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00:00:00On the day of my wedding, my mother tore my wedding gown apart in front of every noble present.
00:00:05Raising the moon goddess Seppler high, she brought it crashing down toward me, sending me sprawling across the ground.
00:00:12Selina is not worthy of becoming the new Alpha King's bride.
00:00:16A deathly silence fell over the hall. I was the rejected silver-eyed daughter of the Silvermoon Wolfpack.
00:00:21Today, as long as I completed the blood oath with the newly crowned Alpha King Ryan, I would become his
00:00:26Luna, the queen of all werewolves.
00:00:28But my biological mother, Hera, the most revered high priestess of the Temple of Light, publicly declared,
00:00:35Last night, she seduced Karen, the Shadow Pletha clan's holy knight, and her sister Elena's fiancée.
00:00:43The crowd instantly erupted.
00:00:45I knew those silver eyes were filthy.
00:00:47She actually dared to betray the Alpha King?
00:00:50Drive her out of the Silvermoon Pack!
00:00:53A chill spread through my entire body as I stared at my mother.
00:00:59What are you talking about?
00:01:02Last night, she had personally handed me a cup of blessed potion.
00:01:06She had smiled and said,
00:01:08Drink this, and the moon goddess will bless you and Ryan with a bond that can never be broken.
00:01:14But when I woke up, the man lying beside me wasn't Ryan.
00:01:18It was at Karen.
00:01:19Both of us had been drugged.
00:01:20I wanted to explain, but Karen had already thrown on his cloak.
00:01:24His eyes were filled with nothing but disgust.
00:01:27Selina, I've never met a woman as shameless as you.
00:01:29You'd even go after your own sister's fiancée!
00:01:31Then Karen staggered backward until he reached Elena's side.
00:01:35His eyes were red as he looked at her.
00:01:37I've been tainted.
00:01:40You're so pure.
00:01:43I no longer deserve to marry you.
00:01:45Below the altar, Ryan stood motionless.
00:01:48He had once told me that even if the entire world despised my silver eyes,
00:01:53he would still marry me.
00:01:55But now, the way he looked at me was no different from looking at something filthy.
00:02:01I rushed down from the altar and grabbed his hand.
00:02:04Ryan, someone set me up.
00:02:07There was something wrong with that potion.
00:02:09It was Mother-
00:02:10Enough!
00:02:11He shook me off, his voice horsey.
00:02:15Selina and I used to think you were just unlucky.
00:02:18Now I realize you genuinely disgust me.
00:02:25I froze where I stood.
00:02:29Elena burst into tears and buried herself in our Mother's arms.
00:02:33She had a pair of noble golden eyes.
00:02:35Pale, delicate, and fragile.
00:02:37She looked like the most innocent, sainty continent.
00:02:40Sister, I know you've always been jealous of me, but Karen is my fiancée.
00:02:44My mother gently wiped away her tears before walking over to me.
00:02:48Then, with her own hands, she removed the silver moon crest pinned to my chest.
00:02:52It was the symbol of a wolf bride's status.
00:02:54And in all fifteen years of my life,
00:02:56it was the only thing that had ever truly acknowledged my existence.
00:02:58I stared at her.
00:03:00Why?
00:03:01She leaned close to my ear, her voice so low that only I could hear it.
00:03:06Because Elena is far more suitable to be Luna.
00:03:09She has golden eyes.
00:03:11You're nothing but a stain.
00:03:15In that moment, I finally understood.
00:03:18This wasn't an accident.
00:03:20It wasn't a misunderstanding.
00:03:22It was a trap they had prepared long ago.
00:03:24That moment, Elena suddenly wiped away her tears and stepped forward.
00:03:28The position of Luna of the silver moon wolf pack cannot remain vacant.
00:03:31It would only make us the laughingstock of everyone.
00:03:33Since my sister committed such a disgraceful offense,
00:03:36let me atone for her sins in her place.
00:03:38Ryan, if you're willing, I can complete this blood oath in my sister's stead.
00:03:42Ryan turned around and placed the blood crown,
00:03:45the symbol of the queen, upon Elena's head.
00:03:48The entire hall erupted in cheers.
00:03:50My sister wore my wedding gown,
00:03:53held my Grimm's hand,
00:03:54and stood in the place that should have been mine.
00:03:57And I was publicly sentenced by my own mother.
00:03:59At Selena, silver eyes has defiled the blood oath.
00:04:02Strip her of the wolf crest and exiled her to the forbidden rift.
00:04:04She shall never return.
00:04:05As the temple knights dragged me down from the altar,
00:04:07Elena glanced at me, tears still lingued on her face.
00:04:10But the corners of her lips slowly curled forward.
00:04:14Fifteen years later,
00:04:16at the inheritance bankery of the Sacred Dominion Conforge,
00:04:18navels and power holders from all twelve clans gathered withneath one roof.
00:04:22They knelt before my dragonbone throne,
00:04:24competing to present moon tear crystal mines,
00:04:26territorial deeds, and bloodline oaths as tribute.
00:04:28None of them knew that the Empress of the Sacred Dominion,
00:04:32the woman who controlled 80% of the continent's moon tear crystal mines,
00:04:38was the same silver-eyed outcast they had once trampled into the mud.
00:04:43Until my adopted son,
00:04:45Kyaris,
00:04:46walked into the Grand Hall holding a young woman's hand.
00:04:49She wore a silver-white formal gown.
00:04:52Her golden eyes shunned brightly,
00:04:54and pride radiated from her face.
00:04:57Her name was Ivy,
00:04:58Elena's daughter,
00:04:59and she bore the exact same face her mother had fifteen years ago.
00:05:02Kaio stopped before me,
00:05:04his tone unwavering.
00:05:05Mother,
00:05:06Ivy will become my blood oath mate.
00:05:07If you approve,
00:05:08we'll announce our engagement tonight.
00:05:10Every guest in the hall held their breath.
00:05:12Ivy lifted her chin slightly,
00:05:14waiting for me to bestow that honor upon her.
00:05:17She was the golden-eyed Saint Chris of the Silvermoon Wolfpack,
00:05:20Ryan's most cherished daughter and Hera's favorite granddaughter.
00:05:24She was used to people lowering their heads the moment they saw her,
00:05:27but she had forgotten one thing.
00:05:29This was not the Silvermoon Wolfpack.
00:05:31This was the sacred dominion conformed.
00:05:33This was the throne I had clawed my way towards for fifteen years,
00:05:38inch by inch,
00:05:39through the bones and corpses of the Forbidden Rift.
00:05:43I looked at that face and remembered the wedding gown that had been torn apart fifteen years ago.
00:05:47I remembered the poison my mother had handed me.
00:05:50I remembered the cold look in Ryan's eyes.
00:05:52Then I set down my wine glass.
00:05:54The bass struck the dragonbone armrest.
00:05:56The sound was not loud, yet the entire hall fell silence in an instant.
00:06:00I do not approve.
00:06:01I said, Kairos froze.
00:06:03Mother?
00:06:04The smile on Ivy's face stiffened.
00:06:06I raised my eyes to her.
00:06:07You will never become the mate of the sacred dominion's heir, not in this lifetime.
00:06:11The crowd instantly exploded into an uproar.
00:06:14Ivy's eyes reddened at once.
00:06:16Why?
00:06:17What makes me unworthy?
00:06:20I looked at her and smiled.
00:06:22Because the thing your mother stole fifteen years ago is finally going to be returned today.
00:06:29Ivy's face went completely pale.
00:06:31Kairos stepped in front of her, his brows drawn tightly together.
00:06:35Mother, Ivy didn't do anything wrong.
00:06:37The grudges of the previous generation shouldn't fall on her shoulders.
00:06:40I looked at him.
00:06:41Do you even know what happened fifteen years ago?
00:06:44Ivy spoke before he-
00:06:45My mother told me everything!
00:06:47Fifteen years ago, you betrayed Alpha King Ryan and seduced Karen, my mother's fiancée.
00:06:51You were exiled because you committed a crime!
00:06:54She bit her lip, looking as though I were the one bullying her.
00:06:57But my mother always defended you.
00:06:59She said you were just too jealous of her.
00:07:02Muted whispers spread throughout the hall.
00:07:04Some of the older nobles lowered their heads.
00:07:07Back then, they had all stood with you at the moon goddess's altar.
00:07:10They had watched my wedding gown in green torn apart,
00:07:13and they had watched Elena put on my bridal dress.
00:07:15They knew about that scant.
00:07:17But they had never cared about the truth.
00:07:19Because the stories written by the victors were always clean and respectable.
00:07:22Before I could speak, the doors of the hall were suddenly pushed open.
00:07:25Ivy wasn't wrong.
00:07:27Everyone turned around.
00:07:29Elena had arrived.
00:07:30Fifteen years had passed, yet she was still breathtakingly beautiful in that fragile way of hers.
00:07:34Her golden hair was pinned up behind her head,
00:07:36and the royal crest of the silver moon wolf pack's luna was embroidered on her white cloak.
00:07:40Behind her stood Alpha King Ryan,
00:07:42and Karen, the holy knight of the Shadow Leopard clan.
00:07:45Every person who had destroyed my life fifteen years ago had finally appeared before me once again.
00:07:50Elena's eyes stiffened for a certain second the moment she saw me.
