- 12 hours ago
- #aidrama
Ditched by Wolves, Claimed by the Serpent #aidrama
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00:00Leave them. I brought them home. Under my care, they recovered fast. A few months later, they hit their maturation
00:05phase, and all three of them shifted into men. I should have brought them to a shifter registry. After being
00:11fully claimed, I fell into sound sleep.
00:14God, look at her. That body, that stamina. And she thought she could handle three of us. Doesn't matter. The
00:20second she taps out, she'll hand us off to her sister. She can't even get out of bed right now.
00:24A few more days of this, and she'll give up on us for good.
00:26The conversation from the living room kept going. They thought I was still asleep. I kept my eyes low, watching
00:31the marks on my wrists and legs in the amber glow of the bedside lamp. Every single one of them.
00:37Unmistakable.
00:37She's not going to hand all three of us over to her sister.
00:40Right. Which means at least one of us stays.
00:42Ugh. Elena's dull and boring. You want to stay? Go ahead. I don't.
00:46Same.
00:47Whatever.
00:48Fate decides. Is she up yet?
00:50No way. She was crying so hard she nearly passed out. She's not waking up anytime soon.
00:55So weak. Let's get her up in a bit. A few more days of this, and she'll give up on
00:58us.
00:59My vision went dark. I reached for my phone, face pale, and called Chloe. She picked up fast.
01:05What's wrong, sis? Weren't you just saying you were unsatisfied? Take all three of mine.
01:12Give me that celibate snake shifter of yours.
01:16Is that okay? Are they willing? They like you.
01:19She understood, because it was the truth. Everyone liked Chloe more.
01:25Alright, your place is small anyway. Not really ideal for them. But, my snake shifter, sis? He's cold.
01:32If he weren't celibic, I wouldn't have asked for him in the first place.
01:37I'm completely wrecked. I just need someone to handle the housework.
01:44I just hope he doesn't turn out like these three wolves.
01:48Don't worry. I haven't managed to tame him yet. He's not going to be interested in you.
01:53I'll come pick them up this afternoon.
01:55The line went dead. That exact second, the bedroom door swung open.
01:59You're up?
01:59He crossed the room and reached for my blanket.
02:02Wait!
02:03What is it, mistress?
02:04I'm exhausted. I need to rest.
02:06Can't do that, he said easily.
02:08Mistress, you took us in. That means you're responsible for us. We're nowhere near satisfied.
02:11If you rest, what are we supposed to do?
02:15Chloe's coming to take all of you this afternoon.
02:18He went still. The two leaning in the doorway froze too.
02:22Which? Two of us?
02:24All of you.
02:26Wet, gray afternoon. They were collapsed on the concrete.
02:30Firm matted, bludging. I almost walked away.
02:33But then, one of them flicked its tail. Just twice, slow and weak.
02:37Then curled it around my ankle. I couldn't leave them.
02:40I brought them home. Under my care, they recovered fast.
02:43A few months later, they hit their maturation phase.
02:46And all three of them shifted into men.
02:48I should have brought them to a shifter registry.
02:51But the registry told me they'd already bonded.
02:53Recognized me completely as their owner.
02:56Releasing them without care would cause serious psychological harm.
02:59I looked at those three pairs of beautiful eyes and caved.
03:02I let them stay.
03:03They said they had no names.
03:05So I gave them some. Oldest to youngest.
03:07Ethan, Eric, Evan.
03:09Young, hot-blooded wolf shifters with energy to burn.
03:13Even inhuman me every hour of every day.
03:15Then, one afternoon, Chloe called.
03:18Sis, aren't you going to come home for the arranged marriage?
03:21The man has had three wives die on him.
03:23And he's ugly.
03:24But his family has money.
03:25I looked away.
03:26That was exactly why my family had cut me off after I fought the arrangement.
03:31They couldn't bring themselves to send Chloe in my place.
03:33So instead, they applied steady, relentless pressure on me.
03:37Eric, who always read the room perfectly.
03:39Don't like the call? Hang up.
03:41What was that voice?
03:42I took the opening to change the subject.
03:44I rescued three injured wolf pups a while back.
03:46They just shifted recently and they won't leave me alone.
03:50They can barely keep up.
03:51A few seconds of silence.
03:52I'm honestly jealous.
03:54My snake shifter won't even let me touch him.
03:57He'll warm up eventually.
03:59Chloe just gave a soft, unconvinced hum.
