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00:00The day Felix Reed came home in triumph, I showed up in my wedding dress to welcome him.
00:05But instead, he brought back an extraordinary woman, scalpel in hand, able to open skulls and slice through bellies like
00:13it was nothing.
00:14She could pull a medical kit out of thin air and heal anyone's pain.
00:18The emperor himself gave her the title of Divine Miracle Doctor.
00:24Everyone, from commoners to the High and Mighty, adored her.
00:28And even my brother, Ridge Spence, was willing to serve at her feet.
00:32All across the land, not a single soul dared to question her authority.
00:38But me? I just had to be the one who didn't know my place.
00:41I actually saved someone she'd already announced incurable.
00:45When Ridge showed up with his men to arrest me, I had just finished getting his medicine ready.
00:50Ridge, if you take this, you'll be cured for good. You won't have to worry about your illness ever again.
00:55I looked up at him, my heart brimming with anticipation.
01:00Three days ago, he told me his old leg injury was acting up again and asked me to get him
01:05some medicine.
01:06It was the first time he'd come to me since we fell out.
01:09I'd never forget how, ten years ago, Ridge struggled up that mountain with his injured legs to bring me home.
01:17If it hadn't been for him, I'd have been nothing but the jinxed one, abandoned by the Spence family.
01:23He was the only family I had, and I could never turn my back on the bond we shared.
01:29Even when every pharmacy in Capatio was shut down for inspections, and there was nowhere to buy medicine, I agreed
01:35without a second thought when he asked.
01:37I went out into the mountains myself to pick herbs for him.
01:41My hands were still bleeding from the thorns that had pierced them.
01:45My legs were so badly hurt from the fall that I could barely stand, but I still forced a smile
01:51and brought him the medicine, standing as tall as I could.
01:54But Ridge didn't even reach for it.
01:57He just looked at me with cold, indifferent eyes.
02:00It finally hit me, and I looked past Ridge to see what was happening behind him.
02:05There were officials from the Ministry of Justice, and there was Esme, her smile blooming like a flower, strolling over
02:13with the royal dragon guards flanking her.
02:15A month ago, Esme, the Divine Miracle Doctor, petitioned the Emperor to purge those unscrupulous doctors who use the guise
02:24of medicine to exploit and harm people.
02:26The first to be arrested was a charlatan priest at Kinvidor Church in Novigin, who boasted a secret recipe for
02:34helping women conceive.
02:36Every woman who went to him ended up with a child.
02:39But the truth was, every Sonale one of those kids was his own.
02:44The second to be arrested was a clinic doctor from Sarovia.
02:49His prescriptions were so expensive that people went broke just trying to afford them.
02:55He couldn't even remember a single line from classic medical texts.
02:59And lucky me, I was the third one to get caught up in all this.
03:04Sierra, you've been accused of faking medical skills, cheating people, and putting lives at risk.
03:11Dr. Warner, Lord Spades, it's her!
03:14She conned me out of ten towels of silver for one dose of medicine, and it ruined me!
03:20The old lady wailed.
03:22I frowned.
03:23I recognized her.
03:25She was Paisley Wyatt, Wallace Wyatt's mother from East V.
03:28A month ago, Wallace was covered head to toe in bloody scabs, and no doctor would touch his case.
03:35When she begged me for help, she looked just as pitiful as she did for the moment.
03:40I knitted my brows at Paisley, but she wouldn't meet my gaze.
03:43She just kept her head bowed.
03:46To anyone watching, it must have looked like I was intimidating her.
03:50Esme gently patted Paisley's hand, reassuring her.
03:53Don't be afraid.
03:54The miracle doctor's hall will stand up for you.
03:58Ridge turned to look at me, his eyes full of anger and disappointment.
04:02He took the medicine I'd made for him and handed it to Esme himself.
04:06Wallace medicine is finished, but this is the one she made for my leg.
04:10If you want to know if she's really a doctor, test this.
04:14Ridge said, coldly.
04:15My heart dropped into a frozen pit.
04:18So, you were never sick?
04:21Ridge didn't answer.
04:22Just then, Felix, the warlord and commander of the Royal Dragon Guards, strode in.
04:28Dr. Warner, could you please test this medicine for me too?
04:32Felix said, his voice calm but commanding.
04:34He pulled out a box, and inside lay a single black pill.
04:39That was the antidote I'd made just for him.
04:41A few days ago, he told me his old poison was flaring up again, and asked me for it.
04:47But, so, you weren't sick either?
04:50I asked, the realization hitting me like a punch to the gut.
04:55A hollow, hopeless laugh escaped me.
04:58Even the ones closest to me ended up betraying me.
05:02The test results came back quickly.
05:04Both medicines, one for the leg and one for the do's, so the same ingredients and beaties.
05:09Esme said, her voice trembling with disbelief.
05:12I may not be an expeditional medicine,
05:14but even I know that you're supposed to use different prescriptions for the same illness,
05:18so for different ones, it even be cunning.
05:21You don't even understand basic medical knowledge,
05:23and you've been getting shibs to vouch for you,
05:26hyping yourself up as some miracle doctor everywhere.
05:29Sierra, have you lost your mind?
05:31You're recklessly, recklessly, you're merns, you're benned.
05:34What's so shocking?
05:36Weren't you all already aware I was using the same ingredients and recipe?
05:40I said, a bitter laugh escaping me.
05:42I really felt like laughing.
05:44Funny how the moment someone accused me,
05:47they just happened to have two batches of medicine they'd tricked out of me,
05:50all ready to use as evidence.
05:53They'd made up their minds.
05:54This whole thing was for show,
05:56to convince the crowd and make it look legit.
05:59Esme, Ridge and Felix all had dark looks on their faces.
06:03Esme's lips twitched,
06:05and she put on this saintly, holier-than-thou face
06:08as she looked at me and said,
06:10I know you're not doing all this for money or fame.
06:13You're just jealous that I get all this respect and admiration.
06:17You want Ridge to be proud of you,
06:19and you want Felix to fall for you,
06:22so you're plotting to take me down.
06:24I totally got it.
06:27Girls like you,
06:28always caught up in your little crushes and personal drama,
06:31are the reason the household is always a mess.
06:34We women should think bigger.
06:37Just like men do.
06:39Care about the world, not just ourselves.
06:42That's the only way things will ever get better.
06:45Sierra, you're completely off base.
06:48Ridge and Felix's affection for Esme was written all over their faces.
06:52She seemed to glow with a gentle yet powerful aura,
06:56drawing everyone in.
06:58I bit down on my lip,
06:59a storm of emotions swirling inside me.
07:02Jealous?
07:04Resentful?
07:05Maybe both.
07:06The first time I met Esme
07:07was the day Felix came back as a hero,
07:10but Felix didn't even spare me a glance.
07:12He just held Esme's hand,
07:15making it clear to everyone that he'd protect her forever.
07:18Overnight,
07:19I became the laughingstock of Capatio.
07:21When I returned to Spence Mansion,
07:23I fell sick.
07:25My fever burned for three days straight,
07:27and wouldn't break.
07:28Back then,
07:29Ridge was the kind of brother anyone would wish for.
07:32He barged into Felix's mansion,
07:35demanding to know why I'd spent five years turning away suitors,
07:38and waiting for him,
07:39only to end up an old maid.
07:42But Felix just shrugged and said,
07:44We never had a matchmaker never made any promises,
07:46and I never asked her to wait five years for me.
07:49Yeah,
07:50he never actually said he loved me out loud.
07:52All he did was sneak over my garden wall,
07:55right before heading off to war,
07:57and press a necklace into my hand.
07:58He said,
07:59Sierra,
08:00five years,
08:01just five years,
08:02and I'll come back for you.
08:04And right before the big battle,
08:06he sent me a blood-stained letter,
08:08which read,
08:09If I survive,
08:10will you stand atop the city wall in your wedding dress,
08:13and greet my return?
08:15That day,
08:16Ridge cut ties with him,
08:17but it didn't change a thing.
