CHAPTER 224: IN THE MOST SAFE HANDS

Idris silently stepped into the car behind Casaio. The driver shut the door after him and returned to his seat, starting the engine as the vehicle pulled away from the estate.

"Where are we going, Your Highness?" Idris asked in a respectful and curious tone.

Casaio didn’t answer immediately. He leaned forward, retrieving a tablet from the storage compartment. With a swipe, he powered it on and pulled up an image. He turned the screen toward Idris.

The moment Idris saw the photo, his breath caught in his throat. His eyes widened in shock, blinking rapidly before they stilled.

"Your Highness, this..." he began, his voice faltering. No words came out of his mouth after that.

"Luke Hunter," Casaio said calmly. "That’s the name he registered under here. Do you happen to know his real name?"

Idris shook his head slowly, still stunned. "Everyone... everyone called him Master. I never heard another name."

"Hmm." Casaio gave a curt nod, shutting off the tablet and sliding it back into its place.

"We’re heading to a hospital. After your escape, we placed another body in your burned-down house as a decoy. A DNA test is being run to maintain the illusion that you’re dead. We need to ensure Luke never suspects otherwise."

"I understand," Idris said softly, his voice turning steadier now. "But... how did you find out about all this, Your Highness?"

Casaio’s gaze stayed ahead. "You don’t need to know the details. I could’ve summoned the palace team instead, but I decided it was best to bring you myself."

He paused for a beat before adding, "Besides, your sister wishes to see you. She fell ill last night. I thought it was time you two met again."

Idris’s expression changed instantly, concern flickered in his eyes. "Sister Zilia’s sick? That’s strange. She usually never falls ill... she’s of Alpha blood."

Casaio’s tone dropped to something more contemplative. "It happens sometimes... even to the strong."

The car continued down the long stretch of road as silence fell between them.

Finally, they were in the hospital. Through the VIP entrance, they went secretly ahead into an elevator, away from the eyes of the general public. After giving out the sample for DNA, Casaio had a tiny conversation with the doctor before he left with Idris to Zilia’s place.

Upon arriving there, Estelle opened the door for them and greeted the prince while giving him the way inside.

Idris was quick to kick off his shoes and ran inside. "Sister! Sister!" He shouted and ran straight to the bedroom, which he noticed was close to the living room.

Meanwhile, Casaio and Estelle remained in the living room.

"How did she fall sick?" Casaio asked. He, too, found out about it in the morning.

"I think Zilia stayed in the cold of her balcony the entire night," Estelle replied. "Zilia is no longer herself. I know it’s difficult for the prince too. Isn’t there any way to stop this? Now, we know who the enemy is, so we should focus in nabbing him."

Casaio fell into a state of contemplation while Estelle simply waited for him to speak.

"Can I even show mercy on her? After everything happened, the all that has left between me and Zilia is unnamed emotions. Can we even trust each other again and go back to what we used to be? I rejected her and finding the same bond which once existed between us isn’t feasible anymore. Whatever pain she’s undergoing, she’s fight against it to live. I’m doing the same," Casaio said in a low voice.

Estelle understood his words completely. "I understand, Your Highness. But you both are suffering in your own way. It was never Zilia’s fault to be chosen as a spy. However, for ten years, she also protected you and your family in some way. She might have not spoken about it, but it’s not hidden," she said.

Casaio’s wolf spoke in the back of his head. The wolf, which refused to talk much after the severity of the bond with Zilia’s wolf.

’We we were so happy with her. I think we shared a real love with Zilia and her wolf, Kia,’ the wolf murmured.

Casaio didn’t respond to his wolf either and clenched his fists tightly.

~~~~~

Zilia pulled her brother into a tight embrace, gently pressing a kiss to his forehead. "You look so much better," she whispered with relief.

"That’s because I’ve been getting good treatment at the palace," Idris replied with a cheerful smile. "I even made a new friend."

Zilia’s curiosity sparked. "Who?"

"Sister Amelie," Idris said, eyes lighting up. "She’s so sweet, Sister. She spent time with me yesterday, and even joined me for breakfast this morning. If you meet her, I’m sure you’ll like her too. She doesn’t judge, she just... listens."

Zilia smiled faintly, touched by his excitement. "Yes, Amelie is very sweet. I’ve met a few times. We didn’t talk much, but I could tell she was a kind soul."

Idris took her hands in his, only to flinch slightly. "Your hands... they’re burning up! Did you see a doctor?"

"It’s just a fever," Zilia murmured, brushing off his concern with a soft smile. "I’ll be fine. These things happen sometimes."

But deep inside, she knew it wasn’t just an ordinary fever. Her body had been struggling with internal heat that wasn’t like the others she’d experienced before.

This time, it wasn’t just physical, it was emotional and pheromonal. Her pheromones were destabilizing, wreaking havoc inside her. And yet, she couldn’t let Idris see the turmoil.

"I was wondering if the enemy is killed will we live again together, Sister?" Idris asked with a hopeful gaze.

"Yes, we will." Zilia’s eyes filled with tears, but she couldn’t tell him it was a lie. After their enemy would be killed, she had to die. But she wasn’t afraid of death. Not anymore. Her brother was in the most safe hands, and she knew Casaio would never let his brother fall in danger even after she would be gone.