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From Bed Substitute to His Brother’s Bride - NEW
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00:00Every night the candles went out. That was my cue. I slipped into my lady's bed. I took her place
00:06beside her husband. For three years I had been her shadow in the dark. Now I was done. He laughed
00:12at me. I was only his wife's handmaid and taking me as his mistress as a slap in her face.
00:18I closed my eyes. The despair tasted like ash. The whole realm knew of the Lord's undying devotion to his
00:24lady.
00:24The next morning I knelt before the old mistress. Let me marry your dying eldest son. Be his deathbed bride.
00:31You will be a widow locked in the convent forever. Are you certain, child?
00:35I've made up my mind now. I swear it. No regrets.
00:39The Lord and my lady burst into my room. Lord Arthur visited my lady's chambers again. As always, the candle
00:44went out. Then I pushed the door open.
00:47What took you so long, my love? Your skin is freezing.
00:51The night was little. Before dawn broke, I crept out of the bed.
00:55I sank to my lips, repeating every word of Arthur's.
00:59My love, your skin is freezing.
01:02She thought of the lingering intimacy between Arthur and me last night. Her face darkened with pure spite.
01:07She left the room without the words, leaving me kneeling there alone. Lady Beatrice returned to Arthur's bed. He teased
01:13her.
01:14Sneaking out to meet a lover.
01:16She let out a soft chuckle. Her fingers traced playful circles on his chest.
01:20She caught sight of me and shot me a sharp look, signaling me to leave. I back to that.
01:27Lady Beatrice was breathtakingly beautiful. But she was born frail and sickly. No noble house wanted her. Then came the
01:33summer banquet. Arthur saw her. He fell hard. He demanded her as his wife.
01:38I was her loyal maid. I wept tears of joy for her. Then came the wedding night. Beatrice fainted before
01:44he even touched.
01:45Arthur was a warlord. A brute on the battlefield. And in bed. Three days with no bedding. Beatrice became a
01:50joke. The maid snickered. They said she couldn't warm her husband's bed.
01:54They swore the lord would take a mistress soon. Beatrice panicked. She hatched a desperate plan. A cruel exchange. And
02:00I was the perfect match. Same height, same voice.
02:03Please. Send in the maid. Be my hand, Hayden. In the dark. Arthur could not see the face beneath him.
02:12She promised me three years. I had no choice. It took an hour before they finally emerged. I swallowed my
02:18pride, washed my face, and went in to serve them breakfast.
02:21Your little mute is quite pretty. What a waste.
02:27Arthur is boasting to Beatrice about last night.
02:31Look at this. Is this your handiwork from last night?
02:35Last night was hell. I sank my teeth into his arm just to make him stop. I was sorry. He
02:39was a warlord. A little bite meant nothing to him. He thought it was just rough play.
02:44Beatrice was sweet. She raged at me because I crossed my mind. I left my mark on her husband.
02:48You stupid wench! You dare bite the lord? Are you trying to humiliate me?
02:53She didn't let me explain. She ordered the guards to bind my wrists. They dragged me down to the root
02:58cellar. No food. No water.
03:00Arthur rode out to patrol the borders. He would be gone for five days. I was locked in the dark
03:05for every single one of them.
03:07These days are unbearable. By the fifth day, I was starving. Half dead. My little sister, Lily.
03:12She bribed the guards. She knew nothing about the exchange made in darkness.
03:16Why is my lady so angry? I couldn't tell her. I signed with my hands. When does the lord return?
03:21Tonight. I let out a shaky breath. I was saved. The guard said he rides in tonight. He's heading straight
03:26to my lady's chambers.
03:27I let out a shaky breath. I was saved. Beatrice would need me.
03:31It's the tower just held his son. Lord Julian. The physicians say he won't make it through the week.
03:39My heart tightens at the knees. Will I ever get out?
03:45I lost my temper, Audra. I meant to let you out hours ago, but the estate was in a frenzy.
03:50Forgive me. It does not matter. My three years were almost over.
03:53If you walk out that door, I will put Lily in that bed.
03:58The systems. Same size. Same voice. She will do nicely.
04:03My blood flowed. My teeth chattered uncontrollably.
04:06And don't think you can run to him. To him, you are just a warm body in the dark.
04:12I could snap my fingers and have you killed, and he wouldn't even blink.
04:17When Arthur kicked the doors open, I was still kneeling on the stone floor. Arthur didn't even look at me.
