- 25 minutes ago
- #fantasy
High tactical fantasy tension and dangerous mystical operations collide when a legendary strategic princess awakens a powerful dragon protector. #Fantasy
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:01I was born with a blood scent that could make dragon lords lose control.
00:05Pure breeding blood, the rarest kind in 300 years.
00:08At my mating ceremony, I crawled past the sacred gold offerings
00:12and grabbed Crown Prince Caelan between his pants.
00:16This little whore could be a clingy breeder in the future.
00:21He was wrong. Caelan and I became enemies.
00:24For 10 years, I watched his dragon eyes learn to hate my scent.
00:27On my 18th birthday feast, the king called me before the throne.
00:32Freya, choose any dragon lord in Valeria. I will grant him to you.
00:36Before I could answer, Caelan's voice cut across the hall.
00:39I would rather be torn apart by wild dragon knees than mate her.
00:44Something inside me broke. Good. Then make him choke on it.
00:47Then I will leave his fate to the gods. Pay for the price, Crown Prince Caelan.
00:52I thought he didn't mean it. Our betrothal ceremony was beautiful, but Caelan never gave me a glance.
00:58Your scent makes me sick.
01:01Years passed. I gave him no air. The court stopped bowing.
01:05Dragonborn ladies spat in my food, ripped my gowns and called me a barren human leech.
01:10Caelan only smiled. Then I heard him say it.
01:12She forced this marriage. She deserves karma. No one should pity her.
01:18One week later, he threw me into the velvet quarter.
01:21A useless breeder belongs in a pleasure house.
01:24I died there, bloody and left like rotten meat. His figure was the last thing I saw. He never looked
01:30back.
01:31Then lights split open. I woke on cold marble, gasping. I was reborn at my mating ceremony.
01:37Freya. Choose any dragon lord in Valeria. I will grant him to you.
01:42The royal citadel. The feast. I would not risk my life on Caelan again. I took a deep breath.
01:48Your majesty. I respect the crown prince as someone I grew up with. Like a brother. I never wanted him.
01:55Not as a man. Not as a husband.
01:58My heart only belongs to dragon crook Lufician Draenmoor. If I couldn't marry him, I'd go finish myself.
02:03The court exploded. I had refused Valeria's golden prince and chosen his uncle, the cursed black silver dragon.
02:10The most fierce dragon who destroyed wild dragonkins for 200 years.
02:20Lucian Draenmoor fell coma since year ago on the northern warfront. Hurt by an unseen blade with curse.
02:27The healers said he would never wake. I knew they were wrong.
02:30In my last life, Lucian woke during my third year in hellish marriage.
02:34When dragonborn ladies had cornered me in the kitchens, they laughed, tore my sleeves and called me a barren human
02:41leech.
02:41Then a broken dragon rose from his wheeled chair. Lucian Draenmoor stood between us.
02:46Half crippled, but still terrifying. Back to now.
02:50Little one, marrying Lucian would waste your gift. Choose another lord. Someone who can speak to you.
02:55I kept my forehead against the marble floor. Your majesty, I swore before the old gods. It is Lucian Draenmoor
03:02or no one.
03:03I hit my forehead on the floor. Once and once again. The court went quiet. Only left the sound of
03:08my bones crack.
03:09Queen Marianne smiled like she had been handed a gift. If the human girl wants a sleeping dragon, let her
03:15have him.
03:16So be it. Your bloodline is gone. Lucian cannot answer for himself. My queen will arrange the wedding for you
03:23too.
03:24I rose my bloody forehead and crumbling stood up. I am humbled beyond speech.
03:30I did not look at Caelan. I only felt his gold fire burning behind me. Let him burn. I would
03:35never choose him again.
03:36Lucian is way better than Caelan. Last life, though he's still weak. He's nice to me. I'll save him this
03:42time.
03:42We'll claw our way out of this shithole. Together.
03:44For three days, I slept like someone freed from a cage. Then came the knock at Ashbourne Hall.
03:52The queen commands your presence at the royal citadel tonight. My blood went cold.
03:57At dusk, Madame Corvin led me through the royal corridors. Dragonflowers scented the stone. Then she stopped and bowed.
04:06Your highness, Crown Prince. I lifted my head. It's Caelan.
