- 20 minutes ago
Fire, Blood, and Her Revenge
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00:00Elmist Continents is ruled by three powerful territorial realm tribes.
00:05Brenn Realm Tribe, Alden Realm Tribe, and Evil Kingdom.
00:10The north is controlled by the wolf-riding Brenn Realm Tribe.
00:14The south is ruled by the dragon-controlled Alden Realm Tribe.
00:19I am the princess of the Evil Kingdom. My father reigns as the king of the entire realm.
00:23On my 18th birthday, I was brought into the palace hall.
00:25As the daughter of the king of the entire realm, I had to choose one of the lords from the
00:29two major realm tribes as my political spouse.
00:32The chosen one would be crowned as the supreme ruler of the continent.
00:35Eve, who will you choose?
00:37I choose. I did not hesitate at all. I chose Casey Alden.
00:42He is the coldest and fiercest dragon lord of the Southern Territory.
00:47Feared by everyone, no one dares to approach.
00:50No! You should have chosen me!
00:54In every noble banquet before, I had expressed my feelings to him, and even once took a poisonous arrow for
01:00him.
01:03But they didn't know.
01:05My previous life, I married Cain.
01:07On the wedding day, he committed adultery with my cousin, Lina.
01:11Help! Please!
01:14During the pregnancy, he humiliated me in every possible way and finally locked me in the dungeon.
01:18I and my unborn child died with resentment.
01:22When I opened my eyes again, I returned to the time before marrying him.
01:27This life, I decided to fulfill his love affair.
01:32But unexpectedly, Cain would go crazy with regret for me.
01:43Just as I walked out of the council hall and crossed the training ground,
01:48I saw him.
01:50Cain.
01:52He was training with the soldiers,
01:54accompanied by that giant ice plain white wolf.
01:58A flash of silver light passed.
02:01His curved knife came off his hand and smashed heavily onto the ground,
02:05landing three feet in front of my boots.
02:09Without even raising his head, he commanded sternly,
02:13Pick it up!
02:14Yeah!
02:17The soldiers instantly froze.
02:20Their eyes fixed on me,
02:22waiting to see a good show.
02:25I knew this trick too well.
02:29In my previous life,
02:31just because I always did whatever he said,
02:33he treated me like a lowerly servant.
02:37You dropped it.
02:39Pick it up yourself.
02:47Anger surging in his eyes.
02:55Say that again!
03:08Well, Eve,
03:09you've changed your tooth.
03:10Only days ago,
03:11you were utterly devoted to him,
03:13and now you put on Prince Lies as a princess.
03:15You were once his shadow,
03:17clinging to his side every day.
03:19Do you think your father,
03:20the High King,
03:21would be proud of how you carry yourself now?
03:23The faces of those two young masters
03:24instantly turned pale,
03:26my gaze cold.
03:27I swept a glance over the two of them.
03:29Your fathers live only by clinging to the able kingdom.
03:32You are nothing but distant vassal.
03:33How dare you pass judgment on me?
03:35Hide those repulsive,
03:36fanning looks of yours.
03:37Lena limped over,
03:38one leg of her pants stained with blood.
03:40The wound on her leg was self-inflicted,
03:42deliberately,
03:42in order to frame me
03:43and make Cain despise me even more.
03:45She squatted down,
03:46biting her lip tightly.
03:47I had tried to explain,
03:48but he refused to believe me.
03:53I told you to rest.
03:54Why did you come true like...
03:55Lena leek us her yens.
04:00Cain,
04:01I was worried about you.
04:03I heard you were training.
04:04I was afraid you might get hurt.
04:06Princess Eve is of noble status.
04:08She can't do such rough work.
04:09But I think I can do something for you.
04:14Can't you learn from Lena?
04:15You hurt her like this
04:16and you still want her to do these things?
04:18You just stand there like a spoiled waste!
04:22Are you begging your father again
04:24with the sympathy act to marry me?
04:34Eve, you are so pathetic.
04:36Only using tricks to force me to stay by your side.
04:40I looked utterly disdained.
04:42My tone calm.
04:45I didn't say anything.
04:47I just told my father that my coming-of-age ceremony
04:49will be held as scheduled in three days.
04:51And you absolutely must come.
04:54The surroundings instantly fell silent.
05:04Congratulations!
05:05When you become the king of the entire realm,
05:08don't forget us!
05:08His arrogance fully displayed.
05:12Let me say this in advance.
05:14Even if we do get married,
05:15don't interfere with my and Lena's affairs.
05:17Know your place.
05:19Otherwise...
05:19His eyes darkened.
05:21His tone sinister.
05:24I will lock you in the dungeon again.
05:30What does he mean by that?
05:43Again?
05:50Cain picked up Lita and turned to leave.
05:53Without even giving me a glance.
05:55He now thought I would still choose him firmly
05:58like in the previous life.
06:00On the day of the coming-of-age ceremony,
06:02I had already changed into the Ebel Royal Family Ceremonial Dress.
06:07Under the maid's help,
06:08the ceremonial avenue paved with white stones outside the square
06:12was lined with Ebel purple flags on both sides
06:14and the square was already filled with nobles and soldiers.
06:18Cain and Lena stuck tightly to his side.
06:20Her lips were swollen and red
06:22and there were fresh scratch marks on his collarbone.
06:25No need to think.
06:27They knew what they had been doing.
06:29In my previous life,
06:30I also stood in front of everyone like this today.
06:33I have never wronged you in the slightest!
06:37Why on earth would you treat me like this?
06:42Everyone laughed at my embarrassed state
06:44and Cain showed no concern for me at all.
06:46At that moment,
06:47my heart ached so much I could barely breathe.
06:49So in his heart,
06:51I was not even as good as the humblest slave.
06:53Even though I had taken a poisoned arrow for him
06:56and given up my dignity,
06:57he only wanted to treat me as a joke
06:59trampled upon by anyone.
07:05Cain, isn't my figure better than hers?
07:08Cain noticed the few seconds my eyes langled on them
07:11and instinctively shielded Lena behind him.
07:14After waiting for a long time without seeing me explode,
07:18he instead felt uncomfortable
07:20and put on a mocking smile.
07:47Lina immediately raised her eyebrows,
07:50her eyes full of charm.
07:54Cain, isn't my figure better than hers?
08:00You are, of course,
08:02ten thousand times better than her.
08:04That hot spring was originally prepared for you.
08:08I especially had people add flower petals to the water
08:11waiting for your wound to heal
08:13so you could soak in it.
08:15Whistles and obscenities rising and falling
08:17one after weather.
08:19Show some respect, Cain.
08:22In my previous life,
08:23he also did this,
08:25making him fun of me as a plaything
08:27in Front Ranger Everyone.
08:29I was shaking with anger,
08:31but he held Lena and laughed even more happily,
08:34saying that my shy and angry look
08:36was the best to please him.
08:39He sneered and said that I was just a cheap whore
08:42who came to him willingly.
08:49Still pretending?
08:51A woman like you can never hide
08:52the wantedness in your bones.
08:56Show some respect, Cain.
08:58He laughed as if he had heard a joke
09:00raising his eyebrows.