04:22Did you settle my brother's matter?
04:24Arthur wasn't supposed to inherit. His older brother, Lord Julian, was the true heir.
04:28But Julian was born with a rotting heart. Arthur was made acting lord in his place.
04:33I cannot let him die unwed. I shall find him a deathbed bride.
04:38Lily whispered to me through the fence earlier. The dowager refuses to let him die unmarried.
04:43She wants a deathbed bride for him. A deathbed bride.
04:47The moment Julian died, his bride would be locked in the convent for the rest of her life.
04:51I asked every girl in the estate. No young woman will throw her life away.
04:53Pretty peasant threaten her family. Force her into the dress.
04:55The dowager wouldn't like such brute force. Gold buys the willing. A knife to the throat
04:59buys the rest. Just get it done. My mother hates you. Deliver her this bride and you'll finally win.
05:03Yes, my lord. A deathbed bride. A dying man. Better than marrying a brute. At least, this was my choice.
05:12Every time Arthur returned from patrol, he came back starving. But tonight, I didn't just lie there.
05:16I had never been the one to initiate. But tonight, I needed him to lose control.
05:20When the first light of dawn cracked the sky, I was exhausted. I tried to push him away with numb
05:24hands.
05:24He caught my wrist and yanked me back. Where do you think you're going? I froze.
05:29I am a hunter, little bird. I know your sense. I've known about your little switch tree for a long,
05:34long time. Then when will you claim me? When will you acknowledge me? You are my wife's property.
05:39Only she can raise your standing. I push him away. What is your name, anyway?
05:43Maybe I'll make you a personal maid. Thank you for your generosities, my lord.
05:47But I doubt I'll live to see it. I turned and walked away. Arthur grabbed me tight. A personal maid
05:51isn't enough. He looked displeased. You want to be a titled mistress? Know your place, girl.
05:55He and Beatrice were playing the perfect power couple. I was just a dirty secret.
05:59You are just a warm body in the dark.
06:03She's marrying you off to the stable boy? He beats his dogs to death. How could she be so cruel?
06:08I didn't cry. I made my choice. Don't cry. I have a way.
06:11So, which brave girl?
06:13Let me marry your dying eldest son. Be his deathbed bride. You will be a widow locked in the convent
06:19forever.
06:20Are you certain, child? I swear it. No regrets. Go fetch the clan priest.
06:26She is lowborn, but her spirit is strong enough to shield him.
06:31The dowager smiled.
06:32Ask for anything, child. Gold, land, jewels. Name your clan.
06:36So, which brave girl?
06:39Arthur's voice boomed with casual amusement. I bow and greet Arthur.
06:42My lord.
06:43You are not a mute?
06:44I have always had a voice. My lady simply could not bear to hear it.
06:48Beatrice shocked.
06:48I have a younger sister, Lily. I want her transferred to your personal service. I want her safe.
06:55Done.
06:59Julian was stillborn. A rogue alchemist used dark magic to bring him back, but the price, he will never see
07:04his 30th birthday.
07:05Julian locked himself in a wooden cabin by the Black Lake. His only companion was that same rogue alchemist.
07:09He's inside. He just fell asleep.
07:12He looked nothing like Arthur. Arthur was a rugged warlord. Julian, like a fallen angel carved from ice.
07:17Julian has always been reluctant to take medicine, so his health has not improved.
07:22I spent the whole afternoon learning to brew physics.
07:25At sunset, he finally woke up.
07:28You're the girl who's waiting for me to die?
07:30Yes.
07:32Get up.
07:32Drink your medicine, my lord?
07:34No.
07:34He glared at me like he wanted to kill me, but he drank it. That was the first battle I
07:37won.
07:40The alchemist was astonished to find Julian feeling far better the next day.
07:43He actually drank it.
07:44He was shocked.
07:45How did you do it?
07:46I smiled.
07:46I've got my own way.
07:48I took the medicine over to Julian, but he still refused to take it.
07:50Medicine is useless.
07:51You need to keep taking your medicine regularly for it to help.
07:53I threatened him.
07:54If you won't take your medicine, I'll make you drink it.
08:07If you like taking your medicine this way, I'll feed you like this every time.
08:11Then he drank the medicine all in one gulp.
08:14That's my boy.
08:15Julian fell asleep.
08:16He looked so handsome while he slept.
08:18I silently swore to myself, I will keep you alive until 30.
08:20That was the promise I made to myself.
