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Violet loved happy reunions, <b>but </b>she dreaded the heart–wrenching pain of separation and death. Unsure how tofort Jaina, she gently patted thetter’s back.
“Don’t <b>cry</b>. Life and death are fated. Lucas had suffered from illness for so long. Death may not be a good release, but at least he passed without prolonged suffering.”
At that moment, Violet truly wished Lucas had died peacefully in his sleep.
Initially, Jacob had suggested telling Jaina that Lucas had died of his illness. However, both Rafael and Carissa disagreed. Jaina had the right to know who was responsible for Lucas‘ death.
Violet shared this sentiment. If someone had killed her mentor–just hypothetically–she would want to know her enemy rather than remain blissfully unaware
As Jaina continued to cry sadly, Violet reassured, “Don’t be sad. I’m taking you to see Jacob, your grandfather, and your mother. Your father is on his way to the capital too. I’m sure Lucas‘ spirit will be happy to see you reunited with your family.”
Even the thought of meeting her family didn’t ease Jaina’s sorrow. She had longed for this day since Violet mentioned that her brother was in the capital. She had been trying hard to recall memories from before she turned seven. She remembered several family members, including her grandparents, parents, and brother. Gradually, their faces began to materialize in her mind.
One memory stood out her mom hitting her palm with a yellow wooden ruler. It had hurt so much. But after each punishment, her mom would wipe away tears, and Jaina would yfully lean in, making faces to cheer the older woman up.
Suppressing the aching in her heart, Jaina used her handkerchief to dry her tears. She knew they had been searching for her for eighteen long years, and <b>those </b>years had been difficult. She couldn’t bear to make them cry anymore.
Yet, thinking of Lucas brought another wave of <b>pain</b>.
Anger flickered in her eyes as she asked, “Will Grand Princess Eleanor be executed?”
“Shemitted treason. Even if she doesn’t die, her life will be no different from death. It might <b>be </b>better if she died,” Violet replied.
As she fixed Jaina’s hair, Violet reassured, “Don’t worry, Evil deeds have a way ofing back around. Someone will avenge Lucas. You just need to be happy, and that will please him.”
Jaina’s tears spilled over again.
Violet gently wiped her face. “Don’t ever think it’s your fault Lucas is gone. Remember, it was Grand Princess Eleanor who caused his death. Don’t carry that burden. If you must hate someone, hate her, not yourself.”
After Violet’s somewhat irrationalfort, Jaina’s emotions stabilized slightly.
Upon arriving at Hell Monarch Estate, they stepped out of the carriage, and the gatekeeper informed them that Jacob was already inside.
Jaina instantly felt nervous. She gripped Violet’s hand tightly as she took a deep breath.
“Don’t be nervous. They’re waiting for you,” Violet encouraged, pulling her along as they entered.
Jaina followed; each step seemed heavier than thest, as if her feet were lead–filled. The moment they turned around the intricately carved partition screen, Jaina spotted an elderly man with white hair standing in the corridor. In front of him stood a young man, supporting a woman d in a stone–blue dress.
When their eyes met, Jaina felt like she had been struck by thunder and froze in ce.
The blurred images in Jaina’s mind began to take shape–her mother, a woman with a sharp tongue but a soft heart. The older woman had been young and beautiful, exuding an air of authority with each step she took. Original content from N?velDrama.Org.
Her grandfather had only a few gray strands in his hair when he was younger, and had sported a beard. Jaina remembered pulling at his beard as a child, when it was still ck. He still had a beard now, but it had turned white.
And her brother… Was that really him? No–he resembled their father, who always carried himself seriously, yet had eyes filled with warmth and affection.
Tears streamed down her face, blurring her vision.
She vaguely saw someone rushing toward her, hearing a heart–wrenching cry echo in her ears.
“My daughter! My Jaina! I finally found you!”
Jaina felt herself enveloped in a warm embrace and instinctively reached out to hug back. However, the feeling was different from her memories. The shoulders and back of the woman holding her were so thin.
In her recollections, Jaina had nestled into her mom’s embrace<b>, </b>which had always been wide and strong. Her mom’s broad back had been too wide for her little hands to wrap around fully.
Jaina heard herself burst into tears as she cried loudly