Chapter 10
~ Lucian's POV
I opened the door slowly, trying not to appear too eager. There Isabella was, sitting up in bed, looking much better than she had the night before. Her eyes were brighter, and she seemed more relaxed. I couldn't help but smile at the sight.
"Good morning," I said, my voice softer than I intended. "How did you sleep?"
She gave me a small smile in return, her expression still a bit guarded.
"I slept really well, thank you. It's been a long time since I felt this comfortable," she replied, and my heart swelled with happiness. I was glad she was starting to feel at ease.
Looking around the room, I noticed the tray of food that had been left for her. She must have eaten well, judging by the empty plates. I wanted her to feel more than just welcome, I wanted her to feel at home. An idea popped into my mind, something that would keep her close, keep her safe. As I approached her, I asked for her permission to sit beside her and she gave me the permission to do so.
"Isabella," I began, trying to keep my tone casual, "I was thinking... I could use a personal assistant. Someone to help me with daily tasks, keep things organized around here. Would you be interested in the job?"
She blinked in surprise, clearly not expecting the offer. I could see the wheels turning in her mind, and then a smile broke across her face. It was like watching the sun rise, sudden, bright, and full of warmth.
"Are you serious? I would love that!" she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "Thank you so much, Alpha Lucian. This means more to me than you know."
Her reaction filled me with relief and happiness. I hadn't realized how much I wanted her to stay until that moment.
"It's settled, then," I said, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders.
"You can start today if you'd like. There's no rush, though. I want you to feel comfortable here."
She nodded eagerly, still smiling. "I'm ready to start whenever you need me. I'm just grateful to have a place here."
Her sincerity touched me deeply. I knew that offering her the position was the right decision.
"Great," I said, feeling a smile tug at my lips. "But first, make sure to rest up a bit more. You've been through a lot. Oh, and if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask the maids. They're here to help you with whatever you need,"
"And if you need anything else, just let me know," I added, wanting to ensure she had everything she needed.
She looked at me with gratitude in her eyes. "Thank you, Your Majesty. You've been so kind to me. I don't know how to repay you."
"You don't have to repay me," I said quickly. "Just focus on getting better. That's all I want."
I bid her goodbye and left the room, feeling a strange mixture of joy and anticipation. As I closed the door behind me, I could hear her humming softly to herself, and it warmed my heart.
As I closed the door behind me, a thought struck me. I wanted Isabella to feel even more at home here, to truly see this place as a refuge and not just a temporary shelter. I paused for a moment, my hand still resting on the doorknob, and then I made up my mind. I turned back and knocked softly on her door again.
"Come in," her sweet voice called out, a hint of curiosity lacing her tone. I stepped back into the room, and she looked up at me with those bright, eager eyes. She seemed surprised to see me again so soon, and I could feel my heart skip a beat at the sight of her.
"I was thinking," I began, trying to keep my voice casual but failing to hide my excitement, "Would you like to take a tour of the palace? It might help you get more familiar with the place. Plus, it's a beautiful day, and it would be a shame to waste it indoors."
Her face lit up instantly, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "I'd love that!" she exclaimed, almost bouncing with excitement. It was as if she was a child who had just been offered a trip to her favorite amusement park.
"I've been curious about what the rest of the place looks like. Thank you for offering!"
Her excitement was contagious, and I couldn't help but grin. "Alright then, let's get going," I said, holding the door open for her. She got up quickly, smoothing down her dress, a simple yet elegant piece that highlighted her natural beauty. I could see she was still a little cautious, but the eagerness in her steps told me she was more than ready to explore.
As we walked down the hall, I pointed out the different rooms we passed by. "This is the main library," I explained, gesturing to a large set of double doors. "It's one of my favorite places in the palace. You'll find books on just about every subject here, history, science, magic. Anything you can think of."
She peeked through the slightly ajar door and gasped softly at the sight of the towering bookshelves filled with volumes upon volumes of knowledge.
"Wow," she murmured, clearly impressed. "I've never seen so many books in one place before."
I chuckled. "You're welcome to read any of them whenever you like," I offered. "I think you'll find some of them quite fascinating."
She paused, her fingers nervously twisting together. "I… I can't read."
She looked almost ashamed, as if not being able to read made her less in some way.
I stepped closer to her, making sure to keep my voice soft and understanding. "Isabella, that's nothing to be ashamed of," I said gently. "Reading is a skill, and not everyone has had the chance to learn it. But that doesn't mean you can't learn now, if that's something you'd like to do."
She looked up at me, a flicker of hope in her eyes. "You think so?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
I nodded, smiling reassuringly. "Of course. It's never too late to learn. And if you want, I'd be more than happy to help you. We could start with some simple books, something easy to get you started. You'd be reading in no time."