Intrigued, she asked, "Is there sothing else?"
"Yes. Actually, we would like to apologise to you for attacking, disrespecting, and injuring you during our first encounter. We already apologised to His Highness Prince Kiev when he collaborated with us on the beast hunting, but we never got to extend the sa apology to you. So, I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive us. After all, you have married our healer and beco a part of our group," Eric expressed earnestly.
The Knights of Gerhard stood up in unison, their expressions filled with remorse. They bowed to Callis as a gesture of their sincerity.
After raising their heads, Eli spoke up, "I would like to take this opportunity to personally apologise as well. I cursed you and acted violently towards you, which I shouldn’t have done."
"I forgive you. I’m also sorry for mocking and knocking you down. To be honest, both you and him..." Callis pointed at Damon, "are incredibly talented. If you continue training for a few more years, you will surely rise in rank," she acknowledged, offering them genuine praise.
"I must say, Mrs Amares, you are excellent in combat. It was a great honour to have a fight with you," Damon added, showing his admiration.
" too. The ’Guardians of the Blessed Land’ truly live up to their title," praised Callis, her words bringing warmth to the knights.
"I also would like to apologise..."
"Not you! I will not forgive you!" Callis’s voice suddenly reverberated in the air in anger, surprising everyone as Luke’s apology was cut off mid-way.
The knight looked at the derian Princess in bewildernt.
"But... you forgave them all! Why not ?" he asked in confusion.
"What you did to was so embarrassing, you pervert!" Callis sneered, unable to forget the incident when Luke grabbed her bre*st during their fight.
The other knights stood in silence, their eyes turning to the red-haired knight, fully aware of his transgression.
"I’m not a pervert! I swear, it was a truly accidental mistake!" Luke defended himself.
"I don’t believe you! You did that to in front of everyone! Luckily, my husband hadn’t arrived at that ti and still doesn’t know until now because it was too embarrassing to tell!" Callis expressed her frustration.
"Oh, thank goodness Mr Amares is not aware of it! Imagine if he did! I’m sure he’d bury Sir Parker alive!" Eli whispered in a quiet voice.
Nevertheless, his words still caught up to their ears, causing so restlessness among the knights.
"Shut up, Sir Henderson! Don’t you dare open your mouth to him!" reprimanded Luke.
"Oh, you don’t need to warn him! I’ll tell my husband directly what you did to !" said Callis firmly, her voice laced with anger.
She stood up, ready to leave the room, her intention clear. Luke’s panic was evident, and everyone knew that Rafe would throw a fit upon learning that the knight had ’touched’ his wife.
"I knew this was coming!" Eric muttered under his breath.
He then signalled to Luke to execute their backup plan, which had been prepared in advance in case the derian Princess refused to forgive the knight.
Luke hurriedly rushed forward, blocking Callis’s path and halting her steps. The derian Princess glared at him, her eyes filled with rage and suspicion.
"Are you attempting to ss with ?" she asked, her anger palpable.
"No! Definitely not!" the knight raised both hands in surrender. "I know that words alone are not enough to prove my sincerity. So, to show how earnest I am in seeking your forgiveness, I have made sothing for you."
"Don’t think you can bribe !" Callis retorted, her tone sceptical.
"He made a strawberry shortcake," Eric interjected, capturing the derian Princess’ attention.
Callis was surprised by the ntion of her favourite dessert.
"Strawberry shortcake?"
The thought of the soft cream nestled between the crumbly scone-like texture, filled with generous cuts of macerated strawberries, made her mouth water.
A realisation dawned upon her.
"How did you know that’s my favourite?" she asked Luke, her curiosity piqued.
"I didn’t. Sir Navin told to bake it once we arrived at the mansion. It is ready," Luke explained, offering an honest response.
Callis turned to Eric, searching for an answer.
"I once t Jessy playing with Their Highnesses, Princess Laura and Princess Lilith, in the garden. We got acquainted, and I asked her about your favourite food since we wanted to welco you as part of Gerhard’s family," Eric explained.
"I see..." Callis’s voice softened slightly, her initial anger tempered by the gesture.
She pondered for a mont.
