🎬 **Died Once She Won T Lose Again episode Silver Motion Complete EPS**
Enjoy this captivating drama that will keep you hooked from start to finish!
📖 **Story Highlights:**
• Emotional storyline filled with twists and turns
• Powerful performances and compelling characters
• Bite-sized drama episodes
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🔔 **Subscribe** for daily drama updates!
👍 **Like** if you enjoyed this video!
💬 **Comment** your thoughts below!
🔗 **Share** with fellow drama lovers!
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
#drama #romanticdrama #lovestory #romancedrama #DiedOnceSheWonLose #DramaPulse
Enjoy this captivating drama that will keep you hooked from start to finish!
📖 **Story Highlights:**
• Emotional storyline filled with twists and turns
• Powerful performances and compelling characters
• Bite-sized drama episodes
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🔔 **Subscribe** for daily drama updates!
👍 **Like** if you enjoyed this video!
💬 **Comment** your thoughts below!
🔗 **Share** with fellow drama lovers!
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
#drama #romanticdrama #lovestory #romancedrama #DiedOnceSheWonLose #DramaPulse
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00:00My name was Skye Sterling, the last heiress of the Sterling family.
00:00:05But on the night I died, I had no husband beside me, only a cold, sickbed.
00:00:12My lady cannot hold on! Send for Lord Kendington!
00:00:15His lordship is with Lady Serafina. If my lady dies, bury her in the family tomb. Do not disturb him.
00:00:25The nuns lifted the speaking crystal, but Serafina's laughter came through first.
00:00:31Skye is pretending to be ill again. Tonight is Liam's night with me.
00:00:34If she wants to die, let her die. I have council business in the morning.
00:00:38In that moment, I finally understood. The man I had loved for five years found even my last breath inconvenient.
00:00:45Before darkness swallowed me, I had only one thought left.
00:00:49If I could live again, I would make them pay on their knees.
00:00:53When I opened my eyes again, I had returned to five years ago, the day Liam first brought his mistress
00:00:59to a noble banquet.
00:01:01My lady, his lordship, ordered you to wear this plain grey gown. Lady Serafina said it would make you look
00:01:08proper.
00:01:09A mistress thinks she can choose my gown? His lordship said you must not steal Lady Serafina's attention tonight.
00:01:17I tore the grey gown apart in front of her. The ripping clothes sounded like my grave splitting open.
00:01:23Have you gone mad? His lordship ordered this himself.
00:01:27I am the lady of this castle. Get out.
00:01:32From the deepest part of my wardrobe, I took out the blood-red velvet gown my father had commissioned from
00:01:37a royal capital tailor.
00:01:39The banquet hall blazed with candlelight.
00:01:41Serafina stood at the entrance on my husband's arm, greeting guests as if she were Lady Kensington.
00:01:46Liam, will Skyl really wear that grey gown? I worry people will laugh at her.
00:01:50She belongs quietly in a corner.
00:01:52The next second, the doors opened.
00:01:55Every eye turned to me.
00:01:58Good evening, my husband.
00:01:59And you?
00:02:00Mistress.
00:02:02Mistress!
00:02:03Sky, you misunderstood. I'm a guest invited by Liam.
00:02:06Sky, apologize.
00:02:08Shut up.
00:02:08You're not qualified to boss me around.
00:02:11In the second floor gallery, a man raised his last hand.
00:02:14Alistair Thorne, the exiled eldest son of House Thorne, and the only man who dared to stand against the Kensington's.
00:02:20Interesting.
00:02:21The Kensington doormat has grown fangs.
00:02:23The Kensington anniversary banquet was also the preview auction for royal trade charters.
00:02:28The real show had only just begun.
00:02:32Next lot, a royal charter auction.
00:02:35The abandoned Northland quarry.
00:02:36Starting bit, 50,000 gold coins.
00:02:39That poison marsh, I would not take it for free.
00:02:42They did not know that in seven days, the king would build a royal free market there.
00:02:47In my last life, someone made half a kingdom from it.
00:02:51100,000 gold coins.
00:02:54Sky, are you mad?
00:02:56That land is worthless.
00:02:58I am buying it with the sterling money.
00:03:01It has nothing to do with you.
00:03:02Sky, are you only doing this to get Liam's attention?
00:03:05I spend my own money.
00:03:07A mistress does not get a vote!
00:03:09Apologize to her!
00:03:11Fine, I apologize.
00:03:13I should not have called you a mistress.
00:03:16Then what should you call me?
00:03:19Concubine.
00:03:21The nobles laughed under their breath.
00:03:25200,000.
00:03:26Alistair did not want the quarry.
00:03:28He was testing whether I was truly mad or knew something.
00:03:35250,000.
00:03:39Stop bidding.
00:03:40She knows something.
00:03:41250,000 gold coins sold!
00:03:46You will regret this.
00:03:48No, Liam.
00:03:50The one who regrets this will be you.
00:03:54But the royal auction required full payment within three days.
00:03:57After checking my dowry ledgers, I found I was still short 80,000 coins in ready money.
00:04:06Cancel the bid tomorrow morning and apologize to Serafina.
00:04:11Are you ordering me?
00:04:13I am your husband.
00:04:15A husband does not leave his wife to die on a sick bed.
00:04:18What nonsense are you talking about?
00:04:20Of course he did not understand.
00:04:22His cruelty from my last life had not happened to him yet.
00:04:26If you touch the joint reserve vault under Kensington and Sterling, I will freeze your access at once.
00:04:33Thank you for the reminder.
00:04:35I never planned to borrow those 80,000 coins from you.
00:04:44So I went to the Black Box Inn.
00:04:46It was no place for a noblewoman, but it was where monsters made deals.
00:04:50My lady, we do not entertain Kensington ornaments here.
00:04:53I handed the guard a slip of parchment.
00:04:55There was only one line on it.
00:04:58Give this to Alistair Thorne.
00:05:00North Harbor, Warehouse No. 4.
00:05:02Smuggled weapons are hidden in the spice crates.
00:05:0880,000 gold coins?
00:05:10You want my money for one piece of information?
00:05:14Those weapons belong to your rival.
00:05:17If you seize them, he goes to the gallows.
00:05:19Why should I believe you?
00:05:22Because you have not killed me yet.
00:05:24That means you already half believe me.
00:05:26I can give you the money, but I want one condition.
00:05:30Say it.
00:05:31At the King's Trade Charter ceremony, ruin Serathina publicly.
00:05:35That is not a condition.
00:05:37It is a reward.
00:05:39Do not disappoint me, little oracle.
00:05:43My blood went cold.
00:05:45Little oracle was the name I had used in the shadows of my last life.
00:05:49How did he know it?
00:05:51The next day, I entered Count Thorne's castle in a gold gown,
00:05:55wearing the sterling emerald necklace.
00:05:57For the King's Trade Charter ceremony,
00:05:59Liam wanted me modest,
00:06:01and Serathina wanted me to be a shadow.
00:06:04But today, I chose to be the brightest light in the hall.
00:06:08Skye, you look beautiful today,
00:06:11but perhaps too noticeable?
00:06:14Do not worry.
00:06:16A woman who belongs in the dark only looks like a joke in the light.
00:06:19The moment I finished speaking,
00:06:22Serathina walked towards Liam with reddened eyes.
00:06:25As she passed me, her shoulder suddenly tilted.
00:06:28Serathina crashed into the old gardener carrying the reliquary.
00:06:32The reliquary hit the floor,
00:06:34its fragments scattering everywhere.
00:06:36Skye, why did you push me?
00:06:38My lady, Lady Kensington did not push you.
00:06:41You walked into me.
00:06:43How dare you lie for her?
00:06:45That was House Thorne's reliquary!
00:06:48Skye, have you lost your mind?
00:06:51Pushing someone in public?
00:06:55I did not push you.
00:06:56And making such a scene over a fake reliquary
00:06:59only makes you look worse.
00:07:00What did you say?
00:07:04This reliquary is fake.
