- 21 hours ago
the alpha king's human mate
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Short filmTranscript
00:00At the wedding banquet, Isabella, the one they called my sister, took the opportunity
00:04of toasting to lean in close and give me a taunting smile.
00:08Congratulations on your marriage.
00:10I tried out your husband on the wedding bed for her last night.
00:15It was absolutely amazing.
00:18Couldn't stand it and slapped her across the face.
00:21The next second, Dorian, my Bianca, as well as the most reputed Lycan Lord in the Ironspire
00:26kingdom gave me six hard lashes in front of everyone.
00:33Isabelle has never offended you.
00:34She gave you everything, yet you still can't stand her.
00:42Do you really think you can conceal your filthy past from me?
00:46You slave mongrel.
00:48If it weren't for your brothers, I'd rather marry a dog than a shameless ingrate like you.
00:52At his command,
00:55he threw me into a deep, remote forest and tossed me into a snake den,
00:59teeming with venomous snakes to reflect on my actions.
01:07After seven days of torment, my three older brothers of Ashvale's house came to me.
01:15I thought I'd be saved finally, but I was wrong.
01:23My eldest brother, the alpha king in the Ironspire kingdom.
01:28The most valiant commander, yet also the most ruthless ruler, who slaughtered the
01:33inhabitants of two cities to bring the north under his control.
01:38Without hesitation, he thrust his sword through my shoulder blade.
01:44Isabel cried all night.
01:46I've already decided to name her as the heiress of the kingdom.
01:51My second brother, the dragon justiciar, cold as he was sculpted from a marble stone,
01:55once burned thin of features accused of treason and witchcraft at the stake without batting an eye.
02:00He didn't even take a glance at my battered body, just said coldly.
02:04From now on, only Isabel's name will be recorded in the royal family registry.
02:09As for you, don't even think about being recognized as a member of this family for the rest of your
02:14life.
02:14My third brother, the renowned vampire human, was even more ruthless.
02:23His sharp teeth pierced my throat.
02:28Isabel has suffered from scurvius since childhood.
02:34To compensate her, you must keep giving out your blood to save her.
02:40I heard a cold voice, coarse from ancient.
02:43It is done.
02:44The suffering ordained for this form has run its course.
02:47Not one lash unearned, not one sorrow unspent.
02:50Death will not be an ending.
02:52It will be a door.
02:54Dear traveler, once this body dies, you may return to your original world.
03:02Hearing those words, I suddenly stopped wailing.
03:04My heart shifted from the despair and agony of moments ago to a sense of relief at the imminent release.
03:10My eldest and second brothers had already left with my blood in a large exquisite bottle.
03:15In the chilly, snake-infested den, only my third brother, Mortimer, and I remained.
03:21Blood was still gushing from the incision, and Mortimer frowned in exasperation as he sutured the wound on my neck.
03:27If you'd cooperated sooner, we wouldn't have had to do this under such primitive conditions.
03:33It's taking me so much effort.
03:36It's a real hassle.
03:38Just last week, while Isabella was feeding the puppy which the eldest brother gave to her,
03:42she was scratched by it and got a nearly invisible cut.
03:46Mortimer reacted as if the sky had fallen.
03:48He summoned all his assistants from the court to take care of Isabella,
03:52applying the most precious ointment, and he checked the progress of her wound recovery every three hours.
03:57But now, facing me, who had almost lost one's life, with nothing but a ball of thread,
04:03I'd torn from my tattered dress and a thorn from a bramble bush.
04:08He was still complaining about the hassle of the most basic suturing.
04:12Perhaps seeing that I hadn't moved for a while, he leaned down, patted my face.
04:16Stop pretending. I know you're in great shape.
04:23Aren't you just trying to play the victim to make me feel guilty,
04:27so you can steal my affection for Isabelle?
04:31You're so dark and petty.
04:34Since you've been a member of us, put those petty schemes away.
