ruining hargrove hall - Trending Drama

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Transcript

00:00:07I was born to kill serpents, so the Hargrows used me as their perfect shield.

00:00:12In my past life, I entered their cursed hall for Callum, the man I loved.

00:00:17But when the serpent gate opened, he chose Jenna, locked the door, and left me to be devoured.

00:00:23Death gave me one chance to return.

00:00:25I traded my beauty for silver sight, and woke up with a scar no man was supposed to love.

00:00:30But I did not come back for love.

00:00:32I came back to watch Callum's devotion rot, expose Jenna's snake magic, and let the serpents choose their real prey.

00:00:39My name's Rowena Whitmore.

00:00:41In my past life, I loved Callum Hargrit so much that it cost me everything.

00:00:45I knew exactly what Hargrit Hall was, a century-old estate built over a sealed serpent gate, rotting from the

00:00:51inside out with ancient venom.

00:00:52I still walked in, for him.

00:00:55Whitmoster blood ran through my veins, and that blood was born to suppress serpents.

00:00:59So when the curse came for Callum, I threw myself in its path and let the poison tear through me

00:01:04instead.

00:01:04What I did not know, what I never saw coming, was that he and Jenna had already decided how my

00:01:09story would end.

00:01:10The venom spread through my body like fire through dry wood.

00:01:12My flesh began to rot from the inside.

00:01:14I still remember every second of that night, the freezing rain, the iron door, and my bloody hands clawing at

00:01:19the gap in the frame.

00:01:20Callum, please! Just open the door!

00:01:21My nails split down to the quick. Blood smeared the cracks. Still, nothing.

00:01:25Then his voice came through, flat and cold, without even a flicker of hesitation.

00:01:29Shut up. Your screaming is scaring Jenna. I'm not opening this door.

00:01:33You're useful in there, so stay there. Keep those monster snakes inside, even if they eat you alive.

00:01:38From the other side of the door, I could hear Jenna crying softly.

00:01:41Then came Callum's voice again, low and gentle, saying things he had never once said to me.

00:01:48You're safe. I've got you. Nothing is going to touch you. I promise.

00:01:52The lock turned. I will never forget that sound.

00:01:56Callum had one arm around Jenna as he sealed me inside.

00:01:59He left me there to die in the dark, surrounded by serpents, and he never looked back.

00:02:04The pain was beyond anything I had words for.

00:02:07It felt like I was being torn apart from the inside out, piece by piece, until even screaming became impossible.

00:02:11When I died, I drifted in silver light, endless, cold, and silent.

00:02:16There was nothing left of me but a thin thread of soul, too broken even to cry.

00:02:19Then a voice fell through the dark like a blade through silk.

00:02:22Clear, ancient, and completely without warmth.

00:02:24Childhood warrior, you died badly.

00:02:28What I offer is not mercy.

00:02:30It is a contract.

00:02:32Give me something, and I will give you what you want.

00:02:36I'll give up my face, my beauty in this life, all of it.

00:02:39In exchange, I want the Lunar Hunt covenant, the Silver Sight, and one more life.

00:02:43Do you understand what it means to give up your face?

00:02:46I do. Last time, my beauty made it easy for them to use me.

00:02:49I don't need anyone to love my face.

00:02:51I just need to see clearly.

00:02:53Silver light crapped through me like lightning, and I was thrown back into the world of the living.

00:02:58When I opened my eyes, the hissing was gone.

00:03:00The air smelled of incense.

00:03:02I raised a hand to my face and felt it.

00:03:04A scar across my cheek.

00:03:05Faint silver light pulsing beneath it like a wire.

00:03:07It was the mark of the covenant.

00:03:09The price Artemis had carved into my skin.

00:03:11I was back.

00:03:12Back to the morning, Eleanor Hargreff came to beg.

00:03:15I stood in front of the mirror and traced the scar with my fingers.

00:03:18Then I smiled.

00:03:19But there was nothing warm left in it.

00:03:22I did not come back to love him.

00:03:25I came back from hell to collect what they owed me.

00:03:28One debt at a time.

00:03:39The old woman dropped to her knees in front of me, clutching the hem of my dress with both hands

00:03:44and crying like she had nothing left.

00:03:45The death mark carved into Calum's forehead was the final outbreak of decades of serpent resentment buried beneath the Hargrove

00:03:52state.

00:03:53As long as it stayed on him, the curse would keep spreading and every Hargrove tied to this land by

00:03:59blood would carry the same death sentence.

00:04:02Only a Whitmore could even see the mark.

00:04:05Only a Whitmore could remove it.

00:04:06They needed me.

00:04:08They needed me.

00:04:36The scar was sharper and more arrogant, with all that ugly pride still sitting right on the surface.

00:04:39His eyes swept over me and stopped on the scar crossing my face.

00:04:42For one second, he went still.

00:04:45The scar was silver, winding across half my cheek and glowing faintly in the morning light.

00:04:49It did not look like an ordinary wound.

00:04:50It looked like something ancient had pressed itself into my skin and left its mark there.

00:04:54His disgust was almost impossible to miss.

00:04:56He turned his face away slightly like he could barely stand to look at it.

00:05:00I noticed.

00:05:00I said nothing.

00:05:02In my past life, I had walked through this same door with an untouched face, and he had smiled at

00:05:06me so beautifully.

00:05:07Every warm word had been perfectly calculated.

00:05:10Now that I had a scar, the mask slipped at once.

00:05:13That told me everything.

00:05:14He did not need a person.

00:05:16He needed a tool.

00:05:17And apparently he preferred his tools pretty.

00:05:19Callum stepped closer, his voice sharp with disbelief.

00:05:23What the hell is that supposed to mean?

00:05:25We came here in good faith, and you won't even give us a reason?

00:05:28You're telling me one curse is too much for a Whitmore?

00:05:31He moved into my space like he was used to people backing down when he did.

00:05:35I only looked at him.

00:05:36Go ahead.

00:05:38Look down on me, Callum.

00:05:39You have no idea that the mark on your forehead is getting darker every day.

00:05:43And the only person in this entire world who can see it,

00:05:46The only one who can take it off you is standing right in front of you while you make that

00:05:50face at her.

00:05:51Elinor started crying harder.

00:05:54Her hands shook as she pulled a heavy envelope from her coat.

00:05:58The wax seal bore an old, dark gold crest.

00:06:01We have nowhere else to turn.

00:06:03Please, just look at this.

00:06:05For the sake of what our families once meant to each other.

00:06:09I almost did not bother.

00:06:11But the moment my eyes touched the seal, my silver sight flared.

00:06:15A pulse of silver light cut through the surface of the wax.

00:06:18And beneath it, clear and understakeable, was the trace of a Whitmore silver arrow.

00:06:26The silver arrow was the most sacred relic of the Whitmore bloodline.

00:06:29The Hargroves had stolen it from us, and it had been lost for generations.

00:06:36I only learned the truth as I was dying in my past life, when it was already too late to

00:06:41do anything about it.

00:06:42Now I knew exactly where it was.

00:06:45That was the real reason I would walk into Hargrove Hall.

00:06:48Not Callum.

00:06:49The arrow.

00:06:51Callum saw me take it, and his whole body relaxed.

00:06:54He lifted his chin slightly, satisfaction spreading across his face.

00:06:58He had already decided I was still hung up on him, that I had finally given in because of old

00:07:04feelings.

00:07:04Then he turned on that warm, reasonable voice.

00:07:07The one that used to make me believe every word.

00:07:10Good.

00:07:10All you have to do is come with us, and suppress the curse.

00:07:14Once I'm better, I'll make sure you're rewarded.

00:07:16The Hargroves take care of people who prove useful to us.

00:07:20He said it like he was doing me a favor.

00:07:22Like I was something he could summon, use, and dismiss whenever it suited him.

00:07:26I looked at him slowly, the way you look at something that does not know it is already finished.

00:07:32I'm going to Hargrove Hall to take back what belongs to the Whitmore family.

00:07:36I was never doing this for you.

00:07:38The smile on his face died, died completely.

00:07:43The next morning, the man had everything packed before I came downstairs.

00:07:47Lady, the carriages are here.

00:07:49He was the boy the Whitmore family had taken in years ago.

00:07:53Quiet, precise, and so still that most people mistook him for cold.

00:07:57Since I came back, he was the only person who looked straight at the scar on my face without flinching

00:08:01or glancing away.

00:08:03Two Hargrove carriages were waiting outside.

00:08:06Eleanor had one to herself, and the other was meant for Callum and me.

00:08:10Jenna, who supposedly could not handle the mountain road, was supposed to have her own space.

00:08:14I was about to step into the second carriage when a voice cut across the courtyard.

00:08:18Wait! Callum, I want to ride with you!

00:08:40Callum, I want to ride with you!

00:08:50Callum's. The mountain road is freezing. I don't want you getting sick again.

00:08:54Callum did not move away from her hands.

00:08:56In my past life, I thought she was only being kind.

00:08:58This time, my silver sight caught the edge of the scarf the moment it touched him.

00:09:02Faint dark lines were woven into the silk, forming the exact pattern of a serpent mark.

00:09:06Callum did not see any of it.

00:09:08He was already brushing a loose strand of hair away from Jenna's face.

00:09:11Jenna turned to me with wide, apologetic eyes.

00:09:13Lady Rowena, I hope you don't mind. I won't take up much space, I promise.

00:09:17She did not wait for my answer.

00:09:19She climbed in ahead of me.

00:09:21I watched her settle beside Callum and push me toward the window seat without even looking at me.

00:09:26I said nothing.

00:09:27Jenna, last time I missed every move you made.

00:09:29This time I'm gonna watch every single one.

00:09:33The carriage wound its way up the wet, cobblestone road towards the Hargraaf estate.

00:09:37There was barely enough room for two people to sit comfortably,

00:09:40and Jenna had made sure she stayed pressed against Callum for the entire ride.

00:09:45Every time the wheels hit a rough patch, she let out a soft, breathy sound and leaned into his shoulder.

00:09:49The timing was perfect, always within my line of sight, like a little performance stage just for me.

00:09:55Callum, I feel so dizzy. I can barely breathe.

00:09:58She twisted her fingers into the front of his shirt, lifting her eyes just enough to catch the light,

00:10:03looking soft and helpless and miserable.

00:10:05In my past life, watching this would have made me want to shrink into myself and disappear.

00:10:10Now I only sat still and watched her work.

00:10:12Callum noticed me looking. His expression hardened at once.

00:10:16He tightened his arm around Jenna and turned his face away from me,

00:10:18like even the air on my side of the carriage disgusted him.

00:10:21Rowena, stop staring. Jenna is kind and gentle, not that you would know anything about that.

00:10:25And stop using that face to scare her.

00:10:26Jenna reached over and touched his arm gently.

00:10:28Callum, don't. Lady Rowena probably doesn't mean it.

00:10:32She knows exactly what she's doing. She's had it out for you since the moment she saw you.

00:10:36Maybe she just doesn't like me. It's alright, I'm used to it.

00:10:39That is her problem, not yours. I don't care what she thinks.

00:10:42I did not answer.

00:10:43In my past life, that exchange would have hollowed me out for days.

00:10:47Now I only filed it away. Every word, every dismissal. I was keeping track.

00:10:52At the same time, through the silver sight, I could see what was really happening.

