From Fiancé to Felo AI DRAMA

FrameBurst

7 hours ago

Transcript

00:00:00Something went wrong with the Rockway Group project.

00:00:02Chloe went to sign the papers yesterday and somehow grabbed the wrong contract.

00:00:06She swapped our $10 million bid for a $100 million one.

00:00:09The company is going to lose $90 million.

00:00:10There was only one person who knew my laptop password.

00:00:13Only one person with the skills to alter the raw data.

00:00:16He actually framed me just to protect his intern.

00:00:18I raised my hand and slapped him hard across the face.

00:00:21We're done.

00:00:23I let it slide.

00:00:23I sent a text to the realtor.

00:00:25Contact me directly about the house from now on.

00:00:27Do not call Daniel.

00:00:28I am the sole owner.

00:00:29Right there.

00:00:30Charlotte, you sold your house for pennies on the dollar?

00:00:33Are you insane?

00:00:34You poured your entire life savings into that place, obsessing over every detail?

00:00:37From the renovations to the furniture?

00:00:39What the hell happened?

00:00:40My best friend's words bombarded my earpiece.

00:00:42I gave a faint smile.

00:00:43I'm just done making the wrong choice.

00:00:46Damien and I had been doing long distance for a year.

00:00:48Our video calls dwindled to almost nothing.

00:00:50He claimed he was busy, that his new VP promotion took up all his time.

00:00:54Yet, the moment Chloe got a fever, he'd drive straight to the airport and catch a 3 a.m.

00:00:58flight just to see her.

00:01:00I was completely over it.

00:01:02My friend prepared to say another harsh question, but Damien's call cut in.

00:01:06Charlotte, what time do you land tomorrow?

00:01:08I'll pick you up.

00:01:09I rejected him.

00:01:10No need, Mr. VP.

00:01:11You're busy.

00:01:12Don't waste your time.

00:01:13Oh, and hire a caregiver for your mother.

00:01:16I won't be taking care of her anymore.

00:01:18He tried to say something else, but I hung up.

00:01:21I was no longer that pathetic girl who stayed up until 2 a.m., just waiting for his good night.

00:01:26My flight landed in Chicago the next day.

00:01:28And there he was at arrivals.

00:01:30Damien, the man I hadn't seen in a year.

00:01:32He stepped forward and smoothly took my luggage.

00:01:34Tired?

00:01:35I kept my eyes on my phone, replying to work emails.

00:01:37I'm fine.

00:01:38How was San Francisco?

00:01:39You barely talked to me about your life this past year.

00:01:42I finally looked up at him.

00:01:44I'll be giving Harrison a full report on this year's projects.

00:01:46I'll CC you on the email.

00:01:47No need to ask.

00:01:49Are we strictly business now?

00:01:50I'm asking because I care about you.

00:01:52Charlotte, you-

00:01:52Then there's even less to talk about.

00:01:53I cut him off, head bowed as I typed a reply.

00:01:55After all, whenever I tried to talk to him about marriage, our life, or our future, he would

00:01:59just give me that cold stare and say,

00:02:01Charlotte, I'm busy.

00:02:02Can you grow up?

00:02:03Even Chloe, that intern, works harder than you do.

00:02:06Damien clearly hated my attitude, but he forced a change of subject.

00:02:09I got a call from the realtor yesterday.

00:02:11You sold our house?

00:02:14My fingers paused over the screen.

00:02:16I don't know.

00:02:17The realtor probably dialed the wrong number.

00:02:19We reached the parking garage.

00:02:20I pulled open the passenger door of Damien's black SUV, and there was Chloe, sitting right

00:02:25in the passenger seat, eating a slice of cake and scrolling through TikTok.

00:02:28Charlotte!

00:02:29Damien said he was coming to get you, so I tagged along.

00:02:31We just finished a client meeting this afternoon.

00:02:33I looked at the cake crumbs scattered across the leather seat.

00:02:35I couldn't help but think.

00:02:36The man who never let me eat in his car was suddenly making exceptions.

00:02:40I gave Chloe a quick once-over.

00:02:41A Tiffany necklace, a Louis Vuitton bag, Valentino heels.

00:02:45Way out of budget for an intern making 18 bucks an hour, my gaze briefly shifted to

00:02:49Damien, only to catch that doting look on his face.

00:02:51Seeing my silence, Chloe immediately gathered her things.

00:02:54She wiped the seat clean and shot Damien a playful wink.

00:02:57I know, I know.

00:02:58Shotgun is girlfriend-only territory.

00:03:00Here, Charlotte, take the seat.

00:03:02I only sat here earlier because I felt bad treating Damien like an Uber driver.

00:03:06Damien let out a soft chuckle.

00:03:07His entire expression softened.

00:03:08She's so cheerful.

00:03:09Once in the car, I flipped open my laptop and started reviewing files.

00:03:14That busy?

00:03:15I just muttered in and left it at that.

00:03:17Don't get the wrong idea.

00:03:18Chloe just heard you were flying in.

00:03:19She's always looked up to you, so we swung by together.

00:03:22I know, you don't need to explain.

00:03:23Damien's grip tightened on the steering wheel.

00:03:25By the way, you're signing the contract with Mr. Thompson tomorrow, right?

00:03:28Take Chloe with you.

00:03:30I couldn't help but laugh.

00:03:31A Gen Z kid like Chloe, who claims she's going to disrupt the workplace, negotiating a contract,

00:03:36she'd only blow the whole deal.

00:03:37And when she did, both she and Damien would get fired.

00:03:40I'd be more than happy to watch that happen.

00:03:42We arrived at the golf course.

00:03:44Before I could even say a word, Chloe jumped the gun and rushed forward.

00:03:48Mr. Thompson, hi!

00:03:49I'm Chloe, an intern at Grove Group.

00:03:51It's so great to meet you.

00:03:53Mr. Thompson gave a dismissive nod.

00:03:55Then he turned to me with a warm smile.

00:03:57Charlotte, up for a round?

00:03:59I took the golf club.

00:04:00Absolutely.

00:04:01I've got all day.

00:04:02Chloe's face completely froze.

00:04:04She bit her lip, looking at Damien with puppy dog eyes.

00:04:08It's okay.

00:04:08I've got you.

00:04:09I turned around just in time to catch the whole exchange.

00:04:12After settling Chloe down, Damien jogged over to me.

00:04:15He sounded pissed.

00:04:17You went too far.

00:04:17I didn't even know what he meant.

00:04:19He shot me an impatient flair.

00:04:21You brought Chloe here on purpose just to humiliate her, didn't you?

00:04:24She's just an intern.

00:04:25Are you really that petty?

00:04:27I let out a dry scoff.

00:04:29Sorry to disappoint you.

00:04:30But neither of you are that important to me.

00:04:3530 minutes later, the contract details were practically finalized.

00:04:39My phone blew up with text from my best friend, Violet.

00:04:46I frowned and clicked on the link.

00:04:47It was Chloe's latest social media post.

00:04:49A photo of a golf club in Damien's back.

00:04:51The caption read, him and my dreams.

00:04:54I stared at it for two seconds.

00:04:56Then I closed the app without a second thought.

00:04:58Stop getting mad over people who aren't worth it.

00:05:01I just never thought the perfect Stanford couple would end up like this.

00:05:05For the first time, my walls cracked a little.

00:05:07My love story with Damien used to be famous at Stanford.

00:05:09He was the legend of the computer science department.

00:05:12I was the stunning valedictorian of the business school.

00:05:15We used to argue until we were red in the face during class debates.

00:05:18No one believed romance could ever spark between us.

00:05:21But to everyone's shock, Damien actually asked me on a date in front of the whole school.

00:05:26Then Chloe showed up.

00:05:27And time and time again, between her and me, he chose her.

00:05:31My tone stayed perfectly flat.

00:05:33It's in the past.

00:05:34Thinking about the house, I sent a text to the realtor.

00:05:36Contact me directly about the house from now on.

00:05:38Do not call Damien.

00:05:40I am the sole owner.

00:05:41Right then, Chloe walked over holding a golf club.

00:05:43She looked at me with total admiration.

00:05:46Charlotte, will you teach me how to play?

00:05:48I want to be as amazing as you.

00:05:49So I can actually be useful to Damien's career.

00:05:53Hearing this, Damien looked over, his expression softening.

00:05:56By the way, Charlotte, organize the Rockway group files and hand them over to Chloe.

00:06:00I shot him a glare.

00:06:01I thought I had heard him wrong.

00:06:02When it finally clicked, I almost laughed at the sheer audacity.

00:06:05The Rockway group?

00:06:06Damien, are you out of your mind?

00:06:08You actually think she can handle my project?

00:06:10I refuse.

00:06:12His face darkened.

00:06:13He didn't expect me.

00:06:14The woman who always gave him whatever he wanted to fight back.

00:06:17His tone grew incredibly impatient.

00:06:18Since when are you this petty?

00:06:20If Chloe gets this project, she gets a full-time offer.

00:06:23I quietly stared at the face I once loved the most.

00:06:26Now, he just felt like a total stranger.

00:06:29My heart went ice cold.

00:06:30He never cared how much I sacrificed, just like a year ago.

00:06:33When he took a project, I spent three agonizing months preparing and handed it straight to

00:06:38Chloe.

00:06:38The tension was suffocating.

00:06:40The investors and caddies on the course all pretended not to notice the argument, but

00:06:43the occasional glances they shot at Damien and Chloe were filled with sheer disgust.

00:06:48Chloe hurriedly tugged at Damien's sleeve.

00:06:50Damien, please don't fight with Charlotte over me.

00:06:52I don't want people saying I only got this project because of my connections with you.

00:06:55You're always too kind.

00:06:57You're going to get eaten alive in the corporate world.

00:06:59Charlotte, I'm sorry.

00:07:01I was the one who told him I really wanted more experience.

00:07:03That's why Damien asked you to give me the project.

00:07:05But he was only thinking about what's best for the company.

00:07:07I crossed my arms and stared at her coldly.

00:07:09How incredibly noble of her.

00:07:11It made it sound like if I didn't back down today, I was just being petty and unreasonable.

00:07:16Chloe, if I remember correctly, you've been interning at Grove Group for almost two years

00:07:20now, right?

00:07:21Internships at Grove Group are strictly capped at six months.

00:07:24How exactly have you stuck around for two years?

00:07:26Who authorized that?

00:07:27The implication was too obvious.

00:07:29Their faces instantly dropped.

00:07:31Charlotte, please don't talk about me like that.

00:07:33I ignored her little performance and looked straight at Damien.

00:07:36This is really your fault, Damien.

00:07:38Chloe has been following you around for two years.

00:07:40Why haven't you given her a full-time offer yet?

00:07:42Charlotte, you're crossing the line.

00:07:44Take your temper out on me, but leave an innocent girl out of it.

00:07:46I let out a cold laugh.

00:07:47Then let's break up.

00:07:49The next morning, Damien called me into his office the second I walked in.

00:07:55You're off the Rockwood Group project.

00:07:57I already promised it to Chloe.

00:07:58It's not like you need this one anyway.

00:08:00The office was dead silent.

00:08:01So quiet I could only hear the heavy beating of my own heart.

00:08:04When we got home last night, the first thing he did was scold me.

00:08:07Charlotte, what is wrong with you?

00:08:09Can't you just communicate like an adult?

00:08:14Talking like that in front of investors, do you have any idea how that makes me look?

00:08:18And for the record, I am not agreeing to a breakup.

00:08:22I'll pretend I didn't hear it this time.

00:08:25But don't you dare pull a stunt like that again.

00:08:27My patience has a limit.

00:08:28I don't even recognize you anymore.

00:08:30You're acting like a hysterical madwoman.

00:08:33He demanded we sleep in separate rooms and stormed off to the study with his pillow.

00:08:37We didn't speak another word to each other.

00:08:39And now, the moment I stepped into the office, he dropped this bomb on me.

00:08:45I refuse.

00:08:47I could barely breathe.

00:08:50Even if I drop this project, I am not handing it over to Chloe.

00:08:55You!

00:08:55Damien stood up and slammed his finger onto the security intercom.

00:09:00Just because we're dating doesn't mean you get to throw a temper tantrum.

00:09:04The security guards arrived.

00:09:05The atmosphere was incredibly awkward.

00:09:07Right on cue, Chloe pushed the door open, freezing in like she owned the place.

00:09:11Don't worry, Charlotte.

00:09:13Damien stayed up with me all night, going over every detail.

00:09:15I won't let your hard work go to waste.

00:09:18I let out a dry scoff and didn't say a word.

00:09:21I just turned around and walked out.

00:09:22But I never expected them to be in such a desperate hurry.

00:09:26I could immediately feel the bizarre tension in the office.

00:09:29The design director quickly pulled me aside.

00:09:31Something went wrong with the Rockway Group project.

00:09:33Chloe went to sign the papers yesterday and somehow grabbed the wrong contract.

00:09:37She swapped our $10 million bid for a $100 million one.

00:09:43The contract is signed and legally binding.

00:09:45The company is going to lose $90 million.

00:09:47Just then, my phone rang.

00:09:49It was Harrison, the CEO.

00:09:50Charlotte, my office.

00:09:52Now.

00:09:55I walked into Harrison's office.

00:09:57Damien and Chloe were already there.

00:10:00Charlotte, I've always looked up to you.

00:10:03How could you make such a rookie mistake?

00:10:06I let out a cold laugh.

00:10:08You think crying louder is going to shift the blame onto someone innocent?

00:10:11The proposal I handed you was perfectly clear.

00:10:14Why don't we pull up the backup files and see exactly whose fault this is?

00:10:17The moment I finished, Damien spoke up.

00:10:18Then let's look at them.

00:10:19I frowned and looked over at him.

00:10:21His eyes darted away.

00:10:22A sudden, sinking feeling hit my stomach.

00:10:24My laptop was quickly brought in and placed right in front of Harrison.

00:10:27I clicked the file open and my blood ran cold.

00:10:30My original document.

00:10:31It clearly stated, 100 million.

00:10:33I had double checked that number no less than 10 times.

00:10:36There was zero chance I made a mistake.

00:10:38Suddenly, it hit me.

00:10:39There was only one person who knew my laptop password.

00:10:42Only one person with the skills to alter the raw data and wipe the modification logs entirely.

00:10:47I stared at Damien.

00:10:48A sickening realization washed over me.

00:10:50He actually framed me just to protect his intern.

00:10:53Damien, today, you tampered with my original data just to help her cover up the truth.

00:10:57If she murders someone tomorrow, are you going to help her bury the body and lie to the cops too?

00:11:02Damien didn't dare look me in the eye.

00:11:04The contract is legally binding.

00:11:06You either figure out a way to cover the company's losses or prepare for federal prison.

00:11:12Out in the hallway, it was just the three of us.

00:11:15Charlotte, I...

00:11:16I raised my hand and slapped him hard across the face.

00:11:20We're done.

00:11:21I let it slide all those times you covered for her in the past.

00:11:25But now...

00:11:26Know your place.

00:11:28You have no right to give me orders.

00:11:33The next morning, Damien called me into his office the second I walked in.

00:11:39You're off the Rockwood Group project.

00:11:41I already promised it to Chloe.

00:11:42It's not like you need this one anyway.

00:11:44The office was dead silent.

00:11:45So quiet I could only hear the heavy beating of my own heart.

00:11:48When we got home last night, the first thing he did was scold me.

00:11:51Charlotte, what is wrong with you?

00:11:54Can't you just communicate like an adult?

00:11:59Talking like that in front of investors, do you have any idea how that makes me look?

