Chapter 8

Rowan came again early the next morning.

I was sitting in Mei's courtyard, fastening my cloak with my right hand. He knelt down and straightened the clasp that was stuck.

"How about I go home with you today?"

I stepped back a little.

Why did you suddenly think of this?

“You’ve been looking unhappy these past few days.” He looked up at me. “Going back to see your parents might make you feel better.”

I didn't respond.

He added, "Your mother sent a message this morning. Your father is ill, and she requests that Mei go and visit him."

"Are you sick?"

I immediately stood up, my left wrist slammed against the back of the chair, and the pain made me gasp for breath.

Rowan put his arm around my shoulder.

"Don't worry, they said they have a fever and a cough. Mei is preparing medicine. I'll take you home first, and she'll be there soon."

I turned around and went to Mei to confirm.

She was already packing her medicine kit, and when she saw me, she nodded.

"You go first. I'll bring all the medicine and be back soon."

***

The carriage traveled north along the old road by the woods.

Rowan didn't bring any attendants today and sat beside me the whole way. When we encountered bumpy sections, he would ask the driver to slow down in advance.

As he passed by the stream, he lifted the curtain.

"Do you remember this place? When you were little, you always followed me into the woods. Once you got lost and cried so much that you refused to leave."

I looked out the window.

The large, tilted rock by the stream is still there, and grass grows in the cracks between its rocks.

"I'm not lost."

Rowan turned around.

"Lydia took the wrong turn. I'll go back to find you and lead you around the creek."

He paused for a moment, then smiled.

"It's been so long, I've gotten confused."

But not long after, he pointed to an oak tree in the distance.

"That year, Lydia wanted to pick the fruit, but her skirt got caught on a branch, and she refused to get down. That blue skirt was one her mother had just made for her..."

He stopped halfway through his sentence.

I lowered the curtain.

He remembered the color of the dress, but he mistook the person who helped them find their way for a little girl he needed to take home.

"Clara, I didn't mean to bring her up."

"Let's go home first."

Father is still waiting for Mei.

I no longer have the strength to help him figure out who is standing in those memories.

***

The mother stood at the gate of the courtyard, while the father, wearing a thick coat, sat on a chair by the gate.

Upon seeing me, he tried to stand up, but instead bent over, coughing so hard his shoulders and back trembled.

"dad."

I quickly went over and supported him with my right hand.

His hands were frighteningly hot.

Rowan also came over and helped him pull up his coat that had slipped down.

"Mei will be here soon. Please go in and rest."

My mother's face changed when she saw my bandages.

"What happened to your hand—"

Suddenly, the sound of rapid hoofbeats came from outside the courtyard.

One of the guards pulled on the reins and dismounted.

“Alpha, Miss Lydia went to check on the house on the south slope and fell down the steps.”

Rowan immediately turned around.

Where are they?

"We've helped her inside. Her feet hurt, she can't walk, and she's been looking for you."

He let go of his father's hand.

"I'll go there."

The mother froze: "Rowan, lunch is ready. You should at least wait for Mei—"

"Clara is here."

He turned to me, his tone urgent.

“I’ll come back after I’ve seen her. You explain to your parents for me.”

I glanced at my father, who was still coughing.

"Leave the carriage."

"good."

He had barely finished speaking when he walked out of the courtyard gate.

A moment later, a gray wolf leaped over the low wall beside the road and quickly disappeared into the woods.

The father looked in that direction and slowly withdrew his hand from the armrest of the chair.

“Let’s go inside,” he said. “It’s cold outside.”

***

My father's condition was worse than the message had described.

He barely slept last night; he coughed as soon as he lay down, and couldn't retain the water he drank. His mother initially thought it was just a cold, but by morning she discovered he needed support even to walk to the door.

I asked my neighbor for help to get him to bed, and then asked the driver to pick up Mei along the way.

But the person who returned didn't bring Mei with him in the car.

"Luna, Alpha met her at the crossroads and told her to go to the south slope first."

I suddenly looked up.

Does she know how sick my father is?

The driver shook his head.

"Alpha said that your father's illness is a recurring one and that he has family members to take care of him. It's more important to see Miss Lydia first."

Another bout of rapid coughing broke out in the room.

The mother supported the father and called his name twice. He kept his eyes closed and didn't respond for a while.

