Bound To The Ice Dragon King
Chapter 85: Past regret

Chapter 85: Past regret

Rhea and Draven walked side by side, their steps matching the same rhythm. As they neared The Den Of Pleasure, Rhea’s eyes caught sight of Aria, dressed in an exquisite off-white gown. She paced restlessly outside the gate, her gaze darting back and forth, as if looking to see if they were coming, or perhaps if Valen was coming.

Rhea couldn’t help but smile wryly as she said. "Look at that, My Lord," she remarked, her voice laced with a hint of amusement. "Despite your intentions of wooing me into your bed, it seems my dear friend still anxiously awaits your return."

Valen’s expression softened, and he cast a glance in Aria’s direction. "That’s why she’s my flower among all the women," he replied, his voice carrying a touch of admiration. "Even with the allure of this place, she can’t help but worry about me."

Rhea rolled her eyes, despite the fact that Valen had saved them, she would only fully believe that he loved Aria if he stopped messing around with other women.

As they approached the gate, Aria’s eyes finally landed on them, before shifting to Valen, and a radiant smile illuminated her face. She rushed toward him, her dress swirling around her as she enveloped him in a warm embrace. "Valen, you’re finally here, I was worried sick about you. I thought your father had caught you!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with relief and joy.

However, Valen did not return the hug and remained motionless, as if he was not anticipating it. Sensing his stiffness, Aria immediately pulled away. Rhea, who was standing beside Draven, noticed Aria’s radiant expression turn into a gloomy one. Eventually, she simply bowed her head in respect and greeted Valen, "Welcome back, my Lord."

Valen tilted his head to the side and questioned, "What’s wrong, my flower? Are you bowing to me like a stranger because I have been away for so long?" He chuckled softly, "Don’t do that again, let’s go inside. I have something for you." With that, he brushed past Aria and started walking ahead.

Aria’s expression turned downcast as he walked ahead without waiting for her to join him. However, she forced a smile, knowing that as his mistress, she had no right to complain or ask for more. She courteously bowed to Rhea and Draven, then turned to follow Valen. But she noticed that he had stopped and turned his head back.

"Ariana, we haven’t been together in ages. Do you no longer want to hold my hand while we walk? Or are you upset that I made you wait outside for so long?" he asked softly, his voice filled with affection, before holding out his arm.

Aria was momentarily surprised, but then she smiled and quickly walked towards him, slipping her arm around his. He guided her gently with a warm smile, and his tender gaze caused all the girls standing nearby to look at Aria with jealousy.

Rhea and Draven also entered through the gate, and Rhea watched the couple’s backs as they walked, feeling a mixture of happiness for her friend. They seemed like the perfect couple, a match made in heaven. All Rhea ever wished for was her friend’s happiness, but she couldn’t tell if this Casanova truly loved her or if he was just using her for his own entertainment.

Upon entering the hallways, Draven, who was supposed to proceed to their assigned room, instead trailed behind the couple towards their own room. Nevertheless, Rhea swiftly seized his arm, using all her strength to pull him back. She successfully pressed him against the hallway wall, her breath labored from the difficult task. Although it wasn’t a simple feat to pull him back, she realized that her palms were still firmly planted on his chest. Hastily retracting her hands, she glanced up at him, with an expression that says, "Are you serious?"

A frown settled between Draven’s thick eyebrows as he met her gaze, he had no idea why she pulled him back when they were supposed to go and discuss with Valen about their next move and how he was going to return the dragons. He raised an eyebrow, "What’s wrong?"

"Why are you following behind the couple towards their room?" She questioned, folding her arms against her chest, "Didn’t you see how in love my friend is, or are you just too emotionless to notice someone else’s emotions? You can see those two needed some time alone, yet you were shamelessly about to follow them to their room, to do what?"

Despite Rhea scolding him, Draven made an effort to maintain his indifferent face. However, a slight twitch appeared at the corner of his mouth. He then casually commented, "I’m not aware of their romantic involvements, considering how Valen was trying to woo you."

Rhea shot him a glare, she then said, "You know what? Looking at your face, it is more alluring than that Valen’s, but when comparing your personality to his... apart from a girl like me who’s under the influence of a bond and a potion, no other girl would want to stay around an emotionless cold person like you, you will remain single and lonely forever without me someday."