00:10:55Dark energy was seeping from the coral bracelet on Jenna's wrist,

00:10:59winding along Callum's collar and pushing inch by inch into the skin at the back of his neck.

00:11:04She was not dizzy. She was feeding the serpent.

00:11:07Callum, the sweet, innocent girl you're so desperate to protect, is poisoning you right now.

00:11:11And you're holding her tighter.

00:11:12He pulled her closer and pressed his cheek against the top of her head, completely blind.

00:11:18By midday, the carriages stopped in front of the Hargreth family's main residence.

00:11:22This was not Hargreth Hall. Not the old estate with the serpent gate buried beneath it.

00:11:27The hall stood deeper inside the grounds, behind a locked inner courtyard that almost never opened.

00:11:32This was only where the family lived.

00:11:33When Jenna stepped down from the carriage, she grabbed the doorbraim, her face going pale, and sagged into Callum's side.

00:11:39I'm fine. Just cold. My legs feel strange.

00:11:42Callum wrapped an arm around her at once.

00:11:44The look he sent me over her shoulder made it clear that somehow this was supposed to be my fault.

00:11:48We passed through the front entrance hall.

00:11:50The moment we crossed the threshold, my silver sight erupted.

00:11:54Dark serpent energy crawled across every wall and ceiling, coiling and shifting like something alive.

00:11:59It hulged at anyone with Hargreth blood, then recoiled the second it touched the silver light of my mark,

00:12:05Shrieking back into the cracks, Jenna was walking ahead.

00:12:08I watched her cross the threshold, and I saw the exact moment her shoe came down

00:12:12on the protection line hidden beneath the doorframe.

00:12:16It was not an accident. The movement was too precise.

00:12:19The line snapped. The energy that had been held down broke loose all at once,

00:12:23and a wave of freezing air tore down the corridor like a blade.

00:12:27Oh God! Help me!

00:12:29She stumbled backwards straight into his arms, clean and practiced, like a stage fall.

00:12:33Callum caught her without even looking. One arm locked across her chest, and his first words were for me.

00:12:38Rowena! What the hell are you doing just standing there?

00:12:43You're a Whitmore! You're supposed to handle this!

00:12:48If Jenna gets hurt because of you, I swear you'll answer for it.

00:12:52I raised one hand, a silver seal dropped across the corridor, and the serpent energy shrank back into the walls.

00:12:58The hallway went still.

00:13:00I looked at Callum.

00:13:02You're welcome.

00:13:03I let the silence stretch for a moment.

00:13:05Then I lowered my gaze to the broken line on the floor, before slowly lifting my eyes to Jenna's shoes.

00:13:11You might want to ask how that line broke in the first place.

00:13:14Callum's brow tightened.

00:13:16In his arms, Jenna's eyes filled with tears at once.

00:13:19Her lower lip trembled as she looked up at him, as if she was the one being attacked.

00:13:22Callum looked between us, and clenched his jaw.

00:13:25What exactly are you accusing her of?

00:13:27Nothing. Just giving you advice.

00:13:30While you're in this house, pay attention to what's right in front of you.

00:13:33Then I walked toward the sitting room without looking back.

00:13:40When we settled into the sitting room, Eleanor came in herself with a tray of peach blossom tea.

00:13:45Steam curled slowly from each cup.

00:13:47You must be exhausted after that ride, sweetheart.

00:13:50I made this myself.

00:13:51Drink it while it's hot.

00:13:53It will calm your nerves.

00:13:55She had the warmth turned all the way on.

00:13:57Deep smile lines, a gentle voice, every inch the loving grandmother.

00:14:00Jenna sat beside Callum.

00:14:02She picked up his cup first, blew on it softly, and placed it in his hands.

00:14:05Drink it while it's hot.

00:14:07It'll warm you up.

00:14:08In my past life, I fell for all of it.

00:14:10I drank the tea, and by nightfall my silver sight was almost blind.

00:14:14The poison had worked slowly and silently the whole time.

00:14:17When I tried to suppress the serpents that night,

00:14:19I kept making the wrong calls, and one of them tore my palm open.

00:14:22I burned with fever for three days straight.

00:14:25And Jenna had been there the entire time,

00:14:27smiling sweetly as she added a spoonful of sugar to my cup.

00:14:29Something sweet makes everything less bitter, Lady Rowena.

00:14:32This time, I looked into my cup through the silver sight.

00:14:34The tea should have been pale amber, but beneath the surface it was deep crimson.

00:14:38Something small and dark moved along the bottom.

00:14:40I picked up the cup and drank most of it.

00:14:42I let none of it touch me.

00:14:44Under the cover of my sleeve, I pressed two fingers to my wrist

00:14:47and sealed my throat and chest with a silver seal.

00:14:50The poison slammed into the barrier and thrashed like a trapped thing,

00:14:53but it got nowhere.

00:14:54Jenna kept her eyes on my face the whole time.

00:14:56She was waiting for my gaze to blur, waiting for the sight to go dark.

00:15:00When I set the cup down, breathing evenly and looking straight back at her,

00:15:03I saw the corner of her smile crack.

00:15:06Just a twitch.

00:15:07Just one second.

00:15:08But it was there.

00:15:09Lucien picked up his own cup, gave it one slow sniff,

00:15:13then turned and poured the whole thing into the planter beside his chair.

00:15:16Too sweet.

00:15:17Hides the taste of rot.

00:15:19Eleanor's expression flickered.

00:15:21Calatin's eyes sharpened.

00:15:22My grandmother made that tea herself.

00:15:24You want to explain what the hell you're doing?

00:15:26I just did.

00:15:27Lucien looked at him calmly.

00:15:29Callum's face turned ugly.

00:15:30He was about to snap back when Jenna laid a hand on his arm.

00:15:33Callum, don't.

00:15:34We asked them to come here.

00:15:35It's fine, really.

00:15:36She said it in that soft, peacemaking voice.

00:15:39But as she lifted her own cup back to her lips,

00:15:42her eyes slid sideways to me, patient, calculating,

00:15:46waiting to see something that was never going to happen.

00:15:48I looked at her and said nothing.

00:15:50Jenna, I'm just getting started.

00:15:52Next time, I'll make sure you see it coming.

00:15:56The welcome dinner that night was exactly the kind of show the Hargroves loved to put on.

00:16:01Candles stretched down the table,

00:16:03silver gleamed at every place setting,

00:16:05and there was more food than anyone could finish.

00:16:07Jenna sat to Callum's left,

00:16:08cutting her food with careful, effortless grace.

00:16:11Then she set down her knife,

00:16:13turned to me,

00:16:13and spoke in the softest, most concerned voice she had.

00:16:16Ladies Rowena,

00:16:17I've been meaning to ask you something.

00:16:19With a scar like that on your face,

00:16:21do people avoid you when you go out?

00:16:23You must feel so lonely.

00:16:25I can't even imagine.

00:16:27Perfectly worded,

00:16:28perfectly gentle,

00:16:29loud enough for every servant in the room to hear.

00:16:31I held my knife and fork and did not respond.

00:16:34Jenna, don't say it like that.

00:16:36She's a guest, you'll embarrass her.

00:16:37In my past life,

00:16:39I had actually been grateful for that.

00:16:41I thought he was standing up for me.

00:16:42Now I could see it clearly.

00:16:44He did not care whether I was humiliated.

00:16:46He just needed me to walk into that hall tomorrow night,

00:16:49and a scene at dinner would make things harder.

00:16:51That sentence was for him,

00:16:53not for me.

00:16:54Jenna's face crumpled at once.

00:16:56Her eyes filled.

00:16:57I didn't mean it that way.

00:16:58I was worried about her.

00:17:00Callum,

00:17:01why are you making it sound like I did something wrong?

00:17:03Her voice broke on the last word.

00:17:05Two tears slipped down her face.

00:17:07And just like that,

00:17:08Callum changed.

00:17:09The hardness left him,

00:17:10and his voice turned low and gentle.

00:17:13I know you didn't.

00:17:14I'm sorry.

00:17:16I shouldn't have said it like that.

00:17:18Lucien set down his silverware.

00:17:20I have a question.

00:17:21Is this how the Hargroves treat guests they begged for help?

00:17:24Every sound at the table stopped.

00:17:26Jenna's tears paused mid-fall.

00:17:29Callum's head snapped up,

00:17:30and the look he gave Lucien was full of real anger.

00:17:33Who the hell do you think you are?

00:17:34Nobody asked for your opinion.

00:17:36Lucien did not move.

00:17:37He only held Callum's gaze and took his time answering.

00:17:40I came with Lady Whitmore.

00:17:41As long as she is here,

00:17:43I have every right to speak.

00:17:45Callum pressed one hand flat against the edge of the table.

00:17:48His jaw tightened,

00:17:48and his face went pale with fury.

00:17:50Rowena,

00:17:51control your people.

00:17:52I set my wine glass down slowly and looked at him.

00:17:55He's right.

00:17:56Callum,

00:17:56I came because your family begged me to save you.

00:17:58I did not come here to be insulted at your dinner table.

00:18:01If you can't understand the difference,

00:18:03I don't need to enter that hall tomorrow.

00:18:05I can leave tonight.

00:18:07Silence fell over the room.

00:18:08Then Callum exhaled through his nose,

00:18:10forced down his anger,

00:18:12and ground out the words like they hurt.

00:18:13After dinner,

00:18:14I'll have Chester bring out the legacy book.

00:18:17I picked up my wine glass again and said nothing.

00:18:21Dinner ended,

00:18:22and I asked for the Hargro legacy book,

00:18:23the family's hand-print record dating back to 1840.

00:18:26It dorted how the serpent gate was first sealed,

00:18:28and why.

00:18:29If the silver arrow was hidden somewhere on these grounds,

00:18:31there would be a trace of it in those pages.

00:18:34Callum's face tightened at once.

00:18:37It's a dusty old record book.

00:18:39You're here to deal with the curse,

00:18:41not dig through our family history.

00:18:43If I'm going to suppress what's down there,

00:18:45I need to know what caused it.

00:18:46The answer is in that book.

00:18:47Is that too hard for you to understand?

00:18:49He opened his mouth to argue,

00:18:50and Jenna let out a sharp little cry.

00:18:51Her elbow caught the wine bottle at the edge of the table.

00:18:53It tipped over and spilled half its contents

00:18:54across the tablecloth in a dark red wave.

00:18:56Servants rushed forward,

00:18:57and the moment broke apart.

00:18:59I'm so sorry.

00:19:00I'm so sorry.

00:19:01My hands are so shaky tonight.

00:19:02Callum leaned over and took her hands in his,

00:19:05checking them with a deep frown.

00:19:06You didn't cut yourself.

00:19:07It's just a bottle.

00:19:08It doesn't matter.

00:19:09Then he looked at me sideways,

00:19:10contempt clear in his eyes.

00:19:12All this over one old book?

00:19:14Did you really have to push that hard

00:19:15and scare her like that?

00:19:16What is this, an interrogation?

00:19:18I was not looking at him.

00:19:19Through the silver sight,

00:19:20I watched dark serpent energy

00:19:22pour from Jenna's sleeve

00:19:23and curl around the cabinet

00:19:24where the legacy book was kept

00:19:26like a hand pressing the door shut.

00:19:28She had not dropped the bottle

00:19:29because her hands were unsteady.

00:19:32She had dropped it to keep that cabinet closed.

00:19:34I raised one hand.

