Original subtitles

Ella! Ella!

Ella!

Go on, scream.

The louder you are, the more tips I'll make tonight.

thanks sweetheart come earlier next time

I was just thinking.

Your mom had that same attitude when she sang on the stage.

Offstage, all scowls.

Onstage, smiling like sunshine.

Ella, are you sure you want to leave?

If you go, the Nightingale will lose its star.

I'll lend you the money for Eve's treatments.

You don't have to do this.

Vincent, you know this isn't just about money.

I want back what Drake owes me and my mom.

If Drake didn't use my mom and throw her out, she'd never have to work the red

light district to raise me.

It broke her body.

What he owes us is a life and all the years he stole from her. Why do they get

castles, gala, and all that glory while my mom lies in bed waiting to die?

He owes us, and I want him. to pay with his own hands!

How are you gonna get close to Drake?

I've got a way.

Drake?

Even in your sleep, you're calling his name.

One day I'll make him kneel in front of you and beg for mercy.

Wait for me.

Last night you were dancing on stays and today you're all dressed up.

That's one hell of a switch. Cut the crap.

Drake's carriage comes through this street this afternoon.

All you have to do is stop it.

Damn. Big spender.

Your target is the carriage, not a real fight.

Just make a mess, get close to the curtain in the chaos, and I'll handle

the rest.

Mom,

I swear I'll take back everything Drake owes us.

Assassin!

SHIT!

That face.

She looks exactly like the sweet woman in the old photo in Father's study.

Father!

It can't be her.

She wouldn't still look that young.

It's not her.

So I'm inside Wolf Castle.

That knife to the shoulder was worth it.

Now I need to figure out how to stay.

You're awake.

Does it still hurt?

It hurts, but I don't think it hit bone.

Check her wound.

My guards failed today.

You saved my life. Drake likes gentle women like Mother.

So that's what I'll be.

It was nothing.

Anyone would have done that.

If it's okay, could I stay here until I heal?

I don't want to go home and worry my family.

That's barely a request.

Stay here and rest.

We'll talk when you're healed.

What's your name?

Do you have family?

My name's Ella.

At home, it's just my mother.

She's always been sick, so I work during the day and sing at the tavern at night.

It's not easy, but I'm used to it.

I wonder if Eve had it this hard after she left.

Get some rest. If you need anything, call for a servant.

You can't even handle this? These stitches are crooked. You want me

walking out like this so the whole city can laugh at me?

I'm sorry, milady. I... I'll sew it again.

Sew it again?

Like anything you make is wearable.

I'm furious.

The dinner's tomorrow.

What am I supposed to do with this?

I'll do it.

You're... You're a guest, and you're hurt.

You don't need to do this.

I just don't want you upset over something so small, my lady.

See? Doesn't it look better?

How about I use the extra fabric to sew you a bow?

What did you say?

I said a bow would make it look much prettier on you.

My lady, why are you blushing?

Am I?

It's just hot in here.

Are you...

Leaving after this?

Once I'm healed, I'll go.

I thought you were like those women who get close to my father to stay in the

castle. Get close to him?

I'd rather get close to you first, little perfect heir.

Once I ruin you and knock you out of the succession, I'll get my shot, idiot.

Someone like me?

I wouldn't dare.

Once I'm healed, I need to find work fast.

My last household thought I was lowborn and made my life hell, so I couldn't

stay. You really need the money?

I do.

My mother's sick. She can't miss her medicine.

You're very good at sewing.

If you want, you can stay as my servant.

I really like it.

Then I won't say no, m'lady.

A noble girl who blushes at a woman's body.

That's interesting.

What is it?

Father, I want to keep Ella.

Make her my personal maid. A woman we know nothing about.

Serving as personal maid to the wolf's heir. You think that's proper?

She saved your life.

Without her, you wouldn't be sitting here grilling me.

If you don't trust her background, send someone to check it.

You've known her only two days.

You've rejected every maid before her, so why her?

She sews better than three castle maids put together.

She's gentle, careful, and she doesn't drag her feet. I want her!

She needs the job, too.

If she leaves, she'll be someone else's maid. So why can't she be mine?

This is the first time she's ever talked back to me over someone.

Interesting. Fine.

But the butler will keep an eye on her.

If anything goes wrong, it's on you.

Thank you, Father.

Butler.

Send someone to dig into Ella's background.

Father said yes.

You can stay as my personal maid.

So should I start calling you Little Princess?

You're too close.

Come on, Little Princess.

Show me where I'll be staying.

Miss Ella, this is your room.

If you need anything, ask the head maid upstairs.

This is it?

People are supposed to live here?

All lower servants in the castle get rooms like this.

The castle gets cold at night.

Don't freeze and then be too sick to serve me.

You're mine now.

If you live badly, it'll make me look bad.

Leah, has anyone ever told you you're adorable?

Lady Leah, shoulders back a little.

Smile, don't pulse your lips.

You're the heir to the Wolfe family, not a guest at a funeral.

My lady, try to relax.

Every day is like this.

Sometimes I feel like a potted flower.

Someone waters me, someone trims me. What I bloom into, which way I grow,

none of it is up to me.

Once I'm pretty enough, they put me on display.

When you put it that way, my life used to suck, but at least I was free.

Climbing walls, drinking, lying on rooftops at 3 a.m., counting stars and

going wherever I wanted.

If you want, I'll take you out tonight.

If Father finds out, he won't.

I've been doing this for 20 years, and I've never been caught.

Come on.

Step on that raised stone.

Don't be scared.

Let go.

I've got you.

Did I

do it?

You did more than make it.

Brave girl.

Try this.

It's sweet.

It won't get you drunk.

Want to try?

It's always like that the first time.

You'll get used to it.

Haven't seen you around, miss.

Not local, are you?

Let me buy you a drink.

She's already drinking with me.

Try someone else.

Someone's here.

You're so clingy tonight.

Were you like this with the others too?

I haven't... I've never gone out with anyone else.

So I'm your first.

Don't... Don't talk so close to me.

That naive young noble lady is easier to tease than I thought.

I wonder if Drake is just as easy to manipulate.

Change on the skin

Eve, I finally found you again.

Eve.

Eve.

My lord.

I'm sorry. I lost myself and crossed a line, but...

Where did you learn that dance? And where did you get that dress?

I used to work at the Nightingale Tavern.

They kept a lot of old dance notes and dresses.

There was a woman named Eve, the tavern's most famous dancer decades ago.

All the old staff remembered her.

When I was little, I helped in the kitchen and hid under the stage,

watching them copy her dance.

After a while, I knew every step.

This red dress was something the owner kept for her.

I borrowed it a few days ago.

The moon was so beautiful tonight, I just felt like dancing.

I never meant to disturb you, my lord.

Everyone at the tavern said Eve was breathtaking, then one day she vanished.

I come from nothing, too. I make my living on display.

My mother is seriously ill, and every day I can barely breathe under it all.

Seeing her things, I couldn't help thinking of my drifting life.

I lost control and dared to dance out here.

If I've offended you, my lord, I'll return the dress right now and never

dance it again.

Don't return it.

And don't blame yourself.

You two went through similar things. Of course you'd feel connected to her.

I was the one who overstepped.

If you want to dance, this terrace is yours.

Come whenever you like.

And if you're struggling with anything, just ask.

