- 5 hours ago
- #asm
The King Lost To My Unborn Son - Short Drama Full HD 720p #ASM
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Short filmTranscript
00:22To be continued...
00:30The emblem of all my authority.
00:32All ways out were blocked.
00:34The gathered clan stayed silent.
00:36But Aldric only smiled, careless and amused.
00:40Seraphine, it is only a tide pearl.
00:43If you lose, let her play with it for a few days.
00:46I want that too.
00:47My queen, do you dare wager it?
00:49Before I could refuse...
00:51Granted.
00:51Aldric answered for me.
00:53Just as my heart sank, a soft little voice suddenly rang inside my belly.
00:57Mom! Mom! I'm here!
00:59Bet against her!
01:00I can see ten moves ahead.
01:03I'm a chess genius.
01:05I'll teach father how to lose.
01:07I touched my stomach, under the mocking eyes of the clan lords.
01:10I picked up a white piece.
01:12The great hall was bright with firelight.
01:14The council lords around us stopped drinking.
01:17Their eyes were full of mockery and curiosity.
01:20Aldric leaned back on his high seat, holding Vivian in his arms and turning a cup in his hand.
01:25He glanced at me once.
01:26Then he lowered his head and teased the woman in his lap.
01:29Dad is so ungrateful wanting you to step down.
01:32He can keep dreaming.
01:34He dares to trifle with grandfather's life?
01:36Who does he think he is?
01:38Mom, take it.
01:39Since he dares offer it, we'll take everything and make him lose clean.
01:44I felt relieved the moment I heard it.
01:46I raised my head and looked toward the high seat.
01:49Since your majesty has allowed it, I will play one game with Lady Vivian.
01:54Queen is generous.
01:56That locket is beautiful.
01:59I have wanted it for so long.
02:02Wait!
02:02I pressed my hand over the clasp and stepped back.
02:05Vivian's hand caught empty air.
02:07She froze, then she turned to Aldric.
02:09Your majesty.
02:09Her red lips curved in a pout.
02:10Is our queen going back on her word?
02:12Or can she not bear to lose it?
02:15Seraphine, a king's word is not a joke.
02:18Do you mean to defy me?
02:19I am wagering the queen's tied pearl and the locket granted by the old king.
02:24They stand for my crown and the Ashwell clan's honor.
02:31What does Lady Vivian have to wager?
02:41Is her title as a lowly maid?
02:44Is she even worthy?
02:46The hall fell silent.
02:47Vivian's face went white.
02:49Tears filled her eyes and she collapsed against Aldric.
02:52Your majesty, queen looks down on me.
02:55I know I was born low.
02:57I know I am not worthy.
02:59Aldric narrowed his eyes at me.
03:01After a moment he gave a cold laugh.
03:02He lifted his right hand and rubbed the black ring on his thumb.
03:06The jade command the ring.
03:07A relic of the old king.
03:09A token that could move the king's guard.
03:11Aldric pulled it off and threw it onto the chessboard.
03:13I'll wager for her.
03:14This ring commands the king's guard.
03:16It is also a symbol of royal power.
03:18Seraphine, is that enough?
03:20The gathered clans broke into whispers.
03:22Someone almost spoke.
03:23But after seeing Aldric's face, he swallowed it back.
03:26Vivian stopped crying.
03:28She stared at the ring, then raised her brows at me.
03:31He was certain I would lose.
03:32Wow!
03:33My dad really paid up this time.
03:35The jade command ring.
03:36Mom, this is pure profit.
03:41Hurry and sit.
03:42My chess addiction is acting up.
03:44When I standed on the giant chessboard,
03:46all my warriors rose up from the ground.
03:49Vivian tilted her chin high,
03:50across the squares,
03:52and stepped to black side.
03:53Now all the pieces waited beneath us.
03:55Silent, armed, hungry for battle.
04:03On ordinary days, when I played with Aldric,
04:06my only job was to lose.
04:07My skill was terrible.
04:08I was a disaster at chess.
04:10My heart beat so fast,
04:11my hands trembled a little.
04:13Mom, don't panic.
04:15I am your brain.
04:16Pawn to E4.
04:18I repeated softly.
04:19Pawn to E4.
04:21The white pawn before my king marched forward,
04:23across the stone board.
04:24Vivian barely thought about it.
04:26Pawn to E5.
04:28Her black pawn charged out,
04:29and met mine at the center.
04:31The pieces struck with a sharp crack.
04:33Knight to F3.
04:34Knight to F3.
04:35The white knight left forward.
04:37Stone hooks, striking sparks from the board.
04:39After that,
04:40my Babae Kale's orders became faster.
04:42My knight moved.
04:43My bishop opened a path.
04:45My king retreated behind the rook's protection.
04:47On the giant chessboard,
04:49the white pieces shifted again and again.
04:51But to the watching plans,
04:52my formation looked loose,
04:54weak, almost paralyzed.
04:56Vivian smiled.
04:56She had already stopped taking me seriously.
05:00Sister's chess is truly unique.
05:02I fear even a child could play better.
05:05All those games with his majesty,
05:07it seems our queen was only pretending.
05:11Then she raised her hand.
05:13Queen to H4.
05:15The black queen beneath her feet glided forward.
05:18Her blade pointed straight at my king.
05:21The gathered clans was...
05:22My king looked exposed.
05:24Poor Seraphine, still pretending.
05:26If the queen is tired
05:27and does not want to shame the Ashwell clan further,
05:30there is still time to admit defeat.
05:32Hand over the tide pearl,
05:34and I will take back the ring.
05:36Everything said just now will be forgotten.
05:38On the chessboard,
05:39my white pieces were surrounded from every side.
05:41There was no way out.
05:42Exactly like that!
05:43My kid was cheerful.
05:44Play weak!
05:45Think deep!
