A MAZE OF GREED

Now that Edwin was getting better, Ruth thought she should go home and meet Mrs Payne. She had not met the old lady since Edwin was attacked.

Of course, Edwin and his wolf did not want their mate to go, but Edwin understood Ruth's concern for Mrs Payne. So he agreed for her to go home while he took a nap.

"Ruth..." Mrs Payne was happy to see her after all these days.

"I missed you!" Ruth whispered in her ear as she hugged her petite figure.

"I missed you too my child! Come in." Mrs Payne welcomed her.

Closing the door behind, Mrs Payne asked about Edwin's health.

"How is Young Master now? Any improvements in healing?" She asked.

Ruth sat down in a chair. "He is doing good. But his wounds are too deep, especially the one on his back. I think it will take some time to heal. At least it has stopped bleeding now."

While Ruth spoke, Mrs Pane observed her brightened face. Although she must be tired, she looked happy... very happy. Mrs Payne had never seen Ruth so content before. She looked like she had achieved all of the world and now, there was nothing left for her to struggle with.

"I am sure he will be better with time!" She smiled a genuine smile, yet it did not reach her eyes.

"I am praying Mrs Payne!" Ruth replied hopefully.

"Now come on, I have made your favourite dessert. Go and freshen up then we will eat together." Mrs Payne said.

"Thank you, Mrs Payne! You are such a sweetheart!!" Ruth ran into the bathroom.

Ten minutes later, they sat eating the dessert together. Ruth was talking nonstop about how she found Edwin and what followed after that. Mrs Payne listened to everything carefully. Her mind was noting down the important points automatically.

She was happy for both Ruth and Edwin, although Ruth did not tell her anything about their relationship clearly.

At last, Edwin O'Dell succeded in winning Ruth's heart!

About an hour later, Mrs Payne began noticing Ruth's uneasiness. And thirty minutes later, Ruth was yearning to go back to Edwin. But she did not know how to tell that to Mrs Pane.

"Ruth... I think you should go back now. Young Master must have woken up by now."

Ruth looked up at Mrs Payne in surprise. How did she know what was going on in Ruth's mind? Was she too obvious?

"Mrs Payne..." Ruth began slowly.

"It happens. I understand!" Mrs Payne said before walking towards the cupboard in the corner of the room. "When I stayed away from your uncle Payne for more time, I also used to get restless. I used to think when would I go back to him. And the same case as with him too!"

Mrs Payne said while opening the door. She shuffled inside the cupboard that Ruth could not see from where she sat.

"You both loved each other very much!" Ruth got emotional remembering Mr Payne.

"We still do! He is always in my heart!" Mrs Payne agreed.

Ruth looked down at her lap as she fidgeted with her dress.

"Do you... do you think I and... Edwin... we both will also have an epic love story like you both?"

There she goes! She finally asked it.

Ms Payne closed the cupboard and walked back with a bag in her hand.

She sat beside Ruth. Cupping her face with adoration, she smiled. "I am pretty sure that you both will have an epic love story, Ruth. One that will be remembered over the history of the time."

"You really think so?" Ruth's face brightened hearing that.

"Of course, my dear. But remember Ruth, love is not an easy thing. there will be times when it will taste you, break you, even ruin you and your beliefs. Your real exam will be then. I hope you are ready for that."

Ruth suddenly felt a shiver run down her spine. The seriousness with which Mrs Payne spoke made her doubt if she knew something.

"I am ready to face anything as long as my heart beats for Edwin!" Ruth answered determinedly.

Mrs Payne gave her a long look before nodding her head in approval.

"Anyways, take these medicines. Mix them together to make a thick paste and apply it on Young Master's wounds. Wrap the bandage tightly on it and leave it overnight. It will help in his healing." Mrs Payne passed the bag of medicines to Ruth.

"Mrs Payne... I am not sure if the family physician will allow it." Ruth said unsurely.

"Ruth! Do not forget that he loves you! I think you have this much right on him, do not you agree?" She raised her brow at Ruth.

