I Married My Aphasia Buddy After My Fake Divorce   Full Short Drama   English Sub 2026 - Vídeo Dailymotion

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A powerful full drama movie filled with love, secrets, and unexpected twists.  Follow a powerful story where relationships are tested, hidden truths are revealed, and lives change forever. From romantic moments to shocking surprises, this drama keeps you engaged from beginning to end.  Featuring stories about CEO, billionaire lifestyles, family connections, and life-changing decisions, this movie delivers strong emotions and unforgettable scenes.  Watch the full movie and discover what happens in the end.  New full drama movies uploaded regularly. Stay tuned for more captivating and trending stories.  #drama #fullmovie #lovestory #dramatic #billionaire #ceo #family #relationships #movie #story

Transcript

00:00:00My husband using our divorce papers to butter up his side chick.

00:00:04Just sign them.

00:00:05It's only for show.

00:00:06I need to calm her down.

00:00:09I quietly signed my name.

00:00:12As I was leaving, I overheard his friends teasing him.

00:00:15Man, she's so whipped.

00:00:18Seriously, you've got her wrapped around your little hander.

00:00:20I gripped my phone and said nothing.

00:00:22I simply replied to the message that had just come in.

00:00:25Can't you just marry me?

00:00:28Okay.

00:00:28The reply came almost instantly.

00:00:31I turned off my screen.

00:00:32I hurried out in a panic.

00:00:35The moment I walked out of the building, tears came streaming down my face.

00:00:39William had fallen for a college girl who had not even graduated yet.

00:00:42He bought her an apartment in LA and filled it with luxury goods.

00:00:45But the girl wouldn't let him kiss her or hold her, yet still held her head high and snapped.

00:00:49I'm not going to be your mistress.

00:00:51William found her resistance highly amusing.

00:00:54By now, this was already the third time William had put on an act for her.

00:00:57The first time he acted all loving with me.

00:01:00Back then, I didn't even know Amber existed.

00:01:02I happily wrapped my arms around him and took photo after photo with him.

00:01:08When I saw him post our photos, I was surprised, excited, and full of hope.

00:01:13But no matter how many times I refreshed, I couldn't find that post anywhere.

00:01:16Only later did I find out he had said it to visible only to Amber.

00:01:20The second time, he picked a fight with me.

00:01:22He left me stranded on the street.

00:01:25Then he took a photo of me crying all alone and sent it to Amber.

00:01:28See?

00:01:28What can I do?

00:01:29She just can't live without me.

00:01:30This is the third time my phone buzzed and I took it out.

00:01:35Really?

00:01:36Do you mean it?

00:01:37I wiped away my tears and smiled.

00:01:41I'm serious.

00:01:44That afternoon, William took me to register for divorce, just as expected.

00:01:48He was in a great mood the whole way there.

00:01:49He kept asking where I wanted to go for our third anniversary.

00:01:52William and I had grown up together and this was our third year of marriage.

00:01:57He got out, opened my door, and unbuckled my seatbelt for me.

00:02:00Wait, have you been crying?

00:02:03I already told you, it's just for show.

00:02:05She's nothing but a caged bird.

00:02:07I'm just curious to see how long it takes before she finally breaks.

00:02:10As he spoke, something slipped out of his pocket.

00:02:12A box of condoms.

00:02:15William cleared his throat and rubbed his nose.

00:02:18He didn't explain.

00:02:19He simply led me into the registry office.

00:02:21Everything went smoothly.

00:02:22I had selective mutism.

00:02:23I can't speak when I'm around strangers.

00:02:25Are you divorcing of your own free will?

00:02:27Yes.

00:02:28I nodded.

00:02:29Is it due to an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage?

00:02:32Yes.

00:02:32I nodded.

00:02:34There is a one month cooling off period.

00:02:36Please come back in a month.

00:02:37William took the divorce filing receipt.

00:02:38Before we even left the registry office, he took a photo of it and sent a message.

00:02:42Then a message came in on my phone too.

00:02:44Amber texted me just as she did before.

00:02:45It was a photo of the filed receipt William had sent her.

00:02:48Along with a text.

00:02:50Satisfied now?

00:02:50Get your ass washed and ready for me tonight.

00:02:52I tapped her profile picture and blocked her.

00:02:54Right after I blocked her, a flight confirmation text came in.

00:02:57At the same time, a message popped up.

00:02:59Flights booked.

00:03:00One month out.

00:03:00See you in Paris.

00:03:04That night, I still dreamed about William.

00:03:06When we were kids, William had a way with words.

00:03:08Chloe, I love you the most.

00:03:10When we grow up, I'm going to marry you.

00:03:12I liked him too.

00:03:13We're together every single day.

00:03:14I was in his father's car when my parents got into that car accident.

00:03:17I witnessed the whole thing.

00:03:19That massive truck just barreled right through.

00:03:21For a long time, I couldn't make a sound.

00:03:23I couldn't sleep without William around.

00:03:25And Yon, who dared to call me a mute, he'd punch them right in the face.

00:03:28Marrying him felt like the most natural thing in the world.

00:03:30He said,

00:03:31Chloe, let's be this happy forever.

00:03:34But when I opened my eyes, the world was nothing but black.

00:03:37I reached for my phone and saw that Amber had texted me again.

00:03:39A photo, a messy bed, and a glaring stain of virgin blood on the sheets.

00:03:43I suddenly felt sick.

00:03:44I rushed into the bathroom and started dry heaving.

00:03:47In the end, I sat on the cold floor with my arms wrapped around my knees.

00:03:50I didn't know what I had pressed on my phone,

00:03:52but a deep male voice suddenly filled the silent night.

00:03:54Chloe?

00:03:55My heart skipped a beat.

00:03:57I picked up my phone.

00:04:00Ethan?

00:04:04Ethan was my fellow patient.

00:04:05After three years of medical intervention,

00:04:07my selective mutism had improved significantly.

00:04:09I only lost my voice when I was upset or anxious.

00:04:12During the two years I was married to William,

00:04:14I had almost fully recovered.

00:04:16I was happy and I had plenty of time.

00:04:18So I joined a patient support group.

00:04:19The person I was assigned to support was Ethan.

00:04:21For almost two whole years, I thought he was a girl.

00:04:24His profile picture was a pink bunny and his display name was Angel.

00:04:28At first, he barely responded to me.

00:04:30But people like us understand each other.

00:04:31People who suffer from long term mutism usually carry deep psychological trauma.

00:04:35They may not be able to speak, but they still need someone by their side.

00:04:38So I kept sharing my daily life again and again.

00:04:40In the end, it felt like we had been close friends for years.

00:04:43So when we had our first phone call and I found out he was actually a man,

00:04:46I was so shocked.

00:04:47I almost relapsed on the spot.

00:04:49I'm sorry.

00:04:50I held the phone tightly.

00:04:51I didn't mean to bother you while you were resting.

00:04:55You didn't.

00:04:56Ethan said.

00:04:58It's only nine at night here.

00:04:59He was talking so fluently now.

00:05:03Ethan, I feel like I'm about to lose my home.

00:05:06No dad, no mom, no brother, not even my sweet little dog.

00:05:09Even William was gone.

00:05:11Can't you just marry me?

00:05:13Stop joking.

00:05:14Chloe can't even speak without William.

00:05:16There's no way she'd actually go through with the divorce.

00:05:18Exactly.

00:05:18If she really had to get divorced, she'd probably cry the roof off the registry office.

00:05:21Even if she cries her heart out, she'll always be my little bitch.

00:05:26Okay.

00:05:30Ethan made me a checklist.

00:05:32Things I had to get done within the month.

00:05:33Securing a visa.

00:05:34Hiring a lawyer.

00:05:35All of that goes without saying.

00:05:36To my surprise, it was filled with a long list of restaurants.

00:05:38I'm not sure if Paris has what you like to eat, and I'm just worried you'll miss the taste of

00:05:42home.

00:05:42I gladly accepted it.

00:05:43Seriously.

00:05:44Following his list, I ate my way through every restaurant.

00:05:47Life on my own didn't seem so hard after all.

00:05:49Every day, I ate, shopped, and packed my things.

00:05:52On the day I moved out, William suddenly texted me.

00:05:54No calls?

00:05:55Don't you miss me?

00:05:56He had taken Amber on a trip.

00:05:57He said he wanted to show her the world.

00:05:59Naughty girl.

00:06:00He sent another message.

00:06:01Then came a photo.

00:06:02This place is nice.

00:06:03How about I bring you here for our third anniversary?

00:06:05I really wanted to block him right then, just like I had blocked Amber.

00:06:08But since I still had to go to the registry office to finalize the divorce, I let it go.

00:06:12Over the next two weeks, I sold off the jewelry and bags I had on hand.

00:06:15I went to the hospital for a checkup and confirmed I wasn't pregnant.

00:06:19Finally, I organized all the assets William had handed over to me over the years.

00:06:23The night before we were supposed to go to the registry office, William came back.

00:06:29He called me.

00:06:31Chloe, you moved out?

00:06:32No.

00:06:35Used to my silence over the phone, he chuckled to himself.

00:06:38Chloe, you're so cute.

00:06:39I told you.

00:06:40It's just for show.

00:06:42Tell you what.

00:06:43Let's just see the act through.

00:06:45Come with me tomorrow and finalize the divorce.

00:06:48I gripped my phone.

00:06:49Chloe, don't worry.

00:06:50It's just-

00:06:50No problem.

00:06:52Hoo.

00:06:52Jeers and whistles erupted on the other end.

00:06:54I hung up.

00:06:55Then I texted him the time.

00:06:57The next day, I got up bright and early.

00:06:59William showed up late.

00:07:00Amber had probably done it on purpose.

00:07:02There was a faint bite mark near his lip.

00:07:04He acted like it wasn't there.

00:07:05I acted like I didn't see it.

00:07:07The process went even more smoothly than last time.

00:07:09It took less than five minutes from start to finish.

00:07:13Chloe, I've got a surprise for you tomorrow.

00:07:15I tucked the divorce papers away.

00:07:17William, are you free tonight?

00:07:19There's something I want to tell you.

00:07:20William froze.

00:07:21Ever since we got married, I had always called him honey.

00:07:26Sure.

00:07:29No matter what William had become over the past year, I wouldn't deny the memory we once shared.

00:07:34I am thankful for his company over the years and for how he once took care of me.

00:07:38So honestly, I never planned to leave without saying goodbye.

00:07:40But that night, it started raining.

00:07:42Thunder crashed and lightning split the sky.

00:07:44I was terrified of nights like this.

00:07:48That car accident happened in a downpour just like this.

00:07:51I held back the tremors wracking my body, waiting for William.

00:07:54I was even afraid that when William finally appeared, years of habit might betray me.

00:07:58That it would tear down the walls I'd fought so hard to build and cause me to cry in the

00:08:02zonks.

00:08:02But he never came.

00:08:03He called me instead.

00:08:05When the call connected, the other end was unbearably loud.

00:08:08Savior, my ass!

00:08:09That's bullshit!

00:08:11I was so sick of her back then.

00:08:13If my mom hadn't forced me, I wouldn't have even bothered with her.

00:08:16Marriage?

00:08:17You guys want to know why we got married so early?

00:08:20Because she wouldn't even sleep with me!

00:08:23I'm just wondering, doesn't she lose her voice every time she gets worked up?

00:08:26What about in bed?

00:08:27Can she even make a sound then?

00:08:29It felt like something inside me had been torn to pieces all over again in that storm.

00:08:33I wanted to hide.

00:08:34I didn't want anyone to see me like this.

00:08:36But where could I go?

00:08:38Chloe?

00:08:42Ethan Sterling.

00:08:46My husband using our divorce papers to butter up his side chick.

00:08:50Just sign them.

00:08:51It's only for show.

00:08:53I need to calm her down.

00:08:55I quietly signed my name.

00:08:58As I was leaving, I overheard his friends teasing him.

00:09:01Man, she's so whipped!

00:09:03Seriously, you've got her wrapped around your little hander.

00:09:07I gripped my phone and said nothing.

00:09:09I simply replied to the message that had just come in.

