the rest of this series is going to make me quite emotional so I don't think I can proofread them, please forgive any grammatical mistakes and the sort, I did my best portraying Devyn but @secretarykang has all rights to her, as always and again, I hope you enjoy <3
Saeclus' return with Dante's bandaged and half beaten body is less than a merry occasion. As always, Devyn had the good sense to have the capital's finest doctor at the ready for their arrival, with a room prepared just for them to take care of whatever injury he may have suffered.
Saeclus' magic had taken the worst of his injuries to a moderately better place by the time he made his way to the room with their son in his arms, but it was still a heart breaking scene for the family. And for the King - the capital's finest - who'd come at Devyn's behest to see to Dante's injuries.
None had ever seen Dante in such bad shape. Not after his squabbles with his brother, not after his sparrings with their grandfather, and not after his many fights with the third and sixth princes of the kingdom.
Silas and Aurora's shock and grief paled in comparison to the sheer agony in Devyn's eyes as she watched her husband lay their youngest onto the bed, Karl Heinz getting to work as soon as Saeclus gave him room to access Dante.
Tears streamed down Devyn's face, as they did Aurora and Silas', and they would down Saeclus' too, if he hadn't cried his heart out upon Nocto's back while shielding Dante from the cold.
He had spoken to his son too, though he didn't know if he could hear him. He had pleaded with him to not leave them. He had apologized for not going with him. He had regretted not trying harder to persuade him to stay. He had begged for him to fight for his life as fiercely as he fought for pride and honor.
Saeclus had exhausted his tears and his voice, and now he could only keep on channeling his magic to his son's wounds through one hand, to heal and revitalize him. And wait. And how agonizing it is to wait. Karl Heinz is focused on redoing the clumsy bandages, and adding any necessary medicine to the young man's wounds.
"Devyn..." Saeclus kneels by her side of the bed, and places his free hand upon her back, rubbing a soothing pattern. "Dearest, please..."
"This is our boy, my love. Our little boy..." Devyn's tears have not stopped, her voice hoarse from the cries and the grief. "How can I not cry? Why should I not weep?"
She turns to him, and buries her face into his neck as he holds her in his embrace. "I told him - I tried so hard to keep him from going. And look what's happened. Now all we can do is pray to whatever God that may be out there to spare us an impending tragedy..."
No other words would come from his mouth. How could they? She is right. This is their boy, their little spark and thunder, painted red with blood and burning with a fever that refuses to let up.
"There is no need for prayers, dear Devyn," Karl Heinz's voice causes Saeclus to force his eyes open to observe the King, "I will ensure that Dante sees the light of the next full moon."
Devyn's head turns in Saeclus' embrace to look at Karl Heinz. What expression does she make at him, Saeclus wonders... Is it an adoring gaze, one filled with hope, or is she furious at him for even presenting this opportunity in the first place? He dares not look down and see for himself.
His eyes have fallen to Dante's face, twisted in pain - from his wounds, the medicine, the magic, the burning fever. Saeclus curses himself once more for not leaving to observe his troops in secret, for letting the battle run its course and arriving at the last second to his son in such a state.
Aurora's voice rings clear across the otherwise silent room. "I wish to help, uncle Karl. I know how. You taught me yourself." And in an instant, she is by her parents' side, taking a new roll of bandages and carefully wrapping them around his calves - the bones have healed thanks to Saeclus' magic and Dante's own healing, but the nasty bruises have not.
Silas goes to Aurora's side quickly, and whispers something in her ear. The girl nods, and then speaks. "Alright, brother. Fill it with water and cool it. Bring a fresh towel with you."
Silas leaves her side at that, immediately going for the large basin with water from the bathroom. In minutes, he is back with a filled basin, chanting under his breath. Saeclus recognizes the spell as one that summons chill. Cold steam rises from the basin as Silas puts it on Dante's nightstand.
Before he can dip the towel into the water though, a woman's hand reaches for his wrist, garbbing it softly. Silas' gaze meets his mother's, as Devyn softly takes the towel from his hand. "I'll do that, my son."
She dips the cloth into the cold water, wretches it so it is only damp and not wet, and then folds it neatly, placing it on Dante's forehead. A satisfied groan leaves his throat at that - and at the feeling of his mother's touch, soothing and gentle as ever.
Karl Heinz finishes his work on the torso and one leg just as Aurora finishes her task, and he smiles at Aurora in acknowledgement. "I see you have learned very well."
"I had a great teacher." Aurora mumbles. She tries to, but can not force a smile today. Her face seems to ache if she so much as attempts to do so. Her eyes trail to her twin's face, watching as he seems to have calmed.
"His fever will cease within the hour. The medicine I have given him is potent."
"I thank you, my liege," Devyn caresses her son's face softly, hoping her touch would keep him grounded, and show his spirit that he is safe and among his kin, "it must not have been easy for you to make it on such short notice."
"Nonsense, Lady Kang," Karl Heinz rises to his feet, an amicable smile on his face - as it ever is with Devyn, oh dearest Devyn, who remains close to him despite all that has transpired between them, "I am ever happy to assist you and your family's affairs."
Devyn does not reply to him. Saeclus wonders quietly if she is simply too preoccupied with Dante to bother, or if the two of them have no need for more words between them. He wonders why he cares so much, after all these years and all the tribulations that he and Devyn have overcome side by side.
It is foolish to be anything but grateful to Karl Heinz right now.
A colder, crueler thought passes through his mind as the Vampire King exits the room for a change of clothing - would any of this have happened to begin with, if he had not stoked the fires of jealousy between their two sons? Would any of his help be needed if he had not presented Dante an offer only a fool would refuse?
No, he concludes, none of this would have happened if it weren't for his existence.
Outside, gone to fetch some clothes for his brother to replace his bloodied and torn ones, Silas' thoughts are no less cruel to the Vampire King. And meeting him in the grand mansion hall on his way to his brother's chambers only serve to further foul his mood and mind.
Silas' lips almost twist themselves into a frown, and bile raises to his throat as he forces his tone to remain neutral. Be your parents' good boy, be the pride of Houses Sanguine and Kang, do not let your emotions cloud your better judgement...
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