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The Maid’s Secret Heirs Became Royal Heirs - HOT
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00:00On my last night as a maid, before I left the palace, an unknown noble forced himself on me.
00:05I had just turned 18.
00:08Just for this night.
00:10The royal herald read the Queen Mother's decree aloud in the corridor.
00:15By order of her grace, the following maids are released from service and permitted to return to their homes.
00:23Martha, Dorothy, Clara.
00:30Clara, God be praised. You are free at last.
00:34I packed my bags that night, just a few worn dresses, and the silver coins I saved up for my
00:39mother.
00:39Late that night, I took an oil lamp to bid Leah farewell.
00:43Crossing the gardens, a hand yanked me back to a room.
00:48Who is there? Let me go!
00:50Before I could see his face, he threw me onto a bed.
00:53Stay, just for this night. Who are you? You smell of spring.
00:58Let me go. I have been released from service. I am to go home tomorrow.
01:04You will stay.
01:05No! You cannot do this!
01:07He ignored my resistance and kissed me brutally.
01:10My dress ripped apart. Coldness and despair swallowed me whole.
01:14I beg you, please, no.
01:18I sobbed and shoved his chest. He did not budge an inch.
01:21I knew the strict palace rules. A maid sleeping with a noble face the gallows.
01:26Dawn broke. I opened my eyes. The room was in ruins.
01:30The man beside me slept on. He was very handsome, but I dared not linger.
01:35Terrified of being caught, I grabbed my clothes and fled.
01:37I looked back one last time at the golden cage that trapped me for ten years.
01:42I thought my escape was the end, but the nightmare had only just begun.
01:47I returned to the village and saw my mother.
01:50She had aged, hair turning gray.
01:52When she saw me, she held me and wept for a very long while.
01:56I kept the palace horror a secret.
01:58I only told her I was discharged safely.
02:01I wanted a quiet life with her.
02:02A month later, my body began to change.
02:05I panicked, yet I dared not speak of it.
02:08My mother noticed something was amiss.
02:10She quietly took me to the most experienced midwife in the village.
02:14The midwife trekked me over.
02:15She confirmed I was with child.
02:17My mother's face went pale.
02:19She looked at me in tears.
02:21You're not even married. How can you have a child?
02:24The villagers will talk.
02:26They'll shame you.
02:27I knew in a village as traditional as this,
02:30An unmarried pregnancy was the worst kind of disgrace.
02:33When I touched my belly, I felt a living soul,
02:36my own flesh and blood.
02:38I clenched my teeth and said,
02:40Mother, I mean to keep this child.
02:42No matter what others may say,
02:43I shall bring this child into the world and raise it well.
02:46Mother gave in.
02:47She helped cover up my growing shape.
02:49But secrets slip out.
02:51As my belly swelled, the nasty rumors spread like wildfire.
02:54Clara broke the rules!
02:56She brought back a bastard from the palace!
02:58What a disgrace to Clara's family.
03:01Harlots like Clara should be stoned!
03:03Clara's mother is a fool!
03:04Raising a girl with no morals!
03:07The words cut like knives.
03:10Every day, they pierced my heart.
03:12The true torment came from my own blood.
03:14My brother Walter and his wife Matilda.
03:18My brother Walter was a greedy snob.
03:20I slaved away for ten years at the palace.
03:23My silver had gone to support the family,
03:25paying for their new cottage and cattle.
03:26When I returned, he showed no gratitude.
03:29Disgusted by my scandal, he beat and cursed me.
03:32My sister-in-law Matilda was even worse.
03:35Vain and greedy.
03:36Seeing my state, she schemed to cast me out.
03:39She aimed to steal my last few coins.
03:42She gossiped in the square every day,
03:44calling me a hussy who lay with passing strangers.
03:47No one knew whose child I carried,
03:49claiming I was thrown out and brought my bastards home to burden the family.
03:53That's right.
03:54No one knows who's thrown out and only brought shame and burden back home.
03:58In the end, I was driven from home.
04:00I took shelter in a run-down stable on the village edge
04:03to feed myself and the child within me.
04:05I rose before dawn to wash clothes,
04:07chop wood, and clean animal stalls,
04:09any filthy work I could find.
