With the cold dispelled, the winter night at the start of the new year retained only a watery chill.
At the Imperial Manor, which embodied immense wealth, Fang Ran looked at the black-haired young woman as she suddenly asked him an inexplicable question. There was something unusual in his eyes at that moment.
"I'm sorry, I don't know. I can't answer that question, young master."
Adeline, who could always provide a detailed answer, gave such a response for the first time.
"It's okay."
Not surprised by that answer, Fang Ran smiled at her before quietly looking up at the night sky again.
"Because I don't know either."
Questions like that could probably only be answered by people like that immortal or that Queen.
From his contact with the Medical Field, from what he had seen on that final night, from the distant thoughts prompted by the little girl named Helen—
Fang Ran still did not know why the immortal had asked him that question before he left that secluded mountain.
But he had gained some understanding of the question itself.
He let out a long breath, and the thin white mist dispersed into the night. As his thoughts gradually cleared, Fang Ran looked at Adeline and smiled softly.
"All right, go get some rest. I'll be going to sleep soon too."
Whether she was simply following his orders or had noticed that he wanted to be alone and did not disturb him as she had on the plane, Adeline said nothing this time. She gave a slight nod and turned away.
Watching her figure leave, he was the only one left beneath the open night sky.
Fang Ran silently stared at the endless darkness above him.
Then, after an unknown amount of time had passed, he slowly lowered his head