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#video #Escape Doom, Embrace My True Love 20 Eps Sd Drama - FULL ✅ [Eng Sub] #drama2026 #movie2026 #hotmovie
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00:00The day my twin sons were born, my husband, Prince Leonidas, held a grand feast in her honor.
00:06I put on my finest woven linen and took my place beside him to receive the court's blessings.
00:12Leonidas, snatching my baby and holding them high over the tower edge.
00:16It is my deep regret to inform you all.
00:21My wife, this so-called holy maiden, betrayed me!
00:25Today, she and his children will answer before gods and men!
00:33I melt in my own blood.
00:36Elena, you killed Lyra. You took the only woman I ever loved.
00:40Now, your life is forfeit.
00:43I choked on my own blood, looking desperately at my baby, smashed to pieces.
00:53Sisters of Fate, if you are listening, grant me one more chance.
00:57I will never make that same choice again.
01:00I opened my eyes with a gasp.
01:02The gods had heard me.
01:04I had truly been sent back, to the very day Leonidas was to choose his bride.
01:08I will gladly step aside and let Leonidas have Lyra.
01:12I just want to see exactly how Lyra plans to cure him, especially since her holy maiden body was broken
01:19long ago.
01:21Inside a shadowed cave, Queen Hecuba knelt before a witch.
01:25Witch, the royal bloodline of Argus, was cursed a century ago.
01:29On the night of their coming of age, every royal male loses his virility and turns into a savage beast.
01:35The only cure is to marry a holy maiden, a woman personally blessed by Demertus, goddess of fertility.
01:41But my son comes of age soon, and I have not found a holy maiden.
01:45I beg of you.
01:47A family in the West has twin daughters.
01:50They bear a blessing that can break the curse.
01:53Through marriage to such a maiden, even a cursed man may be made whole enough to beget children.
01:58There, you will find the holy maidens you seek.
02:01Which one is for my son?
02:03The answer is not with me, my friend.
02:05You will know him to choose the marriage you seek.
02:08Hecuba thanked the witch and left in a hurry.
02:11She traveled west, and found my sister.
02:14We were both holy maids.
02:16But I was playing, while Lyra was as radiant as a goddess.
02:20I stood by as Hecuba struck a bargain with our parents.
02:24The Queen is here.
02:26This time, I will not make the same foolish choice.
02:29Lyra and I stood in the grand hall of the palace, waiting to be chosen.
02:34Mother, I choose Lyra.
02:35I looked up, holding his stare.
02:37Leonidas, glaring at me with pure disgust.
02:41Are you about to claim that only you can save me, you hideous creature?
02:44Hold your tongue, or I will have it cut out.
02:49Leonados, do not be insolent.
02:53Leonidas, glaring impatiently at the Queen.
02:56Mother, I do not fear some ancient tale.
02:59It has been a century.
03:01I refuse to believe some ancient curse will actually strike me down.
03:06Silence!
03:07Leonidas clutched his cheek in total disbelief.
03:10The men of our bloodline have only survived because they married holy maidens.
03:14I searched for over a decade to find a maiden of age.
03:17You come of age in seven days.
03:19We are out of time.
03:20You must marry before then.
03:22Hide!
03:23Leonidas, pointing at Lyra.
03:25Then I will marry her.
03:27She is a holy maiden too.
03:30I refuse to marry a hideous creature like Elena.
03:36Hitherous creature.
03:37That insult again.
03:38In my past life, after he said those words,
03:40I threw myself at their feet and risked execution to warn the Queen.
03:43The Prince cannot marry my sister.
03:46The blessing no longer remains intact in her.
03:49She no longer carries the sacred gift.
03:52You still think you can marry me, you hideous creature?
03:55Have you lost your mind?
03:56In this life, I would not abase myself for him again.
04:00His Highness speaks the truth.
04:05Lyra is also a holy maiden.
04:07Marrying her will yield the exact same result.
04:10Since I was not chosen,
04:12I shall take my lead.
04:13Every eye in the hall turned
04:15as Duchess Andromache stepped forward.
04:17Since the Queen has chosen the younger sister,
04:20allow my son to claim the Elder in her stead.
04:24Andromache, what are you doing here?
04:27I am here for the exact same reason as you, my Queen.
04:31To ensure my son's survival.
