- 5 hours ago
The Heir’s Regret, My New Love
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Short filmTranscript
00:00The day I mentioned the mate bond to my fiancé, Lyndon, for the 99th time, I overheard him talking with
00:05his friends.
00:06Lyndon, you're something else. Alice is willing to wait for you.
00:09Lyndon swirled his glass.
00:11If it weren't for her, Nora wouldn't have mated with someone else out of spite.
00:14She won't let me have my way, so she should experience the same thing.
00:18Drag it out. The more she tries to mate with me, the less I'll agree.
00:22Anyway, she'll wait for me.
00:24Next year, raise the unbonded tax by 30%.
00:27Alice will have to sell herself to make up the tax.
00:29His friends laughed.
00:31Lyndon is the alpha heir. That poor girl wants to climb up.
00:33Selling herself once won't cut it. Sell as many times as needed.
00:37Tears ran down my face.
00:39The PAC rules say if a wolf turns 18 without a mate bond, they must pay the unbonded tax.
00:44Otherwise, the PAC council will force a sign a mate.
00:47Every time I pushed him to finish the bond, he said, next year.
00:51I waited three years. I barely held on.
00:55The tax grew heavier every year.
00:56So this year, I won't pay.
01:00Before Lyndon left, one of his servants came over to ask me,
01:03Alice, did you scrape together this year's tax? If not, we can help you.
01:07Next year, Alpha here promised.
01:10Next year, he'll finish the bond ceremony with you.
01:13I patted the half-empty money pouch at my waist.
01:15It had money, but it was far from enough to pay this year's unbonded tax.
01:19I'd been hearing this for three years.
01:21Three years ago, my father got dragged into PAC politics.
01:25My family used to be a respected bloodline.
01:28Lyndon, the alpha heir, was my fiancée.
01:30Then overnight, we had nothing.
01:32My father died that winter.
01:34I became an orphan.
01:36I had no choice but to go to Lyndon for shelter.
01:39The first time I saw him, the young shoe wolf at his side looked pale and ran off crying.
01:43A few days later, she had mated with someone else.
01:45I said to Lyndon,
01:47If you like her, we can call off the engagement.
01:49He smiled faintly before I finished.
01:51No need.
01:52You're my fiancée.
01:54I must keep my promise.
01:57For a moment, I felt a little happy.
01:59When will we finish the bonding ceremony?
02:01He glanced at me.
02:03His lips had a smile.
02:04His tone was gentle.
02:06His words stung.
02:07Next year, your father just died.
02:11Aren't you afraid of being cursed if we mate now?
02:13I struggled through that year and paid the tax with the last of my money.
02:17The next year, I asked him again and again.
02:20He finally lost patience.
02:21Do you ever stop?
02:23All you said is the mate bond.
02:26Do you only think about men?
02:28Shameless.
02:28I wiped my eyes and forced the tears back.
02:31I wouldn't show weakness.
02:33Lyndon puckered his lips like he thought he went too far.
02:36Then he laughed it off.
02:37Crying?
02:38I'm joking.
02:39A witch says my wolf is unstable this year.
02:41Not a good year to mate.
02:42Next year, I'll mate with you next year.
02:45I stood there awkwardly.
02:46I wanted to tell him I was almost out of money.
02:49If I couldn't pay, the PAC council would force a sign of stranger as my mate.
02:54But I swallowed the words.
02:56I'll wait.
02:56I told myself.
02:58Before he died, my father had told me to be patient and endure.
03:02I was alone and had to put up with things.
03:04But life was getting harder.
03:06That year, the tax jumped by 50%.
03:08The tax collector looked fierce.
03:11You keep dragging this out year after year.
03:14As you get older, the fee goes up.
03:17So he'd raise the price on purpose.
03:19My close friends kept telling me,
03:21Alice, even the alpha heir has to pay.
03:24He has to be waiting for you.
03:25He's just young and playful.
03:26Wait a little longer.
03:27I said,
03:29I know.
03:30Lyndon was the alpha heir.
