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Each movie brings exciting characters, surprising plot twists, touching relationships, and powerful stories that keep you watching until the final scene. From billionaire romances to inspiring life journeys, every film offers a unique experience.
Enjoy HD movies with English subtitles and stay tuned for regular uploads of the latest popular drama films.
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AmusantTranscription
00:00Two years ago, I carried out a secret mission for the Queen.
00:03I was gravely wounded and left my family to recover.
00:15Two years later, when I finally returned,
00:18I found my rightful place had been taken by a complete stranger.
00:21There she was, that woman, draped in an extravagant silver-white gown,
00:25perched on the carved sofa.
00:27My crown sat atop her head.
00:30Even my fiancée stood by her side,
00:32adjusting the folds of her skirt.
00:37And there I stood in the doorway.
00:39But I am the eldest daughter,
00:42a stranger in my own home.
00:44Half an hour earlier, my carriage pulled up to the estate.
00:48I stepped down, breathing in the air of home,
00:51thinking I'd be met with open arms and tears of joy.
00:55The next second, a small figure came rushing down the steps,
00:58my little sister.
01:00She threw herself into my arms, trembling all over.
01:03Sis, you're finally back.
01:06I thought you'd never come home.
01:08I held her tight, then noticed what she was wearing.
01:12Where's your dress?
01:13Why are you wearing that?
01:15Gave it to Lillian.
01:16Who's Lillian?
01:17My sister lowered her head, a look of worry on her face.
01:22Not long after you left, Mother was in a carriage accident.
01:26Lillian saved her.
01:27She said her parents were dead and she was living on the streets.
01:30A rescued mother, a homeless orphan.
01:33What a perfect story.
01:36Mother took pity on her and adopted her.
01:39A rescued mother, a homeless orphan.
01:42What a perfect story.
01:44Inside the hall, a painter was working on her portrait.
01:47She tilt her chin up slightly, like a true queen.
01:52I strode in.
01:53The sound of my boots striking the marble floor made everyone turn their heads.
01:58I told them it was yours.
02:00But they told me to keep quiet.
02:03Mother said to be sensible and not fight with someone who has no family.
02:08My fiancé, Alexander, turned around, looking surprised.
02:12His expression froze the moment he saw me.
02:15Lillian rose to her feet.
02:17No panic, no shame, just the composure of a victor.
02:21I walked up to her, staring at the crown on her head.
02:25The queen herself had bestowed this rose crown upon me.
02:28Every petal forged in platinum, set with the finest rubies from the north.
02:32And now it sat atop this stranger's blonde hair like some absurd dream.
02:38Why is my crown on your head?
02:41Lillian blinked, her eyes welling up instantly.
02:44You must be the lady of the house.
02:46I'm sorry, I didn't know you were coming back today.
02:52The Duchess said my first palace audience couldn't bring shame to the Ashburn name, so she let me wear it.
02:57If it upsets you, I'll take it off right now.
03:01She reached for the crown, moving slowly, deliberately, as if to make sure everyone saw her grace.
03:08That's enough. She's only wearing it for one day.
03:12It's not like she's stealing your things.
03:15No need to make a scene over a crown.
03:18After two years apart, my fiancé didn't ask about my injuries.
03:22Didn't ask what I'd been through.
03:24His first words were to defend another woman.
03:28Lillian placed her hand on my fiancé's arm, her voice soft as a feather.
03:33Don't be angry with her on my account.
03:37My lady, I truly never meant to take your things.
03:41I'm just grateful for your family's kindness.
03:45If it upnuts you, I'll stay out of your way from now on.
03:49What a performance.
03:51The way he looked at her, that tenderness I hadn't seen in two years.
03:55Fine.
03:56Since you claim you don't want to take it, I grabbed the crown and yanked it upward.
04:01Jerking her head to the side, Lillian staggered and toppled over.
04:05Ow! That hurts!
04:13The crown caught in her pinned-up hair, and Lillian wanked.
04:17That's enough. Let go. You're hurting her.
04:20Lillian covered her tangled hair, but she forced a smile.
04:24It's all right. Lady Violet is just upset.
04:28She didn't blame me once.
04:31And because of that, everyone looked at me like I was the one throwing a tantrum.
04:37That crown belonged on my head.
04:39She took what wasn't hers, and now I was the one looking like the aggressor.
04:45Father, Vincent, and Mother, Margaret, entered the hall.
04:48Mother's face changed the second she saw Lillian's disheveled state.
04:53Violet, are you satisfied only when you've turned this house upside down?
04:58Two years apart.
05:01The first words my mother said to me were an accusation that I'd hurt her adopted daughter.
05:07Something felt stuck in my chest, but I didn't let a single emotion show on my face.
05:12Don't blame her, Mother.
05:14If Violet minds, I'll just give the crown back.
05:17Mother glanced back at her, a softness in her eyes I'd never seen before.
05:22Then she turned back, her tone firm.
05:25No need to take it off.
05:28I am the lady of this estate.
05:31I'll decide who wears the jewelry my daughter left behind.
05:35In that moment, I finally understood.
05:39In their eyes, what the Queen bestowed upon me
05:41was nothing more than a piece of jewelry they could lend out.
05:44My honor, my status, everything I risked my life for,
05:49they meant nothing to them.
05:51I scoffed and let go of the crown.
05:54Lillian caught it immediately,
05:56cradling it carefully in both hands.
05:58Fine, let her have it.
06:01She can't steal the Queen's trust in me,
06:04but what I couldn't accept wasn't the crown.
06:07It was my sister.
06:10She was huddled in the shadows,
06:12her small figure almost fading into the wall.
06:18I pushed open the door to Ella's room.
06:20It had been redecorated to Lillian's taste.
06:23The jewelry grandmother left for Ela
06:24had become Lillian's accessories for parties.
06:27Even the dresses prepared for Ela
06:28had found their way into Lillian's wardrobe, one by one.
06:33Ella stood in the doorway,
06:35head bowed,
06:36like a blade of grass trampled into the dirt.
06:39She had fought back once,
06:41but Mother told her.
06:43Lillian had no family,
06:44she was already pitiful enough.
06:46So Ella had a family,
06:48a surname.
06:49She should be sensible.
06:51She should give up her things,
06:52again and again.
06:55I turned to the butler.
06:57Restore Ella's room today.
06:59Her jewelry, her dresses,
07:01everything grandmother left her.
07:03Not a single piece missing.
07:04The butler lowered his head.
07:07His lips moved like he wanted to say something,
07:10but in the end,
07:11he stayed silent.
07:12That's enough, Violet!
07:15I turned back.
07:17Mother stood beside Lillian.
07:18Father and Alexander stood right behind them.
07:21She stood beside Lillian,
07:23just like she had for the past two years.
07:25You've just returned,
07:26and you're already forcing everyone to obey your orders?
07:30She spoke like I was the intruder,
07:32like I was the one tearing this family apart.
07:36Lillian risked her life to save me,
07:39and while you were gone,
07:41she was the one who stayed by my side.
07:43She saved you.
07:45If you want to repay her,
07:46use your own things.
07:49Don't give away Ella's things as favors.
07:51Mother's face went completely dark.
07:53Look, you haven't changed one bit.
