tyrant chapter 22

“Karta.”

He didn’t respond. Fiogen drank the remaining water. Karta’s expression remained impassive. Now, Fiogen felt a surge of defiance. She wanted to break his stubbornness, so she wouldn’t have to answer his question.

Fiogen pressed her lips to his hot mouth. As his eyes widened in surprise, her own large eyes crinkled into crescents. She cupped his cheek with her right hand and, as his lips parted slightly, transferred the water into his mouth. *Gulp.*

Karta’s face flushed crimson as he abruptly sat up and pushed her away. “What was that?!”

As he erupted in anger, Fiogen giggled. “Well, whose fault is it for refusing to take your medicine?”

“Fiogen!”

At his furious outburst, Fiogen nodded. She hadn’t kissed him without anticipating this reaction. “Alright, alright. I’m sorry. I won’t do it again!” She raised her hands in mock surrender. Karta, watching her, bit his lip. He seemed genuinely angry, and Fiogen watched him cautiously. Even she admitted she’d gone too far.

“What if…” he began, his voice trailing off. *What if I kill you?* she wondered anxiously, but then he sighed.

“Yes?”

“What if you get sick?!”

Fiogen burst out laughing, quickly covering her mouth. “Sorry, sorry. I thought you were angry for a different reason. You were worried *I’d* get sick?”

Karta didn’t answer, only blushed and turned away, avoiding her gaze. She’d been so focused on her plan to appear desirable that she’d realized she knew nothing about the real Karta.

“You’re acting strange today,” he said, his expression still cross. Fiogen, observing him, thought he was surprisingly perceptive. After all, he’d found her at the Duke’s estate remarkably quickly, even though she hadn’t told anyone where she was going.

“Me? What’s so strange?” She feigned nonchalance, but Karta’s eyes flashed.

“You haven’t asked me to kill you today.”

A chill ran down her spine, but she maintained her composure, forcing a smile. “Well, I can’t ask a sick person to kill me, can I? I have *some* conscience.”

Karta nodded dubiously, clearly unconvinced. Fiogen felt a wave of helplessness. She couldn’t reveal her true feelings, and it felt ridiculous to confess now that she wanted to live because the plot was diverging.

“Are you sure?”

“Of, of course.”

“You didn’t kiss me with the intention of getting sick and dying?” Karta asked seriously, his face still flushed as he averted his gaze. It was a remarkably un-tyrant-like demeanor. Fiogen nodded.

“If you want to believe that, then believe it. I just wanted you to take your medicine and sleep.”

Karta’s eyes widened slightly at her response. He blinked slowly, then nodded. “Okay.”

“If you told me you were a god descended from heaven, I would worship you. If you said you were a demon from hell, I would gladly sell my soul.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ll believe anything you say.”

“Then go to sleep. You need to rest to get better.” Fiogen covered his eyes with her hands. In the sudden darkness, he smiled. A strange warmth filled Fiogen. Until now, she had only taken from him. This was the first time she felt like she had given something back. Perhaps because of this feeling, she couldn’t bring herself to leave his side as he slept.

Later that night, Karta woke and reached out, his hand fumbling across the empty sheets. Sensing her absence, he sat up. Fiogen was pacing the room, lost in thought.

“Fiogen.”

Startled by his voice, she turned to face him. “Did I wake you?”

“No. I’m dizzy. Stop pacing and lie down here.” He patted the space beside him. Without a word, Fiogen walked over and lay down. A smile played on Karta’s lips as he watched her.

“Why are you smiling?” Surprised, Fiogen moved closer. Karta met her gaze for a moment, then looked away, his ears tinged with red. Fiogen attributed it to his fever.

“It’s the first time anyone’s taken care of me like this.”

Fiogen frowned. In the original novel, the heroine had been there for Karta when he was ill. Ah, but the heroine wasn’t here now. *Was he sending her a signal?*

“Should I bring Duke Delcart?”

“Why would I want Delcart?”

“Well, aren’t you sending me a signal?”

Karta vehemently shook his head, denying her suggestion. He took her small hand in his and sighed.

“Fiogen.”

“Yes.”

“Forget about the Duke.”

Fiogen pondered his words. Did he mean he didn’t want to share her attention with the Duke, and she should erase him from her mind? Or was he embarrassed about his feelings for Delcart and wanted her to forget she’d witnessed them?  Or… was he jealous?  No, it couldn’t be.  This was Karta, the most beautiful man in the novel. He had no reason to be jealous.