.

When Sebastian woke up, all he felt was pain. It was a deep, searing pain that he felt in his stomach, though his entire body seemed to burn. With a blink, the prince opened his eyes. 

There was someone talking beside him, and a voice that sounded distinctly familiar more in the distance. A voice so familiar and comforting. Did Sebastian know this person somehow? His vision was blurred. 

There was another voice too, one hardened from years of facing patients, surgeries, viruses, and blood. 

"We found a rune on his wrist. He probably was a spy for an enemy country," the voice declared. 

Neither of the people talking seemed to realize that Sebastian was awake, so he kept on with intently listening to the conversation. The odd conversation that seemed to be making Sebastian a spy. 

"But how? There's no other kingdoms he could be spying for!" came the voice again. With a slow pang, Sebastian realized the voice, which belonged to someone so bravely sticking up for his worthless hide, was Jylan. 

"It doesn't matter. Until he wakes up and can explain that rune, he will be blamed. There's nothing I can do." the doctor said, and Sebastian closed his eyes again as to pretend he was still resting.

"Yes, half the castle burned down and thirty people died, but we found him bleeding on the floor! He was one of the victims!" Jylan protested. 

Thirty people and half the castle…?

"There is nothing more I can tell you, a mere butler of the castle," the doctor ended. 

Sebastian opened his eyes and pushed himself in an attempt to get into a sitting position. He grunted and fell back down; it was just too much effort, and his stomach was screeching now.

"W-what happened?" Sebastian asked shakily, pretending to know nothing. The doctor flashed a fake smile at the prince before promptly leaving the room. 

Jylan smiled, but it was more sorrowful than the one Sebastian had come to get used to. Now Sebastian missed that bright smile.