“You are now dismissed.”
I released a nervous sigh after answering some unnerving questions from the higher ups. I even had to summarize the report orally. It was the usual thing that they won’t have to read the reports but instead, they want to hear it.
“Commander Rachelle, you can have your day off today. Take some rest and heal first before you set off first thing in the morning,” said by Fleet Admiral Tybur Gallstones.
I nodded my head. “Your wish is my command, Fleet Admiral.” That was a relief to know that I would get to have a rest for today. It would mean I wouldn’t have to worry first what will happen for tonight. They have tightened the securities so I am pretty sure they won’t do any reckless actions. They were deeply trained with sweat and blood so it was a great paid off for taking them.
As soon as I stormed out, I didn’t head to my quarters first. I had to inform my colleagues that I won’t be available tonight. Of all people who almost injured, I got most of the hit.
“Colette!” I called upon seeing her making rounds with some of her platoons.
“Commander!” Her eyes widened then she ran towards me.
“Easy there. I am fine.” I reassured her.
“But…”
I chortled and smiled. “I’ll just get some rest so I won’t be available later. Can you send this forth to Sir Abraham?”
Still worried, she saluted me. “You can count on me, Commander Rachelle!”
“That’s good to hear. I will head back to my quarters,” I bid good bye at her.
“I’ll ask my private to deliver your dinner later, Commander.”
“Please do.” I smiled again then turned my back. “And wait…” I turned at her again. She titled her head with a perplexed expression. “Can you tell the doctor that I need the medicine?”
“What medicine, Commander?” she asked.
I pulled out a meaningful smile. “He already knew that. Just tell me that I sent you for a favor.” I didn’t wait for her to say anything and just continued walking away.
I headed back to my quarters and removed my uniform. My chest was covered with gauge bandage down to my stomach. A few soldiers and royal guards have seen me in my severe condition. I ordered them not to mention to anyone about what they had seen. I even ordered the doctor of the royal infirmary not to mention my case as well. I don’t want anyone to be worried of me. I easily got healed after I received some cuts from the perpetrator.
What I worried for was the wolfsbane tainted in the dagger that made a cut on my upper chest, lower, and the side of my abdomen. Thanks to the doctor who immediately had a potion but I still felt a little ill. With the wolfsbane, my healing process is slow.
Some of them only saw that I just have bruises on my jaw like I think Claude saw it but there was much more than that.
I tried to be fine as much as possible. I need to be okay so I could start serving my job properly. Good thing I was given this day to rest so I would definitely take this as an opportunity to retire myself.
I dressed in my long dress, closed the heavy curtains, and went straight to the bed. I stared at the dark empty void as I slowly felt the searing pain that I’d been enduring earlier.
An image of Duchess Amelia and Claude kissing together made me snap back and shut my eyes open. I hissed silently and gritted my teeth.
Why do I have to think that? Of all things that I need to imagine, that kind of image was the thing that flashed in my mind.
I was woke up from the knocks on my door. Groaning, I slowly got up from my bed and switched the lampshade that was on the bedside table. I looked at the clock and saw that it was way pass 9 PM. I wonder if this is Colette’s private.
“Who’s there?” I asked and unlocked the doorknob.
By turning the knob to open the door, a very familiar scent reached my nostrils. It was already too late for me to even realize who the visitor was.
Claude was right in front of me with a tray of food while having a sly smile on his lips. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion as to why he was here again.
“What do you need, Sir Claude?” I asked with an unwelcome tone dashing in my voice.
“I brought your dinner as per order of Captain Pavia,” he said, still smiling.
“What? Under the orders of Colette?” I am confused right now. What is the meaning of this?
“Yes. It is an order from her.” He cleared his throat for a moment. “‘Mind if I come in?” He emphasized the tray of food he was holding.
Heart pounding and quite hesitant, I opened the door for him and welcomed him. I watched him putting the tray on the round table that was near at the window.
“Aren’t you on duty to guard the duchess?” I couldn’t help but to ask as I made way to the bed and sat there, scrutinizing his movements.
