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The Dragon Lord's Forbidden Bride - FULL HD
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Short filmTranscript
00:02The Grand Clan Gathering in Palermo. 13 of us stood in a line, waiting to be chosen. One shard. One
00:10knight. One chance. As Lord Earl's half-denned blood bastard daughter, I couldn't afford to fail.
00:17Lorenzo Rossi, heir to the Rossi clan, was my childhood friend. He was the only one who'd agreed to shelter
00:24me, and he had promised me the White Dragon Shard.
00:27We'd made the deal just yesterday. Three years of cover. After that, he could love whoever he wanted. Yesterday, he'd
00:34said yes.
00:36Don't worry. I promised to give you the White Dragon Fragment.
00:40Tonight, at the last second, he smiled and placed the shard in the girl's hand beside me.
00:45Mia, the human scholarship student he'd been sponsoring. Her hands were shaking as she took it.
00:51He leaned close to my ear. I looked at him. He was already turning away, already placing Mia's hand on
00:57his arm.
00:59Let her have this one, Elena. She's never known happiness. Not once.
01:07What about me?
01:09Don't worry. As long as I'm here, no one will dare arrange your marriage.
01:16Mia is elegant. She is noble. She is worthy of this honor.
01:23Noble. The word landed like a slat. Whispers rippled through the crowd.
01:28I stood there empty, dan-handed. Lord Earl's half-dan blood bastard.
01:32Passed over for a human girl with no clan. No blood. Nothing.
01:36These idiots. I told them to save you at least one shard.
01:44I looked at the man I'd grown up with. Do you know what tonight means?
01:49The White Dragon Shard wasn't decoration. It was a marriage declaration between clans.
01:55A thousand-year-old Ryle.
01:58Without it, I had nothing. No shelter. No choice.
02:03No way out of the match. Lady Earl had already arranged for me in the Eastern Territory.
02:07Lorenzo. Lorenzo was my only option.
02:10No other man here would choose a half-zen blood bastard.
02:13And he'd just chosen someone else.
02:16Eighteen years.
02:18He didn't answer.
02:20Behind him, Mia was smiling.
02:23The White Shard still perfect in her hands.
02:34Guilt flickered across Lorenzo's face.
02:37He sent Mia away.
02:39You're used to these events, Elena.
02:42But she isn't.
02:43This is her only moment to shine.
02:46Just do me this one favor.
02:48He leaned down.
02:50His expression almost boyish.
02:52You can have your way any other day.
02:54Why does it have to be tonight?
02:57I said nothing.
02:58He cleared his throat.
03:00Today's her graduation.
03:02After tonight, I can't sponsor her anymore.
03:04I promised her one unforgettable memory.
03:07Unforgettable for me, too.
03:09But it was already too late.
03:11Lorenzo, do you understand what the gathering means?
03:14Mia came back before I could finish.
03:16Elena.
03:17Her voice was soft.
03:19Careful.
03:19Did I ruin everything?
03:21Please don't blame Lorenzo.
03:22Lorenzo, I was the one who begged him to-
03:25Lorenzo saw her shrinking back.
03:27His expression darkened toward me.
03:30Enough, Elena.
03:32It's just a shard.
03:34I'll get you another one.
03:36He dug into his jacket pocket, pulled out a small red shard, pushed it into my hand.
03:42Red suits you better anyway.
03:44A white shard isn't worth making a scene over.
03:47This isn't like you.
03:50The moment the red shard touched my palm, it cracked.
03:54The stone had split clean in two.
03:57Right down the middle.
03:59Just my hand.
04:01I closed my fingers around the broken places.
04:04The red shard meant someone you didn't claim.
04:06I knew the shard would shatter if one's pure blood refused to admit it.
04:11But I was nothing more than a half-breed.
04:14I didn't know what that meant yet.
04:17Laughter rippled through the room.
04:19A half-blood bootlicker, thinking she could marry the Rossi heir.
