Transmigrated as the ill 2nd Prince (BL)

Chapter 3: Festival...? (Rewritten)

The morning was not what I expected. My room was in utter chaos. Servants bustled in and out, and even the king and my brother stood by my bed. Their concerned voices buzzed around me, filling the space with urgency.

This was my new life now, so I treated them like family. Rest in peace, Hiroka. I'll handle the rest.

"You've finally woken up, Hiroka!" my father exclaimed, his voice trembling with relief.

"Finally woke up?" The words sounded strange in my mind.

"Get a doctor!" my brother shouted, and a few servants rushed off immediately.

"Does anything hurt?" my brother asked, leaning close. His expression was a mix of worry and exhaustion. "You've been unconscious for a whole week."

"A... week?" I croaked, my voice hoarse and unfamiliar. He nodded, patting my back gently, easing the tension building in my chest.

Just then, a knock interrupted us. A maid peeked in, bowing politely. "The doctor has arrived, Your Majesty, Your Highness."

"Let him in," my father ordered.

An elderly man in his fifties stepped into the room, bowing deeply. "I greet His Majesty, the King, and His Highness, the Crown Prince."

The doctor approached me and began his examination. His face shifted between concern and confusion, a subtle crease forming on his brow. Once done, he turned to my father and brother.

"I have both good and bad news," the doctor said gravely.

"Let's hear the good news first," my brother replied, though his voice carried a heavy note of tension.

"The good news is," the doctor began, "the pain His Highness previously experienced has subsided. The poison that affected him seems to have slowed down, as if time itself has halted its progress."

My father, brother, and the servants sighed in relief. But the brief moment of hope was shattered by the doctor's next words.

"As for the bad news," he hesitated, "the prince's condition remains critical. He continues to cough up blood, and his body is dangerously frail. His magic is sealed, unusable in his current state. We have not identified the poison, which makes treatment impossible. It is a rare, lethal toxin unlike anything we've encountered before."

The atmosphere grew heavy with unspoken despair. Some maids began to sob softly, unable to hold back their emotions.

___

Now, I sit quietly in my room, a book in hand. After that eventful morning, things returned to a heavy stillness.

Father and brother had returned to their duties, leaving me to recover in solitude. Days blurred into a monotonous routine of eating and sleeping.

It wasn't long before my father introduced me to Allea, my new personal maid. From the moment I met her, we clicked. She was warm and lively, a comforting presence in these otherwise dull days. Over time, we became friends.

One day, Allea told me something that made my blood run cold. "They never found out who poisoned you," she said bitterly. "It's like they vanished into thin air."

The anger in her voice was palpable, and strangely, it stirred an emotion deep inside me. A sense of warmth, as if the original Hiroka felt grateful that someone cared so deeply.

But I couldn't let myself stay idle. I had a plan. I need to meet Riko Touma.

According to the novel I knew, the heroine encounters Riko at a festival. But when is the festival?

A sudden knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. "Your Highness, it's Allea," her familiar voice called.

"Come in," I answered, smiling despite myself.

The door opened, and there she stood, as radiant as ever. Her gray eyes sparkled, and her brown hair was neatly tucked under her maid's cap. She reminded me so much of my mother from my past life.

"Your Highness?" she asked, tilting her head.

"Ah, sorry," I mumbled, glancing down at my book to hide my embarrassment.

Allea approached with a tray in hand. "I brought you some tea," she said cheerfully.

"Thank you, Allea." I watched as she carefully set the tray on the table and poured me a cup. I blew on the tea and took a sip. It was rich and fragrant, warming me from the inside out.

"Did you make this?" I asked, savoring the taste.

She shook her head with a smile. "No, Your Highness. I bought it while shopping with the other maids. This blend is prepared specially for the festival tomorrow."

The word hit me like a lightning bolt. Festival?

"There's a festival tomorrow?" I asked, excitement bubbling up.

In my previous life, I had always dreamed of attending a festival, but my illness had made it impossible. Now, this was my chance!

Allea's face paled, and she stammered nervously. "I-I wasn't supposed to mention that..."

"Huh?" I blinked, confused by her sudden panic.

"The King and the Crown Prince ordered us not to tell you about the festival," she confessed in a rush. "They feared you'd try to attend, even though you're still recovering. His Majesty said you've always loved festivals, and they were worried you'd push yourself too hard."

So they were trying to protect me... That explains a lot. I sighed, rubbing my temples.

But I wasn't going to let this opportunity slip through my fingers. "I need to talk to my father and brother," I said, standing up.

Allea's eyes widened. "Y-Your Highness, please! You can't-"

I cut her off with a grin. "I will go to that festival, Allea. No one is going to stop me."

"B-but how will you convince them?" she asked, clearly panicked.

My grin widened. Heh, I know their weakness. Ever since that chaotic morning, I've spent plenty of time studying myself in the mirror. Hiroka's body...my body...was undeniably cute. With a face like this, even the sternest resolve would crumble.

"They won't be able to resist," I said confidently. "Just wait and see."

Allea looked skeptical, but I could tell she was holding back a smile. I knew my charm would work. My father and brother were no match for it.

This was my chance, and I wasn't going to let it pass. Tomorrow, I will attend the festival. And maybe...just maybe...I'd finally meet Riko Touma.