08:19So Ridge had no choice but to turn to Esme.
08:22He hoped that a powerless country girl like her
08:25would at least have the decency to step back,
08:27and know when to bow out gracefully.
08:30Back then,
08:31Esme disguised herself as a guy,
08:33and crushed a poetry event.
08:35She recited,
08:36Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
08:40And every guy in the room was instantly hooked.
08:43Then she quoted,
08:44She walks in beauty,
08:46like the night of cloudless climbs and starry skies.
08:49And suddenly,
08:50every girl was swooning.
08:52Ridge was the quintessential scholar,
08:54cultured,
08:55unrestrained,
08:56and proud of his own charm.
08:58He stood there,
09:00utterly transfixed,
09:01as if spellbound,
09:02unable to move or look away.
09:05That day,
09:06worried he might do something crazy and wreck his future,
09:09I snuck after him,
09:10though I was burning up with fever.
09:12He sighed,
09:13Who would have thought a woman like her actually exists?
09:16At that moment,
09:18I knew,
09:19just like Felix,
09:20he was totally smitten.
09:21He stood there,
09:22at the doorway,
09:23for ages.
09:24When he finally came back to himself,
09:26and turned around,
09:27his eyes landed on me.
09:29He didn't say a word,
09:31just took me home.
09:32When we got to the door,
09:33he suddenly turned to me,
09:35and said,
09:36Lady Esme is so charming and sophisticated,
09:39no one else even comes close.
09:41And me,
09:42just some nobody,
09:44how could I ever hope to compete with her?
09:46What was Esme's secret?
09:48What kind of magic did she have,
09:50that drew everyone in?
09:52I honestly didn't know.
09:54All I knew,
09:55was that day she became an overnight sensation,
09:58and everyone started calling her,
10:00Capatio's number one genius.
10:02Every corner of the city,
10:04echoed with her words.
10:05Life is not about the length of time we live,
10:09but why we live it.
10:13Tea houses and music halls,
10:15were filled with the melody of her words.
10:17My heart will go on.
10:19She totally marched to the beat of her own drum.
10:22She wore whatever she felt like,
10:24did whatever she wanted,
10:25and didn't give a damn about the rules.
10:27She called it,
10:29living life on her own terms.
10:31All the Jude kids,
10:32and high born girls,
10:34started treating her like their idol,
10:37trying to imitate her style,
10:38at every turn.
10:40She never let her maids,
10:41or servants,
10:42kneel before her.
10:43People are born equal.
10:45There's no such thing as high or low,
10:47noble or humble.
10:48Even the beggar girl I'd rescued off the streets,
10:51ended up idolizing her.
10:52But what was even more remarkable,
10:55was her extraordinary skill as a doctor.
10:57With her steady hands and a scalpel,
11:00she could open up someone's brain,
11:01and abdomen,
11:02without batting an eye.
11:04She always seemed to have a medical kit on hand,
11:07ready to ease anyone's suffering.
11:09Even the emperor,
11:10well into his fifties,
11:12found his vigor restored,
11:13by just one of her miraculous pills.
11:16With his own imperial decree,
11:18he named her,
11:19the Divine Miracle Doctor.
11:21The imperial physicians lined up at her door,
11:24bearing extravagant gifts.
11:26Even the head of the royal hospital,
11:28humbled himself,
11:29and begged to become her disciple.
11:31For a while,
11:33Esme was absolutely untouchable,
11:35at the height of her glory.
11:37And honestly,
11:38who in their right mind,
11:39would even dream of going up against her?
11:42And as for me,
11:43I just had to be the one who didn't know my place,
11:46and ended up saving someone,
11:47she'd already announced incurable.
11:49That day,
11:50Ridge stormed up to me,
11:52his face twisted,
11:53with a viciousness,
11:54I'd never seen before.
11:56Sierra,
11:57do you have to go against her?
11:58He demanded.
12:00I didn't get it.
12:01I only saved that man,
12:02because he looked so pitiful.
12:04How did that turn into me deliberately going against Esme?
12:07At that moment,
12:08it finally hit me.
12:10The Ridge,
12:11who once cared for me,
12:12who used to treat me like I mattered,
12:14was never coming back.
12:16Still,
12:17I couldn't help holding on to a bit of naive hope.
12:19When he asked me for medicine,
12:21I actually felt a rush of happiness,
12:23only to end up,
12:25like this.
12:26Dr. Warner,
12:27does she really not know medicine at all?
12:30Paisley asked.
12:31Her eyes glinted with something I couldn't quite read.
12:34By then,
12:35a crowd had gathered outside my clinic.
12:37Most of them,
12:39were people I'd treated before.
12:41They all craned their necks,
12:43eager to hear Esme's final verdict,
12:45on me.
12:46Of course,
12:47my assessment is never wrong.
12:49Esme Warner declared with authority.
12:52Paisley's smile finally broke free,
12:54her face lighting up with smug satisfaction.
12:57So,
12:58that means I get my ten towels of silver back,
13:01and even tenfold compensation,
13:03right?
13:04This time,
13:05Esme didn't even need to answer.
13:07Ridge,
13:08the magistrate,
13:09shot me a look,
13:10of pure disgust,
13:12before turning to the crowd.
13:13According to the new medical decree,
13:16anyone who defrauds others of their money,
13:18under the guise of practicing medicine,
13:21must repay senfold.
13:22Paisley's eyes lit up with excitement,
13:24her breath coming faster.
13:26Anyone would be excited about a windfall like that.
13:29The eyes of the crowd at the door,
13:31sparkled with greedy excitement.
13:33In a flash,
13:35several more people walked in.
13:36Sir,
13:37we want to accuse Sierra of cheating people,
13:39and putting lives at risk.
13:40Dr.
13:41Warner couldn't cure my illness,
13:42but,
13:43she made me better with just one dose.
13:45Maybe I wasn't even sick.
13:46Maybe she did something to trick me.
13:48Yeah,
13:48I remember clearly that she was there the day my son fell ill.
13:52Just as eager.
13:53I saved their lives,
13:55yet not a single person stood up for me.
13:57The moment there was profit to be made,
13:59they couldn't wait to cast me into the abyss.
14:02See?
14:02I knew Sierra's skills couldn't possibly outshine Dr. Warner's.
14:05She must have cheated somehow.
14:07God,
14:07that's cold!
14:08Someone in the crowd jeered.
14:10Ridge towered over me,
14:11his eyes icy.
14:13With witnesses and evidence in hand,
14:16Sierra,
14:17are you still going to deny it?
14:19I met his gaze,
14:21gave him a small smile,
14:22and stayed silent.
14:24Ridge was done with me.
14:26His patience had finally snapped.
14:29My clinic was shut down.
14:31And I was hauled off in a prison cart.
14:34To prove just how fair and impartial Ridge was,
14:37I was paraded down the street,
14:39alongside the other crooked doctors,
14:41made to face the judgment of the crowd.
14:43As soon as word got out,
14:45the very people I'd once saved,
14:48swarmed around my prison cart.
14:50Rotten eggs and wilted vegetables came raining down on me,
14:53like they were handing out freebies.
14:55Some people still had a shred of decency.
14:58They just watched from the crowd,
15:00not throwing anything at me.
15:02Didn't she cure your lung disease?
15:04Why aren't you speaking up for her?
15:06The new medical decree says if even one patient stands up for her,
15:09she'd get her sentence reduced.
15:11Who says she cured me?
15:13Don't drag me into this.
15:14Another person snapped back.
15:16You kept hyping up Sierra's skills.
15:19If it weren't for you,
15:20I wouldn't have bothered seeing her at all.
15:22You'd do her shocks or something?
15:24His words hit the young woman right where it hurt.
15:26Who says we're ships?
15:28We're victims too!
15:29She shot back.
15:30To make it clear she wasn't a shill,
15:32but a victim herself,
15:34she grabbed a handful of rotten vegetables
15:36and hurled them at me.
15:38I glanced back and recognized them.