04:24Didn't you hear him say noble?
04:26In his heart, even a human ranks higher than her.
04:31Lorenzo silenced the woman with one look.
04:33But the words had already landed.
04:37Elena, I'm sorry.
04:39You've always had everything.
04:40I just wanted one night to feel special.
04:43Everything.
04:44I stared at her.
04:46I'm a bastard.
04:48Mia, half-blood.
04:50Do you have any idea how the Moradi clan treats me?
04:52The plate slipped from her hands.
04:54Landed on her shoe.
04:56Her eyes filled with tears.
04:58It's already done.
04:59Let her enjoy tonight.
05:03Come on.
05:04Let's get you cleaned up.
05:08You can head home if you want.
05:10I didn't have one.
05:11The moment Lorenzo left my side, someone moved in.
05:14Antonio Ricci.
05:16A reckless heir from a rival clan.
05:18He stepped close and breathed in slowly.
05:21You smell good, Elena Moratti.
05:25Without Lorenzo beside me, I didn't even get basic respect.
05:29Lorenzo told me to bring you a shard.
05:31I didn't bother.
05:32I told you before.
05:34Stop chasing him and try me instead.
05:37You never listened.
05:39How does it feel now?
05:42Humiliating, isn't it?
05:43I turned.
05:45Stared at this man who barely reached my shoulder.
05:48Lorenzo had handed him that task.
05:51Knowing full well Antonio had been harassing me for months.
05:54My fists tightened.
05:56Another betrayal.
05:57All I'd asked for was three years.
05:59Three years to build enough power to get out from under the Moritti clan's grip.
06:04But Lady Earl wanted me gone.
06:06She wouldn't give me room to breathe.
06:09Elena.
06:12Without that pretty face, you'd be nothing.
06:14Just a half-blood I could do whatever I wanted with.
06:17You think the Rossi clan will protect you forever?
06:20His grip tightened.
06:22Lorenzo was back.
06:23He knocked the hand away.
06:25Didn't I warn you?
06:26Don't touch what's mine.
06:28Yours?
06:28You just picked the human girl.
06:30What do you need Elena for?
06:31That's none of your business.
06:33Antonio spat and walked away.
06:36Lorenzo spun me around to face him.
06:38He touched you and you didn't fight back.
06:41Wasn't this your idea?
06:42Listen, I can protect you at events like this, but that doesn't mean I have to stand next
06:48to you every second, does it?
06:49But you knew what the gathering meant.
06:51Mia appeared again.
06:53Lorenzo, could I get some champagne?
06:56One's cold and stubborn.
06:59The other's bright and warm.
07:01Lorenzo's choice was easy.
07:02Of course.
07:04Tonight, you're the star.
07:06Whatever you want.
07:07He glanced back at me.
07:09We'll talk tomorrow.
07:10I'll come by your place.
07:11Tomorrow, I smiled coldly.
07:15Tomorrow, you'll have to come to the Eastern Territory to find me.
07:20Lorenzo left to greet the other clan heirs.
07:23Mia walked back to me, holding a glass of wine.
07:26The timid scholarship girl was gone.
07:29In her place stood someone who tasted power.
07:32You have everything, Elena.
07:34Why do you need to take this one moment from me?
07:37I should never have helped Lorenzo choose her for that scholarship.
07:40You grew up in luxury.
07:43I only wanted one night under Lorenzo's protection.
07:47Luxury?
07:48You think I'm better off than you?
07:50My mother was a human.
07:52She died when I was small.
07:54Lord Earl brought me back to the estate when I was little.
07:57Lady Earl looked at me like she wanted me dead.
08:00My father had women everywhere.
08:01One more bastard daughter didn't matter to him, let alone a half-blood daughter.
08:07And pure blood was a sin in its life.
08:10I learned to read people early.
08:13Without this face, I wouldn't have survived.
08:15I was trapped between two sides.
08:18There were other things too.