04:01The next day, she showed up at my door with bags upon bags.
04:05She wore a pretty little white dress, beaming at me.
04:09Surprise, sis.
04:10I turned around.
04:11All three shifters' eyes went straight to her.
04:14I quietly turned back.
04:16I was used to it, honestly.
04:17Everyone gravitated toward Chloe.
04:19She was radiant and magnetic.
04:21Every gesture, every smile pulled at people without even trying.
04:24Standing next to her, I felt exactly like what I was.
04:28Plain and unremarkable.
04:29Chloe glanced around.
04:30Your apartment is so much smaller than the family estate.
04:33Is there even enough room for them?
04:35It's fine.
04:36Then I watched Ethan, usually disinterested in everything,
04:40let his gaze drift to Chloe.
04:42Eric's devastating smile turned itself on her instead.
04:45Even Evan, the moody one, propped his head up to stare at her,
04:48his wolf ears flickering non-stop.
04:51Chloe didn't seem to notice.
04:52She sipped her water with perfect innocence.
04:54In that moment, I knew.
04:56My things were about to drift quietly toward Chloe again.
05:00After that, the gentle, clingy warmth,
05:02till I heard their conversation.
05:04I'd been right all along.
05:05The afternoon came fast.
05:07A knock at the door.
05:08Chloe arrived.
05:09The silence that had settled over the apartment
05:11deepened into something heavier.
05:13You're really giving all three of us to her?
05:16Yes.
05:17Not keeping one for yourself?
05:18Which of you wants to stay with me?
05:20The air curdled.
05:21No one answered.
05:22Finally, Evan got up and went to open the door.
05:25He rolled his eyes, a flick of contempt on his face.
05:28Stop pretending to be decent.
05:30Both of you.
05:31Chloe's bright smile filled the frame.
05:33Hi, boys.
05:35My sister already explained things, right?
05:37You all belong to me now.
05:39Hey there, new mistress.
05:41Chloe looked him over with satisfaction,
05:43then let her gaze sweep across Eric and Ethan.
05:47You're all gorgeous.
05:48Did you pack?
05:50Actually, never mind.
05:51I'm sure my sister couldn't afford to buy you much anyway.
05:54We'll get everything new at the villa.
05:56Ethan gave a lazy murmur of agreement.
05:58Eric glanced at Chloe,
05:59then slid his eyes over to me.
06:01I kept my face blank.
06:03Every set of eyes in the room landed on me at once.
06:06Chloe noticed.
06:07She walked up to me.
06:07Don't worry, sis.
06:09I'll take better care of them.
06:10And when you're done playing house,
06:13just come home and do the arranged marriage.
06:16Stop stressing mom and dad.
06:18Arranged marriage?
06:19What arranged marriage?
06:21They drank till their little bellies were round,
06:23then curled up in my lap and fell into a deep sleep.
06:26I sat there, gently stroking their scales,
06:28my mind spinning.
06:29What the hell am I supposed to do now?
06:31If I just told the king the truth,
06:33these snakes are our sons.
06:34He'd probably drag me out and behead me on the spot.
06:37Not everyone has my tolerance for the weird.
06:39And even if he somehow accepted it,
06:41he's the king of the KP kingdom.
06:42The court would never allow it.
06:44The people would never allow it.
06:46Two snakes as the royal heirs?
06:47No chance in hell.
06:49I was deep in my own head,
06:51spiraling.
06:52When the guards outside announced,
06:54His majesty has arrived.
06:56I gave birth to dragons.
06:58Then a week later,
06:59a royal carriage pulled up to my cottage.
07:02Silver armored guards at my door
07:03told me they were his heirs.
07:05Ten months ago,
07:06I dragged a half-dead stranger
07:07out of a ditch.
07:09I nursed him.
07:10I married him.
07:11I got pregnant.
07:12Then he disappeared without a word.
07:14Look, everyone says don't take in strangers,
07:16but you didn't see this man.
07:18Jawline like a statue.
07:19Abs you could grate cheese on.
07:21So, I took him home.
07:23His name was Tristan.
07:25Covered in blood.
07:26Total amnesia.
07:27I patched him up.
07:27Fed him soup.
07:28Changed his bandages.
07:29Three months later,
07:31we were falling hard.
07:32One white dress.
07:33Two silver candles.
07:34My mum crying in the corner.
07:36That was our wedding.
07:37Then I got pregnant.
07:38And the second I hit three months,
07:43his memory came back.
07:44No goodbye.
