Time Is Running Out

Rushing into the forest at night was a bad idea. Though Astell wasn't threatened by the dangers of the night. For some reason, his stomach twisted and turned.

It didn't take long until he arrived in front of the gates of the Belladonna Mansion. He was forced to stop for inspection. But when the guards saw his face, they immediately opened the gates for him.

"Thank you."

Astell got close to the entrance and left his horse in a safe location. There weren't any servants or maids to greet him, and he expected it. He came at night when most of the people were asleep.

But then it was weird. Most of the lights in the mansion were still lit up. It was midnight. Astell saw a passing shadow by the window. Not just one but at least three more followed.

From afar, Astell heard, "Where is the doctor? If he doesn't arrive now, the lady might not make it tomorrow." His eyes immediately turned wide.

There was only one person the servants and maids would address lady, and that was Adriana. This made his heart drop. His legs moved on their own, walking into the mansion. Astell didn't know where he was going but was just following the voices of the maids.

As he traced the voices, he found her room doors opened. There he saw Raven and two more other guys who looked identical. But Astell didn't care about that. He wanted to see and know Adriana's condition.

Astell rushed into the room while Raven was surprised to see an unknown person walk into the room. He grabbed Astell's wrist but was shrugged off.

"Who are you! How dare you enter the room as if it is yours!" Raven grabbed his wrist once more.

"Remove your hand off me," commanded Astell in a low voice.

"I should be asking you who you are," answered back Raven, who rushed forward and pulled the hood down. "Y-you? What are you doing at this time?"

"Lady! Is the doctor still not here?" cried Joana. "Her body is freezing. We don't have time left."

Astell pursed his lips and shrugged the hand off his wrist. He walked in front of the sick-looking Adriana and frowned. He placed his hand on her forehead, and slowly, her complexion turned better.

"This should work for now," said Astell, still keeping his hand on her forehead. "How long until the doctor arrives?"

Raven grabbed Adriana's hand, and he glanced at Astell. He doesn't know what kind of sorcery he has just done. But at least Adriana looked a lot better than earlier.

"What did you do?" Raven asked Astell, who was looking at his hand.

"My magic can save her," Astell closed his fist. "Though I think it's temporary."

"I won't thank you," said Raven.

"I'm just doing what I need to do. I can't let her die."

"And why? What does she have to do with you?" Raven yelled at him.

"She's my future wife," straightforwardly answered Astell, which surprised Raven.

Raven scratched his head and wondered if Astell had a brain problem. It wasn't his first time hearing from a man wanting Adriana. But never had he seen someone this serious.

"You… you're weird," blurted Raven.

"Young master! The doctor has arrived," informed Joana, who escorted the doctor in.

Those who were inside were asked to step out of the room. That included Raven and Astell. They both stood by the hallway, waiting for the doctor's diagnosis.

Since they stepped out of the room, none had said a word to each other. But their eyes were talking to each other.

"So you're the guy sister wants to marry?"

"And you're the famous brother your sister cares about so much."

"Look. I'm not here to object to your marriage. I want to be sure the man my sister's marrying isn't just anyone," Raven crossed his arms.

"Don't worry because I don't plan on using her," Astell smiled, remembering a few things about Adriana. There was no way he could use her. She is a lioness, after all.

"Then why did you decide to marry her?"

"I won't answer this question. I have my own privacy. Do I?"

"Fine. But if you dare to hurt her. I won't forgive you."

The door opened, and the doctor walked out, the doctor who had a rough expression.

"I've been the lady's doctor since she was younger. All I can say is that the poison in her body is growing each day. However, there is a magic source suppressing it. Which is keeping her body strong throughout the years. If the lady continues to suppress it with the magic. There is a possibility the poison will be removed."

"That means she can be cured?" Raven asked the doctor, who nodded his head.

"Though I'll need to research more on that. As you know, the poison flowing in her body comes from her own blood. It's unknown. Unless the lady agrees to share her blood," answered the doctor while Raven shook his head.

"No, her blood will never be used by anyone," Raven slammed his hand on the wall. "The poison is too powerful. No one should ever obtain her blood. Never."

Astell saw the desperation in Raven's eyes. But decisions aren't made by others but by oneself.

"Let the lady decide," suggested Astell, which made Raven twitch.

"You already know her to answer. Don't tell me what to do, " growled Raven, agreeing that he would never get along with Astell.

"Let the lady decide. It is her own body. She has the right to choose, not us." repeated Astell, which made Raven huff and walk into the room. "Doctor, is there anything else?"

"There are fresh wounds behind her back. With her condition, it'll take a long time for those wounds to heal. I speculate that Madam Ebony had done something to her," The doctor then hesitated.

"Is there a problem, doctor?"

"The lady might not live long," the doctor lowered his head, expressing guilt. He couldn't do anything to keep Adriana healthy.

Astell clenched his fist, not wanting to believe the doctor. There should be something. A way for Adriana to live longer. It can't end when their story is just about to begin.