09:04Respect?
09:06Didn't you even give up your life to marry me?
09:09Anyway,
09:10you'll eventually go to bed with me,
09:11so why are you playing
09:13the virginity card now?
09:15Who said the person I'm going to marry is you?
09:20I heard that a while ago
09:21he skinned a few vassals who provoked him.
09:28Not marrying me?
09:29Then who do you want to marry?
09:31The whole continent knows
09:33that you would even give up your life for me.
09:35Is there any other lord willing to marry you?
09:37Oh, you have to choose between me
09:39and the southern lord Casey Alden.
09:42He laughed as if he had heard the biggest joke.
09:46I heard he spends all year training in the Black Forest.
09:50Who doesn't know that he has a violent temper?
09:53I heard that a while ago he skinned a few vassals who provoked him.
09:57You're not going to choose him, are you?
10:01If you marry him,
10:02are you afraid you won't die fast enough?
10:05Why aren't you talking?
10:07Weren't you pretending so well just now?
10:11Scared now?
10:13Sister is probably thinking of the rumors about Cain, right?
10:17If sister really marries him,
10:19I'm afraid she don't even leave a complete corpse.
10:29Why is sister saying this?
10:33In my previous life,
10:35I would have probably already pounced on Lena to tear her hair out.
10:40It's different now.
10:42Who I choose,
10:43we'll find out soon.
10:45I turned around and couldn't be bothered to look at them anymore.
10:55Why is sister saying this?
11:01I'm just worried about you.
11:03After all,
11:04you even dared to take a poisoned arrow for Cain.
11:14Sister!
11:16Even if you don't like me,
11:18you can't push me.
11:20My leg isn't healed yet.
11:22It hurts so much.
11:33Secretly curling her lips at me
11:35and tuddly found it ridiculous.
11:38He helped Lena up from the ground,
11:40the heartache in his eyes undisguised.
11:44She is your sister!
11:46I didn't touch her.
11:48I looked at Lena hiding behind Cain,
11:50secretly curling her lips at me
11:52and tuddly found it ridiculous.
11:58Still there to lie.
12:01Cain stepped forward,
12:03raised his hand,
12:04and grabbed my wrist.
12:10Who in the entire evil kingdom
12:12doesn't know you're jealous of Lena?
12:14If it weren't for you clinging to me back,
12:16I wouldn't have given you a second glance.
12:21Forget it, Cain.
12:23Sister is probably too sad.
12:25After all,
12:26she always thought you would marry her.
12:28Her words seemed to mediate,
12:30but actually nailed the words
12:32clinging shamelessly,
12:33even tighter.
12:34The surrounding murmurs grew louder,
12:36and some people began whispering.
12:39Shut your mouth, Lena.
12:41Who do you think you are to speak here?
12:43Lena shrank behind Cain,
12:45the curve of her lips impossible to hide.
12:48Cain raised his hand
12:50and slapped me hard across the face.
12:53The people around let out a gasp of surprise.
13:01Yes, this is the effect I wanted.
13:03He certainly couldn't stand
13:05Lena being humiliated.
13:08I want everyone to see clearly
13:11the shamelessness
13:12and hypocrisy
13:13of Cain and Lena.
13:16Lena shrank behind Cain,
13:18the curve of her lips
13:20impossible to hide.
13:21She deliberately rubbed
13:22against Cain's embrace.
13:27Cain's honed hung in mid-corm,
13:29probably thinking
13:30that the slap just now's
13:31was too heavy.
13:32His Yadam Borgid bobbing
13:34as if he wanted to say something.
13:35Cain, Cain, my leg hurts so much.
13:37I want to rest.
13:39Her slender fingers
13:40gently wrapped around his wrist,
13:42pulling his attention
13:43completely away.
13:44What are you still standing there for?
13:46If something really happens to Lena,
13:48I won't let you off.
13:59I suddenly remembered
14:00that in my previous life,
14:02for Cain,
14:03I practiced day and night
14:05on the training ground,
14:06wanting to be more worthy of him.
14:08Back then,
14:10I thought that,
14:11as long as I was strong enough,
14:13I could keep love.
14:14Now, thinking about it,
14:16I only find it absurd.
14:19Soon the announcement
14:21of our engagement
14:22will be made.
14:24If you know what's good for you,
14:26remember your place.
14:34After marriage,
14:36I will give you
14:37the dignity you deserve.
14:39But don't delude yourself
14:40into meddling
14:41in my in-line as affairs.
14:46Almost at the same moment,
14:49a deafening dragon roar
14:50exploded from the sky.
14:58A giant pitch,
15:00black dragon
15:01landed steadily
15:02beside the platform
15:03outside the square.
15:08I looked up
15:10and met a pair
15:11of deep blue eyes.
15:22His voice
15:23carrying an unquestionable pressure.
15:32Everyone knew well
15:33that the coldest lord
15:35of the southern realm,
15:36Case,
15:37had a notoriously
15:38violent temper.
15:40He had just skinned
15:41several vassals
15:42who provoked him
15:43a while ago,
15:44and at this moment,
15:45he seemed to carry
15:47the lingering smell
15:48of blood on him.
15:50The legs of the few
15:52young people
15:52in the front row
15:53almost gave way.
15:55Someone's wine bowl
15:56crashed to the ground
15:57with a clang.
16:05He stopped
16:06in front of me,
16:07his gaze falling
16:09on my swollen cheek,
16:10his voice carrying
16:11an unquestionable pressure.
16:14What happened
16:15to your face?
16:16Looking into
16:17his deep blue eyes.
16:18I suddenly remembered
16:19how on my deathbed
16:21in my previous life,
16:23he had single-handedly
16:24broken into the basement
16:26and carried my body out.
16:33See?
16:34She still has to obey.
16:38I tugged at the corner
16:39of my mouth
16:40trying to hide
16:41the swelling.
16:43It's nothing.
16:55This is a matter
16:56between me
16:57and Eve.
16:58No need for you
16:58to concern yourself.
17:03Eve will soon
17:04be my wife.
17:05Her affairs are
17:05naturally mine
17:06to decide.
17:07Kay didn't give Kane
17:08even a single glance,
17:10only reaching out
17:11his hand
17:11wearing dark
17:12iron dragon
17:12pattern gloves,
17:13gently and steadily
17:14holding my hands,
17:15his tone leaving
17:16no room for refusal.
17:17Your highness
17:18has been waiting long.
17:20Let's begin the ceremony.
17:21I followed behind him
17:23as we walked inside.
17:24Passing by Kane,
17:25I heard him say
17:26in a low voice
17:27to Lena,
17:28See?
17:29She still has to obey.
17:31The pride in Kane's eyes
17:33almost overflowed,
17:34as if he had already
17:35seen himself
17:36ascending the throne.
17:37But that pride
17:38didn't last long.
17:46Today is an important day.
17:52When everyone
17:53walked into
17:54the great hall,
17:55my father,
17:56leaning on his
17:56golden scepter,
17:57came down
17:58from the high platform.
18:00His silver-white
18:01long hair
18:02shimmered
18:02in the lamplight.