07:45Just a note on my pillow.
07:46Important business.
07:48I'll come back for you.
07:49Yeah, right.
07:51I knew what that note really meant.
07:53He'd remembered who he was.
07:54And whoever he was,
07:55a broke country girl with a baby bump,
07:57didn't fit the picture anymore.
07:58He wasn't coming back.
08:00He was running.
08:01Everyone warned me labor would be hell.
08:03Nine months of dread for nothing.
08:06When the day came,
08:07two pushes.
08:08Done.
08:09No screaming baby.
08:10No crying.
08:11Just my mom.
08:12Screaming like she'd seen the devil.
08:13Something cold slid down my leg.
08:16Something slimsy.
08:17I sat up.
08:18And there they were.
08:19Two baby dragons.
08:21Curled on my blooded sheets.
08:22Tiny wings folded against their backs.
08:24Looking right at me.
08:25Blinking.
08:26Seven days later,
08:27I was still in shock.
08:28Then I heard hooves.
08:29Dozens of them.
08:30A royal carriage pulled up to my cottage.
08:33Silver armored guards at my door.
08:34A letter.
08:35Sealed in gold wax.
08:37Handwriting I'd recognize anywhere.
08:39From Tristan.
08:40The captain knelt.
08:41By order.
08:42Of his majesty,
08:43the king requests his queen.
08:45And your child,
08:46by royal decree,
08:47is to be named heir to the throne.
08:49The king.
08:50The bleeding stranger,
08:51I pulled out of a ditch.
08:53The man who left,
08:54note on my pillow and ran.
08:55He was the king.
08:56I looked down at the royal decree in my hand.
08:58Then over at the two dragon cubs
09:00napping on my pillow.
09:01One of them yawned.
09:03Showed me his tiny fangs.
09:05Hey, you two.
09:06Think you're ready to rule a kingdom?
09:09These two dragons?
09:10Absolutely beautiful.
09:12Bright colored scales.
09:13Silky as silk.
09:14Tiny perfect fangs.
09:16Just like if dragons also had a beauty pageant,
09:18my dragon would sure win the championship.
09:20But that's the problem.
09:21They're not human.
09:22I turned to my mom,
09:23my whole body going stiff.
09:25Mom, be honest with me.
09:26Do we have shifter blood in the family?
09:28Werewolf ancestors?
09:29Some kind of cursed great grandma?
09:31She looked like she'd just been slapped.
09:33What is wrong with you, Willa?
09:35Our family has been honest farmers for generations.
09:37There's no monsters in our blood.
09:40Those stories are just old whiv's tales.
09:42I pointed at the bed.
09:43Then how do you explain those?
09:45Mom looked at me,
09:46looked back at me.
09:47Her face went sheet white.
09:48A human giving birth to things like this?
09:51Willa, this is a dark omen.
09:53A curse.
09:54If anyone in this village finds out,
09:56they'll drag you to the woods.
09:59They'll tie you to a stake.
10:01They'll burn you alive.
10:02Before I could react,
10:03she grabbed a rough cloth off the table.
10:06She scooped both snakes up
10:07and started bundling them tight.
10:09She was going to dump them on the mountain.
10:11Feed them to the wolves.
10:12The babies had no idea.
10:14One of them stretched,
10:16yawned,
10:16and then...
10:17Those big golden brown eyes locked on mine.
10:21Just looking at me,
10:22and something inside me broke.
10:23Mom, stop!
10:25I carried them for nine months.
10:27I felt them move inside me.
10:28They are mine,
10:29and I am not letting you throw my babies to the wolves.
10:32Willa,
10:34if anyone sees them...
10:35Then no one sees them.
10:37We tell the village I had a stillbirth.
10:39We already buried it.
10:40These two?
10:40Pets.
10:41The dragon I found in the garden.
10:43Nobody has to know.
10:44And just like that,
10:45they stayed.
10:46I figured this was my life now.
10:48Disgraced country girl.
10:49Single mom.
10:51Two skelly sons on the pillow.
10:53I was done with men.
10:54Tristan broke my heart.
10:55I was fine.
10:57Never seeing him again.
10:58I'd raise these little weirdos in the woods.
11:01Forever.
11:02That was the plan.
11:03Until day seven.
11:05I opened my door,
11:06and the captain,
11:07stepping forward,
11:08bowing deep...
11:08By order of his majesty,
11:10we are here to escort Lady Willa to the palace.
