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The mask has slipped, and the truth is uglier than anyone imagined. 🎭⚖️

📺 Watch All Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU-N-6CWZ7E6JeraBG7QNreWWUc_Xv5fD

❤️ Episode 448
🎥 Episodes Included: 1012-1014

In Episode 448, the reckoning for the Collins family comes home. Melanie arrives at the estate, windblown and desperate, to deliver a shocking revelation: Lady Harcourt is the Keeper. 🏛️🐍 In a devastating confrontation with Alessandra and Edgar, Melanie finally breaks her "dam of denial," confessing that her own cowardice and greed led the Keeper straight to her daughter. 😭💔

Driven by Melanie's lead, Edgar and Alistair track the Keeper to her "perfect place to be forgotten"—a lavish, silent country estate. While scouring the manor, they find the evidence they need to corner her in a hidden attic. But inside, they find a woman who isn't just a criminal mastermind, but a shattered noblewoman clutching the only thing she has left: Damien’s childhood rabbit. 🧸🥀

The episode culminates in a public unmasking that will change Lockwood forever. Edgar drags the smeared, soot-stained Lady Harcourt into the heart of the Red Light District, revealing her identity to the very people she ruled with fear. The "Queen of the Shadows" has fallen. 🗡️👑

✨ Story Highlights 😭 Melanie’s Breaking Point: A lifetime of betrayal ends in a raw confession. 🏰 The Traitor’s Gift: How Lady Harcourt used Melanie to target Alessandra. 🗺️ The Surgeon’s Map: Edgar finds the final clue in Garrison’s practice. 🏠 The Haunted Manor: Scouring the empty halls of Lady Harcourt’s estate. 🧸 The Rabbit: The shocking tie between the Keeper and Damien’s past. 🎭 The Unmasking: Lady Harcourt’s face paint is smeared as Edgar reveals her to the world. ⚖️ The Arrest: The Kingsguard takes the "Keeper" in the center of the square.

❓ Viewer Question

Can Alessandra ever truly forgive Melanie after this confession? And how will Damien react when he finds out the "ruthless woman" who raised him was Lady Harcourt all along? 💬🤔

🎬 Production Credits

Story & Characters: A fictional drama for The Duke's Masked Bride.
Visuals: AI-generated for creative storytelling.
Editing: Crafted with Clipchamp.

#TheDukesMaskedBride #Episode448 #LadyHarcourtUnmasked #MelanieConfession #HistoricalDrama #TheKeeperRevealed #EdgarCollins

Category

🎈
Fun
Transcript
00:00The truth doesn't just come out tonight. It explodes.
00:03From a mother's devastating confession to the unmasking of the most dangerous woman in Lockwood.
00:09The mask is finally off.
00:12Melanie has spent a lifetime running from her mistakes.
00:15But tonight, she's running to fix them.
00:17As she reveals the keeper's true face, Edgar prepares for the final confrontation.
00:23Welcome back to The Duke's Masked Bride.
00:29Just before dusk, the thundering of hooves echoed up the long gravel path to the Collins estate.
00:35Melanie rode hard, her cloak whipping behind her, hair windblown and wild.
00:41The moment the horse skidded to a stop before the estate, she practically leapt from the saddle.
00:48She rushed to the front door and pounded her fists against it.
00:52Please, she cried breathless.
00:55Open the door.
00:57Inside, Gerald jolted upright from the parlor and hurried to the entrance.
01:03When he opened it, he froze, wide-eyed at the sight before him.
01:08Lady Melanie?
01:10He asked in disbelief.
01:12Melanie clutched his sleeve, breath ragged.
01:17I need to see Alessandra, now.
01:20Please, it's urgent.
01:22Before she could get another word out, Edgar appeared at the top of the stairwell, his hand
01:27resting casually on the banister.
01:29But his eyes, when they landed on Melanie, were anything but calm.
01:34What the hell are you doing here?
01:37He asked coldly, stepping down.
01:41Melanie looked up, her face flushed and streaked with dust from the road.
01:46Please, Edgar, I need to speak to your wife.
01:50That's Duke Collins to you.
01:53You're not family, and you're certainly not welcome here.
01:56Edgar snapped.
01:58Not after what you've done.