00:07:54Sister,
00:07:56I never imagined the Empress of the Sacred Dominion would turn out to be you.
00:08:01She called me sister.
00:08:03But her tone sounded more like a reminder to everyone present,
00:08:07that I had once been nothing more than the filthy, silver-eyed outcast of the silver moon wolf pack.
00:08:13Caius frowned.
00:08:15Mother,
00:08:16you know them?
00:08:17I didn't answer.
00:08:18Ryan stepped forward.
00:08:19He still carried the same arrogance of an Alpha King,
00:08:23though the sharpness in his golden eyes was no longer what it had been.
00:08:27He looked at me and remained silent for a long moment.
00:08:31Selena.
00:08:36Hearing that name come from his lips almost made me laugh.
00:08:40Fifteen years ago, he had used that name when he told me he loved me.
00:08:43Later, he had used the same voice to say that I disgusted him.
00:08:46And now he wanted to use that name again, pretending there were still unresolved feelings between us.
00:08:51I spoke calmly.
00:08:53Your Majesty,
00:08:54this is a private banquet of the Sacred Dominion Consortium.
00:08:58You were not invited.
00:09:06Sister,
00:09:06if you're angry with me,
00:09:08then take it out on me.
00:09:10Why make things difficult for Ivy?
00:09:13She simply fell in love with Kairus.
00:09:16How interesting.
00:09:17I looked at her.
00:09:20Fifteen years ago,
00:09:21you also claimed that you had simply fallen in love with Ryan.
00:09:25Karen suddenly spoke.
00:09:27His voice called.
00:09:28Selena,
00:09:28what happened back then is already in the past.
00:09:31I turned to him.
00:09:32Of course it is.
00:09:34For you.
00:09:35After you woke up,
00:09:36all you had to do was call me shameless.
00:09:39But I had to spend fifteen years in the Forbibbon Rift,
00:09:42carrying the crime you all forced onto me.
00:09:45Karen's throat barbed.
00:09:46There was something complicated in his eyes.
00:09:48Pain,
00:09:49conflict,
00:09:50and a belated trace of doubt.
00:09:52But I didn't need it.
00:09:53Belated doubt was just like belated love.
00:09:56Both were worthless.
00:09:58Ryan took a deep breath.
00:10:00We didn't come here today to dig up the past.
00:10:03Ivy and Kai-itis love each other.
00:10:05An alliance between our two clans would benefit the Sacred Dimension as well.
00:10:10Selena,
00:10:11don't let personal grudges interfere with the bigger picture.
00:10:13I gently set down my wine glass.
00:10:16You're lecturing me about the bigger picture?
00:10:18Ryan frowned.
00:10:19I lifted a hand,
00:10:20and the attendant behind me unfurled a black and gold contract scroll.
00:10:24It was covered with the markings of moon-tier crystal veins.
00:10:28My voice wasn't loud.
00:10:29Everyone heard it clearly.
00:10:30The Sacred Dominion Commodum controls 80% of the continent's moon-tier crystal mines.
00:10:35Last year,
00:10:3670% of the Silvermoon Wolfpack's military supplies, potions, and room array maintenance
00:10:40came from Sacred Dominion resources.
00:10:44Ryan,
00:10:45you're standing on my territory,
00:10:47living off my mines,
00:10:49and still expecting me to prioritize your bigger picture.
00:10:59Ryan's expression instantly dartened.
00:11:01For the first time,
00:11:02panic flashed Kostot Ivy's face.
00:11:04She grabbed Kaios' hand.
00:11:06Kaios,
00:11:07say something!
00:11:08Mother,
00:11:08do you really have to do this?
00:11:10Kairos looked at me,
00:11:11and for the first time,
00:11:12there was anger in his eyes.
00:11:14Do what?
00:11:15I asked.
00:11:17Expose the truth in front of everyone?
00:11:20Or refuse to hand over the life's work I've built to my enemy's daughter?
00:11:24Kairos lowered his voice.
00:11:27Ivy isn't her mother.
00:11:29Neither are you me.
00:11:30You don't have the right to forgive them on my behalf.
00:11:33I fixed my gaze on him.
00:11:34The moment those words left my mouth,
00:11:36the last trace of hesitation vanished from Kairos' face.
00:11:39He took Ivy's hand and turned to face the guests.
00:11:41If mother refuses to give us her blessing,
00:11:42then I'll make the announcement myself.
00:11:44I, Kairos,
00:11:45as the heir of the sacred Dimangin,
00:11:46choose Ivy as my blood oath mate.
00:11:48From this night forward,
00:11:49anyone who humiliates her becomes my enemy.
00:11:51The entire hall fell silent.
00:11:52A flash of triumph crossed Elena's eyes.
00:11:54Even Ryan slowly looked pleased.
00:11:56Kairos,
00:11:56I knew you wouldn't abandon me.
00:11:57Crying,
00:11:58Ivy threw herself into Kairos' arms.
00:12:00I watched them and suddenly felt tired.
00:12:02Not heartbroken,
00:12:03just tired of it all.
00:12:05I raised my hand.
00:12:07Bring me the blood oath scroll.
00:12:09Hope lit up in at Kairos' eyes.
00:12:11Mother,
00:12:11you agree?
00:12:12I smiled.
00:12:14Of course.
00:12:15Before Ivy could even breathe a sigh of relief,
00:12:17I finished the sentence.
00:12:18I agree to sever the blood oath between us as mother and son.
00:12:22The smile on Kayata's face frozen.
00:12:24What did you say?
00:12:25An attendant brought over a black parchment scroll.
00:12:28It was no ordinary contract.
00:12:31Someone recognized it,
00:12:32their voice trembling.
00:12:36The soul-severation blood oath.
00:12:38Once it's signed,
00:12:39blood ties,
00:12:40inheritance rights,
00:12:41and family protection
00:12:41are all permanently cut off.
00:12:45Ivy instantly let let go of Kairos' hand.
00:12:48But Kairos didn't notice.
00:12:50He stared at me.
00:12:52Mother,
00:12:53just to stop me from marrying her,
00:12:55you're actually using something like this to threaten me?
00:12:57I answered calmly.
00:12:59It's not a threat.
00:13:01It's a choice.
00:13:03You just said that anyone who humiliates Ivy is your enemy.
00:13:08Then an enemy like me shouldn't keep supporting you.
00:13:13Kairos' eyes reddened.
00:13:18I'm your only son.
00:13:19The hall became even quieter.
00:13:22I looked at him and suddenly remembered when he was a child.
00:13:26Fifteen years ago,
00:13:27when I was thrown into the Forbidden's Rift,
00:13:29I had still been carrying him in my arms.
00:13:31He had only been a newborn.
00:13:33He had cried until he could barely breathe.
00:13:35I had fed him with my own blood,
00:13:38used Moontir crystals to keep him alive,
00:13:40and washed away the curse on his silver eyes with dragon's blood.
00:13:44I had thought that, at the very least,
00:13:46he would understand gratitude.
00:13:48But now,
00:13:49for the daughter of my enemy,
00:13:51he stood against me.
00:13:52You don't have to be.
00:13:54I said.
00:13:56Kairos froze.
00:13:57Elena's expression changed.
00:13:59Ryan frowned.
00:14:01Selina, what are you talking about?
00:14:03I ignored him.
00:14:06Kairos looked genuinely enraged.
00:14:09He snatched up the blood oath scroll and bit his finger hip.
00:14:13Fine.
00:14:14Don't be afraid.
00:14:15She's just trying to scare me.
00:14:17I'm her only heir.
00:14:18He looked at me.
00:14:20His eyes filled with confidence someone who had always been indulged.
00:14:24Mother,
00:14:25you'll regret this sooner or later.
00:14:28You think I don't dare.
00:14:31Ivy hurriedly grabbed his arm.
00:14:33Kairos,
00:14:34don't.
00:14:34He clasped her hand instead,
00:14:36his voice gentle.
00:14:37I said nothing.
00:14:39He pressed his blood onto the scroll.
00:14:42The next second,
00:14:43every light in the hall went out at once.
00:14:45Dark crimson rudels erupted from the scroll
00:14:48and wrapped around Caiestus-like chains.
00:14:51What is this?
00:14:54I rose to my feet.
00:14:59The blood oath you signed with your own hand.
00:15:04It's taking effect.
00:15:10The first chain pierced his chest.
00:15:16He let out a scream and collapsed to the floor.
00:15:21Ivy stumbled back in terror.
00:15:24Kairos!
00:15:25The silver armor on his body suddenly cracked apart,
00:15:27dissolving into countless streams of light
00:15:29that flew back to the weapon racked behind him.
00:15:31It was the battle armor I had forged for him
00:15:34from abyssal black iron in a moon-tier crystal core.
00:15:37The second chain descended.
00:15:39The sacred dominion heir's insignia at his waist
00:15:41shattered into dust.
00:15:43The third chain fell.
00:15:44The black and gold mark on his wrist
00:15:46the symbol of his inheritance rights within the consortium
00:15:49peeled away from his skin inch by inch.
00:15:51Kairos trembled violently in agony.
00:15:55Stop!
00:15:56Mother, stop!
00:15:57I didn't move.
00:15:58You are no longer my son.
