The Tyrant Won’t Let Me Go

 

Swallowing back tears, I turned towards the lime-green mass of light clinging to my body.

 “What is this, anyway?” “It’s a fever-reducing spell, because, from the looks of it, you were struggling with the heat.” “Ugh, thank you.” 

The aches in my body seemed to be getting better. My headache seems to be lessening.

 “You don’t have to do this.” “No.” 

Kashuel shook his head.

 “I’m doing it because I want to.” 

Kashuel turned his head the other way, so I couldn’t see his expression when he said that. But I could see that his auricles had turned bright red.

 “I wanted to thank you for the healing spell the other day…” “No, you don’t have to thank me every time.” 

Kashuel said, turning his head and looking at me with bewildered eyes.

 “It’s just, it’s something I can do without much effort…” 

As he said that, a bright green ball of light burst forth from his fingertips.

 

As it rose into the air like a bubble, it merged with the huge mass of light that enveloped my body.

 

As it grew, I could feel my fever drop slightly.

 “And my magic won’t be very effective, it won’t cure your cold completely.” “Still, it’s amazing.  “What…?” 

Kashuel echoed, looking puzzled.

 

I reached out and felt the warmth of a ball of light. It was a gentle magic, I thought, unlike my blasts, which were stinging and painful to the touch.

 “My magic is powerful, but it doesn’t heal or comfort others,”

I spoke softly, looking into his clear emerald eyes.

 “Of course, I’m happy to use this power to protect you and the people of my country, but that’s why I think it’s wonderful to see magic used to help people directly.” 

As she said this, she smirked at Kashuel.

 “Come to think of it, you look different when you use magic than last time.” “Uh…? Really?” “Yes.” 

It was the same when he used healing magic last time, and it was the same this time.

 

Unlike before, when he was expressionless, Kashuel’s lips curved into a faint smile when he used magic.

 “Do you feel better about your magic now?” 

Kashuel stared down at his hands, as if realizing something he’d never thought of before.

 

Then, from between his parted lips, a muffled voice escaped.

 “Yep. I am.” 

His sparkling emerald eyes turned to me.

 “Because you, you, told me my magic was wonderful.” 

His voice trembled slightly, and his face flushed crimson. I froze, unable to find the words to respond.

  “Ah, I greet the Emperor.” 

Cedric frowned at the sight of Felix, who gave him a curt greeting upon entering Ciel’s chambers.

 

Felix’s presence here meant Persephine’s as well.

 “Your Majesty. You’re here.” 

Beside the sleeping Ciel, Persephine was toweling off.

 

Cedric’s heart burned with jealousy as he watched the mysterious Persephine sit right next to Ciel, placing a freshly dampened towel on her forehead.

 

‘I was only going to change the towel myself.’

 

Cedric didn’t like the fact that he’d been robbed of the opportunity to care for Ciel with a wet wipe while he went to take care of business.

 

He didn’t like it even more when he heard that Kashuel had come and gone during the morning, when he’d only been gone for half an hour.

 “Princess, give me the wipes. This is not the way to treat a guest.” 

Cedric said, putting on his best manly smile to hide his true feelings.

 

Fortunately, Persephine moved out of the way without question.

 “Yes. Come to think of it, it would be better to have the familiar touch of Your Majesty than mine.” 

Cedric, finally restored to his role and place, glanced at the sleeping Ciel with relief.

 

‘Perhaps I should move Ciel’s bed into my chambers and lock the door so that no one else can come?’

 

Cedric thought about it for a moment, but quickly dismissed the idea.

 

Ciel would freak out if she found out.

 “By the way, have you thought of getting a servant to do this for you? I know it’s only for a short time, but I don’t think you’ll be able to keep tending to Minerva yourself…” “Not really.” 

Cedric shook his head, skillfully organizing the disheveled towels and blankets.

 “I’ve been taking care of her when she’s been sick, so I’m more used to it this way.” “Ah, I see.” 

Persephine glanced at Cedric with understanding and nodded.

 “You two are so close, after all.” “Very close. So close that no one can come between the two of us.” 

If Ciel had been awake, she would have heard and giggled, but now that she was asleep, Cedric figured it wouldn’t matter.

