Nurturing the Hero to Avoid Death
chapter-19-3

Warning: Slightly NSFW.

It seems like that drug in the tea is an actual aphrodisiac.

I could still handle its effects earlier, but the sudden physical contact from Alfred goes past the tipping point. With my heightened sensitivity, his touch is scorching, no matter how light or brief. I really want to run away.

Now that my panic has faded due to my rescue, my condition deteriorates. In response to his touch, my lower half feels hotter.

Damn it. That bastard.

Even though I only took a sip, my fever still hasn’t abated.

He did say he had used a version of the drug with a stronger dosage.

Thinking about what would have happened had I drunk the whole cup, I feel horrified.

I likely wouldn’t even be able to stand anymore. Unable to escape, I would’ve been assaulted by that scum just like that.

A shiver runs through my body. Too scary.

I don’t want anything to do with that bastard anymore. Even imagining it is too much.

“Lian?”

“I’m alright…” Controlling my trembling, I focus on gently removing my arms from Alfred’s grasp.

“I’m alright. Thank you, Alfred…” To convince him that I’m fine, I flash my usual smile and muster all my willpower to stand. “You can go back to work already. I’m sorry for bothering you.”

“What are you saying? You definitely aren’t bothering me—”

“I’ll pay for the room too. You don’t have to worry.”

“Hey.”

But I ignore him, quickly slipping past Alfred and entering the bathroom. The door is still open from when he had gone to prepare the bath. Upon entering, I immediately shut the door.

Inside is a small one-person ceramic bathtub filled with hot water. Thick steam rises from the surface of the water, filling the narrow room.

A mix of pink, aqua blue, and light green tiles cover the walls. Such a pattern gives the bathroom a somewhat warm and cute atmosphere. Did the landlady design this?

As I settle down, thoughts begin running through my mind again. How did I get myself in such a mess?

No, I do understand. I’m simply reaping what I sow.

I sink down onto the cold tiles, heaving a big sigh.

Definitely the worst day ever.

I pick up the small wooden bowl floating in the bucket of hot water, which Alfred carried up earlier. Filled the bowl and poured it over my head. Then I lean against the bathtub, feeling tired and weak. A helpless sigh escapes my lips.

Mixed with the hot water flowing down the drain is my own precum.

This really sucks.

I want cold water. Or even better, iced water.

If I pour that over my head, would this fever subside?

“Haa…”

Just what kind of drug did I ingest? Why does this crap even exist?

Will the effects really disappear in the morning like the captain said?

I want to get rid of my worsening fever, but the water isn’t helping at all. I have no other choice but to touch myself until release.

In the end, once wasn’t enough, so I have to go for a second round.

At this point, I’m completely exhausted. Physically and even mentally.

As I sit next to the bathtub, I place my arms on the edge. Rest my head on the makeshift pillow before closing my eyes.

So tired.

I can’t even move anymore. Nor can I muster the willpower to take off my drenched clothes.

If I sleep just like this, this fever might disappear on its own soon.

It might be better to sleep now.

If I catch a cold, maybe that fever will offset this disgusting one. Sounds pretty reasonable. And also sounds like the best thing to currently do.

Meanwhile, the symptoms flare up again.

My eyes burn with the urge to cry. Please release me from this suffering. I just want to sleep.

I stay in place, left with an intense fever that will most likely give me a rough night, when there is a knock on the bathroom door.

It completely took me by surprise. My heart pounds violently, and my breathing stops for a few seconds.

“…Lian? You okay?”

It’s Alfred’s voice.

Eh!?

I told him to return to his shift! Why is he still here?

Just go back! I beg of you. I don’t want him to see my shameful appearance.

To keep him unaware of my distress, I do my best to calmly answer him.

“Ah, Alfred? I said that you can return to work. Just go back.”

“Looks like you haven’t collapsed inside. Thank goodness.”

“Y-yeah, I’m still awake. So go back already.”

Please.

Suddenly, the door swings ajar.

“Wha-?! D-don’t open the door! Close it now!”

My current appearance will soon be exposed. What should I do?

Sure enough, Alfred peeks his head through the doorway and catches sight of me. His eyes widen.

And then he deeply frowns.

“G-get out! Stupid!” I avoid his gaze. “Enough already, just get out!”

“As I thought…”

Without any hesitation, Alfred kicks off his shoes and removes his socks before entering the bathroom, my cries of refusal be damned.

I have the urge to run away from him, but I don’t have even an ounce of strength left in my body. I can’t even move a body part, let alone stand up.

“What are you doing? I’ve already prepared the hot water, so just go insi─”

The moment he grips my shoulder, I gasp.

The area where our skin meets burns instantly, sending tremors through my form.

As he drags me up, my wet clothes rub against my sensitized skin. Shivers run through my entire spine.

”No… ah…”

I’m unable to hold in that strange sound. Once I realize my blunder, I press my lips tight together as if there’s no tomorrow.

Alfred stills. I can hear him gulp.

He must have realized it by now.

Still averting my eyes, I brush his hand away.

Well, I tried to but failed. His grip is too firm.

“P-please. Didn’t I say before to let go—”

He grabs my drenched shirt and pulls it over my head against my will.

“Please…”

“Don’t sit at this kind of place while still wearing wet clothes. I said take a bath, so why is your body this cold? Are you stupid?”

“S-shut it.”

In the end, my resistance is in vain. After stripping me of my clothes, he tosses me into the bathtub.

Alfred then leaves the bathroom with furrowed eyebrows. After a while, he returns with some bath towels, the frown still pasted on his face.

He rolls up his shirt sleeves and pulls me out of the bathtub before proceeding to wrap my head and body with the towels. Once he’s done, he carries me in his arms out of the bathroom.

At this point, my body is as limp as a rag doll. And as expected, the heat starts to spread through me once more. I’m unable to resist it, too desperate to continue enduring.

“Woah…”

Alfred tosses me on the bed before climbing onto it himself. He pins me down. At the same time, he also pulls off all the bath towels wrapped around my body one by one.

“A-Al─”

Special thanks to FrostyMoka-san, con-san and Roxy-san for the ko-fi!

part should be what everyone has been waiting for (?), muehehe ლ(^o^ლ)