- 8 hours ago
The Sister Who Stole My Fate
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00:00Every hundred years, the kingdom of Varya gave birth to an oracle, a woman blessed with the power to see
00:06the future.
00:07In my previous life, King Aurarian dreamed of the oracle, and ordered portraits of a young woman to be posted
00:13throughout the realm.
00:16After seeing the portrait, Seraphina used forbidden sorcery to swap faces with me.
00:22She even recreated my star signal on her own shoulder, and took my place in the royal palace.
00:28But she possessed no gift of prophecy.
00:31The royal family exposed her deception before long and threw her into the dungeon cells to await execution.
00:38Meanwhile, wearing her face, I married into the Ashborough family.
00:42I went from being Varya's unacknowledged daughter to the Mister of Ashborough manor.
00:46I visited her in the dungeons.
00:49She forced poison down my throat.
00:51You stole my life! My life!
00:54The face I wore was yours, so you should be the one who dies!
01:01When I opened my eyes again, I had returned to the day the king began searching for the oracle.
01:07This time, Seraphina did not try to exchange faces with me.
01:11She stared at the portrait hanging on the city wall, then suddenly smiled and tore down the royal seal proclamation.
01:16In front of everyone, she pointed directly at me.
01:19My sister, Alara, is the oracle from the king's dream.
01:24I knew immediately, she had been reborn too.
01:28The moment Seraphina finished sleeping, silence fell over the cloud outside the city gates.
01:34In the next instant, royal knights surrounded our carriage.
01:37The captain compared the portrait to my face.
01:39Lady Alara, please come with us to the royal palace for oracle verification.
01:43My stepmother's expression changed instantly.
01:46She grabbed Seraphina's hand and lowered her voice.
01:49Have you lost your mind?
01:50If the oracle is destined to stand beside the king, how can you hand such an opportunity to her?
01:55Seraphina merely smiled with calm confidence.
01:58Mother, I know exactly what I'm doing.
02:01She turned to me, her tone dripping with false generosity.
02:04Alara, I'm personally delivering you to the king.
02:08Don't forget this favor in the future.
02:10I said nothing, because I already understood.
02:12She had returned with memories of our previous life as well.
02:15She wanted me to walk into the very place where she had died once before.
02:19Seraphina believed she had given me the road to death while keeping the road to survival for herself.
02:23What she didn't know was this, I had never been a fake oracle.
02:26Only after entering the royal palace did I discover I wasn't the only candidate.
02:30All potential oracles were housed in Starlight Abbey beside the palace grounds.
02:34The great hall was crowded with young women.
02:36Some came from noble families.
02:37Others came from remote villages.
02:39Each bore some resemblance to the portrait, and nearly all carried some kind of birthmark.
02:43A nun stopped in front of me.
02:44Raise your head.
02:46Expose your left shoulder.
02:47I obeyed.
02:48The moment she saw the star signal on my shoulder, she nodded.
02:51You stay.
02:52Nearby, a girl burst into tears as she tried to explain herself.
02:55My birthmark is only a little lighter.
02:57I really was chosen by the stars.
03:00The nun waved her away without hesitation.
03:02Take her out.
03:02The royal family has no need for liars.
03:04As the girl was dragged away, she continued screaming and crying.
03:08At last, I understood.
03:11This was no sacred sanctuary.
03:13It was a place built to eliminate failures.
03:16That evening, Serafina came to see me.
03:19Dressed in an elegant gown suitable for visiting Ashborough Manor, she stood outside the doorway
03:23and smiled at me.
03:24How do you like it here?
03:26I looked up at her.
03:27You seem very happy.
03:29Of course.
03:31She stepped closer and lowered her voice.
03:34Ellara, you don't actually believe you'll become someone important at the kingside, do you?
03:39I didn't answer.
03:40She stared at my face, her smile growing wider.
03:43There are hundreds of oracles in the palace.
03:46When they discover you're a fraud, your death won't be pleasant.
03:51Once the gates of Starlight Abbey closed, they remained shut for three full months.
03:57Every day, the nuns asked the same question.
04:00Show us your left shoulder.
04:02Anyone whose birthmark was the wrong color was taken away.
04:06Anyone who looked too different from the portrait was taken away.
04:09Some girls sobbed and insisted they had been chosen by the stars.
04:12The nuns simply closed their record books with icy indifference.
04:16Send her to the dungeon cells.
04:17Three months later, only five of us remained in the hall.
04:21A nun stopped in front of me.
04:23Tomorrow, you will meet the king.
04:25There can be only one true oracle.
04:28That night, I had just closed my eyes when a hand suddenly clamped over my mouth.
04:33Pain shot through my entire body.
04:35A blade sliced across my left shoulder.
04:38In the darkness, someone whispered beside my ear.
04:40Without that birthmark, what chance do you have left?
04:49I smelled roses.
04:51Seraphina.
04:51After the intruder left, I reached for my left shoulder.
