After an unknown interval of deep but needful slumbers, a good night’s sleep in short, I returned to my senses just as the sun was about to set. Okay, maybe the drug was too much. It has been at least a day since the sun was at the same place as when I fell asleep.

  As I was getting ready to leave the duvet’s warmth, I noticed something was off along the move, obviously holding and pulling me back.

  “Tsk! Did she chained me to the bed to prevent my escape? That’s going a little too far. What if I need–HIIIIiiiiiiiiiiii!!! A ghost!!!… Wait, is that you, Lily?”

  From the side on which the opposing force was exerted, Lily’s head was sticking out, resting on the mattress. I could now see the reason for my hindrance. Collapsed against the bed, Lily had her arms extended toward me. She was holding and squeezing my hand, categorically refusing to let it go.

  Yikes! Cold!! Her skin was pale, almost white like all blood had left her body... And she seems to have lost some weight too. She was obviously in a dire state. Her clothes and hair were in a mess, and she was dirty and smelly as if she hadn’t washed for a week.

  Dark circles and traces of moisture could be found under her eyes.

  Did she cry? Oh god, what have I done? Did I overdose, and she mourned me until she couldn't take it anymore? Okay, I really should not have used the drug!!

  She was sleeping as if her soul didn’t have any strength left… Oi Oi Oi, is she still alive?

  A weak pulse and slow breathing quickly reassured my doubt, allowing me to discard my dark thoughts. What would her sister make me suffer if she genuinely died on me, by my fault?! I stroked Lily’s cheek and patted her head like a mother would’ve done for her suffering child.

  “Oh god!! Forgive me, as I have sinned…. again! And made a girl cry and worry for myself almost to the point of dying!” Oddly enough, praying made me feel better and I thought maybe I should try it again another time.

  Taking advantage of the situation, I did what I couldn’t finish on our first encounter years ago. No, not the harassment and molestation part; I was not that insensitive to do that to a dying girl who ended up in that situation for my sake.

  Her condition was terrible, but her life didn't seem in danger so I just properly and delicately took care of her.

  I gave her a bath and a clean set of underwear and then put her to bed so that she would be comfortably installed. I fed her some soup mouth-to-mouth due to a force majeure and untangled her hair while she was resting.

  In the meantime, her state had drastically changed, and her abnormal coldness had left its place for abnormal and ever-changing body temp.

  I then stayed by her side for the whole night, weeping her sweats when she was becoming drenched due to a fever rise and holding her tight against me so to keep her warm each time she was shivering with cold.

  To shut up the potential idiot who would say I had taken advantage of her, I will make myself clear, I did not. I watched over her body with neither ulterior motives nor inappropriate hand gestures. And I paid attention to not disturb her and restrained myself from going astray.

  Early in the morning of the following day, she got some color back, and at midday, her pulse became somewhat regular again. However, it was only in the evening that she finally stopped having extreme fever peaks interspersed with phases of severe hypothermia.

  Only then did I move on since her condition seemed stable.

  She had sweated quite a lot in the meantime, so abundantly that I had to give her water using the same method I used to feed her twice to prevent her from experiencing dehydration. She might have peed herself at some point due to my negligence.

  Not that it did matter; I didn’t care. But because of that, the bed was in a complete mess, soaked in cold fluid which would have surely not failed to make her even sicker. So I threw everything and asked for new ones from the inn owner.

  While waiting for him to bring a change of sheet and a new mattress, I used the occasion to make her empty her bladder to prevent any more inconvenience, if there had been one, and then I fed her and bathed her once more. I then dried her skin before dressing her to keep her warm while I took care of our brand-new honeymoon kingsized love bed…

  I’m kidding, the new mattress was as simple as it was uncomfortable. Since all this had been unforeseen the innkeeper could only provide me with one made of straw. But it cost us so much that I'd better maintain the illusion.

  Since I had to pay for the damage, I used Lily’s–ahem I mean our savings, by taking a few coins from Lily’s purse. I installed it and changed the bedsheet myself to save a bit on the cost ensure everything was perfect and comfortable and put her back in the warm embrace of the blanket.

  It was only once everything was over and she looked at ease that I allowed myself some well-deserved rest.

  Carefully settling down next to her under the duvet, I kept some distance between us to prevent her from misunderstanding the situation upon waking up. Of course, I remained close enough to ensure I could notice if her condition worsened.

  I fell asleep soundly next to her after taking one last look at her peaceful expression.

  …

  Not for once, I woke up at sunset, opening my eyes to Lily’s adorable and amused face. She was in a much better shape than yesterday. Her situation seemed to have returned to normal as if everything had only been an illusion.

  She was staring at me with a gentle smile, not saying anything or moving.

  “Hi, you look better. Are you fine now?” Engaging in discussion with her made me feel odd since it had always been Lily who had acted first until now.

  “Yes, thanks for the care; that was nice of you. I didn’t know you could be so caring.” She spoke in a feeble voice which would make one think the opposite. She had not fully recovered yet despite the vitality she was showing. Damn, was she really dying at that time or what?

  “You were in very poor conditions. I even thought you were done for.”

