- 1 day ago
Category
✨
PeopleTranscript
00:00On my coming-of-age ceremony, King Odin told me to pick the bravest royal consort from among Voss's
00:06ten champion knights, yet I ignored everyone and insisted on marrying Byron, the exiled crown prince
00:13from the southern kingdom of Ceres. Only after our wedding did I learn he had long been infatuated
00:19with Lena, his personal handmaiden. Shortly after we wed, that handmaiden climbed into King Odin's
00:26royal bedchamber in pursuit of supreme power and glory. When Byron found out, he was consumed with
00:33grief. He convinced himself King Odin had existed, and from that moment on, he burned with hatred for
00:39the Grand Duchy of Voss. Three years later, he raised a rebellion. He bloodied the royal castle,
00:46burned my entire family's remains to ashes. My eyes were gouged out, my tongue cut off. I was paraded
00:53naked through the streets, and at last tormented to death by beggars and the dregs of the populace.
00:59When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day of the Red Ribbon Bride-Choosing Ritual.
01:04This time I chose Torrin, the border war commander whom I had once scorned as crude and savage.
01:10But on the royal engagement day, Byron grabbed me hard into his arms.
01:14Yuranta, you will not marry anyone else.
01:20Today is the princess's Red Ribbon Selection. Us champion knights are just here for show.
01:25Beneath the knightly banners, Boss's champion knights stood in wrecks, talking in low voices.
01:30The princess has never cared for rough knights like us. Her eyes are fixed only on Byron,
01:36the Cerys Prince.
01:37I stood on the viewing dais for the knight tournament, coldly sweeping my gaze across the crowd.
01:42Not far away, Byron stood with his hands behind his back. His fine, noble robes fluttered in the
01:48wind. He had sharp, handsome features and a solitary, refined air, striking amid all the
01:54blood-stained knights. This exiled crown prince from southern Cerys enjoyed such respect and safety
02:01within the Vos court solely because I had shielded him. Four years earlier, he had arrived wounded and
02:07helpless in the northern wasteland. Again and again, I had begged King Odin.
02:12Broken the duchy's ancient customs. I had gotten him a castle to live in and preserved his soft,
02:18cultured, noble image. Everyone in the Grand Duchy of Boss knew how I had held him in the palm of
02:24my
02:24hand. Two days before the official engagement ceremony, I had gone to see him in person.
02:30I could have forced the betrothal through, but Byron once told me that in Cerys, women ought to be
02:36gentle and yielding. So I had softened my sharp edges for his sake. That night I waited four long
02:42hours outside the side chapel, hoping we might stand side by side in open, honourable betrothal.
02:48When he finally stepped out, he merely frowned.
02:51We shall speak of this on the day of the ritual.
02:54Everyone expected me to toss the crimson ribbon to him, but I lifted my hand. The scarlet silk ribbon
03:01sailed over the crowd and landed across Torrin Thorn's shoulder. Torrin caught it, stunned. His gaze dropped
03:08and the tips of his ears flushed bright red. A royal shock swept through the crowd below. Even King Odin
03:14raised an eyebrow. Your Highness, are you truly choosing Torrin? My handmaiden Ella whispered
03:20urgently. You once detested rough warriors and admired refined scholarly nobles. Byron finally
03:27turned toward me. His eyes held cold disdain, mixed with unshakable self-assurance. He walked several
03:34steps forward. His voice was quiet, yet carried clearly across the viewing platform.
03:39Uranto, why put on this jealous act? Only two days ago you begged me to enter a betrothal
03:44with you. I tilted my chin upward, my fingers curling tight. In my past life, for him I had
03:51defied Vos's age-old traditions. In the northern wastelands, a duchy princess was meant to wed the
03:57mightiest champion knight, to carry on royal blood and uphold the duchy's honour. Yet I had begged
04:03King Odin to set aside custom, so I might marry a frail southern exile. All because of his gentle
04:09looks and literary talent. All the romantic dreams of my youth. I had believed my sincere
04:15devotion would win me even a shred of his heart. But for three years of marriage, he treated me as
04:21invisible. Once I begged him to spend our wedding night with me. He had only sneered.
04:26I feel no desire for you whatsoever.
04:30Now his tone dripped with condescending charity.
04:33Enough. If you are this stubborn and resort to provocation, I shall not be too cruel to you.
04:40You said two days ago that if we wed, you would grant me one favour.
04:45I state it now.
04:47Once married, you must not meddle in my associations, must not question whom I love,
04:52and must not violate my honour.
04:55So long as you fulfil your duties as royal concord and leave me in peace,
04:59all will be well.
05:00Silence fell over the onlookers. Every eye was fixed on me. Rage simmered in their faces,
05:07yet none dared speak. Byron's arrogance had all been enabled by my former indulgence.
05:13King Odin knew my temperament. He remembered how deeply I had once loved Byron,
05:18how I had starved myself and thrown tantrums when denied my wishes. Still he could not bear to watch
05:25me debase myself. He rose and marched away, followed by all the nobles and counsellors.
05:31I lifted my head slowly, past the fluttering knightly banners. My gaze settled on Byron's face,
05:38the face I had once adored.
05:40Byron.
05:41My voice was soft, cold as a blade forged in ice.
05:45What sort of low-born creature do you take your aunt to Vos for?
05:49His patience finally snapped. He drawled.
05:52Stop pretending. I know exactly what you want.
05:57Let us lay terms plainly. It is better for us both.
06:01I lowered my eyes. My fingers trembled faintly.
06:04Byron, if you do not wish to marry me, I release you.
06:08My voice cracked slightly.
06:09Go and be with the one you love.
06:12There is no need for this bitter entanglement between us.
06:16Byron's face turned icy dark.
06:17Your auntie! You are publicly ruining my good name!
06:22Before he could press the argument further, a soft, timid voice cut in.
06:27Your Highness the Princess.
06:28It was Lena Vela.
06:30She knelt on the ground, her thin shoulders shaking,
06:33looking fragile enough for the northern wind to blow apart.