07:56Always thinking you're right.
07:58This house is not your palace!
08:00I looked at her.
08:02I didn't back down.
08:04The next second,
08:05Margaret slapped me across the face.
08:12My cheek burned with a sharp sting,
08:14a red mark clearly visible.
08:16The room fell into dead silence.
08:19You could hear breathing.
08:21Ella stared at Mother,
08:23shocked,
08:23her hand covering her mouth.
08:25I slowly lifted my head and looked at Margaret.
08:28I'd been away from this house for two years.
08:31I thought I'd just been gone for a while.
08:33But now I realized
08:34there was no place left for me here.
08:37Violet,
08:38you left this family for two years.
08:41Did you ever think that we have our own lives?
08:45In her eyes,
08:46my two-year absence was abandoning this family.
08:50As for why I left,
08:52why I was injured,
08:54she never truly cared.
08:58Two years ago,
08:59you simply delivered a letter for the Queen
09:01and were unfortunate enough
09:02to get injured along the way.
09:04The Queen already rewarded you,
09:06but that's not a reason to come back
09:07and expect everyone to obey you.
09:10They had no idea that letter
09:12concerned the Kingdom's future.
09:15They didn't know that to carry out the Queen's order,
09:18I nearly died on the road.
09:20You're still the same as before,
09:22always thinking everything should go your way.
09:23Lillian is much sweeter than you.
09:26She knows how to make people around her relax.
09:28His words reminded me of something else.
09:30Three years ago,
09:32the Montrose family wanted on the royal partnership list.
09:34They'd been rejected everywhere.
09:37In the end,
09:37I stood beside the Queen's representative
09:39and spoke for Alexander.
09:41My endorsement got the royal family to agree
09:43and he turned his fortunes around with that partnership.
09:46But now,
09:47he'd probably forgotten all about it.
09:49Since that's the case,
09:51starting today,
09:53I won't arrange anything for you anymore.
09:54I won't endorse the Montrose family's
09:56next season of royal partnership.
10:00Just because I said a few words for Lillian?
10:04No.
10:05Because you're right.
10:07You don't need my help.
10:09Sure enough,
10:10when I took back everything I'd once given them,
10:12in their eyes,
10:13it became my being unreasonable.
10:16Perhaps our engagement needs to be reconsidered.
10:19With that,
10:20he turned and walked toward Lillian.
10:22She stood beside him,
10:23head downed.
10:25As they left,
10:27everyone stood on Lillian's side.
10:29Father supported Mother.
10:30The butler kept his head down.
10:32The servants stepped aside to clear the way.
10:35At the doorway,
10:37Lillian suddenly stopped and looked back at me.
10:40The next second,
10:41the griefance and fragility on her face to vanished.
10:44In their place was the smile of a victor.
10:46She gently adjusted the rose crown on her head,
10:48the crown that should have been mine,
10:50then looked at me.
10:51Welcome home, sister.
10:52But this family has gotten used to living without you.
10:54I stood there watching her walk away.
10:56Fine.
10:57Since they've forgotten who I am,
10:59I'll make them remember.
11:01The next day's family dinner.
11:03The long table was set with silverware,
11:06crystal glasses,
11:07and exquisite dishes.
11:08Margaret,
11:09Vincent,
11:10and Alexander were already seated.
11:11The side door opened,
11:13and Lillian walked in slowly.
11:15She wore a gorgeous silver-white empire gown,
11:18with my rose crown on her head.
11:21Everyone's eyes were drawn to her,
11:23as if pulled by a magnet.
11:25Two years ago,
11:26the Ashburn family could barely afford estate repairs.
11:29Now they enjoyed the glory brought by royal partnerships,
11:33yet credited it all to a girl
11:35who'd only been around for two years.
11:37Lillian twirled before the crowd,
11:39her silver-white skirt rippling like water.
11:42Margaret's face lit up with delight.
11:44Beautiful.
11:45Tomorrow at the palace,
11:47you'll be the center of attention.
11:49Lillian lowered her head shyly,
11:51her fingers twisting at her skirt.
11:53Mother,
11:54I'm just afraid of bringing shame to the Ashwin name.
11:57Mother took her hand,
11:59her eyes soft in a way that felt unfamiliar to me.
12:03You're our lucky star.
12:04Lucky star?
12:05I looked at those lavish table settings.
12:08Every piece paid for with my money.
12:11My gaze fell on Ella.
12:13She sat in the corner,
12:14wearing that same drab old dress.
12:17How ridiculous.
12:18The real Ashburn daughter
12:19didn't even have a new dress for the banquet.
12:22I took Ella's hand.
12:24For tomorrow's banquet,
12:25I'll get you a new gown.
12:27Pick whatever you like.
12:29Ella's eyes turned slightly red.
12:31She nodded.
12:32Lillian looked at me,
12:34a hint of a smile on her lips.
12:36Sister,
12:37will you be attending the palace banquet tomorrow too?
12:42Sister,
12:44will you be attending the palace banquet tomorrow too?
12:47Of course.
12:48That's wonderful.
12:50I also want to see
12:51if Her Majesty the Queen will like me.
12:54Margaret chimed in,
12:55unable to hide her pride.
12:57Of course she will.
12:59Violet only delivered a letter years ago
13:02and got a reward from Her Majesty.
13:05You're so likable.
13:06The Queen will surely like you even more.
13:10I set down my wine glass.
13:12The more they looked forward to tomorrow,
13:15the more I wanted to see the Queen's expression
13:18when she saw that rose crown.
13:20Alexander's eyes never slept Lillian,
13:23as if glued to her.
13:25I turned to look at him.
13:27He finally noticed my gaze.
13:29Violet,
13:31regarding the Montrose family's partnership,
13:33you'd better reconsider.
13:34After all,
13:36my future wife doesn't have to be you.
13:38Two years ago,
13:39I opened the door to the royal family for him.
13:43Now,
13:43he thought I was the one who could be replaced.
13:47Pathetic.
13:48After the dinner,
13:49the old butler told me a secret.
13:51My lady,
13:52the Ashburn family has been running a deficit
13:55for two years straight.
13:58Without the royal partnership
13:59and long-term earnings you left behind,
14:02this estate couldn't have kept up this extravagance.
14:05They enjoyed everything I left behind,
14:07yet forgot who brought it all.
14:09I looked toward the brightly lit banquet hall,
14:12where their laughter still echoed.
14:14Edmund,
14:15go to the study
14:16and fetch my guarantee deed from three years ago.
14:20The night of the palace banquet finally arrived.
14:24Lillian wore my crown
14:26and stepped into the place she'd dreamed of.
14:29The palace gates opened.
14:30She linked arms with Margaret
14:32and walked into the hall,
14:33her gorgeous silver-white skirt
14:35trailing along the long red carpet.
14:38I walked behind,
14:39watching her back,
14:41the rose crown clittling atop her blonde hair,
14:43but I knew her moment of glory wouldn't last long.
14:46Nobles around them turned to look,
14:48whispers spreading through the crowd.
14:51Lillian smiled,
14:52her fingers gently smoothing her skirt.
14:54Mother,
14:55they're all looking at me.
14:57Margaret smiled,
14:58her eyes filled with pride.
