Ch. 6: A Gentle Rain
I slowly opened my eyes, and the soft sound of light rain hitting the window filled my ears.
Keith: “You’re awake.”
Turning towards the sound of the voice, I saw Keith sitting next to me.
OO: “Keith!”
(I… passed out.)
I noticed I was lying in a bed, and I hurriedly moved to get up.
Keith: “Just stay there. I’ll get you some water.”
OO: “I’m sorry, I…!”
Keith: “You were burning up and slept through the whole day.”
OO: “I’m so sorry…!”
Keith: “I was just telling you what happened. Don’t apologize immediately.”
Keith gently placed his hand on my forehead.
Keith: “…it’s gone down a little. Do you want anything to eat? You should have something before taking the medicine.”
I felt my heart pound as I heard the kindness in his voice.
Instead of answering with words, I nodded, and he smiled faintly.
Ch. 7: A Cold Voice and a Warm Hand
After a little while, a maid brought me some food and Keith had her leave after.
Keith: “Open wide.”
OO: “Eh?”
Keith: “I’m saying I’ll feed you.”
OO: “…”
As my face flushed in surprise, Keith scooped up some of the soup.
OO: “…thank you.”
Though I was confused and my heart was pounding, I opened my mouth for the spoon.
The soup had a faint ginger taste, but maybe because of how nervous I was, I couldn’t pick up any other flavors.
Keith: “Can you eat a little more?”
At Keith’s voice, my chest ached, yet I was able to nod in response.
After that, I managed to eat half of the soup and Keith wiped my lips with his finger.
Keith: “You should be good to take your medicine now.”
Keith brought a glass of water to my lips and, at his encouragement, I took a drink.
OO: “Thank you for that…”
After taking the sweet medicine, I quickly bowed my head.
Keith: “Seriously… why do you force yourself like that? If this is about the music box, I already told you not to worry about it.”
OO: “But…”
Keith: “Can you just not control yourself? You’re an idiot who didn’t even realize how sick you were until you passed out.”
Laying me down in the bed, Keith pulled up the duvet all while scolding me.
OO: “…”
Keith: “I get it, you’re the type of person who can’t do anything on their own.”
(I had planned to atone for what I did, yet I’m causing him trouble again.)
OO: “…I’m very sorry.”
(I really am hopeless.)
Unable to do anything other than apologize, I hid my face under the duvet.
Keith: “…well, whatever. The medicine should be kicking in about now. Just rest for the rest of the day.”
Saying as much, Keith stroked my head hidden under the duvet and left the room…-.
…
……
A few days after that…-.
Keith: “Did you not hear me when I said not to worry about it?”
OO: “But I want to apologize properly.”
Feeling back to normal, I returned to assisting him no matter how many times he tried to refute me.
Keith: “For crying out loud…”
Keith let out a defeated sigh, then slowly started to speak.
Keith: “…in that case, let’s do this.”
Keith stared straight at me with his jet-black eyes.
Keith: “You’ll be my servant, just like you want. In exchange, I’ll control what you do. …got it?”
His voice was cold as he placed his hand on my head.
The warmth from his palm made my heart leap.
But at that time, I didn’t fully understand what Keith meant.
Ch. 8: The Crime of Injury
The next day…-.
We arrived at a town as I accompanied Keith to a neighboring country where he needed to make a purchase.
(Keith… he walks so fast. But I have to do my best to keep up.)
The carriage we’d rode in was growing further away as I frantically followed after Keith.
(Wow, there are so many things here.)
I was captivated by the beautiful cloth, decorations, and cookware when…
OO: “Ah…”
A man coming towards us bumped into me and my feet slipped.
Keith: “OO?”
Keith turned and held out his hand to me where I was on the ground.
OO: “I-I’m fine…”
Keith frowned slightly, seeing the fresh scrape on my knee, and he focused on me with a cold expression.
Keith: “…”
OO: “…?”
Keith helped me up, but didn’t say a word, even as we kept walking.
(Is he angry?)
Townsperson: “Miss, these herbs will work wonders on that injury! Free of charge.”
OO: “Thank you so much.”
While I had been caught up in my anxiety, a kind shopkeeper called out to me, and I smiled at them in thanks.
Keith: “…”
As I moved to take the item, Keith turned and stalked over to us.
Keith: “You have my thanks shop keeper. OO, let’s go.”
Keith took the herbs before I could.
Then Keith took my hand and started walking away.
OO: “Keith?”
