29. Dumb beast

**THALIA'S POV

"The king requires the presence of the blind servant," said the ever-familiar guard.

Ellie glanced back at me with a concerned expression, telling the guard, "She is unwell, please inform the king."

"No." I struggled, but I rose from the bed, picking up my cane that was beside it. "Spare me a couple of minutes to prepare," I told the guard.

"The king wants you in this," the guard handed Ellie a tray containing what I assumed was a dress and some accessories. "Be quick, don't keep his Majesty waiting."

With that, the guard stepped aside, waiting for me to get ready.

Ellie shut the door and started berating me. "How do you intend to please the king in this state? Are you that desperate for his touch?"

I shook my head. "Ellie, don't misunderstand me. I am going to the king because I am almost certain that he will heal me before anything else. At least, I will be relieved of my pain, and at the same time, I will expose the one who did this to me."

"That is... Brilliant!" Ellie clapped her hands excitedly. Then her smile fell as she remembered something. "But the king has a lot of respect for Janette. Don't you think this will backfire?"

I sighed, sitting on the bed. "I know it will backfire, but I don't think the king would allow her to continue hurting me, considering the fact that he hated seeing wounds on my body."

"Fine." Ellie sat by my side. "I just hope he doesn't do anything worse to you."

I nodded, Ellie's fear influencing mine. Savior's moods could never be predicted easily. When I think he would react negatively, he would simply show no emotions. And when I expect him to be calm, he becomes a raging monster. I couldn't tell anything when it came to him.

With Ellie's help, I dressed up. It was a beautiful nightgown. It was long with an elegant lace, modest neckline, long sleeves, delicate cuffs, and made of comfortable and luxurious material like silk. According to Ellie's description, it gave a timeless and romantic appeal.

To me, she was overexaggerating, but when I entered Savior's chambers, and he stopped what he was doing to stare at me, I started to believe Ellie.

He stood up from his table and walked to me. Savior's body was robust and well-built, his muscles evident beneath the fabric of his night robe. The garment hung gracefully, outlining his strong shoulders, chest, and his defined abs.

I swallowed, trying to hide the fact that I could see him now. Thankfully, he didn't notice. He suddenly pulled me closer, his hand around my waist. "It fits you," was the kindest comment he could come up with.

I smiled, looking away. Savior leaned, and I thought he was going to kiss me, but he only smelled the scent on me. "Why is the scent of the perfume mixed with blood?" He asked, but I didn't answer.

He suddenly darted his head towards the window at the far end of the room, then he left me to tend to whoever mind-linked him.

I walked to the bed using my cane as a guide, but I slowed my pace, afraid Savior would catch me. I felt the softness of velvety drapes and the coziness of embroidered sheets on his grand bed. I sensed warmth from the crackling fireplace and the flickering of candles around.

Running my hands over the carved wooden part of the bed, it felt fancy and important.

Soft carpets comforted my steps, and I caught whiffs of fresh flowers in the air. Even though Savior was a cold-hearted kind, he loved to have flowers in his room for reasons best known to him, reasons I wished I knew.

Suddenly, I felt strong arms wrap around my waist, and instantly I winced from the impact of another's skin against my back.

My head also began to spin, then I felt something trickling down my neck.

"Thalia, what is this?" Savior yelled in shock.

I immediately wiped the metallic-smelling liquid running down my neck before it could reach my dress.

Savior hurriedly fetched a napkin and pressed it against my wound. I had to remove the bandage Ellie had put on my head when I was coming. I thought the bleeding had stopped, but I was wrong.

Savior's face looked dangerous as he wiped my injury; he didn't speak to me while he did it until he was done.

I was so surprised to see this delicate and caring part of him. He washed my hands in the bowl he fetched himself, then he tried them without getting a single stain on my dress, which I considered a miracle.

When he was done, he faced me. "Where else are you hurt?"

With a face like that, I knew it would do me little good to talk slowly, so I answered quickly, "I have a scalded spot on my back."

"Stand up," he ordered, and I obeyed. He removed my dress and made me turn my back.

"Who did this to you?" He asked.

I was glad that he didn't assume it was an accident even though I intended to tell him that.

"It was an accident that occurred between my mistress and me," I told him.

He turned me to face him, his brows deeply furrowed. "What mistress do you speak of?"

I blinked, confusion etching in my forehead. "The Luna? I am here handmaid."

"Since when?" Savior asked, his tone sharp and surprised.

"Since she became the queen," I replied honestly.

"So you abandoned the duties I assigned you to become her handmaid?!" Savior thundered, his voice scaring me so much I trembled.

"I was assigned extra duties; it is normal for slaves to have more than one duty," I tried to explain to him, but it only made him angrier.

"Shut your mouth. You dumb beast," Savior spat. His eyes were merciless and I knew I was going to be the subject of his frustration.