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00:00Run. That's the only word echoing in my head.
00:03Stop! Stop right there!
00:06Escaping the grim walls of Blackstone Castle has been my plan for years.
00:11My father, a human lord loyal to the Dragon Clan, cares about nothing but power and tribute.
00:18When I was 16, he offered me to Alberto, the ruthless half-dragon knight, as a pawn in a political
00:24marriage.
00:26For seven years, I was nothing but a plaything.
00:30On whom he vented his violence and needed control.
00:34Night after night, I prayed my father would see the bruises on my body. He always looked away.
00:41Tonight, while Alberto is away at Dragon Nest Fortress, I finally climb down from the tower.
00:47Stop! Alina, stop right there!
00:50I shake my head and force myself deeper into the Black Forest, ignoring the agony shooting through my legs.
00:55Branches slice my skin. Blood keeps pouring from my wounds, but I cannot stop.
01:01If they take me back, the torture will never end.
01:04After shaking off the pursuit, I follow the Kingdom Post Road to a small village at the border.
01:10Commoners live here. Maybe I can find shelter here.
01:13Dragging myself forward, I knock on the nearest wooden door.
01:20Seeing the wounds on my face and the bloodline mark of a lord's family, the old woman slams the door
01:26cut.
01:29A few familiar figures show up at the village entrance.
01:33No. Please. Don't take me back.
01:36Their dragon-crest insignishes gleam coldly beneath the moon.
01:40Alberto's dark-wing assassins have found her.
01:43I hide behind the houses, not knowing when death will come.
01:47Then, a shadow carriage rounds the corner, pulled by two black ground jacks.
01:51The door opens.
01:52A tall man steps out, dressed in a black silk robe and dark leather armor.
01:56The light is too dim for me to see his face.
01:59Once I'm sure Alberto's dark-wound-and-assassins have not spotted me,
02:03I slip into the rear of the carriage and hide.
02:07The man returns and doesn't notice me.
02:10The carriage moves again.
02:15When it finally stops, I quietly climb out.
02:18Before me stands the magnificent blackstone-dowing dragon-nest fortress.
02:22Towering spires crowned with silver domes rise overhead,
02:25while intricately carved stone pillars display its owner's wealth and power.
02:30This dragon lord is far more dangerous than my father.
02:33I turn to flee back into the black forest,
02:35but two dragon-scale guards in dark crimson armor march towards me.
02:39Stop! Trespassers in the dragon nest die!
02:41I spin around and race through the fortress open gates.
02:46Heavy iron boots thunder behind me.
02:49I burst into the grand hall, race frantically down a corridor,
02:52then rush through a random door and slam it shut.
03:04The door opens.
03:06The man in black enters.
03:09He tears off his cloak and tosses it aside.
03:16Ascending crystal on the table begins to glow.
03:19The communications officer's voice rings out through the room.
03:23My lord, an intruder has entered the fortress.
03:27The look on his face is grim.
03:30Following his gaze, I realize the edge of my coarse dress is sticking out from beneath the bed.
03:37I'll handle it.
03:38I'll handle it.
03:38He cuts off the sending crystal, slowly crouches.
03:42His long fingers grip the fabric.
03:43Then he yanks up the bedsheet, grabs me by the dress, dragging me from under the bed.
03:48I fight instinctively, but his fingers clamp around my wrist with crushing strength.
03:52I turn to run.
03:54Behind, a blade slides from its sheath.
03:56One more step, and my sword will go through you.
04:00I freeze, too terrified to move.
04:02Turn around.
04:07I turn slowly and lift my head.
04:10Tangled hair hides half my face.
04:12He steps closer and sees my dirt-streaked, bruised face.
04:16His sword lowers.
04:18He brushes the hair from my face and wipes away a single tear.
04:22A flicker of hesitation passes through his icy blue eyes, but it is quickly replaced by coldness.
04:28His sword rises again, aiming at me.
04:30Who the hell are you?
04:31Why are you here?
04:34I force my legs to hold me up, not daring to step back.
04:41I won't ask again.
04:42Answer me now.
04:43He watches me calmly, his gaze deep and dangerous.
04:47The dragon scales on his face tell me he's a pure-blood dragon lord,
04:51and a terrifying one.
04:53I am Alex Ivanshoff, master of this castle.
04:57My body stiffens at the name Ivanshoff leads the pure-blood dragon clan of the far north,
05:03while my family stands at the heart of the southern human alliance.
05:07Our two sides have long been enemies.
05:10If he discovers my true identity, he will execute me with dragon fire.
05:16My name is Alana Bleiviv.
05:18I'm a homeless woman who escaped from the underground slave market,
05:23while on the run, I stole a loaf of bread.
05:26The military police chased me, so I hid in your castle.
05:30The lie comes out smoothly.
05:34He leans back and sets his sword aside.
05:37I'll give you three choices.
05:39Stay at the fortress and work for me.
05:42Return to your dangerous life on the streets,
05:45or be executed now for trespassing on my territory.
