In my first life, I, Lyra, was the Dragon Crown Princess. Yet, I fell in love with a common black snake, Dorian.
I willingly gave him my precious dragon scales-a piece of my very essence-so he could fully transform into a dragon.
But the moment he transformed, he plunged a sword into my heart. Then, he turned and knelt before my sister, pledging his allegiance to her.
It was then I realized Dorian had always been my sister Celeste’s puppet.
“Sister,” Celeste had said, “You have no ambition. You care more for love than power. What future could the Dragonkin have in your hands?”
“The throne belongs to the strong!”
If only you had told me you wanted the position earlier, I would have gladly handed it to you. Why did it have to cost me my life?
Consumed by rage, I drew my last breath.
When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day I first met Dorian.
This time, I shoved Dorian directly into Celeste’s arms and immediately named her the new Dragon Crown Princess.
Ditching that burdensome duty, I chose a low-ranking white snake, named Kian. But he was by far the most stunning in his human form. I brought him back to my chambers.
Every day, I indulged in beauty and savored fine wines.
Celeste ruled well. The Dragonkin prospered.
But when the Archdemons came to slaughter our kind, and I fought until my strength was gone, Kian suddenly unleashed an immense power, transforming on the spot into a majestic Golden-scaled Divine Dragon. His power shook the very foundations of the heavens.
…
“There are many exceptional young talents among our Dragonkin.”
King Theron’s voice, thick with authority, boomed in my ears.
I looked up to see Father pointing behind me, his tone grave. “So, Lyra, are you truly going to forsake your own kind for this mere black snake as your consort?”
I followed Father’s gaze and turned, meeting a pair of cold, indifferent eyes.
A shiver ran through me. The agonizing pain of Dorian’s sword piercing my chest in my previous life washed over me.
In a split second, I shoved Dorian directly into Celeste’s arms.
“Father, this black snake, Dorian, is dignified and composed. He’s exactly Celeste’s type. I was choosing him for her.”
My actions, so completely different from my past life, stunned both Celeste and Dorian.
After the initial shock, Celeste’s face twisted into utter bewilderment.
My heart sank.
Celeste must have been reborn too!
I remembered the sorrow and resentment in Celeste’s eyes when she killed me in my past life. Though anger still simmered within me, it was largely overshadowed by a profound sense of melancholy.
Mother had passed away early, and we sisters had supported each other through childhood.
If only she had told me earlier that she coveted the title of Crown Princess, I would have gladly handed it over. Why would it ever have come to sisters betraying each other so cruelly?
I swallowed down the bitter lump in my throat and unclasped the dragon-crested pendant from my waist, the symbol of the Crown Princess, pressing it into Celeste’s hand.
“My powers are… adequate, my spirit is free, and I loathe being bound by rules.”
“Celeste, with her sharp mind and unyielding spirit, is far more capable than me of shouldering the future of the Dragonkin.”
“Today, I, Lyra, willingly relinquish my title as Crown Princess. From this moment on, Celeste shall be the future ruler of the Dragonkin!”
I was speaking the truth.
My designation as Crown Princess was merely due to being the elder.
Ever since I became Crown Princess, I was not only forced to cultivate diligently but also had to follow Father, learning to manage tribal affairs.
I never had a moment’s peace.
Life was utterly miserable.
Celeste, on the other hand, with no one to push her, still devoted herself to cultivation and study all day long.
I once lamented that Celeste didn’t know how to enjoy life.
Reborn, if she wanted it, I would grant her wish.
The two esteemed elders of the Dragonkin exchanged glances, then quickly bowed to Celeste, proclaiming “Long live the Crown Princess!”
As if fearing I would change my mind.
It seemed my struggles as Crown Princess were as painful for them to watch as they were for me to endure.
Father, however, roared, “Nonsense!”
“Lyra, you are the elder sister. Protecting the Dragonkin is your responsibility! How can you push it onto your sister, Celeste?”
“Besides, Celeste is devoted to her cultivation; she has no interest in becoming Crown Princess of the Dragonkin.”
