The Grand Duke's Soulmate
Chapter 168: The Awakened Knightess

Chapter 168: The Awakened Knightess

As Clara slowly fluttered her eyelids, the darkness that had clouded her sight dissipated, replaced by the gentle glow of light. It took her a while to fully open her eyes and gather her thoughts, her gaze darting around the unfamiliar room.

A sharp ache surged through her leg, causing her to grunt in pain. Determinedly, she lifted her upper body and tugged at the blanket, exposing her right leg, swathed in tightly wrapped bandages.

In response to her discomfort, a man with a slender figure, long black hair, and captivating black orb eyes emerged from behind a screen, drawn by the sound of her struggle. A warm, reassuring smile adorned his lips as he spotted Clara, now sitting upright on the bed.

"You’re awake!" Ayden exclaimed, his voice brimming with excitement and relief.

Confusion etched itself onto the knightess’s features as she took in the presence of this unknown man.

Her voice quivered with uncertainty as she hesitantly asked, "Who... who are you?"

The assistant healer approached Clara gently and introduced himself, "My name is Ayden Norman, and I am an assistant healer to Mr Rafe Amares. Sir Brooks brought you and Miss Baker here."

Clara’s worry was evident as she asked again, her voice tinged with concern, "Where is this place?"

"This is Gerhard’s mansion in Gantz," Ayden replied, understanding the source of her unease. "You have just undergone a major leg surgery, so I recommend limiting your movement for now."

At first, Clara remained vigilant, her mind grappling with the unfamiliar surroundings. However, a flicker of recollection crossed her thoughts as she remembered Noah mentioning their destination as Gerhard’s mansion in Gantz.

"My... my leg..." Clara’s trembling fingers lightly touched the bandage, her voice filled with apprehension.

Ayden responded swiftly, his words aimed at alleviating her greatest fear. "Don’t worry. Your leg is still intact and will recover," he assured her, hoping to provide solace in that moment.

Relief washed over Clara’s face, and she cried out, her voice a mix of emotions, "I am not amputated!"

"Of course not! We did our best to save it!" Ayden’s initially excited tone turned slightly gloomy. "But we can’t completely avoid the scars," he added with a hint of regret.

As Ayden looked at Clara, a profound sense of pity shadowed his countenance. Her body bore numerous scars, a testament to the hardships she had endured. Among them, a prominent burnt scar marred her back, serving as a stark reminder of the fire at the Bargesian’s barrack she had faced for saving Anna.

Observing those scars, Ayden couldn’t help but recognise the depth of Clara’s suffering and her myriad of wounds.

Tears welled up in Clara’s eyes and cascaded down her cheeks, a mixture of relief, gratitude, and vulnerability. As she gazed at the soft-looking and compassionate man before her, she realised that he meant no harm and had played a crucial role in saving her life.

"Thank you! Thank you for saving me!" she expressed with heartfelt sincerity, her voice quivering with emotions.

Ayden humbly waved off her gratitude.

"No need to thank me! It was Mr Amares who played the most significant part in your recovery. And, you should also express your gratitude to Sir Brooks and Sir Skyler, as they were unwavering in their determination to bring you here for treatment," he explained, acknowledging the efforts of the others involved.

Clara’s mind raced as she tried to recall the names of the knights Ayden mentioned. She was sure about Noah, but her memory faltered when it came to Garin. However, amidst the haze of her recollection, she faintly remembered another burly knight with brown eyes and wavy hair who had accompanied them on their journey to Gantz.

Moved by Clara’s tears, Ayden reached for a handkerchief and gently handed it to her, a small gesture of comfort and support.

"Thank you," the knightess expressed, her voice filled with gratitude as she accepted the handkerchief.

Her heart warmed at the gesture, realising that it was the first time a man had ever offered her such comfort. Ayden’s smile only deepened her sense of embarrassment for having cried before him, yet she couldn’t help but find his pale, soft features endearing and cute.

Clara gently wiped away her tears using the handkerchief, allowing her emotions to settle. Then, her gaze shifted, searching the room for a familiar presence.

"Where’s Emily?" she inquired, her voice tinged with concern.

"She was by your side all morning. She just left, but Miss Canton will be here soon to keep you company," Ayden assured her.

"Miss Canton?" Clara furrowed her brow, attempting to recall the details. "Is she the woman with blue eyes and black hair?"

"Yes, that’s her," Ayden confirmed.

Just then, a knock resonated through the door, and Elis entered the room. "Mr Norman, I’ve brought your late morning breakfast. Please come and eat first. I’ll oversee Dame Verns," she informed him, placing the food tray on the table.

"Miss Canton, please come quickly! Dame Verns has regained consciousness!" Ayden exclaimed excitedly, urging her to be present for this significant development.

