Chapter 3

By tradition, Drakon was the Crown Prince, so he and Vania entered the palace first. Lysander and I followed behind.

He held my hand the entire journey. His palm was warm, and his touch brought me a quiet sense of safety. I stole glances at him from time to time.

His face was handsome, his posture tall and straight. Dark brows like forged blades carried a cold edge. His deep eyes, like frozen pools, held a certain regal authority.

Suddenly, his gaze met mine. I looked away quickly, my ears growing warm. The hand holding mine tightened slightly.

Inside the palace, we parted ways to go to our separate chambers.

Drakon, who had been laughing and whispering with Vania the whole way, suddenly stopped.

He turned to Lysander, mockery dripping from every word.

"Third brother, let me give you some friendly advice. Watch your filthy princess carefully. Do not let her pollute the dragon royal bloodline."

Vania tugged his sleeve with feigned innocence. "My prince, do not speak of my sister that way. She would never do anything shameful."

Her eyes held no trace of reproach. Only calculation.

The two of them performed their little duet perfectly. Quite the married couple.

Lysander gripped my hand tighter. His voice was cold steel.

"Brother, you should worry about your own little Ice Blue bride."

Vania's face went pale. Her status was her deepest wound. She glared at me with pure venom.

I lifted my lips in a small smile. "I wish the Crown Prince and my sister every happiness. May you soon give birth to a Royal Gold heir."

"I have pure blood," Drakon boasted, pulling Vania into his arms. "Of course I will father a golden dragon."

A cripple with no ability to father children.

Where did his confidence come from?

I let Lysander lead me away. There was no point in fighting now.

The best was yet to come.

When we reached our chambers, Lysander's expression grew troubled. His lips pressed into a thin line. His eyes burned with determination.

"From this day forward, I will protect you," he said.

I laughed softly. "I believe you. But we have made an enemy of the Crown Prince. Neither of us will have an easy life from now on. Unless..."

He looked at me, confused.

I let a mischievous gleam enter my eyes. I leaned up and kissed him.

Unless we give birth to a golden dragon first. And send Drakon to his grave.

One month passed. There was no news from their chambers. But I began to feel unwell in the mornings.

The healer confirmed it. I was with child.

King Theron was overjoyed. He sent lavish gifts and issued a royal decree: whoever produced a golden heir would abdicate the throne to them immediately.

The same decree as in my past life.

But this time, I would be the mother.

The news reached Drakon within hours. He stormed into our chambers, his face twisted with rage.

"What do you have to be proud of, Seraphina? You will only give birth to some lowly Ice Blue dragon. Nothing worth boasting about!"

Ice Blue dragon.

The words cut deeper than he knew.

Beneath my wide sleeves, my hands curled into fists. In my past life, I had performed the Blood Rite for him. I had bled myself dry to give him a child. And he had murdered that child.

I closed my eyes and buried my hatred deep in my heart.

The vengeance for my child's death and my own suffering. I will have it.

Lysander stepped between us. "No matter what rank our child is," he said quietly, "it is my child. I will protect both mother and child with my life."

Warmth spread through my heart, like a gentle ray of sunlight slipping into a dark room.

Drakon's face turned purple. He spun on his heel and stormed out.

Another month passed. Still no news from Drakon's chambers. The King grew impatient. He summoned the royal healer and marched to the Crown Prince's quarters.

I took Lysander's hand. "Let us go."

I could not wait to see Drakon's face when he learned the truth about himself.