I Take Back the Light, I Found a Dynasty Full Episode follows an epic journey of destiny, power, and rebirth. After losing everything she once cherished, a determined woman rises from the shadows to reclaim her light and forge a dynasty of her own. As ancient kingdoms clash, hidden prophecies awaken, and powerful rulers compete for control, she discovers that her true strength can reshape the future of an entire empire. Filled with fantasy romance, royal intrigue, political conflict, betrayal, redemption, and a powerful female lead, this captivating short drama delivers an unforgettable story of ambition and destiny. Rebirth, revenge, and throne-reclaiming storylines remain among the most popular themes in fantasy short dramas.
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#ITakeBackTheLightIFoundADynasty #FantasyRomance #RebornQueen #AncientEmpire #RoyalDrama #ShortDrama #DramaSeries #FullEP #ShortMovie #ENGSUB
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Short filmTranscript
00:00On the eve of the coronation, King Alistair burst in with the pregnant Cecily.
00:04Cecily is carrying my child. That crown is not fit for you.
00:08I froze on the spot. Morghouse, the queen dowager whom I had treated as my own mother, chimed in without
00:14a trace of shame.
00:16You cannot bear an heir. Cecily was generous enough to spare your wretched life, yet you were vicious enough to
00:22push her and nearly cause a miscarriage.
00:25I swallowed the metallic taste in my throat.
00:28If I leave, don't say you weren't warned.
00:30Alistair let out a scornful laugh.
00:33Without my protection, you would have died on the exile road ten years ago.
00:39Guards, throw her into the cold tower and leave her to rot.
00:42They seemed to have forgotten that it was I who dug them out of a pile of corpses on that
00:46exile road ten years ago.
00:47They also had no idea that the fate of this new dynasty relied entirely on the light of destiny from
00:52my god bloodline.
00:53Forcibly sustaining it.
00:54Looking at this mother and son who wanted me dead, I swallowed the blood in my mouth and stopped asking
01:00for any explanation.
01:01Divine warning. Ten years of star blood protection have expired.
01:06Continue to offer the light of destiny?
01:09Withdraw it.
01:10The light of destiny will be completely stripped away in three days.
01:14Within three days, you may change your mind at any time.
01:21Before I could collect myself, the guards dragged me roughly out of the hall.
01:24I casually took off the queen's crown from my head and threw it at Alistair's feet.
01:28The crown rolled and fell, smashing jewels all over the floor.
01:32Alistair stared hard at my back, which showed no trace of regret, and knitted his brows into a tight knot.
01:38He seemed not to have expected me to be so resolute, a flash of inexplicable irritation crossed his eyes.
01:43Once she is in the cold tower, by my order, no one is to give her a single ember of
01:48coal or one drop of medicine for her wounds.
01:52Let's see just how tough her backbone really is.
01:56Cecily leaned delicately against Alistair, her eyes challenging me.
02:00Alistair, my sister was just jealous in the heat of the moment.
02:04Please don't upset yourself.
02:06With that, she gave a little cry that she was cold.
02:09Alistair instinctively moved to unfasten his cloak.
02:12But when his hand touched the clasp, he froze abruptly.
02:16It was a black fox fur cloak, with flame runes densely embroidered in gold thread over the heart.
02:20Ten years ago, in the frozen exile land, the coal poison had seeped into his bones,
02:24and the physician said he would not survive the night.
02:27It was I who pricked my own heart with a hairpin, used my star blood as a guide,
02:31and stayed up three whole nights sewing that cloak stitch by stitch, pulling him back from the brink of death.
02:36Alistair's fingers curled slightly.
02:38But he glanced at Cecily's slightly swollen belly, and in the end he unfastened the cloak and wrapped it around
02:43her.
02:43Yet he muttered a low warning.
02:45Don't dirty it.
02:46Cecily stiffened, then nodded obediently, but jealousy flashed in her eyes.
02:52The guards dragged me all the way and threw me into the cold tower, overgrown with weeds.
02:57The wind crept through the broken window lattice, drilling into my very bones.
03:01The agony of having the destiny stripped away began to set in.
03:05I fell onto the damp, muddy ground and vomited a mouthful of black blood.
03:09My lady!
03:10A thin, dark figure rushed out from a corner and hugged me tightly.
03:14It was Primrose.
03:15Ten years ago on the exile road, when I was starving to death,
03:18the silly girl secretly cut flesh from her own thigh and boiled it into soup to feed me.
03:22Now, seeing me covered in blood, she wept as if her heart would break.
03:26My lady, how could the king treat you like this?
03:29If you hadn't taken that arrow for him back then, he would have...
03:33Stop.
03:34I leaned weakly against her and wiped the blood from my lips.
03:37He doesn't deserve to speak of those days.
03:40The first night.
03:41The capital, which had enjoyed favorable weather, was suddenly hit by a violent gale.
03:45The first threat of golden light was silently being drawn away from above the throne palace where Alistair sat.
03:50That was my light of destiny.
