487: [Bonus chapter] Hera Cruel. Remember her name?

[Bonus chapter] Hera Cruel. Remember her name?

Days had gone by like usual, with Heaven keeping her son company every single day. There were nights she would sleep in Sebastian's ward, but some other times, she would go to the hotel to rest. Axel had been with her throughout and Miriam would stick around to take care of them. Meanwhile, Dominic had been busier than ever. But he still tried his best to go home and see his wife and son.  0

Ria Zhu's condition was getting better and Heaven and Axel would also be there for her. Although mostly, Axel would accompany his mother since Heaven had to stay with Sebastian.

Every day seemed to be getting better, but of course, that was because Dominic never allowed any bad news to reach his family's ears.  Even so, Heaven was still aware of the growing tension happening behind the scenes. 

"I'm glad to hear you're doing well." A smile turned up on Heaven's face, sitting beside the bed, eyes on the person who risked her life to save her son. 

Princess. 

"It's all thanks to the master and the Zhu family," said Princess humbly. "If not for them offering me the best medical attention, I am not sure if I would ever emerge from it alive."

Heaven maintained a smile, assessing the woman sitting up on the bed. Princess inflicted grave injuries, and it became worse after running after Sebastian. But now, she recovered as if nothing happened. Even the doctors were surprised at how fast she recovered. From what she heard, Princess would be discharged tomorrow if her last test came back with good results. 

"My debts to you just keep piling up," she whispered, making Princess raise her brows. "Have you heard of what's happening outside?"

Princess furrowed her brows but shook her head. "No, young madam."

"Hadn't Gray kept you posted?"

"Huh?"

"There's no need to hide it, Princess." Heaven smiled subtly. "As you know, my husband is reevaluating everyone. One small lie might just erase the fact that you saved Sebastian. Though I'm sure my husband will compensate you well for what you had done."

Princess kept a tight lip, assessing the look plastered on the young madam's face. The only visitors she had were her comrades. Thus, it was a surprise to see Heaven today. However, that wasn't what intrigued Princess the most. 

"I heard what happened," she confessed quietly, sporting a solemn look. "Gray told me that the young madam took part in the rescue operation."

Silence instantly filled the air at the second pause between them. 

"Who are you?" she asked. "And how did you know Joker?"

"How straightforward."

"Young madam, I saved the little master because that is a part of my job. I always take pride in the work I do — whatever it is," Princess stressed, clarifying everything on her side. "However, it's not part of my job description to risk my own family for money. How did you know Joker?" 

"How else would I know?" 

"I see..." Princess rocked her head in understanding, assuming her first guess was correct. "... Bear told you, huh?"

"Did you really think Bear will ever say a word about you guys?" Heaven cocked her head to the side, smiling. "No matter what, even at gunpoint, he would never drop a name even though there's animosity between him and Joker. You should know that better, Princess."

The corner of Princess's mouth curved down as her face turned grim. She disliked the young madam's tone. The latter spoke as if she knew more about them than anyone, and this was alarming. Even those veterans in the underground world barely had an idea of the Reaper's structure and their complicated bond with one another. 

"Don't kill me," Heaven humored with a short chuckle, lifting her foot to rest her leg over the other. "To be fair, I don't know whether you will believe me or not. That is why I am reluctant to answer that question."

"It doesn't matter, young madam." Maintaining a cold front, Princess's eyes sharpened. "It doesn't matter anymore how you knew about Joker and possibly about us. As long as you will keep a tight lip about it, then we will have no problem. Moreover, I trust that Mr. Cruel will keep an eye on you."

"How cute." Heaven couldn't help but chuckle once again, making the frown on Princess's face deepen. "Princess, you shouldn't be like that to me. My baby gets scared easily."

Princess's face hardened at the thought, glancing at the young madam's stomach. "You took part in the mission whilst carrying a child. It's a surprise that you were able to pull off such a stunt and keep the baby."

"The baby wants to be born, you can say that." Heaven shrugged indifferently. "My baby held on to me just like how I held onto my reckless mother. From what I heard from my father's casual slander, there was a time my mother had to do a mission whilst carrying me in her womb."

She smacked her lips as she remembered such a small and seemingly insignificant detail. "They said it was because it was inevitable, but the more I think about it, the more I realized that wasn't the case."

"She didn't want me, Princess," she continued with a smile. "She didn't want to kill me directly, so she left our fates to whoever she believed. In the end, I still came out to this world. I think this baby is the same… just like her mommy."

"Stop going around in a circle, young madam. I am not interested in how you weren't loved as a child."

"How harsh, but surprisingly, I was loved. You know that, Princess." Heaven blinked ever so slowly, casting her a knowing look. "You always tell me how lucky I was to be loved despite everything, and how you pledged to keep loving me when I lost them."

"What are you talking about?"

Heaven didn't answer immediately, assessing the confusion dominating Princess's face. When her lips parted, Princess froze on the spot, wide eyes. 

"Hera Cruel. Remember that name?"

Clang! 

The second her remarks rolled out of her tongue, Gray, who just entered the ward, dropped the tray of food he was carrying.

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