Chapter 220
Ellie’s POV
The healer grew thoughtful, tapping a finger against her chin.
Then her face lit up.
"I think I know what you found."
I looked up.
"It sounds like God's Tongue."
"God's Tongue?"
She nodded enthusiastically.
"It's incredibly rare. Most healers spend their entire careers without ever seeing it."
That caught my attention.
"I thought it was a plant."
"Not exactly." She smiled. "It's actually a fungus. It grows only under very specific conditions."
She folded her hands together as she explained.
"It needs darkness. Deep shade. Usually beneath shrubs or thick layers of dead leaves."
She paused.
"And it only grows where something has died and decomposed."
My stomach tightened.
I remembered pushing aside the damp leaves.
The thick layer of rotting debris.
The tiny fuzzy leaves are hidden beneath them.
Everything she described matched perfectly.
"So... I really found it?"
"You certainly seem to have."
She looked at me with obvious amazement.
"Finding God's Tongue is miraculous enough."
Her expression became even more curious.
"But finding it exactly when you needed it..."
She shook her head.
"That's almost unbelievable."
I forced a smile.
If only she knew that wasn't the strangest part.
The mystery wasn't finding the fungus.
It was knowing where to look.
That invisible pull...
That instinct...
It had led me straight to it.
I still couldn't explain it.
Once the healer cleared me, I stepped into the hallway.
Dominic was still there.
He had been leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, but the moment he saw me, he pushed himself upright and walked over.
"Well?"
"I'm fine."
He searched my face.
"Just like I told you."
"And the blood?"
"I'm fine, Dominic."
For another second, he studied me as if expecting me to collapse.
Finally, he released a long breath.
"Good."
His shoulders relaxed.
"That's... good."
I watched him quietly.
He had genuinely been worried.
The realization sat strangely in my chest.
Then another thought occurred to me.
"So..."
I folded my arms.
"Can we eat the boar tonight?"
His eyebrow lifted.
"I think I earned first choice."
A smile tugged at his mouth.
"I won't argue with that."
For one hopeful moment, I thought he might actually agree.
Then he sighed.
"Unfortunately..."
"Vivian already planned tonight's dinner."
I groaned internally.
"She's testing the festival banquet menu."
He gave me an apologetic look.
"Maybe tomorrow."
Of course.
I'd completely forgotten.
That evening, I stood in front of my wardrobe far longer than I intended.
Eventually, I reached for one of my nicer dresses.
It's only because it's a formal dinner, I told myself.
Nothing more.
I ignored the annoying little voice asking why I suddenly cared about looking presentable in front of Dominic.
When I entered the dining room, both Dominic and Vivian were already seated.
Neither spoke as I took my place.
Servants began carrying in the first course.
Silver lids gleamed beneath the chandeliers.
One by one...
They were lifted.
I watched Dominic's expression with growing satisfaction.
His face lost more color with every dish that appeared.
Then came the centerpiece.
Fresh octopus.
The chef carefully placed the plate in front of Dominic.
He stared at it.
His Adam's apple bobbed.
He genuinely looked ill.
"Go ahead," Vivian said brightly.
"I had every one of your favorite dishes specially prepared."
She beamed proudly.
"Everything is perfectly fresh."
She pointed toward the octopus.
"That one was still moving just a few minutes ago."
Dominic looked ready to leave the table.
I nearly laughed.
Instead, I calmly sipped my wine before turning toward Vivian.
"Vivian..."
She smiled confidently.
"What made you think these were Dominic's favorite foods?"
Her smile widened.
"I found a note earlier today."
"I assumed he'd written them himself."
I nodded thoughtfully.
"Ah."
I took another sip.
"There's just one problem."
She blinked.
"What?"
"They're his least favorite."
Silence.
Vivian's smile vanished.
She stared at me.
I didn't bother watching her reaction.
Instead, I looked toward the kitchen.
"Chef?"
He appeared almost immediately.
"So that's why," I said with a pleasant smile.
"Would you bring out the other dish?"
Moments later, two kitchen staff emerged carrying a massive serving platter.
The rich aroma reached us before the platter even touched the table.
They lifted the silver cover.
Perfectly roasted wild boar.
Its maple glaze shimmered beneath the dining room lights.
Roasted carrots.
Golden potatoes.
Fresh green beans from the garden.
Everything smelled incredible.
My mouth watered instantly.
Across the table, Vivian's grip tightened around her fork.
I looked at Dominic.
His eyes were fixed on the roast.
Surprise flickered across his face.
I smiled sweetly.
"Just in case you weren't in the mood for octopus."
I reached for the carving knife.
"I'll—"
A warm hand wrapped gently around my wrist.
I looked up.
Dominic met my eyes.
Then he slowly shook his head.
"No."
His voice was calm.
"I'll eat this."
Before I could stop him, he picked up his fork.
He speared a piece of octopus.
Without another word...
He put it into his mouth.
And forced himself to swallow.
Thank You
Thank you for reading The Luna Queen's Rebirth.