- 10 hours ago
The Princess' Keepers
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Short filmTranscript
00:00:00I am Chani Lee, Grand Princess of Tong. Today, I marry the man I've loved since I was a girl.
00:00:07We are husband and wife. This dress was meant for her, but enemies all the same.
00:00:11My sister, the other princess he longed for, in that distant desert of gold, and soon met her end there.
00:00:20My debts to you have been paid. If there is a next life, your highness, please allow me to be
00:00:27with her.
00:00:27If another life awaits, may this land endure and its people know peace.
00:00:32This is the day father decreed the marriage alliance. I've gone back.
00:00:37Father, I no longer wish to marry General Alara. I will go to Shaalan and bring back peace, with my
00:00:44life if I must.
00:00:47Come home with me.
00:00:49Now take me home already.
00:00:51If you wish to go, then go.
00:00:52Chani, I'll show you around, my wife. There is only my queen.
00:00:56Chani!
00:00:58Chani!
00:01:18Make way! The Grand Princess is to be wed! Let all rejoice!
00:01:22Hail!
00:01:23To the Supreme General, a union blessed by the heavens!
00:01:28Hail! Hail!
00:01:30I am Chani Lee, Grand Princess of Tom. Today, I marry the man I've loved since I was a girl.
00:01:37The one my heart has ever named its hero.
00:01:46No need to rush, General. The bride's not going anywhere tonight.
00:01:51I never imagined I would become the one he despised above all others.
00:02:08Are you satisfied?
00:02:11Alaric, what are you talking about?
00:02:13You schemed your way to the Emperor, had Iris married off to Shaalan, just to force me into marriage with
00:02:18you!
00:02:18Now tell me, are you satisfied?
00:02:22No! I didn't!
00:02:24Iris saved my life. We swore to grow old together. The most gentle soul I know. And you sent her
00:02:30to suffer in that den of wolves. This dress was meant for her! What right you have to wear it!
00:02:41Alaric, if you hate me so, why even agree to marry me?
00:02:45I married you on the Emperor's command. Nothing more. From this day on, we are husband and wife, but enemies
00:02:51all the same.
00:02:52My sister, the other princess he longed for, was sent to wed the sire of Shaalan, in that distant desert
00:02:59of gold, and soon met her end there.
00:03:16What? What are you doing? Don't touch me! Send me back to Tongue!
00:03:20Naturally, a princess must be returned. But such a long road ahead, best travel light, wouldn't you agree?
00:03:37The Alliance is over. Prepare for war. Guards, see that this noble head is returned to Tongue.
00:03:59No! No! Iris! I failed you!
00:04:05No! No! Iris! I failed you!
00:04:24Alaric, what are you doing?
00:04:26Ten years ago, men came for my family. I was thrown into this lake and left for death until Iris
00:04:31saved me. I swore I'd spend my life with her, watching the moon on these waters.
00:04:37But now, she's dead! Slaughtered in that hell you sent her to!
00:04:43Slaughtered? If she cared for peace at all, would she have died like that?
00:04:50Slaughtered in that hell...
00:04:53Shalindogs! Born slaves! Drag her out back!
00:05:14Slaughtered in that hell...
00:05:17Shut up! Iris was kind. She was better than you in every possible way.
00:05:21All this started with you. You sent her there.
00:05:24Every drop of blood is on your hands. You must pay!
00:05:27It's true. I could have gone to Shallan instead, but I chose you.
00:05:31I thought it was love, and now it's what condemns me.
00:05:34If that's really what you believe, then kill me.
00:05:38You think I won't!
00:05:42That scar, why does it feel so familiar?
00:05:45Alaric, promise me you'll keep Charni safe. Always.
00:06:00Release the arrows.
00:06:05Charni, watch out!
00:06:06Alaric!
00:06:13Go! Into the water! Now!
00:06:27My debts to you have been paid.
00:06:29If there is a next life, your highness, please allow me to be with her.
00:06:37Alaric!
00:06:37He saved me with his life, only to ask that I let him be with my sister in the next.
00:06:44Heavens above, bear witness.
00:06:46With this life, I give myself to my country and die with the man I loved.
00:06:50If another life awaits, may this land endure and its people know peace.
00:07:00This is the day father decreed the marriage alliance.
00:07:04I've gone back.
00:07:06The Shallan lord watches our borders like a vulture.
00:07:09Your sister understand the greater good.
00:07:12And you, as the elder, still insist on marrying Alaric at such a time of peril?
00:07:17Shameful.
00:07:18The Grand Princess would serve her duty and hide behind her younger sister.
00:07:21Charni is the Grand Princess. I am but a concubine's daughter.
00:07:25If this is for the good of the realm, then my life is a small price to pay.
00:07:30The more I yield, the more father bends. He always does.
00:07:33He'll send Charni, and Alaric will be mine.
00:07:36Your majesty, as noble as Princess Iris, is she still young?
00:07:41Shallan is no place for her.
00:07:44Father, I no longer wish to marry General Alaric.
00:07:51Father, I no longer wish to marry General Alaric.
00:07:55I volunteer to travel west for the alliance.
00:07:57What is she playing at? This must be a trap.
00:08:00Sister, everyone knows you've your heart set on Alaric.
00:08:03I've already stepped aside, but now you won't have him.
00:08:06Could it be that Shallan's gold pleases you more?
00:08:10Who would have thought her so shallow?
00:08:11This is no matter for Mokeri. Think carefully before you speak.
00:08:17Sister, I only wish you safe.
00:08:20If someone must bear the duty, let it be me.
00:08:23In my past life, war tore the realm apart and Alaric died.
00:08:27It all began with her marriage to Shallan.
00:08:30I will not allow tragedy to repeat itself.
00:08:32You speak of duty, yet you spend your days in silks and songs.
00:08:37Not a single stroke of strategy, nor a shred of statecraft.
00:08:41To send a princess with neither spine nor sense.
00:08:44Is that an alliance, or asking for war?
00:08:47Father, I am the Grand Princess of Tong.
00:08:50Born to bear the weight of the realm.
00:08:53I will go to Shallan and bring back peace.
00:08:56With my life if I must.
00:08:59So be it. Amend the decree.
00:09:01Grand Princess Chani shall depart for Shallan in marriage.
00:09:05Father, if I may, do not reveal that I am being sent.
00:09:09Let them believe it is Iris.
00:09:11It will steady the court in this time of turmoil.
00:09:14Very well.
00:09:15I saw sorrow in Father's eyes, but it gives way to relief.
00:09:19Deep down he has always favored Iris, who speaks sweetly and charms him.
00:09:23Had I not refused so fiercely in my past life, he would have sent me in her place anyway.
00:09:29He's here.
00:09:32Your Majesty, please retract your decree!
00:09:38Don't send Princess Iris to Shallan!
00:09:41Alaric, what are you doing? Get up!
00:09:44Iris told me everything.
00:09:46You manipulated His Majesty to send her away out of jealousy.
00:09:49What are you talking about?
00:09:51Your Majesty, have mercy! Iris cannot go!
00:09:57Guards! Get General Alaric out of here, and see to his wounds!
00:10:01No!
00:10:05I gave him everything once, only to earn his contempt.
00:10:08And now, he's ready as ever to throw his life away for her.
00:10:11So be it. Let him play the fool.
00:10:14Why are you here? Iris told me everything!
00:10:16Alaric, have you considered that if His Majesty retracts the decree, that I'll be the bride sent to Shallan?
00:10:22I am sworn to defend this realm. I will not see any Princess of Tong bartered for peace on my
00:10:27watch.
00:10:27Either Iris or I must go. Splitting your head open against these stones won't change a thing.
00:10:33If Your Highness keeps out of His Majesty's will, this alliance can still be stopped!
