Chapter 30
Damian wasn’t in his chambers.
“Princess Deborah, it’s really late. This isn’t the best time to visit the prince,” Thomas sáid softly, trying to dissuade her.
But Deborah didn’t care. She sat down calmly in a chair, her face expressionless. “I have something to say to His Highness.”
“But His Highness isn’t here…”
“Then I’ll wait. I’ll stay until he comes back.”
Seeing how stubborn she was, Thomas had no choice but to let her be,
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She ended up waiting for half the night. It wasn’t until the early hours–around the second watch–that Damian finally returned under the cover of darkness.
When told that Deborah was waiting in the side hall, he barely paused before heading straight to his bedroom. He didn’t bother acknowledging her.
Still, it was strange. It was as if Deborah had sensed something and come looking for him on her own.
Princess Deborah, His Highness has already turned in for the night. Please…” Thomas tried again to stop her.
n’t slow
But Deborah didn’t slow down, pushing her way in. Thomas didn’t dare physically block her path.
By the time she pushed open the door, Damian had just finished bathing and was only partially dressed. He was sitting by the bed, shirt loose, eyes sharp as he looked up at the unexpected visitor.
He narrowed his eyes and said coldly, “So… Simon’s woman wants to warm my bed
bed now?”
Deborah ignored the insult and stepped inside. “Thomas, I need to speak with His Highness. Alone.”
“Princess Deborah, if you’re seen here this late… people will talk.”
“I’m already losing my husband. Do you think I care what people say?”
She had to take this chance–while she still had the nerve. He had saved her earlier that night, and for that, she trusted he meant her no harm.
At this point, aside from Simon, Damian was the only person in this entire residence she could rely on.
“Princess Deborah…” Thomas looked back and forth between them, unsure what to do.
Damian waved him off.
Left with no choice, Thomas quietly withdrew. He lingered at the doorway for a moment, then closed the door behind him.
Even though she had made the decision, the sound of the door shutting still made Deborah’s heart skip. Her relationship with Damian was far too complicated. If not for Simon, she doubted she’d ever have come looking for him.
“What’s wrong?” Damian sneered. “Scared now? Isn’t it a little late for that?”
Her unease hadn’t escaped his sharp gaze.
Deborah bit her lip and was just about to speak when her brows suddenly knit together.
“You’re injured?” she asked, stepping closer. The scent hit her instantly–thick and metallic. Blood.
And then she saw it. On his freshly changed white robe, there were clear, dark stains.
Her heart jumped. She rushed forward, reaching to pull his robe aside.
But Damian caught her wrist in one swift move. “And what gives you the right to touch me?”
Deborah blinked, then frowned back at him. “I’m just concerned about my husband’s older brother. Don’t flatter yourself.”
The smell of blood was overwhelming now. And up close, she could see that his back was soaked. The white inner robe had been completely drenched in red.
“Your Highness, you—”
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“It’s just a flesh wound,” he said dismissively. “If I’m not worried about it, why are you?”
“But you’re still bleeding–and you just took a bath?” Her eyes widened in disbelief. “Are you insane? You could get an infection! The wound could fester–maybe even rot!”
She thought, ‘How could he be so careless with his own body?‘
Damian remained unfazed. “A man who’s spent years on the battlefield doesn’t get worked up over a little blood. If I fretted over every scrape, I might as well retire and become some pampered noble.”
Deborah didn’t argue. For a moment, she just looked at him–really looked–and felt a quiet awe.
This was Suensonland’s war god. She wondered, ‘How many times has he danced on the edge of death, fought through hell and back, to earn the glory he carries now?
‘Yes, he has bullied me before–harshly, even cruelly. But looking back… wasn’t it always, in some way, to protect me?‘
“I’m sorry… and thank you,” she said softly, her eyes lowered. Her voice caught slightly in her throat. “Please… let me take a look at your injury. Just for a moment.”
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