"M-my prince…?" Vesper said, startled, as he took a few steps back. He glanced down at the prince.
Kieran loudly cleared his throat, embarrassed. He could hear Cahir snickering beside him, and he shot him a sharp look.
"F-forgive me, prince, I didn't notice you moving, I should've moved away first!" Vesper said apologetically, he might've embarrassed the prince.
"Forget it, I'll disregard it this time," Kieran answered abruptly. It wasn't that serious.
It appeared that Cahir had a different opinion, as his response was startling.
"You dare to humiliate my dear in this manner, demonstrating your ineptitude as a little bastard! My 'little' prison is where you should be." Cahir gripped Vesper's collar and spoke to him in a venomous tone. His eyes were devoid of their former gleam, and his gaze was unbelievably cold, like his heart. Vesper was scared to his bones.
"Do not speak to my valet as if you own him; he is mine. Who do you take yourself for?" Kieran said, forcing Cahir to release Vesper.
With a protesting sound, Cahir released him. He sneered at Vesper and motioned, "I'm watching you, with his fingers. Kieran valued a mere 'valet' more than him? He was absolutely livid inside. However, Cahir masked it with a simple smile.
"Anywho, Vesper, have you been… following us the entire time? I thought you were back at the table."
"Yes, m-my-"
"Of course he has, I'm surprised you haven't noticed, Kieran. Did you get distracted by my charm?" Cahir said teasingly as he rudely cut off Vesper.
Distracted by Cahir? That was a level of ridiculousness Kieran never wished to attain. Sure, Cahir was attractive, but Kieran saw through every one of his tricks. His selfish desires and his annoying personality. It was all an act.
Even so, it was suspicious that Kieran couldn't hear Vesper's footsteps. The news must have clouded his mind. Surely.
"I didn't ask you, fool!" Kieran snapped. He should find a way to silence Cahir; that way, the world would appear a tad more peaceful.
Vesper watched the exchange in silence, rubbing his neck and looking at Kieran apologetically. He felt as if he muttered another word, Cahir would do something absurd, and Kieran would pass a point of no return. He might even burn the trees. Yikes.
"Call me that again." Cahir bit back, smiling sheepishly.
"Why? Are you planning to grab my collar too?" Kieran shot, his burgundy eyes glimmering as he glared.
"No, why would I-"
Kieran shot him a glare with his glowing eyes, and that was enough to cut him off. He brushed off his trousers with a flourish and stuck up his middle finger. "Vesper, off we go. Now," He commanded.
"Leaving so soon? But we only just began talking!" Cahir called from behind as Kieran dragged Vesper away with him.
Enraged, he strode across the courtyard. Stumbling behind him, Vesper wondered if it was Cahir or himself that the prince was upset with. It was quite hard to tell, since the prince's grip stung like a wasp. Vesper was curious whether Kieran had taken a speed potion, as he had been unaware that Kieran could walk so quickly.
"My prince, p-please slow down!" Vesper panted. He was quite unathletic, so keeping up seemed like an impossible task. How could he keep up with a well-trained prince? He wasn't as vigilant or sturdy as Kieran was. He was merely a weak valet!
Kieran remained silent, loosening his grip on Vesper's arm and easing his stride. They walked through the large hallway once more, leaving Cahir in the courtyard.
Vesper appreciated the consideration and took a deep breath. He rubbed his wrist; Kieran's grip had left a mark, but he didn't mind. Vesper enjoyed the sound of the birds chirping, the rustling trees outside, and the soft breeze that came through the open windows.
"My prince, next, it is time to take your medication, Vesper informed, smiling softly.
"What benefits does that repulsive substance even give me? I'm not sick anymore, I would never do anything like that again!"
"The king demands that you keep taking it for your own good," Vesper replied politely. Gently, he opened the prince's chamber doors and waved to Kol, who was still standing there next to the door.
"Welcome back, Prince Kieran. Our maids have thoroughly cleaned the room," Kol greeted, bowing to Kieran.
Kieran gave him a dismissive wave and followed behind Vesper.
Vesper started by getting the prince's purple handkerchief and a mop. Then he headed straight for the cabinets.