03:32How would he know how hard it was for me to save?
03:34I lived in the alpha house, but I have no money.
03:37No money meant I had to find a way.
03:40I painted for other noble she-wolves and took the money.
03:43With his casual words, I had to burn countless knights to draw.
03:47I put up with it for three years.
03:49This year, I wasn't going to anymore.
03:51I clutched my last money and went to the PAC council.
03:54The tax officer asked,
03:56You again?
03:57The unbonded tax went up.
03:59Are you paying?
04:00No.
04:00Fine.
04:01He opened the pairing book and casually ticked a name.
04:04Him.
04:05Done.
04:06Go.
04:06I didn't even know my future mate's name.
04:09My life was decided like that.
04:11Back at alpha house, Lyndon leaned against the doorway.
04:15He raised an eyebrow when he saw me.
04:17Paid the tax?
04:18I looked down and lied.
04:21Yes.
04:22He relaxed and turned to order the servants to load the trunks onto the carriage.
04:26My blanket, wine glasses, bring them.
04:29Be careful, don't break anything.
04:30You can't pay for it if it's ruined.
04:32In the bustle, he came over and reached to pat my head.
04:35I flinched.
04:36He drew his hand back, curved his lips, and asked with a smile.
04:40Want anything?
04:41I'll bring it back for you.
04:43He always did that.
04:45Just when my heart felt frozen, he'd hand me a sweet and steady me again.
04:49I'm pathetic.
04:50I always tell myself to call off the engagement.
04:53Don't wait.
04:55But when he smiles, I think, what if he really means next year?
04:59And I'm fooled every time.
05:00I stared at the flowers and said without much care.
05:03The money pouch.
05:04Why not get something nicer?
05:05I have plenty of money.
05:07No need.
05:08All right.
05:09Lyndon barked orders at the servants.
05:11I turned and left.
05:12My room was in the far corner of alpha house.
05:15Few people came by.
05:16There was one good thing.
05:17It was near the side door.
05:19If the pack council came for me, no one would notice.
05:23I packed my things and left.
05:24Only Mrs. Ward, a middle-aged shoe wolf, waited at the door.
05:28It's a big day for you.
05:30Aren't you wearing something new?
05:31I hugged my bag and stayed quiet.
05:34Before my father died, he'd prepared clothes and jewelry for my ceremony.
05:38He didn't want me looking shabby.
05:40But the first year Lyndon wouldn't bond with me and the tax kept pressing.
05:43I had to sell the dress.
05:45The tax kept rising every year.
05:48I sold all my jewelry, too.
05:50Still no ceremony.
05:51Seeing my face, Mrs. Ward hurried on with a smile.
05:55It's fine.
05:56Live for yourself, not for show.
05:58Let's go.
05:59The sooner it's done, the better for both of us.
06:01We passed the alpha house gate and Lyndon's carriage was there.
06:04He lounged on the cushions, swinging a cup of wine.
06:07He looked every bit the handsome air.
06:09I walked north.
06:10He rode south.
06:12We passed each other without a second glance.
06:14A little way down the road, Mrs. Ward frowned at the pairing book.
06:18Where does Simus live again?
06:20I took the book.
06:21His address was near the pack academy.
06:24Lyndon used to study there.
06:26Ivy crawled over the small courtyard.
06:29The wooden fence was thin and scattered.
06:31Under an old oak stood a stone table.
06:33A book lay open on it, the wind turning the corners of the pages.
06:37Mrs. Ward craned her neck and called.
06:40Simus!
06:42Master Simus!
06:44My heart jumped.
06:45Master?
06:46Please, not some greybeard old man.
06:48The wooden door creaked.
06:50A young man holding a book stepped out.
06:52We stared at each other and froze.
06:54I blurted.
06:55What's going on?
06:56Silas looked surprised.
06:58He frowned, but his voice stayed gentle.
07:01Why is it her?
07:02This can't be right.
07:04She's my student's fiance.
07:06Is there some mistake?
07:07Mrs. Ward didn't care to argue.
07:09She dropped the mating book on the stone table.