I'll help if I can. Thank you, my lord.

Drake took the bait, too.

Now the real show begins.

You and your daughter aren't getting away.

My lord, your longtime personal maid, Vera, has a seriously ill family member.

She needs two weeks off to go care for them. Bring the new maid, Ella, over

here. While Vera's gone, she'll handle everything.

She's my personal maid.

The ceremony's coming up, and I'm buried in details.

How can Father move her without even asking me?

My lady, this is the Lord's decision.

You don't have the right to overrule it.

Ella's only filling in. She'll return once Vera's back.

No one even bothered to ask me.

Pardon me, my lord.

It's fine.

Are your shoulders bothering you, my lord?

I used to give massages at the tavern. I'm pretty good.

Want me to try?

Back at the Nightingale, I knew an old dancer.

She danced most of her life, and her shoulders hurt so bad she couldn't lift

her arms.

I worked on her for a while.

She said my skills were better than any doctor's.

Were you at the tavern long?

Since I was little.

My mother was sick, and we had no other income, so I did whatever I could.

Sometimes I think, if I'd been born higher up, maybe life wouldn't have been

so hard.

glued to father's side for days and haven't come to see me once.

Who exactly is your master?

The lord's personal maid was unavailable, and he assigned me himself

to fill in.

I'm just following orders.

Why are you so angry, my lady?

Following orders?

I saw you. Do you know that your whole body right now smells like his cedar

wood?

Pleasing him?

I'm trying to survive.

The Lord is willing to help me, so of course I serve him properly.

What should I do? Glare at him? Get thrown out of the castle and leave my

mother to die?

Leah, my princess, what are you really mad about?

Have you even figured it out?

What did Father give you?

I can give it to you too.

Money, my private coffers, jewels.

Take whatever you want.

Just stop going back to him.

Stay with me.

Serve only me.

Please?

Easy for you to say, my lady.

How can I defy the Lord's orders?

Instead of taking it out on me, Why don't you ask your father to send me

back to you?

I don't dare.

He never listens to me.

But seeing you with him every day hurts.

The way he looks at you makes me feel like I'm losing my mind.

You're not sleeping here alone tonight.

You're coming back to my room with me.

You want me with you now?

You watched me spend all day around your father, got jealous, and you want me all

to yourself?

So what if I do?

I don't want anyone stealing your attention from me.

Especially him.

You know how I feel about you, and you still let him on.

You don't care how I feel.

You said you'd brush my hair every night, but you were lying!

I let him on just to survive.

But at night, he's never the one I think about.

Then who do you think about at night? That person is pouting at me right now.

Prove it.

You made all this fuss because you want me with you, right?

But why do you want me that badly?

I... Good girl, have you thought about it?

Leah, you like me.

Don't you like me?

What do you think?

Breathe, dummy.

I don't know how.

Never kissed anyone?

Open your mouth. Close your eyes.

I'll teach you.

You're messing with me!

So sweet just like I imagined You

like that I do open up

Time to get up.

Can't let anyone find out.

Shh.

Don't make a sound.

Miss Ella, Lord Drake wants you in the study now to handle some paperwork.

I'll be right there.

She's gone.

This makes it look like we're... Like

we're what?

Like we're sneaking around.

Look at you, little princess.

Getting naughty enough to think like that?

Good. Let her have more wicked thoughts.

The farther she gets from that perfectly trained air act, the better.

By day, you're his.

At night, you're mine. I hate it.

Sweet girl, you've got it wrong.

Day or night, I'm yours.

By day, I'm your maid.

At night, I'm your mommy.

Hmm?

Isn't that what you called me last night?

Then stay away from him and don't be alone with him too long.

Okay.

Anything you say.

My lord, should I file this dossier?

Leave it.

From now on, you'll help with the ceremony prep, too.

Stores, guest list, ritual schedule.

Help the butler handle it all.

Thank you for trusting me, my lord.

You're careful.

Less trouble than most people.

Well, coming out of Lord Drake's study, I hear you're running the stores and the

ceremony now.

Impressive. You haven't been here long and you're already climbing up. Right?

First personal maid, then study maid. Next she'll be lady of the castle.

Wonder what trick she used.

Lowborn girls are sneaky.

If you're that jealous, go offer yourselves to Lord Drake.

But he decides who's qualified, not you.

We'll dig up dirt on her sooner or later.

Let's see how long she stays smug.

Those maids look wrong.

Something's going to happen tonight.

My lords and ladies!

Bet you don't know this.

Miss Ella isn't some innocent victim.

She used to perform at the Nightingale Tavern flirting omstide to please men.

Who knows how she wormed her way into the castle? And she's got the nerve to

serve you drinks.

A dancer?

The Wolfe family takes in women like that now? No wonder she's so good at

serving. She learned it from serving men.

Don't just stand there. Go back!

Well,

there goes the Wolfe family's reputation.

Even the Lord couldn't save her after a scene like this.

They all set me up.

After this humiliation, none of them gets away with it.

Making a scene like this the Lord won't keep her lowborn trash never belongs in

a place like this

You

set

her up and humiliated her under my protection in public none of you is

getting away with it Round up every servant who joined in or shoved her.

Lock them up until I deal with them.

Yes, my lord.

Where's Ella?

Lord Drake just took her away.

Are you hurt?

No.

I'm sorry.

I embarrassed you, my lord.

It's okay.

It wasn't your fault.

I was too late.

At her worst moment, I wasn't the one by her side.

This can't go on.

I have to win Ella back.

Why does it feel so empty? In my arms and in my chest the second she leaves.

Back at the Nightingale. I danced optairs every night. Men whistled and

threw money at me. I thought I'd stopped caring what people thought.

But standing there in the water, with everyone pointing and whispering, I

couldn't say a word back.

It felt like no matter how well I did here, once they knew where I came from,

I'd always be a joke to them.

You're not a joke.

I've held this position for 800 years.

I've met more people than you could count.

I know who's worth keeping close.

I'll remember that, my lord.

Don't think about any of it today. I'll deal with them. You just rest.

So what if he's a highborn wolf?

I've still got him wrapped around my finger.

My lord!

Please, we were wrong. We just lost our minds.

We were jealous that she got to serve you every day and get special treatment.

We never should have pushed her into the water or spread rumors. Please, have

mercy. We'll never do it again.

You were jealous of her?

I'm jealous.

What right do you have to be jealous?

Could any of you do everything she does?

How many years have you been here? Ten?

Twenty? How long has she been here?

And she's never spilled a drink, never made a mistake in the paperwork, and she

handles the ceremony prep better than all of you put together.

She stands beside me because she deserves it more than any of you.

Six months in the mines outside the city.

After that, send them to a remote estate.

You're not to set foot in the main castle again.

Yes, my lord.

That spot in there doesn't get any sun. From now on, sit over by the window.

Yes.

The little room off the study is empty too.

Have the butler clean it up and you can rest there during the day.

Thank you, my lord.

Since you came to the castle, how many times have you said thank you, my lord?

Sorry. I think we can be closer than that.

This should fit you. If you're going to be in and out of the study, stop wearing

that rough servant's cloth all the time.

My lord, this is too much.

Expensive things only matter when they're given away.

If I keep them, they just sit in a chest.

Ella, no one refuses a gift from me.

My lord, there's been trouble with Miss Leah.