11:13You are to be crowned queen.
11:14His majesty mentioned you were heavily pregnant when you departed.
11:17So, where is the royal heir?
11:18I instinctively glanced back at the house,
11:21but my mum answered before I could.
11:23Seven days ago,
11:24Willa delivered a stillborn.
11:26We've already handled it.
11:29She pulled me inside.
11:30Lowered her voice.
11:32Willa, listen to me.
11:33The Kaplan Kingdom is obsessed with witch hunts.
11:36If anyone finds out you gave birth to two creatures,
11:39they'll burn you.
11:41The stake is a sacrifice.
11:43You go to the palace.
11:44Be the queen.
11:45These two?
11:46I'll keep them here.
11:47I'll take care of them.
11:50If I had known that man was the king of the Kaplan Kingdom,
11:53I never would have been reckless enough to flirt with him.
11:55Not in a million years.
11:56But a royal command isn't a request.
11:59Whether I wanted it or not,
12:00I was going to that palace.
12:02I wiped my tears,
12:03said goodbye to my two skilly babies,
12:05and climbed into the carriage.
12:08Two weeks of bumpy roads later,
12:10we finally reached the palace.
12:16A maid led me to a guest chamber.
12:18She said the king would be with me shortly.
12:20The room was stunning.
12:21Gold-trimmed ceilings,
12:22jade ornaments,
12:24marble floors.
12:25A country girl like me had never seen wealth like this,
12:28and I didn't care about any of it.
12:30The longer I'd been away from home,
12:31the more I missed those two baby dragons.
12:33I had no idea if they were okay.
12:35Maybe I was missing them too much.
12:37Because suddenly,
12:38I was hallucinating.
12:39I saw two little dragons scaling the palace walls,
12:42slipping through my window,
12:44right in front of me,
12:46until they opened their mouths.
12:47Mommy,
12:48we finally found you.
12:50Mommy,
12:51why did you leave me and Big Brother behind?
12:53My whole body went numb.
12:55I hit the floor.
12:56I stared at them,
12:57my voice shaking.
12:58You two?
12:58Are you dragons, demon?
13:00When I was little,
13:02I used to hear storytellers talk about this.
13:04Animals that cultivated their spiritual power
13:07could borrow a pregnant woman's womb.
13:09They'd be reborn,
13:10but as humans.
13:11Looking at these two,
13:12clearly the cultivation didn't quite stick.
13:15That's why they came out of me,
13:16still in snake form.
13:18The two of them slithered up to me,
13:20nuzzling against my dress,
13:21like puppies.
13:22We're not snake demons, mommy.
13:24We're dragons.
13:25We're your babies.
13:26Mommy,
13:27I'm so hungry.
13:29We followed your scent for days.
13:31We crawled the whole way.
13:32We don't have any strength left.
13:35And just like that,
13:36they collapsed against my side.
13:38From Rowan Village to this palace was hundreds of miles.
13:41These two weren't even a month old,
13:42and they'd crawled the entire way,
13:44day and night,
13:45without stopping.
13:46I figured they were just delirious from exhaustion.
13:48Babies babbling nonsense.
13:50Two little snakes.
13:51Dragons.
13:51Yeah,
13:52right.
13:53My heart broke for them.
13:54I scooped both of them into my arms,
13:55and called for a maid.
13:57Fresh goat's milk.
13:58Now.
14:00They drank.
14:01Till their little bellies were round,
14:03then curled up in my lap,
14:04and fell into a deep sleep.
14:05I sat there,
14:06gently stroking their scales,
14:08my mind spinning.
14:09What the hell am I supposed to do now,
14:11if I just told the king the truth?
14:12These snakes are our sons.
14:14He'd probably drag me out,
14:15and behead me on the spot.
14:16Not everyone has my tolerance for the weird,
14:18and even if he somehow accepted it,
14:20he's the king of the KP kingdom.
14:22The court would never allow it.
14:23The people would never allow it.
14:25Two snakes as the royal heirs?
14:27No chance in hell.
14:28I was deep in my own head,
14:30spiraling,
14:31when the guards outside announced,
14:33His majesty has arrived.
14:35Slow,
14:36silent,
14:37unmistakable.
14:38The onlookers exchange glances.
14:39Someone whistles.
14:41Renarch,
14:41that's gotta be for you,
14:42right?
14:43Did the crown notice your research project?
14:45Go say hello.
14:45Maybe they'll invite you to the ceremony.
14:47The crown does move fast.
