Chapter 5 Other Daughter

Lily's POV

When my mother finally became the mistress of the Blackburn household, I had one goal in mind; become so important that no one would dare to look down on me. I had an immense hatred for Valerie from the moment I set eyes on her, afterall she's the reason my mother and I had to be kept a secret for seven years.

The heavens decided to favor me by being chosen to contest with others to be the queen of Aurelia. Fortune smiled on me as Valerie; the legitimate daughter has no core or spiritual awakening. This contest? I will be the sole winner and may even orchestrate her death just as my Mother had advised me.

“Are you out of your mind?” Valerie asked, angrily.

I smirked for a moment then wore my innocent expression that always fooled everyone. “What do you mean sister?”

My magic seal was complete but the beast was struggling, trying to reject it. The moment I had set my eyes on the dragon, I knew it was my one chance at winning this whole thing but I sensed a bond with a dying snake instead. The snake repulsed me as it's scales were falling off and it's slender body was full of open wounds. I severed off the bond and saw Valerie moving closer to the dragon.

So, I swooped in and snatched, trying to forcefully seal a bond befire it attaches herself to her. It was strange how it attempted to bond with her yet she has no magic core.

“That dragon belongs to me, give it back.” Valerie demanded.

I sighed and shook my head pitifully. “Valerie, the dragon is useless with you. Don't get in my way. Let me have it and I'll protect you, infact I might convince the Prince to marry you off to a neighboring country, that way you'll get to be queen too.”

“Hogwash! That dragon is mine.” She insisted and reached out to snatch it from me.

She closed the gap between us and I saw Prince Aldric coming our way, I grabbed her hand and threw myself on the hard ground then cried out in pain, making it look like she pushed me.

“Valerie, why did you push me? I only want to help you. Why do you want my dragon? It will only hurt you Valerie.” I cried, drawing attention to us.

Prince Aldric rushed over and helped me stand up, I rested against his broad shoulders and smirked at Valerie, provocatively. She was caught off guard and every eyes were on her.

“Valerie, what do you think you're doing? How dare you try to hurt your own sister?” Prince Aldric thundered.

“I didn't push her!” Valerie swore.

“Then explain how she fell down. Did she push herself?” Prince Aldric fired back.

Valerie scoffed. “Yes, she did.”

“Liar! I saw you push her.” One of the girls stepped forward and accused Valerie.

Valerie clenched her fists in anger and more girls stepped forward, supporting me.

“I am human, fragile and with no core and Lily is at the peak mortal stage. You think I have the strength to push her? If I really hurt her then does it mean I'm more powerful than her?” Valerie asked, reasonably.

I saw doubt and calculations in Prince Aldric's expression and I began to sob. “It's okay if you blame me Valerie but please don't lie. I only told you the truth, only the black serpent is left and you don't have a bond with any other beast, you coveted the dragon's power but it chose me, please don't hurt yourself because of your hatred for me. I'll give you the dragon if it'll make you happy.”

I began to stretch the dragon towards her but Prince Aldric stopped me, just as I planned.

“No, she doesn't deserve it. She's a weak human, how can you give away your beast just like that?” Prince Aldric said and I smiled, coyly.

“She's my sister and I want her to be happy. Besides; when she pushed me, I was trying to bond with the beast but the seal of bond between us broke due to the disturbance. I doubt if the dragon would bond with me-”

“Don't worry Lily, I'll help you out.” Prince Aldric interrupted.

I pretended to cry even harder and he forged another seal, planting it into the dragon and I. The dragon shrieked for a moment, this time it was unable to resist the forceful bond and I smiled when the bond was complete, I could feel the dragon's fire flow through me.

Valerie looked disappointed and infuriated at the same time. I had stolen her beast and even managed to get the Prince to subdue it for me.

“Valerie, you're infamously crude and merciless. Don't try any tricks on her else I won't hesitate to intervene and make you pay for it. Lily is right; the black serpent has no significant spiritual energy and bonding with you will make it easier on you so just take it and be grateful.” Prince Aldric threatened.

Valerie flared her nostrils and tilted her head like she was amused by the unfolding drama.

“Your highness, the rules are that you're not to intervene or favor any of the contestants but not only did you help Lily steal my beast but you helped her forge a bond between them. Aren't you worried you're being a bit too reckless and impulsive?” Valerie asked, meaningfully.

I could feel Prince Aldric get tense and I stepped in. “Your highness, I am so sorry I made you go against the rules. I deserve death your highness.”

Peince Aldric shook his head and looked at me with a soft expression. “Please don't apologize Lily, I do not condone bullying.”

Perfect. He was falling right into my trap, I have managed to gain his pity, next would be to seduce and make him fall in love with me.

Valerie grunted and picked up the black serpent. A flicker of excitement flashed in her eyes for a split second then she frowned. “Beasts you force a bond with may be tame for a while but they later become violent and though they will cause you no harm, they'd stand by and refuse to protect you from harm. Goodluck with your dragon and sidekick Prince.”

As I watched Valerie leave, my blood boiled in anger at her arrogance. I thanked the Prince profusely, apologized more before retreating to my chambers. Through the magic mirror given to me for communication, I summoned my mother and explained everything that happened to her.

“Good girl, remember, you and only you are fit to be the queen, you will crush that insect Valerie and make her die a more painful and shameful death than her whore of a mother.” Mother reminded me.

“By the time I'm done with her, Valerie would wish she were dead.” I vehemently swore.

That night, I tried to feed my dragon as I named it Cedric but it refused all the spiritual nourishment I gave it. I brought out my father's flame whip; a spiritual weapon forged from the scales of a lava dragon and began to flog Cedric, ignoring his forced tiny roar and whimpering.

One thing Valerie was right about is that forcefully bonded beasts would be tamed with force but what she or Cedric failed to realize is that when it comes to force and torture; I excel.