Doctor Howard had not returned, and it was well past the end of his lunch break. Just as they began to get suspicious, the doorknob rattled, then opened slowly.
"I heard the sound of intruders from outside. What have you done to the poor valet?" Dr. Howard asked, not afraid. He took a step in and didn't react at the sight he was greeted with. He did feel slightly annoyed, though.
Vesper, the poor valet, was standing by a desk, looking like he had just survived a war.
The three princes, minus the unconscious one, looked like they were duelling in his office. Surely, it must've been a joke, right? And lastly, stood the siren boy, who was awkwardly staring at him.
Howard carefully closed the door behind him.
"What is this?" He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. He had specifically allowed Vesper to watch over Prince Kieran while he was away, not anyone else.
"Did I ask for any of you or allow any of you here? Are any of you his valet?" He asked sternly, then he strictly pointed at the door.
He didn't need to speak for it to get through.
"Who are you, to speak to us like that?" Cahir approached venomously, staring into Howard's eyes.
"Surely, you aren't planning to hit me?" He scoffed. So what if he was a prince? Respect was earned.
"And if I were, who's going to stop me?" Cahir whispered to him, smiling creepily.
"If I were you, I wouldn't risk my life like that."
Hah, who did this Doctor guy think he was? Speaking to Cahir like they were of the same status, how bold.
He must be beyond foolish to play with his life in front of Cahir like that. Cahir could incinerate him without lifting a finger.
"If you wish to die, I will gladly fulfill your wish." Cahir sneered, his fingernails digging into Dr. Howard's neck. He didn't flinch.
"P-prince… Let him go, f-forgive him, please!" Vesper cried out, his eyes widened.
"H-how will we know the condition of my Prince Kieran if you kill him?" Vesper added, hoping that would work.
"Some people can't regulate their anger these days…" Zaleth muttered mostly to himself.
"If you hurt the doctor, who will check on Kieran? Are you a child?" Ichor snapped, his gaze piercing through Cahir's eyes.
How could he consider putting Kieran's life at stake?
"Who are you to call me a child? You're the one who resembles one the most! Look at you!" Cahir fired back, getting defensive. At least he had released his hold on Howard.
Howard used a disposable towel to wipe the blood seeping from his neck, not enjoying the situation.
"I'm the child? Are you implying that even a child is more mature than you? You just can't spend two minutes without stirring the pot, can you?" Ichor barked, throwing punches.
"All you do is get in my way! How can they expect me to live with insufferable bastards like you!" Cahir said, punching back.
"How can they expect you to do that? Do you think any of us had a choice?" He shoved Cahir to the ground, preparing to fire attacks.
"Get off of me, who do you take yourself for!?" Cahir yelled, striking Ichor across his face.
Zaleth sighed deeply; the sound was a loud, deep rumble, deep enough to slightly shake the room.
Both Ichor and Cahir turned their heads in unison, temporarily halting their squabbling.
Vesper buried his face in his hands. All this conflict was his fault. If he had been more careful, none of this would have happened.
Rys just patted his back sympathetically.
Dr. Howard looked pissed. This was why he always ate alone; being around others would always cause him great annoyance. Why should he choose to socialize and then be forced to tolerate other people's stupidity?
"How about you two idiots take this outside? Do you guys not value the image you put up for others?" Zaleth scolded, and without letting it sink in, he picked them both up and flung them outside the door with a thud. Rys excused himself and followed. After giving Vesper a quick look, he shut the door. Then Zaleth locked it.
Vesper heard a few groans and growls.
"Let us in!" Ichor yelled from outside.
"Wait till I get my hands on you!" Cahir threatened.
Like wild beasts, they were hammering on the door. Zaleth smiled a little.
"Do not break my door!" Dr. Howard yelled, and surprisingly, they stopped banging on the door. Maybe Rys had calmed Cahir down, or they were going to duel properly on the training grounds, or both.
"Why are you still here?" He asked Zaleth, clearly upset.
"Because I am going to stay by his side. I won't cause any problems." Zaleth said, leaving no room for protest.
Howard sighed, pinching his nose bridge and massaging his temples.