"Sir Parker is the best cook among us. Even Lady Raychard praises his cooking and loves it very much. You should give it a try," encouraged Eli.
Callis paused, contemplating her options. Sensing her hesitation, Luke seized the opportunity to prove his sincerity.
"I’ll ask the servant to bring it right away! Just... give a mont, please!" he said urgently.
He reached for the bell and rang for a servant, swiftly making arrangents for the strawberry shortcake to be sent over.
In no ti, the dish arrived, beautifully presented on a pristine, high-quality white porcelain plate. Callis, who had sat down again at the knights’ insistence, couldn’t take her eyes off the tempting dessert.
"Please try it. Perhaps after tasting this, you might give a chance. Also, please don’t inform Mr Amares about the incident," Luke pleaded with hopeful eyes.
"I’m quite surprised that the strong Knight of Gerhard can be so scared of my husband," remarked Callis, amused.
"You have no idea how dangerous Rafael is. His nagging is enough to make our ears bleed for days," Eric joked.
Callis smirked, finding their fear amusing. She picked up the fork and delicately cut into the shortcake, savouring the bite. The biscuit crumbled on contact, and the combination of cream, fruit, and vanilla-infused flavours danced on her palate.
A delightful sensation overwheld her taste buds as the sweetness of the ripe strawberries harmonised with the crumbly pastry and the smooth cream.
"Oh, my God! This is so good!" Callis exclaid, unable to contain her delight. "I could die for this!"
Her eyes sparkled with genuine pleasure.
"So... do you forgive now?" asked Luke in anticipation.
"Yes... yes, I do! Oh, heaven! How can you make such a beautiful yet delicious dish? This is so wonderful! Wonderful!" the derian Princess praised.
Luke breathed a sigh of relief, a burden lifted from his shoulders. Eric grinned smugly, pleased that their plan had succeeded in securing Callis’s forgiveness and averting Rafe’s wrath—killing two birds with one stone.
"Oh... Since you are so skilled at cooking and baking... perhaps, can you teach how to cook?" Callis eagerly requested.
"You want to learn to cook from ?" Luke questioned, surprised by the unexpected request.
"Yes! My mother-in-law gave so recipes when I visited her in Rivendelle. My in-laws told that my husband usually doesn’t eat much and tends to skip als when he’s busy. There’s this one recipe that he loves so much, and I wish I could cook it for him myself. Could you please teach ?" requested the derian Princess, her desire to please her husband apparent.
"Why... sure! Absolutely, Mrs Amares! I would be more than happy to teach you," Luke agreed, a smile gracing his face.
Everyone in the room smiled too, unaware of the cooking disasters that awaited poor Luke...
***
Rafe entered the treatnt room when Kiev granted permission, followed closely by Garin and Ayden. The knight had patiently waited outside while the room was closed and was anxious about the outco.
"How is she?" Rafe inquired as he approached the bed where the maid lay, with Kiev sitting at the edge.
The derian Prince placed a finger on his lips, signalling for them to lower their voices.
Speaking quietly, he replied, "I managed to put her to sleep. It’s best for her to remain unconscious, as she would be restless otherwise."
Rafe nodded.
"Agreed. From my assessnt, she’s in a state of traumatic shock, and it will take ti for her to recover."
Garin’s gaze shifted to the derian Prince’s strong hand, which still held Elis’s.
"Now that she’s stable, you can release her," the knight suggested.
Kiev looked up, his eyes narrowing at Garin.
"Is that all you have to say to ? ’Thank you’ would be more appropriate," he retorted in a low tone.
"I didn’t an to be rude, Your Highness. I am grateful for your assistance. However, Miss Canton is unmarried, and such physical contact is neither proper in terms of etiquette nor permissible according to the law. Holding hands is only allowed when a couple is in courtship and with the woman’s guardian’s consent," Garin explained, his tone respectful yet firm.
Kiev growled, dissatisfied with the clarification.
"I cannot leave her! She needs more than you can imagine!" he insisted.
"Mr Amares can take over now. Moreover, people are already gossiping about you carrying her in your arms—" Garin said.