00:12:02And for the record, I am not agreeing to a breakup!

00:12:06I'll pretend I didn't hear it this time.

00:12:09But don't you dare pull a stunt like that again.

00:12:11My patience has a limit.

00:12:13I don't even recognize you anymore.

00:12:15You're acting like a hysterical madwoman.

00:12:17He demanded we sleep in separate rooms and stormed off to the study with his pillow.

00:12:21We didn't speak another word to each other.

00:12:23And now, the moment I stepped into the office, he dropped this bomb on me.

00:12:30I refuse.

00:12:31I could barely breathe.

00:12:34Even if I drop this project, I am not handing it over to Chloe.

00:12:39You!

00:12:40Damien stood up and slammed his finger onto the security intercom.

00:12:44Just because we're dating doesn't mean you get to throw a temper tantrum.

00:12:48The security guards arrived.

00:12:49The atmosphere was incredibly awkward.

00:12:52Right on cue, Chloe pushed the door open, freezing in like she owned the place.

00:12:55Don't worry, Charlotte.

00:12:57Damien stayed up with me all night, going over every detail.

00:13:00I won't let your hard work go to waste.

00:13:02I let out a dry scoff and didn't say a word.

00:13:05I just turned around and walked out.

00:13:07But I never expected them to be in such a desperate hurry.

00:13:10I could immediately feel the bizarre tension in the office.

00:13:13The design director quickly pulled me aside.

00:13:15Something went wrong with the Rockway Group project.

00:13:18Chloe went to sign the papers yesterday and somehow grabbed the wrong contract.

00:13:21She swapped our $10 million bid for a $100 million one.

00:13:27The contract is signed and legally binding.

00:13:29The company is going to lose $90 million.

00:13:31Just then, my phone rang.

00:13:33It was Harrison, the CEO.

00:13:35Charlotte.

00:13:36My office.

00:13:37Now.

00:13:39I walked into Harrison's office.

00:13:41Damien and Chloe were already there.

00:13:44Charlotte!

00:13:45I've always looked up to you!

00:13:47How could you make such a rookie mistake?

00:13:51I let out a cold laugh.

00:13:52You think crying louder is going to shift the blame onto someone innocent?

00:13:56The proposal I handed you was perfectly clear.

00:13:58Why don't we pull up the backup files and see exactly whose fault this is?

00:14:01The moment I finished, Damien spoke up.

00:14:03Then let's look at them.

00:14:04I frowned and looked over at him.

00:14:05His eyes darted away.

00:14:06A sudden sinking feeling hit my stomach.

00:14:09My laptop was quickly brought in and placed right in front of Harrison.

00:14:11I clicked the file open and my blood ran cold.

00:14:14My original document.

00:14:15It clearly stated 100 million.

00:14:18I had double checked that number no less than 10 times.

00:14:21There was zero chance I made a mistake.

00:14:22Suddenly, it hit me.

00:14:24There was only one person who knew my laptop password.

00:14:26Only one person with the skills to alter the raw data and wipe the modification logs entirely.

00:14:31I stared at Damien.

00:14:32A sickening realization washed over me.

00:14:34He actually framed me just to protect his intern.

00:14:37Damien.

00:14:37Today, you tampered with my original data just to help her cover up the truth.

00:14:41If she murders someone tomorrow, are you going to help her bury the body and lie to the cops too?

00:14:47Damien didn't dare look me in the eye.

00:14:48The contract is legally binding.

00:14:50You either figure out a way to cover the company's losses or prepare for federal prison.

00:14:57Out in the hallway, it was just the three of us.

00:15:00Charlotte, I...

00:15:01I raised my hand and slapped him hard across the face.

00:15:04We're done.

00:15:05I let it slide all those times you covered for her in the past.

00:15:10But now...

00:15:11Know your place.

00:15:12You have no right to give me orders.

00:15:17Take off the dress too.

00:15:19You've enjoyed enough of the Carter family's kindness.

00:15:21From now on, you're on your own.

00:15:23But I was the Casino King's illegitimate daughter.

00:15:26Was the one I'd loved for 10 years.

00:15:27Then he placed the orchid in her hands.

00:15:29That was supposed to be mine.

00:15:30He knew it.

00:15:31I was taken back to the Carter family.

00:15:32I begged him to train me.

00:15:34To bet on me.

00:15:35The Carter family wants in with him.

00:15:37But they can't bear to sacrifice their real daughters.

00:15:39So they picked me and unzipped the dress myself.

00:15:42I stood there in nothing but a silk slip.

00:15:44Now we're even.

00:15:45I turned around and walked through 300 people barefoot in a silk slip with nothing to my name.

00:15:49My sister...

00:15:49The Las Vegas Flower Gala.

00:15:51A dozen billionaire heiresses lined up on stage.

00:15:53One by one, their bus sizes were measured waiting to be chosen.

00:15:56An orchid meant an arranged marriage.

00:15:57No orchid meant your family would sell you off to the highest bidder.

00:16:00I'm Chloe.

00:16:01I was born curvy.

00:16:02But I was the Casino King's illegitimate daughter.

00:16:04So no one would ever choose me.

00:16:06Tonight, the only man who could save me was the one I'd loved for 10 years.

00:16:09He was standing right there with her arm wrapped around his.

00:16:12Ethan smiled at the girl beside him.

00:16:14Then he placed the orchid in her hands.

00:16:15The room gasped.

00:16:16That was supposed to be mine.

00:16:17He knew it.

00:16:18Everyone knew it.

00:16:19But he leaned into her ear and said, loud enough for me to hear.

00:16:22You deserve this, Lily.

00:16:23You have class.

00:16:24Class one word.

00:16:24And I became the punchline of the entire room.

00:16:26Yesterday, he promised me.

00:16:28Three years.

00:16:29Just give me three years and I'll handle everything.

00:16:31No one's going to force you into marriage.

00:16:33Today, he handed my future to a girl he met six months ago.

00:16:35Lily walked over to me.

00:16:36She looked nervous.

00:16:37Chloe, I'm so sorry.

00:16:39I told him not to.

00:16:40I really did.

00:16:40Then she touched the orchid in her hand.

00:16:42Straightened it slowly, making sure I saw it.

00:16:47Her eyes never changed.

00:16:48That's the thing about Lily.

00:16:49Her mouth says sorry.

00:16:50Her hand said he's mine now.

00:16:52Ethan walked over with a drink in his hand, casual, relaxed, like nothing happened.

00:16:56Don't be dramatic, Chloe.

00:16:57He grabbed a rose from a passing tray and held it out.

00:16:59The thorns were still on.

00:17:00The stem was broken halfway.

00:17:02Here.

00:17:03You look better in red anyway.

00:17:04A broken rose for the broken girl.

00:17:06Got it.

00:17:07Why are you making such a fuss over one orchid?

00:17:09Laughter around me grew louder.

00:17:10She's the bastard daughter.

00:17:11What did she expect?

00:17:12Before I could respond, a voice cut through the crowd, Vivian graceful as always, untouchable

00:17:17as ever.

00:17:18She walked toward me with a champagne glass in her hand, smiling the kind of smile that

00:17:21made everyone think she was a loving mother.

00:17:24Chloe, darling.

00:17:25We raised you for 18 years, fed you, clothed you, put a roof over your head.

00:17:29And this is how you repay us?

00:17:31Making a scene at the gala?

00:17:33She glanced at the rose in my hand, then at the orchid on Lily's wrist.

00:17:36Some girls are orchids.

00:17:38Some girls aren't.

00:17:40Know your place.

00:17:41The room was dead silent.

00:17:45Three hundred people watching, not one of them on my side.

00:17:48Then my third sister stepped forward, like she'd been waiting for this.

00:17:51If I were you, I wouldn't have showed up tonight.

00:17:53How embarrassing.

00:17:54She circled me slowly, then she reached out and touched the necklace around my neck.

00:17:58This belongs to the Carter family.

00:18:00She unclasped it.

00:18:01I didn't move.

00:18:02The earrings too.

00:18:03Then the other dropped onto a silver tray a waiter was forced to hold.

00:18:06The bracelet.

00:18:07Gone the room was so quiet I could hear the jewelry hitting the tray.

00:18:10My sister looked me up and down, then smiled.

00:18:13Take off the dress too.

00:18:14Mom said you've enjoyed enough of the Carter family's kindness.

00:18:17From now on, you're on your own.

00:18:19I looked at Vivian.

00:18:20She sipped her champagne and nodded.

00:18:22So I reached behind my back and unzipped the dress myself.

00:18:28Gasps, the fabric slid off my shoulders, then pulled at my feet.

00:18:31Three hundred people.

00:18:32Camera flashes.

00:18:32Whispers.

00:18:33I stood there in nothing but a silk slip.

00:18:35No necklace.

00:18:35No earrings.

00:18:36No bracelet.

00:18:37No designer dress.

00:18:38My sister finally stopped smiling.

00:18:39She didn't expect me to actually do it.

00:18:41Vivian's glass paused halfway to her lips.

00:18:43Even she didn't expect that.

00:18:44I picked up the dress, folded it neatly, and placed it on the tray.

00:18:47On top of the jewelry.

00:18:48There.

00:18:49That's everything.

00:18:51Now we're even.

00:18:52Then I looked at Ethan.

00:18:53He was frozen.

00:18:54His face was white.

00:18:55Chloe!

00:18:56I didn't wait for him to finish.

00:18:57I turned around and walked through three hundred people barefoot in a silk slip, with nothing

00:19:01to my name.

00:19:01My sister's voice echoed behind me.

00:19:03Oh, right.

00:19:04One more thing.

00:19:05That man in D.C.?

00:19:07I heard he already has someone he truly loves.

00:19:10Good luck.

00:19:13My mother died young.

00:19:15I was taken back to the Carter family when I was still a child.

00:19:18My father had too many women to even count.

00:19:21Of course, if it weren't for this face, I probably wouldn't have made it this far in

00:19:26one piece.

00:19:27So I survived in the cracks, and I went to my uncle.

00:19:30I begged him to train me.

00:19:32To bet on me.

00:19:33That man never smiled.

00:19:35So I held myself together, even when I was shaking inside.

00:19:39Making a deal with a tiger means you don't get to be afraid.

00:19:42Your father has over twenty children.

00:19:44Why should I bet on you?

00:19:46You're just an illegitimate daughter.

00:19:48Because I have nothing to lose.

00:19:51And I'm not afraid to bleed.

00:19:53But the time still isn't right.

00:19:54And Uncle Henry won't help me.

00:19:56As for that man in D.C., I heard he's cruel.

00:19:59Cross him, once.

00:20:00And he'll make you pay for it ten times over.

00:20:03The Carter family wants in with him, but they can't bear to sacrifice their real daughters.

00:20:07So they picked me.

00:20:08Of course they did.

00:20:09Uncle Henry had probably already heard how tonight ended.

00:20:13He sent me one text.

00:20:20Take off the dress too.

00:20:21You've enjoyed enough of the Carter family's kindness.

00:20:24From now on, you're on your own.

00:20:26But I was the Casino King's illegitimate daughter.

00:20:28Was the one I'd loved for ten years.

00:20:30Then he placed the orchid in her hands.

00:20:31That was supposed to be mine.

00:20:32He knew it.

00:20:33I was taken back to the Carter family.

00:20:35I begged him to train me.

00:20:37To bet on me.

00:20:37The Carter family wants in with him, but they can't bear to sacrifice their real daughters.

00:20:42So they picked me and unzipped the dress myself.

00:20:45I stood there in nothing but a silk slip.

00:20:46Now we're even.

00:20:47I turned around and walked through 300 people barefoot in a silk slip with nothing to my name.

00:20:52My sister...

00:20:52The Las Vegas Flower Gala, a dozen billionaire heiresses lined up on stage.

00:20:55One by one, their bus sizes were measured waiting to be chosen.

00:20:58An orchid meant an arranged marriage.

00:21:00No orchid meant your family would sell you off to the highest bidder.

00:21:02I'm Chloe.

00:21:03I was born curvy.

00:21:04But I was the casino king's illegitimate daughter, so no one would ever choose me.

00:21:08Tonight, the only man who could save me was the one I'd loved for ten years.

00:21:12He was standing right there with her arm wrapped around his.

00:21:14Ethan smiled at the girl beside him.

00:21:16Then he placed the orchid in her hands.

00:21:18The room gasped.

00:21:19That was supposed to be mine.

00:21:20He knew it.

00:21:20Everyone knew it.

00:21:21But he leaned into her ear and said, loud enough for me to hear.

00:21:24You deserve this, Lily.

00:21:25You have class.

00:21:26Class one word.

00:21:27And I became the punchline of the entire room.

00:21:29Yesterday, he promised me.

00:21:30Three years.

00:21:31Just give me three years and I'll handle everything.

00:21:33No one's going to force you into marriage.

00:21:35Today, he handed my future to a girl he met six months ago.

00:21:38Lily walked over to me.

00:21:39She looked nervous.

00:21:40Chloe, I'm so sorry.

00:21:41I told him not to.

00:21:42I really did.

00:21:43Then she touched the orchid in her hand.

00:21:45Straightened it slowly, making sure I saw it.

00:21:49Her eyes never changed.

00:21:51That's the thing about Lily.

00:21:52Her mouth says, sorry.

00:21:53Her hand said, he's mine now.

00:21:54Ethan walked over with a drink in his hand, casual, relaxed, like nothing happened.

00:21:58Don't be dramatic, Chloe.

00:21:59He grabbed a rose from a passing tray and held it out.

00:22:02The thorns were still on.

00:22:03The stem was broken halfway.

00:22:05Here.

00:22:05You look better in red anyway.

00:22:07A broken rose.

00:22:07For the broken girl.

00:22:08Got it.

00:22:09Why are you making such a fuss over one orchid?

00:22:11Laughter around me grew louder.

00:22:13She's the bastard daughter.

00:22:14What did she expect?

00:22:15Before I could respond, a voice cut through the crowd, Vivian graceful as always, untouchable

00:22:19as ever.

00:22:20She walked toward me with a champagne glass in her hand, smiling the kind of smile that made

00:22:24everyone think she was a loving mother.

00:22:26Chloe, darling.

00:22:27We raised you for 18 years.

00:22:29Fed you.

00:22:30Clothed you.

00:22:30Put a roof over your head.

00:22:32And this is how you repay us?

00:22:33Making a scene at the gala?

00:22:35She glanced at the rose in my hand, then at the orchid on Lily's wrist.

00:22:38Some girls are orchids.

00:22:40Some girls aren't.

00:22:42Know your place.

00:22:43The room was dead silent.

00:22:47Three hundred people watching, not one of them on my side.

00:22:50Then my third sister stepped forward, like she'd been waiting for this.

00:22:53If I were you, I wouldn't have showed up tonight.

00:22:56How embarrassing.

00:22:57She circled me slowly.

00:22:58Then she reached out and touched the necklace around my neck.

00:23:01This belongs to the Carter family.

00:23:03She unclasped it.

00:23:04I didn't move.

00:23:04The earrings too.

00:23:05Then the other dropped onto a silver tray a waiter was forced to hold.

00:23:08The bracelet.

00:23:09Gone the room was so quiet I could hear the jewelry hitting the tray.

00:23:13My sister looked me up and down, then smiled.

00:23:15Take off the dress too.

00:23:17Mom said you've enjoyed enough of the Carter family's kindness.

00:23:20From now on, you're on your own.

00:23:22I looked at Vivian.

00:23:23She sipped her champagne and nodded.

