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Rejected by the Vampire, Crowned by the Alpha King HD 1080p ASM
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00:02In the year when I most longed for a handsome face, I found an amnesiac man while gathering
00:07herbs on Silvermoon Mountain. Taking advantage of his injury and memory loss, I persuaded him
00:12to marry me. He agreed gladly. On our wedding night, candlelight flickered. Drunk and bleary-eyed,
00:18I looked at him, a faint blush rose on his cheeks. When he lowered his head to kiss me,
00:23raindrops began to fall softly outside the window. In the second month after the wedding,
00:28he suddenly regained his memory. He said he was the heir of the Bloodmoon family,
00:32but his house controlled the Bloodcrystal mines and asked me to go back with him.
00:36I went with him to the capital, but then I overheard a conversation between him and his mother
00:41and learned the truth. Three months earlier, while gathering herbs, I passed a stream in the forest
00:47and saw a man lying among the rocks, a hideous sword wound on his back, the water stained red
00:51with blood. His skin was pale as moonlight, and the silver threads on his robe gleamed coldly in the
00:57sun. He was more beautiful than all the men I had ever seen put together. I went up to check
01:02his
01:02breath. He was alive, so I carried him home on my back. I tended him without rest for three days.
01:08I made him a blood-staunching broth, a recipe my mother taught me. But with the same herbs,
01:14mine worked faster than others. The villagers called me a born healer. Before she died,
01:19my mother also said,
01:21Saren, remember, humans have the prophet's prophecy. Neither wolf nor vampire dare harm you.
01:30But still be careful of them.
01:33I didn't understand then. I would later. On the third morning, he finally woke. The first words
01:39he spoke were,
01:40Where is this? Who am I?
01:43He had amnesia. I thought about lying, telling him I was his wife. After all, with a face like his,
01:49it wouldn't be a bad deal to have him as a husband.
01:54But my conscience wouldn't allow it, so I told the truth.
01:58My name is Saren. This is my home. You were hurt, and I saved you. Since you can't remember your
02:06name,
02:06I'll call you Nykes. Just rest now. Names don't matter.
02:10He looked down at his bandaged wound and nodded. The days he spent recovering at my home were
02:15unexpectedly lovely. After he healed a little, he began helping me with chores, sweeping the yard,
02:20mending the fence, drying my herbs. He could even identify some plants I wasn't sure about.
02:26It smells like... I think I've seen it before. Watching him sit by the window sorting my herbs
02:31made me feel warm inside. When I changed his bandages, my fingers accidentally brushed the
02:36edge of his wound. It seemed to shrink a little. I rubbed my eyes, thinking it was just the candle
02:42light. Then I noticed that wherever I touched, the redness faded unusually fast. I sat down opposite
02:48him, my cheeks warm. Nykes, shall we get married? A flash of red light crossed his pupils, then vanished.
02:56Yes.
02:59Overjoyed, I dug out the six gold coins my mother had left me from under the bed. A simple
03:04wedding was enough. The village priest held the ceremony, and everyone came to the feast.
03:09That night, a little drunk, I looked at him and said,
03:12Marrying you is the luckiest thing. He cupped my face in his hands, his light-colored eyes
03:17reflecting the candle flames. I feel the same.
03:20Nyx looked at me and kissed me. Then the rain began to fall, drops hitting the window by the bed.
03:26His hand slid to my waist, fingers grazing, and I shivered, not from cold. The rain grew heavier,
03:33covering our breaths. When I woke the next morning, I was not tired at all. Turning to look at him,
03:39I saw the edges of the wounds on his back glowing faintly with a pale green light. Days passed quickly.
03:44Every day I went up the mountain to gather herbs, then returned to treat patients in the village or
03:49town. He stayed home, repairing the house. I thought life would go on like that forever.
03:55Until one day, when I came back from gathering herbs, I saw two strangers in black robes standing
04:00in my yard. Their skin was pale, their pupils reddish, and thin swords hung at their belts.
04:07My heart jumped. I thought the men who had injured him had come for revenge. He had already remembered
04:12his name, Dorian, and was standing by the little table where we usually ate together.
04:16The black-robed men knelt on one knee facing him.
04:19What's going on?
04:20I walked to Dorian's side and lowered my voice.
04:23Are these people here to cause you trouble?
