Yelena was sitting next to her mother's bed. It had been a few days since the latter regained her consciousness but the Captain rarely had time to visit her. She was so busy handling the company affairs in place of her mother.

"You improved a lot, Mother. The doctor also said that you will recover soon." Yelena said with a smile, holding her mother's hand.

​​

"I think you can't wait for me to recover." Mrs. Arista said with a slight smile.

Yelena lightly chuckled. "You're right. It's too boring to do paperwork all day. You should get well and return to your rightful place. TR Group, not this hospital." Her smile faded a bit when she recalled something. "Mother, what makes you suddenly collapse? Did something happen to you after you visit me?" Even now, no one knows why the mother suddenly collapsed. It was still a strange incident.

Mrs. Arista briefly recalled the video she watched in Yelena's apartment but she faked a smile. "No. I don't know why my condition suddenly gets worse. Don't worry too much, Yelena. I'm fine now."

Yelena wasn't that convinced but she still nodded her head. "Alright."

"Jason told me that you do a great job. The executives also stopped questioning you and your abilities. How did you do that? I'm really proud of you." Vanessa Arista said, lifting her hands to run a finger through her daughter's hair. Keeping such a video of her brother; she wondered how hard it would be for her!

"I don't even make much effort but I don't expect Thomas Faery to be such a coward. He slipped and fell due to his own actions." Yelena responded. "Mother, I will try my best until you recover. So, don't worry and rest assured. I won't let you down."

Mrs. Arista was suddenly overwhelmed by gratitude. For years, she never expected her daughter to say such a thing to her! "I'm sorry, Yelena. You have to put aside the career you love because of me but don't worry. I will get well soon so that you will be able to return to your job."

"I want you to recover soon but... I don't want you to work too hard again like before. You shouldn't tire out yourself anymore, Mother." Yelena flashed an exciting smile and said, "How about this? After you recover, you can let Jason handle most of the work. You can sit back and trust him. He can be the CEO and do everything in your place."

"Do you trust him that much?" Mrs. Arista mused.

Yelena nodded her head. "He is trustworthy. Besides, his loyalty is quite admirable. He helped me a lot and he won't disappoint you."

Mrs. Arista was amazed by the change in her daughter. Right now, she truly felt loved and cared. What's more? She even worried about her company now!

"I will consider that. I never doubt Jason ever since he started working for me. He is capable and I know that." She calmly said.

"Then you should live many more years. Though I won't be inheriting your company, your future grandchildren might be interested." Yelena's lips curved into a discreet smile. She was feeling quite awkward to say such things!

Mrs. Arista rapidly blinked when she heard her daughter. "Grandchildren?" She said and just the thought of having one already made her feel excited. Was this really her daughter who always hated the idea of falling in love, let alone marriage?! She had no resemblance at all!

"Yeah, grandchildren," Yelena confirmed with an awkward smile.

Mrs. Vanessa quickly continued to wonder what her daughter said. No matter how much she thought about it, she only knows the pros and not the cons. How great would it be if her grandchild could really inherit her business?!

"If you have a child in the future, the firstborn will have to inherit the throne, so that means the second or third child will have the chance." Mrs. Arista's exciting smile slipped a bit when she thought of one thing. "Well, that would be possible only if they are interested. I already realized that forcing would bring no good."

Though Yelena was amazed by her mother talking about three grandchildren, her heart hurts a bit at her last sentence. "Mother, to be honest, I never hate you for forcing me to your will. If Marvin was still alive, I'm sure that I will be following in your footsteps and live my life the way you want me to. I want you to be happy and that's always enough for me."

"You don't have to think that way anymore. Now, I only wish for you to marry Felix and live happily with him." Vanessa Arista said, gently touching her daughter's face. "You deserve to be happy more than anyone else."

Yelena let out a light chuckle. "I will do that once you recovered. But, I also have one task left to do while I'm still a soldier. After that, I will be able to marry Felix with ease."

Mrs. Arista wondered if the task Yelena mentioned had something to do with the video but... she didn't say anything about it. "Who would have thought that this day would come? You willingly talked about marriage. Besides, you will be marrying a royal. I wonder what is so special about Felix. He changed you to this extent."

Yelena laughed at her mother's words. "You know him way before I do. Why would you ask me that?"

"I only know him well as a business partner, not as a lover." Mrs. Arista said with a little sigh.

"Well, I never thought about what makes him special. But on our second encounter, he was quite bold, bold enough to ask me out without even knowing my name." Yelena awkwardly said. It's her first time discussing this kind of thing with her mother and that made her feel a bit shy. "But I think the way he managed to make me smile makes me drawn to him. He makes me feel at ease. Besides, that day was Marvin's death anniversary. It's hard for me but he accompanied me and even makes me enjoy the day."

Though the mention of her son's death anniversary pained Mrs. Arista, she was entertained by the story which was based on that day. At least, the death anniversary won't be just a day of torment for her daughter anymore. She will have some good memories to reminisce about and that would make her suffer less in the future.

"You talked about grandchildren and make me excited. You should take responsibility for this and marry Felix soon." She finally spoke up, slightly shaking her head.

Yelena chuckled at her mother's impatience. "Before that, you should take good care of yourself first. You must live many more years to see the time we talked about."

*

Yelena walked out of the hospital after visiting her mother. Her father arrived a few minutes ago, so she planned to go home and rest. She gets inside her car and Alan drives it. Then she takes out her phone and makes a call.

"Hello, Mrs. Corell. Please book three tickets to Edeladon for the day after tomorrow. I will attend the event with Jason. Alan will also come along."

"Alright. Thank you."

When she puts down her phone, Alan quickly spoke up.

"You finally made the decision. It might be quite a hassle." Alan said.

"I have to face it sooner or later anyway. It's better to do it now." Yelena replied and stared out of the car window.

"Don't worry. I will keep you safe." Alan said with a little smile.

Yelena lightly chuckled. "Last time, it was me who save you from the car that almost hit you. Remember?"

Alan awkwardly scratched his head with his left hand. "I was too concentrated on keeping an eye on you. That's why I don't see the car coming towards me."

"I know," Yelena said and turned to Alan. "But you should know this. If you want to protect others, you should also pay attention to yourself. You can protect others only if you are alive."

"Is that how you do in the military?" Alan curiously asked.

Yelena shook her head. "For soldiers, duty comes first and we place ourselves in the last. I don't say that we don't pay attention to ourselves but... our first priority is always the country and people."

Alan remained quiet thinking of what the Acting Chairwoman said to him while Yelena stared out of the window, thinking of her business trip to Edeladon. It will surely be quite a trip.

When she reached her family mansion, the security guard who was on duty at the gate gave her a small parcel saying that it was delivered for her.

She took the parcel to her room and opened it. When she saw what was inside, her eyes widened. There was also a letter inside and the moment she finished reading the letter, she took her phone and quickly make a call again.

"Ella, what do you think you're doing?!"