Chapter 149

[ 1,598 words ]

Ivy’s Point of View

The past three days had been anything but peaceful. Ever since Dominic and I arrived at Prince Boran’s courtyard, we had been treated more like prisoners than guests. The doors remained guarded at all times, and not once had we been allowed to leave the compound without someone following us.

I understood their caution. Boran was clearly someone who had enemies, and considering how badly injured he had been when we arrived, I could understand why his people were unwilling to let strangers move freely around him.

However, I wasn’t particularly pleased about being watched every time I stepped out of his sickroom. I had already done my part by saving his life, and I was beginning to lose patience with the unnecessary attention. Still, I kept my thoughts to myself and concentrated on his recovery.

Every morning, I checked his wound, examined his pulse and made sure there were no signs of infection. I also spent a considerable amount of time instructing his head maid on how to clean the incision, change the dressing and administer the medicines I had prepared for him.

Gigi, on the other hand, rarely left his side. She was always in the sickroom whenever I arrived, sometimes sitting beside his bed while rubbing his forehead.

Meanwhile, whenever we were alone, Dominic attention was always occupied with observing the compound. He had discovered something interesting on our first night.

There were at least eighty highly trained warriors stationed around the courtyard, most of them hiding behind the surrounding buildings. They weren’t ordinary guards either.

I stood a few feet away, watching as he slowly moved his legs when he placed his feet on the floor, but he managed to steady himself against the bedpost.

“Don’t rush,” I warned him. “You have only just recovered enough to stand. That doesn’t mean you’re ready to start walking around as though nothing happened.”

He glanced at me, a faint smile appearing on his face. “Physician Lin, I have spent the last few days lying in bed. Surely, you don’t expect me to remain there forever.”

“I expect you to follow my instructions if you want to remain alive.” I instructed.

Gigi covered her mouth, trying to hide her amusement, while Boran chuckled. “You’re rather strict for a physician.” His smile widened.

I approached him and checked his pulse again before examining the wound. “Your energy channels are still weak. You must avoid using your internal force, or engaging in physical activities for at least two weeks. If you ignore this instruction, your wound could reopen.”

“I understand. The burning sensation has completely disappeared. I can finally breathe without feeling as though someone is crushing my chest. Physician Lin, I owe you my life.”

“You owe me the remaining payment for my services,” I corrected.

Dominic, who had been standing quietly near the window, let out a low chuckle.

Boran looked between us before laughing. “Of course. I haven’t forgotten our agreement.”

He turned towards Gigi. “Have the payment brought here.”

Gigi immediately instructed one of the servants, and shortly afterwards, several men carried two boxes into the room. When they opened them, the sight of the gold coins made my eyes linger for a moment. Twenty thousand imperial gold coins. The exact amount we had agreed upon.

I checked the payment before allowing our guards to secure the chests. “Everything is in order,” I announced.

Boran nodded. “I hope you won’t disappear from the without giving me another opportunity to thank you properly.”

I adjusted my robes. “My work here is finished. You have been given your instructions, and I expect you to follow them.”

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Dominic and I finally left the compound with our payment. I didn’t look back.

*

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*

DAYS LATER:

Three days was more than enough time to spend in someone else’s courtyard, especially when every movement was being monitored by suspicious guards. By the time we returned to our private courtyard behind Azure Pharmacy, I was already looking forward to taking off my physician disguise.

I had barely settled into my chair when Dominic summoned our guards. Their arrival was swift, and within minutes, several of our most trusted warriors were standing around the desk.

Dominic remained standing, his expression serious. “The man we have been searching for is finally within our reach.”

The guards exchanged glances.

“Where is he, Master Alpha?” one of them asked.

“Give us the command, and we will storm that compound immediately. We can bring his head before the sun sets.”

Several others agreed, their expressions filled with the eagerness to finally capture the fugitive they had spent so much time searching for.

“Nobody is attacking. There is something else we need to investigate before making a move.” I said.

