The medic bay was on the ground floor and was usually busy throughout the day. Patients, healers, and nurses ran around like ants on a mission. However, Hilda was the Constable of the Guards, a significant position in Cromwell Castle. Hence, she was allotted a private suite in the inner chambers.
Ethan was given instant access to see the patient. The Deputy Constable, Isabella, and the head nurse, Helga, were already present.
"The physical damage is serious," Helga said. "As a human from the warrior class, she has good regenerative capabilities. However, the present internal injuries will take a month to heal. Curses on the entity that hurt her!"
At this point, one may wonder what the nurse looked like. To prevent speculation, it is essential to point out she was a ninety-year-old woman.
Ethan shifted uncomfortably in his position. He was the so-called entity that hurt Hilda. There was no dark nymph in the first place. As the perpetrator, the boy had arrived to silence his victim.
Isabella crossed her arms with concern. "Young Count… According to your instructions, we gagged and bound the Constable to the bed. It took a dozen of our strongest guards to put her down. But how long are we supposed to keep her this way? Do we have an expert available in dark nymph possession? Perhaps a witch?"
Ethan smirked lightly at Hilda, who shot him a murderous look in response. She was awake, but her voice was muffled, and her limbs were tightly secured. Sprawled flat on the bed, wearing only a cotton patient apron, she continuously fought against the shackles. It only made Hilda look dangerous and unstable.
"Right now, we don't have any experts in the field," the Cromwell heir replied, putting on a fake kind expression. "I am the only one who has gone face to face with dark nymphs twice. They were horrible experiences, but I did pick up a few things."
"If it is not too much trouble, I'd like to be alone with Hilda. I'll monitor her symptoms for a few hours before I decide whether to release her or extend the bondage."
Both the head nurse and the Deputy Constable were taken aback. What was the Young Count suggesting?
"Are you sure about this?" Helga asked.
"Are you asking us to leave?" Isabella posed.
Ethan bit down on his lip and nodded apprehensively. Did the two women realize his intentions? Especially Helga sported a stern expression. They needed convincing answers.
"Deputy Constable… Let us not forget that you're the Constable in charge right now. Your duties have multiplied now. You cannot afford to spend time in the medic bay where your talents are wasted."
"Helga… You're a very senior nurse. Judging by the crowd of patients outside, you are needed there urgently."
"Besides, Hilda has a month to recover from her injuries. I will be glad to watch her while you are gone."
Isabella and Helga exchanged glances and nodded at each other.
The Deputy Constable spoke up. "Young Count. I cannot believe you'd take care of a woman who tried to kill you in the last hour. You are the most noble man I have ever met! You'll make an excellent Count of Fondel one day!"
"I am indeed needed in the general ward," Helga admitted. "I was just scared that abandoning the Constable would get me into trouble."
Ethan sighed in relief. He had imagined the two would tell him off and accuse him of perverted intentions. However, the boy's fears were unfounded; fortunately, his manipulations worked.
"Both of you can leave without concern. Besides, I promised my mother that I'd take care of Hilda. It is only a matter of a few hours. I'll manage somehow."
"I am grateful, Young Count," Isabella said, bowing low. Ethan stole a quick glance at her young cleavage. A new folder opened up in his system gallery.
"I'll return to check on the Constable after a few hours," the Deputy Constable added before leaving. Helga also left shortly after.
Ethan quietly bolted the door after ensuring nobody else was around. He returned to Hilda with a broad smirk. "How are we doing down there?"
The Constable snapped at her shackles in vain. She began to sweat even though only a flimsy patient apron covered her. The woman was convinced Ethan was an imposter. He had arrived in the medic bay for the sole purpose of finishing what he started—to kill her.
Ethan mounted the patient's bed with his knees on either side of Hilda. He slowly sat down on her belly, which was rather hard and ripped. In fact, her arms, legs, back, and other body parts were toned and muscular.
Hilda's eyes widened as Ethan removed the blanket. Only a thin patient apron stood between him and her bare skin.
"Let's see what you're hiding from the world, Constable," Ethan said, eyeing her torso. The apron was translucent, and he could almost see her dark nipples. The boy's fingers reached behind Hilda's neck and untied her apron's knot.
The woman shook violently, but the shackles kept her in place. She screamed, but the gag muzzled her voice. Finally, Hilda gave up and settled for a pleading expression.
Ethan was about to pull down the apron when her actions gave him pause. Was he going to do something non-consensual for the first time? That raised many moral implications.
The boy's encounter with Gwen was purely voluntary on the girl's part. In fact, she requested and encouraged the fondling of her breasts. Hilda's case was entirely different. She thought of him as a villain who was about to defile her.
Ethan nodded to himself as his thoughts reached a consensus. "Constable…" he began in a low tone. "You're mistaken about me being an imposter."
Hilda ceased her struggles and strained her ears to listen to him. Why did the imposter stay his hand? The woman was expecting him to stab his victim with a weapon while she was helpless. Instead, he was trying to explain himself.
"You may not believe me, but that is the truth," Ethan continued. "I am the Cromwell heir, and I don't have to prove it to you."
"But you were right about something. I did indeed use Witchspeak while chanting a spell at you. I don't mind admitting I practice dark magic, which I used to subdue even a brawny warrior like you."
The Constable raised her brows apprehensively. The Young Count was versed in forbidden magic? But how? It made little sense.
"Regardless, you know now how powerful I am," Ethan said with a piercing glance. "I can kill you anytime without even touching you."
Beads of sweat appeared on Hilda's forehead. Was the boy sharing his secrets freely because he was about to kill her?
"However, I have decided to spare your life," Ethan quickly added. "You may wonder why."
"You and I might have common interests, that is, Velma's protection and the betterment of Fondel County. I'm not too fond of the nobles and the corrupt bureaucracy. I have the power to fix everything, but I will need your cooperation. Is that something you can agree to?"
Hilda waited for an extended moment before nodding. The boy smiled thinly. "Alright. Here's the deal then. You will do exactly as I say when I say it. In return, I'll let you in on my plans and conspiracies. Moreover, I will protect you from enemies you can't handle. What do you say?"
The Constable nodded again, this time less reluctantly. Ethan leaned forward, speaking in a softer voice. "Now, let me put the deal to the test. You already know about my sexual condition—the Devil's curse. I must relieve myself within three hours of erection at the risk of dying."
Another nod followed. The boy slowly put his hands on Hilda's apron. "Unfortunately, I lost track of time. It so happens I have only fifteen minutes left before the curse is triggered. You're the only woman in my vicinity."
The Constable raised her brows as it dawned upon her. Ethan wasn't in the medic bay to kill her. He had other intentions! "I know you like Elf women—judging by your attraction towards Captain Joan. However, I'm going to use your body to pleasure myself. Do you have any objections?"