The Lycan King's Healer
The Lycan King’s Healer – Chapter 20

Cathy

The servant informed me my sister had arrived.

I tore my attention away from the beautiful chrysanthemums growing in vibrant shades of peach, pink, and oranges. Against the staff’s will, I demanded no one hire a gardener or servant to tend to the garden; that would be my role. Servants watched me stain my luxurious skirts of spun gold and rose embroideries with soil and dirt. I refused to relinquish my days in the garden, even as the season cooled.

I was careful to remain clean and sparkling today; I wanted to impress my sister to full extent. We had not seen each other in years, but we always had been close during childhood. She has not seen my face unscarred since forever. For that, I knew she would be impressed by that alone, and I wanted to really make her proud with the estate, and her new nephew. I had the servants dress him up like royalty, and he protested when his sleeves were too rigid to lift his bow in.

Following the servant to the grand entrance, I discovered my sister in the foyer. She looked like someone had just slapped her in the face. Envy and enchantment interchanged with one another upon her countenance, observing the mass of servants and guards working for me. In the monstrous foyer with the towering fireplace, the Persian antique rug under her cheap shoes, and the massive staircase, she suddenly looked tiny.

Despite her envied puzzlement, I approached her with a smile. She noticed the servants and guards behind me first, shocked, before her eyes landed on me. Her visible shock deepened. She stared at my face, the face that should be warped grotesque by scars, stunned to see beauty instead.

“Cathy,” she sputtered, and we simultaneously drew together for a hug. “This is amazing! I wasn’t sure I had the right place. How the hell did you do it?”

She pulled away to look at me and added: “And you’re so beautiful now!” It was a compliment toward herself; growing up, we always looked alike until my face was carved apart. Now, we finally looked similar again.

“When I woke up after getting married, the scars had disappeared,” I smiled, folding my hands in front of me. “I supposed that it was a wedding gift from the Moon Goddess.”

She nodded but did not look like she believed it. Regardless, she did not press the matter, too distracted by the sight of her nephew approaching.

A grin passed her face. “Hi, Theodore,” she announced, taking his little hand to shake. “Nice to meet you. I am your Aunt Danika.”

‘Hi,” he smiled at her shyly, bashful. He was very much like his father in that aspect; rambunctious and outgoing in comfort, a bit shy and reserved in a crowd.

“Let us catch up with some tea in the garden,” I suggested, and gestured for her to follow me. The servants guided us through the foyer, and Aldrich went on his way to the training grounds with Alan to ride his pony.

“He looks just like a mini-Aldrich,” she exclaimed to me in delight, and I paused, hoping Theo did not overhear her as he walked away.

We passed through the marble corridors back to my favorite spot of the estate; there was an aluminum bistro table set aside the Resin Goddess of Youth garden fountain. Servants brought the tea, and I hugged my faux fur around me against the breeze.

“The truth is,” I sighed, adjusting my hair out of my jacket as I watched the water trickle from the goddess’s hands, “Theo does not know Aldrich is his father.”

She furrowed her eyebrows, folding her hands around the flowered teacup. “Explain.”

So, I did. I launched into the whole story; from our wedding night to the day Aldrich left for battle. When I told her our mother saved him and he presented her crystal stone to me, her eyes filled with moisture. All the outrage that was present on her face during the account of me starving to death and my ultimate demise due to Aldrich gradually melted, and I realized I did the same through time.

“He is the one who saved our lives,” she whispered, placing her hand over mine. It was warm from the teacup. “Of course, he jeopardized yours, but it is a life that would not be existent without him in the first place.”

“I’m forever grateful for him,” I agreed, and the words still did not come out as seamlessly as I wanted. I was not used to praising him.

“I always knew there was something special about our family,” she murmured absentmindedly when I eventually dove into more detail about our bloodline, revealing we were both healers. “I’ve had an interest in witchcraft my entire life. I just did not know why.”

“I have a library of books on craft and healing. I will bring you there before you leave,” I promised her, sipping on the warm honey sugared tea.

Danika considered something for a moment before sighing, pushing aside the teacup. “Listen, Cathy. I know it’s not my place, but as your sister I naturally feel the need to give you advice,” she said, looking at me solemnly.

“You are the only person I’d listen to besides myself,” I chuckled softly.

She smiled, and my heart twisted for a moment in grief. I had missed her.

“I think you should pursue your obvious love for Aldrich.”

I blinked, humor disappearing from my face. “I never said I loved him.”

“You do,” she said knowingly, “Aldrich may have not even intended to leave you for that long. He was in war for four years; maybe he would have returned to you after the first month.”

I nodded, not completely opposed to the theory. She was right—he was gone while I was locked away. He had more important affairs than worrying about the prisoner who supposedly drugged him. Also, he had no reason to believe me when I said I didn’t do it.

“He even did all of this for you,” she waved her hand in front of the statue, “you have everything you want here. A decorated war general knew to give you a library and a garden. He obviously loves you more than any battle or war. He loves Theo, too. You should properly introduce them sooner than later.”

“I will consider it,” I smiled, looking down at the reflection of the trees in my tea.

***

The guards informed me that Aldrich was quite successful in battle so far, and it was raising public admiration for him. He was already a celebrated general, but this time it was different. The King was growing older, and everyone knew the heir would have to be chosen soon. Benjamin and Elias perpetually argued for it, both bloodthirsty for the throne. But they only wanted the title; Aldrich wanted the role. He was the one who protected our people, and everyone wanted the third Prince to succeed the King.

As they relayed this to me, I couldn’t help but feel the need to forgive him when he returned. He did everything he could for his people, including me. I always dreamed of a selfless, protective husband.

I traced the pattern on the tablecloth of the table with a distant smile, noticing an unfamiliar servant pass through the garden arch. My smile disappeared, suddenly feeling a twist of unease for some reason.