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Healer Rhea's POV

The carriage had turned silent soon after Rhea had somewhat accepted Romulus's proposal, of course, it was always beneficial to think things over before giving a formal answer.
And the King seemed to be happy with the response, or at least thankful that she wasn't as nervous or fearful any longer.

Although Rhea was always fearful in the company of wolves, which didn't help her case considering that Romulus had explained that the inn was where he and his Enforcers were looking for her.

It was curious that Romulus had been looking—not hunting—for her since her run-in with his Enforcers. And goddess, had she managed to turn everything around, there was still a bit of doubt.

As she wouldn't have managed to figure out the will of those Rogues.

Upon approaching the inn, the coach's door opened and Romulus did not hesitate to take the first steps out and stood tall and lethal as he waited for his nearly-deemed fiancee to follow.

With a quick inhale, she held tightly to her cane and managed to maneuver herself towards the thin door and take the first step onward. Though it wasn't very confident and she could visibly see her body shaking.

Though Romulus' offering hand was a thankful addition, even if the steps were still steep—And he squeezed his grasp tightened, but smiled all the same, given that Amory remained as regal as possible.

The Enforcers were aligned every which way to ensure a hidden appearance, but most knew that this inn was full and under the control of the King. Yet hearing the small thud to the ground, Romulus had turned to look down, his eyes connecting to the cane.

"What is this?"

"Can we please discuss this with the rest...In private?" Romulus had leaned forward at the first hint of her whisper, but given that all the wolves were lingering and listening, he hummed. Realizing it was rather fruitless to make such a question in the public eye.

However, upon turning to her right and just beside the door was a face that Rhea had never thought she would see again. And a gasp of excitement had rained through her.
"Clive!" She did not hesitate to let go of her hold on Romulus and rush towards him. But it gave way to see just how her mobility was limited, and so Clive had met her more than halfway and pulled her into a hug.

"I've missed you so much, goddess, I'm so sorry!" She cried into his shoulder before taking his cheek into her hand. "Are you well, you weren't hurt?"

"Not a scratch! The King and his Enforcers had found us just a few days after you were taken. And you shouldn't be the one to apologize...If I hadn't gotten the fever—"

"There was nothing to it, and I'm glad you're in good health...Does that mean that Ray is—"

"Just the same! He's inside." Her eyes drifted towards the structure of the inn and kissed Clive's cheek and began to waddle in. Leaving Romulus to be the one to catch up with her. Not that it wasn't simple enough with just two long strides, but there was a feeling of pride deep in his chest that erupted for taking care of and reuniting her missing pack members.

Perhaps that would help in having her make a decision on his offer. He would make it known that they would not have to rush into anything, even if their engagement lasts a full year.

He would wait.
He would wait for an entirety for Amory Vrovaria, the true Queen of Vrovaria.

Though his smile only continued as he caught Ray's reaction, and Clive was just as overjoyed. "Everyone is alive—Gilroy, Dane, Rolf, and Hawes—They're all well." She rushed with her explanation of the matters revolving around them, while Romulus had stayed dutifully by her side with his hands cuffed behind his back.

Hoping to make the three humans in his company more comfortable, even when his eyes were making things were secure, and ordering the entirety inn's staff to get things prepared for the Queen's stay.

"You've been in Red Moon for how long?" Rhea closed her eyes and tried to do the math for how many months it truly has been and she sighed. "Nearly eight months, perhaps you could go and settle things with everyone...They'll trust your word." She knew damn well she needed to explain the situation before things go south.

And judging by Osmin's anger, she didn't doubt things would reign hellfire. And Lillian truly did not need that stress so close to her delivery.

"I second this, you two may take the carriage early tomorrow morning. We will be heading out by midday. That should give for plenty of time, unless you need more rest, Amory?" Her heart had begun to thud dramatically, how could she have possibly thought that this male was out to kill her?

"I will be fine by tomorrow, truly. I am just shaken up." Romulus' sigh had already spoken much of his guilt for how the conversation had taken a turn, and so he offered his arm in recognition to part the conversation and he escorted her to his room.

Given that hers was still getting put together.

