He Fed Me to the Serpents so I Came Back to Ruin Him Exclusive fullmovie

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Transcript

00:00:07I was born to kill serpents, so the Hargrows used me as their perfect shield.

00:00:12In my past life, I entered their cursed hall for Callum, the man I loved.

00:00:17But when the serpent gate opened, he chose Jenna, locked the door, and left me to be devoured.

00:00:22Death gave me one chance to return.

00:00:25I traded my beauty for silver sight and woke up with a scar no man was supposed to love.

00:00:30But I did not come back for love.

00:00:32I came back to watch Callum's devotion rot, expose Jenna's snake magic, and let the serpents choose their real prey.

00:00:39My name's Rowena Whitmore.

00:00:41In my past life, I loved Callum Hargrit so much that it cost me everything.

00:00:45I knew exactly what Hargrit Hall was, a century-old estate built over a sealed serpent gate,

00:00:50rotting from the inside out with ancient venom.

00:00:52I still walked in, for him.

00:00:54Whitmuster blood ran through my veins, and that blood was born to suppress serpents.

00:00:58So when the curse came for Callum, I threw myself in its path and let the poison tear through me

00:01:03instead.

00:01:04What I did not know, what I never saw coming, was that he and Jenna had already decided how my

00:01:08story would end.

00:01:09The venom spread through my body like fire through dry wood.

00:01:12My flesh began to rot from the inside.

00:01:14I still remember every second of that night.

00:01:16The freezing rain, the iron door, and my bloody hands clawing at the gap in the frame.

00:01:20Callum, please.

00:01:20Just open the door.

00:01:21My nails split down to the quick.

00:01:23Blood smeared the cracks.

00:01:24Still, nothing.

00:01:25Then his voice came through, flat and cold, without even a flicker of hesitation.

00:01:29Shut up.

00:01:29Your screaming is scaring Jenna.

00:01:31I'm not opening this door.

00:01:33You're useful in there, so stay there.

00:01:35Keep those monster snakes inside, even if they eat you alive.

00:01:38From the other side of the door, I could hear Jenna crying softly.

00:01:41Then came Callum's voice again, low and gentle, saying things he had never once said to me.

00:01:47You're safe.

00:01:48I've got you.

00:01:50Nothing is going to touch you.

00:01:51I promise.

00:01:52The lock turned.

00:01:53I will never forget that sound.

00:01:55Callum had one arm around Jenna as he sealed me inside.

00:01:59He left me there to die in the dark, surrounded by serpents, and he never looked back.

00:02:04The pain was beyond anything I had words for.

00:02:06It felt like I was being torn apart from the inside out, piece by piece, until even screaming became impossible.

00:02:11When I died, I drifted in silver light, endless, cold, and silent.

00:02:15There was nothing left of me but a thin thread of soul, too broken even to cry.

00:02:19Then a voice fell through the dark like a blade through silk, clear, ancient, and completely without warmth.

00:02:24Child of Whitmore, you died badly.

00:02:28What I offer is not mercy.

00:02:30It is a contract.

00:02:31Give me something, and I will give you what you want.

00:02:36I'll give up my face, my beauty in this life, all of it.

00:02:39In exchange, I want the Lunar Hunt Covenant, the Silver Sight, and one more life.

00:02:43Do you understand what it means to give up your face?

00:02:46I do.

00:02:46Last time, my beauty made it easy for them to use me.

00:02:49I don't need anyone to love my face.

00:02:51I just need to see clearly.

00:02:53Silver light crapped through me like lightning, and I was thrown back into the world of the living.

00:02:57When I opened my eyes, the hissing was gone.

00:03:00The air smelled of incense.

00:03:01I raised a hand to my face and felt it.

00:03:03A scar across my cheek.

00:03:05Faint silver light pulsing beneath it like a wire.

00:03:07It was the mark of the covenant.

00:03:09The price Artemis had carved into my skin.

00:03:11I was back.

00:03:12Back to the morning Eleanor Hargreff came to beg.

00:03:15I stood in front of the mirror and traced the scar with my fingers.

00:03:18Then I smiled.

00:03:19But there was nothing warm left in it.

00:03:22I did not come back to love him.

00:03:24I came back from hell to collect what they owed me.

00:03:27One debt at a time.

00:03:35Rowena, please.

00:03:37I'm begging you.

00:03:38You have to save Callum.

00:03:39The old woman dropped to her knees in front of me, clutching the hem of my dress with both hands

00:03:43and crying like she had nothing left.

00:03:45The death mark carved into Callum's forehead was the final outbreak of decades of serpent resentment buried beneath the Hargrove

00:03:52state.

00:03:53As long as it stayed on him, the curse would keep spreading.

00:03:56And every Hargrove tied to this land by blood would carry the same death sentence.

00:04:02Only a Whitmore could even see the mark.

00:04:04Only a Whitmore could remove it.

00:04:06They needed me.

00:04:08That was a fact.

00:04:09But the only reason I was here was to take back what the Hargroves stole from us.

00:04:13The silver arrow of Whitmore.

00:04:14I stood over Eleanor, looking down at her shaking shoulders, and all I could think of was how she used

00:04:19to call me sweetheart while she watched the flames swallow me alive.

00:04:22I slowly pulled my skirt out of her grip.

00:04:24I can't break the Hargrove curse.

00:04:26There was not a single trace of emotion in my voice.

00:04:28I did not owe her that much.

00:04:30Eleanor nor froze.

00:04:31The invitation in her hands crumbled at the edges.

00:04:33Then Callum walked in from the hallway.

00:04:34He was younger than I remembered.

00:04:36Sharper and more arrogant, with all that ugly pride still sitting right on the surface.

00:04:39His eyes swept over me and stopped on the scar crossing my face.

00:04:42For one second, he went still.

00:04:44The scar was silver, winding across half my cheek and glowing faintly in the morning light.

00:04:48It did not look like an ordinary wound.

00:04:50It looked like something ancient had pressed itself into my skin and left its mark there.

00:04:54His disgust was almost impossible to miss.

00:04:56He turned his face away slightly like he could barely stand to look at it.

00:04:59I noticed.

00:05:00I said nothing.

00:05:02In my past life, I had walked through this same door with an untouched face, and he had smiled at

00:05:06me so beautifully.

00:05:07Every warm word had been perfectly calculated.

00:05:09Now that I had a scar, the mask slipped at once.

00:05:12That told me everything.

00:05:14He did not need a person.

00:05:16He needed a tool.

00:05:17And apparently he preferred his tools pretty.

00:05:19Callum stepped closer, his voice sharp with disbelief.

00:05:22What the hell is that supposed to mean?

00:05:24We came here in good faith, and you won't even give us a reason?

00:05:27You're telling me one curse is too much for a Whitmore?

00:05:30He moved into my space like he was used to people backing down when he did.

00:05:34I only looked at him.

00:05:36Go ahead.

00:05:37Look down on me, Callum.

00:05:39You have no idea that the mark on your forehead is getting darker every day.

00:05:43And the only person in this entire world who can see it,

00:05:46the only one who can take it off you,

00:05:48is standing right in front of you while you make that face at her.

00:05:51Eleanor started crying harder.

00:05:54Her hands shook as she pulled a heavy envelope from her coat.

00:05:57The wax seal bore an old, dark gold crest.

00:06:01We have nowhere else to turn.

00:06:03Please, just look at this.

00:06:05For the sake of what our families once meant to each other.

00:06:09I almost did not bother.

00:06:11But the moment my eyes touched the seal,

00:06:13my silver sight flared.

00:06:14A pulse of silver light cut through the surface of the wax,

00:06:18and beneath it, clear and understakable,

00:06:21was the trace of a Whitmore silver arrow.

00:06:25The silver arrow was the most sacred relic of the Whitmore bloodline.

00:06:29The Hargroves had stolen it from us,

00:06:31and it had been lost for generations.

00:06:35I only learned the truth as I was dying in my past life,

00:06:39when it was already too late to do anything about it.

00:06:42Now I knew exactly where it was.

00:06:44That was the real reason I would walk into Hargrove Hall.

00:06:47Not Callum, the arrow.

00:06:51Callum saw me take it, and his whole body relaxed.

00:06:54He lifted his chin slightly,

00:06:56satisfaction spreading across his face.

00:06:58He had already decided I was still hung up on him,

00:07:01that I had finally given in because of old feelings.

00:07:04Then he turned on that warm, reasonable voice,

00:07:07the one that used to make me believe every word.

00:07:09Good.

00:07:10All you have to do is come with us,

00:07:12and suppress the curse.

00:07:14Once I'm better, I'll make sure you're rewarded.

00:07:16The Hargroves take care of people who prove useful to us.

00:07:19He said it like he was doing me a favor,

00:07:22like I was something he could summon,

00:07:23use, and dismiss whenever it suited him.

00:07:26I looked at him slowly,

00:07:28the way you look at something that does not know it is already finished.

00:07:32I'm going to Harghal to take back what belongs to the Whitmore family.

00:07:35I was never doing this for you.

00:07:37The smile on his face died, died completely.

00:07:43The next morning, the man had everything packed before I came downstairs.

00:07:47Lady, the carriages are here.

00:07:49He was the boy the Whitmore family had taken in years ago.

00:07:52Quiet, precise, and so still that most people mistook him for cold.

00:07:57Since I came back, he was the only person who looked straight at the scar on my face

00:08:00without flinching or glancing away.

00:08:02Two Harkren carriages were waiting outside.

00:08:05Eleanor had one to herself, and the other was meant for Callum and me.

00:08:09Jenna, who supposedly could not handle the mountain road, was supposed to have her own space.

00:08:14I was about to step into the second carriage when a voice cut across the courtyard.

00:08:18Wait!

00:08:18Callum, I want to ride with you!

00:08:20She ran toward us with her skirts gathered in both hands,

00:08:23her cheeks flushed and her eyes red at the rims, as if she had already been crying.

00:08:28She was the girl the Hargroves had taken in years ago, the orphan daughter of some distant relation.

00:08:33She had grown up inside the estate walls, right beside Callum.

