- 9 hours ago
Three Alphas, One Dead Sister
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Short filmTranscript
00:02At the wedding banquet, Isabella, the one they called my sister, took the opportunity
00:07of toasting to lean in close and give me a taunting smile.
00:11Congratulations on your marriage.
00:13I tried out your husband in the wedding bed for you last night.
00:18It was absolutely amazing.
00:21Couldn't stand it and slapped her across the face.
00:24The next second, Dorian, my Bianca, as well as the most reputed Lycan Lord in the Ironspire
00:29kingdom, gave me six hard lashes in front of everyone.
00:35Isabelle has never offended you.
00:37She gave you everything, yet you still can't stand her.
00:45Do you really think you can conceal your filthy past from me?
00:49You slave mongrel.
00:50If it weren't for your brothers, I'd rather marry a dog than a shameless ingrate like you.
00:54At his command, he threw me into a deep, remote forest, and tossed me into a snake den, teeming
01:02with venomous snakes to reflect on my actions.
01:10After seven days of torment, my three older brothers of Ashvale's house came to me.
01:26My eldest brother, the alpha king in the Ironspire kingdom, the most valiant commander, yet also
01:34the most ruthless ruler, who slaughtered the inhabitants of two cities to bring the north
01:38under his control.
01:40Without hesitation, he thrust his sword through my shoulder blade.
01:46Isabelle cried all night.
01:48I've already decided to name her as the heiress of the kingdom.
01:53My second brother, the dragon justiciar, cold as he was sculpted from a marble stone, once
01:58burned thin a future is accused of treason and witchcraft at the stake without batting an eye.
02:03He didn't even take a glance at my battered body, just said coldly,
02:07From now on, only Isabelle's name will be recorded in the royal family registry.
02:12As for you, don't even think about being recognized as a member of this family for the rest of your
02:16life.
02:17My third brother, the renowned vampire healer,
02:24was even more ruthless.
02:26His sharp teeth pierced my throat.
02:31Isabelle has suffered from scurvius since childhood.
02:37To compensate her.
02:39You must keep giving out your blood to save her.
02:43I heard a cold voice, coarse from ancient.
02:45It is done.
02:47The suffering ordained for this form has run its course.
02:50Not one lash unearned.
02:51Not one sorrow unspent.
02:53Death will not be an ending.
02:55It will be a door.
02:57Dear traveler,
02:58Once this body dies,
03:00you may return to your original world.
03:05Hearing those words,
03:06I suddenly stopped wailing.
03:07My heart shifted from the despair and agony of moments ago to a sense of relief at the imminent release.
03:13My eldest and second brothers had already left with my blood in a large exquisite bottle.
03:17In the chilly,
03:19snake-infested den,
03:20only my third brother,
03:22Mortimer,
03:22and I remained.
03:23Blood was still gushing from the incision,
03:25and Mortimer frowned in exasperation as he sutured the wound on my neck.
03:30If you'd cooperated sooner,
03:31we wouldn't have had to do this under such primitive conditions.
03:36It's taking me so much effort.
03:39It's a real hassle.
03:40Just last week,
03:41while Isabella was feeding the puppy which the eldest brother gave to her,
03:45she was scratched by it,
03:46and got a nearly invisible cut.
03:48Mortimer reacted as if the sky had fallen.
03:51He summoned all his assistants from the court to take care of Isabella,
03:54applying the most precious ointment,
03:56and he checked the progress of her wound recovery every three hours.
04:00But now,
04:01facing me,
04:02who had almost lost one's life,
04:04with nothing but a ball of thread I'd torn from my tattered dress,
04:08and a thorn from a bramble bush,
04:10he was still complaining about the hassle of the most basic suturing.
04:14Perhaps seeing that I hadn't moved for a while,
04:16he leaned down,
04:18patted my face.
04:19Stop pretending.
04:21I know you're in great shape.
04:26Aren't you just trying to play the victim to make me feel guilty,
04:30so you can steal my affection for Isabelle?
04:34You're so dark,
04:35and petty.
04:37Since you've been a member of us,
04:39put those petty schemes away.
04:40In the past,
04:42faced with a loved one's misunderstanding,
04:44I would have defended myself with tear-filled eyes,
04:47crying out that I wasn't that kind of person.
04:49But at the time,
04:50I felt only numb calm,
04:52closing my eyes,
04:53I said hoarsely,
04:54You should leave too.
04:56I can wait here alone to die.
05:00Serafina,
05:01Serafina,
05:01you?
05:02Just let me die so that I can return to my original world.
05:10For me,
05:11the quickest way to find relief right now was to die immediately.
05:14But to Mortimer,
05:15those words clearly carried a different meaning.
05:20Serafina,
05:20what do you mean?
05:22Are you deliberately saying these depressing things to disgust me?
05:25He deliberately yanked hard on the stitches.