00:10:39You don't get everything you want in this world, General.
00:10:42This life, we each answer to our own fate. I will not stand in his way.
00:10:47Wait!
00:10:49Wait!
00:10:55What are you plotting at now?
00:11:01Nothing at all.
00:11:03I wish you your heart's desire, General.
00:11:06Let him wait a few days. He's suffered far worse before.
00:11:09When the wedding comes and he finds Iris beneath the veil, he'll be all the happier.
00:11:14I once used every means to keep him safe. Yet, even when he gave his life to save mine, his
00:11:21heart had long died with Iris in the desert.
00:11:25Alaric, let me repay that debt with a gift worthy of it.
00:11:29That wasn't like her. She usually would have made a scene and had me dragged off by the guards. What
00:11:33is she playing at?
00:11:35Lord Kalis of Shalon. Since the day he took power, he's been waiting for the chance to march on the
00:11:41Central Plains.
00:11:42In my last life, my sister's arrogance cost her her head. Yet, it was only the excuse he needed to
00:11:48wage war.
00:11:49If I can reign in this wolf, perhaps war can be averted.
00:11:57But how can I guarantee that I can?
00:12:01No! You can't go in!
00:12:05Chani, leave!
00:12:06Iris told me the decree is issued. She leaves for Shalon in seven days.
00:12:10A woman as vicious as you, who betrays her own blood out of jealousy, would still dream of becoming my
00:12:15wife!
00:12:16I would die before I allow it!
00:12:18Stop it! You're hurting me!
00:12:20You planned all of this!
00:12:21General, what are you doing? Stop!
00:12:23Leave us! Isn't this what you wanted?
00:12:26Push her out! Corner me in!
00:12:28Are you satisfied? Now tell me, are you satisfied?
00:12:35This is the princess's manor.
00:12:37Have you forgotten who stands before you?
00:12:44Forgive me, your highness. I had too much to drink.
00:12:47Marriage alliances are matters of state. Iris will follow the path set before her.
00:12:51You should not concern yourself, and you certainly should not be here, at this hour, forgetting your place.
00:12:56I deserve whatever punishment your highness sees fit.
00:12:58But as long as you stand in the way, how could Iris have any path at all?
00:13:02Alaric, not once have you ever considered my path.
00:13:06I am tired. Leave.
00:13:08You're not to set foot here again without summons.
00:13:15Rest easy, Alaric. In seven days, it will all be settled.
00:13:18In the last life, you fought to be with Iris everything you had.
00:13:22This time, I'll see it through for you.
00:13:26Your highness, someone left this box at the gates. Who would send such a thing? Who else?
00:13:33It was my mother who taught him the craft of carving.
00:13:37When she was alive, she would carve little scenes just to make me smile.
00:13:42After she was gone, he became the one who carved for me.
00:13:51Don't cry, Cheney.
00:13:53I'll always protect you, like this sword.
00:13:56But since Iris came into his life, I was no longer the only one he carved for.
00:14:03I told you!
00:14:05You're not to carve anything for her!
00:14:08Enough! My life is hers now. Learn to live with it!
00:14:11I should have seen it sooner.
00:14:13His kindness is only born of a debt to my mother, who raised him as her own.
00:14:17Yet I spent a lifetime trying to earn a love he never intended to give.
00:14:20It's time to let go.
00:14:21Your highness, what should I do with the hairpin?
00:14:24Return it to the general's residence.
00:14:26In five days, the road between us will stretch beyond reach.
00:14:29Never to cross again.
00:14:30His gifts, his guilt, let them all go to the one he loves.
00:14:34That's odd.
00:14:35Her highness treats everything from the general like treasure.
00:14:37She's never turned anything away before.
00:14:43Your highness.
00:14:46The autumn hunt is near.
00:14:48Will you be declining again this year?
00:14:51No.
00:14:52I will attend.
00:14:54As you wish.
00:14:57Once I leave, the road may never lead me home again.
00:15:00Let me look upon these lands once more, and remember them as they are.
00:15:06In three days, Iris will be shipped off to Shallan,
00:15:10and that Chani is just hiding in her manor like a coward.
00:15:13Please.
00:15:14Her highness is far too occupied with humiliating herself over General Allara.
00:15:19The realm, it seems, has no place left in her thoughts.
00:15:22Please.
00:15:23Do not speak of my sister that way.
00:15:26She is the Grand Princess, after all.
00:15:28If my sacrifice can bring peace between our lands, my feelings hardly matter.
00:15:34Iris, you are far too kind.
00:15:36She is not worth defending.
00:15:38Iris always sees the bigger picture.
00:15:40And Chani, she does not even bother to appear to something this important.
00:15:44Since when did my affairs invite your commentary?
00:15:51Such disrespect warrants lashes under law.
00:15:54Consider yourselves spared, out of respect for today's hunt.
00:16:01I usually avoid these tedious gatherings.
00:16:04Iris was obviously counting on that.
00:16:07It gives her a stage to play the meritor.
00:16:09Look at her, acting the part.
00:16:11If she had any courage, she should go to Shallan herself.
00:16:15Ever since her mother died, she's acted like the world owes her.
00:16:19In my last life, when the war broke, they suffered as all did.
00:16:23What is a few words next to that?
00:16:26What?
00:16:38Running off so soon, sister?
00:16:41What do you want?
00:16:42It was your choice to take my place in that alliance.
00:16:45That should have been my honor.
00:16:47A few words at the table is the least I deserve.
00:16:52Honor.
00:16:53What honor do you think awaits you in Shallan?
00:17:01As spoiled, reckless, and witless as you are.
00:17:05Intang Alaric may indulge you, but Shallan will devour you.
00:17:10Cross that border, and that's where you die.
00:17:13All you do is ruin yourself just to set a war in motion and bring everything down with you.
00:17:18I already bear the burden.
00:17:19Do not insult me by painting yourself noble.
00:17:22You!
00:17:43Chondi, please, no!
00:17:44Stay back!
00:17:49Iris!
00:17:53Are you alright?
00:17:54Are you hurt?
00:17:55Alaric, thank goodness you are here.
00:17:57Chondi rode straight at me, almost forced me off the slope.
00:18:01I'm scared.
00:18:08Alaric, help!
00:18:12Alaric, I didn't think you could be this cruel.
00:18:17Someone come quickly!
00:18:19Her heightness fell!
00:18:20Help!
00:18:28Have you lost your mind?
00:18:30She's your sister.
00:18:31Kill her.
00:18:31And then what?
00:18:32You'll take her place in the Alliance?
00:18:34Alaric, I...
00:18:34Drop the act!
00:18:35I never imagined you could be this vile and jealous.
00:18:38You're unworthy of your title.
00:18:40A disgrace on the people.
00:18:41You know your mother was fortunate to die early.
00:18:43She was spared the shame of seeing you turn into this monster.
00:18:47How dare you!
00:18:53In the last life, we crossed blades again and again.
00:18:58Always because of her.
00:18:59How much longer will this go on?
00:19:10Chondi!
00:19:12What's wrong?
00:19:14Alaric, you have no reason.
00:19:17You have no right to mention my mother.
00:19:21Nini!
00:19:21Nini!
00:19:24Alaric!
00:19:30Chondi, you shameless tramp!
00:19:32You're already being shipped off!
00:19:34Why are you still clinging to Alaric?
00:19:43In my last life, he never once came to me on his own.
00:19:47What are you doing here?
00:19:49About the other day, I lost my temper.
00:19:53This is the finest ointment from the army.
00:19:56Take it.
00:19:56Alaric!
00:19:58There you are.
00:20:00Did you bring the carvings you promised me?
00:20:03Here.
00:20:08Your hands are incredible.
00:20:10Do girls often beg you for things like this?