06:37Prince consort to be Byron speaks so hardly only because you have been too stern with him.
06:43In Cerys, women ought to be meek and compliant, not so confrontations.
06:49Tears streamed down her cheeks as she spoke.
06:51Byron's expression hardened completely.
06:54He bent down and pulled her protectively into his arms.
06:57Lena, fear her not.
06:59I am here.
07:00He looked back toward me, eyes filled only with revulsion and anger.
07:04A princess of Vos is truly unlike any other.
07:08Arrogant, overbearing, and cruel-hearted.
07:11Lena may be a handmaiden by birth, yet she is wise and proper.
07:17She could have risen through her own efforts.
07:19But you?
07:20His voice sank, each word sharp as shards of ice.
07:24You disliked her.
07:25So you issued a royal order condemning her to remain a low-rank handy-mader forever.
07:32I let out a bitter laugh.
07:34The whole scene struck me as utterly absurd.
07:36Lena had indeed harbored calculating schemes.
07:39Byron had wanted her to learn Vos' court manners,
07:41so she might one day escape servant status.
07:44I had granted that wish.
07:46Yet Vos' customs were nothing like southern Cerys.
07:51Noble etiquette.
07:52Every discipline was rigorous.
07:54Lena was physically frail.
07:56She could not even draw a bow, let alone master the rest.
07:59Per Duchy law, she could only serve as a senior personal handmaiden.
08:04Now, he accused me of abusing my power and being cruel.
08:08I pushed down the stabbing pain in my chest and said coldly,
08:12Guards!
08:13The prince and his handmaiden have insulted the princess.
08:17Confine them to the side chambers.
08:19Royal guards stepped forward at once.
08:21Lena paled in terror and clutched the hem of my gown.
08:26Your Highness, please do not punish Prince Byron.
08:29All fault lies with me.
08:30I ought not to have spoken.
08:32She wept so violently she seemed ready to faint.
08:34I frowned slightly.
08:36This was only short-term confinement.
08:38Under Vos' law,
08:39anyone who insulted royal blood
08:41ought to be thrown to the sacred ash walls.
08:44Yet Lena's dramatic sobs painted me as a merciless tyrant.
08:48Byron planted himself in front of Lena.
08:51Urantia, you will not harm her.
08:54His resolve blazed,
08:55as if he would give his life to shield her.
08:57Lena came wandering to this foreign northern with me.
09:00She has endured endless humiliation.
09:04Without her,
09:05I would have perished out in the northern wasteland long ago.
09:08If you so much as...
09:11He lifted his head,
09:13voice breaking with passion.
09:14If harm comes to Lena,
09:16I would rather die!
09:18The guards exchanged uneasy glances,
09:20uncertain whether to seize them.
09:22I stood upon the viewing dais.
09:24It felt as though a sword had split my heart open.
09:27He had never fought for me like this.
09:29Not even when I had defied the king,
09:31broken clan rules,
09:33and poured everything I had into him.
09:34He had never spared me so much as a glance.
09:38Since your mind is already made up,
09:40so be it.
09:41Only do not cross my path again.
09:44I straightened my back
09:45and stepped down from the viewing platform.
09:47Behind me came Byron's mocking laugh.
09:50Urantia,
09:51why do you keep putting on this act?
09:53For four years you begged for me,
09:56stood watch over me.
09:58Every fine object I own
09:59was prepared by your own hands.
10:02You schemed and sacrificed everything
10:05just for a marriage contract.
10:07And now you speak of setting me free
10:09out of wounded pride?
10:10It is ridiculous!
10:12I halted in my steps.
10:14The wasteland wind roared,
10:16ringing in my ears.
10:18Byron held Lena close,
10:19his demeanor cold and unyielding.
10:22If you insist on this marriage,
10:24I shall overlook other conditions.
10:26But Lena must become
10:27my secondary concord.
10:30She shall bear an official title
10:32and be recorded in the royal registrists.
10:35Humiliated publicly,
10:36I did not look back.
10:38Whom you take to your bed
10:39is no concern of mine.
10:42Two days later,
10:44Vos held its grand,
10:45sacred, sacrificial rite.
10:47It was the Duchy's
10:48most solemn holy day
10:50and the perfect chance
10:51for Byron to secure
10:53formal status for Lena.
10:55On this day,
10:57King Odin would bestow
10:58royal blessings
10:59from the sacrificial altar.
11:00A petition for rank
11:02granted here
11:03could scarcely be denied
11:04under Vos ritual law.
11:06The sacred chapel
11:07had not yet begun
11:08the formal ceremony.
11:09The grounds had been cleared.
11:10Even royal guards
11:12had temporarily withdrawn.
11:13The high priests
11:14had not yet arrived.
11:15Only Byron,
11:17Lena, and I
11:17remained inside
11:18the great hall.
11:19Lena nestled
11:20against Byron's chest
11:21and whispered softly,
11:24Your Highness,
11:24I dare not dream
11:25of royal rank.
11:26To stay by your side
11:27for all my days
11:28would be happiness enough.
11:30Byron stroked her hair
11:31with surprising tenderness.
11:33I stood three paces away
11:34as the northern gale
11:36whipped my garments.
11:37Byron raised his eyes
11:38toward me.
11:40Once this sacred rule
11:41concludes,
11:42Lena will be mine.
11:43She shall be properly wed
11:45and entered
11:45into the royal archives.
11:47I gave a faint smile,
11:49burying all my churning emotions
11:51inside the howling wind.
11:54Vos's ancient custom
11:56says only those
11:57with true devotion
11:58may share a lasting bond.
12:00If she is
12:01your heart's desire,
12:03I wish you both
12:04endless peace.
12:05You always hated
12:06tedious formalities.
12:08These past two days
12:10you play the cold-hearted woman
12:11hoping to make me
12:12cherish you more.
12:14Every word sliced open
12:15my self-respect
12:16like a sharp little knife.
12:18I was about to answer
12:20when furious hoofbeats
12:21shattered the quiet.
12:23The ritual sacrificial horses
12:24had broken free
12:25and gone wild.
