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#shortdrama
#moviestorms
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Short filmTranscript
00:00At the wedding banquet, Isabella, the one they called my sister, took the opportunity of toasting to lean in close,
00:06and give me a taunting smile.
00:08Congratulations on your marriage. I tried out your husband on the wedding bed for you last night.
00:15It was absolutely amazing.
00:18Couldn't stand it and slapped her across the face.
00:21The next second, Dorian, my fianco, as well as the most reputed lichen lord in the Ironspire kingdom,
00:27gave me six hard lashes in front of everyone.
00:33Isabelle has never offended you. She gave you everything, yet you still can't stand her.
00:43Do you really think you can conceal your filthy past from me?
00:46You slave mongrel. If it weren't for your brothers, I'd rather marry a dog than a shameless ingrate like you.
00:52At his command, he 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.
01:23My eldest brother, the alpha king in the Ironspire kingdom.
01:28The most valiant commander, yet also the most ruthless ruler,
01:33who slaughtered the inhabitants of two cities to bring the north under his control.
01:38Without hesitation, he thrust his sword through my shoulder blade.
01:44Isabelle 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,
01:56once 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 Isabelle'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.
02:15My third brother, the renowned vampire healer,
02:22was even more ruthless.
02:24His sharp teeth pierced my throat.
02:29Isabelle has suffered from scurvius since childhood.
02:34To compensate her.
02:36You 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,
02:49not one sorrow unspend.
02:50Death will not be an ending.
02:52It will be a door.
02:54Dear traveler,
02:56once this body dies,
02:57you may return to your original world.
03:02Hearing those words,
03:03I suddenly stopped wailing.
03:05My heart shifted from the despair and agony of moments ago
03:08to 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,
03:16snake-infested den,
03:18only my third brother,
03:19Mortimer,
03:20and I remained.
03:21Blood was still gushing from the incision,
03:23and Mortimer frowned in exasperation as he sutured the wound on my neck.
03:27If you'd cooperated sooner,
03:29we 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,
03:39while Isabella was feeding the puppy which the eldest brother gave to her,
03:43she was scratched by it,
03:44and 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,
03:53and he checked the progress of her wound recovery every three hours.
03:57But now,
03:58facing me,
03:59who had almost lost one's life,
04:02with nothing but a ball of thread I'd torn from my tattered dress,
04:05and 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,
04:14he leaned down,
04:15patted my face.
04:16Stop pretending.
04:18I 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,
04:33and petty.
04:34Since you've been a member of us,
04:36put those petty schemes away.
04:38In the past,
04:39faced with a loved one's misunderstanding,
04:41I would have defended myself with tear-filled eyes,
04:44crying out that I wasn't that kind of person.
04:46But at the time,
04:48I felt only numb calm,
04:49closing my eyes,
04:50I said hoarsely,
04:51You should leave too.
04:53I can wait here alone to die.
04:58Seraphina,
04:59you?
04:59Just let me die so that I can return to my original world.
05:07For me,
05:08the quickest way to find relief right now was to die immediately.
05:12But to Mortimer,
05:13those words clearly carried a different meaning.
05:17Seraphina,
05:18what 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,
05:28and foul blood gushed out,
05:30bringing excruciating pain that no normal person could bear.
05:33Seeing me gasp in pain,
05:35my head drenched in cold sweat,
05:37a flicker of pity crossed his eyes,
05:39and he softened his tone.
05:40Don't speak nonsense.
05:43You are not going to die.
05:45At the end of the day,
05:46if you hadn't been so narrow-minded,
05:48refusing to accept Isabel,
05:50and even hitting her,
05:52you wouldn't be suffering like this.
05:54As long as you promise not to give Isabel a hard time once we get back,
05:57and sincerely apologize to her,
05:59I can take you back to the court,
06:02and get you the best treatment.
06:04You won't have to suffer here anymore.
06:05Hearing the condescending tone in his voice,
06:08I felt even more chilled to the bone and mocked.
06:10Although I am a time traveler,
06:12I had been reincarnated into the body of Seraphina in this world
06:15starting from the age of six.
06:17Poor, parentless,
06:18and nearly being sold as a slave.
06:21Before being sold,
06:22the only chance lain before me was to get adopted.
06:25I was lucky.
