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00:00I thought I was marrying a broke exile with nothing to his name but debt.
00:03I worked 16 hour days so he could pay down what he owed.
00:06When I wanted a 200 credit exoskeleton to make my shifts easier,
00:09he told me we couldn't afford it.
00:11Then I saw the news.
00:12His first love received a custom starship for her birthday.
00:15The real reason he married that loader girl, it was to get back at Serafina.
00:18He didn't love me.
00:19From the very beginning, I was just a tool to hurt another woman.
00:22I thought I was marrying a broke exile with nothing to his name but debt.
00:27I paid our rent.
00:28I covered our bills.
00:30I worked 16 hour days so he could pay down what he owed.
00:32When I wanted a 200 credit exoskeleton to make my shifts easier,
00:36he told me we couldn't afford it.
00:38Then I saw the news.
00:40His first love received a custom starship for her birthday.
00:44I was working in the night strip.
00:46The freight haul was done,
00:48so I sat on a cargo container scrolling through the galactic feed.
00:51Actress Serafina Novak receives Extragant birthday gift,
00:54custom Starblade warship worth 4 million credits.
00:57The photo showed a ship docked at the Imperial shipwards,
00:59its hull painted with Serafina's personal crest.
01:01In the corner of the frame, a man stood at the view wit, his back to the camera.
01:05I knew that back.
01:07Pazian Red failed, my husband.
01:09I'd been staring at that mole behind his ear for three years.
01:13I could pick him out of a crowd folder.
01:16A few weeks ago, the freight station gave out bonuses.
01:20I'd found a second-hand exo-zeleton rig for 200 credits.
01:23He said it was too expensive, told me not to waste money.
01:26200 versus 4 million.
01:28I turned off my comm and sat on that cargo container for a long time.
01:32The station lights bleached everything white,
01:34and in the distance, frayers rumbled in and out of the docks,
01:37their engines vibrating in my chest.
01:39I thought I was marrying a broke exile with nothing to his name but debt.
01:42I'd met Cassian in an anonymous chat channel.
01:45We talked for two months before he asked to meet in person.
01:48He told me he was an Imperial exiled, stripped of citizenship,
01:51drowning in syndicate debt.
01:53If he didn't pay up, they'd ship him to the border mines.
01:56He kept his head down when he talked.
01:58His voice was soft, like he was afraid of being overheard.
02:02I felt sorry for him.
02:04We never had a wedding,
02:05just registered as domestic partners at the administrative hub next to the freight station.
02:10I moved into the converted cargo container he rented in the outer settlement.
02:14I paid the rent, since his exile account was frozen by the Empire.
02:18Whatever money he made, if he made any, all went to paying down his debt.
02:21I hauled cargo during my day and worked the mess hall at night.
02:26Sixteen hour shifts.
02:27By the time I got back to that cargo container, I could barely move my fingers.
02:32Sometimes he'd wait up for me and heat me up a cup of synthetic protein drink.
02:37Thank you for not giving up on me.
02:39When I get back on my feet, I'll give you the life you deserve.
02:43His eyes were red when he said it.
02:47Back then, I thought it was worth it.
02:49He was good looking, didn't drink or smoke, and he was kind to me.
02:53So what if we were broke?
02:54We'd get through it together.
02:55Looking back, I was probably the easiest marquee ever found.
02:59There were messages in the freight station group chat, but I didn't reply.
03:02I scrolled through my conversation with Cassian instead.
03:05His last message came two hours ago.
03:07Busy night on the freight routes.
03:08I'm going to run a few more hauls.
03:10Don't wait up, get some rest.
03:11He said he worked short-hauled interstellar freight.
03:13Old ships without autopilot.
03:15The kind of work that ground you down and paid next to nothing.
03:18I didn't sleep at all that night.
03:20He never came home.
03:22The next morning, I clocked out of the freight station and headed back to the settlement.
03:25That's when I saw a familiar figure climbing out of a black hover car.
03:28I ducked behind a stack of scrap containers.
03:30Cassian stepped out of that hover car.
03:32He wasn't wearing the patched work jacket I'd bought him anymore.
03:35He had on a tailored black coat, the kind of fabric I'd only ever seen on the freight station executives.
03:39Mr. Redfield, your protein drink and nutrition bars.
03:43Mr. Redfield, when I heard that name, my nails dug into my palms.
03:49Cassian took the bag and said something I couldn't hear.
03:52That's when another hover car pulled up.
03:54I knew the man who got out.
03:55CEO of Graham Industrial Group.
03:57Our freight station handled their contracts.
03:59I'd seen him once before.
04:00All the managers lined up to shake his hand.
04:02Friend of mine worked in his mining operation.
04:04She said he was one of the most powerful men in the sector.
04:06He walked up to Cassian and inclined his head slightly.
04:09Cassian gave him a nod.
04:10Barely glanced at him.
04:11My friend said her boss answered to no one in the outer sectors.
04:14But in front of Cassian, he looked like an underling.
04:17Cassian messaged me after he got back to the container.
04:19I'm home, brought you a hot drink.
04:21I've got an early freight run today, so I'm heading out.
04:23Don't forget to drink it.
04:24I stared at the word partner on my screen, then closed my eyes.
04:27Go ahead, I've got to shift anyway.
04:29I sent back a simple emoji and turned off my comm.
04:31Then I messaged my supervisor that I was taking the day off.
04:33I wasn't going to work today.
04:35I was going to follow Cassian and find out where he really went every day.
04:38There was an abandoned loading platform across from the settlement.
04:40It had a perfect view of the main entrance.
04:42At noon, Cassian finally came out.
04:44He got into the black hover car.
04:45I pulled on a respirator mask, tugged my hood low, and flagged down a cargo taxi to follow.
04:51The hover car pulled up at an upscale restaurant, the kind where a single meal cost more than a month
04:55of my salary.
04:56When Cassian got out, the doors slid open automatically, and the maitre d' hurried out to greet him.
05:00I stood in the public concourse, pretending to wait for a shuttle.
05:03He went into a private booth with a group of young men.
05:05Through the gap in the door, I could see they were all in custom-tailored clothes, the kind you couldn't
05:08buy in the outer sectors.
05:10Cassian, you in those rags?
05:12That's hilarious!
05:13The heir to House Redford, playing in exile!
05:16How long are you planning to keep this up?
05:17Don't tell me you've actually fallen for that loader girl.
05:20Don't be ridiculous.
05:21Just a diversion.
05:21Something to pass the time.
05:23I told her I owed a few million in syndicate debt, and she actually believed me.
05:27Never met a woman so easy to fool.
05:30The booth erupted in laughter.
05:34I thought we were partners.
05:36Turns out, I was just his entertainment.
05:38Even those three years of pretending to struggle together, that was all scripted.
05:43He wasn't in exile, he wasn't in debt.
05:45His family was one of the seven imperial dynasties, they controlled half the mining sect-
05:49The voices in the booth kept going.
