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Bound to Ares of Olympus - FULL | Reelshort
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00:01I was born with heavy breasts and lush curves
00:04My sister Helena was afraid her husband Damon would lose his mind over me
00:08So she arranged for me to be wed to an impotent man
00:11She patted my shoulder
00:14A man who can't perform there is probably exceptional everywhere else
00:18Three months later I was begging for mercy every single night
00:22I desperately wanted to ask Helena what she meant by can't get hard
00:27Funny, he seemed good at everything
00:29Alexander, Arathon's undefeated commander and the king's most trusted warlord
00:34Was carried back from the northern border on a littered coast through the flood
00:38The spear had gone down
00:40By the time the army reached the city gates, he had lost consciousness twice
00:44If a dying man was bound to a living, healthy woman
00:47Her vitality could tether him back to life
00:50His mother, Lady Corina, had already buried her husband
00:53Now she stood at the edge of burying her son
00:56Helena presented me to Lady Corina before I could find words to object
01:00I had no real choice
01:02Or I would starve
01:03If I refused, she would have me sent to work in the outer estates
01:07The salt flats
01:08The ones that broke people in a season
01:10I knew she had never forgiven me for my history with Damon
01:13Please, I swear Damon and I are just friends
01:18What good is a vow?
01:20Do you have any idea how distracting your big boobs are?
01:24I wanted to tell her to bind my chest
01:26I'd wrapped myself layer after layer in the sweltering heat
01:30Until I broke out in a rash
01:33Walking through this house with that body
01:35Which man here wouldn't lose himself the moment he looked at you?
01:39It's not that I don't trust you
01:41It's that I don't trust men
01:43Do you know who he is?
01:45The Aries
01:47If my mother and Corina weren't old friends
01:49You wouldn't even be considered for this
01:51Helena, I don't want to be anyone's deathbed offering
01:55Please don't make me
02:00Iris, are you loose your mind?
02:02A household servant stepped in, breathless
02:05My lady Helena, word from the Vos Estate
02:08Alexander has woken up
02:09Helena dragged me to the Vos Estate
02:11I followed her through the entrance hall to a heavy door
02:14Through the gap, I caught the shape of a man on a low bed
02:17Thin, still
02:18His chest moves with the shallow, effortful rhythm
02:22Lady Corina stood near the window, eyes red
02:25She took Helena's hands
02:26Helena, thank you for everything you've done for my son
02:29He's pulled through
02:31There's no need to bind a girl to a dying man
02:33I won't destroy someone's future over it
02:35Helena's eyes moved
02:36Calculated
02:37Quick
02:38Lady Corinda, the marriage should still go forward
02:40Iris arrived the same morning Alexander woke
02:43That's the God's doing, not coincidence
02:45Complete the rite properly
02:47Her vitality will keep drawing him back towards health
02:50Corina hesitated
02:51She looked at me
02:52The household physician stepped out from the room
02:55His face tight
02:56Lord Alexander has regained consciousness
02:59But the spear struck deep into his inner thigh
03:01And the damage to the surrounding tissue
03:03I'm afraid he will no longer be able to perform as a husband
03:06He can't
03:07Helena looked more stricken than Corina
03:09He will not be able to get hard
03:11Possibly ever
03:12Corina's knees gave
03:13I caught her before she hit the floor
03:15She looked up at me with hollowed eyes
03:17Knowing this, do you still want this?
