[ThorenVald Estate—Hallway—The Next Day—Leif's POV]
Step one: walk.
Step two: regret.
"Ahhh—damn it! Ow—OW—my everything hurts!" I hissed, one hand dragging along the cold wall like I was some tragic war hero returning from battle. Which, technically, I was. Except my battlefield was a bed. And my enemy? Alvar's… absurd equipment.
"My lord!" Nick's voice cut in from behind. He hurried toward me, eyes wide with concern.
I froze.
Oh, perfect. The last person I wanted to witness my limp-of-shame.
Nick reached me in two strides. "My lord… are you alright? You look pale!"
I wished I could scream: No, Nick. I was consumed by the devil himself. My poor, innocent body is no longer mine. But alas, dignity demanded lies.
"Yes," I croaked, attempting a smile that looked more like constipation. "Why do you ask, Nick?"
His gaze ran up and down me with obvious worry. "Grand Duke Alvar told us you weren't in good condition. He said you could barely walk."
