Chapter 131 Emma's "Last Words"
As the evening shadows deepened, the dining area in the great hall gradually emptied as families with children began to disperse.
Evelyn suddenly asked, "What about when a woman wants to court a man? Are there any customs for that?"
Hawk looked at her, speaking slowly, "They would go gather seven-colored berries and weave them into a bracelet to give to their beloved, expressing their feelings."
"Wow, a seven-colored berry bracelet! That sounds so romantic!" Evelyn's eyes lit up. "When I have time, I'll make one for you too!"
She gazed at Hawk, her eyes filled with undisguised, deep affection.
Hawk only looked at her indulgently, not wanting to shatter her beautiful fantasy.
She probably didn't know that seven-colored berries were precious and rare because they grew at the bottom of deep, icy lakes where ordinary people couldn't harvest them.
Moreover, each seven-colored berry tree would only bear fruit of one color per year, and the color changed annually.
Collecting seven different colored berries was nearly impossible.
The wealthy districts didn't favor such bracelets, considering them too common. But girls from the poorer districts would begin collecting seven-colored berries for their sweethearts from the age of thirteen, when young love first bloomed.
Only by adulthood could they gather all seven colors to weave into a love-filled bracelet, presenting it to their beloved on a special day as a proposal.
Emma's eyes suddenly brightened. Could the seven-colored berries be the legendary fruit that was both complementary and opposing to the seven-colored flower?
So they both grew in Luminous City!
Nicholas immediately caught her subtle expression. Was she interested in seven-colored berries?
As the banquet drew to a close, both Emma and Evelyn had consumed quite a bit of wine. Their cheeks were flushed with an attractive rosy hue, their eyes slightly hazy and utterly captivating.
Evelyn swayed over to Emma's side, throwing her arms around her neck and whispering drunkenly in her ear.
"Emma... my dear Emma... you absolutely must... absolutely must bring Theo home safely... Dad would be... over the moon!"
"Yes, yes, I understand." Emma smiled, gently patting her back and responding softly.
"I'll take care of her." Hawk appeared beside them without warning, sweeping the thoroughly intoxicated Evelyn into his arms without argument and carrying her steadily upstairs.
Once in the bedroom, Evelyn's shameless nature began to show as she grabbed and clung to Hawk.
Hawk caught her small hands firmly, his wine-warmed breath hot against her ear. "Didn't you say you were still sore? Don't provoke me!"
His deep voice carried barely restrained desire.
Evelyn looked up with a mischievous smile, but recklessly bit his Adam's apple, mumbling, "Help me change clothes, I want to sleep!"
Hawk's heart trembled as he pulled her into his embrace, kissing her lips while removing her clothes.
The wine-flavored kiss became uncontrollable as he lifted her against the wall.
Evelyn's body trembled wildly, suddenly sobering from the alcohol, but unable to stop his frenzied possession.
She let him carry her away, sinking once again into ecstasy...
The great hall became much quieter.
Nicholas's long fingers lifted a glass of warm water, offering it to Emma.
"Are you alright?" His deep voice was particularly clear in the quiet space. "Would you like to go outside for some fresh air to sober up?"
Emma accepted the glass, feeling the warm sensation travel from her fingertips.
She nodded, a gentle smile gracing her lips. "Yes."
Emma and Nicholas stood side by side at the cliff's edge.
The distant night view sparkled like a galaxy, while the searchlight atop the castle rotated slowly and steadily, like a giant eye surveying every corner of the city.
It illuminated the darkness but also brought an inexplicable sense of oppression.
"That light... is it a warning beacon?" Emma asked softly, her fingers unconsciously curling.
Nicholas's gaze also turned toward the beam, his voice steady. "That's the symbol of Luminous City. No matter what happens, as long as the searchlight is on, it represents safety."
Safety.
Emma felt an inexplicable respect for the mysterious "Mr. West" she had never met.
She sighed softly. "If only that wall could be torn down someday."
After a pause, she added, "Then there would be no more class divisions, and rich and poor could marry freely."
Hearing this, Nicholas glanced at her sideways, then looked up at the night sky. The moon was full, its silver light scattered everywhere.
"The moonlight is beautiful. Make a wish," his voice was low.
Emma lifted her gaze from the bright moon to his profile in the moonlight.
The golden mask reflected cold light, making her feel somewhat dazed.
She took a deep breath, her expression unusually serious. "If I die someday, please don't bury me."
Though not loud, her voice reached Nicholas clearly.
"In my next life, I want to make my own choices."
Finishing, she forced a smile, though her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
Once, she had believed love could conquer all, only to be utterly defeated by time.
She wouldn't make the same mistake again!
Nicholas felt his heart clench painfully, as if pierced by something sharp.
Did she hope not to be his wife in the next life?
Or did she not wish to marry "Mr. West"?
The night wind tousled her long hair, stripping away her armor, leaving only pretended strength.
She turned toward the distance. "I once gave a man a pair of cufflinks, sapphire ones, very beautiful. I hope he still remembers them."
This was her final "last wish."
Nicholas had seen those cufflinks—they were the birthday gift she'd given him last year.
