The Fake Legend of Princess Mei Mei - Episode 7.2

In the end, Keigetsu woke up in the middle of the night.

“…Father… Father…”

It seemed like the fever had worsened at night. Half-conscious, Keigetsu called out anxiously for his father.

“Keigetsu-dono.”

Ensyo, who had been watching over him after finishing some work, noticed Keigetsu opening his eyes and quickly reached out to touch his cheek.

“…En…sho…sa…?”

Keigetsu called his name in a hoarse voice, as if making sure it was really him. Ensyo nodded firmly, and Keigetsu’s expression relaxed slightly with relief.

Koji immediately handed over a water pitcher, but since Keigetsu was lying face down and seemed to have trouble drinking, Ensyo carefully helped him up, making sure not to touch his injured back. Resting his chin on Ensyo’s shoulder, Keigetsu let out a relieved sigh.

After Koji helped Keigetsu drink some water, Ensyo realized that in this position, they couldn’t see each other’s faces. However, he couldn’t think of a more comfortable way to support Keigetsu, so he let it be.

“Are you in pain?”

Keigetsu gave a slight nod in response, but the movement seemed to strain the wound on his neck. He let out a short groan, and tears welled up from the pain. Ensyo could feel his neck becoming damp.

He wanted to hold Keigetsu tightly, to comfort him by stroking his head or somewhere reassuring. But doing so would only worsen the pain in his feverish, reddened back. Ensyo clenched his hand, feeling helpless, and continued to support Keigetsu as best as he could.

After a short while, someone approached. Glancing toward the door, Ensyo saw that Rogyoku had arrived, having received the news.

“Has he woken up?”

Rogyoku asked with a worried expression. Seeing Keigetsu trying to turn toward him, Ensyo quickly stopped him.

“I’m so glad… truly glad.”

Tears welled up in Rogyoku’s eyes as he gently stroked Keigetsu’s cheek, confirming his safety. Feeling the kindness in his touch, Keigetsu was reminded of his mother and began to cry again.

“Does it hurt? Someone, call the physician immediately.”

When he ordered a physician to examine Keigetsu more thoroughly, he was told that one had already been summoned. Satisfied with the attentiveness of the court ladies, Rogyoku nodded approvingly.

Keigetsu, watching the exchange, tried to organize his thoughts about his current situation. His back throbbed with pain, and at that moment, memories of the daytime incident flashed vividly in his mind.

(Gecca… why…)

Recalling everything, a deep sadness overwhelmed him, causing a headache. He couldn’t stop the tears from flowing.

“Keigetsu-dono…”

Ensyo’s worried voice reached him, making him snap back to reality. He instinctively tried to lift his head, but pain shot through his neck, making him give up.

Wondering what was causing the pain, he fearfully touched his neck and realized it was wrapped in bandages. That must mean he had suffered a serious injury there.

“Wouldn’t it be more comfortable to lie down?”

Rogyoku asked hesitantly, looking at Keigetsu’s face.

“No,” Keigetsu answered. Though he felt bad for making Ensyo support him, he had never been comfortable sleeping on his stomach. Lying down made it harder to breathe, which might have caused his feverish nightmares.

“I see,” Rogyoku nodded in relief and sat down on a prepared chair. However, his gaze carried a hint of pity as he looked at Ensyo.

“Ryuso-dono… Are you okay? Isn’t this difficult for you?”

“No, it’s fine.”

Ensyo answered calmly. Rogyoku hesitated before responding, “…I see.”

A young, healthy man holding the woman he loves, half-dressed in his arms, and not showing the slightest reaction—was his self-control made of steel? Rogyoku couldn’t help but doubt it.

Could it be that his male instincts were dead? Though the thought was inappropriate for the moment, he couldn’t help but entertain the idea.

And Keigetsu—did she not feel embarrassed? No, perhaps she wasn’t even aware of her own state. Feeling a mix of amusement and disbelief, Rogyoku finally spoke.

“Keigetsu, I’m sorry to trouble you, but can you tell me what happened to you?”

Keigetsu stiffened at his words.

“You were found collapsed in the kitchen. Did you spill hot water on yourself…?”

“I fell.”

Keigetsu interrupted firmly. He insisted that he had tripped on his own.

Rogyoku narrowed his eyes at this response, while Ensyo and Koji also frowned slightly.

“…Is that true?”

“Yes. I fell.”

His voice was hoarse and shaky, but steady.

“Did you fall on your back?”

“I lost my balance.”

“Were you pushed by someone?”

“…No, that didn’t happen. It was my own mistake.”

Keigetsu was naturally bad at lying. With each question, it became harder to keep up the act.

But he couldn’t reveal that he had been with Gecca. If he did, he would have to explain their relationship and why they were together. That was unthinkable.

If he admitted being with Gecca, it would eventually lead to questions about his mother.

And he still hadn’t come to terms with the truth—that he was not his mother’s biological child.

“Keigetsu-dono.”

The call snapped him back to the moment.

“Ah… I-I’m sorry.”

Caught up in his thoughts, he had unknowingly grabbed onto Ensyo’s arm tightly. He must have hurt him.

Ensyo slightly pulled away and looked into Keigetsu’s face.

“Tell me the truth.”

His voice was firm. Keigetsu let out a small gasp and averted his gaze.

The guilt in his expression said everything.

“Keigetsu-dono.”

“I fell on my own. It was my mistake.”

Desperate to escape Enshou’s probing, Keigetsu twisted his body and rolled onto the bed.

The friction between the sheets and his burned skin hurt, but he clenched his teeth to keep from crying.

Watching Keigetsu’s small frame curled up, wrapped in bandages, Ensyo felt a surge of frustration and anger.

“Keigetsu-dono, your protective charm—the leaf spell—was burned!”

Keigetsu shuddered at those words. He touched the bandages on his neck. So that was what had been treated.

“How could you get such an injury? Someone did this to you, didn’t they?”

Ensyo’s voice carried sadness, showing his deep concern. That made Keigetsu even more determined to deny it.

“There’s no such person. I fell.”

“Keigetsu-dono.”

“I fell by myself.”

Wishing they would stop asking, Keigetsu buried his face in the bed and repeated the same words.

He couldn’t let them find out about Gecca. If they knew Keigetsu had been injured while with her, they might assume she was responsible.

Gecca had endured being treated as Keigetsu’s sister all this time. He couldn’t burden her any further.

Seeing that Keigetsu refused to say anything more, Ensyo exchanged glances with Rogyoku and subtly gestured toward the door.

“Keigetsu-dono, the physician will be here soon. After they examine you, please rest.”

Speaking gently, Ensyo stood up. Seeing him leave, Keigetsu felt relieved.

Before exiting, Ensyo grabbed Koji’s arm and pulled him outside. Koji was surprised but remained silent, following Ensyo’s lead.