Chapter 1
At the Academy's Beast Hunt Competition, I killed a high-tier Shadow Wraith and carved out its core.
My sister Seraphine stole it and claimed first place.
That core eased the brutal dragon prince Draven's chronic migraines. He demanded to marry the mage who presented it.
My fiancé Kelvin soul-bound himself to Seraphine overnight to "save" her. Done deal.
Someone had to fulfill the dragon marriage contract. That someone was me.
Seraphine draped herself over Kelvin, smirking. "Sister, your fiancé's MINE now. Draven arrives in three days—better find some random dragon to marry, or he'll tear you apart."
I looked at her smug face and smiled slowly.
"What makes you think I won't marry him?"
Aurora's POV
When I said I'd marry Draven, Mother shrieked.
"Are you OUT OF YOUR MIND? Draven's a bloodthirsty savage! During his last migraine attack, he nearly tore out a servant's throat! You can't possibly—"
"So what?" I cut her off. "The core already helped him, didn't it?"
Mother started to argue, but Father cleared his throat. "Let her marry him. What about Seraphine? She's already bound to Kelvin..."
Mother hesitated. She said nothing.
Something inside me went cold. It had always been this way. Seraphine was premature and fragile, needed protection. I was gifted and strong, so I had to bear everything. They always chose her.
"I don't mind cleaning up Seraphine's mess," I said, looking at them both. "But I have ONE condition. On my wedding day, Seraphine publicly admits she stole the core."
"Aurora Vale!" Father slammed the table. "You're trying to DESTROY her! How will she survive in the magical community after this?"
I laughed coldly. "She wants Kelvin AND the championship glory? She can't have her cake and eat it too. If I'm dying in her place, she's paying for it."
Mother looked at me with disgust. "I can't believe you've turned into THIS—attacking your own sister for revenge."
"I'm taking back what SHE stole from me." I turned and left.
In the hallway, I ran into Kelvin leaving Seraphine's room.
They were kissing at the doorway. His hand circled her waist. Her fingers locked around his neck. They broke apart when they heard footsteps.
Kelvin wore only a loose shirt. His neck and collarbone were covered in red marks. Seraphine's hair was a mess, her lips swollen, her dress wrinkled beyond recognition. They'd clearly spent an extremely passionate night together.
"Aurora!" Kelvin grabbed my wrist.
I jerked my arm away. "Don't touch me. You're not my fiancé anymore."
He looked uncomfortable. "Let me explain. This was the ONLY way to save Seraphine."
"And what about ME? Did you think about how if she doesn't go, I'M the one who has to?"
He paused. "Don't worry, I've figured it out! I can put a slave mark on you. Then you won't have to marry Draven. It's just for show. Once you're at my estate, I promise I'll treat you just like Seraphine."
Was he SERIOUS?
He wanted me to become a SLAVE?
I was a MAGE, for god's sake! Even if he was a dragon duke, that didn't give him the right! Slaves were the lowest of the low—bought and sold at will, stripped of dignity forever. Even their children inherited that cursed status.
"I'd rather DIE than become a slave!" My whole body shook with rage. I shoved him hard.
Kelvin's face darkened instantly. "Aurora, are you DONE throwing your tantrum? I'm doing this FOR you! You think marrying Draven will end well?"
"For ME?" I laughed bitterly. "Then why don't you make Seraphine the slave? That would save her too, wouldn't it?"
Kelvin blurted out, "She can't be a slave! She's been fragile since birth. She couldn't handle—"
He realized his mistake mid-sentence.
But I'd heard enough.
In our eight years together, every time Seraphine and I clashed, he was the first to blame me. When I refused to lend her my spell notes, he called me petty. When she cried that I'd bullied her during magical trials, he believed her without question. I'd challenged him before. He always said I was paranoid, too sensitive, not kind enough.
Eight full years engaged, and he'd postponed soul-binding with me again and again—"bad timing," "not ready yet." But with Seraphine? One night was all it took to seal that eternal contract.
All this time, she was the one he truly cared about.
I tore myself away and left without looking back.
When I returned to my room in a daze, I found an elegant black velvet box on my bed.
Inside lay a magnificent wedding gown—personally crafted by Elaina, the elven master tailor. One of a kind on the entire continent.
Beneath the dress was a gilt-edged card with a single line of bold handwriting:
"Can't wait to tear it off you on our wedding night. —D."
I held the card, heat rushing to my face.
This man—
I ran my fingers over the gown, my heart racing.
Maybe this marriage would be more interesting than I thought.
