Chapter 2

I had asked myself many times, what did I do to deserve this?

I remember back then, I was just a black snake with unknown parentage, weak in magic, surviving by scavenging behind greater monsters.

One day, I found a beautiful woman on the beach. I simply did a good deed, saved her, and she wanted to marry me in return.

I refused multiple times, knowing my lowly birth made me unworthy of such a beauty.

Moreover, I lived in a place surrounded by powerful monsters. An innocent man with a precious treasure invites disaster.

But she repeatedly expressed her love for me, saying she didn't care about status or position, and that she had a magical treasure that could hide our presence from the monsters.

Looking at her otherworldly beauty, I nodded.

We spent a happy time in the mountains. I picked fruits, hunted, and collected seashells to make toys for her. She always looked at me with starry eyes, praising my abilities.

I was immersed in happiness, but every time I woke up at midnight, I would be terrified, fearing it was all just a dream.

Only when I felt the soft, fragrant body in my arms did I dare believe it was all real!

Later, the royal carriage of the Eastern Sea came to my poor, rough mountain cave.

Only then did I learn she was Princess Aria. I followed her back to the Dragon Palace.

I thought King Triton would oppose our union, but to my surprise, he took an immediate liking to me.

He said seeing me was like seeing his own child.

He told me that Aria's brothers had all died young, and from now on, I would be their son.

Aria and the Eastern Sea were entrusted to me. I promised nervously that I would treat Aria well.

Knowing Aria wanted children, I volunteered to take the magical potion to spare her the pain of childbirth.

Who knew this pregnancy would last three hundred years? When my child was finally born...

Golden light appeared in the sky above the Eastern Sea, celestial music played, and the entire palace was filled with fragrance!

My child turned out to be an ancient golden dragon. The golden dragon bloodline had been extinct for tens of thousands of years.

When my child was born, he became the world's only golden dragon.

I carefully examined the dragon egg. Its seven-colored shell sparkled with golden light.

A faint dragon's cry came from inside. My wife Aria hugged me, shedding tears of happiness.

To avoid tiring my wife, I volunteered to continue the task of incubating the egg, which took another three hundred years.

Today was the day the golden dragon would hatch. I had waited six hundred years for this day.

Deities from all over the realm would come to the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace to witness the birth of the golden dragon.

My wife Aria had been busy since before dawn, brewing medicine for me.

I had been taking this medicine for six hundred years!

She brought the carefully brewed medicine to my bedside: "My dear, you've suffered so much. You took the potion to bear a child for me, ruining your health. I don't know how to make it up to you!"

I took the medicine and put it aside, holding her hand: "Thank you, Aria. But this medicine is so bitter. Can I skip it today?"

She reached out her jade-like fingers and clung to me, like a bewitching morning glory vine entangling me.

"My love, you can't skip it. I spent three hours brewing this medicine. It's my heartfelt care for you. If you take your medicine regularly and get better, you can better accompany me and our child!"

Her soft waist leaned into my embrace as she coaxed me, then held the medicine to my lips.

I reluctantly drank the medicine, and she took out an almond candy: "I know you don't like bitter tastes, so I prepared this almond candy specially for you. How is it? Not bitter anymore, right?"

I looked at my wife's face in my arms. She was still as beautiful and gentle as ever.

Like clouds on the horizon, dazzling yet distant.

She was the rare sweetness in my bitter life.

I, on the other hand, had become gaunt and increasingly emaciated due to childbearing.

I looked at my pale fingers, remembering the days I used to hunt in the mountains.

I could hardly believe I had once been so vibrant.

Soon, this cloud in my arms drifted away. She took the medicine pot to the small kitchen.

She didn't forget to turn back and say to me: "My dear, let Lily help you get dressed. It would be impolite if you're not ready when the guests arrive!"

I watched my wife leave, the warmth from her body still lingering in my arms. I grasped at the air but caught nothing.

I dared not think, if only she had stayed in my arms a little longer.

If only she had been willing to let me skip the medicine just this once, would I... would I...

I dared not think, nor did I want to.

Just then, my wife's personal maid Lily entered the room.

"My lord, the Dragon Queen specially ordered this crystal crown to be made for you. Please wear it today!"

She carefully helped me dress. I stared at my gaunt face and hair that had turned white overnight due to the potion, feeling dazed.

Lily's voice brought me back: "This crystal crown is a rare treasure in all the realms. Wearing it protects you from blades and fire!"

I looked at the glittering crystal crown in the mirror: "Oh, is that so? Perfect!"

Perfect for my killing spree!

"Hmm? What did you say?"

"I said such a crown is fitting for such a joyous day!"

Such a joyous day, of course, needs to be marked with blood!

"Indeed! Even when the princes were alive, they never wore such a fine crown!"

Is that so? Why don't I send you all to reunite with them in the underworld?

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