05:49Dragon fire seems to burn in his eyes.
05:52I have dealt with the dragon clan often enough to know he is not joking.
05:59Staying alive comes first.
06:02I choose the first.
06:10Alina.
06:11Hearing him say my fake name sends a chill through me.
06:14He keeps moving closer until our bodies nearly touch.
06:17His commanding presence makes me feel small.
06:19His long fingers slowly trail down my bruised cheek.
06:22Don't worry.
06:23I won't hurt you, unless you want me to.
06:26I gasp.
06:27My chest rises and falls with quick breaths.
06:31What exactly does this job involve?
06:35He stares into my eyes.
06:37Fine dragon scale patterns flicker deep within his ice blue pupils.
06:41Tension hangs heavily in the air.
06:43He suddenly steps back, his gaze turning calm again.
06:48Alina.
06:49The maids in the castle need help.
06:51You'll clean and cook.
06:54You only want me to clean and cook?
07:00That's right.
07:02Or did you think I meant something else?
07:06Alex slowly moves closer, his dangerous aura surging around him.
07:16Alex steps back, his gaze still fixed on me.
07:19He didn't say anything, but raised the corner of his mouth.
07:24He makes the gesture look unbearably seductive, forcing me to look away.
07:29Why is he treating me like this?
07:31One moment, he seems ready to kill me.
07:33The next, he looks as if he wants to kiss me.
07:36Is this all just a game to him?
07:38His intense gaze makes my body burn.
07:41Moments ago, he threatened to execute me.
07:43Now he looks at me like this.
07:45I know this is a power game.
07:47To survive, I have no choice but to play along with this dragon lord.
07:52Nicolay, take Alina to the room next to mine.
07:55His cold voice snaps me back to reality.
07:57The door opens.
07:58A muscular man stands there.
08:00A long scar crosses his face, making him look intimidating.
08:04A steel sword rests in the seath at his waist.
08:06His hostile glare makes me tremble.
08:09Alex's orders are not to be questioned.
08:11You will do exactly as I say.
08:14I recoil, my heart racing.
08:17Nicolay grabs my arm and pulls me out of the room.
08:20His grip is shockingly strong.
08:23I stumble as he shoves me into the room next to Alex's.
08:26The room is large.
08:28From the window, I can see Blackstone Forch's rear courtyard.
08:31The peace here feels worlds away from the danger I'm in.
08:34The lord told you to clean yourself up.
08:36Do it without causing trouble.
08:38Understood?
08:39I can only nod.
08:40I enter the room-fed stone bathing pool,
08:42remove my dress,
08:43and lower my bruised body into the warm water.
08:48The warm water drives away the cold.
08:51I put on the black maid's dress left beside the bed,
08:55fix my hair,
08:56and follow Nicolay down the stairs.
08:59Alex is leaning back in a wooden chair.
09:01His advisor, Victor, strolls in,
09:04and the air grows tense.
09:06Alex picks up two glasses of liquor,
09:09hands one to Victor,
09:10and orders him to uncover my true identity.
09:13Is she a spy?
09:14Is that why you kept her here?
09:16To find out who she works for?
09:17Alex does not answer.
09:19He only gives him a cold stare.
09:21No one in this dragon nest fortress
09:24questions a pure-blood dragon's decision.
09:27Soon afterward,
09:29Alex receives a magic message from Victor
09:30reporting that the bloodline scroll
09:32contains no information about me.
09:34It's as if I don't exist.
09:36Hearing this,
09:37Alex's hand tightens slightly around his glass.
09:40Let's see what secrets I can uncover, kitten.
09:42My mysterious past does not concern him.
09:45Instead, it fascinates him.
09:46He wants to uncover my secrets one by one
09:48until he knows everything about me.
09:51The fortress is filled with shimmering obsidian
09:54and crystal chandeliers.
09:56Nicolay suddenly stops and glares at me.
09:59Watch where you're going, new girl.
10:02We enter the kitchen.
10:04Lena, the head maid,
10:06approaches with a smile.
10:08She introduces me to the other maids.
10:10They all wear the same black dress as me.
10:14We don't need another maid.
10:16My arrival is clearly not welcomed.
10:18Actually, you do.
10:20At the sound of his voice,
10:21Alex steps out of the shadows
10:23and into the light.
10:24His presence carries the overwhelming pressure
10:26of a pure-blood dragon.
10:27Every maid immediately lowers her head
10:29to avoid his gaze.
10:31Alina will work in the kitchen.
10:33That is my order.
10:34His gaze immediately locks onto me.
10:36His eyes trace down my waist
10:39and stop at my legs.
10:40He makes no attempt to hide hunger
10:42and possessiveness in his gaze.
10:44He wants me to see exactly what he desires,
10:46and a wicked smile crosses his face.
10:49I step back under his stare
10:51and quickly close my eyes,
10:53trying to stay calm.
10:54But he has already taken over my thoughts,
10:56filling me with panic.
