Looking up at Robert, Merry asked hesitatingly," Who was he?And also h-he c-called Max, his brother."
Turning his eyes to her direction ,"He...he was Commander's twin brother." Robert said with ruffled feelings.
Returning her gaze outside the window, Merry looked at Max with disquietude.
"Can we g-go outside now?! She asked worriedly.
"Not until commander's order.." Robert replied hastily.
"But...b-but he is bleeding!" She insisted as she saw how badly the wolves had left them wounded and covered in blood.
"Don't worry ,mylady.They will be fine....We need to wait here." He asked her to calm down.Watching her growing anxiety, Robert could not help and also started feeling uneasiness.
After a while,the carriage door was opened.
"Are you both alright?" , Frederick opened the carriage's door and asked.
" S-Sir Frederick.. y-your neck is injured." Merry asked feeling uneasy.His neck had blood stain.
"Oh! This is not my blood ,my lady.Look I'm completely fine. Don't worry." He replied shaking head while showing her his hands covered with blood that it was not his.
"W-What about others and Max ?" She couldn't keep herself calm and asked with hesitation.
Running his hands through his hairs, Frederick replied with usual tone,
"Everyone is completely alright...just a little bit of damage."
Clearing her throat, Merry asked with full sincerity,
"Please let me help and see them."
"Actually...the commander.. won't allow it." He hesitated.
Watching her, Frederick looked outside, sighing,he said," Fine, mylady.Please come this way."
Merry got up and she grabbed the bag in the carriage containing first aid materials and medicines.
They got off the carriage.
Noticing Robert was also coming with them,
Merry said," Robert you should go and rest. Y-You are injured too."
" But my lady-" He wanted to come along.
"Ladyship is right. Go and rest.", Frederick emphasized.
********
Tents were set near the forest.
Merry and Frederick without any delay started to help taking and curing the injured.
Everyone was in complete rush to cure those who were severely injured.
Ignoring their own pain.
Max was wrapping a strap of cloth around the knight's gravely wounded muscle near his clavicle.
Getting up,he walked to watch over others.
Max's hand itself was bleeding which he didn't notice until he felt a touch on his hand.
Merry covered his hand's biceps to stop the blood dripping.
" Merry! What are you doing here?" he shouted roughly.
Then his eyes fell on her dress which was coated red with blood.
"Are..Are you hurt?" He asked nervously.
"No-No! It's not mine! I..I got it when I was bandaging Sir Solmel's head." Merry replied timidly. She lowered her head, knowing he must be mad at her for getting out of the carriage without his permission.
Regarding her for a while as she treated him, Max didn't say a single word.He just watched her with a frown.He looked at her eyelashes which were flickering over her eyes.She tried to avoid his staring .And he knew the reason for that.
Taking a deep breath,Max petted back of her head.She felt her heart a little light and calm.His touch coaxed her worries.
With a sigh, he said controllably," Don't push yourself too much, Princess...I feel as I'm powerless that you have to put yourself in such situations even when your condition is not well."
"I d-did it because I was-" She tried to say her heart but as she watched him looking at her with unsettled expression,she stopped.
"P-Please just let me help this much." She added in anticipation.
"Do as you please but first go and eat something." He replied calmly.
As soon as she heard his words,she got a gentle smile on her face.
Looking at her beaming up,he pulled her close and hugged tightly.
Pecking her forehead,he whispered," I really wish to see you relax and calm.You really need it ,Merry."
"Y-You're the one w-who need it the most ,Max." Merry nuzzled her nose near his neck as he embraced her more tightly.
*******************
Next morning, everyone continued the journey to local Waltwhit city as soon as they got up because there were four knights who needed an immediate treatment from a doctor.
Reaching the city at the evening, they got treated the knights.After one day stay in an Inn,the following morning they started the journey to return to the Kingdom.
After two more days of continuous travelling, everyone made it to Kingdom of Pearls during night time.
Everybody started to go back to their respective chambers.They felt relieved after returning to their comfort.
"Here, hold my hand." Hoisting Merry off the horse, Max lifted her in his arms to their bed chamber even after her begging him to put her down, he didn't listen.
"M-Max! Put me down! Y-Your hands haven't healed-" She grew red as all servents were watching them in awe.
"Prepare a hot bath tub." He instructed the maids.
Putting her down on their bed,Max went to get her fresh clothes to wear.
Returning with her night gown, Max asked,
"Are you fine to bath by yourself?"
After processing his words, Merry exclaimed with embarrassment," O-Ofcourse!".
"Only m-my cheek has a scratch left now and nothing else." She added with low voice.
"And what about your feet, they have gotten swollen after that long journey." Max spoke as being awared of her .He knelt down to hold her foot with his hands which had gotten all red and round.
"M-Max please ,don't!" She clamored embarassedly.
The moment Max tried to massage her foot,Merry removed her feet from his reach.
Jolting her feet up on the bed, she folded her legs to hide them.
"T-They're c-completely fine." She uttered hesitatingly.
"It's you w-who need help."She added while trying to gather her words.
Max stood still for a moment.He knew she won't allow to help her that easily. He smiled as something mischievous struck his mind.Suddenly,Max started to remove his shirt.Caught Merry speechless.
He unbottoned one by one while walking closer to her step by step.She was incomprehensibly watching him.
"Then please help me bath, my princess." Max requested with his teasing velvety voice.Merry's heart beats fasten.She could feel his breaths brushing across her skin.
Max revealed his injured shoulder and gestured her.
He added with his heavenly handsome face decorated with those intense dark eyes and his charming deep tone near her ears which tensed her whole body,
" I think I really need my wife to help me change.I can't even lift my arm properly."
"B-But! Why you just c-carried me here even-" She abruptly spoke and shot deggers with her eyes at his half baseless affirmation. Enjoying her annoyed reaction,Max got up and tried to look hurt by her words.
Being a credulous person, she couldn't help and grapped his wrist gently and said with a guilt filled tone,
"Then....L-Let me help you."
Max gulped hard.He was just trying to tease her but now, his feelings got mixed.
His mind wanted to tell her that he was just kidding and on the other hand, his heart,wanted to experience.
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