00:23:24So I reached behind my back and unzipped the dress myself.

00:23:30Gasps, the fabric slid off my shoulders, then pulled at my feet.

00:23:33Three hundred people.

00:23:34Camera flashes.

00:23:35Whispers.

00:23:36I stood there in nothing but a silk slip.

00:23:37No necklace.

00:23:38No earrings.

00:23:38No bracelet.

00:23:39No designer dress.

00:23:40My sister finally stopped smiling.

00:23:42She didn't expect me to actually do it.

00:23:44Vivian's glass paused halfway to her lips.

00:23:45Even she didn't expect that.

00:23:47I picked up the dress, folded it neatly, and placed it on the tray.

00:23:50On top of the jewelry.

00:23:51There.

00:23:52That's everything.

00:23:53Now we're even.

00:23:55Then I looked at Ethan.

00:23:55He was frozen.

00:23:56His face was white.

00:23:58Chloe!

00:23:58I didn't wait for him to finish.

00:23:59I turned around and walked through three hundred people barefoot in a silk slip with nothing

00:24:03to my name.

00:24:04My sister's voice echoed behind me.

00:24:05Oh, right.

00:24:06One more thing.

00:24:08That man in D.C.?

00:24:09I heard he already has someone he truly loves.

00:24:13Good luck.

00:24:16My mother died young.

00:24:17I was taken back to the Carter family when I was still a child.

00:24:21My father had too many women to even count.

00:24:23Of course, if it weren't for this space, I probably wouldn't have made it this far in

00:24:28one piece.

00:24:29So I survived in the cracks, and I went to my uncle.

00:24:32I begged him to train me, to bet on me.

00:24:35That man never smiled.

00:24:37So I held myself together even when I was shaking inside.

00:24:41Making a deal with a tiger means you don't get to be afraid.

00:24:44Your father has over twenty children.

00:24:47Why should I bet on you?

00:24:49You're just an illegitimate daughter.

00:24:51Because I have nothing to lose.

00:24:53And I'm not afraid to bleed.

00:24:55But the time still isn't right, and Uncle Henry won't help me.

00:24:59As for that man in D.C., I heard he's cruel.

00:25:02Cross him, once.

00:25:03And he'll make you pay for it ten times over.

00:25:05The Carter family wants in with him, but they can't bear to sacrifice their real daughters.

00:25:10So they picked me.

00:25:11Of course they did.

00:25:12Uncle Henry had probably already heard how tonight ended.

00:25:15He sent me one text.

00:25:20The day I went into labry with our quadruplets,

00:25:22my fated mate, Alpha Caleb,

00:25:24took the only dose of the moonflower potion.

00:25:27The elders prepared that for me!

00:25:29Without the moonflower, I could die in childbirth.

00:25:31Serena is the widow of my best friend, Ethan,

00:25:33and I promised him I'd take care of her.

00:25:34He locked me in the bedroom, ignoring my painted cries.

00:25:37My gut clenched in a violent spasm,

00:25:40and a warm rush of liquid ran down my legs.

00:25:44Stella.

00:25:45Are you done with your tantrum?

00:25:46My water broke.

00:25:47I'm bleeding.

00:25:48The babies are coming.

00:25:49Caleb stayed by Serena's side all night.

00:25:52Only then did he finally remember me,

00:25:54but a guard's trembling voice came through the phone.

00:25:56Alpha!

00:25:56The manor!

00:25:57It's on fire!

00:25:58The room is covered in blood,

00:26:00and the luna, she's gone.

00:26:02The day I went into labry with our quadruplets,

00:26:04my fated mate, Alpha Caleb,

00:26:07took the only dose of the moonflower potion.

00:26:09The elders prepared this rare elixir,

00:26:11specifically to protect me.

00:26:13All because another she-wolf, Serena,

00:26:16was also going into labor.

00:26:17He locked me in the bedroom,

00:26:19ignoring my painted cries,

00:26:21even after my water had broken.

00:26:23Serena is the widow of my best friend, Ethan,

00:26:25and I promised him I'd take care of her.

00:26:28I can't break my promise.

00:26:30She's always been fragile,

00:26:31and she's delivering today.

00:26:33You still have three days until your due date.

00:26:35Relax, once she delivers safely,

00:26:37I'll find another moonflower for you.

00:26:38It won't hurt our pups.

00:26:39Until then,

00:26:40stay quiet,

00:26:41and don't disturb Serena.

00:26:42I begged him,

00:26:44blood pooling at my feet,

00:26:45to come back and take me to the hospital.

00:26:48But he coldly shut me out of our mind-plink.

00:26:54Caleb stayed by Serena's side all night,

00:26:57not leaving until she safely delivered her pup.

00:26:59Only then did he finally remember me,

00:27:02but a guard's trembling voice came through the phone.

00:27:04Alpha, the manor, it's on fire!

00:27:06The room is covered in blood,

00:27:08and the luna, she's gone.

00:27:10They took her!

00:27:11In that moment,

00:27:12the stoic Alpha Caleb broke.

00:27:14Caleb, put the potion down!

00:27:16I stood in front of him,

00:27:18my hands cradling my swollen belly,

00:27:19heavy with rare quadruplets.

00:27:21I could barely stand straight.

00:27:22He shoved the vial of moonflower potion into his pocket.

00:27:25Serena's in labor.

00:27:26She needs this.

00:27:27The elders prepared that for me!

00:27:30I'm carrying four pups.

00:27:31Without the moonflower,

00:27:32I could die in childbirth.

00:27:34Caleb, they're your children, too!

00:27:36But your due date isn't.

00:27:37For another three days.

00:27:40His eyes meeting mine with a...

00:27:41And Serena has always been frail.

00:27:43Without this,

00:27:44she and her pup could die on the operating table.

00:27:46Stella Ethan died saving me.

00:27:48I promised I'd look after his widow.

00:27:51But I think I'm going into labor, too.

00:27:53I've been having pains all day.

00:27:55Enough.

00:27:57You used that same excuse to pull me away from Serena's side when she fell last time.

00:28:02Stella, you're being selfish.

00:28:04To make sure you don't bother Serena today, you're staying here.

00:28:08Caleb.

00:28:08I warned you.

00:28:09He turned and walked away.

00:28:11The heavy door swung shut in my face,

00:28:13followed by the sound of a lock clicking into place.

00:28:15I stood frozen for a few seconds before it sank in.

00:28:17I rushed to the door, pounding on it with my fists.

00:28:20Ah!

00:28:21Caleb, open the door!

00:28:23Don't lock me in here!

00:28:24I'm serious!

00:28:24I'm really going into labor!

00:28:26No response.

00:28:28My gut clenched in a violent spasm,

00:28:30and a warm rush of liquid ran down my legs.

00:28:33My water broke.

00:28:34I looked down at the spreading puddle at my feet,

00:28:37and fear, cold as ice, shot through me.

00:28:39I slammed my hands against the door with all my strength.

00:28:42Guards!

00:28:43Is anyone out there?

00:28:44I'm in labor!

00:28:45Call a doctor!

00:28:48Luna.

00:28:49It was Marcus, one of the oldest guards in the pack.

00:28:51The Alpha ordered us not to disturb you.

00:28:53He said you were...

00:28:54unstable.

00:28:55I'm not unstable!

00:28:56My water broke!

00:28:58Luna, the Alpha said you might say that,

00:29:01but your due date isn't today.

00:29:03Marcus!

00:29:04I'm your Luna!

00:29:05I order you to open this door!

00:29:07I'm sorry, Luna.

00:29:09The Alpha's orders are absolute.

00:29:11The footsteps faded away.

00:29:13I slid to the floor as a sharp, twisting pain

00:29:15ripped through my abdomen,

00:29:16forcing me to curl into a ball.

00:29:18No, I couldn't just wait here to die.

00:29:21I crawled to the living room,

00:29:22fumbled for a dagger in a drawer,

00:29:24and stumbled back to the door.

00:29:27I tried to pick the lock.

00:29:29The dagger scraped uselessly against the metal with a clang.

00:29:32The lock didn't budge.

00:29:33Wiping sweat from my eyes,

00:29:35I looked closer.

00:29:36The lock was reinforced with a new alloy casing.

00:29:38It was new.

00:29:39When did he change it?

00:29:40This wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision.

00:29:42He had planned this all along,

00:29:44to lock me away,

00:29:45to clear the path for Serena.

00:29:48Another, more violent contraction hit me,

00:29:50and I collapsed.

00:29:51The blood was already soaking the hem of my dress.

00:29:54I felt a faint stir from the cups inside me.

00:29:56I couldn't give up.

00:29:56Not on my bobeys.

00:29:58I focused,

00:29:59pushing with all my might to reach Caleb through our mind link.

00:30:02Please.

00:30:03But his side of the links

00:30:04was a cold, hard wall.

00:30:06He had blocked me.

00:30:08I pulled out my phone.

00:30:11He declined,

00:30:12again and again.

00:30:13I kept dialing as I crawled toward the stairs,

00:30:16Stella.

00:30:17Are you done with your tantrum?

00:30:19I'm busy with Serena.

00:30:21Can you stop being a jealous brat for one minute?

00:30:23My water broke.

00:30:25I'm bleeding.

00:30:26The babies are coming.

00:30:28Caleb.

00:30:29My water broke.

00:30:31I'm bleeding.

00:30:32The babies are coming.

00:30:33He scoffed,

00:30:35a sound full of scorn.

00:30:38Stella,

00:30:38you'll really say anything to get me to come back,

00:30:40won't you?

00:30:42I'm not.

00:30:45That's enough.

00:30:45I have to deal with things here.

00:30:47Stop bothering me.

00:30:48He was about to hang up.

00:30:49I looked down at the growing pool of blood beneath me

00:30:52and used my last ounce of strength

00:30:53to scream into the phone.

00:30:55Caleb!

00:30:55For the sake of our pups,

00:30:57just call a doctor!

00:30:59For a split second,

00:31:00the line went silent.

00:31:02In that instant,

00:31:03a sliver of my agony

00:31:04shot through our mate Bond,

00:31:05the one he'd almost completely severed.

00:31:07I heard him gasp.

00:31:09His cold tone finally cracked.

00:31:11Stella?

00:31:12You?

00:31:13I'm not lying.

00:31:15Caleb,

00:31:16I'm really dying.

00:31:16I pressed my cheek to the cold floor,

00:31:18tears mixing with the sweat on my face.

00:31:20In the tiny clap of our link he'd left open,

00:31:22I could feel his hesitation,

00:31:24his panic.

00:31:25Yeah,

00:31:25I'll have a doctor check on you.

00:31:27If I find out you're lying...

00:31:29Caleb!

00:31:30Alpha!

00:31:31She's hemorrhaging!

00:31:32Her blood pressure is dropping!

00:31:34It was followed by the sound of frantic footsteps

00:31:36and a nurse shouting...

00:31:37Serena!

00:31:38Caleb's voice was sharp with fear.

00:31:41Stay with me.

00:31:42Look at me.

00:31:45Caleb!

00:31:46I croaked his name.

00:31:48Hold on, Stella.

00:31:49I'll send someone over later.

00:31:50The line went dead.

00:31:52I held the phone,

00:31:53staring blankly at the call-ended message on the screen.

00:31:57So,

00:31:58even if I was truly dying,

00:32:00it meant less to him

00:32:01than the slightest possibility of danger to Serena.

00:32:04another contraction seized me

00:32:05and I curled into a ball.

00:32:07I don't know how much time passed.

00:32:09Half an hour?

00:32:10An hour?

00:32:11My phone suddenly rang again.

00:32:15Carly!

00:32:16Hemorrhagia.

00:32:17You did this, didn't you?

00:32:19What?

00:32:20My water broke.

00:32:21I looked down at the spreading puddle at my feet

00:32:23and fear,

00:32:24cold as ice,

00:32:25shot through me.

00:32:26I slammed my hands against the door with all my strength.

00:32:29Guards!

00:32:30Is anyone out there?

00:32:31I'm in labor!

00:32:32Call a doctor!

00:32:35Luna.

00:32:35It was Marcus,

00:32:36one of the oldest guards in the pack.

00:32:38The Alpha ordered us not to disturb you.

00:32:40He said you were...

00:32:41unstable.

00:32:42I'm not unstable!

00:32:43My water broke!

00:32:45Luna.

00:32:46The Alpha said you might say that,

00:32:48but your due date isn't today.

00:32:50Marcus!

00:32:51I'm your Luna!

00:32:52I order you to open this door!

00:32:54I'm sorry, Luna.

00:32:56The Alpha's orders are absolute.

00:32:57The footsteps faded away.

00:32:59I slid to the floor as a sharp, twisting pain ripped through my abdomen,

00:33:03forcing me to curl into a ball.

00:33:05No, I couldn't just wait here to die.

00:33:07I crawled to the living room,

00:33:09fumbled for a dagger in a drawer,

00:33:11and stumbled back to the door.

00:33:14I tried to pick the lock.

00:33:16The dagger scraped uselessly against the metal with a clang.

00:33:19The lock didn't budge.

00:33:20Wiping sweat from my eyes,

00:33:21I looked closer.

00:33:22The lock was reinforced with a new alloy casing.

00:33:25It was new.

00:33:26When did he change it?

00:33:27This wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision.

00:33:29He had planned this all along,

00:33:31to lock me away,

00:33:32to clear the path for Serena.

00:33:35Another, more violent contraction hit me,

00:33:37and I collapsed.

00:33:38The blood was already soaking the hem of my dress.

00:33:40I felt a faint stir from the cups inside me.

00:33:43I couldn't give up.

00:33:43Not on my bobeys.

00:33:44I focused,

00:33:46pushing with all my might to reach Caleb through our mind link.

00:33:48Please.

00:33:50But his side of the links was a cold, hard wall.

00:33:53He had blocked me.

00:33:55I pulled out my phone.

00:33:58He declined,

00:33:59again and again.

00:34:00I kept dialing as I crawled toward the sky.

00:34:03Stella,

00:34:04are you done with your tantrum?

00:34:06I'm busy with Serena.

00:34:07Can you stop being a jealous brat for one minute?

00:34:10My water broke.

00:34:11I'm bleeding.

00:34:13The babies are coming.

00:34:15Caleb,

00:34:16my water broke.

00:34:18I'm bleeding.

00:34:19The babies are coming.

00:34:20He scoffed,

00:34:21a sound full of scorn.

00:34:24Stella,

00:34:25you'll really say anything to get me to come back,

00:34:27won't you?

00:34:29I'm not.

00:34:31That's enough.

00:34:32I have to deal with things here.

00:34:34Stop bothering me.

00:34:35He was about to hang up.

00:34:36I looked down at the growing pool of blood beneath me

00:34:38and used my last ounce of strength to scream into the phone.

00:34:41Caleb,

00:34:42for the sake of our pups,

00:34:43just call a doctor!

00:34:46For a split second,

00:34:47the line went silent.

00:34:48In that instant,

00:34:49a sliver of my agony shot through our mate Bond,

00:34:52the one he'd almost completely severed.

00:34:54I heard him gasp.

00:34:55His cold tone finally cracked.

00:34:58Stella?

00:34:59You?

00:35:00I'm not lying.

00:35:02Caleb,

00:35:02I'm really dying.

00:35:03I pressed my cheek to the cold floor,

00:35:05tears mixing with the sweat on my face.

00:35:07In the tiny clap of our link he'd left open,

00:35:09I could feel his hesitation,

00:35:10his panic.

00:35:11Yeah,

00:35:12I'll have a doctor check on you.