In etiquette class today, she behaved improperly and talked back to the tutor

in public.

What do you mean, talked back?

She said those etiquette rules were pointless and told the tutor to stop

bothering her with them.

The tutor said she'd never seen Leah act so out of line and couldn't control her.

Where is she now?

Still in the etiquette room. The tutor's waiting there.

She's already cracking that perfect shell.

Faster than I thought.

Now I just need Drake to see she's less and less like the perfect heir.

Then my path will open up.

You come too.

Leah, what are you doing?

Leah Wolfe, I'm talking to you.

I was in class.

Now it's over.

My lord, Miss Leah ignored every lesson.

She said the rules are pointless.

They are pointless.

How big my steps should be, how wild I can smile, which bow goes to which

person. We've studied this for 150 years. And for what? So I can marry some

highborn wolf I've never met?

What are you trying to prove?

You don't want an arranged marriage?

Your mother and I had an arranged marriage, too. That's the heir's duty.

No one gets out of it. Then were you and mother happy?

Did you love her?

I can barely remember her face.

I was so little when she died.

She left me nothing.

If you really loved each other, why have you only given me rules?

Have you ever been proud of me? Have you ever praised me?

Leah, it sounds like you've got a lot of resentment towards me. I wouldn't dare.

I just wish you'd care about me more.

What more do you want from me?

I gave you the best tutors, the best food and clothes, the highest status,

and you?

What have you done with everything I gave you?

Haven't I told you to always remember?

Always remember I'm the perfect heir.

Father, I remember.

Then what is all this?

Sitting with your legs crossed, telling your tutor the rules are pointless,

talking back to your elders, giving people attitude?

Is that how an heir behaves?

I just wanted you to notice me. I did all this.

Just to see if you'd come.

What do you want from me?

The air ceremony is almost here. Are you trying to embarrass us in front of the

whole clan?

I want Ella back.

She was supposed to be my personal maid.

She's just a maid.

If you want, I'll have the butler send you another one.

Easy.

But I want Ella back.

I brought her here.

She's mine!

You brought her here?

Leah, you don't seem to get it.

Ella is here because she saved me.

But I'm the one who kept her.

Are you really fighting me over a maid, Father?

Or are the rumors true?

You picked her up by the pool in front of everyone.

The whole castle is talking.

People are saying she's about to become the Lady of Douse Wolf.

Haven't you heard?

Who said that?

It doesn't matter who said it. Everyone saw it.

Have you thought about what I'm supposed to do if you put her in that position?

Call her mother?

She's barely older than me. You want me to call her mother in front of everyone?

Leah, do you hear yourself?

I do.

That's why I'm saying it.

If you've thought about my feelings for even one second, then please don't do

this.

This is ridiculous.

What kind of nonsense is in your head?

She's just a ma- Great. Then Lella, come back and take care of me. Ella, what do

you want?

Stay with me, or go back and take care of Leah?

My lord?

My lady, please don't fight.

It's my fault.

I didn't know being here would make things so hard.

My lord, if this is because of me, I'll go back and serve Miss Leah.

She's right. She does need someone, and I was her personal maid to begin with.

It makes sense to send me back.

If you get swamped with the paperwork in the study or preparations for the

ceremony, I can come help anytime.

I won't let either duty suffer.

Father, she said yes.

Let her come back.

Father, I won't make any more trouble before the ceremony.

Since Ella is willing to go back, we'll leave it at that for now.

If I need help in the study, I'll send for you.

Yes, my lord.

Ella, you're mine.

You can only stay by my side.

You did great in etiquette class today.

Great? The tutor said I looked insane, and father thinks I'm acting out.

I've never argued with him like that before. He must be furious.

More than great. You were brave.

That's my good girl, always surprising me.

So how should I reward you?

So breaking the rules is brave?

No one's ever told me that before.

Because they want you to be a puppet they can control.

They're not free.

So they don't want you to be free either.

Mommy, I want more.

Didn't you tell the Lord today you didn't want to call me mother?

That's different.

Leah, why are you so easy to tease?

In etiquette class today, when you said all that, was it all for me?

Before, I thought the marriage alliance and the rules were my duty as heir.

I couldn't get out of these, so whatever.

But after I met you, all I wanted was to be with you.

What about you?

Don't want to be with me forever?

Leah, why do you like me?

When I was little, I saw a photo of a kind lady.

You look so much like her.

She seemed so gentle.

Being in your arms might feel just as comforting as being in my mother's arms.

If you knew how that woman ended up because of you and your mother, could

you still say that? Mommy, what are you thinking about?

But what did she do wrong? Poor Leah. She can't even tell a lie and I'm

dragging her straight into this mess.

But I have to. And

there's no going back.

about how to reward my little princess for everything she did for me today.

What are you doing?

Don't shake, my lady.

You did that on purpose.

I wanted to kiss you all through dinner.

Wanted to know what your wine tasted like.

Great.

Did you taste it?

Miss Ella, Lord Drake wants you in his study.

Understood.

I'll be right back.

You say that every time he sends for you.

Bring me the guest list from the shelf by the window.

Here's the list, my lord.

You've been awfully close with Leah lately.

Miss Leah needs looking after.

Don't you think you two are too close? What were you doing in the garden just

now?

You're so proper around me.

Are you like that with her too?

I'm not sure what you mean, my lord.

You don't get it or you don't want to.

You never seem happy working for me.

But with her, you look pretty relaxed.

What are you trying to say, my lord?

I'm saying your attitude pisses me off.

You're too close to her.

Way past the line between lady and maid. I shouldn't have to remind you of that.

Then what do you call this between us, my lord?

It's past the line too, isn't it?

Ella, I don't want us to just be master and maid.

Don't tell me you can't feel it.

What does the silence mean?

If you don't say it, my lord, I don't dare read into it. Then stop being a

maid for a second.

Look at me.

You really can't tell what I mean?

I wouldn't dare guess what you mean, my lord.

Just tell me what you want me to do.

You're turning me down.

I don't want to be vague with you, my lord. I may be lowborn, but I have my

dignity.

Once the air ceremony is over and Leah's position is secure, I'll announce us

publicly.

Won't that be too sudden?

What if they can't accept someone like me?

I used to be a dancer, a low-born wolf.

I'm nobody.

I'm not good enough for you.

Your family will never accept someone like me.

I can't let that happen again.

I have to make you take me before those elders.

The more they see me, the less they'll stand in my way when I become heir.

Don't worry about a thing.

No one dares go against me.

Could I go with you as your date to tomorrow's Noble Ball?

I want to get used to high noble life early, so when I stand beside you, I

won't look so out of place.

Fine. You're coming with me.

You spent the whole morning in Father's

study again.

You smell like Father Cedar.

You two were close this afternoon.

Is my little princess jealous?

So what if I am?

You're mine.

You should only smell like me.

Slow down.

Don't be so eager.

I'm not going anywhere.

There's a noble ball tomorrow night. Will you come with me?

I don't want to face them alone.

I'm sorry, sweetheart.

I really want to go with you, but I already have plans.

Red suits you.

Thank you, my lord.

Don't hold back tonight.

By my side, you're the lady of Wolf Castle.

Tonight, everyone will see how close I am to the center of power.

Isn't that the Lord's maid? A low-born wolf, a former dancer. She shows up as

his date. Has the Lord lost his mind?

