Rosalind just walked out of the room, not yet having sorted out the sweet and complex emotions in her heart, when a young monk dressed in a church priest’s robe hurried up to her with a flustered expression.
“Saintess! You’re finally out!”
The monk lowered his voice, but couldn’t hide the anxiety in his tone. “Your mentor—the Cardinal—has arrived at the Royal Capital! He is currently at the Grand Cathedral, entrusted by the Royal Family to investigate the incident at the Elven King Ruins, and…”
The monk swallowed and carefully said the second half. “…and the cause of death of His Highness, First Prince Charles.”
Rosalind’s footsteps came to an abrupt halt.
Her gentle expression, originally still immersed in the lingering warmth of being with Annabell, instantly vanished, replaced by an icy solemnity.
“When did Master arrive?”
“Just yesterday evening,” the monk replied respectfully.
“The Cardinal has ordered that you must report to the Grand Cathedral in three days, that is, the day after tomorrow, to report the truth of everything that happened in the Ruins.”
“His Majesty the Emperor is furious, and I hear he has given a strict order that the cause of the Prince’s death must be found out, no matter what”
The monk paused, lowering his voice even more. “…to give the Empire an explanation.”
Rosalind closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
She knew in her heart that this storm was bound to come sooner or later. First Prince Charles’s life crystal had shattered, and the entire Royal Capital was in an uproar.
Although both she and Annabell were forced into that disaster—one could even say that Annabell risked her life to prevent Mo Shen’s revival—these truths were completely unimportant in the eyes of the Royal Family and the Church.
They only cared about the result—the Prince was dead, and someone had to take responsibility.
“I understand. You may go now. I will make preparations in the coming days,” Rosalind said calmly.
“Yes.” The monk bowed respectfully and turned to leave.
The corridor fell silent again.
Rosalind leaned against the wall and slowly clenched her fist.
‘If I reveal everything that happened in the Ruins, the Royal Family will surely blame everyone present for the Prince’s death. And Lady Annabell… as the strongest person who ultimately perished alongside Mo Shen, she will definitely become the target of all accusations.’
Rosalind’s gaze grew colder.
‘No, I absolutely cannot let her be implicated.’
She silently made up her mind.
No matter how much pressure she had to endure, no matter what price she had to pay, she would conceal Annabell’s existence and silently bear this upcoming political storm for her!
After all, Annabell had forcefully barged in later. As the only survivor, as long as she kept her mouth shut, the Royal Family could do nothing!
“Lady Annabell… you’ve done so much for me. This time, let me shield you for once,” Rosalind murmured, a paranoid and frenzied light flickering in her eyes.
She turned around, her gaze resolute as she looked toward the direction of Annabell’s room, a sickly sweet smile curling at the corner of her mouth.
“Even if the Church strips me of my position as Saintess, even if the Royal Family puts me on trial… as long as I can protect you, it’s all worth it.”
***
The night was deep. Inside the main residence of the Weir Family, candlelight flickered in the bedroom.
Charlotte gently pushed open the door to her father’s room, carrying a bowl of freshly brewed medicine. The room was filled with a faint herbal scent.
Marquis Vail, lying on the sickbed, looked much thinner than a few months ago, but his mental state had improved considerably.
“Father, it’s time to take your medicine,” Charlotte said softly, sitting down by the bed.
“Charlotte… it’s good that you’re back, good that you’re back.” Marquis Vail reached out a trembling hand and gently grasped his daughter’s wrist, tears of relief glistening in his clouded eyes. “I thought… I thought I would never see you again.”
“I’m sorry, Father, for worrying you.” Charlotte’s nose stung, but she held back her tears and carefully helped her father sit up, bringing the medicine bowl to his lips.
Marquis Vail drank the medicine and let out a long sigh. After a moment of silence, he suddenly spoke, his voice weak but his tone extremely serious.
