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DRAMABOX
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00:00:01I was born from a bad seed.
00:00:04They said I was Medusa reborn.
00:00:06In my mother's womb, I devoured my twin sister, causing my mother to die in childbirth.
00:00:11The midwife saw two shadows at my feet and was driven mad on the spot.
00:00:15From that day on, my father saw me as an ill-omen.
00:00:20He forced me to learn etiquette, to be obedient, to suppress the malice buried in my bones.
00:00:26But when I was seven, my governess tried to sleep her way into my father's bed.
00:00:33So I kicked her straight into the pole.
00:00:39At ten, I set fire to the little chapel.
00:00:45My father took a riding whip to me.
00:00:47That very night, I pressed a knife to his throat.
00:00:51Father, your eyes are so beautiful.
00:00:53Why not let me carve them out for a brooch?
00:00:56Wouldn't that be lovely?
00:00:57Terrified, he immediately summoned an exorcist from a monastery.
00:01:00The exorcist brought holy oil, a white dove, and a scission of thorns to seal the demon inside me.
00:01:05After that, I was left with a single shadow.
00:01:07And so, I became known as the meek and sickly daughter of a noble house.
00:01:12This lasted until the ruling council of Whitecliffe arranged my marriage to Darian, the Duke of Blackmore.
00:01:18On our wedding night, Darian's adopted sister, Mara, stood before me, holding a blood-stained lady's hat and watching me
00:01:25with a smile.
00:01:26Seren, the white dove you kept, had such beautiful feathers.
00:01:29I liked them so much, I had someone wrink its neck and pluck them to decorate my hat.
00:01:33You won't be mad, right?
00:01:35I dipped my thumb in the blood on the hat and smeared it across my pale lips.
00:01:41With a nonchalant smile, I raised an eyebrow.
00:01:45Didn't anyone tell you?
00:01:47That dove wasn't supposed to die.
00:01:50My handmaiden, Nora, saw the blooded feathers, her eyes instantly turning red.
00:01:54That was a sacred dove Lady Seren has kept since she was a child.
00:01:58She cherished it!
00:01:59How dare you!
00:02:01It's just a dove.
00:02:02Lady Thorn won't be so petty, will she?
00:02:06I stared quietly at the blood on the floor, saying nothing.
00:02:10Mara mistook my silence for fear, her smile growing even more smug.
00:02:14She's just an outcast from Whitecliffe, a daughter her own father didn't even want.
00:02:18Did she really think marrying the Duke makes her the mistress of House Thorn?
00:02:21Now that she's in Black Bay, she should learn her place.
00:02:23Here in House Thorn, Miss Mara is the one who calls the shots.
00:02:26I wasn't listening to a word they said.
00:02:29I could only feel the blood boiling in my veins.
00:02:32The demon, suppressed for so long, was slowly stirring within me, thinking I was hurt.
00:02:39Nora gathered her courage and pointed at Mara.
00:02:42Insolence!
00:02:43Lady Seren's marriage was decreed by the ruling council of Whitecliffe.
00:02:46She is the rightful mistress of House Thorn.
00:02:48What gives you the right to humiliate her like this?
00:02:50It doesn't matter that just the adopted sister.
00:02:52Even if you were the Duke's own flesh and blood, you would still owe my lady some respect.
00:02:55Mara's face.
00:02:57Mara's face darkened.
00:02:59Two older housemaids immediately stepped forward, grabbing Nora by each arm.
00:03:04One of the maids slapped Nora across the face.
00:03:07Don't stop until I tell you to.
00:03:09Yes, miss.
00:03:10In just a few slaps, Nora's entire face was swollen.
00:03:14I pressed a hand to my racing heart.
00:03:16Stop!
00:03:19The handmaiden didn't stop.
00:03:21Instead, Mara feigned confusion, cupping a hand to her ear.
00:03:24What was that, Seren?
00:03:25You'll have to speak up.
00:03:26I can't hear you.
00:03:28I said, stop.
00:03:31And what if I don't?
00:03:33What are you going to do about it?
00:03:34Now that you're in Blackmoor, you do well to learn how to please me.
00:03:38She glanced down at Nora, who lay beaten and blooded on the floor.
00:03:42A lowborn handmaided from your dowry, daring to defy me in public.
00:03:46A servant like that should be dragged out and beaten to death.
00:03:49But I am a merciful person.
00:03:53And I wouldn't want your first day here to be stained with rumors of mistreating your servants.
00:03:57She walked slowly toward me and lifted my chin with her hand.
00:04:01So, how about this?
00:04:03A servant's transgression is the master's failure to teach.
00:04:06So kneel, kiss the tip of my shoe and beg for my giveness, then I'll spare her life.
00:04:10Lady Seren, don't!
00:04:11Two forces were tearing at each other inside me.
00:04:14Waves of dizziness from the weakening seal washed over me,
00:04:17my head throbbing so hard I couldn't respond.
00:04:20Well?
00:04:21Are you refusing me?
00:04:23Miss Mara, perhaps you shouldn't take this too far.
00:04:26The Duke is only delayed by council matters.
00:04:28He will return eventually.
00:04:29He won't be pleased if he finds out his new wife was bullied the moment she arrived.
00:04:34What's there to fear?
00:04:35I'm Grandmother's favorite.
00:04:36For Lady Anne's sake, the Duke would never punish me.
00:04:38Besides, she's always been sickly.
00:04:40If she were to die today, we'd just say the journey was too much for her and her old illness
00:04:44resurfaced.
00:04:45For the sake of the alliance, the Duke will side with me.
00:04:48And Whitecliffe won't risk offending Blackryn for an outcast.
00:04:51The housemaid still looked unconvinced.
00:04:54But I heard the Duke specifically asked for Lady Seren by name.
00:04:58The color drained from Mara's face.
00:05:01Silence!
00:05:03What nonsense are you spouting?
00:05:05The Duke has no interest in women.
00:05:07The title of Lady of the House was supposed to be mine.
00:05:10The more she stewed, the angrier she got.
00:05:12Suddenly, she lifted her foot and ground her heel into the back of Nora's hand.
00:05:17The sickening crack of bone echoed clearly.
00:05:20A moment later, she spit a mouthful of blood, splattering it across Mara's satin shoe.
00:05:25The room fell instantly silent.
00:05:27Mara looked down at the blood on her shoe and wrinkled her nose.
00:05:30Since you refuse to kneel, let's try another way for you to atone.
00:05:38Lick my shoe clean, and I will let her go.
00:05:41So?
00:05:44Since she refuses to repent, just drag this wretched thing out and beat her to death.
00:05:48Seeing that I still wasn't reacting, Mara waved her hand impatiently.
00:05:52The maid seized Nora by the ankles and started dragging her toward the door.
00:05:56The dizziness finally faded.
00:05:58I calmly pulled a gold pin from my hair.
00:06:02So, very noisy.
00:06:04I told you to stop.
00:06:05Why can't you just listen?
00:06:07I hate it when people don't listen to what I say.
00:06:10And what do you intend to do with that pin?
00:06:12Is that a welcome gift?
00:06:15A single gold pin is hardly enough.
00:06:17I hear your dowry included over 50 chesters of gold.
00:06:20Give me half, and I might consider letting your little handmaiden go.
00:06:23How about it?
00:06:35Everyone in the room froze.
00:06:37No one had expected such a delicate-looking bride to strike so decisively.
00:06:41The handmaiden clutched her neck, the shock in her eyes quickly giving way to terror.
00:06:46Within five seconds, she had collapsed, her body convulsing for a moment before falling utterly still.
00:06:51Ah!
00:06:52Murder!
00:06:52She killed her!
00:06:53Lady Thorne is a murderer!
00:06:54The two older housemaids finally registered what had happened and let out piercing screams.
00:06:59My lady!
00:07:00Mara had been startled too, but the sight of the guards flooding in from the doorway immediately steadied her.
00:07:08This madwoman dared to kill one of my people!
00:07:11Guards, seize her!
00:07:13The guards at the door exchanged uncertain looks.
00:07:15One was the most favoured young lady of House Thorne.
00:07:18The other, the Duke's new bride.
00:07:20None of them dared to be the first to move.
00:07:22What are you all standing there for?
00:07:24Seize her!
00:07:27She's just an outcast from Whiteclick.
00:07:29The Duke won't give a damn what happens to her.
00:07:32Anyone who dares to disobey me will answer to my grandmother.
00:07:35She'll have you all severely punished.
00:07:37It was well known that her grandmother, Lady Anne, was the true master of the Thorne estate.
00:07:43Even the Duke himself had to be respectful in her presence.
00:07:46The guards exchanged a look, then began to step inside.
00:07:49I lifted my gaze.
00:07:52The lead guard flinched.
00:07:56I...
00:07:56Something's not right here.
00:07:58Look!
00:07:59She...
00:07:59She has two shadows!
00:08:01Another suddenly cried out.
00:08:03In the candlelight behind me, a second shadow was slowly stretching out from my own.
00:08:10Mara's eyes were wide with terror.
00:08:12You...
00:08:13What in the world are you?
00:08:14Some of the guards began to tremble.
00:08:16A demon.
00:08:17She's possessed by a demon.
00:08:24Oops.
00:08:25Too bad.
00:08:26Didn't they tell you?
00:08:27That dove wasn't supposed to die.
00:08:29Don't be afraid.
00:08:30People from Whitecliffe are masters of smoke and mirrors.
00:08:32This is just one of her tricks.
00:08:34She's just a woman.
00:08:34What are you afraid of?
00:08:35That she'll eat you?
00:08:36Hmm.
00:08:37A man's flesh is too tough.
00:08:39Probably not very tasty.
00:08:40A woman's, on the other hand.
00:08:42The next instant, I was behind her.
00:08:44Mara screamed, struggling wildly.
00:08:47I latched onto her, refusing to let go no matter how she torched.
00:08:51In an instant, blood soaked her collar.
00:08:54The two older housemaids, shocked out of their stupor, were the first to react.
00:08:59One pulled the pin from her hat, while the other snatched a ceramic vase from the corner and hurled it
00:09:04at me.
00:09:08Blood was now seeping from my own wounds, but I kept my teeth locked on Mara's throat.
00:09:13Nora struggled to her feet.
00:09:15Let go of Miss Mara now, or I'll kill this little wench!
00:09:18The older housemaid with the pin grabbed Nora and pressed the sharp point to her neck.
00:09:22Through Mara's tangled hair, I glanced at the maid.
00:09:25She was shaking too violently to be a real threat.
00:09:28In the next moment, I grabbed a shard of the broken vase from the floor.
00:09:32And with it, I slit Mara's throat.
00:09:36As she collapsed, her eyes remained fixed on me, wide with disbelief that her end had come so swiftly.
00:09:43A deathly silence consumed the room.
00:09:45The two housemaids holding Nora trembled and dropped to their knees.
00:09:50Hearing that his new bride was being humiliated on their wedding night,
00:09:53Darian Thorne rushed back, only to find this scene.
00:09:56The rumored frail bride, the one said to be toppled by a strong wind,
00:10:00was sitting quietly at her vanity, brushing her hair.
00:10:03Her wedding gown was drenched in blood.
00:10:05Specks of blood dotted her pale skin like crimson petals on fresh snow.
00:10:08The flickering candlelight stretched the two shadows behind her,
00:10:10making them impossibly long.
00:10:11And at her feet lay the body of Mara.
00:10:14I killed your foster sister.
00:10:16Are you going to kill me?
00:10:22Why are your hands so cold?
00:10:25My wife.
00:10:26Forgive me, I am late.
00:10:27He removed his cloak and wrapped it around me.
00:10:30I couldn't understand him at all.
00:10:33She trespassed in the master chambers and humiliated my wife.
00:10:36She deserved to die.
00:10:38Drag her out and hang her from the North Tower for three days.
00:10:40As for these two, take them away and have them beaten to death.
00:10:43Have mercy, please!
00:10:44He then glanced at the two older housemaids.
00:10:46The housemaids were already senseless with fear,
00:10:48wailing and begging for mercy.
00:10:50Darian then took out a handkerchief
00:10:52and began to gently wipe the blood from my face.
00:10:58Is this arrangement to your satisfaction, Sirin?
00:11:03It will do.
00:11:04I glanced at the barely conscious Nora.
00:11:07Darian immediately ordered his men to take Nora for medical treatment.
00:11:10Once everyone else had left, he took my hand.
00:11:12You are covered in filth.
00:11:14Let me get you cleaned up, alright?
00:11:16I tilted my head, studying him.
00:11:19Now, in Blackmoom, I had no family.
00:11:21If I wanted to survive,
00:11:23I might truly have to depend on this man's power.
00:11:25So, I nodded.
00:11:27He unflastened my blood-stoked gown with his own hands
00:11:29and lowered me into the hot spring.
00:11:31If my second shadow were still sealed,
00:11:33I probably would have been too mortified to speak.
00:11:36But now, the real me had awakened.
00:11:38I was no longer bound by the conventions of this world.
00:11:41What I hadn't expected was that Darian's expression
00:11:44remained completely unchanged.
00:11:46I heard you specifically requested me.
00:11:48Why?
00:11:49Oh.
00:11:51Are you starting to take an interest in me?
00:11:54My lord, Lady Anne has arrived.
00:11:59The words were barely spoken
00:12:00when the smile vanished from Darian's face.
00:12:02She certainly has a sense of timing.
00:12:05I started to get up,
00:12:06but he placed a hand on my shoulder.
00:12:08You're still injured.
00:12:09You don't need to deal with her.
00:12:11Leave her to me.
00:12:15The old me might have obediently waited
00:12:17for others to decide my fate,
00:12:18but I no longer had the patience for that.
00:12:21But if I was to die,
00:12:22I would drag a few of them down with me.
00:12:26No need.
00:12:27I want to meet her.
00:12:29Before I become a ghost,
00:12:30I need to know who to come back for.
00:12:32He simply adjusted the cloak on my shoulders,
00:12:35pulling it tighter around me.
00:12:37You're not afraid.
00:12:39What do you think?
00:12:40His gaze fell to the two shadows behind me,
00:12:43one deep, one faint,
00:12:44and he said no more.
00:12:46When we walked out,
00:12:47the great hall was already filled with kneeling figures.
