- 6 hours ago
Oisoned Crown - HOT
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Short filmTranscript
00:00On the day Prince Adrian and I were married, his first love, who had grown up with him,
00:06slipped a drug into my bridal toast, one that would destroy my ability to bear children.
00:13When she was found out, all she did was cry and say,
00:19I was only joking, I didn't know your bride would really drink it, your highness.
00:27It was my fault, your highness. I am willing to make amends to her.
00:31If she can never have children because of this, then I am willing to stay by your side.
00:36Any children I bear in the future be given to her to raise.
00:40Adrian tried to persuade me.
00:43Clara, you are my lawful wife. You should at least preserve some dignity.
00:48Now you won't have to bear children yourself. Rosalie can do that for you.
00:54What is there to be dissatisfied with?
00:56From then on, I became a princess concede who could never bear children anymore.
01:01Rosalie and Adrian lived in deep affection at Westcott House,
01:05and one after another, she bore him two sons and two daughters.
01:10From then on, all of Greyford knew only Rosalie, who was constantly at Adrian's side.
01:16Hardly anyone remembered who his lawful wife was.
01:19I was trapped in the depths of the estate and eventually wasted away in misery.
01:24Adrian and Rosalie stood by my bed with a cup of medicine in hand, smiling softly.
01:31Clara, you've occupied the place of his lawful wife long enough.
01:35If not for the army your father and brother command,
01:38helping his high mace win the position of crown princess,
01:41who would have tolerated you sitting in that place?
01:44Clara, the day after tomorrow, my father will formally name me crown prince.
01:49The future crown princess can only be Rosalie.
01:52If you were still alive, what would become of her?
01:58They forced poison down my throat, and I died on the very day Adrian was formally named crown prince.
02:04When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day of the wedding.
02:08May your highness and the bride share the wedding toast.
02:12Mrs. Hargraves called out loudly in the bridal suite.
02:15I looked at the goblet before me.
02:17Rosalie had truly been in a hurry.
02:19She hadn't even wiped the powder clean from the rim.
02:22A trace of coldness flashed through my eyes.
02:25Without changing expression, I picked up Prince Adrian's goblet and slid mine in front of him.
02:31Then, with the bashfulness expected of a bride,
02:34Your highness, I want us to switch cups.
02:36I've heard that if newlyweds drink from each other's cups, it is a sign of long-lasting good fortune.
02:42Mrs. Hargraves immediately chimed in with a smile.
02:46That's right.
02:47To share each other's cups means that from this day forward, your fates are bound together.
02:53Only then can your union truly last.
02:58Adrian lifted the goblet, and together we drained that wedding toast.
03:03The relatives and guests nearby immediately began cheering and calling out.
03:07Before the goblets had even been lowered, someone pushed open the door from outside.
03:11The newcomer gave a cochillish laugh.
03:14Oh my, how did you finish that wedding toast so quickly?
03:18It was Rosalie.
03:19She was dressed like a married lady, mature and alluring.
03:25The moment she saw my empty goblet, she covered her mouth in feigned surprise, and tears instantly welled in her
03:32eyes.
03:33Then she looked at Adrian in apparent panic.
03:35Your highness, I'm sorry.
03:36I didn't mean it.
03:38I only wanted to play a little joke on your bride.
03:41Everyone likes teasing the newlyweds at a wedding.
03:43I only put a little something in her wine.
03:49I immediately let out a cry, my face going deathly pale.
03:54Who are you?
03:55Why did you drug my wine?
03:57The others looked at one another.
03:59Someone stepped forward to admonish her.
04:01Miss Bennet, even if you did grow up with his highness, today is still his wedding day.
04:05How could you dare joke about drugging someone?
04:08Exactly.
04:09Why insist on ruining their wedding night?
04:11Adrian rose to his feet and drew Rosier protectively behind him, then frowned at me.
04:15Clara, this is Rosalie, the daughter of my former wetmaider.
04:18She grew up with me.
04:19She's only been spoiled a little.
04:21You needn't mind it.
04:22Then he turned to Rosalie with a dark look.
04:24What are you doing here?
04:26I told you today is the wedding.
04:27No mischief.
04:28How dare you make this kind of joke?
04:31Ignoring the excessive intimacy between the two of them, I only pressed coldly.
04:35Miss Bennet, you had better explain yourself at once.
04:39What exactly did you put in my wine?
04:43Only then did my maid finally reacted.
04:46She hurrously cried out.
04:47Quick, fetch the royal physician!
04:49Rosalie only clatched Adrian's sleeve and sobbed.
04:52Your highness, I didn't mean it.
04:53I truly didn't.
04:56On my way to Westcott House, I passed an apothetory and saw someone selling the sort of drug that destroys
05:03a woman's fertility.
05:04I thought it novel and bought a little impulse.
05:07I only wanted to scare her on your wedding day so she would obediently listen to you in the future.
05:14I had meant to come in and stop her before she drank that wedding toast, but I tripped outside just
05:20now and was a moment too late.
05:22I never thought she would really drink it.
05:27I clutched at my chest and sank down beside the table.
05:30A drug that destroys a woman's fertility?
05:33This wedding toast was bestowed by the king himself and you dare temper with it?
05:38What nerve!
05:39Someone, drag her away!
05:41Rosalie screamed and threw herself into Adrian's arms, her face wet with tears.
05:46I didn't mean it.
05:47I truly didn't.
05:49Besides, there's no telling whether that drug is even real.
05:55What if it doesn't work at all?
06:01Is she really going to have me executed over a bottle of medicine of unknown origin?
06:06Adrian held her protectively and looked at me.
06:09Clara, Rosalie is still young.
06:11She only wanted to play a joke.
06:12She never wanted things to turn out like this.
06:15Don't worry, you are the lawful wife I married before all the world.
06:18Even if that drug truly ruined your body, I would not cast you aside because of it.
06:22This place will still be yours.
06:24Rosalie looked at me with reddened eyes, then suddenly dropped to her knees and wept.
06:28It's all my fault.
06:30Whatever I say now, it's too late.
06:32I beg your forgiveness.
