Jacob gave Alex a simple bandage and carefully supported him back to Hartwell’s family house to rest.
At the doorway, Jacob raised his hand and knocked firmly on the wooden door.
After a short wait for a minute, the door creaked open.
A clear and gentle voice with a touch of surprise, rang out before the door fully opened.
"Brother Alex, you are finally back!"
Standing there was Lucy Hartwell, The daughter of Mr. Hartwell, her face brightening in astonishment at Alex’s sudden appearance after a week of disappearance, though her expression quickly shifted the moment she noticed his pale condition of Alex.
Jacob only then spoke briefly.
"He’s hurt by a Assassin."
"Brother Alex, are you okay?"
"How do you get hurt?"
Her eyes widened with alarm. She hurriedly stepped closer, scanning Alex’s injuries, her expression clouded with heartache and worry at the sight of his weakened state, she only let go of him when she found no fatal injuries.
"It’s just a small wound. After half a month of rest, it will recover on its own."
Alex forced a faint, bitter smile as he tried to downplay the seriousness of his condition as not to worry her.
Lucy’s brow furrowed on his condition.
"What happened? How did he get injured, Jacob?"
Jacob answered truthfully, telling her everything that had happened on the road.
"That criminals, How did they dare to hurt you."
"They were truly shameless in their conduct, At first they dare to stole Ironhold’s city food reserve due to which their den was exposed and get slaughtered.
They have no one but themselves to blame, for the deaths of their men but how dare they try to attack you."
Her voice rose with righteous indignation, standing firmly by Alex’s side.
Her cheeks are flushed with anger as she thought about the injustice done to Alex.
"Brother Alex, come inside and sit first. I’ll first cook something for you to eat.
You must take good care of health."
Alex quickly caught her hand.
"No, Lucy, I’m not that hurt for you to cook—"
The warmth of his palm flowed into hers inadvertently startling her.
Her little face flushed red with embarrassment, her heart began pounding rapidly due to the sudden closeness of them.
Blushing deeply, Lucy lowered her eyes and whispered.
"Even if you do not want to eat, you should at least rest properly. Just a little rest might help your body recover faster from the injuries."
Alex softened at her words.
"Alright. But do not you worry too much. It’s only a minor injury and it will heal soon with time."
Feeling her care and sincerity, Alex’s heart warmed.
Despite all his weariness, a quiet comfort settled within him as he looked at Lucy’s worried face.
Feeling Alex’s gaze lingering on herself, her cheeks quickly flush with embarrassment. She bit her lip softly before saying,
"Brother Alex, please take good care of yourself in the future. We do not want anything to happen to you due to us."
Alex just chuckled at her and smile. "Alright."
Seeing him smile made her face grew redder and her heart faster as she hesitated, then added, "If you do not mind... Brother Alex, you can come to my room to rest for a while, In the meantime, I will let the maids arrange the guest room."
"Then I’ll gladly accept," Alex accepted the invitation with a nod.
The moment he agreed, Lucy’s blush deepened even more.
Alex being a straight ever straightforward man he is still didn’t realize what it meant for a woman to invite a man into her private quarters.
Even in modern times, it is still called somewhat intimate.
Jacob, just as oblivious as he simply helped escort Alex inside Lucy’s room and left outside.
When he entered Lucy’s room, he noticed all was clean and tidy as expected by a lady, all but expect for the ...bed.
A few garments and an undergarment had been left carelessly on it.
"Ah!" Lucy gasped, her face turning crimson. "I’m sorry, Brother Alex... I heard you knocking the door and so I rushed to open the door. I forgot to put things away."
Flustered, she quickly cleared the bed before helping Alex sit down.
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she spoke again, "Oh, right. Brother Alex, I have a gift for you."
Alex raised his brows curiously at her.
Lucy blushing, said softly, "Please wait here a moment. I’ll go and bring it."
Alex had only just sat down when Lucy came out, holding a pair of cloth shoes she had taken out from the drawer.
"Brother Alex,See I made these for you," she said softly. "I don’t know if they’ll fit... let me try them on for you."
Before he could respond, she knelt down and carefully slipped the shoes onto his feet.
The strands of hair falling across her forehead partly veiled her bright eyes, her snow-white cheeks tinged with pink.
Alex could help but exclaimed inwardly, he can almost catch the faint fragrance that lingered on her, a warmth brushing against him that went straight to his heart.
Lucy suddenly felt the heat of their closeness as well her face flushed crimson, her heartbeat quickened wildly.
Startled, she turned her head away, trying to hide the blush blooming across her delicate features.
"Ahem... forgive me," Alex coughed lightly, forcing a smile as he get the hold in his wandering thoughts.
Lucy bit her lip while lowering her head, and said in a small frightened voice, "Don’t blame yourself Brother Alex ... it was me who leaned too close just now."
She steadied herself, then gently finished putting on his shoes. After a moment, she nodded with satisfaction. "They seem to fit perfectly."
Alex glanced at her again. Her crystal-clear face was still tinged pink, a faint fragrance lingering between them. For a heartbeat, he felt an impulsive urge rise inside him something beyond simple gratitude.