03:53Since they have taken my crown, I shall take away their kingdom's fortune.
04:00At the same time, in the throne palace, Alistair, who had just fallen asleep with Cecily in his arms,
04:06suddenly felt a piercing pain in his chest.
04:08It was the old poison from ten years ago.
04:11For those ten years, I had used my star blood every month to suppress it,
04:15so he had long believed that the court physicians had cured him.
04:18He broke out in a cold sweat from the pain and instinctively called out the name carved into his bones.
04:23Sarah, my chest hurts.
04:26Llewellyn, the chamberlain on night duty, fell to his knees in terror.
04:30Your majesty, the queen has already been banished to the cold tower.
04:34Alistair jolted awake.
04:36He looked at the sleeping Cecily beside him, and his eyes churned with anger and panic.
04:41Silence!
04:43Without her, I can live just fine.
04:45Countdown.
04:46Two days remaining.
04:47My body grew colder and colder.
04:50The pain of having my divine meridians ripped away left me barely able to stand.
04:55The door of the cold tower was kicked open.
04:59Cecily, surrounded by seven or eight maids, strode in with her belly thrust out.
05:04She covered her nose and mouth with a handkerchief in disgust.
05:07This place is worse than a pig shed.
05:10How is my once exalted queen sister finding it?
05:14Isn't that fake belly of yours rather hot under all that padding?
05:18Cecily's face changed dramatically.
05:20Then she stepped forward viciously and slapped me across the face.
05:26Wretch, still running your mouth when death is at your door.
05:30Primrose shoved Cecily roughly aside.
05:32Don't you dare hit my lady!
05:34Cecily stumbled back two steps and fell straight into the arms of Alistair.
05:38Alistair, my sister's wretched servant is trying to kill our child.
05:42She immediately clucked her belly.
05:44Alistair flew into a rage and kicked Primrose so hard that she flew through the air.
05:49Primrose crashed heavily into the stone wall and spat out a mouthful of blood.
05:53Alistair!
05:54My eyes blazing with fury, I struggled to crawl over and shield Primrose.
05:58Alistair seized my jaw tightly.
06:01Seraphina, you allow your vicious servant to plot against the royal heir.
06:05Do you really think I dare not kill you?
06:10Just then, his eyes fell on a pendant that had slipped out from my neck.
06:14It was a remarkably smooth pink gold gem, the only heirloom my mother left me, called
06:18the Starfell Pendant.
06:20Years ago in the snowy mountains, when Alistair was attacked by wolves, this gem had erupted
06:25with divine power and taken the fatal blow for him, leaving a crack on its surface.
06:29Cecily's eyes flickered.
06:31Alistair, that pendant is so beautiful.
06:34The royal physician says my pregnancy is unstable.
06:38If I had such a spiritual stone to nurture me, the little prince would surely be born safely.
06:44Alistair hesitated.
06:46He knew how important that pendant was to me.
06:48It was my very lifeline.
06:49I clutched the pendant tightly and looked at him with reddened eyes.
06:53Alistair, my mother left this to me.
06:55Just you dare touch it.
06:57Alistair saw the resolve in my eyes, and his heart inexplicably twinged.
07:02You are nothing but a cripple now.
07:04Keeping such a treasure is a waste.
07:08Cecily is carrying my first child.
07:12With that, he mercilessly pried open my fingers and tore off the leather cord.
07:17I screamed in anguish.
07:19Alistair handed the pendant to Cecily.
07:22But Cecily pretended to fumble it.
07:24There was a sharp crack.
07:26The pink gold gem that had once saved Alistair's life and carried my mother's soul shattered
07:29into pieces on the stone floor.
07:31The world seemed to fall into dead silence at that moment.
07:36Oh dear, how clumsy of me.
07:39Sister won't be angry, will she?
07:41I stared blankly at the broken gem on the ground.
07:44The last trace of tenderness in my heart for the youth of ten years ago shattered completely
07:48along with that gem.
07:49I did not cry.
07:50Instead, I let out a strange, abrupt laugh.
07:54Alistair's scalp prickled at the sound of my laughter.
07:56He looked at the shattered gem on the floor, and suddenly it felt as if a piece of his heart
08:00had gone missing, as if something most precious had left him forever.
08:05It's just a worthless stone.
08:07I'll give you a hundred in return.
08:09He grabbed Cecily and fled.
08:12Countdown, the final day.
08:14A messenger on horseback from the border galloped into the capital.
08:18The enemy army, which had been repelled, suddenly gathered a hundred thousand troops for a night
08:22raid, captured two cities in a row, and the defending generals were killed in battle.
08:27The court and the whole kingdom were shaken.
08:29The royal astrologer observed the night sky and cried out in alarm that the star representing
08:33Asteria had dimmed.
08:35A star of disaster had descended, and chaos would engulf the court.
08:38The chamberlain scrambled into the council chamber.
08:44Your Majesty, Lady Seslik has suddenly started bleeding.