05:28The fragile edges of the wound instantly tightened,
05:31and foul blood gushed out,
05:32bringing excruciating pain that no normal person could bear.
05:36Seeing me gasp in pain,
05:38my head drenched in cold sweat,
05:40a flicker of pity crossed his eyes,
05:42and he softened his tone.
05:43Don't speak nonsense.
05:45You are not going to die.
05:47At the end of the day,
05:48if you hadn't been so narrow-minded,
05:51refusing to accept Isabel,
05:53and even hitting her,
05:54you wouldn't be suffering like this.
05:57As long as you promise not to give Isabel a hard time once we get back,
06:00and sincerely apologize to her,
06:02I can take you back to the court,
06:04and get you the best treatment.
06:06You won't have to suffer here anymore.
06:08Hearing the condescending tone in his voice,
06:10I felt even more chilled to the bone and mocked.
06:13Although I am a time traveler,
06:15I had been reincarnated into the body of Serafina,
06:17in this world starting from the age of six.
06:20Poor, parentless,
06:21and nearly being sold as a slave.
06:23Before being sold,
06:25the only chance lain before me was to get adopted.
06:27I was lucky.
06:29That night,
06:30the administrator of the orphanage,
06:31with twinklings in her eyes,
06:33said to me,
06:34Lucky sweetie,
06:35there were three anonymous gentlemen
06:37who claim to be your biological brothers.
06:42Back then in the orphanage,
06:44in the blackness,
06:45I heard Isabel pull on my dress,
06:47heard her practice my voice,
06:49softening it,
06:50sweetening it.
06:50Before she greeted my brothers with a pretty curtsy,
06:53a sliver of light appeared beneath the door,
06:55then vanished.
06:56I can't do anything,
06:58because Isabel locked me in the attic.
07:00The carriage wheels faded down the gravel drive,
07:02but no one came.
07:03After I had endured countless hardships,
07:06the Ashevale brothers found me presented on the slave market,
07:09limbs bounded by chains.
07:11They claimed that I was their long lost biological sister,
07:14and brought me back to Ashevale's house.
07:16But once I returned,
07:18I discovered they had already had a sister Isabella,
07:20that imposter whom they had adopted years ago.
07:23The moment I saw her,
07:24I recognized her.
07:25For 20 years,
07:27Isabella had enjoyed all the care and love
07:29the Ashevale house had to offer.
07:31While I had borne all the hardships and misfortunes in her stead.
07:34Yet whenever she feigns a look of grievance by furrowing her brow,
07:38my three biological brothers unconditionally take her side,
07:41accusing me of being petty.
07:43Even my betrothed, Dorian,
07:45would only smile at her while glaring coldly at me.
07:48I was tired of this entanglement and pain.
07:51I didn't want to waste any more energy arguing,
07:54so I simply raised my hand and tore open the knife wound
07:57that had just been stitched up.
07:58As blood and intestines gushed out,
08:01Mortimer screamed with voice cracked.
08:04Serafina, you're crazy!
08:06You'll die!
08:10Watching the tears welled up in his eyes,
08:12I curled the corners of my mouth into a smile.
08:15Death?
08:15That would be just fine.
08:17Every second I live longer makes me...
08:20feel sick!
08:22After saying that,
08:23I could no longer keep my eyelids from drooping.
08:26My head lolled to one side,
08:27and I passed out.
08:29I don't know how long it had been when I woke up from the darkness.
08:32I thought I'd return to my own world,
08:34but I felt I was leaning on a velvet cushion.
08:36When I opened my eyes,
08:38I saw the dome of the palace,
08:40carved with golden grapevines and winged wolves,
08:42and the familiar haughty profile of my elder brother,
08:46Alistair.
08:47You're finally awake.
08:48His eyes were slightly bloodshot.
08:50He looked like he hadn't slept well,
08:52but his tone was brimming with impatience.
08:55You're a grown woman now.
08:57Why do you behave like a kid?
08:59Making such a fuss over a trifle,
09:01wears the dignity of an ash well.
09:03The mere thought of having to deal with this rotten world
09:06left me feeling utterly drained.
09:08I had no interest in defending myself,
09:10so I interrupted him with a vacant stare.
09:14You're right.
09:15I've brought shame upon myself.
09:18I'm unworthy of living.
09:22So, let me die.
09:25Alistair's expression changed abruptly,
09:27and he instinctively gripped me by the neck.
09:30But when he saw my deathly pale face,
09:32devoid of even a hint of color,
09:34he loosened the gripping hand.
09:37Seraphina!
09:38You dare give me that look!
09:40His voice trembled.
09:41The impatience in his eyes faded slightly,
09:44revealing a trace of panic
09:46he didn't even realize he was feeling.
09:48I went to such great length
09:50to rescue you from the slave dealers,
09:52not so you could spout nonsense here!