"The innkeepers are putting together a warm bath for you. I realized too late that you didn't take anything with you." Rhea sucked in a breath as she finally managed to take a seat. Resting her eyes a moment before turning back to engage with him.

"That's alright, perhaps the males could grab a few things of mine. Depending on how things will go in court, I will gather the rest of my things." Romulus didn't want to voice his disappointment upon hearing about the possibility of things going wrong.
Of the possibility of them being separated again.

"I am glad the other four are safe, Clive and Ray were rather distraught over the entire thing after we found them."

"We had to leave them in an abandon farm houses' cellar, otherwise the Rogues would've gotten to them." Romulus had taken the extra seat that usually was claimed by his Delta or one of the males, but he decided she liked the combined scent of his lingering with Amory's.

"Tell me about the Rouges, what happened?"
"After we were separated at the farmhouse?... Goddess, it was far too elaborate. I will not lie, Romulus, I was worried that the Enforcers were all for show. When I arrived at the Rogue's camp, it wasn't too hard to learn all who have been favored for these ways. Not only Alphas from outside the Kingdom, but those on the courts as well." Romulus' eyes had lit up with excitement, he needed to get the upper hand on this mess.

"And the Rogue King? There were far and few between their appearances but they ceased." Rhea nodded, but the mere phrase on her tongue had struck a nerve in her immortal wound as she sucked in a breath and held tightly to the spot.
"I killed him, but not without being cursed myself."

"What?!" Romulus growled, his eyes growing both panicked and desperate to hear the entire story. But Amory truly could not manage. Perhaps all the movement had finally exceeded the limit.

"Uh...Could I get some gauze and a wrap, please?" Rhea croaked, her hand coated in a bit of blood from her wound bleeding through. But Romulus had been frozen at the sharp smell that started to trickle into his nostrils—It startled Rhea the way his chair scratched backward and he threw the door nearly off its handles.

"I need a Healer with supplies, NOW!!" The order had been placed, though it truly it shocked her just how earth-shattering his voice had turned. Even the Rogue King had been only a demand when his anger had sprouted.

Clearly, Romulus thought the worst—So before the two Enforcers that manhandled her rather harshly were berated for hurting her, she needed to make this right.

"Hello, ma'am...I have a few pillowcases a-and clean rags. My brother is coming with warm water." Rhea sighed in relief and asked for aid out of her dress and out of the wrap she had currently.

Yet as she was completely bare to the world, just with her underdress hiked up to her stomach to reveal the wound. Rhea had already explained that this wound would not heal and most likely never would. Yet as they were keeping pressure on it, the door knocked and the kind she-wolf hurried to use the divider and keep Rhea's modesty away from onlookers.

"Amory, are you alright?" She hurried to grab his cloak and wrap herself around it, knowing that its large shape wouldn't irritate the wound and was still covered to speak. "Yes, I'm covered...You can come around."

She had nearly laughed at his hesitation but ceased when she caught the worry in his gaze. His hunched-back spoke of the debate he was having with his wolf.

"I was going to tell you about this, but I've been in a battle with my body since I left my title. Killing the Rogue King came with its own curse. The very blade I used to kill him had been poisoned." Romulus' eyes had flared once again as he bent down to his knee, though it was his worse decision—Given it was nearly impossible not to ignore the smell of her blood.

"The Kingdom's Healers will help, they'll figure this out. And if not—"

"Rom, it's an immortal wound, it will stay until my last breath. It's not something to fight, but to live with." He was having trouble dealing with the idea that Amory was living with this pain, and even when he had taken to holding her hand, her scarred skin had made contact with his.

"This is why I am hesitant to accept your proposal. Not when I am in this stake. You deserve someone whole, not weak and scarred." Romulus' eye had turned up to meet her gaze, and a smile had slowly built within the passing moments.

"And why, Amory, would I want anyone else, when the bravest person I know is sitting right before me." Now that had earned him a laugh.

"Brave? No, foolish is more like it."
"Brave and foolish can go hand in hand. And I will not accept this reasoning for denying my proposal." A sniffle managed to pass through their silence and Romulus' wolf whined as the tears had started to fall. "Amory..."

"Do you know how strange it is to hear my name being said?... I do not think I belong in the court any longer. Or that name belongs with me any longer."

