- 3 hours ago
The Siren's Revenge
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🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00The soldier threw my sister into the wooden barrow.
00:02Their hands groped her body roughly,
00:04the slightly shimmering scales scattered all over the ground.
00:07Then they cut her open and pulled out her heart.
00:10The queen had heard rumors of sirens in the southern island,
00:13that their princess carried a siren's heart inside her body.
00:17Swallow it and you'd have eternal beauty,
00:19an allure no man could resist.
00:22The queen wanted it,
00:23so the king sent soldiers to slaughter us
00:25and gut my sister for her heart.
00:27That day the sea ran red.
00:30Everywhere I looked my people lay split open.
00:33I hid beneath a wreath, blood clouding my vision,
00:36tears rolling down and hardening into pearls.
00:39Everyone stained red.
00:40My sister's last words echoed in my ears.
00:43Allura stay alive.
00:45The world knew our colony had one princess, one heart.
00:50No one knew this generation, there were two.
00:52And one wasn't just beautiful, she was a witch.
00:55That one was me.
00:57I dragged myself ashore and cast the old spell to trade my tail for legs.
01:01Then I summoned a familiar.
01:03It took shape of a snake.
01:05I fed it my blood and bound it to me.
01:07It coiled around my wrist, teeth glinting,
01:10and I named it Malice.
01:12Three months.
01:13That was all it took.
01:14I made my way to the capital, slipped into the palace as a dancer,
01:19and traded a pouch of siren tears for the king's wearable.
01:25Moonlight spilled across the lake.
01:27I danced on the water, toes skimming the surface.
01:30Alaric stood on the bank, frozen.
01:32Wait.
01:33You're a palace dancer?
01:35I've never seen this dance before.
01:37It's from my homeland, your majesty.
01:39Few have seen it.
01:40The spring night was cool.
01:41He took off his pale robe and draped it over my shoulders.
01:44The queen loves dancing.
01:46Her birthday approaches.
01:48You will perform this for her.
01:49Forgive me, your majesty.
01:50I didn't know who you were.
01:51Rise.
01:52No offense taken.
01:54Don't disappoint me or the queen.
01:55I thanked him and accepted the task.
01:58As he walked away, I flicked my fingers.
02:00A tiny leech burrowed into his skin.
02:03It would feed on his thoughts, bend his feelings toward me.
02:10By the next morning, the whole palace was talking about the dancer
02:14who'd caught the king's eye.
02:15Someone knocked on my door.
02:16A woman I'd never seen before.
02:22She brought me to the queen.
02:25Lucinda Roth sat on a raised dais in her chambers,
02:29dripping in jewels and silk.
02:31This was the woman who'd wanted the siren's heart badly enough
02:34to massacre my people.
02:35To murder my sister.
02:37She looked me over, disgust twisting her features.
02:40This ugly thing is supposed to dance for me?
02:43I dotted my face with false blemishes before coming.
02:46The queen was jealous by nature.
02:48If she saw my real face, I'd be dead before sundown.
02:51I knelt on the cold floor, nails digging into my palms,
02:54forcing down the hatred rising in my throat.
02:58Your majesty, I'll wear a veil when I perform.
03:01You won't have to see my face.
03:03You're too plain to cause any trouble.
03:05Since it's my husband's idea, I'll accept.
03:08She waved her hand.
03:10The woman led me out.
03:11Just outside the door, I nearly walked into Alaric.
03:14One glance, my face looked nothing like the girl he'd met last night.
03:18But my scent didn't lie.
03:20He knew this was how I stayed alive.
03:22If the queen had seen my real face, he'd be looking at a corpse right now.
03:26His brow furrowed.
03:27For the first time, a flicker of anger toward his wife crossed his eyes.
03:31I smiled to myself.
03:33A seed of doubt was all I needed.
03:35It would take root and grow until it became a tree that blocked out the sun.
03:39Let her stand as high as she wants.
03:41The higher she climbs, the harder she falls.
03:44I returned to my room and washed the blemishes from my face.
03:48Lucinda, you wanted eternal beauty so badly.
