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The Worthless Joker englishsub fullmovie ๐ฟ๐ฟ
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00:00:00My name is Kami, a stray dog who sold himself off.
00:00:06The buyer was Lady Porteria, Countess, Rose Family Bloodline.
00:00:11On one condition, I had to be definite.
00:00:14So I played both, and I became her lawful husband.
00:00:18Simple deal.
00:00:19She gave me money and protection.
00:00:21I was decoration.
00:00:23I didn't have a choice.
00:00:25My little sister, Aria, was 16.
00:00:28Sick. The kind of sick that costs a fortune.
00:00:31The medicine wasn't for people like us.
00:00:33Only nobles could afford it.
00:00:40Wedding night. Candles low.
00:00:43Portia scribbled three lines on a note and shoved it in my face.
00:00:46I'm putting on a show for my ma. I ain't into guys.
00:00:49You're the dog I bought, staying in your lane.
00:00:52She pulled me onto the bed for the performance.
00:00:58The frame creaked loud.
00:01:00She let out soft, little gasps.
00:01:02I lay there stick as a corpse.
00:01:04Fists clenched hard enough to bleed.
00:01:05A dog forbidden to bark.
00:01:08Her mother, Lady Katerina, held the real power in the household.
00:01:13Every visit, the same agenda.
00:01:16Pressing us for an heir.
00:01:17Kaylin.
00:01:18Looking me up and down like Rive Dock at auction.
00:01:21Are you even capable?
00:01:22Portia kept her face smooth.
00:01:24Wrote on the note.
00:01:25Church medical ruling.
00:01:27He's impotent.
00:01:28We're seeking treatment.
00:01:29Disgust flinkered through Katerina's eyes.
00:01:31Like I was something the dog had dragged in.
00:01:34That night I slept in the kennel.
00:01:36One thought eating at me.
00:01:39Was this all my life would ever be?
00:01:41The second her mother left,
00:01:43Portelia dropped the act.
00:01:45The meal didn't suit her.
00:01:48Silver platter to my face.
00:01:52You're worth less than my horse.
00:01:56I slept on cold stone.
00:01:58Not even a pelt.
00:02:02To her, I was below a rat.
00:02:08Hey baby.
00:02:09You at the Silver Swan Inn?
00:02:11Wait for me.
00:02:19The Silver Swan.
00:02:21The most notorious tryst spot in the city.
00:02:24Something twisted made me follow her.
00:02:31I tucked into a narrow alley.
00:02:34Watched her step out with a stunning red-haired woman wrapped around her arm.
00:02:38I tucked into a narrow alley.
00:02:39Pressed a soft kiss to her cheek.
00:02:41Not a man.
00:02:45A woman.
00:02:46My wife had been into women all along.
00:02:49I dragged myself back to the castle like a beaten hound.
00:02:52Rage and humiliation burnt through me.
00:02:55And I couldn't say a single word about it.
00:02:57Trapped in the role of the mute.
00:02:59A few days later, she dropped a parchment scroll at my feet.
00:03:02Note attached.
00:03:03Show my ma.
00:03:04The church checked you out.
00:03:06You're born messed up.
00:03:07Can't have no kids ever.
00:03:08Tell them you're getting treatment.
00:03:09Good and hard.
00:03:10I picked it up.
00:03:11Forged seal.
00:03:12Falsified statement.
00:03:13Congenital defect.
00:03:14Permanent infertility.
00:03:15The words seared into my skin.
00:03:17The last shred of my dignity burned to ash.
00:03:20She watched me cold.
00:03:22Indifferent.
00:03:23Pleased with her little project.
00:03:26Endure it?
00:03:27To hell with that.
00:03:29Portia.
00:03:30You've made a mistake.
00:03:35My blade was never dull.
00:03:37My seed was never dead.
00:03:39You said I was broken?
00:03:44Portia threw a fake infertility certificate at me.
00:03:48Old me to play the pity card.
00:03:51Said she'd buy my sister's medicine if I pulled it off.
00:03:55I bit my tongue and took it.
00:03:56When Katiana showed up, I played my part in the real damn animus.
00:04:01Groaning.
00:04:02Praying.
00:04:03Pretending to get treatment.
00:04:05She looked at me like I was a piece of shit.
00:04:07Cursed me out.
00:04:08Said the Rose family was almost ruined as queen.
00:04:10The second she left, Portona tossed me the coin purse.
00:04:13Note.
00:04:14Hush money for your bruised pride.
00:04:16I held those cold gold coins.
00:04:18My chest was breaking apart.
00:04:20Did I have any pride left in her eyes at all?
00:04:23That night was when I finally snapped.
00:04:26Porta brought her red-haired mistress, Sophia, home.
00:04:30Wrapped around her in the front hall.
00:04:34Walked her up the stairs.
00:04:36Into our first place.
00:04:39He's just a useless mutt I bought.
00:04:41Who cares if he sees?
00:04:47I stood outside the door.
00:04:48I could hear the bed creaking.
00:04:51The two of them laughing.
00:04:53I clenched my fists till they bled.
00:04:57Galar's forcing me to go back.
00:05:00I run the north.
00:05:04I lost my nerve.
00:05:05This woman was darker and crueler than I'd thought.
00:05:13I crawled back downstairs like a beaten stray.
00:05:16Next day, they set me up.
00:05:19Said I'd stolen Sophia's necklace.
00:05:21Yes.
00:05:22Porea slapped me across the face.
00:05:24Each word cut.
00:05:26If you live off stolen coin,
00:05:27your sister dies slow.
00:05:31I shoved past them and ran out of the castle.
00:05:41Then I thought of Arya.
00:05:42I dragged myself back.
00:05:44Found the necklace stuck in the bed frame.
00:05:46Thought I could prove I didn't take it.
00:05:50Portia just wrote.
00:05:51This time, I'll let it slide.
00:05:55She labeled me a thief.
00:05:57Permanent.
00:05:58The truth didn't matter to her.
00:06:01To her, I was born to be scum.
00:06:03The rage burned through every last scrap of patience I had left.
00:06:07No more pretending.
00:06:10I sketched the two of them kissing outside the inn that night.
00:06:13Paid a courier.
00:06:14Sent it straight to Katerina.
00:06:18That evening, Portia came home.
00:06:21Katerina was in a great chair, face like thunder.
00:06:24I stood off to the side, head down.
00:06:26Then slowly, let a sly little smile creep across my face.
00:06:35Portia, did you really bring that shameless horn into your marriage bed again?
00:06:48Portia caught cheating.
00:06:49Mother and daughter blew up in the great hall.
00:06:54If you don't produce a grandson within a year, I disown you.
00:07:00Portia got beaten down by it.
00:07:01She stormed upstairs in a rage.
00:07:05Kicked me in the gut.
00:07:06Slapped me twice across the face.
00:07:08The old me would have taken it.
00:07:09Watching her come unhinged like that, I actually laughed.
00:07:12What the hell are you laughing at?
00:07:14Daggers in her eyes.
00:07:15I wrote it out.
00:07:16I'm just the neutered dog you bought.
00:07:17It's only reed and broken mutt for the boss to beat his dogs.
00:07:19It's the way of things.
00:07:21A dog only gets to laugh.
00:07:22He doesn't get to cry.
00:07:23Her face went dark with rage.
00:07:25She snapped that I was lower than a stray.
00:07:28Slammed the door.
00:07:29Gone.
00:07:30That's when I figured out the game.
00:07:32In public?
00:07:33Keep playing the broken puss otter.
00:07:35Behind closed doors?
00:07:36I'd be her worst nightmare.
00:07:38That same night, Sophia showed up again.
00:07:41I eavesdrop and almost lost it.
00:07:44They were hunting whoever had drawn that picture of them.
00:07:47They suspected an old creep named Tarlin who ran a brothel.
00:07:51Thank the gods.
00:07:52Not me.
00:07:52A few days later, poor Lola got a message.
00:07:55Her face went stone cold.
00:08:03She slipped out with a dagger hidden on her.
00:08:06I tailed her the whole way.
00:08:07She got cornered by Tarlin in a private booth at the Blood and Sand Fighting Arena.
00:08:11The old creep forced a spiked wine into her and started groping her.
00:08:16All that fancy training?
00:08:19Useless.
00:08:22Get your hands off her, you sick bastard!
00:08:28Grabbed a wine bottle.
00:08:29Smashed it across Tarlin's skull.
00:08:31Blood everywhere.
00:08:32I slung half-vanginous Portea out over my shoulder and got us out.
00:08:37We holed up in an abandoned mill.
00:08:39When she came to, her voice was softer than I'd ever heard it.
00:08:44Who are you?
00:08:46Joker.
00:08:47My name's Joker.
00:08:48I rasped it out, then turned and vanished quick into the dark.
00:08:51Got home and stashed the mask.
00:08:53Portea came back in the middle of the night.
00:08:55He kicked me square in the gut and told me to get the hell out.
00:08:59Like always, I played the obedient dog.
00:09:01But when I was eavesdropping, I heard Sophia ask her who saved her.
00:09:04Portea stayed quiet for a long time, then said she didn't know who it was.
00:09:08But I didn't hate him.
00:09:10He actually reminded me of my old man.
00:09:13Made me feel safe.
00:09:14But she didn't hate him.
00:09:15Said he actually reminded her of her old man.
00:09:17Made her feel safe.
00:09:18I almost laughed my damn head off out in the hallway.
00:09:20That smell she liked?
00:09:21It was horse shit and rust from me.
00:09:22I'm your goddamn husband!
00:09:24Next day, I took a janitor job at Blood and Sand to lay low.
00:09:31Then one afternoon, my boss told me to clean the VIP lounge on the third floor.
00:09:37I pushed the door open.
00:09:38And my brain shut down.
00:09:42My mother-in-law.
00:09:44Katarina.
00:09:47Shit.
00:09:49What was she doing?
00:09:52Sharon, private room manager, rounded up the staff to work as masked escorts.
00:10:00Drink and chat with rich, noble ladies.
00:10:02I grabbed a dog mask.
00:10:04Thought I was safe.
00:10:05I walked into the room and almost had a heart attack.
00:10:09Katarina was sitting right there.
00:10:18Drunk out of Katarina's mind.
00:10:20She lifted a lazy finger straight at me.
00:10:23I'll take this loyal little dog.
00:10:27My lady, he's mute.
00:10:29Mute is perfect.
00:10:31Quiet.
00:10:32I want him.
00:10:33No way out.
00:10:34I had to stay.
