The Scum Emperor's Redemption System

Chapter 105 Paradox (2)

It was starting to feel oddly sweet, the warm comfort of the moment settling between them, when, of course, Alvator popped up out of nowhere, ruining the peace like a storm cloud on a sunny day.

"Hey, pretend to be asleep for a moment," he hissed, his voice low and urgent.

'But why?' Argider wondered, utterly confused for a moment.

"Just do it!" Alvator's tone left no room for argument.

With a sigh, Argider scrunched up her face, fighting the urge to roll her eyes. She hadn't signed up for this level of drama, but there she was, pretending to be asleep as though she were in some kind of elaborate charade.

She exaggerated the motion, heavy eyelids, relaxed breathing, the whole works.

Her body was more pf like a piece of furniture at this point, but at least she could still hear everything.

"Ah, she's fallen asleep now..." Elira murmured, her tone almost relieved.

Argider resisted the urge to peek, silently seething at the absurdity of it all. This better be good, she thought.

"Mom, we can't kill Argider yet?" Kian piped up, his innocent voice cutting through the quiet air, clearly not understanding the gravity of what he was saying.

Elira gasped, the color draining from her face for just a moment before she quickly recovered. "Sweetie!" she hissed, shushing him in a way that was both urgent and loving. Her hand immediately went to Argider's forehead, her fingers brushing softly against her skin. She checked for any signs of distress. Was Argider really asleep? Did she need more herbs?

"Don't say it too loud," Elira whispered under her breath, still glancing at Argider, her voice growing cold. "You know she's not the main target. We still need her."

Main target? Revenge? She bit her lip, trying to stay still and keep her breathing even, but her thoughts were a mess. The last thing she needed was some surprise assassination plot that she didn't even see coming.

"I know, mom..." Kian replied in a voice that still carried an innocent whine. "But I just want to go home... I can't stand this..."

There was a soft sigh, followed by the gentle rustle of fabric as Elira bent closer.

A cold shiver ran down her spine as a thought she hadn't dared entertain before crept into her mind. Could I be...? Her heart was beating fast. The illegitimate daughter of Gander Morrigan?

Gander Morrigan, the infamous liege. The very same who was notorious for his ruthlessness in politics. The father of...

Her first wife. Esmeralda Morrigan.

"We're here to kill your grandfather, Kian..." Elira's voice was low, almost a whisper, but the words still carried a chilling weight. "The one who brought ruin to us all... Gander..."

For a moment, the only sound was the soft rustle of the plant's leaves. Argider had been half-listening, but as Elira spoke those words, something inside her snapped her back to reality.

Grandfather? Kian's grandfather?

Before she could process it any further, a sudden, uncontrollable sneeze ripped through her.

"ACHOO!"

It was loud, sharp, and completely unexpected. Argider sharply awoke, her eyes snapping open, her body jerking up in alarm. Oops, she thought, her face turning a deep shade of crimson.

The room went completely still.

Elira whipped around so fast, her face contorting into both panic and anger.

No one moved.

Then, as if on cue, all three of them began to panic in their own way.

Oops... I, uh..."

Elira's eyes widened in a split second, and before Argider could even blink, Elira was already halfway to her drawer, yanking it open with a speed that was almost frightening. "You heard all that?!"