Daniel struggled to rise, but his body felt weak, as if he had just recovered from a serious illness. Just then, the door creaked open, so he quickly turned his head to look.


    A figure stepped around the screen and entered. It was a woman.


    She wore her hair in a loose bun, adorned with a delicate hairpin, and was wearing a pale blue top with white ents. Over it was draped a smoke-colored satin coat that flowed elegantly. She appeared to be in her forties, with only faint signs of aging on her face. Yet, her expression was stern andmanding, radiating the authority of someone in power.


    Behind her, another person entered and moved a chair to the bedside. The woman then slowly sat down, her cold, sharp gaze locking onto Daniel''s wide, confused eyes. "Who... who are you?"


    Daniel had never met Eleanor, but he knew her status must be significant.


    As Eleanor observed the panic in his eyes, an unsettling feeling surged within her. It was as if a me had been doused by a sudden downpour, leaving no embers behind.


    The two men''s faces bore simrities, yet their demeanor and courage were worlds apart.


    "Are you afraid of me?" Eleanor asked slowly, not bothering to conceal her disdain any longer.


    "Who are you? Why did you bring me here?"


    Scrutinizing her attire, Daniel realized the likelihood of her bringing him here because of money was slim to none. She must have other motives.


    He recalled Theodore''s warnings about the Hell Monarch and the Duke of Northwatch''s families being in a state of heightened tension, which would undoubtedly lead to dissatisfaction and targeting from some people. They had to tread carefully, ensuring no one could seize upon any ws to undermine the Duke of Nortwatch''s family.


    "Is the Sinir family reduced to having only cowards like you left?" Eleanor said coldly.


    "Who are you?" Daniel clenched his fists, a steely glint emerging in his eyes. "No matter who you are, you clearly know my identity, which means you have a purpose for abducting me. What do you n to use me for? I''m telling you, no matter what your n is, you won''t seed."


    Eleanor watched as his fear began to fade, reced by the distinctive pride that members of the Sinir family were known for.


    She let out a soft sigh and smiled. "Yes, this is how a member of the Sinir family should be."


    She reached out, wanting to touch the icy face before her. It was this very face-cold and distant-that rejected her and kept her at arm''s length, with eyes that showed no hint of warmth.


    Daniely on the bed, having exerted


    himself to lift his head in anger.


    Now, he was exhausted and panting


    for breath after uttering those words. His neck could barely support his head, which slumped back onto the pillow as he stared helplessly at the hand approaching his face.


    A wave of goosebumps spread across his body in an instant. He iled his arm weakly, but missed hitting her. Instead, she leaned closer. Her eyes betrayed an emotion he couldn''tprehend, yet it made his skin crawl.Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    Eleanor withdrew her hand, but her gaze remained fixed on his face. The sensation of her watching him-yet seeming to look beyond him-sent shivers down his spine. There was an obsession in her eyes that was mingled with resentment. It terrified him.


    "Get out!" Daniel roared from deep within his throat.


    However, themand fell t. His voicecked any real power, and he felt utterly drained.


    Eleanor onlyughed, leaning back in her chair with anguid demeanor. Her elbows rested on the armrests, her eyes sparkling with a mix of allure and mockery.


    "Oh, you may look alike, but the feeling when I touch you is entirely different."


    She had touched Hector''s face once before, but he had swatted her hand away, returning her gesture with an angry shout of "Get out!"


    It was astonishing how Hector could


    act so defiant. Eleanor was clearly the favored grand princess, while he couldn''t even rely on anyone in the Sinir family, and had nothing but his own military achievements. And yet he had dared to shout at her.


    That kind of pride could infuriate others while also drawing them in, igniting a desire to conquer.


    Eleanor suddenly spoke in azy


    tone, "I''ve seen your two sons. Both look just like you. I heard your wife is pregnan again. Do you think it''ll be another son? You really have a talent for fathering boys, and they att resemble you. It''s quite enchanting, really."


    "What?" Daniel felt a chill wash over him, fear pooling in his eyes. "What do you want?" Eleanor looked at him for a while before she sneered, then stood up and turned to leave. Her voice was cold and dismissive as shemanded, "Take him to the dungeon."