The Prison-Made Queen novel Chapter 491

“Take Abel with you when you leave tomorrow morning.”

He was a dying man; there was no reason to tether two young lives to his decaying existence, wasting their prime years watching him fade.

Leilani stood opposite him, her fingertips still aching from the day's training. She frowned at his words. “No,” she refused firmly. “Abel stays with you.”

Payton raised his head, “looking” in her direction. His empty eye sockets seemed particularly deep and hollow against the backdrop of the setting sun.

“They say a mentor is like a father. I’ve taught you for a while now, haven’t I? Shouldn’t you listen to me at least this once?”

Leilani pursed her lips. Even though Payton tried to use his seniority to pressure her, her resolve remained unshaken. She was unmoved.

“Abel must stay by your side,” she insisted. “Given your current condition, you cannot be left alone.”

Payton let out a scoff, though his tone softened slightly. “Abel would be more useful following you. I’m just a blind cripple. I’ve lived most of my life already. Do I really need a caretaker?”

Leilani didn't move. She just watched him quietly.

“Payton, are you actually…” She paused, stopping herself before the question fully formed.

She wanted to ask if he was Paulina’s child. She wanted to ask what he had endured all these years. More than anything, she wanted to ask why he would rather wait for death alone than fight for his life one last time. But Leilani knew the answers deep down, even without asking.

They exchanged a silent “glance,” a tacit understanding passing between them.

In the end, Leilani did not agree to take Abel. Instead, she spoke softly to Payton. “I will come back. We agreed that I would cure you. I always keep my promises. If you don’t want to keep yours, that’s your business, but I…”

She paused for emphasis. “I will definitely cure you!”

Payton smiled, the scars on his face looking particularly weathered in the twilight. “Suit yourself.”

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