Roxanne silently watched Luke pick herbs as though he were selecting precious gemstones from a pile of ordinary pebbles.

Every movement was precise. His eyes always focused.

Careful enough that she couldn’t help but let out a faint sigh.

"So it’s true," she murmured while leaning against a nearby tree. "You really can brew mythical potions. The kind that saved Claw’s life."

Luke never took his eyes off the herbs he was gathering as he replied,

"You could say that. But don’t go around telling everyone about it."

Roxanne hummed softly. "I know. You dislike attracting attention."

She still remembered him saying how he wanted nothing more than a peaceful life where nobody recognized him.

Luke nodded lightly.

"Yeah. I’d rather live without people constantly watching me." A faint sigh escaped him. "Which is exactly why I didn’t want the chief doing what he did last night."

Roxanne looked slightly worried.

"Do you hate it?"

Luke paused for a moment before lifting his gaze toward the sky.

Resting his hands on his waist, he answered honestly,

"I’d be lying if I said I hated it."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"Monica looked really happy seeing me appreciated for my efforts... so I guess it was worth it."

Roxanne smiled softly.

"I understand how you feel. But at the very least, the villagers should acknowledge the courage and determination you’ve shown protecting them."

More than anything, Roxanne despised when people created their own version of the truth while ignoring reality itself.

She had seen it happen before.

Back when people refused to acknowledge Luke’s efforts in protecting both her and her daughter from the hunters who came after them during Baldon’s absence.

But things had changed now.

The chief himself had publicly acknowledged Luke’s deeds before the entire village, and because of that, people had finally begun treating him with the respect he deserved.

"Well, it is what it is," Luke said before returning his focus to the herbs.

Roxanne’s gaze shifted toward the two warriors assigned to guard her.

They stood at a distance close enough to keep watch over her, yet far enough that they couldn’t overhear the conversation.

After a brief silence, Roxanne quietly muttered,

"I... I’m sorry for leaving you like that that day."

Her voice lowered even further.

"And for not contacting you afterward. I know you must’ve been upset."

Luke looked up at her.

For a moment, he remained silent before finally asking,

"Do you genuinely mean that, or are you just trying to smooth things over between us?"

Roxanne instantly shook her head.

"I mean it. I truly regret what happened—"

"Oh?" Luke interrupted calmly. "Then imagine the same situation happening again."

His gaze remained fixed on her.

"You spend time with me, and then suddenly your mate appears and tells you to leave my side and never meet me again."

A pause followed.

"What would you do?"

Roxanne parted her lips, yet no answer came out.

Luke merely shook his head before returning his attention to the herbs in his hands.

As he continued working, he spoke in an indifferent tone.

"Don’t worry. I don’t expect much from you, so you don’t need to feel guilty."

His fingers carefully sorted through another cluster of herbs.

"Even the trip I asked for... it’d be fine if you chose not to come. I’d underst—"

"No."

Roxanne abruptly cut him off, causing Luke to finally look back at her.

Her fists were tightly clenched.

And for the first time since the conversation began, her voice carried unwavering determination.

"I will take you there."

Luke blinked slightly.

"Even if I have to go against my Lord’s wishes," she declared firmly. "I promise you that."

Luke hummed in surprise.

"Are you sure?"

Roxanne nodded without the slightest hesitation.

"Yes."

Her eyes never wavered.

"I will accompany you."

Luke nodded before lowering his gaze.

A faint smirk slowly formed on his lips.

Easy to manipulate.

Her uncertain hesitation had already transformed into a determined promise.

Still, he didn’t dwell on it for long.

After gathering enough materials to brew at least ten potions, he finally rose to his feet.

Dusting off his clothes, he turned toward Roxanne.

"Want to come deeper into the forest with me? I still need a few more ingredients."

Roxanne nodded and stepped forward.

"Sure—ah!"

Her voice suddenly broke into panic.

A sharp stinging sensation erupted near her upper thigh, causing her to instinctively jump away in alarm. From beneath her dress, a black snake dropped onto the ground.

The creature hissed violently before slithering away toward the nearby water.

Luke’s eyes widened.

He immediately rushed toward Roxanne.

"What happened?"

Holding onto her dress tightly, Roxanne spoke with trembling lips, her eyes already growing moist.

"I think... it bit me..."

Her breathing turned uneven.

"It stings... ugh..."

Luke clicked his tongue in irritation.

"Who told you to be so careless in a forest?"

Despite the harsh words, he quickly guided her down.

"Sit first."

Roxanne was already sweating profusely as she followed his instructions and lowered herself onto the ground.

The two warriors assigned to guard her rushed over immediately.

"What happened?!"

Luke answered without wasting a second.

"A snake bit her. It fled in that direction."

He pointed toward the lake.

"It was black and around half an arm long. Go find it immediately."

The two guards exchanged uneasy glances.

Only for Luke to suddenly shout,

"If you can’t find that snake and bring it back to me, I won’t be able to save her!"

His voice turned cold.

"So move. Now."

The two warriors instantly bolted toward the lake, chasing after the fleeing serpent.

Luke let out a slow breath before kneeling in front of Roxanne. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Then he calmly instructed,

"Fold your legs."

Roxanne followed his words before Luke without hesitation pulled up her dress to assess the situation.

Considering her condition, all she could do was to yelp slightly being uncovered like this.

Luke checked her thigh and indeed, very close to her lower lips, were two crimson dots.

Alright, time to be a responsible medic.

•••••••

A/N:- I hope you liked the Chapter.

Her image in the black dress is available on the discord.