00:09:12Can't you just marry me?

00:09:14Okay.

00:09:15The reply came almost instantly.

00:09:17I turned off my screen.

00:09:18I hurried out in a panic.

00:09:21The moment I walked out of the building, tears came streaming down my face.

00:09:25William had fallen for a college girl who had not even graduated yet.

00:09:28He bought her an apartment in LA and filled it with luxury goods.

00:09:31But the girl wouldn't let him kiss her or hold her, yet still held her head high and snapped.

00:09:35I'm not going to be your mistress.

00:09:38William found her resistance highly amusing.

00:09:40By now, this was already the third time William had put on an act for her.

00:09:43The first time he acted all loving with me.

00:09:46Back then, I didn't even know Amber existed.

00:09:48I happily wrapped my arms around him and took photo after photo with him.

00:09:54When I saw him post our photos, I was surprised, excited, and full of hope.

00:09:59But no matter how many times I refreshed, I couldn't find that post anywhere.

00:10:03Only later did I find out he had said it to visible only to Amber.

00:10:06The second time, he picked a fight with me.

00:10:08He left me stranded on the street.

00:10:11Then he took a photo of me crying all alone and sent it to Amber.

00:10:14See? What can I do? She just can't live without me.

00:10:17This is the third time.

00:10:18My phone buzzed, and I took it out.

00:10:21Really? Do you mean it?

00:10:23I wiped away my tears and smiled.

00:10:27I'm serious.

00:10:30That afternoon, William took me to register for divorce, just as expected.

00:10:34He was in a great mood the whole way there.

00:10:35He kept asking where I wanted to go for our third anniversary.

00:10:38William and I had grown up together, and this was our third year of marriage.

00:10:43He got out, opened my door, and unbuckled my seatbelt for me.

00:10:47Wait, have you been crying?

00:10:49I already told you, it's just for show.

00:10:51She's nothing but a caged bird.

00:10:53I'm just curious to see how long it takes before she finally breaks.

00:10:56As he spoke, something slipped out of his pocket.

00:10:58A box of condoms.

00:11:02William cleared his throat and rubbed his nose.

00:11:04He didn't explain.

00:11:05He simply led me into the registry office.

00:11:07Everything went smoothly.

00:11:08I had selective mutism.

00:11:09I can't speak when I'm around strangers.

00:11:11Are you divorcing of your own free will?

00:11:13Yes.

00:11:15I nodded.

00:11:16Is it due to an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage?

00:11:18Yes.

00:11:18I nodded.

00:11:20There is a one-month cooling-off period.

00:11:22Please come back in a month.

00:11:23William took the divorce filing receipt.

00:11:25Before we even left the registry office, he took a photo of it and sent a message.

00:11:28Then a message came in on my phone, too.

00:11:30Amber texted me, just as she did before.

00:11:31It was a photo of the filed receipt William had sent her, along with a text.

00:11:36Satisfied now?

00:11:36Get your ass washed and ready for me tonight.

00:11:38I tapped her profile picture and blocked her.

00:11:40Right after I blocked her, a flight confirmation text came in.

00:11:43At the same time, a message popped up.

00:11:45Flights booked.

00:11:46One month out.

00:11:46See you in Paris.

00:11:50That night, I still dreamed about William.

00:11:52When we were kids, William had a way with words.

00:11:55Chloe, I love you the most.

00:11:56When we grow up, I'm going to marry you.

00:11:58Just do this for me.

00:11:59My ex-girlfriend really needs this job.

00:12:05Graduation season, and Marcus and I both landed offers at Xena Tech.

00:12:08He got the million-dollar package.

00:12:10The day we were supposed to sign, he stood in the middle of the HR office with his arms crossed

00:12:14and didn't touch the pen once.

00:12:15We'll sign, but only if you bring Zoe in too.

00:12:18My hand slipped.

00:12:19The pen skidded straight through the paper.

00:12:21Zoe, his ex, the one who was always somehow fragile in exactly the right moments, who wore

00:12:25her softness like a second skin.

00:12:27And Marcus, God, Marcus, couldn't even land a job without dragging her along.

00:12:31The HR director didn't miss a beat.

00:12:32She slid my copy of the offer letter across the desk and looked at me.

00:12:35The million-dollar package?

00:12:37It's yours if you want it.

00:12:38Marcus slid my offer letter across the desk and pushed it toward the HR director alongside

00:12:42his own.

00:12:42The pen had left a long scratch across the paper.

00:12:45Faye already agreed to join whatever company I choose.

00:12:47I don't sign.

00:12:48She doesn't sign.

00:12:48My eye twitched.

00:12:49I opened my mouth.

00:12:50Do you understand what you're saying right now?

00:12:52The HR director's voice was very calm.

00:12:54Marcus slipped one hand into his pocket.

00:12:56His expression didn't move.

00:12:57Joint offers aren't unheard of.

00:12:59Your package is competitive, I'll give you that.

00:13:01But I have other options on the table.

00:13:03Several, actually.

00:13:04He said it the way people say things when they've rehearsed them in the mirror.

00:13:07The HR director laughed, not a warm laugh, and kept her voice perfectly professional.

00:13:11We're a frontier tech company.

00:13:13That's not something we do.

00:13:14As for your friend, Zoe, was it?

00:13:16I can arrange a separate interview slot for her.

00:13:18That's the most I can offer.

00:13:19Marcus didn't move.

00:13:20Either we all sign, or I walk.

00:13:22No other options.

00:13:23Think about it.

00:13:25A beat of silence.

00:13:26The HR director's fingers tapped once.

00:13:28Weiss against the desk.

00:13:29Fine.

00:13:30Let me think.

00:13:31You can wait outside.

00:13:32Marcus glanced at me on his way to the door.

00:13:34Low voice.

00:13:34Almost gentle.

00:13:35Wait for you downstairs.

00:13:36He turned and left like the meeting had gone exactly as planned.

00:13:39The HR director pressed two fingers to her temple.

00:13:42Then she looked at me.

00:13:43What about you?

00:13:44He doesn't sign, you don't sign either?

00:13:47I didn't hesitate.

00:13:48Zenith Tech is my dream company.

00:13:50I've wanted this since freshman year.

00:13:52The HR director looked up.

00:13:53Some of the tension left her face.

00:13:55I pressed my luck.

00:13:56Is there any chance the million dollar package is still on the table?

00:13:58She didn't answer right away.

00:13:59Instead, she slid a folder across the desk.

00:14:01Marcus's offer letter, I realized, and opened it to the compensation page.

00:14:05We went back and forth between the two of you for a long time.

00:14:07He doesn't want to sign.

00:14:08Honestly, you're always the better fit.

00:14:10The salary figure was bolded.

00:14:12Red font.

00:14:13I tried very hard not to smile.

00:14:14I failed completely.

00:14:15Thank you.

00:14:16I won't let you down.

00:14:17I meant it in the way you mean things when four years of 6am library sessions are suddenly,

00:14:22finally worth it.

00:14:23I picked up the pen and signed my name.

00:14:24Slowly, deliberately, the HR director watched me, then asked.

00:14:28Almost as an aside.

00:14:29Marcus mentioned you two agreed to join the same company.

00:14:31Are you together?

00:14:32My hand stilled.

00:14:33I wanted that.

00:14:34I don't anymore.

00:14:35As for whether we're together, that's negotiable too.

00:14:37I set the pen down.

00:14:38She actually smiled.

00:14:40A real one this time.

00:14:41Good.

00:14:42I was worried you were the type to throw away your future over a relationship.

00:14:45We almost picked the wrong person.

00:14:47Before I could respond, she slid another document across the desk.

00:14:50Our top tier offers come with a confidelity clause.

00:14:52Standard practice.

00:14:53We'd rather not have competitors know what we're doing before you've even started.

00:14:55Nothing in writing.

00:14:56Nothing out loud.

00:14:57Until after graduation.

00:14:58I read it top to bottom.

00:14:59Then I signed.

00:15:00Months of applications.

00:15:01Interviews.

00:15:02Rejection emails I never showed anyone.

00:15:04And just like that, settled.

00:15:05Downstairs.

00:15:06Marcus was waiting by the lobby doors.

00:15:08He straightened the moment he saw me.

00:15:09Don't stress.

00:15:10Zenith's not gonna throw away my offer over this.

00:15:12They'll come around.

00:15:13I looked at him.

00:15:14Said nothing.

00:15:15You've got your grades, your awards.

00:15:16You'll land somewhere great.

00:15:18But Zoe's different.

00:15:19He frowned.

00:15:20The way he always did when he talked about her.

00:15:22Like carrying her problems was both a burden and a thing that made him feel most like himself.

00:15:26If I don't help her, she's got nothing lined up.

00:15:29His voice dropped.

00:15:30Besides, I only ended up with you because I left her.

00:15:33We owe her.

00:15:34Both of us.

00:15:35Don't.

00:15:36I cut him off.

00:15:37I'm so tired of hearing that sentence.

00:15:39Help her all you want.

00:15:41But Zoe doesn't even graduate until next year.

00:15:43Why are you trying to lock down her job offer now?

00:15:46I kept my voice even.

00:15:48His voice pitched up half a note.

00:15:50That's exactly what I'm worried about.

00:15:51I'm graduating.

00:15:51What happens to her after that?

00:15:52I need to get her something lined up now before I'm gone.

00:15:55And after she's settled?

00:15:56What then?

00:15:56Do you co-sign her lease?

00:15:58Manage her performance reviews?

00:15:59Walk her down the aisle?

00:16:01He stared at me.

00:16:02Faye.

00:16:02You can't say that.

00:16:03His voice went quiet in the way it did when you wanted to sound reasonable.

00:16:07I chose you.

00:16:08And when I did she went out in the rain and ended up in the hospital for three months.

00:16:11You remember that?

00:16:11I took a slow breath.

00:16:13You'd been broken up for six months before we got together Marcus.

00:16:16That doesn't matter.

00:16:17I've never owed anyone anything except her.

00:16:19She's the one exception.

00:16:20So I do what I can.

00:16:21That's all.

00:16:22That's all.

00:16:22I'd heard some version of that sentence every few months for three years.

00:16:25At some point the words had stopped landing and just sort of bounced off.

00:16:29Marcus.

00:16:29A soft voice from under the trees nearby.

00:16:31Zoe was standing in the shade.

00:16:33Waving at him with a small curved smile.

00:16:34The kind that looked like it had been practiced somewhere quiet and private.

00:16:38How did it go?

00:16:39Did they give you a hard time?

00:16:40He shook his head.

00:16:41Don't worry about it.

00:16:42I'll handle it.

00:16:42I'm so lucky you're helping me.

00:16:44She laughed a little, self-deprecating.

00:16:46Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

00:16:48My grades are a mess and I'm not exactly quick.

00:16:50Without you I'd be panicky about next year's job hunt for the next 12 months straight.

00:16:53She glanced at me as she said it.

00:16:55Briefly.

00:16:56Lightly.

00:16:56The way you glance at furniture.

00:16:58Marcus's voice softened in a register I recognized.

00:17:00I won't let this touch you.

00:17:01I promise.

00:17:02Zoe ducked her head.

00:17:03Pleased and a little shy.

00:17:04Then, as if the thought had just occurred to her.

00:17:06Oh, I heard Zenith Tech only takes two people from Heartwood each year.

00:17:09If they end up signing me do you think that would affect Faye's chances?

00:17:14Marcus blinked.

00:17:15Then, almost immediately, relaxed.

00:17:17She'll be fine.

00:17:17Faye's got other offers.

00:17:18She's always fine.

00:17:19She's always fine.

00:17:20That was the whole logic of it.

00:17:21Laid out in five words.

00:17:23I had good grades.

00:17:24I won things.

00:17:25Therefore I didn't need looking after.

00:17:26Zoe had bad grades.

00:17:27Zoe got sick easily.

00:17:29Therefore she couldn't survive without him.

00:17:31Three people.

00:17:31Two of them taking up all the space.

00:17:33I turned and walked away.

00:17:34Faye.

00:17:35Zoe's voice.

00:17:36Bright and soft.

00:17:37Come eat with us.

00:17:37My treat.

