The Fallen Wolf

I will be Responsible for You

"Please," Kai protested weakly, but he was in no shape to stop me.

I ignored his pleas, feeling his cold, clammy skin. It was a severe case of hypothermia. His pale, cold skin and weak body suggested that he had been suffering from this condition for a long time. If not treated soon, he could die.

"What happened?" someone barged in, frustrating me. There was zero privacy in this world. I had to get used to people always eavesdropping.

"Who are you?" I asked, still focused on checking Kai’s pulse. I needed to be sure.

"Apologies for not introducing myself earlier, Lady Eva. I am Prince Kai’s personal bodyguard, Ron. But this is not something you can handle alone. Please allow me to carry the prince to his chamber where he can be treated," he replied. Why was he throwing me that attitude? I was his prince's wife!

But I didn’t care. No one else could treat him but me. "First, help me carry him to this bed! He is going nowhere!" I declared.

Ron looked at Kai for confirmation. If not for Kai’s slight nod, Ron would have ignored me and taken him to his chamber. I had to teach these people to respect me and my role.

Ron helped me move Kai to the bed, but he quickly ran off to fetch someone or something, clearly understanding something that Kai hadn’t ordered. I was impressed by their bond.

I took the opportunity to check Kai’s breathing. It was shallow and irregular. I closed my ear to his chest to listen to his heartbeat. Without a stethoscope, it was the best I could do. His body stiffened, making me more frustrated. Couldn’t he focus on getting better instead of thinking about our proximity?

"You have a severe case of hypothermia, don’t you?" I asked, having concluded my diagnosis. "The weather isn’t cold enough for this. Plus, aren’t you supposed to be warm-blooded? Why are you so cold?"

"How—how—do—" Kai stuttered faintly, struggling to speak.

"Save your strength. I’ll get something warm for you to drink," I said, getting up to prepare warm blankets, heavier clothing, and warm fluids. This was my first time in his mansion, so I needed help.

Just as I was about to leave, someone burst in with a bowl of water. Behind him were Ron and someone who appeared to be a physician. I stepped back to give them space.

The physician approached and checked the water. When he dipped his finger into it, I was shocked. Was he going to give this dirty water to Kai to drink? To my horror, he dipped a cloth into it, intending to press it against Kai’s body.

"Did you ask someone to prepare a hot bath?" he inquired, moving dangerously close to Kai.

I had to stop him. If they continued with this method, Kai might die of a heart attack.

"Stop!" I yelled, dropping the water from the table. I snatched the hot cloth from the physician’s hand and threw it aside.

"You!" the physician growled in anger.

But I wasn’t backing down. "You what?" I retorted.

"Please, take this stupid woman out if you want me to save the prince," the physician demanded.

Ron stood by, begging me with his eyes to leave. The arrogance of these ignorant people was baffling.

"You," I turned to the maidservant. "Bring warm fluids, boil some soup, and get warmer blankets and heavy winter clothes." I was not playing the victim here. I was the princess, the lady of this house, and I would use my authority.

"Are you planning to kill him? He needs a hot bath first! We can’t delay any further," the physician said impatiently.

"What if I cure him successfully? Will you acknowledge my abilities?" I challenged him.

"Impossible. I have been with the prince for years. This cannot be cured," he said firmly, dismissing me.

"I don’t care what you think because of your lack of knowledge. As his lawfully wedded wife, when he is sick, I am making this decision for him. I will treat him," I declared, taking my rightful seat beside him.

They all seemed confused and hesitant. The prince was too weak to protest. When they didn’t move, I sighed. They were afraid of punishment later. "I will take full responsibility," I added.

"But Lady Eva, it’s a matter of our prince’s life and death," Ron protested, bending down. His loyalty to Kai was evident. I understood why he was reluctant. The Eva Grey he knew had no medicinal skills.

"Trust me. I don’t want him to die, either. After all, he is the one who can protect me from those who want to banish me," I replied, trying to win him over.

"Leave," Kai said, summoning his remaining strength to support me. I was relieved he trusted me.

"You heard him," I said, "Prepare what I asked for and boil this concoction." I handed the maid a prescription.

As the night wore on, Kai’s temperature increased, but it wasn’t enough. When he felt better, he tried to get up, but as soon as he removed the blankets, he started shivering again.

"Eva, can you ask Ron to carry me to my room? I’m grateful for what you’ve done, but I won’t fully recover for days. My strength keeps deteriorating. Sometimes it takes weeks for me to recover, and I know one day this poison will kill me," he whispered, looking down in pain.

"How did this happen?" I asked, curious. Understanding his condition fully would help me treat him.

"I was poisoned. I don’t know by whom," Kai replied. He seemed troubled by something else, but chose not to share it. I didn’t press him. I couldn’t force him to reveal all his secrets.

"I will cure you, I promise." I was a doctor, and I had to save him. I refused to accept that he had to live like this. Besides this is a very simple case for me.

"But first, you need to stay warm for now," I suggested.

I had an effective idea. The fastest way to increase his temperature was through skin contact. I took a deep breath, feeling embarrassed but determined.

"I will be responsible for you," I whispered, leaning closer to him.

I was afraid someone might overhear us. It was too embarrassing for me to initiate this, but he had done a lot for me. I knew he loved me and was the only one who wanted me alive in this ancient world. I had to save him, even if it meant consummating our marriage.

"Responsible? What do you mean?" he asked, tightening his grip around me. I could feel his arousal and his temperature rising with excitement. Despite his desires and health, he was restraining himself, showing true gentlemanly restraint. It made me feel wanted. I knew I had made the right choice in taking this step.

I pulled away slightly. He looked at me with those needy eyes, wanting me. It was a new experience to feel such an intense desire for someone. When he realized I was looking back, he avoided my gaze, not wanting me to see too much.

"Do you have feelings for me?" I asked, curious. I wasn’t sure what I expected. He loved the previous owner of this body, not me, but for now, it was enough.

"You knew?" He was surprised. He hadn’t expected me to be so forthright about it.

"I suspected," I chuckled, reaching for the string to remove his clothing. He froze, surprised by my action. The night was taking an unexpected turn—from not wanting to consummate our marriage to me taking the lead.

"You need to heal," I said, trying to focus on his recovery rather than his intense gaze. I feared I would lose myself if I looked into those dark eyes for too long.

"I am better," he whispered, clearly displeased with my response.

What did he want me to say? Should I tell him I was attracted to him for no reason? Eva Grey had been foolish not to notice him.

"Can you even walk to that table?" I asked, starting to remove the first layer of his clothing.

"Eva, stop teasing me. I won’t stop if you continue this any longer," he warned.

"I know," I replied, blowing out the nearby candles.

There was no way I could continue this with so much light in the room.