00:12:50A richly dressed woman sat in the seat of honor,
00:12:52but when her eyes fell on Darian,
00:12:54they held only suspicion and loathing.
00:12:56She was Darian's mother, Lady Anne.
00:12:58Two council elders sat beside her.
00:13:00A stretcher lay on the floor.
00:13:01Beneath the white sheet,
00:13:02the hem of a wine-red gown was visible.
00:13:04It was Mara.
00:13:05The moment Lady Anne saw me,
00:13:07her eyes flared with rage.
00:13:09You vicious creature!
00:13:10How dare you show your face!
00:13:13Guards!
00:13:14Seize her!
00:13:15The guards on either side started to move,
00:13:18but Darian's voice cut through the air.
00:13:21Who dares?
00:13:26The guards stopped dead in their tracks.
00:13:28Darian!
00:13:29She killed your sister!
00:13:31Lady Anne's face turned livid.
00:13:32I have no sister.
00:13:33She was merely a bastard my mother took in without my consent.
00:13:35Darian's tone was flat.
00:13:37Lady Anne's hands trembled with fury.
00:13:39She was still a young lady raised by Daris Thorne.
00:13:41This outsider from Whitecliffe,
00:13:43daring to commit murder in my manor on her wedding night.
00:13:46If she dares to kill Mara today,
00:13:48what's to stop her from killing me tomorrow?
00:13:51If you did the same thing she did,
00:13:54then I might.
00:13:55A dead silence fell over the hall.
00:13:58Darian turned his head away,
00:13:59his shoulders giving a slight,
00:14:01almost imperceptible shake.
00:14:04You insolent girl!
00:14:05My lord!
00:14:06How can such a woman be fit to be the mistress of House Thorne?
00:14:09I demand you annul this marriage
00:14:11and surrender her to the family council for judgment!
00:14:14I second that!
00:14:15Why does everyone want me gone?
00:14:18They have opposed this alliance from the very beginning.
00:14:21Now they are using Mara's death as an excuse
00:14:23to break the treaty between our cities.
00:14:26I didn't care whether the two cities went to war,
00:14:29but a wife cast out from the estate
00:14:31wouldn't last long in Blackbone.
00:14:34At that thought,
00:14:35I slowly approached Mara's corpse.
00:14:38You claim I'm guilty of killing her,
00:14:39then let's first discuss why she was in my room to begin with.
00:14:42An unmarried lady
00:14:44storming into the bride's chambers
00:14:45in the middle of the night
00:14:46with an entourage of servants and guards.
00:14:48Surely she didn't sleepwalk
00:14:50all the way to my bedside, did she?
00:14:52Lady Anne's expression froze.
00:14:54I turned to the guards in the hall.
00:14:57Why don't you tell them what really happened tonight?
00:15:00The guard at the very front went pale,
00:15:02his gaze instinctively flicking to Darian.
00:15:04Choose your next words carefully.
00:15:08I hate two things more than anything in this world.
00:15:11First, people who don't listen.
00:15:14Second, people who lie to my face.
00:15:16If you dare to tell a single lie,
00:15:18I will carve out your eyes and tongue
00:15:19and keep them as trophies.
00:15:21A person who can't see the truth or speak it
00:15:23has no use for them anyway.
00:15:24Darian let out a soft laugh.
00:15:26My wife makes a good point.
00:15:28Cold sweat beaded on the guard's forehead.
00:15:31Just now,
00:15:32I saw Miss Mara force her way into the master chambers.
00:15:34She ordered the maid Mrs. Thorne brought to be beaten.
00:15:37Mrs. Thorne told her to stop several times,
00:15:38but Miss Mara wouldn't stop.
00:15:39She also...
00:15:40Silence!
00:15:41Speak.
00:15:45Miss Mara said
00:15:46that even if Mrs. Thorne died,
00:15:48they would just announce that she died
00:15:50from the exhaustion of the journey,
00:15:51a relapse of an old illness.
00:15:54The expressions on the two elders' faces
00:15:56changed instantly, and...
00:15:58Miss Mara also demanded that Mrs. Thorne
00:16:00lick the blood from her shoe,
00:16:01and she said
00:16:02she was going to take half of the dower tree.
00:16:06The hall fell so silent
00:16:08you could hear a pin drop.
00:16:10Lady Anne,
00:16:11I'm not familiar with the customs here in Blackmoor.
00:16:14Are the things she did
00:16:15considered crimes?
00:16:16I turned to Lady Anne with a smile.
00:16:18Of course.
00:16:20Trespassing in the master crazes,
00:16:22humiliating the bride of an alliance,
00:16:23and plotting to murder the lady of the house.
00:16:25According to the laws of House Thorne,
00:16:27each offence calls for severe punishment.
00:16:29So, by giving her such a quick death,
00:16:31I was actually showing her mercy.
00:16:33Darian gripped my hand.
00:16:35My Mrs. Theron has such a kind heart,
00:16:37as gentle as an angel.
00:16:38A shiver ran down my spine.
00:16:39It was the first time in this life
00:16:41anyone had ever called me kind.
00:16:43After a moment of silence,
00:16:45Lady Anne let out a cold laugh.
00:16:47The word of a few servants is meaningless.
00:16:50Mara is dead.
00:16:51It's easy for you to pin any crime
00:16:52you want on her now.
00:16:53Darian, are you so determined
00:16:55to protect this woman
00:16:56that you've forgotten the difference
00:16:58between family and a complete stranger?
00:17:02Darian didn't respond right away.
00:17:04He walked over to Mara's corpse
00:17:08and motioned for two guards to search it.
00:17:11Soon, one of them produced
00:17:12an estate seal from her waist.
00:17:14If I truly couldn't tell family
00:17:15from a stranger,
00:17:16then maybe we should have a talk
00:17:17about this seal.
00:17:18Darian smiled faintly.
00:17:19Now that I am married,
00:17:20the estate has a rightful mistress.
00:17:23You've managed the household affairs
00:17:24for me for all these years.
00:17:25It's time you handed over
00:17:26the Mr. Seal.
00:17:28From this day forward,
00:17:29the inner court of the Thorn Estate,
00:17:30the ledgers, the servants,
00:17:32and the rules
00:17:32will all fall under
00:17:34Mrs. Thorn's command.
00:17:35Lady Anne's expression
00:17:36darkened in instantly.
00:17:38I have kept that seal
00:17:39ever since your father died.
00:17:41And on the first day
00:17:42of your marriage,
00:17:43you're going to hand something
00:17:44so important to an outsider?
00:17:46Darian, you are acting
00:17:47too hastily.
00:17:48Am I?
00:17:49I don't think so.
00:17:51Darian replied with an air
00:17:52of casual infifference.
00:17:54The command of the city guard
00:17:55remains in my hands.
00:17:56The keys to the harbour,
00:17:58the gate bridge,
00:17:58and the south bank
00:17:59are also in my possession.
00:18:01My men have been getting restless
00:18:02with nothing to do.
00:18:03If there are any old debts
00:18:04to be settled in this estate
00:18:05or any rules that need
00:18:06straightening out,
00:18:07they would be more than happy
00:18:08to help.
00:18:08The faces of the two elders
00:18:10turned pale.
00:18:11When a tree grows large,
00:18:12a few crooked branches
00:18:13are bound to appear.
00:18:14It's better to prune them early
00:18:15than to let the rot
00:18:16reach the roots.
00:18:20What do you think, mother?
00:18:23The hall was plunged
00:18:24into silence.
00:18:26Just give her the seal, then.
00:18:28After a long moment,
00:18:29Lady Anne finally spoke
00:18:31through clenched teeth.
00:18:32Mother has always been
00:18:33so reasonable.
00:18:33You truly are
00:18:34an ungrateful wealth.
00:18:36Lady Anne looked up,
00:18:37her gaze as sharp as a blade,
00:18:38a monster for a walking disaster.
00:18:40A perfect match, really.
00:18:42You're tired, mother.
00:18:44Go back to your room
00:18:45and rest.
00:18:51Isn't she your mother?
00:18:53She is.
00:18:54Then why does she hate you so much?
00:18:56Are the two mutually exclusive?
00:18:58He raised an eyebrow,
00:19:00thinking of my own father
00:19:01who couldn't stand
00:19:02the sight of me.
00:19:02I shrugged.
00:19:04No, I guess they aren't.
00:19:08All right.
00:19:09Enough thinking about people
00:19:10who ruin the mood.
00:19:11You're still injured.
00:19:12Let me tend to your wounds,
00:19:13all right.
00:19:14I dangled one leg
00:19:15nonchalantly.
00:19:16Suit yourself.
00:19:17By the next day,
00:19:18everyone in Blackgum knew.
00:19:20The new Mrs. Thorne
00:19:21had killed her husband's sister
00:19:22on their wedding night.
00:19:23But strangely,
00:19:23not only did the Lord of Blackgum
00:19:24not punish her,
00:19:25he even took the estate seal
00:19:26from his own mother
00:19:27and gave it to her.
00:19:27And so the rumors began to fly.
00:19:29Some said I was a witch
00:19:30who had cast a spell on Darian.
00:19:31Others claimed I was possessed
00:19:32by an evil spirit
00:19:33and that the two shadows
00:19:34at my feet were cast
00:19:35straight from hell.
00:19:36By the time this gossip
00:19:37reached the estate,
00:19:38I was reclining on a shea lounge,
00:19:40calmly eating grapes.
00:19:41On the third day,
00:19:42the Bishop of the Blackmore
00:19:43Cathedral arrived
00:19:44at the estate gates
00:19:45with twelve nuns,
00:19:46petitioning again and again.
00:19:47My lord,
00:19:48Mrs. Thorne's double shadow
00:19:49is a terrible omen
00:19:50and the city is rife with talk.
00:19:52To quell these rumors
00:19:53and soothe the public,
00:19:54she must go to Hectory's Hollow
00:19:56and face the Godness's trial.
00:20:00The color dripped
00:20:01from Nora's face
00:20:02the moment she heard.
00:20:03You can't go, milady.
00:20:05I've heard Hectory's Hollow
00:20:06is filled with poisonous snakes,
00:20:07rats and human bones.
00:20:08It's supposed to be terrifying.
00:20:10More terrifying than me.
00:20:11Nora was at a loss for words.
00:20:16I raised a hand
00:20:17and tapped it lightly
00:20:18on the arm of the chair.
00:20:23Nora,
00:20:24how long have you been with me?
00:20:27Since you were ten, milady.
00:20:29It's been nine years now.
00:20:31You've been with me for so long
00:20:32and in all that time
00:20:33you only ever saw me
00:20:34with a single shadow
00:20:35just like a normal person,
00:20:37right?
00:20:38Aren't you the least bit curious
00:20:39why I suddenly have a second shadow?
00:20:42Or why I'm suddenly
00:20:43a completely different person?
00:20:46If you don't wish to speak of it,
00:20:47my lady,
00:20:48then I won't ask.
00:20:49Nine years ago,
00:20:50my father hired an exorcist
00:20:51from the monastery.
00:20:52He used holy water
00:20:53and a white dove
00:20:54to suppress the other soul
00:20:55inside my shadow.
00:20:56After that,
00:20:57I was left with a single shadow
00:20:58and I looked no different
00:20:59from anyone else.
00:21:00It's a secret
00:21:01no one on the outside knows.
00:21:03Even my father only knows
00:21:04I was born different.
00:21:06He never understood the reason.
00:21:11I still don't understand.
00:21:15My mother was from
00:21:16one of the old bloodlines
00:21:17of Blackmean.
00:21:18Darian was at a long table
00:21:19going through some documents.
00:21:21He looked up at my words,
00:21:22but there wasn't a trace
00:21:23of surprise on his face,
00:21:24as if he had known all along.
00:21:26I didn't press him.
00:21:27When he was ready to talk,
00:21:29he would.
00:21:31Which is why I have to go
00:21:32to that hollow.
00:21:34Siren,
00:21:35if you don't want to go,
00:21:35I can...
00:21:37You can protect me once,
00:21:38but you can't protect me forever.
00:21:40If I don't go today,
00:21:41they'll just find some other way
00:21:42to challenge my position tomorrow.
00:21:44Better to deal with it
00:21:45once and for all
00:21:46and save myself the trouble later.
00:21:48Besides,
00:21:48I have a feeling that place
00:21:49has something to do
00:21:50with my mother.
00:21:51Instead of worrying about me,
00:21:52just tell me what it's
00:21:53really like in there.
00:21:54At my words,
00:21:55Darian fell silent
00:21:56for a moment.
00:21:56Then he rolled up his sleeve,
00:21:58revealing a pale,
00:21:59slender arm.
00:22:00Nora immediately looked away.
00:22:02I, however,
00:22:03found my eyes fixed
00:22:04on the layers of dark scars
00:22:05covering his skin.
00:22:06Do I disgust you?
00:22:08Darian lowered his gaze,
00:22:09and his voice held
00:22:10a note of insecurity.
00:22:11Most people who see this
00:22:13find it revolting.
00:22:14He looked like he didn't believe me,
00:22:16his eyes holding a hint
00:22:17of wounded pride.
00:22:18His stare was making me
00:22:19uncomfortable.
00:22:21They're them.
00:22:22I'm me.
00:22:23You haven't done anything
00:22:24to make me hate you.
00:22:25Why would I be disgusted?
00:22:27Hearing that,
00:22:28his eyes lit up Sobe.
00:22:31What happened to your arm?
00:22:34Do you know why my mother
00:22:35called me a monster that day?
00:22:38When I was seven,
00:22:39the previous High Lord
00:22:40grew convinced
00:22:41he didn't have long to live.
00:22:42He fell under the influence
00:22:43of a sorcerer.
00:22:44He forced his sons
00:22:45to drink potion after potion
00:22:46laced with mercury,
00:22:47arsenic,
00:22:48and poisonous herbs.
00:22:49He believed if even
00:22:50one of his sons survived,
00:22:51that son's blood
00:22:52could be used to create
00:22:53an elixir that would
00:22:54extend his own life.
00:22:56But that was poison.
00:22:58Wasn't he afraid
00:22:59it would kill you?
00:23:00If one died,
00:23:01he'd just move on
00:23:02to the next.
00:23:02He had many sons.
00:23:04One of them
00:23:04was bound to survive.