05:50Hey, Serafina was thrilled about that ship you sent her.
05:53She wants to get back together.
05:54You think she'd lose it if she found out you're married?
05:56Serves her right.
05:57She's the one who dumped Cassian to chase her acting career in the Corps.
05:59None of you know the real reason he married that loader girl.
06:02It was to get back at Serafina.
06:03My knees went weak.
06:05I grabbed the wall to steady myself.
06:08He didn't love me.
06:09From the very beginning, I was just a tool to hurt another woman.
06:14Serafina Novak was his first love.
06:18Back then, his family didn't approve of her acting ambitions.
06:27So she left him.
06:32After that, Cassian decided all women were untrustworthy.
06:35He started cycling through partners like Clothes.
06:38And eventually he got married.
06:42Specifically to get back at Serafina.
06:46But he was afraid that showing his wealth would attract the wrong kind of attention.
06:49So he played poor and picked someone ordinary.
06:54I was that son.
06:58Serafina was the one who hurt him.
07:00Not me.
07:01So why did I have to be the one whose dignity got trampled?
07:04I was about to leave when someone inside asked me.
07:07Mr. Redfield.
07:08What if the loader finds out?
07:10Her?
07:11She's too busy hauling cargo to pay off my debt to worry about anything else.
07:15After work, she goes to the mess hall to earn extra credits.
07:19Comes home and cooks for me.
07:21Even if she finds out, it doesn't matter.
07:23She wants a divorce?
07:25She's not getting a single credit out of me.
07:27My face went white.
07:28Then Serafina walked in.
07:29She was wearing a flowing gown, her heels clicking on the floor.
07:32Everyone in the booth started fawning over her.
07:34A server came by with food, and the door swung open wider.
07:37I saw Serafina sitting next to Cassian, the two of them leaning close.
07:40She touched the star-shaped brooch at her collar, the one that matched the ship.
07:43I love the gift, Cacelian.
07:45The corner of his mouth lifted.
07:46Glad you like it.
07:48Four million credits for his first love.
07:50A whole warship handed over without a second thought.
07:52For me, a 200-credit second-hand exoskeleton rig was too much.
07:56I turned and walked away, my pace quickening until I was almost running outside.
08:01I crouched against a wall and buried my face in my knees.
08:04Three years.
08:06Freight station loaders get worn down.
08:08Bad backs.
08:09Bad knees.
08:09Every night I came back to that cargo container.
08:11My whole body ached.
08:12He said his back hurt, so I gave him the rehab fee I'd saved up for.
08:14He said he wanted decent food, so I brought him my meal allowances from the mess hall.
08:17So I sat there, watching him eat, while my own stomach groaned.
08:20I used the station-issued graph credit to buy him a decent coat for his freight runs.
08:25He called me resourceful.
08:27I wasn't resourceful.
08:29I was an idiot.
08:31By the time I got back to the container, it was dark.
08:37Cassata was in the kitchen corner.
08:39If you could call an induction burner and an old food synth a kitchen.
08:43Hey, dinner's almost ready.
08:45Got a good deal on synthetic protein packs today.
08:48Saved eight credits.
08:49Also, I sold the scrap parts I'd been collecting for a month.
08:52Made 60 credits.
08:54After groceries, there's five left.
08:59I closed my eyes.
09:00My chest felt tight.
09:01He really went all out for this act.
09:03Four dishes and a soup on the table before I would have run to him and called him the
09:06best partner in the world.
09:08Now, all I felt was disgust, remembering what I'd heard in that booth.
09:12I clenched my fists.
09:13He learned to cook for Serafina.
09:15But he told me he'd only started cooking after we got together.
09:19He said he grew up in the mining colonies, always hungry, always getting beaten up.
09:24I'd ached for him when he told me that.
09:26Every word was a lie.
09:28The tears came.
09:30I thought we were partners.
09:32Turns out I was just his entertainment.
09:34Even those three years of pretending to struggle together, that was all scripted.
09:39He wasn't in exile.
09:40He wasn't in debt.
09:41His family was one of the seven imperial dynasties.
09:43They controlled half the mining sect.
09:45The voices in the booth kept going.
09:46Hey, Serafina was thrilled about that ship you sent her.
09:48She wants to get back together.
09:50You think she'd lose it if she found out you're married?
09:52Serves her right.
09:52She's the one who dumped Cassian to chase her acting career in the Corps.
09:55None of you know the real reason he married that loader girl.
09:57It was to get back at Serafina.
09:59My knees went weak.
10:00I grabbed the wall to steady myself.
10:04He didn't love me.
10:05From the very beginning, I was just a tool to hurt another woman.
10:10Serafina Novak was his first love.
10:13Back then, his family didn't approve of her acting ambitions.
10:16So...
10:23So she left him.
10:28After that, Cassian decided all women were untrustworthy.
10:30He started cycling through partners like Clothes.
10:33And eventually he got married.
10:37Specifically to get back at Serafina.
10:42But he was afraid that showing his wealth would attract the wrong kind of attention.
10:45So he played poor and picked someone ordinary.
10:49I was that son.
10:54Serafina was the one who hurt him.
10:56Not me.
10:57So why did I have to be the one whose dignity got trampled?
11:00I was about to leave when someone inside asked...
11:03Mr. Redfield, what if the loader finds out?
11:06Her?
11:07She's too busy hauling cargo to pay off my debt to worry about anything else.
11:11After work, she goes to the mess hall to earn extra credits.
11:15Comes home and cooks for me.
11:17Even if she finds out, it doesn't matter.
11:19She wants a divorce?
11:20She's not getting a single credit out of me.
11:22My face went white.
11:24Then Serafina walked in.
11:25She was wearing a flowing gown, her heels clicking on the floor.
11:28Everyone in the booth started fawning over her.
11:30A server came by with food and the door swung open wider.
11:32I saw Serafina sitting next to Cassian, the two of them leaning close.
11:36She touched the star-shaped brooch at her collar, the one that matched the ship.
11:39I love the gift, Cacelian.
11:41The corner of his mouth lifted.
11:42Glad you like it.
11:44Four million credits for his first love.
11:45A whole warship handed over without a second thought.
11:48For me, a 200-credit second-hand exoskeleton rig was too much.
11:51I turned and walked away, my pace quickening until I was almost running outside.
11:56I crouched against a wall and buried my face in my knees.
11:59Three years.
12:02Freight station loaders get worn down, bad backs, bad knees.
12:05Every night I came back to that cargo container, my whole body ached.
12:08He said his back hurt, so I gave him the rehab fee I'd saved up for.
12:10He said he wanted decent food, so I brought him my meal allowances from the mess hall.
12:13So I sat there, watching him eat, while my own stomach groaned.
12:16I used the station-issued Graf credit to buy him a decent coat for his freight runs.
12:21He called me resourceful.