08:48The royal physician says that an evil error has disturbed the spirit of the unborn child.
08:52An hour later, a large contingent of guards stormed the coal tower.
08:56Primrose was pinned flat to the ground in the courtyard by two burly maids.
09:00Alistair stood under the eaves, his face ashen, clutching a cursed doll inscribed with Cecily's
09:05birth date.
09:06Seraphina, this cursed object was found under your bed.
09:11The Australoper has calculated clearly that your fate has changed.
09:15You are the very disaster star who has doomed my hundred thousand soldiers and disturbed the
09:19royal air.
09:20The guards pinned me to the ground.
09:22I shook my head desperately.
09:24I did not!
09:25This is a frame-up!
09:26Cecily, pale-faced and leaning on a couch, pointed at Primrose and wailed.
09:31Your Majesty, it was this wretched servant who secretly buried the doll outside the tower.
09:37No!
09:38I only went to ask for some hot water!
09:40My lady is freezing to death!
09:43Primrose cowed out as she wept.
09:45Alistair would not listen.
09:46He looked at my pallid face, and the panic in his heart turned entirely into fury.
09:51So you won't confess?
09:53Then let your servant bear the punishment in your stead.
09:58Beat her hard!
09:59The heavy wooden club landed on Primrose's thin back.
10:02The sound of breaking bones was terribly clear in the silent coal tower.
10:06Alistair!
10:07Come at me!
10:08Beat me instead!
10:10I broke free from the guards like a madwoman and threw myself over Primrose, taking a blow
10:14for her.
10:15That blow shattered my shoulder blade.
10:17The pain made everything go black, but I held on tightly to the person beneath me.
10:22Alistair!
10:23I beg you, spare her!
10:25I'll let you drain my heart's blood again!
10:28I'll give you my life!
10:30Alistair looked at me groveling in the dirt.
10:32He opened his mouth, about to call a halt.
10:38Your Majesty, evil must be eradicated root and branch.
10:42The natural and man-made disasters are all because of this poisoned woman.
10:47Show no mercy.
10:49In that instant...
10:50My lady, don't beg him.
10:54He's not worthy.
10:58I'll go on ahead.
11:00Please live well.
11:02Before she finished, the maidservant brought the club down hard on the back of her head.
11:07Primrose's head drooped limply.
11:09She was gone.
11:11Primrose!
11:14A thunderclap exploded in the sky, and a torrential downpour followed.
11:19I held Primrose's body as it grew stiff, and my heart became a dry, empty well.
11:24Alistair, I will not leave you a single shred of this kingdom's destiny.
11:28Alistair stood under an umbrella, looking at me silent in the rain like a vengeful ghost.
11:33His voice trembled with panic.
11:35You brought this upon yourself!
11:37The astrologer has said that a disaster star has arrived.
11:41Only a living sacrifice by fire can aspice heaven's wrath.
11:44Tomorrow is Cecily's coronation, and I will sacrifice you to heaven to secure the kingdom of Asteria.
11:51The third day.
11:53The coronation, and also my living sacrifice.
11:56On the square outside the cathedral, the dense black cloud seemed ready to crush the entire capital.
12:01With one arm broken and my body drenched in blood,
12:04I was tightly bound by thick iron chains to a stake dozens of feet high.
12:07Beneath me was a mountain of dry wood drenched in oil.
12:10All the nobles of the court and tens of thousands of citizens surrounded the sacrificial platform,
12:15glaring at me with venomous eyes.
12:17Burn the disaster star!
12:19Burn this poisonous woman who has brought chaos to the kingdom!
12:23Countless rotten vegetables and stones hit my face, but I did not even blink.
12:27High up on the stone steps, Alistair, in his golden royal robe, held Cecily in his arms.
12:33She wore a crimson ceremonial gown and the queen's crown that had once been mine.
12:38Seraphina, you have committed so many evils that you have aroused the anger of heaven and the hatred of the
12:42people.
12:43For the centuries-old foundation of Asteria, and for the people of this kingdom, I must put you to this
12:48hardship.
12:49Cecily stroked her belly and smiled viciously.
12:52Sister, go in peace.
12:55After you die, the kingdom will enjoy favorable weather, and my bloodline with his majesty will be born safely.
13:02Execute the sentence!
13:04Light the fire!
13:10A dozen guards with torches stepped forward and hurled their torches onto the woodpile beneath me.
13:15A towering inferno erupted in an instant, as if it would devour me any second.
13:19The scorching heat charred my skirt and seared my skin.
13:22Alistair stared fixedly at me in the sea of fire.
13:25He was waiting for me to break down and weep as I used to, to bow my head and beg
13:29for mercy.
13:30If I begged, he had actually prepared a water cart in secret and could spare my life.
13:35But he was wrong.
13:36In the very last second before the fire would burn through me, I slowly raised my head and looked at
13:41him.
13:42Alistair, you are truly pitiful.
13:44You used the kingdom I gave you to sentence me to death.