04:33In seven days, Theseus also comes of age.
04:35He has been frail since childhood.
04:37He cannot walk and is confined to a wheelchair.
04:39But I still want him to live.
04:40These is half ruined already.
04:41What difference does a holy lady make?
04:43I can no longer bear heirs for the Duke.
04:45I only wish for Theseus to live out his days in peace
04:48without this curse destroying whatever is left of him.
04:51That depends on whether Elena is willing.
04:55After all, Theseus is hardly a whole man.
05:03I am willing.
05:05Child, you have my word.
05:09You will be honored in my house.
05:11Leonidas' face darkened furiously.
05:14He grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the hall.
05:18Do you know what he is?
05:20Theseus is a useless cripple.
05:22He has no use of his legs.
05:23He cannot even stand.
05:24I thought your highness preferred Lyra.
05:27Who I marry is none of your business.
05:30Fine.
05:30Then I will not leave you in another man's hands.
05:34What are you doing?
05:35Leonidas forced my jaw open
05:37and poured a vial of liquid down my throat.
05:41It is an elixir of lust.
05:45Soon, you will come to me eagerly enough before the end.
05:50Leonidas, you are insane.
05:52The queen and the duchess are right inside.
05:55I am the prince.
05:57No one denies me what I want.
06:00I do not believe in that pathetic curse,
06:03but I will keep you as a safeguard.
06:05A scorching heat flared through my veins.
06:08I gasped,
06:10my trembling hands clawing at my own gown to bear my chest.
06:15Leonidas, release her.
06:18Leonidas frowned at Theseus.
06:20Feverish and shaky,
06:21I looked up,
06:22straight into Theseus' eyes.
06:25I wrapped my arms around a strikingly handsome man,
06:28pressing messy,
06:28desperate kisses along his jaw.
06:30I am burned.
06:31Please,
06:33help me.
06:34He slipped a bitter pill between my lips,
06:36but I refused to let go,
06:38tangling my limbs around him even tighter.
06:40The man cleaned me down.
06:41Elena,
06:42be still.
06:43I cannot bear it.
06:45Please,
06:46I am begging you.
06:47Please.
06:48Capturing my lips in a fierce kiss
06:50as our bodies tangled together.
06:52He was incredibly strong.
06:54I clung to his neck,
06:55drawing him closer.
06:56Elena,
06:57I swear on my honor,
06:59I will marry you.
07:00When I finally opened my eyes again,
07:02the handsome stranger was sitting by my bed.
07:04He leaned back,
07:05a parchment scroll in his hands.
07:07Seeing me awake,
07:08he poured a goblet of water
07:09and handed it to me.
07:11Who are you?
07:13Are you the one who saved me?
07:17I am Theseus,
07:19your betrothed.
07:20He looked at me with such gentle eyes.
07:23No one had ever looked at me like that before.
07:26Usually,
07:26they only stared at me with pure disgust.
07:29Does my face not disgust you?
07:31I have long since learned
07:32not to measure people by appearances.
07:35Let me tell you a secret.
07:37He told me the tragic story of his mother.
07:39After Lady Andra married my father,
07:41every child she bore
07:42died under mysterious circumstances.
07:44I was the only one who survived,
07:46and only because I accidentally fell
07:48from a high tower at three years old,
07:49losing all use of my legs.
07:51Soon after,
07:52my mother was poisoned,
07:53leaving her barren.
07:54By birth,
07:55the throne was my father's.
07:57He was the old king's firstborn,
08:00but the queen's family
08:01schemed to manipulate the old king
08:03into crowning his youngest son instead.
08:06Terrified that my mother
08:07would produce a true heir,
08:08the queen murdered my older brothers.
08:10One by one,
08:12these ruined legs
08:13are the only reason I was spared.
08:15I sat there in stunned silence.
08:17My mind was reeling.
08:19I knew none of this in my past life,
08:21and I only ever heard
08:22that Theseus took his own life.
08:24He reached out,
08:25gently wrapping his hand over mine.
08:27Elena,
08:28are you truly willing to marry
08:29a duke's son with no standing
08:31and no strength in his legs?
08:33For all his calm,
08:35I caught the hesitation in his eyes.
08:37I am willing,
08:39Elena.
08:39A harsh scoff echoed from behind me.
08:43Leonidas stood leaning against the doorframe.