00:17:38We should celebrate.

00:17:39Library.

00:17:39Without turning around.

00:17:41I hadn't made it ten steps when I heard her ask.

00:17:43Carefully.

00:17:43Quietly.

00:17:44Does Faye hate me?

00:17:45Marcus's voice.

00:17:46Patient and tired.

00:17:47The voice he used to explain things.

00:17:49Don't worry about it.

00:17:49She really wanted Zenix so she's a little upset right now.

00:17:52Give her some time.

00:17:53I stopped walking.

00:17:54Then I kept going.

00:17:55I ate alone in the dining hall.

00:17:56Then I went to the library.

00:17:57A message came in from Marcus while I was setting up my laptop.

00:18:01Don't be sad.

00:18:02Got you the chicken parmy from that place you like.

00:18:03Still hot.

00:18:04Come downstairs and I'll bring it up.

00:18:05I turned my phone face down on the desk.

00:18:07I didn't have time to be sad.

00:18:08Zenith had already assigned me a mentor.

00:18:10A Harwood alumnus.

00:18:11Two years ahead.

00:18:12Who went by Sean Vance.

00:18:13He'd sent over three papers earlier.

00:18:14And I still had to get through them.

00:18:18Vance had come back to campus once already.

00:18:20Zenith's fall recruitment presentation.

00:18:22When they wheeled him out as the success story.

00:18:24Outstanding alumnus.

00:18:25I hadn't expected to be emailing him before I'd even signed my contract.

00:18:28But here we were.

00:18:29The bigger the package.

00:18:30The higher the bar.

00:18:31I understood that.

00:18:32A million dollar offer from a company like Zenith didn't come with a grace period.

00:18:35It came with a set of assumptions about what you could already do.

00:18:38I had no interest in walking through those doors and immediately proving those assumptions wrong.

00:18:42So I lived in the library.

00:18:44Marcus, meanwhile, had apparently decided the whole situation was already resolved.

00:18:48He turned down his backup offers.

00:18:49All of them, started sleeping in.

00:18:51Shout out to lunch looking rested in a way that made my eye twitch.

00:18:54Then he added me to a group chat.

00:18:55Graduation trip planning.

00:18:56The other member, Zoe.

00:18:58I stared at it for a moment.

00:18:59Then I typed.

00:19:00Forget the trip.

00:19:00Have you confirmed your offer yet?

00:19:02Three minutes passed.

00:19:03Marcus.

00:19:04Oh, so now you care about me.

00:19:05Let me check.

00:19:06Before I could respond, Zoe's messages came through in a burst.

00:19:09Zoe.

00:19:09I want to go to the beach.

00:19:10Imagine the dresses.

00:19:11The swim moves.

00:19:13Marcus.

00:19:13Remember when we were together and you promised you'd take me to see the ocean someday?

00:19:16You still owe me that.

00:19:17Ugh.

00:19:17Never mind.

00:19:18Forget I said anything.

00:19:19It's your guys' trip.

00:19:20I don't have a say.

00:19:21Marcus replied in under 30 seconds.

00:19:22You absolutely have a say.

00:19:24We're not together but we're still family.

00:19:26If I promised you something I'm keeping it.

00:19:28Checking hotels now.

00:19:29I muted the chat.

00:19:30Then I went to my messages with Sean and pinned the conversation to the top of my screen.

00:19:34That way, whenever he sent over papers or notes or reading lists, I'd see them the moment they came in.

00:19:38Some windows you'd keep open.

00:19:40Some you close.

00:19:40A month before graduation, Dylan, the unofficial social chair of our year, booked a private room at a restaurant near

00:19:46campus and told everyone to show up.

00:19:48Marcus showed up with Zoe.

00:19:49Dylan didn't miss a beat but I saw him clock it.

00:19:51He waited until everyone had ordered before leaning across the table toward Marcus and me.

00:19:55Voice pitched low and careful.

00:19:57Okay, real talk.

00:19:58Out of everyone in our year, you two are the only ones still unconfirmed.

00:20:00What's actually going on?

00:20:03Just do this for me.

00:20:04My ex-girlfriend really needs this job.

00:20:08Graduation season and Marcus and I both landed offers at Zenith Tech.

00:20:11He got the million dollar package.

00:20:12The day we were supposed to sign, he stood in the middle of the HR office with his arms crossed

00:20:15and didn't touch the pen once.

00:20:16We'll sign, but only if you bring Zoe in too.

00:20:18My hand slipped.

00:20:19The pen skidded straight through the paper.

00:20:20Zoe, his ex, the one who was always somehow fragile in exactly the right moments, who wore her softness like

00:20:24a second skin.

00:20:25And Marcus, God, Marcus, couldn't even land a job without dragging her along.

00:20:27The HR director didn't miss a beat.

00:20:29She slid my copy of the offer letter across the desk and looked at me.

00:20:31The million dollar package?

00:20:32It's yours if you want it.

00:20:33Marcus let my offer letter across the desk and pushed it toward the HR director alongside his own.

00:20:36The pen had left a long scratch across the paper.

00:20:38Faye already agreed to join whatever company I choose.

00:20:39I don't sign, she doesn't sign.

00:20:40My eye twitched.

00:20:41I opened my mouth.

00:20:42Do you understand what you're saying right now?

00:20:43The HR director's voice was very calm.

00:20:45Marcus slipped one hand into his pocket.

00:20:46His expression didn't move.

00:20:47Joint offers aren't unheard of.

00:20:48Your package is competitive, I'll give you that.

00:20:50But I have other options on the table.

00:20:51Several, actually.

00:20:52He said it the way people say things when they've rehearsed them in the mirror.

00:20:54The HR director laughed, not a warm laugh, and kept her voice perfectly professional.

00:20:57We're a frontier tech company.

00:20:58That's not something we do.

00:20:59As for your friend, Zoe, was it?

00:21:01I can arrange a separate interview slot for her.

00:21:02That's the most I can offer.

00:21:03Marcus didn't move.

00:21:04Either we all sign, or I walk.

00:21:05No other options.

00:21:06Think about it.

00:21:07A beat of silence.

00:21:08The HR director's fingers tapped once.

00:21:09Twice against the desk.

00:21:10Fine.

00:21:11Let me think.

00:21:11You can wait outside.

00:21:12Marcus glanced at me on his way to the door.

00:21:14Low voice.

00:21:14Almost gentle.

00:21:15Wait for you downstairs.

00:21:16He turned and left like the meeting had gone exactly as planned.

00:21:18The HR director pressed two fingers to her temple.

00:21:19Then she looked at me.

00:21:20What about you?

00:21:21He doesn't sign, you don't sign either?

00:21:23I didn't hesitate.

00:21:24Zenith Tech is my dream company.

00:21:26I've wanted this since freshman year.

00:21:27The HR director looked up.

00:21:28Some of the tension left her face.

00:21:29I pressed my luck.

00:21:30Is there any chance the million dollar package is still on the table?

00:21:31She didn't answer right away.

00:21:32Instead, she slid a folder across the desk.

00:21:34Marcus's offer letter.

00:21:35I realized.

00:21:35And opened it to the compensation page.

00:21:37We went back and forth between the two of you for a long time.

00:21:38He doesn't want to sign.

00:21:39Honestly?

00:21:40You're always the better fit.

00:21:40The salary figure was bolded.

00:21:42Red font.

00:21:42I tried very hard not to smile.

00:21:43I failed completely.

00:21:44Thank you.

00:21:45I won't let you down.

00:21:46Amended in the way you mean things when four years of 6am library sessions are suddenly,

00:21:49finally worth it.

00:21:49I picked up the pen and signed my name.

00:21:51Slowly, deliberately.

00:21:51The HR director watched me, then asked.

00:21:53Almost as an aside.

00:21:54Marcus mentioned you two agreed to join the same company.

00:21:56Are you together?

00:21:57My hand stilled.

00:21:57I wanted that.

00:21:58I don't anymore.

00:21:58As for whether we're together, that's negotiable too.

00:22:00I set the pen down.

00:22:01She actually smiled.

00:22:02A real one this time.

00:22:03Good.

00:22:03I was worried you were the type to throw away your future over a relationship.

00:22:06We almost picked the wrong person.

00:22:07Before I could respond, she slid another document across the desk.

00:22:09Our top tier offers come with a confidality clause.

00:22:11Standard practice.

00:22:12We'd rather not have competitors know what we're doing before you've even started.

00:22:13Nothing in writing.

00:22:14Nothing out loud.

00:22:15Until after graduation.

00:22:16I read it top to bottom.

00:22:16Then I signed.

00:22:17Months of applications.

00:22:18Interviews.

00:22:18Rejection emails I never showed anyone.

00:22:20And just like that.

00:22:20Settled.

00:22:21Downstairs.

00:22:21Marcus was waiting by the lobby doors.

00:22:23He straightened the moment he saw me.

00:22:24Don't stress.

00:22:24Zenith's not gonna throw away my offer over this.

00:22:26They'll come around.

00:22:27I looked at him.

00:22:27Said nothing.

00:22:28You've got your grades, your awards, you'll land somewhere great.

00:22:30But Zoe's different.

00:22:31He frowned.

00:22:31The way he always did when he talked about her.

00:22:33Like carrying her problems was both a burden and a thing that made him feel most like himself.

00:22:36If I don't help her, she's got nothing lined up.

00:22:38His voice dropped.

00:22:40Besides, I only ended up with you because I left her.

00:22:41We owe her.

00:22:42Both of us.

00:22:43Don't.

00:22:43I cut him off.

00:22:44I'm so tired of hearing that sentence.

00:22:45Help her all you want.

00:22:47But Zoe doesn't even graduate until next year.

00:22:48Why are you trying to lock down her job offer now?

00:22:51I kept my voice even.

00:22:52His voice pitched up half a note.

00:22:53That's exactly what I'm worried about.

00:22:54I'm graduating.

00:22:55What happens to her after that?

00:22:55I need to get her something lined up now before I'm gone.

00:22:57And after she's settled?

00:22:58What then?

00:22:58Do you co-sign her lease?

00:22:59Manage her performance reviews?

00:23:01Walk her down the aisle?

00:23:01He stared at me.

00:23:02Faye.

00:23:03You can't say that.

00:23:03His voice went quiet in the way it did when you wanted to sound reasonable.

00:23:06I chose you.

00:23:07And when I did, she went out in the rain and ended up in the hospital for three months.

00:23:09You remember that?

00:23:09I took a slow breath.

00:23:11You've been broken up for six months before we got together, Marcus.

00:23:12That doesn't matter.

00:23:13I've never owed anyone anything except her.

00:23:15She's the one exception.

00:23:15So I do what I can.

00:23:16That's all.

00:23:17That's all.

00:23:17I'd heard some version of that sentence every few months for three years.

00:23:20At some point, the words had stopped landing and just sort of bounced off.

00:23:22Marcus!

00:23:22A soft voice from under the trees nearby.

00:23:24Zoe was standing in the shade, waving at him with a small curved smile.

00:23:26The kind that looked like it had been practiced somewhere quiet and private.

00:23:29How did it go?

00:23:29Did they give you a hard time?

00:23:30He shook his head.

00:23:31Don't worry about it.

00:23:31I'll handle it.

00:23:32I'm so lucky you're helping me.

00:23:33She laughed a little, self-deprecating, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

00:23:36My grades are a mess, and I'm not exactly quick.

00:23:38Without you, I'd be panicking about next year's job hunt for the next 12 months straight.

00:23:40She glanced at me as she said it.

00:23:41Briefly, lightly, the way you glance at furniture.

00:23:43Marcus's voice softened in a register I recognized.

00:23:45I won't let this touch you.

00:23:46I promise.

00:23:47Zoe ducked her head, pleased and a little shy.

00:23:48Then, as if the thought had just occurred to her.

00:23:50Oh, I heard Zenith tackle me.

00:23:51Takes two people from Heartwood each year.

00:23:52If they end up signing me, do you think that would affect Faye's chances?

00:23:55Marcus blinked.

00:23:56Then, almost immediately, relaxed.

00:23:57She'll be fine.

00:23:58Faye's got other offers.

