- 5 hours ago
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🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00It's a legitimate name.
00:02Once we divorce, I'll marry you.
00:04Everyone thought I'd willingly wait one more month.
00:07After all, I've already waited for him for seven years.
00:10But that night, I accepted an arranged marriage and left the Royal City.
00:15Three years later, I returned to the Royal City with my husband.
00:18My husband had something urgent come up,
00:20so he ordered his subordinates from the Royal City to come pick me up.
00:24At the border station, I stepped off the dragon.
00:26I froze in my tracks. The man there to meet me was my ex-fiance, Cedric.
00:31Isn't that Alara, the girl who chased Cedric for seven years?
00:35I told you she'd come crawling back.
00:38Still trying to impress Cedric? Look at what you're wearing!
00:43Before, when I saw Cedric, I always wore the perfect makeup.
00:46I chose my most flattering clothes. I showed him my very best self.
00:50But now, there's no need.
00:51Because I'm pregnant, my husband doesn't let me wear makeup
00:54and demands that I be as comfortable as possible.
00:56This plain robe I'm wearing was custom-made for me by his orders.
00:59But listening to them, I realized they knew my Royal name,
01:03but they didn't know I was the one they were supposed to be greeting.
01:06Alara, it's good to have you back.
01:08Actually, Cedric has been looking for you all these years.
01:11Rosa's child is starting at the Magic Academy soon.
01:15And you'll be the one in charge of taking care of him.
01:17Cedric was still as arrogant and self-righteous as ever,
01:19but I was no longer that young girl who would put up with him.
01:22Just as I was about to reveal my identity,
01:24Rosa spoke up first.
01:26Don't blame Cedric.
01:27Who knows what you did these past three years?
01:30You should be grateful he's offering you a maid's job.
01:33Cedric thought I was jealous again.
01:35Enough.
01:36You're already struggling to survive, so stop acting so entitled.
01:40Just look after the child properly,
01:42Stop making a scene and know your place.
01:46Don't worry, my mansion has plenty of room for a maid.
01:49Look, Cedric is so good to you.
01:51He planned everything so you won't suffer.
01:53Just help Rosa with the kids.
01:55It's better than your pathetic life.
01:58Don't worry, Alara.
01:59If my son is naughty and disobedient,
02:02I'll discipline him for you so you don't feel wronged.
02:05Why would she feel wronged?
02:07She was the one who disappeared over such a trivial matter.
02:10Now that she's back because she couldn't make it out there,
02:13only right that she suffers a little.
02:15Hearing that, my heart skipped a beat.
02:17Even now, he thinks abandoning me for Rosa was still just a trivial matter.
02:22But that's okay.
02:23It's all in the past and it's not worth mentioning.
02:25After all, I'm about to give birth to my second royal heir.
02:30Aren't you here to pick me up?
02:32Let's go.
02:35Pick you up?
02:37We're waiting for Her Highness Lena.
02:39Do you have any idea who she is?
02:40She is Crown Prince Arya's primary consort,
02:43the future queen and the most noble woman in the entire kingdom.
02:46The Crown Prince is cold and ruthless,
02:48but he is deeply in love with her.
02:51They say he stayed single for years.
02:53He was just waiting for Lena.
02:55Hearing all their chatter and gossip,
02:57a happy smile touched my lips.
02:59Married for three years now,
03:01Kaylin's power keeps growing.
03:02His reputation for spoiling his wife is becoming even more famous.
03:06To win her heart,
03:07the prince bought the Star Vow Eternal Bracelet at the Magic Treasury.
03:12It's forged from ancient gems and is priceless.
03:22A decent replica.
03:24I don't know what lowlife gave you this fake, pathetic trap.
03:29It's definitely more detailed than the fakes I buy,
03:32but I'd never wear something so embarrassing in public.
03:36Don't tell me you actually think you're the legendary princess.
03:40Yes?
03:41Allura,
03:42give me this bracelet.
03:43I'll pay you double.
03:45Give it back.
03:46Kaylin gave that to me.
03:48Shut up!
03:52Ella,
03:53how dare you say the Crown Prince's name?
