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Died Once, She Won't Lose Again EnglishSub engsub fullepisode❤️ Silver Motion
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00:00:00My name was Skye Sterling, the last heiress of the Sterling family.
00:00:05But on the night I died, I had no husband beside me, only a cold, sickbed.
00:00:11My lady cannot hold on! Send for Lord Kendington!
00:00:15His lordship is with Lady Serafina. If my lady dies, bury her in the family tomb. Do not disturb him.
00:00:25The nuns lifted the speaking crystal, but Serafina's laughter came through first.
00:00:31Skye is pretending to be ill again. Tonight is Liam's night with me.
00:00:34If she wants to die, let her die. I have council business in the morning.
00:00:37In that moment, I finally understood. The man I had loved for five years found even my last breath inconvenient.
00:00:45Before darkness swallowed me, I had only one thought left.
00:00:49If I could live again, I would make them pay on their knees.
00:00:53When I opened my eyes again, I had returned to five years ago.
00:00:56The day Liam first brought his mistress to a noble banquet.
00:01:00My lady. His lordship ordered you to wear this plain grey gown.
00:01:05Lady Serafina said it would make you look proper.
00:01:08A mistress thinks she can choose my gown?
00:01:11His lordship said you must not steal Lady Serafina's attention tonight.
00:01:16I tore the grey gown apart in front of her.
00:01:19The ripping clothes sounded like my grave splitting open.
00:01:23Have you gone mad? His lordship ordered this himself.
00:01:26I am the lady of this castle. Get out.
00:01:31From the deepest part of my wardrobe, I took out the blood-red velvet gown my father had commissioned from
00:01:37a royal capital tailor.
00:01:38The banquet hall blazed with candlelight.
00:01:40Serafina stood at the entrance on my husband's arm, greeting guests as if she were Lady Kensington.
00:01:45Liam, will Skye really wear that grey gown? I worry people will laugh at her.
00:01:50She belongs quietly in a corner.
00:01:52The next second, the doors opened.
00:01:55Every eye turned to me.
00:01:57Good evening, my husband.
00:01:58And you, mistress.
00:02:01Mistress!
00:02:02Skye, you misunderstood.
00:02:04I'm a guest invited by Liam.
00:02:06Skye, apologize.
00:02:07Shut up.
00:02:08You're not qualified to boss me around.
00:02:10In the second floor gallery, a man raised his last hand.
00:02:13Alistair Thorne, the exiled eldest son of House Thorne, and the only man who dared to stand against the Kensingtons.
00:02:19Interesting.
00:02:20The Kensington doormat has grown fangs.
00:02:23The Kensington anniversary banquet was also the preview auction for royal trade charters.
00:02:27The real show had only just begun.
00:02:31Next lot, a royal charter auction.
00:02:34The abandoned Northland quarry.
00:02:36Starting bit, 50,000 gold coins.
00:02:39That poison marsh, I would not take it for free.
00:02:41They did not know that in seven days, the king would build a royal free market there.
00:02:47In my last life, someone made half a kingdom from it.
00:02:51100,000 gold coins.
00:02:54Skye, are you mad?
00:02:55That land is worthless.
00:02:58I am buying it with the sterling money.
00:03:00It has nothing to do with you.
00:03:02Skye, are you only doing this to get Liam's attention?
00:03:05I spend my own money.
00:03:06A mistress does not get a vote!
00:03:09Apologize to her!
00:03:11Fine.
00:03:12I apologize.
00:03:13I should not have called you a mistress.
00:03:15Then what should you call me?
00:03:19Concubine.
00:03:20The nobles laughed under their breath.
00:03:24200,000.
00:03:26Alistair did not want the quarry.
00:03:28He was testing whether I was truly mad or knew something.
00:03:34250,000.
00:03:38Stop bidding.
00:03:39She knows something.
00:03:41250,000 gold coins sold!
00:03:46You will regret this.
00:03:47No, Liam.
00:03:49The one who regrets this will be you.
00:03:53But the royal auction required full payment within three days.
00:03:57After checking my dowry ledgers, I found I was still short 80,000 coins in ready money.
00:04:06Cancel the bid tomorrow morning and apologize to Serafina.
00:04:10Are you ordering me?
00:04:13I am your husband.
00:04:14A husband does not leave his wife to die on a sickbed.
00:04:18What nonsense are you talking about?
00:04:20Of course he did not understand.
00:04:22His cruelty from my last life had not happened to him yet.
00:04:26If you touch the joint reserve vault under Kensington and Sterling, I will freeze your access at once.
00:04:33Thank you for the reminder.
00:04:34I never planned to borrow those 80,000 coins from you.
00:04:43So I went to the Black Box Inn.
00:04:46It was no place for a noblewoman, but it was where monsters made deals.
00:04:50My lady, we do not entertain Kensington ornaments here.
00:04:52I handed the guard a slip of parchment.
00:04:55There was only one line on it.
00:04:57Give this to Alistair Thorn.
00:04:59North Harbor, Warehouse No. 4.
00:05:01Smuggled weapons are hidden in the spice crates.
00:05:0880,000 gold coins?
00:05:10You want my money for one piece of information?
00:05:14Those weapons belong to your rival.
00:05:17If you seize them, he goes to the gallows.
00:05:19Why should I believe you?
00:05:22Because you have not killed me yet.
00:05:24That means you already have to leave me.
00:05:26I can give you the money.
00:05:28But I want one condition.
00:05:30Say it.
00:05:31At the King's Trade Charter Ceremony, ruin Seraphina publicly.
00:05:35That is not a condition.
00:05:36It is a reward.
00:05:38Do not disappoint me, little oracle.
00:05:42My blood went cold.
00:05:44Little oracle was the name I had used in the shadows of my last life.
00:05:49How did he know it?
00:05:51The next day, I entered Count Thorn's castle in a gold gown,
00:05:55wearing the sterling emerald necklace,
00:05:56for the King's Trade Charter Ceremony.
00:05:59Liam wanted me modest,
00:06:00and Seraphina wanted me to be a shadow.
00:06:03But today, I chose to be the brightest light in the hall.
00:06:08Skye, you look beautiful today.
00:06:11But perhaps, too noticeable?
00:06:14Do not worry.
00:06:15A woman who belongs in the dark only looks like a joke in the light.
00:06:19The moment I finished speaking,
00:06:22Seraphina walked towards Liam with reddened eyes.
00:06:24As she passed me, her shoulder suddenly tilted.
00:06:28Seraphina crashed into the old gardener carrying the reliquary.
00:06:31The reliquary hit the floor, its fragments scattering everywhere.
00:06:36Skye, why did you push me?
00:06:38My lady, Lady Kensington did not push you.
00:06:41You walked into me.
00:06:42How dare you lie for her?
00:06:45That was House Thorn's reliquary!
00:06:48Skye, have you lost your mind?
00:06:50Pushing someone in public?
00:06:54I did not push you.
00:06:56And making such a scene over a fake reliquary only makes you look worse.
00:07:00What did you say?
00:07:03This reliquary is fake.
00:07:05The saint's gesture is reversed.
00:07:07And the true relic would never be placed in a banquet hall.
00:07:11You are lying!
00:07:14My lady is correct.
00:07:16The true relic has always been locked in the chapel vault.
00:07:20She screamed over a fake?
00:07:22And she accused Lady Kensington of pushing her.
00:07:25How ugly.
00:07:28Seraphina, you only know how to cry, not how to behave like a noble woman.
00:07:33I was only frightened.
00:07:37Then sit down.
00:07:38Stop embarrassing Liam.
00:07:43Seraphina's face turned pale.
00:07:44But she still refused to lose.
00:07:47Skye, I heard you play the harp very well.
00:07:50Why don't you play something to calm everyone down?
00:07:52She wanted me to embarrass myself in public.
00:07:55But she did not know that in my last life, I had turned my tears into blades through music.
00:08:00Skye, you are not afraid, are you?
00:08:02It is only one song.
00:08:03Then stand closer, so you can see clearly how you lose.
00:08:06I sat before the harp.
00:08:10I did not play a gentle court melody.
00:08:12I chose a salaband.
00:08:14A battle hymn for the dead.
00:08:17This is not banquet music.
00:08:19It sounds like a funeral bell on a battlefield.
00:08:23When did she learn to play like this?
00:08:27Impossible.
00:08:30A useless noble woman?
00:08:32I think she looks like a blade just drawn.
00:08:37When the final note fell, the hall was silent except for the candles.
00:08:41Then applause exploded.
00:08:43Before the applause faded, Alistair had already stepped to my side.
00:08:47His voice was low, but clear enough for me to hear.
00:08:4980,000 gold coins have been sent to your counting room.
00:08:53That abandoned quarry will become a royal free market.
00:08:56You told me such a valuable secret.
00:08:58Are you not afraid I will steal it?
00:09:01You do not want the quarry.
00:09:02You want to watch me drag House Kensington off its altar.
00:09:05Little Oracle, you keep surprising me.
00:09:07Before I could answer, the attendance at the entrance suddenly knelt.
00:09:10The man who could truly silence the room had arrived.
00:09:14Old Earl Thorne entered with his wolf-headed cane.
00:09:17He was one of the most powerful nobles in the kingdom.
00:09:19One word from him could shift half the capital.
00:09:23Lord Thorne.
00:09:24House Kensington has always hoped to...
00:09:28Move.
00:09:34Lord Thorne.
00:09:37Who are you?
00:09:39I am Seraphina.
00:09:40Liam's most important...
00:09:42Mistress?
00:09:44The hall fell silent.
00:09:47In my day, mistresses stayed in the shadows.
00:09:52Your presence here defiles this hall.
00:09:59On that stormy night, Liam helped the crying Seraphina into his carriage, yet left me, his lawful wife, outside Thorn
00:10:06Castle.
00:10:15Someone paid for your life, and someone wants to see whether your husband will save you.