00:07:06The saint's gesture is reversed.
00:07:08And the true relic would never be placed in a banquet hall.
00:07:11You are lying!
00:07:14My lady is correct.
00:07:16The true relic has always been locked in the chapel vault.
00:07:20She screamed over a fake?
00:07:22And she accused Lady Kensington of pushing her.
00:07:25How ugly.
00:07:28Serathina, you only know how to cry,
00:07:30not how to behave like a noble woman.
00:07:33I...
00:07:34I was only frightened.
00:07:37Then sit down.
00:07:39Stop embarrassing Liam.
00:07:43Serathina's face turned pale.
00:07:45But she still refused to lose.
00:07:47Skye, I heard you play the harp very well.
00:07:50Why don't you play something to calm everyone down?
00:07:53She wanted me to embarrass myself in public.
00:07:55But she did not know that in my last life,
00:07:57I had turned my tears into blades through music.
00:08:00Skye, you are not afraid, are you?
00:08:02It is only one song.
00:08:03Then stand closer,
00:08:04so you can see clearly how you lose.
00:08:07I sat before the harp.
00:08:10I did not play a gentle court melody.
00:08:13I chose a salaband,
00:08:14a battle hymn for the dead.
00:08:18This is not banquet music.
00:08:20It sounds like a funeral bell on a battlefield.
00:08:23When did she learn to play like this?
00:08:27Impossible.
00:08:30A useless noble woman?
00:08:33I think she looks like a blade just drawn.
00:08:38When the final note fell,
00:08:40the hall was silent except for the candles.
00:08:42Then applause exploded.
00:08:43Before the applause faded,
00:08:45Alistair had already slept to my side.
00:08:47His voice was low,
00:08:48but clear enough for me to hear.
00:08:5080,000 gold coins have been sent to your counting room.
00:08:54That abandoned quarry will become a royal free market.
00:08:56You told me such a valuable secret.
00:08:59Are you not afraid I will steal it?
00:09:01You do not want the quarry.
00:09:03You want to watch me drag House Kensington off its altar.
00:09:05Little Oracle,
00:09:06you keep surprising me.
00:09:07Before I could answer,
00:09:08the attendants at the entrance suddenly knelt.
00:09:10The man who could truly silence the room had arrived.
00:09:15Old Earl Thorne entered with his wolf-headed cane.
00:09:17He was one of the most powerful nobles in the kingdom.
00:09:20One word from him could shift half the capital.
00:09:22Lord Thorne,
00:09:24House Kensington has always hoped to...
00:09:28Move.
00:09:34Lord Thorne.
00:09:37Who are you?
00:09:39I am Seraphina,
00:09:41Liam's most important...
00:09:42Mistress?
00:09:44The hall fell silent.
00:09:48In my day,
00:09:50mistresses stayed in the shadows.
00:09:52Your presence here defiles this hall.
00:09:59On that stormy night,
00:10:01Liam helped the crying Seraphina into his carriage,
00:10:04yet left me,
00:10:05his lawful wife,
00:10:06outside Thorn Castle.
00:10:15Someone paid for your life,
00:10:17and someone wants to see whether your husband will save you.
00:10:20I saw the serpent tattoo.
00:10:21Silas,
00:10:22the former captain of the Thorn Guard,
00:10:24now hired to do noble's dirty work.
00:10:26I was tied to a wooden pillar in an abandoned mill.
00:10:29Barrels of black powder sat at my feet,
00:10:32and the fuse had already burned halfway down.
00:10:36I already sent Liam a letter.
00:10:38The place,
00:10:39the ransom,
00:10:40and your life were written clearly.
00:10:42So you do not want money.
00:10:44You want him to choose in front of me.
00:10:46Clever.
00:10:47Half an hour later,
00:10:49his feet stopped outside the mill.
00:10:51Liam had actually come,
00:10:52but he carried no gold,
00:10:54only a bloodless face.
00:10:56Sky.
00:10:56Liam,
00:10:58cut the ropes.
00:10:59The powder is about to explode.
00:11:00I cannot go in.
00:11:02If I enter,
00:11:03I will die.
00:11:04I am your wife.
00:11:05House Kensington cannot lose me.
00:11:08In that moment,
00:11:09I knew for certain
00:11:10that no matter how many lives I lived,
00:11:13Liam would always abandon me.
00:11:15It seems your life is worth less than his reputation.
00:11:20Alistair.
00:11:23The powder is lit.
00:11:24You cannot save her.
00:11:30The mill explosion failed to kill me.
00:11:33Three days later,
00:11:35the Kensington carriage delivered me into another trial.
00:11:39Beatrice Kensington was Liam's grandmother,
00:11:42the true ruler of House Kensington.
00:11:44She threw a parchment letter at my feet.
00:11:47It said my purchase of the Northland quarry
00:11:49for 250,000 gold coins
00:11:51had made me the joke of the city.
00:11:53Explain this.
00:11:55For now,
00:11:56it looks like I misjudged it.
00:11:58I did not explain.
00:12:00The fewer people knew the quarry's true value,
00:12:03the better.
00:12:04Misjudged it?
00:12:05You nearly died in a mill.
00:12:07People are already whispering
00:12:08that Liam lost his nerve,
00:12:09and now you use sterling money to buy wasteland.
00:12:12Do you want to ruin House Kensington's name?
00:12:16That night,
00:12:17he did run.
00:12:18Silence!
00:12:20A man's reputation
00:12:22is worth more than a woman's life.
00:12:25She was the same in my last life.
00:12:27She did not care whether I lived.
00:12:29She only cared whether House Kensington looked clean.
00:12:32The mill incident ends here.
00:12:35To outsiders,
00:12:35it was a bandit attack,
00:12:37and Liam arrived too late.
00:12:39And if I refuse,
00:12:42then I will manage the sterling trading house for you.
00:12:46If you fail to produce an heir within a year,
00:12:49your dowry,
00:12:50castle,
00:12:50and trading house
00:12:51will all pass into my hands.
00:12:53She finally revealed her true purpose.
00:12:56She did not want honor.
00:12:58She wanted the last sterling assets in my hands.
00:13:02There will be a reconciliation dinner tonight.
00:13:04Sit beside Liam and behave like a proper wife.
00:13:08Fine.
00:13:09I will attend.
00:13:12She thought I had lowered my head,
00:13:14but my application had already reached the cathedral school.
00:13:18At tonight's dinner,
00:13:19I would make Liam tear off his own dignity.
00:13:22That night,
00:13:23Beatrice arranged a reconciliation dinner.
00:13:25It was not for peace.
00:13:27It was to force me to cover Liam's cowardice.
00:13:30Three noble ladies will visit tomorrow.
00:13:33Tonight,
00:13:34you must sit beside Liam.
00:13:36As long as you dine with him,
00:13:37people can only say he arrived late,
00:13:40not that he ran.
00:13:41So running away can be dressed up as bravery?
00:13:44Do you still want to keep the sterling trading house?
00:13:47She threatened me with the trading house again.
00:13:49But this time,
00:13:51I already had a way out.
00:13:52Fine.
00:13:53I will eat quietly tonight.
00:13:56My lord,
00:13:57Lady Serafina sent word.
00:13:59She hurt her ankle and only wants to see you.
00:14:02Where is she?
00:14:04Sit down.
00:14:05Grandmother,
00:14:06she is hurt.
00:14:07If you walk out tonight,
00:14:09the whole city will know you abandoned your wife,
00:14:12fresh from an explosion,
00:14:14for your mistress.
00:14:16Then let them talk.
00:14:18He rose and left.
00:14:20Beatrice's face darkened,
00:14:22and for the first time,
00:14:24this dinner tasted good.
00:14:26After dinner,
00:14:27I pushed open the terrace doors.
00:14:29Liam had chosen Serafina again.
00:14:31Good.
00:14:32The more he chose,
00:14:33the more proof I had.
00:14:36You do not look like an abandoned wife.
00:14:39You trespassed just to laugh at me?
