Prince of Lies

Chapter 29

"So what in the world were we sick with?" Eaan demanded when he got his voice back.

Chaol wrung his hands as he explained. "It's been called "Gold Fever" because it only seems to affect royals."

"But Rae is a princess." Eaan protested, "and she was still sick."

"Not a Hosian princess. All of the Hosian royals, and those close to them, have had the disease. Since the season changed, one of us must be carrying it around."

"So more people will get sick?"

"No, just carry it. Once you've been sick with it, you can't get sick again."

"That's a relief. I thought I was dying."

"So did I." Hanan put in, quietly. "At least when I had it, we were ready."

"When did you have it? Had we met yet?"

"I was... six, maybe?" Hanan cocked their head. "So, no."

"How did you two meet?" Chaol wondered.

"It's kind of a story." Hanan admitted, side eyeing his Second, who flushed.

"I went swimming with my cousin." Hanan recalled. "But we were swept out into a current and I wasn't strong enough to stay afloat on my own. So Eaan jumped in and saved me."

"I see." Chaol nodded. "Haruto doesn't swim very well either. Even before he was sick."

"Chaol?" Hanan smirked.

"Yes?"

"What's your first memory of my brother?"

Eaan coughed, and sat up taller in bed, "oh, this is going to be good."

"I'd have to think back a lot." Chaol's eyebrows furrowed in thought. "It must have been the first time he was injured. I remember the urgency that surrounded it. Suddenly, he is everyone's child."

Hanan didn't have to guess as to what that meant.

Being royal, and the crown prince, Haruto was arguably "more valuable" than the average child. The citizens almost had a duty to keep him alive.

Hanan wondered how many times Chaol had felt cheated by that rule.

"It is sad when he gets hurt, though." Chaol continued. "His body is fragile and looks worse for wear. It looks like he struggles to breathe." He shivered. "I don't like to see people in pain."

Hanan didn't know what to say to that. "You're a good man, Chaol."

The medic apprentice flushed, embarrassed. "Thank you."

When Chaol left, Eaan groaned and stretched. "I want to go outside." He told Hanan, who shrugged.

"If you feel up to it, I don't see why not."

Eaan grinned, and had himself dressed for the outdoors just a few minutes later. Hanan, too, was ready, pulling on their boots.

"What do you want to do?"

"Just walk. I want to start learning how Corvia and Hos differ."

"Well, the people, for starters." Hanan dodged a servant as he said this. "Everyone in Hos is always in such a hurry. On Corvia, while being punctual is valued, it still doesn't stress anyone as much as things do here. I don't like it."

"Do you know what I dreamed about while I was sick?"

"What?"

A smile tugged at Eaan's lips. "I dreamed about the time you and I ate that Corvian dish, but we hadn't prepared it correctly. We both got so sick."