03:50I'll make sure everything you want turns to dust.
03:53Malice slithered up my wrist, tongue flicking.
03:56I stroked its head.
03:58Soon.
03:59I'll send to hell first.
04:01She can apologize to my sister in person.
04:04The queen's birthday was a spectacle.
04:06Overnight, the lake bloomed with lotus flowers.
04:09The court called it an omen of good fortune.
04:12Alaric stood by the water with Lucinda on his arm.
04:15Where's my gift, darling?
04:17He nodded.
04:18The music began.
04:19I stepped onto the water, walking across the lotus leaves.
04:22The sweet fragrance rose again.
04:25Fireflies swarmed in from the darkness, dancing with me.
04:28Everyone watched, spellbound.
04:30Everyone except Lucinda, whose nails dug into her palms.
04:33My veil slipped loose.
04:35My face caught the moonlight.
04:37I looked straight at Lucinda and smiled.
04:39The hatred in her eyes was so thick it could have choked someone.
04:43When I finished, no one moved.
04:46I knelt before Alaric.
04:48I wish her majesty eternal beauty.
04:51And your majesty's a love that lasts forever.
04:54Long may the kingdom prosper.
04:55Alaric had let go of Lucinda's hand.
04:58He reached toward me.
04:59Rise.
05:00You didn't disappoint.
05:02Lucinda's jaw clenched so hard I thought she'd crack her teeth.
05:05What a lovely gift, husband.
05:08I adore it.
05:10Alaric barely glanced at her.
05:13Good.
05:13The leech I'd planted in him was working.
05:16Shifting his nose.
05:18I started to pull the leech back.
05:20Couldn't let anyone notice.
05:22But then a voice rang out from the crowd.
05:24Your majesty.
05:26Why not give this beauty to me?
05:28A gift to seal our alliance.
05:31Who speaks?
05:33Crown Prince Cailinvor, your majesty.
05:35A tall man stepped forward in foreign clothes.
05:38Give her to me.
05:39And I guarantee a hundred years of peace between our kingdoms.
05:43The crowd gasped.
05:44A hundred years of peace for one dancer.
05:47Surely this is a wonderful opportunity for her.
05:50What more could a dancer hope for?
05:52Alaric didn't understand it himself.
05:54Trading one insignificant girl for peace should have been easy.
05:57So why did the thought make his chest tight?
05:59I looked up at him, letting my eyes fill with tears.
06:02I'd painted delicate flowers at the corners of my eyes for tonight.
06:06The tears made them shimmer.
06:08Something twisted in Alaric's chest.
06:10You're too late.
06:11She's mine.
06:13Lucinda stared at him.
06:14What?
06:15Cailin shrugged and walked away.
06:17My back was drenched in cold sweat.
06:19Thank God I hadn't pulled the leech out yet.
06:22Without it working on his emotions,
06:24Alaric would have handed me over without a second thought.
06:27No king refuses a free sentry of peace.
06:29That night, a royal decree arrived at my door.
06:33I was officially a consort now.
06:34I left the dancers quarters and looked back one last time.
06:38I swore I'd make them pay a hundred times over for what they did to my sister and my people.
06:44When I arrived at my new chambers, Lucinda was already waiting.
06:47She stared at my face and smiled.
06:49You lied to me.
06:51If I hadn't, would I have lived long enough to dance tonight?
06:54She laughed, stroking the cat in her lap.
06:57Clever girl.
07:00But even with your pretty face and your new title, I'll still kill you.
07:03I held her gaze.
07:04And how do you plan to do it?
07:07A fire.
07:08The king's little mistress dies tragically in the flames.
07:11Alaric and I have been together since we were children.
07:14My father and brother fight his wars.
07:15You think one little dancer will matter to him?
07:20As the first spark fell, Lucinda laughed.
07:23No one in this whole palace can save you.
07:25I watched her leave.
07:26My face didn't change.
07:28The flames rose.
07:29The guards outside clutched their throats and dropped.
07:32Blood pouring through their eyes and flames and walls.