00:10:35Her friend left for the next room with a man in a lion mask.
00:10:41The flirty moans kicked in immediately.
00:10:43It was just me and a dead drunk Katarina.
00:10:46She stood up, swaying, and leaned right into me, pushing me into the dark back room and shut the door.
00:10:55She yanked me down to sit, then plodded straight onto my lap.
00:10:59Her warm, soft body, smelling of wine, pressed down.
00:11:02I went stiff all over.
00:11:04Push her off?
00:11:05My cover's blown.
00:11:06Don't push?
00:11:07This is just...
00:11:08Fuck.
00:11:08Just as I'd made up my mind, thinking, screwed.
00:11:11The mask's on anyway.
00:11:12Katarina suddenly pulled the mask off.
00:11:13Drunk, she muddled if I was being stucky.
00:11:16And there it went, the mask, hitting the floor.
00:11:19The light in the river fell right on my pale, frozen face.
00:11:24Dead silence.
00:11:31You?
00:11:33Kaelin?
00:11:34A scream.
00:11:35A slap.
00:11:36My whole face went noon.
00:11:38You disgusting piece of trash.
00:11:39She scribbled and shoved a note in my face.
00:11:41Breathe a word of this to anyone, and you and your dying sister disappear.
00:11:45Get out.
00:11:45Don't ever let me see your face again.
00:11:47I bolted.
00:11:48Sharon slipped me some coin on the way out, totally confused.
00:11:51Lady Katarina has never acted like this with anyone.
00:11:56I stared at the money.
00:11:57Fear and frustration tangled.
00:11:58I shoved it in my pocket and ran back to the castle.
00:12:02The second I stepped inside, the air was wrong.
00:12:06Katarina and Portillo were sitting in the great hall, stone cold.
00:12:10Both of them murderous.
00:12:13Orsilla saw me and came at me like an animal.
00:12:18Hit me harder this time.
00:12:20Snatched my notebook and wrote.
00:12:23Now you're not just mute and useless.
00:12:26You're a cheap whore too?
00:12:27Katarina's voice was ice.
00:12:29Broken, worthless freak.
00:12:30Should have thrown you out long ago.
00:12:34Orcha lost it.
00:12:35Neil, beg me to forgive you.
00:12:38Or I tear up our contract and put you and your dying sister out on the street.
00:12:42Neil, beg.
00:12:43What had I actually done wrong?
00:12:45You people drove me to this.
00:12:46You never treated me like a human being.
00:12:47Her mother is the one who pulled me into a back room and put her hands on me, then attacked
00:12:50me for it.
00:12:51Every bit of pain and anger detonated at once.
00:12:53When Portia raised her hand to strike me again, I moved.
00:12:55I drove my forehead straight into her chest.
00:12:57She crashed to the floor.
00:12:57I didn't look back.
00:12:58I ran straight out of that cursed castle.
00:13:02I tore through the cold wind.
00:13:05Burning.
00:13:06Fine.
00:13:07You want to treat me like a rabid dog?
00:13:09I'll teach you what a dog's bite feels like.
00:13:12A cruel plan formed in my head.
00:13:14If we were already enemies, I was going to play this dirty.
00:13:17I used Sharon's coin to buy a vials of dream haze.
00:13:19The kind that fogs the mind.
00:13:20Leaves you weak.
00:13:21Desperate.
00:13:22Portia.
00:13:22You love calling me useless.
00:13:23You hate the thought of me touching you.
00:13:25Perfect.
00:13:25I'm gonna touch you.
00:13:26And I'm gonna make you carry my child.
00:13:28Late that night, I snuck back into the castle.
00:13:30Slipped into her bed chamber.
00:13:33She was in the bath.
00:13:35I crept in.
00:13:36Dumped the entire vial into her water cup.
00:13:39Stirred it clear.
00:13:41And crawled under her bed.
00:13:42She finished her bath.
00:13:44Came back.
00:13:45Drank the cup down.
00:13:46A few minutes.
00:13:47Her breathing went heavy.
00:13:49She tossed in the sheets.
00:13:51Quiet.
00:13:52Needy little sounds.
00:13:53The drug was working.
00:13:55After a while, her movement slowed.
00:13:58This was my chance.
00:13:59I crawled out from under the bed.
00:14:00Slow.
00:14:01Stood over the bed.
00:14:02Moonlight on the woman who'd ground me under her boot for months.
00:14:05She was lying there defenseless.
00:14:06Nightgown half undone.
00:14:08Skin exposed.
00:14:09Her face flushed from the drug.
00:14:10Lips parted.
00:14:11Fragile.
00:14:11And dangerous.
00:14:12I swallowed.
00:14:14Hatred.
00:14:15The thrill of payback.
00:14:17Pure.
00:14:18Burning lust.
00:14:19Every doubt I had got wiped out.
00:14:21My hands were shaking.
00:14:22But I knew exactly what I was doing.
00:14:24My hands were on poor Leah.
00:14:25She was supposed to be drugged senseless.
00:14:27I reached for her.
00:14:28I touched her.
00:14:29Then her eyes snapped open.
00:14:33My hands were on poor Leah.
00:14:35She was supposed to be drugged senseless.
00:14:37Then her eyes snapped open.
00:14:39She pulled a small blade from under her pillow.
00:14:42Drove it into me.
00:14:44Pain and shock.
00:14:45Then nothing.
00:14:46Portia lost it.
00:14:49It came to tie to a chair.
00:14:57Good call warning me.
00:14:59This piece of trash actually tried to drug me.
00:15:03Lucky I had the blade ready.
00:15:05Cold smile.
00:15:06She picked up her riding cup.
00:15:08Started in on me.
00:15:12Trash.
00:15:13Animal.
00:15:14Worthless.
00:15:14Cur.
00:15:15Each lash split my skin.
00:15:17I bit down.
00:15:19Didn't make a sound.
00:15:20Half an hour.
00:15:21She kicked me to the floor.
00:15:27Taped my mouth shut with alchemist tape.
00:15:30Tied me to the foot of her bed.
00:15:32Went to sleep.
00:15:33Two days.
00:15:34Two nights.
00:15:35No food.
00:15:37No water.
00:15:38My calm crystal kept flashing on the floor.
00:15:42My sister was blowing up my line.
00:15:44I was dying inside.
00:15:46I couldn't move.
00:15:48Day three.
00:15:49Portolia came back.
00:15:50Dumped a bucket of dirty horse water on me to wake me up.
00:15:53Filthy dog.
00:15:54So desperate you'd drink horse slop.
00:15:58She cut my ropes.
00:16:00Left a note.
00:16:01Try that again and I kill you.
00:16:03I collapsed.
00:16:04Crawled to the bucket.
00:16:05Drank it.
00:16:06Ate scraps off the floor.
00:16:08Grabbed my crystal.
00:16:09Dozens of emergency messages from my sister and the nun.
00:16:11Arya's blood plague had flared up.
00:16:13Heavy bleeding.
00:16:14Almost died.
00:16:15No coin.
00:16:16No signature.
00:16:17Treatment was on hold.
00:16:18Looking at my sister's pale little face on the screen.
00:16:21My heart broke clean in half.
00:16:27Portia's chains had almost killed my baby sister.
00:16:30She scraped together the medical bill.
00:16:31I bit down everything.
00:16:33Crawled back to Roseman.
00:16:35Wrote a long apology.
00:16:36Cried.
00:16:37Called myself heartless.
00:16:38Portia read it and scoffed.
00:16:41At least you know what you are.
00:16:42She wrote.
00:16:43Five hundred extra gold this month for her medicine.
00:16:46I swallowed every last shred of pride and begged for fifty thousand to save my sister.
00:16:52She wrote back.
00:16:53Fine.
00:16:54Kneel.
00:16:55Call me master.
00:16:56I dropped to my knees on the cold stone.
00:16:59Bowed.
00:17:00Held up my crystal and spelled out the word.
00:17:02Master.
00:17:02Portla pressed her boot under my chin.
00:17:05Smiled.
00:17:06Pleased with herself.
00:17:07I can bend.
00:17:08I will not break.
00:17:09Every dirty thing you've done I'll pay back tenfold.
00:17:12My opening came faster than I expected.
00:17:15That night, Sophia came over crying again.
00:17:18Said Tarvin wouldn't leave her alone.
00:17:20Already handled.
00:17:21The City Watch is raiding Blood and Sam tonight for illegal contraband.
00:17:26I stood outside the door, heart racing.
00:17:28A wild plan came together.
00:17:30Was going to flip.
00:17:38Tipped Tarfer off about Portia's move.
00:17:41I watched Portia and Sophia walk into Blood and Sound and take a corner table.
00:17:46They were there to enjoy the show.
00:17:49Soon the watch horns blared.
00:17:51A squad of guards rushed in, claiming a tip about contraband.
00:17:56Portia leaned forward, barely hiding her excitement.
00:17:58The guards tore the place apart, found nothing.
00:18:02The second they left, Portia's face went black.
00:18:05Pure shock.
00:18:06I was hidden in the shadows.
00:18:08I couldn't stop grinning.
00:18:10Nothing felt better than watching her fall flat.
00:18:12This was just the start.
00:18:13I was going to make her fail, over and over, until she broke.
00:18:18I was already planning the next blow when Portia's eyes locked right on me, like she'd just marked her prey.
00:18:27Tarvin promoted me at Blood and Sand.
00:18:30The other workers got jealous.
00:18:35Walking home one night after my shift, somebody threw a sack over my head.
00:18:39Beat me half to death.
00:18:42Drake, Deputy Watch Captain.
00:18:44He was running the crew.
00:18:46I thought I was dead.
00:18:48Then there was fighting.
00:18:50Drake and his men ran like cowards, or yanked the sack off my head.
00:18:56The one who'd saved me was a woman.
00:18:59Plain white dress.
00:19:01Silver moon mask.
00:19:04Cold and beautiful as a painting.
00:19:06Are you the mute knight?
00:19:08The mysterious woman's first sentence sent a chill straight to my bones.
00:19:13She asked me if I was the mute knight.
00:19:16Was I exposed?
00:19:18Could she be one of Portia's people?
00:19:21I was scared out of my damn mind.
00:19:23But then she told me not to be afraid.
00:19:26She didn't want to expose me.
00:19:27She just saved me on a whim.
00:19:30That one line crushed every shred of pride I'd been building up.
00:19:34She was right.
00:19:36I was still a bug to be stepped on.
00:19:42I mumbled a thank you.
00:19:44As she turned to go, her name slipped out of me before I could think.
