Original subtitles

I paid to enjoy myself.

Why the hell are you dodging me?

Please, let me go.

Fuck me.

Since when does White Raven Alley serve up a piece like this?

Face, those tits, that waist, those legs, worth every chip in a lord's

purse.

Damn it! Who the hell did that?

Lay a hand on any of my girls and there's only one ending.

The roses out back need feeding.

Bury him.

I am the daughter of Earl Hawk.

At 15, my own parents and my foster sister sold me into this walled pit.

Three years.

I clawed my way to being queen of this pit.

But these walls still hold me.

Out there, they don't see Ella.

They see the white, woven whore.

The queen?

Why would the crown come here?

No matter.

If I leave with her, I leave White Roven Alley with a name.

And then I will have my chance for revenge.

Filth like you deserves to eat filth.

A body like yours was made for men to fuck.

Why play innocent? Cry.

The more you cry, the sweeter it is.

So that's it. She brought me back for this face.

Those portraits are not paintings.

They are a grave with a golden frame.

She's going to stuff me into a dead woman's skin and call it a replacement.

My lady and waiter will teach you what to wear, how to act.

Until you get it right, this room is your cage.

Your Highness, please come with me.

This was Princess Flora's daydress when she was 15.

Her Majesty commands you to wear it.

Your hair must be styled as the princess wore hers in life. When you smile, show

exactly four upper teeth.

No more, no less.

Princess Flora's hair was straight, but that is all right. Hair can be pressed

straight.

Change first.

Smile for me.

Not enough.

Never mind. We will straighten your hair first.

Did you hear? Two more were replaced.

Same as the three last month. Stop.

The arbitrable forbade us to speak of it. They say the Queen keeps that face

with blood. With what?

Who was replaced?

What else is buried in this palace?

Your head is tilted.

This palace is so huge.

How am I supposed to get out?

Flora never ran.

Since you wear her face, stay where I put you.

If I say you're her, then you're her.

She never climbed out windows.

She never ran.

And she never dared look at me with that defiance.

Must I break you before you learn?

Nothing's going to hurt you.

I'll keep you safe.

No one, not a soul, will lay a finger on you.

Hold me.

Soothe me. Don't leave me alone.

It's alright, you finally came back.

Eat up, you little bitch.

This is all gutter trash like you deserves.

Still glaring, little stray.

Mother! I want that!

Good girl.

It is only a worthless brooch. Mother will give you something better.

It's not a piece of junk.

It's mine.

I'll never give it to anyone.

It's all I have.

I am not Flora.

I did not crawl through three years of hell to become a dead girl's shadow.

I need to go back.

I'll make the bastards who sold me understand.

The gutter rat they spat on will have them begging on their knees for death.

My brooch is still there.

I must take it back.

The Queen is inspecting the estates today.

This is the perfect chance to go back.

Your Highness, are you awake?

My head hurts.

I have no strength.

Fetch a physician.

Yes.

I just slept badly. Let me rest for one day.

You do not have a fever. Do not touch me. I feel sick.

Then shall I tell Lady Helena Your Highness should stay in bed today? Do as

you wish. Let me rest.

It's... who is it at noon?

It's you, Ella.

I did not expect you to remember me.

I, however, never forgot your face.

Help! Someone!

A ghost!

A ghost!

You held me underwater till I nearly drowned.

A quick death is more mercy than you deserve.

The steward has been killed.

Such a gathering.

Do you all wish to share his sentence?

It is her.

She killed the steward.

Is she going to kill us too?

She is Ella, but is she not in White Roven Alley? What are you afraid of?

She's just that filthy thing we sold off.

Three years in White Roven Alley and you still haven't learned to keep your head

down. I remember now. She was sent to White Roven Alley. Women from there are

disgusting. Just a whore and she still killed our chief steward. Had you rotted

quietly outside, the Earl might have spared one kind thought for you. But you

came back, so do not plead for mercy now. Do it, Lily. For trash like her,

just tie her up, throw her in the woodshed and wait for the Earl to deal

with her.

You still think I am the child you all trampled?

Bullshit! White Raven Alley fucked the sense out of you.

Lily, release the dog.

She has been terrified of dogs since she was little. One mauled her half-crippled

before. Today, let the young lady's pet feast.

You still remember I feared dogs.

I nearly forgot what fear felt like.

The stable is burning!

Do not let it reach the main house! Put it out!

You are mad!

You burned the Earl's manor! When the Earl returns, he will have your head!

We'll see who's still standing when the smoke clears.

You can't even keep one woman locked up. What the hell are you good for?

Her Highness, she said she needed rest. I did not dare.

Useless. Every last one of you, what good are you?

Your Majesty, I truly did not know. Her Highness was clearly in her chamber. You

did not know.

She couldn't keep you here. She deserved to die.

Wear it, and don't let anyone see what's under there.

Wherever you go, you belong to me. You return to the palace.

If you want to leave, stop climbing walls.

Ask me, and I will open the gate.

But if you don't come back, I'll hunt you down myself.

And when I catch you, I'll lock you in a room till you learn your lesson. You

hear me?

Audric, the Duke's heir, poured you three drinks tonight, Vivian.

Three.

Did you keep count?

Father, he was only being polite.

Polite! Since when does a ducal heir flatter lesser blood?

If Audric wanted nothing, he would not have offered even one cup.

Vivian, hold fast to him. If he chooses you, the hawks rise again. The Duke's

only heir.

One day the board of Pridgett could be ours.

Your father is right.

You did very well tonight.

I was sitting across the room, and even I saw the way Audric looked at you.

Only because mother taught me well.

Speaking of which, that boy Audric, I remember a few years ago, he once

pursued... Why bring up that little whore?

Bad luck just saying her name.

It was only a passing remark.

Then keep your mouth shut.

My lord! Something has happened at home!

What happened?

Who did this?

Who did this?

It was Ella.

She came back, burnt the manor.

Everything is gone.

Where is the steward?

The steward? Over there. Ella killed him.

It was her.

Could it be her? Has she come back for our lives?

A ghost!

