Lauren was uncomfortable the whole time Alec was feeding her. In the past when she was hurt or sick, she usually took care of herself and was only aided by her maid. It was the first time in many years after her mother died that someone else was taking care of her, and she felt it was strange.
"Thank you. I can manage it from here," she said after finishing the bowl of soup.
"If you need anything, we can call the maid. It is advised for you to stay in the bed for the rest of the day so don’t do anything unnecessary," he said before sitting in front of his desk.
"Won’t you leave for work?" she asked as he usually left the castle during the day.
"I will work from here today. The people in the castle might wonder why I left my severely injured wife. Isn’t that what married couples do? Taking care of each other."
He was right, Lauren thought. It would be odd if a husband left his wife in such a state. However, she was a bit bothered. She was in a bad state and she couldn’t even leave the bed without someone assisting her, so she would most likely stay sitting or lying there the whole day, and Alec’s presence in the room with her unsightly state didn’t do much help.
An hour passed and the maid outside informed that a visitor had arrived. Hearing that it was Ethan, Lauren allowed him inside.
Stepping into the room with a basket of fresh fruits, Ethan noticed Alec’s presence at a far corner. Alec glanced at the man with a stoic face and Ethan bowed his head a bit to acknowledge him before walking to the bed and putting the basket of fruits on the bedside table.
"The news sure has wings," Lauren said.
"You know I have some people in the castle to inform me what is happening around here," Ethan said and while he remained standing beside the bed, his eyes dropped to the bandages on her left hand and right arm. Her injuries on her lower body weren’t visible as she covered herself with the blanket.
"I heard you were covered with blood and freezing when you arrived. Who did this to you?" Most of the time Ethan was full of smiles and jokes, but this time he looked serious. Being the only child in his family and growing up with Lauren, they had formed a close bond similar to that of a brother and sister.
"I was quite unlucky yesterday. Someone pushed me inside a mage relic that traps people inside. I fought with wraiths and got it bad."
"And this someone must be one of the ladies in the royal family, yes?"
"It was the Queen."
"That old hag is getting wiser. You should be more careful. How do you feel? I know a few skilled healer mages in the town. I can ask them to check on you," Ethan offered.
"There is no need. I have been attended by the royal physicians. I’m feeling better now."
Listening to the two, Alec figured out that Lauren trusted Ethan enough to tell him things without hesitation and must have told him about their contract. Even before they got married, he already heard about the Sullivan heir being a good friend to Lauren that many doubted if what they had was pure friendship.
Now that Alec was witnessing their interaction with his own eyes and how Ethan’s tone was filled with concern as he spoke to her, he couldn’t help but also doubt. He didn’t think a man who wasn’t a relative of Lauren and had stayed by her side for so long was unable to feel any attraction toward her. After all, one couldn’t deny the princess’ beguiling beauty.
"I need to go to the bathroom. Lend me a hand please," Lauren said to Ethan and her low voice that sounded unintentionally sweet made Alec’s eyes leave the case report he was reading and look at the two.
"Should I call your maidservant?" Alec interrupted.
"I can help," Ethan said. He then asked Lauren playfully, "Shall I carry you to the bathroom, Your Highness?"
With knitted brows, Alec brought his eyes back to the paper on his desk. He hissed quietly when he forgot the last line he read. Now he had to read the report from the top because he couldn’t remember what it was all about.
"My right leg feels numb but I can walk, Ethan. Just support me while I walk," Lauren said.
"You are smart but reckless sometimes. This reminds me of how you fell from a tree and broke a leg just because you want the beehive to fall on James several years ago," Ethan said as he helped Lauren get up from the bed by holding her on the waist.
"That is different. That cousin of yours kept on bullying you back then. I need to avenge you."
Alec’s eyes turned darker at the report he was staring at while the two reminisce a childhood memory. He lifted his gaze to them for a moment and his brow shot up when he saw the way Ethan was holding Lauren’s waist. He wanted to point out that he was the husband and he should be the one assisting her, but the goddamn childhood friend was taking the job that was supposed to be his.
Ethan stayed stood by the bathroom door and when Lauren was done, he assisted her back to the bed.
"By the way, I have something for you," said Ethan. He was now sitting on a chair beside the bed. He pulled a vial with strange liquid from his pocket and showed it to her. "I brought what you asked me last time."
Remembering what they talked about when she went to Sullivan family’s establishment, Lauren knew what the vial was for.
Alec’s eyes narrowed darkly as he watched the two, wondering what Ethan brought that made Lauren’s eyes glimmer in satisfaction.