05:46Play the fool, then strike!
05:48If we crush them from the start,
05:50what if that old bastard backs out?
05:52Mom,
05:52now offer the queen.
05:54My fingers froze.
05:55The queen,
05:56that was the strongest piece on the board.
05:58Mom,
05:59trust me.
05:59Drown the queen.
06:01Crown the trap.
06:05Queen to H5.
06:07The white queen beneath me stepped into danger.
06:10Her silver crown caught the firelight.
06:12The hall went silent for half a breath.
06:14Vivian stared.
06:15Then she laughed.
06:16My queen,
06:17are you handing me your crown?
06:18Queen takes H5.
06:20Her black queen struck.
06:21Crack.
06:22The black queen's blade cut through the white queen.
06:24The white queen collapsed beneath me.
06:28The tide coil changes hands today.
06:33My queen was gone.
06:35My king looked bare.
06:36The white pieces around me seemed scattered and broken.
06:39I did not understand deep chess theory,
06:41but even I could see it looked like a lost position.
06:43Just like the Ashwell clan's current situation,
06:46Aldrich leaned against the golden cushion,
06:48turning the empty cup in his hand.
06:50He stared at the board,
06:51waiting for the final move,
06:53waiting for the Ashwell clan to fall.
06:55My queen,
06:56this board is just like your tide pearl.
06:58It seems both are about to change owners.
07:02As for that locket,
07:05I heard General Edmund Ashwell hid a life-saving token inside it for you.
07:10Such a precious thing belongs around my little hound's neck after tonight.
07:15My head snapped up.
07:16That locket was a gift.
07:18Father brought back from the crown temple before heading off to war.
07:21Inside the lock was a command token.
07:23It could summon the Ashwell shadow guards.
07:25That was the Ashwell clan's deepest secret.
07:27Not even my mother had known.
07:29Besides,
07:30only one person knew.
07:32Waging dead objects is boring.
07:36Seraphine,
07:37since we are wagering,
07:39why not make it bigger?
07:42You will write to General Edmund Ashwell.
07:45You shall convince him to hand over the Northern Army War Seal.
07:54How does that sound?
07:56My mind rang,
07:58so this was his true purpose tonight.
07:59The tide pearl,
08:00the chess game,
08:01the jade command ring.
08:02They were all bait.
08:04What he wanted was the Ashwell clan's military power.
08:06No one in the hall spoke.
08:08Half the gathered clans lowered their heads to drink.
08:10The other half avoided my eyes.
08:12The old Ashwell officers had long been transferred out of the capital.
08:16The ones left were either fence-sitters or Aldrich's hounds.
08:19A few council lords who usually flattered Vivian even laughed out loud.
08:23Trash dad!
08:24He dares touch grandfather's military power?
08:28This old bastard must be tired of living.
08:31Since he shoved his face forward for us to slap.
08:34Don't blame me.
08:34Mother!
08:35Agree!
08:36Make him put it in writing.
08:37This round I'll make him lose even his underwear.
08:40The voice was childish,
08:42but it carried wild arrogance.
08:43Since he had no mercy,
08:45I had no need to be kind.
08:47Fine.
08:47I agree.
08:48Then his smile widened.
08:50I continue.
08:50But words alone mean nothing.
08:53This wager concerns the foundation of the kingdom.
08:57It should be recorded properly.
08:59Let the record keeper write it down here and now.
09:02Make it a written blood pact.
09:05Black ink on parchment.
09:07Sealed with the crown seal.
09:10Witnessed by all.
09:11Your majesty,
09:13do you dare?
09:15The hall fell quiet.
09:17Aldric had not expected me to strike back.
09:19He narrowed his eyes.
09:20I lifted my chin
09:21and did not look away.
09:22I am the king.
09:23What would I fear?
09:24Bring parchment and ink.
09:26The chief attendant hurried forward with the tray.
09:29The record keeper spread out the parchment.
09:31Our queen really refuses to give up.
09:35Once the pact is written,
09:38if you deny it later,
09:40that will be treason.
09:42She turned a black piece between her fingers.
09:45But don't worry.
09:47When the Ashwit clan falls,
09:49I will ask his majesty to leave General Ashwit with a whole corpse.
09:55I ignored her and stepped back toward the board.
09:58Way to go, mom.
09:59That's exactly it.
10:01Let her laugh a little longer.
10:03Soon she won't even be able to cry.
10:06The pact was finished.
10:07Aldric took out his private seal and pressed it down.
10:11I took out the tide pearl and set it beside my nave.
10:14A cold ripple of water light flashed across the parchment.
10:17Aldric lifted his cup and stopped looking at the board.
10:19He turned and began discussing General Ashwit's retirement with a council lord beside him.
10:24Vivienne looked at the broken white queen beneath my feet.
10:27She no longer bothered to hide her smile.
10:30My white pieces were scattered.
10:31My queen was gone.
10:32Only one breath remained.
10:34If black moved again,
10:35my king would be trapped.
10:36The old strategist sighed and turned away.
10:39Queen Seraphine admit defeat.
10:41Keep some dignity.
10:42Do not make the Ashwit clam look too ugly.
10:45I looked at the only gap left on the board.
10:47All the setup, all the patience.
10:49All of it was for this moment.
10:51Mom, it's time to close the trap.
10:57The dead silence in the hall broke into murmurs.
11:00The murmurs soon became mockery.
11:02The lord set down his tea and moved his sleeve away from his face.
11:05His mouth twisted.
11:05The outcome is decided.
11:08Why does Queen Seraphine keep delaying?
11:11She is only making herself a joke.
11:14The Ashwil clan should have given up its military power long ago.
11:18They are a stain on this court.
11:22General Ashwil is old, yet he still clings to his seat.
11:26His power rivals the throne.
11:28The clan lords had changed faces.