It must be a ghost!

she died three years ago she can't be back it's a ghost damn her even dead she

won't leave us alone we cannot live in this house father the way she is now to

take revenge on us she is capable of anything

damn

her even dead she won't leave us alone we cannot live in this house father the

way she is now to take revenge on us she is capable of anything

Why should a house this old fear one alley whore?

We stand in the open.

She hunts from the dark.

Father, we go to the Ducal Estate.

Find Odard. He will shield us. The Ducal Estate?

You have not even married into it yet. He wants me.

He will marry me.

Once I'm inside the Ducal Estate, that bitch won't dare touch me.

She is right.

We cannot stay at the manor. We leave tonight to the Ducal Estate.

Pack now!

Your Highness.

There is news from the Hawks. They moved to the Ducal Estate overnight.

Miss Vivian and Audric, the Duke's only son, have set their wedding date for

next month.

Audric de Villars? Yes.

The invitation from the Ducal Estate has already arrived at the palace.

Her Majesty will attend as well.

Understood.

Audric. The man who once wanted me.

He married Vivian.

The Hawks think a ducal roof can bury the past.

How foolish.

Come in.

What is it?

The seventh day of next month.

The wedding at the Ducal Estate. I want to go.

You want to go?

Since when do you give a damn about a Ducal wedding? I have my reasons.

You want something from me?

Fine. But nothing comes free.

Bess.

Please, Bess.

I'm begging you.

Bess, please.

What did you say? Bess, please.

All right.

Anything. I will give you anything. Do not beg.

Never beg me like that.

Bess. My Bess.

Those are magnificent.

Quite so. A perfect afternoon.

Bess, I will not go far.

All right.

Go play.

Mother, what expression do you think Audren will have when he sees me in

this? Joy, of course.

Marrying the only daughter of Aunt Hawkes is his good fortune.

The only daughter.

That's right.

I'm the only one.

So what if that whore's still believing?

She can rot in White Road Alley. She doesn't deserve to see the sun.

And I'm here, marrying into a duchess.

She'll never stand in front of me.

Do not mention her.

Mother, what are you afraid of? It is over.

She died long ago.

Even dead, she cannot rest.

That line of blood she left, who was she trying to frighten? Enough.

Do not talk about this.

I will go see when the ceremony begins.

Long time no see, Mother.

Ghost. It's a ghost. You've come for my soul. It's a ghost. Do not come near me.

Do not come near me. It wasn't me. It was Vivian. All her idea.

What are you saying, Mother?

How could I harm you? I know.

You were not born of me.

Vivian was.

Back then, the Archippus had said Vivian would die young.

Someone had to take the prisoner place, so we...

We chose you.

When you were a girl, Audric wanted you.

He said he would marry you, but Vivian wanted him too.

The archbishop said, if we sold you, the curse would follow you out. Then Vivian

could marry well. We had no choice.

I was going to go easy on you because I thought you were my real mother.

But now I find out we share no blood.

So tell me, why should I let you live?

What are you doing? Let go of my mother!

You.

You are alive.

And you dare stand here on my wedding day. Did you come to beg for bread or

for a scrap from my table?

Say that again.

I will not even name the filth you licked off the ground. You were thrown

into a brothel and you dare show your face in front of me. Every misery I

endured, did it not begin with you? You deserved it.

You were born cheap.

Born to be stepped on.

What are you doing?

Try touching me and see what happens.

What am I doing?

The whore you look down on is about to send you to meet your maker.

Vivian, your lucky days are over.

Stop!

Drawing blood at my wedding?

Who the hell are you?

You... You are... Ella.

Audryn, do you not recognize me?

Audryn! She is mad! She barged in, attacked Mother, and tried to murder me!

She hurt your mother? You saw the knife! She wanted me dead! I do not know her!

She's a madwoman!

God knows where she crawled in from! She saw me in this dress and went green with

envy! She's lost her mind!

Guards! Where are the guards? Drag this madwoman out!

Drop the knife!

Do you think these sticks can stop me?

Audryn, look! Look at her! Look how vicious she is! What decent woman fights

like that?

Wear it. And don't let anyone see what's under there.

Who are you truly?

Why come to stain my wedding? She's insane!

Seize her! Do not let her hurt anyone else!

Mad woman.

Do you have any idea where you are?

A madwoman like you thinks she deserves such fine work.

Whose chamber did you steal it from?

Give it back!

Give it back!

Do you have any idea what that silver thread costs?

Ten of you gutter rats couldn't scrape together enough for a single strand.

Vivienne, enough.

Do not make a scene here.

Recognize it?

Mother, you sent me there with your own hands. Shut your mouth.

Darling, go to the front hall. I will handle this.

She... I can manage my own household.

Trust me.

My lord, Her Majesty summons you to the front hall. His Grace and Her Majesty

are waiting.

I will leave it to you, Vivienne.

I become the lady of this house today.

I won't let some madwoman ruin my wedding.

Take her to the cellar. Too many prying eyes here.

Isn't the queen supposed to be some kind of bloodthirsty monster?

Everyone in the palace says she keeps that flawless face with maiden's blood.

Nonsense. How could that possibly be true?

A maid beside the Arborship said it herself.

Could that be false? Look at her skin.

Pale as bone, bright as moonlight. How many lives did that take?

The military accounts from the north that came in last month don't add up.

Your Majesty, the road north is long.

Loss is inevitable.

I have ordered a recalculation and will submit the details early next month.

Good. I trust you with it.

Your Majesty.

The Villiers' heir has grown impressive.

Your Majesty has an excellent memory. I remember the late king once awarded me a

silver-seed dagger. It still hangs on the wall of my study. A good child who

remembers the past.

By the way, Your Majesty, I hear you found your sister and keep her in the

palace. On a chifle day such as this, why not bring her out for us to pay our

respects?

My sister is playful.

Before we left, she said she wanted to pick white roses in the garden, and then

she vanished.

I have sent people to find her. She will return soon.

Take my seal.

Bring her back.

Now. Yes.

Mother, the wedding still has to continue.

Father is waiting for me in the front hall. I will go. I leave this to you.

