Chapter 17

 

 

 

Chapter 17

 

“I’LL be staying here.”

Just as Pasch said, he stayed at the orphanage and became another person Yuki had to look after. Aside from cooking for him and doing his laundry, he didn’t add too much to her list of chores. If anything, he actually helped out by playing with the children while she set about cleaning. During his frequent trips to the orphanage, he had captured the hearts of the children.

“Hey! It’s wasteful to leave food behind! Eat it all.”

“Don’t wanna! If it’s a waste, you should eat it, Pasch!”

“You little twerp!”

The boy stuck out his tongue. Pasch smacked him on the head and forced a roll of bread into his mouth, clearly blending into the rhythm of the orphanage.

He didn’t hold back his sharp retorts, but he also didn’t complain about looking after others. The way he interacted with the kids resonated with what she saw of him locked on the top floor of that dreaded tower.

Maybe the reason he was good at taking care of me was because he was used to coming here.

Yuki couldn’t keep her eyes off Pasch since the day he arrived at the orphanage.

“What’s this, my sweet little Yuki? Has he caught your eye? Hmm?” teased a sharp-eyed Selena.

“Not in the slightest.”

Yuki battled with why she always found her eyes drifting to him. Without a doubt, he was the one and same person who pronounced she be burned alive for her country, which wasn’t even hers.

I don’t understand him. For just what purpose is he staying at this orphanage playing with children? He’s even hiding his status as prince.

The headmaster appeared to be the only one who knew the truth about him. Otherwise, the children wouldn’t dare to carelessly call him simply Pasch and hang all over him.

“Well, despite his cool appearance, he’s got a knack for looking after people like a nice older brother. I heard he’s the son of the orphanage’s patron.”

“Heh. Really now…”

“Yuki, why don’t you set your sights on him? Ah, but you already have a Knight attached to you, huh?” Selena grinned, sending patches of red to Yuki’s cheeks.

“Yes, and he is by far the better man! Now, stop bringing that up already, Selena!”

“Why should I? It’s fun!” Selena chuckled and ruffled Yuki’s hair.

Yuki sullenly glared at her and puffed out her cheeks. Suddenly, she felt eyes burrowing into her back. She glanced over her shoulder. Pasch intently studied her every move. When their eyes met, he quickly turned away.

“…Perhaps he’s not as disinterested as he might seem,” Selena muttered beside Yuki, earning another pointed glare.

***

WORD about Chiruka’s deteriorating condition came from Vigo after the children were put to sleep. She had fully lost consciousness, entering a comatose state. Living on an opposite nocturnal schedule from the rest, Vigo lethargically ate his meal, his fatigue showing. Selena currently took his place by Chiruka’s side while he ate.

“How are the kiddos doing? Are any feeling under the weather or showing signs of illness?”

“They seem fine to me. Everyone has been in high spirits since Pasch came.”

“I just hope this isn’t their incubation period.”

“…Yeah.”

The dining hall was empty except for Yuki and Vigo, making it hard to believe only a few hours ago Yuki had to raise her voice to hold a conversation over the chattering children.

“…This is a dangerous time. Six days have passed since the fever first took her. It wouldn’t be strange for the other children to start feeling it soon.”

Yuki could only watch as he tiredly sighed and ran a hand down his face. “The headmaster is at the greatest risk of infection and the one we need most protected. The elderly don’t have enough resistance to recover and even if they do, they don’t have the stamina to heal afterwards.” Vigo’s expression twisted under his hand. “The children still have a chance. The symptoms don’t mutate as much in infected children.”

Less serious symptoms in children sounds like the mumps. Is the Ten Day Fever similar to the mumps?

“Tonight is most likely going to be her greatest battle. As long as she regains consciousness at the end…”

She’ll be cured if she regains consciousness… Is tonight the precipice for her?

Vigo dropped his hand and looked at the speechless Yuki. “Sorry. I want to get you to Adolunde as soon as I can, but I just can’t abandon a patient.”

She frantically shook her head. “Don’t be sorry! I want her to get well soon too. It’s only natural for a doctor to put his patient before other concerns. You don’t have to worry about me.” She hid her lie behind a fake smile.

Getting to Adolunde as soon as she could was her priority. But it wasn’t a lie she worried about Chiruka.

Vigo smiled and ruffled her hair in circles. “You’re just like Rifaenotis said.”

“What did he say?”

“That you are a good girl who earnestly tries her best,” Vigo said, rising to his feet.

“Ah, Vigo!” He stopped walking toward the door to look back at her. “Aren’t you tired too? Don’t push yourself past your limits. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.”

“Thanks,” he answered and left the room.

***

YUKI finished cleaning up and did a routine check around the rooms to lock the doors and windows. The children were fast asleep. She walked over to one of the windows to close and lock it. Through the window she caught sight of someone standing outside beside the ginormous, old tree growing in front of the orphanage.

Prince Pasch.

Pasch stood alone in the moon-illuminated garden. It may have been early summer, but the nights were still cold. Yet he was dressed lightly.

What is he doing?

A heartrending aura stemmed from his forlorn back. Yuki had no idea how his mind worked. Why did he pressure Yuki to die? Why did he drug a mere child and lead her to the stake when he could laugh and play with children so easily? Why did he frequently visit the orphanage when everyone despised him?

Will he tell me if I ask?

Would he answer her? Yuki grabbed a blanket and headed for the entrance.