04:20Caelan stepped into the lamplight. He looked exactly like a future king. Proud and untouchable. Beautiful in the cruel Valorian
04:27way.
04:28Your highness.
04:29He looked me over from crown to shoes, as if searching for the girl who used to chase him through
04:33these halls.
04:34That's all?
04:34In my last life, I knew his every habit. I baked honey cakes for him. I waited outside Crown Tower
04:40just to hand them over. He always tossed them to the palace drakes.
04:43Stop this pathetic chase, Freya. You are marrying my uncle now. Try to have some dignity. You disgust me.
04:51I am not chasing anyone. I was only telling the truth to your king father. I do not love you.
04:56Then you wandered into the royal family's private wing by accident?
04:59The queen summoned me. Ask Madame Corvin.
05:01His gold fire flared. So it was true. I had not come for him.
05:05My uncle is a corpse with a title. You may be a widow before your wedding bed even cools.
05:11Then I will be the happiest widow in Valoria.
05:14His pupils narrowed, then went black.
05:30Queen Marianne heard me out in silence. And before I had even finished my audience with her.
05:35My wedding to Lucian Dravenmore was set for one week later.
05:40Dravenmore's black silver banners stretched across the road as Gareth Thorne bowed before me.
05:45Lady Ashborough, Darrenmore receives you with honor.
05:48In my last life, Crown Tower never gave me this much respect.
05:52Some nobles called it widowhood with a title. I ignored them.
05:55Dravenmore had already given me more honor than Crown Tower ever did.
05:58When I reached Dravenmore keep, Gareth Thorne led me straight to the bridal chamber.
06:03Lucian Dravenmore lay on the bed, pale and silent.
06:06But even unconscious, he did not look weak.
06:08His sharp features, silver black hair and quiet dragon pressure,
06:12made him seem less like a dying man and more like a sleeping dragon.
06:15My lady, I prepared another room for you.
06:17I looked at Lucian, my heart steady despite the tension.
06:20No. He is my husband now. I'll stay here.
06:23The room went silent. After they left, I sat beside him.
06:27The air itself seemed to hold its breath.
06:29I leaned closer, feeling the subtle warmth of his body beneath the thin sheets.
06:33You're asleep anyway, so this doesn't count.
06:36I lowered my head and kissed him. His lips were warm.
06:38For a heartbeat, nothing happened. Then the air broke open.
06:41Dark pressure slammed through the room.
06:44Black silver scales erupted along his neck.
06:46Windows cracked. His hand shot up and caught my throat.
06:49Not gentle, not soft. Dragon fire exploded from his body, scorching the ceiling and bed frame.
06:54I gasped, gripping his wrist.
06:56Lucian.
06:57His fingers burned against my skin, yet he didn't push me away.
07:15And his eyes were still closed, but his grip was tightening.
07:22The black silver flame tore across the ceiling. The bed frame split. I grabbed his wrist.
07:28it's me it's freya his fingers burned against my skin then the fire pulled back his hand dropped
07:34the room went dark outside draven moore keep erupted shouts running boots dragon flame
07:40lighting up the sky gareth broke through the door my lady i touched my neck it was bruised
07:46lucian lay still again but his breathing had changed deeper stronger the curse had cracked
07:51but whatever was underneath was not gentle i didn't know if i had started to wake him up
07:56or started something worse by dawn healers filled the hall gareth locked down the entire floor
08:11no one tells the royal citadel what happened last night
08:14the mate flyme responded to the marriage bond that's all anyone needs to know the bruise on my neck was
08:19already dark a healer offered to treat it leave it i went back to lucian's room he was still but
08:25the black silver scales on his hand had not faded his dragon blood was fighting something the curse
08:30the medicine maybe both i sat beside him i don't know if you can hear me but i'm not leaving
08:37his fingers moved barely the news reached crown tower before noon cain was sparring when a servant
08:43ran in your highness dravenmore's mate flame answered freya last night cain stopped mid-swing the whole
08:49northern sky lit up gold fire burst from cain's palm training post shattered he thought the wedding
08:56would humiliate me instead all of royal citadel was talking about how dravenmore's dragon blood had chosen
09:02a human bride princess anja walked in so it's true she looked at the burned post they say freya looked
09:08more like a duchess than a widow careful cain people might think you're the one who got left behind
09:16that afternoon cain called his steward the ashborough war records we archived move them to the sealed
09:21vault and send a message to the royal pharmacy any requests from drevenmore go through my office first
09:26you
10:23i put on dravenmore black and silver and i put on dravenmore black and silver and i put on dravenmore
10:26on the
10:26and walked straight into the main hall.