02:00Whatever mess you've made, you'll clean it up elsewhere.
02:04Now get off my property.
02:06I know who the Keeper is, Melanie blurted out, her voice cracking.
02:13I saw the drawing, the warrant.
02:15It's her.
02:17I know it's her.
02:20Gerald's eyes widened, looking between them.
02:23Edgar's footsteps halted mid-stair.
02:26Melanie swallowed hard.
02:29Please, she whispered, her voice trembling now.
02:34Let me help, before it's too late.
02:40The sitting room was cloaked in silence,
02:43save for the sound of Melanie's heeled boots pacing across the rug.
02:48Her hands wrung tightly in front of her,
02:51her eyes wild as she struggled to get the words out fast enough.
02:55I didn't see it at first, she said breathlessly.
02:59But Lady Harcourt is the Keeper.
03:04Alessandra sat stiffly on the settee.
03:07Her arms folded across her chest,
03:10while Edgar stood behind her, unreadable.
03:13How do you know?
03:15He asked.
03:16When I saw the drawing, I recognized her hat,
03:20but I put it together when I read the warrant for her arrest.
03:23How she attacked Alessandra,
03:26Melanie explained.
03:28Alessandra shifted uncomfortably.
03:31How would you know she wanted to attack me?
03:35Because
03:37I led her straight to you,
03:39Melanie admitted,
03:40stopping in her tracks.
03:42She,
03:43she got on my good side.
03:46She bought the girls' dresses.
03:47I was angry about Wilma promising her inheritance to Elijah.
03:52It clouded my judgment.
03:55Lady Harcourt told me what I wanted to hear,
03:58and she asked me for details about you.
04:02And
04:03I readily gave them to her.
04:06You gave her information.
04:09Alessandra cut in,
04:11her voice sharp.
04:12Personal information.
04:14About me.
04:16Information that almost got me killed.
04:18Again.
04:20And
04:21let me guess,
04:22it wasn't your fault?
04:25Melanie froze.
04:26Her breath caught in her throat.
04:28And then,
04:30finally,
04:31her eyes shimmered with tears.
04:34No.
04:35No more excuses.
04:37It is my fault.
04:40Alessandra blinked,
04:42stunned into momentary silence.
04:45Melanie stepped forward.
04:47I want to believe I could not be so stupid,
04:50so easily manipulated.
04:53But I let her in.
04:55I trusted her.
04:58I
04:59told her things I shouldn't have,
05:01and now
05:02her voice broke.
05:04Now
05:05your life could have been taken because of it,
05:08and I don't deserve your forgiveness.
05:11She lowered her eyes,
05:12ashamed,
05:13tears spilling freely now.
05:16The room was heavy with silence.
05:19Edgar's jaw tightened,
05:21but his voice was calmer than before.
05:24No.
05:26You don't.
05:28Melanie blinked rapidly,
05:30her breath catching.
05:32A lifetime of tightly packed denial
05:34began to crack inside her.
05:37It's all my fault,
05:40she whispered.
05:41All of it,
05:43from
05:44the very beginning.
05:47she looked up at Alessandra,
05:49though her daughter's face was little more than a blur through her tears.
05:55I've carried the truth like a stone in my chest for years,
05:59hoping that if I ignored it long enough,
06:01it would dissolve.
06:03But it never did.
06:05it only grew heavier.
06:08I ruined your life the day I walked away,
06:11and I knew that if I ever had to stand here and admit it,
06:17if I had to look at you and say the words,
06:20I'd never be able to live with myself.
06:25The dam broke.
06:26Her shoulders crumpled,
06:28and she sank into sobs,
06:30raw,
06:31heaving cries that echoed in the stillness of the sitting room.
06:42Alessandra sat frozen,
06:44the storm inside her held back by sheer force of will.
06:48Edgar remained rigid behind her,
06:51his hands clenched into fists,
06:53not out of rage,
06:55but out of restraint.
06:58Melanie tried to gather herself,
07:00wiping her cheeks with shaking hands.
07:02Your father was cruel,
07:05and I was weak.
07:09I told myself I couldn't save you,
07:13so I didn't even try.
07:16I left you behind and ran.
07:19I left my mother,
07:21my father,
07:21my...
07:22Oh, child!
07:24She shuddered.