04:54My hand came away covered in blood.
04:56My star sigil had been ruined.
04:58The next morning, I stood in the great hall of the royal palace with a cloak draped over my shoulders.
05:03Ching Orian looked at me.
05:05Why are you hiding your shoulder?
05:07Someone destroyed my birthmark last night.
05:09Standing beside Queen Isleth, Seraphina let out a soft laugh.
05:13Starlight Abbey is heavily guarded.
05:15Who would risk everything just to harm an unknown girl?
05:18Then, before anyone could respond, she loosened her shulk and revealed her left shoulder.
05:22The hall fell silent.
05:24Everyone saw the star signal on Seraphina's shoulder.
05:27It looked exactly like mine.
05:29But I knew the truth.
05:31It was fake.
05:33Isleth's gaze turned icy as she looked at me.
05:35The stars would never choose a girl.
05:38Her own family kept hidden.
05:40Then she turned to Seraphina.
05:41Her expression immediately softening.
05:43Only the publicly acknowledged heir of House Vere deserves to stand before the king.
05:49The nobles around the hall nodded in agreement.
05:52Seraphina lowered her head and adopted a look of humble devotion.
05:55Your Majesty, the truth is, I've been dreaming of you for years.
06:00King Oradian's eyes sharpened instantly.
06:03You've dreamed of me?
06:04Yes.
06:05The dreams were so private that I never dared tell anyone.
06:08The king stepped down from the throne and stared at her.
06:10Then tell me, what did you see?
06:13Seraphina moved closer and whispered several words into his ear.
06:16The king's expression changed immediately.
06:18How could you possibly know that?
06:19She lifted her eyes to his, tears shimmering within them.
06:23Because I am the one the stars sent to your side.
06:25The gasps swept through the hall.
06:27Isolate smiled.
06:28Your Majesty, the person you've been searching for has finally appeared.
06:32I watched as Seraphina became the center of everyone's attention.
06:35Of course she knew the king's secrets.
06:36In our previous life, she had spent months in the royal palace at his side.
06:40As the king prepared to declare her the oracle, I finally spoke.
06:43Your Majesty, you've mistaken the wrong person.
06:45The instant the words left my mouth, every eye in the hall turned toward me.
06:49The smile froze on Seraphina's face.
06:51She had never expected me to stand up at this moment.
06:53The king frowned.
06:55You're saying I've chosen the wrong person?
06:57I met his gaze without hesitation.
06:59Yes, she isn't the oracle.
07:01I am.
07:20A birthmark can be forged.
07:25Dreams can be overheard.
07:29But the future cannot.
07:31For a brief moment, the hall fell silent.
07:34Seraphina's face changed.
07:35I knew exactly what frightened her.
07:39In our previous life, she had been exposed because she could never speak of the future.
07:43She immediately let out a cold laugh.
07:45Alara, do you even realize who you're speaking to?
07:47If you dare fabricate prophecies, you'll deceive a royal family, and that carries a death sentence.
07:53I looked at her calmly.
07:55Seraphina, I haven't even finished speaking yet.
07:57How do you already know I'm making it up?
08:00The king suddenly spoke.
08:01Let her continue.
08:02His eyes remained fixed on me.
08:04If you truly are the oracle, prove it.
08:06I smiled.
08:08Gladly.
08:08I've been waiting for this moment.
08:10Looking directly at the king, I spoke each word clearly.
08:14Within three years, the West Resht Highlands will be consumed by black frost.
08:19The wheat fields will rot.
08:21The granaries will stand empty.
08:23And then the Frost Bay raiders will land on the North March coast.
08:29The hall was completely silent.
08:31Then a noble scoffed.
08:32Anyone can invent a disaster like that.
08:35I ignored him and kept my eyes on the king.
08:38The first fortress to fall will be Black Pine Keep.
08:41The first man to betray you will be Ser Rowan.
08:45And the first army you send to the North March coast will be wiped out to the last soldier.
08:50Little by little, the color drained from the king's face.
08:53Suddenly, Seraphina shouted.
08:55That's enough!
08:56She turned toward the king, her voice urgent.
08:58Your majesty!
08:59She must have overheard my dreams.
09:02Everything she's saying was stolen from me.
09:04The nobles immediately began murmuring among themselves.
09:07Isolde's voice was icy.
09:09In other words, she cannot prove those prophecies belong to her.
09:13At last, Seraphina relaxed.
09:16She looked at me with undisguised triumph.
09:18After a long silence, the king finally spoke.
09:20Since the truth cannot yet be determined, both of you will remain in the royal palace for the time being.
09:25Seraphina's eyes lit up.
09:27I knew exactly what she was thinking.
09:29As long as she stayed, she would still have opportunities to get close to the king.
09:33She could still walk the same path she had taken in her previous life.
09:37But I lifted my head and addressed the king directly.
09:40The oracle belongs to the kingdom, not to the royal palace.