04:11My mother pitied me.
04:12She always smuggled me fresh eggs and dock bread.
04:15But Matilda cursed her bitterly every time.
04:17Six months later, I gave birth to twins.
04:19A boy named Edmund.
04:21A girl named Eleanor.
04:22Edmund took after me.
04:23Quiet and sensible, Eleanor favored her father.
04:26Big eyes and a sweet face.
04:27My children became my anchor.
04:29They gave me a reason to live.
04:31However bitter and weary life became,
04:33seeing Edmund and Eleanor smile made everything worth it.
04:37But the village children echoed their parents' cruelty.
04:39They called my twins bastards.
04:42One day, Eleanor ran home in tears.
04:44She buried her face on my chest.
04:46Mama, they say we don't have a papa.
04:49They called us bastards.
04:51You are not bastards.
04:52Your father fell terribly ill.
04:55Your father went far away for a cure.
04:57He will return when he is well.
04:59Mama, I don't need a papa.
05:00I only need you and Eleanor.
05:02I will protect you both.
05:04No one will ever hurt you.
05:06He was only five,
05:07yet he had more sense than many grown men.
05:09Edmund had a rare mind.
05:11He would crouch outside the village chapel.
05:13He listened to the priest's sermons.
05:15He memorized everything upon first hearing.
05:18I touched his hair,
05:19my heart full of pride and sorrow.
05:21My son was gifted,
05:22but I had no coin for a monastery school.
05:25I made a silent vow.
05:27I would get him an education
05:28so that one day he might make something of himself
05:31and never be despised as I had been.
05:33So the days dragged on.
05:35I thought I would spend my whole life in that broken stable,
05:38swallowing every insult with my children beside me.
05:41But I had not foreseen that the royal blessing of Anair
05:44would change the fate of the three of us forever.
05:47That morning, a loud horn blasted through the village.
05:50Lord, Lord Bennett is here!
05:53The royal steward is picking children for the blessing!
05:56The village went wild.
05:57Parents dragged their children toward the square.
06:00The blessing of Anair was a grand royal banquet.
06:03The queen mother prayed for a royal grandchild.
06:06The king had no heirs.
06:07The queen mother sought heaven's favor
06:09that the royal line might endure.
06:11Every year,
06:12children across the realm were chosen to enter the palace
06:16and receive holy favor.
06:17I wanted no part of it.
06:19I knew our lowly status.
06:21We would only face mockery.
06:23People like us only get mocked.
06:25Clara, let Edmund and Elena try.
06:27If chosen,
06:28Edmund and Elena get to see the palace.
06:31They might meet a noble patron.
06:33Then perhaps no one will dare bully you again.
06:35I hesitated.
06:36I saw the longing in Edmund's eyes.
06:38I finally nodded.
06:40I held their little hands.
06:41We stood at the very back of the crowd,
06:44watching from afar.
06:45Lord Bennett looked every inch a royal steward.
06:48Velvet robes,
06:49mink-trimmed hat,
06:50and heavy emerald rings.
06:52Holding a parchment scroll,
06:53he inspected the village children one by one.
06:56Suddenly,
06:57his eyes locked onto Edmund.
06:58I saw his pupils narrow.
07:00The parchment slipped from his trembling hands.
07:02He stumbled toward Edmund,
07:04staring fixedly at his face.
07:06So like.
07:07Far too like.
07:08Then he turned sharply
07:09and locked his eyes on me.
07:11You and his majesty.
07:13What is your relation?
07:15Just then,
07:16Bailiff Benson swaggered over.
07:17My lord,
07:18this boy is Clara's bastard.
07:20Unknown breeding.
07:22He has no right to attend the blessing.
07:24Benson was the local tyrant.
07:26A snob who always despised me.
07:28He once tried to drown me in the river
07:30for my unwed pregnancy.
07:31Claiming it was village law.
07:33Only my mother's desperate pleading
07:35had saved my life.
07:36Benson,
07:37I beg you,
07:37don't kill Clara.
07:39Hearing the word bastard,
07:41Edmund's face flushed red.
07:43He glared at Benson.
07:44I am not a bastard.
07:46I have a papa.