06:34If she can never have children because of this, I am willing to stay by His Highness' side.
06:38Any children I bear in the future can be given to her to raise to make up for my wrongdoing.
06:44How amusing.
06:46It really was the exact same speech as in my previous life.
06:49Unfortunately, this time I would not be so foolish again.
06:53If you destroy my ability to bear children, you are effectively harming the future royal bloodline of succession.
06:59That is a capital offence.
07:01You have a great deal of nerve.
07:04Adrian immediately pulled her to her feet and frowned at me.
07:08Enough.
07:09Rosalie has already admitted her fault.
07:11Besides, she didn't do it on purpose.
07:13This is a wedding day.
07:14Are you really going to have her executed over some drug of unknown origin?
07:18You should at least show the grace befitting my lawful wife.
07:21If he spoke with complete righteousness, as though I were the one being unreasonable.
07:24If you keep clutching at this and refusing to let go, how are you fit to sit in this position?
07:30Looking at his utterly unconcerned expression, I found it ridiculous.
07:34He had been the same in my previous life.
07:37Forever saying I lacked dignity, that I was too petty.
07:40Thinking of what had happened to me in my previous life, I clenched my hands so tightly my nails bit
07:46into my palms.
07:47Then pointed at Rosalie and said sharply,
07:50Someone plots against me with a drug that destroys my ability to bear children.
07:55And your highness thinks simply letting her off is fair to me.
07:59After being plotted against by the daughter of a former wet maid,
08:02where is the honor of the House of Ashman supposed to go?
08:10Things have already come to this. What more do you want?
08:12Don't tell me you really mean to execute her. She didn't do it intentionally.
08:16The commotion in the bridal suite grew so loud that the guests outside soon learned of it.
08:20The Queen sent her personal lady-in-waiter to smooth things over.
08:24Miss Ashford, Her Majesty says this is no trivial matter.
08:28Miss Rosier's wrongdoing will naturally be punished.
08:30But today is, after all, your wedding to His Highness.
08:33This must not turn into a public scandal.
08:36What is implicated is the reputation of the entire royal house.
08:39How convenient. It's easy to say let it go when the blade isn't falling on your own flesh.
08:43I lifted my face and looked at Adrian.
08:46Does your highness truly think that tampering with the wine is only a minor manner?
08:52Adrian was wholly occupied with soothing Rosalie.
08:54Enough. Rosalie has already apologized.
08:57Let her copy that handbook on ladylike etiquette ten times,
09:00and in the future she's not to cause trouble again.
09:04Drubbing His Highness's lawful wife with something that could destroy her fertility.
09:09And the punishment was merely to copy an etiquette manual ten times?
09:14I almost laughed from sheer anger.
09:17Fortunately, in this life, I was not the one who had drunk that cup.
09:22Some of the ladies nearby looked at me with pity and tried to comfort me in low voices.
09:28Miss Ashford, you should still have the royal physician take a look.
09:30Yes, perhaps there may still be room to remedy it.
09:33No!
09:35Summoning the royal physician on His Highness's wedding day would be far too inoptious.
09:40Rosalie is thoughtful.
09:42Better to summon the royal physician tomorrow.
09:44There is no need to rush over this.
09:46Mrs. Doyle was furious.
09:48Your Highness!
09:50Our young lady is the lawful wife you married before all the world.
09:54She has now been drugged.
09:55And even summoning the royal physician must wait until tomorrow?
09:59Miss, let us send word to His Grace, the Duke.
10:01Let the Duke and Detrice uphold justice for you.
10:05I looked at Adrian again.
10:09Does Your Highness truly refuse to pursue Miss Bennet's wrongdoing?
10:13I have already said that Rosalie's joke merely went too far.
10:16Didn't she also say that in the future, she would be willing to bear children and give them to you
10:21to raise?
10:21What more do you want?
10:23You keep glitching at one cup of wine and have turned a perfectly good wedding into this.
10:27If you do not wish to sit in this position, you may give it up.
10:29There are plenty who would gladly be my wife.
10:31At the very least, they would not be as wealthy and mean-spirited as you.
10:38I'm mean-spirited.
10:40Everything I'm doing is for your sake, Your Highness.
10:43Because the one who drank from my cup just now was you.
10:46Your Highness.
10:51What nonsense are you talking about?
10:58Adrian's face had turned greenish and he could no longer say a single word.
11:06Your Highness, was this the one you drank just now?
11:12It was her.
11:13This woman did it on purpose.
11:15That cup was meant for her to drink.
11:17Why did she switch it with you?
11:19She was obviously trying to harm you on purpose.
11:22Yes, that goblet she had tampered with had indeed been meant for me.
11:27In my previous life, after I drank that cup, I could never have children of my own again.
11:32I could only endure the rest of my life in despair and agony.
11:36I watched them flaunt their love before me, bearing sons and daughters as though they were the true husband and
11:42wife.
11:45And my house of Ashfield had give everything for Adrian.
11:49In order to help him win the position of Crown Prince, my father and brother died one after another on
11:55the front lines.
11:57The words he had used to persuade me in my previous life still rang in my ears.
12:02Adrian tried to persuade me.
12:04Clara, you are my lawful wife.
12:07You should at least preserve some dignity.
12:09Now you won't have to bear children yourself.
12:12Rosalie can do that for you.
12:15What is there to be dissatisfied with?
12:17In this life, the woman Adrian loved most was the one who had slipped in the drug.
12:21But the person who drank that cup was Adrian himself.
12:24I wanted to see whether this time he would still be as magnatophous as he had been in my previous
12:28life.
12:30Do you know that if His Highness drinks a drug like this, what it destroys is the future royal bloodline
12:36of succession?
12:37That means you are plotting against a royal heir!
12:41It is a grave crime.
12:43One that can bring ruin upon your entire family.
12:45I never meant to plot against the royal bloodline.
12:49That drug was meant for you!
12:56How dare you drug me with something like this!
12:59Do you know that I am the lawful wife His Highness married before all the world?
13:03And you dare do such a thing?
13:05Now that His Highness is the one who drank it.
13:08Do you know what the consequences will be?
13:18Summon the royal physician at once!
