Afrow worries

"You... You mean a lot to me, not just like someone who benefits and gives me what I want. Ah well, you wouldn't understand," James said as he stood up. "The point is, you just take care of yourself and your pregnancy. Don't think that you just need to live until you've delivered those babies."

After James left, I thought about what he had just said. All of a sudden James was acting like that. I, who wasn't used to being treated like that by him, must have felt strange. Is it possible that he's doing what modern-day humans often do? Yeah, you know what I mean. He's trying to melt my heart by saying things like that, but I'm not going to fall for it that easily.

"How do you feel, Mrs?" said the healer.

I turned my head, and shook my head slowly. "Not much, just tired."

"Do you have any pain or aches? Anywhere in your body," the healer said again.

I shook my head weakly. "No, just tired. And... I keep feeling sleepy."

"Do you have any pain or soreness? Anywhere in your body," the doctor said again.

I shook my head weakly. "No, just tired."

"Well, that's normal because your body is undergoing treatment. We'll give you a potion to make you feel more refreshed after this," replied the healer and walked away.

"Hm, have you seen Afrow?" I asked.

The healers looked at me for a moment. "We saw Mr Afrow outside. He was waiting for you earlier. Would you like to see Mr Afrow?"

I felt worried about Afrow, last I remembered he was protecting me outside the castle when the attack happened. He was protecting me with all his might and he was likely injured as well. I'm worried and I'm also worried about his condition who has fought a lot because of me. The thing I'm more worried about is that since I had fainted because of the attack, it's possible that Afrow will be blamed for being negligent in guarding me.

"Please call him here, I want to see Afrow," I pleaded in a weak voice.

"Alright, please wait for a moment Mrs Aluna."

I nodded and fell silent then waited for the healer to call Afrow into the room to meet me. Then I saw Afrow stepping into my room with a worried look. I'm sure he must be thinking all sorts of things since he was called inside, even though I'm the one who's worried about him now because James must have cornered him.

"What's wrong Mrs Aluna? Is something wrong? I'm sorry I've been negligent in taking care of you. Is something wrong? Do you need anything?" Afrow asked repeatedly.

I smiled weakly and reached out for his hand. Afrow initially withdrew his hand when I was about to touch it, but he realised that it might offend me and apologised for his unintentional reflex.

"I'm sorry Mistress. I didn't mean to. I don't think it's appropriate for me to be this subordinate---"

"Don't always put yourself down Afrow. You are the one who saved my life and the lives of the babies in my womb, if not you I would probably be taken by the enemies and in danger right now. You have also helped me in many ways so if there is anyone who is valuable to me. So from now on don't ever feel shy and feel inferior in front of me again," I said.

"Still I don't deserve to do that, you are the one who is close to Lord King Alpha. And now you are carrying Lord King Alpha's babies. I don't deserve to do that to you, because it would be considered that I have problems with people who have authority over me," Afrow said.

I chuckled softly. "What a cowardly man when it comes to matters of romance, even though James has absolutely no feelings for me, especially since this pregnancy is only for political matters and has nothing to do with romantic feelings. After I give birth to these babies, I don't have any relationship with James anymore. So what would you be worried about?"

"Oh yes, I called you because I wanted to ask how you were doing. Did James scold you for the incident earlier? I'm worried that he's blaming you for the incident because he thinks you've been negligent in taking care of me," I said to change the subject.

Afrow shook his head. "It's the opposite of what you're worried about, Madam. He actually thanked me for taking care of you and your foetus. I was initially surprised that Mr King Alpha would do that, but then I thought that it was because he was so worried about you. And he's actually a wise man, it's just that he's often hidden because of his cold and stern nature."

I felt uneasy again, his nature that really liked to serve James made me sick, he always prided himself on James as if his best friend was a very good person and also far from mistakes. Even though all this time James really made me sick because of his annoying nature.

"Yeah, whatever. I'm really surprised why you think so highly of him. He's such an annoying person but you're so loyal to him. You don't even get angry when he scolds you," I said.

"Hahaha, I've actually been friends with Mr King Alpha since we were kids and until now. Therefore I already know a lot about his nature and am no longer confused by his drastic changes in attitude in certain moments," said Afrow. "Ah, by the way, how are you doing? I see you still look very tired."

"As you can see and your guess is correct. I still feel tired and weak after I woke up. My body seems to have just done a very tiring activity, could this be because of the effect of the flower I inhaled the powder from," I surmised.

Afrow nodded. "I share your thoughts. The garden is very lucky that the soldiers in this pack found the golden tulips at the right time and brought them here. Because it could have saved your heart and kept you and your foetus safe."

I breathed a sigh of relief. "I almost couldn't wake up again from my very long sleep. Hahaha, but at least I won't meet any more annoying people like... Yeah you know."

Afrow's expression changed. "Don't say such unkind things. Life is a gift whoever you are, so enjoy it because the Moon Goddes gave it as a gift to all of us. About your problem of being bothered by some people, it is my duty to keep them away from you. And if you are still bothered by them then it is my negligence in duty."

"Tsk, I told you not to always blame yourself for everything that happens. And don't think everything around here is your job. What makes me feel like this is their doing and that means it's all their fault."

Afrow nodded in defeat. "I'm sorry, I'll improve myself more after this. And speaking of that.... There is actually something that makes me quite anxious."

"Hm? What is it?" I asked.

"Soon this pack will be undergoing deployment duties. So Lord King Alpha and his many warriors will be leaving to spread out to the regions for hunting and many other purposes. That will leave the castle more empty than usual, but because of this situation I will remain here on Lord King Alpha's orders and my own wishes. But what I am worried about is that there will be an attack at such a time later on in this castle," Afrow said looking upset.