03:20Of course she does
03:21She's no one
03:22She should be grateful for the name
03:24I didn't speak right away
03:25My mother had been a physician's assistant
03:27A skilled one
03:28My father had courted her without mentioning he already had a wife
03:32She found out when she was already carrying me
03:34She died the night I was born
03:36He brought me into the household anyway
03:38Gave me a roof, a name, a place that was never quite mine
03:42When he died, that ended
03:44Helena's mother had never wanted me there
03:46Without my father, I had no ground
03:48I learned healing technique from my mother's old notes
03:51The only thing left of her
03:52The one skill that kept me from being put out
03:55There had been a young scholar in the narrow streets behind our estate
03:58Damon
03:59Poor, hungry
04:00Grinding toward the city examinations on nothing
04:03I had passed food through the fence for two years
04:06I thought he would remember
04:07I went to him the night before everything fell apart
04:10He didn't open the gate
04:12Iris
04:12I'm betrothed now
04:14It wouldn't be proper
04:15A small coin purse dropped over the wall into the dirt
04:18Consider the debt repaid
04:19I picked it up and walked away
04:21That scholar became Helena's husband
04:24I acted as though I had never known him
04:26Helena found out anyway
04:27My lady
04:28I'm willing
04:30I'll complete the right
04:32Care for Alexander
04:33And serve your household as long as you need me
04:35Corinna kept her word
04:36She had a proper wedding garment prepared
04:38She treated the ceremony with full dignity
04:41Helena chose a day when Damon was away on city business to walk me out
04:45She pressed my papers into my hands
04:47Guilt on her face
04:48Even though Alexander can't perform
04:51At least you're spared the pain of bearing children
04:54Don't worry
04:55A man who can't perform there is probably exceptional everywhere else
04:59None of it had crossed my mind honestly
05:01I told myself I was simply moving to a new household
05:04Alexander was too weak to stand through the full wedding rite
05:07I completed the ceremony beside his sword
05:10The one hanging on the wall of the great room
05:12Iron and plain
05:14The kind of weapon that had actually been used
05:16Lady Corinna watched from the front
05:19Eyes wet the whole time
05:20When it was done
05:21I was Alexander's wife
05:23His chamber was quiet when I pushed the door open
05:26He was already inside
05:27Half sitting against the headboard
05:29A plain linen robe open at the throat
05:31He turned when he heard me
05:33Up close he was strikingly handsome
05:35Strong jaw
05:36Dark eyes that looked at things directly without apology
05:40A face that had been outdoors for years and carried it well
05:43I never intended to have a wife
05:45He said
05:46Low and even
05:47If it doesn't trouble you
05:49We can keep this arrangement simple
05:50In name only
05:52Tonight the bed is yours
05:53He pointed to the couch against the far wall
05:56Tomorrow you move to the guest quarters
05:58He had thought through all of it
06:00It wasn't what I'd expected
06:01Alright
06:02Before the ceremony
06:03One of Corinna's older servants
06:05Had pressed something into my hands
06:07A small scroll
06:08There are other ways between a husband and wife
06:10You might find this useful someday
06:14I hadn't understood her until I unrolled it
06:17Heat moved through me just from the first illustration
06:20Alexander was watching me from bed
06:22Is it too warm here?
06:23Eyes steady
06:24Direct
06:24The wedding garments are heavy
06:26I'm a little warm
06:27Wash up and rest then
06:30He pulled the blanket over himself
06:31And within minutes his breathing had evened out
06:34I set the scroll on the side table
06:36I unpinned my hair
06:38Then I changed
06:39Layered robes off piece by piece
06:41Until I was standing in nothing but my sleeping shift
06:44I turned to the polished bronze mirror on the wall
06:47The shift was not thick enough
06:49Heavy breasts straining against the linen
06:51Waist narrow
06:52Hips full
06:53Years of trying to make myself smaller
06:56In a thin shift at midnight
06:57There was nothing left to hide behind
06:59I stepped toward the lamp to turn it down
07:01And walked straight into his gaze
07:03He wasn't asleep
07:05His chest rose hard
07:06The tips of his ears had gone red
07:09His throat worked as he swallowed
07:11I grabbed my outer robe
07:12Alexander, I thought you were asleep
07:14A long pause
07:16I could sleep later
07:17Low, controlled
07:18Like he was holding something back by force
07:21My breath caught
07:22He rose to his feet slowly
07:24Tall
07:24His shadow fell over me
07:39Every image from that scroll flooded back
07:41My breathing shifted without me meaning it to
07:43Somehow falling into the same rhythm as his
07:46Then Alexander turned and walked to the door
07:48The moment night air rushed in from the courtyard
07:51I came back to myself
07:52He was already gone
07:54I stood there in the lamplight
07:55When he looked at me just now
07:57The shock in his eyes
07:59Had I actually rattled the most feared warlord in Aerithon?
