- il y a 21 heures
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00:00J'ai choqué contre un pecho duro et caliente.
00:03Après un arme, il s'est mis barbillas.
00:06Il était un homme de trajet, de cabello engominado, avec sangue en la quijada.
00:10Le homme de mirada mortal ne l'est pas.
00:12En sonant à la table, il était de blanc, avec une couteille.
00:16Il se avait agoté.
00:18Il n'est pas prou les yeux.
00:20Il s'est fait à sonre comme un soldat.
00:23Il n'est pas prou, il s'est pas prou, il s'est pas prou, il s'est pas prou,
00:26il s'est pas prou, il s'est pas prou.
00:29Su voz sonó grave y ronca.
00:31Un bocado.
00:32Dije, asintió apenas.
00:34Me tendió el plato.
00:35Inténtalo.
00:36J'ai darle una cucharada.
00:38Abre.
00:59Sous-titrage Société Radio-Canada
01:28La noche que firmé el divorcio y me fui sin nada.
01:31Vagué sola bajo la lluvia con una bolsa y solo 36 dólares.
01:36Entonces vi un volante en un coste.
01:40Se busca madrastra, alojamiento y comida.
01:43Eso me convenció.
01:44Esa misma noche fui a esa dirección.
01:46Entré directo a la mansión de Lucas Castellano, el don de la mafia más antigua de Nueva York.
01:52Después, mi ex me miró con la misma arrogancia.
01:55Nora, ¿ya ves que estabas mal?
01:58Antes de responder, el tirano de cuatro años gritó.
02:01¿En qué se equivocó?
02:03Mi mamá es la mejor.
02:05El don me rodeó con un brazo y lo apartó.
02:08Mi esposa nunca se equivoca.
02:09Y aunque lo hiciera, seguiría teniendo razón.
02:12Nunca imaginé que quienes ponían volantes en postes eran la mafia más poderosa de Nueva York.
02:17Ahora estaba ante su mansión.
02:19A mi lado, el mayordomo irradiaba una fría arrogancia.
02:23El don busca una madre para su hijo, no una esposa.
02:27Debe tenerlo claro.
02:28El don es muy codiciado.
02:30No se haga ilusiones.
02:32Bajé la mirada.
02:34Sinceramente, el trabajo era perfecto.
02:36En pocas palabras, solo querían una niñera de lujo.
02:38Ocho horas antes, había firmado el divorcio y me habían echado de casa.
02:43Lo último que quería era otro esposo.
02:46Pero un techo, tres comidas, un lugar donde huir, era un milagro.
02:50Entiendo. No me haré ilusiones.
02:52El mayordomo me guió por un corredor oscuro y abovedado.
02:55Entonces oí algo como un disparo.
02:58Tropecé y choqué contra un pecho duro y caliente.
03:01Primero olí.
03:02Sangre, pólvora.
03:04Luego, un arma alzó mi barbilla.
03:06Era un hombre de traje, de cabello engominado.
03:08Con sangre en la quijada.
03:10Y una serpiente tatuada que le subía al cuello.
03:14Respiré agitada.
03:16El arma bajó.
03:18Entre mis pechos mojados.
03:20Me observó un buen rato.
03:22Al final, se fue sin decir nada.
03:24Ya conocía ese rostro.
03:26Página 6.
03:27El diario de Nueva York.
03:28El don castellano.
03:29Sebastián pasó un mes estudiando sus fotos.
03:32Intentando acercarse a la familia mafiosa que lo respaldaba.
03:35El mayordomo habló.
03:37El don atiende asuntos.
03:39No se preocupe.
03:40Asentí en silencio.
03:41Me llevó a cambiarme.
03:43Y luego al comedor.
03:45Había una mesa larga.
03:46Bajo un candelabro.
03:48Y al fondo, padre e hijo estaban enfrentados.
03:51El hombre de mirada mortal ya no estaba.
03:54En su lugar, a la mesa, estaba él.
03:56De blanco, con una cuchara.
03:58Se veía agotado.
03:59El niño apretó los labios.
04:02Y desafió a su padre como un soldadito.
04:04Ninguno cedió.
04:05Al final, él suspiró y dejó la cuchara.
04:08Se frotó el entrecejo.
04:10Su voz sonó grave y ronca.
04:13Un bocado.
04:14Uno pequeño.