00:23:07And your mother
00:23:07didn't stop him?
00:23:10Darian let out
00:23:11a short,
00:23:12humorless laugh.
00:23:13At the time,
00:23:14my father had grown
00:23:15cold towards her
00:23:15and would often bring
00:23:16his mistresses home.
00:23:18To win back
00:23:19my father's affection,
00:23:20my mother was practically
00:23:21throwing sons at him.
00:23:22If I died,
00:23:23she would just offer up
00:23:23another son to take my place.
00:23:25Over time,
00:23:26my body adapted
00:23:27to the poisons.
00:23:29Instead of killing me,
00:23:30they made me immune.
00:23:34From that moment on,
00:23:35my mother started to fear me.
00:23:37She saw me as a thing
00:23:38that shouldn't have survived.
00:23:41After that,
00:23:42the rumors around
00:23:42the estate only got worse.
00:23:44The bishop demanded
00:23:45I enter Hectory's Hollow
00:23:46and face Hectory's trial.
00:23:49When my mother heard,
00:23:51she convinced my father
00:23:52to send all his sons inside.
00:23:54Ten days later,
00:23:55I was the only one
00:23:56who walked out of there alive.
00:23:57That's where I got these scars.
00:23:59Afterward,
00:24:00I naturally became
00:24:01the Lord of Blackberry.
00:24:02And just like that,
00:24:03she became the most respected
00:24:04woman on the estate.
00:24:05At night,
00:24:06Hectory's Hollow crawls
00:24:07with all kinds of
00:24:08poisonous snakes and spiders.
00:24:09It's impossible to get a moment
00:24:11of sleep for ten days straight.
00:24:12I might be immune to poison,
00:24:13but the bite still hurt like hell.
00:24:16Saren,
00:24:17I don't want you
00:24:18to go through that too.
00:24:22Darian,
00:24:22you're lying.
00:24:24The worried expression
00:24:25on Darian's face
00:24:26instantly froze.
00:24:28Beside me,
00:24:29Nora taint up as well.
00:24:32Perhaps everything
00:24:32you said was true,
00:24:33but this whole
00:24:34worried about me act
00:24:35is fake.
00:24:36Either you want me
00:24:36to die in there
00:24:37or you're absolutely
00:24:37certain I'll be fine.
00:24:38Saren,
00:24:39why would I possibly
00:24:39want you to die?
00:24:41Then it's the second one.
00:24:42You know I'll be fine
00:24:43and you're sure of it.
00:24:44If that's the case,
00:24:45then just say so.
00:24:46Why put on an act
00:24:47like you're about to cry?
00:24:49So that was all for nothing?
00:24:50What?
00:24:51Darian stared for a moment
00:24:52then let out a low sigh.
00:24:53I didn't understand.
00:24:54Nora, however,
00:24:55seemed to understand.
00:24:55It was like watching him
00:24:56confess his feelings
00:24:57to a brick wall.
00:24:58It's true.
00:24:58I know you'll be safe in head.
00:25:00Is that why you chose me?
00:25:01Specifically to be your bride?
00:25:03You really are clever.
00:25:04Fine.
00:25:05It's settled.
00:25:06Tomorrow I'll take a stroll
00:25:07through Hextry's Hollow.
00:25:08Hextry's Hollow
00:25:09was on the western slope
00:25:10outside of Blackmoor.
00:25:12By the old laws of blackmail,
00:25:14those who enter
00:25:15may carry no weapons,
00:25:16no medicine
00:25:16and no companions.
00:25:18In ten days,
00:25:19the doors will open.
00:25:20If Mrs. Thorne
00:25:21walks out of there alive,
00:25:23then it will prove
00:25:24she is worthy of her title
00:25:25as the Lady of Blackmoor.
00:25:27And if I die?
00:25:28Then it can only mean
00:25:29Hexeth does not accept you.
00:25:31The bishop lowered his head.
00:25:32I gave a cold laugh.
00:25:34Divine acceptance?
00:25:35What a pretty way to put it.
00:25:37Darian stepped forward
00:25:38and took my hand.
00:25:39Saren, be careful.
00:25:40Didn't you just say
00:25:41I'd be fine?
00:25:42The snakes in there
00:25:42aren't what you need
00:25:43to worry about.
00:25:43It's the people.
00:25:44He frowned.
00:25:45Have Mrs. Thorne
00:25:46enter the Hollow.
00:25:47My lady,
00:25:48you have to come back.
00:25:49The bishop suddenly
00:25:50raised his voice.
00:25:51Nora's eyes turned red.
00:25:53I gave the two of them
00:25:54a shrug,
00:25:54took the offered torch
00:25:55and stepped through the doors.
00:25:58The deeper I went,
00:25:59a strange feeling
00:26:00began to wash over me.
00:26:01This place didn't scare me.
00:26:03Instead,
00:26:03it felt like home.
00:26:04I gave a self-mocking laugh.
00:26:06Perhaps the people
00:26:06who died in here
00:26:07don't even get a proper burial.
00:26:08Cold, damp,
00:26:09moldy and hidden from the light
00:26:10just like me,
00:26:11cast aside by my own family.
00:26:12If they won't let me
00:26:13bring a weapon,
00:26:14I'll just make my own.
00:26:15I picked up a leg bone
00:26:16and, by the light of my torch,
00:26:18broke off a sharp piece
00:26:19and honed it
00:26:19into a deadly point.
00:26:20The cavern system
00:26:21stretched on endlessly.
00:26:23When I got tired,
00:26:24I pulled some rotten rags
00:26:25off a skeleton,
00:26:26spread them out beneath me
00:26:27and leaned against
00:26:28the cavern wall to rest.
00:26:29I had no idea
00:26:30how much time had passed
00:26:31when I felt a faint itch
00:26:32on my leg.
00:26:33I opened my eyes
00:26:34to find a thick black snake
00:26:35coiled around my leg,
00:26:36its head raised,
00:26:37staring right at me.
00:26:38I stared back at it
00:26:39for a moment,
00:26:40then raised the bone shard
00:26:41in my hand.
00:26:43It seemed to freeze.
00:26:44Get off!
00:26:45I frowned.
00:26:46I said,
00:26:47get off.
00:26:47It remained motionless.
00:26:48Hmm.
00:26:49It's been a while
00:26:50since I've had snake.
00:26:51Maybe you'll be
00:26:52my dinner tonight.
00:26:53As if it understood,
00:26:54the black snake's eyes
00:26:55went wide.
00:26:56No fun at all.
00:26:57I leaned back
00:26:58against the wall
00:26:58and stared at a skull
00:26:59lying nearby.
00:27:00Hey,
00:27:01were you a man
00:27:02or a woman?
00:27:03How old were you
00:27:04when you died?
00:27:06Of course,
00:27:07the skull said nothing.
00:27:09But my two shadows
00:27:10on the wall
00:27:11flickered slightly.
00:27:13Hey,
00:27:14sorry about that.
00:27:14Back in our mother's
00:27:15womb,
00:27:16I absorbed you.
00:27:17In the windless cavern,
00:27:18the fainter shadow
00:27:19swayed gently.
00:27:20What,
00:27:20back to offer yourself
00:27:21up as a meal?
00:27:22The black snake flinched,
00:27:24then quickly nudged
00:27:25a pile of something
00:27:26toward my feet.
00:27:27For me?
00:27:28It coiled up
00:27:29in a gesture
00:27:30that seemed like a nod.
00:27:31If it really wanted
00:27:32to poison me,
00:27:32a single bite
00:27:33would have been enough.
00:27:34There was no reason
00:27:35for it to try
00:27:35and get on my good side.
00:27:36A little sour,
00:27:37but not bad.
00:27:38Want one?
00:27:39Looking over
00:27:39at the skull again,
00:27:40seeing that I'd eaten
00:27:41the fruit,
00:27:41the black snake
00:27:42slowly coiled up
00:27:43at my feet.
00:27:44Then a second snake
00:27:44appeared,
00:27:45and a third.
00:27:46More and more venomous snakes
00:27:47slithered out
00:27:48from the cracks in the stone.
00:27:49They didn't attack me,
00:27:50they just coiled
00:27:51quietly around me.
00:27:52For some reason,
00:27:53I felt a strange
00:27:53sense of peace.
00:27:55That night,
00:27:55I slept surrounded
00:27:56by snakes,
00:27:57and surprisingly,
00:27:58I slept soundly.
00:27:59The next day,
00:27:59I tunt the skull
00:28:00under my arm
00:28:01and pressed on.
00:28:01I hadn't gone far
00:28:02before swarms
00:28:03of black spiders
00:28:04started crawling out
00:28:04from the cracks.
00:28:05They didn't touch me either.
00:28:06Instead,
00:28:07they dragged silk strings
00:28:07behind them,
00:28:08delivering a pile
00:28:09of dead rats.
00:28:09I casually gathered
00:28:10a few bone clugments,
00:28:11rigged up a small spit,
00:28:12and began to roast the rat.
00:28:16I glanced at the skull
00:28:17I was holding.
00:28:18It looked a little green.
00:28:20At first,
00:28:20I thought it was
00:28:21just looking unwell,
00:28:22but then I realized
00:28:23that was the stained
00:28:24poison leaves
00:28:25on the bones
00:28:25of its victims.
00:28:27On the third day,
00:28:28I came to a spring.
00:28:29The water's edge
00:28:29was blanketed
00:28:30in pale white eggs.
00:28:31The moment I drew near,
00:28:32the eggs parted,
00:28:33creating a path
00:28:34for me to drink.
00:28:34I scooped up
00:28:35a handful of water
00:28:36and used it
00:28:36to wash the skull's face.
00:28:38No wonder Darian
00:28:39was so certain
00:28:39I'd be fine.
00:28:40The creatures in here,
00:28:41they actually recognize me.
00:28:42Home.
00:28:43What a strange word.
00:28:45In all my life,
00:28:45I don't think
00:28:46I've ever really had one.
00:28:47Just then,
00:28:48a heavy sound
00:28:48came from behind me.
00:28:49Too heavy for a snake
00:28:50or a rat.
00:28:51It sounded human.
00:28:52I set the skull
00:28:53on the ground,
00:28:53pulled out my bone shard
00:28:54and pretended to keep drinking.
00:28:56My back still turned
00:28:57to the sound.
00:29:01A man in a black cloak
00:29:02stood over me.
00:29:03Five more emerged
00:29:04from the shadows
00:29:05behind him.
00:29:06I scanned them.
00:29:07This cavern is sealed
00:29:08for ten days.
00:29:09How did you get in?
00:29:09Kill her.
00:29:11No one answered.
00:29:14This body is just too weak.
00:29:15I'd only run a dozen steps
00:29:16when I heard the sharp crack
00:29:17of a whip behind me.
00:29:18The next second,
00:29:19a whip cracked and coiled
00:29:19around my ankle,
00:29:20yanking me off my feet.
00:29:21I hit the ground hard.
00:29:22Before I could even get up,
00:29:23two men were on me,
00:29:23pinning my shoulders
00:29:24to the ground.
00:29:24Sorry about this,
00:29:25Mrs. Thorne.
00:29:25Lady Anne gave the orders.
00:29:26If you die in here,
00:29:27you'll have only your own
00:29:28misfortune to abandon you.
00:29:29I froze for a second.
00:29:30Then I smiled.
00:29:31So it was her.
00:29:32When I get out of here,
00:29:33I'll know exactly
00:29:33who's first on my list.
00:29:37Just as I was pushing myself up,
00:29:38a searing pain
00:29:39shot through my shoulder.
00:29:40A blade had sliced across it
00:29:41and blood began to flow.
00:29:43It hurt,
00:29:43but the more it hurt,
00:29:44the more exhilarated I felt.
00:29:46The scent of my own blood
00:29:47was a trigger,
00:29:47a primal energy
00:29:48surging through me.
00:29:49I slowly lifted my head
00:29:51and gave them a wide,
00:29:52unhinged grin.
00:29:52They all paused
00:29:53for a split second.
00:29:54I seized the moment
00:29:55and headbutted the man
00:29:56closest to me.
00:29:57They both tumbled
00:29:57into the spring water.
00:29:58One of the men
00:29:59had dropped his dagger.
00:30:00I lunged for it,
00:30:01but before I could even reach it,
00:30:02another blade
00:30:02swung down from behind.
00:30:05In that instant,
00:30:06suddenly,
00:30:06everything went quiet.
00:30:07It was an unnatural silence.
00:30:09Even the constant faint
00:30:10scurrying of unseen things
00:30:10had stopped.
00:30:11The six men sensed it too.
00:30:12The leader looked around warily.
00:30:13Just then,
00:30:14a single crimson scorpion
00:30:15crawled out from a crack
00:30:16in the rock,
00:30:16then a second and a third.
00:30:17From the corners,
00:30:18the crevices,
00:30:18and the spring's edge,
00:30:19a swarm of venomous creatures
00:30:20poured out.
00:30:20What's going on?
00:30:21We need to go now!
00:30:22But it was too late.
00:30:23In unison,
00:30:24the scorpions turned
00:30:25and swarmed them.
00:30:29Get off!
00:30:30One man slashed wildly
00:30:31with his dagger,
00:30:32but it was useless.
00:30:33A black snake struck,
00:30:34coiling tightly around
00:30:35the man's wrist.
00:30:36Another man backed
00:30:36against the wall,
00:30:37only for a sheet of black spiders
00:30:39to drop on him from above.
00:30:40I let out a ragged breath
00:30:41and sank to the ground.
00:30:42Don't tell me.
00:30:43My mother actually raised you.
00:30:45I looked at the blood
00:30:45on my hand,
00:30:46then at the swarm
00:30:47of venomous creatures.
00:30:48They were frenziesly
00:30:49attacking the men,
00:30:50yet carefully avoiding me.
00:30:52Half an hour later,
00:30:53all six men were lying
00:30:54dead on the ground.
00:30:55You came in handy after all.
00:30:57Over the next few days,
00:30:58I fully adapted to life
00:30:59in the Hector's Hollow.
00:31:00I almost didn't want to leave.
00:31:01No one here made me
00:31:02follow their rules,
00:31:02and most importantly,
00:31:03the creatures here listened to me.