08:45He had followed us,
08:47arms crossed.
08:48Elena,
08:49have you completely lost your mind?
08:51Marry this cripple,
08:53and your life will be a living hell.
08:54It is none of your business.
08:57I will make you a deal.
08:59I will convince the queen
09:01to let me take both you and Lyra
09:03in six days.
09:05She will be my queen,
09:06and you will be my compile.
09:10How does that sound?
09:11I snatched my arm out of his grip.
09:14If you have lost your mind,
09:16then pray at the temple.
09:17Perhaps the gods will cure
09:19what reason cannot.
09:21And did you really think
09:22I would just forget
09:24that you forced an elixir
09:26down my throat?
09:27Without another word,
09:28I turned and ran.
09:30His furious roar
09:31echoed behind me.
09:32Elena,
09:33you will regret this.
09:35I hurried back to Theseus
09:37and took his hands in mine.
09:39When can we marry?
09:41In three days,
09:44if you are willing.
09:47I will come back for you tomorrow.
09:49It is getting late.
09:50I must return home.
09:53But the moment I returned home that night,
09:55my own parents struck me unconscious
09:57and locked me in the cellar.
09:59I woke up bound tightly
10:01in rough hemp rope,
10:02a dirty rag shoved into my mouth,
10:04lying among shattered clay pots.
10:07You cannot marry Theseus.
10:08He is a useless cripple.
10:09Leonicus will surely kill him
10:11and we will not let you
10:12drag this family down with him.
10:13We have already made a deal
10:14with the prince.
10:15In two days,
10:16we will announce you died
10:17of a sudden fever.
10:18When Leonicus weds Lima,
10:19you will be sent with Lima
10:20to serve in her household.
10:21I thrashed wildly
10:22against the ropes,
10:23but they walked away.
10:24For the next two days,
10:26I lay on the freezing dirt,
10:28starry and trembling
10:29in the pitch black.
10:31My betrothed has not been seen
10:32for days.
10:33I demand to see her.
10:36Elena has fallen gravely.
10:37She is in no condition
10:39to see anyone.
10:42I have brought
10:43the most skilled healer
10:44in the system.
10:46Prince Leonidas
10:47already sent
10:48the royal healer,
10:49Dazed.
10:49Then, Leonidas came in person.
10:51He opened the cellar door,
10:53crouched down,
10:54and mockingly
10:55patted my cheek.
10:56Get ready to be a woman
10:58in my bed.
10:59He walked out,
11:00his cruel laughter
11:01echoing in the dark.
11:03I lay on the cold ground,
11:04suffocating
11:05in pure despair.
11:07The fates gave me
11:08a second chance.
11:09Am I truly going
11:10to lose it all again?
11:12Lyra slipped
11:13into the dark cellar.
11:14You are quite
11:15the schemer, sister.
11:17To think the prince
11:18actually wants
11:19to keep you
11:19as his concubine.
11:20I motioned for her
11:21to remove the filthy gag
11:22from my mouth.
11:26You cannot save him.
11:28That is why
11:29he wants to claim me
11:30as well.
11:31You are lying!
11:32He knows perfectly well
11:34that I can cure him!
11:35Whatever blessing
11:36you had,
11:37it will not hold now.
11:38I saw exactly
11:39what you did that day.
11:41All the color
11:41instantly drained
11:42from Lyra's face.
11:43Her lips trembled.
11:44A virgin?
11:45No!
11:46You are making this up!
11:48You are lying!
11:50Look at me, Lyra.
11:52What would I possibly gain
11:54from lying to you
11:55right now?
11:56The blessing
11:57has already left you.
11:58You cannot save
11:59Leonidas.
12:00A venomous glare
12:01flashing in her eyes.
12:03Even if I am doomed,
12:05I will drag you
12:06down with me.
12:07She pulled a small
12:08vial from her robes,
12:10forcefully gripped my jaw,
12:11and poured the dark
12:12liquid down my throat.
12:14It matters little.
12:16The prince planned
12:17to claim you today
12:18regardless.
12:19Once your body
12:20breaks his curse,
12:22I will still stand
12:23where I was meant
12:24to stand.
12:24I thrashed wildly
12:26against the ribs.
12:27The vial literally
12:28burned down my throat.
12:29What did you give me?
