Chapter 334
Richard’s eyes shifted slightly, and he let out a long sigh. “Don’t overthink it. I think Max will handle things p>
I gave a bitter smile. “I guess blocking me is his way of ‘handling things p>
As I spoke, I muttered to myself. If he’s going to block me, I’ll block him right back. And just like that, I blocked his number too.
Richard watched me go through the motions without hesitation. “Aren’t you afraid you’ll regret it someday p>
“No regrets,” I said decisively. But for some reason, I suddenly felt a pang of uncertainty.
I turned my face away toward the other side of the Saltmere River. “Let’s go take a look over there p>
Richard followed me, saying, “You already have the air of an emperor of
Bravenland. That’s right, let Max be the one with regrets. Our Claire will have none p>
He was teasing me, but I felt increasingly uneasy.
As soon as we reached the slums, I saw Wanda teaching a group of children.
On a small blackboard, she was writing “Claire Floyd” with a piece of chalk that was worn down to a tiny stub.
She was teaching the children to say my name, over and over.
My feet froze. I didn’t move forward, but Richard started to applaud.
When Wanda heard the applause and saw us, she was so excited she dropped the pointer she was holding and ran toward me. “Ms. Claire, you’re finally back p>
“This is the Ms. Claire we’ve all been hoping to see again p>
“She was the one who risked danger to bring us seeds and medicine, showing us that we could live this way p>
“Ms. Claire, thank you p>
Wanda and a group of children knelt before me. People started coming out of the mud houses behind them, and as soon as they saw me, they knelt as well.
They were different from when I first met them. Their faces were no longer sallow but had some color.
Some of the women, holding various vegetables, walked over, knelt before me, and held them up with both hands.
“Get up, please! You don’t have to keep kneeling p>
When I said that, everyone just looked at each other, hesitating. They even glanced at Richard. Now that he was the emperor of
Braven and, Wanda and the oth.ne
were more cautious and kepta respectful distance.
$1.ne
Richard waved his hand and clasped it behind his back, announcing,. “Claire is the future emperor ofe Braverland. If she says not to kneel, then you no longer need to kneel p>
His introduction boosted their morale even more.
“The new emperor p>
“Ms. Claire is going to be the new emperor p>
“Does that mean we won’t have to fight anymore, Mommy?” Wanda’s daughter peeked out shyly, her eyes shining like stars as she looked at Wanda.
Wanda held her tightly in her arms.
“Yes, this time, we will definitely win! With Ms. Claire here, we are more determined than ever p>
A wave of morale surged through the crowd. I glanced back at Richard and said, “We will find Lily, right p>
“Your appearance should have made her antsy by now. We just received
news that she’s been spotte
Hartwell. She’s probably trying t
attack on the other side while we’re
here But ve already set up
ぶん。
defenses.” Richard’s thin face held a
firm resolve as he spoke
I didn’t say anything more and went with Wanda and the others to see the vegetable
gardens, as well as a rudimentary medical clinic.
Allen Ramsey and Kate were in the clinic, treating people and prescribing medicine.
Seeing them again felt like a lifetime had passed.
I walked over to Kate’s side. Without looking up, she said, “Sit down. What’s bothering you p>