13:48Alistair, the destiny of Astria.
13:51I have withdrawn it.
13:53Countdown.
13:54Three, two, one.
13:56Light of destiny completely reset to zero.
14:00In the very last second before the fire consumed me.
14:04Above the sky, an apocalyptic thunderclap exploded.
14:07A pure purple lightning bolt, thick as a dragon, struck straight at the king's pillar that represented the royal authority
14:14of Astria.
14:17Alistair was thrown to the ground by the blast.
14:19He scrambled to his feet.
14:21He dashed towards the stake dozens of feet high.
14:24The fire raged to the sky.
14:26The massive woodpile collapsed completely.
14:28I closed my eyes.
14:30I let the last of my divine blood ignite into flames.
14:33Under the cover of the heavenly punishment.
14:36I crushed the teleportation array that my mother had left inside the pendant.
14:40White light mingled with the flames.
14:42I vanished into thin air before Alistair's eyes.
14:45Only a pile of ashes remained.
14:47And the half-burnt, heavy iron chain.
14:52Alistair threw himself to the edge of the sea of fire.
14:55The fire licked at his golden royal robe.
14:57Llewellyn, the chamberlain, grabbed him tightly around the waist.
15:02Your majesty, it's dangerous!
15:04Alistair kicked Llewellyn away.
15:06He raked through the scalding ashes with his bare hands.
15:09The smell of burning flesh filled the air.
15:12Alistair's hands were covered with huge, seeping blisters.
15:15He found nothing.
15:17Not even a single bone was left.
15:19The disaster star has been destroyed!
15:22Alistair, she is dead and gone!
15:26Alistair whirled around.
15:27He stared at Cecily's face.
15:29That face, which usually aroused all his pity and affection,
15:32is now twisted beyond recognition.
15:35Get away from me!
15:37Alistair roared.
15:39He stumbled down the stone steps.
15:41Snatched a guard's horse.
15:43He galloped all the way back to the throne palace.
15:45He had to find out for himself.
15:47He pushed open the heavy oak door of the hall.
15:50Inside was empty.
15:52Everything that belonged to me was gone.
15:54The brocade bedding on the bed.
15:56The wooden comb on the dressing table.
15:58The clay pot I had used to brew his medicinal broth.
16:01All gone.
16:04The maidservant in charge of cleaning knelt on the floor, trembling.
16:08Before the queen left,
16:11she ordered me to burn all the old things.
16:13That black fox fur cloak that had protected his heart.
16:17Had also become a pile of black ash in a bronze basin.
16:20Alistair clutched his chest.
16:22It hurt.
16:23A piercing pain spread through his limbs and bones.
16:26He spat out a mouthful of black blood.
16:28I had severed all ties with him.
16:30Including the destiny tablet I had left at the astrologer's guild.
16:34The tablet had crumbled to powder.
16:36There was not even the possibility of piecing it back together.
16:39Alistair fell back into a sitting position in the pile of paper ashes.
16:43His hands shook.
16:44He desperately gathered the ashes to his chest.
16:47Sarah, come out.
16:49I won't burn you anymore.
16:51Come out.
16:52No one answered.
16:53Only the mournful cold wind outside the window.
16:56Your majesty.
16:57Lady Cecily's pregnancy is disturbed.
17:00Please come to the tower.
17:01Alistair snapped his head up.
17:02Red veins crawled over the whites of his eyes.
17:05He knocked the medicine bowl out of Llewellyn's hands.
17:07The scalding liquid splashed all over Llewellyn's face.
17:10Let her die!
17:13Alistair drew the sword from the wall.
17:15With one stroke, he split the oak table in front of him into pieces.
17:19He swung the sword wildly.
17:21The silk drapes inside the hall were torn to shreds.
17:24Vases shattered across the floor.
17:26He smashed the palace to pieces.
17:29Finally, exhausted, he collapsed in the ruins.
17:32Outside, a storm began to pour.
17:35Rainwater, streaming through the broken window lattice, lashed his face.
17:38He tore at his hair and let out a beastly howl.
17:41He refused to accept the truth.
17:44He could not believe that the woman who loved him like her own life had turned to ash.
17:48Search!
17:50Dig three feet into the ground if you must find her!
17:54Alive!
17:54I want to see her!
17:56Dead!
17:56I want to see her body!
18:02Alistair's madness lasted a full seven days.
18:04The capital was turned upside down by the guards.
18:07The city gates were sealed.
18:09House-to-house searches were conducted.
18:11Nothing was found.
18:13From inside the tower came a piercing scream.
18:16Cecily was bleeding.
18:17Alistair, sword still wet with blood, burst into the bedchamber.
18:21The royal physicians knelt in a row, trembling like leaves.
18:25Speak!
18:26Alistair pressed the tip of his sword against the chief physician's neck.
18:29The chief physician cowed out frantically.
18:32Lady Cecily was never pregnant!
18:35It was a false pregnancy pulse caused by long-term consumption of wormwood!