07:48Shut your mouth,
07:49little rat.
07:50Clara,
07:51how dare you bring your filth
07:53to Lord Bennett?
07:54You shame our village.
07:55I will teach you
07:56a harsh lesson today.
07:58Bailiff Benson,
07:58I beg you,
07:59spare Clara and the children.
08:01They are innocent.
08:04Take it out on me.
08:07Do not harm my mother
08:08or my children.
08:10Very well,
08:11since you protect them
08:13so fiercely.
08:14By village law,
08:16she is to be cast
08:16into the river.
08:18Just then,
08:19Laura Bengner
08:19dropped to his knees.
08:21He faced Edmund
08:22and shouted,
08:23Forgive me!
08:24Forgive me!
08:27Then,
08:27he stood up
08:28and turned to me.
08:30Mistress Clara,
08:31please bring your children
08:33and come with me
08:34to the palace
08:34for the blessing.
08:36Everyone was stunned.
08:37Me too.
08:38Benson stammered in shock.
08:39Lord Bennett,
08:41what is the meaning of this?
08:43I was bewildered.
08:44I had no idea
08:45why his attitude
08:46changed so drastically,
08:47but I knew one thing.
08:48This was our only chance
08:49to escape
08:50that wretched village.
08:52All right.
08:53As we left,
08:54Matilda and my brother Walter
08:56stood in the doorway,
08:57glaring at me bitterly.
08:58I knew they would
08:59never let this go,
09:00but I no longer cared.
09:02I just wanted my children
09:03out of this vile place.
09:04On the carriage ride,
09:06Bennett kept staring
09:07at Edmund,
09:08his eyes unreadable.
09:09Why did you choose
09:10my children?
09:11Clara,
09:11you will see
09:12when we arrive.
09:13Just,
09:14whatever happens at court,
09:16keep your composure.
09:17Dread pooled in my stomach.
09:19A massive storm
09:20was brewing.
09:21I could feel it.
09:22At the palace,
09:23Bennett hid us
09:24in a guest chamber.
09:25Maids dressed us
09:26in clean,
09:26fine fabrics.
09:28It was the twins'
09:29first time
09:30wearing such finery.
09:31Their eyes sparkled
09:32with joy,
09:33but I sat with my heart
09:34in my throat.
09:35Everything in the palace
09:36felt so familiar
09:37and yet so strange.
09:39I dreaded seeing
09:40old faces.
09:41I was terrified
09:42my six-year-old secret
09:43would come to light.
09:45On the day of the blessing,
09:47I took both children
09:48by the hand.
09:49We followed the crowd
09:50toward the queen mother's
09:51grand throne room.
09:52Maids and guards
09:53lined the corridors.
09:54Everyone went quietly
09:55about their appointed duties,
09:57and the air was solid.
09:58Suddenly,
09:59a shrill voice
10:00pierced the air.
10:02Well,
10:02is that not Clara?
10:05What are you doing here?
10:07I turned and saw Maude,
10:08my cousin.
10:09She married a local huntsman.
10:11She brought her son Odo
10:12for the blessing too.
10:13Maude had always envied me.
10:15In the village,
10:16she often joined Matilda
10:17in tormenting me.
10:18Ignoring her,
10:19I pulled the children
10:20and walked faster.
10:22Oh, Clara!
10:23Are these your runts?
10:25I never heard the bands read.
10:27Did some stray cur
10:28get you with child?
10:30Edmund squeezed my hand.
10:32Mama,
10:33do not heed her.
10:34Eleanor hid behind my dress.
10:36She started to cry
10:37in little frightened sobs.
10:39My children have a father.
10:41He has passed.
10:43Gone?
10:44More like you do not
10:45even know his name.
10:46You dare bring bastards
10:47to the blessing?
10:48Stop dreaming of clawing
10:50your way into the court.
10:51Shameless woman.
10:53The other parents
10:53began whispering as well,
10:55pointing fingers at us.
10:56So this is that disgraced maid.
10:58How absolutely shameless.
10:59Bringing bastards
11:00into the royal court.
11:01It is an ill omen.
11:02Filth like that
11:03should be kept away
11:03from the ceremony.
11:04I trembled with anger
11:05and tears filled my eyes.