00:20:13I only carve for the one I hold dear.
00:20:17Then, would you carve anything I ask for?
00:20:21Anything.
00:20:25Then, make me a Jade Whistle.
00:20:31Jade Whistle.
00:20:32That's my mother's keepsake.
00:20:34Iris hates it.
00:20:36She's only saying this to provoke me.
00:20:41Why is Chondi leaving?
00:20:43Is she upset?
00:20:44Alaric, it won't be long now.
00:20:46In three days, you'll be free to marry the one you've loved across two lifetimes.
00:20:52You and I will never meet again.
00:21:02Your Highness, what are you looking for?
00:21:05Where is my Jade Whistle?
00:21:07I can't find it anywhere.
00:21:09Could it be?
00:21:15Iris!
00:21:20Sister, must you be so petty?
00:21:22Can't I borrow a trinket for a moment?
00:21:25It's not like your cold, dead mother can crawl out of her grave and ask it back.
00:21:31You!
00:21:32Calm down, Chani.
00:21:33It's just a whistle.
00:21:35You took it, didn't you?
00:21:37You're the only one who knew where my mother's things were kept.
00:21:41Iris is being sent away to Shallon because of you.
00:21:44Her life is already ruined by your hand.
00:21:46And now you're upset over a trinket?
00:21:51A trinket?
00:21:54That was the last thing my mother carved for me before she died.
00:21:57I know.
00:21:59But Iris likes that one.
00:22:01If it matters so much, I'll carve you a better one.
00:22:05Who do you think you are?
00:22:06You don't get to replace it!
00:22:11Are you certain about this?
00:22:13You truly wound me for her?
00:22:16I owe my life to Iris, and I will die before I let anyone harm her.
00:22:25Touch her once.
00:22:26I'll repay it tenfold.
00:22:28Just like our last life.
00:22:30Always at each other's throats, saying the cruelest things.
00:22:42But in the past, we never truly hurt each other.
00:22:47It's a wooden sword.
00:22:48The one I made for her all those years ago.
00:22:51Don't cry, Chanian.
00:22:53I'll always protect you, like this sword.
00:22:57Why didn't you dodge?
00:22:59Why are you always so stubborn?
00:23:03Always?
00:23:05Since when did we ever have that?
00:23:07Nini?
00:23:08Nini?
00:23:12Mother, I will be leaving tomorrow.
00:23:14This parting may be the last.
00:23:17After that day, I came to Ganlu Temple.
00:23:20To tend my wounds, and say goodbye.
00:23:23Alaric stood outside my door for two days and nights.
00:23:26Never once leaving.
00:23:32I never opened the door.
00:23:35Chanian, I will marry you.
00:23:37I'll spend my whole life making up for that wound.
00:23:39I swear it.
00:23:41On my family's past honor.
00:23:43He still has no idea.
00:23:45By morning, I'll be the one sent in her place.
00:23:47The one he was meant to marry was always Iris.
00:23:56On the day of the Alliance, I refused all escort, even maids.
00:24:02If anyone must suffer in Shallon, it will be me alone.
00:24:24Today is also the day Alaric marries Iris.
00:24:28By now, he must have received the surprise I left him.
00:24:44Alaric?
00:25:05Iris, please let me escort you.
00:25:07He thinks I'm Iris.
00:25:09Looks like he's been waiting here, and hasn't received my surprise yet.
00:25:13Are you angry with me?
00:25:16For marrying your sister?
00:25:18Believe me, it's not what I want.
00:25:20It's my debt to her.
00:25:21I'm sorry, I couldn't stop this.
00:25:23But say the word, and I'll take you away.
00:25:26Right now.
00:25:30That scar looks so familiar.
00:25:43You got it saving me, didn't you?
00:25:45You've suffered so much for me.
00:25:47And I...
00:25:48Iris, please, come with me.
00:25:51I won't let anyone hurt you again.
00:25:53I don't care what it costs.
00:25:55Defying the throne, losing everything.
00:25:57I'll bear it all.
00:26:07Shut up, Iris was kind.
00:26:09She was better than you in every possible way.
00:26:11All this started with you.
00:26:12You sent her there.
00:26:13Every drop of blood is on your hands.
00:26:14You must pay.
00:26:15It's true.
00:26:17What debts do you have been paid?
00:26:19You are there in next life.
00:26:20Your Highness, please, allow me to be with her.
00:26:30Chani, you're bleeding.
00:26:31What happened?
00:26:32Who is he?
00:26:33Yes, I bear this scar fight for him.
00:26:36But he has never truly seen and truly seen who stands before him.
00:26:40So be it.
00:26:41What bound us in that life ends here.
00:26:43I release you.
00:26:45Beyond these dunes, we are strangers.
00:27:08Iris must hate me.
00:27:11She turned away every escort.
00:27:13Wouldn't even spare me a word.
00:27:18I have lived my life standing tall, keeping my word to all.
00:27:23And yet, I failed her.
00:27:26Had I fought harder, maybe she wouldn't have been sent away.
00:27:30But what choice did I have?
00:27:32I swore to repay that strike on Chani.
00:27:34A man does not break his word.
00:27:37I am.
00:27:41Iris, when I saw that scar today,
00:27:43it carved straight into my heart.
00:27:45This room, these candles, they were meant to be ours.
00:27:49Forgive me, Iris.
00:27:50In this life, I cannot walk to the end with you.
00:27:53May we meet again in the next.
00:28:01It's you!
00:28:11General!
00:28:12Iris!
00:28:14How are you here?
00:28:16I...
00:28:16I don't know.
00:28:18The Imperial Dreek changed overnight.
00:28:21Chaniyan was sent in my place.
00:28:24What did you say?
00:28:25They sent Chaniyan to Shalan?
00:28:27Y...
00:28:28Yes.
00:28:30Alaric, you're hurting me!
00:28:36Then the woman in the desert.
00:28:38The one who went alone was Chani.
00:28:42That scar, it was hers.
00:28:43Then the one who saved me was her all along.
00:28:56It was her.
00:28:57It was always her.
00:28:58I sent her to her death.
00:28:59I drove a blade into her.
00:29:01I called her by another's name.
00:29:03Again and again.
00:29:04And I gave everything she did for me to someone else.
00:29:08My lord, what's wrong?
00:29:12Where are you going?
00:29:17Johnny, you bitch!
00:29:23Nini, wait for me!
00:29:26Nini, wait for me!
00:29:26Hi-ya!
00:29:33So this is Shalan.
00:29:35Lone city in a sea of sand.
00:29:37They say it's young sire is a fanged beast, ruthless, bloodthirsty.
00:29:42And now, this is where I belong.
00:29:51I didn't think such beauty could exist in a man.
00:29:54Could this be the fanged?
00:29:56Huh.
00:29:57Princess of Tong.
00:29:59What a long journey.
00:30:01You must be exhausted.
00:30:02Curious.
00:30:03I was told it would be your younger sister.
00:30:06And yet, here you are.
00:30:09My sister is too young for such a journey.
00:30:12As the elder princess, it is only right that I take her place.
00:30:17Taking your sister's place, how admirable.
00:30:20I was told your people are masters of calculation.
00:30:23Yet here you are, walking so willingly into fire.
00:30:26Just like the rumors, Capatratus.
00:30:28Impossible to read.
00:30:29But that face was nothing like the legend.
00:30:32In my last life, Calus ended Iris without so much as a blink.
00:30:36He is a predator.
00:30:37And I must learn his ways quickly.
00:30:40Even if peace is impossible, I must slow this wolf's march east.
00:31:16Curious and curiouser, the little princess has some bite to her.
00:31:21So young, yet he carries a presence that chills the bone.
00:31:26No wonder Iris met with such fate.