00:14:42Half to make sure my ally was still alive.
00:14:46And half to bring you good news.
00:14:48The quarry?
00:14:49Dear Sky,
00:14:51the quarry you bought for 250,000 gold coins
00:14:55will silence the entire capital tomorrow.
00:15:00Alistair placed a rolled parchment on the wrought iron table.
00:15:03The draft decree for that quarry has been entered into the Privy Council records.
00:15:07Sealed on page 400.
00:15:09No one has ever turned to that page.
00:15:12Except you and me.
00:15:13He lifted his hand and brushed a crumb of sauce from the corner of my mouth with his thumb.
00:15:18Rough, yet impossibly light.
00:15:20I didn't pull away.
00:15:22I sat on a stone bench in the cathedral school courtyard.
00:15:25Before me lay Latin legal codes and debate outlines.
00:15:29Today was my entrance examination.
00:15:33A carriage jerked to a halt at the academy gates.
00:15:37Liam strode across the lawn, students scattering from his path.
00:15:41You want to embarrass me before all the nobles?
00:15:44A Kensington wife has no need to parade herself at the A Academy.
00:15:50He snatched the parchment from my hand, gripping my wrist.
00:15:55If I keep myself busy with my studies, I won't disturb you and Serafina.
00:15:59I didn't stand.
00:16:01I only looked up at him.
00:16:03Isn't this exactly what you asked for?
00:16:07Hoofbeats splashed through the mud.
00:16:09A young man swung down from his horse.
00:16:12Dark, golden hair slightly tonsilled.
00:16:15Leather boots polished to a gleam.
00:16:19Not many women dare scold their husbands at the academy gates.
00:16:22Ethan Vance, second son of the Vance family.
00:16:25Famous for gambling away his fortune on horse races and composing doggerels.
00:16:29Lord Vance, you're blocking the passage.
00:16:33I stood, brushed the dust from my skirt,
00:16:36and turned to walk into the examination hall.
00:16:39The examination hall was cold stone.
00:16:43I unrolled my paper, dipped my quill, and began to write.
00:16:48Someone leaned in from the row behind.
00:16:50Ethan Vance's breath was nearly against my nape.
00:16:53What should be written for question three?
00:16:55I'll trade you tonight's wine money for the answer.
00:16:57I didn't turn around.
00:16:59My quill kept moving across the parchment.
00:17:02And at the same moment, my boot heel kicked backward, landing precisely on his calf.
00:17:07His yelp drew every gaze in the silent hall.
00:17:09I kept writing, the corner of my lips barely lifting.
00:17:14My quill kept moving across the parchment.
00:17:17The examination was meant to last three hours.
00:17:19But after only one hour passed, I rose and handed in my paper.
00:17:27The proctor bishop leaped through my parchment, frowning.
00:17:31As I stepped out of the examination hall, a figure stood waiting in the blinding sunlight.
00:17:37Tiffany, Serafina's lackey and confident.
00:17:40She waited outside the examination room just to mock me.
00:17:44Skye Sterling only sat the exam for one hour.
00:17:48She must have bribed the proctor or handed in blank parchment.
00:17:53I stopped walking and looked at her.
00:17:55Public defamation within the cathedral precinct violates the code of conduct.
00:18:00Article 4, Supplemental Clause.
00:18:02Tiffany froze in place.
00:18:04Your citation will reach the disciplinary committee by noon.
00:18:09That evening, the annual Sterling Family Banquet.
00:18:13Thanks you all for coming and witnessing the improvement of the Sterling Trading House under my leadership.
00:18:19Uncle Arthur, he took over the Sterling Trading House after my father died and seized his legacy.
00:18:25I heard you've gone back to Academy?
00:18:29The allowance Kensington gives you isn't enough for you?
00:18:33Aunt Petunia looked me up and down.
00:18:35A few distant cousins tittered.
00:18:38Liam set down his cutlery with a deliberate clink.
00:18:42He stood up.
00:18:45Aunt Petunia, Skye scored the highest marks on the entrance examination in a decade.
00:18:50And your son Victor, how much did he owe the gambling dens last month?
00:18:56The table fell immediately silent.
00:18:59Liam continued, as casual as if discussing the weather.
00:19:07By the way, Uncle Arthur, are you planning to quietly sell off 15% of the Sterling Trading House Partnership
00:19:13shares?
00:19:16He said a name.
00:19:18The Prophets Guild.
00:19:20Arthur's face went pale.
00:19:22Liam smiled after showing off his intelligence.
00:19:25But he still had no idea who owned the Prophets Guild.
00:19:30The Prophets Guild.
00:19:32That was my underground intelligence network.
00:19:34Arthur's cutlery trembled in his hands.
00:19:40Aunt Petunia had fallen utterly silent.
00:19:42The eyes of every relative towards me changed to suspicion.
00:19:46Liam was defending me now.
00:19:48They didn't know what any of this meant.
00:19:50The familiar messenger appeared again.
00:19:55Sir.
00:19:56It's Seraphina.
00:20:01Liam rose once more.
00:20:03Left once more.
00:20:04I set down my napkin and turned to the attendant, sent by Alistair, who was behind me.
00:20:11Arthur is preparing to sell 15% of the Trading House Partnership shares to the Prophets Guild.
00:20:18Let him sign tonight.
00:20:19He vanished without a sound into the servant's passage.
00:20:23Aunt Petunia glared at me from the far end of the table.
00:20:26Her stare as if she wanted to swallow me whole.
00:20:29I smiled at her and raised my goblet.
00:20:32She had no idea.
00:20:34Once her husband signed that contract tonight, the master of the Sterling Trading House would no longer be him.
00:20:40That night, when Liam returned early from Seraphina's tavern banquet,
00:20:45I was in the library of Kensington Castle.
00:20:51He stood in the doorway, collar loose, the smell of drink clinging to him.
00:20:57She was too noisy, and the cake was too sweet.
00:21:01I didn't answer.
00:21:02Kept reading the book in my hand.
00:21:05The next morning, Arthur burst into the breakfast room and slammed a handwritten news sheet before me.
00:21:15He read out the title loudly in front of Beatrice and Liam.
00:21:21Lady Kensington bribes Academy Proctor.
00:21:24Shame on you, Skye.
00:21:25You spent 200,000 gold pieces to buy your entrance exam result?
00:21:30Beatrice picked up the news sheet.
00:21:32Her hawk-headed cane was nearly pressed against my face,
00:21:35forging documents to frame a family member in order to manipulate guild share prices.
00:21:40I raised my head and looked directly at Arthur.
00:21:43In the crown court.
00:21:45That is called insider trading.
00:21:50Would you like me to write to the sheriff right now?
00:21:55Arthur's face drained to ash and pale.
00:21:59He stumbled three steps backward, crashed into the tea trolley behind him.
00:22:05To avoid being disturbed, I shall move to my residence in the city, to focus on my studies.
00:22:12Liam wanted to stop it, but didn't know how.
00:22:16I moved to the resident prepared by Alistair, registered under a shell trading house.
00:22:22The second night after moving in, I pushed open the window and stepped onto the stone balcony.
00:22:29Isn't this the lady who kicked me in the examination hall?
00:22:34On the neighboring balcony stood a figure that seemed all too familiar.
00:22:39I moved into the most expensive tower in the city, and the only view is you?
00:22:45Lord Vance, this is my balcony, not your private view.
00:22:49He grinned.
00:22:54I turned my back to him, and couldn't help laughing either.
00:23:00She thinks she can escape me just by moving into the city?
00:23:04Just as his words faded, heavy footsteps sounded from the far end of the corridor.
00:23:10It was Serafina's shrill laughter.
00:23:12I have enrolled in the academy courses as well, she can't get rid of me.
00:23:16She was clinging to my husband, passing right by my door, deliberately making every word ring loud and clear.
00:23:25I closed the door and leaned back against the oak.
00:23:28Then I smiled.
00:23:29She was right.
