- 2 days ago
Blood Pearl of the Mer
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Short filmTranscript
01:28Mira, live
03:31And I saw it then, that flash in his eyes, wonder, desire.
03:35He steadied himself before speaking again.
03:38Selena loves dance, her birthday is approaching, you will perform this dance for her.
03:43I dropped to my knees at once, letting fear flood my face.
03:46I did not know it was your majesty, please forgive me.
03:50He waved the apology aside.
03:52Rise, you are forgiven, just do not disappoint me.
03:55I bowed my head, and accepted the command.
03:58But as I watched him walk away, I moved one finger.
04:01Just once, a tiny broodling slipped through the air, landed against his skin, and burrowed inside.
04:08By the next morning, the whole inner court had heard the story.
04:11The emperor had encountered a dancer by the lake, and he had not forgotten her.
04:15Then came a knock at my door, when I opened it.
04:18An older palace matron stood outside, a stranger, and I knew at once, someone had already come for me.
04:24They brought me before high consort Selene.
04:26Inside her palace hall, she sat alone on a raised dais, draped in silk and jewels,
04:32shining like a woman who believed the world belonged to her.
04:35It was her, the woman who had destroyed my people, for a single tied pearl.
04:39The woman who had my sister cut open.
04:41The moment she saw me, disgust twisted across her face.
04:45She let out a soft, mocking laugh, and covered her mouth with lacquered fingers.
04:49This ugly thing?
04:51And you expect her to dance for me?
04:53Before coming here, I had covered my face in dark blotches, spots, imperfections, a mask made of ugliness.
05:01Selene was viciously jealous.
05:03If she had seen my real face now, I would not have walked out alive.
05:06So I knelt in the center of the hall, my fingers digging into my palms, forcing down the hatred clawing
05:12up my throat.
05:12Your grace, I will dance with a veil over my face.
05:16I will not offend your eyes.
05:18She gave me a lazy wave.
05:20Oh enough.
05:21With a face like that I doubt you could stir trouble even if you tried.
05:24But since this was his majesty's idea, I'll allow it.
05:28The palace matron beside her led me out at once.
05:30And just as I stepped through the doors, I saw Emperor Lucien approaching.
05:34Our eyes met for only a moment.
05:36Only a glance.
05:37But the face he saw now, was nothing like the one he had seen by the lake.
05:42Still, my scent gave me away.
05:44It always would.
05:45He knew at once this disguise was a way to stay alive.
05:48Because if Selene had seen my hidden face, the woman leaving this hall would have been a corpse.
05:52At that thought, Lucien's expression darkened.
05:55He frowned, and for one of the few times in his life, real irritation towards Selene stirred in him.
06:00I smiled faintly to myself.
06:02That was enough.
06:04A single seed of displeasure was all I needed.
06:06Once planted, it would take root in his heart.
06:09It would grow, quietly, slowly, until it became something vast enough.
06:14To swallow all his old devotion.
06:16And when that day came, what would all her favor matter then?
06:19The higher Selene stood, the harder I would make her fall.
06:22Back in my chamber, I washed the false blotches from my face.
06:26And looked at myself in the mirror.
06:28Selene, you wanted a beauty that would never fade.
06:31You wanted a body born to seduce.
06:33You wanted to possess what should never have been yours.
06:35So I will make sure.
06:37Everything you wanted.
06:38Everything you stole.
06:40Everything you still cling to.
06:41Turns to nothing.
06:43Then shade slid soundlessly around my wrist.
06:45His red tongue flicking against the air.
06:47I stroked his small black head.
06:48And whispered.
06:49Even in death I will find you.
06:53I will hunt you down.
06:55Selene's birthday was celebrated with extravagant splendor.
06:59Overnight.
07:00The imperial lake bloomed with lotus flowers.
07:03Thousands of them.
07:04The court called it a blessing.
07:06An omen of favor from the heavens.
07:08At the lakeside, Lucien stood hand in hand with Selene.
07:13Your majesty promised me a birthday gift.
07:16When will you show it to me?
07:18Lucien gave a slight nod.
07:20The music began.
07:22And I stepped onto the lake.
07:24Onto lotus leaves.
07:26As if the flowers were blooming beneath my feet.
07:29My scent rose again into the air.
07:31And the butterflies came back.
