2026-02-28 23:38:13
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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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Outside the chamber, the atmosphere had grown increasingly tense.More than fifteen minutes had passed.Malikar was pacing like a caged beast.His fists were clenched so tightly the veins in his arms bulged.“This is ridiculous!” he snapped for what felt like the tenth time.“They have been in there for far too long!”One of the alchemists sighed.“Perhaps she is questioning him.”“Questioning him?” Malikar scoffed angrily. “Behind closed doors? Alone?”Another alchemist muttered,“This entire situation is humiliating.”“We were dismissed like servants.”“Yes,” another agreed bitterly. “By a stranger.”Malikar’s jealousy had long since boiled over.His eyes burned with frustration.That rat…That insignificant outsider…He clenched his teeth.It should be me in there.“I swear,” Malikar growled, “when she comes out, I will demand an explanation.”He pointed toward the door angrily.“This man has disrespected the entire alchemical order!”Another demon guard nodded.“And insulted the a
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If I refuse… He could expose her. Her life would be over. Her family disgraced. The child killed. But if she accepted… I would be helping a human infiltrate the demon realm. That was treason. Absolute treason. Yet another thought crept in. The child… Her hand slowly touched her stomach. My child… Fear twisted inside her chest. But alongside it… something softer lingered. Something she had tried to ignore since discovering the pregnancy. Could I really abandon it? Her mind replayed Ethan’s words. I can help you give birth safely. I will take the child to the human world. Norka closed her eyes briefly. Harry… A faint bitterness filled her chest. You vanished… and left this behind. She slowly turned back toward Ethan. Her expression was complicated now. Still cautious. Still suspicious. But no longer completely hostile. “You are asking for a great deal,” she said quietly. Ethan nodded. “I know.” “And you expect me to trust you?” He met her gaze calmly. “
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