00:08:37Everyone said she was sweet and innocent, the one person Callum protected more than anyone else.

00:08:42She had a white silk scarf in her hands.

00:08:44Before Callum could answer, she was already looping it around his neck and smoothing it down with both palms.

00:08:50The mountain road is freezing. I don't want you getting sick again.

00:08:53Callum did not move away from her hands.

00:08:55In my past life, I thought she was only being kind.

00:08:58This time, my silver sight caught the edge of the scarf the moment it touched him.

00:09:01Faint, dark lines were woven into the silk, forming the exact pattern of a serpent mark.

00:09:06Callum did not see any of it.

00:09:07He was already brushing a loose strand of hair away from Jenna's face.

00:09:11Jenna turned to me with wide, apologetic eyes.

00:09:13Lady Rowena, I hope you don't mind. I won't take up much space, I promise.

00:09:17She did not wait for my answer.

00:09:19She climbed in ahead of me.

00:09:20I watched her settle beside Callum and push me toward the window seat without even looking at me.

00:09:25I said nothing.

00:09:27Jenna, last time I missed every move you made.

00:09:29This time I'm gonna watch every single one.

00:09:32The carriage wound its way up the wet cobblestone road towards the Hargraf estate.

00:09:37There was barely enough room for two people to sit comfortably,

00:09:39and Jenna had made sure she stayed pressed against Callum for the entire ride.

00:09:44Every time the wheels hit a rough patch, she let out a soft, breathy sound and leaned into his shoulder.

00:09:49The timing was perfect, always within my line of sight, like a little performance stage just for me.

00:09:54Callum, I feel so dizzy. I can barely breathe.

00:09:57She twisted her fingers into the front of his shirt, lifting her eyes just enough to catch the light,

00:10:02looking soft and helpless and miserable.

00:10:05In my past life, watching this would have made me want to shrink into myself and disappear.

00:10:09Now I only sat still and watched her work.

00:10:12Callum noticed me looking. His expression hardened at once.

00:10:15He tightened his arm around Jenna and turned his face away from me,

00:10:18like even the air on my side of the carriage disgusted him.

00:10:21Rowena, stop staring. Jenna is kind and gentle, not that you would know anything about that.

00:10:24And stop using that face to scare her.

00:10:26Jenna reached over and touched his arm gently.

00:10:28Callum, don't. Lady Rowena probably doesn't mean it.

00:10:31She knows exactly what she's doing. She's had it out for you since the moment she saw you.

00:10:35Maybe she just doesn't like me. It's alright, I'm used to it.

00:10:39That is her problem, not yours. I don't care what she thinks.

00:10:41I did not answer. In my past life, that exchange would have hollowed me out for days.

00:10:46Now I only filed it away. Every word. Every dismissal. I was keeping track.

00:10:51At the same time, through the silver sight, I could see what was really happening.

00:10:55Dark energy was seeping from the coral bracelet on Jenna's wrist,

00:10:59winding along Callum's collar and pushing inch by inch into the skin at the back of his neck.

00:11:04She was not dizzy. She was feeding the serpent.

00:11:06Callum, the sweet, innocent girl you're so desperate to protect, is poisoning you right now.

00:11:11And you're holding her tighter.

00:11:12He pulled her closer and pressed his cheek against the top of her head, completely blind.

00:11:18By midday, the carriages stopped in front of the Hargreth family's main residence.

00:11:22This was not Hargreth Hall.

00:11:23Not the old estate with the serpent gate buried beneath it.

00:11:26The hall stood deeper inside the grounds, behind a locked inner courtyard that almost never opened.

00:11:31This was only where the family lived.

00:11:33When Jenna stepped down from the carriage, she grabbed the doorbraim, her face going pale, and sagged into Callum's side.

00:11:38I'm fine. Just cold. My legs feel strange.

00:11:42Callum wrapped an arm around her at once.

00:11:44The look he sent me over her shoulder made it clear that somehow this was supposed to be my fault.

00:11:48We passed through the front entrance hall.

00:11:50The moment we crossed the threshold, my silver sight erupted.

00:11:53Dark serpent energy crawled across every wall and ceiling, coiling and shifting like something alive.

00:11:59It hulged at anyone with Hargreth blood, then recoiled the second it touched the silver light of my mark.

00:12:04Shrieking back into the cracks, Jenna was walking ahead.

00:12:07I watched her cross the threshold, and I saw the exact moment her shoe came down on the protection line

00:12:13hidden beneath the doorframe.

00:12:15It was not an accident. The movement was too precise.

00:12:18The line snapped. The energy that had been held down broke loose all at once, and a wave of freezing

00:12:24air tore down the corridor like a blade.

00:12:26Oh God! Help me!

00:12:29She stumbled backwards straight into his arms, clean and practiced, like a stage fall.

00:12:33Callum caught her without even looking. One arm locked across her chest, and his first words were for me.

00:12:38Rowena! What the hell are you doing just standing there?

00:12:41Rowena! You're a Whitmore! You're supposed to handle this!

00:12:47If Jenna gets hurt because of you, I swear you'll answer for it.

00:12:52I raised one hand, a silver seal dropped across the corridor, and the serpent energy shrank back into the walls.

00:12:58The hallway went still. I looked at Callum.

00:13:01You're welcome.

00:13:02I let the silence stretch for a moment.

00:13:04Then I lowered my gaze to the broken line on the floor, before slowly lifting my eyes to Jenna's shoes.

00:13:10You might want to ask how that line broke in the first place.

00:13:14Callum's brow tightened.

00:13:15In his arms, Jenna's eyes filled with tears at once.

00:13:18Her lower lip trembled as she looked up at him, as if she was the one being attacked.

00:13:21Callum looked between us and clenched his jaw.

00:13:24What exactly are you accusing her of?

00:13:26Nothing. Just giving you advice.

00:13:29While you're in this house, pay attention to what's right in front of you.

00:13:32Then I walked toward the sitting room without looking back.

00:13:40When we settled into the sitting room, Eleanor came in herself with a tray of peach blossom tea.

00:13:45Steam curled slowly from each cup.

00:13:46You must be exhausted after that ride, sweetheart.

00:13:49I made this myself.

00:13:51Drink it while it's hot.

00:13:52It will calm your nerves.

00:13:54She had the warmth turned all the way on.

00:13:56Deep smile lines, a gentle voice every inch the loving grandmother.

00:13:59Jenna sat beside Callum.

00:14:01She picked up his cup first, blew on it softly, and placed it in his hands.

00:14:05Drink it while it's hot.

00:14:06It'll warm you up.

00:14:07In my past life, I fell for all of it.

00:14:09I drank the tea, and by nightfall, my silver sight was almost blind.

00:14:13The poison had worked slowly and silently the whole time.

00:14:16When I tried to suppress the serpents that night, I kept making the wrong calls, and one of them tore

00:14:20my palm open.

00:14:21I burned with fever for three days straight, and Jenna had been there the entire time, smiling sweetly as she

00:14:27added a spoonful of sugar to my cup.

00:14:29Something sweet makes everything less bitter, Lady Rowena.

00:14:31This time, I looked into my cup through the silver sight.

00:14:33The tea should have been pale amber, but beneath the surface, it was deep crimson.

00:14:37Something small and dark moved along the bottom.

00:14:39I picked up the cup and drank most of it.

00:14:42I let none of it touch me.

00:14:43Under the cover of my sleeve, I pressed two fingers to my wrist and sealed my throat and chest with

00:14:48a silver seal.

00:14:49The poison slammed into the barrier and thrashed like a trapped thing, but it got nowhere.

00:14:54Jenna kept her eyes on my face the whole time.

00:14:56She was waiting for my gaze to blur, waiting for the sight to go dark.

00:14:59When I set the cup down, breathing evenly and looking straight back at her, I saw the corner of her

00:15:04smile crack.

00:15:05Just a twitch. Just one second.

00:15:08But it was there.

00:15:09Lucien picked up his own cup, gave it one slow sniff, then turned and poured the whole thing into the

00:15:14planter beside his chair.

00:15:15Too sweet. Hides the taste of rot.

00:15:18Eleanor's expression flickered.

00:15:20Calatin's eyes sharpened.

00:15:21My grandmother made that tea herself.

00:15:23You want to explain what the hell you're doing?

00:15:25I just did.

00:15:26Lucien looked at him calmly.

00:15:28Callum's face turned ugly.

00:15:30He was about to snap back when Jenna laid a hand on his arm.

00:15:32Callum, don't.

00:15:33We asked them to come here. It's fine, really.

00:15:36She said it in that soft, peacemaking voice.

00:15:38But as she lifted her own cup back to her lips,

00:15:41her eyes slid sideways to me, patient, calculating,

00:15:45waiting to see something that was never going to happen.

00:15:48I looked at her and said nothing.

00:15:50Jenna, I'm just getting started.

00:15:52Next time, I'll make sure you see it coming.

00:15:56The welcome dinner that night was exactly the kind of show the Hargroves loved to put on.

00:16:00Candles stretched down the table.

00:16:02Silver gleamed at every place setting, and there was more food than anyone could finish.

00:16:06Jenna sat to Callum's left, cutting her food with careful, effortless grace.

00:16:10Then she set down her knife, turned to me, and spoke in the softest, most concerned voice she had.

00:16:15Ladies, Rowena, I've been meaning to ask you something.

00:16:18With a scar like that on your face, do people avoid you when you go out?

00:16:22You must feel so lonely. I can't even imagine.

00:16:26Perfectly worded, perfectly gentle, loud enough for every servant in the room to hear.

00:16:31I held my knife and fork and did not respond.

00:16:33Jenna, don't say it like that. She's a guest, you'll embarrass her.

00:16:37In my past life, I had actually been grateful for that.

00:16:40I thought he was standing up for me. Now I could see it clearly.

00:16:43He did not care whether I was humiliated.

00:16:46He just needed me to walk into that hall tomorrow night, and a scene at dinner would make things harder.

00:16:50That sentence was for him, not for me.

