Ren noticed the tears forming in Enzo’s eyes, though he couldn’t quite grasp the reason behind them. Was he afraid to die?
Then a strange thought crossed his mind—why had Enzo asked him to stay by his side, of all people? If these were truly his last moments, wouldn’t he want those he loved most near him? Ren was, after all, just a stranger.
"You seem like you want to ask me something," Enzo chuckled softly, quickly wiping his tears in a discreet motion, hoping no one had noticed.
"I was wondering..." Ren hesitated, his tone quiet. "Why did you ask me to stay by your side—and not the General or the Crown Prince?"
Enzo froze, caught off guard by the question. He hadn’t expected Ren to voice it, no matter how curious he might have been. From what he’d heard from Soren, Ren was hardly the talkative type.
"They would panic the moment I screamed in pain," Enzo finally said, forcing a faint laugh.
"Not that you are much different in the end... panicking and all when seeing the procedure." He smiled weakly, trying to suppress the tremor in his voice before it could turn into another sob.
"I—"
"Are you done?" the physician interrupted curtly, his tone edged with impatience.
The ’surgery’, if it could be called that way, needed to be carried out swiftly—any delay risked triggering a rut or heat in either the alpha or the omega, which would force them to endure those few days together and make the bond-breaking even more agonizing afterward. The more heats and ruts a couple had shared, the greater the pain the severing would inflict.
"Yes..." Enzo nodded, lowering his gaze. "You can start."
The physician took out his blade once more, carefully carving thin lines around Enzo’s gland as he continued his rough work against his will. He had seen this young man grow right before his eyes. And for him to ruin his life like this... his heart ached.
A broken moan tore from Enzo’s throat, his body convulsing under the sharp graze of the blade. Tears streamed down his cheeks, mingling with the snot that dripped from his nose. It was an ugly sight—one he wouldn’t want anyone in this world to see—but now, he couldn’t care less. The pain was unbearable, as if his very soul were being ripped out of his body.
His vision began to turn black, near darkness. He could barely make out Ren’s face through the blur. His lips trembled violently as another sob escaped him.
"AHHH!"
Ren took Enzo’s trembling hand and placed it gently on his own, hoping that the physical contact might help him endure the pain—just a little. He didn’t know Enzo well, but watching him suffer like that twisted something deep inside him. Maybe he still had some humanity left in him.
When the procedure finally ended, the physician bandaged Enzo’s neck with practiced precision before handing him a few painkillers. But Enzo was too weak even to lift his hand, his eyes half-closed, breaths shallow, only groans leaving his mouth.
"Why don’t you crush them and give them to him?" Ren suggested quietly.
The physician gave a short nod, understanding, before packing up his tools. He slung his bag over his shoulder and made his way to the door.
As soon as he opened it, he nearly collided with two figures standing outside—the General and the Imperial Crown Prince. Both wore identical expressions of worry, their eyes darting past the physician to catch a glimpse of what was inside the room.
"Is... everything alright? Is he fine?" Soren asked hesitantly, voice barely above a whisper.
"...You may go inside," the physician replied sharply, stepping aside before walking down the corridor without another word.
"What’s his problem?..." Zayden grumbled, exhaling deeply.
"Just come inside," Soren turned, glaring at his brother. Was that really important in this critical situation?
Once Zayden entered, his heart sank at the sight of his friend, trembling and screaming in pain. He had seen countless alphas with broken bonds, but this was the first time he was witnessing an omega’s bond breaking.
And somewhere deep down, maybe he was glad to think that omegas didn’t suffer as much. However, today, that thought shattered into pieces.
He had been lying to himself to prove a point—but life never spared anyone from the truth. It always found a way to confront one with their worst nightmares, leaving them helpless. As a man who wished to protect everyone he held dear, he hated the sight before him.
"Zayden... You should leave," Soren suggested, noticing the strange expression Zayden was making.
Just then, the General’s gaze fell on Enzo’s trembling hand—clutching Ren’s as if it were the only thing keeping him anchored to this world.
Zayden froze.
For a fleeting moment, something twisted in his chest, a feeling he recognized right away. Too familiar.
He wanted to pull Ren away, to demand why it had to be him of all people. But he stayed still, forcing himself to breathe. Now wasn’t the time to act like some foolish, jealous ex-lover. Enzo was suffering, barely conscious, and Ren was simply... there. Offering comfort.
"I will stay here," Zayden said, lowering himself to sit on the edge of the mattress.
Soren groaned, running a hand through his hair in frustration.
"You’re impossible!.." he muttered under his breath, though his tone held more worry than anger.
Soren’s eyes flicked toward Zayden, fear cutting through his frustration.
If he leaves now... and goes straight to the dungeon... Charles won’t survive.
It wouldn’t be the first time his younger brother had let rage decide his actions. The thought made Soren tense, gripping the edge of his sleeves as he tried to keep himself composed even in this messy situation.
It wasn’t that Soren didn’t want Charles dead—quite the opposite. But they had to wait until the bond was broken.
If Zayden went after Charles now, it could cost Enzo his life. If breaking the bond was dangerous, losing one’s mate in the middle of it would be far worse. So Soren held his breath and held Zayden back, forcing patience until the procedure was done.
"Here are the painkillers," the physician said, returning shortly after, hurrying into the room.
Then, he extended the glass of water mixed with the drugs to Enzo, helping him drink it.
"He should be fine soon, right?" Zayden asked.
The elderly man averted his gaze.
"I am unsure... His life is still in danger. Unless someone with divine power—"
Zayden snorted.
"Oh, right. But we have none of that in Revhara. And surely, those Hianshu people wouldn’t give a damn if someone died right in front of them!"
Ren flinched, looking at Zayden.
He... truly hates Hianshu’s people.