- 6 hours ago
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00:00You can walk.
00:01You made me force Evelyn to kneel for three years.
00:04No, let me explain. It's not my fault.
00:13Three years ago, I was the strongest rope guide on the Holy Mountain.
00:21During an avalanche, I risked my life to save Celeste, my fiancΓ© Adrian's first love.
00:37But after she woke, she said I had cut the lifeline and left both her legs crippled.
00:42Adrian believed her.
00:44He threatened me with the money for my brother Noah's life-saving medicine
00:47and forced me to kneel through all ten thousand ice steps at the Holy Mountain to atone to Celeste.
00:54From that day on, I became the kneeling sinner everyone in the North despised.
00:58Today was the final step.
01:00Kneel.
01:01Adrian pushed Celeste's wheelchair in front of me.
01:05Take off your cloak, use it as her footnote, then lick the melted snow clean off her boots.
01:11He said it in full view of everyone nearby without so much as a frown.
01:15Three years ago, he had personally slipped an engagement ring onto my finger and said that no matter how cold
01:22the Holy Mountain became, he would bring me home.
01:26Three years later, he forced me to serve as a footnote for his first love.
01:31Celeste sat in the wheelchair, a white veil draped over her legs, as the wheels slowly rolled over the edge
01:36of my cloak.
01:37Laughter finally rang out from above.
01:39She'll lick it.
01:40Adrian is the Duke of the North.
01:43To crawl back to his side, this sinner would do anything.
01:47Adrian looked down at me.
01:48Evelyn, lick it.
01:50Only one step left.
01:52Once I finished kneeling, Noah's life-saving medicine would keep coming.
01:56So even if Adrian wanted me to lay the last shred of my dignity beneath Celeste's feet, I endured it.
02:02But just then, a black raven pierced through the snowstorm and landed beside the ice steps.
02:08A black-edged envelope was blown to my knees by the wind.
02:11I opened it.
02:12There was only one line.
02:13Noah succumbed to the Frost Plague last night.
02:16He has been confirmed dead.
02:17The laughter above still had not stopped.
02:20Adrian only glanced at it.
02:22Putting on a show with your brother again?
02:24Did you forge this letter?
02:27Evelyn, I don't believe you.
02:29To escape atonement, you would even make up your own brother's death.
02:32I lowered my eyes to the cloak pinned beneath the wheelchair.
02:36Noah had bought it for me with three months' worth of medicine money.
02:39Inside the lining, he had stitched a crooked line of small words.
02:43Sister, the holy mountain is cold.
02:45You have to come back alive.
02:47All at once, I felt that the blizzards of the past three years had never been as cold as that
02:51one sentence.
02:52Then, in front of everyone, I tore the atonement contract to pieces.
02:56He is dead.
02:58You have nothing left to threaten me with.
03:01The snowstorm swept away the shredded pieces of parchment.
03:05The noble seats went quiet for a beat.
03:07Then someone laughed again.
03:09Is she completely out of her mind?
03:12How dare she tear up the contract in front of the Duke?
03:16Adrian's face hardened with fury.
03:18Pick it up.
03:19I didn't move.
03:21He stepped down one eye step, stopping his boot right next to my bleeding knee.
03:27Evelyn.
03:28I said pick it up.
03:30Celeste's wheelchair rolled forward.
03:32Adrian.
03:33Don't push her.
03:34She only wants to soften your heart.
03:37I saw the words Noah had stitched crushed into the snow beneath her wheels.
03:42I lunged to grab it.
03:43Celeste jerked back.
03:45Get your hands off me!
03:46Adrian moved in front of her at once and snatched my wrist in a vice grip.
03:50You're still trying to hurt her in front of me?
03:52I looked at where his fingers dug into me.
03:54The frostbitten skin was forced open under his grip.
03:56And blood seeped out.
03:58I want back the cloak my brother gave me.
04:00Celeste lowered her eyes.
04:02Her voice was soft enough that only I heard it.
04:05Good thing that sick little blood bag died.
04:08Now he won't drag you down anymore.
04:10My fingers clenched.
04:12But Adrian shoved me to the ground.
04:14You robbed her of her legs three years ago.
04:17What else do you want to ruin?
04:20I collapsed into the snow.
04:23This time, I didn't explain.
04:25The hurried crunch of footsteps came from the entrance.
04:29A boy from the Requiem house ran up the ice steps with a ragged bundle in his arms.
04:34Excuse me.
04:35Which one of you is Miss Evelyn?
04:37These are the personal effects of the deceased Noah.
04:40The bundle dropped into my arms.
04:42The knot loosened.
04:43And an old rope knot slipped out.
04:45The core was permanently stained, dark red.
04:48Adrian's expression dropped the second he saw it.
04:53Adrian snatched the old rope away before I could.
04:56I lunged for it, but he stepped back and clenched it tightly in his fist.
05:03This is evidence from three years ago.
05:06You cannot have it.
05:08I stared at him, eyes burning.
05:11Didn't you say the investigation was concluded back then?
05:14If it was settled, why are you scared to let me touch it?
05:19His gaze hardened.
05:21Because you'll use it to spin more lies.
05:24Celeste murmured.
05:25Evelyn, why did you keep it?
05:27Did you know you were guilty all along?
05:29Only those with a guilty conscience hide evidence.
05:33A noble beside her jumped in.
05:36I ignored them.
05:37My eyes remained locked on that rope.
05:39After the avalanche three years ago, I was unconscious for seven days.
05:43Everyone was eager to condemn me.
05:45Only Noah refused to believe it.
05:47Sick as he was, he found that old rope in the watch's salvage yard.
05:50He said, sister, wait for me.
05:51I swear I will uncover the truth.
05:53But he never lived to see that day.
05:55Adrian tucked the rope into the breast pocket of his coat.
05:58When you calm down, I'll have it sealed again.
06:02I laughed.
06:03Again?
06:04You never investigated it back then, did you?
06:07His face tightened.
06:08I picked up Noah's belongings and stood.
06:14Get out of my way.
06:15Adrian frowned.
06:16Where are you going?
06:18To the Requiem house.
