Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, half a month had passed.
These days in Eastriver City could be said to be the happiest time of Sylas's life.
Celeste wasn't as overbearing as Isolde, nor as unscrupulous as Mirabel.
She behaved just right.
With her and the child, Sylas truly felt the happiness of a family of three.
And now, it was time to part.
He accompanied Celeste and Selene twenty miles outside the city.
Watching his daughter, pink and soft like a dumpling, clinging to her aunt and staring blankly at the scenery outside, his heart was filled with reluctance.
"Alright, this is far enough. Any further and the people from Northspire might notice," Celeste had urged him several times already.
Sylas let out a long sigh and said softly, "Then I... I will go to Hanvale.
I hope everything goes smoothly."
"Go. You were never a caged bird. Truly imprisoning you would only make you wither."
Celeste lifted the child slightly and said with a smile, "Don't worry. When she's a little older, we can talk about meeting again.
Your precious girl is the Crown Princess of Aethelred, the future ruler.
She is the object of a million affections."
"Yes, her fate is so good," Sylas said absently, gazing at his daughter, then smiled happily again.
His daughter's future was bright; naturally, he was happy.
"Right? Definitely better than her father's. She won't be locked up and disciplined by all sorts of people, hehe," Celeste joked.
Then, holding Selene, she hugged Sylas, pressed close to his ear, and said sweetly, "Get your health back. Let's try for one of our own later."
"..."
Sylas no longer wanted to die. Recalling the process of his death truly frightened him.
But, looking at Celeste, he didn't want to disappoint her either.
So, from now on, he would strive to strengthen his body.
"Leaving now."
Celeste's carriage train slowly departed.
Sylas stood in place for a long time, waiting until the carriages were completely out of sight before turning back, his spirit broken.
He knew that returning meant facing that absurd life again.
The supervisory work these past half-month wasn't actually that important.
A strong fortress couldn't be built in half a month.
So, for Sylas, it was equivalent to a vacation.
He slowly returned to Ironpeak to report back to Mirabel.
There was good news upon his return: Gwendolyn's body had recovered seventy to eighty percent; she could already get out of bed and walk.
According to Seraphina, in a few more days, Gwendolyn would make a full recovery.
Besides this news, there was another thing that made him happy.
Luna had returned from Hanvale.
She had learned how to make Hanvale Noodles. Her return should mean she could help Sylas extract the potion from his body.
Everything was ready.
It was time for Sylas to figure out how to leave.
Following previous patterns, he should devise some stratagem, plan how to escape.
But this time, he suddenly felt an impulse, a belief that righteousness would prevail over evil.
He didn't want to think about schemes anymore.
He had given much for Stonewold; he wanted to leave with dignity!
Thus, in late December, near the New Year, after Gwendolyn had recovered, he went to find her and finally laid his cards on the table.
"Your Ladyship, I plan to go to Hanvale with Sister Seraphina," Sylas said, sitting on the floor, his expression calm, without a trace of fear.
Whether he left or not, each had its pros and cons.
For him, it didn't make much difference anymore.
But, like a gambler, he had to see the final outcome.
He wanted to see what the woman he admired and liked would ultimately do to him.
Gwendolyn hadn't expected him to say this.
These days, she had been immensely grateful to Sylas.
She had even thought about how to marry him.
But she never expected he would still choose to leave.
This social butterfly was just like that: sparking her interest, making her infatuated, then fluttering away.
But Gwendolyn wasn't unprepared.
From the very beginning, she had braced herself for the possibility of being toyed with by Sylas.
Sylas had helped Stonewold through its most difficult time and had attended to her during her paralysis.
This debt of gratitude, she, Gwendolyn, would not forget.
She was a clear-headed person; she couldn't hate him just because he no longer loved her.
"Sigh... I know I can't keep you, but..." She suddenly felt a sting in her nose, lowered her head, and couldn't stop the tears from flowing.
A renowned wise Chancellor, reduced to tears in just a few sentences – it truly shocked Sylas.
Unable to bear Gwendolyn's sadness, he hurriedly said, "I'm not leaving because of you. I really... I just can't stay in Stonewold anymore."
"Why can't you stay?
Haven't you been doing quite well?
Is it because I've recovered, and you think I'll sideline you at court? I won't. Aren't we partners? You as Chancellor of the Left – I would never suppress you."
Gwendolyn wasn't good at sweet talk; she quickly used the most sincere political assurance to express her feelings.
Sylas weighed his words carefully before finally saying slowly, "Your Ladyship, you treat Her Majesty as your own. I understand your feelings.
Her Majesty lost her mother young; it's normal for you to be indulgent with her.
If it were me, I would do the same.
But..." He finally stretched out his wrist, pointing with his other hand to the faint red line. "This is the Puppet-Heart Potion, administered by Her Majesty."
Gwendolyn looked shocked: "???"
Sylas continued: "Actually, Your Ladyship, back at Jade Citadel, Her Majesty was already forcing me.
After you returned, she intensified, relying on your indulgence, simply not treating me as human..."
Gwendolyn panicked. She couldn't believe it, muttering to herself: "No... impossible... Mirabel is so well-behaved and sensible..."
Sylas nodded: "Her Majesty is indeed well-behaved and sensible. She could be said to be the most benevolent ruler among the three nations.
However, she is uniquely harsh towards me.
So I can no longer stay here. I want a few days of peace and quiet."
Gwendolyn sat up straight, staring blankly at Sylas, her breathing becoming rapid.
Her beliefs seemed to be collapsing and rebuilding.
The good child she had nurtured for so long was actually this cruel to someone who had benefited Stonewold?
She couldn't accept it for a moment.
She said with difficulty: "To catch adulterers, you need both parties; to catch thieves, you need the loot.
I need to see it with my own eyes.
If what you say is true, I... I will definitely give you an explanation!"
A faint smile touched Sylas's lips. He had guessed Gwendolyn's attitude.
Given the current development, he should immediately find Seraphina, have her help extract the potion, and then flee far away.
But Sylas was tired.
He wanted to see the final outcome.
Even if it meant dungeon chains, he would accept it.
"Alright. Then... Your Ladyship can come to my room tonight. If Her Majesty makes any offensive moves, you can intervene beforehand."
"Okay..." Gwendolyn agreed, her heart in turmoil.
Night fell quickly.
Sylas was, as usual, preparing to rest in his room.
Gwendolyn, rather undignified, hid inside the wardrobe.
They both waited in the bedroom.
Sylas sat on the edge of the bed, motionless. He was even somewhat worried that Mirabel wouldn't come tonight.
If she didn't, Gwendolyn certainly wouldn't believe him.
But he worried too much.
Mirabel now knew the taste of it ; if she could come, she would.
Sure enough, the door was gently pushed open.
Sylas saw Mirabel's exquisitely pretty little face.
"Waiting impatiently?"