You hear that, bitch?

I'm the only mistress of this house.

A position you'll never crawl your way up to.

Climb? This ducal house will be your tomb.

Shut up!

Filth from White Raven Alley always speaks filth. Mother, deal with this mad

dog quickly. Do not let anyone know this happened at my wedding. Go, darling. Do

not delay.

Bitch. You think blood on a wall, a few corpses in a burning stable can frighten

me? If I didn't scare you, why did your knees nearly give out when you saw me?

Three years in that alley and you still haven't learned your place.

You were born to rot in places like that. And yet you came back, on my

daughter's wedding day no less, to wreck everything!

Come here.

You, go to White Roven Alley and find a manager. Tell them a woman ran from the

alley and have them take her back.

Madam, a place like White Roven Alley... What?

You do not dare. I dare, I dare. I will go at once.

You think some manager can send me back? You do not know what I am. Shut your

mouth. Did I permit you to speak?

What are you?

Nothing. This madwoman's a menace. She's got a weapon on her somewhere.

Search her.

Strip her down to nothing before you do anything else.

Madam, then how should we search her?

How else do you search someone? You strip them clean.

Get on with it.

You heard, madam. Do it.

Goods from White Raven Alley?

Seems I get a taste today.

Touch me once.

I dare you.

Gladly.

You are in our hands now. Drop the noble act.

Strip her.

Strip her clean.

Let me see what filth hides beneath that face.

You're all dead.

I swear it.

Not one of you will leave this place alive.

Still hard-mouthed.

When White Raven Alley comes for you, we will see what is left of your pride.

Quick, stop!

Everyone, stop!

This is the runaway? That is her.

She ran from White Raven Alley, wrecked my daughter's wedding, killed men and

set fires. Take her away!

That face.

It would have fed a handsome price.

Shame. Beaten bloody and ruined like this, how is she meant to serve?

You are new.

New? What do you care when I arrived?

Today you come with me.

I'm the mistress of White Raven Alley. Lay a finger on me and find out.

She says she runs the alley.

Listen to her. She has forgotten what she is.

The mistress of White Raven Alley?

Do you even know who she is?

In three years, she clawed her way up from the lowest whore, broke more than a

dozen hard cases, and made the whole alley bow.

Who the hell are you to pretend to be her?

Three years in White Raven Alley, and all she learned was how to lie.

Mistress? You cannot even cross the Iron Gate.

Why waste breath?

I have seen plenty run from the alley. Everyone claimed to be the mistress.

Everyone was dragged back.

I've got the Queen's seal.

What did you say?

This. The waxmanship does look real, but the words on it, I cannot read them.

So what if it's real? Could be stolen, could be picked up off the ground.

But you can't fake the White Roving brand, can you?

See this? The mark of White Raven Alley. Everyone who enters carries this scar.

Escape, and it stays for life.

You expect me to believe the Queen gave her own token to a white raven whore?

Not one word out of her mouth is true.

Tie her up and take her away.

Tie her up. Put her in the carriage.

Drag her down. When the gate opens, throw her in.

Mistress? Who are you calling that?

Who are you calling that?

Come out!

It is the Mistress!

The Mistress is back!

Mistress, you finally came back.

What are you doing? I am the manager.

Touch me and you will answer for it.

Mistress, that you are covered in wounds. Come inside first.

From today, these gates stay open. You're free. Go see the world, girls.

Mistress, outside, what's it like? Outside, there's sunlight.

People walk with their heads up.

Bakery smells so good, you can catch it two streets away.

There's a river, kids running along it. At night, the lights are warm.

What will they do to us out there? They'll beat us.

She's cut her wrist.

Get me cloth, now!

Mistress, is she gone?

She did it herself.

What does that have to do with me? I barely touched her.

What are you doing? I paid. Your own rules say a paying man can... Paying man

can touch. A paying man can kill. That little bitch cut herself with the

porcelain. It has nothing to do with me.

What are you doing? Where are your rules?

This is my alley.

I am the law.

Do not look. None of you.

Drag him out.

From today.

No girl in White Raven Alley sells her body.

Mistress, then what are we supposed to do? Be ladies. People like us.

How can we be ladies?

Because I say you can.

Did I hear that right?

White Raven Alley is becoming Ladies' Alley? A whore who spreads her legs for

money knows what a lady is.

You're not fit to lick a lady's boots, let alone... I was only talking.

What are you doing?

I meant nothing by it.

Mistress, do not!

The past is dead.

I'll make my girls true ladies.

That?

You know this?

Where did you get that? What's your connection to the Rose family? Speak!

How did you come by it?

The Rose family?

What is that? I have never heard the name. I don't know much, but the man at

Winter Tavern, he knows. Only he can tell you. If you want answers, do not

ask me. Find him. He runs a tavern in the capital. His name is Winter. What is

his name?

Jacob Winter.

The tavern in the East District is his. That is all I know. Let me go. I saw

nothing.

Jacob Winter.

No need to chase him. He gave us enough.

Guard the alley. I am going out.

Mistress, your wounds still need teething.

Thirty-seven people.

Burned for three days straight.

They say the house was still smoking on the third day.

Not one got out. I heard.

That fire wasn't an accident.

Someone barred the doors from the outside.

Someone stood there all night, listening to them beat on the doors. Who told you

that? My uncle was on night patrol there back then.

He said he saw two people in dark robes come out of the back alley that night.

That was the old Rose Estate.

Thirty-seven souls burned inside and not one escaped.

If that was not ghosts, what was it?

Living people did that. But cowards always blame ghosts.

What do you mean? That fire was set by human hands. The lock was hung outside.

Spare me the ghosts and vengeful spirits. Fire does not grow from stone

by itself.

How much do you know about the Rose family?

Where did you get that?

That is not your concern.

Tell me what you know.

Three months and not a word His highness wants a straight answer today Are you

going to talk or do I cut your tongue out and take it to him? I will not tell

you fine Then I will bring that mouth back and make it talk

Let's see who dares touch what's mine

Who

the hell are you a runt like you thinks you can block me Move, or I'll gut you

right here.