18:03Though over 60 years old,
18:05his back was
18:06straight as a rammar.
18:07Father smiled
18:08and held my hand.
18:13Today is an important day.
18:15He paused,
18:16his gaze sweeping
18:17over all the nobles
18:18and empressors
18:19of vassals in the hall.
18:21Eve has turned 18,
18:22and I have
18:23no other children.
18:24According to the rules,
18:26she must choose
18:26one of the heirs
18:27of the Byrne
18:28and Alden Realm tribes
18:29to become her husband.
18:31After marriage,
18:32her husband and Eve
18:33will together serve
18:34as the next king
18:35of the entire realm.
18:37A gasp arose
18:38in the great hall,
18:39and many eyes
18:40turned towards Cain
18:41with undisclased envy.
18:42After all,
18:43everyone knew
18:44how madly in love
18:45with him I had been.
18:46Now,
18:46let the chosen child
18:48come forward,
18:49and I myself
18:51will witness it.
18:52Father patted
18:53the back of my hand.
19:03Cain immediately
19:04straightened his chest,
19:06raised his chin high,
19:07and had already
19:08taken half a step forward,
19:09but Father stopped him
19:11with a raised hand.
19:15What?
19:17Cain,
19:18hold your patience
19:19and wait.
19:27Cain looked at his father,
19:28full of confusion.
19:30Father turned his head
19:31to look at Case,
19:32who was standing
19:33in the corner.
19:36Case was holding
19:37a bunch of starlight flowers
19:39just picked
19:40from the dragon valley,
19:42the petals shimmering
19:43with a faint silver glow
19:44in the lamplight.
19:45He walked step by step
19:47to the center
19:48of the hall.
19:49Eve,
19:50are you ready?
19:57I nodded
19:58and pointed
19:58toward Cain.
19:59My future consort
20:01is Casey Alden.
20:14As soon as the words fell,
20:16the murmuring
20:16in the great hall
20:17instantly exploded.
20:19People began talking
20:20among themselves.
20:20How could it be him?
20:22Doesn't Eve love Cain
20:23so much she would
20:24give up her life?
20:25How could she choose Cain?
20:27Right?
20:28Is there a mistake?
20:42Eve,
20:43are you really sure
20:44you want to choose Cain?
20:46Father sat in the
20:47high-backed chair,
20:49his brow deeply frenled.
20:50Father knows
20:51you have always liked
20:52him very much.
20:54If you are sure
20:55you want to marry him,
20:56I will support you.
20:57Father sighed,
20:59his voice heavy.
21:02But my daughter,
21:04this is a very
21:05difficult path
21:06to walk.
21:08At that time,
21:09I knelt before my father,
21:11my voice firm.
21:13Father,
21:13before I was stubborn
21:15and deluded,
21:15but now I am awake.
21:17I choose Casey.
21:35Cain's face
21:36instantly turned
21:37very ugly.
21:41He rushed forward
21:42two steps,
21:43his voice full of urgency.
21:50Father glanced sideways
21:51at him
21:52and struck the scepter
21:53heavily on the ground.
21:57Though I am old,
21:59I am not so confused
22:01as to mistake the person.
22:03How could there be a mistake
22:05in a decision
22:05that determines
22:06the future of evil?
22:10The chief ritual officer
22:12standing by
22:12took over,
22:13unrolling the scroll
22:14in his hand.
22:15The king has spoken
22:16very clearly.
22:17The decree proclaims,
22:18the spouse chosen
22:20by Oval Princess Eve
22:21is the southern dragon lord
22:22leader of the
22:23Olden Realm tribe,
22:25K.E. Olden.
22:28Impossible!
22:29There must be
22:30some mistake!
22:35A trace of lingering
22:36hope in his eyes.
22:40Eve,
22:40it's a mistake,
22:42it's a mistake,
22:42right?
22:43You chose me,
22:44didn't you?
22:45I raised my eyes,
22:47my gaze firm as a rock,
22:49every word clear,
22:50reaching every corner
22:51of the hall.
22:53From today on,
22:54he is my Eve's
22:55prince consort,
22:57the one
22:58and only love
22:59of my life.
23:04when K.E. looked
23:05up at me,
23:06a trace of surprise
23:07flashed in his
23:08deep blue eyes.
23:09People couldn't help
23:10but whisper among
23:11themselves,
23:12and even less
23:13had they expected
23:14that the always
23:14solitary K.E.
23:15would accept
23:16this marriage alliance.
23:18But K.E.
23:19was like
23:19an ignited powder keg,
23:21suddenly grabbing
23:22my wrist with such
23:23force that it almost
23:24crushed my bones.
23:29Liar!
23:30You clearly love me!
23:33Who in the entire
23:34continent doesn't know
23:35you would even
23:36give up your life
23:37for me!
23:39How could you
23:40choose that
23:41violent man?
23:45Someone must
23:46be forcing you.
23:48The ministers
23:48quickly stepped
23:49forward to pull
23:50him away,
23:51and shouted
23:52sternly at
23:53the Kaine's guards
23:54who were showing
23:55signs of
23:57movement.
23:59Haven't you
23:59taken him away yet?
24:00Are you trying
24:01to cause trouble here?
24:03Only then
24:04did those guards
24:05reacted,
24:05and with much
24:06difficulty they
24:07grabbed Kaine
24:08and dragged him out.
24:11Kaine was still
24:12struggling wildly,
24:13his whore shouts
24:14echoing in the hall.
24:15Eve!
24:16Say it!
24:17You made a mistake,
24:19right?
24:19The person you
24:20chose is me!
24:21Father waved
24:22his hand impaintly,
24:23and the soldiers
24:24guarding the door
24:25immediately closed
24:26the great hall's
24:26doors.
24:34At the banquet
24:35after the coming
24:36of age ceremony,
24:37torches cast
24:38dancing shadows
24:39on the stone walls.
24:41I swept my eyes
24:42over the moving
24:43crowd,
24:44but still didn't
24:45see Kaine's trace.
24:47When I turned around
24:48with a glass of
24:49berry wine,
24:49I happened to
24:51bumped into a
24:51solid chest.
24:53The cold,
24:54pine wood scent
24:55entered my nose.
24:58In my previous life,
25:00when I was locked
25:01in the basement
25:01by Kaine,
25:02it was Casey
25:03who kicked open
25:04the heavy wooden
25:05door and carried
25:06me, on the verge
25:07of death,
25:08out.
25:09He was covered
25:09in wounds at the
25:10time,
25:11and he roared
25:11at the road
25:12to Kaine and
25:12soldiers.
25:18Who ever dares
25:19to lay a finger
25:20on her again?
25:22I will skin you all
25:24and bury you
25:25with her!
25:28After I died,
25:29he bathed the entire
25:31royal palace in blood
25:33and placed all of
25:34Kaine's shameful
25:35crimes before my
25:36father,
25:36and only then
25:37did I understand
25:38that this violent
25:38man had placed
25:39me in such an
25:40important position
25:41in his heart.
25:50After rebirth,
25:51a voice always
25:52echoed in my heart,
25:53choose him,
25:54no mistake.