04:15¿Es pedir demasiado?
04:17El mayordomo avanzó.
04:18Don Lucas.
04:19Llegó la candidata.
04:20El hombre volteó.
04:21Tenía la camisa abierta.
04:23Ya veía casi todo el tatuaje.
04:25Sus músculos se marcaban.
04:27Bajo el lino blanco, el más temido, el hombre más temido de Nueva York, heredó el poder a los dieciséis.
04:33Lo hizo más grande, más oscuro, y discreto que su padre.
04:36Dinero, poder, sangre en las manos.
04:38No era un sueño, ni una estafa.
04:41Lucas Castellano no tenía por qué estafar a una divorciada pobre.
04:45Su mirada me recorrió, distante y cansada.
04:49Nombre.
04:49Seguro venía directo de sus asuntos.
04:52Lidiar con traidores, torturar enemigos.
04:54Y ahora lo vencía un niño.
04:57Darle de comer era más duro que dirigir su imperio.
05:00Nora Benítez.
05:00Dije.
05:01Asintió apenas.
05:02Me tendió el plato.
05:03Inténtalo.
05:04Así era mi entrevista.
05:05Si no pasaba, dormiría en el metro.
05:08Le di mi sonrisa más tierna y fui hacia él.
05:11No avancé ni dos pasos.
05:13Zaz se metió bajo la mesa.
05:15Solo asomó los ojos.
05:17Oscuros, redondos y furiosos.
05:19No la quiero.
05:20Que se vaya.
05:21Es una mala mujer.
05:23Todas son malas.
05:24Antes de mí, ese niño ya había tenido quién sabe cuántas madrastras.
05:28Bien.
05:29Debía dar lo mejor.
05:30Miré el cuarto y lo capté.
05:32Figuras por doquier.
05:34Batman, Spiderman y una repisa llena de Avengers.
05:38Tomé dos.
05:54Mitolized.
05:54Properties.
05:58Y si.
06:20Sin.
06:22Sin.
06:22Increíble.
06:26C'est parti.
06:54El mayordomo me llevó al cuarto y me advirtió.
06:58No suba al tercer piso. Jamás.
07:00Bajó la voz.
07:01La última que subió a la cama del dom salió por la ventana.
07:05Cayó dos pisos.
07:07Recordé el arma.
07:08Asentí con tanta fuerza que casi me lesioné.
07:11No pasará. Se lo juro.
07:13Los castellanos no bromean.
07:15Leo solo tenía cuatro y dormía solo, sin protestar.
07:18Eso me facilitaba todo.
07:20Acababa de ponerme el pijama de seda del closet.
07:22Un golpe me sobresaltó.
07:24Don Lucas habló tras la puerta.
07:27Baja. Hablemos.
07:28Lucas estaba en el sofá, piernas cruzadas y whisky en mano.
07:32Me senté enfrente, en el otro sofá, manos en el regazo, rodillas juntas, como en una entrevista.
07:38Eres buena con niños. ¿Tienes hijos?
07:39No.
07:40Cuidé dos años al sobrino de mi ex.
07:42En ese entonces, los cárdenas dijeron que ganaba poco y me hicieron renunciar, por bondad.
07:47Luego, cuando lo hice, dijeron que era floja y no hacía nada.
07:51Despidieron a la niñera y me dejaron al niño, más criada que esposa.
07:55Aquí dice que estás divorciada.
07:57Sí.
07:57¿Motivo?
07:58Una chica de pueblo no podía manchar un apellido noble.
08:01Eso creo.
08:02Eso lo dice un cobarde.
08:04Viste el anuncio.
08:05Busco mamá para Leo, no una cita para mí.
08:07La familia de un rival lo aterrorizó de niño.
08:10Siempre ha sido inseguro.
08:11Odia salir de casa y nunca tuvo amigos.
08:14Trabajo muchas horas.
08:15Necesito paciencia y alguien que se quede.
08:18Habrá un acuerdo prenuptial.
08:20Todo irá por separado, sobre todo en la cama.
08:22Me estremecí al mirarlo fijamente a los ojos.
08:25Entre ricos, casarse era un contrato.
08:27Antes que todo lo demás, me casé por amor con Sebastián.
08:31Pero por la diferencia entre nuestras familias, también firme uno.
08:35Al acabarse el amor, me fui sin nada.
