- 22 hours ago
Done Playing the Perfect Wife, husband regret drama, secret billionaire wife, satisfying breakup english, boss lady revenge web series, short drama, mini series full episodes, full movie, engsub, english web series, trending drama usuk, complete vertical drama, viral short film, best romance drama 2026
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00To let my husband focus on his career, I stayed at our ancestral estate to care for my ailing mother
00:05-in-law.
00:06Ten years went by like that.
00:09Dorian came home once a year, but he never touched me.
00:13If you got pregnant with me away, you'd have no one to care for you.
00:17That would break my heart.
00:19Every time he left, he'd curse himself and swear by the gods that once he made it,
00:25he'd take me to the capital in the winter of our eleventh year.
00:29Snowblocked the roads.
00:31Dorian wrote, he'd be a few days late.
00:35I went to tell Lady Asterisk the news, but overheard her talking with my sister-in-law.
00:40Mom, you faked being sick for ten years.
00:43How much longer will you keep this up?
00:45What else can I do?
00:47Dorian only has eyes for that adopted sister of his.
00:50They married behind our backs.
00:52Now their kids aren't young.
00:54If I don't keep Lyra here and she makes a scene, how could Dorian keep his seat in the assembly?
00:59Forget it.
01:00We'll just keep hiding it.
01:03Dorian said once he's more established, he'll make it up to Lyra.
01:08My eyes welled up, so Dorian wasn't struggling.
01:11He'd made it.
01:13He was a lord of the treasury, and he didn't avoid me out of love.
01:17But because he had someone else, my heart died.
01:21I went to the garrison and found the soldier who had quietly loved me for years.
01:26Do you still want to marry me?
01:29His face lit up.
01:30He raised a trembling hand and swore.
01:33I promise I'll be good to you.
01:35But give me a month.
01:37I ship out tonight.
01:38I'll earn real merit this time and marry you in style.
01:42I don't need style.
01:44Just stability.
01:45Keep yourself safe.
01:46Just come back to me.
01:47After watching him leave, I went home.
01:51The house, usually dark, was lit up.
01:53I thought Lady Asterisk was waiting for me.
01:57Opening the gate, I called out,
01:59Mother, it's so late.
02:01You should rest.
02:02Before I finished, the door slid open.
02:05A tall figure stood silhouetted by candlelight.
02:08A familiar voice, laced with snow, reached me.
02:13Lyra, I'm home.
02:15A year away, and Dorian seemed more commanding.
02:19Probably from being a high official, his tone carried authority.
02:23He opened his arms, waiting for me to run into them and tell him how much I'd missed him.
02:28But I didn't.
02:29You haven't eaten, have you?
02:30Let me make you something.
02:33What's wrong?
02:34You don't miss me after a year?
02:36Or are you angry at me?
02:38Before I knew the truth, I really did miss him.
02:42And I was a little upset too.
02:44No one wants to be apart from her husband so long, and so far away.
02:49But after learning everything, I stopped hoping.
02:53I made peace with it.
02:55Instead of fighting, better to part on good terms and leave quietly.
02:59I didn't answer.
03:00Instead, I changed the subject.
03:03Go talk with Mother.
03:04I'll call you in dinner's wedding.
03:07Lyra.
03:08Lyra, what's wrong?
03:09Did you hear some rumor?
03:11This poor village rarely sees outsiders.
03:14What could I hear?
03:15Don't overthink it.
03:17Lyra, I came back to take you all to the capital.
03:20But there's something I need to tell you first.
03:21My heart clenched.
03:23I knew what he'd say.
03:25After all these years, he was finally coming clean.
03:28Dorian led me inside.
03:30I was surprised.
03:32Lady Asteros wasn't alone.
03:34There was a richly dressed woman and two children who looked just like Dorian.
03:39You're Lyra?
03:40I'm Serafina.
03:42Dorian's adopted sister and his wife.
03:46These are our son and daughter.
03:48Come on, greet her.
03:51Lyra, let me explain.
03:55He took my hand guiltily.
03:57Lyra, Lyra, let me explain.