00:31:04When I was hungry,
00:31:05they brought me berries.
00:31:06When I was thirsty,
00:31:07there was the spring.
00:31:08At night,
00:31:08a few large snakes
00:31:09would even coil up
00:31:09in the crevices,
00:31:10shielding me from the draft.
00:31:11For the first time,
00:31:12I thought this place,
00:31:12it might not be so bad after all.
00:31:15On the seventh day,
00:31:16I found a stone chamber
00:31:17in the deepest part of the cavern.
00:31:18Half of the stone gate
00:31:19had crumbled away.
00:31:20The walls were covered
00:31:20in scratch marks
00:31:21stained with blood
00:31:21had long since dried and darkened.
00:31:22I suddenly remembered
00:31:23what Darian had said,
00:31:23that he too had been trapped
00:31:24here for ten days.
00:31:25I reached out,
00:31:26my fingers tracing the marks
00:31:26on the wall.
00:31:27A sharp pain exploded in my head.
00:31:29The chamber before me
00:31:29began to twist.
00:31:30Hazy, long-buried memories
00:31:31came flooding into my mind
00:31:32without warning.
00:31:33I was seven.
00:31:34By then,
00:31:35my father had already
00:31:36gone through seven governesses.
00:31:37I had bitten three of them,
00:31:38pushed two down the stairs.
00:31:39The last one packed her bags
00:31:41and fled in the middle of the night.
00:31:42Father was at his wit's end.
00:31:43Then he heard my mother's
00:31:44elves were versed in the old ways,
00:31:45so he sent me
00:31:46to her ancestral home overnight.
00:31:47This is your mother's homeland.
00:31:49Perhaps they'll know
00:31:50how to cure you.
00:31:50Back then,
00:31:51I didn't understand.
00:31:52Why did everyone think
00:31:53I needed to be cured?
00:31:54There was nothing wrong with me.
00:31:56When I arrived,
00:31:57my maternal grandfather
00:31:58led me out into the sunlight
00:31:59the moment he saw me.
00:32:00One body,
00:32:01two shadows,
00:32:02one flesh,
00:32:03two souls.
00:32:03You are a demon from hell!
00:32:07You old monster!
00:32:08When I get out of here,
00:32:09I'll pull out
00:32:10every single hair in your beard.
00:32:11Saren,
00:32:11I'm doing this
00:32:12for the sake of the family.
00:32:13You are a monster.
00:32:14Eventually,
00:32:15you will be the death of us all.
00:32:16That very night,
00:32:17my grandfather stood outside the gate,
00:32:18his face a grim mask.
00:32:20The gate slammed shut.
00:32:22But what they hadn't counted on
00:32:23was that the hollow wasn't empty.
00:32:25The ground was littered with bodies.
00:32:26Only a skinny boy
00:32:27lay curled up in the corner,
00:32:29his chest still faintly raising and falling.
00:32:30He was covered in wounds,
00:32:32his face as pale as paper.
00:32:33Are you dead?
00:32:34Not yet.
00:32:36Oh,
00:32:36that's no fun then.
00:32:37His skull would be beautiful,
00:32:38I thought.
00:32:39Don't go that way.
00:32:40There are snakes.
00:32:41I looked down
00:32:41and saw a small black snake
00:32:43coiled at my feet.
00:32:44I bent down
00:32:44and scooped it up.
00:32:46The snake
00:32:46docilely wound itself
00:32:47around my wrist.
00:32:49What was that you said?
00:32:50He snapped his mouth shut.
00:32:51The memory grew clearer.
00:32:52That boy was Darian.
00:32:53He was two years older than me
00:32:54and had been thrown
00:32:54into the Hector's Hollow
00:32:55even earlier.
00:32:55Before I arrived,
00:32:56the venomous snakes
00:32:57had torment him for days
00:32:57until he barely looked human.
00:32:58But after I was in,
00:32:59it was as if the insects
00:33:00and snakes smelled something on me.
00:33:01They all began to swarm me.
00:33:02They followed.
00:33:02Even the venomous bugs
00:33:03that had been crawling on him
00:33:04scurried over to my side.
00:33:05I found it fascinating.
00:33:06Every day,
00:33:07I just sit and command them
00:33:08to scurrel back and forth.
00:33:09On the fourth day,
00:33:10I found two pieces of fruit.
00:33:11I ate one
00:33:12and placed the other on the ground.
00:33:13Darian stared at the fruit
00:33:14for a long time.
00:33:15Is that for me?
00:33:16No.
00:33:17Then why did you put it there?
00:33:18I wanted to see
00:33:18if you tried to grab it.
00:33:19If you did,
00:33:20I was going to beat you up.
00:33:21It'd be more fun that way.
00:33:22He didn't touch it.
00:33:23I waited for a while,
00:33:25disappointed.
00:33:26Fine, just take it.
00:33:26You're so skinny
00:33:27you couldn't win a fight
00:33:27against me anyway.
00:33:28And if you die,
00:33:28then I'll have no one
00:33:29to talk to but bones.
00:33:30Darian on the seventh day,
00:33:31the venom in his system
00:33:31acted up again.
00:33:32As if drawn to it,
00:33:33the bugs all swarmed over him.
00:33:35He was trembling
00:33:35all over from the pain,
00:33:36but he bit down hard
00:33:37and didn't make a soin.
00:33:38His shaking was getting
00:33:38on my nerves,
00:33:39so I kicked his leg.
00:33:40Stop shaking.
00:33:41Sorry.
00:33:42I can't control it.
00:33:43I stared at him for a moment.
00:33:45Then, after some thought,
00:33:46I bit my finger
00:33:47until it bled
00:33:47and let a drop
00:33:48fall to the ground.
00:33:49Instantly,
00:33:49the venomous bugs
00:33:50pouring from the crevices
00:33:51changed to one's stead.
00:33:52Darian stared, stunned.
00:33:54There, go to sleep now.
00:33:55Why did you help me?
00:33:57I already told you.
00:33:58If you die,
00:33:59then I'll have no one
00:34:00to talk to.
00:34:01I don't like it
00:34:02when there's no one
00:34:03to listen to me.
00:34:04Back when I was
00:34:04in my mother's belly,
00:34:05she would talk to me.
00:34:06So would my sister.
00:34:08Then they were gone
00:34:09and there was no one
00:34:09left to talk to me.
00:34:11You're from the Vale family.
00:34:12My name is Saren Vale.
00:34:14No wonder they obey you.
00:34:16The venomous creatures
00:34:17in this hollow,
00:34:18they were originally
00:34:19bred by the Vale family.
00:34:21He looked at me
00:34:22with a new understanding.
00:34:25Saren,
00:34:26maybe your grandfather
00:34:26just wanted to test you.
00:34:27He threw you in here
00:34:28because he knew
00:34:29the creatures here
00:34:29won't hurt you.
00:34:30Darian gave a faint,
00:34:31bitter smile.
00:34:32Maybe I wouldn't die,
00:34:33but he never planned
00:34:34on opening that gate
00:34:35for me again.
00:34:35I only shrugged.
00:34:36Darian fell silent.
00:34:38On the tenth day,
00:34:39the gate finally opened.
00:34:40Darian's people
00:34:41had come to retrieve him,
00:34:42but he stood in the doorway,
00:34:43unmoving.
00:34:44Take her out too.
00:34:47She's not a thorn.
00:34:49She cannot leave this place.
00:34:50Browned.
00:34:51Then I'm not leaving either.
00:34:53After that trial,
00:34:55Darian became
00:34:55the previous lord's
00:34:56only surviving son.
00:34:58In the end,
00:34:59they took me out with him.
00:35:01She's your own granddaughter.
00:35:02Why did you throw her in there?
00:35:04My grandfather
00:35:05was speechless.
00:35:07She's not normal.
00:35:09You don't seem
00:35:09very normal yourself.
00:35:11How about we throw you
00:35:12into the Hector's Hollow?
00:35:14Finally,
00:35:14he just sputtered.
00:35:16Darian stared at him coldly.
00:35:17That same day,
00:35:18he had my things packed
00:35:19and sent me back
00:35:20to the Whitecliffe.
00:35:21Later,
00:35:22a ritualist from the Abbey
00:35:23performed a sealing ceremony
00:35:24on me,
00:35:24suppressing the chaotic memories
00:35:26of my childhood along with it.
00:35:27On the tenth day,
00:35:28the gate of the Hector's Hollow
00:35:29opened again.
00:35:30When I stepped out,
00:35:31Darian was standing
00:35:32right at the front.
00:35:33He looked even thinner
00:35:34than he had ten days ago.
00:35:35His eyes lit up
00:35:36the moment he saw me,
00:35:37his face softening
00:35:38with a tenderness
00:35:39I had never seen
00:35:39on anyone before.
00:35:40I strode over
00:35:41and length his collar open.
00:35:49So it really was you.
00:35:51I looked down
00:35:52at the faint old scar
00:35:53near his collarbone.
00:35:54I remembered the boy Darian
00:35:55being bitten by a scorpion
00:35:57in the exact same spot.
00:35:59You remember?
00:36:01Why didn't you tell me sooner?
00:36:03Saren, easy!
00:36:04Calm down!
00:36:05You lied to me!
00:36:06I didn't lie!
00:36:08It's just...
00:36:09Those memories are a mess.
00:36:10I didn't know where to start.
00:36:12Besides,
00:36:12if you didn't remember,
00:36:13maybe it was for the best.
00:36:13My hand froze in mid-air.
00:36:15The skull's jaw
00:36:16clackered to the ground.
00:36:17Darian seized the chancy
00:36:18to grab my wrist.
00:36:19My fault.
00:36:20Saren,
00:36:20let me make it up to you, okay?
00:36:22Back then,
00:36:22your grandfather promised me
00:36:23he'd send you back to your father.
00:36:24I thought you'd at least
00:36:25be better off there.
00:36:26Later,
00:36:27I had someone check on you.
00:36:28That's when I learned
00:36:29your father was still mistreating you.
00:36:30And that's when I understood
00:36:32that you and I are the same.
00:36:33No matter where we are,
00:36:35people hate us.
00:36:36Life is never good for us.
00:36:37So I clawed my way to the top.
00:36:39The only way to protect you
00:36:40from being bullied
00:36:41was to become
00:36:41the Duke of Blackmore myself.
00:36:46If this were me
00:36:47before the age of 10,
00:36:48those words probably
00:36:49wouldn't have faithed me at all.
00:36:51I might even have found them laughable.
00:36:53I never needed anyone's
00:36:54protection to survive.
00:36:56But in the years
00:36:56my shadow was sealed away,
00:36:58another me experienced
00:36:59so much in my place.
00:37:00I realized Darian's kindness
00:37:02was unconditional,
00:37:03and it was just for me.
00:37:05A funny feeling
00:37:06gloomed in my chest.
00:37:08What am I supposed to say
00:37:09at a time like this?
00:37:10My lady,
00:37:11if you really don't know
00:37:12what to say,
00:37:13a simple thank you will do.
00:37:14Well, thanks.
00:37:16So I glared at Darian
00:37:17and muttered awkwardly.
00:37:18Just then,
00:37:19the arpiship approached
00:37:20with his retronude.
00:37:21He glanced at me first,
00:37:22then at the space behind me.
00:37:23The gates of Hextry's Hollow
00:37:24stood wide open.
00:37:25Countless venomous snakes,
00:37:26scorpions,
00:37:27and black spiders
00:37:27swarmed just inside,
00:37:28but not a single one
00:37:29dared to cross the threshold.
00:37:30The arpiship wore
00:37:31a complex expression.
00:37:32Finally, he knelt on one knee.
00:37:33The ten days
00:37:34a Hectorate has accepted her.
00:37:35From this day forward,
00:37:36Mrs. Thorne's position
00:37:37is beyond question.
00:37:38The nobles behind him
00:37:39had no choice
00:37:40but to kneel as well.
00:37:41How could you still be alive?
00:37:42Only Lady Anne remained standing,
00:37:44her face deathly pale.
00:37:45Your son walked out of here
00:37:46alive all those years ago.
00:37:47Why couldn't I?
00:37:48She stared at me,
00:37:49then spun around to leave.
00:37:51Darian spoke,
00:37:51his voice quiet.
00:37:52She froze.
00:37:53Wait!
00:37:53Darian raised a hand.
00:37:55Several guards
00:37:55immediately dragged forward
00:37:56six black cloaked figures,
00:37:58all of them half dead.
00:37:59The last bit of colour
00:38:00drained from Lady Anne's face.
00:38:05Mother,
00:38:06do you know these people?
00:38:07I don't.
00:38:08My Lord, mercy!
00:38:09It was Lady Anne.
00:38:10She sent us through
00:38:11the secret passage
00:38:11into Hectrat's Hollow.
00:38:12She said if Mrs. Thorne
00:38:13died inside,
00:38:14it could all be blamed
00:38:15on Hecra
00:38:15and she could reclaim
00:38:16the mistress's seal
00:38:16without question.
00:38:17First, you let Mara
00:38:18try to harm my wife.
00:38:19Now you send assassins
00:38:20to kill her.
00:38:21Mother, you're getting sloppy.
00:38:22But one of the black-cloaked figures
00:38:23collapsed to his knees.
00:38:24The crowd erupted
00:38:25in gasps and murmurs.
00:38:27Silence!
00:38:27I am your mother!
00:38:29You have no right
00:38:30to accuse me like this!
00:38:31Lady Anne shrieked.
00:38:32For years,
00:38:33I've given you plenty of face.
00:38:35You ran the estate's affairs
00:38:36and I looked the other way.
00:38:38You mobilized the guard
00:38:39without my permission
00:38:40and all I did
00:38:40was take back the seal.
00:38:42But now, Mother,
00:38:45you've burned through
00:38:45the last bit of sentiment
00:38:46I had for you as a mother.
00:38:48Darien regarded her
00:38:48with a cruel indifference.
00:38:50The few nobles
00:38:50still standing behind her
00:38:51instinctively took
00:38:52a half-step back.
00:38:54Lord Harlan,
00:38:55for illegally mobilizing
00:38:56the city guard,
00:38:56you have violated state law.
00:38:57Your seat on the council
00:38:58is revoked.
00:38:59Your land's revenues
00:39:00are forfeit.
00:39:00Your command is stripped.
