Chapter 9

• The stranger Elena and Forest brought back had been sleeping since they carried him into the restaurant. He did not open his eyes all through the period when they took care of him. His breathing was rapid at some point, coming out in harsh puffs, causing Elena to become worried. Mac helped to remove the man's attire and dressed him in more comfortable clothes. When he was done, Elena took over from Forest and began to wipe off the man's sweat. His breathing eventually became normal, and Elena sighed in relief.
• The man slept for a long time, and they all surmised that his body required the much-needed rest. So they went about their daily duties as the man slept. Later in the evening, as they were preparing for the public banquet, the man woke up. Forest was the first to find out as he was in his room searching for what to wear. When the strange man woke up, Forest jumped in alarm when he called out to him. Finally recognizing who was talking, Forest reached out to the man and asked him how he felt. He didn't even wait for the man's response before yelling for Elena.
• Elena had just finished bringing out the dress she would wear for the banquet when she heard her name. She rushed over to Forest and was stunned to see the man they took home awake. Forest shook her out of her daze, and she quickly walked over to ask after the man.