Chapter 5: Cost of his journey

At the airport

After securing the rare toxin from M country, Harlond Smith and his assistant rushed to the airfield hoping to board a plane back to Orwell. Harlond's thought was consumed with one thought_ getting the cure to madam Lillian before it's too late.

But danger was lurking in the shadows. The moment they arrived, they realized they were being watched. The warlords angered by Harlond's bargain and determined to keep the toxin for themselves, had sent men to retrieve it at the same time, a group of macernaries from the royal auction, were still bitter about losing the herb were waiting for this moment to strike.

As Harlond Smith and his assistant approached the airstrip, the warlords men block the runway demanding the toxin. Harlond knew that surrendering the toxin meant his wife Lillian Smith death.

Before he could react, gunfires erupt- the mercenaries had launched their own attack wanting to steal the toxin for their employer.

Traped between two deadly forces without their back up, Harlond and his assistant were forced to take cover behind the cargos.

With bullet flying and men closing in, Harlond's assistant noticed an opening, "We need to get in the plane, now!" He shouted. Harlond held the toxin tightly and made a break for it. But just as he reached the steps of the airstrip, a macernary lunged at him with a blade slishing his arm. The force of the blow made him nearly drop the vial. Gritting his teeth against pain, Harlond Smith strike the attacker back as his assistant dragged him up the plane. The pilot had already started the plane, there was no time to waste.

With the enemies closing in, the plane lifted off just on time gunfires ringing out as the warlords and the mercenaries turned the fight against themselves. Harlond collapsed on the seat as blood soaked his sleeve. His fingers tightly clenched on the vail refusing to let it go. His assistant examined the wood, "you are lucky that was not that deep," he muttered.

Harlond breathing heavily, looked out of the window at the fading battlefield. "Luck had nothing to do with it," Harlond muttered. "Lillian is waiting, I won't let this be for nothing."

As the airstrip soared toward home, carrying the cure that could change everything, the cost of his journey weighed heavily on him. He had risked everything. Now, he could only hope it would be enough.

After taking an early flight back to Orwell, Mr Harlond Smith arrived early the next morning, without minding his dishevelled state, Harlond Smith rushed to Orwell first hospital and gave the toxin to the nurses and urged them to detox a prescription for Mrs. Lillian Smith. The process took more than six hour. The nurses issued the work were sweating profusely.

The infirmary, near Lady Lillian's room. A few nurses gather in a quiet corner...

Nurse A (Elena): sighs "Have you ever seen a man so devoted to his wife like Mr. Harlond Smith?

Nurse B (Margaret): I heard he even canceled an important business trip just to be with her."

Nurse C (Joanne): smiles "It's rare, isn't it? Most noblemen would have left everything to the doctors and gone about their lives. But not him.

Nurse A (Elena): softly "I heard he's spent a fortune searching for a cure. They say that's why he was at the auction the day before today—bidding for that rare herb."

Nurse B (Margaret): raises an eyebrow "And he won it, didn't he? That herb is said to prolong life! Do you think it will work?"

Nurse C (Joanne): "I hope so. I really do. Because if love alone could heal, Lady Lillian would have been well a long time ago. Mr. Smith loves her beyond words."

Nurse A (Elena): smiles wistfully "If only every woman could have a man like him. Love like that... it's something out of a storybook."

Nurse B (Margaret): sighs "Let's hope this story has a happy ending."

Nurse A (Elena): lowers her voice "Did you hear? He actually traveled all the way to M Country just to find a rare toxin for Lady Lillian."

Nurse B (Margaret): eyes widen "A toxin? But why? I thought he was looking for a cure, not poison!"

Nurse C (Joanne): nods knowingly "It's not an ordinary poison—it's said to counteract the illness that's taken hold of her. Like a venom that fights another venom."

Nurse A (Elena): shaking her head "And he risked his life for it! M Country isn't exactly friendly to outsiders, especially nobles from here. They say the place he went to is ruled by warlords who don't trade easily."

Nurse B (Margaret): whispers "I heard he had to bargain with one of the most dangerous men there. Some say he even fought for it."

Nurse C (Joanne): sighs "No wonder he came back looking exhausted, with that cut on his arm. But he didn't say a word about it—just handed the vial to the alchemists and rushed to Lady Lillian's side."

Nurse A (Elena): softly "Imagine loving someone that much. To cross borders, risk your life, face warlords… all for a chance to save her."

Nurse B (Margaret): smiling faintly "If there's any justice in this world, that toxin will work. A man like him shouldn't have to lose the woman he loves."

Nurse C (Joanne): glances toward Lady Lillian's room "Let's hope the alchemists know what they're doing. He brought back the cure with his own blood—now it's up to fate."

[The nurses fall silent, the flickering candlelight casting long shadows on the walls, as they ponder the power of love, sacrifice, and destiny.]

Back to the Smith family.

One afternoon, longing for fresh air and freedom, Jillian sneaked out into the estate gardens for a simple walk. The sun was warm, the breeze was soft, and for a moment, she felt like a normal child—free from harsh rules and sharp glares.

Her peace was short-lived. As she wandered too close to the grand estate entrance, Camilla Robinson appeared, her face twisted with anger.

"You think you can roam as you please?" Camilla's voice was ice-cold. "A girl like you needs to learn her place."

Before Jillian could explain, Camilla grabbed her by the wrist and dragged her back inside. The young girl trembled, knowing that no excuse would be enough to soften her father's mistress.As punishment, Jillian was forced to kneel on the cold stone floor for hours, her hands held above her head—a cruel, exhausting position meant to break her spirit.

"You will not step outside without my permission again," Camilla warned, her eyes sharp with disdain. "You're nothing but a wayward child, and I will not have you embarrassing this household."

Jillian's legs ached, her arms burned, but she refused to cry. She clenched her jaw, holding back tears, determined not to give Camilla the satisfaction of seeing her break.

That night, when Jillian was finally allowed to rest, she sat by her window, staring at the stars. Despite the pain, despite the cruel words, something inside her remained unbroken.

"I will leave this place one day," she whispered to herself. "And no one will ever control me again."

Even at a young age, Jillian knew she would not be a prisoner forever.