07:12The pack council named the mate.
07:13How can it be wrong?
07:14Congratulations.
07:15Then she left.
07:16It was just the two of us.
07:18I hugged my bag tight.
07:20After a long pause, I said softly,
07:23Mr. Silas.
07:24He looked awkward and pinched his brow.
07:27This really isn't proper.
07:30I'll go to the council tomorrow and explain.
07:33He clearly looked down on me.
07:35If he sent me back to the council, I didn't know who I'd be assigned next.
07:39I stared at my shoes.
07:40My eyes stung.
07:42I don't have to pay the tax.
07:46I admit I was a little shameless.
07:48Mr. Silas is soft-hearted.
07:50Three years ago, Lyndon went off to the academy.
07:53I wanted to make a good impression.
07:55So on a snowy day, I cooked a pot of hot soup and took it to the academy.
07:59I was shaking outside.
08:01Silas saw me and, breaking the rules, let me inside to warm up.
08:05When Lyndon saw me, his face went cold.
08:07Who told you to come?
08:08The students started whispering and staring.
08:13I had embarrassed him.
08:15By the time the soup cooled, he wouldn't even drink a drop.
08:18I was about to pour it out.
08:20Silas put three silver coins on the step.
08:24Don't waste food.
08:25Consider it bought.
08:26Lyndon hated studying and kept getting punished to copy the PAC laws.
08:30He passed the work to me.
08:31I copied so much that even Silas couldn't stand it.
08:34He looked at my handwriting.
08:36Neat writing.
08:37You helped him copy, right?
08:38If he won't learn and has others do his work, what's the point?
08:41Fine.
08:42No more punishments.
08:46You can stay there for now.
08:47He sighed and pointed to the east room.
08:49My held breath finally fell away.
08:51Thank you, Mr. Silas.
08:53I couldn't help letting out a small, grateful.
08:56I was so tired that I collapsed into bed and was out like a light.
09:00When I woke the next morning, the room was quiet.
09:03Silas was already gone.
09:04I went out to look for him.
09:06The neighbor, Mrs. Finch, greeted me.
09:09Isn't he your cousin?
09:11He couldn't live with you.
09:12He moved into the academy.
09:13I walked back home.
09:15He really was old-fashioned.
09:17It made me look like the one squatting in his room.
09:19If he really didn't want to be my mate, I could write articles to earn some money.
09:24Save the tax.
09:26Move out once I had enough.
09:28Since I was staying in his place, I should at least tidy up.
09:31While cleaning, I found a trunk.
09:33It was neatly stacked with books.
09:35On top was a copy of Strange Tales.
09:38The pages were yellow and the corners curled.
09:41It had clearly been read a lot.
09:42I opened it and couldn't stop.
09:45I lost track of time.
09:46Ghosts coming back to life.
09:48A silver wolf repaying a debt.
09:51These books were completely unlike what a rigid one like him should be reading.
09:54Maybe I had read so many strange tales that day.
09:57That night I dreamed of a silver wolf.
10:00It walked in on moonlight.
10:01Bowed its head to me like a salute.
10:03Then it howled at the sky.
10:05Where the moonlight fell, the house turned spotless and the corners filled with deer meat.
10:09I woke up laughing to myself.
10:12I felt oddly lighter.
10:13I got up to fetch water and froze.
10:16The wooden bucket was full.
10:17I clearly remembered using half of it that afternoon.
10:21Had I misremembered?
10:22Then the odd things kept happening.
10:24Every morning the bucket was full.
10:26The flour that was almost gone yesterday was piled up today.
10:30I ate a few pieces of venison and the basket had fresh meat the next morning.
10:34Could there really be a silver wolf?
10:36That night I barely slept.
10:39I crept out, but I was too late.
10:41I mustered my nerve and called out.
10:43Who's there?
10:44Show yourself!
10:45No answer.
10:46I wouldn't give up.
10:48The next night I forced myself to stay awake.
10:51Around midnight I heard a rustle.
10:53I jumped out of bed and tiptoed to the kitchen.
