After a brief mont, Elis pulled aside the privacy screen, allowing Rafe to proceed and deliver his report.
"Her shoulder has suffered a fracture from a strong impact, likely from the fight she had," the healer stated, sharing his diagnosis.
Kiev’s worry was evident as he asked, "Is it a severe injury?"
Rafe shook his head, offering assurance.
"No, fortunately not. We caught it early, and the bones remain aligned without damaging the surrounding flesh. However, there will be swelling, and the pain may increase when moving the shoulder. We have applied an ice pack to help alleviate the symptoms, and she’ll need to wear a sling for a few weeks."
Kiev approached his sister. His voice was filled with gentleness.
"Callis, are you feeling any better now?"
The room fell into a hushed silence as the rest of the people observed the sudden transformation in the prince’s deanour.
The contrast between his earlier grumpy behaviour and his current loving and gentle approach towards his sister left them surprised.
Callis, appreciating her brother’s caring nature, spoke softly, "I’m all right, brother. Just need to refrain my right hand’s movent a little." She then turned to Rafe with a grateful smile. "Thank you, Mr Amares."
A faint blush coloured her cheeks as she expressed her gratitude to the healer and extended her thanks to Elis, acknowledging the trendous help she had provided.
Now wearing a serious expression, Kiev directed his attention to the healer.
"I owe you an apology for causing a scene earlier. Also, thank you for treating my sister," he said calmly, his tone sincere.
Rafe, taken aback by the sudden change in the prince’s attitude, replied, "Why, thank you to you too! I appreciate that."
Kiev’s voice held a hint of pride as he continued, "I am a reasonable person, and I know when I am right or wrong. If I make a mistake, I will apologise. But when it cos to my beloved sister, sotis my judgnt is clouded by my deep affection for her."
"I understand. It is always the sa for anyone. When your loved one is hurt, you get anxious easily. I hope you can control your emotions further next ti," advised Rafe.
"Will do."
Kiev nodded in agreent.
As the prince expressed his willingness to improve, the healer’s perception of him shifted. He saw Kiev as rational, capable of discerning right from wrong, and open to conversation.
Turning his attention to his assistant, Rafe inquired about the status of everyone’s treatnt. Ayden responded, informing him that all of them had been treated. He expressed his gratitude for Emily’s assistance, which helped expedite the process. They ntioned that Sir McQuinn and Sir Henderson required further observation while the others had been discharged.
Rafe’s gaze then fell upon Garin, who was still present. Addressing the knight’s presence, he asked, "And why are you still here? Guarding Miss Canton, I presu?"
The fact that Garin was the only male close to Elis was common knowledge within the mansion.
The knight, slightly embarrassed, rubbed the back of his neck.
"I thought I could lend a hand if needed," he explained.
Rafe considered the situation and responded, "I believe everything is well-handled now, and you also need so rest." He then turned to Kiev and continued, "As I ntioned earlier, Her Highness, Princess Callis will need to wear the sling to support her shoulder. Rash movents are strictly prohibited, and she will require soone to care for her ticulously during this period. I will prescribe so oral dication to help reduce the pain."
Suddenly, Kyren stood up and interjected, "Is the maid still required for the treatnt process?"
Rafe shook his head.
"Not necessarily. I can apply the sling myself," he reassured.
"Then I want her out of this room imdiately. You too, Garin and Anryr. I need to address a few matters," commanded Kyren, his tone firm and resolute.
Garin, taken aback by the urgency, mustered the courage to ask, "But, Your Highness... Can’t it wait?"
"I said now!" the grand duke retorted, his impatience evident.
Understanding the gravity of the situation, Garin swiftly bowed, realising what it was about.
Sensing the tension, Anna raised her concern, "Kyren, is sothing wrong?"
"Stay here for a mont. This is a matter concerning the mansion that I need to resolve. I’ll be just outside," the grand duke reassured his wife.
Respecting his request and observing Kyren’s sombre mood, the princess nodded, determined not to cause any further trouble.
Anryr promptly opened the door, allowing Kyren, Garin, and Elis to exit. The steward followed suit, closing the door behind him and leaving the rest in the treatnt room.
