A MAZE OF GREED

Ruth was taking good care of Edwin. Their bonding was getting better and better every day. It had been two days that Edwin finally got his consciousness and was healing rapidly.

But that very fact puzzled Ruth. As she was the one who changed his bandages regularly, she got flabbergasted every time she saw his wounds. They were healing so fast that she wondered if it was because of any magic.

She even asked Edwin about it to which he answered, "I am healing fast because I have my angel to take care of me. You touch only makes me feel alive again."

Although his words made Ruth blush, she could not take that fact out of her head.

Thea brought a bowl of soup for Edwin. She changed his bedsheets and towels. She then collected all his bloodied bandages to dispose of them properly. After chatting with both of them in which Edwin only nodded with occasional monosyllable replies, Thea left for her work.

"Come on, eat this soup fast or it will get cold." Ruth said while taking the bowl from the tray.

"I prefer you feeding me with your hands." Edwin passed her a cheeky smile that made her giggle.

Ruth shook her head. "Sometimes I find it hard to believe that you are the same man who used to wear a look that screamed -move aside or I will kill you - all the time. And now look at you- spurting out classic romantic dialogues all the time."

Edwin moved his head and kissed her on the cheek as she sat beside him on the bed. "You have changed this blue-eyed monster a lot, my love!" He smiled brightly.

Ruth's eyes widened. "H-how do you know that..."

Suddenly his innocent smile turned into a dangerous smirk. "I know everything about you, my Luna!"

Ruth gulped down as the hair on her body stood up in alert. She cleared her throat and asked in an attempt of changing the topic.

"Why do you call me Luna? What does it mean?" She asked while taking a spoonful of soup and blowing gingerly over it.

Edwin opened his mouth welcoming the hot liquid which contained various vegetables and corn before answering, "You can consider Luna as an equivalent of queen."

"But you are no King Edwin. A spoiled heir of a richest family in the region- yes! But King?" Ruth offered him another spoon full of soup.

"Who says I am not a king?" He asked raising his brow.

The humour shook on Ruth's face. She did not understand if he was being serious or it was another of his joke.

"Erm... I do not know if the O'Dells are related to royals..."

"No we are not. Yet I am the King and you are my queen!" Edwin told confidently.

"Of what?" Ruth asked with narrowed eyes.

"Of 'the great manor'!" Edwin winked with another mischievous smile on his face.

Ruth laughed at his answer. "Of course, my King! Of course! And what about your uncle and aunt? You can not be a King until they declare you so."

Ruth said it casually but when she realised the depth of her words followed by silence from Edwin, she got curious. She had not yet known Edwin's point of view on his uncle and aunt. She did not even know if he wanted to take all the responsibilities of business and family.

"They will eventually!" He said after a brief silence.

Ruth noticed although he said it confidently, he had no light on his face like before.

"You sound very sure." She pointed.

Edwin matched her gaze before saying, "because I am cent percent sure about it!"

Ruth did not prolong that conversation further. She did not want to sound desperate or selfish. She did not even know if she should think about their future together.

After all, she was still waiting for Edwin's answer.

His romantic lines, adoring gazes, soft kisses on her cheek, forehead and hands made her think that he was in love with her as much as she was in love with him. But then again, she had her insecurities alive. She needed his verbal confirmation.

Yet she prioritised his health over all of it. She would wait even for a lifetime to hear him say the things she wanted to hear. She was in no rush now that she had him safe with her.

The bowl was half empty when the door of Edwin's chamber burst open and rushed inside a man with intense worry and guilt itched on his face.

"Rees!" Ruth smiled as soon as she saw him taking long strides in their way.

Unlike other times, he ignored her and directly fell on his knees on Edwin's side. He held Edwin's legs as he bowed his head low.

Ruth was confused by his actions. Thea came running inside along with Lester.

Nobody understood what was going on but Edwin was as calm as he always was.

"Rees... get up." He said.

But Rees did not move. Edwin still found it difficult to stretch his back muscles more. Yet for his beloved companion, he did not care about the pain.

He bent down, stretching his back away more than he should and held Rees's shoulders.

"Edwin... be careful!" Ruth and Lester said in unison while Thea instinctively took a step ahead to stop him.

That made Rees lookup instantly.

"Master!"

Ruth was taken aback by the look on his face. The Rees who always smiled now looked like someone had cut a part of his body. A warrior like him had moistened eyes with bags under them.

He looked worn out and tired.

"Get up Rees. Your place is not here but it is here." Edwin said as he pulled him in a brotherly hug.

Rees's face contorted in guilt as he hugged his Master while being careful to not touch his back.

"I am sorry, Master! I am very very sorry!!"

A teardrop fell on Edwin's bare shoulder, making him stiff momentarily. Ruth watched them with a small smile on her face. She was well aware of what Rees was thinking. It always amazed her that one could be so loyal and dedicated towards the other person. And she respected Rees for those qualities.

Edwin pulled back from the hug and smiled. "Stop blaming yourself Rees. And no. It was not Thea's fault that you were not informed quickly. Lester did not want you to panic as he knew you would drop everything and come back as soon as you get the news. And I assume that you have done just that!"

"How could I have stopped myself, Master? I am the one entrusted with your safety and I... I was not even there when you..." Rees's voice came thick with emotions.

His love and devotion for his leader made him Edwin's most trusted man. Rees was like his shadow. Everywhere Edwin went, he followed him. Rees had taken many attacks on himself for Edwin. He would not have thought twice before doing the same this time too.

"Rees, you were not there because I sent you for some other important task. I am sure that if you were there then you would have supported me the way Lester did- by not interfering."

Ruth was confused by Edwin's words. She glanced around to see others, but none of them seemed to share her confusion. Instead, they all had a look of understanding on their faces, including Thea.

What was that only she did not understand?

"But Master..."

"No Rees. Stop blaming yurself for the thing you have no control over. I am fine and recovering fast. Do not worry!" Edwin assured Rees.

The guilt still did not die down in him yet he nodded in understanding. He promised himself that he would not leave his Master again like this, no matter what.

He would die before letting him battle by himself.

Rees's eyes then moved behind Edwin and to Ruth. A knowing yet satisfied smile came on his face that made Ruth feel shy.

"It is good to see you here Miss Moore!" Rees smirked at her.

Ruth picked up a pillow around her and flung it in Rees's direction, which he as always caught before it hit him.

She mock-glared at him as he laughed like a clown.

A minute later, Edwin got serious. "Lester, how is the situation out there?"

He had completely lost touch with the outside world on command of Ruth. For him, his whole world was right next to him with her.

Ruth always awed how this man changed his mood like a chameleon changes its colour. He was in the mood for humour not a minute ago, and now he was asking about business.

"I am handling everything Edwin. And now that Rees is here, he will share my work load so do not worry about it." Lester said.

"What about Kevin?"

Ruth's mind went to the man who she had not met yet.

"He is coming to Vincardine in next two days as you have ordered." Lester said.

Edwin paused then asked, "Is he alright?"

Lester smiled brightly at Edwin in response.. "He has not been so alright ever before! You will see it by yourself."