Lily smiled lightly. "Who told you?"Anastasia stiffened. Her fair skin betrayed the redness that appeared on her face."N-No one. I was just curious."There was a conflict in her heart. On the one hand, questioning Lily like this felt like she distrusted her friend. How could she believe a stranger so easily? On the other hand, Anastasia had some doubts about Lily.The man told Anastasia that she had been put under a spell, and he said all of this confidently. It was her own body that was put at risk."Is it Austin?" Lily asked after thinking about it. He was the only one who would get in between her and Anastasia, belittling Lily in various ways.She had never met a man as petty as he was. She had nothing against him. All the times he had fought against, belittled, and suppressed her were due to his sexism. Lily was bored with it.After being called out, Anastasia couldn't hold herself back and lowered her gaze before softly muttering, "I'm sorry.""There's nothing to be sorr
Anastasia should not have doubted Lily from the start."You have the right to be suspicious, and I should explain it to you," Lily said. "I didn't tell you before because I was unsure.""Unsure about what?" Anastasia asked curiously.Looking at her, Lily pondered for a while before saying, "I wasn't sure what poisoned you."When she said this, the colors immediately drained from Anastasia's face out of fear."You…don't have to be scared. The poison isn't fatal," Lily quickly reassured Anastasia after noticing her fearful expression.Anastasia wasn't frightened by the fact that she was poisoned. Instead, it was because Lily and that miracle doctor said the same thing. They both said the fact that she was unable to lose weight over the years and that she was always tired and disheartened was because she was poisoned.After calming herself down, she asked, "Then what am I poisoned with?""It's something relatively complicated. I think it's something that you've ingested for a long
"Now, don't you start overthinking. It might not be the maids." Lily paused as if she wanted to change the subject but suddenly asked, "By the way, you don't really like flowers and plants, and you don't know much about medicinal herbs either. Why do you have so many potted plants at home?"Anastasia was still upset by what she heard and replied mechanically, "Those were all sent by my aunt. She said I'm not in good health and don't like to leave the house, so having more greenery is good for me.She continued to mumble, “My aunt mentioned how being surrounded by greens can lift someone's mood, and they produce oxygen, which is good for my body. However, I don't think it made me feel any better…" Then she seemed to have remembered something and raised her head to look at Lily. "Could it be those flowers and plants? Could it be that my aunt is trying to poison me? No! That's impossible! Although my aunt nags me a lot and says hurtful things, she still cares about me.“I know this!
“Since we're still unsure of the cause of poisoning, whether it’s because of those plants or the people around you, I don't think you should tell anyone about this. If they ask, you can say I need the plants for my research, so I borrowed them from you."Anastasia replied, "Okay! You're right!"Her obedient and adorable appearance reminded Lily of the first time the two met. When Anastasia demanded Lily return her dress, she was arrogant and even slightly unreasonable. Ultimately, she was just a little girl who had put up a strong front.She had gained so much weight over the years that she stopped going out. She did not have many friends either and felt lonely. Anastasia was from a wealthy family with a father who was a Secretary. She was the person everyone wanted to curry favors with. She should have been full of confidence and pride.Instead, her figure had caused her to have low self-esteem. Anastasia always feared that people would flatter her before turning around and laughi
Over the past few years, Austin had been holding onto the title people gave him of being Dominic's secret apprentice. Others respected him, and people would beg for him to visit their friends or family who had contracted some disease from time to time.He had grown accustomed to living in the limelight, although he would repeatedly tell himself that he had never explicitly confirmed or denied the truth. It was all wishful thinking by the public. It had nothing to do with him.However, guilt started forming in him after such a long time. On top of that, he also feared that he might be exposed.Besides competing with Lily, he feared she might come out one day and expose that he was not Dominic's secret apprentice. Therefore, Austin had been trying to use his strength to prove that he did not need the title to be capable. Still, he was always a step behind when it came to Lily.This time, he retrieved the data Lily had deleted. It was all based on his own skills, thus making him feel
After sitting down with a glass of water, Anastasia sighed and said, "I didn't feel them making the air better or make me feel refreshed. Aunt Maria, you've watched me grow up. Have I ever looked refreshed to you?"Maria did not answer."I feel groggy every day, always on the verge of falling asleep. When I'm awake, I'll be overwhelmed with cravings. How can someone like me ever sit comfortably in the living room? I can barely feel happiness." Anastasia sighed again and shook her head before sipping her water."Tasia, you shouldn't think that way. Even though you're not in the best shape, the miracle doctor will cure you. He even gave you prescriptions. Which reminds me, have you taken them today?" Maria asked anxiously.Anastasia glanced at her. She avoided the question and asked, "Aunt Maria, do you think any medications can help me, my body?"Maria was shocked by this question and quickly replied, "Of course! The miracle doctor said you'll be fine. Don't think too much and just
