Chapter 89

Odalys stared intently. Then, her gaze turned cold as she said in a low voice, “Someone must have cast a spell, preventing your grandfather from leaving when he wanted to. Subconsciously, he thought he broke his leg because he was too excited.”

She continued, “Actually, someone tampered with his leg, causing the injury.”

Percival’s eyes darkened slightly. “Is it serious? Can you break the spell now?” His voice was slightly nervous. Though not previously superstitious, he now firmly believed Odalys.

Odalys said softly, “It’s a type of talisman. Once cast, the person is trapped, endlessly returning to their starting point. The talisman only disappears when the cursed person is injured. It's a one-time-use talisman; the curse breaks with the injury.”

She hadn't expected someone to use such a sinister spell. Her mentor had described it as a particularly wicked enchantment, one decent people wouldn't use or even learn. That someone had used it on Evander suggested a mole in the house.

“Can you tell who used it?” Percival asked gravely. Odalys remained silent and went inside.

Evander, sitting in his wheelchair, looked at her kindly. Sizing her up, he nodded slightly. “You’re not bad-looking. Seems you’re out of Percival’s league.”

Turning to Percival, he scolded, “If this brat dares to bully you, tell me. I’ll stand up for you!” He then offered Odalys a gift. Odalys hesitated.

“Take it. It’s my gift,” Evander insisted, pressing the gift into her hands.

Odalys quickly shook her head, smiling. “Grandpa, didn’t you ask Percival to give me a gift last time? I already accepted it.”

“That doesn’t count! I asked him to give it to you; it was his gift. This one’s from me personally,” Evander said, forcefully placing the gift in her hand. Odalys felt it was worth thousands of dollars.

“Thank you, Grandpa,” Odalys smiled.

Evander wheeled himself inside, saying, “I don’t know what you like to eat, but I’ve prepared all kinds of snacks and fruits. Shall we have lunch? What do you like?”

Percival followed. Hearing Evander’s enthusiastic tone, he said hoarsely, “Grandpa, why don’t I get treated like this?”

“Go away! You’re old enough to know better than to compare yourself to a little girl!” Evander waved dismissively.

The corners of Odalys’s mouth twitched. She subtly glanced back at Percival, a meaningful look in her eyes. His handsome face darkened slightly, and her happiness was palpable.

She never expected to see Percival treated this way. The women vying for his hand would be heartbroken to know.

“Grandpa, I’m not a picky eater,” Odalys said, stepping forward to help push Evander’s wheelchair.

Evander was flattered. “Let the bodyguards do this rough work. I can’t tire you out.”

“It’s fine. I’ll push you outside to get some sun,” Odalys said, wheeling him to a nearby pavilion, rather than going inside.

All bodyguards and servants were dismissed. Percival then brought coffee and snacks to the pavilion.

“Grandpa, when you fell that day, did you feel anything wrong?” Odalys asked softly, bending down to look at Evander.

Evander was startled. After a moment, he said, “Something was wrong. I went out, but after walking a long time, I was back where I started. The servants said I never left the doorway.” His voice was deep and resonant.

“Did you feel anything strange while walking?” Odalys asked quietly.

Evander nodded, gripping the wheelchair’s armrest tightly. “Something felt wrong. My legs felt bound, as if tied up, and I couldn't move. That's why I ran, then fell and broke my leg. The servants found me after that.” He waved his hand, muttering, “I’m probably just too old.” Despite this, his sharp black eyes scrutinized Odalys, searching for her reaction.

"It's similar to what happened to you last night," Odalys said, looking at Percival. Percival's hand clenched.

"What do you mean?" Evander’s heart lurched.

Odalys recounted Percival’s nightmare. Evander’s face fell. He slammed the armrest, exclaiming, “What’s going on?!”

“It’s a type of charm. It traps a person. Yours was different from Percival’s, but the essence is the same. It feels like a warning. I suspect someone’s been plotting since my marriage to Percival,” Odalys said quietly.

This stunned Evander. He hadn't connected his injury and Percival’s nightmare to Odalys’s marriage, assuming it was an accident.

Percival said gravely, “Some people fear Odalys and I marrying, and her getting pregnant. They fear my offspring.” He continued, “The rumour is I’m dying. Everyone thinks Grandpa can’t remarry at his age, so the Stewart family will end. But if I have a wife, it changes things. People will assume Grandpa wants me to leave descendants before I die.”

Odalys looked at him in surprise. He'd deduced the situation quickly; if he were her enemy, she’d be in grave danger.