Chapter 183

Scarlett Before Lucien could move to see Archer's back legs to check the wounds, Archer had stopped us and spoke. “It already healed,” he said. “My wounds usually took one day to heal without scars that's why it easily heals whenever Nanny would punish me for not concentrating in reading or training.” My heart felt as if it had been wrung dry. I stood up and moved toward him, nearly bumping into the table if not for Lucien guiding me—but I didn’t care. I reached Archer and pulled him into my arms, sinking back onto the sofa as I held him tightly. Claude sat close on my right, silent, yet I could hear it in the way he breathed—slow, heavy, restrained. He was angry too. “Why didn’t you tell us?” My voice broke as I gently rubbed Archer’s head. “I’m sorry… Mama and Papa are so sorry we couldn’t protect you. You suffered so much…” He shook his head against my chest, burying his face into my neck. “It was nothing, Mama. I’m not angry. And… it didn’t hurt that much.” I pressed my lips togeth