00:35:14If I find out you're lying,

00:35:16Caleb!

00:35:17Alpha!

00:35:17She's hemorrhaging!

00:35:19Her blood pressure is dropping!

00:35:21It was followed by the sound of frantic footsteps

00:35:23and a nurse shouting,

00:35:24Serena!

00:35:25Caleb's voice was sharp with fear.

00:35:28Stay with me.

00:35:29Look at me.

00:35:32Caleb!

00:35:33I croaked his name.

00:35:35Hold on, Stella.

00:35:36I'll send someone over later.

00:35:37The line went dead.

00:35:39I held the phone,

00:35:40staring blankly at the call-ended message on the screen.

00:35:44So,

00:35:45even if I was truly dying,

00:35:46it meant less to him

00:35:48than the slightest possibility of danger to Serena.

00:35:51Another contraction seized me,

00:35:52and I curled into a ball.

00:35:54I don't know how much time passed.

00:35:56Half an hour?

00:35:57An hour?

00:35:58My phone suddenly rang again.

00:36:02Carly!

00:36:03Hemorrhoea,

00:36:04you did this, didn't you?

00:36:06What?

00:36:07At the witch gathering,

00:36:08the coven bell Adeline grabbed my husband's arm.

00:36:10I'm taking your husband.

00:36:11Dissolve your covenant.

00:36:13Adeline looked me up and down and smirked.

00:36:14She tossed a pouch of mana crystals at my feet.

00:36:17Take those.

00:36:18Consider them payment.

00:36:19Adeline and I are true loves.

00:36:21Everyone at the coven training ground

00:36:22knew she had been the one to dump Logan.

00:36:24Now he was rewriting history,

00:36:25but none of them knew

00:36:26I was the primordial witch's personal guardian.

00:36:29Even the shadow council answers to me.

00:36:31Fiona, have two choices today.

00:36:32Take the mana crystals and dissolve the covenant,

00:36:34or I'll curse you until you agree.

00:36:36I can dissolve the covenant,

00:36:37and I don't want your mana crystals.

00:36:39You need to let me use my magic mirror first.

00:36:41Dissolving the covenant isn't my decision alone.

00:36:43At the witch gathering,

00:36:44the coven bell Adeline grabbed my husband's arm.

00:36:46Fiona, I'm taking your husband.

00:36:49Dissolve your covenant.

00:36:50Logan pulled her closer.

00:36:52Just name your price, sweetheart.

00:36:53Around us, the other witches whispered and snickered.

00:36:56Look at her, showing up with a cat cart

00:36:57while everyone else has shadow steats.

00:36:59No wonder he's leaving.

00:37:01Instead of getting angry, I laughed.

00:37:03You'd better think carefully.

00:37:05Breaking a covenant with me comes at a price.

00:37:09Adeline looked me up and down and smirked.

00:37:11Well, well.

00:37:13Look who's learned to talk tough.

00:37:15She tossed a pouch of mana crystals at my feet.

00:37:18Take those.

00:37:20Consider them payment for all the years

00:37:22you've been watching over Logan for me.

00:37:26Sweetheart, it's better for everyone this way.

00:37:29I couldn't believe I took a day off

00:37:30from the Shadow Council for this.

00:37:32I looked at her coldly.

00:37:35Adeline, do you know what the witch's code says

00:37:37about stealing someone else's husband

00:37:38while a covenant is still active?

00:37:40She let out a dismissive laugh.

00:37:42Consequences?

00:37:43Ask around what name I carry in the Shadow Council.

00:37:46But none of them knew

00:37:47I was the primordial witch's personal guardian.

00:37:49Even the Shadow Council answers to me,

00:37:51watching them hold hands.

00:37:52I let out a cold laugh.

00:37:54So the two of you plan this all along?

00:37:56As soon as I finished speaking,

00:37:58Logan's face changed.

00:37:59That's nonsense!

00:38:00Adeline and I are true loves!

00:38:02If she hadn't been forced to go abroad

00:38:04to study dark curses,

00:38:06we would have been together all along.

00:38:08I was utterly stunned.

00:38:10Everyone at the Coven Training Ground

00:38:11knew she had been the one to dump Logan.

00:38:13Now he was rewriting history?

00:38:16I didn't know why they had gotten back together,

00:38:18but at this moment,

00:38:19the magic covenant between Logan and me

00:38:21was still active.

00:38:22I couldn't swallow this insult.

00:38:25Logan, do you have any idea

00:38:27what the penalty is for covenant betrayal?

00:38:29I stared into his eyes,

00:38:30but he couldn't meet my gaze.

00:38:32Then the Coven Bell threw herself into his arms,

00:38:34putting on a pitiful look.

00:38:35Enough with the threats.

00:38:37You're just upset

00:38:38because there aren't enough manor crystals?

00:38:41Name your price.

00:38:42I have more than enough manor crystals.

00:38:44Watching this once glorious Coven Bell,

00:38:46now reduced to proving herself

00:38:48by stealing someone else's husband,

00:38:49I felt nothing but indifference.

00:38:53Adeline, let me remind you.

00:38:54If Logan agrees to dissolve the covenant today,

00:38:57both of you will face the Witch Court.

00:38:58Before I could finish,

00:38:59Logan jumped in anxiously.

00:39:01Stop trying to scare us.

00:39:03What could you possibly do?

00:39:04Ever since we made the covenant,

00:39:06we've barely seen each other.

00:39:07Who knows what you've been up to?

00:39:11To be honest,

00:39:12if you hadn't chased me back then,

00:39:14you wouldn't have gotten a single manta crystal.

00:39:17If it weren't for my special status,

00:39:19I would have slapped him.

00:39:20Logan's words drew laughter from the crowd.

00:39:23See?

00:39:23They always say your power and status

00:39:24determine your partner.

00:39:25Someone like Fiona with no background

00:39:26and no presence

00:39:27was destined to lose her husband.

00:39:28Right?

00:39:28Dressed so shabbily

00:39:29and she dares to show up here.

00:39:30When it comes to wealth and influence,

00:39:32Adeline's family is generous

00:39:33and they have the Shadow Council backing them.

00:39:34Everyone was fawning

00:39:35over the former Coven Bell.

00:39:37Not a single person spoke up for me.

00:39:39In their eyes,

00:39:39I was nothing but a clown

00:39:40for their entertainment.

00:39:42Ignoring their mockery,

00:39:43I turned to leave.

00:39:44But before I could stand,

00:39:46a hand pressed down on my shoulder.

00:39:48Trying to leave?

00:39:50Did I say you could?

00:39:52Adeline looked at me smugly,

00:39:53her eyes full of contempt.

00:39:55Fiona have two choices today.

00:39:56Take the mana crystals

00:39:57and dissolve the Covenant

00:39:58or I'll curse you until you agree.

00:40:00Think carefully

00:40:01and choose one.

00:40:03Hearing Adeline's words,

00:40:04I couldn't help but laugh.

00:40:06Are you sure you want me to choose?

00:40:08Adeline had no idea

00:40:09how much trouble she was in.

00:40:10She remained as arrogant as ever.

00:40:12Of course.

00:40:13As long as you dissolve the Covenant,

00:40:16I promise you'll have

00:40:17an easy life after this.

00:40:18Suppressing the anger inside me,

00:40:19I spoke slowly.

00:40:20I can dissolve the Covenant

00:40:22and I don't want

00:40:22your mana crystals,

00:40:24but...

00:40:24I paused deliberately.

00:40:25You need to let me use

00:40:26my magic mirror first

00:40:27because dissolving the Covenant

00:40:28isn't my decision alone.

00:40:31Adeline burst out laughing.

00:40:32Fiona,

00:40:33you really think

00:40:33you're someone important,

00:40:34don't you?

00:40:35Giving you a choice

00:40:36is a courtesy,

00:40:37not a negotiation.

00:40:38No matter who you call,

00:40:39you're dissolving the Covenant today.

00:40:41Got it?

00:40:42I heard the threat in her voice

00:40:43but didn't care.

00:40:44I almost found it amusing.

00:40:46I already said I agree

00:40:47to dissolve the Covenant,

00:40:48but this needs approval from above.

00:40:50I can't decide on my own.

00:40:52Adeline's face darkened.

00:40:53She was about to attack,

00:40:54but Logan stopped her.

00:40:55Darling,

00:40:57we're magnanimous.

00:40:58Don't stoop to her level.

00:41:00Let her use her mirror.

00:41:01Logan thought I was just

00:41:02stalling for time.

00:41:03He looked very pleased with himself.

00:41:05I was about to retort,

00:41:06but he continued.

00:41:07Fiona,

00:41:08don't say I didn't warn you.

00:41:10No matter who you call,

00:41:11I'm dissolving this Covenant today.

00:41:13I believed I had been

00:41:13a good Coven partner to Logan

00:41:15after we made our Covenant.

00:41:16I handed over my share

00:41:17of Monocrystals

00:41:18every month without fail.

00:41:19He never worked,

00:41:20never did any chores.

00:41:21He spent his days shopping

00:41:22at the dark market

00:41:23or playing witch cards.

00:41:24At this moment,

00:41:26every last bit of feeling

00:41:27I had for him vanished.

00:41:28Logan,

00:41:29don't flatter yourself.

00:41:29I never intended to persuade you.

00:41:31I just find you disgusting.

00:41:32But you and Adeline,

00:41:33I hope after this communication

00:41:34you don't regret it

00:41:35because by then

00:41:35no one will be able to save you.

00:41:37I was about to retort,

00:41:38but he continued.

00:41:39Fiona,

00:41:40don't say I didn't warn you.

00:41:41No matter who you call,

00:41:42I'm dissolving this Covenant today.

00:41:44I believed I had been

00:41:45a good Coven partner to Logan

00:41:46after we made our Covenant.

00:41:48I handed over my share

00:41:49of Monocrystals

00:41:50every month without fail.

00:41:51He never worked,

00:41:52never did any chores.

00:41:53He spent his days shopping

00:41:54at the dark market

00:41:54or playing witch cards.

00:41:56At this moment,

00:41:57every last bit of feeling

00:41:58I had for him vanished.

00:42:00Logan,

00:42:00don't flatter yourself.

00:42:01I never intended to persuade you.

00:42:02I just find you disgusting.

00:42:04But you and Adeline,

00:42:05I hope after this communication

00:42:06you don't regret it

00:42:06because by then

00:42:07no one will be able to save you.

00:42:08I was about to retort,

00:42:10but he continued.

00:42:10Fiona,

00:42:11don't say I didn't warn you.

00:42:13No matter who you call,

00:42:14I'm dissolving this Covenant today.

00:42:16I believed I had been

00:42:17a good Coven partner to Logan

00:42:18after we made our Covenant.

00:42:19I handed over my share

00:42:21of Monocrystals

00:42:21every month without fail.

00:42:22He never worked,

00:42:23never did any chores.

00:42:24He spent his days shopping

00:42:25at the dark market

00:42:26or playing witch cards.

00:42:27At this moment,

00:42:29every last bit of feeling

00:42:30I had for him vanished.

00:42:31Logan,

00:42:32don't flatter yourself.

00:42:33I never intended to persuade you.

00:42:34I just find you disgusting.

00:42:35But you and Adeline,

00:42:36I hope after this communication

00:42:37you don't regret it

00:42:38because by then

00:42:39no one will be able to save you.

00:42:40In my last life,

00:42:41I chose without hesitation,

00:42:43Kaelin Drakon.

00:42:44Kaelin blamed me for everything

00:42:46that killed my parents and me.

00:42:48Born into this life,

00:42:49the lot fell upon Caspian Abyss.

00:42:51But when I walked into

00:42:52the betrothal ceremony,

00:42:54arm in arm with Caspian,

00:42:56it was Kaelin who seized my hand,

00:42:58begging me not to abandon him.

00:42:59He pulled a pale-faced

00:43:01Mira Storm into his arms.

00:43:03I have only ever loved Mira.

00:43:04You're trampling my dignity.

00:43:06God had granted me a second chance

00:43:07to set things right.

00:43:08Are you so certain

00:43:09that you are the one I'm marrying?

00:43:11On my 20th birthday,

00:43:12my parents set the crystal portraits

00:43:14of the seven sea lords before me

00:43:15and told me to choose a consort.

00:43:17I said I would draw lots

00:43:18using the sea god shell.

00:43:19In my last life,

00:43:21I chose without hesitation,

00:43:22Kaelin Drakon,

00:43:24lord of the northern dark currents.

00:43:25Only after the wedding did I learn

00:43:27his dream lover,

00:43:28heartbroken,

00:43:29went drinking in a coral tavern

00:43:30and was assaulted by sea fiends.

00:43:32She tried to kill herself three times.

00:43:35Kaelin blamed me for everything.

00:43:36He gave her our treasury keys.

00:43:38He drained the tideborne royal house

00:43:40and at last,

00:43:41he let her summon a leviathan

00:43:42that killed my parents

00:43:44and me in the dark current trench.

00:43:45Reborn into this life,

00:43:47the lot fell upon Caspian Abyss,

00:43:49the silent guardian of the sea god's tomb,

00:43:52who questions no tides.

00:43:54But when I walked into the betrothal ceremony,

00:43:57arm in arm with Caspian,

00:43:58it was Kaelin who seized my hand,

00:44:00begging me not to abandon him.

00:44:02I placed Caspian's crystal portrait

00:44:05before my parents.

00:44:06They exchanged a glance,

00:44:08unconvinced.

00:44:12Serafina,

00:44:13we know you've loved Kaelin since childhood.

00:44:15Perhaps we should reconsider.

00:44:17I shook my head.

00:44:18The sea god has decided my fate.

00:44:22I will try to follow it.

00:44:24Besides,

00:44:24I already knew how forcing a marriage

00:44:27with Colin would end.

00:44:29Seeing my resolve,

00:44:30they relented.

00:44:31That will discuss the alliance

00:44:32with the Abyss clan.

00:44:33But the Tideborn and the Abyssal Guardians

00:44:35are both ancient houses.

00:44:36To avoid complications,

00:44:38your betrothal must remain secret

00:44:39until the ceremony.

00:44:40I agreed and left

00:44:42for the Undersea Charity Gala,

00:44:44but the hippocampus journalists

00:44:45had somehow caught Rin.

00:44:47The moment I appeared,

00:44:48they swarmed.

00:44:49Princess Serafina,

00:44:50which lord have you chosen?

00:44:51Everyone knows you favor Lord Kaelin.

00:44:53Surely it's him?

00:44:54I looked up and met Kaelin's eyes

00:44:57just as he entered the hall.

00:44:58Flanked by cameras,

00:44:59his cold disdain was unchanged.

00:45:03Sorry.

00:45:04Move.

00:45:04His shark guards

00:45:05shoved through the crowd.

00:45:06He pulled a pale-faced

00:45:08Meera Storm into his arms.

00:45:10I have only ever loved Meera.

00:45:12Even if family pressure

00:45:12forces me to wed another woman,

00:45:14I will not spare her

00:45:15a shred of that love.

00:45:16Meera flushed with emotion

00:45:17and clung tightly to his waist.

00:45:19Nearby,

00:45:20a few noble ladies

00:45:21who had always despised me

00:45:22snickered.

00:45:23First heir of the Tideborn house,

00:45:24and still Lord Kaelin

00:45:26won't even glance at her.

00:45:27He only wants that

00:45:28storm clam

00:45:28upsert's daughter.

00:45:34She's a disgrace,

00:45:35throwing herself at a man

00:45:36who prefers Meera.

00:45:39The mockery grew louder.