11:29In the past, they lowered their heads when they saw me.
11:32Now they sat and watched the show.
11:34Vivienne listened to their praise, and her smile deepened.
11:37She held a black piece between two fingers.
11:42My queen, once this piece falls, the Ashwil clan's hundred years of glory will end in your hands.
11:50If you crawl down now and beg me, I might be in a good mood.
11:56I might even ask his majesty to leave you a whole corpse, and let your old father die with some
12:03peace.
12:04I said nothing.
12:06I looked around the hall.
12:07The warlords who had once received Ashwil kindness all lowered their heads.
12:11Some even chanted loudly to flatter Aldrich.
12:18I raised my eyes toward the high seat.
12:21Aldrich leaned back, playing with an empty golden goblet.
12:24The way he looked at me held only disgust and greed.
12:27No affection remained.
12:28So this was the king I had helped raise.
12:30This was the counsel I had protected.
12:32My chest turned cold.
12:34Everyone stared at me waiting for the end.
12:37In that dead end, my kid's voice changed.
12:39Mom, don't be afraid.
12:41Knight takes F7.
12:42Check.
12:43I raised my hand.
12:44Knight takes F7.
12:47The white knight charged.
12:48Its stone hooves struck sparks from the board.
12:50Its lance tore through the black guard before the king.
12:53Track check.
12:54Check.
12:54Vivienne's smile stiffened.
12:56The gathered clans leaned forward.
12:57The black king was forced out of safety.
13:00Second knight to G5.
13:01Knight to G5.
13:03The second white knight left it.
13:05Two white knights stood like twin fangs around the black king.
13:09Vivienne's fingers tightened.
13:11For the first time, panic flashed across her eyes.
13:14Open the bishop.
13:15Bishop to G5.
13:17Bishop to G5.
13:18My bishop swept across the board.
13:20A silver line of water light cut through the black defense.
13:24Vivienne reached for her queen.
13:25But her queen was too far away.
13:27Open the rook.
13:28Rook to E1.
13:30Rook to E1.
13:37The rook thundered forward.
13:38Stone cracked beneath it.
13:40The black pieces tried to shield their king.
13:42Too late.
13:43The blue watery glow from the tidal curl spread across the chessboard.
13:47Vivienne's black king stood trapped in the center of it.
13:50Left was dead.
13:51Right was dead.
13:52Forward was dead.
13:53Back was dead.
13:55Vivienne stared at the board.
13:56Her lips parted, but no sound came out.
14:00Final move.
14:01Bishop to D3.
14:04Bishop to D3.
14:05I raised my hand one last time.
14:08The bishop struck.
14:10The rook sealed the line.
14:11The two knights locked the cage.
14:16Checkmate.
14:18The black king fell to one knee.
14:20Cracked.
14:20The hall went dead silent.
14:24Vivienne's king stood trapped.
14:26My queen was gone.
14:27But her king was drowned.
14:30Vivienne's smile froze on her face.
14:32She reached for another piece.
14:34Her fingers trembled.
14:35It took several tries before she picked one up.
14:38Her hand hung in the air.
14:39But she could not find a place to move.
14:42No matter where she placed it.
14:44Death waited.
14:46Sweet slid down her temple.
14:47And fell onto her hand.
14:49Her fingers slipped.
14:51The black piece dropped onto the board.
14:53The old strategist shot to his feet.
14:55The drowned queen trap.
14:58A queen sacrifice.
14:59A knight's fork.
15:00A bishop line.
15:01A perfect mate neck.
15:06He bowed deeply to me.
15:09I have studied chess for sixty years yet I have never seen such a formation.
15:14Queen Seraphine I submit.
15:16Several old clan lords stretched their necks to look.
15:19A few warlords rubbed their eyes.
15:20From the high seat came a loud clang.
15:22The golden goblet in Alder's hands had fallen to the floor.
15:25He stared at the board.
15:26His eyes were bloodshot.
15:27Then he snapped his head up and stared at me.
15:30His chest rose and fell hard.
15:32I ignored his rage.
15:33I brushed the dust from my sleeve and withdrew my hand.
15:36You were kind to play.
15:38Those words fell.
15:39The hall became so quiet that only breathing remained.
15:41I raised my head and met Alderic's bloodshot eyes.
15:44I did not dodge.
15:45I did not bend.
15:46My back stayed straight.
15:47A wager is a wager.
15:49My voice was steady.
15:50Someone.
15:51Collect the ring.
15:52The record keeper wiped the sweat from his forehead and stepped forward with a tray.
15:56Under Alderic's murderous stare, his hands shook before he placed the jade command ring onto the tray.
16:02The written blood pact was clear.
16:04Not even a king could deny it.
16:05Alderic's jaw tightened.
16:07But he could only watch the attendant carry it away.
16:09I looked at Vivian, kneeling beside the chess table.
16:12Also, according to the rules, Lady Vivian, you lost.
16:19Vivian shuddered and looked up at me.
16:21Sweet had ruined the rouge on her face.
16:23Her earlier arrogance was gone.
16:25She crawled toward Alderic on her hands and knees, reaching for his robe.
16:29Your Majesty!
16:33Save me!
16:35I don't want to...
16:37Alderic was still staring at the tray being carried away.
16:40When she grabbed him, he kicked her in the chest.
16:42Get away!
16:43Vivian fell back onto the floor.
16:45She clutched her chest and could not speak.
16:47My little kid stepped closer to my ear.
16:48Mom, don't forget to collect interest.
16:52That bad woman wanted the locket too.
16:55She wanted lives and still wants dignity?
16:57Since she lost, strip her.
17:00Let her roll out bare acid.
17:02Of course, I could not truly leave her naked in the hall.
17:05But this skin of privilege had to be peeled off.
17:07I walked down from the board and stopped before Vivian.