08:25Lord Julian is truly healing.
08:27Julian's recovered really well.
08:28Mom's absolutely delighted.
08:29Thanks so much for looking after Julia.
08:31It's only what I should do as Julian's wife.
08:34Oh, I'm sure she does.
08:35She was very good at handling Arthur's late night needs too.
08:37Is that how you speak to your future sister-in-law?
08:40Hold your tongue.
08:41That night, Lily rushed anxiously into my room.
08:43Big trouble brewing.
08:44What?
08:45Beatrix found a new stand-in.
08:46A girl bought from the slums.
08:48But something wrong.
08:49He lit the lamps.
08:50He blazed with fury.
08:52Beat the girl bloody.
08:53And then?
08:53He moved out that very night.
08:55They sleep in separate wings now.
08:57He never cared who the substitute was.
08:59So why did he snap when he realized it wasn't me?
09:01I didn't care.
09:03Julian loves being out in the breeze.
09:05So I'll go inside and fetch him.
09:07As I was heading back inside, Arthur appeared out of nowhere.
09:09It was you, wasn't it?
09:11I don't need to hear your voice.
09:13I just need you in my bed one night and I'll know for sure.
09:17You're insane!
09:20I was about to go find Julian.
09:22What took you so long?
09:24I've gone to fetch you some clothes.
09:26Where's clothes?
09:27I forgot to take them.
09:28I'll go right away.
09:30Hurry your steps next time.
09:31One would think you'd fallen into the lake.
09:34Yes, my lord.
09:35Julian's grown different towards me.
09:37He slowly started to accept me.
09:39At night, I lie beside him and swear I'll protect him for all my days.
09:45Julian loves reading.
09:46He says it calms his mind and brings him peace, while I stay by his side and make his medicine.
09:51I brought him his medicine.
09:53Oh, I'm sure she does.
09:54She was very good at handling Arthur's late night needs too.
09:57Why did you agree to marry a dying man?
09:59He asked.
10:00I didn't want to marry a brute.
10:02Right.
10:02I should have guessed.
10:04Julian suddenly minded.
10:05I had no idea why.
10:06That day, the alchemist suddenly asked me to go to his room.
10:09What wilt how with me?
10:11These next few weeks, I shall go forth to gather herbs.
10:15If out ill befall Julian, break thou this necklace asunder and I shall hasten back straight away.
10:21I will.
10:22That night, Julian seemed in much better spirits.
10:24I covered him with a blanket.
10:26My lord, take heed you catch no cold.
10:28You know I won't live past thirty.
10:29I promised your mother I'd look after you.
10:32You always tell the truth.
10:33He looked very sad.
10:37This day, as I readied to undress Julian for his bath.
10:39I can do it myself.
10:40He caught hold of my hand all at once.
10:42Don't you have any shame?
10:43A normal, innocent girl would be blushing right now.
10:45But I was long past that.
10:46That night, the alchemist prayed for Julian and bade me wish for him.
10:50Make a wish.
10:52Wish for a long life.
10:53I only want him to be happy.
10:54I stroked Julian's face.
10:55Define happy.
10:57Today Julian rose early and asked me to accompany him to greet the neighboring kingdom's visitors.
11:01Today is a special day.
11:02What?
11:03We're off to the palace today.
11:04We've got important visitors from the neighboring realm.
11:08Vivian came from a neighboring realm to wed Julian.
11:11Vivian has come expressly to seek an audience with you.
11:13Julian was utterly stunned.
11:14I am here to beg leave to wed Julian.
11:16I have waited for him these many years.
11:18She was fair and noble, well matched to him in every way.
11:21I knew it was time for me to leave.
11:22I asked to dissolve the vow.
11:24Lord Julian must be free to wed the princess.
11:26Are you sure?
11:27The dowager was astonished.
11:28Then what reward do you want?
11:30She asked.
11:31My freedom.
11:32My gaze was firm.
11:33Release me from my servitude.
11:35That night, Lily came to me in a hurry.
11:37Take me with you.
11:38No.
11:39You are safe here.
11:40What will I do without you?
11:42Serve the dowager well.
11:43It's the only way to stay safe.
11:45I finally left, free of all cares.
11:47Only Julian lingered in my heart.
11:49Yet things were far from simple.
11:51We meet again.
11:55The nobles never let their prey go in peace.
11:57I let you warm his bed.
11:59And this is how you repay me?
12:01Day one.
12:02They beat me until every breath hurt.