13:21I sneered inwardly, though outwardly I covered my mouth and said softly,
13:24But did Your Highness not just say that summoning the royal physician on one's wedding day was inaspacious?
13:31And that it could wait until tomorrow?
13:35Someone, quickly fetch the royal physician!
13:37And seize Rosalie!
13:39Threatening the future royal line of succession is a grave crime.
13:43One that can bring ruin upon an entire family.
13:45The bridal suite instantly descended into chaos.
13:49And the news had already reached the banquet hall outside.
13:53So did my parents and my brother.
13:56The moment I saw Mother, I threw myself into her arms.
13:59Mother, Father, you must uphold justice for me!
14:02Rosalie actually tried to drug me with that sort of thing.
14:05And His Highness even defended her in public.
14:08Saying I had no grace and was unfit to occupy the place of his wife.
14:11Now he is the one who drank the drug and who knows what will happen.
14:14And perhaps he truly will never have children again.
14:19How wonderful!
14:20My parents were still alive and my brother was still safe and sound.
14:25In this life, I would protect my family.
14:28I would never let Adrian harm them again.
14:31Unfit to sit in that position?
14:33Since someone drugged my sister with that sort of thing,
14:35was she supposed to preserve everyone's dignity instead?
14:40His Highness spoke so lightly just now.
14:42Now that the drug lord on you instead.
14:44Can you ensure she'd be magnificent?
14:46My sister is the daughter of the Duke of Ashford.
14:49Must she swallow her humiliation after being schemed against by the daughter of a former Wetmuth?
14:53What sort of extraordinary person is this Miss Bennet supposed to be?
14:56The House of Ashford will not suffer such an insult.
14:59Rosalie had been dragged out to kneel in the courtyard.
15:03Terrified, all she could do was cry out.
15:07Adrian, your Highness, I truly didn't mean to harm you.
15:11Clara harmed you.
15:12She deliberately made you drink that cup.
15:14After examining him.
15:15Where did this drug come from?
15:17Its potency is far too strong.
15:19Whoever administered it used a very heavy dose.
15:21His Highness will likely find it difficult to have children in the future.
15:25Rosalie had intended to destroy my fertility completely.
15:34Clara, thank heavens you are still here.
15:37What a joke.
15:38Who would willingly marry a prince who could no longer have children and had all but lost hope of succession?
15:45Your Highness, you said with your own lips just now that if I did not wish to sit in this
15:50position then I need not.
15:51So I am telling you now, I do not want it.
15:56Why should I clean up the disaster Rosalie caused and bear the consequences for the two of you?
16:03Does the House of Ashford look that easy to bully?
16:09My brother immediately drew me behind him.
16:11Exactly.
16:13The maid at my side had already told my parents and brother everything that had happened in the bridal suite.
16:21When it was said that Cup had been drugged for my sister,
16:25your Highness not only refused to pursue the matter,
16:27you even blamed her for lacking the dignity expected for a noble lady.
16:32Now that the matter has landed on you, let us see some grace from you.
16:36Are you not a prince?
16:38Adrian's face shifted between green and white.
16:44Just then, the Queen's voice came from outside.
16:49She strode in quickly.
16:51Adrian, what is the meaning of this?
16:54Mrs. Doyle stepped forward and recounted the entire matter.
16:59The Queen flew into a raid.
17:01She dared harm my son!
17:03Drag Rosilla away and execute her!
17:06Your Highness, for the sake of my many years of service to you,
17:10please spare Rosalie's life.
17:13Rosalie was also sobbing so hard.
17:15Your Highness, I grew up with you!
17:16I would never harm you!
17:18It was all Clara's fault!
17:19She harmed you!
17:20Listening to Rosalie's crying outside,
17:22Adrian was furious that she had drugged him,
17:24yet unwilling to see her in such a state.
17:26He stood there, unable to advance nor retreat.
17:29Why are you not dragging her away?
17:31The daughter of a former wet mather dares covet a prince's marriage,
17:35dares covet that position!
17:36The Royal Guards immediately rushed forward and dragged Rosilla away.
17:48You can't kill me!
17:50Your Majesty the Queen, I am already carrying His Highness child!
17:54Please spare my life!
17:59At those words, everyone froze.
18:04Adrian rushed forward and grabbed Rosalie, asking in delight,
18:07Rosalie, what did you say?
18:09Rosalie threw herself into his arms and sobbed.
18:13Your Highness, I've already been pregnant for two months.
18:16This is your child.
18:17Will you cast me and the child aside as well?
18:19Because you said only I could bear children for you.
18:22That is why I tampered with that wedding toast.
18:24I didn't want any other woman to bear your children.
18:28Your Highness, I only loved you too much.
18:32She should have been guilty of a capital offence.
18:35But now Adrian might never be able to have children again.
18:38And so the child in her womb had become his only hope.
18:46At this point, even the Queen no longer dared act rashly.
18:51Mother, Rosanan is now carrying my child.
18:53It is my only hope.
18:54You cannot kill her.
18:59The Queen lifted a hand, signalling the Royal Physician to step forward and examine her.
19:05Sure enough, Rosalie was already two months pregnant.
19:10The Queen let out a long sigh and turned to me.
19:16Miss Ashford, since matters have come to this, we can only allow Rosanie to remain.
19:21If you are willing, this child may be raised by you in the household in the future,
19:25and under royal sanction may be acknowledged as a legitimate heir.
19:29What do you think?
19:30I immediately knelt.
19:32Your Majesty, the wedding between His Highness and Mai has not truly been completed.
19:37His Highness and Miss Bennet are in love.
19:40And it is because of that love that matters have turned out as they have.
19:44Now she is carrying royal blood.
19:48I do not wish to stand between them.
19:50Besides, the child in her womb is now His Highness' only hope.
19:54The moment it is born, it ought to be the rightful, legitimate heir.
19:58Since Your Majesty wishes to honour their feelings,
20:01then why not let Miss Bennet become His Highness' lawful wife instead?
20:08I am willing to dissolve the engagement.
20:10From this day onward, His Highness and I may each marry elsewhere,
20:13with no further ties between us.