In search of the medication bottle, Vesper searched the drawers. After searching for a while, he discovered that he had repeatedly glanced at the empty bottle. He picked it up, and his hands shook. He was so dead. How had he not noticed? Was it because of his constant stress or his fear, or both? He really had no excuse. His stomach churned, and he could've sworn the bottle was half full the day before.
"M-my prince… I-I have horrible n-news." He stuttered like a fool.
"It can't possibly be that bad," Kieran said coolly.
"N-no… your medicine… It's empty!" Vesper said, panicked.
"How is that possible? Did they give less this time?" Kieran asked, curious.
"I believe so… I'll have to c-call your physician for the time being," Vesper answered, rubbing his chin. The physician was all the way in the Kingdom of Starkland; the king insisted that the physician stay there. He really shouldn't have!!
"Wouldn't that take a while? Is there no other supply for the medicine?" Kieran asked.
"If I recall correctly, u-unfortunately, my prince, it is exclusively provided by the kingdom," Vesper informed him, looking apologetic.
"So, I can't take my medicine. Is that it?" Kieran asked with a neutral expression. He was unusually calm about it. Even though Kieran doesn't enjoy drinking the medicine, he also didn't like breaking his routines.
Vesper was shocked by the prince's poise. He should be yelling at him. He deserved to be scolded, struck, and beaten. It was a serious sin for him to forget the prince's medication.
"M-my prince, I-I beg your forgiveness… You should punish me! Strike me… or something. It's so bewildering to witness you… so serene. Are you… Are you dying now? Is that why? It's all my fault. I neglected your medicine, and now you're acting so strangely. I-I feel like I deserve nothing but despair!" Vesper's voice trembled, tears brimming in his eyes.
"Silence, what are you talking about? Hit you? That's absurd! My temper might be short, but me, hitting you?" Kieran looked offended. Had he raised his hand at Vesper before? He couldn't remember. Although he occasionally recalled his past, the more recent memories were all vivid and hazy.
"W-what? Won't you even hit me? M-my prince, are you actually dying? No!" Vesper shrieked.
"I am not going to die, you idiot!" Kieran snapped. Had Vesper gone crazy?
"My prince, we must get your medicine as soon as possible. I'll label my message as 'emergency' right now!" Vesper said, motioning his hands and sending away a magical message. A tiny sound rang, signalling that the message was received.
Vesper, in Kieran's opinion, was being much too dramatic. The medication did not even help him. It tasted bizarre and was a weird-looking substance. At least it was purple, Kieran's favourite colour-
"Hack!" Suddenly, in the middle of his thought process, Kieran began hacking uncontrollably. He bent over and covered his mouth, trying to muffle his coughs. His throat felt like it was closing up and drying up all at once. Then, he felt a sharp pain all over his body. He wanted to scream, but he had to keep a good image. He couldn't humiliate himself. Not even in front of Vesper.
"M-my prince?" Vesper asked, worry etched all over his face. He hurried over and patted the prince's back. "Are you o-okay!?"
The prince doubled over, a series of harrowing hicks and acks tearing from his lungs. His chest strained, and he felt a sharp pain in his ribs. He wobbled, his legs feeling like jelly. Thankfully, Vesper was holding him up by his legs. Vesper reached for a chair out of instinct and pulled it over, placing the prince on top of it. Vesper was drowning in worry and concern, his hazel eyes shaking.
"V-Vesper… W-water… hck." Kieran's voice was barely audible because of its hoarseness. His face was upset, and he clutched his stomach. He has never experienced anything like this before.
"Water? Okay, please wait, my prince! I'll get you water!" Vesper hurriedly answered, rushing towards the door. He glanced back apologetically as he left the prince alone in the chair.
"Why are you rushing out in such a manner?" Kol asked, startled by the sound of Vesper shoving the door open.
"No time to explain!" Vesper yelled out, hurrying ahead. He was running as fast as he could with his unathletic, weak little legs.
At the same time, a maid came dashing from another hallway, colliding with Vesper. They both fell to the ground with a loud thud. Kol's eyes widened, and he walked over to check on both of them.