00:16:00I have no obligation to stop it for you.
00:16:03I was just angry.
00:16:05I never really meant to sever ties with you.
00:16:07I looked at him.
00:16:08I taught you this when you were young.
00:16:09A blood oath isn't something you say in anger.
00:16:12Power isn't a toy.
00:16:13And choices aren't a performance.
00:16:15A dragon's roar burst from up in Kairos' body.
00:16:18It wasn't something he had been born of.
00:16:20It came from the first dragon blood crystal heart
00:16:24I had found in the Forbidden Rift.
00:16:26I had nearly died in the jaws of an abysmine beast to take it.
00:16:30I had refined it into medicine
00:16:32and fed it to Kairos when he had been on the verge of death.
00:16:36Only then had he gained a physique far beyond that of ordinary werewolves.
00:16:40Only then had he gained the dragon blood talent everyone envied.
00:16:43Now it was time to return it.
00:16:45I raised my hand and curled my fingers slightly.
00:16:48A blinding black and gold light suddenly flared from Kairos' chest.
00:16:52A strand of dragon blood was forcibly ripped from his body.
00:16:55He collapsed to the floor in agony.
00:16:57His fingernails scraping into the cracks between the stones.
00:17:03No!
00:17:05Mother, I was wrong!
00:17:07Ivy turned deathly pale and hid behind Ryan.
00:17:10Kairos saw it.
00:17:11He reached out a hand.
00:17:12Ivy, please!
00:17:13Ask her to stop!
00:17:15Ivy's lips trembled.
00:17:17I...
00:17:17A final trace of hope remained in Kairos' eyes.
00:17:20Didn't you say you'd love me no matter what I became?
00:17:22Ivy looked at the dragon markings fading from his body,
00:17:24then at the silver eyes that were rapidly losing their shine.
00:17:27The love in her eyes faded bit bit.
00:17:29In its place came disgust.
00:17:31Kairos, don't touch me!
00:17:33Kairos froze.
00:17:34What did you say?
00:17:35Ivy took a step forward.
00:17:36I thought you were the heir to the Sacred Dominion.
00:17:38Now you're nothing.
00:17:39Why would I offend the Empress of the Sacred Dominion for your sake?
00:17:41It was like someone had slapped Kairos across the face.
00:17:44He had just betrayed me for her.
00:17:46And now, standing over his wounds,
00:17:48she was the first to draw a line between them.
00:17:51The final chain of the blood oath descended.
00:17:53His dragon blood was completely stripped away.
00:17:55His werewolf powers dropped to their lowest level,
00:17:58and his silver eyes turned dull.
00:18:00I withdrew the glow of the dragon blood piston and spoke coldly.
00:18:03From this night forward,
00:18:05Kairos is no longer the heir to the Sacred Dominion.
00:18:08His name is to be erased from the Book of Succession.
00:18:11Kairos jerked his head up.
00:18:13Then who inherits it?
00:18:14At the far end of the hall, the doors opened once more.
00:18:17A figure dressed in black walked in.
00:18:19The man wore a simple dark robe,
00:18:21and was still holding a kitchen glove he hadn't had time to take off.
00:18:24He lazily lifted his gaze and looked over the gathered nobles.
00:18:28The next instant,
00:18:29the overwhelming pressure of an abysmal dragon
00:18:32Kairos jerked his head up.
00:18:33Crashed down upon the hall.
00:18:36Every noble of the wolf, leopard, and fox clans turned deathly pale.
00:18:40Ryan's knees buckled, and he nearly collapsed.
00:18:42Elena cried out,
00:18:43What kind of power is this?
00:18:45The man removed his glove and walked to my side.
00:18:47He lowered his gaze to me, his voice quiet.
00:18:50Dinner's getting cold.
00:18:51Not a single noble in the hall dared to breathe too loudly.
00:18:54I glanced at him.
00:18:55Valyan, this isn't the time to talk about dinner.
00:18:57He smiled.
00:18:58I know.
00:18:59Then he turned towards Ryan,
00:19:00and black-slip pupils slowly emerged in his eyes.
00:19:03I just didn't expect that while I was in the kitchen making soup,
00:19:06someone would dare cause trouble in front of my wife's throne.
00:19:09Ryan's expression completely changed.
00:19:11A black dragon.
00:19:12Kairon blusted out.
00:19:13The progenitor black dragon of the abysmal empire.
00:19:16Valyrian calmly corrected him.
00:19:17Her husband.
00:19:18The moment those words fell, a young woman stepped out from behind him.
00:19:21She had black hair and golden eyes,
00:19:23with the dark markings at the corners of her eyes that belonged only to pure-blood dragons.
00:19:26She wore silver and black battle gear,
00:19:28and at her waist hung the seal of the highest authority within the Sacred Dominion.
00:19:31I held out a hand to her.
00:19:32Arya, come here.
00:19:33The young woman walked to my side and dropped to one knee.
00:19:39Mother.
00:19:40Then she turned to face everyone.
00:19:42Starting today, I assume the position of first hair to the Sacred Dominion consort.
00:19:46Kairos stared at her in shock.
00:19:48Mother, you have another daughter?
00:19:50I lowered my braise to him.
00:19:52Not another daughter.
00:19:53I've always had one.
00:19:54You just never cared where I went.
00:19:56I gave you all my favor, but I never said you were in the other place.
00:20:01Kairos' lips turned pale.
00:20:02For the first time, he understood that what he had lost wasn't a reckless argument.
00:20:07He had lost his entire future.
00:20:13Elena was the first to recover.
00:20:15She forced a smile onto her face.
00:20:17Sister, so you've already married?
00:20:19Something this important, why did you never tell us?
00:20:22I looked at her indifferently.
00:20:23So you could steal him too?
00:20:24Elena's expression darkened.
00:20:26Ryan's gaze shifted to Valerian, then back to me.
00:20:28At last, he understood that I was no longer the young girl who used to chase after him, desperate to
00:20:32explain herself.
00:20:33Selene, let's end this here tonight.
00:20:35Kairos has already paid the price.
00:20:37Ivy is innocent.
00:20:39Innocent?
00:20:40Arya suddenly laughed.
00:20:41She lifted a hand, and an attendant stepped forward with a memory crystal.
00:20:46The crystal lit up.
00:20:48In the image, Ivy stood outside a sacred dominion garden, speaking with a maid.
00:20:53Kios is so easy to manipulate.
00:20:55All I have to do is cry a little, and he'll go against his mother for me.
00:20:59The maid asked,
00:21:00Mist, do you really like him?
00:21:02Ivy let out a scornful laugh.
00:21:04The hall fell into dead silence.
00:21:07It was as if the last breath had been ripped from Kios' body.
00:21:11He turned to Ivy.
00:21:12This is fake, isn't it?
00:21:14Ivy panicked.
00:21:15No!
00:21:16I was just talking!
00:21:17I didn't mean it!
00:21:18Arya switched to another memory crystal.
00:21:20This time, the image showed Ivy and Elena in a private room.
00:21:24Elena was fixing her daughter's hair.
00:21:26Her voice was gentle, but her words were venomous.
00:21:28Remember, Kairos isn't the important part.
00:21:30The important part is making Selene lose control.
00:21:32She lost to me once before, which means betrayal from family is her greatest weakness.
00:21:37As long as she loses her composure at the banquet, the elders of the sacred dominion will start questioning whether
00:21:43she's fit to remain in power.
00:21:45Ivy smiled.
00:21:46Mother, what if I actually marry Kairos?
00:21:49Even better.
00:21:50Elena stroked her cheek.
00:21:52I stole her place as Luna.
00:21:55You can steal her sacred dominion.
00:21:57That's what I call a perfect victory.
00:22:00The image went dark.
00:22:03Elena's face turned deathly pale.
00:22:04Ryan whipped around to look at her.
00:22:06Elena?
00:22:06Elena frantically shook her head.
00:22:08No, that's not real!
00:22:09It's fabricated!
00:22:10Valenian raised a hand casually.
00:22:12A wisp of black flame landed on the memory digit of the crystal.
00:22:15Instead, silver runes bearing the moon goddess secured across its surface.
00:22:18It couldn't be forged.
00:22:20It couldn't be altered.
00:22:21Elena was finally speechless.
00:22:22Fifteen years later, and you're still a thief.
00:22:25You stole a wedding gown.
00:22:27You stole a man.
00:22:29You stole a reputation.
00:22:30And now you wanted your daughter to steal my sacred dominion.
00:22:34Tears immediately strimmed down Elena's face.
00:22:37Ryan, I was just scared.
00:22:39Selina hates me.
00:22:41She'll destroy Ivy.
00:22:43I couldn't let our daughter get hurt.
00:22:45Ryan didn't pull her into his arms the way he always had before.
00:22:49Fifteen years ago.
00:22:51Was that your doing too?
00:22:52He simply stared at her.
00:22:54His voice low.
00:22:55Elena's body stiffened.
00:22:57How could you even ask me that?
00:22:59That potion that night.
00:23:01Was it you and Hera?
00:23:02Something changed in Ryan's eyes.
00:23:04No!
00:23:05Elena screamed.
00:23:07She was the one with no self-control.
00:23:09When I woke up, I smelled the Temple of Light's Purification's incense on my clothes.
