Chapter 266 +25 BONUS
Sebastian reflected on Ryan's anguished cry. The pain's effect on Ryan's vocal cords was evident, but to Sebastian, the sound was music. Rowan could set bones, but Sebastian valued Ryan too much to entrust the task to anyone else. He preferred to handle it personally; it was a skill deeply ingrained in him. He carefully felt along Ryan's leg, inch by inch, until he located the misaligned section. With precision, he adjusted the bone.
Ryan, drenched in sweat and trembling uncontrollably from the pain, gripped Rafael's wrist tightly, his nails digging in and drawing blood. Setting the bone was excruciating. The pain relief medicine offered little help; the pain radiated throughout his body, despite the injury being confined to his leg.
Once the bone was set, Sebastian applied medicine. Two wooden splints stabilized Ryan's leg, and he would remain bedridden until it healed. Sebastian's medicated plaster, a formula of his own creation, was highly effective, unavailable at other pharmacies, and sped up bone healing. With the added benefit of the medicinal soup, Ryan should walk again in about ten days.
After securing the splints, Ryan received another dose of painkiller, containing calming and sleep-inducing properties to aid his rest and hopefully ease the pain upon waking.
Outside, those waiting heard Ryan's agonized scream, leaving everyone anxious and troubled. The cry's intensity was unmistakable. Carissa paced nervously, awaiting the door to open. Diana clasped her hands, trembling in silent prayer.
Finally, after what seemed an eternity, the door opened. Rafael stepped out first. Carissa hurried inside to find Ryan lying on the bed, with Rowan administering acupuncture to alleviate pain and help him sleep.
Sebastian softly shushed, saying quietly, "We should leave him to sleep. He's a brave and resilient child." Carissa was gently ushered out; no one else could visit to avoid disturbing Ryan. If he couldn't sleep, he would have to endure the pain as best he could.
Carissa noticed the blood on Rafael's hand, clearly from Ryan's nails. "Are your hands alright? Thank you for your hard work," she said.
"It's nothing to worry about," Rafael said with a reassuring smile. "Ryan is incredibly strong. He endured it all. We didn't use acupoint sealing for pain relief, so there's no effect on blood flow in his leg. Once he's healed, he'll be fully recovered."
Carissa placed a hand over her heart. "Hearing him scream like that frightened me Please, come with me. I'll take care of your hand." Seeing the blood on his wrist and hand made her feel both guilty and grateful.
Anthony added, "She's right, Your Highness. You should tend to your wounds. We're truly grateful."
"There's no need to—"
Before Rafael could finish, Carissa took his other hand. "It's necessary. At the very least, it should be cleaned."
Her slender fingers, calloused palms perfectly fitting around his wrist, conveyed warmth that quickened his heartbeat, silencing his objections.
"Alright, then. Let's take care of it. It would be alarming if it were left in this bloody state."
The injury wasn't severe—only scratches. Ryan had scratched him several times, leaving bloody streaks that looked worse than they were.
Carissa led him to a side room, asking Pearl to fetch medicine, Joy to bring clean water, and Lulu to get gauze from Rowan. Once everything was ready, Carissa cleaned the blood with a cloth, carefully applied ointment, and wrapped the gauze around his hand, starting from his wrist and covering the back of his hand, avoiding the webbing between his thumb and index finger. Finally, she secured it with a knot.
Handling such wounds was second nature to Carissa. Back in Meadow Ridge, she had often tended to her own injuries with ease.