00:23:58She's always fine.

00:23:59She's always fine.

00:24:00That was the whole logic of it.

00:24:01Laid out in five words.

00:24:02I had good grades.

00:24:02I won things.

00:24:03Therefore, I didn't need looking after.

00:24:04Zoe had bad grades.

00:24:05Zoe got sick easily.

00:24:06Therefore, she couldn't survive without him.

00:24:07Three people.

00:24:08Two of them taking up all the space.

00:24:09I turned and walked away.

00:24:10Safe.

00:24:11Zoe's voice.

00:24:11Bright and soft.

00:24:12Come eat with us.

00:24:12My treat.

00:24:13We should celebrate.

00:24:13Library.

00:24:14Without turning around.

00:24:15I hadn't made it ten steps when I heard her ask.

00:24:16Carefully, quietly.

00:24:17Does Faye hate me?

00:24:18Marcus's voice.

00:24:18Patient and tired.

00:24:19The voice he used to explain things.

00:24:20Don't worry about it.

00:24:21She really wanted Zenix, so she's a little upset right now.

00:24:23Give her some time.

00:24:24I stopped walking.

00:24:24Then I kept going.

00:24:25I ate alone in the dining hall.

00:24:26Then I went to the library.

00:24:27A message came in from Marcus while I was setting up my laptop.

00:24:29Don't be sad.

00:24:30Got you the chicken parmy from that place you like.

00:24:31Still hot.

00:24:32Come downstairs and I'll bring it up.

00:24:32I turned my phone face down on the desk.

00:24:34I didn't have time to be sad.

00:24:35Zenith had already assigned me a mentor.

00:24:36A Harwood alumnus.

00:24:37Two years ahead.

00:24:37Who went by Sean Vance.

00:24:38He'd sent over three papers earlier.

00:24:40And I still had to...

00:24:40While preparing the marriage bed, I found traces of an unknown liquid on the sheets.

00:24:44This was my royal bridal chamber.

00:24:45Yet the warmth of another woman still lingered on the marriage bed.

00:24:49My mind went completely blank.

00:24:51Using the crystal mirror communication spell, I initiated a call to my fiancé.

00:24:55Surprisingly, the call was answered instantly.

00:24:57The one who appeared in the crystal projection was not Cedric, but his lady attendant, Isabella

00:25:01Montrose.

00:25:02She smiled with seductive confidence and blatant arrogance.

00:25:05Very well, this man.

00:25:07I don't want him anymore.

00:25:09Where's Cedric?

00:25:11Tell him to answer the call.

00:25:12The crystal mirror was connected by Isabella.

00:25:14And I froze for a few seconds.

00:25:16But I quickly regained my composure.

00:25:19Isabella deliberately examined the bridal chamber behind.

00:25:23Then she puttered twips into a nail.

00:25:25So Miss Charlotte is in the bridal chamber?

00:25:29The new bed is so soft.

00:25:31I already tested it for you.

00:25:33It felt as if all the strength had been drained from my body.

00:25:36My head buzzed violently.

00:25:37I stared at the woman in the crystal image without saying a word.

00:25:41The groom is pretty impressive, too.

00:25:43I tested him for you as well.

00:25:44Only then did I notice where she was.

00:25:46It was a noble guest room in the castle tower.

00:25:50Suppressing the furing in my chest, I forced myself to stay calm.

00:25:56Where's Cedric?

00:25:57Isabella deliberately glanced toward a certain direction before pretending to sound troubled.

00:26:02Young Lord Ashford is naturally busy handling military affairs.

00:26:06He's very occupied.

00:26:08The next moment, I heard the familiar voice.

00:26:12Isabella, come help me wash my back.

00:26:14At that instant, it felt as though a holy knight had cast a binding spell on me.

00:26:19My lips parroted, but no words came out.

00:26:21You just wanted to trick me into bathing with you in the sacred spring.

00:26:24As she spoke, Isabella, me a triaffemphant look before cutting off the crystal mirror communication.

00:26:30All the strength left my body.

00:26:32I slid onto the cold stone floor as anger and heartbreak swallowed me whole.

00:26:36After sitting there for who knew how long,

00:26:38I let out a quiet laugh and threw the bedsheets into the wooden waste barrel beside the fireplace.

00:26:43While I was decorating our bridal chamber,

00:26:46he was sharing the fornon bath in a Khabibber,

00:26:49sharing the sacred bath with his lady attendant,

00:26:51and I was sharing the sacred bath with his lady attendant,

00:26:54I knew Isabella wanted to ruin my wedding.

00:26:59She succeeded.

00:27:01I sent Cedric a pigeon letter.

00:27:05Cedric, let's break up.

00:27:07The wedding is cancelled.

00:27:11I picked up the gilded carved figurine of the wholly married couple from the table

00:27:14and tossed it into the wooden trash chest.

00:27:17I smashed the noble wedding portrait hanging on the wall.

00:27:22I destroyed the bridal chamber I had decorated with my own hands.

00:27:26I sent cancellation letters to our relatives and noble guests,

00:27:29then extinguished the Cricrystal lamps and returned to my old resident.

00:27:33Once everything became quiet,

00:27:35I forced myself not to think about all the years I had spent with that night.

00:27:40I drank until I was completely intoxicated,

00:27:43letting alcohol drag me into sleep.

00:27:49The next morning, violent pounding on the door woke me up.

00:27:52Outside stood Cedric and his entire squad of night retainers,

00:27:56all dressed in polished armor, looking preferrically respectable.

00:28:00The bouquet of night roses in Cedric's hand had already fallen apart.

00:28:04Seeing that I had obviously just woken up,

00:28:07he exploded in fury.

00:28:09Charlotte, are you out of your mind?

00:28:11The twisted expression on his face was so ugly that I actually found it a little amusing.

00:28:16My smile only provoked him further.

00:28:21Do you have any idea that today is our cathedral wedding?

00:28:24I rubbed my eyes.

00:28:25Being disturbed while suffering from a hangout was incredibly irritating.

00:28:29Didn't I already tell you?

00:28:30We're not getting married.

00:28:32We're breaking up.

00:28:35Can't you understand that?

00:28:37His eyes turned bloodshot,

00:28:39as though he were desperately suppressing his anger.

00:28:41Finally, he squeezed his eyes shut for a moment before gritting out.

00:28:43If you change into your wedding gown and come with me right now,

00:28:46I'll pretend none of this happened.

00:28:48I'll forgive you this once.

00:28:51How on earth had I ever given him the impression that I was hopelessly devoted to him?

00:28:55I simply took my feelings seriously,

00:28:57yet he assumed I couldn't live without him.

00:28:59My gaze swept over the night retainers behind him,

00:29:02whose expressions all carried varying degrees of amusement.

00:29:05Cedric!

00:29:06The one who did something wrong is you!

00:29:08Do you really want to discuss your relationship with Isabella Montreux right here?

00:29:12Get out.

00:29:13We're finished.

00:29:14Understand?

00:29:16Cedric foaled for a moment before his expression changed dramatically.

00:29:21All his previous arrogance disappeared.

00:29:24His eyes shifted uneasily, but he didn't leave.

00:29:28And instead, his tone softened.

00:29:32You misunderstood.

00:29:34It's my fault.

00:29:37I should have explained everything to you beforehand.

00:29:40You can punish me however you want afterward.

00:29:43But today is our cathedral wedding.

00:29:47It's the most important day of our lives.

00:29:50Our noble relatives and guests are all waiting for us.

00:29:53Please stop making a scene.

00:29:55And come with me first, okay?

00:29:58He shook his head with a bitter smile.

00:30:00His doc is Moriav's.

00:30:01His eyes sincere.

00:30:03Making it seem as though I were the unreasonable one.

00:30:07This man changed faces incredibly fast.

00:30:11He knew exactly when to bend and when to stand firm.

00:30:13Seeing the accompanying knights all looking at me with disapproval,

00:30:16one noble knight who was especially close to Cedric

00:30:19stepped forward to persuade me.

00:30:21Your Highness,

00:30:22today really isn't the time to be stubborn.

00:30:25After the cathedral wedding,

00:30:26you can handle this however you willow.

00:30:29Excellent.

00:30:30Cedric wanted to roast me over the flames of noble etiquette.

00:30:33Then I'd happily grant his wish.

00:30:35Only, whatever happened next would be entirely his own doing.

00:30:38Fine.

00:30:39Wait here for a moment.

00:30:41After washing up,

00:30:42I simply put on an ordinary noble gown before leaving.

00:30:47Where are you going to change into your wedding dress?

00:30:49But I refused every time.

00:30:53His expression darkened,

00:30:55yet there was nothing he could do.

00:30:57Inside the cathedral hall,

00:30:58only guests from his family were present,

00:31:00although my relatives didn't know what had happened.

00:31:02They already knew that I had cancelled the cathedral wedding.

00:31:04When they saw me arrive dressed like this,

00:31:06the noble's gazes immediately became meaningful.

00:31:08Several noble ladies couldn't help whispering among themselves.

00:31:12A cathedral wedding is such an important ceremony.

00:31:14How can she simply choose not to show up?

00:31:17Only young Lord Ashford could tolerate this.

00:31:20Anyone else would have broken off the engagement already.

00:31:24Exactly.

00:31:25So many vassals and nobles have been waiting here.

00:31:28If she didn't want to marry him,

00:31:30why wait until now?

00:31:32All right, all right.

00:31:36Lady Ashford took my arm,

00:31:38led me to the seat of honor,

00:31:40and gently urged me to sit.

00:31:43There wasn't the slightest hint of displeasure on her face.

00:31:46My dear child,

00:31:47we couldn't reach you and were terribly worried.

00:31:50Did Cedric,

00:31:52Hoasso,

00:31:52sell us,

00:31:53and we'll stand up for you.

00:31:55Duke Ashford was equally kind and gentle.

00:31:57Yes.

00:31:58We're all on your side.

00:32:00The Ashford family had always treated me well.

00:32:02Marrying into their family

00:32:03meant never noble about faction to factions.

00:32:04Lady Ashford was an exceptionally graceful elder,

00:32:07and the Duke was famous for his kindness and generosities.

00:32:09But Cedric had betrayed me.

00:32:10There was no possibility of forgiveness.

00:32:12For a moment,

00:32:13I remained silent.

00:32:15Lady Ashford simply assumed I was still upset.

00:32:19Charlotte,

00:32:20listen to me.

00:32:21Go change into your wedding gown first.

00:32:24Afterward,

00:32:25I'll make Cedric apologize to you properly.

00:32:28Yes.

00:32:29Don't delay the cathedral ceremony.

00:32:30I let out a long sigh.

00:32:32At that moment,

00:32:33I truly wanted to calmly explain everything to the Ashford family

00:32:36and peacefully end this engagement.

00:32:39But someone's arrival interrupted me.

00:32:41Isabella Montroge entered

00:32:42wearing a flowing crimson silk noble ground,

00:32:45elegant and charming.

00:32:46She smiled faintly,

00:32:48her gaze openly challenging me.

00:32:50Her exquisite makeup contrasted sharply

00:32:52with my plain appearance.

00:32:54The crisp rhythm of her high heels

00:32:55against the stone floor

00:32:56drew every noble's attention.

00:32:59I'm not late, am I?

00:33:01Miss Charlotte,

00:33:02happy cathedral wedding?

00:33:04I smiled as well.

00:33:05She looked beautiful.

00:33:06Dressed entirely illy and red,

00:33:07she looked exactly like the heroine of today's wedding.

00:33:10Without hesitation,

00:33:11Isabella walked straight to the seat of honor.

00:33:12and sat beside me in,

00:33:14in the place that should have belonged,

00:33:15to Cedric.

00:33:16Then she took off the necklace around her check

00:33:18and put on a new one,

00:33:19and I couldn't help staring closely.

00:33:21I looked more closely.

00:33:23I had thought my heart had already frozen completely,

00:33:26yet somehow,

00:33:27it became even colder.

00:33:28It was a diamond ring,

00:33:30identical to my own holy wedding ring.

00:33:32I had designed it myself.

00:33:34There was only one such design on the entire continent.