12:27Two rearing stallions
12:28charged forward.
12:29In the blink of an eye
12:30I threw up a curtain
12:31for cover.
12:32You're under!
12:33Byron shouted
12:34and instinctively
12:35took half a step forward
12:36but Lena let out
12:37a shriek of fright
12:38and grabbed tight hold
12:39of his noble robe sleeve.
12:41Byron froze.
12:42He chose instead
12:43to hold Lena firmly
12:44in his arms.
12:45The next instant
12:46the maddened forces
12:47crashed into me.
12:48I was thrown brutally
12:49to the stone ground.
12:50My knee shattered.
12:51My ribs cracked.
12:53I dragged myself upward.
12:54Blood dripped
12:55from my wrists
12:56and my vision swam down.
12:58Byron!
13:00Send for the gods!
13:02I was not begging him
13:04to save me.
13:04I only pleaded for him
13:06to summon help.
13:07Byron glanced over
13:09and paled at the sight
13:10of my bleeding body.
13:11Yet Lena whimpered
13:12clutching her lightly
13:14scraped arm.
13:15Your highness
13:15it hurts.
13:16Am I going to die?
13:18His gaze full of pity.
13:20Fear not.
13:21You shall live safely
13:22with me.
13:23Then he spoke coldly
13:25to me.
13:26You were born
13:27and raised
13:27in the northern wasteland
13:29of Vos.
13:30You have a tough body.
13:31This injury
13:32is nothing.
13:33Lena is frail
13:34unlike you.
13:35I must take her
13:36to the healing tower
13:37first to tend her wounds.
13:39I stared numbly
13:40at his retreating back.
13:41I could almost hear
13:43my own heart
13:43shattering into fine powder.
13:45Then another terrifying howl
13:47tore through the cheek
13:48and the air.
13:49The sacred ash wolves,
13:51the duchy's ritual beasts,
13:53had caught the scent
13:53of fresh blood
13:54and run amok.
13:55Several great grey wolves
13:57charged forward,
13:58fangs bared,
13:59eyes burning red.
14:01Byron!
14:02And screamed his name
14:04with my last strength.
14:05But Byron kept his back turned,
14:07murmuring comfort
14:08to the sobbing girl
14:09in his embrace.
14:11No one looked
14:11at my fallen form.
14:13No one heard
14:14my cries for help.
14:15One wolf lunged
14:16straight for my throat.
14:18I was too badly hurt
14:19to dodge.
14:20Yet the moment
14:22the wolf's fangs
14:23were about to sink
14:24into my neck,
14:24a heavy knight's
14:25great sword
14:26sliced through the air.
14:27The wolf's head
14:28flew off.
14:29Warm blood sprayed
14:30across the wind.
14:31I lifted my heavy eyes.
14:33Backlit against the storm
14:34stood Torrin,
14:35gripping his massive blade.
14:37Black hair whipped
14:38in the game.
14:39His face burned
14:40with icy wrath.
14:41A border warlord
14:42forged from mountains
14:44of dead bodies.
14:45He strode toward me.
14:46His movements
14:47gentle and restrained.
14:48He lifted me
14:49securely into his arms.
14:51Princess,
14:51do not be afraid.
14:52My frayed nerves
14:53gave way.
14:54Everything went black
14:55and I lost consciousness.
14:56When I woke again,
14:57I lay in a recovery chamber
14:59within the royal healing tower.
15:00King Odin burned
15:01with rage.
15:02He stared down
15:03at Byron and Lena
15:04kneeling on the stone floor.
15:06You have nearly slain
15:07my only granddaughter.
15:09Guards,
15:10drag them away
15:10for execution
15:11and throw them
15:12in the deepest dungeon.
15:13Byron collapsed
15:14onto the floor.
15:15Lena turned,
15:16deathly pale,
15:16on the verge of fainting.
15:18I dragged my wounded body
15:19and stepped between
15:20the king and the prisoners.
15:21My voice weeped.
15:22Grandfather,
15:23hold your hand.
15:24Everyone present
15:25stared in shock.
15:26Yuranta,
15:27these two nearly
15:28took your life.
15:29I gritted my teeth
15:30and leaned close
15:31to whisper to him.
15:32Grandfather,
15:33we cannot execute them now.
15:34King Odin narrowed his eyes.
15:36What is your reasoning?
15:37In my former life,
15:39Byron still commanded
15:40loyal followers
15:40back in Seas.
15:41That was how he had
15:42lain low for three years
15:43before destroying
15:45Vos' royal castle
15:46until we uncovered
15:47every thread of his network.
15:49Killing him
15:49would risk open rebellion
15:51across the northern wastes.
15:53Byron is an exiled
15:54Cerys Prince.
15:55We have not fully uncovered
15:57his spy network.
15:57If we put him to death,
15:59the northern frontier
16:00will erupt in revolt.
16:02King Odin looked at
16:03my blood-crusted wounds
16:04with sorrow.
16:05He pondered for a long moment,
16:07then waved his hand.
16:08Very well.
16:09Lock them away.
16:09We shall decide their fate
16:11once the princess's wounds heal.
16:13Byron lifted his head
16:14toward me.
16:15Conflicting emotions
16:16swirled in his gaze.
16:17The nobles in the hall
16:18whispered among themselves.
16:20All believed I still loved Byron,
16:22that I had spared him
16:23even after he had
16:23nearly gotten me killed.
16:25Lena, by contrast,
16:26had only suffered fright,
16:27still she kept to her bed,
16:29tormented by nightmares.
16:30Byron stayed outside
16:31her quarters day and night,
16:33speaking soft,
16:33tender words to her.
16:35I never set foot
16:35near their confinement chambers.
16:37One evening,
16:38Byron walked alone
16:38into my healing tower chamber.
16:40His face was dark
16:41and heavy.
16:42Uranta, you are spoiled
16:44and insufferably dramatic.
16:46I lifted my gaze
16:47and met his eyes calmly.
16:49Lena is traumatized
16:50because of you.
