My Fated Mate Can Have Her-Chapter 61: A Knock At The Worst Time

Violet

"I... I’ve been training," I said carefully, absentmindedly rubbing my arm, not entirely sure what else to say.

It felt strange to have her look at me like that.

I wasn’t that impressive to look at.

"Oh, yes. The training." Lyra’s hands twisted together in front of her, her gaze darting away from mine like she couldn’t hold eye contact. She smiled fondly. "That makes sense."

She raised her head, as if suddenly remembering why she was here. "Madam Tow sent me... but that is only because I didn’t know you were already back!" She nodded her head. "I am happy to see you look well now."

"Thank you."

I wasn’t sure why, but I felt a bit more relieved when that odd look of admiration was no longer in Lyra’s eyes.

"She... um... asked me to tell you that Lord Kael wants to see you. In his study."

A tingling sensation settled in my stomach. I tried to shake off the feeling.

"Oh..." I kept my voice neutral. "I’ll go now—"

"Oh! No." Lyra raised her hands as if to stop me in place. "You don’t have to—I mean, Madam Tow said—" Lyra shook her heads and sighed, trying to find her words. She smiled apologetically. "She said you should freshen up first. There’s no rush. He just... he wants to see you when you’re ready."

"I understand."

She nodded quickly, already backing away from the open door. "Of course. I’ll be going now. I’ll see you later, Violet."

With that, she turned around and almost fled before I could respond. I stared silently at the space she had just left before closing the door.

Then I stood there for a long moment, trying to make sense of what had just happened.

’"...you look... different."’

I immediately rushed into the bathing room, taking off my clothes as I made my way there. I stopped in front of the standing mirror and went still.

The face that looked back at me was my own.

But my body looked slightly more toned and defined. I stood there, slightly awed. Then I became confused. Lyra couldn’t see my body, I had been covered...

Then again, she might have seen my arms through the sleeveless shirt I had on.

I turned away from the mirror, slightly unsettled.

I hadn’t expected to see a change physically.

[ - ]

The bath was a luxury I had forgotten existed.

Hot water, scented soap, and actual privacy. Things that had been unavailable out there in the forest. The heat of the water had worked through my sore muscles and relieved me to a degree. To the extent that I started to feel drowsy.

I finished bathing quickly and rummaged through what I could wear.

I needed to ask him where these clothes came from. A lot of them nearly fit me.

I decided on another pair of pants and top, one that would fully cover me this time. I hugged the clothing to my chest.

What did he want to see me for exactly?

I forced myself to make my way to the bed room. The longer I waited, the more nervous I was becoming.

I had stepped into the room when I felt his presence.

Close. And right outside my door all of a sudden.

My breath caught and I froze, the clothes clutched in my hands, very aware that I was wearing nothing.

Why did he come here?!

My heart hammered against my ribs and my voice came out faint, almost like a squeak. "Please, I’m dressing up!"

He muttered a sharp apology, sounding surprised too, but I didn’t wait to listen. I rushed back into the bathing room and slammed the door shut behind me, panicked.

Why would he come here?

And how long had I been bathing for him to decide to come?

I heard him move away from the main door, his footsteps retreating a short distance before stopping. He was waiting.

My hands trembled as I put on my clothes with fumbling fingers. My hair was still slightly damp, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to do anything to it. Maybe he wouldn’t stay here for long if he noticed I hadn’t finished tending to myself.

Come to think of it, what was so urgent that he wanted to discuss when I hadn’t even rested yet?

’Breathe. Just breathe. It’s just a conversation. It might not be anything serious.’

And this wasn’t even the first time he had come to the room before.

I moved to the door, my hand hovering over the handle for a long moment before I finally gathered enough courage to open it.

Kael stood a few feet away, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. He’d changed from his travel clothes into something cleaner but still casual.

His eyes found mine immediately, and I slightly shifted mine to the side.

I stepped forward, prepared to close the door behind me when he asked quietly, "It would be best if we spoke inside."

My gaze fully returned to his and my stomach flipped. His eyes were intense.

I wordlessly stepped back and opened the door wider in answer.

My pulse quickened as he moved into the room and closed the door.

We stood there for a moment, neither of us speaking.

What was I supposed to say?

He broke it first. "How are you feeling?"

The question was simple, almost ordinary, but the way he asked it... the intensity in his gaze, the careful way he watched my face, made it clear he wasn’t just asking about my physical state.

Did he really want to discuss what had happened?

"I’m fine. I mean, I am alright. A bit tired from moving, but I am okay." I rubbed my arm.

"We don’t need to talk about it if you’re not comfortable yet. I didn’t mean to pry," he said gently, a faint smile on his face.

"Oh..." I wrapped my arms around myself, and suddenly felt a budding frustration as I didn’t know what to say. But I also felt a vague sense of relief.

And guilt.

His smile faded and his face took on a serious expression. "That isn’t entirely what I came here for."