20:17We ask Your Majesty to grant permission.
20:19And dissolve this engagement.
20:22Adrian had clearly not expected me to propose dissolving the engagement.
20:25He stared at me blindly.
20:27Clara, why do you want to dissolve the engagement?
20:31Is it because I may not be able to have children in the future?
20:34So you want to leave me?
20:35I shook my head calmly.
20:37Your Highness, when everyone believed I was the one who had drunk that cup,
20:41you favoured Miss Bennet at every turn and did not regard me.
20:44Your lawful wife.
20:47In the slightest.
20:48Now that she is carrying the only child you may ever have
20:51is not my dissolving the engagement exactly what you want.
20:55No!
20:56I do not agree!
20:58We have already held the wedding.
20:59You are already my wife.
21:01I will not let you leave.
21:03Father rose and looked at him.
21:05Your Highness,
21:06I gave my daughter to you in marriage.
21:08Yet before you had properly taken her as your wife,
21:11another woman was already carrying your child.
21:13You do not even yet have a legitimate heir,
21:15and already you have a child outside Weddock.
21:18Where do you place the honour of the House of Ashford?
21:23I also looked at him with mockery.
21:26Your Highness,
21:27if you still want me to remain in this position,
21:29I will never accept such an insult.
21:31Unless Rosiah aborts the child in her womb,
21:34I will never allow her to continue staying by your side.
21:38If she truly does so,
21:39then I could allow her in the future to be kept in your residence as a mistress.
21:43Otherwise,
21:44I will never stand by and watch a child born outside Wedlock come into the world,
21:48much less accept that the only child in this household born for you should be hers.
21:52If she aborts this child,
21:54then I will agree to continue as your wife.
21:56Your Hyrus,
21:57are you willing?
21:58Adrian staggered backward as though struck by lightning.
22:01No.
22:02No, impossible.
22:03This is my only child!
22:05How dare you!
22:06I sneered inwardly as I stared at him.
22:09Why shouldn't I dare?
22:10You want your child?
22:12I want the honor of the House of Ashfield.
22:14Besides,
22:15was not all of this brought about by your own indulgence?
22:18At last,
22:19Adrian lowered his head and sank to the floor.
22:22The House of Ashfield had never been an ordinary ducery house.
22:25My father and brother held the Northern Legion in their hands.
22:28Even the Queen did not dare push us too far.
22:33The moment the engagement between the House of Ashford and Prince Adrian was dissolved,
22:38another scandal swept through the capital.
22:40Adrian had been drugged by the daughter of his former wetmaid
22:43and would likely have great difficulty fathering children ever again.
22:47The King was enraged and bitterly disappointed
22:50that Adrian had indulged Rosene to the point of such disaster.
22:54He rebuked him savagely.
22:56The Queen also struck the table as she scolded him.
22:59Do you know how much effort I spent this securing marriage with the House of Ashford for you?
23:03And yet for the sake of the daughter of a former wetmither,
23:06you let things come to this.
23:09I have already had your former wetmother sent to a country estate under the royal household.
23:14Once Rosetta gives birth, I will make arrangements.
23:18You had better find a way to win Clara's forgiveness again.
23:20If the daughter of the House of Ashford cannot marry you,
23:23then she absolutely must not be taken by another prince.
23:25If one of your brothers marries Clara,
23:28while you have now all but lost the possibility of fathering children again,
23:31and there is still no telling whether the child in Roselay's woost is a boy or a girl,
23:35then by that time it will only become harder for you to win the position of crown prince.
23:43The Northern Legion behind the House of Ashford was a force every prince wanted to win over.
23:47To gain the support of the House of Ashford was undoubtably to gain the strongest possible backing.
23:52When Adrian returned to Westcock House,
23:55Roseray immediately threw herself at him.
23:57Your Highness, was it because of me that the King and Queen scold you?
24:00If you want to blame someone, then blame me.
24:02I know my crime is unforgivable, but at the time I was only jealous.
24:06I was afraid you would truly come to like Clara and there would be no place left for me.
24:10That was why I did something so foolish.
24:12But I never imagined Clara could be so ruthless as to switch the goblet to you.
24:17She must have known long before, otherwise how could it have been such a coincidence?
24:21I love you so much. I would never harm you.
24:24Shadow flickered through Adrian's eyes.
24:26Yes, if I had not switched the goblets during the wedding toast,
24:29how could he have fallen to this state?
24:31If the daughter of the House of Ashford could not marry him,
24:33then she absolutely must not marry anyone else,
24:35no matter which great noble house I married into.
24:38As long as that side did not support you bid for the position of Crown Prince,
24:42it would become you enemy.
24:49After I returned with my parents and brother to the Duke of Ashford's residence,
24:53Father closed the door and said darkly,
24:55Now that Clara's engagement to Adrian has been dissolved,
24:58something is bound to happen next.
25:01The matter of the Crown Prince has not yet been settled.
25:05I fear it will be only a matter of days before another prince formally comes to propose.
25:10Mother wiped away her tears.
25:12Then won't my Clara become a tool in their struggle for the position of Crown Prince?
25:16Whoever marries her will be dragging the House of Ashford into this fight over the succession.
25:20Suddenly, I remembered how, in my previous life,
25:23Father and my brother had both died on the front lines.
25:27Adrian had even ordered false testimony fabricated,
25:30accusing Father and my brother of treason and colluding with the enemy.
25:34At the time, only General Marcus Vale had stood forward.
25:37He said he did not believe Father and brother of the House of Ashford
25:41could ever be traitors who colluded with the enemy.
25:44In the end, after great effort, he found the evidence,
25:48cleared Father and brother's names,
25:50and preserved the House of Ashford's reputation for generations of loyalty to the kingdom.
25:58At that time, I had been trapped inside Adrian's residence and unable to go out.
26:03I could only learn of the matter from the maids.
26:06For such a great kindness, all I could do then was kneel in that broken-down, remote little suite
26:11and silently pray in the direction of the northern frontier,
26:15thanking him for protecting the House of Ashford's good name.
26:18At the thought of this, I raised my head and looked at Father and brother.
26:23Father, I want to marry General Vale.
