23: A Kind Touch and Stirred Emotions

I woke up to the smell of fresh herbs and a gentle pressure on my side, soothing the worst of my pain. Blinking away the fogginess, I focused on the figure beside me. She was bending over, her slender fingers applying a cool, fragrant ointment to my wound. Her face, framed by dark, curling hair, was poised and graceful, her brows slightly furrowed in concentration. It took me a moment to recognize her—Beulah, the daughter of Chief Harold from the court. She looked up, her eyes meeting mine, warm and full of worry.

"You're awake," she murmured, her voice soft. "Don't try to sit up. You need to stay still, at least until I've finished with this."

"Fine by me," I replied, lying back against the pillows. But I couldn't help studying her as she worked. There was something delicate yet strong about her, a quiet determination in every movement. 

Just then, she pressed a little too hard, and I couldn't suppress a hiss of pain. 

"Oh! I'm sorry!" she said quickly, her face falling as she looked at me with wide, anxious eyes. I could tell she was genuinely distressed, even as she resumed her gentle ministrations.

"It's alright," I managed, gritting my teeth through the discomfort. "Just a scratch."

She gave me a small, hesitant smile, her cheeks faintly pink, and continued to work in silence. Each touch, though light, stung and soothed in equal measure, and for a moment, I found myself forgetting the endless battle waiting beyond these walls.

The door swung open suddenly, and Duncan strode in, his face a blend of irritation and impatience. He barely glanced my way before fixing his eyes on Beulah.

"You've been here long enough, haven't you?" he demanded, his tone cold and commanding. "Aren't you going to attend to me, Beulah?"

Beulah's hands stilled, and I saw a tremor pass over her as she straightened, casting a wary glance at him. Her composure slipped for an instant, a flicker of dread crossing her face before she masked it.

"I'll be with you once I'm done here, your highness," she replied, keeping her voice calm but respectful. Her hands resumed their work, though I could sense her discomfort.

Duncan narrowed his eyes but didn't argue, clearly unhappy with her answer. He threw me an unreadable look.

"You have been attending to Damian all morning!" he yelled.

"I'll be with you shortly" Beulah said, her voice cracking. Damian noticed her lips tremble.

"I'll be waiting!" he said grinning before storming out and slamming the door behind him.

As soon as he was gone, I let out a sigh, glancing over at Beulah. "What was that about?"

She hesitated, her fingers pausing over the ointment. "Nothing," she said softly, but her expression told me otherwise.

"Doesn't look like 'nothing' to me." I winced as she dabbed a tender spot. "Does Duncan bother you?"

She let out a barely audible sigh, keeping her gaze fixed on her work. "He... he wishes to marry me."

"Well, he's strong, he's a prince, and it's certainly not an offer most people would refuse," I said, trying to keep my tone light.

Her shoulders tensed, and she shook her head, her eyes downcast. "I don't love him," she said simply, a sadness coloring her voice.

I was silent for a moment, taking in her words. "So," I ventured, "who do you love, then?"

Her face turned even redder, and she looked away. "I can't say."

"Oh?" I tried to stifle a grin. "Now you've got me curious."

"It's… it's complicated," she said softly, her gaze shifting away from me, as though she were trying to gather her thoughts. 

But before she could say more, the door flew open again, and Eden, my younger brother, burst in with his usual boundless energy. "Damian!" he shouted, rushing over to me.

He threw himself onto the bed, wrapping his arms around me, but the force made me grit my teeth in pain. 

"Ow! The zombies couldn't kill me, but I think you're trying to finish the job!" I managed to gasp, laughing through the sting.

Eden's expression turned sheepish, and he pulled back, looking me over with a grin. "Sorry! I just wanted to make sure you're alright. It's not the same without you around."

Beulah, clearly amused by our exchange, packed up her things quietly, preparing to slip out. I noticed, though, how her eyes softened as she watched us, lingering just a moment longer than she needed to.

As she moved toward the door, I opened my mouth to say something, but she was already gone, slipping out as silently as she had come. I frowned, feeling a strange pang as the door clicked shut behind her.

"Oh, what's that look?" Eden teased, nudging me playfully.

"What look?" I said, frowning at him.

"You were going to call her back, weren't you?" Eden gave me a mischievous grin. "Come on, Damian, I know you better than that."

"No, I wasn't," I protested, though I could feel my cheeks warming.

"Oh, come on," Eden scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Who wouldn't feel something for Beulah? She's beautiful, she's kind, and she doesn't fawn over you like everyone else in the court."

I raised an eyebrow, surprised. "And since when do you know so much about her?"

"Since forever," he replied, shrugging. "And before you ask, yes, I have thought about it too. I mean, how could I not?"

"What?" I couldn't help but laugh, though I was genuinely caught off guard. "You're still a kid, Eden."

"I'm not a kid anymore, Damian!" He folded his arms, his face setting in an expression that was almost comically serious. "You keep treating me like I'm some little brother who doesn't know anything."

I reached out, trying to ruffle his hair in the way I always used to, but he ducked, shooting me an annoyed glare. "Come on, Eden, you'll always be my little brother."

"Not if I beat you in battle one day," he shot back, a spark of determination in his eyes. "You might be the new king, but don't think I'm going to let you have all the glory."

"Alright, alright," I laughed, holding up my hands in mock surrender. "You're growing up, I get it. But if you want to challenge me, you'll have to wait until I'm not lying half-dead in a bed."

Eden grinned, his face lighting up in that mischievous way that always brought back memories of when we were younger, running through the halls of the castle, playing at swords with wooden sticks.

His expression grew serious, though, as he settled onto the edge of my bed. "Damian, about Duncan… what are you going to do?"

I sighed, closing my eyes briefly. The weight of Duncan's resentment had been pressing on me since I took on the throne, and his hostility had only grown with each passing day. I hadn't asked for this responsibility, hadn't fought for it, but it had fallen to me all the same.

"Duncan's stubborn," I said finally, choosing my words carefully. "But he's my brother. I won't let him tear us apart, no matter how hard he tries."

Eden nodded, his face thoughtful. "It's just… I don't want us to end up like the other kingdoms, torn apart from within." 

I placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently. "That won't happen, Eden. I'll do everything I can to keep us together."

He nodded, though the worry didn't fully leave his face. "You're right," he said quietly, looking down. "You're always right."

After a moment, he stood, a smile brightening his face once more. "Get better soon, Damian. We need you out there, keeping those zombies in line."

"Don't worry," I replied, smiling through the ache in my side. "I'll be back on my feet soon enough. And when I am, I expect you to keep up."

He laughed, and with a final wave, he slipped out of the room, leaving me alone in the stillness once more.