15:00Because tonight,
15:01you are the center of attention.
15:04But she didn't know those stares
15:05were never because of her.
15:07They recognized the rose crown,
15:10a symbol known throughout the kingdom,
15:12an honor bestowed by the queen herself.
15:14A court etiquette officer approached.
15:17His gaze fell on the crown,
15:19and his expression shifted slightly.
15:21Lady Ashburn,
15:22this crown...
15:23Lillian's face changed,
15:25her fingers intentively pressed against the crown.
15:28Margaret immediately stepped in front of her,
15:30her tone firm.
15:31This belongs to the Ashburn family.
15:33My adopted daughter is wearing it.
15:36What's the problem?
15:37The officer didn't answer.
15:39He simply gave me a deep look.
15:41Just then,
15:42the heavy sound of a ceremonial staff
15:44echoed through the hall.
15:46Every sound vanished.
15:48Even breathing seemed to freeze.
15:50The palace gates slowly opened.
15:53The queen entered the hall
15:54in a deep blue robe
15:55trailing across the floor.
15:57Each step carried undiable authority.
15:59All the nobles bow.
16:01I lowered my head,
16:03the corners of my mouth
16:04curving slightly.
16:06The queen walked slowly through the hall,
16:09her gaze sweeping over the crowd.
16:11Finally,
16:12her eyes landed on the rose crown
16:14atop Lillian's head.
16:16She stopped.
16:17Who gave you permission to wear that?
16:21Who gave you permission to wear that?
16:23Lillian froze in place,
16:25her lips turning white.
16:27Margaret rushed forward,
16:28her voice trembling.
16:30Your Majesty,
16:31you bestowed this upon Violet.
16:34We only let Lillian borrow it
16:35for one night.
16:36The queen looked at her,
16:38her gaze cold as a blade.
16:39Borrow?
16:41The queen walked step by step
16:43toward Lillian.
16:44Each step felt like it was
16:45stomping on Margaret's face.
16:48You really thought
16:51this was just a crown
16:52I casually handed out?
16:54Margaret's face went pale.
16:55Her fingers twisted together.
16:57The queen turned her head
16:59and looked at me.
17:00Everyone followed her gaze
17:02toward the forgotten eldest daughter.
17:05In this moment,
17:06they finally realized
17:07for the first time
17:08what they had taken
17:10was never just a crown.
17:13The queen took my hand.
17:14Two years ago,
17:15Violet had saved me.
17:17She saved the entire kingdom.
17:19The crowd gasped.
17:21Whispers surged like a tide.
17:23The queen turned to Lillian,
17:25her voice not loud,
17:26but clear enough
17:27for everyone to hear.
17:29And you let an imposter
17:30wear her glory?
17:33The queen held my hand,
17:35standing before all the nobles.
17:37Margaret, Vincent, Alexander,
17:39and Lillian stood frozen,
17:41their faces stiff.
17:42In this moment,
17:43they finally understood
17:44what this crown truly meant.
17:46The queen turned to the crowd,
17:48her voice echoing
17:49through the hall.
17:50Two years ago,
17:51rebels took the palace.
17:53They sealed every exit
17:55and cut me off
17:56from the outside world.
17:57Back then,
17:59I couldn't even send out
18:00a call for help.
18:01Memories came flooding back.
18:03The palace corridors
18:04were blocked
18:04by rebels with swords.
18:06Firelight flickered
18:07across the chaos.
18:08Rebels guarded the corridor.
18:10I hid behind a stone pillar,
18:12a blood-stained letter
18:13in my hand.
18:14Blood kept seeping
18:15from the wound on my arm.
18:16With the queen's
18:17handwritten letter
18:18of distress,
18:19I charged out
18:20of the sealed palace.
18:21I rode through
18:22the dark streets,
18:23the sound of pursuing
18:24soldiers behind me.
18:27An arrow struck
18:28my shoulder.
18:29Blood soaked
18:29through my clothes,
18:30but I didn't stop.
18:33I held the letter
18:34tightly to my chest.
18:36It was the hope
18:37of the entire kingdom.
18:39Along the way,
18:39I was hunted
18:40and gravely wounded,
18:41but I had only one thought.
18:42Get this letter delivered.
18:43The city camp.
18:44I fell from my horse
18:46and,
18:46with my last strength,
18:48handed the blood-stained letter
18:49to the garrison commander.
18:50The next second,
18:51I collapsed
18:52into the snow.
18:53Horns sounded
18:54in the camp.
18:55Cavalry assembled
18:56in large numbers.
18:57The queen's voice
18:58pulled me back
18:59from my memories.
19:00Because of this letter,
19:02reinforcements arrived
19:02in time.
19:03Because of Violet,
19:04the capital was spared
19:06from disaster.
19:07She didn't just
19:07deliver a letter.
19:09She saved the entire
19:10Vermont dynasty.
19:12She saved the entire
19:14Vermont dynasty.
19:15The crowd gasped.
19:17Whispers surged
19:18like a tide,
19:19then were quickly silenced
19:20by the queen's authority.
19:22I turned to look
19:23at my family.
19:24Yesterday,
19:24they said I was just injured
19:26delivering a letter.
19:28But they didn't know
19:29that those two years,
19:30I nearly lost my life.
19:33Margaret looked at me,
19:34her lips trembling.
19:35So,
19:36these past two years
19:38you were gone?
19:39She finally remembered
19:40why I hadn't come home.
19:42But I looked at her calmly.
19:44Explanations were
19:45meaningless now.
19:46Lillian's face
19:47turned pale.
19:48Her fingers shook.
19:49She quickly took off
19:50the crown
19:51and held it in both hands
19:52like it was a piece
19:54of red hot coal.
19:55Your majesty,
19:56I truly didn't know
19:57any of this.
19:58Didn't know?
19:59So you thought
20:00you could wear a glory
20:01that doesn't belong to you?
20:03Lillian lowered her head,
20:04her shoulders
20:05hunching together.
20:06The queen's voice
20:07wasn't loud,
20:08but clear enough
20:09for everyone to hear.
20:10This crown was bestowed
20:12upon Violet
20:13by my own hand.
20:14It represents
20:15the royal family's
20:16recognition of her.
20:18It is not a decoration
20:19anyone can borrow.
20:20I turned to look
20:21at Alexander,
20:22the man who once
20:23called me arrogant
20:24and overbearing,
20:25was looking at me
20:26with unfamiliar eyes
20:27for the first time.
20:29His lips moved,
20:30but no sound
20:31came out.
20:31Silence.
20:32All he could do
20:33was stay silent.
20:34There is one more thing.
20:36It seems you've forgotten
20:37that,
20:39even after recovering
20:40from her injuries,
20:41Violet has continued
20:42handling affairs
20:43for the royal family.
20:44She's one of my
20:45most trusted people.
20:46They hated my strength,
20:48hated that I made
20:49decisions for them,
20:50yet they didn't know
20:51that behind every decision
20:53I made
20:53was the weight
20:54of an entire kingdom.
20:56So I ask you this,
20:57she nearly gave her life
20:59for this dynasty.
21:00Then why,
21:01upon returning
21:02to her own home,
21:03must she make way
21:05for others?