04:25He looked at me with a complicated emotion in his light-colored eyes that I had never seen before.
04:30Saren, my memory has returned.
04:32His memory had returned. I thought of the first day we met, the fine silver thread on his robes,
04:37the faint ring mark on his finger, the mark of a family crest-worn for years.
04:41He was no ordinary man. What had he remembered? Did he already have a wife?
04:47If his family was noble, would they accept me as his wife?
04:50Flustered, I asked,
05:09He remembered where he came from, but he was not yet married, and he said he wanted me as his
05:14wife.
05:14I was more than willing.
05:16Dorian's full name was Dorian Bloodmoon.
05:18The Bloodmoon family, the wealthiest vampire nobles on the continent,
05:22who had controlled the blood crystal mines for generations.
05:25His mother gave birth to him when she was over 400 years old.
05:28He was cherished like a jewel, spoilt since childhood.
05:32During the two months he was missing, the family spent fortunes hiring all manner of forces to find him.
05:37Listening to him tell me this, I felt a little envious.
05:40Your family really loves you.
05:42My mother had loved me very much too.
05:45She had been the best healer in the village, but she died when I was 12.
05:49Before she fell ill, she left me her medicine chest and a packet of seeds.
05:53These are moonshadow flower seeds.
05:56When they bloom you will know who you are.
05:58I always thought it was just her ravings.
06:03Because Dorian hadn't fully healed, we spent several days on the road before reaching the capital.
06:08One night we stopped in the wilderness, moonlight flooded the plains.
06:12Dorian stood under the moon, and from his back unfolded a pair of wings, bat-like, their membranes dark red
06:17in the moonlight.
06:18He reached out his hand to me, and I took it.
06:21He lifted me into the night sky.
06:23The wind roared in my ears as the sun sank below the horizon, darkness fell, and one by one the
06:28stars appeared.
06:29Half a day later, the carriage stopped before a great manor.
06:33Looking at the gate carved with the blood moon crest, I felt a sudden unease.
06:36As soon as the carriage stopped, an elderly woman came out, followed by four servants.
06:42Her eyes filled with tears at the sight of Dorian.
06:44Young lord, you've finally returned.
06:47My lady has nearly wept her eyes out.
06:49How thin you've become.
06:51The crowd surrounded Dorian as he walked inside.
06:54I followed, pushed to the back.
06:56Dorian didn't look back once.
06:58Once inside the manor, Dorian was taken to see his mother.
07:02I was randomly placed in a secluded room and forgotten.
07:05About half an hour later, a servant called me.
07:08Miss, my lady requests your presence at dinner.
07:11I followed him into a hall ten times larger than my home.
07:16On the main seat sat a strikingly beautiful woman who looked barely thirty, vampires aged very slowly.
07:23Mother, this is Siren.
07:24She saved my life.
07:25I stepped forward and greeted her.
07:28Good day, my lady.
07:29Her expression was cold.
07:30Her eyes scanned me from head to toe, like she was appraising a worthless object.
07:34Siren, thank you for saving my son.
07:37This meal is a token of thanks, so please don't stand on ceremony.
07:42Not a family dinner, a thank you.
07:44I looked at Dorian, but he looked away.
07:46Dorian and I were married two months ago.
07:49You needn't thank me.
07:50A flicker of unease crossed Lady Bloodman's face, then she forced a smile.
07:54You jest.
07:55In our clan, marriage requires approval of the family council.
07:59Not to mention that my son had lost his memory, even if he hadn't.
08:04Without the family's consent, the union is invalid.
08:08But he was willing.
08:10Our wedding was witnessed by a priest.
08:12Her false smile finally broke.
08:15Dorian has been betrothed since childhood to the Crimson family, one of the twelve noble bloodlines.
08:22His fiancée is Evangeline Crimson, daughter of the council's chief.
08:28How can a common herb grather like you compare to her?
08:31But we...
08:32I've finished.
08:34She lifted a crystal glass, sipped a red liquid, cut me off, and rose to leave.
08:39Dorian glanced at me, hesitated, and chased after her.
08:42I looked at the untouched feast on the table, picked up a metal fork, and began to eat.
08:49In the evening, Dorian came to see me.
08:53Siren, what Mother said today isn't true.
08:56I only think of Evangeline as a sister.
08:59You really are betrothed to her?
