The Flower Is Finished

I was still trying to calm Lira down. When she finally began to settle, she suddenly whispered something to me. Her words made me freeze in silence.

While I was still thinking about what she had said, the door suddenly burst open. Arvan entered with a worried expression, his eyes immediately fixed on Lira.

I quickly laid Lira down beside Michelle and ordered the healer to examine her condition.

"What happened to her?" Arvan asked.

After checking Lira's pulse, the healer lowered his head and answered, "It seems she experienced something that deeply shook her soul."

Hearing that, Arvan immediately shouted for the guards.

"Guards!"

Within seconds, several guards rushed into the room and bowed respectfully.

"Who was watching over Lira?" Arvan asked coldly.

One of the guards stepped forward.

"Her caretaker is outside, General."

Arvan turned toward the door. A maid stood there trembling, the woman responsible for taking care of Lira.

"Come here!"

The maid slowly approached, her body shaking in fear.

"What happened to her?" Arvan demanded sharply.

"I-I'm sorry, General… I failed to protect Lady Lira," she stuttered while lowering her head even more.

"Speak clearly!"

"Earlier, while we were playing, Lady Lira asked me to get some food from the kitchen. When I returned… she looked terrified and panicked."

She swallowed nervously before continuing.

"I tried to chase after her, but she ran here."

The room instantly fell silent. There was no way Lira would suddenly become like this without a reason. Someone must have said something that shook her to the core.

"Find out what happened to Lady Lira," Arvan ordered the guards.

"Yes, General!"

The guards immediately left the room.

In the middle of the chaos, Michelle's fingers suddenly moved. I quickly held her hand as she slowly opened her eyes.

"Michelle… you're awake?" I asked anxiously.

Her gaze stared blankly at the ceiling before she finally spoke weakly.

"How is Lira?"

Arvan and I exchanged glances.

"She's stable for now," Arvan answered.

Michelle coughed softly.

"Cough… cough… what happened to me?"

"You were poisoned by Black Venom," I answered quietly.

At once, her eyes turned sorrowful.

"Find the purple flower in the Werewolf Clan…"

After saying that, Michelle lost consciousness again.

"Michelle!"

I immediately called for the healer.

"Check her condition now!"

The healer quickly examined her pulse, and his face instantly turned pale.

"Your Majesty… her condition is worsening. Her heartbeat is becoming weaker."

I clenched my fists tightly.

"Does that flower truly exist?"

"I have heard of it before," the healer replied carefully. "The purple flower does exist within the Werewolf Clan's territory, but it is extremely rare."

I let out a rough breath. The lands of the Werewolves and Vampires had long been recognized as demon territory. It was an incredibly dangerous place.

"Are Jack and William still here?" I asked Arvan.

Arvan shook his head.

"I already sent people to find them, but there's still no news."

I looked down uneasily.

"Do you have any drawings of the flower?" I asked the healer.

He shook his head again.

"No one has ever truly seen it."

I turned toward Arvan.

"Have you ever heard of it?"

"Yes," he answered. "But no one knows what it truly looks like or where exactly it grows."

I nodded slowly before walking toward the door, but Arvan suddenly grabbed my wrist.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going to find that flower."

Arvan's gaze sharpened immediately.

"You're going to the Werewolf territory for a flower whose existence is uncertain?"

I nodded without hesitation.

"Michelle could die if we do nothing."

"Do you even realize what you're doing?"

I pulled my hand away from his grip.

"I know what you're afraid of, Arvan. But I can't just sit here and wait for her death."

After saying that, I left the room.

"Xanders! Don't go!"

But I continued walking.

I entered my room and found Farel already waiting there.

"You're still injured," he said.

"I'm going to the Werewolf Clan. Are you coming with me?"

Farel raised an eyebrow.

"You're leaving the palace again?"

I nodded.

"You're still hurt, Xanders."

"I'm fine."

"What are you going there for?"

"Michelle needs a flower that exists in the lands of the Werewolves and Vampires."

Farel immediately fell silent.

"You're really going?"

"Her life is in my hands now."

A few moments later, Farel sighed deeply.

"Fine. I'll come with you."

We quickly prepared everything we needed. Farel brought several medical supplies, while I gathered ropes and weapons.

When we finished, we headed toward the door, only to find Arvan already standing there waiting for us.

"You're truly going?" he asked.

"Yes," Farel replied lazily. "Don't worry. We can protect ourselves."

Arvan let out a long sigh before signaling a guard.

"Bring them the winter coats."

The guards immediately handed us thick clothing. We quickly put them on. The temperature in the Werewolf territory was far colder than the human lands.

Arvan then handed me a small map.

"This map came from an old legend. No one has ever truly found the flower."

I looked at the map carefully. The flower's location seemed far away from any villages or castles. According to the drawing, it was hidden deep within the tallest mountain in the region. Perhaps guarded by beasts… or something even worse.

"No wonder no one has ever found it," Farel muttered.

"We should leave now," I said.

Without wasting more time, we immediately departed from the palace.

"I'll wait for your return," Arvan said quietly.

I gave him a faint smile while Farel waved his hand casually.

"Looks like we're going on another adventure," Farel laughed.

I simply shook my head. Did he not realize how dangerous the lands of the Vampires and Werewolves truly were?

Our journey began at the massive palace gates where horses had already been prepared for us.

We rode through the cold winds, tightening our thick coats around our bodies.

Five hours passed before night finally fell. The air grew colder, forcing us to stop and search for a place to rest.

The forest around us was eerily quiet.

But suddenly, the sound of wolves howling echoed through the darkness.

The horses instantly became restless in fear.

There was hesitation in my heart about leaving Lira behind, but Michelle's condition was also worsening. I had to find that flower as quickly as possible.

"You need to stay calm and keep believing everything will be alright."

I turned toward Farel, who was looking at me with concern.

"Yeah… I need to stay calm," I replied softly, taking a slow deep breath.

""We'll arrive at our destination soon." Farrel said, looking at me with a faint smile. There was a nervousness that was hard for me to explain.