Through Fire and Water

Chapter 17 - Changes

Izumi pov:

"W-will she really be alright, Onii sama?" I heard a meek voice as I was greeted by foggy consciousness.

"She will be, Shichirou. You have no reason to look so worried." This time, it was a deeper, more authoritative voice that spoke.

"T-that's good then....Izumi san saved my life and s-she's a really nice person. I really care for her and want her to be well."

This time, I realized that I was hearing Prince Shichirou and Ryuusei sama speaking. They were talking about me and for a moment, I wondered why my wellbeing was being mentioned. But I understood when everything that happened before I lost consciousness came back to me. I also finally noticed that my whole body was sore and I had a pounding headache.

"You care for her?" Ryuusei sama questioned with a hint of challenge, though I was not sure why he sounded that way. "Surely you don't have feelings for her, Shichirou. She is older than you and my Empress."

Was it just me or did Ryuusei sama sound genuinely possessive when he called me his Empress just now??

"O-of course not, Onii sama! I care for her because I have come to see her as an elder sister...." Prince Shichirou stuttered in slight alarm. "S-she is family that I've always hoped t-to have....since Fumiko Onee sama and Naora Onee sama don't really like me...."

"I see. I am glad that you have come to see her as family, Shichirou. Is that why you gifted her with the hair piece?" Ryuusei sama questioned. So....he knew about the hair piece. He had asked me about it when I had met with him, pretending to be unaware of who it was who had gifted it to me, but he knew of it all long. Why am I not surprised?

"Y-Yes! I wanted to thank her for how she's always protected me and cared for me genuinely. I-I didn't know how to show my gratitude but I came across t-the hair piece and thought she might like it." Prince Shichirou said softly, the smile and mild fluster clear in his voice.

I finally managed to peel my eyes opened and get a blurry view of the ceiling above me. I was lying on a soft mattress – the one of the bed Ryuusei sama and I shared since we began acting as a couple – and the silk blankets lay on top of me up till my shoulders. It was hot and uncomfortable and I wanted to get it off but I could barely lift my arms. I was completely drained of energy and stiff and felt a numbing pain overall and it made me wonder about just how badly I had been hurt and how long I had been unconscious.

When I thought I had enough energy to lift my arms, I did so slowly, my arms trembling from the strain, and moved the blanket off myself a little. I lifted my head a bit, trying to get up while pushing up on my elbows so I could sit but I gasped and fell back onto the pillow when I felt a searing pain throughout my body. I shut my eyes tightly and bit my lip hard enough to draw blood hoping that the pain in my back and side would subside soon.

"Izumi san!

"Izumi!"

I heard Prince Shichiro and Ryuusei sama call in worry and rush to my side to make sure I was okay. I opened my eyes to look at them while breathing heavily, no longer stiff and trying to resist the absolute limpness of my body – I felt like a blob of jelly and I couldn't do anything about it. My two spectators looked just as worried as they had sounded and for some reason, I found it funny. I snorted in amuse before closing my eyes and placing one hand on my torso where I felt maximum pain.

"Izumi san, are you alright? I'm so glad that you're finally awake! I was so worried." Prince Shichiro said and I looked at him again.

"Thank you for worrying about me, Prince Shichiro. But unfortunately, I can't say that I feel quite alright. I feel like crap." I answered and he cringed at my choice of words.