12:31Just a little something
12:33to make you
12:33perfectly obedient.
12:35You cannot escape
12:36this, sister.
12:37The moment you
12:37cure the prince,
12:38I will silence you
12:39for good,
12:39and my secret
12:40will die with you.
12:41Suddenly, Lyra heard
12:42footsteps coming
12:43from outside the cellar.
12:44She hid in a
12:45secluded corner.
12:46Moments later,
12:47the heavy door
12:48groaned open,
12:49and Leonidas
12:49stepped inside.
12:50You will be my concubine
12:51in two days anyway,
12:53Elena.
12:53Then let me test
12:54what your body
12:55can do before
12:56the wedding night
12:56to ensure I do not
12:58tear your precious
12:59sister apart.
13:00The potion took hold.
13:02A feverish heat
13:03surged through my body.
13:04Do not touch me!
13:06I am betrothed
13:07to Theseus!
13:08Leonidas crouched
13:09beside me.
13:10You are still dreaming
13:11of that useless cripple?
13:13A man who cannot
13:14even stand?
13:16His rough hands
13:16violently tearing
13:17at my gown.
13:18My head spun
13:19dizzily,
13:20and every ounce
13:21of strength
13:22drained from
13:22my limbs.
13:23His heavy breathing
13:24filled me
13:25with pure disgust.
13:26The fates
13:27gave me a second chance.
13:29And yet,
13:30am I still doomed
13:30to suffer
13:31the exact same end?
13:33Just then,
13:33a deafening crash
13:35shattered the silence.
13:36The heavy cellar
13:37door was kicked open.
13:38Theseus sat
13:38in his wheeled chair,
13:39flanked by two
13:40towering sentinels.
13:42His eyes burned
13:42with an icy,
13:44murderous fury.
13:45She has promised
13:47to me.
13:48Step away
13:48from her.
13:49Leonidas straightened up,
13:51his face darkening.
13:53What are you doing here,
13:54you useless cripple?
13:55This is a private
13:56family Escher.
13:57She is my betrothed.
13:59Furthermore,
14:00you are down here
14:01forcing yourself
14:02upon a woman
14:02the realm believes
14:03is dying
14:04of a grave illness.
14:06Will you
14:06disgrace the queen
14:07with this as well?
14:08Leonidas' face
14:09twisted through shades
14:11of rage
14:11and panic.
14:12He glared
14:12down at me.
14:14Damn you
14:15to Hades,
14:16Theseus.
14:16Enjoy your
14:17fleeting victory.
14:21Lyra tried
14:22to slink away
14:23in the shadows,
14:23but Theseus
14:24shot his hand out,
14:26seizing her wrist
14:26in a vice grip.
14:28What did you
14:29give her?
14:30Just a common
14:32herb to make
14:33her docile.
14:34It will not
14:35harm her.
14:37Out of my sight.
14:38If you ever
14:39cross my path again,
14:41I will not
14:41be so merciful.
14:42Lyra scrambled
14:43to her feet
14:44and fled the cellar
14:45in terror.
14:46Theseus moved
14:46to my side,
14:47stripping off
14:48his heavy cloak
14:49and wrapping it
14:49tightly around
14:50my trembling body,
14:51my vision blurring
14:52into darkness.
14:53But through the
14:54heavy haze,
14:55I felt strong arms
14:56scoop me up
14:57from the freezing dirt.
14:58He had risen
14:59from his wheeled chair.
15:01Do not be afraid.
15:02I am taking you home.
15:05The carriage
15:06tore through the night.
15:07I leaned into
15:08Theseus' chest.
15:09My body is still
15:10burning with an
15:10unnatural heat,
15:11but my heart
15:12felt completely
15:13at peace.
15:15How did you know
15:16I was in the cellar?
15:18I had men
15:19watching your estate.
15:20He lowered his head
15:21and pressed a gentle
15:22kiss.
15:22I knew the moment
15:23they locked you away,
15:24but I could not
15:25force my way in
15:26without putting
15:26your life at risk.
15:28When my sentils
15:29saw Lyra sneaking
15:29in tonight,
15:30I knew they were
15:31making their move.
15:32Upon arriving
15:33at the manor,
15:34Lady Andra already
15:35had a trusted
15:36healer waiting.
15:37Those vicious beasts!
15:38I will bring this
15:40before the king
15:40tomorrow!