08:03I decided that tomorrow morning
08:04I was going to wear three layers of linen and a belt
08:07He came back sometime in the night
08:09His hair was damp at the ends
08:11When I woke in the morning he was already gone
08:13The room was empty and orderly
08:15His attendant Theo came in to check on me
08:22Alexander
08:23The night is cold
08:24Why didn't you call for someone to heat water?
08:27I'll have Nikos make you something for that
08:30A cold bath in your condition
08:32I don't know what you were thinking
08:34I looked at Theo
08:35Does he usually take cold baths?
08:38Theo shrugged with the expression of someone
08:40Who had seen many things
08:42And commented on none of them
08:43I was fine
08:45And closed the door
08:46Then I added a third layer of linen
08:48Every woman in the upper city
08:50Was fine boned and carefully composed
08:52That was what was considered beautiful
08:54In Aerithon's court circles
08:56My body was different
08:57Full
08:58Warm
08:59Soft
09:00In ways that drew the wrong kind of attention
09:02Alexander not wanting to look at me
09:04Was entirely predictable
09:05I went to greet Corinna that morning
09:07Alexander was already seated beside her
09:10She smiled like the sun had come out
09:12The moment she saw me
09:13Her face only changed when Alexander coughed
09:17Alexander
09:17Give us a moment
09:19I need to speak with Iris alone
09:20He left without argument
09:22Corinna waved to me to sit beside her
09:24She took my hand
09:25And looked at me with eyes
09:26That were still a little wet
09:28Iris
09:28My sweet girl
09:31My son waking up is more than I dared ask for
09:34But I can't let that gift become your cage
09:37Her smile faded at the edges
09:38Nikos says the damage may be permanent
09:41No one knows how much time he has
09:43Some in the household have suggested
09:45I name a cousin's son as heir
09:48But that would trap here for nothing
09:50You came to give him strength
09:51And I am already grateful for it
09:53I can't ask you to give him the rest of your life too
09:56I've already thought it through
09:57If the worst comes
09:58I'll have him release you from the marriage
10:01You'll be free
10:02I'll give you property
10:04And enough silver to live on your own terms
10:06I reached over and dried the corner of her eye
10:09Something ached in my chest
10:10Quiet and unannounced
10:12I had come here telling myself
10:14This was just a new household
10:15I hadn't expected her to be thinking of my future
10:18Before her own
10:19It made me think of my mother
10:20If she had lived
10:21If someone had done this for her
10:23Corinna laughed through her tears
10:25Look at me making you cry
10:27Iris
10:27Call me mother if you like
10:29You might as well
10:31Her voice softened
10:32Helena mentioned
10:33You know
10:33Healing technique
10:35Alexander's daily care
10:37The food
10:38The remedies
10:39Could you take that on
10:41I just want him here a little longer
10:43That's my one small selfishness
10:46Her voice roughened at the end
10:47I nodded
10:48I went to find Nikos
10:50And asked what he needed
10:52The last time I had done
10:53Serious healing work
10:55Was years ago
10:55Back when Damon
10:57Was still just a hungry student
10:58Living in two rented rooms
11:00Behind our estate wall
11:01He had collapsed at our back gate
11:04One afternoon
11:04From not eating for two days
11:06I was the one who found him
11:08I made him soup
11:09I went through my mother's notes
11:11And put together a proper recovery regimen
11:14Herbs
11:14Timing
11:15What to avoid
11:16He got strong
11:18He passed his examinations
11:20He told Helena
11:21She used it to push me out
11:23He helped her do it
11:24I carried the tray down the long corridor
11:27To Alexander's room
11:28He was at his desk
11:29Giving instructions to a young aide
11:31About supply routes along the northern road
11:36I'll eat later
11:37He said without looking up
11:39You should eat now
11:39The compounds in the broth lose their effect if the stomach is empty
11:44He looked at the tray
11:45Then at me
11:46Going forward have Theo bring these
11:48He knows the schedule
11:49I can bring them
11:51It isn't necessary
11:52It makes no difference
11:54It does
11:55Have Theo's do it
11:56He finished the broth and a few efficient swallows
11:59I'll be in the map room if you need me
11:59Set something to the aide
12:00And walked past me without pausing
12:02That settled it
12:03Alexander of House Vos did not want me in his space
12:06I followed his instruction
12:08After that
12:09Theo delivered every meal to the study
12:11A week later
12:13At morning check with Corinna
12:14She was glowing
12:15Nikos came for his routine visit
12:18He says Alexander's color is better than he's seen since the injury
12:22Iris, that's your doing
12:24Back in my room
12:25I added it to the small chest I kept by the window
12:28Bracelets
12:29An amber pin
12:30A pair of earrings
12:31Everything Corinna had given me since I arrived
12:36You never wear any of it
12:38I will eventually
12:40If I ever leave it all converts to something useful
12:43Leave?