11:08Edmund suddenly
11:09pulled free of my hand.
11:11Do not insult my mother!
11:12You are the shameless one!
11:14You little bastard!
11:16You dare talk back to me?
11:18I will slap you senseless!
11:20I lunged forward
11:21to shield him.
11:22At that moment,
11:23Edmund's foot slipped.
11:24He crashed to the marble floor.
11:26Blood gushed from his nose.
11:28Edmund!
11:28I screamed in horror.
11:30I dropped to my knees
11:31to grab him.
11:32And then,
11:32a familiar figure
11:34stepped out of the shadows.
11:35He wore a crimson velvet robe,
11:38white ermine at the collar.
11:39He exuded
11:40absolute,
11:41terrifying power.
11:42It was him,
11:43the man from that night,
11:44six years ago.
11:45My blood ran cold.
11:47My legs buckled.
11:48I fell to my knees
11:49and buried my face
11:50in the floor.
11:51Your majesty,
11:53please forgive us.
11:55Edmund and Eleanor
11:56quickly knelt beside me.
11:57He stopped in front of me.
11:59I felt his hard gaze
12:00burning into me,
12:01calculating
12:02and faintly familiar.
12:03Look up.
12:04His voice was a deep rumble,
12:06not the raspy tone
12:07from that dark night.
12:08Just for this night.
12:09But just as commanding,
12:11I lifted my head,
12:12trembling.
12:12I dared not meet his eyes.
12:14His gaze shifted down to Edmund.
12:16The boy is bleeding.
12:18Take him to the healers.
12:20Thank you, majesty.
12:23But as I turned,
12:24his scent washed over me.
12:26It was the same as that night,
12:27six years ago.
12:28My heart slammed against my ribs.
12:30A horrified thought struck me.
12:32Could it be
12:33that the stranger from that night,
12:35King Edric?
12:35I pushed the thought away.
12:37I dragged the children away quickly,
12:38but I felt his eyes
12:40searing onto my back.
12:41We reached the queen mother's hall.
12:43She sat on a gilded throne,
12:45regal,
12:45but terrifyingly stern.
12:47The parents and children
12:48all knelt before her
12:49to pay respects.
12:50The queen mother
12:51looked over us all,
12:52and at last,
12:53her eyes settled on Eleanor.
12:55She smiled.
12:56Whose child is this?
12:58Your Grace.
12:59This is my daughter,
13:00Elena.
13:01Your Grace,
13:01I must speak!
13:02This girl is an unwed wench.
13:04She brought bastards
13:06to the blessing.
13:07She mocks your royal authority.
13:09The Grand Hall fell dead silent,
13:11every single eye
13:12locked onto me.
13:13Is this true?
13:16Your Grace,
13:17I...
13:18It was against my will.
13:20I was ravished.
13:23Ravished?
13:24Your Grace,
13:25do not believe her lies.
13:27She was a palace maid.
13:28She broke the rules
13:30and bore bastards.
13:31She taints the royal court.
13:33Execute her!
13:34They are bastards!
13:36They have no father!
13:37We are not bastards.
13:39We have a father.
13:44Your mother never married.
13:46How are you not bastards?
13:49Your Grace,
13:50this shameless strumple
13:51deserves the lash.
13:53Marge,
13:53the queen mother's head maid,
13:55stepped up and barked.
13:57Guards,
13:58drag this woman away
14:00and flog her.
14:01The guard stepped forward
14:02with whips in hand.
14:04All the blood drained
14:05from my face.
14:06Edmund and Eleanor
14:07threw themselves over me,
14:08using their little bodies
14:09to shield me.
14:10Do not hit my mother!
14:11Do not hit her!
14:13The whip cracked
14:14across my back.
14:15Agony exploded
14:16through my veins.
14:17I wrapped my arms
14:18around the twins.
14:19I sobbed desperately.
14:21It is all my fault.
14:23Please do not hurt my children.
14:26The leather struck me
14:27again and again.
14:28Hot blood soaked
14:29through my dress.
14:30Stop hitting my mother!
14:32You monsters!
14:33Mama!
14:34Mama!
14:36Mama!
14:37You wicked old witch!