04:38In the past, faced with a loved one's misunderstanding,
04:41I would have defended myself with tear-filled eyes, crying out that I wasn't that kind of person.
04:46But at the time, I felt only numb calm, closing my eyes, I said hoarsely.
04:51You should leave too. I can wait here alone to die.
04:58Seraphina, you?
04:59Just let me die so that I can return to my original world.
05:07For me, the quickest way to find relief right now was to die immediately.
05:12But to Mortimer, those words clearly carried a different meaning.
05:17Seraphina, what do you mean?
05:19Are you deliberately saying these depressing things to disgust me?
05:23He deliberately yanked hard on the stitches.
05:25The fragile edges of the wound instantly tightened, and foul blood gushed out,
05:30bringing excruciating pain that no normal person could bear.
05:33Seeing me gasp in pain, my head drenched in cold sweat,
05:37a flicker of pity crossed his eyes, and he softened his tone.
05:40Don't speak nonsense. You are not going to die.
05:44At the end of the day, if you hadn't been so narrow-minded,
05:48refusing to accept Isabelle, and even hitting her, you wouldn't be suffering like this.
05:54As long as you promise not to give Isabelle a hard time once we get back,
05:57and sincerely apologize to her, I can take you back to the court and get you the best treatment.
06:03You won't have to suffer here anymore.
06:05Hearing the condescending tone in his voice, I felt even more chilled to the bone and mocked.
06:10Although I am a time traveler, I had been reincarnated into the body of Seraphina in this
06:15world starting from the age of six. Poor, parentless, and nearly being sold as a slave.
06:21Before being sold, the only chance lain before me was to get adopted. I was lucky.
06:26That night, the administrator of the orphanage, with twinklings in her eyes, said to me,
06:31Lucky sweetie, there were three anonymous gentlemen who claim to be your biological brothers.
06:40Back then in the orphanage, in the blackness, I heard Isabella pull on my dress, heard her practice my
06:45voice, softening it, sweetening it. Before she greeted my brothers with a pretty curtsy,
06:50a sliver of light appeared beneath the door, then vanished. I can't do anything, because Isabella
06:56locked me in the attic. The carriage wheels faded down the gravel drive, but no one came.
07:01After I had endured countless hardships, the Asheville brothers found me presented on the slave
07:06market. Limbs bounded by chains. They claimed that I was their long-lost biological sister,
07:12and brought me back to Asheville's house. But once I returned, I discovered they had already had a
07:17sister Isabella, that imposter whom they had adopted years ago. The moment I saw her, I recognized her.
07:22For 20 years, Isabella had enjoyed all the care and love the Asheville house had to offer,
07:28while I had borne all the hardships and misfortunes in her stead. Yet whenever she feigns a look of
07:33grievance by furrowing her brow, my three biological brothers unconditionally take her side, accusing me
07:40of being petty. Even my betrothed, Dorian, would only smile at her while glaring coldly at me. I was tired
07:47of this entanglement and pain. I didn't want to waste any more energy arguing, so I simply raised my
07:52hand and tore open the knife wound that had just been stitched up. As blood and intestines gushed
07:58out, Mortimer screamed with voice craft. Seraphina, you're crazy! You'll die!
08:07Watching the tears welled up in his eyes, I curled the corners of my mouth into a smile. Death? That
08:13would be just fine. Every second I live longer makes me… feel sick! After saying that, I could
08:21no longer keep my eyelids from drooping. My head lolled to one side, and I passed out. I don't know
08:27how long it had been when I woke up from the darkness. I thought I'd return to my own world,
08:31but I felt I was leaning on a velvet cushion. When I opened my eyes, I saw the dome of
08:36the palace,
08:37carved with golden grapevines and winged wolves, and the familiar haughty profile of my elder brother,
08:43Alistair. You're finally awake. His eyes were slightly bloodshot. He looked like he hadn't slept
08:49well, but his tone was brimming with impatience. You're a grown woman now. Why do you behave like
08:55a kid, making such a fuss over a trifle? Where's the dignity of an ash well? The mere thought of
09:02having
09:02to deal with this rotten world left me feeling utterly drained. I had no interest in defending
09:07myself, so I interrupted him with a vacant stare. You're right. I've brought shame upon myself.