06:26That night,
06:27the administrator of the orphanage with twinklings in her eyes,
06:30said to me,
06:31Lucky sweetie,
06:32there were three anonymous gentlemen
06:34who claimed to be your biological brothers.
06:40Back then in the orphanage,
06:41in the blackness,
06:42I heard Isabel pull on my dress,
06:44heard her practice my voice,
06:46softening it,
06:47sweetening it.
06:48Before she greeted my brothers with a pretty curtsy,
06:50a sliver of light appeared beneath the door,
06:53then vanished.
06:54I can't do anything,
06:55because Isabel locked me in the attic.
06:57The carriage wheels faded down the gravel drive,
06:59but no one came.
07:00After I had endured countless hardships,
07:03the Asheville brothers found me presented on the slave market,
07:07limbs bounded by chains.
07:09They claimed that I was their long lost biological sister,
07:12and brought me back to Asheville's house.
07:14But once I returned,
07:15I discovered they had already had a sister Isabella,
07:18that imposter whom they had adopted years ago.
07:20The moment I saw her,
07:22I recognized her.
07:23For 20 years,
07:24Isabella 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.
07:32Yet whenever she feigns a look of grievance by furrowing her brow,
07:35my three biological brothers unconditionally take her side,
07:39accusing me of being petty.
07:41Even my betrothed, Dorian,
07:43would only smile at her while glaring coldly at me.
07:46I was tired of this entanglement and pain.
07:49I didn't want to waste any more energy arguing,
07:51so I simply raised my hand and tore open the knife wound that had just been stitched up.
07:56As blood and intestines gushed out,
07:58Mortimer screamed with voice clapped.
08:02Serafina, you're crazy!
08:03You'll die!
08:07Watching the tears welled up in his eyes,
08:09I curled the corners of my mouth into a smile.
08:12Death?
08:13That would be just fine.
08:15Every second I live longer makes me...
08:18feel sick!
08:19After saying that,
08:21I could no longer keep my eyelids from drooping.
08:23My head lolled to one side,
08:25and I passed out.
08:26I don't know how long it had been when I woke up from the darkness.
08:29I thought I'd return to my own world,
08:31but I felt I was leaning on a velvet cushion.
08:34When I opened my eyes,
08:35I saw the dome of the palace,
08:37carved with golden grapevines and winged wolves,
08:40and the familiar haughty profile of my elder brother,
08:43Alistair.
08:44You're finally awake.
08:45His eyes were slightly bloodshot.
08:47He looked like he hadn't slept well,
08:49but his tone was brimming with impatience.
08:52You're a grown woman now.
08:54Why do you behave like a kid?
08:56Making such a fuss over a trifle,
08:59where's the dignity of an ash well?
09:01The mere thought of having to deal with this rotten world
09:03left me feeling utterly drained.
09:05I had no interest in defending myself,
09:07so I interrupted him with a vacant stare.
09:11You're right.
09:13I've brought shame upon myself.
09:16I'm unworthy of living.
09:19So, let me die.
09:22Alistair's expression changed abruptly,
09:24and he instinctively gripped me by the neck.
09:27But when he saw my deathly pale face,
09:30devoid of even a hint of color,
09:32he loosened the gripping hand.
09:34Seraphina!
09:36You dare give me that look!
09:38His voice trembled.
09:39The impatience in his eyes faded slightly,
09:42revealing a trace of panic
09:43he didn't even realize he was feeling.
09:45I went to such great length
09:47to rescue you from the slave dealers,
09:49not so you could spout nonsense here!
09:52I tugged at the corner of my mouth,
09:54revealing a smile devoid of any warmth.
09:57Great lengths?
09:58More likely you were afraid I'd die, don't you?
10:01So no one could serve as a blood provide for Isabella.
10:05No one to let her continue playing
10:06the wronged little flower to her heart's content.
10:09Isn't that your planning?
10:10Just as I was thinking this,
10:12the door swung open,
10:13and third brother Mortimer walked in,
10:15holding a bowl of tea-sane.
10:21Seeing that I was awake,
10:23a flicker of joy flashed in his eyes.
10:25He held the bowl out to me.
10:27Now that you're awake, drink this.
10:29Don't make me force it down your throat.
10:30The liquid was pitch black and reeked of bitterness.
10:33I turned my head away and closed my eyes in refusal.