00:39:01Lord Harlan's face
00:39:02went pale,
00:39:03yet no one dared to object.
00:39:04As of today,
00:39:06Mother will be retiring
00:39:06to the abbey
00:39:07for a period of
00:39:07quiet reflection.
00:39:08She is not to leave
00:39:09without my permission.
00:39:10You're imprisoning me?
00:39:12Of course not.
00:39:13It's just a quiet place.
00:39:14Perfect for prayer,
00:39:15repentance,
00:39:16and atoning for your sins.
00:39:17Darien smiled gently.
00:39:20Darien!
00:39:21I'm your mother!
00:39:22You can't do this to me!
00:39:23As Lady Anne was dragged away,
00:39:25she was still shrieking.
00:39:26Darien ignored her,
00:39:27simply taking my hand.
00:39:28This skull was a huge help.
00:39:29When we get back,
00:39:30maybe we should put it
00:39:31in a glass case?
00:39:32Darien smiled,
00:39:33took the skull from me,
00:39:34and then casually kicked it
00:39:35right back into the hollow.
00:39:36I had no idea
00:39:37why he was taking his anger out
00:39:38on a bunch of bones.
00:39:40Three days later,
00:39:41the staff at Blackmer Manor
00:39:42had been completely overhauled,
00:39:43and the mistress scene
00:39:44was formally delivered to me.
00:39:48Just then,
00:39:49an urgent letter arrived
00:39:50from Whiteclitch.
00:39:51It was in my father's hand,
00:39:52just a few short lines.
00:39:54Seren,
00:39:54the midwife who attended
00:39:55your mother's birth,
00:39:56has regained her senses.
00:39:57She says,
00:39:58Your mother didn't die
00:39:59in childbirth.
00:39:59She was poisoned.
00:40:00I stared at those last two words
00:40:02for a long time,
00:40:03saying nothing.
00:40:03Behind me, however,
00:40:04my two shadows
00:40:05began to throsh violently.
00:40:06Darien took the letter from me.
00:40:08After reading it,
00:40:09he asked just one thing.
00:40:10When do we leave?
00:40:11Now.
00:40:12All right.
00:40:13I'm going with you.
00:40:15A few days later,
00:40:16the Duke of Blackmore
00:40:17rolled into Whitecliffe.
00:40:18I lifted the carriage curtain,
00:40:20looking out at the
00:40:20increasingly familiar city walls.
00:40:22I felt no homesickness,
00:40:23only annoyance.
00:40:24A delegation from
00:40:25Whitecliffe's ruling council
00:40:26was sent to greet us.
00:40:27The Duke of Blackmore
00:40:27personally accompanying his wife
00:40:29back to her home city
00:40:29was quite the spectacle.
00:40:30Young people from all over the city
00:40:32packed the streets
00:40:32to catch a glimpse.
00:40:37So that's the Lady of Blackham.
00:40:38She looks awfully screeny.
00:40:39I hear the Duke of Blackham
00:40:40is young and powerful,
00:40:41with a vicious temper to match.
00:40:42A sickly little thing like that
00:40:43probably won't last a night with him.
00:40:45The old councillor beside him
00:40:46suddenly clapped a hand
00:40:47over his mouth.
00:40:47Do you have a death wish?
00:40:50Grandfather,
00:40:50what are you doing?
00:40:50What's there to be afraid of?
00:40:51This is Whitecliffe.
00:40:52He wouldn't dare kill someone
00:40:53in the middle of the street,
00:40:53would he?
00:40:54The young man looked confused,
00:40:55finally taking the hand
00:40:56off his mouth.
00:40:58You fool!
00:40:59It's not him I'm worried about.
00:41:00It's the woman beside him
00:41:01I'm afraid of.
00:41:02Her?
00:41:02She's just some sickly woman.
00:41:04What's so scary about her?
00:41:05The white-haired old councillor's
00:41:07face flushed with anger.
00:41:08The old councillor slacked him.
00:41:09I glanced at him
00:41:10and immediately knew who he was.
00:41:11Lord Colton,
00:41:12the highest-ranking senior councillor
00:41:13in Whitecliffe.
00:41:14In his youth,
00:41:15he dared to defy the magistrate
00:41:16to his face
00:41:17and had served three generations
00:41:18of lords.
00:41:19When I was seven,
00:41:20at a public banquet,
00:41:21he had declared in front of everyone
00:41:23that I had a vicious nature
00:41:24and would eventually bring about
00:41:25some great disaster.
00:41:26He urged my father
00:41:27to send me away to a convent
00:41:29and have me locked up.
00:41:30That very night,
00:41:31I climbed into his house.
00:41:32I wrote out the names
00:41:33of all 37 members
00:41:34of his household,
00:41:35leaving not a single one out
00:41:36on blackboarded morning cards,
00:41:37then hung them with black ribbons
00:41:38all over his bedroom.
00:41:39When he woke the next morning,
00:41:41he feigned dead away.
00:41:42For six months after that,
00:41:43he didn't dare sleep
00:41:43without a light on.
00:41:44Thinking of this,
00:41:45I offered him a small smile.
00:41:46His eyes rolled back in his head
00:41:48and he collapsed on the spot.
00:41:53The young man's scream
00:41:54rose from behind the carriage.
00:41:56Darian leaned towards me
00:41:57and laughed under his breath.
00:41:58It seems you frightened
00:41:59quite a few people
00:42:00when you were little.
00:42:00I shrugged.
00:42:02I was only playing.
00:42:04The carriage soon came to a halt
00:42:06before the gate
00:42:06of the Vale Manor.
00:42:07My father was already waiting there
00:42:09with the rest of the family.
00:42:10When I stepped down
00:42:11from the carriage,
00:42:12he looked at me first,
00:42:13then lowered his eyes
00:42:14to my feet.
00:42:15The afternoon sun was bright.
00:42:17Two shadows,
00:42:18one dark and one pale,
00:42:19fell clearly across the stone step.
00:42:22My father's expression
00:42:23changed at once.
00:42:25Seren, your seal.
00:42:27I curled my lips.
00:42:29It broke.
00:42:35My father seemed to realize
00:42:37his own loss of composure
00:42:38and quickly straightened again.
00:42:40Come inside first.
00:42:43Where is the midwife?
00:42:46At the mention of that,
00:42:48his expression finally turned grave.
00:42:51She's awake.
00:42:53But 19 years of madness
00:42:54ruined her health.
00:42:55The doctor said
00:42:56she cannot be agitated again today
00:42:58or she may faint
00:42:58all over again.
00:43:00The council chamber
00:43:01is holding a banquet tonight
00:43:02to welcome you both back.
00:43:04After the banquet is over,
00:43:05I'll take you to see her tomorrow.
00:43:08Fine.
00:43:09Perhaps word had spread
00:43:10too quickly
00:43:11of Lord Calder
00:43:11fainting in the street
00:43:12that afternoon.
00:43:15At the banquet that night,
00:43:17the old councilman's
00:43:18looked at me
00:43:18with extraordinary caution.
00:43:21Most of them had played with me
00:43:22when I was a child.
00:43:24Some had been tied by me
00:43:25to the top of the bell tower
00:43:26and left to freeze
00:43:27in the night wind.
00:43:29Some I had chased with guards
00:43:31all the way into the river
00:43:32and one still carried a scar
00:43:34on his backside
00:43:35from where I had branded him
00:43:36with a red-hot fireplace poker.
00:43:39The younger generation, however,
00:43:42knew none of this
00:43:42and in the end,
00:43:44Adrian Coulter,
00:43:45Lord Coulter's grandson,
00:43:47could not hold himself back.
00:43:49He was clearly still smarting
00:43:51from the public humiliation
00:43:52I'd caused his grandfather.
00:43:53So, fueled by a few glasses of wine,
00:43:56he stood up
00:43:56and addressed me directly.
00:43:58Mrs. Thorne,
00:43:59my grandfather was telling me
00:44:00that back in the day,
00:44:01no one in Whiteclift
00:44:02dared to cross you.
00:44:05You fool!
00:44:06Sit down!
00:44:08But Adrian was defiant.
00:44:09Grandfather,
00:44:10I just want to have a word
00:44:11with Mrs. Thorne.
00:44:13Mrs. Thorne won't mind,
00:44:15will she?
00:44:20Of course I don't mind.
00:44:22Seeing that I'd humored him,
00:44:23Adrian lifted his chin
00:44:24even higher.
00:44:25I remember you
00:44:26from when I was little, too.
00:44:27You were so frail back then.
00:44:30You could barely walk a few steps
00:44:32without getting winded.
00:44:33I just don't get it.
00:44:34So how is it
00:44:35that after just one trip
00:44:36to Blackmoor,
00:44:37all our elders act like
00:44:37they've seen a ghost
00:44:38whenever you're around?
00:44:39Or does Blackmoor
00:44:40just have a habit
00:44:40of creating monsters
00:44:41and the Duke happens
00:44:42to have a taste
00:44:42for that sort of thing?
00:44:44Darian was still smiling,
00:44:45but his eyes had gone cold.
00:44:47I lifted a finger
00:44:48and tapped the table twice.
00:44:49The other young people
00:44:50around them
00:44:51didn't sense the danger
00:44:52and just laughed along.
00:44:53I remember that, too.
00:44:55Mrs. Thorne hardly ever
00:44:56went to banquets,
00:44:57always taking medicine,
00:44:58so fragile,
00:45:00a strong gust of wind
00:45:00could knock her over.
00:45:02I heard they have some
00:45:03unusual medical practices
00:45:05in Blackmoor.
00:45:06They love to experiment
00:45:07on the half-dead.
00:45:08Maybe that's just
00:45:09the Duke's type.
00:45:10The group erupted in laughter,
00:45:11practically doubling over.
00:45:12Meanwhile,
00:45:13every single elder
00:45:13at the banquet
00:45:14had gone pale.
00:45:15Even the chief magistrator,
00:45:16seated at the head
00:45:17of the table,
00:45:17quietly raised a hand
00:45:18to wipe the sweat
00:45:19from his brow.
00:45:22I laughed, too.
00:45:24In fact,
00:45:25my smile was even
00:45:26wider than theirs.
00:45:28The moment Lord Colton
00:45:30saw my expression,
00:45:31his face went
00:45:32piler still.
00:45:35You fool!
00:45:37Get on your knees
00:45:38and apologize!
00:45:40Adrian,
00:45:41flushed with wine
00:45:42and bravado,
00:45:42wouldn't listen.
00:45:44Grandfather,
00:45:45it was just a few jokes.
00:45:47Mrs. Thorne
00:45:48isn't even mad.
00:45:49What is there
00:45:49to apologize for?
00:45:51Exactly.
00:45:52It's just a bit of fun.
00:45:54Why so serious,
00:45:55Lord Calder?
00:45:57Lord Calder
00:45:58closed his eyes,
00:45:59looking like a man
00:45:59who had accepted his fate.
00:46:01I beckoned
00:46:01to a nearby servant,
00:46:02bring four wine glasses.
00:46:07A moment later,
00:46:08four identical crystal goblets
00:46:10were set on the table.
00:46:11I poured the wine myself,
00:46:13filling each one
00:46:14to the brim.
00:46:16What are you doing?
00:46:20We're going to play a game.
00:46:23You like jokes,
00:46:24don't you?
00:46:25You were all having
00:46:26such a good laugh just now.
00:46:28If I didn't play along,
00:46:29that would make me
00:46:29a terrible spoil part,
00:46:31wouldn't it?
00:46:31What's the matter, Adrian?
00:46:33Afraid to play with me?
00:46:34Adrian glanced
00:46:35at his grandfather's
00:46:36Ashken face
00:46:37and hesitated for a moment,
00:46:38but then puffed out his chest
00:46:40and lifted his chin.
00:46:42Fine.
00:46:43Let's play a game.
00:46:44Who's afraid of who?
00:46:45I smiled again
00:46:46and gestured to the glasses
00:46:48on the table.
00:46:49Four glasses of wine.
00:46:52I've poisoned one of them.
00:46:54Then I pointed to Julian and Lena.
00:46:57The three of you,
00:46:58plus me,
00:46:59we each pick one.
00:47:02Whoever drinks
00:47:03the poisoned glass
00:47:05loses.
00:47:07The entire banquet hall
00:47:08fell silent.
00:47:10The color drained
00:47:11from all three
00:47:12of their faces at once.
00:47:14I was even kind enough
00:47:15to add,
00:47:16don't worry,
00:47:18it's not fatal.
00:47:19It just makes your flesh
00:47:21slowly rot away
00:47:22and the wound
00:47:23will never heal.
00:47:26You're the lady of Blackmer.
00:47:28You dare use poison
00:47:29in front of the chief magistrate
00:47:30and a room full of guests.
00:47:31I famed a look of surprise.
00:47:33What a strange question.
00:47:34Weren't you the ones
00:47:35who wanted some fun?
00:47:37Your Excellency,
00:47:39I believe I laid out
00:47:39the rules quite clearly.
00:47:41That isn't an offense,
00:47:42is it?
00:47:42The chief magistrate
00:47:43wiped the sweat
00:47:44from his temp
00:47:44and glanced at Darian
00:47:46who hadn't said a word.
00:47:48Of course,
00:47:49not.
00:47:50Pleased,
00:47:51I smiled and turned back
00:47:52to the three of them.
00:47:53Well?
00:47:56Scared now?
00:47:57Adrian clenched his jaw.
00:47:59If you lose,
00:48:00what are the stakes?
00:48:01I pulled the bone dagger
00:48:03from Hexip's Hollow
00:48:04out of my sleeve
00:48:04and planted it upright
00:48:05on the table.
00:48:06If I lose,
00:48:07I'll cut off
00:48:08one of my fingers for you.
00:48:13If that's not enough,
00:48:14I have enough
00:48:15for all of you.
00:48:17I gave them a wide,
00:48:18toothy grin.
00:48:19The two shadows behind me
00:48:21seemed to deepen
00:48:21along with it.
00:48:23Adrian was clearly scared,
00:48:24but with the chief magistrate
00:48:25refusing to intervene,
00:48:27backing down now
00:48:27would be an even
00:48:28greater humiliation.
00:48:30Fine.
00:48:30If I lose,
00:48:31I'll stake a finger as well.