00:33:37Now it had been made into a necklace

00:33:39and rested around Isabella's neck.

00:33:40I couldn't help feeling angry.

00:33:42I clenched my fists tightly,

00:33:44forcing myself not to lose control.

00:33:47At that moment,

00:33:48Cedric entered together with the cathedral officiate.

00:33:50Bride isn't wearing her wedding gown?

00:33:52A red dress works too.

00:33:54It's very beautiful.

00:33:55The officiator had obviously mistaken Isabella,

00:33:58dressed in a crimson gown with flawless makeup

00:34:00for the emotional bride.

00:34:01He nodded approvingly.

00:34:02Isabella glanced at me,

00:34:04then hurriedly waved her hands as if embarrassed.

00:34:06No, no.

00:34:08I'm not today's bride.

00:34:11Miss Charlotte,

00:34:12please don't misunderstand.

00:34:14Cedric strode over,

00:34:15his expression dark.

00:34:18Why haven't you changed into your wedding gown yet?

00:34:20Do you even care about our engagement at all?

00:34:23As he spoke,

00:34:24he reached out to grab me.

00:34:26Lady Ashford quickly stopped him,

00:34:28rebuking him.

00:34:29Cedric,

00:34:30watch your tone.

00:34:31Why are you being so harsh?

00:34:33Isabella stepped forward at the perfect moment.

00:34:35That's right.

00:34:36Miss Charlotte is just feeling emotional.

00:34:39Young Lord,

00:34:40just comfort her.

00:34:41Don't let this delay the cathedral ceremony.

00:34:43Cedric became even angrier.

00:34:45Standing before all the nobles,

00:34:47he seemed completely fed up.

00:34:48He pointed at me.

00:34:50Charlotte,

00:34:51your stubbornness has limits.

00:34:53Go change your clothes right now!

00:34:55Isabella stood up,

00:34:56gently patting Cedric's arm

00:34:57as she soothed him softly.

00:34:58Don't be angry.

00:34:59Let Miss Charlotte go change.

00:35:01I'll accompany you in offering apologies

00:35:03and toasts to all the guests.

00:35:04You'll accompany him in toasting everyone?

00:35:07Why don't you just finish

00:35:08the cathedral wedding with him too?

00:35:10I no longer intended to keep up appearance.

00:35:12It was obvious this matter

00:35:13couldn't be settled peacefully today.

00:35:15Without hesitation,

00:35:16I raised my voice and announced,

00:35:18my apologies for giving everyone

00:35:19such an embarrassing spectacle.

00:35:21Today's banquet will proceed as planned,

00:35:23but my engagement to Cedric

00:35:24is officially dissolved.

00:35:25How long are you going to keep making a scene?

00:35:27Cedric glared at me furiously.

00:35:29Isabella looked anxious,

00:35:30even stamping her foot,

00:35:33her high heels striking the stone floor

00:35:34with crisp sounds.

00:35:35Miss Charlotte,

00:35:37please don't misunderstand.

00:35:38I only wanted to help entertain

00:35:40the noble guests.

00:35:41I meant nothing else.

00:35:42What a classic scheming little hypocrite.

00:35:45I folded my arms

00:35:46and watched her performance coldly.

00:35:48You didn't just help me toast the guests.

00:35:50Didn't you also complete

00:35:51my holy wedding ceremony for me?

00:35:54Isabella was clearly satisfied

00:35:55with my reaction.

00:35:57A flash of triumph appeared in her eyes,

00:35:58before instantly turning into the expression

00:36:01of someone terribly wrong.

00:36:02Miss Charlotte,

00:36:03you've truly misunderstood me.

00:36:06Smack.

00:36:06She certainly knew how to act.

00:36:08Unfortunately,

00:36:09I had no interest in watching any longer.

00:36:12Charlotte,

00:36:13have you lost your mind?

00:36:14She immediately pulled Isabella

00:36:16into his arms,

00:36:16protecting her completely,

00:36:17as though shocked

00:36:18that I had actually struck her.

00:36:20Isabella's large eyes

00:36:21brimmed with tears

00:36:22that threatened to fall,

00:36:23pitifully leaning against Cedric's chest.

00:36:25Her tears soaked

00:36:26into his noble attire.

00:36:27Perhaps those tears burned him,

00:36:29because the way Cedric looked at me

00:36:31made it seem

00:36:32as though he wanted to kill me.

00:36:34Charlotte!

00:36:35You've gone completely insane!

00:36:38I am the most exalted

00:36:40Phoenix princess.

00:36:42The dragon I choose

00:36:43becomes the next dragon king.

00:36:45In my previous life,

00:36:46I chose Aldric,

00:36:47the one I have loved

00:36:48since my teenage years.

00:36:50To help him pass the storm trial,

00:36:52I burned my own soul stone

00:36:53without hesitation,

00:36:54secretly invoting

00:36:55the power of Phoenix Rebirth,

00:36:57to bear the nine divine thunders

00:36:58in his place.

00:36:59In the end,

00:37:00my soul stone cracked

00:37:01and I lost the ability

00:37:02to bear children.

00:37:03But I accepted it gladly.

00:37:05I believed he was

00:37:05the one person in this world

00:37:07most worthy of my devotion.

00:37:10Until the day

00:37:10he passed the trial

00:37:11and ascended to the throne.

00:37:13His dragon claw

00:37:14punched my chest.

00:37:15He smiled.

00:37:17Cruel, unhesitating,

00:37:18and ripped my scarred soul stone

00:37:20out by the root.

00:37:21I collapsed in a pool of blood.

00:37:23My phoenix plumes

00:37:24were torn out one by one.

00:37:26He crushed my spine

00:37:27beneath his foot.

00:37:30If it weren't to take

00:37:31your soul stone

00:37:31and make Lizanna

00:37:33the phoenix princess,

00:37:34why the hell would I ever

00:37:35marry a bitch like you?

00:37:37Then I watched him

00:37:38drop to one knee

00:37:38and offer my soul stone

00:37:39to Lysara.

00:37:40That magpie

00:37:41who had impersonated me

00:37:42since we were children

00:37:43was smiling at me.

00:37:44The smile of a victor.

00:37:45She possessed my soul stone

00:37:47while I lay broken

00:37:47on the ground

00:37:48waiting to die.

00:37:49The last image

00:37:50burned into my eyes

00:37:51was the two of them

00:37:51locked in a fervent kiss.

00:37:53Then everything went dark.

00:37:56When I opened my eyes again

00:37:57my back was drenched

00:37:58in cold sweat.

00:37:59Serafina,

00:38:00have you made your decision?

00:38:01Who would you like

00:38:02to choose as your husband?

00:38:04That voice.

00:38:05This scene.

00:38:06I had been reborn.

00:38:07Back to the night of choosing.

00:38:10Your majesty,

00:38:11I'd like to-

00:38:11Father!

00:38:12I know Serafina

00:38:13has feelings for me

00:38:14but my heart belongs

00:38:15only to Lysala.

00:38:16I have sworn an oath

00:38:16before the gods.

00:38:17If I ever betray her,

00:38:18let my soul become a demon

00:38:19never to find peace.

00:38:21Gasps nearly lifted

00:38:22the roof off the great hall.

00:38:23King Fenerid's expression dartened.

00:38:25Everyone knew

00:38:26whoever married

00:38:27the phoenix priness

00:38:27would sit securely

00:38:28upon the throne

00:38:29and what Aldric had just said

00:38:30amounted to renouncing the crown.

00:38:32In an instant

00:38:32every other candidate

00:38:33stirred with barely

00:38:34concealed hunger.

00:38:35However,

00:38:36I know Serafina

00:38:37can't live without me.

00:38:38I can marry her

00:38:39so long as she and Lysala

00:38:41both become my wives.

00:38:42They will each be my queen.

00:38:44Enough!

00:38:46Lysala,

00:38:46a magpie

00:38:47daring to stand

00:38:48as equal

00:38:49to the phoenix princess?

00:38:52What are you standing there for?

00:38:53Haven't you always

00:38:54wanted to marry me?

00:38:55This is your chance!

00:38:56You've taken so much

00:38:57from Lysala.

00:38:58If she weren't so generous,

00:38:59I would never have agreed

00:39:00to let you be my queen as well.

00:39:01You should be on your knees

00:39:02with gratitude!

00:39:03Our eyes met

00:39:04and in that instant

00:39:05I understood

00:39:06he had been reborn too.

00:39:07He thought I would be

00:39:08the same as before.

00:39:09That I would cling to him

00:39:10no matter what.

00:39:11Endure any humiliation.

00:39:13Even sacrifice my life.

00:39:14The year I was born,

00:39:15the god war erupted.

00:39:16The entire phoenix clan

00:39:18suffered catastrophic losses.

00:39:19Every ash nest on the ash tree

00:39:21scattered in the chaos of battle.

00:39:22Many unborn lives

00:39:23forced to manifest

00:39:24their infant forms

00:39:24prematurely by the upheaval

00:39:26perished.

00:39:26Our people searched everywhere

00:39:28and in their haste

00:39:29mistakenly brought back

00:39:30the fledgling Lysala

00:39:31who had fallen into

00:39:32one of the ash nests.

00:39:33Meanwhile I was taken in

00:39:34by Lysala's parents

00:39:35who had lost their own chick

00:39:36and missed the rescue entirely.

00:39:38Until a hundred years later

00:39:40when we each underwent

00:39:41our true rebirth

00:39:42did father and mother

00:39:44discover the one

00:39:44they'd brought home

00:39:45was a magpie.

00:39:46A fake.

00:39:46Mother was kind.

00:39:48Considering that Lysala

00:39:48was still a child

00:39:49nurtured by sacred fire

00:39:50she didn't banish her.

00:39:52Instead she allowed Lysala

00:39:53to remain in the kingdom

00:39:54enjoying privileges

00:39:55far above her bloodline.

00:39:56But Lysala was never satisfied.

00:39:58She even manipulated Aldrich

00:40:00into making a public spectacle

00:40:01on her behalf.

00:40:02The elder blood of the dragon clan

00:40:03had been declining for ages.

00:40:04And that was why

00:40:05every dragon king

00:40:06plus no restrictions on bloodline

00:40:07warmth, serpent, drake, wyrant

00:40:08all these lesser dragon kin

00:40:09from collateral lines

00:40:10could compete alongside

00:40:11the king's own offspring.

00:40:13The princes.

00:40:14Anyone who could withstand

00:40:15the nine divine thunders

00:40:16upon the stormalton

00:40:17would inherit the throne.

00:40:18And bonding with the phoenix princess

00:40:19not only guaranteed passage

00:40:21through that near-closed fire

00:40:22it would also vastly elevate

00:40:23the purity of one's

00:40:24descendants' bloodline.

00:40:25No one knew these details

00:40:27except the king.

00:40:28The outside world

00:40:28only knew this.

00:40:29Whomever the phoenix princess chose

00:40:31would become the next dragon king.

00:40:33And today Aldrich had all but

00:40:34publicly humiliated the entire

00:40:36phoenix clan.

00:40:37If the phoenix clan severed ties

00:40:38with the dragons over this

00:40:39the dragon clan would be

00:40:40utterly finished.

00:40:41King Fenric had clearly

00:40:42reached the same conclusion.

00:40:43He regarded Aldrich with cold eyes

00:40:45then turned to me

00:40:46his tone softened.

00:40:47Serena.

00:40:48This fool has acted disbracefully.

00:40:50He is yours to deal with

00:40:51as you see fit.

00:40:52King Fenric.

00:40:53I've already decided

00:40:54who I wish to marry.

00:40:57I walked directly to King Fenric

00:40:58and whispered the name

00:40:59along with my entire plan

00:41:01using the ancient cypher tongue.

00:41:03Fenric was silent for a moment

00:41:04then nodded.

00:41:06Since you've made your decision

00:41:07very well

00:41:08I will arrange everything.

00:41:09He turned to Aldrich.

00:41:11You will remain in confinement

00:41:12until you've reflected

00:41:13on your actions.

00:41:14Before the wedding

00:41:14I will not tolerate

00:41:15another incident.

00:41:16A faint smugness

00:41:17crept across Aldrich's face.