00:16:53Jenna's face crumpled at once. Her eyes filled.

00:16:56I didn't mean it that way. I was worried about her.

00:16:59Callum, why are you making it sound like I did something wrong?

00:17:02Her voice broke on the last word. Two tears slipped down her face.

00:17:06And just like that, Callum changed.

00:17:08The hardness left him, and his voice turned low and gentle.

00:17:12I know you didn't. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said it like that.

00:17:17Lucian set down his silverware.

00:17:19I have a question. Is this how the Hargroves treat guests they begged for help?

00:17:23Every sound at the table stopped. Jenna's tears paused mid-fall.

00:17:28Callum's head snapped up, and the look he gave Lucian was full of real anger.

00:17:32Who the hell do you think you are? Nobody asked for your opinion!

00:17:35Lucian did not move. He only held Callum's gaze and took his time answering.

00:17:39I came with Lady Whitmore. As long as she is here, I have every right to speak.

00:17:44Callum pressed one hand flat against the edge of the table.

00:17:47His jaw tightened, and his face went pale with fury.

00:17:49Rowena, control your people.

00:17:51I set my wineglass down slowly and looked at him.

00:17:54He's right. Callum, I came because your family begged me to save you.

00:17:58I did not come here to be insulted at your dinner table.

00:18:00If you can't understand the difference, I don't need to enter that hall tomorrow.

00:18:04I can leave tonight.

00:18:06Silence fell over the room.

00:18:08Then Callum exhaled through his nose, forced down his anger and ground out the words like they hurt.

00:18:12After dinner, I'll have Chester bring out the legacy book.

00:18:16I picked up my wineglass again and said nothing.

00:18:20Dinner ended, and I asked for the Hargro legacy book, the family's hand-print record dating back to 1840.

00:18:25It dorted how the serpent gate was first sealed, and why.

00:18:28If the silver arrow was hidden somewhere on these grounds, there would be a trace of it in those pages.

00:18:33Callum's face tightened at once.

00:18:36It's a dusty old record book.

00:18:38You're here to deal with the curse, not dig through our family history.

00:18:42If I'm going to suppress what's down there, I need to know what caused it.

00:18:45The answer is in that book.

00:18:46Is that too hard for you to understand?

00:18:48He opened his mouth to argue, and Jenna let out a sharp little cry.

00:18:50Her elbow caught the wine bottle at the edge of the table.

00:18:52It tipped over and spilled half its contents across the tablecloth in a dark red wave.

00:18:56Servants rushed forward, and the moment broke apart.

00:18:58I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. My hands are so shaky tonight.

00:19:01Callum leaned over and took her hands in his, checking them with a deep frown.

00:19:05You didn't cut yourself. It's just a bottle. It doesn't matter.

00:19:08Then he looked at me sideways, contempt clear in his eyes.

00:19:11All this over one old book? Did you really have to push that hard and scare her like that?

00:19:15What is this, an interrogation?

00:19:17I was not looking at him.

00:19:19Through the silver sight, I watched dark serpent energy pour from Jenna's sleeve

00:19:22and curl around the cabinet where the legacy book was kept like a hand pressing the door shut.

00:19:27She had not dropped the bottle because her hands were unsteady.

00:19:31She had dropped it to keep that cabinet closed.

00:19:33I raised one hand.

00:19:34A silver seal shot across the room and pinned the serpent energy flat against the cabinet doors.

00:19:38Jenna went white.

00:19:39Lucian walked to the cabinet, opened it without asking, and looked calmly at Chester in the corner.

00:19:42Chester, bring out the legacy book.

00:19:44Chester hesitated.

00:19:45Then he lowered his head, took the yellowed leather-valume wooden box inside the cabinet,

00:19:48and held it out with both hands.

00:19:49I took it and opened it.

00:19:50I caught sight of the serpent brand running along the edge of Chester's sleeve.

00:19:53I filed it away.

00:19:56The first several pages of the legacy book had been cut out.

00:19:59Clean cuts.

00:20:01Blade cuts.

00:20:01Nothing old about them.

00:20:03Callum glanced over and dismissed it without missing a bead.

00:20:06It's a 150-year-old book.

00:20:07Pages go missing.

00:20:08That's not suspicious.

00:20:09That's time.

00:20:10Jenna stepped in right on cue.

00:20:13Exactly.

00:20:14Lady Rowena, the Hargroves have been a respectable family for generations.

00:20:18There's nothing to hide here.

00:20:19Don't you think you're reading too much into this?

00:20:21I ignored them both and bent over the torn edges, looking through the silver sight.

00:20:25There it was, buried in the yellowed fringe, the faint silver glow of dried Whitmore blood,

00:20:29ancient and thin.

00:20:30Tangled through it was the serpent energy from the bracelet on Jenna's wrist, the exact

00:20:34same signature.

00:20:35She was the one who had cut out those pages, which meant she had known about the silver

00:20:38arrow all along.

00:20:40I was about to speak when the death mark on Callum's forehead split open.

00:20:44Serpent energy burst through his veins all at once, and the whole study shook.

00:20:48From deep inside Hargrove Hall came a low, grinding sound, like something massive turning in its

00:20:54sleep.

00:20:55Callum's legs buckled.

00:20:56He caught the edge of a shelf, his face white, his teeth clenched, his breath coming

00:21:00in sharp pulls.

00:21:02Eleanor rushed across the room and grabbed my arm.

00:21:04Rowena, please, go tonight.

00:21:06You're the only one who can stop it.

00:21:08Please.

00:21:09I closed the legacy book.

00:21:11I'll enter Hargrove Hall tonight, but I'm going to question the serpent, not break the

00:21:15curse.

00:21:16Get that straight now.

00:21:17Then I turned to Jenna.

00:21:18My voice stayed calm, but every person in the room heard me one more thing.

00:21:21During the ritual tonight, Jenna does not come anywhere near the main hall.

00:21:24Her energy is corrupt.

00:21:25If she gets close, she'll provoke what's down there, and the entire formation will collapse.

00:21:28This is not a request.

00:21:29It's a condition.

00:21:30The study went completely silent.

00:21:32Jenna blinked.

00:21:34Then her head lowered, and tears rolled down her face without a sound.

00:21:39Callum pushed himself up from the shelf, still pale and tight with pain, and turned on

00:21:43me at once.

00:21:44On what grounds?

00:21:46Jenna came all this way because she was worried about me.

00:21:48You don't get to throw her out in the cold just because you hate her!

00:21:50On the grounds that if I walk in tonight, you live.

00:21:57Callum stayed quiet, but it was not over.

00:21:59He steadied himself against the shelf and started again a few seconds later.

00:22:03Even if you have to enter the hall tonight, that does not give you the right to leave Jenna

00:22:06outside alone.

00:22:07She scares easily.

00:22:09What if something happens and you are not there?

00:22:10Are you going to take responsibility for that?

00:22:12Jenna's tears fell faster, but she still reached out and grabbed Callum's sleeve with both

00:22:16hands.

00:22:16Callum, please don't fight with Lady Rowena.

00:22:18This is my fault.

00:22:18I shouldn't have come.

00:22:20You go in and let her do what she needs to do.

00:22:21Don't worry about me.

00:22:22I'll wait outside.

00:22:23I just want you safe.

00:22:24That's all I want.

00:22:25Every word landed exactly where she wanted it to.

00:22:28Callum's chest rose and fell hard.

00:22:30Then he turned all that anger on me.

00:22:32You hear that?

00:22:34She's willing to stand out there alone in the dark just to make things easier for you.

00:22:38What kind of person are you?

00:22:39Jenna stays by the door tonight.

00:22:41No one is stopping her.

00:22:42I looked at them without anger.

00:22:44I was not even surprised.

00:22:46This was the same performance they had put on in my past life.

00:22:50Jenna cried, Callum exploded, and every bit of blame in the room landed on me while

00:22:54they clung to each other.

00:22:55Perfectly timed.

00:22:57Perfectly practiced.

00:22:59I turned toward Hargrim Hall and spoke without looking back.

00:23:04Fine.

00:23:05Then keep your eyes open tonight.

00:23:09Whatever happens, don't come crying to me.

00:23:13Behind me, I heard Callum murmur to Jenna.

00:23:17You're okay.

00:23:18I'm right here.

00:23:19I walked into the dark of Hargmite Hall without turning around.

00:23:22I already knew he would open that door for her when the time came.

00:23:25And the harder he fought to protect her tonight,

00:23:27the worse the backlash would hit him.

00:23:30Midnight.

00:23:31The main hall of Hargrave Hall.

00:23:33The wind howled through the walls like something was trying to claw its way out.

00:23:36The old chandelier swung overhead,

00:23:38its candles throwing long, crooked shadows across the room.

00:23:42The estate had gone still,

00:23:43except for the dull shiver that rolled up from beneath the floor every few minutes.

00:23:47Whatever had been sleeping down there was starting to wake.

00:23:49I stood in the center of the hall and focused.

00:23:52Whitmore blood ignited in my veins.

00:23:54Silver seals poured out of me in rings,

00:23:57spreading across the floor like a net of cold light,

00:24:00pressing the serpent energy back into the walls and stone.

00:24:03Building a formation like this burned through everything I had.

00:24:06Power, focus, and sheer will.

00:24:09But I did not let it show.

00:24:11My hands were steady.

00:24:13My face was calm.

00:24:16Callum stood on the far side of the formation,

00:24:18supported by the old butler.

00:24:20The death mark on his forehead pulsed blood red in the silver light.

00:24:24He was shaking,

00:24:25yet he still looked at me like he was doing me a favor by letting me help.

00:24:29How sure are you about this?

00:24:31I did not look at him, sure enough.

00:24:33A pause.

00:24:34I need more than questions.

00:24:35I need the death mark gone completely.

00:24:37Can you actually do that?

00:24:39I turned and looked at him properly for the first time.

00:24:42Callum, the only reason I'm standing in this room is because the silver arrow is here.

00:24:47Not because of you.

00:24:48Whether that mark comes off at all

00:24:51depends on whether the Hargroves start paying what they owe the Whitmans.

