Chapter 18 Damian’s Help

Scarlett released her grip on Mia, her hands trembling slightly. "No. What I mean is... this... this..."

She held out both palms toward Mia. "I can feel Damian’s energy and scent right here. So I thought... he was the one who helped me. Am I right? What exactly did he do? Tell me the truth, Mia."

The fear and confusion on Mia’s face faded, replaced by a heavy sigh of relief.

‘I was so worried she could read my mind. That would have been terrible. If Damian really was the first one to find her, I would never have been able to lie about it. She would have punished me, and she would have been so embarrassed.’

Mia was right. Scarlett felt far more than embarrassment. Heat flooded her face and spread through every inch of her body. She pressed her hands to her temples and rubbed them slowly, trying to hide how flustered she truly was.

‘Oh no. Damian found me first? And I was... in that state? How could I possibly face him after something like this? It is absolutely mortifying.’

"Miss, are you all right? Do you still have a fever? Your face is burning up!" Mia scrambled up from where she had been kneeling and stared at Scarlett in genuine concern. The usually pale skin was now flushed bright red.

"I am fine," Scarlett said, clearing her throat awkwardly. "But you still haven’t told me everything," she added, her voice stiff.

"Oh, right," Mia replied. She handed Scarlett a glass of water, which Scarlett drained in one long gulp, as if it could somehow calm the frantic beating of her heart brought on by hearing Mia’s inner thoughts.

"Well... actually, I came here with Master Damian. The Elder sent him to bring you some documents you need to study while you are unable to attend the academy. I had planned to prepare your dinner while he delivered the materials." Mia struggled to keep her hands from wringing together, doing her best to hide her nervousness as she approached the heart of the story.

Scarlett listened, and as Mia spoke, the events played out clearly in her mind. She could see it all unfolding before her eyes, and she fell silent, drifting away from the sound of Mia’s voice.

She saw Mia panic when she opened the bedroom door and found Scarlett missing. She ran straight to Damian, who was waiting in the main room. The space served many purposes. It was a sitting area, a dining room, a place to receive guests, and a study. Adjacent to it was the bedroom, and next to that lay the bathing chamber with its small pool carved from natural stone.

Hearing the urgency in Mia’s voice, Damian set the papers down on the table and hurried toward the rooms. Without hesitation, he opened the door to the bathing chamber and saw Scarlett’s body lying motionless in the water, her head resting against the stone edge. He immediately pulled the door shut again, his hands shaking. Just then, Mia rushed over and threw the door open, screaming in shock at the sight.

"I grabbed a wool blanket right away to cover you. Then Master Damian came in, looking frantic. He carried you to the bed, and then he waited outside while I dressed you in fresh clothes," Mia explained, speaking so fast she could barely catch her breath.

"And that was all?" Scarlett asked, her gaze sharp and searching. She held out her palms again toward Mia, who nodded vigorously in response.

"Yes, exactly, Miss. After I finished dressing you, he came back in. He used his power to warm you, because you were shivering so badly from the cold. He... he touched your hands, and... and your forehead."

Mia finished her story looking terrified and awkward, her eyes fixed on Scarlett, who remained completely still and expressionless.

"Very well. I will thank him for his kindness. Besides, I already promised to meet him tonight." Scarlett paused for a moment, then turned back to Mia, who seemed lost in her own anxious thoughts.

Thank goodness she is not angry. I hope she does not punish Master Damian for touching her without permission. After all, she already has a betrothed. If word of this got out, it would be a scandal for her. Even though Master Damian seems like such a good man, and he respects her deeply.

"Mia..." Scarlett said softly.

Mia jumped, startled out of her thoughts. "What is wrong with you? Why do you look so confused? Did you deliver my note to Damian? And did you give it to him right in front of Levi?"

‘Oh no! That is right. She loves Master Levi. What if he found out? He would be furious, just like he always is. I am afraid she will be punished because of me!’ Mia clapped her hands over her mouth in pure panic.

"Why are you so frightened?" Scarlett asked, smiling confidently.

"I told you before. I did that on purpose. I wanted Levi to see. I want him to learn his place and stop acting so arrogant around me. And for the record, I do not love him anymore."

Mia let out a long breath, her shoulders dropping in relief.

"That is such a relief, Miss. I am truly happy to hear you say that. I almost called out for Master Damian when I saw him, but it felt improper to do so. When I slipped the note to him quietly, Master Levi became very angry. He snatched the letter right out of my hand and read it aloud."

Mia’s face lit up as she continued. "Then Master Damian took the note back from him and warned him to back off. Master Levi was furious, but he did not dare say another word. I ran away as fast as I could before they started fighting."

As Mia spoke, Scarlett finished her dinner in quiet satisfaction. She laughed and chatted with Mia until the time came for her to leave and meet Damian at the place they had agreed upon.

Just as Scarlett had planned, Levi was already there, hidden in the shadows of their meeting spot. He was burning with suppressed rage.

Scarlett suppressed a smile.

‘Just wait, Levi. Very soon, I am going to turn your whole world upside down.’