08:38Ni mi anillo de bodas.
08:40Con más razón, una mafia como los castellano sería aún más cauta.
08:45Entiendo.
08:46La verdad, si solo necesita a alguien en la casa, no hace falta casarnos.
08:52Lucas negó con la cabeza.
08:54Se inclinó hacia mí y tamborileó en la mesa.
08:57Es por Leo.
08:58Necesita una madre muy estable.
08:59Y el matrimonio es el contrato más fuerte.
09:03Bien.
09:04Será a su manera.
09:08Descuida.
09:09Tendrás cien mil al mes para gastos.
09:11Eso sí me importaba.
09:12Ya me habían engañado.
09:14Señor Castellano, si nos divorciamos, ¿puedo quedarme con el dinero?
09:18Por supuesto.
09:19Es tuyo.
09:20De acuerdo.
09:22Sobre el sexo.
09:24No necesito nada de ti.
09:27Te quedas en el segundo.
09:29Ah, sí.
09:29El sexo.
09:30Está bien.
09:32Yo tampoco.
09:33Tres días después del divorcio, volví a casarme.
09:37Sin fiesta ni invitados, como en mi primera boda.
09:41El mayordomo añadió un plato a la cena.
09:43Pensé que eso era una celebración.
09:45Pero, de pronto, Lucas deslizó un anillo sobre la mesa.
09:49Un anillo castellano.
09:53No es necesario.
09:56Sebastián nunca me dio el anillo familiar.
09:59Por Leo.
10:00Entonces entendí.
10:01El niño necesitaba una ilusión de familia.
10:03Callé y al final, lo acepté.
10:06Lo cuidaré.
10:07Esa noche, apenas me acosté, la puerta rechinó al abrirse.
10:11Leo estaba en la puerta.
10:12Descalzo.
10:13Despeinado.
10:14Jugando con su pijama de dinosaurio.
10:16¿Qué pasa, pequeño?
10:18Nora.
10:19¿Me lees un cuento para dormir?
10:21¿Qué?
10:22¿Quieres que te lea un cuento?
10:24Papá te pagará extra.
10:26Si no quieres, olvídalo.
10:28Ven.
10:29Levante las cobijas.
10:30Se metió enseguida, como si esperara todo el día.
10:33A mitad del cuento, se durmió en mi hombro.
10:37Al día siguiente, al desayunar, Lucas abrió los ojos cuando el mayordomo dijo que Leo durmió conmigo.
10:43Nora.
10:44Hiciste mucho más.
10:46Te daré otros cincuenta mil al mes.
10:48Señor Castellano, es demasiado.
10:51Muchísimo.
10:52En mi primer matrimonio di mucho más que eso y me fui sin nada.
10:58De día cuidaba a su sobrino.
11:00De noche cocinaba.
11:03Tras complacerlo en la cama, a las cinco me levantaba para limpiar la casa y hacer el desayuno.
11:09Su madre criticaba.
11:10Podríamos contratar a alguien, pero Nora no hace nada.
11:13No sería justo.
11:15Y pese a todo, al divorciarnos, su hermana le dijo al abogado que viví de ellos tres años.
11:21Señor Castellano, de verdad es demasiado.
11:23Me cae bien, Leo.
11:24Es un buen niño.
11:26Leerle no cuesta nada.
11:27Mientras hablaba, Leo vino y tomó mis dedos con su manita tibia.
11:32Me miraba con sus grandes ojos negros.
11:35De verdad se conmovió.
11:36No lo sabes, pero las anteriores solo querían impresionarme.
11:42Lo ignoraban.
11:44Cincuenta mil.
11:46Esa es la nueva cifra.
11:47No se negocia.
11:49Cedí y se lo agradecí.
11:50Desde entonces, Leo fue mi sombra.
11:53Lucas estaba ocupado con sus negocios, las armas y la sangre.
11:57La mansión quedaba solo para nosotros.
11:59Hacía todo por jugar y hacerlo feliz cada día.
12:03Hasta que un día tenía cita médica para una revisión.
12:06El mayordomo advirtió, Leo no podía salir.
12:09Salir le causaba pánico.
12:11Me agaché.
12:13Oye pequeño.
12:14Espérame en casa.
12:16Volveré en una hora.
12:17Me tomó la mano y no la soltó.
