The Dragon’s Concubine

On the first day of our marriage, the Serpent Queen Seraphina and I formed an telepathy bond.

I knew with absolute certainty that she loved me as fiercely as her own life.

But by the seventh day, she was already in bed with two Crane men.

I was heartbroken, wishing I were dead.

With a helpless look, she said, "Jacob, a serpents nature is inherently lustful.

"It's not that I don't love you, but you alone cannot satisfy me. You can deal with any of the women around me as you wish, but I will not divorce you."

At first, I was consumed by such jealousy that I killed all the pretty boys she kept around.

Later, I simply stopped caring, turning a blind eye to it all.

Until she dissolved her entire harem for the sake of a human man named Liam.

That's when I asked for a divorce.

It wasn't out of jealousy.

It was because my own little concubine was clamoring for a proper position.

...

After my concubine finished tying my robe, I left my chambers and headed to the main hall.

Liam had fainted from exhaustion.

Seraphina was gently massaging his temples, her movements tender, her gaze focused as if he were a priceless treasure.

I took out the Soulbond Stone and got straight to the point.

"Seraphina, let's divorce."

"Infuse your spiritual energy into the stone. In three days, once the contract dissolves, we will no longer be bound together."

Hearing this, Seraphina waved her hand without a moment's hesitation and channeled her energy into the stone.

Two streams of energy mingled, and a crack appeared on the Soulbond Stone in my palm.

I was just about to leave when I heard Seraphina say to me, "You should come here less often in the future. Liam gets terrified whenever he sees you."

I nodded. "I won't be coming back."

Sensing something off in my tone, Seraphina finally deigned to spare me a glance.

She studied me for a long moment, her voice softening slightly.

"What did you need my energy for just now? Are you feeling unwell again?"

So that's why she gave it so readily. She hadn't even heard what I was asking for.

A faint, bitter smile touched my lips. "It was for the Soul"

"Your Majesty!" Liam chose that exact moment to wake up. Seeing me, he scrambled to his knees like a frightened rabbit, his whole body trembling. "This servant wouldn't dare!"

His groveling act broke Seraphina's heart. She hastily pulled him to his feet and snapped at me, "Get out of here! Now!"

I made a gesture of acknowledgement and left. As I closed the door, my eyes met Liam's.

There was no trace of fear in those dark pupils now.

He shot me a look of pure provocation, his expression utterly smug.

On my way back to my palace, I overheard two servants talking.

"Liam has been with Her Majesty for half a year now, hasn't he? I heard she's even dissolving the harem to make him her Consort."

"Can the official Consort really tolerate that? Wouldn't he want to tear Liam limb from limb?"

"Her Majesty clearly favors Liam more. Even if he can't stand it, he wouldn't dare make a move. After all, without Her Majesty's favor, what is he but a useless man?"

No need to ask. The 'he' they were talking about was me.

Hearing this, I remembered why Seraphina hadn't batted an eye when I asked for her energy.

I am the Third Prince of the Deer Clan.

The year I came of age, my father took me to the Beast King gathering.

Seraphina, who was still a princess then, fell for me at first sight.

The very next day, she came to the Deer Clan to propose marriage.

I had long heard that the Serpent Clan was matriarchal, and this princess was the future Serpent Queen.

So, I refused without a second thought.

Who knew Seraphina would become so deeply infatuated?

To be with me, she came to the Deer Clan every single day, defying her father's orders, even stealing precious spiritual herbs for me.

Moved by her persistence, I formed the soulbond with her and agreed to marry into her family.

After we infused our energy into the Soulbond Stone, Seraphina placed my hand over her heart.

"Jacob, from now on, we share a bond. Do you believe now that I love you?"

I believed.

I could feel the ferocious, overwhelming love she had for me, thrumming through the connection.

I truly thought Seraphina would stay with me for a lifetime.

But after our bond formed, not only could I feel her raging love, I could also feel her insatiable appetites.

They speak of the seven-year itch. Seraphina couldn't even last seven days.

The first time those waves of pleasure hit me, I thought I dreamed.

Seraphina wasn't with me at the time.

Following the empathic pull, I found her. She was with two Crane men, tangled together in her bed.

I flew into a rage on the spot, breaking both men's legs.

Seraphina watched, naked and unflinching, as I hurt them.

I demanded a divorce. I screamed at her, asking why.

Seraphina massaged her temples and said,

"Jacob, a serpents nature is inherently lustful. It's not that I don't love you, but you alone cannot satisfy me. You can deal with any of the men around me as you wish, but I will not divorce you."

