Chapter 191: He noticed
"There are several other private restrooms, Killian," she said, folding her arms despite one hand still being beneath the water. "You could have used any of them, but you just had to come into this one. If I didn’t know better, I’d assume you were following me."
Killian glanced at her. He didn’t argue.
"Seems like you’re pretty smart," he said dryly. "I was following you."
Yuki blinked. His blunt answer left her completely dumbfounded.
"Why?" she blurted.
Killian reached inside his jacket and pulled out a small container of ointment. He adjusted the cuff of his shirt before placing his blistered hand beneath the cool water. His expression barely changed despite the silver burns.
"This is the closest private restroom to the cathedral," he replied calmly.
Yuki’s gaze dropped to the ointment. Killian continued, his tone matter-of-fact.
"The palace might have several restrooms, but none of them is closer than this one, and I happened to have silver-poisoning ointment with me."
"Running water would stop the burns," Yuki pointed out.
"It helps," Killian corrected, "but it won’t deal with the poisoning."
Yuki’s brows furrowed. "You followed me to give me ointment?" The answer left her puzzled.
Killian glanced up. "No," he deadpanned.
Her eyes narrowed. "Then why?" The more he spoke, the more confused she became.
"I followed because it was obvious you needed to treat silver poisoning and weren’t prepared." His voice remained plain, almost annoyingly calm. "I expected at least your date to notice, or for you to ask one of the maids for help. Instead, you quietly slipped away."
Yuki’s fingers stiffened beneath the water. Declan. She suddenly realised he hadn’t asked a single question about her hands. Not once. She hadn’t thought much of it during the ceremony because everything had happened so quickly, but Killian had noticed.
Killian shut off the tap and reached for a clean handkerchief from inside his jacket. He carefully patted his palm dry before turning towards her.
"Give me your hand," he instructed.
Yuki hesitated. "Why?"
"Because you’re making the burns worse by leaving them wet. The water cools the burns. It won’t neutralise the silver already in your bloodstream," he said, as though offering to treat her wounds wasn’t something special.
She reluctantly extended her hand. Killian took it. His large fingers closed gently around hers as he carefully dabbed the remaining water from her palm. His movements were unexpectedly gentle, completely different from the cold, detached tone he had used since entering the room.
"Declan is a good choice," he said casually.
Yuki stared at him. "What?" she blurted, trying to figure out this ice of a man.
"The Silverthornes have been long allies of the Ravencourts," Killian continued, carefully drying the spaces between her fingers. "He’ll be able to protect you from the threats the Alexander Ravencourt name creates."
The more he spoke, the more speechless Yuki became. Her ex-mate was giving her relationship advice. Killian continued as though this were a perfectly ordinary conversation.
"He lost his first fated mate and hasn’t had a second chance in twelve years. The chances of him finding another one soon are low. They’d be even lower after you’re bonded." He paused, his gaze briefly flickering towards her. "And most importantly, he’s wealthy," he added with a faintly taunting edge to his voice.
Yuki stared at him in disbelief. Killian dropped the handkerchief and opened the ointment. He scooped a small amount onto his fingertip before gently applying it to the burns. A cool sensation immediately spread across her palm, easing the lingering heat.
"Are you giving me relationship advice, Killian Ravencourt?" Yuki asked incredulously. "Let me guess. You’re speaking as my considerate ex-mate, or are you already getting comfortable in your role as my big brother?"
Killian’s fingers stopped. For a moment, his expression hardened.
"I’m stating facts," he replied firmly.
He resumed applying the ointment, spreading it gently over her burns.
"Regardless of how perfect Declan might seem or how wealthy he looks, if you’re planning on marrying an Alpha or a high-ranking noble, you need to consider your obvious difference in rank. Your spouse will have more control in the marriage."
Yuki’s brows furrowed. She couldn’t read him. She couldn’t understand what he was trying to say. Killian continued rubbing the ointment into her palm.
"At least choose someone who notices when you sneak away," he said quietly, "or when the veins in your hand are slowly turning green from silver poisoning."
His thumb paused over the faint green lines beneath her skin.
"He might not love you," Killian added, his voice turning colder, "but he should at least care."
Yuki’s heart skipped.
"Silver poisoning is common knowledge. The bride and groom can endure it because they take a potion beforehand. You didn’t."
Her throat went dry. Killian finished applying the ointment, and already she could feel the burning sensation fading.
"I am a medical student," Yuki reminded him, her voice steadier now. "Without the ointment, I know how to handle the symptoms. Besides, we only met today. And I don’t think you’re exactly in a position to give me advice about my marriage."
A faint smile touched Killian’s lips. "That makes it worse," he replied with faint amusement.
Yuki frowned. "What?"
"You are a medical student, yet you forgot to bring the ointment." His voice carried a hint of dry amusement.
Before she could respond, white sparks gathered around Killian’s fingertips. Yuki’s eyes widened. The light crackled softly against his skin as his healing ability flowed into her palm. Then it struck her. Killian didn’t need the ointment. He could heal himself. Yet he had carried it anyway. Why?
Yuki looked down at their hands. Killian’s expression remained unreadable as the white sparks danced over her skin.
"I’m saying this because of facts, Yuki," he said quietly. "Not because of any feelings." His fingers continued moving over her palm as the healing magic intensified. "The fact is, you’re a Ravencourt. Every action you take reflects on this family. And as someone already stuck in this mess, I have to protect the family name."
Yuki looked up at him. Killian met her gaze.
"I can’t have you walking around with injuries because the man you’re barely acquainted with didn’t notice them. I can’t have you making a decision that could reflect badly on the Ravencourt name because you failed to assess the situation." His voice hardened slightly. "If you get into a bad marriage, people will say we pushed you into it."
The white sparks flickered once more before fading away. The burns disappeared. Every angry red mark was gone, leaving her skin smooth and unblemished. Yet Yuki didn’t pull her hand away. Neither did Killian. Her small hand remained enclosed within his large palm, and for several seconds, neither of them spoke.
The silence between them suddenly felt far more complicated than either of them was willing to acknowledge.