 “I hope she gets better soon, she’s been laid up for days and can’t wield her sword.” 

Felix, who had been standing in the corner, walked over to the bed and looked down at Ciel with pity.

 “Yes. I heard you collapsed in the middle of a meeting, and I’m afraid you’ve been overdoing it.” 

Persephine also looked at Ciel, her violet eyes filled with concern.

 “I know it must have been hard for her, talking to me and dealing with me while she’s been so busy.” 

Ciel was always like that. She couldn’t let go of the people she cared about, no matter how much she tried.

 “How’s her fever?” 

Persephine reached out to touch Ciel’s forehead absentmindedly, but Cedric’s faster-than-light hand stopped her.

 “Princess, I don’t think it’s a good idea to touch her, you could catch a cold.” “Uh, I’m sure it’s fine. His Majesty’s been taking care of her, and that much—” “It’s just that I don’t mind it being transferred, I’d rather have it transferred to me.” “Oh, I see…” 

Eventually, Persephine withdrew her hand.

 “I understand, Your Majesty, I had a similar experience when I was younger.” 

Felix scratched his head and spoke,

“Strangely enough, my mother caught a cold from me, and I got well, though I was very young.” 

Persephine listened to his story with a gleam in her eye, while Cedric feigned listening, his gaze fixed on Ciel.

 “So every time I caught a cold after that, my mother would jokingly tell me that she wished she’d stayed with me all day and caught it instead from me.” 

Hearing that story, something clicked in Cedric’s brain.

 

‘This is it.’

 

He smiled meaningfully from an angle that Persephine and Felix couldn’t see.

 “Lord Flithia.” “Yes?” 

Felix was startled by the suddenness of the call and looked up at Cedric.

 

Cedric looked at him and smiled brightly and said,

“Thank you. You’re a genius.” “What, what do you mean?” 

Cedric looked at Ciel with a gaze that was almost unbearable in its adorableness, leaving Persephine, who was just as confused as Felix, who didn’t understand the situation.

  “Ah, the Princess, and Lord Flithia have been visiting, I wish I could have seen them when I was awake.” “No. And as you know, the Princess hasn’t fully recovered, and I didn’t want her to stay here for long, in case she got sick and could be dangerous, so I sent her off first.” “Oh, I see.” 

I said, looking over at Cedric, who was lying beside me in the chair with his head buried in his pillow.

 “I hope I don’t have to worry about her, and if she does come, I’ll have to tell her to stay away from me.” “Yeah, I’m afraid that would be a good idea.” “I feel kind of bad, I’m sure the Princess has been worried about me.” “You’ll see her again when you’re better, but for now, let’s focus on getting better.” 

Cedric said, tucking a stray strand of my hair behind my ear.

 “By the way, it seems like I still have a fever. I took some special medicine this morning.” “It’s not going to work in a day.” 

Meanwhile, I said, turning over and lying straight up, looking at the ceiling.

 “I wish I could get better soon, but… I guess we’ll have to wait.” “What if there was a way to get better without waiting?” 

I turned my head to the side at the sound of Cedric’s expectant question.

 “Is there such a thing?” “Yes.” 

Interesting. Cedric wasn’t usually the type to believe in folk remedies.

 

Intrigued, I sat up, took a drink from my water glass, and listened to his story.

 “They say kissing will heal you quickly.” 

And I spit out the water I’d been drinking.

 “Ack cough—” “Ciel, are you okay?” 

There was no way I could be fine.

 

‘What the hell are you talking about…?’

 

I’d let my guard down, and I’d been caught. I never thought he’d bring up the kiss right then and there.

 “Here, wipe it with this.” “…But why are you smiling?” “Did I get caught?” 

That bastard went out of his way to tease me again.

 

Cedric bit his lip and tried to keep the laughter from escaping, but he couldn’t hide the upturned corners of his mouth.

 “Do you like making fun of people?” “No, I like Ciel when she isn’t embarrassed, but—” “Oh, really.” 

I wiped the corner of my mouth with a tissue, rolled it up in a ball, and threw it against the cabinet in annoyance.