07:33In waves.
07:34They swarmed around me.
07:36Dancing with me beneath the moonlit sky.
07:39Everyone watching fell silent.
07:40No one except Selene.
07:42Her fingers digging hard into her own palm.
07:45Then, as I turned.
07:47The veil slipped from my face.
07:49And my true face was revealed.
07:51I looked straight at Selene.
07:53Just once.
07:54I saw it in her eyes at once.
07:56Jealousy so sharp.
07:57By the time the dance ended.
07:59No one had recovered enough to speak.
08:01I walked forward.
08:03And knelt before Lucien.
08:05My name is Mira.
08:06I offer my wishes to High Consort Selene on her birthday.
08:10May your majesty and your grace remain devoted to each other until your hair turns white.
08:14And may the Auric Empire flourish without end.
08:18Rise.
08:21You did not disappoint me.
08:23Selene nearly cracked a tooth from smiling too hard.
08:26Your majesty's gift.
08:28I like it very much.
08:31I'm glad.
08:34That tiny broodling I had planted in him by the lake.
08:36Was working now.
08:37Quietly.
08:38Twisting his moods.
08:39I curled one finger.
08:41Ready to draw it back.
08:42Your majesty.
08:45Why not grant this beauty to me.
08:47As a gift between our two kingdoms.
08:50That is the crown prince of Vare.
08:52The man stepped forward through the crowd.
08:54He carried himself like someone used to being obeyed.
08:57He saluted Lucien with the ease of an equal.
08:59I greet your majesty.
09:01I am Prince Cassian of Vare.
09:03Then his gaze settled on me.
09:05Openly.
09:06Without shame.
09:08If your majesty is willing to give this beauty to me.
09:12I swear our two kingdoms will not see war.
09:15For a hundred years.
09:17The moment he said it.
09:18The whole court seemed to draw in a breath.
09:20A century of peace.
09:21In exchange for one palace dancer.
09:23One woman.
09:24To everyone watching.
09:26It was an impossible bargain to refuse.
09:28Your majesty.
09:30For a girl like her to be sent to Vare as a prince's consort.
09:34Would already be a splendid fate.
09:36Lucien said nothing.
09:37But I could see it in his face.
09:39He understood the trade.
09:41Sacrifice one insignificant woman.
09:43And two kingdoms stay at peace.
09:45Any ruler should have taken it.
09:47Any ruler would have taken it.
09:48So why?
09:49I lifted my face.
09:51And looked at him quietly.
09:53I had painted a floral marking.
09:54At the corner of my eyes.
09:56It made me look softer.
09:58Lucien's expression shifted.
09:59Like something sharp had gone through him.
10:01Then he said it.
10:03You're late prince.
10:04She's already been claimed.
10:06She belongs to my bed.
10:07And my throne.
10:09Selene turned to him so fast it was almost violent.
10:11Your majesty.
10:12She could barely believe what she had heard.
10:15Cashin looked at me for one long moment.
10:17Regret flashed across his face.
10:19Then he gave a faint, disappointed smile.
10:21And stepped back.
10:22The matter was over.
10:24For everyone else.
10:25Not for me.
10:26By then.
10:27My back was already damp with cold sweat.
10:29Too close.
10:30Far too close.
10:32Thank the sea.
10:33I had not pulled the broodling out of Lucien yet.
10:35If I had.
10:36There was every chance I would have been handed over tonight.
10:39Because peace bought that easily.
10:41Without a single soldier marching.
10:42Without a single blade drawn.
10:44Is the kind of peace no emperor refuses.
10:46Except this one did.
10:48In broad daylight.
10:49Before the whole court.
10:51Lucien declared that I already belonged to him.
10:53And that very night.
10:54The imperial decree arrived.
10:56I was officially raised to consort.
10:58I left the small quarters where palace dancers were kept.
11:01And looked back only once.
11:03At the dim roof.
11:04The narrow door.
11:06The life I had entered under a false name and a hidden face.
11:09Then I swore to myself.
11:10In silence.
11:11That everything done to my sister.
11:13And everything done to my people.
11:15Would be repaid a hundredfold.
11:17When I reached the palace chambers.
11:19That had just been a sign to me.
11:21Selene was already there.
11:23Waiting.
11:23Her eyes traveled over my face.