04:00That year, bandits attacked me on my way to the capital for the Arcan elections.
04:07If Serafina hadn't saved me, I would have died.
04:12I only meant to make her my sworn sister.
04:15Then I learned she was an orphan with nowhere to go.
04:19I wanted to give her a home.
04:21It was my way of repaying her.
04:24If it hurts, you can hit me.
04:26Curse me.
04:31Just, when we get to the capital, I hope you two can get along.
04:36He grabbed my hand to make me hit him.
04:38I pulled it back and smiled calmly.
04:42Going to the capital is a good thing.
04:44It doesn't hurt.
04:46Mother's been unwell for years.
04:48Maybe the capital's doctors can finally help her.
04:52Dorian was overjoyed, barely able to contain himself.
04:55Really?
04:56You're not mad at me?
04:58My composure let Dorian breathe easy.
05:00He urged me.
05:02Lyra, pack your things.
05:04We'll leave the day after tomorrow.
05:05We can still make it back for the festival.
05:08Lady Asterisk doesn't have much.
05:09It won't take long.
05:11I'll pack the medicine she'll need on the road.
05:13You can all leave the day after tomorrow.
05:15Dorian stiffened.
05:17He understood immediately.
05:18Lyra, what do you mean?
05:19You're not coming with us?
05:21My lord, we probably won't come back after this.
05:24I need to sell the fields and the house.
05:26If they sit empty, we'd still owe taxes.
05:28It'd be a waste.
05:32If they sit empty, we'd still owe taxes.
05:34It'd be a waste.
05:37Take everyone back for the festival.
05:39Once I've settled things here, I'll join you after the thaw.
05:43Dorian relaxed a little.
05:45He knew what this house and land meant to me.
05:48When I first married in, the Asterisk house had nothing.
05:52We rented a drafty shack.
05:53I worked myself to the bone.
05:56Put him through his studies and the selection trials.
05:58And saved for this house in two fields.
06:01That is how we stopped worrying about food.
06:04And Dorian got a place to study in peace.
06:07Something shifted in his eyes.
06:09Maybe the memory of those days.
06:11Lyra, I'm a lord of the treasury now.
06:14Money's not an issue.
06:15Just give the land away to some poor folks.
06:17Save yourself the trouble.
06:19I smiled and shook my head.
06:21This is my hard-earned money.
06:23I can't just give them away.
06:25Don't worry, my lord.
06:27I'll come find you once it's done.
06:28I won't delay.
06:30For a moment, Dorian hesitated.
06:32Serafina caught it and tugged his sleeve.
06:34Annoyed.
06:35My lord, don't go soft.
06:37The assembly has eyes on you.
06:39If you leave her here and they come asking if she says one wrong thing,
06:43how long do you think you'll keep your seat?
06:45I am not stupid.
06:46I understood Serafina immediately.
06:49So, Dorian wasn't having a change of heart.
06:51Someone had found out about his first wife.
06:55If they confirmed it, the assembly would have a field day.
07:00The king despises men who abandon the wives they swore.
07:03By the gods to cherish.
07:06The king despises men who abandon their wives.
07:09If Dorian wants to keep his seat, he needs to keep me happy and make sure I keep my mouth
07:14shut.
07:15Thinking about it, I'd be lying if I said it didn't sting.
07:19I married Dorian 13 years ago.
07:22I gave him everything I had.
07:25Dorian was a scholar.
07:26Couldn't do real work.
07:28Lady Asteris was old.
07:29No help either.
07:31His brother was a lazy good fool.
07:33Nothing.
07:34I was the one keeping the family afloat.
07:37But I never complained.
07:39I cared for Lady Asteris.
07:41And even saved up to find his brother a wife.
07:44So they could live decently.
07:46I thought doing all that would earn me his loyalty forever.
07:49But I overestimated my work.
07:51I finally understood.
07:53The man I'd believed in had never existed.
07:56I kept the tears back.
07:57I said,
07:59So that's what worries you, my lord?
08:01I can write you a pledge.