10:37No, it's a waste of medicine.
10:39Mortimer was so furious his hands were trembling,
10:42yet instead of forcing the tisane down my throat as he usually did,
10:45he gave the bowl to the maid,
10:47You insufferable wretch.
10:49and reached out to examine my wound.
10:51When his fingertips touched the bandage,
10:53his movements were surprisingly gentle.
10:55For the first time,
10:56there was a hint of tenderness and consideration
10:58he usually showed Isabella.
11:01As expected,
11:02with the best medicine,
11:05the recovery is best more faster.
11:08He rewrapped the bandage and glared at me menacingly.
11:11You'd better behave myself.
11:12If the shunk reopens,
11:14I won't scene it up a second time.
11:15His words were harsh,
11:16but I clearly saw the red veins in his eyes
11:19and the barely perceptible tremor in his fingertips.
11:21I suppose he'd watched over me these past few days
11:24regardless of day or night.
11:26In the past,
11:27I would have been moved by this hint of tenderness,
11:29would have thrown my arms around him
11:30and cried out my grievances.
11:32But now,
11:33I only felt irony.
11:34I wrenched my arm free from his grip,
11:37yanked the blanket off,
11:38and was about to tear open the incision again.
11:40Every second of my life right now was torture,
11:43as long as I could die quickly,
11:44anything would do.
11:45Alistair grabbed my arm with such force
11:47he nearly crushed my bones.
11:49Yet the moment I groaned in pain,
11:50he instantly loosened his grip slightly.
11:54You're crazy!
11:55Serafina,
11:56what on earth are you trying to do?
11:58I'm going out to die.
12:04My tone was calm,
12:05as if I were discussing some trivial matter.
12:08Let me die.
12:08It'll be better for everyone.
12:10You won't have to struggle anymore,
12:12and Isabella can live out her life
12:14as the Ashwell's heiress in peace.
12:17So, please.
12:20Do me a favor and let me die quickly.
12:22Those words seemed to strike a nerve with Alistair.
12:25His eyes reddened,
12:26and he raised his hand to slap me,
12:28though it was lighter than any blow
12:29he'd ever dealt me before.
12:31More like a frustrated outburst
12:33at a wayward child.
12:34I won't allow it.
12:35You're the daughter of Ashwell House.
12:38Who dares let you die?
12:40Mortimer panicked too.
12:41He stepped forward,
12:42and pushed me back onto the bed.
12:44Serafina,
12:44stop this.
12:45I know you're in pain.
12:47Just focus on getting better.
12:49Later,
12:50later I'll take better care of you,
12:52all right?
12:52I looked into the pleading in his eyes
12:54and found it absurd.
12:55Where was that all this time,
12:57when he was forcibly tearing open my throat,
12:59when he was making a mountain out of a molehill
13:01over Isabella's minor scratch?
13:03Why didn't he think to cherish me then?
13:05I closed my eyes,
13:07refusing to look at them.
13:08I let Mortimer tuck the blanket back around me
13:10and bring the bowl of T-Sane to my lips,
13:12but I stubbornly refused to open my mouth.
13:14As we stood there in a standoff,
13:16my second older brother,
13:17Edmund,
13:18pushed open the door,
13:19followed by a pale-faced Dorian.
13:21When Edmund saw me,
13:22his eyes reddened,
13:23and he hurried to the bedside.
13:24Serafina,
13:25I'm so glad you're awake.
13:26You scared the life out of me.
13:30I was first taken back into the Asheville house by him.
13:33It was he who saved him
13:34before the people lay a hand on me.
13:37His dragon form scared all the creatures except for me.
13:41He let me ride on his black-scaled back
13:43and rise into the sky.
13:45Not only did he take me on trips to see the sights,
13:47but he also told me how much the family had missed
13:49and searched for me over the years.
13:51Whenever he got emotional,
13:53he couldn't help but shed tears.
13:54He was once the tenderest heart of all.
13:56But later,
13:57after Isabella wiped away her tears
13:59and complained that I've stolen her lover to him several times,
14:02he turned on a dime,
14:03accusing me of being a two-faced schemer
14:06who had betrayed the family's sincere love for me.
14:08Seeing 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,
14:20froze,
14:21and he withdrew it with a bitter expression.