You all seem curious about my date.

If anyone's got an issue, come out and tell me directly.

So her plans were being father's date.

Elders, this is Ella. From now on, she'll be with me at every formal

occasion.

My lord, this young lady's background... Elder, you're worrying too much. I'm

low, Brend, and I know my limits.

That's why I work hard, serve the Lord, and handle the ceremony without a single

mistake. Birth doesn't decide someone's worth.

Serving the Wolf family well is all I'm here to do.

Ela, will you dance the opening dance with me?

Leah. For tonight's opening dance, you should look at the young nobles here.

Your future husband is one of them.

Father, it's just one dance.

Ella, tell her you belong to me tonight.

Sorry, Leah.

I'm the Lord's date tonight. The opening dance should be with him.

Princess Leah, may I have the honor of the opening dance?

Okay.

Leah looks upset.

I'll cheer her up after the ball. She's still a child, my lord.

You don't have to be so hard on her.

Funny. I don't like seeing Leah that close to someone else.

Ella! Your foot! I'm fine.

Still upset?

Back on the dance floor, I thought you really chose my father over me. I was so

jealous. Please make me feel better.

Hmm? Whose drool is this?

So sour. Smells like jealousy.

Watching you get close to my father...

I was going crazy with jealousy.

Me too.

What did you say?

Nothing.

Ella, from now on, can you try not to stay around Father? I really can't take

it.

I still have things to do.

Once I've done what I need to do, I'll only be with you.

I promise.

Go back for now.

If Leah knew the truth, knew I got close to her on purpose from the start and

used her, would she still trust me like this?

Would she still like me?

But it's fine.

None of that matters.

Taking back everything that should have been mine and Mom's is what matters

most. Are you Eve's daughter, Ella?

Is it really you, Ella?

I held you when you were just born.

Last time I saw you, you were this tiny, hiding in your mother's arms, scared of

everything. And now look at you.

You look exactly like your mother did when she was young.

Just as beautiful.

You knew my mother? I'm Winnie, your mom's old friend.

Back then, we were both lower dancer, trying to survive.

She helped me more than I can repay.

Later, I ended up in Lord Brooke's house as his combine, and I never saw either

of you again.

Wait.

Your mother.

Is she alright? How have you two been all these years?

Bad. Really bad.

My mother was thrown out. Your mother did when she was young. People looked

down on her.

She lived sick for over ten years, suffering at night. We had no one. Not

one peaceful day.

When I saw you in the ballroom tonight, On Drake's arm, standing beside him.

I still wasn't sure.

Ella, do you know?

Drake, he's your real father.

I know.

I've known from the start.

Your mother saved me from a living hell. I've never forgotten that. Now that you

two have suffered like this, tell me what I can do. Anything.

I'll help you.

Thank you, Winnie.

Sorry I'm late.

Darling.

Ella, when I was riding today, I heard those young nobles talking trash.

It was awful.

What happened?

Who upset my little princess?

They said when my father was young, he loved someone for years.

They were in love and had promised to each other.

And they said, they said my mother was a ruthless woman who forced them apart and

stole her place as the lady of the house. I've never seen my mother and

there are barely any portraits of her in the castle, but I know she wasn't like

that.

I didn't do anything wrong and neither did my mother. Why is everyone saying

all this?

Ella, can you please make me feel better?

Don't listen to their stupid guesses.

Rumors are baseless gossip.

They don't mean anything.

Then everyone bought Drake's act. They thought he was this devoted man forced

to let her go.

But that wasn't the truth.

He went after Eve first.

Sweet talked her into loving him, promised her a name and protection.

Then he dumped his pregnant wife to secure his lordship.

Then I'll get the truth out.

I want every noble to know Drake is a spinless coward who used Eve, dumped

her, and chose power over loyalty.

I've been in noble circles for years. I've got the contacts.

Leave it to me.

I'll seed the rumors slowly, layer by layer.

First, we break their perfect image of the Lord and his wife.

Then we expose how he abandoned Eve and threw his conscience away.

We chip away at his reputation, ruin his good name, then drive a wedge between

him and his daughter.

That's my opening.

Leah, if you want to stop a rumor, you have to trace it back to the source.

Do you want to find out the truth?

The truth?

Rumors out there are a mess of truth and lies, and no one can speak for your

mother. People just repeat what they hear.

Nobody wants the truth.

But the castle's old archive has years of personnel files, room records,

transfer papers, even old servant logs.

If we find the originals and hard proof, we can clear your mother's name and shut

everyone up.

I want to look. I have to. I won't let people keep smearing my mom after she's

dead. All right.

But the Lord seals off those old private files. That section's always locked.

Regular servants can't access it and don't dare go near it.

Anyone else digging will be punished on the spot.

But you're the Wolf family heir. If you request the files, it's perfectly

proper. No one will suspect a thing.

What if Father finds out?

That's why you go quietly.

Don't let anyone find out, especially the Lord.

Once you have every record, come to me. I'll stand with you and prove your

mother was innocent.

Okay.

I'm going now. I'm going to find the truth.

Drake, all those filthy secrets you worked hard to bury, that spotless

reputation you protected, it's time they saw daylight.

Thank God.

Mom really wasn't a bad person. It was all rumors.

Years ago, a lowborn dancer named Eve lived in Wolf Castle under Lord Drake's

protection. They were intimately acquainted.

Later, she was secretly expelled from the castle.

The log labeled her departure as voluntary.

Yet the paperwork was impleat and irregular.

By the Lord's order, all records sealed. No discussion.

No access.

No disclosure.

Eve.

I've never heard anyone mention that name.

Was she the one Dad truly loved when he was young?

Ella, I found it.

I actually found something.

Slow down. What did you find?

There was an old private file about a woman named Eve.

Years ago, Father brought her in here and protected her. They were really

close. Then she was secretly banished, and Father ordered her record sealed.

No one was allowed to talk about it.

Is Eve the one everyone says father truly loved when he was young?

Files only show the official story, not the truth.

Handwriting can be forged.

Records can be changed.

One sealed file isn't enough to prove what happened.

Then what do we do?

Are we never going to know the truth?

We just let the rumors keep spreading and let everyone keep smearing my

mother?

There is a way.

You said this is an old private attendant file.

The people around Eve who knew the whole story were the servants and attendants

from back then. You mean, if we find those servants, we can ask them the

truth? Exactly.

Files like this usually have a list of attendants who were dismissed or

transferred. We can use that and track down everyone sent away. If we find

anyone still alive who knows, we'll have a witness. Right.

With witnesses and proof, we can clear your mother's name.

And I'll find out the whole truth about Mother's expulsion.

Every lie will fall apart.

Good. Then let's go now. I have to find these witnesses.

It's been years.

Most of them left the castle and scattered all over.

Finding them won't be easy, and we have to do it quietly.

The Lord can't know.

I don't care how hard it is.

I'll do anything to get the truth.

I'll search with you, and I won't tell a soul.

Drake. I'll find every witness and rip apart that respectable mask you've worn

for years.

The address on file says the last retired old attendant lives in the

farthest village below the mountain.

It's a long hike, and these roads rough.

We need to move fast and head back before dark. I don't care how far it is.

If we can find a witness and get the truth, I'll walk any road.

Tired?

I'm fine. I can keep going.

Let's not waste time.