00:23:31I really couldn't get rid of her.
00:23:34But every inch of ground she stood upon was already in the palm of my hand.
00:23:40The most difficult subject in the cathedral school, canon property law and Hanseatic League commercial code.
00:23:45I stood at the lectern, presenting my argument, but dark spots appeared before my eyes.
00:23:51I've gone through so many things over the past few days, and my body betraying me.
00:23:55Sky! Open your eyes!
00:23:57My knees hit the stone floor first.
00:24:00Someone caught me in the haze.
00:24:01Ethan lifted me into his arms.
00:24:04The wooden door crashed open.
00:24:06Liam stood there.
00:24:07When he saw me lying in Ethan's arms, his face twisted from shock into pure fury in an instant.
00:24:14Give her to me!
00:24:16She fainted.
00:24:17She needs air.
00:24:19If you touch my wife again, I will have you thrown out of this academy.
00:24:25Liam snatched me from him and carried me toward the door.
00:24:30I only remember one thing.
00:24:32Liam's hands were trembling.
00:24:33The infirmary sister at the Abbey Hospital loosened my clothing to examine me.
00:24:40She has countless wounds on her body, some still healing.
00:24:45Are these from...
00:24:45She fell down the stairs a few days ago.
00:24:48A bad fall.
00:24:49The sister did not dare press further.
00:24:52One did not press a Kensington.
00:24:54Move back to the estate.
00:24:58No.
00:24:58I can have the academy suspend you on medical grounds.
00:25:02Then I shall announce to the entire city that the Kensington family imprisons its wives.
00:25:09You may stay in the tower.
00:25:11I will hire a nutritionist and a coachman.
00:25:13You will dine with me every fortnight.
00:25:16Agreed.
00:25:16He was happy, thinking that I was once again that obedient wife.
00:25:20I needed to stay close enough to track every move of the Kensington Trading House.
00:25:26A few days later, I rode alone to the Black Fox Inn outside the city walls.
00:25:33Ethan was in a private room on the second floor, surrounded by three minstrel girls laughing at his jokes.
00:25:41Is that Skye?
00:25:42What wind blows you here?
00:25:43I walked up to him and slapped a stack of parchment onto the table.
00:25:47Your records of evading the Lord's tariffs at the flamish trading post.
00:25:51How did you...
00:25:54Retrieve from the wastebasket in Liam's study.
00:25:56Next time, I may not be there to clean up your tracks.
00:26:02Why are you helping me?
00:26:04I need an ally who is not afraid of the Kensington's.
00:26:07He was silent for a long moment, then raised his goblet.
00:26:13You are far more terrifying than I imagined.
00:26:16I turned and pushed open the door.
00:26:18All I saw were the same meddlesome scribes.
00:26:22They specifically compiled the whispered conversations they overheard
00:26:26into sharp anonymous letters and sold them to all the noble in the city.
00:26:31Lady Kensington, in a midnight rendezvous with Lord Vance.
00:26:34I quickly made my way through the crowd without explanation.
00:26:42Behind me came the sound of hoofbeats.
00:26:44Alistair's men were sent to escort me.
00:26:46The moment I slipped into the carriage,
00:26:48I took out a note and handed it to the driver.
00:26:52Tell Thorne,
00:26:54Kensington Trading House shares price will full tomorrow.
00:26:56Let him buy it.
00:26:59The next morning,
00:27:00Liam saw the contents of that anonymous letter.
00:27:04Screw you, Ethan!
00:27:06How dare you mess around with a Kensington!
00:27:10He shattered his wine goblet against the wall.
00:27:12That very evening,
00:27:14Liam stood at the door of my tower.
00:27:16A lantern gripped in his hand.
00:27:18Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock!
00:27:22You will attend the Lord's banquet with me tomorrow,
00:27:24wearing the dress I give you.
00:27:26No.
00:27:27Then I will withdraw your tuition,
00:27:29and the lease is on this tower.
00:27:30You want a performance?
00:27:32My appearance fee is 5,000 gold pieces.
00:27:35The money belongs to me personally,
00:27:37and I want it right now.
00:27:38He ground his teeth,
00:27:40and wrote out a contract on the spot.
00:27:47the following dusk the maid he sent arrived in my chamber carrying a pale pink satin gown
00:27:54docile sweet like the serafina he had in his mind i casually threw it on the floor
00:28:01and then took out another one from my closet
00:28:05i was not wearing the pink he gave me i wore a gown of deep crimson velvet the neckline cut
00:28:10devastatingly low bare from collar bow downward liam stood at the foot of the stairs staring up at
00:28:17me let's get in the carriage when he handed me into the carriage his hand lingered on my waist
00:28:30far longer than necessary inside the carriage he stared at my bosom like a man looking at something
00:28:38he had never truly possessed at the banquet i walked on his arm and smiled he deflected every
00:28:47question for me when he spoke his voice carried a note of pride i had never once heard in five
00:28:53years
00:28:53of marriage my dear when he thought no one was listening he called me that in a low whisper
00:29:02i did not answer acted as if i didn't hear it i only looked at the second floor gallery
00:29:08there sat alistair he raised his glass ever so slightly i will wait for you
00:29:16to finish the whole performance that night when we returned to kensington castle beatrice locked us in
00:29:22the bedroom i have had the kitchen prepare the family's ancestral tonic two bowls of steaming herbal
00:29:28broth were placed on the table this soup was so familiar she had forced it upon me in my previous
00:29:34life drink every drop liam you as well sky she watched liam swallow most of his bowl before turning
00:29:42to me drink it all every last drop i raised the spoon to my lips and each time she turned
00:29:48her head
00:29:48to berate a servant i spat the liquid into the napkin on my lap then two guards escorted liam and
00:29:54me back to
00:29:54the bedroom and locked the door liam's face was already flushed crimson he tore at his collar and
00:30:00stumbled toward me his gaze unfocused
00:30:06sarah he looked at me with deep affection saying seraphina's name i tightened my grip on the candlestack
00:30:13on the table the moment liam's hand caught the hem of my gown i smashed the candlestick onto his head
00:30:21he crashed onto the carpet
00:30:29my head what happened last night i was already seated in the chair by the window
00:30:36i handed him a cup of water
00:30:40you drank grandmother's herbal toner last night and collapsed
00:30:44you struck your head on the stone mantle he nodded didn't press further
00:30:51i went to the study
00:30:54on the desk lay an anonymous letter accusing me of being involved with ethan
00:31:00i picked it up the paper has faint lines on it belonging to a certain family tiffany's family
00:31:07she was seraphina's attendant
00:31:11i wrote a letter to alistair to have him keep an eye on tiffany
00:31:15the front gate of the castle was broken open
00:31:17arthur and petunia got out of the carriage and rushed straight to the study
00:31:22that land was purchased with sterling family fields
00:31:26it turned out the king had announced that the mine would be officially designated
00:31:31as a royal free market
00:31:33the profits belong to the family
00:31:36your father signed this document before he died
00:31:40all land transactions must be approved by the family council
00:31:44arthur held a parchment in his hand
00:31:46i took a look
00:31:47after father's stroke his right hand had a persistent tremor
00:31:51this signature is far too steady
00:31:53he froze where he stood
00:31:55his mouth opening and closing wordlessly
00:31:57furthermore i have already sold that land
00:32:00to alistair
00:32:03do you have the courage to go demand it from him
00:32:09arthur's face turned pale instantly
00:32:11that night i arranged to meet alistair at the lookout terrace
00:32:15of the grandest hotel in town
00:32:19once the market opens the flow of goods will triple
00:32:22my mercenaries will clear the mountain passes