16:51She cannot sleep at night
16:53and her injuries
16:54have not healed.
16:56I was supposed to receive
16:58official rank for her
16:59on the sacred ritual day
17:00and you ruined everything!
17:02In seven days,
17:03we shall have
17:04the royal wedding.
17:05Do not imagine
17:06you will receive
17:07even one shred
17:07of my affection
17:08after we are wed.
17:09My lips twitched.
17:10I said nothing at all.
17:11This man was no longer
17:12worth a single word from me.
17:14Seven days later,
17:15the royal castle of Vos
17:16hung with both
17:17silver mourning streamers
17:19and bright wedding silk.
17:20Upon the wedding altar
17:21in the chapel
17:22stood two men
17:23dressed in royal bridal finery.
17:24One was Byron,
17:25the other was Torrin.
17:27Torrin Thorn,
17:28she only used you
17:29to provoke me.
17:31You have foolishly
17:32allowed yourself to hope.
17:34Deep down,
17:35her heart has always
17:36belonged to me.
17:37Nothing will ever
17:38change that.
17:39The princess nearly died
17:41for that prince.
17:42She begged the king
17:43to spare him.
17:44Who do we really think
17:45the bride will choose?
17:46General Tolan embodies
17:47Vos' knightly honor
17:49and loyalty.
17:50He knows there is no hope
17:51for him.
17:52What a tragedy.
17:53Byron drank in
17:54those whispers,
17:55growing more smug.
17:56Then the grand wedding
17:57fanfare began to play.
17:59Draped in full
17:59royal bridal regalia,
18:01I walked slowly
18:02up to the altar.
18:03Every eye in the chapel
18:03locked onto me.
18:05Urata,
18:06I almost chose
18:08not to attend
18:09this ceremony.
18:11But remembering
18:12your devotion
18:12over these four years,
18:14I shall graciously
18:15grant your long-held wish.
18:17He looked down on me
18:18as one might regard
18:19a begging hound.
18:20Only Lena
18:20is still unwell.
18:22He chuckled,
18:22his voice dripping insult.
18:24I shall spend
18:25our wedding night
18:26attending to her.
18:28As for you...
18:29The first duty
18:30of our marriage
18:31will be for you
18:31to sleep alone
18:32in the empty
18:33bridal chamber.
18:35And since you
18:36are to marry me,
18:37you shall address
18:37Lena as your
18:38elder sister.
18:39Learn Cerys'
18:40noble manners
18:41from her
18:42and shed
18:42your coarse
18:43wasteland ways.
18:44Having finished
18:45speaking,
18:45he pulled back
18:46his gaze
18:47and sighed...
18:48To wed you
18:48is already
18:49the greatest mercy
18:50I, Byron,
18:51could bestow.
18:52I did not give him
18:53so much as a glance.
18:54Before the entire
18:55stunned assembly,
18:56I reached out
18:57and took Torrin's hand.
18:58A soft smile
18:59touched my lips.
19:00My voice carried
19:01clear and steady.
19:02My husband...
19:04Every trace of color
19:04drained from Byron's face.
19:06His features
19:07froze completely.
19:08A roar of shock
19:09crashed through
19:10the hall like thunder.
19:11At this sight,
19:12King Odin,
19:12seated high on the dais,
19:14broke into a wide grin.
19:15His white beard
19:16trembled with excitement.
19:18All the nobles
19:18sat dumbfounded.
19:19The murmuring crowd
19:20fell dead silent.
19:22Torrin's strong,
19:23handsome face flushed.
19:24He held my hand firmly,
19:26his palm warm and solid.
19:28Step by steady step,
19:29he stood beside me
19:30for all to witness.
19:31Byron stared at me
19:32in utter disbelief.
19:33Rage and humiliation
19:34boiled in his eyes.
19:36After a heartbeat,
19:37he gritted his teeth
19:37and strode forward,
19:39blocking Torrin in me.
19:40Uranda.
19:41His voice shook
19:42with suppressed fury.
19:43Have you lost your wits?
19:44Would you sacrifice
19:45your royal reputation
19:46merely to humiliate me?
19:48Or are you willing
19:49to marry this crude
19:50wasteland brute
19:50only to wound my pride?
19:52I met his stare.
19:53My heart long turned to ash.
19:55My tone remained level.
19:57You are wrong, Byron.
19:58My royal consort
19:59is no brute.
20:01In truth,
20:02I have held affection
20:03for Torrin for many years,
20:05and his heart
20:06belongs only to me.
20:07I turned my head
20:08and looked softly
20:09at the tall man beside me.
20:10Torrin,
20:11tell all assembled,
20:12is this true?
20:13Torrin's reply came low,
20:15his throat tight,
20:16yet his resolve unshakable.
20:17It is true.
20:18Since boyhood,
20:20my heart has solely
20:22belonged to the princess.
20:24Byron's face
20:25turned black with anger.
20:26A rough warrior.
20:28You would bind yourself
20:30to such a man?
20:31His tone turned cold
20:33and cutting.
20:33Yoranta,
20:34have you not always
20:35weren't for books
20:36and refined court culture?
20:37Only with me
20:38can you escape
20:39the brood customs
20:40of this barbaric
20:41northern land.
20:42Marry me,
20:43and I shall teach you
20:44literature,
20:45fine etiquette,
20:46the grace of true
20:47highborn nobility.
20:48I laughed faintly,
20:49my eyes cold and distant.
20:51I have no need of that.
20:52I was born
20:53of the Vos wasteland.
20:55I love riding freely
20:56and singing
20:57beneath open skies.
20:59I want none
21:00of Cerys' elaborate rituals
21:02nor your charity
21:03tanged tenderness.
21:04Byron's eyes
21:05blazed red
21:06and snatched hard
21:07at my wrist.
21:08Yoranta!
21:09You have always loved me!
21:10You cannot marry another!
21:12I wrenched free
21:13of his grip,
21:14then clasped
21:14Torrin's hand tight.
21:16I shall marry
21:17Torrin
21:17and Torrin alone.
