24 A New Friend (2)

"It is absurd!" Pricilla chuckled. "You understand me! Where is his gratitude?" she helped Felixa sit and continued. "Just the day before I was going to get executed, our Kingdom was attacked by the Brute. In the commotion that ensued, I escaped. I ended up with the Brute's posse and I am with him for more than five years."

"Are you one of his wives?" Felixa asked.

She had a bitterness rise in her throat. Max was gentle with Pricilla and she sensed Pricilla's closeness with Max by how she talked about him.

"Wife?" Pricilla shook her head with a chuckle. "No, I am not…" she paused for a moment and Felixa noticed Pricilla getting nervous for a moment. Letting go of the hem of the vest she was holding onto she added, "I am not married." And her smile returning to her face.

Felixa nodded. Understanding that Pricilla doesn't want to continue this topic, she started asking about improving her health.

Pricilla told her that thankfully, there aren't very serious implications of her years of abuse except for the scars and the stunted growth. She asked Felixa to start with the diet and some treatments for the scars.

"Can I grow any taller?" Felixa asked. As she observed she is of an average height for a woman around here but she didn't find it comfortable. Compared to Max she was very short and she wanted to get taller if it is possible.

"There are some damages to your bones due to malnourishment but it can be improved. You could have grown taller if you've had proper nourishment and unfortunately after twenty-one, there is no possibility of growing any taller." Pricilla said.

Felixa nodded. It seems like she has to get used to this height.

"Then I'll take my leave," Pricilla picked up her leather bag.

Felixa watched her leave. She liked this doctor. She has good bedside manners and she achieved something that many women cannot achieve and that made her respect her more.

"Can we have tea sometime?" she asked.

Felixa could say that Pricilla has a lot of stories to tell about the outside world. And she needed to learn a lot, especially about magic. She wanted to learn as much as she can.

And more importantly, like Max gave her a hand and helped her out of the hole, he has helped Pricilla escape her fate too. She wanted to know more about her.

"Tea?" Pricilla turned at her with her eyebrows raised.

"Yes, when you are at leisure," Felixa smiled, "If you don't mind my company, that is…"

Pricilla smiled, "Then I will accept your offer, Lady Felixa," she bowed before she left.

Pricilla couldn't hide the smile on her face as she closed the door.

I've met an awesome character today!

The Lady she met right now may look weak, but she could sense that she is strong. Although she was detached from a lot of her sufferings, in her eyes she saw a fire that showed the spirit in her soul.

She's a lot like me… Although she hides a lot of her thoughts and feelings. But maybe that's what impressed the Brute.

When she was told last night that the Brute got so interested in a woman that he requested her immediate presence to treat that woman, she was curious to meet the woman who grabbed that savvy Brute's heart. And she could now see why he is interested in her.

She saw a familiar figure wearing dark clothes and her smile turned to a grin.

The Brute is still guarding the door for her? How wondrous!

"You can-"

Her grin reduced and she pressed her lips as her eyes ended up at the man standing straight with his hands folded over his chest. He let out a snort and leaned closer to her face.

"Disappointed it is me?" his lips curved to a smirk. "I apologize for showing my face in front of you, wife!"

Pricilla opened her mouth to say something. But looking at the curious glance of the man who is technically her husband, she decided it won't be worth the try. Without saying anything, she turned to leave.

"It was the Emperor's order," with a smug smile he walked behind her. "You'd have to get used to seeing my face now, dear."

"Then, don't leave your station, Sir Elrick!" Pricilla enunciated 'Sir', gripping her bag tightly.

'Wife', 'Dear'… He says all those words he doesn't mean just to tease her.

"Will you be willing to be titled a Lady if you acknowledge me as a Knight?" Elrick walked closely behind her.

Pricilla closed her eyes and took in a deep breath.

Blithering blatherskite!

As if hearing his nonsensical voice at night is not enough, should she bear it in the mornings too now?

Clenching her jaws in anger, she turned suddenly, "Look, Sir Elrick-" she paused as her sight darkened and she felt her lips brushing on something soft.

A lock of his hair tickled her forehead as he was standing leaning towards her. The fine lines of wrinkles on his forehead were more pronounced as his eyes were widened with shock as much as hers.

Did I just… Ugh! It's because he was following me and why did he lean just when I turned?

"Why did you..!" she gritted her teeth and her face turned red as she pushed him away.

"Don't feel shy, wife," With a chuckle, he stood straight dusting off the invisible dirt on his clothes. "This at least should be common between couples who are married for more than three years," he showed his teeth as he smiled but Pricilla could see the corners of his lips twitching.

Is he nervous? He? This man who knows no fear is nervous? Impossible!

She covered her lips and cleared her throat. "I should remind you that our marriage is not real, Sir Elrick. It's a farce. If you'll excuse me… I have to report to His Majesty, Sir Elrick," she turned and walked away.

"I've arranged a more comfortable room for our stay tonight, Wife!" Elrich shouted behind her. "It has a big bed!"

Pricilla didn't bother to reply to him. Her heart was already pounding and she didn't want to let him see her blush. Thinking of the lock of a woman's hair she once found in his possession, her pounding heart calmed down immediately.

He has a woman waiting for his return and yet he teases me. I should not get wavered by him!

Elrich touched his lips where her lips brushed. His lips curved to a smile remembering the way she pouted at him.

"That is mighty valiant of a Knight to leave his post to tease his wife in broad daylight!" Julius' voice made his smile disappear.

"Julius!" Elrick fisted his hands and turned with a smirk. "I see you're free…"

Elrich patted Julius' shoulder, "Move, brother…" he said and walked back to the room he was asked to guard.

A maid from the kitchen came with a tray of different snacks and he let her in after checking her thoroughly.

*Clang*

Hearing the tray drop to the floor, he stepped inside the room holding the hilt of his sword.

"The Lady… She's gone!" the maid's face was pale.

What?