06:20I'm bringing my brother home.
06:22I'll send someone tomorrow to verify Noah's condition.
06:25He said coldly.
06:27I looked at him, spitting out every word.
06:31Verify what?
06:33Whether he's dead enough to satisfy you?
06:36A man's unfamiliar voice cut through the howling wind.
06:40She isn't lying.
06:41Ron, a combat healer from the watch, climbed the ice steps and handed me a bronze token from
06:46the Requiem house.
06:49No one's urn is ready.
06:52Adrian's eyes landed on the heavy mantle Ron had draped over my shoulders.
06:56His stare was colder than the snow.
06:59So you can ask for help.
07:02You just found someone else to beg.
07:04I was so tired that the very thought of explaining nauseated me.
07:08Ron stepped in front of me.
07:10Your Grace.
07:11Evelyn needs to be tended to.
07:13Adrian scoffed.
07:14I'm talking to my fiancΓ©.
07:16It's none of your damn business.
07:18I looked up.
07:19Not anymore.
07:19He froze.
07:21I took the broken silver betrothal bracelet from my wrist and threw it into the snow.
07:25I stopped being that.
07:26The day you forced me to kneel.
07:28Celeste rushed to speak.
07:30Evelyn, don't be rash.
07:31Adrian is just lashing out.
07:33You're still in his heart.
07:34I looked at her.
07:35Haven't you grown tired of playing the cripple in that chair?
07:38Her eyes flickered.
07:39One second later, the fragile mask was back.
07:42I clutched Noah's belongings and turned down the mountain.
07:45At the Requiem house, the urr was painfully small.
07:48The wooden lid was unvarnished.
07:50Noah had carved his own name into it.
07:52The cuts crooked and uneven.
07:53The female steward checked the register and lowered her voice.
07:56He came to ask the price before he died.
07:58He said his sister owed too much money and insisted on the cheapest option.
08:01He didn't want her to bow her head to beg anyone again.
08:04I held the urn and pressed my forehead to the wooden lid.
08:08My eyes remained completely dry.
08:12Ron stood beside me and didn't rush me.
08:15Before dawn, I returned to the holy mountain camp.
08:18The fire was still burning.
08:19Adrian stood beside it, as if he had waited all night.
08:22His brow furrowed when he saw the urn in my arms.
08:24What is that?
08:26My brother.
08:27A maid pushed Celeste out.
08:30She looked at the urn and said softly,
08:34Evelyn, using a fake urn to provoke Adrian is cruel to Noah too.
08:38Adrian held out his hand.
08:39Hand it over.
08:40I stepped back.
08:40No.
08:44Celeste's wheelchair suddenly slipped forward and slammed into my knee.
08:47I crashed into the snow.
08:48The urn tumbled out of my grasp and hit the stone steps.
08:51The wooden lid cracked.
08:52Noah's ashes scattered across the cold stone.
08:55I dropped to my knees and scooped them up by the handful.
08:57The wind was too strong.
08:58Ash and snow mixed together, sifting through my fingers.
09:01The more I tried to scoop up, the more slipped away.
09:03I called his name.
09:04Only silence answered.
09:05Noah.
09:05Celeste looked down at the ash on the toes of her boots and laughed softly.
09:08Looks like he's bowing to the holy mountain at my feet.
09:10No one laughed.
09:11Even the nobles who had come to watch went pale.
09:14I looked up at Adrian.
09:16Is this the price for your so-called atonement?
09:19His face went white.
09:20His lips moved.
09:22Celeste grabbed his hand at once.
09:23Adrian, I didn't mean to.
09:24Adrian looked down at her by instinct.
09:26That one glance told me everything.
09:29For three years, he had always looked at her first.
09:32I placed what ashes I could save back into the wooden box.
09:35Only half remained.
09:37I stood with it in my arms.
09:40Adrian!
09:40He looked up.
09:41You owe Noah a life.
09:43His voice was rough.
09:45I'll find out if he really-
09:47Really?
09:47I laughed.
09:48What?
09:49You need him to die twice for you to buy it?
09:53I carried the urn toward the snowy slope.
09:55Adrian finally panicked.
09:57Evelyn, where are you going?
09:58I didn't turn around.
09:59I'm taking him away from you all.
10:01The next second, I fell down the snow-covered slope with the urn in my arms.
10:07When I woke, the stove was burning hot.
10:09The urn sat in my arms, wrapped in gauze.
10:12Like a tiny corpse, banded tight.
10:14Ron sat at the edge of the bed, cleaning my knee.
10:16It was a snow slope below, not a cliff.
10:18It's a miracle you survived.
10:19I looked down at the urn.
10:20It wasn't luck.
10:21Noah wouldn't let me die.
10:22An argument came from outside the door.
10:25Adrian was here.
10:26His cloak was covered in snow, and the old rope knot was clenched in his hand.
10:30She needs rest.
10:31Ron blocked the doorway.
10:33Only a few words.
10:35Adrian's voice was hoarse.
10:36I didn't look up.
10:38He came in and stopped three steps away.
10:42Brother Oliver said you were the one who pulled me out of the snow pit three years ago.
10:46I adjusted the gas around the urn.
10:50A little too late for that now, don't you think?
10:53Evelyn, I'll investigate it again.
10:54His face paled.
10:57Don't do it for me.
10:58I looked up at him.
11:00Do it for Noah.
11:02He was still chasing the truth for me before he died.
11:07Every one of you owe him.
11:09Adrian set a silver fox cloak beside the bed.
11:11Wear this for now.
11:13I didn't even look at it.
11:15I picked up Noen's old wolfskin cloak and handed it to Ron.
11:18Can you stitch this back together for me?
11:20The lining's torn.
11:22Ron nodded and took it.
11:24Adrian looked at the old cloak.
11:25His voice almost broke.
11:28That one is worn out.
11:29Warmth isn't measured in gold.
11:32The room went silent.
11:34After a long while, he asked Horsley.
11:37What about me?
11:39I looked at the fire.
11:42You're not an old cloak.
11:43You are beyond repair.
11:47On the third day, I went through Noah's belongings.
11:51A hard-bounded ledger was wrapped in layers of waterproof leather.