08:03No matter who asks, I'll swear I'm Dorian's adopted sister.
08:07Will that do?
08:08All of them stared.
08:10Stunned.
08:11After a long moment, Dorian asked, half doubtful.
08:15Lyra, you'd really humble yourself for me?
08:18I smiled and nodded.
08:20For you, I'd do anything.
08:23But just to be safe, there's one thing you must destroy now.
08:27What?
08:28The marriage contract.
08:30Ours.
08:39The marriage contract.
08:41Ours.
08:43We married in a poor village.
08:45No formalities.
08:46A written contract.
08:47A shared cup.
08:48And it was done.
08:49We never registered it with the authorities.
08:52So if we destroy the contract,
08:54I am no longer Dorian's wife.
08:56Then,
08:57I just wait for that soldier to return.
08:59And I can marry him.
09:00I thought Dorian would be relieved.
09:02But for some reason, he hesitated.
09:06Lyra, you once said this contract was your greatest treasure.
09:09After all these years, after everything you've done for me.
09:11If I destroy the one thing you treasure,
09:13how could you bear it?
09:14Maybe we should keep it.
09:15So he did see everything I gave, remembered.
09:18But even so,
09:19he still left me here for ten years and built a family with someone else.
09:23If he could treat my devotion like dirt,
09:25why should I cling to a piece of paper?
09:27But I knew,
09:28with his cautious nature,
09:30he wouldn't just let me marry another man.
09:35But I knew,
09:35with his cautious nature,
09:37he wouldn't just let me marry another man.
09:39So I gave him a reason he could accept.
09:41You know what this contract means to me.
09:43But for your future,
09:44I'll let it go.
09:46Once we're in the capital
09:47and you take me through the door properly,
09:49you can give me a new one.
09:50That's enough.
09:51Lyra's right.
09:52A man in your position can't afford loose threads.
09:56Burn it.
09:57She's looking out for you.
09:59Make it up to her later.
10:00Dorian still hesitated,
10:02but he took it out,
10:03before he lit it.
10:04Lyra,
10:06hiding this from you was wrong.
10:08But trust me,
10:10I will treat you well.
10:12Wait for me.
10:13I'll come back with proper gifts
10:15and marry you the right way.
10:16He looked so sincere,
10:18it was almost convincing.
10:19I chose not to believe it.
10:21I lit both copies myself.
10:23The fire took the paper.
10:24It took 13 years of hoping with it.
10:27I watched the ash go cold.
10:29Something in me lifted.
10:33I lit both copies myself.
10:35The fire took the paper.
10:36It took 13 years of hoping with it.
10:39I watched the ash go cold.
10:41Something in me lifted.
10:42After Dorian and Serafina retired with the children,
10:45Lady Asterisk called me back.
10:47She dropped to her knees.
10:49Lyra, I'm sorry.
10:51I hid it from you for so long.
10:53You must hate me.
10:55Her hair was fully white now.
10:57Tears ran down her face.
10:59I pulled her up.
11:00Mother,
11:00I know you did it for him.
11:02I don't blame you.
11:03The illness may have been an act,
11:04but your body has always been fragile.
11:07When you reach the capital,
11:08please listen to the doctors.
11:10She wept harder.
11:14How can you be this kind?
11:15Who will look after me the way you do once you're gone?
11:17I swear no matter what Dorian does,
11:19I will always treat you as my own.
11:21I won't let anyone mistreat you.
11:26I will always treat you as my own.
11:29I won't let anyone mistreat you.
11:31I knew her helplessness.
11:33I had never blamed her for it.
11:34But I was done trusting her.
11:36She was a mother first.
11:38Her heart would always lean toward her son.
11:40If it ever came down to a choice between Dorian and me,
11:43I already knew the answer.
11:44Mother,
11:45it's all right.
11:46Whoever Dorian marries is family to you.
11:48You owe me nothing.
11:50I had barely stepped outside when Serafina appeared in the courtyard.
11:53Liar!
11:54Don't take what he told you at face value.
11:56There were no bandits.
11:58I had thought the worst was already behind me.
