There's No Love In the Deathzone (BL) novel Chapter 689

Chapter 689: Side Story 3. Stellar Blossom - 24

Hurriedly, as if he didn’t want to lose even a single second, Radia entered the portal that Nyx made. Unfortunately, as a critical infrastructure, the area around hospitals was designated as a no-motion zone, so the portal couldn’t be generated there.

Thus, Nyx opened the portal to the rooftop of Mortix Holdings, where a helicopter had waited for him. There, Laurel Mallarc welcomed his son with a tight embrace.

Naturally, she had watched what happened in that Plaza. But for Radia’s sake, she held her emotions back. "Oh, sweetie," she held her adult son, whose whole body had turned cold despite the heat retention coat.

Even then, Radia did not seem to care.

"We don’t have time," he said anxiously. He just received a report that Han Joon had a heart attack an hour ago. "We--"

"I know," Laurel stroked the red hair, wet and cold from the snow. "Bassena is going to the Tower and Zein is talking to the Saintess."

"The Eastern Sun--"

"Your grandmother had talked to her. She’ll be there shortly."

Finally, Radia seemed to be able to breathe again. He closed his eyes and let his mother hold him, leaning into the warmth of the embrace. "Mother, I..."

"You did well," Laurel kissed the wet hair, the trembling crown. Holding back her tears while tightening her arms around her sweet Dia. "You did well, sweetheart."

Because, what mother would not hurt seeing his son kneeling and begging in front of someone else? What mother would not agonize over the fact that her child was being humiliated in public?

If she could, she would rather be the one kneeling in her child’s place. But that wasn’t possible, so she could only watch the event unfold with a broken heart. She felt guilty and useless for failing to bring the artifact, and had to subject her son to such ordeal.

It must have been hard for him. It would be hard for anyone. And yet, looking at those crimson eyes, who only looked at one thing and one thing only--the hospital--even while staying in her embrace, she had an inkling that it wasn’t so hard for Radia.

Anything was probably easier than losing his Joon.

"I’m angry," Laurel could hear her own voice shaking in fury and pain. "But I’m proud of you."

Radia bit his cold lips and held the artifact tightly the way his mother embraced him. "Nothing..." his voice, hoarse from the cold, sounded more determined than anything. "Nothing is more important to me than Joon."

But even so, he had done something that might put the family, the corporation, and the guild to shame. He didn’t mind stepping down if it was necessary, but the damage might be non-reversible. Thinking about the hundreds of thousands of people relying on him and his reputation...it was still heavy. It was especially heavy without his sturdiest pillar supporting him.

But Radia’s umbrella was not made of that single pillar only.

"I know," the pillar who brought him to this world said gently. "We all know. We understand. No one will criticize you for it."

"I don’t care what people said about me, but the company and the guild..." Radia frowned; he hadn’t glanced at his commlink except to check for any update from the hospital, but he was sure the whole continent would have a field day talking about him kneeling in a Plaza, begging in tears.

"Don’t worry," Laurel whispered tenderly. "I’m sure nothing bad will happen." _{freeweɓnovel.cѳm}

She said it like it was a consolation, but she was actually sure about it. Would someone truly criticize someone who lowered themselves for their beloved one? In fact, this incident might be good.

"But don’t you think about it," she stroked the cold cheek, warming it with her love. "Just focus on your darling husband, okay?"

"Yeah," Radia closed his eyes briefly, allowing himself two minutes of respite before the helicopter landed at the hospital. "Yes. Thank you, mother."

* * *

In the coldest of winter, the white zone did not acknowledge seasons. The sun was still sunny and the plants were lush. It was during such a day the first Saint-class healer in the Eastern Federation was born.

Even so, Han Shin did not have a leeway to feel happy about this achievement. Different from his usual cheerful self, he came out with a stern and determined expression--which faltered slightly when he saw someone familiar.

"Bas?"

Before the flash of cameras and the swarm of reporters could get to him, Bassena already grabbed his hand. "Let’s go."

In a blink, Han Shin found himself in the aircraft parking space, right in front of a helicopter with no logo. It was a small one, only for one passenger beside the pilot, but was made for speed. The healer frowned slightly as he climbed to the back seat and fastened his seatbelt.

Being whisked away from the crowds was something he was thankful for, but the tension in Bassena’s back was palpable. There was not even a single congratulation, and Bassena was clearly in a haste.

Something cold crawled along his spine. "Bas, hyung--"

"Did you look into your commlink yet?" Bassena asked instead.

"Not yet, I--"