Qian turned her head on the snow-white pillow, staring blankly at Brand as he shed tears. The room was silent.
disha said nothing, Furlo remained speechless, and Char was just watching Brand.
Antitina looked left and right, finally looking suspiciously at her Lord. She hadn't experienced the dark underground of Shafelund, nor did she have disha's keen insight—so naturally, she didn't understand what Brand ant to Qian at this mont. But even a fool could see the girl's attachnt to Brand, and she couldn't help but think strangely.
Brand walked closer, standing by Qian's bed. The girl finally stopped her vulnerability. She cald down and managed a weak smile at Brand, with tears still hanging—her smile was sweet but as fragile as if etched on a pale, thin piece of paper that could shatter at any mont.
"You ca back...Lord," Qian spoke. She hadn't been able to eat anything for days and mainly relied on water to sustain her life. The girl was so weak that she could hardly make a sound and instead mouthed her words.
"I ca back," Brand said softly, feeling a bit distressed seeing Qian in such a state.
"What about the work in Shafelund?" Qian silently looked at him.
Brand smiled slightly and did not answer.
"Did you co to see , Lord?" The doubt in Qian's eyes conveyed her question, and Brand saw a fleeting sense of expectation in her amber-like eyes—he nodded.
Qian blinked hard.
But she sniffled and lay back down. The girl's chest rose and fell slightly. Occasionally, she slightly furrowed her brows, as if just lying there caused her imnse pain—no one dared to speak, making the room so silent that even a pin drop could be heard.
"Can I survive?"
The red-haired girl turned her head to the other side, stared blankly at the lush branches of the red tree outside the window, and asked softly.
Brand hesitated for a mont, then nodded.
"The truth?"
"When have I ever lied?" Brand replied.
Qian was stunned for a while, "But I feel...Lord is lying to !" The red-haired girl spoke with the sharpness of a woman, her almost coquettish tone making everyone's heart soften.
No one expected that such a stubborn girl would also be so vulnerable, as if the continuous pain had completely shattered the strength she had long supported on her own.
Brand did not answer.
In fact, no one had the power to answer this question, and the room fell silent again.
"Actually..." Qian looked at the dark green leaves on the branches of the red tree, the sunlight seemingly clearly outlining its veins, "I've overheard...your conversations..."
She took a deep breath, "Unrealistic, ...forget it, even I think...it's unnecessary." The girl smiled alone.
If Macaro were here, he would definitely realize that he had never carefully looked at his adoptive daughter's smile before—sweet and serene like an angel.
"Qian!"
Antitina interrupted her, stepping forward angrily, "What are you talking about!" This usually quiet girl did not continue, Qian's words made her feel upset.
But Brand waved his hand at her, looking at Qian, making a decision in his heart. The young lord raised his head slightly and softly asked, "Qian, do you have any wishes left?"
Everyone froze.
Even Qian froze slightly.
Though she spoke so stubbornly, she didn't want to leave in her heart. Otherwise, she wouldn't have persevered, gritting her teeth and enduring—even though every day felt like hellish suffering, she still waited for the return of this young lord.
Because he had told her, he would take her with him no matter what, and would never leave her behind.
It was just these words that touched her heart.
She stared blankly at Brand, feeling so painful she almost wanted to cry. Everyone had always deceived her like this, deceiving her—telling her she could, but the answer in the end was that it was unattainable. It was like this in the past, and it was the sa now.
Qian wondered if she was too greedy, constantly longing for sothing others couldn't do, even though what she gave was genuine affection. Yet the return she received was the pain, as if a knife had pierced through her chest.
The red-haired girl looked at Brand, tears rolling in her eyes, finally she took a deep breath, struggling to speak softly:
"Lord..."
Qian paused, catching her breath to adjust her emotions. She tried to speak three tis, finally choking out the words in the last attempt: "In my hotown, there is a tradition..."
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