11:25Slowly.
11:26Then she smiled.
11:28A poisonous smile.
11:30So.
11:31You dared lie to me.
11:32I met her gaze.
11:34If I hadn't lied to you do you really think I would have lived long enough to dance today?
11:38Selene let out a soft laugh.
11:40She stroked the cat in her arms.
11:41As if nothing in the world could disturb her.
11:44So you do understand me.
11:46Then perhaps you also understand this.
12:17Even if his majesty has seen your face.
12:19You will not blame me.
12:21Her people moved before I could answer.
12:23They seized my arms.
12:25Found my wrists.
12:26Found my ankles.
12:27Then threw me to the floor.
12:29Oil was splashed all around me.
12:31Across the walls.
12:32Across the drapes.
12:34Across the threshold.
12:35I could smell it instantly.
12:37Selene stood over me.
12:38Watching.
12:39Waiting.
12:39Then the first spark fell.
12:41As the flames caught.
12:43She laughed.
12:44His majesty is drunk tonight.
12:46There is no one in this palace who can save you.
12:48Then she turned and walked away.
12:50I watched her go.
12:52Without a flicker on my face.
12:53No fear.
12:55No pleading.
12:56Nothing.
12:56Only stillness.
12:58Then the fire rose.
12:59And the guards outside began clawing at their throats.
13:02One by one.
13:03They dropped.
13:04Blood pouring from their mouths.
13:06Their eyes.
13:07Their noses.
13:08Dead before they hit the ground.
13:09I stepped out through the flames.
13:11With shade coiled in my arms.
13:13At my feet.
13:14The insects on the ground shifted and swarmed.
13:16Guiding me.
13:17So I ran.
13:19Through the smoke.
13:20Through the heat.
13:21Following their path.
13:22Until I slammed straight into someone's chest.
13:25I looked up at the man I had crashed into.
13:27It was Lucian.
13:28There was still fear in my eyes.
13:30Real enough to be seen.
13:31My lashes were wet.
13:33My tears trembled there.
13:34But I would not let them fall.
13:36Lucian pulled me into his arms at once.
13:38Held me tight.
13:39Then he looked past me.
13:41Toward the blaze raging in the distance.
13:43Who dared set a fire inside my palace?
13:46Find out.
13:47Now.
13:48I stayed curled against his chest.
13:50And said nothing.
13:51Because he was not a fool.
13:53He knew exactly who had done it.
13:55This outrage.
13:56This fury.
13:57This order to investigate.
13:59It was a performance.
14:00Nothing more.
14:02Selene had been with him since youth.
14:03Their bond ran deep.
14:05And behind her stood House Varen.
14:07With soldiers.
14:08Power.
14:09And years of service to the throne.
14:10Why would an emperor truly punish a woman like that?
14:13For the sake of a dancer he had only just taken notice of?
14:16He wouldn't.
14:17Not yet.
14:17So I leaned into him harder.
14:20And made myself small in his arms.
14:22Oh majesty.
14:23I'm frightened.
14:26Lucian really had been drinking.
14:28His face was faintly flushed.
14:30His breath carried the warmth of wine.
14:31And I was exactly the kind of woman.
14:34A drunken man should never hold too close.
14:36I had been born with a body that unraveled restraint.
14:38And with the broodling still working inside him.
14:41The desire in his eyes began to change.
14:43Slowly.
14:44Then all at once.
14:45It caught fire.
14:47Without another word.
14:48He swept me up into his arms.
14:50And carried me back to his private chambers.
14:52I rested against him.
14:54And said nothing.
14:55But in my mind.
14:56I was already waiting for the next move.
14:58Because once word reached Selene.
15:00That I had escaped the fire.
15:02And been carried into Lucian's bedchamber.
15:04She would never let it pass quietly.
15:06I knew her too well.
15:07And I was right.
15:09I had not been in his chambers long.
15:11Before Selene's chief eunuch dropped to his knees outside.
15:13Your majesty.
15:15High consort Selene is unwell.
15:18She's in distress.
15:19She says she wants to see you at once.
15:21By then.
15:22I was dressed in gauze so sheer.
15:24It hit almost nothing.
15:26I looked at Lucian through half-lidded eyes.
15:28And asked in a soft voice.
15:30Your majesty.
