Once at the airport, Justin waited for his luggage with the other bodyguards. He looked around, searching for Etham among the crowds of people. But then, he realized Etham was gone."Has anyone seen Etham?" Justin asked one of his bodyguards."No, sir," the bodyguard replied, his voice worried. "I don't see him anywhere."Justin felt a surge of anxiety. He couldn't let Etham disappear in this situation. Walking quickly through the crowd, Justin scanned everywhere. Then, in the distance, he saw a familiar figure—Etham. He was standing in a hidden corner, secretly talking to someone on the phone.Justin carefully moved closer, trying not to be seen. He wanted to hear Etham's conversation before appearing.When he was only a few feet away from Etham, he approached quickly and suddenly placed his hand on Etham's shoulder, startling him.Etham turned around, his face filled with shock and panic. "Sir Justin... I...," he stammered.Etham's face turned pale, and he stuttered as he quickly tu
After a long day filled with tension and suspicion, Justin returned to his hotel room. He let himself fall onto the bed, feeling the comfort of the high-end mattress, but it couldn’t ease the chaotic thoughts in his mind. He closed his eyes, trying to find some peace in sleep.Justin slowly drifted into slumber, but soon found himself trapped in a nightmare. Blurry, mixed-up images appeared, and he saw himself lost in a dark and cold place. Strange noises echoed all around, making him feel uneasy and panicked.In the dream, someone was trying to call out to him. The surroundings were unclear, but the voices were distinct and urgent. Both male and female voices intermingled, continuously calling his name and saying they were still waiting for him."Justin... we are still waiting for you...""Justin... don’t abandon us..."Among those calls, a female voice suddenly rang out, filled with emotion and familiarity."Dad...!"At that moment, Justin jolted awake. Sweat poured down his face, a
Justin walked aimlessly for a while, lost in thought, until he found himself in the city's cemetery. The air was cool and fresh, carrying the smell of wet grass and freshly tilled soil. The cemetery is large and quiet, illuminated by the soft moonlight filtering through the trees. Rows of tombstones stretch in all directions, their shadows creating a peaceful and somber scene.The cemetery is peaceful, no distractions, no noise, so beautiful that it's haunting. Tall oak trees surround the grounds, their leaves rustling gently in the wind. Marble angels and stone crosses stand as silent watchmen among the tombs. The atmosphere is thick with the weight of countless stories, each grave a testament to lives once loved, promised, lost and filled with memories.Justin stood still for a moment, observing the scene. He felt a profound sense of peace wash over him, in stark contrast to the chaos tormenting his mind. The outside world seems distant and irrelevant here. All that matters are the
Justin thanked the flower seller for her help during his difficult time. She smiled kindly and returned to her flower stall. A moment later, she brought him a glass of cold water. "Drink this, you'll feel better," she said.Justin took the glass, feeling her care and concern. He drank the water slowly, letting the cool liquid soothe his parched throat and discomfort. Miraculously, within minutes, his headache seemed to dissipate completely. Justin was astonished by the rapid change."It's truly magical," he said with a grateful smile. "Thank you so much. I feel much better now."The flower seller nodded, her smile still warm. "It's nothing, dear. Sometimes, a little care and kindness are enough to work wonders."Justin looked around the flower stall again, his eyes resting on the vibrant purple irises. He felt a sense of purity and gentle beauty emanating from the flowers, like a symbol of hope and renewal, perfect for remembering those who had passed."I'll buy a bouquet of irises,"
Justin stood quietly, he felt the pain from the girl. She kept sobbing, tears rolling down her cheeks. Her voice trembled, occasionally hiccuping"Mom, I miss you so much," she choked. "I know you are always watching me from afar. Mom, I promise to live happily as you wish. No matter how difficult it is, I will overcome it, for you."The girl sat down next to the grave, gently caressing each inscription on the tombstone. "Aunt Monica, Uncle Caesar, and Uncle Leona take good care of me," she continued, her voice reassuring as if she were talking to her mother. "They are always by my side, helping me with everything. But I still feel like something is missing, mom."“Mom, please bless me in heaven so I can find my dad!”The girl stood up, wiped her tears and bowed her head to say goodbye to her mother. "I have to go, Mom," she said, her voice choking. "Sleep well, mother. I will return to Mozzafiato, and I hope you will bless me."Justin's heart was heavy when he heard the girl's farewe
"Norman, did you summon me so urgently just because you couldn't find me?" Justin sighed. He didn't want to continue this conversation any longer.Norman was slightly taken aback by Justin's question but quickly nodded. "Yes, I was truly worried when I couldn't find you. I know you often like to be alone in peace, but this time I felt something was wrong."Justin looked at Norman for a long moment, his eyes filled with suspicion and contemplation. "I know, Norman, that you always worry about me, but the interference and control from the King make me uncomfortable."Norman nodded, his eyes sincere. "I understand, Justin.""I will speak to the King. After all, he is only concerned about your well-being," Norman continued.The two stood in silence for a moment, the tension gradually easing. Justin felt a slight relief seeing Norman genuinely cared for him, but he also knew he needed to maintain his freedom and autonomy."Alright, let's go back," Justin said, trying to keep his tone calm.
Justin sighed, his voice lowering a bit. "I understand, Etham. But you must remember that I am the one you serve, not the King." He felt a bit of regret for letting his anger out like that, but the control from the royal palace was increasingly making him feel suffocated, making him want to break free."Etham, go back to your room and rest," Justin said, his voice softening. "I will explain to the King later. You have done your job well, but this is my decision."Etham, still kneeling at Justin's feet, trembled all over. He bowed deeper, then stood up and left. Justin sat down in his chair, feeling a sense of emptiness and fatigue engulfing him. He leaned back into the armchair in the room, feeling its softness and comfort. In the quiet space, only the gentle hum of the air conditioner was heard as Justin began to close his eyes, hoping to find some peace in sleep.But his sleep was not peaceful. He was tormented by chaotic dreams, voices echoing in his head. He heard someone calling
"My lord, your old heart condition has relapsed," the doctor said in a professional tone. "Furthermore, your recent vestibular disorder has caused extreme physical weakness. This is a serious condition that requires immediate treatment."Justin lay still, listening to every word the doctor said, but his eyes kept closing, overwhelmed by fatigue."Now, we will combine intravenous therapy with medication to help you recover quickly," the doctor continued. "I will prescribe the medication and instruct Etham on how to care for you.""Thank you, I appreciate it," Justin nodded, signaling for the doctor to proceed.However, as the doctor turned away to get the equipment, Justin's eyes unexpectedly caught sight of something sticking out of the doctor's pocket. It was a check, but not just any check. Justin immediately recognized it as a check from Mozzafiato, a person connected to the schemes and troubles he had been investigating recently.Justin's expression changed instantly. He tried to