CPG | Chapter 10

The black-haired servant was no longer just a servant. To Ternnis, he was the final remedy. It was no longer strange that his touch eased the pain. Just the thought of the pain lessening made him feel like he could do anything.

For Ternnis, who always felt sluggish and heavy-headed, the feeling from yesterday was unfamiliar yet pleasant. He realized that others lived with bodies like this, able to run quickly and laugh easily at trivial things. Having tasted this sweet fruit, Ternnis was excited.

All night, with Rayyan by his side, Ternnis thought about how to use him in the future. He planned to keep him close, serving him as he did now, and spend as much time with him as possible.

But would everything go as planned?

“I’m sorry.”

The peaceful atmosphere was nowhere to be found amidst the morning’s small scuffle. Ternnis was showing all his irritation towards Rayyan without feeling the freshness of a good night’s sleep.

“When did I say I wanted to hear ‘I’m sorry’? Just do as you’re told.”

“But without a tool, how can I do your hair…”

“Do I need to repeat myself? No comb, just use your hands.”

Rayyan reacted with a doubtful expression to Ternnis’s direct demand. He wasn’t sure if using his hands would actually tidy the hair. Even if he did as told, he wasn’t confident the prince wouldn’t get angry at the result.

“Just do as you’re told, okay?”

“But this is…”

Rayyan hesitated, clutching his hands, clearly feeling this wasn’t right. He knew the prince hated repeating himself, but this was too much. He wasn’t sure if he could properly comb the hair with his hands. Moreover, he had trimmed his nails short to avoid scratching the prince’s skin.

The longer Rayyan hesitated, unable to approach, the more Ternnis’s patience wore thin. How could such a foolish person be his only savior? The thought of endless scuffles like this was frustrating. Just when he started to like him, he acted foolishly again.

“Sigh.”

“Is something bothering you?”

As Ternnis let out a sigh, Rayyan, who had been circling around, suddenly approached. Ternnis’s gaze followed him. It was new to see the usually hesitant servant react so quickly.

What drew him in with just a sigh? Ternnis pondered for a moment and then, with a hint of disbelief, spoke.

“My head hurts.”

At Ternnis’s words, Rayyan immediately reached out, saying, “Excuse me,” and touched his forehead. Feeling something was off, Ternnis fell silent. He seemed to understand something about Rayyan’s actions, but what was it?

“It doesn’t seem like you have a fever. Was it uncomfortable sleeping last night?”

He asked about sleeping in the library.

“It’s not that…”

Ternnis looked at his reflection in the mirror. His forehead, where Rayyan had touched, looked the same as usual. But the lingering sensation made him look again.

“My head just hurts.”

“Is it just your forehead?”

“…No, it feels like everything hurts.”

Rayyan’s concerned tone made Ternnis suppress his emotions, trying to sound calm. When he mentioned the mysterious headache, Rayyan reached out again. Though he hesitated to approach when asked to use his hands instead of a comb, now he kept running his fingers through Ternnis’s hair.

Rayyan seemed to realize why he was told not to use a comb, looking as if he regretted hesitating without understanding the prince’s request.

“I’m sorry.”

“What’s there to be sorry for…”

Seeing Rayyan’s expression, Ternnis trailed off. He read the guilt in Rayyan’s eyes. It seemed he thought the reason for not using a comb was the headache.

Finally, Ternnis began to understand Rayyan. Realizing what kind of person he was, Ternnis’s expression changed.

Normally, he would have been ready to lash out if things didn’t go his way, but he softened his gaze. That small change completely altered the atmosphere around Ternnis. The irritable, angry boy disappeared, leaving behind a pitiable one.

“Does anything else hurt?”

Rayyan asked with eyes full of concern.

“My whole body hurts.”

“You should lie down. I’ll bring your meal to your room.”

“Okay.”

Ternnis agreed, following Rayyan’s lead. Rayyan, worried, held Ternnis’s hand to support him. Naturally, Ternnis didn’t refuse.

