<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">The Azure King was pleased by this, but before he could say anything, his earlier outburst took its toll. He coughed violently, his face paling from the strain.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">“Grandpa, lie down,” Tiffany said gently as she helped him back onto the bed. She checked his pulse carefully.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">It was weak but steady, the same as before. While there was no critical illness, years of emotional strain and depression had left the king’s body frail. At his age, such damage was nearly irreversible.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">In other words, even though Tiffany had broken the hypnosis, the king’s body might notst long, perhaps six months, maybe a year.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">As Tiffany withdrew her hand, her gaze fell on his wrist. Something caught her eye. She lifted his sleeve and froze.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">A red thread–like mark stretched beneath his skin.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Tiffany’s pupils widened as she pushed the sleeve higher, revealing that the thread extended from his wrist toward his heart. The sight sent a chill down her spine.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">‘How could not have noticed this before?‘ Tiffany thought.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">The answer to why she couldn’t detect any illness in the king’s pulse suddenly became clear. The hypnosis was a distraction. The real threat, the reason for his weakening body, was this red thread. It wasn’t just a mark but a parasite, growing and spreading. Once it overtook his entire body, it would kill him.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Tiffany’s expression hardened.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">“Grandpa, when did this appear?” Tiffany asked.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">“About six months ago,” the Azure Sea King replied. “The doctor checked it and said it was nothing to worry about. Why? Is something wrong?”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Tiffany lied, “No, nothing at all.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">But her unease was hard to hide. Sensing it, the Azure Sea King gave her aforting smile. “Don’t be sad, my dear. People grow old. It’s just how life works.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">He sighed softly, his voice kind. “But don’t worry. I’ll make sure to stay strong until I see my little princess get married.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">His words struck a deep chord in Tiffany. She felt a lump in her throat as memories from childhood resurfaced. The king had once told her, “I wants to see my little princess grow up.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">But he hadn’t been there to witness it. That lost time was a regret they could never mend.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Tiffany’s heart ached. Sensing her pain, Richard grabbed her hand, offering herfort.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Squeezing Richard’s hand, Tiffany swallowed back her tears and replied firmly, “Grandpa, you’ll be around for a long time. Don’t say such things. Your body is just weak right now. With rest and proper care, you’ll be walking around in no time.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Tiffany thought of the rare herbs she’d collected the previous day. Mixed with spirit herbs, they could strengthen his body and suppress the parasite. Even if Tiffany couldn’t remove it, she was determined to extend the king’s life.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">The Azure Sea King nodded, his expression warm and trusting.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Jeremy brought over a bowl of soup. The Azure Sea King sipped a little before waving it away. Soon, he drifted into a peaceful sleep.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">For the first time in days, the king’s sleep wasn’t gued by the Hypnosis. The dark spell that had weighed on his mind was finally broken, and his body could begin to recover, slowly but naturally.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Tiffany exhaled in relief. Before leaving, she nced at Jeremy. I’m counting on you to watch over him.” Jeremy was the only person Tiffany could trust.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Jeremy nodded.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Satisfied, Tiffany and Richard left the pce together. On the way out, Tiffany noticed Ewan slumped in a corner, looking utterly defeated. The man who had been so loud earlier now resembled a frightened bird. Tiffany didn’t spare him much thought and walked past without a word.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Once they were in the car, Richard turned to her, asking, “What your next move?”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">His tone made it clear. Whatever she decided, he would stand by her side, no matter what.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Tiffany tilted her head, a yful glint in her eye. “Guess.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Richard chuckled softly, already knowing the answer. “You’re going to find out who’s behind all this.”</font></font>Original content from N?velDrama.Org.
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Tiffany blinked in surprise. “You guessed it that easily?”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">“Of course.” Richard leaned closer, brushing a hand along her nose. “I know you better than you think. Now, what about me? How well do you know me?”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Tiffany hesitated, then muttered, “I’m working on it.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Richardughed, stroking her hair gently. “Stop pretending. I know you’re worried about your grandfather’s health. You don’t need to hide that from me.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Looking into the man’s gentle eyes, Tiffany’sposure faltered. She sighed. “His condition isn’t good.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Whoever did this started months ago. The parasite had already spread too far.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Tiffany fretted. “The only way to stop it is to find the antidote.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">To find the antidote, they had to track down the person who saved Morwen. But Morwen seemed to have vanished after the incident, leaving no trail behind.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Lost in thought, Tiffany frowned.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">The car came to a stop in front of Richard and Tiffany’s temporary residence. As Tiffany stepped out, a small knife came hurtling toward her back.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Sensing the danger, Tiffany twisted her body just in time, narrowly dodging the de.</font></font>