The sweet venom Chapter 29: 28

Read chapter 29 of The sweet venom by aspa201 on NovelPedia.

Silence weighed heavily upon the dimly lit chamber where Lucian lay resting. The air was thick with the scent of medicinal balms and blood as the family physician, having carefully cleansed and dressed each of the young man's injuries, methodically put away his instruments. At his side, the family mage was applying healing magic to Lucian. Though such magic could not fully restore him, it hastened the closing of his wounds and eased his pain. Helia, Lucille, and Aldric were present as well, all still reeling from the shock of the attack. Seated in an armchair at the corner of the room, Helia felt her heart pounding violently in her chest. Lucian's screams still echoed in her mind, interwoven with the image of the predatory gaze of the mercenary who had approached her. She could not stop wondering who could have orchestrated such violence, and what might have happened to her had Lucian not been carrying his invisibility artifact. That object, which he usually employed to shirk his duties and wander freely through the city, had very likely saved her life. Suddenly, the door flew open, revealing the marquis. His frantic, feverish gaze swept across the room before settling on his daughter. He hurried toward her and asked in a voice filled with concern. "Are you hurt?" "No, Father," she replied weakly, her throat tight. He did not linger on her and moved at once to the bed where his eldest son lay. He then turned to the family physician, fixing him with a grave look. "What is his condition?" The physician, having just completed his treatment, bowed respectfully before answering. "My lord, your son has sustained serious injuries: several fractured ribs, a significant head wound, a broken arm, as well as numerous bruises and superficial lacerations. Fortunately, his spine has not been affected. He will require time to recover, but he should survive." The marquis stood rigid, staring at Lucian's sleeping face. A flicker of anger mixed with helplessness crossed his eyes. "Is there a risk of lasting damage?" he asked tensely. "We will not know for certain until he regains consciousness. However, based on my observations, he instinctively shielded his head with his hands during the assault, which greatly reduces the likelihood of brain injury." The marquis nodded slowly, yet his features remained tight, strained with anxiety. The physician gave his final instructions to the servants before taking his leave. A heavy silence settled over the room, broken only by Lucian's uneven breathing. After a long pause that seemed to stretch into eternity, Aldric discreetly cleared his throat and addressed Helia. "My Lady, do you believe yourself able to recount what happened?" Lucille cast him an icy glance, silently reproaching him for pressing her too soon. But Helia, gathering her courage, nodded softly. "Yes. We must find those men as quickly as possible," she replied with fragile determination. She told them everything, every detail etched painfully into her memory. She tried to contain her emotions, yet her voice faltered at times, and tears slid down her cheeks. Behind her, the marquis, still seated beside the bed, clenched his fists, his knuckles white with tension. When she finished, she turned anxiously toward Aldric. "Have you had any news of Madame Cecilia's husband?" she asked abruptly. Aldric, surprised, raised his brows slightly. "He was found in the storeroom, tied to a chair and unconscious. But he is safe, he suffered no serious injuries." A sigh of relief escaped her. It was, at least, one small consolation amid the chaos. The marquis then asked in a restrained voice. "Aldric, do you know who these men were?" "I have heard of them," Aldric replied gravely. "They are mercenaries notorious for their brutality. Hired for operations of this nature, they have never left any trace leading back to their employer. But I swear to you that I will do everything in my power to find them." Moments later, the steward Barthold entered the chamber