09:45The moment I finished speaking, silence swept through the hall.
09:49Isolde was the first to frown.
09:50Are you refusing the king?
09:51I looked at her evenly.
09:52I'm refusing to become a trophy locked inside the royal palace.
09:56Seraphina immediately sneered.
09:58Allara, you're only afraid that if you stay, everyone will discover you're a fraud.
10:02I ignored her and turned back to the king.
10:04The ancient laws of Valeria state this clearly.
10:07An oracle may warn the king, but the royal family has no right to imprison her.
10:11If a king violates the covenant of the stars, disaster will strike the royal palace before anywhere else.
10:16The moment those words left my mouth, the expressions of every noble in the hall changed.
10:21The king stared at me.
10:23His gaze was dark.
10:25Yet he gave no order to seize me.
10:28I knew why.
10:29He wasn't willing to gamble.
10:30In our previous life, before Seraphina was thrown into the dungeon cells, everyone in the royal palace had feared one
10:36thing.
10:37A false oracle would bring calamity.
10:39But offending a true oracle could cost the kingdom the protection of the stars.
10:43After a long silence, the king finally spoke.
10:46You may return to House Vare for now.
10:47Seraphina's head snapped up.
10:49Her eyes burned with frustration.
10:51She had only just gained a foothold, and I had personally torn it away from her.
10:55As we left the palace grounds, she rushed after me and raised her hand to slap me.
11:00I caught her wrist before it could land.
11:03Through clenched teeth, she hissed.
11:05Alara, you ruined my chance to stay in the royal palace!
11:08I smiled at her.
11:10A path that can be destroyed with a few words was never yours to begin with.
11:15Seraphina yanked her hand free and said coldly,
11:17Don't get too pleased with yourself.
11:19I still have the marriage contract with the Ashbroke family.
11:23After speaking, Seraphina turned and climbed into the carriage.
11:27I knew exactly where she was headed.
11:29In our previous life, she had despised the Ashbroke family's decline,
11:33so she stole my identity as the oracle and took her place in the royal palace.
11:38Meanwhile, wearing her face, I had fulfilled the marriage contract on her behalf
11:42and married into the Ashbroke family.
11:44Everyone assumed the house was reduced to an empty noble title,
11:47but later, Cedric defended the North March coast,
11:50and the Ashbrokes regained their place in the noble council.
11:53This time, with Seraphina unable to enter the royal palace,
11:57she aimed to seize the marriage contract instead.
11:59She thought she could take away every path to my survival.
12:02What she didn't know was that I had arrived at Ashbroke Manor before her.
12:06After leaving the palace, I changed into men's clothes and assumed the alias Eli.
12:11Cedric was studying a map of the North March coast when I arrived.
12:14I placed a manuscript in front of him.
12:17Black Pine Keep will be in danger.
12:18He looked up at me.
12:20Who are you?
12:21I replied, someone who can help you defend the North March coast.
12:25He did not immediately believe me, but he also did not turn me away.
12:29We talked all night.
12:31At dawn, the sound of a carriage echoed outside the manor gates.
12:36Cedric looked out.
12:39The Veya carriage.
12:41I smiled.
12:42Seraphina had arrived.
12:44She believed she was there to claim the marriage contract.
12:47Unaware that the Ashburns no longer waited for her.
12:52Seraphina stood at the gates of Ashbroke Manor, her face dark with displeasure.
12:57The guards did not let her in.
12:59She pressed forward, voice sharp with suppressed anger.
13:02I want to see Lady Ashbury.
13:04Madam does not receive visitors.
13:06The guard bowed his head.
13:07Seraphina ground her teeth.
13:09Then summon Cedric.
13:09The moment her words left mouth the gates opened, Cedric stepped out, holding a letter
13:14which he handed to her.
13:15Miss Veya, Ashburn Manor formally terminates your marriage contract.
13:19Seraphina went pale instantly.
13:20Terminate the contract?
13:22This marriage was agreed upon long ago by both families.
13:25Since you sought entry to the royal palace by claiming to be the oracle, you should no
13:29longer demand the Ashbergs fulfill this contract.
13:32Seraphina opened her mouth but could not find words.
13:34She probably never imagined a house she had once scorned would reject her.
13:38Then, she saw me emerge from the manor, still in men's clothes, cloaked.
13:42Her eyes widened in disbelief.
13:45Allura?
13:45Cedric frowned and stepped in front of me.
13:48Miss Veya, please do not humiliate my friend.
13:51Seraphina suddenly laughed.
13:53Friend?
13:54She pointed at me, voice sharp.
13:56Cedric, you don't even know she's a woman, do you?
14:01Cedric looked back at me, his expression stiffening.
14:04Seraphina seized the moment, stepping forward immediately.
14:07She is not Eli.
14:08She is Alara, the hidden daughter of House Veya.
14:12She approached you only to steal my marriage contract.
