ORCA 29

The skin encircled by the collar looked more prominent than it had under the dim light last night. When he buried his nose in the powdered sugar-like skin and inhaled, a fresh fragrance filled his lungs. The sense of familiarity felt unfamiliar.

“Young Master. Your bath is ready.”

The servant standing behind the bathroom door finished speaking along with a knock. The servant did not wait long for Orca’s reply. He merely hurried out and rushed down the hallway as quickly as possible. Not only had he never received even a brief response, but it was also a bit frightening to stay for a long time.

Rumors about Orca circulated and swelled in every corner of the mansion, eventually becoming bizarre. The story that the Young Master not only killed people indiscriminately but also practiced cannibalism spread from mouth to mouth. It was a baseless rumor that had more and more added to it after Niah’s bloodstained “walk.” Thanks to those who had worked as servants for the Ware family since the time Orca was rampaging through the hunting grounds, the rumor gained considerable credibility.

Orca knew all about it but left it alone. It wasn’t entirely untrue. Besides, he didn’t feel the need to correct the “fear” that had already formed. It was ridiculous to point out that while it was true he killed indiscriminately, he didn’t eat them.

It was audacious of them to tremble in fear now when they had once revered him as a hero. Wherever he went, he became a hero who protected the country, then a vicious murderer. The gap sometimes made him seem foolish.

He hadn’t become a soldier to protect the citizens of the empire in the first place, but as a result, he had blocked the enemy country’s invasion time and again. He prioritized instinct over a sense of duty, and personal desire over loyalty and vows, but he thought he had at least given as much blood and flesh as the empire’s citizens and the imperial family wanted.

But now, of all things, cannibalism. If he had actually done it, it would be one thing, but a fabrication was unpleasant. Above all, they were too dirty; he had no desire to put them in his mouth. He detested filthy things. The mere thought made him nauseous. But well, since he had felt a pointless appetite for the goldfish, he couldn’t completely deny this either. So he had no choice but to stand by and let them talk as they pleased.

Orca inhaled once more. This was after the servant, who had hastily fled the vicinity of the room, had left the fourth floor.

Niah, held blankly in his arms, mulled over the situation. He carefully retraced things like the noisy rush of water, the knock announcing the bath was ready, the breath felt on the back of his neck, the sensation of his whole body being tightly held, the warm temperature, and the faint memory from before he fell asleep. A sudden bolt of lightning struck in his hazy mind, ringing loudly.

“Huh, huh?”

The fact that the view before his eyes was the Young Master’s room was one thing, but the fact that morning had already broken was extremely troublesome. He was someone who always woke up at dark dawn.

“Y-Young Master… Please let me go. …I have to go.”

If he went down to wash up now, there would be many other servants in the basement; it was a big problem. He would surely be scolded for oversleeping. Moreover, he was scared that Pepe might still be there. Andrian would probably be in the kitchen because of breakfast preparations, but Pepe could be in the basement.

His face crestfallen, Niah gently pushed at the forearm hugging him. But no matter how much strength he used, he couldn’t shake it off. It felt like a tremendously heavy boulder had been placed on him. At this, Niah’s face fell even more. After struggling a few times, he gave up and grabbed the fingers wrapped around his chest and shoulder. They came off more easily than the arm, but he still couldn’t get out of the embrace. A complaint escaped him automatically. On top of that, when he pried one finger off and grabbed another, the one he had just removed squeezed his chest and shoulder tightly again. It was fruitless and only drained his energy.

“Young Master. Please let me go. Okay? I’m begging you.”

Looking closely, it seemed like he was doing it on purpose, which made him feel hurt. Maybe he was being punished for falling asleep in the Young Master’s room without permission yesterday. As that thought occurred to him, he gradually grew more anxious. He couldn’t fathom how much Pepe would scold him if he didn’t go now. It was also time to start his duties for the day. No, it was a time when he should have already started.

“Go where.”

Niah flinched at the low question spoken right next to his ear. Only then did he realize that the distance between him and the Young Master was too close. He was even in a posture of being held snugly. His mind had been so preoccupied with the worry of being scolded that he only properly registered his position after hearing the Young Master’s voice. Despite struggling to get out, he hadn’t been conscious of where he was trapped.

Heat flared up his back. Startled belatedly, he let go of the fingers he was holding. The Young Master’s body heat, felt on his shoulder and bare skin, was embarrassing in a new way. It felt like his mind, having woken up from a deep sleep, was both perfectly clear and still dull. He felt as if he were still wandering in a dream.

In any case, the important thing right now was the fact that he had overslept. Lately, Pepe had been constantly angry with him. It was obvious he would be poked in the side again. His sides were overworked every day before the bruises could even fade. It hurt with a sharp pang even if touched lightly. A fog clouded Niah’s face.

“I have to go wash, wash up and hurry… I overslept, so I have to go quickly.”

“…”

“I’ll get scolded if I’m late…”

“…”

“No, I’m already late… I’m late. …Young Master. Are you sleeping…?”