00:24:55We can discuss that later.

00:24:56He wanted to argue.

00:24:58Then the death mark tore at him again.

00:25:00And the sound that left his throat was not one he meant to make.

00:25:04He swallowed it down hard.

00:25:05Palm up.

00:25:06Catch the light from the core of the formation.

00:25:08Whatever you hear, whatever you see, do not move.

00:25:10This creature follows Hargrove blood.

00:25:13If you move, the backlash will bury you and I will not be able to pull you out.

00:25:15Callum raised his trembling right hand.

00:25:17This time, he said nothing.

00:25:21The last seal fell into place.

00:25:23The stone floor cracked with a deep, grinding boom that rose through the soles of my feet.

00:25:29The eternal flame in its copper lamp guttled until it was almost gone and the temperature dropped.

00:25:35So fast it felt like the walls themselves were breathing out ice.

00:25:38The floor began to shake in small, rapid tremors.

00:25:42White mist bled up through the cracks, spreading low and thick across the ground,

00:25:47catching the faint silver light of my formation.

00:25:50Then, from the center of the mist, she came.

00:25:55A thousand-year-old serpent, white as bone, as large as a river dragon, with golden-slit eyes burning in

00:26:02the dark like two cold fires.

00:26:04Decades of rage, grief, and imprisonment moved through the air around her, like a physical force.

00:26:12The servants screamed.

00:26:15Eleanor collapsed to her knees.

00:26:17Callum made a sound he probably did not mean to make, as the death mark nearly tore itself open under

00:26:23the pressure of her presence.

00:26:25But when those golden eyes swept across the hall and found him, they stopped.

00:26:31She recognized something.

00:26:33The covenant.

00:26:35The silver light around me.

00:26:37Something older than her rage.

00:26:40Althea went still in a way she had not been still in years.

00:26:44Then she lowered her slowly, all the way to my feet.

00:26:48A low, grieving sound came from her throat, like a creature finally standing before the person it had been waiting

00:26:54for.

00:26:54No one in the room could speak.

00:26:57Callum's breathing was loud, raggled, and stunned.

00:27:00He had spent his whole life under the shadow of what she had done to his family.

00:27:05He had never expected to see her bow.

00:27:07I crouched and touched her scales.

00:27:09They were cold, smooth, and faintly luminous.

00:27:14Althea, I need to ask you something.

00:27:16The silver arrow.

00:27:18The one taken from the Whitmore family a hundred years ago and brought into this estate.

00:27:21Where is it?

00:27:22Her whole body convulsed.

00:27:24She reared halfway up, her great tail striking the stone floor, as she pointed deeper into the estate.

00:27:31Somewhere farther in.

00:27:33One more step.

00:27:34One answer.

00:27:35That was all it would have taken.

00:27:39That was when the screaming started outside the hall doors.

00:27:42Callum! Callum, help me! It's going to eat me! Please!

00:27:45Every note was perfectly pitched.

00:27:47Every word landed right at the weakest seam of the ritual.

00:27:51I did not move.

00:27:52But Althea's head snapped up, and her golden eyes flooded red.

00:27:56I turned to Callum.

00:27:58Do you remember what I told you earlier tonight?

00:28:00His hand had already curled into a fist.

00:28:03Something broke behind his eyes when he heard Jenna's voice.

00:28:06He stared at the door, throat working, and then he ran.

00:28:10Callum!

00:28:11That's Jenna!

00:28:12I don't care!

00:28:13He threw the doors open.

00:28:15Jenna crashed into him from the other side, shaking, soaked with tears, and buried her face in his chest.

00:28:20I was so scared. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.

00:28:24I needed to see you.

00:28:26That thing is terrifying, Callum. I couldn't stay out there.

00:28:28The second her foot crossed the threshold, Serpent energy burst free from her coral bracelet.

00:28:34It came in a dark, thick wave, carrying a resonance that matched Althea's imprisoned resentment.

00:28:42Frequency for frequency.

00:28:45A signal going both ways.

00:28:49Althea felt it.

00:28:51The red in her eyes deepened.

00:28:53Her scales lifted all across her body as she rose higher.

00:28:58And the sound she made was no longer grief.

00:29:01I stood still with my hands behind my back.

00:29:04In my past life, I had thrown myself in front of that rage.

00:29:08I took all of it so they would not have to.

00:29:10Afterward, I burned with fever for three days and nearly died twice before the fever broke.

00:29:15When I woke up, Callum stood beside my bed with Jenna at his side and said,

00:29:19She needs me more than you do.

00:29:20You're tough. You'll be fine on your own.

00:29:23This time, I breathed out slowly and quietly.

00:29:26And I let it happen.

00:29:31Althema hit them like a wave smashing into a wall.

00:29:34The formation shattered.

00:29:36The eternal flame died.

00:29:38The silver seals cracked all at once.

00:29:42With a sound like breaking ice.

00:29:44And the core of the ritual collapsed.

00:29:48The whole hall convulsed.

00:29:53Callum was thrown backward and slammed into the offering table hard enough to knock it over.

00:29:58He hit the ground coughing blood.

00:30:01Jenna went down beside him, white-faced, with blood at the corner of her mouth.

00:30:06The ground shook.

00:30:10Serpent Heeks rose from every crack in the stone.

00:30:14Growing louder and closer.

00:30:17If the formation stayed broken, the serpents under the estate would come up through the floor.

00:30:24Everyone in this house would die.

00:30:26That included me and Lucian.

00:30:30I pressed my fingers together, like a blade and cut across my own palm.

00:30:38Silver blood fell onto the extinguished flame.

00:30:41Three feet of silver flame roared up from the lamp, flooding the hall in cold light.

00:30:51Althema hit that light and went rigid.

00:30:53The red drained from her eyes.

00:30:55She lowered herself to the floor, pressed her head against my feet, and went still.

00:31:02Breathing, slow and deep.

00:31:04Like something finally put to rest.

00:31:07The hall went quiet.

00:31:12Then Callum dragged himself up from the floor with one arm around Jenna.

00:31:17He looked across the ruined hall at me, standing in the silver light with blood, still running down my wrist.

00:31:23For one moment, he just stared.

00:31:26Then he opened his mouth.

00:31:28Rowena!

00:31:28You could control that thing the whole time!

00:31:31So why the hell did you just stand there and let it go after Jenna?

00:31:34What is wrong with you?

00:31:36What sick game are you playing?

00:31:40He said it like he was the victim.

00:31:43Like he was not the one who had opened that door.

00:31:45After a direct warning.

00:31:47Like I was not standing in front of him, bleeding to hold the ritual together.

00:31:53I looked down at my palm.

00:31:55The silver blood was already slowing.

00:31:58I did not answer him.

00:32:00In Callum's arms, too quietly for him to notice.

00:32:03Jenna lifted her head.

00:32:05Her face was wet.

00:32:06Her hair a mess.

00:32:07Tears still drying on her cheeks.

00:32:09But from an angle he could not see, the corner of her mouth curved.

00:32:13Less than a second.

00:32:15I caught every bit of it.

00:32:16I almost wanted to laugh.

00:32:18It was the same in this life as it had been in the last.

00:32:21Jenna worked in the dark.

00:32:23Soft and sweet and untouchable.

00:32:26And Callum, righteous, devoted, completely blind Callum,

00:32:30picked up every knife she left behind and walked it straight into me.

00:32:34Except this time, I was not the one bleeding out on the floor.

00:32:38This time, I was the one still standing.

00:32:44I stood in the ruined hall.

00:32:46The cold serpent energy still lingering in the air like frost on my skin.

00:32:54Callum's accusation hung between us.

00:32:57Sharp and accusatory.

00:32:58I didn't rush to defend myself.

00:33:02Instead, I raised my hand and let the silver seat flare.

00:33:09Silver light swept over Jenna, amplifying the dark serpent patterns twisting on her coral bracelet.

00:33:15They projected clearly onto the wall, rivaling like living shadows.

00:33:23The exact energy that had provoked Althea.

00:33:27The servants gasp.

00:33:29Eleanor's face drained of colour.

00:33:32Jenna's expression crumpled as she threw herself into Callum's arms, sobbing violently.

00:33:38Callum, I don't know what that is.

00:33:40I really don't.

00:33:43Did Lady Rowish do this on purpose to scare me?

00:33:47Callum pulled her tighter, his voice rising in fury as he glared at me.

00:33:53Rowena, enough!

00:33:55You already hurt her tonight, and now you want to humiliate her in front of everyone?

00:33:59The disbelief hit me hard.

00:34:02Evidence right in front of him, and still he chose her.

00:34:05Lucian stepped to my side, his voice like ice.

00:34:08Are you blind?

00:34:09Or has your brain rotted too?

00:34:11You have no right to speak here!

00:34:13I held Lucian back with a hand on his arm.

00:34:14No need to argue with him.

00:34:16Serpent energy recognises its own, and so does Althea.

00:34:18Callum, you can keep pretending not to see it, but the formation collapsed tonight because you opened that door yourself.

00:34:22Callum's face stiffened.

00:34:23Jenna cried even harder.

00:34:24I turned away from them, crouching beside Althea and placing my hand on her head.

00:34:27The great white serpent calmed under my touch, lowering her head like a tamed beast.

00:34:30Everyone saw it.

00:34:31The serpents didn't fear me.

00:34:32They feared the Hargroves.

00:34:35Lucian helped me back to my room.

00:34:38The cut in my palms still seeped silver blood, and the Lunarn Hunt scar on my face burned.

00:34:44Every use of the Covenant reminded me of the price I had paid.

00:34:48My face for this power.

00:34:50Lucian banded the wound with careful hands.

00:34:53His touch gentle, as if afraid to break me.

00:34:56Don't cut so deep next time.

00:34:58If I hadn't, this entire estate would have collapsed tonight.

00:35:03That's not your burden alone to carry.

00:35:05I looked up at him.

00:35:07He met my eyes steadily, never flinching from the scar, only seeing me.

00:35:13After my rebirth, I had accepted that trading my beauty meant no man would love me again.