***
"Explain yourself now! Why is she here?" Kyren’s voice reverberated with intensity through the cloister as he probed Garin, causing Elis to tremble. The impatience in his expression was palpable.
The knight opened his mouth and began, "Your Highness, Miss Canton is a maid appointed by Mr Foster."
Anryr quickly interjected, "Not , Your Highness! I told you she ca from Gerhard’s Castle, which ans her appointnt is managed by my brother, Gerald."
"I recomnded her," Garin stated.
Kyren’s frustration seethed as he responded, "Didn’t I make it clear that no female servants are allowed in my castle or mansion? Rosalie is an exception because she has proven herself trustworthy and served long!"
Maintaining his composure, the knight replied, "I understand, Your Highness. But I promised her before we left that she could always find if she ever were in a desperate situation. As you well know, a knight always honours his promises."
The grand duke’s tone grew sharper, "That is between you and her! You should not have brought her back after we sent her ho!"
"I didn’t! She ca and asked for help. She had nowhere else to go," said Garin.
"It’s not my problem! My place is not a charity centre to accommodate everyone in need!" Kyren exclaid.
Elis mustered her courage and spoke up, "Your Highness, please forgive ! I know why you do not want female servants, and I swear I will not betray your trust. I pledge my loyalty to you. Please accept , Your Highness!"
Kyren scoffed. His expression showed a mix of disbelief and exasperation.
"They all said the sa thing before they succumbed to the temptation and resorted to crawling into my bed at night, attempting to poison with aphrodisiacs and claiming to be carrying my unborn child! I will no longer let myself be deceived and allow the opportunities for such cheap tactics to be applied to !" Kyren’s voice resonated with bitterness and distrust.
In desperation, Elis dropped to her knees, imploring the grand duke. Tears began to brim in her eyes.
"I promise, Your Highness, such desires will never sway . I know my place and would never dream of becoming your woman like those maids did. Furthermore, I have no intention of being with any man in my life. After everything I have endured, I could never accept any of them!"
Kyren angrily questioned, "I sent you back ho so you could start a new life. Why did you have to co here?"
Tears stread down Elis’s face as she revealed her painful past, "The people in my hotown despise ! They assaulted , hard , and even tried to kill . They called nothing but a disgrace, saying I should die and that I don’t deserve to live. No one in Dracor was willing to accept . The mont they saw the tattoo on my back, they began to oppress ... and those n... they even tried..."
Elis’s voice choked with emotion, her words caught in her throat. The mories of the ordeal she had endured were overwhelming, and the pain it caused her was evident as her tears continued to flow.
The weight of her past was a burden too heavy to bear, making it difficult for her to articulate her thoughts and express the depth of her suffering.
Garin, interjecting with urgency, added, "She arrived at Gerhard’s Castle severely injured and barely recognisable. I couldn’t bear to send her away. Please reconsider, Your Highness."
"No! She shall not stay! That is my final decision!"
Elis’s hope shattered, and her spirit sank as Kyren remained resolute, declaring for her to leave. She felt utterly defeated, longing for acceptance and compassion but finding none in the grand duke’s final verdict.
Anryr, though silently disagreeing with Kyren’s decision, understood that he had no authority to challenge his lord’s order. The sa went for Garin, who knew the grand duke had the final say. Their loyalty to Kyren compelled them to abide by his decision, even if it pained them to witness Elis’s distress.
"Anryr!" Kyren called up upon his steward, giving an explicit order.
"Yes, Your Highness!" Anryr responded promptly.
"Give her so money and instruct her to leave by tomorrow morning. That’s the last act of rcy I am willing to extend to her," Kyren commanded sternly.
"Yes, Your Highness!"
"Ensure that there will be no repetition of this incident. I will administer the punishnt myself if anyone dares to defy my orders again. Do you understand?" the grand duke ordered again.
This ti, both Anryr and Garin responded obediently, "Yes, Your Highness!"
Elis’s tears continued to trickle down, her heart heavy with sorrow. Garin’s expression darkened, his concern and disapproval evident, but there was nothing that he could do.
Inside the treatnt room, while waiting for Callis to be readied with her sling, Kiev walked towards the door, pretending to take the ti to occupy himself. His keen hearing had picked up on the commotion outside. The story had indeed piqued his attention and grew a sense of interest towards the maid.
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