26:25Father and brother were both stunned.
26:28A moment later, Father laughed loudly.
26:31Good. Excellent taste.
26:33General Vale is not yet married.
26:35The Duke and I share something of a mentor and friend bond.
26:38What's more, he commands the kingdom's most elite cavalry legion.
26:42No prince dares offend him lightly.
26:45If you marry him, that truly would be for the best.
26:48My brother seemed to remember something.
26:51A year ago, before the king had formally approved your engagement to Adrian,
26:54General Vale even asked me whether Clara was already betrothed.
26:57Could it be that he had intended to seek your hand even then?
27:00This matter cannot be delayed.
27:01I'm going to General Vale's residence right now.
27:03Before I could even speak, Father swept out like a gust of wind.
27:07Mother wanted to call after him.
27:09But before the words could leave her mouth, Father had already disappeared.
27:13Mother shook her head anxiously.
27:15What kind of girl's family rushes over like this and practically hands the marriage to the other side on a
27:20platter?
27:23What father feared came true very quickly.
27:25Less than two days after my engagement to Adrian was disvolved,
27:29Prince Victor formally came to propose.
27:31Hot on his heels came Adrian himself.
27:35Victor?
27:37Clara was originally meant to marry me.
27:39What are you doing here?
27:41Victor let out a loud laugh.
27:43Adrian, your engagement to the House of Ashford was dissolved long ago,
27:47and His Majesty has already approved it.
27:50The whole capital knows it.
27:51A lady like Clara naturally will not have only one suitor.
27:55Why shouldn't I come?
27:56Miss Ashford is dignified and intelligent, with excellent breeding.
28:00She is one of the finest noble ladies in the capital.
28:03You did not know how to cherish her.
28:06Are others not allowed to pursue her?
28:07Adrian looked at him mockfully.
28:10Victor, what exactly you're after is plain for everyone to see.
28:13Do you really think everyone else is a fool?
28:15Why you want to marry the daughter of the House of Ashfield is obvious to anyone.
28:19Clara was my fiancé to begin with.
28:21What happened on the wedding day, I will naturally explain to her clearly.
28:24Once everything has been talked through, I will bring her back to my side.
28:27She will be my wife.
28:28Stop dreaming.
28:33The two of them began quarrelling right there.
28:36Just then, lively music and the clamour of carriages and horses
28:40suddenly sounded from outside the gates.
28:42What's all the excitement about?
28:44Oh, someone else has come to the Duke of Ashfield's residence to make a formal proposal.
28:48Heavens!
28:49What a grand display!
28:51So many carriages carrying gifts.
28:53The Ashfield young lady really is in demand.
28:56One sumeter after another.
28:57The number of people gathered outside the Duke of Ashfield's residence to watch the commotion kept growing and the discussion
29:04only grew louder.
29:06Victor and Adrian both turned towards the gates.
29:09A middle-aged lady in elegant formal dress walked in.
29:12Behind her followed a young general in full ceremonial attire, his bearing calm and steady.
29:18Congratulations, Duke of Ashfield.
29:20Congratulations, Duchess.
29:22What a fine day this is.
29:23General Vail has come in person today to formally ask for your young lady's hand in marriage.
29:33Victor and Adrian both froze.
29:35The person who came in after her was indeed General Marcus Vail.
29:40Father and mother came out from inside to receive them.
29:43Please come in.
29:44Then father looked politely at the two princes.
29:47Could it be that your highnesses heard our house of Ashford had happy news today and came specially to offer
29:53congratulations?
29:54The news certainly travels fast.
29:57Our marriage agreement has only just been settled and yet your highnesses already know of it.
30:02Adrian looked at General Vail and frowned.
30:04When exactly has General Vail had dealings with Clara that he can suddenly come to propose?
30:11General Vail smiled.
30:13Your highness, marriage has always been a matter requiring the approval of both the family and the persons involved.
30:18I lost my parents young, but the Duke of Ashford has been a mentor and benefactor to me.
30:23If I may ask for his daughter's hand would be my honor.
30:26Miss Ashford is an excellent lady.
30:28Upon hearing that her engagement to your highness had been dissolved,
30:31I feared only that I might arrive one step too late.
30:34And so I specially asked the Duke to allow me to come and formally propase.
30:38More importantly, Miss Ashford herself has already consented.
30:44Adrian's face darkened.
30:47Clara Greed, impossible.
30:49How could she possibly like you?
30:51You're just a soldier who knows nothing but war.
30:53How could you ever be worthy of Clara?
30:55I stepped out from behind and cut him off.
30:58Your highness, mind your words.
31:01I think General Vail is a very fine man.
31:03He is brave in battle and defends the kingdom.
31:06In my eyes, he is a true hero.
31:08So what if he is a soldier?
31:10If there were no soldiers like him guarding the front lines,
31:13where would your highness get your secure and exalted life in the capital?
31:18Adrian stared at me as though he had suddenly understood something.
31:23Clara, you insisted on dissolving the engagement
31:25because you had already been secretly seeing General Vail
31:27and privately pledged yourselves to each other, didn't you?
31:32No wonder you would not even take the position of my wife.
31:35So you had long since entangled yourself with another man.
31:38Is this the kind of daughter the House of Ashfield raises?
31:44I was furious and about to speak.
31:47Your highness, watch your words.
31:49The reputation of an unmarried young lady is of the utmost importance.
31:54Not everyone is like Miss Bennet,
31:56carrying on an affair before marriage and ending up with child.
31:59You may wish to defend the daughter of a former wet maid.
32:02That is your affair.
32:04But my fiancée is a noble lady of good breeding,
32:07and I will not allow anyone to slander her name.
32:11If you continue, do not expect me to show no courtesy.
32:14Even if you are a prince,
32:16you have no right to ruin a lady's reputation so casually.
32:20Even if this matter is brought before his majesty,
32:22I will still have plenty to say.
32:24Adrian was enraged by the general's words
32:27and stepped forward to retort.
32:29Is that so?
32:31Then let us see whether his majesty listens to you or to me.
32:36Just then, a disturbance from outside the hall.
32:39A royal decree has arrived!
