Bella's POV
Once I climbed into the carriage, Penny immediately produced a set of dry clothes.
Julian positioned himself several feet from the carriage without me needing to ask, and even his attendants turned away respectfully.
After I'd changed and made myself presentable, I finally looked less like a drowned rat and gestured for Julian to join me.
"Thank you, Your Highness," I said.
My formal tone made Julian's brow furrow. "Bellie, why the cold shoulder?"
My pulse quickened. I used to throw myself at him when we were kids, but that was a lifetime ago. I was a woman now.
Seeing my conflicted expression, Julian chuckled softly. "Never mind. Doesn't matter."
Penny finished wrapping my wrist in clean bandages.
The bleeding had stopped, but every tiny movement sent fire shooting through my arm.
Throughout the process, Julian's jaw stayed clenched tight. He didn't speak, but his knuckles went white from how hard he gripped his hands.