12:04Two massive handmaids stepped forward.
12:06They struck me across the face again and again.
12:10You ungrateful rat.
12:12You swore you'd be loyal.
12:15Loyal?
12:15I just wanted to survive.
12:17I was a maid, but I was still human.
12:19There was no reasoning with a monster.
12:20So I kept my mouth shut.
12:22Day two.
12:23She used a needle to prick my fingers.
12:24Day three.
12:25She had someone whip me with a leather whip.
12:27And let them beat me.
12:29I hoped she would tire out and let me go.
12:31But I vastly overestimated her mercy.
12:33I ached all over from the beating.
12:35Just when I was at my lowest and most desperate.
12:37The kindness I'd shown once saved my life.
12:39That girl I'd helped before snuck around to see me in secret.
12:42Audra, are you alright?
12:44Is there anything I can do for you?
12:46Is Julian alright?
12:48Please go and find Julian for me.
12:50Still alive?
12:51God truly wants you to suffer.
12:53She thought I was broken.
12:54I will never let you out.
12:56I was silently praying for her to burn in hell.
12:59Okay for now.
13:00Finally.
13:02It was over.
13:04Heavy iron boots thundered against the stone stairs.
13:07I couldn't open my eyes.
13:09I had no strength left.
13:10But I could feel him.
13:11Julian came for me.
13:13Release me!
13:14Release me!
13:15I was finally safe.
13:17Audra, how are you feeling?
13:21He tended to my bath with his own hands, gentle and careful.
13:25With every fresh scar he uncovered upon my skin, his eyes grew dim and reddened, grief creeping
13:30into his gaze bit by bit.
13:32I drifted aimlessly between wakefulness and faint unconsciousness, my mind shrouded in hazy
13:36fog.
13:37Amid all the numbness and frailty, the only clear and constant feeling was his palm, holding
13:41mine firmly, never once letting go.
13:44He stayed three days.
13:45I made him sleep.
13:46Julian?
13:47He's destroying himself.
13:49But he doesn't love me.
13:50Will he live past thirty?
13:52He'll reach thirty.
13:53I promise.
13:53And after?
13:54Cursed to die young.
13:55If death hadn't marked him.
13:57My chest tightened.
13:58You'd never have met.
13:59I stared fiercely into his eyes.
14:01What's wrong?
14:03I'm going to kiss you now.
14:04Do you permit it?
14:06You weren't this polite the first time.
14:09Every hope I ever had was destroyed years ago.
14:11But I never could have imagined this.
14:13I love you too.
14:14I never thought, in this short, cursed life of mine, I'd still find someone to love.
14:20All my hope was shattered years ago.
14:22My heart was breaking, but my soul had never been so full.
14:29Have you heard what became of Beatrix?
14:32She poisoned Arthur's pregnant mistress, two lives lost in an instant.
14:37She reaped what she sowed.
14:39She reaped what she sowed.
14:41I cannot cast her out.
14:42Her father's army is too powerful.
14:44But I will never touch her again.
14:45That is her punishment.
14:47Punishment?
14:47Barring her from your bed?
14:48What of the poisoned mother?
14:49The dead babe?
14:50Is there no justice at all?
14:51She was just a tavern girl.
14:52I never loved her.
14:53If I want bastards, I can spire a hundred more whenever I please.
14:56But was Arthur truly innocent?
14:58How did you seduce Heunus, my brother?
15:02None of your business.
15:03Have you slept with him?
15:05None of your business!
15:07Does he know what we did in the dark?
15:10He ripped away my last shred of dignity.
15:12I completely lost my temper.
15:14You dare strike a lord?
15:16Aren't you afraid I'll tell him everything?
15:20Aren't you afraid he won't love you anymore?
15:25Do you see?
15:27What sort of low creature she is?
15:29Is this why you lured me here?
15:31A wantle maid who beds whoever she pleases deserves the lash.
15:34But, I still have lingering thoughts of her.
15:38Give her back to me.
15:39Let her polish my boots.
15:40I surrender to my fate.
15:42Ardra.
15:43What are you still standing there for?
15:45Do you truly want to polish his boots?
15:48I blinked, completely stunned.
15:50No.
15:51No.
15:52I scrambled over to his side.
15:54Your wife did not know how to respect her future sister-in-law.
15:57So I had her dealt with.
15:58My lady!
15:59Is she dead?
16:00She's hanging from the beam!
