- 2 days ago
One Passionate Night, I Gave Birth to Two Dragons
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Short filmTranscript
00:00I gave birth to dragons.
00:02Then a week later, a royal carriage pulled up to my cottage.
00:05Silver armoured guards at my door.
00:07Told me they were his heirs.
00:09Ten months ago, I dragged a half-dead stranger out of a ditch.
00:13I nursed him.
00:14I married him.
00:15I got pregnant.
00:16Then he disappeared without a word.
00:17Look, everyone says don't take in strangers.
00:20But you didn't see this man.
00:21Jawline like a statue.
00:23Abs you could grate cheese on.
00:25So, I took him home.
00:27His name was Tristan.
00:28Covered in blood.
00:29Total amnesia.
00:30I patched him up.
00:31Fed him soup.
00:32Changed his bandages.
00:33Three months later, we were falling hard.
00:36One white dress.
00:37Two silver candles.
00:38My mum crying in the corner.
00:40That was our wedding.
00:40Then I got pregnant.
00:42And the second I hit three months, his memory came back.
00:48No goodbye.
00:49Just a note on my pillow.
00:50Important business.
00:51I'll come back for you.
00:53Yeah, right.
00:54I knew what that note really meant.
00:56He'd remembered who he was.
00:58And whoever he was.
00:59A broke country girl with a baby bump didn't fit the picture anymore.
01:02He wasn't coming back.
01:04He was running.
01:05Everyone warned me labor would be hell.
01:07Nine months of dread for nothing.
01:10When the day came.
01:11Two pushes.
01:12Done.
01:12No screaming, baby.
01:14No crying.
01:14Just my mom.
01:16Screaming like she'd seen the devil.
01:17Something cold slid down my leg.
01:20Something slimsy.
01:21I sat up.
01:22And there they were.
01:23Two baby dragons.
01:24Curled on my blooded sheets.
01:26Tiny wings folded against their backs.
01:28Looking right at me.
01:29Blinking.
01:30Seven days later.
01:31I was still in shock.
01:32Then I heard hooves.
01:33Dozens of them.
01:34A royal carriage pulled up to my cottage.
01:36Silver armored guards at my door.
01:38A letter.
01:39Sealed in gold wax.
01:40Handwriting I'd recognize anywhere.
01:42From Tristan.
01:44The captain knelt.
01:45By order.
01:46Of his majesty.
01:46The king requests his queen.
01:49And your child.
01:50By royal decree.
01:51Is to be named heir to the throne.
01:53The king.
01:54The bleeding stranger.
01:55I pulled out of a ditch.
01:56The man who left.
01:57Note on my pillow and ran.
01:59He was the king.
02:00I looked down at the royal decree in my hand.
02:02Then over at the two dragon cubs.
02:04Napping on my pillow.
02:05One of them yawned.
02:06Showed me his tiny fangs.
02:08Hey.
02:09You two.
02:10Think you're ready to rule a kingdom?
02:12These two dragons?
02:14Absolutely beautiful.
02:15Bright colored scales.
02:17Silky as silk.
02:18Tiny perfect fangs.
02:20Just like if dragons also had a beauty pageant.
02:22My dragon would sure win the championship.
02:24But that's the problem.
02:25They're not human.
02:26I turned to my mom.
02:27My whole body going stiff.
02:29Mom.
02:29Be honest with me.
02:30Do we have shifter blood in the family?
02:32Werewolf ancestors?
02:33Some kind of cursed great grandma?
02:35She looked like she'd just been slapped.
02:37What is wrong with you, Willa?
02:38Our family has been honest farmers for generations.
02:41There's no monsters in our blood.
02:43Those stories are just old whiv's tales.
02:46I pointed at the bed.
02:47Then how do you explain those?
02:49Mom looked at me.
02:50Looked back at me.
02:50Her face went sheet white.
02:52A human giving birth to things like this?
02:55Willa, this is a dark omen.
02:56A curse.
02:57If anyone in this village finds out, they'll drag you to the woods.
03:02They'll tie you to a stake.
03:04They'll burn you alive.
03:06Before I could react, she grabbed a rough cloth off the table.
03:09She scooped both snakes up and started bundling them tight.
03:12She was going to dump them on the mountain.
03:15Feed them to the wolves.
03:16The babies had no idea.
03:18One of them stretched.
03:19Yawned.
03:20And then...
03:21Those big golden brown eyes locked on mine.
03:24Just looking at me.
03:26And something inside me broke.
03:27Mom!
03:28Stop!
03:28I carried them for nine months.
03:30I felt them move inside me.
03:32They are mine.
03:33And I am not letting you throw my babies to the wolves.
03:36Willa, if anyone sees them...
03:39Then no one sees them.
03:40We tell the village I had a stillbirth.
03:42We already buried it.
03:43These two?
03:44Pets.
03:45The dragon I found in the garden.
03:47Nobody has to know.
03:48And just like that, they stayed.
03:50I figured this was my life now.
03:52Disgraced country girl.
03:53Single mom.
03:54Two skelly sons on the pillow.
03:56I was done with men.
03:57Tristan broke my heart.
03:59I was fine.
04:00Never seeing him again.