07:35I walked out of the fire with malice coiled around my arm.
07:38I followed the trail of my spiders to a dark corridor and ran straight into someone's chest.
07:43I looked up, eyes wide, still playing the frightened girl.
07:47Tears brimmed but didn't fall.
07:49Alaric pulled me into his arms and stared at the flames in the distance.
07:52Who did this?
07:53Find them.
07:54I pressed into his chest, said nothing.
07:57He knew who did it.
07:58He just didn't want to say it out loud.
08:00Childhood sweethearts.
08:01Years of marriage.
08:02Her family's soldiers fighting his wars.
08:05He'd never punished Lucinda for a dancer he'd just met.
08:09I'm scared.
08:11Alaric smelled of wine.
08:12His face was flushed, his breath warm.
08:15I was born to seduce.
08:16Add the leech working inside him and the want in his eyes was inevitable.
08:20He lifted me and carried me back to his chambers.
08:22The news would reach Lucinda soon.
08:24She wouldn't take it well.
08:26Sure enough, one of her servants came running before long.
08:30Your Majesty, the Queen is unwell.
08:32She's asking for you.
08:36Will you go to her?
08:38I stood in his chambers, wearing nothing but silk.
08:41His eyes were glazed.
08:42He stared at me like I was the only thing in the world.
08:45Why would I think of anyone else when you're here?
08:48He watched me, breath heavy against my neck.
08:52The pale worm was still burrowing into his forehead.
08:55I pushed him onto the bed and tucked the blankets around him.
09:00Sweet dreams.
09:02Then I pricked my finger with a hairpin and squeezed a few drops of blood onto a handkerchief.
09:07The rest I fed to Alaric.
09:09Couldn't let it go to waste.
09:10A few drops wouldn't kill him, but over time it would.
09:14And I was the only one who could cure it.
09:16The moon hung high.
09:17Light streamed through the window.
09:19I checked the time.
09:20Lucinda would be coming soon.
09:22A spider the size of a fingernail crawled onto the windowsill.
09:25One of my eyes in this palace.
09:28I stood, smoothed my robe, and walked outside.
09:33Lucinda stood at the entrance.
09:34Less like a jealous wife, more like a coup.
09:37I stood above her on the steps.
09:39Let my hair fall to one side, showing off the red marks on my neck.
09:43The moonlight made me glow.
09:45I smiled down at her.
09:47The king is asleep.
09:49Perhaps come back tomorrow.
09:51Her face twisted.
09:54I'll kill you, you whore!
09:56I pointed at her belly.
09:57Careful, your majesty.
09:59Wouldn't want to hurt the baby.
10:01She froze.
10:03Alaric had promised her.
10:04Give him a son, and she'd be crowned.
10:06But five years of marriage, and nothing to show for it.
10:10She'd tried everything.
10:12Every doctor in the kingdom.
10:13And I'd just set it in front of everyone.
10:19Drag this whore out and beat her to death!
10:22I shook off the hands grabbing from her.
10:28Your majesty, why not call for a doctor first?
10:31One more thing.
10:33I'm the only one who can keep this baby alive.
10:36Lucinda lay on a couch in the side chamber.
10:39Three doctors knelt before her.
10:40She propped her head up, too tired to hide her impatience.
10:44Well?
10:44Am I pregnant or not?
10:47Yes, your majesty.
10:49You are with child.
10:51Lucinda shot up, eyes glistening.
10:53Her voice shook.
10:55Truly?
10:56I watched her.
10:57Even someone this vicious could look fragile when she wanted something badly enough.
11:01Then she looked at me, remembering what I'd said.
11:03And the baby.
11:05Is it healthy?
11:06Everything looks perfect, your majesty.
11:09She smiled.
11:10When she looked at me again, her eyes were cold.
11:13Now that I'm pregnant, I shouldn't see blood.
11:15But you're too annoying to let live.
11:19She snapped her fingers.
11:21Her servants grabbed my arms, ready to drag me away.
11:24I flicked my finger.
11:26Lucinda doubled over, screaming, clutching her stomach.