00:31:35I came in good faith, to marry you and seal peace between our nations.
00:31:40So why greet me with a blade, my sire?
00:31:45I have no shortage of women.
00:31:47And yet, the Central Plains sends me this delicate little princess.
00:31:51Never here to wed, or to pry behind my walls.
00:31:54How about I take your last breath?
00:31:57In our bridal bed.
00:32:00I'll make it worth every mile of your journey.
00:32:04Wait!
00:32:26Afraid so easy.
00:32:27The truth, my sire.
00:32:29Not afraid at all.
00:32:38Brave, aren't you?
00:32:40The last to challenge me ended with his eyes in a jar.
00:32:44Your eyes, however, I can't bear the thought.
00:32:52Princess, is this an invitation?
00:32:56My sire, if you wanted me dead, how could I ever escape?
00:33:02It's just that...
00:33:04Have you heard of the Great Tong's General Alaric?
00:33:07Of course.
00:33:10Is his name supposed to suddenly soften my blade?
00:33:13General Alaric has never lost a battle.
00:33:16He just married my sister.
00:33:18The woman he loves more than anything.
00:33:21And he's hungry for glory to make her proud.
00:33:23My death would give him the perfect excuse to march on Shallan.
00:33:28You are eager for conquest, but your people, are they strong enough?
00:33:35What did you say?
00:33:37I ask, how many more of your people's sons must bleed for your war, sire?
00:33:47Insolent girl.
00:33:49You really think I wouldn't touch you?
00:33:54When I arrived, I saw your people thriving in peace.
00:33:58If our kingdoms clash, every grain, every sword, every life will be torn from them.
00:34:05And all your hard-won prosperity will vanish in an instant.
00:34:12Kill me, and there will be no chance of turning back.
00:34:15Are you sure you want that, my sire?
00:34:23Well, today was only a taste.
00:34:25I don't want you dead yet.
00:34:27But you, you're wickedly entertaining.
00:34:29Far more interesting than anyone before.
00:34:34Send someone.
00:34:35Tend to the princess's wounds.
00:34:37Those hands still have work to do.
00:34:40Dozens of girls were sent here before me to wed other sires before Calus claimed the throne.
00:34:46None survived.
00:34:47I fear the days to come will not get easier.
00:34:55After that night, I never let my guard down.
00:34:58Days passed quietly, until today.
00:35:00He requested I accompany him for a desert hunt.
00:35:02A ruler who despises the central lands to his bones, and yet he brought me.
00:35:07Of course, I'm the wife forced on him.
00:35:09He never really had a choice.
00:35:18Princess, do you know the rules of Shallan?
00:35:21Three hundred years, no queen has ever failed to summon her hawk.
00:35:24I will not break that tradition.
00:35:27Put it on.
00:35:32Watch closely.
00:35:33I teach only once.
00:35:38Blow.
00:35:40No.
00:35:41That won't do.
00:35:47Long breath.
00:35:48Steady tone.
00:35:49Don't flinch.
00:35:50Fear it.
00:35:51And it will strike.
00:35:53Stand firm.
00:35:53And it dares nothing.
00:35:58Now, raise your arms.
00:36:06Not bad for a first time.
00:36:12Keep up.
00:36:18Calus!
00:36:19Calus!
00:36:24Is that...
00:36:26A sandstorm?
00:36:41Sire, you really intend to leave her there?
00:36:43This is a kingdom of dunes.
00:36:44The strong devour the weak.
00:36:46If she can't survive a little sandstorm, she was never going to last with me anyway.
00:36:50The storm is fierce.
00:36:51There are sand wolves.
00:36:53She's just a fragile woman from the central plains.
00:36:55She won't survive.
00:36:56That's even better, isn't it?
00:36:58Saves me the trouble of bloodying my hands and plunging us into war with Alaric.
00:37:02I never shy from a fight.
00:37:04But our people need a pause from war.
00:37:08It's true.
00:37:09The Tangcord will have no excuse to stir trouble.
00:37:12And their emperor is weak.
00:37:13That gives us time to sharpen our swords.
00:37:19Spirited.
00:37:20Clever.
00:37:21With a face that can bring a man to ruin.
00:37:24Shame she was born the wrong time.
00:37:25And wandered into the wrong place.
00:37:28She was destined to be a pawn.
00:37:31Find her body later.
00:37:32Bury her somewhere decent.
00:37:34Yes.
00:37:34Yes, sire.
00:37:38Sire!
00:37:39There's something extraordinary!
00:37:54So this is where it ends for me.
00:38:11Oh, that's what it ends.
00:38:14I love it again.
00:38:16You're over.
00:38:17I love it again.
00:38:24It's over.
00:38:29Sire, this woman from the Central Prince, she just summoned your hawk.
00:38:33If I hadn't witnessed it myself, I'd never believe it.
00:38:36Could she be some kind of prodigy?
00:38:38Sire, she is no ordinary woman.
00:38:41Keep her closely and she could become a great threat.
00:38:43Should we take her out while she's weakened?
00:38:49Sire, should we kill her while she's weak?
00:38:51Aye, Sire, we could make it look like an accident.
00:38:57Sire, she just kept getting curious and curiouser.
00:39:18You're full of surprises, Princess.
00:39:21I thought you another sheltered flower from the Central Prince.
00:39:25Clearly, I was mistaken.
00:39:30Though these wounds...
00:39:32I'd say you pushed yourself too far.
00:39:38What? Do I need to carry you myself?
00:39:54What's gotten into Sine?
00:39:56He actually let that Central Plains woman live.
00:39:59Watch your tongue.
00:40:00Sine's thoughts are not ours to question.
00:40:02Let's move.
00:40:13The sandstorm may have seemed like fate,
00:40:15but I knew there was a test hidden beneath it all.
00:40:18What I never expected
00:40:20was for him to seek me out again that very night.
00:40:46Soft as jade, yet stubborn enough to challenge the desert itself.
00:40:51You're truly unlike anyone I've ever met.
00:40:56Who's there?
00:41:00Just woke up,
00:41:01and already you're trying to widow yourself.
00:41:20What do you want?
00:41:22With your talent for courting danger,
00:41:23I can hardly leave you unattended.
00:41:27I'm staying tonight.
00:41:36Do women of the Central Plains
00:41:38always treat their husbands like intruders?
00:41:44Besides,
00:41:45after patching you up myself,
00:41:47there's very little left for you to hide.
00:41:49You...
00:41:51You're shameless.
00:42:10His moods shift like the disaster winds.
00:42:12What is he really after?
00:42:28Put this on.
00:42:31I'm taking you somewhere special today.
00:42:34Where?
00:42:47This is the Royal Tombs of Shallan.
00:42:49Why would he bring me here?
00:42:53Father.
00:42:54Mother.
00:42:55Your son has come to see you.
00:42:57He brought me.
00:42:59A woman from the Central Planets
00:43:01to pay respects to his parents.
00:43:03There was a time
00:43:04when Shallan Fon the Tonger
00:43:05stood as brothers.
00:43:07When the Yunxiao Rebellion
00:43:08swept the Central Plamps,
00:43:10my father sent Shallan's finest
00:43:12to your Emperor's aid.
00:43:13The war was won.
00:43:15Yet your Emperor
00:43:16listened to whispers
00:43:17and grew fearful of Shallan's power.
00:43:20He ambushed.
00:43:22Our soldiers on the road home.
00:43:24None returned!
00:43:28The history say
00:43:29Shallan turned traitor.
00:43:30The late Emperor
00:43:31merely struck back.
00:43:39Do you know what this is?
00:43:42The late Emperor's tiger talon!
00:43:44How could it be in Shallan?
00:43:45The late Emperor
00:43:46and my father
00:43:47once swore brothership.
00:43:48This talon was his pledge.