18:42Cecily lay limp on the bed.
18:44The cotton pillow she had tucked under her waist and belly rolled onto the floor.
18:47Alistair's eyes seemed about to split.
18:51You dared to deceive me!
18:54Alistair!
18:55I was wrong!
18:57It was her!
18:58Sarah forced me!
19:00Just then, the captain of the personal guard appeared.
19:03He presented a thick stack of documents with both hands.
19:06They were the results of ten days of investigation by the guards.
19:09Your majesty, I have confirmed that the cursed doll in the cold tower was buried in the dead
19:16of night by Lady Cecily's personal maid, and...
19:20The captain paused.
19:21Ten years ago on the Snowy Mountain, while you were being saved, Lady Cecily hid in a cave
19:27the whole time.
19:29The one who truly drew the wolves away was the Queen.
19:34Lady Cecily also regularly poisoned the Queen's calming tonic to damage the Queen's divine meridians.
19:45Alistair's hand loosened abruptly.
19:47Cecily crashed to the floor and coughed violently.
19:50Alistair stared at the stack of documents.
19:52Every word turned into a poison steel needle, stabbing into his eyes.
19:56All along, he had treated a demon as a goddess.
19:59Yet he had pushed the true divine maiden onto the fiery stake.
20:03What about Primrose?
20:05Alistair's voice was terrifyingly hoarse.
20:08Before Primrose died, Lady Cecily had every bone in her body broken.
20:14Alistair staggered back three steps.
20:16His back slammed hard into a pillar.
20:18He gasped for breath, then suddenly let out a wretched, piercing laugh.
20:23He laughed so hard that tears streamed down his face.
20:25He stomped on Cecily's hand, grounded under his heel.
20:30Cecily shrieked.
20:31Alistair, have mercy!
20:34Alistair drew a dagger.
20:36He moved extremely fast.
20:38He plunged the blade into Cecily's shoulder.
20:42Have mercy on you!
20:44Who will have mercy on Sarah?
20:46Who will give Sarah back to me?!
20:50He severed the tendons in Cecily's hands and feet.
20:53Cecily fainted from the pain.
20:56Wake her with salt water!
20:59Alistair threw away the dagger.
21:01Throw her into the dungeon.
21:03Cut a piece of fesh from her every day.
21:06Feed her the best life-prolonging medicine.
21:08I want her to live a full ten years!
21:11Cecily was dragged away by the guards like a dead dog.
21:14The bloodstains on the floor were horrifying.
21:17Sarah!
21:18I was wrong!
21:20Alistair knelt in the pool of blood.
21:22He covered his face with his hands.
21:24Tears mixed with blood trickled through his fingers.
21:27The fate of Asteria had changed.
21:29Without the protection of the light of destiny.
21:32The north suffered months of drought, and the land was littered with the starving dead.
21:36The south was plagued by frequent floods, and dykes burst.
21:39Enemy nations seized the opportunity to send troops, and three border cities fell in a row.
21:43Alistair neither slept nor rested, day or night.
21:47Half his hair turned white.
21:49He became a mad tyrant.
21:51In court, any word that displeased him was met with immediate execution.
21:55Everyone said a tyrant had descended upon the world.
21:58Only Llewellyn knew.
21:59Every night, deep into the darkness, the king would hold a charred wooden comb, and kneel
22:04outside the abandoned coal tower until dawn.
22:09Three years later, in the south, Port City, the main street was bustling with traffic and
22:14crowds.
22:15I sat in the main hall of the Holy Light Clinic.
22:18I placed my fingers on a patient's wrist, picked up a brush, and wrote out a prescription.
22:23Your medicine will be prepared according to this prescription.
22:27You will be cured in three days.
22:29The patient left, showering me with thanks.
22:32I picked up the ceramic, silver-rimmed bowl from the table.
22:36The honeyed water was at the perfect temperature.
22:39Lysander walked over and naturally refilled the bowl with hot water.
22:42You've seen 50 patients today, Sarah.
22:45Time to rest.
22:46He wore a long moon-white robe, gentle, upright.
22:49He was the head of the Lysander family, the richest in the south.
22:53Three years ago, I landed outside Port City through the teleportation array.
22:57Badly wounded and near death.
22:59Lysander's carriage happened to pass by, and he picked me up.
23:02With the little medical skill I had left, I cured his naturally weak constitution.
23:07He funded me to establish a trading company.
23:10Now, the signboard of the Exchange Guild hung in 12 southern cities.
23:13I was not only a divine physician, but also the uncrowned queen who held the economic lifeline of hysteria.
23:21I blew on the bowl and took a sip.
23:24There are more refugees outside the city today.
23:28There is a great drought in the north, and the court's relief money has been embezzled.
23:33The young king pushes too hard, and the people are full of complaints.
23:37I put down the silver-rimmed bull.
23:39When I heard the words young king, my heart no longer stirred.
23:43That man was far, far away from me now.
23:46Just then, a commotion broke out in the street.