Claude paused for a moment before he turned at me. “I told her I will not be available tonight.”
“Just that?” Is he serious?
“Yes.” He nodded. “Is something wrong about it?”
“You’re not supposed to make an excuse. You are just a mere knight. And I think the duchess won’t let you go so easily.” A tone of bitterness slightly smothered in my voice which I couldn’t help upon the mere mentioning of the duchess.
I watched him still on his straight face and didn’t even falter or release an emotion that he is guilty. Or that he could may be escaped from his duty.
“Trust me. I can.”
With the finality of his words and how confident he was, I still doubt him. But I could tell that he is telling the truth. But how? How could he excuse himself? What kind of reason did he tell? Did he say he is being called by the Grand Alpha King?
“Food is ready.”
I snapped back and nodded. I approached the table while Claude slowly opened the curtains. My eyes dropped to the cup where a tea poured in it. I arched my eyebrow upon seeing it.
“What tea is this?” I asked as I slowly sat in the chair.
“Captain Pavia asked me to bring you an herbal tea. She said that Doctor Raico gave her this tea.”
He sat down across me as my heart pounded crazily upon the mentioning of Doctor Raico. I calmly reached for the hot tea and carefully sipped on it.
“Did she ask you aside from it to bring something for me?” I intensely stared at Claude who was watching me with his hooded eyes, scrutinizing me. I slowly gulped and wanted to look away but I chose not to. “The medicine,” I said and rolled my eyes.
Claude just gave me a lazy smile before he raised his hand, waving the liquid potion that was in a small bottle with cork as cover to the mouth of it. “You mean this?”
“Yes.” I nodded seriously. “Give me that now.” I opened my palm and widened my eyes at him to give it now.
“What exactly is this for then?”
I twitched my lips and looked down on my food. “It’s none of your business.” I sighed and finished chewing the meat. I even sipped in the delicious stew.
I ignored the intense gaze of Claude as I tried to ignore his presence. But my wolf couldn’t just ignore him and was getting wild every second he stayed here. I just bit my lower lip as I could feel the vibrating sensation. I could tell that his wolf was communicating with mine.
“I need it. Give me back my medicine,” I ordered after finishing my meal.
“What exactly is this for?” he asked again. This time his expression is different.
I didn’t answer him but instead, I approached him and snatched away the small bottle. I immediately drank it before he could make a move.
“You have been injured, haven’t you?”
A sudden shudder crept in my spine as soon as I was done taking the medicine. I snorted as I reached for the tea. “No,” I said with full conviction.
“Then why are you taking an antidote that is meant for wolfsbane, Rachelle?”
I froze in my standpoint. I even looked away and glued my eyes outside of the window. The starry sky was one of the scenery I saw.
I returned my gaze back to him. “I told you it’s none of your business.” A tone of hostility emerged from me.
He stood up and approached me. He lowered his gaze on me as he was towering over me. “Tell me the truth! Or you’ll have me exerted an investigation about your case,” he said coldly and held my arm tightly.
I shook my head. “Even if you exert an investigation, you won’t get anything.” Because I already tampered the reports and even ordered those witnesses not to tell anyone, I wanted to add. “And who the hell are you for threatening or ordering me around? Why? Are you the Alpha King? If you are the Alpha King, I would be glad so to tell you the truth,” I said mockingly. I jerked his hand off me.
Claude just snorted and release a cackle. There was a hint of mockery on it. “Fine. Suit yourself. But listen well, Rachelle. I can make you tell the truth. I can make you.”
That made me quite nervous. He has this conviction that he could really make me tell the truth. It was making my goosebumps rose for some reason. I have a feeling he could pull this out.
Claude released a breath. “For now, you should take a rest, Rachelle. I won’t ask further questions.” That made me a relief. “For now, Rachelle,” he said with a meaningful smile tattered on his lips. “But remember this, we are not truly done with the discussion. I will ask you again in the near future. And for that time, you will say no to my orders.”
I was left dumbfounded the moment he left my room. He even had the reassuring smile that he would not just take ‘no’ as an answer.
What is that supposed to mean?