00:19:35A silver seal shot across the room

00:19:36and pinned the serpent energy

00:19:37flat against the cabinet doors.

00:19:39Jenna went white.

00:19:40Lucian walked to the cabinet,

00:19:41opened it without asking,

00:19:42and looked calmly at Chester in the corner.

00:19:43Chester, bring out the legacy book.

00:19:45Chester hesitated.

00:19:46Then he lowered his head,

00:19:47took the yellowed leather volume

00:19:48of a wooden box inside the cabinet

00:19:49and held it out with both hands.

00:19:50I took it and opened it.

00:19:51I caught sight of the serpent brand

00:19:52running along the edge of Chester's sleeve.

00:19:54I filed it away.

00:19:57The first several pages of the legacy book

00:19:59had been cut out.

00:20:00Clean cuts.

00:20:01Blade cuts.

00:20:02Nothing old about them.

00:20:04Callum glanced over and dismissed it

00:20:05without missing a bead.

00:20:06It's a 150-year-old book.

00:20:08Pages go missing.

00:20:09That's not suspicious.

00:20:10That's time.

00:20:11Jenna stepped in right on cue.

00:20:19I ignored them both

00:20:23and bent over the torn edges,

00:20:24looking through the silver sight.

00:20:26There it was,

00:20:26buried in the yellowed fringe,

00:20:28the faint silver glow of dried Whitmore blood,

00:20:30ancient and thin.

00:20:31Tangled through it was the serpent energy

00:20:33from the bracelet on Jenna's wrist,

00:20:34the exact same signature.

00:20:36She was the one who had cut out those pages,

00:20:38which meant she had known

00:20:39about the silver arrow all along.

00:20:40I was about to speak

00:20:42when the death mark on Callum's forehead split open.

00:20:45Serpent energy burst through his veins all at once

00:20:48and the whole study shook.

00:20:49From deep inside,

00:20:51Hargrove Hall came a low, grinding sound,

00:20:53like something massive turning in its sleep.

00:20:55Callum's legs buckled.

00:20:57He caught the edge of a shelf,

00:20:58his face white,

00:20:59his teeth clenched,

00:21:00his breath coming in sharp pulls.

00:21:02Eleanor rushed across the room

00:21:04and grabbed my arm.

00:21:05Rowene, please,

00:21:07go tonight.

00:21:07You're the only one who can stop it.

00:21:09Please.

00:21:10I closed the legacy book.

00:21:12I'll enter Hargrove Hall tonight,

00:21:13but I'm going to question the serpent,

00:21:15not break the curse.

00:21:16Get that straight now.

00:21:18Then I turned to Jenna.

00:21:19My voice stayed calm,

00:21:20but every person in the room heard me one more thing.

00:21:22During the ritual tonight,

00:21:23Jenna does not come anywhere near the main hall.

00:21:25Her energy is corrupt.

00:21:25If she gets close,

00:21:26she'll provoke what's down there

00:21:27and the entire formation will collapse.

00:21:29This is not a request.

00:21:30It's a condition.

00:21:31The study went completely silent.

00:21:33Jenna blinked.

00:21:35Then her head lowered

00:21:36and tears rolled down her face without a sound.

00:21:40Callum pushed himself up from the shelf,

00:21:42still pale and tight with pain,

00:21:44and turned on me at once.

00:21:45On what grounds?

00:21:47Jenna came all this way

00:21:48because she was worried about me.

00:21:49You don't get to throw her out in the cold

00:21:50just because you hate her.

00:21:51On the grounds that if I walk in tonight,

00:21:54you live.

00:21:58Callum stayed quiet,

00:21:59but it was not over.

00:22:00He steadied himself against the shelf

00:22:02and started again a few seconds later.

00:22:04Even if you have to enter the hall tonight,

00:22:06that does not give you the right

00:22:07to leave Jenna outside alone.

00:22:08She scares easily.

00:22:10What if something happens and you are not there?

00:22:11Are you going to take responsibility for that?

00:22:13Jenna's tears fell faster,

00:22:14but she still reached out

00:22:15and grabbed Callum's sleeve with both hands.

00:22:17Callum, please don't fight with Lady Rowena.

00:22:19This is my fault.

00:22:19I shouldn't have come.

00:22:21You go in and let her do what she needs to do.

00:22:22Don't worry about me.

00:22:23I'll wait outside.

00:22:24I just want you safe.

00:22:25That's all I want.

00:22:26Every word landed exactly where she wanted it to.

00:22:28Callum's chest rose and fell hard.

00:22:31Then he turned all that anger on me.

00:22:33You hear that?

00:22:35She's willing to stand out there alone in the dark

00:22:37just to make things easier for you.

00:22:39What kind of person are you?

00:22:40Jenna stays by the door tonight.

00:22:42No one is stopping her.

00:22:43I looked at them without anger.

00:22:45I was not even surprised.

00:22:47This was the same performance

00:22:49they had put on in my past life.

00:22:51Jenna cried,

00:22:52Callum exploded,

00:22:53and every bit of blame in the room

00:22:54landed on me while they clung to each other.

00:22:56Perfectly timed.

00:22:58Perfectly practiced.

00:23:00I turned toward Hargrim Hall

00:23:02and spoke without looking back.

00:23:05Fine.

00:23:06Then keep your eyes open tonight.

00:23:10Whatever happens,

00:23:11don't come crying to me.

00:23:14Behind me,

00:23:15I heard Callum murmur to Jenna.

00:23:18You're okay.

00:23:19I'm right here.

00:23:20I walked into the dark of Hargmite Hall

00:23:22without turning around.

00:23:23I already knew he would open that door for her

00:23:25when the time came.

00:23:26And the harder he fought to protect her tonight,

00:23:28the worse the backlash would hit him.

00:23:31Midnight.

00:23:32The main hall of Hargrave Hall.

00:23:34The wind howled through the walls

00:23:35like something was trying to claw its way out.

00:23:37The old chandelier swung overhead,

00:23:40its candles throwing long, crooked shadows across the room.

00:23:43The estate had gone still,

00:23:44except for the dull shiver

00:23:46that rolled up from beneath the floor every few minutes.

00:23:48Whatever had been sleeping down there

00:23:50was starting to wake.

00:23:50I stood in the center of the hall and focused.

00:23:53Whitmore blood ignited in my veins.

00:23:55Silver seals poured out of me in rings,

00:23:58spreading across the floor like a net of cold light,

00:24:01pressing the serpent energy back into the walls and stone.

00:24:04Building a formation like this

00:24:05burned through everything I had.

00:24:07Power, focus, and sheer will.

00:24:10But I did not let it show.

00:24:12My hands were steady.

00:24:14My face was calm.

00:24:17Callum stood on the far side of the formation,

00:24:19supported by the old butler.

00:24:21The death mark on his forehead

00:24:23pulsed blood red in the silver light.

00:24:25He was shaking,

00:24:26yet he still looked at me

00:24:27like he was doing me a favor by letting me help.

00:24:30How sure are you about this?

00:24:32I did not look at him, sure enough.

00:24:34A pause.

00:24:35I need more than questions.

00:24:36I need the death mark gone completely.

00:24:38Can you actually do that?

00:24:40I turned and looked at him properly for the first time.

00:24:43Callum, the only reason I'm standing in this room

00:24:45is because the silver arrow is here.

00:24:48Not because of you.

00:24:49Whether that mark comes off at all

00:24:52depends on whether the Hargroves start paying

00:24:54what they owe the Whitmans.

00:24:56We can discuss that later.

00:24:57He wanted to argue.

00:24:59Then the death mark tore at him again.

00:25:01And the sound that left his throat

00:25:03was not one he meant to make.

00:25:05He swallowed it down hard.

00:25:06Palm up.

00:25:07Catch the light from the core of the formation.

00:25:09Whatever you hear, whatever you see,

00:25:11do not move.

00:25:12This creature follows Hargrove blood.

00:25:13If you move, the backlash will bury you

00:25:15and I will not be able to pull you out.

00:25:16Callum raised his trembling right hand.

00:25:18This time, he said nothing.

00:25:22The last seal fell into place.

00:25:24The stone floor cracked with a deep, grinding boom

00:25:27that rose through the soles of my feet.

00:25:30The eternal flame in its copper lamp guttled

00:25:33until it was almost gone

00:25:34and the temperature dropped.

00:25:36So fast it felt like the walls themselves

00:25:38were breathing out ice.

00:25:39The floor began to shake in small, rapid tremors.

00:25:43White mist bled up through the cracks,

00:25:45spreading low and thick across the ground,

00:25:48catching the faint silver light of my formation.

00:25:51Then, from the center of the mist, she came.

00:25:55Althea.

00:25:56A thousand-year-old serpent,

00:25:59white as bone,

00:26:00as large as a river dragon,

00:26:01with golden-slit eyes burning in the dark

00:26:04like two cold fires.

00:26:05Decades of rage, grief, and imprisonment

00:26:08moved through the air around her

00:26:10like a physical force.

00:26:13The servants screamed.

00:26:16Eleanor collapsed to her knees.

00:26:18Callum made a sound he probably did not mean to make

00:26:21as the death mark nearly tore itself open

00:26:24under the pressure of her presence.

00:26:27But when those golden eyes swept across the hall

00:26:29and found him, they stopped.

00:26:32She recognized something.

00:26:35The covenant.

00:26:36The silver light around me.

00:26:38Something older than her rage.

00:26:41Althea went still in a way

00:26:42she had not been still in years.

00:26:45Then she lowered her slowly,

00:26:47all the way to my feet.

00:26:49A low, grieving sound came from her throat,

00:26:52like a creature finally standing

00:26:54before the person it had been waiting for.

00:26:56No one in the room could speak.

00:26:58Callum's breathing was loud,

00:26:59raggled, and stunned.

00:27:01He had spent his whole life

00:27:03under the shadow of what she had done to his family.

00:27:06He had never expected to see her bow.

00:27:08I crouched and touched her scales.

00:27:11They were cold, smooth, and faintly luminous.

00:27:15Althea, I need to ask you something.

00:27:17The silver arrow.

00:27:19The one taken from the Whitmore family

00:27:20a hundred years ago and brought into this estate.

00:27:22Where is it?

00:27:23Her whole body convulsed.

00:27:25She reared halfway up,

00:27:27her great tail striking the stone floor.

00:27:29As she pointed deeper into the estate.

00:27:32Somewhere farther in.

00:27:34One more step.

00:27:35One answer.

00:27:37That was all it would have taken.

00:27:40That was when the screaming started outside the hall doors.

00:27:43Callum!

00:27:44Callum, help me!

00:27:45It's going to eat me!

00:27:46Please!

00:27:46Every note was perfectly pitched.

00:27:48Every word landed right at the weakest seam of the ritual.

00:27:52I did not move.

00:27:53But Althea's head snapped up,

00:27:55and her golden eyes flooded red.

00:27:57I turned to Callum.

00:27:59Do you remember what I told you earlier tonight?

00:28:01His hand had already curled into a fist.

00:28:04Something broke behind his eyes when he heard Jenna's voice.

00:28:07He stared at the door, throat working,

00:28:10and then he ran.

00:28:11Callum!

00:28:12That's Jenna!

00:28:13I don't care!

00:28:14He threw the doors open.

00:28:16Jenna crashed into him from the other side,

00:28:18shaking,

00:28:19soaked with tears,

00:28:20and buried her face in his chest.