Celeste, without a word, fastened the dragon-crested necklace around her neck, then bowed solemnly to Father.
“No, Father. I want to be Crown Princess of the Dragonkin.”
“I cultivate diligently every day precisely to protect our people.”
Hearing Celeste’s words, the elders all looked relieved, but Father’s face grew even colder.
“There’s an order to succession! The Crown Princess must be Lyra!”
I couldn’t help but frown.
Father had always doted on Celeste. Now that I was voluntarily abdicating, he should have been pleased.
Celeste showed no surprise, her expression abnormally calm.
She asked in a low voice, “Sister is willing to step down. I am capable of holding the position of Crown Princess.”
“The clan elders also approve. Why do you repeatedly object, Father?”
I noticed that her eyes held none of the childlike reverence she once had for Father.
The two elders were utterly baffled, and the surrounding Dragonkin began to whisper.
They didn’t understand why Father was so adamant against Celeste becoming Crown Princess.
I was very curious myself.
Father softened his expression. “To become Crown Princess, one must choose a soul-bonded consort to cultivate the Draconic Divinity Arts.”
“Celeste, the black snake Lyra carelessly pushed to you is too lowly. He is far beneath you.”
“How about this: the matter of the Crown Princess will be postponed for now. We can discuss it again after I find suitable consorts for both of you.”
Dorian, who had been silently standing behind Celeste, serving as a mere backdrop, suddenly changed expression.
He looked at Celeste anxiously, his eyes filled with unconcealed affection.
So Dorian was already in love with Celeste at this point.
No wonder he was so cold towards me.
In my past life, I was trapped in the position of Crown Princess, already living a stifled existence, and still forced by Father to find a soul-bonded consort.
I couldn’t help but feel a rebellious urge.
Father looked down on Dorian, so I insisted on him.
The more Father loathed Dorian, the more I used every means to make Dorian happy.
I even gifted Dorian the Dragonkin’s most vital dragon scales right in front of Father.
When Father stormed off in a huff, I felt an inexplicable sense of satisfaction.
Thinking back, I didn’t truly harbor much affection for Dorian.
Just as I was lost in thought, Celeste took Dorian’s hand. “Father, Dorian is my fated companion, destined to be soul-bonded with me.”
Celeste and Dorian cut their palms, and threads of blood wove into a glowing Fateseal, gradually appearing between them.
The two elders were ecstatic.
“Princess Celeste’s and the black snake Dorian’s Fateseals are perfectly aligned!”
“When they cultivate the Draconic Divinity Arts together, their progress will advance by leaps and bounds!”
From that moment, all the Dragonkin present supported Celeste as the Crown Princess.
Father, left with no grounds for objection, stood there with a gloomy expression, silent.
Celeste glanced at me with an unreadable expression, then firmly declared.
“Father, rest assured. Should the Dragonkin ever face crisis, I will fight with all my might.”
“Anything Sister can do, I can do too!”
My suspicion deepened.
Celeste’s tone suggested as if such a crisis for the Dragonkin were an actual possibility.
But who in this world dared to provoke the Dragonkin?
However, the most important thing right now was to shed this burdensome Crown Princess title.
“Celeste has chosen her consort, now it’s my turn to pick.”
I scanned the gathering, then languidly gestured towards a corner on the right. “He looks good. Handsome, just my type.”
I was pointing to a man in white robes, with a striking face, fair skin, and perfectly sculpted lips.
Much more handsome than Dorian.
Father’s face grew even uglier. “A mere white snake, barely transformed, he’s even worse than your sister’s black snake.”
I replied languidly, “As long as he’s good-looking.”
I used my magic to summon him directly before me, took his hand, and led him back to my palace.
With the heavy burden of Crown Princess lifted, I completely let loose.
Each day, I listened to new songs from the human world, savored fine wines and exquisite foods, and enjoyed the ministrations of my white snake.
Kian, the white snake, was handsome and gentle in nature.
My days were spent indulging in beauty and fine wines, living a life of utter freedom and pleasure.