12:20No dijo nada.
12:21Solo me miró con tristeza.
12:25Teme que no regreses.
12:28Su madre lo dejó así.
12:30Voy a volver.
12:32Veré al médico y volveré.
12:33Juega aquí, ¿sí?
12:34Aún no acababa de hablar cuando subió al asiento trasero.
12:37Intentó no ilusionarse.
12:39Señorito Leo, ¿irá al hospital con la señora Benítez?
12:42Leo asintió.
12:44Gracias a Dios.
12:45Por fin quieres salir de la casa.
12:47Tu depresión.
13:13Gracias a Dios.
13:14Gracias a Dios.
13:20Liar, ¿sí?
13:28Te lo haces y me haces.
13:28¡Para mí.
13:28No.
13:28No.
13:34No.
13:42No.
13:43No.
13:47Sous-titrage Société Radio-Canada
14:15Lyra, thanks to the rare ingredients you hunted for ten years, he is finally perfect. Now, you can die in
14:22peace.
14:30Lyra, you are the strongest here. This golden phoenix is assigned to you.
14:35So arrogant. Only Lyra can tame such a creature.
14:38Rebirth. I am actually back.
14:44Evelyn, your power is too weak. Even if the phoenix is drawn to you now, you won't be able to
14:49handle him.
14:50Lyra, I know I have no right to compete with you, it's just... I've never seen a golden phoenix before...
14:55Stop it!
14:57I've taken a liking to this one.
14:59Lyra! Are you crazy? This black snake is basically worthless!
15:02The phoenix clearly doesn't want me. Why not let her have him? I'll take the snake.
15:06I want to see how that perfect couple managed without me as their stepping stone.
15:10In my past life, I was obsessed.
15:13I thought the phoenix, Disdain, was just the pride of a mighty creature.
15:18I took blood-soaked missions just to earn extra elixirs for him, but to the phoenix, I was nothing more
15:24than an errand girl.
15:25Ten years. I spent ten years helping him break through his limits and take human form.
15:30But he despises me very much.
15:34Don't touch me with your filthy, blood-stained hands.
15:37And then one day, I saw him kiss my sister passionately.
15:41She was laughing, dancing around him.
15:43Lyra, you really need to stop asking Evelyn to look after the phoenix when you go on contracts.
15:48When did I ever ask her that?
15:50She says it every time you leave.
15:51I saw stars. I'd been out there risking my life, and she was back here, cheating with my phoenix.
15:56I was jealous. I resented her. And I made no shite of it.
16:02It enraged the phoenix.
16:04As punishment, he unleashed Leviathan, and it bit me.
16:07Phoenix! Help me!
16:13This is your punishment for resenting Evelyn.
16:20I won't be anyone's sacrifice again.
16:22No feeding, no tending, just wrought together.
16:27Since the choice is made, let the spirit pact begin!
16:34Relax. I'm not changing my mind.
16:37Warning. Her palm cracked across my cheek so hard the hall went still.
16:40She raised her hand again.
16:42The dragon king barked at his guards to intervene.
16:45Enough!
16:47After the war between Dragon Court and Green Faction,
16:50my sister's husband returned safely while mine fell in battle.
16:54Everyone pitied me, but I knew the truth.
16:56The man who came back was not my brother-in-law.
16:59It was my husband, Kaylin.
17:01He and Lucien were twin brothers, near equal in power.
17:04No one suspected a thing.
17:06Kaylin pulled me aside to explain.
17:08Lyra, I did this for the greater good.
17:11Lucien is the crown prince of the Dragon Court.
17:14If the clan hears the crown prince died in battle, chaos follows.
17:18Your sister is gentle.
17:20She cannot bear that loss.
17:22I am only keeping watch over her.
17:26Once things have settled, I will return to your side.
17:29I believed every word.
17:31Until Kaylin had me executed.
17:32On charges of conspiring with the demon clan.
17:35Watching him hold my sister close, I finally understood.
17:38Every last thing had been his design.
17:41When I opened my eyes again, I was back.
17:43The day the Dragon Court celebrated their great victory.
17:46The day the news arrived that my husband had fallen in battle.
17:49Kaylin stood with my sister, holding her in silence while the clan cast pitying glances my way.
17:55Without a moment's hesitation, I chose to remarry.
17:58Kaylin thought taking the crown prince's place meant power.
