0&1 Ch 7.3

Grey had no idea what he was doing. Normally, he would have left the royal palace long ago and been on his way home.

Sir Meringue, his escort, was probably waiting. 

Being a little late to the carriage wouldn’t cause any problems, but Grey was the type who adhered strictly to schedules. Sir Meringue would think nothing of it.

But Grey thought it was a big deal. How could he be doing physical labor at this hour?

“A servant just passed. On the count of three, we run over there.” Prince Joffrey spoke. Before Grey could respond, the prince had already counted, “One, two, three!”

Shouldn’t one, two, three take at least three seconds? What was he supposed to do if the Prince counted them all in the blink of an eye?

But Prince Joffrey was already running out of the shadow of the building. He had Prince Edward’s right arm around his neck.

Grey, holding Edward’s left arm, had no choice but to run too. He couldn’t just drop Edward, could he?

Edward’s legs dragged across the ground. Grey tried not to look at them.

Edward was very heavy for his thin build. Grey didn’t know if it was because he wasn’t strong enough or because Joffrey wasn’t strong enough. Was it because Edward had lost consciousness? Or maybe Edward was just a strong person.

Edward was about the same height as Grey and his frame was so slender you could see the bones.

Even so, Grey had never been able to overpower Edward. Even in a simple tug-of-war, where they held each other’s hands and pulled toward themselves, it was the same. Edward’s strength was abnormally strong.

So it was strange to see someone like that passed out like he was dead.

“Stop. Someone’s there,” Prince Joffrey ordered. For someone who’d declared he’d sneak Edward out, he was only choosing the main roads.

It seemed that the Prince knew no other route, rather than wanting to specifically make things difficult for Edward.

Now that he thought about it, it irritated him. Grey hadn’t wanted to leave Edward behind because he wasn’t worried about him.

If Grey, the son of the Prime Minister, was caught looking after Edward, the consequences for Edward would be far greater than if he was found alone and unconscious in an empty classroom.

When class ended, the palace servants would come in to tidy up the classroom. Edward would be found and receive proper treatment.

However, if Grey took care of Edward and that fact became known, the Queen would think that the Prime Minister’s son had become friends with Edward.

Edward was deliberately acting dazed to avoid the Queen’s scrutiny. Grey didn’t want to ruin that plan.

And yet Prince Joffrey had looked at Grey like he was trash.

To be treated like garbage by Joffrey?

It was absurd. He was so shocked, his limbs didn’t move properly.

That must be one of the reasons why it was so difficult to carry Prince Edward, Grey thought, sweating profusely.

“Let’s go in through the back gate.” When Prince Joffrey’s residence came into view, he gave the order. Grey didn’t even have the energy to reply.

He nodded, and the prince gave the signal. The two slipped into the garden, avoiding the eyes of the palace staff.

“My goodness, Your Highness! Let me help you! Look at you, all sweaty! Hurry and wash up. I’ll bring you fresh clothes. What happened?” Prince Joffrey’s personal attendant came running. The attendant fussed over the Prince.

“Edward’s sick. Can we sneak him into my bedroom?” Only then did the attendant seem to notice Edward.

“Yes. I’ll send the other attendants away!”
Prince Joffrey watched his retreating figure with concern.

Grey felt neglected. He had followed Joffrey on his own, but now he wasn’t even being shown the way, and it seemed like some kind of secret operation was underway.

Why am I doing this, Grey thought.

Just then—thud—a sound rang out.

“I knew it,” Prince Joffrey said. At the end of the hallway, the attendant had fallen flat.

Grey thought Prince Joffrey would rush over and help the servant. He didn’t know why he thought that. Was it because the Prince was looking at the servant with concern?

But Joffrey didn’t. He shook his head and picked up Edward again.

“He’s off balance. Grey, lift him properly.” He even lectured Grey.

What kind person is this Prince? Grey was confused.

“Edward said he doesn’t want a doctor, so let’s just say it’s you who caught a cold. I’ll take off Edward’s clothes. You find a servant and get some medicine.“ Prince Joffrey ordered. He didn’t even look at Grey, preoccupied with Edward slumped on the bed.

In the past, he would’ve made a comment while watching Grey for his reaction.

“Why me?” Grey tried to say.

Prince Joffrey turned his head. A determined look appeared on his face. “What are you doing? Hurry!” 

Grey ran down the hallway.

Prince Joffrey’s order was reasonable. It was better for Grey to be sick than for the Prince to say he was sick.

If Joffrey said he was sick, the Queen would rush over immediately. Then she would find Edward lying in bed.

Even so. Why was he obediently following the prince’s orders? That was Joffrey.

Was it okay to leave the sick Edward with Joffrey? Was he doing something foolish?

“Edward, move a little.”

Edward’s face contorted. He exhaled hot breath. I tried to take off Edward’s shirt but gave up. I couldn’t bend the patient’s arm to take off his clothes.

“Your Highness, I brought a wet towel. I’ll take care of him. Please rest.” Dot had brought a basin and towel. I stepped aside for him and took off my own shirt. I was exhausted from carrying Edward here and my armpits were drenched in sweat.

Grey burst through the door. As soon as he entered, he looked around the room and found Edward.

He was relieved to see Edward slumped over. He must have thought something terrible had happened while he was gone.

Grey approached Edward and stood over him protectively. “I brought the medicine. … Your Highness, why are you undressed?”

”To wash up. I’m sticky with sweat. Do you want to wash up too?“
“No.”

Grey was wary. What was he imagining?

“I didn’t say let’s wash together. You wash first. I’ll lend you some clothes.“
“Ah.”
“Give me the medicine.”

He took the medicine bag from Grey and placed it on the side table.

Dot was wringing out a towel. He pulled down the blanket covering Edward. 

Edward was half naked. His shirt was open on both sides, with all the buttons undone.

Grey gaped again when he saw it. “What are you doing? Why is his shirt off…?”

“Is it okay if I cut his shirt, Your Highness? It seems like it would be uncomfortable to wash him,” Dot asked.

Grey kept his mouth shut. I waved my hand at Grey. Don’t bother him. Why are you so interested in a man undressing?

“Go wash.”

Anyway, Dot’s idea was excellent. Trying to take it off had been foolish. Joffrey had plenty of shirts so ruining one wasn’t a problem.

“Cutting the shirt is a good idea. Let’s do that.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”

Dot pulled a large pair of scissors from his uniform. There didn’t appear to be any room in his tight outfit to store something like that. Who knew what secrets lay in that servant uniform?

Dot was about to cut the shirt when…

“Don’t touch me.” Edward opened his eyes. He flinched upright and clung to the headboard.

“Who are you? Where am I?” His voice was dazed. He didn’t seem to be looking at us properly. Edward didn’t notice me or Grey. He was on high alert, as if Dot standing in front of him was his enemy.

“This is Prince Joffrey’s palace. Your Highness, if you would please get up, I can help you take off your clothes…”
“Don’t touch me.”
“Ah! Your Highness, it’s dangerous!”

Dot stepped back. Before I knew it, Edward had snatched the scissors from Dot’s hands.

Was it magic? I couldn’t even see how he had taken them. All I could see was the scissors threatening Dot.

“Wow, Your Highness. It’s dangerous, so don’t approach him. I’ll handle this.” Dot stood in front of me and swallowed hard.

No, how did he do that?

The distance between Edward and me was like a million miles. Compared to the distance between Dot and Edward.