A sharp hiss escaped Lin Rui's teeth as Arkan pressed the medicine into his back. The room reeked of medicinal herbs mixed with the sharp, iron scent of blood. He sat on the edge of his massive bed with his upper body bare, while Arkan dressed his wound.
"You should lie down," Arkan advised as he tied off the gauze. His brows knit with a concern he couldn't hide. "You lost more blood than you're admitting to."
"The Khan does not lie down when the court is expecting an audience in an hour," Lin Rui gritted out. He tried to straighten his spine, but a hot flash of agony forced him to hunch forward again. He had come to realize how pain in this world felt infuriatingly real.
Suddenly, a knock came at the door. Arkan moved quickly to answer, making sure no one could see the Khan in his vulnerable, heavily wounded state.
A frantic-looking young guard appeared, whispering something to Arkan that made the tall warrior freeze. Arkan's eyes snapped back to the man on the bed, his face filled with a sudden panic.
"She's here."
Lin Rui froze. "Who? The Dowager?"
"No," Arkan hissed, already grabbing Lin Rui's discarded royal tunic to hide the medical supplies. "Princess Lian Zhi. She's bypassed the outer gates. She's in the corridor, heading straight for this room."
Lin Rui's heart hammered. "What? Why? She's supposed to be resting! If she sees me like this, if she sees the Khan with Ruhan's injury—"
"Stay here. Don't go out," Arkan said, the words coming out more like a plea than an order. His usual composure was gone. "Do not make a sound."
Lin Rui didn't argue. He stayed frozen in his bed, hand ready to pull up the blanket, just in case Lian Zhi decided to barge into the room.
The door clicked shut, muffling the sound of the hurried footsteps of the woman who haunted every corner of his mind. He was the Khan of a vast territory, yet here he was, hiding in his room like a guilty child.
Outside, Arkan drew a deep, steadying breath. He adjusted his sword belt, wiped a stray smudge of blood from his thumb onto his trousers, and stepped into the hallway just as Lian Zhi rounded the corner.
When she saw Arkan, she stopped in her tracks, a small surge of hope making her press a hand to her chest.
"Princess Lian Zhi," Arkan said with a deep and formal tone. He stepped forward, effectively blocking the path to the Khan's door. "What are you doing in the Khan's quarters so early?"
Lian Zhi didn't bother with pleasantries. "Arkan... I went to the eunuch quarters. Ruhan isn't there. They said he hasn't been back all night. They said he was here, working." She stepped closer, her eyes searching Arkan's face for a clue. "Where is he? How is he? Is he... is he okay?"
Arkan kept his expression like stone. He was a warrior, and right now, he was guarding a life-shattering secret. "Ruhan is recovering," Arkan said carefully. "He is alive, Your Highness."
"I want to see him," she said immediately, her voice trembling. "I need to apologize, I need to—"
"That is a bad idea," Arkan interrupted, his tone was firm this time. "Princess, look at where you are. This is the Khan's wing. It is not good for your reputation, or his, to have a Prince's consort visiting a servant in the middle of the morning. People are already whispering."
Lian Zhi bit her lip, the guilt on her face clear. She looked down at her feet. "I know. I understand the danger now. I know I've been selfish. But I just... I need to know he's being cared for. He was bleeding so much, Arkan. Because of me."
"He is being cared for," Arkan assured her. "I personally saw to his bandages."
"But where is he actually?" she pressed. "Why isn't he in his own room?"
Arkan blinked. He hadn't prepared for this. "He—uh…He is in my quarters. My room is private, tucked away from the main halls. If he went back to the eunuch quarters with a wound like that, people would ask questions. Suspicion is a death sentence in this palace, Princess. It is better he stays hidden with me until he can walk without a limp."
Lian Zhi let out a long, shuddering breath of relief. "In your room... yes, that makes sense. Thank you, Arkan. Truly. Thank you for taking care of him when I can't."
Arkan bowed his head slightly. "There is no need for thanks. He is... he is like a brother to me. I would not let him fall."
"I'm glad he has you," she murmured. She lingered for a moment, glancing at the heavy door behind Arkan, before she finally nodded. "Tell him to rest. Tell him I will stay away, like he wanted. Just… tell him to get better."
Arkan watched her turn and walk back down the long corridor. He waited until she was completely out of sight before he finally let out a massive sigh that shook his entire frame. He felt like he had just avoided a head-on collision with a mountain.
He re-entered the bedchamber, shutting the door. Lin Rui was already out of bed, peeking from the edge of the window.
"She's gone," Arkan said, stepping up behind him. "She believes you are in my room."
Lin Rui didn't speak. He watched her from the window until she disappeared into the shadows of the gate. "You handled that well, Arkan. Thank you."
"Also, you are supposed to be resting in bed," Arkan added, his tone shifting into that of an angry nurse. "The council meeting starts in an hour, and I have to find a way to make sure no one sees you wince when you sit on that throne."
Lin Rui nodded slowly, allowing Arkan to help him back to the pillows. Then, he looked up at his sworn brother with a knowing smile. "Maybe you can be the Khan again. Just one more time. You did so well last time." His eyes turned into those of a puppy.
Arkan sighed, the weight of the request settling on his shoulders. But he knew that was probably the best option for now. "Understood, Your Majesty."
Arkan reached for the heavy mask and the black royal robes sitting on the desk. He put them on with smooth movements, moving as if the dark and gold belonged to him. Before he left the room, he turned back, the silver mask already hiding his face.
"Please rest, Your Majesty. I don't want to get used to these robes for too long."
Lin Rui let out a weak, genuine chuckle. Arkan offered no further comment. Then, dressed as the Khan, he emerged into the courtyard, dark robes trailing regally behind him.
Back in the quiet room, Lin Rui lay back against the pillows and sighed, wincing one more time as his back reminded him of the pain.