— The Ancient Past —
Snow blanketed the imperial courtyard in white silence.
A lady in a black wedding robe embroidered with phoenix feathers ran through the storm. Golden jewels shimmered on her crown, her breath ragged and desperate.
From the distance, a royal herald's voice thundered across the land:
> "The edict reads: His Highness aided the rebels in an attempt to overthrow His Majesty's reign.
As punishment for colluding with the enemy, His Highness is stripped of his title as Crown Prince and General of Ping'an, and shall be beheaded in the capital to serve as a warning to the nation.
His bride, the eldest daughter of Long County, shall be betrothed to the Second Prince Zi Wei, as she is a symbol of peace and the Phoenix Spirit Lady of Virtue.
Long live His Majesty!"
The echo faded, leaving only the sound of jewelry, footsteps, and ragged breathing.
"Your Highness!" cried Lan'er, maid and loyal companion to the Princess of Feng.
"Did you send word to Zi'an?"
"The First Princess is on her way," Lan'er panted, "but she won't make it in time!"
"I've troubled Zi'an enough," Yinkui said, clutching her skirts. "I have to help him—even if I'm the only one willing to!"
"Your Highness, you mustn't! You'll be punished too!"
"No! I must see Zi Cheng. This is a mistake—he would never betray His Majesty!"
"But he's to be executed today! Even if you make it, nothing can be done!"
"The foolish king thinks he can take my Zi Cheng from me? He can dream!"
"Your Highness, think of the empresses and your grandmother! They're begging the throne to spare you!"
"Spare me?" Yinkui scoffed. "Father already signed my death. He traded me to the Second Prince for peace.
Lan'er, I swore before the heavens—this princess shall marry no one but the Prince of Ping'an!"
Lan'er bit her lip, then forced a trembling smile. "Then go, Your Highness. I've sworn to protect you since the day we met. No matter where you run, I'll follow."
Yinkui's heart ached. "Lan'er…"
"Go!" Lan'er shouted. "Before it's too late!"
Snow howled in her wake as Yinkui ran toward destiny.
---
— The Execution Square —
The capital square was a sea of white and red banners. Soldiers lined the streets.
At the center knelt the condemned—Song Zi Cheng, Prince of Ping'an—calm even as the blade gleamed above his neck.
Then, a voice split the air like thunder.
> "SONG ZI WANG! FENG WEI JUN! IF YOU KILL SONG ZI CHENG TODAY, YOU KILL ME TOO!"
Heads turned upward.
On the rooftop stood Princess Feng Yinkui—black-red hair bound in gold, phoenix robe blazing against the snow like living flame.
Gasps swept the crowd.
"INSOLENCE!" the emperor roared. "From this day forth, I have no daughter named Yinkui! I acknowledge only Feng Yangtan!"
The court fell silent. Yinkui's tears glittered like frost.
"Your Majesties, please spare the Prince!" the queens pleaded. "Princess Yinkui will die if you don't!"
"Silence!" The emperor hurled a carved stick marked death into the snow.
Zi Cheng smiled faintly at Yinkui one last time.
> "Thank you, my love. If there's a next life, I will love only Yinkui—through the four seasons, through all lifetimes.
If I ever betray you, may my soul never reincarnate."
The sword fell.
Blood painted the snow crimson.
Yinkui's world collapsed.
> My love is gone. The snow douses the fire in my heart. Why does it feel so cold? It's always been this cold… when you're not here.
Lightning split the sky. Her left pupil turned violet.
> "Zi Cheng, your Kui'er is coming.
If there's a next life, I'll find you again.
I offer my dragon spirit—to guide you, protect you, and never part."
Thunder boomed.
A lightning bolt struck.
Yinkui fell from the roof—her body swallowed by snow.
"PRINCESS!!!" Lan'er screamed as the sky wept.
---
"Princess Yangtan has arrived!" a herald shouted.
A silver horse charged through the gates. Feng Yangtan, Yinkui's twin, dismounted—her silver hairpins glinting beneath the stormlight. She rushed to her sister's side and fell to her knees.
"Kui'er… why aren't you getting up? It's your wedding day…" her voice broke.
Lan'er, eyes swollen from crying, handed her a letter.
Yangtan opened it with trembling fingers.
> "Tan'er, I'm sorry. Without Zi Cheng, life is empty. If this is love, why does it hurt so much?
Don't hate me. I'll make it up to you in the next life.
Kui of shadows walks with endless night.
Tan of dawn light bathes the morning bright.
Like moon and sun, forever side by side.
The twin princesses of Feng shall be remembered forever.
—Your grumpy dragon, Kui'er."
Yangtan closed her eyes and kissed her sister's forehead. Silver light enveloped her.
> "If this is punishment, I'll bear it.
I'll carry your light into the darkness—even if it shatters me."
Thunder cracked. The heavens trembled. Heavenly soldiers descended in blinding brilliance.
The world fractured into light, blood, and silence.
---
— The Present —
Beep. Beep. Beep.
Fluorescent lights buzzed overhead. White ceilings replaced the storm. The scent of antiseptic filled the air.
"Swabs collected."
"Hymen intact."
"Minimal damage."
"Frontal lobe hypoxia—oxygen deprivation. Strangulation, most likely."
"That explains her seizures."
"She'll live… but ten years, at most."
Stephanie sat frozen, clutching her daughter's sweater. Destiny paced the corridor in silence.
A nurse entered softly.
"The operation's begun. We'll update you once it's over."
Hours passed before the doors swung open—Diana and Draven bursting in, eyes wide with fear.
"D?!" Diana called.
Destiny shook her head. "It's okay… it'll be okay."
But nothing about this was okay.
---
In the still darkness of her mind, a faint voice whispered:
> "Diana, I'm sorry. I've been a bad sister.
I failed to protect you.
But I'll carry your light with me—always."
Diane's eyes fluttered open.
The hospital lights blurred, flickering between past and present.
Memories of a palace drenched in snow and blood bled into the sterile room.
Two lives. One soul.
Feng Yinkui—the Dragon's Bride—had been reborn.
> And thus began the tale of the Dragon's Bride—reborn from ashes, fated to burn once more.
---
Next Chapter Teaser 🔥
> A girl awakens with memories of a forgotten kingdom and a love that defied the heavens.
But when she awakens in this life their love isn't what she expected at all.