08:20Things I'd never been able to explain.
08:22My body had always felt faintly wrong.
08:25Like something inside me was pressed flat.
08:27Held down.
08:29Some mornings I woke up with heat in my hands that faded before I was fully conscious.
08:34Some nights my blood felt like it was moving too fast.
08:38I'd asked Lady Earl about it once when I was small.
08:41She'd given me a small white pill and told me it was vitamins.
08:45I'd taken them every day since without thinking.
08:47I went to Uncle Luca and begged him to train me.
08:51To back me up, Uncle Luca never smiled.
08:55I had to lock my knees to keep from shaking as I stood in front of him.
08:59Your father has 23 children.
09:01Why would I invest in a half-blood who won't last?
09:06Because I have nothing to lose.
09:08I'll do what they won't.
09:10But the timing wasn't right.
09:12Uncle Luca turned me away too, they said.
09:16Dante Vitell was ruthless.
09:18That anyone who crossed him got crushed without mercy.
09:21The Moretti clan wanted his protection.
09:23But they wouldn't sacrifice a legitimate daughter for it.
09:27So they chose me.
09:31Uncle Luca already knew how the gathering had ended.
09:34He sent one message.
09:36Figure it out yourself.
09:37I was shaking.
09:38Cold all the way through.
09:40I wrapped my arms around myself.
09:42Mia touched my frozen hand like she owned it.
09:45Elena.
09:45Do you think Lorenz even understands what the gathering means?
09:52I wasn't the type to dwell on emotions.
09:54I needed to find a way to stay.
09:57I found Lorenzo and asked him directly.
09:59Do you know what tonight actually means?
10:02Sure.
10:03It's a matchmaking event.
10:05But it's just formality.
10:08Half these arrangements fall apart anyway.
10:10He knew it.
10:12Don't worry.
10:13I'll talk to the Morettos.
10:15No one's forcing you into marriage.
10:18Then can you get the shard back from Mia?
10:20I'll return it tomorrow.
10:22Lorenzo looked uncomfortable.
10:23That's not good.
10:25It's already hers.
10:26How about I send another one instead?
10:27Don't fight with Mia over this.
10:29That white shard had a rare gold vein running through it.
10:32It couldn't be replicated.
10:34Everything I'd held back on when it came out at once.
10:38Please, Lorenzo.
10:40You know I was never going to cling to you.
10:42I have someone I care about.
10:45After three years,
10:48you'd be free.
10:51So why did you humiliate me when I...
10:53He stepped forward.
10:54Backed me against the wall.
10:58Someone you care about?
11:00You don't savvy.
11:04Again with this!
11:08Elena, no one else is going to take you.
11:10You're a Marathi half-blood.
11:13Everyone in Palermo knows you're mine.
11:17My shadow.
11:20My little father.
11:21The words cut deep.
11:23Being called a shadow.
11:25A father.
11:26It was the price of surviving inside the Marathi clan.
11:30Pairing it from his mouth made me sick.
11:32I stepped back and bumped into him.
11:34Elena, please don't fight with Lorenzo.
11:37Enough, Elena.
11:39It's one night.
11:40Stop making a scene.
11:41Tomorrow Mia goes back to her life.
11:47But Mia's expression said otherwise.
11:57Tomorrow, you leave.
12:00Nothing in this house was mine.
12:02Not even the plane ticket.
12:03I paid for it myself.
12:05Uncle Luca said nothing and walked to his room.
12:07I went to my small bedroom and started packing.
12:11My half-sister Bianca leaned in the doorway.
12:14Inspecting her nails.
12:16If I were you, I wouldn't have gone to the gathering at all.
12:23Mom told me to keep an eye on you.
12:25Don't take anything valuable.
12:27Not even tonight's gown.
12:30Oh, and Mom said Dante Vitale is already in love with someone else.
12:34Good luck.
12:35I took off the gown in front of her.
12:37Removed every piece of jewelry.