12:00I was wrong.
12:01Serafina wasn't his savior at all.
12:03The truth was,
12:04Dorian had fallen for her the moment they met.
12:07He used the sworn sister story to get close,
12:09broke off her original engagement,
12:11and married her.
12:13Calling her his savior was just his way to soften me.
12:15He knows I am kind.
12:17I always repay a debt.
12:19So he and Lady Asterisk cooked up the story to force my hand,
12:22to make me accept it.
12:24Seeing me stunned,
12:25Serafina thought her words had hit home.
12:28She smirked.
12:29So when he talks about marrying you in style,
12:32that's all lies.
12:33You'll be nothing but a concubine.
12:35Oh, and Lady Asterisk?
12:37Saying she'll treat you like a daughter?
12:38You believe that?
12:40When it's her own son,
12:41her own grandchildren,
12:42do you think you stand a chance?
12:43I blinked back the wet in my eyes.
12:46Why tell me this?
12:47You want me to leave quietly, don't you?
12:49Dorian is loyal.
12:50You've done so much for this family.
12:51If I drove you away,
12:53he'd blame me and regret it forever.
12:54I'm just making your place clear.
12:56In the capital,
12:57know your role as a concubine.
12:59Don't hope for more status.
13:01And don't hope for children.
13:02Dorian promised me I'd be the only one to bear his children.
13:04That's why he never touched you.
13:06If you try anything,
13:07don't expect mercy.
13:08But if you behave,
13:10I'll make sure you're fed and clothed.
13:11I had no energy for her games.
13:14I nodded just to end it.
13:15The day they left,
13:17I walked them to the village edge.
13:18I unclasped my silver necklace,
13:20the only thing on me worth anything,
13:23and pressed it into Seraphina's palm.
13:25Lady Asterisk immediately objected.
13:28Lyra, I gave you this.
13:30You keep it.
13:36Lady Asterisk immediately objected.
13:39She took it and gave it back.
13:40Lyra, I gave you this.
13:42You keep it.
13:43I shook my head and pressed it back into Seraphina's hands.
13:47This necklace is Lady Asterisk's heirloom.
13:50Everyone knows it belongs to the Asterisk's daughter-in-law.
13:53If I keep it and someone investigates,
13:54it'll just raise questions.
13:56Safer with Seraphina.
13:58Mother, Lyra's right.
13:59When we're all together again,
14:01I'll give it back.
14:03Lady Asterisk wasn't happy,
14:05but since we both agreed,
14:06she just sighed and whispered to me,
14:09Lyra, don't worry.
14:10I gave you as yours.
14:12You're my only true daughter in Lee.
14:14Once you're in the capital,
14:16I'll get it back from you.
14:17I nodded.
14:18Then I pointed at the pouch
14:19hanging from Dorian's belt.
14:21Darian, that pouch.
14:23It's all I have left from my grandmother.
14:24She made it right before she passed.
14:26Could I have it back?
14:27This new way you're addressing me feels strange.
14:30Dorian frowned slightly.
14:31When we're alone, just call me my lord.
14:35When we're alone, just call me my lord.
14:38Better to be cautious.
14:39This new way you're addressing me feels strange.
14:42When we're alone, just call me my lord.
14:43Better to be cautious.
14:44Can't leave any loose ends.
14:46Dorian couldn't convince me.
14:47He sighed.
14:49Fine.
14:50After I marry you again, we'll change it back.
14:53But let me keep the pouch.
14:54It was your gift.
14:55A token of our love.
14:57I didn't understand.
14:59He used to hate that pouch.
15:01Said men wearing pouches was embarrassing.
15:04Now that I wanted to give it back,
15:05why was he refusing?
15:07It's almost the solstice.
15:09I'll be lonely here alone.
15:10Keeping the pouch gives me something to hold on to.
15:13If you want it back, I'll bring it when I come to the capital.
15:16Dorian reluctantly untied it and handed it to me.
15:19Along with a purse of coin.
15:20Just as they were leaving, he turned back.
15:23Hidden by his wide sleeve, he squeezed my hand tight.
