Romanoff Dukedom: The Heroine (5)

"Herkel, how is your condition?" Fluger asked as he entered Herkel's chamber.

Trailing behind him were Aaviren Brosch, Ulysses Parvor, and Ivar Chroly.

"What are you all doing here?" Herkel queried as he tilted his head to the side.

No one had informed him that they would be paying him a visit that day. Hence, the confusion. Come what might, Herkel still appreciated their companionship.

"We're here because we were worried. Can't you be any more welcoming?" Ulysses retorted to Herkel's confusion as he sat on the right side of the mattress.

Meanwhile, the other three opted to stay near the bed even if they had to stand, seeing that the couches were quite far. They all looked at each other, yielding the spotlight for the person who wanted to speak first.

Because of that, the silence was prolonged more than necessary.

Fluger, who was itching to interrogate Herkel, decided that he couldn't hold back anymore on account of the young man's injuries.

"So, how are you faring with your wounds?" Fluger finally queried, crossing his arm out of impatience.

Herkel merely tilted his head on the other side, still wondering why his peers appeared to be extremely concerned about his condition. He wasn't used to this kind of caring treatment so it was bizarre to him.

For the situation to become normal, he should be receiving some hits, here and there, and a little reprimanding.

"I mean I'm alive, I guess? Did the lot of you really assume that I was going to die from those measly injuries? And why are you being so cynical, Fluger? Do you need something from me?" He articulated his reply that was as ridiculous as to how he thought his comrades' concerns were.

Once they heard Herkel's reply, the four young men chuckled. They were reassured that he was doing better than they expected.

Fluger patted Herkel's head as he said, "Yes, I can see that now. You're still as talkative as ever."

Herkel flinched the instant that he saw Fluger's hand nearing him. The latter wasn't the type to give him such dainty treatment.

At first, he wanted to slap Fluger's hand away, but he resisted the temptation. He only let down his guard when he felt no pain from the gesture. While his head was being patted, Herkel looked at Fluger with his brows furrowed.

Once Fluger stepped back, Herkel mumbled his bewilderment as he leaned back on his pillow. Right then, Herkel addressed his companions.

"What are you doing here again? Was it to ask me regarding what happened?"

"Well, that too, but we honestly wanted to check on you,"

Ivar's rejoinder came as he sat on the mattress. He didn't care even if Herkel was glaring at him to take a stand.

The rest of the group nodded as they agreed to his statement, making the patient concede his mistrust. Herkel proceeded to straighten his posture before having a proper talk with his companions.

"By the way, where is Ius? He is the one who found me. He might have seen some clues connected to my attacker."

"Oh, he is on his way. Actually, we were all summoned by the Duke of Romanoff, but Ius decided that he should have a conversation with his father alone."

"Alright, we should wait for hi-."

In the nick of time, Ius entered the room to interrupt Herkel's speech. Knowing who it was that had arrived, the young men inside didn't give Ius a glance.

Without any delays, the leader sauntered his way towards the bed.

"Herkel, do you have some troubles moving your body?"

It wasn't similar to Fluger's inquiry, yet in the same spectrum. It ignited a weird feeling from the pit of Herkel's stomach that Ius was asking about his condition. He hurriedly shook his head to dismiss the sensation, answering Ius' right after.

"My body is working just fine. Besides, you can distinguish that for yourself. Why do the five of you always have the need to confirm what you can already see?"

Ius simply ignored the boisterous Herkel as he moved on with what he truly came for.

"Herkel, your attacker yesterday, do you have any idea of their identity?" Ius asked as he stood beside the bed.

He then lifted his right hand and touched his chin, surveying Herkel's bandaged wound for himself.

Ius appeared to be quite antsy, owing to the myriad of suspicions that he had gathered in his head. The sound of his foot tapping and his shallow sighs were the only sounds that could be heard in that room until Herkel spoke up.

"How many times should I tell you that I wasn't able to fully see their face?" Herkel frustratingly uttered.

However, Ius knew Herkel more than anyone else. He could tell whether Herkel was genuine or trying to hide something. He could tell what Herkel's intentions were just from the pitch of his voice.

But most indicative of all was the smell of his blood. It was more odiferous, considering that Herkel had a fresh wound.

'Whenever he's lying, the smell of his blood becomes thicker. It's so foul.' Ius thought while suppressing his urge to scrunch up his nose.

Herkel, who could read Ius' blank face like the back of his mind, was aware that he was caught lying. Be that as it may, Herkel was not planning on divulging his suspicions yet.

'I have to get my revenge first. If they're made aware that it was a woman who attacked me, I will earn their ridicule. It's fine if it's only that, but I wasn't able to retaliate at all.'

The young Avret Heir lowered his head as he gritted his teeth, remembering the humiliation he had suffered from the woman.

"My esteemed father informed me that if we're not able to capture the person who assaulted you within three days, then they will dispatch a team to do it in our stead. However, it will be at the cost of their recommendations in the upcoming Urduhel Bout." Ius said, exhaling his tiredness out of his body.