12:40Set it all on the tray.
12:41Then I walked to the bathroom in my slip.
12:44Bianca left.
12:46On my phone, Mia had already posted.
12:48A photo.
12:49Glowing.
12:50Lorenzo's arm around her.
12:52He was still wearing the cufflinks I'd given him.
12:55I left everything Lorenzo had ever given me behind.
12:59Before dawn, I was up.
13:01No goodbyes.
13:02I grabbed my backpack and headed to the airport.
13:05Security.
13:07Boarding.
13:07Everything smooth.
13:09As the plane began to taxi.
13:11I switched my phone off completely.
13:13Cut every tie to Palermo.
13:16Then the announcement came.
13:18Apologies passengers.
13:19The Rossi clan has sealed the airways above Palermo.
13:23All flights are returning to the terminal.
14:25Reconnected messages poured in then a refund notification we apologize for the inconvenience
14:32To compensate, the Rossi clan will reimburse your ticket at ten times the original price
14:36The complaints died instantly
14:38Who do you think they're looking for?
14:40A few girls behind me started whispering
14:41This is so dramatic, like something out of a film
14:43I scrolled through my phone, exhausted
14:46Lorenzo had gone to the Marretti estate early that morning looking for me
14:50When he found I wasn't there, he stormed into my bedroom
14:53He saw the gown, the jewelry, everything I'd left behind
14:57But my backpack was gone
14:58He panicked
14:59He demanded answers from the Marretti's
15:02That is when he found out I'd already left for the Eastern Territory
15:05Lorenzo lost it
15:07Nearly tore the estate apart
15:09Then he started calling
15:10But by then, I was already on the plane
15:13When he realized I hadn't taken a single thing he'd ever given me
15:16He snapped
15:17That is when he sealed the sky
15:19I grabbed my backpack and stepped off the plane
15:22Inside the terminal, I stopped
15:24Go back or keep moving
15:25It was early
15:27I was starving
15:28I found a small coffee and ordered pasta
15:30Uncle Luca's message came through
15:32Do you want to come back?
15:33Lorenzo still wants you
15:35The Marretti clan ran on schemes
15:37Lorenzo might spoil me
15:39But he'd never lose face for me
15:40Going back meant more humiliation
15:42Moving forward
15:44Maybe something different
15:48I ate slowly
15:49Outside the cafty window
15:51Dragon guards in black flooded the terminal
15:54Dozens of them
15:55Stopping every woman who looked anything like me
15:58Then Lorenzo came through the doors
16:00Soaked in sweat
16:02Phone pressed to his ear
16:03He walked straight past my table
16:05He looked wrecked
16:07Frantic
16:08Calling my number over and over
16:11My phone buzzed in my pocket
16:12I watched him
16:14When no one answered
16:15He almost smashed the phone against the pillar
16:18Where is she?
16:19I'd never seen Lorenzo like this
16:21Keep searching
16:21Completely unraveled
16:22Every terminal
16:23No flight leaves for the Eastern Territory today
16:25I don't care what it costs
16:26I checked my phone
16:27There was a flight to the Central Territories in 20 minutes
16:30I scrolled through the news while I waited
16:32Pelamo's gossip feeds were already running with it
16:35Two women at the table behind me were deep into it
16:38God that's so romantic
16:39If someone grounded the entire sky for me
16:42I'd say yes on the spot
16:45Her friend was more cynical
16:47You don't get it
16:48Last night at the gathering
16:50Lorenzo gave the white shard to some human scholarship girl
16:53I'm guessing he got played
16:55Wait
16:55He didn't pick a clan daughter
16:57He picked a human
16:59Then why is he losing his mind today?
17:01I kept my eyes on my coffee
17:03My guess
17:05Lorenzo had no idea what the shard ceremony actually meant
17:08How would you know?
17:11Because I was at the gathering last night
17:14I went still
17:15I glanced back
17:16Didn't recognize her
17:17Lucky
17:19So what does the clan girl look like?