15:31Are you going to high consort Selene tonight?
15:34His gaze was no longer clear.
15:36No longer steady.
15:37He stared at me like a man already half-lost.
15:39With you here beside me why would I think of anyone else?
15:42I covered my mouth.
15:44And let out a quiet laugh.
15:45There were only two of us in the chamber.
15:47Just him.
15:48And me.
15:49Lucian kept staring at me.
15:51Spellbound.
15:52His breath was hot against my throat.
15:54Damp and heavy with wine.
15:55Then.
15:56Without warning.
15:57His body gave in.
15:59And he sank in to sleep.
16:00On his forehead.
16:02A small fleshy pink broodling.
16:03Was still wriggling deeper beneath the skin.
16:06I pushed him gently back onto the bed.
16:08And pulled the covers over him.
16:09Careful.
16:10Almost tender.
16:12I've woven you a beautiful dream.
16:15Enjoy it.
16:16Then I slid the hairpin from my hair.
16:18And drove the tip into my fingertip.
16:19A bright bead of blood welled up at once.
16:22I let some of it stain a handkerchief.
16:24Every drop that remained.
16:25I fed to Lucian.
16:27None of this poisoned blood should go to waste.
16:29Not when I made it with my own body.
16:31Not when even a harmless dose.
16:32Taken once.
16:33Could become a death sentence over time.
16:35A little tonight would do nothing.
16:37A little tomorrow would do nothing.
16:39But enough of it.
16:40Day after day.
16:41And it would kill him.
16:43Slowly.
16:44Quietly.
16:45Perfectly.
16:46And the cure?
16:47There was only one person in this world who could give it.
16:49Me.
16:50The moon had crossed high overhead by then.
16:52Silver light spilled through the window.
16:54And spread across the floor.
16:56I sat there.
16:57And counted the time.
16:58Waiting for Selene to make her move.
17:00Then I heard it.
17:01A faint skittering at the window.
17:03I turned.
17:04A spider no bigger than a fingernail crouched on the ledge.
17:07One of many.
17:08One of the countless little eyes.
17:10I had scattered throughout the palace.
17:12So she was coming.
17:13I rose at once.
17:15Smoothed out my robe.
17:16And walked toward the door.
17:18Selene was already waiting outside the hall.
17:20Not alone.
17:21Behind her stood a wall of eunuchs and palace mates.
17:24Packed so tightly it barely looked like a midnight visit at all.
17:27This was not a jealous woman coming.
17:29To reclaim a drunken emperor.
17:30This looked like a siege.
17:32I stepped out to meet her.
17:33And deliberately swept my hair to one side.
17:36Bearing the fresh red marks along my neck.
17:38Moonlight washed over the stone steps.
17:40I stood above her.
17:41Looked down.
17:42And smiled.
17:44Softly.
17:44His majesty is asleep.
17:47You should come back tomorrow.
17:49The look she gave me was pure venom.
17:51Her face twisted.
17:52Whore!
17:54I'll kill you!
17:55I let my gaze drop to her stomach.
17:57Then I spoke very gently.
17:59Your grace.
18:01Careful.
18:03You might upset the baby.
18:05That stopped her cold.
18:07For one full second.
18:08Selene forgot how to breathe.
18:10Lucien had once promised her this.
18:12Bear him the first prince.
18:14And he would give her the empress's crown.
18:16But five years had passed.
18:17Five years of marriage.
18:19Five years of waiting.
18:20And her womb had stayed empty.
18:22Every remedy had been tried.
18:24Every physician.
18:25Every secret healer dragged in from the streets.
18:27And still.
18:28Nothing.
18:29No child.
18:30No heir.
18:31No crown.
18:32If she could not produce the emperor's first son soon.
18:35The throne beside him would never be hers.
18:38Seethe her!
18:39Drag this bitch away!
18:41And beat her to death!
18:43Because I had done the one thing no one else dared do.
18:46I had named the wound she lived with.
18:48Named it in front of everyone.
18:50And a woman like Selene.
18:51Could forgive almost anything.
18:53Except humiliation.
18:54The eunuchs lunged for me.
18:56I shook them off before they could get a proper hold.
18:58Then I looked straight at her.
19:00And said.
19:01Your grace don't be so hasty.
19:03Why not summon the imperial physicians?