17:10Since you lost, none of this belongs to you anymore.
17:14I glanced at the nine-tailed silver pin in Vivian's hair.
17:17You are not worthy of wearing that.
17:19Vivian clutched her hair and pushed herself backward with her feet.
17:22You wouldn't dare.
17:24I am his favored mistress.
17:25I am the woman his Majesty loves most.
17:28Your Majesty!
17:30Say something!
17:31Queen is humiliating me!
17:33The council lords lowered their heads.
17:35No one spoke for her.
17:37Alderic turned his face away.
17:38He only wiped the wine stain from his sleeve.
17:40Useless thing.
17:41I looked at Mara.
17:43Mara understood at once.
17:44She rolled up her sleeves and strode forward with two strong names.
17:48Forgive us, Lady Vivian.
17:49The maids pressed Vivian's shoulders down.
17:52One on each side.
17:53Pinning her to the floor,
17:54Mara grabbed the brightest nine-tailed silver pin and yanked.
18:00Her perfect hairstyle collapsed.
18:02Next came the trembling pin,
18:04the earrings,
18:05the red gold collar,
18:06and the embroidered outer robe only royal favorites were allowed to wear.
18:09Piece by piece,
18:10the borrowed skin of privilege was stripped from her body.
18:13In moments,
18:14Vivian was left in only a plain white shift,
18:16curled on the floor and trembling.
18:18Her arrogance was gone.
18:19I kicked aside the gold pin that had rolled to my feet.
18:21Then I raised my head.
18:23Your Majesty,
18:24I have collected the debt.
18:26Wait!
18:28I am the king.
18:30That ring is a relic of the founding king.
18:33It is a sacred command,
18:35token,
18:36of the realm.
18:37How can it be treated like a game?
18:40Tonight's feast was only drunken entertainment.
18:44Everyone was having fun.
18:46If it was entertainment,
18:47then of course it cannot count.
18:49Half the gathered clans lowered their heads
18:51and pretended to be stupid.
18:52The other half exchanged glances,
18:54but dared not speak.
18:55Denying the debt,
18:56he could not afford to lose.
18:59Eww!
19:00This old bastard's skin is so thick!
19:02Why didn't he say it didn't count
19:04when he forced Mother to wager her life?
19:06Mom!
19:07Don't spoil him!
19:09Smack him in the face with the pact!
19:12I had expected this.
19:14If I had not prepared for it,
19:15I would never have wagered the whole Ashwell clan.
19:17I ignored Aldrich
19:19and walked to the record keeper.
19:20I took the written blood pact from his hands.
19:22With a flick of my wrist,
19:24the golden parchment unfolded.
19:26Black ink on parchment.
19:27At the bottom,
19:28the crimson wax seal of the crown was clear.
19:30Aldrich's eyelid twitched.
19:32Honored Envazes,
19:34please bear witness.
19:36Our kingdom values honor.
19:38His majesty is the ruler of the realm.
19:41A king's word should weigh more than gold.
19:43The written blood pact
19:45states everything clearly.
19:47It bears the crown seal.
19:49Does your majesty intend to break his word
19:51before envoys from every kingdom?
19:54Or does the crown seal mean
19:55less than waste paper in your eyes?
19:57The envoy from Northvale
19:58was a bearded giant
20:00turning a cup in his hand.
20:01Ha ha ha ha!
20:03The queen has spied!
20:06If the king will not honor a pact
20:08written in black ink
20:10and sealed before the clans,
20:11then the trade treaty
20:12between Northvale and your kingdom,
20:15perhaps we should also consider
20:16whether that is waste paper.
20:18The envoys from Westmere and Southvale
20:21whispered and pointed.
20:22If Aldrich denied the debt today,
20:24the kingdom's honor would collapse
20:25before every foreign court.
20:27Aldrich's face turned red.
20:28His fists tightened
20:29until his nails dug into his flesh.
20:31The head of the High Council
20:32set down his teeth
20:33and struck his cane against the floor.
20:35Thud, the dull sound
20:36hit the stone tiles
20:37to the old man's foot.
20:38Your majesty,
20:39a king's word is not a jesk.
20:42If you wagered, you must pay.
20:45Aldrich swayed and stepped back.
20:46He stared at me,
20:48his chest rising and falling.
20:49The hall was dead silent.
20:51After a long time,
20:52he closed his eyes.
20:53Then he forced one word
20:54through his teeth.
20:55Give it!
20:58The chief attendant lifted the tray
21:00and knelt before me,
21:01holding it above his head.
21:03The clear black jade command ring
21:04lay on red velvet.
21:05I picked it up.
21:07Then I slid it onto my right thumb.
21:09The ring was a little large.
21:11I curled my hand into a loose fist
21:13and held it tight.
21:1420,000 elite king's guards
21:15had changed owners.
21:16Beautiful!
21:18With this,
21:18let's see who dares touch grandfather.
21:21Who dares touch us?
21:24How gracious, your majesty.
21:27That one sentence struck harder
21:29than a slap.
21:30Aldrich's face twisted.
21:31His gaze swept over Vivian
21:33on the floor.
21:34Her jewels had been torn away.
21:36Her hair hung loose.
21:37Her rouge was smeared.
21:39She wore only a wrinkled white shift
21:41and shook like a stray dog.
21:43The woman he had spoiled in public
21:44had just cost him half his guards
21:46and all his dignity.
21:48Vivian crawled toward him
21:49and wrapped her arms around his leg.
21:51Your majesty!
21:53Save me!
21:55I wagered against her for you!
21:57For one breath,
21:58Vivian seemed to think
21:59he would protect her.
22:00Then Aldrich slapped her.
22:01Vivian flew back
22:02and crashed into the chest table.
22:04She spat blood.
22:05Her cheek swelled.
22:07Useless thing!