I gripped the car door, my knuckles turning white little by little.

"Take me to the south slope."

***

The door to the hunting lodge was open.

When I went in, Lydia was sitting by the fireplace, her skirt pulled up to her ankles.

There's some redness and swelling there.

Rowan squatted down in front of her, supporting her feet with one hand and holding the blanket for her with the other.

Mei stood to the side, closing her medicine box.

"No bones or muscles are injured," she said. "Just move around less for the next couple of days and apply cold compresses."

“But she’s still in pain.” Rowan frowned. “Take another look.”

Rowan.

My voice made everyone in the room look up at the same time.

Mei saw my expression and immediately came over.

How is your father?

"He had a high fever and was coughing so badly he couldn't breathe. I called him just now, and it took him ages to respond."

Mei's face darkened, and she picked up her medicine box.

"Walk."

Rowan stood up and stepped in front of him.

"Lydia hasn't done it yet—"

"Her injuries have already been examined."

Mei did not stop.

I stood in front of him, and for the first time, I didn't lower my voice.

"You saw what my father looked like. Why did you send Mei here first?"

Lydia gripped the blanket tightly and whispered, "It was because I was in a lot of pain that Rowan..."

I didn't look at her.

I'm waiting for Rowan's answer.

His jaw tightened.

“I didn’t know your father was so seriously injured. She fell down the steps all by herself, and there were no relatives with her. I couldn’t just ignore her.”

"So you're deciding for Mei who can wait?"

"Clara, now is not the time to argue about this."

"right."

I stepped aside to let Mei go out first.

"Not now. So stop stopping her."

Rowan reached out to pull me, but all he touched was a thick bandage under his cloak.

He let go.

“I’ll go back with you.”

"Rowan..."

Lydia held onto the back of the chair and tried to stand up, but sat back down because of the pain in her feet.

His gaze immediately turned to that direction.

I stood by the door and saw him take that step out of the way without thinking.

“You go first,” he said. “I’ll settle her in—”

I turned and got into the carriage.

This time, I didn't even hear the end of that sentence.

***

In the evening, my father finally slept more soundly.

Mei stayed behind to look after her mother, reminding her not to leave her unattended at night. She didn't say that she was better, only that she was temporarily stable and that she still needed to keep a close watch on her.

I sat on the edge of the bed and wiped the sweat from my father's forehead.

My right hand kept shaking, and I couldn't even wring out a cloth.

My mother took it from me and then took my left hand.

"Now tell me, how did you get this injury?"

I looked at her, and suddenly I couldn't say a word.

She didn't urge me, she just pushed my sleeves up a little.

There were still traces of silver burns on the skin exposed at the edge of the bandage.

"Is he with you?" the mother asked.

My tears immediately fell.

These past few days, no matter how painful the dressing changes were, I've never felt this unbearable.

"No."

My mother held my hand and remained motionless for a long time.

I told her what happened at the river mouth, including Lydia moving into the West Tower, and the night I saw Rowan kiss her through the open door.

This time, I didn't add the comment, "He also has his difficulties."

After hearing this, the mother's eyes reddened.

Why didn't you tell us?

“I used to think that if I just waited a little longer, he would remember what he had promised.”

The father's hoarse voice came from the bed.

"And now?"

I looked up.

He's awake and looking at me.

I wiped away my tears with the back of my hand.

"We can't wait any longer."

My father looked at me for a long time before slowly reaching out his hand.

I placed my uninjured right hand into his palm.

“I have found lodging on the west coast and have something to do. I have paid for the journey and my luggage is with the caravan.”

"If Mei allows me to go, I will leave in four days."

My mother lowered her head and gently tidied my hair, which was wet with tears.

The father did not ask Rowan whether he agreed or not.

He only asked, "What else do you need us to do?"

I gripped his hand tightly.

"Before I leave, I will end my partnership with Rowan in front of the wolves."

My father's fingers tightened and he held me in his hand.

"good."

Suddenly, the sound of wheels came from outside the door.

Soon, the driver entered the courtyard carrying a basket of food.

"Alpha sent it. He said he would come to visit the master once he finished his work over there."

My mother looked at me.

In the past, I would always try to explain things to Rowan first.

This time, I stood up and pushed the basket back.

"Take the things back with you."

"Tell him again that we didn't leave him any dinner."