15:40It was Lucia Turner standing there.
15:43Her son,
15:44Zane Turner,
15:46just five or six,
15:48stared up at her,
15:48totally confused.
15:50Mother!
15:51That's Dr. Spence!
15:53Why are they throwing things at her?
15:55Lucia gritted her teeth,
15:57her conscience nagging at her.
15:58But she couldn't risk turning the whole village against her,
16:01over someone who had nothing to do with her.
16:03If she did,
16:04she and Zane couldn't get by.
16:06What doctor?
16:07If even Dr. Warner couldn't cure you,
16:09how could she possibly have done it?
16:11She must have poisoned he'd have done it!
16:13She must have poisoned you!
16:14Zane looked confused,
16:16hesitating for a moment.
16:17Come on, throw it!
16:18Don't you want to go to mission school?
16:20Don't you want to be top of your class someday?
16:22Dr. Warner is a good person.
16:24She even opened a free school for families like ours.
16:27How could she ever be wrong?
16:28I watched as Lucia
16:30twisted Zane's innocent heart,
16:32bit by bit.
16:34My chest felt cold.
16:36But the more I watched,
16:38the more I just wanted to laugh.
16:41In the end,
16:42Zane finally took the wilted vegetables
16:44his mom handed him.
16:45But he was so small
16:46that he barely managed to toss the leaves,
16:48and they didn't even reach my prison cart.
16:51Lucia gave him an encouraging pat on the back.
16:54Hang on, son.
16:55Let me find you something that'll do the trick.
16:57Just then,
16:58a dog darted into the crowd,
17:00barking fiercely at everyone attacking me.
17:03It stood guard in front of my prison cart,
17:05its thin body blocking the way as best it could.
17:08I took Dexter in
17:10when he was just astray.
17:11I'd saved so many people,
17:13but in the end,
17:14they couldn't even measure up to a dog.
17:18Look at that fat dog!
17:20Haven't had dog meat in ages!
17:23As soon as they spotted Dexter,
17:24their eyes sparkled with excitement.
17:27Simon Tate,
17:28one of the butchers I'd saved,
17:30snatched up a hefty stick right away.
17:33Another person
17:34quickly fetched a second one.
17:37My heart twisted
17:38with dread.
17:39I shouted,
17:40Dexter, run!
17:42Even though his legs shook with fear
17:45and his tail hung low,
17:46he still stood firm,
17:48guarding me in front of the prison cart
17:50without hesitation.
17:52The sticks
17:53rained down on him
17:54without mercy.
17:56Dexter was quick on his feet,
17:57but there were just too many sticks
17:59and he couldn't dodge them all.
18:01Finally,
18:02one of the sticks
18:03struck his leg.
18:04Crack.
18:05His leg snapped.
18:07He couldn't dodge anymore.
18:09The sticks hammered down on him
18:11like a downpour.
18:12And one of his,
18:13like a doe de legs,
18:14was reduced to a mangled mess.
18:16The sickening crack of breaking bones
18:18echoed again and again,
18:21shredding my nerves.
18:22My eyes blazed red with rage.
18:25I shouted,
18:26Stop!
18:27I had never felt this kind of fury,
18:30not even when they turned their backs on me.
18:32Because my master always said,
18:35Nothing in this world
18:36was more unreliable
18:37than the human heart.
18:39They had no right to do that.
18:41They shouldn't have gone after innocent Dexter.
18:43The mob hesitated for a split second,
18:46then all turned to stare at me.
18:47Dexter was lying there,
18:49completely motionless in a pool of blood.
18:50But even then,
18:52he struggled to raise his head to look at me.
18:56Damn muffed can really take a beating.
18:58One of them sneered.
18:59And then,
19:00another blow landed.
19:02This time,
19:03it slammed right into Dexter's head.
19:05Dexter collapsed,
19:06in the pool of blood,
19:08completely still,
19:09silent forever.
19:10My heart plunged,
19:11into an icy abyss.
19:13Don't you fear retribution?
19:16My words hit them like a splash of cold water,
19:19in a boiling pot.
19:20And the guilty ones instantly lost it.
19:23You useless quack!
19:23Look at the mess you made of our lives!
19:27May God punish you instead!
19:30Rotten vegetables,
19:32and reeking eggs,
19:33came flying at me,
19:34twice as many as before.
19:36And this time,
19:37they even hurled stones into the mix.
19:41A stone,
19:42smashed,
19:43squarely,
19:44into my left eye.
19:46I felt my eyeball rupture.
19:48Agonizing pain,
19:50stabbed into my brain,
19:51making every nerve shudder.
19:53Mother!
19:54I finally hit her!
19:56I hit her!
19:57Zayn was so thrilled.
19:59Lucia's eyes were cold.
20:01There was no trace of guilt left.
20:03Just pure hatred.
20:04You cursed my son?
20:06You totally deserved it!
20:08Then she turned around,
20:09and ruffled Zayn's hair,
20:11her face full of pride.
20:12That's my boy.
20:14So clever.
20:15The guards finally appeared,
20:17a bit late,
20:18to try to restore order.
20:20I fixed the good eye
20:21on every single person who'd hurt me,
20:24glaring at them,
20:25one by one.
20:26Maybe it was the blood streaming down my face
20:28that looked so terrifying,
20:30or maybe there was still
20:31a shred of conscience left in them.
20:34They all took a step back,
20:35in unison.
20:37A mocking smile,
20:38tugged at my lips.
20:40Go tell your magistrate,
20:42find your magistrate,
20:44whatever charges he pinned on me,
20:46I accept them.
20:47My voice icy,
20:48and resolute.
20:49No one noticed that,
20:51right as my words faded,
20:52a single drop of blood,
20:54slipped from Zayn's nostril,
20:56and landed in the mud at his feet.
20:58My easy confession,
20:59finally let Ridge,
21:01the magistrate,
21:02out a relieved breath.
21:03No need for torture,
21:04good.
21:05At least she knows her place.
21:07Ridge,
21:07truly was the youngest,
21:09and most fair-minded magistrate,
21:11in Urako.
21:12That day,
21:13I was stripped of everything I owned,
21:15paid what I owed,
21:16and lost whatever they wanted to take.
21:18Paisley hugged a pouch of silver.
21:20Thank you,
21:20Your Honor.
21:21Thank you,
21:22Dr. Warner.
21:23Thank you,
21:24Prince Felix.
21:25She gushed,
21:26voice trembling.
21:27Even Lucia,
21:28who never paid a single coin for treatment,
21:31still received ten silver tails in compensation.
21:34Son,
21:35now I finally have the money to send you to school.
21:38Lucia said,
21:39her voice shaking with excitement.
21:42Everyone clutched their silver,
21:44ten times the usual amount,
21:46and rushed over to Esme,
21:47falling to their knees before her,
21:50showering her with thanks.
21:51Thank you,
21:52Dr. Warner,
21:53for standing up for us.
21:54We'll work ourselves to the bone
21:56to repay your kindness.
21:58Esme looked genuinely pleased,
22:00unable to hide the excitement bubbling up inside.
22:03Please,
22:04get up.
22:05I'm just doing what I should.
22:07Her noble character,
22:08and selfless dedication to the people,
22:10left everyone in awe.
22:12The look in Ridge and Felix's eyes grew even more adoring.
22:16They were her loyal knights,
22:18hopelessly smitten.
22:20Esme was so sacred,
22:21so utterly unique.
22:23Like nothing they'd ever seen before,
22:25they were determined to stand by her side,
22:27and help her build the perfect world she'd always dreamed of.
22:30Simon Tate not only scored 30 silver tails in compensation,
22:35but also got Dexter's body.
22:38To my place!
22:39Dog meat for everyone!
22:42Count me in!
22:44I'll throw in a silver tack for another dish!
22:46I'll get a big jug of wine for the folks!
22:48Another chimed in.
22:50All the victims who'd pocketed my compensation money
22:53started throwing their cash around.