00:23:14That incense only came from High Priestess Hera's alchemy chamber.
00:23:17Elena whipped around to look at him.
00:23:19Karen's expression was darker than anyone had ever seen.
00:23:22For all these years, I believe Selina drugged me to sabotage your engagement.
00:23:26But if Hera was involved...
00:23:28Elena took a step back.
00:23:30Karen stared at her.
00:23:31You cried back then and told me you didn't blame me.
00:23:34You said you knew I was a victim too and you begged me not to investigate.
00:23:40Elena, did you know the truth all along?
00:23:45The panic flickered across Elena's eyes.
00:23:48I sat back onto my throne to the long-overdue interrogation with cold indifference.
00:23:52At last, they were questioning.
00:23:54At last, they were suffering.
00:23:55But this wasn't justice finally arriving for me.
00:23:58This was simply in fighting before the collapse of their power.
00:24:02Selina, if it really was all a misunderstanding back then...
00:24:07It wasn't a misunderstanding.
00:24:13You were a fool.
00:24:16Ryan's face turned pale.
00:24:18I continued.
00:24:19You were the Alpha King.
00:24:21You held the highest authority of judgment.
00:24:23You didn't investigate the potion.
00:24:26You didn't question any witnesses.
00:24:29You didn't check the altar records.
00:24:31You saw Karen and me in the same bed.
00:24:34And you declared me guilty.
00:24:39Ryan, you weren't deceived.
00:24:42You simply chose the answer that was easiest to believe.
00:24:45Because believing I had betrayed him was easier than admitting he couldn't protect his own bride.
00:24:51Because marrying golden-eyed Elena was more respectable than marrying a silver-eyed woman rejected by her entire pack.
00:24:57Because his so-called love had never been strong enough to outweigh power.
00:25:01Ryan's fingers trembled.
00:25:03He wanted to say something.
00:25:04But not a single word came out.
00:25:06See them out.
00:25:08I turned to the commander of the Royal Guard.
00:25:10The Royal Guards moved in immediately.
00:25:12You can't do this to us!
00:25:14I'm the Luna!
00:25:15Elena screamed.
00:25:16There is no Luna here.
00:25:18Only outsiders who entered the sacred Demation without invitation.
00:25:22He knew at Valyrian's dragon pressure was weighing on him.
00:25:26If he made a move, the Silvermoon Wolfpack would lose its Alpha King tonight.
00:25:31Aziris, save me!
00:25:32Was dragged away by the guards.
00:25:34She suddenly shouted at Caius.
00:25:36Caius lay on the ground, unable even to lift his hand.
00:25:40Useless!
00:25:40The disgust in Ivy's eyes deepened.
00:25:42After she spit the word, she was dragged out of the hall.
00:25:48Tears finally fell from Kairus's eyes.
00:25:51Mother!
00:25:51I didn't look at him.
00:25:53Take him out as well.
00:25:54The guard hesitated.
00:25:56Empress, where should we take him?
00:25:58To the outer city of the Sacred Dominion.
00:26:01Give him ordinary clothes and a bag of silver coins.
00:26:05From this moment on, he will live however he chooses, on his own.
00:26:10Mother!
00:26:11Kairus suddenly looked up.
00:26:13I stood and walked away.
00:26:15Behind me came his breaking scream.
00:26:20But I didn't turn back.
00:26:22Fifteen years ago, I had called out for my mother countless times in the Forbidden Rift.
00:26:27Hera had never once turned back.
00:26:29Now, I finally understood something.
00:26:32Some people didn't fail to hear you.
00:26:34They simply believed you weren't worth being saved.
00:26:37Mother, the Silvermoon Wolfpack has arrived.
00:26:40The next morning, Arya walked into the study.
00:26:43I flipped a page of the Mineral Vein report.
00:26:47Who?
00:26:48She paused slightly.
00:26:50Ryan.
00:26:50He brought ten carriages of Moontreed Crystal Ore.
00:26:53Valerian stood by the window, holding a cup of coffee and raised an eyebrow slightly.
00:26:57How wealthy.
00:26:58I said.
00:27:00How shabby.
00:27:01Arya smiled.
00:27:03Do you want to see him?
00:27:06Yes.
00:27:14Selene.
00:27:14Your Majesty.
00:27:15What brings you here so early in the morning with a shipment of ore?
00:27:18What are you trying to buy?
00:27:20A chance.
00:27:22For Ivy.
00:27:23And for Elena.
00:27:24I will investigate what happened last night.
00:27:26If they truly did wrong, I will punish them.
00:27:28But Ivy is still young.
00:27:29She shouldn't have her entire future cut off because of the grudges of the previous generation.
00:27:33Was she young when she cut Kairis' future off?
00:27:36Was Elena young when she put on my wedding gown fifteen years ago?
00:27:38Was Hyra merciful when she exiled me to the Probidden Rift?
00:27:41I know you hate me, but back then I...
00:27:43Back then what?
00:27:44You want to say you were deceived?
00:27:45That you were also a victim?
00:27:46Ryan, don't cast yourself as the victim.
00:27:48You were the judge back then.
00:27:49One word from you and my crest was stripped away.
00:27:50You turned around and Elena became the Luna.
00:27:53You enjoyed fifteen years of a position stolen from me and now you're telling me you were also a fool?
00:27:58Then what do you want?
00:27:59What I want is something you can't give.
00:28:02This is only the first batch.
00:28:04If you're willing to spare Ivy, I can give up three of the Silvermoon Wolfpack's northern mining vials.
00:28:10What are you laughing at?
00:28:12Are these the three you mean, Your Majesty?
00:28:13Seven years ago, a Silvermoon Wolfpack northern prines were depleted.
00:28:17It was the sacred dominion that Sixth Slide responders allow you to maintain production.
00:28:21Three years ago, the jite writes to those northerns, Manchersford.
00:28:23Now, those three Quang owners are the sacred dominion consortes.
00:28:27You're using our property to plead for mercy for my mother?
00:28:30Send them back.
00:28:31The sacred dominion doesn't need these.
00:28:34Selina, do you really have to push things this far?
00:28:36Ryan, when you pushed me into the Forbibbon Rift fifteen years ago, you didn't ask how far was Tuwa?
00:28:42Now that you're the one in pain, you want to talk about limits?
00:28:46I raised my hand.
00:28:48All ten carts of Moontreeb crystal ore lifted into the air at once.
00:28:52What are you doing?
00:28:54I closed my fingers.
00:28:55All the crystal ore exploded into powder mid-air.
00:28:58A storm of blue-silver dust fell like snow over Ryan's shoulders.
00:29:02Your so-called attainment is worthless to me.
00:29:05Your Majesty, bad news!
00:29:07The sacred dominion has terminated all military supply agreements with the Silvermoon Wolfpack.
00:29:11The northern rune formations have already begun to shut down.
00:29:14The Council of Elders demands your immediate return.
00:29:16Ryan snapped his head toward me.
00:29:18You did this?
00:29:19I didn't deny it.
00:29:20Last night, your daughter and your wife attempted to seize control of the Sacred Dimension.
00:29:26Today, the Sacred Dimension is reassessing the Silvermoon Wolfpack's credit standing.
00:29:31Arya added,
00:29:32The result was, not qualified.
00:29:35From this moment on, the Silvermoon Wolfpack must pay triple the security deposit in advance to purchase any Moontreeed crystal
00:29:42ore.
00:29:43You're trying to bankrupt the Silvermoon Wolfpack!
00:29:46No.
00:29:47You were the one who handed the Silvermoon Wolfpack over to Elena.
00:29:50I'm just making you pay the bill.
00:29:52Ryan's shoulders finally slumped.
00:29:54He looked at me, and for the first time, real regret appeared in his eyes.
00:29:58Selina, if I had believed you back then...
00:30:01Don't.
00:30:01I don't want to hear your imagined alternate ending.
00:30:04My ending as it stands is just fine.
00:30:06Valerian walked to my side.
00:30:08He simply stood there, and Ryan instinctively stepped back.
00:30:12The Pragerner Black Dragon looked at the Alpha King, his tone calm.
00:30:16Take your dust and leave.
00:30:21If you ever look at my wife like that again,
00:30:25I will make the Silvermoon Wolfpack change its king.
00:30:34Hera arrived faster than I expected.
00:30:36She did not wear her High Priestess ceremonial robes.
00:30:39Instead, she wore a grey-white cloak,
00:30:41once called the most merciful saintess of the entire continent.
00:30:44She now stood outside the gates of the Sacred Dominion,
00:30:46blocked by the Royal Guards,
00:30:47her face twisted with rage.
00:30:49I let her in.
00:30:50When Hera walked into the main hall,
00:30:53her back was still straight.
00:30:54She had always been used to being worshipped by believers.
00:30:57And even now, when she had come to beg me,
00:31:00she refused to abandon that ridiculous sense of dignity.
00:31:03The first thing she said when she saw me was not an apology.
00:31:06It was...
00:31:07Selina, have you had enough of this nonsense?
00:31:10I almost laughed out loud.
00:31:12Fifteen years apart.
00:31:14And you still speak the same way.
00:31:16Hera frowned.
00:31:17I am your mother.
00:31:19Your sister has been crying all night because of you.
