Forcefully Included in the Story (Hiatus)

Special: Phileo's emotional reason to adopt

A few days after visiting the orphanage.

“Come on, close your eyes.”

In a bathroom full of steam, warm water pours over Adlyn’s head as he immerses himself in a bathtub large enough for five adults to lie down in.

Adlyn covers his eyes with both of his hands.

“Now, I will wash your hair. Be sure to close your eyes because the bubbles can get in.”

Cara rolls her sleeves up to her elbow and begins to wash Adlyn’s black hair.

It was a surprise to her to see a sickly bleeding prince in bed with pure dark hair.

She would have thought it was Leonia but Phileo corrected her, justifying it was the boy.

Cara can still feel the shivers of the Duke's eyes that day.

+++++

"How is he?"

Just as the doors behind him close, the doctor is greeted with a question by Phileo.

"Your son- young master will be alright."

His voice fails to be steady as the reminants of the beast's aura simmer down.

"But-"

"But."

Phileo's arms crossed over his chest and his eyes peer at the trembling grey haired doctor. Turning some nerves to strength, he continues to explain how his son's control of an uncontrollable beast's fang plus his own has been hurting him.

"To put simply, your son has over exerted himself to stop the Lady's power. This is why she is in a better state than him."

The doctor also adds that Adlyn's temperature is not decreasing so he prescribes some herbs and warns the Duke to careful monitor the child.

"Is the fever that bad? Leonia woke up after 2 days."

"For a child, catching a fever is dangerous as it can kill them. If anything changes please inform me immediately."

The doctor bows then scurries off. Phileo enters the room to the heaving child on the bed.

His cheeks flush red and his grip on the covers tightens with every heavy breath. It is as though no matter how heavy he breathes, no air enter his lungs.

Cara watches the furrowed brows of the Duke, accompanied with a frustrated scowl.

She thinks how lovely the situation is for the Duke to be worried for someone else, under normal circumstances of course.

"Cara."

She leaves her thoughts and straightens her back at his call.

"What does the nobles think of Adlyn?"

His question puzzles her. It is no secret that the prince is staying in the Dukedom.

"The doctor said he is my son."

She recalls hearing the elder's words and other encounters with the teachers.

"It would appear that the rumors have been distorted."

Whether by word of mouth or disbelief in the truth, the  rumors outside the mansion depict Adlyn as Phileo's legitimate son who was kidnapped and thrown into an orphanage.