00:43:50My father gave him
00:43:50nothing but loyalty
00:43:51and he answered with betrayal
00:43:53and the blood of Shallan's warriors.
00:43:55My father never forgave himself.
00:43:58Not long after,
00:43:59he followed his warriors
00:44:00into the grave.
00:44:02If our history's lied,
00:44:04am I to answer
00:44:05for my country's sins?
00:44:14Hold out your hand.
00:44:35Hold out your hand.
00:44:36oath,
00:44:37we shall guard Shallan.
00:44:38May you rest in peace.
00:44:43For now,
00:44:44it's wiser to indulge him
00:44:45and play along.
00:44:48Come.
00:44:49I'll show you around,
00:44:50my wife.
00:45:06who rode with you
00:45:07back in tongue.
00:45:09Alaric.
00:45:10Alaric is my mother's
00:45:11adopted son.
00:45:13He's no different
00:45:13than a brother to me.
00:45:14Then from now on,
00:45:16allow me.
00:45:34Sire,
00:45:35I'd like a horse
00:45:36of my own.
00:45:42Hi-ya!
00:45:47Sire,
00:45:47how about a contest?
00:45:49The skies are full
00:45:49of geese today.
00:45:51Let's see who can
00:45:52bring down more.
00:45:53We've hunted enough today.
00:45:55Birds were born
00:45:56to roam the heavens.
00:45:58Let's leave the rest
00:45:59to the sky.
00:45:59How about we shoot
00:46:00for their feathers?
00:46:01Whoever collects
00:46:02the most wins.
00:46:03Very well.
00:46:04We'll each command a team.
00:46:06Let the feathers
00:46:07decide the victor.
00:46:09Begin!
00:46:27I won,
00:46:28Sire!
00:46:29I won!
00:46:43He said he hates
00:46:45people from the
00:46:45central hinds,
00:46:46especially spoiled
00:46:47little princesses.
00:46:50Today was wonderful.
00:46:53It's getting late.
00:46:54Let's head back.
00:47:10Sire!
00:47:11Sire!
00:47:19Sire,
00:47:20do you no longer
00:47:21plan to kill
00:47:21the princess
00:47:22from the central rands?
00:47:24Princess,
00:47:25I don't recall
00:47:26any princesses.
00:47:27There is only
00:47:27my queen,
00:47:29and she is the
00:47:29fiercest rose
00:47:30ever to bloom
00:47:31in these deserts.
00:47:36Looks like I've
00:47:37finally made it
00:47:37behind enemy lines,
00:47:39but is he really
00:47:40still my enemy?
00:47:41Sire,
00:48:00Kalis slept beside me
00:48:01every night,
00:48:02yet he's never
00:48:03crossed the line.
00:48:04And more and more
00:48:05I find it hard
00:48:06to reconcile
00:48:07the man beside me
00:48:08with the tyrant
00:48:09I was told to fear.
00:48:11Over time,
00:48:12I grew used to
00:48:13having him there,
00:48:13and I knew
00:48:14he cared for me,
00:48:15but I was the exception.
00:48:17His hatred
00:48:18for the central laryn
00:48:19still burned
00:48:20as forcely as ever.
00:48:24A letter for you
00:48:26arrived from the border
00:48:27this morning.
00:48:29Dearest,
00:48:29Chani,
00:48:30my thoughts
00:48:30remain with you.
00:48:31Meet me at the border
00:48:32at dusk.
00:48:33That handwriting,
00:48:34it's Alaric.
00:48:45And where might
00:48:46my wife be headed?
00:48:53I...
00:48:54I thought
00:48:54I'd go for a ride.
00:48:55A ride
00:48:56all the way
00:48:57to the border.
00:49:00If you'd rather
00:49:00I stay,
00:49:02I won't go.
00:49:05You're not
00:49:05my prisoner.
00:49:07When will
00:49:08you be back?
00:49:09I'm answering
00:49:09a summings
00:49:10from my past.
00:49:11I don't even know
00:49:12if I'll be coming back.
00:49:14When my sword's
00:49:15shadow falls
00:49:16beyond these gates,
00:49:17I shall return.
00:49:22Let her pass!
00:49:26Kalos misses nothing,
00:49:28yet he still
00:49:28lets me go.
00:49:30So be it.
00:49:50General Alaric.
00:49:52General,
00:49:53that's the coldest name
00:49:54she's ever called me.
00:49:55Did something happen
00:49:56at Tong?
00:49:57Chani,
00:49:58come home with me.
00:50:01That's why you're here?
00:50:02I am a bride of peace.
00:50:04And you're asking me
00:50:05to leave?
00:50:08General,
00:50:09are you trying
00:50:10to start a war?
00:50:11In my last life,
00:50:12Alaric's held
00:50:13Shalin at bay
00:50:13for three years
00:50:14after Iris died.
00:50:16Without me
00:50:16holding him back
00:50:17this time,
00:50:18he might actually
00:50:18win the wars.
00:50:19But no matter
00:50:20the victor,
00:50:21every war
00:50:22leaves graves behind.
00:50:23And it's always
00:50:24the innocent
00:50:24who fill them.
00:50:25Heaven has given me
00:50:26a second chance.
00:50:28This time,
00:50:28I will see
00:50:29peace preserved.
00:50:30You needn't worry,
00:50:31General.
00:50:32As long as I'm here,
00:50:33there will be no war.
00:50:35You should return
00:50:36home to your wife.
00:50:38I never married her!
00:50:41What?
00:50:43What did you say?
00:50:44I said,
00:50:45I never married Iris.
00:50:47I remember everything now.
00:50:49It was you.
00:50:50You were the one
00:50:51who saved me.
00:50:52All these years,
00:50:53I mistook another
00:50:54for my savior
00:50:55and failed the one
00:50:56who deserved
00:50:56my devotion the most.
00:50:58Chani,
00:50:58I was blind.
00:50:59You're my brother
00:51:00in all but blood.
00:51:01Saving you
00:51:02was my duty.
00:51:03Whatever feelings
00:51:04stood between us,
00:51:05they belonged
00:51:05to a younger,
00:51:06more foolish girl.
00:51:07The past is behind us now.
00:51:09General,
00:51:10you should go.
00:51:11Chani,
00:51:11I know I broke your heart.
00:51:12That's why you went
00:51:13to Shalan.
00:51:14But this time,
00:51:15I'll choose you.
00:51:16I swear it.
00:51:17I will never
00:51:18let you down again.
00:51:19Do you hear yourself?
00:51:20You once shamed me
00:51:21as a princess.
00:51:22Now you ask me
00:51:23to abandon my duty?
00:51:25What do you want from me?
00:51:27Drop the act.
00:51:28I never imagined
00:51:28you could be this
00:51:29vile and jealous.
00:51:30You're unworthy
00:51:31of your title.
00:51:32A disgrace on the people.
00:51:33You know your mother
00:51:34was fortunate to die early.
00:51:36She was spared the shame
00:51:37of seeing you
00:51:38turn into this monster.
00:51:39How dare you?
00:51:45I didn't mean it.
00:51:47I was just angry.
00:51:48That's enough, General.
00:51:50I bear my crown
00:51:52and the fate
00:51:52that comes with it.
00:51:53You owe me no guilt
00:51:55and I need no saving.
00:52:00You need not flatter yourself,
00:52:02General.
00:52:03I am well
00:52:03and as long as I stand,
00:52:06Shalana's armies
00:52:06will not set foot
00:52:07in the Central Plains
00:52:08and if I fail,
00:52:10I will die with my country
00:52:11without regret.
00:52:13So,
00:52:14let this be our last goodbye.
00:52:15will die.
