273.Chapter 273
Dylan held his breath against the stench as he dragged Matthew’s unconscious body upright. He peeled open Matthew’s eyelids, gave him a quick check, and sighed in relief. Nothing life–threatening–just passed out cold.
‘Strange, Dylan thought. ‘Why didn’t he react at all? Could it be that Eliza deliberately avoided me?‘
A flicker of hope lit up in his chest.
He clearly remembered: when Eliza had splashed the potion, she only threw it at Matthew.
‘So… maybe, just maybe, she still saw me differently?‘ Dylan thought.
Dylan’s shirt was soaked on one side, but he didn’t even notice. He was too busy secretly delighting in that fragile, dangerous little hope.
Meanwhile, Eliza had long left the pocket farm and had no idea Dylan was still replaying the scene in his head. Outside, she continued her usual routines–chanting scriptures, copying sutras, meditating, and tending to her herbs. As expected, someone from the Stonor family came looking.
But they only asked the Reverend Sisters of Saint Grace Nunnery if they’d seen Matthew. When the sisters replied with a simple “no,” the Stonors left quietly.
And technically, the Reverend Sisters weren’t lying. After all, it was Tina who had secretly captured Matthew from Hasen City. Not even Renee, who now shared the courtyard with Eliza, had any clue what had happened.
So when the Stonor family came knocking, of course they returned empty–handed.
Eliza let them stew in the pocket farm for a full day.
It wasn’t until the next night that she finally strolled back in, unhurried.
Matthew still hadn’t woken up.
Dylan was sitting quietly inside the iron cage, obediently eating the meal she had brought him–plain vegetarian food, just rice and boiled greens.
Judging by how bland it was, he guessed they were probably still on Mount Westin. Only places like the Holy Cross Monastery or Saint Grace Nunnery served food this ascetic.
As he chewed, Dylan sneaked glances at Eliza, who was calmly sorting herbs just outside the cage.
Then he looked at Matthew–who hadn’t stirred since collapsing yesterday. Or rather… Dylan now realized, after closer
observation, that Matthew hadn’t fainted–he’d been forced into a kind of unnatural sleep.
But something was clearly wrong. The guy was sweating through his forehead, tossing and turning, muttering in his sleep. and occasionally jerking like he was having some horrific nightmare.
“E… Eliza… Serenity…” Matthew mumbled weakly.
Dylan instinctively opened his mouth to call “Eliza“-but caught himself just in time.
Eliza lifted her eyelids, her gaze sweeping lazily toward him. “What?”
Dylan cleared his throat and said quickly, “That medicine you poured on Matthew… What was it? He looks like he’s trapped in a nightmare.”
Eliza glanced over at Matthew, examined his condition, and replied coldly, “The kind that won’t kill him.”
Dylan went silent. And thought, ‘Won’t kill him… Right. She clearly still held a serious grudge against Matthew.‘
Not that Dylan could blame her–Matthew and his people really had crossed the line.
So when Eliza said it wouldn’t kill him, Dylan decided not to push it further.
He didn’t want to risk her turning icy toward him again, not when her attitude had just started to soften.
But being locked up in a cage for so long was getting seriously dull.
He watched her deft hands working with the herbs, and couldn’t help but speak up, carefully testing the waters.
“Serenity… I heard you’ve been studying medicine under Mary. Is that true?” She didn’t answer.
But Dylan sensed that the vibe wasn’t totally hostile. Maybe he could keep going?
So he tried again. “Learning medicine’s a great idea. You won’t have to worry about injuries or illnesses anymore. And you‘
ve always been smart–sharpest girl in the capital, really. Back then, no one could hold a candle to you.”
As the memories came flooding back, a rare smile curled on his lips. His face softened with nostalgia and pride.
But Eliza’s voice cut through it like ice. “Oh, really? Funny. I remember you saying I couldn’t compare to Sophie. No matter
1/2
273.Chapter 273
how much I learned, no matter how hard I tried, someone as vicious as me wasn’t even worthy of licking her toes.”
Every word was clear, deliberate–like knives, aimed straight at his chest.
And the smile on Dylan’s face collapsed.
He didn’t even try to deny it–how could he? Not only had Eliza remembered, he remembered saying it too.
He’d just been pretending to forget. Pretending, because it was easier than facing what he’d done.
But Eliza wasn’t about to let him off the hook.
Those knives she’d once taken for him–just because
one
If he wanted redemption, if he claimed to regret it, then he’d hav
them, didn’t mean she didn’t bleed.
to feel what it was like to be gutted–just as she had been.
по longer around, and I–what? Finally measure
“So now you’re back to praising me?” she sneered. “Is it because Sophie’s up to one of her little toes?”
Her gaze turned to him again—icy, indifferent. There wasn’t an ounce of war
warmth in it. Dylan felt a chill creep down his spine.
He clenched his jaw. “No. That’s not it.”
“Oh?” Eliza’s eyes narrowed. “So I still don’t measure up? That tracks. After all, you just a blood relation, nothing more.”
Dylan shook his head, eyes red, tears streaming down his face.
did say Sophie was your real sister. I’m
“No… no, Serenity, I…” he wanted to explain, to apologize, to say something–anything.
But nothing came out. What could he say?
He’d already said the cruelest things imaginable. What words could possibly undo that?
Eliza looked at him one last time, her voice cutting like broken glass. “Stop talking. It’s disgusting.”
回