00:31:22And Ivy is afraid to even leave her room.
00:31:24Are you really going to force your own family to their deaths before you're satisfied?
00:31:28Family.
00:31:30High Priestess Hera.
00:31:33Fifteen years ago, when you stripped me of my wolf crest,
00:31:38you said I had defiled the bloodline.
00:31:54When you exiled me to the Forbidden Rift,
00:31:56you said I was never to return.
00:31:58And now you're telling me we're family?
00:32:00Hera's expression stiffened.
00:32:02But soon her eyes reddened.
00:32:04I had no choice back then.
00:32:06Elena was weak.
00:32:07She couldn't handle any shock.
00:32:09She had admired Ryan since she was a child.
00:32:12If she had lost everything that day, she wouldn't have survived.
00:32:15So you just let me go die?
00:32:17I asked.
00:32:18You didn't die, did you?
00:32:20Hera's voice trembled.
00:32:21Yet she still tried to argue.
00:32:22The moment those words fell, even Arya's gaze turned cold.
00:32:28Valerian stood by the window.
00:32:30The teacup in his hand slowly cracked with a thin fracture.
00:32:33But I remained calm.
00:32:34That's right.
00:32:35I didn't die.
00:32:36So I came back for all of you.
00:32:39Only then did At-Hara realize I was no longer the daughter who once cried and begged her for even
00:32:43a glance.
00:32:43Her tone softened.
00:32:45Selina, mother knows you were wronged.
00:32:47But Elena has been married to Ryan for fifteen years.
00:32:50Her life can't be ruined.
00:32:52And Ivy is still young.
00:32:53She can't be ruined either.
00:32:55You have everything now.
00:32:56Why can't you be a little more generous?
00:32:58Because I'm not a statue in the Temple of Light.
00:33:00I won't stand there smiling at the ones who carve out my flesh.
00:33:04I looked at her.
00:33:05Here as tears fell.
00:33:06But I'm your mother.
00:33:07I gave birth to you.
00:33:09My blood runs in your veins.
00:33:11I slowly stood and walked up to her.
00:33:14Perfect.
00:33:15I've always wanted to return it.
00:33:17Hera stumbled back in fear.
00:33:19What are you doing?
00:33:20I grabbed her wrist.
00:33:21Today.
00:33:22I'll grant your wish.
00:33:23The silvermoon wolfpack bloodline imprint within her body was forcibly drawn out.
00:33:27It blazed with golden light.
00:33:28The symbol of her noble Exidonese as High Priestess.
00:33:31I stared at that golden glow and said coldly,
00:33:33I hereby declare,
00:33:35The mother-daughter bloodshot between Selun and Hera is severed today.
00:33:38Hera screamed,
00:33:40But it was already too late.
00:33:42The moment the blood peat shattered,
00:33:44The insignia dimmed into darkness.
00:33:46Her face went deathly pale as she staggered and grabbed the table for support.
00:33:51Back then, she had used her identity as my mother to judge me.
00:33:54Now, I stripped away her right to use that same identity to demand anything from me.
00:33:59How dare you!
00:34:00You taught me this.
00:34:02Bloodlines can be stripped.
00:34:03Family ties can be judged and severed.
00:34:05I just learned it better than you did.
00:34:08Hera's lips trembled.
00:34:11Selina!
00:34:12You will regret this!
00:34:13I said,
00:34:15No.
00:34:16Regret is something I'll leave to you.
00:34:20When the Royal Guards escorted Hera away,
00:34:23She finally lost control.
00:34:25She struggled and screamed,
00:34:27I never should have kept you alive!
00:34:29You were a curse from the moment you were born!
00:34:32How could a sylva-eyed risset ever be worthy of golden eyes?
00:34:35I looked at her.
00:34:36I've been waiting fifteen years to hear that line.
00:34:43Hera froze.
00:34:45I raised my hand,
00:34:47and at an attendant activated another memory crystal.
00:34:53Everything she had just said was recorded.
00:34:57Aria spoke calmly.
00:34:58The High Priestess of Temple of Light publicly declared that the Silver-Eyed Lineage is a curse.
00:35:03This recording will be submitted to the Council of Twelve Clans.
00:35:07The Temple will face imbeetment tomorrow.
00:35:09The color drained completely of Hera's face.
00:35:13Only then did she finally understand.
00:35:15I hadn't been provoked.
00:35:18I had been waiting for her to expose her true self.
00:35:22That night,
00:35:23a crisis of faith erupted within the Temple of Light.
00:35:26All silver-eyed followers who once worshipped Hera withdrew from the Temple.
00:35:32The Council of Twelve Clans demanded that she be suspended and put on trial.
00:35:37The image of mercy she had carefully built over half her life cracked.
00:35:40And from those cracks,
00:35:42everything she had hidden for fifteen years crawled out.
00:35:44Her bias,
00:35:45and her cruelty.
00:35:47On the third day,
00:35:49news came from the Outer City.
00:35:51Kyos had stood outside the gates of the Sacred Dominion for an entire night.
00:35:56not kneeling.
00:36:00The Sacred Dominion did not indulge in such performances of penance.
00:36:05He simply stood in the snow,
00:36:06clutching the broken fragments of his now-invalid heir's signia.
00:36:10When Arya brought me the news,
00:36:12I was reviewing the Silvermoon Wolfpack's debt ledger.
00:36:17She looked at me.
00:36:20Mother,
00:36:22do you want to see him?
00:36:24I didn't look up.
00:36:26No.
00:36:28Arya fell silent for a moment.
00:36:33He looks like he's about to break.
00:36:35I signed the last document.
00:36:39Then send a healer.
00:36:43Not seeing him doesn't mean I want him dead.
00:36:47Arya nodded.
00:36:48She turned to leave,
00:36:49but I called her back.
00:36:52Arya,
00:36:54do you think I'm too cruel?
00:37:03She thought for a moment.
00:37:08No.
00:37:10I just think you've finally stopped turning the knife on yourself.
00:37:14That answer made me pause for a moment.
00:37:18Arya walked over and knelt in front of me.
00:37:23She said,
00:37:24Brother did not know you cared about him.
00:37:27He just believed that no matter how much he hurt you,
00:37:30you would always stay.
00:37:33Mother,
00:37:34making him pay the price isn't cruelty.
00:37:36It's you finally stopping him from becoming worse.
00:37:39I stroked her hair.
00:37:45You're quite good at comforting people.
00:37:50She smiled.
00:37:54Father taught me.
00:38:02Valerian just walked in at that moment.
00:38:06I only taught her to tell the truth.
00:38:14In the afternoon,
00:38:15Kyro still broke in.
00:38:16He never made it into the main hall
00:38:18and was stopped by the royal guards in the courtyard.
00:38:20I stood on the second floor corridor
00:38:21and looked down at him.
00:38:24In just a few days,
00:38:26he looked like a different person.
00:38:28After losing the dragon blood,
00:38:30his face had turned pale,
00:38:31his werewolf power was unstable,
00:38:34and the proud silver armor he once wore was gone,
00:38:37replaced by a simple outer tout cloak.
00:38:40Mother.
00:38:41His voice was hordy.
00:38:44I know I was wrong.
00:38:45I said nothing.
00:38:47He hurried on.
00:38:49I've cut ties with Ivy.
00:38:51I won't see her again.
00:38:52Please,
00:38:53let me come back.
00:38:54I looked at him.
00:38:58Come back to what?
00:39:01To be my son,
00:39:03or to be the heir of the sacred dominion?
00:39:06He froze.
00:39:08He answered too slowly,
00:39:09slow enough that I already knew the answer.
00:39:12I said,
00:39:12See?
00:39:15Even you can't tell anymore.
00:39:17Kairos' eyes turned red.
00:39:18No, it's not like that.
00:39:20I'm just used to this place.
00:39:21I grew up in the sacred dominion.
00:39:22This is my home.
00:39:23I nodded.
00:39:25So I gave you 15 years.
00:39:28You had the best teachers,
00:39:30the finest crystals,
00:39:31the best weapons.
00:39:33You never had to bow to anyone.
00:39:35You even had the courage
00:39:37to spill blood wine on me
00:39:39at my own banquet.
00:39:40Kairos' face went deathly pale.
00:39:44I was just impulsive back then.
00:39:46Impulse is not a pardon.
00:39:48I looked at him.
00:39:49Kairos,
00:39:49what you're truly grieving
00:39:50isn't the loss of me as your mother.
00:39:53It's the realization
00:39:54that you're no longer special.
00:39:56He swayed as if I had struck
00:39:57something inside him.
00:40:00I continued.
00:40:00If I didn't have Arya today,
00:40:03if the sacred dominion had no other heir,
00:40:07would you still be so certain
00:40:08that I would eventually take you back?
00:40:12Kairos couldn't answer.
00:40:14That silence was more honest than any cry.
00:40:19I turned to leave.
00:40:21Suddenly,
00:40:22Kairos shouted,
00:40:23So you did nothing wrong?
00:40:25I stopped.
00:40:27His eyes were red,
00:40:28as if he could no longer hold back
00:40:30everything he had been suppressing.
00:40:32You were always busy.
00:40:34You left for months,
00:40:36every year.
00:40:36You gave me teachers,
00:40:38weapons,
00:40:39power,
00:40:40but you never told me the truth.