09:01It was arranged by the elders when we were children.
09:04It doesn't count.
09:06Then will you break the engagement?
09:10I...
09:10Dorian, I was wrong to trick you into marrying you while you had amnesia.
09:16But after you recovered, you told me you weren't married.
09:19Now your mother doesn't like me and wants you to marry that Crimson girl.
09:23Can't you decide your own marriage?
09:26Think it over, and then come talk to me.
09:30Dorian left, looking despondent.
09:32The next three days, I didn't see him.
09:35But I heard from servants that Evangeline had arrived.
09:38I didn't want to court trouble, so I stayed in my room.
09:41Yet she came to find me herself.
09:46The beautiful, richly dressed vampire girl opened her mouth.
09:49So you're the one who saved Dorian.
09:51Looking at her face, I felt a pang of pity for such a pretty face.
09:55When I didn't answer, she got annoyed.
09:58Just as I thought, a country bumpered with no manners at all.
10:02And yet I am a married woman because of your Dorian.
10:05Her face flushed from pale to red.
10:07Huss!
10:08To say such things in broad daylight!
10:11So this is how you seduce Dorian!
10:14If I didn't answer, she was angry.
10:16If I answered, she was angrier.
10:18These noble girls were impossible.
10:20I simply turned and went back into my room.
10:23Staying out of sight should be safe, right?
10:25But she wouldn't let it go.
10:27From outside my door, she said she would go to Lady Blood Moon for justice, then stormed off.
10:32I shrugged and popped a pastry into my mouth.
10:35Since Dorian wouldn't come to me, I went to find him.
10:38In the evening, on my way to his room, I passed the study and heard voices, his and his mother's.
10:43I hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but I caught words like crude.
10:47There was probably only one person in this manner that those words could refer to.
10:54Dorian, I tell you once more, for the family's sake, your wife must be Evangeline Crimson, that woman.
11:01You'll marry her only over my dead body.
11:04Mother, you worry too much.
11:08Saren is just an ordinary person.
11:10I brought her back only because she saved my life.
11:13Just give her the status of a mistress and let her stay.
11:16Dorian's words struck me one by one.
11:18I gripped my skirt tightly.
11:20Standing there, I felt like I had fallen into an ice cave.
11:24After a long moment, I turned and walked back to my room.
11:27For this trip to the capital, Dorian had said not to bring much, so I packed only a cloth bundle,
11:32a few changes of clothes, my mother's medicine chest, and the packet of moon shadow seeds.
11:37I looked at the bundle, so out of place in this luxurious room, like me, out of place in this
11:43manner.
11:43Taking a deep breath, I went to Lady Blood Moon's room under cover of night.
11:47When she saw me, her blood crystal glass paused mid-lift.
11:51What is it?
11:52This late?
11:53Give me 500 gold coins, and I'll leave tonight.
11:56A flicker of contempt crossed her face, then suspicion.
12:00You're truly willing to leave, Dorian?
12:02Pretending not to see her scorn.
12:04He wants me as his mistress, and I refuse.
12:07Even a mistress of the Blood Moon family is better than a common nobleman's wife.
12:14Glorious?
12:15So what?
12:16My mother used to say, being a mistress is no life for a woman.
12:20Taking the 500 gold coins, I hired a carriage and left the capital that same night.
12:24Back in the village, my neighbor Martha looked at me in surprise.
12:28Saren, child, why are you back?
12:31Didn't you go to the capital for a good life with your husband?
12:34He has a fiancé, and I don't want to be his mistress, so I came back.
12:38Too right!
12:39Being a mistress is awful!
12:42Good to be home!
12:44See?
12:45Even the village women understand this truth.
12:48Why couldn't Dorian?
12:49I stuffed the bag of coins under my bed and went back to my daily routine of gathering herbs and
12:53tending patients.
12:54In the first few days after returning, I began having strange dreams.
12:58In the dream, there was a forest, and at its center stood a giant tree whose crown touched the sky.
13:04Between its branches flowed a silver-blue light.
13:06On the tree's limbs were built treehouses, with warm golden light in their windows.
13:11Rope bridges and spiral staircases connected them all the way to the highest canopy.
13:15A woman stood before the great tree, reaching out to me.
13:18She wore a silver robe, and starlight swirled in her pupils.
13:22She said,
13:23Come back, child.
