"What about your son?" I leaned closer, interested, and he gulped.

"I'm afraid that he's becoming too attached to his work and pressuring himself. Even when I tell him not to, " Alexander informed me.

"I thought that was what you wanted. For him to be completely dedicated to being the leader of the Blue Assassins."

"It was, at first. But it's not healthy. He needs to be healthy and happy for the ceremony or it won't work."

"Won't work? I'm confused, Alexander, " I stated; he sighed.

"You see, when someone becomes the leader of our organization, they have to drink the Age Water."

"What's that?" I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion.

"It's a special kind of water. You have to drink it every morning and night. Then, your aging process slows down and it also protects the leader from illnesses. Every leader has drank it for centuries, " Alexander explained and I gaped at him.

"What? Why is this the first time I'm hearing about this? That's amazing!" I exclaimed.

"Yes, but it won't work on River if he is not healthy or happy. Health and happiness are what fuels the water. And if it doesn't work on him, River will not be able to become the leader, " he paused, his expression saddening. "Right now, River is healthy nor happy."

I let out a breath and bit my lip, thinking. Alexander looked down, but before he did, I caught the look in his eyes.

"There's something else, isn't there?"

He closed his eyes tightly, nodding. "If the next leader does not have the requirements for the water... the Age Water will disappear. It'll be gone. No other generations will be able to use it."

Alexander locked eyes with me again, his gaze intense. "Everything would be chaos... And River would die."