10:56Silas was there.
10:57He was bent over, pouring flour and quietly placing venison into the basket.
11:01It was Silas.
11:03I felt everything at once.
11:05I'd been here a month and never once gone hungry or thirsty.
11:08I checked the wardrobe where I'd hidden a few silver coins.
11:11I counted them again and they had actually grown.
11:14In three years at the Alpha House,
11:17Linden never asked if I was cold or hungry.
11:19Silas cared in small, careful ways.
11:22He wasn't as distant as he looked.
11:24The next morning I made some flatbreads and rushed to the academy.
11:28I stood under the tree outside the classroom and peered through the half-open window.
11:31How had I never noticed before?
11:34Silas was handsome.
11:35He looked up without meaning to.
11:37His eyes crossed the sill and met mine.
11:40After class he hurried out.
11:42His voice was low.
11:43Why are you here?
11:44I handed him the flatbreads.
11:45For you.
11:48You don't need to do this.
11:50The academy has a kitchen.
11:51I can make my own.
11:52Thanks for the food.
11:53I can't eat it all by myself.
11:55His secret was out.
11:57Silas was momentarily at a loss for words.
12:00He ate a few bites at the stone table,
12:02then handed the box back and pressed his lips.
12:05You should leave soon.
12:07If someone sees, it won't look good for you.
12:10He really didn't want to be my mate.
12:12He dodged me at every turn, afraid to be tied to me.
12:16I looked down at my stretched shadow.
12:18I know.
12:19Back home I stared at my fuzzy reflection in the basin and forced a smile.
12:22Linden had said my looks were tempting and that I only thought about mating all day.
12:26Someone as proper as Silas would probably only like girls like Nora.
12:30I counted my few coins over and over.
12:32I still didn't have enough for the year's tax.
12:35Writing and painting to earn money was too slow.
12:38I was worrying when I suddenly remembered Silas's strange tales.
12:42An idea hit me.
12:43Maybe I could write the weird stories pack members liked and sell them to the bookshop.
12:47I shut my door and wrote for three days.
12:49I put down a few chapters about a silver wolf returning the favor.
12:53The shopkeeper was uninterested at first.
12:56He read it anyway.
12:57When he finished, he slapped 50 silver coins on the counter and said,
13:01Miss, go write more.
13:02I'll sell this half now.
13:03If it sells, we can do the rest.
13:04The first thing I did with the money was go to the market.
13:07I bought food until my arms ached.
13:10Now how Silas keeps sneaking food in at night.
13:12But Silas still came at midnight.
13:15If there was nowhere to put the food, he swept the yard.
13:18Sometimes he cut the meat.
13:20He was always busy.
13:22One morning I opened the door and heard a small clink at my feet.
13:25A little mirror lay on the ground.
13:27I bent to pick it up.
13:29I couldn't say how I felt.
13:31He didn't talk much to me.
13:33But he was quietly kind.
13:35The story sold better than I expected.
13:37In less than a month I had saved enough for the tax.
13:40Harvest Moon was the pack's biggest holiday.
13:43I had the food ready early.
13:45Today is Harvest Moon, I told myself.
13:48After the festival I'll say goodbye to Silas.
13:50I waited from dawn to dusk.
13:53He never came back.
13:54I stared at my packed bundle and forced a bitter laugh.
13:57Alice, look how hated you are.
13:59You scared him away.
14:01Holidays alone are dull.
14:03I hoisted my pack and went to the pack council.
14:06Only one wolf was on duty.
14:07I hesitated, then asked.
14:11If someone pays the tax late, can the assigned mate be cancelled?
14:14He flipped through the roster.
14:15Name?
14:17Alice and Silas.
14:19He raised an eyebrow.
14:21They seem well matched.
14:22This is her that a she-wolf couldn't pay the unbond tax.
14:24He asked them to mark his name with hers if she couldn't pay.
14:27He clicked his tongue and shook his head.
14:29Almost amused.
14:31Masters, they always have scheme.
14:32He looked at me and added.