17:22Beautiful
17:23Genuinely stunning
17:24Then why would Lorenzo give the shard to an outsider?
17:27Who cares?
17:28The girl's voice sharpened
17:29The other one's just a half-blood anyway
17:31Not like the rest of us
17:32I coughed
17:33Both women turned
17:35The moment they saw my face
17:36One of them went completely silent
17:38Pointed
17:39Couldn't speak
17:40The other one stared at me
17:43What?
17:44Do you know her?
17:44She's gorgeous
17:47Wait, are you?
17:48She looked toward the guards
17:49Still sweeping the terminal
17:50Eyes wide
17:54I pressed one finger to my lips
17:57Both women covered their mouths with both hands
17:59I picked up my bag and walked away
18:01Behind me
18:02I heard one of them hiss
18:03You didn't tell me she looked like that
18:05You have zero chance now
18:07Zero
18:08I reached the gate for the central territories
18:10Another refund notification hit my phone
18:13The Rossi clan had purchased out every route leaving Palermo
18:16Not just the eastern territory flights everything
18:19I stood there
18:20Phone in hand
18:21Nowhere to go
18:23Then it rang an eastern territory number
18:29Hello?
18:31Dante Vitale
18:32I'm sorry, I...
18:34My people are already at the airport
18:35They'll bring you to me
18:36My arranged husband
18:38His voice was cool
18:39Unhurried
18:40The kind of voice you wanted to keep listening to
18:42Before I could explain that the entire sky was sealed
18:45I saw it through the terminal window
18:47A private aircraft on the tarmac
18:49Several dragon guards in black stepped off and stood at attention
18:52I said
18:53Understood
18:54I hung up and walked toward the jet
18:59It had started to drizzle
19:00The moment I stepped outside
19:02An umbrella appeared over my head
19:04The man holding it kept his eyes down
19:06Respectful
19:09Mrs. Vitale
19:10We're here to bring you home
19:12That is when Lorenzo spotted me
19:14Grabbed my wrist
19:15Elena
19:17Come with me
19:18Bitehale's dragon guards closed in immediately
19:21Lorenzo's men did the same
19:22The two groups faced each other
19:24Nobody moved
19:25People inside the terminal pressed against the glass
19:28Phones out
19:29The man leading Dante's guards was older
19:31Immaculate suit
19:32The kind of calm that came from having seen everything twice
19:35He smiled politely
19:37His eyes didn't
19:40Mr. Rossi
19:41I'm here to escort Mrs. Vitale home
19:43Please step aside
19:46Lorenzo's gaze went cold
19:50She hasn't left Polono yet
19:51I'd like to see who has the nerve to take what's mine
19:55I was tired
19:56Deeply tired
19:57I'd tried to tell him more than once
20:00But his attention was always somewhere else
20:02Always on Nia
20:05I kept my voice steady
20:07Lorenzo
20:08You've protected me for years
20:10I'm grateful
20:11But this is where it ends
20:14I don't blame anyone
20:19Don't blame anyone
20:21Then come back with me
20:23I'll marry you
20:25I'll tell the Morettis myself
20:27The rain came harder
20:29Lorenzo's hair was soaked
20:30His eyes were red
20:32For just a moment
20:33Something flickered at the edge of his irises
20:35A deep amber
20:37Gone before I could be sure I'd seen it
20:39Dragon blood under pressure
20:41Even the composed ones cracked eventually
20:43The vital butler stepped between us
20:45Unmoved
20:45Apologies, Mr. Rossi
20:47The agreement with the Moretti clan has been finalized
20:50Mrs. Vitale leaves with us today
20:54Lorenzo
20:55I told you
20:57I only ever wanted three years
20:59I have someone I genuinely care about
21:01I was never planning to marry you
21:03This again
21:04Elena, you've been locked inside the Moretti clan
21:06Your whole life
21:07When exactly did you meet someone to love?