32:43Adrian's face lit up with joy at the sound of the royal decree.
32:46Mother must have gone to plead with the king
32:48and have our engagement approved again.
32:50Clara, I told you, you can only be my wife.
32:53I won't let you marry anyone else.
32:55A royal herald entered,
32:56holding the sealed royal decree to read aloud.
32:58By order of his majesty the king,
32:59Clara Ashford, daughter of the Duke of Ashford,
33:01proper in conduct and check excellent in breeding,
33:03is hereby formally afloored in marriage by the two families, Vale.
33:06The date of the marriage shall Miss Clara enjoy
33:08all court honours and privileges befitting General Vale's wife.
33:11General Vale and I knelt together to receive the royal decree.
33:14We thanked the king for his grace in unison.
33:16Adrian was struck dumb with shock.
33:19Impossible!
33:20How could the king bestow you in marriage upon General Vale?
33:23He knew perfectly well that I meant to take you as my wife!
33:25But no one paid him any attention.
33:28Victor, on the other hand, did not seem to mind at all.
33:30No matter what, the king giving me to General Vale
33:34was better than giving me back to Adrian.
33:36General Vale's military achieves are outstanding.
33:38This is indeed an excellent match.
33:41When the wedding day comes,
33:43I too will come in person to offer my congratulations.
33:46Then he looked at Adrian with open mockery.
33:48It seems, after all, that there is no fate
33:51between you and Miss Ashfield.
33:53Still, you ought to show a little grace.
33:56I hear the one left at your side now
33:57is the daughter of your former wet mirth
33:59and she is carrying your child.
34:01That truly is your good fortune.
34:03The daughter of a former wet maid,
34:05the one left at your side.
34:06Every word was like a slap,
34:07landing hard across Adrian's face.
34:09The news that he had nearly lost the ability
34:11to father children had long since spread
34:12throughout the capital.
34:13To be mocked to his face like this now
34:15was naked humiliation.
34:17I only wonder whether the child in her womb
34:19is a boy or a girl.
34:23If the child Rosalie bore
34:25turned out to be a daughter,
34:27then Adrian's prospects would be nearly cut off.
34:30I borrowed father's spies
34:32and had Westrick House watched in secret.
34:36I heard that Rosalie and her mother
34:38were secretly seeking out several pregnant women
34:41whose due dates were close to hers
34:43under the pretense of selecting wet mothers
34:46for the child,
34:47intending to bring them into Westcock House.
34:49They only had to wait until the child was born
34:52and then it could be handed over to a wet nurse
34:54openly and naturally.
34:56I once discussed this matter with father,
34:59my brother and General Vale.
35:00I said,
35:02I'm afraid it is not only for the sake
35:04of finding wet nurses.
35:05I suspect they intend to switch babies
35:07and confuse the royal bloodline.
35:09The father speaks with a grave
35:10and worried expression.
35:12Yes.
35:13If Rosalie gave birth to a girl
35:15and among the women brought into the residence
35:17as wet fades, one happened to bear a son,
35:20then things would become very hard to say.
35:23General Vale thought for a moment.
35:27I will have men keep close watch on Westcock House.
35:30If he truly dares commit such an act
35:31as confusing the royal bloodline,
35:33then the matter will be grave indeed.
35:38Adrian was, after all,
35:40the queen's own son
35:41and more than anyone else,
35:43he had the greatest chance
35:44of being named crown prince.
35:46If his only child were a daughter,
35:50then his hope of winning the position
35:51of crown prince would almost vanish.
35:54Those with their eyes fixed on the succession
35:55would never allow him such an opportunity.
36:00The situation in the capital grew more tense
36:03with each passing day.
36:04When Rosalie finally went into labour,
36:07the prospective wetmaiders kept at Westcock House
36:09were also all forced into early labour
36:11by labour-inducing droughts.
36:14After suffering through a full day and night,
36:17Rosalie finally gave birth.
36:19She was so weak she could barely lift herself,
36:21yet she still forced herself to ask,
36:23Is it a boy or a girl?
36:25A girl.
36:26Her mother lowered her voice.
36:27Adrian kicked the door open
36:28and charged inside.
36:30Useless thing!
36:31You actually gave birth to a girl!
36:33You wretch!
36:34It's all because of you
36:35that I ended up like this!
36:36You drugged me,
36:37and now of all things
36:38you go and give birth to a daughter.
36:40I'll kill you!
36:41Rosalie rolled off the bed at once
36:43and knelt on the floor crying.
36:45Your Highness, please don't kill me.
36:47I have a way.
36:49I arranged for those prospective wetnavers
36:51to be housed in the residence
36:53beforehand
36:53and yesterday
36:54I also had people
36:56give them labour-inducing drifts.
36:59By now they must all have given birth.
37:01No one yet knows
37:02whether I boy a boy or a girl.
37:05We only need to switch
37:06in the child of one of the women
37:08who gave birth to a son.
37:09That way,
37:10the only child carried out
37:12from Westcrot House
37:12to the outside world
37:14will be a boy.
37:15Your Highness, besides us,
37:17no one else will know.
37:18Then give that woman
37:19a cup of poison
37:20and publicly say
37:21she died in childbirth.
37:26Adrian froze for a moment
37:27then suddenly seemed
37:29to realise it.
37:30This truly was not
37:31without merit as a plan.
37:33Someone go and see
37:34which woman
37:35gave birth to a son.
37:36Bring the child here.
37:38Very soon,
37:39a baby boy
37:39was brought over.
37:41Adrian took the infant
37:42into his arms
37:43and let out a low laugh
37:44then turned
37:44and picked up
37:45the baby girl
37:46on the bed
37:46covering her nose
37:47and mouth.
37:48In only a moment
37:49the child stopped breathing.
37:50Take this dead child
37:52to that woman
37:52and give her
37:53a cup of poison as well.
37:55Publicly say
37:56she died from complications
37:57in childbirth.
37:58Have a coffin prepared
38:00for her tomorrow
38:00and bury her.
38:03The next day,
38:05word that Adrian
38:06had gained a son
38:07reached the palace.
38:08The Queen
38:09was overjoyed.
