Chapter 339: Hospital visit

Third-person POV

E couldn’t believe it. After days of arguing and begging her father to convince Prince Darius, the prince had finally agreed to let her see Seraphina. Yet now, when it finally mattered, she could barely move.

Her body felt like it was burning from the inside out. The heat was unbearable, almost to the point where it actually felt suffocating. Her skin glowed faintly under the light of the room, and every breath she took hurt. Her vision blurred in and out, and even though her mind screamed to keep going, her body refused to cooperate.

King Vale stood beside her, worry etched into every line on his face. He tried to hide it behind a calm expression, but his trembling hands betrayed him.

“Electra,” he said softly, his voice rough with concern, “you have to try and gather your strength. We’re leaving soon.”

She turned her head weakly, eyes half open. “You mean… he’s letting her come here?”

Her voice came out cracked, more air than sound.

Vale shook his head. “No. He still refuses to let Seraphina leave the hospital since her condition isn’t exactly the best, but… he’s agreed to let me take you there quietly.”

E wanted to smile, but even that was too much. Her lips twitched slightly before she gave up. “So… we’re really sneaking into a hospital with me looking and being like this,” she whispered.

Vale managed a small smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “If that’s what it takes, yes.”

The heat from her body was so intense that even standing near her made him sweat. He wanted nothing more than to help her, to hold her up, but he knew what would happen if he touched her. He already figured that her phoenix side was the most unstable it had ever been since she transformed, and her energy was wild and untamed. One wrong move, and he’d be burned alive.

A lady Vale had hired like a caretaker, someone he knew wouldn’t dare to talk, entered the room with a wheelchair, her face pale.

E glanced at the wheelchair and let out a quiet sigh. “I hate this thing,” she muttered.

“You have no choice,” Vale said gently. “You can’t walk on your own.”

“I can try,” she replied, pushing herself to sit up. Her arms trembled as she moved, her fingers gripping the sheets tightly. Every motion felt like dragging her body through fire. The heat under her skin flared, her pulse quickened, and for a moment, she thought she’d faint again.

“Electra, stop,” Vale said, taking a step forward instinctively before remembering he couldn’t touch her.

But she didn’t stop. She clenched her teeth, her breath shallow, and forced her feet off the bed. Her knees buckled instantly, but she grabbed the edge of the nightstand for balance.

“Don’t—” Vale started, but she cut him off.

“I said I’ll do it,” she hissed. The effort made her voice shake, and she hated how weak she sounded.

Irina, who had been standing quietly near the wall, rushed to her side, keeping a respectful distance. “Electra, you’re too weak. Let us help.”

“You can’t,” E said softly, still struggling to stay upright. “I’ll… I’ll burn you too.”

Irina hesitated, her worry obvious, and after a few tries, E managed to lower herself into the wheelchair. Her breathing was heavy, and her hair clung to her damp forehead. She felt like her skin was on fire, her bones melting from the heat that wouldn’t stop building.

Vale watched her closely, his heart breaking at the sight. He couldn’t touch her, couldn’t even wipe the sweat from her brow. All he could do was stand there helplessly and pray she made it to Seraphina in time.

Irina looked from E to Vale. “Will this work, Your Majesty?” she asked quietly.

“It has to,” Vale replied. His voice was tight but certain. “We have no other choice.”

Irina nodded slowly. She walked closer to E, stopping a few feet away. “Be careful,” she said softly. “And please, don’t push yourself too much. If something happens to you or to…” She trailed off, unable to finish.

E looked up at her with faint amusement. “If something happens to me, there’s not much anyone can do anyway,” she said dryly. Then, softer, “But… thank you.”

Irina smiled faintly and bowed her head.

Vale placed his hands on the handles of the wheelchair and began to push.

E leaned her head back, her eyes half closed. Her body felt heavier with each passing second, her vision dimming at the edges. The ride through the hallway was silent, and the king’s guards stationed outside the room stepped aside without question. They didn’t dare look too long at the king’s daughter.

When they reached the end of the hallway, the cool night air hit her face as the doors opened, and if she wasn’t so weak, she would have stood up to celebrate the fact that she was seeing the night sky again after days of being locked inside. The car was already waiting outside, guarded by two guards Vale trusted with his life.

“Be careful,” Irina said again, standing by the door.

E managed a faint smile, lifting her hand slightly in a tired wave. “If all goes well, I’ll see you when this is over,” she said.

“Good luck,” Irina whispered.

***

Jella had been in her private study, sipping wine and reviewing a list of noble families who had recently switched their loyalty from Vale to her, when the sound of footsteps echoed down the corridor. She didn’t look up when the door opened since she already knew that no one in the palace would dare to interrupt her at this hour unless it was important.

The guard bowed quickly, his breath uneven. “Your Majesty, we’ve received word from the men stationed at the hospital.”

Jella’s hand froze mid-air. “Go on,” she said, her tone calm.

The man swallowed hard. “They said something strange is happening. Prince Darius ordered all guards around Lady Seraphina’s ward to leave their posts. Every single one of them.”

Now that caught her attention. She slowly lowered the glass and turned her gaze toward the guard. “He cleared out the guards?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. It hasn’t happened since she was admitted.”

For a moment, Jella said nothing, simply staying quiet while trying to process her thoughts. After what Hunter said to her, she decided to have a few men keep an eye on Seraphina in the hospital, just in case Electra ever showed up.

“Get me confirmation,” she said. “I want to know where King Vale is right now.”

The guard bowed and hurried off. Jella set her wine down and stood, her robe brushing across the floor as she walked toward the wide window that overlooked the palace.

Minutes later, the same guard returned, slightly out of breath. “Your Majesty, the king… he’s not in the palace.”

A slow, knowing smile spread across Jella’s face. “Is that so?”

“Yes. His car left through the eastern gates about two hours ago, and none of the main guards were told where he was going.”

Jella’s smile deepened, though her eyes were icy. “Of course they weren’t,” she murmured.

She turned back to the guard. “Prepare a car very quietly. I want only two men to accompany me, the ones who can keep their mouths shut. We leave in ten minutes.”

The guard hesitated. “Your Majesty… are you going to the hospital?”

She gave him a single look, and he immediately bowed his head and rushed out.

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