Chapter 6 — The Crown Prince's Xa Te

“Don't be afraid,” he said, with a strange promise in his voice, “A Vien, as long as you stay in Thien Palace for one day, I will protect you for one day.” Those words did not make me feel at ease. “Stay in Thien Palace for one day”…What if I am no longer in Thien Palace? What if we run out of useful value? Does he still protect me? But I don't dare ask. I could only bow my head and carefully hug the sleeping little Kim Long tightly in my arms. From then on, my life turned into taking care of little Kim Long. The Dragon Clan Crown Prince comes every day. Bring food, feed little Kim Long yourself, and watch me eat my share. The way he looked at little Kim Long was an undisguised fatherly love. But looking at me, it becomes more and more complicated. Caring, relying, feeling guilty, torn... all sorts of mixed emotions. He often caresses my scales, sometimes to check, sometimes just as an unconscious movement. As if my existence could bring him some kind of comfort. Little Kim Long grows incredibly fast. Before long, it was able to stagger and fly a short distance. It sticks to me and doesn't let go. Wherever I go, it follows, screaming for a hug. It learned from the "father", called the Crown Prince of the dragon clan. But the first word it learns, the most obvious, is "A nuong". It looked at me, its crisp voice rising. At that time, the Dragon Clan Crown Prince was also by his side. The jade cup in his hand shattered instantly. But he didn't say anything, just quietly cleaned up the debris. His dark eyes glanced at me. That look made me feel like I was falling into an ice cellar. Little Kim Long relies on me more and more. The eyes of the Dragon Clan Crown Prince looking at me became deeper and deeper. I know, this isn't good. How could the heir of the dragon clan accept a snake as his mother? Too ridiculous. The Dragon Clan Crown Prince will sooner or later be unable to bear it. Perhaps one day, he will completely solve me - this "trouble". Fear torments me day and night. We must find a way to save ourselves. At least, we have to do something for little Kim Long. We cannot let it live forever in this false dependence. I began to intentionally distance myself from little Kim Long. When he rushed forward to hug me, I slightly dodged him. At night it wanted to crawl into my arms to sleep, so I gently pushed it back to the soft feathered cradle that the Dragon Clan Crown Prince brought. It was sobbing and crying, its amber eyes sparkling with tears. My heart sank, but I remained strong. The Dragon Clan Crown Prince has noticed. He didn't stop, just quietly watched. The complex eyes became even more intense. Sometimes, when I push little Kim Long away, he will come over himself, hug the crying child, awkwardly comforting her. But little Kim Long often cries more intensely, struggling for me. At this time, the Dragon Clan Crown Prince will stop and look at me with almost sad eyes. Like blaming me, like blaming himself. One day, because I refused again, little Kim Long cried until he could hardly breathe. The dragon clan crown prince finally exploded. He withdrew all his servants. In the lapis lazuli palace, there were only me, him, and little Kim Long left, crying so hard. He walked towards me step by step. The mighty Dragon's prestige spreads and oppresses us, almost suffocating us. I curled up in fear. Does he finally want to take action? Because I "abused" his child? He stopped right in front of me, looking down from above. In his golden eyes, intense emotions swirled. He suddenly reached out his hand— But not to attack me. But to hold my whole body... this snake... tightly in my arms. I'm completely stiff. Mind is empty. His arms were cold, but with a slight tremor. "Don't treat it like that..." He buried his head in my rough scales, his voice was hoarse, carrying pain that was almost begging, "A Vien... don't push it away..." "It needs you." "...I need you too." I was completely stunned. Does he need me?