Chapter 5

The hall fell into dead silence. Only my voice lingered in the air.

Damien glanced down at me in surprise. But he wasn't doubting me, just genuinely puzzled.

Lucian stared at me as if he might burst into flames. Beneath the fury, though, flickered a trace of guilt.

Rowena wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth. Crying openly now, she turned to the crowd and accused, "It was Seraphina. She was jealous that I was going to be Dragon Queen—that's why she tried to ruin me."

Henry looked toward me, his expression grave. "Seraphina, I know you bear resentment toward them, but today was not the day for such words. Rowena is the Crown Princess, and Adrian was the Crown Prince that I appointed. How could they possibly be impostors?"

Yelena rose in fury. "Enough. Why waste words on her? Lucian married her and fell on the battlefield. Now Adrian's succession has been cursed from the moment she showed up. She's nothing but bad luck. Get her out of my sight."

At her command, the guards moved forward.

Damien stepped in front of me, his gaze sharp. "Whoever dares touch her—step forward."

I squeezed Damien's hand and stared up at Henry. "Your Majesty, do you still remember the two conditions required to receive the throne?"

Though puzzled, Henry answered, "The Crown Prince must be formally appointed by the Dragon Clan, or the Crown Princess must be of royal blood.

"In truth, fulfilling either condition is enough to earn recognition under the Divine Law. However, to preserve the purity of the bloodline, the Dragon and Phoenix Clans usually ensure both are met."

Both Lucian's and Rowena's faces stiffened at once.

Lucian turned to Henry in disbelief. "Father, why was I never told this?"

Henry's expression darkened. "How could you say that? When I named you Crown Prince, I explained every secret of the clan in detail.

"Adrian, you have always been steady and prudent—how could you forget something so vital?"

Lucian looked flustered, panic flickering in his eyes. "I..."

I spoke for him. "Your Majesty, do you not see? This is not Crown Prince Adrian—it is Prince Lucian himself."

A murmur ran through the crowd.

Henry's eyes widened in shock.

Yelena rose to her feet, pointing at me as she seethed. "How dare you, Seraphina! Do you think you may stand here and spit lies? You have already brought death to one of my sons. Will you ruin the reputation of the other as well?"

I stepped onto the altar, approaching Lucian with calm, measured steps.

He recoiled as if I were some demon. Forgetting Rowena collapsed beside him, he stumbled backward, eyes wide with fear. "You... what is it you intend?" he stammered, guilt making his voice tremble.

I sighed. "Ten years ago, Lucian risked his life to save me. The Sea Wraith's tears burned a scar into his chest, almost killing him. That scar is etched upon his soul. No remedy could ever remove it."

It was for this reason that, in my previous life, Lucian had deceived me. After all, who could imagine that the man who once risked his life to save me would later see me torn apart?

I reached to lift his clothes, but he swatted my hand away.

He kept retreating, desperate to put distance between us, even barring Rowena—her face full of worry—from coming near. He shouted at me, furious, "Seraphina, have you lost your mind? I am Adrian."

But Henry had already sensed something amiss. Ignoring Lucian's protests, he commanded two loyal guards to lift Lucian's clothes.

All eyes fixed on him. Gasps ran through the hall.

No matter how Lucian tried to cover himself, there it was—the scar on his chest, a perfect mark like a tear etched into his skin.