22:08Shameful trash!
22:11If you could take it to Shun Ring!
22:13If you had not stirred this up,
22:15how could I have lost the ring?
22:17How could I have lost the ring?
22:18Vivian covered her face
22:20as tears fell.
22:20The last trace of love
22:22in her eyes cracked.
22:24Drag this wretch out.
22:27Send her back to the East Wing.
22:29She is not to leave
22:30without my order.
22:31Two guards stepped forward,
22:33lifted Vivian,
22:34and dragged her out.
22:36She did not even struggle.
22:37Only her fingers
22:39scraped a thin streak of blood
22:40across the floor.
22:41The hall fell silent again.
22:43Aldrich panted hard
22:44and turned to me.
22:45He was not satisfied.
22:47He had lost the ring.
22:48He had lost face.
22:50He had lost before envoys,
22:51clans,
22:52and council.
22:53A man like him
22:54would rather gamble the kingdom
22:55than swallow that defeat.
22:57Seraphine,
22:58your chess has improved greatly.
23:02I underestimated you.
23:04So you hid your skill
23:06all these years
23:06just to wait for today.
23:09You flatter me,
23:10your majesty.
23:11I only wanted
23:12a way to live.
23:14A way to live?
23:18I do not believe
23:19you can keep winning.
23:22In that last game,
23:23I was careless.
23:25I want another game.
23:29This time,
23:30no empty stakes.
23:33I will wager
23:34the remaining half
23:35of the Kingsguard,
23:37plus the city defense
23:39command seal.
23:41You must offer
23:42equal stakes.
23:44The heads of every
23:46Ashwell in your clan,
23:48and the bastard
23:49in your belly.
23:56Queen Seraphine,
23:59do you accept?
24:02The air in the hall
24:03froze again.
24:04He was insane.
24:05Everyone could see it.
24:06Aldric had gone insane.
24:08He did not only
24:09want to win back his pride,
24:10he wanted to use this chance
24:11to destroy the Ashwell clan
24:13completely.
24:14This game was no longer
24:15a small wager.
24:17He was gambling
24:17every Ashwell bloodline.
24:19I had planned to stop
24:20while I was ahead.
24:21After all,
24:22command over the Kingsguard
24:23was already in my hands.
24:25But before I could refuse,
24:26my baby laughed.
24:29Oh?
24:31He's offering
24:31his own head now?
24:33This old assard
24:34really is stubborn.
24:35Mom,
24:36destroy him!
24:37Since he wants
24:37to die so badly,
24:39let's send him there!
24:40Win the rest
24:42of his Kingsguard.
24:44Then let's see
24:45who dares
24:46touch us!
24:47I touched the
24:48slightly warm ring
24:49on my thumb.
24:50The fear in my heart
24:51faded.
24:52In its place
24:53rose a battle hunger
24:54I had never felt before.
24:56I met Aldric's
24:57mad eyes
24:58and slowly sat down.
25:01Since your majesty
25:03is so eager,
25:05I will to the end.
25:06In the first game,
25:08I had hidden my blade.
25:09In this game,
25:10I would let him
25:11watch it cut him open.
25:12A new game began.
25:13This time,
25:14Aldric took black
25:15and moved first.
25:16He did not even
25:17pretend to test the board.
25:19Black knight to C6,
25:20break the center.
25:26The black knight
25:27thundered forward
25:28across the giant chessboard.
25:30Iron hooves
25:30striking sparks
25:31from the stone.
25:32A killing move
25:33from the start.
25:38The council lords
25:39held their breath.
25:40If this had been
25:40the old me,
25:41my hand would have shaken.
25:42But the child
25:43in my belly
25:43only laughed.
25:44Mom, answer him.
25:46White bishop,
25:47cut his left wing.
25:51I lifted my hand.
25:55White bishop to G5.
25:57Cut the left wing.
25:59The white bishop
26:00swept across the board
26:01like a blade of moon.
26:14One of Aldric's
26:15black pieces shattered.
26:16Aldric's smile stiffened.
26:18His eyes darkened.
26:19Black rood to E8.
26:21Crush her flank!
26:23The black rook
26:24charged like a siege tower.
26:25Its shadow
26:26swallowed half the board.
26:33For a moment,
26:34the watching lords
26:35all thought
26:35my formation
26:36would be smashed apart.
26:37But Kale's voice
26:38was calm.
26:40Ignore the root.
26:42Let him think
26:43he has a way in.
26:47Aldric saw
26:47that I did not defend.
26:49A cruel smile
26:50returned to his face.
26:51He grabbed another
26:52black piece
26:52and slammed it down.
26:54Black bishop to B4.
26:56take her queen!
27:00The black bishop
27:01rushed out.
27:02Robes flying
27:03like torn wings.
27:04Its blade pointed
27:05straight at the
27:06white queen beneath me.
27:07The hall erupted
27:09in low gasps.
27:10Even the old
27:11strategist's face
27:12changed.
27:13Aldric laughed
27:13horsey.
27:15Seraphine,
27:16without your queen,
27:17what will you use
27:18to fight me?
27:19I looked down
27:19at the board.
27:20The white queen
27:21stood still,
27:21alone exposed.
27:23Light bait
27:23waiting beneath the moon.
27:24Trap closed.
27:27Mom,
27:27say it!
27:28I raised my eyes
27:29to Aldric.
27:30White knight to C6,
27:32break the center.
27:35The white knight
27:36leapt.
27:37Steel flashed.
27:38The black bishop's head
27:39rolled across the board.
27:40The laughter
27:41in Aldric's throat
27:42died.
27:43Only then
27:43did he realize
27:44that every attack
27:45he made
27:45had already been
27:46waiting for me.
27:47Every piece
27:48he sent forward
27:48became a sacrifice.