12:44You'd sell what Lady Corita gave you?
12:47Not while I'm here
12:49But if the marriage is dissolved one day, yes
12:51That's just practical
12:59Lord Alexander
13:00I turned
13:02Alexander stood in the doorway
13:06Corinna had said his color was better
13:08He was still pale
13:10His expression closed and unreadable
13:12He looked at me with flat, measuring eyes
13:15My pulse jumped
13:17Alexander
13:18Did you need something?
13:21I left a field map in this room
13:23Looking for it
13:25I'll help you find it
13:26What does it look like?
13:29Theo had disappeared
13:31Quietly and completely
13:32As though he had never been there
13:34Rolled leather
13:34Brown cord
13:38I started checking the shelves
13:40He moved to the other side
13:43Any idea where you left it?
13:46No
13:47We searched in silence
13:49I reached up toward the top shelf
13:51And his hand arrived at exactly the same moment
13:55His fingers covered mine for half a second
13:57The skin under his touch went instantly warm
14:02I tilted my head up to look at him from this close
14:04He was genuinely handsome
14:08Fair against dark brows
14:10Sharp cut features
14:11Eyes that held something underneath the surface that I couldn't name
14:15Like still deep water
14:18My throat tightened
14:19I turned back to the shelf
14:22I went up on my toes to reach further
14:25And lost my balance
14:26He caught me instinctively
14:28My chest was pressed tightly against him
14:31I pulled back fast
14:33Alexander's chest was rising and falling too hard
14:36His face was red
14:38Your map
14:39I held it out
14:41Keep it
14:42He took it without looking at me and left
14:43Right
14:44Now he thought even less of me
14:46After that I avoided him deliberately
14:48He was healing
14:49He needed stillness
14:50I was apparently not conducive to stillness
14:52But a new problem arrived by messenger
14:54Damon had been sending letters
14:56Three in the past week
14:58Brief, angled
14:59The kind that said
15:01Meet me without saying it
15:02I burned them in the lamp without responding
15:05Today, Theo appeared at my door
15:07Voice low
15:08Lady Iris
15:10Someone is waiting at the side gate
15:13He says he won't leave until you come out
15:15I already knew
15:16I walked out fast
15:18Through the garden
15:19And I noticed another shape following at a distance
15:23Someone keeping pace along the far colonnade
15:26But I didn't stop
15:28I pushed open the side gate
15:32Damon stood outside
15:33He smiled the easy smile I used to believe in
15:37Iris
15:38You finally came
15:41You can call me Lady Voss
15:43Or nothing at all
15:47I'm being considered for a senior position at the council
15:52When that comes through
15:55I won't need Helena's family connections anymore
15:58Iris, come with me
16:00Alexander is finished
16:02Everyone in the city knows it
16:03It's foot in the grave
16:05One foot in the grave
16:06What kind of future is that?
16:08He reached toward me
16:09I stepped back
16:12You want me as your kept woman?
16:14He nodded like it was a reasonable offer
16:16I laughed
16:18Actually laughed
16:19Why would I leave a Voss marriage to be your secret?
16:23I have standing
16:24I have a name
16:27I have a household that has served this kingdom for three generations
16:31Everyone in the upper city knows Alexander is done
16:35Seems like a waste
16:38Something cold moved through me
16:39Damon
16:41You had one thing from me
16:42Loyalty
16:43And you returned it with a coin purse over a wall
16:46You want to push this?
16:48I have every letter you've sent me
16:49I can have them in Helena's hands before sundown
16:52How does your council appointment look after that?
