You Already Plucked It, and You Still Want to Give It Back?

"I didn't mean to!" Lucy Luan stared blankly at the Heartscale she was holding. "A dragon's scales are supposed to be the toughest armor there is—how could one just fall off from a touch? Are you... broken or something?"

Sean Shaw replied, "It's not broken."

"It totally is! I barely even used any strength!"

"Then why did you pull it off?"

"I just... I was just curious what it looked like!" She shoved the Heartscale back into Sean's hand as if it were burning hot. "Anyway, I'm sorry."

Sean's face darkened. "You've already plucked it—how can you just give it back to me now?"

"...Isn't it supposed to be given to your bride on the wedding night?"

Sean said, "The Heartscale is for the one you truly love! The more you love someone, the easier it comes off. If you dislike or even hate someone, it stays tough as iron and will injure anyone who tries to touch it."

So... was he saying he really liked her?

Lucy Luan stayed silent.

Sean Shaw pulled out a strand of Goldenreed and said, "Legend has it, Emperor Evan Xiao's Heartscale has always hung around the Gatekeeper's neck. Since you've plucked mine, you have to wear it too."

Without waiting for her agreement, he threaded the Goldenreed through the dragon scale and fastened it around her neck himself.

Then, grinning happily, he kept staring at her chest.

Lucy Luan glanced down. "So, are you saying you want to make a secret lifelong pact with me?"

Sean Shaw pressed his lips together, smiling. "What's so 'secret' about it? Your family and my Father Emperor already know."

Lucy Luan shook her head. "Sean, I'm not the same person I used to be. Back then, I was the 'Number One Divine Lady of the Lumina Realm'—a match for you in status. But now... I'm probably being called the Number One Witch of the Three Realms and Ten Wilds. If you marry me..."

Sean's smile slowly faded. "I thought you understood me."

Lucy Luan didn't reply.

"For me... the only things that make my existence feel meaningful are my Father Emperor—and you." Sean spoke softly, his long lashes casting a shadow of longing and hurt.

Lucy Luan looked at him, then finally picked up the Heartscale and tucked it inside her clothes, wearing it against her skin.

Sean Shaw suddenly took a deep breath and looked up at her.

"What are you staring at?" Lucy Luan's eyes sparkled, half shy, half teasing.

Sean's face visibly reddened, his aura going all weird. He shook his head, voice low and husky: "N-nothing..."

What was up with him?

So weird!

Lucy Luan found herself blushing too, awkwardly twisting her fingers.

Sean's gaze dropped to her hands—fair and delicate, fingers slender and lovely.

Suddenly, he grabbed her hand, pulled her close, and leaned down toward her lips...

Lucy Luan's face was blazing red, half resisting, half yielding, her heart pounding like thunder.

Just then, Lucy's Messenger Charm lit up.

It was Luna Lian.

Lucy Luan answered, "Luna?"

Luna's voice sounded angry. "Where are you right now?"

"I'm on Heavenly Pool Mountain," Lucy said. "Where are you? At the Palace Guard Barracks?"

"Second Brother and I are already home. And we know about your situation," Luna said.

Lucy Luan was at a loss for words.

"Are you coming back?"

Lucy Luan stammered, "I..."

"Don't come back!" Luna cut her off before Lucy could finish. "So it turns out I'm the real Lu family daughter! All these years, you've taken over my nest and stolen everything that was supposed to be mine! How do you even have the nerve to show your face here? Get out—go far away! Never appear in front of me again! I don't want to see you!"

Lucy Luan was silent for a moment, then hung up the Messenger Charm.

...