifts
16:04from the finest purple dragon scales.
16:06Look,
16:07aren't they beautiful?
16:08These are the best purple dragon scales.
16:10Just as beautiful as yours.
16:13When Lissa's eyes fell
16:14on the purple scale necklace
16:15around the piranha's neck,
16:16her pupils constricted to pinpricks.
16:18Don't you like it,
16:19Sister Lysa?
16:20I searched everywhere
16:21for these purple dragon scales.
16:23There are so few purple dragons
16:25in the four seas.
16:27More than few,
16:27only the blood relatives
16:28of Lady Morgana's clan
16:29had purple scales.
16:31Mother and daughter recognized instantly
16:32who scales these were.
16:34Bitch,
16:35how dare you touch my cousin?
16:36Lissa screamed and lunged at me.
16:38You filthy blackfish!
16:39Have you lost your mind?
16:41I'll kill you!
16:42I'll kill your entire clan!
16:44Lady Morgana,
16:45true to her reputation as a general,
16:46managed to keep her composure
16:47even as her veins bulged with anger.
16:50Lissa,
16:51control yourself
16:52in front of the dragon king.
16:54Kaelin put down his knife and fork,
16:55a faint flicker of interest
16:56crossing his face.
16:57Lissa had been spoiled
16:58her whole life
16:59and had never suffered
17:00such humiliation.
17:01Her sobs quickly turned to wails.
17:03Dragon king, mother!
17:04This lowly fish
17:05dared to harm a purple dragon
17:06and put my cousin's scales
17:08on a piranha!
17:09She cried hysterically,
17:10completely unaware
17:11that Kaelin was frowning
17:12in disgust.
17:13Weakness and tears
17:14were the things
17:14he hated most.
17:17What's wrong,
17:17Sister Lisa?
17:19Didn't you once say
17:20that dragons
17:21and fish alike
17:22should be useful?
17:24Your cousin was a traitor.
17:26If not for my appreciation,
17:28how would he have the chance
17:29to atone for his sins
17:30to the dragon king?
17:31Lissa cried even harder,
17:33her face turning bright red.
17:34Lissa,
17:35how can you lose
17:36your temper
17:36over a mere
17:38Merwish woman?
17:39She stared at me
17:40and stood slowly,
17:41her eyes sharp.
17:42She was not like Lissa,
17:43arrogant and reckless.
17:44She was more like a beast
17:45with sharp claws and teeth,
17:46ready to tear apart
17:47any enemy.
17:48But I met her gaze calmly
17:49and said warmly,
17:50Sarah knows Lady Morgana
17:52is a hero among women,
17:53so I prepared a weapon
17:55worthy of you.
17:56I picked up a purple-scaled
17:57bone blade
17:57and handed it to her.
17:58Lissa flew into
17:59an even greater rage
18:00and slapped the dagger
18:01out of my hand.
18:03Keep that cursed thing
18:04away from my mother!
18:06Mother,
18:06this bitch dared
18:07to insult us!
18:09Kill her now!
18:10Skin her alive
18:11and feed her to the piranhas!
18:12Lady Morgana looked
18:13at her daughter with pity,
18:14but still held her temper.
18:16My nephew is our blood,
18:17a living being.
18:19An ill-mannered thing
18:20like you deserves
18:21to be thrown
18:22into the frozen abyss
18:23to be eaten by piranhas.
18:25I let out a snort of laughter.
18:26The lives of purple dragons
18:28are precious,
18:28but my sister's life
18:29could be thrown away.
18:30I picked up the bone blade
18:31again and smiled innocently.
18:33You are mistaken,
18:34Lady Morgana.
18:36I would never
18:36deliberately humiliate him.
18:38If he had not stood
18:39against the Dragon King,
18:40would he have been locked
18:40in the dungeon
18:41waiting to atone?
18:42I turned him into a dagger
18:43to give him and the Frostclan
18:44a chance to make amends.
18:46These are the Dragon King's rules.