00:52:16Shalana's armies
00:52:21Shalana's armies
00:52:21Alaric,
00:52:22in this life,
00:52:23I wish you a full house,
00:52:25a long life
00:52:26and every happiness.
00:52:30Shalana's armies
00:52:45You schemed your way
00:52:47to the Emperor,
00:52:48had Iris married off
00:52:49to Shalana
00:52:49just to force me
00:52:50into marriage with you.
00:52:52Now tell me,
00:52:53are you satisfied?
00:52:56Where did this memory
00:52:57come from?
00:52:58When was I ever
00:52:59with Shalana like this?
00:53:07Sire,
00:53:07it's well past Nidol.
00:53:08That woman isn't coming back.
00:53:10She must have ran off
00:53:11with that snake Alaric.
00:53:12Exactly.
00:53:13She deceived you.
00:53:14For all we know,
00:53:15she may have taken
00:53:16state secrets with her.
00:53:19Sire,
00:53:20please lend me
00:53:20a thousand riders.
00:53:21I'll bring back
00:53:22their heads before sunrise.
00:53:24Silence!
00:53:27I knew,
00:53:28the moment she read
00:53:29that letter.
00:53:34And still,
00:53:36I gambled on her heart.
00:53:38How foolish of me.
00:53:40I've seen enough.
00:53:42Sire!
00:53:45Sire!
00:53:50Chani!
00:54:05They call him
00:54:06a ruthless conqueror,
00:54:08yet he is trembling
00:54:09as he holds me close.
00:54:11My sire,
00:54:12you're shaking.
00:54:15Have you gone soft on me?
00:54:17My princess,
00:54:19you're asking for trouble.
00:54:28Mercy,
00:54:29sire,
00:54:29mercy!
00:54:35My sire is still
00:54:37the strongest man alive.
00:54:38Not soft at all.
00:54:51May I grow old with you
00:54:53and never know another hand.
00:54:55Since when did you learn
00:54:56to speak such Tang love poetry?
00:54:58I learned it for you.
00:55:00Do you like it?
00:55:02I do.
00:55:03Then remember it,
00:55:05because every word
00:55:06is a promise.
00:55:09Alaric!
00:55:10You're finally back!
00:55:12Iris,
00:55:13I...
00:55:14Where have you been?
00:55:16Why did you abandon me
00:55:17on our wedding night?
00:55:18Do you know how humiliating
00:55:19that was?
00:55:20Iris,
00:55:21I wronged you.
00:55:22Tomorrow I'll answer
00:55:23to the Emperor myself.
00:55:24It's fine.
00:55:25You came back.
00:55:26That's all that matters.
00:55:27Iris,
00:55:28I can't marry you.
00:55:34Why?
00:55:35Is it about Chani?
00:55:37I am Tang's Supreme General.
00:55:39My duty is to
00:55:40protect this kingdom.
00:55:41I cannot leave
00:55:42our Grand Princess
00:55:43to suffer alone in Shalan.
00:55:44Until Chani is safely home,
00:55:46I can think of nothing else.
00:55:48Isn't this the ending
00:55:49we both wanted?
00:55:50Chani is gone.
00:55:52The kingdoms are at peace.
00:55:54You and I
00:55:55can finally be together.
00:55:56No one can tear us apart anymore.
00:55:58So why...
00:55:59Why are you doing this?
00:56:06Didn't you say
00:56:07this whistle
00:56:08meant the world to you?
00:56:09I spent days
00:56:10and nights restoring it.
00:56:12How could you do this?
00:56:13Alaric,
00:56:15I...
00:56:17If you truly treasured it,
00:56:19how could you
00:56:19destroy it like this?
00:56:20I...
00:56:21I was upset.
00:56:22I dropped it by accident.
00:56:24You know how much
00:56:25this whistle means to me.
00:56:27If that were true,
00:56:29you'd have taken care of it
00:56:30like your sister.
00:56:32Calm down, Chani.
00:56:33It's just a whistle.
00:56:35You truly wound me
00:56:37for her?
00:56:40Iris never cared
00:56:41about the whistle.
00:56:43I've been blind all along.
00:56:45And I hurt Chani
00:56:46because of it.
00:56:49Who is this?
00:56:53It's...
00:56:53you.
00:56:57General,
00:56:57I finished the investigation
00:56:59you ordered.
00:56:59Speak what you saw.
00:57:00General,
00:57:01I saw it with my own eyes.
00:57:02On the day of the royal hunt,
00:57:04Princess Iris struck
00:57:05the Grand Prince's horse
00:57:06with a stone
00:57:06and sent her down the slope.
00:57:07Then she threatened
00:57:08to kill my family
00:57:09if I spoke a word of it.
00:57:10Shut your mouth,
00:57:11you filthy dog!
00:57:12Alaric,
00:57:12he's lying!
00:57:13If a single word
00:57:14of this is false,
00:57:15your head will answer for it.
00:57:17I swear it before heaven,
00:57:18every word is true!
00:57:19Please,
00:57:20please,
00:57:20General,
00:57:20protect my family!
00:57:23Iris Lee,
00:57:25is it true?
00:57:26And what if it is?
00:57:27I was the one
00:57:28meant for Shalon.
00:57:29That honor was mine.
00:57:31Chani stole it from me!
00:57:33Then she tried
00:57:34to steal you too.
00:57:35I taught her a lesson.
00:57:37What's wrong with that?
00:57:42Iris,
00:57:42how did you become like this?
00:57:45You spent years
00:57:46being cruel to Chani.
00:57:48Then you decide
00:57:48to leave me
00:57:49on our wedding day
00:57:50to chase after her!
00:57:51And now you stand here
00:57:53judging me?
00:57:53Do you hear
00:57:54how hypocritical you sound?
00:57:57Or were you hoping
00:57:58to have us both,
00:57:59my sister and I,
00:58:01sharing your bed?
00:58:04Enough!
00:58:05Don't twist this!
00:58:09I really overestimated you.
00:58:11You're too much of a coward
00:58:13to even be honest
00:58:13with yourself.
00:58:19Could she be right?
00:58:22Was I in love
00:58:23with her all along?
00:58:25General,
00:58:26what are your orders?
00:58:29Whatever it takes,
00:58:31I'm bringing Chani
00:58:32back.
00:58:37Calus treats me well.
00:58:39But he has never
00:58:40hidden his disdain
00:58:41for the central lands.
00:58:44Perhaps one day,
00:58:45I can help
00:58:46mend the divide.
00:58:47For now,
00:58:48I dare not speak
00:58:49on matters of state.
00:58:54Sire,
00:58:54a group from Tang
00:58:55has arrived.
00:58:56Their leader claims
00:58:57to be General Alaric Shao.
00:59:00Is that so?
00:59:02He says
00:59:03he's here for the queen.
00:59:04What does Alaric
00:59:05want now?
00:59:17General Alaric.
00:59:23Chani.
00:59:28General,
00:59:29it seems your long journey
00:59:30cost you your manners.
00:59:32My queen is hardly
00:59:33yours to call by name.
00:59:39Sire,
00:59:40this is General Alaric,
00:59:41Supreme General of Tang.
00:59:44We were raised
00:59:45as brother and sister.
00:59:47That is why
00:59:48he addresses me
00:59:49so familiarly.
00:59:51Alaric,
00:59:51this is my husband,
00:59:53the Sire of Shalon,
00:59:54Calus.
00:59:56Brother,
00:59:57husband,
00:59:58she must be saying
00:59:59this to hurt me.
01:00:03Sire,
01:00:04by his majesty's command,
01:00:05I have come to visit
01:00:06the Grand Princess.
01:00:09The famed war god of Tang,
01:00:11a pleasure
01:00:12to finally meet you.
01:00:15A few humble gifts
01:00:16on behalf of Tang.
