INSCM 107

Chapter 107: Damian’s Care

“You must be exhausted, Damian. Go rest,” Aracila said.

“…Will you be alright without me?” he asked, concern lacing his voice.

“What’s there to worry about? I’ve got Audrey now.”

Back in Poshan Village, it might have been different, but here, with her devoted maid by her side, Aracila felt secure. Reluctantly, Damian nodded and stepped back. His heavy footsteps betrayed his hesitation, and he glanced back at her several times as he left. Through the slowly closing door, Aracila caught a glimpse of his eyes—poignant, like a puppy parting from its master. A soft chuckle escaped her lips. There was an unexpected, almost endearing side to him.

Afterward, tended to by Audrey for the first time in a while, Aracila sank into the plush comfort of her bed and drifted into a deep sleep. The next morning, a renowned mage from the Magic Tower, celebrated for crafting healing potions, arrived. He provided a generous supply of high-potency recovery elixirs, assuring her that two weeks of consistent use would fully mend her fractured bones.

“For the next two weeks, don’t overexert yourself, my lady. Stay in bed, understood?” the mage instructed.

Once he left, Audrey, hands on her hips, echoed his orders with a stern tone. Aracila, having no intention of being stubborn, nodded in agreement. But within half a day of bedridden life, a new problem arose: boredom. With her right arm and leg out of commission, her ability to do anything on her own was severely limited. Even reading was a struggle. Audrey turned the pages for her, but the inconvenience made it hard to focus on the words. Life quickly became stifling and tedious. Without anything to do, the days stretched endlessly.

After a nap, Aracila woke to find Damian, who had returned earlier than usual, coming to check on her. “My lady, have you been alright?” he asked.

“No, I’ve been bored out of my mind,” she replied, her face devoid of its usual spark.

Her obvious sincerity drew a short laugh from Damian. He pulled a chair to her bedside and sat down. With a sigh, Aracila grumbled, “I don’t know what I’m going to do to pass the time tomorrow…”

“Don’t worry,” Damian said gently. “Starting tomorrow, I’ll stay by your side.”

“You? But don’t you have to go to work? How will you—”

“I’ve taken leave at my discretion as commander.”

A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. As the leader of the Red Hawk Knights, no one outranked Damian, meaning no one could object to his decision to take time off—especially not in a situation like this, where his wife had been injured protecting him. He’d delegated knightly duties to Isaac and the assassination investigation to Colin, leaving him free of immediate concerns. Paperwork could be handled from home while he cared for Aracila.

“Even so, can you just take leave like that?” she asked, skeptical.

“For you, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do,” he replied earnestly. “Besides, isn’t this my fault?”

The guilt of her injuries weighed heavily on him, making it unbearable to leave her side while she was so limited in her movements. Unable to heal her wounds himself, the least he could do was stay close and help however he could. His gaze darkened as it settled on her injuries. He’d been casting those heavy looks her way ever since Poshan Village, and Aracila frowned.

“What are you talking about? This isn’t your fault—it’s Ken’s. And it’s not even that serious. With the potions and some rest, I’ll be back to normal in no time, as if nothing happened.” She patted her shoulder emphatically.

But Damian’s expression only grew grimmer as he looked at her delicate frame. To think someone so slight would throw herself in harm’s way to save me… Sensing his thoughts, Aracila narrowed her eyes, her mind racing. If she let him stew like this, he’d likely wallow in guilt until her injuries healed. Ugh, that’d make me uncomfortable too.

As she pondered how to ease his burden, a spark of an idea flashed through her mind. Her eyes glinted with mischief as she looked at him. “Damian, are you that sorry?”

“Yes, deeply so,” he replied without hesitation.

“Then starting tomorrow, be my attendant.”

She flashed a sly smile. If he was going to stick around anyway, she might as well put him to work. That way, doing something for her might help alleviate his guilt faster. “Very well. I’ll do it,” Damian answered promptly.

Aracila blinked, slightly taken aback. She’d expected at least a moment’s hesitation. He agreed that quickly? Lowering her voice to a teasing, almost menacing tone, she pressed, “Really? I’m going to work you hard, you know. Are you sure you want to agree so easily?”

“It doesn’t matter,” he said, his tone growing even more resolute. “Use me as you please, like a servant.”

Aracila squinted at him, caught off guard by his unwavering enthusiasm. Does he think I’m just saying this and won’t actually make him do much? Of course, she didn’t truly resent or hate him, so she had no intention of being too harsh. Still, his readiness left her feeling a mix of amusement and bewilderment.

Yet, seeing Damian’s docile demeanor, Aracila couldn’t help but feel a playful spark ignite within her. “Alright, then. Starting tomorrow morning, report for duty as my servant,” she said, her lips curling into a mischievous grin.

Damian nodded readily, his agreement unwavering.

True to his word, he appeared at her side early the next morning, dressed as if he truly meant to play the part of a servant—clad in a simple shirt and vest. Audrey, witnessing him take over her duties, was visibly flustered. But Aracila, unfazed, set about directing Damian with ease.

