Where was it? Hanna rummaged through the shelves. She was sure her mother hid her medicine here. Her trembling fingers pushed the dusty containers to the side. Not here. Of course not.

Hanna stopped for a moment to take deep breaths. Her nerves were acting up. It was hard to stay calm. She had to anyway. Her boys needed her.

What would happen to their home in Ocheon? Hanna started to wheeze. She did a quick diagnostic of her condition. Nothing abnormal, aside from what she already knew.

“Clam down, Hanna. Everything is fine. We got out, and we can rebuild.” She whispered to herself before restarting her search.

It was a fool's task. Even if Hanna did find her mother’s drugs, it was unlikely they would still be safe to consume. She knew that, but currently, she just needed something…

Something that wasn’t sitting next to sleeping Harry. “How am I going to explain this to him?”

Hanna couldn’t. There was nothing to explain. She had made her choice and now would have to live with it. Harry wasn’t stupid.

Even if Hanna tried to lie to him, he would recognise her words for what they were - just excuses.

So, Hanna resumed her search. If not here, then in the old kitchen. But Galtron was there.

“Shit.” Hanna ran through the list of items they had brought with them. If she unpacked, there were enough ingredients to mix up something that could help.

But it would mean talking with Galtron. The man had seen Hanna’s mother go. He would recognise she was falling into the same pattern. She couldn’t let him know.

“Perhaps…” Hanna started to speak. “Perhaps everything is not that bad.”

They were currently quite far from Ocheon. Hanna looked out of the window. The morning was near now. The first rays of the sun must have started to peak above the horizon.

The rustic, simple buildings outside the window reminded her they were on the run. Located in a nearby village, this was one of the emergency refuges the Obron family owned.

Nothing fancy. Just enough room to house the family for a night. Hanna knew her mother used it to have meetings she couldn’t hold in the city.

Hanna herself hadn’t seen the need. She had kept her hands clean for so long, not dabbling in anything too illegal. This place had a single purpose - to serve as a stop before escaping further away from whatever trouble had found them.

And then Silinth had crashed back into her life. Hanna had worked so long to forget the man, but just one message and the old flame ignited again.

Just to learn Silinth was irreversibly sick. And despite Hanna’s words that she had done everything in her power, it wasn’t true.

Hanna had lied.

She was scared.

Just thinking about Silinth’s condition made her recoil.

Hanna had concentrated on making an elixir that would help, but using mana on Silinth? She couldn’t. Not in a way that would be actually beneficial.

And yet, Hanna still had feelings for the man. No matter how hard she tried to smother them, they remained.

Harry was still more important to her. Hanna loved her husband endlessly.

But…

Why was she this way? Hanna pulled on her hair. The pain helped.

She needed to see Harry. Hanna headed for the bedroom to see her husband. She needed to see his peaceful expression one more time.

Would that really help? Hanna stopped in the middle of the halfway. Wasn’t she searching for relief because she couldn’t stand beside her husband after what she had done to him?

Will Harry forgive her for making him sleep for days? Will he understand why she chose to leave everything behind to start anew? Will he continue to be with her?

Hanna didn’t know. She knew Harry so well, and because she did, she didn’t want to think about the answers to those questions.

“Mom?” Nordly’s tired voice called from behind.

Hanna grimaced, trying to recall how it was to look confident and unafraid. She had to be strong, at least in front of her children.

Only once Hanna was sure in her mask did she turn around. “What is it, sweety?” She looked at her lovely son. He was her treasure. He was shaping up to be a mighty man.

But currently, Nordly looked hesitant. He glanced back at the entrance. “Um, they need help.”

Hanna froze. They? There could only be one possibility that could make Nordly so reluctant. She knew he had a crush on that little bitch. She didn’t approve. He could do much better than a cold snake.

But it meant Silinth would be there. Had he injured himself even more? Hanna's trembling hands clenched. No, she couldn’t just run to him. He was already on borrowed time. She had to forget him quickly.

Despite Hanna’s desperate thoughts, her legs didn’t listen. She found herself passing her son and running towards the doors.

Hanna pushed them open to reveal the early morning. Somewhere in the neighbouring houses, hubbub announced the beginning of the working day.

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

In front of the house stood three people. Just three. No Silinth. They were tattered and dirty. Hanna recognised the dark spots on their garbs. It was dried blood.

There was no Silinth.

Isabel was cradling Mila while Andrew collapsed against the fence upon seeing her. Despite the distance between them, Hanna could feel Mila was the one who was hurt the worst.

There was no Silinth.

It was clear why they were here. Hanna’s legs carried her closer to Mila. Her head turned to all sides, looking… Searching for the man that had left such a deep impact on her life.

“Where is Silinth.” Hanna didn’t find him. He should be here. It wasn’t his time yet.

But once her eyes fell on the trio, Hanna knew what news they had brought.

Finally, Hanna felt her mind give. Her legs trembled before she fell on her knees, sobbing. Her tears fell and soaked the dirt beneath.

What had she done to deserve this? A curse formed on Hanna’s lips, but only a sad whimper was the result.

The trio kept looking at her guiltily. Hanna didn’t blame her. It was her own fault. It was her own weakness that had collapsed her life.

