Chapter 6: Shadows of the Past
1180 Words
In a moment of distraction, Su Beitang raised her hand, pressing it firmly against Charles’s chest to create some distance, her eyes closing instinctively.
As long as I don’t look… I won’t fall under his spell.
But she underestimated her own vivid memory, which continued replaying his every move.
Oh, heaven help me—I’ve escaped the wolf’s den only to fall straight into the lion’s jaws!
Inwardly, she groaned in frustration, fighting to keep her composure as she opened her eyes.
“Charles… I need you to arrange for a healer to look at my legs,” she said, forcing herself to meet his gaze—one of the few things that grounded her in his presence.
Sensing that his charm wasn’t working, Charles turned, wrapping himself in a bathrobe.
“What’s wrong with your legs?” he asked, snapping his fingers to instantly dry the lingering water on his skin.
“It’s a long story…” she hesitated, unsure where to begin.
“No need to rush,” he replied, reaching for her hand and kissing its back lightly. “I’ll ask Jannie to summon Quinwen, my private healer. You’ll have plenty of time to explain everything.”
He straightened and continued in his usual, composed manner. “I have some matters to attend to today. If you need anything, simply ask Jannie; he’s the castle’s steward.”
With a final, respectful nod, Charles left the room, and soon after, Jannie appeared, bringing with him a woman who, like him, bore no gland.
The woman carried a large trunk filled with clothing and jewelry, informing Su Beitang that she would have new attire and accessories delivered each day.
Holding a gown of exquisite fabric in her hands and looking over the array of jewelry spread before her, Su Beitang suddenly felt tempted to stay in this life of luxury.
The thought took root, and she stiffened.
“Su Beitang! Rely on yourself; you can’t depend on anyone else for survival!” she muttered, scolding herself aloud.
Jannie and the older woman, Myadi, exchanged a quick glance before turning back to their tasks, hiding their amusement at the duchess’s outburst.
After her self-admonition, Su Beitang chose an elegant green gown from the collection. She instructed Jannie to store the rest in Charles’s wardrobe.
As for the jewelry… she had it placed beside the large bed in Charles’s chambers, intending to indulge in its beauty every morning.
Once dressed, Jannie led her to the dining hall for breakfast. Afterward, he guided her through the manor’s gardens until they reached the heart of the estate—a delicate rose pavilion nestled among verdant blooms.
“Madam, may I present the Duke’s private healer, Quinwen,” Jannie announced.
A red-haired man turned to face her from within the pavilion.
He was strikingly handsome, with sharp eyebrows, deep-set eyes, and a nose as prominent as a mountain peak. His features, distinctly Eastern, stirred a sense of familiarity in Su Beitang.
Unlike Charles or Jannie, Quinwen’s appearance evoked a comforting closeness. It wasn’t solely because she had once lived in the East; her own features bore a hint of Eastern lineage.
Su Beitang’s late mother was a Western noblewoman, which led her to believe her Eastern traits came from her unknown father. Since childhood, she had never heard a word about him.
After her mother’s death, Theosen had even burned all remnants of her mother’s belongings.
“Good morning, Madam.” Quinwen stepped forward, taking her hand and pressing a respectful kiss upon it.
As he bowed, his long, bound hair slipped forward, revealing a large black tattoo on the back of his neck.
“Good morning.” Su Beitang withdrew her gaze from his neck and returned his greeting.
“The Duke sent word that you needed treatment for your legs. Please, take a seat so I may examine you,” Quinwen said, stepping aside and gesturing toward the pavilion’s cushioned chair.
Nodding, she took a seat in the rose-covered garden chair as the two men watched her.
“This injury is from four years ago. At the time, I feared I’d never walk again…” Su Beitang’s voice softened as she looked down at Quinwen, who was now kneeling before her, removing his gloves.
Quinwen didn’t respond verbally. Instead, he placed his hands gently on her knees, summoning his mental energy to assess the condition of her legs.
From her vantage point, she watched him in silence.
The early morning light caught Quinwen’s red hair, casting a warm orange glow that framed his downturned face, emphasizing his fair skin.
The faint rose fragrance drifting through the pavilion created a soothing, picturesque scene.
A cool sensation washed over her knees, and moments later, Quinwen withdrew his hands, slipping his gloves back on.
“How are Madam’s legs?” Jannie asked from outside the pavilion as Quinwen concluded the examination.
Quinwen opened the medical kit he had brought, retrieving a vial of pure white liquid.
“Madam’s legs show no signs of previous injury,” he replied honestly, relaying his findings.
Su Beitang’s eyes widened in disbelief. “How is that possible? He destroyed my legs with his own magic—I was confined to a wheelchair for three years!”
No sign of injury?!
Mentioning Theosen’s cruel attack stirred her emotions, and her voice shook with barely restrained anger.
Quinwen quickly offered his apologies.
“I’m sorry, Madam. Perhaps I should clarify: the damage wasn’t to your legs but to your mental energy.” Quinwen held out the white vial.
“The magic used against you inflicted a severe injury to your mental energy. Because of your innate healing ability, the injury only manifested as an illusion of physical damage to your legs,” he explained, exchanging a silent glance with Jannie.
Jannie stepped forward, his tone serious.
“Madam… do you remember who cast the spell on you?”
“From my assessment, they must have cast it with lethal intent.”
“According to Nervat Empire law, such a person should be imprisoned, whether male or female…” Quinwen added.
Jannie nodded in agreement, his face filled with righteous indignation.
“Madam, you have the right to bring charges against him before the Imperial Female Protection Council.”
Su Beitang stared at her legs in silence.
Theosen… He had meant to kill her…
But evidence of mental damage alone wouldn’t be enough to bring Theosen to justice or make him pay for what he’d done.
She had her own plan for him.
“No… I don’t remember. It was dark; I couldn’t see their face,” she replied, her tone subdued as she pushed her emotions aside.
Jannie’s expression fell, his face shadowed with regret as he turned away, frustrated.
Quinwen seemed to have anticipated her response and nodded calmly. “If you ever wish to pursue this, simply inform the Duke. I’m sure he would support you.”
Su Beitang nodded, ready to change the subject.
She pointed to the white vial in her hand. “What is this?”
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