00:10:19I saw the serpent tattoo.
00:10:21Silas, the former captain of the Thorn Guard, now hired to do noble's dirty work.
00:10:26I was tied to a wooden pillar in an abandoned mill.
00:10:29Barrels of black powder sat at my feet, and the fuse had already burned halfway down.
00:10:35I already sent Liam a letter.
00:10:37The place, the ransom, and your life were written clearly.
00:10:41So you do not want money.
00:10:43You want him to choose in front of me.
00:10:45Clever.
00:10:47Half an hour later, Hoofbeats stopped outside the mill.
00:10:51Liam had actually come, but he carried no gold, only a bloodless face.
00:10:55Skye.
00:10:56Liam, cut the ropes!
00:10:58The powder is about to explode!
00:11:00I cannot go in!
00:11:01If I enter, I will die!
00:11:03I am your wife!
00:11:05House Kensington cannot lose me!
00:11:08In that moment, I knew for certain that no matter how many lives I lived, Liam would always abandon me.
00:11:14It seems your life is worth less than his reputation.
00:11:20Alistair?
00:11:22The powder is lit!
00:11:24You cannot save her!
00:11:29The mill explosion failed to kill me.
00:11:33Three days later, the Kensington carriage delivered me into another trial.
00:11:39Beatrice Kensington was Liam's grandmother.
00:11:41The true ruler of House Kensington.
00:11:44She threw a parchment letter at my feet.
00:11:46It said my purchase of the Northland quarry for 250,000 gold coins had made me the joke of the
00:11:51city.
00:11:53Explain this.
00:11:55For now, it looks like I misjudged it.
00:11:58I did not explain.
00:12:00The fewer people knew the quarry's true value, the better.
00:12:03Misjudged it!
00:12:04You nearly died in a mill.
00:12:06People are already whispering that Liam lost his nerve.
00:12:09And now you use sterling money to buy wasteland.
00:12:11Do you want to ruin House Kensington's name?
00:12:15That night, he did run.
00:12:18Silence!
00:12:20A man's reputation is worth more than a woman's life.
00:12:24She was the same in my last life.
00:12:27She did not care whether I lived.
00:12:29She only cared whether House Kensington looked clean.
00:12:32The mill incident ends here.
00:12:34To outsiders, it was a bandit attack.
00:12:36And Liam arrived too late.
00:12:38And if I refuse...
00:12:42Then I will manage the Sterling Trading House for you.
00:12:45If you fail to produce an heir within a year, your dowry, castle, and trading house will all pass into
00:12:52my hands.
00:12:53She finally revealed her true purpose.
00:12:56She did not want honor.
00:12:58She wanted the last sterling assets in my hands.
00:13:01There will be a reconciliation dinner tonight.
00:13:04Sit beside Liam and behave like a proper wife.
00:13:08Fine.
00:13:09I will attend.
00:13:12She thought I had lowered my head, but my application had already reached the cathedral school.
00:13:17At tonight's dinner, I would make Liam tear off his own dignity.
00:13:21That night, Beatrice arranged a reconciliation dinner.
00:13:25It was not for peace.
00:13:27It was to force me to cover Liam's cowardice.
00:13:30Three noble ladies will visit tomorrow.
00:13:32Tonight, you must sit beside Liam.
00:13:35As long as you dine with him, people can only say he arrived late, not that he ran.
00:13:41So running away can be dressed up as bravery?
00:13:43Do you still want to keep the Sterling Trading House?
00:13:47She threatened me with the trading house again.
00:13:49But this time, I already had a way out.
00:13:52Fine.
00:13:53I will eat quietly tonight.
00:13:56My lord, Lady Serafina sent word.
00:13:58She hurt her ankle and only wants to see you.
00:14:02Where is she?
00:14:03Sit down.
00:14:05Grandmother, she is hurt.
00:14:06If you walk out tonight, the whole city will know you abandoned your wife, fresh from an explosion, for your
00:14:15mistress.
00:14:16Then let them talk.
00:14:18He rose and left.
00:14:20Beatrice's face darkened.
00:14:22And for the first time, this dinner tasted good.
00:14:26After dinner, I pushed open the terrace doors.
00:14:28Liam had chosen Serafina again.
00:14:31Good.
00:14:32The more he chose, the more proof I had.
00:14:36You do not look like an abandoned wife.
00:14:39You trespassed just to laugh at me?
00:14:41Half to make sure my ally was still alive.
00:14:46And half to bring you good news.
00:14:48The quarry?
00:14:49Dear Sky, the quarry you bought for 250,000 gold coins will silence the entire capital tomorrow.
00:14:59Alistair placed a rolled parchment on the wrought iron table.
00:15:02The draft decree for that quarry has been entered into the Privy Council records, sealed on page 400.
00:15:09No one has ever turned to that page, except you and me.
00:15:13He lifted his hand and brushed a crumb of sauce from the corner of my mouth with his thumb.
00:15:18Rough, yet impossibly light.
00:15:20I didn't pull away.
00:15:21I sat on a stone bench in the cathedral school courtyard.
00:15:25Before me lay Latin legal codes and debate outlines.
00:15:29Today was my entrance examination.
00:15:32A carriage jerked to a halt at the academy gates.
00:15:36Liam strode across the lawn, students scattering from his path.
00:15:40You want to embarrass me before all the nobles?
00:15:43A Kensington wife has no need to parade herself at the academy!
00:15:49He snatched the parchment from my hand, gripping my wrist.
00:15:54If I keep myself busy with my studies, I won't disturb you and Serafina.
00:15:59I didn't stand.
00:16:01I only looked up at him.
00:16:02Isn't this exactly what you asked for?
00:16:07Hoofbeats splashed through the mud.
00:16:09A young man swung down from his horse.
00:16:12Dark golden hair slightly tonsilled.
00:16:15Leather boots polished to a gleam.
00:16:18Not many women dare scold their husbands at the academy gates.
00:16:22Ethan Vance, second son of the Vance family.
00:16:25Famous for gambling away his fortune on horse races and composing doggerels.
00:16:29Lord Vance, you're blocking the passage.
00:16:32I stood, brushed the dust from my skirt, and turned to walk into the examination hall.
00:16:39The examination hall was cold stone.
00:16:42I unrolled my paper, dipped my quill, and began to write.
00:16:48Someone leaned in from the row behind.
00:16:50Ethan Vance's breath was nearly against my nape.
00:16:53What should be written for question three?
00:16:55I'll trade you tonight's wine money for the answer.
00:16:57I didn't turn around.
00:16:59My quill kept moving across the parchment.
00:17:01And at the same moment, my boot heel kicked backward, landing precisely on his calf.
00:17:06His yelp drew every gaze in the silent hall.
00:17:08I kept writing, the corner of my lips barely lifting.
00:17:14My quill kept moving across the parchment.
00:17:16The examination was meant to last three hours.
00:17:19But after only one hour passed, I rose and handed in my paper.
00:17:27The proctor bishop leaped through my parchment, frowning.
00:17:31As I stepped out of the examination hall, a figure stood waiting in the blinding sunlight.
00:17:37Tiffany, Serafina's lackey and confident.
00:17:40She waited outside the examination room just to mock me.
00:17:44Sky Sterling only sat the exam for one hour.
00:17:48She must have bribed the proctor or handed in blank parchment.
00:17:52I stopped walking and looked at her.
00:17:55Public defamation within the cathedral precinct violates the code of conduct.
00:18:00Article 4, Supplemental Clause.
00:18:02Tiffany froze in place.
00:18:04Your citation will reach the disciplinary committee by noon.
00:18:09That evening, the annual Sterling family banquet.
00:18:12Thanks you all for coming and witnessing the improvement of the Sterling Trading House under my leadership.
00:18:18Uncle Arthur, he took over the Sterling Trading House after my father died and seized his legacy.
00:18:24I heard you've gone back to Academy?
00:18:28The allowance Kensington gives you isn't enough for you?
00:18:32Aunt Petunia looked me up and down.
00:18:35A few distant cousins tittered.
00:18:37Liam set down his cutlery with a deliberate clink.
00:18:41He stood up.
00:18:44Aunt Petunia, Sky scored the highest marks on the entrance examination in a decade.
00:18:50And your son, Victor, how much did he owe the gambling dens last month?
00:18:56The table fell immediately silent.
00:18:58Liam continued, as casual as if discussing the weather.
00:19:06By the way, Uncle Arthur, are you planning to quietly sell off 15% of the Sterling Trading House Partnership
00:19:12shares?
00:19:15He said a name.
00:19:17The Prophets Guild.
00:19:19Arthur's face went pale.
00:19:22Liam smiled after showing off his intelligence.
00:19:25But he still had no idea who owned the Prophets Guild.
00:19:30The Prophets Guild.
00:19:31That was my underground intelligence network.
00:19:34Arthur's cutlery trembled in his hands.
00:19:39Aunt Petunia had fallen utterly silent.
00:19:42The eyes of every relative towards me changed to suspicion.
00:19:46Liam was defending me now.
00:19:48They didn't know what any of this meant.
00:19:53Sir, it's Seraphina.
00:20:00Liam rose once more.
00:20:02Left once more.
00:20:04I set down my napkin and turned to the attendant, sent by Alistair, who was behind me.
00:20:11Arthur is preparing to sell 15% of the Trading House Partnership shares to the Prophets Guild.
00:20:17Let him sign tonight.
00:20:19He vanished without a sound into the servant's passage.
00:20:23Aunt Petunia glared at me from the far end of the table.
00:20:26Her stare as if she wanted to swallow me whole.
00:20:29I smiled at her and raised my goblet.
00:20:31She had no idea.
00:20:33Once her husband signed that contract tonight, the master of the Sterling Trading House would no longer be him.
00:20:40That night, when Liam returned early from Seraphina's tavern banquet,
00:20:44I was in the library of Kensington Castle.
00:20:50He stood in the doorway, collar loose, the smell of drink clinging to him.