00:48:34No.
00:48:37Why?
00:48:37My eyes lingered
00:48:38on his mouth.
00:48:40Adrian,
00:48:40your mouth was
00:48:41the most amusing
00:48:41thing here tonight.
00:48:43It would be even
00:48:44more entertaining
00:48:44if you were missing
00:48:45your two front teeth.
00:48:52You!
00:48:55What's the matter?
00:48:57Afraid?
00:48:58Who said I'm afraid?
00:49:02You're on.
00:49:05A wave of stuffled gasps
00:49:07swept through the hall.
00:49:08I turned to Julian.
00:49:10As for you, Julian,
00:49:12Julian's face
00:49:13was just as grim.
00:49:15But Adrian had already agreed.
00:49:17Backing out now
00:49:18would be even more humiliating.
00:49:20You were acting like
00:49:21quite the expert
00:49:22on Blackmore's medicine earlier.
00:49:24your head must be full of all sorts
00:49:26of fascinating facts.
00:49:28If you lose,
00:49:30your hair is mine.
00:49:32Julian's expression
00:49:33changed instantly.
00:49:34To be shorn of one's hair
00:49:36in public
00:49:36was a severe form
00:49:37of humiliation.
00:49:39You!
00:49:40He glanced around,
00:49:42but not a single one
00:49:43of the elders
00:49:43would speak up for him.
00:49:47Fine.
00:49:48I'm in too.
00:49:49Finally,
00:49:50he forced the words out.
00:49:51Good.
00:49:53At last,
00:49:54I looked at Lena.
00:49:55The smile had long since
00:49:56vanished from her face.
00:49:57As my gaze fell upon her,
00:49:59her grip on her wine glass
00:50:00tightened instinctively.
00:50:02And what about me?
00:50:05Lena was very beautiful.
00:50:07She was known
00:50:08for cherishing her hands.
00:50:09Her nails were perfectly manicured,
00:50:11gleaming with a pale pink lust.
00:50:12Lena,
00:50:13you were quite bold
00:50:14when you were joking
00:50:14about my body.
00:50:15so for your turn,
00:50:17you'll have to risk
00:50:18something you value too.
00:50:20I hear you prize
00:50:21those hands above all else.
00:50:22Then let's make the stake
00:50:23one of your fingernails.
00:50:25Are you insane?
00:50:26The entire hall
00:50:27fell silent once more.
00:50:30Is one not enough?
00:50:33Then stake all ten.
00:50:35I'm fine with that.
00:50:39Adrian immediately
00:50:40fanned the flames
00:50:41from beside her.
00:50:42Lena,
00:50:43it's just one fingernail.
00:50:45It won't kill you.
00:50:46She's willing to bet
00:50:47a whole finger.
00:50:48What are you afraid of?
00:50:51I shot him an approvid look.
00:50:54Adrian's right.
00:50:56We're all just here
00:50:57for some fun.
00:51:00Don't spoil it.
00:51:03Backed into a corner,
00:51:04Lena had no other choice
00:51:05but to nod
00:51:06through gritted teeth.
00:51:08Fine.
00:51:10I'm in.
00:51:12I'm in.
00:51:13I slid the four glasses
00:51:14gently forward.
00:51:16Let's begin.
00:51:18The moment I finished,
00:51:20the three who had been
00:51:21the most boisterous
00:51:22just moments ago
00:51:23were now silent,
00:51:24staring at the glasses
00:51:25before them,
00:51:26each face
00:51:26palier than the next.
00:51:28Adrian swallowed hard.
00:51:31Who goes first?
00:51:33I gave him
00:51:33an incredulous look.
00:51:35Do you really need
00:51:36to ask?
00:51:37With that,
00:51:37I casually picked up
00:51:38the nearest glass
00:51:39and drained it in one go.
00:51:40Sharon!
00:51:40My father shot to his feet.
00:51:42Darian, however,
00:51:43remained perfectly still.
00:51:44His eyes were fixed
00:51:45on the empty glass
00:51:46in my hand
00:51:46and a faint smile
00:51:47touched his lips.
00:51:48My wife can hold
00:51:49her liquor.
00:51:51I placed the cup
00:51:52upside down
00:51:53on the table.
00:51:53Not a single drop
00:51:55was left.
00:51:57All right.
00:51:59Your turn.
00:52:00The three of them
00:52:01were silent,
00:52:02looking from me
00:52:03to the three remaining
00:52:04glasses on the table.
00:52:06No one dared
00:52:07to reach for one.
00:52:08I rested my chin
00:52:09in my hand,
00:52:10waiting.
00:52:11Drink up.
00:52:14Sweat was already
00:52:15beading on Adrian's
00:52:16forehead.
00:52:17Lena's eyes
00:52:18were glued to my hand,
00:52:19as if she expected
00:52:20to see my skin
00:52:21start rotting
00:52:21at any second.
00:52:22I deliberately
00:52:23lifted my hand,
00:52:24slowly running my fingers
00:52:25over the back of it.
00:52:26Her face grew
00:52:26another shade piler.
00:52:27She clutched her dress,
00:52:29refusing to touch the glass.
00:52:30I turned my gaze
00:52:30back to Adrian.
00:52:32What's the matter?
00:52:33Weren't you so talkative
00:52:33just a moment ago?
00:52:34Gritting his teeth,
00:52:35Adrian finally picked up
00:52:36a glass,
00:52:37but his hand was trembling
00:52:38so violently
00:52:38that he held it to his lips
00:52:39for an eternity,
00:52:40unable to take a sip.
00:52:42Julian hadn't even
00:52:42touched his glass.
00:52:43The hall had fallen
00:52:44deathly silent.
00:52:46After a long moment,
00:52:47I sighed.
00:52:49Not drinking?
00:52:52None of the three
00:52:53utter a word.
00:52:54Then you concede.
00:53:00Then I'm coming
00:53:01to collect my winnings.
00:53:04The colour draped
00:53:05from all three
00:53:06of their faces.
00:53:07No!
00:53:08It was just a game.
00:53:09You're not actually
00:53:10going to pull my tooth,
00:53:11are you?
00:53:11Adrian cried out.
00:53:12I didn't drink anything.
00:53:14The bet is off.
00:53:15Julian panicked as well.
00:53:17It's precisely
00:53:18because you didn't drink
00:53:19that you lost.
00:53:20We're backing out!
00:53:22Lena's face flushed
00:53:23with fury.
00:53:24The smile slowly
00:53:25vanished from my face.
00:53:28Oh.
00:53:30Backing out?
00:53:31Fine by me.
00:53:34I sat back down
00:53:35in my seat.
00:53:36Then we won't play.
00:53:38The three of them
00:53:39had just started
00:53:39to breathe a sigh
00:53:40of relief
00:53:40when Darian spoke.
00:53:41Wait.
00:53:42The hall fell silent
00:53:43yet again.
00:53:44He was still holding
00:53:45his wine glass,
00:53:46his expression
00:53:46almost gentle.
00:53:48A moment ago
00:53:48the three of you
00:53:49were making fun
00:53:49of my wife and me
00:53:50in front of
00:53:51Whitecliffe's
00:53:51chief magistrator
00:53:52and this entire hall.
00:53:53My wife chose
00:53:54not to make an issue
00:53:55of it.
00:53:55Instead,
00:53:56she indulged you
00:53:57and played
00:53:58your little game.
00:53:59Adrian was embarrassed.
00:54:00You set the stakes.
00:54:02You agreed to the game.
00:54:03Darian continued,
00:54:04his voice calm
00:54:05and even.
00:54:06And now that you've lost,
00:54:07you say it doesn't count.
00:54:09He let out a soft,
00:54:11almost pleasant laugh.
00:54:12What's this?
00:54:12Is it the rule
00:54:13in Whitecliffe
00:54:14that you are only
00:54:14allowed to win
00:54:15but never to lose?
00:54:16Adrian grew desperate.
00:54:18My lord,
00:54:18your words are too severe.
00:54:20It was just a joke
00:54:21among us youngsters.
00:54:23Darian nodded slowly.
00:54:25Very well.
00:54:26If this was a private joke,
00:54:28then honour the wager
00:54:29and pay your stakes.
00:54:30Adrian was choked
00:54:31into silence.
00:54:32Darian set his glass down.
00:54:34But if you are unwilling,
00:54:35then I will have no choice
00:54:36but to interpret your words
00:54:38as Whitecliffe's official position
00:54:39toward Blackmore.
00:54:40As those words landed,
00:54:41the expression of everyone
00:54:42in the hall
00:54:43changed drastically.
00:54:46Calling Blackmore
00:54:47produces freaks.
00:54:49Using Blackmore's witchcraft
00:54:50to humiliate my wife
00:54:52and claiming I married her
00:54:53only to use her
00:54:54for experiments.
00:54:57If those were not jokes,
00:54:59then that was a public insult
00:55:01to Blackmore.
00:55:01He turned his head,
00:55:02his gaze landing
00:55:03on the chief magistrator
00:55:04at the head table.
00:55:05In that case,
00:55:06I must insist on an explanation,
00:55:08Your Excellency.
00:55:08Lord Calder fell to his knees
00:55:10with a thumb.
00:55:10Your Excellency!
00:55:11My lord!
00:55:13Adrian is young and dumb!
00:55:15He drank too much
00:55:16and was spouting nonsense!
00:55:18Julian's father
00:55:18quickly knelt as well.
00:55:20Lena's grandfather,
00:55:21his face a griff mask,
00:55:22grabbed her
00:55:23and forced her
00:55:23to her knees beside him.
00:55:24Admit your mistake!
00:55:25Now!
00:55:28The chief magistrator
00:55:29rubbed his temples,
00:55:30his eyes flicking
00:55:31to the three untouched glasses
00:55:32on the table.
00:55:33Since you made the wager yourselves,
00:55:36then you must honour the loss.
00:55:38Guards,
00:55:41collect the stakes
00:55:42as wagered.
00:55:46Your Excellency!
00:55:47The chief magistrate
00:55:48stared at him coldly.
00:55:49Or would you prefer
00:55:50Blackmoor treat this
00:55:51as an official insult
00:55:53between our two cities?
00:55:54Adrian's face
00:55:54went pale as a sheet.
00:55:56He didn't dare say another word.
00:55:58Hold them down.
00:56:00Several guards
00:56:00stepped forward immediately.
00:56:02Adrian's voice
00:56:03was warped with terror.
00:56:06Grandfather!
00:56:08Grandfather, save me!
00:56:10Lord Calder shut his eyes
00:56:12and turned his face away.
00:56:13Why did you have to provoke her?
00:56:15You brought this on yourself.
00:56:18Now suffer for it!
00:56:19Adrian.
00:56:21Two guards
00:56:22pinned his shoulders.
00:56:24A physician stepped forward,
00:56:25holding a pair of metal pliers.
00:56:27The next second...
00:56:28Aaaaaah!
00:56:32Aaaaaah!
00:56:33A single scream
00:56:34tore through the silence
00:56:35of the banquet hall.
00:56:37Two blooded front teeth
00:56:38clackered onto a silver tray.
00:56:40I nodded,
00:56:41satisfied.
00:56:43Not bad.
00:56:44Adrian clutched his mouth,
00:56:46tears of pain
00:56:47streaming down his face.
00:56:48Then,
00:56:49it was Julian's turn.
00:56:51He was so terrified
00:56:52his legs could barely hold him.
00:56:54Father!
00:56:54Julian's father clenched his jaw
00:56:55and turned away.
00:56:56Shaving your head doesn't hurt.
00:56:57Endure it.
00:57:04Aaaaaah!
00:57:05Aaaaaah!
00:57:07I offered a comment.
00:57:08How original.
00:57:12Julian.
00:57:14Then Lena began to struggle desperately.
00:57:16No!
00:57:17I was wrong!
00:57:19Mrs. Thorne,
00:57:20I admit I was wrong!
00:57:21Isn't that enough?
00:57:23Two maids held her down.
00:57:25She frantically tried
00:57:26to pull her hands
00:57:27back into her sleeves.
00:57:29I walked over and crouched in front of her.
00:57:33I walked over and crouched in front of her.
00:57:34Lena.
00:57:35Weren't you having such a good time
00:57:37making fun of me earlier?
00:57:39Why aren't you laughing now?
00:57:42She was crying so hard
00:57:43her makeup was a smeared mess.
00:57:44I was wrong!
00:57:45I was wrong!
00:57:46Please spare me just this once!
00:57:48A pity.
00:57:49I'm a stickler for the rules.
00:57:51The physician took hold
00:57:53of her little finger.
00:57:55With a flick of a small silver knife,
00:57:58a fingernail was peeled clean off,
00:58:00taking a slab of flesh with it.
00:58:03Lina let out a piercing shriek.
00:58:07So loud,
00:58:08Darren spoke at once.
00:58:09Gag her.
00:58:10A nearby maid immediately stuffed
00:58:12a silk hamperchief into Lina's mouth.
00:58:15No!
00:58:17I turned to Darian,
00:58:19and they call me the crazy one.
00:58:21I just didn't want her noise
00:58:23to disturb you.
00:58:24His answer pleased me immensely.
00:58:28Before long,
00:58:29three small silver trays
00:58:31were placed in front of me.
00:58:32I looked them over,
00:58:34feeling quite pleased.
00:58:36All right.
00:58:37Game over.
00:58:39Adrian glared at me,
00:58:40his mouth a mess of gaps and blood.
00:58:43Are you satisfied now?
00:58:46Quite satisfied.
00:58:49With that,
00:58:50I reached for the three
00:58:51remaining glasses on the table
00:58:52and drank them down,
00:58:53one by one.
00:58:55Everyone froze.
00:58:57Adrian forgot all about the pain.
00:58:59What are you doing?
00:59:04Drinking, of course.
00:59:06Julian went pale.
00:59:08What about the poison?
00:59:10What poison?
00:59:11All three of them stiffened.
00:59:13I managed to hold it in for a moment,
00:59:16then burst out laughing.
00:59:19You didn't actually think I'd poison someone
00:59:22in front of this entire crowd,
00:59:23did you?
00:59:24The banquet hall went dead silent.
00:59:27Lena's eyes wapened.
00:59:28The next moment,
00:59:29she tore free from the two maids
00:59:31and lunged at me.