23:49A troop of soldiers in tattered armor was driving away the refugees.
23:53The leading officer brandished a whip.
23:55Get out of the way!
23:56Don't block the path of the royal envoy.
23:59A plain, dark carriage rolled slowly towards them.
24:02Suddenly, several assassins rushed out from the crowd.
24:05They raised their blades and struck at the carriage.
24:08Kill the lackeys of the Daub King!
24:10The carriage compartment was smashed to pieces.
24:12A black figure tumbled out.
24:14His hair was disheveled, and he looked utterly wretched.
24:17It was Alistair, traveling incognito to the south to raise funds.
24:22Most of his personal guards around him were dead or wounded.
24:25An assassin's blade came straight at his face.
24:27Alistair raised his sword to block.
24:30Weak from exhaustion, he was forced back step after step.
24:33He retreated all the way to the door of my clinic.
24:36He spat out blood and dropped to one knee, propping himself up with his sword.
24:42The assassin raised his blade to strike.
24:45I sat in the main hall, watching coldly.
24:48Shall we save him?
24:50I shook my head.
24:53Don't dirty the clinic's floor.
24:56Alistair heard that familiar voice.
24:59His whole body trembled violently.
25:01He whipped his head around.
25:03Through the bustling crowd.
25:05Across three years of life and death.
25:07His eyes met mine directly.
25:09That face he had longed for day and night.
25:12That face that had appeared in his dreams countless times.
25:14Was right there in front of him.
25:17Alistair forgot to dodge the assassin's blade.
25:19He stared at me, unblinking.
25:21His breath stopped.
25:23Sarah.
25:24The assassin's blade slashed across his back.
25:26Blood sprayed.
25:28He felt nothing.
25:31Sarah!
25:32Is it really you?
25:37Alistair knocked over the herb stall in front of the clinic, sending medicinal herbs scattering
25:41all over the ground.
25:42He threw himself down at the bottom of the steps and looked up at me.
25:46His face was covered in blood and mud.
25:49Sarah.
25:49He reached out a bloody hand, trying to grab the hem of my skirt.
25:53I stepped back.
25:55Avoided his touch.
25:56Lysander strode forward.
25:58He kicked Alistair hard in the shoulder.
26:01Alistair fell back down the steps and rolled twice.
26:03Lysander drew the sword from his waist and pointed its tip at him.
26:07How dare you!
26:09Who is this ruffian causing trouble here?
26:11The personal guards arrived and killed the assassins.
26:15They shielded Alistair.
26:17Protect his majesty!
26:20At those words, the whole street fell silent.
26:23The common people dropped to their knees.
26:26Only Lysander and I remained standing.
26:28Alistair pushed aside his guards.
26:30Ignoring the knife wound on his back, he crawled towards me again.
26:34He pushed aside Lysander's sword.
26:36Letting the sharp blade cut his palm.
26:38He fell heavily to his knees at my feet.
26:41The proud king of Asteria, in front of everyone, went down on both knees.
26:46Sarah, I have finally found you.
26:48He wept so hard that tears covered his face.
26:51Tears washed through the blood.
26:55Thank God!
26:56Come back to the palace with me, won't you?
26:59The queen's throne is yours!
27:02I'll give you my very life!
27:04I looked down at him from above, watching him grovel like a begging dog.
27:08I only felt disgust.
27:11I picked up the basin of dirty water used for washing herbs, poured the whole basin over his head, soaking
27:17him completely, making him look utterly pathetic.
27:20Alistair did not dodge.
27:22He wiped the filthy water from his face and continued to beg.
27:25Sarah, hit me.
27:27Curse me.
27:29As long as you feel better, anything is fine.
27:32I threw the basin aside and dusted off my hands.
27:35Alistair, you have mistaken me for someone else.
27:39I am Serafina.
27:41Not your Sarah.
27:43Alistair shook his head violently.
27:45He raised his hand.
27:47He delivered a loud, stinging slap to his own face.
27:52Another one.
27:53He struck himself left and right until blood ran from the corner of his mouth.
27:57I was blind.
28:00I trusted that poisonous woman.
28:04Cecily has been tortured to death by a thousand cuts.
28:07I avenged Primrose for you.
28:13At the name Primrose, I clenched my fists tightly.
28:17A surge of rage shot to my head.
28:19I walked down the steps and landed a heavy kick on Alistair's chest, knocking him to the ground.
28:25You are not worthy to speak Primrose's name.
28:28While she was taking those blows for me, what were you doing?
28:32You were holding that poisonous woman and watching the show.
28:36You had her beaten to death in the cold tower.
28:39Alistair clutched his chest and wept bitterly.
28:41I didn't know.
28:43I truly didn't know.
28:45Lysander stepped forward and put his arm around my shoulder,
28:49pulling me protectively into his embrace.
28:51Fina, be careful.
28:53Don't disturb the baby.
28:55He deliberately raised his voice.
28:57Alistair looked as if he had been struck by lightning.