11:29The doctors rushed to examine her.
11:31Their faces went pale.
11:33They dropped to their knees.
11:36Your majesty, please.
11:38You're losing the baby.
11:41All the color drained from Lucinda's face.
11:43She'd finally gotten pregnant after years of trying.
11:46And now she was losing it.
11:48You.
11:49Fix this.
11:51If you can't save this baby, I'll slaughter your whole family.
11:58I stared at her snarling face and dug my nails into my palms.
12:02My family.
12:03She didn't know they were already dead.
12:06I was the only one left.
12:08Crawled out of hell just to find her.
12:10I stuck a few needles in her and her face slowly relaxed.
12:13The doctors checked again.
12:16Pulse steady.
12:17Baby saved.
12:18She had no idea she wasn't really pregnant.
12:21When she came to burn me alive, I planted something inside her.
12:24It mimicked pregnancy.
12:26It could even fake the movement later on.
12:28But it fed on her.
12:29Drained her.
12:30Day after day.
12:31It moved when I wanted it to move.
12:33If I wanted her dead, she'd die.
12:35But killing just Lucinda wouldn't be enough.
12:38Her father and brother were the ones who led the soldiers that day.
12:41Her brother's fat hands running all over my sister's table.
12:45Scales falling like rain mixed with blood.
12:48Maris sweated through the pain.
12:49Jaw clenched.
12:50Never making a sound.
12:52She bit through her own teeth before she died.
12:55I looked at Lucinda's happy face and smiled.
12:58Maris.
12:59Everything they did to you.
13:00I'll make them pay a hundred times over.
13:02Alaric was still asleep when I got back to his chambers.
13:05I slipped off my robe and lay beside him.
13:08I wondered what his face would look like when he heard Lucinda was pregnant.
13:12He'd been slipping poison into her food for years.
13:15She was never supposed to conceive.
13:17Her family was too powerful.
13:19Too many soldiers loyal to them.
13:22If she gave him a son, they might try to take the throne.
13:26Alaric cared for Lucinda, in his way.
13:29But not more than he cared for his crown.
13:31He woke and stared at me for a long moment.
13:34Something dreamy in his eyes.
13:36Still thinking about last night.
13:38Good dream, then.
13:40I stared and smiled shyly at him.
13:42I was about to get up and help him dress,
13:44when a servant knelt outside the door.
13:47Your Majesty.
13:48The Queen sends word.
13:50The Doctor's confirmed this morning.
13:52She's with child.
13:54The smile froze on Alaric's face.
13:56He frowned.
13:58Does anyone else know?
14:00She's already sent a rider to her father, Your Majesty.
14:04I stood quietly, ready to leave.
14:07He caught my hand.
14:08You're tired.
14:09Rest here.
14:10I'll find you better rooms.
14:15I thanked him and lay back down on his bed,
14:17watching him walk away.
14:19The Queen was pregnant.
14:21Her family would have questions.
14:23Alaric had to deal with them and deal with the baby.
14:26No one would spare a thought for a mistress with no family behind her.
14:30Which was exactly what I needed.
14:32The foreign prince from the birthday banquet.
14:35Caelan Vor.
14:36He was going to be my blade.
14:38I didn't just want the people who killed my sister.
14:40I wanted to burn this whole kingdom down.
14:43I wrote a note and let Malice carry it in its mouth.
14:47It slithered away to find him.
14:49Days passed.
14:51I moved into new chambers.
14:53One of Lucinda's servants knocked on my door.
15:00The Queen's in pain.
15:01She's asking for you.
15:03I stroked Malice quarreled on my desk and tucked it into my sleeve.
15:06Then I went.
15:08The Queen's chambers reeked of incense, but it couldn't cover the smell of blood.
15:14Alaric had made his move.
15:15Too bad she wasn't really pregnant.
15:17No amount of poison would kill a baby that didn't exist.
15:20It would only make her suffer.
15:23Lucinda still didn't know I was the one who'd kept her alive.
15:27Alaric still didn't know.
15:29I stood by her bed, pretending to examine her, hiding a smile.