15:41No.
15:42We will handle
15:43this ourselves.
15:44Do not worry,
15:45my lady.
15:46They will face
15:47their reckoning.
15:50Our wedding
15:51must take place
15:52soon.
15:53Mother,
15:54have you prepared
15:55the floral crown
15:55for Elena?
15:56Of course,
15:57I have not forgotten.
15:59The wedding
15:59between Theseus
16:00and me
16:01took place
16:01shortly after.
16:02Lady Andra
16:03personally placed
16:04a woven crown
16:05upon my head.
16:06I wove this crown
16:07with my own hands.
16:09You will be happy
16:10forever,
16:10Elena.
16:13I walked
16:14toward Theseus'
16:15chambers.
16:16Just as we
16:16neared the courtyard,
16:17Leonidas' bridal
16:18procession emerged
16:20from an intersecting
16:21street.
16:21You are welcome
16:22to what I refused,
16:23to eagerly claim
16:24a soiled woman.
16:25I suppose you are
16:26perfectly matched
16:27one ruined lineage
16:28taking in another.
16:31Your Highness,
16:32I married the only
16:33woman I desire.
16:35I have no time
16:35for your pity.
16:38Let us proceed.
16:40As they passed
16:41one another,
16:41Leonidas suddenly
16:42blocked his path again.
16:44Lyra is also
16:44a holy maiden.
16:46Even if you somehow
16:46survive the curse,
16:48you have nothing
16:48to challenge me with.
16:49I am the sole prince
16:50of this realm.
16:51It matters not
16:52what royal blood
16:53flows in your veins.
16:54Were it not for
16:54your mother's
16:55treacherous schemes,
16:56you would not be
16:57the one destined
16:58for the throne.
16:59Hardly.
16:59I am the prince.
17:01I am favored
17:02by the gods.
17:03Do not speak
17:04too soon.
17:05The true peril
17:06of tonight
17:06has yet to pass.
17:08Let us see
17:09whose bride
17:09holds the true
17:10cure tonight.
17:11Your Lyla,
17:12or the woman
17:13I love.
17:14Leonidas let out
17:15a cold scoff.
17:16The two bridal
17:17processions crossed
17:18and moved on.
17:19At Theseus'
17:20manor,
17:20the wedding
17:21proceeded.
17:22Lady Ondra
17:22welcomed us
17:23at the threshold.
17:24Theseus sat
17:25in his wheeled chair,
17:26and I stood
17:27before him.
17:27We exchanged
17:28our vows,
17:29while Theseus
17:30tied a woolen
17:31girdle around
17:32my waist.
17:32I plucked
17:33a few ivy leaves
17:34from my floral crown
17:35and placed them
17:36upon the altar.
17:37Together,
17:37we shared
17:38a chalice of mead.
17:40There was no
17:40grand feast,
17:41only a few
17:42of our closest kin.
17:44The wedding night.
17:45Candlelight flickered
17:46softly across the chamber.
17:47Thank you for choosing
17:48to be my wife.
17:49I am the one
17:50who should be
17:50thanking you,
17:51Theseus,
17:51for saving me,
17:53time and time again.
17:55In one swift motion,
17:56Theseus pinned me
17:57against the soft
17:58furs of the bed,
17:59his lips trailing
18:00hot kisses
18:00along my neck.
18:01His touch was urgent,
18:03and I met his passion
18:04with a wild,
18:05answering fire.
18:06Just as the heat
18:07between us
18:08reached a fever pitch,
18:09a frantic pounding
18:10shook our chamber door.
18:12Elena!
18:13The sentinels said
18:15you have already
18:15consummated the marriage.
18:17If you restored him,
18:18then you can restore me!
18:21Ask what you will,
18:22Elena.
18:23Gold,
18:23titles,
18:24and estate.
18:25I will lay it
18:25all at your feet.
18:26Theseus paused,
18:28looking down at me
18:28with a faint,
18:29amused smirk.
18:31Shall we see
18:32what he wants?
18:33I reached up,
18:33looping my arms
18:34tightly around his neck
18:35to pull him back down.
18:37Let him wait.
18:38Right now,
18:39we have far more
18:40pressing matters
18:41to attend to.
18:42His voice dropped
18:43to a low,
18:44seductive rasp
18:45that sent shivers
18:46down my spine.
