The Substitute Healer (BL)-Chapter 110: “You better remember that.”

While a grand banquet was being held in the capital to celebrate the victory, far away in the southern part of the empire, everything was quiet.

In a secluded villa where Soren had been staying, there was no music, cheering and no bright lights, only silence and the soft warmth of afternoon sunlight that’s slipping through the curtains.

Inside one of the rooms, Soren suddenly stirred.

For a long time, he had not moved at all. His body were completely still, as if he had been trapped in a deep and endless sleep but now, something shifted.

His fingers twitched slightly and his eyelids trembled.

Then, slowly, very slowly, Soren opened his eyes.

His vision was blurry, unfocused, and heavy. The light felt too bright, and even breathing felt strange like his body had forgotten how to move properly. Everything around him felt distant and unfamiliar, as though he had been gone for a very long time.

As his senses slowly returned, he became aware of the body close to him.

There was weight near his chest. With great effort, Soren lowered his gaze.

Elias was there.

He was fast asleep with his face close to Soren’s. It looked like he had stayed beside him for a long time, long enough for exhaustion to take over him completely. His expression was relaxed and free from worry or tension, as if he had finally allowed himself to rest only after making sure Soren was safe.

One of Elias’ hands still rested near Soren, as though he had fallen asleep while watching over him and never moved away.

The room remained quiet.

Far away, the empire celebrated victory with laughter and noise but there, in this silent southern villa...

Soren had just awakened and alive.

And the first thing he saw was Elias sleeping beside him.

When Elias noticed that he was awake, his eyes widened in pure disbelief.

For a moment, he just stared at Soren while completely frozen like he was afraid that if he moved even a little, the moment would disappear. He blinked again and again, trying to make sure he wasn’t still dreaming but Soren was really looking at him.

Awake.

Alive.

Realizing that truth, Elias’ lips parted but no words came out. His chest tightened, and suddenly tears began to fall. He didn’t even sit up, he just lay there beside Soren while shaking as silent sobs took over him.

It was like all the fear, worry, and exhaustion he had been holding in finally broke at once and watching him act like that, Soren just watched him quietly with a faint, tired smile on his face.

"...How long was I out?" Soren asked softly with hoarse voice from not speaking for so long.

Then, Elias let out a shaky breath while his face was crumpling with emotion.

"You dummy..." he said with a trembling voice. "Why did you sleep for so long? Were your dreams that good that you didn’t want to wake up?"

His words came out teasing but mixed with sniffles and quiet crying.

"Do you know how worried I was? Do you know what I kept thinking this whole time while you wouldn’t wake up?"

Hearing him asked those questions, Soren didn’t answer because he didn’t even know what to say. He only smiled faintly again.

Then, slowly, he moved closer and gently snuggled against Elias, like that simple closeness was his way of answering everything.

Waking up felt exhausting. His whole body was heavy like it had forgotten how to move. Even breathing took effort. He didn’t want to sit up... didn’t want to shift and didn’t even want to open his eyes wider than he had to.

He was hungry, thirsty. Even his throat felt dry, and his limbs felt weak but none of that mattered to him right now.

All Soren could think about... was Elias.

He could still feel how tense Elias was, how fast his heart was beating, and how his body was still quietly trembling. That mattered more to Soren than his own pain, more than his weakness... more than anything else.

Yes, he had been stabbed.

Yes, he had known he wouldn’t die from it as his ability wouldn’t allow that much. He had always understood that but even knowing that... even trusting that...

The one thing he truly couldn’t bear... was leaving Elias alone.

That thought alone which was more than pain and instinct was what forced his eyes open that day. That was the only reason he awakens through the darkness and woke up.

Because if he didn’t...Elias would be left behind.

And Soren couldn’t allow that.

Not anymore.

Truthfully, ever since his mother was no longer in this world... Elias had become the only reason he kept living. The only reason he kept moving forward and the only reason he kept choosing to wake up again and again.

It was a truth he had never said out loud but it was also one he could never deny.

A moment after, Soren tightened his hold slightly while pressing his face against Elias’ chest and embraces him.

"...Sorry for worrying you, Elias... I’m sorry..."