16:55His face went white
16:57I turned and walked back through the gate
16:59I spun around inside and nearly walked into Alexander
17:02He was standing two feet away in a plain dark cloak
17:05Still as a wall
17:10Alexander
17:11I
17:11You just called yourself a Voss
17:13His eyes were level
17:14My face went warm
17:17I was making a point
17:18I didn't mean to presume
17:19You told him I was a warlord
17:21Who had served this kingdom for three generations
17:24That's just true
17:27Something moved behind his eyes
17:30A moment ago you called me your husband
17:34Now you're back to Alexander
17:36I
17:36I should go check on your afternoon remedy timing
17:42I tried to step past him
17:43His hand caught my arm
17:45Steady, not rough
17:47I stumbled sideways and fell against his chest
17:50Again
17:50I looked up at him from very close
17:53His eyes were dark and direct
17:55The things you said to him
17:58Low
18:00Were they true?
18:01I couldn't tell him it had all been a bluff for Damon's benefit
18:04So I looked up at him
18:06Alexander's eyes stayed on my face
18:08The distance between us was wrong
18:10Too close
18:10His breath steady and warm
18:12His hand still around my arm
18:14Iris
18:16The remedy timing
18:17I said
18:18I should go check
18:19He let go
18:21I walked away without looking back
18:25Around the corner I stopped
18:26Pressed my back against the stone wall
18:28My heart was going completely haywire
18:30That was the first time I had seen anything other
18:34Then controlled distance in Alexander's face
18:38That night I dreamed about him
18:40His voice saying my name
18:42Made the whole dream feels like standing close to a fire
18:45I woke with my pulse pounding and the sheets twisted around me
18:49I called for a basin of cold water
18:51Theo brought it without comment and looked at my damp hair on the way out
18:56I pressed a handful of cold water against my face
18:59Then I thought about Alexander getting up in the middle of the night to take a cold bath
19:05I pushed the thought out immediately
19:09His thigh was still healing
19:11This was completely absurd
19:13At midday, Corinna's attendant found me in the herb garden
19:17Lady Corinna is taking supper in the courtyard this evening
19:19She'd like you both there
19:21I had been finding excuses to avoid shared meals all week
19:24Corinna had noticed
19:25I couldn't keep saying no
19:27I walked out to the inner courtyard as the evening light came through the carved stone screens
19:32The long table had been set simply
19:34The old laurel tree in the corner was in flower
19:36White blooms catching the last of the sun
19:39The spread on the table was everything I liked
19:42I stood there looking at it
19:43Alexander remembered
19:45He asked the kitchen this morning
19:49I looked across the table
19:52Alexander looked at his cup
19:57How did you know today was my birthday?
20:00I forgot it myself
20:01My mother had died the night I was born
20:03No one had ever made a point of the date
20:06The marriage documents
20:09Your birth date was listed
20:11Something moved in my chest
20:13Small and uninvited
20:16Iris, I've been saving this
20:18Good wine
20:18From the hillside estate
20:20The old press
20:22Don't let either of you drink too much
20:24Actually
20:25The evening air troubles my joints
20:29I'll leave you two to enjoy it
20:32She was gone before I could say anything
20:34The courtyard went quiet
20:36Just the two of us and the sound of wind through the laurel
20:39To cover the silence I poured a cup and drank it faster than I should have
20:43It was sweet
20:44It was also considerably stronger than it tasted
20:47I poured another
20:48Then another
20:49The warmth spread through my chest and up behind my eyes
20:53And everything softened slightly at the edges
20:55I reached toward the last small honey cake on the plate between us
20:59And found it empty
21:03Where did the last one go?
21:06I ate it
21:07I don't know where the nerve came from
21:09I leaned toward him across the table
21:11Who let you take the last one?
