At first, Violet tried to keep things relaxed with her apprentices. After all, it was the New Year—what was the point of acting all high and mighty as their mentor?But when she saw the three couples treating her with such reverence, and when Max's wife, Esther, personally took a cup of coffee from a servant and handed it to her, she realized that the role of a mentor had to be taken seriously. The other two women stood by Violet's side attentively, as if she was their mother-in-law.At that point, even Violet had no choice but to play her role. Still, she couldn't help but wonder—did it really have to be this way?Back at the Inferno Guild, she wasn't treated like this. Most of the time, it was her mentor who pampered her. As for serving refreshments, that was usually left to the new apprentices. What business did she, a senior apprentice, have doing that? But when she first joined, no one had treated her that way either.A sense of guilt stirred within Violet, and she found herse
For the next two or three days, Carissa didn't have time to entertain guests. There was still much to handle with the Mystic Army, and she couldn't leave everything to others. Plus, she had to head back to the Capital Guard headquarters soon.Meanwhile, Rafael and Jacob were inspecting the site for the women's academy. There was a lot of repair work to be done, along with expansion plans, and the cold weather didn't help. Progress had slowed as they approached the New Year, but fortunately, the funds were in place, so things could move forward smoothly now.On the eighth day of January, Barrett submitted a formal application for mourning due to his mom's passing. He first presented it to his superior, Carissa, who then passed it on to the king.Salvador took a quick glance at the application and asked, "What do you think?"Carissa paused, wondering what the king meant."I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but I'm not sure what you're asking.""Military generals don't observe mourning. There
The announcement would be made after the New Year festivities, which meant that either a new leader for the Crown Guard would be appointed or Barrett would not be allowed to observe mourning for his mom.After Carissa left, Salvador examined Barrett's mourning application once more before tossing it back onto the desk.He turned to Derek and asked, "What do you think? Should Barrett be allowed to observe mourning?"Derek bowed respectfully. "Your Majesty, this is a matter of selecting officials. I dare not offer my opinion.""Although it's a matter of appointing officials, this is about someone serving directly under me in the Crown Guard. Speak freely."Derek thought for a moment before shaking his head. "I don't know, Your Majesty."Salvador's eyes sharpened, his gaze growing cold. "Is it that you don't know, or that you don't dare say?"Derek had served Salvador for many years and understood his temperament well. If it were any other official, one whose position could be easi
For a moment, no one spoke.Though it had been anticipated that the new king of Westhaven would inevitably investigate the Fawnrun City incident upon his ascension, no one had expected Edmund to act so quickly. He had barely settled into the throne, which was still warm from his predecessor, yet had already begun the investigation, going so far as to imprison Liam immediately.Liam had only just survived an assassination attempt, and his body had not fully healed. Now, with him thrown into the dungeon, no one knew if he could endure the harsh conditions.Rafael finally broke the long silence, saying, "The second thing he will do as king is likely to directly confront Starhaven and hold us accountable for what happened in Fawnrun City.""That's without a doubt," Jacob responded.Carissa turned to Rafael, concern in her eyes. "Have Scott and Wilfred managed to infiltrate Westhaven yet?"Those two members of the Septimus Tetra reconnaissance team were from Stonebrook District and ha
"Has Harvey really left the capital?" Carissa asked."We sent people to check for several nights. Dylan reported last night that Harvey isn't at his estate anymore. We've already sent men to track him in all three different directions. But if he's disguising himself, it'll be hard to catch him," Rafael replied.Jacob cursed under his breath. "This was a miscalculation. I didn't think he would dare leave the capital now."Carissa studied her nails, her eyes cold. "If it's confirmed, then it's time to let the king know Harvey isn't in the city."Rafael thought for a moment before coming up with a plan."Have Mom go to the palace tomorrow and ask the queen dowager to send a physician to Hartstone Estate. You should teach her how to speak in front of the queen dowager… It'd be best if Leona went, but don't disturb her and let her enjoy her life for now," he said.Helen had returned to Hell Monarch Estate on the eighth day of the new year. After staying in the palace for ten days, she
Since Helen had requested the tiara for Carissa, Victoria gave it to her. Helen immediately took the opportunity to ask for another one for herself. When a middle-aged woman pouted and acted coquettishly, even someone as high and mighty as Victoria couldn't refuse. She ordered that the newest pieces of jewelry be brought out for her sister to choose from.Naturally, Helen couldn't resist. She picked out seven or eight pieces without hesitation.Victoria didn't care much for material things, but if giving jewelry to her younger sister made her happy, then it was worth it.-Meanwhile, Keith and a royal physician, Seth Wright, headed to Hartstone Estate.Seth had long been trusted by Victoria. He was somewhat like his elder relative, Irvin, the Oversight Minister—stubborn, unyielding, and upright.Such a personality would have made it impossible for Seth to get far in the Royal Medical Academy, but Victoria had promoted him. Through him, she even knew the Wright family well enough