His words came out muffled, almost swallowed by the fabric beneath his face. And though Elias couldn’t see him... he could feel it.

The slight shaking, uneven breathing and even the damp warmth spreading through his clothes.

Soren was crying.

Quietly and helplessly like he had been holding it in for far too long. Feeling that, Elias’ arms tightened around him almost immediately.

"You sleepyhead... stop apologizing or I’m going to smack you," he muttered as his hand came up to hold Soren more firmly, like he was grounding him and like he was making sure he wouldn’t disappear again.

"You know I don’t care about anything else... as long as you’re okay. As long as we’re in this together..." His voice softened, but the words were certain. "I’m fine with everything else... except a world without you. Unless you’re here with me, I’m fine with everything. Anything."

He then exhaled slowly while resting his cheek against Soren’s head.

"You better remember that."

"Hmm..."

Soren only gave a faint smile with his eyes still closed like he didn’t have the strength or the need to say anything more.

Elias then slowly leaned back just enough to look at him properly. His hands gently came up to cup Soren’s face, careful and almost hesitant, like he was afraid even the slightest pressure might hurt him. With slow, tender movements, his thumbs brushed away the tear stains on Soren’s cheeks.

He wiped them again... and again... even after they had already dried, as if he simply wanted to keep touching him to make sure that he was real, warm, and still there letting their gazes met quietly.

No one spoke because they didn’t need to.

For that moment, it felt like the rest of the world didn’t exist. Just the two of them, breathing the same air and sharing the same quiet space.

It was as if they had their own small world, one made only of warmth, relief, and silent understanding.

Meanwhile, outside the room, in one of the side corridors of the villa, a few servants gathered quietly while tending to their duties. Their voices were hushed, but their curiosity was impossible to hide.

"I still can’t believe it," one of them whispered while glancing toward Soren’s chamber. "His Highness the Crown Prince is paying us double... just to serve someone like him."

Another servant nodded quickly while her eyes were bright with fascination.

"That Soren fellow... he’s like a goddess, don’t you think? That smooth red hair, that pale skin... and those long, slender fingers. Even his figure is so delicate. Honestly... he’s unbelievably beautiful."

They let out soft, impressed sighs while clearly still amazed every time they saw him.

"He really is... so pretty," one murmured again, almost dreamily.

Then, a third servant shifted nervously and glanced around before speaking in a lower voice.

"...That’s true but don’t forget what the Crown Prince warned us."

The others immediately quieted.

"We’re not allowed to communicate with anyone outside," the servant continued carefully. "We only have to serve our master here and accommodate to his every needs. And remember that no one else is to know anything."

The small group exchanged uneasy looks while the admiration remained but so did the weight of that warning.

After a few days of being awake, Soren slowly began adjusting to his new surroundings.

Everything still felt unfamiliar and almost unreal.

For someone who had grown up doing everything on his own like waking up alone, finding his own food, tending to his own wounds and surviving day by day without comfort, this kind of life felt like something from a dream he didn’t quite trust.

Now, all he had to do was wake up.

His meals were already prepared, neatly arranged and warm, as if someone had been waiting for the exact moment he opened his eyes. His bath was always ready when he needed it and even his clothes were chosen and laid out for him.

It was... too much that sometimes, it made him feel strangely uncomfortable like he was living a life meant for someone else.

The villa itself was quiet and peaceful, far from noise and chaos. Flowers bloomed everywhere while filling the air with a calming fragrance. Their colors brightened the walkways, windows and even the open spaces around the halls, making the entire place feel alive and warm.

Not far from the main building was a small clear pond where fish swam lazily beneath the surface. A small sitting area had been placed nearby, perfect for quiet afternoons. Sometimes, Soren would sit there with a cup of tea while watching the gentle ripples in the water, letting the calmness settle into his chest little by little.

It was peaceful.

Too peaceful.

A life of rest, quiet and of being cared for.

Something he had never truly known before.

While Soren was quietly enjoying his tea, Elias returned and was accompanied by a woman who approached with a gentle smile. Her presence carried an air of nobility that immediately commanded respect.

Soren, sensing it, rose to his feet instinctively and bowed deeply.

"No, no," she said gently while shaking her head. "You don’t have to. Please, just have a seat and let’s talk..."