11:55On the first page, he had written,
11:58My sister owes them nothing.
12:00It is I who owe her everything.
12:02Every page after that was an account.
12:05Celeste's Sanitarium Tribute, 47 gold coins.
12:08Sanctuary Rehitation Medicine, 12 gold choins.
12:11Winter Coal for the Orphanage, 8 gold choins.
12:13Travel Cost for my Atonement Path, 3 silver coins.
12:16Every entry had a red bot beside it.
12:18Ron's face darkened when he saw them.
12:20These are puncture wounds from bloodletting.
12:26I kept turning the pages.
12:29The gaps got shorter and shorter.
12:32Seven days.
12:33Five days.
12:35The last one was only two days before Noah died.
12:39My fingers shook so badly, I could barely turn the page.
12:43So what I had knelt for these past three years wasn't atonements.
12:47It was blood, drawn from my brother again and again.
12:50The last page was so messy it looked like he had been writing with his last breath.
12:55If I die, my sister won't have to bow to the Duke anymore.
12:58She used to be so proud.
12:59She can't keep kneeling forever.
13:01I closed the ledger.
13:03My eyes ached, drained of all tears.
13:06Ron didn't comfort me.
13:07He only pulled a yellowed paper from a hidden pocket inside the ledger.
13:11There's more.
13:12It was the original medical report from the sanctuary three years ago.
13:16The words were clear.
13:18Celeste's leg injuries were mainly caused by prolonged exposure to the cold and delayed treatment.
13:23They were not directly caused by the main rope being cut.
13:25Note, if the secondary rope tangled around her leg had not been cut, the left leg would have rotted away
13:30completely.
13:31I stared at that line, so I hadn't cut the lifeline.
13:35I had cut the secondary rope to save her.
13:38Noah had found the truth long ago.
13:40But he never got to see me stand.
13:44The door flew open.
13:47Adrian stood outside, deathly pale.
13:51He had clearly seen the medical report, too.
13:57Adrian walked in and reached for the report.
14:00I slipped it into a waterproof leather pouch.
14:05Hands off.
14:06His throat moved.
14:09Evelyn, let me see it.
14:11No.
14:13I'll believe you.
14:14I smiled.
14:16I couldn't care less what you believe.
14:18He went rigid, as if the words had stabbed him.
14:22Three years ago, I cried and told him I hadn't cut the main rope.
14:29He said Celeste would never lie about her own legs.
14:33The first year, I brought in the watch records.
14:35Stopped making excuses.
14:37The second year, Noah got worse, and I nailed outside the Duke's estate begging for medicine.
14:41He said the medicine would keep coming as long as I confessed.
14:45Now, at last, he said he believed me.
14:48But my brother was already half a box of ash.
14:51That night, Celeste's maid brought medicine.
14:54Celeste says she is willing to forgive you.
14:57As long as you stop making a scene.
14:59Ron stopped the maid and dumped the packet onto the table.
15:02A small vasil of silver powder rolled out.
15:05Ron sniffed it, and his eyes turned cold.
15:08Silence, powder.
15:09Take this, and it will steal your voice for three days.
15:12The maid dropped to her knees in terror.
15:15It wasn't me!
15:16Celeste told me to bring it!
15:18I looked at the vial and smiled for the first time.
15:23She's afraid I'll talk.
15:25Then I'll scream it loud enough for the entire North to hear.
15:29The next day, I walked into the Royal Circuit Court with the blood ledger, the medical report, and a copy
15:36of the old rope knot.
15:37The clerk looked up.
15:40What are you appealing?
15:42I want the Holy Mountain avalanche case from three years ago overturned.
15:47I want a public trial before the Royal Court.
15:52When the Royal Decree for retrial came down, the Holy Mountain camp erupt.
15:57Bishop Marlod came to the watch station in person.
16:00He wore platinum white robes and carried a sanctuary scepter.
16:04Evelyn, my child.
16:05God has seen your pain.
16:08He is willing to compensate you and give Noah a proper requiem.
16:12I asked him, did God see Noah sell his blood?
16:15Marlowe's expression darkened.
16:17Watch your mouth.
16:20Celeste is a noble woman of the North.
16:22She cannot be publicly humiliated.
16:25I looked at him.
16:25When I was publicly humiliated for three years, why didn't you say that?
16:29She went silent for a moment.
16:32Then his voice cooled.
16:33The orphanage supplies still pass through the sanctuary warehouse.
16:38Evelyn!
16:39A child's voice came from outside the door.
16:42The orphanage director arrived with several children.
16:45Ron stood behind them with a new supplantract in his hand.
16:48Starting today, the watch will handle the orphanage winter deliveries.
16:52The sanctuary has no right to withhold them.
16:54Marlon's face changed completely.
16:57Adrian stood in the distance.
16:58For the first time, he didn't defend the sanctuary.
17:02Celeste was pushed over.
17:03Pale-faced.
17:08Evelyn, are you really going to drag a disabled woman into public court?
17:14I walked up to her.
17:18No.
17:20I'm going to make a liar stand.
17:24On the day of the public trial, nearly every noble in the North came to the sanctuary.
17:29They had watched me kneel on the ice steps, watched me bleed,
17:32watched me apologize to Celeste.
17:35Now they sat in the gallery, too afraid to meet my eyes.
17:39Celeste sat in her wheelchair, draped in white.
17:41She still looked like a suffering icon.
17:43Adrian sat in the Duke's seat, pale and silent.
17:47After the clerk read the case, the first witness was Hark, the rope maker.
17:50He picked up the old knot, glanced at it, and said,
17:54This is a secondary rope.
17:56Bishop Marlowe frowned at once.
17:58Are you sure?
18:00Hark gave a cold laugh.
18:03I've made ropes for the watch for 20 years.
18:06Main ropes have gray cores.
18:09Secondary ropes have red cores.
18:11This one has a red core.
18:13A murmur swept through the hall.
18:15Hark pointed to the cut end.
18:17Clean cut.
18:18It severed the wrap section, not the load-bearing section.
18:20If a secondary rope tangled around someone's leg and wasn't cut,
18:24the injury would get worse faster.
