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Hakan
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The Dragon King's Bride: Episode 70
A Tense Reunion and a Critical Search
The moment I stepped back into the palace, a suffocating stillness wrapped around me. The corridors that once echoed with life now felt hollow, as though the walls themselves were holding their breath. Shadows clung unnaturally to the pillars, and even the torches burned low, their flames trembling.
ME: What on earth happened here while I was away?
My voice echoed sharply in the silence.
Why is the Cardinal of the Cameru religion wandering around the palace in secret?
Something was terribly wrong.
As my gaze swept across the hall, it stopped abruptly.
An old woman—frail, supported by one of my attendants—slowly lifted her head. The moment our eyes met, my heart lurched.
ME: Mother!
I crossed the distance in seconds, gripping her hands as if she might vanish if I let go.
ME: I'm so glad you're safe. Did anything happen to you while you were inside the palace?
She studied my face carefully, her expression calm despite the chaos surrounding us.
MOTHER: I'm fine, my son.
She paused, her eyes narrowing slightly.
But I already knew something was off about the people working inside the palace.
Her words sent a chill through me.
ME: Really?
She nodded slowly.
MOTHER: After you left, the atmosphere began to change—gradually, but unmistakably. Faces I didn't recognize lingered too long. Whispers stopped when I entered a room. That's when I realized something was very wrong.
My grip tightened.
ME: (anxious) Did the Shifters spare you?
Her gaze softened, yet there was steel beneath it.
MOTHER: Marissa left me alone—for a while. But someone else intervened. Someone helped me escape.
At the mention of Marissa's name, a familiar bitterness surged within me—but alongside it, a fragile thread of hope.
ME: Then… there's a chance that person might know where Marissa is now.
---
On the Trail of the Shifters
A figure in white robes stepped forward—the unmistakable presence of the Cardinal of the Cameru religion. His hood shadowed his face, yet his aura weighed heavily on the air.
CARDINAL: After the Shifters seized control of the palace, I remained here. I watched everything unfold. This place has become—
ME: (cutting him off, voice firm) We're heading to Gillai's research lab.
The Cardinal stiffened, then slowly inclined his head.
CARDINAL: Then we must act now. The Shifters have temporarily vacated the palace… this is our only opening.
Without another word, we moved. Doors creaked open. Cold night air rushed in as we stepped outside, leaving the false safety of the palace behind.
Every step forward felt like walking deeper into enemy territory.
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The Search for Lucina and a New Threat
Elsewhere within the palace, tension erupted among the remaining soldiers.
SOLDIER 1: It's an emergency! Someone saw a bright light coming from Lucina's palace!
SOLDIER 2: The Cardinal visited her earlier—it could be his power. But…
He hesitated, unease clear in his voice.
They also heard a woman scream.
A heavy silence followed.
SOLDIER 1: That's why the remaining troops are gathering. Not many know about Lucina's location…
SOLDIER 2: When His Majesty left the kingdom, he gave one order above all else—Lucina's safety.
SOLDIER 1: Then take me to them. Immediately.
Nearby, a young woman—Lucina's attendant—clutched her chest, panic flooding her expression.
ATTENDANT: (whispering) Lucina…
She swallowed hard.
She could be in danger.
Before anyone could stop her, she threw open the door and ran.
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A Debt of Gratitude
Deep beneath the palace, in a place hidden from prying eyes, I leaned heavily against a stone wall. The man in the purple robe steadied me, his long dark hair falling over his shoulders as he assessed my injuries.
My mother sat nearby, exhaustion etched into her features. Titi hovered close, her hands trembling.
TITI: (voice breaking) Is that you, Adar? What happened…?
I managed a faint smile.
ME: I'm just glad you're here.
My expression darkened.
Something is unfolding inside the palace. Didn't you tell me you had a research lab underground?
The man beside me—Gillai—lowered his gaze.
GILLAI: Yes… but I couldn't protect Lucina.
The weight of his words pressed heavily on the room.
MOTHER: For now, we stay hidden. If the situation worsens, we retreat back to the lab.
Titi turned to Gillai, tears streaming down her face.
TITI: If it hadn't been for you… the Shifters would've taken us both.
I placed a hand on Gillai's shoulder.
ME: You have my gratitude. Because of you, my mother and Titi are alive.
Gillai shook his head quietly.
GILLAI: It was nothing.
Suddenly—footsteps.
Dozens of them.
The sound echoed above us, hurried and chaotic. The palace walls, once symbols of protection, now felt dangerously thin.
We fell silent, listening.
The sanctuary we stood in was no longer safe.
---
Here is a faithful expansion of Episode 70 (Continued), deepening tension, emotions, and imagery without adding any new plot beyond what you provided. I stop exactly at the end of the given passage.
The Dragon King's Bride: Episode 70 (Continued)
A Cry for Lucina
A sharp clatter of boots shattered the uneasy quiet inside the palace.
SOLDIER: It's an emergency!
His voice rang through the corridor, urgent and strained.
Someone saw a bright light coming from Lucina's palace!
Another soldier turned sharply, his brows knitting together.
ANOTHER SOLDIER: The Cardinal went to visit her earlier. It could have been his power…
He hesitated, lowering his voice.
But something doesn't feel right. They also heard a woman scream.
A ripple of unease spread through the gathered men.
