By Zephyria 
He tightly embraced Cecile and carefully stroked his trembling back.
Buried in Alexis’s neck, Cecile breathed heavily, feeling the familiar voice and scent, gradually relaxing his body.
Only after confirming that Cecile had fallen asleep did Alexis carry him out of the basement. The mansion was in complete disarray. Outside, knights who had received the news late were gathering.
Claude, who was at the forefront, quickly ran over and bowed.
“Your Highness, the carriage is ready.”
“I will move immediately. Attach a few more knights to assist the Marquis’s family.”
“Understood.”
While the cleanup was busily underway, Alexis climbed into the prepared carriage.
Claude, who had given instructions to the knights, also followed and got into the carriage. After thoroughly locking the doors and drawing the curtains, Claude glanced at Cecile, who was resting his head on the Crown Prince’s lap, and frowned in concern.
“His condition… doesn’t look good.”
“We should have found him a little sooner.”
“Your Highness did your best.”
Instead of responding, Alexis let out a sigh mixed with frustration. After brushing back his rain-soaked hair, he carefully examined Cecile’s condition again.
“Rent a nearby inn.”
“Are we not returning to the palace?”
“It’s not possible right now. You can make up an excuse for our absence.”
A large hand gently caressed Cecile’s round forehead. Although sticky sweat clung to his skin, Alexis didn’t mind. It was a relief just to have him back safely.
“No one must know that Cecile has been harmed.”
“I will ensure complete secrecy.”
Before long, the long night passed, and the sky began to brighten. The carriage carrying the three of them rolled away from the gloomy mansion.
They discreetly rented an inn. The knights, now dressed in casual clothes, pretended to be guests and stood guard with a stern vigilance.
No matter how well it was managed, an inn was still an inn, and it couldn’t shake off its shabby appearance. They chose the largest and best room available to let Cecile rest comfortably, allowing them to examine his condition in detail.
Cecile did not regain consciousness even as time passed. Occasionally, he would open his eyes and respond when his name was called, but even that was almost nonsensical.
Alexis’s worry deepened as he watched over him.
“I heard he took some medicine. What on earth could it be that leaves someone in such a state?”
“From what I’ve gathered, it’s a new type of drug that’s been trending in brothels lately. There’s a doctor skilled in that area, so I had him prepared in advance.”
“Bring him here.”
As soon as Alexis gave his permission, the doctor rushed in. The man who entered the room, breaking through the strict guard, stood there bewildered for a moment before kneeling upon seeing Alexis’s hair color.
“Y-Your Highness! I am honored to see the great star of the Empire…!”
“Shh, be quiet and come examine the patient.”
The doctor crawled forward on his knees. He dared not look at the Crown Prince’s face and couldn’t even glance at Knight Commander Claude, who stood watching him closely.
At this point, it seemed that the person lying in bed must also hold a significant status. The doctor swallowed the saliva pooling in his mouth and finally began to examine the patient.
“You said he took drugs? This is his first time?”
“Yes, I don’t know when he took them, but it’s clear that at least half a day has passed.”
“His eyes lack focus, and his pulse is racing; it seems to be a case of overdose.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, absolutely. I’ve seen many similar cases. If left untreated for long, there’s no hope, but fortunately, it hasn’t been long, so he can be treated adequately.”
The doctor rummaged through the bag he had brought. What came out was a brown vial with no label, its meaning unclear.
Seeing that, Alexis narrowed his eyes.
“What is that?”
“It’s an antidote I created. It’s meant to expel the toxins spreading through the blood…”
“Can I trust it?”
“Of course! I’ve never seen anyone harmed by it! Everyone is in a frenzy trying to get this medicine!”
Although the doctor’s words were not entirely reassuring, there was no other option at the moment. In fact, this doctor might be more knowledgeable about drugs than the Court Physician. Alexis clicked his tongue softly and gave a nod of approval.
The doctor approached the treatment with more caution than ever. He administered the potion several times to Cecile, who was propped up with cushions. Each time Cecile coughed or thrashed, they had to pause, taking a long time to get him to finish the entire vial.