07:26And then,
07:27I did it again.
07:30I told your half-sister you were pregnant.
07:32I didn't think.
07:34I just...
07:35spoke.
07:37And then,
07:38I let her in.
07:40I let Lady Harcourt close enough to destroy you.
07:45Again.
07:47She fell to her knees.
07:50I don't expect you to forgive me.
07:52I just needed you to know I'm not blind to what I've done.
07:56I see it.
07:58I see it.
07:59I see it.
07:59Every failure.
08:00Every betrayal.
08:02You.
08:03I see you.
08:06And I am...
08:09I'm so sorry, Alessandra.
08:12From the depths of me.
08:15Alessandra stood slowly.
08:18Her arms wrapped protectively around herself,
08:21her expression unreadable.
08:23The fury had cooled,
08:25but something heavier lingered in its place.
08:30After a long pause,
08:32she spoke.
08:34Where is Lady Harcourt now?
08:38Melanie looked up,
08:39her eyes hollow,
08:41her voice barely a whisper.
08:44I don't know,
08:45but I'll help you find her.
08:49Melanie wiped her face with trembling hands.
08:53Her estate's on the edge of Lockwood,
08:57near the river bend,
08:58she said hoarsely.
09:00It's old,
09:03hidden behind trees and ivy.
09:06I've never been there myself,
09:08but she spoke of it once,
09:10said
09:10it was the perfect place
09:12to be forgotten.
09:16Edgar straightened,
09:18already halfway to the door.
09:19then,
09:21I'll go there now.
09:24Alessandra turned toward him.
09:26You shouldn't go alone.
09:28I won't.
09:30Edgar's voice was firm.
09:32I'll take Alistair.
09:35If this is truly where she's hiding,
09:37I'll need someone who can fight
09:39as well as I can,
09:41and someone she won't see coming.
09:45I have a lead.
09:47Someone who believes
09:48they discovered
09:49the Keeper's identity.
09:51Alistair stood dumbfounded
09:52on the other side of the door
09:54as Edgar told him the news.
09:56Although he was shocked,
09:57he didn't hesitate.
09:59He turned sharply,
10:01grabbing his sword from the wall
10:03and buckling it to his hip
10:05with practiced ease.
10:07Then,
10:07from a small drawer
10:09in the corner of the room,
10:10he retrieved a piece of parchment.
10:13Quietly,
10:14carefully,
10:15he slipped it
10:16into the inner pocket
10:17of his coat.
10:19When he turned back,
10:20Edgar was still in the doorway,
10:22watching him.
10:23Come.
10:24We have no time to waste.
10:27Without another word,
10:29Alistair followed,
10:30his expression unreadable
10:32as he slammed the door shut
10:33behind him.
10:35Edgar and Alistair
10:37rode side by side
10:38through the dense woodland,
10:40knowing their entire operation
10:41was at stake.
10:43If Lady Harcourt was,
10:45in fact,
10:45the keeper,
10:46this very moment
10:48could bring down
10:49the red light district
10:50for good.
10:51As they approached a clearing,
10:54light breaking through
10:55the leaves of the trees,
10:56Lady Harcourt's country estate
10:58came into view,
11:00a sprawling manner
11:01of pale stone
11:02and towering windows.
11:05Edgar exhaled a slow breath.
11:07She was cast out of society,
11:10and yet she lives better
11:12than half the nobility
11:14of Lockwood.
11:16Alistair's eyes
11:17scanned the elegant balconies
11:18and perfectly trimmed
11:20topiaries.
11:22Extravagance
11:22always leaves a trail,
11:24correct?
11:25Mark my words,
11:27this was paid for
11:28in brothel coin
11:29and counterfeit ledgers.
11:31Edgar's gaze narrowed.
11:33from red light district money.
11:36She was disgraced
11:37by society.
11:39Then,
11:40she retreated
11:41to a lavish estate
11:42in the middle of nowhere
11:43with enough gold
11:44to keep her invisible.
11:45Alistair added
11:46with a cold smirk,
11:48no wonder
11:49no one's touched her.
11:51Edgar shifted
11:52in the saddle,
11:53eyeing the wrought
11:54iron gates ahead.
11:56Sadly for Lady Harcourt,
11:58that ends today.