You don't deserve that.

You fucking... You'll pay for that.

That blade you stuck in me, I'll return it with interest.

This flower is the Rose family's seal.

passed down four generations.

The last head of the family wore it when he burned.

After that, the brooch vanished.

I will not ask where you found it, but the brooch alone won't be enough.

I know.

I need a witness.

I can help. I can build you a whole new identity, make it airtight. But you have

to tell me, what are you going to do with it?

That's my business.

You've done well. A proper queen knows how to make her subjects feel small.

You! You dare show your face here again?

Does my living face disappoint you, Mother?

Guards! Guards!

Seize this madwoman!

Mother! She murdered someone!

She tried to kill me in the hallway just now! Have you forgotten?

You filthy whore! Even the Queen is furious!

And still you dare make trouble?

Lock her up!

Highness, you have finally returned.

What did you call her?

The queen was furious. She had the whole city turned upside down looking for you.

What highness?

What kind of highness is she? She clearly came from White Raven Alley.

This is Her Highness Princess Ella Rose, sister to the queen.

Impossible! She's a whore from White Raven Alley, filthy through and through.

How could she be a princess? Are you out of your damn mind?

Slap her.

Wait! Who gave you the nerve to touch my wife?

Darling, they struck me.

That madwoman brought people in, hurt my mother, and now she wants to hurt me.

You must defend me.

Guards!

Seize this madwoman who broke into the duke and estate.

Whom does Lord Aldric intend to seize?

The woman before you is the queen's sister, Princess of the Rose Dynish. Who

gave you the nerve to touch royal blood?

I told you.

If you didn't come back, I'd hunt you down and lock you up. How long did you

think you could run?

Who did this?

Did you do this to her?

I did it to myself.

I didn't want to drag you into this.

Your Majesty, please, Your Majesty, this must be a misunderstanding.

I urge Your Majesty to think of the realm.

Back to the palace.

Did you see that?

She actually cut her, so the rumors were true.

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

That gash on your ribs. Who did that? You're supposed to be my strongest

guard.

A red-haired woman.

At the tavern.

I had never seen her, but she took a blade for Jacob. She cut off one of my

men's wrists clean. Your Highness ordered me to bring him back for

questioning, and I... And what did you bring me?

Please punish me, your highness.

A ruined hand, but the man still lives. Not a total loss.

You said the woman had red hair? Yes.

Deep red curls, green eyes, fast as a blade.

Your highness, she is from White Raven Alley.

Since when does White Raven Alley breed women like that? She calls herself the

mistress of White Raven Alley.

Your highness, you know what needs to be done.

My sister's been on that throne too long.

Time to make her step down.

I will not disappoint your highness.

You've got more wounds than I thought.

Didn't I tell you to tell me wherever you go? How long were you out there?

Bess.

You come and go as you please. You say Bess, and I give you everything.

What are you doing?

Bess, no one's ever treated me like this before.

I was sold by them when I was 15.

My first night in White Raven Alley, three men.

They covered my mouth so I couldn't scream. I clawed the bedboard till my

nails bled.

The next morning, they threw cold water on my face.

I survived three years of that.

In three years, I went from a beaten brothel girl to the mistress of the

whole alley.

I've killed.

I've worn an iron chain around my neck.

I've been tied to a post for three days without a sip of water.

Now I stand here in a clean nightgown.

Someone dresses my wounds.

You kneel before me and ask where I went.

No one has ever asked me where I went.

I want that alley clean.

I want a name. I want a place in this world.

I want the ones who sold me to kneel before me and spit back every single

thing they took from me.

I have had enough.

Enough of being stepped on.

Enough of being pointed at and told I came from that kind of place.

Enough of anyone spitting in my face and paying no price.

What I want to do, I am telling you now.

Ella, I told you.

Run too far, and I'll chain you to me.

I will listen, Bess.

Take this.

From now on, you can do whatever you want, go wherever you want, as long as

it's by my side.

Your Majesty has been reviewing documents for a long time today.

What is it?

I only noticed, Your Majesty. Your mind seems elsewhere.

Matters of state don't seem to hold you like before.

What exactly are you trying to say?

I fear Her Highness walks toward danger.

Those women from White Raven Alley, she keeps them too close.

What if someone harms her, just as they harmed Princess Flora?

If Your Majesty doesn't lock Her Highness up, she'll end up just like

Flora.

Drink the calming soup, your majesty.

Be still and you will see how to protect her.

Bess, what are you doing?

Why are you running?

Bess, I still have things to do. The girls in White Raven Alley... Go out

again, and I'll slaughter every single one in White Raven Alley.

Not one will be left.

It took me so long to find you.

Take one step, I'll burn a street.

Take two, I'll chop those White Raven women into dog meat. You look at me.

Only me. Always.

Do you hear me?

If you leave, what becomes of me?

Your Highness, eat something. You have had nothing all day. Her Majesty will

worry. Bess is not herself today. What do you know?

I do not know.

But I heard Her Majesty ordered girls seized, beginning with White Roven

Alley. What?

Her Majesty needs Maiden's blood.

Your Highness has heard the rumor, surely.

I once thought it only rumor. Now, it seems true.

You are lying.

She would not. I trust her. She is only unwell today.

I only have your Highness's safety at heart.

Your Highness, White Roven Alley's on fire. Her Majesty's orders. The whole

alley's engulfed.

Give me the key.

Now!

Your Highnesses, Her Majesty ordered that no one let you out. Give me the

key!

Her Majesty will not let you out.

She ordered me to guard the key.

Guards! Your Majesty!

Her Highness has escaped!

Your Majesty, White Raven Alley has been burned.

Now she's got nowhere to run. Now she's got only me.

Your Majesty!

Her Highness!

She escaped!

Where is she?

I know where Her Highness went.

Come with me, Your Majesty.

Who did this? Who?

The Queen.

It was the Queen. She cut me.

Burnt the alley. The girls. All gone.

No. It cannot be her.

When the queen took them, she named the place. She said... Church? Which church?

The one outside the city.

Your Majesty, look around.

This is where you truly belong.

