Chapter 36 Her Grace!
Chapter Thirty-Six
“Thank you so much, Lucian!”
Lucian’s brow furrowed in even more confusion as Aria said those words.
Why on earth is she thanking him exactly?, he thought, as he patted her back gently, his hand going up and down in a soothing rhythmic motion.
He glanced at Zach who still shrugged.
He was getting bored at the whole thing, and he just wanted to leave the place.
Quietly, he sneaked out of the room, closing the door behind him gently and leaving Lucian alone with his crying wife.
“Why are you thanking me?” Lucian asked softly, as he continued patting her back.
Aria was silent now as her sobs had trickled down to only sniffles.
Of course she could not tell him that it was because she was Elara and that the words he’d spoken just now about her, were the best ones she’d received in a while.
It reminded her of how her parents held her in high regard, and the fact that Lucian also thought that way about her had reduced her to tears.
She shook her head against his shoulder, “It’s nothing,” she muttered, “I just wanted to say that to you. Thank you so much for being in my life, Lucian.”
Lucian smiled slightly at those words.
They had only met the day before and before then, he’d been content with just living life alone while watching another woman in the shadows.
But now, he was comforting another woman in his arms. A woman who had stirred up something deeper in him than the mere contentment of watching something just beyond your reach.
“That’s nice, really.” He uttered in reply, then paused, “Since you’re done crying, can you move now?”
Now that she’d stopped crying, Elara was overcome with mortification.
This was the second time in two days that she’d bawled her eyes out in front of a Graves family member.
First, it had been with Madam Graves, and now it was Lucian.
What is it with these people exactly, that they made her feel so safe, so loved?
“My shoulder hurts,” Lucian said once more, his voice calm.
Aria immediately pulled away from him in alarm. She saw that he was actually in a very uncomfortable position because of the way he’d pulled her into his arms previously.
“Oh Lucian, I’m so sorry,” she uttered as Lucian stretched his upper body and massaged his shoulder.
He shook his head at her slightly, “It’s nothing,” he uttered, reaching over to brush a tear on her lashes.
Aria’s cheek flushed slightly at his tenderness and she gave him a shy smile.
Lucian chuckled, “What did you want to say earlier?”
“Ah!” Aria answered, clapping her hands as she remembered her earlier mission, “Mother and I found a very good physiotherapist for you. Since you’re awake now, it’s best you start your rehabilitation as soon as possible.”
Lucian listed to her in silence and Aria continued.
“Father’s birthday is coming up in two weeks time,” she said with an eager gleam in her eyes, “Mother thinks that’s the perfect time to come back into society.”
Lucian frowned, “I can come back anytime I want to when I’m whole again,” he uttered in his deep voice, “Why do I need a special occasion?”
“Because this is special,” Aria said, a hint of exasperation in her voice, “Mother is keeping your recovery a secret, because she wants you to make a grand entrance of your own that day.”
Lucian still had his slight frown on his face, “That’s nice.” He uttered, “I especially like how you both think this would be possible within two weeks.”
“Don’t be so sarcastic,” Aria answered, giving him a playful tap on his arm, “And did you forget that you have the Graves family miracle worker here with you?”
Lucian still looked skeptical, “O don’t know whatever it is you and mother are cooking up, but don’t get your hopes up.”
“Why are you with so little faith?” Aria uttered as she slapped his shoulder once more.
Lucian rolled his way and turned away from her.
He was grateful for being awake and he knew he had to hurry up and resume his daily activities.
But there was the nagging feeling of doubt in his heart.
He doubted that he would ever be able to walk again as he did previously, and he was afraid of even trying if things would turn out that way.
But then he also had to get the one who put him in this situation.
How would he be able to do that if he continued sitting in this bed.
His hands clenched into fists as he thought about this, his breath coming out in harsh puffs.
Nathan Graves was in the same house with him all these years unscathed, while he laid down on his back, a prisoner in his own body.
Lucian’s jaw clenched so hard that his teeth nearly froze.
He had to get Nathan Graves.
For now, he had no evidence and he was protected by the family. Lucian could not outrightly accuse him in front of everyone with not evidence.
But he was going to get it.
And he won’t be doing that on his ass.
“It’s not really a big deal,” Aria was still murmuring, pitying her lips as she complained, “You just need to work on your nerves and muscles and overall rehabilitation. Why do you think it won’t work in two weeks? It’s not like you’re crippled.”
Lucian looked at her then nodded, his eyes filled with determination, “Alright, I will have the rehabilitation.”
Aria smiled brightly, then flipped her hair behind her shoulder, “It’s not like you had any say in the matter previously,” she said, sniffing haughtily, “You were going to have the rehabilitation whether you agreed to it or not.”
Lucian chuckled, “You think you can make me do something against my will?”
“Of course.” Aria answered, scoffing in disbelief at the question, “You think I would let you remain on your ass for the rest of your life? Hah! I was told to marry a comatose man. And now he’s awake. So of course, I need to let the world know what manner of grace I have.”