22:55Only one person hung back,
22:58gripping their silver with a troubled look,
23:00clearly torn and unable to join the celebration.
23:04Aren't we being a bit too unfair?
23:06After all, she really did cure our illnesses.
23:09His voice was low,
23:11but everyone picked up on the uneasy note in the air.
23:14Predatory, hostile stares immediately locked onto him.
23:18The man flinched, trying to backtrack.
23:21I just...
23:22I'm worried we might get...
23:24He clamped his lips shut,
23:26not daring to utter the word,
23:28karma.
23:29He was afraid of tempting fate.
23:32Worried that,
23:33if he said it out loud,
23:34it might actually come true.
23:37Someone squared their shoulders,
23:39trying to pump everyone up.
23:40What are you afraid of?
23:42You think she can give us our illnesses back?
23:45No way that could ever happen.
23:48Besides,
23:49I was just a sitting duck,
23:51totally at their mercy.
23:52They didn't give a damn.
23:54They were fearless.
23:55Paisley,
23:56Wallace's mother,
23:57happily carried a hundred tales of silver home,
24:00her face beaming with joy.
24:02She decided to treat herself for once,
24:04and splurged on a box of pastries fit for the wealthy,
24:08just for Wallace.
24:09Wallace was reading by the window,
24:11at that moment.
24:13Paisley set the pastries aside,
24:14and gazed at her son,
24:16her eyes full of pride.
24:18If Wallace could stand out in mission school,
24:21and get a job in the church later,
24:23with his handsome face,
24:25even the daughters of top officials,
24:26would be falling head over heels for him.
24:29Landing a father-in-law,
24:31who was a bigwig,
24:32in the court,
24:33was totally possible.
24:34Her son was destined for greatness,
24:37no doubt about it.
24:38And Sierra?
24:40She didn't even want to think about it.
24:42Everyone knew how much Paisley had sacrificed,
24:45to raise a scholar like Wallace.
24:47Most folks would shower her with gifts,
24:49or cash,
24:50out of respect.
24:51But Sierra was just stone cold.
24:54For a tiny bit of medicine,
24:56she actually had the nerve to charge Paisley ten tales.
24:59She had it coming.
25:01Just as Paisley was thinking all this,
25:03she suddenly saw a patch of red start,
25:06spreading across Wallace's forehead,
25:08then creeping around his eyes,
25:10and finally blooming over his cheeks.
25:13Paisley's blood ran ice cold.
25:15She snatched up a handkerchief,
25:17and frantically tried to wipe Wallace's face.
25:20Mother, what's wrong?
25:22Confusion written all over his face.
25:24His face stung,
25:26and his whole body itched.
25:28Paisley started shaking all over,
25:30panic rising inside her.
25:32No, no, no, this can't be real.
25:35Absolutely not.
25:37Meanwhile,
25:38Lucia was walking hand in hand with Zayn,
25:41carrying eggs,
25:42on her way to bring some extra food to the party,
25:44celebrating my defeat.
25:46Out of nowhere,
25:47Zayn collapsed,
25:48and didn't get up,
25:49blood gushing from his eyes,
25:51ears,
25:52nose,
25:53and mouth.
25:54Lucia,
25:55went white as a sheet,
25:57frozen in shock.
25:59At Simon's place,
26:00he was just about to skin and gut Dexter,
26:02when his wrist suddenly locked up.
26:05The knife landed on his foot,
26:07with a thud,
26:08but he couldn't even move a muscle.
26:10His wife was tending the fire for boiling water,
26:13and looked over.
26:14Simon's face was pale with terror.
26:16I can't move again.
26:18Early the next morning,
26:20the entrance to the Miracle Doctor's Hall,
26:22was completely blocked by a crowd.
26:25When a servant came to inform Esme,
26:27she had just gotten out of bed.
26:30Finally getting rid of me,
26:31that thorn in her side,
26:33left Esme feeling light,
26:34and refreshed.
26:36She casually brushed her sleeve,
26:38looking as cool,
26:39and unbothered,
26:40as ever.
26:41Tell them all to go home.
26:43Standing up for the people is my duty.
26:45They don't need to come here to thank me.
26:48No, that's not it.
26:49They're here because they're sick.
26:51All those people Sierra cured,
26:53now their illnesses are back.
26:56Esme's usual serene,
26:58untouchable demeanor,
26:59shattered in an instant.
27:01Her face went stiff.
27:03By the time she stepped outside,
27:04the entrance to the Miracle Doctor's Hall,
27:06was a total madhouse.
27:08People were crying their eyes out,
27:10and howling like banshees.
27:12Wallace was covered head to toe,
27:14in crusty,
27:15scaly patches.
27:16Like he was wearing a suit of armor,
27:18made entirely,
27:19out of his own skin.
27:22Paisley threw herself down at Esme's feet,
27:24looking absolutely desperate.
27:37Paisley's hands were still stained,
27:39with Wallace's nasty blood,
27:41and flakes of skin.
27:42But she clung to Esme's skirt,
27:44with both hands,
27:45holding on for dear life.
27:47Esme's skin crawled with revulsion.
27:49If it weren't for all these people watching,
27:52she would have kicked Paisley out on the spot.
27:55Lucia practically threw herself to the ground,
27:58frantic and desperate.
28:00She clung to Zane,
28:01who was long since unconscious,
28:03his body absolutely soaked in blood.
28:06Dr. Warner,
28:07you're the divine miracle doctor,
28:09personally chosen by his majesty.
28:11You can work miracles.
28:13Opening up the brain and abdomen,
28:15nothing is beyond you.
28:16Please,
28:17save Zane.
28:18He looks up to you more than anyone.
28:20Simon was completely paralyzed,
28:22his whole body locked up.
28:24He struggled to open his mouth,
28:26but his vocal cords were so stiff,
28:28that he couldn't make a single sound.
28:31Psoriasis,
28:32brain tumors,
28:32and total body paralysis.
28:35No matter which one it was,
28:37nobody could cure them.
28:38Not even with all the cutting edge medicine
28:40of modern society.
28:42If she didn't step in and save them,
28:44her hard earned title,
28:46as the divine miracle doctor,
28:48would be toast,
28:49and her reputation
28:50would crash and burn overnight.
28:52A cold sweat broke out down Esme's spine,
28:55her hands clammy and slick.
28:58She could barely keep her composure.
29:00Why?
29:01She wondered why I could fix these illnesses,
29:04like it was nothing.
29:05But she couldn't do a damn thing.
29:07This made zero sense to her.
29:10She guessed there was gotta be a catch.
29:12I sat in the damp,
29:13moldy cell,
29:14unfazed by the miserable conditions.
29:17The cell door creaked open,
29:19and I opened my only good eye.
29:21I saw Ruby Spears.
29:23Well,
29:24she went by Olivia Jude then.
29:26Olivia,
29:27was the name Esme gave her.
29:29Ruby was the name I chose for her,
29:31back when I found her in the snow,
29:33and brought her to the Spence mansion.
29:36Back then,
29:37she was so cold,
29:39that her whole body turned purple.
29:41I saved her life.
29:43She sobbed,
29:44and bowed before me,
29:46vowing to serve me for the rest of her days,
29:49to repay my kindness.
29:50But when Esme became famous in Capatio,
29:54Olivia stood tall before me and declared,
29:56Everyone is born equal.
29:58You're stuck in your old ways.
30:00I'm going to embrace my own freedom and future.
30:03Olivia,
30:04in her white robe,
30:05with a medical bag in hand,
30:07was starting to look more and more like Esme.
30:11Dr. Warner sent me to treat your wounds.
30:14She had that rebellious look,
30:15like someone who'd finally broken free,
30:18and was singing her own victory song.
30:20She popped open her medical bag,
30:22and grabbed some iodine,
30:23ready to disinfect my wounds.
30:25I turned my head away,
30:27dodging her hand.
30:29Olivia's patience,
30:30was wearing thin.
30:31Don't be stupid.
30:33No one else is coming to patch you up except me.
30:35She snapped.