01:00:18What does Alaric
01:00:19really want?
01:00:19I hope you will accept them.
01:00:21Such generosity
01:00:21from the Emperor,
01:00:22I can hardly send them back.
01:00:24And you,
01:00:25General,
01:00:26you came all this way
01:00:27for my queen.
01:00:28Such devotion
01:00:29deserves a proper welcome.
01:00:30Guards,
01:00:32prepare a banquet.
01:00:34Yes, sir!
01:00:41Chani,
01:00:42wait!
01:00:43Alaric.
01:00:46What are you doing
01:00:47in Shalon again?
01:00:48Was it truly
01:00:49my father's order?
01:00:51I volunteered
01:00:52for this mission.
01:00:53I've already
01:00:54made myself clear.
01:00:55This marriage
01:00:55was my choice.
01:00:56Why won't you
01:00:57let this go?
01:00:58Chani!
01:00:59I know the truth now.
01:01:00Iris lied
01:01:01about liking that whistle
01:01:02and about the accident
01:01:03at the hunt.
01:01:04She lied to me
01:01:05all these years.
01:01:06I was wrong.
01:01:07I'm sorry.
01:01:08Come home with me.
01:01:11Enough, Alaric.
01:01:13This marriage
01:01:14secures peace
01:01:14between two kingdoms.
01:01:16How can you
01:01:17put your own desires
01:01:19above the lives
01:01:20of countless people?
01:01:25How can you
01:01:26put your own desires
01:01:27above the lives
01:01:28of countless people?
01:01:31This isn't about me.
01:01:32As a general
01:01:33of Tong,
01:01:34I cannot stand by
01:01:35while a princess
01:01:36is traded for peace.
01:01:39Spare me
01:01:40the noble speech.
01:01:41I've heard it
01:01:41from you
01:01:42for two lifetimes.
01:01:43Tell me,
01:01:44general,
01:01:45is this truly
01:01:45about duty?
01:01:46After the banquet,
01:01:48I trust you'll
01:01:48begin your journey home.
01:01:52Chani!
01:01:53Chani!
01:02:02Shut up!
01:02:04Alaric!
01:02:07Where are these
01:02:07memories coming from?
01:02:26I've heard Tang banquets
01:02:28are the envy
01:02:28of the world.
01:02:30Tell me, general,
01:02:31how does my
01:02:32humble little feast compare?
01:02:36Feasts are feasts.
01:02:37Pretty distractions
01:02:38for idle eyes.
01:02:40Nothing more.
01:02:41Is that so?
01:02:41Then tell me,
01:02:42what impresses
01:02:43a man like you?
01:02:45A ruler who
01:02:46governs wisely.
01:02:48A true man
01:02:49carries a kingdom
01:02:50on his shoulders,
01:02:51not a wine cup
01:02:52in his hand.
01:02:53A king who lives
01:02:54only for pleasure
01:02:55is no king at all.
01:02:59A king who lives
01:03:00only for pleasure
01:03:01is no king at all.
01:03:02Oh, since
01:03:02General Alaric
01:03:03finds me unfit
01:03:04to rule,
01:03:05why don't we
01:03:06put that to test
01:03:07you and I?
01:03:08A debate
01:03:09on statecraft,
01:03:09do you accept?
01:03:11Gladly,
01:03:11but if I win,
01:03:12I want the princess
01:03:13to return to
01:03:14Tang with me.
01:03:16Alaric,
01:03:17mind yourself.
01:03:18What is it, sire?
01:03:19Afraid you'll lose
01:03:19before your own court?
01:03:21Afraid?
01:03:22Not in the slightest,
01:03:23but let me make
01:03:24one thing clear.
01:03:25My queen is not
01:03:26a prize to be
01:03:26one.
01:03:27Whether she stays
01:03:27or leaves
01:03:28is her choice alone.
01:03:29Neither you
01:03:29nor I have
01:03:30any claim over it.
01:03:31Enough, Alaric.
01:03:32This is Shallan.
01:03:33You do not make
01:03:34demands here.
01:03:35You should retire
01:03:35for the night.
01:03:36At first blight,
01:03:37you'll return to Tang.
01:03:39My darling,
01:03:40you seems awfully eager
01:03:41to end this dispute.
01:03:42Tell me,
01:03:43are you worried for me?
01:03:44Or afraid I might
01:03:45lose to him?
01:03:46Sire, I...
01:03:46The challenge
01:03:47has already been made,
01:03:48and my queen
01:03:49shall set the terms.
01:03:51General,
01:03:52do you object?
01:03:54Not at all.
01:03:58Guards,
01:03:59prepare the ink.
01:04:03I heard Calus
01:04:04is a desert barbarian
01:04:05who drinks blood
01:04:06from raw meat.
01:04:07How would a savage
01:04:08know anything
01:04:08about statecraft?
01:04:09General Alaric
01:04:10is Tang's finest
01:04:11scholar and warrior.
01:04:12The humiliating
01:04:13should be legendary.
01:04:13The princess
01:04:14has suffered enough here.
01:04:15Today,
01:04:16General Alaric
01:04:16puts this monkey
01:04:17in his place,
01:04:17and we bring
01:04:18the princess home.
01:04:23Darling,
01:04:25set the challenge.
01:04:33Three years of drought
01:04:35has divested the realm.
01:04:36The granaries run low,
01:04:38refugees fill the roads,
01:04:40and unrest grows.
01:04:41You have three months
01:04:43to restore order.
01:04:44What would you do?
01:04:52Time's up.
01:04:52When the people hunger,
01:04:54the ruler should hunger first.
01:04:55Open the granaries.
01:04:56Lift their taxes.
01:04:58Let no child starve
01:04:59and no family freeze.
01:05:01Only when the people
01:05:02know peace
01:05:02can the kingdom
01:05:03know peace.
01:05:06General Alaric
01:05:07truly carries
01:05:08the people in his heart.
01:05:09A master of both
01:05:10war and statecraft,
01:05:11he is the pride of Tang.
01:05:12To provoke Kalis
01:05:13like this on Shailon's soil,
01:05:15has Alaric gone mad?
01:05:17I would do the opposite.
01:05:19No free grain.
01:05:21Anyone reaching out
01:05:22for charity
01:05:23can starve.
01:05:35That's preposterous.
01:05:37You would let
01:05:37your own people starve.
01:05:40A dumb barbarian
01:05:41through and through.
01:05:46General,
01:05:47your solution is noble.
01:05:49But what happens
01:05:50when the grain runs out?
01:05:52And when the next harvest fail?
01:05:56The heavens favor
01:05:57those who show mercy.
01:05:59To rely on the heavens
01:06:00is the coward's answer.
01:06:01A hungry man needs food today,
01:06:03but a ruler
01:06:04must think about tomorrow.
01:06:05Open the granaries, yes,
01:06:07but not as charity.
01:06:08That'll only breed idle hands.
01:06:09Put people to work.
01:06:10Dig canals.
01:06:11Build roads.
01:06:12Build up the kingdom
01:06:13while you feed it.
01:06:14Then open the border markets.
01:06:16Trade what we have
01:06:17for what we lack.
01:06:19General Alaric's plan
01:06:20feeds the people
01:06:21through this famine.
01:06:22Mine
01:06:22ensures they never fear the next.
01:06:25I never knew
01:06:27he carried such vision
01:06:28within him.
01:06:29Food for work.
01:06:30He used the crisis
01:06:31to strengthen the kingdom.
01:06:32The sire sees farther
01:06:33than all of us.
01:06:35General Alaric,
01:06:37who would you say
01:06:38won the round?
01:06:40You saw the future.
01:06:43I lost.
01:06:48Darling,
01:06:50the choice is yours.
01:06:52Where does your heart
01:06:53lead you?