00:32:24you will spread the word
00:32:25spread across the chamber was an enormous parchment map
00:32:28every trade route of the northlands traced in full
00:32:32he stood at the far side of the map
00:32:34both hands braced on the table's edge
00:32:36how did you know that abandoned quarry
00:32:39would become a market
00:32:42so far in advance
00:32:43i
00:32:45because you are the oracle the shadow who sells intelligence to the highest bidder from the darkness
00:32:51my hand holding the quill stopped in midair
00:32:54i spent three years investigating
00:32:57it was not until i met you
00:33:00that all the threads finally wove together
00:33:03i will begin purchasing warehousing rights along the route tomorrow morning
00:33:09his fingers moved across the map
00:33:11while his eyes were fixed on mine
00:33:14do not let the kensingtons reach them first
00:33:17we stood at the second floor railing of the hotel
00:33:20the draft contract for the next harbor warehousing rights spread between us
00:33:25sky
00:33:25liam charged onto the second floor
00:33:28he saw only me
00:33:29and the other man standing beside me
00:33:31you're here with this traitor
00:33:33his mouth opened to roar
00:33:35i lifted the silver pitcher of ice water from the side table
00:33:38and dashed the entire contents into his face
00:33:44what
00:33:45everyone in the hotel was watching him
00:33:48the inn's head guard
00:33:49climbed the stairs and placed a firm hand on liam's shoulder
00:33:53my lord
00:33:54this way
00:33:57i looked down at the damp wrinkled edge of the contract
00:34:00and smoothed it flat once more
00:34:03by the third port
00:34:05on the western shore
00:34:06that is the location he will think to seize last
00:34:11understood
00:34:17he raised his glass to me with the slightest tilt
00:34:21alistair drove me back to the tower
00:34:28and stood at the foot of the stone steps
00:34:30for a long while
00:34:32the next morning
00:34:33my maid returned from the kensington estate
00:34:36last night his lordship sat alone in the study
00:34:39the butler passed by and heard him weeping
00:34:41i did not respond
00:34:43the maid kept saying
00:34:45facing the fireplace
00:34:46not a single word spoken
00:34:49just being there until dawn
00:34:51five years ago
00:34:52his tears would have kept me awake all night
00:34:59now
00:34:59i only wanted to confirm one thing
00:35:03late that night
00:35:04i changed into a dark riding habit
00:35:09the night watchman was already passed out drunk in the gatehouse
00:35:16the whole castle was silent
00:35:18as a stone sarcophagus
00:35:19i climbed the stairs barefoot
00:35:24the will box
00:35:25my mother had left behind
00:35:26and the emerald ring
00:35:28inside it
00:35:30i had to find it
00:35:32the former master chamber
00:35:34had stood empty
00:35:34since i moved out
00:35:35dust covered the vanity table
00:35:37the wardrobe held only a few
00:35:39gray plain dresses
00:35:40i opened the hidden compartment
00:35:42of the jewelry box
00:35:42it was empty
00:35:43you shouldn't have come back
00:35:45the voice was a ghost
00:35:47a memory i had tried to bury
00:35:49you came back
00:35:50i knew you would come back
00:35:51i smelled the alcohol
00:35:53empty bottles scattered at his feet
00:35:55liam sat in the armchair by the window
00:35:57he rose
00:35:58and stumbled toward me
00:36:00sky
00:36:01my sky
00:36:03his fingers twisted into my hair
00:36:04you are mine
00:36:05always have been
00:36:07he bent his face down
00:36:08trying to kiss me
00:36:09for the purpose of possession
00:36:10let go
00:36:15i will not let go
00:36:16you are my wife
00:36:17i fought back
00:36:18his hands tightened
00:36:19my nails raked across his left cheek
00:36:22you
00:36:22he stumbled backward
00:36:24the back of his skull
00:36:25striking the stone mantelpiece
00:36:27with a dull heavy thunt
00:36:30you disgust me
00:36:31i finally found
00:36:32a hidden compartment in the bed
00:36:34and inside it
00:36:35was precisely that emerald ring
00:36:36i turned around without hesitation
00:36:38and stepped directly out of the door
00:36:41behind me came the sound
00:36:42of his strangled broken sobs
00:36:43back in my tower
00:36:45i wrote a formal notice
00:36:46by candlelight
00:36:47on the envelope i wrote the lombard bank's address
00:36:50all joint deposit agreements of the kensington household
00:36:52are suspended from this day forward
00:36:54without the personal presence of this lady bearing her seal
00:36:57no one is authorized to withdraw funds
00:37:00or make purchases on credit
00:37:01today a shipment of eastern silk had arrived at the town drapers
00:37:05i knew seraphina would drag liam there to buy
00:37:09she never missed a chance to show off
00:37:11liam
00:37:12i want this one
00:37:13buy the whole bolt
00:37:15just as i expected
00:37:17when i entered the upper gallery
00:37:19her voice was already drifting up from below
00:37:21my sarah deserves the best
00:37:23i'll buy you everything
00:37:27i leaned against the upper railing and just watched
00:37:32my lord
00:37:33the order from the lombard banking house arrived this morning
00:37:37the funds under your name
00:37:39can only be accessed with your wife's consent
00:37:43what
00:37:43this must be a misunderstanding
00:37:47liam
00:37:48tell him it's a misunderstanding
00:37:49no
00:37:52it was i who suspended them
00:37:56i walked slowly down the stairs
00:37:58the moment liam saw me
00:38:00his pupils contracted
00:38:05you
00:38:08that bolt of silk
00:38:10i'll take it
00:38:11yes my lady
00:38:12next day
00:38:13when i walked into the academy courtyard in a fresh new dress
00:38:16i found the stone walls plastered with news sheets
00:38:19lady kensington's midnight rendezvous with the vaunt scoundrel
00:38:24ethan was already standing before the wall
00:38:27tearing down every sheet one by one
00:38:31who posted these
00:38:33step forward
00:38:35behind the stone pillars of the second floor arcade
00:38:39seraphina stood there
00:38:40a smile curling her lips
00:38:43i pulled down one of the sheets
00:38:47and caught a strange scent
00:38:51calm down ethan
00:38:52but they
00:38:53i'll figure it out
00:38:54i passed a note to the guard alistair had assigned me
00:39:00i wrote down the person who did this
00:39:03and asked alistair to help me find the evidence
00:39:06that afternoon
00:39:07i walked along the path
00:39:11jessica and tiffany
00:39:12each carried a silver tray
00:39:14laden with cream cakes
00:39:15the cream far darker than normal
00:39:19oh
00:39:20jessica tripped as she passed me
00:39:22her whole body tilted towards me
00:39:24and the cake flew straight at my chest
00:39:27i sidesteaded
00:39:28the cream cake crashed onto the ground
00:39:31and splattered all over tiffany's dress
00:39:36my dress
00:39:37this is brand new
00:39:39students heard the sound and gathered around
00:39:45you two
00:39:45stay away from her
00:39:49ethan stormed through the gate
00:39:50and backed both girls into the corner
00:39:52seraphina squeezed out from the crowd
00:39:55a copper coin pinched between her fingers
00:39:57sky
00:39:58this is for you
00:40:00i heard
00:40:01that you are broke
00:40:03you must be distressed
00:40:04i took one step forward
00:40:06closing the distance until barely a palm's width separated us
00:40:09next time you ask jessica's family workshop to transcribe your little news sheets
00:40:14tell them not to use their own special ink
00:40:17that smell
00:40:17too obvious
00:40:18the copper coin slipped from her fingers
00:40:21and clinked across the ground into the puddle of grease
00:40:26she stood rooted where she was
00:40:28her lips trembling
00:40:29you
00:40:30are lying
00:40:31a few days later
00:40:34i deliberately took a carriage
00:40:36to an estate
00:40:37perched on the seaside cliffs
00:40:41a property my mother had left behind
00:40:43held in trust by the abbey all these years
00:40:50seraphina had followed my carriage all the way to the iron gates
00:40:54what kind of rural area does she go to
00:40:57so isolated
00:41:00she watched me walk through the estate entrance
