Alex had nothing but praises for Will and even she, herself, found him cute at some point of time. But today he was not cute at all. How dare he try to vilify her Cain? If his words were said in a friendly manner as a warning she would still be fine. But instead he tried to portray Cain as a monster. Even if he truly was a monster, he was her monster, and she would always guard and protect him from anyone who tried to harm him: be it verbally or physically. She could berate him, point out his mistakes, but she wouldn't let others do so.

As for the main culprit of her messy thoughts, honestly, it wasn't like she had anything to hide from him. It was completely fine for her to have him listening to their conversation. The only thing she didn't like was that he hadn't even mentioned about it. d.a.m.n, she was feeling embarra.s.sed that he heard her protecting him. And he just had to use her own words to be flirty with her. Shameless, he was simply shameless!

'Ugh, I can't brood over some stupid things anymore. I wonder what he is doing now.'

Thus she picked up her phone and messaged him asking him to call her if he had time, and she received a call as soon as her message was read.

"Is my Queen unable to sleep because she misses me too much?" he asked with a crafty smile on his face, ready to tease her. Meanwhile he subtly put his laptop aside concentrating all his attention on his G.o.ddess.

"Uh-huh. So talk me to sleep," she answered sheepishly. No way she was letting him tease her without retaliation.

Cain was momentarily stunned. The next second a genuine smile bloomed on his face and his heart filled with warmth. Seemed like Queenie had calmed down. He loved her way of reconciling with him by acting all coy and cute. Hmm, how he would love to be next to her and instead pillow talk her to sleep. But alas...

"What does my Queen desire for me to talk about?"

"Tell me a nice fairy tale," she chided straight away.

However, someone's handsome looking countenance darkened and his eyes narrowed in realisation.

'The d.a.m.ned girl!'

But all he could do was to sigh in utter helplessness and to oblige to her wishes. After some discussion with his picky Queenie he finally found a book to her liking and started reading to her until he could hear her even breathing. Her breathing was a lullaby on its own for him, so he, himself, soon fell asleep while listening to her, completely unaware of the storm that was currently brewing.

--

- In a bar, Ribekia -

"Wanna talk?" Alex asked reluctantly.

They had been in the bar for more than an hour now, and Will had been drinking non stop. Looking at all the empty whisky bottles in front of him Alex couldn't help but worry. Maybe, just maybe, he would feel better if he spilled out all the beans?

"Huh? Talk? What do you want me to talk about?" Will asked sarcastically.

Even though he was drunk he was still as dignified as ever. If not for his glazed eyes and all the bottles in front of him one wouldn't even guess that he was drunk.

"Will, talk about your feelings. Talk about what happened. Talk about why you are drinking so much. Anything is fine."

Will's face turned ugly at his words.

'Huh? Talk about what I am feeling or thinking? I am afraid if I do so I might even lose a friend today.'

"No need," he thus said curtly.

However, Alex was adamant at making him speak. He knew Will, and if the latter had suppressed too much it would usually lead to some disasters. Hence, it was better for him to know what was on his mind to talk him out of it when he was sober.

After persuading and nagging him for a good half hour, combined with the effects of the alcohol kicking in, Will finally started talking while looking absentmindedly outside the window,

"Do you think I am pathetic? Do you pity me for falling for someone who already belongs to someone else?"

"Will, love always comes unasked and unsought. It wasn't something you could control. So there is no reason for pity."

It felt like his words didn't even register with Will. Though the latter was listening and asking questions it felt more like a monologue than a dialogue.

"Of course I am pathetic. The only woman I have ever had feelings for has chosen someone else. And that someone else is none other than my ex-best friend. And as always he doesn't hesitate to boast his success in front of me."

His voice was treaded with layers of coldness and hostility. It felt like the waters between the two of them ran deep, and Sia's involvement only made it worse. While Alex was still trying to guess what could have occurred between the two friends to become so alienated from each other, Will continued to talk,

"You expect me to give up on her right? But, that's the last thing I wish to do. I can't do it, no I won't do it ever," his eyes and expression showed contempt when he continued, "They are not even engaged or married. If Cain could conquer her heart, I can do so too."

Alex directly interrupted him, not letting him continue whatever he was trying to say,

"Will, Sia is not a compet.i.tion between you and Cain!"

Will retracted his gaze from the window and stared at Alex.

'I knew you wouldn't be able to understand me. No one can.'

"She isn't compet.i.tion, but she is the one person I desire and wish to have next to me." The mist in his eyes cleared momentarily and he continued in a determined manner, "Just because there is Cain in the picture I am not going to give up."

'That's right. If it wasn't for Cain her heart would be free. Wouldn't that mean that I win her heart then? She herself said that her heart was filled with Cain... if only Cain was no more.'

At the moment Alex was too occupied thinking of how to convince his friend to stand back which was why he completely failed to notice the dangerous glint that pa.s.sed through Will's eyes.

'I need to talk to Will when he is sober. I can't let him make a mistake that he would regret all his life.'

'I need to only free her heart from any unnecessary burden. Then I can fill it myself.'

--

- Country Z -

"The previous emperor wants to meet you."

"So? Tell him I am busy." Luke said lazily.

Paul felt exasperated: Luke was known for his unruliness and his moodiness. If he was in a good mood he would behave, but if he wasn't, then the best course of action was to stay away from him. Lately he hadn't been satisfied with the women that served him, so he wasn't in a good mood.So, as always, it was Paul who would take the bullet if he refused to act reasonable.

"He is your grandfather, you know you can't ignore him. And he also said that it's urgent."

Luke stayed as stubborn as ever, and just waved his hand, motioning for Paul to let him relax.

"If it's urgent, I'll just call him."

Paul was imagining how good it would feel to beat his boss to the pulp. Hmm, yeah, one day he would get his chance. With a straight face he continued,

"He said that if you don't visit him during the next two days you can forget about meeting him ever again." His expression turned grave, "Luke, he sounded serious, it seems important."

Luke gave him a dirty look and unwillingly nodded his head. The old fox was strict but he doted on him. He wouldn't make such a big deal out of nothing. It seemed like he couldn't avoid this meeting. How troublesome...