Chapter 4

Dorian looks moved, as if he never expected anyone to choose him willingly.

There is insecurity in his eyes, but his voice is firm.

“I may not be good enough for you, but if you are willing to become my mate, I will do everything I can to protect you.”

“I will never let anyone mistreat you.”

The moment he finishes speaking, Ella’s mocking voice reaches my ears.

“An Ash Dragon?”

“What can he possibly protect you from?”

“The Golden Dragons could destroy his House whenever they wanted.”

“Even with The Ancestral Blessing, the best you could do is awaken a slightly stronger Ash Dragon.”

“Your child still wouldn’t be worthy of standing beside mine.”

I ignore her and step onto the punishment platform.

My mother may have only been Father’s second mate, but she was once a seer in our House.

She once told me about an ancient bloodline known as the First Dragon Bloodline.

It was one of the oldest and most powerful dragon bloodlines in existence.

Only descendants carrying that bloodline could show faint traces of gold beneath dark scales.

And the scale found in my room is clearly black with a golden shimmer.

Now I also have The Ancestral Blessing.

Our child may not be weaker than Ella and Adrian’s at all.

Dorian steps forward and blocks my path.

He turns to Father.

“I’ll take Emma’s punishment for her.”

But the rules of our House cannot be changed.

Father swings the whip with all his strength.

Every strike tears open my skin.

Ella seems to remember the life I had in the Golden Dragon House before she killed me.

She mutters under her breath,

“She stole my life once.”

“It would be better if Father just beat her to death.”

After ninety-nine lashes, Father finally stops.

His voice is cold and sharp.

“Emma, you are a disgrace to this House.”

“From now on, you are no longer part of this family.”

By then, I have already lost consciousness.

When I wake again, I am in the Ash Dragon House.

My wounds have been carefully bandaged, and cool medicine soaks into my skin.

Dorian walks in.

His face immediately turns red.

“Don’t worry. A maid changed your bandages. I…”

Compared with Adrian, who has always been shameless with women, Dorian is almost painfully innocent.

I cannot resist teasing him.

I smile slightly.

“We’ve already chosen each other as mates.”

“Why wouldn’t you change my bandages yourself?”

“Are you regretting your choice?”

His eyes widen.

He quickly shakes his head.

“No.”

“I don’t regret it.”

Just then, a guard walks in and hands us a golden invitation.

Only then do I realize how badly I was injured.

I have been unconscious for more than a month.

Adrian and Ella are already married.

Ella is even carrying his children.

The invitation is for a banquet announcing that the Dragon House finally has new heirs on the way.

Dorian already knows from the coming-of-age ceremony that Ella and I do not get along.

He tosses the invitation aside.

“If you don’t want to go, we won’t.”

His voice is gentle.

“You still need to recover.”

“I’ll find a way to turn them down.”

“No.”

I pick up the invitation with a playful smile.

“We’re going.”

“There’s still a good show waiting for us.”