00:45:42Meera lifted her chin

00:45:43from Kaelin's chest

00:45:44and shot me a defiant look.

00:45:46I simply turned away

00:45:47and focused on the gala,

00:45:49but the host

00:45:50seated him beside me.

00:45:55Kaelin sat down,

00:45:57fury still on his face.

00:45:59Serafina,

00:46:00I've told you

00:46:01countless times.

00:46:02I don't want to marry you.

00:46:04Why do you keep

00:46:05clinging to me?

00:46:09I had heard

00:46:10these words before.

00:46:12They still stung.

00:46:13I am not clinging to you.

00:46:17Kaelin slammed his fist

00:46:19against the coral table,

00:46:20disgust deepening.

00:46:23Then why force this marriage?

00:46:25Does the Tideborn house

00:46:27think its high status

00:46:28entitles it to decide my life?

00:46:31You're trampling my dignity.

00:46:33Even if we marry,

00:46:35I will never look at you.

00:46:36He meant it.

00:46:38In my last life,

00:46:39he never gave me

00:46:40even a sliver of love.

00:46:41Then the woman

00:46:42he truly loved

00:46:42approached,

00:46:43eyes brimming with tears.

00:46:45She dropped to her knees

00:46:46before the crowd.

00:46:49Kaelin

00:46:51Princess Serafina,

00:46:52I know you despise me,

00:46:53but my parents are innocent.

00:46:55Your guards

00:46:55threw them out of the gal.

00:46:56My father nearly went

00:46:57into cardiac arrest

00:46:58from the shock.

00:46:59Please spare us.

00:47:00Even if it means

00:47:01giving Kaelish up to you,

00:47:02I will do it.

00:47:02Her last words

00:47:03broke into a sob.

00:47:04Before I could grasp

00:47:05her meaning,

00:47:06Kaelin pulled her up,

00:47:07his gaze on me

00:47:08hardening into pure hatred.

00:47:10This has nothing

00:47:11to do with Meera.

00:47:12How dare you

00:47:13treat her this way?

00:47:14His accusation

00:47:15baffled me.

00:47:16I didn't.

00:47:20You've been spoiled

00:47:21beyond reason.

00:47:22As Kaelin spoke,

00:47:23the host's lackey

00:47:24approached with an

00:47:25obsequious smile

00:47:25offering a shell gift box.

00:47:27A betrothal gift

00:47:28for you and

00:47:29Princess Serafina.

00:47:30Before the man

00:47:31could finish,

00:47:32Kaelin snatched the box

00:47:33and hurled it at me

00:47:34before the watching crowd.

00:47:35The shell gift box

00:47:36was exquisitely wrapped,

00:47:37but its sharp edge

00:47:38sliced open my chin.

00:47:41Serafina,

00:47:42apologize to Meera,

00:47:43or even if the

00:47:44dark current domain

00:47:45cannot rival the Tideborn.

00:47:46I will reject this alliance.

00:47:47I refuse to marry

00:47:48a woman as vicious as you.

00:47:53Gasps rippled

00:47:54through the front.

00:47:54No one stepped forward.

00:47:56I touched the wound.

00:47:57My palm came away,

00:47:58streaked with blood.

00:47:59Kaelin stood before me,

00:48:00more a stranger than ever,

00:48:02his face merging

00:48:02with a memory

00:48:03of my last life.

00:48:04My heart turned to ice.

00:48:05I will not apologize

00:48:06for something I didn't do.

00:48:08Fine.

00:48:09Don't regret this.

00:48:11Kaelin left

00:48:11with Meera in his arms.

00:48:15My parents,

00:48:16seeing the wound,

00:48:17rushed me back

00:48:18to the palace in a panic.

00:48:20The royal physician

00:48:21was summoned at once.

00:48:22Watching their worry,

00:48:23I felt nothing but gratitude.

00:48:25The sea god had granted me

00:48:26a second chance

00:48:27to set things right.

00:48:28My parents were still alive.

00:48:29The Tideborn treasury

00:48:30had not fallen

00:48:31into foreign hands.

00:48:32I would put as much distance

00:48:33between myself

00:48:34and Kaelin and Meera

00:48:34as possible.

00:48:35Days later,

00:48:36betrothal gifts

00:48:37arrived from the Abyss clan,

00:48:39piled so high

00:48:39they filled the undersea palace.

00:48:41Among them,

00:48:42the moonlight necklace,

00:48:43an heirloom passed down

00:48:44through the Abyss family

00:48:45for generations.

00:48:46A sign of how deeply

00:48:47they honored this union.

00:48:48A bitter ache rose in my chest.

00:48:50In my last life,

00:48:51the dark current clan,

00:48:52knowing how deeply

00:48:53I loved Kaelin,

00:48:54had told the world

00:48:55they wanted nothing

00:48:56to do with me

00:48:56as a daughter-in-law,

00:48:57that I had clung shamelessly

00:48:58until their son relented.

00:49:00There was no wedding,

00:49:01no blessing from his family.

00:49:02Recalling his parents'

00:49:03sneers at the dinner table,

00:49:05Kaelin's cold indifference.

00:49:06Then looking now

00:49:07at the Abyss clan's

00:49:08earnest regard,

00:49:09I felt even more grateful

00:49:10for this second choice.

00:49:12After some thought,

00:49:13I resolved to personally

00:49:14select the betrothal robes

00:49:15for Caspian.

00:49:16I was in the Royal Tailor's

00:49:17workshop beneath the sea,

00:49:18discussing cufflink designs

00:49:19with the old jewelry.

00:49:20What are you doing here?

00:49:20I planned to gift Caspian

00:49:21this pair of cufflinks,

00:49:22designed by my own hand,

00:49:23as my return gesture.

00:49:25Just then,

00:49:25Kaelin swam in,

00:49:26Mira's hand in his...

00:49:27What are you doing here?

00:49:30Disgust flickered across his face.

00:49:31Princess Seraphaphine's designed

00:49:32the groom's betrothal tutorial herself.

00:49:34I've told you,

00:49:35I don't want to marry you.

00:49:36Nothing you do will change that.

00:49:37And I detest

00:49:38engraved cufflinks.

00:49:39Take it.

00:49:40I looked down

00:49:41at the letter C on the sketch.

00:49:42He had misunderstood.

00:49:45Actually,

00:49:46these cuffkips are for...

00:49:49Kaelin,

00:49:49this deep sea gown

00:49:51is beautiful.

00:49:52Mira's eyes lit up.

00:49:53She brushed past me

00:49:54and lifted the pale blue pearl robe

00:49:55from its hanger.

00:49:56If you like it,

00:49:56I'll have the tailor

00:49:57make you one just like it.

00:49:58But I want to wear it tonight,

00:49:59to the undersea concert with you.

00:50:03Alter this to Mira's measurements.

00:50:04Quickly.

00:50:05Don't make us late.

00:50:06I frowned.

00:50:09Kaelin,

00:50:09this is my betrothal gown.

00:50:11I'm too busy

00:50:11for whatever betrothal banquet

00:50:12you tideborn are planning.

00:50:14And frankly,

00:50:15Mira suits this robe

00:50:16far better than you.

00:50:17Behind his back,

00:50:18Mira's smug expression

00:50:19was plain to see,

00:50:20but her voice dripped

00:50:21with false remorse.

00:50:22If Princess Seraphina objects,

00:50:24forget it.

00:50:24This gown is clearly

00:50:25meant for nobility.

00:50:26Someone like me

00:50:27could never wear it.

00:50:28Nonsense!

00:50:29The woman I love

00:50:30is no lesser soul.

00:50:31Seraphina merely rides

00:50:32on her parents' name.

00:50:33There is nothing noble about her.

00:50:35Kaelin spoke without mercy

00:50:36and handed the robe

00:50:37directly to the old jeweler.

00:50:38The old jeweler's face

00:50:39remained neutral.

00:50:40He waited, as ever,

00:50:41for my command.

00:50:41After all,

00:50:42since his grandfather's

00:50:43grandfather's time,

00:50:44this shop had served

00:50:45the Tideborn royal house

00:50:46exclusively.

00:50:47You!

00:50:48Let her have it.

00:50:50I cut him off.

00:50:51Kaelin's expression

00:50:51finally eased.

00:50:54At least you can be sensible.

00:50:56After we marry,

00:50:57I'll grant you

00:50:57one dinner a month.

00:50:58He spoke with such arrogance

00:50:59as though offering me

00:51:00a meager scrap of love.

00:51:02And in that moment,

00:51:03I understood at last.

00:51:04Ever since he learned

00:51:05that the Tideborn stood

00:51:06as the first house

00:51:06of the seven seas,

00:51:07while his dark current domain

00:51:08languished outside the top ten,

00:51:10his attitude toward me

00:51:11had soured.

00:51:11I had once loved his defiance.

00:51:13His refusal to peel

00:51:14was always on his lips.

00:51:15He made sure to remind me

00:51:15I owed everything to my parents.

00:51:16He belittled me.

00:51:17Dismissed me.

00:51:18Knowing I loved him,

00:51:19he chose the cruelest words.

00:51:20It was never contempt.

00:51:21It was his own shame.

00:51:22At this thought,

00:51:23a laugh assailed me.

00:51:23Kaelin.

00:51:25Are you so certain

00:51:26that you are the one

00:51:26I'm marrying?

00:51:30You've chased me since childhood,

00:51:31telling me you loved me.

00:51:32Kaelin's lips curled in disdain.

00:51:33Every year,

00:51:34your birthday wish

00:51:35was you really the heart

00:51:35to marry someone else?

00:51:36As if he had just heard

00:51:37the world's greatest joke.

00:51:41Nestled against him,

00:51:42Mira's voice dripped with mockery.

00:51:44Who knows?

00:51:45With the Tideborn status,

00:51:48every lord of the seven seas

00:51:49must be fighting to marry her.

00:51:56Even if every lord in the world

00:51:57fought for her,

00:51:58she would still choose

00:51:59to be my wife.

00:52:00The two turned and left.

00:52:01At the door,

00:52:01Kaelin threw one last order

00:52:02at the old jeweler.

00:52:03Have the altered gown

00:52:04sent to my palace.

00:52:05And those tacky cuffclins,

00:52:07make them square.

00:52:08No engraving.

00:52:08The old jeweler

00:52:09watched their retreating figures

00:52:10and sighed.

00:52:11Your highness,

00:52:12what should I...

00:52:13Let her have it.

00:52:15I can design a new gown.

00:52:16I ignore his demands

00:52:18about the cufflinks.

00:52:19The groom is not him.

00:52:21He has no say.

00:52:25That evening,

00:52:26a friend held a birthday party.

00:52:28Halfway through,

00:52:29Mira arrived late,

00:52:30followed by

00:52:31Colin's shark guards.

00:52:35On guard tossed

00:52:36a crumpled bundle

00:52:36of fabric.

00:52:37I looked down.

00:52:38The gown,

00:52:39worth three million pearl coins,

00:52:41lay at my feet like a rag,

00:52:42the fabric smeared

00:52:43with white viscous stains.

00:52:44Princess Serafina,

00:52:45sorry to keep you waiting.

00:52:46I meant to return the gown

00:52:48after the concert,

00:52:48but Kaelin insisted

00:52:50on pulling me

00:52:50into the shell carriage.

00:52:52But you're famously generous.

00:52:54Surely you don't mind?

00:52:55Around me,

00:52:56some pitied me,

00:52:57others relished the spectacle.

00:52:58She really does love Kaelin

00:52:59to the point of madness.

00:53:01And what good does it do?

00:53:02Lord Kaelin loves only Mira.

00:53:03The sole princess of the Tideborn

00:53:04is obsessed with the man

00:53:05who rejects her,

00:53:05and the royal domain

00:53:06will belong to dark currents soon.

00:53:08I'm glad Mira enjoyed it.

00:53:10Take it away and discard it.

00:53:12My flat tone robbed her of satisfaction,

00:53:15her fists clenched,

00:53:16and she stalked off

00:53:16to the last table,

00:53:17the seat she deserved soon.

00:53:19Her crystal screen account,

00:53:20with its millions of followers,

00:53:21surged onto the undersea

00:53:22trending charts.

00:53:26A perfect day,

00:53:27wearing a dress that fits

00:53:28holding my love's hand,

00:53:29listening to our favorite concert.

00:53:31Within hours,

00:53:32countless gossip outlets

00:53:32dug up old clips of me

00:53:34confessing my feelings to Kaelin,

00:53:35setting them against

00:53:36Mira's post for the masses to mock.

00:53:38Dis-desperate Serafina.

00:53:40Once a goddess,

00:53:41now a laughingstock.

00:53:42And beneath the most popular

00:53:43comparison video,

00:53:44Kaelin himself had liked it.

00:53:46The undersea netizens erupted.

00:53:47Desperate Serafina became a viral meme.

00:53:52My face cold,

00:53:53I deleted my account

00:53:54and messaged the royal

00:53:55public relations department.

00:53:56Within 10 minutes,

00:53:58every related term

00:53:59had been scrubbed clean.

00:54:07The day before the betrothal banquet,

00:54:09I was handling affairs

00:54:10in my territory that morning,

00:54:11when dark current shark guards

00:54:13forced me to their palace.

00:54:14The moment I entered,

00:54:15I saw Mira weeping

00:54:16on the coral sofa,

00:54:17tears streaming down

00:54:18her delicate face.

00:54:19Kaelin hovered beside her,

00:54:20murmuring soft comforts.

00:54:21The instant he saw me,

00:54:23his expression hardens to ice.

00:54:25Serafina, this is too much.

00:54:26Mira merely made a post.

00:54:27Did you have to get

00:54:28every single one of her

00:54:29crystal screen accounts banned?

00:54:30You know she's a blogger.

00:54:31You've cut off her future.

00:54:33I only asked for terms

00:54:34about me to be removed.

00:54:35I did nothing else

00:54:37to ban her accounts.

00:54:38Still lying.

00:54:39Who else has this kind of power

00:54:41but you?

00:54:42You're jealous of her,

00:54:43plain and simple.

00:54:46It wasn't...

00:54:47Before I could finish,

00:54:48a contemptuous sneer

00:54:49echoed down the staircase.

00:54:53Talking back to your husband

00:54:55before the wedding.

00:54:56Is this how the Tideborn

00:54:57raised their daughters?

00:54:58We don't approve

00:54:59of a spoiled, arrogant girl like you,

00:55:00but we hear you'll have

00:55:01no husband but our son,

00:55:02so we'll honor your wishes.

00:55:03On one condition,

00:55:04your dowry from the Tideboard house

00:55:06must exceed 50%

00:55:07of the royal treasury.

00:55:10A cold laugh rose in my chest.

00:55:12I shook my head,

00:55:13ready to refuse.

00:55:14Then a shark guard's fist

00:55:15slammed into the back of my knee.

00:55:17I gasped in pain

00:55:17and crashed to the

00:55:18cold stone floor.

00:55:19Sooner or later,

00:55:20you'll be Caelan's wife.

00:55:22A little practice won't hurt.

00:55:24Kissing the royal tail fin

00:55:25of your future mother-in-law,

00:55:26that is hardly too much

00:55:27to ask, is it?

00:55:28The attending maids

00:55:29covered their mouths

00:55:30and giggled.

00:55:31Princess Serafina,

00:55:32you must kneel

00:55:33and look devout

00:55:34while you do it.

00:55:35A maid shoved my shoulders,

00:55:36forcing me to the ground.

00:55:37My face was nearly pressed

00:55:38against Caelan's mother's tail fin.

00:55:40They were humiliating me.