19:05I let the silence stretch.
19:07Then I gave her the knife.
19:08One more thing.
19:09If there really is a child to protect.
19:12I'm the only one who can keep it alive.
19:13Selene was reclining in a side chamber.
19:16Half draped across a cushioned chaise.
19:17While several imperial physicians knelt before her.
19:20She rested her head against one hand.
19:22Her eyes were heavy with exhaustion.
19:24When she spoke.
19:25Impatience sharpened every word.
19:27Well am I pregnant or not?
19:29The physicians lowered themselves even further.
19:32Your grace.
19:33Your pulse clearly indicates pregnancy.
19:37For a moment.
19:38Selene did not move.
19:40Then she rose too quickly from the chaise.
19:42All disbelief gone from her face.
19:43There were tears in her eyes.
19:45Actual tears.
19:47Truly.
19:48Her voice trembled when she said it.
19:49Careful.
19:50Fragile.
19:51As if she were afraid even hope might hear her.
19:53And disappear.
19:54I watched her quietly.
19:56And thought.
19:57So this is what she looks like.
19:59This woman who always stood above everyone else.
20:01Who moved through the palace.
20:03As if the world owed her obedience.
20:05Even she could become this cautious.
20:07This desperate.
20:08Then she looked at me.
20:09Remembering what I had said outside.
20:11And asked the question she wanted answered most.
20:14Is the child stable?
20:16One physician bowed low and replied at once.
20:18From the pulse alone.
20:19There is no sign of danger.
20:22That made her smile.
20:23But the moment her eyes shifted back to me.
20:26The smile turned murderous.
20:27I'm carrying an air now.
20:29I should avoid bloodshed.
20:30But you offend my eyes.
20:33And I would sleep better if you were dead.
20:37With one command.
20:38The eunuchs at her side rushed forward.
20:40And seized my arms hard enough to bruise.
20:43They started dragging me away.
20:44I moved one fingertip.
20:46That was all.
20:47And Selene suddenly clutched her stomach.
20:49And cried out in pain.
20:50The room froze.
20:52The physicians lunged forward at once.
20:54And took her pulse again.
20:55This time.
20:56Their faces changed.
20:58One after another.
20:59Their brows nodded.
21:00Then all of them dropped to their knees.
21:02Your grace spare us.
21:04These are signs of miscarriage.
21:06That was when panic finally broke through.
21:08Selene's face drained white.
21:10She had waited years for this child.
21:12Years.
21:13And she had only just heard the words she wanted most.
21:15Pregnant.
21:16How could she be losing it already?
21:18How?
21:19At last.
21:20She looked at me.
21:21And through clenched teeth.
21:23She said two words.
21:26You come here.
21:28If you cannot save this child.
21:30I will wipe out your entire bloodline.
21:34I looked at her twisted, vicious face.
21:36And dug my nails hard into my palm.
21:38My entire bloodline?
21:40She really had no idea.
21:42My people were already dead.
21:44Slaughtered.
21:44Every last one of them.
21:46I was the only one who crawled back out of that hell alive.
21:49The only one left.
21:50To come for her.
21:51I stepped forward.
21:52And inserted a few needles into her body.
21:55Carefully.
21:56One point.
21:57Then another.
21:58Selene's breathing began to slow.
22:00The strain in her face eased little by little.
22:02When the physicians checked her pulse again.
22:04They found it calm.
22:05Steady.
22:06The child was safe.
22:08At least.
22:08That was what they believed.
22:10The truth?
22:11I knew nothing about medicine.
22:13And Selene was not pregnant.
22:15Not at all.
22:16That night she came to burn me alive.
22:17I had planted a brood curse inside her.
22:20Quietly.
22:21Without her noticing.
22:22That broodling could mimic the pulse of pregnancy perfectly.
22:25It could fool physicians.
22:27Fool the court.
22:28Fool even the mother carrying it.
22:30In the later stages.
22:31It would do even more.
22:32Make her swear she could feel a child turning inside her.
22:35While she smiled and dreamed of an air.
22:37The thing inside her would be feeding.
22:39Draining her.
22:40Taking what it needed from her body.
22:42Day and night.
22:43Day and night.
22:44Day and night.
22:44Day and night.
22:44Day and night.
22:45Day and night.
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