Chapter 1617: The Hardest Trial

Alinna’s eyes fluttered open to unfamiliar luxury. A grand canopy stretched above her, its sheer curtains embroidered with silver threads that caught the morning light. Sunlight filtered through towering windows draped in rich velvet, bathing the chamber in a soft golden glow.

The air carried the faint scent of roses and polished cedar. Beneath her, the mattress was impossibly soft, layered with silk sheets and blankets finer than anything she had ever touched.

For a few seconds, she blinks blankly. Her thoughts were sluggish, trapped between dream and waking reality. The carved ceiling, the gilded furniture, the delicate chandelier hanging overhead, none of it made sense.

Then realization struck. Alinna jerked upright so suddenly the blankets slid from her shoulders. Her breath caught as panic flashed across her face, eyes darting wildly around the lavish chamber.

The doors opened almost at once. Her close maid hurried inside carrying a silver tray. Concern flickered across the woman’s face, though her movements remained calm and practiced. She approached the bedside and quickly poured water into a crystal glass.

"Miss," she said gently, offering the drink. "Please have some water."

Alinna accepted the glass with slightly trembling hands and took a large gulp, the cool water soothing the dryness in her throat. She exhaled softly afterward, clutching the glass as though grounding herself in its weight.

Beside her stood her close assistant, Dominique Hartley.

Dominique watched her with an inquisitive gaze, carefully masking her concern behind practiced composure.

Yesterday, Alinna had collapsed without warning, and the memory still unsettled her. Her instincts whispered that it had not been caused by mere exhaustion. No—something had happened.

Something important enough to shake Alinna so deeply.

The maid hesitated, studying her lady’s pale face. "My lady... how do you feel?" Dominique asked carefully, unable to conceal the curiosity lingering in her voice. After a brief hesitation, she added, "What do you feel?"

Before Alinna could answer, the sudden sound of the door opening sliced through the quiet room. Both Alinna and Dominique instinctively turned toward the entrance at the same time.

Soon, a tall figure entered. The man possessed long blond hair that flowed neatly over his shoulders, and a pristine white cape draped across his frame with effortless elegance. His expression carried warmth, gentle and tender, the kind that might reassure anyone at first glance.

However, somehow Dominique felt chill in her spine, something beneath that softness unsettled her.

Salvo stepped into the room without haste, his presence quiet yet impossible to ignore. Framed by the doorway and the pale morning light behind him, he observed the scene with measured attention. Dominique remained beside Alinna, the now half-empty glass still in her hands.

The luxurious chamber, moments ago merely unfamiliar and tense, suddenly felt charged with something heavier. Alinna’s expression turned stiff, she didn’t know why sometimes she feel uneasy around Salvo, but she thought it was cause by nervousness because she liked Salvo.

Salvo’s gaze settled upon Alinna.

"You are awake," he said softly, his voice smooth and composed.

Relief crossed his face, carefully measured and restrained. Yet beneath that gentle expression, his eyes remained sharp, quietly assessing her condition.

He moved farther into the room, the faint rustle of his white cape disturbing the silence.

"I was beginning to worry."

"I’m fine." The corners of Alinna’s lips curved into a slow smile.

"That’s good." Salvo pulled a nearby chair and sat beside the bed with calm elegance. Only then did he glance toward Dominique. "You may leave now."

Dominique bowed respectfully. "Yes, Sir."

As she stepped back, her fingers loosened around a small cubed device hidden within her sleeve. With practiced subtlety, she allowed it to fall. It landed soundlessly and slid beneath the bed.

Only after making certain it remained concealed did she straighten and leave the chamber.

When the door closed behind her, the room instantly fell silent.

Alinna clenched the blanket tightly. "Salvo... do you know what happened to me?" she asked, unease slipping into her voice.

"Suddenly, my power disappeared, I feel weak, and my heart aches so bad!"

Salvo remained silent. His eyes rested on her for several long moments, studying her with unsettling focus. Not concerned—calculation. Then, as though reaching a conclusion, a gentle smile appeared upon his face.

"Do not scare yourself," his voice was calm and reassuring. "It is normal. You have worked too hard these past few months and are simply exhausted."