10:27Selene's housekeeper stepped in front of me.
10:29Lady Selene is waiting in the West Parlor.
10:31Then she can come here.
10:32The servants froze.
10:34Davinmore Keep is not Selene Vela Vassa's house,
10:36and I am not her guest.
10:37Gareth stood behind me.
10:39He said nothing.
10:40Every servant in the hall understood it.
10:41Gareth supported me as Lady Dravenmore.
10:43Bring me Lucien's healer records,
10:45medicine ledgers, and night watch lists now.
10:47Selene arrived with a soft smile.
10:49Freya, you were married yesterday.
10:50Leave the household matters to me.
10:52This isn't household business.
10:53This is my husband's life.
10:55Selene kept smiling.
10:56But her eyes didn't.
10:57By sunset, I found the first problem in the medicine logs.
11:00Some herbs were not healing Lucien.
11:02They were suppressing his dragon blood.
11:03He wasn't too weak to wake.
11:05Someone was keeping him asleep.
11:06I needed the source records.
11:07Where the herbs came from.
11:09Who ordered them?
11:09The trail pointed to the royal pharmacy.
11:11I sent a rider to request the purchase records.
11:14The rider came back empty-handed.
11:16Crown Tower denied the request.
11:17They said all pharmaceutical inquiries from Dravenmore require approval from the Crown Prince's office.
11:21I understood.
11:22Selene's confidence didn't come from Dravenmore.
11:24It came from Crown Tower.
11:25That night, Selene heard I had found the local records.
11:28For the first time, she stopped smiling.
11:30Send Rowan.
11:31Let my son teach her what happens to lonely wives in this house.
11:57Rowan Vos waited outside my chamber door.
12:00He smelled of wine.
12:02Lady Dravenmore.
12:03I stopped.
12:04Come on.
12:04Your husband can't even open his eyes.
12:07Don't waste your youth on a sleeping man.
12:09He stepped closer.
12:11Selene runs this keep.
12:12I am her son.
12:14You are just the human bride they sent to warm Lucien's bed.
12:17Then I slapped him.
12:18Servants rushed over.
12:19No one dared speak.
12:20Rowan wiped blood from his lip.
12:21My mother will hear about this.
12:24Good.
12:25Tell Lady Selene I saved her the trouble.
12:27His face twisted.
12:28My mother!
12:29Your mother failed to raise you.
12:31That makes it my problem now.
12:33I turned to the hall.
12:34Freya.
12:35Gareth.
12:36Put him in the lower water cell.
12:38By morning, maybe he'll remember whose keep this is.
12:41The guards moved toward Rowan.
12:43That was when the whole keep understood.
12:44I was Lady Dravenmore.
12:47Below the keep, Rowan shook in freezing water.
12:49My mother knows about Lucien's medicine.
12:51He looked up, shaking.
12:52She knows who kept him asleep.
12:54And Crown Tower knows she knows.
12:56She knows who kept him asleep.
13:26My mother knew what happened to her.
13:56Go Кан Catalunya flexible.
14:03At dawn, Gareth brought me Rowan's confession.
14:06He was drunk, but he said the medicine was switched, and he said Crown Tower was involved.
14:10I looked at Lucian. The black silver scales on his hand had faded, but his fingers were warmer than before.
14:15Bring me every medicine log from the last year, and find me a healer who doesn't answer to Salona or
14:20the Royal Pharmacy.
14:22By breakfast, the hall was full. Servants stood with their heads down.
14:26Salona sat at the high table, calm as ever.
14:29Freya, you locked my son in a water cell over drunken words. Now you want to accuse me too?
14:33I want records. Household records are not toys for a new bride.
14:38I placed the medicine book on the table.
14:40Then explain this.
14:41Her smile stopped.
