2026-02-27 23:56:41
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What if… what if he examines me and discovers…?The thought struck her like a blade.The pregnancy… and worse… a human child…A cold dread spread through her.Ethan, standing beside her, noticed her subtle tremor. He understood immediately.Shit… this is dangerous, he thought. One wrong move and Malikar discovers everything. And if he does… there’s no way to protect her—or the child.He squared his shoulders, though inside his chest tightened.We have to be careful. One wrong word, one wrong gesture… and this becomes a disaster.Norka took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.Malikar’s eyes gleamed coldly as he stepped forward.“Enough talk,” he said sharply. “If this so-called healer truly cured you, then there is nothing to hide.”He turned and pointed toward the bed where Norka had been resting earlier.“You are refusing a medical verification requested by the guild?”“Yes.”The room stirred uneasily.Malikar stepped closer, his patience clearly gone.“Lady Norka,” he said slow
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Even Karpeta, usually timid, found her voice rising. “Aunty… how can you look at us and say you do not care? How can you betray us like this?!” Norka remained completely calm, her gaze unwavering, though a flicker of doubt passed through Karpeta’s eyes. Malikar folded his arms, his expression almost smug. “You hear them,” he said coldly. “Your own family sees the truth. They know who is thinking clearly, and who is blinded by… sentiment.” Raveth stepped closer to her, voice low but dripping with wrath. “Think carefully, Norka. Do not act out of whim or emotion. This is not just about a man—it is about every Parveja who came before you and every one who will come after. Your selfishness could undo it all.” Selvara pressed her lips together, urgency cracking her voice. “Do you truly value one life over the countless sacrifices of our family? Over the generations of toil, the trust, the protection we have built?!” Tarin’s eyes were wide, furious. “You are acting not only reckle
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Her hand unconsciously brushed the fabric near her stomach.The child would die.And so would she.Ethan was the only person who knew the truth.The only one who could help her conceal it.I cannot abandon that.She clenched her jaw slightly.No matter the cost.Malikar stepped forward again, impatience burning in his eyes.“Well?” he demanded sharply.The chamber remained silent.“I am waiting,” he said slowly.His voice carried a heavy threat.“What is your final answer, Lady Norka?”Another long pause passed.Then Norka suddenly laughed. The sound was light… mocking.Malikar’s expression darkened instantly.She looked directly at him.“You truly believe your potions are that important?” she said coolly.Malikar’s eyes narrowed.“They accelerate your family’s cultivation.”“Yes,” Norka replied.Then her voice turned icy.“But I still do not care.”The reaction was immediate.“What?!”“Lady Norka!”“Are you serious?!”Shock erupted among the Parveja members, but what followed was mor
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One of them, an older man in dark noble robes, frowned.“What is happening here?”Another woman beside him looked around nervously. “Why is everyone shouting?”Malikar turned sharply toward them, his fury still burning.“What is happening?” he barked. “I will tell you exactly what is happening!”He pointed a trembling finger straight at Ethan.“That man! That charlatan!”Several of the Parveja members looked confused.“Charlatan?” one of them murmured.Malikar’s voice rose again.“Yes! This fraud has somehow charmed Lady Norka and turned her against the guild!”Norka’s eyes immediately hardened.“Do not twist the truth,” she said coldly.Malikar scoffed loudly. “The truth? The truth is that you have allowed this man to manipulate you!”“I have not been charmed,” Norka replied sharply.The older Parveja noble looked between them in confusion.“Lady Norka… what is he talking about?”Norka gestured calmly toward Ethan.“This man,” she said, “has just healed me.”Murmurs rippled through t
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“You truly believe that will pressure me?” she said. Malikar’s expression hardened. “The Parveja family depends on our potions.” Norka crossed her arms. “I am well aware.” “Then you understand the consequences.” She tilted her head slightly. “And yet… I still do not care.” The room erupted with shocked murmurs. “You don’t care?!” “Those potions are extremely valuable!” “They boost cultivation speed by years!” Malikar stared at her in disbelief. “You would sacrifice your family’s advancement… for him?” Norka’s eyes flashed dangerously. “You presume too much.” She stepped forward, her voice turning icy. “The Parveja family existed long before your alchemical guild gained influence.” Her gaze cut into him. “And we will continue to exist without your potions.” Malikar’s face darkened. “So that is your answer?” Norka did not hesitate. “Yes.” The word echoed through the chamber like a challenge. And Malikar’s fury finally reached its peak.Malikar’s fists clenched s
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Karpeta’s eyes widened, horrified.“My… family?” she whispered, fear creeping into her voice.Ethan, standing silently beside Norka, met Malikar’s glare evenly. His expression calm, controlled, but unmistakably firm.The tension in the chamber thickened to a tangible weight, everyone waiting to see if Norka would bend—or if Malikar’s fury would meet the immovable force of her authority.Malikar’s eyes kept burning as he stared at the two of them standing so close together.Too close.Far too close.To him, the sight was unbearable.His jaw trembled with rage.“So this is it?” he said bitterly, his voice echoing across the room. “You dismiss us… lock yourself away with this stranger… and then emerge as if nothing happened?”No one answered.Karpeta looked from her aunt to Ethan, confusion clouding her face.“Aunty… what is going on?” she asked softly.Norka did not respond to her.Her gaze remained fixed on Malikar.Cold.Unimpressed.Malikar noticed the way Ethan stood beside her—calm
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