13:28I always woke just before she could touch me.
13:31My heart raced, but the dream faded like water through my fingers, leaving only a faint impression.
13:36Luna lay by my bed, rubbing her head against my hand.
13:40I touched her ear and whispered to myself,
13:43Just a dream.
13:44Luna was always with me, pure white.
13:47The sheep my mother had left me.
13:49Mother said she was special and her milk could aid healing.
13:51When I went out to gather herbs, she followed me.
13:54When I prepared remedies, she lay on the threshold and napped.
13:57It was strange, but I could always find the rarest herbs.
14:01The mullein that others searched three days for, I would spot at my feet in the forest.
14:05The villagers said I had the blessing of the forest spirit.
14:08I thought it was just luck.
14:10Once, while crossing a valley where wolves often roamed, I came face to face with a gray wolf.
14:16Instinctively, I crouched and reached out my hand.
14:19The wolf stared at me for a few seconds, then whined, lowered its head, and ran off.
14:24Luna bleated proudly.
14:26I patted her head.
14:27You're quite brave.
14:31Two months passed.
14:33I only rarely thought of Dorian now, and when I did, my heart no longer hurt as much.
14:38I thought I might find a new husband.
14:40My mother died early.
14:42For years I had been alone.
14:44All I ever wanted was to find a partner and make a family.
14:47I took two silver coins from the bag and decided to go to the next village to seek a matchmaker's
14:52help.
14:52The matchmaker lived far, over a mountain.
14:55I tucked two black loaves into my pocket, strapped on my herb basket I could gather on the way, and
15:01set off.
15:02Halfway up the mountain, I felt uneasy.
15:04When I reached the stream, a wind carried the strong smell of rust.
15:08I followed the scent and found a man lying by the water.
15:13He was covered in wounds, unconscious.
15:16His injuries were far worse than Dorian's, cuts all over, the stream stained red with blood.
15:21I fought the urge to check on him, forced myself to look away, and kept walking.
15:26No more picking up strangers.
15:28Hadn't I learned my lesson?
15:30I was a healer, I couldn't let someone die.
15:33I crouched, heaved him onto my back.
15:36He was heavy.
15:37I gritted my teeth.
15:38One night, if you're not awake by morning I'll throw you back into the mountains.
15:42Once home, I saw how bad his wounds were.
15:45Hardly a patch of unbroken skin.
15:47The worst was an arrow wound near his heart, half an inch lower and he would have been dead.
15:52Luna came over, sniffed him, and whined.
15:55She rubbed her head against his arm.
15:57Maybe her milk would help.
15:59I fetched clean water, carefully washed his wounds, applied the ointment my mother had left,
16:03and spooned a few mouthfuls of warm sheep's milk into him.
16:06While cleaning him, my fingers accidentally touched the deepest wound on his chest.
16:10He shuddered, and the wound's edge visibly began to close.
16:14I felt heat in my fingertips.
16:16It was as if some force was pulling the edges together.
16:19Luna bleated and lay down beside him, refusing to move.
16:23The rest was up to fate.
16:24Just before dawn, the man woke.
16:27The moment he opened his eyes, they were sharp as knives, like a wounded beast.
16:31His gaze locked on me, full of suspicion and killing intent.
16:37Who are you?
16:38Where is this?
16:40I rubbed my head at the familiar question.
16:42Do you remember who you are?
16:44His expression didn't change, but I felt an inexplicable pressure.
16:48What do you want?
16:49So he did remember who he was.
16:51Good.
16:52No amnesia.
16:53I exhaled in relief.
16:55You were hurt.
16:55I was afraid you'd die by the stream, so I brought you to here to heal.
16:59Now that you're awake, leave once you can walk.
17:03I have my own affairs, and I can't keep you long.
17:06He looked down at his bandaged wound.
17:08His guard remained high, but the killing intent had lessened.
17:12You bandaged me?
17:13Who else?
17:16Call me Ash.
17:18Once I recover, I'll repay you for saving my life.
17:20I didn't want repayment.
17:22I just wanted him gone quickly.
17:24But things didn't go as planned.
17:28On the third night, as I was about to blow out the lamp and sleep, a hand covered my mouth.
17:33Before I could struggle, Ash's low voice whispered,
17:36Don't make a sound.
17:38Someone's outside.