00:40:42I didn't know who Ivy was.
00:40:45I didn't know what you went through.
00:40:47I only knew Ivy crying
00:40:49and saying you hated her,
00:40:50and I thought you were just
00:40:51taking out your anger on her.
00:40:53I looked back at him.
00:40:55So you chose to believe
00:40:56a girl you had known
00:40:57for a few months
00:40:58over the mother who raised you
00:40:59for 15 years.
00:41:00Kairos' lips trembled.
00:41:01My voice remained very calm.
00:41:03You can blame me
00:41:04for not being gentle enough.
00:41:06You can blame me
00:41:07for not laying every wound bare
00:41:08for you to see.
00:41:09But you don't get to use ignorance
00:41:10as a weapon to stab you.
00:41:11and then ask me
00:41:12to understand that your hand hurts.
00:41:14He finally broke down.
00:41:15Mother, I was wrong.
00:41:17I really was wrong.
00:41:18I said,
00:41:20then survive
00:41:22as an ordinary man.
00:41:23And when the day comes
00:41:25that you seek forgiveness
00:41:26not to come back,
00:41:27but because you truly understand
00:41:29what you did wrong,
00:41:31then come see me.
00:41:33Kairos stared at me in a daze.
00:41:35How long will that take?
00:41:37I did not answer
00:41:39because some roads
00:41:40could only be walked alone.
00:41:42That evening,
00:41:43Kairos left the main city
00:41:45of the Sacred Dominion.
00:41:46I had someone assign him
00:41:48an Outer City Apprentice identity,
00:41:50starting with hauling ore.
00:41:52He had once believed
00:41:53he was born noble.
00:41:55Then I would let him feel,
00:41:56with his own hands,
00:41:58just how heavy
00:41:59the foundation
00:42:00of that nobility really was.
00:42:03The collapse of the Silvermoon Wolfpack
00:42:05happened faster
00:42:06than I had expected.
00:42:07After the Sacred Dominion
00:42:08cut off supply,
00:42:09three defensive formations
00:42:10along the northern frontier failed.
00:42:12Ryan had no choice
00:42:13but to convene
00:42:14the Council of Elders.
00:42:15But on the day of the meeting,
00:42:16Ivy publicly accused Elena.
00:42:18She said,
00:42:19It was my mother
00:42:20who forced me.
00:42:22She made me
00:42:23approach Kairos.
00:42:25She made me seize
00:42:27the Sacred Dominion's
00:42:28air position.
00:42:29I was only following
00:42:30her orders.
00:42:34When the news reached
00:42:35the Sacred Dominion,
00:42:37Arya was having breakfast.
00:42:38She nearly spit out
00:42:40her coffee.
00:42:42Of course,
00:42:43she's her mother's daughter.
00:42:45Valerian slowly
00:42:46cut his bread.
00:42:47Faster than her mother, too.
00:42:49I looked at the report,
00:42:50not surprised.
00:42:52Ivy had never
00:42:53truly loved Kairos.
00:42:55Then there was no doubt
00:42:56that she also never
00:42:57truly loved Elena.
00:42:58What she loved
00:42:59was status,
00:43:00power,
00:43:01and the feeling
00:43:01of being surrounded
00:43:02by attention.
00:43:04Now that the Silvermoon Wolfpack
00:43:06could no longer
00:43:06protect her,
00:43:07she would immediately
00:43:08look for another way out.
00:43:10Of course,
00:43:10Adelina refused
00:43:11to accept it.
00:43:12Mother and daughter
00:43:13tore into each other
00:43:13in front of the Council
00:43:14of Elders.
00:43:15Ivy, crying,
00:43:16produced more
00:43:17memory crystals.
00:43:18Inside them
00:43:19were recordings
00:43:19of Elena teaching
00:43:20her how to get
00:43:20close to Kairos,
00:43:22how to provoke me,
00:43:23and how to use
00:43:23Hera's temple connections
00:43:24to spread rumors.
00:43:26The Council of Elders
00:43:27erupted in fury.
00:43:29Ryan immediately
00:43:30demanded that
00:43:31Alayshna hand over
00:43:32the Wolf Queen's seal.
00:43:34Alayshna lost
00:43:35control completely
00:43:36and lunged at Ivy.
00:43:38I did it for you!
00:43:40If not for you,
00:43:42why would I have
00:43:43ever crossed
00:43:43Selina?
00:43:45Ivy screamed back.
00:43:47You did it
00:43:48for yourself!
00:43:49You were jealous
00:43:50of her.
00:43:55You stole her betrothal
00:43:57fifteen years ago,
00:43:58and fifteen years later
00:44:00you still wanted
00:44:00to take her
00:44:01sacred dominion!
00:44:03Don't turn me
00:44:04into your excuse!
00:44:11The mother-daughter
00:44:12fallout was spread
00:44:13across the entire
00:44:13continent by
00:44:14twelve clans
00:44:15informants.
00:44:16The once-admired
00:44:17Wolf Queen and
00:44:18Sanxes
00:44:19became the most
00:44:20humiliating joke
00:44:21whispered over
00:44:22noble tea tables,
00:44:23but I knew it
00:44:24still wasn't enough.
00:44:25The real blade
00:44:26hadn't fallen yet.
00:44:27Three days later,
00:44:29Karen came to
00:44:30see me.
00:44:31He came alone,
00:44:32wearing only a
00:44:33black knight's
00:44:34uniform,
00:44:34and stood outside
00:44:35the gates of the
00:44:36sacred dominion
00:44:37for two hours.
00:44:39I let him in.
00:44:40When he saw me,
00:44:41he did not sit.
00:44:44He lowered his
00:44:45head and performed
00:44:46the highest apology
00:44:47ritual of the
00:44:48Shadow Panther clan.
00:44:49Selina,
00:44:50I owe you an
00:44:51apology.
00:44:52I looked at him.
00:44:53Only one?
00:44:55Karen's face
00:44:56turned pale.
00:44:56His voice was
00:44:57rough,
00:44:58strained.
00:44:59When I woke up
00:45:00back then,
00:45:00I thought you
00:45:01had set me up.
00:45:02I hated you
00:45:03for fifteen years.
00:45:04I even burned
00:45:05every piece of
00:45:06evidence from that
00:45:07night with my
00:45:07own hands because
00:45:08I thought it was
00:45:09disgusting.
00:45:10He closed his
00:45:11eyes briefly.
00:45:12Only now do I
00:45:13realize.
00:45:15What I burned
00:45:16wasn't humiliation,
00:45:17it was the
00:45:18truth.
00:45:19I asked,
00:45:20so?
00:45:22Karen looked
00:45:23up.
00:45:24I found the
00:45:25potion records
00:45:25from that year.
00:45:26Hera took a
00:45:27double dose of
00:45:28the soul-binding
00:45:28draft from the
00:45:29Temple of Light.
00:45:30One was given to
00:45:31you, and the
00:45:32other to me.
00:45:33The signature on
00:45:34the approval record
00:45:35was Elena's.
00:45:36He handed me a
00:45:37black file.
00:45:39If you choose to
00:45:39judge them, I will
00:45:40testify.
00:45:42I took the file.
00:45:44You're not doing
00:45:45this for me.
00:45:46Karen did not
00:45:47deny it.
00:45:48I'm doing it for
00:45:49myself, too.
00:45:51I don't want to
00:45:51be their fool
00:45:52anymore.
00:45:54He let out a
00:45:55bitter laugh.
00:45:58Though I suppose
00:45:59I already was.
00:46:00I looked at him.
00:46:01The man who had
00:46:02once called me
00:46:03filthy fifteen
00:46:04years ago had
00:46:05finally bowed his
00:46:06head, but I felt
00:46:07no satisfaction.
00:46:09Because his
00:46:09testimony was not
00:46:10meant to save the
00:46:11me back then, but
00:46:12to save himself at
00:46:13present.
00:46:14I said, I'll
00:46:16take the evidence.
00:46:17As for your
00:46:18apology, I don't
00:46:19accept it.
00:46:21Karen's face
00:46:21fluttered pale for
00:46:22a moment, then he
00:46:23nodded.
00:46:24I understand.
00:46:26Before turning to
00:46:27leave, he suddenly
00:46:27asked, if I had
00:46:29believed you when I
00:46:30woke up back then,
00:46:32would things have
00:46:33turned out differently?
00:46:34I flipped open the
00:46:35file without looking
00:46:36up.
00:46:37Yes.
00:46:38A faint light rose
00:46:40in Karen's eyes.
00:46:42I continued,
00:46:43you would have
00:46:44died sooner.
00:46:49He froze.
00:46:51Only then did I
00:46:52look at him, but
00:46:54at least I would
00:46:54have remembered you
00:46:55as someone who
00:46:55wasn't complicit.
00:46:57The light in his
00:46:58eyes dimmed little
00:46:59by little.
00:47:00He said quietly,
00:47:02So even being a
00:47:03better man, I
00:47:05still missed my
00:47:06chance.
00:47:08I didn't answer.
00:47:10Some people always
00:47:11believe that showing
00:47:12up late still count
00:47:13as showing up.
00:47:14But life was not a
00:47:15ball.
00:47:16If you missed it, you
00:47:18missed it.