00:28:21I was so scared.

00:28:23I just wanted to make sure you were okay.

00:28:25I needed to see you.

00:28:27That thing is terrifying, Callum.

00:28:28I couldn't stay out there.

00:28:29The second her foot crossed the threshold,

00:28:32Serpent Energy burst free from her coral bracelet.

00:28:35It came in a dark, thick wave,

00:28:38carrying a resonance,

00:28:40that matched Althea's imprisoned resentment.

00:28:44Frequency for frequency.

00:28:46A signal going both ways.

00:28:50Althea felt it.

00:28:52The red in her eyes deepened.

00:28:54Her scales lifted all across her body,

00:28:57as she rose higher.

00:28:59And the sound she made was no longer grief.

00:29:03I stood still with my hands behind my back.

00:29:05In my past life,

00:29:06I had thrown myself in front of that rage.

00:29:09I took all of it so they would not have to.

00:29:12Afterward, I burned with fever for three days

00:29:14and nearly died twice before the fever broke.

00:29:16When I woke up,

00:29:17Callum stood beside my bed with Jenna at his side and said,

00:29:20She needs me more than you do.

00:29:21You're tough.

00:29:22You'll be fine on your own.

00:29:24This time,

00:29:25I breathed out slowly and quietly,

00:29:27and I let it happen.

00:29:32Althea hit them like a wave,

00:29:34smashing into a wall.

00:29:35The formation shattered.

00:29:37The eternal flame died.

00:29:40The silver seals cracked all at once.

00:29:43With a sound like breaking ice.

00:29:45And the core of the ritual collapsed.

00:29:49The whole hall convulsed.

00:29:54Callum was thrown backward

00:29:56and slammed into the offering table hard enough to knock it over.

00:29:59He hit the ground, coughing blood.

00:30:02Jenna went down beside him,

00:30:04white-faced,

00:30:05with blood at the corner of her mouth.

00:30:08The ground shook.

00:30:11Serpent Heeks rose from every crack in the stone,

00:30:15growing louder

00:30:16and closer.

00:30:18And closer.

00:30:18If the formation stayed broken,

00:30:21the serpents under the estate would come up through the floor.

00:30:25Everyone in this house would die.

00:30:28That included me and Lucian.

00:30:31I pressed my fingers together,

00:30:33like a blade and cut across my own palm.

00:30:39Silver blood fell onto the extinguished flame.

00:30:42The fire came back like an explosion.

00:30:46Three feet of silver flame roared up from the lamp,

00:30:49flooding the hall in cold light.

00:30:52Althema hit that light and went rigid.

00:30:54The red drained from her eyes.

00:30:57She lowered herself to the floor,

00:30:59pressed her head against my feet,

00:31:01and went still.

00:31:03Breathing, slow and deep.

00:31:06Like something finally put to rest.

00:31:08The hall went quiet.

00:31:13Then Callum dragged himself up from the floor

00:31:16with one arm around Jenna.

00:31:18He looked across the ruined hall at me,

00:31:20standing in the silver light with blood,

00:31:23still running down my wrist.

00:31:24For one moment,

00:31:25he just stared.

00:31:27Then he opened his mouth.

00:31:29Rowena!

00:31:30You could control that thing the whole time!

00:31:32So why the hell did you just stand there

00:31:34and let it go after Jenna?

00:31:35What is wrong with you?

00:31:38What sick game are you playing?

00:31:41He said it like he was the victim.

00:31:44Like he was not the one who had opened that door,

00:31:47after a direct warning.

00:31:48Like I was not standing in front of him,

00:31:50bleeding to hold the ritual together.

00:31:54I looked down at my palm.

00:31:56The silver blood was already slowing.

00:32:00I did not answer him.

00:32:01In Callum's arms,

00:32:02too quietly for him to notice,

00:32:04Jenna lifted her head.

00:32:06Her face was wet,

00:32:07her hair a mess,

00:32:09tears still drying on her cheeks.

00:32:10But from an angle he could not see,

00:32:13the corner of her mouth curved.

00:32:15Less than a second.

00:32:16I caught every bit of it.

00:32:18I almost wanted to laugh.

00:32:19It was the same in this life

00:32:21as it had been in the last.

00:32:23Jenna worked in the dark,

00:32:24soft and sweet and untouchable.

00:32:27And Callum,

00:32:28righteous,

00:32:29devoted,

00:32:30completely blind Callum,

00:32:31picked up every knife she left behind

00:32:33and walked it straight into me.

00:32:35Except this time,

00:32:36I was not the one bleeding out on the floor.

00:32:39This time,

00:32:41I was the one still standing.

00:32:45I stood in the ruined hall,

00:32:48the cold serpent energy

00:32:49still lingering in the air

00:32:51like frost on my skin.

00:32:55Callum's accusation hung between us,

00:32:58sharp and accusatory.

00:33:00I didn't rush to defend myself.

00:33:03Instead,

00:33:04I raised my hand

00:33:05and let the silver seat flare.

00:33:10Silver light swept over Jenna,

00:33:13amplifying the dark serpent patterns

00:33:15twisting on her coral bracelet.

00:33:17They projected clearly onto the wall,

00:33:20rivaling like living shadows.

00:33:25The exact energy that had provoked Althea.

00:33:28The servants gasp.

00:33:30Eleanor's face drained of color.

00:33:32Jenna's expression crumpled

00:33:34as she threw herself into Callum's arms,

00:33:37sobbing violently.

00:33:39Callum,

00:33:40I don't know what that is.

00:33:41I really don't.

00:33:44Did Lady Rowish do this on purpose to scare me?

00:33:48Callum pulled her tighter,

00:33:50his voice rising in fury

00:33:52as he glared at me.

00:33:54Rowena,

00:33:55enough!

00:33:56You already hurt her tonight,

00:33:58and now you want to humiliate her

00:34:00in front of everyone?

00:34:00The disbelief hit me hard.

00:34:03Evidence right in front of him,

00:34:05and still he chose her.

00:34:06Lucian stepped to my side,

00:34:08his voice like ice.

00:34:09Are you blind?

00:34:11Or has your brain rotted too?

00:34:12You have no right to speak here!

00:34:14I held Lucian back with a hand on his arm.

00:34:16No need to argue with him.

00:34:17Serpent energy recognizes its own,

00:34:18and so does Althea.

00:34:19Callum,

00:34:20you can keep pretending not to see it,

00:34:21but the formation collapsed tonight

00:34:22because you opened that door yourself.

00:34:23Callum's face stiffened.

00:34:24Jenna cried even harder.

00:34:26I turned away from them,

00:34:27crouching beside Althea

00:34:28and placing my hand on her head.

00:34:29The great white serpent calmed under my touch,

00:34:30lowering her head like a tamed beast.

00:34:31Everyone saw it.

00:34:32The serpents didn't fear me.

00:34:33They feared the Hargrove.

00:34:37Lucian helped me back to my room.

00:34:39The cut in my palms still seeped silver blood,

00:34:42and the Lunarn Hunt scar on my face burned.

00:34:46Every use of the covenant reminded me of the price I had paid.

00:34:49My face for this power.

00:34:52Lucian banded the wound with careful hands,

00:34:54his touch gentle,

00:34:55as if afraid to break me.

00:34:58Don't cut so deep next time.

00:34:59If I hadn't,

00:35:00this entire estate

00:35:02would have collapsed tonight.

00:35:04That's not your burden alone to carry.

00:35:06I looked up at him.

00:35:08He met my eyes steadily,

00:35:10never flinching from the scar,

00:35:13only seeing me.

00:35:14After my re-rebirth,

00:35:16I had accepted

00:35:17that trading my beauty

00:35:19meant no man would love me again.

00:35:21Others saw fear or disgust first,

00:35:24but Lucian never did.

00:35:26I pulled my hand away,

00:35:27my voice turning cold.

00:35:30Don't be too good to me.

00:35:32I don't need it.

00:35:33Whether you need it is your business.

00:35:36Whether I do it is mine.

00:35:38Footsteps sounded outside.

00:35:40Callum stood in the doorway,

00:35:42his face dark.

00:35:44Seeing Lupien holding my hand

00:35:46made his expression

00:35:48twist with jealousy.

00:35:49So you have time

00:35:50for your servant

00:35:51to fawn him over you.

00:35:53I smiled coldly.

00:35:54At least he knows

00:35:55who was bleeding.

00:35:57Unlike some people

00:35:58who only held

00:36:00the real culvert

00:36:00while accusing me.

00:36:02Callum's face

00:36:03darkened further.

00:36:04Tomorrow morning,

00:36:05you're coming with me

00:36:06to the family cemetery.

00:36:07I need to know

00:36:08why this serpent

00:36:09clings to the Hargroves.

00:36:11Fine.

00:36:12But Jenna stays behind.

00:36:14You're meddling too much.

00:36:15I said nothing.

00:36:18I knew Jenna

00:36:19would come anyway.

00:36:22Jenna appeared

00:36:23the next day,

00:36:25wrapped in a pale cloak,

00:36:27looking frail

00:36:28as she clung

00:36:28to Callum's side.

00:36:31Callum,

00:36:32I can't let you go alone.

00:36:34Let me come.

00:36:35I promise

00:36:36I won't cause trouble.

00:36:38Callum glanced at me,

00:36:40waiting for protest.

00:36:42I stayed silent.

00:36:44Let her.

00:36:45The closer she gets

00:36:46to the truth,

00:36:47the faster her mask slips.

00:36:50Jenna's eyes flickered

00:36:51before she looked down.

00:36:53We reached

00:36:54the Hargrove Cemetery,

00:36:55where serpent energy

00:36:57coiled around

00:36:57every grave.

00:36:59My silver sight

00:37:00revealed snake bones

00:37:01pressed beneath

00:37:02each male

00:37:03Hargrove tombstone.

00:37:05This was no simple curse.

00:37:06It was a betrayal.

00:37:08What do you see?

00:37:10Your family

00:37:11wasn't cursed

00:37:12by serpents.

00:37:13You used them first,

00:37:14then betrayed them.

00:37:18Jenna suddenly

00:37:19cried out

00:37:20and stumbled,

00:37:21her hand

00:37:21landing precisely

00:37:22on a formation node.

00:37:24Serpent energy

00:37:25erupted.

00:37:28Calum rushed

00:37:29to her.

00:37:31Jenna!

00:37:32I saw dark energy

00:37:33flash between her fingers.

00:37:35In my past life,

00:37:37I thought it was

00:37:38an accident.

00:37:41Now I knew better.

00:37:43Lucian stepped

00:37:44in front of me

00:37:45and the underground bones

00:37:46recoiled from him

00:37:47as if terrified.

00:37:50A question

00:37:51stirred in my mind.

00:37:55Who exactly

00:37:56was Lucian?

00:37:58Jenna clung to Calum,

00:38:00claiming her legs

00:38:01had simply given out.

00:38:03He held her protectively,

00:38:05but turned on me

00:38:07in anger.

00:38:09You knew

00:38:10it was dangerous here!

00:38:11Why didn't you

00:38:12clear it first?

00:38:15Did you see

00:38:16her step on the node?

00:38:17Calum paused.

00:38:19Jenna lifted

00:38:20her tear-stripped face.

00:38:23Lady Rowena,

00:38:24I know you dislike me,

00:38:26but I didn't touch

00:38:28any node.