14:42Lucian's dose changed three months ago. The healer's seal is missing. The delivery mark belongs to your steward.
14:48Gareth, step beside me.
14:49From today on, no one touches Lucian's food, wine, or medicine unless I see it first.
14:54You think you can run Darren Moore?
14:56No. I already am.
14:58A crash came from Lucian's chamber. We ran back.
15:01The medicine bowl had split in half. Black silver fire burned across the floor.
15:05Lucian's eyes were still closed, but his hand had crushed the bed rail.
15:08That evening, a sealed letter arrived from Crown Tower.
15:11Not a personal note. An official order with the royal stamp.
15:14Gareth read it aloud.
15:14By the authority of Crown Prince Caelan, a royal medical delegation will be dispatched to Dragonmore Keep
15:19to evaluate Duke Lucian's condition and review all medical arrangements currently in place.
15:24The room went quiet.
15:25When?
15:26Three days.
15:27I looked at the letter. If Caelan's doctors walked in here, they would take over Lucian's treatment,
15:31reverse everything I had changed, put Celine's people back in charge, and I couldn't refuse.
15:36He was using his nephew's health as the excuse.
15:39Then we have three days.
15:45loud witches.
16:11They were using your columns and ofEMS in their own hands.
16:14And let him perform man.
16:14.
16:44.
17:14.
17:44.
18:14.
18:15.
18:15.
18:16.
18:18.
18:22.
18:23.
18:23.
18:24.
18:24.
18:25.
18:27.
18:31.
18:32.
18:32.
18:33.
18:33.
18:33.
18:34.
18:36.
18:39.
18:41.
18:41.
18:42.
18:42.
18:43.
18:44.
18:45.
18:46.
18:47.
18:47.
18:48.
18:50.
18:54.
18:55.
18:56.
18:57.
18:57.
18:58.
19:00.
19:04.
19:06.
19:06.
19:06.
19:06.
19:06.
19:06.
19:07.
19:09.
19:10.
19:11.
19:14.
19:14.
19:14.
19:14.
19:14.
19:14.
19:14.
19:14.
19:15.
19:15.
19:15.
19:23.
19:25.
19:26.
19:26.
19:26.
19:26.
19:26.
19:26.
19:28.
19:28.
19:35.
19:36.
19:36.
19:36.
19:36.
19:36.
19:37.
19:37.
19:37.
19:37.
19:37.
19:37.
19:39.
20:07You, when your dragon blood broke through.
20:10He touched the bruise.
20:11Black silver light wrapped around my neck.
20:13It faded under his hand.
20:14Outside, every dragon torch in Dravenmore keep lit at once.
20:17The whole northern sky burned silver.
20:19In Crown Tower, a rider burst through the gate.
20:24Your Highness, Dragon Onmore's fire just lit the northern line.
20:27All of it.
20:27Kaylin stood up.
20:28The Duke is awake.
20:30Kaylin's cup shattered in his hand.
20:38The Duke is awake.
21:07.
21:37.
22:07.
22:37.
23:22The Royal Medical Delegation arrived before noon. They expected a sleeping Duke. They found Lucian Dravenmore seated in the main
23:29hall. He leaned on a cane. His face was pale, but black-silver pressure filled the room so hard the
23:34candles bent sideways. The late physician swallowed.
23:37Your Grace, Crown Prince Caelan sent us to review your treatment. Lucian looked at him. My nephew sends doctors into
23:43my keep without asking me? No one answered. The Crown is concerned for your health. My wife kept me alive
23:50while your prince tried to take control of my be-medicine. From today on, Dravenmore's healers answer to me and
23:55Lady Davenmore, no one else.
23:57The delegation left before sunset. Céline watched from the upper hall, white-faced. That night, she sent a servant through
24:03the east gate with a sealed message. I watched him disappear into the dark road. I could stop him, but
24:08I didn't. I want to see who will answer. Later, Lucian found me by the chamber fire.
24:12How much did they make you carry alone?
24:15His jaw tightened.
24:17I'll start carrying it with you.
24:19.
24:27.
24:57.
24:58.
25:27.
25:28.
25:57.
25:57.
25:57.
26:27.
26:27.
26:27.
26:27.
26:27.