21:06The queen fixed
21:07her gaze on Lillian.
21:09Lillian kept her head down,
21:11clutching the rose crown
21:12she'd just taken off,
21:14her knuckles white.
21:15Oh, I think I saw
21:16something on her face.
21:18Fear.
21:19Margaret and Vincent
21:20stood beside her,
21:21their faces dark,
21:23not daring to make a sound.
21:24No one in the room
21:26would even look at them.
21:28All because I wasn't
21:29standing by their side.
21:31Lillian,
21:31standing at the center
21:32of everyone's attention,
21:34finally understood
21:35why those nobles
21:37had been staring at her.
21:38It wasn't her beauty,
21:40it was the blood
21:41and life behind that crown.
21:43The queen turned to me.
21:45Violette,
21:46come sit by me tonight.
21:47Father snapped his head up,
21:49lips parting slightly.
21:50Mother finally realized
21:52the relationship
21:53between me and the queen
21:54was far closer
21:55than they'd ever imagined.
21:56I walked to the queen's side
21:58and sat down.
22:00Several nobles
22:01approached with wine glasses,
22:03offering toasts to her
22:05and nodding to me.
22:07On the other side,
22:09Lillian was left out
22:10in the crowd.
22:11Like a drenched swallow
22:13in the rain,
22:14Alexander stood not far away,
22:16his eyes fixed on me,
22:17his expression darkened,
22:19from shock to panic,
22:20then to a resentful anger.
22:22He finally remembered
22:24where those royal opportunities
22:25the Montreux family
22:26had enjoyed
22:27these past few years
22:28actually came from.
22:29He walked over to me,
22:31lowering his voice,
22:32as if afraid
22:32of being overheard.
22:35Violet,
22:36yesterday's words
22:37were just me
22:38speaking in anger.
22:39We've been engaged
22:40for years.
22:41No need to make things
22:42like this over a few words.
22:44Yesterday,
22:45he stood above me,
22:46telling me his wife candidates
22:47were more than one.
22:48Today,
22:49knowing who I really am,
22:50even his tone changed.
22:51I looked at him,
22:52the corners of my mouth
22:53curving slightly.
22:55You're right.
22:56Alexander's expression
22:57eased slightly,
22:58like he breathed
22:59a sigh of relief.
23:00What?
23:01There's really no need
23:02for us to argue
23:03over a few words,
23:04so I won't be endorsing
23:06the Montreux family's
23:07next season
23:08of royal partnership.
23:09Alexander's face
23:10changed instantly,
23:11from hopeful
23:12to livid
23:13in half a second.
23:14Violet,
23:15you'd go this far
23:16just because of Lillian?
23:18I gently set down
23:19my wine glass.
23:20Hearing that,
23:21I suddenly found it laughable.
23:23You still think
23:24I'm jealous of her?
23:25Three years ago,
23:25your Montreux family
23:26begged me for help.
23:27Now I simply don't want
23:28to help anymore.
23:29That's all.
23:30He probably never imagined
23:31those conveniences
23:32he'd enjoyed for so long
23:34were never something
23:35he deserved in the first place.
23:37His fingers clenched tight,
23:39his voice dropping even lower.
23:41The relationship
23:41between our two families
23:43isn't something
23:44you can just end
23:45on your own.
23:46He was finally panicking,
23:47yet still trying to use
23:49their engagement
23:50to pressure me.
23:51Just then,
23:52the queen overheard
23:53our argument.
23:54Her voice wasn't loud,
23:56but it silenced
23:57the entire banquet hall
23:58once again.
23:59An engagement?
24:01Violet,
24:02are you still planning
24:03to marry him?
24:06Everyone was waiting
24:07for my answer.
24:08I looked at Alexander
24:09calmly.
24:10A glimmer of hope
24:11flickered in his eyes,
24:13as if he believed
24:14that as long as I didn't
24:15say no in public.
24:16He still had a chance.
24:18This is my engagement.
24:20I'll handle it myself.
24:21Alexander visibly relaxed,
24:23his shoulders dropping.
24:25He probably thought
24:25I'd given him an out,
24:27but what he didn't know
24:28was that I hadn't
24:30called it off yet.
24:31Not because I couldn't
24:32let go,
24:32but because some scores
24:34hadn't been settled yet.
24:35After returning
24:36to the estate,
24:37father and mother's
24:38attitudes had clearly changed.
24:40The people who had been
24:41pointing fingers at me
24:42just days ago
24:42were now sitting
24:43in the parlour.
24:44Margaret didn't dare
24:45scold me.
24:46Vincent even stood up.
24:48Father used a rare
24:49gentle tone,
24:50trying to brush everything
24:51from the past few days
24:52under the rug.
24:53Violet,
24:54we truly didn't know
24:55the truth back then.
24:56Family doesn't need
24:57to keep fighting
24:58over misunderstandings.
25:00Misunderstandings.
25:01We savored that word,
25:02so taking Ella's room,
25:05slapping me,
25:05and humiliating
25:06my two years of sacrifice
25:08could all be wiped away
25:10with the word
25:10misunderstanding.
25:11I turned to
25:12old butler Edmund,
25:13standing by the side
25:15of the hall.
25:15Edmund,
25:16reclaim Ella's room.
25:18Every piece of jewellery,
25:19every dress,
25:20everything grandmother
25:21left her.
25:22Return it all today.
25:24Return it all today.
25:26Mother heard this
25:27and instinctively
25:28spoke up for Lillian
25:29in that same
25:31difficult tone.
25:32But Lillian has lived
25:33there for two years.
25:34There are things
25:35she's grown used to,
25:37but I wasn't about
25:38to coddle them.
25:39You can keep
25:39spoiling her,
25:40but from now on,
25:42use your own things
25:43to do it.
25:44Stop using Ella's things
25:46to play the saint.
25:48Mother's lips moved,
25:49then fell silent.
25:51What I wanted back
25:52was never just
25:53Ella's room and jewellery.
25:54In the study,
25:55account books
25:56and contracts
25:57of the Ashburn family
25:58were laid out
25:59on the desk.
26:00I looked at father
26:02and mother,
26:03my voice calm
26:04as if reading a verdict.
26:06Also,
26:07the extra profits
26:08the Ashburn family
26:09has drawn from my projects
26:10over these years.
26:12Starting today,
26:13all of it stops.
26:14Father's face
26:15darkened instantly.
26:17He walked to the desk,
26:18suppressing his anger.
26:20The family is back
26:21on its feet.
26:22Even without your subsidies,
26:24we'll manage just fine.
26:25Lillian walked
26:26to Margaret's side
26:27and took her hand.
26:28She comforted mother
26:30in that gentle,
26:31certain tone.
26:32Don't worry,
26:33mother.
26:34We've been doing so well
26:35these past two years.
26:37Things will only get better
26:38from here.
26:39I looked at her
26:40and gave a small smile.
26:41I almost laughed out loud.
26:43They really believed
26:45all that wealth
26:45and those opportunities
26:46were good luck
26:47Lillian had brought.
26:49Early the next morning,
26:50Edmund brought
26:51the first round of news.
26:54Breakfast had just been
26:55laid out on the long table.
26:57Vincent flipped through
26:58a letter,
26:59his face growing darker
27:00by the second.
