Chapter 1173:
Worried Elena might not believe her, Tinsley added, “If he were still alive, something—anything—would’ve turned up by now.”
A piercing sound buzzed in Elena’s head, her vision sharpening as Tinsley’s voice drifted in and out, like static on a radio.
Forcing herself to focus, Elena replayed the details in her mind, catching the parts that didn’t add up. “You mentioned he disappeared at sea. What about those assassins chasing him?”
“They’re still lurking out there. They haven’t gone anywhere.”
Elena clung to a glimpse of hope. “If Wesley were really dead, they would’ve left after confirming it. The fact that they’re still sticking around means he’s got to be out there somewhere.”
Elena began reconstructing the scene in her head. Chances were, Wesley had been injured and took the plunge himself, hoping to shake his pursuers. Those assassins lingering nearby could only mean they hadn’t found proof of his death. Then Wesley was almost certainly alive.
Assuming Elena was just denying Wesley’s likely death, Tinsley made an effort to soothe her. “While that’s not impossible, you have to see how vast the open sea is. Almost nobody makes it back once they fall in, and with all the carnivorous fish out there… Healer, I understand how much it hurts to lose someone, but you need to find a way forward.”
Elena didn’t bother arguing with Tinsley. She had already gleaned what she needed. After leaving the palace, she sent Lydia a message without delay.
“Check every ship that traveled through the open sea in the last week.”
Lydia didn’t keep her waiting. “On it. Give me three minutes.”
Three minutes passed on the dot before Elena’s phone buzzed with a detailed list of ships that had navigated the waters.
A call from Lydia followed, worry threading through her tone. “Elena, tell me what’s happening. Are you all right?”
Elena filled her in on Wesley’s disappearance.
Lydia instantly sat up straighter, her tone sharp. “I’m wrapping things up and heading to you now.”
Elena meant to protest, but Lydia had already ended the call.
𝗢𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝘁 ⲅⲁⳑ𝗇𝗈ⳡ𝖊𝗅𝘀⍿𝗰𝗼𝗆
Elena barely made it a few steps down the street before a man blocked her path. “Wow, beautiful. You really stand out. Why not let me buy you a drink?” He grinned, making a lazy attempt to drape his arm around her shoulder.
“Fuck off,” Elena snapped, her words as steady as steel.
Unbothered, the man’s grin only widened. “No need to freeze me out. I’m not some villain. Just trying to be nice. Why not let me buy you dinner…”
In one swift move, Elena caught his wrist and bent it back, cutting him off. Pain contorted his features, and his demeanor shifted dramatically as he hissed, “What’s your problem? Do you have any clue who you’re dealing with? My father’s Lord Rosethorne! You should feel honored I’m interested in you!”
Before Elena could respond, a sarcastic voice sliced through the air. “Wow, for a minute there, I thought your old man was the Almighty. ‘Honored’? Please. That’s like a clown dreaming he can date a queen. Disgusting and delusional.”
Turning her head, Elena spotted Lance strolling up, hood pulled low and hands buried in his pockets.
Delavan Barnett, heir to the Barony of Rosethorne, failing to recognize Lance as the prince, exclaimed, “Back off! None of this concerns you. Are you looking for trouble?”
Lance let out a derisive smirk. “Strange. I keep hearing some mutt yapping, but I only see your mouth moving there.”
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