"This isn't the time for more trouble.""Are you alright, sir?" Justin asked the driver."I'm fine, just a bit dizzy," the driver replied, one hand on the wheel, the other rubbing his forehead.Justin was about to open the car door to check on the other driver when he noticed that they had also stepped out of their vehicle. As the door of the opposite car opened, a young girl emerged. Justin paused, staring at her, feeling a tumult of emotions. He felt pain, sorrow, relief, and happiness all at once, as if he had just encountered a loved one thought lost. He was speechless.The girl stood there, eyes wide with surprise and disbelief. Her eyes welled up with tears, threatening to spill but held back. They stood silently, looking at each other for a few seconds, feeling a strong yet confusing connection.Justin's heart pounded, fragmented memories flashing in his mind. Someone calling him "Dad," blurry images from the past becoming clearer. He realized the girl in front of him was the o
But Etham didn't accept that explanation. "No, you don't understand. We need to go back immediately. It's the King's order," he said, his eyes revealing his tension.Julie, hearing this, stepped closer, her eyes filled with tears. "Dad, please don't leave me. I've been looking for you for so long, I can't lose you again," she pleaded, her voice full of desperation.Justin felt his heart constrict with pain. He looked at Julie, sensing the deep anguish and despair in her eyes. If he returned to the hotel, he might never get the chance to uncover the truth about Julie and his own health. But the pressure from Etham and the bodyguards made it hard to refuse."Julie, you need to understand that I'm dealing with a lot of issues myself. I need to handle this carefully," Justin said, trying to reassure the young girl.But Julie wouldn't accept that explanation. "No, Dad, I can't let you leave me again. I've already lost my mom; I can't lose you too," she cried, tears streaming down her face.
Justin woke up, his body feeling weary and exhausted, everything in his vision blurry. He looked around, recognizing the familiar surroundings. The white walls, the clean space, and the smell of antiseptic filled the air. The sound of medical equipment beeping rhythmically echoed in the room.He blinked several times, trying to adjust to the light and the surroundings. In his blurred vision, he saw Verney, dressed in a white lab coat, standing next to the hospital bed. Verney's presence made Justin realize he had been brought back to Mozzafiato, a place that was once his home before everything became complicated.Justin tried to sit up, but his body felt heavy and sore. "Verney, what's wrong with me?" Justin asked, his voice hoarse and weak.Verney stepped closer, placing a hand on Justin's shoulder and gently pushing him back down. "You need to stay still and rest. You need time to recover," Verney said.Justin frowned, suspicion and worry flooding his mind. "But I need to know... wh
Verney signaled for the nurses to check on Justin's condition, ensuring he was receiving the best care. "You need to rest, Justin. Let us take care of you. Everything will become clearer once you're better."Justin closed his eyes, trying to calm his mind.At that moment, the door opened, and the King entered. His sudden appearance made the atmosphere in the room more solemn and stifling. Verney immediately bowed, showing absolute respect.Justin, still weary and in pain, tried to sit up out of respect. However, the King raised his hand, his deep, authoritative voice resonating, "No need, Justin. Please rest, there's no need to stress over formalities."Justin lay back down, but his eyes remained fixed on the man before him. He realized that the person standing before him seemed to have aged significantly, his face pale and noticeably thinner. The King's white hair fell over his forehead, and the lines on his face showed signs of fatigue and wear."Your Majesty, you don't look well,"
"Justin, you must trust your family and those who have always been by your side. We can overcome any difficulty together, but only if we are united," the King said, his voice filled with pain yet firm as he looked at Justin."Justin, you don't understand everything that has happened. You don't know what the King has sacrificed for you," Ricard said, his voice trembling with emotion.Justin looked at Ricard, his confusion and astonishment growing. "Ricard, what are you talking about?"Ricard clenched his fists, his eyes brimming with tears. "Do you know that the King cut flesh from his own arm to make a medicine for you? That’s why he was injured."Justin was stunned, his eyes wide with shock, unable to believe his ears. "What? He did that for me?" he exclaimed, his voice filled with panic."Ricard, stop talking right now! Do not say another word," the King shouted.But Ricard did not back down, his eyes filled with determination and pain. "Your Majesty, I would rather disobey and spea
"You don't need to apologize. The important thing is that you understand and are determined. We will face all difficulties together." The King continuedJustin felt relieved, but still a little uneasy. "You have done so much for me. I really don't know how to atone for my mistakes."The King gently placed his hand on Justin's shoulder, his eyes were gentle and warm. "You don't need to atone for anything. Your love and determination are enough. Now you need to rest and recover. That's the most important thing right now."Justin nodded, feeling warm and filled with determination. "I will rest and recover, Your Majesty. I will not let you down."The King smiled and patted Justin on the shoulder. “Very well. Rest, Justin.”After the King and the others left, leaving Justin in a quiet space, he lay back on the bed, trying to sort out the chaotic thoughts in his head. Feelings of regret and self-blame constantly tormented him. "My mother sacrificed everything for me, yet I didn't know and b
Justin sat dazed by the bed, his mind swirling with chaotic thoughts. In a moment of confusion and despair, a spark of realization flickered in his mind: the business card of the taxi driver. That man was a retired traditional medicine doctor, and he might have the answers Justin needed."That's right, I must find him," Justin thought.But soon after, a wave of fatigue washed over him. The guilt of doubting his father, the affection he once had for the King now replaced by suspicion and fear. "We are father and son, how did we become like enemies?" Justin wondered, his head bowed, hands clutching his forehead.He realized he couldn't easily escape from here. If he was caught again, the chance to get out would significantly diminish, and the King's vigilance towards him would increase."Patrick cannot escape. They will take me back, and next time I won’t have another chance," Justin mumbled.He held his head, feeling as if everything was weighing down on his mind and body. Conflicting
Then, Justin called Etham into the room, using the excuse of wanting to drink and chat with him. "Etham, come in here and have a drink with me. I need to talk to you," Justin called, his voice full of invitation.Etham stepped into the room, slightly surprised but not suspicious. "You want to drink? I think you should rest," Etham said, but still sat down next to Justin."Just one drink, Etham. I need someone to talk to," Justin said, handing the untainted drink to himself and the drugged one to Etham.Etham took the glass, sipped it, and nodded slightly. "Alright, what do you want to talk about?"Justin began talking about random things, from childhood memories to aimless stories. Meanwhile, he quietly observed Etham, waiting for the sedative to take effect."Do you remember the time we went hunting, Etham? That was a great trip," Justin said, trying to keep his voice natural.Etham smiled and nodded. "Yes, it was a great trip. We caught a lot of game."But after a while, Justin noti