After the old man left, the Queen looked at Fang with wonder in her eyes. She smiled warmly, her gaze filled with newfound admiration.
Syaoran turned to his mother and said gently, "Please take care of her." Then, without another word, he left to speak with his grandfather.
As Syaoran walked quietly behind him, his grandfather—sensing his presence—smirked without turning around. Once they reached his chambers, the old man slipped inside and hid behind the door, waiting.
Syaoran stopped outside and knocked. "Grandfather… may I come in?"
No answer.
"Grandfather," he called again, more firmly.
Suddenly, the old man stepped out from behind the door, rubbing his beard with a mischievous grin. "I knew you'd come see me, Your Majesty."
Syaoran entered the room and faced him seriously. "If you knew, then you also know why I'm here. And if so, you should already have the answers to my questions."
His grandfather chuckled. "Then ask away."
Syaoran took a deep breath. "When you looked at Fang, you said she has the power of a god… what did you mean?"
The old man's smile faded slightly. "Syaoran, don't act like you're clueless. I know what you've been hiding from me."
Syaoran froze. His eyes widened. "What…?"
His grandfather continued, voice calm but commanding. "When I saw that girl, I sensed something within her. The World-Changing Stone… it's inside her body."
Syaoran's breath hitched. "Grandfather… how do you know that?"
With a hearty laugh, the old man replied, "Don't be so shocked. I've lived long enough. I've seen more than you can imagine."
He turned serious again. "After sensing the stone, I performed a divination. It confirmed what I felt—Fang is the one chosen by the gods. She was born to save this world."
"But… how?" Syaoran asked in disbelief. "She came from a normal family. I never felt anything like that in her."
His grandfather raised an eyebrow. "Syaoran, being chosen by the gods doesn't depend on status or wealth. Gods choose those with hearts forged through hardship. Even if she was born into a simple family, she's endured trials that shaped her spirit. Strength isn't always loud—it grows in silence, in suffering."
Syaoran looked down. "But Grandfather… if that stone is inside her, won't it hurt her?"
The old man nodded. "She will face pain. The World-Changing Stone brings calamity. Wherever she goes, it will stir chaos. But she is the only one who can calm the storms it creates. That is her destiny. No one else can bear it for her. No one can change it."
Syaoran's hands trembled at his sides. "Then… you still haven't told me why. Why her? And is there anyone who truly knows everything about the stone—about her role?"
His grandfather placed a firm hand on his shoulder and sighed. "Your Majesty… I don't know all the answers. Some truths are not mine to speak. When the time comes, you must ask the right person. That's all I can tell you."
Syaoran stood there, eyes clouded with turmoil. He gave his grandfather a respectful bow and quietly left the room.
Down the hallway, Fang was waiting for him.
But Syaoran walked past her without meeting her eyes.