27:02Edmund hurried in
27:03with several new letters.
27:04My lord,
27:05the jeweller has stopped
27:06extending credit
27:07and three of our
27:08long-term partners
27:09just sent notice.
27:10They're terminating
27:10cooperation next month.
27:13The Ashburn family's
27:14dignity crumbled
27:15faster than I expected.
27:17Several partners
27:18pulled out
27:18one after another.
27:20Even the luxury goods
27:21the estate had ordered
27:22was cancelled.
27:23But father still refused
27:25to admit
27:26it had anything
27:27to do with me.
27:28In the breakfast room,
27:29Vininsa had several
27:30termination notices
27:31spread out beside him.
27:33his face as dark
27:35as a stormy sky.
27:36Margaret sat to the side,
27:37agitated,
27:38her fingers tapping
27:39restlessly on the table.
27:41Lillian held her hand,
27:42comforting her softly.
27:44Don't worry, mother.
27:46We've been so lucky
27:47these past two years.
27:49Things will get better soon.
27:51Lucky?
27:51Ridiculous.
27:52At a time like this,
27:54you still believe Lillian
27:55is some kind of lucky star?
27:57Vincent slammed the letters
27:59onto the table.
27:59What else, father?
28:01What are you even
28:02pretending at?
28:03It's just a temporary
28:05cash flow problem.
28:06The Ashwin family
28:07has centuries of foundation.
28:09We won't collapse
28:10just because we lost
28:11a few of your profits.
28:13I couldn't be bothered
28:14with him.
28:15I just had Edmund
28:16bring all the account books
28:18from recent years to me.
28:20In the study,
28:21thick ledgers and contracts
28:23piled up across
28:24the entire desk.
28:25Edmund placed
28:26the last few books down.
28:27Miss Violet,
28:29these are all the estate's
28:30accounts from recent years.
28:32I only wanted to know
28:33how much money
28:34this family had squandered.
28:36My fingers flipped
28:37through page after page
28:38until they stopped
28:40on a column
28:40of long-term expenses.
28:42Father withdrew
28:43the sum of money
28:44from the family account
28:45every month.
28:46This expense had continued
28:47for many years.
28:49But after Lillian
28:50entered the Ashburn household,
28:52the amount suddenly
28:53multiplied several times over.
28:55Edmund,
28:56where did this money go?
29:00Edmund,
29:00where did this money go?
29:02Edmund shook his head,
29:04his expression grave.
29:06There's no record
29:07on the books.
29:08The Duke has always
29:09handled it personally.
29:11He never allowed
29:12anyone else
29:12to ask about it.
29:14I suddenly thought
29:15of Lillian,
29:16an orphan
29:17with no parents.
29:18Why did she just
29:19happen to appear
29:20when Mother
29:20had her accident?
29:21And why did
29:22Father's shady expenses
29:23suddenly increase
29:24as soon as she
29:25entered the Ashburn
29:26households?
29:27I had Edmund
29:28reinvestigated
29:29the carriage accident
29:30from two years ago.
29:31Several old records
29:32from two years ago
29:33were spread out
29:34on the desk.
29:34Another strange discovery
29:36came to light quickly.
29:37Edmund stood before me,
29:39his voice low.
29:40After the mistress's accident,
29:42the coachman in charge
29:43resigned the very next day.
29:45Before he left the capital,
29:48he also received
29:49a large sum of money.
29:51a saviour appeared
29:52out of nowhere.
29:53The responsible coachman
29:55took the money
29:56and vanished.
29:58And for all these years,
29:59Father had been hiding
30:01an expense
30:01with no known purpose.
30:03I set the payment records
30:04back on the desk.
30:07The so-called coincidences
30:09suddenly seemed
30:10a little too numerous.
30:12Find that, coachman.
30:13I want to know
30:14what really happened
30:15two years ago.
30:16Three days later,
30:17Edmund finally brought
30:18back news.
30:19Night fell over the estate.
30:21I sat behind the desk
30:22reviewing documents.
30:24The study door opened.
30:25Edmund hurried in,
30:26his expression grim.
30:28He paused,
30:29his face even more
30:30solemn than usual.
30:31He's been found.
30:33He says the carriage accident
30:34two years ago
30:36was no accident at all.
30:39The coachman Edmund found
30:41finally told the truth
30:42about the accident
30:43two years ago.
30:45old records
30:46of the carriage accident
30:47from two years ago
30:48lay on the desk.
30:50He placed a coachman's
30:51testimony in front of me.
30:53Edmund's voice
30:54was low and clear.
30:55He admitted
30:56someone paid him
30:57in advance
30:57to make the carriage
30:59lose control
31:00at a designated
31:01stretch of road.
31:02I flipped through
31:02the testimony,
31:03my fingers stopping
31:04on a familiar
31:05string of numbers.
31:07That money had
31:07ultimately flowed
31:08to the same place
31:09and that place
31:10was exactly where
31:11Lillian had been
31:12waiting all along.
31:13The so-called saviour
31:15had been arranged
31:16from the very beginning.
31:17Two years ago
31:18on a mountain road
31:19mother's carriage
31:20rounded a bend.
31:22Not far away
31:23young Lillian
31:24was already waiting
31:24by the roadside
31:25her skirt fluttering
31:27in the wind
31:27like a flower
31:28carefully placed there.
31:29The coachman
31:30yanked the reins.
31:31The carriage
31:32suddenly verred
31:33off course.
31:34The horses spooked
31:35and went completely wild.
31:37The wheels
31:37hit a roadside rock
31:38and the whole carriage
31:39overturned.
31:40Lillian rushed
31:41toward the overturned carriage
31:43and dragged the injured mother
31:44out of the compartment.
31:46Her movements
31:47were so practiced
31:48it was as if
31:49she'd rehearsed them
31:50countless times.
31:51Mother had been grateful
31:52for Lillian's
31:53life-saving grace
31:54for two whole years.
31:56So from beginning to end
31:58it had all been an act.
32:00Who gave the money?
32:01Edmund was silent
32:02for a moment
32:03before speaking
32:04that name
32:04in a heavy tone.
32:05The Duke
32:08The Duke
32:09The Duke
32:09Father
32:11He had personally
32:12arranged the accident
32:13to place Lillian
32:14in front of Mother.
32:15I leaned back
32:16in my chair
32:17suddenly finding
32:19it laughable
32:19but what truly
32:20concerned me
32:21wasn't the act itself.
32:23It was why
32:24he had to go
32:24to such lengths
32:25to bring a supposed
32:26orphan into
32:27the Ashman family.
32:28I told Edmund
32:30to keep investigating
32:31Father's undisclosed
32:32expenses.
32:32Soon
32:33the trail of that money
32:34was uncovered.
32:35Edmund stood before
32:36the desk
32:37and spread out
32:38new records.
32:39The Duke
32:39has been financially
32:41supporting a woman
32:42for many years.
32:43After Miss Lillian
32:44entered the estate
32:45those expenses
32:47gradually stopped.
32:48I finally understood
32:49why Father
32:50had acted more natural
32:51than anyone
32:52after Lillian appeared
32:53and why this orphan
32:54of unknown origin
32:55could so easily
32:56enter the Ashbourne family
32:58even taking
32:59Ella's place.