I knew she loved me. Because of the bond, I knew exactly how deep that love ran.

But I also knew she was in a constant state of heat, taking a different man to her bed every single day.

I started hurting myself when her desires flared.

It worked at first, but gradually, she began to ignore my pain.

Then, one day, dead drunk, I was kidnapped by the Wolf Clan princess.

Seraphina went berserk. She led an army against the Wolf Clan.

I was rescued, but my core was damaged, my spiritual energy gone, leaving me utterly dependent on Seraphina for sustenance.

Seraphina was generous with her energy, pouring it into me without stint.

But from that day on, she never touched me again.

She never said a word, but through the bond, I knew her thoughts.

The Wolf Princess had sworn she'd marry no one but me.

Seraphina didn't believe the Wolf Princess had left me untouched. She thought I was soiled.

Because of the bond, when she felt desire, so did I.

She could find release. I could not.

The relentless hunger tormented me. At the brink of collapse, I met Aurora.

Aurora was just an ordinary human girl, lost and alone when I found her.

Consumed by lust, my reason gone, I tried to force myself on her.

But at the last moment, I regained my senses and shoved her away.

I stumbled a few steps before collapsing.

She didn't flee. She took me home and cared for me all through the night.

The next day, I thanked her and prepared to leave.

But she took my hand and asked if I wanted her to be my concubine.

I was stunned for a few seconds, then looked into those mesmerizing eyes and said yes.

From that day on, whenever Seraphina played with others, I lost myself with Aurora.

Day by day, I developed feelings for her. So when she said she wanted to marry me, to be an ordinary husband and wife

I decided to divorce Seraphina.

If it weren't for those servants gossiping, I'd have forgotten how long it had been since I last asked Seraphina for energy.

It seemed that ever since being with Aurora, my energy had slowly been recovering.

My body, nourished by her, had grown unusually strong.

But those servants were wrong about one thing.

In Seraphina's heart, Liam wasn't fit to touch a single strand of my hair.

Her interest in him was mere novelty.

The next day, Seraphina dismissed all her male consorts.

The men knelt outside my palace, begging me to plead with Seraphina, unwilling to leave.

My attitude was even firmer than hers.

"Since it is Her Majesty's command, you will leave the palace and live ordinary lives."

Their eyes red, one warned me, "Jacob, don't think just because you're the Consort you'll stay by Her Majesty's side forever. With her favor on Liam, you'll be cast aside sooner or later."

Before I could respond, the one who spoke was kicked hard into the wall.

Seraphina stood there with Liam, her expression murderous.

"How dare you address the Consort so disrespectfully? The next person who speaks like that will have their tongue ripped out."

With the Serpent Queen's fury unleashed, the men instantly fell silent.

Soon, my palace was quiet again.

After they left, Seraphina approached me.

"Jacob, Liam is now my Concubine Consort. As a human, he can't stand the cold and damp. Give him your palace."

The Serpent Clan favored yin environments, their dwellings mostly cold and humid.

Back when she married me, Seraphina specially traveled to the Eastern Sea to find Sunstone Jade to build this palace, afraid the damp would harm me.

Now she'd forgotten. We Deer are even more susceptible to cold than humans.

I thought about it. The divorce was in two days anyway.

Moving out a little early didn't matter.

"Fine. I'll move."

Even though I agreed, Seraphina felt a pang of discomfort.

I stood to have the servants pack my things, but she grabbed my hand.

"Jacob, if you mind, you don't have to move."

I shook my head.

"It's fine. I don't mind. This place is close to your chambers. It'll be convenient for him to attend to you."

I was stating a fact, but to her ears, it sounded like jealousy.

Seraphina seemed somewhat relieved. "Don't worry.

No matter where you live, you will always be my Consort.

The day after tomorrow is the Phoenix Princess's birthday celebration. Accompany me."

Among the beast clans, the Dragon and Phoenix held the highest status.

Even the Dragon King and Phoenix King weren't considered mere beasts; they were celestial beings.

At the Phoenix Princess's birthday banquet, all the Beast Kings came to offer congratulations.

Seraphina said she'd take me, but in the end, it was Liam by her side.

Several Beast Kings came to chat with her, heaping praises on Liam beside her, saying they'd long heard the Serpent Consort was exceptionally handsome, and now seeing him, he was truly breathtaking.

Seraphina listened, smiling faintly, not correcting them.

Those in the know overheard and shot me looks of pity.

