Cold Blooded: The Demon Queen's Rebirth

Me and my sister found two snakes.

The black one looked like a god in scale-form. The moment he saw my sister, Bella, he wrapped around her wrist like a bracelet.

That left me with the little white snake, who looked like he was knocking on deaths door.

In my past life, I pitied him. I took him home, nursed him back to health, and basically became his servant.

The black snake shifted into a human within a yeartall, dark, and handsomeand treated Bella like a queen.

Meanwhile, I was busting my ass working odd jobs to feed myself and that useless white noodle.

I was well past marrying age, but no guy wanted me because I carried a snake everywhere. They all said, "Ditch the reptile, and maybe we'll talk."

I beat them all off with a broom.

I used to pet his little head and whisper, "Even if you never shift, I won't abandon you. I picked you, so I'm responsible for you."

Then the flash flood hit. My sickly white snake, who had been useless for ten years, suddenly transformed into a majestic dragon overnight.

I reached out from the drowning currents, desperate for him to catch me.

But he flew past me and scooped up Bella.

It turned out, the first person he ever laid eyes on was her.

It turned out, he learned to shift way before the black snake did; he just enjoyed watching me struggle.

I open my eyes. Im back.

I look down at the dying white snake in my hand.

And I yeet him into the dirt.

1

"Raven, look at this white one! Hes top-tier. Hes definitely gonna turn into a dragon someday and spoil you rotten!"

Bella pressed the white snake into my palm, her voice dripping with fake sweetness.

"You know Mrs. Higgins next door found one just like this ten years ago? That snake ascended and took her whole family up to the high life. Don't forget your big sis when you're rich, okay?"

The villagers chimed in, right on cue.

"Raven, you're too soft! Everyone knows white snakes are more likely to become dragons! Bella isn't as gentle as you, and let's be honest, she's the pretty one. You're the one who needs the luck!"

Bella put on a pouty face, then forced a brave smile. "It's okay. I'm the older sister. It's my job to take care of Raven."

I frowned.

If you looked closely, the white snake was barely breathing.

The black snake, on the other hand, had scales that shimmered like obsidian under the sun.

The villagers were clueless, but Bella knew. She knew damn well which snake was the winning lottery ticket.

In my last life, I didn't call her out. I saw a dying creature and couldn't walk away.

But now? Watching the white snake bare his tiny fangs at me in my palm, I just felt sick.

Before, I thought it was a stress reaction. Now I knowhe just hated me.

Splat.

I threw the white snake onto a jagged rock, adjusted my basket, and walked away.

"Raven!"

Bella shrieked, scrambling to scoop up the snake. "How could you?! It's a living creature!"

"Life has its limits," I said without looking back. "If he dies today, thats just fate."

"Raven!" Bella stomped her foot. "You're so cold-blooded! Are you really just going to watch him die?"

The villagers stared at me, their judgment heavy and loud.

"She's got a rotten heart, that one. Bella is the beauty with the soul to match."

"Exactly. Look at Raven, plain as dirt and heart just as black."

I gripped the strap of my basket.

I turned around. Bella was teary-eyed, playing the peacemaker, which only made everyone pity her more.

She always did this. Handed me the short end of the stick, then acted like the martyr.

I laughed.

"Since you're so saintly, Bella, why don't you take both of them?"

Bella froze. Her eyes darted around. "I... how could I hog such a blessing?"

"It's fine. Take 'em. When he ascends to godhood, I won't ask for a ride."

Bella choked on her words. The white snake was hurt bad; healing him would cost a fortune in herbs and time.

But the villagers were already pivoting.

"Raven's got no luck anyway. Bella should have it!"

"Yeah, Bella, don't let that ingrate have him!"

Bella hesitated. "But his injuries..."

Suddenly, a blinding white light exploded in the clearing.

Everyone gasped.

I whipped around.

A man in white robes stood there, looking like a literal god. A trace of blood at the corner of his mouth only made him look more devastatingly beautiful.

The crowd stopped breathing.

I froze too.

Lucien... he shifted?

2

My nails dug into my palms.

I thought he learned to shift after I saved him.

But no. He could always do it.

All those years, he watched me get mocked for carrying a "dumb snake," and he never lifted a finger.

Now, at his weakest moment, he forced a transformation just to impress Bella.