33:00Not because of luck.
33:02Not because of gratitude.
33:03because of blood.
33:05Keep digging.
33:06I want her real
33:07birth records.
33:09That evening
33:09Edmund brought back
33:11a document
33:11that had been hidden
33:12for twenty years.
33:14The yellowed paper
33:15trembled slightly
33:16in his hand
33:16as if carrying secrets
33:18too heavy
33:19to see the light.
33:20I unfolded the document.
33:21It bore Lillian's
33:22date of birth
33:23and in the column
33:24for Father
33:25it read boldly
33:26Vincent Ashbourne
33:28so Lillian was never
33:29an adopted daughter.
33:31She was Father's
33:32illegitimate daughter
33:33hidden away
33:34for twenty years.
33:36So low.
33:37My mother
33:38has been treating
33:39Father's bastard child
33:40with his mistress
33:41like a treasure.
33:43In the hall
33:44Margaret sat on the sofa
33:45Vincent stood nearby
33:46and Lillian was there too.
33:48I walked in
33:49and placed the yellowed
33:50birth record
33:51in front of Margaret.
33:52She picked up the document
33:53one glance
33:54and her face changed.
33:58She denied it
33:59in a panic
34:00resistant tone
34:01as if refusing
34:02to believe
34:03the name on the paper.
34:04I didn't have time
34:05to lie to her.
34:06I delivered the verdict
34:07coldly.
34:08Lillian is not an orphan.
34:10She's Father's
34:11biological daughter.
34:12Lillian snapped
34:13her head up
34:13lips parting slightly.
34:15What's with that expression?
34:17Is she trying
34:17to act innocent
34:18or did she really
34:19not know?
34:20Vanessa's face
34:21was completely dark.
34:23His fists clenched.
34:24He warned me
34:25in a voice
34:26suppressing his rage.
34:28Violet, enough.
34:29But this time
34:30he didn't get to decide
34:32when it ended.
34:34I placed a coachman's
34:35testimony on the table
34:37and the carriage accident
34:38two years ago.
34:39The coachman admitted
34:40someone paid him
34:41in advance
34:43to cause the crash
34:44at a designated spot.
34:47And Lillian was already
34:48waited by the roads
34:49inside to save you.
34:52Margaret whipped
34:53her head around
34:53to look at Vincent.
34:54Father fell silent
34:55and his silence
34:57said more than
34:57any explanation
34:58ever would.
35:00Margaret slowly stood up
35:01trembling all over.
35:03It was you?
35:04That day
35:05I almost died!
35:07You used my life
35:08to stage a show
35:09just to bring
35:10your illegitimate daughter
35:11into this family?
35:16Father finally panicked.
35:18He spoke in an urgent
35:19defensive tone.
35:20Things were never
35:21supposed to get
35:21to get that out of control.
35:23I just wanted Lillian
35:25to have a proper identity
35:26to stay here!
35:27I looked at him
35:28only finding it absurd.
35:30So you lied to mother
35:31for two years
35:32and you watched Lillian
35:34take Ella's room,
35:35her jewelry,
35:36her dresses.
35:37You even watched
35:38her gradually replace us.
35:40Lillian finally stopped
35:41lowering her head.
35:42She raised her face
35:44and admitted everything
35:45in a cold tone
35:46I'd never heard before.
35:48That's right.
35:49I always knew
35:50he's my father.
35:51She just admitted it
35:52like that?
35:52Is she an idiot?
35:54But this is actually
35:55getting interesting.
35:56I want to see
35:57where this play goes.
35:58Margaret looked at Lillian
35:59in disbelief.
36:00She was completely stunned.
36:02Lillian kept going,
36:04her voice sharp
36:05as a blade.
36:06The carriage accident.
36:08I knew about that too.
36:10But who was it
36:11that kept me here afterward?
36:13Who gave me Ella's room,
36:15her jewelry,
36:15her dresses,
36:16even Violet's crown?
36:17Lillian looked at mother,
36:19her tone growing
36:20more and more mocking.
36:22It was you, mother.
36:24I never forced you
36:25to favor me.
36:26I certainly never forced you
36:28to hit your own daughter
36:29for my sake.
36:31Mother's face
36:32turned deathly pale.
36:33Not until this very moment
36:35did she finally understand.
36:36For two years
36:38she thought she was
36:38repaying a savior.
36:40In reality,
36:40she had been helping
36:41her husband's
36:42illegitimate daughter
36:43hurt her own flesh and blood.
36:46The hall fell into
36:48a dead silence.
36:49You could hear the crackling
36:51of burning wood
36:51in the fireplace.
36:53Margaret stood before Lillian,
36:54her hands still trembling slightly.
36:56She stared into Lillian's eyes,
36:58filled with disbelief and fury.
37:00Mother spoke in a trembling,
37:02furious voice,
37:03demanding for the first time
37:05that Lillian leave this house.
37:07Get out.
37:07I don't want to see you again.
37:10The smile finally vanished
37:12from Lillian's face,
37:13but Vincent immediately
37:14stepped forward,
37:15blocking Lillian like a wall.
37:17She's not going anywhere.
37:19Lillian is also my daughter.
37:20She carries Ashton blood too.
37:23For two years,
37:24father had finally stopped
37:25pretending.
37:26He only cared for an adopted daughter.
37:29He had finally torn off
37:30that last shred of decency.
37:32Lillian also seemed
37:33to gain confidence.
37:35She raised her chin,
37:36looking at us
37:37in a cold,
37:38defiant tone.
37:39Since I'm father's daughter,
37:41why should I leave?
37:42Violet is an Ashburn daughter,
37:44Ella is too,
37:45am I not?
37:46At a time like this,
37:47she still thinks
37:48the problem is just a surname.
37:50I walked up to Lillian
37:51and looked into her eyes.
37:53At this distance,
37:54I could smell
37:55the expensive perfume on her,
37:57bought with my money.
37:58Whether your father's daughter
37:59or not doesn't change
38:00what you've done.
38:01That carriage accident
38:02was fake.
38:04Your life-saving act
38:05was fake.
38:07You knew
38:08Mother nearly died there,
38:09yet you enjoyed
38:10her gratitude
38:11for two whole years.
38:12You took Ella's room,
38:14her jewellery,
38:15even wore my crown.
38:17Every single piece
38:18was stolen.
38:21Lillian's lips trembled.
38:23Her fingers clenched
38:24her skirt so tight
38:25her knuckles turned white.
38:27Margaret slowly turned
38:28to look at Vincent,
38:30speaking in a tone
38:31of disappointment
38:31so deep
38:32it was almost numb.
38:33You want to acknowledge
38:34her as your daughter?
38:35Fine.
38:36But don't ask me
38:37to raise her for you anymore.
38:39And don't you dare
38:40make my daughters
38:42give up anything
38:43for her ever again.
38:44Ella stood beside me,
38:46looking at Margaret
38:47with red-rimmed eyes.
38:49Tears welled in her eyes,
38:50but they didn't fall,
38:52because for the first time
38:53in two years,
38:55Mother was finally standing
38:56on Ella's side.
38:58Footsteps came
38:58from outside the door.