15:26Wait for me.
15:28I'll come for you myself after the thaw.
15:31There's one last thing I need to tell you then.
15:33I didn't ask.
15:35Okay.
15:37After watching them go,
15:38I went back inside
15:39and grabbed my bag from the top of the cabinet.
15:47And grabbed my bag from the top of the cabinet.
15:50I left Dorian's coin on the table.
15:53Then I walked out the door without looking back.
15:55Heading north.
15:57That is where the man I am going to marry is waiting.
16:00I have to marry him before Dorian comes for me.
16:04Once that is done,
16:05I'll finally be free.
16:07Winter roads were hard.
16:09I had little money and couldn't afford a cart.
16:11So I stopped when I had to.
16:13When funds ran low,
16:15I worked in whatever town I was passing through.
16:18Earned enough.
16:19Then moved on.
16:22Lyra!
16:23The Border Force is one!
16:25After they process the prisoners,
16:26they'll return any A-Day now.
16:28You'll see your fiancé soon.
16:30Spring was near.
16:31The border was getting closer.
16:33He paid me what I'd earned,
16:35then added a bonus.
16:37Your fiancé is a hero of Olympias.
16:40Call this my wedding gift.
16:42Hire a cart and go to him.
16:46I thanked him, hired a cart,
16:48and reached the border city.
16:50The army wasn't back yet.
16:52I slipped my last coins to the city guard.
16:55Sir, my fiancé is Caelan.
16:57When he arrives,
16:58please tell him I've rented a place east of the city,
17:01waiting.
17:03Sir, my fiancé is Caelan.
17:06When he arrives,
17:08please tell him I've rented a place east of the city,
17:10waiting.
17:11The guard heard this.
17:12He handed the coins back with a smile.
17:15So, you're Caelan's fiancé.
17:17No need for this.
17:18Just put in a good word for me sometime.
17:20I was confused.
17:22Caelan was just a nobody soldier.
17:24What good would my words do?
17:26He probably mistook me for someone else.
17:28But saving the coin wasn't bad.
17:30The waiting made me nervous.
17:32Caelan and I were from the same village.
17:35He'd admired me for years.
17:37That much was true.
17:38But I'd been married before.
17:40I didn't know if his proposal was real or just impulse.
17:43Then I thought it through.
17:45If he changed his mind,
17:47I'd manage on my own.
17:48I have my hands.
17:51I won't starve.
17:52That settled it.
17:53I felt better.
17:55I started sewing my wedding gown.
17:58If he wants me.
18:00Good.
18:00If not,
18:01at least it is for me.
18:03When I married Dorian,
18:04I never wore one.
18:06Back then,
18:07the Asterisk house had nothing.
18:09Empty walls.
18:11No gown.
18:12And the wedding wine was borrowed from a neighbor.
18:18Lyra,
18:18Lyra,
18:19Lyra.
18:20Lyra,
18:20you're such a good girl.
18:21Why stay with the Asterisk house?
18:23All that hardship.
18:24Look at you.
18:25Pretty,
18:26hardworking.
18:26You could marry a rich man and not be settling.
18:29Why cling to that book-wide Dorian wasting your youth?
18:31I even argued with her.
18:33You're unfair to him.
18:35I believe in him.
18:37When he makes it,
18:38he won't let me down.
18:39She couldn't convince me.
18:41Just kept calling me foolish.
18:44You're so silly,
18:45you silly girl.
18:47Now I see she was the one who saw clearly.
18:50The day I slipped away from the village,
18:52I almost ran straight into Dorian's sister-in-law.
18:57That family was never worthy of you.
18:59Go.
19:00Live freely.
19:01Stop letting them hold you down.
19:05I'll handle your sister-in-law.
19:06The Asterisk house won't notice you're gone.
19:09Not for a while.
19:12I never found out what she did.
19:14But it worked.
19:15A whole month passed.
19:17No one came looking.
19:18They say you shouldn't tempt fate.
19:21On the third day at the border city,
19:23a carriage stopped outside my gate.
19:25I thought Caelan had come back early.