18:47Do you not recognize them?
18:48Lady Morgana's face
18:49darkened further.
18:50She could not argue,
18:51especially not in front of Caelan.
18:53Very well.
18:54You have a sharp tongue.
18:55A cold glint
18:56clashed in her eyes.
18:57Then let us settle this,
18:58the Dragon King as well.
18:59She turned to Caelan about...
19:01Your Highness,
19:01no matter what my nephew did,
19:03it is not for a foreign woman
19:03to punish him.
19:04This woman has killed a dragon
19:05and disbraded our clan's soul.
19:07I request the abyss trial.
19:09Lady Morgana wanted to use the trial
19:10to have me thrown
19:11into the frozen abyss,
19:12where the piranhas lived.
19:13Whether I lived or died
19:15would be up to fate.
19:16It was called Fate,
19:17but the abyss
19:18was where the royal family
19:19had the Frost clan
19:19raise their piranhas.
19:21It was nothing more
19:22than a death sentence.
19:23In thousands of years,
19:24the only person who had survived
19:25the abyss trial
19:26besides the Frost clan
19:27was Caelan himself.
19:28I had underestimated Lady Morgana,
19:30but she had also underestimated me.
19:33My whip,
19:33made from the spines
19:34of 49 piranhas,
19:35was not just for show.
19:37Caelan frowned
19:38at the determined Lady Morgana
19:39and turned his gaze to me.
19:40I looked relaxed,
19:41unafraid,
19:41and even smiled at him.
19:43He finally spoke.
19:44Granted.
19:45Lady Morgana and Lissa
19:46both thought this was Caelan
19:47favoring them,
19:48and their eyes lit up
19:49with triumphant arrogance.
19:51They did not notice
19:51that I,
19:52standing behind them,
19:53had eyes burning
19:54with even greater excitement,
19:55the thrill of being able
19:56to kill again.
19:57The next day,
19:58Lady Morgana could not wait
19:59to bring me
20:00to the mouth of the abyss.
20:01The viewing platform
20:02was packed with dragons
20:03who had come to watch the trial.
20:04The abyss lay in the deep sea,
20:06where no light could reach.
20:07The currents were fierce
20:08and icy cold.
20:09The mouth of the cave
20:10looked like a looping black log,
20:12ready to swallow
20:13everyone whole.
20:14The sound of piranhas
20:15churning the water
20:15was like the growl
20:16of a hungry beast.
20:17Their shrill cries
20:18echoed through the cave,
20:19deafening.
20:20Lady Morgana saw me
20:21standing frozen at the mouth
20:22and whispered triumphantly
20:23in my ear.
20:24These are my
20:25specially bred piranhas.
20:27I know a weak little fish
20:28like you is already
20:29scared out of your wits,
20:30but even if you beg
20:31on your knees,
20:32it won't help.
20:33I'm gonna make you die
20:34a more miserable death
20:35than your sister.
20:36She laughed
20:36and shoved me
20:37hard into the abyss.
20:38She opened the piranha cages
20:39and dozens of fish
20:40swarmed out,
20:41circling.
20:42The piranhas did not attack her.
20:44Instead,
20:45they turned their
20:45cold eyes on me.
20:47Lady Morana,
20:48if you are the one
20:48who doesn't walk out
20:49of this abyss today,
20:50will you become
20:51the frost clam's
20:52most shameful secret?
20:53She laughed.
20:54Unfortunately,
20:55I will never know
20:56that feeling.
20:57She waved at the piranhas.
20:58Eat up, children!
21:00The piranhas screamed,
21:01but then they turned on her,
21:02toil to flesh.
21:03After the screams died down,
21:05I walked out of the abyss,
21:06covered in blood,
21:07holding a severed dragon horn.
21:09Every face turned to terror.
21:11Piranhas are the wildest
21:13of creatures.
21:14The more you try
21:14to be their master,
21:16the more you will pay.
21:17Lady Morgana had never known
21:18that I had learned
21:18piranha habits at nine.