00:20:56She was too noisy, and the cake was too sweet.
00:21:00I didn't answer.
00:21:01Kept reading the book in my hand.
00:21:04The next morning, Arthur burst into the breakfast room and slammed a handwritten news sheet before me.
00:21:15He read out the title loudly in front of Beatrice and Liam.
00:21:20Lady Kensington bribes Academy Proctor.
00:21:23Shame on you, Skye.
00:21:25You spent 200,000 gold pieces to buy your entrance exam result?
00:21:30Beatrice picked up the news sheet.
00:21:31Her hawk-headed cane was nearly pressed against my face,
00:21:35forging documents to frame a family member in order to manipulate guild share prices.
00:21:40I raised my head and looked directly at Arthur, in the crown court, that is called insider trading.
00:21:49Would you like me to write to the sheriff right now?
00:21:55Arthur's face drained to ash and pale.
00:21:59He stumbled three steps backward, crashed into the tea trolley behind him.
00:22:05To avoid being disturbed, I shall move to my residence in the city, to focus on my studies.
00:22:12Liam wanted to stop it, but didn't know how.
00:22:16I moved to the resident prepared by Alistair, registered under a shell trading house.
00:22:21The second night after moving in, I pushed open the window, and stepped onto the stone balcony.
00:22:29Isn't this the lady who kicked me in the examination hall?
00:22:33On the neighboring balcony stood a figure that seemed all too familiar.
00:22:38I moved into the most expensive tower in the city, and the only view is you?
00:22:44Lord Vance, this is my balcony, not your private view.
00:22:49He grinned.
00:22:53I turned my back to him, and couldn't help laughing either.
00:23:00She thinks she can escape me just by moving into the city?
00:23:04Just as his words faded, heavy footsteps sounded from the far end of the corridor.
00:23:09It was Serafina's shrill laughter.
00:23:11I have enrolled in the academy courses as well, she can't get rid of me.
00:23:15She was clinging to my husband, passing right by my door, deliberately making every word ring loud and clear.
00:23:24I closed the door and leaned back against the oak.
00:23:27Then I smiled.
00:23:29She was right.
00:23:33But every inch of ground she stood upon was already in the palm of my hand.
00:23:39The most difficult subject in the cathedral school, canon property law and Hanseatic League commercial code.
00:23:45I stood at the lectern, presenting my argument, but dark spots appeared before my eyes.
00:23:50I've gone through so many things over the past few days and my body betraying me.
00:23:55Skye, open your eyes.
00:23:57My knees hit the stone floor first.
00:23:59Someone caught me in the haze.
00:24:01Ethan lifted me into his arms.
00:24:03The wooden door crashed open.
00:24:05Liam stood there, when he saw me lying in Ethan's arms.
00:24:09His face twisted from shock into pure fury in an instant.
00:24:13Give her to me.
00:24:15She fainted.
00:24:17She needs air.
00:24:19If you touch my wife again, I will have you thrown out of this academy.
00:24:25Liam snatched me from him and carried me toward the door.
00:24:29I only remember one thing.
00:24:31Liam's hands were trembling.
00:24:33The infirmary sister at the Abbey Hospital loosened my clothing to examine me.
00:24:40She has countless wounds on her body, some still healing.
00:24:44Are these from...
00:24:45She fell down the stairs a few days ago.
00:24:47A bad fall.
00:24:48The sister did not dare press further.
00:24:52One did not press a Kensington.
00:24:54Move back to the estate.
00:24:57No.
00:24:58I can have the academy suspend you on medical grounds.
00:25:01Then I shall announce to the entire city, that the Kensington family imprisons its wives.
00:25:08You may stay in the tower.
00:25:10I will hire a nutritionist and a coachman.
00:25:13You will dine with me every fortnight.
00:25:15Agreed.
00:25:16He was happy, thinking that I was once again that obedient wife.
00:25:19I needed to stay close enough to track every move of the Kensington Trading House.
00:25:26A few days later, I rode alone to the Black Fox Inn, outside the city walls.
00:25:33Ethan was in a private room on the second floor, surrounded by three minstrel girls laughing at his jokes.
00:25:40Is that Skye?
00:25:41What wind blows you here?
00:25:43I walked up to him and slapped a stack of parchment onto the table.
00:25:46Your records of evading the Lord's tariffs at the flamish trading post.
00:25:50How did you...
00:25:54Retrieve from the wastebasket in Liam's study.
00:25:56Next time, I may not be there to clean up your tracks.
00:26:02Why are you helping me?
00:26:03I need an ally who is not afraid of the Kensingtons.
00:26:07He was silent for a long moment.
00:26:10Then raised his goblet.
00:26:13You are far more terrifying than I imagined.
00:26:15I turned and pushed open the door.
00:26:18All I saw were the same meddlesome scribes.
00:26:22They specifically compiled the whispered conversations they overheard.
00:26:25Into sharp anonymous letters and sold them to all the noble in the city.
00:26:30Lady Kensington, in a midnight rendezvous with Lord Vance.
00:26:34I quickly made my way through the crowd without explanation.
00:26:41Behind me came the sound of hoofbeats.
00:26:44Alistair's men were sent to escort me.
00:26:46The moment I slipped into the carriage, I took out a note and handed it to the driver.
00:26:52Tell Thorn, Kensington Trading House shares price will full tomorrow.
00:26:56Let him buy it.
00:26:58The next morning, Liam saw the contents of that anonymous letter.
00:27:04Screw you, Ethan!
00:27:06How dare you mess around with a Kensington!
00:27:09He shattered his wine goblet against the wall.
00:27:12That very evening, Liam stood at the door of my tower.
00:27:16A lantern gripped in his hand.
00:27:21You will attend the Lord's banquet with me tomorrow, wearing the dress I give you.
00:27:26No.
00:27:27Then I will withdraw your tuition, and the lease is on this tower.
00:27:30You want a performance?
00:27:31My appearance fee is 5,000 gold pieces.
00:27:34The money belongs to me personally.
00:27:36And I want it right now.
00:27:38He ground his teeth, and wrote out a contract on the spot.
00:27:47The following dusk, the maid he sent arrived in my chamber.
00:27:50Carrying a pale pink satin gown.
00:27:53Docile, sweet.
00:27:55Like the seraphina he had in his mind.
00:27:57I casually threw it on the floor.
00:28:00And then took out another one from my closet.
00:28:04I was not wearing the pink he gave me.
00:28:07I wore a gown of deep crimson velvet.
00:28:09The neckline cut devastatingly low, bare from collarbow downward.
00:28:13Liam stood at the foot of the stairs, staring up at me.
00:28:22Let's get in the carriage.
00:28:26When he handed me into the carriage, his hand lingered on my waist far longer than necessary.
00:28:33Inside the carriage, he stared at my bosom, like a man looking at something he had never truly possessed.
00:28:41At the banquet, I walked on his arm and smiled.
00:28:45He deflected every question for me.
00:28:47When he spoke, his voice carried a note of pride I had never once heard in five years of marriage.
00:28:55My dear.
00:28:57When he thought no one was listening, he called me that in a low whisper.
00:29:02I did not answer.
00:29:03Acted as if I didn't hear it.
00:29:05I only looked at the second floor gallery.
00:29:08There sat Alistair.
00:29:10He raised his glass ever so slightly.
00:29:13I will wait for you.
00:29:15To finish the whole performance.
00:29:18That night, when we returned to Kensington Castle, Beatrice locked us in the bedroom.
00:29:23I have had the kitchen prepare the family's ancestral tonic.
00:29:26Two bowls of steaming herbal broth were placed on the table.
00:29:30This soup was so familiar, she had forced it upon me in my previous life.
00:29:34Drink every drop, Liam.
00:29:36You as well, Skye.
00:29:38She watched Liam swallow most of his bowl before turning to me.
00:29:42Drink it all.
00:29:43Every last drop.
00:29:44I raised the spoon to my lips, and each time she turned her head to berate a servant,
00:29:49I spat the liquid into the napkin on my lap.
00:29:51Then two guards escorted Liam and me back to the bedroom, and locked the door.
00:29:56Liam's face was already flushed crimson.
00:29:58He tore at his collar, and stumbled toward me, his gaze unfocused.
00:30:06He looked at me with deep affection, saying Serafina's name.
00:30:10I tightened my grip on the candlestack on the table.
00:30:13The moment Liam's hand caught the hem of my gown,
00:30:16I smashed the candlestick onto his head.
00:30:20He crashed onto the carpet.
00:30:28My head.
00:30:30What happened last night?
00:30:32I was already seated in the chair by the window.
00:30:36I handed him a cup of water.
00:30:40You drank grandmother's herbal toner last night and collapsed.
00:30:44You struck your head on the stone mantle.
00:30:47He nodded, didn't press further.
00:30:50I went to the study.
00:30:53On the desk lay an anonymous letter,
00:30:56accusing me of being involved with Ethan.
00:30:59I picked it up.
00:31:01The paper has faint lines on it,
00:31:03belonging to a certain family.
00:31:05Tiffany's family.
00:31:07She was Serafina's attendant.
00:31:10I wrote a letter to Alistair to have him keep an eye on Tiffany.
00:31:15The front gate of the castle was broken open.
00:31:17Arthur and Petunia got out of the carriage and rushed straight to the study.
00:31:22That land was purchased with Stirling family fields.
00:31:26It turned out the king had announced that the mine would be officially designated
00:31:31as a royal free market.
00:31:34The profits belong to the family.
00:31:36Your father signed this document before he died.
00:31:39All land transactions must be approved by the family council.
00:31:44Arthur held a parchment in his hand.
00:31:46I took a look.
00:31:47After father's stroke, his right hand had a persistent tremor.
00:31:50This signature is far too steady.
00:31:53He froze where he stood.
00:31:55His mouth opening and closing wordlessly.
