Chapter 43

Seeing me struggle to carry Arora, one of Ephraim's knights took pity on me and offered to help. He was somewhat familiar but at that moment I didn't recognize the man I had almost knocked out with a present. Seeing that things had calmed down, it seemed the knights were more inclined to care about Arora. I didn't want to accept his help but Arora was faster and she nodded. The knight lifted her way too easily for it not to be hurtful and I looked away. He must have felt my unease because he didn't dare look at me either and an awkward silence set between us.

The knight carried Arora back to Ephraim but the latter didn't even spare her a glance. Instead he looked at me. I flinched. I hated his stare more than ever. I felt filthy being looked at by him. He was finally frowning but that just reminded me of his smile when Arora was in danger. I despised him more than ever.

"You bowed to the Crown Princess."

My head jerked up. Was that really what he was mad about? That I bowed to the person who saved Arora? I didn't have to explain myself to him and just shrugged, not answering. Ephraim didn't seem to like my silence because he asked again:

"I thought you didn't bow to the pathetic Ice Princess."

I shrugged again and started walking towards the carriage. I didn't want to continue that conversation. Ephraim on the other hand seemed to have more to say. He stepped on the side, blocking my path:

"I don't like being ignored, Darling.

-Don't call me that."

He smiled:

"You are finally answering. Why didn't you do so before?"

Seeing me going back to silence made him sight:

"Are you angry?"

I laughed:

"What could I possibly be angry about?

-I told you, I can't let my people die.

-I heard you.

-There were more people under there. The child wasn't the priority.

-She wasn't your priority."

He frowned, seeming to think that it was the same thing.

"I have responsibilities. I couldn't abandon my people.

-Then everything is settled.

-You..."

He started rubbing his temple.

"You can't understand. You aren't in my position.

-You're right. I can't."

I thought that Ephraim would continue arguing but for some reason he just pinched his lips. He gave up on convincing me and looked down at my hands:

"You should get yourself treated."

He tried grabbing my hand but I took a step back.

"Arora's wound is far worse than this. But I don't think you care."

I felt bad having said that second part. My anger had the best of me and I completely forgot about Arora's presence. She shouldn't have to hear such things. I cleared my throat:

"We should go."

Ephraim stepped in front of me again:

"I knew that you were angry.

-I'm not.

-Sliske...

-Arora is hurt. We have to go."

Ephraim looked at me for a bit before finally stepping away. I walked past him without sparring him a glance. The knight hesitated before following me, Arora in his arms. He did bow his head to Ephraim when he passed him.

On our way to the carriage I spotted Sarangerel. She was standing close to her golden carriage, talking to a knight. It wasn't the knight from before. This one was a man. I had never seen that man before but immediately knew who he was: the male lead. He couldn't be anyone else. Black hair, purple eyes. He was Sephiran Loom.

Sephiran was the Marquis's son. The latter used his son as a tool and after years, Sephiran got bored of being a pawn. He became a knight and decided to become powerful and independent. When Sarangerel met him, she immediately fell in love with his determination and force of character. Sephiran fell under Sarangerel's charm as well but those two I saw didn't seem to be in love at all. I wasn't the fastest to understand those things but I still could tell. They seemed to be on good terms but more like friends. That was a bit unsettling but it was none of my business. I didn't care who they loved and turned back towards Arora.

The carriage rumbled silently, being the only sound breaking the heavy silence inside. I didn't know why Ephraim got on the carriage. He should have gone home on his own. Instead, he was just staring at me, not uttering a word. I ignored him and comforted Arora that we would soon be home and she would get treated. Arora's good mood disappeared however and she kept staring at my hands.

"What's wrong?"

She shook her head quickly, pretending that everything was fine. I couldn't pull out from her what the problem was until we reached the doctor. There, Arora finally spoke:

"You should get treated first, father.

-Me? You are the one who's hurt, Arora."

She looked down at my hands again, tears in her eyes:

"I am so sorry... I didn't notice that you were in pain.

-What? This is nothing! I'm fine.

-Weren't you the one who said that it isn't fine? Please, dad... I don't want you to be in pain.

-There's no need to get so worked up about a bruise."

Arora glared at Ephraim. I couldn't have imagined it. She really did glare at him. That was a first. She didn't even dare look at him before. Ephraim didn't notice naturally, paying no attention to Arora but he did clear his throat:

"But the child is right. You should get treated. How could you yield a sword in such a condition?

-Yield a what?

-Once your ankle is better I will teach you how to spare. This way you won't be a burden anymore.

-What do you care? You wouldn't save me anyway."

Ephraim flinched. It wasn't that bad of an idea if I was being honest. If it really was this common for nobles to get attacked, then I really needed to learn how to protect myself. I didn't have powers and didn't know how to fight. Powers couldn't be learned so I had only one option remaining. But I couldn't bear Ephraim teaching me. I would hate doing what he told me.

"Please, dad... Could you let the physician look at you? I promise that I'll get treated right after."

Wouldn't I be a bad person if I got treated before a literal child?

"You're the one who almost died."

I pinched my lips. There I was talking about death again to a child.

"I mean... I...

-Please... I am very worried about you, father."

I crossed my arms and tried my best to look intimidating:

"No. You are getting treated."

The knight that carried Arora before snarled and even Arora smiled. Thankfully she agreed nonetheless:

"Okay, dad. I will listen to you. But you have to get treated right after.

-Deal."

Arora sat down on the bed to get examined. I thought Ephraim would have left by then to do some villain things but he just bent towards me:

"Look at you acting like a father."

I ignored him.