I couldn't stand their gazes and found a quiet corner to hide in.

While alone, I took out the Soulbond Stone.

It was now covered in cracks. After tonight, once it shattered, the contract between Seraphina and me would dissolve.

I hadn't seen Aurora these three days. I wondered how she was.

Just as I was thinking of her, I overheard a conversation nearby.

"Isn't the Phoenix Princess closest to the Dragon Princess? Why isn't the Dragon Princess here today?"

"The Dragon Princess has been busy with her wedding plans lately."

The other gasped. The Dragon Princess was getting married? Who was the fortunate man?

Hearing this, I didn't feel much. The Dragon Princess was like a celestial fairy to beings like ussomeone you'd never even glimpse in a lifetime, let alone have contact with.

I estimated the time was about right and returned to the banquet.

I was just about to tell Seraphina I was leaving when I saw a crowd gathered.

Seraphina was kneeling on the ground with Liam, her face pale with terror.

"Great Immortal, Liam is merely human; he cannot withstand a Heavenly Tribulation. Please rescind your decree!"

I asked someone nearby and found out.

Liam had offended the Fire God and shattered his spiritual artifact.

Enraged, the Fire God decreed a Heavenly Tribulation as punishment.

No wonder Seraphina was so frantic.

Heavenly Tribulations were perilous. Even an ordinary Beast King might not survive a single bolt.

Let alone Liam, a mere human.

The Fire God roared at Seraphina's plea, "He is human and cannot withstand it, but you certainly can! Since he is your companion, you shall bear the punishment in his stead!"

Seraphina hesitated immediately.

She was approaching her thousandth year, which came with a Celestial Trial of her own.

Every Beast King's Celestial Trial was the most dangerous moment for their clan.

If the King couldn't withstand it, other clans would seize the opportunity to invade and carve up their territory.

So, she would not take Liam's place.

Liam sensed this too. Terrified, he clutched Seraphina's robes.

"Your Majesty, save me! I'll never dare again!"

Seraphina's heart ached. As she desperately sought a solution, her eyes suddenly lifted and landed on me.

Her brow smoothed.

I felt her intention through our bond and instinctively took two steps back.

Too late.

"Fire God, if someone must endure the Tribulation today, then let it be my Consort." Seraphina pointed at me. "We share an telepathy bond. Him suffering the Tribulation is the same as me suffering it."

All eyes turned to me.

Seraphina stood and grabbed my hand, whispering coaxingly, "Jacob, Liam is only human. He will surely perish. Please, take his place? Hmm?"

My whole body trembled, my heart wrenching.

"You're sure you want me to take his place? What if I die in that Tribulation?"

Seraphina frowned.

"You are Deer-Spirit. You won't die. But Liam truly would. If you agree to this, I will do anything for you."

She gripped my hand painfully tight.

I knew. Even if I refused, the one to face the Tribulation today would still be me.

I closed my eyes, then opened them. "Fine."

The moment I agreed, the sky darkened with roiling clouds.

Thunder growled menacingly within them.

I walked step by step toward the center of the gathering storm.

The instant I stepped away from Seraphina, I felt a surge of regret from her.

"Jacob, don't..."

But before Seraphina could grab my sleeve, Liam, behind her, fainted.

She immediately scooped him up and turned to leave without a backward glance.

The moment she was gone, the first bolt of lightning struck me.

Boom! Crash!

The first strike felt unbearable.

Pain exploded from my head to my toes, as if my very being was being torn apart.

One bolt, two, three...

I endured a full night of torment.

When the lightning finally ceased, my body was a map of wounds.

The spectators dispersed. I reached into my robes and pulled out the Soulbond Stone.

That once-indestructible stone was now reduced to dust.

Wonderful.

The bond between Seraphina and me was finally severed.

From now on, in life and death, marriage and parting, we had nothing to do with each other.

Just then, Seraphina's guard came to take me back.

He offered me a Serpent Clan healing elixir.

He said Seraphina was tied up with official duties and couldn't come herself, but she sent for me.

I took the medicine. Once I regained some strength, I dragged myself to a pool to wash my face.

I looked back. Dawn was breaking.

Three days had passed. It was the day I promised Aurora.

I staggered in the direction of her home.

The guard moved to stop me. "This is not the way back to the Serpent Lands."

"Let go!" I pushed him away. "I'm not returning to the Serpent Lands."

"What?"

Ignoring his shock, I tossed the crumbled Soulbond Stone dust to him.

"Take this to Seraphina. Tell her we're through."