Villain, Let Me Touch You! - Chapter 17
“Ah, hot!”
I woke up abruptly, startled. Before me stood a handsome man, wearing a sheepish smile. It was Helios.
“Sorry, did I startle you? I was getting a damp towel because of your fever.”
In the novel, he was famously known for never saying sorry. Yet here he was, casually offering apologies to me. And a damp towel. This man born with a diamond spoon in his mouth was now holding a water basin for a sick person—I couldn’t believe it.
“Keep sleeping.”
Helios thought I hadn’t fully awakened and pulled the blanket over me.
I shook my head no. In truth, I wanted to get up, but my body was so weak that shaking my head was the best I could manage.
“Your Highness… What time is it?”
The raspy voice that came out of my mouth didn’t sound like me. I coughed so hard my voice must have gone completely. I swallowed hard, and a searing pain shot through me.
Helios frowned and pulled me to my feet.
“…!”
Surprised, I grabbed onto him. As soon as I touched him, the pain disappeared. But when he moved away, it returned. It was so bizarre, but I didn’t have the energy to think about it.
‘It must have been all in my head. I’m probably just relieved that I’m not in pain.’
I glanced at the glass of water Helios offered. I wanted to drink, but I couldn’t take it. I didn’t even have the strength to lift a spoon.
Sighing, Helios sat down next to me. He put his arm around my shoulders as my body naturally leaned against him.
“Your Highness, this is too…”
Before finishing my sentence, Helios brought the glass to my lips.
The position was uncomfortable, but what’s more important to a thirsty person than water? I started drinking. It was profoundly moving.
“What time is it now, Your Highness?”
Clearing my throat made speaking a bit easier. Helios, placing the glass on the nightstand, looked at me. His expression was hard to discern in the dim light.
“It’s two in the morning.”
“Two in the morning? Why are you here, Your Highness? You should be sleeping!”
Helios had gotten healthier, but in my eyes he was still a patient in need of care. Even when you’re healthy, you’re supposed to take care of yourself. I urged Helios to eat healthy, exercise regularly, and get enough and good quality sleep. That was my job. But to disrupt his lifestyle to the point where I needed assistance made me feel ashamed of myself.
“Your Highness, please go to bed.”
I quickly slipped out of his arms.
“I’ll stay here.”
“Your Highness? Why?”
“Well…”
Helios fell silent. A faint crease appeared on his forehead. It wasn’t like he was in deep thought, but because of his refined appearance, my room suddenly felt like an academic research lab.
How did someone previously delicate and frail suddenly transform into this scholarly figure? Unconsciously, I found myself staring blankly at him.
“Rienna? Are you feeling unwell? Your eyes seem unfocused,” he mentioned while placing his large hand on my forehead.
“No, no. I’m not sick.”
“Lies.”
“It’s true…”
I’m a doctor, so I don’t hide pain. Hiding pain is detrimental to treatment.
“More importantly, Your Highness, you should go back to bed. It’s 2AM. Why on earth are you here?”
“Because you’re sick.”
“What does my being sick have to do with you? Taking care of patients is a physician’s duty.”
“So because I’m not a physician, I should just leave?” Helios’s mouth tightened. It was clear that he was offended.
Before I could find an answer, he climbed onto my bed.
