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