11:00All right, get to work.
11:04I expect him to do something,
11:07but he simply turns and leaves.
11:10After Alex leaves,
11:11Lena gently asks me to sit
11:13and brings me a wooden plate
11:14filled with roasted meat and berries.
11:16The first time I have ever experienced
11:18genuine kindness.
11:19I take my first bite,
11:22and tears roll down my cheeks.
11:26Eat, dear.
11:30For the next week,
11:31I stay in the kitchen
11:33and help with the cleaning.
11:36One evening,
11:37the fortress holds a banquet,
11:39and I work until late at night.
11:41After saying goodbye to Lena,
11:43I slowly make my way upstairs.
11:45As I pass the Lord's study,
11:48an ancient bone piano in the corner
11:49catches my attention.
11:51Playing music
11:52helped me endure
11:53countless painful nights,
11:55so I can't help reaching out
11:57and touching the strings.
11:59After letting out a sigh,
12:02I return to my bedroom.
12:04The room is lit only by weak candlelight.
12:08I remove my dress,
12:09and I'm about to put on
12:11my linen nightgown
12:12when a low voice
12:14suddenly speaks behind me.
12:17I have to admit,
12:19you have a beautiful body.
12:24Alex sits in a velvet chair
12:26in the shadows,
12:27wearing a white linen shirt.
12:30His burning gaze
12:31openly sweeps
12:32over my entire body.
12:37He moves closer,
12:39his dragon clan aura
12:40surrounding me completely.
12:42He lowers his head,
12:44his lips hovering above mine.
12:46I freak...
12:46He reaches out
12:47and grabs the nightgown
12:48I'm holding against my chest.
12:51Put your hands down.
12:53I shake my head desperately,
12:55gripping the nightgown
12:56and tightly.
12:57Anger flashes in his eyes.
13:00He forces my wrists down,
13:02leaving me completely exposed
13:04to his gaze.
13:06The cold air makes me shiver.
13:08His fingers rest on my skin.
13:11Under his gaze,
13:13my body grows warmer
13:14and begins responding to his touch.
13:16Your skin is radiant.
13:19Your skin is radiant.
13:19Not what I'd expect
13:20from a refugee.
13:21His fingertips slide down my neck
13:23in a deliberate teast.
13:25I try to escape,
13:26but he wraps an arm around my waist
13:28and pulls me hard
13:29against his chest.
13:31The rough fabric of his shirt
13:33rubs against my skin.
13:35I let out a whimper.
13:37Let me go!
13:38Please!
13:38Let me go!
13:39He remains unmoved.
13:42He tells me that the strongest sensations
13:44often come with pain.
13:46He backs me into a corner
13:48and braces both hands
13:49against the wall,
13:50trapping me between his arms.
13:53Without hesitation,
13:53he declares that he wants me,
13:55absolute dominance
13:56burning in his eyes.
13:59I hate his confidence and arrogance.
14:02The shadow of my fiancé
14:03has always haunted me.
14:04But now,
14:05facing this dangerous man,
14:07my defenses are crumbling.
14:09He moves closer,
14:10step by step,
14:11his warm breath
14:12brushing my lips.
14:13My heart races.
14:14My palms are sweaty.
14:16If I gin,
14:18it means surrendering to him,
14:20letting him control me.
14:21I swore I would never hand my fate
14:23to another man,
14:24but now I'm cornered
14:26and I can't even say no.
14:28Under those blue dragon eyes,
14:29I can't move.
14:30Alina.
14:31He grips my chin
14:32and forces me to look up at him.
14:34His warmth surrounds me.
14:35His ice blue eyes
14:36show both control and scrutiny.
14:38My self-control is crumbling
14:40under his pressure.
14:41My whole body is tense and aching.
14:43Alex.
14:51Unable to bear the pressure any longer,
14:53I black out.
14:54When I wait,
14:55I find myself lying on a soft bed.
14:58I try to get up,
14:59but my aching body gives way
15:01and I fall to the floor.
15:03Alex sits beside the bed,
15:05calmly straightening his clothes,
15:06as if deliberately keeping me on edge.
15:09Alina,
15:10who are you really?
15:12The look on his face
15:13fills me with fear.
15:14Has he discovered my identity?
15:16He does not look like
15:17he wants a peaceful conversation.
15:18He is a dragon,
15:19a dangerous dragon.
15:20The scales on his body
15:21and the blue glow in his eyes
15:23remind me how dangerous he is.
15:24He is far more powerful than I am.
15:26Tell me,
15:26what did I do to you last night?
15:28Memories of last night flood my mind.
15:30I step back,
15:30trying to keep a safe distance.
15:32He stands up and approaches
15:33with firm steps
15:34until his shadow falls over me.
15:39Alex,
15:39what are you doing?
15:42He reaches out
15:43and pulls me back into his arms.
15:44His forceful grip
15:45leaves me unable to move.
15:46I push against his chest,
15:47struggling with everything I have,
15:49but he doesn't move.