18:02He had no idea.
18:04Walking away from me meant losing his only path to the throne.
18:07Lyra.
18:09Saylin is...
18:10He's gone.
18:12It was the Dragon King who spoke.
18:14He had two sons.
18:15One had become crown prince and had taken my sister as his princess.
18:18The other was my husband Kaylin.
18:20He sat on the throne, staring at his brother's coffin.
18:23Grief painted perfectly across his face.
18:25Before I could speak, my sister's voice cut through the silence.
18:28Her voice is soft, but performative.
18:31Little sister.
18:32I know how much pain you're in.
18:35She looked down at me, eyes full of practice sorrow.
18:38It's alright to cry.
18:39I lifted my gaze, not to her, but to the man at her side.
18:42My husband, wearing his dead brother's name.
18:45Kaylin's fingers interlaced with my sister's.
18:47He felt my stare, turned his head.
18:49Something flickered across his face that looked almost like shock.
18:52I nearly laughed.
18:53Kaylin's performance was as flawless as ever.
18:56Last life, it took me months to believe the man beside my sister was really him.
19:00This time, I already knew.
19:02A whale split the air.
19:03The dragon queen threw herself across the coffin, tears streaking her face.
19:08My son!
19:10Then she spun and pointed at me.
19:12It's you!
19:13You cursed him!
19:14You killed my boy!
19:16She never wanted me for her son.
19:18I had once brought my doubts to Kaylin, and he had sworn to me with absolute certainty.
19:22No matter what, I will always take your side.
19:25His mother slapped me without warning.
19:27Her palm cracked across my cheek so hard the hall went still.
19:30She raised her hand again.
19:31The dragon king barked at his guards to intervene.
19:34Enough!
19:37The hall erupted into chaos.
19:40Through all of it, Kaylin stood quietly at my sister's side, holding her hand.
19:44He reached into his coat and produced a small, glimmering stone.
19:47A water spirit stone, pale blue, luminous.
19:50He held it out to my sister like an offering.
19:53He murmured, low and tender.
19:57Sarah, I brought this back for you.
19:59I smiled without warmth.
20:01I had always wanted a water spirit stone.
20:04In my last life, I had asked Kaylin for one, begged him.
20:07Every time he left for war, he always said yes, but I never received it.
20:11Now I understood.
20:13He had in short hand forgotten to look.
20:15He had simply never intended to give it to me.
20:17My sister noticed me watching.
20:19Her expression cooled.
20:20She stepped slightly in front of Kaylin, shielding him.
20:22She said, why do you keep staring at my husband?
20:26The dragon king exhaled slowly.
20:29Laia, by the laws of our house, when a spouse falls in battle, the surviving partner must remain
20:36in mourning for a hundred years.
20:38I won't force you, but I need to know.
20:41What will you do?
20:42I shook my head.
20:43I choose the second path.
20:45I'll remarry.
20:47Silence.
20:48The entire hall went motionless.
20:51Kaylin spoke first.
20:53Absurd!
20:54His voice was tight.
20:55Lyra, you can't marry someone else.
20:58The dragon king and my sister exchanged a glance, both suddenly alert.
21:04Pushed at his hand instead, bit by bit, prying his grip from my wrist.
21:09Then I shook out my aching hand and went back to my room, muttering the whole way.
21:15He looked down at his own hand, then back toward where I'd gone.
21:18A faint flush crept into the corners of his eyes.
21:22When some-
21:22Sister, look.
21:23A white snake.
21:24He'll shift into a dragon one day and spoil you rotten.
21:27My sister set him into my open hand.
21:30Evelyn, you're too generous.
21:32White serpents ascend more often than black ones, and your sister doesn't have your looks
21:35or your temperament.
21:37By any measure, you're the better match.
21:39My sister's face flickered.
21:40I'm the elder sister.
21:41It's only right.
21:43I said nothing.
21:44Anyone who looked carefully could see the white snake was barely alive, while the black
21:49one had fierce eyes and scales like polished lacquer.
21:53My sister knew exactly what she was giving away.
21:55In my last life, I'd taken him out of pity.
21:58My sister had taken the strong one.
22:00Black scales.
22:01Sharp eyes.
22:02Already choosing her before she'd finished reaching.
22:05She'd handed me the leftover.
22:06Half dead.