  “I overdid it a bit while healing you, that’s why, don’t worry this won’t happen again I’ll make sure of that.”

  Did she mean she would restrain herself from injuring me on every single occasion? This could actually be of great use. Unfortunately, I don’t think she could help it. And if she was thinking to stop me from taking drugs, she only had to stop her sis from giving me sudden mental breakdowns. I would have never used it on myself otherwise.

  “Nah, it’s my fault in the first place. My hardly safe, only just-invented self-made sleeping compound named ‘the sleeping beauty can’t wake up, even by the kiss’ was a bit stronger than I had anticipated.”

  Well, I was obsessed with eternal sleep at that time, so not really. As a matter of fact, I believe it was quite a good result. But strangely, I didn’t think it would result in this situation. Did I really overdose? Even so, I’d never expect it to be enough to put Lily in this state just by curing me. My state must also have been quite dire.

  “Quite the dangerous mixture you have here. You slept for nearly two and a half weeks, and I couldn’t wake you up whatever I did. This is the first time I encountered this kind of case. You didn’t have any physical injury so my recovery magic effectiveness was low and it didn’t perform well.” Amazed by my questionable and suspicious sense of naming, Lily raised an eyebrow. She responded with a quick smirk before choosing not to pursue the matter and got to the point instead.

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  2 week? Excuse me? Did I hear it right? Lately, I've been spending more time unconscious than awake, it's becoming alarming.

  “Moreover, my healing method is a bit special and didn’t fit the situation at all... If not, making things worse… I’m profoundly mortified and deeply apologize for this. Because of my inexperience and bad control, the after-effects were draining your energy even further, and I was so distracted by your state that I didn’t understand right away.”

  If Lily’s past sentence started with a joking tone, it didn’t last and had rapidly become quite serious, showing clear hints of reproach toward the end. But now, she had switched the blame on herself and began to make her excuses for unknown reasons.

  Although remaining in bed, she stood up, only to kneel and get in dogeza. She really made me feel guilty there… I don’t think she was in the wrong by all means. Had I not used alchemy and mixed all kinds of elements with the drug and sleeping pills, she wouldn’t have had a problem likely enough.

  “I was terrified, so ashamed, and fell dejected. I didn’t know what to do and was just about to ask for help. But I couldn’t let you alone cuz sometimes your blood pressure was so weak that you ended up in a near-death state, and I had to use all I could to keep you up and force your blood to flow to prevent problems from arising.” Lily’s voice was trembling, and I even thought she was gonna cry. Oh god…

  Okay, the drug was downright overstepping… and the alchemy was a total overkill!!! I’m not gonna touch that dirty thing again. Kidd, remember, drugs are wrong! Here is the proof.

  “Alright alright, I’m fine, so please stop blaming yourself. Will ya? Because you are definitely not at fault. If anyone is, it would be me, and I'm not gonna justify my actions. So don't try to take responsibility for me. That would be a disgrace for a hero such as myself!” While speaking, I lifted Lily’s chin so we could look at each other. Then I dragged my finger over her cheek before wiping out a tear that had begun to form. Doing so, I started stroking her head with my remaining hand to comfort her.

  The situation was already awkward enough, I didn’t want it to turn woeful because I let her belittle herself. Even If I had no intention of regretting my act I apologize, I could at least erase the weight on her conscience.

  …

  Following my will, Lily accepted to drop the matter and lay down again with her eyes closed, enjoying the sensation provided by the caresses for a while.

  “Do you have any of the mixture extras by chance, or maybe the recipe? I would very much like to experiment with it. Perhaps make a few tests if possible, so this situation never happens again.” After a few moments of relaxation, when only the sound of my hand rubbing against her head could be heard, Lily revived the topic while displaying mixed feelings.

  Wanting to appear serious she had opened her eyes and somewhat managed to freeze her expression. But her look was busy following my handstroke and displayed playfulness while her voice was still unsure and lacked steadiness.

  “No, sorry, I did it on a whim and didn’t write it down. As for leftovers, I fear I drank it all.”I responded to her sincere worries with a lie without blinking. This thing was too good to let it go.

  The result exceeded all my expectations. I would keep the formula for the time being. With some adjustments and improvement, maybe I could make it so I wouldn’t wake up but stay alive for a verrrrrrry long time. A few years should do the trick, or perhaps even decades if I could preserve my body…

  No... Perhaps I should downright invest in cryogenic sleep and start some research so I could pass a hundred years or two, just to be sure…

  “Yet, I feel good for a person who stayed in bed for so long though. How’s that possible? Did you feed me as I did with your mouth... no, given your condition, something like blood exchange perhaps?” After a moment of absence, lost in my thoughts, I completed my sentence by asking something that was on my mind.

  “So ya did mouth feed me hehe <3, I was wondering because I was not starving. You stole my first kiss, pervert. <3 I hope you take your responsibilities if I end up pregnant.” She responded with a half-joking-half-seductress tone, finally winning back her confidence and abandoning the serious matter.

  Hey, you can’t expect a baby just from that, we’re not in a fairy tale!... Are we? Well anyway thanks to wifey, I can’t make offspring anymore if the conditions are not met. Not to disappoint you but that won’t ever happen even if we go all the way together. No way I would fall in love with a psycho...would I? Well at least not before completely giving up my sanity!! God pity me and give me your strength!!