Niah turned his head slightly. The moment he moved, the feel of the hard forearm shifted from his cheek to the back of his head. The body heat that had been touching the nape of his neck changed into soft strands of hair, tickling his cheek. Unlike his own bright amber color, it was the color of a dark night sky. He barely resisted the urge to touch it.

Instead of the hair, Niah held tightly onto the Young Master’s arm that was crossing his torso. Then, as if it had been waiting, his entire body was pulled backward. More pressure was added to his back, which was already pressed tightly against him. He was definitely wedged between hard muscles, but it felt cushiony. For him, it was very awkward.

His greed only grew as the days went by. He knew he would get scolded a lot later, but he just wanted to stay together like this.

How nice would it be if we could be together longer, closer, always.

Niah knew he shouldn’t wish for it, but he couldn’t easily sort out his heart that had already swelled up. Like a blister that forms over a burn, by the time he suddenly noticed, it had already grown large. It wasn’t something that wouldn’t swell just because he disliked it. It would swell on its own, and someday, it would burst on its own.

A wound would scab over, new skin would grow, and then it would heal. Some left scars, but some became clean as if they had never been hurt in the first place. But he hoped new skin wouldn’t grow where his blister burst. Even if it did heal, he hoped a deep scar would remain, making it irreversible. Only then did he think he would be able to not forget the Young Master.

“You’re already late, so just be later.”

“Yes, what?”

While Niah was chattering, Orca was quietly turning things over in his mind. He didn’t want to send away the small body that fit him perfectly like a custom-made doll. The goldfish was light, soft, and warm. He hated hot things, but for some reason, this wasn’t bad. However, if he delayed just a little longer, the bathwater would get cold. He could just have new water drawn, but breakfast time was soon.

When his parents had told him yesterday afternoon that they had something special to talk about and he must come down, he hadn’t felt much of anything, but now that things had turned out this way, he wasn’t too keen on it. It was obvious it would be about some trivial or uninteresting topic. It was better to call a servant and have breakfast brought to his room and enjoy a leisurely morning. But he knew that if he didn’t go today, it would become more troublesome later.

“Go wash up.”

Without even a moment to be flustered by being lifted into the air, Niah was promptly sat up. His curly hair was a total mess as he looked bewildered. Orca picked up the dazed, round orange. He carefully set it down on the floor so it wouldn’t roll away and swung his own two legs off the bed.

Niah swallowed dryly. With a belated nod, he hesitantly turned toward the door. He was the one who said he had to go, but now that he was actually told to go, he felt foolish for suddenly becoming sad.

“Where are you going. Wash up here.”

Just as he was about to get depressed, he was spun around again. Immediately after, he was led into the bathroom by the Young Master, who had shot to his feet. Because of the long, unhesitating strides, he almost had to run. Perhaps because he had just woken up, he quickly became out of breath.

Orca left with only the words, “Hurry up and wash,” and exited the bathroom. He even watched Niah’s fluffed-up hair until the door was completely closed. It was a treatment that was rough yet gentle.

Left alone, Niah stared at the empty space in front of him for a while. It was the spot where Orca had stood for a moment. Then he slowly went further inside and took off his clothes. As soon as he was naked, he felt the warm steam on his bare skin. He folded his removed clothes neatly on the sofa.

White steam rose gently from the bathtub. The Young Master’s scent was strong. Even though he wasn’t by his side, it felt like they were together. Sniffing, he soon felt better. Lured by the fresh green scent, Niah quickly got in and sat down, swishing the surface of the water. The bubbles that had subsided rose up, fluffy and soft.

He cupped his hands together like a dish. Scooping up a handful of foam, he blew on it playfully. It seemed like it would be okay even if Pepe scolded him all day today. The worry of what would happen if he got scolded became simple. Niah hummed a tune without realizing it and flailed his arms and legs about.

Orca, who had come from the dressing room with a change of clothes, flung open the bathroom door. He had just washed the clothes Niah had left a few days ago and put them in his own closet. Startled by the sound, Niah ducked into the water. Peeking just his face out, he followed Orca with his gaze as he stepped beyond the partition.

“Stop playing and wash up.”

Orca placed the new clothes, underwear, and socks on the sofa. Then he knelt down beside the tub. Embarrassed at being caught playing with the foam, Niah couldn’t readily approach. He just submerged himself up to his nose in the water and watched cautiously. But at a single gesture from Orca, he scurried over and looked up. Orca rummaged through the still-fluffy hair and combed it for him. He had to hold back a laugh because the more he combed, the more it looked like a bird’s nest.

“Change into that and come out.”

Niah reflexively nodded and said, “Yes.” Bubbles rose gurgling to the surface. The water with the bath bomb dissolved in it tasted strange. As he grimaced and popped up, Orca turned on the tap with a peculiar expression. It was the face of a child sitting still to observe a colony of ants.

Fingers wet with clean water swept inside Niah’s mouth. Gripping the edge of the tub, Niah tilted his head back, his throat taut, and calmly accepted the touch. Orca rubbed and wiped his tongue and the tender flesh. He swept over the neat row of teeth and tickled the roof of his mouth. Careful not to go too deep, he pressed down on the tongue. The small mouth soon became wet and sloppy.