He held her hands and said, "You have been healing people without rest these past few weeks. Even Princess Lorient could not accomplish what you have done."

His words came smoothly, deliberately, and effortlessly. "You are better than her, Alinna. So ease your mind."

His gaze softened, carefully crafted warmth settling over his features as he reached forward and brushed her cheek with deceptive tenderness.

To Alinna, the gesture felt comforting. To Salvo, it was merely effective. He watched the tension leave her shoulders almost immediately, just as expected.

Alinna blinked, and Salvo’s words seemed to brighten her face. Of course—that had to be the reason. She had simply exhausted herself.

Salvo was right. For days, she had healed without rest, pushing herself far beyond ordinary limits. Even Princess Lorient, so admired and revered throughout the world, could not have accomplished what Alinna had done. Naturally, such relentless effort would leave her drained.

The thought soothed the unease coiling inside her chest. There was nothing wrong with her; it was only the price of overexertion.

Eventually, the fear gripping her chest gradually loosened. Looking back, she almost felt foolish for frightening herself so badly. Relief spread across her face, softening her features as her smile slowly widened.

Across from her, Salvo returned the smile with practiced ease, concealing the cold satisfaction lurking beneath it as he watched her accept the lie without question.

______________________________

__At cestine Palace__

Lory had been busy swiping at the tablet in her hand, her brows knitted together as she stopped in one of the news. It said the fire at one of Anchora’s largest warehouses had thrown the city into turmoil.

The footage showed thick black smoke coiling into the sky like a monstrous serpent while crimson flames devoured the massive structure with frightening speed. Firefighters and emergency responders swarmed the area, their sirens piercing the chaos as frightened civilians gathered behind barricades.

A sharply dressed Anchora representative stood before a forest of microphones, his face solemn beneath the flashing cameras.

"This was not an accident," he declared firmly. "Based on preliminary investigation, we have reason to believe this attack was orchestrated by terrorist elements seeking to create fear and instability. Anchora will not bow to intimidation, and we are cooperating fully with authorities to identify those responsible."

The statement ignited immediate controversy.

Public networks were flooded with speculation and outrage. Some demanded swift retaliation against the alleged terrorists, while others questioned the sudden conclusion, accusing the authorities of withholding information. Conspiracy theories spread faster than the fire itself.

Lory scoffed.

The enemy must know it was Harland’s work, but they would never dare reveal it publicly. Doing so would only invite suspicion. King Lucas, the ruler of Harland, was widely known as a righteous and principled man.

Harland had earned a fearsome reputation on the battlefield, yet they were not known for senseless violence or attacks without cause.

If the public learned Harland was responsible, people would inevitably question why they had struck Anchora in the first place, and that was likely a question certain people did not want asked. That is why they blamed the terrorist for it, though Lory was sure the enemy would retaliate sooner or later.

Lory continued browsing for recent news about the Saintess. However, there were still no further reports concerning her. Only brief official statements remained, claiming that all ceremonies, charitable events, and public appearances associated with the Saintess had been quietly suspended due to her declining health.

Lory’s expression turned solemn. She was curious about what the Saintess and the S.A.I.N.T. organization were doing right now. But before she could sink deeper into thought, the sound of approaching footsteps reached her ears.

Her eyes widened then, with a quick movement, she slipped the tablet beneath the pillow, then lowered herself onto the bed and pulled the blanket over her body, pretending to rest. A second later, the door opened, and then Zhao Li Xin entered carrying a tray of food.

Lory peeked from beneath her blanket and saw the ancient black robe draped over his tall figure flutter softly with each measured step. His expression remained as cold and composed as ever, yet beneath that detached exterior lingered unmistakable warmth within his dark onyx eyes.

Seeing him wearing his old clothes reminded her of memories from the past. From the first time they met to the moment they fell in love, she remembered the entire journey they had walked together, the pain and the joy, as well as all the friends and enemies they had encountered along the way.

All of it left a bittersweet feeling in her heart, though it was far sweeter than bitter.