00:35:20Others saw fear or disgust first, but Lucian never did.

00:35:24I pulled my hand away, my voice turning cold.

00:35:28Don't be too good to me.

00:35:30I don't need it.

00:35:32Whether you need it is your business.

00:35:35Whether I do it is mine.

00:35:37Footsteps sounded outside.

00:35:39Calum stood in the doorway, his face dark.

00:35:43Seeing Lubian holding my hand made his expression twist with jealousy.

00:35:48So you have time for your servant to fawn him over you.

00:35:51I smiled coldly.

00:35:53At least he knows who is bleeding.

00:35:55Unlike some people, who only held the real culvert while accusing me.

00:36:01Calum's face darkened further.

00:36:03Tomorrow morning, you're coming with me to the family cemetery.

00:36:06I need to know why this serpent clings to the Hargroves.

00:36:09Fine.

00:36:10But Jenna stays behind.

00:36:13You're meddling too much.

00:36:14I said nothing.

00:36:16I knew Jenna would come anyway.

00:36:21Jenna appeared the next day, wrapped in a pale cloak, looking frail as she clung to Calum's side.

00:36:30Calum, I can't let you go alone.

00:36:32Let me come.

00:36:33I promise I won't cause trouble.

00:36:37Calum glanced at me, waiting for protest.

00:36:40I stayed silent.

00:36:42Let her.

00:36:44The closer she gets to the truth, the faster her mask slips.

00:36:48Jenna's eyes flickered before she looked down.

00:36:51We reached the Hargrove Cemetery, where serpent energy coiled around every grave.

00:36:57My silver sight revealed snake bones pressed beneath each male Hargrove tombstone.

00:37:03This was no simple curse.

00:37:05It was a betrayal.

00:37:06What do you see?

00:37:09Your family wasn't cursed by serpents.

00:37:11You used them first, then betrayed them.

00:37:17Jenna suddenly cried out and stumbled, her hand landing precisely on a formation node.

00:37:23Serpent energy erupted.

00:37:29I saw dark energy flash between her fingers.

00:37:34In my past life, I thought it was an accident.

00:37:39Now I knew better.

00:37:42Lucian stepped in front of me, and the underground bones recoiled from him, as if terrified.

00:37:48A question stirred in my mind.

00:37:53Who exactly was Lucian?

00:37:57Jenna clung to Calum, claiming her legs had simply given out.

00:38:02He held her protectively, but turned on me in anger.

00:38:07You knew it was dangerous here.

00:38:09Why didn't you clear it first?

00:38:13Did you see her step on the node?

00:38:16Calum paused.

00:38:17Jenna lifted her tear-stripped face.

00:38:22Lady Rowena, I know you dislike me, but...

00:38:25But I didn't touch any node.

00:38:27I was just scared.

00:38:29Calum's gaze softened toward her immediately.

00:38:34Rowena, enough.

00:38:36Stop pinning everything on her!

00:38:38I didn't argue.

00:38:40I extracted the serpent energy from her palm.

00:38:44And held it suspended in the air.

00:38:47A rivaling black thread trying to return to her sleeve.

00:38:52Jenna paled.

00:38:55Still need an explanation?

00:38:57Calum saw it.

00:38:59Everyone did.

00:39:00But after a moment, he muttered.

00:39:04Maybe the node latched onto her.

00:39:06I laughed bitterly.

00:39:07In my past life, I thought he was blind.

00:39:10Now I realized he saw.

00:39:11He just refused to admit it.

00:39:14Lucian spoke softly behind me.

00:39:16He doesn't deserve a single word from you.

00:39:19His words eased some of the cold weight in my chest.

00:39:22I turned back to the graves.

00:39:25Keep digging.

00:39:27Jenna's desperation to interrupt means there's something important down there.

00:39:34I used silver blood on the tombstone.

00:39:38A fragment of memory rose.

00:39:41Centuries ago, Althea had willingly guarded the Hargroves.

00:39:46Shielding them and even giving her white scales as a token.

00:39:49They repaid her by stabbing her with the stolen silver arrow while she slept.

00:39:54Turning her into a living lock for the serpent gate.

00:39:57She was no monster.

00:40:00She was a betrayed protector.

00:40:03When the vision faded, Calum looked grim.

00:40:07I expected him to ask about Althea.

00:40:11Instead...

00:40:11If she's the living lock, she can still hold the gate, right?

00:40:17I turned slowly, anger flaring.

00:40:21That's all you take from this?

00:40:24The Hugg family cannot fall.

00:40:27I need to know how to save it.

00:40:29His selfishness drained even my rage.

00:40:32In my past life, my pain, my blood, my life had only ever been tools to him.

00:40:38Jenna squeezed his hand gently.

00:40:40Calum, you're just worried about the family.

00:40:42Lady Rowena wouldn't understand your burden.

00:40:45Her voice was soft, but her eyes smiled.

00:40:48Lucian's hand tightened on his sword hilt.

00:40:50Don't rush.

00:40:51Let them dig their own graves deeper.

00:40:55The filthier their words now, the cleaner the reckoning later.

00:41:01Later, Jenna sought me out alone.

00:41:06Her gentle mask dropped completely as she leaned against a cord's ear, twisting her coral bracelet.

00:41:13You must feel so smug right now, making Calum look bad.

00:41:17Making everyone doubt me.

00:41:20Enjoying yourself?

00:41:21It's nowhere near as entertaining as you feeding serpents while playing the helpless victim.

00:41:30She laughed, her eyes turning venomous.

00:41:33You're much smarter than last time.

00:41:34So you remember too?

00:41:38Jenna didn't answer directly.

00:41:41She stroked the bracelet.

00:41:45Whether I remember doesn't matter.

00:41:48Calum will always believe me.

00:41:51You can shove proof in his face.

00:41:53And he'll still make excuses for me.

00:41:55Her words cut deep, laced with malice.

00:41:59Look at you.

00:42:01Traded your face for power.

00:42:03And still no one loves you.

00:42:06How pathetic.

00:42:08You think I still want Calum's love?

00:42:10Jenna stepped closer, lowering her voice.

00:42:13Of course you do.

00:42:14Once a woman has been loved, she always craves it back.

00:42:18You're just pretending to be clear-headed now.

00:42:21She reached toward my scar.

00:42:23Lucian emerged from the shadows and seized her wrist.

00:42:26Touch her again and I'll cut off your hand.

00:42:29Jenna winced in pain, but quickly shifted to a pitiful expression as Calum's foot stems approached.

00:42:36Calum!

00:42:37He's trying to kill me!

00:42:44I only wanted to apologize to Lady Rowena, but he suddenly grabbed me.

00:42:49I was so scared.

00:42:51Let her go.

00:42:54Lucian, release her.

00:42:57Rowena, control your people.

00:42:58Don't forget, this is the Hargro estate.

00:43:06I remember perfectly.

00:43:08That's exactly why it's so filthy here.

00:43:23See that?

00:43:24Every time she touches you, your mark deepens.

00:43:27What trick did you pull?

00:43:29Wonderful.

00:43:30She poisons you, and I get blamed.

00:43:33You really are her perfect blade.

00:43:35Lucian stepped beside me.

00:43:39Let's go.

00:43:41Don't waste time on fools.

00:43:45This time I didn't disagree.

00:43:49Late that night, Chester knocked on my door, holding a lantern with perfect servant deference.

00:43:54Lady Whitmere, the old madam asks if you will enter the hall again tomorrow.

00:43:57Eleanor did the serpent send you, did she?

00:43:59Chester's expression stayed neutral.

00:44:01You're overthinking.

00:44:02I sealed the room with silver seals.

00:44:04Only Lucian and I remained with him.

00:44:06Chester finally looked up.

00:44:07The silver site lives up to its name.

00:44:09How many years have you hidden in the Hargroves?

00:44:1143.

00:44:12He spoke calmly.

00:44:13The Hargroves think they can control the serpent gate, but those behind it have waited for them to walk into

00:44:16the trap.

00:44:17I asked about the silver arrow.

00:44:19You want the sacred relic?

00:44:21The serpent court wants it.

00:44:23Callum wants it to survive.

00:44:24Jenna wants it to open the gate.

00:44:26Everyone is waiting for you to act, Lady Whitmore.

00:44:29Callum, I just saw Chester enter Lady Rowena's room.

00:44:31Are they plotting something?

00:44:35Rowena, what exactly are you doing behind my back?

00:44:42Callum immediately accused me of colluding with the serpent court through Chester.

00:44:48I didn't deny seeking the arrow.

00:44:53It was my goal.

00:44:55He seized on it, turning everyone against me.

00:45:01You were never here to save us.

00:45:04You came for Hargrave possessions from the start.

00:45:08That relic belongs to Whitmore, not Hargrige.

00:45:13Jenna spoke softly.

00:45:15Callum, I've long felt Lady Rowena's hostility.

00:45:21I didn't dare say it before.

00:45:23I feared you'd think me petty.

00:45:26Her eyes reddened again.

00:45:29Callum's disgust towards me deepened.

00:45:31Hand over your silver seals.

00:45:35From now on, any ritual needs my approval.

00:45:39You want to control my power?

00:45:42To manage the gate?

00:45:43This is my home!

00:45:46I have the right to know what you're doing.

00:45:49I summoned a wisp of Althea's white serpent shadow.

00:45:53It coiled around Callum's death mark.

00:45:56He cried out in pain, face paling.

00:46:00You have the right to know this, for example.

00:46:02You're still standing, only because I allow it.

00:46:06Jenna stumbled back in fear.

00:46:09Callum stared at me with a mix of rage and newfound terror.

00:46:13Lucian spoke quietly at my side.

00:46:15She saves you by choice, not obligation.

00:46:18Remember that.

00:46:27Eleanor called a family meeting, summoning all Hargroff branches.

00:46:33It was framed as discussing the gate, but clearly meant to force me to submit publicly.

00:46:40Many saw my scarred face for the first time.

00:46:44Whispers spread.

00:46:45How terrifying the scar was.

00:46:47How no wonder Callum preferred Jenna.

