𝐅𝐀𝐓𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍; 𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍

39

The pleasant afternoon breeze gradually transformed into a chilly and somber evening. The castle fell into an eerie silence, broken only by the faint sound of footsteps echoing through its corridors. However, in the midst of this hush, Eren remained confined to his chamber, hunched over a wooden pail, while you stood nearby, worry etched on your face. It was evident that he was battling a severe stomach ailment.

"Eren, what on earth happened to you? I leave you alone by the gardens to go about my chores for the day and as I come back to see how your visit went, I find you vomiting?!"

"Must you pester me with your woods, woman?" Eren choked up a hesitant smile and shoved his head back into the wooden bucket to continue vomiting. "It is a stomach bug. Nothing more, nothing less."

"Yes, because a stomach bug causes one to projectile vomit on sheets I had just changed that very afternoon!" You crossed your arms angrily, still holding his hair up for him.

"My apologies my dear, but in my defense, I am not in the best health at the moment..."

"If that wasn't obvious." You couldn't help but laugh. He looked up at you as the two of you locked eyes for what seemed like forever until someone seemed to have knocked on the door causing Eren to slightly jump.

"Enter dammit," Eren called out between breaths and dunk his head back into the bucket, Zeke entered with a smile as he carried a sleeping Caroline.

"My word... asleep already?"

"Seems that way, yes." Eren turned to look at the sleepy little girl and chuckled only to vomit some more.

"What's wrong with long hair eh?"

"Seems he ate something he wasn't supposed to."

"Ah... is that so?" Zeke tilted his head slightly and laughed. "Now that makes sense why you looked so pale and ill much earlier! Nice to see the color come back to your face Eren!"

"Oh shut up will you?" Eren hissed.

"Well then, before a fight brings about I shall take my dear little Caroline back to Hastings, her mother is aiding for her return home." You let down Eren's hair against his back and gestured to take Caroline out of Zeke's arms, but Zeke resisted.

"That will not be necessary Venus... her cottage is by the river in that village is it not?"

"It is yes?" You tilted your head to the side and chuckled a bit. "My lord, what on earth are you suggesting?" Eren looked over at the two. His face contorted in both sickness and confusion.

"I'll take her home this evening, you stay here with Eren and keep him company, and by the looks of it..." He gestured his hand over to his brother who was seen vomiting and sobbing into the bucket due to the pain. "He needs it." You smiled warmly placed a soft kiss on Caroline's head and looked over at Eren.

"Thank you, my lord." Eren waved his hands about and pointed toward the cupboard.

"Before you leave brother... I have a gift for Caroline... I think she will like it very much."

"A gift?" He went over to the cupboard, opening its lavish gold-trimmed doors to find a plush Dollie with long brown hair and big brown eyes sitting in the corner with the family's crest on its dress. Zeke chuckled as you gasped in delight.

"Goodness... you shouldn't have, when did you get such a gift." Eren smiled and laid his head onto the bed.

"A maid who used to work here had opened a shop in the town square, she was an expert with her sewing so I suppose I had lent a few coins in to... make her a doll, that is all."

"You've grown quite soft, long hair." Zeke chuckled.

"Take that doll and leave, Zeke!" Eren exclaimed, his words filled with irritation, before he buried his head back into the bucket. As you gently ran your fingers through his hair, his tense shoulders gradually relaxed. You signaled to Zeke with a nod and a small wave, and he exited Eren's chambers, closing the door behind him. Pushing Eren's hair to the side, the two of you exchanged silent glances, and he managed a pained smile. "Ah... thank you, Venus..."

"You are most welcome... Eren."

꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒦꒷

𑁍┊-TiredBunBun