Chapter 11 Grandfather Marcus  

As evening drew near, Marcus arrived accompanied by the healer to visit Scarlett, who still lay weak in her bed.

“Granddaughter, thank the heavens you have finally regained consciousness.”

“Grandfather, welcome.” She began to rise from her reclining position with Mia’s help to greet him.

Marcus sat on the chair beside her bed and instructed the middle‑aged healer to hand a small package to Mia.

“I asked Healer Vale to prepare a tonic for you, Scarlett. It will be very beneficial for your recovery and your future health,” he said with a wise, gentle smile.

A tonic.

Just hearing that word made her heart ache sharply. For some reason, ever since the incident at the ceremony, a deep fear had taken root within her, twisting her stomach and making her skin prickle with unease.

Scarlett clenched her hands tightly for a moment, trying to shake off the terror that had suddenly surged through her. She forced herself to trust her grandfather and looked at him with soft, calm eyes.

“Thank you, Grandfather. You are always so kind to me, and yet I am always causing you trouble,” she replied gently.

Marcus’s eyes glistened with moisture. “No, my child. Never think that.”

He nodded to the healer, signaling him to examine Scarlett’s condition.

The middle‑aged man approached her, lightly pressing his fingers to her wrist and resting a hand briefly on her forehead and temples. The healer, with his full white beard, frowned deeply and looked thoroughly confused.

“How is my granddaughter’s condition, Master Vale?” Marcus asked with deep concern, noticing the healer had fallen into a long silence.

‘What has happened to the young lady? I have never seen anything like this before. Her wolf spirit’s energy and presence are slowly fading in and out, waxing and waning. That is exactly why her strength drains so easily, just like someone who is severely malnourished. But what am I supposed to tell Elder Marcus? This is not an illness that I know how to cure.’

Healer Vale’s inner voice rang loud and clear in Scarlett’s mind, causing her to unconsciously furrow her brow.

‘Is it because of these new powers I have gained that my wolf spirit feels so weak and unstable?’

“So tell me, what is wrong with my granddaughter, Healer Vale?” Marcus pressed a second time.

Scarlett snapped out of her thoughts, and the healer jumped slightly, startled back to reality.

“Forgive me, Elder Marcus… it seems that the young lady… I am not entirely certain. Physically, she is perfectly healthy. However, I have observed symptoms such as extreme weakness and… and… lack of proper nourishment…” the healer explained, his tone awkward and hesitant, clearly afraid of saying the wrong thing.

“Lack of nourishment?!” Marcus stood up in shock, raising his voice in disbelief. His aged face clearly showed suppressed anger and utter bewilderment.

“Scarlett… how could you be lacking proper nourishment?” Marcus demanded, looking straight at her before turning his gaze toward Mia.

Mia immediately sank to the floor, trembling in pure fear.

“Grandfather… no. Please forgive me. This is entirely my fault,” Scarlett said quickly.

“Perhaps I have been under too much stress and burdened with too many worries while preparing for the selection ceremony. That is why I often forgot to eat. Mia has always taken excellent care of me, it is only me, thinking too much about everything,” she explained, smiling sweetly up at him.

“Please calm down, Grandfather. Do not worry so much. I am still young and strong, you know. Actually, you are the one who needs to rest more at home. If there are summons to the palace, let me go in your place from now on, or send someone else to represent you,” Scarlett said, skillfully redirecting his attention.

“You are right, my dear. This responsibility should have been passed to my successor long ago. But within our pack, no one else possesses abilities equal to yours. And soon enough, you yourself will be raised to the position of Luna of our pack. That is a heavy burden to carry all on your own.”

He sighed heavily, placing his hands gently upon her shoulders.

“That is why I have always hoped that you would find your true mate, someone capable of protecting you and our pack properly in the future.” Marcus’s voice sounded deep and filled with emotion.

“But please… grant this old man one wish. Never think of your duties as a heavy burden, my granddaughter. You still have me. I will always be here to protect and support you.” Marcus ended their conversation with a calm, soothing smile.

Tears suddenly spilled from Scarlett’s eyes. A rush of overwhelming emotion flooded her chest, bringing back vivid memories from her past life. She remembered how Marcus had saved her when, as a child, she had been thrown back by a spell gone wrong.

She remembered how Marcus had been forced to cast powerful protection spells simply because she could not control the immense energy of her wolf spirit when she awakened earlier than she should have. It was Marcus who had helped her name her wolf spirit Alea, so that she could command it and control its power easily.

“Thank you, Grandfather. From now on, Scarlett will study harder and do her absolute best… for you and for our pack,” she promised, kissing the back of his hand. Marcus nodded, looking immensely relieved.

Marcus turned toward Mia. “Bring the tonic here. Let her drink it now, so she may recover quickly and be ready for the wedding ceremony ahead.”

Scarlett’s back stiffened instantly. No matter what had happened before, she still had no way of knowing for certain if this tonic was poisoned or safe.

And there was one more thing she had just realized, she could not hear Marcus’s thoughts either.

Was her beloved grandfather also part of the conspiracy to kill her in her past life?