14:49He strides forward,
14:50ready to greet them
14:51with his most practiced charm.
14:53Two attendants in Imperial livery step out,
14:55walk right past him.
14:56Renarch freezes.
14:57They stop in front of me.
14:59Bow.
15:00Lady Nguyen,
15:01Crown Prince Daemon requests your presence.
15:03I'm the weakest beast hen in my family.
15:05A lovebird.
15:06My fiancé,
15:07a phoenix,
15:07that gave me an iron egg
15:08to get out of our bonding contract.
15:11He said if I could hatch it,
15:12he'd go through with the bonding ceremony.
15:14Pressured by my family,
15:16I slept aside that egg every night.
15:19Poured everything I had into it.
15:21Later,
15:21when he came crawling back to reinstate the bond,
15:24a pair of obsidian black dragon wings
15:26curled around me like a cage.
15:28Reinstating the bond?
15:30I'm afraid you're too late.
15:33Your betrothed is mine now.
15:36On my fledgling day,
15:37Renmar'd surprises me with a dinner invitation.
15:42The only reason his family signed a bonding contract with mine
15:45is because our mothers were old friends.
15:50Our bonding ceremony,
15:51I'd like to push it back.
15:54Why?
15:55The academy's been keeping me occupied.
15:57I simply don't have the bandwade for a bonding.
16:01Everyone knows that's an excuse,
16:03but his anger doesn't land on Renerg.
16:06Lord Whitmore,
16:07you're aware the Vanguard retrieved void crystals
16:10from the Voidlands on their last expedition.
16:12Our research isn't finished.
16:14If Rin could help shoulder some of my workload,
16:17I'd certainly find time for the ceremony.
16:18Name your terms.
16:20She will comply.
16:21Neither of them asks me.
16:23Rewnard opens his spatial pouch
16:25and places an egg in my hands.
16:27Avians are natural nesters, aren't they?
16:30Consider it playing to your strengths.
16:33If you manage to hatch it,
16:34I might even put your name in my next paper.
16:38He's handed her a rock and called it a test.
16:41Avians are natural nesters, aren't they?
16:44Should be easy for her.
16:46He's an archmagister and an apex phoenix.
16:49The Whitefills were the ones reaching above their station.
16:56Fine.
16:57But there's something I haven't told any of them.
17:00I am one of the rarest things in all of Astrmore.
17:04A soul mender.
17:06I take the egg home.
17:08My stepfather assumes I'm desperate to marry Rewnard.
17:10So desperate, I'd accept an impossible task.
17:13Rink, just put your heart into it.
17:14Rewnard will come around.
17:15Their words slide off me.
17:16Water over feathers.
17:17Not a trace left behind.
17:19I turn and walk to my room.
17:21Why would I want a preeming phoenix to be moved by me?
17:23But this egg is different.
17:25I curl up in my nest,
17:26teasing it with wisps of soul energy.
17:28I only took the egg for one reason.
17:30Hatch whatever's inside and shove it in Rewnard's face.
17:33And if a hatchling comes, I can claim it as my own child.
17:36Astr flows from my core,
17:38wrapping the shell like a hot spring.
17:39Golden light soaks through.
17:41Gentle.
17:42Dense.
17:42Remnault mentioned the Academy's healers tried everything.
17:45Not a flicker of response.
17:46But right now, in my arms,
17:47the egg shifts.
17:48Trying to come out already?
17:50What should I call you?
17:51As if it heard me,
17:52the egg goes perfectly still.
17:53Quiet.
17:54Obedient.
17:55Better behaved than any male I've ever met.
17:57I think for a long time.
17:58Then,
17:59Pebble?
18:01It rolls away,
18:02actively trying to escape.
18:03I grab it.
18:04I pull it close.
18:05Nuzzle my downy wings against the shell.
18:07Listen, Pebble.
18:08I'm gonna raise you right.
18:10And in return,
18:11you're gonna look after me when I'm old and gray.
18:13Deal?
18:14Pebble stops moving.
18:15Playing dead.
18:16The next morning,
18:17I wake to find Pebble pressed right against my heart.
18:20I didn't move it there.
18:21For a quart, we eat together.
18:23Sleep together.
18:24I even go to an Averyan elder for advice on hatching.
18:26You haven't even laid your own eggs, girl.
18:28What makes you think you can hatch someone else's?
18:31I ignore him.
18:32I weave a floating cradle from magic
18:34and wheel the egg into the garden every night to bathe in moonlight.
