Chapter 6

“The notion that their lives could be abruptly extinguished never crossed the minds of those absorbed in the scene before them. However, the problem is that it’s needlessly beautiful.”

Elena’s curiosity piqued regarding whom Kennard was referring to and the events that had transpired, but she refrained from inquiring further.

As Kennard fell silent, lost in contemplation, Elena cautiously distanced herself from his embrace.

Despite Elena assuming he was preoccupied with the garden, Kennard, in a sudden and effortless motion, enveloped her in his arms.

“Your Highness,” she exclaimed in shock, her voice almost a shriek.

“Don’t struggle. You could get hurt,” Kennard cautioned, holding her securely in his embrace and carrying her with ease. Though Elena’s frame was delicate, he bore her as if she were a small child.

In just a few steps, Kennard retraced the challenging path Elena had previously traversed, as if he were handling a precious treasure.

Gently, Kennard placed Elena on the bed, covering her first with sheets and then a cozy fur blanket. Contrary to his inscrutable demeanor, Kennard’s touch was incredibly tender and gentle.

Elena felt a wave of relief wash over her. She didn’t have to endure the pain of returning to the bed, and her earlier embarrassment seemed trivial in comparison.

As her racing heartbeat gradually settled, the feverish heat in her body began to recede.

But then, Kennard’s words took her by surprise, landing like an unexpected blow to her chest.

“If you plan to wander around like that, don’t complain about feeling cold later,” he said.

Elena realized that, of course, the room wasn’t even dark, so Kennard had likely seen her disheveled appearance. Her response was quick; she hastily pulled the sheet and fur up to just below her eyes, a mixture of confusion and embarrassment flooding her.

She wished she could disappear, perhaps into a mouse hole.

Leaving Elena in her awkward state, Kennard departed without a backward glance, disappearing through the door.

“What a disappointment!” Elena wished she could leap out of bed, but her body refused to cooperate. So, she pulled the fur up to her head and let out a small sigh instead.

She remembered Kennard’s recent remark, “If you plan to wander around like that, don’t complain about being cold later.”

“Did I mention I was cold?” she wondered aloud.

***

“Is the water temperature okay?” Cura asked, pouring another bucket of hot water into the bathtub and giving it a test with her hand.

“Yes, it’s perfect,” Elena replied in a hushed tone as she eased her body into the tub, allowing the water to cover her shoulders. It was more than just comfortable; it felt heavenly.

Her hair, bundled up to her shoulders, revealed only her arms, which were tinged with a deep shade of red from the warm water. The soothing heat penetrated deep into her body, relieving the stiffness that had plagued her.

A contented sigh escaped her lips without her even realizing it.

It had been a few weeks since her arrival here. While the scars remained, the worst of her injuries had nearly healed.

Cura diligently wiped her body with a damp cloth every day, but it couldn’t compare to the bliss of soaking in warm water.

As Cura tidied her hair, Elena leaned against the edge of the bathtub, overwhelmed with happiness that almost brought tears to her eyes. Not only did she feel rejuvenated, but her body also felt lighter, as if it could take flight.

Elena lingered in the soothing bath for a while.

The bathtub was filled with tiny flowers, creating a fragrant scene. Elena scooped up some water with her hand, enjoying the delightful aroma that filled the air. The small grape-sized flowers floated up but gently sank when she spread her fingers.

Cura inquired, “Do you like the scent?”

Elena smiled and replied, “Yes.”

“It’s herbs,” Cura explained.

Elena raised her head, curious. “Herbs?”

Cura nodded and continued, “Yes, it’s a type of herb. It’s good for the skin and leaves a pleasant fragrance when used for washing hair or the body. We also added herbs to the ointment we applied to Lady Elena’s wounds.”

Elena picked up one of the flowers and took a whiff. Alongside the rich scent, there was a hint of sweetness.

“It’s quite a unique scent,” Elena remarked.

Cura shared, “It’s Lord Serin who grows these herbs.”

“Lord Serin?” Elena inquired.

“He’s the aide to His Highness the Grand Duke and also the leader of the Knights,” Cura explained further.

“He’s a knight, but he cultivates herbs?” Elena asked with surprise.

Cura couldn’t contain her amusement and chuckled, covering her mouth with the back of her hand.

