Rose pressed her hand to the man's forehead. "No fever," her tense face relaxed.
"I am not sick, Your Highness, just injured," Cole assured her. His gentle smile warmed her heart.
She grabbed his hand, and he allowed her gentle ministrations until Philip cleared his throat lightly. Realizing his error, Cole awkwardly scooted away on his cot.
Rose took that as a cue to sit beside him. "Are you comfortable? Are they treating you well?"
"The king has been most generous towards us, even though we failed in our duty. He had every right to finish what the bandits started." Cole looked to Philip, who nodded.
"Indeed, His Majesty has been more than hospitable, all things considered."
If the men had been soldiers of Lakyle, they would have been court-martialed and killed as soon as they had given their testimony to the king. They had aided the princess, albeit unwillingly, in defying the king and had managed to lose her in the process.
Rhodri would have had every right to be upset. Philip had shown up badly battered with an unconscious man draped across his daughter's horse. It would have been understandable for the king to demand answers and withhold care until it was given.
But knowing his daughter as he did, the king sent the men straight to the healers and followed them there. He listened quietly to Philip as the man told of the things as they had transpired.
Then, with a pain in his heart, Rhodri had sent out a search party to scour the area for clues. Of course nothing was found since Rose had fled the scene and her attacker, so the party had returned empty-handed.
Instead of punishing the last two people who were supposed to be protecting his daughter, Rhodri gave them all of the best care the palace could offer. Once Cole had regained consciousness, Philip had allowed himself to be treated as well, and the two had been sharing a room ever since. They had no end in supply of food, medicine and even small entertainments. It was far more than they would have gotten in the barracks infirmary.
Rhodri was a king of compassion as well as might. He had even come personally to visit a few times to check on them over the next couple of days, but as he did not have any news until Rose returned, his time with them was touching but brief.
Just now, it did not seem the princess would be sharing in her father's brevity. She motioned for the others to find a seat. Caitlyn relegated herself to the far corner of the room. Philip sat back in his seat and tried to finish putting on his boot.
But Ethyn pulled up a chair at the end of the bed by Cole's feet. If it appeared rude, neither the princess nor the soldier said anything about it. Rose barely registered Ethyn's location at all.
"I am glad to hear that you are doing well. I would have visited sooner, but I did not know you were here..." Rose bit her lip as she looked between Philip and Cole.
"We just assumed that you were needing to keep up appearances," Philip paused and glanced warily at Caitlyn and the unknown knight.
Rose's eyes opened wide. "Where are my manners! Philip and Cole, this is Sir Samberg. He and Lady Caitlyn are fully aware of my recent escapades. You may speak freely with them."
With the permission granted, Philip continued. "We assumed you did not come because you were not officially with us when the attack happened."
"Oh, I see…"
Rose could see the sense in what he said. Why would she need to visit men who had been injured with no connection to her?
But Rose was not concerned. No one would fault the princess for wanting to visit the infirmary. Officially, she had been sick. Perhaps she just wanted to thank the doctor for his service.
Of course Rose would be thanking him, for more reasons than one.
"In truth I thought you were dead. I only found out that you had survived a few moments ago and came straight here." The princess felt bad for doubting them, but the men exchanged knowing glances expressing that they too had doubted that they would live.
"Philip dug me out of the rubble after he dispatched the enemy. I was luckier than the rest, it seemed, for I was pressed up against a doorway when the building collapsed and was able to avoid much of the falling debris. A beam landed across me, but it shielded me from far worse things. As far as we know, I am the only one who survived, thanks to Philip." Cole motioned to the dark-haired soldier whose face was grim. He had nothing to add to the matter.
"I am so glad you both managed to get back here and even bring my horse! I am most sorry to have stolen Fireball, Philip. I never meant to do such a thing!" The princess winced. "I did bring him back healthy and in good spirits."
"Did he serve you well?" Philip crossed his arms only to realize just how sore his shoulder still was.
Rose's face lit up at the question. "Very well indeed. He saved my life twice, and I am pretty sure he removed any chance of the bandit's ring leader ever having children." Rose blushed when she saw Caitlyn's shocked face. The two soldiers on the other hand laughed heartily.
"Well done, Fireball," Cole cheered.
"I shall give him an extra ration of apples," Philip confirmed.
"I am sure he will be most happy to see you very soon." Rose tucked her hair behind her ear, glad that she had made both men smile.
"I don't suppose you can get the doctor to discharge me from his care. I am most anxious to get back to my post, whatever that may be." Philip knew that Rabert liked him, but just because he had been well-treated as an invalid did not mean he still had a place in the palace.
Rose allayed his fears. "I would be happy for you to return as one of my shadows at your earliest convenience. I shall speak to the doctor post haste."
"Will you speak for me also? I would rather not be a burden for anyone. I can manage on my own. I am also fit for duty." Cole sat up, trying to hide the pain he was feeling.
"You most certainly are not. And you are not a burden. I have half a mind to oversee your recovery myself." Rose folded her arms defiantly.
Cole suppressed his objection and posed a question instead. "And how would it look for the princess to play nursemaid to a lowly commoner?"
"It is the least a wife can do for her husband," Rose watched Cole turn red and she laughed softly.
"It's a joke," Cole explained to the knight who looked ready to draw his sword and end the injured soldier's life. "A ruse we used at the inn to keep people from being suspicious. I am glad Her Highness can joke about it now."
"Indeed I can. A lot has happened since we last met. I've had far more embarrassing moments now…" The princess intentionally did not look at Ethyn, but the knight knew the comment was meant for him.
They had had many strange and ridiculous encounters indeed. But somehow Ethyn was not comforted.
He could see how Cole looked at Rose. He had admiration and respect for her, of course, but he also had nearly lost his life saving her. His look when she came in the room was nothing short of euphoric.
Despite his fighting it, Cole had feelings for the princess. By the stoic scowl on Philip's face, he knew the man's secret too. It was an affection doomed from the start.
'Poor man is going to have his heart broken. Princess Rose sees him as a rescuer and someone to be looked after, but that is all.' Ethyn sighed, knowing in his heart that it was true.
Rose's candid openness showed she was fond of him but did not view him as her equal. Had she been more reserved, the redheaded knight would have been more concerned.
The longer he watched them chat, the more pity he felt. At last he felt the only kind thing he could do would be to take the princess from the room to alleviate the man's longing.
"Your Highness, I do believe you have some notes to write."
"Yes!" Caitlyn jumped at the chance. "Sooo many notes."
Rose nodded. "Very well. I shall speak to the doctor and have you join me as soon as you are able, Philip. As for you, Cole, you must get better or I shall never forgive myself!" Rose patted his arm as lightly as she stood.
Cole gave a weary grin. "I shall do my best, Your Highness. On my honor!" He saluted at the order instead of bowing.
The trio headed out of the room with the princess in the lead. Ethyn turned to shut the door and caught a glimpse of Cole's face. His eyes were pressed shut in a pain that no doctor could heal.
Only time could.
The redhead sighed. It seemed the princess left a trail of heartbroken men in her wake.
'Am I next?'