26:57do this to family family does not touch my wife steal from my riders or poison my house the gods
27:03took him away celine vox is removed from all household authority she will remain under guard
27:10in the east wing then he turned to me the accounts are yours now every servant in the hall dropped
27:15to
27:15one knee for the first time they were not kneeling because lucian had woken they were kneeling
27:21because i had won
27:34you
27:57.
28:27.
28:57.
29:27.
29:57.
29:57.
29:57.
29:58.
30:00.
30:04.
30:05.
30:05.
30:06.
30:06.
30:07.
30:09.
30:13.
30:14.
30:14.
30:15.
30:15.
30:15.
30:16.
30:18.
30:22.
30:23.
30:24.
30:24.
30:24.
30:25.
30:26.
30:27.
30:28.
30:29.
30:29.
30:30.
30:32.
30:36.
30:37.
30:38.
30:39.
30:39.
30:40.
30:42.
30:46.
30:47.
30:48.
30:48.
30:49.
30:51.
30:55.
30:56.
30:57.
30:57.
30:58.
31:00.
31:03.
31:05.
31:06.
31:07.
31:07.
31:08.
31:09.
31:13.
31:15.
31:15.
31:15.
31:17.
31:18.
31:22.
31:24.
31:24.
31:24.
31:25.
31:27.
31:31.
31:32.
31:33.
31:33.
31:34.
31:36.
31:40.
31:41.
31:42.
31:42.
31:43.
31:45.
31:49.
31:50.
31:50.
31:51.
32:20.
32:21.
32:50.
33:20.
33:50.
34:20.
34:20.
34:22.
34:24.
34:32.
34:32The news reached Crown Tower by nightfall.
34:35Kaelin read the report once, then Goldfire burst from his hand.
34:38Half the desk burned before the guards could move.
34:40He threw out my delegation?
34:42The messenger shook.
34:43Yes, your highness.
34:44Lady Selina has been confined.
34:46Rowan Vos is in the dungeon.
34:47Kaelin's eyes went gold.
34:49Freya did this.
34:50Lucian did this.
34:52Freya gave him the knife.
34:53Later, Queen Marian called House Marian into her private chamber.
34:56If Lucian speaks of the northern war front, every old wound opens.
35:00A lord leaned close.
35:01Then we strike first.
35:02At court.
35:03Accused him of hiding troops, ignoring royal summons and using illness to build power in
35:07the north.
35:08At the same time, Kaelin went to King Alaric.
35:10Father, Uncle Lucian just woke from a curse.
35:12He should return to the royal citadel for treatment.
35:14You sound very concerned.
35:16Kaelin's mouth tightened.
35:17He is family.
35:18Across the hall, Princess Anya heard enough.
35:20That night, she found Edric Ravenshade near the chapel.
35:23Your cousin is walking into a trap.
35:25Which cousin?
35:27The one Freya married.
35:28Try to keep up.
35:29Edric's face changed.
35:30Send word to Dravenmoor.
35:32Tell Lady Dravenmoor the Queen is moving first.
35:34.
36:04.
36:46Lucian could stand now, not long, not without pain.
36:49His dragon blood had broken the curse, but the damage stayed in his legs.
36:53Some nights, his fire turned wild.
36:55One burst split the bedpost.
36:56Another cracked the stone wall.
36:58I worked his legs every morning, mixed the new medicine myself.
37:01On the fourth night, the flame surged before I could move.
37:04The force threw me against the floor.
37:06My arm hit broken stone.
37:07Blood ran to my wrist.
37:09Lucian froze.
37:10The fire died at once.
37:11He tried to stand too fast and nearly fell.
37:14It's a scratch.
37:15I hurt you.
37:16The curse hurt me, not you.
37:19Do not make this sound easy.
37:21I wrapped cloth around my arm.
37:22I knew what I was choosing when I married you.
37:25He stared at me for a long second.
37:27You should not only be ready to suffer.
37:29His thumb brushed my bandage.
37:31You should be treated well.
37:32I stopped breathing.
37:33For the first time, he wasn't speaking as a duke.
37:35He was speaking as my husband.
38:11He was talking as a duke.
38:11He was talking as a duke.
38:11He was hearing the voice.
38:11He was talking as a duke.