00:59:31They're in veil,
00:59:32you maniac!
00:59:33You tricked me!
00:59:35Darian casually stuck out a leg.
00:59:38Lena tripped over it,
00:59:39sprawling to the floor.
00:59:40A small satchel tied at her waist
00:59:43flew loose and landed at my feet.
00:59:44The sasho's fabric was faded with age.
00:59:48Embroidered on it was a lily
00:59:49with a thin red snake
00:59:50coiled around its stem.
00:59:52The smile vanished from my face.
00:59:55An indescribable wave of revulgent
00:59:57and a chilling dread
00:59:58washed over me.
00:59:59I bent down
01:00:00and picked up the sasho.
01:00:06Lena.
01:00:08Where did you get this?
01:00:11Lena clutched her bleeding finger,
01:00:13glaring daggles at me.
01:00:15It was my grandmother's.
01:00:17What, does even a worn-out sasho
01:00:18catch your eye?
01:00:19I ignored her,
01:00:20my gaze fixed on the thin red snake
01:00:21coiled around the lily's stem.
01:00:23Suddenly, my father rose from the table.
01:00:25Let me see that.
01:00:25I tossed the sasho to him.
01:00:28He only had to inhale the scent once
01:00:30for his expression to shift entirely.
01:00:32This is the one.
01:00:33Your mother wore this exact scent
01:00:35constantly during the last months
01:00:36of her pregnancies.
01:00:37Lena's grandfather stared over as well.
01:00:40This belonged to Celia?
01:00:42Lena was taken aback by his expression.
01:00:45Yes.
01:00:46It was my grandmother's favorite fragrance
01:00:48when she was young.
01:00:49We have several more at home.
01:00:51Celia Hart.
01:00:52The most infamous widow
01:00:53of the Hart family
01:00:54and my mother's closest friend
01:00:55in Whitecliffe back then.
01:00:57The chief magistrate at the head table
01:00:58had clearly sensed something
01:00:59was deeply wrong.
01:01:00Tonight, quitters concluded.
01:01:01As Mike's banquet is for the three of you,
01:01:02go home and get your family's affairs in order.
01:01:05If this involves murder,
01:01:07the matter will be brought
01:01:08before the High Court.
01:01:10The moment they heard they could leave,
01:01:12Adrian and his friends
01:01:13practically scrambled out of the hall.
01:01:15As he passed me,
01:01:17Adrian clutched his gapped mouth,
01:01:18hugging the wall as he scurried past.
01:01:23Adrian.
01:01:25He flinched.
01:01:27What is it now?
01:01:28Let's play again sometime.
01:01:30Adrian bolted right away.
01:01:32Lord Calder hurried after him,
01:01:34branching his cane.
01:01:34You idiot!
01:01:35Wait for me!
01:01:37I found the scene rather amusing.
01:01:44Darren took my hand.
01:01:47Home?
01:01:50Sure.
01:01:52The next day,
01:01:54the midwife had finally regained some composure.
01:01:56The moment she saw the old satchel,
01:01:58she began to tremble violently.
01:02:00That's it.
01:02:01That's the scent!
01:02:03Two weeks before Selene went into labour,
01:02:05Miss Celia brought over
01:02:06a box of sleep aid incense.
01:02:08She claimed it was from overseas merchants
01:02:10and was the best for calming the nerves.
01:02:12After Selene started using it,
01:02:14she began having nightmares.
01:02:16Why didn't anyone suspect a thing back then?
01:02:19His voice was strained.
01:02:21The midwife started to cry.
01:02:24Why would anyone have suspected her?
01:02:27She and Selene were inseparable.
01:02:29On the day Selene gave birth,
01:02:31she stayed outside the entire time.
01:02:33I had no interest in how close they once were.
01:02:36What about the incense, Kerner?
01:02:38I asked only one thing.
01:02:40Father froze for a moment,
01:02:42then immediately ordered his men
01:02:44to unseal my mother's bedchamber,
01:02:45which had been locked for 19 years.
01:02:48The incense, Carther, was still there.
01:02:50At the bottom,
01:02:50a trace of charred ash remained.
01:02:53Darren pinched a bit of the ash,
01:02:54raising it to his nose.
01:02:56His expression instantly turned grim.
01:02:58This is soul-rending incense.
01:03:00I looked at him.
01:03:01What does it do?
01:03:03It's a forbidden incense
01:03:03of Blackham's ancient bloodlines.
01:03:05On its own,
01:03:06soul-rending incense is odourless.
01:03:08Darren answered in a low voice.
01:03:09But when mixed with other spices or perfumes,
01:03:11even the most skilled physicians
01:03:12can't detect it by scent.
01:03:13It can only be identified by the symptoms
01:03:15that appear after prolonged use
01:03:16or by analysing the ashes.
01:03:18It doesn't harm the body.
01:03:19It attacks the mind,
01:03:20the very soul.
01:03:21In the beginning,
01:03:22the effects are subtle.
01:03:23Drowsiness,
01:03:24nightmares,
01:03:25mental fog,
01:03:25easily mistaken for simple exhaustion.
01:03:27But with continued exposure,
01:03:28the line between dream and reality
01:03:30begins to blur.
01:03:30The victims start seeing people
01:03:31who aren't there,
01:03:32and eventually they start to see
01:03:33another version of themselves.
01:03:34He paused.
01:03:35By the time the soul truly shatters,
01:03:37the body may still live,
01:03:38but it's nothing more than
01:03:39and is especially lethal
01:03:40to pregnant women.
01:03:41An unborn child's soul
01:03:42is inherently unstable,
01:03:43still tethered to its mother.
01:03:44Once the incense enters the system,
01:03:45it damages the mother first,
01:03:46and through her,
01:03:47the child.
01:03:48The midwife's words
01:03:50devolved into sobs.
01:03:51You were born without a breath,
01:03:54but Selenie wouldn't let
01:03:55a soul near you.
01:03:57She clutched both of you,
01:03:59muttering words
01:03:59I couldn't understand.
01:04:02Then...
01:04:02Her eyes widened in terror,
01:04:04fixed on the floor beneath me.
01:04:06Suddenly, Selenie's shadow was gone,
01:04:08and it all pooled
01:04:10at your feet, Seren.
01:04:11My father staggered back a step,
01:04:13but I just stared
01:04:14at the incense killer.
01:04:18Where is Celia now?
01:04:22News came from the Hart family
01:04:23that same day.
01:04:25Celia was alive.
01:04:27For years,
01:04:28she had been living in seclusion
01:04:29in a villa
01:04:30on the outskirts of Whitecliff.
01:04:32But by the time
01:04:33the court's officers arrived,
01:04:35she had already fled.
01:04:36I smiled.
01:04:37So, House Hart tipped off their own
01:04:39before they sent word to us.
01:04:42It doesn't matter.
01:04:44She can't have gotten far.
01:04:48Then,
01:04:49what exactly was your muttering
01:04:51before she died?
01:04:53My father frowned,
01:04:55a thought suddenly occurring to him.
01:05:00The right of returning shadows.
01:05:06Before coming back to Whiteclique,
01:05:08I'd had Darion take me to my grandfather.
01:05:11Elias Vale now lives in Mist Hollow.
01:05:13After word got out
01:05:14that he'd thrown his own granddaughter
01:05:16into Hectory's Hollow,
01:05:17House Vale disowned him.
01:05:19Later,
01:05:19when Darion took power,
01:05:21he stripped Elias
01:05:22of all his former titles
01:05:23within the ancient bloodlines.
01:05:25Now he just scrapes by
01:05:26treating snake baits
01:05:27for the nearby villagers.
01:05:28When we found him,
01:05:30he was squatting outside
01:05:30a dilapidated hut
01:05:32brewing medicine.
01:05:33The old man I remembered,
01:05:34who always wore long robes
01:05:36and carried himself
01:05:37with an air of superiority,
01:05:38had withered into little more
01:05:40than a bag of bones.
01:05:41Hearing footsteps,
01:05:42he slowly looked up.
01:05:43When he saw my face,
01:05:45he froze.
01:05:47A second later,
01:05:48his gaze dropped to my feet.
01:05:53Seren?
01:05:55I stepped before him.
01:05:56The first time you saw me,
01:05:58you saw the two shadows
01:05:59at my feet
01:06:00and immediately called me
01:06:01a monster.
01:06:02Then you threw me
01:06:03into Hectory's Hollow.
01:06:04So you're going to tell me now,
01:06:06what is this?
01:06:08Elias stared,
01:06:09transfixed,
01:06:10at the two shadows.
01:06:12He told me that long ago,
01:06:14House Vale possessed
01:06:15a form of sorcery
01:06:16so forbidden
01:06:16it was erased
01:06:17from their histories.
01:06:18Its name was
01:06:19The Rite of Returning Shadows.
01:06:21Normally,
01:06:21when a person dies,
01:06:22their soul leaves the body
01:06:23and simply dissipates.
01:06:25But between those
01:06:26of close blood,
01:06:27if a dying soul
01:06:27hadn't completely faded,
01:06:29a remnant of it
01:06:30could be anchored
01:06:30to a living relative shadow.
01:06:32That is why
01:06:32I have two shadows.
01:06:34Elias's voice
01:06:34was a dry rash.
01:06:36Your mother
01:06:36was exceptionally gifted,
01:06:38even as a child.
01:06:39She read nearly
01:06:40every forbidden text
01:06:41in the Bloodlines library.
01:06:42The moment I saw
01:06:43your second shadow,
01:06:44I knew she must have used
01:06:45The Rite of Returning Shadows
01:06:46on you just before she died.
01:06:47I just never imagined
01:06:49she would actually dare
01:06:50to use it,
01:06:51all to save her child.
01:06:52I stared at him,
01:06:53my voice cold as ice,
01:06:55and you didn't know
01:06:56what had happened then.
01:06:59I knew nothing.
01:07:01After your mother
01:07:02married into Whitecliffe,
01:07:03she had little contact
01:07:03with the Bloodlines.
01:07:04The news we received
01:07:05only said she died
01:07:06in childbirth.
01:07:07I had no idea
01:07:07why she would have been
01:07:08driven to use such a Rite.
01:07:09My questioning
01:07:10was relentless.
01:07:10If you knew about the Rite,
01:07:11then why did you
01:07:12throw me into Hectory's Hollow?
01:07:14A tremor ran
01:07:15through Elias' hands.
01:07:17Because having two souls
01:07:19in one body
01:07:19is the greatest taboo
01:07:20of House Vale.
01:07:22It was written
01:07:23in the old Exics.
01:07:24When two souls
01:07:25inhabit one body,
01:07:26if they are at odds,
01:07:27the mind will fracture.
01:07:28In the worst case,
01:07:30they will devour each other.
01:07:31He risked a glance at me,
01:07:32not daring to say more.
01:07:34I finished for him,
01:07:35and you decided
01:07:36that I was the wicked one.
01:07:37He bowed his head.
01:07:38I thought the two souls
01:07:40were in conflict,
01:07:41that it was only a matter
01:07:42of time before you
01:07:42lost control
01:07:43and hurt someone.
01:07:45A humorless laugh
01:07:46escaped my lips.
01:07:47So instead of trying
01:07:48to save me,
01:07:49you threw me in there
01:07:50to die.
01:07:51The color drinned
01:07:51from Elias' face.
01:07:53Seren,
01:07:54I was just so scared
01:07:56for House Vale.
01:07:59I was wrong.
01:08:00Not a single day
01:08:02has gone by
01:08:02that I haven't regretted it.
01:08:04It was only later
01:08:05that I understood.
01:08:07Your mother gave her life
01:08:08to save that other child.
01:08:10She never would have
01:08:11wanted her own father
01:08:12to be the one
01:08:13to kill it.
01:08:14Tears streamed down
01:08:15his face as he spoke.
01:08:17Seren,
01:08:20I should never have
01:08:21done that to you
01:08:22out of fear.
01:08:23Can you
01:08:25forgive me?
01:08:27I watched him
01:08:28for a long moment.
01:08:29No.
01:08:34After a moment,
01:08:35as if a thought
01:08:35had struck him,
01:08:36he stumbled to his feet
01:08:38and scrambled into the hut,
01:08:39rummaging through
01:08:40his things.
01:08:41He returned,
01:08:42clutching a dusty
01:08:43wooden box.
01:08:44This is a copy
01:08:45your mother transgrated
01:08:46as a child.
01:08:47The record
01:08:48of returning shadows.
01:08:49The rite was never
01:08:51meant to leave
01:08:51two souls in one body
01:08:52indefinitely.
01:08:53Its true final step
01:08:55is fusion.
01:08:57I took the old book
01:08:58from him.
01:08:59What does that mean?
01:09:00If two souls
01:09:01coexist for too long,
01:09:02they begin to consume
01:09:03one another.
01:09:04Elias said in a low voice.
01:09:06To truly live
01:09:07while both souls
01:09:08are still conscious
01:09:09and whole.
01:09:10He looked up at me.
01:09:12They must become one.
01:09:15When we fuse,
01:09:16does one of us vanish?
01:09:17No.
01:09:18This isn't a devouring.
01:09:20Elias shook his head.
01:09:21After the fusion,
01:09:22there will be no you
01:09:23or her,
01:09:23just one.
01:09:24Her memories
01:09:25will be your memories,
01:09:26her feelings
01:09:26your feelings,
01:09:27and your memories
01:09:28will be hers.
01:09:28From that day on,
01:09:29the two shadows
01:09:30will be gone.
01:09:31There will only be one,
01:09:32whole Seren.
01:09:33I stared down at the book,
01:09:34silent for a long time.
01:09:35My father stood nearby.
01:09:36His gaze drifted down
01:09:37to the fainter
01:09:37of the two shadows
01:09:38at my feet.
01:09:39His lips began to tremble.
01:09:40So,
01:09:40that's your sister?
01:09:42Yes.
01:09:42I nodded.
01:09:44Father staggered back,
01:09:45catching himself
01:09:46on the edge of a table
01:09:46to stay upright.
01:09:48You,
01:09:48you never killed her?
01:09:50According to our grandfather,
01:09:51yes.
01:09:52Father squeezed his eyes shut.
01:09:53To think I hated you
01:09:54for 19 years.