00:31:57Furthermore, I have already sold that land to Alistair.
00:32:02Do you have the courage to go demand it from him?
00:32:08Arthur's face turned pale instantly.
00:32:11That night, I arranged to meet Alistair at the lookout terrace
00:32:15of the grandest hotel in town.
00:32:18Once the market opens, the flow of goods will triple.
00:32:22My mercenaries will clear the mountain passes.
00:32:24You will spread the word.
00:32:25Spread across the chamber was an enormous parchment map.
00:32:28Every trade route of the Northlands traced in full.
00:32:31He stood at the far side of the map,
00:32:34both hands braced on the table's edge.
00:32:36How did you know that abandoned quarry
00:32:38would become a market
00:32:41so far in advance?
00:32:44I...
00:32:44Because you are the oracle.
00:32:47The shadow who sells intelligence
00:32:49to the highest bidder from the darkness.
00:32:51My hand holding the quill
00:32:52stopped in midair.
00:32:54I spent three years investigating.
00:32:57It was not until I met you
00:33:00that all the threads finally wove together.
00:33:03I will begin purchasing warehousing rights
00:33:06along the route tomorrow morning.
00:33:08His fingers moved across the map
00:33:11while his eyes were fixed on mine.
00:33:14Do not let the Kensingtons reach them first.
00:33:17We stood at the second floor railing of the hotel.
00:33:20The draft contract for the next harbor warehousing rights
00:33:23spread between us.
00:33:24Sky!
00:33:25Liam charged onto the second floor.
00:33:28He saw only me
00:33:29and the other man standing beside me.
00:33:31You're here with this traitor!
00:33:33His mouth opened to roar.
00:33:34I lifted the silver pitcher of ice water
00:33:36from the side table
00:33:37and dashed the entire contents into his face.
00:33:43What?
00:33:45Everyone in the hotel was watching him.
00:33:48The inn's head guard
00:33:49climbed the stairs
00:33:50and placed a firm hand on Liam's shoulder.
00:33:53My lord, this way.
00:33:57I looked down at the damp, wrinkled edge of the contract
00:34:00and smoothed it flat once more
00:34:02by the third port
00:34:04on the western shore.
00:34:06That is the location
00:34:07he will think to seize last.
00:34:10Understood.
00:34:17He raised his glass to me
00:34:19with the slightest tilt.
00:34:21Alistair drove me back to the tower
00:34:27and stood at the foot of the stone steps
00:34:30for a long while.
00:34:32The next morning,
00:34:33my maid returned from the Kensington estate.
00:34:36Last night, his lordship sat alone in the study.
00:34:39The butler passed by and heard him weeping.
00:34:41I did not respond.
00:34:42The maid kept saying,
00:34:44Facing the fireplace.
00:34:46Not a single word spoken.
00:34:49Just being there until dawn.
00:34:51Five years ago,
00:34:52his tears would have kept me awake all night.
00:34:58Now, I only wanted to confirm one thing.
00:35:02Late that night,
00:35:04I changed into a dark riding habit
00:35:07and rode alone
00:35:08back to Kensington Castle.
00:35:12The night watchman
00:35:13was already passed out
00:35:14drunk in the gatehouse.
00:35:16The whole castle was silent
00:35:17as a stone sarcophagus.
00:35:19I climbed the stairs barefoot.
00:35:23The will box
00:35:24my mother had left behind
00:35:26and the emerald ring inside it.
00:35:29I had to find it.
00:35:32The former master chamber
00:35:33had stood empty since I moved out.
00:35:35Dust covered the vanity table.
00:35:37The wardrobe held
00:35:38only a few gray plain dresses.
00:35:40I opened the hidden compartment
00:35:41of the jewelry box.
00:35:42It was empty.
00:35:43You shouldn't have come back.
00:35:45The voice was a ghost.
00:35:47A memory I had tried to bury.
00:35:48You came back.
00:35:49I knew you would come back.
00:35:51I smelled the alcohol.
00:35:52Empty bottles scattered at his feet.
00:35:54Liam sat in the armchair
00:35:56by the window.
00:35:57He rose
00:35:57and stumbled toward me.
00:35:59Sky.
00:36:01My sky.
00:36:02His fingers twisted into my hair.
00:36:04You are mine.
00:36:06Always have been.
00:36:07He bent his face down
00:36:08trying to kiss me
00:36:09for the purpose of possession.
00:36:10Let go.
00:36:14I will not let go.
00:36:16You are my wife.
00:36:17I fought back.
00:36:18His hands tightened.
00:36:19My nails raked across his left cheek.
00:36:22You.
00:36:22He stumbled backward.
00:36:24The back of his skull
00:36:25striking the stone mantelpiece
00:36:26with a dull, heavy thunt.
00:36:29You disgust me.
00:36:31I finally found a hidden compartment
00:36:33in the bed
00:36:33and inside it
00:36:34was precisely that emerald ring.
00:36:36I turned around without hesitation
00:36:37and stepped directly out of the door.
00:36:40Behind me came the sound
00:36:41of his strangled, broken sobs.
00:36:43Back in my tower,
00:36:45I wrote a formal notice by candlelight.
00:36:47On the envelope,
00:36:48I wrote the Lombard Bank's address.
00:36:50All joint deposit agreements
00:36:51of the Kensington household
00:36:52are suspended from this day forward.
00:36:54Without the personal presence
00:36:55of this lady bearing her seal,
00:36:57no one is authorized
00:36:58to withdraw funds
00:36:59or make purchases on credit.
00:37:01Today, a shipment of eastern silk
00:37:03had arrived at the town drapers.
00:37:05I knew Serafina would drag Liam there
00:37:08to buy.
00:37:08She never missed a chance to show off.
00:37:11Liam!
00:37:12I want this one!
00:37:13Buy the whole bolt!
00:37:15Just as I expected.
00:37:16When I entered the upper gallery,
00:37:19her voice was already drifting up
00:37:20from below.
00:37:21My Sarah deserves the best.
00:37:23I'll buy you everything.
00:37:27I leaned against the upper railing
00:37:29and just watched.
00:37:32My lord,
00:37:33the order from the Lombard Banking House
00:37:35arrived this morning.
00:37:36The funds under your name
00:37:38can only be accessed
00:37:39with your wife's consent.
00:37:42What?
00:37:44This must be a misunderstanding!
00:37:47Liam!
00:37:48Tell him it's a misunderstanding!
00:37:50No.
00:37:51It was I who suspended them.
00:37:55I walked slowly down the stairs.
00:37:58The moment Liam saw me,
00:38:00his pupils contracted.
00:38:05You!
00:38:08That bolt of silk.
00:38:09I'll take it.
00:38:10Yes, my lady.
00:38:12Next day,
00:38:13when I walked into the academy courtyard
00:38:14in a fresh new dress,
00:38:16I found the stone walls
00:38:17plastered with news sheets.
00:38:19Lady Kensington's midnight rendezvous
00:38:22with the vaunt scoundrel.
00:38:24Ethan was already standing
00:38:25before the wall,
00:38:26tearing down every sheet
00:38:28one by one.
00:38:31Who posted these?
00:38:33Step forward!
00:38:35Behind the stone pillars
00:38:36of the second floor arcade,
00:38:38Serafina stood there,
00:38:40a smile curling her lips.
00:38:42I pulled down
00:38:44one of the sheets
00:38:47and caught a strange scent.
00:38:50Calm down, Ethan.
00:38:52But they...
00:38:53I'll figure it out.
00:38:54I passed a note
00:38:55to the guard
00:38:56Alistair had assigned me.
00:38:59I wrote down
00:39:00the person who did this
00:39:03and asked Alistair
00:39:04to help me find the evidence.
00:39:06That afternoon,
00:39:07I walked along the path.
00:39:10Jessica and Tiffany
00:39:11each carried
00:39:12a silver tray
00:39:13laden with cream cakes,
00:39:15the cream far darker
00:39:17than normal.
00:39:19Oh!
00:39:20Jessica tripped
00:39:21as she passed me.
00:39:22Her whole body
00:39:23tilted towards me
00:39:24and the cake
00:39:25flew straight at my chest.
00:39:27I sidesteaded.
00:39:28The cream cake
00:39:29crashed onto the ground
00:39:30and splattered
00:39:31all over Tiffany's dress.
00:39:33Ah!
00:39:36My dress!
00:39:37This is brand new!
00:39:39Students heard the sound
00:39:40and gathered around.
00:39:44You two,
00:39:45stay away from her.
00:39:48Ethan stormed
00:39:49through the gate
00:39:50and backed both girls
00:39:51into the corner.
00:39:52Serafina squeezed out
00:39:53from the crowd.
00:39:54A copper coin
00:39:55pinched between her fingers.
00:39:58Skye,
00:39:58this is for you.
00:40:00I heard
00:40:01that you are broke.
00:40:03You must be distressed.
00:40:04I took one step forward,
00:40:06closing the distance
00:40:07until barely a palm's width
00:40:08separated us.
00:40:10Next time you ask
00:40:11Jessica's family workshop
00:40:12to transcribe
00:40:13your little news sheets,
00:40:14tell them not to use
00:40:15their own special ink.
00:40:16That smell,
00:40:17too obvious.
00:40:18The copper coin
00:40:20slipped from her fingers
00:40:21and clinked across the ground
00:40:23and clinked across the ground
00:40:23into the puddle of grease.
00:40:25She stood rooted
00:40:27where she was,
00:40:28her lips trembling.
00:40:29You
00:40:30are lying.
00:40:31A few days later,
00:40:33I deliberately took a carriage
00:40:35to an estate
00:40:37perched on the seaside cliffs.
00:40:40A property my mother
00:40:42had left behind,
00:40:43held in trust
00:40:44by the Abbey
00:40:44all these years.
00:40:49Seraphina had followed
00:40:50my carriage
00:40:51all the way
00:40:51to the iron gates.
00:40:54What kind of rural area
00:40:56does she go to?