21:18Torrin held
21:19my hand fast,
21:20his eyes glistened,
21:21his fingers trembled
21:22with nervousness,
21:23yet he positioned himself
21:24firmly to shield me.
21:25I walked forward,
21:26hand in hand with him,
21:27and left the altar
21:28without looking back.
21:29Behind us,
21:30Byron stood
21:30like a shattered statue.
21:32His complexion shifted
21:33between white and deep red,
21:35overwhelmed by shame.
21:36When the crowd recovered,
21:37suppressed snickers
21:38and whispers erupted.
21:39How arrogant
21:40of that Cerys prince!
21:41He truly thought
21:42the princess would take him?
21:43Imagine believing himself
21:44some heavenly noble!
21:45He has disgraced himself
21:46before the whole castle today!
21:48We all thought
21:48the princess
21:49was hopelessly infatuated.
21:50It was only the prince's
21:51self-delusion all along.
21:52Those soft remarks
21:53cut into Byron's dignity
21:55like dull blades.
21:56The poise and grace
21:57of the admired Cerys exile
21:59crumbled for every spectator
22:00to see.
22:01He tried to speak
22:02in his own defense,
22:03yet his throat
22:03locked tight.
22:04Not one word
22:05would come out.
22:06Nina stood behind him,
22:07deathly pale.
22:08She twisted her servant's
22:09dress in her hands.
22:10The noble prince
22:11once admired
22:12throughout the royal castle
22:13had become a laughingstock.
22:15Inside the chapel,
22:16Torrin and I
22:16completed every
22:17sacred wedding rite.
22:18When all rituals concluded,
22:20nobles and commoners
22:21pressed forward
22:22bearing wedding gifts.
22:23Torrin carried me
22:24into the candle-lit
22:25bridal chamber.
22:26The tips of his ears
22:27burned crimson.
22:28He set me gently down
22:29upon the wedding bed.
22:30I could feel his
22:31restrained power
22:32and his extreme,
22:33careful tenderness.
22:34He knelt before me,
22:36his voice rough
22:36with tension.
22:37Princess,
22:39if you regret this union,
22:41speak plainly.
22:43I shall never force you.
22:44I blinked,
22:45then smiled gently.
22:46In his deep eyes
22:47lay fear and humility.
22:49He was like a gentle snow wolf,
22:50terrified of being driven away.
22:52I reached up
22:53and cupped his firm cheek.
22:54My voice was soft
22:55but resolute.
22:56I have no regrets.
22:57From this day forward,
22:58you are my husband.
22:59Torrin's whole body stiffened.
23:01Disbelieving joy
23:01flooded his features.
23:03He carefully held my hands
23:04and nodded hard.
23:05Candlelight flickered.
23:06Outside the castle,
23:07the wasteland wind howled.
23:09Inside the chamber,
23:10warmth wrapped around us.
23:11That night belonged
23:12only to Torrin and me.
23:14I woke the next morning
23:15to find Torrin
23:15sitting quietly beside the bed,
23:17keeping watch.
23:18He wore dark night's battle garb.
23:20Broad-shouldered
23:21and strong-waisted,
23:22he carried the quiet fortitude
23:23of northern men.
23:25This warrior,
23:25who could subdue
23:26wild stallions
23:27with bare hands,
23:28grew flustered
23:29and shy in my presence.
23:30He held out a bowl
23:31of warm sheep's milk porridge.
23:33You are awake.
23:34I prepared this myself.
23:36I hope it pleases you.
23:38I looked at his powerful,
23:39calloused wrists
23:40and my heart stirred.
23:41This towering war commander
23:42acted like a bashful youth
23:44around me.
23:45I took the warm bowl
23:46and sipped.
23:47I smiled.
23:47It tastes wonderful.
23:49Again his ears flushed.
23:50Each dawn from now on,
23:51I shall wake beside you.
23:53Not merely as a guard,
23:54not keeping his distance,
23:56but to walk through
23:56every day by my side.
23:58My heart stirred.
23:59I met his gaze.
24:00I would like that.
24:01After breakfast,
24:02I leaned in his embrace,
24:04listening to birdsong
24:04drift from far
24:05outside the castle.
24:06My heart felt light
24:07and warm,
24:08yet my thoughts
24:09drifted back
24:09to my past life.
24:10In my old life,
24:11I had barely noticed Torrin.
24:13He was of common birth
24:14and seldom appeared
24:15at royal feasts.
24:16Only after rebirth,
24:17when I read through
24:18the castle archives,
24:19did I learn his truth.
24:21Torrin had gone to war
24:22while still young.
24:23His horsemanship
24:24and swordsmanship
24:24were unmatched
24:26across the duchy.
24:27Privately,
24:28he had taught himself
24:28to read and study
24:29ancient texts,
24:31hiding great learning
24:32beneath his warrior's exterior.
24:33He never boasted,
24:35never sought royal favor.
24:36Like a lone snow wolf,
24:37he kept his brilliance hidden,
24:39loyal only to what
24:40he believed in.
24:41In my former foolishness,
24:42I had never truly looked at him.
24:44Bittersweet tenderness
24:45filled my chest.
24:46I resolved to cherish him
24:47for every day ahead.
24:48I took Torrin
24:49to the Silver Lake courtyard.
24:51Streams wound through it,
24:52winding stone paths
24:53cutting through the greenery.
24:54One of the softer,
24:55more peaceful spots
24:56within the northern fortress.
24:58Torrin walked at my side,
24:59full and steady.
25:00Whenever strong gusts
25:02stirred up my nose,
25:03he would subtly step
25:04in front of me
25:04to block the wind.
25:05The protective gesture
25:06was natural and restrained.
25:08I reached for his hand.
25:09He held mine cautiously,
25:11as though holding
25:11the most precious treasure
25:12on earth.
25:13As we strolled,
25:14we heard distant,
25:14raised voices.
25:15I lifted my eyes.
25:17Beneath oak trees
25:17by the rock garden
25:18stood Byron
25:19in his plain, noble robes.
25:20His face was dark
25:21with rage.
25:22Your Highness!