12:01They kicked their horses,
12:03heading straight
12:04into the lioness's den.
12:06The iron gate
12:08let out a low,
12:09aching creak
12:10as Edgar pushed it open.
12:12He exchanged a glance
12:13with Alistair.
12:15It is unlocked.
12:18That's not a good sign.
12:20There are no guards either,
12:23Alistair said,
12:24drawing his sword
12:25in one clean motion.
12:27She knew we were coming.
12:30Edgar followed suit,
12:32unsheathing his blade.
12:33Together,
12:34they descended
12:35their steeds
12:36and stepped cautiously
12:37into the estate grounds,
12:39boots crunching
12:40against gravel
12:41and brittle leaves.
12:44The front doors
12:45of the manor
12:45stood slightly ajar.
12:47The heavy oak
12:48barely nudged open,
12:50as though someone
12:52had left in haste
12:53or wanted to lure them in.
12:56They paused
12:57at the threshold.
12:59Alistair tilted
13:00his head.
13:02No birds,
13:03no servants,
13:05no wind.
13:06He narrowed his eyes.
13:09It's too quiet.
13:12They stepped inside.
13:14The grand foyer
13:16loomed before them,
13:18empty and still.
13:20Dust motes
13:21floated in the shafts
13:22of golden afternoon light
13:24that filtered
13:25through the windows.
13:26An abandoned velvet
13:28shawl
13:28was draped
13:29over the banister.
13:31One of the chairs
13:31by the parlor
13:32had toppled
13:33onto its side.
13:34A tea tray,
13:36still holding
13:37a half-filled cup,
13:39rested on the edge
13:40of a table.
13:41It was cold
13:42and untouched.
13:44Someone must have left
13:46in a hurry,
13:47Edgar murmured,
13:48stepping forward,
13:49sword still raised.
13:51Alistair nodded
13:52slowly.
13:54Or they never
13:55planned to stay
13:56in the first place.
13:58They moved
13:59deeper into the house,
14:01past silent halls
14:03and drawing rooms
14:04stripped of life.
14:06Not a single soul
14:07remained,
14:08not even a servant.
14:10The whole manor
14:12felt like a stage
14:13after the play
14:14had ended.
14:15She's gone,
14:17Edgar said grimly.
14:19She knew
14:20the walls
14:20were closing in.
14:22He turned
14:23to Alistair.
14:24Split up,
14:25look around.
14:26We need
14:27any clues
14:28we can get.
14:30Alistair nodded,
14:31wasting no time
14:32before he rushed
14:33upstairs.
14:35Meanwhile,
14:36Edgar scoured
14:37the first floor.
14:38the dining rooms,
14:40the servants'
14:41quarters,
14:42but everything
14:43was cleared out.
14:45Edgar moved
14:46through the sitting room,
14:47rifling through drawers,
14:49lifting dusty cushions,
14:51and examining
14:52every book spine
14:53on the shelves.
14:55His jaw clenched
14:56tighter
14:57with each
14:57passing moment.
14:59Nothing,
15:00he muttered
15:01under his breath.
15:02There's nothing
15:03left.
15:05He yanked
15:06open a writing desk
15:07and pawed
15:08through its contents.
15:09Quills,
15:10dried ink,
15:11broken seal,
15:12and a few scraps
15:13of paper.
15:14All useless.
15:17From across
15:18the room,
15:19Alistair returned,
15:20leaning lazily
15:21against the mantle,
15:23watching.
15:24She was careful.
15:25I'll give her that.
15:28Edgar turned sharply.
15:30Careful?
15:31She's vanished,
15:32and we're no closer
15:34to finding her.
15:36Alistair didn't flinch.
15:38Instead,
15:39with the sort
15:40of casual calm
15:41that only made
15:42Edgar more suspicious,
15:44he reached
15:45into the inside
15:46pocket of his coat.
15:48Actually,
15:49Alistair said,
15:51I came across
15:52something earlier.
15:53Thought it might
15:54be of interest.
15:56He pulled out
15:57a folded slip
15:58of parchment
15:59and held it out.
16:01Edgar snatched it,
16:03unfolding it
16:03with growing urgency.
16:05His brows furrowed.
16:07The paper was aged
16:09and worn at the creases,
16:10but the lines
16:11were clear.