29:00He stared at Lysander's hand on my waist, then at my flat belly.
29:04His eyes instantly turned bloodshot.
29:06What did you call her?
29:08Whose child are you carrying?
29:10Alistair sprang up from the ground.
29:12Like a cornered mad dog, he drew a guard sword and slashed at Lysander.
29:18I'll kill him!
29:23Lysander dodged easily.
29:25One kick sent the sword flying from Alistair's hand.
29:27I stepped in front of Lysander, raised my hand.
29:31A crisp slap landed on Alistair's face, turning his head to the side.
29:35Go back to your capital!
29:39I pointed to the end of the street.
29:41Don't force me to grind your face into the mud!
29:45Alistair held his cheek, looked at me in despair.
29:49He suddenly tore the royal insignia from his belt and smashed it onto the ground.
29:53I am the king!
29:56I command you to come back with me!
29:59He tried to use the last of his royal authority to intimidate me.
30:05I could not help but burst out laughing.
30:07Laughed so hard that tears came out.
30:10King!
30:11I stepped back twice and looked at him coldly.
30:13Your majesty!
30:14You can't even pay your army's wages now, can you?
30:18From my sleeve, I took out a golden token.
30:20It was the highest seal of the Silver Coin Guild.
30:23I threw it at his feet.
30:25See what this is.
30:27The moment Alistair recognized the token, his face turned ashen.
30:31You...
30:32You are the master of the Silver Coin Guild?
30:36I nodded.
30:37The relief funds you came south to raise, I hold every coin of them in my hand.
30:42With a single word from me.
30:44The price of grain in Asteria could rise tenfold.
30:48What do you have to fight me with?
30:49Alistair's legs gave way, and he slumped completely to the ground.
30:53He looked up at my unfamiliar face.
30:55Sarah, how did you become like this?
30:59You used to feel sad even when you stepped on an aunt.
31:03I suddenly tore open my collar, revealing the hideous burn scar beneath my collarbone.
31:08It was the mark left by the holy fire.
31:10The Seraphina of the past burned to death on that stake in front of the cathedral.
31:15I stepped towards him, one step at a time.
31:18You want money?
31:20Fine.
31:22Kneel outside the city for three days and three nights.
31:26Shout Alistair is a beast a thousand times.
31:30Then I will give you a hundred thousand silver coins.
31:36Alistair trembled all over.
31:38He saw the people around him pointing and whispering.
31:41His proud dignity was being ground into the dirt.
31:43He closed his eyes, and two streams of bloody tears ran down his face.
31:47He slowly turned around, facing the direction outside the city, and cowed out heavily.
31:55Alistair is a beast.
31:57The personal guards knelt and wept.
32:00Your majesty, you must not!
32:03Alistair pushed the guards aside and continued to cowed out.
32:06Alistair is a beast!
32:08With every shout, his heart shattered a little more.
32:11I took Lysander's hand and turned to walk into the clinic.
32:15The heavy door slammed shut.
32:17Shutting him out, Lysander draped a coat over my shoulders.
32:20You're not pregnant.
32:23Why lie to him?
32:25I picked up the cold honeyed water and poured it on the floor.
32:28If you don't blind his eyes, how will he ever feel the pain?
32:33From outside the door came Alistair's horse shouts, one after another.
32:38My life had long since left no room for him.
32:44Alistair knelt outside the city for three days and three nights.
32:47He shouted until his throat bled.
32:49His knees were scraped raw down to the bone.
32:52I kept my promise and gave him a hundred thousand silver coins.
32:55He dragged his broken body back to the capital.
32:58But he had lost.
32:59A hundred thousand silver coins could not fill the gaping holes in Asteria.
33:03Asteria, without the protection of destiny, had reached the end of its days.
33:08Half a year later, the northern defenses collapsed completely.
33:12Rebel forces broke through the gates of the capital.
33:15Alistair was dragged down from his throne by the rebels.
33:17They severed the tendons in his hands and feet, crippling his ability to fight.
33:22The rebel leader did not kill him.
33:24Instead, he threw him into the lowest, most wretched beggar's pit in the capital.
33:28Leaving him to live or die as fate would have it.
33:31In the midst of the kingdom's chaos, Lysander raised his own army.
33:35With the financial backing of the Silver Coin Guild, Lysander's forces swept through the land.
33:40In just one year, he pacified the entire realm.
33:43Lysander ascended the throne as emperor.
33:46He changed the kingdom's name to Nova, and made me his empress.
33:52On the day of our grand wedding, red carpets and flowers covered the entire main street.
33:57Pebbles swirled in the air.
33:59I wore the imperial crown in a golden gown, seated in a carriage drawn by six horses.
34:04Receiving the homage of the people.
34:06In a corner of the crowd.
34:08A filthy, disheveled beggar with crippled hands and feet lay beside a gutter.
34:12He was fighting a stray dog for half a moldy loaf of bread.
34:15When the fanfare sounded.
34:17When the people around shouted, long live her majesty the empress.