30:37These days,
30:38she was Esme's top assistant.
30:40Her time was way too valuable,
30:42for just anyone to call her over.
30:44Did you give my remedy to Esme?
30:47I demanded.
30:48The day before,
30:49Esme obviously knew I was using the same formula.
30:52If anyone else knew about the remedy I used to heal people,
30:55it had to be Olivia.
30:57She'd helped me prepare it more than once.
30:59Olivia covered her guilt,
31:01with anger.
31:02You hurt people and expect no one to call you out?
31:05Olivia snapped.
31:06Figures.
31:07It really was you.
31:09I knew this was coming,
31:10but it still left me cold inside.
31:13Get lost.
31:15Don't ever let me see you again.
31:17I shut my eyes,
31:19done looking at this backstabbing wolf.
31:21Olivia practically jumped with rage,
31:23her voice dripping with venom.
31:25When your wounds get infected,
31:27just rot here and die!
31:28She snatched up her medical bag,
31:30and stomped toward the door,
31:32then threw me a dirty look over her shoulder.
31:34She snorted.
31:37And don't come begging when you're desperate for help.
31:39She swept out in a huff,
31:41leaving me alone in the cell.
31:43Just as Olivia stepped out of the cell,
31:46a wave of icy cold hit her,
31:48making her skin crawl.
31:51She couldn't help but shudder,
31:52the chill cutting straight to her bones.
31:55Outside Miracle Doctor's Hall,
31:58Esme's mind was spinning,
32:00trying to come up with a way out.
32:01She said slyly,
32:03Weren't you all saying Sierra was the one behind your illness?
32:05So why aren't you chasing after her instead?
32:08Relax.
32:09I'll give the Ministry of Justice a heads up so you can go see her.
32:12Paisley and the others looked completely baffled.
32:16They knew better than anyone
32:17whether they were really sick or not,
32:19and whether I was guilty or innocent.
32:22But what really haunted them
32:23was how brutally they'd gone after me yesterday,
32:27especially the way they beat my dog to death
32:29while I cried out in agony.
32:31And that stone that smashed my eye,
32:35just thinking about it,
32:36made Lucia's whole body tremble.
32:39No, she won't save us.
32:41She's vicious.
32:43She'd never help us.
32:44Esme felt like her head was about to explode,
32:47wondering why these people were so damn stubborn.
32:50Just as Esme was about to send everyone straight to prison,
32:54Olivia came striding back.
32:55The moment she saw all those people kneeling on the ground,
32:59her eyes sparkled with excitement.
33:01This is what a Divine Miracle Doctor looked like.
33:04She eased the suffering of the world,
33:06a goddess in the eyes of the people.
33:08An angel came to Earth.
33:09No wonder Ridge was always raving about Esme,
33:13saying she was in a league of her own.
33:16In Olivia's eyes, compared to Esme,
33:18I was just nobody.
33:20Nothing about me was worth mentioning.
33:23Olivia was practically buzzing with,
33:26excitement and pride,
33:28rushing over,
33:30to help Esme lift people up,
33:32just like she used to.
33:35Don't worry, everyone.
33:37Dr. Warner is a genius.
33:38She can open up the brain and abdomen.
33:41Even the head of the Royal Hospital is dying to be her apprentice.
33:45You can trust her with your lives.
33:47Esme watched helplessly,
33:49as Olivia helped each person into the Miracle Doctor's Hall,
33:53shooting her a look that practically screamed,
33:56aren't you proud of me?
33:57Esme felt like she was about to explode,
34:00so she quickly rubbed her chest to calm herself down.
34:03Three days later,
34:05Esme stepped into the prison,
34:07looking absolutely wrecked,
34:09with dark circles under her eyes.
34:11Ridge was right behind her.
34:14Sierra, what did you give them?
34:16They're on the brink of death.
34:18Doesn't your conscience bother you at all?
34:20She still looked,
34:21like her heart was breaking in two.
34:25Sierra,
34:25I'm giving you a shot at redemption.
34:27Fix them up,
34:28and I'll go to the Emperor myself to get your sentence reduced.
34:32You really want to spend the rest of your life locked up here?
34:35Ridge pressed.
34:37For Esme,
34:38he was ready to toss aside all his gentlemanly airs and reputation.
34:42I slowly opened my eyes and smiled.
34:45Are you still fooling yourselves?
34:48Or do you seriously think I could poison them from behind bars?
34:53Esme's face went pale.
34:55Esme could never bring herself to admit
34:57that a medical doctor from modern society,
35:00armed with knowledge a thousand years ahead,
35:02actually lost to some backward local.
35:05That couldn't be more humiliating.
35:07Her sense of superiority as a time traveler wouldn't allow it.
35:11I just closed my eyes,
35:13shutting them out completely.
35:14None of this was worth my attention.
35:17I heard Simon was dead.
35:19His heart and lungs had completely failed.
35:22He stopped breathing.
35:23His heart stopped beating.
35:25The Tate family,
35:27dressed in mourning,
35:29burst into the miracle doctor's hall,
35:30yelling that if Esme hadn't tried to get me punished,
35:33they never would have lied to frame me.
35:35If it hadn't been for that,
35:37Simon would still be alive.
35:39One patient after another,
35:41left without proper treatment,
35:43couldn't care less about their pride anymore.
35:45The miracle doctor's hall had been smashed up,
35:48and several people got hurt in the chaos.
35:51Quentin sent the royal dragon guards
35:53to stand guard around the clock.
35:55Lucia,
35:56clutching Zane,
35:58who was barely clinging to life,
36:00frustrated herself at the prison gates,
36:02bowing again and again,
36:04begging for forgiveness.
36:06Dr. Spencer,
36:07you saved Zane before.
36:09You can do it again, right?
36:11Her voice trembled with desperation.
36:13I smiled.
36:15Weren't you all saying I know nothing about medicine?
36:18That I'm just out for money and murder?
36:20So why would you think I could save anyone now?
36:24Lucia sobbed,
36:25banging her head against the ground over and over,
36:28until blood ran down her face.
36:30If you can save Zane,
36:32even if it costs me my life,
36:34I'd do it.
36:35Zane is everything to me.
36:38Dr. Spencer,
36:39I'm begging you,
36:40please show us mercy one more time.
36:43My smile faded,
36:44as I pointed at the ruined socket,
36:46where my eye had been smashed.
36:49Do you honestly think you're in any position to beg me?
36:52Suddenly,
36:53she lunged at me,
36:54screaming,
36:55Sierra,
36:56if you don't save my son,
36:57I swear I'll make sure you die a miserable death!
37:00She clawed at the bars,
37:01her face contorted in rage.
37:03She looked like a demon,
37:05all teeth and wild eyes.
37:07The guards finally showed up,
37:09and dragged her away.
37:11Olivia finally stepped out from her hiding spot.
37:14How can you be so heartless?
37:16They're suffering so much.
37:19No doubt Olivia had set this up,
37:21noping I'd finally cave and do something.
37:24I closed my eyes,
37:26couldn't be bothered to even look at her.
37:28After a while,
37:29she fell to her knees,
37:30in front of the cell door,
37:32sobbing.
37:33Lady Sierra,
37:34please,
37:35save me!
37:36Dr. Warner said if this keeps up,
37:38they'll have to cut off my legs!
37:40I don't want to be a cripple!
37:42I don't want to die!
37:44I didn't move,
37:46tuning her out completely.
37:47After some time,
37:49a whole mob suddenly rushed in,
37:51making a huge commotion.
37:52They all fell to their knees,
37:54outside my cell,
37:56sobbing,
37:57and begging me to save them.
37:59Dr. Spencer,
38:00we were wrong!
38:02This is what we deserve!
38:05From now on,
38:06we'll be decent people.
38:08We'll never accuse you again.
38:10Please, Dr. Spencer,
38:12have mercy and save us!
38:13Their cries shook the whole prison,
38:16but I couldn't care less.
38:17That day,
38:19the prison,
38:20was a total circus.
