Chapter 469 She Actually Felt Moved
Seemingly afraid that Ashley would refuse again, Ethan said, "Pearl, you've been gone all night, and Andy and Nate have been worried sick about you. To reassure them, I told them you were staying at the palace as a guest. If you insist on leaving now, and they see you in this condition, they'll be both worried and frightened, don't you think?"
Andy and Nate were Ashley's weakness.
Though she had been adamant about leaving, Ethan's words made her hesitate.
She looked down at herself. Her hands and feet were injured, her fingers slightly bent and trembling constantly, as if deformed or disabled. Due to the flogging, her skin was torn and raw, looking absolutely horrific.
If she appeared before the children looking like this, she would certainly frighten them.
However, she was even more reluctant to interact with Ethan.
"I know you don't want to see me," Ethan said. "But if you agree to accept the royal medical treatment, I'll try to stay out of your sight as much as possible. Your injuries are severe, and you need the best medicine available to recover. Going back now would only worsen your condition."
Ashley gave him a cold look. "Fine, I agree. I don't want the children to see me like this."
She added, "But let's make a deal—during my stay at the palace for treatment, I expect you to keep your distance and not engage in any inappropriate behavior toward me."
Ethan smiled. "Don't worry, I'm not such a monster that I would take advantage of someone who's ill."
Ashley scoffed disdainfully.
Recalling last night, although he had been drugged, his stamina was...
Ashley's face flushed with embarrassment.
Seeing her blushing, Ethan felt slightly better. "You must be hungry. I'll have the servants bring up some food."
No sooner had he spoken than Ashley's stomach rumbled with hunger.
Ashley's face reddened even more.
Ethan stood up and called for a maid to bring food.
Moments later, the maid brought a bowl of porridge. Due to Ashley's severe injuries, she could only eat bland foods for now.
The maid placed a small table in front of Ashley with the porridge on it.
Ashley tried to pick up the bowl, but her hands trembled uncontrollably—she couldn't even hold the spoon.
She was utterly embarrassed.
Seeing this, Ethan felt both pained and guilty. "Let me help you," he said.
He picked up the bowl, scooped some porridge with the spoon, gently blew on it until it was the perfect temperature, and then held it up to Ashley's lips. "Here, open your mouth."
Ashley's pale face developed a suspicious tinge of red.
In truth, when Ethan had suddenly appeared in the dungeon to rescue her the day before, Ashley's heart had skipped a beat.
She had always thought the "hero rescues damsel" trope in TV dramas was cliché.
Why did every rescued girl always fall for the boy who saved her?
But when it happened to her, she finally understood!
In her moment of despair and anger, Ethan's appearance was like a god descending from heaven—a light pulling her from the abyss!
However... after overhearing Ethan's conversation later, Ashley's warming heart had gradually cooled again.
Yet when Ethan now gently fed her porridge, her heart couldn't help but flutter once more.
Ashley suppressed her emotions, reminding herself not to entertain such thoughts as she opened her mouth to accept the food Ethan offered.
"You can only eat bland porridge for now," Ethan said. "I've already sent for a doctor. We'll do another thorough examination later."
Ashley nodded.
Ethan continued to feed her the porridge tenderly.
Neither spoke, and the atmosphere gradually warmed.
Ashley only managed to eat half the bowl before saying, "I can't eat anymore."
She usually had a good appetite, but her weakened state made even eating a little food exhausting.
Ethan put down the bowl, and the maid came forward to remove the table.
"Has the Countess's necklace been found?" Ashley asked.
Ethan's face filled with remorse. "Pearl, I owe you an apology for this. It was Mary who framed you, and I've had her thrown into the dungeon. I promise, the suffering you've endured will be repaid to her a hundredfold!"
Ashley fell into deep thought, seemingly realizing something. She exclaimed in surprise, "Was she the one who drugged you last night? Because I intercepted her plans, she harbored resentment and wanted revenge?"
Ethan nodded. "That's right."
Ashley chuckled coldly. "Well, Your Highness, Mary is such a beautiful woman. How could you be so heartless as to reject her? If you had just given in to her earlier, I wouldn't have had to suffer twice!"
Once from the "torment" of being with him last night in that drug-induced frenzy.
And once from being locked in the dungeon, beaten until her skin was torn open.
Ashley didn't notice that her tone carried a hint of jealousy.
Ethan gave a mischievous smile, leaning close to her ear, his voice dropping to a low murmur, "What's this? Are you jealous?"
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