00:41:03gates she could not pass
00:41:05this estate belongs to the sterling family trust
00:41:09purchased 11 years ago
00:41:11by the late lady eleanor sterling
00:41:13the sole beneficiary
00:41:15is sky sterling
00:41:19impossible
00:41:22liam said you were broke
00:41:28seraphina clutched the iron bars
00:41:31and sank to her knees on the gravel
00:41:40you've spent all his money
00:41:42and still hanging around there
00:41:44this estate was left to me by my mother
00:41:46long before i ever knew liam
00:41:48the fishermen and estate servants standing nearby
00:41:52exchanged glances
00:41:54please
00:41:56give him back to me
00:41:58give his money back to me
00:42:01i turned and walked through the gates
00:42:04without looking back
00:42:06two days later
00:42:07the college representative summoned all the people
00:42:09jessica mills
00:42:11posting defamatory illustrations
00:42:13the evidence is conclusive
00:42:15suspension for one term
00:42:17no
00:42:17it was seraphina
00:42:19she told me to do it
00:42:25jessica
00:42:25how could you say that
00:42:27you're lying
00:42:29tiffany you were there
00:42:32tiffany kept her head down
00:42:34and said nothing at all
00:42:35see i even wrote her letters
00:42:37urging her not to do anything foolish
00:42:40seraphina pulled out some letters
00:42:42she had clearly prepared long before
00:42:43it read the words he said to jessica
00:42:45after the hearing
00:42:47jessica sat in a corner
00:42:48sobbing
00:42:51i passed by
00:42:52she was never your friend
00:42:58you are just a tool
00:43:00the next day
00:43:01the debate examination results were posted
00:43:05next to my name was written the highest grade
00:43:09seraphina stood a few paces behind me
00:43:11staring fixedly at me
00:43:13beside her own name was written only one word
00:43:16fail
00:43:19that evening
00:43:20the quinn family held a banquet at their cliff castle
00:43:23celebrating harper's return
00:43:25harper quinn
00:43:26my childhood friend
00:43:27just returned from studying weaving in milan
00:43:30sky you've finally come
00:43:31this blue silk gown is stunning
00:43:34i stood by the terrace
00:43:36and watched seraphina squeeze through a side entrance
00:43:41she was dragging a man behind her
00:43:43alderick
00:43:45the freight steward of kensington trading
00:43:47notorious for gambling at the dockside taverns
00:43:50seraphina held an empty glass and walked up to me
00:43:56refill
00:43:56quickly
00:43:59you may be mistaken
00:44:00those wearing black are the servants
00:44:03i am wearing blue silk
00:44:06you're nothing but
00:44:12steward alderick
00:44:13kensington's internal audit
00:44:16is currently reviewing your freight accounts
00:44:20are you certain bringing her here tonight was a wise decision
00:44:23she begged me to bring her
00:44:25she said if i'd be her escort
00:44:28she'd help pay my gambling debts
00:44:30alderick shut up
00:44:31the hall erupted in murmurs
00:44:35remove the trash
00:44:37she's disturbing the guest's enjoyment
00:44:50lord kensington has my back
00:44:53you cannot treat me like this
00:44:55let go
00:44:56she screamed the whole way as two guards dragged her out by the arms
00:45:04no one looked back
00:45:06that night
00:45:07i returned to my tower
00:45:09the maid brought me the news
00:45:12my lady
00:45:13his lordship
00:45:14has taken lady seraphina
00:45:16into the castle
00:45:18he has placed her in one of the guest chambers
00:45:23go to my old chamber
00:45:24clear out everything that belongs to her
00:45:28do not let her scent touch a single thread of mine
00:45:31the next day
00:45:33my maid burst into my room
00:45:37my lady
00:45:38the dowager lady beatrice
00:45:40would not accept that mistress
00:45:41she stormed into the castle
00:45:42and threw that mistress out
00:45:44his lordship even had to sell his personal carriage
00:45:47just to find a place to put her
00:45:51that evening
00:45:52i went to a private room
00:45:53on the second floor of the black fox inn
00:45:55not for seraphina's misfortune
00:45:57but to celebrate that the lombard banking house
00:46:00had finally made the freeze
00:46:02on all kensington joint deposit agreements permanent
00:46:06the door crashed open
00:46:08liam stood in the doorway
00:46:10his eyes bloodshot
00:46:12sky
00:46:13you're here celebrating
00:46:15how dare you
00:46:18he charged forward
00:46:19and seized my wrist
00:46:21i dashed the wine in my glass
00:46:23straight into his face
00:46:26his head swiveled
00:46:27and he caught sight of alistair
00:46:29seated in the corner booth
00:46:31he threw a punch
00:46:36alistair caught the fist
00:46:37with a single hand
00:46:39he wrenched liam's arm
00:46:41behind his back
00:46:41and shoved him hard
00:46:42against the stone wall
00:46:43go back to your own guest
00:46:45kensington
00:46:50then he lifted me bodily
00:46:52from the chair
00:46:55as he carried me past liam
00:46:56he glanced down at him once
00:46:58the next morning
00:47:00i woke in my own chamber
00:47:03alistair was seated in the chair
00:47:05beside my bed
00:47:05holding a cup of hot tea
00:47:07toward me
00:47:09you were terribly drunk last night
00:47:11drink this tea
00:47:13my lady
00:47:14lord kensington
00:47:15is downstairs
00:47:16he says he wishes
00:47:18to see you
00:47:19from this day forward
00:47:21i do not receive
00:47:22his messages
00:47:25alistair kept his head down
00:47:27slicing an apple
00:47:29the corner of his mouth
00:47:31lifted
00:47:31nearly imperceptible
00:47:35theatris stormed into my tower
00:47:38that very afternoon
00:47:39liam's trust fund
00:47:41has been frozen
00:47:41if you are going to leave
00:47:43leave quietly
00:47:46the kensington trading house
00:47:48cannot survive a second scandal
00:47:50very well
00:47:51but i have conditions
00:47:54i took out the two sheets
00:47:55of parchment
00:47:56i had prepared long before
00:47:58and pushed them across the desk
00:48:00first
00:48:01the deed to my mother's seaside villa
00:48:04is to be transferred to my name immediately
00:48:06second
00:48:08i will no longer bear any joint guarantee for kensington's debts
00:48:12she stared at me for a long long moment
00:48:17you
00:48:17you prepared these ahead of time
00:48:20please sign
00:48:21she signed her name
00:48:23stroke by stroke
00:48:25you no longer have the kensington family support
00:48:27no
00:48:28it is the kensington family that no longer has me
00:48:31liam's messenger still appeared at my tower door every day
00:48:36he said he wanted to see me
00:48:38very well
00:48:38let him sign over the right of way deed
00:48:41for that old post road to me
00:48:47what do you want with this useless post road
00:48:49sign or not
00:48:51i'll sign
00:48:53but i have one condition
00:48:54you will attend the hanseatic league celebration tomorrow with me
00:48:58and we will be a loving couple
00:49:01deal
00:49:03he didn't know this abandoned post road would become
00:49:06the throat through which all northland's freight must pass
00:49:10when i walked into the hall on liam's arm
00:49:12the right of way deed bearing the kensington wax seal
00:49:15was already tucked inside my sleeve
00:49:17he just signed it
00:49:20harper's maid intercepted me in the corridor
00:49:22her voice trembling
00:49:24my lady
00:49:25the quinn family's cargo ship was seized at the harbor
00:49:28an entire shipment of silk from milan
00:49:30anonymously reported for concealing contraband
00:49:34it was liam
00:49:37i pushed open the wooden doors of the banquet hall
00:49:39cut through the crowd
00:49:41and walked straight up to liam
00:49:44i put a sheet of parchment into his palm
00:49:46what is this
00:49:49these are the transfer records
00:49:51of paying off the gambling debts of seraphina's mother
00:49:55do you want the whole city to know
00:49:56that you used the kensington's money
00:49:59to support your mistress's family
00:50:03you
00:50:04how did you get these
00:50:07how did you
00:50:09withdraw the complaint against the quinn trading house
00:50:12or everyone here will know it
00:50:18i'll send someone to the harbor
00:50:21good
