504 Mourning
Selma Payne’s POV:
As I let my thoughts run wild, I heard Master Hayley say, “Of course, this reference standard is not absolute. It doesn’t mean whoever spends the most time with Naiad will become her learning model. There can be many reference models. We are more inclined to believe that she will have a comprehensive understanding of all the people she is familiar with since birth and use them as the basis for adjustment.”
‘… Master, please don’t take such a long breath the next time you speak.’
Although I’d become much stronger after fusing with Madeline, Master Hayley and Master Kevin were still far more knowledgeable and experienced than I was. For this reason, I had to ask a grandmaster to stay and help me observe the growth of Naiad to prevent any accidents.
Master Kevin volunteered to stay in the palace. “I’ve taken care of the young prince before. I have some experience. Let me stay this time.”
Although such a positive attitude was unlike Master Kevin’s usual stiffness, I didn’t think much of it and agreed.
My parents loved Naiad very much, and my mother even carried the child to her.
“Go do what you have to do. It’s so easy to be distracted with the child around. I’ll help you share the burden and send her back when you’re on your break at night.”
I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “As long as you don’t find it troublesome,” I said. “You can take care of her as long as you like. I’m happy to have my quiet.”
The children that came one after another finally allowed my mother to close her eyes and catch her breath from her endless nightmares. Thus, I tried my best to create conditions for the grandmother and grandchildren to get along so my mother could enjoy her family’s happiness. I was too busy with work here, so it was inevitable that I’d neglect the children. They could get better and safer care with my mother.
Maxine also left with Naiad. The sudden silence here made me feel a little uncomfortable.
At this moment, Master Kevin, who had already left, suddenly returned.
“Is there anything else you need?” I asked. “You can tell Kara if you need anything. She will help you solve all your problems in the palace.”
Master Kevin suddenly became ill at ease. He rubbed his hands restlessly and wanted to speak a few times but did not get his wish. The brooch on the collar of his robe reflected a bright luster under the sun. It was a familiar Sapphire brooch.
I got it.
“You want to ask about Captain Layla, right?”
Master Kevin nodded and said, “I know there’s no conclusion yet, and I shouldn’t have disturbed you, but… But I really… I just want to know if there are any useful clues. Layla, it’s been more than twenty years, I…”
He repeated incoherent words as if he had lost his usual rationality and calmness when it came to Captain Layla. He had become a trembling stray cat in the rain, looking for traces of the old ones by following the long-lost scent.
I didn’t say anything. I took out Benson’s investigation report from the pile of documents and handed it to Master Kevin.
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“I’m sorry, we haven’t found enough evidence so far, but the investigation has progressed. Whether or not we can solve this clue will become the key point of the entire case.”
Master Kevin took the document and read through it carefully and quickly. He muttered, “Mind… Control?”
“Yes, not only those who have interacted with Julie but also Julie herself has probably been under mind control. Do you still remember what happened to Carey? Although the ability that burst out of young Sunflower’s instinct was not very powerful, Carey was still mentally affected to a certain extent. And Julie’s madness is likely caused by excessive mental control.”
When he saw the page on Julie’s death, Master Kevin’s face suddenly turned pale. “She’s dead!”
“Yes.: I nodded heavily. “Julie committed suicide, but this makes the whole thing even more unusual. Or, the murderer discovered that someone was investigating this old case, so he mind-controlled Julie again and forced her to commit suicide. Or, there must be some special reason that Julie did not dare to return to the Lycan pack and even ended her life this way.”
For a moment, we didn’t speak, as we all realized that the death of the key witness made the whole case become an unsolved case again.
After a while, Master Kevin suddenly said, “I would like to go and look at the Golden Bell Pack, Your Highness. Of course not now. After Naiad’s condition is over, I hope to go in person… To the manor and take a look.
“If the case had been solved by then, I should personally go to confess to Layla. For all these years of running away and for my cowardice, I didn’t even dare to go there to take a look…
“If there’s no conclusion to the case, I’ll find the rat hiding behind the scenes and let him have a taste of being deserted by his friends and family and die in humiliation!”
Looking at Master Kevin’s eyes filled with regret and anger, I didn’t say anything in the end and nodded in agreement.