00:55:42Humiliating my family.

00:55:43Rage surged through me.

00:55:44I unleashed my Tideboards.

00:55:46A burst of water

00:55:47erupted outward,

00:55:48sending everyone

00:55:48scrambling in panic.

00:55:52I slowly righted myself.

00:55:54I will only respect

00:55:55the parents of my future husband.

00:55:56You don't want to marry me.

00:55:58And as it happens,

00:55:59I don't want to marry you.

00:56:00I turned to leave,

00:56:01but shark guards seized

00:56:02my arms from both sides,

00:56:03chains biting at my skin.

00:56:05What do you think you're doing?

00:56:06I am the heir of the Tideborn.

00:56:07How dare you?

00:56:10Caelan's mother surged forward

00:56:11and slapped me across the face.

00:56:13The blow blurred into the memory

00:56:14of a dozen slaps

00:56:15from my last life.

00:56:16I stood frozen.

00:56:20The betrothal ceremony is tomorrow

00:56:22and you still dare this insolence.

00:56:24Caelan, look at the wife

00:56:25you're about to marry.

00:56:26She's the one clinging shamelessly.

00:56:28If it were up to me,

00:56:28I'd be marrying Mira.

00:56:30Caelan, I dream of marrying you,

00:56:31but my family is low in status,

00:56:33powerless.

00:56:34We can't afford to offense

00:56:35the Tideborn.

00:56:35She wept with such delicate,

00:56:37pitiable grace.

00:56:38Cullen, aching for his fragile

00:56:39little jellyfish,

00:56:40strode toward me.

00:56:41Serafina, you've used every trick

00:56:42to force this marriage.

00:56:44Fine, I'll give you your chance.

00:56:46After we wed,

00:56:46you will not interfere

00:56:47in any of my decisions.

00:56:49You will not return

00:56:50to the royal palace.

00:56:51You will stay here,

00:56:52serving my parents

00:56:53and tending to Mira and me.

00:56:54A maid brought forth a contract.

00:56:56The boldest lying read,

00:56:5750% of the Tideborn's

00:56:59seabed mineral rights

00:56:59shall be transferred

00:57:00to the Dark Current clan.

00:57:01My fingers clenched.

00:57:03I refuse to sign.

00:57:04Caelan,

00:57:04I'm not marrying you!

00:57:08His mother seized the moment

00:57:10and struck me again.

00:57:10What kind of seven seas sovereign

00:57:12is the Tideborn

00:57:13to raise such a disobedient daughter?

00:57:15I'll discipline you

00:57:16on behalf of your parents.

00:57:17I lost count of the slaps that day

00:57:18of how many times

00:57:19they forced my fingerprint

00:57:20onto their documents.

00:57:21By the time they let me go,

00:57:23they had one last command.

00:57:24I must wear a black gown

00:57:25to the same thing.

00:57:26wear a plain black robe.

00:57:27Black is the color of filth.

00:57:29Perfect for you.

00:57:29I found it nothing but laughable.

00:57:34The next day,

00:57:35for the betrothal ceremony,

00:57:37I wore my newly designed

00:57:38blue pearl gown.

00:57:39My parents conversed

00:57:40with the Abyss clan

00:57:41inside the hall.

00:57:42I received guests

00:57:43at the entrance.

00:57:45Near noon,

00:57:46the Dark Current family

00:57:47swam through the gates.

00:57:48Blanked by attendants,

00:57:49they were dressed

00:57:49with ostentatious flair.

00:57:51Mira clung to Caelan's arm,

00:57:52the very picture

00:57:53of a blissful bride and groom.

00:57:55At every occasion before,

00:57:56Caelan's father had bowed

00:57:58and scraped before others.

00:57:59Toaday,

00:58:00he strutted with his head high,

00:58:01looking down on everyone,

00:58:02as though he were

00:58:03the most honored figure

00:58:04at this betrothal.

00:58:05Seeing me still in blue,

00:58:07Caelan's mother's face

00:58:08darkened.

00:58:09Where are your parents?

00:58:11But today's guests

00:58:12were all prominent figures.

00:58:13I had no desire

00:58:14to stir up trouble.

00:58:16My parents are inside.

00:58:17Her coarse finger jabbed

00:58:18into my right shoulder

00:58:19before I could finish.

00:58:20Tell them to come out

00:58:20and see me!

00:58:21I intend to ask them

00:58:22how a family so devoid

00:58:24of pariety could exist!

00:58:25I frowned and stepped back

00:58:26in the corner of my eye.

00:58:27I saw Caelan approach.

00:58:28He stood beside me,

00:58:29as if ready to receive

00:58:30the guests together.

00:58:31Serafina,

00:58:32you've gotten what you wanted.

00:58:34You must be pleased.

00:58:35But you may have my person,

00:58:37but you will never have my heart.

00:58:40I was reborn

00:58:41at my mating ceremony.

00:58:42I would not risk my life

00:58:44on Caelan again.

00:58:44I had refused

00:58:45Valeria's golden prince

00:58:46and chosen his uncle.

00:58:47My uncle is a corpse

00:58:49with a title.

00:58:49Then I will be

00:58:50the happiest widow in Valeria.

00:58:52Pure breeding blood.

00:58:53The rarest kind

00:58:54in 300 years.

00:58:55At my mating ceremony,

00:58:56I crawled past

00:58:57the sacred gold offerings

00:58:58and grabbed

00:58:59Crown Prince Caelan

00:59:00between his pants.

00:59:01This little whore

00:59:03could be a clingy breeder

00:59:04in the future.

00:59:06He was wrong.

00:59:07Caelan and I

00:59:08became enemies.

00:59:09For 10 years,

00:59:10I watched his dragon eyes

00:59:11learn to hate my scent.

00:59:12On my 18th birthday feast,

00:59:14the king called me

00:59:14before the throne.

00:59:16Freya,

00:59:17choose any dragon lord

00:59:18in Valeria.

00:59:19I will grant him to you.

00:59:20Before I could answer,

00:59:21Caelan's voice

00:59:22cut across the hall.

00:59:23I would rather

00:59:24be torn apart

00:59:25by wild dragon niece

00:59:26than mate her.

00:59:27Something inside me broke.

00:59:29Good.

00:59:29Then make him choke on it.

00:59:30Then I will leave

00:59:31his fate to the gods.

00:59:32Pay for the price,

00:59:33Crown Prince Caelan.

00:59:34I thought he didn't mean it.

00:59:35Our betrothal ceremony

00:59:36was beautiful,

00:59:37but Caelan never gave me

00:59:39a glance.

00:59:40Your scent makes me sick.

00:59:42Years passed.

00:59:43I gave him no air.

00:59:45The court stopped bowing.

00:59:46Dragonborn ladies

00:59:47spat in my food,

00:59:48ripped my gowns

00:59:49and called me

00:59:49a barren human leech.

00:59:50Caelan only smiled.

00:59:52Then I heard him say it.

00:59:53She forced this marriage.

00:59:54She deserves karma.

00:59:56No one should pity her.

00:59:58One week later,

00:59:59he threw me

01:00:00into the velvet quarter.

01:00:01A useless breeder

01:00:02belongs in a pleasure house.

01:00:03I died there,

01:00:04bloody and left

01:00:05like rotten meat.

01:00:06His figure was

01:00:07the last thing I saw.

01:00:08He never looked back.

01:00:09Then light split open.

01:00:10I woke on cold marble,

01:00:12gasping.

01:00:13I was reborn

01:00:13at my mating ceremony.

01:00:15Freya,

01:00:16choose any dragon lord

01:00:17in Valeria.

01:00:18I will grant him to you.

01:00:19The royal citadel.

01:00:20The feast.

01:00:21I would not risk my life

01:00:22on Caelan again.

01:00:23I took a deep breath.

01:00:25Your majesty,

01:00:25I respect the crown prince

01:00:27as someone I grew up with.

01:00:28Like a brother.

01:00:29I never wanted him.

01:00:31Not as a man.

01:00:32Not as a husband.

01:00:33My heart only belongs

01:00:35to dragon crook

01:00:35Lufician Drainmore.

01:00:36If I couldn't marry him,

01:00:37I'd go finish myself.

01:00:38The court exploded.

01:00:40I had refused

01:00:41Valeria's golden prince

01:00:42and chosen his uncle,

01:00:43the cursed black silver dragon.

01:00:45The most fierce dragon

01:00:46who destroyed

01:00:46wild dragonkins

01:00:47for two hundred years.

01:00:51Lucian Dravenmore

01:00:52fell coma since year ago

01:00:53on the northern war front,

01:00:55hurt by an unseen blade

01:00:56with curse.

01:00:57The healers said

01:00:58he would never wake.

01:00:59I knew they were wrong.

01:01:00In my last life,

01:01:01Lucian woke

01:01:02during my third year

01:01:03in hellish marriage.

01:01:04When dragonborn ladies

01:01:05had cornered me

01:01:05in the kitchens,

01:01:06they laughed,

01:01:07tore my sleeves,

01:01:08and called me

01:01:09a barren human leech.

01:01:10Then a broken dragon

01:01:11rose from his wheeled chair.

01:01:13Lucian Dravenmore

01:01:13stood between us,

01:01:15half crippled,

01:01:15but still terrifying.

01:01:17Back to now.

01:01:18Little one,

01:01:19marrying Lucian

01:01:20would waste your gift.

01:01:21Choose another lord,

01:01:22someone who can speak to you.

01:01:23I kept my forehead

01:01:24against the marble floor.

01:01:25Your majesty,

01:01:25I swore before the old gods.

01:01:27It is Lucian Dravenmore

01:01:28or no one.

01:01:29I hit my forehead

01:01:30on the floor,

01:01:31once and once again.

01:01:32The court went quiet,

01:01:33only left the sound

01:01:34of my bones crack.

01:01:35Queen Marianne smiled

01:01:36like she had been handed a gift.

01:01:38If the human girl

01:01:39wants a sleeping dragon,

01:01:40let her have him.

01:01:41So be it.

01:01:43Your bloodline is gone.

01:01:44Lucian cannot answer

01:01:45for himself.

01:01:46My queen will arrange

01:01:47the wedding for you too.

01:01:48I rose my bloody forehead

01:01:50and crumbling stood up.

01:01:51I am humbled beyond speech.

01:01:54I did not look at Caelan.

01:01:55I only felt his gold fire

01:01:57burning behind me.

01:01:58Let him burn.

01:01:58I would never choose him again.

01:02:00Lucian is way better than Caelan.

01:02:02Last life,

01:02:02though he's still weak,

01:02:03he's nice to me.

01:02:04I'll save him this time.

01:02:05We'll claw our way

01:02:06out of this shithole.

01:02:07Together.

01:02:07For three days,

01:02:08I slept like someone

01:02:09freed from a cage.

01:02:12Then came the knock

01:02:13at Ashbourne Hall.

01:02:14The queen commands

01:02:15your presence

01:02:15at the royal citadel tonight.

01:02:17My blood went cold.

01:02:19At dusk,

01:02:20Madame Corvin

01:02:20led me through

01:02:21the royal corridors.

01:02:22Dragon flowers

01:02:23scented the stone.

01:02:24Then she stopped

01:02:25and bowed.

01:02:27Your highness,

01:02:28crown prince.

01:02:28I lifted my head.

01:02:29It's Caelan.

01:02:32Caelan stepped

01:02:33into the lamplight.

01:02:34He looked exactly

01:02:35like a future king.

01:02:36Proud and untouchable.

01:02:37Beautiful in the

01:02:38cruel Valorian way.

01:02:39Your highness.

01:02:40He looked me over

01:02:41from crown to shoes,

01:02:42as if searching for

01:02:43the girl who used

01:02:43to chase him

01:02:43through these halls.

01:02:44That's all?

01:02:45In my last life,

01:02:46I knew his every habit.

01:02:47I baked honeycakes

01:02:48for him.

01:02:48I waited outside

01:02:49Crown Tower

01:02:50just to hand them over.

01:02:51He always tossed

01:02:52them to the palace drakes.

01:02:53Stop this pathetic

01:02:54chase, Freya.

01:02:55You are marrying

01:02:56my uncle now.

01:02:57Try to have some dignity.

01:02:58You disgust me.

01:03:00I am not chasing anyone.

01:03:01I was only telling

01:03:02the truth to your

01:03:03king father.

01:03:03I do not love you.

01:03:04Then you wandered

01:03:05into the royal family's

01:03:06private wing by accident?

01:03:07The queen summoned me.

01:03:08Ask Madame Corvin.

01:03:09His gold fire flared.

01:03:10So it was true.

01:03:11I had not come for him.

01:03:13My uncle is a corpse

01:03:14with a title.

01:03:15You may be a widow

01:03:16before your wedding bed

01:03:17even cools.

01:03:18Then I will be the

01:03:19happiest widow in Valoria.

01:03:21His pupils narrowed,

01:03:22then went black.

01:03:28I was reborn

01:03:29at my mating ceremony.

01:03:30I would not risk

01:03:31my life on Caelan again.

01:03:32I had refused

01:03:33Valoria's golden prince

01:03:34and chosen his uncle.

01:03:35My uncle is a corpse

01:03:36with a title.

01:03:37Then I will be

01:03:38the happiest widow

01:03:39in Valoria.

01:03:39Pure breeding blood.

01:03:41The rarest kind

01:03:42in 300 years.

01:03:43At my mating ceremony,

01:03:44I crawled past

01:03:45the sacred gold offerings

01:03:46and grabbed

01:03:47Crown Prince Caelan

01:03:47between his pants.

01:03:49This little whore

01:03:50could be a clingy

01:03:51breeder in the future.

01:03:54He was wrong.

01:03:55Caelan and I

01:03:56became enemies.

01:03:57For ten years,

01:03:58I watched his dragon eyes

01:03:59learn to hate my scent.

01:04:00On my 18th birthday feast,

01:04:02the king called me

01:04:02before the throne.

01:04:04Freya,

01:04:05choose any dragon lord

01:04:06in Valoria.

01:04:07I will grant him to you.

01:04:08Before I could answer,

01:04:09Caelan's voice

01:04:10cut across the hall.

01:04:11I would rather

01:04:12be torn apart

01:04:12by wild dragon niece

01:04:14than mate her.

01:04:15Something inside me broke.

01:04:17Good.

01:04:17Then make him choke on it.

01:04:18Then I will leave

01:04:19his fate to the gods.

01:04:20Pay for the price,

01:04:21Crown Prince Caelan.

01:04:22I thought he didn't mean it.

01:04:23Our betrothal ceremony

01:04:24was beautiful,

01:04:25but Caelan never gave me

01:04:26a glance.

01:04:28Your scent makes me sick.

01:04:30Years passed.

01:04:31I gave him no air.

01:04:33The court stopped bowing.

01:04:34Dragonborn ladies

01:04:35spat in my food,

01:04:36ripped my gowns

01:04:37and called me

01:04:37a barren human leech.

01:04:39Caelan only smiled.

01:04:40Then I heard him say it.

01:04:41She forced this marriage.

01:04:42She deserves karma.

01:04:44No one should pity her.

01:04:46One week later,

01:04:47he threw me

01:04:48into the velvet quarter.

01:04:49A useless breeder

01:04:50belongs in a pleasure house.

01:04:51I died there,

01:04:52bloody and left

01:04:53like rotten meat.

01:04:54His figure was

01:04:55the last thing I saw.

01:04:56He never looked back.

01:04:57Then light split open.

01:04:58I woke on cold marble,

01:05:00gasping.

01:05:01I was reborn

01:05:01at my mating ceremony.