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, the doctor said, “Phew, it’s done. You just need to keep an eye on him for about a day.”
“There won’t be any side effects, right?”
“Rather than side effects… he will likely sweat a lot during the detox process, so you’ll need to monitor him closely. Please ensure he stays hydrated and keep his body temperature warm.”
“Thank you for your hard work. You may leave now.”
The doctor crawled backward, just as he had entered. Claude followed him out to ensure the doctor kept quiet. In the now quiet room, only Cecile’s labored breathing floated like debris.
The wooden inn felt somewhat damp due to the rainy weather. Although there was no chill, recalling the doctor’s words to keep him warm, Alexis lifted his legs and added dry firewood to the small fireplace.
Crackle, crackle, the wood burned fiercely. As Alexis sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the flickering flames, he turned his gaze to face Cecile.
“How foolish. Knowing what kind of person the Marquis is, how could you follow him?”
“…….”
“I’m asking you, why did a smart guy like you fall for such a filthy scoundrel?”
There was no response. Seeing Cecile still unable to regain his senses, Alexis clicked his tongue in frustration.
“Just wake up. You’re going to get a serious scolding.”
Despite his reprimanding tone, the way he cared for Cecile was incredibly gentle.
Having never served anyone before, he brushed back Cecile’s damp bangs, supported his drooping head to give him water, and laid him down more comfortably.
However, despite the tender care, Cecile’s condition did not improve at all. His wheezing breaths made even those listening feel breathless.
Was the antidote working? Just as doubts began to creep in, Cecile started to tremble.
“…Huh, ugh.”
“Are you cold?”
The room was already filled with a warm heat. Even sitting still, one would start to sweat, yet Cecile curled his shoulders and shivered like someone suffering from chills.
When the sound of his teeth chattering reached Alexis’s ears, he sighed and stood up.
He brought an extra blanket and covered Cecile with it, but his condition did not improve. Compared to the expensive bedding from the Court Physician, the inn’s blankets were all old and lifeless, providing little warmth in Alexis’s eyes.
“This child requires a lot of attention in many ways.”
As Alexis pulled the piled blankets aside, he lay down in the bed. He nestled behind Cecile, who was lying on his side, and wrapped his arm around his trembling shoulders.
Pressing their bodies together was the most certain way to transfer warmth. He decided to become a human heater to soothe Cecile’s cold.
Cecile flinched at the sound of another’s breath near his ear. Perhaps the unpleasant memories stirred his anxiety, as he began to push Alexis away, thrashing about.
“Ugh… no. Don’t. Go away…”
His sharp elbows jabbed repeatedly at Alexis’s chest, but Alexis held firm and pressed his body closer.
“Shh, it’s okay.”
He gently patted Cecile’s chest, calming the anxious boy.
“You’re fine. You just had a nightmare.”
“…A dream?”
“Yes, a dream. Forget all of it.”
Perhaps it was the voice seeping into his eardrums, or the solid body behind him providing support. As Cecile, who had been breathing heavily, gradually regained his composure, he soon fell into a deep sleep.
Even as the trembling subsided, Alexis continued to soothe Cecile.
What should I do with this boy going forward?
He should be hated, yet he kept occupying my thoughts, making it impossible to leave him alone. The resolve I barely managed to gather wavered, and Alexis felt just as confused.
After a few hours, the effects of the antidote began to show gradually.
Cecile was still asleep, but his previously pale complexion had improved, and his breathing had stabilized.
However, due to sweating profusely, his body was damp and even emitted a sour smell. Alexis, who was keeping a close eye on his condition, instructed the knights to prepare bathwater.
Then, as he lifted Cecile to move him, Claude quickly approached and extended his arms.
“I’ll do it.”
“It’s fine. I’ve been taking care of him myself; a bath is no big deal.”
As Alexis moved Cecile with ease, Claude rubbed his embarrassed face and shooed all the knights out of the room. It was the Knight Commander’s duty to uphold the Crown Prince’s dignity.