16:13A hand-drawn
16:14map fragment.
16:15It depicted
16:16what looked to be
16:17a narrow set
16:18of alleyways,
16:19the small X
16:21marked at the edge
16:22of what could have
16:22been Lockwood's
16:23outskirts.
16:25but it was
16:26the symbol
16:27in the corner
16:27that made
16:28Edgar's blood
16:29run cold.
16:31A lion's head
16:32with a crown
16:33and dagger
16:34beneath it.
16:35Edgar looked up
16:37sharply.
16:38Where did you
16:39get this?
16:40Alistair shrugged,
16:42hidden beneath
16:43a drawer
16:43in the writing
16:44desk upstairs.
16:45Thought it
16:46odd enough
16:46to keep.
16:48It looks like
16:49a portion
16:50of the city's
16:50eastern quarter
16:51on the edge
16:53of what the fire
16:53had destroyed.
16:55Alistair noted,
16:56quickly changing
16:57the subject
16:58from his own
16:58mistake.
16:59See this marking?
17:01That's not
17:02a residence.
17:04Edgar's eyes
17:05scanned the page.
17:07There were
17:08sloppily scrawled
17:09notes next
17:10to the X.
17:11An attic?
17:14Alistair straightened
17:15up,
17:15a smug grin
17:16spreading across
17:17his lips.
17:19Seems we're not
17:20as lost as we
17:20thought.
17:22Edgar's gaze
17:23lingered on the
17:24map,
17:24but his thoughts
17:25were elsewhere.
17:26He looked up
17:27at Alistair.
17:29You're certain
17:30you found this
17:31here?
17:33Alistair met
17:34his eyes evenly.
17:36Would I lie
17:37to you,
17:38Duke?
17:39Edgar didn't
17:40answer.
17:42Instead,
17:43he folded
17:43the map
17:44carefully,
17:44sliding it
17:45into his
17:46coat.
17:47Then,
17:48let's hope
17:49this takes
17:49us to her,
17:50because if
17:51it doesn't,
17:52we won't
17:52know where
17:53to turn.
17:54The two men
17:55exchanged a
17:56charged glance
17:57before walking
17:58back through
17:59the echoing
17:59halls of
18:00Lady Harcourt's
18:01estate,
18:02one step
18:03closer to
18:04finding the
18:04keeper.
18:06How did
18:08it come to
18:09this?
18:10The keeper
18:11drew in a
18:12shaky,
18:13deep breath.
18:14A pale
18:15sliver of
18:16light,
18:17peeking through
18:18the window
18:18panes,
18:19danced across
18:20her face.
18:21Dust floated
18:22lazily in the
18:23still air.
18:26slanted walls
18:27and ceiling
18:27felt like
18:28they were
18:28closing in
18:29on her,
18:30and in
18:31a way
18:31they were.
18:33Her
18:33kingdom was
18:34destroyed,
18:35and it was
18:36only a matter
18:36of time
18:37before she
18:37lost power
18:38altogether.
18:40She had
18:41returned to
18:41the red light
18:42district against
18:43her men's
18:43advice.
18:44They told her
18:45to run while
18:46she was able
18:47to slip away
18:47unscathed,
18:48but she
18:49couldn't leave,
18:50not yet,
18:51not without
18:52the only
18:53tie to
18:54Damien she
18:54had left.
18:56The keeper
18:57sat on an
18:58old wooden
18:58trunk,
18:59her fingers
19:00gently brushing
19:01over the
19:02worn fur of
19:02the stuffed
19:03animal.
19:04It seems
19:05frayed,
19:06one glass
19:07eye missing,
19:08Damien's
19:09rabbit,
19:10the only
19:11remnant that
19:11remained of
19:12that little
19:13boy she
19:13had watched
19:14and helped
19:14raise to
19:15become a
19:15ruthless
19:16man.
19:18She stared
19:19at it now
19:19with glassy
19:20eyes,
19:20her breath
19:21shallow and
19:22haunted.
19:24I will
19:25never forget
19:25the day
19:26your mother
19:27brought you
19:27to me,
19:29she said
19:29to the
19:29rabbit as
19:30if it
19:30were Damien.
19:32She told
19:33me to
19:34watch over
19:34you and
19:35teach you
19:36how to
19:36survive.
