LOGINCaitlin relayed everything they’d uncovered, showing James the photograph of their mother.
“This… this is really her… it’s Mom…”
James couldn’t hold back the tears that welled up in his eyes. His throat tightened painfully as he stared at the picture. Years of separation, of wondering and not knowing—it all came crashing down now that he was so close, and yet still unable to see her face-to-face.
Caitlin gave his shoulder a reassuring pat. “Don’t be sad. Based on what we’ve learned so far, it’s clear that Mom wasn’t abused after she was taken. She received treatment, and her depression was under control when she was discharged.”
“Even though we still don’t know who orchestrated all of this or why, we know for certain that she’s still alive. And that means we can keep searchi
Maxwell went to the royal palace to find his sister and learn what was going on, but as soon as he reached the palace gates, the guards stopped him.“Lord Maxwell, Her Majesty is currently away and has not yet returned. Please come back another day.”“She hasn’t come back?”Maxwell frowned. The last time he saw Heather had been at the lakeside villa, when he’d arranged for a young man to keep her company. Could she really have stayed there all this time?He tried calling her phone, but there was no answer. After waiting for a few moments, he turned on his heel, climbed into his car, and ordered his driver to head for the villa.When he arrived, he found the servants and guards standing outside. “Is the queen inside?” he asked.“Lord Maxwell, the queen left long ago,” one of them said.“Left? Where did she go?”Maxwell didn’t know that everyone h
Heather hurriedly threw on her clothes and stumbled out of the villa, only to freeze at the sight before her.Leif VI sat in his wheelchair outside, his back straight and cold as stone. At his feet, the young man she had been with lay sprawled on the ground, bloodied and trembling. Magnus and several guards stood nearby, the atmosphere grim and suffocating. The metallic scent of blood filled the air.A chill ran up Heather’s spine, draining the color from her face.“Your Majesty…” she stammered, her voice shaking.Leif VI turned his head slightly, his expression ice-cold. His voice came out flat, deadly calm. “Cut off his hands.”“Ah—Your Majesty, please! Mercy, please!” the young man screamed in terror, but the king did not even glance his way.Two guards stepped forward. The sound of a blade slicing through flesh was followed by a horrifying scream that echoed across the courtyar
That evening, Caitlin prepared several classic dishes for dinner.In the royal dining hall, the king was already seated, with Magnus beside him. Servants carried in the dishes one by one. The rich aromas filled the air, and Magnus’s eyes lit up as he looked at the food—especially the ones Caitlin had cooked.“Father, you must try these. They’re truly special.”Leif VI tasted each dish in turn. With every bite, his expression softened, his eyes brightening. “Excellent,” he said quietly. “Truly excellent.”It wasn’t just the flavor—it was the feeling. The warmth, the familiarity—it took him back to years ago, when Kelly would cook for him. The taste, the care, the memory of that time. It all came rushing back.His throat tightened. For a moment, his vision blurred. He had never dared hope for such a thing—to eat his daughter’s cooking, even under disguise. He fe
The head housekeeper made a slow round through the room, flipping through everyone’s files before speaking. “All single women, step forward.”Those who were unmarried looked thrilled as they took a step ahead. They thought being single would make them the most desirable choice. But the next words out of the housekeeper’s mouth crushed that hope. “You’re all dismissed. Step back.”The single women froze for a moment, then walked out, faces pale with disappointment. Only a dozen women remained, all of them married.The housekeeper walked past them, stopping to point at a few. “You, you, and you. Step forward.”The chosen women looked respectable and well-kept. Even with age, their features hinted at the beauty they once had. But they, too, were dismissed.One woman dared to ask why. The housekeeper gave her a cold look. “You may be married, but you reek of perfume and powder. The royal
Magnus froze. “Wait—you mean your mother hasn’t actually been found?”Caitlin sighed. “It’s complicated. The woman we found before wasn’t my mother. She was an impostor.”“I see.”Magnus could already tell from a few sentences that the situation was tangled and messy. Still, he could understand her urgency.He thought for a moment, then said, “My uncle’s temper is… volatile. Most people can’t get near him. But he doesn’t guard himself against me. Here’s what I’m thinking—I could arrange for you to enter the palace.”“Enter the palace?” Caitlin repeated cautiously.“Yes,” Magnus nodded. “You can stay in the palace for a few days under an assumed identity. Once the time is right, I’ll take you to my uncle’s residence myself.”He also thought this might be the perfect cha
Sebastian’s expression darkened. “You mean your mother is in Maxwell’s hands?”The name sent a chill through the room. Not everyone knew who Maxwell was, but those who did immediately thought of the Minister of Justice of Country A.Caitlin’s anger surged like a rising tide. She pictured Maxwell’s cold, deceitful face, and hatred burned deeper in her chest.From this moment on, everything related to the Yun’s Aromatic Codex, everything about the search for Atlantis, had officially come to an end.They would no longer exhaust themselves chasing after the so-called Shard of Life, no matter what fortune it promised.Caitlin, Sebastian, and the others decided to take a few days to rest before heading to Country A.Now that she knew her mother’s whereabouts, she was no longer in a rush. Instead, she needed time to plan—to figure out how to deal with Maxwell.*Three days la