14:15Before I could speak, Cedric turned back to her.
14:18Miss Veya, terminating the contract is my decision.
14:20It has nothing to do with Eli.
14:22Seraphina's face darkened.
14:23You would rather believe someone who lied about their name?
14:26Cedric's voice remained calm.
14:27At least he came to me for the North March coast.
14:30And you came only because the royal palace did not keep you.
14:34Seraphina was left speechless.
14:36In the end, she could only put Lutch the letter terminating the contract and leave in defeat.
14:43Once her carriage disappeared, Cedric finally turned to me.
14:46Eli, you really are a woman.
14:48I looked at his nervous expression and couldn't help but smile.
14:51The same man who had been composed and deceived on the battlefield now looked like a child who had just
14:55been tricked.
14:56I nodded seriously.
14:57Yes.
14:57He visibly relaxed.
15:01Good.
15:02I turned my face away and laughed quietly to myself.
15:06But Seraphina would not surrender so easily.
15:09Losing the Ashburys would only make her even more desperate to seize the royal palace.
15:14The marriage contract with the Ashburys had been terminated.
15:18Seraphina did not appear for three full days after returning to House Veya.
15:23But I knew she would not give up.
15:25Having lost the Ashburys, she would inevitably set her sights on the royal palace once more.
15:30Sure enough, on the fourth morning, royal knights arrived at House Veya.
15:34Her Majesty summons Miss Allura and Miss Seraphina.
15:37The royal astrologer observed the stars last night and reported an unusual omen for Valeria.
15:42My stepmother's face paled slightly at this news.
15:45Seraphina descended from the upper floor.
15:47She wore the most extravagant gown.
15:49The false birthmark on her left shoulder subtly concealed beneath sheer fabric.
15:53She looked at me, her smile calm and confident.
15:56Allura, it seems the king still needs an oracle.
15:59I said nothing.
16:00She stepped closer and whispered so only we could hear.
16:03You think that because the Ashburys rejected me, I've lost?
16:08My father has already seen the royal astrologer.
16:12He will tell me what prophecy the king wants to hear today.
16:16I met her gaze.
16:17I understood.
16:19In our previous life, she had relied on House Veya's wealth and influence to secure her position in the royal
16:25palace.
16:26This time, she still wanted to walk the same path.
16:29Only now, the person standing in front of her was no longer unaware of the truth.
16:34Seraphina whispered behind me.
16:36Today, you will witness me become the true oracle.
16:42The atmosphere in the royal palace hall was even more impressive than before.
16:46King Aurelian sat on the throne, his expression grave.
16:49The royal astrologer stood nearby, holding the celestial disc.
16:52The king's gaze swept over us.
16:54Last night, the stars displayed an unusual alignment.
16:57The royal astrologer has already calculated Valeria's destiny for the coming years.
17:02Whoever's words align with his calculations will be closest to the true oracle.
17:06Seraphina stepped forward immediately.
17:08Your majesty, allow me to speak first.
17:12The king nodded.
17:14She closed her eyes, feigning the inspiration of the stars.
17:21In the coming years, Valeria will enjoy abundant harvests.
17:25All regional lords will remain loyal to the crown.
17:28Though the North March coast may face minor unrest, the king's knights will surely triumph.
17:33As soon as she finished, the royal astrologer lowered his head.
17:36Your majesty, what Miss Seraphina says is entirely consistent with the stars.
17:40A low murmur of admiration swept through the hall.
17:43Seraphina looked at me, her eyes shining with pride.
17:46Allara, now it's your turn.
17:49She imagined me being dragged into the dungeon cells.
17:52The king also looked at me.
17:54And you?
17:55Do the stars you've seen show Valeria the same way?
17:58I lifted my eyes to the celestial disc in the astrologer's hands.
18:02The engravings matched exactly what I had seen in my previous life.
18:05They thought they had bribed destiny itself.
18:07My prophecy is the complete opposite of hers.
18:11The moment my words fell, the hall fell utterly silent.
18:15Seraphina's smile froze.
18:16The royal astrologer's brow furrowed.
18:18I looked at the king, speaking each word deliberately.
18:23Within three years, the Westreach Highlands will be consumed by black frost.
18:27The wheat fields will rot.
18:28The granaries will stand empty.
18:30Then the Frost Bay raiders will land on the North March coast.
18:36The royal astrologer's voice turned cold.
18:39Miss Allara, the stars show the kingdom is safe.
18:43You are cursing Valeria.
18:45The king's face darkened.
18:47Do you realize what you are saying?
18:50If you are wrong, you are deceiving the royal family.
18:53I looked at him and suddenly smiled.
18:56Your majesty, you've already heard these words before.
19:00The king stiffened.
19:03In a dream, a young girl ignored everyone and ran to your side.
19:07She told you the Westreach Highlands would be destroyed by black frost.
19:11She told you the North March coast would fall.
19:14The king's hands clenched tightly.