04:02I'd raise these little weirdos in the woods.
04:05Forever.
04:06That was the plan.
04:07Until day seven.
04:08I opened my door.
04:09And the captain, stepping forward, bowing deep.
04:12By order of his majesty, we are here to escort Lady Willa to the palace.
04:16You are to be crowned queen.
04:18His majesty mentioned you were heavily pregnant when you departed.
04:21So, where is the royal heir?
04:22I instinctively glanced back at the house.
04:24But my mom answered before I could.
04:27Seven days ago, Willa delivered a stillborn.
04:30We've already handled it.
04:33She pulled me inside.
04:34Lowered her voice.
04:35Willa, listen to me.
04:37The Caput Kingdom is obsessed with witch hunts.
04:40If anyone finds out you gave birth to two creatures, they'll burn you.
04:45A stake is a sacrifice.
04:46You go to the palace.
04:48Be the queen.
04:49These two?
04:50I'll keep them here.
04:51I'll take care of them.
04:53If I had known that man was the king of the Caput Kingdom, I never would have been reckless enough
04:58to flirt with him.
04:59Not in a million years.
05:00But a royal command isn't a request.
05:03Whether I wanted it or not, I was going to that palace.
05:06I wiped my tears, said goodbye to my two skilly babies, and climbed into the carriage.
05:12Two weeks of bumpy roads later, we finally reached the palace.
05:19A maid led me to a guest chamber.
05:22She said the king would be with me shortly.
05:23The room was stunning.
05:25Gold-trimmed ceilings, jade ornaments, marble floors.
05:29A country girl like me had never seen wealth like this, and I didn't care about any of it.
05:34The longer I'd been away from home, the more I missed those two baby dragons.
05:37I had no idea if they were okay.
05:39Maybe I was missing them too much.
05:40Because suddenly, I was hallucinating.
05:43I saw two little dragons scaling the palace walls, slipping through my window.
05:48Right in front of me, until they opened their mouths.
05:51Mommy, we finally found you.
05:54Mommy, why did you leave me and Big Brother behind?
05:57My whole body went numb.
05:59I hit the floor.
06:00I stared at them, my voice shaking.
06:02You too?
06:02Are you dragons, demon?
06:04When I was little, I used to hear storytellers talk about this.
06:08Animals that cultivated their spiritual power could borrow a pregnant woman's womb.
06:13They'd be reborn, but as humans.
06:15Looking at these two, clearly the cultivation didn't quite stick.
06:18That's why they came out of me, still in snake form.
06:21The two of them slithered up to me, nuzzling against my dress, like puppies.
06:26We're not snake demons, Mommy.
06:28We're dragons.
06:29We're your babies.
06:30Mommy, I'm so hungry.
06:32We followed your scent for days.
06:34We crawled the whole way.
06:36We don't have any strength left.
06:39And just like that, they collapsed against my side.
06:42From Rowan Village to this palace was hundreds of miles.
06:45These two weren't even a month old, and they'd crawled the entire way, day and night, without stopping.
06:50I figured they were just delirious from exhaustion.
06:52Babies babbling nonsense.
06:54Two little snakes.
06:55Dragons.
06:56Yeah, right.
06:56My heart broke for them.
06:58I scooped both of them into my arms, and called for a maid.
07:01Fresh goat's milk.
07:02Now.
07:04They drank.
07:05Till their little bellies were round, then curled up in my lap and fell into a deep sleep.
07:09I sat there, gently stroking their scales, my mind spinning.
07:13What the hell am I supposed to do now?
07:14If I just told the king the truth, these snakes are our sons.
07:17He'd probably drag me out and behead me on the spot.
07:20Not everyone has my tolerance for the weird, and even if he somehow accepted it, he's the king of the
07:25KP kingdom.
07:26The court would never allow it.
07:27The people would never allow it.
07:29Two snakes as the royal heirs?
07:31No chance in hell.
07:32I was deep in my own head, spiraling.
07:35When the guards outside announced.
07:37His majesty has arrived.
07:40I moved fast, shoved both babies under the blankets, smoothed out my dress, and went to greet him.
07:45This humble girl, Willa, greets your majesty.
07:48Tristan was in full royal regala.
07:51Gold crown, velvet brobes, that untouchable era of power.
07:55Combined with that gorgeous face, he was even more devastating than I remembered.
07:59That face was the whole reason I got into this mess.
08:01One look at him bleeding on the side of the road, and I ignored my mum completely.
08:05I have to save him.
08:06Look at him.
08:08Yeah, lesson learned.
08:10Tristan reached down and lifted me to my feet, a teasing smile playing on his lips.
08:14Such formality.
08:15This isn't like you, Willa.
08:16I kept my eyes down, my voice small.
08:19I didn't know you were the king before.
08:21I was out of line.
08:22He squeezed my hand.
08:23King or not, I'm still your husband.
08:25I prefer the lively, mouthed Willa I fell for.
08:28Yeah, sure.
08:29Whatever you say.
08:30But I'm not that girl anymore.
08:32Not when one wrong word from a king means rivers of blood.
08:35That's not a joke.
08:36Tristan's gaze dropped to my stomach.
08:37His eyes filled with grief.
