CHAPTER 98: CH 98: TIME TO RELAX - PART 6

The garden air was still, heavy with the fragrance of roses and faint traces of morning dew clinging to the petals.

Lysera’s gaze lingered on her younger sister, who stood before her with arms crossed and lips pushed into a pout.

For a long moment, she did not speak, letting the silence stretch. Then, with a soft sigh, she finally relented.

"I will keep my promise, Serin. There’s no need for you to get angry—or annoyed. I always honor my word."

Lysera said, her tone calm but edged with weariness.

Serin’s frown instantly melted, her crimson eyes lighting up with delight. Her entire expression brightened like a child who had just won a long-argued game.

"Good! That’s all I wanted to hear. Now come on. Let’s go shopping. You’re not getting out of this."

She reached out, tugging at Lysera’s sleeve with playful insistence.

Lysera allowed herself to be pulled along, her usual regal composure softening slightly.

They made their way back toward the estate’s main hall, and as they passed through, Lysera noticed something she could not ignore.

The servants—lined along the walls in quiet obedience—were glaring. Their eyes followed her every step with quiet hostility, their contempt poorly masked.

Her lips curved into a faint, dismissive huff.

"Honestly... stop staring. I didn’t want to come back here either, you know."

Her voice was quiet, almost resigned.

But when she glanced again, none of them moved, none reacted. It was as if her words had been nothing but a gust of wind against stone—acknowledged by no one.

The humiliation was sharp, but not new.

Lysera had lived through enough of their coldness to grow used to it.

She lowered her gaze, letting the insult slide past her as she always did. Better to ignore it than start another conflict.

But Serin was not Lysera.

The younger dragon princess halted mid-step, her crimson eyes narrowing dangerously at the servants.

"Did you just ignore her?"

Her voice rang out like a blade unsheathed, cutting the air.

"How dare you—"

Before Lysera could stop her, Serin’s hand lashed out.

A sharp crack echoed through the hall as her palm struck one of the nearest maids across the face.

The servant crumpled to the ground, blood trickling from her lip where Serin’s claws had grazed her skin.

The other servants froze in horror, eyes wide, their bodies trembling as silence fell upon the room.

None dared move, none dared speak.

Serin’s glare swept over them like fire licking dry grass.

"Pathetic. All of you should remember your place. She’s still your lady, whether you like it or not."

Lysera’s hand shot out, gripping Serin’s wrist firmly before her sister could raise it again. Her voice was sharp but calm, authoritative without being harsh.

"Enough."

Serin turned her glare on Lysera, annoyed.

"You’ve gotten soft, sister. This isn’t like you. You’re of the Dragon King’s blood. You don’t have to tolerate such insolence."

Lysera’s eyes flickered with something unreadable.

For a moment, an image came unbidden to her mind: Kana’s face, her warmth, the way she looked at Lysera without fear or disdain.

The memory softened her expression before she quickly forced it back into neutrality.

"I simply don’t want to be late,"

Lysera said evenly, letting go of Serin’s wrist.

"That’s all."

Serin huffed, but after a moment, she relented, flicking her hair back with a sharp motion.

"Fine. If that’s how you want it."

The servants hurried to tend to the injured maid, keeping their heads bowed low, none daring to meet Lysera’s eyes.

The two dragon-blooded women moved past them, their presence a storm that left silence in its wake.

Once they were outside the estate gates, Serin gave her sister a side glance, her lips curling into a sly smile.

"You know, you can come back anytime. This is still your family. Father might be strict, but he’d never turn you away. The Dragon King’s halls will always be open to you."

Lysera’s steps slowed, her gaze shifting to the path ahead. A bitter smile touched her lips.

"Don’t fool yourself, Serin. A half-breed like me has no home in the Dragon Kingdom. I was never wanted there. I was a mistake from the start."

She paused, then added quietly.

"But perhaps... I’ve found a home now."

Her words hung in the air, fragile yet firm.

For once, Serin did not immediately respond. Her playful mask faltered, and for a heartbeat her crimson eyes grew clouded, unreadable.

Then, with a quiet exhale, she muttered,

"Then guard it well."

Lysera turned to her sharply, catching the shift in her tone.

"Because—"

Serin continued, her gaze sharp as her voice dropped into something darker.

"---there’s no telling when you might lose it."

Lysera’s heart gave a slow, heavy thud. She stopped in her tracks, narrowing her eyes at her younger sister.

That had not been a casual remark. It was a warning. No—worse. A threat.

"Serin—"

Lysera began, her voice low, dangerous.

But by the time she turned, her sister was already walking away, her steps light and carefree, humming to herself as though nothing had happened.

She didn’t even glance back, her crimson hair catching the sun as she strode toward the bustling streets beyond the estate.

Lysera remained frozen where she stood, the echo of her sister’s words gnawing at her thoughts.

For all her youth and petulance, Serin’s threats were never idle. And the unease curling in Lysera’s chest told her this was only the beginning.

By the end of their outing, Lysera’s uneasiness had only deepened.

Even as Serin laughed and enjoyed herself, Lysera could not shake the weight of her sister’s words.

Each smile, each playful comment, felt like a veil hiding something sharper beneath. The moment they parted, Lysera wasted no time.

She did not linger, nor did she look back at the city streets.

Gathering her cloak tightly around her shoulders, she quickened her pace, her thoughts racing.

Whatever Serin intended, it would not be harmless. With that certainty gnawing at her, Lysera hurried home, needing the safety of its walls.