00:46:52I heard every word.

00:46:54In my past life, such talk would have crushed me.

00:46:58Now it was just noise.

00:47:00Eleanor sat at the head, voice heavy.

00:47:04Lady Whittemora, your power is great.

00:47:09But we've seen your emotions are unstable.

00:47:12For the family's safety, the sealing arts cannot remain solely in your hands.

00:47:19Callum didn't intervene.

00:47:23He sat silently, endorsing the ambush.

00:47:27Jenna added fuel.

00:47:31I'm only worried Lady Roeth might resent me.

00:47:35And take it out on the entire Hargroff family.

00:47:38All eyes turned to me.

00:47:40I stood and activated the silver sight.

00:47:43Behind every person, shadows of sacrificed women appeared.

00:47:47Maids, adopted daughters, wives offered as tribute.

00:47:51Those who had mocked my scar dropped to their knees in terror.

00:47:55You wanted to talk safety?

00:47:57Then look at how many lives you've trampled beneath your feet.

00:48:01Jenna's smile finally shattered.

00:48:07Chaos erupted after the ghosts appeared.

00:48:09Some begged me to withdraw the sight.

00:48:11Others accused Eleanor.

00:48:12She paled and instinctively protected the legacy book.

00:48:14I saw it.

00:48:15The sacrifice ledger is inside the book.

00:48:17Eleanor's hand froze.

00:48:18Callum tried to block me.

00:48:19Rowena, don't make this uglier.

00:48:20The ugly one is your family's centuries of blood debt.

00:48:22Jenna clutched her chest, collapsing into a chair.

00:48:26I can't breathe.

00:48:27Callum, I'm so scared.

00:48:28Callum moved to help her.

00:48:30But a white serpent shadow blocked him, staring coldly at Jenna.

00:48:35She stopped aggivating her sobs.

00:48:37I approached Eleanor.

00:48:39Give me the ledger.

00:48:41Eleanor forced a smile.

00:48:43Child, those are old matters.

00:48:45You already died once.

00:48:46Why keep pursuing?

00:48:49I leaned close.

00:48:51Because I died once.

00:48:53I know exactly what being chosen by you feels like.

00:48:58Callum watched with fleeting complexity before Jenna's sobs pulled him away again.

00:49:03My cold laugh deepened.

00:49:07He was never worth it.

00:49:10Callum tried a softer approach that evening, coming to my room with a gentler tone.

00:49:16Roland, we can cooperate.

00:49:19You want the silver arrow?

00:49:21I want the Hargroves to survive.

00:49:23Our goals are clean.

00:49:25I knew what came next.

00:49:27The same fake, fake concern from my past life.

00:49:30I know some words hurt you before.

00:49:32But now isn't the time to dwell on it.

00:49:35Some words?

00:49:36I turned my face so he could see the scar clearly.

00:49:39You mocked my face, protected Jenna as she harmed me, demanded my seals.

00:49:47And you call it some words?

00:49:50Callum frowned.

00:49:51You're too sensitive now.

00:49:53Lucian entered with medicine and overheard.

00:49:56She died once because of you all.

00:49:58And now you call her sensitive?

00:50:00Who do you think you are?

00:50:02Her servant?

00:50:03Guard?

00:50:04Or just the dog she keeps?

00:50:05Lucian remained calm.

00:50:07I can be anything she wants.

00:50:09But you?

00:50:10You're different.

00:50:11How?

00:50:11Even when she bleeds, you only ask why she didn't protect others.

00:50:15The room fell silent.

00:50:17I looked away, no longer wanting to hear Callum.

00:50:21Give me the key.

00:50:22Tomorrow we enter the underground chamber.

00:50:26Callum gritted his teeth and placed the key on the table.

00:50:33The underground chamber lay behind Hargrot Hall.

00:50:37Dust and serpent energy rushed out as the door opened.

00:50:40Whitmore hunting tools, silver blades, short bows, chains, hung on the walls like trophies.

00:50:46My chest tightened.

00:50:48These belonged to my family, displayed as Hargrok spoils.

00:50:52As I approached, the tools hummed in recognition.

00:50:55Several blades tilted toward me.

00:50:58Callum's eyes gleamed with greed.

00:51:00If these can suppress the gate, why not lend them to the Hargroves first?

00:51:05After stealing them for centuries, you still want to borrow more?

00:51:08Jenna followed us in.

00:51:10Seeing the tools respond to me, jealously flashed in her eyes.

00:51:14Impressive.

00:51:16Too bad it all came at the cost of your face.

00:51:20Lucian took a loosened silver blade from the wall and placed it in my hand.

00:51:24They recognize you.

00:51:25Not because of your face.

00:51:28But because you are Whitmore.

00:51:30His words settled warmly in my heart.

00:51:31I gripped the blade.

00:51:34Silver light bloomed.

00:51:35All the tools vibrated in univine.

00:51:37Jenna's expression soured completely.

00:51:39What she hated most wasn't my strength.

00:51:42It was that even scarred, I still had someone standing by my side.

00:51:45Deepest in the chamber hung an old painting.

00:51:48The first Whitmore lunar huntress beside a golden-horned white deer.

00:51:52The deer shielded her from serpents.

00:51:55Its antlers wrapped in moonlight.

00:51:58Lucian's face changed when he saw it.

00:52:00He looked away too late.

00:52:02You've seen this painting?

00:52:03No.

00:52:04He answered too quickly.

00:52:05Callum noticed, his expression turning dangerous.

00:52:07Seems your servant knows quite a lot.

00:52:08I stepped in front of Lucian.

00:52:10None of your concern.

00:52:11Callum sneered.

00:52:11Rowena, you'd shield a mere servant from me?

00:52:13Lucian's eyes chilled.

00:52:14I spoke calmly without turning.

00:52:15He is not a mere servant.

00:52:16Lucian fell silent.

00:52:18My own heart stirred unexpectedly at the words.

00:52:20Jenna watched with a light laugh.

00:52:22Lady Rowena was so enviable.

00:52:24Face ruined, yet still so protected.

00:52:27How much of that protection is real, I wonder?

00:52:30At least more than what you stole.

00:52:32Her face darkened.

00:52:34Suddenly, her bracelet glowed.

00:52:36Serpent energy corrupted the tools, turning them against me.

00:52:41Jenna cried out in fake alarm.

00:52:43Callum, watch out!

00:52:44The tools have gone out of control!

00:52:46But excitement burned in her eyes.

00:52:48The tools lunged at me.

00:52:52They heard their silver lament.

00:52:55They didn't want to harm their true owner.

00:52:58Jenna's serpent energy forced them.

00:53:00Callum's first instinct was to shield Jenna.

00:53:03Rowena, control them!

00:53:04Don't let them touch Jenna!

00:53:06I ignored him, and summoned the moon's silver bow.

00:53:10Moonlight formed the string.

00:53:13I fired arrows, tearing serpent energy from the blades one by one.

00:53:19They fell obediently at my feet.

00:53:22Each shot burned my scar like a fresh blade cut.

00:53:24Pain seared through me.

00:53:26I grit my teeth and kept drawing.

00:53:28Lucian suddenly grabbed my hand.

00:53:29Enough!

00:53:30Not yet cleared!

00:53:31I said enough, you're hurting!

00:53:32Everyone else fixated on my scar.

00:53:34Fearing, hating, using it.

00:53:35Only Lucian cared if it hurt.

00:53:36This isn't the time for your intimacy.

00:53:38Rowena, continue.

00:53:40Lucian turned on him.

00:53:41Shut your mouth.

00:53:43Callum's face darkened.

00:53:46I released the bowstring, refusing his order for the first time.

00:53:50The rest can wait until I decide.

00:53:52Jenna looked furious.

00:53:53She had wanted to exhaust me.

00:53:55She never expected Lucian could make me stop, or that I would choose to for him.

00:54:01I followed Jaina into the underground water chath.

00:54:04She stood on the stone steps before the outer serpent gate.

00:54:07Her innocent mask finally debardened.

00:54:09Do you know where the silver arrow really is?

00:54:12I remained silent, gripping the hilt of the silver blade, see the sound echoing coldly

00:54:15off the walls.

00:54:16It's not in the chamber.

00:54:18It's buried in Althea's heart.

00:54:21The first Hargroves used it to nail her into the Earth Vein and create this gate.

00:54:26My fingers tightened painfully.

00:54:28The weight of generations of betrayal pressed down on me.

00:54:31Jenna stepped closer, her voice dripping venom.

00:54:34If you want Whitmore's relic back, you'll have to pull the arrow.

00:54:38But the moment you do, the gate opens.

00:54:41Everyone will blame you for destroying Hargrove Hall.

00:54:44Callum will hate you.

00:54:45Eleanor will hate you.

00:54:46They'll say you did it because no one could love your scarred face.

00:54:49The words stung, but not as deeply as they once would have.

00:54:52I met her gaze steadily, the lunar scar on my cheek pulsing with silver light.

00:54:56You still think I care what Callum thinks of me?

00:54:59Jenna's smile faltered for a split second.

00:55:01I continued, my voice low but firm.

00:55:04You're wrong.

00:55:05I didn't come back to prove I'm worthy of love.

00:55:08I came to make sure all of you pay what you owe.

00:55:11Her expression turned ugly.

00:55:12She spat one last barb before leaping deeper into the waterway.

00:55:17You really think Lucian will keep protecting you?

00:55:20Men are all the same.

00:55:22Once he gets tired of looking at that face, he'll leave too.

00:55:26I stood there as her footsteps faded, the cold water lapping at my boots.

00:55:30Her words tried to burrow into old wounds,

00:55:32but Lucian's steady presence in my mind pushed them back.

00:55:34I turned and climbed back to the surface, the truth now clear in my heart.

00:55:39The silver arrow rested in Althea's chest.

00:55:42Back above ground, I found Lucian waiting in the shadows of the hall.

00:55:46His quiet strength grounded me as I told him what Jenna had revealed.

00:55:50He listened without interruption, his eyes never leaving mine.

