Chapter 25: The Assertive Elvie

“You’re saying… Leon is your child?”

Vissilia forced herself to stay calm as she questioned.

The Elvie before her looked very young.

Although it was said that high-tier elites had significantly extended lifespans, this news was just… absurd.

“That’s right. He is the child of my master and me. But due to certain circumstances back then, he was lost to us and only recently did I receive news of him, which is why I came to find you.”

Elvie said seriously on the spot, showing no concern about being caught in a lie since Vissilia had no way to verify it for now.

Seeing Vissilia’s confused expression, she directly stated her purpose, “So, I came to take him away…”

“No.”

Before Elvie could finish, Vissilia interrupted firmly.

“Oh?”

Elvie narrowed her eyes, her aura suddenly shifting, “But I remember you chased him away not long ago? What right do you have to say no now?”

“I…”

Vissilia was speechless under her words.

The other party was right; she had indeed driven Leon away.

Yet, she still couldn’t accept some unknown woman coming to take her little dog away.

She forced herself to calm down, “No matter what, I will not let you take him. Your identity is still unconfirmed.”

“Then under what identity are you making this claim?”

“Of course, I’m…”

Vissilia was about to say “his mistress,” but seeing Elvie’s expression, she quickly changed it to, “his guardian.”

“Guardian?”

Elvie sneered, “Do you think he will recognize your identity? Why don’t you consider if you’re truly worthy to keep him by your side?”

Hearing the unmistakable mockery in the blonde woman’s tone, Vissilia’s gaze instantly grew cold, her voice stiffening, “Why am I not worthy? I was the one who saved him back then.”

“And then?”

Elvie looked disdainfully at the threatening gaze of this duchess’s daughter, “You chased him away over a man whose fate was unknown. Is that how you take care of him? Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Or is your so-called care just imposing someone else’s thoughts and lifestyle on him, all for your selfish desires?”

“Besides, think carefully. Over the years, have you been taking care of him, or has he been taking care of you, Miss?”

“You clearly treated him only as a toy for your own amusement!”

Elvie stood up and looked down on Vissilia, each word she uttered making Vissilia’s expression sour further.

Because she had already realized that since Leon left, her life had undergone a drastic upheaval.

Even the entire duke’s mansion had fallen into some chaos.

A fleeting moment of distraction flashed in her eyes, but as a proud duke’s daughter, she lifted her head and retorted stiffly, “That was his choice.”

“You mean he willingly became the substitute you describe?”

Elvie laughed.

She hadn’t expected this woman before her to still cling to her so-called noble pride.

But this also lowered Vissilia’s threat level in Elvie’s eyes.

For now, she wasn’t qualified to snatch her master away.

So she turned and waved her hand casually, “If that’s what you think, then as long as he is willing to follow me, that’s all that matters.”

“He won’t follow you.”

Vissilia looked coldly at Elvie’s back and said sharply.

Though she said this, why did her heart feel a little unsettled, as if a tangled web of threads was wrapping around her heart tighter and tighter?

***

At the same time, on the streets of the royal capital, Leon walked tiredly with obvious dark circles under his eyes.

He hadn’t expected the lady to hold him until dawn last night before finally letting go, and only then did he find the chance to slip away.

Fortunately, his departure went smoothly without being noticed.

He had also retrieved the red string, so he wouldn’t have to endure Sylph nagging in his ear constantly.

Just thinking about last night made him feel a little scared.

Although it was embarrassing, he had to admit that being held by the lady felt quite comfortable, and he almost fell asleep.

What a crime—breaking into the mistress’s house and sleeping with the mistress.

That was too abstract.

He pinched the bridge of his nose and hailed a carriage heading to the church.

When the carriage stopped at the church’s entrance, Leon staggered off and immediately sensed something was off.

There weren’t many clergy inside the church today.

After greeting a priest at the door, he quickly headed toward the back of the church.

Soon, he discovered nuns gathered at the door of Sylph’s room.

Leon’s expression darkened as he rushed forward and grabbed one of the nuns, asking urgently, “What happened?”

The young nun was startled, then hesitated upon seeing Leon’s face, “You… are Little Sylph’s brother?”

“Yes, it’s me. What’s wrong with her?”

Leon’s anxiety grew stronger.

He pushed through the crowd, trying to open the door to rush inside but was pulled back by the nun.

“Wait, you can’t go in now! Miss Katharina is currently treating Little Sylph.”

Leon froze for a moment.

Forcing himself to calm down, he fixed his gaze on the nun, “Tell me exactly what happened!”

Only one day had passed—how could things have gotten like this?

“Little Sylph’s condition suddenly worsened last night…”

The nun hesitated for a moment before speaking softly.

“But she was fine yesterday!”

Leon shouted, his fringe hiding his bloodshot eyes.

Sylph was his only family in this world… he would never allow anything to happen to his sister.

The nun’s eyes showed a complicated emotion, unsure how to explain.

Just then, the door opened, and Katharina stepped out, exhausted.

Seeing the scene, she didn’t say a word but directly pulled Leon away.

Leon wanted to take one last look at his sister but was stopped by Katharina’s words.

“Don’t worry, she’s stable for now.”

Hearing this, Leon hesitated briefly and followed Katharina to another room.

“What exactly is wrong with my sister?”

The moment they entered the room, Leon asked urgently.

Katharina pinched her brow, looking tired, “Her condition worsened again.”

“But she was fine yesterday…”

“Yesterday she was fine, right?”

Katharina glanced at Leon helplessly, then stopped hiding the truth and revealed everything about Sylph’s pretense of health entrusted to her.

“Yesterday’s backlash was especially severe, triggering an outbreak in her condition. At present, her time…”

After listening to Katharina’s explanation, Leon’s expression became complicated. He muttered, “This idiot…”

“She just didn’t want you to worry. She even told me that herself.”

Katharina softly repeated Sylph’s words, “You should have your own life. You shouldn’t be burdened by her like this.”

“No, she was never a burden.”

Leon refuted without hesitation, then looked at Katharina and said gravely, “I have a way, but I need your help…”

“Can you help me?”

His eyes were full of sincere pleading.

This was the first time Katharina had seen the boy show such an expression.

She looked conflicted.

After all these years with Little Sylph, she had grown fond of this strong and lively child who was so obedient it made one’s heart ache.

Naturally, she wanted to help Sylph survive.

With this thought, she nodded slightly and agreed.

“All right.”