Lory wished she could tell all her friends in the cultivation world about her pregnancy. She wondered how the Mong brothers and the Four Palace Kings would react, how much Yang Xi Ying would lecture her about what she should and should not do during her pregnancy, and how excited Ming Yue Yin would be. Ming Yue Yin used to jokingly call her Aunty, so what would she call her twins?

The thought brought a faint smile to Lory’s lips.

Oh... she missed them so much.

Zhao Li Xin placed the tray upon the table before walking toward the bed. Lory could feel the mattress on her side sink slightly as he sat beside her.

Lory quickly closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep, but Zhao Li Xin watched her little shenanigan with quiet amusement.

"Wife," he said lazily, the corner of his lips lifting, "how long do you intend to pretend to be asleep?"

Lory’s eyelashes fluttered several rapid beats before she reluctantly opened her eyes.

"You knew!" she complained with a pout.

Zhao Li Xin chuckled. "Your heart is beating far too quickly for someone supposedly asleep. So, naturally, I would know."

Lory pushed herself upright while Zhao Li Xin adjusted the pillows behind her with practiced care, making sure she sat comfortably.

Her gaze drifted toward the covered dishes, though her expression remained somber.

"What is today’s menu?" she asked suspiciously. "Please don’t tell me it’s bland chicken breast again." ℴ

Zhao Li Xin laughed softly and poked her nose. "No. It’s steamed fish with ginger to ease your nausea." His voice softened. "And I had the chef prepare red bean soup for dessert."

Lory looked pleasantly surprised. "They knew how to make it?"

"I teach them, it’s not difficult," Zhao Li Xin replied with casual indifference.

Her expression dimmed at once. "Hmph, you can do everything. I feel useless." She sulked, lowering her gaze.

Zhao Li Xin laughed openly. "If you are useless, then no one in this world is useful." He arranged the bedside table before placing the meal upon it with practiced ease.

"Besides," he continued, his eyes warming as they settled on her, "you are carrying twins for me. If we returned to my world, you would be treated like an Empress Dowager by Bei Li Yan and everyone, perhaps even more revered."

Lory tilted her head in thought before nodding in agreement. "That’s true. Your people are rather obsessed with continuing the bloodline. Even the common folk are no less eager."

She had never fully understood such fervor.

Lory could understand why her own people valued the continuation of the Lucient bloodline. Their power and protection were tied to it; the survival of their lineage brought tangible benefit to the entire realm.

But ordinary people in her world did not possess such an overwhelming desire to bear children. Though she’s not sure if that a good or bad things.

A faint smile touched Zhao Li Xin’s lips. His gaze drifted toward her still-flat stomach, and he gently laid his hand upon it. "Are they troubling you today?"

Lory shook her head while enjoying the meal. "No. They’re quite obedient today."

"That’s good." Relief flickered across his face.

Using his chopsticks, Zhao Li Xin picked up a piece of meat and held it before her lips."Eat more."

Lory obediently opened her mouth and accepted the piece of meat. The steamed fish was tender, the ginger warming her stomach in a way that soothed the lingering nausea.

She ate with quiet relish while Zhao Li Xin remained beside her, occasionally placing more food into her bowl whenever he deemed her portion insufficient.

His gaze lingered on her face, pleased to see her appetite returning, but theh his eyes darted to the corner of something like a tablet under the pillow. He squints his eyes, then slowly picks up the pillow and sees what is underneath.

Lory, who had been happily chewing moments ago, suddenly stiffened. Zhao Li Xin picked up the tablet and looked at her with a reprimanding expression.

"Lory."

Lory stared at the device in his hand, then looked at Zhao Li Xin and let out an awkward grin. She knew she was in trouble. "Hehe..." Lory subconsciously let out a nervous chuckle.

Zhao Li Xin held the tablet between two fingers as though handling evidence from a carefully concealed crime.

With practiced ease, he turned it up; the screen lit up. His eyes moved calmly across the browser history, reading in silence.

The longer he looked, the more Lory’s confidence quietly abandoned her. When Zhao Li Xin lifted his gaze, a faint trace of dissatisfaction lingered in his dark eyes.

"And here I thought my wife was resting obediently." The words were spoken lightly, yet somehow carried the weight of an interrogation.

Lory immediately knew the situation was not in her favor.