00:38:28I was just scared.

00:38:31Calum's gaze

00:38:32softened

00:38:32toward her

00:38:33immediately.

00:38:35Rowena,

00:38:36enough.

00:38:37Stop pinning

00:38:38everything on her!

00:38:39I didn't argue.

00:38:41I extracted

00:38:42the Serpent energy

00:38:43from her palm

00:38:45and held it

00:38:47suspended in the air,

00:38:48a writhling

00:38:49black thread

00:38:50trying to return

00:38:52to her sleeve.

00:38:54Jenna paled.

00:38:56Still need

00:38:57an explanation?

00:38:59Calum saw it.

00:39:00Everyone did.

00:39:02But after a moment,

00:39:03he muttered,

00:39:05Maybe the node

00:39:06latched onto her.

00:39:07I laughed bitterly.

00:39:08In my past life,

00:39:10I thought he was blind.

00:39:11Now I realized

00:39:12he saw.

00:39:13He just refused

00:39:14to admit it.

00:39:15Lucian spoke softly

00:39:16behind me.

00:39:18He doesn't deserve

00:39:19a single word from you.

00:39:20His words

00:39:21eased some of the

00:39:22cold weight

00:39:22in my chest.

00:39:24I turned back

00:39:25to the graves.

00:39:27Keep digging.

00:39:29Jenna's desperation

00:39:30to interrupt means

00:39:32there's something

00:39:33important down there.

00:39:36I used silver blood

00:39:38on the tombstone.

00:39:40A fragment

00:39:41of memory rose.

00:39:43Centuries ago,

00:39:44Althea had willingly

00:39:45guarded the

00:39:46Hargroves,

00:39:47shielding them

00:39:48and even giving

00:39:49her white scales

00:39:50as a token.

00:39:51They repaid her

00:39:52by stabbing her

00:39:53with the stolen

00:39:53silver arrow

00:39:54while she slept,

00:39:56turning her into

00:39:57a living lock

00:39:57for the serpent gate.

00:39:59She was no monster.

00:40:01She was a

00:40:02betrayed protector.

00:40:05When the vision

00:40:06faded,

00:40:07Calum looked grim.

00:40:09I expected him

00:40:10to ask about

00:40:11Althea.

00:40:12Instead,

00:40:13If she's the

00:40:14living lock,

00:40:16she can still

00:40:17hold the gate,

00:40:18right?

00:40:19I turned slowly,

00:40:21anger flaring.

00:40:23That's all you

00:40:24take from this?

00:40:26The Hugg family

00:40:27cannot fall.

00:40:29I need to know

00:40:30how to save it.

00:40:31His selfishness

00:40:32drained even my rage.

00:40:34In my past life,

00:40:35my pain,

00:40:36my blood,

00:40:36my life had only

00:40:37ever been tools to him.

00:40:39Jenna squeezed

00:40:40his hand gently.

00:40:42Calum,

00:40:42you're just worried

00:40:43about the family.

00:40:44Lady Rowena

00:40:45wouldn't understand

00:40:46your burden.

00:40:46Her voice was soft,

00:40:48but her eyes smiled.

00:40:50Lucian's hand

00:40:50tightened on his

00:40:51sword hilt.

00:40:52Don't rush.

00:40:53Let them dig

00:40:54their own graves deeper.

00:40:57The filthier

00:40:58their words now,

00:40:59the cleaner

00:41:00the reckoning later.

00:41:03Later,

00:41:04Jenna sought me

00:41:05out alone.

00:41:07Her gentle mask

00:41:09dropped completely

00:41:09as she leaned

00:41:11against a corzillor,

00:41:12twisting her

00:41:13coral bracelet.

00:41:15You must feel

00:41:15so smug right now,

00:41:17making Calum

00:41:18look bad,

00:41:19making everyone

00:41:20doubt me,

00:41:21enjoying yourself.

00:41:23It's nowhere near

00:41:24as entertaining

00:41:26as you feeding

00:41:28serpents

00:41:28while playing

00:41:30the helpless victim.

00:41:31She laughed,

00:41:33her eyes

00:41:33turning venomous.

00:41:37You're much smarter

00:41:40Jenna didn't answer

00:41:41directly.

00:41:43She stroked

00:41:44the bracelet.

00:41:47Whether I remember

00:41:48doesn't matter.

00:41:49Calum will always

00:41:51believe me.

00:41:52You can shove proof

00:41:53in his face,

00:41:54and he'll still

00:41:55make excuses for me.

00:41:57Her words cut deep,

00:41:59laced with malice.

00:42:00Look at you.

00:42:02Traded your face

00:42:03for power,

00:42:05and still

00:42:06no one loves you.

00:42:08How pathetic.

00:42:10You think I still

00:42:11want Calum's love?

00:42:12Jenna stepped closer,

00:42:13lowering her voice.

00:42:14Of course you do.

00:42:16Once a woman

00:42:17has been loved,

00:42:18she always

00:42:19craves it back.

00:42:20You're just

00:42:21pretending to be

00:42:21clear-headed now.

00:42:23She reached

00:42:24toward my scar.

00:42:25Lucian emerged

00:42:26from the shadows

00:42:26and seized her wrist.

00:42:28Touch her again,

00:42:28and I'll cut off

00:42:29your hand.

00:42:31Jenna winced

00:42:32in pain,

00:42:33but quickly shifted

00:42:34to a pitiful expression

00:42:35as Callum's

00:42:36foot stems approached.

00:42:38Callum!

00:42:39He's trying to kill me!

00:42:46I only wanted

00:42:47to apologize

00:42:48to Lady Rowena,

00:42:49but he suddenly

00:42:50grabbed me.

00:42:51I was so scared.

00:42:53Let her go.

00:42:56Lucian,

00:42:57release her.

00:42:59Rowena,

00:42:59control your people.

00:43:00Don't forget,

00:43:03this is the

00:43:03Hargro estate.

00:43:07I remember

00:43:08perfectly.

00:43:10That's exactly

00:43:11why it's so

00:43:11filthy here.

00:43:25See that?

00:43:26Every time she

00:43:27touches you,

00:43:28your mark deepens.

00:43:29What trick

00:43:30did you pull?

00:43:31Wonderful.

00:43:32She poisons you,

00:43:33and I get blamed.

00:43:35You really are

00:43:35her perfect blade.

00:43:37Lucian stepped

00:43:38beside me.

00:43:40Let's go.

00:43:42Don't waste

00:43:43time on fools.

00:43:46This time,

00:43:47I didn't disagree.

00:43:51Late that night,

00:43:52Chester knocked on

00:43:53my door,

00:43:53holding a lantern

00:43:54with perfect servant

00:43:55deference.

00:43:55Lady Whitmere,

00:43:56the old madam

00:43:57asks if you will

00:43:57enter the hall

00:43:58again tomorrow.

00:43:59Eleanor did

00:43:59the serpent

00:43:59send you,

00:44:00did she?

00:44:01Chester's

00:44:01expression stayed

00:44:02neutral.

00:44:03You're overthinking.

00:44:04I sealed the room

00:44:04with silver seals.

00:44:05Only Lucian and I

00:44:06remained with him.

00:44:07Chester finally

00:44:08looked up.

00:44:09The silver site

00:44:10lives up to its name.

00:44:11How many years

00:44:11have you hidden

00:44:12in the Hargroves?

00:44:1343.

00:44:14He spoke calmly.

00:44:15The Hargroves think

00:44:15they can control

00:44:16the serpent gate,

00:44:16but those behind it

00:44:17have waited for them

00:44:18to walk into the trap.

00:44:19I asked about

00:44:19the silver arrow.

00:44:21You want the

00:44:22sacred relic?

00:44:23The serpent court

00:44:24wants it.

00:44:24Callum wants it

00:44:25to survive.

00:44:26Jenna wants it

00:44:26to open the gate.

00:44:28Everyone is waiting

00:44:28for you to act,

00:44:29Lady Whitmore.

00:44:30Callum,

00:44:31I just saw Chester

00:44:32enter Lady Rowena's room.

00:44:33Are they plotting

00:44:34something?

00:44:37Rowena,

00:44:37what exactly are you

00:44:38doing behind my back?

00:44:44Callum immediately

00:44:45accused me

00:44:46of colluding

00:44:47with the serpent court

00:44:47through Chester.

00:44:50I didn't deny

00:44:51seeking the arrow.

00:44:55It was my goal.

00:44:57He seized on it,

00:44:59turning everyone

00:45:00against me.

00:45:03You were never here

00:45:04to save us.

00:45:06You came for

00:45:07Hargrave possessions

00:45:08from the start.

00:45:09That relic belongs

00:45:11to Whitmore,

00:45:13not Hargrige.

00:45:15Jenna spoke softly.

00:45:17Callum,

00:45:19I've long felt

00:45:20Lady Rowena's

00:45:21hostility.

00:45:22I didn't dare

00:45:24say it before.

00:45:25I feared you'd

00:45:26think me petty.

00:45:27Her eyes reddened

00:45:29again.

00:45:31Callum's disgust

00:45:32towards me

00:45:32deepened.

00:45:33Hand over

00:45:34your silver seals.

00:45:37From now on,

00:45:38any ritual

00:45:39needs my approval.

00:45:41You want to

00:45:42control my power

00:45:43to manage the gate?

00:45:45This is my home!

00:45:47I have the right

00:45:49to know

00:45:49what you're doing.

00:45:51I summoned

00:45:52a wisp of

00:45:52Althea's

00:45:53white serpent shadow.

00:45:55It coiled

00:45:56around Callum's

00:45:57death mark.

00:45:58He cried out

00:45:59in pain,

00:46:00face paling.

00:46:02You have the right

00:46:03to know this,

00:46:03for example.

00:46:04You're still standing

00:46:06only because

00:46:06I allow it.

00:46:08Jenna stumbled

00:46:09back in fear.

00:46:11Callum stared

00:46:12at me with a mix

00:46:13of rage

00:46:13and newfound terror.

00:46:15Lucien spoke

00:46:16quietly at my side.

00:46:17She saves you

00:46:18by choice,

00:46:19not obligation.

00:46:21Remember that.

00:46:29Eleanor called

00:46:30a family meeting,

00:46:31summoning all

00:46:32Hargroff branches.

00:46:35It was framed

00:46:36as discussing

00:46:37the gate,

00:46:38but clearly meant

00:46:39to force me

00:46:40to submit publicly.

00:46:42Many saw

00:46:43my scarred face

00:46:44for the first time.

00:46:46Whispers spread.

00:46:47How terrifying

00:46:48the scar was.

00:46:49How no wonder

00:46:50Callum preferred Jenna.

00:46:54I heard every word.

00:46:56In my past life,

00:46:57such talk

00:46:57would have crushed me.

00:47:00Now it was just noise.

00:47:02Eleanor sat at the head,

00:47:04voice heavy.

00:47:07Lady Whitmora,

00:47:08your power is great,

00:47:10but we've seen

00:47:12but we've seen your emotions

00:47:12are unstable.

00:47:14For the family's safety,

00:47:17the sealing arts

00:47:18cannot remain solely

00:47:19in your hands.

00:47:21Callum didn't intervene.

00:47:24He sat silently,

00:47:27endorsing the ambush.

00:47:29Jenna added fuel.

00:47:33I'm only worried

00:47:34Lady Roeth might resent me

00:47:37and take it out

00:47:38on the entire

00:47:39Hargroff family.