18:47Let him wait.
18:48The chamber was
18:49completely swallowed
18:50by our tangled heat,
18:52and I never heard
18:53another sound
18:54from the outside world.
18:55The next day,
18:56I did not wake
18:57until noon.
18:58Sunlight streamed
18:59through the high windows,
19:00casting a warm glow
19:01across the heavy furs
19:02of our bed.
19:02The handmaidens
19:03entered softly
19:04to help me bathe and dress,
19:05whispering that Theseus
19:07had ridden for the royal palace
19:08at dawn.
19:09My lord specifically
19:10ordered us not to wake you.
19:12He wished for you to rest.
19:13The handmaidens
19:14looked at me
19:15with eyes full
19:16of deep reverence
19:17and gratitude.
19:18The balance of the court
19:19had begun to shift.
19:21When Theseus returned
19:22from the palace,
19:23he sought me out
19:24immediately.
19:25Leonardus tore his
19:26bedchamber apart
19:27in a blind rage
19:28last night.
19:30Lyra was beaten
19:30half to death.
19:31They found her
19:32covered in her own blood.
19:34And what else?
19:36Theseus took a seat,
19:37his expression darkening
19:38with a complicated weight.
19:40It is his condition.
19:42I saw him from afar
19:44in the great hall
19:44this morning.
19:45His eyes have gone
19:46bloodshot and wild.
19:48His nails are
19:49elongating into claws.
19:50When he speaks,
19:52his voice is gertrial
19:53like a beast's growl
19:54picking on his throat.
19:56He is utterly volatile,
19:57shattering everything
19:58in his path.
19:59The queen tried to calm him
20:01and he violently shoved her
20:02to the stone floor.
20:04So the royal curse
20:05is truly that horrible.
20:07Thank the fates
20:07I was able to break yours.
20:09The high priest confirmed
20:10the curse is taking hold.
20:11He will grow more feral
20:12by the day
20:13until every last shred
20:14of his humanity is gone.
20:16And Lyra?
20:17Confined to her bed,
20:19unable to even stand.
20:20She brought this
20:21upon herself.
20:23Over the next few days,
20:24horrific whispers
20:25of Leonidas' descent
20:27into madness
20:28flooded the city-state.
20:29Then,
20:30a gilded carriage
20:31rushed up our estate path,
20:33halting before the gates.
20:35The heavy curtains parted
20:37and Queen Hecuba
20:38stumbled out.
20:39Her former arrogance
20:40and regal poise
20:42were entirely gone.
20:43The moment she saw me,
20:45her eyes lit up
20:45with desperate hope.
20:46She rushed forward,
20:48seizing my hands
20:49in a crushing grip.
20:51Lady Elena!
20:52I beg of you,
20:53please save my son.
20:54The king and I
20:55only have him.
20:56If he falls to the beast,
20:57the entire realm
20:58will be doomed.
20:59I gently slipped my hands
21:00from Hecuba's frantic grip,
21:02took a measured step back,
21:03and offered a formal bow.
21:06My queen,
21:07I cannot save him.
21:11Impossible!
21:12Lyra confessed everything.
21:14You are the true
21:16holy Myrden.
21:17You cured Theseus.
21:20But is Lyra
21:21not a holy Myrden as well?
21:23She is ruined!
21:25She cannot save my son!
21:26She admitted it all!
21:28An ashen power
21:29washed over the queen's face.
21:30A silence fell between us.
21:32I am begging you,
21:34please,
21:35save my only son.
21:36If you cure him,
21:38I swear to you upon the gods,
21:40I will never scheme
21:40against Lady Andra
21:41or her son again.
21:43I will leave your family
21:44in peace forever.
21:45I stared down
21:46at the kneeling woman.
21:47Once,
21:48she sat so high
21:49upon her throne,
21:49she would not even
21:51spare me a passing glance.
21:52Now,
21:53she knelt at my feet,
21:54all pride gone.
21:55Her desperation,
21:56at least,
21:56was absolute.
21:57I cannot guarantee
21:58his salvation.
21:59Lead the way,
22:00my queen,
22:00but my husband
22:01comes with us.
22:03But,
22:05if that does
22:06not suit you,
22:07then we have
22:07nothing more
22:08to discuss.
22:09Fine.