00:55:53Will you pull it?

00:55:55I have to, but not recklessly.

00:55:57I'll use Callum's blood, Jenna's serpent contract, Chester's serpent court mark,

00:56:03and Eleanor's sacrifice ledger to form a new seal.

00:56:06Lucian studied me carefully, no fear in his gaze, only unwavering resolve.

00:56:11Then we do it.

00:56:12A small smile tugged at my lips despite everything.

00:56:15You won't ask if I'll turn into a monster?

00:56:17You won't.

00:56:19How can you be so sure?

00:56:21He paused, then stepped closer, and gently re-wrapped the bandage on my palm.

00:56:27Because even when you could have let Callum die tonight, you still saved the entire estate.

00:56:32His words pierced through the armor I had built around my heart.

00:56:35I had hated them all so fiercely, yet I refused to become the destroyer they feared.

00:56:41Lucian saw that in me when no one else did.

00:56:43The scar on my face burned less fiercely in that moment.

00:56:46Tomorrow we go to Eleanor.

00:56:48Good.

00:56:48I lingered in his presence a moment longer,

00:56:51drawing quiet comfort from the way he stood guard beside me, unflinching.

00:56:57Eleanor refused to surrender the sacrifice's ledger.

00:57:00She sat in the main study, cradling her peach blossom tea.

00:57:03Her grandmotherly facade finally stripped away to reveal cold calculation.

00:57:07Rowena, you already know too much.

00:57:10A smart girl knows when to stop.

00:57:12The memories flooded back.

00:57:14Her smiles as she fed me poison.

00:57:16Her indifference as she watched me die.

00:57:19Anger surged through my veins.

00:57:21When you sent me into the serpent gate, in my past life, did you also think I should have stopped?

00:57:27Her hand trembled slightly on the teacup.

00:57:29Do you remember?

00:57:30I remember everything.

00:57:32Your sweet words.

00:57:33The poisoned tea.

00:57:35How you locked me inside, without a flicker of remorse.

00:57:38I sealed her teacup with a silver seal.

00:57:42The liquid inside turned black.

00:57:44Serpent shadows thrashing wildly.

00:57:47Lupien stood behind me.

00:57:49His presence a wall of silent fury.

00:57:52Eleanor's composure cracked.

00:57:54What do you want?

00:57:55The ledger.

00:57:57She resisted.

00:57:59I stepped forward and sealed her throat with silver light.

00:58:05Her mouth opened, but no sound emerged.

00:58:09You lied so many people to their deaths.

00:58:11This mouth of yours deserves rest.

00:58:14I retrieved the ledger from her hidden compartment.

00:58:16Page after page listed women's names.

00:58:19The final entry was my own.

00:58:21Rowena Whitmore.

00:58:22My fingers clenched until my knuckles whitened.

00:58:26This life, I would cross it out myself.

00:58:30Callum learned of the stolen ledger quickly.

00:58:33Instead of confronting Mimi directly, he lured Lupien away and trapped him in the old underground chapel beneath Hargrove Hall.

00:58:40An ancient altar etched with serpent arrays designed to suppress Lunarn Hunt blood.

00:58:45When I arrived, Lucian knelt in the center of the array, covered in wounds, yet his eyes glowed with a

00:58:50faint golden light.

00:58:51Callum stood outside the formation, a silver blade in hand.

00:58:53Don't come closer, Rowena.

00:58:54One more step and he dies for you.

00:58:56Eyes alight with vicious excitement.

00:58:58Lady Rowena, you're so powerful.

00:59:00Choose the silver arrow or him.

00:59:02Lucian looked at me through the pain and shook his head wiltly.

00:59:05Leave me.

00:59:06The plea tore at my chest.

00:59:07In my past life, I had told Callum the same thing, only for him to abandon me.

00:59:11I would not repeat his cruelty.

00:59:13Power erupted from my Huntress mark.

00:59:15Silver light shattered the serpent array, inch by inch.

00:59:18Callum paled.

00:59:19You're mad!

00:59:20The Covenant will backlash!

00:59:22That's not for you to decide.

00:59:25I rushed into the formation, grabbed Lucian's hand, and dragged him free.

00:59:30His silver-gold blood touched my pie palm, and the lingering, dark energy recoiled as if burned.

00:59:40Lucian's blood was not red.

00:59:41It shimmered with faint silver-gold light.

00:59:44The realization hit me as the serpent-a-rame's rainness fled from him.

00:59:47Who are you, really?

00:59:49Lucian remained silent for a long moment before answering softly.

00:59:52I promised to stay by the Whitmore heir's side.

00:59:54Promised whom?

00:59:56He didn't reply.

00:59:57But Callum had seen the blood.

00:59:59Greed twisted his features.

01:00:01So he's even more special than you.

01:00:03She laughed cruelly.

01:00:05Callum, if we use him as the new living lock, we won't need Rowena anymore.

01:00:09Callum didn't deny it.

01:00:11Cold fury settled in my chest.

01:00:13Touch him.

01:00:14And I will end the hog-rave bloodline tonight.

01:00:18You care about him that much?

01:00:21So even you can feel fear.

01:00:23I helped Lucian to his feet.

01:00:25My voice steady despite the storm inside.

01:00:29Yes, I fear.

01:00:31I fear him suffering the same fate I did.

01:00:34Being sacrificed by people like you who treat lives as disposable.

01:00:39Lucian glanced at me.

01:00:41Emotion flickering in his eyes.

01:00:43I avoided looking back.

01:00:45Afraid my own feelings would spill over.

01:00:50Callum and Jenna united against us.

01:00:52They spread rumors that Lucian's non-human aura was the true cause of the gate's instability.

01:01:00Jenna wept publicly, claiming she saw his golden blood and couldn't sleep from fear.

01:01:07Callum played the responsible family head.

01:01:10I don't want to hurt anyone.

01:01:12But for the Hargroves, I must uncover what he is.

01:01:15The hypocrisy made me want to laugh.

01:01:18This was their old game.

01:01:20One crying, the other forced to act.

01:01:24Only now, the knives were aimed elsewhere.

01:01:28I stepped in front of Lucian.

01:01:30Anyone who wants to investigate him goes through me first.

01:01:34Callum's face darkened.

01:01:36Rowena, you'd abandoned the entire Hargrove family's safety for him?

01:01:40I protected him.

01:01:42You don't deserve it.

01:01:43Lady Rowena, have you forgotten Lucian's just an outsider you picked up?

01:01:48An outsider cleaner than you'll ever be.

01:01:50Lucian spoke quietly behind me.

01:01:52You don't have to shield me like this.

01:01:54I want to.

01:01:58The words surprised even me.

01:02:01We retreated to the forest behind the hall.

01:02:04Serpent energy pursued us to the edge but dared not enter.

01:02:09Moonlight filtered through the trees as I tended Lucian's wounds.

01:02:13Why do you remember the past life?

01:02:16He was quiet for a long time.

01:02:18Because when you died, I was there too.

01:02:21My hands stilled on the bandages.

01:02:23I was trapped in the formation.

01:02:25I heard you begging him to open the door.

01:02:27I couldn't break free.

01:02:28I could only watch it close.

01:02:30The memory of that freezing night crashed over me.

01:02:33Not everyone had abandoned me.

01:02:37Someone had tried.

01:02:39My throat tightened.

01:02:41I always thought if I were stronger, you wouldn't have died.

01:02:45That wasn't your fault.

01:02:46But I was still too late.

01:02:48I looked at him, the urge to embrace him nearly overwhelming.

01:02:52Instead, I whispered.

01:02:53This time, you weren't too late.

01:02:56Lucian met my eyes and smiled faintly for the first time.

01:03:00It was small.

01:03:01But it lit up the darkness around us like moonlight on water.

01:03:05My huntress mark began spiraling out of control.

01:03:10Visions of blood deeds and deaths flooded my silver sight.

01:03:17I saw Eleanor dragged by ghosts.

01:03:24Chester devoured by the serpent court.

01:03:35Ardus' voice echoed in my mind, commanding me to hunt those

01:03:45who fed the serpents.

01:03:49I nearly summoned the oath arrow.

01:03:52Lucian seized my shoulders.

01:03:54Rowena, look at me.

01:03:55The silver light and blood blurted my vision.

01:03:58Pain tore through the scar on my face.

01:04:01Move!

01:04:02I need to kill them!

01:04:04Lucian held firm.

01:04:05You can take revenge.

01:04:09But don't give yourself to the covenant.

01:04:12He cut his own palm and pressed the silver-gold blood against my scar.

01:04:17The divine fury retreated.

01:04:19I could breathe again.

01:04:20You are not the goddess's blade.

01:04:23You are Rowena.

01:04:25Tears stung my eyes.

01:04:27He had shown me I could hurt, hate, and still remain myself.

01:04:32I closed my eyes.

01:04:34Don't let go.

01:04:36Don't let me in.

01:04:38Chester stole the sacrifice ledger,

01:04:40hoping to trade it to the serpent court for freedom.

01:04:44We tracked him to an old underground room,

01:04:47where he knelt before a black serpent mirror.

01:04:52A pale hand reached out and took the ledger,

01:04:55offering no promise.

01:04:59Executors have no freedom.

01:05:02Only the next order.

01:05:06Chester protested his 43 years of service.

01:05:10The mirror cracked,

01:05:12and dark energy retaliated,

01:05:14rotting his brand.

01:05:21I didn't save him immediately.

01:05:24Lady Whitmore, save me!

01:05:27I can tell you how to close the gate!

01:05:33How many have you helped kill?

01:05:35Let him die.

01:05:37I stabilized the energy

01:05:39in Chester's body with a silver seal.

01:05:44You won't die yet.

01:05:47You'll watch what you served devour you.

01:05:52I reclaimed the ledger.

01:05:54The path to the silver arrow lay clear.

01:05:57The path to the silver arrow clear.

01:06:00Jenna publicly revealed the arrow's location in Althea's heart.

01:06:05She stood in the meeting hall,

01:06:07crying convincingly.

01:06:10If we get that arrow,

01:06:12can the Hargroves be saved?