09:55I tugged at the corner of my mouth,
09:57revealing a smile devoid of any warmth.
10:00Great lengths?
10:01More likely, you were afraid I'd die, don't you?
10:04So no one could serve as a blood provide for Isabella.
10:07No one to let her continue playing
10:09the wronged little flower to her heart's content.
10:11Isn't that your planning?
10:13Just as I was thinking this,
10:14the door swung open,
10:16and third brother Mortimer walked in,
10:18holding a bowl of tea-sane.
10:24Seeing that I was awake,
10:25a flicker of joy flashed in his eyes.
10:28He held the bowl out to me.
10:30Now that you're awake, drink this.
10:31Don't make me force it down your throat.
10:33The liquid was pitch black and reeked of bitterness.
10:36I turned my head away and closed my eyes in refusal.
10:40No, it's a waste of medicine.
10:42Mortimer was so furious his hands were trembling,
10:44yet instead of forcing the tisane down my throat as he usually did,
10:48he gave the bowl to the maid,
10:49You insufferable wretch.
10:51and reached out to examine my wound.
10:53When his fingertips touched the bandage,
10:55his movements were surprisingly gentle.
10:57For the first time,
10:58there was a hint of tenderness and consideration
11:00he usually showed Isabella.
11:03As expected,
11:05with the best medicine,
11:07the recovery is best more faster.
11:10He rewrapped the bandage and glared at me menacingly.
11:13You'd better behave myself.
11:15If the shunk reopens,
11:16I won't scene it up a second time.
11:18His words were harsh,
11:19but I clearly saw the red veins in his eyes
11:21and the barely perceptible tremor in his fingertips.
11:24I suppose he'd watched over me these past few days
11:27regardless of day or night.
11:28In the past,
11:29I would have been moved by this hint of tenderness,
11:32would have thrown my arms around him
11:33and cried out my grievances.
11:34But now,
11:35I only felt irony.
11:37I wrenched my arm free from his grip,
11:39yanked the blanket off,
11:40and was about to tear open the incision again.
11:43Every second of my life right now was torture.
11:45As long as I could die quickly,
11:47anything would do.
11:48Alistair grabbed my arm with such force
11:50he nearly crushed my bones.
11:51Yet the moment I groaned in pain,
11:53he instantly loosened his grip slightly.
11:56You're crazy!
11:58Serafina,
11:58what on earth are you trying to do?
12:00I want to die.
12:06My tone was calm,
12:08as if I were discussing some trivial matter.
12:10Let me die.
12:11It'll be better for everyone.
12:13You won't have to struggle anymore,
12:15and Isabella can live out her life
12:16as the Ashwell's heiress in peace.
12:19So, please,
12:22do me a favor and let me die quickly.
12:25Those words seemed to strike a nerve with Alistair.
12:27His eyes reddened,
12:28and he raised his hand to slap me,
12:30though it was lighter than any blow
12:32he'd ever dealt me before.
12:33More like a frustrated outburst
12:35at a wayward child.
12:37I won't allow it!
12:38You're the daughter of Ashwell House.
12:40Who dares let you die?
12:42Mortimer panicked too.
12:43He stepped forward,
12:44and pushed me back onto the bed.
12:46Serafina,
12:47stop this.
12:48I know you're in pain.
12:50Just focus on getting better.
12:52Later,
12:53later I'll take better care of you,
12:54alright?
12:55I looked into the pleading in his eyes
12:56and found it absurd.
12:58Where was that all this time?
12:59When he was forcibly tearing open my throat?
13:02When he was making a mountain out of a molehill
13:04over Isabella's minor scratch?
13:06Why didn't he think to cherish me then?
13:08I closed my eyes,
13:09refusing to look at them.
13:10I let Mortimer tuck the blanket back around me
13:13and bring the bowl of T-Sane to my lips,
13:15but I stubbornly refused to open my mouth.
13:17As we stood there in a standoff,
13:19my second older brother,
13:20Edmund,
13:20pushed open the door,
13:21followed by a pale-faced door in him.
13:23When Edmund saw me,
13:24his eyes reddened,
13:25and he hurried to the bedside.
13:27Serafina,
13:27I'm so glad you're awake.
13:29You scared the life out of me.
13:32I was first taken back
13:34into the Ashvale House by him.
13:35It was he who saved me
13:37before the prince would lay a hand on me.
13:40This dragon form scared all the creatures
13:42except for me.
13:44He let me ride on his black scaled back
13:46and rise into the sky.
13:47Not only did he take me on trips
13:49to see the sights,
13:50but he also told me how much the family had missed
13:52and searched for me over the years.
13:54Whenever he got emotional,
13:55he couldn't help but shed tears.
13:57He was once the tenderest heart of all.