21:13Give it back
21:14Alexander looked at me for a long moment
21:18Then he opened his mouth
21:20Come and find it yourself
21:21I stared at him
21:22Then at his mouth
21:24Then back at his eyes
21:26I leaned forward and kissed him
21:28He went completely still
21:30His breath stopped
21:31Then something gave way
21:32His hand came up to the back of my head
21:35And the kiss deepened
21:36Slower
21:37More certain
21:38Like he had been waiting for exactly this
21:40And was not going to waste it
21:42Footsteps on the stone path
21:45We broke apart
21:47It was Theo
21:48Carrying cloaks
21:49Lord Alexander
21:52Lady Karina
21:53Said the night is getting cold
21:55She wanted me to
21:57I'll just
21:57Leave these here
22:01My legs went unreliable
22:03Everything went dark
22:05I woke to morning light
22:07Coming through the window
22:08At the wrong angle
22:09When I woke up
22:10The morning light
22:11Shone through the window
22:12I sat up fast
22:14Karina
22:15The temple visit
22:16I had promised to go with her this morning
22:19Don't rush
22:20Theo appeared in the doorway
22:21The carriage isn't ready yet
22:27How did I get back here?
22:29Alexander carried you in
22:31I looked at him
22:34He nodded seriously
22:36Did I
22:37Did I say anything strange?
22:40You kept grabbing his sleeve
22:41And calling him my husband
22:43Over and over
22:44He went so red
22:45I thought he was going to need Nikos
22:46Theo
22:47If you tell anyone
22:49If you tell anyone
22:50He was already gone
22:56I found Karina
22:57At the front gate
23:02We took the carriage
23:03To the temple
23:04Of the healing god
23:05She went every week
23:06She said
23:07To give thanks
23:09Karina glanced over
23:10You're not thinking about
23:12What I think you're thinking about
23:15I'm not thinking about anything
23:17Iris
23:20She was smiling
23:21At the window
23:22I set that dinner up
23:24Deliberately
23:27I'm not even slightly sorry
23:34Alexander and I aren't
23:35I know
23:36I know
23:36I just want you two
23:38To actually speak to each other
23:40Even if it stays simple
23:42I'd rather you were at ease
23:44Together than strangers
23:45Under the same roof
23:46I was about to answer her
23:47The carriage lurched
23:49The horses screamed
23:50The brake
23:51A sharp shout
23:52On the driver
23:53We were moving
23:54We cannot stop
23:55The carriage swerved
23:59Hard to the left
23:59And the road tilted
24:00Under us
24:01And kept going
24:02I looked ahead
24:03Through the carriage window
24:05Three four
24:06Now
24:09Hold on to me
24:11We go on three
24:13Iris
24:14That wall is faster than we are
24:15If we stay in the carriage
24:16If we stay in the carriage
24:17We die
24:21And the moment I pulled us both out
24:23We hit the slope
24:24Hard
24:28The carriage struck the wall
24:30Ahead of us
24:30With a sound like the world
24:32Is living
24:33Karina
24:35Tell me where it hurts
24:36Tell me everything
24:37I'm
24:37Iris
24:38You're bleeding
24:39The gravel had opened
24:40My shoulder
24:41And one side of my face
24:42I didn't feel it yet
24:44Where are you hurt?
24:46Specifically
24:47Nothing serious
24:49Iris
24:51You held me the entire way down
24:53You took all of it yourself
24:55I helped her sit upright
24:57Against the slope
24:57And looked back up the road
24:59The driver had been thrown clear earlier
25:01I could see him moving
25:02Alive
25:03Theo's horse was already coming down the hill at speed
25:05They'll be here in moments
25:07Stay still
25:08I heard my own voice from a distance
25:10Calm
25:11Even
25:11While my whole body was screaming
25:13Footsteps running
25:14Coming fast down the embankment
25:16Then a voice I was not expecting
25:17Iris
25:18Don't move
25:19I have you
25:21Alexander came down the slope
25:22In three long strides
25:24Pale
25:25Jaw locked
25:26Eyes already scanning me for damage
25:28He took my arm in both hands
25:30And turned it over
25:31How much of this blood is yours?
