ALBERT'S HEALING

Albert woke up with pain all over his body. His left shoulder couldn't move at all. I don't know how long he had been unconscious, the most important thing now was to know if he survived the assassination attempt. Of course, it was all thanks to his wife, Annabelle. An extraordinary wife, who has more courage than any woman in the world.

Albert turned his head, his wife was sleeping soundly beside him. Annabelle's face was facing hers, so that Albert could be content to see her beautiful face. Her golden hair fell on the pillows, glistening in the light from the torches illuminating their room. The light of the fire, made Annabelle's face red, and she looked amazing.

Albert's hand, which didn't hurt, went up and touched Annabelle's face. Rub and caress it gently. Tracing the face, with thick eyelashes, sharp nose, thick eyebrows and sweet lips. Unknowingly, Albert moistened his lips as he remembered the sweet taste of Annabelle's lips. Albert felt very lucky to have a woman like Annabelle.

Feeling someone touch her face, Annabelle moved and opened her eyes. She was surprised as well as happy to see Albert had come to his senses. Her sweet lips smiled into Albert's golden brown eyes. The eyes that a few days ago had lost their light, but now, the light has returned.

Annabelle's hand clasped her husband's, intertwined her fingers with Albert's and kissed him a few times. Annabelle's tears fell, wetting the back of her husband's hand.

"You slept too long, even I was desperate, what if you don't wake up again?" said Annabelle between sobs.

"Do not cry. Now I'm back, and it's all thanks to you, Annabelle," Albert said in his husky voice. It was Albert's turn who took Annabelle's hand and kissed it several times.

Annabelle's free hand touched the handsome face she admired. Even though she now looked gaunt with dark eye bags, Albert's good looks were still evident. Annabelle's fingers ran through Albert's long hair and stroked it there.

"What happened while I was unconscious?" asked Albert.

"Gerard and Simon helped you a lot. They were the ones who ensured your safety, after I brought you here," replied Albert.

"Yes, I trust them. They can always be relied on. Apart from the two of them, there is William who I trust. Hasn't there been any news from William?"

"Until now, there hasn't been any news from him."

"Does he know what happened to me?"

"Simon has sent him a secret message, I believe William is currently aware of your plight."

"I'm sure he's looking for the mastermind."

"Do you know who would want to kill you?"

"The ones most likely to want to kill me are my political opponents. They definitely don't want me to continue running."

"Does that mean Lord Falkner did it?"

"Most likely yes, I'm afraid it's not just royal politics, but there's a bigger problem behind it. I just don't know what it's about."

"The most important thing now is your recovery. After that, we will find the mastermind and reveal it thoroughly."

"Yes, I assure you that all these riddles will be revealed. In fact, I wish William and I could uncover Queen Anne's death."

"Have you ever met Queen Anne?"

"Yeah, when I was little. My memory is not very clear at that time, what I remember, she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen at that time. I really idolize him."

"I would be jealous of her if she was alive now."

Albert smiled and brought his face closer to Annabelle's. "You are different from her, you are the most admirable and bravest woman I have ever known. I really admire you, Annabelle."

Annabelle smiled with an embarrassed blush on her cheeks. She pressed her forehead and nose to Albert's forehead and nose. Albert then crushed Annabelle's lips very gently. They tasted each other's lips and tasted the sweetness. Annabelle's hand rubbed Albert's open chest gently, afraid that her movement would hurt her husband.

Albert, who felt how soft and sweet Annabelle's lips were, forgot that his shoulder was hurting. With a sudden movement he shifted his body wanting to taste Annabelle even more.

"Ouuuuw…" Albert groaned in pain as his shoulders squeezed.

"What is it Albert? Anyone sick? I'll call Gerard," Annabelle said, trying to get out of bed. Albert quickly held his wife's body.

"I forgot that I was injured, I just pressed my own shoulder. Don't worry, there's nothing to worry about. Come here!" said Albert asking Annabelle to return to her place.

Annabelle lay down next to her husband again. Covering her husband's body and her body. Carrying Albert to her chest, allowing Albert to easily hide his face, in Annabelle's warm valley. Inhaling the scent of his wife that he missed. They both finally fell asleep.

In the morning, before sunrise, a knock on the door woke Albert and Annabelle from sleep. Albert immediately straightened his body, protecting Annabelle's body.

"Who?" asked Albert warily.

"I'm Simon My Lord," came a voice from outside.

"Come in, Simon," said Albert. The door creaked as Simon opened the door to Albert's safe room.

"I'm sorry to interrupt your rest, My Lord."

"What happened? You couldn't have woken me up this early in the morning if something important didn't happen," said Albert, who had already guessed Simon's arrival.

"There is bad news, My Lord. Last night an intruder broke into the main castle."

"What are they doing in the main castle? Isn't the guard there very strict?"

"Four of our guards died, My Lord. They took the Golden Land deed."

Albert's jaw hardened in anger, upon hearing the news. "How do they know where I put the deed."

"I suspect that a spy has infiltrated the castle."

"Yes, I believe this castle has been infiltrated. They think this castle is weakening because I'm not here. Prepare everything I need and my clothes. It's time for me to come out of this lair to tell my enemies that I won't give up so easily.

"But Albert, your body is still not strong enough," said Annabelle, who didn't seem to agree with what Albert was going to do because Albert's body was far from healthy.

"I have to do it Annabelle, otherwise this castle will lose a lot and Queen Anne's death will not be exposed, they could find all the evidence in this castle that even I don't know, considering my Dad is Queen Anne's loyal servant."

Knowing that Albert was beyond dispute, Annabelle finally said to Simon. "Prepare the bath for Albert, I'll clean his body first," Annabelle said to Simon.

"Okay, My Lady," said Simon who immediately bowed and left their room to prepare toiletries for Albert.

Not long after, a large bathtub was in the middle of their room. Annabelle helped Albert undress. Albert's stout body with muscles that fit in place, made Annabelle's breath catch.

"Come in!" said Annabelle, helping her husband into the tub. With a soft towel, Annabelle began to rub every inch of Albert's skin. Removes every dirt and sweat that sticks to his body.

The water that had been infused with fragrances and herbs, made Albert feel more refreshed. Moreover, Annabelle's caressing, made her body very comfortable. After finishing cleaning and drying Albert's body, Annabelle removed Albert's bandage and replaced it with a new one.

"You're so good at changing bandages, did Gerard teach you?" asked Albert.

"I always watch what he does to you. Even now, I have already memorized the potion he gave you."

"You are indeed a great woman," said Albert. Annabelle smiled shyly again.

Annabelle got up from her seat and picked up the knife on the table. Albert's eyes immediately narrowed in alarm.

"I will not kill you, my lord," said Annabelle who knew that Albert's body was on standby.

"What are you going to do with the knife?"

"I'm going to shave your already long hair."

After saying that, Annabelle climbed onto Albert's lap and removed the knife from its hilt.

***