He had never worn them! He wondered why she was thinking of this now.
Suddenly, he instinctively reached out, pulling her tightly into his embrace.
Her body stiffened slightly, but she didn't resist.
This might be their last embrace in this lifetime.
She quietly leaned against his chest, feeling his strong heartbeat.
"Mr. West," her voice was soft, with a barely perceptible tremor, "from now on, love yourself well."
With that, she gently pushed him away, turned, and left without looking back.
Resolute, yet filled with solitary courage.
His heart felt as if it had been brutally torn open, bleeding profusely.
The night grew deeper.
He remained standing at the cliff's edge, the cold wind whipping his clothes with sharp sounds.
Hawk appeared beside him at some point, offering him a cigarette.
"I heard Mr. West moved his main forces to the south," Hawk said, lighting his cigarette and taking a drag, his tone enigmatic. "Looks like there's going to be a fierce battle tomorrow."
Nicholas accepted the cigarette but didn't light it, merely holding it between his fingers.
"I don't care whether you're really Hawk or not," his voice was cold and commanding. "I hope you can guard this place tomorrow and ensure they come to no harm."
He had long seen through this fake Hawk—how could a bloodthirsty demon fall in love with Evelyn?
Hearing this, Hawk laughed quietly, the sound particularly clear in the night wind.
"The real Mr. West wouldn't be so troubled over a woman, much less move half the city's forces for her sake."
How could he not know that the Mr. West before him was also an impostor?
The two men faced each other through the darkness, both reading certain truths in the other's eyes.
They both had people they wanted to protect—people more important than life itself.
Around five in the morning, Nicholas donned black combat gear and boarded a helicopter bound for the southern forests.
He would avenge her wrongs and shield her from harm; he would never allow anyone to hurt her again, not even slightly.
The next day, Emma woke with a terrible headache.
The sunlight was blinding—it was already noon.
She sat up abruptly. How had she slept so deeply? Last night's wine shouldn't have been this potent.
The faint cold fragrance in her room was a sleeping incense! He had actually used such a thing on her!
Emma's heart burned with fury as she frantically changed clothes and ran downstairs.
In the dining room below, Hawk and Evelyn were having lunch.
The air was filled with the aroma of food, but it did nothing to ease Emma's agitation.
The moment Evelyn saw her, she immediately set down her utensils and rushed over, her large eyes full of concern.
"Emma, you're finally awake! My goodness, you were more drunk than I was!"
She took Emma's hands, feeling her forehead. "Does your head hurt? I had the kitchen prepare soup—drink some quickly."
Emma had no mind for soup, her eyes urgently scanning the dining room.
"Where's Mr. West?" she asked breathlessly, her voice trembling.
Evelyn tilted her head, looking confused. "Mr. West? I haven't seen him. He's probably still asleep?"
Emma's heart sank as she turned to rush upstairs.
"Mr. West left early this morning," Hawk said coolly, his voice steady and emotionless.
He wiped his mouth with a napkin and continued, "He asked me to tell you to wait here safely for his return."
Emma froze, whirling around to stare at Hawk in disbelief.
"He went south?"
Hawk remained silent, which was confirmation enough.
"Take me down the mountain!" Emma shouted at the guards by the door, her voice commanding.
The guards remained expressionless, bowing slightly to inform her that without Mr. West's orders, no one could enter or leave. The mountain road had been sealed.
So he had placed her under house arrest? Emma trembled with rage but was helpless.
She took a deep breath, suppressing her fury, then turned decisively toward Hawk. "Hawk, can we talk?"
Moments later, Hawk and Emma emerged from the study together.
His expression was grave as he picked up his phone and dialed. "Send up a helicopter with a team."
Emma had convinced Hawk to join her in battle with just one sentence about the power of love
After calming Evelyn, they soon boarded the helicopter, speeding south.
Approaching the southern mountains, the air already reeked of gunpowder.
Looking down from the aircraft window, Emma could see at least seven or eight places in the forest emitting thick smoke, as if they had just experienced fierce combat.
In the distance, the sound of intensive gunfire could be faintly heard.
Her heart clenched even tighter.
The helicopter hovered over a relatively flat mountaintop.
The sudden appearance of the aircraft caused both warring sides to pause their fighting momentarily.
All eyes turned toward this unexpected visitor.
The cabin door slowly opened.
Emma stood at the doorway, mountain wind lifting her long hair to reveal a face cold as ice, her gaze sharp as a blade.
Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly to every corner.
"Elvin, I'm here."
When Elvin saw Emma's face, his eyes erupted with terrifying fervor, like a starving wolf spotting the most delicious prey.
He raised one hand high, his voice cracking with excitement. "Everyone! Regroup! Prepare to welcome our honored guest—the real Dr. N!"
His subordinates quickly regrouped, their formation shifting, clearly preparing for a final battle.
On the other side, the moment Nicholas saw Emma's face, his brow furrowed deeply.
Fury blazed in his deep eyes as he nearly ground his teeth, cursing silently.
That damned Hawk!
Hidden deeper still, another pair of eyes watched that beautiful face with dark, unreadable intent.