00:19:50You're the same age.
00:19:52Drop the formality.
00:19:53You're weak.
00:19:54Don't hate yourself for it.
00:20:01You don't need my name.
00:20:02We won't meet again.
00:20:04Goodbye for good.
00:20:06I'm just a bug she pokes at when she's bored.
00:20:08I watched her walk toward that star carriage pulled by four white horses, feeling all kinds
00:20:13of messed up inside.
00:20:14Right before getting in, she suddenly turned back and told me,
00:20:17Don't ask why I helped you.
00:20:19I'm just bored and want to see how long you'll last.
00:20:23Then she added she'd help me one more time, told me to get close to Sophia and Leonard,
00:20:28said it'd do me good.
00:20:30Her words wouldn't leave my head.
00:20:32I asked around, found Leonard, captain of the night watch, scarred face, one eye, quiet
00:20:44as stone.
00:20:45I also saw Sophia again at Blood and Sand.
00:20:49She was the new headline act now.
00:20:52They called her the Phantom Performer.
00:20:56One day Tarvin called me into his office, handed me a hotel key with a note.
00:21:01I set you up with a girl.
00:21:03One of a kind.
00:21:05Drives men insane.
00:21:07Don't waste it.
00:21:08Record everything on your memory crystal.
00:21:10Don't disappoint me.
00:21:18That last line was a threat.
00:21:25I already knew who it was.
00:21:27I pushed the hotel door open.
00:21:30Sophia.
00:21:31On the bed.
00:21:33Thin shift.
00:21:34Drunk and dazed.
00:21:36My stomach dropped.
00:21:37Yeah, it was her.
00:21:39Tarvin was playing both sides.
00:21:40If I touched Porlia's lover, he'd humiliate Pornea and black rail Sophia and me with the
00:21:44footage.
00:21:45If I refused, he'd throw me to the wolves, looking at defenseless Sophia.
00:21:49Honestly?
00:21:49I never hated her.
00:21:51She'd even stood up for me once.
00:21:52And the masked woman's voice was still in my head.
00:21:55Get Sophia on your side.
00:21:56Protect her.
00:21:57I betray Tarvin.
00:21:59Lose everything I've gained.
00:22:01Go through with it.
00:22:02I earn his trust.
00:22:03Get blackmail material on Porlia's lover.
00:22:05I was being torn in half.
00:22:13Sophia woke up.
00:22:15Saw me.
00:22:16Froze.
00:22:17Curled up in pure terror.
00:22:24I clamped a hand over Sophia's mouth and pulled her into the hotel bathroom, the one place
00:22:29with no spy crystals.
00:22:35I wrote fast.
00:22:36Tarvin is making me record this.
00:22:38We have to fake the whole thing.
00:22:39She was terrified.
00:22:41Calmed down fast.
00:22:42Bit her lip and nodded.
00:22:44Fake action.
00:22:45Real footage.
00:22:46I wrote it out.
00:22:47She got it.
00:22:48We started the act.
00:22:50Struggling.
00:22:51Tussling.
00:22:52She screamed and cried on cue.
00:22:54I played the deaf muth, who couldn't hear her.
00:22:57Tore her shift open.
00:22:58Aimed the memory crystal for the angles.
00:23:00Her acting was incredible.
00:23:02I almost bought it myself.
00:23:03Kept it up for half an hour.
00:23:05I helped her out of the room with my arm around her.
00:23:07Her wintering soft couldn't tell what was real.
00:23:10Drake was waiting in the hallway.
00:23:11Came to verify the footage.
00:23:13My hands shook as I handed the crystal over.
00:23:16Drake watched.
00:23:16The grin on his face turned creepy.
00:23:18I thought we were clear.
00:23:20Then he grabbed Sophia.
00:23:22Even a mute gets a turn.
00:23:23Why can't I?
00:23:25He tried to drag her back into the room.
00:23:27His hand went for her clothes.
00:23:29Every bit of rage I'd been swallowing for weeks blew at once.
00:23:32The masked woman's words.
00:23:33Sophia covering for me.
00:23:34Every beating Drake had given me.
00:23:35I couldn't hold it back anymore.
00:23:37I grabbed a heavy braz candlestoke off the wall.
00:23:39Smashed it into the back of the skull.
00:23:41Crack.
00:23:42Blood everywhere.
00:23:43Drake's eyes went wide.
00:23:45He dropped.
00:23:46Shit.
00:23:47I might have just killed a man.
00:23:49Sophia was the first to recover.
00:23:50Grabbed my arm.
00:23:51Pulled me into a run.
00:23:52I collapsed on her couch.
00:23:53Shaking head to toe.
00:23:58She handed me a glass of water and wrote.
00:24:00I always thought you were scrimmish.
00:24:01Turns out you've actually got something in you.
00:24:03I looked up at her.
00:24:03Tear streaks still on her face.
00:24:05Buttons broken on her sift.
00:24:06Collarbone exposed.
00:24:07And something complicated in her eyes.
00:24:11I left her place panicked.
00:24:16Better to beg for mercy than wait for Tarvin to hunt me.
00:24:26I dropped to my knees in front of him at Blood and Sland.
00:24:29Bowed.
00:24:30Apologized over and over.
00:24:32Said I'd let Sophia go because I was afraid Portia would retaliate.
00:24:36Said I was thinking long term.
00:24:38Gain her trust.
00:24:39Become a long term spy on poor Leah for him.
00:24:42Tarvin listened.
00:24:43Squinted.
00:24:44Wrote.
00:24:44Smart.
00:24:45As long as Sophia keeps her mouth shut.
00:24:47We let it slide.
00:24:48Then his face went.
00:24:49But Drake.
00:24:50You cracked his skull.
00:24:51He was my man.
00:24:52We follow street rules.
00:24:54Four men burst in.
00:24:55One had a heavy meat clever.
00:24:57The other three pinned my hands flat on the table.
00:25:03Lose a hand.
00:25:05Minimum.
00:25:05I was shaking my head.
00:25:07No.
00:25:07No.
00:25:08He added.
00:25:09You're useful.
00:25:09So I'll cut you a deal.
00:25:11Sign a hundred thousand gold note for Drake's compensation.
00:25:14I smoothed it over.
00:25:16A hundred thousand.
00:25:17The blade was over my pinky.
00:25:19I had no choice.
00:25:21I signed.
00:25:22Pressed my thumbprint.
00:25:23Lied that the debt was for my sister's medical bills.
00:25:25Now I knew.
00:25:26I was his puppet.
00:25:27He even said he'd cut off a finger.
00:25:30I struggled in terror.
00:25:31But they prizzed me down hard.
00:25:33The cold blade pressed against my left pinky.
00:25:36I shut my eyes in despair.
00:25:38It's Madame Sharon.
00:25:39Leaning against the doorframe.
00:25:40Makeup flawless.
00:25:41Lord Tarvlin.
00:25:43Ease up.
00:25:44That boy makes his living with his hands.
00:25:46Take his fingers and you push him over the edge.
00:25:48But her eyes are sharp as knives.
00:25:50Fixed right on Talvin.
00:25:54Right when I'd given up, Madame Sharon pushed the door open.
00:25:59Lord Tarvlin.
00:26:00Stop messing around.
00:26:02This boy makes his living with his fingers.
00:26:05Cripple his hands and you take his only way to survive.
00:26:10She called me her little brother.
00:26:12Said a high paying client had specifically asked for me.
00:26:14Someone even Tarvin wouldn't cross.
00:26:16In the end, Tarvin gave her the courtesy.
00:26:18But she had to drink with him later that night.
00:26:21Sharon led me out.
00:26:22Gave me an address.
00:26:23Said there really was a client who'd asked for me by name.
00:26:25I showed up nervous.
00:26:26Found a luxury manor.
00:26:28I pushed the front door open.
00:26:30Three noble ladies were sitting in the parlor playing cards.
00:26:33I spotted one of them and my whole world stopped.
00:26:36My mother-in-law.
00:26:38Katerina.
00:26:39She saw me.
00:26:40Her face went ice cold instantly.
00:26:43The one who'd booked me was Lady Yund.
00:26:44The friend Karina had been with last time.
00:26:47Katerina.
00:26:48This is the mute dog mask night from before.
00:26:51I called him here just for you.
00:26:53How are you going to thank me?
00:26:54Katerina's face went ice cold as she kicked me out.
00:26:57Telling the other noble women to keep playing cards.
00:27:00But the other two ladies were curious.
00:27:01They'd heard about the mute night.
00:27:03Thought I was safe and entertaining.
00:27:05Made me stay.
00:27:06I stood behind Lady Yund.
00:27:08Mortified.
00:27:09Every time she won a hand.
00:27:11She stuffed coin into my pocket and squeezed my thigh.
00:27:15Katerina's stare could have flayed me.
00:27:17A few rounds in, Lady Yund said she needed a break.
00:27:20Grabbed my arm.
00:27:21Started pulling me toward a private room.
00:27:23Out of nowhere, Katerina shot to her feet.
00:27:25Yanked me to her side.
00:27:26Every lady at the table froze.
00:27:28In front of all of them, Katerina pulled me close by the waist.
00:27:31And dragged me into the nearest room.
00:27:32The door locked behind us.
00:27:35Disgusting trash!
00:27:36Then she slapped me hard across the face.
00:27:37After cursing me out, she scribbled on her notepad.
00:27:40Get out.
00:27:40Make some excuse and leave.
00:27:42I can't stand the sight of you.
00:27:43I nodded like a beaten stray.
00:27:45The second I stepped outside the room, Lady Yund blocked my path.
00:27:48Katerina.
00:27:49Sending him away so soon?
00:27:53What's wrong?
00:27:55Afraid the ladies might find out he's your mute son-in-law?
00:28:04Katerina went deathly pale.
00:28:05Lady Yund laughed.
00:28:06Triumphant.
00:28:07Turned out she and the other two had set this up together.
00:28:09They'd recorded the whole thing on their crystal.
00:28:11The mother-in-law calling her own mute son-in-law to serve her.
00:28:14And were planning to blackmail Katerina with it.
00:28:16Watching Katerina get cornered like that, rage burned through me.
00:28:18I couldn't stand there and let her get destroyed.
00:28:20Her downfall was tied to mine.
00:28:22I rushed forward.
00:28:23Before Lady Yund could react.
00:28:25Slapped her across the face with everything I had.
00:28:27Smack.
00:28:28The whole room froze.
00:28:30I grabbed the stunned Katerina's arm and bolted out of the manor.