08:39I heard about the baby.
08:40It was my fault.
08:42If I had brought you here sooner, maybe things would have been different.
08:45The second the words left his mouth, a muffled cry came from the bed.
08:51Tristan's head snapped toward the sound.
08:53What was that?
08:54It's, it's, it's cats.
08:56I got bored on the road, so I, I picked up two cats to keep me company.
09:00He started walking towards the bed.
09:01I didn't know you liked cats.
09:03I remember you hating cats.
09:04What kind of cats could win you over?
09:06Let me see them.
09:07I lunged in front of him, arms out.
09:09No!
09:10Why not?
09:11Unless, what's under there isn't a cat.
09:14It is!
09:15It's cats!
09:17It's just, these two are skittish.
09:22They might scratch your majesty.
09:24Tristan laughed and pulled me into his arms.
09:26Don't worry.
09:27There's no wound I haven't survived.
09:29What harm could two little kittens possibly do?
09:31His hand reached for the blanket.
09:33His fingers gripped the edge.
09:34I was this close to confessing everything.
09:37Then suddenly, a maid rushed in.
09:39Your majesty!
09:40Miss Lancaster has collapsed!
09:42She's calling out for you!
09:43Tristan's hand froze.
09:45Then he pulled away.
09:46I need to go check on Rosie.
09:47I'll come back to you later.
09:48I watched him walk out the door.
09:50Part of me exhaled.
09:51Crisis averted.
09:52But another part of me felt a bitter little sting I couldn't explain.
09:56Who's Rosie?
09:57Is she that important to him?
09:58I didn't have to wait long for an answer.
10:00The next day, I was in my chamber, feeding the two little snakes.
10:03The doors burst open.
10:05Rosie sailed in, dripping in silk.
10:07A trail of maids behind her.
10:09She looked me up and down, like I was dirt on her shoe.
10:12So you're the country girl who saved his majesty.
10:15I met her eyes, calm, steady.
10:17That would be me.
10:18She stepped closer.
10:19Her voice dropped to a warning.
10:21I grew up with his majesty.
10:22I know him better than anyone.
10:24He only brought you here to repay a debt.
10:27That's all.
10:27If you dare set your sights on a position that isn't yours.
10:31You'll pay the price.
10:32I let a small smile tug at my lips.
10:36If Miss Lacaffer truly has that kind of pull, go convince his majesty to take it back.
10:41Threatening me here is a waste of breath.
10:43The queen's seat was offered to me by the king himself.
10:47His favor is law.
10:48Who am I to refuse?
10:50Rosie's face went red.
10:51Her hands trembled with rage.
10:53You sharp-tongued little peasant!
10:56How dare you use the king against me!
10:59You just wait.
11:00I will personally make sure.
11:03He throws you out of this palace!
11:05She stormed out.
11:07Her maids scurrying after her.
11:09I didn't take Rosie's threats seriously.
11:11But for the first time since I arrived, I started thinking about leaving the palace.
11:16I knew Tristan had feelings for me.
11:18He wouldn't have sent for me all the way from Roban Village.
11:20Or offered me a crown.
11:22If he didn't.
11:22But I also knew how kings worked.
11:24I was the girl from the woods who saved his life.
11:29But he had a whole empire to rule.
11:32And a palace full of beautiful women.
11:34Once the spark fades, I'd be just another forgotten face in a golden cage.
11:38Locked away until the day I died.
11:40And then there were the baby.
11:42They were a ticking time bomb.
11:44They were getting bigger every day.
11:46And their appetites were growing even faster.
11:49If anyone ever heard them talk, they'd be slaughtered.
11:52I had to choose.
11:55My freedom and their lives over a man who might stop loving me by next year.
12:00I decided to run.
12:01Three days later, I waited until Tristan was supposedly out of the palace on business.
12:06I piled up the silk curtains, knocked over a candle, and watched the flames take hold.
12:15In the chaos of the fire, we managed to scale the outer palace wall.
12:19I stood in the shadows, looking back at the smoke rising into the night sky.
12:25Goodbye, Tristan.
12:27It hurt more than I wanted to admit.
12:29But I had to be strong.
12:31The two little snakes rubbed against my ankles, their golden eyes glowing in the dark.
12:36Mom, come on.
12:37Let's just go.
12:40I knelt down and scooped them both into my arms.
12:45All right.
12:46Let's go.
12:48Somewhere far away where we can just be us.
12:51I turned around to head for the woods.
12:53And my heart stopped.
12:54Tristan was standing there.
12:56He wasn't away on business.
12:57He was right in front of me, backed by a dozen armed guards with torches.
13:02He didn't look angry.
13:03He looked cold.
13:05He stared at me.
13:06Then his eyes dropped to the two snakes I was clutching to my chest.
13:10He started walking.
13:12Willa.
13:13Walking towards me.
13:14Don't you think you owe me an explanation?
13:16I hugged my babies as tight as I could, backing away.
13:20If I told you that these are your children, would you even believe me?
13:26Tristan's pupils blew wide.
13:28He stared at the two black creatures in my arms, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the hilt of
13:32his sword.
13:33His throat moved as he struggled to find his voice.
13:35How is that even possible?