00:41:18The look he gave me

00:41:19said it plainly.

00:41:20I knew it.

00:41:20You'd give in eventually.

00:41:21I couldn't be bothered to react.

00:41:23I simply glanced

00:41:24toward a far corner of the hall.

00:41:25There in the shadows

00:41:26stood a man

00:41:27dressed entirely in black

00:41:28with two slender

00:41:29dark horns on his head.

00:41:30Nothing like the blood-sloked man

00:41:32who had fought to avenge me

00:41:33in my previous life.

00:41:36King Fenric kept me back

00:41:38to exchange a few private words.

00:41:39By the time I emerged

00:41:41from the great hall

00:41:42Aldrich was still

00:41:43there, waiting.

00:41:44Beside him stood

00:41:44Lesara in a white gown.

00:41:46Serafina.

00:41:47Thank you.

00:41:48If my parents were still alive

00:41:49I'm sure they would be so happy.

00:41:51She reached up

00:41:52and dabbed at the corner

00:41:53of her eye.

00:41:54Aldrich immediately

00:41:54pulled her close

00:41:55glaring at me coldly.

00:41:57Lesara's parents

00:41:57died because of you.

00:41:59Now she's being gracious

00:42:00enough to accept you.

00:42:01Don't you think

00:42:02you owe her something?

00:42:02In my previous life

00:42:03I carried that guilt

00:42:04towards Lesha always

00:42:05yielding to her

00:42:07at every turn.

00:42:08It wasn't until

00:42:09the moment before my death

00:42:11that she told me

00:42:12with a smile.

00:42:13She had lured that beast

00:42:14there herself

00:42:15to get rid of me.

00:42:17She had killed

00:42:18her own parents.

00:42:19I owe her.

00:42:20Give Lesana

00:42:20your soul stone.

00:42:22In that instant

00:42:23the agony of his

00:42:23ice-cold fingers

00:42:24prying open my chest

00:42:25in the previous life

00:42:26came flooding back.

00:42:27Do you have any idea

00:42:28what it means

00:42:28for a soul stone

00:42:29to leave its owner's body?

00:42:30Without my soul stone

00:42:31my soul will wither completely.

00:42:33I will die.

00:42:34We're about to marry

00:42:35what's yours is mine.

00:42:37Hand the soul stone

00:42:37over to Lysaia.

00:42:38I can guarantee

00:42:39nothing will happen to you.

00:42:40If you refuse

00:42:41then don't think

00:42:42about marrying me.

00:42:43I stared at him.

00:42:44Killing intact

00:42:45surged through my veins.

00:42:46My fingertips

00:42:47had already begun to burn

00:42:48phoenix fire

00:42:49stirring restlessly

00:42:50beneath my skin.

00:42:51Lesara's face

00:42:51drained color

00:42:52inch by inch.

00:42:53She started trembling

00:42:54her knees threatening

00:42:54to bucken.

00:42:55Even Aldic's expression

00:42:56was growing rigid.

00:42:57He straightened his spine

00:42:58trying to resist

00:42:59but beads of sweat

00:43:00broke out along his temples.

00:43:01If I wished it

00:43:02he and this magpie

00:43:03would be ash in an instant

00:43:04but I forced that fire

00:43:06back down.

00:43:07Death would be

00:43:08the easiest way out for him.

00:43:09I wanted him to watch

00:43:10himself lose everything.

00:43:12Seraphina.

00:43:13Aldic recovered.

00:43:14Humiliation twisting

00:43:15into fury.

00:43:16How dare you?

00:43:16Princess.

00:43:17King Fenric sent me

00:43:18to escort you.

00:43:19It was the Black Drake.

00:43:21I withdrew my power

00:43:23and gave him a small smile.

00:43:25Let's go.

00:43:26Wait.

00:43:27What business

00:43:28could you possibly have

00:43:29with this lowbrun Black Drake?

00:43:30If you have so much

00:43:31free time

00:43:31perhaps you should spend it

00:43:33for the Storm Ultram trial

00:43:34in five days.

00:43:35Five days later

00:43:36every lesser dragon

00:43:37who aspired to become

00:43:38a true dragon

00:43:39would ascend the Storm Ultram.

00:43:41In my previous life

00:43:42bolstered by my soul stone

00:43:43and protection

00:43:44Aldric had become

00:43:45the first being

00:43:45in ten thousand years

00:43:46to survive all nine

00:43:47divine thunders

00:43:48in a single attempt

00:43:49and now

00:43:50his face held

00:43:51that same brimming confidence.

00:43:52A few thunderbolts

00:43:53of lightning?

00:43:54None of the lesser dragon

00:43:54with this time around

00:43:55are a match for me.

00:43:56Five days from now

00:43:57just sit back

00:43:58and wait for me

00:43:59to marry you.

00:44:00A flash of jealous hatred

00:44:01slid through Lysana's eyes

00:44:02but I just walked away

00:44:04side by side

00:44:04with that man.

00:44:05It wasn't until

00:44:06Aldric's voice

00:44:07had faded entirely

00:44:07behind us

00:44:08that I stopped.

00:44:09Kael Fenric told you

00:44:10everything?

00:44:11He gazed at me

00:44:11intentantly.

00:44:13Princess Seraphina

00:44:14I swear upon my soul

00:44:15if I ever betray you

00:44:16in this life

00:44:17let me fall to demons

00:44:18never to know peace.

00:44:21Do you understand

00:44:22that once a soul oath

00:44:23is sealed

00:44:23the gods will tear

00:44:24the oathbreaker's soul

00:44:25to shreds?

00:44:26I do.

00:44:27I removed the glowing

00:44:28phoenix sigil

00:44:29from around my neck

00:44:30leaned forward

00:44:31and fastened it

00:44:31against his chest.

00:44:33This is the token

00:44:34a phoenix princess

00:44:34gives to her husband.

00:44:36I trust you.

00:44:37His eyes blazed

00:44:38with startling brightness.

00:44:39I turned and headed

00:44:40toward my quarters.

00:44:41I'd barely reached

00:44:42the front gate

00:44:42when my handmaid finch

00:44:44came rushing out.

00:44:45Princess!

00:44:45They're cutting

00:44:46your ash tree!

00:44:47I sprinted

00:44:47into the inner courtyard

00:44:48then I froze.

00:44:50The ash tree

00:44:50had been chopped

00:44:51clean at the base.

00:44:53Aldric stood

00:44:53beside the severed strump

00:44:54a few crushed leaves

00:44:55still clinging

00:44:56to the hem

00:44:56of his robes.

00:44:57What gives you

00:44:58the right

00:44:58to cut down

00:44:58my tree?

00:44:59That tree

00:45:00was a gift

00:45:00from my mother

00:45:01when I left

00:45:01the phoenix clan.

00:45:02She said that

00:45:02as long as I could

00:45:03see an ash tree

00:45:04it would be like

00:45:04coming home.

00:45:05I spent a hundred

00:45:06years,

00:45:06day after day

00:45:07watering it

00:45:07with my own hands

00:45:08nurturing it

00:45:09until it towered

00:45:10above everything.

00:45:11So what?

00:45:12It's just a tree.

00:45:13It's gone.

00:45:13Lasanna likes blood vine.

00:45:15From today on

00:45:15only blood vine

00:45:16will be planted good.

00:45:17I laughed bitterly.

00:45:18You can't even

00:45:19provide her a place

00:45:19to live.

00:45:20How you dare

00:45:21to dictate

00:45:21what grows

00:45:22in my garden.

00:45:23What's yours

00:45:23is mine.

00:45:24I'm simply

00:45:25making arrangements

00:45:26in advance.

00:45:27Seraphina,

00:45:27if you keep

00:45:28up this arrogance

00:45:29then even if

00:45:30you beg me

00:45:30on your knees

00:45:31I will never

00:45:32marry you.

00:45:33But if you

00:45:34behave

00:45:34I might sleep

00:45:35with you on

00:45:36the wedding night.

00:45:36Let you bear

00:45:37the first dragon

00:45:38pureblood heir.

00:45:39That is an honor

00:45:39beyond measure.

00:45:40I finally lost

00:45:41my patience.

00:45:42I clenched my fist

00:45:43gathered my power

00:45:44and in the next

00:45:44instant he went

00:45:45stumbling backward

00:45:46crashing out

00:45:46through the front gate.

00:45:47Aldric,

00:45:48stop dreaming.

00:45:49My husband

00:45:50will never be you.

00:45:51Of course he

00:45:52didn't believe it.

00:45:53Seraphina,

00:45:54what game

00:45:54are you playing?

00:45:55If not me

00:45:55then who?

00:45:56Father said

00:45:57he would arrange

00:45:57a wedding.

00:45:57I slammed the

00:45:58door shut.

00:45:59What he didn't

00:46:00know was that

00:46:00the wedding

00:46:01King Fenric

00:46:01had mentioned

00:46:02was indeed

00:46:02his.

00:46:03Only the bride

00:46:04was a magkwai.

00:46:05Five days later,

00:46:06the storm

00:46:06altar,

00:46:06a sea of

00:46:07onwookers.

00:46:08I arrived

00:46:08nearly last,

00:46:09only to discover

00:46:10that Lissara

00:46:10had tagged along

00:46:11as well.

00:46:11The moment

00:46:12Aldric spotted

00:46:12me from afar,

00:46:13he strode over.

00:46:14Seraphina,

00:46:15you're ready to

00:46:15shield me I assume?

00:46:16Lissara will be

00:46:17at my side today.

00:46:18Perform well

00:46:19and I won't

00:46:19mistreat you

00:46:20in the future.

00:46:21His eyes brimmed

00:46:21with brazen

00:46:21confidence and

00:46:22self-satisfaction,

00:46:23but the very next

00:46:23second,

00:46:24his expression

00:46:24twisted into

00:46:25pure fury.

00:46:25He stormed

00:46:26toward Kale,

00:46:27chest heaving

00:46:27violently.

00:46:28The phoenix sigil.

00:46:29Why is it

00:46:30on you?

00:46:32His gaze was

00:46:33riveted to the

00:46:33crimson gold

00:46:34emblem on Kale's

00:46:35chest.

00:46:35Lissara immediately

00:46:36hooked her arm

00:46:37through Aldrian's.

00:46:38Aldrin,

00:46:38obviously that's

00:46:39a replica.

00:46:39How could it

00:46:39possibly be real?

00:46:41The trial is

00:46:41about to begin.

00:46:42Someone like him

00:46:43probably can't even

00:46:44survive the first

00:46:45thunderbolt of

00:46:46lightning.

00:46:47We needn't

00:46:47waste our time

00:46:48on him.

00:46:49Aldric's expression

00:46:49eased slightly.

00:46:51A lowborn drake

00:46:51paired with a

00:46:52counterfeit.

00:46:52How fitting.

00:46:53Soon,

00:46:54the sound of

00:46:54horns split the

00:46:55sky.

00:46:55King Fenric's

00:46:56figure appeared

00:46:57at the summit

00:46:57of the storm

00:46:58ultram.

00:46:58Light spread

00:46:59outward along

00:46:59the ground

00:46:59in every direction.

00:47:00The trial had

00:47:01begun.

00:47:01The lesser

00:47:02dragonkin ascended

00:47:03to the center

00:47:03of the altar

00:47:04one by one,

00:47:05but the best

00:47:05among them

00:47:05withstood only

00:47:06three divine

00:47:06thunders.

00:47:08Disappointment

00:47:08was plain on

00:47:09King Fenric's

00:47:09face.

00:47:10Finally,

00:47:10it was Aldric's

00:47:11turn.

00:47:11He walked to

00:47:12the altar

00:47:12with unhurried

00:47:13ease.

00:47:13Lysana trailed

00:47:14behind him,

00:47:15positioning herself

00:47:15carefully at the

00:47:16altar's edge.

00:47:16Aldric glinked

00:47:17back at her,

00:47:18his gaze tender,

00:47:19as though she

00:47:19were the most

00:47:19precious thing

00:47:20in existence.

00:47:21Don't worry,

00:47:21Lysana.

00:47:22You know my

00:47:22strength,

00:47:23don't you?