Get on.

I'll carry you. No, Ella.

I can walk. This road's so rough, you'll get worn out. Listen to me. Don't push

it. We need to save our strength, find that witness, and get back early.

Ella, I'm so glad you're here.

Yeah.

I'm not going anywhere.

Call it me making up for using you.

We're almost there.

Thanks for carrying me all this way.

It was nothing.

When this is over, once we know the truth, can we stay like this?

Safe and together?

Of course.

We were always meant to be together.

After we know the truth, if you still want to be with me.

This is it.

The last old attendant who might know the truth lives in this cabin.

Who are you?

Sir, we're archivists from Wolf Castle.

We came to verify a few things from years ago and update the ledgers.

I don't know anything.

The castle's past is forbidden. No one talks about it. Leave. Don't stay here.

Please, sir. We know harm. This matters to us. Just tell us a little. We won't

drag you into it. It's no use.

The Lord gave a strict order. Anything about the old people was forbidden.

Anyone who talks gets exiled at best, killed at worst.

I've survived all these years by keeping my mouth shut. Don't get me killed!

This is... This is Miss Eve's pendant from back then.

How does she get it? A friend gave it to me. She sent me to find you.

What exactly did you come all this way to ask about?

I'm Leah, heir to Wolf Castle.

We're not to punish anyone.

We just want the truth.

People say Mother schemed her way in, tore my father away from his first love,

and stole the place of Lady of the Castle.

I need to know if any of that is true.

My mother's been dead for years. I don't want her name dragged through the mud.

She looked so much like Eve when she was young.

I'm Ella, the lady's personal maid.

I came with her to find out what really happened.

Sir, you don't have to fear the Lord's order.

I'm the castle's only heir.

I promise no one will punish you for what you say today, and no one will

touch your life.

Just tell us the truth.

When the Lord was young, he did have a great love.

She was a low-born wolf dancer named Eve.

Eve was kind, gentle, pure at heart.

She's been a dancer, but she was honest and warm.

The Lord didn't care about the disparity or his family's objections.

He kept her by his side, stayed with her, gave in to her in everything. In

private, he'd promised her a safe life. He said once he had his footing, he'd

give her a title and a real home. Those were the easiest, most sincere years of

his life.

Everyone in the castle knew Eve was the one he cherished most, the only woman he

truly loved. What happened after that? If they loved each other so much, how

did they end up apart?

After that, the Lord married your mother for an alliance.

The Lord was dead set on marrying Eve. More than once he said in public it was

Eve or no one. But he underestimated how stubborn and cruel the elders could be.

The elders fought him to the death. He was the rightful heir of the wolf

family, the future ruler of the territory.

No way they'd let him marry a low-born wolf dancer.

That was the family line and the noble rule.

Your mother came from a top noble family.

She'd loved the Lord since she was young.

The family used that, teamed up with the elders, and pressured him hard until he

cut Eve off and married your mother to secure the family's power.

The elders made it clear.

If he defied the family and married Eve, they'd strip him of his airship, take

all his power, and throw him out of the wolf family.

So of course he dumped Eve.

How could a lowborn wolf dancer compete with power?

Power's so wonderful.

On one side, his life's work and his family title.

On the other, the woman he loved, with a status gap. He was young.

His footing wasn't secure, and he had no way to fight them. To keep his position,

he had to let her go.

He gave the order to drive Eve out of the castle for good. For years after

that, it looked like he'd cut her off, but he never did. He kept sending people

to protect her in secret.

He missed Eve constantly, but he never dared disturb her openly.

Protect her in secret?

Did he know what kind of hell Eve, the one he supposedly missed so much, was

living through all those years?

That can't be right.

Didn't Eve get married later and settle down?

The Lord never interfere with her life again.

He quietly wished her well.

After Eve left the castle, she had no money and no one to protect her. That so

-called money never reached her.

She drifted from place to place to survive.

She ended up on the streets, then trapped in the Red Light District as a

dancer, abused and harassed every day. She lived in that darkness for over ten

years.

And what else you didn't know?

She was already pregnant back then.

Ella, how do you know all this? Even records nearly erased it. Why do you

know it so well?

Because I was a dancer in the Red Light District, too.

I grew up there.

I know what Eve went through better than anyone.

We've asked everything we needed to, Leah.

Let's go.

Ella.

I need to talk with you.

Alone.

You're Miss Eve's child, aren't you?

You look exactly like Miss Eve did when she was young.

I'd know that face anywhere.

Whether I am or not, it's got nothing to do with you, who just stood by and

watched. We were just servants.

No power, no say. We couldn't overrule the Lord. All we could do was watch her

suffer.

But Eve was kind.

Real.

She never looked down on any of us.

Everyone in the castle loved her.

My mother is fine.

She doesn't need your fake concern and guilt after all these years.

If you really feel guilty and you're willing to help, I'll come find you when

I need you.

Ella, my head's a mess.

I don't know how to face my father. I thought he was just closed off and

strict.

I never thought he'd be someone who threw away his love for power.

Don't spiral yet. It was so long ago.

Maybe there's more to it, something we don't know.

When we get back and calm down, you can ask the Lord and hear his side. Ella, I

feel like I have nothing left.

Just you.

Please don't leave me, okay?

Ella, why are you crying? I don't know. I just realized I care about you so

much, Leah.

I'm sorry. I've been lying to you the whole time. Please forgive me.

You've been with Leah a lot lately.

Are you avoiding me?

Want to tell me why you're upset?

My lord, I've been hearing the servants gossip lately.

I know it's not my place, but it's everywhere, so I thought you should

know. What gossip?

They say when you were young, there was a woman you loved, but you couldn't be

together. You've never gotten over her. It's just idle gossip. That was the

past. I'm over it. No one else matters to me. Once the castle is settled and

Leah's air ceremony is done... I'll make us official. I'll marry you and make you

lady of this castle.

I never dared hope for any of that.

Just being by your side is enough. I'm only scared this nonsense will get out

and damage your name.

It's not just your past.

They're also talking about the former lady of the castle, saying awful things

about her.

Why bring her up out of nowhere?

She's gone. It's all long over.

No need to keep dragging it up. Sorry, I overstepped. It's just that Leah heard

it, and it's hurt her.

She's always respected her mother.

Now people are smearing her and Leah feels wronged with no one to tell.

If you have time, please spend more time comforting her so she won't keep

bottling it up.

I know.

Next, it's your turn to turn on each other, father and daughter. If Leah digs

into the past because of those rumors and finds out about her mother's death,

she'll turn on me completely.

Drake looked disgusted when he brought up the former lady.

The truth back then wasn't simple.

My mother's tragedy, the stigma of Leah's mother, it all has to tie back to

that marriage alliance.

Leah needs to dig into it herself.

Maybe we'd visit her mother's family.

Leah, I thought you'd be stuck in father's study all afternoon.

I was so bored by myself. I missed you so much. I missed you too. So the second

I was done, I came straight to find you.

In the study just now, I accidentally brought up your mother.

It was strange. The moment your father heard anything about her, he shut down.

He even got angry and wouldn't say another word.

I don't think the truth was what the rumors say.

There has to be some misunderstanding we don't know about.

Honestly, I never believed my mother was the kind of woman who'd break people

apart.

And when we went to see the old attendant, he didn't say that either,

did he?