03:54Lying about a connection to his heightness?
03:56Are you trying to get me killed?
03:57Ella,
03:58do you have any idea?
03:59Welcoming Princess Lena today was a chance we fought hard for.
04:02Cedric is the Crown Prince's administrator.
04:03Our future depends on winning the princess favor.
04:06Are you trying to ruin him?
04:07I wiped the blood from my mouth and slowly turned to face Cedric.
04:12Allura,
04:12you ungrateful brat!
04:14Cedric has already agreed to take you in!
04:16Don't be ungrateful!
04:17Even if you're holding a grudge against him,
04:19you shouldn't use this kind of pathetic lie to get revenge!
04:23Hearing this felt like being transported back three years.
04:26No matter what I did,
04:27Rosa would twist my intentions and explain them to Cedric.
04:31At first,
04:31Cedric would scold her,
04:32but later he began to follow her lead and scold me instead.
04:35Just like right now.
04:37You're such a jealous shrew!
04:40But this time,
04:41he didn't continue the barrage of insults as he used to.
04:44After a moment of silence,
04:45Cedric pulled out a bag of crystals and held it out to me.
04:48For the sake of our past,
04:49I won't lay a hand on you.
04:50Don't worry.
04:51Ever since I became the Crown Prince's administrator,
04:54this amount of money means nothing to me.
04:57No need.
04:58I don't take things from strangers.
05:01Stepping out of the relay station,
05:03I breathed in the fresh air
05:04and the wave of nausea finally subsided.
05:06Three years ago,
05:08my family arranged for me to marry the Crown Prince.
05:10I fought them on it.
05:11I don't care about the family.
05:13I love Cedric.
05:13I'll never marry him.
05:15I begged my boyfriend Cedric to marry me first,
05:17hoping to seal our future.
05:19He said yes.
05:19Yes.
05:20But instead of a wedding,
05:21I saw him at the church with Rosa.
05:26Rosa's child needs a name.
05:28I'll marry you after we divorce.
05:30Don't overthink it.
05:32Watching them walk into the church together,
05:34I was done.
05:35That night,
05:36I met the Crown Prince
05:37and left the Royal City.
05:38A month later,
05:39Prince Caelan and I held our wedding
05:41in a distant territory.
05:42A year later,
05:44little Prince Leo was born.
05:45Now,
05:46I'm pregnant again.
05:47I only returned to the Royal City
05:49because Caelan had to take over if there was here.
05:51Otherwise,
05:52I never would have come back.
05:54Three days later,
05:56I attended the welcoming banquet alone.
05:58I applied some light makeup
06:00and dressed in a low-key,
06:01simple gown.
06:02At the sight of me,
06:04Cedric's eyes lit up,
06:05a smug smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
06:07So you come after all.
06:10If you want me back,
06:11try harder.
06:15Alara,
06:15I'm talking to you.
06:17Do you hear me?
06:18Our seats are over here.
06:20Where do you think you're going?
06:22That are your seats.
06:25Mine is over there.
06:27Alara,
06:27how did you sneak in?
06:29Are you here to cause trouble?
06:31And...
06:33How dare you wear that bracelet?
06:36Isn't that the star vow eternal
06:38the prince made for the princess?
06:39The prince is making
06:40his first public appearance with her today.
06:43Are you trying to humiliate her?
06:45Trespassing at a royal banquet?
06:47Are you trying to get us all killed?
06:49Lord Thorne,
06:50is this woman with you?
06:52No.
06:52I don't know her.
06:54Take off the bracelet and get out!
06:55Are you sure you want me to leave?
06:57Rosa knew everyone was watching
06:59and the loss of face stung.
07:02Stop the act and take it off!
07:04She lunged to rip the bracelet
07:06off my wrist.
07:07I pushed her hand away
07:08and stepped back
07:09but someone tripped me.
07:15Treating this trash
07:16like a treasure!
07:17My arm throbbed
07:18from being stomped on
07:19and my wrist was a bloody mess.
07:22Yet,
07:22I could only stare blankly
07:24at the broken bracelet
07:25and the gemstones scattered
07:26across the floor.
