[47.1] Waiting for Sleeping Beauty to Awaken

[Author's note: This chapter is back to Reika's perspective.]

I sat beside the bed gently placing my hand over Cyrus's head to comfort him. My hand was chilled to give his fever some relief.

It had been several days since escaping the tunnel collapse and I wasn't able to sleep for very long.

Cyrus still hadn't woken up either.

His fever had finally gone away, but for some reason, he hadn't woken up.

I leaned back in my chair and raised my arms to stretch.

After the test was canceled due to the tunnel collapse, all of the injured were moved to a nearby village where doctors could treat them.

Many people had already recovered and left while others weren't as lucky.

I couldn't bear to return to the capital while Cyrus was still here, so I stayed behind with Caldwell, Zephyr, the Headmaster, and my mother.

The Headmaster was constantly keeping watch outside, occasionally switching places with my mother. Caldwell was perched on the windowsill as an extra set of eyes.

There was no way the woman in the cloak would be able to get to us with the three of them acting as armed guards.

Chief Gonza announced he would find the culprit of the tunnel collapse, and after muttering something about a conspiracy, he soon disappeared.

Ever since Zephyr found out Hazel's true identity, he had refused to talk to anyone and just lay curled up in a ball beside Cyrus sleeping most of the time.

He wouldn't even wake up for any snacks.

I reached out and rubbed Zephyr's head to comfort him then stood up to stretch. I went to the window and leaned out to breathe in the fresh air.

I whistled, summoning Caldwell to fly over to me.

He fluttered to the windowsill and landed, "Yes, Young Miss?"

I poked at his feathers, "You ought to get some sleep."

His large eyes blinked slowly, "And what about you? You practically look like a raccoon."

"That's better than a molting owl. What are you going to do when Gonza gets back and sees you bald?"

He hooted somberly, "Do you think Gonza will be okay? Maybe I should have followed him… But the young master-"

I reached out to pat his feathers, "Gonza can take care of himself. Don't worry about him. He was able to find and catch that woman in red from the demon sympathizers. He can probably catch that woman in the cloak too."

"Maybe you're right…" His head turned around to look into the distance, "But I feel so restless! I just feel like something bad is going to happen!!!"

I smiled, "I think it's normal to feel restless whenever the person you love is away from you."

He looked at me with wide eyes, "Is that how you feel when the Young Master is away?"

I flinched and averted my gaze from his, "We were talking about you, not me."

He chuckled, "You didn't answer the question~"

I clicked my tongue, "Tch. Go back to your branch to keep watch."

He hooted as if he was laughing and flew back to the branch to keep watch.

I went back to the bedside of Cyrus and held his hand. I lowered my head onto his chest and took a deep breath.

When I saw that vibrant red line connecting us, I could breathe a sigh of relief and feel satisfied closing my eyes.

Rather than restless, I feel like I'm breaking apart.

…___…

I heard whispers from the corner of the room waking me up, but I was too exhausted to sit up and acknowledge it.

Instead, I lay there listening to their conversation.

"...Aldrich darling, you should take a break. I will watch over them."

"What if that woman returns? There's no way I will let you face her alone."

"Oho~ Are you going to protect me with those strong arms of yours?"

The room went down a few degrees.

My eyes remained closed, but I was now wide awake.

What's happening right now!?

Are they seriously flirting right now!?

"...Della. Be serious."

"There's a room beside this one that has a free bed. You can sleep there."

"I can't."

"-If you can't sleep, I can help you fall asleep~"

" …"

The room suddenly turned icy enough to make me shiver.

Oh my gods!!!

They are!

They are flirting!!

Should I just pretend that I am still asleep!?

After hearing them whisper to each other more suggestively, I couldn't take it anymore.

I straightened up and shouted, "Are you two seriously flirting right now!?"

My mother and the Headmaster jumped away from each other just like two teenagers who were caught by a parent.

My mother tried to appease me quickly, "W-We thought you were asleep!"

This irritated me even more and I snapped, "Cyrus is still in a coma! How can you two act like this right now!? It's a serious situation!!!"

Even Zephyr picked up his head to glare at them judgmentally, "Seriously."

The Headmaster looked away without expression, but it was clear he was feeling guilty.

My mother came to hug me, "My darling Rei of sun, don't be upset."

I grumbled back, "Well I am."

She rubbed my back as she spoke in a gentle tone, "Your father and I were talking about all of us returning to the Academy."

My father motioned to Cyrus, "He can come with us."

I interrupted, "-But he's still in a coma. The doctor said it's best not to move him."

My mother spoke with a smile, "We got special permission from the doctor. Aldrich will transport him with his magic to our house where he will be safer."

The Headmaster nodded, "It'll be safer for everyone if we are all at the Academy. The Academy has an enchantment on the ground to prevent anyone from attacking. That woman can still get to us here, but not there."

I nodded slowly, "Okay…"

It would be nicer if we were home.

There are more doctors and resources there.

I reluctantly took Zephyr into my arms and took a step back from the bed. The Headmaster walked over to the bed and took extra consideration to make sure his transportation magic had proper coordinates.

I held my breath as I watched the Headmaster grab Cyrus's shoulder while giving his wand a wave. They both disappeared into thin air as if they were never there to begin with. If not for the heavy smell of mana, I would have thought it was all in my head.

Is this really safe?

Didn't they say never to move an unconscious patient?

Well… The doctor knows best I suppose.

My mother pulled out a letter and ripped it up. When she threw it out, a dark circle appeared to connect us back to the Academy. This was one of the perks of having a bureau investigator in the family. I walked through the portal and returned back home with Zephyr in my arms, petting his fox fur to soothe him while my Mother and Caldwell followed behind us.

The Headmaster met me downstairs, "He is in the spare bedroom. I will go get a doctor to come out and check his condition."

I nodded in understanding and climbed the stairs to check on him. Sure enough, he was placed comfortably in the bed, still fast asleep.

Zephyr jumped out of my arms and curled up beside Cyrus's feet.

I sat down on the bed and let out a sigh, "Maybe I should ask Astra if she can help."

Zephyr mumbled, "I already tried to reach out to her for help, but she didn't respond."

He had?

My expression darkened, "...Oh."

"Relax, trashy girl. I will keep trying until I can get him to wake up."

"Huh?"

Zephyr fell back asleep without explaining himself further.

Curious as to what he meant, I leaned forward and sniffed the air.

I watched as a small indiscernible smoke traveled from Zephyr's head to Cyrus's.

My eyes lit up in understanding, "Oh!"

He's been trying to wake up Cyrus this entire time?

My lip trembled as I stared at him.

I felt like crying, "Oh, Zephyr! You really are my best friend!! I promise I will give you my chicken whenever you want it!!"

His ear twitched, but he didn't respond.

Caldwell was perched on the headboard and glanced at Zephyr with disgust, but slight admiration, "I suppose he's not so bad for a fox."

Ever since I met Zephyr, I'm convinced that the hatred surrounding demons is just simply prejudice.

After all, who could ever hate such a sweet fluffball?