12:23I wasn't resourceful.
12:24I was an idiot.
12:27By the time I got back to the container, it was dark.
12:33Cassata was in the kitchen corner.
12:34If you could call an induction burner and an old food synth a kitchen.
12:39Hey, dinner's almost ready.
12:41Got a good deal on synthetic protein packs today.
12:44Saved eight credits.
12:45Also, I sold the scrap parts I'd been collecting for a month.
12:48Made 60 credits.
12:49After groceries, there's five left.
12:54I closed my eyes, my chest felt tight.
12:57He really went all out for this act.
12:59Four dishes and a soup on the table before I would have run to him and called him the
13:02best partner in the world.
13:04Now, all I felt was disgust, remembering what I'd heard in that booth.
13:08I clenched my fists.
13:09He learned to cook for Serafina.
13:11But he told me he'd only started cooking after we got together.
13:14He said he grew up in the mining colonies, always hungry, always getting beaten up.
13:20I'd ached for him when he told me that.
13:22Every word was a lie.
13:24The tears came.
13:25You're snooping on me?
13:27Nothing.
13:28I was just...
13:30Did your parents send you?
13:46Stop acting like a prude, my little Omega.
13:50You didn't wear that just to keep it hidden.
13:53Come on, just a few dirty pecs for your Alpha.
13:56Happy one-week anniversary, babe.
13:59Dennis, no!
14:00The whole school is right on the other side!
14:02Wow.
14:03Can't even do one tiny favor for your boyfriend.
14:05Do you even love me, Kat?
14:07Or Omega's really just useless-less buzzkill?
14:10Good girl.
14:23Well, well.
14:24Look at Crestfield's straight-A Omega showing us what she's really good for.
14:28What a slut.
14:32Dennis, do something!
14:37You actually thought an Alpha would date a trashy Omega like you, Kat?
14:41I only dated you to get these.
14:48You...
14:48You set me up?
14:50Listen up, Crestfield!
14:52Who wants a piece of this dirty Omega?
14:54Pius Bitter takes the photos home!
15:07Damn!
15:08She's hiding all that under her uniform?
15:09I bid 50 bucks!
15:11What a slut!
15:12No decent girl would ever take dirty pics like that.
15:14Give them back!
15:15You creeps!
15:16Give them back!
15:26Help!
15:27I can't swim!
15:29You want to mate so bad, Omega?
15:31Do it with rats!
15:42You're the new transfer, huh?
15:44Back off, loser.
15:45This is Alpha business.
15:54If you have to pick on an Omega just to feel powerful, you're no Alpha.
16:09Did you see that?
16:10His Alpha aura is insane!
16:12He just flattened Dennis!
16:22I heard he's an orphan.
16:23Bounced around a bunch of foster homes.
16:25Yeah, no family wanted to keep him.
16:27He just got adopted again by a couple in our community.
16:37Show's over.
16:38Get lost.
16:41Guess getting passed around like garbage didn't teach you how to respect your betters, huh?
16:51Foster kids aren't garbage!
16:53They're good people who just need someone to actually care about them!
16:59Are you insane, Omega?
17:00Why do you even care?
17:01Because my family's taking in a foster kid, too.
17:04He's gonna be my little brother, my family.
17:07And him?
17:08He doesn't even know me.
17:09But he jumped in that water while all of you laughed.
17:12He's got more character than all you so-called nobles combined!
17:15You bitch!
17:20Stay away from her!
17:34Thanks, Alpha boy.
17:35I'll wash your jacket and get it back to you.
17:37Guess I'm your first friend here.
17:39I don't make friends.
17:43Go home before you catch a cold.
17:44See you tomorrow, then.
17:47Maybe this new place won't be a total disaster.
17:50Hopefully that foster family doesn't turn out to be trouble.
17:53Washed and dried.
17:54Can't wait to give it back to him tomorrow.
18:03Alpha boy, what are you doing in my house?
18:06Cat, sweetie, this is Felix, your new big brother.
18:09What?
18:10Mom, I thought we were getting a little boy!
18:13Wait, have you two already met?
18:16Oh my God.
18:18My new crush is my foster brother?
18:20And I'm supposed to live with him now?
18:25Pizza's here!
18:26Family meeting in the dining room.
18:27Let's give Felix the best welcome dinner ever.
18:33Guess Felix not joining us for our first family dinner.
18:36He's had a rough go of it, honey.
18:38Bounced around a lot of foster homes.
18:39We just need to give him space.
18:41Be patient.
18:43Cat, take the spare key up to him.
18:45Tell him this is his home now.
18:53Uh, Alpha boy?
18:55I mean, Felix?
18:57Are you in there?
19:09Is this his mom?
19:11What are you doing?
19:13You're snooping on me?
19:14Nothing.
19:15I was just...
19:23Did your parents send you?
19:25Trying to see if I'm really as crazy as they say.
19:27What?
19:27No!
19:28I brought you a key!
19:30What key?
19:31The house key!
19:33Feel it yourself if you don't believe me.
19:34It's in my back pocket.
19:35There's no key.
19:36Are you playing me?
19:38The pocket is deep.
19:40You have to reach down further.
19:47Shit.
19:48What am I doing?
20:01I found it!
20:04I found it!
