Chapter 98: Emotions Running High!

Chapter 98: Emotions Running High!
Alpha King Caspian's POV:

I knew I would need a moment to myself after that experience... the one where I didn't expect to see her in that condition at all, but for the time being, I stood there... just outside the tub's ledge. I was looking down at her frail, weakened body, standing there in front of me. I wanted nothing more than for her to look up at me, but she wasn't going to have it. Instead, her gaze was looking away from me. It seemed like her focus was down at the floor once again.

I didn't speak, as the situation was already rather tense, so I continued to stand there in front of her with my hands on the sides of her arms, holding tight to the towel I had previously wrapped around her. Still, she had yet to look up at me, so I slowly moved one hand and gently placed it on the underside of her chin, lifting it. She didn't resist me forcing her gaze to meet mine. All I wanted was to look her in the eye. That way I could try to figure out what she might be thinking.

She was a bit reluctant to look at me at first, but did as I moved her face upward. I did so in a manner that wouldn't hurt her either. I just wanted her to know I was sincere, as the look on my face would show her that. However, when I looked deep into her eyes, I found a blank expression. I didn't expect that. I wanted to know what she was thinking, but at that point, she didn't even give me the slightest clue as to what might be running through her thoughts.

"You can get dried off and then dressed. I will be back here shortly," I told her as she continued to look up at me with her blank expression.

As I made that last statement, I turned back around as I headed for the open door of my bathroom. I figured she could use some time to herself, just as much as I could use a different view at that moment. The look of her... the look of all the scars that covered her skin. I don't know how someone could live to treat others like that in any kind of situation. How she managed to live through that... I will never know. I know that I was astonished at the sight of her. No wonder she looked so skinny compared to what someone her age and build should look like.

As I walked on, I recalled the expression on her face as I neared the entrance of my chambers. As I thought about it, she didn't even so much as nod to me as she remained standing there. All she did was look up at me as I took a few steps back away from her, but maintaining my grip on the outside of her arms at arm's length.

"Good, I hope she can get dressed on her own," I said under my breath as I turned to leave, although I didn't even know if she seemed to hear me at that moment or not. When I got a few steps away from her, I turned back around once more as I reached over, grabbing a towel and wrapping it around my waist.

This time, however, when I looked back at her, she was looking down at the floor again, and that's when I added, "I will leave you to it and be back shortly to check on you."

I didn't say anything else within earshot of her as I turned about and walked fully into my chambers and out of sight. I didn't know what to think at this point.

'Do you think she will understand what I meant when I asked if she could get dried off and dressed?' (I asked openly to my thoughts, knowing full well Cash was there and paying complete attention to everything that had just gone on.)

He didn't say anything at that moment as I made my way across my room. The only thing that could be heard was the squishing sound I made with each step as my soaked pants rubbed together as I walked. I turned to look back over my shoulder and saw that I was leaving a path of dripping water the entire path I took. I smirked as I thought about the water all over the floor. At least this was stone flooring, so there was no worry about a soaked carpet.

'You are certainly making one heck of a mess here.' (Cash mentioned, knowing full well he could see all that I saw.)

'You need not be concerned with the water droplets. They will dry in due time. Think about it this way, Cash, at least I'm not dropping blood droplets all over the floor, which would cause you to need to help heal me.' (I thought sarcastically as I turned back around.)

'Humph.' (Is all Cash responded with.)

I knew Cash could be a bit sarcastic when he saw fit to do so, as we had seen a lot and been through a whole hell of a lot more together. However, I had never cared for having carpet in Castle Gallant. Not since the tragic night everything happened all those years ago. That was a time I would rather not recall if I could help it, if I were being honest with myself. I was in agreement with my uncle, Jacques Reeves, then that the carpet was to be removed after that and never return.

Instead, I chose to have only rugs placed here and there, even then, in select areas only. It also made it easier for the servants, as well, as they were the ones who had to clean up after that massacre. I may be the son of His Royal Highness, but I was still His Highness now. Just because I was in a position of power did not mean I did not think about the work of those in the lower classes and ranks under me.

If it weren't for servants and other staff, we wouldn't have it so nice here at Castle Gallant. That's one thing that some in positions of power overlook. Especially given what had happened earlier in the day, the Alpha of the Blue Moon Pack found that out firsthand. He will soon get what's coming to him.

When I reached my closet, I opened it and pulled out a fresh change of clothes. There would be no need for anything else formal for the rest of the day, so I would pick something a little more relaxed. I grabbed a pair of lounge pants and a shirt before I closed the door back again. I then walked over to the dresser and set the items down as I removed the hangers. I turned my head around to see if she was going to come out the open bathroom door. Still, I didn't hear anything from her. I guess I could change quickly enough and then go back and check on our Mate, Maisie.