19:37I treated
19:39you like
19:39you were
19:40my own,
19:41and now...
19:44Her grip
19:45tightened on
19:46the stuffed
19:46toy,
19:47her heart
19:48aching.
19:49What am
19:50I doing?
19:51She whispered
19:52to the
19:52silence,
19:53her voice
19:54barely audible
19:55above the
19:55creak of
19:56the old
19:56beams.
19:58What comes
19:59next?
20:01Her mind
20:02raced.
20:03Her empire
20:04had burned.
20:05Allies were
20:06growing fewer
20:07by the day,
20:09and Damien
20:10had left
20:10her all
20:11alone.
20:13She blinked
20:14hard against
20:14the tears
20:15threatening to
20:15fall.
20:16There was so
20:17little left
20:18to hold
20:18on to.
20:20She looked
20:21up across
20:21the room.
20:23Before her
20:24sat a
20:24painting,
20:25one of a
20:26woman and
20:26her little
20:27boy.
20:28It was the
20:29same painting
20:29Alessandra had
20:30seen in
20:31Stephen LeBow's
20:32studio.
20:34However,
20:35Stephen's wife
20:36and child
20:36weren't the
20:37subjects of
20:38the painting.
20:39It was only
20:40a lie,
20:40he told,
20:41to cover
20:41his tracks.
20:43In fact,
20:43it had
20:44always been
20:45a painting
20:46of the
20:46Keeper
20:47and Damien.
20:49A floorboard
20:51groaned
20:51downstairs,
20:52snapping the
20:53Keeper back
20:53to reality.
20:55She froze
20:56as she heard
20:56the heavy
20:57footsteps
20:57drawing closer.
20:59Assuming
20:59it was one
21:00of her
21:00men,
21:00she wiped
21:01the tears
21:02from her
21:02eyes.
21:04I'm
21:04coming
21:05shortly.
21:06Wait
21:07there,
21:08Lady
21:09Harcourt.
21:11The name
21:12struck her
21:12like a
21:13bell
21:13tolling
21:14doom.
21:15She turned
21:16slowly,
21:17every breath
21:18caught in
21:18her chest.
21:19Her hand
21:20clutched the
21:21toy to her
21:21side like
21:22it might
21:22shield her
21:23from what
21:24was coming.
21:25Sadly,
21:26she knew
21:28that voice.
21:29He was
21:30here,
21:30and he
21:32knew
21:32everything.
21:34He
21:34knew
21:40she
21:41didn't
21:42move,
21:42didn't
21:43breathe,
21:44just
21:44stood
21:45there,
21:46staring
21:46at the
21:47narrow
21:47attic
21:47door as
21:48the footsteps
21:49drew nearer.
21:50Her
21:51time had
21:51run out.
21:53The door
21:54to the
21:54attic creaked
21:55open,
21:55and Edgar
21:56stepped
21:57inside.
21:58His
21:58sword
21:59remained
21:59sheathed,
22:00but his
22:01hand rested
22:02steadily on
22:02the
22:02hilt.
22:04The
22:04keeper
22:05stood up
22:05from the
22:06trunk,
22:06the
22:07tattered
22:07stuffed
22:08toy still
22:09clutched
22:09tightly
22:10in her
22:10hand.
22:11You
22:12were
22:12always
22:13theatrical,
22:15Edgar
22:15said
22:15quietly,
22:16but I
22:17must
22:18say,
22:19this
22:19makeup
22:20was a
22:20master
22:21stroke.
22:21It
22:22nearly
22:23worked.
22:24Her
22:25once
22:25impeccable
22:26face
22:26paint
22:26was
22:27smeared,
22:27the
22:28heavy
22:28rouge
22:29and
22:29powder
22:29cracked
22:30and
22:30running
22:31in
22:31streaks
22:31down
22:31her
22:32cheeks.
22:33Where
22:33once
22:34the
22:34bright
22:34red
22:34lips
22:35and
22:35painted
22:35brows
22:36had
22:36created
22:36a
22:36mask
22:37of
22:37power
22:37and
22:38control,
22:38now
22:39only
22:40traces
22:40remained.
22:41Beneath
22:42them,
22:43the
22:43true
22:44face
22:44of
22:44Lady
22:44Harcourt
22:45revealed
22:46itself
22:46in
22:46fragile
22:47pieces.