21:20I had smeared their mucus
21:21on myself since childhood.
21:22When I pretended to talk,
21:24I had splashed fresh fish blood
21:25on her clothes.
21:26The outcome was sealed
21:27from the start.
21:28I threw the dragon horn
21:29at Lyssa's feet.
21:31That's all that's left
21:32of your mother,
21:33Lyssa screamed hysterically.
21:34She clung to Kaylin's legs,
21:35but no guards moved.
21:37Watching her desperate face,
21:38the stone in my heart
21:39lifted a little.
21:40I threw myself
21:41into Kaylin's arms
21:42and smiled.
21:43Your Highness,
21:44Sierra is back.
21:45His eyes were full
21:45of admiration and relief.
21:47His embrace was warm,
21:48but it could never
21:48compare to my sister's.
21:50If only I had been
21:51the one sent to marry him first.
21:52If only Kaylin had not
21:53been an accomplice
21:54to my sister's death.
21:55Kaylin announced,
21:56The trial is over.
21:58Sierra is innocent.
21:59Lyssa screamed.
22:00You monster!
22:02I'll make you pay!
22:03She ripped off her neck,
22:04revealing a poison dagger
22:05and stabbed at my neck.
22:07Kaylin pushed behind him.
22:08He ripped the blade,
22:09blood dripping,
22:10and pushed her away.
22:11The mad Lyssa lunged again
22:13with a broken dragon horn.
22:14Kaylin held me close
22:15and struck her down
22:16with a blow
22:17that used 30%
22:18of his spiritual power.
22:19He spat black blood
22:20and collapsed into my arms,
22:22unconscious.
22:22I could have killed him then
22:24with a dagger shard,
22:24but my hand froze.
22:26A splitting headache hit me
22:27and I fainted.
22:28When I woke,
22:29the ocean sorcerer
22:30knelt before me.
22:31Blessings!
22:32You fainted
22:32because a dragon pearl
22:33has descended.
22:34You are with child,
22:35carrying the dragon king's heir.
22:37I stared at my stomach
22:38in disbelief.
22:39Could the headache
22:40be the baby stopping me
22:41from killing him?
22:42How could I carry the child
22:43of the man who killed my sister?
22:44I slammed my fist
22:46toward my stomach
22:46and went out again
22:47and opened it to his arm.
22:49Three days later,
22:50the maid said,
22:51The dragon king's poison
22:54has spread.
22:55Whether he wakes
22:56is up to fate.
22:57I stumbled to Kaylin's
22:58bedchamber.
22:59Kaylin lay still.
23:01His hand black
23:01with poison.
23:02I stroked his face,
23:03feeling his faint warmth.
23:05I had dreamed of his death,
23:06but seeing him near death
23:07did not bring joy.
23:08The ocean sorcerer
23:09rushed in.
23:10I have found
23:11an ancient remedy.
23:12To cleanse the poison,
23:13we need pure bloodline essence
23:14from the dragon king's
23:15own kin.
23:16The only remaining bloodline
23:17is the child in your womb.
23:18I sent them out.
23:19I sat on the edge
23:20of the bed
23:21and said calmly,
23:22Kaylin,
23:23I am carrying a child
23:24that can save your life.
23:27I wanted to watch you die.
23:31But perhaps it would be
23:33more interesting
23:33to let you watch
23:34your own child die
23:35to save you.
23:37I placed his hand
23:37on my stomach
23:38and raised the dagger.
23:39As it fell,
23:40he grabbed my wrist.
23:41Don't you need to live?
23:42Kill this child
23:43and you will survive.
23:44But I want our child
23:46to live more.
23:47I stabbed a bed
23:48toward my stomach.
23:49He pulled me away
23:50and I fell on him.
23:51The dagger grazed his cheek.
23:53Blood seeped down his face
23:54as if he were crying.
23:55Please, spare him.
23:57The brutal king was begging.
23:59I froze,
24:00but then I saw
24:00my sister's golden bracelet.
