"That look again... Why do I keep seeing that look in her eyes? What were we, really? Best friends, huh..." Arvard muttered to himself as he stared at the sky through the car window.
"Thanks for today, James," he said, stepping out of the vehicle.
Without waiting for a response, Arvard walked away, checking his phone. Seven missed calls from Saina. Dozens of messages. All urgent.
"See me now."
"It's important."
"Come. Please."
It was just after 5 PM. The school grounds were quiet, most students gone. Arvard had a good idea of why she was calling him. And he wasn't looking forward to it.
He entered the main building. Staff members and the few students who remained turned to look—some with curiosity, some with awe. Arvard didn't acknowledge them. He walked straight to the reception near the lifts.
Before he even reached the desk, one of the receptionists stood and said, "Ma'am is expecting you."
Arvard nodded silently and entered the lift.
When the elevator doors opened on Saina's floor, the first thing he saw was a pair of green, hazel-flecked eyes locked on him. The look she gave was beyond words.
Please… return to me. Stop changing. Every time I see you, you're someone else. Please… just come back to me.
Arvard turned away, as if shielding himself from the weight of her gaze. His expression said it all: Not again.
"Arvard…" Saina's voice trembled. Tears fell—fast, relentless. Like rain breaking through a dam.
He didn't flinch.
"Who was she?" she asked, her voice cracking as she looked down at the floor, unable to meet his eyes.
"Stop interfering in my matters," he replied coldly.
"I said answer me!" she shouted, still not looking up.
Arvard's tone turned sharp, almost dangerous. "Don't forget who you're speaking to. I'm Arvard fucking Ampher—your Prince. Your future King, if I want. Stay out of my business or—"
"Stop it!" she cut him off, standing abruptly. "I know you're trying to act like your old self—but you're not! The Arvard I knew, he didn't pretend. He didn't care what people thought. He was cruel, cold… honest in the worst way. I'm still waiting for him to show up—the bastard who was unique, unbreakable… the monster who even killed his own Mo.."
She stopped mid-sentence, staring behind him.
Her knees buckled. Her eyes widened in horror.
Behind Arvard, something loomed—a dark shadow with enormous red eyes. It was laughing… though she couldn't hear a sound.
"What… what is that?" she whispered, collapsing to the floor.
The shadow vanished.
Arvard let out a long, controlled breath and walked over, kneeling beside her. His smile was unnervingly calm.
He gently stroked her head. "Saina… I'm sorry. A lot happened today. I'm just angry—some nobles got under my skin. Let's not fight, okay? Let's talk nicely. The way you like."
She threw her arms around him and buried her face in his chest. "Arvard… you can trust me. Don't keep carrying everything alone. It'll destroy you."
"Okay," he said softly.
"…What was that thing behind you?" she asked, still clinging to him.
He blinked. "What thing?" His voice turned innocent, almost confused.
"Nothing… Must have been my imagination." She hugged him tighter.
"You asked about her earlier," Arvard said. "It's not what you think. I only wanted to… study her. That's all."
That was a lie.
A Few Hours Earlier – Touch Care Hospital
Disguised as the man James had seen him become, Arvard walked into the hospital with weary eyes and a heavy heart.
He approached the reception. "Emilie Grey… can I see her?" he asked in a broken voice.
The receptionist didn't look up as she typed. Then she paused, picked up the phone and asked, "What's your relation to the patient?"
"…I'm her h-husband," Arvard said, voice trembling. His face—crafted to look desperate—made even the receptionist's expression soften.
"Doctor Freddy is expecting you. His office is on the fifth floor."
"Thanks," Arvard replied and headed for the elevators.
Inside the doctor's office, the man behind the desk greeted him.
"Didn't expect you today, Mr. Edward," Doctor Freddy said.
Arvard sat slowly, placing his hands on the table. He didn't speak.
"I know it must be hard," the doctor continued gently. "But your visit means a lot to Emilie… and to me. After all, I failed you both."
Arvard didn't respond. He was in character now—a man called Edward, who had lost everything for love.
"You got the money… but too late. God's cruel, isn't he?"
Something in Arvard's eyes shifted.
"They're not cruel," he said coldly. "They just don't fucking care."
The doctor was taken aback but said nothing more. After a beat, he stood and grabbed his coat.
"I'm free now. Let's go see her."
Two floors down, they stopped beside a ventilator.
Lying there was a woman—dark hair, fragile limbs, sunken cheeks. Her eyes were open, but barely.
Arvard stepped closer. "H…Hello."
Her gaze drifted to him. She blinked—slowly, with effort.
The doctor understood and left them alone.
Arvard dragged a metal chair beside her bed and sat.
"You look better than before, darling," he said softly. "I know it sounds crazy… but I paid everyone back. I found this old man—a rich guy. Saved his life from some thug with a gun, and he handed me a blank check."
He smiled, holding her hand. "Everything's fine now. You don't need to worry anymore. I'll keep visiting. I'll be here until you're better…"
He knew she was comforted. He could see it in her eyes. Maybe she was imagining a better life… one she got to live longer.
He stood, leaned down, and kissed her forehead.
"I think it's time for you to rest now… Goodbye, Shinda."
As he pulled away, her soul slipped quietly from her body, smiling in a dream she never knew would be her last.
Back at School – Later That Night
After reminiscing about old times, Arvard stood to leave.
Saina grabbed his hand. "Can't you stay the night?"
He smiled, gentle but firm. "No."
He freed his hand and stepped into the lift.
"We shouldn't meet like this," he said as the doors began to close. "It only draws suspicion."
Saina didn't reply. Her mind still replayed the shadow she had seen.
"Was that… the same thing he once told me about?" she whispered.
Downstairs, the reception area was bathed in night lights—golden, white, and soft blue. Only a few staff remained. The two girls near the lift looked at Arvard with admiration.
Aren't you a lucky one, their eyes seemed to say.
Two students—one vampire girl with shining blue eyes, and a human boy—approached from the waiting couches.
"You sure took your time up there," the girl teased.
"Excuse me," Arvard said, brushing past.
The boy stepped forward. "Apologies for her rudeness. Actually… we were waiting for you."
Arvard stopped. "And why is that?"
"We came to offer you an excellent opportunity," the girl said brightly. "To join the student council."
"Not interested," Arvard replied instantly and walked on.
The boy looked stunned. The girl huffed.
"I'll talk to him," she said, running after Arvard.
"Wait!" she called.
He ignored her.
"Seriously? A cute girl wants to talk and you just—"
"I don't care about your council," Arvard cut in sharply. "Leave me alone."
"The president sent us personally," the girl pleaded. "She was really impressed with your test scores."
"Tell the president," Arvard said without stopping, "that I don't have time for student council games."
As he disappeared into the night, one thought weighed on him:
Another thorn appears in this second life…