Sylvie didn't want to seem difficult, so she gave in. Her husband brought the meat to her lips, and she took a bite. It was delicious. He gave her another. "You know I misjudged Madam Bouvier. She stood up for you and saved your life." He said.
"I think we all have misjudged her," Sylvie admitted after swallowing her fourth bit of meat.
"How did you misjudge her?" He asked his wife, curious to know what her perspective would be.
"At breakfast a few days ago. You asked me questions about my life on the Island, and I changed the subject." She said.
He looked at her square in her eyes, knowing it would make her uncomfortable. "Ah, yes. You did do that."
"I did. I did it because I was ashamed of my upbringing. You may think badly of my parents." She confessed.
Randolf thought it sad the way she defended those monsters who let her live like a wild animal on the street.
"Sylvie, I told you before, I would never judge you. That means I can't judge your life before me. Understand?"
She did. She nodded her head 'yes'.
"My mother was attacked by our landlord, and publically shamed and humiliated for it. She was left with no choice but to become an entertainer at Madame Bouvier's. She did not want me to be sent to the orphanage or the mines, so she made a deal with a few stablemasters, and they let me sleep there. My mother became very popular and couldn't leave. So I stayed around selling onions apples, and flowers. I used to blame Madame Bouvier for my mother, but now I am slowly realizing, my mother is a very selfish person."
Randolf hadn't known the extent of Sylvie's life, but hearing her recant it now made him feel a knot in his stomach for her. She didn't deserve anything that happened to her.
"I'm sorry that happened to you and your mother." He apologized.
Sylvie searched his eyes for judgment. She only found warmth and affection...
He was genuine in his apology. Sylvie had never had that, only disdain and cruel judgment. She was instantly reminded of Caleb and the hurtful things he had told her about her mother. Even if they were true, he still had no right to tell Sylvie. She was already low enough. Living on her own for so long had taken its toll on her mentally. Her mother was her warmth on cold nights. The thought of them possibly leaving this island had kept her alive when her stomach had been eating itself because so was so hungry.
"Thank you, for understanding." She said.
He put the plate down on the tray and put it on the bedside table. He looked directly into her eyes.
"You must stop thanking me. You are my wife. I treat you like I would expect you to treat me when I am injured. If my subjects hear you constantly thanking me they may suspect I am a greedy wolf behind closed doors, which I am not." He stated.
Sylvie understood now. She was just grateful for her new life. It was quite an adjustment and a culture shock, but she knew if she faced it head every day and gave it her best she would eventually assimilate. She had never been a part of anything. This wolf man had offered her a very luxurious life. Even if she didn't like the circumstances surrounding how she married him. She would be a fool not to see and realize how lucky and privileged a life she now lived.
She was lying on what felt like a cloud, and being treated like an egg at the moment. Her mind went to the old cabin she and the wolf had stayed in. He had been her blanket. Now, she had exotic furs and satin sheets. She was grateful, and she wanted to make sure Randolf understood that.
"I will try my best to refrain from saying it." She told him. She continued. "When can I visit Madame Bouvier? I want to make sure she knows I didn't want to leave her. I don't want her to be under any undue stress because of me breaking my promise to her."
Randolf rolled his eyes and let out a loud sigh in exasperation at his wife. She was just too damn caring.
"Broke your promise? Sylvie, you did no such thing! You were injured as well and needed medical attention. You are also still on the mend. Instead of worrying about her so much, you should worry about getting better." He fussed.
Sylvie felt like she was a child. She wasn't in that much pain. Her wrist was still sore, and her ankle was swollen by twice its normal size, but she felt in good spirits.
"At least let me get out of bed for more than the bathroom and baths. It's been three days. I am going mad." Sylvie told him.
Randolf found himself smiling at her. She did not like being confined to closed spaces. She liked her freedom. She had the heart of a Wolf. Her complaint amused him.
"Maybe you are right. Maybe I should give you a little more freedom. It has been three days and you have four more to go."
He told her.
She nodded her head in agreement.
"So, rabbit what would you suggest?" He called her by her pet name.
"I would like to eat my food at the table and maybe find more picture books, please! My reading is not so good." She confessed aloud.
She was too ashamed to ever admit it to anyone else.
"That settles it. We will get you some more picture books and also a tutor. I can also help you if you like?" He smiled at her.
Sylvie didn't understand why his smile made her want to melt almost every time she flashed it her way. She hadn't expected him to offer her a tutor or for him to want to help her. His gesture warmed her. She knew she couldn't say no. No matter how nervous he made her feel.
"I would simply love that." She told him.
"Then, it is settled. I will help you learn how to read and to write, and when I am away, I can find you a tutor." He told her as he brushed the hair from her face. He placed a chaste kiss on her forehead and then spoke, "I must go. I have work to do. Please, rest, wife."
He told her, giving her a very stern look.
"I will rest." She told him.
He stood up then and walked to the door. "I will be back later tonight." He exited out of the room.
Randolf wanted to stay with his wife all night long, just looking after her, but he had other business to attend to. The first on his list was visiting his second-in-command, Nikan. He was finally awake from his coma. Randolf and Nikan were like brothers. He made his way to the infirmary.
Nikan was sitting up in his bed. He had lost weight and grew a beard. He had a scar on his head that wrapped around his neck. It was the work of the Lycanthropes. They had been ambushed.
They had broken the truce. Loux Garoux's blood had been spilled on Canis Island. He had been fortunate he had been able to escape. Nikan had been mistaken for dead, and when the scouts found him, he was nearly dead. He was still healing.
Randolf was as well. His side still held a scar on it. He had saved Sylvie, and in turn, she had saved him. She had no idea still. He couldn't tell her.
He didn't want to ruin the chemistry they had between each other.
"Aren't you a sight for sore eyes?" He quipped at Nikan.
Nikan recognized his voice and smiled at him, "Your Majesty. Thank you for gracing me with your presence." Nikan stood up and saluted Randolf.