39:00It was Alexander.
39:01He arrived just as
39:03Lillian was cornered.
39:04If this place is only
39:05going to keep humiliating her,
39:07she can stay at the
39:08Montren estate for now.
39:09What the...
39:10This poser?
39:11I looked at him,
39:13not even bothering
39:14with disappointment.
39:15He knew full well
39:16Lillian had deceived everyone,
39:17knew she'd orchestrated
39:18an accident that nearly
39:19killed Mother.
39:20but as long as she stood
39:21there with red eyes,
39:23he would still choose her.
39:24His gaze swept over me
39:26with a hint of testing,
39:28as if waiting to see
39:29if I'd object.
39:30Lillian lowered her head,
39:31her voice softening.
39:33Alexander.
39:35She put on that
39:36fragile, pitiful act again,
39:38shoulders trembling slightly,
39:39like a frightened deer.
39:41Before leaving,
39:42she glanced back at me
39:43when no one was
39:44paying attention.
39:45That look was no longer
39:47fragile or pitiful.
39:49It was filled with cold malice.
39:51Violet, don't get too comfortable.
39:54I won't just lose to you like this.
39:56I didn't answer.
39:58Because even now,
39:59she still didn't understand.
40:01I never once saw her
40:02as my rival.
40:05They paid the price
40:06for today's events
40:07sooner than expected.
40:09In the Montrose Estates
40:10Grand Hall,
40:11Lillian sat on the sofa.
40:13Several notices
40:14of terminated royal
40:15poutnionships
40:16had just been delivered,
40:17lying on the table
40:19in front of her.
40:21Alexander stood by the window,
40:23his face dark.
40:24After I withdrew
40:25my endorsement,
40:26the Montrose family
40:27lost several upcoming
40:28royal partnership projects.
40:30There should still be
40:31one major project left.
40:33I specifically instructed
40:35for that one
40:35to end only after
40:37I call off the engagement.
40:38Several nobles
40:39who had actively
40:40sought their company
40:41were also starting
40:42to reconsider
40:43the relationship.
40:44those ladies
40:45who once surrounded
40:46Lillian,
40:47praising her luck,
40:48had also vanished
40:49one by one.
40:50It was right around
40:51this time
40:51that Lillian and Alexander
40:53had their first real fight.
40:56In the drawing room,
40:57Lillian stood by the table,
40:59her fingers
41:00gripping the edge tightly.
41:02Alexander slammed
41:03a notice of terminated
41:04partnership
41:05onto the table.
41:07If you hadn't insist
41:09on wearing that crown,
41:11things would never
41:12have ended up like this.
41:13Lillian snapped
41:14her head up.
41:14For the first time,
41:16that fragile,
41:17pitiful act
41:18was gone from her eyes.
41:19Who was it
41:20that said it was fine
41:22for just one day?
41:23And who kept
41:24blocking for me,
41:26saying Violet
41:27was just jealous?
41:28Alexander had no answer,
41:30because he had indeed
41:31said every single
41:33one of those things.
41:34but the moment
41:35the Monterey family's
41:36interests started
41:37taking hits,
41:39he immediately
41:39found a new scapegoat.
41:42I just didn't expect
41:45you'd lie about
41:45your own identity, too.
41:48If I'd known
41:49that accident
41:49was fake from the start,
41:51I never would have
41:52defended you
41:52over and over.
41:53Are you blaming me now?
41:56Weren't you the one
41:57who loved how gentle
41:58and sweet I was,
42:00and thought Violet
42:01was too aggressive?
42:02This time,
42:03Alexander fell silence
42:05for even longer,
42:06because Lillian
42:07had finally hit
42:08on the one thing
42:09he was most unwilling
42:10to admit.
42:11Lillian finally realized
42:13that Alexander's
42:14willingness to protect
42:14her came with
42:15one condition,
42:16he couldn't lose
42:17anything himself.
42:18He had never liked
42:20Lillian.
42:21He simply liked a woman
42:23who would look up to him,
42:24depend on him,
42:26and never make him
42:27feel pressured.
42:28And the moment
42:29that liking started
42:30costing him,
42:31it became worthless.
42:32A few days later,
42:35Alexander returned
42:36to the Ashwing estate.
42:37In the drawing room,
42:39I sat on the sofa
42:40flipping through
42:40through documents.
42:43He walked in,
42:44hesitating for a second
42:45at the doorway.
42:46This time,
42:47he didn't threaten me
42:48to reconsider the engagement.
42:50For the first time,
42:51he spoke in an almost
42:53yielding tone,
42:54trying to negotiate.
42:56Violet,
42:57we've known each other
42:58for years.
42:59There's no need to go
43:00as far as calling
43:01off the engagement.
43:03As long as you restore
43:04the Mont Hauk family's
43:05royal endorsement,
43:07the wedding can proceed
43:08as originally planned.
43:11I looked at him,
43:12suddenly finding my past
43:13I sell from three years ago
43:15rather laughable.
43:16Even now,
43:17he still thought
43:18this engagement
43:19was a bargaining chart
43:20he could use
43:21to trade benefits with me.
43:22Oh,
43:23probably that one
43:24major project
43:25I specifically instructed
43:26not to end
43:27immediately gave him
43:28that confidence.
43:31He said it so naturally,
43:33as if agreeing
43:34to still marry me
43:35was already the biggest
43:36concession he could make.
43:38Alexander sat on the sofa
43:40in the drawing room,
43:41his eyes filled
43:43with a sense
43:43of absolute certainty.
43:45Alexander,
43:46have you always believed
43:48I was so desperate
43:49to marry you?
43:51He froze for a second,
43:53as if not expecting
43:54me to ask that.
43:55In a calm voice,
43:56with no trace
43:57of attachment,
43:58I told him
43:59what I'd truly figured out
44:01over these years.
44:02You liked Linian.
44:04Honestly,
44:05I didn't care that much.
44:06What really made me decide
44:07I don't want you
44:08is that you enjoyed
44:10the resources
44:10I brought the Mont Hauk family,
44:12while constantly complaining
44:14I was too aggressive.
44:17When you needed me,
44:19I was the perfect fiancé.
44:20The moment you thought
44:22you could stand
44:22on your own,
44:23my competency
44:24became something
44:25that made you uncomfortable.
44:27I never thought
44:28of it that way.
44:29But that's exactly
44:30how you've always acted.
44:32He finally started
44:33to panic.
44:34For the first,
44:35first time,
44:36his voice carried
44:37a hint of uncertainty.
44:39Violet,
44:39we've known each other
44:40for years.
44:42Even if I said
44:43some harsh things before,
44:44there's no need
44:45to actually call off
44:46the engagement.
44:47Even at this point,
44:49he still thought
44:49the problem
44:50was just a few words.
44:52I raised my left hand
44:53and glanced at the
44:53engagement ring
44:54I'd worn for years.
44:56The diamond glinted
44:57coldly in the light,
44:58like a mockery
44:59of my past three years.
45:00Before,
45:01you said I wasn't fit
45:02to be the lady
45:03of the Montrone family.
45:04Now I've given it
45:05serious thought.
45:07You were right.
45:08I slowly took off
45:09the ring.