"Are you alright?" Kol said to both of them, and despite his efforts to sound softer, his voice remained harsh.
"Y-yes," Vesper replied, startled.
"I-I'm so sorry! I was rushing like a stupid cunt!" she blurted out very loudly.
Vesper's ears almost caved in at her harsh language. Kol had a similar reaction. She looked young, cute, and short, and didn't even seem like she should know that word.
"Ah! The prince! U-um, young lady, do you have any water!?" Vesper asked, and he almost forgot the prince was actively hacking his lungs out.
He gathered his thoughts and got off the floor, straightening his shirt.
"W-water? Oh… that's why I was running in the first place, all the water in the manor suddenly stopped running!" she said with urgency in her voice.
"What?" Vesper screamed. He began to panic. The prince was in pain; there was no water in the manor, his medication was gone, he was severely dehydrated, and his body was deteriorating. Vesper wanted to faint. This was a true nightmare. A nightmare!
"There's no water in the manor, and we can't make any food! Ahh!!!" It was complete chaos, and the little girl began to panic along with Vesper.
Kol pinched his nose bridge. The whole situation was ridiculous, and he was still confused as to why Vesper needed water so urgently.
"I see that there is an issue. Calm down, both of you. Vesper, if you explain what's happening, maybe we can find a solution. And you, young lady, go tell the head maid to send a letter to the person who manages the pipes." Kol's voice was low and steady. His face was still void of emotion, but they could see his sincerity.
"Th-the prince! His medicine bottle was suddenly empty, he began coughing uncontrollably, and his body was becoming weaker! H-he asked for water, and I need to get it, I-I think he might be d-dying!" Vesper rambled on, panic in his voice. His eyes puddled with tears, and he felt like crying. He couldn't cry; he at least had to pretend to be strong.
Kol's expression remained unchanging, but his eyes seemed to soften, which made Vesper feel a tad better.
"I see. How about we ask someone who can use water magic? I'm sure that can be a temporary solution to our prince's sudden dehydration." Kol said solidly.
"Y-yes... I believe Rys, Prince C-Cahirs' guard, is a siren, so he'd be able to use water magic."
"I can fetch him. Please return to the prince's side," Kol said curtly, then headed towards Prince Cahir's chambers.
The maid girl just watched the whole scene unfold from the side. Vesper wiped his tears with his handkerchief, and his nose was still running. He must've looked disgusting. Then, Vesper noticed that the young maid girl was still there, and he had just said everything while she was listening. He didn't even know if she could be trusted. What if she were a spy? He couldn't let the prince's vulnerability reach the wrong audience. So, he decided to put on his rare serious face.
"You will not speak of this anywhere, to anyone. Not even a corpse." Vesper whispered in her ear as he walked over and gripped her shoulders, his face dead serious. He made sure not to grip hard; he didn't want to be mean. Plus, he was weak.
She nodded hesitantly, and Vesper gave her an 'innocent' thumbs up.
"You were rushing. I'm sorry for keeping you here. Are you going to see if the water issue can be fixed?" Vesper asked kindly.
"Y-yes, I was going to inform Mrs Mabel! P-please excuse me!" She said shyly, then continued rushing towards the other hallway.
Vesper remembered the prince was still in the room. He began to panic and rushed back inside, nearly forgetting to close the door behind him.
"Prince Kiera-"
The prince was limp against the chair, and there was a trail of blood that spilled from his lips, as if he had coughed up blood. He was strangely still, his eyes barely open. He managed to move his eyes downwards and whispered. He could barely even lift his neck.
"Vesper," His voice was barely audible. He winced in pain after that; it must've hurt.
"My prince! Oh my god!" Vesper shrieked. He dashed towards the prince, checking his pulse. It was too slow. Was the prince really going to die? All because he missed his medicine for a couple of minutes!? He was going to bring the prince to the infirmary.
Then, Kieran fainted. His eyes, which he could hardly keep open, closed, and Vesper couldn't tell if he was still alive or not, because he was frozen in place.
Vesper closed his eyes and let out a scream that echoed from the deepest part of himself.