19:27I rushed out.
19:28I stopped.
19:30Dorian stood there.
19:32Hair wind.
19:33Tangled.
19:35Lyra.
19:38You've led me quite a chase.
19:40He closed the distance in a few strides and grabbed my wrist,
19:44squeezing so hard my bones might crack.
19:46You promised me.
19:48Why did you run?
19:50All the way out here.
19:52To this border town.
19:54I spent half a month preparing.
19:56I went to the village myself to get you
19:58and found the house empty.
20:04Do you know how worried I was?
20:07I couldn't break free.
20:08So I stopped trying.
20:10Why trouble yourself for me, Lord Asterisk?
20:12Our contract is destroyed.
20:13I'm no longer an Asterisk.
20:15Where I go, whether I live or die,
20:17that's none of your business.
20:20My cold words stung him.
20:23He got angrier.
20:25Lyra, I know you're upset,
20:26but this is reckless.
20:28You agreed to come to the capital.
20:29How could you break your word?
20:31It almost struck me as funny.
20:32I dropped the act.
20:35On our wedding day,
20:37didn't you promise to be true to me forever?
20:39To never take another wife?
20:41Didn't you break your word?
20:43So, call it even, Lord Asterisk.
20:46We're done.
20:47Done?
20:48Seeing my resolve,
20:49Dorian's eyes reddened.
20:51He pulled me close,
20:53almost nose to nose.
20:54We've been married over ten years.
20:57You can't just end it like that.
21:01Lyra, I know you're hurt.
21:03I'm sorry.
21:05When we go back,
21:06I'll make you an equal wife.
21:08You won't be beneath Seraphina.
21:09All right?
21:11I snorted.
21:12He thought I wanted more.
21:14He frowned.
21:16Lyra, it's not that I won't make you equal,
21:19but Seraphana saved my life.
21:23But Seraphana saved my life.
21:28Saved your life?
21:29Dorian!
21:31After all this,
21:32you still hide behind that lie?
21:35Dorian.
21:38You're not even trying.
21:40He froze.
21:42Panic flashed in his eyes.
21:44Lyra, what do you mean?
21:46Seeing his face change,
21:47I tore through his lies,
21:49word by word.
21:52Seraphina told me everything.
21:54There were no bandits.
21:56There were no bandits.
21:56No one saved you.
21:57You fell for her at first sight,
21:59forced your way in,
22:00and destroyed her engagement.
22:02You made her fall in love with you,
22:04and now you're just going to throw her away?
22:06Your debt of gate
22:07was just an excuse for your betrayal.
22:10Dorian went pale.
22:11He opened his mouth,
22:13but shame choked his words.
22:15I was about to send him away
22:17when he snapped out of it
22:18and weakly pleaded.
22:19Lyra,
22:21let me explain.
22:22Seraphina's jealous.
22:24She's trying to drive us apart.
22:28She's trying to drive us apart.
22:31You know no woman
22:33wants to share her husband.
22:34I cut him off.
22:35You understand that, too.
22:37That's why you stayed away ten years.
22:40Left me.
22:41Left me alone.
22:44Even had your mother pretend to be sick
22:46for ten years to trap me in the village.
22:48Right?
22:50Dorian,
22:52since you care for her so much,
22:54stop chasing after me.
22:56It'll only hurt us both.
22:58I yanked my hand back.
23:00Stepped away and said coldly,
23:02The old Lyra is dead.
23:04She died the day she learnt the truth.
23:07The woman standing here now
23:09has nothing to do with you.
23:11Or the Asterisk family.
23:14For what we had,
23:15I won't speak against you.
23:18Just leave.
23:21My fiancé's coming back with the army soon.
23:24I don't want him to misunderstand.
23:26Eyes blazing with shock and fury.
23:30Fiancé?
23:31Fiancé?
23:32What fiancé?
23:33Who is he?
23:36What fiancé?
23:37Who is he?
23:39I answered calmly,
23:40Just a nobody soldier.
23:42You wouldn't know him,
23:44Lord Asterisk.