17:39In the moonlight, his ears seemed to twitch slightly, as if tracking the faintest footsteps.
17:44He pulled me behind a cabinet, a knife already in his hand.
17:47The men outside moved.
17:49The door was silently forced open, and a dark figure slashed out the bed.
17:53Finding it empty, he turned and swung at the cabinet.
17:56Ash raised his arm to block the blow.
17:58In that instant, a silver light flared around him, and behind him appeared the phantom of
18:02a huge wolf, its green eyes locked on the enemy alongside his own.
18:06After about a quarter of an hour, the cabinet door opened from outside.
18:10Under the moonlight, Ash's already sharp face was streaked with blood, giving him a wild,
18:15otherworldly beauty.
18:16He reached out a hand to me.
18:18Come out.
18:19They're dealt with.
18:21The air was thick with the smell of blood.
18:23I looked at the motionless bodies on the ground.
18:26My stomach churned, and I bent over dry heaving.
18:30They were my enemies.
18:31It won't happen again.
18:32I didn't answer.
18:34I dragged my exhausted body to the bed.
18:37Clean the floor before you sleep.
18:43After that, nothing similar happened.
18:46But a black raven began to visit my home often, entirely black, with a broad wingspan, and
18:51something always tied to its leg.
18:53It never landed anywhere but near Ash.
18:55I'd heard of such birds.
18:57They carried messages.
18:58Ash must have been in contact with his people.
19:01So I asked him when he would leave.
19:03He gave me a pouch of gold coins and said he needed to stay a while longer.
19:06I looked at the coins and thought for a moment.
19:09You can stay, but you have to help with the work.
19:12Gathering herbs, drying them, chopping wood.
19:14He smiled, the first smile I had seen on him in days, and said,
19:17All right.
19:19He settled in with me for now, much like Dorian had.
19:21I went up the mountain to gather herbs and tender patience, while he stayed home to tidy
19:25up and dry the herbs.
19:26Only, he didn't need to do odd jobs for money, and I didn't dare lose my heart again.
19:31My instincts told me this man was far more dangerous than Dorian.
19:35Still, Ash was an excellent cook.
19:37He made anything taste good.
19:39One day, he used a spice I didn't recognize in his stew.
19:42I asked what it was, and he said bay leaves.
19:46I was puzzled.
19:47I had never planted bay.
19:49Later, I found a small bay sapling growing in the corner of the yard, though I was certain
19:53nothing had been there before.
19:54I crouched down and touched its leaves.
19:57The tiny seedling seemed to receive an infusion of life.
20:00Within moments, it shot up a hand's length.
20:02Pale white light patterns appeared on the leaves, flowing along the veins.
20:06I pulled my hand back in fright.
20:11During the time Ash stayed, he always had a meal ready when I came home.
20:15He would slip two flatbreads into my pocket before I left, and I would give him the biggest
20:19piece of meat at dinner.
20:21We grew more comfortable with each other.
20:23Sometimes I thought it wouldn't be so bad to go on like this, but he would have to leave
20:28eventually.
20:29The matchmaker had news.
20:31In the next village lived a hunter whose wife had recently died.
20:34He wanted to remarry.
20:35He didn't mind that I had been married before, and asked if I'd meet him.
20:39I thought about it.
20:40Why not?
20:41I couldn't stay alone forever.
20:43When Ash learned of it, he was sharpening his knife in the yard.
20:46He paused, and the blade scraped against the stone with a screech.
20:50You're really going?
20:52Yes.
20:54I went inside.
20:55When will you leave?
20:56He didn't answer.
20:58He threw down the knife and went into his room.
21:01I walked along the stream toward the next village.
21:03The hunter's house wasn't far.
21:05When he saw me, he grinned.
21:08So you're Saren?
21:09Not bad looking?
21:10I frowned.
21:13My wife died young.
21:15A misfortune.
21:16If you marry me, you just cook and wash for me every day.
21:19Nothing else to worry about.
21:21I didn't want to stay.
21:24We're not a good match.
21:26He got anxious and blocked my way.
21:28You've been married before.
21:29I didn't mind you.
21:30And now you're turning me down?
21:32Before he finished speaking, he reached for my arm.
21:35A blade pressed against his throat.
21:38Don't touch her with your filthy hands.
21:40It was Ash.
21:41Who are you?
21:44Ash gave him a cold look and pulled me away.
