It's so hard being a hero!

She has delicate features, fair skin, and a faint smile on her lips.

But there was always something missing from that smile.

It wasn't warm, nor was it friendly; it was something that made people uncomfortable.

"Your Majesty, please don't be in such a hurry."

The woman's voice was very soft, as if she were coaxing a disobedient child.

She reached out and took a small crystal bottle from her sleeve.

The liquid in the bottle was blood red and glowed eerily in the dim light.

That red color didn't resemble any natural liquid; it seemed more like it was created using some kind of concoction.

When Augustus III saw the bottle, his eyes lit up instantly.

That wasn't a normal look in their eyes; it was an almost frantic longing.

"Give it to me, give it to me now..."

His body began to tremble, and his hands flailed wildly in the air, trying to snatch the bottle.

The woman didn't rush to give him the bottle.

She slowly unscrewed the bottle cap, and a cloyingly sweet aroma filled the air.

The aroma was so strong, it felt like it could choke you.

Upon smelling the aroma, the old emperor's expression became even more urgent.

He opened his mouth, like a fledgling bird waiting to be fed.

The woman then brought the bottle to his lips and slowly poured it out.

The blood-red liquid flowed into his mouth and slid down his throat.

The old emperor closed his eyes, completely immersed in a sense of indescribable satisfaction.

His breathing gradually calmed down, and the paleness on his face slowly faded, replaced by an unnatural rosy glow.

A few seconds later, he opened his eyes and let out a long breath.

"Okay, much better..."

His voice was no longer hoarse and returned to normal.

The woman resealed the crystal bottle, tucked it into her sleeve, and her smile deepened.

"Your Majesty, your body can no longer function without my medicine."

Her voice remained soft, but a hint of something only she could understand flashed in her dark eyes.

The old emperor remained silent.

He leaned against the headboard, his eyes closed, as if savoring the feeling he had just experienced.

In fact, five years ago, his body was already on the verge of collapse.

The hidden injuries he sustained in battles during his youth, coupled with years of hard work in national affairs, and his own mediocre talent, which only allowed him to cultivate to the Bronze level, made it impossible for him to resist aging and disease like those high-level experts.

The imperial physicians were helpless, and the priests of the papacy could only alleviate the symptoms, not cure the disease.

Just when he thought his days were numbered, someone recommended this woman to him.

She said her medicine could prolong life.

At first, he didn't believe it.

But when he drank the first bottle of medicine and felt the warm current flowing through his body, and felt the pain that had tormented him for years disappear in an instant, he believed it.

But from that day on, he couldn't live without this woman.

Or rather, he couldn't live without her medicine.

"His Majesty."

The woman's voice rang out again.

"Today's dosage is insufficient; we need to increase the dosage next time."

The old emperor opened his eyes and looked at the woman in the purple dress in front of him.

Her smile remained gentle, but there was something in her eyes that made him uneasy.

"I see."

He nodded without saying anything more.

The woman bowed, turned, and left the palace.

Her footsteps were so light they were almost silent, disappearing into the shadows by the doorway like a cat.

The old emperor watched her figure disappear behind the door, and the expression on his face slowly darkened.

He knew, of course, that his current condition was abnormal.

But what can be done?

Without her medicine, he wouldn't live more than a month.

As the ruler of a country, he still had many things left undone and many things he couldn't let go of.

He didn't want to die like this.

I don't want to right now, at least not right now.

Meanwhile, Sofia sat idly in a corner, watching Leila being pulled to dance by a group of young people.

Seeing her daughter so enamored with a group of young men, Sophia, as a father, was quite displeased.

"Little girl."

Just then, Sofia's voice suddenly came from behind.

Sophia froze, turned around, and found Sophia standing behind her with a smile, holding a glass of red wine.

The golden dress shimmered under the crystal chandelier, and the crystal crown reflected a dazzling light.

"Eh, that Queen Sophia."

Sofia quickly stood up, intending to bow.

"No need, no need."

Sofia waved her hand and plopped down next to her.

"I didn't ask too many questions when Frey and Lyra were here, but now that they're not here, let's have a proper chat."

Sophia's lips twitched, and she had only one thought in her mind: Help!

"Don't be nervous, I'm not going to eat you. Why do you seem so afraid of me?"

Sofia noticed her discomfort and smiled.

"Actually, I just wanted to ask you casually, how old are you this year?"

"Twelve years old."

"Twelve years old."

Sofia repeated it to herself, her gaze lingering on her face for a few seconds.

What do your parents do?

"My father is a retired soldier, and my mother is a housewife."

Sophia answered honestly.

"Soldier?"

Sofia raised an eyebrow.

"Afraid? Where are you from?"

“You’ve definitely never heard of the people from Kyle City.”

Sofia stared at her for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed.

"Little girl, you're quite the smooth talker."

Sophia gave an awkward smile, unsure of what to say.

Chapter 27 The Woman Who Looks Just Like Lilith

Sophia was asking all sorts of questions, and Sophia didn't dare to answer casually at all; she had to think about each question carefully.

"Sophia."

Frey's voice appeared just in time, like a lifeline.

Sophia quickly turned around and saw Frey coming over after finishing with her acquaintances.

"What are you doing here? Some old friends over there are looking for you."

"Find me?"

Sofia pursed her lips.

"Let them wait, I'm chatting with your student right now."

"They've been waiting for you for a while, it would be impolite not to go now."

Sophia glanced at her, then at Sophia, and sighed helplessly.

"Alright, alright, you two are the same, you can't get anything out of me no matter what I ask."

She stood up, straightened her skirt, and before leaving, she turned back and winked at Sophia.

"Little girl, let's talk again another time."

Sophia gave an awkward smile, but in her heart she was thinking: You better not come, I think you're scared.

After Sophia left, Frey turned around and looked at Sophia.

"She didn't give you any trouble, did she?"