Chained Hearts: From Slavery to Sovereignty
Chapter 111: Tired

Chapter 111: Chapter 111: Tired

The old man did not reply immediately. He tilted his head slightly. Then, after a long moment, he let out a sigh. "You should rest more. Pushing yourself will only slow your recovery."

Cassian pressed his lips together. He had no energy to argue.

"I will go back to my room soon," he said.

The healer raised an eyebrow. His expression remained calm, but there was something in his gaze that reminded Cassian of a strict elder.

"Not soon," the old man corrected. "Now."

Cassian exhaled sharply. He almost rolled his eyes. The healer was stubborn. His words left no room for argument. Cassian was too tired to resist. His leg ached more now that he was standing still. He knew the old man was right. Staying on his feet any longer would only make things worse.

"Fine," Cassian muttered.

The healer’s expression softened slightly. He stepped aside and gestured toward the end of the hallway. "Good. Then go."

Cassian took a step forward. A dull pain shot up his leg. He ignored it. He walked forward, forcing himself to move steadily. As he made his way down the corridor, he spotted a servant passing by.

"You," Cassian called out.

The servant stopped immediately. He turned and bowed his head slightly. "Yes, my Lord?"

Cassian pressed a hand against his leg. The ache had settled into a steady throb. He ignored it. "Send one of my companions to my room. Any of them."

The servant nodded without hesitation. "At once."

Cassian gave a small nod in return. Then he continued walking.

Cassian stepped into his room and shut the door behind him. The air was cool and still, a stark contrast to the unease still lingering in his mind.

He exhaled slowly, rubbing his temple as he walked toward the small table by the bedside.

His throat felt dry. He needed something to cool his head. Reaching for the glass pitcher, he poured himself a drink, the soft sound of water filling the silence.

He took a slow sip, the cool liquid easing some of the tension in his body. Setting the glass down, he turned his gaze to the large mirror mounted against the wall. It was hard to ignore.

The reflection staring back at him looked even more haggard than when he had first woken up from his sickness.

Dark circles shadowed his eyes, his skin paler than usual. His cheekbones looked more pronounced, and there was a deep weariness in his gaze.

His once neat, golden-brown hair had grown unruly, stray strands falling over his forehead. The faint scar on his left temple was peeking from the curtain of his hair. The scars still looks new as it was just inflicted tomorrow. But strangely, there is no pain in that.

His lips were pressed in a firm line, betraying the exhaustion he refused to acknowledge.

Cassian frowned. He did not need a mirror to remind him of his condition. He truly wondered who had decided to place such a large mirror in a man’s room.

It was unnecessary, a distraction he had no use for. He had no interest in his own reflection.

But alas, this was not his house, and he had no right to complain. It was best to just let it be. From now on, he would simply avoid looking at it too often. That was all.

Just as he composed himself, the sound of footsteps echoed in the hallway. The door opened, and his companions entered one by one—Keren, Alistair, Morren, and Oronik. The room was just large enough to accommodate them, but if the trainees had come as well, it would have been far too crowded.

Cassian felt it was right that all of them come at once. And he did not have to explain each one of them individually, saving him much energy.

Cassian gave them a nod. "You came just in time."

"It was urgent, wasn’t it?" Keren asked, crossing her arms. Her sharp eyes scanned him, no doubt noticing his exhaustion. "You look worse than usual."

Cassian sighed, leaning back slightly. "Nothing, just a slight headache."

Alistair sat down on an armchair like the owner of the room and said, "That’s not exactly reassuring."

Oronik leaned against the wall, his arms folded. "Why did you call us here? What’s this about?"

Morren nodded, his expression serious. "Is this about the Galdreth situation?"

Cassian inhaled deeply and nodded before speaking. "I spoke with the city lord." He glanced at each of them, ensuring he had their full attention.

"He believes the monsters attacking Galdreth are not doing so randomly. He said they are persistent, ruthless, and coordinated. That means they are trying to take back something that belongs to them."

Silence settled in the room as his words sank in. Everyone was just as shocked as it was when he heard this words for the first time. Because it was simply unbelievable and no one had taught in this direction.

In their mind, monsters were just mindless creatures, and demons are nasty. Both of them equally detestable. And they are made clear from their childhood that it was only them who caused trouble in their world.

Their mind was set from the start that the monsters are always at fault, and that’s why they have never thought of the possibility that it could be them who also can be at fault.

Alistair’s expression darkened. "If that’s true, then whatever they want must still be here."

Morren frowned. "And if we don’t know what it is, we can’t stop them."

Keren tapped her fingers against the table, deep in thought. "So we either find out what it is before they do or get out before the worst happens."

Cassian nodded. "That’s why I wanted to discuss this with you all. We need to decide our next move."

Oronik exhaled sharply. "And here I thought we’d have a moment of peace. Life feels so comfortable here, and the food! Ahh! I cannot describe it more."

"No wonder nobles die for power just for treatment like this."

Cassian gave him a tired smile and rolled his eyes at his fantasy.

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