15:35The thing inside her was fine.
15:37Growing.
15:39Multiplying.
15:40Can you save it?
15:41Yes.
15:43But it's going to hurt.
15:46If you're lying to me, my father and brother will make you pay.
15:51I pressed my fingers into her skin and whispered something old.
15:57The Lord will not feel Lucinda.
16:01She screamed without sound, eyes bulging, couldn't even cry out.
16:05Just stared at me with pure hatred.
16:07I wondered how her father and brother would make me pay.
16:10They were barely keeping themselves alive right now.
16:13I'd given Kaelin a few of my leeches, told him to slip them into the Roth family's food.
16:17Her father and brother commanded the army at the border.
16:20Once the leeches took hold, the generals would start making mistakes, losing battles.
16:24And without them, the Roth family was nothing.
16:27When I finished, Lucinda had passed out.
16:30I called for the servants, but Alaric walked in with them.
16:34The doctors examined her through the bed curtains.
16:37Alaric and I stood to the side.
16:39He stared at me, voice cold.
16:41I didn't know you could do this.
16:42I smiled softly.
16:44An old remedy from my homeland.
16:46Nothing special.
16:47He didn't answer, just kept watching the curtains.
16:50I'd ruined his plan.
16:51He wouldn't let that go.
16:52I was thinking of how to prove my loyalty when the doctor spoke.
16:55The baby is saved, your majesty.
16:57Alaric's face went dark, but he walked to the bed and took Lucinda's hand anyway.
17:03Darling, you've suffered.
17:04She smiled weakly.
17:06For you and our child, I'd suffer anything.
17:11I stood there, biting back a laugh.
17:14Did she really think he was happy about this?
17:17I should thank Lara.
17:19Lucinda said, looking at me with false sweetness.
17:22She was weak.
17:23The whole palace couldn't save this baby.
17:25Only I could.
17:26Alaric turned to me, ice in his voice.
17:29Do you know what you've done?
17:34I dropped to my knees, words ready.
17:42I know, your majesty.
17:44I shouldn't have interfered.
17:46If something had gone wrong, I'd never forgive myself.
17:49He sneered.
17:51Good.
17:52You'll stay in your rooms for three months.
17:55Don't leave.
17:58I started to bow, but Lucinda spoke up.
18:02Don't punish her.
18:04I asked her to help.
18:06She didn't care about me.
18:07She just needed me alive in case Alaric tried again.
18:11If I was locked away, who would save her next time?
18:19It's my fault, your majesty.
18:20I'll accept the punishment.
18:22Right now, staying alive in front of Alaric was all that mattered.
18:26Enough, Lucinda.
18:27This is our first child.
18:29She almost ruined everything.
18:31Don't defend her.
18:32Lucinda opened her mouth, then closed it.
18:35She wanted me dead anyway.
18:37Watching me get punished probably made her day.
18:40I went back to my chambers.
18:43That night, Alaric came.
18:45He sat beside me in the candlelight, rubbing my hand.
18:49The flame danced in his eyes.
18:51Something in his expression I couldn't read.
18:54I hadn't even used my magic on him.
18:57Give me a child, Alora.
19:00I almost laughed out loud.
19:02Kings, all the same.
19:04I swallowed my disgust and lowered my eyes, playing shy.
19:11Yes.
19:14He picked me up and carried me to bed.
19:17We'd already slept together.
19:19I couldn't keep using magic to fake it forever.
19:22Someone would notice.
19:24Sirens were made for pleasure.
19:26Soft in ways humans couldn't be.
19:30Alaric kept coming back.
19:31Night after night.
19:33Lucinda heard.
19:34She nearly tore her chambers apart.
19:36She thought my punishment meant I'd lost his favor.
19:39That once she gave him a son, she could have me killed whenever she wanted.
19:42She didn't expect this.
19:45Instead of news of my downfall, she got news of my pregnancy.
19:55Unlike Lucinda's pregnancy, Alaric was actually happy about mine.
19:59He'd been king for years.
20:01Only a handful of women in his court.
