Emperor Belos slowly walked into the infirmary to check on Mercy after Hettie had informed him that the human girl was awake, but his eyes quickly widened under his mask when he walked inside and saw...that Mercy, who was now out of the hospital gown and back into her actual clothes, had nine balls of light floating around her while she was laying back on the bed and looking at them with a sad smile before she noticed his presence.

Mercy: O-Oh, please don't freak out.

Emperor Belos: How are you... ( Clears his throat as he straightens his posture ) My apologies. My name is Emperor Belos. Miss Cutburn had informed me that you have awoken and identified your passed on friends.

Mercy: Cutburn? Oh, ( as she gently took one of the balls of light into her hands: ) you mean that witch doctor lady with the strange outfit. Have their families been informed about...the others being found.

Emperor Belos: Yes, they have... How are you feeling?

Mercy: I'm fine. Will I... Will be able to go to their funerals?

Emperor Belos: Right now, let's focus on your well being. Miss Cutburn will be looking after you until your fever is gon-

Mercy: ( with a confused expression: ) Fever? What fever? I feel fine.

Mercy couldn't tell, but Emperor Belos was surprised under his mask despite the fact of knowing that the medicine in the Boiling Isles works slightly more faster than medicine from the Human Realm due to the magic in it, but he was unsure of how good witch medicine works on humans like Mercy and himself.

Emperor Belos: Are you sure? Maybe it's better that you rest a little longer to make sure.

Mercy: Yes, I'm sure, I just want to be there for my-

Mercy then made a small groan and clenched the front of her shirt where her heart is as she had accidentally overwhelmed herself by her strong need to be there for the others, causing Emperor Belos to quickly become worried.

Emperor Belos: Is everything alright? What's wrong?

Mercy: ( lies with slight pain in her voice: ) N-Nothing. J-Just a bit of heartache, n-nothing to worry about.

Emperor Belos: ( not wanting to push her further: ) Alright, but I'm going to get Miss Cutburn to make sure everything is alright. I shall return, please try to relax.

Emperor Belos then hesitantly walked towards the door and glanced back at Mercy, who was still clenching her shirt while trying to put on a brave face, before he left the room to find Hettie.

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That's it for this chapter, I hope you like it...

Feel free to comment what you think is the cause for Mercy's " heartache " and what Belos & the Coven heads' reactions to it might be.

Till next time my agents of mischief 😜