38:22After they'd spent the whole night kneeling,
38:25His Highness,
38:26Felix,
38:27finally made his entrance.
38:28His face was pale,
38:30and haggard,
38:31like he hadn't gotten a decent night's sleep in days.
38:35Sierra,
38:36if you hand over the cure,
38:38I'll even de-ain to take you in as my compine.
38:43So that was what had been keeping him up at night,
38:46losing sleep over this mess.
38:48Everyone,
38:49patients and their families,
38:51looked at him,
38:52as if he were their last hope,
38:54eyes full of gratitude.
38:56Quentin despised me,
38:57but he was willing to swallow his pride,
39:00and go that far for them.
39:01No wonder they all felt like they owed him big time,
39:04bowing and thanking him,
39:06as if he were their savior.
39:08Sierra,
39:08this is your only chance.
39:10His words almost made me laugh out loud.
39:13Ten years ago,
39:14Your Highnessness,
39:14you were just an outcast prince,
39:16poisoned since you were a kid,
39:18so weak you could barely stand.
39:19Even your own mother gave up on you.
39:21I saved you,
39:22gave you the antidote,
39:24and let you go out there to earn your glory.
39:25But just ten days ago,
39:27you used that same antidote I gave you
39:30to lock me away in this dark cell yourself.
39:33So tell me,
39:35what makes you think you're in any position
39:38to bargain with me now?
39:40Quentin's face kept shifting between pale and ashen.
39:44He was so utterly stunned
39:45that he couldn't say a single word.
39:48Suddenly,
39:49that familiar voice echoed through the room,
39:52clear and unmistakable.
39:54Esme staggered in,
39:56drawing everyone's attention.
39:58Don't beg her!
40:00I've seen through all her tricks!
40:02God knows how many nights Esme had gone without sleep.
40:06She looked so frail,
40:08like she could collapse any second
40:09if the wind blew too hard.
40:12Quentin was at her side in an instant,
40:14catching her before she could fall.
40:16Esme was practically curled up in Felix's arms.
40:19Quentin's heart ached so much
40:21that it felt like it could wrap around her
40:23and shield her from everything.
40:26Sierra,
40:26aren't you scared?
40:28I've uncovered your secret,
40:30the kind you can't let anyone else ever find out about.
40:34My heart gave a jolt,
40:35and my throat tightened up,
40:37but I forced myself to meet her gaze,
40:40trying to look calm.
40:42Everyone saw a glimmer of hope and turned to Esme.
40:45Esme had never felt so exhilarated.
40:48It's not the medicine that's really curing them.
40:51It's your...
40:53She grinned,
40:54her smile downright creepy.
40:57Your blood!
40:58She spat out.
41:00My heart plummeted,
41:01and a fear I'd never felt before
41:03surged through me.
41:05Ever since I was a kid,
41:06my master had raised me
41:08as a living vessel for the curse.
41:09My blood could cure any illness
41:12and neutralize any poison.
41:14My master always said
41:15this secret could never get out.
41:17If it did,
41:18I'd be doomed for good.
41:21What?
41:22What are you trying to do?
41:23I stammered.
41:25Esme didn't answer.
41:26She didn't need to.
41:28I'd become her personal blood bank.
41:30Olivia herself took a whole bag of my blood.
41:33Her grin was almost grotesque.
41:35She sneered.
41:37Regret it now?
41:38When I was begging you on my knees,
41:40you didn't even care.
41:42Now it's your turn to beg me, huh?
41:44If you get down on your knees,
41:46maybe I'll be in a good mood
41:47and only take a few bags of your blood.
41:49She was always preaching about equality,
41:51but now that she held
41:52someone else's fate in her hands,
41:54she was no better than those
41:56who used to exploit and crush her.
41:58Esme wasted no time
41:59whipping up a miracle cure,
42:01bringing those patients
42:02who were at death's door
42:03back to life.
42:04She looked like she'd just
42:05stumbled upon a miracle.
42:07She exclaimed,
42:08If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes,
42:10I never would have believed
42:12there could be a cure-all in this world.
42:15Sierra,
42:16you're a walking treasure.
42:18If I published my research about you,
42:21I might even win a Nobel Prize!
42:23Her eyes burned with a wild,
42:25crazed obsession,
42:26and I could see it clear as day.
42:28She came to see me almost every single day,
42:31and even went out of her way
42:33to move me to a cleaner cell.
42:34She even set up an entire lab just for me,
42:37so she could experiment on me
42:39as much as she liked.
42:40In less than a month,
42:42Capatio was swept up in a craze
42:43for several miracle medicines.
42:45There was a cream that could erase wrinkles
42:47for high society women.
42:49Some injections would cure
42:51even the most incurable illnesses.
42:53Some patches could make wounds heal
42:55almost instantly,
42:57and more.
42:58The entire Capatio was transformed,
43:01all because of my blood.
43:02The emperor wasn't just back
43:04to his old,
43:05powerful self.
43:06His hair had gone from grey to brown,
43:08and every concubine in the palace
43:10was gossiping that he looked
43:12twenty years younger.
43:14Even the beauties were sneaking out
43:15for skin care and beauty treatments,
43:17breaking all the usual rules.
43:19Outside the miracle doctor's hall,
43:21the street was packed with fancy carriages
43:23from Capatio's High and Mighty,
43:25all lining up for a cure.
43:27Ordinary folks passed by
43:28with glowing, healthy smiles,
43:30and some looked like they'd drop
43:32to their knees and worship Esme
43:33if they got the chance.
43:35Bag after bag of my blood
43:37was relentlessly drained from me.
43:39The constant loss left me feeling
43:41as if I was stranded
43:42in a never-ending winter.
43:44Every day,
43:45all I felt
43:46was bone-deep,
43:47icy,
43:48numbness.
43:49Ridge came to see me a few times.
43:51He did feel sorry for me at first,
43:54but after Esme brainwashed him,
43:56Ridge told me,
43:57You're making a real sacrifice
43:59for all of Capedium.
44:01Quentin showed up too,
44:02but he was just there
44:03to see how much longer.
44:05I'd survive.
44:06If I died,
44:08Esme would lose her blood source,
44:10and that'd be a huge problem
44:12for everyone.
44:13I heard the Emperor
44:14had already made him
44:15the Crown Prince.
44:16He acted like he was carrying
44:18the fate of Capatio itself,
44:20and to him,
44:21throwing me under the bus
44:22for the greater good
44:23was totally justified.
44:25Don't resent it.
44:27Your blood has saved
44:28countless lives.
44:29You should feel honored,
44:30he said,
44:31as if that made it all okay.
44:33I wished I could curse him out,
44:35but I was too weak
44:36to get the words out.
44:37Word spread
44:38that my blood
44:39could cure the incurable,
44:40and soon enough,
44:41people believed
44:42their own blood
44:43could heal,
44:44too.
44:45They said my blood
44:46could make people young again,
44:48so everyone thought
44:49their own blood
44:49could turn back the years.
44:51But there just wasn't
44:52enough of my blood
44:53to go around.
44:54I couldn't save everyone.
44:56Zane's illness was cured,
44:58but one day,
44:59he vanished.
45:00When the authorities
45:01found him,
45:02he was nothing
45:03but a dried-up husk,
45:05his blood completely drained.
45:07Day in,
45:08day out,
45:09tragedies like this
45:10kept happening.
45:11They were reveling
45:12in a power
45:13that was never theirs
45:14to begin with.
45:15This reckless celebration
45:17could only lead
45:18to their downfall.
45:20Another plague
45:21was creeping through Capatio,
45:22silent but deadly.
45:24At first,
45:25it was just a black patch
45:27on the skin
45:27and nobody cared,
45:29but then those dark spots
45:30spread,
45:31slowly taking over
45:32the whole body.
45:34Soon,
45:34the black patches
45:36began to give off
45:37a sickening,
45:38rotten smell.
45:39From the lowest street peddler
45:41to the highest nobles,
45:43anyone who'd touch my blood
45:44or those so-called
45:45miracle cures,
45:47nobody was spared.