16:01It was only at this moment that Arthur realized the so-called lordship had been given to him by Julian.
16:06Yet the real power still remained in Julian's hands.
16:08He had lost.
16:09What are you doing?
16:10We should sleep in separate beds from now on.
16:11If I weren't ill, I would tie you to that bed.
16:13You come and go as you please, turning my life upside down?
16:15Am I just someone you keep around for pleasure?
16:17No.
16:18I just didn't want to upset you.
16:19I seduced you only to survive.
16:20I don't deserve to stay by your side.
16:23I threw myself onto him.
16:24I kissed him with everything I had.
16:27But if I died without knowing what that monster did to you, without avenging you,
16:31do you have any idea how much pain that would cause me?
16:34You are not broken.
16:39Relax.
16:40I'm not here to take him from you.
16:42He only wants you.
16:43I'm just a stubborn, spoiled child.
16:45I apologize.
16:46Shall we make up?
16:48Of course.
16:49But why have you come here?
16:50To say thank you.
16:52The Chancellor has been my father's greatest enemy for years.
16:55Julian just handed us his head on a silver dester.
16:58The Chancellor sold military secrets.
17:00The old lord nearly died in the mud.
17:02Julian directly handed me all the criminal evidence he had collected over the years.
17:06So that night you ran crying out of his room?
17:08I wasn't crying.
17:10I was excited.
17:11He gave me evidence to destroy my family's enemies.
17:14I'm going to be the first female regent.
17:16I'd never waste tears over a man.
17:17But Julian hadn't even been born then.
17:20How could he have obtained the evidence?
17:25Tell me the truth.
17:33He does not have a heart defect.
17:35He was murdered.
17:36Thirty years ago, the old lord used blood magic to escape the mountains.
17:40Sacrificing his unborn son in the forbidden life for a life plat.
17:43I used forbidden magic to buy him a full thirty years of life.
17:47I held my chest.
17:48My eyes burning with tears.
17:50If Arthur hadn't pushed him into that freezing lake...
17:53Arthur was thrown into the cellar.
17:55Why?
17:56Why do you get to have everything?
17:58I won't stand for this!
18:02I used to love the spring.
18:03Now, I prayed it would never come.
18:05Because Julian was born in the spring.
18:07How are you feeling today?
18:08As his thirtieth birthday approached, his body was failing.
18:12Stop crying and hiding, Audra.
18:14I was floating near the ceiling.
18:15I tried to hug you.
18:17But my hands went right through you.
18:19His soul was detaching.
18:21Are you gonna cry like this when I am in the ground?
18:24He had reached the limit.
18:26All I could do was see him through to the end.
18:28His time is up.
18:29Prepare the midnight vow.
18:32Please!
18:32We have to run!
18:33They are gonna bind your soul to a dead man!
18:35They say women in corpse marriages are cursed forever!
18:38I know you are staying to protect me, but I don't care.
18:40I will go back to scrubbing floors.
18:41Just tell them no!
18:42I used to do everything just to survive.
18:44But not anymore.
18:46I loved him.
18:47This was my only chance to be his wife.
18:49I sat by his bed.
18:51I waited for him to wake up.
18:52I waited, and waited, until I finally passed out.
18:59I heard sequels.
19:00I smelled salt water.
19:02When I woke up.
19:05I bolted upright.
19:06I was on a boat.
19:08Adra!
19:09You're awake!
19:10Julian's will saved us!
19:11He refused the midnight vow.
19:14He ordered the dowager to rip up our servant contracts and let us go!
19:18He bought us a massive estate!
19:20Down south!
19:21We are free!
19:22We are going to be rich!
19:24I don't know how to describe how I'm feeling right now.
19:26I tore through the stack of deeds, ledgers, and account papers.
19:30Finally, I found a small folded note.
19:32Written in his sharp, elegant handwriting.
19:34I pressed the note to my chest and wept silently.
19:36Are you okay?
19:37Aren't you happy?
19:39I am, of course I am.
19:41I held the note and gazed at the sea.
19:43The sun was rising over the water.
19:45I suddenly remembered a night from a long time ago.
19:47You have a long life ahead of you.
19:50Loving me for a few years is enough.
19:52When I'm gone, don't look back.
19:54Keep moving.
19:55How can you say something so cold?
19:57Julian said my name meant clearing the storm.
19:59A storm passes.
20:00The sky goes on.
20:02He wanted me happy.
20:02The sky goes on.
20:03The sky goes on.
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