21:46I looked at my wrist in his grip.
21:48Why did you come?
21:51To see what kind of man you'd marry.
21:53I wasn't going to marry him.
21:55Then, why did you come?
21:58He stopped walking and took out a dark silver pendant from his chest.
22:01A crescent moon.
22:02Ancient looking.
22:03Cool to the touch.
22:05Saren.
22:06I have to go.
22:08Take this.
22:10When I've had my revenge, I'll come back for you.
22:13Revenge?
22:14He was silent for a moment.
22:16Then his eyes darkened.
22:17The vampires invaded our wolf lands and killed many of my people.
22:21This war.
22:23Either they die or we do.
22:25Don't worry.
22:26The human prophecy protects you.
22:28No one will harm you.
22:30In the moonlight, his pupils narrowed to slits and his canines showed briefly, then disappeared.
22:35I wanted to ask more, but he had already turned and walked into the night.
22:42Ash left.
22:43The pendant looked too valuable and I didn't take it.
22:47But a week later, while cleaning the house, I found it again in the bag of gold coins under my
22:51bed, along with two more pouches of gold and a note.
22:54The note had just three words, wait for me.
22:57I folded the note back into the bag.
22:59I held the pendant for a long time.
23:02In the moonlight, the silver crescent glowed faintly, as if alive.
23:05Life went on as usual.
23:07Herbs to pick, patience to see, the stove to light.
23:11But at meals, there was only one set of cutlery again.
23:15Luna lay on the threshold, occasionally bleeding as if asking where's that man?
23:19When winter came, mountain herbs grew scarcer.
23:22Yet each time I went out, I would run into a fine plant on my usual path, as if waiting
23:27for me.
23:27Once I was certain the path had been bare the day before, but overnight a clump of silver thread grass
23:33had sprouted from a crack.
23:35Child, you true are blessed by the forest spirit.
23:39I smiled, but in my heart I felt something was off.
23:42A month later, news of war came.
23:45I went to the town storyteller to ask.
23:48Fighting in the north, I hear.
23:49Indeed!
23:51Wolves and vampires have been at it for hundreds of years.
23:54This time, the Wulvuls have a young king named Lucian.
23:58He swore to drive the vampires out of the north and take back the wolves' land.
24:04And who's winning?
24:08The wolves, they say.
24:10The old vampire nobles are no good at fighting, though they have money.
24:14But this wolf king is determined.
24:16He's pushed all the way into vampire territory.
24:20Someone else chimed in.
24:21But vampires have magic, don't they?
24:23The storyteller shook his head.
24:25Magic can't match wolf claws.
24:27And the vampires aren't united.
24:29You know the Blood Moon family?
24:30Once strong, but centuries ago one of their ancestors lost control.
24:34Drink human blood.
24:35Killed a human.
24:36That broke the prophet's curse, and that branch has been greatly weakened.
24:40Now all they have are mines and gold, useless in war.
24:43My heart stirred.
24:45The Blood Moon family.
24:46Dorian's family.
24:48I raised my clay cup and took a sip.
24:50Saying nothing.
24:51After war talk, the storyteller changed the subject to private matters.
24:55They say he still hasn't married, not even a woman by his side.
24:59Maybe he's got some ailment?
25:03You don't know.
25:05I have a distant relative in the capital who serves in the palace.
25:09And he says the king already has someone in his heart.
25:15Who?
25:16What kind of woman?
25:20A healer, they say.
25:22A village medic from a smill hamlet.
25:25Another jeer.
25:26Why would a king want a herb gatherer?
25:30Ah, you don't understand.
25:33She can bring the dying back to life.
25:36My clay cup slipped, spilling its contents down my front.
26:09I brushed off my clothes and hurried out of the inn.
26:14I walked out into the snow and saw a troop of riders at the village entrance.
26:18The wind was strong and the banner flapped and curled.
26:21The villagers all hid inside their homes.
26:23I started back to, my hand instinctively going to the cleaver at my waist.
26:28The troop came closer.
26:30They stopped right in front of my yard.
26:32The man at the head, in a black cloak.
26:34He pushed open my gate and walked in through the snow.
26:37One step, two deep and heavy prints.
26:40He stopped before me and pushed back the hood of his cloak.
26:43In the wind and snow, his face was thinner than it had been half a year ago, the lines deeper.