19:16Suddenly, I stepped forward, lowering my voice.
19:21Your majesty, you seek the Oracle not out of reverence, but because you feared that dream
19:28would come true.
19:31As my words finished, the king's expression completely shifted.
19:36Seraphina immediately spoke.
19:38Your majesty, she is lying.
19:40She only wishes to frighten you.
19:42Your majesty, the stars have never shown such a disaster for the kingdom.
19:47I looked at him.
19:48The stars never showed it?
19:50Or you were too afraid to speak?
19:52The astrologer's face stiffened.
19:55Seraphina glared at him sharply.
19:56It was a small gesture, but the king noticed.
20:00The atmosphere in the hall changed instantly.
20:02The king slowly rose.
20:04His voice was tight as he spoke to me.
20:07You said in the dream, that young girl ran to me.
20:10What else did she say?
20:12I lifted my eyes.
20:13She said that if you did not prepare the food and fortify the chain of castles along the
20:17Northmarch coast, in three years many would die in Valeria.
20:21She knelt before you begging you to believe her.
20:24But you had her dragged away.
20:26The king's hand trembled violently.
20:28I continued.
20:30Afterwards, every night, you dreamt of her.
20:33Dreamt of her standing among fire and corpses, staring at you.
20:37That is why you had her portrait painted and displayed throughout the kingdom.
20:42The king staggered.
20:43All the nobles looked at him.
20:46His silence spoke volumes.
20:48Then, in the next moment, he descended from the throne and knelt before me.
20:56The hall was deathly silent.
20:58Everyone watched as the king knelt before me.
21:02It is you.
21:03Orion's voice trembled.
21:05The girl from the dream?
21:06It truly is you?
21:07He lifted his eyes to meet mine, filled with fear and regret.
21:12I did not summon you to enter the royal palace.
21:15Isolde's face went pale.
21:17But because I was afraid.
21:19Afraid that the dream was real.
21:21Orion!
21:22You are the king!
21:24You cannot kneel to a girl from Ausvera!
21:26But the king did not rise.
21:28He looked at me, his voice hoarse.
21:30If the future she spoke of is true, I am not kneeling to her.
21:33I am kneeling for Valeria's last chance to survive.
21:36The nobles in the hall finally realized the truth.
21:39One by one, they lowered themselves to their knees.
21:42Seraphina stood among them, her face pale.
21:44She could not believe that the identity she had fought for over two lifetimes had ended up in my hands.
21:48He suddenly rushed forward.
21:49Impossible!
21:50She is not the oracle!
21:52She is just the hidden daughter of Ausvera!
21:55Seraphina, do you still not understand?
21:57I looked at her calmly.
21:58The oracle has never been recognized by her family.
22:01She is recognized by the future.
22:04I raised my hand, pointing at her left shoulder.
22:07And your birthmark is fake.
22:11Seraphina instinctively covered her left shoulder.
22:13But it was too late.
22:15All eyes in the hall turned toward her.
22:17I walked up to her.
22:18Did you really think that destroying my birthmark and carving the same pattern on your own shoulder would make you
22:23the oracle?
22:24You're lying!
22:25I looked at the king.
22:26The true star sigil is never just a mark on the skin.
22:29When an oracle approaches the celestial disc, the sigil will glow.
22:33The royal astrologer's face went white.
22:35He knew I was telling the truth.
22:37The king immediately ordered the celestial disc brought forward.
22:40Seraphina tried to step back, but a knight blocked her.
22:43The disc was placed before her.
22:45Her shoulder's star sigil showed no reaction.
22:48A low murmur of astonishment ran through the hall.
22:52Seraphina panicked.
22:54Impossible!
22:56The disc must be broken!
22:57I loosened my cloak, revealing my scratched left shoulder.
23:01The blood still stained it.
23:02But as I approached the disc, the remaining star sigil beneath the wound suddenly glowed with a faint silver light.
23:09The king closed his eyes.
23:11Isolde could not speak.
23:12The royal astrologer collapsed to his knees with a thud.
23:16Your majesty, I am guilty.
23:19Seraphina glared at him sharply.
23:20Shut up!
23:21But the astrologer was already afraid.
23:24House Vare bought me!
23:27The royal astrologer knelt on the floor, his voice trembling.
23:30House Vare gave me gold.
23:32They made me tell Miss Seraphathvana the real positions of the stars, and made me prove today that she was
23:38the oracle.
23:41Seraphina's face went completely pale.
23:44She shouted in protest.
23:47You're lying!
23:49I am the one chosen by the stars!
23:53Alara is just a girl no one acknowledges!
23:56The hall went silent instantly.
23:58The king's expression darkened.
23:59I, however, smiled.
24:01In both past and present lives, Seraphina had always looked down on my origins.
24:06She thought that because House Vare did not recognize me, I was unworthy of anything.
24:11Unworthy to be the oracle.
24:13Unworthy to enter the royal palace.