“Could you fetch that vase over there? I’d love to smell some fresh flowers,” she said.

“Of course,” he replied.

With long strides, Damian retrieved the vase from the table and presented it to her. Aracila leaned forward slightly, inhaling the scent, then smiled with satisfaction. “Put it back, please. And on your way, grab a cushion from the sofa, would you?”

“As you wish.”

Damian complied without a hint of annoyance. Audrey, watching her master serve her mistress, stood at a loss, bewildered by the scene. It was as if she’d been abruptly sacked overnight. Even as lunchtime approached, Damian showed no signs of leaving Aracila’s side.

Audrey brought a tray of food and sat beside Aracila, as she always did, to help her eat. “My lady, I’ll lay out a napkin for you. Shall we start with the soup—”

“No, I’ll do it,” Damian interjected, taking the spoon from Audrey’s hand.

Both women’s eyes widened in surprise. Aracila stared as Damian rolled up his sleeves with purpose. “You’re really going to do this?” she asked.

“Didn’t you say you’d work me like a servant?” he replied, a hint of a smile in his voice. “So, use me.”

It was a fair point. Aracila shot Audrey a look, signaling her to step back. Audrey, once again displaced, stood up in a daze. Damian took her place, holding the utensils with a seriousness that almost seemed out of place.

“What would you like to start with?” he asked.

“The meat, obviously,” Aracila said.

Damian cut the meat into bite-sized pieces, carefully wiping away excess juices before bringing the fork to her lips. Aracila, mouth open in anticipation, chewed happily. “Mmm, delicious.”

“Is it to your liking?” he asked.

“Yes. Next, I’ll have some soup.”

Swiftly, Damian scooped up a spoonful of soup, holding his hand beneath to catch any drips as he brought it to her mouth. As he fed her, he couldn’t shake the odd feeling that he was like a mother bird, and Aracila, eagerly accepting each bite, was her chick. His gaze drifted to her cheeks, puffed out from chewing. Normally so refined, they now looked round and endearing. She looks cute eating like this, he thought, a smile tugging at his lips unbidden. He continued diligently, ensuring each bite reached her mouth.

Thanks to his efforts, Aracila finished her meal feeling pleasantly full. Leaning back against a pillow propped at her lower back, she said, “Damian, could you grab that book on the table over there?”

“Of course, one moment.”

Handing the empty tray to Audrey, Damian retrieved the book. Its cover, adorned with ornate patterns and a vibrant pink hue, bore the title Love and War . It was a far cry from the arcane tomes Aracila usually read, and he held it awkwardly, curiosity piqued. “Shall I turn the pages for you?” he asked.

“No, read it to me,” she replied.

“…Pardon?” He froze, caught off guard.

With a playful smile, Aracila said, “I can’t read easily right now, so you read it to me. Is that a problem?”

“No, not at all,” Damian replied, his expression resolute.

He’d vowed that morning to fulfill her every request, and he wasn’t about to falter so soon. Opening the book, he found a bookmark and turned to the marked page. In his low, resonant voice, he began to read. “Archduke Persephone knelt at Cassy’s feet, pleading, ‘Cassy, don’t abandon me, a prisoner of my love for you…’”

The melodramatic prose and dialogue made his lips slow, almost stopping entirely. Aracila, stifling a laugh, teased, “Why’d you stop?”

“…Is this really the book you were reading?” he asked, incredulous.

“Of course it is. Keep going,” she urged.

Indeed, it was her book. Aracila occasionally indulged in sensational novels to pass the time. Their bold, dramatic plots and provocative themes were perfect for light entertainment. Knowing she’d be bedridden for two weeks, she’d asked Audrey to stock up on new releases in advance.

“Come on, read it, Damian,” she pressed.

He could hardly believe he was expected to voice such florid lines, but Aracila’s resolve was unshakable. Resigning himself, he continued. “‘Don’t abandon me like this. I cannot live without you,’ he pleaded. Cassy replied coldly, ‘Our relationship is over. You’re a heartless man who doesn’t even know what love is.’ Archduke Persephone shook his head, his face contorted. ‘That was true before I met you. But not now. Through you, I’ve learned what love is…’”

His words slowed again, but not from embarrassment. Unbeknownst to him, he’d become engrossed, his eyes scanning ahead to follow the story, causing his reading to falter. Aracila, hugging a cushion and listening to his soothing voice, noticed the sudden pause and turned to him, puzzled. There he was, brow furrowed, completely absorbed in the book.

What’s this? He was balking earlier, and now he’s hooked? The sight of this serious man, who didn’t seem the type, so invested in a melodramatic novel was both amusing and oddly charming. It felt like discovering a hidden facet of him. Choosing not to interrupt, she watched him quietly.

Damian, flipping pages with a focused intensity, only snapped out of it after some time. When their eyes met, Aracila grinned. “Finished? Fun, right?”

“…My apologies. I’ll read it to you again,” he said, embarrassed, quickly flipping back to the earlier page.

Aracila glanced at the clock and waved a hand. “No need. My family will be here soon.”