Hakan
The confrontation hung in the air like a storm ready to break. I stood before her, my eyes locked on the white-haired woman, feeling the weight of what I had to reveal. Every word I spoke cut through the tense silence of the hall.
"That's why I brought back a human woman," I said, my voice steady but heavy with the truth. "To spare them from that suffering. I knew that you would reject me if I told you the truth..."
Her eyes widened, a flicker of disbelief crossing her pale face. She didn't move, as if fearing that any step might make my words more real, more devastating.
"...So, to make life easier," I continued, my tone colder now, "I hid the truth from you." I paused, letting the words sink into the space between us. "Don't get it twisted. I'm just using you."
Her expression faltered, shock and betrayal warring within her. I could see the trembling in her hands, the way her breath hitched in disbelief. This was the part she wasn't prepared for—the cruelty wrapped in necessity, the self-serving mercy I had delivered under the guise of protection.
"The ones I spared," I said, my voice dropping further, "will still suffer. They will endure severe pain and will eventually die." My gaze hardened. "Don't you find it strange that I chose a human, one who violated the Mezaluc's honor, as my bride?"
She flinched, though no words came. I pressed on, the truth spilling forth like a jagged blade. "You… were doomed from the start. It would have been great if you bore the Guardian Dragon's child… burned alive, and then—then you would die. Even if you survive, once you bear the Guardian Dragon's child…"
I turned slightly, my eyes shadowed, remembering the weight of the words even as I spoke them aloud. "...But if your body can't handle it, and you end up dying, then it's no loss to me either way."
I looked at her one last time, letting the bitter truth linger. "I greatly treasure women from Tayar," I added, almost as an ironic twist, almost to remind her that even in this cruelty, there was an impossibly twisted sense of regard.
Flashback – Memories of a Brother
The scene shifted in my mind, a memory I could no longer ignore. A younger version of myself, bare-chested and reckless, laughed under the sunlight as a woman with darker hair stood nearby, her hand brushing through my hair.
"I feel like you're only ever satisfied when following in your brother's footsteps," she said, her voice soft yet teasing.
"Are you happy now?" she asked, and I laughed—a carefree sound, almost foreign now.
"Hehe," I replied, and she laughed along, a sound that had once filled a room with warmth.
"Ha ha! That really suits you, I!" she exclaimed. And then she murmured my name, "Raikan."
Her words echoed in my memory: Now, if I ever fall on the battlefield, I can trust that… I had carried that trust forward, though it had twisted over time, turned into something heavier, something cruel.
The hall snapped back to the present chaos. A dark-haired woman struggled, fury etched into every line of her body.
"Let me go! I have to kill that punk!" she screamed, her rage palpable.
"DIE!" Her voice tore through the air as she lunged, restrained but undeterred.
The scene erupted violently. Blood-red splashes marked the air, a sound of metal cutting through flesh accompanying her desperate cries.
Even as the chaos unfolded, the weight of my confession to the white-haired woman lingered, hanging over us all like a storm cloud that had finally broken. The title of the series, The Dragon King's Bride, seemed almost to mock the carnage that now filled the chamber, the consequences of power, obsession, and the harsh truths we dare not avoid.
---________
Lucina
The silver-haired woman stood frozen, her body rigid as if turned to stone, her eyes wide with terror. The words hitting her ears were like shards of ice, cutting through any hope she had nurtured.
"THAT'S WHY HE BROUGHT BACK A HUMAN WOMAN TO SPARE THEM FROM THAT SUFFERING," a dark voice rang out, detached and cold, every syllable weighted with inevitability. "HE KNEW THAT YOU WOULD REJECT HIM IF HE TOLD YOU THE TRUTH…"
The speaker, a woman with long, dark hair, draped in majestic purple robes, leaned forward slightly, her gaze sharp as a blade. "...SO TO MAKE LIFE EASIER, HE HID THE TRUTH FROM YOU."
Her words struck like lightning. "...DON'T GET IT TWISTED. HE'S JUST USING YOU."
The bride's lips trembled. Her mind refused to process the betrayal, yet the stark, unyielding truth burned itself into her soul. A whispered confession slipped out, raw and brittle:
"HAKAN… HAS BEEN USING ME…"
Tears fell silently, tracing soft, glistening trails down her cheeks. She wiped frantically at them, desperate to reclaim composure, to deny the pain that clawed at her chest.
"I'LL ASK HAKAN… MYSELF," she resolved, clinging to the faint hope that he would deny it, that the truth might somehow be twisted into mercy.
