Chapter 10 — The Crown Prince's Xa Te

“I must marry the princess of the West Sea Dragon King, to strengthen the dragon clan's bloodline, and give birth to a true heir who no one can criticize.” My heart felt like it was being strangled by an invisible hand. For a moment, the beating stopped. Marry Princess Tay Hai. Giving birth to a true heir. Each word was like a sharp ice hammer, piercing straight into the heart that had just raised a ripple because of the words "I need you". Cold ice and despair rush in, engulfing me. This is the reality. Dragon clan crown prince and Tay Hai princess. The gate protects the opposite, the bloodline is noble. As for me... A lowly snake kept in the Luu Ly palace, unable to reveal itself to the light. A "stain" that had to be bartered with the crown prince's position and marriage to be reluctantly retained. A funny and temporary substitute. We should have understood clearly from the beginning. Those small dreams were crushed by reality. I bowed my head, not daring to look back at the emotions in his eyes that I couldn't bear. Guilty? Or pity? “Congratulations… Your Highness.” My voice was hoarse and dry, like an old bellows. His hand on my scales suddenly tightened, his fingertips almost piercing my skin. “A Vien!” His voice was urgent, as if stabbed in pain, "That's not my original intention!" I remained silent. Original idea? Is it important? He is the crown prince. Marriage and descendants were never decided by him. Just like my fate, it was never in my control. "Little Kim Long..." I tried to change the subject, my heart aching, "Can it... still come back?" He took a deep breath, trying to calm his emotions, but his voice was still tense. "Father promised, when it stabilizes, no longer... is attached to you, I will return it." Stable. No more attachment. I understand. They will do everything they can to erase all traces of my existence, making Little Golden Dragon forget that it once adopted a snake as its mother. Only when he returns to being a "normal" and noble heir will he be returned to his future father and "mother". There is no place for me there. Never before. Grief and emptiness welled up. Even more intense than when he found out he was being executed. Execution is definitive. But the slow process, being separated little by little, forgotten, is truly like being buried. He seemed to sense my desperation. The cold fingers squeezed hard, almost crushing my scales. “Look at me, A Vien.” He ordered, his voice carrying a pressure that did not allow refusal. I was forced to raise my head, colliding with golden eyes burning with complicated flames. "I will not marry her." He said every word, extremely clearly, "At least, I won't be sincere towards her." "I can give up the crown prince position, I can leave the dragon palace." "But you and your child, I must protect." I looked at him in horror. What is he saying? Has he arrived? Would you give up everything for me? “Your Highness…” My voice trembled, “you don't need to…” “Yes.” He interrupted, his eyes crazy, stubborn, "I've lost once, I absolutely can't lose it a second time." Lost once? I suddenly remembered the egg's biological mother. That lost dragon queen? Does the pain in his eyes not only come from the current situation, but also from the previous loss? I wanted to ask again, but he didn't give me the chance. He stood up, restoring the cold and majestic appearance of the crown prince, although his face was still pale. "From today, without my order, no one is allowed to step even half a step into the Luu Ly Palace." "Not even the Dragon King's people." He waved his hand, the stronger prohibition covered the main hall, isolating inside and outside. Is he going to lock himself here? Because… me? In the following days, Luu Ly Palace became an isolated island. The outside world, its fierce storms, are all blocked out of prohibition. He stayed day and night. Not handling government affairs, no

meet anyone. Occasionally there is strong pressure to break the restriction, accompanied by the Dragon King's angry shouts. But he still remained in the palace, not taking a single step, using even greater strength to resist. His face became paler and paler, his eyes brighter, and his reckless madness became more obvious. He forced me to eat more mascots, even though I resisted. He caressed my scales more and more often, for longer and longer, as if to confirm that I still existed. Sometimes, he quietly looked at me, his golden eyes filled with deep pain and longing that I couldn't understand. He continuously whispered: "Don't be afraid, A Vien, I will solve everything."