CHAPTER 103: CH 103: YOU DON’T LOOK SO GOOD - PART 3

Kana sat at Lysera’s bedside, her hands moving with quiet determination as she pressed the damp towel against Lysera’s heated forehead.

She had been keeping watch since Irielle left, refreshing the water every few minutes and whispering soft reassurances, whether Lysera could hear them or not.

The fever made her cheeks flush unnaturally, her breathing uneven, but there was a faint twitch beneath her lashes.

Kana froze, realizing she was beginning to stir.

Slowly, Lysera’s eyes cracked open, unfocused, swimming with the haze of fever. Her lips moved, forming Kana’s name so softly it barely reached the air.

Before Kana could react, Lysera’s arms moved with surprising strength, looping around her waist.

"H–hey."

Kana gasped, caught off guard as Lysera tugged her closer.

The towel slipped from her grasp and landed forgotten on the sheets. Lysera pressed her face into Kana’s stomach, nuzzling there with a soft, instinctive need for comfort.

Heat flooded Kana’s cheeks instantly, her pulse skipping.

Her hands hovered uncertainly over Lysera’s shoulders.

"L-Lysera, wait—you shouldn’t... you’re sick. Let go of me, okay? I need to... change the towel."

Her voice trembled as much from nerves as concern.

But the arms around her only tightened. Each time Kana tried to ease herself back, Lysera clung harder, pulling her closer as if frightened she would disappear.

Kana let out a soft hiss when the pressure made her flinch, but even then, Lysera refused to release her.

"Lysera... can you even hear me? Are you conscious right now?"

Kana tried again, speaking more firmly this time, but the only answer she received was a low, feverish moan.

Lysera burrowed further against her, snuggling with almost childlike desperation.

Kana’s breath caught. For a long moment, she struggled, unsure of what to do. But Lysera’s grip was unyielding, and Kana could feel her strength waning the longer she resisted.

Finally, she let out a shaky sigh and surrendered, resting one hand lightly against Lysera’s head.

"...Fine. Just... just do what you want."

Her voice came out soft, embarrassed, her face burning with every second that passed.

Lysera seemed satisfied, her hold loosening just enough to pull Kana lower, nearly toppling her onto the bed.

Kana braced herself against the edge of the mattress, caught halfway between sitting and falling, her heartbeat thundering in her chest.

And that was the exact moment the door burst open.

"Kana! We had to run the whole way to—"

Irielle’s voice rang out, her breaths uneven from exertion. She stumbled in with a flustered-looking doctor at her side.

Her words stopped short as her eyes landed on the sight before her: Kana flushed red, pinned awkwardly by Lysera’s arms, the damp towel abandoned beside them.

The doctor blinked, taken aback, clearly uncertain whether this was part of the "emergency" he’d been summoned for.

Kana froze, mortified.

"I–It’s not what it looks like—!"

But her protest only made her cheeks flame hotter as Lysera clung tighter, her fever-driven instincts refusing to let Kana go.

Kana’s heart lurched into her throat as Irielle and the doctor stood frozen in the doorway.

She could feel the weight of Lysera’s burning body pressed against her, the stubborn grip that refused to yield even an inch.

Her whole body flushed with heat—not from Lysera’s fever, but from the sheer embarrassment that swept through her.

"I–I told you it’s not what it looks like!"

Kana stammered, her voice cracking. She tried again to pry Lysera’s arms loose, but every tug only made Lysera tighten her hold, as if Kana were her lifeline.

Irielle blinked rapidly, a hand rising to her forehead before she let out an exasperated sigh.

"Unbelievable... I leave for a few minutes and this is the scene I return to."

"I didn’t do anything! She just—grabbed me like this!"

Kana protested, her voice going shrill.

The doctor, an older man with thinning hair and a calm demeanor, cleared his throat and stepped forward.

His eyes flickered from Kana’s flushed face to Lysera’s flushed skin, his professionalism reasserting itself.

"If I may... the patient needs rest and proper treatment. Please allow me to examine her."

Kana gave him a helpless look.

"I would, but—she won’t let go!"

Indeed, Lysera stirred faintly at the sound of voices, her fever-clouded mind latching onto Kana even harder.

Her cheek pressed closer to Kana’s stomach, and she let out a muffled sound—half contented sigh, half delirious mumble. Kana nearly jumped out of her skin.

"Kana. Stop struggling for now. You’ll only agitate her. Hold her steady while the doctor checks her condition."

Irielle’s tone sharpened, snapping her out of the mortified haze.

"W-What?! You’re telling me to just... stay like this?"

Kana squeaked, her eyes wide.

"Exactly like that."

Irielle said flatly, clearly too tired to indulge Kana’s protests.

"You’re the one she’s clinging to. If you pull away, she’ll panic. Do you want her condition to worsen?"

Kana bit her lip, torn between her flaring embarrassment and the undeniable truth in Irielle’s words.

Slowly, she sank back onto the edge of the bed, adjusting her position so Lysera could rest more comfortably against her.

She could feel every breath against her, the heat of the fever soaking through her robes, and she had to bite down hard to stop herself from squealing in mortification.

The doctor leaned in, placing his hand gently against Lysera’s forehead, then shifting to check her pulse. His expression grew grim.

"Her fever is dangerously high. If it continues unchecked, it could reach a critical point. She needs constant cooling and immediate herbal remedies to stabilize her."

Kana’s worry quickly overcame her embarrassment. She leaned forward, her voice trembling.

"Can you treat her here? What do you need?"

The doctor nodded.

"I’ll prepare the herbs myself, but I’ll need space to work. In the meantime, keep applying cold compresses and ensure she remains hydrated. Do not let her overexert or wake fully until the fever breaks."

"I’ll see to it."

Kana said immediately, her resolve firming.

Irielle crossed her arms, watching the way Kana’s fluster melted into determination.

"Then I’ll help the doctor with preparations. Kana, you stay with her. Don’t let her go."

Kana swallowed hard.

"R-Right..."