Third person's POV
Alma felt a bit awkward. "I'm not sure about that."
After all, Hedwig was Derek's spitting image, but she wasn't certain about Hedwig's father.
"Regardless, he already has other women by his side. He might have forgotten your mother and could build a future with someone else. Even so, do you still want to save him?"
Hedwig pursed her lips and didn't respond. Alma stroked her hair, "Poor child, you should know how hard your mother worked to escape him. If he discovers you two are still alive, he'll imprison her again. Do you want that?"
Hedwig shook her head gently.
"Then pretend you don't know him. Your mother and the others aren't in the village. Whether he survives is up to luck," Alma sighed, "Your mother suffered too much. She was barely alive when she gave birth to you. Cherish the life you have now."
Hedwig nodded.
Strangely, after Derek drank Hedwig's blood, about half an hour later, his vision and hearing significantly improved, and he could even utter simple syllables.
The red veins that had been spreading hourly now halted at his shoulders.
"Alpha Derek, how are you feeling?"
Derek was able to sit up. "Much better. What's the situation now?"
"That girl's mother could save you, but she left days ago. There's no communication here, and the poison is only temporarily suppressed," Rolf said hoarsely.
Derek remained composed. "Everyone dies eventually."
"But you're Alpha Derek!"
"There's no difference," he rasped. If this was the end, his only regret was not getting to see Tabitha and the children one last time before he died.
Derek stood up and staggered toward the door. Misha, who had just washed, tried to support him. "Don't move around."
"Get out of the way," he brushed her off, almost losing his balance. Rolf quickly steadied him.
"Take me to thank that child."
As the sun set, Hedwig was feeding pigeons in the yard.
Though she couldn't speak, she had an innate connection with animals, and birds and beasts were drawn to her.
She held out her palm, and pigeons pecked at the grains, surrounding her in a peaceful and beautiful scene.
Derek saw the profile of the child—emerald-green eyes sparkling in the sunlight.
"Hedwig," he rasped.
The grains fell from Hedwig's hand, and the pigeons scattered. She looked at Derek, who had awakened, with panic in her eyes.
Derek leaned on the railing, approaching step by step, each step unsteady.
Hedwig hurried over, her foot bells ringing.
Derek's knees buckled, and he knelt on one knee. The little girl held his hand, their eyes meeting.
In Hedwig's eyes, he saw worry. Was it an illusion? He thought he saw a trace of Tabitha in her.
Especially those incredibly clear eyes of Hedwig's—just like the first time he met Tabitha over a decade ago, when he wondered how someone could have such pure eyes.
This thought flickered in his mind for merely a second before vanishing.
It's normal to have people who look alike in this world. The woman who tried to assassinate him before bore a striking resemblance to Tabitha.
Moreover, his daughter Ayla should be over five years old by now. How could Tabitha have given birth to a child with green eyes?
He must be overthinking due to missing her too much.
Derek knew his face had some wrinkles. The little girl must be frightened.
So he softened his expression and said gently, "Hedwig, was it you who saved me? Thank you."
Hedwig shook her head but didn't let go of his hand, as if afraid he would fall if she did.
"Can't you speak?"
Hedwig nodded.
Derek felt a pang of sympathy and stroked her face, "I can take you away from here to the best hospital for treatment."
Although the villagers were skilled in antidotes, they wouldn't have the equipment to examine her inability to speak.
Seeing Hedwig didn't respond, he smiled again, "Don't worry, I won't hurt you. If you're scared, you can wait for your mother to come back and tell her. My promise stands forever, even if I die, I'll make sure you're cured."
Hedwig felt a lump in her throat, unsure of how to respond.
Derek, probably finding the position tiring, sat down right there, gasping for breath.
Seeing him in such distress, Hedwig wished she could give him more of her blood.
Derek grabbed the hand that was reaching for her knife and shook his head at her, "No more, Hedwig. Thank you. Your blood can only treat the symptoms, not the root cause. It won't save me in the end. Don't waste it."
He knew the blood he had drunk earlier would only prolong his life by a day or half a day. Even if he drained Hedwig of blood to extend his life by ten days or half a month, he would still die in the end.
Hedwig looked at him with worry.
He smiled gently, knowing he wouldn't leave the village alive.
So he wanted to use the time while his mind was still clear to make some arrangements, not to leave without explanation.
"Hedwig, do you have any food? I'm hungry."
Hedwig nodded and ran off.
He signaled for Alvin and Rolf to come over. Alvin quickly asked, "Alpha Derek, what do you need?"
Derek's expression was calm. "Bring me a pen and paper. I need to make a will."