Immortal Healer: Immortal Stonekeeper Prequel (2025) Chapter 17: Chapter 17: Lady Trouble

Read chapter 17 of Immortal Healer: Immortal Stonekeeper Prequel (2025) by Mercynarie on NovelPedia.

Hilda Harvey had developed a crush on Duncan. He didn’t realise it until she started snuggling up against him right after they boarded the Witch’s Train. The girl wasn’t even sparing a glance at the medical books in her bag this time. “How much longer do we have on this ride?” Hilda’s voice was a lot higher than usual, and her arm was coiled around Duncan’s like a hungry python. “Five more minutes,” the man replied curtly. Thankfully. Duncan was trying his best to crane his neck away from the girl. It was the best he could do to express his disinterest; he had already given up trying to pry her arm off him twenty minutes ago. If he so much as even looked in her general direction, she’d probably take the chance to crash her lips into his. “Aww, already?” Hilda pouted. “Isn’t this so romantic? A man and a woman alone on an adventure, riding away from everything.” She squinted her eyes and inhaled deeply as if savouring some sort of fragrance. “Hilda, look—” Duncan began, but the girl immediately rested her head on his shoulder and conspicuously pulled down one of her sleeves to expose her own. Stifling a gasp, his arm shot over to Hilda’s other side to pull her sleeve back up, but the girl took the chance to aggressively wrap her arms around his neck instead. Duncan flinched as he slipped off the seat, causing both of them to topple to the ground. Hilda beamed almost victoriously at him, tucking a fringe behind her ear. Her legs were straddling the man’s body, and it was obvious that she wasn’t about to get off him voluntarily. Hilda leaned in for a kiss— “Stop!” The girl released a small yelp as Duncan twisted his body to the side, letting her slide off his body. Her head flung back dangerously towards the edge of their seat, but Duncan quickly shielded the back of her head before it hurt her. Both parties took a moment to stare at each other, their faces flushed red as they breathed heavily. “Hilda, I know what’s going on with you.” He put his hands in front of him nervously, trying to calm her down. “You do?” Hilda nodded vigorously. “Of course, you know how I feel. You’re so capable. There’s nothing you can’t do.” She began crawling towards him. “You don’t understand— Stop. ” Duncan held her by her shoulders to stop her from advancing. “You don’t understand what you’re feeling.” “I do, I do!” Hilda insisted, pushing against him. “Duncan, I love you! I want to be with you forever!” “No, you don’t—” “I do! My heart pounds whenever I’m with you. I have never felt so safe when I’m with you. I want to live happily ever after with you!” “That’s bollocks!” Duncan shoved her back as gently as he could. “How long have you known me, girl? Nought but a few days. Tis but just a fantasy you are indulging in!” “A few days is more than enough; others have fallen in love at first sight.” Hilda’s eyes turned glassy as they started to water. “Nobody has ever cared for me so much in my life. Nobody has ever made me feel so secure! Only you, Duncan! Only you have! My heart yearns to be with you!” Bother, she’s completely besotted. “You’re only seventeen, lass. I am more than thirty times older than you.” Duncan lowered his voice. “You’ll have plenty of better options when you grow up. You don’t know what it means to fall in love.” “Is that it?” The love-smitten expression on the girl’s face gave way to one of indignation. “You think I’m just a child , don’t you? That’s why you won’t accept my love! Well, I’ll have you know that I’m plenty mature enough to be a good wife.” Duncan shook his head in exasperation. “I— I’m good at staying at home!” Hilda continued sputtering. “I’m good at—” “I am not interested in you.” The girl fell silent immediately as her lips began quivering. “W— What?” “I am not interested in you,” Duncan repeated bluntly, raising his voice a little. “Prithee, mind yourself, lass. And get rid of that poisonous delusion. This is no time to be fraternising. My friend’s life is at stake here.” The train shuddered to a stop as tho