Blood. Maidens. Eternal life. You are the true queen of the Rose Dynasty.

The queen has gone mad.

Flora, didn't I tell you not to run off?

Hold still, Ella.

It's almost done.

Bess, was it you?

Did you really do this?

If they all die, then it'll be fine. Then you won't have to leave.

Elizabeth.

You came back for me!

You finally came back!

I'm not Flora.

I'm Ella.

I know you're Ella! Ella! My Ella!

Everyone's trying to hurt you. If they're dead, no one can hurt you.

If everyone is dead, you won't leave.

You burned my alley.

You cut down my people. You hung my girls here like meat.

How can I ever forgive you?

You saw it.

You saw me burn your alley, take your people. You saw me lose my mind. So why

did you still come? You came so you're not leaving. You don't get to show up

and then walk away. Elizabeth, let them go.

I won't leave.

Flora, I missed you so much.

So much.

Don't leave again. I'm begging you.

I'm not Flora.

And I know I'm just a replacement.

But Elizabeth, what I feel for you is real.

And what you did to them is real too.

Then I'll bear this sin with you, Bess.

Her Highness just tried to kill the Queen.

I saw it with my own eyes.

The Queen's down!

Our Queen!

Archbishop, what do we do if the Queen doesn't wake up? Archbishop, you have to

save the Queen. Tell us what to do. Grab the assassin first! Seize her!

Quiet!

Her Majesty has fainted from the shock.

She must be taken back to the palace at once.

As for Her Highness... It was you.

The church, the poison, the prison, burning white robin alley.

All of it was you.

What are you talking about, your highness?

Everyone saw you point a sword at her majesty's back. I merely saved her life.

Lock her highness up. When her majesty wakes, she'll decide your fate.

You can barely save yourself, and you're still clinging to the Queen.

You had a sword at her back. We all saw it.

That's attempted murder, damn it.

I... put her down.

That's an order. An order? Who the hell do you think you are? You stabbed the

Queen. You think you're getting out of this? I'll pin you down right now, then

we'll talk.

Seize her.

Keep her away from the Queen. Drag her off. Put her in the prison car.

Ambrose, touch me, and I'll make sure you die screaming.

Then try me.

Drag those women out.

Every last one.

Girls, keep your heads down.

No matter what you hear, don't look up.

Move!

If you want them, you'll have to step over my body.

God is with me.

God is on my side.

Divine judgment is here.

The Dysart is doomed.

The demon walks among us.

It's her!

She drove the queen mad.

She brought God's wrath upon us.

She's the demon!

She's possessed by evil!

No wonder the queen suddenly changed.

If she's possessed, then all that stuff at the banquet was fake. But she's been

with the queen this whole time.

Ever since White Robe and Ally, she never left her side.

A demon doesn't need to leave.

It only has to stay close, day after day, feeding on your life until you go

mad, bleed, and die.

You all saw it.

The Queen was driven mad because of her.

Mistress isn't a demon.

She saved us.

She opened the gates for us. She took us out to feel the sun.

She treated Robin's wounds.

When Robin was dying, she held her and cried for so long.

You're the demon!

You dragged us out of our beds and tied us up! You burned our home!

You're the demon!

The demon!

They're lambs tainted by a demon. She's poisoned their minds.

You're going to believe them?

But those little girls weren't killed by Herminus. They're protecting her. And

what if the Arborship is right? What if she really is possessed? So the

Arborship says demon and we all call her demon. Have you ever seen a demon look

like that?

She took a sword for the Queen. Did you forget?

But the Queen really did go mad.

How do you explain that?

Your Grace, you still haven't given your position.

One word from you matters more than anyone else's here. Tell us, should this

woman be arrested?

Archbishop, I'm considering one thing.

If the Queen wakes and asks for her sister, what do I tell her? I said from

the beginning this woman was only Princess Flora's substitute. The Queen

is the one who became attached.

Just making sure.

Since your grace hasn't made up your mind, I'll compromise.

I don't ask for her death now.

Just lock her up.

Chain her in the dungeon so she can't harm anyone.

When the Queen wakes, let her decide.

Surely that's acceptable.

Fine. Lock her up for now.

mistress get her out of the way touch her and I'll kill you

lock them up all

of them look at her

Covered in blood, still holding a sword. If that isn't a demon, what is?

Exactly. The Arpachip is right. She's filth from White Raven Alley, playing

sate. Look behind her.

Paws from White Raven Alley. A pack of paws making trouble. What else would you

expect? She thinks she can be queen in her dreams.

The queen is mad, and she's the next mad one. Even rose blood is filthy. Seize

her! Burn her!

Burn the demon!

I'll donate the first stack of firewood!

Let her go!

My hand! My hand!

She's mad! She's really mad!

Pin her down!

She can kill four. Can she kill ten?

Keep going. Her arm will tire eventually.

Archbishop! She's going to kill them all. What do we do?

She's actually killing them. She's not stopping. She didn't even blink.

She's a demon.

Demons don't blink when they kill, so why are we scared?

Then you go stop her.

I'll take you on.

Who else wants a piece of me?

Now!

Drop your sword, or the girl dies right here.

Ambrose!

Robin, don't be scared.

I'm here. No!

Don't drop it, mistress!

Robin's not afraid!

Let her go.

I surrender.

Mistress, what's going to happen to us?

Mistress, are they going to burn us?

Those people outside say we're demon spawn.

Will they kill every one of us?

Mistress. Get us out.

You always fix things back in the alley. Please, get us out one more time.

Look at me.

I got you out of White Roven Alley.

I burned off those brands.

I erased their marks.

If I could get you out of White Roven Alley, I can get you out of this cage.

So trust me one more time.

Can you do that? I do. I trust you, Mistress.

Robin, stay awake, you hear me? Stay with me.

Boss, word from the palace.

The Arborship's men have the Queen.

She's out cold. Her Highness is in the dungeon.

The Arborship called her a demon in front of everyone. Said he's going to

burn her alive.

Burn her?

Burn who?

Her Highness.

The Arborship says she summoned divine punishment, bewitched the Queen and has

dirty blood.

