After many failed attempts, Yuno just settled on his seat. He watched as the Emperor called for a servant, who arrived with dozens of papers and a bottle of ink. The two then began with their work; Derick drew sticks-which probably meant to be human, while the Emperor continuously wrote. At that time, he didn't really pay that much attention-probably since the two were still gushing about the General. So he just sat back and waited for them to tire themselves out-they didn't, he laments.
"Here." The Emperor pointed at the date, the same date when the General passed out in the garden. "The first accident happened five days ago when I called the General to announce his marriage. You've said that he wasn't feeling well at that time. When he arrived at the garden, an official was running towards him to announce the news, but before he could finish, my nephew got hit by the book." He then pointed at a poorly drawn stickman lying on the floor with a rectangle on its head.
"Before the General left, you said that he wasn't feeling well."
"A headache"
"Yes, a headache which...is the first sign." Yuno knitted his brows; the same goes for Cyrus, who was eavesdropping on their conversation. The Emperor snapped his fingers, and Derick came out holding a paper with the Emperor's handwriting on it.
"The heavens probably wanted to prevent my nephew's wedding. The headache was the first attempt, so he wouldn't come to the palace, but the plan failed due to Cyrus's stubbornness. When the official attempted to announce the news, the heavens made their move, and before Cyrus could even hear the news, he was suddenly hit by the book."
'Oh, that's-awfully close to the truth...' Cyrus reminisced. At that time, if he weren't hit by the book then he would've no choice but to marry the third prince and unknowingly live two years of loveless marriage before getting killed.
"Second evidence." Derick quickly flipped through the papers on the floor before retrieving another drawing along with a note written by the Emperor.
"Upon waking up the General asked for the book's whereabouts for unknown reasons. He then told about his 'circumstances' if he didn't read the book. The next thing we know was that he tried to burn the book and passed out-with the book on his face." The poorly drawn stickman lies on the floor, a rectangle on its head. It would almost look identical to the other drawing if it weren't for the newly added bed in the corner.
"Based on his circumstances that came out from nowhere, it's likely that the gods gave him a vision or even talked to him directly. As for the book, he must have read it because he's been entrusted by the gods. Though judging from the outcome, he must have hated whatever was written on it so he decided to burn it."
'...well, he's not wrong...'
"And lastly. Lieutenant!" This time, Derick already had the paper prepared, and he quickly handed it to the Emperor.
"The General woke up with the knowledge of his engagement. Went to the palace to cancel it and failed to do so. Suddenly, the wind picked up and the General who was closing the window suddenly got smacked by the book." This time, the stickman was still the same, along with the rectangle on its head. However, instead of a bed, a window was poorly drawn in the corner with little waves for wind.
"It's most likely that the heavens told him of his engagement, made him cancel it and when he couldn't, they probably sent him another message to try and stop it. And once he wakes up, we'll know once and for all!"
'...' As the Emperor's explanation came to an end. Cyrus was deeply impressed by his uncle. If he hadn't experienced those things beforehand, he would have thought that his uncle ate something funny, but now...'Well, he is the Emperor for something.'
Yuno, on the other hand, was still conflicted. It made some sense if you just put it all under heaven's will, but doesn't everything? I won the lottery. Heaven's will. I recovered from an incurable illness. Heaven's will. A shrimp suddenly turned green and grew legs. Heaven's will. My son suddenly turned into a cow and became a mage. Heaven's will. Heck, everything can just be heaven's will.
Still, even if it was of heaven's will or not, the situation still failed to make sense. Why a book? Why the General? Sensing an incoming headache, Yuno stood up from his seat and slowly walked towards the General's bed.
The Emperor and Derick were organizing their papers, talking back and forth while occasionally drinking some tea. Maybe he should drink some too, later, if time permits.
Hearing footsteps coming closer and closer, Cyrus willed himself to wear a relaxed expression. He evened his breathing and closed his eyes tight, but not too tight to be deemed suspicious.
Yuno scanned the General's sleeping face. He squinted his eyes before raising his hand, ready to give the other a wake-up call. Cyrus who felt a hand hovering above him, resisted the urge to gulp and flinch. Just as Yuno was about to swing his hand-THUD
A loud thud was heard from behind him; quickly turning his head, he saw the Emperor on the floor along with Derick. The two seemed to have passed out. Yuno quickly left the bedside to check on them, Cyrus sighed internally, relieved that his cover wasn't blown.
Yuno quickly kneeled to check the Emperor's pulse, a sigh of relief leaving his lips when he confirmed that the other had a normal heartbeat. He took a quick glance at Derick and assumed that the other was ok.
Yuno exited the room and summoned some servants. He instructed them to bring the Emperor to his quarters and get the royal physician to examine him. After the servants carefully carried the Emperor out of the room, Yuno looked at what was left: an unconscious General pretending to be still unconscious, a passed-out Lieutenant and a messy guest room.
With a frown, he nudged Derick's body with his foot until the other was lying on the corner of the room. He then proceeded to clean up the papers on the floor along with the tea that spilled on the table. In the end, he couldn't even take a single sip. He heard that the tea came from Jinun in the East; it was said to have a vibrating effect, making one's brain more active and energetic, which he needs right now. Such a shame-
His head quickly whirled towards Derick's unconscious figure. Now that he thought about it, he's been serving the two tea since earlier. They've probably finished more than ten cups when they started talking about their heaven's will business.
He grabbed the tilted teacup placed on the table, he removed the lid and as expected only a small amount of tea was left.
'So that's why...'
Yuno massaged his temples, it seems that the headache was resurfacing once again.
"Uh..." Hearing something shift from behind him, Yuno didn't even need to turn around to know that the General had woken up. In a bad time, nonetheless.
"So, what happened?" The slightly hoarse voice of the General greeted his ear. He could hear the slight awkwardness and confusion in his voice. Though he knew that his uncle collapsed and servants escorted him back to his room, it didn't explain Derick sprawled on the corner, the papers neatly aligned by the fireplace and Yuno looking as if a hundred years had passed.
Cyrus waited for the other to answer. He watched as Yuno opened and closed his mouth, deciding what to say.
After some time, the other seems to have made up his mind. "Did something happen?" He asked with a blank look.
"..."
"You've been out for more than five hours General. I don't think anything major happened in that short amount of time."
"..."
"So nothing happened."
"...I see."
"Good, now just go back to sleep since this is all just a dream."
"Alright...you should sleep too."
Yuno nodded. "I will, after I burn all the evidence."
Cyrus awkwardly nodded in return. He turned to his side before settling down and closing his eyes to sleep. Though the winter was slowly approaching, the room was warm as ever.