Chapter Twenty One   Water; there was only water everywhere and darkness. It engulfs me into this never ending stream, suffocating, drowning, sinking, lower and lower until there’s only nothing. Oddly, I couldn’t hear anything. I couldn’t feel anything. All of a sudden, something tugs at my feet. I kicked and immediately felt the life surge back in me. I had hope. I’m not going to die. But then the grip on my ankle tightened, I looked down and saw a hand dragging me down, no matter how hard I tried to break free, I couldn’t. It’s puling me lower and I’m running out of air. I’m running out of time.   I don’t want to die.   “Yeona!” Youngho oppa’s voice brought me out of my nightmare. I found him shaking my shoulders, looking all startled. I was breaking out into cold sweats and desperately panting for air. Unknowingly I was also crying and trembling.   He wrapped me in his embrace and I pressed against his chest as I calm down. “Sssh,” said he and I felt him kiss my tears, “I’m here, you’re going to be alright. You’re alright.” I was clutching his tear-stained shirt tightly and he soothed my back by rubbing it. Until such time I ended up hiccupping and he pulled away to get me some water. I had finally calmed down enough for me to think straight, or so I thought.   My hospital robes were drenched with my hair sticking to my neck and I probably looked like a mess. That was the second time that I had that nightmare, yet this time it was more intense. “Are you okay?” he asked me looking really concerned as he handed me a glass to drink. I could only nod as I sobbed softly and downed the water in one go. I must be really thirsty.   “You should change your clothes first, you’re drenched.” Said he, handing me a change of robes. “I’ll go outside for a while, okay?” Upon his words I scrambled to reach for his arm to stop him, I was still frightened, and tears were once again b in the corners of my eyes.   “Don’t leave me.” I almost begged.   He heaved a sigh before he settled on his chair right beside my bed. “You need to get changed, princess.” Then he reached to touch my forehead. “You’re burning up.” He creased his eyebrows as he felt my temperature. Come to think of it, I was also feeling lightheaded and I could not be on my right mind but I was dead sure I was scared out of my wits.   “I’m scared, oppa.” I pleaded as a few tears ran down my cheeks.   “Ssh,” he was quick to wipe them away, “Alright I won’t leave.” Then he heaved a sigh once again. “I’ll turn around and you change okay?” I nodded, finding the idea suitable. Youngho oppa turned about on his chair and I started by taking down my IV, one problem about being attached to a bag of fluids was that, it gets to become an extension of your arm.   “Can you hold this please?” I said as I nudged him the bag and he took it still facing about. I started by removing my free hand out of my shirt, then my head and lastly my hand attached to the tubes. I carefully slid off my shirt and retrieved the bag from oppa to completely remove it. I was bare before the cold air in the room and I felt my hairs stood up from the chill. So I hurriedly wore the fresh robes starting with the IV and repeating the process all the same before I was fully clothed once again.   “I’m done now.” I informed him and he turned back around to face me, retrieving the IV and hanging it back to its post.   “Well done.” Said he as he patted my head. “I’ll get you some paracetamol, okay?” I simply nodded and watch him prepare my medicine.   “What time is it?” I asked.   “Around three o’clock in the morning.” He answered and that’s when I noticed the dark bags underneath oppa’s eyes that were slowly forming. Even in the dimly lit room, I could still see them evidently. He must’ve been drifting on and off sleep to look after me. He came back to hand me the tablets and I immediately took them. “What did you dream about?” he asked.   “Drowning.” Was my simple answer.   “I figured.” Said he. “Don’t worry, I’m right here. I’ll never leave your side.” Youngho oppa smiled so brightly. The exact same warm beam that I always find comfort in. I couldn’t help but mirror it and feel his warmth surge through me. Just like what my mother suggested earlier on, she went back to the palace and left me under Youngho oppa’s care. Secretary Kim was still with us of course, but she stayed on the other room, Yuju also left around ten o’clock last night.   “Did you get to sleep?” I asked.   “Don’t worry about me.” He answered, still smiling.   “I’m not tolerating this.” Said I with my eyes feeling heavy. “If you get sick after I got better then my conscience will eat me. You need to rest, oppa.”   “Hmmm, in that case you’ll be the one to take care of me then.” He kidded and I playfully nudged him, too weak for a hit. “Arasso, but I’ll watch you sleep first. Go ahead and rest.” Said he.   I patted the space next to me; inviting him, “Sleep with me.”   “Ooh, we’re getting brave now, aren’t we?” he still has his usually cheeky antics and I admit, it was effective, for it made me giggle.   “Only this time.” I answered as I made space for him, yet he took my arm before I could fully do so.   “I’m alright. I could go to sleep watching over you, don’t worry.” He insisted. My mouth tasted bitter while my breathing felt warm, I reached up to touch my cheeks and I figured they must be flushed, or my hands were simply cold.   “But I’m cold.” It was uncharacteristic of me to whine, but my mind was clouded. I pouted once again, hoping that I could persuade him. He reached out and I thought I was going to earn my embrace but instead he only finished buttoning up my shirt.   “Oppa.” I called to him once again as I held his wrists.   “No.” he looked flustered, his cheeky demeanor long gone, but his answer was firm. “I’ll get you some more blankets. You’re feeling cold because of the fever.”   I constantly pouted as I watch him rummage over the closets and pull out a thick comforter. He laid it out for me and tucked me in. “Hug me please.” I pleaded with the cutest voice I could muster.   “Stop tempting me, Yeona.” He said underneath his breath. “Go to sleep please.”   “Why won’t you hug me?” I asked like a kid deprived of her lollies.   He pushed me down on my forehead in order to force me to sleep, “I can’t sleep beside you, okay? What if the queen comes back and finds me b