(Is he actually mad? And this is the road we just came down…)
Keith continued back the way we’d come, pulling me along without a word, and I found myself unable to say anything.
(I guess I did something again to make him mad.)
We got back into the carriage in silence except for Keith telling the driver to take us back to the castle. Keith also handed the herbs over to the driver.
Keith: “…”
I couldn’t handle Keith watching me like that in silence, so I turned my attention out the window.
Keith: “What are you looking at?”
OO: “Eh…?”
Keith’s sharp gaze pinned me down.
Keith: “I want to know what you’re looking at that isn’t me.”
OO: “Keith…?”
Keith: “I told you, you’re my servant.”
OO: “I’m… I’m sorry.”
Still sensing his anger, I squeezed my eyes shut.
Then Keith took my wrist and suddenly pushed me down into the seat.
OO: “…!”
I opened my eyes wide in surprise, and saw myself reflected clearly in Keith’s jet black eyes.
OO: “Keith…?”
Keith: “You went and got yourself hurt…”
His deep, low voice echoed to the core of my heart.
Keith: “What do you plan to do about it?”
OO: “…”
As Keith spoke, he gently placed a finger on my injured knee.
OO: “Ow…”
Keith: “Have you already forgotten that I said I would control you? Basically, you belong to me. So, you can’t go getting yourself injured like this.”
OO: “…”
I bit my lip as I felt the pain from my knee injury.
Keith: “…seems like you still don’t understand.”
OO: “Ah…”
Keith’s pried apart my lips then placed his finger on my mouth.
Keith: “See, look… you’ve hurt your lip now.”
I was held in place by Keith’s eyes, unable to move a muscle.
As I lay there frozen, his eyes drew closer…
OO: “…”
I felt him gently lick at the lip I’d just bitten.
Keith: “You are mine.”
Keith whispered those words close to my ear.
Keith: “Be sure to remember that.”
His cool gaze watched me closely.
OO: “Yes…”
Then he placed his lips over mine, as if to stop my lip from bleeding.
OO: “Nn…”
The sound of the carriage as it drove on grew further away…
All I felt was that sweet pain…
And I could do nothing but yield to Keith’s embrace.
END
Secret Story: What Stirs the Heart
That morning, the rain struck against the window…-.
I stood for a while beside OO as she slept.
(She still hasn’t woken up…)
The day before, OO had come into town to get me. Beaten down by the pouring rain, she’d then developed a fever.
(Bringing out an umbrella when it’s raining… what an idiot.)
Her breathing sounded painful as I heard it escape her slightly parted lips.
Keith: “…”
I gently placed my hand on her forehead and saw her eyelids twitch.
Keith: “She’s hot…”
The heat I could feel in the tips of my fingers where I touched her made me incredibly frustrated.
Keith: “Doctor!”
Doctor: “I’m here, Prince Keith.”
The doctor loitered in the hallway, then hurriedly ran into the room.
Keith: “Why hasn’t her fever gone down at all?”
Doctor: “I believe she hasn’t rested enough to recover yet.”
Keith: “I don’t care, just fix it.”
Doctor: “Even if you tell me to…”
I knew I was being unreasonable.
However, when I saw the pain she was in, I got angry at my own powerlessness and that of the doctor.
(I just want you to hurry and get better, to walk and wander around like you used to…!)
Doctor: “Prince Keith, shouldn’t you rest as well? I’ll watch over her.”
The doctor looked at me anxiously.
Keith: “…no, I’m fine.”
I said that, even as I felt myself being at a complete loss.
…
……
I didn’t know how much time passed…-.
The gentle tapping of the rain on the window hadn’t stopped and it seemed to be past lunchtime.
OO: “Nn…”
OO slowly opened her eyes.
Keith: “You’re awake.”
OO: “Keith!”
She hurriedly tried to get up, but I put my hand on her shoulder to stop her.
Keith: “Just stay there. I’ll get you some water.”
(My own voice sounds strained… what is wrong with me?)
I did my best to sound calm as I spoke.
Keith: “You were burning up and slept through the whole day.”
OO: “I’m so sorry…!”
Keith: “Don’t apologize.”
(I’m the one who messed up.)
I reflexively reached out to embrace her, but realized and hurriedly moved my hand to her forehead instead.
Keith: “…it’s gone down a little.”
(What was I just trying to do…?)
OO looked up at me, her face flushed with heat.
But seeing her smile made my heart jump in my chest…-.
OO: “Thank you.”
I wished the sound of the rain was louder…
Which was very unlike me.
END