Chapter 125 The Medic's Touch
Training became a strange routine over the following days. Lila's body continued to remember things her mind couldn't grasp. Defensive moves. Combat stances. Ways of reading an opponent's intentions through their smallest movements.
But with each breakthrough came injuries. Bruises bloomed across her arms like dark flowers. Her knuckles split from improper punching form. A particularly hard fall left her shoulder screaming with pain.
Sydney had taken to waiting at the edge of the training yard, a medical kit always ready. Lila appreciated it more than she could say. Having someone there who cared, who wasn't judging or measuring her worth based on performance, made the brutality bearable.
Today, Lila had taken an elbow to the ribs during sparring. Nothing broken, but the area was already swelling, tender to the touch. She limped to where Sydney waited, pressing a hand to her side.
"Let me see." Sydney's hands were gentle but thorough, probing the injury with practiced efficiency. "Can you breathe deeply?"
Lila tried. Pain lanced through her ribs but her lungs filled completely. "Yes."
"Good. Not broken then. Just badly bruised." Sydney opened her kit, pulling out strips of cloth for binding. "This will help stabilize it while it heals."
She began wrapping the cloth around Lila's torso, her movements sure and confident. Lila watched her friend work, noting the care Sydney took, the competence in her hands.
"Where did you learn all this?" Lila asked. "Medical treatment."
"My mother was a healer in the outer provinces before she died. She taught me what she could before..." Sydney's voice trailed off. She tied off the binding with a neat knot. "There. That should help."
"Thank you."
Sydney packed her supplies back into the kit. As she did, Keal appeared from across the yard. He'd been supervising other warriors but now approached with his characteristic measured stride.
"How bad is it?" His eyes scanned Lila's injury with clinical assessment.
"Bruised ribs. No breaks." Sydney didn't look up from organizing her kit. "She needs to avoid heavy lifting for a few days. And no more direct hits to that area."
"I'll inform the training rotation." Keal crouched beside them, examining Sydney's binding work. "This is excellent. You have genuine skill."
Sydney's cheeks flushed pink. "It's just basic wound care."
"It's more than that. The binding is perfect. Tight enough to provide support without restricting breathing. Most healers struggle to find that balance." Keal's voice held genuine admiration. "Where did you train?"
"I didn't. Not formally. My mother taught me what she knew. The rest I learned through practice and necessity." Sydney finally looked up, meeting his eyes. "When you're poor, you learn to heal yourself because healers cost money you don't have."
Something passed between them. Recognition. Understanding. Keal's own past had been hard before he became the King's Delta. He'd clawed his way up from nothing through knowledge and determination.
"Would you..." Keal hesitated, unusual for him. "Would you be willing to assist me in my laboratory? I'm working on developing better treatments for training injuries. Your practical knowledge would be invaluable."
Sydney's eyes widened. "I'm just a palace maid."
"You're a skilled healer with hands-on experience treating the exact injuries I'm researching. Your position doesn't change your value." Keal's voice softened. "Please. I could use your help."
"I have duties. Aria assigns my schedule and she's particular about—"
"I'll speak with Aria. And with His Majesty if necessary." Keal's determination was clear. "If you're willing, I'll make it happen."
Lila watched them, fascinated. Keal's usual clinical detachment had melted into something warmer. And Sydney looked at him like he'd offered her the moon.
"I'm willing," Sydney said quietly. "If you truly think I can help."
"I know you can." Keal stood, offering his hand to help her up. Sydney took it.
Their fingers intertwined for just a moment longer than necessary. Both of them froze, staring at their joined hands. The air between them crackled with something electric.
Sydney pulled away first, her face flaming. "I should... I need to check on Lady Maya. She was organizing supplies in the storage room."
She fled before Keal could respond, practically running across the yard.
Keal stood watching her go, his expression unreadable behind his glasses. Then he seemed to remember Lila was there. He turned, finding her watching him with knowing eyes.
"Not a word," he said.
"I wasn't going to say anything." Lila smiled despite the pain in her ribs. "But for what it's worth, she looks at you the same way."
"That's..." Keal trailed off. "Complicated."
"Most things worth having are."
Keal studied her for a moment. "When did you become wise about matters of the heart?"
"I'm not. But I recognize longing when I see it. I've felt enough of it myself to know the signs." Lila touched her bound ribs gently. "Don't let position or propriety stop you from something real. Not everyone gets a second chance at connection."
"And what about you?" Keal asked quietly. "What will you do when your memories return fully? When you remember what you lost?"
Lila had no answer. The question sat heavy in her chest, mixing with the pain from her injury.
"I don't know," she admitted. "I suppose I'll face it when it comes."
Keal nodded slowly. "Training is done for today. Rest. Let those ribs heal." He paused, then added, "And thank you. For the advice. Even if I'm not sure I can follow it."
He left her sitting there, lost in thought.
Across the yard, Sydney had stopped running and stood pressed against a wall, her heart racing. She touched her palm where Keal's hand had been, feeling the lingering warmth.
She'd felt something in that moment. Something that went beyond simple attraction. A pull so strong it terrified her.
Maya appeared beside her, making Sydney jump.
"You alright? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"I'm fine. Just... checking on you. The supplies."
Maya's knowing smile suggested she wasn't fooled. "Uh huh. And this has nothing to do with Delta Keal looking at you like you hung the moon?"
"He doesn't—"
"He does. Everyone sees it except you two." Maya linked her arm through Sydney's. "Come on. We need to talk. I found something interesting in the old storage room."
Sydney let herself be led away, grateful for the distraction from thoughts of gray eyes and gentle hands.
Behind them, warriors returned to their drills. The training yard filled with the sounds of combat and instruction. But in the quiet spaces between, change stirred.
Connections formed. Bonds strengthened. And somewhere in the palace, enemies watched and plotted, unaw
are that the very people they sought to control were slipping free of their influence one moment at a time.