09:15I'm unworthy of living. So, let me die. Alistair's expression changed abruptly,
09:24and he instinctively gripped me by the neck. But when he saw my deathly pale face,
09:29devoid of even a hint of color, he loosened the gripping hand.
09:34Seraphina! You dare give me that look? His voice trembled. The impatience in his eyes faded
09:41slightly, revealing a trace of panic he didn't even realize he was feeling. I went to such great
09:47length to rescue you from the slave dealers, not so you could spout nonsense here! I tugged at the
09:53corner of my mouth, revealing a smile devoid of any warmth, great lengths. More likely,
09:59you were afraid I'd die, don't you? So no one could serve as a blood provide for Isabella. No one
10:05to
10:05let her continue playing the wrong little flower to her heart's content. Isn't that your planning?
10:10Just as I was thinking this. The door swung open, and third brother Mortimer walked in,
10:15holding a bowl of tea-sane. Seeing that I was awake, a flicker of joy flashed in his eyes. He
10:26held the
10:26bowl out to me. Now that you're awake, drink this. Don't make me force it down your throat. The liquid
10:31was pitch black and reeked of bitterness. I turned my head away and closed my eyes in refusal. No, it's
10:38a
10:38waste of medicine. Mortimer was so furious his hands were trembling, yet instead of forcing the
10:43to sane down my throat as he usually did. He gave the bowl to the maid, you insufferable wretch,
10:49and reached out to examine my wound. When his fingertips touched the bandage, his movements
10:53were surprisingly gentle. For the first time, there was a hint of tenderness and consideration
10:58he usually showed Isabella. As expected, with the best medicine, the recovery is best more faster.
11:07He re-wrapped the bandage and glared at me menacingly. You'd better behave myself.
11:12If the shunk re-opens I won't seen it up a second time. His words were harsh, but I clearly
11:17saw the
11:17red veins in his eyes and the barely perceptible tremor in his fingertips. I suppose he'd watched
11:23over me these past few days regardless of day or night. In the past, I would have been moved by
11:28this
11:28hint of tenderness, would have thrown my arms around him and cried out my grievances. But now,
11:33I only felt irony. I wrenched my arm free from his grip, yanked the blanket off, and was about to
11:39tear
11:39open the incision again. Every second of my life right now was torture. As long as I could die
11:44quickly, anything would do. Alistair grabbed my arm with such force he nearly crushed my bones.
11:49Yet the moment I groaned in pain, he instantly loosened his grip slightly.
11:53You're crazy! Serafina, what on earth are you trying to do?
11:58I want to die.
12:04My tone was calm, as if I were discussing some trivial matter. Let me die. It'll be better for
12:09everyone. You won't have to struggle anymore, and Isabella can live out her life as the Ashwell's
12:15heiress in peace. So please, do me a favor and let me die quickly. Those words seemed to strike a
12:24nerve
12:24with Alistair. His eyes reddened, and he raised his hand to slap me, though it was lighter than
12:29any blow he'd ever dealt me before. More like a frustrated outburst at a wayward child.
12:34I won't allow it. You're the daughter of Ashwell House. Who dares let you die?
12:39Mortimer panicked too. He stepped forward, and pushed me back onto the bed.
12:43Serafina, stop this. I know you're in pain. Just focus on getting better. Later,
12:50later I'll take better care of you, alright? I looked into the pleading in his eyes and found
12:54it absurd. Where was that all this time, when he was forcibly tearing open my throat,
12:59when he was making a mountain out of a molehill over Isabella's minor scratch?
13:03Why didn't he think to cherish me then? I closed my eyes, refusing to look at them.
