Everything felt... light.
My chest rose with every breath, sore, maybe sluggish but steady.
No pain. No fiery embers burning beneath my skin.
Just, weightless.
Something stuck to my chin, sticking to my palm. It felt... slippery, wet.
Oh... That's my drool.
I blinked slowly, realizing my vision blurred and eyelids felt heavy.
Did I fall asleep? And… where even am I?
My vision slowly adjusted to the soft candlelight, illuminating a soft gold hue across the stone walls Not concrete, not drywall. Stone. Intricately carved like something out of a medieval fantasy novel.
None of this felt right. It wasn't a hospital. Not my room. Or even somewhere I remembered.
A soft giggle stirred beside me. More of a gentle, amused squeak.
Is... that the doctor?
She sat by the glowing light, a book open on her lap. Light brown hair flowed down her back, curling at the tips. It shimmered beneath the candlelight, reflecting a silk-like gold hue across the room.
Her pure hazel eyes focused intently at her page, sparkling with awe the further she read.
Something's wrong... I couldn't look away. Was it the potion, or… me?
She turned towards me, shifting uncomfortably as our eyes locked. Her lips quivered, attempting to speak but didn't.
I could sense her hesitance, the uncertainty. The sadness in her eyes. The betrayal. They had bags under them, slightly darkened spots beneath her eyes. But, it was the glint of fear that forced me to look away.
She stayed with me?
Strands of her hair were tucked sloppily behind her ears, as a faint scar followed along her jawline.
She wore loose, dark robes; tied along the waist. They looked more practical than elegant, but oddly suited her.
My heart began pounding the longer I stared. The herbal scent was strong… until a sweet floral fragrance crept in front of me. Not overpowering, just pleasantly subtle.
What's happening to me?
I don't know why, but everything about her hit me at once.
Her perfume. Unwavering kindness. The way she taps her leg nervously. Her warm smile. That forgetfulness that almost killed me. Even her beauty.
I don't even know her name... So why?
Before I could stop myself, the words slipped out.
"...Wow," I muttered groggily. "You're really beautiful..."
Wait. Did... I just say that out loud?
She froze. Her eyebrows arched as her face reddened, anger? embarrassment? Her lips started to move, then closed.
"You fell asleep," she finally said, more guarded than before.
Her tone was colder now. Her warm, approachable demeanor was gone.
But, I couldn't focus. The room felt hot, like it was closing in. My throat was suddenly dry. My cheeks flushed as I turned away, swallowing the embarrassment.
"Sorry... I don't know why I said that. How long was I out?"
"Two hours," she replied. "It's probably the potion. Makes people sleepy and amplifies desires."
She turned away slightly, muttering softly under her breath,
"I... might've messed up the dosage."
I stared at her blankly. Three mistakes in one day...
"Just try not to leer. There's nothing to discuss anyways," her head hung, her eyes conflicted.
She wants to ask... But, can't find the words.
She stepped away from the table and leaned against the opposite wall, folding her arms.
"You sleeping was a good thing, honestly. Gave me time to think."
Chills ran down my spine. I didn't like the way she said that.
Our eyes met again. "The King ordered me to heal you. So I will."
.Her words were stern as tense silence followed. The message was loud and clear, we're not friends.
"I want to hear it from you," she continued, hesitantly moving closer. "Are you a threat?"
My body froze. As I thought... It's because of my dream with Tenshi.
I sighed, pressing the pillow against my face.
"Let's just say… I wasn't the one worth saving."
She stared, long and hard, then sighed.
"I… don't understand you," she muttered, her gaze returning to her book.
"Neither do I," I admitted.
A slight pause. Then... she knelt beside me, her hands trembling as she reached forward, green light pulsing at her fingertips.
I leaned back, attempting to compose myself. Her perfume was stronger now, the smell messed with my senses.
Damn side effects. I can't look away.
Is that... Magic?
"Don't make me regret this," she whispered, more praying.
Instinctively, I jerked away.
"Hold still... Just, trust me." Her voice was gentle, her lips softly moving as she stared into my eyes.
I gulped, realizing I was leering and closed my eyes. Letting her fingertips touch my palm.
Warmth brushed against my skin, but hesitated. Refusing to seep beneath the skin deep like before.
Like even it wasn't sure I was safe.