07:27Pick her up
07:28and throw her out!
07:29A crowd quickly gathered around us.
07:32Stop!
07:34I am Kaelin's!
07:36Before I could finish,
07:37Rosa struck me across the face.
07:39Are you going to spread rumors
07:40about being the crown prince's lover again?
07:42You worthy!
07:44Rosa backhanded me again.
07:46When I returned this time,
07:47I hadn't planned on settling scores with her
07:49because it wasn't worth it.
07:51But now,
07:52I will definitely make her pay the price.
07:54Cedric knelt down in front of me.
07:56Ilarra,
07:57have you had enough?
07:58Beg me,
07:59and I might just forgive you.
08:01Isn't this just a pathetic attempt
08:02to make me jealous?
08:05Cedric,
08:06you are absolutely screwed.
08:09Suddenly,
08:10the room fell
08:11into a dead silence.
08:13The crown prince is here.
08:14Keep your mouth shut!
08:18Don't worry,
08:19I've already divorced Rosa.
08:20Rosa.
08:21Whether you divorce or not
08:22has nothing to do with me.
08:24Just then,
08:25Kaelin entered,
08:26holding our son
08:27surrounded by attendants.
08:29In the middle of the hall,
08:30our boy squirmed to be put down.
08:32The little prince,
08:33cute as a button,
08:34stood on the floor
08:34instantly stealing everyone's gaze.
08:37His nanny followed closely,
08:38terrified he might trip.
08:40Ilarra,
08:40if you stop harassing Rosa,
08:42I can forgive you
08:43for disappearing for three years.
08:45I'll even give you a chance
08:46to have a child of our own.
08:48I didn't answer.
08:49I just wanted to catch
08:50Kaelin's or my son's attention.
08:54Finally,
08:54following the toddler's leave,
08:55Kaelin walked right up to me.
08:58The moment my expressionless boy saw me,
09:00his face filled with panic.
09:01He sprinted into my arms.
09:04Mommy!
09:05What happened?
09:06Who hurt you?
09:10Why is there so much blood on your hand?
09:12The eyes of everyone in the hall
09:14shifted from my son to me.
09:16The guests,
09:16who had just watched me get bullied
09:18with cold indifference,
09:19now stared in utter disbelief.
09:21My son's embrace
09:22was as warm as ever.
09:23The frustration from moments ago vanished.
09:26I knelt down to look him in the eye,
09:28gently pinching his chubby cheek
09:29with a loving smile.
09:31I'm okay.
09:32Mommy's fine.
09:34Mommy,
09:35who would dare to do this to you?
09:37Kids will be kids.
09:39Seeing an adult hurt
09:39makes them teary-eyed.
09:41My heart ached seeing him like this.
09:42Just as I prepared to comfort him,
09:45Kaelin walked toward us.
09:46It was just a casual approach,
09:47yet the sheer pressure radiating from him
09:49felt like the very air around him
09:51was being crushed.
09:52The crowd automatically parted
09:54to make way for him.
09:55Even without looking back,
09:56the chilling aura behind me
09:57made my skin crawl.
09:59Kaelin was definitely furious.
10:01Since my second pregnancy,
10:03Kaelin had become
10:04even more overprotective.
10:05If not for urgent business
10:07in the royal city,
10:08he would never have sent
10:09a man's avoidance
10:09to bring me up.
10:10If I'd known I'd run into Cedric,
10:12I never would have come alone.
10:14Sensing the man's gaze behind me,
10:15I picked up my son
10:16and turned around.
10:17Against his white formal suit,
10:19the wound on my wrist
10:20looked even more shocking.
10:24Daddy!
10:25Someone bullied Mommy!
10:27Kaelin stepped forward,
10:29gently taking my wrist
10:30to examine it.
10:31His expression darkened me.
10:33What happened to you?
10:34Which blind fool
10:35dared to lay a hand on you?
10:37My heart warmed.
10:38Kaelin is incredibly protective.
10:40He gets anxious
10:41over even the slightest
10:42scratch on me,
10:43but I love it.
10:44I love how much he cares.
10:46The banquet hall was dimly lit,
10:47but the gems on the floor
10:48shimmered under the faint light.
