The room was silent once more. Reina had dragged everyone outside and left only Shuu and Prince Kaiden inside the room.
An awkward silence filled the room before Prince Kaiden sighed and sat beside Shuu. He took Shuu's arm in his hand and turned it around to check on it.
"Hmm, let me see. It does not seem as if the injury left any lasting mark. But let me heal it a little more… just to be safe…"
Shuu felt warmth coursing through his system, and he flexed his arm to see if he felt any pain. But all he felt was numbness that was starting to fade away.
"This feels nice."
Shuu unconsciously spoke up before he realized what he was saying and closed his mouth. But Prince Kaiden only chuckled at his words and increased the pressure on his arm.
"I am glad that you like my touch. I am sorry for hurting you as well. I would not have done that if this was not the only choice I was left with. Do you forgive me?"
Prince Kaiden asked as he pulled Shuu's arm up to his lips.
It was a short, placed kiss, but Shuu felt like he was scalded by that touch. He tried to pull his arm back, but the grip on his arm was too strong. He realized he was stuck in place too late.
"You should go to sleep now. You look tired, and giving your blood away for free must be even more exhausting."
Prince Kaiden pulled Shuu's head toward his lap, and Shuu had no time to protest before his head met a soft lap to sit on. He closed his eyes and allowed sleep to take him.
'If this is all a dream, then I do not want to wake up. I… don't even care that I am being used by Prince Kaiden. Just the fact that he needs me is… a huge relief to me.'
Shuu allowed himself to be carried away.
__________
"I am delighted to know that you will be staying a few more days here. I will make sure you and your people will not lack anything during your stay."
The elder of the swordsmith village promised with a happy face. He kept looking at Kana and sneaking her approving glances for managing to make Prince Kaiden fall for her.
After all, that was the only reason he could think of for his stay.
"That's good. But, High Elder, I got to hear something interesting. Apparently, your behavior toward my partner is rather… underwhelming. Would you care to elaborate?"
Shuu tensed as soon as Prince Kaiden's words reached his ear. He quickly looked at Prince Kaiden, only to see a smiling face.
But he knew that smile well, and he knew that it could not mean anything good.
"I… what do you mean…? I would never disrespect your partner… You should tell him…"
The elder turned toward Shuu to make him speak up in his defense. But Prince Kaiden shielded Shuu before any more pressure could be put on him.
"High Elder, I will forgive you this time. But it would be better if you do not talk to my partner again. Do I make myself clear?"
Prince Kaiden's smile looked dangerous but beautiful at the same time. It made the elder take a step back.
"I understand. I just… made a mistake, Prince Kaiden. I will not even look at your partner again. I promise."
The elder did not miss a single beat as he agreed, and he looked away from Shuu.
But just because the elder was no longer looking at Shuu did not mean he was not paying attention to him. Shuu felt the elder's gaze on him as soon as he turned his back toward the elder.
Prince Kaiden either did not notice (unlikely), or he did not care enough to tell the High Elder off for his behavior.
"Alright, let's get this feast started. Here, you should try some of this alcohol. It is nice and will make you feel warm. Donating blood must be making you feel cold and weak."
Shuu was immediately handed a small cup filled with brownish liquid, and he took the glass and took a tentative sip.
His tongue felt numb at the bitter and fizzy taste, and he did not like it.
But once he had a sip, he found that he could not stop. He kept drinking a little at a time until the whole glass was gone.
"Was it good? Do you need more?"
Prince Kaiden asked as he looked at Shuu. Shuu was holding his small cup like his life depended on it, and he looked at the empty cup with a frown.
"I… do not need more. I am fine…"
Shuu confessed, but it was clear to anyone that he was not fine. His eyes were glazed over, and he kept looking around and blinking slowly.
Had Prince Kaiden been a good person, he would have stopped there. But he found amusement in seeing Shuu acting like this. It was so unlike his closed-off personality. He had a sudden urge to see more.
"It's fine. If you want more, I can get you more. Just sit here for now, and I will be back soon."
Prince Kaiden promised as he left Shuu. As soon as he was gone, the security blanket around Shuu evaporated, and he became an object of everyone's curiosity.
He could see people pointing toward him and whispering, but he was too drunk to be able to tell what they were actually saying.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Kana lingering around. She looked at him, then bit her lip before heading after Prince Kaiden.
'Should I go after her? I have a feeling Prince Kaiden would not appreciate her company. But… do I have a right to stop her?'
Shuu felt conflicted, and in the end, he stayed where he was, not moving to help the female out.
Besides, he had a sudden feeling that the one in actual danger was him. People were not approaching him, but they were showing far too much interest in him, which did not make him feel safe.