23:45Now go.
23:47But Dorian refused to accept it.
23:50He feigned.
23:53Lyra,
23:54have you lost your mind?
23:56You'd refuse a lord of the treasury
23:58for some lowly soldier?
24:00He could die any day.
24:01And his pay?
24:03You'd barely afford a meal.
24:05You're not getting any younger.
24:06You want to live like that again?
24:07I glared at him and said calmly,
24:10I don't fear hardship.
24:11If I did,
24:12I'd never have married you.
24:14Lord Asterisk,
24:16stop insulting my fiancé.
24:18He lacks your wealth and status,
24:20but he gives me his whole heart.
24:23Unlike you,
24:24always chasing shiny and new.
24:29Unlike you,
24:30always chasing shiny and new.
24:35I...
24:35He faltered.
24:36It took him a moment to recover.
24:39Lyra, you've got it wrong.
24:41I don't love the new
24:42and forget the old.
24:44All these years,
24:45even with Seraphia,
24:46you've always been in my heart.
24:48Words weren't enough,
24:49so he stopped.
24:51Fine.
24:53Come back with me
24:54and I'll prove it.
24:55I didn't understand,
24:57but his next words
24:58answered my question.
25:01General Theron
25:02is an old acquaintance.
25:03I'll go see him.
25:05Ask him to talk to your fiancé.
25:07He plays it right.
25:08I'll find him a nice girl
25:09and cover the bride price, too.
25:12I am usually patient,
25:14but this time I snapped.
25:18Dorian!
25:19Have you lost your mind?
25:23Dorian!
25:24Have you lost your mind?
25:26He didn't say it outright,
25:27but I understood.
25:28He was going to use his power
25:30to pressure Caelan.
25:32Caelan is just a soldier.
25:34How could he fight
25:35a Lord of the Treasury?
25:36I grabbed Dorian's sword
25:38and held it to my throat.
25:41Darian,
25:42if you go near him,
25:43I'll kill myself right now!
25:46My life may be cheap,
25:48but you're the Lord of the Treasury.
25:50If word gets out
25:51you drove a woman to her death,
25:53how would that look?
25:54He always saw me as gentle.
25:56He never thought
25:57I'd threaten to die.
25:59He panicked,
26:00froze,
26:01and pleaded.
26:02Lyra, put the sword down.
26:03Let's talk.
26:09There's nothing to say.
26:10If you don't want me dead,
26:12write it down.
26:15If anything happens to me
26:16or my fiancée,
26:18you'll be held responsible.
26:19Dorian had spent years
26:20climbing the ranks.
26:22He'd never sign his own ruin.
26:24Dorian had spent years
26:25climbing the ranks.
26:26He'd never sign his own ruin,
26:29but he kept his cool
26:30and said flatly...
26:31Fine.
26:31I'll write it.
26:33But I came in a hurry,
26:34empty-handed.
26:35You'll need to get me paper and ink.
26:37I hadn't thought that far.
26:39I turned to go inside
26:40for paper,
26:41but the bastard
26:43struck from behind.
26:44He grabbed the sword
26:45from my hand
26:46and ordered his men.
26:47Watch her.
26:48I'm going to see
26:49General Theron.
26:50They covered my mouth.
26:51I couldn't even curse.
26:53I was frantic
26:54when a rough,
26:55cheerful voice
26:56rang out from beyond the gate.
26:58Unknown voice.
26:59Lord Asteris,
27:00what brings you here?
27:02I just heard
27:03you were looking for me.
27:04Something important?
27:05The voice was unfamiliar.
27:07I didn't recognize it.
27:09Then I heard Dorian,
27:10respectful.
27:13General Therian,
27:14what a coincidence.
27:16Nothing major, really.
27:18I just wanted to ask you
27:19to help find someone.
27:20So this was the border commander.
27:23Theron laughed.
27:24Find someone.
27:26Easy.
27:28Theron laughed.
27:30Find someone.
27:32Easy.
27:32Lord Asteris,
27:34mind if I finish
27:35something first?
27:36Dorian stepped back
27:38to the door.