14:23Seeing this,
14:24Dorian stepped forward
14:25and took the bowl of T-Sane from Mortimer's hands.
14:28Let me feed her.
14:29She might listen to me.
14:30It was no wonder he was so confident.
14:32After all,
14:33over the years,
14:34anyone with eyes could see
14:35just how endlessly patient
14:37and accommodating I've been toward this fianx.
14:39I loved him to the very core of my being.
14:42But what is the return of my love?
14:44On the day of our wedding ceremony,
14:46he confessed his true intention
14:47behind this convenient marriage.
14:49I remembered how he held Isabella in his arms,
14:52sneering.
14:52Do you know how I suffered for these years
14:54just for what your brothers had promised me?
14:57Even 30 cities in the Iron Spire
14:59could not make up for my sufferings
15:00under your endless jibber-jabbles.
15:02What can a bleak manor in the North do?
15:05Rose Palace.
15:07The manor he contempted
15:08was the only thing left untouched
15:09by Isabella for my dowry.
15:11Just as he was walking toward me,
15:13the door swung open again.
15:15Isabella,
15:15dressed in a thin,
15:16purple gown,
15:17walked in looking extremely frail.
15:19Sister,
15:20I've come to see you.
15:22Alistair immediately stood up to support her.
15:24Isabella, you're still weak.
15:25Why did you come here?
15:27Isabella shook her head,
15:28her gaze falling on me,
15:29filled with feigned remorse.
15:31It's all my fault.
15:32If I hadn't
15:34failed to stop Sister Serafina that day,
15:36things wouldn't have escalated to this point.
15:39I felt quilty,
15:41so I had to come and apologize to her.
15:43As she spoke,
15:43she took the bowl from Dorian's hands
15:45and sat down by my bedside.
15:47Serafina,
15:47don't be so hard on yourself.
15:49Take your medicine
15:49and focus on recovering.
15:50Everyone has been worried sick about you.
15:52I know you still blame me,
15:54but I really didn't mean
15:54to compete with you for anything.
15:56I won't have much time left.
15:58Everything in the ash wheel
15:59was meant to be yours anyway.
16:00These words seemed like a concession,
16:02but in reality,
16:03every sentence implied
16:05that I was narrow-minded,
16:06clinging to the past,
16:07and deliberately using my own body
16:09to throw a tantrum.
16:10Before her spoon could touch my lips,
16:12I raised my hand
16:13and slapped the medicine bowl
16:15out of her hand.
16:16With a clatter,
16:16balding liquid splashed
16:18all over Isabella,
16:19especially her wrist,
16:20and the hem of her robe,
16:21which instantly turned red.
16:23Isabella let out a startled cry.
16:25Her eyes welled up with tears,
16:26and her voice trembled with emotion.
16:29Sister Serafina,
16:31how could you do this?
16:33I was just trying to comfort you.
16:35She bit her lip,
16:36looking utterly wronged,
16:38with tears welling up in her eyes,
16:40a sight that tugged at the heartstrings.
16:42Serafina!
16:43You've lost your mind!
16:45I instantly recognized
16:46that it was Alistair's voice.
16:52Alistair flew into a rage,
16:54yanking Isabella behind him
16:55and glaring at me with fury.
16:57Isabella came to see you
16:58out of kindness.
16:59Is this how you treat her?
17:01Mortimer immediately stepped forward
17:03to examine Isabella's wound,
17:05his voice filled with anxiety.
17:07How do you feel?
17:08Edmund furrowed his brows,
17:10staring at me,
17:11his eyes brimming with disappointment.
17:13Serafina, you've gone too far.
17:14Isabella has already apologized.
17:15How long do you plan to keep this up?
17:17Dorian hurried over to Isabella's side,
17:19pulling out a handkerchief
17:20to wipe her face.
17:22Serafina,
17:22can't you be a little more sensible?
17:24Isabella meant well,
17:25even if you don't appreciate it.
17:27You shouldn't have hurt her.
17:28The group gathered around Isabella,
17:29fussing over her,
17:30completely ignoring me,
17:32leaning against Alistair's chest.
17:33Isabella stole a glance at me.
17:35A flash of smugness crossed her eyes.
17:37Yet she continued to feign innocence
17:39as she pleaded.
17:41I'm fine.
17:42Please don't scold Serafina.