20:17that still doesn't prove you weren't snooping i wasn't prying this is from the whole family
20:25mom wanted me to tell you this is your home now i'm an alpha i don't need charity from
20:31a house full of betas and omogons it's not charity i don't care how tough you think you
20:38are felix everyone needs a family i don't i've never lasted in a foster house longer than six
20:44months and this place won't be any different tell your parents to drop the fake happy family act
20:53i didn't ask to come here so stay out of my business listen to me asshole you can be mad
20:58at me all you want but don't you dare break my parents hearts alpha omega whatever you're living
21:04under our roof now you don't have to accept us but at least try not to act like complete jerk
21:08about it guess i need to make my boundaries clearer
21:22help why do you still have that
21:27dennis's cheap camera jammed this reject was stuck in the rollers didn't burn with the rest i was
21:32gonna throw it away but it's perfect leverage stay out of my way cat or i'll show your sweet
21:40caring parents what kind of daughter they're raising
21:50gotta make sure every single copy is gone she's beautiful
21:54you big jerk i could have burned it right then i kept this last one for purely selfish reasons
21:59relax relax i don't care about this piece of trash as long as you don't cross the line
22:05no one will ever see it
22:11let me go you bastard
22:17a mate bond
22:19you're my mate
22:22in my last life i built his empire he threw my body down from the castle i was born blind
22:27and without magic a null everyone thought being born blind was my curse it wasn't the real curse
22:33was this i can read soul instead i opened my eyes then teen again the night of our soul bond
22:38ball
22:38and the first voice i heard was his i claimed celeste ashford as my soul bond he threw my body
22:43down from the castle no funeral no grave i was born blind and without magic a null the lowest rank
22:49in
22:49our world no spells no wards no healing a simple paper cut keeps me bleeding for three days everyone
22:56thought being born blind was my curse it wasn't the real curse was this i can read souls jealousy burns
23:02green hatred runs black in my last life i used it to build a high priest lucian but on the
23:08day my stepsister died he crushed my jaw forced my mouth open and poured the silver thorn juice
23:13down my throat himself
23:15if you hadn't chosen me i would have taken celeste
23:22she was the soul bond i wanted
23:25she never would have fallen into marcus's hands
23:29he gave my title of high priestess to celeste just so she could be buried with my honor my body
23:34he had it thrown past the coven border for the crows
23:36that should have been the end of me instead i opened my eyes
23:40seventeen again the night of our soul bond ball and the first voice i heard was his
23:44i choose celeste ashford as my bond
23:46the bastard came back too and he remembered everything
23:49he is terrified i'll choose him again honestly i couldn't care less
23:54i swept my blind gaze across the back of the room
23:56in a sea of dark rotten souls a soul so pure it glowed like liquid gold
24:00a man in a wheelchair quiet unmoving
24:04the true high priest
24:09i claim celeste ashford as my soul bond
24:12she will be my high priestess
24:14lucian voss stepped toward my stepsister
24:15he looked at her like she was his entire world
24:17the ballroom went dead silent
24:19then the knives came out
24:20not a single heir will claim her
24:22she's blind
24:23a magicless null
24:24what a waste of space
24:25she doesn't belong here
24:27i am the ashford heir i was born in the dark
24:29during the awakening
24:30my magic never showed up
24:32in our coven
24:33power is the only currency
24:35a blind girl is a burden
24:36a magicless null is a joke
24:38but celeste
24:39my stepsister came from a pure black witch bloodline
24:42a true sorceress from both sides
24:44she was born with a gift called the siren's whisper
24:47a voice that bends any witch to her will
24:49she is the family's treasure
24:50i am the stain they keep hidden
24:52lucian dropped to one knee before her
24:54take my mark celeste
24:55i'll make you royalty
24:57he shot a look at me
24:58cold pure disgust
25:00he thinks he can take the throne without me
25:01he has no idea
25:02i didn't get magic that night
25:04i got something much deadlier
25:05the soul sight
25:06i see people in colors
25:08jealousy is green
25:09hate is black
25:10love is pink
25:10the deeper the feeling
25:12the darker the shade
25:13in my last life
25:14i built his empire
25:15i saw the assassins coming
25:17i played the politics
25:18i put that crown on his head
25:19this time
25:20he is on his own
25:21let's see how far he gets without me
25:23you're right
25:24i'm blind
25:25broken
25:25i'm not good enough for you
25:26you and celestia
25:27you're perfect for each other
25:29glad you finally get it
25:31a freak like you
25:32i wouldn't pick you if you begged
25:33my mother almost snapped
25:35she almost let my secret slip
25:36i shut her down with a touch
25:38i scanned the room
25:39marcus
25:39his soul was a murky gray cruel
25:42the other airs
25:43just greedy
25:44last time
25:44i picked lucian
25:45because he looked clean
25:46he was just a master of masks
25:48i didn't see his real color
25:50until the day celeste died
25:51rotting purple
25:52he hated my guts
25:53in my last life
25:54i was blind to the truth
25:56this time
25:56i see everything
26:02he threw my body down from the castle
26:04no funeral
26:05no grave
26:06i was born blind
26:07and without magic
26:08a null
26:09the lowest rank in our world
26:10no spells
26:11no wards
26:12no healing
26:13a simple paper cut
26:14keeps me bleeding for three days
26:16everyone thought being born blind was my curse
26:18it wasn't
26:19the real curse was this
26:20i can read souls
26:21jealousy burns green
26:23hatred runs black
26:24in my last life
26:25i used it to build a high priest
26:27lucian
26:28but on the day my stepsister died
26:30he crushed my jaw
26:31forced my mouth open
26:32and poured the silverthorn juice down my throat himself
26:36if you hadn't chosen me
26:38i would have taken celeste
26:43she was the soul bond i wanted
26:46she never would have fallen into marcus's hands
26:49he gave my title of high priestess to celeste
26:52just so she could be buried with my honor
26:54my body
26:54he had it thrown past the coven border for the crows
26:57that should have been the end of me
26:58instead
26:59i opened my eyes
27:00seventeen again
27:02the night of our soul bond ball
27:03and the first voice i heard was his
27:04i choose celeste ashrist as my bond
27:07the bastard came back too
27:09and he remembered everything
27:10he is terrified
27:11i'll choose him again
27:13honestly
27:13i couldn't care less
27:14i swept my blind gaze across the back of the room
27:17in a sea of dark rotten souls
27:19a soul so pure it glowed like liquid gold
27:21a man in a wheelchair
27:23quiet
27:24unmoving
27:24the true high priest
27:30i claim celeste ashford as my soul bond
27:32she will be my high priestess
27:34lucian voss stepped toward my stepsister
27:36he looked at her like she was his entire world
27:38the ballroom went dead silent
27:40then the knives came out
27:41not a single heir will claim her
27:43she's blind
27:43a magicless null
27:45what a waste of space
27:46she doesn't belong here
27:47i am the ashford heir
27:49i was born in the dark