13:59But later,
14:00after Isabella wiped away her tears
14:01and complained that I've stolen her lover to him
14:04several times,
14:04he turned on a dime,
14:06accusing me of being a two-faced schemer
14:08who had betrayed the family's sincere love for me.
14:11Seeing him again only made me feel more repulsed,
14:13and I dodged his hand
14:15as he reached out to touch my face.
14:20Edmund's hand,
14:21suspended in midair,
14:23froze,
14:23and he withdrew it with a bitter expression.
14:25Seeing this,
14:27Dorian stepped forward
14:28and took the bowl of T-Sane from Mortimer's hands.
14:30Let me feed her.
14:31She might listen to me.
14:33It was no wonder he was so confident.
14:35After all,
14:35over the years,
14:36anyone with eyes could see
14:38just how endlessly patient
14:39and accommodating I'd been toward this bionks.
14:42I loved him to the very core of my being.
14:45But what is the return of my love?
14:47On the day of our wedding ceremony,
14:48he confessed his true intention
14:50behind this convenient marriage.
14:51I remembered how he held Isabella in his arms,
14:54sneering.
14:55Do you know how I suffered for these years
14:57just for what your brothers had promised me?
15:00Even 30 cities in the Iron Spire
15:01could not make up for my sufferings
15:03under your endless jibber-jabbles.
15:05What can a bleak manor in the north do?
15:08Rose Palace.
15:09The manor he contempted
15:10was the only thing left untouched
15:12by Isabella for my dowry.
15:14Just as he was walking toward me,
15:16the door swung open again.
15:17Isabella,
15:18dressed in a thin,
15:19purple gown,
15:20walked in looking extremely frail.
15:21Sister,
15:23I've come to see you.
15:24Alistair immediately stood up to support her.
15:27Isabella, you're still weak.
15:28Why did you come here?
15:29Isabella shook her head,
15:30her gaze falling on me,
15:32filled with feigned remorse.
15:34It's all my fault.
15:35If I hadn't
15:36failed to stop Sister Serafina that day,
15:38things wouldn't have escalated to this point.
15:42I felt quilty,
15:43so I had to come and apologize to her.
15:45As she spoke,
15:46she took the bowl from Dorian's hands
15:48and sat down by my bedside.
15:49Serafina,
15:50don't be so hard on yourself.
15:51Take your medicine and focus on recovering.
15:53Everyone has been worried sick about you.
15:55I know you still blame me,
15:56but I really didn't mean to compete with you for anything.
15:59I won't have much time left.
16:00Everything in the ash wheel was meant to be yours anyway.
16:03These words seemed like a concession,
16:05but in reality,
16:06every sentence implied that I was narrow,
16:08minded,
16:09clinging to the past,
16:10and deliberately using my own body to throw a tantrum.
16:13Before her spoon could touch my lips,
16:15I raised my hand
16:16and slapped the medicine bowl out of her hand.
16:18With a clatter,
16:19balding liquid splashed all over Isabella,
16:22especially her wrist
16:23and the hem of her robe,
16:24which instantly turned red.
16:25Isabella let out a startled cry.
16:27Her eyes welled up with tears
16:29and her voice trembled with emotion.
16:32Sister Serafina,
16:34how could you do this?
16:36I was just trying to comfort you.
16:38She bit her lip,
16:39looking utterly wronged,
16:40with tears welling up in her eyes.
16:42A sight that tugged at the heartstrings.
16:45Serafina,
16:46you've lost your mind!
16:48I instantly recognized
16:49that it was Alistair's voice.
16:54Alistair flew into a rage,
16:56yanking Isabella behind him
16:58and glaring at me with fury.
17:00Isabelle came to see you out of kindness.
17:02Is this how you treat her?
17:04Mortimer immediately stepped forward
17:05to examine Isabella's wound,
17:07his voice filled with anxiety.
17:09How do you feel?
17:10Edmund furrowed his brows,
17:12staring at me,
17:13his eyes brimming with disappointment.
17:15Serafina, you've gone too far.
17:16Isabelle has already apologized.
17:18How long do you plan to keep this up?
17:20Dorian hurried over to Isabella's side,
17:22pulling out a handkerchief
17:23to wipe her face.
17:24Serafina,
17:25can't you be a little more sensible?
17:27Isabelle meant well.
17:28Even if you don't appreciate it,
17:29you shouldn't have hurt her.
17:30The group gathered around Isabella,
17:32fussing over her,
17:33completely ignoring me.
17:34Leaning against Alistair's chest,
17:36Isabella stole a glance at me.
17:38A flash of smugness crossed her eyes.
17:40Yet she continued to feign innocence
17:42as she pleaded.
17:43I'm fine.
17:45Please don't scold Serafina.
17:47She was just in a bad mood.
17:49That holier than thou act.
17:50In the past,
17:51it would have made me shake with rage.