00:40:57So isolated.
00:41:00She watched me
00:41:01walk through
00:41:01the estate entrance.
00:41:03Gates she could not pass.
00:41:05This estate belongs
00:41:06to the Sterling Family Trust.
00:41:09Purchased 11 years ago
00:41:10by the late Lady
00:41:11Eleanor Sterling,
00:41:12the sole beneficiary
00:41:15is Skye Sterling.
00:41:18Impossible.
00:41:21Liam said you were broke.
00:41:27Seraphina clutched
00:41:28the iron bars
00:41:29and sank to her knees
00:41:31on the gravel.
00:41:35What?
00:41:39You've spent
00:41:40all his money
00:41:41and still hanging
00:41:43around there.
00:41:44This estate
00:41:44was left to me
00:41:45by my mother
00:41:46long before
00:41:47I ever knew Liam.
00:41:49The fishermen
00:41:49and estate servants
00:41:51standing nearby
00:41:52exchanged glances.
00:41:55Please!
00:41:56Give him back to me!
00:41:58Give his money
00:41:59back to me!
00:42:01I turned
00:42:02and walked
00:42:03through the gates
00:42:04without looking back.
00:42:05Two days later,
00:42:07the college representative
00:42:08summoned
00:42:08all the people.
00:42:09Jessica Mills
00:42:10posting defamatory
00:42:12illustrations.
00:42:13The evidence
00:42:13is conclusive.
00:42:15Suspension
00:42:15for one term.
00:42:17No!
00:42:17It was Seraphina!
00:42:19She told me
00:42:20to do it!
00:42:24Jessica,
00:42:25how could you
00:42:26say that?
00:42:27You're lying!
00:42:29Tiffany,
00:42:30you were there!
00:42:32Tiffany kept
00:42:32her head down
00:42:33and said nothing
00:42:34at all.
00:42:35See,
00:42:35I even wrote
00:42:36her letters
00:42:37urging her not
00:42:38to do anything foolish.
00:42:40Seraphina pulled out
00:42:41some letters
00:42:41she had clearly
00:42:42prepared long before.
00:42:43It read the words
00:42:44he said to Jessica.
00:42:46After the hearing,
00:42:47Jessica sat in a corner
00:42:48sobbing.
00:42:50I passed by.
00:42:52She was never
00:42:53your friend.
00:42:57You are just a tool.
00:43:00The next day,
00:43:01the debate
00:43:01examination results
00:43:03were posted.
00:43:05Next to my name
00:43:06was written
00:43:06the highest grade.
00:43:08Seraphina stood
00:43:09a few paces
00:43:10behind me,
00:43:11staring fixedly
00:43:12at me.
00:43:13Beside her own name
00:43:14was written
00:43:14only one word.
00:43:16Fail.
00:43:18That evening,
00:43:20the Quinn family
00:43:21held a banquet
00:43:21at their cliff castle,
00:43:23celebrating Harper's return.
00:43:25Harper Quinn,
00:43:26my childhood friend,
00:43:27just returned
00:43:28from studying
00:43:28weaving in Milan.
00:43:29Skye,
00:43:30you've finally come!
00:43:31This blue silk gown
00:43:32is stunning!
00:43:34I stood by the terrace
00:43:35and watched Seraphina
00:43:38squeeze through
00:43:38a side entrance.
00:43:41She was dragging
00:43:42a man behind her.
00:43:43Alderick,
00:43:44the freight steward
00:43:45of Kensington Trading,
00:43:47notorious for gambling
00:43:48at the dockside taverns.
00:43:50Seraphina held
00:43:51an empty glass
00:43:52and walked up to me.
00:43:55Refill.
00:43:56Quickly.
00:43:58You may be mistaken.
00:44:00those wearing black
00:44:02are the servants.
00:44:03I am wearing
00:44:05blue silk.
00:44:07You're nothing but...
00:44:12Stuart Alderick,
00:44:14Kensington's
00:44:14internal audit,
00:44:16is currently reviewing
00:44:17your freight accounts.
00:44:20Are you certain
00:44:21bringing her here tonight
00:44:22was a wise decision?
00:44:23She begged me
00:44:24to bring her.
00:44:25She said if I'd be
00:44:26her escort,
00:44:27she'd help pay
00:44:28my gambling debts.
00:44:29Alderick,
00:44:30shut up!
00:44:31The hall erupted
00:44:32in murmurs.
00:44:34Remove the trash.
00:44:37She's disturbing
00:44:38the guests' enjoyment.
00:44:40Alistair descended
00:44:41the stairs,
00:44:43nodded to the head guard.
00:44:49Lord Kensington
00:44:51has my back!
00:44:53You cannot treat me
00:44:54like this!
00:44:55Let go!
00:44:56She screamed the whole way
00:44:58as two guards
00:44:58dragged her out
00:44:59by the arms.
00:45:04No one looked back.
00:45:06That night,
00:45:07I returned to my tower.
00:45:09The maid brought me
00:45:10the news.
00:45:11My lady,
00:45:13his lordship,
00:45:14has taken
00:45:15Lady Serafina
00:45:16into the castle.
00:45:17He has placed her
00:45:18in one of the guest chambers.
00:45:22Go to my old chamber.
00:45:24Clear out everything
00:45:26that belongs to her.
00:45:28Do not let her scent
00:45:29touch a single thread
00:45:30of mine.
00:45:31The next day,
00:45:32my maid burst
00:45:33into my room.
00:45:37My lady!
00:45:38The dowager Lady Beatrice
00:45:39would not accept
00:45:40that mistress!
00:45:41She stormed
00:45:41into the castle
00:45:42and threw
00:45:42that mistress out!
00:45:43His lordship
00:45:44even had to sell
00:45:45his personal carriage
00:45:47just to find
00:45:48a place
00:45:49to put her!
00:45:51That evening,
00:45:52I went to a private room
00:45:53on the second floor
00:45:54of the Black Fox Inn.
00:45:55Not for Serafina's
00:45:56misfortune,
00:45:57but to celebrate
00:45:58that the Lombard
00:45:59Banking House
00:46:00had finally made
00:46:01the freeze
00:46:01on all Kensington
00:46:02Joint Deposit
00:46:03Agreements
00:46:03permanent.
00:46:05The door
00:46:06crashed open.
00:46:08Liam stood
00:46:09in the doorway,
00:46:10his eyes bloodshot.
00:46:12Skye!
00:46:13You're here
00:46:14celebrating?
00:46:15How dare you!
00:46:17He charged forward
00:46:19and seized my wrist.
00:46:21I dashed the wine
00:46:22in my glass
00:46:22straight into his face.
00:46:26His head swiveled
00:46:27and he caught sight
00:46:28of Alistair
00:46:28seated in the corner booth.
00:46:31He threw a punch.
00:46:35Alistair caught the fist
00:46:36with a single hand.
00:46:39He wrenched Liam's arm
00:46:40behind his back
00:46:41and shoved him hard
00:46:42against the stone wall.
00:46:43Go back to your own guest,
00:46:45Kensington.
00:46:49Then he lifted me bodily
00:46:51from the chair.
00:46:54As he carried me
00:46:55past Liam,
00:46:56he glanced down
00:46:57at him once.
00:46:59The next morning,
00:47:00I woke
00:47:01in my own chamber.
00:47:03Alistair was seated
00:47:04in the chair
00:47:04beside my bed,
00:47:05holding a cup
00:47:06of hot tea
00:47:07toward me.
00:47:08You were terribly
00:47:09drunk last night.
00:47:11Drink this tea.
00:47:13My lady,
00:47:14Lord Kensington
00:47:15is downstairs.
00:47:16He says he wishes
00:47:17to see you.
00:47:19From this day forward,
00:47:20I do not receive
00:47:21his messages.
00:47:24Alistair kept his head
00:47:26down, slicing an apple.
00:47:29The corner of his mouth
00:47:30lifted, nearly imperceptible.
00:47:35Beatrice stormed into my tower
00:47:37that very afternoon.
00:47:39Liam's trust fund
00:47:40has been frozen.
00:47:41If you are going to leave,
00:47:43leave quietly.
00:47:45The Kensington Trading House
00:47:47cannot survive
00:47:48a second scandal.
00:47:50Very well.
00:47:52But I have conditions.
00:47:54I took out the two sheets
00:47:55of parchment
00:47:56I had prepared
00:47:56long before
00:47:57and pushed them
00:47:59across the desk.
00:48:00First,
00:48:01the deed to my mother's
00:48:02seaside villa
00:48:03is to be transferred
00:48:05to my name immediately.
00:48:06Second,
00:48:07I will no longer bear
00:48:09any joint guarantee
00:48:10for Kensington's debts.
00:48:12She stared at me
00:48:13for a long,
00:48:14long moment.
00:48:16You.
00:48:17You prepared
00:48:18these ahead of time.
00:48:20Please sign.
00:48:21She signed her name
00:48:23stroke by stroke.
00:48:24You no longer
00:48:25have the Kensington
00:48:26family's support.
00:48:27No.
00:48:28It is the Kensington
00:48:29family that no longer
00:48:30has me.
00:48:31Liam's messenger
00:48:32still appeared
00:48:33at my tower door
00:48:34every day.
00:48:35He said he wanted
00:48:36to see me.
00:48:37Very well.
00:48:38Let him sign over
00:48:39the right-of-way deed
00:48:40for that old post road
00:48:42to me.
00:48:46What do you want
00:48:47with this useless
00:48:48post road?
00:48:49Sign or not?
00:48:51I'll sign.
00:48:52But I have one condition.
00:48:55You will attend
00:48:55the Hanseatic League
00:48:56celebration tomorrow
00:48:57with me.
00:48:58And we will be
00:48:59a loving couple.
00:49:01Deal.
00:49:02He didn't know
00:49:04this abandoned
00:49:05post road
00:49:05would become
00:49:06the throat
00:49:07through which
00:49:07all Northland's freight
00:49:08must pass.