10:50My son felt something sharp
10:52under his feet.
10:52He bent down to pick up
10:54a gem from the floor.
10:55It was the largest sapphire
10:56from my bracelet.
10:57He held it high.
10:58Daddy, isn't this the gift
11:00you gave Mommy?
11:02Kaelin took the gem,
11:03turned it over,
11:04and saw the engraving,
11:05Lena.
11:06His eyes darkened instantly.
11:08He was so furious
11:09that the armrest he'd gripped
11:10deformed under his hand.
11:12The light where I stood
11:13was dim,
11:13and Kaelin couldn't see clearly,
11:15growing even more agitated.
11:17He helped me to a chair
11:18and commanded in a low,
11:19cold voice,
11:21Turn on all the lights!
11:24When our eyes met,
11:25Kaelin's pupils constricted.
11:27He cupped my face
11:28and his hands trembling.
11:29What happened to your face?
11:31They actually dared
11:32to do this to you.
11:34I'm fine, Kaelin.
11:35Patting his hand soothingly.
11:37Alara, I am your husband.
11:39I don't believe
11:40in letting you swallow
11:41your grisches.
11:42Our son hurried to chime in.
11:43We can't let Mommy be bullied!
11:46It wasn't a huge deal.
11:47I could have handled it myself.
11:49But perhaps because I'm pregnant,
11:50my voice suddenly turned tearful.
11:52All the bottled up frustration
11:53erupted at once.
11:54You weren't here.
11:56They all bullied me.
11:58The people who mocked me
11:59at the station
12:00were shaking uncontrollably.
12:02They never imagined
12:03that the Alara
12:04they had humiliated
12:04was actually
12:05Her Highness Princess Lena.
12:07Even though I was
12:08wearing the bracelet,
12:09even though I had told them
12:10who I was,
12:10they hadn't listened.
12:12Suddenly,
12:13Mara,
12:13Rose's maid,
12:14stepped forward.
12:15Alara,
12:16where did you hire
12:17these two actors?
12:18You're too broke
12:19to even afford
12:20a decent dress,
12:21so stop making a scene.
12:22Mara had arrived late
12:23and missed seeing
12:24Rosa groveling to my son.
12:25She had no idea
12:26what Kaelin
12:27or the little prince
12:28looked like.
12:28She just thought
12:29that bullying me
12:30would please Rosa.
12:31She let out
12:31a loud mocking laugh.
12:33Usually people would join in,
12:34but the crowd
12:34just stared at her
12:35like she was a lunatic.
12:37Mara began to feel
12:38a chill of unease.
12:39Hey, you,
12:40the guy over there.
12:42You're actually
12:42pretty handsome.
12:44Dump Alara
12:45and maybe I'll keep you.
12:47Keeping Kaelin?
12:48I didn't know
12:48whether to call her
12:49courageous
12:49or just blindingly stupid.
12:51Anyone with eyes
12:52could see that Kaelin
12:54was no ordinary man.
12:55Where else would a commoner
12:56get such an aura?
12:58Kaelin actually laughed
12:59at Mara's audacity.
13:01Over the years,
13:02to give me total peace of mind,
13:04he'd dealt with any woman
13:05trying to flirt with him.
13:06Either they vanished
13:07without a trace
13:08or were sent off
13:09to be wives
13:09to the lowest slaves.
13:10Seeing the atmosphere
13:11turn icy,
13:12Mara rushed toward Rosa,
13:14but Rosa wasn't about
13:15to be dragged down with her.
13:16As soon as Mara got close,
13:18Rosa slapped her hard,
13:19knocking her straight
13:19to the floor.
13:20Mara!
13:21How dare you offend
13:22the crown prince
13:23and princess Lena?
13:24Do you want to die?
13:25Mara sat on the floor,
13:27dazed,
13:27clutching her face.
13:29Rosa's words played
13:30on a loop in her head.
13:31She started mumbling
13:32to herself.
13:32Mara is the princess.
13:34I offended the prince.
13:36Mara knew Kaelin
13:37was a legendary
13:38wife protector.