38:15Excellent.
38:16My son finally
38:17has an heir.
38:18Now I must carefully
38:19choose a proper
38:19lawful wife for him.
38:20That way,
38:21if the child
38:22is raised personally
38:23by his wife,
38:24acknowledging him
38:25to the outside world
38:25will be rightful
38:26and proper.
38:27Rosalie had assumed
38:28that since she had
38:28given birth to a child
38:30and Adrian was now
38:31all but incapable
38:32of having any others,
38:33the position of his
38:34lawful wife
38:35should naturally be hers.
38:36To her surprise,
38:38the Queen announced
38:39that she would choose
38:40another lawful wife
38:41for Adrian,
38:41while Rosalie
38:42would remain merely
38:43that woman kept
38:44at Westcott House,
38:45not even able
38:46to obtain
38:47a respectable
38:48formal status.
38:49She cried
38:50and demanded
38:50of Adrian.
38:52Why?
38:54I've given birth
38:55to your child now.
38:56Why do you still
38:57want to marry
38:58someone else?
39:02Adrian said
39:03impatiently,
39:05If not for you,
39:06would I have ended
39:07up like this?
39:07Did you really think
39:09my wife's position
39:10was something
39:10you were fit
39:11to covet?
39:12If others learned
39:13that my lawful wife
39:14was the daughter
39:14of a former wet mather,
39:16where would I put
39:17my face?
39:18My wife must have
39:19a respectable birth
39:20and a powerful family
39:21behind her.
39:23What do you have?
39:24Rosalie stared at him
39:25in disbelief.
39:26What?
39:27But you said
39:28you didn't care
39:29about any of that.
39:30You said you loved
39:32only me
39:32and you said
39:34you would let me
39:34sit in that position.
39:36Adrian wrenched
39:37free of the hand
39:38with which she was
39:39clutching him
39:39and said coldly,
39:41Times are different now.
39:43Rosalie,
39:44you had better
39:44behave yourself.
39:45Once my lawful wife
39:46enters the house,
39:47if you are still
39:48as Wilville as before,
39:49I won't be able
39:49to protect you.
39:51So long as you
39:52are obedient,
39:53you will still be
39:54the child's birth mother
39:55and you will not
39:56be mistreated here.
39:58Adrian's child
39:59was the king's
40:00first grandchild.
40:01At the child's
40:02public baptism banquet,
40:03the king and queen
40:04personally attended
40:05and presided.
40:06The queen announced
40:07the news with immense joy.
40:09This is a double
40:10joyous occasion.
40:11I name Beatrice Sinclair,
40:13daughter of Lord Sinclair,
40:15the chancellor
40:16of the ex-Godida,
40:17as Prince Adrian's
40:18future lawful wife.
40:20When the king's decree
40:21was read publicly
40:22at the baptism banquet,
40:23Rosalie's face
40:24instantly turned white.
40:29Beatrice came to
40:30the palace banquet
40:31with her mother.
40:31after receiving
40:33the decree,
40:34she looked at
40:34Adrian with a smile.
40:37Your Highness,
40:38Miss Bennett has
40:39just given birth
40:40to a child for you.
40:41Her body must
40:42still be very weak.
40:44Our family has
40:45a country estate
40:45with hot springs,
40:47most suitable
40:47for recuperation.
40:48Why not let her
40:49go there and rest
40:50for a while?
40:52Once she has
40:53recovered,
40:54she can return.
40:55It will also
40:56spare her from
40:57overexerting himself
40:58by staying in
40:59the residence.
41:02Those words
41:03sounded perfectly
41:04considerate,
41:05but she wasn't
41:06thinking of Adrian
41:07at all.
41:08She simply wanted
41:09to send Rosalie
41:10away as far
41:10as possible.
41:12Once she left
41:13Westcott House,
41:15when or whether
41:16she could return
41:17would depend
41:18entirely on the
41:19will of this
41:19future mistress
41:20of the house.
41:22Rosalie looked
41:23to Adrian for help.
41:25Your Highness,
41:26I cannot leave
41:27you and the child.
41:28I'm not going
41:29to the country state.
41:31Adrian hardened
41:31his heart.
41:32Rosalie,
41:33this is Beatrix's
41:34arrangement.
41:35Go there for a while
41:36first.
41:36Once was your health
41:37restored,
41:37you may come back.
41:39Leave the child
41:40in her care.
41:40She will raise him
41:41as if he were her own,
41:43so you needn't worry.
41:44Beatrix looked at
41:45Rosani with a smile
41:46still on her lips.
41:47Miss Bennett,
41:48rest assured,
41:50once I marry
41:50into the family,
41:51I will raise this
41:52child myself
41:53and outwardly
41:54he will be treated
41:54as though he were
41:55my own.
41:56I will care for him
41:57well.
41:58Go and recover
41:59in peace.
41:59The colour drained
42:00clean from Rosalie's
42:02face in an instant.
42:06She had grown up
42:07following Adrian
42:08around Westcott House.
42:09What had she not
42:10seen?
42:11This was merely
42:12the most common
42:13tactic among
42:14upper-class families.
42:15Send the mother
42:16far away and keep
42:17only the child
42:18behind.
42:19Adrian naturally
42:20knew exactly
42:20what that meant
42:21yet he agreed
42:22without the slightest
42:23hesitation.
42:24This was the man
42:25she had once believed
42:26would stay with her
42:27for life.
42:28Faced with power
42:28and status,
42:29she was nothing
42:30more than a disposable
42:31piece on the board.
42:33She screamed.
42:36Your Highness,
42:37Beatrix wants to
42:38separate me
42:39from my child.
42:40She wants my life.
42:42Even if you will
42:43not think of our
42:44former feelings,
42:45you should at least
42:46think of the fact
42:47that I bore
42:48this child for you.
42:49Your Highness,
42:50have you forgotten
42:51our son?
42:52The implication
42:53in her tone
42:53was something
42:54only the two
42:54of them understood.
42:58Adrian's eyes
42:58darkened.
43:00Rosalie actually
43:01wanted to use
43:01the secret
43:02of the Swipsch babies
43:03to threaten him.
