Chapter 51
Gwendolyn collapsed.
Nigel immediately stepped forward and caught her. “Gwendolyn…” His eyes were filled with restrained pain.
But Gwendolyn shook her head, blood staining the corners of her mouth. Her body was in excruciating pain, yet her heart felt strangely warm. “Your Highness’s hand…”
Nigel glanced at his palm. The force from the cold arrow had left a deep scratch across it.
Both of them felt a tightening in their chests. Damian’s power was far more terrifying than they had realized.
Gwendolyn shook her head again, unable to speak through the pain. She simply looked at Nigel.
Nigel closed his eyes tightly for a moment before opening them again, and when he did, all emotion had vanished from his gaze.
“Since this is Gwendolyn’s mistake, let Your Highness deal
with bo
her as you see fit.” With a cold, casual motion, he shoved her aside.
Gwendolyn fell to the ground.
Thankfully, Damian’s blow had been powerful enough that the arrow passed cleanly through her chest, without embedding itself. Otherwise, Nigel’s push would have caused even more damage.
Deborah gripped Damian’s sleeve, her gaze fixed on Gwendolyn, detached.
Though the cold arrow had pierced her chest, Damian hadn’t intended to kill her. The arrow hadn’t struck her heart.
Being a skilled healer, Deborah recognized this instantly.
The others, however, weren’t so informed. They all assumed Gwendolyn was near death. Their expressions froze, and the atmosphere grew heavy.
Gwendolyn had been by Nigel’s side for years. While he had never given her an official title, it was clear he had favored her.
Now, however, Nigel had callously shoved her, wounded, onto the ground. They had always said Damian was heartless, but it seemed Nigel wasn’t much different.
Damian didn’t even glance at Gwendolyn. His gaze was locked coldly on Nigel. “Is Prince Nigel really abandoning this pawn?”
Nigel smiled. “She’s just a plaything. Does Your Highness really think I would treat the women around me the way you do?”
As he spoke, his cold eyes briefly scanned Deborah.
Deborah instinctively tightened her grip on Damian’s fingers. She wondered, ‘Would Damian, like Nigel, discard me just to avoid appearing weak?‘
“Why are you so anxious?” Damian glanced down at her, his voice as cold and detached as ever, but the words carried an unexpected warmth.
“You are Simon’s wife, which makes you under my protection. No one will harm you.” It was a declaration of ownership.
The difference was that she was Simon’s wife, not his woman–but in the end, the meaning was the same.
Gwendolyn lay on the ground, blood still pouring from her wounds, but her heart felt heavy with sadness.
Damian could openly proclaim his care for Deborah, while she was left wondering when Nigel would ever acknowledge her as his own.
The atmosphere felt thick with tension.
Alistair took a step forward, breaking the oppressive silence. “The wolf pack is nearly wiped out. Should we report back to the king, Nigel?”
“The black–clad men were remnants of the rebels. Most have been killed, and those who escaped won’t cause us much trouble,” said David, glancing at Damian before speaking to Nigel. “Nigel, it’s time to retreat.”
Nigel briefly looked at Gwendolyn, then coldly said, “Let’s go.” He mounted his horse and rode off.
The others followed suit, leaving one by one.
The guard who had lost his hand was taken back with them.
As for Gwendolyn, since Nigel had said that Damian would deal with her, Nigel’s men didn’t take her away.
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Chapter 51
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As everyone began to leave, no one expected that the last to go, Damian, would suddenly say something that left them all stunned. “Do you want to walk, or should I carry you?”
