Chapter 5

Two days later, Rowan finally arrived.

Mei Gang changed my dressing. The blood-stained strips of cloth were still in the basin. I pulled up my sleeve with my right hand, but it couldn't cover the thick bandage on my wrist.

He paused at the doorway.

"Why is it still bleeding?"

“Silver wounds don’t heal so easily.” Mei picked up the basin of water. “The messenger should have told you that.”

Rowan looked embarrassed for a moment and didn't reply.

He walked to the bedside and took my right hand in his. His palm was warm, a temperature I had known for many years.

“I thought everything would be fine once the bleeding stopped.” He looked at my face, his brows gradually furrowing. “You’ve lost weight.”

I pulled my hand out and picked up the water glass from the bedside table.

He took it first and brought it to my lips. I took a sip, but didn't lean into his arms as I used to.

"Why don't you send someone to look for me anymore?" he asked in a low voice. "You are my partner. You can call me anytime you need me."

“I called him that day.”

The rim of the glass rested on my lips.

Rowan remained silent for a while before putting down his cup.

“The river mouth has been reinforced with guards. Owen led his men to search the nearby wooded road and found two more traps.”

"That's good."

"Clara..."

He reached out and touched my hair.

I thought I wouldn't ask again, but seeing the worry on his face, I couldn't help but ask.

"If Lydia were trapped, would you also wait two days to go see her?"

His hand paused.

"Don't compare us like that. I'm just as worried about you."

I looked down at the bruises on my left wrist that were sticking out of the bandage.

It turns out that he felt that this answer was enough to put my mind at ease.

Mei pushed the door open and handed me a folded piece of paper.

“Finn brought it. He moved the seats in the car so you can rest against the cushions instead of sitting up straight all the time.”

Rowan looked up.

"What seat?"

"From a caravan."

I unfolded the paper. Finn had written down the location of the carriage and reminded me to bring enough of Meikai's medicine before setting off.

"Are you still planning to go out?" Rowan looked at my injured hand.

"I only left after Mei checked me and gave me permission to travel."

Where to?

"West Coast".

He was visibly taken aback for a moment, then sighed.

"I'm still thinking about that matter."

Of course I'm thinking about it.

There was a room reserved for me, and things waiting for me to do.

Rowan sat down on the edge of the bed: "Once your hand is better, it'll be good to go out for a walk. Leave the wolf pack to Owen, you don't need to worry about it."

"It's already been handed over to him."

"I know." He gently patted my knee. "Take a good rest for a few days this time, and don't think about coming back halfway through the journey again."

I folded Finn's letter and put it into my bag.

Footsteps sounded outside the door.

A waitress stopped at the door and bowed to Rowan.

"Alpha, Miss Lydia has been crying since she woke up. She dreamt of her mother and won't open the door no matter who tries to persuade her."

Rowan immediately stood up.

"How long has it been?"

“It’s been a while. She keeps asking you where you went.”

"Tell her not to be afraid, I—"

He suddenly stopped and turned to look at me.

My left hand rests on the pillow, and the edge of the newly changed bandage is oozing a little dark red again.

Rowan sat down again, picked up his water glass, but didn't hand it to me. His thumb rubbed back and forth along the rim of the glass, his gaze already fixed on the door.

I took the cup from him.

"Go back now."

"I'll go check on her first, and wait until she calms down..."

"Um."

He looked at me, as if he wanted to say something.

Finally, he turned to May and asked, "When will she be able to return to the castle?"

"If you don't have a fever tomorrow, you can go back and continue to rest. Change your medication on time, and you still can't use your left hand."

I'll pick you up tomorrow afternoon.

Rowan leaned down and placed a kiss on my forehead.

"I will have the car ready."

This time, I didn't say it well.

Unaware of what was happening, he put on his cloak and went out.

I heard him outside the courtyard instructing the maids that if Lydia had nightmares again, she should come to him immediately without waiting.

Mei walked to the bedside and raised my wrists again.

"Does it still hurt?"

I nodded.

She didn't ask Rowan any more questions, but simply handed me the medicine bowl.

***

The next afternoon, the luggage had already been packed away beside the bed.

Mei examined my wound and told me to continue resting in bed after I got back. I put on my coat and sat by the window for half an hour.

There was no movement at the courtyard gate.

"Should we send someone to the castle to inquire?" Mei asked.

"No."

I took out a few copper coins from my purse and asked her to ask someone to pass on a message to Finn.

Finn arrived in his carriage as the sun dipped below the treetops.

He didn't ask me why I was waiting here alone. He simply laid out a folded blanket on the seat, then held onto the car door to help me sit down.

"Go back to the castle first?"

"Hmm. I still have some things to get."

The stone road was uneven. Every time the wheel went over a dent, my left wrist would ache slightly.

Finn drove very slowly.

When we arrived at the castle, the doors to the hall were open. A merchant from the south was tidying up wooden boxes lined with velvet and filled with gold ornaments and polished gems.

Lydia sat at the long table and raised her wrist.

A thin gold chain was wrapped around her wrist. Rowan was looking down, fastening the clasp for her.

"Isn't it too expensive?" she asked softly.

"Stay if you like it."

The merchant smiled and closed the other two boxes as well.

"I'll pack these two items for you as well, Alfa."

Lydia leaned closer to look, her laughter echoing in the empty hall.

I stopped at the doorway, waiting for the pain in my left wrist to subside.

Rowan saw me first.

"Clara?"

He released Lydia's hand and strode over.

Why are you back?

After he finished speaking, he seemed to finally remember something, and his gaze fell on the carriage behind me.

"I was just about to pick you up. The merchant arrived early today, and I need to check on his goods, so I'll leave now..."

Lydia dangled the gold chain behind him.

Tiny gold flakes clinked together, making a soft sound.

I didn't ask him how long it would take to choose these things.

"I'm back to get my clothes."

"Aren't all your things in the room?"

"So I came back to get it."

Rowan frowned: "Where are you going?"

"Mei is there. It's convenient for her to change my dressing."

He looked at my pale face and finally reached out to help me up.

"I'll go upstairs with you."

"No need. Just have the maid move the two boxes at the foot of the bed down; I've already packed them."

He hesitated for a moment, then turned around and ordered someone to fetch it.

Lydia walked over to him and whispered, "Rowan, the merchant is waiting to settle his bill."

He responded, but did not turn around immediately.

"I'll come see you tonight after I've finished dealing with this."

I held onto the car door.

"The plum trees will rest at night."

"Then tomorrow."

I didn't respond to him again.

The two boxes were quickly carried down. Inside were my clothes, maps, and savings I had accumulated over the years.

I didn't wear any of the jewelry Rowan gave me.

Finn secured the box to the back of the car, making sure it wouldn't slide, before coming back to help me into the car.

Rowan stood on the steps and told me again to get some rest.

I nodded.

After the carriage left the city gate, Finn asked, "Was the box also delivered to May?"

I glanced at the small bag beside me.

There are enough clean clothes and medicine in there.

"Place the boxes in your convoy first."

There are still six days before the caravan departs.

Before I left, Mei wanted to check my wound one last time. But I didn't want to linger on things that could be done in advance.

I leaned against the soft cushion and gently supported my injured left wrist.

"Finn, those two boxes don't need to be sent back to the castle."