45:48Esme slid the sample
45:49under the microscope
45:50and what she saw
45:52made her blood run cold.
45:54Microscopic,
45:55virus-like organisms
45:57swarmed over
45:58and devoured
45:59the miracle doctor's hall,
46:01causing trouble
46:01and demanding answers.
46:04Quentin and Ridge
46:05teamed up
46:06to help Esme
46:07cover up the negative news
46:08and keep a lid
46:09on the spreading rumours.
46:11But something went wrong
46:12in the palace.
46:13The emperor's hair
46:14turned grey
46:15in a single night
46:16and his life force
46:17seemed completely drained.
46:19He looked like a ghoul
46:20straight out of hell.
46:22Wrinkles crawled
46:23across the concubines' faces
46:25overnight.
46:26They aged from 40
46:27to look like they were 70
46:29in a single night.
46:31Finally,
46:32a wave of putrid stench
46:34swept through the palace
46:35and even the skin
46:36of the noble women
46:37started to fester
46:39and rot.
46:40When Esme burst into the lab,
46:42I was sitting in the cage
46:44she'd made just for me,
46:45flipping through
46:46her medical masterpiece.
46:47Every doctor
46:48was supposed to master this book
46:50and it was widely promoted
46:52among people.
46:53Esme demanded,
46:55her voice trembling.
46:56Why did it turn out like this?
46:59What did you do to them?
47:01Her face was pale with terror
47:03and she was babbling.
47:04Ever thought that maybe
47:05it's not about
47:06what I did to them
47:07but what happened
47:07when you used my blood
47:08to make your drugs?
47:10You might have caused
47:11something to mutate.
47:13Honestly,
47:14I should graduate you.
47:15You pulled out all the stops
47:17and managed to create
47:18a brand new illness.
47:20Esme collapsed to the floor,
47:21her legs giving out beneath her.
47:24Deep down,
47:25she already knew the truth.
47:26She couldn't accept it.
47:28She wanted me to say it out loud,
47:30to make it real.
47:32That day,
47:33I finished her medical masterpiece
47:35inside the cage
47:36she'd built for me.
47:38Outside,
47:39Esme just sat there
47:40in a daze all day.
47:42When I closed the book
47:43and looked up,
47:44she was still staring at me,
47:46not even blinking.
47:47She parted her dry lips
47:49and said,
47:50You think you've won?
47:51No way.
47:53If I could create this virus,
47:55I could wipe it off too.
47:58She walked away,
47:59her back straight,
48:00every step,
48:01full of resolve.
48:03Whether it was controlling floods
48:05or curing diseases,
48:07centuries of wisdom
48:08said the same thing.
48:09Letting things flow
48:10was way better
48:12than trying to block them off.
48:14When medicine turned into a fight,
48:16it was killing
48:17or being killed.
48:18And even if you hurt your enemy,
48:20you'd end up hurting yourself
48:22almost as much.
48:23If you couldn't take out your enemy,
48:25you were helping them become stronger.
48:28After a brief lull,
48:29the plague erupted
48:30like a tidal wave.
48:32Nothing could stop it.
48:33All of Capazio
48:34reeked of rot,
48:36the stench
48:37hanging heavy in the air.
48:39Ridge dragged me out of the cage,
48:41and Felix's sword
48:42was pressed right against my throat.
48:44Sierra,
48:45this is your last chance.
48:47Tell me,
48:48how can this be undone?
48:50Felix demanded,
48:51his tone icy
48:53and commanding.
48:54The blade was so sharp
48:56that it pierced my skin,
48:57but I didn't even flinch.
48:59How can you be so heartless?
49:01Those are living,
49:03breathing people.
49:04How can you watch them die?
49:05Ridge shouted,
49:07his voice
49:07trembling
49:08with fury.
49:09My eyes flickered.
49:10Isn't this all your fault?
49:12Seriously,
49:13I didn't get it.
49:15Everyone fell silent.
49:17Esme collapsed to her knees,
49:18as if she'd finally reached
49:20her breaking point.
49:22Sierra,
49:23you,
49:25win,
49:26she said,
49:27her voice barely above a whisper.
49:30This time,
49:30she really was
49:31at the end of her rope.
49:33I was not really
49:34that cold-blooded.
49:35I never wanted to see
49:36all those people die,
49:37even if they were so greedy
49:39that they'd drain me dry
49:40without a second thought.
49:41Try Mercy Hall.
49:43That old,
49:44traditional doctor there,
49:45he might know what to do.
49:47I said,
49:48my voice low,
49:49but steady.
49:50It was the only real chance
49:51I could give them.
49:53Esme's eyes lit up,
49:54and Felix immediately
49:56ordered the royal dragon guards
49:57to fetch him.
49:58But Ridge's face,
49:59drained,
50:00of all color.
50:02No need.
50:04He's already dead,
50:05Ridge said,
50:06his voice barely above a whisper.
50:08How could that be?
50:09Half a month ago,
50:11someone accused him
50:12of being a quack
50:13and causing deaths
50:14for profit.
50:15The patient demanded
50:16ten times what he charged
50:17for his medicine
50:17as compensation.
50:19Humiliated and devastated,
50:20he took his own life.
50:21I couldn't help
50:22but burst out laughing.
50:25Quack?
50:26Killing for money?
50:27Do you even realize
50:29how many lives
50:29he saved over the years?
50:31Just one petty man
50:33could push him
50:33over the edge?
50:35Wow,
50:35you must be so proud
50:37of your-
50:37Ridge and the other's faces
50:39turned darker.
50:40There are plenty
50:41of other doctors
50:43just as skilled as him.
50:45I believe we can
50:46find another one.
50:47But was there really
50:48anyone out there
50:49who'd actually help?
50:50Is there any other way?
50:52Yes,
50:53I answered,
50:54not missing a beat.
50:55Their eyes lit up again,
50:57but I could tell
50:57they were a little ticked off
50:58at how cocky
50:59I'd been earlier.
51:00You knew there was
51:01another way
51:02and kept quiet?
51:03Did you do that
51:04on purpose?
51:05Ridge snapped.
51:06I just shot him a grin.
51:08Everyone I treated
51:09ended up sick again.
51:11Do you even know
51:12why you and Felix
51:13are the only ones
51:14who didn't get sick?
51:15I didn't need to say it,
51:17and Esme already knew.
51:19Capachio used to be
51:21packed with family
51:22medical lineages
51:22that had lasted
51:23for centuries,
51:24but some of those
51:25heirs were dead,
51:27driven to their deaths
51:27by persecution
51:29and pressure.
51:30Some had fled,
51:31desperate to escape
51:32the chaos.
51:34Most, though,
51:35had chosen to protect
51:36themselves,
51:37giving up their legacies,
51:38shutting their doors,
51:39and refusing to
51:40treat anyone at all.
51:42Ridge searched
51:43every nook and cranny
51:44of Capachio,
51:45but just as expected,
51:47he couldn't find
51:47a single traditional healer
51:49willing to step in
51:50and fix this disaster.
51:52I heard the burial pits
51:53were overflowing,
51:54that they couldn't fit
51:55another body in there.
51:57Everywhere in Capachio,
51:58there were pyres burning,
52:00bodies turning to ash
52:01in the flames.
52:02Even the royal prison
52:04had been abandoned.
52:05I hadn't eaten
52:06in three days.
52:08Just then,
52:09Olivia finally unlocked
52:11my cage
52:11and set me free
52:13from the lab.
52:14She dropped to her knees,
52:16right in front of me,
52:17a total wreck,
52:18sobbing and crying
52:20her heart out.
52:22Lady Sierra,
52:23I was wrong.
52:24I made a huge mistake.
52:27I'm so sorry.
52:29Olivia was swathed
52:30in layers of fabric,
52:31her whole body thick
52:33with the scent of
52:33powder and perfume,
52:35but even that
52:35couldn't cover up
52:36the sickening smell
52:37of rot underneath.
