Esai froze. The coloured drained from his face as Rutley dropped to his knees. Landis fumbled and dropped his medical bag as Lady Syria looked confused. As she opened her mouth to ask Esai shot her a cold glare. "Lady Syria, I hope you haven't forgotten the terms of our deal. You woke up Calder and I will hold up my end of the deal but if I hear one word about anything you heard or saw here... I will punish your family severely." Esai said with a murderous aura.
"Esai?" Calder called out in confusion. "I better get back to my duties. Rutley stay by Calder's side, report anything concerning. Landis, do what you do best." Esai said before he walked towards the door. "She still loves you a lot." Calder whispered causing Esai to flinch. With a trembling hand Esai opened the door and walked out of the room.
"Calder..." Rutley called out as he tried to pull himself together. "Water please." Calder asked as he looked at Lady Syria's face. "R-right!" Lady Syria squeaked. She looked at the big hand that she was embracing. She bit her lower lip as her cheeks started to blush. "NO! I GOT IT!" Rutley shouted causing both Lady Syria and Calder to jump in shock. Calder coughed to ease the awkwardness while Lady Syria averted her gaze.
Rutley quickly poured a cup of water and handed it to Calder. Just as Calder reached out with his free hand Rutley move the cup away. "I think we should get you a straw or maybe I should help you drink it?" Rutley said awkwardly as he glanced at Lady Syria. "Rutley, I have enough strength to drink my own water." Calder sighed as he motioned for Rutley to hand over the cup. Rutley reluctantly handed the cup over then stepped back from the two.
Calder rolled is eyes. He wasn't sure what happened between all of them but as from what he heard and seen there was some sort of agreement. Calder drank all the water and felt refreshed, he held the cup up and Rutley jumped to pour him another glass. "How long have I been out?" Calder asked. "A few hours." Rutley replied. "Oh... Well, that's not too bad. With the way that Esai was acting I thought it was a week again." Calder said happily.
"Your highness..." Lady Syria started as she gave Calder a pitiful look. Calder frowned. He didn't like that she was calling him so formally when she called out his name no more then ten minutes ago. "Calder." Calder said firmly but Lady Syria held her ground. "Your highness, you looked like you were knocking on death's door." She said. Calder looked shocked, he then turned to Rutley who nodded his head in agreement.
Calder cleared his throat. He wasn't sure what to say. He wanted to let them know that he felt perfectly fine but at the same time he didn't want Lady Syria to let go of his hand. Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Rutley glanced at Calder while Calder looked confused. Rutley nodded his head as he excused himself. Calder tightened his grip, making sure Lady Syria wouldn't use this chance to run away.
"Lady Britille, how can I be of service?" Rutley asked loudly so that Calder could hear. "Oh! I wanted to make sure that the Duke was alright. Earlier there was so much, hic!" Lady Britille said with a slight shake to her voice. Calder rolled his eyes. It was he same tone that Cinnamon would use when she, no he, tried to get out of doing intimate actions like hand holding and kissing deeply.
He would pretend to be shy and scared, body trembling from pressure and then he would turn up his eyes and look up from under his eyelashes. Making sure that Taki saw the tears brimming the corner's of his eyes. After a pause he would take a shaky breath in and try to act cute and brave as he stuttered.
"S-s-s-so I, I, sigh, I brought over some food that might ease his pain!" Lady Britille answered as bravely as she could. "Ahh, see there it is." Calder thought to himself. "Food?" Rutley asked doubtfully. "Why yes! It's chicken noodle soup to help him regain some of the nutrients he lost." Lady Britille replied with passion. "No thank you! I don't want or need chicken noodle soup. Please let Lady Freyer know that I am perfectly fine without her concern." Calder shouted indifferently from his bed.
Lady Syria looked at Calder with surprise but Calder kept a poker face. He really didn't like the girl that reminded him of his past relationships. He wanted someone a little more open and honest about what they wanted. "Lady Freyer, his highness is doing well but Dr. Landis has prescribed a specific diet so your good gesture is not needed." Rutley said politely but his face showed no ounce of appreciation.
"W-w-well... alright... m-maybe, sniff, next time." Lady Britille said before she turned and ran away. With a heavy sigh Rutley closed the door. "You weren't hungry?" Rutley asked. "Not for whatever she was going to give me. In truth I'm starving." Calder replied with a wide grin. "I can run to the kitchen and grab some ribs for you." Rutley said as he turned to face Calder. "No!" Lady Syria said firmly.
"His highness just lost a lot of blood and... is suffering from an unknown illness. It's best that you have the kitchen staff make him a meal rich in iron and vegetables." Lady Syria commanded. Rutley looked shocked and Calder couldn't help but beam with delight. "What do you suggest Syria?" Calder asked as he locked eyes with her. "M-m-me?!" Lady Syria shouted. "Why not? You seem to have a better idea in what I should eat." Calder said cheerfully.
"What about the diet Dr. Landis prescribed?" Lady Syria asked. "A lie." Rutley said with a slight cough. Lady Syria furrowed her brows. Calder couldn't stop watching her, she made the most captivating expressions.
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