“That’s right. He’s not just any knight; he’s the leader of the Knights. He has a passion for herbs and flowers too. His father used to be the gardener at Baruchella Palace, and he wanted Lord Serin to follow in his footsteps, but Serin insisted on becoming a knight to protect His Highness Kennard. He did become a knight, but it seems his love for herbs never faded…”

Cura shrugged and raised her palms, then tilted her head thoughtfully.

“He’s a bit smaller than His Highness the Grand Duke in terms of build, but they share a striking resemblance. I’ve watched him handle flowers and herbs with such delicacy despite his physique; it’s almost amusing.”

Elena, without giving it much thought, asked, “Do you know him well?” But Cura’s reaction was unexpected, as she wrinkled her nose and frowned.

Elena felt uneasy, thinking she might have asked something inappropriate. She looked at Cura with an awkward smile, and Cura gently scratched her cheek with her index finger.

“In fact, he’s my older brother,” Cura revealed.

“What?” Elena was taken aback, nearly coughing in surprise.

Her already large eyes widened as she stared at Cura. Just receiving Cura’s attention had been overwhelming enough, but now learning that she was not just a maid but the sister of the leader of the Knights was even more unbelievable.

Elena couldn’t fathom why Kennard had placed her in such a peculiar situation.

Cura noticed Elena’s emotions and gave her a warm smile.

“His Highness the Grand Duke has given me a reason to stay here, so you don’t need to feel burdened,” she reassured Elena.

This piqued Elena’s curiosity. “A reason?” she inquired.

Cura explained further, “My older brother, Lord Serin, wasn’t thrilled about me coming here. He kept urging me to return to our hometown and was quite troubled by it. He even went against the Grand Duke’s orders to follow me here.”

Though Cura’s disapproval made Elena uncomfortable, her heart remained uneasy.

“But I’m not a noble,” Elena mumbled.

“Please don’t say that, Lady Elena. Thanks to you, I can stay here without being sent away by my brother. Your status doesn’t matter. For everyone here, the Grand Duke’s orders are absolute and take precedence. And despite his difficult personality, my brother is the most loyal among them.”

Cura gently dried Elena’s body with a cloth soaked in bathtub water, being extra careful around the wounded areas. Elena felt a bit uneasy but allowed herself to trust Cura’s touch and remained still.

Cura continued, “It’s not just because he’s my brother; honestly, in our Baruchella Empire, the Grand Duke and my brother are the most remarkable. When you see them together, it’s like a work of art, especially the Grand Duke. There are no words to describe him.”

Cura turned her gaze to the empty space while holding Elena’s hands together, ignoring the water droplets running down her own arms. It was clear that she was reminiscing about Kennard and Lord Serin.

Elena, still finding it hard to believe, remarked, “But it’s a bit strange how a sturdy knight can do delicate work like cultivating these small flowers…”

Cura couldn’t help but chuckle, covering her mouth with the back of her hand again.

Elena couldn’t help but think of Kennard, a man who was unfamiliar with flowers and herbs but had thrown himself into cultivating them, and it nearly made her burst into laughter.

Elena coughed, and Cura promptly handed her a cup of tea that had been on the table. Elena took a few sips and then placed the cup back on the table.

Cura seemed to assume that Elena’s coughing was related to her thoughts about Lord Serin’s appearance, and Elena didn’t feel the need to correct this misunderstanding. She certainly couldn’t admit that she was actually thinking about Kennard, a topic she couldn’t discuss.

“You’ll meet him soon,” Cura said with a bright smile. “His Highness has a castle and a domain, but he hasn’t been there and is currently here in Terra Demorte.”

Elena asked, “Why is that?”

Cura explained, “When it comes to His Highness, he doesn’t hesitate to go anywhere. Oh, the tea has cooled down. I apologize; I’ve been talking too much.”

With Cura’s support, Elena stepped out of the bathtub and stood on the soft cloth.

“I can manage,” Elena insisted, reaching out for the cloth that Cura had brought.

Cura was taken aback. She held onto the cloth tightly as if it would be a major problem if it were taken away.

Elena felt self-conscious. Cura had already seen every part of her while tending to her wounds. Furthermore, today, she had exposed her whole body during the bath, even if it was necessary for her well-being.

Although Elena had initially felt uncomfortable and embarrassed about revealing her body so openly to someone else, she eventually resigned herself to it.

Looking at Cura’s stubbornly pursed lips and narrowed brow, it seemed unlikely that she would change her mind.