Return of the General's Daughter
Chapter 148: Misunderstanding 2

Chapter 148: Misunderstanding 2

Soon, Felix arrived, his arms laden with the fragrant herbs Alaric had requested. Their fresh scent—sharp eucalyptus, sweet rosemary, and cool mint—mingled in the air, cutting through the heavy atmosphere in the room.

Aramis followed close behind, carefully carrying the steaming water, the heat rising in delicate tendrils as he poured it into the wooden tub. The water swirled as it filled, a perfect balance of hot water and fresh, cool streams collected from the falls. The wooden tub was as high as his thighs.

Felix, without ceremony, tossed the leaves into the tub, their vibrant greens and purples drifting lazily on the surface. He reached into a small pouch and scattered soft rose petals over the water, their delicate edges curling at the heat. Only then did he turn his attention to the unconscious figure on the bed.

"What happened to Doctor Kane? How could he sleep so deeply?"

An odd sense of unease prickled at the back of Felix’s mind as he reached for the thin blanket covering him. He hesitated, but something compelled him to pull it back.

The moment he did, a sharp inhale escaped his lips

A deep discoloration marred Kane’s arms—dark, sprawling bruises blooming like storm clouds beneath his skin. They weren’t just small marks; they were vicious, spreading across his forearms in jagged patches of deep purples and blues.

"Why was he bruised so badly?" Felix breathed heavily.

The three men huddled near the door, their expressions a mix of bewilderment and uncertainty. Each glanced at the others as if seeking answers in their shifting eyes. Their bodies were tense, shoulders slightly hunched, as they exchanged silent questions, the weight of confusion hanging heavily among them.

Finally, Alaric broke the silence. His voice was neutral—too neutral—but beneath the carefully controlled tone, if one listened closely, there was the faintest tremor.

"A python got him," he said. "Thankfully, he escaped in time."

Agilus and Aramis froze. Their gazes met, and a realization dawned between them. A wave of embarrassment rushed over them, their faces burning crimson as they grasped how wildly their imaginations had run astray.

They had assumed the worst of their prince.

Now, they could only silently curse themselves for their ridiculous—and shameful—thoughts.

"What time did it happen?" Felix asked. He wasn’t an experienced doctor. He was only a physician assistant, a medic, that’s what Kane called him. He could not offer much advice, but he knew that the bruises on his skin were caused by blood leaking from damaged blood vessels under the skin.

Just how much force did the snake exert to leave his arm looking so battered and bruised? The deep, angry welts and swelling told a chilling story of its incredible strength.

Alaric’s expression remained unreadable. "Very early this morning," he replied. "He’s been asleep for most of the day." A faint crease appeared between his brows, betraying the worry he hadn’t voiced. "Is this normal?"

Felix exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "It’s a natural response to extreme stress. His body is shutting down to conserve energy and heal itself." He glanced at the bruises again. "The blood vessels were damaged from the pressure. The swelling should be managed, and the bruises need to be massaged periodically to promote circulation."

As he reached for Kane’s arm to begin, Alaric’s hand shot out, stopping him mid-motion.

"I’ll do it," the prince said, his tone cool yet unwavering.

Felix met his gaze for a moment, then simply nodded, stepping back without protest.

A soft rustling from the bed caught their attention.

Lara’s eyelids fluttered, her mind drifting between the haze of unconsciousness and wakefulness. At first, the voices around her were muffled, distant echoes floating on the edge of her awareness. But they became clearer—distinct.

Her eyes opened. The flickering candlelight reflected in them, turning them into amber.

Her vision adjusted to the dim glow, her gaze settling on the figures gathered near her bedside. Alaric stood nearest, Felix at his side. At the doorway, Agilus, Angus, and Aramis were huddled together, watching with thinly veiled curiosity.

"Oh, what brings you to my room?" Her eyes narrowed,

Then her eyes flickered to the large wooden tub at the foot of her bed. The polished surface gleamed in the firelight, the gentle steam rising from its depths carrying the rich scents of herbs and flowers.

"And what exactly is that?" she added, tilting her head.

"A medicinal bath," Agilus answered swiftly, cutting off Aramis before he could remark. "It’ll help you feel better."

Lara took a slow inhale, savoring the soothing fragrance of rosemary and mint mingling with the floral undertones of rose petals. The scent wrapped around her like a warm embrace, promising comfort and relief. Her body ached—every muscle felt strained, her skin tender.

A warm bath sounded heavenly.

She exhaled. "Then, would you all mind leaving so I can use it?"

One by one, the three men at the door left, their figures vanishing into the room next door. Felix followed soon after, leaving the room enveloped in thick silence.

A bath sounded heavenly.

"Aren’t you going to leave Your Highness?"

"No." His response was immediate, unyielding. "You’ll need my assistance."

A smirk ghosted across his lips, his golden eyes glinting with mischief. "Besides, I’ve already seen your body—what else could possibly remain to discover?"

In the other room, Aramis and Agilus pressed themselves against the cool bamboo wall, their hearts pounding. They strained to hear the prince’s words, their curiosity outweighing their sense of propriety. When Alaric’s voice carried through the bamboo panels, a sudden jolt of shock sent them stumbling back a few steps, nearly exposing their eavesdropping.

Lara attempted to sit up, only for a sharp sting to course through her torso. She winced, her breath hitching.

Alaric was at her side in an instant, steadying her with a firm yet gentle touch. "Are you alright?" His voice, stripped of its earlier teasing, was quiet and sincere. "If you need anything, call me."

Lara hesitated before nodding. "I need help getting into the tub."

Without hesitation, Alaric wrapped an arm around her, supporting her as they moved slowly toward the bath.

As they neared, a strange tension thickened in the air between them.

Alaric’s face grew noticeably warmer as Lara began peeling off her outer layers. She discarded her loose trousers, leaving her in simple shorts and the loose white upper garment.

She lifted her foot, intending to step into the tub—but as she moved, pain flared up her side, forcing her to stop abruptly.

Alaric didn’t wait for her to ask.

In one fluid motion, he scooped her into his arms and gently lowered her into the steaming water.

Lara gasped softly as the heat enveloped her, seeping into her aching muscles, drawing a deep sigh of relief from her lips.

Alaric remained kneeling beside the tub, watching her quietly. His usual air of indifference faltered for just a moment, replaced by something unreadable.

Something unspoken.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.