27:50Every path
27:51he opened
27:51became his own grave.
27:53After that,
27:54the game no longer
27:55needed many words.
27:56Black attacked.
27:58White swallowed.
28:00Black retreated.
28:02White cut deeper.
28:04Aldric's pieces
28:05fell one after another,
28:07cracking across the board
28:08like bones
28:08under a blade.
28:11Cold sweat
28:12formed on his forehead.
28:13More and more
28:14slid down his face.
28:15His hands
28:15started to shake.
28:16He calculated.
28:17He struggled.
28:19He tried to force
28:19a way out.
28:21But no matter
28:22where he moved,
28:22my next piece
28:23always landed
28:24on his fatal point.
28:25Traps.
28:25All of them
28:26were traps.
28:26Every step
28:27he took
28:28had already
28:28been calculated
28:29by Kale.
28:30Fewer than
28:30a hundred moves.
28:31He lost
28:32even faster
28:32than Vivian.
28:33At last,
28:34Aldric slammed
28:35his final black rook
28:36before the black king.
28:37His voice was hoarse.
28:38Impossible.
28:40I still have a way!
28:44The rook dragged
28:45itself before
28:45the black king
28:46had a dying shield.
28:47The hall held
28:48its breath.
28:49Kale's voice
28:49became soft.
28:50Mom, end it.
28:52I picked up
28:52the last white piece.
28:53I looked at Aldrin
28:54and gave him back
28:55every humiliation
28:56he had thrown at me.
28:57Your majesty,
28:58once this piece falls,
28:59your dignity
29:00will truly be gone.
29:01Shut up!
29:02I have not lost!
29:04White queen to H5.
29:05I smiled faintly.
29:06Take the king.
29:07The white queen
29:07crossed the board.
29:08The black rook shattered.
29:09The black king's crown cracked.
29:11It fell from his head.
29:12The king piece
29:12collapsed beneath Aldrin.
29:13He hit the stone hard.
29:15The hall went dead silent.
29:16How?
29:17How is this possible?
29:19The piece slipped
29:20from Aldrin's fingers.
29:21His body collapsed
29:22back against the chair.
29:23His eyes lost focus.
29:24He had lost completely.
29:25I slowly stood up.
29:27I looked down at him
29:28from above.
29:29Around us,
29:29the clan lord's eyes changed.
29:31They looked at the broken king.
29:32Then they looked at me,
29:34standing above the board
29:34with the jade command ring
29:36and the tide pearl.
29:37The sky over this kingdom
29:39was about to change.
29:40When the feast ended,
29:41the moon had climbed high.
29:42I walked out of the great hall.
29:44The night wind lifted my skirts
29:45with a slight chill.
29:46But it could not cool
29:47the satisfaction in my chest.
29:49The old Ashwell officers
29:50were already waiting
29:51outside the stronghold gates.
29:53When they saw the jade command
29:54ring on my thumb,
29:55hope lit in their eyes.
29:56My queen!
29:57I nodded.
29:58I said nothing more
29:59and returned to my private hall.
30:01Inside the king's study,
30:02it was another scene.
30:03According to my spies,
30:05Aldrin flew into a rage
30:06and smashed the letters
30:07and inkstone across his desk.
30:11He roared like a madman.
30:12Vivienne knelt on the floor,
30:14trembling.
30:14She had already been humiliated by me.
30:16Now she had become Aldric's outlet.
30:18If you had not pushed me
30:19into that chest wager,
30:20how could I have lost
30:21the command seal?
30:22Aldric kicked Vivienne
30:23in the chest without mercy.
30:25Get out!
30:26Crawl to the locked tower!
30:28Vivienne spat blood.
30:29The terror in her eyes
30:30slowly turned into hatred.
30:32For the first time,
30:32she understood one thing clearly.
30:34Aldric had never loved her.
30:36She had been a knife in his hand.
30:37When the knife was sharp,
30:38he used her to cut in.
30:40When the knife broke,
30:41he would throw her into the fire
30:42without hesitation.
30:43If she truly entered
30:44the locked tower,
30:45she would never come out alive.
30:47To save herself,
30:48this cornered rabbit
30:49finally bit back.
30:50That night,
30:51Vivienne did not go
30:51to the locked tower.
30:53Dragging her wounded body,
30:54she crawled to the queen mom's hall.
30:56Queen mother!
30:57Please save me!
31:00Save the kingdom!
31:01His majesty!
31:02He has gone mad!
31:04He planned to imprison
31:05General Ashwell
31:06after the feast
31:06no matter who won
31:07and forced the Ashwell army
31:09into rebellion.
31:09He even wrote a secret order
31:11to execute the entire Ashwell clan!
31:13That knife in the back
31:14was accurate and ruthless.
31:15The queen mother
31:16had stayed away
31:17from clan affairs for years,
31:19but she cared most
31:20about the kingdom's foundation.
31:21The Ashwell clan
31:22had been loyal for generations.
31:24They held heavy military power.
31:26If they were forced to rebel,
31:27the kingdom would fall.
31:28The queen mother was furious.
31:30That very night,
31:31she summoned the high council
31:32into the stronghold.
31:33Before Aldric could think
31:34of a countermeasure.
31:35He fell into a political crisis
31:37like never before,
31:38and this was exactly
31:39what I wanted.
31:40Let dogs bite dogs.
31:41Let them leave each other bloody.
31:43I sat in my private hall,
31:44one hand on my stomach,
31:46listening to my spies report.
31:48Beautifully done!
31:49Mom, strike while he's weak.
31:51It's time to use that ring.
31:52I nodded.
31:53Kale could win the game,
31:55but the board outside
31:56the hall belonged to me.
31:57Under the cover of night,
31:58I raised the jade command ring.
32:00The green jade caught
32:00the candlelight like a cold eye.
32:04Send my order.