13:37Rosie didn't miss a beat.
13:39She jumped forward, pointing a trembling finger at me.
13:43You shameless little peasant!
13:46How dare you try to smear the king's name like that!
13:49His majesty is the ruler of this realm.
13:52There is no way on earth he is the father of these.
13:57These animals!
13:58Your majesty, look at them!
14:00They're demons!
14:02She's obviously practicing, practicing dark magic.
14:05For the safety of the entire kingdom, you have to act!
14:09Kill the witch and those monsters before they curse us all!
14:13The two little snakes felt her hatred.
14:16They bared their tiny fangs, hissing and snapping at her.
14:22Evil woman!
14:23You hurt our mom!
14:24And we'll kill you!
14:27Rosie scrambled back, nearly tripping.
14:30I slammed my hand over their mouths.
14:33Stop!
14:35You can't talk in front of them!
14:37Even Tristan looked stunned for a second.
14:40You heard them, Tristan!
14:42They talk!
14:43They're unholy!
14:45Kill them now!
14:46Do your duty!
14:49Tristan drew his sword.
14:50The cold steel glinted dangerously in the torchlight as he pointed the tip right at my babies.
14:57Willa, I know you.
14:59You're a good person.
15:01These creatures must have put a spell on you.
15:03They're using you.
15:04They're clouding your mind.
15:06He took a step closer.
15:08The edge of the blade inches from my chest.
15:10Give them to me.
15:12Hand them over.
15:14Right now.
15:15And I'll forgive everything.
15:17I'll pretend this never happened.
15:19I shook my head.
15:21No, Tristan.
15:22I'm their mother.
15:23I'm spouting at their mother.
15:25I will never let you touch them.
15:27Not as long as I'm breathing.
15:29You've lost your mind.
15:30He didn't wait for another word.
15:32My babies didn't hesitate either.
15:34They flew out of me my arms.
15:35Small black blurs through the air.
15:37Trying to bite him.
15:39But Tristan was a seasoned warrior.
15:40He was too fast.
15:42Too strong.
15:43He kicked one aside.
15:45Then the other.
15:46Sending them skidding across the dirt like stones.
15:48He didn't give them a chance to recover.
15:50He raised his sword high over his head.
15:52Ready to bring it down for the kill.
15:54I didn't think.
15:55I just threw my body over them.
15:58Shielding them with my own back.
15:59Tristan saw me.
16:00Pulled his strike at the last second.
16:02But the tip of his sword still tore through my dress.
16:04He looked at me.
16:05Furious and shaken all at once.
16:07Willa.
16:08Have you lost your mind?
16:10You're going to die for these animals?
16:12I looked at him.
16:14Tears streaming down my face.
16:16I can't explain why they look like this, Tristan.
16:18I don't know why.
16:19But they came from me.
16:21They are my flesh and blood.
16:22And they are yours.
16:25If you want them dead, you'll have to step over my body first.
16:29The standoff held for a long moment.
16:31Then Tithra threw the sword to the ground.
16:32He turned to his guards.
16:34Take the queen back to the palace.
16:36Do not harm her or those two creatures.
16:38Not a scratch.
16:39And just like that, I was hauled back to the palace.
16:43I reached down and gently rubbed the little bellies of my two snakes.
16:46Are you okay?
16:48Does anything hurt?
16:49Are your tummies sore?
16:50Both of them nuzzled their cheeks against my palm.
16:53Mummy's hand is so warm.
16:55We're not hurt at all.
16:56Mummy, when we grow up, we're going to bite every bad person who ever hurt you.
17:02No!
17:04You may not be human, but you cannot just hurt people.
17:06And the man who tried to hurt you today, he's your father.
17:10Both of them blinked up at me, those big golden brown eyes confused.
17:15He wanted to kill us.
17:16We don't want a daddy like that.
17:17We just want you, mummy.
17:20Only you.
17:20I laughed softly and stroked their heads.
17:22All right, all right, just mummy.
17:25Once I'd lulled them both to sleep,
17:28I looked out the window.
17:31Armed guards everywhere, stationed around the entire chamber.
17:35My heart sank.
17:36What is Tristan going to do with us?
17:40This palace was never going to be safe.
17:43I could protect them for now.
17:45But not forever.
17:48Three days passed.
17:50The babies and I locked away.
17:51Then, on the third day, Tristan finally sent for us.
17:55I scooped both little cords into my arms and followed the guards to the royal study.
18:02The moment I stepped through the door, I saw my mother.
18:07On her knees.
18:08The second my mum saw me, she started laying into me.
18:13Willa, what on earth did you do?
18:15Do you have any idea what it's like for a woman my age?
18:18To be hauled away by guards and forced onto a horse?
18:22I thought I was going to die on the road.
18:24And her voice died in her throat.
18:26She stared at the two snakes I was holding.
18:30How... how are they here?
18:32They vanished the day after you left for the palace.
18:37I thought they'd run off into the woods.
18:39I looked for them for days.
18:41But I never imagined they'd find their way to...
18:44Wait.
18:46His Majesty brought me here.
18:49Because of them?
18:50I let out a soft sigh and nodded.
18:53Tristan sat on his throne.
