After sending away all the palace maids and eunuchs, Ethan Foster sat alone by the window, lost in thought. Everything from his dreams had now become reality, but for the first time, he felt regret for his choices. Food, clothing, shelter, and transportation—he had gained all the things he once valued so highly. Yet, he had lost something far more precious: love. Father, mother, how are you now? I miss you so much... Ethan Foster silently gazed at the bright moon in the sky, realizing his face was already streaked with tears.

When the red-eyed Ethan Foster woke up, it was already early the next morning. The area beside his bed was damp, no doubt from the tears he shed in his dreams. Out of habit, he called out, “Emily Clark,” but the figure that appeared before him was a stranger.

“Your Highness, do you have any orders?” It was a timid young girl, with a hint of panic and sorrow between her brows. Seeing this, Ethan Foster instinctively felt a pang in his heart.

“Where is Emily Clark? And what about Grace?” His voice involuntarily rose. “Where are the two of them? Tell me!” Having already lost his mother, Ethan Foster could not hide his fear. Could it be that the smiling, charming girl in red had abandoned him as well?

“Emily Clark and Grace are ill,” the girl said in a panic. She had never seen the gentle Seventh Prince so angry before and was extremely frightened. As a lowly palace maid, how could she dare defy Consort Yu’s orders? Though she sympathized with Emily Clark and Grace, she dared not reveal the truth.

“Impossible, they were perfectly fine yesterday!” Ethan Foster didn’t believe a word of it. “Speak! Where exactly are they?”

The girl was so scared she was about to cry, stammering, “They—they’re recovering from their injuries in the side room.”

Ethan Foster felt as if his mind exploded with a loud bang. Without another word, he rushed straight toward the side room. It was an inconspicuous chamber, with several palace maids standing by the door, quietly wiping away tears. Seeing their master arrive without warning, everyone panicked. One maid even blocked the door with her body: “Your Highness, you—you cannot go in!”

“Why not?” Ethan Foster felt a surge of anger. “All of you, get out of my way!”

The maids exchanged glances, then suddenly knelt down in unison. “Your Highness, if we let you in, not only Emily Clark and Grace, but all the servants of Fenghua Palace will face only one fate—death. Please, Your Highness, have mercy!”

“Did my mother say something to you?” Ethan Foster said weakly. “Only she—only she could make you so afraid. Did she do something to Emily Clark and Grace?”

Though he received no answer, he saw the fear in their eyes. It was clear—he was right. That woman, that peerless beauty, wouldn’t even spare two palace maids. Was he really destined to accept such a fate, to be manipulated at will? Without even glancing at those kneeling on the ground, Ethan Foster pushed open the door. Everyone felt as if they could hardly breathe. At that moment, Ethan Foster suddenly stopped in his tracks. “I will speak to my mother about what happened today. You need not worry. If there is blame, let me be punished along with them!”

Watching Ethan Foster’s departing figure, the palace maids realized for the first time that this frail young man possessed a natural pride in his bones. His lonely appearance made people want to draw close. The fate of Emily Clark and Grace had made them all deliberately keep their distance from Ethan Foster, but now, they found themselves envying the two injured girls lying in bed. At least that noble young man still cared about them.

Chapter Six: Awakening

In a daze, Emily Clark felt a warm hand brush her cheek. Who was it? Who still cared about her? She called out silently in her heart. Since being sent here yesterday, only a few close friends had come to visit, but they could do nothing. Consort Yu’s power and orders in the harem were enough to make everyone treat the two innocent maids like plague-bearers, avoiding them at all costs. As for medicine, that was out of the question—who would dare bring medicine to two criminals? The wounds hurt, but what hurt more was her heart. She wondered how His Highness was doing. Without Emily Clark by his side to serve him, was he all right? Even now, she still worried about that young man.

That familiar voice sounded in her ear again. For a moment, Emily Clark almost thought she was dreaming. “Emily Clark, I don’t know what happened, but I’m sure your injuries have a lot to do with me. Don’t worry, I’ll go get the imperial physician right away. I swear, I will never let anyone close to me suffer misfortune again!” These simple words filled Emily Clark’s heart with an indescribable happiness. She had finally waited for this day. At this moment, even if she were to die, she would have no regrets...

Ethan Foster was about to call for the imperial physician when he felt someone grab his hand. Turning around, he saw the deep affection in Emily Clark’s eyes. In that instant, he forgot everything else. In the young man’s eyes, there was only the image of the girl in red, her gaze capable of melting anything. He understood it easily. “Emily Clark, wait a moment, I’ll go get the imperial physician right away!” Ethan Foster suddenly came to his senses, embarrassedly pulled his hand free from Emily Clark, and dashed out the door like the wind.