chapter 5

Lilian’s pupils shrank the moment she heard Leonard’s words.

So everything she had secretly been doing—Leonard knew. And he had remembered it all.

Over the past few years, while she worked tirelessly to grow stronger and plan her next steps, she had never forgotten her mother’s final plea.

She had been only six back then, too young to understand why her mother wanted her to leave the Sinclair family—the family that had given her life and raised her.

But once the nightmare began, and she tried to escape, it was already too late…

Now, with a second chance, she had begun investigating Sebastian.

That was when she realized just what kind of man he was.

According to the rumors, Sebastian’s mother had been the daughter of an earl, while his father’s family belonged to one of the most powerful aristocratic houses in Kingston.

For personal reasons, Sebastian had inherited his maternal grandfather’s title and taken over Austine Financial Group, seizing control of the foreign financial world.

The empire he built from the ground up now dominated the entire country.

The name Sebastian didn’t just represent immense wealth. It meant supreme power—a man everyone longed to know.

She didn’t understand how her mother had known someone like him, or why she had wanted Lilian to bring him the Jade Key. But one thing was certain: a man like that could be her greatest ally.

Whether it was fulfilling her mother’s last wish or advancing her own goals, one of her missions now that she had come down from the mountain—was to find him.

“Thank you, Grandpa,” Lilian said, giving him a final bow.

“Silly girl, what are you doing? Get up,” Leonard said, hurrying to lift her. Like a grandfather reluctant to let his granddaughter go, he repeated his advice again and again. “I know you carry a lot of resentment in your heart, but I hope you can still live happily. If you let hatred take over your life, you’ll lose all your joy.”

“I understand, Grandpa.” Lilian choked back her emotions as she said her farewell and turned to head down the mountain, toward Ravenshire.

Ravenshire was surrounded by vast forests and mountain ranges. Lilian took a less-traveled route through Blackwood Mountains, planning to gather rare medicinal herbs along the way and store them in her space for future use.

Blackwood Mountains was blanketed in towering trees, its landscape breathtaking and rich with rare herbs.

After two full days of hiking deep into the mountains, Lilian had collected quite a bounty.

As night fell, she followed a winding mountain path and eventually found a hidden cave nestled in a hillside. Planning to rest there for the night, she stepped inside.

But the moment she entered, the thick stench of blood hit her, and her brows knitted tightly.

The cave was dim. In the shadows, she could just barely make out a figure slumped against the rock wall.

Lilian pulled a night pearl from her pack. Instantly, the cave lit up like day.

There, leaning against the stone, was a man. His face was pale, eyes shut tight. His clothes were torn in several places. He looked battered and disheveled—

And yet, even in this state, he was impossibly handsome.

A lock of black hair fell over his forehead, hiding his right eye. His long legs were carelessly stretched out, but his posture remained elegant, noble.

Then Lilian noticed the blood around his abdomen, and her frown deepened.

She approached quietly, crouched beside him, and reached out to unbutton his shirt.

Suddenly, a sharp gust of energy whipped toward her. Lilian barely dodged the attack.

Before she could recover, the injured man sprang to his feet and launched a kick at her.

“Hey!” she snapped, locking eyes with his cold, sharp gaze. “Are you crazy? I was trying to help you, and you repay me like this?!”

The man froze mid-motion, breathing hard. “Who sent you?”

Lilian rubbed her sore arm from his earlier strike and huffed, “You’ve got a serious persecution complex. I was trying to save you, and you attack me? You’re unbelievable.”

Sebastian studied her for a moment, then relaxed. Confirming she meant no harm, he finally collapsed back against the wall, exhausted.

Now that she was sure he wouldn't lash out again, Lilian slowly walked over and muttered, “I’m treating you, so no more sneak attacks.” Then she undid his shirt—and gasped.

The wound was deep, likely caused by a blade. She could see bone, and it was still bleeding heavily.

To be this badly injured and still manage to attack someone… he’s seriously impressive.

She glanced at his pale face, then said solemnly, “This has to be cleaned immediately. I don’t have any anesthetic. It’s going to hurt.”

Sebastian opened his eyes slightly. His dark, bottomless gaze locked onto her. “Do it,” he rasped, weak but commanding.

Lilian curled her lip. Even now, he acted like some high-and-mighty lord. If she didn’t have professional ethics, she would’ve left him to die.

She checked to confirm the wound hadn’t damaged any vital organs. Then she pulled out a small knife and purified it with spiritual cleansing water.

Just as she was about to begin, a long-fingered hand clamped tightly around her wrist.

She looked into his icy gaze and assumed he was scared of the pain. She calmly said, “Relax. I’m pretty good at this. You’ll be fine.” With that, she pried his hand away.

With clean, efficient movements, she removed the necrotic tissue and flushed the wound thoroughly with spiritual water.

From start to finish, the man didn’t make a sound. He just clenched his fists, his entire body tense.

It was clear how powerful his endurance was.

Lilian couldn't help but look at him with a touch of admiration.