01:06:15Callum, I don't...

01:06:17want you to die.

01:06:22The branches went wild with desperation.

01:06:25Callum pretended to restrain them,

01:06:28but I saw his agent slipping toward the hall depths.

01:06:31I blocked the entrance.

01:06:34Call them back.

01:06:35Callum stayed silent.

01:06:38Jenna tried to soften it.

01:06:40Lady Rowena,

01:06:41why must you think the worst of Callum?

01:06:44He only wants to save his family!

01:06:47Shut your mouth.

01:06:48I faced Callum directly.

01:06:50Do you want to save your family,

01:06:52or steal my arrow?

01:06:54If it can save the Hargroves,

01:06:56it shouldn't belong only to Whitmore.

01:06:59His true nature stood bare.

01:07:00The man who once wore affection like a mask,

01:07:06now showed his greed openly.

01:07:09I descended into the Earthvein with Lucian,

01:07:12crossled as the strage,

01:07:13and several clansmen forced their way after us.

01:07:16Serpent energy parted before me,

01:07:18and recoiled even more from Lucian.

01:07:22At the core,

01:07:24Althea was pinned to the gate,

01:07:25the silver arrow buried in her heart.

01:07:28She lowered her head,

01:07:30exposing the wound,

01:07:31begging for release.

01:07:33I grasped the arrow's hilt.

01:07:35Lucian stepped protectively behind me.

01:07:38Careful.

01:07:41Callum pressed a silver blade to Lucian's throat.

01:07:44Pull the arrow, Rowena,

01:07:45or he dies.

01:07:48I held the hilt motionless.

01:07:50Blood, silver gold,

01:07:52trickled from Lucian's throat,

01:07:54exciting the gate further.

01:07:55Jenna's eyes lit with greed.

01:07:57Callum,

01:07:58his blood can replace hers.

01:08:00Use him as the new lock.

01:08:01Callum didn't deny it.

01:08:03Choose the arrow or his life.

01:08:06Don't mind me.

01:08:07The familiar cruelty broke something inside me.

01:08:10Why must everyone I cared for become their leverage?

01:08:13Do you know what disgust is me most about you?

01:08:15Callum frowned.

01:08:17You treat other people's sacrifices as natural rights?

01:08:20I released the arrow and slashed my plomb instead,

01:08:24spilling silver blood to summon the debts.

01:08:28Ghosts of sacrificed women rose,

01:08:30their eyes fixed on Callum.

01:08:33This time,

01:08:34judgment fell on the Hargloves.

01:08:37The ghosts surrounded Callum.

01:08:39They whispered their names.

01:08:41Wives,

01:08:42maids,

01:08:43daughters,

01:08:44and my past self.

01:08:46He stumbled back,

01:08:47the blade leaving Lucian's throat.

01:08:50I pulled Lucian behind me.

01:08:53Jenna launched for the arrow.

01:08:57Serpent energy from the gate seized her instead,

01:09:00merging with her bracelet.

01:09:03Jenna laughed wildly

01:09:05as she began transforming.

01:09:08Finally my turn.

01:09:09You knew it wanted your body?

01:09:11So what?

01:09:14At least I'll drag you all down with me!

01:09:17She yanked the arrow partially free.

01:09:19Althea screamed.

01:09:21The gate cracked.

01:09:22Jenna, stop!

01:09:23Now you're scared?

01:09:25You protected me only because I was youthful!

01:09:30Their mutual betrayal lay exposed.

01:09:33Only I had once believed in their false bond.

01:09:36Lucian took my hand.

01:09:37Rowene, don't watch them.

01:09:39Do what you must.

01:09:40I nodded,

01:09:41stealing myself.

01:09:44The gate's opening caused Hargrove Hall to collapse.

01:09:47Black rail tents insurged from the ground.

01:09:50Clack Sertman fled,

01:09:51only to be caught by their own ghosts.

01:09:54Eleanor was dragged before the fireplace,

01:09:58forced to confront the ledger.

01:10:00Rowena, save me!

01:10:01I was forced!

01:10:03It was all for the family!

01:10:05That's exactly what you said

01:10:07while watching me die last time.

01:10:11She trembled.

01:10:12I was wrong!

01:10:14You're not sorry.

01:10:16You're just afraid, afraid to die.

01:10:20The ghosts pulled her into silver flames.

01:10:23Chester was devoured by his own masters.

01:10:26I asked Lucian if I seemed cool.

01:10:28No.

01:10:30They owed you.

01:10:31His words erased my final hesitation.

01:10:34Callum seized the silver arrow

01:10:36and fled toward the main hall

01:10:38to reseal the gate.

01:10:39I chased him

01:10:40to the iron door,

01:10:42the same one from my past life.

01:10:44Move aside, Rowena,

01:10:45and I'll let you go.

01:10:47We can settle the past later.

01:10:50The past?

01:10:51You speak so lightly of it.

01:10:53Jenna screamed for rescue in the distance.

01:10:55Callum barely glanced at her

01:10:57before turning away.

01:10:58He activated the mechanism

01:11:00to crap Lucian and me.

01:11:03Inside,

01:11:04Lucian pushed me aside

01:11:05and shattered the door

01:11:06with explosive silver-gold light.

01:11:08A golden-horned white deer phantom

01:11:10appeared behind him.

01:11:11The serpents recoiled in fear.

01:11:14At last,

01:11:14I understood.

01:11:15Lucian was the sacred beast guardian

01:11:17of the Whitmores.

01:11:19Lucian knelt by the broken door,

01:11:21the deer phantom fading.

01:11:23Callum stared in shock.

01:11:24What are you?

01:11:27Something far cleaner than you.

01:11:30The serpent court envoy

01:11:31emerged, terrified.

01:11:33Moon, dear guardian.

01:11:36You still live.

01:11:37Lupien looked at me with apology.

01:11:39I didn't mean to hide it.

01:11:41We'll settle accounts

01:11:42after we get out.

01:11:43He smiled.

01:11:45I grasped the silver arrow.

01:11:47The Huntress Covenant fully awakened.

01:11:51Artemis warned of the price.

01:11:54Use mine.

01:11:55No.

01:11:56I'm the guardian.

01:11:57I should pay for you.

01:12:00I already died for others once.

01:12:03This life,

01:12:06I pay for my own choices.

01:12:11The oath arrow formed in cold white light.

01:12:15Jenna, half-serpent,

01:12:17charged in hatred.

01:12:19Why can you still stand?

01:12:23Why do you still have someone

01:12:25protecting you like that?

01:12:27Because I never gave myself to you.

01:12:30Lucian shielded me

01:12:31as the deer phantom

01:12:32repelled the energy.

01:12:33Callum begged on his knees.

01:12:35Ro'esh, save me!

01:12:37I was wrong!

01:12:37In the past life,

01:12:38I had no choice!

01:12:40You had choices.

01:12:42Every time,

01:12:43you chose to hurt me.

01:12:45I drew the bow.

01:12:46Artemis demanded a span of lifespan.

01:12:48I accepted.

01:12:49Lupien cried out,

01:12:51but I reassured him with a glance.

01:12:53Don't worry.

01:12:54I still need to settle your secret with you.

01:12:56I released the arrow.

01:12:59It pierced Jenna.

01:13:00The gate.

01:13:02The blood contracts.

01:13:03And buried deep into the earth vein.

01:13:06Silver light exploded.

01:13:09The serpent-tort passages collapsed.

01:13:12The gate sealed.

01:13:14Althira's wound healed.

01:13:19She placed a final white scale in my palm,

01:13:22before dissolving into light,

01:13:24finally free.

01:13:25Jenna lay dying,

01:13:27her body rejecting the serpent energy.

01:13:30I'm not willing.

01:13:31Why did someone like you win?

01:13:33Because I lost once,

01:13:35and I refused to lose again.

01:13:37Her body was consumed,

01:13:39leaving only shattered coral.

01:13:40Callum's death mark vanished,

01:13:42but so did his family's power.

01:13:44He knelt broken in the ruins.

01:13:49Rowena,

01:13:51save me once more.

01:13:54For our past-

01:13:55In the past life,

01:13:57you told me to hold the serpents until I died.

01:14:01I left him there.

01:14:05To face his fate alone.

01:14:11As the hall fully collapsed,

01:14:13Callum chased after me one last time,

01:14:15desperate.

01:14:16Rowish,

01:14:17I was deceived by Jenna.

01:14:19Now I see clearly.

01:14:22You weren't deceived.

01:14:24You chose convenient lies every single time.

01:14:26Lucien stepped forward,

01:14:28blocking Callum's view of me.

01:14:30Don't look at her.

01:14:31You have no right.

01:14:34Callum froze.

01:14:35I allowed the protection,

01:14:37embracing it fully this time.

01:14:41At dawn,

01:14:43Hargrove Hall sank completely into ruin.

01:14:47I stood

01:14:48at a distance,

01:14:51watching the last serpent's stench

01:14:54blow away on the wind.

01:14:55My huntress mark and scar remained.

01:15:00But so did my resolve.

01:15:07Lucien stood beside me.

01:15:09Does it still hurt?

01:15:12Why do you always ask that?

01:15:14Because you always pretend it doesn't.

01:15:16I laugh genuinely for the first time in ages.

01:15:20Lucien,

01:15:21how long have you guarded the Whitmans?

01:15:23Long enough,

01:15:24that I feared I'd always arrive too late.

01:15:26This time you didn't.

01:15:28Rowena,

01:15:28I never loved your face.

01:15:32His gaze held mine,

01:15:34never wavering to the scar.

01:15:37I love that you crawled back from hell

01:15:39to claim your debts,

01:15:40and still chose to save the innocent.

01:15:47I took his hand willingly.

01:15:49Then don't be late again.

01:15:51I won't.

01:15:52We walked away from the ruins,

01:15:54together into the morning light.

01:15:55But this time,

01:15:58I didn't look back.

01:16:00I love how you are.

01:16:03I don't know.

01:16:05Bye.

01:16:08Bye.

01:16:17Bye.

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