447 Falling Sick
Selma Payne’s POV:
𝘧𝗿𝚎e𝓌𝗲𝒃𝑛𝒐ѵ𝗲𝒍. c𝐨𝗺
At the border.
From afar, I could already see the members of the werewolf pack coming to receive us. It had been a long time since I last saw my fellow countrymen, and my mood improved for a moment. Then, I thought of my husband, whose fate was unknown, and my good mood instantly disappeared without a trace.
The little elves were a little uneasy. In their opinion, they should be sitting on the bus and singing, not being surrounded by a group of fully-armed warriors.
“Don’t be afraid. They’re border soldiers. They’re only here for a routine inspection.”
I heard Dorothy comforting the little elves. My duty as the leader was to comfort the people, but Dorothy helped me with most of the work.
I didn’t know what was going on with me. It was as if my life force had disappeared from my body overnight, leaving behind an empty shell. The one who cried and wanted to get everything back was surprised that even the feeling of ‘pain’ had become very vague.
I believed I was sick. Dorothy and Master Hayley thought so too.
Master Hayley once told me privately, “Don’t give yourself so much pressure, Selma. There are many things that you and I cannot change. The helplessness of life is endless. Most of the time, we can’t do anything. We can only accept and work hard to not repeat the same mistakes. You’re almost crushing yourself, my dear, but you know that’s not your responsibility at all.”
I knew she was right, but I couldn’t adjust my state of mind. People with cancer couldn’t live just on their own will, could they?
After not seeing each other for a long time, Jordin gave me a big hug when we met. I hugged her back and felt the warmth of her body and the familiar scent. I finally felt like all the stones hanging in the air had fallen to the ground.
It was over. Everything in the Elf Forest was over.
I saw the worry in Jordin’s eyes, but she forced a smile and didn’t ask or say anything.
I was not the only one feeling helpless. Once caught in the vortex of power, you could only go with the flow, whether you wanted to or not.
“When you weren’t around, the Spring Rain Pack went on as usual, running smoothly. We’ve developed a few policy drafts based on the current situation and are currently implementing them. At present, the results are good. Wania has been eager to report to you.”
Jordin reported everything that happened in the Spring Rain Pack to me.
“Spring Rain Pack doesn’t have a mature military base, so the army is divided into three parts, stationed in the east, north, and south of the Spring Rain Pack city center. The headquarters is stationed in the south, and currently, they have a good working relationship with the Spring Rain Pack. By the way, since you’re back, when will we hand over the military power? I sent a report to the palace this morning, but they haven’t replied yet.”
I forced a smile. “I’m sorry. I think you’ll have to bear with it for a few more days.”
“What?” Jordin stopped in her tracks. She understood what I was implying and frowned in confusion. “Are you leaving so soon? Do you want to go back to the Lycan pack?”
“Yes.” I nodded and pulled her closer. “You know about the situation with the Lycan pack. The Evaria Family is getting more and more arrogant. I can’t back down now. I have to go back to the Lycan pack to solve this problem. Once I hide in the Spring Rain Pack, it would prove my cowardice in the eyes of others, and it would only make the Evaria Family more arrogant. Furthermore, the Spring Rain Pack is still too far away from the Lycan pack. If anything happens, I won’t be able to make it back in time.”
These reasons were so legitimate, so righteous, and so in line with my identity as the princess of a country.
However, it was not the princess and her courtiers facing each other now. It was just Selma and Jordin. So Jordin looked at me worriedly as I fidgeted with the wedding ring on my ring finger without a sound.
Aldrich.
If I left, what would happen to Aldrich?
I believed that the Spring Rain Pack would provide him with the best medical care, and I was neither a doctor nor a werewolf grandmaster, so I would not be able to help with Aldrich’s condition. But were these reasons for me to leave in peace?
Or should I stay? I would reject the palace’s proposal and insist on staying with my husband. Like every touching love story, I would keep to the promise that we would never be apart. But could I be at ease? Give up my responsibility, give up my identity, give up what I should do, and make everything be about my love?
I didn’t know. I didn’t know what to choose.
I no longer trusted my own choices.
I was still in a daze when Wania reported to me about government affairs. I didn’t even pay attention to what she was saying. Dorothy, who had rushed back after hurriedly settling down the little elves, helped me out of the situation. Wania and the other government officials considerately understood that I was absent-minded. They thought that I was tired from the long journey and had let my soul wander.
I was actually focusing all my attention on my hearing. I wanted to hear medical equipment’s cold and rhythmic hum coming from underground. However, the thick layer of soil and the special soundproof barrier made all my efforts futile.