“I’ll prop you up with a pillow. Pull the cord if you’re uncomfortable.”

“You’ll come up quickly, right?”

“I’ll do my best.”

Though he seemed unsure, Rayyan was already planning to bring the meal quickly. After checking Ternnis’s forehead again, he left the room.

Alone, Ternnis’s expression slowly changed. The pitiful prince from earlier was gone, replaced by his usual cynical self. One eyebrow raised, he looked at the spot where Rayyan had disappeared.

He knew how to handle him now.

He’s not someone to be yelled at.

***

Half-reclined on the bed, Ternnis watched Rayyan move busily. When asked if his neck hurt, he vaguely replied, unsure. Rayyan had prepared a stew that seemed easy to swallow.

“Should I prop you up more?”

“Yeah.”

Whenever Ternnis responded, Rayyan moved diligently. He checked the pillow behind him and found comfortable clothes for him to change into. The loose-fitting clothes didn’t pinch even when he slouched. Yet, Rayyan kept checking to ensure Ternnis wasn’t uncomfortable, adjusting things here and there.

Satisfied, Rayyan brought the stew from the tray and fed him. Previously, Ternnis had to order him to do so, but now Rayyan offered the spoon willingly. When Ternnis, distracted by watching Rayyan, spilled some stew, Rayyan wiped his mouth.

It was hard to believe this was the same Rayyan who had hesitated to touch him.

“You’re touching me a lot.”

Ternnis, amazed, muttered his thoughts aloud. Realizing his actions, Rayyan flinched and blushed.

“I’m sorry. Without a doctor here, I overstepped.”

Watching Rayyan bow repeatedly, Ternnis’s lips curled into a brief smile.

“It’s fine. I’m in pain, so I’ll let it slide. As you said, there’s no doctor.”

“Thank you.”

“But isn’t my face flushed?”

At Ternnis’s question, Rayyan hesitated briefly before reaching out. He touched Ternnis’s cheek with the back of his hand and shook his head.

“It’s fine.”

“Then I want more stew.”

When Ternnis opened his mouth, Rayyan obediently picked up the spoon. After finishing the stew, Ternnis tried to hide his satisfaction. Instead, he reached out to Rayyan.

“I’m suddenly cold.”

“Are you feeling chills?”

“Seems like it.”

In truth, he was hot, wrapped in a thick blanket and having eaten warm stew. Sweat was starting to form, but Ternnis ignored it. It was easier to rely on Rayyan now than when he was ordering him around.

“That’s why you’re sweating…”

Rayyan, surprised, approached and wiped the sweat from Ternnis’s forehead. Ternnis leaned into his touch, freely touching Rayyan’s body. He had discovered that his pain didn’t only disappear when Rayyan touched him.

Just being in contact with him had an effect. Of course, bare skin like his hands worked better than clothed areas. So Ternnis pretended to wave his hands, touching Rayyan’s cheek and neck.

His remedy had a cool body, and the pain melted away with each touch.

‘Ah, this is amazing.’

It felt so good, it was overwhelming.

***

Unlike Sanges Castle, where Prince Ternnis resided, the main palace in the Imperial City was bustling with activity. Many were busy attending to their duties, serving or guarding those they served.

Among them, dozens of attendants gathered, heading to the rooms where the royals stayed.

“Is there still no news from the prince?”

As the sound of a teacup settled into its saucer, a question was asked, and the Chief Attendant bowed.

“The servant sent to attend to the prince has not returned.”

“Does that mean… Prince Ternnis is still alive?”

“It seems so.”

The Chief Attendant avoided giving a definitive answer. There could be unforeseen variables at Sanges Castle. The prince might have killed the servant in a fit of rage and then died himself. However, the reason he reported the prince as alive was that the food left every morning continued to disappear.

The royal’s head turned, looking towards the distant, faint outline of Sanges Castle.

“Not yet…”

The royal’s eyes were filled with complex emotions as they muttered to themselves.