00:47:23And besides,

00:47:24Serafina is here.

00:47:25How could she

00:47:25possibly not help

00:47:26me?

00:47:26His eyes found

00:47:27me.

00:47:28That look so

00:47:28entitled it

00:47:29made my stomach

00:47:30turn.

00:47:30Just sit tight

00:47:30and wait for me

00:47:31to claim you.

00:47:32Lysana lifted

00:47:33her head.

00:47:33The next second,

00:47:34a dim soul stone

00:47:35no larger than

00:47:36a fingernail

00:47:36rose slowly

00:47:37from her chest.

00:47:38The instant it

00:47:38left her body,

00:47:43full speed.

00:47:43Aldric rushed

00:47:44forward to

00:47:44stable her.

00:47:45Lysala,

00:47:46what are you

00:47:46doing?

00:47:47I told you,

00:47:47just stay by

00:47:48my side.

00:47:49Separating from

00:47:49your soul stone

00:47:50will destroy you.

00:47:51Aldric,

00:47:51I know my

00:47:52power is meager.

00:47:52I can't compare

00:47:53to Sera,

00:47:54but I refuse to

00:47:55simply stand by

00:47:55and do nothing.

00:47:56Let my soul stone

00:47:57keep your company

00:47:58in my place,

00:47:58even if it's

00:47:59only for a

00:48:00single second.

00:48:00Aldric's eyes

00:48:01reddened instantly.

00:48:02Murmurs rippled

00:48:03through the crowd.

00:48:04That magpie's

00:48:05crazy,

00:48:05but what about

00:48:06her soul stone?

00:48:07It probably won't

00:48:07last a second.

00:48:08When it comes

00:48:08down to it,

00:48:09she's just banking

00:48:13and how could

00:48:13Aldiac possibly

00:48:14fail?

00:48:14I said nothing.

00:48:15I simply stood

00:48:16where I was,

00:48:17perfectly still.

00:48:18Aldric turned

00:48:19to face the

00:48:19center of the

00:48:20altar.

00:48:20He drew a

00:48:21deep breath

00:48:21and shifted

00:48:22into his

00:48:22golden drake

00:48:22form,

00:48:23ascending along

00:48:24the golden

00:48:25light into

00:48:25the air above.

00:48:26Instantly,

00:48:27the clouds

00:48:27began to

00:48:27turn.

00:48:28Lightning

00:48:28crackled

00:48:29and thunder

00:48:29rolled.

00:48:29One,

00:48:30two,

00:48:31three,

00:48:31every jaw

00:48:32in the crowd

00:48:33dropped.

00:48:33Nine divine

00:48:34thunders!

00:48:38I am the

00:48:39most exalted

00:48:40phoenix princess.

00:48:42The dragon I

00:48:42choose becomes

00:48:43the next

00:48:44dragon king.

00:48:45In my

00:48:45previous life,

00:48:46I chose

00:48:46Aldric,

00:48:47the one I

00:48:48have loved

00:48:48since my

00:48:48teenage years.

00:48:50To help him

00:48:51pass the storm

00:48:52trial,

00:48:52I burned my

00:48:53own soul stone

00:48:53without hesitation,

00:48:54secretly invoting

00:48:55the power of

00:48:56Phoenix Rebirth,

00:48:56to bear the

00:48:57nine divine

00:48:58thunders in

00:48:58his place.

00:48:59In the end,

00:49:00my soul stone

00:49:00cracked and I

00:49:01lost the ability

00:49:02to bear children.

00:49:03But I accepted

00:49:04it gladly.

00:49:04I believed he

00:49:05was the one

00:49:06person in this

00:49:06world most worthy

00:49:07of my devotion.

00:49:10Until the day

00:49:10he passed the

00:49:11trial and ascended

00:49:12to the throne.

00:49:13His dragon claw

00:49:14punched my chest.

00:49:15He smiled.

00:49:17Cruel,

00:49:17unhesitating,

00:49:18and ripped my

00:49:19scarred soul stone

00:49:20out by the root.

00:49:21I collapsed in a

00:49:22pool of blood.

00:49:23My phoenix plumes

00:49:24were torn out

00:49:24one by one.

00:49:26He crushed my

00:49:27spine beneath

00:49:27his foot.

00:49:29If it weren't

00:49:30to take your

00:49:31soul stone and

00:49:32make Lizanna the

00:49:33phoenix princess,

00:49:34why the hell

00:49:35would I ever

00:49:35marry a bitch

00:49:36like you?

00:49:37Then I watched

00:49:37him drop to one

00:49:38knee and offer

00:49:39my soul stone

00:49:39to Lysara,

00:49:40that magpie who

00:49:41had impersonated

00:49:42me since we

00:49:42were children

00:49:43was smiling at

00:49:43me, the smile

00:49:44of a victor.

00:49:45She possessed

00:49:46my soul stone

00:49:46while I lay

00:49:47broken on the

00:49:47ground waiting

00:49:48to die.

00:49:49The last image

00:49:50burned into my

00:49:50eyes was the

00:49:51two of them

00:49:51locked in a

00:49:52fervent kiss.

00:49:53Then everything

00:49:54went dark.

00:49:55When I opened

00:49:56my eyes again,

00:49:57my back was

00:49:58drenched in

00:49:58cold sweat.

00:49:59Serafina, have

00:50:00you made your

00:50:01decision?

00:50:01Who would you

00:50:02like to choose

00:50:03as your husband?

00:50:04That voice, this

00:50:05scene, I had

00:50:06been reborn, back

00:50:07to the night of

00:50:08choosing.

00:50:10Your majesty, I'd

00:50:11like to-

00:50:11Father, I know

00:50:12Serafina has

00:50:13feelings for me, but

00:50:14my heart belongs

00:50:14only to Lysala.

00:50:15I have sworn an

00:50:16oath before the

00:50:17gods, if I ever

00:50:18betray her, let my

00:50:18soul become a

00:50:19demon, never to

00:50:20find peace.

00:50:21Gasps nearly lifted

00:50:22the roof off the

00:50:22great hall.

00:50:23King Benarid's

00:50:24expression dartened.

00:50:25Everyone knew,

00:50:26whoever married the

00:50:27phoenix princess

00:50:27would sit securely

00:50:28upon the throne, and

00:50:29what Aldric had

00:50:29just said amounted

00:50:30to renouncing the

00:50:31crown.

00:50:31In an instant,

00:50:32every other

00:50:32candidate stirred

00:50:33with barely

00:50:33concealed hunger.

00:50:34However, I know

00:50:36Serafina can't

00:50:37live without me.

00:50:38I can marry her, so

00:50:40long as she and

00:50:40Lysala both become

00:50:41my wives.

00:50:42They will each be

00:50:43my queen.

00:50:44Enough!

00:50:46Lysara, a magpie,

00:50:47daring to stand as

00:50:48equal to the

00:50:49phoenix princess?

00:50:52What are you

00:50:52standing there for?

00:50:53Haven't you always

00:50:54wanted to marry me?

00:50:55This is your chance!

00:50:56You've taken so

00:50:57much from Lysara.

00:50:58If she weren't so

00:50:58generous, I would

00:50:59never have agreed to

00:51:00let you be my queen

00:51:00as well.

00:51:01You should be on

00:51:02your knees with

00:51:02gratitude!

00:51:03Our eyes met, and

00:51:04in that instant I

00:51:05understood he had

00:51:06been reborn too.

00:51:07He thought I would

00:51:08be the same as

00:51:08before.

00:51:09That I would cling

00:51:10to him no matter

00:51:10what, endure any

00:51:12humiliation, even

00:51:13sacrifice my life.

00:51:14The year I was

00:51:15born, the god war

00:51:16erupted.

00:51:16The entire phoenix

00:51:17clan suffered

00:51:18catastrophic losses.

00:51:19Every ash nest on

00:51:20the ash tree scattered

00:51:21in the chaos of

00:51:21battle.

00:51:22Many unborn lives,

00:51:23forced to manifest

00:51:23their infant forms

00:51:24prematurely by the

00:51:25upheaval, perished.

00:51:26Our people searched

00:51:27everywhere, and in

00:51:28their haste, mistakenly

00:51:29brought back the

00:51:30fledgling Lysara, who

00:51:31had fallen into one of

00:51:32the ash nests.

00:51:33Meanwhile, I was taken

00:51:34in by Lysara's parents,

00:51:35who had lost their own

00:51:36chick, and missed the

00:51:37rescue entirely.

00:51:38Until a hundred years

00:51:39later, when we each

00:51:41underwent our true

00:51:42rebirth, did father and

00:51:43mother discover the one

00:51:44they'd brought home was

00:51:45a magpie, a fake.

00:51:46Mother was kind.

00:51:47Considering that Lysara

00:51:48was still a child

00:51:49nurtured by sacred fire,

00:51:50she didn't banish her.

00:51:51Instead, she allowed Lysara

00:51:53to remain in the kingdom,

00:51:54enjoying privileges far

00:51:55above her bloodline.

00:51:56But Lysara was never

00:51:57satisfied.

00:51:58She even manipulated

00:51:59Aldric into making a

00:52:00public spectacle on her

00:52:01behalf.

00:52:02The elder blood of the

00:52:03dragon clan had been

00:52:03declining for ages.

00:52:04And that was why every

00:52:05dragon king placed no

00:52:06restrictions on bloodline.

00:52:07Warmth, serpent, drake,

00:52:08wyron, all these lesser

00:52:09dragon kin from

00:52:09collateral lines could

00:52:10compete alongside the

00:52:11king's own offspring.

00:52:12The princes.

00:52:14Anyone who could

00:52:15withstand the nine

00:52:15divine thunders upon

00:52:16the Stormaltern would

00:52:17inherit the throne, and

00:52:18bonding with the

00:52:19phoenix princess not

00:52:19only guaranteed passage

00:52:20through that near-coated

00:52:21fire, it would also

00:52:22vastly elevate the purity

00:52:24of one's descendant's

00:52:24bloodline.

00:52:25No one knew these

00:52:26details except the

00:52:27king.

00:52:27The outside world only

00:52:28knew this.

00:52:29Whomever the phoenix

00:52:30princess chose would

00:52:31become the next dragon

00:52:32king.

00:52:33And today Aldric had all

00:52:34but publicly humiliated

00:52:35the entire phoenix clan.

00:52:36If the phoenix clan

00:52:37severed ties with the

00:52:38dragons over this, the

00:52:39dragon clan would be

00:52:40utterly finished.

00:52:41King Fenric had clearly

00:52:42reached the same

00:52:42conclusion.

00:52:43He regarded Aldric with

00:52:44cold eyes, then turned

00:52:46to me, his tone

00:52:46softened.

00:52:47Serena, this fool has

00:52:49acted disbracefully.

00:52:50He is yours to deal

00:52:50with as you see fit.

00:52:52King Fenric, I've

00:52:54already decided who I

00:52:54wish to marry.

00:52:56I walked directly to

00:52:58King Fenric and whispered

00:52:59the name, along with my

00:53:00entire plan, using the

00:53:01ancient cipher tongue.

00:53:03Fenric was silent for a

00:53:04moment, then nodded.

00:53:05Since you've made your

00:53:06decision, very well.

00:53:08I will arrange everything.

00:53:09He turned to Aldric.

00:53:11You will remain in

00:53:11confinement until you've

00:53:12reflected on your actions.

00:53:13Before the wedding, I will

00:53:14not tolerate another

00:53:15incident.

00:53:16A faint smugness crept

00:53:17across Aldric's face.

00:53:18The look he gave me said

00:53:19it plainly.

00:53:20I knew it.

00:53:20You'd give in eventually.

00:53:21I couldn't be bothered

00:53:22to react.

00:53:23I simply glanced toward a

00:53:24far corner of the hall.

00:53:25There in the shadows stood

00:53:26a man dressed entirely in

00:53:27black, with two slender

00:53:28dark horns on his head.

00:53:30Nothing like the blood-sloked

00:53:31man who had fought to

00:53:32avenge me in my previous

00:53:34life.

00:53:36King Fenric kept me back

00:53:38to exchange a few

00:53:38private words.

