Belos' POV:
I was in the throne room, listening to Kikimora rattle on and on and on about useless information I've either already heard, or don't care about. Riven was busy with the palistrum trees- she's worked so hard, I wish I could repay her for her hard work.
"Buh-Buh!" Hunter cheered as he pushed the door open and started running to me. I removed my mask, standing up to meet him half way.
"This meeting is PRIVATE!"
"He's 1, Kikimora. He won't do any harm" I laughed as I picked him up, letting him play with my hair as I walked back to my throne and sat down. Finally, something to liven this up- Hunter always manages to make me smile.
"Now why don't you tell me how you managed to get here without getting caught by a scout" I tickled his stomach, hearing him giggle as Kikimora groaned and rolled up the scroll she was holding.
"Sneaky!" I kissed his head as he continued to laugh and kick his feet.
"Sir-" Kikimora was once again cut off as Lilith and Riven walked into the room, making her groan loudly and stomp her foot.
"Sorry, the door was open so I just assumed-"
"You assumed wrong!" I scowled as Lilith snorted, Riven joining the quiet laughter as I hummed happily at them. I love that they're friends, Riven's so much happier when she spends time with Lilith, Hunter, or myself. I adore her smile.
"Riven, I always have time for you. What do you need?" Kikimora grumbled and waddled off to the side as Riven came and stood in front of me, Hunter reaching for her and crying out as she handed me some papers. She took Hunter, blowing a raspberry on his cheek and holding him tight as he hugged her with all his strength.
"The trees are recovering perfectly, seems like they aren't being poisoned further thanks to the guards posted there. I would rather we keep the guards there, it would certainly make it easier if they're constantly guarded, though I know it can take resources from the castle and-"
"that's exactly why it shouldn't continue. Those scouts are surely needed elsewhere. Right, Emperor Belos?" I looked between my beautiful partner and Kikimora, weighing the options in my head.
"I see both your points... for the time being, the trees will remain guarded as they are now. But perhaps in the future we can start to ween the gaurds off of the forest.
"That works with me, thank you" she smiled, Lilith nudging her.
"Belos, I was hoping you would let me-" she began to cough a bit, putting her closed fist to her mouth and coughing a few times before clearing her throat.
"Sorry, tickle in my throat-" She coughed a few more times, Lilith patting her back as Hunter whimpered, looking ready to cry as he feared Riven was having another heart attack.
"We uh, Lilith and I were hoping to go to the Bat Queen's forests and check the trees thERE-" She began coughing more violently, making me half hazardly toss the papers off my throne and run over to her. Lilith took Hunter in a swift movement as he began to cry, reaching for Riven as I dashed over and held her by her elbows.
"Riven? Try to breath slowly!" I tightened my grip as her knees buckled and I had to stop her from crashing to the ground. I waved my hand, summoning her ventilator and hooking it up, hearing it start and deliver oxygen to her nose, but it didn't seem to be working as her coughing only got worse. Kikimora merely stood by as I desperately and silently begged any God or Diety listening to end this suffering for her.
Her eyes began to close, she gasped for air, but was only met with more coughing each time she tried. She leaned against me, trying so hard to breath, but it just wasn't working.
"Riven, stay awake! Stay awake, my love!" I gently shook her shoulder, Lilith looking around before standing back up.
"I'll get a healer!" I nodded as Lilith and Hunter left the room as tears pricked my eyes, Riven's eyes were flooded as well as she stopped coughing, her eyes closing as she stopped breathing completely.
"Laverna!" I shook her, her limp body weighing down against my legs as tears dripped from my eyes. I felt so weak right now, she was completely lifeless as the doors burst open with a healer.
"What happened?"
"She started coughing- another heart attack" I choked out as they had me lay her flat on the floor so they could examine her.
"She hasn't had one in months..." they said as they shooed the other's out, hearing Hunter screaming and crying. Poor little one is probably traumatized now, seeing his favorite aunt just collapse.
YOU ARE READING
(DISCONTINUED) Love & Deceit (!Good! Belos x OC Reader)
Fanfiction*DISCONTINUED* What if Belos was telling the truth? What if his family really was taken out by wild magic? Well, here ya go! In this story, Philip also grew to love the Isles, but was cursed by a witch. Soon after gaining his Nephew, Hunter- Evelyn...
