The Vampire King's Possession
Chapter 168. Stitches

Chapter 168: 168. Stitches

Mauve looked up in horror at Jean’s words, "What?"

"I will be removing your stitches today," he repeated with a smile.

Mauve looked at her unwrapped shoulder. The three lines with dark red coloring stared back at her. The bandages were taken off almost a week ago.

"Why? I don’t think it’s completely healed yet." Her voice shook a little as she spoke.

"No, it’s not but it’s healed enough to take the stitches out. It’s been about twelve days, that’s more than enough time. There is no need to let it stay any longer, especially with how fast you’re healing."

He stood beside the bed, peering down at her as he spoke. His bright eyes gleamed in the dark. Mauve blinked, his bright look was killing her. Even though he was saying this without a smile, she knew there was no way the process would be painless.

"Would it hurt?" She asked.

Jean’s brows furrowed, "Not so much."

"That doesn’t sound very believable," Mauve said and pulled her injured arm away from his reach.

Jean chuckled as she pulled away from him. "Well, I do have to remove the stitches, otherwise the holes made by the threads won’t heal." He explained.

Mauve squinted, she had already thought of this but now that she was faced with it, she wasn’t really pleased about this. She dreaded the pain that would follow.

She glared at him, he wasn’t exactly helping her situation by threatening her that the stitches would have to be removed whether she wanted them to be removed or not.

"I promise, it won’t hurt." He said, noticing her expression.

She sighed, "Okay."

It’s not like her being scared would change the outcome, the stitches will be removed irrespective of whether she was scared of that or not. She did want to get better so she would brace herself and get through this.

"Where is Mill?" She asked.

"I don’t know but she should be back soon. Would you like me to call for her?" Jean offered.

Mauve shook her head, "No, thank you. It’s fine. I was just wondering if you sent her on some errand."

Jean shook his head, "Are you ready then?"

Mauve jerked her head upward, "No," she blurted out. "We will wait for Mill."

"Of course," Jean said and took a step back.

She smiled softly at him and looked at her shoulders. No matter how painless it would be, she would rather not have to go through it alone.

She rubbed her left shoulder, avoiding the stitched part. Well, not as the first day and it never really stopped hurting but at least she could move it around more than usual.

She no longer had to support it when moving around. However, Mill still wouldn’t let her do anything by herself but at least Jael would often let her walk around with her legs.

A soft knock echoed and Mill opened the door. She walked in with a worried expression. "Sorry, I took so long." She apologized. "They needed help in the kitchen, it’s almost time for lunch. Are you okay?"

She walked to Mauve’s side with the words pouring out of her lips. She sat on the edge of the bed and stared directly at Mauve.

"It’s fine," she said immediately. "Jean said he wanted to take out the stitches."

Mill nodded.

Mauve frowned, apparently, she was the only one just hearing about this. "He informed you?" She asked.

"Yeah, he wasn’t sure if it would be best to leave it an extra day but he decided there was no need for that."

"Ah, I see," Mauve said and looked away.

"What’s wrong?" Mill asked with concern in her voice.

"Nothing," she blurted. "I guess, I’ll remove it now." She said out loud.

"Are you worried it would hurt?" Mill asked.

"Jean said it wouldn’t," she replied and stared at her shoulder. Even as the words left her lips, she couldn’t comprehend how he would get the stitches out without it hurting. It was painful to look at.

Jean was by her side in a jiffy, "Please lie her down," he said to Mill.

"I can do it by myself," Mauve said stiffly and Mill shrank away.

"Of course," Mill said with a smile as she recovered quickly.

She looked away at her outburst, she was a little more scared than she was willing to admit. She could feel her body shake a little.

She lay with her back on the bed and her head against the pillow. Mill then adjusted to make sure she was comfortable.

"This will be over before you know it." He held what looked like a small knife and approached her.

Mauve shut her eyes immediately, there was no way she would be able to watch him cut it without passing out. Her mouth tasted funny and she suddenly felt nauseous.

Suddenly, the door flew open as did Mauve’s eyes. Jael stood by the open door with confused eyes. Mauve felt water gather in her eyes immediately. Jael’s confused expression immediately turned to a frown.

"What’s going on here?" He asked and walked in glaring at Jean who was hovering over Mauve with a knife.

"Your Grace," Jean immediately said. He pulled away and gave Jael a bow. Mill rose to her feet and bowed too.

"What’s happening?" He asked again, ignoring their words, his eyes were glued to Mauve’s who looked helpless as she lay on the bed.

"H-her stitches, Your Grace. It’s time to remove them."

"I see, I will let you get back to it," Jael said and slowly turned around.

"Wait!" Mauve cried suddenly. "Please stay."

Jael turned around slowly and looked at her. "I don’t think that’s a good idea."

Mauve immediately looked at Jean who looked like he had not recovered from Jael’s presence. He didn’t look at her but kept his head bent.

"I will be right outside," he said to her and walked closer. "Mill is here if you need anything." She nodded as he touched her cheeks.