20:04Lucinda couldn't have children herself, so she'd been poisoning everyone else.
20:09No one had given Alaric an heir.
20:12He looked at me with such tenderness.
20:14Did he actually have feelings for me?
20:18Sirens conceived easily.
20:20If I wanted to, I could give him a child without trouble.
20:24But this baby would never be born.
20:27I'd fed all my blood and bone to my magic.
20:29There was nothing left to grow a child.
20:32Alaric, this is what you deserve.
20:35You sent soldiers to slaughter my people.
20:38I'll make sure you never have an heir.
20:41That's the least you owe me.
20:45I felt it move.
20:47It's only been two months.
20:48It can't move yet.
20:50I swear I felt it.
20:52Maybe I'm just hungry.
20:54We both laughed.
20:56That's when Lucinda walked in.
20:59She was showing now.
21:01Heavy on her feet.
21:02The baby was stable these days, but she was wasting away.
21:06Thin as paper.
21:08Layers of powder couldn't hide how exhausted she looked.
21:12The thing inside her was feeding on her.
21:15Draining her.
21:17And there I was, curled up against Alaric.
21:20Skin glowing.
21:21Lips red.
21:22Laughing.
21:24I started to stand and curtsy.
21:26But Alaric held me in place.
21:32He frowned at her.
21:34What are you doing here?
21:36She forced an ugly smile.
21:40I heard the good news came to congratulate her.
21:43She looked at Alaric.
21:45I didn't know you'd be here too.
21:47He hadn't visited her in weeks.
21:50She'd tried everything.
21:52Excuses.
21:52Summons.
21:53He refused every time.
21:55She'd even written to her father and brother.
21:57No reply.
21:59When she heard I was pregnant, she couldn't stay away.
22:02I stood up.
22:06Thank you for coming.
22:09How are you feeling?
22:17She didn't look at me.
22:19Just stared at Alaric.
22:21Tears welling.
22:23Do you hate me now?
22:27They'd grown up together.
22:29Alaric's grip on my hand loosened a little.
22:32If Lucinda weren't pregnant, if it didn't drive him crazy,
22:36I might never have gotten this close to him.
22:39Alaric squeezed my hand.
22:41Don't overthink it.
22:42I'll come see you soon.
22:44Then a servant rushed in, pale and breathless.
22:50Your Majesty, urgent news from the front.
22:52Ministers are waiting.
22:54Anything else?
22:55I'd like to rest.
22:57She laughed coldly.
22:59With her hollow cheeks, it was almost frightening.
23:03Don't get ahead of yourself.
23:06Not all pregnant women give birth.
23:09Same goes for you.
23:11I examined my freshly painted nails.
23:14Didn't bother looking up.
23:15She shook with rage.
23:17At least I have my family.
23:20You're just a dancer.
23:21What makes you think you can compete?
23:26I finally looked up.
23:27Slow.
23:29Steady.
23:35Do you?
23:38If I was right, that urgent news was about her family.
23:42I'd gotten word days ago.
23:44Her family wanted war.
23:46Her brother Roderick kept crossing the border, picking fights.
23:49He thought he was untouchable.
23:51Then Caelan knocked him off his horse and broke his leg.
23:54Caelan didn't want a war.
23:56He let Roderick live.
23:57But the next day, her father, General Alderick, marched his army across the border.
24:02Vengeance for his son's honor.
24:04The capital was far from the front.
24:06Even the fastest horse took a month.
24:08Alaric probably hadn't heard yet that Alderick was captured.
24:10That the army was falling apart.
24:12My spiders brought me news faster.
24:14I had one bonded to Caelan.
24:15It told me everything.
24:17Night fell.
24:18I brought soup to Alaric's study.
24:23She's here, your majesty.
24:24Let her in.
24:26The voice came to the side.
24:27He sat, surrounded by mountains of paper, face dark as a storm.
24:31I set down the tray and stayed behind him, rubbing his temper.
24:35My head's been killing me lately, but when you're here, it gets faster.
24:39He told me first, but his voice was freezing.
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