21:10I know calling you my shadow upset you
21:13Stop being stubborn and come back
21:16We'll talk there, okay?
21:18His tone had shifted
21:19Almost pleading
21:20I was grateful
21:21Truly
21:22He'd kept me safe for years
21:24But when Lorenzo let go of my hand
21:26And gave the shard to Mia
21:27Or path split for good
21:32Lorenzo
21:33I said quietly
21:34Mia is your chosen
21:36All of Pilemer witnessed it
21:40Go be happy with her
21:42He laughed
21:43Short and bitter
21:45Marry a human girl?
21:47Are you serious?
21:49I'd marry you before I'd ever marry her
21:52My expression went flat
21:54Lorenzo had always wanted me around
21:56He'd never once respected me
21:57I didn't hesitate this time
21:59I turned and walked toward the jet with the butler
22:01Lorenzo stood frozen behind me
22:03Fists clenched
22:04Something radiating off him
22:06That I didn't look back to read
22:08Elena
22:10You leave Palamo and no one protects you anymore
22:13Think carefully
22:15Once you're gone
22:17Don't come back regretting it
22:18I didn't answer
22:20I stepped onto the plane
22:22The butler had already prepared a change of clothes
22:25You can freshen up there, Mrs. Vitari
22:28Getting caught in the rain
22:29You'll catch cold
22:30The jet was extraordinary
22:32Not a rental
22:33This was the Vital Clan's own aircraft
22:38The Vital Clan operated on a different level entirely
22:41Even the Morettis didn't own anything like this
22:44The plane didn't just have a bathroom
22:46It had a full bedroom
22:48The bedding was soft pink
22:51Definitely not something Dante Vital had chosen for himself
22:54I changed in the bathroom
22:56Then stopped
22:57The clothes fit me perfectly
23:00When I came out
23:01The butler had quietly moved the dragon guards to the rear of the cabin
23:05Excuse me
23:07Does the Lord usually use this plane?
23:09He saw my confusion
23:10This aircraft was commissioned specifically for you, Mrs. Vitari
23:15Everything was customized to your preferences
23:19The Lord selected the bedding personally
23:21Softest material available
23:23I didn't know what to say
23:25Something this considered
23:26Given to a stranger without a word
23:29Wasn't he supposed to be in love with someone else?
23:32The flight to the Eastern Territory is long
23:34You should rest
23:35The climate there is dry
23:36We've prepared a humidifier for you
23:42No one had ever thought about my comfort before
23:44I'd spent my whole life reading other people's moods
23:47Adjusting
23:49Disappearing into whatever shape kept me safe
23:52This kind of attention made me restless
23:55The butler noticed and quietly withdrew
23:57I pulled out a pen and started sketching notes
24:00My mind was already running through what came next
24:03What I was walking into
24:05What I'd need
24:06The plane landed on a sprawling green estate
24:08I looked closer
24:10The vital compound
24:13Vast, immaculate
24:15The main structure was built from dark stone that seemed to hold the light differently from ordinary material
24:21Warmer, like it had its own temperature
24:23Even from the steps of the jet I could feel it
24:26A subtle heat rising from the ground beneath my feet
24:29Ancient dragon rock
24:30I'd read about it once
24:32Quarried only from the oldest dragon territories
24:34It held warmth for centuries without any source
24:38I filed the detail away without knowing why it mattered
24:41Dante Vitale came out to meet me personally
24:44He was smiling
24:47Warm
24:47Nothing like the ruthless lord the rumors described
24:51He draped a coat over my shoulders before I could speak
24:56Something moved in my chest the moment his hand touched my shoulder
24:59A pull
25:00Faint but distinct
25:02Like a thread I hadn't known was there had just been tugged from the other end
25:06I stepped back
25:08Put some space between us
25:11Told myself it was nerves
25:14I said carefully
25:31Someone I love three years
25:33Yes
25:34Three years
25:36I'll play the role of your wife
25:38I won't interfere with your private life
25:40That we separate
25:42I boutique anything from you
25:44I'll sign what you need
25:45His frown deepened
25:47He looked sharply at the butler
25:49Some silent question passing between them
25:52Then he stepped closer
25:54Gently pulled me in
25:56My face went completely red
25:59Who said anything about keeping things separate?