17:44She's just in a bad mood.
17:46That holier than thou act.
17:48In the past,
17:49it would have made me shake with rage.
17:51But now,
17:52I just find it laughably absurd.
17:54Such a clumsy ploy would have been seen through
17:56by anyone else at a glance.
17:58Yet these four,
17:58elites at the pinnacle of their respective fields,
18:01were willingly being led around by the nose by Isabella.
18:04Or perhaps this is what they call
18:05one willing to strike,
18:07one willing to be struck.
18:08I am merely a pawn in their game.
18:11If you feel sorry for this beast,
18:13please do so outside.
18:14Don't stir my peace.
18:15Hearing my cold voice,
18:17all of them trembled with rage.
18:19Serafiana,
18:20it seems you haven't reflected enough.
18:22From now on,
18:23I won't stop the bleeding for you.
18:25I'll only resume your medication
18:27when you've come to your senses
18:29and are willing to apologize to Isabelle.
18:31Mortimer looked at me with disappointment
18:33etched on his face.
18:34Alistair chimed in.
18:35I shall disown you.
18:37You are no longer Alpha King's sister from now on.
18:40I'll name Isabella as the only heiress of the kingdom.
18:43Kingdom Deedman sighed,
18:44his eyes filled with resignation.
18:46Yet he offered no objection.
18:47Dorian stood to the side,
18:49nodding silently,
18:50clearly in agreement with this decision.
18:52I closed my eyes,
18:53offering neither rebuttal nor anger.
18:55The pain from my wounds
18:56is nothing compared to the grievances and torment
18:59I've endured over the past 20 years.
19:02But the pain allows me to wait
19:04for death's arrival with greater clarity.
19:06The moment the overwhelming pain struck,
19:08my closest family and Fiong,
19:10all hurriedly gathered around Isabella
19:12and left the room.
19:13Not a single one of them looked back,
19:15not even as the door slammed shut.
19:16I bit back the blood trickling from the corner of my mouth,
19:19pulled a shard of porcelain
19:21I'd hidden under my pillow from earlier
19:23and without hesitation,
19:25slashed at my throat.
19:26I collapsed once more.
19:32In the magnificent hall,
19:33roasted peacocks,
19:34lark pies,
19:35saffron swans,
19:36all kinds of the most luxurious delicacies
19:38you could imagine
19:39were served on a long table
19:41that could seat 200 lords.
19:44All were celebrating the nomination of Isabella
19:46as the royal heiress of the kingdom.
19:48But Alistair leaning on the throne
19:49wore a gloomy expression.
19:51He was thinking of Seraphina.
19:52Something just felt wrong,
19:53but he couldn't figure out what was going wrong.
19:55Your Highness,
19:57now that I've done what you've told me to do,
20:00and your heiress had got the right blood
20:02to cure her disease,
20:04it's time to keep your promise to me.
20:07Dorian, half-drunken,
20:08gave a toast to Alistair.
20:09His voice sounds to be excited.
20:11Alistair twitched his brows,
20:13questioning in doubt.
20:14What promise?
20:15Dorian made a sycophantic smile.
20:17Control over the three cities on the border.
20:20You can't just forget it.
20:22Alistair's expression darkened.
20:24Oh, did I?
20:25Both Edmund and Mortimer
20:26turned their heads towards Dorian.
20:28Dorian seemed to be much confused,
20:30voice trembling.
20:32Was it not your will
20:32that I humiliate Seraphina at my wedding ceremony
20:35and force her to submit
20:36so that she might offer her blood to Isabella?
20:40Alistair's smile grew broader,
20:41but the intimidating tone in his voice was suffocating.
20:44Did I say anything like this?
20:46Isabella, now sitting beside the throne,
20:48shivered and turned pale.
20:50At that moment,
20:51a servant suddenly appeared in the hall.
20:52Mortimer recognized that he was the one
20:54whom he arranged to take care of Seraphina
20:56in secret at their sight.
20:58Your Highness Lady Seraphina has gone!
21:05Alistair jumped up from the throne.
21:07What?
21:08Shouting out in impossible rage.
21:10Dare you to say it again!
21:11Edmund, Mortimer, and Dorian were all in shock,
21:14and all the Lycan Lords present were silenced.
21:16Mortimer murmured.
21:17That cannot be.