01:06:54I
01:06:58Please tell my father
01:07:00that I am well.
01:07:02Lord Kalis
01:07:03is a just ruler
01:07:04and a devoted husband.
01:07:06I lack for nothing
01:07:07in Shailan.
01:07:08He need not worry for me.
01:07:10You spent years
01:07:11taking your love
01:07:12for granted.
01:07:13Now that she's given it
01:07:14to someone else,
01:07:15why are you surprised
01:07:16it hurts?
01:07:18Yes,
01:07:19your highness.
01:07:20I understand.
01:07:28I want Chun-Li dead.
01:07:29She must never
01:07:31return to Tong.
01:07:31Fail me
01:07:32and you all die!
01:07:34Yes,
01:07:34Princess Iris!
01:07:46My duty here is done.
01:07:48Once I leave Shailan,
01:07:50we may never meet again.
01:07:52Chani,
01:07:53are you certain
01:07:54you won't return with me?
01:07:55This is the last chance.
01:07:57Return with me
01:07:58and I swear to you
01:07:59I'll spend the rest
01:08:01of my life
01:08:01paying what I owe.
01:08:03No one will come
01:08:03before you.
01:08:09You owe me nothing,
01:08:10General.
01:08:11You should get going.
01:08:15Chani.
01:08:16A long road
01:08:17awaits you,
01:08:17General,
01:08:18and heartbroken men
01:08:19are prone to accidents.
01:08:21Shall I send
01:08:22a few guards
01:08:22to see you safely
01:08:23out of my kingdom?
01:08:26Shall I send
01:08:27a few guards
01:08:27to see you safely
01:08:28out of my kingdom?
01:08:29Save your concerns,
01:08:30Sire.
01:08:31Sire,
01:08:31General Alarid
01:08:32came a long way.
01:08:33I'd like to see him off.
01:08:34If you wish to go,
01:08:35then go.
01:08:36I don't see any
01:08:37locks and chains on you.
01:08:41There is one.
01:08:43Right here
01:08:44around my heart.
01:08:45I'll be back
01:08:45by nightfall
01:08:46to make trouble again.
01:08:48Mind the hour.
01:08:50I don't make a habit
01:08:51of waiting on people.
01:08:52Yes, my Sire.
01:08:53For this journey,
01:08:54my wife is in your care,
01:08:55General Alaric.
01:08:56See that she returns
01:08:57unharmed.
01:08:58Protecting the princess
01:08:59is my duty.
01:09:00I have no need
01:09:01of your reminder, Sire.
01:09:02General Alaric,
01:09:03we should be on our way.
01:09:24She turns to see me off.
01:09:26Could it be
01:09:26she changed her mind?
01:09:27Is she willing
01:09:28to come back to town
01:09:29with her?
01:09:32Assassins!
01:09:35Get them!
01:09:40Alaric!
01:09:41What's happening?
01:09:51Alaric!
01:09:52Alaric!
01:09:57Alaric,
01:09:58just hang on.
01:10:02Go!
01:10:03Into the water!
01:10:03Now!
01:10:06Alaric!
01:10:08No,
01:10:09I won't let
01:10:10history repeat itself.
01:10:16Johnny,
01:10:17you have to get
01:10:18out of here.
01:10:19Stop talking.
01:10:20Save your strength.
01:10:22Go!
01:10:23Now!
01:10:23If you die today,
01:10:24Tong loses
01:10:25its greatest defender.
01:10:27And I will go down
01:10:28in history
01:10:28as the one
01:10:29who failed you.
01:10:30I won't let that happen.
01:10:31So I order you,
01:10:32stay with me.
01:10:34Fight!
01:10:38Hold on,
01:10:39General.
01:10:39The bleeding's
01:10:40nearly stopped.
01:10:41Just a little longer.
01:10:44Please don't move!
01:10:45You'll split the wound!
01:10:48Your Highness,
01:10:49there's no need
01:10:50to worry.
01:10:50The General is strong.
01:10:52He'll pull through.
01:10:53No!
01:11:14Alaric!
01:11:16What's happening to him?
01:11:19The arrow narrowly
01:11:21missed his heart,
01:11:21but the worst has passed.
01:11:23With proper rest,
01:11:25he should make
01:11:25a full recovery.
01:11:27In our last life
01:11:28gave his life
01:11:29to be free of me forever.
01:11:31Yet somehow,
01:11:32he still ended up
01:11:33saving me again.
01:11:45Johnny.
01:11:47Johnny.
01:11:50Johnny!
01:11:59You're awake.
01:12:00You're drenched.
01:12:02Here,
01:12:03wipe it yourself.
01:12:04I had a long dream.
01:12:06We were married.
01:12:08But I was a fool.
01:12:10I hurt you,
01:12:12blamed you,
01:12:13and never once appreciated
01:12:15what I had.
01:12:16Then war broke,
01:12:18and the world we knew
01:12:19burned.
01:12:20I took an arrow for you,
01:12:22but you refused
01:12:23to go on without me.
01:12:25In the end,
01:12:26the flames consumed us both.
01:12:29Johnny,
01:12:30are these memories real?
01:12:32Is that why you came to Shalan?
01:12:34Because you've already seen
01:12:35how our story ends.
01:12:41General Alaric,
01:12:43you should return to Tong.
01:12:48my husband is waiting for me.
01:12:55Johnny!
01:12:58Johnny,
01:12:59I don't dare ask for your love.
01:13:00Treat me as dirt beneath your feet
01:13:02if you must.
01:13:04Just please,
01:13:05stay.
01:13:06Let me spend the rest of my life
01:13:07making it up to you.
01:13:08I'll do anything!
01:13:10Anything!
01:13:14Johnny!
01:13:16My debts to you have been paid.
01:13:18If there is a next life,
01:13:20your highness,
01:13:21please,
01:13:22allow me to be with her.
01:13:24Alaric!
01:13:25Deaths to you have been paid.
01:13:27If there is a next life,
01:13:29may we never meet again.
01:13:32Johnny!
01:13:33Johnny!
01:13:43I'll always protect you,
01:13:45like this sword.
01:14:07Sire,
01:14:07what are you doing here?
01:14:08Johnny!
01:14:09So much for waiting patiently
01:14:11at the palace?
01:14:12Was I really missed that badly?
01:14:14Yes.
01:14:14Terribly.
01:14:15Terrible enough I might just
01:14:16lock you up
01:14:17and never let you out of my sight again.
01:14:18What happened to my fearsome king?
01:14:20You've become impossible.
01:14:22I was born after you,
01:14:23wasn't I?
01:14:24Which means it's your duty
01:14:25to indulge me.
01:14:26Is that so?
01:14:28Yes.
01:14:28And I'm feeling terribly neglected.
01:14:31Alright.
01:14:31I'll spoil you properly.
01:14:33Now take me home already.
01:14:36With pleasure.
01:14:46To be continued...
01:14:50To be continued...
01:15:17To have found you
01:15:18was the greatest fortune of my life.
01:15:21There is another life.
01:15:22I'll come for you sooner.
01:15:23I saw Calis through his final journey.
01:15:26The love of my life was gone
01:15:28and I was left alone.
01:15:30With only the endless desert
01:15:32where we once rode side by side.
01:15:35At long last,
01:15:36my heart turned homeward.
01:15:42Your servant Alarix awaits your highness.
01:15:45I shall escort you home.
01:15:47After more than 50 years in the desert,
01:15:49it was time to see home again.
01:15:51I took with me the bow Calis had left behind.
01:15:54And in the end,
01:15:55I died on the soil where my story began.
01:15:58Alarix never married,
01:15:59not long after laying me to rest.
01:16:01He followed me home as well.
01:16:02And now...
01:16:03Be continued...
01:16:05C Educational
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