Escorts to the Castle

‘What's with the Young Master's obsession with high school girls lately?’

Seth reeled from the changes brought by a certain someone on Wes.

Recently, he'd secured a surveillance video recording, which he claimed was for the sake of that person. Next, he'd investigated a group of teens and ended up uncovering some shady business. Then, he’d coerced those people via blackmail into cleaning up their social media profiles. 

And now, he infiltrated a school.

‘The scandal! Think about the scandal, sir!’  Seth cried in his head as Wes marched into the infirmary and started pulling theatrics on the nurse to get permission to enter.

“Please, ma'am. I have to see her no matter what."

“Oh dear… S-She must be important to you…”

“Very much. I don’t know what I’ll do if something happens to her.”

“I-If you don’t mind me asking, what’s your…?”

“We are two star-crossed souls bound by the heavens yet condemned by the world, and we…”

The woman began tearing up at the overly dramatic tale of love that Wes had spun on the spot, and he even showed his face despite his aversion to it, knowing he could get this done faster with his irresistible charms—truly, a skilled actor and model.

Given the rule that only relatives could fetch students with medical needs, he resorted to this tactic. Had the nurse been less gullible or unmoved by such acts, she’d realize he was just as good as any trespasser.

‘While convenient, it's also risky. Security is too lax, and we haven’t bumped into any of the other faculty staff. There’s not a lot to expect from a public school, but still...' Seth continued to watch quietly until the nurse eventually agreed and even left the room per Wes’s request.

The sparkling smile on the young man’s face darkened once she's gone. “That sure was easy. But leaving two suspicious guys alone with an unconscious female student… Shall I sue them for negligence?”

“That’s rich, coming from one of those ‘suspicious guys.’ Why even bring me all the way here, Young Master? You’re able to handle it well enough.”

“First, you’re the one who tagged along and accused me of trying to skip work again. Second, I let you since I thought of getting you to pretend to be the father or uncle if my plan failed.”

Seth wasn’t impressed or surprised. ‘How awfully shrewd.’

Suddenly, they heard a loud cough from behind a curtain. Wes gasped out the girl's name and rushed over to find her stirring on the bed, his expression contorting to deep worry. Without hesitation, he kneeled on the floor and held her face.

Seeing this, Seth decided to wait at the door to give them privacy. ‘Ms. Mia Rosswood… Just what kind of person is she to bring the Young Master to his knees like that?’

---

“Shh... I'm here now. It'll be alright.” Wes tried his best to comfort Mia. 

His hand caressed her cheek, and warm affection surged in his chest when she scooted closer to rub against it. He soon felt panic rising, though, realizing how severe her condition was through her body temperature.

He needed to take her home.

“If someone catches us, I swear they'll think we're kidnapping the young lady,” Seth complained as Wes stepped out of the infirmary with Mia in his arms.

“Classes are ongoing, and the school seems painfully remiss of their students’ safety. They won't take care of her, and I'd rather be seen as a criminal than leave her alone.”

“The only way out is through the front gate, which everyone in the building can see. Also, did you forget who you are?”

“Let's just disguise ourselves, and it probably won't be too bad if we were to act like we're escorting a princess to the castle.”

That afternoon, teachers and students alike were treated to a scene straight out of a movie, where a man in shades carried a girl draped in a suit jacket while another man in uniform held up an umbrella to cover their heads.

Wes sensed quite a few eyes prickling at his skin. But he kept walking until they reached the car, only turning around once inside and noticing that one particular classroom had descended into chaos. Seth tossed him a sarcastic smirk through the rearview mirror before driving off.

“Hopefully, no one reports us.”

“We can say we're rehearsing for a shooting,” he said playfully before looking back down at Mia, who remained asleep in his arms, and gently brushing away the strands of hair that fell on her face. “Remember the script reading? Apparently, they're changing one of the locations for the movie. Happened to be set at a school.”

“...You don't intend to, surely?”

Wes uttered no more words.

They arrived at Mia's apartment after several minutes. Right as he's about to wake her up to ask for her keys, Seth tried pushing the door, and to their surprise, it opened with a hollow creak. The first thing Wes thought of was a home invasion.

But then, he saw the lock—crooked, crusty, corroded.

His jaw clenched, his stomach twisting. ‘How long has it been like this?’

“I’ll check inside. Please wait here, Young Master.” His bodyguard entered carefully, inspecting the surroundings for any dangerous element. 

He exhaled sharply through his nose. ‘Why didn't she replace it? What if we're not here and someone…?’

The idea of his girlfriend living alone behind a door that couldn’t latch both frightened and angered him.

He felt a finger poking at his chin, and his eyes drifted down. Mia had woken up—cheeks flushed, brows low, lips forming a tired smile. His fear and frustration wavered at the sight, overcome by genuine concern.

“W-Wes, you’re… Are you m-mad…?”

“That I learned all these things about you? No. But that I did in this manner because you never told me? Maybe.”

“I just…don't want to burden you…”

Her voice died down as the fever put her back to slumber once more. ‘Burden me?’  he thought in disbelief, and then, determination seized him. ‘I’m yours, Mia. I'll show you how much you can burden me.’ He made his decision at that moment. 

“Seth,” he called out from the doorstep. “Contact the apartment owner and have them fix the lock. Knowing Mia, she must think she can solve this by herself. In the meantime, I'll go back to the car and call Caleb. Drive us to his condo afterwards so she can rest there.”

“I beg your pardon, sir?”

“Her school, her home—neither is safe. I can't leave her alone and vulnerable at the same time when I go back to work later.”

“But why at your cousin's…?”

Wes turned his back on Seth before speaking again, “The Ashthorne’s estate might shock Mia and expose me. Compared to a mansion, Caleb's place is more cozy and relaxing.”

“...That's it?”

“I can also go to the hospital and make you deal with all the paperwork-”

“As the Young Master commands, I shall inform the landlord and then send you to Mr. Caleb's.”

---

Mia regained consciousness at some point in the evening.

Her insides were warm, her mouth dry, and her head throbbing. She felt a bit better than before, at least, but she wasn't sure if she could stand up yet.

With effort, she opened her eyes fully to find herself in a room faintly lit with a lamp—a room she did not recognize.

Mia looked around in a panic, and that was when she spotted Wes sitting on the edge of the bed. She buried herself under the blankets, both startled and embarrassed. Her memories were a scrambled mess, but she remembered seeing him at school and at her apartment.

“Glad to see you're awake.” He smiled and placed a hand on her forehead, causing her to blush. "You've been out since noon. How are you feeling?"

She opened her mouth to respond, but her voice came out like a squeak. Clearing her throat, she hid herself farther under the covers while he went to grab a glass of water. Her eyes fell on her clothes at that second, then bulged as she noticed she was in sleepwear.

'No way. Did he...?'