The King's Secret Heine x Viktor The royal Tutor

Part 7

Kai held the rectangular package carefully in his hand, quietly strolling through the hall until he came to Heine's room. He raised his hand, ready to knock when he became aware of the muffled voices inside.

"I can offer you something for pain, something stronger perhaps."The doctor said. "I'm concerned about the slight tenderness in your belly. It may be caused by the current medication you're taking and could certainly account for the increased pain."

"I've heard of a medication that can be mixed into tea," Viktor replied. "It helps with pain and makes sleeping easier. Is that an option, I've forgotten the name of it."

"I think I know what you mean, My king. it could be an option. I've only prescribed it a handful of times, myself. It's a strong drug, your highness. The full dose would require him to be placed on complete rest and have someone to watch over him until we know how it affects him. It will cause him to sleep more than the current one."

"No." Heine answered sternly. Kai pressed his ear closer to the door. "I cannot delay my duties anymore than necessary. My life is not in danger and I am quite capable of-"

"Please, Heine?" 

"Kai?"The prince turned to find his brothers behind him. "What are you doing out here?" Licht asked curiously.

"I wanted to give professor Heine the give I bought, but there were voices, so I waited." Kai replied.

"Who's in there?"

"Our father and the doctor."Leonhard bowed his head. 

"What were they saying?"

"They want to give Professor an new medicine, someone will need to stay with him."

"It must be bad."Licht added, moving closer to listen in on the conversation.

"If it goes well,  we can adjust the dosage accordingly, but it would be something that is most beneficial when taken daily.  Even if the pain is minimal. It may be possible that if taken this way, he may have days when there is no pain at all from the start. "The doctor explained.

"It's worth trying, Heine." Viktor pressed. A moment of silence passed before the tutor spoke again. 

"What kind of effects can I expect from this?"Moments later the door opened, the king's doctor emerged, bowing politely before seeing himself out.

"What am I going to do with you boys?"Viktor shook his head, beckoning them inside.

"I assume you heard the conversation?" The blonde man asked.

"Some of it." Licht admitted.

""What's going to happen with the new medicine, will it help Professor Heine?" Leonhard asked. 

"It's supposed to. He's going to need time to adjust to it, boys. He won't be himself for a while. It's important that you understand and do as you're told. I can't have you-"

"But Father,"Licht stepped forward. "I'd like to volunteer to help."

"We can take turns."

"No." Heine interjected. "I don't know how it will affect me specifically and you boys don't need to see what happens. If I react badly to this medication, it's not for you to-"

"You don't have to protect us, Professor. You don't have to do this by yourself."

"If you're going to leave us,"Bruno added, "At least let us do this for you as a thank you for everything you've taught us."

"It may be a valuable lesson, Heine." Viktor brushed back a few strands of red hair from the man's face.

"It's not a good idea. I will not be able to take my pain medicine at all tonight, in order to take the new one tomorrow. I would rather the princes not witness that.It will be a very long night for me."

"But-"A sharp, involuntary gasp escaped the tutor suddenly. The princes frowned.

"Maybe you should lie down, Professor."Licht moved to the bed, fluffing the pillows, he then gently grabbed the man's shoulders, pulling him back to rest against the soft, feather pillows. Heine resisted.

"It is not the responsibility of the royal family to tend to-"

"But Professor," Leonhard joined in, lightly pressing the man back along with his brother. "You're our family too.  Remember, if something happened, we were supposed to stay with you.  That makes you-" 

"Princes, please, I-"

"And I have a present for you." Kai chimmed in, waiting for his younger brother to place the cover over their teacher. He offered the box to Heine.

"You really shouldn't-"Heine couldn't finish his thought, the pain was getting the best of him already.

"Just rest. Open your present."Heine paused, waiting for the pain to start decreasing before obliging. Inside, he found a pair of white fuzzy slippers. The soft material was reminiscent of the large beloved dog.

"They're soft and warm, just like shadow." Kai added. Heine was truly touched by the gift and the willingness of the princes to care for him.  He was quickly realizing that  it was no use fighting them.  He visibly relaxed into his pillows, shooting a sideways glance at Viktor.

"It is as I said,they are a direct reflection of their father." He said. "Thank you, princes. I am honored and very fortunate to have such love."

"We've learned a lot about our past lately, and yours. We know you put those children first and now us. We love you.  Maybe it's time to accept that people want to help you and be there for you. "

"Princes, as touched as I am, I must insist-"

"I don't think he knows how to let someone be there." Licht pointed out.

"often times with caregivers, it's difficult to  accept the same attention when you need it yourself. it's hard to learn to put yourself first when you're so used to being the one that everyone depends on." 

"Maybe..It's time you had a lesson of your own, Professor."