17:53But now,
17:54I just find it laughably absurd.
17:56Such a clumsy ploy would have been seen through
17:59by anyone else at a glance.
18:00Yet these four,
18:01elites at the pinnacle of their respective fields,
18:03were willingly being led around
18:05by the nose by Isabella.
18:06Or perhaps this is what they call
18:08one willing to strike,
18:09one willing to be struck.
18:11I am merely a pawn in their game.
18:13If you feel sorry for this beast,
18:15please do so outside.
18:16Don't stir my peace.
18:18Hearing my cold voice,
18:19all of them trembled with rage.
18:21Serafiana,
18:22it seems you haven't reflected enough.
18:25From now on,
18:26I won't stop the bleeding for you.
18:28I'll only resume your medication
18:30when you've come to your senses
18:31and are willing to apologize to Isabelle.
18:34Mortimer looked at me with disappointment
18:35etched on his face.
18:36Alistair chimed in.
18:38I shall disown you.
18:40You are no longer Alpha King's sister from now on.
18:43I'll name Isabella as the only heiress of the kingdom.
18:45Kingdom Deedman sighed.
18:47His eyes filled with resignation,
18:48yet he offered no objection.
18:50Dorian stood to the side,
18:52nodding silently,
18:53clearly in agreement with this decision.
18:55I closed my eyes,
18:56offering neither rebuttal nor anger.
18:58The pain from my wounds
18:59is nothing compared to the grievances and torment
19:01I've endured over the past 20 years.
19:04But the pain allows me to wait
19:06for death's arrival with greater clarity.
19:08The moment the overwhelming pain struck,
19:11my closest family and fianc
19:12all hurriedly gathered around Isabella
19:14and left the room.
19:15Not a single one of them looked back,
19:17not even as the door slammed shut.
19:19I bit back the blood trickling
19:20from the corner of my mouth,
19:22pulled a shard of porcelain
19:23I'd hidden under my pillow from earlier,
19:26and without hesitation,
19:27slashed at my throat.
19:29I collapsed once more.
19:34In the magnificent hall,
19:36roasted peacocks,
19:37lark pies,
19:38saffron swans,
19:39all kinds of the most luxurious delicacies
19:41you could imagine
19:42were served on a long table
19:43that could seat 200 lords.
19:46All were celebrating the nomination of Isabella
19:49as the royal heiress of the kingdom.
19:50But Alistair leaning on the throne
19:52wore a gloomy expression.
19:53He was thinking of Serafina.
19:55Something just felt wrong,
19:56but he couldn't figure out
19:57what was going wrong.
19:58Your Highness,
19:59now that I've done
20:01what you've told me to do,
20:03and your heiress
20:04had got the right blood
20:05to cure her disease,
20:07it's time to keep your promise to me.
20:09Dorian, half-drunken,
20:11gave a toast to Alistair.
20:12His voice sounds to be excited.
20:14Alistair twitched his brows,
20:15questioning in doubt.
20:16What promise?
20:17Dorian made a sycophantic smile.
20:20Control over the three cities
20:22on the border.
20:23You can't just forget it.
20:25Alistair's expression darkened.
20:27Oh, did I?
20:28Both Edmund and Mortimer
20:29turned their heads towards Dorian.
20:31Dorian seemed to be much confused,
20:33voice trembling.
20:34Was it not your will
20:35that I humiliate Serafina
20:37at my wedding ceremony
20:38and force her to submit
20:39so that she might offer
20:40her blood to Isabella?
20:42Alistair's smile grew broader,
20:44but the intimidating tone
20:45in his voice was suffocating.
20:46Did I say anything like this?
20:48Isabella,
20:49now sitting beside the throne,
20:51shivered and turned pale.
20:52At that moment,
20:53a servant suddenly appeared
20:54in the hall.
20:55Mortimer recognized
20:56that he was the one
20:57whom he arranged
20:58to take care of Serafina
20:59in secret at the first sight.
21:01Your Highness Lady Serafina
21:02has gone.
21:08Alistair jumped up
21:09from the throne.
21:10What?
21:10Shouting out in impossible rage.
21:12Dare you to say it again!
21:14Edmund,
21:14Mortimer and Dorian
21:15were all in shock
21:16and all the Lycan Lords present
21:18were silenced.
21:19Mortimer murmured,
21:20I cannot be.
21:21The next moment,
21:22all the four rushed out
21:23of the gate of the hall,
21:24leaving Isabella alone
21:26in the empty hall.
21:27But when they pushed open
21:28the door they had just left,
21:29a pungent,
21:30unmistakable smell of blood
21:32hit them in the face.
21:33The moment my body
21:34was completely dead,
21:35the familiar coarse
21:36ancient voice sounded.
21:45I felt my body grow light,
21:50as if I'd broken free
21:51from heavy shackles,
21:52floating in mid-air.
