A shy expression appeared on Javien’s face. “It’s all right. Leave it to the servants.”
“A physician does not shy away from treating people of the opposite sex. Besides, we are about to get married. Don’t be shy in front of me.”
When I saw the wounds on his back, I realized how serious they were. Fortunately, he trained and exercised often, so he had a strong physique. An ordinary man would have died or been permanently wounded by the lashes.
We conversed for a while after the ointment was applied. Then, I got up to leave.
Javien grabbed my sleeve with an expectant look in his eyes. “Will you come tomorrow, Catalina?”
I nodded with a smile. “I will visit you every day until you recover.”
Javien gave a satisfied smile.
The next few days, I went to the Quinn family’s estate to put ointment on his wounds and keep him company.
One day, when I was about to leave my house, Eldwin showed up at the doorway. “You are going to the Quinn family’s estate again?”
I walked past him.
Eldwin reached out to stop me. His voice was filled with anger.
“You’ve been going to his house every day this past week. Do you know what people in the Royal Capital have been saying about the two of you?”
Amused, I looked at him. “Javien and I are to be married at the queen’s order. We are betrothed. Why would I care what people are saying?” Eldwin suppressed his rage and said patiently, “I know you resent me for not defending you in front of the king. That was why you went to the queen and asked her to change the edict, right?
“Well, enough of that. Stop sulking and go to the palace with me. We should tell the queen that I am the one you wish to marry, or else my father will not allow us to get married once everyone in the Royal Capital learns about you visiting Javien.”
I was impatient and frustrated. “How many times do I have to tell you that the man I want to marry has always been Javien?
“I asked the queen to let me marry him from the start, and I will not change my mind.”
Eldwin stared at me with disbelief. “You are serious?”
“Of course I am. I take my marriage and happiness seriously.”
A wave of panic washed over Eldwin. He started speaking incoherently. “But… everyone knows that Javien is a notorious spoiled brat. You will not be happy as his wife.”
“My happiness is none of your concern,” I said coldly. “The queen has ordered people to investigate her poisoning, so you should start worrying about Rosalie.”
Eldwin frowned and said, “Rosie did not mess with your medicine. She is kind and warm. She would never poison the queen to frame you.”