00:49:09When I walked
00:49:10into the hall
00:49:11on Liam's arm
00:49:11the right-of-way
00:49:13deep bearing
00:49:13the Kensington
00:49:14wax seal
00:49:15was already
00:49:15tucked inside
00:49:16my sleeve.
00:49:17He just
00:49:17signed it.
00:49:19Harper's maid
00:49:20intercepted me
00:49:21in the corridor
00:49:21her voice
00:49:22trembling.
00:49:23My lady
00:49:24the Quinn family's
00:49:26cargo ship
00:49:27was seized
00:49:27at the harbor
00:49:28an entire shipment
00:49:29of silk
00:49:29from Milan
00:49:30anonymously
00:49:31reported
00:49:31for concealing
00:49:32contraband.
00:49:34It was Liam.
00:49:36I pushed open
00:49:37the wooden doors
00:49:38of the banquet hall
00:49:39cut through the crowd
00:49:40and walked
00:49:41straight up to Liam.
00:49:44I put a sheet
00:49:45of parchment
00:49:45into his palm.
00:49:46What is this?
00:49:49These are
00:49:50the transfer records
00:49:51of paying off
00:49:52the gambling debts
00:49:52of Serafina's mother.
00:49:54Do you want
00:49:55the whole city
00:49:56to know
00:49:56that you use
00:49:57the Kensington's money
00:49:58to support
00:49:59your mistress's family?
00:50:02You.
00:50:03How did you get these?
00:50:07How did you?
00:50:09Withdraw the complaint
00:50:10against the
00:50:10Quinn Trading House
00:50:11or everyone here
00:50:13will know it.
00:50:18I'll send someone
00:50:19to the harbor.
00:50:20Good.
00:50:26That day
00:50:27I went to the
00:50:28seaside estate
00:50:29my mother had left me.
00:50:31Harper came
00:50:32and stayed
00:50:32with me.
00:50:34Another letter
00:50:35from Liam arrived.
00:50:37He's moved in as well?
00:50:39The same estate?
00:50:40The same gate?
00:50:44I looked out
00:50:44of the window
00:50:45and saw a small stone
00:50:46house next to
00:50:47the seaside estate.
00:50:50Liam used
00:50:51the remaining money
00:50:52to buy the place.
00:50:54Today is the day
00:50:55they move in.
00:50:57Sky.
00:50:5880 years ago
00:51:00it housed the grooms
00:51:01and laundry women.
00:51:02No fireplace
00:51:03only a coal stove.
00:51:05Does she know?
00:51:07She's standing
00:51:08at the doorway
00:51:08bossing the servants around.
00:51:10I don't think so.
00:51:19A few days later
00:51:20I found Ethan
00:51:21in the academy library.
00:51:25I placed a blank invitation
00:51:26to the Vance family's
00:51:28year-end banquet
00:51:28before him.
00:51:29Let Serafina
00:51:30get hold of this.
00:51:32Let her fill in
00:51:33her own name.
00:51:37My brother Julian
00:51:39will check.
00:51:40He won't stop it.
00:51:41And the truth was
00:51:42Julian had already
00:51:43learned everything
00:51:44through his
00:51:45intelligence network.
00:51:46He agreed as well.
00:51:50The night of the banquet
00:51:52Serafina arrived
00:51:53in an outrageous gown
00:51:54of layered pink tulle.
00:51:57She swept into the hall
00:51:58on Liam's arm.
00:52:02Serafina
00:52:02Jessica burst out
00:52:04holding a stack
00:52:05of parchment IOU notes
00:52:06high above her head.
00:52:08She owes me money.
00:52:09She swindled
00:52:10even my living allowance
00:52:12to pay off
00:52:12her gambling debts.
00:52:14You're lying.
00:52:15Serafina collapsed
00:52:16dramatically to the floor
00:52:17in a performance
00:52:18worthy of the stage.
00:52:19Sarah
00:52:20don't embarrass
00:52:21yourself here.
00:52:22Unexpectedly
00:52:23she was exposed
00:52:24by Liam.
00:52:25Serafina was
00:52:25extremely anxious
00:52:26and desperately
00:52:27sought another way
00:52:28to salvage
00:52:30the situation.
00:52:31Serafina looked
00:52:32around the room
00:52:32and grabbed
00:52:33her own shoulder
00:52:34Strapu
00:52:34and tore it
00:52:35with all her strength.
00:52:36The tool ripped apart
00:52:37at her fingertips
00:52:37with a shriek.
00:52:39Ethan Vance
00:52:40it was you.
00:52:41You reached out
00:52:42and touched me
00:52:43during the chaos.
00:52:43You tried to rip
00:52:44my gown.
00:52:45What did you say?
00:52:46I never came
00:52:47anywhere near you.
00:52:48Just now
00:52:49when you pass
00:52:50by me.
00:52:51Ethan
00:52:52did you touch her?
00:52:54Touch who?
00:52:55I've been standing
00:52:55here the whole time.
00:52:56The nobles murmured
00:52:57among themselves.
00:52:58some gazes
00:52:59already shifting
00:53:00toward Ethan.
00:53:01Her hand remained
00:53:02pressed against
00:53:03the shoulder strap
00:53:04not to cover it
00:53:05but to display it.
00:53:07A figure
00:53:07descended slowly
00:53:09from the spiral staircase
00:53:10landing on the
00:53:11second floor.
00:53:12My attendant
00:53:13was standing
00:53:14behind the third
00:53:15pillar on the
00:53:15eastern side.
00:53:16His position
00:53:17faced directly
00:53:18towards this
00:53:19lady's skirts.
00:53:20I asked him
00:53:22Who tore
00:53:23the gown?
00:53:25It was
00:53:25this lady.
00:53:26She tore
00:53:27it herself.
00:53:39Take her out.
00:53:48After the banquet
00:53:49ended
00:53:49Alistair
00:53:50found me
00:53:50on the terrace.
00:53:51Hatred
00:53:52is the
00:53:52stepping stone
00:53:53to indifference.
00:53:55Then he
00:53:55lowered his
00:53:56head
00:53:57and pressed
00:53:58a gentle
00:53:58kiss to my
00:53:59forehead.
00:54:00That very
00:54:01same night
00:54:02after the banquet
00:54:03ended
00:54:03Liam
00:54:04cornered me
00:54:05in a bend
00:54:06of the stone
00:54:06corridor.
00:54:09Stop right
00:54:10there.
00:54:14When no one
00:54:15was looking
00:54:15he ceased
00:54:16to see my
00:54:16hair
00:54:19and shoved
00:54:19me into the
00:54:20shadows where
00:54:21the carriages
00:54:21waited.
00:54:23That post
00:54:24road right
00:54:24of way
00:54:24you knew
00:54:25it would
00:54:25increase in
00:54:26value.
00:54:27You tricked
00:54:27me.
00:54:29It was a
00:54:30fair trade.
00:54:31No one
00:54:32forced you
00:54:32when you
00:54:33signed.
00:54:33You are
00:54:34mine!
00:54:36You are
00:54:36not to
00:54:37stand
00:54:37beside
00:54:37him!
00:54:38His
00:54:39fingers
00:54:39dug
00:54:40into
00:54:40my
00:54:40throat.
00:54:42His
00:54:43eyes
00:54:43red
00:54:43as
00:54:43a
00:54:44mad
00:54:44dog's.
00:54:46I did
00:54:46not
00:54:46struggle.
00:54:47I looked
00:54:48at him
00:54:48quietly.
00:54:50Squeeze
00:54:51harder.
00:54:52Then
00:54:52tomorrow
00:54:53the whole
00:54:53county
00:54:54will
00:54:54know
00:54:55that
00:54:55Lord
00:54:56Kensington
00:54:56is a
00:54:57murderer.
00:54:58You!
00:54:58He
00:54:58froze.
00:54:59His
00:54:59hand
00:55:00loosened.
00:55:00I
00:55:01drew
00:55:01out
00:55:01the
00:55:01small
00:55:02copper
00:55:02mirror
00:55:02I
00:55:02carried
00:55:03with
00:55:03me
00:55:03and
00:55:04examined
00:55:04the
00:55:05marks
00:55:05blooming
00:55:05on
00:55:05my
00:55:06throat.
00:55:06You'd
00:55:07better
00:55:07pray
00:55:08that
00:55:08everyone
00:55:09believes
00:55:09these
00:55:10scratches
00:55:10were
00:55:11just
00:55:11an
00:55:11accident.
00:55:12The
00:55:12next
00:55:12morning
00:55:13Liam
00:55:13appeared
00:55:14at
00:55:14my
00:55:14tower
00:55:14door
00:55:15again.
00:55:15In
00:55:16his
00:55:16hands
00:55:16a
00:55:17bouquet
00:55:17of
00:55:17white
00:55:17roses
00:55:18and
00:55:18a
00:55:19small
00:55:19velvet
00:55:19box.
00:55:20Skye!
00:55:21Let
00:55:22me in!
00:55:23I've
00:55:23thrown
00:55:23Seraphina
00:55:24out.
00:55:25Let's
00:55:25start
00:55:26over.
00:55:29This
00:55:30ring
00:55:31it's
00:55:32bigger than
00:55:32the
00:55:32last
00:55:33one.
00:55:34Liam!
00:55:34You
00:55:35can't
00:55:35leave
00:55:35me!
00:55:36Before
00:55:36I could
00:55:37speak,
00:55:38Seraphina
00:55:38came
00:55:38charging
00:55:39up,
00:55:39clutching
00:55:40her
00:55:40skirts.
00:55:41You
00:55:42promised
00:55:42me!
00:55:43Why
00:55:43did
00:55:43you
00:55:43follow
00:55:43me?
00:55:48You
00:55:48came here
00:55:49to give
00:55:49her a
00:55:49ring?