00:28:35We ran and ran.
00:28:37The world was ours.
00:28:39We took her four-horse carriage.
00:28:40Dead silence the whole ride.
00:28:42She didn't even hold the reins.
00:28:43Just stared straight ahead, her chest rising and falling with rage.
00:28:46I didn't dare look at her.
00:28:47My palms were drenched.
00:28:49After a long, quiet stretch, she picked up her quill.
00:28:51Wrote a single line on parchment.
00:28:53Held it up in front of me.
00:28:54Kaelin, you're not broken.
00:28:57You're perfectly capable of carrying on the bloodline, aren't you?
00:29:01My stomach hit the floor.
00:29:02She knew.
00:29:03She'd known the whole time.
00:29:04Every bit of humiliation.
00:29:06Every torture.
00:29:06She'd seen through it all.
00:29:10Katerina took the reins and drove us off.
00:29:12Heavy silence in the carriage.
00:29:15She rode on parchment with her quill.
00:29:18Kaelin, you're no broken failure.
00:29:20You're a real knight.
00:29:21You can father heirs.
00:29:23Tell me the truth.
00:29:24I hesitated a long time.
00:29:26After what she'd just been through.
00:29:28Cornered, humiliated, blackmail bait, I made up my mind.
00:29:31I wrote the whole truth out.
00:29:32I'm completely normal.
00:29:34Portia lied to you.
00:29:35The whole marriage was a fake contract.
00:29:39Katerina read it, sighed heavy.
00:29:42Wrote back that she would handle Portia, wrote back that she would handle Portia, told me not to worry, then
00:29:46ordered me out of the carriage.
00:29:58I wandered the streets.
00:30:00I wandered the streets.
00:30:01Drake, Tarvin, Lady Young, Portia.
00:30:03Any one of them could kill me without breaking a sweat.
00:30:07Drowning in it, I remembered the masked woman's advice.
00:30:10Get Sofia on your side.
00:30:12I went straight to Sophie's loft.
00:30:17Just before I climbed the stairs, I heard her arguing with someone.
00:30:23I ducked into the shadows.
00:30:26The man's name is Gawic.
00:30:28Blonde, handsome, dressed like nobility.
00:30:30He begged Sofia, saying planting her near Portia was a last resort, but he's always loved her.
00:30:34I was struck dumb.
00:30:36Sofia isn't a lesbian?
00:30:37She's a spy this man planted to watch Portia?
00:30:39Who the hell is Portia, to be watched this closely?
00:30:42Gawcler grew more frantic, pinned Sofia against the wall, tried to force a kiss.
00:30:47Sofia fought back.
00:30:50When I saw she was about to lose, I didn't think.
00:30:54Grabbed a heavy wooden club from the corner.
00:30:56Get your hands off her!
00:31:00I slammed into Gawant, knocked him off her.
00:31:02He stared at me.
00:31:03Pure shock.
00:31:04Sofia froze too.
00:31:05When she realized it was me, her eyes filled with something complicated.
00:31:07Gawant recovered fast.
00:31:09Cold, hateful eyes scanned me up and down.
00:31:11I gripped the club.
00:31:11Stood between him and her, heart pounding.
00:31:13I didn't back down.
00:31:14I swung the club at him.
00:31:15He ducked easily.
00:31:18No!
00:31:24You think you can touch me?
00:31:25Tackled me to the ground.
00:31:27Started beating me.
00:31:28Stop it!
00:31:28He's deaf and mute.
00:31:29He can't hear you.
00:31:30You think I'd believe that?
00:31:32Sofia tried to tell him I was deaf and mute.
00:31:34He didn't buy it.
00:31:34Accused us of sleeping together behind his back.
00:31:36Actually, I kind of like him.
00:31:38Sofia said that just to piss him off.
00:31:39Told him she kind of likes me.
00:31:40That set Gawak off.
00:31:42He started beating me harder, aiming to kill.
00:31:44Stop!
00:31:44Stop!
00:31:45I won't spy on Portia for you anymore.
00:31:49You bitch!
00:31:53He backed off.
00:31:54Kicked me one last time.
00:31:56Stormed out cursing.
00:31:59I lay on the floor, beat to a pump.
00:32:02A dead dog.
00:32:04Sofia helped me back to her place.
00:32:06Cleaned my wounds.
00:32:08Changed into a sheer nightgown.
00:32:10Moved soft and gentle.
00:32:12But her eyes were full of teasing.
00:32:14She leaned in close, her breath warm against my ear.
00:32:18Thinking I couldn't hear, she teased without holding back.
00:32:21Called me a cute little preacher.
00:32:22Said she'd never been with a man before.
00:32:24Wondered if it'd be exciting to sleep with me.
00:32:26I stayed stiff, pretending not to understand.
00:32:28But inside I was churned.
00:32:30But then she said she's got a cleanliness thing.
00:32:32Her first time has to be with a perfect man.
00:32:34Not a cripple.
00:32:35That word stabbed right through me.
00:32:37Just as she turned to grab the first aid kit.
00:32:40Her back to me.
00:32:40I took a sharp breath and made a choice that could damn me forever.
00:32:43Or be my only way out.
00:32:45I reached out.
00:32:46Grabbed her from behind.
00:32:47And yanked her tight against me.
00:32:49She gasped, struggling in my grip.
00:32:53I leaned down.
00:32:55Lips right against her ear.
00:32:58I'm not asking you to forgive me.
00:33:00In a low, rough voice.
00:33:01Slow and clear.
00:33:03I spoke for the first time.
00:33:06Oh yeah?
00:33:07Sorry to break it to you, Sophia.
00:33:10I'm not deaf.
00:33:12And I'm not mute.
00:33:21I came clean to Sophia.
00:33:23Told her I'd been faking the whole time.
00:33:27After the shock wore out, we struck a fragile alliance.
00:33:32The next afternoon, I was woken up by yelling downstairs.
00:33:36Katerina and Portia were going at it.
00:33:39Katerina was grilling Portia, asking if she and I were just faking the whole marriage.
00:33:45Portia kept denying it.
00:33:46But that only made Katerina even more furious.
00:33:49And she flat out said I was the one who told her.
00:33:52My heart dropped.
00:33:53I'm screwed.
00:33:55Don't you dare hurt him.
00:33:58He's under my protection now.
00:34:01You have a problem.
00:34:03Take it up with me.
00:34:04Mom, we had a deal.
00:34:06Stay out of my life.
00:34:07I'll give you an heir, but you keep meddling again and again.
00:34:10An heir?
00:34:12How?
00:34:16Be honest with me, Portia.
00:34:19You find that whole thing disgusting.
00:34:22You will never carry a child.
00:34:24Will you?
00:34:25Dead silence in the great hall.
00:34:27I was hidden around the corner of the stairs.
00:34:29Holding my breath.
00:34:30Then Katerina said, if Porse doesn't have a child with me, she'll have one with me herself.
00:34:35Words that shattered everything.
00:34:37Leaving me stunned.
00:34:38My mind completely blank.
00:34:43Terrified.
00:34:44I ran straight to blood and sand to lay low.
00:34:47The next few days, Portia didn't come for revenge.
00:34:51Instead, she gave me a vial of life essence.
00:34:53Told me to take it daily to build up my body.
00:34:56She was taking matching medicine herself.
00:34:58Was she actually serious?
00:35:00About having a child with me?
00:35:02Shock and wild hope.
00:35:04I took those pills every single day.
00:35:06Like a beggar waiting for a miracle.
00:35:08Counting down to her fertile window.
00:35:10Maybe a child was my one chance to turn this whole mess around.
00:35:13Down at the arena, I started building quiet ties with Leonard, the night watch captain the masked woman had told
00:35:18me to find.
00:35:19He kept to himself.
00:35:21Barely a word out of him.
00:35:22Sophia went back to performing every night.
00:35:24On the surface, everything was calm.
00:35:27That night, I got cornered in the back alley by Drake.
00:35:30Fresh out of the hospital, he brought three guys with him.
00:35:33Without a word, he hurled a stinking leather bag full of horse shit at me.
00:35:37You little shit!
00:35:39Eat this bag of crap, or I'll end you!
00:35:42I glanced at Leonard nearby.
00:35:43He was my only owl.
00:35:45But he acted like he saw nothing.
00:35:46Just stood up, dust himself off, and started to walk away.
00:35:51My heart sank.
00:35:52This is the guy the mystery woman told me to win over?
00:35:55A coward?
00:35:56The hell you starin' at, mute?
00:35:57Eat it now!
00:35:59Humiliation, rage, despair, all turned inside me.
00:36:04Was I really gonna be forced to eat shit?
00:36:06My jaw clenched, fists tightened me, just as Drake shoved me down again, my face nearly hitting the filth.
00:36:12Leonard, who I never even saw come back, stood there with a freshly lit pipe between his teeth.
00:36:17Hands in his pockets, looking down at us like we were bugs.
00:36:21Drake paused, then started sneering.
00:36:24Little coward grew a spine you want a piece to.
00:36:27Listen close.
00:36:28In places like this, the more you crawl, the more they treat you like a stray dog.
00:36:32Tonight is your choice.
00:36:33Keep crawling and live like trash.
00:36:37Stand up.
00:36:39Fight like a knight.
00:36:43Drake was forcing me to eat horse manure.
00:36:46Trash-talking my little sister area the whole time, they had me pinned.
00:36:50I broke down on the ground in pure despair.
00:36:53Right then, Leonard, the night watch captain, came back.
00:36:58He moved like a furious lion, took down Drake and his crew in a few hits, then warned them.
00:37:03If they ever insult someone's sister again, they'd get ten times worse.
00:37:08Before leaving, he wrote on the wall.
00:37:11Helped you, cause you're still a man.
00:37:17I knew it then.
00:37:19He's not simple.
00:37:21Once my cuts healed, Tarvlin called me in.
00:37:24Pulled out a small crystal vise.
00:37:26Clear liquid.
00:37:28Smirked.
00:37:29Wrote.
00:37:31Tonight, unlock Portia's bedroom door for me.
00:37:34Use this to knock her out.
00:37:36Don't worry.
00:37:37She won't remember a thing.
00:37:46I saw through it instantly.
00:37:48The sick bastard wanted to drug and assault Portia.
00:37:51I shoved the door wide open.
00:37:54He was staring at her unconscious form.
00:37:56You fool.
00:37:57Portna is the one I've been planning to take down all along.
00:38:00That look on his face.
00:38:01He saw it was me.