"It looks like you need a break, don't you? How about you leave to calm yourself down?" Zaleth proposed that he was merely trying to get alone time with Kieran, and Vesper saw through it.
"You're right. I'm going to take a long walk, and don't call me." Dr. Howard said, grabbing his side-bag and leaving, closing the door a little less gently than usual.
"Vesper," He began.
I know, I-I'll go find something to do. Please call me if you need anything!" Vesper excused himself, not wanting to annoy him.
"Youngling these days, am I right? They all flee far too easily." He said mostly to himself.
He observed Kieran's lying figure. He was completely still, and his breathing still laboured. He was unusually pale, and his lips were purple, yet his face still looked peaceful as his lashes fanned out. Zaleth hesitated, then clasped his hands between Kieran's. His body wasn't as cold as it previously was, mainly because of Ichor's heat transfer. Strangely, Kieran had lost a lot of weight, all in one day. Zaleth could notice. The only reason he wasn't aware that Kieran had lost consciousness is that the bond hadn't signalled him. It was weird that suddenly, his connection to Kieran had disappeared. So, he remained unaware until he caught sight of Kol, the guard who was always by Kieran's door, rushing towards another. His hearts skipped a few beats, and he curiously began following Kor. Kor was highly defensive and refused to elaborate on the situation, no matter how he was asked. He didn't budge and simply said, "Prince Kieran is in urgent need of water, and all the water in the manor has stopped running."
It all left Zaleth immensely confused. If something had happened to Kieran, shouldn't he have felt something?
"Your current state is very vulnerable. How could you lie here so carelessly, so defenceless? What if a spy sees you and spreads rumours? You know, you could've summoned me, but I already know you're too stubborn for that. But even so, what could your valet have done? He's a mere human." Zaleth scolded him, even whilst knowing he couldn't hear any of it.
"I would've loved to see your reaction to the boys fighting again, like they always do. I bet you'd get so worked up with that potty mouth of yours, shouting out slurs and whatnot. Maybe you'd throw a hand or two, I wouldn't mind. I'm probably not much better than they are, but shouldn't I get some brownie points for at least being nice to your staff?" He chuckled, knowing Kieran would never consider it.
Look at your hair," he continued, "It's all dishevelled and messy. If I had brought my brush with me, I would brush your hair because you'd never let me do it when you're awake. And your blue lips, they're seriously freaking me out. What are you, a ghost? … I hope not. Anyway, earlier today, I hunted five enchanted wolves, all for you, and now you can't eat the meat today. I'll have to store them in the preserver to keep them fresh. I'm warning you, I am not giving you the option to refuse them. I'll have your valet feed the meat to you, since you're already low on blood. That'll probably be after your physician arrives, though, and I'm going to have a word with her. How dare she leave you in such a state, even for a millisecond? Why doesn't she live in the manor, or at least nearby? Maybe you should have a chat with your father. I may seem like a madman right now, talking to an unconscious person, but for you, I'd gladly become one. Especially if it meant you'd acknowledge me as a husband." One of Kieran's fingers twitched.
Zaleth's eyes widened, catching the slight movement. That was a good sign; it proved Dr. Howard's treatments were actually starting to work. He was going to keep that little hand twitch engraved in his memory forever. After all, dragons never forget.
"That's it, fight it as if it were your worst enemy, if you have one. I know you are strong; you'll get through it. I believe in you, Kieran." He whispered to Kieran, his gaze full of care.
"With how ruthless your father is as well, I'm sure the blood surging through your veins would make you just as strong, or even stronger."
Kieran's eyebrow twitched the smallest bit, like he wanted to frown.
Zaleth, being observant, noticed that. It was kind of cute. Soon, Kieran's breathing seemed to steady. And Zaleth, with his dragon senses, could literally hear his insides trying to heal themselves.
"You are so full of wonders, Kieran." He whispered, pressing a kiss to his temple. Zaleth tucked some hair strands behind his ear. He was beautiful. He always was.
Then, a loud sound blared through the entire manor, almost startling Zaleth. Who dared to make such a noise? Didn't they know Kieran needed some quiet? When he found that person, they'd have loads of explaining to do.
It was an alarmingly loud noise, unusually loud.