Free Web NovelChapter 229: Boundaries
Placing the hearth near the bathing area, Luke got to work. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
The air was gentle during the night sohe wasn’t sweating a lot.
Well, lifting the hearth was not a difficult task, balancing his body while doing it so he doesn’t end up hitting a wall and alerting someone was.
He had already sorted the herbs during his free time, so there was no need to waste time on preparations now.
He was kind of told by Laila to not waste herbs he doesn’t need so when he went to pluck them, he actually took what he needed.
’Ha, let’s see.’ he rested his hand on his waist and started the preparation.
With everyone else asleep, he made sure to keep the entire process as quiet as possible. Especially, Monica who surely would ask to help.
The grinding was done with steady force rather than repeatedly smashing the pestle against the stone.
He carefully controlled the flames as well, and thanks to having brewed it twice already, he moved through the process without any mistakes.
As he stirred the water in the pot, his thoughts drifted back to the dream he had seen.
Averis.
A name forever engraved upon his heart. The first woman he had truly fallen for.
She had been his life. A soothing balm for his wounded soul. The person who made him feel whole. She scolded him like a guardian when he was wrong, coaxed him with gentle affection like a friend, teased him like a sister, and loved him like a life partner.
She had been his everything... until one day, she simply got up and vanished.
No message. No farewell note. Nothing.
She was just gone.
Later, he learned that she had a fiancé waiting for her overseas and that her time working as a nun had been little more than a personal pastime.
His world shattered.
From that day onward, he became a reckless scumbag who knew nothing of love, care, or commitment.
He never thought of ever forming any bond with anyone. He stopped trusting.
...Until he met her.
Monica.
She reawakened an emotion he had thought was buried beyond recovery.
And no matter how hard he might have tried, Luke could never bring himself to resist. He fell for her completely, and now he regretted none of the choices that had brought him to where he was today, by her side.
’As I thought... Monica really does lighten my mood.’
A faint smile tugged at his lips as he poured the finished potion into the vials.
Just thinking about her made him feel at ease.
The dream had left him restless, and a part of him still longed to see Synthia again, but now the turmoil inside him had settled considerably.
He felt calmer. Much calmer.
Once he was done, Luke decided to head inside and see Monica one last time before leaving. ƒreewebɳovel.com
However, the moment he entered the house, he found an unexpected person sitting in the hall.
"Hmm? Father?"
Luke was surprised, not because the old man was awake at such an hour, but because of the state he was in.
Bruises marked his face and shoulder.
Gustav sat silently, his breathing slightly uneven, a simmering anger visible in his eyes.
Yet when he noticed Luke approaching, he quickly reined in his emotions.
"Ah, Luke," he said. "You’re still awake?"
Luke frowned. "Who did this?"
These were not injuries left behind by a beast. They were the unmistakable marks of a fight between men.
His expression darkened.
"Did... Uncle do something?" he asked, his voice growing heavier.
Gustav let out a sigh.
"It was nothing. Just a brotherly reunion," he replied reassuringly.
Luke knew better.
As he stepped closer, he caught a glimpse of the fury still lingering beneath the old man’s calm facade.
His eyes narrowed.
"Did something happen between the two of you because of Monica?"
Gustav released another long breath.
"So you noticed, huh?" he said with a faint, weary smile.
"I mean, it was obvious just from looking at him how uncomfortable he was seeing us together." Luke replied. He had always been sensitive to the way people looked at Monica, and he could tell Terek had disapproved of how close she had become to him.
"Well, I knew he would have questions," Gustav admitted at last. "But I didn’t expect things to escalate that far. Don’t worry about it, though. He won’t interfere with your life."
Luke shook his head.
"No, I was never worried about that. What I don’t want is someone giving you a hard time because of what happened between us."
Gustav chuckled.
"No one is giving me a hard time, Luke. Terek has always been short-tempered. With only half the story, he reacted exactly the way I’d expect my foolish little brother to react."
Luke fell silent for a few moments.
He could tell that his father wasn’t holding a grudge against him for cornering Gustav into a position where he had to answer such difficult questions from his own brother.
Ever since their conversation that early morning, Gustav had never approached Monica unnecessarily and had maintained a respectful distance from her.
He had honored his word.
He respected the relationship that now existed between Monica and Luke.
And for that, Luke genuinely respected the old man.
"Come on, drink this."
Luke pulled out a potion and handed it to Gustav.
"This...?" Gustav looked surprised. "Isn’t this the same medicine that heals injuries instantly? It’s far too precious for me to use. Trust me, these injuries are nothing."
Luke sighed.
"Not for any other reason than my own peace of mind. Just drink it, okay?"
Gustav was thoroughly defeated.
Without another word, he uncorked the vial and drank the liquid.
A pleasant warmth slid down his throat before spreading throughout his body.
The burning pain in his arm and the dull ache across his face began fading almost immediately.
The effect was so swift that he could hardly believe what he had just experienced.
"This..." Gustav stared at the vial in amazement before looking at Luke. "You need to be very careful with these. I can’t even imagine the lengths people would go to in order to obtain something like this."
Luke grinned.
"Don’t worry. I usually save them for emergencies or family members."
A faint smile appeared on Gustav’s face as he nodded.
Handing the empty vial back, he asked, "Anyway, are you heading somewhere?"
Luke parted his lips, intending to answer truthfully, before changing his mind.
"No. I’m going to sleep now."
If he admitted he was planning to head into the forest at this hour, Gustav would undoubtedly worry.
Gustav nodded before getting to his feet and patting him on the shoulder.
"Sleep well, son."
"You too."
Luke remained standing there for several seconds after Gustav left, quietly reflecting on their conversation.
Then his eyes narrowed.
His thoughts drifted to Terek.
If the man came looking for trouble, or caused a scene that somehow ended up hurting Monica, Luke might react in a way that would irreparably fracture this family.
A cold glint flashed across his gaze.
’I hope you know where the line is, Terek.’
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A/N:- I hope you liked the Chapter.