25:35Surface wounds
25:36I'm fine
25:37Stop saying that
25:40He pulled off his cloak
25:41And pressed it hard against my shoulder
25:44You are not fine
25:45He looked at his mother
25:46She raised her hand
25:48I'm alright
25:49And pointed back at me
25:50He turned back
25:52He tied the cloak around my shoulder
25:54And then
25:54Without asking
25:55Lifted me off the ground
25:57I was in his arms
25:58Off the slope
26:00Against his chest
26:01I could feel how fast his heart was going
26:03He said
26:04You could have been killed
26:05Quiet
26:06Like he was saying it to himself
26:08And couldn't stop
26:10He carried me to the road
26:12I can walk by myself
26:13He did not respond to this
26:15By the time Nikos arrived
26:16Alexander's face was still wrong
26:18Too tight
26:19Something in his eyes
26:21That had not been released
26:23Iris pulled me out
26:25She covered me completely
26:27I came away without a mark
26:29Because of her
26:30Alexander stood at the edge of the group
26:32Arms crossed
26:33Looking at me
26:34I looked back
26:35You need to stay still
26:36I know
26:37We're going straight back
26:38And Nikos is doing a full examination
26:40I know
26:42He helped me into the carriage
26:43We rode back in silence
26:45His hand stayed on the seat behind me
26:47The whole way
26:47Not touching
26:48Just there
26:49At some point
26:50I felt something hit my face
26:51I looked up at the clear afternoon sky
26:54Then I understood it wasn't rain
26:55I reached over
26:56And covered his hand with mine
26:58He turned it palm up immediately
26:59And held on
27:00I didn't let go
27:01Stay off it for a week
27:03No broken bones
27:04Deep bruising across your back
27:06Two fingers he wrapped tightly
27:08And told me not to use
27:10I lay there after he left
27:11And looked at the ceiling
27:12Theo came in with broth
27:14The carriage had been tampered with
27:17Something in the wheel mechanism
27:18The household guard was already investigating
27:21Who would go after Karita's carriage?
27:24And why now?
27:26I was still turning it over
27:27When the door opened
27:28Alexander
27:30He came in and sat in the chair
27:32Beside the bed without speaking
27:34He set a small wooden box
27:36On the nightstand
27:36The wheel pin was pulled
27:38It wasn't an accident
27:39Do you know who?
27:41Working on it
27:42He looked at my wrapped hand
27:43The muscle in his jaw moved
27:45You kept my mother from going over that wall
27:47She would have done the same for me
27:49That isn't the point
27:50Quiet again
27:51When he looked at me this time
27:53Something in it had shifted entirely
27:55Iris
27:56I need to tell you something
27:57I've known for weeks
27:58That I was going to have to dissolve this marriage
27:59I asked Nikos to begin preparing the docutation
28:02My chest went completely still
28:04I knew you were waiting for it
28:05The way you kept your distance
28:08The chest you were filling
28:09You were always going to leave
28:11I told myself I was simply doing it for you
28:13Before you had to ask
28:14The papers are ready
28:15You can go whenever you choose
28:17I've had an account prepared
28:19Property and silver
28:20Enough to live on your own terms
28:22For as long as you need
28:22You don't have to wait for the worst
28:24You don't have to keep pretending
28:25I know you've been counting the days
28:28You don't have to do that anymore
28:29Just go
28:30He stood up and walked out
28:31I sat there in the silence
28:32After the door closed
28:34In your mind
28:35That is who I am
28:36My throat was burning
28:37I could not find words
28:39For what was sitting in my chest
28:40I just looked at the door
28:41For a long time
28:42The next morning
28:43Alexander was gone before I woke
28:45By midday
28:46Word had reached the household
28:47From the city council offices
28:49Corinna found me
28:50Before I heard it from anyone else
28:51Iris
28:53Alexander
28:54There's been a formal accusation
28:56Submitted to the war council
28:58Someone has filed a report
29:00Claiming he deliberately surrendered
29:01The northern pass two years ago
29:03That he passed defensive positions
29:05To the enemy
29:06That the army's losses that season
29:07Were his doing
29:08I read the council notice twice
29:10Alexander had held that pass
29:12For three weeks
29:13Against a force
29:14Three times his size
29:15And he had rushed
29:16To dissolve our marriage
29:17Before this broke
29:18The CEO found me in the corridor
29:19He would never
29:20You know that
29:21I sat down
29:22I made myself think
29:24My mother had treated
29:25A council official years ago
29:26He had come to thank
29:27My father afterward
29:28I remembered his name
29:30I remembered his face
29:31He was still on the war council board
29:33I spent the next hour
29:34Finding
29:35And he did
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