21:53In the chamber below,
21:54the stench of blood
21:55filled the air,
21:56accompanied by frantic
21:57cries and screams.
21:58Utter chaos,
21:59Alistair clung desperately
22:00to my corpse,
22:01his usually stern face
22:02dripped with tears.
22:04Fiend,
22:04I'm sorry.
22:05It was all my fault.
22:07Please,
22:08come back.
22:09I'll do anything for you.
22:11Don't leave me.
22:12Edmund knelt on the floor,
22:14saying nothing,
22:14just staring blankly at me
22:16with a vacant gaze.
22:17Mortimer's legs gave way,
22:19and he collapsed
22:19at the doorway,
22:20though he was accustomed
22:21to all manner
22:22of bloody scenes.
22:23He didn't dare take
22:24a single step closer
22:25to examine the state
22:26of my death.
22:26He suddenly reached out
22:28and opened the floor
22:28to ceiling window in the room.
22:30The blinding midday sunlight
22:31poured in.
22:32His pale skin exposed
22:34to the light
22:34instantly began to rot,
22:35oozing thick blood.
22:37His cheeks quickly swelled
22:38and turned red.
22:39Tears mixed with blood
22:41at the corners of his mouth.
22:42I killed you,
22:43Seraphine.
22:43I personally slit your throat.
22:45I deserve to die.
22:47Come back and scold me
22:49or hit me.
22:49I don't care.
22:50Just please
22:51don't leave me like this.
22:52Only when servants
22:53found his self-claimed gesture
22:55and dragged him
22:56into the darkness
22:56did he broke down
22:57in tears.
23:01Dorian stood frozen
23:02in place for a long time
23:04before suddenly rushing forward
23:05and shoving Alistair aside.
23:07She's not dead!
23:08Seraphine isn't dead!
23:10This is all a lie!
23:11He reached out
23:12to check my breath,
23:13then felt my pulse,
23:14over and over again,
23:16repeating the words incessantly.
23:18She's still breathing!
23:20Look, she's still breathing!
23:21She's just faking it.
23:23She's doing this on purpose.
23:24A servant nearby
23:25tried to step in
23:26to stop him,
23:27but he shoved him away
23:28like a madman.
23:29His eyes red,
23:30he turned to face
23:30the people in the chamber
23:31and shouted like a lunatic.
23:33Seraphine Ashwil isn't dead!
23:35Even if this person is dead,
23:36it's not really her!
23:38She must be hiding somewhere,
23:39watching...
23:40watching us cry here,
23:41watching us regret it.
23:43She's laughing at us!
23:44She's always been so vindictive.
23:47How could she just die like this?
23:49He scanned the chamber,
23:50his voice a constant howl.
23:53Come out!
23:54If you've got the guts,
23:55come out!
23:56Stop pretending to be dead!
23:58Don't you hate us the most?
24:00Don't you want to see us
24:01suffer more than anything?
24:03Come out!
24:04He grew increasingly hysterical,
24:06screaming and thrashing about
24:07in a fit of despair.
24:08I floated in midair,
24:10watching them with a cold gaze.
24:12I used to long for their compassion,
24:13but now I found their tears
24:15and repentance laughably cheap.
24:16If I hadn't actually died,
24:18they'd probably still be
24:19surrounding Isabella,
24:20pointing their fingers at me
24:21and hurling insults.
24:22Just then,
24:23Isabella,
24:24standing behind the crowd,
24:25stirred.
24:26She quietly took two steps back.
24:28While everyone was lost in grief,
24:30she turned to slip out of the court's stealth room.
24:32Stop right there!
24:35Alistair suddenly looked up,
24:37his bloodshot eyes fixed intently on Isabella.
24:40It's you!
24:42You're the one behind all this!
24:44He staggered forward
24:44and grabbed Isabella by the arm.
24:46Caught off guard,
24:47Isabella stumbled.
24:48Brother, you...
24:49What are you talking about?
24:51Sister is dead,
24:52and I'm heartbroken too!
24:54How could you blame me?
24:55Edmund stepped forward
24:56to block the doorway,
24:57his gaze icy.
24:58Seraphine's death is suspicious.
25:00You can't leave now.
25:02Mortimer also snapped out of his breakdown,
25:04wiped the tears and blood from his face,
25:06and spoke firmly.
25:07Until this is cleared up,
25:08you must stay here.
25:10Isabella turned pale
25:11and struggled to break free.
25:13I didn't do anything!
25:15Sister Serafton took her own life!
25:17It has nothing to do with me!
25:19She still wore that aggrieved expression,
25:21but this time,
25:22the three brothers saw nothing
25:23but suspicion in their eyes.
25:28We never looked into the details
25:30of how you were adopted
25:31or how Seraphine went missing back then.
25:34Now that she's dead,
25:36you think you can just walk away?