15:50He needs me to admit my weakness,
15:51my surrender to him.
15:53Alex grips my chin
15:53and kisses me forcefully.
15:55Under his pressure,
15:56I have no but new choice
15:57to get him.
15:58Possessive kiss
15:58declares his control over me.
16:00Breathing hard,
16:01my cheeks burning.
16:02I stare blankly
16:03as he leaves the room.
16:05My heart is beating
16:05faster than ever.
16:07Maybe I am drawn
16:08to this irresistible danger,
16:09but I still do not know
16:11what Alex is thinking.
16:12If I want to protect myself,
16:14running away
16:14will be my best choice.
16:16Meanwhile,
16:16Alex receives
16:17an urgent report
16:18from his men.
16:19His face darkens.
16:20He slams his hand
16:21on the study table,
16:22cracking a corner.
16:23We found someone
16:24spying on us.
16:24They work for the
16:25Abandado family.
16:26His plans have been leaked
16:28to a rival family.
16:30Find that traitor
16:31at once!
16:32It's obvious
16:33I'm the prime suspect.
16:34And now,
16:35everyone's eyes are on me.
16:37Alex does not want
16:38to believe it,
16:39but he cannot ignore
16:40the possibility.
16:42Then a guard reports
16:43that I am trying
16:44to escape through a window,
16:45making the fury
16:46in his eyes
16:47even more dangerous.
16:50Sensing danger,
16:51I climb out the window
16:52and run toward the woods
16:53behind the estate.
16:54My legs weaken,
16:55but I dare not stop.
16:57If I can make it
16:58into the forest,
16:59I may finally be free,
17:00but the footsteps
17:01behind me grow closer.
17:03Then someone grabs my arm
17:05and drags me to the ground.
17:07Please, let me go.
17:09Victor and Nikolai
17:10pull me up without mercy.
17:11I struggle desperately,
17:13but I am powerless
17:14against them.
17:14If you come back quietly,
17:15we won't have to hurt you.
17:17Nikolai throws me
17:18over his shoulder
17:18and carries me down
17:19a dark hallway,
17:20ignoring my screams.
17:21As the light fades,
17:23an eerie feeling
17:24surrounds me.
17:25They take me
17:26into the basement
17:26and tie me tightly
17:27to a chair.
17:28The rough ropes
17:29tear into my wrists,
17:30but all I can do
17:31is wait in the darkness
17:32for whatever judgment
17:33comes next.
17:35The basement door
17:36slams open.
17:37He steps inside
17:38with his men,
17:39his eyes locked on me.
17:40He stops in front of me.
17:41His ice blue eyes
17:42burn with fury.
17:43He bends down
17:44and stares at me.
17:45I've never seen anything
17:46so terrifying
17:46in those blue eyes before.
17:48His anger burns like fire,
17:49threatening to devour me.
17:51Why are you spying
17:52on me for them?
17:52I stop struggling
17:54and stare at him
17:55in shock.
17:55I never imagined
17:56I would be accused
17:57of being a spy.
17:59I am not a spy.
18:00I would never become one.
18:02I shake my head desperately,
18:04tears spilling
18:04as I struggle to deny it.
18:06But he does not believe
18:07a traitor would confess
18:08willingly.
18:09His fingers clamp
18:10around my throat
18:11and tell me,
18:11I didn't do it.
18:12Please believe me.
18:14Why are you spying
18:15on me for them?
18:16Alex asks again.
18:17I know he is furious enough
18:18to see every tiny movement
18:20as suspicious.
18:20I try to speak,
18:22but my throat feels blocked.
18:24I cannot get
18:24a single word out.
18:26The lack of air
18:26makes my face throb
18:27and my vision
18:28slowly blurs.
18:31Just as I am about
18:32to lose consciousness,
18:33he suddenly lets go.
18:34I collapse in the chair,
18:36gasping for air.
18:37The ropes cut into my wrists,
18:38drawing blood.
18:39He turns away,
18:40unwilling to look at me
18:41so weak and vulnerable.
18:42After Alex leaves,
18:44he orders his men
18:45to continue the interrogation,
18:46but forbids them
18:47from hurting me.
18:48More than 10 hours
18:49of questioning
18:50leave me weak
18:51and barely able to speak.
18:52They ask the same questions
18:54over and over.
18:55I give the same answers
18:56every time.
18:57Lying won't get you
18:58out of here!
18:59I cannot reveal
19:00my true identity.
19:01If they learn
19:02that I am the daughter
19:02of the rival family's leader,
19:04I will be in even
19:05greater danger.
19:06I really didn't do it.
19:07I don't know anything.
19:08I can only keep saying
19:09that I know nothing,
19:11desperately fighting
19:11for a chance to survive.
19:13Perhaps my persistence
19:14finally works.
19:15A trace of sympathy
19:16appears in Victor's
19:17and Nikolai's eyes.
19:18Just then,
19:19Alex returns to the basement.