13:39The thought of her own fate
13:40made her shake uncontrollably.
13:42Oh my god,
13:43look at her dress!
13:44Someone in the crowd
13:45gasped
13:46and everyone's eyes
13:47dropped to Mara's legs.
13:48She had been so terrified
13:50she had wet herself.
13:52Kaelin frowned slightly.
13:53The guards immediately
13:54understood
13:54and dragged Mara away.
13:56Rosa and Cedric's faces
13:57turned bright red.
13:59Even though it was only Mara
14:00who was dragged out,
14:01everyone in the royal city
14:02knew that she only spoke
14:04what they wanted to hear.
14:05The guests stared at them
14:06with utter contempt
14:07as if they were
14:08nothing more than clowns.
14:09A physician sent by Kaelin
14:11was carefully applying
14:12ointment to my skin.
14:14Ouch.
14:14At that single sound,
14:16Kaelin and our son
14:17shot daggers at the doctor
14:18as if they were ready to kill.
14:20Can't you even apply
14:21medicine properly?
14:22The doctor was shaking
14:23so hard he could barely
14:24hold his tools.
14:25I let out a helpless sigh.
14:28All right,
14:29the doctor is trying
14:30to help.
14:30Stop.
14:31With my intervention,
14:32the doctor finally seemed
14:33to relax a little.
14:35After the checkup,
14:36the physician turned to Kaelin
14:37and spoke slowly.
14:38Your Highness,
14:39the princess and the baby
14:40are both doing fine.
14:41There is no serious harm.
14:43The injuries on her hands
14:45are quite deep though.
14:46I will use the best medicine
14:47available to ensure
14:48no scars are left.
14:50Kaelin remained silent.
14:51Only I knew that this was
14:53the calm before his storm of fury.
14:54Cedric, the root cause
14:56of all this,
14:56felt a surge of nerves.
14:58Seeing how intimate
14:59Kaelin and I were
15:00and nameless fire
15:01burned within him,
15:02his possessiveness
15:03usually buried
15:04had reached its peak.
15:05But for the sake of his
15:07and his family's future,
15:08he had to hold back.
15:10Kaelin stood by my side,
15:12staring down at the guest
15:13with the absolute authority
15:14of a viewer.
15:15I want someone
15:16to voluntarily tell me
15:17what happened here today.
15:19Investigate it myself.
15:21Some of you here
15:22might not like
15:22the way you die.
15:23It was a blatant,
15:25cold-blooded threat.
15:26Your Highness,
15:27it's all a Mr. Standing.
15:29As Alora's
15:30former fiance,
15:31I was just catching up with her.
15:32I never expected an accident.
15:34Cedric still believed
15:35that I loved him
15:36just as I did in the past.
15:37He completely failed
15:38to notice the look
15:39on Kaelin's face.
15:40I heard the clear sound
15:41of the glass cup
15:42in Kaelin's hand cracking.
15:44Your Highness must know
15:45how much Alora
15:46loved me back then.
15:47And I saw his palm
15:48covered in blood.
15:49I was filled with regret.
15:50Cedric,
15:51if you keep trying
15:52to stir up trouble
15:53between Kaelin and me,
15:54don't blame me
15:55for being ruthless.
15:55In this life,
15:56the only person
15:57I love is Kaelin.
15:58Alora,
15:59I know you resent me,
16:00but Rosa and I
16:01have already divorced.
16:02In the future,
16:03the child will call you
16:04mom too.
16:05As long as you're willing
16:06to come back
16:07and be his Nancy,
16:08he will acknowledge you.
16:09If you don't like Rosa,
16:10I'll send her away.
16:11Kaelin's blood
16:12stained my clothes,
16:13but seeing me
16:14so worried for him,
16:15the man actually chuckled.
16:17What are you laughing at?
16:21Alora,
16:22you just said that
16:23I am the one
16:24you love most.
16:25His anger flaring up,
16:27but my son wouldn't
16:28let him get away with it.
16:29A nanny?
16:30My mother is
16:30the crown princess.
16:31Do you even know
16:32who you're talking to?
16:34Mommy only has
16:34two children,
16:35me and my little sister.