18:26Celeste went pale.
18:27She said softly,
18:29I don't know anything about ropes.
18:30I only know that when I woke up, my legs were gone.
18:33I looked at her.
18:35You don't know ropes.
18:36But you must remember who cut my safety rope first in that snow pit three years ago.
18:41The sanctuary fell dead silent.
18:44Adrian's head snapped up.
18:48When old brother Oliver was helped inside,
18:51Snow was tapping against the stained glass windows.
18:53He was the first person to reach the snow pit three years ago.
18:57He was also the only witness the Duke's estate hadn't silenced.
19:01Bishop Marlin said coldly,
19:04Oliver is old.
19:05His memory may not be reliable.
19:08Oliver pulled a damp, stained rescue log from his robe.
19:12That is why I wrote it down.
19:14The clerk took the log and read the entry word by word.
19:18First survivor out, Evelyn.
19:21First rescuer, Adrian.
19:23Second rescue target, Celeste.
19:26Oliver spoke slowly.
19:28When I arrived, the main rope around Evelyn's waist
19:32had already been cut halfway through.
19:35If she hadn't wedged her ice axe into the crevice,
19:38the snow flow would have swept her away.
19:41The wine glass in Adrian's hand shattered on the floor.
19:45He looked at Celeste.
19:47You said she cut your rope.
19:49Celeste burst into tears.
19:54I was terrified.
19:56Maybe I remembered it wrong.
19:58I cut her off.
19:59You didn't remember it wrong.
20:03The first thing you did after waking up was put the blame on me.
20:06I turned to Adrian, and you never even asked me.
20:10His throat worked, but no sound came out.
20:15Oliver took out a small gold clasp.
20:18I found this in the fibers of Evelyn's main rope.
20:23Looks like a pin from a prayer glove.
20:26Every eye in the room turned to Celeste's hands.
20:29Her white prayer glove was missing a clasp.
20:34Celeste instinctively hid her hands under the blanket.
20:37Too late, Adrian stared at her hands, his voice shaking.
20:42Why?
20:43Celeste shook her head.
20:44It wasn't me!
20:48Adrian, believe me, I didn't do it.
20:51I took out the scrap of paper Noah had left behind.
20:54The ink had bled in the snow, but a few words were still clear.
20:57Gold clasp, main rope, glove.
20:59Noah was still investigating this before he died.
21:02He was sick and feverish, but he dragged himself through the Holy Mountains' old storage rooms,
21:07the watch archives, and the underground blood shops.
21:09I handed the blood ledger to the clerk.
21:12Read it.
21:12The clerk opened it, his voice growing quieter with every line.
21:16Celeste's sanitarium tribute, 47 gold coins.
21:18Underground bloodletting.
21:19Noah, 400 milliliters.
21:21Sanctuary rehabilitation medicine, 12 gold coins.
21:24Underground bloodletting.
21:25Noah, 450 milliliters.
21:28Orphanage coal, 8 gold coins.
21:30Underground bloodletting.
21:30Noah, 500 milliliters.
21:33Someone in the gallery gasped.
21:34The orphanage director covered her mouth and started crying.
21:37Celeste sprang.
21:38He volunteered!
21:39I nodded.
21:40Yes.
21:41He volunteered to keep me alive.
21:45And you?
21:46You chose to deceive the entire North for three years.
21:51Adrian closed his eyes and swayed.
21:58He finally understood.
22:01Every coin he called atonement money was stained with Noah's blood.
22:06Bishop Marlow shot to his feet.
22:08A dead man's ledger cannot be used as sanctuary evidence.
22:12The royal judge looked at him coldly.
22:15But it can be used as a lead in financial fraud.
22:19Seal the sanctuary sanitarium's account books.
22:22Marlone's face changed.
22:24Celeste panicked too.
22:25She reached for Adrian's sleeve.
22:27But he moved away.
22:29For the first time in three years, he did not help her.
22:33The second witness was Mara, Celeste's personal maid.
22:37She knelt before the public bench, a slap mark still on her face.
22:41I don't want to push her wheelchair anymore.
22:43Celeste's face twisted.
22:45Don't you dare, Mara.
22:46With shaking hands, Mara pulled a pair of soft-sewed shoes from her cloth bag.
22:51The soles were badly worn.
22:54Celeste walks at night.
22:56She practices by holding the bed frame because she's afraid her muscles will waste away and people will find out.
23:04Every time before the duke visits, she soaks her legs in ice water to make them look purple and pitiful.
23:12The whole hall exploded.
23:14Someone stood up and cursed her as a liar.
23:17Celeste couldn't keep pretending.
23:19I only wanted Adrian to look at me!
23:26She turned on me, her eyes full of hate.
23:32Why do you get to have everything?
23:35The duke's engagement!
23:36The watch's honor!
23:38Noah's love!
23:40Even legs that walk!
23:44You had all of it!
23:47I looked at her.
23:50So you destroyed my life?
23:52She lunged from the wheelchair, trying to snatch the shoes from Mara.
23:56Everyone saw it.
23:57Her feet were planted firmly on the ground.
24:01Celeste was standing.
24:04The sanctuary went so quiet I could hear snow falling.
24:08Celeste froze.
24:10One second later, she dropped back into the wheelchair.
24:13I was just scared.
24:14I'm not healed!
24:15It hurts so much!
24:17Then let a medic examine you right here.
24:19Ron said coldly.
24:20Celeste's face went white.
24:21Absolutely not!
24:22Adrian looked at her like he had finally woken from a nightmare.
24:28You can walk.
24:30You could always walk.
24:32Celeste grabbed his hand.
24:33I didn't mean to lie to you.
24:34I was afraid you would leave me.
24:36Adrian pulled his hand free, inch by inch.
24:42So you made me force Evelyn to kneel for three years.
24:47Celeste laughed.
24:48There was nothing holy left in that smile.
24:52You chose to believe me.
24:53All I had to do was cry.
24:56And you found her guilty.
24:59Adrian, why are you pretending to be awake now?
25:02Her words hit him like a knife.
25:03He stumbled back.