19:21Without a word,
19:22he signals Victor
19:23to untie the ropes
19:24around my wrists.
19:26The ordeal of the past 10 hours
19:27is finally over.
19:28I am released
19:29and sent back to my room.
19:30I wash away my exhaustion
19:32in warm water,
19:33unable to stop crying.
19:34After changing
19:35into my linen nightgown,
19:36I expect to finally
19:37get some rest,
19:38only to find Alex
19:39sitting beside my bed.
19:41What?
19:43What do you want?
19:44I instinctively hide
19:45behind the door.
19:46He stands,
19:47his voice unusually gentle.
19:49He opens his palm
19:50and casts a green
19:51healing spell.
19:52Alex,
19:52what are you doing?
19:54He asks me to sit
19:55on the bed,
19:56then uses the healing spell
19:57to treat the wounds
19:58the ropes left
19:59on my wrists.
20:00I'm sorry.
20:02I shouldn't have
20:03treated you that way.
20:04His apology shocks me.
20:05He not only heals me,
20:07but also brings me
20:07a plate of food
20:08and tells me I do not
20:09have to work tomorrow.
20:10After everything
20:11I have endured,
20:12his sudden tenderness
20:13leaves me unsure
20:13how to react.
20:14The guilt in his eyes
20:15makes my heart beat unevenly.
20:17I look into his eyes
20:18for an answer,
20:19but his face remains calm,
20:20giving nothing away.
20:23Early the next morning,
20:24Maddie knocks on my door.
20:25The wounds on my hands
20:26leave her both upset
20:27and angry.
20:28If he was willing
20:28to apologize,
20:29it means he truly knows
20:30he was wrong.
20:31You don't have to be
20:32afraid anymore.
20:33She tells me everyone
20:33knows I am innocent.
20:35Alex is simply
20:35far too distrustful.
20:36After learning that
20:37Alex apologized,
20:37she is certain
20:38I am safe now.
20:39I get dressed
20:40and go downstairs
20:41where I find
20:42Lena in the kitchen.
20:43She hugs me tightly
20:44and only relaxes
20:46after making sure
20:46I am alright.
20:48We sit at the counter.
20:49Maddie curiously asks
20:50why the Ivanshaw family
20:52and the Abandonito family
20:53hate each other.
20:54I've always wondered too,
20:55why do they hate
20:56each other so much?
20:58Lena sighs
20:58and tells us
20:59about their bloody past.
21:04One night
21:05over ten years ago,
21:06the Abandonito family
21:08attacked the estate.
21:10Only seven years old,
21:12Alex hid under a bed
21:13and witnessed everything.
21:19Through tears.
21:21Lena tells me
21:22that the man
21:23who led the attack
21:24on the estate
21:25and murdered Alex's mother
21:27with his own hands
21:29is Alfredo.
21:31The name hits me
21:32like a blow.
21:33That man,
21:34he is my father.
21:36Alex swore
21:37he'd wipe them out.
21:38Every member
21:39of the Abandonito family
21:40would pay
21:41for what they did.
21:42My breath
21:43comes fast
21:44and a sharp pain
21:45twists in my stomach.
21:46My father did not
21:47just murder
21:48Alex's mother.
21:49He also killed
21:50Maddie's father.
21:51I am the daughter
21:52of Alex's sworn enemy.
21:55If they discover
21:56my true bloodline mark,
21:57I won't survive.
21:59I suddenly feel sick.
22:01I stagger to my feet
22:03and rush out
22:03of the kitchen.
22:05Panic swallows me alive.
22:07I need some fresh air
22:09before the pressure
22:09crushing my chest
22:10tears me apart.
22:13But the moment
22:14I burst through
22:15the back door,
22:15I slam into a hard chest.
22:17I look up
22:18straight into Alex's eyes.
22:20Why are you so nervous?
22:22You're not a suspect anymore.
22:24The moment
22:24I remember his vow
22:26to kill my entire family,
22:28I am overwhelmed
22:29with terror.
22:31I can't breathe!
22:33I tear free
22:34from his grip
22:35and run,
22:36desperate to get away.
22:39I run aimlessly
22:40to the garden hill,
22:41curl up under a tree
22:43and sob.
22:44Alex follows me
22:45and sits beside me
22:46in silence.
22:47My panic
22:48slowly fades.
22:50And I lift my head
22:51to meet his eyes.
22:52I'm sorry
22:54for everything
22:55you lost.
22:56My apology
22:57leaves him frozen.
22:59He takes off
23:00his lordly coat
23:01and drapes it
23:02over my shoulders.
23:05It's a little cold today.
23:07He doesn't look
23:08at me anymore
23:08and turns back
23:09to the estate.
23:10I wrap myself
23:12tightly in his coat,
23:13still warm
23:13from his body.
23:15Bitterness
23:15fills my chest.
23:16My father's sins
23:18become a burden
23:18I will carry forever.
23:20I can never reveal
23:21who I truly am.
23:24When I finally
23:25pull myself together,
23:26I return to the kitchen
23:28and reassure Lena.