18:54That untouchable aura back in full motion.
18:57He looked down at my mother.
18:58The truth.
18:59My mother dropped to her knees.
19:01And she told him everything.
19:04The birth.
19:05The snakes.
19:06The wings.
19:07All of it.
19:09Tristan exploded.
19:11What the punishment is for lying to your king.
19:15My mother trembled head to toe.
19:19I wouldn't dare.
19:21Every word I spoke is the truth.
19:23His expression.
19:25His expression.
19:25Complicated.
19:27I dropped to my knees in front of him.
19:30Your Majesty.
19:31I know this is impossible to believe.
19:33But it's the truth.
19:34From this day on, I'll take them as far from you as possible.
19:38You will never see us again.
19:39The court would never accept it.
19:41The people would never accept it.
19:43A king naming two snakes as his sons.
19:46Impossible.
19:47That was the only way out.
19:49But Tristan refused.
19:51Willa.
19:52You said you want to take them and disappear.
19:56Far away from me.
19:57Did you ever stop to think about how I feel?
20:00Is the throne of my entire kingdom, queen of the Kapox kingdom, not enough to make you stay?
20:06I shook my head.
20:07I grew up in the countryside.
20:09If you really made me queen, I'd be the laughingstock of the entire kingdom.
20:13Anyone who laughs, I take their head.
20:16I want a marriage, not a competition.
20:20You'll have a harem of women.
20:22A palace full of mistresses.
20:24I'm not interested in fighting for a fraction of your heart.
20:27What if I gave them all up?
20:29What if I promised never another woman?
20:31Only you.
20:32For the rest of my life.
20:34I have to admit it.
20:35His words moved me.
20:36The most powerful, most beautiful man in the kingdom.
20:39Telling me I was his beloved.
20:41Telling me I'd be the only one.
20:43There isn't a woman in this world who wouldn't melt at those words.
20:46But after the rush, came clarity.
20:49Because everything he was offering, he could take back at any moment.
20:54When I loved him most, he left a single note on my pillow and disappeared.
20:59I waited.
21:00Three months pregnant.
21:02Day after day.
21:04Holding that letter.
21:07I'm not doing it again.
21:09I can't give him my whole heart twice.
21:12That endless waiting.
21:14That torture.
21:16I'm done with it.
21:17I pressed my forehead to the floor.
21:21Your majesty.
21:22I do not wish to be trapped behind the walls of this palace.
21:25Please.
21:26Let me go.
21:27Tristan wanted me to stay.
21:29I wanted to leave.
21:31Neither of us would back down.
21:32Not an inch.
21:33In the end, Tristan gave me seven days to reconsider.
21:36If after seven days I still chose to leave,
21:39he'd let me and my two little snakes go free.
21:44For the next seven days, my mum stayed with me in the palace.
21:47She spent half her time just staring at the gold-leafed walls
21:51and the emerald-encrusted vases.
21:53Willa, are you really going to walk away from all of this?
21:56For those two little things?
22:00If you didn't, you wouldn't have kept the pregnancy.
22:03When you thought he'd abandoned you.
22:07The king loves you.
22:09I can see it in his eyes.
22:11And I know you still love him too.
22:13If it's them you're worried about, leave them with me.
22:17I'll take them far away and raise them in secret.
22:20You stay here.
22:21Be the queen.
22:22Live the life you deserve.
22:24I looked at my mother and shook my head.
22:26Mum, he's a king.
22:27He owns an entire country.
22:29He'll never be the man who lived in our cottage again.
22:31I'd rather be free in the woods.
22:33Fine.
22:34Whatever you decide, I'm with you.
22:38I leaned into her, resting my head on her shoulder.
22:41Thanks, Mum.
22:44I don't know what I'd do without you.
22:48The seven days flew by.
22:50Tristan saw that I wasn't going to change my mind.
22:52And finally, he gave in.
22:58He walked us to the palace gates.
23:00It's himself.
23:01His eyes lingering on me with a look of pure heartbreak.
23:05Willa, if you ever change your mind,
23:07the gates of this kingdom will always be open to you.
23:11I bowed one last time,
23:13ready to walk away with my mother and my babies.
23:16I thought we were finally free.
23:17But before I could take a single step,
23:20a flood of soldiers came charging out,
23:22surrounding us on all sides,
23:24and a line of senior court officials on horseback.
23:29Tristan's face went white with fury.
23:31What the hell is this?
23:33Who gave you permission to move my troops?
23:35This is treason.
23:36The council members scrambled off their horses
23:38and dropped to their knees.
23:40Forgive us, your majesty,
23:41but we cannot let a threat like this
23:44just walk out of our gates.
23:45That woman and the creatures in her arms are unholy
23:49for the peace of the kingdom,
23:51for the safety of every man,
23:54woman and child.
23:56We beg you,
23:58execute the witch.
24:00Death to the witch.
24:02Kill the monster.
24:02Tristan drew his sword,
24:04the metal singing as it left the scabble.
24:06Willa is not a witch.
24:08If any of you say that word again,
24:11I'll take your head myself.
24:13Rosie didn't back down.
24:15She looked at Tristan,
24:16tears welling in her eyes.