21:18The next moment,
21:20all the four rushed out of the gate of the hall,
21:22leaving Isabella alone in the empty hall.
21:24But when they pushed open the door they had just left,
21:27a pungent, unmistakable smell of blood hit them in the face.
21:30The moment my body was completely dead,
21:33the familiar coarse ancient voice sounded.
21:42I felt my body grow light,
21:47as if I'd broken free from heavy shackles,
21:50floating in mid-air.
21:51In the chamber below,
21:52the stench of blood filled the air,
21:53accompanied by frantic cries and screams.
21:56Utter chaos,
21:56Alistair clung desperately to my corpse,
21:58his usually stern face streaked with tears.
22:01Daphine, I'm sorry.
22:02It was all my fault.
22:05Please, come back.
22:07I'll do anything for you.
22:08Don't leave me.
22:10Edmund knelt on the floor,
22:11saying nothing,
22:12just staring blankly at me with a vacant gaze.
22:15Mortimer's legs gave way,
22:16and he collapsed at the doorway,
22:18though he was accustomed to all manner of bloody scenes.
22:20He didn't dare take a single step closer
22:22to examine the state of my death.
22:24He suddenly reached out
22:25and opened the floor to ceiling window in the room.
22:27The blinding midday sunlight poured in.
22:29His pale skin exposed to the light
22:32instantly began to rot,
22:33oozing thick blood.
22:34His cheeks quickly swelled and turned red.
22:37Tears mixed with blood at the corners of his mouth.
22:40I killed you, Seraphine.
22:41I personally slit your throat.
22:43I deserve to die.
22:45Come back and scold me or hit me.
22:47I don't care.
22:48Just please don't leave me like this.
22:50Only when servants found his self-cureing gesture
22:52and dragged him into the darkness
22:54did he broke down in tears.
22:58Dorian stood frozen in place for a long time
23:01before suddenly rushing forward
23:03and shoving Alistair aside.
23:04She's not dead!
23:06Seraphine isn't dead!
23:07This is all a lie!
23:09He reached out to check my breath,
23:11then felt my pulse,
23:12over and over again,
23:13repeating the words incessantly.
23:16She's still breathing!
23:17Look, she's still breathing!
23:19She's just faking it!
23:20She's doing this on purpose!
23:21A servant nearby tried to step in to stop him,
23:24but he shoved him away like a madman.
23:26His eyes red,
23:27he turned to face the people in the chamber
23:29and shouted like a lunatic.
23:30Seraphine Ashwil isn't dead!
23:32Even if this person is dead,
23:34it's not really her!
23:35She must be hiding somewhere,
23:36watching...
23:37watching us cry here,
23:39watching us regret it.
23:40She's laughing at us!
23:42She's always been so vindictive.
23:44How could she just die like this?
23:46He scanned the chamber,
23:48his voice a constant howl.
23:50Come out!
23:51If you've got the guts,
23:52come out!
23:53Stop pretending to be dead!
23:55Don't you hate us the most?
23:57Don't you want to see us suffer more than anything?
24:00Come out!
24:01He grew increasingly hysterical,
24:03screaming and thrashing about in a fit of despair.
24:06I floated in midair,
24:07watching them with a cold gaze.
24:09I used to long for their compassion,
24:11but now I found their tears and repentance laughably cheap.
24:14If I hadn't actually died,
24:15they'd probably still be surrounding Isabella,
24:17pointing their fingers at me
24:18and hurling insults.
24:20Just then,
24:21Isabella,
24:21standing behind the crowd,
24:23stirred.
24:23She quietly took two steps back.
24:25While everyone was lost in grief,
24:27she turned to slip out of the court's step foot.
24:29Stop right there!
24:38You're the one behind all this!
24:41He staggered forward and grabbed Isabella by the arm.
24:44Caught off guard,
24:45Isabella stumbled.
24:46Brother, you...
24:47What are you talking about?
24:48Sister is dead,
24:49and I'm heartbroken too!
24:51How could you blame me?
24:53Edmund stepped forward to block the doorway,
24:55his gaze icy.
24:56Seraphine's death is suspicious.
24:58You can't leave now.
24:59Mortimer also snapped out of his breakdown,
25:02wiped the tears and blood from his face,
25:03and spoke firmly.