00:38:03Glared.
00:38:04Wrote.
00:38:04You want a turn?
00:38:06I'll let you have the leftovers when I'm done.
00:38:08I stood frozen, gripping the small bottle in my pocket.
00:38:11A third of it left.
00:38:12Tarvin's face went cold.
00:38:14He wrote again.
00:38:15Backing out?
00:38:15Don't forget your sick sister.
00:38:17And your hundred thousand gold debt.
00:38:19Slowly.
00:38:20I pulled the small bottle out of my pocket.
00:38:22Twisted the cap.
00:38:23What are you doing?
00:38:24He wrote.
00:38:25Suspicious.
00:38:25I didn't answer.
00:38:27I lunged forward.
00:38:28Splashed the drug straight into his eyes.
00:38:30He screamed.
00:38:31Clutched his face.
00:38:32I grabbed a heavy brass ornament off the wall.
00:38:33Smashed it into the back of his head as hard as I could.
00:38:36Bang.
00:38:37He stumbled.
00:38:38Dropped.
00:38:38I was breathing hard.
00:38:41Cleaned up every trace.
00:38:44Wiped the drug.
00:38:45Tied his hands behind his back with his own belt.
00:38:49Taped his mouth shut.
00:38:53Then I looked at Portia.
00:38:55Unconscious in bed.
00:38:57I'd almost destroyed her with my own hands tonight.
00:39:07I leaned against the wall and put on the mask.
00:39:11Pale face.
00:39:12But the fire in my eyes was burning.
00:39:16I dragged him to a deserted spot.
00:39:18Used his own memory crystal to record a warning.
00:39:21And told him if he ever touched Portia again.
00:39:23Next time he'd end up a corpse.
00:39:25I ran home.
00:39:26Hoisted the unconscious Portia onto my back.
00:39:29And carried her to the abandoned mill.
00:39:30She stirred awake on my back.
00:39:32Her expression dazed but bright.
00:39:34Joker.
00:39:35Is that you?
00:39:36You saved me again?
00:39:37Glad you're awake.
00:39:38You were drugged.
00:39:39Carrying you kept you warm.
00:39:40She stayed quiet for a long time.
00:39:42Asking me over and over who I really was.
00:39:44Why I kept saving her.
00:39:45I never answered.
00:39:46In the night wind I was the mysterious powerful hero in her eyes.
00:39:49And she'd never know I was the mute husband she humiliated without a second thought.
00:39:52That contrast.
00:39:52That control.
00:39:53Filled me with a twisted thrill.
00:39:55I stood up to leave.
00:39:55Portilpa suddenly wrapped her arms aground my waist from behind.
00:39:58Her voice choked with tears.
00:40:00Saying she wanted to see my face.
00:40:02My body froze.
00:40:03Portia if you saw this face.
00:40:05Would it break you?
00:40:06I pried her hands loose.
00:40:08Shook off her embrace.
00:40:09And vanished into the dark.
00:40:15I sat at a street corner till sunrise.
00:40:19Back at the castle.
00:40:20I changed into the drug stained clothes.
00:40:23Then I cut a deep gow across my chest and gathered.
00:40:25Sharp burning pain.
00:40:27It snapped me fully awake.
00:40:28I needed the wound.
00:40:29To sell the lie.
00:40:30That Kaylin had been hurt fighting to save Portia.
00:40:33I lay on the floor moaning.
00:40:35Portia came home.
00:40:36Saw me.
00:40:37Froze for a second.
00:40:38She knelt down, raised her riding boot, and kicked me twice right in the wound.
00:40:41Agonizing pain shot through me.
00:40:42At least a dog can guard the house.
00:40:44What good are you, you trash?
00:40:46A useless waist like you trying to save someone?
00:40:48Just go die.
00:40:49I lay there.
00:40:50Drowning in my own blood.
00:40:51Upstairs I could hear her on the calm systole with Sophia.
00:40:53Soft and vulnerable after the scare.
00:40:55Gushing about how brave the Joker was.
00:40:57I wanted to laugh.
00:40:58All that came out was dry, ragged gasps.
00:41:00Tears mixed with dirt on my face.
00:41:01Maybe I really should just die.
00:41:03Take every beating.
00:41:04Every dirty job.
00:41:04For her.
00:41:05The hero she's obsessed with is just a sad joke I'm performing in blood.
00:41:08I dragged myself up, stumbled to the bathroom.
00:41:10The man in the mirror was pale.
00:41:11Chest covered in dark, dried blood.
00:41:13Eyes empty.
00:41:13I splashed freezing water on my face.
00:41:15Hard.
00:41:15I lifted my head.
00:41:16The look in my eyes sharpened again.
00:41:17Burning with something dangerous.
00:41:20Chest wounds still bleeding.
00:41:22I curled up in a storage closet at blood and sand.
00:41:26Portia hadn't come for me.
00:41:27Left me there to rot.
00:41:28Sophia pushed the door open, flipped the lock behind her, and walked soft to the bed.
00:41:32She lifted my chin with her fingertips, leaned in close to my ear, and whispered just loud
00:41:36enough for me to hear.
00:41:37Complaining that lately Portia's been totally hooked on that Joker who showed up out of nowhere,
00:41:41going cold on her.
00:41:42She wants Portia's attention back.
00:41:44And she needs me to help her do it.
00:41:46I started to say no, but then, Sophia leaned in, all tempting-like, saying if she'd wanted
00:41:51to hurt me, I'd be dead already.
00:41:53She wasn't just leaving me alone.
00:41:55She wanted to help me get back at Portia.
00:41:57I cut her off before she could finish.
00:41:59I didn't buy it.
00:42:00Her smile dropped, and a flash of hatred sharpened her eyes.
00:42:03I knew it was a deal with the devil, but what choice did I have?
00:42:06I reached out and took her cold hand.
00:42:08She looked at my hand, then back at me, and smiled, satisfied.
00:42:14Later that night, Sophia snuck over again, hinted that a crew of thugs was going to wreck
00:42:18blood and sand.
00:42:20Said Portia was probably the one who'd given the order.
00:42:22I tipped Leonard off ahead of time.
00:42:24Before dawn, thugs stormed into blood and sand, wrecking the place.
00:42:30I hid in the bathroom, but got cornered and beaten.
00:42:34The leader pulled out a dagger, sneering as he pointed it at my crotch.
00:42:39Stop!
00:42:40You dare touch Portia's husband?
00:42:41Got it wrong?
00:42:42It was Lady Portia herself who ordered us to cut this bastard's balls off tonight.
00:42:46Fear choked my throat.
00:42:47The blade kept creeping closer.
00:42:49Sophia suddenly stepped in front of me.
00:42:50The leader clearly hesitated, thrown off.
00:42:52His men started whispering to each other.
00:42:54She said her husband's useless.
00:42:55That thing's just for show.
00:42:56Always gets on her nerves.
00:42:57Teach him a lesson tonight.
00:42:59Make him behave for good.
00:43:01I don't care what she said.
00:43:02I'm ordering you to get out as her lover.
00:43:04I'll deal with her myself.
00:43:06Touch him, and I swear you won't last a week in the north.
00:43:10Sophia stepped in hard.
00:43:12Portia called the goons off.
00:43:14I went back to the castle with Sophia.
00:43:16Portia sat stiffly in the hall, face pale with anger.
00:43:22When she saw me, her eyes looked ready to kill.
00:43:25Thinking I couldn't hear, she snapped at Sophia.
00:43:27Sophia, asking if she'd lost her mind.
00:43:29Defending trash like me against her.
00:43:31Sophia talked smooth.
00:43:34Said keeping me alive was actually better for Portia.
00:43:37After all, this useless, spinless husband was the perfect shield against Katerina.
00:43:42Portia was furious.
00:43:44But the logic landed.
00:43:46You're lucky you didn't die today, you waste.
00:43:49Sophia.
00:43:51We'll go with plan B.
00:43:53Plan B?
00:43:53I glanced at Sophia.
00:43:55She winked at me.
00:43:56A small, secret smirk.
00:43:58Portia headed up to her room.
00:44:00Sophia pulled me down to sit beside her, lowered her voice, and explained.
00:44:05Plan B is actually good for you.
00:44:07Portia agreed not to touch you for now.
00:44:09But she needs a kid to keep her mom off her back.
00:44:12So.
00:44:15Portia's plan B turned out to be a surrogacy scheme.
00:44:18The surrogate she found was Cynthia, a girl from my own village.
00:44:22In the cold, sterile room at the church, I was treated like an object, going through the collection process.
00:44:29Portia never once looked at me.
00:44:30Just talked details with Cynthia.
00:44:32Then told me to get back to the stables.
00:44:34I dragged myself back to the castle's storeroom like a stray, collapsed on a thin mat of cold hay.
00:44:40Humiliation and rage gnawed at me like venom.
00:44:43I'd fought so hard, endured so much.
00:44:46I'd even let myself daydream about a normal life, about a child of my own with her someday.
00:44:50But to her, I wasn't worth a single touch.
00:44:54The only way I was allowed to give my seed was on a cold medical table.
00:44:58She'd rather pay a fortune, use a stranger's womb, than let her lawful husband touch her for real.
00:45:03This, more than the beatings, more than the insults, smashed whatever dignity I had left as a man.
00:45:09She wasn't trying to have a child.
00:45:12She was using this to declare that Saren, in her life, was just a disposable tool, worthless.
00:45:18I bit down hard on my jaw.
00:45:20A cold, twisted thought slowly took root.
00:45:24Portia, you're obsessed with that masked clown, aren't you?
00:45:27Soft for the mysterious savior.
00:45:29Ready to beg him for what you won't give your husband.
00:45:31Fine. I'll make you fall hopelessly in love with him.
00:45:34I'll make you pour all your softness, your hope, your weakness, into a phantom mask.
00:45:39And then, when you're at your happiest, fully obsessed, defenseless, I walked over to the water basin.
00:45:45My reflections stared back.
00:45:46Dark, hollow eyes.
00:45:48A small, cruel smile starting to pull at my mouth.
00:45:54Cynthia secretly aborted the embryo, got me drunk.
00:45:57We slept by accident.
00:45:58I had no choice, just had to pray she'd get pregnant naturally and keep it from Portia.
00:46:04Right then I got a message from Sophia.
00:46:06Little monk, Porphyia hasn't visited in a long time.
00:46:09Come keep me company.
00:46:10Something felt off.
00:46:11I went to her apartment.
00:46:12She wore a sexy nightgown, reeking of alcohol, and locked the door from inside.