26:01After the banquet
26:02began,
26:02my father beckoned
26:03Kaylee to sit
26:04beside the main
26:04seat.
26:05Everyone knew
26:05this was a gesture
26:06to affirm one's
26:07status.
26:08Kaine,
26:08reeking of alcohol,
26:10stumbled and
26:10squeezed in front
26:11of father,
26:12his voice hagi.
26:12Your majesty,
26:13you cannot let
26:14them marry.
26:16Father looked
26:16at his drunken
26:17state,
26:18both angry
26:18and anxious.
26:19Drag him away!
26:20Get back to your
26:21quarters in this
26:21drunken state!
26:22Do not bring shame
26:23upon your father
26:24here!
26:24But Kaine glung
26:25desperately to the
26:26table,
26:26refusing to leave.
26:27Your majesty,
26:28Eve and I grew
26:28up together,
26:29we know each other's
26:29hearts,
26:30you cannot separate
26:31us!
26:31When I was
26:32little,
26:32Kaine's father
26:33was my father's
26:34closest friend.
26:35Kaine would
26:36often come to the
26:37palace to play
26:37with me.
26:40He once climbed
26:41the highest cliff
26:42in the moonlit
26:43valley to pick
26:44the rare star
26:44bloom for me.
26:48And once
26:49blocked a beast
26:50for me.
26:52Those warm
26:53memories were
26:54exactly why I
26:55had been so
26:55devoted to him
26:56until Lena
26:58appeared.
27:01Her beauty
27:02bewitched him
27:03and under her
27:04constant provocation
27:06he gradually
27:07began to
27:08loathe me.
27:13Father glanced
27:14at me,
27:14his tone
27:15sarcastic.
27:16Grew up
27:17together,
27:17know each
27:18other's hearts?
27:19That's not
27:20quite what I
27:20know.
27:23Eve,
27:24you tell him
27:25yourself.
27:36I gave a
27:37faint smile,
27:38my tone
27:38calm.
27:40Father,
27:40I don't know
27:41why Kaine is
27:41saying this.
27:43Kaine's eyes
27:43tore in disbelief.
27:45Eve,
27:46I love you!
27:46It's always
27:47been you!
27:51I know
27:52you're jealous.
27:55You're angry
27:56that I gave
27:56the snow fox
27:57fur I hunt
27:58last time
27:58to Lena
27:59so you
28:00deliberately
28:00found K.A.
28:01to anger
28:01me,
28:01Trinary.
28:09Kaine,
28:10you can't
28:10say things
28:11like that
28:11carelessly.
28:14I am
28:15already
28:15preparing
28:16to marry
28:16K.A.
28:18Hearing
28:18this,
28:19Kaine's
28:19face twisted
28:20with rage
28:24as he
28:25reached out
28:26to grab
28:26me.
28:27Eve,
28:28you cannot
28:29marry someone
28:29else.
28:30You can
28:30only belong
28:31to me!
28:33His wrist
28:34had just
28:34risen halfway
28:35when K's
28:36hand gripped
28:37his arm
28:38like an
28:38iron vice.
28:42With a
28:43light crack,
28:44Kaine
28:44groaned
28:45in pain.
28:50cold sweat
28:51instantly
28:51seeping
28:52from his
28:52forehead.
29:02K's eyes
29:03were cold
29:03as ice
29:04and the
29:04violent aura
29:05emanating
29:06from his
29:06body
29:06made everyone
29:07around
29:08step back
29:08subconsciously.
29:25K's voice
29:26was cold
29:27as ice
29:27and with a
29:33flick of his
29:33wrist,
29:34he threw
29:35Kaine
29:35to the ground.
29:43Take him
29:44away!
29:48Kaine
29:49still wouldn't
29:50give up.
29:51He raised
29:52his head
29:53and shouted
29:53at me.
29:59Say quickly
30:00that you
30:00love me!
30:01It's me!
30:06I ignored
30:07him,
30:08turned to
30:08Kaine
30:10and showed
30:11a faint
30:11smile.
30:14But he
30:15withdrew
30:15his gaze,
30:17picked up
30:17the strong
30:18lecker on
30:19the table
30:19and drank
30:19it in
30:20one-one
30:20gulp,
30:21the movement
30:22of his
30:22atom's bone
30:23hiding
30:23emotions
30:23that
30:24couldn't
30:24be
30:24read.
30:30Rumors
30:30in the
30:31evil
30:31kingdom
30:31spread
30:31like
30:32weeds
30:32and
30:32within
30:33just
30:33a
30:33few
30:33days
30:33they
30:34reached
30:34every
30:34corner
30:35of
30:35the
30:35Elvenist
30:35continent.
30:36Some
30:37said
30:37that
30:37for
30:37my
30:37sake
30:38Kaine
30:38had
30:38argued
30:39with
30:39the
30:39evil
30:39king
30:39in
30:39the
30:39great
30:40hall.
30:40Others
30:41said
30:41that
30:41since
30:41I
30:42chose
30:42Kavey
30:42Kaine
30:43spent
30:43every
30:43day
30:43fooling
30:44around
30:44with
30:44Lena.
30:45I
30:45didn't
30:45care
30:46about
30:46any
30:46of
30:46these
30:47rumors
30:47at
30:47all.
30:49The
30:49wedding
30:50ceremony
30:50between
30:50Kaine
30:51and
30:51me
30:51was
30:51set
30:51for
30:51next
30:52month.
30:54One
30:55morning
30:55before
30:55the
30:55ceremony
30:57Kaine
30:57found
30:57me
30:58at
30:58the
30:58training
30:58ground.
31:00He
31:00leaned
31:00against
31:01the
31:01long
31:01knife
31:01stuck
31:02in
31:02the
31:02ground.
31:03Morning
31:03dew
31:03wet
31:04the
31:04tips
31:04of
31:04his
31:04hair.
31:12After
31:12a
31:12long
31:13silence
31:13he
31:14spoke
31:14his
31:14voice
31:15carrying
31:15a
31:15barely
31:16missable
31:16tension.
31:18Outside
31:18they're
31:19all
31:19saying
31:19that
31:19I
31:19am
31:20violent
31:20by
31:20nature
31:20with
31:21a
31:21lot
31:21of
31:21blood
31:22on
31:22my
31:22hands.
31:24Aren't
31:24you
31:24afraid?
31:26My
31:26hand
31:26holding
31:27the
31:27bow
31:27paused
31:28and
31:29I
31:29turned
31:29to
31:29meet
31:29his
31:29grace.
31:39Afraid
31:40of
31:40what?
31:49afraid
31:49that
31:50one
31:50day
31:50I
31:50might
31:50lose
31:50control
31:51and
31:51hurt
31:51you.
31:59But even
32:00if you are
32:00afraid
32:00it's too
32:00late
32:01late
32:01now.
32:11No matter
32:12if you
32:12regret
32:13it
32:13later
32:14I
32:14will
32:14never
32:15let
32:15go.
32:16Ev
32:16in
32:16this
32:17life
32:17you
32:18can
32:18only
32:18be
32:19Kesa's
32:19wife.