"There's no need for that," Anastasia said flatly as she lowered her head to drink more water. "I didn't tell my father, so you shouldn't either.""Why?!" Maria was surprised. "How could you not tell your father about something so severe?!""My father has been worn out recently so I don't want to disturb him. Besides, if my dad finds out about this, he will surely make a big fuss. I don't want things to get out of hand before I know the truth.“Since this person is someone close to me, I want to talk with them and ask why they would do this to me." Then Anastasia raised her head to look at Maria. "Aunt Maria, will you help me with this?"Maria was stunned by her question for a moment before quickly recovering and saying, "Yes, of course! Of course, I'll help you! It's just…""We shouldn't discuss this now and keep it a secret between us. Once we've cleared things up, I'll tell my father that you've helped me all this time and even found me a miracle doctor to help cure my illness,
"Yes, yes, you're not stupid!" However, Maria couldn't help but grumble, "If you're not stupid, how can you get poisoned for so long without knowing?""Pardon?" Anastasia pretended not to hear her."Nothing!" Maria waved. "But this medicine…""I'll bring the medicine to Lily's house daily. From tomorrow onward, I won't be home as much. You shouldn't bother yourself by coming over so often. You can always call me if there's anything urgent," Anastasia reminded."The miracle doctor advised you not to eat outside and stay at home…""He also said I'd gotten poisoned, didn't he?" Anastasia interrupted. "I think he wasn't thinking straight that day. He didn't realize that it was more dangerous for me to be at home than outside.""Tasia…""Aunt Maria, I know you're worried for me. What the miracle doctor said makes sense. He's afraid that I would lose control when I ate outside. It'll be fine if I don't eat! I've already told Lily that I will continue to control my food. You don't have
Lily tilted her head up to fight back her tears, saying, “There’s something I find strange.”“What is it?” Mike asked after comforting his son.“Instead of detaining Prince Ross, Her Majesty has sent him back to Yudonia. If so, why couldn’t we reach him?”After some thought, Mike answered, “There are two possibilities. It’s probably due to poor signals, or he doesn’t want us to contact him.”The two shared a look, knowing what each other was wondering.‘Why can’t we contact Ross? Is he planning something?’…Three days later, Lily inserted the last needle into the queen’s leg and looked up at her, saying, “You should start feeling your legs tomorrow. Still, it’ll take some time before you can stand.”Suddenly, Lily chuckled.“Why are you laughing?” Yasmin touched her legs. She had begun to regain sensation in her legs over the last two days. She then began to believe that she could get up. However, the queen was hesitant when the queen heard Lily chuckle.Lily shook her head
Lily straightened up and said without resentment, “Of course, you wouldn’t.”“That’s… quite a pity,” the queen murmured thoughtfully.“Well, there’s a price to pay for everything. That’s how the world balances itself,” Lily continued, “I can’t stop you if you must carry on with R10. Still, I won’t witness whether or not it succeeds. I just wish the outcome isn’t something you’ll regret.”Lily smiled and turned to head out the door.Rick heard their conversation as he stood guard outside. After exchanging looks with Lily as she brushed past him, he entered the room and saw the needles in Yasmin’s legs. “Your Majesty, those needles—”The queen waved dismissively. “It’s okay. Lily will remove them later.”Even so, Rick was wary. “You’re being too careless, Your Majesty. What if that woman—”“She wouldn’t,” Yasmin interjected, shaking her head."Why do you trust her so much?" Rick asked despite himself. The queen fell silent. If Rick had not asked her that, she would not have rea
Lily took out a cloth and unfolded it, revealing a row of silver needles inside. Yasmin was surprised she carried the needles with her.“Tell me. What do you want?” The queen took a deep breath to calm herself. She then reminded herself that she could always say no to Lily’s request. Still, Yasmin was cautious about Lily trying to trick her.Lily casually said, "I left because Prince Ross wanted to help me. I hope you don’t punish him.""That's it?" Yasmin thought she had misheard Lily. 'Is she trying to talk terms with me just so that I won't punish my son?' she wondered in disbelief."Ross is my son. I won't harm him. Don't you think you've wasted an opportunity by making such a request?" The queen shook her head. "I wasn’t sure if you’d blame him, but he did rescue me once. If I don't do anything, it would be ungrateful of me," Lily said gently, "Also, didn’t you already lock him up?"Yasmin was puzzled. "No, I only sent him back to Yudonia. He kept trying to get me to sto