00:50:27that day i went to the seaside estate my mother had left me
00:50:31harper came and stayed with me
00:50:34another letter from liam arrived
00:50:38he's moved in as well
00:50:39the same estate
00:50:40the same gate
00:50:44i looked out of the window
00:50:45and saw a small stone house
00:50:47next to the seaside estate
00:50:51liam used the remaining money
00:50:52to buy the place
00:50:54today is the day they move in
00:50:58sky
00:50:5980 years ago
00:51:00it housed the grooms and laundry women
00:51:02no fireplace
00:51:03only a coal stove
00:51:06does she know
00:51:07she's standing at the doorway
00:51:09bossing the servants around
00:51:10i don't think so
00:51:19a few days later
00:51:21i found ethan in the academy library
00:51:25i placed a blank invitation
00:51:27to the vance family's year-end banquet
00:51:29before him
00:51:29let seraphina get hold of this
00:51:32let her fill in her own name
00:51:38my brother julian will check
00:51:40he won't stop it
00:51:41and the truth was julian had already learned everything through his intelligence network
00:51:46he agreed as well
00:51:51the night of the banquet
00:51:52seraphina arrived in an outrageous gown
00:51:55of layered pink tulle
00:51:56she swept into the hall
00:51:59on liam's arm
00:52:02seraphina
00:52:03jessica burst out
00:52:04holding a stack of parchment
00:52:06iou notes
00:52:07high above her head
00:52:08she owes me money
00:52:10she swindled even my living allowance
00:52:12to pay off her gambling debts
00:52:14you're lying
00:52:15seraphina collapsed dramatically to the floor
00:52:18in a performance worthy of the stage
00:52:20seraphina
00:52:20don't embarrass yourself here
00:52:22unexpectedly
00:52:23she was exposed by liam
00:52:25seraphina was extremely anxious
00:52:27and desperately sought another way
00:52:29to salvage the situation
00:52:31seraphina looked around the room
00:52:33and grabbed her own shoulder strapu
00:52:35and tore it with all her strength
00:52:36the tool ripped apart at her fingertips
00:52:38with a shriek
00:52:39ethan vance
00:52:40it was you
00:52:41you reached out and touched me during the chaos
00:52:44you tried to rip my gown
00:52:45what did you say
00:52:46i never came anywhere near you
00:52:48just now
00:52:49when you passed by me
00:52:52ethan
00:52:52did you touch her
00:52:54touch who
00:52:55i've been standing here the whole time
00:52:57the nobles murmured among themselves
00:52:59some gazes already shifting toward ethan
00:53:01her hand remained pressed against the shoulder strap
00:53:04not to cover it
00:53:06but to display it
00:53:07a figure
00:53:08descended slowly from the spiral staircase
00:53:10landing on the second floor
00:53:12my attendant was standing behind the third pillar on the eastern side
00:53:17his position faced directly towards this lady's skirts
00:53:20i asked him
00:53:23who tore the gown
00:53:25it was this lady
00:53:26she tore it herself
00:53:39take her out
00:53:48after the banquet ended
00:53:50alistair found me on the terrace
00:53:51hatred is the stepping stone to indifference
00:53:55then he lowered his head
00:53:57and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead
00:54:01that very same night
00:54:02after the banquet ended
00:54:04liam cornered me in a bend of the stone corridor
00:54:09stop right there
00:54:14when no one was looking
00:54:16he ceased to see my hair
00:54:19and shoved me into the shadows
00:54:21where the carriages waited
00:54:23that post road
00:54:24that post road right of way
00:54:25you knew it would increase in value
00:54:27you tricked me
00:54:29it was a fair trade
00:54:31no one forced you when you signed
00:54:33you are mine
00:54:36you are not to stand beside him
00:54:39his fingers dug into my throat
00:54:43his eyes red as a mad dog's
00:54:46i did not struggle
00:54:47i looked at him quietly
00:54:50squeeze harder
00:54:52then tomorrow the whole county will know
00:54:55that lord kensington is a murderer
00:54:57you
00:54:58he froze
00:54:59his hand loosened
00:55:01i drew out the small copper mirror i carried with me
00:55:04and examined the marks blooming on my throat
00:55:06you'd better pray
00:55:08that everyone believes
00:55:10these scratches were just an accident
00:55:12the next morning liam appeared at my tower door again
00:55:15in his hands
00:55:17a bouquet of white roses
00:55:18and a small velvet box
00:55:20sky
00:55:21let me in
00:55:23i've thrown seraphina out
00:55:25let's start over
00:55:30this ring
00:55:32it's bigger than the last one
00:55:34liam
00:55:35you can't leave me
00:55:36before i could speak
00:55:38seraphina came charging up
00:55:39clutching her skirts
00:55:42you promised me
00:55:43why did you follow me
00:55:48you came here to give her a ring
00:55:51what am i to you
00:55:58i reached out and took the velvet box
00:56:02liam's eyes lit up
00:56:04then i took two steps toward the door and hurled it out
00:56:06get out
00:56:08both of you
00:56:14a few days later
00:56:16the kensington family held a charity banquet at the castle
00:56:20i came
00:56:21not for liam
00:56:23but to announce something
00:56:25i wore a black gown with a plunging necklight
00:56:28no jewels adorned my throat
00:56:30only a thin dusting of pearl powder over the bruise
00:56:34on her neck
00:56:35on her neck
00:56:35are those finger marks
00:56:37don't stare
00:56:41ladies and gentlemen
00:56:43this is a respected notary clerk of the cathedral
00:56:46and i have invited him to announce the divorce
00:56:49he stopped in the center of the banquet hall
00:56:52and publicly unfurled a parchment petition
00:56:58sky sterling
00:56:59on grounds of her husband's open concubinage and physical assault
00:57:04after hearing the reason
00:57:05the guests stared at my scar
00:57:07and the entire hall fell silent
00:57:10hereby formally submits to the diocesan bishop's court
00:57:13a preliminary petition
00:57:14for separation maintenance
00:57:16and annulment
00:57:17liam stood at the far end
00:57:19wine glass clutched in his hand
00:57:21rooted to the spot as if nailed there
00:57:27sky
00:57:27you can't
00:57:29i already have
00:57:31after the banquet was over
00:57:33when i was about to get into the carriage
00:57:36liam caught up with me
00:57:40sky
00:57:41have you really made up your mind
00:57:43i ignored him
00:57:44and got into the carriage directly
00:57:48he kept standing at the door
00:57:51but it seemed that he was looking at the carriage
00:57:55rather than at me
00:58:03after the banquet
00:58:04my carriage traveled along the coastal mountain road
00:58:06my lady
00:58:07the carriage is speeding up
00:58:09the brake rope is broken
00:58:12there's a sharp bend ahead
00:58:16i pulled aside the curtain
00:58:19ahead was a sharp bend
00:58:20beyond it the cliff
00:58:22the coachman hauled distressfully on the reins
00:58:24but the brake cords not had been cut
00:58:26pull to the inside
00:58:28scrape the wheels against the cliff
00:58:36the carriage came to a halt
00:58:38less than two feet from the cliff's edge
00:58:44i scrambled out of the carriage
00:58:45and crawled beneath it
00:58:46the axle pin had been deliberately sawed through
00:58:49this was no accident
00:58:52it was murder
00:58:57i told the coachman to drive straight to the converted servants quarters
00:59:01where liam was living
00:59:02i pushed open the door
00:59:03he sat on the chair
00:59:05staring into a mug of cheap ale
00:59:08at this hour
00:59:09i threw the broken fragments of the axle pin onto the floor before him
00:59:13he stared at the pieces
00:59:14his eyes wide with shock
00:59:17you sought it through yourself to frame me
00:59:19what did you say
00:59:22this is exactly the sort of thing you would do
00:59:24i suddenly laughed
00:59:26i knew it wasn't him
00:59:28he didn't dare to do that
00:59:29it was victor
00:59:30my cousin
00:59:31he holds a grudge against me
00:59:33because i didn't give him his share from the sterling trading house
00:59:39the next morning
00:59:40i set out for the sterling trading house council of elders
00:59:43victor had stolen a carriage
00:59:45and came charging out