What else?

Boss, look.

Remember the house rose brooch you mentioned?

The one Herminus has.

I had people check it.

The rose seal and brooch are a matching set.

Only the head of the house passed them down together.

Her brooch is real.

So the last living rose must be Her Highness.

Boss, I found something else.

The last rose head had a child.

That child wound up with the Hawks.

They raised her as their own, then got tired of her and sold her to White Raven

Alley. That child is Her Highness.

Find that seal tear the hawk house apart if you have to then round up the men

boss. What are you doing?

Saving her getting her highness out. That's the only thing that matters

Mistress

she's burning up the fevers getting worse.

There's no water.

She was coughing this morning now. She can't even cough I'll find a way

What are you yelling for? It's the middle of the night. Shut up.

Water. Food.

My girl is sick. She's dying.

Give me water and medicine.

Princess wants water?

Princess wants food?

Ah, still think you're royalty?

Look at you. Bloody, caged, surrounded by whores. What part of that says

princess?

You're just the queen's discarded toy.

How long did she play with you? A month? Three?

Got bored and tossed you away.

You really thought you were somebody?

A cheap slut playing princess.

You played it pretty well, I'll give you that.

If the Arbishop hadn't told us where you came from, we might have thought you

were born royal.

Turns out, White Raven Alley, right?

Drop the act.

Let go.

Water. Medicine.

Now. Or I snap his neck.

Try me.

This little bitch is burning up. She won't make it. Might as well let us have

some fun before she kicks.

Don't touch her!

Still got some fight left, bitch?

Try me again.

I dare you.

White raven trash, acting all holy.

Getting fucked in that brothel wasn't enough for you?

Now you want to put on a show for us?

Still got that mouth on you, huh?

Let's see what's tougher, that mouth or our hands.

Don't touch me!

Don't touch me!

Mistress! Help me!

Let her go.

Touch her and I swear I'll kill you. Your whole damn family.

Forget that one for now.

Let's have our fun with this one first.

The great mistress of White Roven Alley.

Let's see how long that toughness lasts.

Run.

Weren't you such a fighter?

Get up and fight.

Still the mistress?

Still a boss?

You can't even protect yourself right now. Who are you protecting? Look at

those useless girls behind you. Who can you save?

Why are you crying?

Isn't this what you do?

Girls from White Roven Alley acting like ladies. I didn't! I never took clients!

Our mistress never let us!

No clients?

Then what were you doing in White Roven Alley?

Embroidery lessons?

Look at that face.

That's why the Queen picked you up. If she knew you used to crawl around on the

floor while men tore your clothes off, you think she'd still want you?

This little one is burning up.

But the face isn't bad.

Waste not, want not.

Don't touch her!

Lay one finger on her and I'll tear you apart!

Can't even save yourself and you're still saving others?

What the hell is wrong with you?

Well, well.

Quite the party.

I heard there were some interesting little creatures locked up down here.

Dear sister, you look absolutely lovely down there on the floor.

Let me see.

Oh, your face is still mostly intact.

I thought the guards would be a little rougher, considering how impressive you

were before.

Tell me, did you crawl like this back in White Roven Alley 2, getting stepped on,

kicked, pinned to the ground? How did you climb your way up after that? How

many men did you have to spread your legs for to become the mistress?

Weren't you so powerful before?

At the wedding, you held a knife to my throat and made that old woman kneel and

call you Your Highness. And now, you're under my foot. I can step on you all I

want. Your Highness?

Please, you're not even the mud on my shoe.

She's always been like this.

Stiff-necked, sharp-tongued.

A few hits won't break her. You have to make her watch everything she cares

about crumble, piece by piece. That's when she'll shatter.

Ugh, disgusting.

Come on, Mother, it's too filthy in here.

No rush, my dear.

Look around.

So many rags in this cage.

Whichever one you want to wipe your feet on, she'll be on her knees for you.

Then I'm not leaving.

We've got all night.

Let's see how long you can stay tough.

Look at me like that again and I'll dig your eyes out.

Stubborn little thing. Always was. Wouldn't eat dog food, wouldn't cry when

we beat her. You think that makes you strong? Makes you stupid.

Ever heard of knowing your place?

Are you two quite finished?

What do you think? Left side, right side, or across?

The Queen only took you for that face, didn't she? So if that face is gone,

what's left of you? This face was never really mine.

Oh? It's her sister's face.

When she looks at me, she sees her sister, not me.

So go ahead, cut it. Maybe then she'll finally see me for who I am. You do know

how to talk. Fine, I won't cut your face.

I want you alive to watch me sell every whore behind you back to White Raven

Alley. Watch them lie back down in those beds, just like you did. If you can

still smile after that, I'll be impressed.

If you'd accepted your fate and stayed in White Raven Alley, you wouldn't be

here now.

But you had to fight. Fight for what?

You got nothing.

That's enough.

Archbishop, what perfect timing.

I was just catching up with an old friend.

I said that's enough. Can you not hear me?

Carry her to the altar.

Go ahead.

The altar's cold.

But once the fire starts, you'll warm up real quick.

Any final words, Your Highness?

I never did anything to you. Why?

Because you were born with that face and that blood.

Your only mistake was being born.

Burn her! Fire purges demons!

The Archbishop is right. The Archbishop speaks the truth.

She brought those whores to corrupt the Dynish and drove the Queen mad. If

that's not a demon, what is?

If the Queen wakes and asks where her sister is, who answers her? Your Grace!

She's not a princess.

She's a white raven alley whore. I grew up with her. She was the begging mutt in

our house. Even our dogs ate better than her. We picked her out of a brothel.

Then she's not a princess.

She's a whore who bewitched the monarch and brought divine punishment. By law,

burn her.

She's a whore.

The queen was deceived!

The whole court was deceived!

No.

Her highness is the real princess.

Impossible! She's nothing but a stray my mother picked up, a bastard off the

street, and you're going to take the word of some tavern keeper?

I found her by the roadside, that winter, in the snow, wrapped in a filthy

rag outside the Hawke Gate. I took her in out of pity.