38:12He did not put a ton of a veil to his hands.
38:13He had to tell you how to explain him.
38:31He is never at his fingertips.
38:31.
39:01.
39:31.
39:31.
39:31.
39:31.
39:31.
39:31.
39:32.
39:34.
39:34.
39:38.
40:01.
40:01.
40:01.
40:01.
40:01.
40:01.
40:02.
40:02.
40:02.
40:02.
40:15.
40:16.
40:16.
40:16.
40:17.
40:17.
40:17.
40:17.
40:17Alaric's seal, royal parchment. No room to refuse. Gareth read it in the hall.
40:22Dragon Duke Lucian Dravenmore and Lady Freya Davenmore are commanded to attend the royal
40:27citadel. The servants looked at me. Lucian took the letter. So they finally want us in the open.
40:33It could be a trap. It is a trap. Then we should not go. If I refuse, they call it
40:38rebellion. If
40:39I go, they have to face me in front of the king. He looked at me. And I have things
40:42to show my
40:43brother. That night, I packed the evidence myself. Selene's ledgers, the medicine logs,
40:49the payment trail to the royal pharmacy, every page that tied Dravenmore's sickness to Crown
40:54Tower and the royal citadel. Meera tied the case shut. Are you afraid? I looked at the royal seal.
41:00I died in that city once. Meera went quiet. I'm not going back as that girl.
41:09Before dawn, I found Lucian on the tower. Royal citadel was far beyond the dark hills.
41:15Caelan will be there. So will the queen. And me. He offered his hand. I took it.
41:22This time, I was not walking into Crown Tower alone.
41:40We returned to the royal citadel under black silver banners. The streets went quiet first.
41:45Then everyone started whispering. Lucian Dravenmore was not dead. And I was not the
41:48ruined girl Crown Tower once threw away. Northern dragon riders rode on both sides of
41:52our carriage. Gareth led them with one hand on his sword. At the palace gate, Caelan stood
41:56above the steps. He looked at Lucian's cane. Then he looked at me. I looked past him.
42:01That hurt him more. Queen Marianne held a welcome feast that night. Duke Lucian, Valeria is relieved
42:08to see you awake. Relieved enough to send her a suckon? Her smile tightened. The king missed his
42:12brother. Then we are happy to answer his majesty. We brought everything he needs to see. Her eyes
42:17moved to the locked case beside my chair. How thoughtful. After dinner, Princess Anya caught my
42:22sleeve near the corridor. Madam Corvik has been going to the royal archive every night. I stopped.
42:28Whatever you brought, she may be trying to burn the matching half.
42:31That night, Lucian closed our chamber door. Edric confirmed it. The original letter about
42:38your father's march is still sealed in the archive. Can we get it? Only the king can open
42:42that vault. Then we make him want to.
43:03public offerings that night worldacho. Then we
43:08build the bank rooms. We've seen the richest bank 94. leader. We cannot know the
43:12book office at the beach. If you have a basketballool, it will be a long time for each last
43:14day to make a stand-up. Then we will put Thatech's這些 Platz before there
43:29will be comfortable with that as a stand-up member of the libertarian constitution. That was a
43:31.
44:06The Autumn Court filled the Royal Hall by sunrise.
44:09Dragon Lords, Human Nobles, Crown Loyalists.
44:11Lucian entered with a cane.
44:13The room still bowed.
44:14Black silver pressure rolled over the floor.
44:16Even House Marianne's men stopped smiling.
44:18Caelan sat in the Prince's seat,
44:19gold fire flickering under his skin.
44:21A Marianne Lord stepped forward first.
44:23Your Majesty, Duke Lucian has been absent from court for a year.
44:26His private dragon riders remain under Northern Command.
44:29Valeria needs a royal oversee her in Drevenmore.
44:30The Hall stirred.
44:32So that was their move.
44:32Call Lucian weak.
44:33Call his army dangerous.
44:35Put Crown Tower inside our key.
44:36Lucian handed Gareth's sealed report to the King's steward.
44:39Current rider count, grain stores, border patrols, tax ledgers records for Sinervos and her son.
44:45King Alaric read in silence.
44:47Reports can be dressed up.
44:48So can treason.
44:49The Lord froze.