43:05Impudent!
43:05Stuff her mouth
43:06and drag her out!
43:07Today is the
43:08child's baptism,
43:09Aquent!
43:10What is she
43:10making us down for?
43:12Aren't you afraid
43:13I'll tell them
43:13about that?
43:14Before she could
43:15finish,
43:16her mouth had already
43:17been clamped shut
43:18and she was about
43:19to be dragged away.
43:20Victor stepped forward.
43:22Let her go.
43:24Miss Bennet appears
43:25to have more to say.
43:26Adrian's face
43:27turned iron hard.
43:27This is a private
43:28matter of my household.
43:30Victor let out
43:31a cold laugh.
43:34That may not be so.
43:38one of his men
43:39stepped forward
43:40and pushed aside
43:41the attendants
43:42holding Rosalie.
43:44Rosalie dropped
43:45to her knees,
43:46her eyes full of
43:47disappointment
43:47and hatred.
43:49Your majesty,
43:50this child
43:51is not mine.
43:52The one I bore
43:52was a girl
43:53and Adrian smothered
43:55her to death
43:55with his own hands.
43:57This baby boy
43:59was born by
43:59another woman
44:00in the residence.
44:01The moment
44:02those words fell,
44:03the entire hall
44:04went silent.
44:05What?
44:06Adrian actually
44:07killed his own daughter
44:08with his own hands?
44:09So that's why
44:10the child born
44:11was a girl
44:11so they switched
44:12the infants.
44:13How vicious
44:14to be able
44:15to do such a thing
44:16even to his own daughter.
44:18On the second day
44:19after the child
44:20was born,
44:20word came from
44:21Westlock House
44:22that one of the women
44:22brought into the residence
44:23had died in childbirth
44:24and a coffin
44:25was carried out
44:26in the middle of the night.
44:27Adrian kicked
44:28Rosilla hard
44:29in the chest.
44:32Wretch,
44:33you dare harm me.
44:34This child
44:35is my own
44:35flesh and blood.
44:39Victor raised a hand
44:41and blocked him.
44:42Why such haste?
44:44Whether this child
44:45is yours or not
44:46will become clear enough
44:47once the midwife,
44:48the servants
44:49on duty
44:50in the residence
44:50and the identity
44:52of that dead woman
44:53are investigated.
44:54Adrian kept
44:55stepping back.
44:57Why should I investigate?
44:58This concerned
44:59the royal bloodline.
45:01At last,
45:01the king spoke.
45:03Adrian,
45:04since you claim
45:05to be innocent,
45:06then have those
45:07who attended
45:07the birth that night
45:08the attendants
45:10on night duty
45:11and those women
45:13brought into the residence
45:14all brought here.
45:16We will investigate
45:17it thoroughly
45:18on the spot.
45:19The queen almost
45:20collapsed into her chair.
45:24Adrian had already
45:25dropped to his knees.
45:29I beg your majesty's mercy.
45:31I did not mean
45:32to deceive you.
45:34This was all
45:35Rosalie's idea.
45:36She forced me
45:37to do it.
45:40He pushed the blame
45:41away cleanly,
45:42as though everything
45:43had been Rosalie's fault
45:44alone.
45:45But no matter
45:46how he tried to argue,
45:47the crime of switching
45:48infants and confusing
45:49the royal bloodline
45:50had already been established
45:51and Adrian had completely
45:53lost the king's trust.
45:55The king looked at him
45:57in disappointment.
45:58Adrian had already
45:59all but lost the ability
46:00to father children
46:01and now his conduct
46:02is so depraved
46:03that he even dared
46:04tamper with the royal bloodline.
46:05From today on,
46:06confine him to Westcott House.
46:08Without my permission,
46:09he is not to step outside it.
46:11As for Rosella,
46:11she first plotted
46:12against the future
46:13royal bloodline
46:14of succession
46:15and later took part
46:16in switching the infants.
46:18Execute her immediately.
46:19She had been spared before
46:21only because she was
46:21still carrying a child.
46:22Now that the child
46:23had already been born
46:24and this further matter
46:24had come to light,
46:25naturally she no longer
46:26had any path to survival.
46:28Rosalie's vision went black
46:29and she fainted on the spot.
46:31Then she was dragged away
46:32to the royal prison
46:33to await formal execution.
46:35As for Adrian,
46:36he was utterly finished.
46:38A prince who had nearly
46:39lost the ability
46:40to father children,
46:41lost the king's trust
46:42and then been confined
46:44to his residence
46:45no longer had
46:45the slightest possibility
46:46of turning things around.
46:51As for why Victor
46:52had arrived so conveniently,
46:55General Vale later told me,
46:57I had news of Adrian's
46:58infant switch
46:59and tampering with
47:01the royal bloodline
47:02quietly passed
47:03to the other princes.
47:04More than anyone,
47:06they wanted to seize
47:06upon his weakness.
47:08That was why Victor
47:09stepped forward
47:10at the most crucial moment
47:12and dealt Adrian
47:13a fatal blow.
47:14From then on,
47:15Adrian lost power completely
47:17with no day of recovery
47:18ahead of him.
47:19I let out a long breath.
47:21At last,
47:22the nightmare
47:22of my previous life
47:23was over.
47:24From now on,
47:25I would never be afraid again.
47:26I had my father,
47:28my brother
47:29and my mother
47:30and I also had a fiancé
47:32who would protect me
47:33for life.
47:35On the day
47:35General Vale
47:36and I were married,
47:37he held my hand
47:38and helped me
47:39into the wedding carriage.
47:40His hand was large
47:41and strong,
47:42gripping mine firmly
47:43as he said
47:43in a low voice,
47:45Clara,
47:45don't be afraid.
47:47I'm here.
47:48Behind the thin white veil,
47:50I smiled faintly.
47:52I wasn't afraid.
47:53I sat in the wedding carriage,
47:55listening to the band outside
47:56and the blessings
47:57of the crowd.
47:58The wheels rolled
47:59slowly forward,
48:00carrying me steadily
48:01toward the new life
48:02that belonged to me.
48:03and I was confused so much
48:06The people I had
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