Leah, do you want to visit your mother's family?

We can find out what happened with your parents' marriage alliance.

I do, but... I've never been to my mother's family.

I don't know anyone there. If I go alone, I'll be scared.

Don't be scared.

I'll go with you.

Because I'm not letting anyone who hurt my mother get away with it.

Father, there's something I'd like to ask you. What is it? My air ceremony is

getting close, and I've never visited Mother's family.

As the wolf heir, it's improper for me to know nothing about my mother's side.

Before the ceremony, I'd like to visit her family's castle.

Maybe it's better if she leaves the castle for a while. Get her away from

the rumors.

Fine. You may go.

Behave while you're out and come back soon.

Thank you, Father. I want Ella to come with me. No.

Take someone else.

Ella stays.

Father, why do you have to keep Ella here?

Do you like her?

I've never seen you care this much about any woman. You care about Ella more than

you care about me.

That's none of your concern.

So you do like Ella, don't you?

Father, have you really thought this through? You're not the same age, not

the same status, and you have so many secrets. Would Ella really accept you

like that?

Leah, do you hear how out of line you are?

What right do you have to talk to me like this?

As the next heir of the Wolfe family.

You made that official yourself, didn't you?

You taught me to follow the rules and never cross the line.

But if you insist on getting tangled up with Ella, that's the real scandal.

Why could you do whatever you want?

Well, I don't get even a little freedom.

Enough! Get out!

Fine.

Then I'll leave with Ella on my own.

I hope you think about what I said.

And I'll be honest with you, Father.

I really like Ella, so I won't let anyone keep us apart.

Leah, my child.

You've finally come back to see your mother's family.

What are you doing here? You're still alive!

Grandmother, what's wrong? You're scaring me.

This is Ella, my personal maid. She's always been with me.

Ma'am, I think this is the first time we've met. We only look alike, yet she's

reacting this intensely.

There must be something.

I'm just old. My eyes are playing tricks on me. Your maid looks so much like

someone I knew when I was young.

Someone she knew when she was young?

Wait, could it be the woman in the old photo I found in Father's study?

It's okay. Don't panic. I'll clean it up. Don't cut yourself.

Everyone in this castle is hiding something.

If you're scared, I'll give you a real fright.

It's her!

It's Eve! No, impossible.

She's been died for years.

Stop scaring yourself.

You remember me? Eve, I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you. It was all the old

lady's orders.

I'm just a maid. I had to do what she said with no choice. I didn't want to

hurt you. Shut up! I never did anything to you.

Why were you so hell-bent on ruining me?

Because... Because Lord Drake only had eyes for you.

You were the only one in his heart. The young lady was miserable, and Lord Drake

stayed cold to her, so the old lady blamed it all on you.

She went to the family elders, pressured them hard, and insisted on cutting every

tie between you two.

And then?

What else did you do? I was just following orders. I only stopped the

money the Lord secretly sent you, and the attendance he sent to escort you. I

spread fake rumors to drive you two apart and make him give up on you. I

swear! Your death had nothing to do with me!

I didn't kill you!

All of you were sure I was dead, weren't you?

Yes, the old lady said so herself.

Everyone thought you'd been dead for years.

We didn't know what happened after that.

Crawl back into bed.

Don't turn around.

Don't make a sound.

What are you doing here?

Madam, did you sleep all right?

The maid caught a chill last night and isn't well.

Miss Leia was worried you'd have no one to help you get up, so she sent me.

I see.

That's all.

You may go.

So much like Eve.

I asked around yesterday.

Most of the servants here are new and pretty young.

Almost no one knows what happened back then.

Most came after my mother died, so they don't know a thing.

I did notice someone who it might work.

Who? The old stableman.

He's worked here for decades. He's seen a lot.

Maybe he knows what happened back then. We could ask him.

Good. Let's go find him now.

Sir. Miss Leah, what brings you to the stables? Is something wrong?

I barely came back to here growing up, and I've always wondered about my

parents. About when they were young.

How much do you remember? Could you tell me?

Honestly, the Lord and the Lady were always fighting.

It never felt like a happy home.

So...

Father and mother really were that unhappy.

Were the rumors true?

My lady, that's not quite fair. To those of us who watched for years, the Lord

truly loved your mother.

Truth is, from the start, your mother, Lady Serena, knew full well the Lord was

in love with a girl named Eve.

Your mother never wanted to marry him.

She was too proud to fight another woman for a man.

Then the Lord cut all ties with Eve and pushed the marriage alliance with the

Lahr family.

Lady Serena thought he truly left the past behind and wanted a fresh start

with her.

So she finally said yes.

So Father was the one who pushed for it. But after that, they fought nonstop. At

first, he tried to be patient and comfort her. But day after day, it wore

him down. He turned cold, brushed her off, stopped explaining.

Then one rainy night.

Lady Serena was in a daze, slipped from a tower and died in the fall.

The Lord did love Lady Serena, and he loved you too.

They were just both too stubborn.

Suspicious, no trust.

They loved each other, but they tortured each other until there was nothing left.

Love? His love is so generous and so cheap.

His devotion's always been a joke, he tells himself.

And what about Eve?

All these years, the Lord's heart was never empty.

He sure loved a lot of women.

Ella, did you know Father likes you?

What about you?

How do you feel about Father? About him?

All I have left is hate, down to the bone.

I came for revenge.

How could I feel anything else for him? I respect the Lord. If Father insists on

marrying you, will you say yes?

Ella, I love you.

Ella, I love you too. You know that, right?

If you had to choose between me and Father, who would you choose?

Choose.

Leah, do you think I get a choice?

Ella, I don't understand.

If it were you, would you choose me or the Lord?

I'd choose you, I swear!

Even if it meant giving up your place as heir?

I would.

Ella, before you, I didn't know what freedom felt like.

You showed me a free world.

In that world, I'm not the heir.

I'm just Leah.

You made that world for me.

Leah.

Ella, that world needs me, but it needs you even more.

Without you, it doesn't exist.

You make all of it matter.

Ella, you're holding me too tight.

If I don't hold you tight now, I'm scared I'll never get to hold you again.

Leah, say you love me.

I love you.

On my own, I can't take on the whole Lauren family.

If I'm going to avenge my mother, I need Drake's help.

Take it to Wolfkeep and hand it to the Lord yourself.

I will.

Who brought this letter?

It came from Loren Castle.

We don't know who sent it.

They just said they were passing along.

Saddle my horse. I'm going to Loren Castle.

Drake, what... What brings you here all of a sudden? If you'd sent word, I would

have had time to prepare.

Ella, it's been too long.

I've missed you.

Father? You've been here a while.

Once you're home, you'll catch up on the air training you missed.

Got it. Drake, you still haven't said what brought you here so suddenly.

It's been too long since I visited. Forgive me.

I'm here to clear a few things up, so I'll be imposing for a while.

What could possibly require you to come in person?

It's about Eve.

That woman again?

Isn't she already dead?

I didn't even know how Eve was doing.

Funny how you do.

What the hell are you doing? You can't even serve tea?

My lady, I'm sorry. It was my fault. I'll clean it up right away. Get out,

useless thing!

Interesting.

My lord, I was wrong.

I know I was wrong. Please spare me.

I haven't asked anything. Why are you so quick to confess?

Unless you really did something I can't forgive.