16:37Do you really think
16:38your child is worthy of her?
16:39Rose had completely
16:40lost her mind by now.
16:42She had initially thought
16:42Cedric just wanted me
16:43as a nanny,
16:44but hearing him suggest
16:45I should replace her
16:46as the mother of his child
16:47broke her.
16:48Jealousy consumed
16:49her remaining sanity.
16:51You little brat!
16:53I'll kill you!
16:54Leo!
16:55The moment Rosa
16:55lunged at my son,
16:56I broke away from Kaelin
16:57and dove to shield him
16:58with my own body.
16:59As my vision faded,
17:01the last thing I saw
17:02was my son's face,
17:03pale with terror.
17:04I wanted to tell him
17:05not to cry,
17:06but before I could
17:07get the words out,
17:08I lost consciousness.
17:10I woke up
17:10in the royal medical room.
17:12My best friend Isolde
17:13hugged me the second
17:14she saw me wake up.
17:16Alora,
17:17you're finally awake!
17:18You're finally up!
17:20If you hadn't woken up,
17:22your husband and son
17:23would have turned
17:23the city upside down!
17:25Her story sounded
17:26a bit over the top.
17:27I reached for my belly,
17:28giving her a worried look.
17:30Don't worry,
17:31you and the baby
17:31are both fine.
17:32The doctor said
17:33you just fainted
17:34from shock
17:35and the pain
17:35of your injury.
17:37That woman Rosa
17:38is pure evil,
17:40trying to hurt
17:40a kid like that.
17:42Are Kaelin
17:43and my son okay?
17:45Relax,
17:46they're both fine.
17:47You were too impulsive.
17:49With all those guards
17:50around,
17:51Leo was never
17:51going to get hurt.
17:52You didn't have
17:53to jump in.
17:55But that's Leo.
17:57He's way smarter
17:59than you think.
18:00He didn't need
18:00your protection.
18:03So where are they?
18:05Isolde's eyes
18:06lit up immediately.
18:07They're busy
18:08getting revenge
18:09for you,
18:09of course.
18:10When I got there,
18:12you were already out.
18:13Little Prince Leo
18:14went dead pale
18:15when he saw you faint.
18:16He grabbed a dinner fork
18:17and stabbed it hard
18:18into Rosa's hand.
18:20Kaelin found out
18:20everything.
18:21That Cedric slapped you
18:22three days ago,
18:23that he broke the gift
18:24he bought you,
18:25and all the ways
18:25Rosa and her group
18:26humiliated you.
18:28He had his guards
18:29hold Cedric down
18:30and cut off the hand
18:31he used to hit you.
18:33Because Rosa tried
18:34to steal your bracelet,
18:35Kaelin had a whole
18:36crate of jewels brought in
18:38and made her
18:38swallow them off.
18:40When she wouldn't,
18:41he brought her son in
18:42and she ended up
18:43swallowing a ton
18:44of those diamonds.
18:45Then,
18:45Kaelin had her face
18:46carved up,
18:47cut the tendons
18:47in her son's hands
18:48right in front of her
18:49and tossed her
18:50into the endless
18:51sea of demons.
18:52Everyone else
18:53at the party
18:53who just watched
18:54and did nothing
18:54got punished too.
18:56Kaelin gave them
18:56all deep,
18:57ugly scars
18:58on their wrists
18:58just for being
18:59bystanders.
19:00Cedric's family
19:01was completely stripped
19:02of their titles
19:03and lands.
19:04And,
19:04and they're bankrupt.
19:06Every noble
19:07who backed him
19:08is ruined.
19:09Right now,
19:09Kaelin and Leo
19:10are out hunting
19:11sets it down.
19:12He was supposed
19:13to be sent
19:13to the endless
19:14sea of demons too.
19:15But he and Rosa
19:17must have made
19:17some kind of deal.
19:18She fought off
19:19the guards
19:20like a madwoman
19:21to buy him
19:21time to escape.
19:23The night before
19:24my wedding,
19:24my husband slept
19:25with Hyena.
19:26I was alone
19:27in our new den,
19:28doing the final touches.