26:48I slowly loosened my grip on the cleaver, my voice trembling.
26:52You.
26:52Before I could finish, he pulled me into his arms.
26:55His chin rested on my head, his voice muffled, I'm home.
26:59Luna bleated from the threshold, wagging her tail and rubbing against his leg.
27:05I had guessed right.
27:07He was the wolf king.
27:08The war god they called the wolf of the north stood before me now, still holding two flatbreads.
27:13He had pressed them into my hand as he came through the door, still warm.
27:16He reached out and touched the pendant hanging around my neck,
27:19his nostrils flaring slightly as if checking something, and the corner of his mouth lifted.
27:23You're wearing it?
27:24I didn't answer.
27:26I looked him in the eyes.
27:27Are you the wolf king?
27:30Yes.
27:31Lucian.
27:33What?
27:35My real name.
27:37Lucian.
27:38The war lasted half a year.
27:40All that time.
27:42I missed you terribly.
27:43Will you come with me?
27:45No.
27:46He hadn't expected that.
27:49Surprised.
27:50What?
27:51No.
27:54I won't be a mistress.
27:56I'm asking you to be my queen.
28:00But...
28:00He was silent.
28:02After a long moment...
28:04You don't want to marry me.
28:08No, though I hated to admit it.
28:11I had fallen for him again.
28:13I did love Ash.
28:14But Ash wasn't Lucian.
28:16Lucian was a king.
28:17I remembered what Lady Blood Moon had said to me.
28:20You are the wolf king.
28:22And now you have united this land.
28:25Your queen should be of noble birth.
28:28So you can support each other in marriage.
28:31He laughed.
28:32A bold.
28:32Confident laugh.
28:34Nonsense.
28:36I won this land with my own sword.
28:39Not through marriage alliances.
28:42But I don't want to live in a palace.
28:47No one would pick my herbs.
28:50No one would see my patience.
28:52After a long while, he turned and left.
28:55I thought he had gone for good.
28:57But the next morning, when I opened the door, I saw soldiers busy in my yard, moving tables,
29:02weeding, chopping wood, building a pavilion.
29:04They had even brought a whole cart of herbs, neatly stacked.
29:08I was dumbfounded.
29:09I grabbed a young soldier.
29:11Maybe fifteen.
29:12What are you doing?
29:17Your majesty, the queen.
29:20His majesty says he will live here from now on.
29:23And told us to fix up the yard.
29:28He also said to build an extra room for a dispensary.
29:31Where is Lucian now?
29:34At the inn in town.
29:36When I arrived, Lucian was reviewing documents.
29:39The guards must have been told in advance, for no one stopped me.
29:44Saren, you're here.
29:45What do you mean by this?
29:48After I left yesterday, I thought all night.
29:52Since you won't come to the palace, I'll have to come live with you.
29:55I've already started building the dispensary.
29:58What kind would you like?
29:59I looked at his roguish expression and gritted my teeth.
30:02My humble hut can't hold a great man like you.
30:07It's alright.
30:08Wherever Saren likes, I like.
30:11He truly moved in again.
30:13He slept in the same bed where he'd recovered.
30:15Sometimes made me the meals he used to make.
30:17Spent his days reviewing reports and practicing swordsmanship.
30:20In the evenings, he clumsily helped me sword herbs, doing his best.
30:24The black raven began visiting frequently again.
30:27Every time I frowned and urged him to go back to his palace,
30:30the next meal would include a dish he'd cooked himself.
30:33After a few times, it felt like I was only trying to drive him away for the sake of the
30:37food.
30:38I stopped asking him to leave.
30:40If he wanted to stay, let him stay.
30:45One incident happened during this time.
30:47I was out gathering herbs as usual when my neighbor Martha came running.
30:51Saren, quick, come home!
30:53See who's here!
30:54I followed her back.
30:56It was Dorian.
30:57He knelt in my yard, before Lucian.
31:00His head hung low, his spine sagging, a far cry from the elegant noble he once was.
31:05Luna stood to the side, bleeding at him unpleasantly.
31:08I heard him say,
31:10Please, your majesty, spare the blood moon family.
31:15We will give you the blood crystal mines.
31:17Of course I want the mines.
31:28Dorian looked up at the voice and his body jolted.
31:33Saren, your majesty.