14:38Stop hurting my mother!
14:40The entire hall gasped.
14:41My heart stopped.
14:42I clamp my hand
14:44over his mouth.
14:45I stare at the throne
14:46in horror.
14:47Insolence!
14:48How dare you speak
14:49to me like that!
14:50He curses her grace!
14:52Guards!
14:52Drag this little beast
14:53to the dungeon!
14:56Your grace!
14:57I beg for mercy!
14:59He is just a child!
15:00He knows nothing!
15:02Edmund ripped my hand away.
15:03By kingdom law,
15:04children under seven
15:05are not put to death.
15:07I am only five!
15:08Your grace!
15:10You are the king's mother!
15:11You must know
15:12right from wrong!
15:13You cannot kill the innocent
15:15over petty lies!
15:16The queen mother froze.
15:18She never expected
15:19a five-year-old
15:20to cite royal law.
15:21Your grace!
15:22Look at him!
15:24This fatherless bastard
15:25is wild and feral!
15:27Indeed, your grace!
15:28If this wild rat
15:30isn't tamed,
15:31he will become a menace.
15:33A man must protect
15:34his mother first.
15:35If I cannot even
15:36defend Clara,
15:37how can Edmund
15:38ever be loyal to the crown
15:39and defend the kingdom?
15:42Your grace!
15:43You punish us blindly!
15:45How will the people
15:46ever truly trust you?
15:47The queen mother
15:49was speechless.
15:50Her face turned
15:51an ugly shade of red.
15:52At that moment,
15:53the herald's voice came.
15:56His majesty,
15:58the king!
16:03My chest tightened.
16:05I looked up on instinct.
16:06He strode into the hall.
16:08Eyes locked onto me.
16:09Seeing my bloody wounds,
16:10his brow snapped together.
16:12A flash of pity
16:13crossed his eyes.
16:14Our gazes met.
16:15The air stucked out of the room.
16:16His stare was deep,
16:18searching,
16:18and unreadable.
16:19I lowered my head at once,
16:21my heart pounding wildly.
16:22The king stopped
16:23before the throne.
16:24He gave a slight bow.
16:26Mother,
16:27what has happened here?
16:28Your majesty!
16:29This woman bore children
16:30out of wedlock.
16:31She brought bastards
16:32to the blessing.
16:33She let her wild rat
16:35curse her grace.
16:36She deserves death!
16:38She served in the palace?
16:40Yes.
16:41She was a maid,
16:42discharged at 18.
16:46The king's frown deepened.
16:48He walked toward me,
16:50one slow step at a time.
16:51Six years ago,
16:52were you in the garden?
16:54I trembled all over
16:55and dared not answer.
16:56That night was my darkest secret.
16:58If it were uncovered,
16:59my children and I would die.
17:01Suddenly,
17:02Lord Bennett burst
17:03through the grand doors.
17:04He fell to his knees.
17:06Your majesty!
17:07Your grace!
17:08I bring urgent news!
17:12Speak!
17:14I chose this boy
17:15for the blessing
17:15for one reason.
17:17He is a mirror image
17:18of his majesty
17:18as a child.
17:20I feared royal blood
17:21had been abandoned
17:22among common folk.
17:23I had to bring them in!
17:25What?
17:27What did you say?
17:29These are the king's children?
17:31Impossible!
17:32My mind spun.
17:33Total chaos.
17:34The man from that night,
17:35six years ago,
17:36was the king.
17:37Then Edmund and Eleanor.
17:39Were they prince and princess?
17:40The king looked at me,
17:42his eyes steady.
17:43Mother,
17:44it was Clara that night.
17:46King Edric knows
17:47Clara's scent well.
17:49Edric,
17:49are you insane?
17:50Clara was a maid!
17:53How could King Edric
17:54touch Clara?
17:55Your majesty,
17:57Clara is of low birth.
17:59She is an unwed mother
18:01with a ruined reputation.
18:02How could such a woman
18:03be the queen?
18:04These children
18:05are of uncertain birth.
18:06You cannot claim them.
18:08Your majesty!
18:09Clara lies
18:10with every man back home.
18:12Those brats
18:13are not yours.
18:14Don't let this horrid
18:16trick you.