"No? You would rather remain under a male's pen name to release your findings? Living in the shadow of another pack?"

"How did you—How did you know?" Now he smirked, shrugging his shoulder as he sat further onto his heels. "I—I was so careful!"

"Not careful enough. My males have been lingering in Red Moon, and when you sent a wolf and a pup to collect your reviews. Can you guess where they stayed a night?" Rhea gawked, had her males fallen into a trap?
Course she hadn't expected to be stalked to this magnitude, but Clive and Rayshould have made out one of their fellow friends, right?

"Your people will never accept me on the throne, Rom. Let Amory die in peace." It was heart-wrenching to be sitting before her when she was truly at her weakest. But Romulus did not think she deserved any part of it. She did not deserve to be burned by radical wolves going against his father's orders.

Nor did he think that she should have fought his greatest enemy for her.

"What will the Kingdom think when I arrive with the hero who had slayed the Rogue King?... Humans weren't the only ones who were taken, by my informants." Rhea chuckled, putting a bit more pressure in the wake of her laughter.
"No, the entire circle and a bit beyond is my property. We made sure that every survivor managed to find their footing."

"How could you possibly have done this, and injured as you are?" He hadn't meant it in any sort of way, but Rhea was used to males thinking that women weren't as capable.

Oh, he is about to learn.

"I will not take all the credit, as the Red Moon pack was very kind in supporting us. But the majority of the work was done by the survivors. And I will confirm that most of the wolves under the King's command did not want to be there. They were coerced or held a debt to the King." It was awful news to hear, and all happening right under his own nose too! "That isn't the worst of it, but perhaps we should wait until we're in the Kingdom to discuss this?"

"No. I need to formulate a plan to undermine those that worked with the King instead of with me. Who's to say they will not try again?" Rhea remained silent for his question, and the way she had moved had caught his attention. She looked unnerved. And that wasn't something that he could ever remember Amory ever reacting to. "What is it?"

"I—I don't believe it is only the Rogues' ideals that they were after, Rom—It's —Romulus. I believe it's what the King was searching for." How could it still feel like a breath of fresh air when she spoke his name, either iteration of the very word he had been blessed with?

It passed so beautifully on her lips.

"What was the King searching for?"

"The relics in the mountains, he was fairly close from what I could gather. But so many wolves and humans alike were getting a sort of silver poison. I truly do not believe the forces that guard that tomb wish for it to open. Especially not to that bastard." Romulus thought for a moment, trying to recall the folklore of what was buried as treasure deep in the pits of this mountain.

But all he could recall was a weapon of mass destruction, from there his mind drew a blank.

"And? What has happened to it now?"

"Nothing, I had my friend help me create a bomb that caused the progress to tumble. Now it's nothing but a trap for anyone who dares try again. It was buried for a reason and history should not repeat itself." It was clear that Rhea had stood behind her decision on hiding away the loot, and Romulus agreed—Though would it truly be safe?

A knock had disrupted the silence, and as Romulus went along to answer the door, he pulled it wider to spot the two males carrying in the large tub. As well as the female who had helped Rhea with her bandages, as they went ahead and filled it with buckets of hot water.

Romulus had stood by her side and leaned down to her ear, a coy grin hidden by her attention to the front. "When we return to the castle you'll be treated as a hero, no matter which title you choose. But to tempt you further, my room does have running water." She groaned at the idea of such a luxury, even some of the neighboring packs had a bit of this feature. But nothing beat the Kingdom's ability to solve the plumbing issue.

"You don't play fair, my King." She grumbled, and he leaned his lips to place a kiss on the side of her temple, all before leaning his forehead against her.
"No titles between us, Amory. You may call me whatever you wish."

"Even a bastard?"

"Well, when you're cross with me I suppose. But are you angry?"

"No. So I suppose Rom will do for now." It earned her another kiss as the King left the room to her lonesome. Though Rhea was thankful for the help that the she-wolf provided in the bath.

Leaving Rhea to think through her thoughts, but more importantly, his proposal.

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Date: 06/15/24

Time: 4:00 

Words: 2719

Author's Note:

I think it's safe to say that they're on their way to finding a balance with one another again.