00:55:50What
00:55:51am I
00:55:51to
00:55:52you?
00:55:58I
00:55:58reached
00:55:59out and
00:55:59took
00:55:59the
00:55:59velvet
00:56:00box.
00:56:01Liam's
00:56:02eyes lit
00:56:02up.
00:56:02Then
00:56:04I
00:56:04took
00:56:04two
00:56:04steps
00:56:04toward
00:56:05the
00:56:05door
00:56:05and
00:56:05hurled
00:56:05it
00:56:06out.
00:56:07Get
00:56:07out.
00:56:08Both
00:56:09of
00:56:09you.
00:56:14A
00:56:14few
00:56:15days
00:56:15later,
00:56:15the
00:56:16Kensington
00:56:16family held
00:56:17a charity
00:56:18banquet at
00:56:18the castle.
00:56:20I
00:56:21came,
00:56:21not for
00:56:22Liam,
00:56:22but to
00:56:23announce
00:56:23something.
00:56:25I
00:56:26wore a
00:56:26black
00:56:26gown with
00:56:27a plunging
00:56:27neckline.
00:56:28no jewels
00:56:29adorned my
00:56:29throat,
00:56:30only a
00:56:31thin dusting
00:56:31of pearl
00:56:32powder over
00:56:33the bruise.
00:56:33On her
00:56:34neck?
00:56:34Are those
00:56:35finger marks?
00:56:37Don't
00:56:37stare.
00:56:41Ladies and
00:56:42gentlemen,
00:56:43this is a
00:56:43respected
00:56:44notary clerk
00:56:44of the
00:56:45cathedral,
00:56:45and I
00:56:46have invited
00:56:47him to
00:56:47announce
00:56:48the
00:56:48divorce.
00:56:49He
00:56:50stopped
00:56:50in the
00:56:50center of
00:56:51the banquet
00:56:51hall and
00:56:52publicly
00:56:53unfurled a
00:56:54parchment
00:56:54petition.
00:56:57Sky
00:56:58Sterling,
00:56:59on
00:57:00grounds of
00:57:00her
00:57:00husband's
00:57:01open
00:57:01concubinage
00:57:02and
00:57:02physical
00:57:03assault.
00:57:03After
00:57:04hearing
00:57:04the
00:57:04reason,
00:57:05the
00:57:05guests
00:57:06stared
00:57:06at
00:57:06my
00:57:06scar,
00:57:07and
00:57:07the
00:57:07entire
00:57:08hall
00:57:08fell
00:57:09silent.
00:57:09Hereby
00:57:10formally
00:57:10submits
00:57:11to the
00:57:11diocesan
00:57:12bishop's
00:57:12court a
00:57:13preliminary
00:57:13petition for
00:57:15separation
00:57:15maintenance
00:57:16and
00:57:16annulment.
00:57:17Liam stood
00:57:18at the
00:57:18far end
00:57:19wine glass
00:57:19clutched
00:57:20in his
00:57:20hand,
00:57:21rooted to
00:57:21the
00:57:21spot as
00:57:22if nailed
00:57:22there.
00:57:27Skye,
00:57:28you can't.
00:57:30I already
00:57:30have.
00:57:31After the
00:57:32banquet was
00:57:32over,
00:57:33when I was
00:57:34about to
00:57:34get into
00:57:34the
00:57:34carriage,
00:57:36Liam caught
00:57:37up with
00:57:37me.
00:57:40Skye,
00:57:40have you
00:57:41really made
00:57:42up your
00:57:42mind?
00:57:42I ignored
00:57:43him and
00:57:44got into
00:57:44the carriage
00:57:45directly.
00:57:47He kept
00:57:48standing at
00:57:49the door,
00:57:50but it
00:57:51seemed that
00:57:52he was
00:57:52looking at
00:57:53the carriage.
00:57:55rather than
00:57:56at me.
00:58:02After the
00:58:03banquet,
00:58:03my carriage
00:58:04traveled along
00:58:04the coastal
00:58:05mountain road.
00:58:06My lady,
00:58:07the carriage
00:58:07is speeding
00:58:08up,
00:58:08the brake
00:58:09rope is
00:58:09broken.
00:58:12There's a
00:58:12sharp bend
00:58:13ahead.
00:58:16I pulled
00:58:17aside the
00:58:17curtain.
00:58:18Ahead was
00:58:19a sharp
00:58:19bend,
00:58:20beyond
00:58:20it the
00:58:20cliff.
00:58:21The
00:58:22coachman
00:58:22hauled
00:58:23distressfully
00:58:23on the
00:58:23reins,
00:58:24but the
00:58:24brake
00:58:24cord's
00:58:25knot
00:58:25had been
00:58:25cut.
00:58:26Pull to
00:58:27the
00:58:27inside!
00:58:28Scrape
00:58:28the wheels
00:58:29against the
00:58:29cliff to
00:58:29slow down!
00:58:35The
00:58:36carriage came
00:58:36to a
00:58:37halt less
00:58:37than two
00:58:38feet from
00:58:38the cliff's
00:58:39edge.
00:58:43I
00:58:44scrambled out
00:58:44of the
00:58:44carriage and
00:58:45crawled
00:58:45beneath it.
00:58:46The
00:58:46axle pin
00:58:47had been
00:58:47deliberately
00:58:47sawed
00:58:48through.
00:58:49This was
00:58:49no
00:58:50accident.
00:58:52It was
00:58:53murder.
00:58:57I told
00:58:58the
00:58:58coachman
00:58:58to drive
00:58:58straight to
00:58:59the
00:58:59converted
00:58:59servant's
00:59:00quarters,
00:59:00where Liam
00:59:01was living.
00:59:02I pushed
00:59:02open the
00:59:03door.
00:59:03He sat
00:59:04on the
00:59:04chair,
00:59:04staring
00:59:05into a
00:59:05mug of
00:59:05cheap
00:59:06ale.
00:59:08At this
00:59:09hour,
00:59:09I threw
00:59:10the broken
00:59:10fragments of
00:59:11the axle pin
00:59:11onto the
00:59:12floor before
00:59:12him.
00:59:13He stared
00:59:13at the
00:59:13pieces,
00:59:14his eyes
00:59:14wide with
00:59:15shock.
00:59:16You sought
00:59:17it through
00:59:17yourself to
00:59:18frame me.
00:59:19What did
00:59:20you say?
00:59:22This is
00:59:23exactly the
00:59:23sort of
00:59:23thing you
00:59:24would do.
00:59:24I suddenly
00:59:25laughed.
00:59:26I knew it
00:59:27wasn't him,
00:59:27he didn't
00:59:27dare to
00:59:28do that.
00:59:29It was
00:59:29Victor,
00:59:30my cousin.
00:59:31He holds
00:59:32a grudge
00:59:32against me
00:59:33because I
00:59:33didn't give
00:59:34him his
00:59:34share from
00:59:34the Sterling
00:59:35Trading House.
00:59:39The next
00:59:40morning,
00:59:40I set out
00:59:41for the
00:59:41Sterling
00:59:41Trading House
00:59:42Council of
00:59:43Elders.
00:59:43Victor had
00:59:44stolen a
00:59:45carriage and
00:59:45came charging
00:59:46out from
00:59:46a side
00:59:47track on
00:59:47the mountain
00:59:48road.
00:59:50Go to
00:59:51hell,
00:59:52you
00:59:52bastard!
00:59:53Die!
00:59:54My carriage
00:59:55was shoved
00:59:56toward the
00:59:56cliff's
00:59:57edge.
00:59:58Skye,
00:59:59watch out!
01:00:00Liam came
01:00:01charging out
01:00:02from the
01:00:02side path
01:00:02on horseback,
01:00:05pulled me
01:00:06from the
01:00:06carriage,
01:00:07and was
01:00:07himself struck
01:00:08by Victor's
01:00:09oncoming
01:00:09cart and
01:00:10thrown
01:00:10violently
01:00:11through
01:00:11the air.
01:00:18I was
01:00:19thrown into
01:00:19the brush
01:00:19at the
01:00:20roadside.
01:00:22By the
01:00:23time I
01:00:23staggled
01:00:24to my
01:00:24feet,
01:00:25Victor
01:00:25had already
01:00:26fled.
01:00:27Liam lay
01:00:27sprawled across
01:00:28the stones,
01:00:30his face
01:00:31covered in
01:00:31blood.
01:00:34Skye,
01:00:35did I,
01:00:37did I save
01:00:38you?
01:00:38I knelt
01:00:39it beside
01:00:39him,
01:00:40looking down
01:00:41at this
01:00:41man I
01:00:41had once
01:00:42hated.
01:00:43Yes,
01:00:43you saved
01:00:44me.
01:00:45The sisters
01:00:46from the
01:00:46abbey
01:00:46infirmary
01:00:47brought
01:00:47Liam into
01:00:48the sick
01:00:48room.
01:00:51I stood
01:00:52outside the
01:00:52door,
01:00:53holding a
01:00:53bowl of
01:00:54hot broth.
01:00:54Then I
01:00:56saw
01:00:56Serafina
01:00:57hurrying
01:00:57from the
01:00:57far end
01:00:58of the
01:00:58corridor.
01:00:59She fell
01:01:00to her
01:01:00knees
01:01:00beside his
01:01:01bed at
01:01:01the moment
01:01:02she entered.
01:01:03Liam,
01:01:04wake up!
01:01:05It's me,
01:01:06Sarah!
01:01:08Skye,
01:01:09where is
01:01:10she?
01:01:12Skye is
01:01:13fine.
01:01:14She doesn't
01:01:14care about
01:01:15you.
01:01:16She's already
01:01:16left.
01:01:17He tightened
01:01:18his grip on
01:01:19Serafina's
01:01:19hand.
01:01:21Liam's eyes
01:01:22were closed.
01:01:23I stood
01:01:23outside the
01:01:24door,
01:01:24holding the
01:01:25bowl of
01:01:25broth,
01:01:26silent for
01:01:27a moment.