00:53:39By the time I emerged

00:53:41from the great hall,

00:53:42Aldric was still there,

00:53:43waiting.

00:53:44Beside him stood

00:53:44Lasara in a white gown.

00:53:46Serafina, thank you.

00:53:48If my parents were still

00:53:49alive, I'm sure they would

00:53:50be so happy.

00:53:51She reached up and dabbed

00:53:52at the corner of her eye.

00:53:54Aldric immediately pulled

00:53:55her close, glaring at me

00:53:56coldly.

00:53:57Lasara's parents died

00:53:58because of you.

00:53:59Now she's being gracious

00:54:00enough to accept you.

00:54:01Don't you think you owe

00:54:02her something?

00:54:03Back then, Lasara's parents

00:54:04had found me and cared for

00:54:05me devotedly, until they

00:54:06ventured out and were killed

00:54:07by a monstrous beast.

00:54:09I had been so terrified that

00:54:10the Phoenix fire within me

00:54:12detonated, which was how the

00:54:13Phoenix clan finally located me.

00:54:14In my previous life, I carried

00:54:16that guilt towards Lesha

00:54:18always, yielding to her at

00:54:19every turn.

00:54:20It wasn't until the moment

00:54:22before my death that she

00:54:24told me with a smile.

00:54:26She had lured that beast there

00:54:27herself, to get rid of me.

00:54:30She had killed her own

00:54:31parents.

00:54:31I owe her.

00:54:32Give Lysana your soul stone.

00:54:34In that instant, the agony of

00:54:36his ice-cold fingers prying open

00:54:37my chest in the previous life

00:54:38came flooding back.

00:54:39Do you have any idea what it

00:54:41means for a soul stone to leave

00:54:42its owner's body?

00:54:43Without my soul stone, my soul

00:54:44will wither completely.

00:54:45I will die.

00:54:47We're about to marry what's

00:54:48yours is mine.

00:54:49Hand the soul stone over to

00:54:50Lysaia.

00:54:51I can guarantee nothing will

00:54:52happen to you.

00:54:53If you refuse, then don't think

00:54:55about marrying me.

00:54:56I stared at him.

00:54:57Killing intact surged through my

00:54:58veins.

00:54:59My fingertips had already

00:55:00begun to burn, phoenix fire

00:55:01stirring restlessly beneath my

00:55:03skin.

00:55:03Lysara's face drained color,

00:55:05inch by inch.

00:55:05She started trembling, her

00:55:07knees threatening to bucken.

00:55:08Even Aldic's expression was

00:55:09growing rigid.

00:55:10He straightened his spine,

00:55:11trying to resist, but beads

00:55:12of sweat broke out along his

00:55:13temples.

00:55:14If I wished it, he and this

00:55:16magpie would be ash in an

00:55:17instant.

00:55:17But I forced that fire back

00:55:19down.

00:55:20Death would be the easiest

00:55:21way out for him.

00:55:22I wanted him to watch

00:55:23himself lose everything.

00:55:25Seraphina.

00:55:25Aldic recovered, humiliation

00:55:27twisting into fury.

00:55:28How dare you?

00:55:29Princess, King Fenric sent me

00:55:30to escort you.

00:55:32It was the Black Drake.

00:55:34I withdrew my power and gave

00:55:36him a small smile.

00:55:38Let's go.

00:55:39Wait, what business could you

00:55:41possibly have with this

00:55:42lowbrun Black Drake?

00:55:43If you have so much free

00:55:44time, perhaps you should spend

00:55:45it for the Stormaltum trial in

00:55:47five days.

00:55:48Five days later, every lesser

00:55:50dragonfid who aspired to become

00:55:51a true dragon would ascend the

00:55:53Stormaltum.

00:55:53In my previous life, bolstered by

00:55:55my soulstone and protection,

00:55:56Aldric had become the first

00:55:58being in ten thousand years to

00:55:59survive all nine divine

00:56:00thunders in a single attempt.

00:56:02And now, his face held that

00:56:03same brimming confidence.

00:56:05A few thunderbolts of

00:56:06lightning?

00:56:06None of the lesser dragon would

00:56:07this time around are a match

00:56:08for me.

00:56:09Five days from now, just sit

00:56:10back and wait for me to marry

00:56:12you.

00:56:12A flash of jealous hatred slid

00:56:14through Lysana's eyes.

00:56:15But I just walked away, side by

00:56:17side with that man.

00:56:18It wasn't until Aldric's voice

00:56:19had faded entirely behind us

00:56:21that I stopped.

00:56:21Kael Fenric told you everything?

00:56:23He gazed at me intentantly.

00:56:26Princess Serafina, I swear upon

00:56:28my soul, if I ever betray you in

00:56:29this life, let me fall to demons,

00:56:31never to know peace.

00:56:34Do you understand that once a

00:56:35soul oath is sealed, the gods will

00:56:37tear the oathbreaker's soul to

00:56:38shreds?

00:56:39I do.

00:56:40I removed the glowing phoenix

00:56:41sigil from around my neck, leaned

00:56:43forward and fastened it against his

00:56:45chest.

00:56:45This is the token a phoenix

00:56:47princess gives to her husband.

00:56:48I trust you.

00:56:49His eyes blazed with startling

00:56:51brightness.

00:56:52I turned and headed toward my

00:56:53quarters.

00:56:54I'd barely reached the front gate

00:56:55when my handmade finch came

00:56:56rushing out.

00:56:57Princess, they're cutting your

00:56:59ash tree!

00:56:59I sprinted into the inner

00:57:00courtyard.

00:57:01Then I froze.

00:57:02The ash tree had been chopped

00:57:04clean at the base.

00:57:05Aldric stood beside the severed

00:57:07strump, a few crushed leaves still

00:57:08clinging to the hem of his robes.

00:57:10What gives you the right to cut

00:57:11down my tree?

00:57:12That tree was a gift from my

00:57:13mother when I left the phoenix

00:57:14clan.

00:57:14She said that as long as I could see

00:57:16an ash tree it would be like

00:57:17coming home.

00:57:17I spent a hundred years, day after

00:57:19day, watering it with my own

00:57:20hands, nurturing it until it

00:57:22towered above everything.

00:57:24So what?

00:57:24It's just a tree.

00:57:25It's gone.

00:57:26Lasana likes blood vine.

00:57:27From today on, only blood vine

00:57:28will be kind of good.

00:57:29I laughed bitterly.

00:57:30You can't even provide her a

00:57:32place to live.

00:57:33How you dare to dictate what

00:57:34grows in my garden?

00:57:35What's yours is mine.

00:57:37I'm simply making arrangements

00:57:38in advance.

00:57:39Seraphina, if you keep up this

00:57:41arrogance, then even if you

00:57:43beg me on your knees, I will

00:57:44never marry you.

00:57:45But if you behave, I might sleep

00:57:48with you on the wedding night.

00:57:49Let you bear the first dragon

00:57:50pureblood heir.

00:57:51That is an honor beyond measure.

00:57:53I finally lost my patience.

00:57:54I clenched my fist, gathered my

00:57:56power, and in the next instant

00:57:57he went stumbling backward,

00:57:58crashing out through the front

00:57:59gate.

00:58:00Aldric, stop dreaming.

00:58:02My husband will never be you.

00:58:04Of course he didn't believe it.

00:58:06Seraphina, what game are you

00:58:07playing?

00:58:07If not me, then who?

00:58:09Father said he would arrange a

00:58:10wedding.

00:58:10I slammed the door shut.

00:58:12What he didn't know was that the

00:58:13wedding King Fenric had

00:58:14mentioned was indeed his.

00:58:16Only the bride was a magkwai.

00:58:18Five days later, the storm

00:58:19altered, a sea of onwookers.

00:58:20I arrived nearly last, only to

00:58:22discover that Lissara had tagged

00:58:23along as well.

00:58:24The moment Aldric spotted me

00:58:25from afar, he strode over.

00:58:27Seraphina, you're ready to

00:58:28shield me, I assume?

00:58:29Lissara will be at my side

00:58:30today.

00:58:30Perform well, and I won't

00:58:32mistreat you in the future.

00:58:33His eyes brimmed with brazen

00:58:34confidence and self-satisfaction,

00:58:35but the very next second, his

00:58:37expression twisted into pure

00:58:38fury.

00:58:38He stormed toward Kale, chest

00:58:40heaving violently.

00:58:41The phoenix sigil.

00:58:42Why is it on you?

00:58:44His gaze was riveted to the

00:58:46crimson-gold emblem on Kale's

00:58:47chest.

00:58:48Lissara immediately hooked her

00:58:49arm through Aldrian's.

00:58:50Aldrin, obviously that's a

00:58:51replica.

00:58:52How could it possibly be real?

00:58:53The trial is about to begin.

00:58:55Someone like him probably can't

00:58:57even survive the first

00:58:58thunderbolt of lightning.

00:58:59We needn't waste our time on

00:59:01him.

00:59:01Aldric's expression eased

00:59:03slightly.

00:59:03A lowborn drake paired with a

00:59:04counterfeit.

00:59:05How fitting.

00:59:06Soon, the sound of horns split

00:59:07the sky.

00:59:08King Fenric's figure appeared at

00:59:09the summit of the storm ultram.

00:59:11Light spread outward along the

00:59:12ground in every direction.

00:59:13The trial had begun.

00:59:14The lesser dragonkin ascended to

00:59:15the center of the altar one by

00:59:17one, but the best among them

00:59:18withstood only three divine

00:59:19thunders.

00:59:20Disappointment was plain on

00:59:21King Fenric's face.

00:59:22Finally, it was Aldric's turn.

00:59:24He walked to the altar with

00:59:25unhurried ease.

00:59:26Lissana trailed behind him,

00:59:27positioning herself carefully at

00:59:28the altar's edge.

00:59:29Aldric glinked back at her, his

00:59:30gaze tender, as though she were

00:59:32the most precious thing in

00:59:33existence.

00:59:33Don't worry, Lissana.

00:59:34You know my strength, don't

00:59:35you?

00:59:36And besides, Seraphina is here.

00:59:37How could she possibly not help

00:59:39me?

00:59:39His eyes found me.

00:59:40That look so entitled, it made

00:59:42my stomach turn.

00:59:43Just sit tight and wait for me to

00:59:44claim you.

00:59:45Lissana lifted her head.

00:59:46The next second, a dim soulstone no

00:59:48larger than a fingernail rose

00:59:49slowly from her chest.

00:59:50The instant it left her body,

00:59:52several strings of hair at her

00:59:53dupes turned from black to gray

00:59:55white with visible speed.

00:59:56Aldric rushed forward to stable

00:59:57her.

00:59:58Lissala!

00:59:58What are you doing?

00:59:59I told you!

01:00:00Just stay by my side!

01:00:01Separating from your soulstone

01:00:02will destroy you!

01:00:03Aldric, I know my power is meager.

01:00:05I can't compare to Seraphina.

01:00:06But I refuse to simply stand by

01:00:08and do nothing.

01:00:09Let my soulstone keep your

01:00:10company in my place, even if it's

01:00:12only for a single second.

01:00:13Aldric's eyes reddened instantly.

01:00:15Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

01:00:17That magpie's crazy.

01:00:18But what about her soulstone?

01:00:19It probably won't last a second.

01:00:20When it comes down to it, she's just

01:00:22banking on the princess stepping in.

01:00:23With phoenix power backing him,

01:00:25how could Aldiak possibly fail?

01:00:27I said nothing.

01:00:28I simply stood where I was,

01:00:30perfectly still.

01:00:31Aldric turned to face the center

01:00:32of the altar.

01:00:33He drew a deep breath and shifted

01:00:34into his golden drake form.

01:00:36Ascending along the golden light

01:00:37into the air above.

01:00:39Instantly the clouds began to

01:00:40turn.

01:00:40Lightning crackled and thunder rolled.

01:00:42One, two, three.

01:00:44Every jaw in the crowd dropped.

01:00:46Nine divine thunders!

01:00:48Nine divine thunders!

I Married My Aphasia Buddy After My Fake Divorce Full Short Drama English Sub 2026

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