Chapter 49: I Will Be Your Home
"You are unusually quiet, Your Highness. Did the duel shock you that much?"
After more than a day spent on the road back to The North, Tillian could not help but worry that Aideen would be exhausted, or worse, fall ill. However, the princess adamantly refused to stop and rest at an inn, convincing him that she was eager to return to the castle.
Most of the time, she remained serious and quiet, forgoing much food or sleep, her mind lost in silent introspection. No longer able to conceal his growing concern, Tillian gently covered Aideen’s hands with his right hand and slid his thumb over her cold, soft skin, allowing the warmth of his own flesh to seep into her body. A faint smile graced the princess’s lips, but it vanished instantly as a sudden realization troubled her already restless mind.
"Your Grace, how could you allow me to forget! Prince Yanad told me you were wounded! How is your arm? Is it painful? is there blood? Goodness, we left so quickly, as if we were running away from a fire, but we should have stopped to get your arm checked! And you offered us to stop but I refused, I cannot be forgiven!"
The lady’s innocent yet genuine lamenting concern caused the Duke to stretch his lips into a wide smile, inviting a slight blush to grace his pale cheeks.
"Do not worry, My Lady. It was just a scratch. Nothing important was damaged. Well... Almost nothing."
He looked down at the blood-stained ribbon on his left wrist and released a short sigh, while Aideen arched her eyebrows, her eyes widening as she almost shouted,
"What do you mean ’almost’?! Perhaps there is a small temple or shrine on our way to The North; we could ask a priest to check your arm there!"
The Duke chuckled at her enthusiasm, appreciating her caring nature.
"There is really no need to worry, Your Highness; it’s not serious at all. I apologize for causing you so much concern; I was simply joking—I wanted to see that adorable expression on your face, is all."
The princess parted her lips, utterly perplexed, rendered speechless by Tillian’s childish behavior. She then furrowed her thin eyebrows and pouted her lips, offering the man a forced angry expression that only fueled the Duke’s playful intentions. He was about to tease Aideen some more when she freed her hands from his gentle hold and said somewhat quietly,