Chapter 222: Chapter 222

Lisa wouldn’t stop fussing.

Her hands kept moving, touching my face, brushing my hair back, pressing lightly against my forehead as if she were trained like a healer. I caught her wrist, frowning.

"Lisa," I said firmly, "I’m not sick. It was just one sneeze. A man can sneeze once without the whole palace calling for a doctor."

Her eyes, however, didn’t soften. They hardened. "No, Damon. I know you. You never admit when something is wrong. You’ve been caring for me every second,, every meal, every breath, every step I take. Don’t you dare think I won’t do the same for you."

I blinked at her. My chest stirred strangely at her words. She... she truly meant it.

Still, I tried to brush it aside. I forced a small smile. "I told you, it’s nothing. A sneeze, Lisa. That’s all. Do you want the entire council to hear that Alpha Damon, the almighty one, is being treated because of a sneeze?"

Her lips tightened. She leaned closer, lowering her voice. "Then let them hear. I don’t care about titles right now. I care about you."

The words silenced me.

I stared at her, struck dumb. Since our mother’s death... no one had ever said something like that to me. Rowan cared in his own way, and Kael did too, but both hid their worry behind strength, never voicing it. We had all grown cold. Hardened.

But Lisa... she was different.

Before I could stop her, she flicked her gaze toward the maid standing by the door. A subtle signal, but I caught it instantly. The maid bowed quickly and hurried off.

"You..." I started, narrowing my eyes.

Lisa only gave me a look that made me hold my tongue. "The doctor is coming," she said quietly but firmly. "Argue all you want, Damon, but I won’t watch you fall sick because of me."

I let out a long sigh, raking a hand through my wet hair. "You’re impossible."

Her lips curved faintly. "And yet you love me for it."

I almost smiled. Almost. But the heaviness in my chest refused to lift. I muttered instead, "Come. Let’s get back to your chamber."

She nodded and took my hand, no, not just took it. She tugged me, guiding me like I was the one who needed looking after.

Her grip was small, gentle, but steady, and for once in my life I felt... cared for. Like a boy being led by his mother, not an Alpha leading an army.

When we reached the corridor, two familiar figures appeared: Rowan and Kael. They stopped dead when they saw us.

Rowan’s sharp eyes narrowed, his steps quickening. "Where are you two coming from?"

Kael’s gaze swept over us, and immediately he noticed the faint flush on Lisa’s cheeks and the way I rubbed my nose. His brows arched high. "Don’t tell me..."

Before I could answer, Lisa spoke first, her voice calm. "We went to the garden. Damon probably catch cold from me. You konw... we were in the rain this morning. The doctor is on his way to check him."

Rowan’s expression softened instantly, concern overtaking his sharpness. "Is it true? Damon, you caught a cold from her."

Lisa nodded quickly. "Yes. But don’t worry. He will be fine once the doctor looks at him."

I scowled. "Enough. It’s nothing serious. Rowan, don’t encourage her."

Kael, however, chuckled, no, scoffed. He stepped closer, his tone mocking. "The mighty Damon. Afraid of the rain now? Weak from spending too much time with Lisa? Look at you, sneezing like a child."

Heat rose in my chest. My jaw tightened. "Kael..." I growled.

"What?" he smirked. "Did I lie? You used to stand in the storm for hours without flinching. Now one drop of rain has you running to your chamber."

Lisa stiffened at my side, her eyes flashing. But before she could speak, I snapped.

"Enough!" My voice thundered through the corridor. I turned my glare directly at Kael. "Insult me all you want, but don’t you dare insult Lisa. She has nothing to do with my strength or weakness. Do you understand?"

Kael’s smirk faltered slightly. Rowan’s gaze shifted between us, measuring.

"Are you being serious right now?" Rowan asked.

Lisa tugged gently on my arm. "Damon... don’t waste your strength fighting words. Let’s just go inside."

I exhaled sharply through my nose, forcing myself to calm. "Fine. Inside."

We entered my chamber, the warmth of the fire welcoming us. I sat heavily on the bed, leaning back against the pillows. Lisa immediately began fussing again, smoothing my hair back, adjusting the blankets around me.

"I told you," I muttered, half in annoyance, half in disbelief. "I’m fine."

"And I told you," she countered firmly, "that you’re not."

Before I could argue again, a knock came at the door. The maid returned, and with her, the doctor.

He bowed low, his robes sweeping the floor. "Your Majesty," he said respectfully, then glanced at Lisa. "My lady."

Lisa gestured him in quickly. "Check him. He sneezed in the garden, and I fear he’s caught my cold."

I grumbled under my breath, but the doctor ignored it. He stepped forward, examining me with cold, professional precision. His fingers pressed my pulse, his hand touched my forehead, and he listened to my breathing.

Finally, he straightened. "It is nothing severe," he said calmly. "The Alpha is strong. He only needs warmth and rest. I will prepare herbs. Brew them into a liquor and let him drink it throughout the day. He will be well."

He handed a small pouch of herbs to one of the maids.

But before she could even take a step, Lisa reached forward and snatched it from her. Her eyes were sharp, her voice steady. "I’ll do it myself."

The doctor bowed his head, not questioning her. "As you wish, my lady."

He turned, bowed again to me, and left quietly.

Rowan and Kael exchanged glances. Rowan smiled faintly, his eyes warm. "She’ll care for you better than any healer."

Kael smirked, folding his arms. "Enjoy your tea, Damon. Don’t let her tuck you into bed too tightly."

I shot him a glare, but before I could respond, Rowan touched Kael’s arm. "Come. Let them rest." Latest content publıshed on 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩~𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖~𝙣𝙚𝙩

And with that, both of them left, leaving me alone with Lisa.

She stood by the table, carefully preparing the herbs, her hands moving with delicate precision. I lay back against the pillows, watching her.

And for the first time in years, maybe my whole life, I realized...

This was what it felt like.