Upon hearing her words, his expression twitched. He then leaned over, she looked at him, her expression slightly startled, as his face moved closer inch by inch. She wanted to step back, but his piercing blue eyes held her in a spellbound state, preventing her from doing so. His intense gaze sent a shiver down her spine, but yet, it made her heart race faster. In an attempt to regain control of her heartbeat, she quickly clasped her chest with her right hand, but then Draven lifted her chin with his finger, causing her body to react once again, her body swelled up with warmth just from that little touch.

A smirk formed on his lips, and his expression transformed into a sneer. He softly whispered, "Do you think I desire to be alone forever? Yes, I do. That’s precisely what I yearn for – to live my life without ever being affected by that affliction called LOVE again." He emphasized the word "love" before releasing her chin and wiping his hand on his clothes, a habitual gesture whenever their skin made contact.

Rhea’s heart sank at his callous words, feeling a deep sense of hurt for reasons she couldn’t quite understand. It was only normal for someone who’d experienced betrayal from the person he once loved to say those words, but why was she feeling like her heart had been ripped away? Even her racing heartbeat came to a sudden halt as Draven brushed past her.

It was strange, she didn’t know what to call these feelings anymore. But could only blame it all on the potion. It shouldn’t concern her if he was willing to love again or not, it shouldn’t concern her if he’d stay alone forever after she’d leave him, that was his problem and personal life, she was merely staying around him to support and protect him from harm, to avoid experiencing his pain. And after she was sure he got back his powers and could use them to protect himself, she’d leave.

That’s all!

She contemplated this before regaining her composure and trailed after him into their room.

After the pair returned to their room, none of them spoke to each other until a maid came to inform them that the dragons had been brought to the building and were kept in the backyard garden. Only then did Draven say, "Let’s go and check on them."

As Aria and Valen were still in their room, the pair didn’t bother to call them and went to the garden straight. When they reached, they saw the dragons were all locked in cages, and the cages were covered in black cloths to avoid the onlookers from wondering what was inside.

Rhea and Draven began to lift up the covers, while Rhea was looking for Aedan among the children, Draven went to examine them one after the other.

He stood before the cages, his heart sinking as he gazed upon the captive dragon children in their human form. The once vibrant and playful creatures now huddled together, their pale skin dulled and their spirits broken. A pang of guilt gripped his chest, tightening its hold with each breath he took.

How had it come to this? He, the king of the ice dragons, was supposed to be their protector, their leader. But now, he saw himself as the cause of their suffering and demise. He couldn’t help but blame himself for their current state, if he hadn’t fallen in love with the wrong person, his people and clan would be untouchable and safe within their realm.

The weight of responsibility pressed down upon his shoulders, weighing him down with remorse. He had allowed himself to be blinded by love, by the enchanting Alina who had stolen his heart. But now, all he could see were the consequences of his actions. His kind had paid the price for his weakness.

As Draven’s gaze shifted to the moon, its pale light casting an ethereal glow upon his face, his blue eyes mirrored his pain and regret. He wondered what would have happened if he had never fallen in love with Alina in the past, if he had never brought her to the dragon realm and gave her a home in his heart and realm. Perhaps his kind would have remained untouched by the cruelty and captivity they now faced.

Innocent children being separated from their parents, and being held captive, their form and undeveloped dragon core powers being stripped out of them by force, the pain of being separated with your dragon was worse than being burned with flames. He knew better than anyone how it felt like, the pain of removing the dragon core...

Silent tears welled up in Draven’s eyes for the first time of his existence, glistening under the moon’s gentle illumination. Each tear carried his sorrow, his remorse, and his longing for a different outcome. He wished with all his being that he could turn back time, undo the choices that had led them here.

But there was no going back. The past could not be undone, and all Draven could do now was face the consequences of his actions. To fight back to protect all his kinds, to make the culprit pay for their actions, to make them regret ever crossing the ice dragons.

Determination sparked within him, fueled by the pain he felt for his fellow dragons. He couldn’t change the past, but he could change the future.

With a final glance at the imprisoned dragon children, Draven made a silent vow. He would fight for his kind, even if it meant killing every single human on earth, he would get back what was once his and make them pay with their lives.