Return of the Crowned Heiress (Felicia)

"Alright, take me to Mr. Glovers," Felicia said, yawning and stretching lazily, wearing an exaggerated look of exhaustion.

On the way to the hot baths, one of the men carrying a pot of pitch-black liquid hesitated and asked, "Ms. Fuller, uh... this isn't for drinking, is it?"

She smirked. "Nope, it's for soaking his feet."

Felicia started listing the ingredients, explaining, "Mr. Glovers' leg issues come from cold invading his system. These herbs are top-notch for driving out that cold. But honestly, there's no point in explaining it all-you wouldn't understand anyway. Just wait and see." The two men exchanged a glance. They didn't know much about medicine, but one thing they did know-as long as that ominous-looking black water wasn't for drinking, they were fine with it.

Before long, they arrived at the hot bath.

Maurice was already there, waiting in the rising mist.

Felicia directed the men to pour the black liquid, along with the boiled herbs, into a smaller hot bath pool. Once it was ready, she gestured for Maurice to enter. As he slid into the steaming water, Felicia pulled out her needle kit and positioned herself at the edge of the pool. "Mr. Glovers, are you ready? I'm about to begin acupuncture. It might hurt a bit, so if it's too much, just say the word, and I'll stop."

Maurice's upper body was bare, his back facing Felicia. Amid the swirling steam, his calm voice sounded. "Go ahead."

"Alright."

Wasting no time, Felicia began inserting the needles. One by one, they pierced Maurice's skin, from his shoulders down to his back.

The process did sting, but it was bearable. He even had the presence of mind to ask, "What kind of acupuncture technique is this? My legs are the problem-shouldn't you be working on them?"

"That's where you're wrong," Felicia replied without looking up. "The body's meridians are all connected. Even though your legs are paralyzed, the toxins aren't isolated there."

As she spoke, several more needles flew from her hands, precisely landing along Maurice's spine.

The two men standing guard

watched Felicia like hawks. They were ready to take her down without hesitation if she made even the slightest suspicious movement-any attempt to harm Maurice.

Felicia's work took time. For half an hour, she moved methodically, inserting and removing needles with practiced precision.

Finally, she stepped back, gathering up her tools. "We're done for today. We'll continue tomorrow."

She glanced at Maurice and added, "Try moving your toes. You should feel some sensation by now."

Maurice didn't respond immediately.

Still soaking in the steaming water, his face remained unreadable as the thick mist obscured his features. But beneath the veil of steam, his eyes betrayed a mixture of shock and delight. He could feel his toes moving. The motions were small, almost imperceptible, but they were there.

This was the first time in years he'd regained any sensation in his legs.

Felicia wasn't bluffing-her methods were extraordinary.

Maurice had consulted countless senior physicians, but none had ever come close to producing results like this. All it had taken Felicia was a pot of herbal soak and a few dozen needles to achieve what others couldn't.

And yet, that only solidified one thought in Maurice's mind-he couldn't let her go.

If she wouldn't serve him willingly, then he'd make sure she couldn't help anyone else.

el:

Raising his head, Maurice fixed his gaze on Felicia. His lips curved into a smile-not a warm one, but the cold, calculated grin of a predator eyeing its prey. The smile of someone who saw what they wanted and was prepared to take it by any means necessary

Seemingly oblivious to the shift in his demeanor, Felicia yawned again, stretching lazily. "Alright, I'm exhausted. Did you arrange a place for me to stay? I'm ready to crash." Maurice signaled to one of his men. "Take Ms. Fuller to the Bamboo Court. Make sure she's well taken care of."

"Yes, Mr. Maurice," the man replied, bowing respectfully before leading Felicia toward her accommodations.