She gazed at the mirror, a mix of anticipation and dread swirling inside her, and saw a face fully restored—no trace of scars, even brighter and more beautiful than before.
Then she saw Ethan Sang, gazing at her with such admiration and awe it was almost foolish.
...
"My greatest regret is that I never told him how I truly felt..." Bianca Whitefan’s eyes grew distant, as if piercing through time to the gentle youth who left her the sweetest memories of her long life. "Not until he died did I realize how much I wished I’d said it. That’s why I named you Lucia. '羡' means yearning, fondness, wanting to obtain. '羽'—that’s your Divine Father..."
Suddenly, Lucia felt tears welling up again—her heart aching and warm all at once. She asked, "Can you get out of here?"
Bianca Whitefan shook her head.
Lucia stepped closer, reaching out to touch the talisman chain binding Bianca. "Isn’t there anything that can cut through this?"
"Probably not," Bianca replied.
"What about His Majesty the Celestial Emperor's Emperor's Sword? Would even that work?"
Sean Shaw nodded from the side.
"This is a talisman chain, not an iron chain," Bianca Whitefan said. "Only a power greater than the Dragon‑Coiling Heavenly Gang Array could sever it."
"A power greater than the Dragon‑Coiling Heavenly Gang Array..." Lucia pondered. Was there any artifact in existence that could surpass it?
"No, at least not right now. So don't trouble yourself over it," Bianca said, then changed the subject. "That bracelet—did High God Quentin Lian give it to you?"
"Bracelet?" Lucia instantly knew which one she meant, and pulled out the one her Divine Mother had given her, engraved with deep blessing runes. "You mean this?"
High Goddess Vivian Lu always said the bracelet was for daughters, not sons—Lucian Lu wasn’t happy about it at all.
"This was meant for your father," Bianca Whitefan said. "I hoped it would bring him luck, but... against fate, little things like this don't matter at all."
"Still, it's a token of my feelings," Bianca said, handing the bracelet back to her. "Someday, give it to the man you marry."
Sean Shaw glanced at the bracelet, then at Lucia.
Bianca Whitefan gave Sean a gentle smile. "Fifth Highness, did you like the candy I gave you last time?"
Sean nodded.
"I watched you being born," Bianca Whitefan said. "Your mother was so worried—torn between heavy duty that forced her to leave and not wanting to let go of you."
Sean’s eyes sharpened. "Really?"
Bianca nodded. "I didn’t understand her feelings then, but after I had to leave my own daughter, I finally got it. I hope you won’t blame her..."
Sean nodded obediently.
Bianca smiled softly. "Lucia, go back to Peach Blossom Haven! Don’t waste all the love your Divine Father and Mother have given you over the years."
Back to Peach Blossom Haven...
Lucia bit her lip, saying nothing.
Could she really go back?
If she returned to Peach Blossom Haven, wouldn’t all the clans come make a scene?
"Don’t be afraid," Bianca said reassuringly. "Nothing will happen. Go home."
Lucia’s eyes reddened as she fell silent for a long time. "Is there really no way to save you?"
"Who knows?" Bianca said. "Anyway, I don’t have one."
She’s the strongest Rune Master in the world—if she says there’s no way, who else could do it? Lucia’s heart sank.
"Fifth Highness, take good care of my Lucia. Next time you visit, I’ll give you more candy," Bianca said with a smile.