Chapter 4 Exposed

• "I ... "
• Arya's gaze fell upon his strikingly handsome features, momentarily stirring her heart. Yet swiftly, a profound fear wrapped around her.
• This man's lethal aura felt as though it could snatch a life without warning.
• "My name is Arya Dillon. I ... I'm a new healer here," she managed, her voice shaky.
• "A healer?" The man towered over Arya, surveying her.
• "Please forgive us!" Elton fell to his knees beside them, pleading, "This poor villager has inadvertently bothered you. We beg for your mercy!"
• "This does not concern you!" Titus, the king, responded sternly, dismissing Elton with a wave.
• "He's right," Arya managed to muster a composed facade, though her heart was quaking, and told Elton, "This matter doesn't involve you. Please stay out of it."
• "But you were called here on my account!" Elton persisted, his voice trembling with the fear of being held accountable.
• "Hmm," Titus regarded Arya closely, a slight crease forming between his brows as if he recognized something familiar about her.
• He paused, contemplating silently.
• Suddenly, the corners of his lips curled into a subtle smirk, and he commanded, "Guards!"
• Arya collapsed to her knees instantly.
• When he called for the guards, surely it meant her end was near.
• She could not afford to die; she had her young children and an elderly nanny to look after.
• But, to her surprise, Titus issued an unexpected order, "Take this person to oversee the War Stables; he'll serve as the healer for my horses."
• With that, Titus mounted his horse, his demeanour as regal and imposing as ever, and rode away with a sharp crack of his whip.
• Still reeling, Arya suddenly found herself on the ground, cursing inwardly.
• "Arya," Elton said, wiping his forehead, "you really lucked out. Were you asking for death? Don't get me killed together with you!"
• "But I don't know the first thing about being an animal healer!" Arya shrugged, feeling lost. "I've never cared for horses."
• "Do you think they actually want you to tend the horses?" Elton responded with a sigh, "It's the bare minimum for a stableman."
• "Then ... " Arya asked, "Why am I being sent to the War Stables?"
• "Just staying alive is winning," chimed a healer nearby, "why worry about anything else?"
• Arya sighed deeply, patting her chest. "Thea, Orion, you nearly lost your mother today in this chaotic time. How ridiculous!"
• ...
• Then Grant took Preston away for interrogation while Arya was led to the War Stables.
• The courtyard was immense, surrounded by high walls hidden behind lush greenery.
• The stables were lined up neatly, filled with the sounds of horses neighing and hooves clattering—a clear sign of many horses.
• Arya gently stroked a chestnut horse's nose, trying to express her feelings right now, but suddenly she heard hooves again. Titus was approaching on his horse.
• Watching the formidable figure on horseback, Arya felt an odd stirring.
• Titus pulled on the reins, and the dark horse pivoted, then stopped in front of Arya.
• He narrowed his eyes, observing her closely.
• "Hi." Arya forced a nervous smile, raising her hand in greeting.
• "Insolent!" snapped a guard following close behind. "You dare not kneel before the Shadow King?"
• Arya was uncomfortable with the formalities. But fortunately, Titus gestured for the guard to back off.
• "I must say," Arya mustered the courage to speak up, "There's really no need for me to work with the horses. Wouldn't it be better if I returned to the clinic to do something more productive?"
• "Hmph!" Titus snorted from atop his horse, "The clinic's healers will live and work closely together daily. With all those men around, do you think you'd manage it?"
• Upon hearing this, Arya instinctively covered her mouth, taken aback.
• D...Did he realize I'm a woman disguising as a man?