26:03His voice was quiet
26:04Almost amused
26:06You're my wife
26:08He seemed to enjoy the fact that I was flustered
26:11He lifted my chin
26:13Leaned in just slightly
26:16Everything I have is yours
26:18We went inside
26:20I still hadn't recovered
26:23Wasn't this man supposed to be cold?
26:26Ruthless?
26:27The interior of the vital compound was all sharp lines and clean edges
26:31Dark stone
26:33Minimal furniture
26:34But there were soft touches throughout
26:37Warm fabrics
26:39Carefully chosen color
26:41Things that had clearly been added recently
26:46Good taste
26:47Nothing clashing
26:49The additions made the space feel less severe
26:52More like somewhere a person could actually breathe
26:55I sat on the couch
26:57I handed him a folded piece of paper
27:01This is my plan
27:03I'd like to borrow some money
27:04I'll pay it back in installments
27:06He took it
27:07Scanned it
27:09You need money?
27:10It was humiliating
27:11Arriving with nothing
27:13Lord Earl's half-blood daughter showing up with a backpack and no dowry
27:17No offering
27:18Nothing of value for the vitals
27:21This had to look like an insult
27:24I'd done my research before landing
27:26The vital clan didn't need alliances
27:29Didn't need anyone's backing
27:31They stood alone at the top of the Eastern Territory
27:33People came from across the continent just to ask them for favors
27:37I still didn't understand why they'd agreed to this match with the Morettis
27:41I pressed my lips together
27:44Yes, I don't have money right now
27:46But I have a way to pay you back
27:48I promise
27:49He didn't question it
27:50His hand closed over mine instead
27:52Warm against my cold fingers
27:55He rubbed them slowly
28:01My face flushed again
28:03His mood seemed to improve
28:05Why do you need money?
28:07I looked up
28:08Suddenly aware
28:09Maybe his miss is vital
28:11I wasn't supposed to have financial control
28:14Maybe I was expected to live on an allowance
28:17To ask permission
28:19I straightened
28:20Mr. Vitale
28:21I don't want to be trapped by the Moretti clan anymore
28:23And I'm not going to sit here and ask for handouts
28:25I want my own income
28:27My own footing
28:28And if possible
28:29I want to take back what's mine from the Morettis
28:32He looked surprised
28:33Like he hadn't expected me to say it that plainly
28:36And he reached over and ruffled my hair
28:39Everything the Vitalists have is yours
28:42He nodded to the butler
28:44The butler produced a black card
28:46This is my account
28:47Spend whatever you need
28:49The room Dante gave me was the finest in the entire compound
28:53Morning light came through the windows at the perfect angle
28:56The DD core was soft
28:58Feminine
28:59Like something out of a story I'd never thought would include me
29:03That night I lay down expecting to stare at the ceiling for hours
29:06Instead I was asleep within minutes
29:09Deep
29:10Still
29:11Dreamless
29:12I told myself it was exhaustion from the journey
29:16I didn't consider the warmth rising steadily
29:18From the ancient stone beneath the floors
29:21Didn't consider that the vital compound had been built on the oldest dragon rock in the eastern territory
29:27But the heat it held had a particular quality
29:31One that ancient texts described as resonant with dormant dragon blood
29:35I didn't know any of that then
29:37I just slept
29:44For the first time in years I woke up rested
29:47A message from Uncle Luca
29:50Lorenzo is furious
29:51Why didn't you go back with him?