25:38Guard!
25:39Arrest her!
25:40I'm sending someone over
25:42to keep an eye on you.
25:43Don't even think about pulling any tricks.
25:45Isabella watched the guards
25:46closing in on her.
25:47Although she wanted to run,
25:49she didn't dare make a move.
25:50I floated in mid-air,
25:52watching this scene unfold,
25:53and found it utterly boring.
25:55The next second,
25:56the scene before me suddenly warped,
25:58and a strong sensation
25:59of weightlessness washed over me.
26:01When I opened my eyes again,
26:02what met my gaze
26:03was the ceiling of a rented apartment.
26:05This was the rental apartment
26:07where I'd lived for five years
26:08before I time-traveled.
26:09I wiggled my fingers,
26:11my body felt perfectly fine.
26:13I turned back,
26:14and looked into the old
26:14vintage oil painting on the wall.
26:16A design featuring a wolf,
26:18a dragon,
26:18and a giant bat,
26:19arranged in a continuous loop.
26:21That was the place
26:22from where I came back.
26:23I gradually remember
26:24that I used to be
26:25an antique collector,
26:26and this painting was bought
26:27about five years ago
26:28in which I invested all my money.
26:30But a famous connoisseur
26:31stood out,
26:32out of jealousy.
26:33She publicly claimed
26:34that the painting was a fake,
26:35and that I was a fraud.
26:36I spent every last penny I had,
26:38only to end up disgraced and ruined.
26:40In my despair,
26:41I threw the painting
26:42into the shredder,
26:43but unexpectedly found myself
26:44transported into the world
26:46within the painting.
26:47The so-called iron spire.
26:48Goodbye bloody hell iron spire,
26:50I thought.
26:54My phone vibrated on the desk.
26:56The screen lit up.
26:57It was a notification
26:58from my banking app.
26:59Your account ending in 5,489
27:02has received a deposit
27:03of $10 billion.
27:05Current balance,
27:0610035,
27:08621.78 dollar.
27:10The string of zeros
27:10made my eyes spin.
27:11The coarse voice
27:12sounded again.
27:13The fate granted you
27:14a healthy body,
27:15wishing the traveler
27:17a fresh start in life.
27:18I sat up and stretched my limbs.
27:20No wounds,
27:21no pain.
27:22My whole body
27:23was brimming with strength.
27:2420 years of pent-up oppression
27:26vanished in an instant.
27:27I couldn't help but laugh out loud
27:29as I began planning for the future.
27:31The $10 billion in my phone
27:32was solid,
27:33tangible confidence.
27:34I didn't rush to splurge.
27:36First I picked up
27:37a low-key family car,
27:38then bought a mid-rise apartment
27:40near a city park,
27:41a new bookshelf,
27:42a few low-maintenance houseplants,
27:44and a full set of cooking utensils
27:46gradually filled the empty apartment.
27:48Comfortable and at ease,
27:49it became a home
27:50that truly belonged to me.
27:52But the oil painting
27:52that hung beside the bookshelf
27:54in my study,
27:55still made noises at times.
27:57It haunted me by day and night,
27:58when I got tired,
27:59and was about to fall asleep.
28:01The nightmare ran to me.
28:02I still can't get through
28:03with that rotten world.
28:05But days passed peacefully,
28:06with a regular daily routine,
28:08and doing what I loved,
28:09slowly shaking off the shadows
28:11left by that rotten world.
28:12However,
28:13a little over a month later,
28:14I heard an unexpected ringing
28:16of the doorbell.
28:20It was already midnight.
28:22Who would come to visit
28:23at this time?
28:24A woman wearing heavy makeup
28:26with two tall bodyguards
28:27stood at the door.
28:28Guns in hands.
28:29I almost recognized
28:31the woman at first sight.
28:33Isabella.
28:33Also the connoisseur
28:34that framed me.
28:36Long time no see,
28:37Mrs. Arnold.
28:38Or shall I call you
28:39dear Serafina Ashwill?
28:41Give me the painting now.
28:42Maybe I'll consider
28:43to spare your life.
28:45You may take it as you wish.
28:46I don't give a shit of it, honestly.
28:48Isabella bade her bodyguards
28:49to take the painting
28:50quickly from off the wall,
28:51laughing out loudly.
28:53This time I shall be the heroine,
28:55the innocent,
28:56helpless Serafina.
28:57Ten billion dollars
28:59shall be mine!
29:02While you, Mrs. Arnold,
29:04you know your role,
29:06I suddenly felt a chill
29:07run down my spine.
29:09Dear Traveler,
29:10the time tunnel
29:11has been forcibly opened,
29:12and the initial character swaps
29:14have been completed.
29:16Your character this time
29:17is the adopted sister
29:18of Ashwill Brothers,
29:20Isabella.
