Chapter 1764:


    Watching him now, standing at Adide’s bedside with that unguarded expression, she was no longer sure of that at all. It looked far more like a man who wanted to bring them closer together than one who hade to push them apart.


    Henrik stood at Adide’s bedside, his chest tight with a worry he couldn’t entirely conceal. He made an effort to hold himself together — too much visible emotion would invite questions he wasn’t prepared to answer — but the strain was there in his eyes regardless.


    “Did the doctor say when she might wake up?” he asked, pressing a knuckle briefly to the corner of his eye.


    “By tomorrow at thetest,” Christina replied.


    “How did you manage to get King to perform the surgery?”


    “King chose Adide,” Christina answered simply.


    They were speaking in Lionesspawian. Gillian understood every word, and she was paying attention. She wasn’t naive — she filed the exchange away carefully, noting the phrasing. That was exactly what she would say if anyone put the same question to her.


    “I had assumed King was in Apresh,” Henrik murmured, more to himself than to anyone in the room. “Not here in Lionesspaw.”


    He had dispatched people to Apresh to find the doctor. They had returned with nothing. Now he understood why. He wondered how much longer it would be before they finally secured a meeting — before Alban could get the help he needed.


    “Adide is fortunate that King chose her,” Christina said, her eyes steady on Henrik. “Is someone in your family unwell? Is that why you’re looking for King?”


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    Henrik paused for a fraction of a second, then offered a measured smile. “That’s not something I’m able to discuss.”


    Christina didn’t press the point. It was clear she had no particr stake in the answer.


    “Would it be alright if I stayed a little longer?” Henrik asked, the hope in his expression undisguised.


    “That’s Gillian’s decision,” Christina said. “You should ask her.”


    Henrik turned toward Gillian, his eyes softening. “Would you mind if I stayed just a while more?”


    Gillian hesitated briefly, then nodded.


    He remained in the room until the dinner hour drew near, and even then he was reluctant to go. He had considered having food sent up as a reason to linger, but every version of that n felt too transparent. More importantly, he was conscious of something else — if he overstayed today, the door might not open as easily the next time. Better to leave on good terms and keep that possibility intact.


    Out in the corridor, Colette and Santos had been waiting with barely contained nerves. Alban had returned at some point and made several attempts to slip into the ward, each of which his parents had quietly intercepted. They couldn’t afford him walking in and unraveling what little goodwill Henrik had managed to build.


    They were beginning to wonder if Henrik intended to stay the night when the door finally opened.


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