29:53Uncle Luca was the only person in the Moretti clan who'd ever looked out for me
29:58But his protection always came at a price
30:00I typed back
30:02Uncle, I am a person
30:04Not something you can call back whenever it is convenient
30:07His reply was immediate
30:09Cold
30:10Really?
30:11I thought you'd already turned yourself into a weapon
30:15Three years passed
30:16I borrowed one hundred thousand from the vitals
30:19I did everything a lord's wife was supposed to do
30:22Attended gallus with Dante
30:25Smiled for the right people
30:27Let the right people court my favor
30:29I played the part
30:30The beautiful composed lady vital
30:33Dante spoiled me without restraint
30:35But I never lost sight of why I was there
30:39Behind the smiles
30:40I was working
30:41That hundred thousand became leverage
30:44Quietly
30:45Carefully
30:46Somewhere in the second year
30:48I stopped taking the white pills
30:51It wasn't a decision exactly
30:53I'd run out during a trip and hadn't replaced them
30:55A week passed
30:57Then another
30:58I kept waiting to feel worse
31:01Instead I felt more
31:03Heat in my hands when I was angry
31:05A sharpness behind my eyes when I was focused
31:08Small things
31:09Easy to dismiss
31:11I told myself it was confidence
31:14That I was simply becoming someone harder to intimidate
31:16I didn't connect it to the pills
31:19I didn't connect it to anything yet
31:24I dismantled Moridi operations piece by piece
31:27Pulled their best dragon cards and wing commanders into my own network
31:31Lord Sergio finally had to look at what he'd built
31:35His 23 children
31:37Useless
31:38Everyone
31:39The second generation panicked
31:41Afraid the clan's collapse would hit their share of the territories
31:45They started selling off assets
31:47I bought them all
31:48One by one
31:49The gambling operations
31:51The shipping routes
31:53The legitimate fronts they'd spent years building
31:56I took the businesses that were bleeding and made them profitable
32:00Expanded the territories they'd abandoned
32:02By the time Lord Sergio understood what was happening
32:06I controlled more of the clan's income than he did
32:08The other Moretti heirs couldn't touch me anymore
32:11During the negotiations for the last of the shipping routes
32:15Something happened that I couldn't explain
32:18When Moridi representative had tried to walk out
32:20I'd reached out to stop him
32:22And the glass of water on the table between us had cracked
32:26Cleaned through
32:27No one had touched it
32:28The representative had gone pale
32:31He signed everything
32:33I stood in the corridor afterward
32:35And looked at my hand
32:37It felt warm
32:38The same warmth I'd been ignoring for months
32:41I thought about the pills
32:43I thought about the pills 18
32:45Years of white capsules
32:48Lady Earl had called them vitamins
32:50She'd never explained what they were for
32:53Never let me miss a dose
32:54I'd stopped taking them 14 months ago
32:57Since then
32:58The heat in my hands
33:00The sharpness behind my eyes
33:02The glass that cracked without being touched
33:05I wasn't imagining it
33:07I held on for a moment
33:09Then I let go and stepped back
33:11Composed again
33:15Why so late?
33:17Are you tired?
33:18I had soup made
33:20The words I'd been preparing stuck in my throat
33:23He took my hand and led me to the table
33:26Watched me eat
33:30When are you going to let yourself lean on me?
33:33You don't have to run yourself into the ground like this
33:36The warmth of it hit me somewhere I wasn't ready for
33:39I looked at him in the low light
33:41Felt something pull tight in my chest
33:45The three years are up
33:46It's time for me to go back
33:47To finish what I started with the Morettis
33:50Dante had always known I hadn't let go of my plans
33:53He didn't look surprised
33:54You don't like the Morettis
33:57From what I know
33:58Only Luca was ever decent to you
34:00And Lorendo
34:01He came to the Eastern Territory several times looking for you
34:04You never saw him
34:05I hadn't known he'd been aware of that
34:10You never saw him
34:10How hard did he remember that
34:12He stood for sure
34:12He was looking for you
34:12He was looking for saluting
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