Luo Feng gently lifted the Duchess's head with one steady hand and brought the glowing golden vial to her lips. He opened her mouth slowly and carefully, letting the All-Cure potion trickle in. She swallowed once, twice.
For a heartbeat the room was silent.
Then the change came like sunrise after a long night.
The black circles around her eyes faded away as if wiped clean by invisible hands. Color rushed back into her sunken cheeks. Her frail, thin body filled out, growing soft and healthy again in moments. The deadly pallor vanished. When her eyes fluttered open they were bright and clear—the same beautiful woman the Duke had married years ago, now fully restored.
Duke Harlan let out a choked sob and threw his arms around her, hugging her tightly to his chest. "My love… you're back," he whispered, tears streaming down his face.
The Duchess blinked, confused but smiling weakly as she returned the embrace. "What… happened?"
Luo Feng stepped back quietly, letting the couple have their moment. Miya stayed right beside him, her hand in his, watching with wide, proud eyes.
Duke Harlan finally turned to Luo Feng, still holding his wife close. "Feng… even all the money I have is not enough to pay for that All-Cure Herb. It is a national treasure. You gave up something priceless."
Luo Feng bowed his head, calm as ever. "You don't need to pay, my lord. I came here only for the two hundred gold quest reward. Nothing more."
The Duke stared at him, then burst into laughter—deep, relieved, and full of joy. "You used a herb worth more than half the kingdom and ask only for the quest reward? Two hundred gold?" He laughed again, smiling so widely his eyes crinkled. "Feng, I will never forget what you did for my wife today. I promise I will fulfill everything I said before. I will spread word of your village's fresh vegetables, fruits, and that wonderful grape wine across the entire kingdom. People will travel in and out of Eden Village like never before."
He paused, then added with a mischievous grin, "And… I am willing to let you marry my daughter if you don't mind."
Miya's hand tightened in Luo Feng's. A flash of jealousy crossed her face as she looked up at him, lips pressed together.
Luo Feng smiled gently and squeezed her hand back. "I have not seen her yet, my lord, so I cannot agree yet."
The Duke laughed again, warm and understanding. "That is my younger daughter you met in the market—she is not even ten. I am talking about her older sister. She is sixteen, very beautiful, and kind-hearted. When she returns from her studies in the royal academy, I will tell her to visit your village."
Luo Feng bowed once more. "Thank you, my lord. We will look forward to it."
After a little more grateful chatting and the Duchess thanking him with tears in her eyes, Luo Feng and Miya left the mansion. At the Adventurers Guild they collected the two hundred gold coins without fuss. Then they met Kael and Lin Wang back at the Silver Lantern Inn, sharing a quiet meal while the boys excitedly showed off the new armor and swords they had bought.
That night, after the door to their room clicked shut, Luo Feng and Miya did what married couples do—slow, loving, wrapped in each other with nothing between them but warmth and whispered promises. When they were done they lay naked together under the thin blanket, Miya's head on his chest, his arm around her waist, the silver lotus hairpin resting safely on the bedside table.
Sleep came deep and sound, both of them resting peacefully until morning.
Outside, the capital slept under the stars. Inside the quiet inn, the unblessed traveler and the girl who held his heart dreamed of green fields, full harvests, and the road home to Eden Village—where their new life together was waiting.