Ruth looked contemplating. A few seconds later, she took the bag and stood up, ready to leave.

"I will do as you have told me. See you later!" Ruth hugged her again and left.

Ruth came back to Edwin's chamber to find him missing from his bed. She put the bag on the table and looked around his chamber. Her search stopped when she saw him standing on the balcony.

Ruth smiled as she tiptoed behind him. She was only a step away from him, ready to scare him when he suddenly whirled her around and pulled her between him and the railing of the balcony that looked ahead to the town.

Caged between his tall body and the hard railings, Ruth looked up at him in shock.

"H-how did you know that it was me?" She asked, flabbergasted.

Edwin smiled down at her. "I always know when it is you!" He landed a soft kiss on the tip of her nose, making her giggle.

"Edwin, stop! People will see us like this. Let me go." Ruth said, looking around although she did not see anyone.

"Then let them! I do not care!" He said stubbornly.

"But I do", Ruth retorted back.

"You should not!" He said simply.

It was pointless to try beating this man in words. Ruth tried moving his thick, muscular hands but to no avail. Her body was reacting in a very unpredictable way the more she shared proximity with him.

"What are you doing here? Should not you be sleeping on your bed?" Ruth pulled out her strongest card.

"I am tired of staying in this chamber. I want to go outside, resume working. I hate that Lester has to do all of it for me." Edwin complained.

Ruth could not help but look at him in awe. The man with monstrous form, who was known for his short tempered-ness, was complaining about his problems to her like a child complains to their parents.

Ruth found it too adorable!

"Awww! Is my King bored?" She cooed, snaking her arms around his neck.

"Hmm," Edwin nodded, pulling her closer.

"But I know a way to get rid of that boredom if only my Luna allows." Edwin's mischievous smile made Ruth widen her eyes in realisation.

He leaned down to her level. Ruth could hear her heart beating in her ears as his eyes moved to her lips. A sudden wave of heat rushed from the south to the north, making her feel the tingles all over her body.

"E-Edwin... I..." Ruth stuttered as her mind began shutting its functioning.

Ruth clenched her eyes shut with her lips sealed tightly together. Her eyes flung open when she did not feel anything on her lips. Instead, she found her face resting on his bare chest.

Edwin hugged her close, making her confused.

"I am not going to do anything that will create rift between us again Ruth. It took me a lot longer and more efforts to get you here. I am not ruining this for us by doing anything that you do not like."

Warmth spread in Ruth's chest upon hearing his words that were created in sincerity and his respect for her.

"Thank you!" She whispered as her hands pulled him closer to her.

Ruth closed her eyes, relishing his body in her arms. The silence between them was comfortable and soothing.

Ruth's smile faltered, a frown slowly made its way on her face as she felt something. She focused and counted in her mind.

Her eyes snapped open in shock when she realised that Edwin's heart was beating almost twice faster than her and, he was not even struggling to take a breath.

How was this possible?

"You took longer to come back. Is Mrs Payne well?" She heard him ask from above.

That reminded her of the medicines, Mrs Payne had sent with her.

She pulled away from him. "Yes, she is well. Come we need to change your bandage." She said, pulling him inside the chamber by his hand.

"But you changed them in this morning only."

"Yes, but Mrs Payne has given some medicines that needs to be applied on your wounds. Sit here." She made Edwin sit on the bed and went to take out various powders and other ingredients from the bag.

Edwin looked at her, confused. "Mrs Payne? But should not we first consult the physician before changing the medicines?"

Ruth paused.

-"Do not forget that he loves you! I think you have this much right on him."-

She recalled Mrs Payne's voice. Turning to look at him, she asked, looking straight into his eyes.

"Do not you trust me?"

Edwin was caught off guard by her question. He opened his mouth then closed it only to open again.

"Ruth, you know I do trust you... more than anyone!"

She searched his eyes for any uncertainty but could not find any. His words touched something deeper in her heart.

"Good! Then lay on your stomach and let me do my thing."

Edwin sighed in defeat before he did as he was asked to do.