Return of the Crowned Heiress

Chapter 489

The mountain was steep, and climbing it at noon during the hottest part of the day was exhausting.

Felicia knew better than to rush to the top all at once. She paused periodically to rest, buying water from vending machines along the way and taking a few sips before continuing.

She had to admit that those who were well–trained were definitely different. Stanley was doing remarkably well. Despite the grueling climb, he wasn’t even out of breath. At one point, he found a sturdy tree branch and offered it to Felicia as a hiking stick.

She declined the offer.

She had never stopped training and strengthening her physical abilities. Her endurance had improved greatly, and climbing a mountain like this posed no real challenge.

By the time they reached the summit, a refreshing breeze swept over them.

Felicia first headed to the location of the old tower. The towering structure stood silently, its surface marked by the passage of time yet still majestic regardless.

A little further ahead stood the ancient tree, lush and full of life. Its branches were adorned with countless red ribbons and small wooden plaques, their varying shades a testament to how long they had been there. The plaques swayed in the wind, producing a crisp, melodious sound.

a while before speaking, “Do you see that plaque at the very top? Help

This was the first time Felicia had asked him to do something specific. Without hesitation, he leaped up, using the tree branch in his hand to dislodge

expected, it was the plaque she had helped Carmen hang all those years ago. The handwriting, delicate and neat, had faded slightly but was still legible, filling the

shielded the plaque with her hand as she wrote

the wishes on the plaque were for

wish was for

happy every day and that she’ll

wish for Felicia to face less hardship and that someone

that everything will

read the last row of words, tears welled

a wish for

ran her fingers over the faded handwriting, a mix of sorrow and guilt washing over her. These emotions churned within

carved a line of words on the back of the wooden plaque. With a quick toss, the plaque

said, folding the knife and tucking it back into her pocket before turning

carved, wanted to ask but didn’t