24:18Tristan, please.
24:20Look at her.
24:21Those things talk.
24:23They speak like humans,
24:24but they have scales and fangs.
24:26If that isn't black magic,
24:28then what is?
24:28I clutched my babies tighter,
24:31my heart pounding against my ribs.
24:33I looked Rosie right in the eye.
24:35You call me a witch?
24:37Tell me.
24:38What have I actually done?
24:39Have I hurt anyone?
24:41Have I brought a plague?
24:44I'm just a mother trying to protect my children.
24:48Rosie sneered,
24:49her mask slipping.
24:52Maybe they haven't hurt anyone yet
24:54because they're still small.
24:55But what happens when they grow up?
24:57They'll be monsters.
24:59Burn our cities and eat our people.
25:02We have to end this now.
25:04Before it's too late.
25:06My babies felt the danger closing in.
25:09They popped their heads
25:11out from under my arms,
25:12their golden eyes glowing
25:14with a terrifying light.
25:15You're a bad lady.
25:17We aren't monsters.
25:19Leave us alone.
25:21Good adieu!
25:22Stroud!
25:23Nad!
25:24And leave us to Toyingahal!
25:26Did you hear that?
25:27They're talking again.
25:29The demons are speaking.
25:30The minister's eyes locked onto my arms.
25:33Pure terror on every face.
25:36Tristan's jaw clenched.
25:37His eyes darted between me and the minister's.
25:40They're just babies.
25:41Do you really need to blow this out of proportion?
25:43The minister's buzzed with panic.
25:45A beast speaks in human tongue?
25:48This is a dark omen.
25:49It's a warning
25:50from the heavens themselves!
25:54The ancient texts say it clearly.
25:57When the heavens send such a sign,
25:59the creature must be killed.
26:01Its blood must be offered up
26:03to calm the god's wrath.
26:05The witch and the monsters
26:07must be executed immediately.
26:09Hung from the city walls.
26:11Drained of every drop of blood.
26:14But Tim Sills supplied
26:16to beg the heavens for forgiveness.
26:19Tristan's face turned darker by the second.
26:22Rage burning behind his eyes.
26:24But the pressure from his court
26:25was crushing him.
26:26His knuckles went bone white.
26:28My mother dropped to her knees.
26:30Begging.
26:31Willa isn't a witch!
26:33She's my daughter!
26:34If you need a blood sacrifice,
26:36take me!
26:37Just spare her life!
26:39I reached down and pulled her back up.
26:41Mum,
26:42don't beg them.
26:44The world is full of strange things.
26:46You don't understand it,
26:48so you fear it.
26:50You call it a dark omen.
26:51That's absurd.
26:52I'm standing right here.
26:54If you want my life,
26:56come and take it.
26:58One of them gave the order immediately.
27:00Move!
27:01Execute the monsters!
27:03Now!
27:03Soldiers raised their swords.
27:05Charged at me.
27:06In a flash!
27:07Tristan had his blade
27:08pressed against the throat
27:09of the general who gave the order.
27:11Are you committing treason?
27:12Stand down.
27:14I am still your king.
27:16The soldiers froze.
27:17Caught between two commands.
27:19The general didn't flinch.
27:21Stared Tristan down.
27:23Your majesty.
27:24Even if you kill me here today,
27:26for the safety of the Capite kingdom,
27:28the monsters must die.
27:30Then,
27:30right in front of everyone,
27:32the two little snakes in my arms
27:34jumped to the ground.
27:36And in plain sight,
27:38of the entire court,
27:41they transformed
27:42into two perfect
27:45porcelain-skinned children.
27:46Everyone was stunned.
27:48Tristan's eyes widened so hard
27:50it looked like he forgot how to breathe.
27:52I'd always thought they were two boys.
27:54But they weren't.
27:56One was a boy.
27:57One was a girl.
27:58I dropped into a crouch
27:59and stared at them in shock.
28:01You two?
28:02Did you actually turn human?
28:03My little snakes, please.
28:05Do some magic.
28:05Get me and Grandma out of here.
28:07If we stay any longer,
28:08we're dead.
28:09The two little kids
28:10wrapped themselves around my legs.
28:12Mom,
28:13we don't know any magic.
28:15Mom,
28:16we're your children.
28:16I let out a quiet sigh.
28:19So first you spoke like humans.
28:21Then you turned into humans
28:22in front of everyone.
28:23Made the biggest possible scene.
28:26Got the whole court convinced
28:27we were monsters.
28:28And after all that,
28:30you two can't do anything?
28:31Then some of the older ministers
28:33started pointing at the little boy.
28:36Look at him.
28:37He looks exactly like
28:38His Majesty did as a child.
28:40He really does.
28:42It's uncanny.
28:44Could they actually be
28:45the King's children?
28:45Bit by bit,
28:47the mood in the room
28:48started to shift.
28:49Then Rosie snapped.
28:51Have you all lost your minds?
28:53They're monsters.
28:55Of course they can change
28:56how they look.
28:57He made himself resemble
28:59the King on purpose.
29:00If we hadn't exposed this today,
29:02one of these creatures
29:04could have stolen the throne.