Meanwhile, Celeste, after becoming Crown Princess of the Dragonkin, cultivated the Draconic Divinity Arts with Dorian. In just half a month, she became the strongest among the younger generation of Dragonkin.
Dorian also successfully transformed into a dragon.
The entire Dragon Palace was filled with joy.
The two elders specifically sought me out, commending my sensibility for letting Celeste become Crown Princess.
Before leaving, they also advised me not to fall into despair, but to continue cultivating. At the very least, I should ensure Kian transformed into a dragon.
After all, Dragons live for millennia, but a mere snake-shifter only for a few centuries.
I leaned back languidly, asking Kian, “Do you want to transform into a dragon? If so, I’ll have some potent elixirs sent over tomorrow to aid your cultivation.”
Cultivating diligently myself was out of the question.
If he wanted to transform, I’d simply provide him with elixirs to achieve it.
Kian looked at me with a soft smile. “As I am now is perfectly fine.”
Just then, the palace doors burst open.
Mara, Celeste’s maid, her face pale, stumbled in.
“Princess Lyra, the Crown Princess was ambushed by Archdemons while patrolling the border and is gravely wounded!”
“Before she lost consciousness, she kept calling your name.”
Clang! The wine cup in my hand dropped, spilling its contents across the floor.
My breath hitched.
“Take me to her.”
I thought the bond between my sister and me had long since shattered.
Yet, hearing she was gravely wounded, the ache and worry in my heart were no less than in my past life.
The maid led the way, with Kian and I following behind her.
But after walking for a while, I noticed we were veering further and further off course.
I realized something was wrong. “Where are you taking me?”
The maid respectfully replied, “To meet the Crown Princess, of course.”
I narrowed my eyes slightly. “Is that so?”
The next moment, I decisively struck, summoning my sword and thrusting it directly at the maid.
Just as my sword was about to pierce her body, a sinister black mist erupted from her, blasting my sword away.
When the black mist dissipated, the maid was gone, replaced by a dark-robed figure wreathed in menacing dark energy.
I was utterly shocked.
It was Archdemon Malakor himself!
A century ago, he had infiltrated the Dragonkin. My mother had perished by his hand, protecting Celeste and me.
My heart seethed with hatred, but I also understood the gravity of the situation.
I shoved Kian. “I’m no match for him. Even with all my strength, I can only hold him off for half a minute.”
“Run! Go warn Father and Celeste!”
With that, I launched my attack at Archdemon Malakor.
He met my assault with a cold sneer. “Today, I will surely take you back to the Archdemon realm and destroy that thing inside you!”
I fought with everything I had, but alas, my body was weak, and my powers were woefully insufficient. I was defeated in just a few moves.
Archdemon Malakor struck me with a powerful blow to the chest, sending me crashing to the ground, barely clinging to life.
I turned my head and saw Kian still standing rooted to the spot, staring intently at Archdemon Malakor.
I was so furious I nearly coughed up blood.
The next moment, Archdemon Malakor’s sinister gaze locked onto me, and a colossal hand formed of dark energy reached directly for my throat.
It seemed I wouldn’t escape death today.
“Stop!”
With a furious roar, King Theron appeared with his guards, surrounding Archdemon Malakor.
Archdemon Malakor surveyed them, completely unfazed. “King Theron, you are no match for me.”
“However, I only came to the Dragonkin today for Lyra.”
“If you hand her over to me, I promise the Archdemons will not invade the Dragonkin for a thousand years.”
“Lyra is a useless pawn; trading her for a thousand years of peace for the Dragonkin is a very worthwhile deal.”
Father’s gaze was heavy, a flicker of doubt in his eyes.
I knew Father was swayed by the Archdemon’s offer; he wanted to sacrifice me for a thousand years of peace for the Dragonkin.
A wave of desolation washed over my heart.
Archdemon Malakor sneered, his form shifting, and in an instant, he was before me, reaching for my collar.
Suddenly, Kian, the white snake, shot into the air. The next moment, dazzling golden light erupted, and dragon might pulsed through the air-a Golden-scaled Divine Dragon had appeared!
“How dare you insult my master!”
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