24:15Unworthy to marry into the Ashborough family.
24:18But she forgot that the stars do not care about family lineage.
24:22The king spoke coldly.
24:24Take her away.
24:25The knights immediately stepped forward.
24:28Seraphina struggled, shouting.
24:30Your majesty, you cannot trust her!
24:33She will destroy Valeria!
24:36I watched her being dragged away.
24:38The hatred in her eyes mirrored exactly what I had seen in the dungeons of our past life.
24:43Only this time, the one being dragged to the dungeons was no longer me.
24:47The king turned to me.
24:48His voice lowered.
24:50Oracle, tell me.
24:52How do I save this kingdom?
24:55I looked westward and said softly.
24:59Start with the Westrage Highlands.
25:06On the day the royal family officially recognized me as the oracle, Cedric arrived as well.
25:11He stood in the corner of the hall and froze when he saw me in a white gown.
25:15I walked over to him.
25:17Do you still think I'm Eli?
25:20He opened his mouth.
25:22So you really are a woman?
25:24I nodded.
25:24I told you before.
25:26You just didn't believe me.
25:28The tips of his ears turned red.
25:31You said, not right now.
25:33I laughed.
25:35And you believed that?
25:36He fell silent for a moment before asking quietly.
25:42So you knew from the beginning that I would break off the engagement?
25:45I looked at him.
25:46I knew you weren't the useless failure people claimed you were.
25:52And I knew the Ashborough family wouldn't stay in decline forever.
25:57Something changed in his eyes.
25:59What else do you know?
26:00I turned towards the sky beyond the palace windows.
26:04I know that within three years the Westrage Highlands will be consumed by black frost.
26:09I know there will be war on the Northmarch coast.
26:13And I know you're the only one who can hold the line.
26:15Cedric stared at me for a long time.
26:18So you came to me not because of the engagement.
26:21I nodded.
26:23I came for the kingdom.
26:25A faint smile appeared on his face.
26:32What about me?
26:34In your prophecies, am I nothing more than a tool?
26:39I looked at him without answering.
26:42Because in my previous life, he had been my husband.
26:48The king gave me the royal seal.
26:52He also assigned me twelve knights, thirty wagons of grain, and the authority to access the abbey granaries throughout the
26:59Westric Highlands.
27:01Then he asked.
27:03Will this be enough?
27:05I looked at the map spread across the table.
27:07No.
27:09But it's enough to begin.
27:11Isoled stood nearby, her expression complicated.
27:14Once, she had looked down on me, believing a girl hidden by her family had no place in the royal
27:19palace.
27:19Now she had no choice but to lower her head.
27:22Oracle.
27:23The royal family will cooperate with you.
27:26I didn't look at her.
27:28I don't need cooperation.
27:30I need obedience.
27:32Silence filled the hall.
27:33Yet the king nodded.
27:35From today onward, all matters concerning the Westric Highlands and the North March Coast are under your authority.
27:41I picked up the royal seal and turned to leave.
27:45Cedric followed after me.
27:47You still haven't answered my question.
27:49I stopped.
27:50He looked at me.
27:52Am I just a tool in your prophecies?
27:53I was silent for a moment.
27:55No.
27:56You're the most trustworthy person I've ever known.
27:59Cedric smiled.
28:02Then I'm coming with you.
28:04I looked at him.
28:05The Westric Highlands won't be peaceful.
28:07I know.
28:08Which is exactly why you need someone who knows how to fight.
28:39I didn't refuse.
28:40It'll lose its harvest.
28:42Cedric looked at me.
28:43Just like you said.
28:45I had no time to explain.
28:47Open the Abbey Granaries.
28:48Register grain by village.
28:50And distribute it first to households with children and the elderly.
28:53No lord is allowed to hoarder supplies.
28:55The local lord's accession changed.
28:56But that grain belongs to the estates.
28:59I met his gaze.
29:00Now it belongs to the living.
29:01Anyone caught hiding even a single sack will be treated as a traitor to the crown.
29:06No one dared argue further.
29:08That very night, the first shipments of grain arrived in the villages.
29:13Many people knelt beside the roads and wept.
29:15But I knew this was only the beginning.
29:19In my previous life, black frost was followed by rotting fields.
29:23And after that came war on the North March coast.
29:28Standing beside me, Cedric asked quietly.
29:31What happens next?
29:33I looked north.
29:34The Frost Bay Raiders are coming.
29:38After the black frost came the rot.
29:40The wheat fields of the Westreen Highlands began to decay.
29:43I ordered the abbeys to preserve all clean grain and commanded that every moldy sack be burned.
29:49The local lords were unhappy.
29:51But none dared oppose me openly.
29:53Because they had all seen it.
29:55One by one, the disasters I predicted were becoming reality.
29:59On the third night, Cedric led a group of men into an abandoned granary.
30:03Inside were more than a dozen wagons filled with perfectly good grain.
