Salvage(23)

Lelin broke the silence that had enveloped the room, his voice cutting through the tension like a sharp blade.

"You cured her," he declared, his words hanging in the air, heavy with mixed emotions.

His expression revealed a complex tapestry of reluctance, relief, and joy as if he was torn between conflicting feelings.

For years, Lupiney had battled a debilitating illness that had left her weak.

Lelin had tried to cure her at his best but he couldn't do anything but watched helplessly as her vibrant spirit faded away. But now, standing before them, Lupiney appeared transformed.

Her eyes sparkled with newfound vitality, her once-pale complexion now radiant with a healthy glow. It was as if a miracle had occurred, banishing the illness that had plagued her for so long.

However, Lelin's joy was tinged with a hint of bitterness. He couldn't help but feel a pang of resentment towards Morsan, the boy he hated but also acknowledged.

In exchange for her cure, Lupiney had become Morsan's slave, bound to his will. Lelin had never been fond of Morsan ever since they met, finding him dangerous, money-grubbery, and unpredictable.

Lelin couldn't help but feel a sense of threat when he first encountered Morgan. It was as if he was face-to-face with his ultimate predator.

Despite knowing that Morsan had no ill intentions, Lelin's survival instinct kicked in every time they crossed paths, compelling him to fight. And this behavior began to deteriorate their relationship.

But he couldn't deny that Morsan was rather capable, good, and had always fulfilled his promise. For that, Lelin had to begrudgingly acknowledge his debt.

As Lelin made his announcement, Egone couldn't help but chuckle.

His laughter, though laced with relief, held a touch of irony.

Meanwhile, Van stood beside Egone, completely clueless about the significance of Lelin's words. Oblivious to the gravity of the situation, he wore a bemused expression, his mind occupied with other matters. But he also watched silently without saying anything.

Lelin felt a gentle touch on his shoulder, realizing it was Egone. He turned to face the prince, his eyes filled with gratitude, happiness, and respect for Egone.

Nodding in agreement, Lelin acknowledged the prince's words.

"Your Highness, may I take Lupiney to the doctor for a final check-up to ensure her complete well-being if you permit?"

Lelin's unique ability allowed him to gain insights into Lupiney's health condition, providing him with a general understanding of her well-being. However, it was important to acknowledge that Lelin's abilities did not equate to the knowledge and expertise possessed by a qualified medical professional.

While he could sense certain aspects of Lupiney's health, such as energy levels or overall vitality, he lacked the comprehensive understanding of medical knowledge required to accurately diagnose and determine the effectiveness of Morsan's treatment. 

Egone considered Lelin's request, his brows furrowing in thought. He knew how important Lupiney was to Lelin, and he wanted nothing more than to ensure her safety and happiness.

However, he also valued Morsan's opinion and sought his guidance in making this decision. Glancing towards Morsan, Egone silently conveyed his need for advice.

Lupiney, sensing the tension in the air, looked at Morsan with a puzzled expression, tilting her head in curiosity.

Unbeknownst to Morsan, she had grown fond of him within this short amount of time and started to trust him implicitly. Uncertain of what was happening, she waited anxiously for their response.

Morsan knew that Lelin's request was reasonable and necessary for him to know Lupiney's well-being. With a slight nod, Morsan indicated his approval.

Relief washed over Lelin as he saw Morsan's approval. He knew that taking Lupiney to the doctor would provide the reassurance he needed, ensuring she was in perfect health.

Grateful for the opportunity, Lelin turned to Egone, his voice filled with gratitude.

"Thank you, Your Highness. I will take good care of her and make sure she receives the best medical attention."

Egone smiled warmly at Lelin.

"Mm. Take all the time you need, and keep me updated on her progress."

Lupiney, sensing the positive energy in the room, and Morsan's approval, a smile bloomed on her face. Only after she saw that Morsan gave his permission, she did go with Lelin which made Lelin give him a threatening look as they walked out.

He appeared to be a dad who couldn't come to terms with his daughter falling for a slimy jerk.

Upon witnessing Lelin's reaction, Morsan wanted to ask about many aspects of their relationship. Despite his desire to inquire about numerous matters, he refrained from doing so and they left before he posed any questions.

As Lelin and Lupiney exited the room, Morsan overheard Prince Egone's amused remark, "Haha~ Lelin looked pissed."

Additionally, he noticed Egone giving him a knowing glance accompanied by a sly smirk.

Unable to ignore the cunning expression, Morsan couldn't help but express his annoyance in a questioning tone, "So, you're aware of something, aren't you?"

"Yep, as you may have already guessed, Lelin and Lupiney were acquainted... in fact, Lelin had been desperately searching for Lupiney for the past four years, and only now did he find her... I won't divulge any further details, but if you're curious, you can inquire directly with him."

Egone fell silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on the space where they had departed, before continuing, "Morsan, I am grateful to you for saving Lupiney. Thank you..."

Prince Egone's eyes were brimming with sincere appreciation and gratitude as he expressed his heartfelt thanks on behalf of his loyal subordinate.

Morsan's irritation grew as he processed Prince Egone's words.

'So, Lelin and Lupiney had a history together, and Lelin had been searching for her for four long years.'

He couldn't help but wonder why Lelin had never mentioned this before, why he had kept it a secret until now.

"Well~ put this all aside, shall we discuss what we going to do with our current situation?"

Morsan's attention snapped back into focus when he heard Egone's voice and noticed Van holding a scroll adorned with a royal crest.

***

Author's note:

I would like to express my deepest appreciation to Grey Knight Lord, Tempest1618, Manuel Chavez, WonderingAbyss, David Aderoju, GigaChad, Sir_dood134 (Mr. Andrew), Masutatai, Ceyhun Cagirici, Austin, Copinsa, Brandon Alberto Plata Espinoza, Nawaf Rashed, PhantomNite, Darkaito 121, Jaydon Tonkin, and Eric for their invaluable support and contributions to our fanfiction. Your sponsorship and encouragement have had a profound impact on our creative endeavors, and I will forever treasure your presence in our fanfiction journey.

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