<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Morwen’s heart was burning with hatred; there was no way she was going to let Ti “News? Yes, I’ve got some, but it’s… not exactly good news.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">The Azure Sea King’s attention snapped to her. “What did you find out?”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Tiffany live. But on the outside, she just said, Morwen took a breath, choosing her words carefully. “Well, from what I’ve dug up, the servant who took the little princess away all those years ago… died on the way. And as for the princess herself… she also met an unfortunate end.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">The king slumped back into his chair, his weary face somehow seeming older, more worn.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">“But,” Morwen added, feigning concern, “it’s possible I tracked down the wrong lead. The little princess was a kind soul; I’m sure she’s fine. I’ll keep investigating, Your Majesty. I won’t give up hope.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">But her words fell on deaf ears. The Azure Sea King only lifted a tired hand, waving her off. “Leave. All of you.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">The head of pavilion hesitated, then said carefully, “But, Your Majesty, there’s the young woman outside. She’s waiting for her reward. Aren’t you going to meet her?”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">The king’s gaze drifted. “Let Morwen handle it.” With that, he turned and walked away, his footsteps heavy with the weight of years.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">The head of pavilion looked pained, knowing the scene thaty ahead. When that young, blind girl had barged into the Treasure Pavilion, Morwen had been the one to make things difficult, wanting her dead.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">And now, just as she had passed every test and earned the reward, here was Morwen, meddling once again, making it hard for her to get what she deserved.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">The head of pavilion wanted to say something, but he eventually held his tongue, watching the king’s retreating, forlorn figure. He knew better than to argue.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Meanwhile, Morwen smirked confidently as she strolled out of the pce.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Outside, Keh and Tiffany had been waiting for what felt like forever. The sun had set, and there was still no word from inside.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">They had been ambushed on the way here, and other than a quick break in the helicopter, they hadn’t stopped since arriving at the Azure Sea Royal Pce.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Finally, now that the hardest part was over and victory was almost in hand, the tension faded, and exhaustion hit them hard. It felt like they could barely keep their eyes open.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Keh was barely hanging on, his face pale and tired. A few times, he almost stumbled.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">His foot was still hurt–untreated. The bleeding had stopped, but the bullet was still in there. He gritted his teeth and kept quiet, not wanting to worry Tiffany.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Just hold on,‘ he told himself. He couldn’t afford to slow them down.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Just then, the head of the pavilion walked out of the pce. Keh straightened up, hoping for some good news. “Is it done? Can you give us the reward we came for?”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">But the head of the pavilion only gave a bittersweet smile and didn’t respond.</font></font>
‘What does that supposed to mean?‘ Keh’s gut twisted–something felt off. Behind the pavilion head, a woman stepped out, surrounded by a group of people. It was obvious she was someone important–everyone bowed as she passed.
Tiffany noticed the shift in the atmosphere and gently tugged the leash in her hand. “What’s going on?”
Keh lowered his voice, ncing around. “The head of the pavilion came out, but he didn’t say anything. I think something’s changed. Now… a woman just came out.”
Not long ago, Morwen showed up in Lovell City as the Saintess of tContent rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.