22:07Colorless.
22:08Barely breathing.
22:09I'd brought him home anyway.
22:11Ten years.
22:12I spent everything I had.
22:14I'd told him once, in the dark, that I wouldn't leave him even if he never shifted.
22:19I thought those eyes looking up at me meant something.
22:21Then the flood came.
22:23He became a dragon overnight.
22:25And he pulled my sister out of the water while I went under.
22:28He'd been able to take human form for months.
22:31He'd heard every word I ever said to him.
22:33He simply hadn't thought I was worth answering.
22:36Now, staring at those tiny fangs raised at me in contempt, I felt nothing but irony.
22:43Crack.
22:43I threw him at the stone, swung my pack on, and walked.
22:47Little sister!
22:47My sister scrambled to cup him in her hands.
22:50He's a living creature!
22:53All living things have their time.
22:56If he falls today, that's his fate.
22:58The villagers closed in, whispering, cold-blooded.
23:02Not like Evelyn.
23:03Beautiful people have good hearts.
23:05My sister told them not to say such things, which naturally drew every eye back to her with fresh sympathy.
23:11She always did this, pointed the blade at me, then turned around playing peacemaker with a wounded look, as though
23:18she were the one enduring hardship.
23:20I smiled.
23:21If you're that kind-hearted, sister, take them both.
23:25Go ahead.
23:26If he ever ascends, I won't expect a thing.
23:30She had no answer.
23:31The crowd had already turned their hopeful eyes back to her.
23:35A flash of white light.
23:36Everyone froze.
23:37A young man in white robes stood where the snake had been.
23:41Breathtaking.
23:42A thread of blood at the corner of his mouth.
23:44Little White had shifted into human form.
23:47I tightened my grip on the pack straps without thinking.
23:50I'd always believed he learned to take human form after I'd nursed him back to health.
23:55It turned out, he'd known from the start.
23:57All those years, he'd watched me get laughed at by everyone for carrying a snake that couldn't shift.
24:03Never lifted a finger.
24:04And now, in his weakest moment, he'd forced the transformation for my sister's sake.
24:10Indrine de Womenda!
24:11I'll take responsibility!
24:13My sister changed her tone immediately.
24:14If he could shift, Ascension wasn't far off.
24:18The whole crowd was struck silent by the sight of him.
24:21That impossible face.
24:23Little sister.
24:25Since you said you didn't want him and you wouldn't hear me out.
24:28I suppose I have no choice but to take him home.
24:31Evelyn!
24:32You don't owe anyone an explanation.
24:33She's the one who gave him to you.
24:35If she dare take it back, we'll all lose respect for her.
24:38Oh, please.
24:39My sister colored slightly.
24:42My sister isn't that kind of person.
24:44I looked at Little White, cold and steady.
24:46He looked back at me through the crowd.
24:48This frantic transformation.
24:50This look in his eyes that didn't belong to a first meeting.
24:53I understood.
24:54He'd been reborn, too.
24:56He watched me turn and walk away without a shred of hesitation.
25:00Something flashed in his eyes.
25:01Confusion.
25:02Then surprise.
25:03The whole village buzzed with talk of how I'd let the most remarkable serpent in the world slip through my
25:10fingers.
25:11His divine bearing made believers of everyone.
25:14Everyone believed he would ascend to become a dragon.
25:17They mocked my blind stupidity.
25:19They praised my sister's karma for her kind heart.
25:23Everyone assumed I'd come crawling back.
25:25That I'd start fawning over him soon enough.
25:28But I went home and didn't look at him once.
25:31Eventually, the next time we passed each other, a hand caught my wrist.
25:36I yanked back.
25:37He only held on tighter.
25:38He stared at me with a furrowed brow and said nothing.
25:42That look was a question.
25:44And underneath it, something like displeasure.
25:47Was he asking why I wasn't giving him the same attention as before?
25:51Did he genuinely not know?
25:53I couldn't pull free.
25:54I pushed at his hand instead, bit by bit, prying his grip from my wrist.
25:59Then I shook out my aching hand and went back to my room, muttering the whole way.
26:05He looked down at his own hand, then back toward where I'd gone.
26:09A faint flush crept into the corners of his eyes.
26:12When someone has favored you for a long time, perhaps that favor starts to feel like something owed.
26:18The day I stopped, he'd probably think I was the one in the wrong.