01:01:27Then I
01:01:28turned around,
01:01:29set the
01:01:29bowl down
01:01:30on the
01:01:30stone
01:01:30ledge in
01:01:31the
01:01:31corridor,
01:01:32and walked
01:01:33away.
01:01:34Three days
01:01:35later, I
01:01:36appeared before
01:01:37the council
01:01:37of elders of
01:01:38the Sterling
01:01:38Trading House,
01:01:39wrapped in a
01:01:40nun's cloak with
01:01:41my arms still
01:01:42banded.
01:01:42Alistair marched
01:01:43Victor in,
01:01:44bruised and
01:01:45bloodied,
01:01:46and laid out
01:01:47the evidence of
01:01:48his attempted
01:01:48murder piece
01:01:49by piece on
01:01:50the long
01:01:50table.
01:01:51It wasn't
01:01:52me!
01:01:53I did
01:01:53nothing!
01:01:54Victor
01:01:55Sterling,
01:01:55you are
01:01:57permanently
01:01:57expelled from
01:01:58the Sterling
01:01:59Trading House.
01:02:00Escort him to
01:02:01the Sheriff's
01:02:01Goal.
01:02:03Arthur sat in
01:02:04the corner and
01:02:05said not a single
01:02:06word throughout the
01:02:07entire proceeding.
01:02:08He merely
01:02:09trembled as he
01:02:10signed the last
01:02:11document.
01:02:12All partnership
01:02:13shares of
01:02:13Sterling Firm are
01:02:14hereby fully
01:02:15entrusted to
01:02:16Sky Sterling for
01:02:17management.
01:02:17treatment.
01:02:18That evening,
01:02:19I returned to
01:02:20the infirmary.
01:02:21The sister still
01:02:22needed to finish
01:02:23my treatment.
01:02:24I leaned against
01:02:25the headboard,
01:02:26leafing through
01:02:27the Sterling
01:02:27trading ledgers.
01:02:30The ledgers can
01:02:31wait another hour.
01:02:32Let the sister
01:02:33examine your wounds
01:02:34first.
01:02:34What are you
01:02:35doing here?
01:02:36Seeing you.
01:02:37And, and
01:02:39also...
01:02:39He turned and
01:02:40instructed his
01:02:41attendant to
01:02:41summon the
01:02:42sister.
01:02:42Yes, sir.
01:02:43I'll fetch the
01:02:44sister at once,
01:02:45while you stay
01:02:46here in Lady
01:02:46Sterling's room
01:02:47and attend to
01:02:48her personally.
01:02:49Her voice pitched
01:02:50neither loud nor
01:02:51soft, just exactly
01:02:52loud enough to
01:02:53carry down the
01:02:53corridor.
01:02:54You did that on
01:02:55purpose.
01:02:56Of course.
01:02:57In another sick
01:02:58room not far away,
01:03:00Liam lay in his
01:03:00bed.
01:03:03He heard every
01:03:04single word that
01:03:05attendant spoke.
01:03:06A moment later,
01:03:08the sound of a
01:03:08clay water jug
01:03:09shattering against a
01:03:10stone wall was
01:03:11loud enough to
01:03:12reach even my
01:03:13chamber.
01:03:13He's angry.
01:03:14I sat by the
01:03:15candlelight, folding
01:03:16a letter.
01:03:17On the envelope was
01:03:17written, to the
01:03:19diocesan bishop's
01:03:20court, supplemental
01:03:22evidence regarding the
01:03:23petition for
01:03:23separation maintenance
01:03:24and annulment.
01:03:26The next day, I
01:03:27returned to the
01:03:28sterling firm and
01:03:28found a bookkeeper's
01:03:29office to start
01:03:30working.
01:03:31Liam came to the
01:03:32door immediately.
01:03:34If you don't
01:03:35withdraw the
01:03:36separation petition,
01:03:37I'll have every
01:03:38trading house and
01:03:39freight guild in the
01:03:40county blacklist you.
01:03:41I watched him tap his
01:03:42walking stick on the
01:03:43stone floor with a
01:03:44loud thud.
01:03:45Sterling trading won't
01:03:46get a single order.
01:03:50You came all the way
01:03:51here just to say that?
01:03:52I took out a ledger from
01:03:53the drawer.
01:03:57You withdrew a large
01:03:58sum of money from the
01:03:59Kensington firm's bank
01:04:00account to buy a country
01:04:02house for Serafina.
01:04:04You refused to cover the
01:04:05cost of my emergency
01:04:06treatment at the
01:04:07monastery hospital.
01:04:09Everything you ever did
01:04:10to me is recorded here.
01:04:12Every single entry.
01:04:14I pushed the ledger
01:04:15towards him.
01:04:16Go ahead and issue
01:04:17your blacklist.
01:04:19You still don't know
01:04:20who you're messing with.
01:04:22This isn't over.
01:04:24He was silent for a
01:04:25long while, then left
01:04:26those words behind and
01:04:28turned away on his cane.
01:04:30His lame leg caught on
01:04:32the threshold.
01:04:35No one helped him.
01:04:38His revenge came faster
01:04:39than I expected.
01:04:41The next day, the most
01:04:42popular minstrel under
01:04:43the Sterling Harrison
01:04:44came to me.
01:04:51No matter what it
01:04:52takes, I will terminate
01:04:54the contract with you.
01:04:55I didn't fight it.
01:04:56I signed his release
01:04:58without even claiming
01:04:59the penalty fee.
01:05:02Then I sent word
01:05:03to the countryside
01:05:04to find someone
01:05:04every noble castle
01:05:06had turned away.
01:05:07Gabriel, an indigent
01:05:08poet who had offended
01:05:10a lord with his
01:05:10satirical verses
01:05:11and had been
01:05:12unemployable ever since.
01:05:14Shave him, cut his
01:05:16hair, put him in a
01:05:20clean linen shirt.
01:05:21My lady, are you
01:05:23certain it's me you
01:05:24want?
01:05:26It is you.
01:05:27Sign this contract
01:05:29and sterling trading
01:05:30will pay for your
01:05:31grandmother's medical
01:05:32care.
01:05:35And you, you only
01:05:37have to sing.
01:05:39My waste quarry was
01:05:41no longer called waste.
01:05:44The king's decree had
01:05:45been issued the royal
01:05:46free market was
01:05:47officially open.
01:05:51Stalls converted from
01:05:53old mine carts lined
01:05:54the stone paved path
01:05:56and at the center stood
01:05:57an open-air minstrel
01:05:58stage.
01:06:00My lady, how many
01:06:03people are down there?
01:06:04When Gabriel walked
01:06:05up with his loot, the
01:06:06stage was already
01:06:07surrounded by merchants
01:06:08and travelers who had
01:06:09come from every corner
01:06:10of the land.
01:06:11More than enough.
01:06:12Just sing.
01:06:13And the glory.
01:06:17Halfway through, it
01:06:18began to rain.
01:06:20Raindrops struck his
01:06:21strings and soaked
01:06:22his new clothes, but
01:06:25not a single person
01:06:26left.
01:06:26They didn't leave.
01:06:30I told you, just
01:06:32sing.
01:06:36With the flood of
01:06:37goods pouring in, the
01:06:39partnership shares of
01:06:41sterling trading doubled
01:06:42overnight.
01:06:46The next morning, a
01:06:48banking house messenger
01:06:49stood at the door of my
01:06:50accounting room.
01:06:51My lady, it's Lord
01:06:53Kensington.
01:06:55My lady, Lord
01:06:57Kensington has requested
01:06:58that your trading house's
01:07:00credit be suspended.
01:07:01However, our banking
01:07:02house has reviewed the
01:07:03matter.
01:07:03Sterling trading's deposit
01:07:05agreements are held
01:07:05entirely independently
01:07:06from the Kensington
01:07:07name.
01:07:08Therefore, the Lombard
01:07:09banking house has no
01:07:10authority to intervene.
01:07:11Yes, and we don't
01:07:13intend to do so.
01:07:15This is the official
01:07:16reply, a copy of which
01:07:17was delivered to Lord
01:07:18Kensington this morning.
01:07:20Please convey my
01:07:21gratitude to your chief
01:07:22steward.
01:07:24After the banking house
01:07:25messenger left, I had a
01:07:27feeling that Liam wouldn't
01:07:28give up.
01:07:29So, I must find a way to
01:07:31completely defeat him.
01:07:32When the Lombard banking
01:07:34house sent another team of
01:07:35people the next day, I knew
01:07:37it was time.
01:07:39Lord Kensington let you
01:07:40come and negotiate in
01:07:41person.
01:07:43He wants me to come to the
01:07:45castle.
01:07:45So I changed into a plain
01:07:47dress like an obedient wife
01:07:49and returned to the castle I
01:07:50had once fled.
01:07:51I walked to the bookkeeper's
01:07:53office door and saw Liam
01:07:54inside.
01:07:55The joint old debt
01:07:56guarantee account of
01:07:57Kensington and Sterling is
01:07:59not your personal account.
01:08:00You came.
01:08:01It has been frozen.
01:08:02You need to cooperate with
01:08:03me to thaw it.
01:08:04Of course.
01:08:06But, you need to be my
01:08:08assistant for a day.
01:08:09Do whatever I tell you.
01:08:10Is that all?
01:08:11Recopy all of last year's
01:08:13ledgers, sorted by month.
01:08:15The ink on your desk is
01:08:16running dry.
01:08:17Refill it.
01:08:18When you're done, come back
01:08:20and I'll give you the next
01:08:21task.
01:08:21Fine.
01:08:22He leaned back in his
01:08:23chair, waiting for me to
01:08:25explode.
01:08:25a good one.
01:08:26The ink on your desk is
01:08:28The ink on your desk is
01:08:30The ink on your desk is a good one.
01:08:30The ink on your desk is a good one.
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