30:07The guards responsible for the warehouse fell to their knees, shaking with fear.
30:10It was people from House Vare.
30:12They ordered us to hide it.
30:14I wasn't surprised at all.
30:15Although Serafina was imprisoned in the royal palace, she still had people willing to act for her.
30:21She wanted the Westreich Highlands to run out of food.
30:24If the refugees starved, the royal family would begin doubting me as the oracle.
30:29Cedric's expression turned cold.
30:31She's already lost.
30:32Why won't she stop?
30:33I looked at the grain.
30:35Some people don't want to win.
30:37They'd rather watch everyone die than admit they've lost.
30:40I ordered the grain sent to the most remote villages.
30:43At the same time, everyone involved in the hoiding was arrested and sent back to the royal palace.
30:49By dawn, the first riot never happened.
30:52In my previous life, many people had died here.
30:54This time, children stood at the village entrance holding bowls of hot porridge and smiling at me.
30:59For a moment, I thought I had finally changed the first piece of the future.
31:03But that evening, an urgent message arrived from the Northmarch coast.
31:08Sir Rowan of Black Pine Keep had disappeared.
31:14The moment Cedric finished reading the urgent message, his expression darkened.
31:20If Sir Rowan has disappeared, it means he's already gone to meet the Frostbay Raiders.
31:25I nodded.
31:26He'll open Black Pine Keep's hidden gate.
31:28That's how the Northmarch coast fell in my previous life.
31:30Cedric looked at me, something shifting in his eyes.
31:33It was the first time I had spoken of a previous life in front of him.
31:37I offered no explanation.
31:38This wasn't the time.
31:39Spreading the map across the table, I pointed to Black Pine Keep.
31:43We have to reach the fortress before he returns.
31:46Cedric immediately summoned the knights.
31:48The local lords panicked.
31:50Oracle, the Westreich highlands aren't stable yet.
31:52You can't leave.
31:53I looked at them calmly.
31:54The highlands have food now.
31:56But if Black Pine Keep falls, the Frostbay Raiders will sweep south.
31:59And every grain we've saved will become spoils of war.
32:02No one dared stop me after that.
32:04We rode through the night toward the Northmarch coast.
32:06Rain poured without pause.
32:08When we finally arrived at Black Pine Keep, the gates were shut tight.
32:11But more than half the guards were missing.
32:13It's too quiet.
32:14I looked up at the extinguished signal beacon on the wall.
32:17Just like before.
32:18In my previous life it had been exactly the same.
32:21Silent enough to feel like a dead fortress.
32:24Then a horn suddenly echoed from within.
32:27The hidden gate of Black Pine Keep had been opened from the inside.
32:32When the Frostbay Raiders poured through the hidden gate, Cedric and his men were already waiting, drawing his sword.
32:37He spoke in a voice as cold as the rain.
32:39The Ashberg family has defended the Northmarch coast for three generations.
32:43It won't be lost on my watch.
32:46The knights raised their shields and charged.
32:47Fire erupted throughout the fortress.
32:49Standing on the battlements, I saw Sir Rowan emerge from the secret passage with his followers.
32:54He intended to open the main gates amidst the chaos.
32:56I immediately turned to a nearby knight.
32:59Stop him.
33:00How do you know he's there?
33:01I didn't answer, because in my previous life, Rowan had let the enemy in through this very route.
33:07This time, he failed.
33:09When he was dragged before Cedric, he was still shouting.
33:12The royal family is going to lose.
33:15Frostbay promised me a real domain.
33:18Cedric kicked him to the ground.
33:21You sold out your own fortress.
33:24The battle lasted until dawn, when the first rays of sunlight touched the sea.
33:27The Frostbay Raiders finally retreated.
33:29Black Pine Keep still stood.
33:31The first crack that had led Valoria toward ruin in my previous life had been sealed.
33:35Covered in blood, Cedric walked toward me.
33:37You said previous life.
33:39Alara, tell me, what exactly happened to you?
33:42I looked at Cedric and remained silent for a long time.
33:45The sea wind swept across Black Pine Keep, carrying the scent of rain and blood.
33:49At last, I spoke.
33:51In my previous life, Serafina stole my identity and entered the royal palace.
33:55Cedric froze.
33:56Back then, everyone called you a fallen noble.
33:59But you defended the North March coast.
34:01And you protected me.
34:05Yet Valeria still fell.
34:06Black Frost.
34:07Famine.
34:08War.
34:08None of it was avoided.
34:10When Serafina was exposed, she blamed everything on me.
34:13She poisoned me in the dungeon cells.
34:16Cedric's hands slowly tightened into a fist.
34:18So you came back to change all of this?
34:19I nodded, and to stop her from stealing my life ever again.
34:23He looked at me deeply.
34:24Then tell me something.
34:25In your previous life, was I good to you?
34:28I hadn't expected that question.
34:30A laugh escaped me.