26:22All those years in my last life, dragging him everywhere with me, through rain and wind.
26:28I'd built something I'd thought was real.
26:31To cut it off so suddenly, my chest still ached with it, whether I wanted it to or not.
26:36But that night, getting up to find water, I heard voices murmuring from the corner room.
26:42My lord.
26:46My lord.
26:47If you feel you owe something to the second young lady, perhaps you could serve as her bonded companion instead?
26:54I looked through the gap in the door.
26:57Little White stood with his hands clasped behind his back, white robes, back to me.
27:02So perfectly formed, he didn't seem to belong to this world.
27:05When he spoke, even his voice was like struck silver.
27:09Given that I've been given another life, I naturally mean to make amends for my regrets.
27:15The figure kneeling behind him, I couldn't see his face.
27:19But didn't your elder brother claim the first young lady first?
27:24And?
27:25Little White turned his head.
27:27I saw the cold light in his eyes catch something it had no business holding.
27:32Something burning and dangerous.
27:34I came into this life for her.
27:37Nothing will stop me from standing at her side.
27:40Not even my brother.
27:41I will not give one step.
27:44I'd heard enough.
27:45I turned to leave.
27:46Two steps out, I heard the kneeling figure ask.
27:50Why you are so devoted to a mortal woman?
27:53The moonlight softened Little White's eyes.
27:55A dragon's rest cove when I fell.
27:58I will never forget it.
27:59She lifted me in both hands and kept watch over me for forty-nine days.
28:04Without her I would have failed my tribulation.
28:06I'd have dissolved into nothing but old bone.
28:08Dragon's rest cove.
28:10I stopped dead.
28:11My hands had started trembling.
28:13That was where I'd once saved a small white snake.
28:16I'd kept vigil over him for forty-nine days.
28:20Only when he started to recover did I shoulder my herb basket and walk back to the village.
28:24I'd never told a single soul.
28:27So that snake and Little White, they were the same creature.
28:32I squeezed my fist shut.
28:34A laugh escaped me before I could stop it.
28:37Little White, you absolute fool.
28:40I had no intention of letting him know I knew.
28:43This life, I had other things to pursue.
28:49I went out to gather herbs far less than I used to.
28:52Most of my days I spent tucked away in my room, reading.
28:56Until the annual Blossom Festival, when my sister physically dragged me out of the house.
29:02It's the Blossom Festival.
29:04If you don't come, you might not get the blessing of the Flower Goddess this year.
29:08The Flower Goddess.
29:11Her blessing.
29:13I glanced back at my thoroughly dog-eared copy of the old histories,
29:17considered for a moment, and nodded.
29:23Your sister has prepared an outfit for you.
29:26Throw out all those rough old rags.
29:28You need to dress properly for the Blossom Festival.
29:31She pressed a bag into my hands and went off.
29:33The beautiful outfit turned out to be a garish thing.
29:36Red flowers clashing violently with green leaves.
29:41When I went to find something else, every other piece of clothing I owned was gone.
29:47That shade of red and that shade of green together made someone like me, already unremarkable,
29:53look even worse.
29:54I'd been reading all day and I was hungry.
29:57With no other choice, I put on the awful thing and went out to find food.
30:01The moment I stepped outside, I ran straight into my sister,
30:05drifting through the festival in gauzy layers with a group of her friends.
30:09When she saw me, the whole group froze.
30:12Oh gods, she doesn't think that looks good.
30:16She doesn't think that looks good, does she?
30:18She's trying so hard to match the festival theme, I'll give her that.
30:22But a weed dressed up is still a weed.
30:24Is she actually trying to compete with Evelyn for Belle of the Festival?
30:30Ha, I mean, she did succeed.
30:33Just as the village fool, the fabric Evelyn's wearing.
30:38That white serpent made that with some kind of enchantment.
30:41And this one shows up in a floral sack.
30:45Everyone please.
30:46My sister floated forward in her gauzy robes, sweet perfume ahead of her.
31:05Nefrian, I helped you seize the septal, and become the king of Olympia.
31:19Now that Zeus is gone, Eris' daughter will decide our future.
31:24She's gifted with purification power, and the lover she chooses shall be the new king of Olympus.
31:33Today, I finally married my beloved Narion.
31:42Lord Narion, it's Lady Cle-
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