Your Grace, do you recognize this seal?

This is the Rose family seal.

The pattern is authentic, the metal is genuine.

I saw the last head of House Rose seal official documents with it myself.

Then, she's really a descendant of House Rose? A seal only proves she's tied to

House Rose.

Does that prove she has Rose blood?

Who raised her?

The hawks did.

Can one seal prove blood?

No. I could hold up a seal and say I'm the king's bastard. Would you believe

me? Exactly.

That seal sat in our house for years. It's ours.

We raised her.

We know better than anyone what kind of blood runs in her veins.

How long did you have that seal?

19, I don't know, over 10 years. How should I remember?

19 years.

House Rose was destroyed 19 years ago.

Your family sat on their seal for 19 years and never breathed a word.

Why?

So what if the seal is real? Have any of you seen her arm? The white raven brand?

A woman branded like a brothel whore and you want to call her House Rose?

House Rose is noble blood. What the hell is she?

But the Queen herself called her sister. And when Helena Nelton called her Your

Highness, the whole court saw it. The Queen was fooled by her face. She looks

exactly like dead Princess Flora. You all know that. The Queen only wanted a

substitute. That's all she is.

The House Rose blood records.

The children of William Von Rose, the last head of the family. Birth dates,

baptismal names, mother's names, everything is here. See for yourselves.

Paper can be forged.

Wax seals can be forged.

You're a tavern keeper.

Paying some street forger to fake a sheet of parchment wouldn't cost much.

You're a tavern keeper. You can fake anything you want. Today you wave a seal

and call it House Rose. Tomorrow you'll wave some scrap of paper and call it the

King's Will. Who's going to believe you?

The wax seal on this is the old seal of the head of House Rose.

Its pattern matches the seal in your hands.

See for yourselves.

It's genuine.

If the wax seal and the signet match, then this record.

Then she really is House Rose.

Really.

The wax seal and the signet do match. But the arpagipper just said a seal

doesn't prove blood. Then a wax seal doesn't prove it either.

Then what about the brand on her arm?

The White Raven Alley brand is real enough.

I was the one who had the Queen bring her out of White Raven Alley. That much

is true. But she was a replacement.

The Queen needed Flora's face to calm her spirit.

I found her that face.

As for who she is and where she came from, I know better than anyone.

She is nothing but a white raven, Allie, myself.

Do you hear that? I pull him that gutter myself.

Do you hear that? The archership said it himself. He found her. She's just a

substitute. Then everything she said.

The wax seal matches.

The signet matches. This record yourselves.

The edge pattern matches the seal.

So what if it matches?

The brand on her arm is a real White Raven Alley mark.

Have you ever seen someone from House Rose branded like a brothel girl?

So what is she? House Rose or White Raven Alley? Can you people pick a side

before we decide which side we're on?

I heard the Hawkgirl grew up with her.

She says she's a whore, but the Queen called her sister too. Who am I supposed

to believe?

The Queen or that Hawkgirl?

The Queen may have gone mad, but when she was clear, she called her sister.

She said it herself.

Then explain the brand on her arm.

Explain that and I'll believe you. A noble house like Rose, branded with a

brothel mark?

We sold her to a brothel at 15, White Roven Alley. You know what that place

is? She spent three years on her back in there, and now you want to tell me she's

got Roseblood? Would any Roseblood spend three years getting fucked in those

beds?

Vivienne. You knew she was your sister all along. You sold her.

You knew exactly where she was. White Raven Alley. And you kept it from me.

From the day we met, through our wedding, through every night you lay in

my bed. Not a single word.

She was your own blood sister.

And you sold her with your own hands.

You're on her side too.

You're just like the rest. All fooled by that face.

She's a whore!

That's all she'll ever be!

If she truly is House Rose's last blood...

Then the Hawks hid her for 19 years, sold her to a brothel, locked the Rose

Seal away in a secret vault, and treated Rose Blood like a dog for 19 years.

Everything the Hawks have done amounts to treason.

She's got a brand on her arm. The White Raven brand. Look at it. Make her show

her arm. Make her show everyone what's there. It's the mark of White Raven

Alley. A woman branded in a brothel. Even if you call her a princess, she's

still a Hall Princess!

It's over.

It's all over.

No.

That flower is fake.

She did it herself.

Does it hurt, Ella?

Yes. Hang in there.

Once it's done, it won't hurt anymore.

From now on, the only mark on you will be roses.

Nothing else.

Impossible! That flower is fake! She did it herself!

Don't believe her! She's lying! She can't possibly...

How dare you?

A whore like you?

You're not even good enough to lick my shoes.

Too loud.

I, Aldric de Villiers, kneel to her majesty the queen.

All hail your majesty.

Long live the queen.

The queen still lives.

Isn't it a bit early to be crowning a new monarch?

The late king had a son, a far better fit for this throne than this woman.

I, Ambrose, kneel before your highness.

Archbishop, the old king's children were Queen Elizabeth and Princess Flora. Who

is this?

I was locked away in Graysbell for 19 years. Of course you don't know me, but

I know you.

My father, the late king, often spoke of you. He said you were the only minister

at court who was halfway worth a damn.

Prove your bloodline, then we talk succession.

The late king's heir isn't decided by a man walking in and claiming it. These

are the late king's personal tokens.

The prince's mother was the only woman the late king ever truly cherished. He

gave her these handmade cup clips, and on her deathbed, she passed them to her

son. Your Highness, please touch the scepter. It recognizes only royal blood.

God has spoken.

It's the prince, the true royal blood. The divine has chosen him. He is the

true heir of royal blood.

Wait.

Let Her Highness try too.

What royal blood could she possibly have?

House Rose is extinct.

She's the biological daughter of the last head of House Rose.

House Rose and the royal family shared one bloodline a century ago. Her

bloodline was never broken.

Let her try.

Impossible.

Why did it glow for her too?

And brighter than for the prince?

The scepter's response can be stronger or weaker.

The old king's cufflinks.

My mother was his woman. I'm his son.

And who is she?

House Rose was wiped out 19 years ago. Who knows who she slept with or whose

child she had in all those years?

