Chapter 1097 The Truth Behind The Secret 1
Last night was a blur to Anna, but she had a vague recollection of what had happened.
She remembered it could have been Natalie gripping her hand the entire time, radiating comfort in a haze of pain.
Thank you, Anna said silently to Natalie as she draped a jacket over her sleeping body. She let Natalie sleep in a little longer, knowing she must have stayed up all night.
It was almost lunchtime in the monastery when Natalie woke up.
Nereus brought vegetarian meals for her and Anna, and a while after they were finished, he led them to the meditation room where Varre was.
Anna entered the room and glanced at the small table, realizing the pool of blood that Varre vomited had been cleaned of its traces.
Her eyes strayed to Varre, who appeared more gaunt and pale to the naked eye than the day before. His dull gaze was instantly drawn to her as they stepped into the room.
The look was brimming with layers of emotions, so much so that they were about to spill over, but he forcefully caught himself in time.
Natalie knew about the secret, and needless to say, she understood the significance of the glance.
Anna did, too, but she feigned ignorance and deliberately trained her gaze elsewhere.
“I finished carving the jade key you wanted.” Varre presented his creation with quivering hands. “I am afraid my replication is only 99% accurate. Alas, I can’t make something totally identical to the original. I can only hope that this jade key will be of help to you both.”
Natalie took a step forward and accepted the jade key with both hands, taking in the lifelike phoenix carving on the ridges and the head.
She could not have been able to tell the difference between the original and copy if she did not study the genuine jade key in detail beforehand.
Varre had not lifted a burin in twenty years, yet he still possessed such artistic talent and skill as was expected from the craftsman once held in high regard by the royal family in Loang.
“Thank you,” Natalie said solemnly to him.
“It’s destiny.” He clasped his hands together and gave a slight bow. “Please take your leave now that this situation has been addressed.”
“Let’s go, Natalie.” Anna scowled and tugged on Natalie’s hand to leave the meditation room.
But Natalie dug her heels in. “He’s running out of time, Anna.”
“How long more?”
“Huh?” Natalie was startled.
Natalie was only stating her observation aloud, which was the truth as well, but she was not expecting an answer from Anna.
“How much time does he have left, Natalie?” Anna reiterated her question, her eyes widening.
“Three to five days, at most.” Natalie hesitated before adding, “These days are your last chance to see him in this life. You will not have another opportunity if you miss it.”
“Oh,” Anna replied unfeelingly, but drops of tears leaked from the corners of her eyes.
Good riddance!
Her heart wrenched at the thought of the old man focused on carving under the bright light last night while trying to keep blood from sputtering out of his mouth.
Yes, she hated him, but the compassion beneath the resentment filled her with hesitation.
Natalie turned and looked at her.
She promised Varre to keep it a secret, but some secrets were not meant to be kept hidden. How could Anna live with her decision if she left now, and the secret was out?
“I have something to tell you, Anna…”
“What is it?”
“Your mother’s death is connected to the jade key.”
Tears pooled in Anna’s eyes, and her pupils constricted, incredulity flashing in her eyes.