00:47:19I decided to reopen
00:47:20the moon goddess
00:47:21temple for judgment.
00:47:23When the news spread,
00:47:24the entire continent
00:47:25was thrown into
00:47:26turmoil.
00:47:27Fifteen years ago, it
00:47:28was there that I was
00:47:28declared impure and
00:47:29condemned.
00:47:30Fifteen years later, I
00:47:31would return to the
00:47:32same place and burn
00:47:33every accusation they
00:47:34had ever written, word
00:47:35by word.
00:47:36On the day of the
00:47:37trial, all twelve clan
00:47:39council members arrived.
00:47:40The temple of light
00:47:42sent a new acting
00:47:43high priest.
00:47:45Hera had been suspended
00:47:47and stood beneath the
00:47:48altar in a gray prison
00:47:50robe.
00:47:51Elena had been stripped
00:47:52of her wolf queen seal
00:47:53and stood pale beside
00:47:54Ryan.
00:47:56Ivy did not dare approach
00:47:57her.
00:47:58Mother and daughter stood
00:47:59only a few steps apart,
00:48:01yet it felt like an entire
00:48:02abyss lay between them.
00:48:04Kairos was there too.
00:48:06He stood among the outer
00:48:06city apprentice, wearing a
00:48:08rough linen cloak, his
00:48:09hands still marked with
00:48:10wounds from hauling ore.
00:48:11When he saw me, his gaze
00:48:12turned complicated, but he
00:48:14did not call me.
00:48:15This time, he only lowered
00:48:16his head.
00:48:17I walked up onto the
00:48:18altar.
00:48:19The wind lifted the hem of
00:48:20my black robe.
00:48:21Fifteen years ago, I stood
00:48:23here in a white wedding
00:48:24veil pushed down from this
00:48:25very place by the hand of
00:48:26my own mother.
00:48:28Fifteen years later, I
00:48:29returned in black.
00:48:32Not to marry anyone, but
00:48:34to judge them all.
00:48:37The acting high priest
00:48:39opened the case file.
00:48:40Karen was the first to
00:48:41testify.
00:48:42He publicly admitted that
00:48:43both he and I had been
00:48:44drugged with forbidden
00:48:45wishes from the Temple of
00:48:46Light.
00:48:46Potion records, traces of
00:48:48purification scents, and
00:48:49the temple's drug requisal
00:48:50signatures were laid out
00:48:51one by one on the altar.
00:48:53Ivy screamed.
00:48:55He's lying!
00:48:57Karen looked at her
00:48:58coldly.
00:49:00I've already sealed my
00:49:01testimony with a Shadow
00:49:03Panther soul oath.
00:49:05Do you dare to do the
00:49:07same?
00:49:08Ivy said nothing.
00:49:09The second witness was the
00:49:11old maid who had once
00:49:12brewed potions for Hera.
00:49:14By the time the Sacred
00:49:15Dominion found her, she had
00:49:17been hiding in a border
00:49:18town for seventeen years.
00:49:20She stood beneath the
00:49:21altar, her voice trembling.
00:49:23It was High Priestess Hera
00:49:24who ordered me to add the
00:49:26potion into Lady Selina's
00:49:27pre-wedding blessing wine.
00:49:29She said that once Lady
00:49:31Selina lost her purity,
00:49:32Lady Elena would be able to
00:49:34marry the Wolf King instead.
00:49:36Hera roared.
00:49:37Shut up!
00:49:41I looked at her.
00:49:43Why so anxious?
00:49:46There's more.
00:49:47Arya raised her hand, and a
00:49:48third memory crystal tit up.
00:49:50The image came from the
00:49:52Temple of Light's Potion
00:49:53Trout fifteen years ago.
00:49:55A young Hera stood by the
00:49:57candlelight.
00:49:59Elena clutched her, crying.
00:50:02Mother, Ryan still wants to
00:50:05marry my sister.
00:50:07Hera gently wiped away her
00:50:09tears.
00:50:10Don't be afraid.
00:50:12After tomorrow, the only one
00:50:14he will marry is you.
00:50:18Elena asked,
00:50:20What about my sister?
00:50:23Hera was silent for a moment.
00:50:25Silver-eyed blood was never
00:50:26meant to stand in the way of
00:50:28golden eyes.
00:50:30In the projection,
00:50:32Elena slowly smiled.
00:50:34Then let her never come back.
00:50:37The crystal went dark.
00:50:40The entire moon goddess
00:50:41altar erupted into uproar.
00:50:43Ryan stood frozen,
00:50:44as if he had been nailed in place.
00:50:46Slowly, he turned to look at
00:50:48Elena.
00:50:51So it really was you.
00:50:53Elena completely broke down.
00:50:57So what if it was me?
00:50:58I love you!
00:50:59I've loved you since I was a child!
00:51:02Why should a silver-eyed woman
00:51:03like her be allowed to marry you?
00:51:06Why does everyone insist you
00:51:07were meant to be hers,
00:51:08and hers alone?
00:51:09She pointed at me,
00:51:10her voice sharp and piercing.
00:51:12I was only taking back
00:51:13what was rightfully mine!
00:51:14Ryan's face gradually drained
00:51:16of all color.
00:51:17But I was never yours to begin with.
00:51:20Elena froze.
00:51:22That sentence was more brutal
00:51:23and every loss of judgment.
00:51:25The man she had stolen
00:51:26for fifteen years
00:51:27had finally,
00:51:27on the day the truth came out,
00:51:29told her he had never
00:51:30belonged to her at all.
00:51:31Hera suddenly rushed
00:51:32onto the altar.
00:51:34Enough!
00:51:35Her hair was disheveled,
00:51:37her eyes wild.
00:51:38I did it!
00:51:39All of it!
00:51:39Spare Elena!
00:51:40She was just a child then!
00:51:41I was the biased mother!
00:51:42I was the one who drugged her!
00:51:43I was the one who passed judgment!
00:51:46If you want hatred,
00:51:47then hate me!
00:51:48I looked at her.
00:51:49So you finally admitted it.
00:51:51Hera stiffened.
00:51:52The acting high priest
00:51:54raised his staff.
00:51:55The judgment light
00:51:56of the moon goddess
00:51:57descended upon the altar,
00:51:59bathing Hera and Elena
00:52:00in its glow.
00:52:02No lie could survive it
00:52:03any longer.
00:52:04Hera was stripped
00:52:05of her position
00:52:06as high priestess.
00:52:08Elena was stripped
00:52:09of her status
00:52:09as wolf queen.
00:52:11The charge of impurity
00:52:12that had been placed
00:52:13on me fifteen years ago
00:52:14was publicly annulled.
00:52:16The council of twelve clans
00:52:18announced,
00:52:18Selina of the silver eyes
00:52:20was found innocent
00:52:21of all charges.
00:52:22The entire crowd
00:52:23turned to look at me.
00:52:24Some looked ashamed.
00:52:26Some feared me.
00:52:27Some were already
00:52:28trying to flatter me.
00:52:29Ryan stepped forward.
00:52:31His eyes were bloodshot.
00:52:33Selina,
00:52:35I'm sorry.
00:52:37Those three words
00:52:39carried the weight
00:52:39of blood
00:52:40for fifteen years.
00:52:42I looked at him
00:52:43but felt nothing
00:52:44ripple within me.
00:52:45Ryan,
00:52:46I heard your apology.
00:52:48A flicker of hope
00:52:49rose in his eyes.
00:52:51I continued,
00:52:52but I don't need it.
00:53:00The hope shattered
00:53:01across his face.
00:53:02I turned to face
00:53:03everyone present.
00:53:06Fifteen years ago,
00:53:07you all stood here
00:53:08and watched me be condemned.
00:53:10Not a single one of you
00:53:11asked for evidence.
00:53:13Not a single one of you
00:53:14asked for the truth.
00:53:15Today,
00:53:16I am not here to ask you
00:53:17to restore my innocence.
00:53:18I am here to inform you.
00:53:20I raised my hand.
00:53:21The black and gold banners
00:53:22of the Sacred Dominion
00:53:23rose around the altar.
00:53:24From this day forward,
00:53:26the Sacred Dominion
00:53:27will no longer accept
00:53:28any trade justified
00:53:29by bloodline hierarchy.
00:53:30Silver-eyed,
00:53:31mixed-blood
00:53:32and exiled clans
00:53:33will all be granted
00:53:34access to the Sacred Dominion.
00:53:36And any family involved
00:53:37in the exile case
00:53:38fifteen years ago
00:53:39will be banned
00:53:40from purchasing
00:53:41core moon crystal resources
00:53:42for three generations.
00:53:43That was the real reckoning.
00:53:45Not to make them cry.
00:53:47But to drain their power
00:53:49from the inside out.
00:53:50The nobles' expressions
00:53:52changed drastically.
00:53:53But none dared to object.
00:53:55Because Valerian
00:53:56stood behind me.
00:53:57Because Aria held
00:53:59the mineral vein contracts
00:54:00in her hands.
00:54:01Because I was no longer
00:54:02the girl they once
00:54:03pushed off the altar.
00:54:05I was the Empress
00:54:06of the Sacred Dominion.
00:54:08The one who controlled
00:54:09the lifeblood
00:54:10of the entire continent.