25:06Bishop Marlowe ordered the guards to take Celeste away, but she screamed.
25:10Marlon, don't act clean!
25:12The sanatorium tribute tripled!
25:14How much did the sanctuary pocket?
25:17You knew my legs could recover, didn't you?
25:20The bishop's face went ashen.
25:22The royal judge struck the silver gavel.
25:26Seal the sanctuary.
25:29Inspect every ledger.
25:31Now!
25:32Before Celeste was dragged away, she stared at me with pure hatred.
25:35So what if you won, Evelyn?
25:37Noah isn't coming back!
25:38I closed my eyes.
25:40When I opened them, I said,
25:42That is why you deserve to pay.
25:46On the day the royal court gave its verdict,
25:49the holy mountain saw its heaviest snow in three years.
25:52The judge read slowly,
25:54Evelyn's cutting of the secondary rope was an emergency rescue.
25:57She is innocent.
25:58Celeste fabricated her disability,
26:00defraudged tribute money,
26:01and framed a member of the watch.
26:03She will be handed over for trial.
26:04Bishop Marlowe is implicated,
26:05his holy office is suspended,
26:07and sanctuary property will be sealed.
26:09Each word landed like a chip of ice breaking loose inside my knees.
26:13The orphanage children cried together.
26:16The director held my hand, too choked to speak.
26:18Adrian stood in the gallery with red eyes,
26:20but he didn't dare come near me.
26:22To save face,
26:23a sanctuary representative came over carrying a silver crown.
26:26Miss Evelyn,
26:27the sanctuary grants you forgiveness and glory.
26:30I looked at the silver crown and laughed.
26:33Forgiveness?
26:33I'm innocent.
26:34I don't need forgiveness.
26:36The representative's face turned ugly.
26:38I turned and walked down from the public bench.
26:41Behind me, Adrian finally spoke.
26:44Evelyn.
26:47I didn't stop.
26:48He chased me outside and knelt in the snow before the sanctuary.
26:52I'm sorry.
26:52Snow hittled in his hair.
26:54He had once been so proud that even looking down at people felt like charity.
26:58Now he was kneeling before me.
27:00I'll atone.
27:01I'll do anything you ask.
27:03I looked down at him.
27:05Kneeling is an atonement.
27:06Facing the consequences is.
27:08His voice trembled.
27:09Then our engagement.
27:10It ended three years ago when you told me to lick her boots.
27:15Celeste refused to give up.
27:17Before she was taken to trial,
27:19she bribed a prison guard to set fire to the orphanage warehouse.
27:23I was handing out winter boots to the children when flames rose from the granary.
27:28Thick smoke flooded the hallway.
27:30Amy was trapped in the attic.
27:32Her cries swallowed by the fire.
27:35Ron started to run in.
27:36But I snatched the rope from him.
27:39I'll go.
27:40He frowned.
27:42Your knees won't hold.
27:44I had already tied the knot.
27:47They held three years ago.
27:49They'll hold now.
27:53I climbed the outer wall, flames licking the edge of my cloak.
27:58Amy was curled by the window sealed, her face covered in soot.
28:05Evelyn, I'm scared.
28:07Look at me.
28:09I clipped the rope around her waist.
28:11The rope will bring you home.
28:14The beam collapsed as I grabbed her and slid down the outer wall.
28:20When I landed, the old wound in my knee tore open again.
28:24Blood soaked through my skirt.
28:26In the distance, Celeste tried to flee under a cloak.
28:29The children pointed at her and shouted.
28:31It was her!
28:33She ran so fast!
28:35When the royal guards caught her,
28:37she couldn't pretend to be crippled anymore.
28:39They dragged her back,
28:41and she screamed at me like a madwoman.
28:43Why won't you just die?
28:45I held Amy and whispered.
28:49Because Noah wanted me to live.
28:51This time, no one spoke up for Celeste.
28:53The court sentenced her to life at hard labor.
28:56I heard she was still screaming Adrian's name when they took her away.
29:00But Adrian did not go to see her.
29:02He was in the ruins of the orphanage,
29:04moving charred veems with his bare hands.
29:08After the fire, I never went back to the Duke's estate.
29:11I used the recovered tribute money to build the watch keep
29:14beside the old watch station.
29:15It sheltered the orphanage children
29:17and trained young guides in avalanche rescue.
29:20Ron handled medicine.
29:21I taught rope work.
29:23In the first class, Amy raised her hand.
29:26Evelyn, can a rope actually kill people?
29:29I picked up the old knot.
29:31The core was dark red.
29:33The cut end worn fuzzy by time.
29:36Ropes don't kill.
29:38People do.
29:38The children nodded seriously.
29:40I taught them how to check the core,
29:42tie double knots,
29:43and listen to the snowpack.
29:45If anyone got it wrong,
29:46they unread it and start it over.
29:48Because on a snowy mountain,
29:49one wrong knot can cost a life.
29:53Adrian sent three carts of timber and medicine.
29:56No signature.
29:57The director asked if I wanted to return them.
30:00I shook my head.
30:02The children need them.
30:03But the receipt only says the supplies were received.
30:06No gratitude.
30:09No replies.
30:11No forgiveness.
30:13Ron looked at me.
30:14You really don't want to know how he is?
30:16I trimmed a loose thread from the mended old cloak.
30:21No.
30:22Knowing would tie me back to him.
30:24I didn't want to be bound to anyone anymore.
30:28That evening,
30:29I buried Noah's urn on the slope behind the watch keep.
30:34The headstone was small.
30:37I carved only one sentence on it.
30:41Sister stood up.
30:44Adrian resigned from his royal military post.
30:47The Duke of the North
30:49became the lowest-ranked snowline volunteer
30:51in the Holy Mountain Watch.
30:53No attendance.
30:54No badge.
30:56No noble privilege.
30:58Every morning,
30:59he moved supplies with the team,
31:01repaired rope posts,
31:02and cleared snow trails.
31:05One by one,
31:07he sent the nobles
31:08who had bet on my invisi relation
31:09at the ice steps
31:10to volunteer at the watch keep.
31:12On Bella's first day,
31:14she wore velvet gloves.