00:46:16She handed me a glass of wine, asked me to drink with her.
00:46:19After downing it, she leaned against my shoulder, trembling and crying.
00:46:23She told me Gawick had come back, tried to force himself on her again.
00:46:27Gawick, the one pulling strings behind the scenes.
00:46:29Watching Poria, Sophia's old boss.
00:46:31I tried to comfort her, promised I'd protect her.
00:46:33But she just gave a bitter smile and said I couldn't even protect myself,
00:46:36that hiding behind my son-in-law title couldn't keep her safe.
00:46:39She leaned in, her red lips blushing my ear.
00:46:42I envy Portia.
00:46:43She's got it all.
00:46:44A husband.
00:46:46And some no-name hero willing to wear a mask and watch her back in the shadows.
00:46:50She told me how trapped she was.
00:46:52Just Gawick's pawn.
00:46:53Portia's plaything.
00:46:54An ally Saren only remembered when he needed one.
00:46:56I tried to say something, but Sophia cut me off.
00:46:59She offered a real deal.
00:47:00Help her break free from Gawick.
00:47:02And she'd help me win Portia for good.
00:47:04Her finger trailed down my chest as she said I must hate Portia too.
00:47:07That just making her love me before leaving her was too light.
00:47:09We should take everything from her, leave her with nothing, just like we are now.
00:47:13My heart hummered.
00:47:14The offer was insane, dangerous, tempting.
00:47:17But why pick me?
00:47:18She gave a sly, wicked smile.
00:47:20Said we're the same kind.
00:47:22Both of us clawing in the dark, both wanting to crush the ones looking down on us.
00:47:27And she believes in me.
00:47:28Believes I'm the kind of guy who'd stab if I had to.
00:47:30And what I feel for Portia, it's not just hate.
00:47:33That twisted bit of care.
00:47:35It's my sharpest weapon.
00:47:36And my biggest weakness.
00:47:38Teaming up with Sophia, we'd hold each other's secrets.
00:47:41Keep each other in check.
00:47:42That's the strongest kind of alliance there is.
00:47:45I closed my eyes.
00:47:46Flashes rushed through me.
00:47:48Portia's icy face.
00:47:49The Joker's mask.
00:47:50Cynthia's eyes.
00:47:51My sister's sickly look.
00:47:53I opened them.
00:47:53Picked up the glass.
00:47:55Drained it.
00:47:55Then clicked it against hers.
00:47:58Sophia.
00:47:59Pleasure doing business.
00:48:00She smiled.
00:48:01All charm and deadly chill.
00:48:04Late that night, Sophia messaged me to come over again.
00:48:07I got there.
00:48:09She kept teasing.
00:48:11Flirting non-stop.
00:48:13I was already on edge thinking about what had happened with Cynthia.
00:48:16Then sudden knocking at the door.
00:48:18Portia.
00:48:19I panicked.
00:48:20Hit in the bathroom.
00:48:21That's when I realized.
00:48:23Sophia had known Portia was coming.
00:48:25She'd set me up.
00:48:27She wouldn't let me leave.
00:48:28Wrapped herself around me instead.
00:48:30Just as Portoia pushed the door open suspicious, she walked right into us tangled up.
00:48:34In a flash, Sophia switched faces.
00:48:37Playing the victim.
00:48:38Sobbing that I forced her.
00:48:39Portia exploded.
00:48:40Knocked me to the ground.
00:48:41And turned on Sophia.
00:48:42Sophia played the poor vulnerable victim.
00:48:44Explaining she'd been so desperate for Portia.
00:48:47And since Saren was mute and couldn't spill secrets, she'd made a mistake.
00:48:50Then she added she actually thought I was kinda handsome.
00:48:53Portia was so furious.
00:48:54She slapped Sophia across the face.
00:48:56Then stormed out.
00:48:57Slamming the door.
00:49:00Alone in the bathroom, Sophia dropped the act.
00:49:02I stared.
00:49:03Stunned.
00:49:04And demanded to know why she'd set me up.
00:49:06Having fun?
00:49:07But she just sneered, saying everything she did was for my own good.
00:49:12I was still shaken after being framed by Sophia for cheating.
00:49:15But she explained it was for my own good.
00:49:18Once Portia finished the surrogacy plan, I'd be a useless fake husband.
00:49:22Likely disposed of.
00:49:24By enraging her with infidelity now, she'd keep me alive just to torture and humiliate me slowly.
00:49:29That buys me time to plan a way out.
00:49:32I'd barely stepped back into the castle when I saw Portia's carriage crashed by the road.
00:49:36She'd been drinking and driving reckless.
00:49:39Heartbroken over Sophia's betrayal.
00:49:41She wasn't seriously hurt.
00:49:43But she was curled up crying alone inside the wreck.
00:49:46I knew right away.
00:49:47Perfect chance for the Joker.
00:49:49I pulled on my mask, slipped into her carriage.
00:49:54Held my fingers up like a gun pressed to the back of her head.
00:49:59She mumbled I could take all her money.
00:50:01I wrapped my arms around her from behind instead and whispered,
00:50:04I want to steal your sadness.
00:50:06I wish you could be happy.
00:50:08Portia instantly recognized the Joker's voice.
00:50:12Stunned and flustered, she quickly wiped her tears.
00:50:15I brushed her cheek, scolding her for not value her own life.
00:50:17She broke down completely, sobbing as she asked why I'd be so good to her if I didn't even like
00:50:24her.
00:50:24I stayed mysterious.
00:50:26Telling her the reason I don't like her is because she's a married woman.
00:50:31Being good to her, that's my choice.
00:50:34Portla seemed stunned by my boldness.
00:50:36I told her to go home, but she refused, saying there's someone disgusting there,
00:50:41and asked me to take her to a hotel instead.
00:50:43Instead, the Joker carried drunk, heartbroken Portia to a private hotel room.
00:50:48I tucked her into bed,
00:50:50pressed a soft kiss to her forehead,
00:50:53left a note with my private contact info,
00:50:56and walked out.
00:50:57A perfect gentleman who didn't cross any lines.
00:51:00That pure, disciplined restraint buried itself deep in her mind.
00:51:08After that, Portia, codename Rose, started reaching out to the Joker first.
00:51:13Updated me on her every move,
00:51:15even talked about going to night training camp.
00:51:18Her tone got softer and softer,
00:51:20like a girl falling in love.
00:51:22I kept up the secret correspondence as the Joker.
00:51:25Half a month later, blood and sand reopened.
00:51:28Madam Sharon forced me to take a last-minute escort job.
00:51:34I showed up, and the clients were Lady Yoon and her noble friends,
00:51:39the same woman I'd slapped before.
00:51:41Their plan was to film dirty footage of me serving them,
00:51:44to humiliate Katerina at the Territory Council meeting.
00:51:47Big men held me down.
00:51:49No way to run.
00:51:50I had to play along.
00:51:52In the middle of that forced escort,
00:51:54I overheard a massive secret from Lady Yoon and her friends.
00:51:57A secret that would become my key.
00:52:01To gain Katerina's full trust,
00:52:04win her over for good,
00:52:06and flip every rule of this game.
00:52:10Lady Yoon was still a single trap to kill Katerina.
00:52:14I bailed.
00:52:15Used my Joker alias to get Portaria to send men in.
00:52:19Took out the mole inside.
00:52:20Next day, I stormed into the council hall in my mask.
00:52:23Foss was forcing Katerina to step down.
00:52:25I kicked the door open, slammed a dagger into the table,
00:52:28and growled that her son-in-law Saren sent me,
00:52:30who said the Rose family has no man.
00:52:35The insiders flipped on the spot, backing her.
00:52:38Foss was done for.
00:52:40Katerina invited me into her study.
00:52:42Her gaze complicated.
00:52:44She asked who I was,
00:52:45how Saren could know someone like me.
00:52:48I walked closer, explaining we are just friends.
00:52:51Your son-in-law is more interesting than you think.
00:52:54She smiled, asked if I was helping her or just returning a favor.
00:52:58I caught her hand as she reached for my mask,
00:53:01leaned in close, and whispered suggestively,
00:53:03that what I want, she can guess.
00:53:06Helping her keep the trading house is not all I am after.
00:53:10The air turned charged.
00:53:13Her eyes flickered,
00:53:15a tempting smile on her lips.
00:53:18She knew the game had just leveled up.
00:53:22I deliberately got close to her in the council,
00:53:24and she played along,
00:53:26shutting Foss down with just a few sharp words,
00:53:29smoothly diffusing the crisis.
00:53:31She asked again,
00:53:32Who are you, really?
00:53:32I told her I am a friend of Portia,
00:53:34but I have been watching you.
00:53:36Just call me Joker.
00:53:37Then she pressed about me and Polia.
00:53:39I laughed, mocking.
00:53:40Miss Portia and I are close,
00:53:41but I do not like them young.
00:53:43I prefer a woman like you,
00:53:45mature.
00:53:46A faint blush touched her cheeks.
00:53:48She touched my mask.
00:53:50Ask why I wear it.
00:53:51Nervously,
00:53:52I said my face is scarred.
00:53:55Did not want to scare people.
00:53:57She nodded.
00:53:58Then turned and said she wanted me as her personal secretary.
00:54:01I was tempted,
00:54:03but scared of being exposed,
00:54:04so I turned it down,
00:54:06saying I would rather just be her friend.
00:54:09Then made my exit.
00:54:10She called me back,
00:54:12handed me a gold voucher,
00:54:13the password her birthday.
00:54:16I took it.
00:54:17Money.
00:54:18That is what I came for in the first place.
00:54:22Then she added me to her contacts.
00:54:24In the days that followed,
00:54:25I stayed in touch with both Portia and Katerina.
00:54:27Oddly enough,
00:54:28I ended up talking more with Katerina than Portia.
00:54:30Portia was tied up with training.
00:54:33Katerina had more free time.
00:54:34Messaging under two identities was a rush.
00:54:37Dangerous.
00:54:38Thrilling.
00:54:39Playing this big,
00:54:40one slip,
00:54:41and it is over.
00:54:42Right after I finished a message to Katerina one night.
00:54:48Joker,
00:54:49get to the harbor now.
00:54:50I need help.
00:54:52Portia called for help on the comm crystal.
00:54:55My blood went cold the second I saw the distress call.
00:54:58Then I thought about it.
00:55:00If she was actually in danger,
00:55:01she wouldn't only call me.
00:55:03This was a test.
