The Million-Dollar Heart

Vivienne took a delicate sip of her herbal tea, her eyes signaling her mentor to continue. Whether to believe or not, she decided, was up to her to judge.

"Sasha must've mentioned it to you, that artifact has quite a history, tracing back about two centuries. The family in question was of noble military lineage, but due to their overwhelming power, they were eventually decimated under the guise of treason. If any descendants exist, they'd be from a side branch."

"But there's a piece of folklore about this family that might just align with the clues you're seeking."

"Folklore?" Vivienne looked up, her gaze cool and detached.

Master Finnian's cheeks flushed with a touch of annoyance, his teacup clattering slightly as he set it on the table. "My dear girl, your mentor here has a reputation and dignity to uphold. Would I really concoct a tale just to save a few dollars?"

"Don't forget, I gave a generous wedding gift, even parting with some of my prized possessions, things your fellow apprentices could only dream of."

Vivienne returned to her tea, clearly uninterested in the tangent.

The old man was stretching it. How could she possibly believe a tale spanning two centuries?

Besides, she knew the "generous" wedding gift was funded by contributions from her fellow apprentices, and the prized possessions? Merely some calligraphy he'd done himself...

Other than the framing costs, she wondered where the expense was.

"I could return those 'precious' items if you'd like," she retorted.

"You wouldn't dare!"

child. You have no idea of its worth; others would kill for such treasures..."

Vivienne merely sighed.

disease that disfigured her on the eve of her wedding, rendering her a monster in

potion brewed with the blood from a maiden's heart, combined with sacred herbs, promised eternal youth and

from a maiden's heart?"

to us now, such

royal scrutiny. Others believe the blood was a decoy, that the family had indeed discovered the secret to eternal life but devised this myth

eyes. A maiden's

Who was Abigail, really?

outcome?"

raised his eyebrows, pushing his teacup towards her. "Pour me some tea, will you? Can't you see your master

Vivienne obliged, their long-standing camaraderie evident

Finnian continued, "Rumor has it, after regaining her health, the heiress sought the mystic as

held the secrets of the universe. "That's it. It's folklore, after

was at a loss for

but this was beyond her expectations. These "secrets" were nothing she couldn't find in a dime novel. Why had

she realized she had missed a crucial

smacked his forehead,

stood, ready to leave. Finnian called out, "Leaving so soon? We've barely had a chance

have you heard of an ancient warrior lineage with the ability to teleport, accessible only beyond