"Let them talk! I care not for idle gossip! She needs !" Kiev countered fiercely.
The knight’s brown eyes observed the derian Prince with interest. The way Kiev cared for Elis suggested that his concern for her went beyond that of a re maid serving his sister. It seed as if he was protecting her like she was the love of his life.
"Your Highness, forgive for asking, but... do you hold affection for Miss Canton? Are you drawn to her as a man?" Garin inquired, unable to contain his curiosity.
"What I feel for her is none of your concern! I made a promise to her that I would take care of and protect her, and I intend to keep my word!" Kiev declared determinedly.
"Why would you make such a promise for a re maid? If you’ve ever considered pursuing her, I suggest you let go of that idea. Miss Canton has made it clear that she doesn’t want to be in a relationship with any man—"
Just as Garin was about to finish speaking, Elis let out a groan, her head tossing restlessly on the pillow.
Tears stread down her closed eyes as she pleaded, "Kiev... Kiev... Don’t leave ! Please don’t leave alone!"
Without hesitation, the derian Prince swiftly grasped her hand again.
"I’m right here, Elis. I’m not going anywhere. You’re safe with ," he reassured her, his face coloured with concern.
Placing his palm gently on her forehead, a radiant white light emanated from his touch, seeping through her skin. In an instant, the maid’s restlessness subsided, and she beca still, returning to her peaceful sleep.
Kiev turned his gaze towards Garin, his red-ruby eyes glaring at the knight.
"I told you she needs more than you think! So, if you have even the slightest care for her, you will allow to accompany her and disregard those baseless gossips!" he demanded.
The knight lowered his head in remorse.
"I apologise. I have misunderstood you and acted out of place."
"Fine... For Elis’s sake, I forgive you. But please refrain from questioning my actions regarding her in the future. I’m doing everything I can to alleviate her pain. This is not a physical ailnt that can be treated with dicine. It’s her mind... her soul that is afflicted," Kiev responded, concerned for the maid.
"Kiev is right. This is beyond my ability to treat. Only he can heal her, and it’s evident that she is attached to him. Let him treat her with his magic," Rafe interjected.
"How long do you think it will take before we can see so improvent?" turning to Kiev, he inquired.
"The last ti she experienced these symptoms, it took overnight for her to recover. However, her condition is even worse this ti. I can’t truly say, but as you know it, I cannot leave her side," Kiev explained.
"In that case, we’ll have to stay and wait..." Rafe said thoughtfully.
"No. It would be best if I took her with . Is my bedchamber prepared already?" Kiev asked, surprising Ayden with his request.
"Are you taking Miss Canton to your bedchamber?!" the assistant healer questioned, clearly taken aback.
"She would be much more comfortable there, and I need a secluded space to treat her," Kiev responded, now in a calr tone.
"But... but..." Ayden stamred, unsure of how to respond.
"He’s right. Callis inford that excessive use of magic can be dangerous. You might also need so rest from continuously exerting your mana," Rafe affird, understanding the need for caution.
"Thank you for your understanding," expressed the derian Prince appreciatively. "Let take care of her for tonight. We will assess her progress by tomorrow."
"In that case... should I wait outside your bedchamber?" inquired Ayden.
"There’s no need for that. She may start screaming again if she notices other n if she wakes up, which wouldn’t be good. It would be best if you stayed away," Kiev explained, recognising the necessity of minimising any potential distress for the maid. "Furthermore, all of you are cordially invited to Sir Alex Jarr’s betrothal ceremony tonight. You better attend it. That would divert other’s attention to us and alleviate the tension," he added.
The healer furrowed his brow, his face displaying a thoughtful expression.
"I agree. Since there is nothing more I can do, I leave her in your hands. However, I will have Mrs Foster accompany you as well. Would that be acceptable?" Rafe proposed.
Kiev initially wanted to reject the suggestion, but upon seeing the concern in the eyes of the n, he relented.
"Very well. She can accompany us," he responded.
Relief washed over Garin’s countenance as his heart filled with fervent prayers for Elis’s swift recovery.
The night soon approached, carrying with it the bright celebration of the soon-to-be-wed couple — redith and Alex.
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