23:30Later,
23:30while lunch is being prepared,
23:32only Maddie and I
23:33stay in the kitchen.
23:34You know,
23:35I've always had a crush
23:37on the steward.
23:38And yesterday,
23:39he told me
23:40he liked me too.
23:41We share secrets
23:42with each other
23:43and can't help
23:44laughing out loud.
23:45For the first time
23:46in 23 years,
23:47I truly have friends
23:49and happiness.
23:50The warmth of it,
23:52something I've never
23:53known before,
23:54makes my eyes sting.
23:58Night falls
23:59and I let myself rest,
24:01exhausted,
24:02but with something
24:02I haven't felt
24:03in a long time.
24:04A small,
24:05fragile happiness.
24:06But the past
24:07finds me again
24:08and it drags me down
24:09into the dark.
24:10In my dream,
24:11I'm 18 again.
24:13Alberto's brutal treatment
24:14leaves me
24:15in unbearable agony.
24:17He beats me,
24:18controls me,
24:19and tries to force me
24:20to bear his
24:21dragon-blooded child.
24:24It was just a nightmare.
24:27But it wasn't a dream.
24:29I lived it.
24:30I collapsed to my knees,
24:32a wave of nausea
24:33rolling through me.
24:34I thought I had
24:35left it all behind,
24:36the cage,
24:37the torture,
24:38but the past
24:38is still here,
24:40still gripping my throat,
24:41refusing to let me go.
24:42The pain is suffocating.
24:46Then I see
24:47the Lord's coat
24:48on the sofa.
24:49I crawl toward it
24:51and bury my face
24:52in its soft fabric.
24:54Alex's dragon aura
24:55fills my senses,
24:57somehow calming me down.
24:59Clutching his coat tightly,
25:01I curl up on the floor.
25:02Surrounded by the scent
25:04of this dangerous man,
25:05I actually find
25:06a sense of security
25:07and fall into a deep sleep.
25:10The next morning,
25:12I wake up on the floor
25:13and decide to bury
25:14my vulnerability
25:15deep inside.
25:16In the kitchen,
25:17Maddie asks me
25:18to bring Alex
25:19some hot soup.
25:20I take the tray
25:20and his coat,
25:21heading reluctantly
25:22toward the study.
25:23Behind the desk,
25:24a woman is kneeling
25:25between Alex's legs.
25:26Alex doesn't seem
25:27embarrassed at all.
25:29Instead,
25:29he looks at me
25:30with a smug smile.
25:31Leave.
25:32He orders the woman
25:33to go,
25:33straightens his clothes
25:35and walks towards me.
25:36I'm so nervous,
25:37I can't catch my breath.
25:38I set down the tray
25:39and coat,
25:40then run away
25:40in a panic.
25:41Outside,
25:42I lean against the door,
25:43trying to steady
25:44my heartbeat.
25:45Nikolai is standing
25:46guard nearby.
25:47Back in the kitchen,
25:48Maddie notices
25:49my flushed face
25:50and immediately leans
25:51closer and asks
25:52what happened.
25:53When I awkwardly
25:54tell her what happened,
25:55Maddie bursts out laughing.
25:57Are you jealous?
25:58I go still.
25:59Jealous?
25:59I'm just shocked
26:00and confused.
26:01How could I possibly
26:02be jealous?
26:02I have long since
26:03closed myself off
26:04to trusting men.
26:05I would never allow myself
26:06to fall for Alex.
26:07My eyes widen in shock
26:08and I deny it firmly.
26:09I don't even know
26:09what jealousy feels like,
26:11much less why any woman
26:12would willingly accept
26:12a relationship
26:13with no self-respect.
26:14Maddie tells me
26:15that jealousy
26:16is like a sudden wave.
26:17It hits you out of nowhere
26:18and makes your chest
26:19tighten with pain.
26:20I look down at my chest.
26:21I feel nothing
26:22but confusion and shock.
26:24It's definitely not jealousy.
26:26I have long since
26:27been shattered
26:27by the shadows
26:28of the past.
26:29I would never allow myself
26:30to develop any feelings
26:32for Alex.
26:34It is not until much later
26:35that I realize,
26:36before he became
26:37the cold, feared leader,
26:39Alex had once been
26:40a gentle child.
26:41In a memory
26:42I would learn about
26:42much later,
26:44seven-year-old Alex
26:45sits in a cozy room,
26:46watching Maria,
26:47his mother,
26:48caress her growing belly.
26:49Mom,
26:50I'll always protect
26:51the little princess.
26:52The tender moment
26:54is interrupted
26:55when his father,
26:56Liov,
26:57enters the room.
26:58He embraces his wife
26:59lovingly
27:00and calls her
27:01his angel.
27:02To young Alex,
27:03Liov explains
27:04that an angel
27:05is someone who makes
27:06you want to become
27:06a better person,
27:08someone you would love
27:09with all your heart.