The accuser's laugh was sharp, almost cruel. "Do you really think he'll tell you the truth if you ask him? Get a grip! He plundered your town and dragged you here. You think you're safe from the consequences?"
The bride faltered, her courage faltering under the relentless weight of logic. "This is my first time meeting you… How am I supposed to believe anything you say?!"
In the background, I, the King, stood apart, my massive frame and intricate tattoos catching the dim light of the hall. My expression remained unreadable, a silent witness to the storm I had wrought.
______
Hakan
The palace shattered into chaos. A dark-haired woman, twisted with grief and rage, fought against invisible restraints.
"LET ME GO! I HAVE TO KILL THAT PUNK!" she screamed, her voice raw, body trembling with fury.
"DIE!" she roared, and the hall seemed to pulse with her wrath. The scene was punctuated by a splash of crimson, the violent culmination of her desperation.
I, the muscular, tattooed King, felt the tension tighten around me. An older man, his face contorted with accusation, stepped forward:
"YOU SPENT YOUR WHOLE LIFE BEING JEALOUS OF YOUR BROTHER AND CAUSING TROUBLE… AND NOW YOU'VE FINALLY STOLEN HIS POSITION, YOU DEMON!"
Servants rushed frantically to my side.
"WE NEED SOME HOLY WATER, CLERIC!" one cried.
"ARE YOU OKAY, YOUR MAJESTY?!" another shouted, fear lacing every word.
The bride, breathless, reached me at last. "HAKAN… YOU'RE HURT! W-What happened? I-I can heal you—!"
I pulled away, my voice low, hoarse with the weight of both pain and resolve. "I don't want to talk to you right now."
No one was to follow me. "NO ONE IS TO FOLLOW ME," I ordered, my voice carrying the authority of a king and the finality of a man who sought solitude. STEP. STEP. STEP. Each footfall echoed my desire to be alone. "I WISH TO BE ALONE."
I found refuge in a sacred cave, a place of whispered legends and latent power. A cloaked attendant tended to my wounds, examining the bare, tattooed expanse of my chest.
"Luckily, your wound isn't that deep," the attendant observed. "This cave is a sacred place. It has the power to heal. Your wound will naturally start to mend if you remain here…"
I allowed the quiet to envelop me, the rhythmic drip of water in the cave mingling with the echoes of my own heartbeat.
Flashback – The Brother's Shadow
My mind drifted to a sunlit memory, warmer than the cold stone of the cave but tinged with the weight of expectation. My beloved, powerful brother, Raikan, stood adorned in gold jewelry, radiating strength and confidence. Our mother, dark-haired and wise, spoke to me, her hands gentle on my head.
"I FEEL LIKE YOU'RE ONLY EVER SATISFIED WHEN FOLLOWING IN YOUR BROTHER'S FOOTSTEPS," she said, her voice tender, laced with concern. "ARE YOU HAPPY NOW?"
I laughed softly, a childish, nervous sound. "Hehe."
Raikan's booming laughter followed. "HAHAHA! THAT REALLY SUITS YOU, HAKAN!"
He then spoke, pride and prophecy woven together. "NOW, IF I EVER FALL ON THE BATTLEFIELD, I CAN TRUST THAT YOU WILL SLAY OUR ENEMIES IN MY PLACE."
Mother pulled me close. "STOP FILLING HIS HEAD WITH NONSENSE. HE'S STILL FAR TOO YOUNG."
Raikan scoffed, his confidence unshaken. "Far too young? I took down the chief of the Wolf Clan at his age, Mother."
"But HAKAN isn't you," she insisted.
Raikan's eyes softened as he looked at me, heavy with the weight of destiny. "YOU ARE THE GREAT KING WHO UNIFIED TAYAR KINGDOM."
I fidgeted, overwhelmed by the magnitude of their expectations, the echoes of Raikan's shadow still pressing on me. The memory faded, leaving only the weight of my own decisions—the cruel necessity that had led me to the human bride and the path I now walked alone.
_________
Lucina
"PAUSE," I murmured, my voice barely more than a whisper, a fragile sound against the thundering drum of my heart. My fingers brushed the raised skin of his arm, tracing the intricate tattoos that swirled across the broad expanse of his muscles. His body stiffened under my touch, rigid with restrained emotion.
I could see the shadows beneath his jaw, the deep, furious red staining the pristine white floor, and the dark line of his shoulder wound that began to seep, marring the artistry of his tattoos.
"WAIT…!" I cried, my desperation rising as his massive hand clamped down on my arm. The intensity of his grip shocked me into silence, a momentary pause where time itself seemed to halt.
