Chapter 3

3

Roxanne insisted on coming with us to the Dragon Clan's territory first.

She wore a mask of sisterly concern, clutching my hand. "You're so fragile, Nia. I won't feel right leaving for the ocean until I see you settled."

Myles found it strange, but he didn't protest.

I didn't believe for a second that she cared about me. She just wanted to watch Myles fail his trial and see me die with him.

Sister, you're going to be so disappointed this time.

I smiled and asked, "Aren't you going to ask your husband's opinion first?"

She didn't even blink. "It doesn't matter what he thinks!"

I saw Xander's jaw tighten in fury. My smile widened.

……

A marriage in the Dragon Clan is a massive event, especially for the heir.

I was surrounded by attendants and well-wishers. Roxanne stood in the corner, her eyes burning with envy.

She had always been this way. Seeing me as the center of attention must have felt like a dagger to her heart.

She waited until I was alone for a moment and stepped forward.

She tilted her chin up arrogantly. "Enjoy this while you can, Nia. You won't have much time left to bask in this glory."

I looked at her and finally asked the question I had buried for a lifetime. "Why? Why can't you stand to see me happy?"

Roxanne sneered. "A brat born from a lowly mistress doesn't deserve to be my sister."

She seemed to remember something and let out a chilling giggle. "Your pathetic mother killed herself just to keep you alive… "

Before she could finish, I slapped her across the face.

She clutched her cheek, glaring at me with pure hatred. "I was going to let you live, but since you're so ungrateful, you can rot in hell with Myles!"

The day of the Dragon Trial arrived quickly. The entire clan was on edge.

My brainless sister spent every day smiling as if she were at a comedy show. It made the clansmen want to scream.

Whenever she looked at me, her eyes were full of pity mixed with sadistic joy.

Before the trial, Myles told me we couldn't complete the soul-bond yet.

He explained that the Dragon Trial scales with the combined strength of the couple. If the partner isn't strong enough, they become a liability.

Finally, I understood why he failed in the past life.

It must have been Roxanne. She must have insisted on the bond to secure her status, which ended up killing him.

No wonder she was cast out of the clan after his death in that timeline.

On the morning of the trial, Roxanne walked up to me, beaming. "Beg me, Nia. Maybe I'll ask Father to save your life."

I looked at her calmly. "I don't need your help."

My indifference enraged her. She screamed in my face, "Stop acting! Do you think you'll survive once he's dead?"

The nearby Dragon guards could no longer hold back. One of them stepped forward and grabbed her collar. "You dare?!"

They still had some restraint because of me.

Seeing them shaking with rage, I waved my hand. "I am the wife of your heir now. I am one of you. She may be my sister, but… well, just don't hit her face. She still has a wedding to attend."

The furious guards gave her a thorough beating.

She screamed, "How dare you disrespect a future Queen! You're all insane!"

I just shook my head and laughed.

The storm clouds gathered, swirling violently toward Myles.

Roxanne lay on the ground, bruised and panting. When she saw the sky, she got excited again. "Go ahead and be arrogant! With a storm that big, he's a dead man!"

She looked at me with pure malice. "I'll make sure to collect your body, sister!"

But nobody was paying attention to her anymore. Everyone was watching Myles with bated breath.

Even though I knew he'd be okay because of the protection charms I gave him, my heart still pounded.

After what felt like an eternity, the clouds finally broke. But Myles was nowhere to be seen.

Roxanne jumped up, laughing at the sky. "You're dead, Nia! Go join your lover in the underworld!"

She turned to look at me, expecting me to be collapsing in pain. When she saw I was perfectly fine, she froze.