"Injuries don't matter! I'll take responsibility!" Bella screamed, her hesitation gone.

If he could shift, ascension wasn't far off.

The villagers were drooling over Luciens god-tier looks. No one doubted he was the next big thing.

They laughed at my stupidity and praised Bellas kindness.

Bella stepped in front of Lucien, blocking my view, acting like she was protecting him from me.

"Raven, you said you didn't want him. I tried to convince you, but... well, I guess I have to take him in."

"Don't explain yourself to her, Bella! She gave him up! If she tries to take him back, we'll run her out of town!"

"Oh stop..." Bella blushed. "Raven isn't like that..."

I stared coldly at Lucien.

He looked past the crowd, locking eyes with me.

That desperate, forced transformation. That lookit wasn't the look of a stranger.

He was reborn too.

When I turned and walked away without a second glance, confusion flashed in his eyes.

And shock.

The whole village was buzzing about how I fumbled the bag.

Lucien was the talk of the town. Everyone was waiting for him to ascend.

They waited for me to regret it, to come crawling back.

But I never looked at him again.

Until one day, I was walking down a path, and a hand grabbed my wrist.

I tried to yank it away, but he held tighter.

He frowned at me, silent.

His eyes were asking a question. Maybe even demanding an answer.

Why don't you love me this time?

Did he really not know?

I couldn't pull free, so I pried his fingers off mine, one by one.

Then I shook my aching wrist and walked off, cursing under my breath.

Lucien stared at his hand, then at my retreating back.

His eyes reddened.

I guess when youre used to being someones entire world, indifference feels like betrayal.

In my past life, I carried him through storms. I thought we had a bond.

Walking away hurt my heart, physically.

But that night, thirsty for water, I passed by the guest room and heard whispering.

"My Lord, if you feel regret toward the Second Miss... why not take her as a spirit pet?"

I peered through the crack in the door.

Lucien stood with his hands behind his back, looking like a statue carved from jade.

"Since I have been granted a second chance, I must fix my regrets."

A shadowy figure knelt behind him. "But... your brother has already chosen the Eldest Miss."

"So what?" Lucien turned.

His eyes, usually cold, burned with possessiveness.

"I came to this life for her. Nothing will stop me from being with her. Not even my brother."

I rolled my eyes and turned to leave.

But then the subordinate asked, "May I ask, My Lord... why are you so obsessed with a mortal woman?"

Luciens voice went soft, dripping with nostalgia.

"At Wyrmwood Creek, when I was near death, I will never forget how she lifted me with her own hands. She guarded me for forty-nine days. Without her, I would be nothing but snake bones."

Wyrmwood Creek?!

I froze.

That... that was where I saved a little white snake.

I guarded him for forty-nine days. I never told anyone.

So... the snake I saved there and the snake I brought home were the same snake?

I clenched my fist and let out a silent, bitter laugh.

Lucien, you absolute moron.

I had no intention of claiming the credit.

In this life, I had bigger plans than playing nursemaid to a reptile.

3

I stopped going to the mountains to pick herbs. I stayed in my room, studying.

Until the annual Spring Gala. Bella dragged me out.

"It's the Gala, Raven! If you don't go, the Flower Goddess won't bless you!"

Flower Goddess? Blessings?

I glanced at the history book on my desk, thought for a second, and nodded.

"I got you an outfit! Throw away those rags. You need to look pretty!"

She handed me a bag.

I opened it later that evening.

It was a hideous red floral shirt with neon green pants. It looked like a clown threw up on a Christmas tree.

But when I went to find my other clothes, they were gone.

Hungry and out of options, I put on the clown suit and went out to find food.

I ran straight into Bella and her posse. She was wearing sheer silk, looking ethereal.

"Oh my god," one girl gasped. "Does she think she looks good?"

"Ugly people really try the hardest. Is she trying to steal Bella's thunder by looking like a joke?"

"Haha, well she succeeded. Bella's dress is made of celestial silk gifted by Lord Lucien. Raven isn't fit to wipe her shoes."

"Stop it, everyone!" Bella rushed over, looking horrified. "Raven, why are you wearing that? It's my fault... I didn't prepare well enough for you."

Her eyes welled up with tears.

The crowd immediately started comforting her.

"Bella, it's not your fault she has no taste!"

"Yeah, where would she find a sister as good as you? It's her own choice to look like trash."

