Aristia wordlessly took out a handkerchief, using it to gently wipe his face, carefully avoiding the bruises.
She squatted down to meet his eyes.
"Are you alright?" She almost facepalmed at her stupid question, but caught Owen facepalming from the corner of her eyes.
She shook her head and answered her own question. "No. You're not alright. Come with me. Can you stand?" Even though she asked that, she still turned to Lucas.
"Please, carry him."
"Yes, your highness."
Lucas went forward and bent down. He touched the boy's arm and the boy groaned in pain.
He lifted the boy in his arms and before he turned around to face Aristia, the boy mumbled weakly. "Thank... you."
His voice was so low and Aristia would not have heard it if she wasn't watching him and saw his mouth moving.
She nodded, thinking about something.
What happened to this boy reminded her of something.
She had seen children that had gone through abuse.