  Just like last time, I feel better and refreshed. It even made me seriously wonder if I should just become a believer. Maybe my doomed situation was just a challenge to put myself to the test!! If that was the case, thank god! I would not give up! Never!… As if! God had better things to do than looking after my pitiful self. Still, I'll consider converting.

  Poke– Hey, wait what’s with this feeling… Hey, hey, hey, I know I asked, but I wasn't talking about this kind of strength. A strong and straight reaction came in answer to my prayer, a proper and absolute erection. I was horny!

  Well… Given the situation, it was a natural reaction, and the opposite would have surprised me. Without making me aware of it, Lily had curled up all against me while receiving her due. Pressing her body unconsciously against mine, she was enjoying my petting.

  With only the duvet separating us, I could still feel her warmth and the softness of certain parts.

  “Also, I did have to resort to something like blood transfer, yes…and..hey, are you listening? Are you alright hero? Did you have a relapse? Can I help? Or did I need to take out the cutlery?”

  “Mmh? No, I’m okay, sorry, I was embarrassed that such a pretty girl like you ended up in such a dire state because of me.”

  As I brought my attention back to her thanks to my keen survival instinct, I realized how much I had missed something. Wwaaah! Why did her face appear so hot and tempting all of a sudden!! Her questioning eyes suddenly became mesmerizing, and her half-happy half-menacing smile brought out and sublimated her natural cuteness.

  My senses sharpened, and everything seemed enhanced; it was as if my sensations had increased tenfold. Her complex scent was everywhere and gave a strong fruity fragrance with a hint of flower. However small they may be, I was feeling each of her movements, and I was hypnotized by the rhythm of her breathing. Everything became unreal.

  Her weight was gone, and only a sensation of touch remained as if we were both naked and had direct skin contact. Her warmth became my sole source of heat while her body’s outline came into my sight as an embodiment of perfection.

  Her pose which was nothing sort of sexual, was now alluring me with a strong sensuality.

  Everything almost made me lose my means and disregard her threats!

  “Awe<3, sweet, you’ll make me blush” Wasn't that a bit of an exaggeration? And blush? You are outright making a creepy smile again. Sexy, I agree, but scary!!!

  Calm down body!!! Calm down! I know that abstinence seriously weighs on my conscience and that we aren’t used to such a heavy burden. Moreover, I acknowledge that I have left you unattempted for too long, but!!! Ya did sleep with a defenseless girl and restrained yourself quite well for a while, so keep going!

  Besides, Lily is… genuinely not a bad deal, I grant you. But she’s way too much perilous. Just to remind us, she menaced us about taking out cutlery, only because of a few seconds of distraction!

  “Then let’s eat something together as an apology if you are so conscious about that. I am so hungry that I could eat a whole cow.” Fortunately, she cut my thoughts short before I had to convince myself any further... Well, if I had succeeded... I’m sure I could’ve easily done so… Right? This was something that only God had the answer to, and we, mere mortals, would never know. I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt and say I owe her one for good.

  Anyway… Didn’t she say she wasn’t starving a few moments ago? This change of mind came at the right time! Well, I was the same here. I did have a faim de loup. Also, this might allow me to cool down a bit.

  “Let’s do that, the bill’s on me!… Or should I say. But I have no money left. I’m afraid I can’t afford anything other than porridge.” Unless I used her money again, I was definitely without the penny.

  “It doesn't matter, I’ll pay. We are already husband and wife, let’s make a joint account. Oh! And just one last question before we get ready to go.”

  “Yes?” I hope she didn't notice that I didn't wait for her permission before opening and using the funds of the said joint account.

  “Can you explain why the hell I am in a bunny outfit with belly-transparent leotards?”

  Phew, it was just that. I was reassured there was no reason to worry. It’s not like a person could be offended by such a thing.

  “Well, getting you dressed after the bath was necessary to keep you warm and prevent you from catching a cold. You were already in pretty bad shape, and I didn’t want your condition to worsen. As I didn’t have other clothes myself, since I ended up selling them for money, all that was left to me were sex-fetish-like clothes, ahem, I mean cosplays with a bit of exposure. Don’t blame me. I only had your good in mind and nothing else.”

  “Couldn’t you sell these in the first place? Well, at least this proves you didn’t change and stay true to yourself no matter the situation. I understand that part.

  Now then, why do I have small bandages on my private parts in place of underwear and why did you swap my tights with open crotch pantyhose? Was that needful as well? Some sort of parasitic interest maybe? <3 Have you finally resigned yourself and wanted to satisfy your carnal desire with my lifeless body so badly? Did you do it? I’m ready anytime babe, don’t ask, act whenever you can’t hold back anymore < 3.”

  “I… Forget it. I urge you to leave it as is. We’ll eat after you change, okay?” Fuck I was utterly horny now… And I don’t think dinner will be enough to move on. I hate my life.

  …

  It was only much later that I learned the significance of the awful condition she found herself in as a result of my treatment and came to know of the events that had occurred during my recovery.