22:49Her
22:49eyes,
22:50once
22:50cold and
22:51commanding,
22:52flickered with
22:53something else,
22:54perhaps
22:55desperation,
22:56shame,
22:57or regret.
22:59She
23:00forced a
23:00thin
23:01smile.
23:02I
23:03don't
23:03know what
23:03you're
23:04talking about,
23:04Your
23:05Grace.
23:06Edgar
23:07stepped
23:07closer.
23:09Save
23:09the
23:09act.
23:10I
23:11know
23:11who
23:11you
23:11are,
23:12and
23:13I
23:13know
23:13what
23:14you've
23:14done.
23:15She
23:16tilted
23:16her
23:16chin
23:17defiantly,
23:18but
23:18the
23:19tremor
23:19in
23:19her
23:19hands
23:20betrayed
23:20her.
23:21You're
23:22mistaken.
23:23I'm
23:23no one
23:24of
23:24consequence,
23:25just
23:26a
23:26woman
23:26trying
23:27to
23:27survive.
23:28Is
23:29that
23:29what
23:29you
23:29call
23:29it?
23:30Surviving?
23:31His
23:32voice
23:32sharpened.
23:33running
23:34a
23:34criminal
23:34empire
23:35under
23:35the
23:36nose
23:36of
23:36the
23:36crown?
23:37Trafficking
23:38in
23:38lies,
23:39fear,
23:40and
23:40blood?
23:41You
23:42nearly
23:43had
23:43Alessandra
23:44killed.
23:45You
23:45nearly
23:46burned
23:46the
23:46kingdom
23:47to
23:47the
23:47ground.
23:49Her
23:50eyes
23:50narrowed,
23:51but she
23:51didn't
23:51deny
23:52it.
23:52Instead,
23:53she
23:54whispered,
23:55I
23:56built
23:56a
23:57world
23:57where
23:58no
23:58one
23:58could
23:59hurt
23:59me
23:59again.
24:01You
24:01obviously
24:02have
24:02no
24:02idea
24:02what
24:03it's
24:03like
24:03to
24:03be
24:03cast
24:04aside
24:04like
24:04you're
24:05nothing.
24:06People
24:06once
24:07revered
24:08me.
24:09Then,
24:09suddenly,
24:10I was
24:11no
24:11one.
24:12Well,
24:13here,
24:14I was
24:15able to
24:15become
24:15someone.
24:16I
24:17built
24:17a
24:18new
24:18life.
24:20Edgar's
24:21jaw
24:21tensed.
24:22You
24:23built
24:23it on
24:24the
24:24backs
24:24of
24:24people
24:25you
24:25destroyed.
24:26She
24:27stepped
24:27back,
24:28her
24:28shoulders
24:29brushing
24:29the
24:29wall.
24:30And
24:31you
24:32think
24:32yourself
24:33and
24:33the
24:33crown
24:33are
24:34so
24:34high
24:34and
24:35mighty
24:35that
24:36you're
24:37so
24:37above
24:37the
24:37illicit
24:38dealings.
24:39Please,
24:41you turn a
24:42blind eye to
24:43us when it's
24:43convenient,
24:44and when you
24:46need to,
24:46you breathe
24:47down our
24:48necks.
24:48You
24:49aren't much
24:50better.
24:51She
24:51pursed her
24:52lips.
24:53Are
24:53you?
24:54You
24:55act as if
24:55you're
24:56above the
24:56darkness,
24:57but I
24:58can see
24:58it's
24:59rooted in
24:59your
25:00very
25:00soul.
25:02Edgar's
25:02fury
25:03rose
25:03within
25:04him.
25:05Perhaps
25:06you're
25:06right,
25:07but
25:08unlike
25:09you,
25:09I
25:10don't
25:10use
25:10that
25:11rage
25:11and
25:11fuel
25:12to
25:12hurt
25:12innocent
25:13people.
25:14I
25:14only
25:15hurt
25:15the
25:15ones
25:16who
25:16deserve
25:16it.
25:18Ones
25:19like
25:19me?
25:21Lady
25:21Harcourt
25:22asked
25:22with a
25:23scoff.
25:24Edgar
25:25stepped
25:25forward.