Still... It was enough. The desires vanished, my emotions felt like my own. The stiffness in my body, the soreness behind my limbs were also gone.
My fingers flexed. My toes twitched. I could move. Probably better than ever.
"Thank You... Sorry if I made you uncomfortable," I whispered, rubbing the back of my head, a nervous habit I have.
"I'm still going to need you to lie still," she said quickly. "Until someone comes for you".
It wasn't a question but a demand, a plead. It held caution, the weight of "or else".
"I understand," I said softly.
We sat in silence. She sat near the wall, legs curled beneath her, a thick book in her lap... about medicine, maybe. Her eyes glowed, reading with awe. But, she didn't relax. Her posture was stiff, shoulders tight. Ready to move at a moment's notice.
I shifted my eyes again, trying not to stare at her, and that's when I noticed it... something thin and transparent drifting in the air like thread. I squinted, trying to make it out, but it wobbled just above my chest. Floating.
My breathing stopped. It was… moving?
The thin string began to sway from side to side; descending inch by inch.
Please don't be what I think it is.
I exhaled too sharply, and the thread snapped loose, landing squarely on my chest with a silent warcry.
At first, I told myself it was lint. Maybe a stray piece of cloth.
Then I saw the eight legs.
The sheer panic I felt was unlike anything I'd experienced since waking up here. I couldn't scream, not properly.
Just a high-pitched whimper escaped me as I froze, wide-eyed, trapped beneath the tiny demon crawling across my shirt.
It was the size of my palm, but it may as well have been a dragon.
I turned my head towards the doctor, every ounce of energy I had dedicated into not moving too fast; mouthing in desperation:
"Please… help…"
She looked up from her book, blinked… then burst into laughter.
Not cruel. Just… amused.
"Oh no…" I whispered, my eyes slamming shut. "This is how I die."
"It's just a silkling," she said, trying and failing, to hide her chuckle.
"They're harmless. That one's a baby."
Baby? "That... That's a baby?" Where the hell am I..
"It's staring into my soul," I hissed.
She stood and casually walked over, slowing her stride, completely unfazed.
I tried to keep my breathing shallow, preventing my stomach from rising too fast. Just to be certain
I didn't offend the spawn of Satan and trigger a duel for my soul..
I would lose...
Without hesitation, she reached out and scooped it up in her hands. Its hairy, spikey legs twitched and flailed like it was throwing a tantrum.
She cradled it gently, smiling.
"This one's called Silks. Cute, right?"
"Cute," I muttered. "Yeah, adorable. Absolutely love being emotionally tortured by bugs."
She chuckled again, opening the door and set "Silks" down outside like it was a treasured pet.
Then she turned. Her eyes gleaming with quiet amusement.
"And here I was scared of you."
Minutes passed and my eyes never left the doorway. Awaiting the fabled pet, "Silks" to bless us with his presence.
A sudden thud; her book slamming shut, broke the silence.
"Stop glaring at Silks," she said without looking.
As if summoned, the spider walked through the doorway. I let out a choked gasp.
Panic set in as my voice screeched, "YOU summoned it!"
She laughed. Loud and unsuppressed.
"Oh come on," she giggled, closing the door. "Still scared?"
I sighed, defeated.
Now I won't see it's attack...
Her expression shifted.
She looked at me more carefully, not cold. Like I was human again.
Her voice softened, as if she'd decided.
"I want to ask you something. What I saw… what you said before. About killing your family. I want to hear it from you."
I nodded slowly,
"A fair request for my savior."
She smiled.
"I have two conditions."
She raised an eyebrow, her smile vanishing, skeptic.
"...Fine, What are your conditions." She paused. "Don't be creepy."
I smiled, lifting one finger,
"Condition one...
You tell me your name," Since the dream, she finally relaxed. Softly sighing in relief.
"My name's Caelinne. But you can just call me Cae. Or doctor."
"Cae… That's a nice name. It radiates a soft warmth."
She blinked, squinting her eyes. "It's short for Caelinne."
"Still soft," I muttered, smirking. She rolled her eyes, but didn't correct me.
"My name is HiroHito, but you can call me Hiro."
"Okay Hiro, What's your second condition?"
I gulped hard, hesitant to know the truth.
"I'll tell you after I explain myself."