episode 4

Moonlight stretched long across the empty courtyard, turning silence into something sharp.

The warmth of the wedding was gone.

Something heavier had taken its place.

Ash stepped forward, his eyes no longer confused—now clear, firm, unwavering.

“No more half-truths,” he said. “You saved us.

You warned us. Now tell us everything.”

Kiara didn’t answer immediately.

Red was still holding her, as if letting go would mean losing her again. His presence beside her was steady—silent support, silent demand.

Leaf folded her arms. “…Yeah. ‘Not human’ doesn’t exactly cover it.”

Serena watched quietly, but even she leaned in slightly. This mattered.

Kiara exhaled softly.

For a moment, the wind around her stilled—as if the world itself was listening.

“…Fine.”

Her glowing eyes lifted.

“I am a dragon.”

The word didn’t echo.

It pressed.

Heavy. Ancient.

“I am not just any dragon…” she continued, her voice growing colder, deeper with something regal beneath it. “…I am a Dragon Princess.”

The air shifted again—subtly, but enough.

Ash’s Pikachu stiffened.

Leaf’s expression dropped from curiosity to pure shock.

“…You’re serious.”

Kiara didn’t look at her.

Her gaze moved to Ash.

“Those attackers you saw…” she said quietly, “…they’re not random enemies.”

A pause.

“They are hunting you.”

Ash frowned. “Me?”

Kiara shook her head slightly.

“…All of you.”

Then—

Her eyes shifted toward Red.

And something darker flickered within them.

“…But especially him.”

Silence crashed down.

Leaf looked between them. “Okay, NOW I’m lost. Why Red?!”

Kiara didn’t answer.

Because she didn’t need to.

Red already knew.

His grip around her tightened—not in fear… but in decision.

Slowly, he stepped forward, placing himself slightly ahead of everyone else.

For years, he had stayed quiet.

Hidden.

Detached.

But not anymore.

“…Then I’m done hiding.”

His voice was low.

Cold.

Different.

Ash looked at him, surprised. “Red…?”

But Red didn’t look back.

His eyes were locked ahead, as if seeing enemies that hadn’t even arrived yet.

“…If they’re coming…” he continued “…then they’ll face me.”

A faint, dangerous aura began to rise around him.

Kiara’s eyes widened slightly.

Not in fear.

In recognition.

Red turned his head just enough to look at her.

And for the first time—

There was something almost darkly familiar in his gaze.

“…again.”

His voice dropped to a whisper.

“…They’ll face the Demon Prince.”

The words hit like thunder.

Leaf blinked. “WAIT—WHAT?!”

Ash stared. “Red, since WHEN are you a—”

But Kiara—

Kiara didn’t speak.

Because she understood.

She saw it.

The truth he had buried.

The past he had sealed away.

“…You remembered,” she said softly.

Red’s expression didn’t change.

But his answer was clear.

“I never forgot.”

The wind howled suddenly, circling them in a growing storm of unseen power—dark and radiant clashing in the same breath

.Dragon.

Demon.

Two forces that should never stand side by side.

Yet here they were.

Together.

Serena stepped closer to Ash, whispering, “…We’re way past normal now.”

Ash gave a small, stunned laugh. “…Yeah… just a bit.”

Leaf ran a hand through her hair.

“So my brother is a demon prince, his friend is a dragon princess, and we just survived an assassination at a wedding…”

She paused.

“…Cool. Totally normal.”

But far beyond their light—

In the distant shadows—

Something stirred again.

Watching.

Waiting.

Because now—

The truth was no longer hidden.

And war…

Was coming

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***