27:11After a short reunion,
27:13a summon interrupts
27:14their peace
27:14and Liov has to leave again.
27:16While I'm away,
27:17be a good boy.
27:19Take care of your mother.
27:20Alex nods firmly,
27:22That night,
27:23he falls asleep
27:24in his mother's arms,
27:25dreaming of a dark-haired angel
27:27with green eyes.
27:28He does not know
27:29it will be the last
27:30peaceful night of his life.
27:32Three years later,
27:34ten-year-old Alex
27:35walks alone
27:35into a dark basement.
27:37Man is tied to a chair
27:38in the center of the room,
27:39one of the people
27:40responsible for killing his mother.
27:42Alex's eyes are ice cold,
27:44his body trembling
27:45with suppressed rage.
27:46He picks up a weapon
27:47and, without hesitation,
27:49makes his enemy
27:50feel the same pain
27:51his mother had suffered.
27:53The man finally stops
27:54breathing in despair.
27:56Alex looks down
27:57at the blood on his hands.
27:59He feels no regret.
28:00Only the brief relief
28:01revenge brings.
28:02Liov throws open the door
28:03and stares at the scene
28:05in horror.
28:05What have you done?
28:07It is the first time
28:08Alex has spoken
28:09in three years.
28:10I swear,
28:11I'll kill
28:12every last one of them.
28:13From that moment on,
28:14the gentle boy is gone.
28:16In his place
28:17stands a cold-blooded avenger.
28:20He forces every thought
28:21of angels from his mind.
28:23He believes that someone
28:25with blood on his hands
28:26doesn't deserve redemption.
28:29At lunch,
28:30I'm forced to stay
28:31in the dining room
28:32and serve.
28:33Alex deliberately
28:33makes me pass him food,
28:35his eyes gleaming
28:36with provocation.
28:37When I step beside him,
28:38he presses his leg
28:39against mine
28:40with no shame.
28:41I quickly set bowl
28:43and move away
28:43in a panic.
28:44While clearing the table,
28:46I accidentally
28:46bump into him.
28:48He catches me
28:49around the waist,
28:50holding me steady.
28:51You shouldn't touch me.
28:54My mistake.
28:56I forgot.
28:57Then he simply lets go.
28:59I fall hard
29:00onto the floor.
29:03I grit my teeth
29:04as I watch him
29:05walk away.
29:07Maddie warns me
29:07that Alex
29:08never gives up
29:09his prey.
29:12That night,
29:13I fall asleep,
29:16exhausted.
29:17The nightmare returns.
29:18In my dream,
29:19I'm back in Alberto's studio,
29:21forced to endure
29:22his merciless cruelty.
29:23Try to run again,
29:24and I'll break your legs.
29:26Shame and terror
29:28tear me apart.
29:29In the endless darkness,
29:30I lose my soul completely.
29:34The nightmare drags me
29:36back into the darkness.
29:38In Half Dragon Knight,
29:39Alberto's territory,
29:41he mercilessly forces
29:42shadow magic
29:42into my body.
29:43After he tortures me,
29:45he orders his guards
29:46to keep draining
29:47my life force.
29:48I feel my soul
29:49being stripped away
29:49piece by piece,
29:50until nothing is left
29:52but an empty shell.
29:53The pain is so sharp
29:54it tears me out of sleep.
29:55I stumble out of my room,
29:57and before I know it,
29:58I am knocking
29:59on Alex's door.
30:00By the time Alex
30:01sees me clearly,
30:02I'm already sobbing
30:03against his chest.
30:04My whole body
30:05shakes violently.
30:07All I can manage
30:08is a broken,
30:09raggled breath.
30:09I am hallucinating,
30:11clawing at my arms,
30:12convinced that my arms
30:13are covered in blood.
30:15Please,
30:16make it stop!
30:18Alex grabs my chin,
30:20trying to pull me out of it,
30:22but I jerk back,
30:23terrified.
30:24Damn it.
30:25I'm not going to hurt you.
30:27I collapse to the floor,
30:29drawing my knees
30:30to my chest,
30:31my eyes hollow and empty.
30:38Seeing that I'm
30:39completely broken down,
30:41Alex stops pressing me
30:42for answers.
30:44He kneels in front of me
30:45and soaks a clean white cloth
30:47in warm water.
30:49I say nothing,
30:50watching his every move
30:51with guarded caution.
30:53We'll wash the blood away,
30:54okay?
30:55He takes my wrist
30:56and carefully wipes
30:57the red marks
30:58I scratched into my arms.
30:59With each stroke of the cloth,
31:01my tense shoulders
31:02finally relax.
31:03Our eyes never leave each other,
31:05and slowly,
31:06the fear in my eyes
31:07gives way to calm.
31:08When he is finished,
31:09I look down at my hands.
31:11The tears I have been holding back
31:12finally slip down my cheeks.
31:14The blood is really gone.
31:16Alex wipes my tears
31:17with his thumb,
31:18then carries me back to the bed
31:20and treples the thick blanket over me.
