Ch. 202 The Curse on The Imperial Family (1)

Sullivans expression was grave as he opened his mouth to speak.

And so

Elenas neck tensed as she waited for his words. Somehow, she felt a sense of foreboding from what she was about to hear from Sullivan.

To obtain the power of a dragon, human blood is needed.

But Elena didnt immediately understand him.

Humanblood?

She gave Sullivan a searching look, and he continued his words.

You dont understand what this means yet.

No.

Let me explain. A boy who inherits much of the dragons blood begins to manifest physical signs around the age of ten. The signs vary, but in Carlisles case, his whole body turned pitch-black and then pale again.

Upon hearing that, Elena understood that Carlisle truly did have the blood of a dragon. Although she still didnt fully trust in Sullivans words yet, everything that she had wondered about lined upthe black scales on Carlisles arm, Sullivans sudden consent to the couples marriage.

Elena decided to listen further to the emperors words. She could make a judgment after she heard everything.

When does one need human blood?

Theres no need for worry. They dont have to keep feeding on blood. It only takes seven to ten days to wake up ones ability, and it neednt come from a living human being. The child may try to resist, but eventually the need will overwhelm them and theyll be soaked in the craving of blood.

The more Elena heard, the more horrified she became. Sullivan seemed to be speaking from experience, and if her guess was right, then he was talking about Carlisle.

In her minds eye, she imagined Carlisle as a young boy, hungrily devouring red blood. A chill shivered in her heart. When she spoke, it was with a colder voice than before.

Thats not what I meant. Why is something as sinister as human blood needed to awaken such a blessed power?

That it is a blessed power is correctbut the process of obtaining it, not so.

Those words

Sullivan interrupted Elena and pointed to one of the paintings.

What does this look like?

She studied the macabre-looking scene and spoke in a cautious voice.

The dragonit looks like its dead.

And?

A man is eating something in front of the dragons body.

You see well.

Sullivan looked satisfied, but Elena was still unsettled. She did not misinterpret the painting, but she still didnt understand what it meant.

The man who first founded the Ruford Empire was a skilled dragon hunter. After studying dragons for many years, he discovered a secret that only our family knows.

?

The source of a dragons magic comes from its heart.

As soon as Elena heard those words, she grimaced.

Surely

She wondered if her suspicions were correct, but she waited for Sullivans last words. He gave a calm smile at the sight of her anxiously trembling red eyes.

Yes, your feelings are correct. If you remove the heart of a dragon that is still breathing and eat it, you will absorb its power.

!

She was as stunned as if someone had struck her on the head. She had believed the myth that a child born between the union of human and dragon would have special abilities.

But that wasnt the truth. The man in the painting looked consumed with greed as he ate the dragons heart. In order to satisfy his hunger, he did not hesitate to cross the line into a sinful act.

Because of that, the dying dragon left a curse on our family. Anyone who inherits its blood would be consumed with madness and a thirst for blood.

Elenas eyes widened to the point where they could not widen anymore.

She remembered how the previous emperors conquered other kingdoms and created a history of blood and war. According to Sullivan, it was because of the dragons last curse.

Goosebumps pricked on her flesh. This was completely different from what Elena had known.

So youre telling me that human blood must be fed to a child?

Yes. The more power is inherited from the dragon, the stronger the craving of blood. And if something is wrong with the body, one must be fed blood as well.

Do you know what Carlisle said when he was a child?

?

He said he was a monster. Ha ha ha.

Sullivan gave a sardonic chuckle, but Elena wasnt amused at all. She remembered what Carlisle had said to her.

Let me ask you this. You know about the prophecy regarding my first bride. Do you have any regrets about your decision? And you knowI could be a monster.

The first time they met, Carlisle had said these words with an expression of loneliness on his face.

Think carefully before you answer the question. This may be your last chance to escape.

Not only that, but he had spoken disparagingly of himself.

Didnt you read fairy tales when you were a child? Monstersarent killed easily.

Elena had replied, wondering why he had said it.

It may not be easy to kill you, but that doesnt mean you have two lives.

Im afraid I cant hear your words.

She understood now why Carlisle called himself a monster. He despised the blood that coursed through his body.

As Elena recollected her interactions with Carlisle in the past, Sullivans voice turned to displeasure.

To say hes a monster, its absurd.

Sullivan seemed to have a completely different viewpoint from Carlisle.

He cannot appreciate the blessing thats been given to him. No matter how much I desire it, I cannot have it for myself.

Sullivans face was despondent. Having that power did not unconditionally make one heir to the throne, but Sullivan, however, immediately made Carlisle the crown prince as soon as he discovered his ability.

It was because

Fatherdo you truly want to be like that?