22:11He comes.
22:12Do you truly
22:13intend to save him?
22:17I shook my head
22:18with a faint smile.
22:19It is far too late
22:20for me to save him.
22:22Then why did you
22:22agree to come?
22:23Do you not wish
22:24to see how the high
22:25and mighty look
22:26when they are finally
22:26brought to their knees?
22:28When we arrived
22:29at the prince's palace,
22:30the first sight
22:31that greeted us
22:32was two figures
22:33kneeling
22:34before the grand doors.
22:36Elena,
22:38it would seem
22:38those are your parents.
22:39Their cheeks
22:40were swollen
22:41and dried blood
22:43caked the corners
22:43of their mouths.
22:45As they saw me
22:46escorted from the carriage
22:47by the queen herself,
22:48a feverish spark
22:49of salvation
22:50flared in their eyes.
22:51They crawled
22:52toward me
22:53on their knees,
22:54frantically clawing
22:55at the hem
22:56of my gown.
22:57Elena,
22:58you came.
22:59Please,
22:59you must plead
22:59with the queen
23:00to spare us.
23:01It was Lyra's doing,
23:02not ours.
23:02We had nothing
23:03to do with this.
23:04You are mistaken.
23:05I am the wife
23:06of Lord Theseus.
23:07I am no daughter
23:07of yours.
23:08Your eldest daughter
23:09died in that freezing
23:10cellar when you
23:11abandoned her
23:11to the dark.
23:14Lyra sprawled
23:15on the stone floor,
23:16covered in blood
23:17and barely clinging
23:18to life.
23:19Her delicate linen gown
23:20torn to shreds.
23:21Every inch of her
23:22exposed skin
23:23was marred
23:24by dark,
23:25violent bruising.
23:26Leonidas
23:27had shown her
23:28no mercy.
23:29Hearing me enter,
23:30Lyra's head snapped up.
23:31Her bloodshot eyes
23:33locked onto me,
23:34wild as a cornered viper.
23:36She lunged at me
23:37with a feral shriek.
23:38Elena!
23:40Why are you here?
23:41You did this to me.
23:43I will kill you!
23:45She threw herself at me.
23:47Theseus delivered
23:47a kick to her chest,
23:48sending her flying backward.
23:50Lyra crashed onto
23:51the hard stone floor,
23:52coughing violently,
23:53unable to rise again.
23:55Who is this frantic woman?
23:56I do not know her.
23:58Why does she spout
23:59such madness?
24:00Sentinels!
24:01Drave this wretched girl
24:02from my sight!
24:03She has gone utterly mad!
24:05The Sentinels
24:05roughly dragging Lyra
24:06out by her arms.
24:07She screamed in defiance,
24:09but no one paid her
24:09any heed.
24:10Deep within the bedchamber,
24:11inside a massive iron cage,
24:14a beast thrashed
24:15and howled relentlessly.
24:16It still bore
24:17the twisted remnants
24:18of Leonidas' features,
24:20a fading shred
24:21of his humanity.
24:22It appears you have
24:23lost the wager,
24:24your highness.
24:24Well?
24:26Did your precious Lyra
24:28fail to save you?
24:30Leonidas' bloodshot eyes
24:31suddenly widened
24:32as they locked
24:33onto Theseus' legs.
24:34Though still seated
24:35in his wheeled chair,
24:36Theseus' calves
24:37were visibly thicker,
24:38the muscles corded
24:39and strong.
24:40A look of absolute,
24:41terrified disbelief
24:43washed over
24:43Leonidas' feral face.
24:45Your legs.
24:46His voice distorted
24:47into a guttural,
24:49beastly roar.
24:50This cannot be!
24:53How are you healed?
24:55Why?
24:57My wife succeeded
24:58where your bride failed.
25:00Mockingly,
25:01Theseus rose smoothly
25:03to his feet,
25:04took two steps
25:05before the iron cage.
25:06I only discovered it
25:07on our wedding night,
25:08your highness.
25:09It seems a true
25:10holy maiden's gift
25:11does far more
25:12than break a simple curse.
25:13It can restore
25:14even a crippled body
25:15to perfect strength.
25:16He paced a few more steps
25:18before the iron bars,
25:19taunting the beast within.
25:21Leonidas' mind
25:22completely shattered.
25:24Elena!