31:22I grab his sleeve
31:23before he can leave.
31:24I'm not ready to be alone.
31:25He doesn't pull away.
31:27He sits beside me
31:28and stays
31:29until the exhaustion
31:30finally wins
31:31and sleep
31:32finally pulls me under.
31:35When I wake up,
31:37I realize I'm in Alex's room.
31:39Memories of last night's breakdown
31:40flood back
31:41and shame overwhelms me.
31:43I throw off the covers
31:44and try to slip away.
31:46Just as my fingers
31:47touch the heavy wooden door,
31:49metal clatters behind me.
31:50Alex tosses a metal insignia
31:51stained with dried blood
31:52onto the table.
31:54Victor caught several intruders
31:56outside the estate last night.
31:58This was on them.
32:00I go Urdid
32:01and slowly turn around.
32:04It is the Darkwing assassin insignia.
32:07Alex closes in,
32:08backing me into the wall.
32:09A dangerous storm rages
32:10in his icy blue eyes.
32:11They weren't here to kill me.
32:12They were tracking a runaway.
32:14Your old wounds carry
32:15deep traces of shadow magic.
32:16Only one person on this continent
32:17uses it.
32:18The half-dragon knight, Alberto.
32:20So you're no drifter.
32:21You're the daughter
32:22of Lord Alfredo
32:23whose family stands
32:23at the heart
32:24of the Southern Human Alliance.
32:25And that makes you
32:26the blood descendant
32:27of the man
32:27who killed my mother.
32:28I close my eyes in despair
32:29as tears spill down my cheeks.
32:31My lies are exposed.
32:32I stop fighting
32:33and wait for dragon fire
32:34to end my life.
32:35Kill me.
32:36But I swear
32:37I never came here
32:38to spy on you.
32:39I was only trying to survive.
32:41His eyes lock onto mine,
32:42caught between a brutal struggle
32:44and a cold,
32:45bottomless hunger for blood.
32:46Then the attack alarm
32:47pierces the estate.
32:48Victor burst through the door.
32:51My lord,
32:52Alberto and his elite forces
32:53blew open the front courtyard gate.
32:55He brought a body.
32:59The blackstone doors
33:00explode inward.
33:01Alberto streads into the hall
33:03in bloodstained heavy armor.
33:04Laughing wildly,
33:05he kicks a blooded,
33:06mongled head across the floor.
33:07The moment I see the face,
33:09my legs give out.
33:10It is my father.
33:11Alberto declares
33:12that he tortured Alfred to death,
33:14seized control
33:15of the Southern Human Alliance,
33:16and has come to crush
33:17the far northern dragon nest.
33:19When provoked,
33:20Alex draws his sword.
33:21He doesn't let anger
33:22cloud his judgment.
33:23He simply fixes Alberto
33:24with a cold stare.
33:25Seventeen years ago,
33:26the weapon that cut
33:27my mother's throat
33:28was a rare shadow dagger.
33:30Corrotive magic lingered
33:31in the wound,
33:31but Alfredo was a
33:33great sword wielder.
33:34He could never command
33:35shadow elements.
33:36Alberto stops laughing.
33:38A dark flicker
33:39crosses his eyes.
33:40Not bad,
33:41leader of the Ivanshaw family.
33:42You're right.
33:43I forged the old man's
33:44raid order
33:45and killed that
33:45dragon woman myself.
33:46I needed your families
33:47locked in a blood feud.
33:49While the human territories
33:49drained their wealth
33:50preparing for war with you,
33:51I waited.
33:52And now,
33:53seizing control of everything
33:53is almost too easy.
33:56I stare at the calculating
33:57monster in shock
33:58as Alex's pure blood
33:59draconic era
34:00erupts with overwhelming force.
34:01Facing such overwhelming power,
34:03Alberto does not even have time
34:04to cast shadow defense.
34:06Alex's flames of vengeance
34:07reduce him to ash.
34:08The battle ends
34:09as quickly as it began.
34:09Sidel ends
34:10as falls over the fortress.
34:12I kneel beside
34:12my father's remains,
34:13tears sliding silently
34:15down my face.
34:16The chains of my past,
34:17my family's sins
34:17and Alberto's torment
34:18all seem to disappear
34:19with the ashes.
34:20A coat carrying
34:20Alex's familiar dragon scent
34:22settles gently
34:22over my shoulders.
34:23Alex crouches beside me.
34:24He says nothing,
34:25but I can feel
34:25the terrifying cold
34:26killing intake surrounding him
34:27has completely faded.
34:29The real killer is dead.
34:30Alina, you're free.
34:32I look up into his icy blue eyes.
34:33For the first time,
34:34I see something in his eyes
34:35that I never thought I'd find.
34:36Gentleness and quiet peace
34:37where the hatred used to be.
34:38I know that the bloody fate
34:40that haunted two generations
34:41has finally come to an end
34:42and the bond between us
34:43forged through life and death
34:45is only just beginning.
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