00:47:41All eyes turned to me.

00:47:42I stood and activated

00:47:44the silver sight.

00:47:45Behind every person,

00:47:47shadows of sacrificed

00:47:48women appeared,

00:47:49maids,

00:47:50adopted daughters,

00:47:51wives offered as tribute.

00:47:53Those who had mocked my scar

00:47:54dropped to their knees

00:47:55in terror.

00:47:56You wanted to talk safety?

00:47:59Then look at how many lives

00:48:00you've trampled

00:48:01beneath your feet.

00:48:03Jenna's smile

00:48:04finally shattered.

00:48:09Chaos erupted

00:48:10after the ghosts appeared.

00:48:11Some begged me

00:48:12to withdraw the sight.

00:48:13Others accused Eleanor.

00:48:14She paled and instinctively

00:48:15protected the legacy book.

00:48:16I saw it.

00:48:17The sacrifice ledger

00:48:18is inside the book.

00:48:19Eleanor's hand froze.

00:48:20Callum tried to block me.

00:48:21Rowena, don't make this uglier.

00:48:22The ugly one is your family's

00:48:23centuries of blood debt.

00:48:24Jenna clutched her chest.

00:48:26Collapsing into a chair.

00:48:27I can't breathe.

00:48:29Callum, I'm so scared.

00:48:31Callum moved to help her,

00:48:32but a white serpent shadow

00:48:34blocked him,

00:48:35staring coldly at Jenna.

00:48:37She stopped aggivating

00:48:39her sobs.

00:48:39I approached Eleanor.

00:48:41Give me the ledger.

00:48:43Eleanor forced a smile.

00:48:45Child, those are old matters.

00:48:47You already died once.

00:48:48Why keep pursuing?

00:48:51I leaned close.

00:48:54Because I died once.

00:48:55I know exactly

00:48:56what being chosen

00:48:58by you feels like.

00:49:00Callum watched

00:49:01with fleeting complexity

00:49:02before Jenna's sobs

00:49:03pulled him away again.

00:49:05My cold laugh

00:49:07deepened.

00:49:09He was never worth it.

00:49:12Callum tried

00:49:13a softer approach

00:49:14that evening,

00:49:15coming to my room

00:49:16with a gentler tone.

00:49:18Roland,

00:49:19we can cooperate.

00:49:21You want the silver arrow?

00:49:23I want the Hargroves

00:49:24to survive.

00:49:25Our goals...

00:49:27McLean.

00:49:27I knew what came next.

00:49:29The same fake,

00:49:30fake concern

00:49:31from my past life.

00:49:32I know some words

00:49:33hurt you before,

00:49:35but now isn't the time

00:49:36to dwell on it.

00:49:37Some words?

00:49:38I turned my face

00:49:40so he could see

00:49:40the scar clearly.

00:49:41You mocked my face,

00:49:44protected Jenna

00:49:45as she harmed me,

00:49:47demanded

00:49:47my seals.

00:49:49And you call it

00:49:50some words?

00:49:52Callum frowned.

00:49:53You're too sensitive now.

00:49:55Lucian entered

00:49:56with medicine

00:49:57and overheard.

00:49:58She died once

00:49:59because of you all.

00:50:00And now you call her sensitive?

00:50:03Who do you think you are?

00:50:04Her servant?

00:50:05Guard?

00:50:06Or just the dog she keeps?

00:50:07Lucian remained calm.

00:50:09I can be anything she wants.

00:50:11But you?

00:50:12You're different.

00:50:13How?

00:50:13Even when she bleeds,

00:50:15you only ask

00:50:16why she didn't protect others.

00:50:17The room fell silent.

00:50:19I looked away,

00:50:20no longer wanting

00:50:22to hear Callum.

00:50:23Give me the key.

00:50:24Tomorrow we enter

00:50:25the underground chamber.

00:50:28Callum gritted his teeth

00:50:31and placed the key

00:50:32on the table.

00:50:36The underground chamber

00:50:37lay behind Hargrot Hall,

00:50:39dust and serpent energy

00:50:41rushed out

00:50:41as the door opened.

00:50:42Whitmore hunting tools,

00:50:44silver blades,

00:50:45short bows,

00:50:45chains,

00:50:46hung on the walls

00:50:47like trophies.

00:50:48My chest tightened.

00:50:50These belonged

00:50:50to my family,

00:50:52displayed as Hargrok spoils.

00:50:54As I approached,

00:50:55the tools hummed

00:50:56in recognition.

00:50:57Several blades

00:50:58tilted toward me.

00:51:00Callum's eyes

00:51:00gleamed with greed.

00:51:02If these can suppress

00:51:04the gate,

00:51:05why not lend them

00:51:06to the Hargroves first?

00:51:07After stealing them

00:51:08for centuries,

00:51:09you still want

00:51:09to borrow more?

00:51:10Jenna followed us in.

00:51:12Seeing the tools

00:51:13respond to me,

00:51:14jealously flashed

00:51:15in her eyes.

00:51:16Impressive.

00:51:18Too bad it all

00:51:19came at the cost

00:51:20of your face.

00:51:22Lucien took

00:51:22a loosened silver blade

00:51:24from the wall

00:51:25and placed it in my hand.

00:51:26They recognize you,

00:51:28not because of your face,

00:51:30but because you are Whitmore.

00:51:32His words settled

00:51:33warmly in my heart.

00:51:34I gripped the blade.

00:51:36Silver light bloomed.

00:51:37All the tools

00:51:38vibrated in univine.

00:51:39Jenna's expression

00:51:40soured completely.

00:51:41What she hated most

00:51:43wasn't my strength.

00:51:44It was that even scarred,

00:51:45I still had someone

00:51:46standing by my side.

00:51:47Deepest in the chamber

00:51:49hung an old painting.

00:51:50The first Whitmore

00:51:51lunar huntress

00:51:52beside a golden-horned

00:51:54white deer.

00:51:55The deer shielded her

00:51:56from serpents,

00:51:57its antlers

00:51:58wrapped in moonlight.

00:52:00Lucien's face

00:52:01changed when he saw it.

00:52:02He looked away

00:52:03too late.

00:52:04You've seen this painting?

00:52:05No.

00:52:06He answered too quickly.

00:52:07Callum noticed,

00:52:08his expression

00:52:08turning dangerous.

00:52:09Seems your servant

00:52:10knows quite a lot.

00:52:11I stepped in front of Lucien.

00:52:12None of your concern.

00:52:13Callum sneered.

00:52:14Rowena, you'd shield

00:52:14a mere servant from me?

00:52:15Lucien's eyes chilled.

00:52:16I spoke calmly

00:52:17without turning.

00:52:18He is not a mere servant.

00:52:19Lucien fell silent.

00:52:20My own heart stirred

00:52:21unexpectedly at the words.

00:52:22Jenna watched

00:52:23with a light laugh.

00:52:24Lady Rowena

00:52:25was so enviable.

00:52:26Face ruined,

00:52:27yet still so protected.

00:52:30How much of that protection

00:52:31is real, I wonder?

00:52:32At least more than

00:52:33what you stole.

00:52:34Her face darkened.

00:52:36Suddenly,

00:52:37her bracelet glowed.

00:52:38Serpent energy

00:52:39corrupted the tools,

00:52:41turning them against me.

00:52:43Jenna cried out

00:52:44in fake alarm.

00:52:45Callum, watch out!

00:52:46The tools have gone

00:52:47out of control!

00:52:48But excitement burned

00:52:49in her eyes.

00:52:51The tools lunged at me.

00:52:54They heard their silver lament.

00:52:57They didn't want to harm

00:52:59their true owner.

00:53:00Jenna's serpent energy

00:53:01forced them.

00:53:02Callum's first instinct

00:53:03was to shield Jenna.

00:53:05Rowena, control them!

00:53:07Don't let them touch Jenna!

00:53:08I ignored him

00:53:09and summoned

00:53:10the moon's silver bow.

00:53:12Moonlight

00:53:13formed the string.

00:53:15I fired arrows,

00:53:17tearing serpent energy

00:53:18from the blades

00:53:19one by one.

00:53:21They fell obediently

00:53:22at my feet.

00:53:24Each shot burned my scar

00:53:25like a fresh blade cut.

00:53:27Pain seared through me.

00:53:28I grit my teeth

00:53:29and kept drawing.

00:53:30Lucian suddenly grabbed

00:53:31my hand.

00:53:31Enough!

00:53:32Not yet cleared!

00:53:33I said enough,

00:53:34you're hurting!

00:53:34Everyone else fixated

00:53:35on my scar,

00:53:36fearing, hating,

00:53:37using it.

00:53:37Only Lucian cared

00:53:38if it hurt.

00:53:39This isn't the time

00:53:40for your intimacy.

00:53:41Rowena, continue!

00:53:42Lucian turned on him.

00:53:44Shut up!

00:53:44Your mouth.

00:53:45Callum's face darkened.

00:53:48I released the bowstring,

00:53:50refusing his order

00:53:51for the first time.

00:53:52The rest can wait

00:53:53until I decide.

00:53:54Jenna looked furious.

00:53:55She had wanted

00:53:56to exhaust me.

00:53:57She never expected

00:53:59Lucian could make me stop

00:54:00or that I would

00:54:01choose to for him.

00:54:03I followed Jaina

00:54:04into the underground

00:54:05water chath.

00:54:06She stood on the stone steps

00:54:08before the outer serpent gate.

00:54:09Her innocent mask

00:54:10finally debardened.

00:54:11Do you know

00:54:12where the silver arrow

00:54:13really is?

00:54:14I remained silent,

00:54:15gripping the hilt

00:54:16of the silver blade,

00:54:17see the sound echoing

00:54:17coldly off the walls.

00:54:19It's not in the chamber.

00:54:21It's buried in Althea's heart.

00:54:23The first Hargroves

00:54:24used it to nail her

00:54:25into the earth vein

00:54:26and create this gate.

00:54:28My fingers tightened painfully.

00:54:30The weight of generations

00:54:31of betrayal

00:54:32pressed down on me.

00:54:34Jenna stepped closer,

00:54:35her voice dripping venom.

00:54:36If you want Whitmore's relic back,

00:54:38you'll have to pull the arrow.

00:54:41But the moment you do,

00:54:42the gate opens.

00:54:44Everyone will blame you

00:54:44for destroying Hargrove Hall.

00:54:46Callum will hate you.

00:54:47Eleanor will hate you.

00:54:48They'll say you did it

00:54:49because no one could love

00:54:50your scarred face.

00:54:51The words stung,

00:54:53but not as deeply

00:54:53as they once would have.

00:54:54I met her gaze steadily,

00:54:56the lunar scar on my cheek

00:54:57pulsing with silver light.

00:54:59You still think I care

00:54:59what Callum thinks of me?

00:55:01Jenna's smile faltered

00:55:03for a split second.

00:55:04I continued,

00:55:05my voice low but firm.

00:55:07You're wrong.

00:55:08I didn't come back

00:55:08to prove I'm worthy of love.

00:55:10I came to make sure

00:55:11all of you pay what you owe.

00:55:13Her expression turned ugly.

00:55:15She spat one last barb

00:55:17before leaping deeper

00:55:18into the waterway.

00:55:19You really think Lucian

00:55:21will keep protecting you?

00:55:22Men are all the same.