27:50during the awakening
27:51my magic never showed up
27:53in our coven
27:54power is the only currency
27:55a blind girl is a burden
27:57a magicless null
27:58is a joke
27:59but celeste
28:00my stepsister came from a pure black witch bloodline
28:03a true sorceress from both sides
28:05she was born with a gift called the siren's whisper
28:07a voice that bends any witch to her will
28:10she is the family's treasure
28:11i am the stain they keep hidden
28:13lucian dropped to one knee before her
28:14take my mark celeste
28:16i'll make you royalty
28:17he shot a look at me
28:19cold pure disgust
28:20he thinks he can take the throne without me
28:22he has no idea
28:23i didn't get magic that night
28:24i got something much deadlier
28:26the soul sight
28:27i see people in colors
28:28jealousy is green
28:29hate is black
28:30love is pink
28:31the deeper the feeling
28:32the darker the shade
28:34in my last life
28:35i built his empire
28:36i saw the assassins coming
28:37i played the politics
28:38i put that crown on his head
28:40this time
28:41he is on his own
28:42let's see how far he gets without me
28:44you're right
28:44i'm blind
28:45broken
28:46i'm not good enough for you
28:47you and celestia
28:48you're perfect for each other
28:50glad you finally get it
28:51a freak like you
28:52i wouldn't pick you if you begged
28:54my mother almost snapped
28:55she almost let my secret slip
28:57i shut her down with a touch
28:59i scan the room
29:00marcus
29:00his soul was a murky gray cruel
29:02the other airs
29:03just greedy
29:04last time
29:05i picked lucian
29:06because he looked clean
29:07he was just a master of masks
29:09i didn't see his real color
29:10until the day celeste died
29:12rotting purple
29:13he hated my guts
29:14in my last life
29:15i was blind to the truth
29:16this time
29:17i see everything
29:23he threw my body down from the castle
29:25no funeral
29:26no grave
29:27i was born blind
29:28and without magic
29:29a null
29:29the lowest rank in our world
29:31no spells
29:32no wards
29:33no healing
29:34a simple paper cut
29:35keeps me bleeding for three days
29:37everyone thought being born blind was my curse
29:39it wasn't
29:40the real curse was this
29:41i can read souls
29:42jealousy burns green
29:44hatred runs black
29:45in my last life
29:46i used it to build a high priest
29:48lucian
29:48but on the day my stepsister died
29:50he crushed my jaw
29:52forced my mouth open
29:53and poured the silverthorn juice
29:54down my throat himself
29:57if you hadn't chosen me
29:58i would have taken celeste
30:03she was the soul bond i wanted
30:07she never would have fallen
30:08into marcus's hands
30:10he gave my title of high priestess to celeste
30:13just so she could be buried with my honor
30:14my body
30:15he had it thrown past the coven border
30:17for the crows
30:18that should have been the end of me
30:19instead i opened my eyes
30:21seventeen again
30:22the night of our soul bond ball
30:24and the first voice i heard was his
30:25i choose celeste ashrist as my bond
30:28the bastard came back too
30:30and he remembered everything
30:31he is terrified
30:32i'll choose him again
30:33honestly
30:34i couldn't care less
30:35i swept my blind gaze across the back of the room
30:38in a sea of dark rotten souls
30:39a soul so pure it glowed like liquid gold
30:42a man in a wheelchair
30:43quiet
30:45unmoving
30:45the true high priest
30:50i claim celeste ashford as my soul bond
30:53she will be my high priestess
30:55lucian voss stepped toward my stepsister
30:57he looked at her like she was his entire world
30:59the ballroom went dead silent
31:00then the knives came out
31:02not a single heir will claim her
31:03she's blind
31:04a magicless null
31:05what a waste of space
31:07she doesn't belong here
31:08i am the ashford heir
31:10i was born in the dark
31:11during the awakening
31:12my magic never showed up
31:14in our coven
31:15power is the only currency
31:16a blind girl is a burden
31:18a magicless null
31:19is a joke
31:20but celeste
31:21my stepsister came from a pure black witch bloodline
31:24a true sorceress from both sides
31:26she was born with a gift called the siren's whisper
31:28a voice that bends any witch to her will
31:30she is the family's treasure
31:32i am the stain they keep hidden
31:33lucian dropped to one knee before her
31:35take my mark celeste
31:37i'll make you royalty
31:38he shot a look at me
31:40cold pure disgust
31:41he thinks he can take the throne without me
31:43he has no idea
31:44i didn't get magic that night
31:45i got something much deadlier
31:47the soul sight
31:48i see people in colors
31:49jealousy is green
31:50hate is black
31:51love is pink
31:52the deeper the feeling
31:53the darker the shade
31:54in my last life
31:55i built his empire
31:57i saw the assassins coming
31:58i played the politics
31:59i put that crown on his head
32:01this time
32:02he is on his own
32:03let's see how far he gets without me
32:04you're right
32:05i'm blind
32:06broken
32:07i'm not good enough for you
32:08you and celestia
32:09you're perfect for each other
32:11glad you finally get it
32:12a freak like you
32:13i wouldn't pick you if you begged
32:15my mother almost snapped
32:16she almost let my secret slip
32:18i shut her down with a touch
32:19i scan the room
32:20marcus
32:21his soul was a murky gray cruel
32:23the other airs
32:24just greedy
32:25last time
32:26i picked lucian
32:27because he looked clean
32:28he was just a master of masks
32:30i didn't see his real color
32:31until the day celeste died
32:32rotting purple
32:33he hated my guts
32:34in my last life
32:36i was blind to the truth
32:37this time
32:38i see everything
32:44he threw my body down from the castle
32:46no funeral
32:47no grave
32:48i was born blind
32:49and without magic
32:50a null
32:50the lowest rank in our world
32:52no spells
32:53no wards
32:54no healing
32:55a simple paper cut keeps me bleeding for three days
32:57everyone thought being born blind was my curse
33:00it wasn't
33:00the real curse was this
33:02i can read souls
33:03jealousy burns green
33:04hatred runs black
33:06in my last life
33:07i used it to build a high priest
33:08lucian
33:09but on the day my stepsister died
33:11he crushed my jaw
33:12forced my mouth open
33:14and poured the silverthorn juice down my throat himself
33:18if you hadn't chosen me
33:19i would have taken celeste
33:24she was the soul bond i wanted
33:27she never would have fallen into marcus's hands
33:31he gave my title of high priestess to celeste
33:33just so she could be buried with my honor
33:35my body
33:36he had it thrown past the coven border for the crows
33:38that should have been the end of me
33:40instead
33:41i opened my eyes
33:42seventeen again
33:43the night of our soul bond ball
33:44and the first voice i heard was his
33:46i choose celeste ashford as my bond
33:48the bastard came back too
33:50and he remembered everything
33:52he is terrified
33:53i'll choose him again
33:54honestly
33:55i couldn't care less
33:56i swept my blind gaze across the back of the room
33:58in a sea of dark rotten souls
34:00a soul so pure it glowed like liquid gold
34:03a man in a wheelchair
34:04quiet
34:05unmoving
34:06the true high priest
34:11i claim celeste ashford as my soul bond
34:14she will be my high priestess
34:16lucian voss stepped toward my stepsister
34:18he looked at her like she was his entire world
34:20the ballroom went dead silent
34:21then the knives came out
34:22not a single heir will claim her
