The nurses and physicians promptly assisted Emy upon her arrival at the hospital. Reed stood in front of the doctors in the emergency room while Emy was outside. She was waiting outside the ER. Reed looked at Emy. He didn't know why he saw Emy, even though a wall separated them. He could sense her uneasiness. The medics had given Emy's father oxygen, and Reed returned his gaze to him.
"Ate..."
Emy's siblings have also arrived. Emy looked at them, and their youngest brother, Elijah, immediately hugged her.
"How is Tatay?" Markus asked. "Is he OK, Ate?"
"The doctor hasn't come out yet," said Emy. "Let's pray that Tatay is okay."
"Will Tatay die?" Elijah asked. "Ate?"
Emy and their siblings looked at Elijah. "Shut up, Elijah. Tatay won't die," said Ethan. "Tatay is strong, remember?"
"Yeah, Tatay is a strong man, like a superhero," Elijah said.
"Sit there first," said Emy.
Emy moved closer to the gray glass wall but saw nothing. Her strong personality conceals reality. She can't seem to breathe because she is so nervous. She fears losing her father because of their mother's absence. Her siblings were young, but she still had a demon attached to her. After her father's death, she struggled to cope with her loneliness. Emy's tears flowed, but she kept it a secret from her siblings: she was crying not because Emy was afraid, but because she didn't want to worry about them.
Reed was standing right in front of Emy, watching her. Reed clenched his hands as he glanced at Emy.
"You're impeding my plans, Devin," Reed replied, glancing at Emy.
He swiftly turns his back on Emy and walks over to Devin. A plume of black smoke marked Reed's trail.
-
As he crossed the realm, Reed looked for Devin. He came across him munching an apple on the palace patio. Devin observes the soldiers as they carry out their daily tasks. When he sensed Reed, Devin covertly looked behind him. He'd just arrived, and he was standing behind him.
"Has one of your obstacles passed away?" Devin asked.
"He's still alive," Reed said.
"That old man has lived countless lives." Devin grinned. "I should have pushed him down the stairs instead of merely startling him," he chuckled. "It's fascinating to observe how humans react. They seem afraid of death. I wonder why. We're generally kind to our soldiers, and they'll likely end up here too. After all, no human is without sin.
"I don't need your help, Devin, so stop," Reed said. "This is the first and only time you've done anything like this."
Devin smirked and gave Reed a sidelong glance. "Are you saying this because I failed you?"
"I've reached my limit," Reed clarified. "Don't bother Emy or anyone else in her family."
Devin rose from his seat and approached Reed. "Why Reed? Are you also a human being?" Devin asked. "If you are human, you are no longer worthy of the throne." The crown is no longer appropriate for you."
"Will the crown be appropriate for whom? You?" Reed asked.
Devin chuckled. "Well, we'll never know if we don't try."
Devin and Reed locked stares. Reed has long known that Devin is interested in the throne, but not because the previous king, Azael, did not choose him to succeed him. Devin couldn't accept it, and Reed knew he couldn't because he insisted on claiming the crown as his own.
"Reed!"
They glanced at a stunning woman behind them. Devin smiled as he walked away from Reed.
"How are you, Eve?" Devin asked.
"Perfect. So, what exactly are you doing here?" Eve asked. She walked over to Reed and hugged his arm.
Devin gave them a look and then burst out laughing. "Why?" Eve asked.
Reed yanked Eve's hand off his arm. Reed stated, "I'm leaving."
"What?" Eve said. "But you've just returned."
Reed explained, "I simply came back to speak with Devin."
"What? You didn't come back because you missed me." Eve inquired as she gently stroked Reed's cheek with her fingers.
Reed grabbed Eve's hand and restrained her from doing so. He also moved slightly away from the woman and hastened away. Reed's actions surprised Eve. She looked at Devin, who was eating an apple.
"Has she ever seen a low-level human in her queen?" Eve asked.
Instead of answering, Devin brought his face closer to Eve's. "I'll tell you if you agree to what I want."
Eve cocked her head. Devin regains her virginity, yet she selects Reed as her husband. Even though they have had sex several times, Reed is not interested in her. Reed doesn't want her to be his queen.
"You have the power to transform me into a spy." For your benefit, I can reveal everything that Reed does. Be my sex slave, Eve." Devin said. "I'm fine with the leftovers, and Reed has already spat them out, so it seems you still have a taste."
Devin received a slap from Eve. Devin left Eve after saying, "OK, I'm easy to talk to."
Eve observed Devin as he left. She clasped her palms.
-
Because both realms have separate time zones, it was already nighttime when Reed arrived at the hospital. Emy's father was also present in the room. Emy held her father's hand as Reed stood close behind her. Reed surveyed the space. There were three other patients present, and they all gazed at Emy. Reed eventually exited the room.
"What are you going to do?" Emy asked.
Two nurses entered the room and informed her that they would relocate her father. Confused, Emy followed the two nurses and allowed them to push the stretcher. They promptly brought the stretcher into the room and transferred her father.
"Reed..." Emy gasped, startled.
Reed was not the last person she expected to see in that room. Emy rushed up to him. She was overjoyed to meet Reed for unknown reasons.
Emy smiled and said, "You're here."
For a brief period, Reed was stunned. When he met Emy, he saw the excitement on her face.
"Yeah. Is your father doing well?" Reed asked.
"My father suffered a minor stroke. He was OK, according to the doctor." Emy said. "Why did you move him here? Is he okay in his room?"
Reed drew Emy closer to his body as the nurses exited and shut the door. Emy expected Reed to kiss her because their faces were so close, but Reed only stared at her.
"I don't understand," Reed said.
"What don't you understand?" Emy asked.
"Why must you be depressed about what happened to your father?" Reed asked.
"This is part of being a human, Reed," Emy said. "I'm sorry about what happened to my father because I love him, and I'm worried we won't see him again."
Reed just stared at Emy and didn't say anything. "Humans are complicated, Reed," Emy said.
Emy kissed Reed on the cheek, surprising him. "Reed, thank you."
Reed grimaced as he let Emy go. "What makes you thank me?"
Emy chuckled. Emy's tears fell as she said, "For being with me."
Emy had been delighted to see him recently, but now she was in tears. Sad.
"What are you crying about?" Reed asked. "Do you no longer want me here? Have you forgotten anything?"
"I'm delighted you're here," Emy said. Reed ceased to speak. "I don't want my siblings to see me crying, as I don't want them to feel afraid or unhappy." But before you, I have the guts to express my true feelings."
Reed's thumb wiped Emy's tears.
'Human beings are infinitely complicated. Why would they want to fall in love if this is the outcome? Sad and terrified.' Reed thought.
"You don't have to cry. Have you eaten?" Reed asked.
Emy shook her head, rubbing her cheek against the back of her palm.
"Are you hungry yet? Let's eat." Emy murmured as she grabbed Reed's hand and led him out of the room.
Reed's eyes shifted to Emy's hand.