25:05Until this is cleared up,
25:06you must stay here.
25:07Isabella turned pale and struggled to break free.
25:11I didn't do anything.
25:13Sister Serafton took her own life.
25:14It has nothing to do with me.
25:16She still wore that aggrieved expression,
25:18but this time,
25:19the three brothers saw nothing but suspicion in their eyes.
25:25We never looked into the details of how you were adopted
25:29or how Seraphine went missing back then.
25:31Now that she's dead,
25:33you think you can just walk away?
25:35Guard!
25:36Arrest her!
25:38I'm sending someone over to keep an eye on you.
25:40Don't even think about pulling any tricks.
25:42Isabella watched the guards closing in on her.
25:45Although she wanted to run,
25:46she didn't dare make a move.
25:48I floated in midair,
25:49watching this scene unfold,
25:51and found it utterly boring.
25:52The next second,
25:53the scene before me suddenly warped,
25:55and a strong sensation of weightlessness washed over me.
25:58When I opened my eyes again,
26:00what 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.
26:07I wiggled my fingers.
26:08My body felt perfectly fine.
26:10I turned back,
26:11and looked into the old vintage oil painting on the wall.
26:14A design featuring a wolf,
26:15a dragon,
26:16and a giant bat arranged in a continuous loop.
26:19That was the place from where I came back.
26:21I 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.
26:29Out of jealousy,
26:30she publicly claimed that the painting was a fate,
26:32and that I was a fraud.
26:34I spent every last penny I had,
26:36only to end up disgraced and ruined.
26:38In my despair,
26:39I threw the painting into the shredder,
26:40but unexpectedly found myself transported into the world within the painting.
26:44The so-called iron spire.
26:46Goodbye bloody hell iron spire,
26:51My phone vibrated on the desk.
26:53The screen lit up.
26:54It was a notification from my banking app.
26:57Your account ending in 5,489 has received a deposit of $10 billion.
27:02Current balance,
27:031-0-0-0-3-5-6-2-1.78
27:06The string of zeros made my eyes fall.
27:09The coarse voice sounded again.
27:11The fate granted you a healthy body.
27:13Wishing the traveler a fresh start in life.
27:16I sat up and stretched my limbs.
27:18No wounds.
27:19No pain.
27:20My whole body was brimming with strength.
27:2220 years of pent-up oppression vanished in an instant.
27:25I couldn't help but laugh out loud as I began planning for the future.
27:28The 10 billion in my phone was solid, tangible confidence.
27:32I didn't rush to splurge.
27:33First I picked up a low-key family car,
27:35then bought a mid-rise apartment near a city park.
27:38A new bookshelf.
27:39A few low-maintenance houseplants.
27:41And a full set of cooking utensils gradually filled the empty apartment.
27:45Comfortable and at ease,
27:47it became a home that truly belonged to me.
27:49But the oil painting that hung beside the bookshelf in my study,
27:52still made noises at times.
27:54It haunted me by day and night.
27:56When I got tired, and was about to fall asleep,
27:58the nightmare ran to me.
28:00I still can't get through with that rotten world.
28:02But days passed peacefully, with a regular daily routine.
28:05And doing what I loved,
28:07slowly shaking off the shadows left by that rotten world.
28:10However, a little over a month later,
28:12I heard an unexpected ringing of the doorbell.
28:18It was already midnight.
28:19Who would come to visit at this time?
28:21A woman wearing heavy makeup with two tall bodyguards stood at the door.
28:25Guns in hands.
28:27I almost recognized the woman at first sight.
28:30Isabella.
28:31Also the connoisseur that framed me.
28:33Long time no see, Mrs. Arnold.
28:35Or shall I call you dear Serafina Ashwill?
28:38Give me the painting now.
28:40Maybe I'll consider to spare your life.
28:42You may take it as you wish.
28:44I don't give a shit of it, honestly.
28:45Isabella bade her bodyguards to take the painting quickly from off the wall.
28:49Laughing out loudly.
28:50This time I shall be the heroine.
28:53The innocent, helpless Serafina.
28:55Ten billion dollars shall be mine.
29:00While you, Mrs. Arnold, you know your role.
29:03I suddenly felt a chill run down my spine.
29:06Dear traveler,
29:08The time tunnel has been forcibly opened.
29:10And the initial character swaps have been completed.