25:26If Lyra
25:27and those wretched parents
25:28had not deceived me,
25:30it should have been you!
25:31You were meant
25:32to be my bride!
25:34Leonidas,
25:35your hubris blinds you
25:36even now.
25:38No!
25:38He thrust a monstrous arm
25:40through the iron bars,
25:41clawing toward me.
25:42If you agree to save me,
25:43I will cast Lyra aside
25:45and take you
25:45as my royal bride.
25:46I swear to the gods,
25:48the crown shall be yours!
25:49and yours alone!
25:51For a moment,
25:51I was tempted
25:52to toy with him.
25:53Once the queen stepped out,
25:55I fixed him
25:55with a cold,
25:56merciless stare.
25:58I turned my gaze
25:58to the queen.
25:59I wish to speak
26:00with the prince alone.
26:01I stared into his face,
26:03a face already
26:04turning monstrous.
26:06Leonidas,
26:07holy maidens
26:08are rarely born
26:09with such beauty.
26:10It is only when
26:11they are claimed
26:11by a man
26:12that they truly bloom.
26:13Elena,
26:14what are you talking about?
26:15I let out
26:16a heavy sigh.
26:18Leonidas,
26:19it is not that
26:20I do not wish
26:21to save you.
26:22It is beyond my power.
26:24The heavy doors
26:25flew open
26:26as Queen Hecuba
26:27burst back
26:27into the chamber.
26:28That is a lie!
26:29You are the true
26:30holy maidens!
26:31You must be able
26:32to cure him!
26:33I shook my head slowly.
26:36Lyra is a holy maimon
26:37as well,
26:38yet she could not
26:39save Leonis.
26:40Shall I tell you why?
26:41From the corridor,
26:43Lyra had somehow
26:43broken free
26:44from the sentinels.
26:45She stumbled
26:46blindly into the chamber.
26:49You!
26:50You vile serpent!
26:53You must have
26:54done something!
26:55Otherwise,
26:56I would have
26:56cured the prince!
26:58Lyra,
26:59do you truly
27:00not remember
27:00what you did
27:01on the night
27:01you came of age?
27:03I merely went
27:04for a stroll
27:04in the moonlit gardens.
27:05What else could I have done?
27:07Even now,
27:07are you still
27:08clinging to your lies?
27:10A holy maiden
27:11is bound by the gods
27:11to a single mortal
27:12in her lifetime.
27:13Should she forsake
27:14that sacred vow
27:15and lie with another man,
27:16she draws the fury
27:17of Olympus.
27:18A holy maiden
27:19is bound by the gods
27:20to a single mortal
27:20in her lifetime.
27:22Should she forsake
27:22that sacred vow
27:23and lie with another man,
27:25she draws the fury
27:26of Olympus.
27:26The blessing
27:27turns to poison.
27:28Any man who claims
27:30her thereafter
27:30is marked for a swift
27:31and agonizing death.
27:32Lyra,
27:33you ceased to be
27:35untouched long
27:35before this marriage.
27:37You lying whore!
27:38You swore to me
27:38you were untouched!
27:39You even wept!
27:40Begging me to be gentle!
27:42How could this be?
27:42There has been no such legend
27:43in a hundred years!
27:44Do not poison them
27:45against me, Elena!
27:47Whether I am slandering you
27:48or not,
27:48you know the truth
27:50better than anyone,
27:51Lyra.
27:51We are twins,
27:52cast from the exact same womb.
27:54Once,
27:55we shared the very same face.
27:56But as you laid
27:57with man after man,
27:59draining their lifeblood
28:00to feed your own,
28:01your beauty blossomed
28:02into the radiant mask
28:03you wear today.
28:04No!
28:04By what right
28:05do you accuse me?
28:06Think of the men
28:07who took you
28:07to their beds
28:08before the prince.
28:09Did they not all perish
28:10of sudden,
28:11mysterious afflictions?
28:12The queen need only
28:14look to their fresh graves
28:15to find the truth.
28:16So it was you,
28:18you treacherous whore,
28:19you doomed my son!
28:21Sentinels,
28:21take her away!
28:22Let her answer
28:23for this sacramage in fire!
28:24Sister!
28:25Sister, please,
28:26I beg you, save me!
28:27I was wrong!
28:28I know I was wrong!
28:29I was wrong!
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