27:39Of course.
27:41Take your time, General.
27:42But Theron dismounted,
27:44pointed at my gate,
27:45and grinned.
27:47I've got business here, too.
27:49Seeing Dorian confused,
27:50he explained.
27:51I'm here to propose.
27:53Dorian froze
27:54and instinctively
27:55blocked the entrance.
27:57General,
27:59you and your wife
28:00are devoted.
28:01Your children are grown.
28:03This isn't right.
28:06Theron heard that
28:07and burst out laughing.
28:09When he'd had his fill,
28:10he explained Theron.
28:13You misunderstood.
28:14Not for me.
28:16For my adopted son.
28:19He's wounded
28:20and can't move.
28:21Dorian wasn't
28:22the only one stunned.
28:24I was too.
28:25I almost thought
28:26Theron had the wrong house.
28:28Theron couldn't find
28:29the right words,
28:30so he stepped past
28:32Dorian into the yard.
28:34The guards,
28:35afraid of trouble,
28:36let me go.
28:37Theron was a soldier,
28:38rough and straightforward.
28:40He noticed nothing wrong.
28:41He just stared at me
28:42and asked,
28:43Are you Lyra?
28:45I nodded,
28:46dazed.
28:47He clapped his hands.
28:50Then I'm in the right place.
28:52Caelan is my adopted son.
28:56Your fiancé.
29:00Caelan is my adopted son.
29:02Your fiancé.
29:04My mind was spinning.
29:06Caelan is just a soldier.
29:08How is he General Theron's adopted son?
29:11I scratched my head.
29:15General,
29:16are you sure
29:16you've got the right person?
29:17My fiancé's name is Caelan,
29:19but he couldn't be
29:20your adopted son.
29:21Maybe it's a different Caelan?
29:23Theron seemed less sure now.
29:25My adopted son's
29:26from Greenhill Village.
29:28Has a mole by his left eye.
29:31Does that match your fiancé?
29:35Never mind.
29:36I'll have him brought here.
29:38You can see for yourself.
29:39I stopped him quickly.
29:41General,
29:42no need.
29:44That sounds exactly like him.
29:46I believe you.
29:48You said he's wounded?
29:50Don't put him through that.
29:51I'll go to him.
29:53I hurried toward the door,
29:55but Dorian,
29:56silent until now,
29:58grabbed me.
29:59He stepped in front of me
30:01and lied through his teeth.
30:02General Theron,
30:03there's something we need to clear up.
30:04Lyra
30:05is my ward.
30:07She never mentioned Caelan
30:09to the family.
30:10This must have been done
30:11behind our backs.
30:12It doesn't count.
30:13Then he muttered,
30:14low enough for only me to hear.
30:17Keep your mouth shut.
30:18Caelan is the general's adopted son now.
30:22If he finds out your contract was destroyed,
30:24you won't marry him,
30:26and Caelan's reputation will be ruined.
30:37Caelan's reputation will be ruined.
30:39He had me there.
30:41He had me there.
30:42He was right.
30:43Caelan finally had someone backing him.
30:45If I cost him that,
30:47I'd never forgive myself.
30:49I was still thinking when Theron frowned.
31:20But Lord Asterisk,
31:21or trade his honors for our vows.
31:23In that moment,
31:25all my doubts vanished.
31:26Tears welled up.
31:27But this time,
31:29from joy,
31:29from gratitude.
31:31Dorian looked thunderstruck.
31:33His face went pale.
31:35He muttered,
31:37How could this be?
31:39How?
31:46How?
31:47How could this be?
31:48How?
31:49Theron looked confused.
31:51He frowned.
31:52Lord Asterisk,
31:54this is good news.
31:55Why do you seem upset?
31:56Dorian snapped out of it.
31:58For the sake of his career,
32:00he forced a smile.
32:01Happy.
32:03I'm happy.
32:04General Theron had brought
32:05the Basilius' decree with him.
32:07When that silk unfurled
32:09at the Asterisk men,
32:11there was nothing
32:12Dorian could do.
Comments