"Three days," Lily replied.“That’s it?!” Yasmin was in disbelief. She thought Lily would try to buy some more time and suspected she would say the process would take several months or even years.‘I haven’t felt my legs for over a decade. I wouldn’t mind waiting for three more days.’“Are you sure I can get up and walk in just three days?” Yasmin pressed her legs hard but felt nothing. She would have treated her legs long ago if it were that easy.The queen had visited many famous doctors from various countries, but they could only stop her legs from getting weaker. However, Lily confidently told Yasmin that she could fix her legs so quickly.Yasmin wanted to believe it.After some consideration, Lily said, “I can’t guarantee that you’ll walk as fast as you once could. After all, you haven’t used your legs for a long time, and your muscles have atrophied. Still, you’ll recover slowly.”Yasmin nodded repeatedly, thinking it was good enough. She never dreamed of walking as well a
“Because only our opinions matter." Lily thought of something and said, "Unless you choose to believe Rhea.""I… don't trust anyone." Yasmin’s expression stiffened as she turned her wheelchair away."Your Majesty, I know you're dedicated to the experiment, but there are other things in life. Have you ever considered letting go of your burden to sightsee? You’ve done enough as a queen over the last few decades. Aren’t you tired of living a lonely life?”Lily gently spoke as she gazed at Yasmin’s back.The older woman caressed her knees with both hands and stared down at her legs, murmuring, “Sightsee, huh? I’ve forgotten what that’s like.”Yasmin had not used her legs for many years. Initially, she could still stand up and sometimes took a few steps. However, she could no longer get to her feet.She had grown accustomed to sitting in a wheelchair, but she felt a pang of sorrow after hearing Lily’s suggestion.Lily asked, “What if I can help you stand again? What if you can walk a
"Yes, I returned not just for him but also for you," Lily said, "I'm sure you were anxious for my return, weren't you?"Yasmin scoffed dismissively. "Why would I be? I have my bargaining chip. Besides, did you honestly think I couldn’t bring you back?""Bargaining chip? Do you mean Nick?" Lily shook her head with a smile. "Don't forget that he's not my son. Do you think he'll be much of a bargaining chip to you if I choose to ignore him for my three children?"She did not wait for Yasmin to reply and continued, "Besides, Nick still has a father who’s willing to die for him. If Mike decides to take drastic action against you— Yes, you're a queen, and you don't care much about an insignificant businessman.“However, don't forget that his business spans worldwide. There's no guarantee what he might do. Who knows, he might spread information that can affect Your Majesty and Yudonia's reputation?""You…" The queen was exasperated but could not retort.Lily noticed it and casually said
Rick could only remain silent at that moment.Yasmin then turned her wheelchair around and blandly said, “Bring Lily over. I’d like to see what excuses that sly woman can come up with.”"Your Majesty?" Rick was puzzled. "You know she'll just lie to you. Why must you—"Yasmin interjected, "I'd like to hear what she has to say."Rick had no choice but to leave and do as she said.As Lily was about to doze off, she heard noises from outside and opened her eyes. Immediately after, the door opened, and Rick appeared. He glared at her and spoke coldly, “Her Majesty wants to see you.”Lily glanced at Rick calmly and stood up as if she had expected his appearance. On the other hand, Mike rose before her and headed out.However, Rick stopped him as he reached the door. “You stay.”"But we came together!" Mike glanced over his shoulder at Lily, signaling her to persuade the man. Rick added, "The queen doesn’t wish to see you. Just stay here!"Lily patted Mike's shoulder and said gentl
Everyone was shocked when Lily returned to the embassy with Mike. One of the staff members quickly left to report the news to Queen Yasmin.Meanwhile, Lily saw people peering at her and Mike from the corner. Afterward, several guarded-looking men appeared. Lilt recognized them as the queen’s attendants. They brought Mike and Lily inside and then gave the duo a thorough search.The men only relaxed after finding nothing suspicious about the duo. Even so, Lily could not see the queen as the men told her to wait in an innermost room instead.After returning to the embassy, Lily felt a sense of strange familiarity. Although she knew the place well, her mindset had changed.She previously hated the embassy and simply wanted to escape. However, she had returned with a critical mission. Not only did she have to complete it, but she also needed to leave the place in one piece.While she was calm, Mike was somewhat anxious. He clasped his hands on his knees and glanced around as he sat dow
"I promise I'll do anything you want, okay?" Mike begged. He was desperate to see his son, so he decided to follow Lily when she insisted on returning to the embassy.Mike continued, “If any of you go with her, they might stop or suspect you. They won’t do that to me. It’s natural for me to want to see and rescue my son. I’m the best candidate because it makes sense for me to sacrifice myself for him.”After a short silence, Lily said, “You’re right.” She then looked at Alexander, who pondered before slowly raising his head and saying, “Me too.”Dominic tapped the table. "So do I."Cameron thought for a moment before saying, "I've no objections."Seeing this, Austin spread his arms and said, "Since you all agree, what else can I say? Let's do it!"It did not matter whether or not he agreed, but he just wanted to support Mike. The latter nodded and became emotional, saying, “Thanks, you guys!”"Why are you thanking us? Just be careful, and don’t be rash like you promised," Aust