Chapter 10: Chapter 10

Chapter 10

The screen darkened , though the audio continued to play through the studio speakers .

They could only hear footsteps crunching at the slope’s edge , followed by Rowena’s heavy breathing as she waited .

Three minutes passed without a

from below Relief rushed out in her audible exhale .

“ Had to be me in the end , ” she muttered

Her cryptic words sent ripples of confusion through both the livestream viewers and the Drayton brothers .

The implication that others had tried to kill Elysia hung in the air , though no one could explain how Rowena would have known such information .

The stream continued relentlessly , giving no pause for questions or reflection .

Rowena dragged Stellan along , grumbling steadily .

“ You’re heavier than you look .

I should’ve picked another spot .

She shifted her grip “ Stupid villagers – 1 said grab the younger one , not my precious Sten

“ But once Stellan knows I saved him , I can marry him she whispered “ The Rookwood family’s far richer than the Draytons .

Perfect marriage material

New voices broke through her musings “ Miss Drayton ! ”

“ Finally ! My arms are killing me ? Rowena called out .

Her bodyguards rushed to take Stellan .

“ Thank goodness you found him .

Any sign of Mr.

Caellan Drayton ? We’ve searched with the police .

Nothing yet .

But … They found wanted criminals here- several rich heirs and heiresses of the town , all in their houses .

”

“ Whatt Police Rowena’s voice cracked .

The head guard scratched his head sheepishly .

Half their group – five of ten — had vanished in the blink of an eye .

There was no way they could face these wealthy families without calling the police .

Rowena glanced at the hill .

The cave will gaped open like a wound – once the police searched , they’d find her brother instantly ,

Mom will never see me while he’s around , she thought .

She might even send me back to Dad .

I will never

“ Watch Stellan for me .

Ell join the search she told the guard .

In the studio , Callan straightened in his chair .

See ? Unlike that snake Elysia , Rowena values family !”

“ Exactly ” Fenwick nodded .

“ Harsh to strangers , maybe , but she loves her own ”

[ Harsh Something’s wrong with your eyes .

Fenwick ? ]

Watch your mouth ! Right , Fennen !

er accept a life with that pauper .

If our Fenwick says Rowena is good , then she absolutely is Us Fenners will destroy anyone who dares trash – talk her ! ]

Fenwick’s massive fanbase flooded the feed with defenses .

Ten minutes passed before the sound returned to the screen .

“ They’ll never find this now that I’ve covered it up ? Rowena laughed hands on hips as she admired her handiwork .

“ Sorry , dear Cellan .

You hogged Mom’s full attention .

Once you’re gone , I’ll be her only child .

She won’t dare send me away – hep only daughter , the Drayton family’s only princess .

”

Her words faded into police sirens and retreating footsteps .

The sound cut off abruptly , leaving the studio in heavy silence .

Something shattered in Caellan .

He dumped against the chair , completely drained , his eyes suddenly hollow .

Rowena’s words struck his heart like a merciless hammer blow

Fenwick turned to Caellan , his expression holding nothing but pity and shock .

[ My audio must be glaching because I did not just hear some witch claim she’s the one and only Drayton princess .

The audacity ! ]

[ Kama strikes fast , ]

[ Rowena fans Fenwick stans ? Better hurry – your idols are showing their true faces ! }

[ Rowena’s mistakes aren’t Fenwick’s fault , okay ‘ )

10:48 AM

Chapter 10

Keep him out of this ]

Rowena was young , just jealous of her mother’s attention – isn’t that nommal ! She’s probably bringing the police back ]

The sympathetic comment sparked hope in Caellan’s eyes .

“ Rowena must have come back , ” he said desperately .

Someone gently while I was out .

Had to be her ! ”

ly cared for me

The memory projection continued , holding the audience in rapt attention .

Some viewers refused even restroom breaks , keeping their VR glasses .

firmly in place as the scene shifted .

Through Elysia’s eyes , the world slowly came into focus – or tried to .

Her left eye painted everything in crimson ; leaves , sky , all of it stained red through a veil of blood ,

“ Dad_ Mom … Torn and Fenwick .

.

A broken whisper escaped her lips .

“ I want to go home .

”

moan , Elysia raised her bloodied hands toward the dying sun , arms outstreiched as if reaching to embrace her long – lost family in its

pained m

fading light

The emotional scene affected even the livestream’s quality – viewers couldn’t tell if their blurred screens were from technical glitches of their own

Just then , a soft whisper cut through Elysia’s fading consciousness .

“ Help … The sound came from above – it was the cave boy that Rowers had concealed from the police .

Her eyes snapped open .

Gripping a branch , she whispered .

“ There’s another one .

Another boy I need to save him .

He can still escape this hell ”

Getting her footing on the thick branch that had broken her fall , she took a deep breath and began climbing upward , one careful step at a time .

Years in the wild had made her nimble despite the wounds covering her body .

She climbed steadily until instinct made her look back .

Her heart stuttered .

Where she’d lain , a black snake coiled , its tongue flicking toward her .

The instant their eyes met , an icy chill shot up Elysia’s spine and spread through her entire body .

Terror made her lose control – her steady staner faltered , and she stumbled helplessly to one side .

the livestream viewers collectively held their breath .

Many squeezed their eyes shut , unable to watch what seemed like an inevitable fall When the expected scream never came , they cautiously opened their eyes , confused by the silence .

Relief washed over the audience – Elysia had managed to grab another branch .

The black snake , for whatever reason , was slithering away in the opposite direction .

Heaven’s mercy , they thought .

Such a pure soul couldn’t die for helping strangers .

Even Carllan’s heart had stopped for that moment .

Only Fenwick remained uranoved , his cold gaze steady .

He seemed to have seen through it all, firmly convinced that Elysia’s evil nature would soon reveal itself