Chapter 178 - Her Own (2/2)
“What?”
Despite Elena’s curiosity, Carlisle didn’t seem to be willing to explain any further. Elena, who was pressed against his body, couldn’t help but speak.
“Please let me go, Caril.”
At this rate, he would feel her rapidly beating heart. Even looking into Carlisle’s eyes would cause her heart to go crazy these days. As Elena was about to pull out of his arms, Carlisle breathed a sigh.
“Ah.”
“What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”
“The hand that was hit by the bowstring earlier hurts.”
“Does it hurt a lot? Let me take a closer look.”
“I can’t move.”
Despite his complaint of pain, he hugged Elena even more fiercely.
“So just wait a little longer…”
In the end, Elena simply relaxed her body into Carlisle’s arms. His solid chest and firm arms seemed to stand out sharply before her. She could hear her blood pounding loudly in her ears as she leaned her reddened face against Carlisle’s shoulders. That small gesture alone was more powerful than any skinship.
*
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*
Even since then, Carlisle kept complaining that his hand hurt.
Tak!
His fork slipped from his hand onto the table.
“My hand hurts too much to hold it.”
“Really? The doctor said it wasn’t serious.”
Carlisle gave a secret smile under Elena’s worried gaze.
“Sometimes it feels better, then it suddenly gets worse. But it’s not serious, so I’ll get better soon.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“Still, I can’t eat now. I wish someone would feed me.”
Carlisle stared pointedly at Elena as he rested his chin on his other hand. She blushed and looked around at the servants standing by in the dining hall.
“That means…”
“If you don’t want to, I won’t force you.”
But as soon as that was over, Carlisle went back to spreading the fingers out of his injured right hand.
“Oh, why does it hurt so much?”
Eventually, Elena rose from her seat and approached Carlisle directly. She cut a piece of steak, placed it on a fork and held out to him. Elena assumed he would take the fork with his good hand, but instead he leaned down and took a bite. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment as she fed him. However, Carlisle gave her a soft smile.
“It tastes better when you feed me.”
“Is that possible?”
“Of course. If I can continue to enjoy this kind of luxury, I don’t think I’ll ever need my right hand again.”
Elena frowned, unsure whether he was joking or being serious.
“Don’t say that even in jest.”
“As you wish.”
Carlisle smiled gently and ate the food she offered him. Elena learned something new today from feeding someone else—watching a man eat was extremely attractive. Whenever Carlisle’s red lips open to accept the food, she had to avert her eyes. He truly was bad for her heart.
*
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*
After finishing her meal, Elena was resting in her room when—
Ttog ttog.
She turned towards the door and replied,
“Come in.”
It was Mary who entered. She looked more serious than usual, and Elena gave her a puzzled look.
“What’s wrong?”
“I thought I might need to speak to you.”
Mary held out two envelopes she had in her hand.
“When I first received this letter, I tried to ignore it. I thought I was being tricked. But a second letter that arrived today changed my mind.”
“Who is this letter from?”
“It’s from Tilda, who used to work for the Blaise family. She was the one who tore your dress.”
Tilda’s face floated to Elena’s mind. Tilda also spent a considerable amount of time working at Blaise’s mansion, and so Elena hadn’t forgotten her.
“Is this letter from Tilda to you?”
“Yes, please read it yourself.”
With a determined expression, Mary handed the two envelopes to Elena.