Prologue723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVnBKeZjrn
Eviana723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEigt0sYXk
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.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbdSJetpA6
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.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqS8BdkCERE
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.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzCqHA8bXA
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.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchVKrQhict
They were in an argument, and with her calmer character, the queen was winning.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgUNOV5psT
“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.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCeTJ44Ph8
Thorin’s face became tomato red. “Ca—”723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXehlo7SE8c
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.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiN041zYPZ
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—”723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcXGfJoyim
“—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.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfmBBZVBrh
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.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5QlWZYeSX
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.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBFwuQMIqe
“It’s because your race is practically invincible, Cat.” The words slipped out of his mouth before he could stop it.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzw8Ucvor3
“For years you haven’t given me any nickname, and now that you’ve given me—it’s very lovely.”723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlQj8JDQU4
Thorin rolled his eyes. He should just stay the way he was. At least the tensed atmosphere between them had almost dissipated.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsEgkSqvHw
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.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pqyzAIozJ
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?”723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsXA8DA9ZM
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.”723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0F5I6cTPLb
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.723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm10uOR8HjT
Thorin cleared his throat. “What would be her name?”723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfhQzjyKuc
A smile curved on the queen’s lips. “Eviana.”723Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIk0XuLzHz