13:08I let Mortimer tuck the blanket back around me and bring the bowl of t-sane to my lips,
13:12but I stubbornly refused to open my mouth. As we stood there in a standoff, my second older brother,
13:17Edmund, pushed open the door, followed by a pale-faced Dorian. When Edmund saw me,
13:22his eyes reddened, and he hurried to the bedside.
13:24Serafina, I'm so glad you're awake. You scared the life out of me.
13:29I was first taken back into the Ashvale House by him. It was he who saved me before the people
13:35lay a hand on me. His dragon form scared all the creatures except for me. He let me ride on
13:42his
13:42black scale back and rise into the sky. Not only did he take me on trips to see the sights,
13:47but he also told me how much the family had missed and searched for me over the years.
13:51Whenever he got emotional, he couldn't help but shed tears. He was once the tenderest heart of all.
13:56But later, after Isabella wiped away her tears and complained that I've stolen her lover to him
14:01several times, he turned on a dime, accusing me of being a two-faced schemer who had betrayed the
14:06family's sincere love for me. Seeing him again only made me feel more repulsed,
14:11and I dodged his hand as he reached out to touch my face.
14:18Edmund's hand, suspended in midair, froze, and he withdrew it with a bitter expression.
14:23Seeing this, Dorian stepped forward and took the bowl of T-Sane from Mortimer's hands.
14:28Let me feed her. She might listen to me. It was no wonder he was so confident. After all,
14:33over the years, anyone with eyes could see just how endlessly patient and accommodating I'd
14:38been toward the spionics. I loved him to the very core of my being. But what is the return of
14:43my
14:44love? On the day of our wedding ceremony, he confessed his true intention behind this
14:48convenient marriage. I remembered how he held Isabella in his arms, sneering.
14:52Do you know how I suffered for these years just for what your brothers had promised me?
14:57Even thirty cities in the Iron Spire could not make up for my sufferings under your endless
15:01jibber-jabbles. What can a bleak manor in the North do? Rose Palace. The manor he contempted was the
15:08only thing left untouched by Isabella for my dowry. Just as he was walking toward me, the door swung
15:14open again. Isabella, dressed in a thin, purple gown, walked in looking extremely frail. Sister,
15:20I've come to see you. Alistair immediately stood up to support her. Isabelle, you're still weak.
15:25Why did you come here? Isabella shook her head, her gaze falling on me, filled with feigned remorse.
15:31It's all my fault. If I hadn't failed to stop Sister Seraphina that day, things wouldn't have
15:36escalated to this point. I felt quilty, so I had to come and apologize to her. As she spoke,
15:43she took the bowl from Dorian's hands and sat down by my bedside. Seraphina, don't be so hard on
15:48yourself. Take your medicine and focus on recovering. Everyone has been worried sick about you.
15:52I know you still blame me, but I really didn't mean to compete with you for anything.
15:56I won't have much time left. Everything in the ash wheel was meant to be yours anyway.
16:00These words seemed like a concession, but in reality, every sentence implied that I was narrow,
16:06minded, clinging to the past, and deliberately using my own body to throw a tantrum. Before her spoon
16:11could touch my lips, I raised my hand and slapped the medicine bowl out of her hand. With a clatter,
16:16scalding liquid splashed all over Isabella, especially her wrist and the hem of her robe,
16:21which instantly turned red, Isabella let out a startled cry. Her eyes welled up with tears,
16:26and her voice trembled with emotion. Sister Seraphina, how could you do this?
16:33I was just trying to comfort you. She bit her lip, looking utterly wronged,
16:38with tears welling up in her eyes. A sight that tugged at the heartstrings.
16:42Seraphina, you've lost your mind! I instantly recognized that it was Alistair's voice.
16:52Alistair flew into a rage, yanking Isabella behind him and glaring at me with fury.
16:57Isabelle came to see you out of kindness. Is this how you treat her?
