MIDNIGHT PRINCE Empire of Sin

d the nurses that were on standby.

Even though it had been a long time since he came to this place, he had already become rather familiar and friendly with most of the working staff in this hospital. At least all of the staff other than the new hires.

”Adam! Welcome. ”

The one greeting him was an old nurse with a kind face. She had always been very helpful to him and her mother in the past. She was also someone he had been acquainted with for some time already.

Looking around, he could see some halloween decorations hanging in the hospital as well as other nurses or doctors wearing disguises.

”So… What is going on? ”

”Ohoho~! It seems like our chairwoman thought that making a party to help the patient feel better would be a great idea. I have to say, she is pretty right. We will hold it tomorrow. ”

The chairwoman was relatively new in her post. It was a family hospital in a way anyways; led by a powerful family who were renowned in LA.

Adam sneered at the memory of the previous chairman. In the past his mom had been working here as a nurse. That was basically how he was able to get acquainted with the people of the hospital. It was a pretty alright job and she liked helping people.

Sadly because of the chairman subtle sexual harassment, his mother was forced to abandon her post, leaving the job for good measure.

He learned that a few days later, all the proof of sexual harassment and worse that the bastard did were brought to light and he easily lost his job. He even went on to become sentenced to prison.

A fitting end for such a bastard.

”How is my mom? ”

The old nurse gave a strained smile, ”Cecilia is… *Sigh* I believe its better to go see her. ”

He did not insist. He was already preparing himself for the worst inwardly. The world couldn feel more bleak, thought Adam with a despairing heart.

———

From the greeting hall to his destination, the walk didn take too much time.

He finally stopped in front of a door. It was a single room.

When he opened the door, soft instrumental music sounded from the television fitted on the wall.

Stepping inside, he focused his full attention on the red-haired woman lying on a bed beside the window. Her chest peacefully heaved with her eyes closed. Her lips curved in a smile as if seeing a warm dream.

He took a deep breath and sat on the chair beside her bed.

Looking at her from up close, it was easy to see that she should have been a stunner in the past. She still was in a sense.

However, the weight of years, stress, and the disease were simply too much for her. Her current face looked a little gaunt, and her skin was extremely pale. Still, it gave her a new type of charm. That of a fragile and sickly beauty.

He would have been content with simply observing her, for he did not wish to disturb her sleep. But as always, she seemed to have a sixth sense for feeling his presence. Her smooth breathing was disturbed and her eyes slowly blinked away.

”Mom… ” he whispered painfully, however he soon caught his bearings and spoke again in a peaceful tone.

”Mother… how are you now? ”

”Im the same as always. What about you? Is my genius son able to keep up his rhythm at university? ”

Her voice was calm, and her concern was heartwarming. Even though she was sick, her first thought was still about his well-being.

Adam smiled. His mother was strong

Stronger than anyone else.

Even in such a situation, she was still able to laugh and crack jokes.

He still remembered how she punched the light out of him when she began teaching him how to fight.

Adam would have never believed that a woman could hold so much strength in a body that looked so soft and frail.

But now, looking at her frail body… Immeasurable guilt rose in his heart.

Everything is my fault.

Refusing to put a damper to her mood, he answered simply.

”Professor Shuri gave me a recommendation letter. Did you forget? With her help, my acclimatization went rather easily. ”

”So even that old hag can see the bright future of my son, huh? Fufufu! ”

He smiled wryly. ”She isn that old. You two are from the same generation. ”

”Looks can be deceiving in this day and age. ”

”Thats what you always used to tell me. ”

”Indeed, you never know when a young woman would turn out to be a century-old witch. ”

Adam gave a forced laugh. His mother had always been a fan of the supernatural.

He was not particularly interested in such topics, but since he was young, she had always forced him to read books about the occult.

This was the sole topic where she would never budge on, and Adam did as he was told since he did not wish to make her unhappy.

He knew that his mother loved him more than anyone else in the world. So, if reading some old book made her happy, then so be it. And its not like he really hated reading about the supernatural either.

After switching the topic, their talk went on for an hour, from daily life to talks about his potential girlfriends, crushes, or interests. His sick mother asked him everything she could about him.

”*Cough* *Cough* ”

Seeing her cough like that, Adams expression crumbled a little as it became filled with worry, but he hurriedly put back his smiling facade in order to hide his anxiety.

”Mother, it seems you are tired now, I will let you rest. ”

But just as he was about to get up. Cecilia suddenly caught his arms, looking at him with intensity.

”Tomorrow is your birthday, right? I am sorry that I can be with you. ”

”What are you saying? You know it isn a problem. ”

”Then, please… Adam. Tonight, I do not want you to be out, okay? No matter what, you must be home before midnight. ”

Adam was born on the 31st of October at exactly Midnight.

It has become something of a tradition during his birthday. She would never let him leave home on the night of this day. Be it when he was a child or even after he became a delinquent or now a University student.

”Mom. Why do you make me abide by this rule? ”

”You know its my way of honoring her. I need you to promise me. Do not get out tonight! At the very least, be at home and pray in front of the altar before going out but you still need to be home by midnight. I beg you Adam, just…listen to me. ”

Her expression was grave and frantic, showing how important this was for her.

Adam could only silently nod to her his thoughts unknown…