"Ash, what's wrong? Why are you troubled?" Justin approached Asher once he was alone. "Did you encounter any trouble during your visit to the palace? Right now, everyone is busy with Bella's situation. The pressure and pain you're enduring are no less than ours-perhaps even greater." Asher lifted his gaze to meet Justin's eyes, feeling a pang of gratitude. "At a tlike this, I'm grateful that you still notice my emotions, Justin. I truly appreciate it." "Ash, don't say that. We are family. To me, you are as important as Bella." During the days that Bella had been missing, Justin had been unable to sleep and found it hard to eat. His nerves were constantly on edge. Any slight change in those around him magnified his stress, making him even more anxious. "What exactly happened?" "Actually, it's nothing much," Asher said, his lips tightening into a thin line. "When I went to the palace, I finally met the King whom they all hold in high regard. He was very kind and hospitable, personally guidingthrough the palace. He dined withand showed concern for my health, even inquiring about my work and life over the years. He seemed like a warm and approachable elder, without the airs of a sovereign. Even though I'm not from Sentania, I was somewhat overwhelmed." Justin understood Asher's feelings. He would also be nervous in a similar situation. “Isn't that a good thing?" "It is good, but perhaps too good. It's overwhelming, and it feels strange. We had only met for the first ttoday, and we have no personal connection. With his status, why would he treatso well?" Justin's brow furrowed deeply.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"He also gavethis." Asher pulled out an ancient marble ornament from his chest pocket. It was engraved with exquisite dragon patterns, representing nobility and mystery. This was clearly not from an ordinary household.
"This is an artifact from the Sentania royal family," Justin gasped.
Justin had been exposed to antiques and artifacts since childhood under the tutelage of his father and grandfather. He carefully examined the piece.
"I've seen this ornament in museum brochures before. It's an antique, a et personal item of the previous Sentania kings, passed down through generations. It's likely three to fou hundred years old. If I remember correctly, this ornament is only passed to the heir to the throne, the crown prince of Sentania." "What?!" Asher's eyes widened in shock as he stared at the ornament. "Why would he give such a valuable heirloom to me?! Such an important item should be given to his only son." Justin pressed his lips together, deep in thought. He took a moment to consider all the information he had.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmHe could feel his heart start racing as he connected the dots to what Bella had mentioned to him et previously and the royal secrets he had heard from his friend regarding a missing female operative named Nadia. He looked at Asher with a piercing intensity. His heart raced as he traced the details in Asher's face.
"Justin, what's wrong?" Asher asked, puzzled.
Could it be? Could it be such a coincidence? Although both he and Bella suspected Nadia was Wyatt's first wife, Yara Brown, who was the mother of Bella and her four brothers, drawing a conclusion based on hearsay without any evidence seemed hasty.
However, it seemed unlikely that his friend, who had worked in the royal family for years, would be mistaken.
Nadia had definitely been the lover of Sentania's king. She had been framed by the queen and et imprisoned. Once she managed to escape, she was hunted down, so she fled to the sea, eventually arriving in Hatchbay, where the Thompson family lived. The two stories seemed to match up perfectly.
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