32:05Replace the commander
32:06of the Kingsguard.
32:07Put the old Asheville officers
32:08in his place.
32:09Seal the armory.
32:10Take the message towers.
32:12From tonight on,
32:13the nine stronghold gates
32:14allow entry,
32:15but no one leaves.
32:16Yes, my queen.
32:17That night,
32:18the inner stronghold
32:18changed blood without a sound.
32:20The hounds once loyal to Aldric
32:22were taken down one by one.
32:23Those who replaced them
32:24were iron-blooded soldiers
32:25who had followed my father
32:27through life and death.
32:28Before dawn,
32:29true control of the stronghold
32:30had changed hands.
32:32Aldric knew nothing.
32:33He was still in the king's study,
32:34drafting an order.
32:35He tried to remove me as queen.
32:37He claimed I had bewitched
32:38the clans and planned rebellion.
32:40But when he handed that order
32:41to the chief attendant,
32:43the man who had always
32:44bowed to him did not take it.
32:45Your majesty,
32:46this royal order,
32:47I'm afraid it will not
32:48leave this shoe.
32:49Aldric froze,
32:50then his head snapped up.
32:51Outside the window,
32:52the king's guards
32:53who should have been patrolling
32:54had all changed faces.
32:55Their hands rested
32:56on their sore hilts.
32:57They stared coldly
32:58toward the king's study.
33:00For the first time,
33:01true despair climbed
33:02onto Aldric's face.
33:03The next morning,
33:04the council gathered.
33:05Inside the great hall,
33:06the air was pressed down
33:07to its limit.
33:08Aldric forced himself
33:09into his king's robe
33:10and walked up the dace.
33:11Dark shadows hung
33:12beneath his eyes.
33:13His steps were unsteady.
33:15Last night's shock and rage
33:16had aged him by ten years.
33:18The moment he sat
33:18on the high seat,
33:19he sensed something was wrong.
33:21The chief attendant,
33:22who usually stood
33:23below the dace,
33:23was gone.
33:24In his place stood
33:24two rows
33:25of fully armed
33:26Ashwell soldiers.
33:27Their killing intent
33:28was sharp,
33:28and I,
33:29six months pregnant,
33:30walked into the hall
33:31step by step.
33:32A seat had been placed
33:33beside the king's.
33:34I would rule
33:34through the high council.
33:36You...
33:36What are you trying to do?
33:38Aldric pointed at me.
33:39His fingers trembling.
33:40Seraphine Ashfield,
33:41are you rebelling?
33:42I only lifted my hand.
33:43Read.
33:44A council speaker
33:45stepped forward.
33:46In his hands
33:46were Vivian's confession
33:47from last night
33:48and the secret order
33:49found by the Queen Mother.
33:50Five years after
33:51taking the throne,
33:52His Majesty listened
33:53to traitors
33:53and harmed loyal bloodlines.
33:55He dealt with
33:55foreign enemies,
33:56Framed General Edmund Ashwell,
33:58and tried to strip military,
33:59shaking the foundation
34:00of the kingdom.
34:01He even used the realm
34:02itself as a wager
34:02at the feast
34:03and treated Kinglyr
34:04as a game.
34:06Each charge struck
34:07like a blade.
34:08Every word cut deep.
34:10The gathered clans
34:11broke into uproar.
34:12In truth,
34:12everyone had known.
34:13They had simply
34:14never dared to speak before.
34:15Now the wall
34:16was fallen.
34:17Everyone came to push,
34:18and with bright blades
34:19standing outside the hall,
34:20who could fail
34:21to see the truth?
34:22Your Majesty!
34:23Your Majesty
34:24lacks the virtue
34:25to sit as king
34:25and nearly brought
34:26disaster upon the kingdom.
34:27For the sake of the realm,
34:29please step down
34:30and let one more
34:31worthy rule!
34:32The clan lords
34:33knelt across the floor.
34:34Their voices rose
34:35like a tide.
34:36The great hall trembled.
34:37Aldric's face turned pale.
34:38His body collapsed
34:39against the high seat.
34:41You have rebelled.
34:42Aldric's lips trembled.
34:43All of you
34:44have rebelled!
34:48Guards!
34:49Protect your king!
34:51Kill these traitors!
34:54No one answered.
34:55Not even the guards
34:56at the door moved.
34:56Their hands rested
34:57on their sword hilts.
34:58Their eyes looked past
34:59Aldric and stopped on them.
35:01Aldric froze.
35:02Then he roared again.
35:03Commander Darren?
35:04Where is Commander Darren?
35:07At the southern gate.
35:09Kneeling.
35:11Waiting for judgment.
35:13The color drained
35:14from Aldric's face.
35:15He staggered back
35:15half a step.
35:16Impossible,
35:17the king's guard
35:18had been his sharpest blade.
35:19His safest wall.
35:20His last way out.
35:21Now that blade
35:22pointed at his throat.
35:23He suddenly turned
35:24to the council's feet.
35:25The city defense army!
35:27Bring me the army!
35:29I still have the capital!
35:33I slowly raised my left hand.
35:35The city defense
35:36financial lay in my palm.
35:37Cold heat.
35:38Real.
35:39Aldric stared off.
35:40His pupils shrank.
35:41Your majesty lost
35:42this too.
35:45The hall fell into a silence
35:46so deep it almost had weight.
35:48The clan lords
35:49finally understood.
35:50This was not a rebellion
35:51born in one night.
35:52This was a board
35:53that had already been closed.
35:54The gates, the guards,
35:55the armoring,
35:56the message towers,
35:57the city defense team.
35:59Every road Aldric could use
36:00had already been cut off.
36:01High council!
36:04You swore loyalty to me!
36:06The head of the high council
36:07slowly rose.
36:08His old hand tightened
36:09around his cane.