44:51King Alaric lowered the report.
44:53The North appears better managed than half the estates in this room.
44:56No oversaw will be sent.
44:58Caelan's jaw tightened.
45:00After court, he blocked me on the stone steps.
45:02Did you come back just to parade him in front of me?
45:05No.
45:06Then why are you here?
45:08To speak to the King.
45:10I stepped around him.
45:11This has nothing to do with you.
45:14For once, Caelan had no answer.
45:30Do them now.
45:31Do them better.
45:58I am not surprised each other.
45:58You know.
45:59He noticing Medina compromising each other.
45:59.
46:48The next day, the court gathered in the rose dragon garden.
46:51I found the old pool behind the rose wall.
46:53I had fallen in there as a child.
46:56I remembered cold water, small hands, then a black cloak around my shoulders.
47:01Lucien stopped beside me.
47:02You told me Ashborough girls didn't cry over water.
47:06I turned.
47:08That was you?
47:09You were ten, soaked through, furious at the pond.
47:13And you remembered that?
47:14I remembered you.
47:15For a second, the court noise faded.
47:17Then Queen Marion's voice cut through the garden.
47:19How charming.
47:21A human duchess among dragonhounds.
47:23Valeria is becoming very generous.
47:25The noble ladies went quiet.
47:27Caelan looked at me.
47:28I did not speak.
47:29Lucien did.
47:30House Ashbird bled for Valeria before half these dragonhouses learned how to hold a border.
47:35Queen Marion's smile cracked.
47:38Freya's bloodline has earned its place here.
47:40A Marion lady muttered.
47:42Human blood is still human blood.
47:45Lucien turned his dark gold eyes on her.
47:47Then pray you never need human soldiers to die for your comfort again.
47:51No one laughed.
47:51I looked at Lucien for the first time I understood.
47:55His silence all these years had never been indifference.
47:59It had been restraint.
48:44Anya's warning was real.
48:46Edric checked the Royal Archive records for me.
48:49Three nights.
48:50Three visits.
48:52Madam Corvin entered the sealed wing each time with a Marion clerk.
48:56The exit list is wrong.
48:57Files went in.
48:59Fewer came out.
49:00Which files?
49:00Northern Warfront.
49:02Ashpington marching routes.
49:03Dragonblood curse reports.
49:04Lucien's hand tightened on his cane.
49:06They are destroying the trail.
49:08Then we split it.
49:09Lucien went to request royal access from King Alaric.
49:12I sent Edric to the old archive clerk who had served my father.
49:16By midnight, Mira came to my room carrying a basket of white roses.
49:32Don't yell.
49:33I know it looks stupid.
49:34She pulled the cloth aside.
49:36Three copied letters lay under the flowers.
49:38My hands went cold.
49:40One letter marked my father's route through the northern pass.
49:43One confirmed the route had been sent before the ambush.
49:46The last carried a red wax seal.
49:47House Marion.
49:49My lady, that's the queen's family.
49:53I closed the letters.
49:56Not just her family.
49:58Lucien entered before dawn.
50:00The king agreed to open the vault tomorrow.
50:02I handed him the copies.
50:04Good.
50:05His face changed as he read.
50:07Because now we know what they'll try to hide.
50:18Gonna.
50:47What he does.
50:48He tried.
50:48Let me know what he said.
50:48The eyelash is not
50:48.
51:18.
51:18.
51:18.
51:18.
51:18.
51:18.
51:19.
51:19.
51:19.
51:20.
51:27.
51:27.
51:27.
51:28.
51:28.
51:28.
51:29.
51:29.
51:29.
51:29.
51:30.
51:30.
51:31.
51:31.
51:31.
51:31.
51:32.
51:32.
51:32.
51:38.
51:38.
51:38.
51:38.
51:38.
51:38.
51:38.
51:38.
51:38.
51:39.
51:40.
51:40.
51:40.
51:40.
51:40.
51:40.
51:40.
51:40.
51:40.
51:40.
51:41.
51:41.
51:41.
51:41.
51:41.
51:41.
51:41.
51:41.
51:41.
51:41.
51:41.
51:41.
51:41.
51:42.
51:42.
51:43.
51:43.
51:43.
51:43.
51:43.
Comments