00:55:04I put on the Joker mask,
00:55:06hit up my crew leader for a few men,
00:55:08headed to the rundown warehouse at the docks.
00:55:10I spotted her men right away.
00:55:12Yeah,
00:55:13it was an act.
00:55:15I told my men to back off,
00:55:17strapped homemade firebombs all over my body,
00:55:20charged in alone.
00:55:21She was tied to a pillar,
00:55:23yelling for me to run.
00:55:24I shouted back.
00:55:28I'm here,
00:55:29and I'm taking you out of this place.
00:55:32The bald leader demanded I kneel before he'd let her go.
00:55:34I glanced at Portia,
00:55:36eyes red,
00:55:36and pretended to kneel.
00:55:37But just before my knees hit the ground,
00:55:39I lunged,
00:55:40slammed into the bald guy,
00:55:41locked an arm around his neck,
00:55:42and squeezed the fuel patch I'd rigged,
00:55:44threatening to burn us all if he didn't release her.
00:55:46He didn't think I'd dare.
00:55:47The moment I lit it,
00:55:48he backed down.
00:55:49She broke into tears.
00:55:53After they'd gone,
00:55:54I untied her.
00:55:56Through her tears,
00:55:57she asked if I'd really die for her.
00:55:59I didn't answer,
00:56:00just patted her cheek and said we'd both make it.
00:56:02She looked down,
00:56:04said she was sorry.
00:56:05It was all a setup.
00:56:06Before she could finish,
00:56:07I kissed her.
00:56:08She stiffened at first,
00:56:10then responded comesily.
00:56:13When I pulled back,
00:56:15I gripped her chin and told her it was a punishment.
00:56:18In my head,
00:56:19I was roaring.
00:56:20This scene.
00:56:21I fucking won.
00:56:24After I got back,
00:56:26that kiss was all I could think about.
00:56:27She sent a coded message saying she had a surprise tomorrow,
00:56:30then pressed me about my face.
00:56:32I told her it's scarred,
00:56:33that's why I wear the mask.
00:56:34She insisted on a portrait.
00:56:36I said she'd see it when the time came,
00:56:38then asked,
00:56:39what if I'm ugly?
00:56:40Her reply,
00:56:40men usually disgust her,
00:56:42but I'm different.
00:56:43I tested the waters.
00:56:44What if I look like your husband?
00:56:46She shot back,
00:56:47disgusted.
00:56:48Don't mention that useless waste makes me sick.
00:56:50That answer dragged my heart down.
00:56:52She still despises me that much.
00:56:53She told me to meet her tomorrow moon at the Golden Rose Tavern for the surprise.
00:56:57I decided to go.
00:56:58Next morning,
00:56:59Portia woke me up and said she was taking me to a fancy dinner.
00:57:02First time she'd ever taken me out in public.
00:57:03I was hyped.
00:57:05Then it hit me.
00:57:06Her surprise for the Joker was at the same tavern.
00:57:08Same time.
00:57:10Shit.
00:57:10Was she gonna put my real self and the Joker face to face?
00:57:13She handed me a written confession.
00:57:15A full character assassination of myself.
00:57:18Painted me as worthless trash.
00:57:20I saw red.
00:57:21She typed,
00:57:22I'm dumping you in front of everyone today.
00:57:25Divorce in public.
00:57:26She wanted to crush me completely.
00:57:28Get 500,000 when it's done.
00:57:30You cripple could never make that in your whole life.
00:57:32Take the money and get lost.
00:57:34Go treat your sister's illness.
00:57:36500,000 gold.
00:57:38My sister's life.
00:57:39I held back the tears.
00:57:41Copied that humiliating confession word for word.
00:57:43Each line was a knife in my chest.
00:57:45While I wrote,
00:57:46she got dressed up in a stunning white gown.
00:57:48Drop dead beautiful.
00:57:50I knew she'd dressed up for the Joker.
00:57:52I slipped my Joker mask into my pocket.
00:57:54Quiet.
00:57:55Followed her out the door.
00:57:56This little show of hers
00:57:58was far from over.
00:58:00At the Golden Rose Tavern,
00:58:02Portia announced the divorce
00:58:04in front of the whole crowd.
00:58:05Held up my handwritten confession.
00:58:07Screamed I was worthless trash.
00:58:09The crowd booed.
00:58:10Laughed.
00:58:11I bit down and took every insult
00:58:13for 500,000 gold in my sister's life.
00:58:16Gawick and Tarvin
00:58:17shoved me to the ground.
00:58:19Stepped on me.
00:58:21Forced me to crawl between their legs.
00:58:25Cynthia tried to save me.
00:58:27They dragged her away.
00:58:29I snapped.
00:58:30Bit Gawick on the neck.
00:58:35They beat me half to death for it.
00:58:39Sophia begged them to stop.
00:58:41Portia slapped her across the face.
00:58:43Had her dragged off too.
00:58:45Just as they were about to drag me off,
00:58:47Isabella appeared.
00:58:48Iron Ange Wren right behind her.
00:58:50This man is under my protection.
00:58:51He is my friend.
00:58:52She spoke up.
00:58:53Called me her friend.
00:58:54The whole place went dead silent.
00:58:56I went from gutter mutt
00:58:58to stargazer's friend.
00:58:59Portia froze.
00:59:00I was stunned.
00:59:01It felt fucking amazing.
00:59:03She led me away.
00:59:04By the river,
00:59:05she asked why I followed.
00:59:06I said thanks.
00:59:08She gave a light laugh.
00:59:10Shook her head.
00:59:13Do small people not deserve
00:59:14to be my friends?
00:59:15If I didn't say that,
00:59:17who'd remember you?
00:59:19Even the humblest
00:59:20should have pride.
00:59:22A stray dog
00:59:23can sometimes
00:59:24bite a mountain tiger
00:59:25to death.
00:59:26I only half understood.
00:59:27As she turned to leave,
00:59:28I asked if we'd meet again.
00:59:30She looked back,
00:59:31warning me not to think
00:59:32I were safe.
00:59:33She might be hurting me.
00:59:34Hoped I'd live,
00:59:35maybe surprise her.
00:59:36No surprise,
00:59:37no more meetings.
00:59:38I smiled bitterly.
00:59:39Is she just playing
00:59:40a game with me?
00:59:42I pulled out my crystal,
00:59:43saw Portia's message
00:59:44to the Joker.
00:59:46I've finally gotten rid
00:59:47of that disgusting husband.
00:59:48I'll make us official today.
00:59:50Will you have me, my love?
00:59:52Waves of humiliation.
00:59:53I shook with fury.
00:59:55Cynthia was right.
00:59:56I couldn't be a pushover.
00:59:58Sophia was right.
00:59:58I'm not lower than
00:59:59these stuck-up snobs.
01:00:00And Isabella was right.
01:00:01I was going to be
01:00:02the stray dog
01:00:03that took down the tiger.
01:00:04I texted Portia back
01:00:05as the Joker.
01:00:06I watched every second
01:00:07of that little show.
01:00:08I'm seriously disappointed.
01:00:11Saren never did
01:00:11a single thing wrong.
01:00:12You took it way too far.
01:00:14I'm leaving.
01:00:15Reply came back fast.
01:00:17I'm hurting too.
01:00:18I just needed you to know.
01:00:19I can throw any man aside.
01:00:20Except you.
01:00:22Maybe you're just waiting
01:00:22for someone to change you.
01:00:24Came back instantly.
01:00:25Joker,
01:00:26will you be the one
01:00:27to fix me?
01:00:29Wait for me.
01:00:33I changed clothes,
01:00:34pulled on the Joker mask,
01:00:36headed straight back
01:00:37to the Golden Rose Haven.
01:00:38I stood at the doors.
01:00:40Fists tight.
01:00:41Portia,
01:00:41your Joker is here.
01:00:43Today,
01:00:44I'm going to make you watch
01:00:44with your own eyes
01:00:45the useless husband
01:00:46you throw away,
01:00:47rise up as a hero,
01:00:48and take everything you have.
01:00:50I slipped into the tavern
01:00:52wearing the Joker mask.
01:00:54Portia was on stage,
01:00:56eagerly scanning the crowd
01:00:57for the Joker,
01:00:58proudly declaring her love,
01:00:59vowing to marry him.
01:01:01Just as her hope was fading,
01:01:02I pushed the door open,
01:01:04walked up,
01:01:05and stood beside her.
01:01:06Her eyes welled up.
01:01:08She beamed,
01:01:09hooked her arm in mine,
01:01:10and announced to the whole room
01:01:12exactly who I was.
01:01:14This is the man I love.
01:01:18Will you marry me?
01:01:19I almost ripped the mask off
01:01:21right then.
01:01:21To show her the hero
01:01:22she so deeply loved
01:01:23was the useless husband
01:01:24she'd just divorced.
01:01:25But I stuck to the plan
01:01:27and gently pushed her hand away.
01:01:28Her face went pale,
01:01:30but I didn't look at her.
01:01:31Instead,
01:01:32I turned to Katerina
01:01:33in the audience
01:01:33and invited her onto the stage.
01:01:36Once Katerina was up,
01:01:37I took the mic
01:01:38and calmly told Portia no.
01:01:40The one I really loved
01:01:41was Katerina.
01:01:42The whole room
01:01:43went dead silent.
01:01:46Portia's face
01:01:46was ghost white.
01:01:48I slowly turned,
01:01:49met Katerina's eyes
01:01:50and poured out
01:01:50the most heartfelt confession,
01:01:52staring right at her.
01:01:54Portia looked shattered.
01:01:55She'd braced for rejection,
01:01:57but never imagined
01:01:57I'd be in love
01:01:58with her mother.
01:01:59Katerina's cheeks flushed,
01:02:01basically admitting
01:02:02I had a chance.
01:02:03I kept pouring my heart out
01:02:04to Katerina.
01:02:06Chaos below.
01:02:07Katerina hurrously said
01:02:08we should step down.
01:02:10Portia lunged to hit me,
01:02:11but Katerina stopped her.
01:02:13Seems she really did
01:02:14have feelings for the Joker.
01:02:15Finally,
01:02:16I told a broken Portina
01:02:17I'd disappear,
01:02:18hoped she'd take care
01:02:19of herself from now on.
01:02:21Then,
01:02:21under everyone's stunned stairs,
01:02:23I turned and walked out.
01:02:32Back at the castle,
01:02:33waiting for the
01:02:34500,000 gold coins.
01:02:37Porta!
01:02:37Portla and Katerina returned.
01:02:39You're trash!