29:07And then the whole
29:09Capac kingdom
29:10would have fallen
29:11because of us.
29:12The second she said that,
29:13the court seemed to wake back up.
29:15The ministers turned to Tristan
29:17one after another.
29:19Your Majesty,
29:20you cannot hesitate any longer.
29:22These creatures
29:22must be killed at once.
29:24I pulled my children
29:25tight against me
29:26and looked at Tristan.
29:27I don't even know
29:28how to explain
29:29what you're seeing.
29:30But Tristan,
29:31please believe me.
29:32They really are your children.
29:35They are not monsters.
29:36Tristan walked toward us
29:38and looked down
29:38at the two beautiful
29:39little children.
29:41Something in his expression
29:42softened,
29:43like even he
29:44couldn't understand why.
29:45He started to reach out
29:46to touch them,
29:47but both children
29:48pulled back,
29:49watching him warily.
29:51Willa, I believe you.
29:54As long as I'm here today,
29:56no one will harm them.
29:57Then Tristan drew his sword
29:59across his body
29:59and stepped in front of
30:01me and the children.
30:03At once,
30:04he stood locked in a standoff
30:06against the entire court.
30:07They were all claiming
30:08to destroy monsters
30:09and protect the Capos kingdom,
30:10not stage a rebellion.
30:11So no one actually dared
30:12lay a hand on Tristan.
30:14Then suddenly,
30:14someone shouted from outside.
30:16His majesty,
30:17the former king has arrived!
30:18Gifting the throne to Tristan,
30:20his father had left the capital
30:21and gone to a mountain abbey
30:22to live in seclusion.
30:23Some of the ministers
30:24had clearly guessed
30:25Tristan would protect
30:26the so-called witch today
30:27and that the whole court
30:28would end up deadlocked.
30:30So they'd already sent word
30:31to the abbey
30:31and summoned the former king back
30:33to settle it.
30:34An old man in a black monastic robe
30:36stepped down from the carriage.
30:37Then slowly walked over
30:38to my children.
30:39He reached out
30:40and gently touched their faces,
30:41his expression full of kindness.
30:43Then he turned to the court
30:44and said,
30:45These two children
30:46are indeed of the royal bloodline.
30:47The ministers looked so shocked.
30:49Your majesty,
30:50those children are monsters.
30:51They transformed
30:51right in front of all of us.
30:53We saw it with our own eyes.
30:54How could they possibly
30:54be royal blood?
30:55Rosie suddenly pointed
30:56at my children.
30:57I know what this is.
30:58Their magic must be
30:59clouding people's minds.
31:00That's why everyone
31:01is speaking for them.
31:02The first thing we have to do
31:03is kill them.
31:04She snatched a sword
31:05from one of the guards.
31:06Lung straight at us.
31:07But one of the former king's guards
31:08batted the blade aside
31:09and dropped her
31:10with a brutal kick.
31:11With both his majesty
31:12and the former king
31:13standing here,
31:14how dare you act out like this?
31:15The former king
31:16didn't even spare her a glance.
31:18He simply looked
31:18at the ministers and said,
31:19Five hundred years ago,
31:21the founder of the Capo line
31:22was part dragon.
31:23Back then,
31:23the world was in chaos.
31:25Disasters struck again and again
31:26and the people
31:26were barely surviving.
31:28Because he carried
31:28dragon blood,
31:29our ancestor was stronger
31:30and swifter than ordinary men.
31:32He also had a natural instinct
31:33for danger.
31:33Time after time,
31:34he led people away
31:35from disaster
31:36before it struck.
31:37And over the years,
31:38capable men gathered around him.
31:39That was how
31:40the Capat kingdom was founded.
31:42Later,
31:42our ancestor
31:43married a common-born woman.
31:44The dragon blood thinned out
31:46until it became no different
31:47from any other royal line.
31:48These two children
31:49are simply a rare return
31:50of that blood.
31:51The old king needed proof.
31:53He produced the royal scrolls,
31:54the sacred legacy
31:55of the Capat line.
31:56There was a prophecy
31:57written in them.
31:58It said that
31:58when the dragon blood
31:59vanished completely,
32:00the Capat kingdom would fall.
32:02When I was king,
32:03I brought many fertile women
32:04into the palace.
32:05I hoped one of them
32:06would bear a child
32:07with dragon blood.
32:07But of all my children,
32:09only Tristan survived
32:10to adulthood.
32:10And even he showed
32:11no sign
32:13of the blood at all.
32:14I thought our family's fortune
32:15had already run out.
32:16I didn't want Tristan trapped
32:17by that burden
32:17the way I was.
32:18So I never told him
32:19any of this.
32:20Then the former king
32:21looked at my children,
32:22his eyes shining with hope.
32:23Never did I dream
32:24Tristan would spire
32:25two heirs of such pure blood.
32:27With them,
32:28the Capat kingdom
32:28will flourish for an age.
32:30Every question Tristan
32:31had been carrying
32:32seemed to break apart
32:33all at once.
32:34What replaced it
32:34was pure shock
32:35and excitement.
32:36For me,
32:36it was the same.
32:37That was the moment
32:38I truly understood it.
32:39My children were never
32:40just little black snakes.