17:01Mortimer immediately stepped forward to examine Isabella's wound,
17:05his voice filled with anxiety. How do you feel?
17:08Edmund furrowed his brows, staring at me, his eyes brimming with disappointment.
17:12Seraphina, you've gone too far. Isabelle has already apologized.
17:15How long do you plan to keep this up? Dorian hurried over to Isabella's side,
17:19pulling out a handkerchief to wipe her face. Seraphina, can't you be a little more sensible?
17:24Isabelle meant well. Even if you don't appreciate it, you shouldn't have hurt her.
17:28The group gathered around Isabella, fussing over her, completely ignoring me.
17:31Leaning against Alistair's chest, Isabella stole a glance at me. A flash of smugness crossed her eyes.
17:37Yet she continued to feign innocence as she pleaded.
17:41I'm fine. Please don't scold Seraphine. She is just in a bad mood.
17:46But Halia, then thou act. In the past, it would have made me shake with rage.
17:51But now, I just find it laughably absurd. Such a clumsy ploy would have been seen through by anyone
17:56else at a glance. Yet these four, elites at the pinnacle of their respective fields,
18:01were willingly being led around by the nose by Isabella. Or perhaps this is what they call,
18:05one willing to strike, one willing to be struck. I am merely a pawn in their game.
18:11If you feel sorry for this beast, please do so outside. Don't stir my peace.
18:15Hearing my cold voice, all of them trembled with rage.
18:19Seraphiana, it seems you haven't reflected enough. From now on, I won't stop the bleeding for you.
18:25I'll only resume your medication when you've come to your senses and are willing to apologize to Isabelle.
18:31Mortimer looked at me with disappointment etched on his face. Alistair chimed in.
18:36I shall disown you. You are no longer Alpha King's sister from now on.
18:40I'll name Isabella as the only heiress of the kingdom.
18:43The kingdom deedman sighed. His eyes filled with resignation, yet he offered no objection.
18:47Dorian stood to the side, nodding silently, clearly in agreement with this decision. I closed my eyes,
18:53offering neither rebuttal nor anger. The pain from my wounds is nothing compared to the grievances and
18:58torment I've endured over the past 20 years. But the pain allows me to wait for death's arrival
19:04with greater clarity. The moment the overwhelming pain struck, my closest family and fianc all hurriedly
19:10gathered around Isabella and left the room. Not a single one of them looked back, not even as the
19:15door slammed shut. I bit back the blood trickling from the corner of my mouth. Pulled a shard of porcelain
19:21I'd hidden under my pillow from earlier, and without hesitation, slashed at my throat. I collapsed once more.
19:31In the magnificent hall, roasted peacocks, lark pies, saffron swans, all kinds of the most luxurious
19:38delicacies you could imagine were served on a long table that could seat 200 lords. All were celebrating
19:44the nomination of Isabella as the royal heiress of the kingdom. But Alistair leaning on the throne
19:49wore a gloomy expression. He was thinking of Seraphina. Something just felt wrong, but he couldn't
19:54figure out what was going wrong. Your highness, now that I've done what you've told me to do,
20:00and your heiress had got the right blood to cure her disease, it's time to keep your promise to me.
20:07Dorian, half-drunken, gave a toast to Alistair. His voice sounds to be excited. Alistair twitched his brows,
20:12questioning in doubt. Dorian made a sycophantic smile. Control over the three cities on the border.