The thick curtains were drawn so tightly that not a breath of air could pass through. There were four or five charcoal burners scattered throughout the room. With the windows slightly open and the charcoal not producing smoke, the air circulated just enough to make the room warm without feeling stifling.Horace moved a stool into the second layer of curtains, then approached and gently placed the hand of the person lying in bed on the edge."Mr. Wright, please sit and check His Highness' heart rate."Seth sat down, intending to lift the curtain to see Harvey's face, but Horace stopped him."His Highness mustn't be exposed to the cold.""It's necessary to observe his complexion, not just his heart rate," Seth said, frowning.What was going on? If Harvey was sick, it was only right to focus on treatment.Keith stepped forward and pulled back the curtain with one swift motion. The figure lying in bed was trembling uncontrollably—he was clearly not Harvey.As Horace's face drained
After collecting his thoughts, Salvador was struck by a question—why had his mom suddenly sent someone to treat his uncle?He paused, deep in thought, then asked, "I heard from the palace servants that Aunt Helen came by today."Victoria chuckled. "Yes, I asked her to come. The Treasury Office sent over a batch of new jewelry, and among them was a pure-gold and seven-colored gemstone tiara. Kylie and Sylvia both wanted it, so I was caught in a dilemma."Kylie is the queen, so if she liked it, it should've gone to her. But Sylvia is carrying your son, which gives her great merit. I couldn't decide who to give it to, so I gave it to your aunt. Little did I know, she was like a thief—she not only took that tiara, but also snatched up seven or eight other pieces. I really regret it."Salvador laughed along with her. "If she likes it, then it's good. If she's happy, then you're happy, Mom."He wasn't concerned about material wealth. Making his mom happy was what mattered most.After d
Before I took the vows and entered the monastery, my name was Caden.From the time I was young, I often heard the same praise whispered around me: "This child is sharp beyond his years—clever, quick-witted, the finest of the three princes."I heard it so often that I came to believe it myself. At times, I even felt proud. But whenever I let that pride rise too high, Mom would bring me back to earth.She would look at me, her eyes soft but filled with something I couldn't quite name—pity, perhaps. And then, she would sigh and say, "What a pity you were born of my womb. If not, you might have risen above that foolish one. But fate favored him, not you."That "foolish one"—I knew well enough who she meant. I had heard her say it so many times in private, though never once in public.It puzzled me greatly as a child. Mom clearly disliked my eldest brother, Connor, more than anyone. Yet, whenever he came near, she would smile warmly and speak kindly. She would even flatter him, calling
Two childhood friends were now each giving their all on very different paths.Clarence had started with herbs, then medicine, and in time, healing became his entire world at Eldermere Keep. At first, it was merely something to pour his heart into, because he knew he would never be allowed to leave the mountain and open a medical hall of his own.But then Ryan came, and afterward, sent Clarence a letter.That letter changed everything.For the first time, Clarence began to hope that maybe, just maybe, he could go down the mountain after all. And once that hope took root, he threw himself into his studies with more energy than ever before. He barely slept, rarely left the apothecary, and sometimes forgot to eat.Because of the pain he had once endured, he focused his efforts on curing injuries and chronic pain. Of course, a good physician had to know more than one thing, so he studied every field without neglecting any.There was a fire inside him now. A quiet flame that had not bur
"Elise, must your mouth run on without end?" Carissa frowned at her daughter, who had been chattering away beside Ryan from the moment he stepped through the door.The little girl's face was flushed from the sun, her hair tangled into a messy nest that made it clear she had only just returned from playing outdoors. She hadn't stopped talking since Ryan came back from his travels, pestering him with questions about what he had seen and done.Elise turned to Carissa with wide eyes, looking up with a face so innocent it could soften stone. She truly had inherited the best features from both her parents."Mom, I haven't seen Ryan in such a long time. Every moment without him felt like an eternity. We've been apart for so long, so of course I have a lot to say to him."Carissa's frown deepened. "And who taught you to speak in such a ridiculous manner? An eternity—where did that come from?""Sage Isaac said it to Aunt Violet. He went back to Meadow Ridge for a few days and said it to her