"Are you done acting?" I asked loudly.

The crowd went silent.

I stepped up to her minions. "You said you don't believe this is my only outfit? Bella, do you dare tell everyone who took all my clothes?"

Bella choked.

In the past, I would have walked away. Not today.

"That silk looks nice on you, Bella. Even if the snake gave it to you, you must have added your own touch. So why did someone with such 'high taste' pick this garbage for me?"

Bella covered her mouth. "Raven... are you doubting me?"

"Stop playing the victim!" I swatted her hand away. "If you're so innocent, let's go to your room right now and see if my clothes are stuffed in your closet!"

Bella turned pale.

I grabbed her arm to drag her back, but she pulled away, sobbing. "Raven! Even if I did... doing this is tearing our sisterhood apart!"

"Let's just look."

I reached for the door. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through my wrist.

Two puncture marks.

A snake bite.

Suddenly, my mouth moved on its own.

"What's wrong with red and green? I'm prettier than Bella anyway... I want everyone to know she's an ugly hag! I bet everyone will still protect her even if I throw this trash in her face!"

I clamped my hand over my mouth.

The crowd's gaze shifted from pity to disgust.

"I knew it! She's a jealous psycho!"

One of Bella's friends slapped me across the face.

The mob swarmed, pulling my hair, tearing my ugly clothes.

"You don't deserve anything Bella gives you!"

I stumbled back and ran.

Before I turned the corner, I saw Lucien appear next to Bella, pulling her into his arms. His cold eyes bore into me.

Bella was weeping into his chest, hiding her smirk.

I rubbed my throbbing wrist where a white shadow had flashed moments before.

I gritted my teeth.

4

While I recovered at home, Lucien actually came to my room.

I swiped the medicine he brought off the table. It shattered.

He looked at me with a complicated expression.

He picked up a pill, grabbed my jaw, and forced it down my throat.

"Spit it out and you die," he threatened.

I swallowed the antidote. My head cleared instantly.

He waited a moment, ensuring the truth serum or whatever hex he used wore off.

"Do you have nothing to say to me?" he asked at the door.

He knew I was reborn.

I hadn't said a word to him since I woke up.

I closed my eyes. "No."

He stared at me for a long time before closing the door.

My reputation in the village was trash. I was the "Jealous Ugly Sister."

I disappeared for a while. Everyone said I ran away out of shame.

But I came back.

Bella, glowing with health thanks to Lucien's care, patted my shoulder patronizingly.

"Raven, I know you're jealous. But you have to accept your lot in life. Accusing me in public was wrong. Don't covet what isn't yours. Lucien loves me. I can't control that."

I shoved her aside.

She shrieked and fell conveniently into Luciens arms as he walked in.

"Raven, I was just trying to welcome you home..." she sobbed.

Lucien frowned, shielding her. "Bella, apologize."

I laughed coldly.

He looked dark. "Come at me if you have a problem. You can't force love. I chose her. Stop hurting her behind my back while pretending you don't care!"

Just then, drums and gongs sounded outside.

Officials in red robes marched in, beaming.

"Congratulations to Miss Raven! First place in the Provincial Exam! Your policy essay was read by the Emperor himself! He summons you to the capital!"

"The Exam?" Bella gasped. "Raven... a woman... you took the State Exam?"

5

I smirked.

"The Emperor opened the exams to women this year. I guess you were too busy scheming to notice the news."

I walked past Lucien.

"You're wrong, Lucien. My goal was never you. Getting over you was easy. Compared to my career and the fate of the nation? You're insignificant."

Lucien stopped breathing.

He looked at me like hed seen a ghost.

In his last life, I rejected every suitor for him. Now, I discarded him like a used tissue.

He couldn't process it.

But I wasn't here to manage his ego.

I took the golden scroll. Bella tried to touch my sleeve, but I dodged.

"Don't cross the line, sister."

The official scowled at her. "Bold! This is the Emperor's top scholar! Kneel!"

Bella, red-faced and humiliated, was forced to her knees by imperial authority.

The official handed me a heavy bag of gold.

"Be at the capital by the 7th of next month! The court covers all expenses. With your talent, you'll likely skip the preliminaries. Don't forget us little people when you're Prime Minister!"

The villagers slapped their own faces in shock.

"Is Second Girl gonna seek revenge on us?"

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