Prologue713Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlr5mChJgn
Eviana713Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBEUhmOsyL
Crysthera Kingdom, a small yet powerful kingdom, had never been fuller of life, even for those who were in the palace, with the bakery opening up for the air to give in to the sweet smell of loaf, the open markets with sunlit smiles, the bustling noise of Crystherean people helping and greeting each other, and the free laughter of young children.713Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYCSmjmoIT
By this, it was clear Crysthereans loved the nature and didn’t want to ruin it by pollution—no cars or gadgets used. Plus, what would be the fun in life if they had those? They were fine being old souls—like they always were.713Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYjmYZpjjH
It was any ordinary morning day for the civilians. However, it was a dreary day in the palace. Queen Catalina had just been in labor. Any typical one would have made everyone happy, but this was a crunch. It was ascertained she was in labor to one of the outlawed races in the entire Ediamin, also feared due to its compelling ability; a dragon shifter.713Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwY2MM07lnB
King Thorin was in her room looking at her with irritant painted on his face, while Catalina had her usual gentle blue eyes trained on the supposed outlawed infant. She was sitting in her bed, leaning against the large pillow that was comfortably settled against the headboard, the innocent sleeping little one cradled in her arms.713Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6nFk1YoHO
They were in an argument, and with her calmer character, the queen was winning.713Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1RpzXTa4Z
“I tried avoiding your engagement with me, dear Thorin, but you were very stupid, selfish—despicable. You wanted nothing more than a beautiful, wealthy wife; it didn’t matter to you what she actually is, even for the hint that she was a neglected, royal child.” Although harsh, Catalina’s voice was as sweet as syrup as she said this. “So it isn’t my fault you didn’t know I am a shifter—a half shifter to be precise. You have no right to eliminate this little one, or me.” Her tone became softer in the last statement.713Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0C6yowuuPP
Thorin’s face became tomato red. “Ca—”713Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYR8iHs5Znu
The queen held up a hand toward him. “Nuh-uh. No shouting. You don’t want to wake her.” Thorin looked at the infant who looked innocent in her sleep, as though she would never be a danger to anyone.713Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFQJCiUWIg
He turned his attention back to Catalina, letting out an exasperated sigh. His tone was softer but near to a growl as he said, “I’m sorry for forcing you to marry me, Catalina, and for being…despicable. Sorry for making your life upsetting to you. Sorry for not being good enough for you.” Catalina raised an eyebrow at that. She applauded the child in her arms for not waking up by their ludicrous argument. “But I know you can control your powers better because you’re just a half shifter, whereas she—”713Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMo79aFI140
“—can. She can, Thorin. She can. She can control her elements. She just needs training.” The queen sighed, her mood faltering. She muttered, “Really. It’s just strength. There is nothing to be afraid of. It’s not like we’re looking for a battle.” Catalina gazed at the infant dolefully, her scarlet hair falling over her shoulder.713Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyrMBXPs3N
Hearing that, the king couldn’t help but felt a pang of guilt at what he said before, and what he did years before. He felt the need to be amiable.713Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqoi0TdmBA
Funny. After years being with her, he just felt that now. But he knew that he loved her, although he wasn’t sure of her feeling toward him. But perhaps she indeed hated him. Oh, well.713Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfF0BaXHIwT
“It’s because your race is practically invincible, Cat.” The words slipped out of his mouth before he could stop it.713Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJArLJVyhdd
“For years you haven’t given me any nickname, and now that you’ve given me—it’s very lovely.”713Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdB1Py8UvNf
Thorin rolled his eyes. He should just stay the way he was. At least the tensed atmosphere between them had almost dissipated.713Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrC2kAFv9V2
Suddenly, the doors burst open. Their eyes travelled to Alicea, their second child, and Jason, their eldest child, who followed after her, closing the doors.713Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjyN6gtD3x
Alicea ran toward the side of her mother’s bed. Her big, violet eyes sparkled when she saw the child in her arms. “She’s my sister? She’s so cute!” She turned toward her father expectantly. “She’s going to be my sister, right? Right?”713Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCJMR5QziC
From the corner of his eye, Thorin saw Catalina giving him a smile that seemed to be a knowing smirk. Thorin groaned. “Yes. She’s going to be your sister. Just as long as she won’t be a danger to any of us.”713Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiWTldhTpa
His daughter’s face lit up and she hugged him, much to the king’s surprise. Hesitatingly, he returned it. At his red face, Catalina grinned.713Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LDnwe9BdD
Thorin cleared his throat. “What would be her name?”713Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiazydYpNw
A smile curved on the queen’s lips. “Eviana.”713Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzD0Q8oxom2