18:38Supposedly,
18:39lunar exposure accelerates growth in large beastkin eggs.
18:42I don't know what species Pebble is,
18:45but it can't hurt to try.
18:47Every night after that,
18:48I shift into beast form,
18:50sing the old nesting song of the avian clans,
18:52and tuck the egg against my chest.
18:54Wings folded tight around it.
18:56Warm.
18:56Safe.
18:57That night,
18:58the servants are buzzing.
18:59Crown Prince Daemon,
19:00missing for half a week,
19:01has been recovered by the Imperial Guard.
19:03Battered.
19:03Covered in wounds,
19:04but conscious.
19:05However,
19:06the one who went into the Voidlands with them,
19:07Commander Castor Solaris,
19:09is still missing.
19:09Casper is the youngest commander in the Empire's history.
19:12Almost nothing is known about him,
19:13only that he's Daemon's sworn brother.
19:15No one knows the true nature of House Silneris.
19:17No one knows his past.
19:18The speculation runs wild.
19:19An ancient lineage,
19:20immeasurable power.
19:21Some whisper that Silneris is a surname belonging to a species long extinct.
19:24The moment the servants mention Casper's disappearance,
19:27the egg in my arms lurges.
19:28Violent.
19:29Frantic.
19:29I assume it's just the usual movement.
19:31But after I fall asleep,
19:32on that shell, hard as iron for weeks,
19:34a hairline crack appears.
19:36The next day,
19:36I'm walking with Pebble in my arms
19:38when I run into Renard and his colleagues from the Arcane Academy.
19:41A flock of sparrows would hold a more dignified assembly.
19:44Renard,
19:44is this your weak little fiancée-ess?
19:46Utterly foolish.
19:47She's actually trying to incubate a rock.
19:49Renard,
19:50how did you get her so wrapped around your talon?
19:52I walk past them without a glance.
19:54Wyn,
19:55I didn't realize you were this...
19:57devoted.
19:58It's almost touching.
19:59Move.
19:59Wyn, how about this?
20:00I can see you've been working hard.
20:02If that egg shows even a single crack,
20:04I'll agree to the ceremony.
20:05Are you deaf?
20:06Back off!
20:07Know your place, Wyn!
20:09You are bound to me!
20:10Lord Whitmore has clearly been far too limiant.
20:12That's the only explanation for your manners.
20:14He opens his mouth to continue.
20:16A carriage bearing the royal crest descends from the sky.
20:19Slow,
20:19silent,
20:20un-mistakable.
20:21The onlookers exchange glances.
20:23Someone whistles.
20:24Renard,
20:25that's gotta be for you, right?
20:26Did the crown notice your research project?
20:28Go say hello.
20:29Maybe they'll invite you to the ceremony.
20:30The crown does move fast.
20:32He strides forward,
20:34ready to greet them with his most practiced charm.
20:36Two attendants in Imperial livery step out,
20:38walk right past him.
20:40Renard freezes.
20:41They stop in front of me.
20:42Bow.
20:43Lady Wyn,
20:44Crown Prince Daemon requests your presence.
20:46I'm brought to a private sitting room.
20:48The moment I push open the door and see Crown Prince Daemon,
20:51something clicks into place.
20:52Silver white hair cropped short.
20:54He lounges on the sofa like he owns gravity itself.
20:56Lady Wyn,
20:57forgive the sudden summons.
20:59I just have one question.
21:00You can sense soul energy,
21:02can't you?
21:02I go still.
21:03I've kept this secret my entire life.
21:05No one has ever found out.
21:07Female beastkin who can sense and soothe soul energy are impossibly rare.
21:11A gentle blade.
21:12But every known soul mender has been claimed,
21:14conscripted into the military or locked away in the crown's healing core.
21:17None of them went willingly.
21:18I've spent years being careful,
21:19never showing anything that sets me apart from an ordinary lovebird.
21:22And yet, here I am.
21:24Don't look so alarmed.
21:25I'm not here to conscript you.
21:26I just need a favor.
21:27His tone is cold,
21:28but his manners are impeccable.
21:29What do you need, your highness?
21:31I want you to examine me.
21:32Everyone in the palace is lying to me.
21:34The healers,
21:34the council,
21:35my own attendants.
21:36You're a soul mender,
21:37and you don't belong to the court.
21:38I trust you.
21:39Wind catches the curtain,
21:40a dry rustle.