31:37I looked at him.
31:38In just one year, his eyes were no longer clear, and he had grown terribly thin.
31:42What's going on?
31:44He brushed a stray hair from my forehead.
31:47Dorian flinched.
31:48Lucian's lips curled.
31:49The vampires fought me for years.
31:52Now they've lost, and he comes to beg for mercy.
31:57I looked at Dorian, his head bowed, his whole body shaking.
32:00What do you plan to do with the blood moon family?
32:05By law, death.
32:10Then, execute them.
32:11Dorian's head snapped up.
32:13Saren, we were one husband and wife.
32:17How can you be so heartless?
32:20I looked at him and found it almost funny.
32:23Dorian, I saved your life, and you took me to the capital just to humiliate me.
32:29How ridiculous.
32:31His lips trembled.
32:32I didn't.
32:33That was all to appease my mother.
32:36I already broke off the engagement with the Crimson's.
32:40I wanted to marry you.
32:41It doesn't matter anymore.
32:44What you did doesn't matter to me.
32:47Do as you see fit.
32:49Lucian, however, seemed in good spirits.
32:52He personally helped Dorian to his feet.
32:55The blood moon family, though thou defeated, has offered their minds a contribution.
33:01I'll spare their lives and exile them to the western border.
33:05Thank you, your majesty.
33:07The west is hard, but you'll live.
33:11I knew he was doing it for my sake.
33:16That evening, Lucian cooked a whole table of dishes.
33:19I sat watching him, remembering how last winter he had stood by the same stove, turning sour wild fruit into
33:24jam.
33:25What are you looking at?
33:27At you.
33:29You look better cooking than holding a sword.
33:32Then I'll cook for you.
33:33Every day.
33:34Aren't you also a king?
33:38Kings have to eat too.
33:40He put a piece of stewed meat on my plate.
33:43Taste it.
33:44I braised it half an hour longer today.
33:46Looking at the meat in my bowl, I finally couldn't help it.
33:49Lucian, yes.
33:51Can your queen continue gathering herbs?
33:54Can she still see patience?
33:56He paused for a heartbeat, then his eyes lit up with surprise.
34:00Yes.
34:01You can keep gathering herbs, and you can keep seeing patience.
34:04Keep doing what you love.
34:06I'll be with you.
34:07I saw nothing but joy in his eyes.
34:09He looked at me and kissed me.
34:11The night grew light the moment our lips met.
34:14His tongue entered, and I clutched his hand.
34:17My fingertips trembling.
34:19Our breathing grew tangled.
34:20I couldn't tell whose was hotter.
34:22He put one hand on my waist, pulled me onto him, and with the other touched my neck.
34:26His thumb stroking my pulse.
34:28I let out a faint whimper that he swallowed.
34:31The night-like water swallowed every sound, leaving only intertwined breaths and the soft rustle of cloth.
34:41On the day of the full moon, I dug out the packet of moonshadow seeds from the bottom of my
34:46medicine chest, the seeds my mother had left me.
34:49Somehow, the cloth bag had torn a little, and a few seeds had scattered onto the windowsill.
34:54Moonlight streamed through the window and fell on those seeds.
34:57And then, they bloomed.
34:59Silver-white petals opened in the moonlight, one after another, like stars falling onto my windowsill.
35:05A cool, sweet fragrance filled the air, seeping into my skin, into my bones.
35:10My body began to glow.
35:12The small cartilage at the top of my ear had grown into a sharp point.
35:15I touched it, then ran to look in the mirror.
35:18My face was the same, but deep in my pupils a point of silver light swirled, like two tiny moons.
35:23Memories flooded back like a tide.
35:26The silver moon forest.
35:27A stag of white gold, phantom-like, bent its forelegs and bowed its head to me.
35:32A voice spoke in my ear, my mother's voice.
35:35Seren.
35:36Last blood of the moonshadow elves.
35:39Your true name is Seren Moonshadow.
35:42When you remember who you are, return to the silver moon forest.
35:46Lucian pushed open the door and saw the silver light filling the room in my pointed ears.
35:50He froze.
35:51Then he smiled.
35:53So my queen is an elven princess.
35:56You... you knew?
35:58I guessed.
35:59Then why didn't you tell me?
36:01Because it doesn't matter who you are.
36:03You are Seren.
36:06That's enough.
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