25:24Why are you cold towards me
25:25since the princess's wedding?
25:26Is it your heart
25:27that belongs to her after all?
25:29You once swore
25:30I would always be
25:32the only one for you.
25:33Enough.
25:34The princess is wed to another.
25:36Your tantrums
25:37will make us a mockery
25:38to everyone.
25:39Lena bit her lip
25:40and kept sobbing.
25:41Watching them from a distance,
25:42a cold clarity settled over me.
25:44In my past life,
25:45shortly after their entanglement,
25:46Lena had schemed her way
25:48into King Odin's bed.
25:49This quarrel proved to me
25:50that Lena was far
25:51from the helpless,
25:52gentle handmaiden
25:53she pretended to be.
25:54She was plotting,
25:55hunting for a new powerful patron.
25:57Byron remained blinded
25:58by his own delusions,
25:59convinced he still
26:00controlled everything.
26:01I turned to leave
26:02until my eyes locked
26:03directly with Byron's.
26:05He saw Torrin and me
26:06holding hands.
26:07His face darkened instantly.
26:08He gave a bitter,
26:09mocking laugh.
26:10Tolan, you have great cunning.
26:12Yet a wasteland warrior like you
26:13does not deserve
26:14a Vos royal princess.
26:16I smiled calmly and replied,
26:18Cerys folks speak
26:19in roundabout, twisted words.
26:20Who deserves whom
26:21is not for you to judge?
26:23Byron sneered.
26:24What a pity.
26:25I once thought
26:26Princess Urata
26:27held high standards.
26:29Now I see your judgment
26:30is nothing remarkable.
26:31He spun on his heel
26:32and stormed off.
26:33Lena hurried after him.
26:35I lowered my gaze.
26:36I felt only amusement,
26:37no leftover emotion.
26:38Half a month later
26:39came King Odin's
26:41birthday royal banquet.
26:42I leaned against
26:43a marble pillar
26:44and watched Lena
26:45carry a wine pitcher
26:46toward the king's high throne.
26:47She bowed low,
26:49her demeanor meek
26:50and obedient.
26:51Yet her trembling wrist
26:53betrayed the raging ambition
26:55burning inside her.
26:56I lifted a hand
26:57and gave a quiet signal.
27:00Guards, stop her.
27:01Hidden royal guards
27:02leaped forward
27:03and seized her wrist.
27:05Lena's face blushed.
27:06The wine pitcher
27:07crashed against
27:08the marble floor.
27:09A sharp medicinal scent
27:10filled the great hall.
27:12Nobles murmured in shock.
27:14King Odin narrowed his eyes.
27:15Handmaiden Lena.
27:17Do you seek
27:18to murder me?
27:20Lena struggled,
27:21tears pouring down her face.
27:23Yet she said nothing.
27:24Byron threw himself
27:25to his knees
27:26and spoke up
27:26immediately in her defense.
27:28Your majesty,
27:28Lena could never
27:29harbor murderous intent.
27:31Guards searched her garments
27:32and pulled out
27:33a hidden packet.
27:34Your majesty,
27:35we have found
27:36a secret potion
27:37upon her person.
27:38It is unique
27:38to the southern kingdom
27:39of Cerys.
27:41The royal physician
27:42stepped forward
27:43to examine it.
27:44His face paled.
27:45This is indeed
27:46Cerys made.
27:47It is called
27:48the mind-bewitching elixir.
27:50Once consumed,
27:51it clouds reason
27:53and robs a person
27:54of their sanity.
27:56A shock rippled
27:56through the hall.
27:58Lena curled
27:59on the stone floor,
28:00shaking and sobbing.
28:02King Odin
28:02pronounced judgment.
28:04To plot
28:05the murder
28:05of your sovereign.
28:06The crime
28:07merits execution
28:08for your entire kin!
28:10Byron scrambled
28:11forward on his knees
28:13and threw himself
28:14before Lena.
28:15His voice cracked
28:16with desperate pleading.
28:18Your majesty,
28:19Lena is lowborn.
28:20She must have been
28:21manipulated by others.
28:22He clenched his fists
28:23and looked at Lena.
28:24Lena.
28:25Still clinging
28:25to a sliver of hope.
28:27Tell me this was
28:28not your will.
28:29Lena only wept,
28:31saying nothing.
28:32The execution whip
28:33was raised.
28:34When the first lash
28:35drew blood,
28:36Lena broke completely.
28:37She screamed
28:38through tears.
28:39I did all of this
28:41for Prince Byron!
28:43Byron turned
28:43ashen white.
28:44Lena knelt prostrate.
28:46The Prince wished
28:48for me to get
28:48close to the King.
28:51I only sought
28:52to clear a path
28:53for him to retake
28:54power in Cerys.
28:56Once she finished
28:57speaking,
28:58she clamped
28:58her mouth shut
28:59and would not
29:00utter another word.
29:01Byron knelt,
29:03frozen on the
29:03cold stone floor
29:04as if struck
29:05by lightning.
29:06He stared at Lena,
29:08his voice shaking
29:09in disbelief.
29:10I never commanded
29:11you to commit
29:11such acts.
29:12I never told
29:13you to plot
29:13murder or
29:14such vile treachery!
29:16Lena gave him
29:17no reply.
29:18Silence hung
29:19thick in the hall.
29:20Only the howl
29:21of the wasteland
29:22wind sounded
29:23from outside.
29:24King Odin spoke
29:25heavily,
29:26cutting through
29:26the stillness.
29:28Byron,
29:28because you are
29:29an exiled
29:30Cerys Prince
29:30and we have yet
29:31to prove
29:32whether you
29:32masterminded
29:33this plot,
29:34your life
29:34is spared
29:34for now.
29:35Lena,
29:36take her
29:37to the Royal
29:37Dungeon.
29:38Uncover every detail
29:39of this conspiracy.
29:41Guards dragged
29:42the collapsed
29:43Lena away.
29:44Over her shoulder,
29:45she screamed
29:46to Byron in despair.
29:47Prince Byron!