00:55:24Once he gets tired

00:55:25of looking at that face,

00:55:26he'll leave too.

00:55:28I stood there

00:55:29as her footsteps faded,

00:55:30the cold water

00:55:31lapping at my boots.

00:55:32Her words tried to burrow

00:55:33into old wounds,

00:55:34but Lucian's steady presence

00:55:35in my mind pushed them back.

00:55:37I turned and climbed

00:55:38back to the surface,

00:55:39the truth now clear

00:55:40in my heart.

00:55:41The silver arrow

00:55:42rested in Althea's chest.

00:55:45Back above ground,

00:55:46I found Lucian

00:55:47waiting in the shadows

00:55:48of the hall.

00:55:49His quiet strength

00:55:50grounded me

00:55:50as I told him

00:55:51what Jenna had revealed.

00:55:52He listened without interruption,

00:55:54his eyes never leaving mine.

00:55:56Will you pull it?

00:55:57I have to,

00:55:59but not recklessly.

00:56:00I'll use Callum's blood,

00:56:02Jenna's serpent contract.

00:56:04Chester's serpent court mark,

00:56:05and Eleanor's sacrifice ledger

00:56:07to form a new seal.

00:56:08Lucian studied me carefully,

00:56:10no fear in his gaze,

00:56:11only unwavering resolve.

00:56:14Then we do it.

00:56:15A small smile tugged

00:56:16at my lips

00:56:16despite everything.

00:56:17You won't ask

00:56:18if I'll turn into a monster?

00:56:20You won't.

00:56:22How can you be so sure?

00:56:23He paused,

00:56:24then stepped closer,

00:56:26and gently re-wrapped

00:56:27the bandage on my palm.

00:56:29Because even when you

00:56:30could have let Callum

00:56:31die tonight,

00:56:32you still saved

00:56:33the entire estate.

00:56:34His words pierced

00:56:35through the armor

00:56:36I had built around my heart.

00:56:38I had hated them all

00:56:39so fiercely,

00:56:40yet I refused

00:56:41to become the destroyer

00:56:42they feared.

00:56:43Lucian saw that in me

00:56:44when no one else did.

00:56:45The scar on my face

00:56:46burned less fiercely

00:56:47in that moment.

00:56:48Tomorrow we go to Eleanor.

00:56:50Good.

00:56:50I lingered in his presence

00:56:52a moment longer,

00:56:54drawing quiet comfort

00:56:55from the way

00:56:56he stood guard beside me,

00:56:58unflinching.

00:57:00Eleanor refused

00:57:01to surrender

00:57:01the sacrifice's ledger.

00:57:02She sat in the main study,

00:57:04cradling her peach blossom tea.

00:57:06Her grandmotherly facade

00:57:07finally stripped away

00:57:08to reveal cold calculation.

00:57:10Rowena,

00:57:11you already know too much.

00:57:13A smart girl knows

00:57:14when to stop.

00:57:15The memories flooded back.

00:57:17Her smiles

00:57:18as she fed me poison.

00:57:19Her indifference

00:57:20as she watched me die.

00:57:22Anger surged

00:57:22through my veins.

00:57:24When you sent me

00:57:25into the serpent gate

00:57:26in my past life,

00:57:28did you also think

00:57:29I should have stopped?

00:57:30Her hand trembled

00:57:31slightly on the teacup.

00:57:32Do you remember?

00:57:33I remember everything.

00:57:34Your sweet words.

00:57:36The poisoned tea

00:57:37how you locked me inside

00:57:39without a flicker

00:57:40of remorse.

00:57:41I sealed her teacup

00:57:43with a silver seal.

00:57:44The liquid inside

00:57:45turned black.

00:57:47Serpent shadows

00:57:48thrashing wildly

00:57:49Lupien stood behind me.

00:57:51His presence

00:57:52a wall of silent fury.

00:57:54Eleanor's composure cracked.

00:57:56What do you want?

00:57:58The ledger.

00:58:00She resisted.

00:58:02I stepped forward

00:58:03and sealed her throat

00:58:05with silver light.

00:58:07Her mouth opened

00:58:09but no sound emerged.

00:58:11You lied so many people

00:58:13to their deaths.

00:58:14This mouth of yours

00:58:15deserves rest.

00:58:16I retrieved the ledger

00:58:17from her hidden compartment.

00:58:19Page after page

00:58:20listed women's names.

00:58:21The final entry

00:58:22was my own.

00:58:23Rowena Whitmore.

00:58:25My fingers clenched

00:58:26until my knuckles whitened.

00:58:28This life,

00:58:29I would cross it out myself.

00:58:33Calum learned of the stolen ledger

00:58:35quickly.

00:58:35Instead of confronting Mimi directly,

00:58:38he lured Lupien away

00:58:39and trapped him

00:58:40in the old underground chapel

00:58:42beneath Hargrove Hall,

00:58:43an ancient altar

00:58:44etched with serpent arrays

00:58:46designed to suppress

00:58:47Lunarn Hunt blood.

00:58:48When I arrived,

00:58:49Lucien knelt in the center

00:58:50of the array,

00:58:50covered in wounds,

00:58:51yet his eyes glowed

00:58:52with a faint golden light.

00:58:53Calum stood outside the formation,

00:58:55a silver blade in hand.

00:58:56Don't come closer, Rowena.

00:58:57One more step

00:58:58and he dies for you.

00:58:59Eyes alight

00:58:59with vicious excitement.

00:59:00Lady Rowena,

00:59:01you're so powerful.

00:59:02Choose the silver arrow

00:59:04or him.

00:59:05Lucien looked at me

00:59:06through the pain

00:59:06and shook his head wiltly.

00:59:08Leave me.

00:59:09The plea tore at my chest.

00:59:10In my past life,

00:59:11I had told Calum the same thing,

00:59:12only for him to abandon me.

00:59:14I would not repeat his cruelty.

00:59:16Power erupted

00:59:16from my huntress mark.

00:59:18Silver light shattered

00:59:18the serpent array

00:59:19inch by inch.

00:59:21Calum paled.

00:59:22You're mad!

00:59:23The Covenant will backlash!

00:59:25That's not for you to decide.

00:59:28I rushed into the formation,

00:59:30grabbed Lucien's hand,

00:59:32and dragged him free.

00:59:33His silver gold blood

00:59:34touched my pie palm

00:59:36and the lingering dark energy

00:59:38recoiled as if burned.

00:59:42Lucien's blood was not red.

00:59:44It shimmered

00:59:45with faint silver gold light.

00:59:46The realization hit me

00:59:48as the serpent array

00:59:49of Reynus fled from him.

00:59:50Who are you, really?

00:59:51Lucien remained silent

00:59:52for a long moment

00:59:53before answering softly.

00:59:55I promised to stay

00:59:55by the Whitmore heir's side.

00:59:57Promised whom?

00:59:59He didn't reply.

01:00:00But Calum had seen the blood.

01:00:02Greed twisted his features.

01:00:04So he's even more special

01:00:05than you.

01:00:06She laughed cruelly.

01:00:07Calum, if we use him

01:00:08as the new living lock,

01:00:10we won't need Rowena anymore.

01:00:12Calum didn't deny it.

01:00:13Cold fury settled in my chest.

01:00:15Touch him.

01:00:17And I will end

01:00:18the hog rave bloodline tonight.

01:00:21You care about him that much?

01:00:24So even you can feel fear.

01:00:26I helped Lucien to his feet.

01:00:28My voice steady

01:00:29despite the storm inside.

01:00:32Yes, I fear.

01:00:33I fear him suffering

01:00:35the same fate I did.

01:00:37Being sacrificed by people like you

01:00:39who treat lives as disposable.

01:00:42Lucien glanced at me.

01:00:43Emotion flickering in his eyes.

01:00:46I avoided looking back.

01:00:48Afraid my own feelings

01:00:50would spill over.

01:00:53Calum and Jenna united against us.

01:00:55They spread rumors

01:00:56that Lucien's non-human aura

01:00:58was the true cause

01:01:00of the gate's instability.

01:01:03Jenna wept publicly,

01:01:05claiming she saw his golden blood

01:01:07and couldn't sleep from fear.

01:01:10Calum played the responsible family head.

01:01:13I don't want to hurt anyone.

01:01:14But for the Hargroves,

01:01:16I must uncover what he is.

01:01:18The hypocrisy made me want to laugh.

01:01:21This was their old game.

01:01:23One crying,

01:01:24the other forced to act.

01:01:26Only now,

01:01:28the knives were aimed elsewhere.

01:01:31I stepped in front of Lucien.

01:01:33Anyone who wants to investigate him

01:01:35goes through me first.

01:01:37Calum's face darkened.

01:01:39Rowena,

01:01:39you'd abandoned the entire

01:01:41Hargrove family's safety for him?

01:01:43I protected him.

01:01:45You don't deserve it.

01:01:46Lady Rowena,

01:01:48have you forgotten Lucien's just an outsider

01:01:50you picked up?

01:01:51An outsider cleaner than you'll ever be.

01:01:53Lucien spoke quietly behind me.

01:01:55You don't have to shield me like this.

01:01:57I want to.

01:02:01The word surprised even me.

01:02:03We retreated to the forest behind the hall.

01:02:06Serpent energy pursued us to the edge

01:02:09but dared not enter.

01:02:12Moonlight filtered through the trees

01:02:13as I tended Lucien's wounds.

01:02:16Why do you remember the past life?

01:02:18He was quiet for a long time.

01:02:21Because when you died,

01:02:22I was there too.

01:02:24My hands stilled on the bandages.

01:02:26I was trapped in the formation.

01:02:27I heard you begging him to open the door.

01:02:30I couldn't break free.

01:02:31I could only watch it close.

01:02:33The memory of that freezing night

01:02:35crashed over me.

01:02:36Not everyone had abandoned me.

01:02:39Someone had tried.

01:02:42My throat tightened.

01:02:44I always thought if I were stronger,

01:02:46you wouldn't have died.

01:02:48That wasn't your fault.

01:02:49But I was still too late.

01:02:51I looked at him,

01:02:52the urge to embrace him

01:02:53nearly overwhelming.

01:02:54Instead,

01:02:55I whispered,

01:02:56this time,

01:02:57you weren't too late.

01:02:59Lucien met my eyes

01:03:00and smiled faintly

01:03:01for the first time.

01:03:02It was small,

01:03:04but it lit up the darkness around us

01:03:06like moonlight on water.

01:03:08My huntress mark began spiraling out of control.

01:03:13Visions of blood deeds and deaths

01:03:16flooded my silver sight.

01:03:20I saw Eleanor dragged by ghosts.

01:03:26Chester devoured by the serpent court.

01:03:31Jenna consumed by her own power

01:03:34and Callum begging on his knees.

01:03:39Ardus's voice echoed in my mind,

01:03:42commanding me to hunt those

01:03:48who fed the serpents.

01:03:52I nearly summoned the oath arrow.

01:03:55Lucien seized my shoulders.

01:03:57Rowena, look at me.

01:03:58The silver light and blood

01:04:00blurted my vision.

01:04:01Pain tore through the scar on my face.

01:04:04Move!

01:04:05I need to kill them!

01:04:07Lucien held firm.

01:04:09You can take revenge.

01:04:12But don't give yourself to the covenant.

01:04:15He cut his own palm

01:04:16and pressed the silver-gold blood

01:04:18against my scar.