Upon hearing the news, Elis swiftly emerged from behind the screen, her eyes widening with relief and joy as she laid eyes on Clara sitting on the bed.

"Oh, dear Lord! You’re finally awake! Thank goodness!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine happiness. Hurrying over to the knightess, Elis couldn’t contain her concern and immediately inquired, "Are you feeling all right now?"

Clara offered a weak smile. "I’m just a little tired and dizzy," she replied, acknowledging the medications’ lingering effects.

"The side effects will subside soon. Rest is essential for your recovery. But before that, would you like something to eat and drink? You haven’t had anything for days," Ayden chimed in, his concern mirrored in his words.

As the mention of food reached Clara’s ears, hunger rumbled in her stomach, betraying her appetite. Blushing slightly, she shyly admitted, "I suppose so."

"Miss Canton, could you bring the food here, please?" Ayden requested.

"Sure, Mr Norman!" Elis responded eagerly, a smile gracing her face as she swiftly moved to retrieve the food tray from the nearby table.

Elis approached once again, this time holding the tray delicately in her hands. Ayden reached for the steaming bowl of porridge, gently blowing on it and stirring it to cool it down.

Clara couldn’t help but voice her concern, "Isn’t this food meant for you?"

"Ah... No worries! I can get another serving anytime. We never run out of food in the mansion, though we have some gluttonous knights around!" Ayden reassured her, injecting a touch of humour into his response.

A tinge of guilt washed over Clara as she realised that Ayden hadn’t had his own meal yet.

"But that means you haven’t eaten either," she pointed out with a hint of remorse.

"I’m not that hungry. I can eat a bit later. Come on, let me feed you," the assistant healer insisted, his voice filled with gentle encouragement.

"Feed me?" Clara’s embarrassment deepened. "I’m an adult. I can eat by myself. You don’t have to do that."

Ayden’s gaze shifted down to Clara’s trembling hands, his expression earnest.

"Your hands are still shivering, and you lack energy right now. If I let you eat on your own, there’s a chance of the hot bowl slipping from your hands and causing burns. I don’t want to take that risk," he explained carefully.

Sensing the unease in Clara’s voice, Elis interjected, "Perhaps Dame Verns is not comfortable with men. I can help feed her," she offered kindly, providing an alternative solution.

"She’s Mr Amares’s patient, and I have strict orders from him to treat her accordingly. I also need to monitor her intake to ensure her essential treatment. So, I will take care of this," the assistant healer stated firmly in response to Elis.

His tone left no room for further questioning, causing the maid to nod and accept his authority.

Turning his attention back to Clara, Ayden gently instructed, "Now, open your mouth. Let me know if it’s still too hot for you."

Initially hesitant, Clara creased her forehead, unfamiliar with being treated in such a manner. However, Ayden’s persistent encouragement nudged her to comply, and she finally parted her lips.

The assistant healer handled each scoop of porridge with care, blowing on it to cool it down before gently feeding Clara. He also held the glass for her to drink and meticulously wiped her lips after each sip.

"I see that your appetite is quite good. But in the future, you’ll need to eat more if you want to recover faster," Ayden commented, noticing some porridge still left unfinished in the bowl.

"I’m sorry... I just can’t consume much now," Clara apologised, her voice tinged with regret.

"It’s fine. You’re doing well already," Ayden reassured her with a kind smile.

Just then, Clara’s focus shifted, and she remembered the true purpose of her journey. Anxiety laced her voice as she asked nervously, "The princess! Her Highness! Where is she? Is she here?"

"You mean Lady Raychard?" Ayden clarified, seeking confirmation.

The knightess nodded, anticipation and concern etched across her features.

"She’s not here at the moment. She’s at the palace with His Highness," Elis interjected, providing the information Clara sought.

Clara’s eyebrows furrowed as she absorbed the news. She vividly remembered Noah informing her that the King of Cassian had summoned Anna and her husband for an audience.

"She’s still there?" Clara inquired curiously.

"Apparently, yes. We’re not sure when they’ll be back," Elis added.

"Don’t worry too much! The lady is fine and in good health. I know you care a lot about her. But it would be best if you focused on getting better first. She would be thrilled to see you in good shape soon," persuaded Ayden.

Clara nodded slowly, allowing the assistant healer’s words to sink in and ease her concerns, if only slightly.

"Then, can I see Sir Brooks? Please!" Clara requested, her eagerness evident.

"Of course!" Ayden responded promptly. Turning to Elis, he requested, "Miss Canton, could you please fetch Sir Brooks and ask him to come here? He’s probably somewhere in the mansion."

Elis nodded. Her willingness to help was evident.

"Certainly, Mr Norman. I’ll find him right away," she affirmed, quickly making her way out of the room in search of Noah.

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