34:24she's blind
34:25a magicless null
34:26what a waste of space
34:28she doesn't belong here
34:29i am the ashford heir
34:30i was born in the dark
34:32during the awakening
34:33my magic never showed up
34:34in our coven
34:35power is the only currency
34:37a blind girl is a burden
34:38a magicless null is a joke
34:40but celeste
34:41my stepsister came from a pure black witch
34:44bloodline
34:44a true sorceress from both sides
34:46she was born with a gift called the siren's whisper
34:49a voice that bends any witch to her will
34:51she is the family's treasure
34:52i am the stain they keep hidden
34:54lucian dropped to one knee before her
34:56take my mark celeste
34:57i'll make you royalty
34:59he shot a look at me
35:00cold pure disgust
35:02he thinks he can take the throne without me
35:04he has no idea
35:05i didn't get magic that night
35:06i got something much deadlier
35:07the soul sight
35:08i see people in colors
35:10jealousy is green
35:11hate is black
35:12love is pink
35:13the deeper the feeling
35:14the darker the shade
35:15in my last life
35:16i built his empire
35:17i saw the assassins coming
35:19i played the politics
35:20i put that crown on his head
35:22this time
35:22he is on his own
35:23let's see how far he gets without me
35:25you're right
35:26i'm blind
35:27broken
35:27i'm not good enough for you
35:28you and celestia
35:30you're perfect for each other
35:31glad you finally get it
35:33a freak like you
35:34i wouldn't pick you if you begged
35:36my mother almost snapped
35:37she almost let my secret slip
35:39i shut her down with a touch
35:40i scanned the room
35:41marcus
35:42his soul was a murky gray cruel
35:44the other airs
35:45just greedy
35:46last time
35:47i picked lucian
35:48because he looked clean
35:49he was just a master of masks
35:50i didn't see his real color
35:52until the day celeste died
35:53rotting purple
35:54he hated my guts
35:55in my last life
35:56i was blind to the truth
35:58this time
35:58i see everything
36:05he threw my body down from the castle
36:07no funeral
36:08no grave
36:08i was born blind
36:09and without magic
36:10a null
36:11the lowest rank in our world
36:12no spells
36:13no wards
36:14no healing
36:15a simple paper cut
36:17keeps me bleeding for three days
36:18everyone thought being born blind
36:20was my curse
36:20it wasn't
36:21the real curse was this
36:22i can read souls
36:24jealousy burns green
36:25hatred runs black
36:26in my last life
36:27i used it to build a high priest
36:29lucian
36:30but on the day my stepsister died
36:32he crushed my jaw
36:33forced my mouth open
36:34and poured the silverthorn juice
36:36down my throat himself
36:38if you hadn't chosen me
36:40i would have taken celeste
36:45she was the soul bond i wanted
36:48she never would have fallen
36:49into marcus's hands
36:51he gave my title of high priestess to celeste
36:54just so she could be buried
36:55with my honor
36:56my body
36:57he had it thrown past the coven border
36:59for the crows
36:59that should have been the end of me
37:01instead
37:01i opened my eyes
37:03seventeen again
37:04the night of our soul bond ball
37:05and the first voice i heard was his
37:07i choose celeste ashrist as my bond
37:09the bastard came back too
37:11and he remembered everything
37:12he is terrified
37:14i'll choose him again
37:15honestly
37:15i couldn't care less
37:17i swept my blind gaze across the back of the room
37:19in a sea of dark rotten souls
37:21a soul so pure it glowed like liquid gold
37:23a man in a wheelchair
37:25quiet
37:26unmoving
37:27the true high priest
37:32i claim celeste ashford as my soul bond
37:35she will be my high priestess
37:37lucian voss stepped toward my stepsister
37:38he looked at her like she was his entire world
37:40the ballroom went dead silent
37:42then the knives came out
37:43not a single heir will claim her
37:45she's blind
37:46a magicless null
37:47what a waste of space
37:48she doesn't belong here
37:50i am the ashford heir
37:51i was born in the dark
37:52during the awakening
37:53my magic never showed up
37:55in our coven
37:56power is the only currency
37:57a blind girl is a burden
37:59a magicless null
38:00is a joke
38:01but celeste
38:02my stepsister came from a pure black witch bloodline
38:05a true sorceress from both sides
38:07she was born with a gift called the siren's whisper
38:09a voice that bends any witch to her will
38:12she is the family's treasure
38:13i am the stain they keep hidden
38:15lucian dropped to one knee before her
38:17take my mark celeste
38:18i'll make you royalty
38:20he shot a look at me
38:21cold pure disgust
38:23he thinks he can take the throne without me
38:24he has no idea
38:25i didn't get magic that night
38:27i got something much deadlier
38:28the soul sight
38:29i see people in colors
38:31jealousy is green
38:32hate is black
38:33love is pink
38:33the deeper the feeling
38:35the darker the shade
38:36in my last life
38:37i built his empire
38:38i saw the assassins coming
38:39i played the politics
38:41i put that crown on his head
38:42this time
38:43he is on his own
38:44let's see how far he gets without me
38:46you're right
38:47i'm blind
38:48broken
38:48i'm not good enough for you
38:49you and celestia
38:50you're perfect for each other
38:52glad you finally get it
38:54a freak like you
38:55i wouldn't pick you if you begged
38:56my mother almost snapped
38:58she almost let my secret slip
38:59i shut her down with a touch
39:01i scan the room
39:02marcus
39:02his soul was a murky gray cruel
39:05the other airs
39:06just greedy
39:07last time
39:07i picked lucian
39:08because he looked clean
39:09he was just a master of masks
39:11i didn't see his real color
39:13until the day celeste died
39:14rotting purple
39:15he hated my guts
39:16in my last life
39:17i was blind to the truth
39:19this time
39:19i see everything
39:23i'll come back and bind with you
39:24everyone thought i'd swallow my pride
39:26and wait until the next moon
39:27after all
39:28i'd already waited for seven years
39:30but that night
39:31i took a ship across the western fjords
39:33for an arranged marriage
39:34i showed up to the great solstice feast alone
39:36the second soren saw me
39:38his eyes lit up
39:39you said you didn't want to come
39:40but here you are
39:41where do you think you're going
39:42i shook his hand off
39:43those are your seats
39:44mine is over there
39:45i pointed straight
39:46at the high jaw's carved oak table
39:47ingrid shot me a venomous glare
39:49how dare you wear that armwrape
39:50made the entire mead hall
39:52turn to look at us
39:52wait
39:52is that the tear of yigazigh
39:55we were supposed to bind our souls
39:57at the temple of the allfather that day
39:59but my betrothΓ©
40:00threw me out of the sacred grounds
40:02then walked in with his childhood sweetheart instead
40:05he looked at me like it was nothing
40:07ingrid's child needs a father
40:09so she could stay in the clan
40:10once we sever the blood oath
40:10i'll come back and bind with you
40:14everyone thought i'd swallow my pride and wait until the next moon
40:17after all i'd already waited for seven years
40:23but that night
40:24i took a ship across the western fjords
40:26for an arranged marriage
40:27i vanished from his world completely
40:32three years later
40:33my husband and i flew our dragons back to the mainland for a grand ancestral blot
40:37my husband had an urgent border skirmish to attend to
40:40so he sent a beast and a handler to escort me
40:42i walked out of the dragon docks