01:05:02Freya,

01:05:04choose any dragon lord

01:05:05in Valeria.

01:05:06I will grant him to you.

01:05:07The royal citadel.

01:05:08The feast.

01:05:09I would not risk my life

01:05:10on Caelan again.

01:05:11I took a deep breath.

01:05:13Your majesty,

01:05:14I respect the crown prince

01:05:15as someone I grew up with.

01:05:16Like a brother.

01:05:17I never wanted him.

01:05:19Not as a man.

01:05:20Not as a husband.

01:05:21My heart only belongs

01:05:23to dragon crook

01:05:23Lufishi Andréanmore.

01:05:24If I couldn't marry him,

01:05:25I'd go finish myself.

01:05:26The court exploded.

01:05:28I had refused

01:05:29Valeria's golden prince

01:05:30and chosen his uncle,

01:05:31the cursed black silver dragon,

01:05:33the most fierce dragon

01:05:34who destroyed

01:05:34wild dragonkins

01:05:35for two hundred years.

01:05:39Lucian Dravenmore

01:05:40fell coma since year ago

01:05:41on the northern war front,

01:05:43hurt by an unseen blade

01:05:44with curse.

01:05:45The healers said

01:05:46he would never wake.

01:05:47I knew they were wrong.

01:05:48In my last life,

01:05:49Lucian woke during

01:05:50my third year

01:05:50in hellish marriage.

01:05:52When dragonborn ladies

01:05:53had cornered me

01:05:53in the kitchens,

01:05:54they laughed,

01:05:55tore my sleeves,

01:05:56and called me

01:05:56a barren human leech.

01:05:58Then a broken dragon

01:05:59rose from his wheeled chair.

01:06:01Lucian Dravenmore

01:06:01stood between us,

01:06:02half crippled,

01:06:03but still terrifying.

01:06:05Back to now.

01:06:06Little one,

01:06:07marrying Lucian

01:06:07would waste your gift.

01:06:09Choose another lord,

01:06:10someone who can speak to you.

01:06:11I kept my forehead

01:06:12against the marble floor.

01:06:13Your majesty,

01:06:13I swore before the old gods.

01:06:15It is Lucian Dravenmore

01:06:16or no one.

01:06:17I hit my forehead

01:06:18on the floor,

01:06:19once and once again.

01:06:20The court went quiet,

01:06:21only left the sound

01:06:22of my bones crack.

01:06:23Queen Marianne smiled

01:06:24like she had been handed a gift.

01:06:26If the human girl

01:06:27wants a sleeping dragon,

01:06:28let her have him.

01:06:29So be it.

01:06:31Your bloodline is gone.

01:06:32Lucian cannot answer

01:06:33for himself.

01:06:34My queen will arrange

01:06:35the wedding for you two.

01:06:36I rose my bloody forehead

01:06:37and crumbling stood up.

01:06:39I am humbled beyond speech.

01:06:42I did not look at Caelan.

01:06:43I only felt his gold fire

01:06:44burning behind me.

01:06:46Let him burn.

01:06:46I would never choose him again.

01:06:48Lucian is way better than Caelan.

01:06:50Last life,

01:06:50though he's still weak,

01:06:51he's nice to me.

01:06:52I'll save him this time.

01:06:53We'll claw our way

01:06:54out of this shithole together.

01:06:55For three days,

01:06:56I slept like someone

01:06:57freed from a cage.

01:07:00Then came the knock

01:07:01at Ashbourne Hall.

01:07:02The queen commands

01:07:03your presence

01:07:03at the royal citadel tonight.

01:07:05My blood went cold.

01:07:07At dusk,

01:07:08Madam Corvin

01:07:08led me through

01:07:09the royal corridors.

01:07:11Dragonflowers

01:07:11scented the stone.

01:07:12Then she stopped

01:07:13and bowed.

01:07:14Your Highness,

01:07:16Crown Prince.

01:07:16I lifted my head.

01:07:17It's Caelan.

01:07:20Caelan stepped

01:07:21into the lamplight.

01:07:22He looked exactly

01:07:23like a future king.

01:07:24Proud and untouchable.

01:07:25Beautiful in the cruel

01:07:26Valorian way.

01:07:27Your Highness.

01:07:28He looked me over

01:07:29from crown to shoes,

01:07:30as if searching for the girl

01:07:31who used to chase him

01:07:31through these halls.

01:07:32That's all?

01:07:33In my last life,

01:07:34I knew his every habit.

01:07:35I baked honeycakes for him.

01:07:36I waited outside Crown Tower

01:07:38just to hand them over.

01:07:39He always tossed them

01:07:40to the palace drakes.

01:07:41Stop this pathetic chase, Freya.

01:07:43You are marrying my uncle now.

01:07:45Try to have some dignity.

01:07:46You disgust me.

01:07:48I am not chasing anyone.

01:07:49I was only telling the truth

01:07:50to your king father.

01:07:51I do not love you.

01:07:52Then you wandered

01:07:53into the royal family's

01:07:54private wing by accident?

01:07:55The Queen summoned me.

01:07:56Ask Madam Corvin.

01:07:57His gold fire flared.

01:07:58So it was true.

01:07:59I had not come for him.

01:08:01My uncle is a corpse

01:08:02with a title.

01:08:03You may be a widow

01:08:04before your wedding bed

01:08:05even cools.

01:08:06Then I will be

01:08:07the happiest widow

01:08:08in Valoria.

01:08:09His pupils narrowed,

01:08:10then went black.

01:08:16I was reborn

01:08:17at my mating ceremony.

01:08:18I would not risk my life

01:08:19on Caelan again.

01:08:20I had refused

01:08:21Valoria's golden prince

01:08:22and chosen his uncle.

01:08:23My uncle is a corpse

01:08:24with a title.

01:08:25Then I will be

01:08:26the happiest widow

01:08:27in Valoria.

01:08:28Pure breeding blood.

01:08:29The rarest kind

01:08:30in 300 years.

01:08:31At my mating ceremony,

01:08:32I crawled past

01:08:33the sacred gold offerings

01:08:34and grabbed Crown Prince Caelan

01:08:35between his pants.

01:08:37This little whore

01:08:38could be a clingy breeder

01:08:40in the future.

01:08:42He was wrong.

01:08:43Caelan and I

01:08:44became enemies.

01:08:45For 10 years,

01:08:46I watched his dragon eyes

01:08:47learn to hate my scent.

01:08:48On my 18th birthday feast,

01:08:50the king called me

01:08:50before the throne.

01:08:52Freya,

01:08:53choose any dragon lord

01:08:54in Valoria.

01:08:55I will grant him to you.

01:08:56Before I could answer,

01:08:57Caelan's voice

01:08:58cut across the hall.

01:08:59I would rather

01:08:59be torn apart

01:09:00by wild dragon niece

01:09:02than mate her.

01:09:03Something inside me broke.

01:09:05Good.

01:09:05Then make him choke on it.

01:09:06Then I will leave

01:09:07his fate to the gods.

01:09:08Pay for the price,

01:09:09Crown Prince Caelan.

01:09:10I thought he didn't mean it.

01:09:11Our betrothal ceremony

01:09:12was beautiful,

01:09:13but Caelan never gave me

01:09:14a glance.

01:09:16Your scent makes me sick.

01:09:18Years passed.

01:09:19I gave him no air.

01:09:21The court stopped bowing.

01:09:22Dragonborn ladies

01:09:23spat in my food,

01:09:24ripped my gowns

01:09:25and called me

01:09:25a barren human leech.

01:09:27Caelan only smiled.

01:09:28Then I heard him say it.

01:09:29She forced this marriage.

01:09:30She deserves karma.

01:09:32No one should pity her.

01:09:34One week later,

01:09:35he threw me

01:09:36into the velvet quarter.

01:09:37A useless breeder

01:09:38belongs in a pleasure house.

01:09:39I died there.

01:09:40Bloody and left

01:09:41like rotten meat.

01:09:42His figure was

01:09:43the last thing I saw.

01:09:44He never looked back.

01:09:45Then light split open.

01:09:46I woke on cold marble,

01:09:48gasping.

01:09:49I was reborn

01:09:49at my mating ceremony.

01:09:51Freya,

01:09:52choose any dragon lord

01:09:53in Valeria.

01:09:54I will grant him to you.

01:09:55The royal citadel.

01:09:56The feast.

01:09:57I would not risk

01:09:58my life on Caelan again.

01:09:59I took a deep breath.

01:10:00Your majesty,

01:10:01I respect the crown prince

01:10:03as someone I grew up with.

01:10:04Like a brother.

01:10:05I never wanted him.

01:10:06Not as a man.

01:10:08Not as a husband.

01:10:09My heart only belongs

01:10:11to dragon crook

01:10:11Lufician Drayenmore.

01:10:12If I couldn't marry him,

01:10:13I'd go finish myself.

01:10:14The court exploded.

01:10:16I had refused

01:10:17Valeria's golden prince

01:10:18and chosen his uncle,

01:10:19the cursed black silver dragon.

01:10:20The most fierce dragon

01:10:22who destroyed

01:10:22wild dragonkins

01:10:23for two hundred years.

01:10:27Lucian Drayenmore

01:10:28fell coma

01:10:28since a year ago

01:10:29on the northern war front.

01:10:31Hurt by an unseen blade

01:10:32with curse,

01:10:33the healers said

01:10:34he would never wake.

01:10:35I knew they were wrong.

01:10:36In my last life,

01:10:37Lucian woke

01:10:38during my third year

01:10:38in hellish marriage.

01:10:40When dragonborn ladies

01:10:41had cornered me

01:10:41in the kitchens,

01:10:42they laughed,

01:10:43tore my sleeves

01:10:44and called me

01:10:44a barren human leech.

01:10:46Then a broken dragon

01:10:47rose from his wheeled chair.

01:10:49Lucian Drayenmore

01:10:49stood between us,

01:10:50half crippled

01:10:51but still terrifying.

01:10:53Back to now.

01:10:54Little one,

01:10:55marrying Lucian

01:10:55would waste your gift.

01:10:57Choose another lord,

01:10:58someone who can speak to you.

01:10:59I kept my forehead

01:11:00against the marble floor.

01:11:01Your majesty,

01:11:01I swore before the old gods.

01:11:03It is Lucian Drayenmore

01:11:04or no one.

01:11:05I hit my forehead

01:11:06on the floor

01:11:06once and once again.

01:11:08The court went quiet,

01:11:09only left the sound

01:11:10of my bones crack.

01:11:11Queen Marianne smiled

01:11:12like she had been handed a gift.

01:11:14If the human girl

01:11:15wants a sleeping dragon,

01:11:16let her have him.

01:11:17So be it.

01:11:18Your bloodline is gone.

01:11:20Lucian cannot answer

01:11:21for himself.

01:11:22My queen will arrange

01:11:23the wedding for you two.

01:11:24I rose my bloody forehead

01:11:25and crumbling stood up.

01:11:27I am humbled beyond speech.

01:11:30I did not look at Cailan.

01:11:31I only felt his gold fire

01:11:32burning behind me.

01:11:34Let him burn.

01:11:34I would never choose him again.

01:11:36Lucian is way better

01:11:37than Cailan.

01:11:38Last life,

01:11:38though he's still weak,

01:11:39he's nice to me.

01:11:40I'll save him this time.

01:11:41We'll claw our way

01:11:42out of this shithole.

01:11:43Together.

01:11:43For three days,

01:11:44I slept like someone

01:11:45freed from a cage.

01:11:48Then came the knock

01:11:49at Ashbourne Hall.

01:11:50The queen commands

01:11:51your presence

01:11:51at the royal citadel tonight.

01:11:53My blood went cold.

01:11:54At dusk,

01:11:56Madame Corvin

01:11:56led me through

01:11:57the royal corridors.

01:11:59Dragonflowers scented the stone.

01:12:00Then she stopped

01:12:01and bowed.

01:12:02Your highness,

01:12:04crown prince.

01:12:04I lifted my head.

01:12:05It's Cailan.

01:12:08Cailan stepped

01:12:09into the lamplight.

01:12:10He looked exactly

01:12:11like a future king.

01:12:12Proud and untouchable.

01:12:13Beautiful in the cruel

01:12:14Valorian way.

01:12:15Your highness.

01:12:16He looked me over

01:12:17from crown to shoes,

01:12:18as if searching for the girl

01:12:19who used to chase him

01:12:19through these halls.

01:12:20That's all?

01:12:21In my last life,

01:12:22I knew his every habit.

01:12:23I baked honeycakes for him.

01:12:24I waited outside

01:12:25Crown Tower

01:12:26just to hand them over.

01:12:27He always tossed them

01:12:28to the palace drakes.

01:12:29Stop this pathetic chase, Freya.

01:12:31You are marrying my uncle now.

01:12:33Try to have some dignity.

01:12:34You disgust me.

01:12:36I am not chasing anyone.

01:12:37I was only telling the truth

01:12:38to your king father.

01:12:39I do not love you.

01:12:40Then you wandered

01:12:41into the royal family's

01:12:42private wing by accident?

01:12:43The queen summoned me.

01:12:44Ask Madam Corvin.

01:12:45His gold fire flared.

01:12:46So it was true.

01:12:47I had not come for him.

01:12:49My uncle is a corpse

01:12:50with a title.

01:12:51You may be a widow

01:12:52before your wedding bed

01:12:53even cools.

01:12:54Then I will be

01:12:55the happiest widow

01:12:56in Valoria.

01:12:57His pupils narrowed.

01:12:59Then went black.

01:13:04I was reborn

01:13:05at my mating ceremony.

01:13:06I would not risk

01:13:07my life on Caelan again.

01:13:08I had refused

01:13:09Valoria's golden prince

01:13:10and chosen his uncle.

01:13:11My uncle is a corpse

01:13:12with a title.

01:13:13Then I will be

01:13:14the happiest widow

01:13:14in Valoria.

01:13:15Pure breeding blood.

01:13:17The rarest kind

01:13:17in 300 years.

01:13:19At my mating ceremony

01:13:20I crawled past

01:13:21the sacred gold offerings

01:13:22and grabbed

01:13:22crown prince Caelan

01:13:23between his pants.

01:13:25This little whore

01:13:26could be a clingy breeder

01:13:27in the future.

01:13:30He was wrong.

01:13:31Caelan and I

01:13:32became enemies.

01:13:33For 10 years

01:13:33I watched his dragon eyes

01:13:35learn to hate my scent.

01:13:36On my 18th birthday feast

01:13:37the king called me

01:13:38before the throne.

01:13:40Freya,

01:13:40choose any dragon lord

01:13:42in Valoria.

01:13:43I will grant him to you.

01:13:44Before I could answer

01:13:45Caelan's voice

01:13:46cut across the hall.

01:13:47I would rather

01:13:47be torn apart

01:13:48by wild dragon niece

01:13:50than mate her.

01:13:51Something inside me broke.

01:13:53Good.

01:13:53Then make him choke on it.

01:13:54Then I will leave

01:13:55his fate to the gods.

01:13:56Pay for the price

01:13:57crown prince Caelan.

01:13:58I thought he didn't mean it.

01:13:59Our betrothal ceremony

01:14:00was beautiful

01:14:01but Caelan never

01:14:02gave me a glance.

01:14:04Your scent makes me sick.

01:14:06Years passed.

01:14:07I gave him no air.

01:14:09The court stopped bowing.

01:14:10Dragonborn ladies

01:14:11spat in my food.

01:14:12Ripped my gowns

01:14:13and called me

01:14:13a barren human leech.