I was following orders.

I never wanted to hurt Miss Eve.

Orders? Whose orders?

It was the old lady.

She set it up.

She wanted Eve dead.

Eve. Is she really dead?

Where is Eve?

I don't know.

I only know she was last seen in the red light district. Someone was harassing

her. I don't know what happened after that.

Lock down every entrance and exit of Loren Castle.

No one gets out.

Drake, did my maid offend you?

Not your maid.

You.

Drake, I'm still your elder. How dare you talk to me like that? Did you

remember that when you sent people after Eve? Drake, don't be ridiculous!

Your maid has already confessed everything. Anything left to say?

So what?

I told you she was poison!

Serena was too soft to do what had to be done.

If I hadn't done it for her, you think you'd be sitting pretty as Wolf Lord?

But I already married Serena. What more do you want?

Letting Serena marry you was the biggest regret of my life. Drake, you still owe

Serena a life for the one you took!

Grandmother, what are you talking about? What does Mother's death have to do with

Father?

You don't know?

Drake pushed her from the attic. Your father killed your mother with his own

hands.

Father, is what grandmother said true?

It was an accident.

You said you were over Eve, so why were you checking on her behind my back?

Drake, did you think about how I felt?

I only married you because you said it was over.

I didn't beg you. Why do you keep dragging up the past?

Eve's out there on her own. I just...

didn't want her life to be hell. What about me?

I'm miserable.

Did you ever care?

I'm taking the child back to Loren Castle.

Serena!

I always looked up to you.

Even when you were harsh.

Even when you never cared about me.

I tried to earn your approval.

But the man I've respected all these years is the man who killed my mother.

I only wanted revenge for Mother.

I never thought I'd uncover this.

How is Leah supposed to live with it?

Starting today, Wolf Castle won't give you any penny or protection.

Everything I've given you, I'll take back piece by piece.

Drake! Don't you dare!

Why wouldn't I?

I'll pay for Serena's life, but you're paying for Eve's too.

Leah! Leah!

It's okay.

I'm here, Leah. I'm right here.

Ella, you're all I have now.

I always thought he was hard on me because I'm the heir.

He had no choice. But now I see it.

He just doesn't love me.

He doesn't love me, and he never loved Mother.

The only one he loves is Eve.

Leah, I love you.

Ella, I love you so much.

Please don't leave me.

Why do tears taste so bitter?

Leah, what are you two doing?

Ella, I'm furious now. You're furious?

I'm furious too. And you don't get to control Ella.

Leah, I'm your father.

How dare you talk to me like that?

Father, you think you deserve that title? Did you ever care about me? When

you killed my mother, did you think about me?

Leah.

You've been skipping air training too long.

You've forgotten basic manners and rules.

I'm not taking those lessons anymore.

Do you hear yourself right now?

I do.

If you still don't get it, Father, I'll spell it out.

I'm done being the air.

Leah, are you out of your mind?

The air ceremony is any day now.

Do you know how much I've done to train you and secure your position?

Now you're saying you don't want it?

That's not all.

I'm choosing Ella, and I'm not marrying any of those matches you picked for me.

Ella, are you sure you want to be with her?

Ella, tell him.

We'll be together forever.

I'm just a maid. I can't take what either of you is offering. Please don't

push me.

Fine. Give her time to think.

She can think all she wants. She still won't pick you.

Leah, get one thing straight.

Without the heir title, you have nothing.

Why would anyone choose you?

Plenty of people want that seat.

If I were you, I wouldn't be stupid enough to give it up.

Ella won't leave me just because I have nothing.

She said she loves me.

Ella, that's twice you've turned me down. What's your excuse this time?

I thought you'd give me time to choose.

Choose? Ella, I thought you were smart.

Is there any reason not to choose me? You got me wrong.

I've wanted to be with you.

I already said I'd marry you, didn't I?

I'm just worried about Leah.

She depends on me so much.

How am I supposed to face her? How is she supposed to face me?

Dependence isn't love.

She's young. She doesn't know what love is.

She's the heir to the Wolf family, so she doesn't get to love like normal

people do. I'll set her up with fine young nobles. She'll marry for alliance.

That's every heir's fate.

And including you?

And including me.

So, you didn't love the former lady?

Ella, love has its timing.

I loved Eve. I loved Serena. Now, I love you.

But I hate you.

Ella, tell me you love me. Stop wasting time playing games with Leah.

Of course.

So when are you announcing our wedding?

At Leah's air ceremony.

I'll introduce you in front of every elder and noble.

And I'll reintroduce you to every elder and noble, my dear father.

Still mad?

Look at me.

Between me and my father, did you choose me?

Leah, you've always been my only answer. You're not a choice.

You're the only one.

Then let's run away.

Somewhere no one can find us.

Where we'll always be together.

But your air ceremony is in two days. I told you, I don't want to be the air.

Silly girl. I'll look for where we'll go next few days, okay?

I've been stuck in here forever.

There are so many places I've never been.

Okay.

You look for a place.

I'll keep helping with the ceremony so the Lord doesn't catch on.

Get in. Not a sound.

How long do we have to stay here?

Until the ceremony starts.

Other servants will come in, so blend in and go with them. No one will notice.

Then come out when I give the signal.

This is where my mother is staying now. Before the

ceremony, get her out and hide her somewhere safe.

When the time comes, I need you to bring her to me.

Ella, is everything set?

On that day if something goes wrong, you know you won't control the whole thing

by yourself. Will you be in danger?

It's all set.

Don't worry.

I'm not the one in danger.

Be careful on the way.

Mom, we don't have to hide in the dark anymore.

I've been waiting forever.

I thought you got cold feet and didn't want to run with me.

No way.

That's all you're bringing? Just this?

I didn't want to draw attention.

Ella, I've got it all planned.

We head north, cut through the old woods, then follow the river.

By the time we get there, it might be winter.

They say the maple leaves freeze there all clear red.

It's beautiful.

Okay.

Whatever you say.

Come on, jump. I'll catch you.

Ella, you don't have to catch me anymore.

I can get over a wall by myself now.

Ella, I won't slow you down. I'm braver now.

Leah, you've always been brave.

Braver than me.

I'm so dizzy.

I think I need to sleep for a bit. Go to sleep.

You'll feel better after.

There's enough sedative in the water to keep you out all day.

By the time you wake up, the ceremony will be over.

I'm sorry, Leah. This is the last time I lie to you.

She's gone.

What do you mean, gone?

Some of her bags are gone, too. I went to her room this morning and she wasn't

there. The night staff said they never saw her leave.

The ceremony starts in less than two hours. She's getting more spoiled by the

day.

Can we delay the ceremony?

We can send people to look for her.

Maybe she's just upset and went out to cool off.

She thinks this will force my hand?

So naive.

Give the order.

No one goes looking for her.

The ceremony goes on.

But the ceremony's about to start.

How can it go on without the heir? If she runs when it matters, she doesn't

deserve to be heir.

I have a better heir now.

Worst case, I'll spend a little more time raising an obedient, perfect one.

Who?

Our child.

Yours and mine.

Butler, have the servants get Ella a gown.

No matter what, I'm introducing you today.

Everyone will know you and I are getting married.

Thank you, my lord.

You don't have to call me that anymore.

I'll go get changed.

You're finally mine.

Don't be nervous. From now on, you're part of the Wolf family.