31:15Half a day later,
31:17coal ash had buried their color.
31:19She stood before me
31:20with her head lowered.
31:22Evelyn,
31:23I'm sorry for what I said back then.
31:26I handed her an axe.
31:28I heard you.
31:29The firewood still needs chopping.
31:31She paused,
31:33then took it.
31:35She used to bet gold coins
31:36on whether I would kneel.
31:40Now she chopped wood
31:41until her palms split,
31:42and no one cried pain for her.
31:44Adrian stood far outside the yard
31:46and did not come closer.
31:48When Ron came back from patrol,
31:49he mentioned...
31:54He checks the safety rope
31:55three times
31:56before every mission now.
31:58The new recruits
31:59think he's annoying.
32:00He says the rope
32:01can't be wrong again.
32:02My hands paused
32:04for one second.
32:06Then I kept tying Amy's scarf.
32:09People who were too late
32:10could still learn
32:11to do things right,
32:12but that didn't erase the past.
32:14That night,
32:15a new rope knot
32:16appeared at the watchkeep's gate.
32:18It was clumsy.
32:20I didn't throw it away.
32:22I hung it in the classroom
32:24and put a label under it.
32:25Wrong example.
32:26Must be relearned.
32:29Years passed.
32:30The children of the watchkeep
32:32grew taller.
32:33Amy could run across
32:34the snowy slope
32:35with a first aid kit
32:36bigger than she was.
32:38Thick calluses
32:38formed on my knees,
32:39and they ached
32:40on snowy days.
32:41But I no longer kneel.
32:43Noah's wolfskin cloak
32:44had been mended many times.
32:46The edges had faded
32:46from washing,
32:47but it was still warm.
32:48In the autumn
32:49of the fifth year,
32:52Adrian came.
32:53He stood outside
32:54the courtyard gate
32:55instead of barging in
32:57like he used to.
32:58The wind had worn
32:59his cloak thin.
33:00He had lost weight,
33:01and the highland sun
33:02had burned red marks
33:03into his face.
33:05The old rope knot
33:05was wrapped around his wrist.
33:08He looked at the cloak
33:09on my shoulders,
33:10his voice soft.
33:13Still the same one?
33:14It's been fixed.
33:16I nodded.
33:17He was quiet
33:18for a long time.
33:19What about us?
33:20I looked at him.
33:21There was no hatred
33:22in my heart.
33:23No love either.
33:24Only a piece
33:25from very far away.
33:27We are not a cloak.
33:28We are beyond repair.
33:31His eyes reddened,
33:32but he did not
33:33take another step.
33:34Amy ran out of the house
33:35and grabbed my hand.
33:38Evelyn!
33:39Dr. Ron says
33:40dinner is waiting!
33:41She pulled me back inside.
33:43At the door,
33:43I heard Adrian whisper.
33:46I understand.
33:49This time,
33:50he didn't call my name.
33:51He didn't follow me.
33:54The snowstorm behind me
33:56was heavy,
33:56but I didn't look back.
34:00Winter came early that year.
34:02The north slope
34:03of the Holy Mountain
34:04showed signs
34:05of a major snowpack
34:06collapse.
34:08The watch broadcast
34:09an evacuation warning
34:10to every traveler.
34:12But by evening,
34:14a herder's family
34:15had lost contact.
34:16Their seven-year-old son
34:18was with them.
34:21Ron set out
34:22with the medical team.
34:24Adrian was on
34:25the rescue list too.
34:27Before leaving,
34:28he unwinded
34:28the old knot
34:29from his wrist
34:30and tied it back
34:31beside his safety harness.
34:33His peatmate asked,
34:35You're still carrying that?
34:38To remind me,
34:40he said.
34:41That night,
34:43the first wounded
34:43were brought to the watchkeep.
34:45Three herders,
34:46mild frostbite.
34:48The second group
34:48brought the child.
34:50His lips were frozen
34:51purple-black,
34:52and he was clutching
34:53a piece of rope.
34:55I banded his fingers.
34:57An uncle pushed me over.
34:59He trembled as he spoke.
35:01Who?
35:02I asked.
35:05Broken screams
35:06burst from the radio.
35:07Second collapse
35:07at the cliff!
35:08Safety rope can't hold
35:09the weight!
35:10Only one of them
35:11can cross!
35:11Report your location!
35:12Ron grabbed the radio.
35:13The wind nearly
35:15shred the channel.
35:16Then I heard
35:16Adrian's voice,
35:17calm.
35:18Pull the kid up first.
35:20His teammate shouted,
35:21Adrian, don't cut it!
35:22The next second,
35:23the roar of the avalanche
35:25swallowed everything.
35:28The watchkeep went dead silent.
35:30The child lay on the emergency bed,
35:33sobbing so hard
35:33he could barely breathe.
35:35That uncle cut the rope
35:36on himself with a knife.
35:37He pushed me over.
35:39He said something,
35:40but the wind was too loud.
35:41I couldn't hear.
35:42I covered him with a blanket.
35:46Sleep?
35:47You survived.
35:50That's what he wanted to say.
35:53Ron looked at me
35:55like he wanted to speak,
35:56then stopped.
35:57I lowered my head
35:58and kept treating the frostbite.
36:00The gauze
36:01wrapped around the child's fingers
36:03without one crooked turn.
36:05But only I knew
36:06my reflection in the bassin
36:07was shaking.
36:09Three years ago,
36:10I had cut
36:11a secondary rope too.
36:12I had pushed Celeste
36:13towards life.
36:14Then I was judged
36:15for three years.
36:16Now Adrian had stood
36:17inside the same choice.
36:18The realization
36:19finally dawned on him.
36:21The search lasted two days.
36:22At dawn on the third day,
36:24the watch found him
36:24below the snow slope.
36:25The old knot
36:26was still wrapped
36:27around his wrist.
36:27The tail of the rope
36:28had frozen into the ice.
36:30When Ron came to tell me,
36:31I was teaching the children
36:32to tie a double knot.
36:34He stood at the classroom door
36:36and didn't come in.
36:37After class, he said,
36:38It's confirmed.