29:49Everything I did
29:50was for you!
29:52Byron shook violently,
29:54crumpling to the floor.
29:55He looked helplessly
29:56toward where I stood
29:57on the raised dais.
29:58It cannot be true.
30:00None of this
30:01can be true.
30:02I looked away
30:03and breathed out
30:04slowly.
30:05As I descended
30:06the marble steps,
30:07nobles whispered
30:08all around me.
30:09What a fool
30:10that Cerys Prince is.
30:11Played for a fool
30:12by a lowborn
30:13servant girl.
30:15Once I had defied
30:16my king
30:17and broken
30:17duchy customs
30:18for his sake,
30:19that indulgence
30:20had emboldened
30:21both him and Lena
30:22to hatch plots
30:23against boss royalty.
30:25And still,
30:26in his eyes,
30:27Lena alone
30:28was the one
30:29who loved him
30:29faithfully.
30:30How cruelly ironic.
30:32The person he trusted
30:34and protected
30:34above all others
30:35would throw
30:36every crime
30:37onto him
30:37to save her own skin.
30:39Three days after
30:41the birthday banquet,
30:42Byron haunted
30:43the stone steps
30:44outside Torrens
30:45and my royal apartments
30:47day after day.
30:48I paid him
30:49no mind whatsoever.
30:51Occasionally,
30:51when I stepped outside,
30:52I would spot him
30:54kneeling there,
30:54alone.
30:55Rain and wind
30:57soaked his noble roads,
30:59mud caked his knees,
31:00yet he did not move,
31:02as though nailed
31:02to the stone.
31:04One morning,
31:04I pushed open
31:05the apartment doors
31:06and walked open.
31:08Torren held my hand
31:09and gently guided me
31:10to walk past
31:11without stopping.
31:13Behind us,
31:13a broken,
31:14false voice
31:15called out.
31:15He no longer spoke
31:18my full formal name
31:19with cold pride.
31:20His tone was humble,
31:22begging,
31:23as if the proud
31:23Cerys Prince
31:24had been reduced
31:25to a supplicant
31:26groveling in the dirt.
31:27I did not turn around.
31:29Five more days passed.
31:31Dawn broke quiet
31:32over the castle grounds.
31:34Wrapped in a light wool shawl,
31:35I stepped outside.
31:37Byron still knelt
31:38on those steps.
31:38He was haggard,
31:40his face deathly pale,
31:41lips cracked and bleeding.
31:43I stopped.
31:44I looked down at him,
31:45my tone flat
31:46and emotionless.
31:48What is it, you are?
31:49Byron slowly lifted his head.
31:51His eyes were bloodshot.
31:53His voice was raw
31:54and parched.
31:55I finally understand
31:57everything.
31:58He knocked his forehead
31:59hard against the stone
32:00in a deep kowtow.
32:02His voice came low,
32:04like dust.
32:05Your honor.
32:07I have replayed
32:08the past countless times
32:09in my mind.
32:10I was foolish.
32:13I was vile.
32:14I pushed you away
32:15and lost the best thing
32:16I ever had.
32:17You defied the king for me.
32:19You set aside
32:20your royal honor.
32:22You brought shame
32:23upon yourself
32:23before the whole court.
32:25I saw all of it.
32:27Yet blinded
32:28by my foolish pride,
32:30I threw away
32:31your sincere devotion.
32:32His body trembled
32:34as he spoke.
32:34Each word
32:35a self-inflicted wound.
32:37Yoranta,
32:38if I could turn back time,
32:40I would renounce
32:41noble state,
32:42give up my homeland
32:43of Ceres,
32:44abandon every dream
32:45of kingship,
32:46even give up my life.
32:48Cold castle wind
32:49tangled his messy hair
32:50and stirred the cuffs
32:51of my gown.
32:52I watched his miserable,
32:54broken form,
32:55yet pity stirred
32:56nowhere in my heart.
32:57After a long silence,
32:59I spoke softly.
33:01Byron,
33:02the woman you beg for
33:03is the foolish
33:04infatulate Yoranta
33:05of the past.
33:07She no longer exists.
33:09I turned and walked away
33:10without further hesitation.
33:12Behind me,
33:13his desperate,
33:14broken pleas
33:14echoed across
33:15the morning mist.
33:16Still,
33:17Byron would not give up.
33:18He followed me
33:19like a man-driven man.
33:21Wherever I went,
33:22side chambers,
33:24royal hunting grounds,
33:25sacred altars,
33:26the Silver Lake
33:27courtyard walkways,
33:28his figure would appear.
33:30The once-dignified exile
33:32knelt and begged
33:33over and over.
33:34He smashed his forehead
33:36against muddy ground
33:37until blood ran
33:38down his face.
33:39Yoranta,
33:40give me one chance
33:41to atone.
33:42I know I was wrong.
33:43I was blind and stupid.
33:46I renounce Lina.
33:48I renounce Cerys' crown.
33:50I only want you.
33:52I merely glanced
33:53at him coldly,
33:54not wasting a single word.
33:56Torrin stayed faithfully
33:57at my side.
33:58He rarely spoke.
33:59Only when I turned away
34:01would he steady my arm
34:02with gentle
34:03but firm strength.
34:04On one day,
34:05Lina was brought out
34:06of the dungeon
34:07for public trial.
34:08King Odin presided
34:09over the Great Hall.
34:11You could hear a pin drop
34:12in the heavy silence.
34:14Lina was covered
34:15in lash marks.
34:16She knelt on the cold marble,
34:18barely able to speak
34:19above a whisper.
34:20A royal guard
34:21interrogated her sharply.
34:23Why did you seek
34:24to approach the king?
34:27What further schemes
34:28laid behind your actions?
34:30Lina burst into bitter weeping
34:32and shouted,
34:33Prince Byron still commands
34:34many loyal followers
34:36inside Cerys!
34:38He intended to use
34:40Vos' military strength
34:41to increase his power
34:43so he could seize back
34:44the Cerys throne!
34:45Silence crashed
34:47over the assembly.
