The room fell quiet the moment Arthur's words faded, leaving behind a tension that no one dared to break too quickly.
William crossed his arms, his gaze settling on Arthur with quiet intensity, while behind him, Tiara's unease grew with every passing second.
"Bie…" she murmured softly, tugging at Arthur's sleeve in an attempt to ease the tension before it escalated further.
But before Arthur could respond, William suddenly stepped forward, his hand reaching out to grab Arthur by the collar, pulling him slightly closer in one swift motion.
Leaning in just enough, he spoke in a low voice meant only for him.
"Calm down," he whispered, his tone composed yet sharp. "You're showing your hidden side, Mr. Vance."
Just as quickly, he released him.
As if nothing had happened, William straightened and turned his attention back to Tiara, a faint smile forming on his lips.
"I apologize for earlier, Mrs. Tiara," he said calmly. "So… let me try."
After a brief pause, William stepped toward the bed and sat down at its edge, his movements slower this time, as if he was deliberately giving himself a moment to think.
For the first time since entering the room, he looked… unsure.
Not outwardly but… just enough.
His gaze flickered briefly toward Tiara, then to Arthur, as if silently questioning how exactly this was supposed to work, what he was expected to do, and more importantly, how far he was supposed to go with both of them watching.
"This is…" he let out a faint breath, his brows knitting slightly, "a rather unusual request and kind of awkward."
Neither of them responded. Which somehow made it worse.
His gaze returned to Thalia, lingering on her pale face before drifting down to her hand resting quietly by her side.
For a moment, he didn't move, as if weighing the situation more carefully than he would like to admit.
"So…" he cleared his throat lightly, his voice low. "Maybe I can just hold her hand?"
Tiara blinked, clearly not expecting the question.
"Yes—yes, that should be fine," she replied quickly, nodding without hesitation.
Then William looked away.
"I'll keep it simple," he said calmly, as if that was enough of an explanation.
He moved closer, his gaze settling on Thalia as he reached out, his fingers pausing just above her hand for a brief moment before finally making contact.
The instant his skin touched hers, his brows drew together.
"She's freezing." He looked up at them, his expression sharpening. "You should have taken her straight to the hospital."
Tiara didn't answer, her head shaking quickly as if that suggestion alone was out of the question.
"I'll take her myself if you won't," William said, his tone hardening slightly.
Frowning, he slid one arm beneath her back and gently lifted her upper body.
As soon as she was pulled up, her weight shifted forward, her head tilting naturally until it rested against his shoulder, her body leaning into him without resistance.
"She's freezing cold, and all you're asking me to do is… this?" William said, his brows furrowing, his voice rising with clear disbelief. "What kind of method is that?"
Arthur let out a sharp breath. "I told you not to cross the line. She has her reasons for not bringing Thalia to the hospital."
"And what kind of reason justifies keeping an unconscious person—this cold—in the house without proper medical attention?" William's voice rose further, the frustration no longer hidden.
His arm tightened slightly around Thalia as he spoke, the coldness of her skin only fueling his irritation. "You're taking a risk you shouldn't be taking."
He shifted, preparing to stand but Tiara moved instantly, stepping in front of him with both arms outstretched, blocking his way.
"No—no! You can't," she said quickly, her voice almost breaking. "She is… I mean, the doctor couldn't do anything to help her."
Her words came out rushed, barely holding together as she tried to sound convincing.
"And I can?" William scoffed, the disbelief clear in his tone.
"Yes… you can," Tiara insisted, her voice trembling now as she took a small step closer, her hands lowering slightly as if she was afraid pushing too hard would make him walk away. "Just… stay like that for a few minutes. Please…"
Her gaze flickered briefly to Thalia, then back to him, desperation evident in her eyes.
"It worked before," she added softly, almost as if she was trying to convince herself as much as him. "And I believe it will work this time too."
William didn't answer immediately.
His grip around Thalia remained firm, though his brows were still drawn in clear skepticism.
For a moment, he simply looked at Tiara, then at the woman in his arms.
"This is ridiculous," he muttered under his breath.
Yet despite his words, he didn't move.
Instead, his hold on Thalia tightened slightly, his arm firm around her as if instinctively trying to keep her warm.
"Five minutes?" he spoke up again, his gaze lifting briefly. "Five minutes should be enough, right?"
A short pause.
"If it doesn't work," he continued, his tone leaving no room for argument, "then no matter what you say, I'm taking her to the hospital."
Tiara nodded quickly, forcing herself to stay composed.
'Let's just agree for now… If it doesn't work, I'll think of another way.'
And the five minutes passed slowly, the silence in the room growing heavier with each second.
No one spoke.
William's brows twitched slightly as he felt the coldness of her body slowly give way to warmth.
"She's…" he began, then turned slightly toward Tiara. "I mean… her temperature—"
Tiara leaned in from behind him, checking Thalia's face. "She looks better… more alive," she said, relief washing over her as she let out a quiet sigh.
William's gaze lowered slightly, settling on her face resting against his shoulder. "So… Do I just keep holding her like this until she wakes up?"
"Can you?" Tiara asked, her expression filled with hope as she looked at Thalia in his arms.
"Oh—oh—oh!" She suddenly gasped, her voice rising with excitement as Thalia's eyes fluttered open.
But something was wrong. Thalia's gaze was unfocused, almost distant, as if she hadn't fully returned.
Slowly, she lifted her head from William's shoulder and stared straight ahead, her expression shifted all at once.
Surprise… Pain… Anger…
Her lips parted slightly.
"Why… Did you do that?" she whispered weakly.
"Huh?" William frowned, clearly confused.
Before anyone could react, Thalia suddenly turned, her eyes darting around the room as if searching for something.
Her gaze landed on the bedside table.
And in one swift motion, she grabbed the letter opener.
"Thalia—!"
Too late.
She lunged forward, her hand trembling but fast as she drove it straight into his chest.