36:40I nodded.
36:42Do you want me to take you
36:43to see him off?
36:44Amy ran over,
36:45holding up a crooked knot.
36:47Evelyn, did I do it right?
36:48I knelt and tightened
36:49the left side for her.
36:50This part is loose.
36:51Wrap it once more.
36:52Amy ran back.
36:54I looked out the window
36:55at the holy mountain.
36:57The mountain will lay him to rest.
37:01Adrian's belongings were sent
37:02to the watch keep.
37:03No love letters.
37:04No long confession.
37:05Only a donation contract
37:07and a short note.
37:08The contract gave most of his
37:09northern supply lines
37:10to the watch keep.
37:11The note held one sentence.
37:13May every rope learn
37:14to save a life
37:15before it's too late.
37:16Amy leaned over the table
37:17and asked in a whisper,
37:19Was he a good person
37:20or a bad one?
37:22I looked at the old knot.
37:25After a long while,
37:26I said,
37:27He did terrible things.
37:29Later, he remembered.
37:31Amy asked again,
37:33So did you forgive him?
37:35I tied her scarf.
37:38Some things don't end
37:39with sorry or forgiveness.
37:41She brinked.
37:43Then when do they end?
37:44I looked at the lamp
37:45before Noah's grave.
37:48When the living
37:49finally untethered themselves
37:50from the past,
37:51that night,
37:52I put the old knot
37:53into the teaching box.
37:56The label read,
37:57Old rescue rope.
37:59Not for use.
38:00Warning sample only.
38:02Ron stood by the door.
38:03Is that the end?
38:05I closed the lid.
38:07For him, yes.
38:08For me,
38:09it ended long ago.
38:13Snow tapped against the window.
38:14The stove burned warm.
38:17That night,
38:18I dreamed of Noah
38:19for the first time.
38:20He stood at the foot
38:21of the holy mountain,
38:23smiling and waving at me.
38:25No sickness.
38:27No blood shop.
38:28No ice steps.
38:31Years later,
38:32the watch keep became
38:33the most important
38:34snow line outpost
38:35in the north.
38:36Some of the orphanage children
38:37became guides.
38:38Some became medics.
38:39Some became rope makers.
38:41Amy grew into
38:42the finest female knight
38:43among them.
38:43Her safety knots
38:44were prettier than mine.
38:46Every year,
38:46on the first snow,
38:47I took them
38:48to the training ground,
38:49checked the rope core,
38:50confirmed the load,
38:51learned to hear the mountain
38:52before an avalanche.
38:53The new children
38:54always asked me,
38:55Why do we talk about
38:56the tall rope
38:57before every class?
39:02I picked up the old knot
39:04from the teaching box.
39:05The dark red core
39:06had faded to a pale shade
39:10because the same rope
39:11can lead to different endings
39:13in different hands.
39:15Some people use it to lie.
39:17Some use it to judge.
39:20And some finally learned
39:22to use it to save.
39:24The children listened in silence.
39:26I went on.
39:28But remember,
39:29a rope has only one
39:31true purpose.
39:32Amy stood at the front
39:33and answered for them all.
39:34To save people!
39:36The wind blew down
39:37from the holy mountain.
39:38The white flowers
39:39before Noah's grave
39:40swayed gently.
39:41I pulled my patched
39:43wolfskin cloak
39:44tighter around me.
39:45Winter on the plateau
39:46was still cold.
39:48But the cloak Noah gave me
39:49was still warm.
39:52Later,
39:53the Northern Court
39:54wrote the wrongful conviction
39:55from three years ago
39:56into the watch's new rules.
39:58No noble may privately judge
40:01an avalanche case.
40:03All rescue rope evidence
40:04must be reviewed
40:05by a third-party rope maker.
40:08No sanctuary member,
40:09noble,
40:10or member of the watch
40:11may withhold medicine,
40:12supplies,
40:13or orphanage goods
40:13in the name of atonement.
40:15Those rules were carved
40:16into the stone wall
40:17of the watchkeep's main hall.
40:19Every new member
40:20had to read them aloud
40:21before joining.
40:22Someone asked me
40:23whether this late justice
40:24still felt too light.
40:26I said yes.
40:28It could not save Noah.
40:31It could not give me back
40:32the three years
40:33I spent kneeling.
40:34But it could save
40:35the people who came after us.
40:37That was enough.
40:38Ron stood beside me
40:39and handed me a cup
40:40of hot berry wine.
40:41The North Slope
40:42is stable this year.
40:43The children can do
40:44two fewer patrols.
40:45I glanced at him.
40:48Are you pleading for them
40:49or trying to slack off?
40:51He laughed.
40:53Both.
40:54A Amy shouted
40:55from the training field.
40:56Evelyn!
40:57Come see my new team!
40:59I walked outside.
41:01Sunlight hit the snow
41:02bright enough to sting.
41:05I thought of Noah
41:06years ago
41:07carving his own name
41:08into the cheapest
41:09wooden box
41:10at the refurium house.
41:12He must have been terrified.
41:18But he still saved
41:19his last bit of courage
41:20for me.
41:28Noah, look.
41:31Your sister really
41:33never knelt again.
41:38On the winter celstice,
41:39the watch keep
41:40held a rope-giving ceremony
41:41for the new members.
41:43Each child received
41:44a safety rope
41:45of their own.
41:45Not a gift from nobles.
41:47Not charity
41:48from the sanctuary.
41:49It was a right
41:50they earned
41:50by learning to inspect,
41:51tie, and care
41:52for it themselves.
41:53Amy handed the first rope
41:54to a little boy.
41:56He was the herder's son
41:57Adrian had pushed back
41:58from the cliff years ago.
41:59He had grown taller
42:01and his eyes were bright.
42:03When he saw the old knot
42:04in the teaching box,
42:05he said,
42:06I remember that, uncle.
42:09Everyone went quiet.
42:11The boy lowered his voice.
42:14I remembered later.
42:18The wind was loud,
42:19but before he pushed me,
42:21I think he said,
42:26He looked at me.
42:28Tell her I didn't cut
42:29the wrong one this time.
42:31Wind blew in through the door.