"I-I can treat your wound! It's bleeding!" I insisted, my voice breaking, pleading. He needed me. He had to let me help him. "I'LL—!"
His low, rumbling command cut through my plea, leaving no room for argument. "GO BACK TO YOUR ROOM. WE'LL TALK LATER."
His hand patted my shoulder, the same one that had squeezed me moments ago, the gesture both gentle and patronizing. My eyes, wide and pleading, searched his face, burning with frustration and fear. Talk later? There might not be a later.
"I DON'T CARE! I WANT TO TALK TO YOU!" I shouted, letting my defiance ring through the luxurious quiet of the room. My voice trembled with a mix of fear, anger, and desperation.
His head turned slightly, the shadows on his face deepening, masking his expression. "YOU SAID THAT YOU HAD SOMETHING YOU WANTED TO SAY TO ME TODAY." His cadence was cold, almost detached. "I'LL HEAL YOU AND THEN LISTEN TO WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY!"
I slid my hand down, resting it against his firm abdomen, hoping to anchor him, to reach through the tension radiating from his core. But a terrifying aura rose from him, hot and suffocating, filling the room with invisible pressure. His anger fumed, palpable and suffocating.
His head lifted, his gaze finally meeting mine—but it was not the man I loved; it was the ruthless King. "THIS IS AN ORDER, LUCINA."
The use of my name, paired with the unwavering authority in his tone, sent a shiver down my spine. I could barely breathe. My defiance surfaced in a raw, trembling whisper: "LEAVE ME ALONE."
I slowly turned, my shoulders slumping under the weight of his command. My elaborate white gown felt heavy, constricting, like it bore the weight of his authority. TURN.
The last sound before the heavy door slammed—shaking the marble beneath my feet—was the violent SLAM echoing through the hall. I was left alone, staring at the cold, bright stairs, my chance to speak—and perhaps to heal—shattered.
words continued to reverberate in my mind, mingling with the oppressive aura of his rage. I had tried to assert myself—"LEAVE ME ALONE"—yet it felt insignificant, swallowed by the magnitude of his authority.
I sank to the cold marble steps, hugging my knees to my chest. The sunlight streaming through the palace windows mocked me with its serenity, a stark contrast to the storm inside.
A soft, familiar voice broke through my spiraling thoughts. "I went looking for the cleric earlier," Titi said gently, settling nearby. "But I heard she went to a sacred place to purify the late King's body… I think something happened over there."
The weight of her words pressed down on me—the late King's body, the sacred purification… something went wrong. My chest tightened, a knot of unease forming.
Titi's eyes searched mine, worry etched into her delicate features. "Please don't worry too much. I'm sure the King will—"
I cut her off softly, the sound of my voice heavy with grief. "Titi… I'm sorry, but I want to be left alone right now." The rejection felt harsh, even to myself, but I needed solitude to process the finality of his command.
Titi nodded, rising gracefully. "I UNDERSTAND. Please call me if you need me."
The palace fell silent once more. I remained on the marble steps, hugging my knees, my gaze lost in the distant cityscape. The world outside looked serene, tranquil… but my heart was anything but.
I picked up a small, multi-chained decorative piece I held in my hands, turning it over idly as my mind replayed his shadowed face, the cold authority, the terrifying aura of anger. My thoughts were interrupted by a sudden voice, cutting through the silence.
"HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT MY OFFER?"
I froze, startled, my hands gripping the delicate chains tighter. The words hung in the air, demanding consideration. I turned my head just slightly, my eyes sweeping the grand parapet, aware that the choices before me were far from over. My conversation with the King had ended… but the weight of another consequential decision pressed down, unrelenting.
I sat on the cold marble steps, shoulders slumped, the King's brutal, commanding rejection still echoing in my ears. The violent SLAM of the door had sealed away my hopes, leaving me hollow. He had ordered me to leave him alone, and I had been forced to TURN.
"I went looking for the cleric earlier," Titi's soft voice broke through my daze. She lowered herself onto the steps beside me, worry etched on her delicate features. "But I heard she went to a sacred place to purify the late King's body." Her brow furrowed. "I think something happened over there."
A fresh wave of anxiety rolled over me. Something happened… something important. Titi tried to reassure me. "PLEASE DON'T WORRY TOO MUCH. I'M SURE THE KING WILL—"
"TITI… I'M SORRY, BUT I WANT TO BE LEFT ALONE RIGHT NOW," I interrupted, my voice gentle but firm. I clutched the small, multi-chained decorative piece in my hands, twisting it between my fingers as I tried to quiet the storm inside me.
