Dominic shut his eyes and nodded slightly in agreement with Alexander while Austin remained quiet. However, guilt-ridden for having caused all this, he was anxious to find out what it was all about.“It’s not your fault.” Seemingly able to read his mind, Dominic raised his hand slightly and moved his fingers. “Go… fetch my silver needle.”Austin repeatedly nodded upon hearing his granduncle’s instruction. “Right away!”He was eager to do everything for his granduncle as long as the older man could get well.Dominic quietly gazed after Austin as he anxiously ran out of the room like a child, then turned to Alexander.Alexander knew the older man had something to say to him.“I…” Dominic then raised his arm.Alexander knowingly held the arm a bit higher and rolled up the older man’s sleeve. “I checked both your arms, and there’s nothing. The mark you showed me before has disappeared. I also checked Austin’s body; he doesn’t have it either. What the hell… was it?”He knew it was e
Austin stood in shock at the doorway as what he held fell to the floor with a clang. As he always took his time when asked to do things, Dominic was surprised that his grandnephew was back so soon.Worse, he seemed to have overheard their conversation.“Uncle Dom, I’m… the mother?” His voice sounded odd. It was hard for him to accept this. Although Austin always suspected he was the source and the cause of what had happened, he found it hard to accept what he had just heard. Even the word “mother” sounded bizarre to him.Dominic coughed and explained, “Not you, but the thing inside you.”However, the older man’s brief clarification only bewildered Austin further.“Inside me…” Austin looked down at his body but could not see anything with his clothes on. He quickly unbuttoned his shirt, revealing his skinny body. His previously lean and clear-defined muscle groups were no longer visible.Dominic saw what his grandnephew was doing and coughed before sighing. “You won’t be able to
The secret organization originated overseas and always focused on viruses. After expanding into the country, it started researching herbs and poisonous plants. Therefore, Alexander wondered if people from West Virho were involved in this.“I have no idea,” Dominic shook his head and said, “But you’re right that there are ways to get rid of them.”“Yes.” After throwing up in the bathroom, Austin stuck his head out while palming his chest. “I read about it in the ancient text downstairs, but we first have to know what kind of symbiotes they are.”Probably revolted by the mention of “symbiotes,” he rushed back inside to continue throwing up. The other two were speechless. Dominic curled his lip but looked toward Alexander and nodded. “He’s right.”‘Looks like Austin hasn’t wasted time reading the books and has learned something after all. Perhaps I underestimated him.’“Then how do we determine what kind of symbiotes they are?” Alexander thought about it and asked, “Anything I can do
Dominic slowly shook his head. “I don’t suppose so.”“Suppose?” Taken back, Austin was put ill at ease by his uncertain tone.“I haven’t done much research on venomous symbiotes, and what I know is only based on ancient texts. I’ve never encountered them in real life before, so I can only guess.”He thought it was better to be cautious about the matter as he could not be 100% sure. Austin understood what his granduncle meant and nodded. After thinking about it, he asked, “So… how does the disease transmit?”He subconsciously glanced at Alexander as he was in contact with him too. If the disease got transmitted through direct contact, many others would have gotten infected by now.“My guess is through blood,” Dominic concluded after pondering.“Blood?”Dominic nodded and breathed. “You’ve been in contact with many people since returning. However, until now, the infected people are just my servants and me. Since you’ve stayed here for some time, we can’t be the only ones if the tr
Stunned, Dominic frowned and pondered carefully. Then he slowly shook his head. “He hadn’t, I suppose.”The child was naughty, but Dominic cared for him well and would never let him do anything dangerous. He would even keep the kid away from things that could hurt him. Thinking back, he believed Galen did not expose himself to Austin’s blood, nor was there such a chance.Alexander heaved a sigh of relief when he heard that his son did not come into contact with Austin’s blood. However, he was puzzled by something and asked, “But… Galen has a fever.”“Fever?” Dominic was shocked. “What other symptoms does he have?”Leaning forward, he nearly sat up in alarm.Alexander noticed the older man’s anxiousness and tried to calm him down. “No, he has no other symptoms besides having a fever. He also has a good appetite and fell asleep after having some soup and biscuits. I took his temperature just now, and his fever has subsided.”Dominic was relieved to hear that Galen had no other symp
No matter how hard Alexander tried, he couldn’t stop worrying and felt overwhelmed by anxiety. He dared not think what would happen if Lily was indeed infected. ‘She’s a pregnant woman, for God’s sake! How’s she going to cope?’The call rang several times. If it were before, he would stop calling and wait for her to return his call, but he could not wait for another second and kept calling. Until…Someone finally answered, and a familiar voice sounded. Alexander suddenly felt like a deflated balloon and almost went limp.“Hello?” Lily’s gentle voice had a sense of bewilderment. “What happened?”She saw her phone vibrating non-stop when she returned to her resting place. She grew even more puzzled seeing Alexander’s number because he had never called her repeatedly like this before.“Are you… feeling any discomfort?” Alexander said hesitantly. He was anxious but did not want to act too nervous, affecting her mood.“No,” Lily said, puzzled, “What’s going on?”Alexander pursed his
Alexander felt much more relieved after hearing Lily’s confident response, even if it was only meant to comfort him. He felt less anxious and chuckled before imitating her tone, saying, “I know my body well.”Lily was speechless.“How are you over there?” Alexander changed the subject.“Things are going well.” She loosened her hair and shook her head to stretch her neck. She palmed it, looked up, and glanced around before saying blandly, “I can return to you and Galen once I complete the task here. You guys… just be careful.”Alexander knew the organization monitored her, and it was sometimes inconvenient for her to talk, so he did not ask why she said that.“I’ll take care of things here, so don’t worry too much. If you experience discomfort, you must tell me, okay?” After a pause, he suddenly sounded much more relaxed. “But I think you’re not infected either.”Lily was surprised.“If you are, wouldn’t everyone there be infected as well? Since they’ve created it, they wouldn’t
“You know you do!” Alexander pulled Austin back forcefully, causing him to lurch due to inertia.Austin was in a momentary daze as he staggered to a stop.Alexander looked at him solemnly. “Now the situation is unclear, and not even Dominic knows what the hell these symbiotes are. You’ll only worsen things by being so reckless.“You especially mustn’t wander around because you’re the source. Your family and the servants might not truly be infected and could be displaying symptoms of other diseases. Therefore, you could play right into the organization’s hands if you recklessly go out there to pick up your family, okay?”His words got through to Austin. Austin cooled down as if a bucket of cold water had poured over him. He opened his mouth. “Then… what should I do?”He was too anxious. He hated himself and wished he had died in that hellhole when he thought about the torment his parents and grandfather might be facing. Now that Alexander had laid it out for Austin, he thought the
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