18:17Your majesty,
18:18I never lied.
18:19That night,
18:20I thought you were
18:21a palace guard.
18:22I fled in terror.
18:24For six years,
18:25I swallowed my pride
18:26in the countryside
18:26with our children.
18:27I never touched
18:28another man.
18:29Edmund and Eleanor
18:30are your blood.
18:32You lie!
18:33You were discharged
18:34in May.
18:35The brats
18:36were born in January.
18:37The timing
18:37does not align.
18:39It is a hypothetical lie.
18:40Your grace,
18:41your majesty,
18:42they were born
18:42before their time.
18:44They came a month early.
18:45Premature.
18:48Your grace!
18:50Your majesty,
18:51she is lying!
18:53Those brats
18:53were full-grown!
18:55In the village,
18:56Clara often met
18:57with strange men.
18:58We caught Clara
18:58on the spot!
18:59Yes,
19:00your majesty!
19:01We swear on it!
19:03Clara is a filthy harlot!
19:05Clara is unfit
19:06for your bed!
19:07I looked at them,
19:09trembling with anger.
19:10They spun vicious lies
19:11to gain noble favor.
19:13My mother was dragged in.
19:14Seeing my bloody back,
19:15she broke down sobbing.
19:18Your majesty!
19:19Clara is innocent!
19:21The babies were early!
19:23I delivered them myself!
19:25Walter and Matilda
19:26just want Clara's coin!
19:28They are framing her!
19:30Shut up, mother!
19:31You are seeny!
19:32Stop talking madness!
19:33Enough!
19:34We will investigate.
19:35If they hold royal blood,
19:37I will claim them.
19:38But if Clara lied
19:39to steal the crown,
19:40I will have her head.
19:42The king looked at me,
19:44his eyes soft but firm.
19:45Clara,
19:46I believe you.
19:47In that second,
19:48all my terror and grief
19:49melted into tears.
19:51Everyone doubted me,
19:52but he chose to trust me.
19:54I had not expected
19:55Marg to be so reckless.
19:56While the queen mother
19:57and the king
19:58were occupied in discussion,
19:59she secretly locked us
20:01in the palace dungeon.
20:02The cell was dark and damp,
20:04reeking of rot.
20:05Slime coated the floors.
20:06Rats scurried in the shadows.
20:08Eleanor wailed in terror.
20:10She clung to me tightly.
20:11Marg marched in
20:12with several maids and guards.
20:14She carried a tray
20:15with three cups of poison.
20:16Clara,
20:17you cursed her grace
20:18and tried to pass
20:19common-born children
20:20off as royals.
20:21You deserve death.
20:23Today,
20:24you and your little bastards
20:25all die.
20:26The queen mother
20:28promised a fair trial.
20:30You have no authority
20:31to execute us.
20:32The queen mother?
20:34She has troubles
20:35enough of her own.
20:36She forgot about you.
20:38Drink it, Clara.
20:39Spare yourself the pain.
20:41The guards lunged
20:42to grab us.
20:43Edmund rushed at them
20:44and shugged Marg.
20:44Old witch!
20:45Don't touch my mother
20:46and sister!
20:47Marg flew into a rage.
20:49She slapped Edmund
20:50across the face.
20:51Blood dripped
20:51from his lip.
20:52He refused to back down,
20:54sinking his teeth
20:55into Marg's wrist.
20:58You little rat!
21:00You bit me!
21:01The guards
21:02ripped Edmund off.
21:03They rained kicks
21:04and punches on him.
21:05I threw myself over him,
21:07covering him
21:07with my own body.
21:08Stop hitting him!
21:09Take it out on me!
21:11Heavy blows
21:13landed on me.
21:14I grunted
21:14in agony.
21:16Blood spilled
21:16from my mouth.
21:18Stop hitting my brother!
21:20Stop hitting my mommy!
21:28Drink it, Clara.
21:29Or I kill
21:30your brats first.
21:31I stared at her
21:32vile face.
21:33Despair crushed me.
21:34Were we truly
21:35going to die here today?
21:36Just as the poison
21:37touched my lips,
21:39a voice thundered
21:40like a god.
21:41Step away from her,
21:42you vile hag!