32:20I
32:21suddenly
32:21remembered
32:21how
32:22he
32:22had
32:22fought
32:22against
32:22the
32:22entire
32:23Bren
32:23Realm
32:23tribe
32:24for
32:24me
32:24in
32:24my
32:25previous
32:25life
32:25and
32:26my
32:26heart
32:27felt
32:27a
32:27surge
32:27of
32:27warmth.
32:36I
32:36have
32:36never
32:37regretted
32:37it
32:37and I
32:38am
32:38not
32:38afraid
32:38of
32:38you.
32:39I
32:40have
32:40heard
32:40those
32:40rumors
32:41but
32:41I
32:41know
32:42better
32:42that
32:42you
32:42are
32:43never
32:43what
32:43they
32:43say.
32:54you.
32:54The
32:55one
32:55I
32:55chose
32:55is
32:55you
32:56Kay
32:57from
32:57beginning
32:57to
32:58end
32:59I
32:59have
32:59never
33:00wavered.
33:09Eve
33:09remember
33:10what
33:10you
33:10said
33:10today.
33:11I
33:12will.
33:19When
33:20I
33:20returned
33:20to
33:20my
33:20quarters
33:21Lena
33:21was
33:22sitting
33:22by
33:22the
33:22fire
33:22roasting
33:23meat
33:23skewers.
33:25Sister
33:25you
33:26sure
33:26know
33:26how
33:26to
33:27pretend
33:27so
33:28you
33:28were
33:28just
33:28pretending
33:29to
33:29like
33:29Kay
33:29all
33:29along
33:30and
33:30your
33:30ultimate
33:31goal
33:31was
33:31to
33:31marry
33:32Kay
33:32right?
33:35Just
33:35wait
33:35when
33:36he gets
33:37unhappy
33:37one
33:37day
33:37the
33:38first
33:38one
33:38he
33:38kills
33:39will
33:39be
33:39you.
33:43Lady
33:44Eve
33:44Lord
33:45Kane
33:45he
33:45has
33:45brought
33:46people.
33:47I
33:48saw
33:48Kane
33:48leading a
33:49few
33:49followers
33:50standing
33:50outside
33:51the
33:51quarters.
33:51The
33:52surrounding
33:52area
33:53was
33:53packed
33:53with
33:53people
33:54whispering
33:54among
33:55themselves
33:55their
33:56eyes
33:56full
33:56of
33:57curiosity.
33:58How
33:59can
33:59the
33:59young
33:59bearer
34:00of the
34:00noble
34:00Bren
34:01Realm
34:01tribe
34:01be
34:02so
34:02shameless?
34:03I
34:04also
34:04heard
34:04he
34:04slapped
34:05the
34:05princess
34:05at
34:06the
34:06Arnage
34:06ceremony.
34:08What?
34:09Really?
34:09That's
34:10our
34:10noble
34:10princess.
34:11How
34:11dare
34:11he
34:11be
34:12so
34:12presumptuous?
34:13Really?
34:13I
34:13saw
34:13it
34:13with
34:13my
34:14own
34:14eyes.
34:15Oh
34:16my
34:20Kane
34:21have
34:21you
34:21come
34:22to
34:22take
34:22me
34:22away?
34:32But
34:32Kanan
34:33didn't
34:33even
34:33look
34:34at
34:34her.
34:34He
34:35walked
34:35straight
34:35to
34:35me
34:36suddenly
34:36dropping
34:37to
34:37one
34:37knee
34:38and
34:38pulled
34:38out
34:39a
34:39silver
34:39moon
34:39ring
34:40set
34:40with
34:40a
34:41ruby
34:41from
34:41his
34:41pocket
34:42holding
34:42it
34:43up
34:43to
34:43me.
34:45Marry
34:46me!
34:47Shut
34:47up!
34:53Eve,
34:55I know
34:55I was
34:56wrong
34:56before.
34:57Give
34:57me
34:57another
34:57chance.
34:59Marry
34:59me,
34:59and I
35:00will
35:00spend
35:00the
35:01rest
35:01of
35:01my
35:01life
35:01cherishing
35:02you
35:02and
35:02will
35:02never
35:03let
35:03you
35:03suffer
35:03the
35:03slightest
35:04griefs
35:04again.
35:06Are
35:06you
35:07mistaken?
35:07Isn't
35:08my
35:08sister
35:08Lena
35:09the
35:09one
35:09you
35:09truly
35:09love?
35:10I'll
35:10let
35:10you
35:10two
35:11be
35:11together.
35:11Eve,
35:12listen
35:12to
35:12me.
35:13It's
35:13all
35:13amid
35:13a
35:13standing.
35:14In
35:15my
35:15heart
35:15there
35:15is
35:15only
35:16you.
35:16No
35:17one
35:18that's
35:19not
35:19what
35:19you
35:19said
35:19before.
35:22You
35:23said
35:23that
35:23after
35:23marriage
35:24I
35:24just
35:24need
35:24to
35:24behave
35:24myself,
35:26not
35:26ask
35:26about
35:26things
35:27that
35:27aren't
35:27my
35:27business
35:28and
35:29that
35:29I
35:29have
35:29no
35:29right
35:29to
35:29interfere
35:30in
35:30your
35:30and
35:30Lena's
35:31affairs.
35:33That
35:33was
35:33me
35:33being
35:34deluded.
35:38How
35:39could
35:39I
35:39really
35:39treat
35:40you
35:40like
35:40that?
35:45Kane,
35:46you
35:46clearly
35:47said
35:47you
35:47liked
35:48me
35:48the
35:48most
35:49said
35:49I
35:49was
35:50more
35:50beautiful
35:50and
35:51sensible
35:51than
35:52sister
35:52said
35:53that
35:53after
35:53marrying
35:54Eve
35:54you
35:54would
35:55marry
35:55me.
35:56Shut
35:56up!
35:57Kane
35:57impatiently
35:58raised
35:58his
35:58hand
35:59and
35:59slapped
35:59her,
36:00the
36:00force
36:01just
36:01as
36:02hard
36:02as
36:02the
36:02time
36:03he
36:03hit
36:03me.
36:04How
36:05can
36:05you
36:05compare
36:05to
36:06Eve?
36:14Bitch,
36:15you
36:15were
36:15the
36:15one
36:15who
36:16seduced
36:16me.
36:17If
36:17it
36:17weren't
36:17for
36:17you,
36:18how
36:19could
36:19Eve
36:19have
36:19chosen
36:19someone
36:20else?
36:22A
36:23scheming
36:23woman
36:23like
36:23you
36:24doesn't
36:24deserve
36:24to
36:25stand
36:25by
36:25my
36:26side!
36:27But
36:27Javent,
36:28at this
36:29point,
36:29he still
36:30didn't think
36:30he had
36:31done anything
36:31wrong,
36:32as if all
36:32faults
36:33should be
36:33borne
36:33by
36:34others.
36:35How
36:36can you
36:36compare
36:36to
36:36Eve?
36:39It
36:40turned
36:40out that
36:40he had
36:40seen
36:41everything
36:41that
36:41day,
36:42but
36:42had
36:42deliberately
36:43pretended
36:43to be
36:44deaf
36:44and
36:44dumb.