40:44i walked into the arrival's courtyard
40:46and saw a warrior holding a parchment
40:48bearing my runic crest
40:50i walked over
40:51and froze
40:52holding the parchment was my ex-betrothal sorin
40:54he was craning his neck
40:55looking past me at the incoming whitens
40:57he had ingrid with him
40:58and half his old raiding party
41:00one of the warriors nudged him
41:01sorin
41:02isn't that your clinging admirer
41:03that's astrid
41:04sorin looked at me
41:05he looked surprised for a split second
41:06then he smirked
41:07i told you all long ago
41:09i knew she'd call back
41:11the whole raiding party burst out laughing
41:13astrid vanished without a trace
41:15now she sees sorin has plundered gold
41:16she probably cries herself to sleep every night
41:21one of them looked me up and down
41:23astrid if you're here to see sorin
41:25why show up in plain wool
41:26couldn't you at least paint your face with war colors
41:28without sorin you can't even barter for a nice cloak
41:32pathetic
41:33it was true
41:34i used to spend hours getting ready for seddon
41:37full braided hair
41:39clan paints
41:40fitted leathers and furs
41:41always making sure i looked perfect for him
41:43but i didn't need to do that anymore
41:45because i'm pregnant
41:47and my husband refused to let me ride uncomfortably
41:50he banned heavy chainmail
41:51and had this plain toque spun by the light elves of alfheim just for me
41:55listening to them mock me
41:57it suddenly clicked
41:58they only read the ruse on the garrison's dispatch
42:00they had no idea the noble they were picking up was me
42:06since i wasn't saying anything
42:08an old mutual friend stepped in trying to play peacemaker
42:12astrid glad to see you back
42:13solen actually spent years looking for you
42:15he has been asking about you everywhere
42:17solen's smug smile stiffened
42:19he cleared his throat and acted casually
42:21ingrid's kid starts shield training next week
42:23from now on you're getting him to the training grounds
42:25he was still so incredibly arrogant
42:27but i wasn't that naive little girl anymore
42:29looking at him now
42:30i just felt exhausted and disgusted
42:33i didn't want to waste another second on them
42:34i was just about to tell them exactly who i was
42:36but ingrid beat me to it
42:39astrid
42:40please don't be mad at sorin
42:42he's just trying to take care of you
42:43you disappeared for three winters
42:45what kind of shady taverns have you been staying at
42:48look at you
42:49solen wanted to make you his personal scribe
42:51but clearly you're not a fit
42:53don't worry
42:53being my thrale is an honor
42:55no one will look down on you
42:57three years apart
42:58she's still as arrogant as ever
43:00she still makes me cringe
43:02sorin saw my scown
43:03and thought i was just jealous
43:04his eyes flashed with triumph
43:06all right astrid
43:07drop the attitude
43:08you clearly can't survive out in the wilds
43:10so hold your temper
43:11take care of the kid
43:12and learn your place
43:13don't worry
43:14i got a perfect cot for you
43:15just in the dragon pens
43:18the whole group howled with laughter
43:21by thought astrid
43:23show some appreciation
43:24he's giving you free meat and mead
43:26isn't that better than wherever you're living now
43:28ingrid touched her gold forged earring
43:30putting on an affected tone
43:31don't you worry dear
43:33if my son acts up
43:34i'll make sure he still behave
43:35he won't let it out on you
43:36i promise
43:37solen let out a cold laugh
43:38and shot me a glance
43:40why's that
43:40she was always so stubborn
43:41ran away over a tiny little misunderstanding
43:43if she hit rock bottom out there
43:44she deserves to suffer a little
43:46hearing that
43:46my heart actually skipped a beat
43:48after three years
43:49he still thought
43:50ditching me at the temple
43:51of the all-father for ingrid
43:52was just a tiny little misunderstanding
43:54sorin
43:55the one i had fallen in love with
43:56was gone
43:58he wasn't the boy who carried me across the frozen tundra
44:01ignoring his own bleeding frostbite
44:03he wasn't the broken youth who promised me the nine realms
44:06he wasn't the warrior who
44:07despite all his glory and spoils
44:09was still willing to do game for me
44:12but whatever
44:13it was all in the past
44:14none of it mattered anymore
44:16besides
44:16i'm about to give birth to my second child
44:18pushed my feelings down
44:20i didn't want to argue with them
44:21it was pointless
44:22aren't you here to guide me to the keep
44:23let's go
44:24they exchanged looks
44:24then they burst out laughing
44:26guide you
44:26what a joke
44:27she pointed at the runic parchment
44:28read it carefully
44:29we are waiting for lady vaag
44:31do you even know who that is
44:32vaag was my new name
44:33of course i knew
44:34lady vaag is the matriarch of the black dragon clan
44:36she is the actual wife of hyald gulda vaag
44:38gulda vaag is a ruthless warlord
44:40but he's completely obsessed with his wife
44:42i heard he stayed solitary for years
44:44just waiting for her
44:45everyone in the realm knows the rule
44:46don't try to kiss up to gondar
44:48kiss up to lady vaag
44:49she is his entire world
44:51listening to them gossip about my marriage
44:53i couldn't help it
44:53to win his wife's heart
44:55goren vaag bartered with the dwarves of swotalfard for a custom arm ring
44:58it's called the tear of yigodas
45:00it costs 20 chests of gold
45:01lady vaag is literally the most envied woman in midlad
45:05her eyes darted down to my wrist
45:06she let out a sharp gasp
45:09that's the exact same arm
45:10it's a pretty good fake
45:12which broke stable boy bought this for you
45:14buying you a cheap iron knockoff
45:16absolute trash
45:17i snatched my hand back
45:19and gently rubbed the arm ring on my wrist
45:22i smirked
45:23seeing my happy unfazed smile
45:27soren's eyes narrowed in pure rage
45:29he lunged forward
45:30he grabbed my wrist with a crushing grip
45:32and violently ripped the arm ring off my arm
45:33ingrid eagerly stepped forward
45:35she snatched the arm ring from solen's hand
45:36and started playing with it
45:38look a high quality fake
45:39way better than the replica i bought from that merchant
45:40but i'd never actually wear mine in the great hall
45:42how embarrassing
45:44these foreign knockoffs are more detailed
45:45the weight actually feels real
45:48she gave me a mocking sickly sweet smile
45:50oh what astrea
45:51are you saying you're the real lady vaag
45:53are you the legendary warlord's wife
45:55the second she said it
45:55the raiding party erupted into hysterical laughter
45:58gunan vaag was a feared conqueror
46:00he was ruthless and unstoppable
46:02and three years ago
46:03i was just a pathetic nobody
46:05the loser who got dumped at the temple
46:06ingrid spun the priceless arm ring around her finger
46:08astrid sell this fake to me
46:10i'll pay you double
46:11i panicked terrified she was gonna drop it
46:13give that back right now
46:15gunnar gave that to me
46:17shut your mouth
46:18soren glared at me like i was insane
46:20astrid have you gone mad
46:21how dare you just drop lord vaag's name like that
46:23are you trying to get me sent to valhalla early
46:25his warrior buddies stared at me with pure rage
46:27do you have any idea how hard we fought for this escort duty
46:30gunnar vaag conquered soren's clan last half
46:33our entire livelihood depends on him now
