"Didn't I explicitly warn you to stay away from me?!" Benedict bellowed furiously, his face reddening with rage this time.Paying little attention to the discomfort in her rear, Yifa slowly rose to her feet. She would address her pain later; at the moment, she had to confront the irate elder standing before her."I understand, Your Majesty, but it was evident that you required aid. I cannot simply stand by and witness your suffering," Yifa responded with a touch of irritation in her tone.This despicable man! Yifa was certain that he was well aware of his need for help, yet he deliberately refrained from expressing gratitude. His pride and prejudice against her rogue status prevented him from seeking assistance.Benedict's mind froze at the rogue's defiant answer. It was unprecedented for anyone to dare to disobey his orders, regardless of his current difficulties. Most individuals would simply revel in the sight of a former king's suffering, finding twisted satisfaction in it.Since

Yifa noticed the peculiar glances she received as she strolled down the hallway, but it didn't come as a surprise. She was well aware that her behavior was far from ordinary. With each skip and jump, accompanied by a joyful hum, Yifa made her way towards the chambers of Killian 's father, King Benedict.Deep down, Yifa understood that her exuberance was out of place. After all, she was already an adult, and this meeting was not with a particularly significant or special person in her life. She acknowledged this truth, sincerely she did. Yet, despite her knowledge, she couldn't shake off the lightness in her heart, knowing that she had the power to bring happiness to others, especially those burdened by suppressed emotions.Yifa often pondered why she felt compelled to assist people, even when they never asked for her help. Since her days as a rogue, acquiring various skills and knowledge, she had always been eager to aid those in need, often sacrificing her own happiness in the proces

"What on earth is going on here?!" A thunderous voice erupted, instantly capturing the attention of both women present. Despite the furious expression etched on Killian 's face, the mere sight of him caused their hearts to flutter. Although their reasons for admiring him differed, their infatuation with Killian remained unchanged."Gray!" Amaya exclaimed, beating Yifa to the chance of speaking up.With a perplexed gaze, Killian turned his attention to his childhood best friend, silently questioning her. He had just concluded a meeting with the healer responsible for his father's care and was en route to verify the information with his ailing father when the commotion reached his ears.Upon entering the room, the mounting tension between the two women instantly gripped Killian , his father frailly perched on the bed. Gasping for breath, his father's rapid respiration confirmed Killian 's earlier assumption—his father had been the one shouting.Killian 's curiosity and concern surged as

Yifa 's heart quivered with aching pain. Why was her own mate gazing at another woman with such tenderness? He had never looked at Yifa that way; his demeanor toward her was always cold and harsh. Shouldn't he be looking at her with affection and warmth? Why did she seem different in his eyes?Yifa couldn't help but notice the softening of Amaya 's sharp eyes under Killian 's gaze. It hurt even more when Amaya gave in, saying, "Alright, Gray. I'll leave, but we'll meet later, won't we?"Killian let out a silent sigh before reluctantly nodding. To be honest, he didn't really want to spend time with Amaya at that moment. All he wanted was to rest after an incredibly busy day, skipping dinner and simply lying down. However, he knew that resting was never an option if Amaya was staying in the palace."Don't look so glum, son. Soon, she'll be with you all the time," King Benedict reassured Killian , observing his pouting and annoyance as Amaya left the room.Yifa couldn't ignore the glare

"Darling?" Yifa 's voice trembled with unmistakable hurt as she repeated the word.The news she had just heard was simply too unbelievable to comprehend. Her own mate, the one who was meant to be by her side, was planning to mate with someone else – a person who wasn't his true mate.The pain of his previous betrayal, when he mated with another woman named Ginni , still lingered fresh in her heart. And now, he was about to inflict yet another wound upon her by seeking a connection with someone else, even though Yifa was right there, standing before him.It was as if her presence didn't matter at all, and he seemed indifferent to her feelings, both in the past and the present, leaving her to believe that he never truly cared, and perhaps never would.As Yifa whispered to herself, a mix of confusion and heartache filled her words. She grappled with the question of how and why he could do this to her again. Despite knowing that her friend Amaya was a trustworthy source of information, sh