CHAPTER 57: THE BATH OF HEALING

How did he manage to escape? How was he still alive?

Dominic adjusted his grip and gently laid Shiao Yi down on the bed.

When he reached for Shiao Yi’s jacket, it crumbled like paper in his hands.

The skin underneath was covered in horrible burns and large blisters. Parts of it were darkened from internal bleeding, and some areas were still bleeding.

Even Shiao Yi’s tough dark gray pants and black boots had been torn and burned in several places.

Dominic carefully removed the boots and reached for the belt.

It was an unusual belt, and he struggled to unfasten it.

But then he heard a small click, and the buckle popped open as if it had some hidden mechanism.

Just like the boots, the pants had small fasteners that came undone when he pulled them.

When the pants came off, it was clear his legs were just as badly hurt.

Using cleansing magic, Dominic cleaned away the blood and dirt. Then he began placing his hands over the burns and wounds.

Wherever he touched, his hands quickly grew hot as magic gathered in them. His body also started to feel like it was burning up.

Even before he tried, healing energy surged up from within him and flowed into Shiao Yi.

As Dominic laid his healing hands over the injured body, he felt it again—that deep sense that his healing was something special, something only he could offer.

And then he thought... what would it feel like to truly become one with Shiao Yi?

Even just imagining it filled his chest with wild anticipation, making his heart stir and ache from the intensity of the feeling.

As soon as Dominic placed his hands on the wounds, they began to heal quickly, no matter how terrible they were.

Even the burns on Shiao Yi’s face that had changed his features disappeared completely, leaving behind smooth, unmarked skin.

Dominic pressed a soft kiss to Shiao Yi’s forehead, then wrapped him in a large towel.

He stepped out into the hallway and called out to have hot water prepared in the bathroom.

Not long after that, Louis came rushing over.

"Shiao Yi? Shiao Yi came back?"

For someone with such a big body, Louis had a strangely sharp sense for things.

"Yes. I just finished treating him. He was caught in that explosion. The burns and wounds were awful. He still hasn’t regained consciousness."

Louis peeked over Dominic’s shoulder from the hallway toward the bed where Shiao Yi lay.

Dominic could see the relief in his eyes as he let out a long breath.

"That’s a relief. I’m really glad Shiao Yi came back, Captain. There’s nothing urgent now, so please, just stay by his side. I’ll have food brought in. Alright then!"

And with that, Louis dashed back to the office, noisily as ever.

He probably still had a mountain of paperwork to deal with.

But Dominic appreciated his first officer’s kind gesture and decided to accept it without hesitation.

The bathtub was filled with hot water, and Dominic gently lifted Shiao Yi who is still wrapped in the towel.

Because of the intense healing magic that had been poured into his body, Shiao Yi was now sweating.

Dominic didn’t want to use another cleansing spell—he wanted to let Shiao Yi soak slowly in the bath.

He hesitated for a moment upon entering the bathroom, but once he carefully laid Shiao Yi down, Dominic quickly undressed himself.

He unwrapped the towel from around Shiao Yi and also removed his undergarments.

Shiao Yi’s small frame and youthful body drew Dominic’s eyes without meaning to.

His throat tightened slightly as he swallowed his saliva hard.

He scolded himself for thinking that way and, without letting go, stepped into the bath holding Shiao Yi in his arms.

Of course, he could have easily just let Shiao Yi bathe alone with magic help—but Dominic didn’t want to let him go, not even a little.

He sank into the warm water while holding Shiao Yi sideways against his body, and gently began to wash him.

"Mm..."

A small sound escaped Shiao Yi as he opened his eyes.

He looked straight at Dominic and smiled, but then his expression changed to confusion.

His eyes started to wander around the room.

"W-what are you doing?" he asked in a panicked, accusing tone.

"I’m giving you a bath. Stop moving or I might drop you," Dominic said calmly.

"That’s... that’s not the point! Why a bath? And why... why am I in the bath with you? Why are you bathing me? You’re my superior! This is... weird, isn’t it?!"

Shiao Yi clearly seemed very confused and flustered.

"Does anything sting? Or hurt anywhere?" Dominic asked, gently holding him.

"Oh! Right, I was burned... and injured... wait, what?"

Shiao Yi looked over his body, checking different spots. The red flower-like mark that had once bloomed on his left chest was gone. It had completely vanished. Dominic thought to himself—he would have to place another one for him. But where should it bloom next time?

"There’s no trace left. Not even a burn mark. That’s amazing. Dominic, you healed me, didn’t you? Thank you, Dominic."

"This is something only I can do. Of course I healed you," Dominic said, as if it were obvious.

Shiao Yi’s face suddenly froze, like he had remembered something. He fell silent.

While gently wiping down Shiao Yi’s arms and back with a cloth, Dominic continued.

"Do you remember what I said? I asked you to think about it, after all this was over."

Shiao Yi gave a small nod. Dominic brought his lips close to Shiao Yi’s ear.

"So... have you thought about it? Will you consider it?"

Shiao Yi’s face flushed deep red.

He really did look cute like that.

Just looking at Shiao Yi, feeling his weight, and holding him close like this made Dominic’s heat start to build up low in his body again.

Dominic could feel something rising within him—and Shiao Yi surely noticed it too.

Shiao Yi’s face grew even redder, as if he were panicking.