From now on, the Wolf family is mine.

Drake, today's the succession ceremony.

Where's Leah?

Why bring this woman instead of her?

Elders, honored guests, I'm sorry for the last minute notice. For personal

reasons, Leah isn't fit to be heir, so today I'll be naming a new one.

Replacing the heir on the day of the ceremony?

Did I hear that right?

I've never heard of anything like this.

Isn't the Wolf family all about rules?

Who is that woman?

A low-born wolf?

You've got to be kidding.

Drake, succession isn't a game.

Do you know what you're doing? Since the Wolf family was founded, we've never

replaced an heir on ceremony day.

Then consider today a first for all of you.

Rules aren't set in stone.

People can adapt.

Then what is she doing here?

Because I have a major announcement.

I'm going to marry Ella, and our child will become the new heir.

A low-growing wolf?

What gives her the right to be lady of the wolf family? This is absurd!

Drake, have you forgotten the woman you destroyed back then? Are you doing this

again? That's exactly why I'm putting her in this position. I won't let that

happen again.

The heir's ring is on Ella's finger.

She's not just the lady of the wolf family.

She's the heir.

One day, she'll pass it to our child.

Let's see anyone say another word.

This ring is finally on my finger. Since the heir's ring is on my finger, does

that mean the Wolf family is mine now?

Accurately, you belong to the Wolf family.

In that case, I have some good news too.

But before I announce it, I'd like my mother to witness it.

Who's that?

Never seen her.

Where'd she come from?

It's you.

You're alive.

She felled her long time no see.

Eve, it's really you.

You're alive. Thanks to you, Father. It was hell, but Mom and I survived.

You've been lying to me?

What, Father?

You found your long-lost first love and your child. Aren't you happy?

I have more right to be heir than anyone now, don't I, dear Father?

You set me up?

Set you up?

I'm just taking back what's mine and my mother's. What did she say, father?

Lord Drake had a child with that dancer back then.

What is going on? You're just a bastard born to a lowborn dancer!

What right do you have to run your mouth here?

You still think I'm illegitimate because you don't know what Drake did.

If he can be forgiven, why can't I be the heir?

Ella... is our child?

You can see for yourself.

You were pregnant back then.

Why didn't you tell me?

If I had, would you have let me stay, Drake?

Even if I'd told you, you'd still have thrown me out. What was the point?

What? She was thrown out back then?

Wasn't the story that she shamelessly seduced the Lord?

So what happened back then wasn't anything like the rumors.

These two are old servants who lived through everything at Wolf Castle.

You don't have to believe me, but you should hear them out.

I served the Lord back then.

Some of the old staff may remember me.

I can testify the truth between the Lord and Eve wasn't what people said. Eve

didn't seduce him. They were truly in love. Later, to secure his airship, the

Lord chose to marry into the Loren family. For that marriage, he threw Eve

out of the castle. And at the time, Eve was...

Pregnant.

He threw her out while she was pregnant?

That's way too much. I was the Loren family's stableman.

I watched Serena grow up.

After the Lord married her, they were never happy.

He kept Eve's photo, and Serena found it.

They fought about it over and over.

The last time, he pushed Serena down the stairs by accident.

Down the stairs?

Serena's death was his fault? A man like that inherited the Wolfe family. If he

could take that seat, why can't I?

Of course you can.

So you came to the castle, got close to me and my father.

Leah. All for today, right?

To claim the heir's seat and make fools of us. Was it fun watching me fall for

you? Leah, it's not what you think.

Then tell me what it is.

You said you'd choose me.

Why did you lie to me?

Did I do something wrong?

Why would you do this to me, Ella?

You promised we'd run away together, then you left me there alone.

What was that?

What is going on?

This is a total mess.

The air ceremony turned into a reckoning.

I'm sorry, Leah. I never meant to hurt you.

I just felt like nothing mattered more than taking back what belonged to me and

my mother.

So that's it. Yeah, if my mother and I hadn't been here, all of this would have

been yours. You wouldn't have lived in the Red Light District and suffered like

that. We did this to you. Leah, can we talk when we get back?

No need.

So did you get everything you wanted, Lady Ella?

Why do I feel so empty?

when I got everything back.

I guess you did.

Then I wish Lady Ella all the best.

Hope you get everything you want.

Ella, go after Leah.

Don't leave things like this. Forget it. There is no misunderstanding. I lied to

her. Of course she won't forgive me.

Whether any of you accept me or not, I am now the heir to the Wolfe family.

From today on, every affair of this house is under my control.

Congratulations, Lady Ella.

Congratulations, Lady Ella.

Father, you're no longer allowed back in Wolf Castle. As the new heir, my first

decree is this. Former Lord Drake is banished to Moonlight Forest.

Without my order, you'll never come back.

Eve, can we talk? My mother has nothing to say to you.

Don't forget my decree.

It feels like my days at Wolf Callus were a lifetime ago.

Mother, our life starts now.

All that pain, it's never happening again.

But I don't know why.

I got everything back and my heart still hurts. Mom, why?

Ella, I hate Drake.

I hate what he turned me into. But I'm also grateful that he taught me how to

love. Now, I don't feel that desperate need to love someone.

But I remember it.

Wanting to love someone.

Ella, we only learned to love because someone loved us first.

Someone taught you love.

But you never got to love her back, did you? It's Leah, isn't it?

Yeah. I love her, Mom. She taught me how to love, and I hurt her.

Sweetheart, don't leave yourself with regrets.

Find Leah.

Tell her how you really feel.

Give yourself a chance.

And give her a chance to forgive you.

I know, Mom.

Send a few people to search for Leah quietly.

Don't scare her.

When you find her, don't approach her. Come tell me right away.

Yes, my lady.

Leah, please wait for me.

Take a break. This work's never going to end.

Almost done.

Still no sign of Leah?

If someone really wants to hide, they'll find a way.

It's snowing.

Leah, why is it so high?

Gotcha.

It's freezing.

Why are you wearing so little?

What's it to you? You don't care. I do care.

Liar.

I missed you so much, Leah.

I didn't miss you at all.

Little liar.

Leah, I think I'm gonna kiss you.

If you don't want me to, you've got five seconds to stop me.

Five, four, three, two... Didn't you say five

seconds? I couldn't wait that long.

You've been through so much, sweet girl. Thank you for forgiving Ella.

Thank you.

This is my mom.

And yours too, Leah.

What are you saying?

I'll love our Leah like she's my own.

Leah, how do you have this many tears?

It's all your fault.

Okay, it's all my fault. Let's go back to the room and I'll dry your tears.

So cold.

You'll warm up soon, baby.

Leah, you've gotten so bad.

Mommy taught me well.

Did I forgive you too easily?

Will you treasure me?

I lied to you about a lot, but loving you was real.

I thought you were with me just to get back at me.

I thought you hated me.

I did hate you, but love won. It beat my hatred. These tears, they're not bitter

this time.

My heart feels full.

Go ahead.

Ella, does your heart still feel empty?

It felt empty before because my heart was with Leah.

She took it with her.

Is that me?

Is yours

supposed to be me?

Yeah. It's you.

What are you doing?

Proposing. And giving you back what's yours.

From now on, all of this is yours. So am I.

Starting today, you run Wolf Castle.

Then Lady Leah orders you to kiss me.