36:48Eve
36:49is the
36:49true-blooded
36:50heir of
36:50the able
36:51kingdom.
36:51You're
36:51merely a
36:52distant
36:52cousin
36:53on her
36:53side,
36:54living off
36:54the charity
36:55of the
36:55royal family
36:56as a
36:56dependent.
36:57I only
36:58ever
36:58toiled
36:59with you.
37:00Did you
37:01truly think
37:01I would
37:01marry you?
37:02She was
37:03my mother's
37:03distant
37:04cousin.
37:05After
37:05her parents
37:06died,
37:06she came
37:07to take
37:07refuge with
37:08my mother.
37:09Yet
37:09she has
37:09always craved
37:10what was
37:10never hers
37:11to have,
37:12even my
37:12destined
37:13mate she
37:14tries to
37:14take
37:14from me.
37:17I am
37:18not living
37:19on charity!
37:20I am
37:21not!
37:28You
37:28think I
37:28don't
37:29see it?
37:30Your
37:30blood,
37:31your rank,
37:31nothing
37:32stacks up
37:33to Eve.
37:33You're
37:34not even
37:34worthy to
37:35be her
37:35servant,
37:36and you
37:36thought you
37:37could be
37:37my wife?
37:40Eve,
37:41don't
37:41go.
37:42You've
37:42seen it
37:42too.
37:43I've
37:43already
37:43broken
37:44ties
37:44with
37:44her.
37:44I
37:45will
37:45never
37:45have
37:45anything
37:45to
37:45do
37:46with
37:46her
37:46again.
37:46Just
37:47give me
37:47another
37:47chance.
37:48Okay?
37:52Lord
37:53Cain,
37:53please show
37:54some self-respect.
37:55I already
37:55have a
37:56fiancé.
37:58Perhaps
37:58in your
37:59realm,
37:59tribe,
37:59you can
38:00get whatever
38:00you want.
38:02But there
38:02is one
38:03thing you
38:03can never
38:04get.
38:04The
38:05road of
38:05return.
38:06In
38:07this world,
38:07there is
38:08never a
38:08road of
38:08return.
38:09The
38:10wedding
38:10ceremony
38:11between
38:11Kay and
38:12I will
38:12be held
38:12soon.
38:13Everyone is
38:14welcome to
38:15come and
38:15watch.
38:16Cain tried to
38:17paster me
38:18further, but I
38:19broke free from
38:20his grisp,
38:21walked straight
38:21into my
38:22quarters,
38:23closed the
38:23door behind
38:24me, and
38:24ordered the
38:25guards not to
38:26let anyone
38:27in.
38:38But Miss
38:39people and
38:40people and
38:40days of
38:40matters had
38:41marm been
38:41irrelevant to
38:42me.
38:43For some
38:44reason,
38:44Kay's footsteps
38:45suddenly stopped.
38:47Cain was
38:47blocking the
38:48way.
38:48On the
38:49day of the
38:49wedding ceremony,
38:50I got up
38:51before dawn to
38:52put on my
38:52makeup.
38:57He bent
38:58down, lifted
38:59me up from
38:59the bed in
39:00one swift
39:01motion, and
39:02strode out of
39:03the room.
39:03I quietly
39:04looked up at
39:05his profile.
39:06He and
39:07Cain were
39:08completely
39:08different.
39:09Cain was
39:10like a
39:10restless wildfire,
39:12always carrying
39:12a cynical
39:13roguishness, but
39:14Case's features
39:15were cold and
39:16hard, his
39:17jawline taut, his
39:18nose bridge high
39:19and sharp as a
39:20knife cut.
39:21Some said his
39:22personality was
39:23too aloofed, that
39:25he didn't know
39:25how to love, but
39:27I had seen him
39:28rush into the
39:28basement like a
39:29madman for me.
39:30Looking now at
39:31his tightly pressed
39:32lips, a warmth
39:34surged in my
39:35heart.
39:36Walking the
39:37same path to
39:38the ceremony
39:38grounds, following
39:39behind Cain in
39:41my previous life, my
39:42heart was full of
39:43apprehension, afraid
39:45he would change
39:45his mind.
39:46This life, leaning
39:47in Case's arms, there
39:49was only calm, like
39:50finding someone to
39:51rely on.
39:52For some reason,
39:53Case's footstep
39:54suddenly stopped.
39:56Cain was
39:56blocking the
39:57way.
40:02Eve!
40:03Come with
40:04me!
40:04No one had
40:05expected that Cain
40:06would dare to
40:06cause trouble.
40:07Case put me
40:08down to go
40:09forward alone, but
40:10I held his
40:11wrist.
40:12From today on, we
40:14share everything
40:15together.
40:20Eve!
40:21Come with
40:22me!
40:25Cain, I thought
40:27I'd made myself
40:28clear enough.
40:33If you have come to
40:34watch the ceremony,
40:35Cain and I
40:35welcome you, if you
40:37have come to cause
40:37trouble, don't blame
40:39us for taking action
40:40against you.
40:40Watch the ceremony?
40:46Have you
40:46forgotten?
40:48You clearly said you
40:50loved only me!
40:52that you would
40:53marry no one
40:54else in this
40:55life!
41:01And now, you
41:02are willing to
41:03break that vow
41:04for someone
41:05else!
41:13Cain almost
41:14instinctively pulled
41:16me behind him and
41:17confronted him
41:18directly.
41:20With a crack, the
41:22knife was already
41:23grasped in his
41:23hand.
41:26Are you crazy?
41:27How could you
41:27block it with your
41:28bare hand?
41:29Let's find a
41:30healer right away!
41:38Before you only
41:38worried about me,
41:39now you aren't
41:40here.
41:40Look at me.
41:44He is my
41:45husband.
41:46Who else would I
41:46worry about if not
41:47him?
41:59Cain, stop it!
42:00I'll go with you!
42:01I'll give up
42:02everything!
42:14I'll give up
42:14everything!
42:15please!
42:16Give me another
42:17chance!
42:18In this life, I
42:19will Denting be
42:20good to Ev, and
42:21never leave us
42:22make her suffer
42:23again!
42:35I ignored him!
42:36I ignored him.
42:36The healer who had
42:37arrived banded
42:38Kaei's wound.
42:39Fortunately, the
42:41blade had only cut
42:41the skin and hadn't
42:42injured the bone or
42:43sinew.
42:50Kaei used his
42:51uninjured hand to hold
42:52my hand, leading me
42:53towards the altar
42:54before the statue
42:55of God.
42:55Father stood on the
42:56high platform,
42:57holding the golden
42:58sepulet, his gaze
42:59kind yet solemn.
43:00Thousands of
43:00nobles and tribal
43:01envoys in the square
43:02stood in silent
43:03remorance.
43:04Everyone's eyes
43:05focused on us.
43:05Kaei stopped
43:07before the statue
43:07of God and
43:08turned to face me.
43:10He knelt on one
43:11knee, played the
43:12draged greatsword
43:13set with the
43:14deep-rend ruby
43:14across his palms,
43:16and spoke in a
43:17low voice that
43:18clearly echoed
43:19through the
43:19entire venue.