Though Ryan had told Cecil he was going on a journey, he didn't stay long at Eldermere Keep. After just seven days, he left and made his way to the Pathfinders Guild.He had initially planned to return to the capital to seek out Claire, but soon reconsidered. Instead of troubling her, he thought it best to directly ask Winona to teach him the art of disguise.It was not difficult to learn, but to do it well—to the point where no one could tell—was another matter. Such skill could not be acquired in just a few months.The simpler form of disguise involved merely altering one's features with makeup and slight adjustments to the face. This was fine for ordinary situations, but could easily be seen through in more challenging circumstances, like on a rainy day for instance.Therefore, Ryan knew he couldn't settle for such a basic method.The more advanced form of disguise involved creating a mask as a false face. However, these masks had their own set of problems. They were thick, unco
That evening, Ryan and Clarence sat by candlelight and spoke quietly. They avoided discussing court politics as Clarence had no interest in such matters. As long as the kingdom was peaceful, that was enough for him.He was no longer the eldest prince of Starhaven, and only had himself to look after now. Everything else had faded into the past.It was better not to speak of politics; it was too sensitive a topic. In his younger years, Clarence hadn't understood why his "death" was so tied to such matters. But over the years, Sebastian had explained everything to him, bit by bit, including the risks and consequences.The bond between Clarence and Cecil was not without affection. However, to gamble with one's life and future for the sake of family might not be the wisest choice for any of them.Clarence had come to terms with it. Life had to go on; it was better to live it well today than to wonder about tomorrow."Aunt Carissa said you're no longer able to stand, but you were walking
The azaleas of Eldermere Keep bloomed in a riot of color, spreading across the hills in a blaze of purple and red. The sight was enough to dazzle anyone who set eyes upon it, especially those who had never visited this secluded place. It was the kind of beauty that made one long to stay forever.Yet, there was one exception.A young man rode his horse to the base of the mountain, dismounted, and secured his steed. Without a glance at the dazzling scene around him, he began to walk the path up the mountain, his gaze fixed firmly on the road ahead.The vivid azaleas stretched out along either side of the path, reaching out as if to claim him, but he merely brushed them aside with a casual swipe of his hand.His pace was swift, and he occasionally used his Lightfoot Skill. Eldermere Keep was not high up, but its location was well-hidden, with many winding paths leading in. However, he had studied the map countless times before embarking on this journey, so the route to the keep was et
Rafael glanced at the robe. "Isn't that mine? Are you saying I've gotten fat? I'm not fat.""Oh, is it yours? It's too long, then. I'll have someone alter it for me," Carissa replied casually.Rafael shook his head. "If you want something loose, just have someone make it for you. Why bother altering my old clothes? It's not even comfortable.""I'm going to Meadow Ridge for a year. Wearing your clothes will make it feel like you're still with me," Carissa said with a bright smile, as if the idea of being apart for a year was no more serious than being apart for a day."A year?" Rafael looked shocked. "You're going back for a whole year? Why?""Well, of course, my mentor misses me, and I miss him too," Carissa replied, placing her hands on her hips as she handed the robe to Lulu, who was standing by with a hand over her mouth, trying not to laugh."But I won't leave right away. Since Ryan is about to inherit the duke's title, I'll wait until that's settled before I go back to Meado
On the 13th day of winter, Salvador suddenly woke up feeling clearer than before. Saying he was hungry, he specifically asked for beef stew and milk pastries.Derek hurried to make the necessary arrangements. When the food arrived, Octavia sat by the bed as she had done many times before, ready to feed him. But Salvador insisted he wanted to sit up to eat himself.Derek gently helped the king sit up, placing a soft cushion behind him to support his back. Salvador had grown so thin that he seemed to be nothing but skin and bones. His body slouched as he sat, so Derek had to kneel beside the bed, holding his waist to keep him steady.Salvador finished an entire bowl of stew, eating it all without leaving a single bit behind. Then, he picked up a small milk pastry. But after a bite, he felt a little nauseous, so he didn't eat any more.Sebastian sent word to Victoria. After a brief conversation, her face turned pale and tears started to fall almost immediately. Though she had tried to
Once back at the palace, Salvador was unable to rise from his bed. Sebastian spoke briefly with him, hinting that he didn't have much time left. If there was anyone he wished to see, it should be done as soon as possible.The first person Salvador wanted to see was, of course, Victoria."That child… When he saw me, he couldn't stop asking about you. You didn't love him in vain, Mom," Salvador murmured, his voice weak.Victoria sighed deeply. "How cruel... his life must be lived hidden away in the mountains, never able to leave. Is there truly no hope for his legs?""I believe there is no hope," Salvador replied softly, his lips pale and drained of color. "But as I was leaving, he said, 'Dad, once I've learned enough medicine, I'll cure you. I'll make you better.'"Victoria's heart ached. "What a good child."Salvador's gaze drifted to the ceiling, his voice barely a whisper as he repeated, "Yes, he is a good child."After speaking with Victoria, Salvador asked Rafael to bring in