21:43He stormed in,
21:45kicking Marg to the floor.
21:46The poisoned wine
21:47spilled across the ground.
21:48He came to me at once.
21:50When he saw
21:50the wounds upon me,
21:51he pulled me
21:52into his chest.
21:53Clara,
21:54are you alright?
21:55Your majesty,
21:56I'm alright.
21:57But the children...
21:58The king saw
21:59the bruised twins.
22:01He turned a cold gaze
22:02upon Marg.
22:03He barked at the guards.
22:04Drag her to the gallows.
22:05Hang her now!
22:07Mercy, your majesty!
22:08I beg you,
22:10I shall never dare
22:11such a thing again!
22:15Don't be afraid, Clara.
22:17While I am here,
22:18no one shall ever
22:20harm you again.
22:21He marched us
22:22out of the dungeon
22:23and brought us
22:24to a palace bedchamber.
22:25He also summoned
22:26the royal physician
22:27to treat our injuries.
22:28Watching him tend
22:29to us with such care,
22:31my frozen heart
22:31began to fall.
22:32This was the man
22:33who disgraced me
22:34six years ago.
22:35Now,
22:36he fought to protect me.
22:37I knew then,
22:38there was no going back
22:39for us.
22:40After that rescue,
22:42the king never
22:42left our side.
22:43He looked at Edmund
22:44and Eleanor.
22:45His eyes spilled over
22:46with fatherly love.
22:48Edmund was wary at first,
22:49distant and defensive,
22:51but under the king's
22:52patient care,
22:53he slowly came
22:53to accept him
22:54as his father.
22:55Outside those doors,
22:57the court was
22:57in open turmoil.
22:58Duke Mortimer
22:59rallied the old-blood nobles
23:01to pressure
23:01the queen mother.
23:02They flatly refused
23:03to accept the twins'
23:05royal blood.
23:05They poisoned her grace's
23:06ears daily,
23:07demanding our immediate exile.
23:09A low-born ruined commoner
23:11had no place
23:11mothering the crown.
23:12The king is utterly bewitched!
23:14God knows whose bastards
23:15those really are.
23:16If Gutterborn
23:16wills inherit the throne,
23:17the royals become
23:17a joke of the whole realm!
23:18Your grace,
23:19the realm cannot survive
23:20such disgrace.
23:21Remove Clara and the twins
23:22before the crown
23:22is stained beyond repair.
23:24The vicious rumors exploded.
23:26Even the queen mother
23:27started to cave.
23:28My low birth
23:28was a bitter pill
23:29she couldn't swallow.
23:30To silence the court
23:31once and for all,
23:32the king made a ruling.
23:33He decreed a public trial
23:35of the holy relic
23:36to prove their lineage.
23:37Then let the realm
23:38witness the truth.
23:40I decree a public trial
23:41of the holy relic
23:42to prove their lineage.
23:43That morning,
23:44the Grand Cathedral
23:45was packed with elite lords.
23:47Beneath the towering dome,
23:49the sacred fire roared.
23:50Duke Mortimer
23:51stepped up first.
23:52Your majesty,
23:54if the relic stays dark,
23:56you must execute this fraud
23:58and her bastards on the spot.
24:00Protect the crown's honor!
24:04And if it lights up,
24:05Mortimer,
24:06you swore your duke's
24:08dear's forfeit.
24:09Mortimer flinched,
24:10but he held his ground.
24:12I stand by my word.
24:15The queen mother
24:16sat on the high dais,
24:17her expression grave.
24:19The king stood nearby,
24:20his gaze unwavering.
24:22I held Edmund
24:23and Eleanor close.
24:24My nerves
24:25were eating me alive.
24:26The archbishop
24:27brought forth
24:28the ancient relic.
24:29It was a royal ring
24:30set with a ruby.
24:31Legend said
24:32only true king's blood
24:33could wake it.
24:34Otherwise,
24:35the ruby slept forever.
24:37The entire cathedral
24:38fell silent.
24:38The king drew his dagger
24:40to slice his palm.
24:41His blood dripped
24:42onto the ring.
24:43A second later,
24:44the dormant ruby
24:45flickered with a faint glow.
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