34:34Very.
34:35So good that when I got another chance, you were the first person I came to find.
34:38Cedric smiled too.
34:40He reached out and brushed the rain for my face.
34:42Then this time, let me be the one who finds you first.
34:45Before I could answer, another urgent message arrived from the royal palace.
34:48The king had fallen gravely ill.
34:50And Serafina had vanished from the dungeons.
34:54By the time we returned to the royal palace, chaos had consumed it.
34:58The king burned with fever.
35:00Serafina escaped.
35:01And she took the celestial disc.
35:03I immediately understood her plan.
35:05In my previous life, she had fooled everyone by pretending to be the oracle.
35:09This time, she no longer had the royal family or the astrologer to support her.
35:13So she was gambling everything on one final attempt.
35:16Near midnight, the palace bells suddenly rang.
35:18Someone was shouting in the plaza.
35:20The oracle has appeared!
35:23When I arrived, Serafina stood atop a raised platform.
35:27Wrapped in a white cloak, she held the celestial disc high above her head.
35:31The fake birthmark on her shoulder had been coated in silver powder, making it appear almost real.
35:37She called out to the gathered crowd.
35:39Alata has deceived you.
35:40The one who can truly save Valea is me.
35:43What she brings isn't prophecy.
35:46It's disaster!
35:48The crowd began to waver.
35:50Some believed me.
35:50Others feared the disaster still unfolding across the kingdom.
35:54When Serafina saw me, a mad smile spread across her face.
35:57Alara, do you dare prove before everyone that you're the real oracle?
36:01I started up the platform step by step.
36:04Cedric tried to stop me.
36:05I shook my head.
36:06This time, everyone needed to see the truth.
36:09I stopped before the celestial disc and revealed my still-wounded left shoulder.
36:15The entire plaza held its breath.
36:17Serafina thrust the celestial disc toward me, her eyes blazing with hatred.
36:21Go ahead.
36:22Show them what qualifies a girl hidden away by house fear.
36:24I loosened my cloak.
36:26The wound on my shoulder had not fully healed.
36:28Serafina had destroyed my birthmark, but she could never destroy the power left behind by the stars.
36:34As I approached the celestial disc, silver light emerged from deep within the scar.
36:38The disc began to turn.
36:40A beam of light descended upon me.
36:42The plaza fell silent.
36:45Then, someone dropped to their knees.
36:49The oracle!
36:50More and more people followed.
36:52Serafina's smile slowly disappeared.
36:55She lunged forward, trying to seize the celestial disc.
36:59Cedric caught her wrist.
37:01Enough!
37:02She doesn't deserve it!
37:04She never should have been born!
37:06Serafina screamed and struggled.
37:08I looked at her calmly, but after two lifetimes of fighting for it, you still lost.
37:13She jerked her head up.
37:14For the first time, she truly understood.
37:17You were reborn too?
37:19I didn't answer, because it no longer mattered.
37:22The royal knights dragged her off the platform.
37:24Her screams flew finter and finera.
37:26Meanwhile, the silver light of the celestial disc illuminated the entire plaza.
37:30From that day on, no one in Valyria ever dared question me again.
37:35Three years later, Crownhaven's central plaza was overflowing with people.
37:39The king personally announced.
37:41The famine in the Westryde Highlands has ended.
37:44The North March coast stands secure.
37:46Volomia has survived.
37:47The crowd erupted into cheers.
37:49I stood below the steps and did not move forward.
37:52Cedric lowered his voice.
37:53Are you really refusing the sanctuary they want to build for you?
37:56I shook my head.
37:57I don't want to be locked inside another golden cage.
38:00Then where do we go?
38:01He smiled.
38:02I looked into the distance.
38:05Somewhere no one knows the oracle.
38:12Later, Cedric and I left Crownhaven behind.
38:15But my story remained.
38:16Many years afterward, Serafina was permitted to return to the capital as a pilgrim.
38:21Dressed in a gray nun's robe, she stood at the very back of the crowd.
38:25At the center of the plaza stood a new statue.
38:27A young woman with a star signal carved into her left shoulder, holding the celestial disc
38:32in her hands.
38:33Someone nearby whispered,
38:34That's the oracle who saved Valyria.
38:36Serafina stared at the statue for a very long time.
38:39A little girl beside her asked,
38:41Ma'am, did you know the oracle too?
38:44Serafina's face turned pale.
38:46After a long silence, she slowly knelt.
38:49Yes, I knew her.
38:51She was the person I wanted most to become.
38:55The girl asked again,
38:57Did you succeed?
38:59Serafina looked at the statue as tears rolled down her face.
39:03No, never even came.
39:06Close to her shadow.
39:08The wind swept through the plaza.
39:10The star sigil on the statue's left shoulder gleamed faintly beneath the sunlight.
39:14At last, Serafina lowered her head and prayed for protection from the woman she had spent
39:19two lifetimes trying to replace.
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