“Oung Ma’er…”

The muffled pronunciation flowed out with difficulty. Niah couldn’t stand it anymore and bit down hard on the fingers. His jaw, which had been open, hurt, and his chapped lips stung, so he couldn’t help it. He gasped for breath, careful not to bite with his teeth. With every exhale, the two fingers were licked this way and that. Perhaps because they were thick, his jaw still hurt even after biting down hard. Niah slowly backed away, taking only the fingertips into his mouth.

“I hur’s…”

The fingers slid out obediently. Before moving away, they lightly touched his lips, which had already started to bleed.

“Hurry up and come out.”

Niah said, “Yes,” again. This time, it wasn’t a strange taste but a strange feeling. Just looking at the Young Master, just having the Young Master by his side, just thinking about the Young Master, he kept, kept feeling strange.

As soon as he came out of the bathroom, Niah was caught by Orca and winced. The towel on his head flapped. Orca, who had come out after just a rough wipe-down, meticulously dried Niah’s hair. It was amusing how it got curlier and more voluminous the more he rubbed, so he deliberately rubbed it even more vigorously.

When it was more or less dry, he let go, and Niah shook his head with a rustle, as if on cue. The sight looked less like a goldfish and more like a dog that had been given a bath. In the end, a dry laugh escaped him, “Hah.” Forgetting that he had overslept, Niah grinned.

Leaving the continuously smiling Niah standing there, Orca returned from a drawer with a round medicine tin. Without any explanation, he opened the lid first. Niah stood on his tiptoes to peer inside the metal tin. Curiosity bloomed at the sight of the unfamiliar object. Inside, it was full of a white mass. It looked like whipped cream, but a bitter, leafy fragrance wafted from it. It was similar to the Young Master’s scent, yet different. The thought of wanting to dip a finger in and taste it made his mouth hang open. No sooner had he done so than the top of his head was pressed down firmly.

Orca made the goldfish, busy sniffing away, stand up straight. Pushing aside the curious gaze that peeked out, he dabbed a little ointment on his index finger. It was a medicine that worked well on torn and cracked wounds. It was a much higher quality type than the one the goldfish had asked ‘Harriet’ to bring.

“Close your mouth.”

Niah hastily tucked his lips in. At that, Orca supported his chin with one hand and bent down to approach. His fidgeting cheeks looked as soft as the surface of a marshmallow. It seemed they would melt away before he could even take a bite if he sank his teeth into them.

“You have to leave your lips out.”

Niah only rolled his eyes, furtively observing Orca, then did as he was told and showed his lips. The bitter fragrance spread strongly up close, and a slightly cold sensation touched him. The movement that lingered on his skin was somehow clumsy and also cautious. It stung, but it was bearable.

The bigger problem was his own heart, which was pounding like crazy. An unidentifiable tension washed over him. He wanted to scratch his chest raw.

Niah gripped the hem of his clothes and lowered his eyelids. Even so, he couldn’t look ahead and only glanced at the carpet on the floor. It was strange. Right now, he wasn’t scared at all. Rather, he should have been happy. But this was an emotion that resembled fear. It was different from when he saw Pepe or Andrian looking extremely angry.

“Don’t bite them now.”

Niah quietly looked up at him. He couldn’t say a word, as if his throat were completely blocked. A cool and tingling sensation lingered on his lips.

Orca didn’t stop there and wrapped an arm around Niah’s back, holding him tight. He intended to keep him from running away. Then, he immediately reached out his other hand and lifted Niah’s shirt. He didn’t even give Niah a chance to be flustered. Niah could only come up with shallow thoughts like, There can’t be any medicine to put on this, of course, as he had never used medicine for mere bruises.

Leaning his upper body to get a closer look at Niah, Orca clicked his tongue for a moment with a fierce look on his face. It was because he was newly aware of the fact that someone other than himself had done this. It looked like red coral had grown on the white skin.

He held the hem of the shirt up as if for show and brushed over the skin lightly. He felt Niah flinch the moment he touched the bare skin. He once again touched him insistently and raised his gaze to Niah. In time with his touch, Niah bit his lip, then quickly released it. Instead, he gently held onto the forearm wrapped around him.

“Good boy.”

Orca said softly as he corrected his tilted posture. He stopped the insistent rubbing and stroked him with the wide plane of his palm. He soothed the bruises by caressing them very gently. It was a praise-like touch. While doing so, he blew a puff of air onto the lips that had become slick from the ointment. At the ticklish breeze, Niah gripped him with renewed strength.

Orca had no intention of interrogating him about the culprit he hadn’t heard about last night. He had someone in mind, but he didn’t want to ask, in case the answer that came back was ‘I don’t know.’

Yesterday, Niah had surely known and kept silent, but Orca wasn’t sure what state he would be in today. Besides, even if he found out, he couldn’t kill the bastard. But if he found out for certain, he felt like he would want to kill him. Given these circumstances, it was better to guess on his own. It wasn’t as if there were no other ways to solve it, either.