It was almost midnight and the room was getting colder, some candles were burnt out reducing the illuminate in the room. Daminas eyes were trained on Xanxier without blinking, dark eye bags under his eyes and he occupied a chair next to Xanxier's bed. He drew the blanket closer to Xanxier's neck and placed two fingers under his nostrils like he had been doing every minute to check if Xanxier was still breathing.
After confirming he stood up and stretched feeling finger snapped as he stretched his hands foward. Yawning loudly he moved to check the fireplace adding some woods and lighted more lanterns in the room to make the room warmer and brighter to aid him in seeing Xanxier's face clearly.
Xanxier had been asleep for three days. Due to the injury he sustained caused by the chair Daminas hit him with in a panic, his head had to be bandage. The impact was not severe but the back of Xanxier's head was slightly swollen. To prevent it from being permanent Daminas had to rub it putting some relieving ointment on it and even proceed to bandage his head without calling for the Physician.
To prevent any ruckus in the palace or any gossip Daminas informed the court Xanxier was busy sorting things out with Vane in Vane's villa and he took it upon him to take care of him. He barely sleeps always making sure to feed Xanxier water he got from the Temple blessed by the High Priest months ago.
Once in a year Daminas used to request for the water since it was difficult to see the High Priest he could only request for the water and the High Priest would pray to it and do the necessary things to bless it. Daminas would go to personally collect it, he prepared it incase Xanxier needs it in future.
He kept the knowledge from Xanxier since after visiting the Temple during the Queen's festival to show his face outside to his people, Xanxier doesn't go to visit the Temple any other day. Xanxier only made sure part of the tax were paid to the Temple for its management.
The guestroom they prepared for Xanxier was just the replica of Vane's room and Daminas made sure Xanxier was comfortable sleeping peacefully on the bed.
The door clicked open slowly to reveal Vane. To Daminas surprise Vane quickly recovered from the shock of almost dying in Xanxier's hands and he had run up to them when Kale took Xanxier, he even suggested them taking Xanxier to the guestroom to prevent the servants seeing Xanxier unconsious and spreading rumors.
After Daminas complied, Vane proceed to asking series of questions, he had been nagging continuously going on demanding Daminas to tell him what happened and even tried to prevent Daminas from treating Xanxier's injury and insisted on calling Bezel which after some argument Vane agreed. He had shown concern and checked every minute if Xanxier had woken up.
Vane didn't entertain any of the women that came to look for him or the ones he brought from Trenor that occupied some rooms on the second floor. He was worried about Xanxier and Daminas thought his act was suspicious but after taking a close inspection of Vane he noticed Vane didn't seemed to be acting nor does he had any trick up his sleeves and he even wiped Xanxier's forehead with cold water whenever Xanxier started sweating. Daminas had to convinced him Xanxier was only resting but Vane still went behind his back and called Bezel. Bezel came running to check and also confirmed Xanxier was only sleeping and gave Daminas some pain relieve pills to crush and mix with tea to give Xanxier to reduce the swelling and pain.
"Is he still asleep?" Vane asked shutting the door behind him.
Daminas nodded poking at the burnt woods turned charcoal in the fireplace with a poker, he blinked slowly. "Yes Lord Vane."
"Should I call Bezel to check once more?" Vane suggested moving towards bed staring down at Xanxier that hadn't move an inch for three days. "I have not seen Bezel come in today. " He complained placing his hand on Xanxier's forehead to check his temperature and to check if he was sweating.
Xanxier didn't show any uncomfortable expression nor any other expression as he slept. When he sweat, he was just like the combination of a wooden porcelain doll with smooth pale skin like translucent jade.
"No, his Majesty will wake up soon." Daminas sounded like he was trying to convince himself more than convincing Vane. He was determined not to flatter in his resolution that Xanxier would wake up. "Bezel came in the morning." He assured Vane.
Hanging the poker carefully on the nail on the wall, Daminas sighed heavily taking his seat at the table to have a better look at Vane incase Vane takes the seat beside Xanxier's bed. He also had to be ready to prevent Vane from removing the veil. Vane didn't show any sign of wanting to remove the veil and he was more concerned about why Xanxier hadn't open his eyes. His hands folded behind him and his eyes trained on Xanxier checking to spot any movement.
Not seeing any movement, Vane walked over and took his seat opposite Daminas, he reached for the porcelain jug on the table and poured himself beer to the brim, the foam bubbling on top. Vane took a sip to prevent the drink from spilling. He was tired but couldn't sleep, he kept replaying the recent event of almost choking to death. Daminas could see dark circle under Vane's eyes, a replica of his own which shows Vane hadn't been resting properly just like him.
Staring at Xanxier, Daminas poured himself a cup too. He hadly drinks and only entertain drinks on few occasions but right now he needed it to quench any negative thought. He gulped it down, his face cringed at the sharp bitter sweet taste.
"What is this." Daminas asked stupidly. The after taste was bitter. He fought with the urge to stick his tongue out like a dog.
"Beer." Vane deadpan pouring himself another cup, he also poured a cup for Daminas. He raised his eyebrows at Daminas daring him to have another and Daminas shrugged, they reached for the cups simultaneously and empty the content.
Taking care of Xanxier made them had some understanding a bit about each other and Vane didn't find Daminas as annoying as he was. He was starting to understand Daminas always acting like father bear to Xanxier.
"You will not tell me what happened?" Vane asked for the thousandth time pouring more beer for Daminas gesturing for him to drink it but this time Daminas didn't accept it, he only pushed the cup forward towards Vane shaking his head not falling to his bait of getting drunk which means Xanxier would not recieve the best care until he was sober.
"It is not my place to tell." Daminas replied for the thousandth time. Xanxier was sleeping peacefully and his life wasn't in danger which means he had no obligation to reply to Vane.
Vane shrugged. "Whatever." He muttered before taking the whole jug drinking the content straight from the jug, gulping it down his throat. Daminas didn't move to stop him, he would have love to join too. "Ha..." He sighed contented placing the jug carefully on the table not to make a sound and startle Xanxier awake. Daminas had warn him they had to leave the course to nature and not disturb him letting him sleep and wake up naturally.
Daminas produced a bottle from his waist pouch that contained the water from the Temple. It was time to give Xanxier some to drink and pray to Heaven. He turned only to see Xanxier head tilted, his eyes opened widely staring at them, his brow furrowed.
Tears welled up Daminas eyes and he cried running to give Xanxier a quick hug.