SAFBIAN Ch 158

Chapter 158 (Extra 1.2)

“…”

Haban’s thick eyebrows twitched with discomfort, his frown deepening. The sharp beak nearly brushed against Dori’s hand. What if his soft skin was scratched?

Yet, twisting a chicken’s neck would only hurt Dori’s feelings, so Haban hid his displeasure and silently exchanged glances with Lady Jang, who held her breath nearby.

“Um, Your Highness…”

“Yes? …Ah, yes.”

Dori quickly corrected himself. While calming Riri, he was still unused to speaking disrespectfully to those older than him.

“Is she heavy? I’ll take her outside and bring her back.”

Dori hesitated but handed Riri over to Lady Jang.

Cluck! Cluck! Coo!

As expected, Riri flapped her wings and cried loudly.

Because Dori, borne of selfishness, repeatedly covered her beak to quiet her, not wanting Haban, who had awakened, to be disturbed.

Shaking off longing, Dori turned back to Haban, unaware that Riri struggled at his back, digging her feet to cling tightly.

A satisfied glint curved Haban’s gaze.

“Hmm.”

The physician’s face was serious. Deep wrinkles marked his eyes, sunken slightly. After checking various pulses and inspecting limbs by movement, he seemed to assess something.

Near Haban’s feet, Dori clenched his fists anxiously.

Haban’s wounds had long since healed and new flesh formed. More likely, other problems arose from prolonged lying down.

Perhaps moving too soon after waking strained his body. Dori hesitated to speak.

Sensing this, Eunuch Kim pressed him hastily.

“Even if the emperor isn’t well…”

“No.”

The physician raised his head belatedly.

Dori’s pale face regained color as the report continued with relief. Lady Jang brushed tears with her sleeve as she turned away momentarily.

“For now, we must watch carefully, but with time, he should improve. Stability is still needed, so he must move without overexertion.”

The physician repeated his cautions to Dori, knowing Haban’s nature to ignore warnings and that mere attendants must obey the emperor’s orders.

After sending Riri outside, Dori focused on the physician, who busily wrote a new prescription.

“I will go and prepare some medicinal broth.”

“Yes, uh-huh.”

The aged physician bowed deeply.

Startled by his own respectful tone inhaled hastily, Dori glanced sideways to see Eunuch Kim nodding in approval.

Among those present, Dori held the lowest status but was, aside from the emperor, the highest in rank.

The emperor’s sole cherished man.

Had Haban returned safely to the palace earlier, Dori would already have been officially recognized and raised in rank. He would have been unique amidst the vacant Empress’s court.

Of course, that was only until a new empress arrived.

‘…Would His Majesty truly take another woman? He looks at me so tenderly…’

Eunuch Kim tried to dismiss the thought. It was a time to rejoice the emperor had opened his eyes after months.

“Haban, are you alright?”

The physician, having prepared the prescription, left briskly. Checking the door closing, Dori flopped onto a chair without a backrest at the bedside.

“Yes. I’m fine. Don’t be uncomfortable. Come sit beside me.”

Haban patted the spacious space next to him.

Dori shook his head firmly. Though he longed to be closer, Haban needed rest.

“Not dizzy anymore?”

“I’ve told you, I’m fine.”

“Really…?”

“I only had the doctor because you were worried. I actually feel better after a good sleep.”

Haban gently stroked Dori’s head, who looked doubtful. The rare touch softened into a pleasant smile.

Rubbing above his brow with his thumb, Dori bit his lip to hold back tears. When Haban cupped his cheek, tears fell unrestrainedly again.

“Oh dear.”

He hadn’t meant to make him cry.

Haban soothed the slightly trembling back. Dori soon regained strength and wiped his own tears.

“…You must be thirsty. I’ll fetch water.”

Relieved, Dori stood.

Haban’s gaze lingered on the vase and cup, pretending not to notice.

Dori quietly left the chamber and noticed palace attendants guarding twenty steps away. He leaned against the door briefly, his thoughts tangled and heart pounding.

While Haban remained unconscious, Dori had a question that gnawed at him.

How had Haban intervened at that moment? After regaining all his memories, Dori realized Haban’s wound matched the arrow wound he had taken. Something unknown still lingered.

Lost in thought, Dori fetched water and returned to Haban’s chamber.

“They said I shouldn’t eat solids yet, so I mixed some honey.”

It was prepared for him as he might still have difficulty digesting porridge.

Perching on the bed edge with the tray on his lap, Dori spooned water into Haban’s mouth. Haban’s eyes twitched faintly.

“…Seems more than a little.”

“Is that so?”

Tasting it himself, Dori tilted his head. Although he had added generous spoonfuls of honey four times, to him, it still tasted bland.

“Haban, maybe your taste isn’t back yet.”

It is said sick people lose their sense of taste.

Dori set down the spoon, unsure, and dipped the tip of a straw he had brought into the bowl, placing its other end to Haban’s lips.

“Then it’s better to sip it.”

“…”

Haban’s mouth twitched faintly. Unaware, Dori felt relieved watching the water level gradually decline as Haban sipped.

Clack.

Dori set the empty bowl on the tray and gently wiped Haban’s lips with a soft cloth. Lady Jang approached and took the tray.

Haban found Dori’s familiar actions wonderful.

“You know…”

Dori began awkwardly, speaking as if passing words lightly so Haban wouldn’t suspect.

“How much do you remember?”

His gaze lowered, counting the stitches on the blanket one by one. Neck stiff with needless tension.

Dori’s question bore two meanings: memories of being wounded by the arrow, and older memories beyond that.

Haban, gathering his thoughts, did not answer outright. He considered how much to say. Though resolved to be honest, he pondered whether some past memories were best left unspoken.

“Wait outside for a moment.”

He dismissed Lady Jang and Eunuch Kim from the chamber. It was a private conversation, likely incomprehensible to anyone else but Dori.

After sending them away, Haban took Dori’s hand, warm and gentle.

“That day was…”

The day to return to the palace.

Thump.

The unease beating in his chest began upon completing his preparations and leaving the room.

Dori’s unusually subdued and resolute mood filled him with foreboding. Something seemed amiss.

Haban unconsciously turned his head.

On top of a persimmon tree, the last remaining fruit glowed red, ripened into a bright persimmon.

Soon it would fall, nourishing the hungry birds or splattering to reveal the soft flesh inside.

‘Good I hurried.’

Still, Haban sighed with regret. Despite keeping Dori hidden deep in the palace, unwilling to let him outside or be seen, his feelings remained unchanged.

Yet, he had greatly enjoyed the time spent here. Though the house was small and shabby for an emperor, Dori’s presence made it worthwhile.

The white fox had always caused a ruckus. Though careful as a human, as a fox he consistently forgot himself.

He had dug frantically near the wall, only to be grabbed by the scruff and dangled with shaking legs. His chest, belly, and legs covered in dirt, Haban sighed as it settled on the white fox’s head.

On another occasion, the fox climbed a tree chasing a fleeing bird from pecking his crown.

With quick feet ready to land safely, the fox’s wide eyes blinked in surprise. The watching guards quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

At that moment, Haban arrived and was most shocked.

‘Cut down that tree immediately.’