Chapter 1930: Am Sheba

“You’re a grown man with secrets. I suppose I’m curious about you now!” Yennefer smiled, teasing James as she followed him to the second-floor study. Roxanna and Lucian waited outside, bracing themselves for what was to come. If Yennefer couldn't withstand the truth and her illness worsened, Roxanna would need to intervene immediately.

James entered the study, initiating a casual conversation with Yennefer, unable to bring himself to address his concerns directly.

“Mom, do you remember that I skipped to third grade when I was seven, and you worried about my academic performance?”

“Of course. I remember it clearly. Your homeroom teacher thought you’d walked into the wrong classroom!”

“Mom, do you recall that older girl who visited our house when I was in sixth grade? You were worried she’d be a bad influence.”

“Yes. She moved away, even went overseas if I recall correctly. I ran into her parents afterward; they said she’d married abroad.”

James continued, posing a series of questions to which Yennefer responded truthfully—fragments of his memories before age thirteen, each detail recalled perfectly.

“Wait, James. Why are you asking these questions? I thought you were going to reveal your secret. Did you do something bad as a child?” Yennefer grinned, her expression loving and concerned, devoid of impatience.

Xendale had been impoverished in those years, and the Lann family had wished for Yennefer to have another child. But she had adamantly refused, for James’ sake. She had poured all her love into him unconditionally.

James observed Yennefer’s reaction before a determined look crossed his face. He said casually, “Mom, do you remember Aunt Sheba?”

Yennefer’s smile froze, melting slowly into the air. Her gaze shifted within seconds; the calm peace she'd possessed was replaced by a malevolent glint.

James was shocked. He shouted, “Mom! Mom! Can you hear me? Mom!”

Yennefer furrowed her brows, clutching her head, anguish etched across her face. “My head… hurts. James… it hurts!” Turmoil raged in her eyes—confusion one moment, fierce anger the next. James recognized the pattern instantly; it was the familiar prelude to her illness. Her personality would shift, leaving her a different person entirely.

Mom is going to become the image of Aunt Sheba she has created.

“Oh no! I need to call Lucian and Roxanne!” James, growing wary, stood and raised his voice to summon help.

Clatter!

Yennefer violently swept a vase from the study table. It shattered on the floor with a loud crash. She complained repeatedly of a headache, her jaw clenched, as if engaged in an internal struggle.

“Sheba, Sheba. Who’s Sheba? You’re my nephew, James. I’m Aunt Sheba! How could you harm me? Hah. Ta-da. I’m not dead yet. You can’t kill me!”

Yennefer’s illness had fully taken hold; her consciousness had shifted to that of her twin sister, Sheba. A malicious, icy glint flashed in her eyes as she glared at James with a sinister smile.

Meanwhile, Lucian and Roxanna exchanged shocked glances, having heard the commotion. Lucian panicked, wanting to rush in, fearing Yennefer might harm herself.