00:54:11One month after the trial,
00:54:13Hera's condition
00:54:14became critical.
00:54:15The Temple of Light
00:54:16sent for me.
00:54:17They said,
00:54:18Hera wishes to see you
00:54:19one last time.
00:54:20So I went.
00:54:22Not because I had softened,
00:54:23but because there were words
00:54:25I wanted to deliver
00:54:25to her in person.
00:54:27Hera lay in the temple infirmary,
00:54:29connected to a life-sustaining formation.
00:54:31The once mighty
00:54:31High Priestess
00:54:32was now nothing
00:54:33but skin and bone.
00:54:34When she saw me,
00:54:36her eyes lit up at once.
00:54:38Selene.
00:54:38I stood by the bed
00:54:39without stepping closer.
00:54:40She weakly reached out her hand.
00:54:45You've finally come
00:54:46to see your mother.
00:54:48I said,
00:54:49Don't misunderstand.
00:54:50I came to confirm
00:54:51whether you had
00:54:52any last words.
00:54:53Tears instantly fell
00:54:54from her eyes.
00:54:55You still hate me?
00:54:58Yes.
00:54:58She choked back a sob.
00:55:00I know I was wrong.
00:55:02I shouldn't have favored Elena.
00:55:03I shouldn't have destroyed you
00:55:04for her.
00:55:05But Selene,
00:55:05Elena has nothing left now.
00:55:07She lost her Wolf Queen title,
00:55:09was driven out of the palace
00:55:10by Ryan.
00:55:11Ivy was also removed
00:55:12from the council.
00:55:14They've already been
00:55:15punished enough.
00:55:16I looked at her.
00:55:17Even at this moment,
00:55:18she was still pleading
00:55:19for Elena.
00:55:20She knew she owed me.
00:55:21Yet,
00:55:22even on her deathbed,
00:55:23the person she was still
00:55:25most worried about
00:55:25was the younger daughter
00:55:26she had once held
00:55:27in the palm of her Fing.
00:55:28I totally felt
00:55:29it was absurd.
00:55:31Hera,
00:55:31have you ever,
00:55:32even once,
00:55:33asked anyone to protect me?
00:55:35She froze.
00:55:36On the day I was exiled,
00:55:38did you ask Ryan
00:55:39to investigate the truth?
00:55:40When I was thrown
00:55:41into the forbidden rift,
00:55:42did you beg the moon god
00:55:44to spare my life?
00:55:45After I survived
00:55:46and came wait,
00:55:47did you ask Elena
00:55:48to apologize to me?
00:55:49Hera's lips trembled,
00:55:50but she could not answer.
00:55:52I gave a faint smile.
00:55:56No.
00:55:58So why do you think
00:55:59I would spare her?
00:56:01For you?
00:56:02Hera shook her head
00:56:03in tears.
00:56:04She is your sister.
00:56:07She wasn't.
00:56:08You drove me out
00:56:09of the family
00:56:09fifteen years ago.
00:56:11Hera panicked
00:56:11and grabbed my sleeve.
00:56:13Selama, please.
00:56:14I'm your mother.
00:56:15I'm begging you.
00:56:16I'm dying.
00:56:17Just grant me
00:56:17my final wish.
00:56:19I looked down
00:56:19at her withered hand.
00:56:20Then I peeled her fingers
00:56:21off mine,
00:56:22one by one.
00:56:23Hera stared at me
00:56:24and Tara.
00:56:25I leaned down
00:56:25and whispered in her ear,
00:56:26I won't forgive you.
00:56:33Her pupils contracted sharply.
00:56:35I continued,
00:56:36and I won't spare Elena,
00:56:37nor will I clear
00:56:38the path for Ivy.
00:56:41They will live.
00:56:42But they will live
00:56:43in a world without privilege,
00:56:45without kneeling crowds,
00:56:46without anyone
00:56:47paying their debts for them.
00:56:49That's far more painful
00:56:50than death, isn't it?
00:56:55She fixed her gaze on me
00:56:57when, for the first time,
00:57:00fear finally surfaced
00:57:01in her eyes.
00:57:03Selama.
00:57:05I straightened.
00:57:08You once said
00:57:10silver-eyed wolves
00:57:11were never meant
00:57:11to stand in the way
00:57:12of gold-eyed ones.
00:57:15Now I'm telling you this.
00:57:18From this day forward,
00:57:20even gold-eyes
00:57:21won't be allowed
00:57:22to block anyone's path.
00:57:26Tears kept spilling
00:57:27down Hira's face.
00:57:29She murmured,
00:57:31If I had treated you
00:57:32a little better back then,
00:57:35would you have hated me
00:57:37this much?
00:57:38I looked at her.
00:57:39Yes.
00:57:41A faint light flickered
00:57:42in Hira's eyes.
00:57:45I added,
00:57:47But you didn't.
00:57:51That light went out.
00:57:53Hira opened her mouth
00:57:54as if she still wanted
00:57:55to say something,
00:57:56but in the end,
00:57:58nothing came out.
00:57:59She died without
00:58:01ever closing her eyes.
00:58:03I turned and left.
00:58:05Outside the door,
00:58:07Elena was sitting
00:58:08in the corridor.
00:58:09The moment she saw me,
00:58:11she lunged forward.
00:58:16Sister!
00:58:17Before she died,
00:58:19did Mother say
00:58:20she forgave me?
00:58:21I stopped.
00:58:23She asked me
00:58:24to spare you.
00:58:25Hope immediately
00:58:26surged in Elena's eyes.
00:58:28Then you?
00:58:30I refused.
00:58:35She froze completely.
00:58:38The next second,
00:58:40she screamed
00:58:40and tried to rush at me,
00:58:41but the saint guards
00:58:43pinned her down.
00:58:44How could you do this?
00:58:45She was our mother.
00:58:47Yours,
00:58:49not mine.
00:58:52Elena cried so hard
00:58:54she looked
00:58:54completely disheveled,
00:58:56but this time,
00:58:57no one stepped forward
00:58:59to help her.
00:59:00Ryan stood
00:59:00at the far end
00:59:01of the corridor,
00:59:02watching everything
00:59:03with a complicated expression.
00:59:05He neither approached Elena
00:59:07nor came toward me,
00:59:11because he finally understood.
00:59:13the mistake he had made
00:59:1515 years ago
00:59:16was something
00:59:17that could never be undone.
00:59:19Two months later,
00:59:20the Saint Sanctum
00:59:21and the Abysmal Empire
00:59:22announced a marriage alliance.
00:59:24The news shook
00:59:25the entire continent.
00:59:26Everyone had already thought
00:59:28the Saint Empress
00:59:28was powerful enough,
00:59:30until they learned
00:59:31her husband
00:59:31was the ancient
00:59:32black dragon ancestor
00:59:34who had slumbered
00:59:35for a thousand years
00:59:36in the Abyssal Empire.
00:59:37The wedding was not held
00:59:39at the Moon Goddess Altar.
00:59:40I no longer wanted
00:59:41that altar
00:59:42to witness my life.
00:59:44Valerian chose
00:59:44the Forbidden Rift
00:59:45as the wedding site.
00:59:46I asked him
00:59:47if he had done it
00:59:48on purpose.
00:59:49He said,
00:59:49Of course.
00:59:50They abandoned you there.
00:59:52I found you there.
00:59:53This place deserved
00:59:54a new name.
00:59:55On the wedding day,
00:59:56the sky above the rift
00:59:58was covered
00:59:58in black gold dragon flame.
01:00:01The banners
01:00:02of the Saint Sanctum
01:00:03and the Abysmal
01:00:04Dragon Crypt
01:00:05rose side by side.
01:00:07Arya stood beside me
01:00:09as my heir.
01:00:10While adjusting
01:00:11my wedding gown,
01:00:12she suddenly said
01:00:13in a low voice,
01:00:14Mother,
01:00:15you look beautiful today.
01:00:17I glanced at her.
01:00:19Only today?
01:00:20She immediately
01:00:21corrected herself.
01:00:22Every day.
01:00:24Valerian stood ahead
01:00:25and when he heard it,
01:00:26he let out a low chuckle.
01:00:28She takes after you,
01:00:30he said.
01:00:31Strong survival instinct.
01:00:33I walked toward him.
01:00:34Fifteen years ago,
01:00:36I had once walked
01:00:37towards a man
01:00:38in a wedding dress.
01:00:39Back then,
01:00:40I thought a wedding
01:00:41meant handing myself
01:00:42over to someone else.
01:00:43Only now did I understand
01:00:44that real love
01:00:45was not surrender.
01:00:46It was standing
01:00:47side by side.
01:00:49Valerian reached out
01:00:50his hand to me.
01:00:51He did not speak
01:00:52any grand vows,
01:00:53only asked in a low question.
01:00:55Selene,
01:00:56this time,
01:00:56will you let me
01:00:57stand beside you?
01:00:58I placed my hand
01:00:59into his palm.
01:01:01haven't you always
01:01:02been there?
01:01:03He smiled.
01:01:05The dragon wings
01:01:06of the black dragon
01:01:07ancestor
01:01:07unfurled behind him,
01:01:09shielding the sky
01:01:10above the forbidden
01:01:10rift from wind and snow.
01:01:12the mammoth.
01:01:15He said.
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