36:10Then, under Aldric's desperate
36:12gaze, he knelt.
36:13Your majesty lacks the virtue
36:15to sit as king.
36:17You nearly forced the loyal
36:19Ashwell army into rebellion.
36:21You used the realm itself
36:23as a wager!
36:25You broke faith with loyal bloodlines
36:27and foreign envoys alike.
36:29For the sake of the kingdom,
36:31please step down
36:33and let one more worthy rule!
36:35One by one,
36:36the clan lords knelt.
36:37The sound of knees hitting stone
36:38spread across the hall
36:39like falling thunder.
36:41Please step down
36:43and let one more worthy rule!
36:45Please step down
36:47and let one more worthy rule!
36:49Their voices rose like a tide.
36:51The great hall trembled.
36:52Aldric's face turned gray.
36:53He stumbled back
36:54and collapsed against the high seat.
36:56No!
36:56His eyes swept over
36:57the kneeling clans.
36:59The silent guards,
37:00the command seal in my hand,
37:02the jade command ring
37:03on my thumb.
37:04For the first time,
37:05he truly understood.
37:06He had not lost a game.
37:07He had lost the board.
37:08I slowly turned
37:10and looked at the man
37:11abandoned by everyone.
37:14Once,
37:15I had seen him as the sky.
37:16Now he was only
37:17a pitiful and hateful insect.
37:19Aldric.
37:24You are not worthy
37:25of that chair.
37:26For the Ashwell clan,
37:28for my child,
37:30and for the people
37:31of this kingdom,
37:33it is time for you to rest.
37:36Aldric stared at me.
37:37The light in his eyes
37:39went out little by little.
37:40In the end,
37:41only despair
37:41and emptiness remained.
37:43He had lost.
37:44He lost to his arrogance.
37:45He lost to his cold heart.
37:46Most of all,
37:47he lost to me
37:48and the child in my belly.
37:49That very day,
37:50the Queen Mother
37:51issued a royal order.
37:52King Aldric Vane
37:53would step down
37:54due to illness.
37:55He would be stripped
37:56of his crown,
37:57made a commoner,
37:57and locked in the
37:58locked tower for life.
37:59He would not leave
38:00until death.
38:01The former favored mistress,
38:03Lady Vivian Lorde,
38:04was spared death
38:05for exposing his crimes.
38:06But death could be avoided.
38:08Punishment could not.
38:09She was reduced to a servant
38:11and sent to the locked tower
38:12to serve Aldric.
38:14Let her watch the man
38:15she once loved
38:15go mad day after day.
38:18Aldric.
38:20Let them torture each other.
38:21That was the best punishment
38:22for both of them.
38:27A bloodless coup
38:29ended before sunrise.
38:30At last,
38:31the sky over the kingdom cleared.
38:32Months later,
38:33winter passed
38:34and spring came.
38:35Inside my hall,
38:36a muffled cry of pain
38:37broke the quiet.
38:38I had gone into labor.
38:40Outside the birthing room,
38:41my father stood in armor.
38:42He led the Ashwell soldiers
38:44in strict formation.
38:45Not even a fly could enter.
38:46Inside,
38:47cold sweat covered me
38:48from the pain.
38:49I gripped the sheets tightly.
38:53Mom!
38:54Huff!
38:55In my head,
38:56that familiar voice
38:57sounded nervous for once.
38:59Does it hurt, Mom?
39:00I'll try to curl up small.
39:03Let's come out quickly
39:04so you won't hurt for long.
39:06I smiled weakly.
39:07Tears gathered in my eyes.
39:09This child was not even born yet,
39:10but he already knew
39:11how to love his mother.
39:12With one loud cry,
39:14the rising sun broke
39:15through the clouds
39:15and shone into the hall.
39:16The midwife shouted in joy.
39:19He is born!
39:20He is born!
39:21A prince!
39:23A blessing from the heavens!
39:24The dawn has come!
39:28All strength left my body.
39:30I looked at the little bundle
39:31wrapped in golden cloth.
39:32He was red-wrinkled,
39:33and waving his tiny fists,
39:35the new king was born.
39:37The clans came to swear loyalty.
39:39A kingdom-wide pardon was declared.
39:41On the day of the first moon ceremony,
39:43I held the little king
39:44and sat on the high seat.
39:46I was honored as regent queen.
39:48My father, General Edmund Ashwell,
39:50served beside me on the council.
39:51Among the clans,
39:52the traitors were gone.
39:54The kingdom was at peace.
39:56No one dared scheme
39:57against the Ashwell clan again.
39:59No one dared look down on a mother
40:00and her child again.
40:02In the cradle,
40:03the little king blinked
40:04his dark round eyes
40:05and looked at me,
40:06though he still could not speak.
40:07That voice in my head
40:09stayed soft,
40:10sweet,
40:11and arrogant.
40:12Mom, look!
40:13This kingdom belongs to us now.
40:16If anyone dares bully you again,
40:18I'll wipe out
40:19every branch of their bloodline.
40:21When I grow up,
40:22I'll take Mother
40:23to conquer
40:24all the neighboring kingdoms too!
40:26I could not help laughing.
40:27I reached out
40:28and gently poked his soft cheek.
40:29Good.
40:30I'll be waiting.
40:32Outside the window,
40:33spring light was bright.
40:34The mountains and rivers
40:35stretched beneath a clear sky.
40:37I looked at the towering halls
40:38before me.
40:39There was no shadow
40:40left in my heart.
40:41Once,
40:41I thought endurance
40:42was the way to survive.
40:43Now I understood.
40:45Only power in my hands
40:46could protect the people
40:47I wanted to protect.
40:48From this moment on,
40:49my fate,
40:50my son's fate,
40:51and the fate of the Ashwell clan
40:52would belong to no one else.
40:54We would rule them ourselves.
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