*****

It was another wonderful day. Oispio looked into the mirror covering the whole wall and smiled. He ran his palm down the opulent suit he wore. His moustache was well trimmed, his garb glorious, and his black hair shone with golden accents that were woven through

Oispio knew he was the most handsome devil to ever grace the world. He winked at his reflection. His smile widened.

The room around Oispio only helped to bring out his charm to the forefront. It was his private quarters and done tastefully. There was white marmor everywhere with mahogany cabinets, tables and chairs. A grandiose chandelier made of crystals illuminated the place. All of the furnishings were master made and decorated with gems and precious metals.

And yet, it was all eclipsed by his presence.

“Perfect!” Oispio exclaimed and turned towards the staff member who attended to his needs for the day - a nice-looking girl in her twenties. “How do I look?”

Of course, there was no answer. Oispio nodded. This girl was smart and only bowed in deference. If she had dared to speak, he would have ordered her execution.

There were those who hurried to lavish Oispio with compliments without truly meaning them. He hated those people. Most didn’t survive for long.

“Call the Overseer.” Oispio returned to admiring his visage.

The girl bowed again and vanished from the room while Oipsio began posing.

Truly, there was nothing more fascinating than he! But at this point, Oispio had to sigh.

It wasn’t really true. Oispio’s confidence was crushed once. He had done his best to rebuild it and had succeeded. He flexed, letting his muscles bulge under the black suit.

For the longest time, Oispio had believed he was the best. And people around him agreed.

But then, on a fateful day, Oispio saw ‘Her’.

And at that moment, the whole world around him had collapsed. Oispio had been bedridden for days until he regained enough strength to continue.

Even then, it had been to see ‘Her’ once more. Oispio began to wriggle while imagining ‘Her’ beautiful face. “Ah! To lay my eyes upon ‘Her’ was the blessing of my life! It was ordained by Fate to happen!”

Indeed. King Oispio had fallen in love! And that had changed the universe for him.

Once he had felt the elation of love, Oispio knew that everyone deserved beauty in their lives. And with that thought, his reforms had begun.

Of course, there were those who resisted, but Oispio had taken care of most of those who had.

There were still some holdouts, most noticeably in the Temple’s structure, but that was to be expected.

Yet, Oispio had succeeded in weakening their position on how to revere the God of Nature. All it took was donations, blackmail and well-placed threats.

Granted, it didn’t work on everyone, so he planned his actions well. Oispio was no fool. But once those in charge saw what he had in mind, they quickly changed their ways to match his.

“My liege.” The Overseer announced his arrival. “Everything is ready for your visit.”

“Good! You are here!” Oispio twirled around. He didn’t have much time. The kingdom would not run by itself.

“If a may,” The Overseer bowed. “Your Highness, there has been a terror attack on the city of Ocheon.” He informed. “Much of the city was destroyed.”

There was more, Oispio knew. “What about the boy?” That was what was most important. The brat had a role to play.

“Young Oscar awakened his power, and we are waiting for the report.” The Overseer spoke. “Furthermore, during the battle, The Heretics assaulted the local temple.”

Oispio clicked his tongue. It meant he wouldn't get the full picture of what had happened. Despite his growing influence, there still were subjects the Temple refused to discuss with him.

“And the result?” Oispio began walking. This news meant his war machine had to start moving earlier than expected. There would be a lot of grumbling in the ranks.

Well, perhaps not. It might be an unexpected gift. Oispio started to hum. People will want revenge. He could feed the fear and turn it towards the kingdom of Imeglenmo. It didn’t matter if they were at fault or not.

“The Pillar of Eternity demands the right to raze the city.” The Overseer moved to follow after his king. While keeping a suitable distance, of course.

“Make sure the boy is not involved and get the most powerful people out of there, then grant the right.” Oispio’s head filled with thoughts. He walked in a brisk step, eager to reach the destination.

“There will be repercussions.” The Overseer warned.

This was why the man was overseeing most of Oispio’s projects. He wasn’t afraid to voice his opinion when it mattered. And he was right about the repercussions. There will be unrest.

“Blame everything on Imeglenmo.” Oispio had a simple solution. It was perfect, really. While everyone concentrated on the war, he could move uninterrupted.

“As you wish.” The Overseer bowed.

They continued to walk through the adorned halls towards where the dungeons lay. There were still matters to discuss. The borders had to be reinforced, the troops moved, and supplies gathered.

Everywhere they stepped, there were splendid artworks displayed for visitors to gander at.

But soon, that changed. The lower Oispio went, the less magnificence there was. They passed guideposts and patrols. Everything was tightly locked down. The walls turned to simple stone. Windows vanished, and the light was brought by torches.

And even deeper, Oispio entered a cavern discovered just a few years ago. Hidden for the longest time under the city and Oispio’s palace. The Overseer did not dare to follow.

Oispio’s heart filled with happiness. He walked towards the centre of the cavern, where a large altar was situated. Surrounded by blood that never thickened, it left an eerie impression.

Old and ruined, it was brought back to its glory by the very best masons Oispio could find. They were killed right after for the sin of being in the presence of her love.

Oispio stepped upon the altar and raised his eyes where his love waited for his arrival.

He gasped in awe. Just like always - ‘She’ was all Oispio wanted.