He glanced at me. “What is it?”

“Gigi.” I answered. “Have you considered how Prince Boran managed to establish himself in Lilypine Pack so quickly? He is a wanted fugitive, yet within such a short period, he managed to secure a courtyard, gather more than eighty armed warriors and establish connections with influential people in this territory.”

I paused. “And then there is Lady Gigi. She has been personally taking care of him since we arrived. And judging by how she behaves around him, her concern goes far beyond that of an ordinary acquaintance.”

I turned towards the lead scout. “I want you to investigate their relationship. Find out when they met, how they became acquainted and what connection her has with Prince Boran. I want to know everything, including how he managed to gain access to her resources.”

“We also need to be careful about how we approach this. Boran is still recovering from surgery. We should give him a little more time before making our move. I want him alive when we capture him.”

One of the guards looked confused. “Alive, Physician Lin?”

“Yes. Prince Vikron will certainly be interested in getting their hands on him. We can use his capture to negotiate territorial benefits and trade concessions with the Howling Ashes.”

Dominic’s lips curved slightly. “Keep the compound under surveillance. Nobody moves against Boran until I give the order. I want every entrance and exit monitored, and I want to know if anyone attempts to move him out of the territory.”

The guards bowed before leaving the study. Once they were gone, Dominic approached me. “You’ve become quite interested in Gigi.”

“I am interested in understanding how a fugitive managed to find such convenient shelter.”

“Perhaps she simply likes him.” He suggested.

I looked at him. “That doesn’t explain everything.”

*

*

*

For the next two days, our scouts continued their investigation while Dominic arranged the necessary forces. We didn’t want Boran escaping again, especially after coming this close to finding him. By the time the investigation was completed, we had gathered enough information to proceed. And on the third night, Dominic finally gave the order.

The operation began shortly before midnight. Our guards moved first, taking positions around the compound, and before the night was over, thousands of armed warriors had surrounded the entire courtyard. There was nowhere for Boran or his people to escape. I stood beside Dominic as we approached the main entrance.

He raised his hand. “Search every room.” Dominic commanded. “Nobody leaves this compound alive unless I say so. Bring Prince Boran to me.”

Our warriors rushed inside. The guards stationed around the courtyard immediately drew their weapons, but they were heavily outnumbered. Some attempted to fight their way through the entrance, while others tried to escape through the back passages, but none of them succeeded. Our people had already secured every exit.

Within a short time, the compound was under our control.

Prince Boran was dragged out of his chambers in chains, his face twisted with disbelief when he saw Dominic standing in the courtyard. Gigi was captured alongside him, while the remaining warriors and members were taken into custody.

The following morning, Prince Boran and his people had been separated for interrogation, and the reports were already beginning to arrive I was seated in my private study, going through some documents when Dominic walked in.

“The investigation is complete,” he announced. “It turns out that Boran’s escape wasn’t as complicated as we initially thought.”

I closed the document in front of me. “Then explain.”

“A week before we arrived at the compound, Gigi encountered him on one of the public trading streets. Apparently, he had removed his mask to get some fresh air, and she happened to see his face, and fell in love with him.”

I stared at Dominic. “Just like that?”

“According to the interrogation, yes. She was immediately attracted to his appearance and began finding excuses to see him again.”

I shook my head. “That explains why she was always beside him, but it doesn’t explain how he managed to get her to spend so much money on him.”

Dominic gave a humourless chuckle. “That’s where Boran’s little performance comes in. He introduced himself as an aristocratic merchant and convinced Gigi that he had come to the territory to establish a business. He made her believe he was wealthy, influential and interested in building a future in Lilypine Pack.”

“While Gigi was busy falling in love with him, Boran was using her influence to establish his operations. He needed someone who could purchase properties, acquire businesses and handle transactions without attracting unnecessary attention. Gigi provided all of that.”

I realized he had used her feelings to protect himself.

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