34:21The beggar jerked his head up.
34:23His eyes, hidden beneath matted hair, fixed on me in the carriage.
34:27It was Alistair.
34:28He looked at the magnificent crown on my head, and remembered the one he himself had smashed.
34:34Remembered the great fire in front of the cathedral.
34:36He opened his mouth to call my name.
34:39Sarah.
34:40But his throat only produced a wheezing hiss.
34:43He tried to crawl forward.
34:45A stray dog pounced on him and bit his leg hard.
34:48Alistair fell into the muddy water.
34:50He watched helplessly as the carriage moved farther away.
34:53Watched Lysander, on his tall horse, look back at me with tender eyes.
34:58Jealousy, remorse, and despair intertwined.
35:01Alistair's heart seized with a violent, agonizing pain.
35:04The old poison exploded inside him.
35:07He suddenly spat out a huge mouthful of black blood.
35:10Blood splattered onto the stone slabs by the road.
35:12His outstretched hand fell limply.
35:14He died with his eyes wide open.
35:17A patrolling soldier kicked his body aside in disgust.
35:20Drag him into the wilderness.
35:23And feed him to the wolves.
35:28The first year of the new dynasty.
35:30Only the empress's hall remained in the inner palace.
35:33All other palaces were torn down.
35:35The timber and stone were taken outside the city to build schools.
35:39Court officials petitioned and remonstrated.
35:42Lysander drew his sword before all the civil and military officials.
35:45And chopped off the arm of the throne.
35:47Anyone who mentions selecting concubines again will end up like this throne.
35:51No one in the court dared speak another word.
35:54After the morning court.
35:55Lysander did not even change out of his imperial robe.
35:58He went straight to the empress's hall.
36:00I was sitting at the desk.
36:02Reading the account books that the silver coin guild had sent to the palace.
36:05He walked over.
36:06And placed a token on the table.
36:08Made of pure gold.
36:10The seal of the imperial treasury.
36:12The finance minister says the treasury is empty.
36:17He told me to come and ask the head of the silver coin guild for a loan.
36:24I did not look up.
36:25My fingers moved the counting beads.
36:28How much?
36:29Lend me a hundred years of peace for the nova dynasty.
36:34My fingers stopped.
36:35I looked up at him.
36:37He poured a cup of hot honeyed water and handed it to me.
36:42Without the light of destiny.
36:44Without the support of divine blood.
36:46The northern drought.
36:47500,000 silver coins were allocated to build irrigation channels.
36:51The southern floods.
36:52Guild stewards were sent to supervise the construction of dikes.
36:55The people had food to eat.
36:57Clothes to wear.
36:58Peace and prosperity relied on real gold.
37:01Real silver.
37:02And real governance.
37:03Not on some ethereal destiny.
37:05I picked up the silver rimmed bowl and took a sip.
37:08Fancy a walk outside the palace?
37:11We changed into ordinary clothes.
37:14Two fast horses carried us through the city gates.
37:17The capital's main street was bustling with people.
37:20Vendors called out their wares without cease.
37:22A long line had formed outside the clinic.
37:24I dismounted and walked into the clinic.
37:27The resident physician saw me and immediately rose to offer me his seat.
37:30I sat down behind the examination table.
37:34Placed my fingers on a patient's wrist.
37:36Picked up the brush and wrote a prescription.
37:39Take three doses of this medicine.
37:41Boiled in water and take an oranil.
37:43I saw 30 patients in a row.
37:46Lysander stood behind me.
37:48Handed me paper.
37:49The people recognized Lysander.
37:52Knelt to the ground.
37:53There was no fear.
37:54Only reverence.
37:56He raised his hand to excuse them from the formalities.
37:59Then took my hand and led me out of the clinic.
38:04Poplar trees lined the riverbank outside the city moat.
38:07Their branches were showing green.
38:09We walked side by side along the embankment.
38:12The wind blew across the water.
38:14The old stories of the previous dynasty had burned away with that fire at the cathedral.
38:18No one spoke of disaster stars anymore.
38:21No one spoke of living sacrifices.
38:23In the taverns, minstrels tapped on wooden tables and sang of how the new empire's emperor and empress had raised
38:28an army and pacified the kingdom.
38:30The crowd roared with approval.
38:32The south sent some fragrant herbs.
38:36Tomorrow I'll have the royal kitchen make vanilla biscuits.
38:39I nodded.
38:41While you're at it, tell the guild steward to send up last month's dividends.
38:47The treasury of Nova is entirely supported by its empress.
38:51I gazed at the boats on the river.
38:53Without the light of destiny, this kingdom was still well taken care of.
38:58I touched the burn scar beneath my collarbone.
39:00It no longer hurt.
39:02Primrose's memorial tablet was enshrined in the capital's cathedral.
39:06Every day, someone lit a candle for her.
39:09Lysander took my hand.
39:11His palm was warm.
39:13Let's go back to the palace for dinner.
39:14All right.
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