Chapter 124: Chapter 124 A Safe Place Called Home
Perry’s POV
I carefully removed her hospital gown, setting it aside with gentle movements. The sight of her bare skin didn’t affect me, though I could sense Phoebe’s discomfort with her exposure.
"It’s okay. I’ll handle everything. No one else will see," I assured her softly.
I turned on the shower and adjusted the water temperature. The VIP room didn’t have a bathtub, but the shower would suffice.
I guided Phoebe under the warm stream of water.
"I’ll give you privacy to wash up. I’ll be right outside," I murmured, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead before stepping away.
After I left the bathroom, I didn’t call for staff to clean up the mess. Instead, I requested fresh linens from a nurse and quietly handed over the soiled sheets along with Phoebe’s gown, offering no explanation.
I took care of everything myself. When I finished and Phoebe still hadn’t emerged, I returned to the bathroom to find her frozen in the same spot.
Without a word, I stepped in to help her wash, then carefully dried her body before dressing her in a clean gown. I led her to the sofa and began drying her hair.
Her hair felt exactly as I remembered—silky and soft. Those adorable curls looked even more enchanting when damp. The thought crossed my mind that I could do this every single day without complaint.
We remained silent as I helped her back to the freshly made bed.
The crisp sheets seemed to lull Phoebe toward sleep immediately.
I wanted to get some food into her before she drifted off, but by the time the warrior brought a meal, she had already succumbed to exhaustion.
"Will she be okay without eating?" I asked the nurse who came to check on Phoebe. She slept peacefully, her lips slightly parted.
"She’ll be fine. I’ll set up an IV drip for her," the nurse replied with a nod before leaving to prepare the equipment.
"Please don’t get sick," I whispered, leaning down to kiss her forehead once more.
***
We remained at the hospital for two additional days to ensure Phoebe’s complete recovery.
If I could have managed it, I would have extended our stay indefinitely. The hospital provided excellent care for Phoebe, but pressing matters at the palace demanded my attention—especially with Flynn no longer serving as my royal beta.
My first priority upon returning would be calling an urgent meeting about Flynn. I needed to officially announce his removal from the position of royal beta.
This meant finding a suitable replacement quickly. The seat couldn’t remain vacant for long.
"We’re heading back to the palace today."
I settled into the chair beside Phoebe’s bed. She studied her fingernails, but her demeanor seemed less withdrawn than before. "Would you prefer... to stay at the beach house, or return with me?"
If she chose the beach house, I’d need to remove Flynn and station additional warriors there for her protection. Marcela would certainly remain with her.
"Where would you like to stay?" My voice came out surprisingly gentle, even to my own ears.
I remembered Phoebe couldn’t speak, so I retrieved paper and a pen, placing them in her hands.
"I’ll support whatever you decide."
I expected her to choose the beach house, so her written response caught me off guard.
"The palace? Are you certain?" My heart lifted at the thought of having her close, within my reach. "Why? I thought you despised that place."
She wrote just one word: Safe.
——
Phoebe’s POV
I wanted to explain that the palace offered the greatest security. Reginald couldn’t reach me there.
I’d learned he’d escaped the king’s assault. Nowhere else could guarantee my safety like the palace could.
Even if attackers breached the walls, countless warriors stood ready to defend the grounds.
I refused to fall into Reginald’s grasp again.
I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of possessing me.
While Reginald clung to memories of our first encounter years ago, I had no recollection of such an event.
I’d endured so much afterward that my mind had shielded itself, causing me to forget several things.
——
Perry’s POV
"Alright. Let’s go home."
This arrangement allowed Flynn to remain at the beach house until I decided otherwise. Several warriors continued guarding the property.
However, since our last confrontation that nearly cost Flynn his life, I hadn’t seen him. I hadn’t even checked on his condition, which only deepened his resentment.
——
"The king has ordered my return to the palace," Marcela informed Flynn. She’d developed a habit of addressing the former royal beta with formal respect.
Aside from Marcela’s previous outburst during their argument, their interactions remained courteous.
"Are there any orders for me?" Flynn asked, hope flickering in his voice. Weeks had passed since their fight.
"No, there aren’t," Marcela answered.
Disappointment washed over his features. "What does he plan to do with me?"
Flynn’s dejection was unmistakable, and Marcela couldn’t bring herself to reveal that the king was already searching for his replacement.