20:21You can't just forget it. Alistair's expression darkened. Oh, did I? Both Edmund and Mortimer
20:26turned their heads towards Dorian. Dorian seemed to be much confused, voice trembling. Was it not your
20:32will that I humiliate Seraphina at my wedding ceremony and force her to submit, so that she might
20:37offer her blood to Isabella? Alistair's smile grew broader, but the intimidating tone in his voice
20:43was suffocating. Did I say anything like this? Isabella, now sitting beside the throne,
20:48shivered and turned pale. At that moment, a servant suddenly appeared in the hall. Mortimer recognized
20:53that he was the one whom he arranged to take care of Seraphina in secret for his sight. Your
21:07death, shouting out in impossible rage. Dare you to say it again? Edmund, Mortimer and Dorian were all
21:13in shot, and all the Lycan lords present were silenced. Mortimer murmured. I cannot be. The next
21:19moment, all the four rushed out of the gate of the hall, leaving Isabella alone in the empty hall. But
21:25when they pushed open the door they had just left, a pungent, unmistakable smell of blood hit them in the
21:30face. The moment my body was completely dead, the familiar coarse ancient voice sounded.
21:36Congratulations, dear traveler. Corporeal death confirmed. The 10 billion bonus has been credited.
21:43You are now going back to your original world. I felt my body grow light, as if I'd broken free
21:48from heavy shackles, floating in mid-air. In the chamber below, the stench of blood filled the air,
21:53accompanied by frantic cries and screams. Utter chaos, Alistair clung desperately to my corpse,
21:58his usually stern face streaked with tears.
22:00Daphine, I'm sorry. It was all my fault. Please, come back. I'll do anything for you.
22:08Don't leave me. Edmund knelt on the floor, saying nothing, just staring blankly at me with a vacant
22:14gaze. Mortimer's legs gave way, and he collapsed at the doorway. Though he was accustomed to all manner
22:19of bloody scenes, he didn't dare take a single step closer to examine the state of my death. He suddenly
22:24reached out and opened the floor to ceiling window in the room. The blinding midday sunlight poured
22:29in. His pale skin exposed to the light instantly began to rot, oozing thick blood. His cheeks quickly
22:35swelled and turned red. Tears mixed with blood at the corners of his mouth. I killed you, Seraphine.
22:41I personally slit your throat. I deserve to die. Come back and scold me or hit me. I don't care.
22:47Just please don't leave me like this. Only when servants found his self-cleaned gesture and dragged
22:53him into the darkness did he broke down in tears. Dorian stood frozen in place for a long time before
23:01suddenly rushing forward and shoving Alistair aside. She's not dead! Seraphine isn't dead! This is all a lie!
23:08He reached out to check my breath, then felt my pulse, over and over again, repeating the words incessantly.
23:16She's still breathing! Look, she's still breathing! She's just faking it. She's doing this on purpose.
23:22A servant nearby tried to step in to stop him, but he shoved him away like a madman. His eyes
23:27red,
23:27he turned to face the people in the chamber and shouted like a lunatic. Seraphine Ashwil isn't dead!
23:32Even if this person is dead, it's not really her! She must be hiding somewhere, watching,
23:37watching us cry here, watching us regret it. She's laughing at us! She's always been so vindictive.
23:43How could she just die like this? He scanned the chamber, his voice a constant howl.
23:50Come out! If you've got the guts, come out! Stop pretending to be dead! Don't you hate us the most?
23:57Don't you want to see us suffer more than anything? Come out!
24:01He grew increasingly hysterical, screaming and thrashing about in a fit of despair. I floated in
24:07midair, watching them with a cold gaze. I used to long for their compassion, but now I found their
24:12tears and repentance laughably cheap. If I hadn't actually died, they'd probably still be surrounding
24:16Isabella, pointing their fingers at me and hurling insults. Just then, Isabella, standing behind the
24:22crowd, stirred. She quietly took two steps back. While everyone was lost in grief, she turned to slip out of
24:28the court. Stop right there!
24:33Alistair suddenly looked up, his bloodshot eyes fixed intently on Isabella.
24:38It's you! You're the one behind all this! He staggered forward and grabbed Isabella by the arm.
24:44Caught off guard, Isabella stumbled. Brother, you… what are you talking about?
24:48Sister is dead, and I'm heartbroken too! How could you blame me?
24:52Edmund stepped forward to block the doorway, his gaze icy.
24:56Seraphine's death is suspicious. You can't leave now.