01:02:41Portla grabbed my hair,
01:02:42called me trash.
01:02:43Is this how you feel better?
01:02:44Bullying a crippled?
01:02:46Katerina stopped her,
01:02:47mocked her for only being able
01:02:48to bully a cripple
01:02:49to feel better.
01:02:50Each word a stab.
01:02:51The two started
01:02:52arguing fiercely.
01:02:53Portla demanded to know
01:02:54if Katerina was aware
01:02:55the Joker liked her.
01:02:57Katerina's cheeks flushed
01:02:58as she admitted she knew,
01:02:59but not that her daughter
01:03:01liked him too.
01:03:02Hearing that,
01:03:03Portla snapped.
01:03:04She swore she'd find out
01:03:05who the Joker was
01:03:06and make that person's life hell.
01:03:08I quickly wrote
01:03:09asking for the money.
01:03:10She kicked me,
01:03:11calling me useless,
01:03:12but threw the voucher
01:03:13at me anyway.
01:03:19I grabbed my bags
01:03:21and left that home,
01:03:22at a nearby inn.
01:03:24Sophia suddenly covered
01:03:25my eyes from behind,
01:03:26teasing,
01:03:27asking me to guess who.
01:03:28Then she let go,
01:03:29winked,
01:03:30leaned in close,
01:03:30and blew a warm,
01:03:32suggestive breath
01:03:32against my ear.
01:03:33Got kicked out?
01:03:34Don't go.
01:03:35Stay.
01:03:36I'll take care of you.
01:03:38Sophia said she'd
01:03:39take care of me,
01:03:40and I was tempted.
01:03:41Being with her felt easy.
01:03:43When we got to her place,
01:03:44she told me she'd just
01:03:45been released after
01:03:46getting caught
01:03:46and came straight to me.
01:03:48That warmth hit me.
01:03:49I thanked her seriously,
01:03:50promised I'd pay her back.
01:03:51She just smiled lightly.
01:03:52I was afraid she knew
01:03:53about the Joker.
01:03:54I tested the waters.
01:03:56She called the Joker
01:03:57a big bastard
01:03:58but felt something was off.
01:03:59Suspected he had a grudge
01:04:01against Portia,
01:04:01was deliberately provoking her.
01:04:03Whiteheart dropped.
01:04:04This woman's too sharp.
01:04:06But she laughed
01:04:06and said forget all that.
01:04:08Other people's heroes
01:04:08didn't matter.
01:04:09She had her own little hero.
01:04:11Me.
01:04:11I almost blurted out,
01:04:13I am the Joker.
01:04:14I'll be the hero
01:04:14just for you.
01:04:15But I held back.
01:04:16The Joker's in the past.
01:04:17I just want to start over.
01:04:19I hate myself
01:04:20for not being able
01:04:20to protect her.
01:04:22Gawker suddenly started
01:04:23banging on the door.
01:04:24I hid in the liquor cabinet.
01:04:25But he knew I was there,
01:04:27charged right in.
01:04:29Sophia!
01:04:30I'm disappointed.
01:04:31Falling for a cripple?
01:04:33I'm here to catch you two,
01:04:34taking that trash with me.
01:04:36I burst out of the cabinet,
01:04:38tackled him.
01:04:39And more guys rushed in,
01:04:41threw a sack over my head,
01:04:42and dragged me off.
01:04:47I was dragged
01:04:48to an abandoned factory.
01:04:50Gawker held a knife
01:04:51to my throat.
01:04:52Beside him stood a man
01:04:53in a Joker mask.
01:04:54Kevin.
01:04:55They were planning
01:04:56to impersonate the Joker
01:04:57to trick Cordia
01:04:58while using me
01:04:59to threaten Sophia.
01:05:00Gawker made a video call
01:05:01to Sophia.
01:05:02The blade pressed my neck.
01:05:03Sophia saw
01:05:04and started sobbing.
01:05:05Then Gavik Xmear
01:05:06dragged the knife
01:05:07across my throat,
01:05:08shifted it to my pinky,
01:05:09and hacked it off.
01:05:11Sophia screamed wildly.
01:05:12Sophia!
01:05:13Sophia, you brought this
01:05:13on yourself.
01:05:14I'll make you watch him bleed out.
01:05:16Don't!
01:05:16What do you want me to do?
01:05:17Get Portiria
01:05:18to Moonlight Garden tonight.
01:05:19If you can't,
01:05:20I'll start with his fingers.
01:05:21He didn't even blink.
01:05:25This guy
01:05:26might not be simple.
01:05:28Sophia, sobbing, agrees.
01:05:30I'm desperate,
01:05:30but I can't speak.
01:05:32Kevin and Gawler leave,
01:05:33four guards watching me.
01:05:35Portia and Sophia
01:05:36are in danger any second.
01:05:37My mind's on fire,
01:05:39just as I'm debating
01:05:40whether to break my silence
01:05:41and bluff.
01:05:42The factory doors smash open.
01:05:44Leonard stands silhouetted
01:05:46in the doorway.
01:05:50After Leonard saved me,
01:05:52I begged him to help
01:05:53rescue Sophia and Portia, too.
01:05:55He refused,
01:05:56but handed me a letter
01:05:58from Isabella.
01:05:59She said she was hurting me,
01:06:01but gave me a chance,
01:06:02and told Leonard
01:06:02to look after me.
01:06:04My head's a mess.
01:06:05What does she want?
01:06:08Just bored,
01:06:09watching the show?
01:06:10Leonard parked outside
01:06:11Moonlight Garden,
01:06:12tossed me a spiked club,
01:06:14and kicked me out of the car.
01:06:17Told me to save them
01:06:18on my own.
01:06:19Warned that on a narrow road,
01:06:20only the brave
01:06:21win the prize.
01:06:22Lose,
01:06:23and I'm not cut out for it.
01:06:25I gripped the club tight,
01:06:27one thought burning
01:06:28in my head.
01:06:29Sophia,
01:06:30Portia,
01:06:31I'm coming.
01:06:34Today,
01:06:35I'm done playing the coward.
01:06:39I crept upstairs,
01:06:40saw them drogued,
01:06:42being dragged
01:06:42to the third floor
01:06:43by a few drunks.
01:06:49Soon,
01:06:50the fake joker Kevin
01:06:51rushed
01:06:52into Portia's room
01:06:53to save the day.
01:06:54I charged in
01:06:55with the spiked club,
01:06:56just in time
01:06:57to see him about
01:06:58to kiss Portia.
01:07:00Damn it!
01:07:02I nearly died
01:07:03for one kiss,
01:07:03and you're trying
01:07:04to slide right
01:07:04into home base?
01:07:05I burst in,
01:07:06smashed up
01:07:07to me down
01:07:07with the spiked club.
01:07:09Portia saw it,
01:07:10yelled at me,
01:07:10calling me useless,
01:07:12demanded to know
01:07:13how I dared
01:07:13touch her man.
01:07:14Was I trying
01:07:15to get myself killed?
01:07:17She forgot I'm mute,
01:07:18fumbled for parchment
01:07:19to write me an insult.
01:07:20I'm risking my life
01:07:21to save you,
01:07:22and you're cursing me out?
01:07:23My heart froze,
01:07:24but today,
01:07:25I'm all in.
01:07:26I stomped on Kevin,
01:07:28ripped off his mask.
01:07:40see clearly.
01:07:48I...
01:07:49am the Joker.
01:07:52I lunged at Kevin,
01:07:54but he shoved me off.
01:07:55I stunned him again
01:07:56with the spiked club,
01:07:56but a sharp pain
01:07:57exploded in the back
01:07:58of my head.
01:07:59Portia had smashed
01:08:00a vase over me.
01:08:01She snarled a warning,
01:08:02hurt Kevin,
01:08:03and she'd end me,
01:08:05completely forgetting
01:08:05I'm mute.
01:08:09I licked the blood
01:08:10off my hand,
01:08:11shoved her back
01:08:11onto the bed,
01:08:13ripped off Kevin's
01:08:13clown mask,
01:08:14and put it on
01:08:15my own face.
01:08:18Orlia froze,
01:08:19struck dumb.
01:08:22I gripped Kevin's throat,
01:08:24voice ice and cold.
01:08:25The choker isn't
01:08:26just anyone to copy,
01:08:27I'm the one and only.
01:08:29After I roared,
01:08:30the room fell dead silent.
01:08:33Portia's calm crystal
01:08:34clattered to the floor,
01:08:35her face ghost white.
01:08:37I walked to the bed,
01:08:39pinned her down,
01:08:40stared into her eyes,
01:08:41and confessed,
01:08:43I am the Joker.
01:08:46Her whole body shook.
01:08:47I went on.
01:08:49Today,
01:08:50this guy tried to trick you,
01:08:51pretending to be me.
01:08:53I came to save you,
01:08:54and you hit me with a vase.
01:08:56A drop of blood
01:08:56from my forehead
01:08:57fell onto her neck.
01:08:58I wiped it away lightly,
01:09:00but it doesn't matter anymore.
01:09:02I don't hate you.
01:09:04From today,
01:09:05the Joker is gone.
01:09:08I hoisted her onto my back.
01:09:10Her body went rigid.
01:09:12For the first time,
01:09:13she called my name
01:09:14without contempt,
01:09:15asking what I was
01:09:16doing.
01:09:16I said I was taking her away
01:09:18from this dangerous place.
01:09:20A shiver ran through her.
01:09:22Clearly,
01:09:22she hadn't expected me
01:09:23to still save her.
01:09:24I think I'm a fool too,
01:09:26but I can't bring myself
01:09:27to be ruthless.
01:09:27And I asked,
01:09:29Am I the same Joker smell
01:09:30carrying you now?
01:09:31She stammered,
01:09:32gave no answer.
01:09:34Outside Sophia's room,
01:09:35I heard Gawik's lewd laugh
01:09:37and Sophia's tearful pleas.
01:09:39I kicked the door in,
01:09:40hit it Gawik unconscious,
01:09:42stomped on his gut,
01:09:43and roared.
01:09:44How dare you touch Sophia?
01:09:46Go to hell!
01:09:47Hearing my voice,
01:09:48Sophia's eyes lit up,
01:09:49a relieved smile
01:09:50breaking through.
01:09:51I walked over,
01:09:52took her hand,
01:09:52and deliberately raised my voice
01:09:54so Portia outside could hear.
01:09:56From now on,
01:09:57the Joker is no longer
01:09:58Portia's great hero.
01:10:00He's just Sophia's little hero.
01:10:02Along with me,