19:30I pawed open
19:30the deepest layer
19:31of bedding
19:32and I found them.
19:33Dried stains,
19:35coarse hairs,
19:36gray with black spots.
19:38Hyena,
19:39Tira.
19:39I shifted
19:40to human form,
19:42standing barefoot
19:43on the bedding.
19:44I pinched the hairs
19:45between my fingers
19:46and brought them
19:46to my nose.
19:48Her scent,
19:49no mistake.
19:51I tossed the hairs
19:52away,
19:52shifted back
19:53to lioness.
20:01Ripples spread
20:02across the water's
20:03surface.
20:03I waited for
20:04Jego's face
20:04to appear.
20:05But the reflection
20:06wasn't his mane.
20:07It was another face.
20:08Round ears,
20:09green eyes,
20:10Tira.
20:11She shifted
20:11to human form,
20:12wearing an eye livery
20:13ring on a cord
20:13around her neck.
20:14That's a really
20:15comfortable nest,
20:16she said.
20:17I tested it for you.
20:19Where's Jango?
20:21I asked.
20:23Tira smiled.
20:24She stirred the water
20:25with her hand.
20:26Then Jango's voice
20:28drifted out.
20:29Tira,
20:30come lick my back.
20:32Tira looked at the water,
20:34looked at my face.
20:35The groom's not bad either,
20:37she said.
20:38Tested him for you too.
20:41The water went dark.
20:42I collapsed on the boulder.
20:44Moonlight on my fur.
20:46I don't know how long
20:47I lay there.
20:49Eventually,
20:49I went back to the den,
20:51dragged out all
20:53the carefully laid grass,
20:55acacia fluff,
20:56lavender,
20:57and shoved it all off the rocks
20:59into the ravine below.
21:01I clawed deep gouges
21:03into the boulder.
21:04Then I bit through
21:05the knot of the wedding charm
21:07hanging at the entrance.
21:08I sent word to all
21:10our families and friends.
21:11Wedding cancelled.
21:13Then I turned off
21:14the water link
21:15and went back
21:16to my own den.
21:18I drank fermented
21:19monkey bread fruit wine
21:21and slept till morning.
21:24I woke to thunderous
21:25roaring outside my cave.
21:28Jago stood at the entrance
21:29with his brothers.
21:31They were all
21:32in lion form.
21:34Manes braided,
21:35coated with resin,
21:36gleaming in the morning light.
21:38Jango wore the brightest
21:39red parrot feathers
21:41around his neck,
21:42the groom's mark.
21:43The prey he was carrying
21:44had been crushed into pulp,
21:46blood dripping everywhere.
21:47He shifted to human.
21:51His hair a mess.
21:52He's clearly just woken up.
21:55And his eyes went red.
21:58Korra!
21:59Have you lost
22:00your damn mind?
22:01The twisted look
22:03on his face
22:03was so ridiculous.
22:04That laugh couldn't help
22:05but laugh.
22:06That laugh pushed him
22:08over the edge.
22:09He slammed the pulched
22:11carcass onto the ground
22:12and roared at me.
22:13Do you know
22:14what today is?
22:15I sat up on my grass bed.
22:18The old animal held
22:19slipped down to my waist.
22:21I ran my fingers
22:23through my hair and said,
22:24voice raspy,
22:26I told you,
22:28wedding's off.
22:29We're done.
22:30Jango's eyes were bloodshot.
22:32He squeezed them shut,
22:34grinding his teeth.
22:36Come with me right now.
22:38I'll pretend nothing happened.
22:44I forgive you.
22:45I glanced at his brothers
22:47behind him.
22:48They all had that look,
22:50enjoying the show.
22:53I stood up,
22:54tied the old hide tighter
22:55around my waist,
22:58and said coldly,
23:01Jango,
23:02you're the one
23:02who messed up.
23:04You really want to do this here,
23:06in front of everyone?
23:07Talk about you
23:08and the hyena queen?
23:10Get lost.
23:11We're done.
23:15Jango froze.
23:16His face went through
23:17about five different expressions.
23:19That arrogant fire
23:21got doused real quick.
23:22I don't know.
23:22I don't know.
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