Resonant bells echoed across the western palace before Vella completed tying the cooling linen wrap across Hajin's damaged shoulder.
Massive security barriers dropped across every corridor leading into the damaged wing, their thunderous descent drawing courtiers and servants to the perimeter.
She tucked the final fold of linen beside his collar with the practiced precision of a seasoned combat surgeon.
Her fingertips lingered for a quiet breath past the knot, sending a subtle violet diagnostic pulse across his blistered skin.
"Your arm stays gray until sunrise, and your shoulder stays wrapped until I say otherwise," she instructed, her voice firm with medical authority.
"Sit down whenever the court stands for too long... or I will order the princess to force you onto a bench!"
"I understand every one of the doctor's terms," Hajin replied with a wry smile, rolling his uninjured left shoulder.
