Cardverse Hetalia ~ Kingdom Of Spades ♠️

Chapter 17 ~ Arthur's purpose to Alfred

An hour had passed and Yao returned with a bowl of purple hue liquid. He carefully placed the bowl on a table that was nearby. Arthur was still watching over the sleeping master who's condition remained unchanged within the time except with the addition of coolness from the flannel on his forehead. Yao gently sat on the edge of the bed without disturbing the sick young man. "How is he, Arthur?" Yao asked calmly. Arthur at first was hesitant to say anything because of the incident early but he soon replied in a gentle tone. "He's been asleep for the past hour. His temperature hasn't changed too much but there is a bit more colour on his face." He said. Yao nodded in response. The worst part of trying to help someone who's sick is to disturb their sleep so that they can be treated properly.

Both Yao and Arthur slowly shake the sleeping man from his slumber and sure enough, Alfred was waking up droopily as if he was in deep sleep.

"Master Alfred. The medicine is ready." Arthur spoke in a soft voice. Alfred's vision was almost too blurry as he realised he did not have his glasses to aid him with his sight. He reluctantly allowed Arthur to prop him up so that Yao could give him the medicine. Alfred was expecting to smell the medicine and have a vile smell but was surprised to recognise fragrant scents of grape, apple and strawberry. A sweet smell that complimented the pleasing colour of purple in the bowl. Yao decanted the medicine into a small cup and handed it over carefully to the man. "Please drink this slowly, aru. It might be a little warm." He spoke and Alfred gradually drunk the medicine. He could tell that it was a small sting to the tongue but the sweetness was occupying the taste sensory so he could tolerate the key ingredient that is too vile to have on it's own. Alfred finished the cup and handed it back over to Yao.

"Thank you...Yao..." Alfred muttered but was loud enough for Yao to acknowledge. Arthur stroked the young man's back and let his master lay back into his sleeping position. "The medicine should help you recover by this evening, sir. If you feel sleep will help the process you can sleep." Yao suggested and Alfred nodded in acknowledgement. The dreery master turned his attention to Arthur and he took ahold of his hand again. "Could you watch over me again as I sleep?" He asked with hopefulness like a child asking for the company of a mother. Arthur knew that his presences was a reassurance for Alfred so he nods to him and spoke in a soft whisper. "Of course, sir. I'll be right here."

Alfred smiled and felt himself fall asleep again with Arthur keeping a soft grip on his master's hands. Yao had never seen such a scene between a master and a slave before. He quietly moves to the other side of the bed to have a talk with Arthur.

"So...how different was it for you to be a slave here?" Yao asked curiously. Arthur felt at ease when talking with Yao. He always listened and was willing to help others.

"Well, my new master doesn't like how the slaves were treated, he tells me off for overworking myself and generally treats me like a close friend rather than his pet." He said. Yao raised an eyebrow in intrigue. "Told off for overworking huh? Well, that is a change. But has he...done anything to you?" He asked with concern this time.

Arthur didn't understand what it was Yao was getting at. "What do you mean?" He asked. Yao sighed in response. "It's only because some owners could come off as nice and comforting on the outside but could have dark hearts and dirty desires on the inside. I was just wondering if he's done...anything like that to you?" He asked. Arthur felt his heart sank, know all too well what THOSE kind of masters can be like. He shook his head as he answered back. "No, he hasn't. The only thing physically he's done is hug me, help me bathe on the first day, gave me food and allows me to sleep with him in case he struggles to sleep. And no, he doesn't do anything. If all else, he's more concerned about me not sleeping rather than himself." He said.

Yao was dumbfounded to say the least. It really was a huge change from where Arthur was before to now. He also feared that his kindness may lead to something else though, something that's just as damaging as physical abuse.