Naruhito (64)
I feel like I can't breathe. My mouth hurts. I realized my hand was in my mouth and slowly took it out. My hand hurts too.
Am I on the carpet again?
Soon, I feel someone lift me up. I don’t need to open my eyes to know who it is. The familiar scent puts me at ease, and I snuggle closer. My whole body must have been tense. Exhausted, I lean into them, and they hug me tightly.
“Hiiro.”
“Yeah.”
“Hiiro.”
“Right here.”
My throat hurts.
“I want ice.”
“Water first.”
Someone hands Hiiro some water, and soon, I feel it touch my lips. The water enters my mouth—it’s not very cold. My mouth hurts all over.
“It hurts...”
“I’ll call Ikumatsu. Just hang on.”
“No, I want ice.”
I open my eyes and see Hiiro’s face, looking like he’s about to cry.
He gives me another sip of water, kissing it into my mouth.
It tastes good.
When he pulls away, I notice blood on his lips.
“Hiiro, there’s blood.”
“It’s yours.”
“Then, it’s okay.”
He licked my lips angrily.
It hurts.
“Ouch…”
Now that I think about it, I still haven’t changed into my nightwear. Did I take a bath…? What happened? Did I fall asleep?
“Your Highness.”
Hitachimaru's voice comes from behind.
“Oh, leave us.”
When I tried to turn toward the voice, Hiiro held my head, preventing me from looking.
Why?
I sensed someone leaving the room. It seems Hitachimaru was dragging someone out. Had they been in the room this whole time? That’s unusual...
As they leave, Ikumatsu entered. He undressed me and gently wiped my body with a towel soaked in warm water. It felt so comfortable that I started to doze off.
“Your Highness…”
Ikumatsu said something to Hiiro. After a moment of thought, Hiiro left the room.
“What…?”
“He’ll be back soon.”
“Hmm…”
Something was applied to my right hand, and it was wrapped in a bandage. It felt over the top, and I chuckled a little.
“It doesn’t hurt that much…”
“I can’t wrap your heart, so… here. At least here…”
With Ikumatsu’s whispered words, I find myself lying on a comfortable bed, and before I know it, I fell asleep.
What do you think about this chapter?
