The bathtub was at the center of the guest room, on top of an exotic green carpet vividly painted with castles and settlements in the desert. On the tub's left was a king-sized bed with a three-colored canopy, all made of silk. The nightstand beside the bed was also a dresser, which an old man like Ranith would not bother using. Opposite the bed was a large oil painting of a naked woman lying on grapes. It was detailed in a few specific areas, which Roal had no interest in.
Meanwhile, Akki was lying on a pure white bed with his head on the softest pillow he had experienced in a decade. The warmth of cotton and wool wrapped around his body, securing his sleep like his mother's arms. With tears that seeped out of his closed eyelids, Akki slowly opened his eyes, leaving his dream of childhood behind. Sunshine pierced through the window above the white bed, putting a petty tingle in his eyes. Adroitly leaving his nostalgia behind and observing the space, Akki instantly realized that he was in the local lord's castle by noticing the well-preserved wooden walls and ceilings. They were of a much higher quality than those in Inn of Helan.
He sat up from the bed and tugged open the pink curtain on the left of his bed. His clean, bare feet stepped on the spotless floor. His eyes scanned the whole room, searching for his kimono. What he wanted to do the most now was to take off the exquisite red tunic and expensive beige trousers on him. Not having his outfit and weapon always gave Akki a bad temper.
A bald, middle-aged man opened the door and entered the room, "Greetings, Mr. Akki! I am the head of the town physicians and the brother of Sir Bagen. You can call me Mr. Bagen." He reached out his hand, which was covered in a white glove that perfectly fit his black alb. A linen cross was painted on both of his gloves and the center of his alb, denoting his high status.
"Greetings. I'm just a bit confused. About the situation. I really want to know where my coat and dress are. And my swords?" Akki held his temper, causing unnecessary pauses between words.
"Our best tailor and carpenters are now patching your clothes and making you a pair of new scabbards. Your swords, both of them, are well stored in our treasury—"
"In your treasury?" Akki raised his voice and added strength to the grip, not showing any respect to the sibling of the highest authority in Bagen.
"Only as collateral! You'll get them back after the accountant's trial!" the physician withdrew his hand immediately after Akki loosened the grasp.
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Doing his best to hold his anger, Akki could only maintain a deadly straight face. He glared, "Where is my room?" The physician pointed at a maid outside the room while caressing his gripped palm. The maid, standing still, was holding a metal tray tightly before her chest. Everyone could tell from her expression that she was partially scared after seeing Akki's aggression. Visibly avoiding any conversation, she silently walked Akki up the spiral stairs, which had no wood on the cold stone. Akki never knew how people in Bokokka and FASOTO shaped rock into stone bricks, but he did appreciate its practical value. Before leaving Akki to his room, the maid shakingly notified him that Ranith was using the room next to his.
Akki took a big breath before putting his hand on the doorknob. He accepted the annoying fact that he wouldn't be with his kimono and katana for a while. The idea of not being so irascible slipped out of his mind without actually entering it. Moreover, another wave of rage almost caught him just by thinking about his weapons and clothes. Most of his wrath would be gone right away if he could at least hold on to his haori or hakama. Short of something to distract his mind, Akki turned his head toward the servant who had just come up the stairs. He was holding a tray with four pottery cups and a teapot. Noticing the mad Bohito gazing at him, the servant nervously asked, "Sir, how may I help you?"
"Who's tea is this?"
"It's Mr. Ranith's tea. He said he felt a bit sick, so I assume he'll want something warm to drink."
"Right," Akki walked to Roal's door and unhesitantly opened it while the servant stood where he was.
"Akki, you have," Roal sneezed and continued, "awakened." He was buried in the bed with a black quilt and a white quilt. Only his head was sticking out, just so that he could blow his nose.
"Are you alright? Is it because of last night? I didn't expect the—" Akki asked and explained with slightly more fury, directed at himself, entering his mind. He sat on the chair in front of the dresser next to Roal. The guess that he was responsible for Roal's illness was pushing his anger forward.
"It's not your fault. I just fell asleep in the tub last night."
"Tub?" Akki realized that he hadn't actively taken a shower for a while as his rage slowly faded.
"Yeah, I asked them to prepare one in my room. Now, it was taken away, obviously," the sick man reached out to the tissue again. As he blew his nose, Akki sniffed his armpits and teasingly commented, "I guess mine was taken unconsciously."
"Wonder if a maid was assigned to help," Roal joked and beamed in joy and fulfillment, utterly unaffected by sickness.
"Hey!" Akki yelled playfully instead of wrathily. While the two were enjoying the time, the servant just quietly put the tray on the chest-high cupboard next to the door. Before he left the room, he heard Mr. Ranith yell, "Thanks for your tea. It's very helpful."
Gently, Akki took the tray back to the nightstand while the sick man lightly coughed due to the yelling. "Koke(Here)," the Bohito carefully pulled some tea into two cups.