Trying to Save my Favorite Character from His Tragic Fate - Chapter 103: Gentle

He has woken up in an empty bedroom, but he feels disoriented.

[What happened in Bristol? My mind is drawing a blank… How did I come back to Aria?]

With his head fuzzy and unfocused, he walks out of the room, and before he knows it, he is walking in the halls leading to the garden. He turns to watch the garden showered in silver light, and when he breathes in the cold air of the night, his mind clears a bit.

The silence of the night and the trickling sound of water from the fountain help him to adjust his confused state. He calms his heart and starts to walk towards the fountain. The grass under his feet finally brings him the awareness that he is barefoot. However, before he sets his mind to go back to his room and think over what had happened, his eyes set on the shadow of someone’s silhouette.

[Who is in the garden so late?]

He watches a man around his age sitting on the floor, staring at the moon.

Now, he is getting carried to his bedroom by this unknown man worried that he is barefoot. This man’s touch gives a strange sense of familiarity that his body does not react like touching a stranger; maybe he feels stiff initially because his mind is not connecting with his body. He slowly melts into this man’s hold.

[Strange… ]

He does not remember that he has found someone to spend his days with, but at the same time, he feels strange that someone out of nowhere treats him so carefully as if he is that person.

Kyrie tries to remember, but his mind continuously draws a blank, as if something is blocking him from remembering. Pressure starts to build up in his head, and he frowns while shutting his eyes to try harder.

“Kyrie…”

Kyrie lifts his head to look at the strange yet familiar face, “Yes?”

Kyrie waits for Ian’s answer patiently since they have arrived outside of the bedroom, and Ian is busy opening the door and letting himself in while carrying Kyrie in his arms.

Ian places Kyrie gently on the bed and walks up to take the cloth next to a basin of water prepared previously by a maid. He wets the cloth and brings it back to Kyrie.

He kneels and places Kyrie’s foot on his thigh. Gently, he starts cleaning Kyrie’s foot.

Out of words, Kyrie stares at the man treating him so carefully that he feels guilty to stop him.

When he finishes cleaning one foot, Ian lets it down. As he grabs the other one, Ian lifts his head and looks at Kyrie.

“Don’t panic with what I am about to tell you.”

Kyrie nods obediently. He tries to remain cool, but his heart is reacting to Ian’s every touch and care as if each touch is a jump scare.

“You have lost your memories, but they will slowly come back, so don’t force it. Okay?”

[I… lost my memories? Is that why I am having trouble piecing back thoughts?]

Kyrie watches Ian cleaning his other foot and feels instantly guilty. Ian looks at Kyrie’s toes curl, and his foot stiffens.

“Relax,” Ian sweeps his fingertips from Kyrie’s sole to his heel. Slowly, Ian’s fingers make their way up to his calf.

Kyrie shivers when Ian massages his calf and shin, but Kyrie can only get tensed by his touch.

“Am I making you uncomfortable?” Ian stands up, and Kyrie watches his pupils shiver.

Before Kyrie can voice anything, Ian has gone to put the cloth back to the basin.

“Ehh…” Kyrie remains tongue-tied when Ian comes back and lifts his legs to the bed.

Ian tucks Kyrie into the bed and turns away to leave the room.

However, before Ian steps away, Kyrie quickly grabs Ian’s coat as he sits up. Ian stops but does not turn back.

“Ian…” The name comes out so naturally from Kyrie’s mouth that when Kyrie notices and immediately wants to change back to calling Ian formally, he receives a strong embrace from Ian.

“Prince…” Kyrie’s call gets stopped midway, and only air has been knocked out of him from the sudden embrace.

“Just a minute,” Ian begs, “Just give me a minute.”

Kyrie accepts the hug and lets his chin rest on Ian’s shoulder. His arms slowly slide to Ian’s back, giving Ian a harder time to hold in his emotions. Kyrie senses the tough body shiver like a small wounded animal, and he catches that Ian must mean something important to him too.

Kyrie senses his own emotion flow inside, like his body remembers, although his mind doesn’t. He pats Ian’s back until Ian slowly lets him go.

He lets out a smile, a gentle one out of his heart. And, that alone can take away most of the sadness that Ian has within.

“You brought me to the wrong room,” Kyrie softly says without breaking his smile on his face.

“I know… This is my room. Your bedroom is currently being repaired.”

“What happened?”

“Yue… Goddess Yue came and helped to wake you up.”

“How long was I off?”

“Two months and six days.”

Kyrie widens his eyes and blinks, confused. He touches his body and sees that his body aches less, so that must be true.

“If I am in your bedroom, where were you going?”

Ian chuckles, “Actually, I don’t know… hehe.”

Ian’s smile naturally widens Kyrie’s smile as well.

“Then… Why don’t you stay here with me?”

“Are you comfortable…”

Kyrie nods, “Yeah! I have a big bed to myself, and… ” Kyrie giggles, “I don’t know if the other bedrooms are prepared for your stay. I would hate to wake someone up and make noise that could wake everyone up.”

Kyrie’s pupils shake, “Unless… You mind?”

Ian starts to chuckle again because he can’t believe that Kyrie is so polite to him and minds about him like a maiden.

“What?” Kyrie catches the laughter, and he also starts to chuckle with Ian.

Ian lifts Kyrie as Ian kneels on the bed to put him on the other side of the bed. Kyrie’s poor heart jolts another time as he gets taken by surprise.

[Am I that easy to lift? I have to eat more meat!!!]

He watches Ian take off his coat and unbutton his shirt. Kyrie internally screams at the sudden development.

[Wait… wait… WAIT… CHOTOMATE! HoLy! Look at those muscles!]

Kyrie puts his hands over his eyes but still slides the fingers apart, shamelessly to witness the glory.

[Is my body prepared for this?]

Mr. Paladin! Aren’t you getting ahead of yourself?