53 You can only belong to me (1/2)

Facing Rachel's question, Leon chose to shift the topic.

”There's more important things to be concerned about.” Leon turn to Lynne and traced his fingers along her long brown hair and lifted the strands of grey her for them to see.

”Your lifespan has been severely depleted. You only have 12 years left.” Leon dropped the bombshell on her.

Lynne paled at the news. The regret lingering inside her intensified.

”12 years...”

Rachel was shocked. Regarding the cause of Lynne's illness, she was still in the dark. She only knew that something was wrong and not why. She didn't think the problem would be so severe.

Natural awakeners could live to ripe age of 100, but many awakeners have their years shaved off by taking the trashy awakening pills refined by the alchemists in the kingdom.

Lynne had taken one to reach the 1st step and added to her present condition, she would not live past 30.

”There's no need to despair... there are plenty of miraculous herbs that could extend life.” Rachel tried to console her.

Some light appeared in her eyes before it faded again. She shook her head. How many years could these herbs extend her life? 3 months? 6 months? It definitely wouldn't exceed 1 year.

A lot of thoughts went through her mind and the others felt her mentality undergo a subtle change. There was no use crying over spilt milk. It wouldn't change anything.

She seems to have come to terms with the consequences of her reckless action.

There was no one to blame but herself. She should have known better. Leon's awakening pills were still a type of drug and local doctors have stressed to their patients over and over before that they should take their medicine as prescribed because too much of anything could kill you. Humans were that fragile.

”Thanks, but I'll be okay.” Lynne gave Rachel a light smile.

Leon was a bit surprised at her subtle change. She seems to have come to terms with her situation a lot faster than he had anticipated or she was too good at hiding her true emotions.

His impression of her secretly improved. He thought she would at least be in despair and weep for a while, but she did not. Perhaps his impression of her had been wrong.

Thinking back, she wasn't quite the spoiled little princess of the Cromwell family he thought she was. She was just protective of her dear grandpa against an unknown stranger that time. Leon had yet to see her parents, but she must be closer to her grandpa than her parents.

”Come, I'll take you home first.” Leon gestured.

”Mm”

”Leave me your address, I'll stop by later on my own.”

...

”Thank you for taking me home.”.

”It's what I should do.”

They had arrived back at the Cromwell's villa by foot. Usually everyone apart from Lina and Leon would have a car prepared to take them to and from the campus. But today's training was cancelled unexpectedly, and the drivers designated to pick her up had not been notified beforehand.

The villa was emptier than usual. The Old Man and some servants were missing.

”Your grandfather went out?” The inside was completely empty. There were only some servants and guards outside.

”Seems that way.” Lynne started fidgeting her fingers, while she seemed to be struggling contain something. There was only her and Leon inside the villa.

”What's wrong?” Leon thought she was having another episode of cold energy eruption and planned to check her pulsed, but he was taken by surprise when Lynne launched herself into his chest.

”Waaahhh.” Lynne started bawling in his embrace. She didn't want to look weak when she was in front of Rachel and had suppressed her feelings. She did her best to appear that she accepted everything calmly because she didn't want to look pathetic in front of her. But now that she was alone with Leon did, she finally let suppressed emotions out.

Even though she understood she could only blame herself for her own foolishness, the price she had to pay was too great. She was still young and have yet to see the world. She was also very afraid of death.