46:35the only way soren keeps his commander spot is if we impress lady var
46:39and you're out here spreading psychotic rumors that you know the high year
46:42are you trying to ruin solon's honor
46:44my stare must have been dead cold because soren frowned
46:46a flicker of genuine panic flashed across his eyes
46:49you ungrateful wretch
46:51solon was kind enough to offer you a roof to survive
46:53don't push it
46:54i know you're bitter about the past
46:56but trying to sabotage his command out of petty revenge
46:58that's sick
46:59soren shook his head in disgust
47:01you're such a jealous shrew
47:03but this time he didn't keep screaming at me
47:04he went quiet for a second
47:05then he pulled out a heavy pouch from his belt
47:08he tossed a bag of pure silver pieces right at my chest
47:12for the sake of our past bond i'll let this slide
47:14take the silver
47:15go get some decent cloaks
47:16if you really don't want to tend the pens for ingrid's kid
47:18i'll have you sent to the kitchens next week
47:20watching him play the generous saviour made my stomach turn
47:23the whole group watched me
47:24waiting for me to grovel and take the pouch
47:26instead
47:27i kicked it away
47:28i reached over
47:29no thank you commander
47:30seems like you need it more than i do
47:32soren's face turned bright red
47:33i ignored him and turned to walk away
47:36but i barely made it two steps before he grabbed my arm
47:39astrid
47:41what is your problem
47:42commander
47:42what do you mean
47:43i pulled my arm free
47:44we broke our oaths three years ago
47:46it's better if we keep our distance
47:48i wouldn't want anyone to get the wrong idea
47:50i was thinking about my fiercely loyal
47:52slightly jealous dragon lord husband
47:54but solon glanced over at ingrid
47:55he looked like he had it all figured out
47:57the yars are hosting a great solstice feast for lord varg in three days
48:00i was actually planning to bring you to my table
48:02to let you experience true grand ceremony
48:04but you'd need to buy a decent dress
48:06i can't have you embarrassing me
48:08i cut him off immediately
48:09with all respect
48:10i really don't need it
48:13hearing me reject him again
48:14solon grew annoyed
48:16he was grinding his teeth
48:18astrid
48:19you've grown a spine haven't you
48:20it's true what they say
48:21the poorer you get
48:22the bigger your attitude
48:24fine
48:24if you don't want to go
48:26forget it
48:26i'll take ingrid
48:27hearing that she got to attend the high jars feast
48:30ingrid's eyes lit up
48:31solon
48:31i promise i'll be perfect
48:33i absolutely won't embarrass you
48:35i was so incredibly done with them
48:37i turned around and strode away
48:38but i tossed one last look over my shoulder
48:42i'm looking forward seeing you both in three days
48:44i practically sprinted out of the courtyard
48:46hitting the crisp freezing air outside
48:48finally pushing down the nauseous churning in my stomach
48:50my mind flashed back to three years ago
48:52my clan had been pressuring me into an arranged marriage across the sea
48:56i fought them on it
48:57i begged sudan
48:57my betrotho of seven years
48:59to just run away with me into the forests
49:01to swear oaths and be together forever
49:03but when i showed up at the temple of the all-father
49:06he brought ingrid
49:07he told me her child needed a father under clan law
49:09he told me he'd sever the tie to her in a moon's time and bond with me then
49:13he told me not to overthink it
49:14watching him hold her hand and walk up to the altar
49:16i realized what a fool i've been
49:18i sailed across the western fjords for a blind arrangement that very night
49:21a moon later
49:22i married gunnar varg
49:23a year later
49:24we had our firstborn
49:25and now
49:25i'm pregnant with our second
49:27honestly
49:27if it wasn't for gullar's ancestral blot
49:29i definitely wouldn't have seen soren ever again
49:32three days later
49:32i showed up to the great solstice feast alone
49:34wearing light face paint
49:36and my custom ellen spun tunic
49:37the second soren saw me
49:39his eyes lit up
49:40a smug smirk spread across his face
49:43you said you didn't want to come
49:44but here you are
49:46listen
49:46if you want me back
49:48you need to at least dress the part to match my new status
49:51i brushed off his arrogance and tried to pass him
49:54he stopped me angrily after just two steps
49:56astrid
49:57i'm talking to you
49:58our seats are right here
50:00where do you think you're going
50:01i shook his hand off
50:02those are your seats
50:04mine is over there
50:05i pointed straight at the high jar's carved oak table
50:07sirren's face instantly dark
50:09ingrid shot me a venomous glare
50:10she pointed directly at my wrist
50:11and yelled at the top of her lungs
50:13astrid how did you sneak in here
50:14are you here to ruin everything
50:17how dare you wear that arm ring
50:18her screeching made the entire mead hall turn to look at us
50:21people immediately started whispering
50:23wait is that the tear of yigazik
50:25lord varg forged that for his wife
50:27tonight is lady varg's first public appearance
50:29is this girl trying to mock the high yul's wife
50:31she sneaked past the guards
50:33is she trying to humiliate us in front of lord varg
50:36one of the elder warriors turned to sorin
50:38commander
50:39is this young lady of your clan
50:41sorin saw that i wasn't even looking at him
50:42he adjusted his expensive fur cloak
50:45and said coldly
50:45no i don't know her
50:47hearing that ingrid looked completely thrilled
50:49she lifted her chin and sneered at me
50:50take that fake arm ring off and get out
50:53three days later
50:54i showed up to the great solstice feast alone
50:56wearing light face paint
50:57and my custom ellen spun tunic
51:00the second sorin saw me
51:01his eyes lit up
51:02a smug smirk spread across his face
51:04you said you didn't want to come
51:06but here you are
51:07listen if you want me back
51:10you need to at least dress the part
51:11to match my new status
51:13i brushed off his arrogance
51:14and tried to pass him
51:15he stopped me angrily after just two steps
51:17astrid
51:19i'm talking to you
51:20our seats are right here
51:22where do you think you're going
51:23i shook his hand off
51:24those are your seats
51:25mine is over there
51:26i pointed straight at the high jar's carved oak table
51:29sorin's face instantly dark
51:30ingrid shot me a venomous glare
51:31she pointed directly at my wrist
51:33and yelled at the top of her lungs
51:34astrid how did you sneak in here
51:36are you here to ruin everything
51:38how dare you wear that arm ring
51:40her screeching made the entire mead hall
51:42turn to look at us
51:43people immediately started whispering
51:45wait
51:45is that the tear of yigazik
51:47lord varg forged that for his wife
51:49tonight is lady varg's first public appearance
51:51is this girl trying to mock the high yul's wife
51:53she sneaked past the guards
51:54is she trying to humiliate us in front of lord varg
51:57one of the elder warriors turned to sorin
52:00commander
52:01is this young lady of your clan
52:02sorin saw that i wasn't even looking at him
52:04he adjusted his expensive fur cloak
52:06and said coldly
52:07no
52:07i don't know her
52:09hearing that ingrid looked completely thrilled
52:10she lifted her chin and sneered at me
52:12take that fake arm ring off
52:14and get out
52:14hear from her
52:14to most particularly
52:15yes
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