32:41They were dragons.
32:42So dragons are real.
32:43I always thought
32:44that was just a story
32:45about our ancestors.
32:46And these two little royals
32:47aren't monsters at all.
32:49They're a blessing
32:50on the kingdom.
32:50Just look at them.
32:51So young
32:51and already so noble.
32:53And in the end,
32:53they had only acted
32:54out of loyalty to the kingdom.
32:55So Tristan couldn't
32:56punish them too harshly.
32:57He docked each of them
32:57half a year's pay.
32:58Then my children
32:59and I returned to the palace.
33:00But this time,
33:01we weren't prisoners.
33:02We belonged there.
33:03Tristan couldn't stop
33:03staring at his children.
33:05He was completely smitten
33:06and stepped forward
33:06trying to pick them up.
33:07But the two little ones
33:08still remembered
33:09that he had kicked
33:10each of them before.
33:12So they both dove
33:13straight into my arms.
33:14Father is a mean man.
33:15He kicked us.
33:16We don't like him.
33:17Mom, make him leave.
33:19Tristan looked at me
33:19like a man begging
33:20for his life.
33:21Willa.
33:21I knelt down
33:22and capped the kids'
33:23chubby faces,
33:23keeping my voice soft and gentle.
33:25Hey, listen to me.
33:25Dad didn't mean to hurt you.
33:27He didn't realize
33:27you were special
33:28little black dragons.
33:29He was just scared
33:30because he didn't understand.
33:31I gave them a small smile.
33:32But you two are the smartest,
33:33bravest kids I know.
33:34Can you find it in your hearts
33:35to forgive him?
33:36Just this once?
33:36The two little ones
33:37looked at me,
33:38then at Tristan.
33:39They weren't stupid.
33:40They remembered
33:40how Tristan had stood
33:41in front of them
33:42with his sword drawn
33:42against the entire army.
33:44They reached out
33:44their tiny hands,
33:45looking very serious.
33:46Fine,
33:47but you have to be
33:48as nice to us as Mom is.
33:49No more hitting.
33:50Tristan let out a breath
33:51he'd been holding
33:52for a lifetime.
33:52He scooped them both up
33:53into a massive hug,
33:54kissing their foreheads
33:55over and over.
33:57I promise.
33:58He whispered,
33:58his eyes wet.
33:59He looked over at me,
34:00his gaze full of a raw,
34:01deep heat.
34:01Willa,
34:02I felt my face heat up.
34:03You and these children
34:04are all I'll ever need.
34:05But I wasn't going
34:05to let him off that easy.
34:06Don't start with
34:07the smooth talk, Tristan.
34:08I haven't forgotten
34:09how you ran off
34:09to check on Rosie
34:10and left me standing there.
34:11Willa,
34:12I swear,
34:12it's not what you think.
34:13Rosie took a blow
34:14meant for me years ago.
34:15When she fainted,
34:15I felt like I owed it
34:16to her to check.
34:16He continued to explain,
34:17and I listened.
34:18I had no idea
34:18you'd think I was choosing her.
34:19He stepped closer,
34:20his voice dropping
34:21to a low,
34:21steady vow.
34:22I've already cleared
34:23out the royal court.
34:24There are no other women here.
34:25There never will be.
34:26I looked into his eyes.
34:27It's only ever been you.
34:28The same eyes
34:28I'd fallen for back
34:29in that tiny cottage.
34:30I didn't know how long
34:31a king's heart
34:31could stay true.
34:32Three months later,
34:33the entire kingdom
34:34gathered for the most
34:35lavish coronation in history.
34:36I was crowned queen,
34:37and for the first time
34:38in centuries,
34:39the people cheered
34:40for their dragon princes.
34:41The years flew by
34:42like a dream.
34:43For 15 years,
34:44Tristan kept every single
34:45promise he made.
34:46Our love became a legend.
34:47The king and queen
34:48who only had eyes
34:49for each other.
34:49When Tristan turned 50,
34:50he decided he'd had
34:51enough of the crown.
34:52He abcated the throne,
34:53handing the heavy gold
34:54circle call to our son.
34:55He knew I hated
34:56the strifling life
34:56of the palace,
34:57so he took me away.
34:58We spent the next
34:59few years traveling,
35:00seeing every mountain,
35:01forest,
35:01and hidden valley
35:02in the kingdom.
35:03We were finally
35:03just Willa and Tristan again.
35:05Our children grew up
35:06into everything
35:07we hoped they'd be.
35:08Arthur took the throne
35:09with a steady hand,
35:10a king who ruled
35:11with both strength
35:12and heart.
35:12And our daughter,
35:13Ella,
35:13the princess of the dragon soul,
35:15was as brave
35:15and sharp as a blade.
35:16We had just returned
35:17to the palace for a visit,
35:18expecting a quiet
35:19family dinner,
35:19but as we walked
35:20toward the great hall,
35:21we felt the shift in the air.
35:22The heavy doors
35:23were wide open.
35:23Inside,
35:24the entire high council
35:25was gathered,
35:25their faces pale and grim.
35:26Arthur was standing
35:27at the head of the room,
35:28his jaw tight.
35:29Something was very,
35:30very wrong.
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