21:41Daemon says nothing more.
21:43I know the story.
21:50He and Castor went deep into the Voidlands and vanished.
21:57Weeks later, he reappeared.
21:59The rumors say he's living on borrowed time.
22:03I place both hands on the crown of his head.
22:05Soul energy flows into his body.
22:08This body is stranger than I expected.
22:10It should be broken beyond repair.
22:12And yet,
22:13there's a stubborn,
22:13impossible vitality humming through it.
22:16Straight answer.
22:17How long?
22:18About a year.
22:20His attendants stepped in with Renobard earlier.
22:23Your highness,
22:25it's not entirely hopeless.
22:27Humans.
22:28Human blood, or
22:30bonding with a human as a mate.
22:32The pure aura in their life force,
22:35it might be enough.
22:37Everyone knows humans are the stuff of legend.
22:40You could count the ones in all of Atremor
22:43on one hand.
22:44But Daemon,
22:45he laughs.
22:47So that's what it was.
22:48Fate, then.
22:49I chalk it up to a dying man finding his one thread of hope.
22:53Then,
22:53Pebble thrashes inside my satchel.
22:55I pull the egg out.
22:57Wait.
22:58That egg,
22:59where did you get it?
22:59Stop.
23:02I am the last pure-blooded human on earth,
23:05offered as a peace gift to the most powerful vampire duke.
23:08I never imagined I would become their living blood supply,
23:11even less did I expect to turn into their pampered princess.
23:15And certainly,
23:16yet had no choice.
23:17For two centuries of war between humans and vampires,
23:20a peace agreement was signed.
23:21However,
23:22the condition of the agreement was that humans would send a young and beautiful woman to Dirk
23:26Draven's family every year,
23:28allowing her to fully integrate into the vampire family.
23:31And I am the unfortunate one who was selected.
23:34During the two-century-long battle with vampires,
23:37humans have continuously evolved through genetic modification,
23:40becoming more resilient,
23:42powerful,
23:43and swift.
23:44I am the exception,
23:45having neither enhanced strength nor any improvement in combatability.
23:49By all measurable standards,
23:51I am completely useless.
23:52But I possess a talent that no one knows about,
23:55a talent that needs to be kept hidden,
23:58especially when I am about to be sent to live with predators.
24:01I can read minds.
24:02Before I was sent,
24:04the elder of the human council smiled warmly and gently patted my shoulder.
24:08You're a beautiful girl,
24:10and I'm sure you're also very smart.
24:13You'd better not mess things up.
24:15I smiled sweetly in reply.
24:17Don't worry, old man.
24:19Draven ca-
24:19Grab her!
24:29Dear reporters,
24:30I'm sorry.
24:31This woman is a small assistant obsessed with me.
24:34Miss Celesta,
24:35something's wrong.
24:40Really for me?
24:41Of course.
24:43Celeste cooks at home every day.
24:44It doesn't matter what she wears.
24:49Mr. Preston said,
24:51the wedding is canceled.
24:52Everyone thought I was just a housewife living off a man.
24:55But no one knew.
24:56The house he lives in,
24:57the company he runs,
24:59even every penny in his account,
25:00was all given by me.
25:03Starting today,
25:05cut all financial support for Hale Group.
25:11She needs a finale gown for next week's Met Gala red carpet.
25:14Just let her wear it.
25:16Pick another ready-made dress for yourself and stop making a scene.
25:20Mr. Hale is right.
25:21Off the rack is perfectly fine,
25:22so I'll just find myself a new groom who's willing to wear off the rack with me.
25:25Celeste Ashard,
25:26what did you just say?
25:27Preston,
25:29I'm calling off this wedding.
25:34Celisha,
25:35sister,
25:35don't be so petty.
25:36Preston just feels bad I don't have a stunning gown for next week's Met Gala.
25:39This wedding dress can show its greatest commercial value only on me.
25:42You're always so gentle.
25:44Why was being a reasonable now?
25:45Take it off.
25:46Preston,
25:47Celeste's sister is so fierce.
25:49I'm scared.
25:49Celelta,
25:50have you made enough trouble?
25:51Sienna is the person of our company's inner toe for our sorry jime.
25:53I allocate resources to her for our future family.
25:56As a full-time housefer,
25:57there's no need for you to wear such an expensive wedding dress.
25:59Celia,
26:00haven't you had enough?
26:02This custom wedding dress took me half a year.
26:04How could you borrow it without asking me?