00:59:47from a side track on the mountain road
00:59:51go to hell you bastard
00:59:55my carriage was shoved toward the cliff's edge
00:59:59this guy
01:00:00watch out
01:00:01liam came charging out
01:00:02from the side path on horseback
01:00:06pulled me from the carriage
01:00:07and was himself struck by victor's oncoming cart
01:00:10and thrown violently through the air
01:00:18i was thrown into the brush at the roadside
01:00:23by the time i staggled to my feet
01:00:25victor had already fled
01:00:27liam lay sprawled across the stones
01:00:30his face covered in blood
01:00:34this guy
01:00:35did i
01:00:37did i save you
01:00:38i knelt it beside him
01:00:40looking down at this man i had once hated
01:00:43yes
01:00:43you saved me
01:00:45the sisters from the abbey infirmary
01:00:47brought liam into the sick room
01:00:51i stood outside the door
01:00:53holding a bowl of hot broth
01:00:55then i saw seraphina hurrying
01:00:58from the far end of the corridor
01:00:59she fell to her knees beside his bed at the moment she entered
01:01:03liam
01:01:04wake up
01:01:06it's me sarah
01:01:08sky
01:01:09where is she
01:01:12sky is fine
01:01:14she doesn't care about you
01:01:16she's already left
01:01:17he tightened his grip on seraphina's hand
01:01:22liam's eyes were closed
01:01:23i stood outside the door holding the bowl of broth
01:01:26silent for a moment
01:01:27then i turned around
01:01:29set the bowl down on the stone ledge in the corridor
01:01:33and walked away
01:01:35three days later
01:01:36i appeared before the council of elders of the sterling trading house
01:01:40wrapped in a nun's cloak with my arm still banded
01:01:43alistair marched victor in
01:01:44bruised and bloodied
01:01:46and laid out the evidence of his attempted murder piece by piece on the long table
01:01:51it wasn't me
01:01:53i did nothing
01:01:54victor sterling
01:01:56you are permanently expelled from the sterling trading house
01:02:00escort him to the sheriff's goal
01:02:04arthur sat in the corner and said not a single word throughout the entire proceeding
01:02:08he merely trembled as he signed the last document
01:02:12all partnership shares of sterling firm are hereby fully entrusted to sky sterling for management
01:02:18that evening
01:02:19i returned to the infirmary
01:02:21the sister still needed to finish my treatment
01:02:24i leaned against the headboard
01:02:26leafing through the sterling trading ledgers
01:02:30the ledgers can wait another hour
01:02:32let the sister examine your wounds first
01:02:35what are you doing here
01:02:36seeing you
01:02:37and and also
01:02:39he turned and instructed his attendant to summon the sister
01:02:42yes sir
01:02:43i'll fetch the sister at once
01:02:45while you stay here in lady sterling's room and attend to her personally
01:02:49her voice pitched neither loud nor soft
01:02:52just exactly loud enough to carry down the corridor
01:02:54you did that on purpose
01:02:56of course
01:02:57in another sick room not far away
01:03:00liam lay in his bed
01:03:04he heard every single word that attendant spoke
01:03:07a moment later the sound of a clay water jug shattering against a stone wall was loud enough to reach
01:03:13even my chamber
01:03:13he's angry
01:03:14i sat by the candlelight folding a letter on the envelope was written
01:03:18to the diocesan bishop's court
01:03:24the next day i returned to the sterling firm and found a bookkeeper's office to start working
01:03:32liam came to the door immediately
01:03:35if you don't withdraw the separation petition i'll have every trading house and freight guild in the county blacklist you
01:03:42i watched him tap his walking stick on the stone floor with a loud thud
01:03:45sterling trading won't get a single order
01:03:50you came all the way here just to say that
01:03:52i took out a ledger from the drawer
01:03:57you withdrew a large sum of money from the kensington firm's bank account
01:04:01to buy a country house for seraphina
01:04:04you refused to cover the cost of my emergency treatment at the monastery hospital
01:04:10everything you ever did to me is recorded here
01:04:12every single entry
01:04:14i pushed the ledger towards him
01:04:16go ahead and issue your blacklist
01:04:19you still don't know who you're messing with
01:04:22this isn't over
01:04:24he was silent for a long while
01:04:26then left those words behind and turned away on his cane
01:04:31his lame leg caught on the threshold
01:04:35no one helped him
01:04:38his revenge came faster than i expected
01:04:41the next day the most popular minstrel under the sterling harrison came to me
01:04:51no matter what it takes i will terminate the contract with you
01:04:55i didn't fight it
01:04:56i signed his release without even claiming the penalty fee
01:05:02then i sent word to the countryside to find someone every noble castle had turned away
01:05:07gabriel
01:05:08an indigent poet
01:05:09who had offended a lord with his satirical verses
01:05:12and had been unemployable ever since
01:05:14shave him
01:05:15cut his hair
01:05:19put him in a clean linen shirt
01:05:21my lady
01:05:23are you certain it's me you want
01:05:26it is you
01:05:27sign this contract
01:05:29and sterling trading will pay for your grandmother's medical care
01:05:35and you
01:05:37you only have to sing
01:05:39my waste quarry
01:05:41was no longer called waste
01:05:44the king's decree had been issued the royal free market was officially open
01:05:52stalls converted from old mine carts lined the stone paved path
01:05:56and at the center stood an open air minstrel stage
01:06:00my lady
01:06:03how many people are down there
01:06:04when gabriel walked up with his loot
01:06:06the stage was already surrounded by merchants and travelers
01:06:09who had come from every corner of the land
01:06:11more than enough
01:06:12just sing
01:06:13and the glory
01:06:17halfway through it began to rain
01:06:21raindrops struck his strings and soaked his new clothes
01:06:24but not a single person left
01:06:27they
01:06:27didn't leave
01:06:31i told you
01:06:32just sing
01:06:36with the flood of goods pouring in
01:06:38the partnership shares of sterling trading doubled
01:06:43overnight
01:06:46the next morning
01:06:47a banking house messenger stood at the door of my counting room
01:06:52my lady
01:06:53it's lord kensington
01:06:56my lady
01:06:57lord kensington has requested that your trading house's credit be suspended
01:07:01however
01:07:02our banking house has reviewed the matter
01:07:04sterling trading's deposit agreements are held entirely independently from the kensington name
01:07:08therefore
01:07:09the lombard banking house has no authority to intervene
01:07:12yes
01:07:12and we don't intend to do so
01:07:15this is the official reply
01:07:17a copy of which was delivered to lord kensington this morning
01:07:20thank you
01:07:20please convey my gratitude to your chief steward
01:07:24after the banking house messenger left
01:07:26i had a feeling that liam wouldn't give up
01:07:29so
01:07:30i must find a way to completely defeat him
01:07:33when the lombard banking house sent another team of people the next day
01:07:37i knew it was time
01:07:39lord kensington let you come and negotiate in person
01:07:44he wants me to come to the castle
01:07:46so i changed into a plain dress
01:07:48like an obedient wife and returned to the castle i had once fled
01:07:52i walked to the bookkeeper's office door and saw liam inside
01:07:55the joint old debt guarantee account of kensington and sterling is not your personal account
01:08:00you came
01:08:01it has been frozen
01:08:02you need to cooperate with me to thaw it
01:08:04of course
01:08:06but
01:08:07you need to be my assistant for a day
01:08:09do whatever i tell you
01:08:11is that all
01:08:12recopy all of last year's ledgers
01:08:14sorted by month
01:08:16the ink on your desk is running dry
01:08:17refill it
01:08:18when you're done
01:08:20come back and i'll give you the next task
01:08:22fine
01:08:22he leaned back in his chair
01:08:24waiting for me to explode
01:08:26can you
01:08:29find
01:08:30You
Comments