Immortal Healer: Immortal Stonekeeper Prequel (2025) Chapter 5: Chapter 5: A New Ward

Read chapter 5 of Immortal Healer: Immortal Stonekeeper Prequel (2025) by Mercynarie on NovelPedia.

Hilda had propped herself up into a sitting position, although she was still bent over at the hips with her head in her hands. Alarm gripped Duncan, so he opened his third eye to scan the girl for any injuries. Fortunately, she seemed to be mostly fine, except for the fact that her blood sugar was lower than the average seventeen-year-old girl. It was probably just due to a lack of physical exercise, considering how skinny she was. “Mister Ward?” Hilda looked up. “What are you doing here—” A ship’s foghorn blared, and she gasped in realisation. Duncan turned around just in time to see the last ship bound for Japan leave the docks. “No, NO! ” Hilda yelled, chasing after the ship to the edge of the docks as though it would somehow turn back for her. “Bugger, that ferry ticket cost me ten quid…” Duncan kept his arms folded, making sure his expression betrayed not even a hint of the relief he felt. With the last ship gone, it would be months before the next ship to Japan came in. And since the war was pretty much already over, it would be a lot safer for Hilda to roam around by then. Hilda, of course, did not seem to share his sentiment. “Did you come here to stop me from getting on the ship?” She glared at him accusingly. “You stalker!” “Like an old pal of mine used to say, manners maketh man. I just saved your life, lass. How about some gratitude, eh?” The girl slumped her shoulders. “Thank you, I suppose. And you win. Looks like I’m not going anywhere. Or doing anything. Back to being cooped up at home.” Duncan’s expression softened as he watched Hilda pick up her bag and brush the dust off listlessly. “Your mother would be glad to see you safe and sound,” he spoke up, hoping it would help lift her spirits at least a little. Hilda shook her head with a dry chuckle instead. “She isn’t home. She barely spends time at home, and neither did Father,” she said. “They were always busy with their own activities, leaving me to do what I wanted in our house. That’s why I had enough time to obsess over medicine, you see. And after learning about my interests, they pushed me to spend the rest of my time studying at home. I wasn’t even aware that the Second Great War had broken out until last year.” Duncan frowned. It might just be his age speaking, but this was no way to treat a kid. Children like her should be spending their time exploring the world and gaining new perspectives, not being imprisoned away from it. Then again, who was he to judge? He, too, had chosen to shut the world away from himself, even if it was because humanity had disappointed him time and time again. And he’d be lying if he said it made him happier. Stubborn as his age had made him, he couldn’t deny that such a life only made him feel lonelier. And the lonelier he got, the more bitter he would become. Sure, he had Lucy. But she was the type who preferred throwing herself into the mortal world and mingling with humans. Unlike Duncan, Lucy had no shortage of friends in the supernatural world, either. As close as he was to that vampire, they were simply different types of people. Duncan glanced at Hilda, who was squatting with her head between her arms now. It was obvious that throwing herself into this ‘investigation’ was the girl’s way of coping with the grief of losing her father. Perhaps a trip into the wide world was just what she needed to tide her through these tough times. And perhaps, the same could be said for himself. “What are you doing?” The man crouched to look at Hilda, his eyebrows furrowed. “Making you feel guilty,” Hilda mumbled her reply, still keeping her head buried below her arms. “Is it working?” “What? No! No— Does it look like it’s working?” She shifted her head to reveal an eye as she stole a peek at Duncan. “Yes, I think it is.” Duncan took a deep breath. He had never been good with children, and Hilda Harvey was no exception. But as much as his pride wanted him to deny it, this was no time to be playing such petty games with a teenager. “Al