This hatchling appears to be... dead?

Perhaps not. It seems to be active during the night.

Young dragons are relatively defenseless. They are born with relatively soft scales, which are shed and replaced with harder ones as the hatchling matures. Once a hatchling’s wings grow in, it typically marks the beginning of maturation. At this point they are often capable of hunting on their own and are usually left alone by their mother.

When playing with witchcraft, there is little room for forgiveness.

This creature comes from the ruling house of once most noble family. But the land over which they reigned had received a dire warning; the emperor must produce a silver heir, or all would be lost. Years passed, and only children bearing the empress's sunlit hues were born, and so in desperation the father begged for the help of a magi who had been banished years prior for the use of dark magic. He asked only for a son who would not match his mother's colors.

His wish was realized... but the kingdom's salvation was anything but assured.