24:59Mortimer also snapped out of his breakdown, wiped the tears and blood from his face, and spoke firmly.
25:04Until this is cleared up, you must stay here.
25:07Stop it! Isabella turned pale and struggled to break free.
25:10I didn't do anything! Sister Serafton took her own life! It has nothing to do with me!
25:16She still wore that aggrieved expression, but this time, the three brothers saw nothing but suspicion in their eyes.
25:25We never looked into the details of how you were adopted or how Seraphine went missing back then.
25:31Now that she's dead, you think you can just walk away?
25:35Guard! Arrest her!
25:38I'm sending someone over to keep an eye on you! Don't even think about pulling any tricks!
25:42Isabella watched the guards closing in on her. Although she wanted to run, she didn't dare make a move.
25:48I floated in mid-air, watching the scene unfold, and found it utterly boring.
25:52The next second, the scene before me suddenly warped, and a strong sensation of weightlessness washed over me.
25:58When I opened my eyes again, what met my gaze was the ceiling of a rented apartment.
26:03This was the rental apartment where I'd lived for five years before I time traveled.
26:06I wiggled my fingers, my body felt perfectly fine. I turned back, and looked into the old vintage oil painting
26:13on the wall.
26:14A design featuring a wolf, a dragon, and a giant bat, arranged in a continuous loop.
26:19That was the place from where I came back. I gradually remembered that I used to be an antique collector,
26:23and this painting was bought about five years ago in which I invested all my money.
26:27But a famous connoisseur stood out, out of jealousy. She publicly claimed that the painting was a fake, and that
26:33I was a fraud.
26:33I spent every last penny I had, only to end up disgraced and ruined.
26:38In my despair, I threw the painting into the shredder, but unexpectedly found myself transported into the world within the
26:44painting.
26:44The so-called iron spire. Goodbye bloody hell iron spire, I thought.
26:51My phone vibrated on the desk, the screen lit up, it was a notification from my banking app.
26:56Your account ending in 5,489 has received a deposit of 10 billion dollar.
27:02Current balance, 1-0-0-0-3-5-6-2-1.78. The string of zeros made my eyes fall.
27:09The coarse voice sounded again.
27:11The fate granted you a healthy body. Wishing the traveller a fresh start in life.
27:15I sat up and stretched my limbs. No wounds, no pain. My whole body was brimming with strength.
27:2220 years of pent-up oppression vanished in an instant. I couldn't help but laugh out loud as I began
27:27planning for the future.
27:28The 10 billion in my phone was solid, tangible confidence. I didn't rush to splurge.
27:33First I picked up a low-key family car, then bought a mid-rise apartment near a city park.
27:38A new bookshelf, a few low-maintenance houseplants, and a full set of cooking utensils gradually filled the empty apartment.
27:45Comfortable and at ease, it became a home that truly belonged to me. But the oil painting that hung beside
27:51the bookshelf in my study,
27:52still made noises at times. It haunted me by day and night, when I got tired, and was about to
27:57fall asleep.
27:58The nightmare ran to me. I still can't get through with that rotten world. But days passed peacefully,
28:04with a regular daily routine, and doing what I loved, slowly shaking off the shadows left by that rotten world.
28:10However, a little over a month later, I heard an unexpected ringing of the doorbell.
28:17It was already midnight. Who would come to visit at this time? A woman wearing heavy
28:23makeup with two tall bodyguards stood at the door. Guns in hands. I almost recognized the
28:28woman at first sight. Isabella. Also the connoisseur that framed me. Long time no see, Mrs. Arnold.
28:35Or shall I call you dear Seraphina Asheville? Give me the painting now. Maybe I'll consider
28:40to spare your life. You may take it as you wish. I don't give a shit of it, honestly. Isabella
28:46bade her bodyguards to take the painting quickly from off the wall, laughing out loudly. This time,
28:51I shall be the heroine, the innocent, helpless Seraphina. Ten billion dollars shall be mine.