45:11The moment the metal
45:12left my skin,
45:13it felt as light
45:14as shedding
45:15a pair of shackles.
45:17I really am not fit.
45:20Because I don't want
45:21to be part of
45:21the Montrone family anymore.
45:25Alexander shot
45:26to his feet.
45:27The chair leg
45:28scraped against
45:29the marble floor
45:30with a harsh screech.
45:31Violet!
45:33This was the first time
45:35he'd ever called
45:35my name to stop me,
45:37out of fear
45:38of losing me.
45:39Unfortunately,
45:40it was already
45:41far too late.
45:43I looked at him,
45:44the corners of my mouth
45:46curving slightly.
45:47You reminded me
45:48my competition
45:49isn't limited
45:50to just me.
45:51So let me remind you
45:52of something.
45:54My life has never been
45:55about just marrying you.
45:57I placed the ring
45:58on the table
45:58in front of him.
45:59He stared at it
46:00like it was something
46:01impossible to believe.
46:04The engagement
46:05is over.
46:08Don't think
46:08you're so special.
46:10That biggest
46:11royal partnership
46:11project is still
46:12in our hands.
46:13I'll do just fine
46:13without you.
46:15But the very day
46:16Alexander returned
46:17to the Montrenges'
46:18estate,
46:18an official notice
46:20arrived from
46:20the royal family.
46:22The butler
46:22handed him a document
46:23bearing the royal seal.
46:25The Montode family's
46:27qualification
46:27for the next season's
46:29partnership
46:29was completely revoked.
46:31Alexander took
46:32the termination notice
46:33for the very last
46:34remaining royal
46:35partnership
46:35and went to
46:36Lillian's room.
46:37He threw the papers
46:38directly at her face.
46:40You're leaving here
46:40tomorrow.
46:41Lillian snapped
46:42her head up,
46:43tears instantly
46:44welling in her eyes.
46:46You're kicking me out?
46:47You're no longer
46:48the Ash family's
46:49adopted daughter.
46:50I have no reason
46:51to keep letting you
46:52stay at the Montrenges'
46:53estate.
46:55You're the one
46:56who brought me here
46:57in the first place!
46:58I've already given
46:59more than enough
47:00for you.
47:05She was kicked out
47:06by Alexander.
47:08Those who once
47:09surrounded her,
47:10praising her beauty,
47:11kindness and luck,
47:13not a single one
47:14of them stayed.
47:15She once thought
47:16she could steal my life.
47:19Eventually she realized
47:20those things only had
47:21value because they
47:22once belonged to me.
47:24Everything she took
47:25carried my name
47:27and a name can't be stolen.
47:29A few months later,
47:31the Ashburn estate
47:31finally returned
47:32to how it should
47:33have been two years ago.
47:35No daily deliveries
47:36of jewellery.
47:38No endless stream
47:39of lavish banquets.
47:40No nobles circling
47:41father for profit.
47:43Several carriages
47:44stopped before
47:44the estate gates.
47:46Servants carried
47:47wooden crates
47:47of antiques,
47:48silverware and
47:49collectibles
47:50onto the carriages.
47:51Father sold off
47:52most of his collection
47:53and several properties
47:54just to barely
47:55maintain the family's
47:57most basic dignity.
47:58that once arrogant
47:59duke could now
48:00only stand on the steps,
48:02watching his most
48:03prized possessions
48:04carried away
48:05one by one.
48:06He finally understood
48:08that dignity
48:09was never something
48:10he deserved.
48:11It was something
48:12I had propped up
48:13for him.
48:14What was even
48:15more troublesome
48:16was that the truth
48:18about the carriage
48:19accident from two years
48:20ago had already spread.
48:22In the reception room
48:23of the noble circle,
48:24several nobles
48:25spoke in hushed tones.
48:27Vincent walked in
48:29through the door.
48:31Those who had been
48:32talking immediately
48:32looked away,
48:33as if afraid of being
48:35tainted by something
48:36filthy.
48:37A man who would
48:38risk his wife's life
48:40just to bring his
48:41illegitimate daughter
48:42home.
48:44No one wanted
48:45to trust him anymore.
48:46He once thought
48:47his secret could stay
48:48hidden in the depths
48:50of the ledgers forever.
48:52But paper can't
48:53wrap fire.
48:54Alexander came to
48:55see me a few times
48:57too.
48:57The first time,
48:59he sent an apology
49:00letter filled with
49:01regret and excuses.
49:03The second time,
49:04he had someone
49:05deliver our old
49:06engagement gifts,
49:08as if those things
49:09could still move me.
49:11The last time,
49:12he waited outside
49:13my residence in person,
49:16standing in the rain
49:17like an abandoned dog.
49:19Violet, I know it's
49:20too late for anything
49:21I say now,
49:22but if we could
49:23start over,
49:27I wouldn't make
49:28the same mistakes
49:29again.
49:29I didn't see him.
49:31Some mistakes
49:32deserve forgiveness.
49:33Some people aren't
49:35even worth getting
49:35to know again.
49:36He thought saying
49:37start over could erase
49:39three years of being
49:40used and betrayed.
49:42Unfortunately,
49:43I'm not Lillian.
49:46I won't go soft
49:47just because he's
49:48standing there
49:48with red eyes.
49:49Mother also
49:50finally gathered up
49:51everything she'd
49:52given to Lillian,
49:54sorting them out
49:55one by one.
49:57Violet,
49:58I know sorry
49:59can't make up
50:00for what happened
50:01these past two years.
50:02I have no right
50:03to ask for your
50:04forgiveness.
50:05I just want you
50:06to know
50:08I was wrong.
50:10After she finished,
50:11she walked over
50:12to Ella.
50:12Ella,
50:13I'm sorry.
50:14From now on,
50:15your things don't
50:16have to be given
50:17to anyone else.
50:18Ella didn't forgive her.
50:19Neither did I.
50:20But at least this time,
50:22no one was forcing us
50:23to swallow our grievances
50:25for the sake
50:26of being one family.
50:27Mother's apology
50:28came too late,
50:29but it was better
50:30than never saying
50:31it at all.
50:32Not long after,
50:34I took Ella
50:35to a palace banquet
50:36in the dressing room.
50:37Ella stood before
50:38the mirror
50:39in a gown
50:39she'd chosen herself.
50:41She lifted her skirt
50:43and spun around
50:44smiling with ease
50:45for the first time.
50:47She no longer
50:47kept her head down,
50:49no longer worried
50:50someone would suddenly
50:51tell her to give it
50:52to Lillian.
50:52She could finally
50:53be herself again.
50:55At the front
50:55of the banquet hall,
50:56the queen stood
50:57beside her throne.
50:59Violet,
51:00come here.
51:01Isadora still kept
51:02the seat by her side
51:03for me.
51:06And the rose crown
51:07that had been worn
51:08so casually
51:09by someone else
51:10was back on my head
51:11where it belonged.
51:13I finally took back
51:14one by one
51:15everything that had
51:17once been given away.
51:18My crown,
51:19my resources,
51:21my dignity,
51:22and my life.
51:23This time,
51:24no one has the right
51:25to make me
51:26give them up again.
51:30That was a good time,
51:31no one has the right
51:31seen.