34:48I lowered my eyes
34:49and squeezed the fabric
34:50of my sleeve tight.
34:51So it had all been planned
34:53long in advance.
34:54From the day he set foot
34:55in the northern wasteland,
34:57seeds of Vos' destruction
34:59had been sown.
35:00Once the full plot
35:01was uncovered,
35:02King Odin gave his order.
35:04Every royal guard
35:05in the castle mobilized.
35:06Heavy armor knight regiments
35:08swept across
35:08the northern wasteland.
35:10Overnight,
35:11hidden Cerys agents
35:12and loyalists
35:13were arrested.
35:14Those who resisted
35:15were crushed
35:15by Vos' heavy knights.
35:17Blood soaked the camps.
35:19The whole duchy of Vos stirred.
35:21Common folk rallied
35:22for their realm.
35:23For centuries,
35:24Cerys had raided
35:25the northern border.
35:26Even in defeat,
35:27they still wove
35:28secret plots.
35:30Byron himself
35:30was dragged
35:31into the Great Hall,
35:32bound in heavy iron chains.
35:34The admired,
35:35elegant Cerys prince
35:36was now covered
35:38in dirt and blood,
35:39kneeling on cold marble.
35:41My voice was calm,
35:42stripped of all warmth.
35:44Byron,
35:45now that all truth
35:46is laid bare,
35:47have you anything
35:48to say in your defense?
35:50Byron lifted his head.
35:51His eyes burned red.
35:53His skin was ghostly pale.
35:55His cracked lips parted.
35:57His voice rasped.
35:58I do have something to say.
36:01He dragged himself forward
36:02across the stone
36:03toward the raised dais,
36:05like a wild dog
36:06crawling through mud.
36:07It is true.
36:08At first,
36:09I dreamed of using
36:10Vos's power
36:10to win back
36:11my Cerys crown.
36:12But after you began
36:14pleading for me,
36:14shielding me,
36:16I cast those thoughts
36:17aside entirely.
36:18I never contacted
36:19my older lies again.
36:21I swear it before heaven.
36:22His voice crumbled
36:23into sobs.
36:24Tears blurred his eyes.
36:26Yoranta,
36:27I admit it.
36:28At first,
36:28I hated you.
36:29I scorned your wasteland upbringing.
36:31I resented Vos
36:32for robbing my freedom.
36:34Only later did I realize...
36:36No other soul
36:37has ever cared for me
36:38as selflessly as you did.
36:39You were the one
36:40who sheltered me,
36:41who gave everything for me.
36:43And I...
36:44I took
36:45your pure kindness
36:46and cast just you
36:48into endless suffering.
36:49He wept uncontrollably,
36:51striking his forehead
36:52hard against the marble floor.
36:54Blood pooled beneath him.
36:56I was wrong.
36:58I have sinned
36:58beyond forgiveness.
37:00Give me one chance
37:01to make amends.
37:03Please.
37:04I stood high
37:05on the marble steps
37:06and looked down at him
37:07as though observing
37:08a corpse
37:09long since drained of life.
37:11No mercy stirred in me.
37:13My heart lay barren
37:15and cold.
37:16I uttered
37:17one single quiet word.
37:19No.
37:20Byron froze.
37:22Tears mixed with blood
37:23running down his cheeks.
37:25From that moment on,
37:26all his endless regret
37:28would be his alone
37:29to rot away
37:30in the dungeon dust.
37:32Not long afterward,
37:33Lena stood public judgment.
37:35Every crime
37:36was proven against her.
37:38Clad in prisoner rags,
37:40death pale,
37:41she knelt in the town
37:42execution square
37:43before thousands of onlookers.
37:45The crier called out
37:46her sentence loud
37:47for all to hear.
37:48Collusion with a foreign realm.
37:50Conspiracy to assassinate
37:52the sovereign
37:52of this dudgety.
37:54Your crimes are unforgivable.
37:56Execution shall be carried out
37:57at noon.
37:58Lena lifted her head
37:59with a shriek
38:00and called Byron's name.
38:02She never knew.
38:03The prince she had clung to
38:05and manipulated
38:06had already paid
38:07a terrible price
38:08for her ruthless ambition.
38:10The execution blade fell.
38:12The affair was closed.
38:13Through this crisis,
38:15Vos rooted out
38:16every hidden Ceres agent
38:18within its borders.
38:19Internal threats
38:20were no more.
38:22Byron was locked away forever
38:23in the deepest royal dungeon.
38:25Stripped of all noble rank
38:26and prisoner of war privileges,
38:28he would never see daylight again.
38:30The refined, admired southern prince
38:32became nothing but a caged beast
38:34howling in the dark.
38:36Tortures wore down his pride
38:38and his life year after year.
38:40Seasons turned.
38:41Spring gave way to autumn.
38:44The Grand Duchy of Vos
38:45loomed in peace and prosperity.
38:47Torrin was appointed
38:48Supreme Border War Commander.
38:50He held command
38:51over all heavy armor knights
38:53and guarded the northern frontier.
38:55I traveled with King Odin
38:56to tour our domains.
38:58Wherever we went,
38:59common folk roped in safety.
39:01Songs of joy filling the land.
39:03The wasteland wind
39:04still blew wide and free
39:06across the endless plains.
39:08At last beside me stood a man
39:10who understood my joys and sorrows.
39:12One who would risk everything
39:14to keep me safe
39:15and walk beside me
39:16for the rest of our lives.
39:18One sunset painted
39:19the whole wasteland
39:20in golden light.
39:22Torrin draped a gold-embroidered
39:23royal cloak over my shoulders.
39:25His movements clumsy
39:26yet infinitely careful.
39:28He leaned close
39:29and whispered in my ear,
39:31Urata,
39:33across all these mountains and lands
39:35I shall keep you safe
39:36for all your days.
39:38I looked up into his gentle,
39:39deep eyes and smiled.
39:41I laced my fingers firmly
39:43through his.
39:45Beneath the vast, roaring wind,
39:47we walked side by side
39:49toward our quiet,
39:50shared future.
Comments