FIRST SOLDIER: That's why the remaining soldiers are assembling now.
He glanced around cautiously.
Not many people even know this place exists. I doubt anyone else noticed…
His jaw tightened.
When His Majesty left the kingdom, he gave us one clear order—Lucina's safety comes first.
SECOND SOLDIER: (firmly) Take me to where the others are gathering.
SOLDIER: Yes, sir!
At the edge of the corridor, a woman with long, dark hair froze. Panic flooded her face as she pressed a hand to her chest.
ATTENDANT: (whispering) Lucina…
Her voice trembled.
She could be in danger.
Before anyone could stop her, she turned on her heel.
I'll just check on her and come back, she told herself desperately, pushing open the door and rushing forward.
Lucina's Calm Amid the Storm
The soldiers reached Lucina's chambers in force, weapons ready, hearts pounding. Yet when the doors opened, they were met with an unexpected sight.
Lucina stood there calmly, her expression composed, untouched by fear or confusion.
LUCINA: Why are you all here?
She tilted her head slightly.
Is something wrong?
The soldiers exchanged uneasy glances.
SOLDIER: There were reports of a strange light… and a woman's scream coming from this palace.
Lucina's brows drew together in mild surprise.
LUCINA: A scream?
She shook her head faintly.
The Cardinal examined me earlier. Perhaps that was what you sensed? I didn't hear anyone scream.
Her gaze was steady, reassuring.
LUCINA: Everything is fine. You may all return to your duties.
Reluctantly, though still uneasy, the soldiers lowered their guard.
Seeking Sanctuary with I
Deep beneath the palace, hidden from prying eyes, a hushed reunion unfolded.
TITI: (eyes widening) Is that you, Adar? What happened?
MY MOTHER: (relieved) I'm so glad you're here, I.
I looked at them all, my chest tight.
ME: Something is happening inside the palace.
My voice dropped.
Didn't you say you had a research lab underground?
I: (hesitant) Yes… but—
MY MOTHER: For now, we stay hidden.
Her tone was calm but resolute.
If things turn dangerous, we'll return to the lab.
Titi stepped closer to I, her hands shaking.
TITI: If it hadn't been for I… the Shifters would've captured us both.
Adar bowed his head slightly.
ADAR: You have my gratitude, I. Thanks to you, my mother and Titi are safe.
I: (quietly) Not at all.
His expression darkened.
I couldn't protect Lucina…
The weight of those words lingered heavily in the air.
Lucina's Abduction
The tension thickened as Adar turned toward the Cardinal.
CARDINAL: So… you managed to escape the palace with I's help?
ADAR: Yes.
He exhaled slowly.
Thanks to Adar, I learned the Cardinal was still inside the palace. He was unconscious when I found him, so I brought him here.
His eyes hardened.
If Adar hadn't explained everything, I never would've left the research lab.
He clenched his fists.
ADAR: Others helped us along the way. Even without me here, they did everything they could to protect the palace.
A pause.
ADAR: I don't understand… why the Shifters stayed until I returned.
CARDINAL: They were likely searching for both of us.
His voice was grave.
When they realized we had vanished, it unsettled them.
He looked around the hidden space.
They don't know this place exists. Only a handful do.
His gaze lowered.
CARDINAL: That's why they fled once I returned.
A shadow crossed his face.
But… I failed to protect Lucina.
I: If it hadn't been for Adar,
He spoke slowly, carefully,
I would never have realized she was an impostor. There was no way to tell by appearance alone.
My mother's hands trembled.
MY MOTHER: After that… I saw the soldiers take Lucina away.
Her voice cracked.
If only I were stronger… I could have stopped them.
ADAR: (gently) It's not your fault, Mother.
The Cardinal lifted his gaze.
CARDINAL: Do you know where they went?
I: I only saw them slip out through the back of the palace.
The Cardinal closed his eyes briefly, then turned to another.
CARDINAL: Is there any place… you can think of, Your Eminence?
______
Lucina
I felt it before the words were fully spoken—a shift in the air, cold and suffocating, sinking straight into my bones.
"There's only one place…"
"Where?"
The answer landed like a blade.
"The place where Lucina grew up… Baron Velk's House."
The name alone summoned memories I wished had stayed buried—the looming walls, the stench of cruelty, the echo of past suffering.
Darkness swallowed me.
When I came to, cold gnawed at my skin. The room was dim, reeking of damp stone and decay. My heart began to race.
I have to get out of here…
I tried to move—
HALT.
A crushing grip seized my arm, freezing me in place.
A calm voice, terrifying in its composure, cut through the silence.
VOICE: You're finally awake.
A flash of movement.
SLAP!
Pain exploded across my face, the sound echoing violently. My body was thrown aside—
SLUMP.
Cold, filthy water was dumped over me, soaking into my clothes, trickling down my skin. I gasped, choking, blinking furiously.
I looked up.
Her.
The maid.
That same twisted sneer, that same brown hair, that same hatred etched into her face.
SNICKER… SNICKER… SNICKER…
Something fell beside me.
PLOP.
My breath hitched.
LUCINA: (panicked) H-how did I end up back here—?!
I sprang to my feet—
SPRING!
Then a voice, dripping with mockery, pierced straight through me.
VOICE:
HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE BACK HERE, LUCINA?
The world burned white.
And I knew—
I was back in hell.