24:02He must have begged too
24:03when the piranhas
24:04tore her apart.
24:05Kaylin had not spared her,
24:06so why should I spare him now?
24:07Kaylin passed out again.
24:09Then a guard reported,
24:09Princess Consul Lyssa
24:11is carrying your child.
24:12A plan formed in my mind.
24:14I went to the water dungeon.
24:15Lyssa shouted,
24:16Dragon King,
24:17forgive me for our child!
24:18When she saw me,
24:19her joy turned cold.
24:21I stepped closer.
24:22The Dragon King is unconscious.
24:24Do you think a child
24:25will save you?
24:26I pulled my dagger.
24:27The remedy needs
24:27bloodline essence from his kin.
24:29He only needs one heir.
24:30Please spare my child.
24:32I am his cousin.
24:32My blood will work too.
24:33She kowtowed
24:34until her forehead bled.
24:37Then show me
24:37how far you'll go.
24:39I'll be your slave
24:40for life.
24:42Not sincere enough.
24:43I drove the dagger
24:44through her palm.
24:45Blood turned the water red.
24:46She twisted in pain.
24:48Why do you hate me so much?
24:50The confusion infuriated me.
24:52She had forgotten my sister.
24:53When my sister begged you,
24:55what did you do?
24:57Now think being my slave
24:58will save your child?
25:00She finally remembered.
25:01I deserve to die!
25:03Please spare me and my child!
25:05She frantically scratched
25:06off her purple scales,
25:07mixed with blood.
25:08My killing intent
25:09faded slightly.
25:11Suddenly,
25:11she clutched her stomach.
25:13Bitch,
25:13you tricked me!
25:15I never said
25:15I'd forgive you.
25:16Only the one you killed could.
25:18I still regret it either.
25:20You came for revenge
25:21from the start!
25:22You want to kill me
25:23and the Dragon King!
25:24I laughed softly.
25:25You just realized?
25:26The moment you touched
25:27my sister,
25:28this ending was destined.
25:31Kaelin will never
25:32let you get away!
25:33She screamed wildly.
25:35Kaelin!
25:35We've both been played
25:37by this bitch!
25:38I turned.
25:38Kaelin stood in the doorway.
25:40Lysandra Frost,
25:41you attempted to murder
25:42your king.
25:43You are sentenced
25:44to use your unborn child's
25:46flesh and blood
25:47to cure my poison.
25:48Your life will be spared.
25:49He wiped the blood
25:50from my face.
25:51You may use her purple scales
25:52for our child's wind trine.
25:54You're also responsible
25:55for her sister's death!
25:57You'll regret this!
25:58Lysa screamed
25:59as guards advanced.
26:01Kaelin took my hand
26:01and left.
26:02He recovered
26:03but was permanently weakened,
26:04dependent on me,
26:05pressing his ear
26:06to my stomach daily.
26:07On my due date,
26:08he stayed by my side,
26:09but there had been
26:10no movement in my stomach.
26:11I was born to devour
26:12everything.
26:13The labor pains
26:14were power bursting
26:15from my body.
26:15Kaelin,
26:17there never was a child.
26:18I can never have
26:20your child.
26:20My desire to kill you
26:22has never wavered.
26:23He stumbled back.
26:24But even so,
26:24I loved you.
26:26Sierra?
26:27Voice barely audible.
26:28Was there ever
26:29a single moment
26:30you truly loved me?
26:31I looked at him coldly.
26:32We are both
26:32black-scaled monsters,
26:34outcasts shunned
26:35by our clans.
26:36We should have been
26:36perfect together.
26:37But you killed
26:38my sister,
26:39and that makes
26:40everything impossible.
26:41I never loved you.
26:42His pupils dilated,
26:44his chest heaved once,
26:45and then he was still.
26:46A generation of tyrants
26:47died at the hands
26:48of the woman he had loved
26:49with all his heart.
26:49You will soon
26:49sorry where you have
26:50this none of
26:50down.
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