“Charlotte, the Great Elder came to see me today. He said… you already know about Sky College sending the Student Council President to annul the engagement, don’t you?”
Charlotte’s hand paused slightly, then she nodded. “Mm, I know.”
“That child… what do you think yourself?”
Marquis Vail looked at his daughter, his eyes gentle but tinged with worry.
“The elders say that Sky College is powerful, that the Student Council President is strong and has a deep background. If we clash head-on, it might be detrimental to the family. But… I know, between you and that child Annabell…”
He paused and sighed. “When you were still young, she came to our home as a guest, and I could already tell. That child, though outwardly extremely proud, when she looked at you… it was different.”
Charlotte bit her lower lip, her eyes instantly turning red.
Uncontrollably, the scenes from the Ruins flashed in her mind—
Annabell standing in front of her, using an ice wall to block Mo Shen’s sea of fire;
Annabell pushing her into the gate of inheritance, then turning to face certain death;
And the words that echoed countless times in her ears: “Carry this feeling and live on well.”
“Father…” Charlotte’s voice trembled slightly, but her gaze was extremely firm. “I’ve already told the elders of the family. I will absolutely not annul this engagement!”
She lifted her head sharply, an unprecedented determination burning in her eyes. “Unless Annabell herself comes to annul it! Otherwise, no matter who it is, even if the Dean of Sky College comes personally, I will not yield an inch!”
Marquis Vail was taken aback, then a gratified smile appeared on his face.
He gave his daughter’s hand a firm squeeze, his voice weak but his tone resolute. “I’m very glad you think that way. Matters of the heart should never yield to any external force. Since you’ve decided, your father supports you.”
“Father…” Charlotte’s tears finally fell uncontrollably.
“Don’t cry. You are now a Great Mage who has obtained the Elven King’s legacy.” Marquis Vail smiled and wiped away his daughter’s tears.
“Even though your father is this sick, the Weir Family still has its foundation. If it really comes to a falling out, we are not without the strength to fight. Moreover…”
He paused, his eyes sharpening. “That child Annabell has been missing for so long, yet Sky College is in a hurry to send someone to annul the engagement.”
“There’s probably a lot of trickery here. Perhaps that Student Council President isn’t representing Annabell’s wishes at all, but rather the selfish interests of certain people.”
Charlotte was startled, then suddenly understood.
That’s right. If Anna really wanted to annul the engagement, she could have said so directly in the Ruins. But she not only didn’t say it, she instead declared in front of everyone, “No annulment.”
So this so-called “on behalf of Annabell” annulment—whose idea is it?
Charlotte was silent for a moment, then a resolute light flashed in her eyes.
“Father, please wait for me a few more days. I learned some ancient alchemical knowledge in the Elven King’s legacy. Though I’m not yet proficient, I want to try to refine a truly effective recovery potion for you.”
“Alchemy?” Marquis Vail looked at his daughter in surprise. “That is an extremely profound art. Even the best alchemist in the Royal Capital wouldn’t dare claim they could cure my illness…”
“Father, please trust me.” Charlotte said seriously. “The Elf King’s pharmacopoeia records many lost ancient formulas. The medicine god soulfire within me is the most supreme alchemical flame. Given time, I can definitely cure your illness!”
Seeing his daughter’s determined gaze, Marquis Vail was silent for a moment, then revealed a gratified smile.
“Alright… then your father will wait for your good news.”
Charlotte nodded solemnly, then gently tucked her father in, turned, and left the room.
Stepping outside, she looked up at the stars in the night sky, her gaze becoming extremely resolute.
‘Anna… wherever you are now, please be safe.’
‘I will keep our promise, protect what you fought so hard to defend. The day you return, I will stand before you and tell you that I am no longer the weakling who only hid behind you.’
‘I will become stronger, strong enough to fight alongside you, strong enough to protect you.’
An azure soulfire quietly ignited in Charlotte’s palm, illuminating her resolute and beautiful face.