43:21In the name of
43:22the Black Dragon,
43:24I, K. Olden,
43:25hereby swear,
43:26from this day
43:27forward,
43:29I will protect
43:30Eve Ebel
43:32with my life,
43:33defend her
43:34dignity with my
43:34blood,
43:35crown her
43:35glory with my
43:36crown,
43:37whether in war
43:37or peace,
43:38I will stand
43:38side by side
43:39with her as
43:39king.
43:40I looked into
43:41his deep blue
43:41eyes, and a
43:42long-lost sense
43:43of peace rose
43:43in my heart.
43:44I reached out,
43:45interlocking my
43:46fingers with his,
43:47and spoke in a
43:47firm and gentle
43:48voice.
43:49I, Eve,
43:50princess of the
43:50evil kingdom,
43:51hereby swear,
43:52I choose
43:53Cazan Olden
43:54as my husband,
43:55to jointly rule
43:56the Eldemus
43:56continent with him,
43:58share in honor
43:59and disgrace,
44:00never to part
44:01in life or
44:02death.
44:12Later I heard
44:13that after Cain
44:14returned to the
44:14Bren Realm tribe,
44:15the Bren leader
44:16personally gave him
44:17a lengthy reprimal
44:18and finally ordered
44:19him to be confined
44:20to a sentry in post
44:21on the edge of the
44:22snow pine forest,
44:23not allowed to set
44:24foot outside the
44:25Bren Realm tribe
44:26without orders.
44:28Night fell,
44:29and KB walked
44:30in.
44:31I curled up
44:32on the bed,
44:33watching him
44:34fling the door
44:35shut behind him.
44:37What,
44:38you planning to
44:39stand there
44:39guarding the door
44:40all night
44:40after the ceremony?
44:43I tapped
44:44the spot beside
44:45me.
44:46Get over here.
44:50He didn't say
44:51a word,
44:52just walked over,
44:53pulled off his
44:53robe and let it
44:54drop.
44:55His back was
44:55all muscle and
44:56scars,
44:57some old,
44:58some fresh.
44:59Warrior proof.
45:00Then he leaned
45:01down,
45:02arms braced
45:02on either side
45:03of me,
45:03breath hot
45:04with cedar liquor.
45:05Didn't someone
45:06just tell me
45:06to get in bed?
45:07I looked up
45:08at that jaw,
45:09sharp as ever,
45:10and reached
45:10for his ear,
45:12burning,
45:12just like I
45:13thought.
45:14I grinned.
45:16What?
45:18Scared.
45:25He gave a low
45:26chuckle,
45:27then bit the
45:27corner of my
45:28lip,
45:29just enough
45:29to sting.
45:31You're mine.
45:31What would I
45:32be scared of?
45:34Now that you're
45:35with me,
45:36can you really
45:36let it all go
45:37completely?
45:40I looped my
45:41arms around
45:41his neck.
45:48When his fingers
45:49undid the tie
45:50of my nightgown,
45:51his movements
45:51paused.
45:52Let me ask you
45:53something.
45:55What?
45:58Before you would
45:59have given up
45:59your life
46:00for Cain.
46:02His thumb
46:03pressed against
46:03my collarbone.
46:06Now that you're
46:07with me,
46:07can you really
46:08let it all go
46:08completely?
46:10Done with what?
46:12I looped my arms
46:13around his neck.
46:14I was blind
46:16before.
46:17Now I know
46:18exactly who's
46:19worth it.
46:27he pulled back
46:28just long enough
46:29to yank the
46:29fabric over
46:30his head,
46:31revealed the
46:31hard planes
46:32of his chest,
46:33the pale scars
46:34that crossed
46:35his skin
46:35like forgotten
46:36battle maps.
46:37I reached up
46:38and touched
46:38the largest
46:39one,
46:39just above
46:40his heart.
46:42You don't
46:42have to be
46:43gentle with
46:44me,
46:44I whispered.
46:45His eyes
46:46darkened.
46:47I know.
46:52I held
46:53on to him,
46:54nails digging
46:54into his
46:55shoulders.
46:55The stretch
46:56burned so
46:57good I
46:57screamed.
47:00He laid
47:01me back
47:02against the
47:02pillows,
47:03his body
47:03covering mine.
47:04When he
47:05finally pushed
47:06inside me,
47:06he buried
47:07his face
47:08in the
47:08cuck of
47:08my neck
47:09and groan
47:09low.
47:10My princess,
47:10are you
47:11afraid?
47:11No,
47:12I'm not
47:13afraid.
47:14You can
47:14do anything
47:15to me.
47:17I held
47:18on to him,
47:19nails digging
47:20into his
47:20shoulders.
47:21The stretch
47:21burned so
47:22good I
47:23screamed,
47:24walls clenching
47:25around his
47:25girth.
47:27He stilled
47:28for a moment,
47:29forward pressed
47:29to mine,
47:30breathing rapid.
47:32He started
47:33moving then,
47:34slow at first,
47:35savoring every
47:36inch as he
47:36dragged out
47:37and slammed
47:38back in,
47:38the wet slap
47:39of skin-on-skin
47:40filling the
47:40room.
47:41That's my
47:42good girl.
47:44Let me
47:44hear you.
47:48Each thrust
47:49hit deeper,
47:50harder,
47:51angling to
47:52brush that
47:53spot inside
47:54me that made
47:54stars explode
47:55behind my
47:56eyes.
47:57Hada,
47:58please,
47:59I can take
48:00it.
48:00Heels digging
48:01into his back
48:02as I met
48:02him thrust
48:03for thrust.
48:04Casey,
48:04I'm coming.
48:07I'm yours,
48:08only yours.
48:09Afterward,
48:10we lay
48:11tangled in
48:11the sheets,
48:12his breath
48:13hot against
48:14my colopone.
48:15He propped
48:16himself up on
48:17one elbow and
48:18looked down at
48:18me.
48:20Eve,
48:21I love you.
48:29When I
48:30showed up,
48:31he raised a
48:31shaky arm.
48:32Three months
48:32later,
48:33when the
48:33healer congratulated
48:34me on being
48:34pregnant,
48:35KX had
48:36already been
48:36crowned king,
48:37and I ruled
48:38the Elmiss
48:38Dunmention
48:39together with
48:39him.
48:40When he
48:40heard the
48:40news,
48:41he was
48:41dazed for
48:41a long
48:42while before
48:42reaching out
48:43his hand.
48:45Touch it,
48:46I whispered,
48:46grabbing his
48:47hand to
48:47press it
48:47against me,
48:48guiding his
48:49palm slowly
48:49downward.
48:51Eve,
48:52we're going
48:52to have
48:53a child.
48:53I smiled
48:54and nodded
48:54gently.
48:59After that,
49:00news of
49:00Lena came
49:01from the
49:02eastern
49:02wastelands.
49:03It was
49:04said that
49:05after being
49:06cast off
49:07by Cain
49:07that day,
49:08she suddenly
49:09ran out of
49:10the evil
49:10kingdom as
49:11if insane
49:11and had
49:12never
49:12returned.