Titi nodded immediately. "I UNDERSTAND." She rose quietly, the soft sound of her movement—a gentle RISE—marking her retreat. "Please call me if you need me."
Alone, I hugged my knees, my gaze drifting over the magnificent palace rooftop. The sunlight glinted off the white marble and golden spires, yet all I could focus on was the empty space where Hakan had stood moments ago.
A sudden STEP, STEP, STEP interrupted my thoughts. I looked up and froze, noticing a new figure descending the steps, draped in a rich purple robe.
"HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT MY OFFER?" the voice asked, calm and deliberate. I paused, my breath catching in my throat.
"Judging by the look on your face, I'm assuming your conversation with Hakan didn't go very well," the purple-robed man observed. He lowered himself onto the steps beside me with a soft FLOP, a casual confidence in his posture.
His gaze bore into mine. "WHY HAVE YOU BEEN HIDING THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE THE POWER TO HEAL UNTIL NOW?"
I felt a fresh, heavy knot of anxiety twist in my chest. My head dropped forward, hiding behind the curtain of my white hair. "I… I DON'T HAVE THE POWER TO HEAL!" I protested, my voice muffled. "OKAY, FINE. I GOT IT."
He watched me droop, then spoke in a softer, almost coaxing tone. "I GUESS YOU PROBABLY KEPT IT SECRET BECAUSE YOU KNEW PEOPLE LIKE ME WOULD START BOTHERING YOU. BUT YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE REALLY WORTH."
His voice sharpened suddenly, demanding my full attention. "IF I HAD THAT KIND OF ABILITY, THEN I WOULD NEVER RISK MY LIFE TRYING TO BEAR A CHILD FOR SOMEONE LIKE HAKAN."
Heat surged through me, a wave of indignation and loyalty fuming in my chest. "STOP SAYING BAD THINGS ABOUT HIM!" I shot back, lifting my chin with defiance.
He stared at me, his handsome features hard, cold. "SO YOU'RE STILL GOING TO TAKE HIS SIDE? THE PERSON WHO LIED TO YOU AND IS USING YOU?"
"WE STILL DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S TRUE!" I countered, my cheeks burning with fierce loyalty despite everything Hakan had done.
He pressed further, the question inevitable. "YOU LIKE HAKAN, DON'T YOU?"
My defiance melted, replaced by a flood of embarrassment and truth I could no longer deny. My voice shook as I confessed the secret that burned within me. "H-HAKAN WAS… THE FIRST PERSON TO LISTEN TO WHAT I HAD TO SAY AND THE FIRST PERSON WHO TRUSTED ME." I swallowed hard. "HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT I'M CHARMING."
I braced myself, anticipating condemnation, manipulation, or an attempt to sway me. My heart still belonged to Hakan—the man who had just coldly ordered me away.
The man in the purple robe studied me carefully, a calculated calm replacing the initial sharpness in his eyes. He paused, letting my confession hang in the air before speaking:
"I CAN… DO THOSE THINGS AS WELL."
He waited, letting the words sink in, then added softly, "HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT I'M CHARMING AND BEAUTIFUL."
A flush crept up my chest. His gaze softened as he mirrored the very words that had won my trust with Hakan.
"THAT'S NOT DIFFICULT," he continued, leaning closer, dark hair brushing my shoulder. "IF THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT, THEN I CAN TREAT YOU THAT WAY AS MUCH AS YOU LIKE."
His voice dropped, persuasive, almost tender. "YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL AND CHARMING, LUCINA. WHEN I OPENED MY EYES AND FIRST SAW YOU, I THOUGHT YOU WERE A SAINT WHO HAD COME TO SAVE ME."
The weight of his words pressed against my chest. He wasn't offering empty compliments—he was offering safety, security, the freedom I had craved for so long. "I'LL PROTECT YOU SO THAT YOU NEVER HAVE TO BE ABDUCTED OR SOLD OFF AGAIN."
The unspoken promise lingered in the air. I stared out over the palace wall, the turmoil inside me silent yet roaring.
Finally, he spoke again, decisive, his words like a siren song tempting me away from all my worries:
"LET'S LEAVE THIS KINGDOM TOGETHER, LUCINA."
The world seemed to hold its breath. Leave with him? Abandon Hakan—the man who had just coldly ordered me away?
The path he offered promised safety, freedom, and protection. Yet my heart still clung to Hakan, to the man who had once trusted me and now shut me out.
A choice loomed before me—one that would determine the course of my entire future.