01:09:55I don't want to watch him
01:09:56fall apart.
01:09:57I grabbed Darian's arm
01:09:58and headed for the door.
01:09:59Celia was captured
01:10:00by the High Court's officers
01:10:01just outside the city.
01:10:03When Darian and I
01:10:04arrived at the courthouse,
01:10:05we found a woman
01:10:05in her 60s
01:10:06kneeling in the middle
01:10:07of the judgment hall,
01:10:08her hair a wild mess.
01:10:09I don't know anything
01:10:10about some soul-rending incense.
01:10:13I bought that incense
01:10:14from a merchant caravan.
01:10:17Celia was my best friend.
01:10:19How could I possibly kill her?
01:10:22I took a seat to the side,
01:10:24resting my chin on my hand
01:10:25and observing her.
01:10:26If you're innocent,
01:10:27then why did you run?
01:10:29I was afraid you'd frame me.
01:10:31Ah,
01:10:31I see.
01:10:32Darian tossed a yellowed
01:10:33old impoice onto the floor
01:10:34in front of her.
01:10:3519 years ago,
01:10:36Celia purchased a batch
01:10:37of Blackmore incense
01:10:38through a merchant.
01:10:40He presented the next
01:10:40piece of evidence.
01:10:42One item on the reger
01:10:43is marked with a single word,
01:10:44soul.
01:10:45They also found the merchant.
01:10:47He was in his 70s now,
01:10:48but he remembered her.
01:10:49Because she had paid
01:10:5010 times the usual price
01:10:51for a small box
01:10:52of white powder.
01:10:52He also said
01:10:53you specifically asked
01:10:54if it would be noticeable
01:10:54when mixed with sleeping incense.
01:10:56All the color drained
01:10:57from Celia's face.
01:10:58I looked at her.
01:10:59Anything else to add?
01:11:00She suddenly snapped
01:11:01her head up
01:11:01to look at my father.
01:11:02Gideon!
01:11:03I did it all for you!
01:11:05The warmth vanished
01:11:06from his expression,
01:11:07leaving it cold as stone.
01:11:08Celia scrabbled forward
01:11:09on her knees,
01:11:10weeping.
01:11:10I loved you
01:11:11for so many years,
01:11:12but after you returned
01:11:13from Blackmore,
01:11:14Selene was all you could see!
01:11:16A flicker of surprise
01:11:17crossed my mind.
01:11:18So that was it,
01:11:19a scurred lover.
01:11:20What was so great about her?
01:11:22Celia continued her tirade.
01:11:23A witch who summons snakes!
01:11:25Everyone said
01:11:25she was unworthy of you,
01:11:26but you insisted
01:11:27on defending her!
01:11:28My father recoiled,
01:11:29pulling his foot away
01:11:30from her reaching hand.
01:11:31Celia collapsed to the floor.
01:11:33She let out a wild,
01:11:34manic laughter.
01:11:35Then she got pregnant.
01:11:37With twins.
01:11:38So I thought,
01:11:39I thought if the children
01:11:41were gone,
01:11:41she would fall from your grace.
01:11:42Maybe then you'd finally see
01:11:43she wasn't so perfect
01:11:44after all!
01:11:46She suddenly shot her gaze
01:11:47to me,
01:11:48her eyes wild.
01:11:49I just wanted her
01:11:50to miss Grail!
01:11:51I never meant
01:11:52for her to die!
01:11:54I couldn't help
01:11:55but laugh.
01:11:56You people
01:11:56are really interesting.
01:11:58My grandfather
01:11:58threw me into
01:11:59the Hectory's Hollow,
01:12:00claiming he didn't
01:12:01mean for me to die.
01:12:02You poisoned my mother,
01:12:03and now you claim
01:12:03you didn't mean
01:12:04for her to die.
01:12:05Tell me,
01:12:06once someone is dead,
01:12:07do you think
01:12:08you can erase your crime
01:12:08just by saying
01:12:09you didn't mean to?
01:12:11Celia's lips trembled.
01:12:12I'd lost all patience
01:12:13for her excuses.
01:12:14What is the penalty
01:12:15for such a crime
01:12:16under Whiteleaf law?
01:12:17For deliberate poisoning
01:12:18resulting in death,
01:12:19the laws of Whiteleaf decree
01:12:20one sentence,
01:12:21execution by hanging.
01:12:22No!
01:12:23Celia collapsed
01:12:24in a heap on the floor.
01:12:27Seren!
01:12:28I watched you grow up!
01:12:30Your mother,
01:12:31if she were alive,
01:12:32she wouldn't want
01:12:33to see you killing me!
01:12:35First of all,
01:12:35you didn't watch me grow up.
01:12:37I have never seen you
01:12:37before today.
01:12:39Second,
01:12:39if my mother
01:12:40were still alive,
01:12:41she would have killed
01:12:42you herself
01:12:42long before I got the chance.
01:12:44With that,
01:12:44I turned and walked away.
01:12:47Celia's heart-ranking
01:12:48sows echoed behind me.
01:12:50And so,
01:12:51my mother's case
01:12:51was finally closed.
01:12:53Celia was sentenced
01:12:53to hang.
01:12:54The merchant
01:12:55who sold her
01:12:55the forbidden incense
01:12:56was prosecuted
01:12:57as an accomplice.
01:12:57In the wake of the scandal,
01:12:59the head of House Hart
01:12:59offered his resignation
01:13:00from the council.
01:13:01The chief magistrate
01:13:02refused it,
01:13:03but stripped the family
01:13:04of several key trade routes
01:13:05as a penalty.
01:13:06As for Lena,
01:13:07ever since losing
01:13:08that fingernail,
01:13:08she would scramble
01:13:09to find another path
01:13:10the moment she saw me.
01:13:12The night before
01:13:13I was to leave Whitecloth,
01:13:14my father came to see me.
01:13:17Seren.
01:13:18Just say what you came to say.
01:13:21He was silent for a moment.
01:13:23All those years,
01:13:24I truly believed
01:13:25you were the one
01:13:25who killed your sister,
01:13:26and your mother died
01:13:27the day you were born.
01:13:28Every time I saw
01:13:29those two shadows
01:13:29at your feet,
01:13:30they were a reminder
01:13:31of both of them.
01:13:31So I feared you,
01:13:33and I hated you.
01:13:34I stopped what I was doing.
01:13:36My father's eyes
01:13:37were rimmed with red.
01:13:38But now I know the truth.
01:13:39You were a victim too.
01:13:41You were just a baby.
01:13:43I beat you,
01:13:44punished you,
01:13:44and sent you away
01:13:45to Blackmoor.
01:13:46And when the Abbey said
01:13:47they had to seal
01:13:47the evil spirit
01:13:48in your shadow,
01:13:49I agreed without hesitation.
01:13:51His voice dropped
01:13:52to a near whisper.
01:13:53I failed you, Seren.
01:13:54In every way.
01:13:55I looked at him.
01:13:56The old me
01:13:57would have just been annoyed.
01:13:58But now,
01:13:58knowing my sister
01:13:59was part of me,
01:14:00I felt an unfamiliar
01:14:01pang of sorrow.
01:14:02It must be her,
01:14:02I thought, grieving.
01:14:03Can you forgive me?
01:14:05No.
01:14:06He froze.
01:14:07You know you were wrong now.
01:14:08I looked him in the eye,
01:14:09my voice steady.
01:14:10You regret it.
01:14:11But it all still happened.
01:14:13Just because you're sorry now
01:14:14doesn't mean it never happened.
01:14:16The light in his eyes
01:14:17began to fade.
01:14:18But then I spoke again.
01:14:20He snapped his head up.
01:14:22If you want to see me,
01:14:23you can come to Blackmoor.
01:14:24Just because I can't forgive you
01:14:26doesn't mean I never
01:14:26want to see you again.
01:14:28His eyes grew even redder.
01:14:30Don't cry.
01:14:31I don't like it.
01:14:32Right.
01:14:33Watching his retreating back,
01:14:35I felt that bittersweet
01:14:36ache in my chest again.
01:14:39Upon returning to Blackmoor,
01:14:40I went straight to the Vale family's
01:14:42pool of returning shadows.
01:14:44The record of returning shadows
01:14:45was clear on its final pages.
01:14:47For the shadows to merge,
01:14:48two conditions must be met,
01:14:49of one blood,
01:14:50of one will.
01:14:51Darian stood by the edge of the pool,
01:14:53and his brow had been friendoed
01:14:54ever since we arrived.
01:14:55I took off my shoes and socks,
01:14:56then stepped into the cool water.
01:14:58He suddenly reached out
01:14:59and grabbed my arm.
01:15:00Seren!
01:15:01What?
01:15:02If you don't want to do this,
01:15:03we can find another way.
01:15:04I looked up at him.
01:15:06Are you scared?
01:15:07Darian looked down,
01:15:09folding back my sleeves for me.
01:15:10This is just about making
01:15:12what was always yours whole again.
01:15:13I'm not scared,
01:15:14but I respect your choice.
01:15:15I paused,
01:15:16then took another step,
01:15:17and another,
01:15:18deeper into the pool.
01:15:19A white mist began to rise
01:15:21from the water's surface.
01:15:22My shadow stretched long
01:15:23across the ripples.
01:15:24The fainter shadow began
01:15:25to peel away from my feet,
01:15:26until it formed into the shape
01:15:27of a girl who looked just like me,
01:15:29but her expression was gentler,
01:15:31softer than mine.
01:15:32She looked at me,
01:15:32her first words soft.
01:15:34Sister.
01:15:37Don't call me that.
01:15:38Why not?
01:15:39It's too sappy.
01:15:41But I am your older sister.
01:15:43She laughed.
01:15:44I stared at her for a long moment.
01:15:46Do you want a life of your own?
01:15:48She hesitated.
01:15:49Yes.
01:15:49Good enough.
01:15:50Come on.
01:15:51I held out my hand to her,
01:15:52but she didn't move.
01:15:54Seren.
01:15:54What?
01:15:55After we merge,
01:15:57you're going to change.
01:15:58You'll have my emotions.
01:16:00You'll feel sadness,
01:16:02and fear,
01:16:02and heartache,
01:16:03and
01:16:05you'll be able to fall in love.
01:16:06It all sounded like a hassle.
01:16:09Knowing the consequences,
01:16:11are you still willing?
01:16:14I was silent for a long time.
01:16:16I am.
01:16:17Why?
01:16:17We've been together
01:16:18since the day we were born,
01:16:19and I don't want to be apart now.
01:16:21Tears welled in her eyes
01:16:22as she placed her hand in mine.
01:16:25The next second,
01:16:25the surface of the water
01:16:26erupted in a brilliant flash of light.
01:16:28A flood of memories
01:16:29crashed into my mind.
01:16:30They were not my memories,
01:16:32but they felt as familiar
01:16:33as if I'd lived them
01:16:34a thousand times myself.
01:16:35Our mother's arms
01:16:36holding us in her final moments.
01:16:38The rage that almost surged out
01:16:39when Mara trempled Nora.
01:16:40The sting of sadness
01:16:42when our father
01:16:42took that one step back.
01:16:44And the way her heart
01:16:45had hammered against her ribs
01:16:46when Darian traped his cloak
01:16:47over my shoulders.
01:16:48Now,
01:16:49that heart felt like
01:16:50it was truly my own.
01:16:52It ached with a feeling
01:16:53that was sharp and full
01:16:54and painful all at once.
01:16:56I was a tangled mess inside.
01:16:58It was the first time
01:16:59I understood
01:17:00how a single person
01:17:01could hold so many
01:17:02conflicting feelings at once.
01:17:04On the water's surface,
01:17:05the two shadows
01:17:06slowly merged into one.
01:17:07Seren.
01:17:08From this day forward,
01:17:10you are me,
01:17:11and I am you.
01:17:12I closed my eyes.
01:17:14When I opened them again,
01:17:15only a single shadow
01:17:16remained on the water.
01:17:18Darian was the first
01:17:19to rush to my side.
01:17:20Seren?
01:17:20I looked up at him,
01:17:22suddenly unable to speak.
01:17:24My staring made
01:17:24his face went pale.
01:17:26What is it?
01:17:27I raised a hand
01:17:28to my chest.
01:17:29My heart was racing,
01:17:30faster than when
01:17:31the poisonous bugs
01:17:32crawled over my skin.
01:17:33It was weird.
01:17:34Darian?
01:17:35Yes?
01:17:37Who are you in love with?
01:17:39What?
01:17:40I'm asking,
01:17:40who are you in love with?
01:17:42Me?
01:17:42Or her?
01:17:43Darian was silent
01:17:44for a beat.
01:17:47Seren,
01:17:48from the very first day
01:17:49I met you,
01:17:49you've always been
01:17:50one person with two souls.
01:17:51The fierce little girl
01:17:52in Hexty's Hollow
01:17:53who bit her own finger
01:17:54to draw all those
01:17:54poisons to herself.
01:17:56That was you.
01:17:57The quiet,
01:17:57frail Miss Vale
01:17:58whose other half
01:17:59was sealed away
01:17:59by a ritual.
01:18:00That was also you.
01:18:02And the woman
01:18:02standing before me
01:18:03right now,
01:18:04the one who gets angry,
01:18:05who hesitates,
01:18:06who demands to know
01:18:07who I love,
01:18:07that is still you.
01:18:08I stared at him,
01:18:09speechless.
01:18:10Darian's voice
01:18:11was incredibly soft.
01:18:12For me, Seren,
01:18:13it has only ever been you.
01:18:14There was never a her
01:18:15and a you.
01:18:16Just you.
01:18:17A sharp ache
01:18:18bloomed in my chest
01:18:19so intense it felt raw
01:18:20my eyes began to sting.
01:18:21Darian.
01:18:22Yes?
01:18:23I think I'm gonna cry.
01:18:26Then go ahead and cry.
01:18:27I launched myself
01:18:28into his embrace,
01:18:29punching at his shoulder.
01:18:30This is all your fault.
01:18:32I never cried before you.
01:18:35Okay.
01:18:36It's all my fault.
01:18:38I wrapped my arms around him
01:18:40and the tears finally came.
01:18:41So this,
01:18:43this is what it feels like
01:18:45to be in love.
01:18:45To be in love.
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