01:14:15Caelan only smiled.

01:14:16Then I heard him say it.

01:14:17She forced this marriage.

01:14:18She deserves karma.

01:14:20No one should pity her.

01:14:22One week later

01:14:23he threw me

01:14:24into the velvet quarter.

01:14:25A useless breeder

01:14:26belongs in a pleasure house.

01:14:27I died there

01:14:28bloody and left

01:14:29like rotten meat.

01:14:30His figure was

01:14:30the last thing I saw.

01:14:32He never looked back.

01:14:33Then light split open.

01:14:34I woke on cold marble

01:14:36gasping.

01:14:37I was reborn

01:14:37at my mating ceremony.

01:14:39Freya

01:14:39choose any dragon lord

01:14:41in Valeria.

01:14:42I will grant him to you.

01:14:43The royal citadel.

01:14:44The feast.

01:14:45I would not risk my life

01:14:46on Caelan again.

01:14:47I took a deep breath.

01:14:48Your majesty.

01:14:49I respect the crown prince

01:14:51as someone I grew up with.

01:14:52Like a brother.

01:14:53I never wanted him.

01:14:54Not as a man.

01:14:56Not as a husband.

01:14:57My heart only belongs

01:14:59to dragon crook

01:14:59Lufician Drainmore.

01:15:00If I couldn't marry him

01:15:01I'd go finish myself.

01:15:02The court exploded.

01:15:04I had refused

01:15:04Valeria's golden prince

01:15:06and chosen his uncle.

01:15:07The cursed black silver dragon.

01:15:08The most fierce dragon

01:15:09who destroyed

01:15:10wild dragonkins

01:15:11for two hundred years.

01:15:12I had refused

01:15:15Lucian Dravenmore

01:15:16fell coma since year ago

01:15:17on the northern war front.

01:15:19Hurt by an unseen blade

01:15:20with curse.

01:15:21The healers said

01:15:22he would never wake.

01:15:23I knew they were wrong.

01:15:24In my last life

01:15:25Lucian woke during

01:15:26my third year

01:15:26in hellish marriage.

01:15:28When dragonborn ladies

01:15:29had cornered me

01:15:29in the kitchens

01:15:30they laughed

01:15:31tore my sleeves

01:15:32and called me

01:15:32a barren human leech.

01:15:34Then a broken dragon

01:15:35rose from his wheeled chair.

01:15:37Lucian Dravenmore

01:15:37stood between us.

01:15:39Half crippled

01:15:39but still terrifying.

01:15:41Back to now.

01:15:42Little one

01:15:42marrying Lucian

01:15:43would waste your gift.

01:15:45Choose another lord

01:15:45someone who can speak to you.

01:15:47I kept my forehead

01:15:48against the marble floor.

01:15:49Your majesty

01:15:49I swore before the old gods.

01:15:51It is Lucian Dravenmore

01:15:52or no one.

01:15:53I hit my forehead

01:15:54on the floor

01:15:54once and once again.

01:15:56The court went quiet

01:15:57only left the sound

01:15:58of my bones crack.

01:15:59Queen Marianne smiled

01:16:00like she had been handed a gift.

01:16:02If the human girl

01:16:03wants a sleeping dragon

01:16:04let her have him.

01:16:05So be it.

01:16:06Your bloodline is gone.

01:16:08Lucian cannot answer

01:16:09for himself.

01:16:10My queen will arrange

01:16:11the wedding for you too.

01:16:12I rose my bloody forehead

01:16:13and crumbling stood up.

01:16:15I am humbled beyond speech.

01:16:18I did not look at Caelan.

01:16:19I only felt his gold fire

01:16:20burning behind me.

01:16:22Let him burn.

01:16:22I would never choose him again.

01:16:24Lucian is way better than Caelan.

01:16:26Last life

01:16:26though he's still weak

01:16:27he's nice to me.

01:16:28I'll save him this time.

01:16:29We'll claw our way

01:16:30out of this shithole.

01:16:31Together.

01:16:31For three days

01:16:32I slept like someone

01:16:33freed from a cage.

01:16:36Then came the knock

01:16:37at Ashbourne Hall.

01:16:38The queen commands your presence

01:16:39at the royal citadel tonight.

01:16:41My blood went cold.

01:16:42At dusk

01:16:43Madam Corvin led me

01:16:44through the royal corridors.

01:16:47Dragonflowers scented the stone.

01:16:48Then she stopped and bowed.

01:16:50Your highness

01:16:51crown prince

01:16:52I lifted my head.

01:16:53It's Caelan.

01:16:56Caelan stepped into the lamplight.

01:16:58He looked exactly like a future king.

01:17:00Proud and untouchable.

01:17:01Beautiful in the cruel

01:17:02Valorian way.

01:17:03Your highness

01:17:04He looked me over

01:17:05from crown to shoes

01:17:05as if searching for the girl

01:17:07who used to chase him

01:17:07through these halls.

01:17:08That's all?

01:17:09In my last life

01:17:10I knew his every habit.

01:17:11I baked honey cakes for him.

01:17:12I waited outside crown tower

01:17:14just to hand them over.

01:17:15He always tossed them

01:17:16to the palace drakes.

01:17:17Stop this pathetic chase Freya.

01:17:19You are marrying my uncle now.

01:17:21Try to have some dignity.

01:17:22You disgust me.

01:17:24I am not chasing anyone.

01:17:25I was only telling the truth

01:17:26to your king father.

01:17:27I do not love you.

01:17:28Then you wandered into

01:17:29the royal family's

01:17:30private wing by accident?

01:17:31The queen summoned me.

01:17:32Ask Madam Corvin.

01:17:33His gold fire flared.

01:17:34So it was true.

01:17:35I had not come for him.

01:17:37My uncle is a corpse

01:17:38with a title.

01:17:39You may be a widow

01:17:40before your wedding bed

01:17:41even cools.

01:17:42Then I will be the happiest

01:17:43widow in Valoria.

01:17:45His pupils narrowed

01:17:46then went black.

01:17:52I was reborn at my mating ceremony.

01:17:54I would not risk my life

01:17:55on Caelan again.

01:17:56I had refused Valoria's

01:17:58golden prince

01:17:58and chosen his uncle.

01:17:59My uncle is a corpse

01:18:00with a title.

01:18:01Then I will be the happiest

01:18:02widow in Valoria.

01:18:03Pure breeding blood.

01:18:05The rarest kind

01:18:05in 300 years.

01:18:06At my mating ceremony

01:18:08I crawled past

01:18:09the sacred gold offerings

01:18:10and grabbed crown prince

01:18:11Caelan between his pants.

01:18:13This little whore

01:18:14could be a clingy breeder

01:18:15in the future.

01:18:18He was wrong.

01:18:19Caelan and I

01:18:20became enemies.

01:18:21For 10 years

01:18:21I watched his dragon eyes

01:18:23learn to hate my scent.

01:18:24On my 18th birthday feast

01:18:25the king called me

01:18:26before the throne.

01:18:28Freya

01:18:28choose any dragon lord

01:18:30in Valoria.

01:18:31I will grant him to you.

01:18:32Before I could answer

01:18:33Caelan's voice

01:18:34cut across the hall.

01:18:35I would rather

01:18:35be torn apart

01:18:36by wild dragon niece

01:18:38than mate her.

01:18:39Something inside me broke.

01:18:41Good.

01:18:41Then make him choke on it.

01:18:42Then I will leave

01:18:43his fate to the gods.

01:18:44Pay for the price

01:18:45crown prince Caelan.

01:18:46I thought he didn't mean it.

01:18:47Our betrothal ceremony

01:18:48was beautiful

01:18:49but Caelan never

01:18:50gave me a glance.

01:18:52Your scent makes me sick.

01:18:54Years passed.

01:18:55I gave him no air.

01:18:56The court stopped bowing.

01:18:58Dragonborn ladies

01:18:59spat in my food.

01:19:00Ripped my gowns

01:19:01and called me

01:19:01a barren human leech.

01:19:02Caelan only smiled.

01:19:04Then I heard him say it.

01:19:05She forced this marriage.

01:19:06She deserves karma.

01:19:08No one should pity her.

01:19:10One week later

01:19:11he threw me

01:19:12into the velvet quarter.

01:19:13A useless breeder

01:19:14belongs in a pleasure house.

01:19:15I died there.

01:19:16Bloody and left

01:19:17like rotten meat.

01:19:18His figure was

01:19:18the last thing I saw.

01:19:19He never looked back.

01:19:21Then light split open.

01:19:22I woke on cold marble.

01:19:24Gasping.

01:19:24I was reborn

01:19:25at my mating ceremony.

01:19:27Freya.

01:19:27Choose any dragon lord

01:19:29in Valeria.

01:19:30I will grant him to you.

01:19:31The royal citadel.

01:19:32The feast.

01:19:33I would not risk

01:19:34my life on Caelan again.

01:19:35I took a deep breath.

01:19:36Your majesty.

01:19:37I respect the crown prince

01:19:39as someone I grew up with.

01:19:40Like a brother.

01:19:41I never wanted him.

01:19:42Not as a man.

01:19:43Not as a husband.

01:19:45My heart only belongs

01:19:46to dragon crook

01:19:47Lufician Drayenmore.

01:19:48If I couldn't marry him

01:19:49I'd go finish myself.

01:19:50The court exploded.

01:19:52I had refused

01:19:52Valeria's golden prince

01:19:54and chosen his uncle.

01:19:55The cursed black silver dragon.

01:19:56The most fierce dragon

01:19:57who destroyed

01:19:58wild dragonkins

01:19:59for two hundred years.

01:20:03Lucian Dravenmore

01:20:04fell coma

01:20:04since year ago

01:20:05on the northern war front.

01:20:07Hurt by an unseen blade

01:20:08with curse.

01:20:09The healers said

01:20:10he would never wake.

01:20:11I knew they were wrong.

01:20:12In my last life

01:20:13Lucian woke

01:20:13during my third year

01:20:14in hellish marriage.

01:20:15When dragonborn ladies

01:20:17had cornered me

01:20:17in the kitchens

01:20:18they laughed

01:20:19tore my sleeves

01:20:20and called me

01:20:20a barren human leech.

01:20:22Then a broken dragon

01:20:23rose from his wheeled chair.

01:20:25Lucian Dravenmore

01:20:25stood between us.

01:20:26Half crippled

01:20:27but still terrifying.

01:20:29Back to now.

01:20:30Little one

01:20:30marrying Lucian

01:20:31would waste your gift.

01:20:33Choose another lord

01:20:33someone who can speak to you.

01:20:35I kept my forehead

01:20:35against the marble floor.

01:20:37Your majesty

01:20:37I swore before the old gods.

01:20:39It is Lucian Dravenmore

01:20:40or no one.

01:20:41I hit my forehead

01:20:42on the floor

01:20:42once and once again.

01:20:44The court went quiet

01:20:45only left the sound

01:20:46of my bones crack.

01:20:47Queen Marianne smiled

01:20:48like she had been

01:20:49handed a gift.

01:20:50If the human girl

01:20:50wants a sleeping dragon

01:20:52let her have him.

01:20:53So be it.

01:20:54Your bloodline is gone.

01:20:56Lucian cannot answer

01:20:57for himself.

01:20:58My queen will arrange

01:20:59the wedding for you two.

01:21:00I rose my bloody forehead

01:21:01and crumbling stood up.

01:21:02I am humbled beyond speech.

01:21:06I did not look at Caelan.

01:21:07I only felt his gold fire

01:21:08burning behind me.

01:21:09Let him burn.

01:21:10I would never choose him again.

01:21:12Lucian is way better

01:21:13than Caelan.

01:21:13Last life

01:21:14though he's still weak.

01:21:15He's nice to me.

01:21:16I'll save him this time.

01:21:17We'll claw our way

01:21:18out of this shithole.

01:21:19Together.

01:21:19For three days

01:21:20I slept like someone

01:21:21freed from a cage.

01:21:24Then came the knock

01:21:25at Ashbourne Hall.

01:21:26The queen commands

01:21:27your presence

01:21:27at the royal citadel tonight.

01:21:29My blood went cold.

01:21:30At dusk

01:21:31Madame Corvin

01:21:32led me through

01:21:33the royal corridors.

01:21:35Dragonflowers

01:21:35scented the stone.

01:21:36Then she stopped

01:21:37and bowed.

01:21:38Your highness

01:21:39Crown Prince

01:21:40I lifted my head.

01:21:41It's Caelan.

01:21:44Caelan stepped

01:21:45into the lamplight.

01:21:45He looked exactly

01:21:46like a future king.

01:21:48Proud and untouchable.

01:21:49Beautiful in the cruel

01:21:50Valorian way.

01:21:51Your highness

01:21:52He looked me over

01:21:52from crown to shoes

01:21:53as if searching for the girl

01:21:55who used to chase him

01:21:55through these halls.

01:21:56That's all?

01:21:57In my last life

01:21:58I knew his every habit.

01:21:59I baked honeycakes

01:22:00for him.

01:22:00I waited outside

01:22:01Crown Tower

01:22:02just to hand them over.

01:22:03He always tossed them

01:22:03to the palace drakes.

01:22:05Stop this pathetic chase

01:22:07Freya.

01:22:07You are marrying

01:22:08my uncle now.

01:22:09Try to have some dignity.

01:22:10You disgust me.

01:22:11I am not chasing anyone.

01:22:13I was only telling

01:22:14the truth to your king father.

01:22:15I do not love you.

01:22:16Then you wandered

01:22:17into the royal family's

01:22:18private wing by accident?

01:22:19The queen summoned me.

01:22:20Ask Madame Corvin.

01:22:21His gold fire flared.

01:22:22So it was true.

01:22:23I had not come for him.

01:22:25My uncle is a corpse

01:22:26with a title.

01:22:27You may be a widow

01:22:28before your wedding bed

01:22:29even cools.

01:22:30Then I will be

01:22:31the happiest widow

01:22:32in Valoria.

01:22:33His pupils narrowed

01:22:34then went black.

01:22:38Caelan stepped

01:22:38into the lamplight.

01:22:39He looked exactly

01:22:40like a future king.

01:22:41Proud and untouchable.

01:22:43Beautiful in the cruel

01:22:44Valorian way.

01:22:45Your highness.

01:22:46He looked me over

01:22:46from crown to shoes

01:22:47as if searching for the girl

01:22:48who used to chase him

01:22:49through these halls.

01:22:50That's all?

01:22:51In my last life

01:22:51I knew his every habit.

01:22:53I baked honey cakes

01:22:54for him.

01:22:54I waited outside

01:22:55Crown Tower

01:22:56just to hand them over.

01:22:57He always tossed them

01:22:57to the palace drakes.

01:22:59Stop this pathetic chase, Freya.

01:23:01You are marrying my uncle now.

01:23:03Try to have some dignity.

01:23:04You disgust me.

01:23:05I am not chasing anyone.

01:23:07I was only telling the truth

01:23:08to your king father.

01:23:09I do not love you.

01:23:10Then you wandered

01:23:11into the royal family's

01:23:12private wing by accident?

01:23:13The queen summoned me.

01:23:14Ask Madame Corvin.

01:23:15His gold fire flared.

01:23:16So it was true.

01:23:17I had not come for him.

01:23:19My uncle is a corpse

01:23:20with a title.

01:23:21You may be a widow

01:23:22before your wedding bed

01:23:23even cools.

01:23:24Then I will be

01:23:25the happiest widow

01:23:26in Valoria.

01:23:27His pupils narrowed

01:23:28then went black.

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