29:13Your character this time is the adopted sister of Ashwill Brothers, Isabella.
29:21I furrowed my brow.
29:23What did this have to do with me?
29:25I 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 heroine.
29:33I dismissed the echoing voice.
29:35But it wouldn't let it go.
29:37If you doesn't accept the role,
29:39the chaos and iron spike will threaten the stability of the real world.
29:43Your ten billion dollars bonus will also be withdrawn.
29:46So I'm being forced to go back.
29:48The system's warning is no joke.
29:50I couldn't risk the stability of the real world.
29:53And the bonus I earned.
29:54After a long internal struggle,
29:56I finally gave in.
29:58I agree to go back.
29:59But once I've handled this,
30:01I want to completely sever ties with that world and have no further involvement.
30:05No problem.
30:06Once order is restored,
30:08the traveler may freely choose whether to remain in the mission world or return to the arena laded.
30:17The scene before me worked once more.
30:20A strong metallic smell of rust instantly filled my nostrils.
30:24And I immediately realized it was the smell of my own blood.
30:28I felt the coldness and stiffness of the iron chains on my limbs.
30:32This was the dungeon in the Ashvale's old castle.
30:35I once heard that it was used to punish those who committed treason.
30:38I lifted my eyes and saw four familiar faces.
30:42Alistair,
30:43Edmund,
30:44Mortimer,
30:44and Dorian.
30:46Alistair opened his mouth.
30:49What would you say, Isabella?
30:51Confess your sin.
30:55I had not been used to this name yet.
30:57After realizing that he was addressing to me,
30:59I sneered coldly.
31:01What would I say?
31:03My dear brother,
31:05shouldn't you have figured out what I did a long time ago?
31:07Dorian stepped out in rage.
31:09How dare you,
31:11Mongrel!
31:11Do you know that Seraphine just passed away because of your lie?
31:16You killed my beloved,
31:18and I want you to pay with your life!
31:20Bitch!
31:21Dorian clamped his hands tightly around my neck.
31:24I smiled in a more sarcastic way.
31:28Mongrel?
31:29Don't you remember how did you call your dear Seraphina by this word?
31:33My words left him speechless,
31:35and he began to cry again.
31:37I will hand down the harshest sentence possible.
31:41Edmund added coldly.
31:42I suddenly burst out laughing.
31:44I'll be waiting for you, your honor.
31:47Such a provocation left the four of them staring at each other.
31:50At a loss,
31:51Mortimer just stood beside,
31:52keeping silent like a sculpture.
31:54His blue eyes glistening in the darkness.
31:56Mortimer finally spoke.
31:59Isabella,
32:00you've changed.
32:01You never used to be like this.
32:04It was him who first discovered the weirdness of this.
32:07Isabella,
32:08a light,
32:09cheerful patter of footsteps could be heard,
32:11accompanied by giggling.
32:12The brothers and the husband turned their heads.
32:14A familiar profile appeared.
32:17Seraphina!
32:21Alistair was the first to rush to her,
32:23pulling that Seraphina into a tight embrace.
32:26Seraphina,
32:28you're really back.
32:30Don't ever leave us again.
32:32Edmund stood by her,
32:33his eyes red-rimmed,
32:34holding a small jar of honeyed grapes,
32:36which I'd longed for,
32:37but never got to eat back when I was at the orphanage.
32:40He held the jar out to me.
32:42His voice choked with emotion.
32:44I've locked up that bitch,
32:46Isabella.
32:47She owed you,
32:48and we're here to get what's yours back.
32:50Mortimer took her hand,
32:52as if to confirm she was real.
32:54Dorian said passionately,
32:55eyes welling up with tears.
32:57We've locked deep down,
32:58in this dungeon,
33:00making her pray for you day and night,
33:03to atone for her sins.
33:06Edmund said,
33:07We've already figured out that it was Isabella
33:09who deliberately locked you up,
33:10and let you be sold in the slave market.
33:13In three days,
33:14I will hold a public trial for her.
33:16As they were saying about this,
33:18I was staring at the face of that Serafina,
33:20the original Isabella.
33:22I saw the flash of malice crossing her cloudy eyes,
33:24followed by a twisted smile.
33:26I could tell from her lip movements,
33:28that she was saying to me,
33:30You're...
33:30dead.
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