SAFBIAN Ch 157

Chapter 157 (Extra 1)

Cluck!

A sharp chicken cry shattered the silence. It happened at the crucial moment when the emperor’s pulse was being taken.

Startled, Dori hurriedly covered Riri’s beak with one hand and backed away slowly. Immediately, he sensed sharp eyes turning toward him.

“Why are you doing that?”

“…Huh?”

Dori’s reaction was delayed. He had been halfway turning to leave.

Haban took a slow breath. Having lain down so long, his body was not fully responsive, making his nerves naturally taut.

But he could not show such feelings toward Dori, whose red-rimmed eyes were worn. His hunched neck, curled shoulders, and bent back had already caused enough worry.

Haban exhaled deeply.

“You said you would stay by my side instead of bringing a doctor, yet where are you going again?”

His voice was rough, as if scratched by something. He seemed to struggle even to speak, his chest rising and falling heavily.

“No! I was just…”

Dori hastily shook his head. He had no intention of leaving Haban’s side.

After long waiting, right after Haban awoke, they firmly promised to be lovers ahead.

But when Haban staggered as if about to fall, how startled Dori had been. It was natural the patient shouldn’t move too suddenly. His heart had almost stopped.

Dori wiped his sobbing tears and gently laid Haban back in bed. When he tried to call for a doctor, Haban partially raised himself and grasped Dori’s arm tightly, not letting go.

Was it anxiety?

Dori reluctantly left him as he was and shouted loudly to be heard outside.

‘Haban… Haban has woken!’

Bang! The door flew open instantly.

Normally, no one could dare to open the emperor’s chamber without permission, but Dori’s urgent cry changed that.

Lady Jang, Eunuch Kim, Jipyeong, and the physicians entered in a line.

Although the once unconscious emperor had been given private time with Dori, they still guarded the chamber as usual.

‘…Your Majesty.’

Jipyeong dropped to his knees first.

Despite his heavy role as captain of the emperor’s guard, he felt guilty and remorseful for failing in his duty.

Unable to accuse himself or face punishment since the emperor had not regained consciousness.

Tears sprang in Lady Jang’s and Eunuch Kim’s eyes as they kowtowed low to the floor, startling Dori. Even the palace attendants at the chamber door bowed deeply.

…Why?

It was good that Haban had awakened, but the atmosphere was intense. Dori licked his dry lips.

‘It must be hard to just stand there. Sit down too.’

Haban, however, did not glance at those who lay prone with foreheads to the floor. He even stopped the physician who tried to approach.

His gaze was fixed solely on Dori.

How could he, with everyone else bowing so low?

Already anxious due to memories of his past life, Dori curled his toes inward. Hesitating awkwardly, Haban pulled on his arm to sit him on the edge of a chair.

‘You don’t realize it yet. Don’t go anywhere. Stay here.’

Haban relaxed his grip on Dori’s hand, slowly stroking his wrist and then the back of his hand.

Dori turned his hand over and clasped Haban’s. Only then did Haban rest comfortably against his back.

Cluck!

At that moment, stately Riri quickly crossed the threshold unhindered.

The prized white fox, Dori, and his free-ranging rooster Riri roaming anywhere at will had wandered all the way here.

He might cause some trouble again.

Dori quickly freed his hand. As Haban reflexively rose at once, Dori asked him to wait and scooped Riri up.

…A chicken?

Haban’s eyes twitched slightly but only the physician nearest the emperor noticed the expression.

Riri flapped wildly. A lawless one believing the entire palace courtyard was hers naturally struggled.

“Enough. No making a fuss here.”

At Dori’s gentle scolding, she calmed down. As if recognizing the arms she was held in.

Then, rolling her eyes fiercely like a rooster guarding territory and females, she even nudged Dori’s clothes with her beak.

Haban twisted his lips.

‘Take her out immediately — she’s causing chaos.’

‘She’s not usually like this. She just got shocked. Plus, she’s our Riri…’

Had she grown too big to recognize?

After two seasonal changes, the once fluffy yellow chick had matured into a proper bird. Coated mostly with brown feathers mixed with black from her neck down, she looked impressive.

Dori wanted to proudly show Riri to Haban but grew somewhat sullen. Despite softening and quietly naming her, no response came — his spirit dampened.

In truth, Haban disliked Dori’s attention being elsewhere. What was a mere chicken? He would have preferred her kept far away from Dori.

Yet, he doted on her this way…

With no choice, Haban placated Dori mildly.

‘…Her feathers shed too much; it’s annoying.’

‘I’ll take good care of her.’

At that, Dori hugged Riri tightly.

Haban’s throat moved as if he had something to say but instead silently turned away. He also ordered those inside and outside the chamber to rise.

That was fortunate. Most were bowing deeply enough to feel uneasy.

…Sniff. Dori rubbed his nose.

Eunuch Kim closed the chamber door linked to the corridor, and Jipyeong stood back to guard it. Lady Jang shut all the windows, fearing a doctor might speak ill news.

The emperor’s health was a secret, no matter the reason. Unless the emperor collapsed from an arrow beyond the palace and remained unconscious for a long time, such concealment was natural.

When preparations were complete, the physician cautiously approached.

“…”

Everyone held their breath. Among them, moist golden eyes watched the physician’s fingers closely.

Will he be alright?

Dori calmed himself by gently holding plump Riri and petting her fur, intently watching the physician examine Haban.

Until just before Riri struggled.

“That—…”

Dori hesitated to speak. His hands gripped Riri tightly.

Once a small chick cupped in a palm, now heavy enough to strain two hands. He had intended only to briefly let her out, thinking she was restless.

While everyone focused on Haban, he had hoped to quietly step out, but was caught by all eyes locked onto him.

‘This is… too much pressure!’

He felt as if his ears and tail might burst out any second. He longed to transform into a fox and hide under the table or chair.

“If you need anything, just say it. Why the hesitation?”

Haban motioned, and the physician took a few steps back.

Yet Haban’s young emperor had been unconscious for months. His wrinkled, aged face reflected worry.

Dori was restless. Trying not to disturb, he was startled when Haban insisted on pulling back the blanket to rise.

“It’s because Riri gave a little struggle. She’s fine now.”

Dori stepped forward quickly.

Was that true? Haban’s dark eyes seemed deeper in color, perhaps his mood.

Reluctantly, Haban rested against the bed again, releasing a collective sigh of relief. Dori felt the same.

“Tch. I just got dizzy for a moment. There’s really nothing wrong.”

Cluck! Cluck!

Just then, Riri finally stretched her neck defiantly. She seemed to threaten the physician closest to Dori.

The physician wiped sweat from his brow hastily. Though he was used to her cries, hearing them in tension was unsettling. Remaining calm, the doctor resumed checking the pulse.

Glancing sideways with eyes only, the chicken’s sharp gaze met his. Her long neck covered in thick red feathers tensed up.

Suddenly, her sharp beak opened wide.

Cluck! Cluck! Cluck!

Though not a hen, she sounded as though laying an egg loudly. Her wings fluttered threateningly.

The physician, startled as if about to be struck by flapping wings, shouted,

“Riri, no. Shh!”

Unable to leave, Dori gently patted Riri. The physician glanced nervously at Haban.