CHAPTER 5
953 Words
BACK HOME
The marketplace was still buzzing with whispers when his eyes dropped to the small cut on her arm,then back to her face.
“Come.”
Eleanor blinked.
“Lucien, I can walk.”
“I didn't ask.”
Before she could protest again, Lucien bent down and swept her into his arms.
Eleanor gasped.
“Lucian!”
He ignored her protests and carried her straight through the crowd.
People immediately moved out of his way.
The same people who had been laughing only moments ago now stood completely silent.
Eleanor lowered her voice.
“Put me down!”
“No.”
“Everyone is staring!”
“Let them.”
“Lucien!”
He glanced down at her.
“You're bleeding.”
“It is barely bleeding!”
“I don't care.”
His voice was so firm that Eleanor fell silent.
He carried her past the market, away from the crowd, until they were finally out of everyone's sight.
Only then did Eleanor look up at him.
“You're seriously angry.”
Lucien looked straight ahead.
“Yes.”
“At me?”
“No.”
“At the woman?”
“Yes.”
Eleanor hesitated.
“You didn't have to do all that.”
Lucien finally looked down at her.
“Yes, I did.”
By the time they reached the estate, Eleanor had stopped arguing.
The gates opened, and several staff members were already waiting at the entrance.
The moment Lucien stepped out, everyone bowed.
“Welcome home, sir.” Lucien didn't stop.
“Prepare a warm shower for my wife.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And food.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Something she actually likes.”
Eleanor looked up at him.
“You know what I like?”
Lucien glanced down.
“I pay attention.”
Her heart gave an unexpected little flutter.
Before she could respond, he carried her inside.
The staff immediately followed his instructions.“Medical kit upstairs.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And nobody comes into the bedroom until I say so.”
“Yes, sir.”
Eleanor raised an eyebrow.
“You're giving a lot of orders.”
“You're injured.”
“I've survived worse.”
Lucien stopped walking.
His expression changed.
“Don't say that like it's normal.”
Eleanor stared at him.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then he continued upstairs.
Once inside the bedroom, Lucien carefully placed her on the bed.
Eleanor looked at him.
“You know…”
“What?”
“You really didn't have to carry me all the way home.”
Lucien opened the medical kit.
“I know.”
“Then why did you?” He looked at her.
“Because I wanted to.”
Eleanor smiled faintly.
“You're stubborn.”
“So are you.”
He took her injured arm gently and began treating the wound.
Eleanor watched him. His hands were surprisingly careful.
“You're being very gentle.”
“I don't want to hurt you.”
She looked away.
“You didn't have to care this much.”
Lucien paused.
Then he lifted his eyes to hers,“That's where you're wrong.” Eleanor's breath caught.
“I care because you're mine to protect.”
The words left her completely silent. Lucien continued wrapping the bandage around her arm.
Then, softer:
“But never mine to control.” Eleanor looked at him.
And suddenly, the room felt far too quiet.
Her fingers slowly reached for his shirt.
Lucien noticed.
His eyes dropped to her hand. Then returned to her face.
“Eleanor…”
She whispered,“What?”
He leaned closer.
“Don't make me forget why I stopped myself last night.”
Her cheeks warmed.
“Maybe I don't want you to remember.”
A slow smile appeared on his lips.
“That's dangerous.”
“Maybe I like danger.”
Lucien's gaze darkened.
“Then you're going to be in trouble.” Eleanor smiled.
“Maybe I already am.”
He laughed softly.
And for the first time since the marketplace, the tension between them wasn't frightening.
It was something neither of them wanted to escape.
Suddenly, a knock sounded at the door.
Lucien’s eyes shifted toward it, his expression tightening slightly.
“Come in.”
The door opened, and one of the servants stepped inside.
He hesitated, as though unsure how to deliver the news.
“Sir…”
Lucien’s gaze sharpened. “What is it?”
“Your grandmother is here.”
Silence.
Lucien’s brows drew together. “My grandmother?”
“Yes, sir. She’s waiting in the living room.”
For a moment, Lucien said nothing.
His grandmother never came unannounced.
And judging by the servant’s uneasy expression, this visit was far from ordinary.
Lucien slowly rose to his feet.
“Stay here,” he said, his eyes briefly settling on Eleanor before he turned toward the door.
Then, almost as an afterthought, he added coldly,
“And find out why she came.”
Lucien sat on the couch, his legs crossed over one another. He looked towards his grandmother.
“Grandma, you came.”
His grandmother looked at him. “Yes, I did. I personally came to inform you that we'll be having a family dinner at my place, and you should come with your wife.”
She paused, her gaze fixed on him.
“The family has to know the woman you got married to.”
Lucien raised an eyebrow. “No, Grandma. So this dinner has to do with my wife?”
His grandmother stood up from the couch.
“Don't be late.”
Without saying another word, she turned and walked away, leaving Lucien staring after her.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD