로그인Hope you enjoyed reading 😊 Please support me with your appreciation and precious gems 💎💎💎💎💎💎. Also, please don't forget to add your rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Keep reading 💕
Everyone froze at the explosive news Jerome had dropped.It took them a moment to recover, long enough to register that Linus had fainted… before they rushed to his aid.Jerome was already there, catching him before he could hit the ground. His face was stricken with guilt and regret. His lack of tact had caused this. He should have considered his uncle’s age instead of blurting things out like he used to in their younger days.“Uncle…” His voice caught.“Don’t worry… the old man will be fine,” Maryanne said gently. She took the cup Harrison offered and sprinkled water over Linus’s face.Linus’s eyelids fluttered, then slowly opened. His gaze fixed on the blurry figure before him.“Alex… is that you?” he asked weakly.“Uncle…”The image cleared.Not Alex… just mischief wearing guilt.Linus let out a soft sigh and pushed himself upright. “Don’t worry… Uncle is fine…” He gripped Jerome’s hand tightly. “But… what were you saying? You said…”Jerome lowered his head.“Is it true?” Linus pr
Ludo had just left when Harrison announced the arrival of the next batch of visitors.A very pissed-off Cousin Farris… and Uzi. They had been left behind at the Zumerong estate by the Zumerongs themselves.“We thought you were worn out from the journey,” Wilkin said with a sheepish smile. The truth was, they had been impatient… and hadn’t had the heart to disturb their rest.“Hmph!” they both huffed as they dropped into their seats, the sound sharp with lingering annoyance.But irritation didn’t last long here. It rarely did.Their expressions shifted as they took in the room… quick glances, silent counting.Jerome wasn’t there.Neither was Leander.The edge in their shoulders eased, just slightly. So, they hadn’t missed it after all.Zelda followed Jerome back into the formal lounge, her steps measured, her expression composed.Conversation faltered.“You… you… you…”Linus was the first to react. He pushed himself halfway out of his seat, finger trembling as he pointed at Zelda like
Back at Southamberston, the relaxed atmosphere was slowly dissipating.They had gained a lot in just a few days… finding the nephew, cousin, and grandnephew they had thought long gone. And in times like these, the chances of losing them again were just as real.What started as noise and chaos slowly gave way to serious discussion… filling in the exact details of what had happened… especially with Jerome.With each passing minute, the tension began to rise.The first to crack was, of course, the one with the shortest fuse.“Are you sure Jerome is back to himself?” Humphrey asked for what felt like the hundredth time. He pushed to his feet abruptly, the chair scraping against the floor. “I think I’ll head out and see if I can find anything.”“Don’t be silly,” Linus scolded. “Do you even know where they wandered off to?”Humphrey’s gaze slid meaningfully toward Jerome’s usual partners-in-crime.“Don’t look at us…” Harry shrugged. “Ever since he got his nephew, we’ve lost favour.”“They’ll
They rode in silence.Lady luck didn’t forsake them entirely… they ran into Bari and his men, a few towns away from the capital.“Young---” Bari started, then stopped. He cleared his throat. “Nephew… what are you doing here? So far from home.”“We…” Jack hesitated, pursing his lips, but Mira smiled, naturally calling out, “Uncle Bari!”“Aaiii... little Mira...” He greeted heartily, his attention immediately shifting to the little pearl his friends held at the tip of their hearts.He guided them to a hidden chamber, one that he often used when he travelled. He was no fool… he could see through Jack’s hesitation to speak and Mira hoodwinking them.“Uncle Bari, do you know this place well?” Mira asked, without explaining, “We are looking for apothecaries… ones that carry exotic potions.”“I know this place…” he paused, “well enough. But what are you looking for?”A mysterious grin tugged at his lips. “I know places that aren’t apothecaries, and yet you can get almost anything.”“I want…”
Jerome went still. Completely still.Beside him, Lazarus froze.How had he failed to notice that his Lord was not with them? Was he worthy of his Lord’s trust?But unlike Lazarus, Jerome didn’t stay that way for long. He snapped out of his inner chaos, analysing every eventuality as he slowly lifted his head and looked at the bewildered faces before him. His gaze settled on Thomas.The young man had a tight, guilty expression, one that was anything but innocent.“Speak.” Jerome narrowed his eyes. That expression seemed to scream… ‘I am an equal partner in crime’. He knew it well… not on Thomas, but on his brother’s accomplice. Jerome shook his head as the thought came unbidden.Like father, like son.Thomas exhaled, defeat already written across his face, silently apologizing to Jack.“They wanted to ride to Stranton’s place to seek the healer, so we wouldn’t waste time fetching her once we reach Southamberston.” He shrugged lightly. “What we don’t have right now is the luxury of time…
By dawn the next day, Jack and his entourage had arrived at the ice cave. This time, there were no surprises… they knew the drill.Zelda was at her last straw when Jack arrived.She had forgotten just how insufferable those two could be… or rather, how insufferable they became when their sworn brother was hurt. Any longer, and she might have ended up blowing the two of them…and this entire place apart…“Do you have a plan?” Zelda asked, her expression midway between enthusiasm and exasperation. She had never felt so desperate as in these 24 hours… even the decade long frustration of not being to find a cure couldn’t compare…Jack cocked an eyebrow towards Thomas, taking in Zelda’s state.“That’s my father for you…” Thomas muttered. He leaned forward and whispered, “Add godfather Cornelius into the mix… I am honestly impressed this place is still standing.”“The children have a plan.” Jerome shrugged; he wasn’t convinced but there wasn’t anything much he do either.Zelda turned her atte
The eagle’s cry had not only alerted Humphrey and his men but also Samuel as this was the secret signal that Humphrey had passed on to him when they met a few hours earlier. He quickly gathered both his and the normal soldiers stationed at the border to take their battle-ready positions.He position
At the eastern border of the kingdom of Hal, although the night seemed quiet and peaceful on the surface, the air seemed to carry the ominous undercurrents that were slowly unfolding, stifling the hearts of those who were waiting…. It didn’t matter which side they stood, what was certain was that th
Jack, Mira, Martin and Thomas didn’t head to Southamberston as they had previously planned but instead, headed straight for the palace. However, halfway through, Martin met with Lyra, the eldest daughter of Cain, the first master Soren who was heading in the direction towards Southamberston looking
Although Wilkin rushed into the room, he stood like he was shot with a bolt of lightning; He opened and closed his mouth, even though he wasn’t able utter a single word. Jerome lazily lifted his eyes as he sensed the movement outside the door, but his gaze froze momentarily as he saw the person who