52:38I moved past her,
52:40every step,
52:41taking me closer
52:42to the freedom
52:43I'd been dreaming of.
52:44Olivia suddenly
52:45latched onto my leg,
52:47clutching it
52:47as if her life
52:48depended on it.
52:50She cried,
52:51her voice shaking.
52:53Please,
52:54help me!
52:54I swear I won't
52:55do this again!
52:56All that stuff
52:57Esma said about
52:58everyone being equal?
53:00Total nonsense.
53:02She could have
53:02managed the illness,
53:03but she only
53:05bothered with
53:05the nobles.
53:06She always said
53:07I was her favorite
53:08assistant,
53:09but she wouldn't
53:10even give it a try.
53:11Olivia was a mess,
53:13crying her eyes out.
53:15I looked at her
53:16coolly.
53:16Did you ever feel
53:17even a shred of guilt
53:18when you were
53:19taking my blood?
53:20Olivia froze,
53:21but she still tried
53:23to talk her way
53:23out of it.
53:24I snorted.
53:25The only reason
53:26you're begging me now
53:27is that you've lost
53:28control and need me.
53:30Someone like you
53:31isn't worth saving.
53:32I kicked her hand away
53:33and didn't look back
53:34as I headed for my freedom.
53:36As I passed by
53:37one of the prison cells,
53:39I heard a voice
53:40I instantly recognized.
53:42Ridge,
53:42I'm sorry.
53:44Right now,
53:45only you and I
53:46have antibodies.
53:47I'm supposed to be
53:48the future ruler
53:49and I have to
53:50protect everyone.
53:51So you're the one
53:52to pay the price.
53:54The wind nudged
53:55the half-open door,
53:57pushing it open
53:57just a crack.
53:58I saw Ridge
53:59tied down to the lab table,
54:01just as I was before.
54:03He was thrashing around,
54:04cursing up a storm.
54:06He was the golden boy,
54:08the pride of Capatio.
54:10How could they treat him
54:11like a lab rat
54:11and bleed him dry?
54:13To make him cooperate,
54:15Esme did the honors herself
54:16and jabbed him
54:17with a sedative.
54:19Ridge lay still there
54:20on the table.
54:21His head turned
54:22just enough to spot me.
54:24Our eyes met
54:25and I shot him
54:26a little smile.
54:27It looked like
54:28it was Ridge's turn
54:29to do his part
54:30for Capatio.
54:31I wondered
54:32if he was excited
54:33about it.
54:33As I stepped out
54:35of the prison,
54:36a massive crowd
54:37came storming over,
54:38like a tidal wave
54:39heading straight for me.
54:41Ordinary people
54:42and the elite alike
54:43were all mixed
54:44in the chaos.
54:45Ridge and Felix
54:46are inside.
54:47They're the only ones
54:48with antibodies.
54:50Get in there.
54:51Drain every last drop
54:52of their blood.
54:52It's our only chance
54:54to survive.
54:55Someone yelled.
54:55I glanced back
54:57and saw the bodies
54:58of the royal dragon guards
54:59crushed beneath
55:01the stampede
55:01of desperate people.
55:03I stood atop
55:04Jireen Hill,
55:05taking one last look
55:06at Capatio,
55:07the place I'd called home
55:09for a decade.
55:10Cries of misery
55:11echoed everywhere.
55:12Devastation stretched
55:13as far as the eye
55:14could see.
55:15Capatio was all
55:17but destroyed.
55:18Dr. Spencer!
55:19An elderly lady
55:20lurched toward me,
55:22barely keeping
55:22her balance.
55:23It was Paisley.
55:25She was cradling
55:26a dog tightly
55:27in her arms.
55:29She gently placed
55:30the dog at my feet,
55:31hope shining
55:32desperately in her eyes.
55:34She said,
55:35Dr. Spence,
55:37Dexter's still alive.
55:39Dexter was hanging
55:40by a thread,
55:41not dead
55:42or alive.
55:43I cut my finger
55:44and let my blood
55:46drip into Dexter's mouth.
55:47In no time,
55:49Dexter,
55:49who'd looked like
55:50he was on his last legs,
55:52suddenly got up.
55:53Paisley's eyes
55:54lit up with greed
55:55and desperate hope.
55:57She dropped to her knees
55:59in front of me again.
56:00Dr. Spencer,
56:01please save my son.
56:02He just earned
56:04his scholar's title.
56:05He's got his whole future
56:07ahead of him.
56:08This time,
56:08she handed over
56:09everything she owned,
56:10which was a hundred
56:11tales of silver.
56:13I stared at her,
56:14curious why she wasn't sick.
56:17Maybe she gave
56:18all the good stuff
56:18she could find
56:19to Wallace.
56:21So this
56:22was a mother's love?
56:23I don't know medicine
56:24and I don't have
56:26a thousand towns
56:27to give you.
56:28Just go home,
56:29I said.
56:30I picked up Dexter
56:31and walked off
56:33with a carefree swagger.
56:35You'd rather save
56:36a damn bone
56:37and fall a damn dog
56:40than my son?
56:41Fine!
56:42Go die
56:43with him then!
56:45She lunged at me,
56:46a sharp knife
56:47aimed straight
56:48for my heart.
56:49But just inches
56:50from my heart,
56:51Paisley came
56:52to a sudden halt.
56:54Her face contorted,
56:55her limbs
56:56started convulsing.
56:57Did she forget
56:58she'd taken
56:59the stuff
56:59I gave her
57:00to?
57:01I just wanted
57:02her to watch,
57:03helpless,
57:04as her precious
57:05son suffered.
57:06She squirmed
57:07on the ground
57:08like a maggot.
57:09There wasn't
57:10a single ounce
57:11of sympathy
57:12left in me
57:12for humans
57:13anymore.
57:14Dexter,
57:15from now on
57:16you're all I've
57:16got.
57:17You're my family
57:19now,
57:19I said.
57:20I was a living
57:21parasite,
57:22a curse,
57:23in human form.
57:24I could wipe
57:25out any illness
57:26and cleanse
57:27any poison.
57:28I could heal
57:29people,
57:30or turn their
57:31suffering back
57:31on them
57:32a hundredfold.
57:33My master
57:34once told me
57:35I could pass
57:36on my curse
57:36through my blood,
57:37planting child
57:38parasites inside
57:39others.
57:40They could draw
57:41power from my
57:41blood,
57:42but I could
57:42just as easily
57:43siphon their
57:44life force in
57:44return.
57:45My master
57:46spent him
57:46entire life
57:47chasing
57:47immortality,
57:48running thousands
57:49of experiments.
57:51The caves
57:51behind the
57:52mountain were
57:52piled high,
57:53with him
57:53failed creations,
57:55but I was
57:55her only
57:56success.
57:57He took
57:57my blood
57:58for seven
57:58years.
57:59After all
58:00that time,
58:01my body
58:01was riddled
58:02with wounds,
58:02barely alive.
58:04In the end,
58:05I finally
58:06fought back.
58:07That day,
58:08he became
58:09a mummified
58:09corpse,
58:10and for the
58:11first time,
58:12I saw my
58:13body whole
58:13again.
58:14That was
58:15also the
58:15day Ridge
58:16came to
58:16bring me
58:16home.
58:17Later,
58:18I met
58:19Felix.
58:20I finally
58:21had a
58:21family,
58:22people I
58:23actually wanted
58:23to love
58:24and protect.
58:25I thought
58:26maybe I
58:26could be
58:26a normal
58:27person,
58:28too.
58:28But alas,
58:29I failed.
58:30The sunlight
58:31felt warm
58:32and alive,
58:33pouring over
58:34me and
58:34Dexter
58:34like a
58:35fresh start.
58:36I tore
58:36off the
58:37bandage
58:37from my
58:37left eye.
58:38With both
58:39eyes open,
58:40the world
58:41really was
58:41a whole
58:42new place,
58:43so much
58:43brighter,
58:44so much
58:44better.
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