49:16Then one
49:17day,
49:17a patrolling
49:18guard found
49:18her corpse,
49:19probably her
49:20neck bitten
49:20off by a
49:21beast in
49:21the black
49:22forest.
49:23Coincidentally,
49:24something
49:24happened to
49:25Cain that
49:25same day.
49:26Autumn rains
49:27hit hard.
49:28Landslide
49:29crushed the
49:29forest's
49:30edge.
49:30He got
49:31pinned under
49:32the rubble.
49:32By the time
49:33the guards
49:33reached him,
49:34one leg
49:35was mangled,
49:36twisted
49:37beyond saving.
49:42When I
49:43showed up,
49:43he raised
49:44a shaky
49:44arm.
49:49Eve,
49:51you came.
49:57Let me end
49:58this,
49:59for good.
50:03I knelt
50:04beside Cain.
50:05Blood was
50:06everywhere,
50:08thick,
50:08metallic.
50:16Do you
50:17remember,
50:19in our
50:19last life,
50:20in the last
50:21life,
50:22you married
50:23me.
50:23We swore
50:25to love
50:26each other
50:27forever.
50:27You also
50:28said you
50:30wanted to
50:30plant moon
50:30flowers all
50:31over the
50:31courtyard.
50:33Later,
50:33we even had
50:33a child.
50:34I listened
50:35silently,
50:35then suddenly
50:36laughed,
50:37bitterly.
50:39Cain,
50:39after saying
50:40lies so
50:41many times,
50:41do you
50:41even believe
50:42them yourself?
50:44You know
50:44what?
50:45I also
50:45came back.
50:47His eyes
50:48suddenly widened,
50:49his pupils
50:49contracting sharply,
50:51as if struck
50:51by lightning.
50:52You,
50:52you too.
50:54The things
50:54from the
50:55last life,
50:55I remember
50:56all of them.
50:59The truth
51:00is,
51:01you locked
51:01me in the
51:01basement,
51:02and I
51:02died with
51:03my child,
51:03full of
51:04resentment.
51:12Let's go.
51:13The rainstorm
51:13washed over
51:14the pile of
51:15rubble,
51:15as if washing
51:16away a dirty
51:16past.
51:17I leaned at
51:18Kay's chest,
51:19listening his
51:19steady heartbeat,
51:20and felt
51:21completely at
51:21peace in
51:22my sinily.
51:24He refused
51:25to take a nap
51:25until I promised
51:26to take him
51:27to ride a
51:27real dragon
51:28next spring.
51:31Sunlight
51:32spilled over
51:32the royal garden
51:33of the
51:33Abel Palace.
51:34Our son
51:35stumbled across
51:36the soft
51:37grass on
51:37his chubby
51:38little legs,
51:39waving a
51:40small wooden
51:40dragon sword
51:41and chasing
51:42a silver
51:42butterfly.
51:44I nestled
51:45against
51:46Kayan on
51:46the stone
51:47bench.
51:47We watched
51:48our son,
51:49gentle smiles
51:50on our faces,
51:51the warm
51:52afternoon light
51:53falling over
51:54over us
51:54like a blessing.
51:58I leaned my
51:59head on Kayan's
52:00shoulder and
52:00murmured,
52:01He has
52:02inherited your
52:02courage.
52:04Yesterday he
52:05insisted on
52:06training with
52:06the royal guards.
52:08He refused to
52:09take a nap
52:09until I promised
52:10to take him
52:10to ride a real
52:11dragon next
52:12spring.
52:13Kaye let out
52:14a low laugh,
52:15his voice
52:16vibrating in his
52:17chest.
52:17He has also
52:18inherited your
52:19wisdom.
52:20Yesterday I saw
52:21him pick up
52:22every fallen
52:22starflower one
52:23by one and
52:24arrange them
52:24into a small
52:25dragonem by
52:26the shape of
52:26their petals.
52:29Kaye,
52:31I have always
52:32been curious.
52:33Everyone says
52:34the southern
52:34dragon lord
52:35never forms
52:35alliances through
52:36marriage.
52:39Why did you
52:40form an alliance
52:41by marrying
52:41me?
52:45Father,
52:46mother,
52:47look,
52:48I caught
52:49the butterfly.
52:50He fell
52:51silent for a
52:52moment.
52:53His deep
52:54blue eyes
52:54softened as
52:55they met
52:55mine and
52:56a rare
52:57gentle smile
52:58curved his
52:58lips.
53:00Because you
53:01once saved
53:02my life.
53:04That year in
53:05the black
53:05forest I was
53:06ambushed by
53:07traitors from
53:07the vassal
53:08tribes.
53:09My dragon
53:09was shot
53:10down.
53:11Badly
53:11wounded,
53:12I lay
53:12bleeding
53:12beneath the
53:13ancient
53:13trees.
53:14Everyone
53:15feared my
53:15reputation.
53:17Some fled,
53:18others kept
53:18their distance.
53:19But you,
53:20a twelve
53:20year old
53:21princess who
53:21had snuck
53:22out of the
53:22palace,
53:22found me.
53:23You tore
53:24your cloak to
53:24stop my
53:25bleeding and
53:25stayed until
53:26my men
53:26arrived.
53:27It was the
53:28first time
53:28anyone had
53:28ever come
53:29near me
53:29without fear.
53:30My eyes
53:30widened
53:31slightly.
53:31I completely
53:32forgot about
53:32this.
53:33But I have
53:33never forgotten.
53:34Back then,
53:35I only thought
53:36of you as an
53:37extraordinarily
53:37brave girl.
53:39But the
53:39moment I saw
53:40you at the
53:40tribal
53:41gathering,
53:42I knew I
53:43was starting
53:43to fall for
53:43you.
53:45Your eyes
53:46were so
53:46beautiful,
53:47yet your
53:47gaze was
53:48always fixed
53:48on Cain.
53:49A few days
53:50before your
53:50coming of
53:51age ceremony,
53:51my vassals
53:52sent to
53:52watch the
53:53movements of
53:53the Bren tribe
53:53reported
53:54strange things.
53:55You no
53:55longer sought
53:56out Cain.
53:57You seemed
53:57different,
53:59distant,
54:00as if you
54:00had finally
54:01seen him
54:01clearly.
54:02That was
54:03when I
54:03allowed myself
54:04to hope.
54:04I cupped
54:05his face
54:05in both
54:05hands and
54:06kissed him
54:06slowly,
54:07tasting the
54:07familiar fresh
54:08scent of
54:08pine and
54:09warmth that
54:09had become
54:10my home.
54:10When we
54:11pulled apart,
54:11I pressed
54:12my forehead
54:12against his.
54:13Thank you
54:13for waiting
54:14for me.
54:15I made
54:15the right
54:15choice in
54:16this life.
54:17Eve,
54:17you are
54:18the only
54:18choice I
54:19have ever
54:19needed.
54:22Just then,
54:23our son
54:23came running
54:24over and
54:25crashed straight
54:25into us.
54:27Father,
54:28mother,
54:29look,
54:30I caught
54:31the butterfly.
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