Lying quietly in bed, Lily appeared asleep. Her face was pale, her breathing shallow. The electrocardiogram beside her showed a dangerously slow heart rate, threatening to cease at any moment. This explained the foreign man's earlier visit; they couldn't afford to let Lily die. Her importance to them, he realized, was the reason they'd used his relationship with her to lure him here.

"I'm sure you don't want your favorite student to die so young, right?" Fred sneered.

Dominic didn't react.

"Only you can save her. Fail, and she's gone," Fred shrugged, affecting indifference.

"Get out," Dominic finally said.

Fred was startled.

"Get out. I don't need you here." Dominic's gaze remained fixed on Lily, as if no one else existed.

This blatant disregard enraged Fred. Throughout Yudonia, he was second only to the queen in power. Even Ross obeyed him. Yet this old man dared order him away.

Fred snorted. "You seem to forget this is my place."

"If you don't leave, I won't treat her," Dominic countered, unwavering.

Unconvinced, Fred laughed. "She's your most prized student. I doubt you'll stand idly by."

Reluctant to leave them alone, Fred remained. But Dominic proved more resolute.

"As I said, everyone has their destiny. I came for Lily, but without your cooperation, I'll do nothing."

"Oh, yeah?" Fred felt threatened. "Do you think I'll fall for that? Why should I care if you don't save her? If it weren't for my friendship with Lily—"

Before he could finish, Dominic abruptly disconnected Lily's ECG wires and tubes. The equipment shrieked in alarm.

"What the hell are you doing?!" Fred barked at his bodyguard, "Seize him!" He then yelled for the doctors, only relaxing once they'd reconnected the equipment.

Seeing Dominic silently watching Lily, Fred sighed, apprehension heavy in his chest. The old man was insane. He'd never expected such a reckless act. If he hadn't reacted swiftly, Lily could have died.