Right. The cufflinks are real. They were the old king's, no question. But the

scepter reacted stronger to her than to the prince.

How do we explain that? So are we trusting the cufflinks or the scepter?

Both sides make sense. Who am I supposed to listen to? The scepter has been in

the royal family for a hundred years. Every monarch tested it before the crown

was placed.

A dim light means thin blood.

You're dimmer than her highness.

Far dimmer. And you expect us to believe you're the late king's true-born son?

I'm a man.

She's a woman. The throne isn't decided by who shines brighter. It's decided by

succession. And I am the late king's only son.

But the sceptre barely glowed for him! So what? A dim glow is still royal

blood. That woman's background is murky. Who knows whose bastard she really is?

But the sceptre lit up when she held it. If light means royal blood, then she has

a claim. She's a whore. She came from White Raven Alley. A whore on the

throne? What will the neighbouring kingdom say?

She has the rose seal. She has the blood record. The scepter shone brighter for

her. Are you all blind? He has the old king's cufflinks. He's a man. He's in

the direct line. The rose dynasty has never had a queen. You'd put a woman on

the throne. Are you out of your mind? Our queen is still unconscious.

Watch your tongue. Then what do you want to do? Both sides have a point. We can't

split the throne in half and let each of them sit on one side.

Forget the seal and the scepter. She's from White Raven Alley. How will

neighboring kingdoms see us if a whore sits on the throne? And you want that

fake prince who can barely make the scepter glow on the throne?

His light's weaker than yours and you expect him to lead an army?

Rose seal, blood record, scepter light, three pieces of proof right here. Which

one of you dare say all three are fake? The old king's cufflinks, the old king's

blood, the old king's son. Three pieces of proof right here too. Which one of

you dare say all three are fake?

She doesn't have a signed acknowledgement from the old king.

The seal belongs to House Rose, not the royal family. The blood record belongs

to House Rose, not the royal family. Not one thing she has proves she's heir to

the throne. She has the rose seal, the rose brooch, the scepter's light, the

House Rose blood record, and you? What do you have? Then have her produce a

document signed by the late king himself. If she can, I'll walk out that

door right now.

She has no document.

Neither do I. But my father was the king. Was hers?

She's a Rose descendant, but House Rose isn't the royal house.

If Rose Blood can claim the throne, then half the nobles in this ditch can come

stake their claim.

So let me ask you, who can prove whether I am the Old King's son or not? No one.

The papers are gone, the witnesses are dead.

But those cuff caps are real.

You senior ministers, which one of you hasn't seen the Old King wear them?

Since there is no decisive proof, the question of succession should be decided

by... I can answer that.

Ella, my sweet girl.

You've suffered so much.

Elizabeth, you're awake.

You're finally awake.

Helena.

Helena.

Your Highness, something's wrong with the Queen. Find a healer outside the

palace. Avoid the archbishop's people. No one can know.

Take care, Your Highness.

The Queen is in danger. Her Highness sent me out of the palace to find a

healer. Can you find someone? When did this happen? Why didn't I hear anything?

You work for Her Majesty, but the Ardbership has sealed the gates. That's

why I came to you. You know people.

Is there a healer outside the city? Someone outside the Ardbership's reach?

There's someone in the forest.

A very good healer, but people call her a witch, so no one dares go to her.

You're from the palace. You might have a chance. I can't go. They know me. You

have to.

Poison. Slow acting mixed into her tonics. She's been taking it for a

while. I need time to brew the antidote. Three days, maybe longer. As fast as you

can. Things are about to blow up in the palace.

Boss, they're going to burn Ella.

The ARP ship is going to execute her in front of everyone.

Stay here.

Guard her. The moment that antidote's ready, get it into the Queen.

You're not the late king's son.

Your mother was a laundry maid in the palace. She had her with a stable hand.

The late king did nothing that night. By then, he was already incapable of

fathering a child.

After that woman fell pregnant, she tried to pin the child on the king.

She went before him and claimed you were his blood.

The king didn't expose her.

He simply had her secretly executed, then locked you away in Greyfurs.

You're alive today not because you're his son, but because he couldn't be

bothered to have you killed.

You chose the wrong master.

He was never worth your loyalty.

You don't touch her.

She's mine.

I'm here.

I'm right here.

It's all over now.

Your title and lands are forward.

You and your son are stripped to commoners.

Take your sword and leave the capital forever.

I accept my sentence.

Magda Frederick von Hawke, exiled to the borderlands, never to set foot in the

capital again. You can't! I'm your mother!

I'm your own mother!

I'm a daughter of House Rose.

You raised me, then you sold me.

You fed me scraps, threw me into a brothel, burned my skin with that brand.

You did all of that. I'm not killing you because you taught me one thing. Living

is harder than dying. So go spend the rest of your days on the border. Take

those hands with you.

Jacob Winter, I name you Baron and Royal Intelligence Officer.

As for that drink you owe me, we'll settle it later.

The Royal Infirmary is yours.

I name you Royal Physician.

You don't have to live in the palace if you don't want to. The infirmary answers

to you. I can teach for three months.

I'll pass what I know to the Apprentice.

After three months, I want to go back to my faraway home. When the time comes, I

hope your highness will grant me passage home by ship.

Good. Three months is enough.

Thank you for what you've done for this kingdom.

You.

Robin, you'll be the new bishop.

The day you stood in front of me with your arms wide open, I never forgot

that.

You're braver than every minister in this chamber.

Mistress, I...

Do I deserve this you do more than anyone

Did

you ever wonder what would have

happened if I hadn't taken you out of White Raven Alley Probably still there.

I'd have pried open that iron gate and walked them out, and I'd still bring

them to you, so you could give them a life no one could look down on.

Do you regret coming with me?

No. If anything, I should thank you. You help me do it all faster.

Bess, the flower you gave me?

I've been carrying it on my skin, right here.

It's beautiful, my darling Ella.

You can tell us apart now.

Flora your sister's here.

You don't have to worry about me anymore Thank you.

I'll take good care of her your sister When did you learn to say things like

that your love taught me that