25:26The
25:26two
25:27were
25:27face
25:27to
25:27face.
25:28there
25:29was
25:29no
25:29mask,
25:30no
25:30paint,
25:31no
25:32poise,
25:33no
25:33lies.
25:35The
25:35ones
25:36exactly
25:37like
25:38you.
25:40The
25:41sound
25:41of Lady
25:42Harcourt's
25:42heels
25:43scraping
25:43against
25:44the
25:44cobblestones
25:45echoed
25:45through
25:46the
25:46narrow
25:46alley
25:47as
25:47Edgar
25:48dragged
25:48her
25:48by
25:48the
25:49arm
25:49into
25:50the
25:50heart
25:50of
25:50the
25:51red
25:51light
25:51district.
25:52Her
25:53once
25:54grand
25:54cloak
25:54was
25:55torn
25:55and
25:55muddied,
25:56her
25:57powdered
25:57face
25:57streaked
25:58and bare
25:58beneath
25:59the
25:59smudged
26:00remnants
26:00of her
26:00disguise.
26:02She
26:02didn't
26:02resist.
26:03She
26:04couldn't.
26:05Vendors
26:06paused
26:07mid-sale.
26:08Prostitutes
26:09stepped back
26:10from their
26:10doorways.
26:11Patrons
26:12lowered their
26:13drinks.
26:14The streets,
26:15usually loud
26:16with raucous
26:17laughter and
26:17shouting,
26:18fell into
26:19a stunned
26:20silence.
26:22Edgar
26:23released her
26:23in the
26:24center
26:24of the
26:24square.
26:25You
26:26all
26:26wanted
26:26to
26:27know
26:27who
26:27the
26:28keeper
26:28was?
26:29He
26:29called,
26:30turning
26:31slowly
26:31to meet
26:32every eye
26:32in the
26:33growing
26:33crowd.
26:35The
26:35woman
26:35who
26:35made
26:36you
26:36promises,
26:37who
26:38took
26:38your
26:38coin
26:39and
26:39ruled
26:39you
26:40with
26:40fear,
26:41who
26:42ordered
26:42the
26:42hollow
26:43built,
26:44who
26:44tried
26:45to
26:45have
26:45the
26:45Duchess
26:46of
26:46Lockwood
26:47murdered.
26:48He
26:49turned
26:49to face
26:50Lady
26:50Harcourt,
26:51his voice
26:52seething
26:52with disgust.
26:54Stands
26:55before
26:55you
26:55now,
26:57a
26:57noble
26:58woman,
26:59Lady
27:00Harcourt.
27:02Alistair
27:03leaned
27:03casually
27:04against
27:04a broken
27:05post
27:05at the
27:06edge
27:06of the
27:06crowd,
27:07arms
27:08crossed,
27:08watching
27:09the scene
27:10unfold
27:10with a
27:11smug
27:11smile
27:12tugging
27:12at the
27:13corner
27:13of his
27:13lips.
27:15Well,
27:15well,
27:16he
27:17muttered
27:17under
27:17his
27:17breath.
27:18About
27:19time
27:20someone
27:20turned
27:20over
27:21this
27:21rotten
27:21stone.
27:23The
27:24King's
27:24guard
27:24pushed
27:25through
27:25the
27:25crowd,
27:26surrounding
27:27Lady
27:27Harcourt
27:28as she
27:28stood
27:28motionless
27:29in the
27:29center
27:30of it
27:30all.
27:31Her
27:31power,
27:32her
27:32mystique,
27:33gone
27:34in an
27:35instant.
27:36The
27:37keeper's
27:37power,
27:38her
27:38mystique,
27:39and her
27:39empire
27:39are gone
27:40in an
27:40instant.
27:41But as
27:42Lady
27:42Harcourt
27:42is led
27:43away in
27:43chains,
27:44one
27:44question
27:45remains.
27:45What
27:46will
27:46Damien
27:46do
27:47when he
27:47finds
27:47out
27:47who
27:48raised
27:48him?
27:48Don't
27:49miss
27:49episode
27:50449.
27:52join
27:52now for
27:53early
27:53access and
27:55don't forget
27:55to like
27:56and subscribe.
27:57And
28:14don't forget
28:15to like
28:15for
28:15to
28:16have
28:16you
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