The Abandoned Luna's Journey to Power Chapter 353: A Miracle?

Cindy's POV:

One bite. Two bites. Three bites.

She had eaten nearly half a bowl of the risotto. For a critically ill patient who had barely eaten or drunk anything for half a month and had survived only on medicine, it was an unbelievable breakthrough.

"Cindy, this is wonderful. Can I have a little more?" Sephiria looked at me, and there was even a hint of longing for food in her eyes.

"Sure! Of course, you can!" I was so overjoyed I almost jumped up. I quickly filled another bowl for her. "Eat slowly. There's still plenty in the pot. As long as you can eat, your body will recover faster. Rupert's medicine really works!"

As I fed her, I held her hand tightly. It had regained a little warmth. I began talking about the future excitedly, "Sephiria, you must eat more and build your strength. Once we get through this harsh winter and spring arrives, Adam and I will come and take you back to the Royal Court when the weather becomes warm. My ducal estate is very large. The courtyard is filled with your favorite flowers. By then, Astra will be fully recovered too. He can practice swordsmanship in the yard while you sit under the corridor and relax. We're going to enjoy ourselves and forget all about that bastard Prince Niall!"

Sephiria listened quietly as I spoke. Her bright eyes glimmered with a gentle light.

She looked at me with affection and attachment, and also with a quiet serenity I couldn't fully grasp.

"Sure." She swallowed the last spoonful of risotto and gently patted the back of my hand. A faint smile rested on her lips. "I'll listen to you and get through this winter."

At that moment, I truly believed we had driven death away.

I thought it was a blessing from the Moon Goddess. I believed that the care we had given over the past few days had finally brought a turning point.

However, I noticed that Carla and Katie, who were standing at the foot of the bed, showed no joy at all.

Both of them were biting their lips tightly. Their hands twisted together beneath their aprons until their fingers turned pale.

They exchanged a glance and saw the same despairing sorrow in each other's eyes. Then they both lowered their heads and let out a faint, suppressed sigh.

At noon, Sephiria ate another half bowl of meatball risotto.

She even had enough energy to listen to Viola talk about amusing stories from the battlefield in Southreach. Sometimes Viola's exaggerated gestures made her laugh softly.

For the entire afternoon, the chilly room was filled with a warmth and liveliness that had been absent for a long time.

Night fell.

Not wanting to disturb Sephiria's rest, Viola and I moved to the guest room outside early.

"Cindy, it looks like Sephiria is really getting better, right?" Viola said as she wiped down her long whip. She let out a relieved sigh. "She looked so lively today. She even ate a lot. Once Prince Adam brings the medicine from the Royal Court, we will definitely be able to pull her back from death."

"Yes." I lay on the hard wooden bed and watched the flames dancing in the fireplace. For the first time in days, a genuine smile appeared on my tired face. "Everything will get better as long as she still has the will to live. When we return to the Royal Court, I will make Leanna and Prince Niall pay for what they did."

Filled with this hopeful illusion, I finally gave in to the overwhelming exhaustion that had been building for days and fell into a deep sleep.

Midnight.

The snowstorm outside the monastery seemed even stronger now. The wind howled like a crazed beast, slamming violently against the ancient stone walls.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

A frantic and desperate pounding on the door exploded like thunder, instantly dragging me out of my sleep.

"Your Highness! Your Highness! Wake up! Please wake up!"

It was Carla's voice. Her words trembled with uncontrollable fear and unbearable grief. Her cries echoed through the silent night, sounding especially terrifying.

I shot upright in bed. My heart felt as if it had suddenly plunged into an icy abyss. Every drop of blood in my body seemed to freeze at once.

"Diana!" I called out in panic within my mind.

But Diana did not answer.

Her massive silver wolf figure lay within my mental landscape. She lifted her head and released a long, mournful howl.

I didn't need to ask anymore.

I didn't even bother putting on my shoes. I stepped barefoot onto the freezing stone floor and rushed to pull open the guest room door.

Carla collapsed to her knees outside with a thud. Her face was drenched with tears as she cried uncontrollably.

"Lady... Lady Sephiria..."

Carla raised a trembling hand and pointed toward the room at the end of the corridor. Every word seemed torn painfully from her throat. "Lady Sephiria... she... she's gone..."