01:04:19The divine fury retreated.

01:04:22I could breathe again.

01:04:23You are not the goddess's blade.

01:04:26You are Rowena.

01:04:28Tears stung my eyes.

01:04:30He had shown me I could hurt,

01:04:32hate,

01:04:33and still remain myself.

01:04:35I closed my eyes.

01:04:37Don't let go.

01:04:39I'm here.

01:04:40Chester stole the sacrifice ledger,

01:04:43hoping to trade it

01:04:44to the serpent court for freedom.

01:04:47We tracked him to an old underground room

01:04:50where he knelt before a black serpent mirror.

01:04:55A pale hand reached out

01:04:57and took the ledger,

01:04:58offering no promise.

01:05:02Executors have no freedom.

01:05:05Only the next order.

01:05:09Chester protested his 43 years of service.

01:05:13The mirror cracked

01:05:14and dark energy retaliated,

01:05:17rotting his brand.

01:05:24I didn't save him immediately.

01:05:27Lady Whitmore, save me!

01:05:30I can tell you how to close the gate!

01:05:36How many have you helped kill?

01:05:38Let him die.

01:05:41I stabilized the energy

01:05:42in Chester's body with a silver seal.

01:05:47You won't die yet.

01:05:50You'll watch what you served devour you.

01:05:55I reclaimed the ledger.

01:05:57The path to the silver arrow lay clear.

01:06:00The path to the silver arrow clear.

01:06:03Jenna publicly revealed the arrow's location in Althea's heart.

01:06:07She stood in the meeting hall,

01:06:10crying convincingly.

01:06:13If we get that arrowed,

01:06:16can the Hargroves be saved?

01:06:18Callum, I don't...

01:06:20want you to die.

01:06:25The branches went wild with desperation.

01:06:29Callum pretended to restrain them,

01:06:31but I saw his agent slipping toward the hall depths.

01:06:34I blocked the entrance.

01:06:37Call them back.

01:06:38Callum stayed silent.

01:06:41Jenna tried to soften it.

01:06:42Lady Rowena,

01:06:44why must you think the worst of Callum?

01:06:47He only wants to save his family.

01:06:50Shut your mouth.

01:06:52I faced Callum directly.

01:06:53Do you want to save your family,

01:06:55or steal my arrow?

01:06:57If it can save the Hargroves,

01:06:59it shouldn't belong only to Whitmore.

01:07:02His true nature stood bare.

01:07:04The man who once wore affection like a mask,

01:07:09now showed his greed openly.

01:07:12I descended into the Earthvein with Lucian,

01:07:15cross-sword as the Strayca,

01:07:16and several clansmen forced their way after us.

01:07:19Serpent energy parted before me,

01:07:21and recoiled even more from Lucian.

01:07:25At the core,

01:07:27Althea was pinned to the gate,

01:07:29the silver arrow buried in her heart.

01:07:31She lowered her head,

01:07:33exposing the wound,

01:07:34begging for release.

01:07:36I grasped the arrow's hilt.

01:07:38Lucian stepped protectively behind me.

01:07:41Careful.

01:07:44Callum pressed a silver blade to Lucian's throat.

01:07:47Pull the arrow, Rowena,

01:07:49or he dies.

01:07:51I held the hilt motionless.

01:07:54Blood, silver gold,

01:07:55trickled from Lucian's throat,

01:07:57exciting the gate further.

01:07:59Jenna's eyes lit with greed.

01:08:00Callum,

01:08:01his blood can replace hers.

01:08:03Use him as the new lock.

01:08:04Callum didn't deny it.

01:08:06Choose,

01:08:06the arrow,

01:08:07or his life.

01:08:09Don't mind me.

01:08:10The familiar cruelty broke something inside me.

01:08:13Why must everyone I cared for become their leverage?

01:08:16Do you know what disgust is me most about you?

01:08:19Callum frowned.

01:08:20You treat other people's sacrifices as natural rights?

01:08:23I released the arrow and slashed my plomb instead,

01:08:27spilling silver blood to summon the debts.

01:08:31Ghosts of sacrificed women rose,

01:08:33their eyes fixed on Callum.

01:08:36This time,

01:08:37judgment fell on the Hargors.

01:08:40The ghosts surrounded Callum.

01:08:42They whispered their names.

01:08:44Wives,

01:08:45maids,

01:08:46daughters,

01:08:47and my past self.

01:08:48He stumbled back,

01:08:51the blade leaving Lucian's throat.

01:08:54I pulled Lucian behind me.

01:08:56Jenna launched for the arrow.

01:09:00Serpent energy from the gate seized her instead,

01:09:03merging with her bracelet.

01:09:06Jenna laughed wildly as she began transforming.

01:09:11Finally my turn.

01:09:12You knew it wanted your body?

01:09:15So what?

01:09:17At least I'll drag you all down with me!

01:09:20She yanked the arrow partially free.

01:09:23Althea screamed.

01:09:24The gate cracked.

01:09:25Jenna, stop!

01:09:26Now you're scared?

01:09:28You protected me only because I was useful!

01:09:33Their mutual betrayal lay exposed.

01:09:36Only I had once believed in their false bond.

01:09:39Lucian took my hand.

01:09:41Rowene,

01:09:41don't watch me.

01:09:42Do what you must.

01:09:43I nodded,

01:09:44stealing myself.

01:09:47The gate's opening caused Hargro Hall to collapse.

01:09:50Black rail tents insurged from the ground.

01:09:53Claxertmen fled,

01:09:55only to be caught by their own ghosts.

01:09:58Eleanor was dragged before the fireplace,

01:10:01forced to confront the ledger.

01:10:03Rowena, save me!

01:10:05I was forced!

01:10:06It was all for the family!

01:10:09That's exactly what you said.

01:10:11While watching you die last time.

01:10:14She trembled.

01:10:15I was wrong!

01:10:17You're not sorry.

01:10:20You're just afraid, afraid to die.

01:10:23The ghosts pulled her into silver flames.

01:10:26Chester was devoured by his own masters.

01:10:29I asked Lucian if I seemed cruel.

01:10:31No.

01:10:33They owed you.

01:10:34His words erased my final hesitation.

01:10:37Callum seized the silver arrow and fled toward the main hall to reseal the gate.

01:10:42I chased him.

01:10:44To the iron door.

01:10:45The same one from my past life.

01:10:48Move aside, Rowena.

01:10:49And I'll let you go.

01:10:51We can settle the past later.

01:10:53The past?

01:10:54You speak so lightly of it.

01:10:56Jenna screamed for rescue in the distance.

01:10:59Callum barely glanced at her before turning away.

01:11:01He activated the mechanism to crap Lucian and me.

01:11:06Inside, Lucian pushed me aside and shattered the door with explosive silver gold light.

01:11:11A golden horned white deer phantom appeared behind him.

01:11:15The serpents recoiled in fear.

01:11:17At last, I understood.

01:11:19Lucian was the sacred beast guardian of the Whitmores.

01:11:22Lucian knelt by the broken door.

01:11:25The deer phantom fading.

01:11:26Callum stared in shock.

01:11:27What are you?

01:11:31Something far cleaner than you.

01:11:33The serpent court envoydy emerged, terrified.

01:11:37Moon, dear guardian.

01:11:39You still live.

01:11:41Lupien looked at me with apology.

01:11:43I didn't mean to hide it.

01:11:44We'll settle accounts after we get out.

01:11:47He smiled.

01:11:48I grasped the silver arrow.

01:11:51The huntress covenant fully awakened.

01:11:54Artemis warned of the price.

01:11:57Use mine.

01:11:58No.

01:11:59I'm the guardian.

01:12:00I should pay for you.

01:12:04I already died for others once.

01:12:06This life...

01:12:09I pay for my own choices.

01:12:15The oath arrow formed in cold white light.

01:12:19Jenna, half serpent, charged in hatred.

01:12:22Why can you still stand?

01:12:27Why do you still have someone protecting you like that?

01:12:30Because I never gave myself to you.

01:12:33Lucian shielded me as the deer phantom repelled the energy.

01:12:37Callum begged on his knees.

01:12:39Roash, save me!

01:12:40I was wrong!

01:12:41In the past life, I had no choice!

01:12:44You had choices.

01:12:45Every time, you chose to hurt me.

01:12:48I drew the bow.

01:12:49Artemis demanded a span of lifespan.

01:12:52I accepted.

01:12:53Lupien cried out.

01:12:54But I reassured him with a glance.

01:12:57Don't worry.

01:12:57I still need to settle your secret with you.

01:13:00I released the arrow.

01:13:02It pierced Jenna.

01:13:04The gate.

01:13:05The blood contracts.

01:13:07And buried deep into the earth vein.

01:13:10Silver light exploded.

01:13:11The serpent port passages collapsed.

01:13:16The gate sealed.

01:13:18Althira's wound healed.

01:13:22She placed a final white scale in my palm.

01:13:25Before dissolving into light.

01:13:28Finally free.

01:13:29Jenna lay dying.

01:13:30Her body rejecting the serpent energy.

01:13:33I'm not willing.

01:13:35Why did someone like you win?

01:13:37Because I lost once.

01:13:38And I refused to lose again.

01:13:40Her body was consumed.

01:13:42Leaving only shattered coral.

01:13:44Callum's death mark vanished.

01:13:46But so did his family's power.

01:13:48He knelt broken in the ruins.

01:13:52Rowena.

01:13:54Save me once more.

01:13:58For our past.

01:13:59In the past life.

01:14:00You told me to hold the serpents until I died.

01:14:05I left him there.

01:14:09To face his fate alone.

01:14:14As the hall fully collapsed.

01:14:17Callum chased after me one last time.

01:14:19Desperate.

01:14:20Rowish.

01:14:21I was deceived by Jenna.

01:14:23Now I see clearly.

01:14:25You weren't deceived.

01:14:27You chose convenient lies every single time.

01:14:30Lucien stepped forward.

01:14:31Blocking Callum's view of me.

01:14:34Don't look at her.

01:14:35You have no right.

01:14:37Callum froze.

01:14:39I allowed the protection.

01:14:41Embracing it fully this time.

01:14:45At dawn.

01:14:46Hargrove Hall sank completely into ruin.

01:14:51I stood.

01:14:52At a distance.

01:14:55Watching the last serpent's stench blow away on the wind.

01:14:59My huntress mark and scar remained.

01:15:03But so did my resolve.

01:15:11Lucien stood beside me.

01:15:13Does it still hurt?

01:15:16Why do you always ask that?

01:15:18Because you always pretend it doesn't.

01:15:20I laughed genuinely for the first time in ages.

01:15:23Lucien.

01:15:25How long have you guarded the Whitmans?

01:15:27Long enough.

01:15:27That I feared I'd always arrive too late.

01:15:30This time you didn't.

01:15:31Rowena.

01:15:32I never loved your face.

01:15:36His gaze held mine.

01:15:38Never wavering to the scar.

01:15:41I love that you crawled back from hell to claim your debts.

01:15:45And still chose to save the innocent.

01:15:51I took his hand willingly.

01:15:53Then don't be late again.

01:15:55I won't.

01:15:55We walked away from the ruins together into the morning light.

01:15:59This time.

01:16:02I didn't look back.

01:16:06I didn't look back.

01:16:07I didn't look back.

01:16:08I didn't look back.

ruining hargrove hall - Trending Drama

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