Neil and Damien, though worried for Oriana, obeyed the prince’s orders. As soon as they were gone, Arlan dampened the cloth with water and began to wipe her clean, beginning with her injured right hand.
"Your Highness—"
"Imbert will be back soon with women to help you for the rest."
Oriana closed her eyes in resignation and simply hummed.
Someone knocked on the door. "Your Highness, it’s me."
"Come in."
Arlan looked at Imbert’s expressionless face.
"There are no women around. The elderly, women and children were prioritized during the evacuation, and all that remained in the town were men. According to the innkeeper, we can find women in the next village which would normally take around two hours to reach by horse, but due to the flood, it will take a horse double the time. It will also be difficult for the carriage to take the muddy road."
Even if Arlan ordered his knights to fetch one woman from that village, their horses were exhausted. Those animals might die if they push them further. Also, Oriana was not in a situation to travel anymore. It was best to deal with her infected wounds as soon as possible.
"Ask Neil to prepare herbal paste to apply on the wound. Get bandages as well as another basin of clean water."
Imbert nodded. Just as he reached the door, he heard Arlan’s last instruction. "Do not let anyone enter the room."
Oriana heard this and opened her heavy eyes to look at him. He looked back at her. "You heard what he said. There are no women around. I will tend to your injuries."
She shook her head and tried to sit up, but the sudden movement caused the pain she was feeling to intensify. She fell back with a frustrated groan.
"Do not move," he said, only to hear her refusal. freewebnoveℓ.com
"I can treat myself. Your Highness, can you please help me up? And my luggage, can you—"
"No."
Though she tried to sound tough, the cold sweat on her face and her trembling body gave away how much pain she was in.
"You cannot even sit on your own and you talk about treating yourself. Though I am not a physician, I know you can’t lift your left shoulder and you cannot use your right hand. How are you going to treat yourself? Also, you have injuries on your back. How do you plan to reach them?"
"I’m fine."
"I will be the judge of that."
Oriana pursed her lips and looked unwilling to let him treat her.
Arlan wordlessly glared at her. It’s not the first time he would be touching her body. Her reluctance was unpleasant—no, annoying.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Devil's Betrothed