14:34If the mate bond hasn't been signed yet and she pays the tax late, there's a 30% supergent.
14:39Tell your friend to think it over.
14:40I froze.
14:41His words hit like a blow.
14:43It wasn't random.
14:45It wasn't a mistake.
14:47It wasn't just kindness.
14:49He'd planned it all along.
14:50I ran home, heart pounding.
14:53Silas stood in the yard.
14:55He held a moon-shaped lantern and gave a bitter smile into the empty space.
14:59Mr. Silas.
15:00I spoke from behind him.
15:02He froze.
15:03His whole body went stiff.
15:05He turned slowly.
15:06His eyes were heavy.
15:08His voice was lower than usual.
15:11Hugh.
15:12I thought you'd left.
15:15I have known everything about our mate bond.
15:18This...
15:19I...
15:19I didn't think it through.
15:21Don't get me wrong.
15:22I have no other intentions.
15:24It's just...
15:25Just...
15:25He looked unusually flustered.
15:27He stammered.
15:29I pressed him, and he finally told me things I hadn't known.
15:32He was a lone wolf.
15:34My father had taken him in.
15:36My father gave him food and helped him go to the academy.
15:39The first time I went to the academy to look for Lyndon, he recognized me.
15:43He wanted to help, but I had a fiancé.
15:46He couldn't interfere.
15:48You were six then, he said.
15:50Your father went to the academy every day to train students.
15:53You sat at the side, remember?
15:55Your father saved me.
15:57He was so kind.
15:59I wanted to repay him.
16:01I thought if he knew you'd been casually assigned a mate and ended up living poorly, he'd be heartbroken.
16:07Stay here for now.
16:08If someday you meet someone you like, I'll hold the bonding ceremony for you, in the name of a brother.
16:13So the silver wolf from the stories really had come to return a favor.
16:17But, I thought about all the little things from these past days.
16:21I felt strangely let down.
16:23Is that it?
16:24In the stories, the silver wolf repays by offering itself.
16:28Silas was quiet for a moment.
16:30He finally met my eyes.
16:32Not entirely.
16:35At first it was to repay you.
16:38But, now I have my own feelings.
16:41He was too shy to say more.
16:42Still, I saw that hidden affection in his eyes.
16:45My face blushed.
16:47I hurried to change the subject and pointed at the lantern.
16:50What is this?
16:51A gift for you.
16:52Silas looked like a man forgiven.
16:54His fingers trembled as he handed the lantern over.
16:57I remember you liked moon-shaped lanterns when you were little.
17:01I don't know if you still do.
17:03I stepped forward without thinking.
17:06When I took the lantern, I gently held his hand.
17:09Silas' fingers jumped.
17:11He turned his hand and held mine back.
17:13He asked in a low voice.
17:15Next year,
17:17can we spend a harvest moon together again?
17:23Next year,
17:25can we spend a harvest moon together again?
17:28I looked at our shadows close together on the ground and nodded softly.
17:32Of course.
17:34Lyndon had barely come home before he and his friends clustered around a table.
17:37Lyndon,
17:38I heard Alice paid in another year's unbonded tax.
17:41She really loves you.
17:43Lucky you.
17:44Someone said,
17:44raising a glass.
17:46Amid the clinking cups,
17:47Aren't you worried she might stop paying and mate with someone else?
17:52Would she do that?
17:54A fallen family's daughter?
17:56She can't even buy proper clothes.
17:58Who would want her as a mate?
18:02Well, only I wouldn't mind her.
18:04He added,
18:05as if magnanimous.
18:06Someone else looked puzzled.
18:08You're the alpha heir.
18:10Why don't you just pay Alice's tax?
18:12What do you know?
18:13If she never learned to save,
18:15how would she value money?
18:16If she becomes my mate and lives well,
18:19she'll get proud.
18:20Don't let her big sacrifices fool you.
18:22She's trying to turn a little into a lot.
18:24That kind of scheming won't get past me.
18:26Everyone nodded,
18:28impressed with his sharpness.
