NovelOnlineChapter 989
"Bro, what's up with you? You seem off. Got something on your mind?"
In a moment of quiet, with no one else around, Thaddeus approached Cassius, his gaze heavy with concern. "Did
something happen at the palace that's got you troubled?"
"Now, with everyone all wound up over Evadne's disappearance, you're under a ton of stress, man. The weight
you're carrying, the pain - it's no less than any of ours, probably even more."
Cassius lifted his eyes, meeting Thaddeus's caring look, feeling touched. "In times like these, that you even
notice how I'm feeling... Thaddeus, | really appreciate it."
"Hey, don't mention it. We're family, and to me, you're just as important as Evadne."
Ever since they'd lost touch with Evadne, Thaddeus had been restless, hardly able to eat or sleep, constantly on
edge as if every shadow held a threat.
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So, any slight change in the mood of those around him seemed magnified in his eyes, adding to his stress. He
was too sensitive, too anxious. "What exactly happened?"
"Really, it's nothing."
Cassius's lips formed a thin line, a hint of blue beneath the strain. "After | arrived at the palace, | met their
beloved king. He was incredibly welcoming and kind, personally showedaround the palace, even shared a
meal withat his table, inquiring about my health and how I've been doing these past years. To me, he was
like a warm-hearted elder, showing none of the airs you'd expect of a sovereign.
Even though I'm not from Helgen, | couldn't help feeling... overwhelmingly honored."
Thaddeus could understand his brother's feelings; he'd probably be just as overwhelmed.
"But isn't that a good thing?"
"It is, but it's almost too good. So good that it feels off."
Cassius's gaze, heavy with complex emotions, lingered on Thaddeus's deep, dark eyes. "I mean, we've just met,
no ties of kinship or anything. He stands above thousands, why be so good to me?"
Hearing this, Thaddeus's brows knitted together in concern.
"And then, he gavethis."
Cassius pulled from his pocket an ancient-looking medallion, its craftsmanship exquisite, adorned with a dragon
motif that spoke of nobility and mystery, clearly not the possession of an ordinary citizen.
"This is a Helgen royal heirloom." Thaddeus's eyes flickered with recognition.
Having been brought up by his father and grandfather with a keen interest in antiques and artifacts, Thaddeus
carefully took the medallion, examining it. He concluded, "I've seen this in museum catalogs before. This
medallion is an antique, a personal belonging of the Helgen kings, passed down for generations, with a history
spanning three to four hundred years.
And if | remember correctly, this medallion is typically passed only to the heir to the throne, the crown prince of
Helgen."
"What?!"
Cassius stared at the medallion, his pupils dilating in shock. "Such an important artifact should be given to his
only son, why give it to me?!"
Thaddeus bit his lip, pondering. "Maybe, he just felt a connection with you. Who can truly understand the mind of
a king?"
"No, | can't accept it. I'll get Debby to pass it to Stella, to return it to their king!"
Thaddeus lowered his eyes, holding the cold medallion in his palm, mulling over Cassius's words.
After a moment of silence, his heart clenched suddenly as he remembered Evadne mentioning Dorothy
Waverley, a missing female spy, and the royal love affairs whispered by his friend from Helgen.
Thaddeus's breath caught, his gaze intensifying as he looked at Cassius, his eyes tracing his features as if seeing
them anew, his heart pounding fiercely.
"Thaddeus, what's wrong?" Cassius, noticing his brother's troubled expression, looked at him, puzzled.
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