26:07You want my opinion?
26:08This wedding dress costs 3 million US dollars,
26:10and I paid for it.
26:11Everything you wears and use is given by me,
26:12Preston Hale.
26:13How dare you talk to me about opinions?
26:14Be grateful.
26:15Don't take my kindness for granted.
26:17I suddenly felt he was a total stranger.
26:19I didn't want to waste words on him.
26:21Stop.
26:22Let go,
26:22Preston.
26:24Celeste,
26:24don't be stubborn.
26:25Go pick a ready-made dress obediently,
26:27and the wedding will be held as scheduled next week.
26:28But if you dare to walk out of this door today,
26:30I guarantee no wedding shop in Manhattan will dare to sell you a dress.
26:34Preston,
26:34you disgust me.
26:46This is me teaching my fiancé what rules are.
26:50Sister,
26:51don't make troubles anymore.
26:52Preston is doing this for you too.
26:53It's going to rain heavily soon,
26:54and you won't even be able to get an Uber.
26:56Suspend all of all of South Vero forms.
26:58Anyone who takes orders for sale Ashfield will be going against the Hale group.
27:03Celeste,
27:04your pride is worthless.
27:05Without me,
27:06you have nowhere to live in this city.
27:07I give you two hours to reflect.
27:09If you come around,
27:10kneel outside and beg me.
27:15I'll be right back.
27:23Gemma,
27:24come get me.
27:24I'm outside the bridal shop on Madison Avenue.
27:27I'm sorry.
27:28Preston just called my father and threatened that if I dare come to pick you,
27:30the Callaway family's capital chain will bar out.
27:32My dad locked me in my room.
27:34Celeste,
27:34please give in.
27:35Preston has lost his mind.
27:47Miss Ashfield,
27:48Mr. Preston is showing mercy.
27:50Sienna needs someone to hold her gown for the Met Gala tonight.
27:53Mister said if you put on this dress and accompany her tonight,
27:55your credit cards will be unfreezed tomorrow,
27:57and you will still have a place reserved for the wedding.
27:59I can tell Preston.
28:00He can go to hell.
28:01Celeste Ashmard,
28:02don't be ignorant.
28:03Do you still think you're the prospective madam?
28:05You are nothing now.
28:07Without Mr. Preston,
28:08you can't even afford a meal.
28:10Let go of me.
28:11What are you doing?
28:13I'm only doing my job,
28:14ma'am.
28:23Miss Ashfield,
28:24if you had known this would happen earlier,
28:25why be so stubborn?
28:26A woman can yield a little and gain everything.
28:28You insisted on going against Mr. Preston,
28:30yet you are the one suffering in the end.
28:43How did you get this messy?
28:44Celeste,
28:44you're just too stubborn.
28:46Obey me,
28:46and I'd never let you suffer like this.
28:49My patience is limited.
28:52Go change into that dress at once.
28:54You will hold Sienna's gown later.
28:57If you dare to ruin it.
28:59Give it back!
28:59This is my grandma's relic!
29:01Hold the gown for me,
29:02and I'll give it back.
29:03If not,
29:04I'll smash it right away.
29:09Celeste,
29:10come here.
29:15Open it and take a look.
29:16Your grandfather bought this for me.
29:18I've worn this all my life.
29:19It is not expensive,
29:21but it's the most precious gift I've ever received,
29:23for it holds one's truest heart.
29:25Remember,
29:26there are many precious things in the world,
29:27but only one true heart.
29:29When you meet someone who gives you their most sincere heart,
29:33this person is worth of this brotch.
29:35Trash.
29:36Then take back your heart with Ujust Knight.
29:38Grandma,
29:39I'll remember.
29:40Don't cry.
29:41My granddaughter is so beautiful,
29:42you should smile from now on.
29:51I'll count to three.
29:52Three,
29:53two,
29:54one.
29:55I'll do it.
29:57Good girl.
29:58Go now.
29:59Sienna is about to make her entrance.
30:14Celeste Ashforth!
30:15Did I not make myself clear?
30:16Celeste, come on.
30:17Without you holding my trail,
30:18the whole look falls apart.
30:19You're really going to do this to me?
30:22Grab her!
30:32Dear reporters,
30:33I'm sorry.
30:34This woman is a small assistant obsessed with me.
30:36She crashed backstage to ruin Mrs. St. James' red carpet.
30:39Take her away!
30:45Celeste Ashburn,
30:46this is what happens when you disobey.
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