18:29Just then a friend piped up.
18:31Lyndon, did you hear?
18:33Master Silas has a mate now.
18:35Want to go give a gift?
18:36Lyndon snorted.
18:37Master Silas?
18:39Oh him.
18:40A lone wolf.
18:42A master?
18:44Don't make me laugh.
18:45I heard they were mates assigned by the pack council.
18:48Neither could afford the unbounded tax.
18:51The friend added.
18:52Family who can't even pay the unbonded tax.
18:55What good daughters do they raise?
18:57A lone wolf and a lowborn girl.
19:00Truly a match made in fate.
19:02Somehow he suddenly thought of me.
19:04Lyndon asked a servant.
19:05How many years has Alice paid the unbonded tax?
19:08Four years, including this one.
19:10Lyndon pretended to sigh.
19:12Fine.
19:13Next year she won't have to pay.
19:16I'll reluctantly make her my mate.
19:18Near the alpha house he remembered he'd promised me something.
19:21He tossed a few silver coins to a servant.
19:24Go buy her a money pouch.
19:25You're so good to Alice.
19:26She'll be thrilled.
19:27Get the best one.
19:27Then he added a few more coins.
19:30The servant smiled.
19:32The first thing Lyndon did at home was head to my room.
19:35But when he pushed the door open, he froze.
19:37Dust lay thick inside.
19:39It looked like no one had lived there for a long time.
19:42He stormed back to his room.
19:44Where's Alice?
19:45We were just about to tell you the good news.
19:47Alice couldn't pay the tax a few days ago.
19:49The pack council assigned her a mate.
19:51She won't have a chance to bother you anymore.
19:54What did you say?
19:56Who gave you the right to act on your own?
19:58She was short of money.
19:59Didn't you give her any?
20:00You just stood there and let the pack council drag her off?
20:03Dinh's face went red with rage.
20:05The butler was stunned.
20:06After a long pause, he finally stammered.
20:09But haven't you always disliked Alice?
20:11You've been stalling to make her give up, haven't you?
20:13You also told us she couldn't touch the alpha family's money until the bond was completed,
20:17didn't you?
20:18Wasn't that true?
20:19Dinh choked on his words.
20:20He looked around at the servants.
20:22They all stared at each other, confused.
20:25It seemed they didn't understand why he was angry.
20:28They'd all seen how he treated me.
20:30He kept postponing the bond year after year.
20:32They were sure he was teasing me.
20:35Only I had been foolish enough to believe him.
20:37Linden's eyes swept the room.
20:39He realized how obvious his disdain had seemed to everyone.
20:42He collapsed to the floor.
20:44I've wanted to bond with her for a long time.
20:47I was only joking.
20:52Linden suddenly pointed at Silas and spat.
20:55Silas, how can you mate with a student's fiancé?
20:58Do you even know shame?
21:00Alice, come with me.
21:02Come home.
21:03Save your reputation from being ruined by him.
21:05He was unusually humble towards me, but his words were still nasty.
21:09I looked at Linden's face, twisted with anger.
21:12I felt both furious and amused.
21:15Linden was always high above.
21:17When he was pleased, he mocked and sneered.
21:20When he wasn't, he spoke cruelly, as if everyone deserved to lie at his feet.
21:25Linden, our engagement is already void, I said.
21:28You won't mate with me, and the PAC council assigned me a mate.
21:31That's reasonable.
21:32His eyes rimmed red.
21:34He almost growled.
21:35I don't accept this.
21:36You're clearly my fiancé.
21:37I couldn't understand it.
21:40He was the one who kept delaying, and now he came to accuse me of mating with someone else.
21:45What did he actually want?
21:47Was I meant to exist only to satisfy his selfish possessiveness?
21:50Was I supposed to wait forever, humbly, while he belittled me?
21:54The Academy Gate was no place for this.
21:57I took a deep breath and turned to Silas.
21:59I'll say some words to him.
22:01Silas smiled gently and tilted his head.
22:03Go on.
22:04Go on.
22:04Go on.
22:04Go on.
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