Leana nodded. His breathing seemed much better, less labored.
“Good, the medicine is startin’ to take effect. But for it to work properly, I’ll have to ask the maid to bring ye another one soon.”
“Alright.” Hunter yawned, pulling the blanket up to his chin. Leana didn’t hesitate to help him. “It didnae taste that bad anyway.”
“Good to ken,” she said with a smile.
“Ye ken, ye’re good at this,” he complimented, making her laugh.
Fluffing the boy’s hair, she sat down next to him on the bed. “Oh right, something I’ve heard before.”
“I guess that’s why me braither brought ye here.”
“I guess…”
Leana preferred to leave out the part about Kenneth kidnapping her. She doubted it was appropriate to have such a conversation with a patient. Especially a child.
“Anyway, I hope ye win the healer contest.”
“The… The what?” She frowned.
“That’s what I call it. Because me big braither always brings in healers to diagnose me illness.”
“They’re nae as good at guessin’ as I am.” Leana laughed.
“Well, nay. That’s why I want ye to win. Besides, ye always smile at me, and I like that.”
His words, sweet and innocent, made her smile wider.
The poor little boy—he was probably treated by a bunch of quacks who were so afraid of the Laird that they didnae even do their job properly…
“It would be nice to win the contest. I’ve never won anything,” Leana admitted.
“Really?” Hunter’s eyes widened with curiosity.
Leana nodded. “Aye. Me sisters are very talented… But I only ken herbs and medicine.”
“Well, that makes ye talented to me.” Hunter patted her hand affectionately. He snuggled further beneath the covers before he asked curiously, “What are yer sisters like?”
“Smart, intelligent, pretty, talented…” Leana replied.
“Ah, then they’re just like ye,” Hunter said, his eyes growing heavy.
Leana burst out laughing.
How different the Laird and his younger braither are. I wish Kenneth had the same manners.
“Me sisters are prettier, smarter and more talented than me,” Leana said fondly.
Talking about her sisters made her miss them terribly, but it also helped her make the distance more bearable.
“Me sister Joanna is the best at archery. She always wins every competition she enters.”
“Really?” Hunter’s lips parted. “That’s great. Do ye think she could teach me how to use a bow and arrow?”
“Maybe someday,” Leana replied, not wanting to get his hopes up too high.
She didn’t want him to think she was staying in the castle permanently, when the truth was that she would leave after a month.