29:00While you, Mrs. Arnold, you know your role, I suddenly felt a chill run down my spine.
29:06Dear traveler, the time tunnel has been forcibly opened, and the initial character swaps have been
29:12completed. Your character this time is the adopted sister of Asheville brothers, Isabella.
29:21I furrowed my brow. What did this have to do with me?
29:24I had long since wanted nothing to do with the people and events of that world.
29:29Not to mention that this time I am forced to take the role of that vicious willingness.
29:33I dismissed the echoing voice, but it wouldn't let it go. If you doesn't accept the role,
29:39the chaos and iron spike will threaten the stability of the real world. Your 10 billion dollars bonus
29:45will also be withdrawn. So I'm being forced to go back. The system's warning is no joke. I couldn't
29:51risk the stability of the real world and the bonus I earned. After a long internal struggle, I finally
29:57gave in. I agree to go back. But once I've handled this, I want to completely sever ties with that
30:03world and have no further involvement. No problem. Once order is restored, the traveler may freely
30:09choose whether to remain in the mission world or return to be annihilated.
30:17The scene before me worked once more. A strong metallic smell of rust instantly filled my nostrils.
30:24And I immediately realized it was the smell of my own blood. I felt the coldness and stiffness of
30:30the iron chains on my limbs. This was the dungeon in the Ashevale's old castle. I once heard that it
30:36was used to punish those who committed treason. I lifted my eyes and saw four familiar faces. Alistair,
30:43Edmund, Mortimer, and Dorian. Alistair opened his mouth.
30:48What would you say, Isabella? Confess your sin.
30:55I had not been used to this name yet. After realizing that he was addressing to me,
30:59I sneered coldly. What would I say? My dear brother, shouldn't you have figured out what I
31:06did a long time ago? Dorian stepped out in rage. How dare you, mongrel? Do you know that Seraphine just
31:14passed away because of your lie? You killed my beloved, and I want you to pay with your life,
31:20bitch! Dorian clamped his hands tightly around my neck. I smiled in a more sarcastic way.
31:28Mongrel? Don't you remember how did you call your dear Seraphina by this word?
31:33My words left him speechless, and he began to cry again. I will hand down the harshest sentence
31:40possible. Edmund added coldly. I suddenly burst out laughing. I'll be waiting for you, your honor.
31:46And then, such a provocation left the four of them staring at each other. At a loss,
31:50Mortimer just stood beside, keeping silent like a sculpture. His blue eyes glistening in the darkness.
31:56Mortimer finally spoke. Isabella, you've changed. You never used to be like this.
32:04It was him who first discovered the weirdness of this. Isabella, a light, cheerful patter of footsteps
32:10could be heard. Accompanied by giggling, the brothers and the husband turned their heads.
32:14A familiar profile appeared. Seraphina!
32:21Alistair was the first to rush to her, pulling that Seraphina into a tight embrace.
32:26Seraphine, you're really back. Don't ever leave us again.
32:32Edmund stood by her, his eyes red-rimmed, holding a small jar of honeyed grapes,
32:36which I'd longed for, but never got to eat back when I was at the orphanage. He held the jar
32:41out
32:41to me. His voice choked with emotion. I've locked up that bitch, Isabella. She owed you,
32:48and we're here to get what's yours back. Mortimer took her hand, as if to confirm she was real.
32:54Dorian said passionately, eyes welling up with tears. We've locked deep down in this dungeon,
33:00making her pray for you day and night, to atone for her sins.
33:07We've already figured out that it was Isabella who deliberately locked you up and let you be
33:12sold in the slave market. In three days, I will hold a public trial for her. As they were saying
33:17about this, I was staring at the face of that Seraphina, the original Isabella. I saw the flash
33:22of malice crossing her cloudy eyes, followed by a twisted smile. I could tell from her lip movements
33:27that she was saying to me, you're dead.