BXBX NOVEL Chapter 63 63 Refreshed Lady
Chapter 63 Chapter 63 Refreshed Lady
Finally, he had something more lethal than the destroying Flying Sword. Finally, he had something that could also announce him loudly. Monica was no longer the only one who could walk the destructive path.
His hand grabbed the laid out towel folded neatly beside the silver basin, and dried his face.
Knock knock.
Nexus already knew what it was for even before the voice came;
"Sire, the Lady of the estate has requested that you join her for breakfast at once."
Remembering last night, Nexus smiled to himself as he put on a new tunic. It was his second big boy purchase from the market. Hopefully, this time, the lady would not ruin it by cummin' all over it.
....
Four minutes later, Nexus swaggered into the great hall with a spring in his step,
The hall was even more impressive during the day. The rising sun filtered in through the east wing, washing a warm glow of golden light over the large open space, and bedecking the entire hall in a blanket of the morning glow. Even the large looming ceiling had somehow been illuminated.
As usual, the matriarch was seated at the head of the thirty foot long cherry wood table. Her massive chair towered over all the others like a throne. To her right was the eldest daughter of the clan- Nora. She was looking at her mother with a look of surprise plastered on her face, as if she could not believe what she was seeing.
As he covered the ridiculously long distance between the entrance and his hosts, Nexus took it all in;
Sprawled out on the table were all kinds of exotic fruits. Strawberries, grapes, huge watermelon slices filled the trays. Wafting through the air was the smell of freshly-baked, slightly-burned bread. Jugs of almond milk loomed above the fruit buffet. It looked, and smelled like a home.
"Nexus!" Nora called out in her high pitched voice; "How nice of you to join us!"
As soon as he got within talking distance, he replied curtly;
"It is truly an honor to be invited to dine at your table."
He turned to the mother and dipped his head slightly; "Good morning Lady Russell."
"Good morning doctor. Please," she pointed to her left; "Have a seat."
A servant quickly rushed to gently pull back his chair.
"Thank you."
"I hope you had a great night?" she asked him with a naughty glint in her eyes;
"Indeed my lady. . ." he repeated her instruction word for word; ". . .as soon as I left your tower, I went straight to my room, and fell right asleep."
She lifted her ceramic teacup to her lips; "Did you dream about anything- doctor?"
Nexus paused and furrowed his eyebrows, as if trying to remember;
"No my lady," he finally answered; "I slept too deep. There were no dreams."
She smiled tastefully.
Nexus smiled back.
And Nora interjected energetically;
"Oh for heaven's sake, who cares about dreams right now? Look at my mother, she's practically glowing!"
Nexus nodded with a stiff smile; "Indeed. She does appear to be more radiant this morning."
"Radiant? No, cheese steaks are radiant when they come out of the oven. Swans look radiant next to each other in lakes. My mother looks nothing short of transcendent this morning. I mean look at her!"
"Come on Nora," the matriarch cut in sweetly; "You're making me feel shy in front of our guest."
Nexus fought the compulsive reaction to laugh out loud. Shy? You've got be kidding me.
Nora pointed her fork at the lady; "No mother, you don't understand. I never thought this days would come. I've watched you in bed for years now, and I never thought the day would come when you would be well enough to even be here at this table. . . "
Disbelief dogged her every word;
". . .looking at you right now, all glowed up, looking younger, and refreshed, it truly feels like a miracle."
Nora was not wrong.
There was something positively different about the lady this morning.
Her clear smooth skin appeared to shine even brighter- like there was a burning lamp inside her, that was lightning up her skin. The lady looked like she had soaked herself in a bath full of milk overnight, and emerged looking like a statued goddess. Even her golden curls seemed to shimmer- like an invisible halo had been placed on her, and her alone.
Her beautiful cherubic smile beamed gracefully on her face;
"Thank you daughter, it really does feel good to feel this good. Especially after so many years."
Nora shifted her gaze to Nexus. She dropped her cutlery softly on the triangular folded napkins;
"Thank you Nexus, truly." Gratitude was written boldly all over her face; "You said you would do it, and you kept your word."
Nexus opened his mouth, but he did not get the chance;
"I'm sorry I doubted you earlier on. You were the relief we had been searching for, and I nearly jeopardized my mother's healing with my disrespect and unbelief."
Her deep blue eyes, just like her mother's, burned into him;
"I can never truly pay you back for this deed you've done Nexus. But I need you to know right now, that you've touched a soul- no you've touched two souls here today. Thank you."
It was heartfelt. And it was downright the most genuine and most passionate thing he had heard since he arrived here.
Feigning embarassment, Nexus placed his right hand on his chest and slightly leaned backwards in the oak wood chair. It creaked under his shifting weight;
"Wow Nora, you've somehow managed to make two grownups feel shy- all in the space of five minutes,"
Her eyes softened, and her chin spread out in a broad grin as her emotional face brightened at his humor. Her head dipped a couple of inches, along with her long golden curls;
"It wasn't my intention though. I was just speaking my truth."
"As is your right." he chipped in with quiet smile; "But seriously though, I was just doing my job as a healer. It was my honor and privilege to be able to help. There was no way I could sit back and do nothing."
"Exactly! You could have easily just passed along. You know- ignore us or something, and maybe reserve your service for a much richer clientele. Especially when you found about our family's current condition."
Nexus shook his head; "I couldn't have done that in good faith. Even before you knew I could treat your mother, the entire Russell family was nothing but gracious to me. All of you- even Monica."
Lady Russell chuckled. Nora snickered. Clearly they thought it hilarious.
"I mean it," he protested softly; "She could have had me kicked out on the very first day. But she chose not to. As weird as it seems, I believe it was actually her own way of being hospitable. . ."
Both mother and daughter shared a knowing glance. And Nexus knew he had struck a truthful chord.
". . .you took me under your roof and gave me a place at your table. Not to mention the wonderful gift of gold." Nexus stated emphatically; "It is I who should be grateful."