42:33The stove flame flickered.
42:34I didn't cry.
42:37I only placed my hand
42:38on the old knot.
42:40After a long time,
42:40I said,
42:42Then it's good he knew.
42:43The boy asked,
42:46Did you want to hear that?
42:48I shook my head.
42:52It doesn't matter anymore.
42:55What mattered
42:56was that the person he saved
42:58was standing here.
43:00What mattered
43:01was that the child
43:02held a new rope.
43:04What mattered
43:05was that the mistake
43:07had not been passed down.
43:11The rope-giving ceremony
43:13went on.
43:18One by one,
43:19the children raised
43:20their safety ropes
43:21and recited the watch oath.
43:25I stood at the front
43:26and watched heavy snow
43:27fall outside the window.
43:31This time,
43:33the snow was not punishment.
43:37It was a beginning.
43:41News of Celesta
43:42came many years later.
43:43She died in the most remote
43:45penal monastery in the north.
43:47Mara later became
43:47the watch keep's
43:48logistics officer.
43:49She told me
43:50Celesta's last words
43:51were that she had only
43:52wanted to win once.
43:54I felt nothing
43:55when I heard it.
43:58Should we tell the children?
44:00I shook my head.
44:03She doesn't deserve
44:04to be the end of the story.
44:06The real ending
44:07should not belong
44:07to the liar.
44:09It should belong
44:10to the people
44:10who were saved.
44:11To the people
44:12who stood again.
44:14To every rope
44:15tied the right way.
44:17That spring,
44:19the watch keep expanded.
44:20We raised a stone monument
44:22in the center
44:22of the new training ground.
44:24Adrian's name
44:25was not on it.
44:26Neither was Celesta's.
44:29Only Noah's.
44:33Without his frail life
44:34guarding the truth for me,
44:36the north would not
44:37have the watch keep today.
44:39Would Noah be happy?
44:41On the day
44:41the monument was unwealed,
44:43Amy asked.
44:45I looked at the name
44:46on the stone.
44:47Yes.
44:50He was always most afraid
44:52I would bow my head.
44:53Now so many people
44:55are looking up
44:55at his name.
44:56He must be proud.
44:58The children laughed.
45:00I laughed too.
45:02Wind swept across
45:03the snow field
45:03and sunlight fell
45:04on the stone.
45:05In that moment
45:06I finally felt
45:07that Noah
45:07had truly come home.
45:10Many years later
45:12I still sometimes
45:13dreamed of the
45:13ten-thousandth ice step.
45:15In the dream
45:15Adrian stood above me.
45:17Celise sat in her wheelchair
45:18and the nobles
45:20raised their glasses
45:20to place bets.
45:22They told me to kneel.
45:23They told me to confess.
45:25They told me to lick
45:26the snow from her boots.
45:28But in the dream
45:30I never knelt again.
45:32I turned and walked
45:33down the ice steps.
45:35Noah stood below
45:36in his old coat
45:38waving at me.
45:40Sister, let's go.
45:42When I woke
45:42the sky was still dark.
45:44Ron was already
45:45in the yard
45:45checking the sleds.
45:46Amy and her new team
45:47were preparing
45:48for their first
45:48solo mountain patrol.
45:50I put on the wolfkin cloak
45:51and went outside.
45:52Ron saw me
45:53and smiled.
45:54It's windy today.
45:55You don't have to see
45:56them off yourself.
45:57I'm only checking
45:58their knots.
45:59Amy lifted the buckle
46:00at her waist.
46:02Checked three times.
46:03I walked over
46:04and tightened it
46:05one more time.
46:07She sighed.
46:09Evelyn,
46:09you're even more nagging
46:10than Dr. Ron.
46:11I laughed.
46:11The mountain won't judge us
46:13for double checking.
46:17Before team set out,
46:18everyone turned back
46:19to look at me.
46:22Remember,
46:23ropes are not
46:24for proving guilt.
46:25I said,
46:26they are not
46:26for binding people.
46:27They are for pulling
46:28people out of the snow.
46:32Understood.
46:32They walked
46:33into the morning light.
46:35I stood at the door
46:36and watched their figures
46:37shrink into the distance.
46:39This time,
46:39I wasn't afraid.
46:42Snow fell on the holy mountain
46:44year after year.
46:45Some people turned my story
46:46into a northern ballad
46:47saying I rose from
46:4810,000 ice steps
46:48and built the watch keep.
46:50They like to talk about
46:50injustice,
46:51trials,
46:52revenge,
46:53and late regret.
46:54But that isn't what
46:55I wanted to remember most.
46:57What I remembered
46:58was the line
46:58Noah stitched
46:59inside my cloak.
47:01It says it's freezing
47:01on the holy mountain.
47:02Make sure you come
47:03back alive.
47:05I came back alive
47:07and I brought back
47:08many children,
47:10many ropes,
47:12many people
47:13who would never
47:14have to kneel again.
47:17At dusk,
47:18I went to light a lamp
47:19at Noah's grave.
47:20Amy had become
47:21captain of the watch.
47:23Not far away,
47:24she was teaching
47:25new children
47:26to tie knots.
47:27A child asked.
47:28What is this knot called?
47:30Amy said.
47:32The way home knot.
47:36I paused
47:37and looked back at her.
47:39She winked.
47:40I named it!
47:41I smiled
47:42and didn't correct her.
47:44Maybe every rope
47:45tied the right way
47:46should be called
47:46a way home knot
47:47in the end.
47:48Wind brushed
47:49over the headstone.
47:50The old threads
47:50of my wolfkin cloak
47:51swayed.
47:52I pressed them down
47:53with my hand.
47:54This cloak was very old,
47:55but I would keep
47:56mending it
47:56because some things
47:57can be stitched back together
47:58and some things
47:59simply can't.
48:00What can be mended,
48:01I cherish.
48:02What cannot,
48:03I let go.
48:03Winter on the holy mountain
48:04was still cold.
48:08But this time,
48:09I stood in the snowstorm,
48:11waiting for no one's forgiveness.
48:14I was innocent.
48:16I was finally free.
48:18I was finally free.
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