29:24I furrowed my brow.
29:25What did this have to do with me?
29:27I had long since wanted
29:29nothing to do with the people
29:30and events of that world.
29:31Not to mention that this time
29:33I am forced to take the role
29:34of that vicious villainous.
29:36I dismissed the echoing voice,
29:38but it wouldn't let it go.
29:39If you doesn't accept the role,
29:41the chaos and iron spike
29:43will threaten the stability
29:44of the real world.
29:45Your ten billion dollars bonus
29:47will also be withdrawn.
29:49So I'm being forced to go back.
29:51The system's warning is no joke.
29:53I couldn't risk the stability
29:55of the real world,
29:56and the bonus I earned.
29:57After a long internal
29:58struggle,
29:59I finally gave in.
30:00I agree to go back,
30:02but once I've handled this,
30:03I want to completely
30:04sever ties with that world
30:06and have no further involvement.
30:08No problem,
30:09once order is restored,
30:10the traveler may freely choose
30:12whether to remain
30:13in the mission world
30:14or return to the arena laded.
30:20The scene before me
30:21worked once more.
30:23A strong metallic smell of rust
30:25instantly filled my nostrils,
30:27and I immediately realized
30:28it was the smell of my own blood.
30:30I felt the coldness and stiffness
30:32of the iron chains on my limbs.
30:34This was the dungeon
30:36in the Ashevale's old castle.
30:37I once heard that it was used
30:39to punish those who committed treason.
30:41I lifted my eyes
30:42and saw four familiar faces.
30:44Alistair,
30:45Edmund,
30:46Mortimer,
30:47and Dorian.
30:48Alistair opened his mouth.
30:51What would you say,
30:52Isabella?
30:53Confess your sin.
30:57I had not been used
30:59to this name yet.
31:00After realizing
31:01that he was addressing to me,
31:02I sneered coldly.
31:03What would I say?
31:05My dear brother,
31:07shouldn't you have figured out
31:08what I did a long time ago?
31:10Dorian stepped out in rage.
31:11How dare you,
31:13mongrel?
31:14Do you know
31:15that Seraphine just passed away
31:17because of your lie?
31:19You killed my beloved,
31:20and I want you to pay
31:22with your life,
31:23bitch!
31:24Dorian clamped his hands
31:25tightly around my neck.
31:27I smiled in a more sarcastic way.
31:30Mongrel?
31:32Don't you remember
31:33how did you call
31:34your dear Seraphina
31:35by this word?
31:36My words left him speechless,
31:38and he began to cry again.
31:39I will hand down
31:41the harshest sentence possible.
31:43Edmund added coldly.
31:45I suddenly burst out laughing.
31:46I'll be waiting
31:48for you, your honor.
31:49Such a provocation
31:50left the four of them
31:51staring at each other.
31:52At a loss,
31:53Mortimer just stood beside,
31:55keeping silent
31:55like a sculpture,
31:56his blue eyes glistening
31:58in the darkness.
31:59Mortimer finally spoke.
32:01Isabella,
32:02you've changed.
32:04You never used to be like this.
32:06It was him
32:07who first discovered
32:08the weirdness of this.
32:10Isabella,
32:11a light,
32:11cheerful patter of footsteps
32:13could be heard,
32:14accompanied by giggling.
32:15The brothers and the husband
32:16turned their heads.
32:17A familiar profile appeared.
32:20Seraphina!
32:24Alistair was the first
32:25to rush to her,
32:26pulling that Seraphina
32:27into a tight embrace.
32:28Seraphine,
32:31you're really back.
32:32Don't ever leave us again.
32:34Edmund stood by her,
32:35his eyes red-rimmed,
32:37holding a small jar
32:38of honeyed grapes,
32:39which I'd longed for
32:40but never got to eat back
32:41when I was at the orphanage.
32:42He held the jar out to me,
32:44his voice choked with emotion.
32:46I've locked up
32:47that bitch,
32:49Isabella.
32:49She owed you,
32:50and we're here
32:51to get what's yours back.
32:53Mortimer took her hand,
32:54as if to confirm
32:55she was real.
32:56Dorian said passionately,
32:58eyes welling up with tears.
32:59We've locked deep down
33:01in this dungeon,
33:03making her pray for you
33:05day and night
33:06to atone for her sins.
33:09Edmund said,
33:09We've already figured out
33:10that it was Isabella
33:11who deliberately locked you up
33:13and let you be sold
33:15in the slave market.
33:16In three days,
33:17I will hold a public trial for her.
33:19As they were saying about this,
33:20I was staring at the face
33:22of that Serafina,
33:23the original Isabella.
33:24I saw the flash of malice
33:25crossing her cloudy eyes,
33:27followed by a twisted smile.
33:29I could tell from her lip movements
33:30that she was saying to me,
33:32You're...
33:33dead.
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