Published: February 1, 2026
At the very back of the library in the white royal palace of Astarnia, there quietly stood a door.
Beyond that door was a living space created for Arim, who hardly ever left the library. Though not particularly spacious, it was designed with the royal family in mind. The built-in bed was lavishly decorated with beautifully embroidered fabrics, offering the utmost comfort.
“Haah…”
Leaning back on that fluffy bed, Rizel was quietly struggling with his poor health.
“I feel a bit better.”
“That’s good.”
Rizel slid his cheek against the smooth-feeling pillow to cool his flushed face and turned toward Jill, who was sitting nearby.
His hair, carefully wiped with a steamed towel, was thoroughly dried and slid smoothly across the pillow. Jill sat on a chair placed by the pillow, arms crossed, looking down at him.
“Jill.”
“What is it?”
Rizel wanted to turn fully toward him, but his weakened body refused to move easily. However, like his hair, his body had been wiped down and felt refreshed, and he had already changed clothes.
Since it was normal for someone of his status to be taken care of even with simple tasks like changing clothes, Rizel had left everything to Nahas. Nahas had been bustling about diligently, though now he was gone, having gone to report as vice captain after handling the aftermath.
“What’s wrong?”
Jill’s outstretched finger traced Rizel’s forehead, which was beginning to sweat faintly.
He brushed aside the damp bangs and gazed down at Rizel, who squinted his eyes in relief. Jill rested his elbows on his knees, watching, thinking there was probably no urgent need.
“Go to sleep.”
“Just a little more.”
Rizel’s quiet laugh, like a breath, was slightly hoarse but peaceful. His fevered eyes still held intelligence, moist but clear, and his lips parted slightly in uneven breathing, but not with weakness.
Seeing someone so refined even while ill, Jill silently thought it was due to his good upbringing.
“You took your medicine, right?”
“Yeah.”
“It’s making you warm, so it’s keeping you awake a little.”
Thanks to earlier arrangements, as soon as Rizel lay down, Nahas had asked Arim to prepare a doctor. As expected, it was an excellent royal palace doctor who usually treated the royal family.
The doctor’s diagnosis was a “serious cold.” He was ordered to rest and was given medicine. The medicine, to be taken after every meal, seemed to have various spices mixed in, and Rizel now felt very warm.
“They say strong drowsiness will come soon, so until then—”
“I see.”
Though it would be best to sleep, Rizel understood that well. He was old enough to manage himself, so Jill nodded, thinking he would do as he pleased.
Despite knowing this, Nahas couldn’t help fussing over him, telling him to sleep early, drink fluids, stay warm, and so on.
As they spoke quietly, Rizel suddenly shivered.
“I’m cold.”
“Hm… Both hot and cold?”
“Hot and cold?”
“Yeah.”
Apparently, drowsiness was setting in, Jill nodded faintly and pulled the blanket up to Rizel’s shoulders.
He placed his hand on Rizel’s faintly flushed cheek as if taking his temperature, then slid it slowly down his neck. He covered the sweating nape of his neck softly, soothing the hoarse breath escaping his throat.
Rizel’s throat moved gently up and down.
“Water?”
“…I want some.”
Jill heard his murmured reply as his eyelids drooped and reached for the water pitcher on the sideboard.
The drowsiness had hit hard, just as the doctor said, confirming the doctor’s skill. That the royal palace doctor could handle such strong medicine for the royal family meant a lot.
“Think you can drink it?”
“D-dunno.”
Jill poured cold water into a glass and asked, watching as Rizel pressed his hands firmly on the bed to lift his upper body. His fingers clenched the sheets tightly.
Seeing his hand tremble slightly, Jill reached out with his other hand, slipped it beneath Rizel’s thin back, supporting the delicate shoulder, and slowly helped him sit up.